It had been four days since Harry had been rescued from limbo. Harry, Lucy, Sirius, and Ginny were beginning to recover from their ordeals emotional and physical. The Wizengamot had gotten together and elected Arthur Weasley the new Minister of magic. The Weasley's of course were thrilled, but with the new job came many new responsibilities. He'd been trying to fill the many positions that were now vacant due to the death eaters attack. The first person to be hired on was Remus. Remus was now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The Death Eaters that had attacked Grimmauld Place had been rounded up and sent to Azkaban and were now being guarded by Aurors. Kreacher had been dismissed and sent to Hogwarts to work under the supervision of the other house elves. Lucy had gone back to her mission of removing Sirius's mother's portrait with new determination.
"Okay," Lucy said filling the spray bottles with a dark green liquid. "I think I've finally got it this time." She handed two spray bottles to Harry and Sirius and tucked the third into her belt.
"Now," she said. "Start spraying the moment I pull the curtain back"
"Got it," Sirius said cocking his spray bottle like a cowboy getting ready for a gunfight. Harry rolled his eyes. His godfather was such a dork.
"Ready," Lucy said stepping up to the portrait.
"Ready," Harry and Sirius said aiming their spray bottles.
"Spray," Lucy said yanking back the curtain. Even as Mrs. Black's shreiks filled the halls Harry and Sirius sprayed the potion all over the portrait. Lucy took her own bottle from her belt and joined them. With a final shriek the portrait fell from the wall and landed face down on the floor muffling Mrs. Black's screams.
"Yes!" Harry cried gleefully.
"We did it!" Lucy cried jumping up and down. Sirius laughed and picked Lucy up and spun her around. Harry smiled as he watched his godfather and sister. Since returning from limbo things had been different between them. Lucy was more relaxed around Sirius and she smiled more in general. She was more confident in herself and in her place in this house.
"Hey you guys," Oliver called from downstairs. "Everyone will be here soon. Come on down."
"Go on," Sirius said. "I'll take care of this." Harry and Lucy hurried downstairs where Remus and Oliver were decorating the parlor. Balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling and a big banner that said "Happy Birthday Harry" hung over the fireplace.
"Wow," Harry said. "this place looks faboulous"
"You don't thinks it's too much do you?" Remus asked.
"It's perfect," Lucy said wrapping her arms around Oliver's waist. Harry grinned. He'd been thrilled when Lucy told him she and Oliver were going to be married. He was a bit sad about her leaving though, for surely once they were married Lucy and Oliver would want their own place.
"We thought the cake could go in the main dining room," Remus said, "and we could have the presents in here"
"That will work," Harry said.
"So," Sirius said once the decorations were all up and they sat around the dining room drinking pumpkin juice and waiting for their guests. "Have you tWo thought about the wedding"
"Well we've started to," Lucy said. "I've asked Dora to be my maid of honor"
"And Harry's already said yes to being best man," Oliver said punching Harry lightly on the arm.
"We're asking Hermione and Ginny to be bridesmaids, and Fred and George to be groomsmen," Lucy continued. "I was hoping Sirius that you would give me away." Sirius looked surprised but he grinned.
"I'd be honored," he said. Lucy smiled. Harry couldn't help noticing the look of "well, are you gonna do it," that Oliver gave Lucy and the "I will," look Lucy gave him back.
"Sirius," Lucy finally said after being poked several times by her future husband. "Would you um help me upstairs for a minute?" Sirius looked a bit confused but he followed her upstairs all the same.
"What was that about?" Harry wondered.
Lucy waited for Sirius at the top of the stairs. She found herself staring at the Black family tree. Yet another Black family relic that they had been unable to get rid of. She'd have to see what she could do about that. She turned as Sirius joined her.
"You needed to see me alone?" he said.
"Yes," Lucy said nervously wringing her hands. Even though her her relationship with Sirius had improved since their time in limbo she had something huge she needed to ask him and she was a bit nervous about what his reaction would be.
"Um, this is a bit difficult. Sirius you know that um, after the wedding, well Oliver will go back to Quidditch. I don't have any problem with that, because I would never keep him from doing what he loves. But the thing is"
"Lucy," Sirius said taking her hands. "Whatever it is just say it." Lucy sighed.
"Oliver and I were wondering how you would feel about us living here after the wedding"
"Living here," Sirius said.
"I know it's a lot to ask," Lucy said. "It's just, this is the only place I've ever truly felt was home to me. With Oliver going back to quidditch I'll be by myself over the summer holidays when I'm not at Hogwarts which means I'd be here anyway"
"Lucy," Sirius said placing a hand over her mouth. "If you'd stop babbling for one moment I could tell you that I think it's a great idea."
"ym noo?" Lucy mumbled againt Sirius's hand. Sirius pulled his hand away.
