Chapter Fifteen: The Crow, The Owl, and the Dove

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. The underlined portions are taken directly from the novel; I do not own those parts. They belong to J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: This fanfiction is going to be different from my other stories. This picks up where "The Heart of Everything" and "The Heart of Everything: Shallow Bay" left off. The time in the books also changes. So, pay attention the time, so you don't get confused. Some of the chapters are other Marcus Flint/Katie Bell stories, just with more changes and deleted scenes added.

Time: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Genre: Romance, Drama, and Friendship

Rating: PG-13

This chapter is longer than normal. Yes, it is the wedding.

I "borrowed" the wedding vows from these two sites: . and /article/wedding-ceremony-sample-14. I do not own them and all credit goes to the people who wrote these lovely vows.

The lone figure stood on top of the hill. He looked down at the small town that stood at the bottom of the hill. The lights looked light tiny fireflies. The Muggles were safely in bed, clueless. They didn't know about battles of the future or what was to come.

"You just wait," the figure said. "There's a battle coming and you won't be ready for it. It's time to go back, back to where it all began."

And the lone figure disappeared.

Marcus sighed as he opened his eyes. He hadn't expected the end of November to come so quickly. He looked at his alarm clock and pulled his blankets back over his head. He still had time to get in a few more hours of sleep. He had just closed his eyes whenever he felt his blankets being pulled back down again.

"Rise and shine," Brad said.

Marcus eyed his dad. "What are you doing here?"
Brad sat down on the edge of Marcus's bed. "You have orders to get up and get moving." Brad picked up the book Marcus had been reading. "Charles Dickens?"
Marcus took the book from his dad. "Says who?"
"Katie and your mother." Brad gave Marcus a small smile. "I tried to pull for you, but I got nowhere. You know how they are."
Marcus sat up slowly. "It's freaking six in the morning."
"I know."
Marcus sighed. This was probably just the start of a very long day. He knew that he should be excited about getting married, but right now all he wanted to do was sleep. "How long does it take to get ready?"

Brad shrugged. "I think they have other plans for us."
"Great," Marcus muttered.

They had set everything up last night. Marcus didn't get home until one in the morning. It had been a last minute decision to have it at the Randolph Castle instead of a church. Katie was afraid of upsetting the families by having the wedding in a church. Marcus really didn't see what the big deal was, but for some it was.

Brad got off the bed. "Yeah, I was planning on sleeping late too, but your mother got me up and told me to get you."
"Can we just say a Death Eater attack delayed us?" Marcus asked. He knew it was a terrible thing to joke about.

Brad got a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't think it would work though."

"Damn," was all Marcus said as he climbed out of bed.

Brad laughed. "But it was nice try."
Marcus went over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. "I'm going to take a shower."

"I'll be here," Brad said as Marcus disappeared into the bathroom.

Marcus didn't say that he was afraid of that.

Marcus bent down and turned on the shower. As the steam filled in around him, he put his hands on the counter and looked at himself in the mirror. He could barely make himself out, but he knew that he hadn't physically changed. It was the inside that had changed.

Marcus closed his eyes. He only had a few more hours of being single left. He was getting married today. He gulped. He was getting married, his life was changing. What would it be like to be married?
He wanted love, but was it really everything he wanted? Was innocence was he really wanted, what he really needed?

Forty-five minutes later, Marcus found himself seated at his dining room table across from his father. They had already eaten a dozen donuts and drank half a pot of tea. Neither one of them appeared to want to move.

Brad slowly looked at his watch. "I suppose we had best be moving."

Marcus nodded as he put his cup in the sink. "I guess."

A few minutes later, they arrived on the vast land surrounding Randolph Castle. Marcus looked up at the castle. When he was growing up, he never thought about possibly getting married here, let alone seeing it actually happen.

A crow flew over them. Marcus watched it. It was purposely staying away from them; its pride would not let it come any closer, even though it wanted to. Marcus rolled his eyes. It was so stupid that pride prevented living creatures from doing what they wanted to. Pride between houses certainly hadn't stopped Marcus and Katie from getting together.

