Chapter 8 Marriage

I feel a slight tug on my dress but pay it no real attention. Molly and my mum have been fussing over it for an hour now at least. And in that hour, I have done nothing but day-dream about Remus. They could have completely re-shaped the garment for all I knew; thinking about Remus is the best worst distraction.

I am still dazed about the whole thing, still in shock and disbelief. I was happy enough when we got back together, but then one day we were just talking about everything and nothing and the next thing I know, Remus had gotten down on one knee and proposed. He had brought an engagement ring and everything (which I was not all that happy about, the man has next to no money for clothes, let alone a blooming ring). I was that shocked at the time that I found myself completely speechless and unable to answer. I swear Remus thought I was horrified at first, bless.

But I eventually managed to stammer out a barely recognisable yes and I just wish I had had a camera to take a picture of Remus's expression. It was nothing short of adorable. And that is about the thousandth time I have replayed that moment now and it still gives me weak knees every time.

"Dora, keep still, you are swaying again." My mother snaps, also for the thousandth time,

"Uh, sorry mum. I was thinking." Her response to this is a reprimanding tut which I immediately roll my eyes at. Molly seems to sense the building tension and stops fiddling about with the train of my dress,

"I'll just go and make us some tea, shall I?" then she bustles off without waiting for an answer.

This seems to agitate my mum and her tugs on the dress become increasingly stronger.

"Mum? What's wrong?"

"You know perfectly well what is wrong."

I sigh in exasperation, "Mum! We've been through all this already. Dad has no problem with it, with him. It's just you."

"Yes, but Nymphadora-"

"Yes but nothing mum! I love him. He makes me happy. It took me long enough to get him, don't you ruin it!" We have been through this a million times already...

"I'm not trying to ruin it! I am simply stating my point of view. I am well within my rights. You are my only child and I want to see you safe and secure."

"Remus makes me feel safe and secure."

"I mean financially!"

"Merlin's beard, Mother! This is the twentieth century! I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself, both of us if necessary." I'm getting increasingly angry and find it necessary to bite my tongue to stop me from saying something really stupid.



"But your husband should be able to support you! And as for you feeling safe with him..."

"MUM! Just leave it. I'm happy with him; that should be enough for you. God, you'll be saying what would Grandma Black think? Next!" I near enough scream.

I love my mum to bits. No, really I do. But our family history often separates us. I am my dad's daughter and although I do love my mum, we couldn't be more different. She still finds it hard to forget her past, her upbringing even now after all these years. So when I announced I was to be married to a werewolf, well you can imagine. I guess I shouldn't hold it against her, but she walked away from her past when she married dad and she should of left all of these cracked beliefs behind too.

There is an awkward silence after my last comment. We never talk about that part of our family. Ever. My mum stops touching-up my wedding dress and stands up. We are the same height, so her eyes bore directly into mine. I keep a determined expression on my face, I will not be beaten.

"Don't ever, ever say anything like that again, Nymphadora."

I must admit to feeling very guilty about it now, "Mum, I'm sorry, I j-"

"You really do love him don't you?" It's a statement, not a question. I nod anyway. My mum smiles weakly, "Then you and your father are right. As long as you are happy, that should be good enough for me." She sounds bitter, not towards me, but towards herself. I forget how hard it must be for her sometimes,

"Now don't go feeling guilty! I understand how difficult it must be for you. You grew up with these beliefs, mum. All I am asking is that you give Remus a chance. He is the most wonderful man if you just look past the lycanthropy like I did."

She nods, her eyes watering.

"And besides he must be a damn site better than the tattooed punks with Mohawks I used to bring home right?" I add jokingly, hoping to lift the mood a little. It's a wedding tomorrow after all, not a wake!

My mum smiles and manages a small laugh, pulling me into a rib-crushing hug.

"Now," she starts, finally letting me go, "Your hair..."

Ah, perhaps we haven't finished arguing after all.

Molly stands back as I do a full turn in front of the mirror, studying my appearance. The dress is gorgeous; simple, off the shoulder and the train is only small ("Mum do you want me to go flying down the aisle?"). It's well fitted, without being uncomfortable. But it's still going to be the only dress I wear in a long time!

My hair managed to escape the traditional up do and was instead flowing down past my shoulders in soft curls. Oh, and it was my favourite shade of bright pink. Much to my mother's disapproval of course;

"For goodness sake Nymphadora! Can't you be more feminine?"

"Pink is feminine."

"Well, more traditional!"

"My hair was pink when I met Remus, it has significance,"

"But-"

"It matches my bouquet..."

"Fine! Fine! But you aren't having it in that spiky mess you normally have it in."

"O.k. we will go fifty-fifty. You style it, I'll colour it. Just no up does please!"

