Chapter 46

Ten minutes before eight o'clock, Sirius, the rest of the Marauder's, Cassidy's mum, and two brothers were sitting in the little Las Vegas Wizarding Chapel. Alice, Gabriella, Alice, and Lily were in a room outside of the chapel.

"I'm all nervous and my I feel as if I'm going to be sick," Cassidy said running her hands over her wedding skirt.

"It's just cold feet," Mrs. O'Brian said walking into the room and hugging her only daughter.

Cassidy looked at her mother, "Are you sure? Are you sure I'm doing the right thing?"

"Do you love him?"

"Of course."

"Then it's the right thing."

"Where's daddy?"

"Russia, on Ministry business."

Cassidy looked down, "Who's going to walk me down the aisle then?"

"Me," Cassidy's oldest brother Christopher walked in.

"Chris!" She said jumping in his arms.

"Whoa baby sister! Don't want to wrinkle that beautiful wedding gown of yours now do you?"

"Of course not."

"I'm going back and sit with Nicholas," Mrs. O'Brian said kissing her daughters forehead and going back in the chapel to sit with her middle child.

Chris looked and smiled at all of his sister's closets friends, "Gabriella! My favorite senorita!" Gabriella laughed and got pulled into a hug. "Alice, of course my second favorite blonde, as Cassidy is the first!" Alice smiled and hugged Chris too. "And of course the lovely Lily! My favorite redheaded spitfire, I hear you've actually gave James Potter a chance."

Lily blushed, "Yeah we're together."

Chris pulled Lily into a hug, "Well he is a lucky man. All of you guys boyfriends are lucky, or fiancées…or soon to be husbands, and I will inform them all of this at the reception."

"Reception?" Cassidy said turning to her brother, "But where…?"

"Mum's house," music in the chapel began and the girls knew it was time. First out was Alice, then Gabriella, and then the Maid-of-Honor Lily.

The Wedding March started and Cassidy looked at her brother, and brought true meaning to 'blushing bride.' "Ready baby sister?"

She smiled and nodded, "Of course. Let's go."

The doors opened and then Cassidy started walking down the aisle as big brother Chris was leading Cassidy down the aisle. Cassidy had almost forgotten that she was walking with her brother, her eyes were only on Sirius and he looked in awe. Cassidy had been nervous before in the other room but now as she saw his loving eyes on her she smiled, she knew this was right and she that they'd love each other until their dying days.

When they finally reached the alter, their minister, an Elvis impersonator began to speak. "Hunk-a, hunk-a burnin' love! Who gives this slammin doll to this awesome guy beside me?"

"My father, mother, and I do." Chris said and kissed his sister's cheek as he gave his sister's hand to Sirius.

Sirius smiled at Cassidy and she smiled back. 'I love you,' Sirius whispered, and she whispered back, 'I love you too.'

"Now let's get these two married now and let them start the honeymoon!" People chuckled in the audience and Cassidy blushed. It wasn't because she was a virgin, Cassidy had actually slept with Sirius last year but didn't tell anyone, not even Lily that was until about a week ago. Every expected that they'd already shagged, but no one said anything.

"Does anyone have any objections on why these two kids shouldn't be hitched?" The Elvis impersonator looked around as did others, and Sirius had a look upon his face daring anyone to object.

"Well good, let's go on. Now we'll go on with the vows, Cassidy you're first. I need you to repeat after me. I, Cassidy Elizabeth O'Brian take you Sirius Allen Black."

"I, Cassidy Elizabeth O'Brian take you Sirius Allen Black."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

"For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

"Okay Sirius your turn, just repeat after me. "I, Sirius Allen Black take you Cassidy Elizabeth O'Brian."

"I, Sirius Allen Black take you Cassidy Elizabeth O'Brian."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"To love, honor, and cherish."

"For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

"For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

"The rings," the Elvis impersonator said turning to the Maid-of-Honor Lily, and Best Man James. Lily handed Cassidy Sirius's ring and James handed Sirius Cassidy's ring.

"Cassidy slip the ring over Sirius's left finger and say, 'With this ring I thee wed.'"

"With this ring I thee wed." Cassidy then slipped the platinum band on to Sirius's left ring finger.

"Now Sirius you slip the ring over Cassidy's left finger and say, 'With this ring I thee wed.'"

