The Almost Prank
Chapter 21
The roses were now in full bloom as were the lilies that James had insisted be planted before the wedding, although a certain amount of magic was used to get the lily's to go to the point that they were and to hide them from his beloved redhead. Lilies and roses were her favorite kind of flowers and James wanted everything to be perfect for the wedding. Lily had no idea about the additions to the roses and had taken to going into hysterics whenever she walked around the area that the wedding would take place. To Lily great expanses of space were seen between the rose bushes where nothing would grow nor would the rose bushes enlarge to cover the area. She had tried several times to enlarge the rose bushes and they only grew up not out. To say Lily was upset would have been the understatement of a live time.
"You really should get some sleep, love," James had whispered just minutes before as he had come up behind Lily to find her yet again trying to get the Roses to cover the empty areas caused by the lily's.He had held in the smile that threatened to grace his face as he watched Lily disappear. He hated the look of disappointment that the large openings caused but he hoped that the surprise of the lily's would make-up for it. With a smile on his face James followed Lily into the house and up the stairs. Tomorrow the time release charm that he and Remus had put on and everything would be perfect. James knew he could have done the charm by himself but had enlisted Remus help incase he lost his nerve before the wedding an lifted the charm before it was time. James had come very close a few times and all would have been ruined if it had not been for Remus additional charm.
The next morning was warm with white wispy clouds in the sky that allowed the sun to peek out of the clouds at different times. There was no hint of rain. Even the birds had decided to cooperate on this day and were singing slow rhythmic song, adding to the romantic feel of the day.
The guest started to arrive just before noon and were escorted to the area that was surrounded by the white and red roses and the white and pink lily's that seemed to have sprung up from no where over night. "Lily will be so happy," Sirius muttered to Remus who had followed him out to the backyard. "She more then likely will have your heads for what you guys did."
"But it will be worth it, Padfoot," Remus murmured with a smile leading a group of guests to their seats. "Is Lily's family coming?"
"I am not sure, Moony," Sirius said going in the house with a backward glance. "Prongs didn't say anything about it except that if the git of a uncle of hers showed up we were to escort him off the property."
Within a couple of hours the ceremony was over and everyone was sitting in another clearing where several tables were scattered around an open area were dancing would take place. The dancing was in full swing when suddenly the air that had been warm all day started to get cold and a loud gong could be heard. The additional words had been broached. "Everyone, please give me you attention," Sirius called from the middle of the dance floor but was drowned out by the shouts of the guests.
"Do it like this, mate," James exclaimed conjuring a chair and climbing on top of it. "Oy, everybody listen up." When everybody settled down James continued. "We are under attack. Everyone that does not wish to fight or cannot please either head to the house where one of the house-elves will assist you or head to the hedge maze where someone will come looking for you. For those of you that wish to fight we thank you. Please meet in the middle of the dance floor to get things organized. we have an hour before anybody will be here. There has been an antifloo charm placed on the grounds. However we are committed to your protection."
At James announcement Pandemonium broke out. People were running everywhere most of them heading for the house. Although a few did go to the maze in hopes of losing whomever was attacking in the maze. There were a few that decided to help defend the Mansion from the attack. All of those that chose to stand and fight were members of the Order. "Albus, if you would please," Harold muttered as the fighters gathered around him.
"I have no idea how many are coming," Dumbledore muttered to the crowd of fifteen around him. "Fabian and Giddeon I would like the two of you to go stand guard at the entrance of the maze. Do not forget to disillusion yourselves. We must keep those in the maze safe."
"Headmaster, there are fifty deatheaters coming," Remus muttered looking up from the parchment he held in his hands. "The people in the maze are a safe distance a way from the entrance. Most of those in the house are in various secret passages."
"I will seal the house and put additional charms on it," Harold called as he left the group. "James if you would help me please."
"Thank you Remus," Dumbledore exclaimed. "I ask that you keep us posted if anything changes. I believe that we should all head to the front lawn. There we will be ready for them."
"Dementors are on their way," James exclaimed running to the back of the house. "The maze will not be protected from the demantors we have to do something. Dad is finishing the charms up on the house."
"Sirius, Remus, James, come with me," Lily called. "Remember the charm I was working on. The shield charm. It is untested but there is no time like the present to test it."
The four friends took off around the house at a run to the maze followed closely by Giddeon and Fabian who were to station themselves at the entrance to the maze. After the four friends had cast the shield charm over and around the maze Lily instructed the twins to stand inside the maze so the shield would cover them. "The shield will only protect against the dementors not Death Eaters," Lily explained. "So stay on your toes."
"On our toes?" Giddeon asked with slight confusion in is voice.
"She means to pay attention," Remus explained the muggle saying to Giddeon and Fabian who were both purebloods.
"They are one hundred fifty meters out," Remus shouted. "The dementors are at the gates."
"Everyone ready," Dumbledore called.
"I have visual," Lily muttered standing close to James and watching the once blooming roses of the maze start to wilt. "There are ten of them. Happy thoughts."
"Patronis charm on three," Dumbledore instructed pointing his wand. "One... two... three... Expecto patron." Twelve other voices joined Dumbledore's as thirteen silver streams of light flew out of wands. The Dementors were easily pushed back by the force of the potronii's and the combatants braced for the Death Eater's to attack. "Remus report."
"The Death Eaters are at the gate," Remus said after glancing at the map. "They should be with in range any minute now."
"Bloody brilliant observation, Moony," Sirius muttered not looking a way from the gates. "Any other happy news."
"Why thank you, Padfoot," Remus acknowledged. "No other news."
"While happy wedding day, all," Lily exclaimed just as the first line of death eaters came into view. "Thanks for coming. And good luck."
The battle was a fierce exchange of spells counter spells and hexes. The four friends easily handled the twenty deatheaters that had decided they were their primary target. This however was a very bad idea as all twenty were so badly injured that they were either taken prisoner or had to be appirated out by there fellow deatheaters. All in all there were ten captured deatheaters many of which were badly injured. All in all the Order members were pleased with the results and waited for the Aurors to come from the ministry. Harold had called the ministry after the battle. There simply had not been time before the attack.
"Report," Dumbledore asked surveying the battle field before him.
"Everyone is safe," McGonagall muttered from the headmasters side. "We have no deaths and only mild injuries. Lily and James are transporting the injured to St. Mongos as we speak. Giddion and Fabian are still at the maze waiting for a search team to be formed to find the guests that escaped into the maze. Harold and Linda have gone to get the others out of the house."
"Sirius and I will get the maze," Remus muttered. "We know the maze almost as well as James. Besides I have the map. The rest of you are free to go reform the party. Coming, Padfoot."
As Remus and Sirius walked towards the maze Dumbledore turned to McGonigall with the twinkle back in his eye. "Those friends never cease to amaze me. You did good, Minnie. They are a great addition to the Order. Not meany could have done what hey have today. Taking on twenty deatheaters."
"Yes, well," McGonigall whispered back. "They do tend to attract trouble don't they."
When Lily and James returned they joined Sirius and Remus in the search of the maze until all the guests were found. True it was not an ideal wedding day. But Lily and James weren't exactly your ordinary everyday wizard and witch.
a/n: This is it. There will be no more to this story. If you want to find out anymore there will be more about Lily on "Snapes Revenge". After all Lily does have to interact with Snape for Siusan's sake. As always please read and review. For all of you that have stayed with us so far thank you. We do greatly appreciate it. Remember there is enough love in the world to go around. Kill them with love. Remember share the glory, share the fame, as for the sex it's up to you.