"Well Molly, what do you think?"

"You look stunning Tonks." She replies, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing her eyes, which had filled up. She passes me my bouquet of bright pink roses. As soon as I see myself holding the flowers in the mirror, everything becomes very real. It finally dawns on me that I am just about to be married. Oh wow!

A knock on the door distracts my thoughts before I get too nervous, thank god. Then my dad's voice shouts from behind the door, "Can I come in?"

"Yes! Come in, come in!" Molly shouts back. The door opens and my dad steps into the room. I blush crimson as his face lights up,

"My word." Is all that he can manage,

"You like it?" I ask, giving him a small twirl.

"You look beautiful Dora."

"Oh, doesn't she just. Now we really must hurry, we don't want to keep everyone waiting." Ha! I was wondering how long it would take Molly to start fussing.

"Are you ready Dora?" my dad asks, his face still gleaming. I shrug in response,

"Ready as I'll ever be." My dad nods and offers me his arm which I gladly accept. I am now getting butterflies; not just in my stomach but throughout my whole body and am finding it quite difficult to stay upright because of them.

The wedding is to take place on one of the hills near to the burrow. My father, Molly and I make our way to the backdoor, where Ginny (my bridesmaid) is already waiting. She smiles at me and I can only just manage to smile back. The four of us make our way outside to the garden fence, which we all climb over (me with much difficulty). I keep my arm firmly round my dads, insistent on side-along apparition. If I try to do it myself I will probably splinch myself into a thousand pieces I am so nervous. Ginny holds Molly's arm and we all apparate to a spot no more than ten yards away from the make shift aisle.



Arthur is there waiting. He nods at us when we materialise and then dashes off to alert the guests of our arrival. My dad gives my arm a gentle squeeze and then begins to walk me towards the aisle. We reach the small aisle, made only by the separation of the rows of chairs. A brass band begins to play and the guests rush to stand up.

So, we begin our slow walk down the aisle. I know all eyes are on me, but I'm too busy staring at the man waiting at the end of the aisle for me to notice. Remus looks absolutely gorgeous in his jet black dress robes. And the pink bow tie really suits him. I'll have to remember to tell him that later on.

I smile sheepishly, aware of him taking in my appearance. And in no time at all, I am next to him. My dad lets go of my arm and gives me a reassuring nod before going to sit next to my mum. I take Remus's hand in mine and we walk up to the minister together.

I sigh audibly as Remus pushes the wedding ring on my finger. He gazes deep into my eyes. If he is having any doubts he is concealing them magnificently, but I'm going to give that as little thought as possible today, every day. I swore to myself to make sure he knew how much I loved him, that I would tell him every day without fail. I will never give him any reason to regret.

"Then I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride." The minister finishes his ending speech. One kiss and Remus and I are married. But no. I sense hesitancy. Remus's shoulders drop and he bites his lip. I can do nothing but squeeze his hand and smile at him in reassurance...

Finally, he squeezes my hand and smiles back. He then places both of his hands on my cheeks and pulls me to him. Our lips meet in a gentle kiss. A perfect kiss.

With a small 'pop' Remus and I materialise just outside my block of flats. We had enjoyed an evening of congratulations and champagne at the Burrow but had finally decided it was time to leave the Weasley's in peace. Remus however was not overly convinced about my excuse for leaving the party.

"You know Molly is more than happy to play host, Dora."

"Yes but even so, it's getting late. She has done so much hard work today; I didn't want her fussing anymore. She wears herself out with all her fussing you know."

We make our way up the many flights of stairs to my flat, still discussing my excuses.

"I know it was a lovely party Remus."

"Why did we leave then?" We finally make it to the front door. I lean on the frame and look at him,

"Fine then; I wanted to leave because I am really, really tired and I want my bed."

"Oh o.k. That's good. Come to think of it I'm rather tired too. Yes, I could definitely do with a good night's sleep myself."

"Fine," I say in a satisfied voice. I pull the door key out of my small purse and open the door. I go to step inside and feel my foot catch on the threshold. I wince, but before I can go flying forward, I am being dragged backwards into Remus's chest.

"Get off with you!" he says, kissing the top of my head and then spinning me round to face him.

"I'm sorry? I thought you were tired!" I tease.

"Not yet." He replies suggestively. He bends his head and captures my lips with his in a searing kiss. I wrap my arms around him and we begin to shuffle backwards. If I hit that threshold again, we are both going to trip. Remus, apparently reading my thoughts, ends the kiss and smiles at me.

"I think it's time we brought some tradition to this wedding." He says, purposely eyeing my bubblegum hair. He then whisks me up into his arms and carries me through the door, saving us both from an inevitable tumble. He kicks the door shut behind him and, and I think we'll leave it there...