"Yes," Sirius said. "This house is huge, there's more than enough room for you and Oliver and of course the future little ones you two will bring into the world." Lucy felt her face get hot.
"Hello?" a voice from downstairs said. It was Molly.
"Party time," Sirius said. "We better get downstairs"
"Sirius," Lucy said giving him a hug. "Thank you."
It was the best birthday Harry had ever had. The presents were great but even better was having the people he loved with him. For the first time in his life, he was at peace. No more nightmares plagued his sleep. He no longer jumped at shadows waiting for something to jump out and grab him. As he sat on the floor next to Ginny buried in a mountain of presents he came to the conclusion that life just didn't get any better than this. A knock at the door brought Dumbledore into the living room.
"Good afternoon to you all," he greeted them. "A very happy birthday to you, Harry. Forgive my tardiness"
"Not at all Albus," Sirius said. "You're just in time for cake and ice cream."
"Ah, the best part of any birthday," Dumbledore said with a smile. "However, before we do there is a small matter that I need to speak to you about outside, Sirius. Harry and Lucy if you would also join us." Harry shot a confused look at Lucy who merely shrugged but got to her feet. As they went to join Dumbledore and Sirius, Dumbledore asked Lucy to bring Oliver as well.
"Since you will both be living here after the wedding he should also be involved in this conversation." Lucy's eyes widened and she started to ask how he knew when the decision had only been made a few hours ago, but then she shut her mouth and went to get her fiancee. Once they came back Dumbledore stepped to the left to reaveal a small creature with floppy ears, a long pencil thin nose and big round tennis ball eyes.
"Dobby?" Harry cried staring down at the house elf he had helped free from the Malfoy's in his second year.
"Harry Potter sir," Dobby said bowing low so that his nose brushed the ground.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"Since you freed Dobby, here," Dumbledore said. "This elf has been seeking employment"
"I wouldn't think it would be that hard," Oliver said. "Lots of wizarding families want a house elf to take care of them"
"Not a free elf," Dobby said sadly.
"You see," Dumbledore said. "Now that Dobby is free he desires to be paid for his work. Not many families are willing to pay a house elf"
"So why bring him here?" Sirius asked.
"Now that Kreacher has been freed, I thought perhaps that you might be looking to replace him, perhaps a more polite elf would suit you. I can personally vouch for Dobby's manners"
"Dobby is a good house elf, sir," Dobby said bowing low to Sirius. Sirius turned crimson but Lucy laughed.
"I think he's sweet," she said.
"I don't know," Sirius said. "I don't much fancy house elves at all. Even one with manners"
"Oh come on Sirius," Lucy said. "Like you said, this house is huge, we could use some help keeping it up. Especially with the wedding coming up, and with how did you put it "the future little ones." " At this both Oliver and Sirius turned red.
"We could pay him out of my vault," Harry said rather liking the idea of having Dobby work for them. Dobby would be an improvement over Kreacher and besides he liked Dobby, even though he'd nearly gotten him killed a few times.
"We'll do nothing of the sort," Sirius said. "No if he is to recieve wages I shall be the one paying him"
"Is that a yes?"Harry asked. Sirius still looked dubious.
"Just how much would we pay him?" Sirius asked.
"How about ten galleons a week, with weekends off," Lucy said.
"Oh miss is far too generous," Dobby spoke up. "Dobby only asks a galleon a week and one day off a month"
"A galleon a week," Sirius said disbelieving. "Certainly we'll pay more than that"
"Five galleons a week," Lucy said, "And three days off a month. Final offer, Dobby. Take it or leave it." Harry grinned at Lucy's stern tone. Dobby however was quivering.
"Mistress is so very kind to Dobby," Dobby said kneeling at Lucy's feet.
"There is one condition," Lucy said. "NEVER call me mistress. It's Lucy"
"Yes, Lucy," Dobby said.
"Are we all agreed?" Lucy asked the group. Harry nodded, Oliver shrugged, and Sirius gave a dubious nod after a bit.
"Very well," Lucy said. "You're first order Dobby, is to go inside and join us for cake and ice cream." Dobby grinned.
"I obey of course," Dobby said. Sirius shook his head as the others went inside.
"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to having a woman in the house, Albus"
"Just remember my boy," Dumbledore said with a wink. "When in doubt, she's right and you're wrong."
"How ya feeling honey?"
"About the same as five minutes ago when you asked me that, Dora" Lucy said laughing. Tonks grinned at her.
"You look so beautiful, Lu," Tonks said wiping a tear from her eye.