"There you two are!" Jasmine exclaimed as Brad and Marcus stepped into the grand entry of the castle. "I was being to worry that you weren't going to come."
Brad smiled at his wife. "We've still got plenty of time."
Marcus nodded in agreement.

"In a wedding, every second counts," Jasmine said. She turned to Marcus. "You should've been here earlier. It is your wedding after all."

Behind his mother, Marcus could see his older brothers Brian and Shawn. They were trying so hard not to laugh. Marcus really didn't see what was so funny, but with them it was hard to tell.

Jasmine handed Marcus a stack of plates. "You take this and see what your grandmother wants you to do with these."

Marcus nodded. His grandmother would probably be the easiest person here to work with.

Marcus passed Brian and Shawn.

"Have fun, little brother," Shawn called after him.

Marcus went into the ballroom. His grandmother and several of Katie's brides mates were in there. He sat the plates down on the edge of the table and went over to them.

"Hello, there," Jessica Randolph said when she same him. "We are just about done here."

Marcus sat down at one of the tables and looked around the room. He was kind of glad that Katie didn't chose traditional wedding colours. Since it was November, Katie wanted to go with a fall theme. The ball room ceiling had been enchanted with a blue sky filled with white clouds. Leaves with brilliant fall colours would dance across the sky. The centre pieces to the tables were rust flowers with dried berries mixed in them. The table clothes were red on some tables and brown on others. Streamers of yellow and orange were placed along the walls. It looked nice, but he would not say that to Katie.

Jessica placed a mountain in front of Marcus. "Count these. I need to know if we have enough."
Marcus sighed and went to work. Why couldn't weddings just be simple?

He looked at his watch. There was only a few more hours until the big show. He knew he was ready.

Katie stood in front of the mirror, inspecting her dress. She smiled at Jenna, who was putting the final touches on Katie's hair.

"Thank you so much, Jenna," Katie whispered. Jenna was the mother in her life. She took away the empty space that Katie's biological mother had left.

" What else am I supposed to do?" Jenna asked, pulling out a makeup bag before starting on that task. "I just hope your sisters don't get married yet. They seem to already be planning their own wedding."
Katie laughed. She could just picture her sisters doing that. "They're not nearly old enough, Jenna," Katie said, running her hand through her hair. "You think Marcus will like it?" She was shaking with nervousness.

Jenna took her hands as the bride mates bustled around the room. She smiled at Katie and nodded."You are my daughter and Marcus would be a very stupid young man if he didn't," Jenna whispered, her eyes misty. "Don't you think, Jasmine ?"

Jasmine looked over at Katie and smiled. "You both look beautiful," she said, pulling both of us into a hug. "You should feel special. Marcus shaved without having to be told to."

Katie laughed. Today was going to be a good day then.

She looked out the window and saw an owl sitting on the branch. She looked at its leg, but didn't see a letter. Why was an owl out during the day? It stared at her with its wise eyes. Katie took a step back. Why was it looking at her like that? A few minutes later it flew away. Katie watched it as it disappeared. The owl was old and wise, but it offered nothing she needed today.

Katie turned back around and saw herself face to face with Jessica Randolph. Haley was laughing slowly at Katie's surprise.

Jessica gave Katie a warm smile. "I know you are busy, but I was wondering if I could trouble you for a few seconds."

Katie nodded. "Of course. I just want to thank you again for letting us use your home."
Jessica's brown eyes, Marcus's eyes, danced at her. "It's no problem, my dear." She pulled something out of a bag paper bag. "Whenever a bride get married, our family has a tradition of giving one of these to her."

Katie looked down at the tiara. Its silver glitter sprinkled. It looked like something out of a Disney movie. "Thank you. It's like nothing I've ever had before."
Jessica reached for the tiara. "May I?"

Katie nodded.

Jessica went behind Katie and put the tiara. "There. You look just like a princess."
Haley handed Katie a mirror.

When Katie stared at herself, she almost didn't recognize herself. She didn't look like a little girl playing dress up in her mother's clothes. She looked like a woman.

