As Strong As We Are United Chapter 28: I Thee Wed, a buffy x-overs fanfic

As Strong As We Are United

Chapter 28 – I Thee Wed

Buffy was the first in the castle to wake on December 24th. She opened her eyes and looked around the large guest suite that Dumbledore insisted she use. It would afford her privacy to prepare herself for her wedding that evening, and that night she and Charlie would be able to share their wedding night away from all of their friends and family who would be staying to celebrate Christmas the next day.

Buffy could not contain her excitement. She jumped up and down on the large bed several times, squealing in delight. "I'm getting married. Yes, I'm getting married today. Just eight more hours and I'll be Mrs. Charlie Weasley," she happily shouted to the empty rooms.

After several minutes, Buffy calmed herself enough to enter the bathroom to shower. Her sister and friends would be arriving soon to help her prepare. Even though she had eight hours before the actual ceremony, which would be taking place in the Great Hall, Buffy knew that the time would fly.

By the time Buffy had exited the shower, Dawn, Shannon, Hermione, Ginny, Willow, Faith, Anya, and Cordelia had arrived, laden with bags of cosmetics, hot rollers, and various styling products. The eight women would also get dressed themselves in the guest suite, knowing that they wanted to be by Buffy's side until the final moments before the wedding.

"What is all that stuff?" Buffy asked, as she toweled her wet hair.

Cordelia smiled. "It takes a lot to get a bride ready," she replied. After placing her bags on the floor, she put on her best Queen C look and directed her full attention to Buffy. "I want you to put a dab of leave-in conditioner in your hair and comb it out. We'll let it air dry for an hour while we eat breakfast, then I'll blow it out. After that Anya and I will give you a manicure and pedicure. Then, we can begin work on pulling your hair up into this." Cordelia showed Buffy a picture in a bridal magazine, that caused the blonde Slayer to gasp in awe.

"Are you sure you can get my hair to do that?" Buffy asked skeptically.

"Remember who you are talking to," replied Cordelia, who was now in full beauty queen mode. Cordelia continued to explain her plans. "While I am working on your hair, Ginny and Shannon have agreed to do something with Dawn's hair. We will have time for a small lunch. Then there is makeup and actually getting you into your dresses. Then we should have time for the rest of us to get ready."

Cordelia looked very pleased with herself. Buffy just looked stunned. "Well?" questioned Cordelia. "What are you waiting for? Leave-in conditioner and brush your hair out – now, go."

By the time Buffy had finished following Cordelia's orders, the house-elves had sent up a breakfast of fruit, muffins, juice, and coffee. The nine women found seats around the sitting room to eat. Their chatter filled the room, everyone talking excitedly about what the day held in store.

When they had finished eating, Cordelia set to work on Buffy's hair and then with Anya's help on Buffy's nails. At the same time, Dawn, Shannon, Hermione, and Ginny did each other's nails.

"We need some music," noted Faith. She pulled out several CD's and spun them in the air with the charm Cat often used.

"What is this?" asked Buffy, as the first strains of music filled the room.

"Disney Princess Collection," replied Faith. Buffy raised an eyebrow at her sister Slayer. "It seemed appropriate," replied Faith.

"You own the Disney Princess Collection?" asked Buffy, her voice full of amusement.

Faith actually blushed. "Well, I could have a girl, and little girls like that kind of thing?"

"And if it's a boy?" asked Shannon between giggles.

"Then I'll put it aside in case I have a girl later," replied Faith with a shrug. Soon all the women with the exception of Shannon were singing along to the CD.

"Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon, or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned? Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind? Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Charlie was awoken by loud pounding on the door to his quarters. After trying to ignore the noise for several minutes, he finally gave up and rose to answer the door. "What?" Charlie demanded, as he opened the door to find Percy, Fred, George, and Ron smiling at him.

"'What,' he asks," mocked Fred.

"You do remember you are supposed to be getting married today, brother dear," reminded George.

"I told them we should let you sleep in today, but would they listen? Of course not," noted Percy.

"Well, come on already," added Ron with a wide grin. "This is your last breakfast, as a single Weasley man."

Charlie gave his brothers a rude gesture, before stepping back to allow them entry into his rooms. "Give me a minute," Charlie noted, before slouching off to his bedroom to get dressed.

"He doesn't seem very happy," Fred worried.

