Chapter 49- Their Stories
December 25
After breakfast, Harry wondered when David was going to pop the question. Not that he was anxious mind you, he just thought that maybe a "Lily, can you pass the juice and marry me?" would be a pleasant surprise for all, Lily the most.
"Okay, who's ready for gifts?" Ginny announced.
The house full of family herded into the living room. David grinned at Harry when he passed him in the corridor. It only took a few minutes for the living room floor to be covered with gaily decorated wrapping paper, bows, and boxes. When the women gathered around a book Rose received, David left the room with a "Anyone need a drink? I'm going to the kitchen." He winked at Harry just before he left the room. This is it!
"Lily, could you come here for a minute? I need some help with something."
Ginny rose to go (hearing the word "help" in her kitchen) but Harry took her by the arm and pulled her into a kiss as Lily left the room.
"You don't want to go in there, not just now," he whispered and nipped her earlobe.
"Get a room you two," Ron complained.
A high-pitched squeal was heard, then the sight of an ecstatic Lily dragging David into the room. She proudly held up her left hand.
"He asked!"
The women as a whole shrieked and hugged Lily, admiring the ring. The men congratulated David as Lily flung herself into his arms.
On January 2, Rose received an owl post just before midnight.
"Who in the world would send me an owl so late?" Rose asked. "I hope it's not the hospital calling me in. I don't care how much overtime Magical Bugs offer, I don't know how many more anal ailments I can take."
"Are you sure you should be taking those kind of ailments at all?" Kevin teased. "I hope you washed your hands really well before you made supper."
"Very funny, ha-ha," she dead-panned. "When you're a lowly intern, you have no choice," she said and read the letter. Her laughter slowly bubbled out and she gave the letter to him to read. "I'll ring mum."
He read the letter as she apologized for calling so late.
Rose-
I'm writing this from Switzerland, where Scorpius and I eloped yesterday. We'll be back in a week, see you then.
Love,
Serena
June 30, 2028
Moody Hall, Ministry of Magic
In formal Auror robes, Harry stood at a podium before 29 new Aurors, their families and friends.
"Thank you for being here today. You see before you 29 new Aurors, ready to stand between the light and the dark. You have every reason to be proud of the oath they are about to take. Afterward, I invite you to stay for refreshments and pictures."
He left the podium and stood before the new Aurors. "I'm proud of each and every one of you, proud to call you my colleagues. After three long years of arduous, relentless training and education, I am confident that every witch and wizard here will be able to perform their duties with the utmost integrity, honor and courage. Please stand, place your wand over your heart and repeat after me."
"I am an Auror. I vow to stand between the light and the dark..."
Lily's heart swelled for David as she watched him take his Auror's Oath of Office. Harry personally congratulated each one and placed a silver badge in his or her hand. When the last badge was given, he stood before them a final time. "You'll receive your squad assignments later today, welcome to the team." He was especially proud of two of them; his own son and the man who would become his son-in-law the very next day.
With joy in their hearts, Harry and Ginevra Potterinvite you to witness the marriage vows of their daughter
Lily Luna Potter
to
David Ethan Conners
son of Stephen and Margaret Moore
July 1, 2028 at Noon
Potter Hill Manor, Ottery-St-Catchpole
Reception immediately to follow
David straightened his tie for the tenth time and made sure his shoes were tied. He felt a hand a hand on his shoulder.
"Nervous son?" his stepfather asked.
"Not really, I'm marrying the girl of my dreams."
"Not even a little bit?" James asked.
"Well...okay, maybe a little. What if I drop the ring when I'm about to put it on her finger? What if I sneeze while I'm saying my vows?"
"You wouldn't be the first," his father said.
"Just keep your focus on your pretty bride and you'll be fine," James said.
At fifteen minutes to noon, Lily's ears perked to the music of the string quartet brought in from Austria. Nothing was too good for Harry Potter's daughter.
"Nervous?" Rose asked and straightened a bit of stray lace on Lily's gown.
