Harry slid into the seat next to Kit while the last guests seated themselves in the audience. The wedding was due to begin at any moment, and Harry finally got away from Tony's last minute touch ups. Snow was gently falling, making it feel like a fairytale. No one was cold, however, thanks to the gift of magic.
"Hey," Kit whispered, squeezing his hand. "I missed you today."
"I missed you too," Harry whispered back, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Oliver finally walked down the aisle and awaited his bride. As the traditional music began, Tony escorted Kelci down the aisle. Both smiled and beamed at the guests. Then a little black haired boy walked down the aisle, determined not to drop the rings which were on the cushion he was carrying. After him was a small, blonde girl carrying a basket of rose petals. She sprinkled them liberally on the snowy path, unafraid of running out of them.
As the wedding march began, the guests rose, looking back to the entrance of one of the changing rooms. The doors opened, and Sasha walked down the aisle, arm in arm with her father; an elderly man known to be just as full of life as his eldest daughter. He beamed, pleased at the joy of escorting her. She wore a simple ivory wedding gown, satin and silky, without a veil. Her long brown hair was pulled up and elegantly pinned with diamond studded pins. Carrying a bouquet of tiger lilies, Sasha was the image of happiness. She beamed at everyone, willing herself not to cry on her special day. As the pair arrived at the alter, her father kissed her cheek, prepared to give her away to an amazing young man.
Harry could not help imagining himself in Oliver's place, taking the hand of the woman with whom he was prepared to spend the rest of his life. To cherish until death do they part.
"Oliver," Sasha began, looking into his eyes, lost in the love they shared, "you are the heartstrings of my orchestra. My best friend, lifelong lover, and heart of my existence. You never have to be alone when you're with me, and will always have an ally in the battles of life." She paused to sniff, and then continued. "You are the lifeblood that runs through my veins," tears started to fall from her bright green eyes, and it was all she could do to keep from breaking down completely, "and my partner in the dance of life. You are the love of my life, and so together we will tango our way through this next, great adventure, hand in hand. I love you," she finished, whispering the last three words.
Several noses in the audience were blown at this point, including Kit's. Harry gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she smiled happily at him, golden eyes full of tears.
"Anastasia," Oliver began, holding her hands in his own, "you are my lifeline. My one true North. The force that guides me day to day, week to week, year to year. You marked me with a goodness I never would have thought possible –" Several females sighed at these words, "– and every day you bring out the very best in me. I promise to never leave you behind, as you are my lifelong sweetheart. Never will I treat you unkind –"
"Or I'll beat his ass," Tony said, receiving some laughs from the audience.
"– Because you are my soul mate. We'll be companions for the rest of our days." He paused here to draw breath, overcome with emotion. "You are the deepest, most desperate desire of my heart," he said, his voice choked with tears, "and I love you."
More noses were blown at this point, and even the minister needed a moment to regain his own composure before finishing the ceremony.
"Do you, Anastasia Hughes," he said, turning to the twenty-four year old, "take this man to be your husband?"
"I do," she said, tears of happiness falling down her face.
"And do you, Oliver Wood, take this woman to be your wife?" he asked the twenty year old.
Oliver smiled, tears in his own eyes as he replied. "I do."
"Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife," the minister announced. "You may now kiss your bride."
Oliver did so, wiping Sasha's tears gently away, and kissing her passionately. Whoops erupted from the Quidditch area of the audience, and together the newly married couple rushed down the aisle, trying to avoid as many tropical-coloured petals as they could.
They seem to have disappeared as the guests made their way into the reception hall. Many guests gasped in awe seeing the sultry theme of the hall. Many tropical flowers were strung around, reminding all of them of a paradise island. When the couple finally made their appearance, cheers erupted, and Sasha cried again. Toasts from the best man and maid of honour were given.
"Even though I am the best man," Tony said, standing up on the podium, "it seems that you seemed to get the better of me again, Ol," he said to the groom. "Congratulations to you both."
As cheers erupted from the Quidditch team again, Tony was to be found actually wiping tears away from his eyes as he hugged his best friend and kissed Sasha on the cheek.
"As your little sister and the maid of honour," Kelci said, standing up on the podium, "I have to tell you both that if you ever break it off –" she waved a threatening finger at them both, "– I'll never forgive either of you. You are the picture of love. Congratulations."
Cheers and laughter erupted again as Kelci broke down with her sister as she hugged them both.
The reception was at that moment underway, and after filling up on every food imaginable, the cake was brought out.
It was a simple ivory-coloured cake, matching the hue of Sasha's dress perfectly. Decorated with both live and iced gardenias, it was the picture of simple elegance. Together, the happy couple cut the cake, and as was tradition, smeared it all over each other's faces. Everyone laughed, as did they, and the white cake was passed out.
