Chapter Twenty-One, Wedding
The day had arrived. Friday 5th December 1978, was the day that Josie was finally going to get to marry Sirius Black, the love of her life. The garden, the gazebo and the smaller ballroom had been set up to perfection. The chairs lining the aisle were covered in silks of navy and gold with warming charms woven into the fabric, and the gazebo was covered beautifully in winter roses. Inside in the smaller ballroom, the ceiling was draped in golden silk fabrics and fairy lights; the two long tables - (one at the top of the room for the bridal party, and the second holding the cake) - and the dozen smaller round tables were all draped in navy silk tablecloths. Covering the surfaces of the tables were golden plates, golden candles and small golden vases holding white winter roses.
Besides the beautiful three tier navy coloured cake that held a line of edible marzipan winter roses - that went up the cake in a curved line; was two golden candle sticks holding white candles and in between them stood two golden frames: one which said, 'Once Upon A Time' and the other held a beautiful picture of Sirius and Josie taken unknowingly by Regulus on their holiday. The whole thing was so beautiful and magical, pardon the pun, and Sirius couldn't wait to marry his love. He and his groomsmen: Regulus, James and Remus, and his soon-to-be father-in-law Monty, were all dressed in gorgeous navy three piece suits, white shirts, golden ties and warm brown shoes. Now that they had all graduated with flying colours, they couldn't wait for the next part in their lives. James and Pandora had married in the summer on August 5th, and next year would be Remus and Marlene's turn in the spring.
Josie was both excited and nervous as she finished her shower by tying up her hair once the conditioner was out, using a spell to remove hair and washing; she felt like she had Pixies flying around in her stomach. Entering her bedroom with a white dressing gown on over her white, lace underwear and navy and gold lace garter, which Marlene was making her wear; she saw her mother, her maid of honour and sister-in-law Pandora, and her bridesmaids Marlene and Alice who all looked amazing.
"You look amazing." Josie complimented, a wide smile upon her face. Hugging her mother, her new sister and her best friends. Her mother looked stunning in a golden lace dress that was slightly off the shoulders. She had navy heels with golden accents adorning her feet, her nails were painted navy and glittery gold. Mia had her blonde hair curled with half of it pinned up and back but with a few strands framing her face. For her makeup: she had shimmery gold eyeshadow that was slightly Smokey towards the corners, black winged eyeliner, black mascara and dark red lipstick.
As for Pandora, Marlene and Alice; they wore a beautiful two-toned, high-necked dress. The top was a beautiful golden colour covered in lace detailing with a long navy skirt that flowed around them. The had golden strappy heels adorning their feet, navy and glittery gold nails, their hair was curled and half pinned up and back like Mia, but Dora had a flower crown delicately placed around her head. For their makeup: they had shimmery gold eyeshadow, black mascara, black eyeliner, and dark pink lipgloss. To finish off they had a bouquet of winter roses of white, blue and gold.
"Thank you, sister." Pandora said happily, linking arms with Josie as she led the way into the closet opposite them.
"Now it's your turn." Alice grinned.
"Have you put the garter on?" Marlene asked with a wink, a blush spreading across Josie's cheeks.
"Yes I have." She mumbled embarrassed, causing Marlene, Alice and Dora to giggle.
"All right. Enough now girls." Mia reprimanded gently, kissing her daughter's forehead. "It's time to get my Princess ready." She ordered, waving her wand to obscure the mirror from Josie and unwrapped the towel from Josie's head. Mia worked on her daughter's hair, while Dora worked on her makeup, and Alice and Marlene her nails. Half an hour later they were all finished.
"You ready?" Mia asked excitedly, eager to see her daughter's reaction.
"Yeah." Josie said eagerly. As soon as Mia waved her wand removing the charm, Josie let out a gasp at her reflection. "Oh, thank you." She gushed, a tad overwhelmed. She never thought she could look like this. Josie's hair was curled and placed in a messy bun, a few strands framing her face and her bun was held in place by the diamanté clip that Mia herself, had worn on her own wedding day. Her nails had been painted exactly like the others. The beautiful white gold ring still rested on her ring finger, but her Potter Heiress ring was now on Pandora's hand. As for Josie's makeup: she had glittery gold eyeshadow outlined a little by a dark brown, black winged eyeliner, black mascara and red lipstick. She had the same bouquet as her bridesmaids but larger.
