"Ugh, please tell me someone remembered to brew the hangover potion!" I massaged my temples as Jane laced up the back of my dress.

"Calm down, Lin, I've got it right here," Georgie shoved it at me. "Why did we drink so much last night?"

Ary burst into tears. "I'm getting married!"

"Shit," I swore softly. I gulped the potion down quickly and shooed everyone else from the room, Ary sobbing loudly as she buried her face in her hands. I whispered to Jane as she left, "Get her mom, okay?"

Jane nodded and closed the door behind her. I guided Ary to the bed that was in the room given to Ary to prepare for her wedding at her grandfather's farm. Her sobs slowly subsided and she began hiccupping. I cooed softly as I stroked her hair and back, trying to be careful of the elaborate twist in her mahogany locks. "What's wrong, Ary?"

"What if we don't make it?" She looked at me tearfully. "What if we're not meant to be married?"

I fought to not bite my lip. Jane had just applied my makeup and I didn't want to mess it up, or my hair, which was in a twist identical to Ary's. "You are, though!"

"He only asked me because I'm preggers." She began crying harder.

I sighed and sat down on the bed next to her. "No, he asked because he loves you. This," I patted the small bump you could hardly see on her stomach, "is just proof of that. Cheer up, Ary. It'll be fine. I promise. Besides, isn't it natural for all brides to have a bit of cold feet?"

"Victoire wasn't! She was as sure as can be. And now look at me, I'm a mess!" she wailed.

"Hush, love, Mummy's here now." Mrs. Wood enveloped Ary in her arms. "What's all this about?"

"Eddie only wants to marry me because of the baby!" was the response.

I quietly hunted around the room for the missing items to her dress, but I knew Lizzie was now rolling her eyes. "Come on. Do you think I'd let Eddie marry you if he didn't really want to?"

"No," Ary sniffled.

"Then at least trust me. Because I trust that he loves you. I was a nervous wreck before marrying your father, and now look at us. We've been married 24 years!" I turned and saw Lizzie wiping the tears from her daughter's face. "Come now, Arabella. It'll be lovely, I promise."

Ary slowly nodded, and gave a watery chuckle. "I guess I look like shit, right?"

"Arabella Wood!" Her mother scolded her. "Watch your language."

"Yes, Mum." She stuck her tongue out as her mother turned and gathered some makeup supplies.

As Lizzie worked on straightening out her makeup, I approached Ary. "Alright, here are your shoes, with sixpence in them, and blue, to take care of that rhyme." I stuck them on her feet. "Here's something new." I tied the yellow sash around her waist and tapped it with my wand so an intricate bow formed. "Now all we need is something borrowed and old."

"I've got the old right here, Linny." Mrs. Wood reached into her purse and pulled out a jewelry box. "Your great-grandmother's pearls." She took off the diamonds Ary had put on earlier and replaced them with the older jewelry.

I sighed, nervously smoothing my skirt. "We should have planned this out better. What about something borrowed?"

There was a knock on the door. "You ladies all set?" Mr. Wood asked from the other side of the door.

"In a minute, dear!" Mrs. Wood called back. She turned to Ary. "Oh dear, this is going to be rather wicked of me, but are you wearing a garter, Ary?"

Ary blushed. "Yes."

"Take it off, then." Mrs. Wood slipped a hand underneath her dress and pulled her own off. "We'll switch for the ceremony, but I'm expecting it back."

Ary looked slightly grossed out as she swapped them. "Thanks?"

I bit back a laugh and grabbed our bouquets from their vases by the door. "Alright, we've got that over with. Come in, Mr. Wood!"

"It's Oliver, Lin. I swear, if I have to tell you…" He trailed off as he caught sight of his daughter. "Arabella, you're breathtaking."

She blushed. "Thanks, Dad."

He frowned. "Maybe I shouldn't let you get married after all."

"Dad!" she whined as Mrs. Wood chuckled and lightly smacked him on the arm as she left to be seated.

"I was just joking." He grinned and offered his arm, which his daughter took gratefully. I handed Ary her bouquet silently and then stepped out of the room to give them a minute of privacy. Carly, Jane, and Georgie looked at me expectantly. I quickly glanced them all over. We were wearing the yellow dresses we had picked out at the dress shop a month or so earlier. Mine was a little different in that it was off the shoulder, whereas the other girls still had the thick spaghetti straps.

"Give them a minute," I said as I twirled a little from side to side. I giggled as the silky fabric brushed my thighs and grazed the tops of my knees. Once again, it twinkled.

Carly scoffed. "Stop it. You're acting like a girl."

I snorted. "At least I am one."

"Shut it, both of you," Ary said as she stepped out of the room silently, her father at her side. "Cue the band."

