Warning: I was not looking forward to writing this chapter because I am horrible at writing about weddings. So I did the best I could and I hope that it will simply give me a gateway to the next chapter, which will be a lot less boring than this one and better written. So enjoy this chapter and you will see that the next one will be a lot better since now I am back to what I want to write. Okay then I will shut up now and let you get back to the story.
Chapter Five.
Dances With Wolves.
The sun shined brightly through the thin curtains of the window and made me wonder why mum had not bought me thicker curtains when I asked her too. Now that I was awake, there was no turning back and returning under the warm covers to fall back into dreamland. I wanted badly to see more of my wolf dreams to figure out why they keep coming back. Instead I just had to hope for the tid bits of the dreams I got when I got them.
I rolled out of bed and had my usual sneezing fit for ten strait minutes before I was ready to put on some clothes (well clothes besides my night pants and shirt you nasty little people…or is that just me?)
I went over to Judas's cage and found that he had finally fallen asleep. I shuddered at the thought of his large eyes gazing at me all night as he stood so still, barely even breathing.
"What an odd squirrel you are." I told the small rodent as he woke up and stared bleary eyed at me. "I think it's time for you to go for a walk. But first I'll give you some fresh water and food, and while you eat I eat. After that I'll take you out to relieve yourself." I informed him
I poured the dry food into the small plastic bowl then filled up his water bottle before heading downstairs for my breakfast. I walked down to the kitchen and passed my aunts room to find her still asleep and undisturbed by the bright gamma rays blaring through her window. I hoped down the stairs and slid across the kitchen floors towards the cabinets. Remus and dad were sitting silently at the table reading the newspaper and both sipping tea and eating toast. I prepared some French toast with some eggs and a cup of gray tea and sat down next to dad.
"Morning." He said not looking away from the paper.
"Good morning." I returned as I sipped my tea.
Remus looked up from his paper and smiled as he greeted me. "I trust you slept well." He said taking a bite of his toast.
"Yeah, why would this be different from any other night?" I asked.
"Nothing really, just a strong wind went through the neighborhood last night and caused a lot of racket against the trash cans." He replied.
"Oh, I really didn't notice anything."
"Ah, well at least you're nicely rested for today." Remus aid smiling then returned to his paper.
Yeah, nicely rested for today. Today my mum would marry fur ball and then I can officially declare myself insane for I will be tossed into a nut house before even entering college. I finished up my breakfast and returned to my room to fetch Judas for his walk. This would be my first time EVER waling a squirrel on a leash. I grabbed a coat and boots then carefully lifted up the lid of Judas's cage and grabbed him before he could run. The Squirrel squealed madly as I forced his head into the small collar and connected it to the leash.
Judas stopped for a moment, as I let him go free, and pondered if this was a trick or not. He looked at me first then at the door before he bounded off towards it to only find the limit of the leash and fly back rolling on the rug. I laughed at him then walked forward puling him along with me. We walked down the stairs and passed the back door where Sandman was scratching and whining to be let back into the house. I yelled at the two men in the kitchen that I was going out then walked into the cold blistering air. I shivered and pulled on a pair of gloves and a hat then led the squirrel down the street and allowed him to run around attempting to get free form the leash. Judas stopped trying to break free and relieved himself on the lawn with a slight sign of both aggravation and fear.
"Okay Judas time to go back inside. I know for a fact your fellow rodents are hibernating right now and you are probably as cold as I am so hurry up!"
Judas only looked up at me and it almost looked as though he was grinning at the situation. He began to walk forward trying to find another spot and I followed looking at him with annoyance. He found a tree and climbed up as far as the leash would let him then he started to circle around the trees trunk winding the leash around it and causing me to go around with it. He continued this motion until an old women yelled at me to get off of her lawn and stop torturing her cat. Her cat was sitting at the window apparently meowing its head off to get at the small rodent.
I sighed and tried to untangle the squirrel and the tree but found that he only climbed further up away from me.
"Well if that's how you want to play it then here is my answer." I yanked the small rodent and he flew out of the tree and into my out stretched arms. I held him tight and felt him shiver for a second before glaring at me once more.
"Well that was your fault. You shouldn't have climbed the danm tree in the first place. Now were going home before that lady decides to let Frisky lose on us." At the mention of the cat, Judas snuggled up into my coat to hide from the cat's starring yellow eyes.
We arrived back at the house and I placed Judas back in his cage. Sandman had been let back in and he sniffed my coat curiously trying to find the rodent that had once been in it.
"Sorry mate but your wasting your time. You'll find that my coat is free of rodents and al other small furry animals." I gave the frustrated greyhound a pet on the head and left him alone with the coat.