"Omg! It's amazing thank you." Josie thanked again, happily, hugging her friends and then her mother before she slipped her feet into her navy heels that gold lace detailing.
"You're welcome baby." Mia said happily, tears starting to gather in her eyes. After today, both her babies would be married. Thankfully they would both stay here. It was meant to be Sirius and Josie moving out, but as Potter manor was so huge and Josie's creatures were here, they'd all spoken and agreed to stay here together. On the plus side she kept her babies together, and Dora and Josie got to look after the creatures together. And James was happy to still have his sister close, so it was a win for everyone.
"Mia, if you step back into the bedroom we'll help Josie get into her dress. It's a surprise." Pandora said excitedly.
She couldn't wait to see her best friend-sister get married nor see her mother-in-law's face when she saw Josie. Marlene had made the beautiful dress.
"Okay." Mia agreed readily. As she entered the bedroom she gave Merlin and Haku a stroke as they both sat at the end of the bed and sat herself in the desk chair to wait.
"Ready?" Pandora and Marlene asked together, bouncing up and down excitedly, in the closet, making the other girls laugh. Marlene was eager to see Josie's reaction to the finished result.
"Ready." They all agreed, Alice hasn't seen the dress either and was excited. Marlene grabbed the dress bag and unzipped it revealing the most beautiful dress they'd ever seen.
"Marl, thank you. It's so beautiful, I love it!" Jodie exclaimed happily.
"I'm glad." Marlene said happily, relief coating her tone. "Now, let's get you in it."
The dress was designed in a regal tulle modern Princess dress, with an off-the-shoulder golden lace bodice, an ivory tulle skirt, and a dual-coloured lace and tulle voile off-shoulder neckline and a low v-style back. It was elegant and classy just like Josie and it suited her perfectly and the golden colour matched the theme of the wedding wonderfully.
"Oh, Josie! You look stunning." Alice and Pandora said stunned.
"Doesn't she?" Marlene smirked. "Sirius won't be able to keep his hands off of you." She smirked, winking at Josie and turning her to face the mirror so she can see.
"Oh, Marl! This is amazing. Thank you. I feel like a Princess." Josie said, tearing up a little.
"Hey! No crying." Marlene said sternly. "Now, let's go show Mrs P. I bet Mr P is in there now too." She opened the door and was proven right as Monty now stood in the bedroom talking to his wife and waiting patiently for his only daughter.
"Oh, Josie!" Mia sobbed, tears springing to her eyes and falling down her cheeks the moment she saw her beautiful daughter. She was thankful for the Stasis Charm she'd applied, otherwise she'd be a mess. "You look so beautiful."
"My little girl is all grown up." Monty said sadly, tears tracking down his own cheeks that he'd dabbed at with a tissue.
"I'll always be your little girl Daddy." Josie replied, hugging her parents who held her tightly while they composed themselves. Never before did Josie look so much like her mother than she did when she stepped out of the closet.
"Mum, Dad please stop crying, otherwise I'll cry." Josie pleaded.
"We can't help it." Monty refuted. "You look so beautiful and my baby girl is getting married."
"I'll always be both your little girl, even if I am married." Josie reassured. Mia smiled and kissed her sweet daughter's forehead.
"I know sweetheart." Mia said, before she left to take her seat. Soon Alice left then Marlene and finally Pandora. A few moments later Josie on her father's arm followed Pandora out of the bedroom and down the stairs. As they were about to leave the house that's when it hit Josie. She was filled with nervous excitement as the realisation hit home, that this was finally and really happening.
In a few short moments she would be marrying the love of life and she couldn't wait. As they entered the garden and made their way to the start of the aisle a soft wedding match played on a piano. Everyone got to their feet looking at Monty and Josie, but Josie only had eyes for Sirius. He was standing under the beautifully dressed gazebo before a Ministry Official who would conduct their wedding. Sirius was looking very handsome in his navy three piece suit, white shirt and golden tie, which made his silver-grey eyes pop. On his left by the stairs were Regulus, Jamie and Remus all dressed in identical suits, the girls were standing on the right side of the gazebo's stairs.
A wide smile spread across Sirius's face as he looked at Josie, the grin almost splitting his face in two, as tears built up in his eyes. Which was most likely a mirror image to her face, Josie thought.
"You look gorgeous darling." Sirius said, kissing Josie's cheek as soon as Monty and Josie had reached him.
