The Prince's Marriage

A/N: Sorry about the long wait for this chapter, but I am sure many of you will be shocked. Were almost at 10,000 hits. Keep reading and reviewing :D:D.

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Chapter 8

--Lily's POV

I stood at the top of the long tall curving stairs, hiding behind the corner to remain unseen. I was waiting to be announced, so I could descend the stairs and I only hoped I wouldn't make a complete fool of myself. Any minute now I knew that moment would happen- I could see it in my minds eye, walking down the stairs and tripping on my dress. James would be watching from the bottom as planned and wouldn't be able to catch me in time. God only knows how bad the injuries would be.

I had never had a whole ball dedicated to me before. My mother wouldn't allow me to be courted, knowing she was to marry me off without my consideration. At the time I thought she would give in and allow me to be presented into the society as a lady looking for her husband, but I was denied time after time, even though I thought I had a chance- until I was told I was to marry James and all my dreams jumped off my balcony.

Everyone must be here, I decided as I heard the king clear his throat loudly.

"Welcome my friends! Welcome! Please help me in welcoming my new daughter-in-law, the wife of my only son, Lily Potter!"

I felt my stomach clench with anxiety as I moved from my hiding spot and started my descent down the stairs. I didn't look at the decorations, only at James face, hoping he could somehow give me the strength and grace I needed to make my way to him. James looked so devilishly handsome in his attire that it took my breathe away, and I realized what a fine man I had for a husband. His shirt clung lightly to his chest, his pants were tight, his shoes shiny and his jacket draped across his broad shoulders in an elegant fashion. I could feel my cheeks burning. I held my smile in place but avoided looking at the crowd. From my peripheral vision I could see people milled around the ballroom. I ignored them with every fiber in my being. Only a few more steps and I could take James arm, he would lead me through the evening, and I would no longer be the main center of attention- except when it was time for James and me to dance, but James would be there, so I could depend on him then.

I reached the bottom of the steps and James offered me his left arm, which I gladly accepted, letting out a long breath. I hadn't realized I had been holding it until that point and James smiled down at me as he lead me to our table.

"You did great," he whispered to me as he pulled out my seat like a gentleman and sat beside me after I'd lowered myself into my chair.

I could only grin as people approached me. They asked me questions, told me of my beauty, and wanted details about the wedding. I told them what I could, accepted the compliments and congratulations and smiled. When they had left me alone, I could finally breathe and took the chance to look around the ballroom.

The stairs had white lilies draped around the banisters, and the walls looked as if they were made of gold. The center pieces on every table were bunches of lilies. All in all it all looked very elegant. I couldn't believe the amount of lilies in the room, and all the garland was intertwined around the tops of the ceiling! It was breathtaking. I wondered if James thought of the decorations.

"Would the newlyweds share this dance for us?" Came the king's loud booming voice, knocking me out of my awe.

James stood and offered his hand to me, his handsome grin on his face. I couldn't help but feel my knees go weak. The band started to play the first dance of the evening, soft and soothing, as James lead us to the middle of the dance floor. Everyone stood around the perimeter watching us and I was extremely glad my mother had drilled dance lessons into my head.

The dance was carried on without a hitch. James's hand on my waist guided me in circles, spun me when the right moments came, and made me feel much more graceful than I had ever felt in my life. Looking into his eyes, there was something different in them that night, though I couldn't place exactly what that change was.

We danced until the music ended, and other couples made their way onto the dance floor for the next song. James and I didn't leave the dance floor, however. I felt as if I was in a deep trance where there was only James.

He lowered his head near my ear and I thought he was going to kiss me, but instead he shocked me by saying, "You were right. I do love the dress. It looks quite fetching."

I smiled up at him, but before I could answer someone had come up behind James and tapped his shoulder.

"I was wondering if I might have this dance with your new wife James?"

"Er- alright." I could see the hesitance in his expression and patted his arm before I was swept into the gentleman's arms. I watched James walk away, trying to listen to the man that now held me while I let him lead me around the dance floor.

--James POV

I walked slowly to where I could see my friends, thinking about how much I had loved watching Lily walk down the stairs and accept my arm. It felt absolutely wonderful that we were finally getting along, and watching her mingle with all of society had shown him a different side of Lily that he hadn't been aware of before.