"Good morning Chris." Mum greeted me in the hallway.
"Good morning." I returned giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"After everyone is done with breakfast were going to head off to the bakery and the restaurant to see how the food we ordered is going then were going to get ready for the ceremonies at the Synagogue." Mum said smiling.
The bakery was a small quaint house no larger then our own. It had an old fashion look to it that included a large chimney emitting gray puffs of smoke into the cold air. We entered the house and were welcomed by the smell of warm baked dough with cinnamon and some with brown sugar or powdered sugar. The smell of spiced cider caught my mum's attention and we found a sample of cider near the counter.
A small woman approached us and gave my mum a paper congaing the list of items she had ordered and also a picture of the wedding cake. Mum was satisfied with the arrangements and we left for the restaurant to check up on the diner food. I wanted to see the picture of the cake but mum gave it back to the lady and ushered me out before I could grab another cider cup.
The restaurant was a kosher continental place that served basically whatever type of food you wanted. Mum had ordered beef and salads along with various vegetables and fruits. It was too be a very promising meal. I mean who doesn't like food? (Well your crazy!) Everything had gone smoothly at the restaurant…oh and we got more samples too!!!!
It was nearing to the wedding and everyone hustled about he house trying to find their socks and shoes and, in my case, slipping into my dress and making sure my hair doesn't stick up after being shocked by static from the car door. I finally managed to get my hair to stay flat and rubbed a little gel on it to make sure any metal I cam in contact with didn't make it stand on end again. Aunt Connie (that's her name by the way. Forgot to mention it) had her dress on and stood at my door smiling.
"You look nice. So what do you think of mine?" She said turning around so I could see all sides of her.
Her dress was long sleeved with an ankle length skirt that fell like an evening gown. It was satin colored with a beautiful silky glow to it. I nodded in approval.
"You look nice. I have to say I am going to steal that dress from you when this is all done." I teased her and she grabbed the skirt possessively as she played back. "So is mum already dressed?"
"Yep, she is going to the synagogue before us so Remus doesn't see her. She going to be walked up to the alter by our dad. Actually you didn't hear yet did you?" She asked excitedly.
I shook my head. I forgot about the tradition of the father walking the bride to the alter.
"Your grandma and grandpa arrived last night for the wedding and are going to meet us at the synagogue. They were able to come after the snowstorm blew by. And as soon as Remus gets his tuchas out of the bathroom we can get going." She said laughing.
At that moment a voice traveled from the top of the stairs in a nervous greeting, I looked up along with Connie to find Remus had in fact gotten his tuchas from out of the bathroom and was now standing at the top of the stairs looking nervous. He wore a rather odd wedding suit…well robe actually. It was a dark grayish blue robe with a dark blue button shirt underneath. He also had a silver blue tie that gleamed in the hall light as he ascended the stairs. He smiled at everyone and nodded at Connie who blushed. He smiled at me but I could only manage a nod before we all left for the car.
"TURN THE BLOODY HEAT UP…. please!" Connie cried out as she started to playfully bang against the back of the driver seat. "It's cold out here and you know it!"
Dad sighed and turned up the heat despite the fact the car was not quite ready to put out the energy for such a task. But of course I knew perfectly well you don't argue with my aunt Connie. She ALWAYS wins. I sat in the backseat with Connie and, for once, could not wait to get to the Synagogue for the wedding. Despite the heat being on, the car was still cold and I could swear my breath is visible!
We finally arrived at a large white stoned building that has the mosaic star of David in the front. I always marveled at our new synagogue. It is a white stoned building with a glass mosaic in the front and stained glass windows throughout the halls. Its gardens even have plants from Israel and Places across Europe! The building was sheltered with trees and nicely trimmed grass that was, at the moment, covered in frost and small piles of half melted snow.
We entered the building and I pinned my yamaca on my head and greeted the Rabbi. Rabbi Tova smiled at us as she sat on one of the sofas polishing up her guitar for the service and ceremony. She always sang the prayers with a guitar and even created her own melodies for different prayers. She sat up and shook Remus's hand and handed him a hand made yamaca.
"I thought you might want an early wedding gift." She said showing him the circle hat. The yamaca was dark blue with a white trimming and a small star white Star of David in the center of the dark blue in the center of the hat. Remus placed it on his head and was given a clip to secure it. Of course Remus had not converted yet to Judaism and we were not going to force him to. Yet even though he was not apart of the religion he seemed to have a great interest in the culture, especially the food. (Yes, its that word again…Food) I have no idea what he will do and quite frankly he doesn't seem like a very religious type anyway.