"I'm happy," yelled Charlie from the bedroom. "I just hadn't planned on being so happy for another hour or so. This is going to be a long day, and tomorrow is going to be a very early morning. I planned to get as much rest as possible now." Charlie emerged in a pair of jeans and Weasley sweater.

The five Weasley men trooped up the stairs and into the Scooby common room, where Charlie discovered that the house-elves had prepared a large breakfast. Wesley, Cat, Lena, and Oz were seated together at one of the tables, talking and eating.

"Where is everyone else?" Charlie asked.

"Draco and Harry went down to the Great Hall for breakfast," replied Wesley.

"And the girls and Willow left with Faith, Anya, and Cordelia to help the bride get ready," added Cat with a smile.

"How come you aren't with them?" asked George, grabbing a muffin and sitting at a second table.

Cat shrugged. "I figured that eight women could manage to help Buffy without adding a ninth or tenth," she replied.

"And though I'm really grateful that you have invited me to attend the wedding," added Lena, "this is the kind of thing that is meant to be done by close friends."

"We also figured that some of the out-of-town guests, who are staying the night would arrive early," explained Wesley. "Someone should be here to greet them."

"I still can't believe that our little Charlie is getting married," commented Fred with an exaggerated sniff. "It seems like only yesterday he was completely dateless and pathetic." Charlie glared at Fred, but everyone else just laughed.

"Even I have to admit that after Bill I always thought that Ron or I would be the next one to get married," said Percy.

"Me?" asked Ron. "But I'm the youngest, and I didn't even have the guts to ask Hermione out until last year."

"True," replied Percy. "But unlike our other brothers, you and I were fortunate enough to find our soul mates before we even knew what that meant."

"Don't tell me that even you realized that Hermione and I liked each other before I did," warned Ron.

The other Weasley men all laughed. "Ron, everyone knew before you did," quipped Charlie, while pouring himself a cup of strong coffee. "And, since our little talk about your Christmas present for Hermione, it's a pretty good bet that you may be the next in line for the alter."

"What Christmas present?" asked Fred.

"Is ickle Ronniekins going to give Hermione an engagement ring?" asked George scathingly.

"Don't know why she would have you," put in Fred.

"But if she will, you better not mess it up," added George. "We still think she deserves better than the likes of you."

"Now you understand why I kept Penny a secret for so long," explained Percy, who had begun to butter a muffin.

"I think that you are all forgetting that today is Charlie's day to be teased mercilessly – not mine," moaned Ron.

"We have more than enough teasing to go around," noted George.

Charlie turned to Wesley, who was silently chucking. "Wes, you're my friend. Please help."

Wesley shook his head. "It isn't my place to get involved with family matters," he argued jovially.

Several hours later, Buffy's hair and makeup was finished. All the other women had gotten dressed and ready before helping Buffy with her dress. "It's time," announced Cordelia looking at her watch.

Cordelia and Dawn pooled the dress into a large circled on the floor for Buffy to step into easily. Buffy took a deep breath and carefully stepped into the dress. Cordelia and Dawn each took a side and pulled it up, helping Buffy to put her arms through the long sleeves. Dawn then had the honor of fastening the twenty plus buttons up the back of the dress, while Cordelia carefully affixed the veil to Buffy's updo.

Cordelia and Dawn stepped back, as Faith dragged a large mirror in front of Buffy. There were several gasps of "ooh's" and "ah's" from the bride and her friends.

"Buffy, you look beautiful," Dawn told her sister. Everyone agreed. Buffy glowed like only a bride can. Her dress had long sleeves that ended in points over her hands. It had a sweetheart neckline, smooth satin bodice, full back, and flowing skirt that touched the floor in front and spread into a cathedral length train in the back. Though her pregnancy had begun to show nearly a month ago, the cut of the dress hid Buffy's stomach well.

"It's a beautiful dress," complimented Cordelia. "I love that it has that simple elegance. Some wedding dresses are just too overdone with all the beading."

"And now the final touches," said Willow, stepping forward. "Something old." Willow handed Buffy a small Irish coin. "Angel has had this since he was human. He asked that I give it to you to place in your shoe for luck." Buffy smiled and, with help from Dawn, placed the coin in her shoe.

"Something new and something blue," said Dawn, stepping forward and handing Buffy a pair of sapphire earrings. "Since we don't have anything left from mom, I was thinking we should start a new tradition for Summers women. So, I'm expecting to borrow those back someday, when I get married." Buffy laughed and put the earrings in her ears.