"It's so good," Kit mumbled as she ate it, ignoring Harry's incredulous looks at her.
"Do you ever stop eating?" he asked her. She glared at him and moved away to visit with Ron and Adrien.
"I heard how much you helped today," a voice said in his ear. Harry whipped around to find Sasha standing there alone. "Thank you so much."
"It's no problem at all," Harry smiled as he hugged the happy girl. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," she beamed. "I better go greet my other guests now," she said, giving him another swift hug. "Talk to you later, Harry."
As she went to talk to her friends, Harry went off in search of Ron when he ran into Remus.
"Wasn't it a happy ceremony?" he asked Harry, as they moved over to sit at a table.
"Yeah, it was," Harry said, glad to finally talk with Remus. "Was it anything like my parents'?"
Remus smiled. "Yes," he replied, a look of reminisce coming over his lined face. "They were just as happy with each other."
"Did dad cry, too?"
Remus gave a laugh. "You bet he did. I believe your mum started the waterworks before she got to the alter though," he smiled.
Harry stayed quiet for a moment, happy that his parents were that happy when they got married. As his eyes wandered the crowd, he saw Ron standing by the refreshment table. Adrien was with him, but she wasn't paying attention to what he was doing.
"What is Ron doing?" Remus asked quietly in Harry's ear. The red head was pulling a cup out of the pile, and was shooting furtive glances around.
"Oh no," Harry mumbled. "Don't do it Ron. You tried too hard."
"Too hard for what?" Remus asked. As Harry gave the adult a pointed look, he quickly understood. "That's what was bothering you."
"Yeah," Harry said quietly, watching as Ron reached for the bottle. "Oh, God, don't," he moaned.
Both of them watched as Adrien turned to look at Ron. She touched his arm, and whispered something in his ear. He put the bottle down and looked directly at Harry and Remus.
"Thank you, Adrien," Harry whispered more to himself than anyone.
"She's the same?" Remus asked.
Harry nodded as Ron came over to them.
"I'm sorry," he said as soon as he got to the table. As he sat down he said, "I don't ever need that to happen again."
Harry patted his friend reassuringly on the back. "You know it won't. You're smarter than that."
Ron smiled at his best friend before he looked at Remus.
"I won't tell a soul," Remus said. "It's apparent you know your priorities."
"Thanks," Ron said.
"Alright!" Tony shouted over the hubbub. "It's time for Oliver and Sasha's dance as a married couple!"
Cheers erupted as they walked onto the dance floor, hand in hand. The music began, and more than a couple people laughed at the choice of song.
'Oooh you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me,
It's you, you're all I see
Oooh you make me live now honey,
Oooh you make me live'
Oliver and Sasha actually danced to the song, Oliver lip-syncing along with it.
'Oh you're the best friend that I ever had,
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true,
I really love you
Oh you're my best friend,'
They looked so happy together, and Harry couldn't help but picture himself in Oliver's place for the second time today.
'Oooh you make me live
Oh I've been wandering round,
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home, you're my best friend'
Oliver bent her back, causing Sasha to laugh even harder.
'Oooh you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me,
I got you to help me forgive
Oooh you make me live now honey,
Oooh you make me live'
Sasha, laughing uncontrollably, waved for the others to join them.
'You're the first one, when things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely, you're my only one
And I love the things, I really love the things that you do'
"You are going to dance eventually, aren't you?" Harry asked Remus.
'You're my best friend,
Oooh you make me live
I'm happy at home,'
"Of course," Remus replied, eyes twinkling.
'You're my best friend
Oh you're my best friend,
Oooh you make me live
You're my best friend'
The song ended and another began, not Queen again, but something more up to date. As the crowd flooded the dance floor, Remus got up.
"I must find my date," he said, winking at the two boys.
"Date?" Ron asked incredulously.
Remus just waved, weaving into the crowd.
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Kit smiling down at him.
"You wanna take a walk with me?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Before Harry could answer, Ron asked, "What the hell is Ginny doing with him?"
Harry looked to where Ron was pointing, finding Ginny and Christopher Mills – a seventh year Ravenclaw – sneaking out of the hall, hand-in-hand, whispering to each other. Harry could see the look in Christopher's eyes, and knew Ron saw it too.
"She's not stupid," Kit told them, sitting down, "she won't do anything like that."
"Oh no?" Harry asked, as Christopher whispered something in her ear, making her glance around before kissing him more than passionately on the lips.
Ron got up, determined to set the two couple straight, but Harry and Kit grabbed his arms.
"Let her go," Kit pleaded with him.