Carly did so, and soon stepped out. I nervously straightened my dress and fiddled with my hair until it was my turn to walk outside and down the aisle. I grasped the bouquet tightly in my hands and counted off the timing in my head as I walked. I nervously focused on the officiator as I heard murmurs of appreciation. I was afraid I was going to sweat off my makeup, but then I caught sight of James's face, standing off to the right of Eddie.

His mouth was open, and the expression on his face took my breath away. I faltered in my step, but managed to make it to my spot without any further mistakes. I turned my attention to the back door of the house, where Ary emerged.

She was beautiful. She seemed to be glowing, and walked down the aisle with the most grace I have ever seen her move with. Her smile was beatific, and her eyes shone with happiness. You couldn't tell she had just finished crying. I snuck a glance at Eddie and almost laughed out loud. He looked awestruck.

Ary's father handed her off to Eddie and took his seat next to his wife. The officiator cleared his throat and began the ceremony. I didn't take in a word he said, however. My eyes found James's, and the entire ceremony was spent staring at each other, a blush gracing my face, and a smile gracing his.

The shower of sparks turned my attention back to the newly wedded couple. The shared a brief kiss, both grinning like fools. I beamed.

Unfortunately James was not the best man, so I was escorted down the aisle by Bert Whitman, Eddie's old roommate from Hogwarts. He grinned at me. "All right there, Lin?"

"Couldn't be better." I smiled back as he lead me to the tent where we were expected to dance. We waited until our mark, and then took the floor after Eddie and Ary's first dance. I laughed as he spun me. "Isn't today wonderful? A perfect day for a wedding."

"Yes, it is indeed." He laughed along with me. "Your happiness is infectious."

"Thanks." We danced in silence for a little while longer, before I continued. "So, what did you and the boys do for Eddie's bachelor party?"

He shrugged. "To tell you the truth, it was a bit boring. We mostly played gobstones. You?"

"We did shots, and had fun playing a number of drinking games at the Three Broomsticks. Rosemerta gave us a discount seeing as how it was Ary's last night as a free lady. Although Ary didn't actually drink, the rest of us got hammered." I snorted. "Please don't tell Eddie. He made us promise not to drink."

"Sneaky one, aren't you? I can't remember, have you got a boyfriend?" His eyes twinkled at me.

I blushed, but was saved from having to answer. "She does, actually. Mind if I cut in?" James seemed to materialize at my right elbow.

Bart stepped away quickly. "Not at all." He turned to me and winked. "Have I mentioned you look exceptionally lovely today, Lin?"

I grinned. "No, but thank you. See you later."

James growled as he held me much more intimately than Bart had done. "Cheeky wanker."

I lightly smacked his chest. "What is it with you and getting jealous of gay men?"

"Bart's gay?" He blinked in surprise. "He never let on."

I laughed. "That's because you're so fun to annoy."

He dipped me with a frown. "Haven't we had the discussion about how you shouldn't be getting this much pleasure out of my pain?"

"Hush up," I said without heat, giving him a smile. "Today is perfect, and I don't want you to ruin it."

"Alright." He spun me and snapped me back to him effortlessly. "I'll be good, I promise."

I leaned in to whisper in what I hoped was a seductive manner. "If you are, I'll give you a treat."

He wiggled his eyebrows at me, causing me to giggle again. The dance was soon over, and the emcee, Cathy, called out, "Alright ladies and gents, time for the traditional father daughter dance."

I winked at James and left to find my father. He found me first, though. "Care to dance, milady?" He bowed.

I curtseyed with a grin on my face. "With pleasure."

He led me to the dance floor and moved slowly. Dancing was never one of his strong suits. "Having fun, Lin?"

"Definitely." I sighed. "I'm glad the madness is over."

"I've got to say, you put together a nice wedding. If quidditch doesn't work out, you could do this for a living." He tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

I scowled. "Don't jinx my career before it's even started, Daddy. Besides," I rolled my eyes, "this is one experience I wouldn't mind never repeating. Ever."

"So, James isn't marriage material?" He tried to seem nonchalant.

I rolled my eyes, blushing. "Do we really want to have this conversation now?"

"I guess you're right." He sighed and led me off the floor. "You're growing up too fast, Lin. Slow down."

I patted him on the arm. "You could always try the method Mom suggested. You know, tying bricks to my head to stop me from growing any taller?"

He laughed. "Don't give me any ideas. Now, go give your speech."

I kissed him on the cheek and made my way to the table reserved for the wedding party. We waited until everyone had settled in before Bart stood up and tapped his glass of champagne with a fork. "Ladies and gentlemen! If I may say a few words before we dig in to this excellent feast!"