"And lastly, something borrowed and something blue," said Ginny. She handed Buffy a small sapphire necklace. "My mum didn't have a lot of jewelry; so, this is really something special. It's the necklace that dad gave her on their wedding day." Ginny clasped the necklace at Buffy's throat. "Welcome to the family," Ginny added, giving Buffy a quick hug.

Buffy could not help herself, she twirled around in front of the mirror to the last strains of the song that was playing.

"I know you! I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you! The gleam in you eyes is so familiar a gleam. And, I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem. But, if I know you, I know what you'll do. You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream."

As the song ended there was loud knock on the door. Shannon bounded over to answer it. Giles stood in the corridor, dressed in wizarding robes of the deepest blue. He looked at Buffy and smiled. "You look beautiful," he told his Slayer, who returned his smile.

"Everyone is in the Great Hall waiting," Giles informed the group. "All of you should go take your seats. Buffy, Dawn, and I will be there momentarily to begin." Everyone else left the suite.

Giles turned his attention to Buffy and Dawn. He looked slightly teary eyed. "Though I have no children of my own, I have always thought of the two of you as my daughters." Buffy and Dawn smiled. "I am so very proud of the both of you." He gave a Dawn a hug, before turning his attention to Buffy alone.

"Buffy, I have watched you grow from a rather difficult teenaged girl into a capable and independent young woman. Though I am probably kidding myself, I like to think that I was part of that transformation."

"You were," Buffy interrupted.

Giles smiled. "You are about to set off on a new chapter of your life. But there is something that I want you to always remember. I will always consider you my family. If you ever need anything, I will always be there for you." Buffy nodded, afraid that if she spoke, she would cry. Giles hugged her. "I love you, Buffy. And, I know that you are going to make a wonderful wife and mother. Congratulations."

After taking a moment to compose themselves, Giles led Buffy and Dawn out of the guest suite and to the Great Hall.

The decorations in the Great Hall put the usual Yule Ball decorations to shame. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick had outdone themselves. As it darkened early this time of year, the enchanted ceiling was full of stars. Large strings of white roses tied with red and green ribbons were wound around the large columns at the side of the room. Beautiful wooden chairs with red cushions were placed in neat rows on either side of the Great Hall, and a white satin runner littered with red rose petals lead from the door to an a large arch, also covered in white roses, under which Professor Dumbledore stood with Charlie and Percy. On either side of the arch, large pillar candles stood.

All eyes turned toward the door, when it opened. Dawn slowly walked up the aisle to the tune of soft organ music that filled the room. Draco's breath caught, as he watched her in her long red dress. Dawn gave him a small smile, as she passed the row where he was sitting with his mother, Faith, and Robin. Dawn took her place beside Dumbledore, opposite Percy.

The music rose in volume, as the first notes of the traditional wedding march were played. Charlie could not do much more than gape at Buffy, as Giles escorted her up the aisle. They walked slowly, and Buffy smiled at her friends and soon-to-be in-laws.

Giles and Buffy stopped just in front of Dumbledore. They faced each other, as Giles pulled Buffy's veil away from her face and placed a fatherly kiss on her cheek. Giles took Buffy's hand and placed it in Charlie's. The young couple looked into each other's eyes and smiled. "You look beautiful," Charlie whispered, before they turned to face Dumbledore.

The aged headmaster spoke. "Before we begin, Buffy and Charles would like to take a moment to remember those who are not able to be with them today. In representation of those lost loved ones, we shall light candles in their names."

Willow and Ginny walked forward, each holding a lit candle. Willow used the candle in her hand to light one of the pillars, standing on Buffy's side of the arch. "Joyce Summers," Willow spoke. "We call on you to witness the marriage of your daughter.

Willow moved to the next candle. "Jenny Calendar. We call on you to witness the marriage of your student and friend."

She lit the next candle. "Tara McClay," Willow had difficulty staying composed. "We call on you to witness the marriage of your friend."

Lighting the last candle, Willow invoked, "Kendra the Vampire Slayer. We call on you to witness the marriage of your sister Slayer."

Ginny then lit the first candle on Charlie's side of the arch. "Arthur and Molly Weasley. We call on you to witness the marriage of your son."

She lit the second candle. "Bill and Fleur Weasley. We call on you to witness the marriage of your brother."

She lit the third. "Rubeus Hagrid. We call on you to witness the marriage of your student and friend."