"With this ring I thee wed." Sirius took Cassidy's engagement ring off, slipping the wedding band on and then putting the engagement ring back on after the wedding band.

"Thanks to the state of Las Vegas, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Everyone cheered as Sirius and Cassidy embraced their first kiss as husband and wife. "I give you Mr. and Mrs. Sirius Allen Black!"

Everyone cheered again and you could barely hear Mrs. O'Brian, "Everyone back at my house for Sirius and Cassidy's reception!"

The reception went well into the night and finally the couple left for their honeymoon and everyone cleared out. When James and Lily got back to the Evans' home in Bristol, everyone was asleep. They sat in the living room for a while, despite the time, and just sat there in each other's arms and just thought. After a long time James finally spoke up.

"Beautiful wedding wasn't it?"

Lily pulled back so she could look him in the face, and she chuckled a little bit. "Yeah, for a wedding that was planned the day before. I didn't expect it to be so beautiful and Cassidy just looked…"

"Gorgeous," James finished and Cassidy nodded. "You know you'll look even more beautiful when you're a blushing bride."

Lily shook her head, "No one will ever want to marry me."

James looked at her stunned, "Are you kidding me? Any guy would be lucky to be your husband."

"I'm not a virgin anymore," she said avoiding his eyes. "I wanted to save myself for my husband. My virginity was the most important thing to me…"

"Lily," James pulled Lily's chin up so she'd look up in his face. "Any man would understand that it wasn't your fault, how many times do I have to tell you this?"

Lily shrugged, "I just don't think anyone would ever…"

"I would."

Lily blinked and James chuckled, "Oops wasn't suppose to scare you off yet."

"You didn't," she said just looking at him and James was happy to see her eyes sparkle. "You…you'd really marry me?"

"Not now of course."

"No of course," Lily said shaking her head and blushing. "But honestly you have thought about marrying me?"

James laughed, "Lily I have always wanted to marry you. I never thought you'd actually agree to date me Lily." She blushed in embarrassment, "I know we're not ready yet and we'll know when we're ready…hang on. Would you ever even want to marry me?"

Lily pushed James playfully and kissed him lightly, "Of course I would silly! You are the sweetest, sexiest, and playful man I've ever met. And somehow you can put up with my horrible temper."

"So it's agreed? One day we'll get married, when we're ready?"

Lily nodded, "Yeah. When we're ready we'll get married." They sealed the deal with a very passionate kiss."

When they finally pulled apart James looked at his watch, one thirty in the morning. "I should be going, Sarah likes to get up at the crack of dawn for Christmas."

Lily nodded and they shared one last kiss, "I love you James."

"I love you too Lily," James said resting his forehead on hers. "Happy Christmas." James apparated away.

"Happy Christmas," she smiled and walked upstairs and got into her pajamas, falling asleep instantly.

Lily woke up sweating and scared out of her mind. Another nightmare, the same nightmare…that night when Lucius… 'No!' She gasped and she ran to the fireplace that was in her bedroom and grabbed a hand full of Floo powder and she whispered, 'Potter Manor!'

Lily was in the parlor of the huge manor and didn't see anyone around and gasped as she saw how many Christmas decorations were around the house, even more than her mum's house.

Lily walked up the staircase to James's room as quietly as possible and she opened James's bedroom door and snuck into his bed with her.

"What the?" James muttered in his sleep but when he saw the dark red hair and brilliant green eyes he moved over. It was Lily and by the tear streaks on her face and how sad she looked, compared to how happy she'd been when he left, she'd had that nightmare again. She'd seen the rape again. Lily didn't see it in her dreams as much as after it happened, but anytime she fell asleep and he wasn't around she woke up sweating and crying.

Lily cuddled into his chest and fell asleep instantly. James put his arms around her and fell asleep too. It was amazing how they both could fall asleep instantly in one another's arms.

James heard Sarah running up and down the hallway and yelling for her mum and brother to get up. James knew both Lily and himself would get in serious trouble and he began to gently shake her awake.

"Lily…Lily?"

She opened those beautiful brilliant green eyes looking up into James's gorgeous hazel eyes. "Huh?"

"Sarah's up and my mum will be too soon. Your family will probably be up soon too and you should get home."

Lily nodded knowing he was right, "But how? Last night I fooled into the parlor."

"I have a fireplace in here and there's some Floo powder," James got out of bed and had Lily following him.