"Not really, I'm marrying the love of my life, I have no reason to be nervous."
"Not even a little?"
"Well...what if a bee lands on the middle of nose mid-ceremony? What if I bite the inside of my cheek while I'm saying my vows? That kind of stuff happens to me, you know."
Rose leaned in and whispered, "Just focus on that handsome groom of yours and what you'll be doing in a few hours."
Lily blushed prettily. "Rose, what did you say?" Hermione fussed.
Hermione and Serena, bridesmaids, strolled down the carpeted isle and took their places. Next came Rose, maid of honor. With a flourish of violins, Lily stepped through the manor French doors on the arm of her father. Lily was glad she was clutching her dad's arm because she almost stumbled when she saw David. He had never looked so good to her as he did at that moment. So handsome, so proud, and the look in his eyes took her breath away.
"Breathe mate," James whispered and clapped Kevin on the shoulder. He had a lump in his own throat- his little sister really did look beautiful. David was overwhelmed. The sight of Lily, swathed in a white satin gown and delicate lace veil, eyes dancing as she made her way toward him- by the Gods, she's beautiful, she looks like an angel, all for me.
Arthur began the ceremony. "Who gives this woman in marriage?"
Harry recalled the words of Ian Granger all those years ago for Hermione and meant the words with all his heart. "Her mother and I do," Harry stated and placed Lily's hand in David's. "Take care of our treasure," he said, his voice wavering. Dozens of tissues went to sniffling noses at his comment. He took his seat beside Ginny and clutched her hands.
"You did well love," she whispered. A day like today was what he had fought and died (almost) for all those years ago. He caught Ron and Hermione's eyes and knew they were thinking the same.
"David and Lily, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith, faith in each other that can grow, develop and last, but only if you decide to make it so. A lasting love is not guaranteed by any ritual. Dedication, love, and joy can only grow when nourished together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives."
"Bride, is it true that you come before this gathering and to your groom of your own free will?"
Her eyes met David's. "It is true."
"Groom, is it true that you come before this gathering and to your bride of your own free will?"
A gentle smile graced his face, his eyes meeting her glistening ones. "It is true."
"Groom, I have not the right to bind you to your bride, only you have that right. If that is your wish, place your ring in her left hand."
He took a ring from James' hand and placed it in Lily's shaking hand.
"Groom, make your vow to your bride."
David took a breath and spoke.
"I, David Ethan Conners, take you, Lily Luna Potter, to my hand and heart, to be my wife, my partner, my mate in this life and the life beyond. I vow to love you wholly and without restraint, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, in joy and sadness. All that I am and all that I will be I give to you, so mote it be."
"Bride, I have not the right to bind you to your groom, only you have that right. If that is your wish, place your ring in his left hand."
She took a ring from Rose's hand and placed it in David's shaking hand.
"Bride, make your vow to your groom."
Lily took a breath and spoke.
"I, Lily Luna Potter, take you, David Ethan Conners, to my hand and heart, to be my husband, my partner, my mate in this life and the life beyond. I vow to love you wholly and without restraint, in sickness and health, in poverty and wealth, in joy and sadness. All that I am and all that I will be I give to you, so mote it be."
"The rings are a symbol of love, without beginning, without end. David, if it is your wish to bind Lily to you, place the ring on her finger."
"It is my wish," he said softly and slid the ring on her finger.
"Lily, if it is your wish to bind David to you, place the ring on his finger."
"It is my wish," she said and slid the ring on his finger. Ginny could no longer contain herself and sobbed softly, "My sweet girl."
"Honored guests, you have witnessed the vows made by David and Lily and the exchange of the symbols of their union. David and Lily, in the binding of yourselves, you have created a new life, so step forth and rejoice in your new life and love. I pronounce you husband and wife. David, by all means, kiss your lovely bride."
David drew her close and kissed her like he had never kissed her before. "We did it," he whispered.