"She's my baby sister!" Ron said, fighting to get away.
"She can decide these things for herself," Harry said, and Ron finally gave up.
"But why him?" he moaned, watching them leave through a side door.
"Because she wants to get over me," Harry said, not meeting Ron's eyes.
Kit gave Ron a look, and he did not push the subject. Just then, Neville and Nia made their way to their table, hand-in-hand and tired from dancing. The five of them chatted for a half hour (Adrien was off visiting with her parents, who were both in the Order).
As a slow song began, Ron went off to see his brothers, and Neville and Nia went to dance. Harry looked at Kit.
"How about that walk?" he asked.
She smiled, and they quietly slipped out of the hall, Harry giving a quick wave to Oliver.
As they ran down a corridor leading off of the entrance hall, Harry stopped her.
"I thought we were going for a walk?" he asked, wrapping his arms seductively around her waist.
Kit smiled, brushing his lips with hers. "As did I," she whispered, leaning into him.
"Let's go somewhere more private, shall we?" Harry said, taking her hand, and leading her into a broom cupboard.
"Why are we in here?" she asked disappointedly as Harry moved mops, brooms, and cleaning ingredients around.
"Follow me," he said, and tapped the far wall. Writing appeared on it, asking for a password. "Padfoot, you dirty bugger," Harry whispered, causing Kit to laugh and the wall to split open. They followed the winding path until they reached another door. Harry opened it noiselessly, and Kit gasped at the sight that met her eyes.
The room had no windows, but did not resemble any sort of dungeon either. Beige drapery hung on the walls, so no stone showed though. The entire room was dim with a light that seemed to come from the linens on the walls. There was a small fridge in the corner beside a table set for two. A couch stood opposite the door; long and luxurious looking, upholstered in satin, maroon in colour. Although it was a small room, not even big enough to fit any sort of bed into it, there was a sound system, muggle style, but fully operational.
As Harry closed the door behind them, Kit went over to see what was in the fridge.
"Hungry already?" he asked her incredulously as he put a CD in the player. Kit shot him a look.
"No, just curious," she said, closing the door and moving to the couch. Before she sat down, the music began, and she looked confused at Harry.
"It says on the case that it's 'simply irresistible,' and 'magical,'" he remarked, reading off the case of the CD. "And besides," he added, tossing the case onto a side table and wrapping his arms around Kit, "I think it's sexy." He kissed her gently on the neck and she melted.
"Harry, do you really think –" she began, but Harry cut her off.
"Let the music take you," he whispered in her ear, leading her over to the couch. He kissed her passionately, the music of Buenos Aires washing over them both. He tried to pull her down with him, but she resisted.
"What's the matter?" he asked her breathlessly, hoping what he did was not a mistake.
"This," she replied, pulling off his dress robes. They both struggled for a moment, loosening the fabric. Finally pulling it off him, she ran her hands over his chest, toned from his six years of Quidditch training.
He ran his hands along her arms, up to her shoulders, and then cupped her face and kissed her fervently. She leaned into him and they fell back onto the couch as the music played on, intensifying the atmosphere of the tiny room. As they kicked off their shoes, Kit pulled off her robes, much to Harry's pleasure. She could tell he was pleased, and said, "I know I'm beautiful," as she leant down to kiss him again.
Shorter and shorter became their kisses, and longer became everything else they did. As the song on the CD slowed romantically, Harry sat up, almost causing Kit to fall off the couch.
"Sorry," he said, catching her before she hit the ground.
"Why are you stopping?" she breathed heavily.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry asked her, making sure neither of them would regret it come morning.
"Of course I'm sure," she said, sitting up, looking at him concernedly. "Are you?"
"Yes," Harry said, relieved that she did not feel like he was taking advantage of her. "But could we stop for like, one minute?"
Kit grinned. "Of course, no problem."
As Harry went into the small bathroom, Kit looked in the cupboards at one end of the room for some blankets. Finding cream coloured ones of the same fabrics as the couch, she wrapped one around herself and sat back on the couch, awaiting Harry.
Harry had hit the jackpot of birth control in the bathroom vanity. After pulling back on his boxers, he left the bathroom and found Kit tracing her finger along the seam of the blanket she was wrapped in.
"It's your colour," he said, sitting down beside her.
"Thanks," she smiled, running her other hand through his hair. As they kissed again, the CD skipped. Both of them glared at it, furious that it wasn't cooperating.
Reaching over, Harry pulled the remote for the system off the floor, and changed the song. At once, the room erupted in a tango so exhilarating and sensual, neither of them thought twice before embracing each other again. The music never ended, and it was not until the clock on the wall read two in the morning did they fall asleep in each other's arms.