We all made our way to the sanctuary and split up to get ready for our role in the ceremony. In other words I simply sat down in the front row and waited. My father joined me after a few pictures of the alter and the stain glass windows and we both watched as Remus's friends and our own piled into the room. The sanctuary is a large room really with a high ceiling and a large stage with the most elaborately carved and decorated arc (a case or resting place for the Torah) I have ever seen.
I turned to look over at who was coming into the sanctuary and almost slipped out of my seat to find a large family of nine kids walk in. Yet what surprised me the most was not the fact that the family had so many kids, it was the fact that among the group was a messy haired boy with glasses standing among them.
"Harry!" I cried out jumping from my cushioned chair to meet my old friend.
He looked over in surprise and smiled broadly. "Christian what are you doing here?" He asked as we met up.
"My mum is getting married to him." I said pointing out Remus who was now engaged in a conversation with an ancient looking man dressed in golden red robes.
"Your mum is marrying Remus! That's why were here. He was a friend of my dads and my old professor." He said.
"Wow, I truly say this is a small world after all." I said trying to control my sudden urge to sing the Disney song.
Harry smiled and grabbed my arm and led me to the large family. He then continued this action on two other people in that group and dragged all three of us towards a corner in the sanctuary not yet taken up by guests, which by the way were a lot more then expected really. (Yeah I know I said a small wedding. I big understatement really) as all four of us stopped in the corner I looked over the two people he brought with us. One was a tall red headed boy with lots of freckles and a handsome face. He wore maroon dress robes with a faded striped gold and red-stripped tie. Harry's other friend was a girl about my height with long curly brown hair that was pulled back in a tight ponytail to get it out of her face. She had brown eyes, which matched her beautiful brown sleek dress.
"These are my friends Ron and Hermione. And this is my new neighbor and friend Christian." All three of us exchanged greetings then began to talk about the odd chance of our meeting.
I invited all three of them to sit next to my dad and me in the front row since there weren't any reserved seats anyway. Mum decided that we would not do the usual bride family side and groom family side due to the lack of Bride and groom family coming. Even though many people were coming in that even Remus seemed a little surprised about. He greeted people as they came through the door, each person odder looking then the first. One woman was dressed in odd clothing, even for that group, and had large spectacles that made her appear almost like a fortuneteller. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all groaned as she gave a dramatic hello to Remus and calling him unfortunate to have married in such an unlucky day. I only laughed at Remus's face as he tried to get away from her and go to a particularly creepy looking man with a fake leg and large eye.
"That's Alastor Moody." Said Harry pointing to the odd looking man. "He is a little odd looking but he still brilliant."
"How did he lose his leg? And how did he get such an…. odd eyeball?" I asked the three.
"He use to fight for the ministry and now he's retired. His eye is kind of his trade mark in a way." Stated Hermione as she waved to a woman with short light blue hair and a beautiful light blue dress with dark blue lining to match it.
"And that's Tonks." Hermione said smiling as the women approached us after greeting Remus.
"Hey guys! Does Remus look nervous to you?" She asked looking over at him as he continued to shake more hands ", Anyway, Dumbledore insisted that we come to Remus's wedding. Moody thinks it's a bad idea." Tonks said as she sat down next to Ron.
"Moody still thinks he has to be there or else everything will go awry," Said Hermione sighing. " He thinks that the rest of the order who stayed back will not be able to handle anyone who may attempt to…." Hermione didn't finish her statement as she glanced quickly over at me. " I mean Moody doesn't want anyone else watching his house but himself. After all he was one of the best ministry agents in his time." She finished quickly.
Before I could ask what she really meant the guitar started to play and everyone took a suitable spot in the sanctuary and settled down. I saw that the old man named Dumbledore was in his spot next to Remus as the best man. He seemed so happy that even his eyes danced behind his half circled glasses.
I also noticed that my grandma had just came in and sat at the end of the seat. Grandma waved at me and I waved back scolding myself for not saying hello. Every one turned to Rabbi Tova who began to sing the Ketuvah, which was a blessing of wine and the couple who were to marry. We each received a small cup of wine and we drank to the couples new life together and our own. I gulped down the wine and smiled. I love wine. I know that sounds bad but hey.
After the wine was consumed a piano joined the in the music and everyone turned to watch the doors. The lights were dimmed and the flowers along the dies of the aisle glowed as though they were reflecting the moon. They glowed a path all the way towards the alter. I could hear someone sigh behind me in amazement. I was surprised to hear myself sigh as I followed the glowing flowers to where Remus was standing. His face was partly shadowed by the glowing flowers and a look of comfort and wonder was on his face. I looked over at the door again. The large wooden doors opened and two people walked slowly out. My mum was dressed in a short white dress with long sleeves. The skirt of the dress sparked in the glowing flowers and her face was covered with a long white veil so Remus could not see her. Grandpa was walking next to her never taking his eyes off of her. He held her right arm with pride. He seemed to not want to let go even as they reached they reached the alter.