"And you look so handsome. I'm glad you left your curls alone." Josie said, getting a laugh from those who heard them.
"Thank you Daddy." Josie said, kissing Monty's cheek before took his seat besides Mia, holding her hand. Somehow Josie and Sirius made it through the appropriate parts of the Ceremony, although, they didn't know how as they were lost in each other's eyes until it got to the vows.
"Sirius and Josephine have chosen to write their own vows to each other to declare their love. Sirius." The Ministry Official said in a drawling voice, gesturing for Sirius to say his first.
"Josie, when you walked into my life that first day on the Hogwarts Express, love walked in, too. I believe in the couple we will be together, the person you will grow to be and the person you've helped me grow to be." Sirius started, staring deeply and lovingly into Josie's eyes as tears started welling up. "With my whole heart, I take you as my wife, acknowledging and accepting your faults and strengths, as you do mine. I promise to be faithful and supportive, and to always make you, our current family and our future family's love and happiness my priority.
I will be yours in times of plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph. I will dream with you, celebrate with you, and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. You are my soulmate - my love and my life, for now and forever." Sirius finished, wiping away Josie's tears, as she wiped away his, and slipping the white gold diamond and sapphire wedding ring on to Josie's finger in front of Josie's matching engagement ring.
Josie cleared her tight throat when the Ministry Official gestured to her.
"They say love is like magic; but different. It's more wild, free and passionate than the magic we know and use, and I honestly couldn't agree more. I take you as my husband Siri, for now and forever, without any hesitation or reservation. You are my family, and I want to be there for you in all things, I am so excited to be your wife and share in every moment with you. I have loved you from around second year and will continue to do so until the end of time." Josie cleared her throat once more before continuing Sirius's hand resting on her cheek.
"I will love you not just in this moment, nor only in the good moments, not for an hour, or a day, or a year - I will always love you. For in all the world there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine. I promise to be a nurturing wife, a compassionate companion, and to always be on your side, always." Josie said, as she slipped Sirius's ring on to his ring finger, the ring was exactly like hers but obviously bigger.
"Now, we shall perform the traditional hand fasting." The Ministry Official informed, as he tapped his wand to their joined hands and a bright, white light wrapped around their joined hands.
"Do you Sirius Orion Black III, take Josephine Alyssa Potter to be your lawful wedded wife to have and to hold, through sickness and in health; for better or worse; for richer or poorer. For as long as you both shall live?" The Official asked.
"I do." Sirius agreed happily.
"Do you Josephine Alyssa Potter take Sirius Orion Black III to be your lawful wedded husband to have and to hold, through sickness and in health; for better or worse; for richer or poorer. For as long as you both shall live?" The Official asked.
"I do." Josie agreed happily.
"Then by the powers vested in me by Magic, Hectate and the British Ministry of Magic. I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride." The Ministry Official said, as he tapped his wand over the light and their joined hands causing it to sink into their skin. As their friends and family erupted into cheers, Sirius pulled Josie into his arms kissing her passionately, bending them backwards for a deeper kiss that lasted several minutes.
When they finally pulled back so they could catch their breath, everyone erupted into cheers again, throwing confetti over them as they made their way back down the aisle.
"You look very handsome Siri, the gold definitely makes your silver-grey eyes pop." Josie said, kissing his cheek as they stood before the tables in the ballroom waiting to greet their guests before dinner.
"And you look stunning. When I saw you, you took my breath away, for it felt like my heart had stopped beating." Sirius said, his voice husky as he pulled her in for another passionate kiss. That is until they were interrupted by Monty and Arcturus clearing their throats.
"Oh, congratulations baby." Mia cried happily, hugging Josie tightly as she started crying again.
"Come on love, let someone else congratulate them." Monty said, trying to coax Mia to let Josie go even if he looked like he wanted to do the same.
"Congratulations both of you." Melania and Arcturus said happily.
"Thank you." Sirius and Josie said, wide grins on their faces.
Next up, was Jamie, Dora, Regulus and his date Suzanne, Remus, Marlene, Alice and Frank to congratulate them.