Jasmine knocked on the door. "It's time."
Jenna helped Katie to her feet. "You are beautiful."
"Thank you," Katie said as she allowed Jenna to glide her out of the room. Katie loved Jenna and was glad she was here for this special day. It made the fact that Katie's biological mother wasn't here a little better.

Jim Bell was waiting in the entry way. He smiled as he saw Katie approach. "I almost didn't recognize you."

Katie laughed as she took her father's arm.

"I really didn't recognize Marcus when I saw him earlier," Jim went on.

Katie laughed even harder. After a few seconds she paused; she really did want to know what Marcus looked like. She had seen him in his wedding clothes at the fitting, but hadn't seen the final product.

The brides mates lined up in front of Katie and her father. Marcus's sister-in-laws, Samantha and Missy, were bringing the flower girl and ring bearer through and putting the final touches on them.

"Are you ready?" Jim whispered to Katie.

Katie nodded. "Yeah."
"My little girl is all grown up and getting married," Jim said.

Katie had hope to avoid this speech. She had seen it all the movies and had really hoped to avoid it.

"Just don't let him push around and you know if anything goes wrong you can always home," Jim went on.

Katie nodded.

"And you two will hopefully give me grandchildren soon."

Katie looked at her father. "Grandchildren?"
"Well, you two are planning on having children at some point aren't you?" Jim asked.

Katie stared at the back of Sierra's head. Did Marcus want children? "We really haven't talked about it."

Jim smiled at Katie. "I know it's early, but it is something to think about."

Outside Katie heard the music start to play. This talk would have to be finished later.

Katie and Jim stepped forward. She could not believe that in a matter of seconds she would be walking down the aisle to the man of her dreams. Sierra gave Katie one final smile as she started down the aisle.

"This is it," Katie said under her breath.

"This is it," Jim said as they stepped down out into the grand room.

Katie eyed the dove on the wall. It was so calm and gentle looking, but it had nothing she needed. All she needed was the man waiting for her at the altar.

She put one foot in front of the other as she and her father made their way down to Marcus. Katie looked at Marcus and then at his groomsmen. Damon, his best man, was standing directly behind him. The others, Chris Derrick, Adrian Pucey, Alex Greenbrier, Collin Haynes, Nathanial, and Ryan. Nathanial and Ryan were Marcus's older brothers.

Behind them, Brian and Lucas, two more of Marcus's brothers, closed the doors. There was no going back now.

Marcus watched as Katie approached him. He thought she was beautiful on any given day, but seeing her in that dress just stole his heart away.

Jim and Katie paused in front of Marcus and the preacher.

The preacher opened his Bible and looked at the crowd. "We have come together at the invitation of Katherine and Marcus celebrate the uniting in Christian love, their hearts and lives. This is possible because of the love God has created in them, through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." This abundant life, for many people, is an impossible dream, yet God wants us all to have this abundant life and proved His love for us by giving His Son, that we might have this life. Another way that God provides for this "full" life is creating those who will love us. Marcus has found such a one in Katherine hearts and spirits were drawn together before today by the Lord of all creation. Two lives are not united by ceremony, but only in the power, love, and grace of God. Marcus and Katherine are here to publicly declare that because of Jesus Christ's love, they too can truly love one another. As God demonstrated His love in Jesus, our Lord, Marcus and Katherine will demonstrate this God given love by giving themselves to one another and one for the other. They have not reached this place alone, each has been given life by their parents. These, who gave to them life love, provision, are and will be, a vital part in their continued lives. Their love has borne fruit in Marcus and Katherine. Love and respect for these will continue as they grow in their own love made possible by their parents."

Marcus didn't remember the introduction being so long.

" Who then has prepared this woman for marriage to this man?" the preacher asked.

"Her mother and I," Jim answered. He offered Katie's hand up to Marcus.

Marcus bent down and guided Katie up to him. They stood under the alter facing each other.

