Cheating Life
Written by Christina Elizabeth Lupin
A/N: I'm very glad that you all loved Aubrey. I didn't want her to be a Mary Sue and mess things up. Also, thanks to the twelve of you who reviewed the second chapter. I was very nervous about that chapter, but apparently I didn't have to worry.
I am so excited for September 18, which will be my 21st birthday. I hope to post this chapter and the other chapters for BB and MC before that, if not on that day.
So, enough of my chatter and onward to the next chapter!
Chapter Three: Lord Kaiser and Announcements
Lord Kaiser certainly proved to not be like the Death Eaters thought he would be. For one, he seemed more human, though no one managed to catch a glimpse of the man's true features. He truly was more merciful than the Dark Lord, but he preferred to have things on schedule and only hurled minor curses if needed. That was much preferable than the Cruciatus curse.
But for the most part, no one could figure out his identity and that infuriated them the most.
--
Remus had wasted no time in telling the Hogwarts staff who his cub's fiancée was and the entire staff congratulated Harry on finally snagging a girl. Harry blushed at the attention, sending a playful glare at the graying werewolf, who winked in return.
"Say," Harry said to Remus during dinner that evening, "I have a question for you."
"Go ahead and ask it, cub," Remus said, smiling.
"Would you… ah… do you want to stand up with me, be my best man at my wedding?" The Boy-Who-Lived asked, stumbling slightly over the words. "I thought it would only be fair if you were my best man when I was your best man at your wedding and…"
Remus, who had been shocked, held up a hand to stop the man's tirade. He was smiling widely and tears filled his eyes. "I would love more than anything to be your best man, Harry, but wouldn't your father be better suited for the job? After all, he is your father…"
"Biologically he is, Remus, but he has never been my father. Sirius had been my father when he was alive and now you are my father. You have been there for me ever since third year and you never once wavered in your loyalty. Besides, my father will be one of my groomsmen."
Remus leaned over and pulled the younger man into a hug, burying his nose into his cub's hair. He had always known that Harry viewed him as a member of his family but he had no clue that the man considered him his father. It touched him and he could only hope that James wasn't too jealous of who had taken over his position as Harry's father.
"Have you heard anything from Lily yet about her pregnancy?" the werewolf asked, still not breaking away from the hug.
"She's doing fine, though Mum's driving Dad up the wall."
Remus snickered. "I remember that she did the same thing when she was pregnant with you. At night she would be craving something and would send James out to get her food. When he came back, she had changed her mind completely. She even had really interesting cravings."
The two continued to talk about anything and everything they could think of, relishing in how easy they could converse to each other.
--
"So, when is the wedding exactly?"
Harry and Aubrey glanced at each other before turning back to their wedding designer, a tall blonde-haired woman dressed in a crisp business suit.
"During the summer of next year, sometime in August," Aubrey replied, holding on to her fiancé's hand.
The woman, named Bianca Gelding, scribbled something down on her clipboard. "I see. Do you two have a certain theme you wish to have? It's okay if you don't," she added, smiling at the couple's nervous look. "I'm just here to get some ideas before we truly begin to design your dream wedding."
Harry cleared his throat. "The only weddings I went to had silver and white and, seeing how magical it looked, maybe we could do something like that?"
"And add some gold?" Aubrey added. "Gold is one of my favorite colors."
"Okay, so you want something to do with silver, gold, and white. It sounds beautiful so far." Bianca smiled. "And, trust me, I have seen some rather odd wedding themes. I once did a wedding that was done in bright neon colors." She shuddered.
"How horrible," Aubrey said, laughing. "I could never imagine having that at my wedding. It would take all the beauty out of the happiest day in my life."
"That's what I said," the wedding designer replied. "Anyway, how many people do you think you'll invite?"
--
"How was it?" Lily asked the couple. The Potter and Lupin families had planned on taking the couple out to lunch after their meeting with the designer.
Aubrey let out a sigh. "Fine, I guess. Harry and I had never even thought of anything beforehand and so we were surprised at the questions she had."
"Planning weddings is not a picnic," Remus said, winking. "It took Dora and I a long time to come up with anything for ours."
"But it was beautiful in the end," Harry responded.
"As yours will be, I am sure," James said, grinning. "Now, how about some lunch and we'll talk about this further, maybe even give you some ideas."
Aubrey smiled at Harry's father. "That would be lovely, James. Any tips would be appreciated. Harry and I were also thinking of going to see Molly and ask her for some tips as well."
"That woman would be more than delighted to help," Tonks said, laughing and holding hands with her husband. "She views our pup to be like another son." She reached over to ruffle Harry's hair.
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed.
Everyone laughed and together they walked to a restaurant in town.
"How are you two doing?" Aubrey asked Tonks and Lily. "With the pregnancies, I mean."
Lily's smile widened. "We're doing fine, dear. It's you that we should be talking about. After all, a wedding is a big deal."
"So is parenthood."
Tonks laughed. "Aubrey, Lily and I have been mothers already. We know what to expect. You don't."
Harry took one of Aubrey's hands in his. "But we will go through it together, with you guys backing us the entire way."
Harry's mother smiled. "You bet. Tonks and I will help in any way we can, especially when it comes to picking out the wedding dress."
"Along with my mother," Aubrey said. "She would want to be there as well."
"Of course," Tonks replied. "Parents are the major people you need to help plan your wedding, though it should be your decision as to what to have."
--
"What is she like?" Greg asked Teddy during lunch.
Teddy smiled. "She is an amazing woman. She's sweet, kind, patient, and the perfect witch for my godfather. I was very surprised but happy."
Briana laughed. "Obviously. She sounds like a great person and I hope we get to meet her someday."
"Oh, you will, especially if you end up coming with me to visit my godfather. Besides, I am going to invite you to the wedding anyway."
Greg whooped and Briana shook her head at her friend, sharing a look with Teddy.
--
End of chapter
A/N: This is kinda short but I thought this would be a good place to end the chapter. Do any of you know who Lord Kaiser is yet? I will be posting a poll soon on my profile to see who you think he is. He will be revealed eventually, but for now I wanted to focus on the Potters and Lupins as well as Harry and Aubrey.
Next Chapter: Harry and Aubrey continue to plan their wedding as the school year continues. Attacks on Muggle and wizard neighborhoods raise the Ministry's alarm, and Minerva contemplates whether to bring the Order back or not.