a/n: okay so in my head (and the timeline this is following): Lily's Dad died in the summer before sixth-year, then James' Mum died in February of their seventh-year. James' Dad died in the September after they finished school. Lily's Mum gave James permission to marry her daughter over Christmas 1978 because she knew was terminally ill and wouldn't see their wedding, which is taking place in April 1979.

These are the kind of happy things I think about in my free time.

thirty-five - jubilant

"Lily," says Marlene sharply, "you've duelled Voldemort. You can do this."

"I can't, Mar," says the redhead, biting her lip. Her eyes are wide and anxious and she shakes her head furiously as if to emphasise her point. "I can't do it to him. I'm not good enough for someone like -"

Marlene rolls her eyes and shoves Lily onto the bed.

"Lil, if anything, he's the one who should be feeling like this."

Lily fixes her friend with a look.

"Come on, love, he didn't get his head out of his arse til sixth year." Sensing that Lily is about to erupt in defence of James, Marlene spreads her hands. "I love the boy, Lily, I really do, but he can be an idiot sometimes. Of course you're good enough for him. You know he doesn't give two hoots for blood purity and he loves you. When he looks at you it's like -" she breaks off. "You're being stupid."

"It's my wedding day, Mar," says Lily, flopping back onto the mattress. "Of course I'm being stupid."

Over in the small room at Bradbury Hall, James is pacing.

"What time is it?"

"Twelve fourteen," sighs Sirius. "It hasn't changed since the last time you asked me." Glancing at his friend, who has stopped at the head of the aisle and is threading his fingers through his hair, Sirius takes pity. "She'll be here, Prongs. Wild hippogriffs couldn't stop her."

"I know. I just -" James lets out a sound of frustration. "Have you got the rings?"

Sirius pats the breast pocket of his dress robes. "Of course."

"Right."

Peter sticks his head round the double doors and nods at the potbellied wizard conducting the ceremony, who gives James a warm smile. "Ready, son?"

"Um," says James, and Sirius lets out a bark of laughter.

"Ladies and gentlemen," begins the wizard in a loud voice, raising his arms in welcome, "please stand."

The assembly - assorted Order members who had managed to get the day off including Remus and Peter, Dorcas and Gideon, Benjy and Matthew - get to their feet, and the doors at the back of the hall swing open.

Lily, smiling in her flowing white dress, clutches the bouquet of flowers with white knuckles, this the only indication of the nerves fluttering in her veins. James swears she's bathed in light and his heart nearly stops at the sight of her, but he manages to pull himself together enough to not gape at her.

She reaches his side, and he catches his breath.

Lily's hand finds James' and he holds it tightly, whispering to her that she's beautiful as the wizard begins.

"Friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls, James and Lily..."

James can't take his eyes off her for most of the ceremony, and she can't stop smiling; he barely manages to choke out their vows and Lily says them with tears in her twinkling eyes.

Their hands are clasped tightly as the wizard jubilantly proclaims that they are bonded for life, a broad smile on his round face. "Ladies and gentlemen: Mr and Mrs James Potter!"

James lets out the breath he's been holding in a rush. When Lily catches his gaze, she beams at him. He takes her face in his hands and kisses her, their first kiss as husband and wife, and she's smiling as their lips touch and he's smiling as they part and vows to never let her go.

"Alright, Potter?" she laughs.

"Alright," he says with a grin, brushing her cheek with his fingertips as his eyes light with amusement. "There's no going back now, Potter."

And she laughs at that, and throws her arms around him and he holds her tightly around her waist, clutching her to him and burying his face in her hair.

"I wouldn't change it for the world," she whispers, and he can't do anything but tell her he loves her.