Alice informed them, she has been taking lots of pictures already and that we will have loads once she's done. Frank joking that they may need another camera for that then, earning himself a slap around the back of the head before Alice left taking Josie's veil to put it away upstairs along with all the gifts they had received, which Josie was surprised at. James hugged his baby sister tightly and threatened Sirius again while Dora and Regulus happily cheered over the fact that Josie was now their sister. Next, was Andromeda, Ted and their daughter Nymphadora who was so cute and asked to be called Dora too, who hugged Josie tightly and shook Sirius's hand as they offered words of happiness and congratulations.
Then, Fabian and Gideon came to congratulate them, along with Narcissa who had surprisingly turned up and had apologised to Sirius for how she's acted before heading over to her sister Andromeda without giving Sirius a chance to answer.
"Are you going to accept her apology?" Josie asked, resting against Sirius, his arms around her waist.
"I'm not sure. I'll think about it. It worked out with Reg, but right now I'd rather enjoy our wedding day. Besides it was more Andy she hurt then me." Sirius replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Fair enough." Josie said, kissing the edge of his lips. "We better go take our seats." She added, intwining her fingers with her new husband and led the way to their table, her father sitting on her other side. Before she realised it was the cake first, with a laugh they headed over to the correct table.
The cake her mother and the House-Elves had made was amazing. Her mother definitely had the skill for a Baker if she wished. Everyone cheered as they cut into the cake together which revealed to be red velvet cake both of their favourite. Once they'd fed each other a slice of cake it was time for throwing the bouquet which Marlene caught and Josie was happy as she could finally get her and Remus back and tease them. After the bouquet had been put away everyone sat back down to eat the wonderful three course meal the House-Elves had cooked excitedly. Sirius and Josie sat in the middle of the top table with Monty and Pandora on her right, while Jamie and Regulus sat on Siri's other side.
After a wonderful meal and the speeches which elicited many laughs, smiles and tears it was time for the first dance.
"May I have this dance, Starfall?" Sirius asked. Smiling Josie placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the dance floor where she wrapped her arms around his neck and Sirius wrapping his around her waist.
"Of course Padfoot. Who am I to turn down a dance with my amazing husband?" Josie teased, kissing his cheek. "I meant everything that was said in the speech, Siri. You mean so much to me and I love you so much." Josie said, kissing his lips tenderly as they swayed in time with the music.
"I know my love. I feel the same way for you, as I said in mine, and I love you so much too. But thank you darling, you truly are amazing." Sirius said, kissing her lovingly.
Sirius and Josie danced for a few more songs, twirling around and spinning her back into his arms. For the last few songs Jamie, Dora and the others joined them, all of them dancing and laughing together. Just like they did at James's wedding to Pandora and the Balls they've attended.
"Can we cut in?" Mia and Monty asked.
"Of course." Josie and Sirius agreed, as Sirius now danced with Mia and Monty danced with Josie.
"I'm so proud of you Princess and I can't believe my little girl is now married." Monty chocked, his eyes filling with tears.
"Dad, I love you and I'm still here. Always." Josie assured, kissing his cheeks.
After dancing with Regulus and Arcturus and then her twin brother, Marlene took Josie upstairs to change out of her wedding dress. While Marlene put the dress back in the bag, Josie changed into a pink off the shoulder top, blue jeans and light pink almost white wedge sandals. Once she was finished Marlene took her hair out of the up-do and decided to leave it down apart from the sides pinned back.
"Thank you Marl." Josie said, hugging her tightly.
"You're welcome Josie. We better get going." Marlene said, holding her suitcase that she, Dora and Alice had packed.
"Have fun and don't do anything any of us wouldn't do." Dora said, winking as all of her friends laughed.
"You're as bad as Jamie." Josie laughed hugging all of them tightly.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Jamie huffed jokingly, as he pulled his baby sister into a tight hug.
"Of course not." Josie drawled, teasing him as he pouted at her his hand over his heart as he staggered backwards. After hugging the rest of their friends and family Josie hugged her parents tightly while her Dad handed Sirius the Portkey that would take them to their surprise Honeymoon location. Well, it was a surprise for Josie.
"Have fun baby. We'll see you in two weeks." Mia said, hugging her daughter tighter for a moment before letting Monty hug her.
"Have fun and be safe. If you feel like your having a vision put on your necklace." Monty said firmly.
"I will Daddy. I love you and I love you Mum." Josie replied.
"Josie." Sirius warned, as the Portkey will be leaving soon.
"Bye." was the last thing thing they said before they were whisked off to their Honeymoon.