Willow and Ginny took their seats as Professor Dumbledore once again addressed the assembled group. "Welcome, family and friends, to this joyous occasion. We are here to witness the binding of Buffy Anne Summers and Charles Xavier Weasley in the sacred union of marriage. However, we are not only here to unite Buffy and Charles. We are here to unite two families."

"Family is not defined by blood. It is not defined by legal proceedings. It is defined by the love shared between its members. Today is a celebration of that love – not only the love shared by Buffy and Charlie, but the love shared by all of you here today."

"As Buffy and Charles venture forth to create their own family, they will require the love and support of each one of you. And so I ask all of you to take a vow. Do you the friends and family of Buffy Anne Summers and Charles Xavier Weasley promise to love and support them throughout the joys and sorrows that life will bring?"

Everyone responded, "I do."

"Do you the friends and family of Buffy Anne Summers and Charles Xavier Weasley promise to accept them and their children into your families?"

Everyone responded, "I do."

Dumbledore nodded to Shannon and Ron, who both stood. Shannon spoke first. "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Ron continued, "Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

As the two teens sat, Dumbledore spoke. "Love is a force that at once is more wonderful and more terrible than even death, than even human intelligence, than even the forces of nature. It is the power of love that binds us all together as family. It is the power of love that binds Buffy Anne Summers and Charles Xavier Weasley." Dumbledore opened a long box and removed from it a thick gold cord. He held up the cord for everyone to see. "This is the symbol of the love that binds a husband and wife together."

Dumbledore asked Buffy and Charlie to hold hands. He wrapped the golden cord around their hands and tied it. He nodded to Draco and Hermione, who had agreed to sing. Draco began.

"Never knew, I could feel like this – like I've never seen the sky before. Want to vanish inside your kiss. Everyday I love you more and more. Listen to my heart. Can you hear it sing? Telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change – winter to spring. But I love you, until the end of time. Come what may. Come what may. I will love you until my dying day."

Hermione sang the next word.

"Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace."

Draco joined her.

"Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste. It all revolves around you. And, there's no mountains to high, no rivers to wide. Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side. Storm clouds may gather, and stars may collide. But I love you (I love you) until the end of time. Come what may. Come what may. I will love you until my dying day."

The two teens sat, as Dumbledore returned his attention to Buffy and Charlie. "Do you, Charles Xavier Weasley, take Buffy Anne Summers as your wife, to love, honor, and cherish until death you do part?"

Charlie smiled broadly. "I do."

"And do you, Buffy Anne Summers, take Charles Xavier Weasley as your husband, to love, honor, and cherish until death you do part."

"I do," Buffy replied loudly.

Dumbledore untied the golden cord and returned it to its box, while Percy handed Charlie a ring. "Please place the ring on Buffy's finger and say the words 'I thee wed,'" Dumbledore instructed. Charlie did so. Dumbledore then instructed Buffy to do the same.

Dumbledore smiled. "It is my greatest honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Charles, you may kiss your bride."

Charlie pulled Buffy into a tight embrace and kissed her soundly on the lips. Everyone clapped and cheered. Andrew blew his nose loudly, while Shannon nudged him hard and Luna passed him another tissue. He was not the only one who was crying. Tears could be seen in the eyes of many of the guests, most prominently Angel, Spike, and Giles.

While the guests took turns greeting the newlyweds in the antechamber at the back of the Great Hall, several professors were vanishing the rows of chairs and replacing them with round tables along the edge of the room, making sure to leave enough space for a dance floor in the middle. The pillar candles were left to burn throughout the reception.

Dawn was the first to hug her sister. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you guys." She then launched herself at her new brother-in-law, who almost toppled over backwards from the force. Dawn finally moved away to make room for the rest of the Scoobies and Weasleys to congratulate Charlie and Buffy.

Ron put his arm around Dawn's shoulders, as she stepped away. She gave him an odd look. He smiled. "I didn't think about this before, but I guess this makes us family, huh?"

Dawn smiled widely. "I guess it does."

"Weasley, what are you doing with my girlfriend?" asked Draco in a mock annoyed voice.

Dawn stepped up to Draco and gave him a quick kiss. "We were just talking about how we are related now," she explained.

Draco paled more than usual. "So, if I married you, I'd be related to the Weasleys?" he asked.

"Better than being related to the Malfoys," quipped Ron. Draco laughed and agreed.

Everyone enjoyed the reception. While the wedding was held for invited guests only, any students who remained at Hogwarts for the holidays were welcomed to the feast that followed. The house-elves truly outdid themselves. Nearly every delicacy imaginable covered the tables.