Connie stood at the alter and met my mum with a smile and they both hugged. Grandpa joined Dumbledore's side as Remus approached the two women and mum walked over to him so they were both positioned in front of the alter and Rabbi Tova smiled at both of them. She spoke the next prayer in Hebrew then in English.
" We are all here today to celebrate a joining of two hearts in the Lords home. Let us all give them our love and support as they start a new life together. Now Remus please step over here." Tova brought Remus over to the side and then placed a glass cup under a blanket. " Break this cup so then when it is in hundreds of shards you will know that your love will last as long as it would take to put each shard back together."
I hoped that the glass would not break. But my hopes shattered like the glass under his foot as he crushed it with one step. Mum then took her turn and stepped on the remains to make sure it would be impossible to put back together.
Shoot and I thought I would be able to put it back together! Remus and mum then took their place back at the alter and Tova blessed them under the Lords name and then began a new prayer. This one asked the Lord to give them prosperity in their new home together and a clean slate in their new life.
To represent their new home together a chuppah was lifted over them as though it were a roof of a home. (The Chuppah is a canopy with a silk covering over it to represent the new home for the couple.) The canopy sheltered them as we sang a song for them in a Hebrew prayer led by Tova and her guitar. I could hear my dad sighing next to me. But not in awe, he must have been remembering his wedding with mum when the same rituals were performed. I held his hand and he looked down at me with a hint of a shake in his grip. I didn't know what to say but kept his hand in mind to make sure he knew I still was his family no matter what.
We both watched now as Tova called for mum and Remus to come back to the later and receive the final prayer.
"Do you Remus John Lupin take Michele Leanna Letten (our last name pronounced in Hebrew) to be your wife, to have and hold through sickness and health for as long as you should both live?"
Remus held her hand close to his chest "As long as my heart beats and you will stay there to keep it warm I would have no other."
I could feel myself swoon at his words. Hermione sighed next to me and I looked over to find her edging closer to Ron.
"Do you Michele Leanna Letten take Remus John Lupin to be your husband to have and to hold through sickness and health for as long as you two should live?"
Mum looked up at Remus and took his other hand. "I do."
" Now you may place the rings upon your fingers as a sign of connection. Your love, like the band you receive from each other is circular and has no end. Just as your love shall be blessed with no end." As she said this grandpa took out two rings from his pocket and handed one to Remus and the other to mum. Remus took out a white gold ring and placed it on her finger and mum placed a golden ring on his.
"Then with the power invested in me by the enterable love and compassion of the Lord our God I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
I could see that the two did not need the rabbi's directions of when to kiss. They had already lifted the veil and were snogging each other's brains out. ARG!!!!!!!
When they were done everyone cheered and Hermione grabbed a surprised looking Ron and Held him in a rather tight embrace. Dad only stayed in his seat and watched and Harry turned to me and smiled.
"Remus will make a good father." He said looking over at the two still hugging at the alter.
"I guess, I mean he is nice…but he still isn't." I looked at Harry and could see how much he liked Remus and decided not to say anything negative at the moment and keep the festivity going. "He is great! He is a good person and my mum loves him." I finished lamely but Harry did not seem to catch my lie and was now being hugged by Hermione and laughing at a staggering Ron.
I looked again at my dad and decided it was best for him to be alone for a few minutes. I turned around and went to go and see grandma and grandpa. I haven't seen them in ages after all. They both looked me over and talked about how much I grew from the last time they saw me and then told me about the roof squirrels they had and how many of them now come right up to you to get feed instead of staying far away. They are called roof squirrels because we use to feed them while they were on the roof. But apparently they changed their names to "attack you as you get out the car so they can get food squirrels."
I told them about my new pet and what had been happening since we moved to England. I wanted to tell them about Remus and what he really was but asked me to keep quite about it for her. I couldn't break such promises so I kept my mouth shut about Remus's apparent curse and powers and told them instead of my school and let them meet Harry.
After the ceremony ended everyone was herded into a large dining room where we were to be served all of the good food mum and I had to check on earlier. Dinner was to be served then dancing then dessert. The cake was already out on display and was larger then expected. It was now three layers instead of two and it had much more elaborate decorations then ordered. The cake had white frosting with silver sugar candies aligning the edges. The cake also appeared to be almost writing on itself the words "To Life". I rubbed my eyes to see if this was some kind of illusion. I could have sworn that was not there before. Yet when I looked again everyone else seemed to have not noticed so I didn't bother to question it.