The room quieted down. Bart took a deep breath before beginning. "Ary and Eddie began dating in their 7th year. I am probably not alone when I say I was completely shocked when I found out he had asked her out, and even more shocked when I found out she had accepted." The room laughed, and Ary blushed. "It was well known around Hogwarts that Ary was a fanatic when it came to quidditch, and, well, to put it bluntly, Eddie couldn't care less about sports." The room laughed again. "I never expected them to get past the first date, to be honest. But then Eddie came back to our dorm that night, after having spent the day with Ary. He quietly sat down on his bed, and, after a few moments, looked me dead in the eye and said, 'She's perfect'." He smiled and ran a hand over his eyes, looking like he was trying hard not to tear up. "I knew then that there was something special about this girl, and that she would probably be forever a part of my life through Eddie, who has been my best friend since we started Hogwarts. And now that I've come to know Ary, she's like a sister to me, and I can't imagine anyone better suited for my best friend. Cheers, you two. May you be forever blessed." He raised his glace and I doubt there was a dry eye in the house.

I took a sip of my champagne before rising. "I don't know how I can top that," I admitted, laughing. "But I'm going to try and at least add to it." I smiled lightly. "I don't know if you can tell by my accent, but I'm American. I moved here from the States two years ago, and I was so afraid that when I came here, no one would accept me. Everyone had already formed friendships, and I had no idea how Hogwarts would treat me. I was blessed, however, by meeting Ary." I closed my eyes and forced the tears back before opening them again. "I tried out for the quidditch team, but tried to drop out, due to," I faltered, remembering that night, "due to some difficulties. Ary convinced me to stay on the team, and for that I am forever grateful. She's been someone I trust wholeheartedly, and that I am lucky enough trusts me. Ary has been there for me through thick and thin."

I giggled. "I remember, we were at a pub near the Harpies' stadium, and one of our friends," I coughed and it sounded suspiciously like 'Carly', "instigated a fight by implying Puddlemere was better than the Harpies. Instead of joining the angry mob that descended on us, she stuck by us and helped us escape with minor injuries." I smiled, and brushed away more tears. "Ary, you are one of my closest friends, and I am honored that you chose me to be your maid of honor. I am positive that you and Eddie will have a long and happy marriage. And Eddie, if you screw up, remember I will be there to kick your ass." The crowd chuckled. "To the new Mr. and Mrs. Garrason!"

Cheers went around the room, and everyone drank to the new couple. I sat back down, and Ary squeezed my hand, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Lin. For everything."

I kissed her cheek. "Don't mention it, dear. You mean everything to me."

"I suppose now I can forgive you for choosing Puddlemere." She chuckled as she wiped tears from her eyes.

I laughed.

After eating and watching Ary and Eddie shove cake into each other's faces, the dance floor opened up again, and James pulled me close to him once more. "You were brilliant, Lin."

"Thank you, James." I smiled up at him, tears once again forming in my eyes. "I can't believe she's married."

He kissed the top of my head. "Thanks to you and your amazing wedding planning skills."

I rolled my eyes. "It was mostly the girls that did it, after what happened during the quidditch match."

The arm around my waist gripped me closer to him. "I was so scared I would lose you."

"But you didn't," I reminded him lightly. "I'm still here."

He nodded, and kissed my forehead. "I'm so glad. I love you so much, Caroline."

"I love you, too." I smiled. "More than anything."

He twirled me. "I'm sorry about that night, by the way. The night you tried out for quidditch."

"Forget about it." I stood on my tiptoes and planted a chaste kiss on his lips. "I'd forgiven you a long time ago."

He frowned. "Maybe you've forgiven me too easily. I've hurt you so much."

I pressed my lips more firmly to his. "You've more than made up for it. Now, shut up and let me enjoy the rest of the wedding."

We did enjoy the rest of the night, which ended too soon. Ary finally decided it was time for Eddie and her to leave off for their honeymoon in the south of France. She tossed the bouquet as they prepared to apparate. I caught it just as they disappeared with a crack.

I blushed as James wrapped his arm around me. "You know, we could make that come true."

I turned to him exasperatedly. "James, we're only 17. You can't be serious."

"It's something to think about." He looked slightly hurt.

I grabbed his hand. "I love you, James, but I'm not ready. Will you wait?"

He seemed mollified. "For you, Lin?" He pulled me flush against his body. "Anything."

I smiled and kissed him quickly, but with as much passion as I dared in front of the crowd. It was the perfect end to the perfect day, though our journey was just beginning. And I couldn't be more excited about it.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

A/N: And that's it for this story! Thanks to all the readers who stuck with me

I love each and every one of you.

Remember to keep an eye out for the outtakes. They should be up within the next couple of days.

And the sequel, which I have decided to write! I haven't settled on a title yet, but if you add me to your author alerts, you'll find out soon :D

Once again, thank you so much. You have no idea how much it means to me that people genuinely enjoyed my story.

And if you want, you can add me on Pottermore. My username is RiverSilver6648. Hope to hear from you soon!

Much love,

Smurf