Buffy and Charlie danced their first dance as a married couple to "A Whole New World." As they danced, they sang softly to each other, not noticing anyone else in the room. Buffy had specifically chosen the song because she thought of Charlie as part of the whole new magical world that she discovered at Hogwarts.

"I can show you the world – shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide? I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder, over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride. A whole new world – a new fantastic point of view. No one to tell us no, or where to go, or say we're only dreaming."

"A whole new world – a dazzling place I never knew. But when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you."

Several other couples joined them on the dance floor. Buffy and Charlie never even noticed.

"A whole new world with new horizons to pursue. I'll chase them anywhere. There's time to spare. Let me share this whole new world with you. A whole new world – that's where will be. A thrilling chase – A wondrous place – For you and me."

Everyone returned to their tables and began eating, while soft dinner music played in the background. When most people were finished eating, it was time for another special dance. Buffy had spent a great deal of time picking out the song for her dance with Giles.

As the Watcher and Slayer walked onto the dance floor, Buffy whispered to him. "This song is considered a love song, but I always thought it fit more for a father-daughter or Watcher-Slayer relationship." Giles smiled, as he took Buffy into his arms and waltzed her around the room.

"For all those times you stood by me. For all the truths that you made me see. For all the joy you brought to my life. For all the wrongs that you made right. For every dream you made come true. For all the love I found in you. I'll be forever thankful, baby. You're the one who held me up. Never let me fall. You're the one who saw me through, through it all."

"You were my strength, when I was weak. You were my voice, when I couldn't speak. You were my eyes, when I couldn't see. You saw the best there was in me. Lifted me up, when I couldn't reach. You gave me faith 'cause you believed. I'm everything I am, because you loved me."

Buffy smiled up at Giles, who seemed to be choked up by the words of the song.

"You gave me wings and made me fly. You touched my hand I could touch the sky. I lost my faith, you gave it back to me. You said no star was out of reach. You stood by me, and I stood tall. I had your love. I had it all. I'm grateful for each day you gave me. Maybe I don't know that much, but I know this much is true. I was blessed because I was loved by you."

"You were always there for me – the tender wind that carried me – a light in the dark, shining your love into my life. You've been my inspiration. Through the lies you were the truth. My world is a better place because of you.

Before leaving the dance floor, Buffy gave Giles a quick hug. "The song said it all. I wouldn't be who I am today without you."

As Buffy made her way back to her new husband, Giles slipped out of the Great Hall to compose himself. Narcissa followed. She silently handed him a tissue. "Thank you," said Giles, as he quickly dabbed at his eyes.

Narcissa spoke softly. "Buffy played that song for me a few weeks ago. Even though you had agreed to give her away, she worried that she might be overstepping by telling you that is exactly how she feels about you. I assured her that you would be touched."

"Buffy and I rarely show our feelings for each other. That was truly touching," replied Giles, composing himself.

Narcissa shook her head. "You show your feelings for each other all the time. From what you've told me, even that prat Travers saw it. You just don't talk about your feelings, but you do show them." Giles nodded and led Narcissa back to their table in the Great Hall.

After cutting the cake, Buffy and Charlie found themselves dancing with most of the guests. Buffy was twirled around by Xander and the Weasley twins. Charlie danced with Ginny, Dawn, and Willow.

Before Buffy and Charlie retired to the guest suite for the night with the promise of seeing everyone bright and early to open Christmas presents, they engaged in the Muggle tradition of throwing the bouquet and garter. Everyone cheered, when they were caught by Giles and Narcissa. After several, "Good lord's," Giles placed the garter on Narcissa's leg, and Draco yelled out loudly that he would be happy to see them married someday.

The remaining guests continued to party for nearly an hour after Buffy and Charlie had left. Now that the wedding was officially over, Lena went back to harassing poor Snape, whom Willow had told was on his own.

It was nearly midnight, when the party finally ended. Genevieve and Spike took Angel with them to their dungeon quarters. Fred, Gunn, Lorne, and Cordelia left to stay with Faith and Robin, after promising to be back early in the morning. Xander and Anya left as well to stay with Giles and Narcissa. Andrew and Neville stayed with Draco, Harry, and Ron, while Ginny and Luna stayed with Dawn, Shannon, and Hermione. Charlie, against his better judgment, allowed Fred, Angelina, George, and Oliver to take over his rooms, while Percy and Penelope stayed in Buffy's rooms.