"Go to your fireplace and next time you have a nightmare, my Floo address is 'James Potter.'" Lily nodded and Flooed home to her own bedroom just seconds before Lily was spotted by Sarah.

"James?" Sarah asked suspiciously, "What are you doing by the fireplace?"

"About to start a fire."

"You sure Lily didn't just leave?"

"No," James lied and wondered if Sarah knew he was lying. "Her parents are Muggles, she can't Floo from their house." But James knew that the Ministry let her have Floo with the consent of her parents, but it was only for Lily to use and only worked when Lily was home.

"Oh yeah, well come on! Mum and I are ready to open presents!"

"Alright let's go," James agreed following Sarah out of his room and he sighed. That had been close, too close.

Lily gracefully landed out of the fireplace, brushed the soot off of her bed, and fell upon her bed when there was a knock at Lily's door and her almond shaped green eyes got big.

"Yes?"

"Lily dear?" Abigail Evans's voice came from the other side of the door with a bit of concern, "Did you not hear me calling your name from downstairs."

"No, when did you call for me?"

"About five minutes ago sweetie," Abigail opened the door to see Lily sprawled out on the bed. "What time did you go to bed last night?"

"Um…about two."

"Two in the morning! What time did you get back?"

"One in the morning…one thirty, there was a big reception." Abigail sat on the end of Lily's bed.

"Did you have fun sweetie?"

"Yeah," Lily said smiling.

"Nothing…er…happened…"

Lily laughed at her mum, "Is this suppose to be my 'birds and bees' talk? Mum I know about sex."

"You do?" Abigail's eyes about popped out of her head.

"Not because I've experienced it…well except for the…"

"Rape?"

Lily nodded but didn't say anything and her demeanor began to fall from her happy mood she'd been in when she woke up in James's arms.

"Lily?"

"Hmm?"

"You know you need to talk about it."

Lily didn't want to have this conversation, "I have mummy! I've told Professor Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey, and James. I can't repeat this story again."

"You can't tell you mum? You're suppose to tell me everything!"

"Mum, not today. It's Christmas, I don't want to re-live that hell again. I'll tell you when I'm ready, when the scars aren't so fresh."

Abigail smiled at Lily, "I'm afraid that I'm losing you."

"Huh?"

"You use to tell me every little detail of your life and now you're growing up and I don't hardly know a thing with you at Hogwarts."

"Mum," Lily said hugging her mother. "You are and will always be my best friend. I just can't bare to repeat this horrible story, and the only reason my other friends found out was because a friend of the prick told my whole class."

"Oh no, Lily."

"It's okay mummy, let's just go downstairs and have a wonderful Christmas."

"About time," Petunia said rolling her eyes and Vernon refused to speak a word to Lily.

"Petunia," Abigail warned. "It's Christmas, I know you don't like Lily being a witch but you could at least be decent to her on Christmas." Vernon flinched when Abigail said 'witch.'

Lily's Christmas had been wonderful, even if she had to share Christmas with Petunia and Vernon.

Lily's gifts had been wonderful too, well except for the one that was from Petunia and Vernon. Lily knew that the only reason that they'd given her the crummy present because if they didn't get her anything Mr. and Mrs. Evans would have had a fit.

From her mum and dad, Lily got a good new sweaters and some money to buy Wizarding things she'd need that they had no idea about. James had gotten Lily silver necklace with a heart charmed locket on the locket was a small emerald heart and little diamonds hearts around it. Inside the locket was a picture of Lily on one side and on the other side was a picture of Lily. Cassidy had gotten Lily some chocolate frogs, Lily's favorite candy. Gabriella got Lily some very stylish bangles, and Alice got Lily some shoes…but what else would you get from the fashion queen? They were all awesome gifts!

The gift Lily had gotten from Vernon and Petunia made her roll her eyes, Blake suspected that the 'happy' couple did this on purpose, and Abigail said that it was the thought that count but Lily knew her mother was thinking the same thing as Blake. Lily's gift from the 'happy' couple had been an invitation to go visit the local jail as a touring visit. Lily rolled her eyes and was laughing so hard when Vernon and Petunia freaked out because she got them cockroach clusters and they made faces as they were forced to eat them under the eyes of Abigail Evans.

Christmas dinner had been eaten and then there was someone at the door as the doorbell rang.