The crowd rose to their feet with cheers and applause. Two hours later, as the reception was winding down, Lily was changing for the trip to Greece in her old room. She couldn't quite remember how they had agreed on that honeymoon destination, but did it really matter? Soft knocks on the door preceded the appearance of her mum, Aunt Hermione, Rose and Serena.
"Ready to leave?" Rose asked.
"More than you know."
Ginny stepped forward and pressed a potion vial in her hands.
"Mum, I started birth control last week."
"This isn't that kind of potion. Today, you should experience only the joy of your wedding and the pleasure your husband wants to give you. This potion will make sure that happens," Ginny said gently. "It will take away the discomfort and nervousness of a woman's first time."
"Must be some potion," Lily said, sniffed the contents and swallowed it all at once. "Blueberry," she said and smacked her lips.
"Your favorite," Rose said and hugged her. "Have a wonderful time, you deserve it."
"Come on Mrs. Conners, we have a 3 pm port key to Athens!" Kevin called out from downstairs.
Lily grinned, grabbed her suitcase and jogged downstairs.
People lined the sidewalk that led away from the front door, chanting "Jump the broom, jump the broom!" James laid a broom across the path.
"Ready?" David asked with a wink. Lily grinned and nodded The couple ran for the broom and hopped over it.
At their hotel room, Lily tossed aside her suitcase and flopped on the bed. Her shirt rode up, exposing her stomach and he tapped on it.
"Stomach all right from that long port key?"
"I'm fine," she said and rose up on an elbow. "I've never went to bed with a man, I don't quite know what to do," she said, taking his hand and kissing the palm.
"Hey, it's just me," he asked, drawing her close. "You trust me, don't you?"
"Silly question, of course I do."
"Let me take the lead, and you just do whatever you feel like," he said gently. "We'll take this at your pace, how does that sound?"
He whispered words of love and encouragement, peppering her body with kisses and caresses as he methodically peeled away their clothes. She returned the gestures with soft, exploring hands and lips, learning his body and becoming more aroused with each passing second. The warm, pleasant throb between her legs elicited a hushed moan. David smiled, she was ready.
She had never felt so exposed, but she didn't feel embarrassed or shy. They way David reverently worked her body drove away any feelings of apprehension. She wanted to give herself to him, to be claimed, to bring him the pleasure he was bestowing upon her. He shifted to rest between her legs and he gently nudged them further apart. He wrapped his arms around her and nudged at her warm, wet opening.
"I love you, I've wanted you for so long," he whispered and slowly slid in, groaning as he did so. She gasped, arched her back and gripped his back at this newest feeling, of being impossibly stretched then gloriously filled. She felt a delicious, almost electric pulse when he was fully embedded. She wanted more, she needed more. He was about to ask if she was all right when she shifted and whispered "more" and wrapped her legs around his hips. He knew he wasn't going to last long, so he needed to make it good. He rested on his elbows and suckled on her breasts while rolling his hips, steadily pumping into her. Her hips moved with his in perfect tandem, chanting each other's names as they drove toward the pinnacle of ecstasy. He knew she was close and longed to see her face when brought to climax for the first time by a man, by him.
"D-David...please...I'm so close," she pleaded and he obliged with harder thrusts. When she shuddered and her eyes grew wide and met his, the look of innocent, happy wonder and love was a moment he would never forget as long as he lived.
She wailed in delight, begging him not to stop, calling out his name and other unintelligible expletives as her orgasm overtook her. He could hold back no more and let go himself, letting his love for her and pleasure be known, grunting with each pulse of his release.
That evening, Ginny's head rested on Harry's chest, tracing the light dusting of hair with a fingertip. The emotion of the day in addition to a bottle of wine had worn him out and and he was sleeping soundly. She glanced to the empty vial on the dresser and gave a knowing smile when it glowed a deep red. It was an heirloom vial, passed down from generations of women in her mum's family. She recalled the rhyme about the vial: Glass glows red, a joyful marriage bed. The next day, she received a brief owl post from the happy couple:
Arrived safely in Athens, having a wonderful time.