Dancing with her had felt right, but then Mr. Fielding interrupted. I didn't trust the man- he was known for his affairs and I only hoped he wouldn't try any moves on Lily. I didn't know how she felt towards me, but surely she wouldn't cheat on me. Then again, she had repeatedly said that she didn't want to marry me…

I sat down next to Sirius and Remus, but I wasn't sure where Peter was, nor did I really care. I wasn't much in the mood for talking anyways. I knew my friends would want to talk though- I had barely spoken to them in the past two weeks and I knew Sirius enough to know the boy worried about losing his best friend.

"What's wrong with you Prongs?" Remus asked, always was the observant type.

"Mr. Fielding interrupted my dance with Lily, and you know his reputation."

"You just danced with her Prongs! Can't you give her up for one dance?"

I sighed, knowing I was jealous. I just wanted Lily all to myself though, what man wouldn't? I wanted her to love me, care for me, want to be around me, and enjoy talking to me. I wanted everything Lily had to offer, and maybe that made me jealous, but the Marauders would never understand. None of them were married.

"You guys looked happy out there," Remus acknowledged with a knowing grin.

Maybe Remus would kind of understand my position, after all he was the one I went to when I had any kind of emotional problem. This feeling of dejection was irritating me- it wasn't who I was.

"Yes, but I don't think that would really matter if she wanted to have an affair. Where's Peter?" I wanted to change the subject- to get away from the topic of Lily and all of the feelings that were threatening to overwhelm me.

"She's already tired of you?" Sirius teased insensitively.

I knew he didn't mean to sound rude- if Sirius was anything it was loyal and I knew he'd always been there if his presence was needed.

"Peter went for a cigar," Remus answered, shooting Sirius a glare.

We, thankfully, fell into silence, with even Sirius sensing my bad mood. I felt even worse for pushing my friends away. They were always there for me, and I was treating them horribly. I silently promised that I would make it up to them later.

-- Lily's POV

"I'm Mr. Fielding."

"Lily Potter," I said, not trying to make conversation.

All I could see was the sad look on James face as he walked away. I didn't know why it mattered so much, but I couldn't get his expression out of my head.

"How long have you been married?"

"Two weeks," I answered.

"Oh. Not long. I, myself, am fresh out of the church. How did you enjoy your wedding night? I haven't heard any rumors on his majesty, but if he doesn't satisfy you should make sure to send for me."

I stared at him aghast. What kind of degenerate was he?

"I fear that is not your concern, Mr. Fielding."

It would be rude of me to just walk away from him, but I could feel every nerve in me want to give into the impulse. I may not love James, but no one deserved to be cheated on. I could even admit I was starting to like James, even if it wasn't in the romantic way everybody wanted. At least I knew he would never be like Mr. Fielding.

"Don't worry love, you'll send for me. They all do."

"Excuse me, I think you may have gotten the wrong idea of what occurs between a husband and a wife, and I will not be disloyal to my family."

I felt him tighten his grip on my hand and panic seized me until I realized I was in a room brimming with high class society and Mr. Fielding couldn't do anything whilst in the ball room.

"A lady doesn't speak like that."

Anger flared in me just as the band paused for a moments break and I quickly stepped away from Mr. Fielding. I couldn't believe the confidence this guy had! To think I would willingly sleep with him, when I haven't even slept with my own husband! Then again he didn't know that, nor would he hear it from me.

"It was a pleasure to dance with you, however I think it is time that I find my husband. Have a pleasant evening," I said crisply before I walked away.

I approached James a small smile tugging at my lips, happy to be back in his company again. He sat with his two friends who had been in the room the other night, looking extremely agitated. I looked forward to meeting these men and hopefully becoming their friend as well, if it was alright with my husband- after all if they meant something to James, I assumed they would be around a lot.

"Here she comes James, Your dream come true. She even came back after the one dance instead of galloping off on you. That's a good sign," I heard the black haired fellow say to James and I felt myself blush.

James raised his head and a smile replaced his frown. I felt my breathe catch as I walked closer and he rose up to meet me, relinquishing his chair for me to sit in, as a gentleman would.

"Is everything all right James?" I asked, while his earlier expression tugged at my mind.

"Yes, Perfect. How was your dance with Mr. Fielding?"