"Wonder whom that could be?" Abigail walked in the door and Lily turned her head to see who it was, as they were all in the living room watching a Christmas special. Petunia and Vernon had left hours ago to see his family.

"James!" Lily said smiling and ran up and jumped into his arms.

He chuckled at her, "Nice to see you to love. Am I bothering anything?"

"No," Blake said motioning for him to come in.

"As Lily is in her beautiful Christmas dress, and I have a horse ridden carriage outside…for a romantic…"

"Go ahead," Abigail and Blake said together.

James waved goodbye to Lily's mum and dad, and took her hand. Lily gasped as she saw a white horse with a white carriage.

"James!"

He laughed at her shocked face, "What do you think I was lying to your folks? You think I just said that so I can snog you senseless outside your house in the freezing cold?"

Lily blushed.

"You did!" He laughed at her, "Come on." He ran towards he carriage dragging Lily behind him. But as a gentleman he let the lovely Lily climb into the carriage and he even held his hand out of her.

"Kind sir?" She said looking at him with impression and she sat down as he joined her. "It's cold."

James pulled a white blanket from under their seat, "Let's ride." The driver nodded and they were off. When the driver wasn't looking James pulled his wand out of his pocket and muttered the warming spell on the blanket.

"James this is so romantic," she said looking into his hazel eyes.

"Happy Christmas Lily."

She smiled at her wonderful boyfriend, "Happy Christmas James." They began to kiss and enjoy the lovely winter wonderland, and they'd return back to the Evans's home in thirty minutes.

"Oh…oh…oh my!" Lily sobbed as she jumped out of the carriage and looked at James her doe like emerald eyes full of tears. "What…what is that thing?" She said pointing to the green skull with a snake in it's mouth over her house.

James gasped, he knew what that was. Lily was taken away from the Wizarding world once she was out of school. Sure Lily didn't know what it was but you could tell she knew it was bad. "Lily come here."

Lily saw the fear in James's eyes, "NO!" She ran and opened the door and as soon as she reached the living room he heard her scream.

James ran after her and there he was…Lord Voldemort.

"Ah ha, Mudblood Evans."

"Y…you!" She screamed and she began to sob as she saw her parents bodies on the floor, she checked for their pulses…nothing. "You…you killed my parents!" Her eyes on fire as she cried.

James had his arms around her protectively and Lily hadn't even noticed him yet.

Lord Voldemort cackled a high, cold laugh that didn't fit him at all. "They've got warnings from the last time you were with Potter and as soon as the two of you got close again."

"Letters?" She chocked out, "What bloody letters!"

Voldemort flicked his wand, about a hundred letters fell to her feet. "Those, telling them that I want you away from Potter."

"What?" She cried, her parents never mentioned any bloody letters. "Why keep me from James! What will we do to threaten you? We're still in bloody school!"

"Aww swearing because I killed your mummy and daddy!"

"You bastard!" She said trying to go after him but couldn't get James's arms from around her.

"I warned Potter's parents too."

"What!" James said finally talking.

"Yeah killing your father was the first thing I did to warn you."

"You didn't kill my father, one of your men did."

Voldemort cackled again, "Dumbledore lying to little Potter to save his feelings. Wrong. I did kill your father and he knew why. I've warned them time and time again."

"We offer some kind of threat to him," Lily said turning to James. "Other wise he wouldn't care if we were together or not."

"I don't want a nasty Mudblood with a Pureblood."

"No," Lily said smiling shaking her head. "It's more than that, I know it."

"Silence!"

"Never!" She screamed back.

"Crucio!" Lily hit the ground and felt the worst pain pulse throughout her entire body. After what seemed a lifetime it was finally taken off.

"Too bad I was able to pass up Grace and Sarah, they went hiding after they found out that I killed the Mudblood's parents."

"But when!"

"As soon as you left with Potter."

"You've been spying on us!" Lily screamed in outrage.

He laughed at her again and Lily didn't like being laughed at, she threw jelly legs to him and James threw stunning one. Voldemort apparated out before it hit him

There were pop sounds, Aurors. Alastor Moody, "Potter, Evans…take this. It's a portkey to Hogwarts, Dumbledore's office. Stay there. He sent me after the two of you."

"But my parents," Lily wept.

"Potter you need to get her out of here."

James grabbed Lily's hand and soon the portkey was bringing them back to Hogwarts, the last place Lily wanted to be.