"Oh don't start," Lucy said trying to hold back her own tears. "If you start I'll start and we've already had to fix my makeup twice already." Lucy turned to look in the mirror once more. It was hard to believe she was looking at herself. She looked pretty. Her long brown hair had been pulled back at the sides and fell softly to her shoulders. Rather than a veil she had opted for just a few sprigs of baby's breath. Her dress was simple but elegant. Sleeveless with thick white straps and an empire waist. The floor length skirt was embroidered with the palest blue beads.
"Everything okay back here ladies?" Molly asked peeking her head in.
"Come in Molly," Lucy said. Molly smiled at the beautiful bride and her three equally beautiful bridesmaids in their pale blue gowns. Tonks had forgone any wild colored hair and gone with her natural color,Ginny's hair was done like Lucy's, Hermione's had been pulled into an elegant twist after Lucy, Tonks and Ginny had battled with it for about half an hour.
"Do you have everything you need?" Hermione asked. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"
"Well my dress is new, and the beads on it are blue. Mother's pendant is old, it was an antique when Severus gave it to her. Something borrowed, oh I don't have anything"
"Here," Tonks said taking off her bracelet and putting it around Lucy's wrist. "Now we're all set." There was a soft knock on the door and Sirius poked his head in.
"Ladies," he greeted them all. "You all look simply lovely. Molly, Ginny, Hermione, Dora could I have a moment with the bride"
"Oh, of course Sirius," Molly said ushering the bridesmaids out.
"See ya in a bit Lu," Tonks called over her shoulder. Once they'd gone Sirius turned to Lucy with a misty smile.
"You look so beautiful," he said taking her hand and kissing it. Lucy smiled.
"You don't look half bad yourself," Lucy said. He really did look quite spiffy. He was clean shaven, his long black hair was tied back into a ponytail and he wore elegant black dress robes.
"I know your tired of me telling you this," he said. "But you look just like your mother did on her wedding day." Lucy felt herself choking up.
"I wish she were here," she said. Today more than ever she missed her mother.
"She is," Sirius said cupping her face. "She'll always be alive inside you Lucy. As long as you hold on to her." Lucy felt tears stinging her eyes.
"Thank you Sirius," she said. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.
"It's time," Hermione said poking her head in.
"Ready?" Sirius asked her. Lucy nodded. She picked up her bouquet and took Sirius's arm. They made their way to the Great Hall. They had decided to wed at Hogwarts because this was where they had met and fallen in love. The great doors opened and with a wave of a wand, she couldn't see whose, the music began to play. Ginny and Fred went first, followed by George and Hermione and then Tonks. Lucy felt tears well in her eyes again as she looked at the great hall. The ceiling showed a bright sunny day with a rainbow stretching from one wall to the other. The tables had been removed and benches on either side of the aisle where the guests stood as the music turned into "Here comes the bride." She held tight to Sirius's arm as she took her first step down the aisle. Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall were shooting flower petals out of their wands so that they fell around her as she passed them. She passed Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout, and Hagrid. After them came Remus, Andromeda and Ted Tonks, and Dumbledore. Next she passed the Weasley's. Molly was drying her eyes with a handkerchief while Charlie had an arm around his girlfriend Diana. Bill and Ron seemed not to notice her as their eyes were only for Hermione and Tonks who gazed back at them from the front of the room. She met Harry's eye where he stood as best man and he gave her a big grin. At last her eyes fell on the man she loved. She felt her heart speed up as she moved closer and closer to him until at last she was beside him. Sirius kissed her cheek, shook hands with Oliver and placed her hand in his before stepping back to stand beside Remus.
"Dearly beloved," Arthur began. "We have gathered here today to witness the joining of Lucy Evans and Oliver Wood in marraige." Lucy did not hear the words The Minister of Magic was saying she was far too entranced by her beloved. Oliver squeezed her hand.
"I love you," he mouthed silently.
"I love you," she mouthed back.
"Lucy," Arthur said. "Do you take Oliver to be your lawfully wedded husband. Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death do you part"
"I do," Lucy said.
"Oliver," Arthur said. "Do you take Lucy to be your lawfully wedded wife. Do you promis to love and cherish her, in sickness and in healt, for richer for poorer, till death do you part"
"I do," Oliver said.
"The rings please," Arthur said. Harry had to bend low to take the wedding bands off the pillow that Dobby held. After all the help the house elf had given in preparing for this day they had to let him be a part of it. Arthur took the rings from Harry and held one to Oliver.
"Oliver, place this ring on Lucy's finger and say, with this ring I thee wed"
"With this ring, I thee wed," Lucy felt the heat of the gold and silver band as it slid onto her finger.
"Lucy, place this ring on Oliver's finger and say, with this ring I thee wed"
"With this ring," Lucy said sliding the ring onto Oliver's strong finger, "I thee wed."
"By the powers vested in me by the order of Merlin, and the Wizengamot, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Everyone cheered and shot sparks into the air with their wands but this was lost on Lucy as her new husband kissed her.