"We are gathered here today, on this happy and joyous occasion, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is a solemn institution to be held in honour by all, it is the cornerstone of the family and of the community. It requires of those who undertake it a complete and unreserved giving of one's self. It is not to be entered into lightly, as marriage is a sincere and mutual commitment to love one another. This commitment symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives and still enhances the individuality of each of you," the preacher said. He looked around the room. "If anyone has any objections to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The room was silent. Out of the corner of his eye, Marcus saw his parents sitting in the row with big smiles on their faces.

Marcus and Katie stood facing each other smiling. He could not believe this was actually happening. He was getting married.

The preacher looked back and forth at Marcus and Katie. "Marcus and Katherine, no other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than these you are about to assume. You are entering into that holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love."

Katie gave Marcus's hand a small squeeze. She was glowing.

The preacher turned to Marcus. " Marcus, will you have Katherine, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?"

"I will," Marcus said.

The preacher nodded and turned to Katie. " Katherine , will you have Marcus, to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?"
Katie nodded. "I will."
"Groom, take the bride by her right hand and repeat after me," the preacher said.

Marcus did as he was told. He always found this part of wedding to be really awkward.

" In your eyes, I have found my home .In your heart, I have found my love. In your soul, I have found my mate. With you, I am whole, full, alive. You make me laugh. You let me cry. You are my breath, my every heartbeat. I am yours. You are mine. Of this we are certain. You are lodged in my heart. The small key is lost. You must stay there forever," the preacher said.

Marcus carefully repeated each line. He knew that he would never hear the end of it if he messed this part up.

"Bride, repeat after me," the preacher said.

Katie's beautiful mezzo voice filled the castle. " You are my inspiration and my soul's fire. You are the magic of my days. You help me laugh, you teach me love. You provide a safe place for me, unlike I've ever known. You free me to sing my own song. You are more of an amazement to me, each day I rediscover you. You are my greatest boon. I am yours. You are mine. Of this we are certain. You are lodged in my heart. The small key is lost. You must stay there forever."

The preacher took the rings from Marcus's nephew and turned to Marcus." what symbol do you bring as a pledge of that sincerity of your vows?"

"A ring," Marcus said.

The preacher turned to Katie. "Please remember, a ring is more than a symbol of your marriage. It is a seal of the vow you have made to one another. The circle of the ring is, as far as human eye can see, a perfect circle-with no beginning or end-so God too, has perfect love for you and wants you to love one another in His grace-never, never ending. This ring is made of precious metal. You also are precious in God's sight and now in the life of Marcus. When you are absent one from another, the presence of the ring reminds you to be faithful and to fulfill your vows to Marcus. Rings have historically been the sign of authority-used to seal documents and proclamations, you now accept this authority in your life."

Katie smiled over at Marcus. She had been dreaming of this day since she was little girl and now he was almost hers. She could just picture their life together and all of the good times that were yet to come.

The preacher was still focusing on Marcus. " You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger."

Marcus slid the ring carefully on her finger. Katie watched him carefully.

The preacher now turned his attention to Katie. "Katherine, what symbol do you bring as a pledge of that sincerity of your vows?"

"A ring," Katie said.

" Marcus, this ring is a seal of Katherine's vow to you. She presents this to you as a token of her submission to you in Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of leadership and privilege. God has placed you as head of the family. You must lead in worship, works and fellowship. As the weaker vessel she depends upon you for strength."

Katie smiled over at Marcus.

"You may now place your ring on your Groom's finger," the preacher said.

Katie took the ring and placed it in Marcus' finger. She thought that he looked rather odd wearing a ring. She blinked, they were almost there. They were almost married.

The preacher closed his Bible and looked at the wedding guest. "I am pleased to present you with Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Flint. You may kiss your bride."

Katie found Marcus's lips and pushed against them. She wondered if Marcus was aware of the fact that everyone was watching them. Kissing in public was something that she would never get used to.

A few seconds later, they broke apart. The music began to play and they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

Yeah, I didn't mean for it to get this long. Sadly, I probably will not have the next chapter up until the middle of May when my finals are over. As always, thanks for reading!