"Dreadful," I sighed truthfully.

James laughed and I knew I had answered correctly. Maybe I wasn't such a bad wife after all.

"Sirius Black, James's best friend. So we'll need to get along," the black haired fellow with gorgeous cheekbones interrupted us, thrusting himself into the conversation.

"Nice to meet you Sirius Black. So you have a big influence on James than?"

"Yes."

"Great. I know who to come to when I need help convincing him to get things my way."

Sirius let out a bark of laughter. "I m pretty sure you could do that on your own, but if you can't I'll be more than happy to help you, your majesty."

"Ignore him," The sandy haired man said with amusement in his voice. "I'm Remus Lupin."

I could tell I was going to like these men. They were charming and funny- something I could deal with. I glanced up to see James watching us, a pleased expression covering his handsome face.

"Nice to meet you Remus. Will you two be around quite often?"

"Absolutely. We're a package deal."

I laughed. "I wasn't told that when I married him."

"I don't know why he wouldn't tell you. We're his best attributes!" Sirius joked.

We talked for awhile more before James lead me back out onto the dance floor. We danced for a couple of songs until we were interrupted by another man, and the night continued in this manner. I couldn't remember ever feeling so happy in my life- until I saw Severus Snape walk into the room.

The right side of his face was covered in a black bruise and he slightly limped, so I rushed over to him, trying to hide my pity.

"Are you alright?"

"Does it look like I am alright?" He replied coldly, walking past me.

I looked around for James, finally spotting him near a table heaped with different drinks. I rushed over to speak with him.

"Oh there you are!" He announced upon my arrival.

"What happened to Severus?"

"I had to punish him."

"You did that to him?"

"Yes."

I looked at him unable to comprehend what he was telling me. He did that to someone? It felt like I was seeing him for the first time and I backed up away from him in alarm. He tried to grab for me but I dashed away, wanting to stay as far away from James Potter as possible.

I danced with many other men that night until the ball began to die down. I no longer had anything to protect me from my violent husband, meaning I would have to face him soon. After exchanging pleasantries with all of the guests and saying goodnight, I walked to my bedchamber. I was scared of what I would find out, but I needed to know why he did what he did, no matter why he'd done it.

James was already waiting there when I walked in.

"Lily," He said when he looked at me.

I stood in the center of the sitting room and sighed, "Why did you do that to him?"

"I didn't do it personally and he needed to be punished for speaking of the king in such ways. You know the law. He should have been killed, but I wouldn't break my promise to you."

"So you just had him beat to a pulp?"

"What else was I to do?"

"NOT HURT HIM!" I yelled.

The frustration was eating me up inside. I didn't want to be married to this disgusting monster of a man. Why couldn't I just stay unmarried until I found the one I love?

"Your being unreasonable," He cried angrily. From the tone of his voice I could tell he was getting ready to explode, and I tried quench my own anger, but couldn't.

"You could have warned him this time, and punished him next time."

"I can't do that! Word would get around and then we'd have too many punishments to hand out. Besides, Lily, it's the law. He knows he'd not to speak of the king in such a manor. That was his warning," James refused approaching me quickly.

"PEOPLE SAY THINGS OUT OF ANGER THAT THEY DON'T MEAN!"

"WELL YOUR ALWAYS ANGRY! DOES THAT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT?" He stepped closer to me and before I could move backwards, I saw his hand approaching my face and the world was already turning black before I could comprehend what had happened.

--James POV

I looked down at my unconscious wife and almost cried at seeing her laying helpless on the floor. I had never hit a woman before. I don't even remember thinking I was going to, it just happened. I vowed to never hit a woman again. I was disgusted with myself, how could I do that? And to my own wife!

I picked her carefully up from the red rug and walked towards the bedroom where I gently placed her on the bed. Covering her with blankets, my anger had quickly vanished and sadness was replacing it at an alarming rate. I sat on the end of the bed and felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

What kind of man hit their wife or any lady? I couldn't deal with this. I walked from the room, refusing to look back at my unconscious wife. I was too disgusted with myself. How would she ever learn to love me now?

I had no one to go to for help. I was too ashamed to tell any one. I only hoped Lily would forgive me. From what I knew of her, I knew it was an impossible expectation.

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