I sat down at my assigned table next to mum and Connie and watched as the food was set on the tables across the hall and in front of me. Everyone enjoyed the meal and, when the tables were cleared, the bride and groom were to have the first dance. Remus took mum's hand and led her out into the middle of the dance floor and she blushed as she took his hand and followed. A soft song began to play and everyone watched the couple dance to the slow beat.
Yet as I watched I felt a different feeling, almost feeling of depression. The blue lights and red lights shinned on the dance floor inviting everyone else to join in now but I stayed where I was. A faster beat was turned on and I could see Ron nervously dancing with his mother and Ron's twin brothers (Well they do look like him so I kind a figured) laughed at him as he was dragged away onto the dancing floor. Harry danced with Hermione and I could see Dumbledore was asking the odd women Trelawny to dance with him. The music played for the rest of the night and I sat in my spot watching the dancers switch partners and grab new ones who had tried to stay unnoticed but with no success. I mean I could swear Dumbledore I danced with everyone…even my dad for goodness sakes.
Dessert time came and everyone took their places again looking flushed and tired from the ever-changing styles of dancing and awaited the cake. Pastries were brought out and each table was given a plate of each kind of dessert. I noticed that Ron had not failed in getting every single type of pastry and dessert he could find on his plate and wolfed them down to the great disgust of Hermione. I grabbed a few blitzes and a chocolate éclair on my own plate.
After the desserts the last song was to be played then everyone would go home for the night and I can finally go to sleep. Though not in my own bed, I would be staying at someone named Mrs. Figg who Remus asked to watch me while they were on their weekend honeymoon in the house. She agreed so I had to go to her house with Judas. Mum didn't want to be responsible for the squirrel during her time alone with Remus so I have to take him with me.
The last song began and it turned out to be a my mum's favorite song which was a mixed beat song and watched her drag Remus away from his piece of cake onto the dance floor. Remus looked reluctantly at his dessert but soon forgot about it as he faced mum in their dance.
"Would you honor me a dance Miss Letten?"
I turned in surprise to see Dumbledore next to me smiling. "After all this is the last dance and you seemed to have mist all the other ones." He looked around at the other dancers then back at me.
I couldn't really say anything in my surprised but found that I was being led by Dumbledore onto the dance floor. What possessed me to do this, I have no idea, but he wasn't a bad dancer. I really can't say the same for myself though. The lights shining on the dance floor changed colors from blue to red to orange and green creating a beat in them selves. Dumbledore slowly twirled me around and allowed me to do the same with him and we both laughed. I have honestly never met a man like him. He was very good-natured. He never once looked or acted as though he was ancient. He acted ageless which gave him a spark of warmth that nobody else in the room could have emitted. I only hope that I will meet him again.
As this thought came to me the song ended and Dumbledore bowed and thanked me for the dance. I smiled at him and shook his hand. (Yeah well I didn't know what to do with someone who just bowed to me and thanked me for a dance!) The hall was starting to clear up as everyone left for home and the Weasley family, as Ron informed me of his family surname, came over to congratulate Remus one more time before they left.
"Well I guess this is good bye again." I said to Harry.
"Only until summer. I'll be back for summer break when school ends. But till then," Harry took my body and embraced me tight, "good bye."
I felt myself blush then hugged him back not wanting him to leave again. Even though I had a few friends at my new school it still was boring at Privet Drive without him.
"Come along Harry." Said a plump woman who was Ron's mother. "We must not stay too late. All of you have to catch the train tomorrow back to school." At that the last family left except Dumbledore and our family, of yeah and Remus. (What!)
Dumbledore gave mum a kiss on her hand and she gave him a hug. He then turned to Remus and shook his hand. "If you ever need anything Mr. Lupin I am only a fire place away. Good Evening." At that he left the synagogue and soon so did we.
When we arrived home again dad and Connie and grandma and grandpa were to leave on the night airplane. My dad was going back to Australia and My grandparents and Aunt Connie back to Florida. Aunt Connie had work to do and my grandparents wanted to take the same plane as her because of the convenience. So we let them off at the airport and soon only three of us remained.
Remus and I looked into each other's eyes and came to an understanding. He was here to stay no matter how much I disliked the idea. So I gathered up my clothing and rodent and headed off for Mrs.Figg's house which surprisingly was filled with cats…. lost and lost of cats.
Dear God help me. This is going to be a long weekend.