Chapter Nine:
Susan and Neville planned to have their wedding three weeks after Harry and Hermione's. They wanted their friends to enjoy their honeymoon before getting back in the swing of things.
Their ceremony is in keeping with old pureblood traditions. The wedding is at the bride's former home and the reception at the groom's childhood home. Between Susan's Aunt Amelia and Neville's Gran, there was no question of it.
Neville asked his god-brother, Harry to be his best man, just as he said a couple months ago. Even with all of their friends, he is still the closest to Harry.
Susan asked Hannah Abbot to be her maid of honor. Hermione, Padma, Pansy and Hazel fill out Susan's side as bridesmaids. Other than Hannah and Hermione, the girls were surprised but honored to be asked and graciously accepted.
Susan chose a muted slate blue/grey for the color of the dress robes. Hannah's are a soft baby blue and so is Harry's trim on his robes.
In keeping with the couple theme, Neville chose Conner Stoll, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez and Frank Zhang to be his groomsmen.
At sunrise, under a flower covered arch, Susan walks down the aisle on Sirius Black's arm. The man had promised both Lord Bones and Lord Greengrass that if either of them were not there for their daughters, he would be.
Sirius gives Susie away and sits with Amelia. Neville doesn't stutter and remembers all of his lines. He says his vows while looking into her eyes. It is plain to see that these two loved each deeply. Susan recites her vows with tears in her eyes.
All the women are crying quietly into their handkerchiefs as the new Mr. and Mrs. Neville Franklin Longbottom run back up the aisle.
The reception is inside at Longbottom Manor. The large ballroom is filled with flowers that Neville had grown himself. Though the Longbottom wedding was the height of the pureblood traditions to placate the families, the reception is similar to Harry and Hermione's.
Susan had asked Hermione what they could do to make them stand out. Aunt Amelia, Neville's mother, godmother Lily and Susie ran with each idea she gave them. Though Lily was also muggleborn, she had been behind the trends.
A DJ was to be contracted for the music, but Jasper had offered his services with Emmett as an assistant at a deep discount. When Amelia walks up to the men before the reception, to pay them, Jasper and Emmett both held up their hands.
"Ma'am, we don't want your money. We're just glad that we can do something for two people who are great friends to our nephew and niece." Emmett tells her. Jasper nods to her.
She thanks them and goes around paying the other vendors. When she is done, Amelia walks over to the Headmistress.
"Minerva, do you think Hagrid would be willing to procure some large live game. If not, then their blood. It needs to be fresh. I want to give those two men a gift. They refused any money for helping Susie and Neville today."
The old Scotch woman thinks for a moment. "I believe that Hagrid would be honored to do so. Since they welcomed him into their family, the younger set have been regular visitors, especially that Jasper. Hagrid said that he told him it was because he was always happy. I would think that it would be hard to feel everyone's emotions all the time."
Emmett takes on the microphone and calls the bridal couple to the floor. "Please bear with me everyone. The Kings Aro, Caius and Marcus couldn't make it today, but wanted me to deliver this to Mr. and Mrs. Neville Longbottom." He walks over to and hands them a large manila envelope.
Nervous about the contents, Neville makes sure that it is safe and then hands it to Susan. Her eyes pop when she reads the letter to herself, before doing so out loud for the guests.
Dearest Neville and Susan,
Caius, Marcus and I wanted to congratulate you on you nuptials. Enclosed is your gift from us. You will find keys and the deed to your new villa here in Volterra. It's next to Harry and Hermione's. The tickets are for a world tour via muggle airlines, passports (Hermione can explain), and a gold card. This is a muggle thing also. It will allow you to purchase things in the muggle world. Do not worry about a limit. As the humans say Live, Laugh, and Love.
Congrats again,
Aro Volturi
"My God!" Augusta Longbottom exclaims. Frank and Alice cheer, as does James and Lily. Harry pats Neville on the back. "That is some gift." Hermione nods as she links arms with Harry. "We can vacation in Italy together."
"Hey guys, back to the party." Emmett calls through the mic. "It's time for the first dance." Neville leads his new wife to the center of the floor. Jasper punches a button and "You Had Me at Hello" by Kenny Chesney comes over the speakers. Neville spins her out and draws her back to him. "I love you, Mrs. Longbottom." Neville whispers in her ear. When the song ends, it is time to cut the cake.
Though he took it easy on his own wife, Harry fully encourages Nev to smash the cake in Susan's face. After she retaliates, Nev confesses that he had listened to Harry's advice.
"Oh, brother dear!" Susan calls out to Harry. She and Neville both consider the Potter heir, their brother. "Yes, Susie?" Harry grins like the Cheshire cat. She crooks her finger at him. When he gets within reaching distance, Susan smashes him with cake, making sure to get it through his famously unkempt hair.
"Payback for leading you poor pureblood brother astray." Susan tells him as she wipes her hands down his jacket.
The photographer and videographer (both paid for by James and Lily as a wedding present) made sure to get it all recorded. That includes James and Frank Longbottom's loud roars of laughter and Hermione's crossed arms and shaking head, before she too starts laughing.
Harry taps his water goblet. "As I have been thoroughly embarrassed and chastised now, I guess I'll get my speech out of the way. For anyone who doesn't know who I am. I am Harry, Neville's god-brother." Harry waits for the laughter to die down. This was a wizard wedding, everyone knows who Harry is.
"In the beginning, I didn't know that Nev and I were so closely associated. On the first day, Nev was the boy who lost his pet on the train. Susan and I didn't meet until our classes started.
Though many didn't believe that Nev was a true Gryffindor, I can tell you that Neville is truly the bravest lion in the den. He stood up to me, Ron and 'Mione that first year. He was one of the only ones that stood by me during the Tournament. He help me cure Mr. Riddle and battled along side of me the whole way.
What most do not know, is that there were two children born at the end of July, a day apart, born of parents that thrice defied him. Had Voldemort actually been a pureblood as he claimed to the masses, Neville here would have been in my shoes." Neville's mouth drops open, so does the mouths of the rest of guests, including Tom Riddle's.
"Susan, you and I don't have much history but if anyone would be perfect for my brother here, it would be a Hufflepuff. He's so good with plants that I sometimes swear that he's a long lost grandson of Professor Sprout."
This brings a cheer and a "Good for you, Son." from Frank, much to the displeasure of Augusta. Since they returned, Frank and Alice have encouraged Neville's Herbology interests.
"At this point, I want to stop rambling and wish Neville and Susan all the best in the world. Remember, you have Hermione and me and our whole family behind you. May you be blessed with a long happy marriage and may you grant me and 'Mione with many nieces and nephews." Harry hoists his goblet to them. Everyone toasts them and then claps for Harry's speech.
When Jasper asked what kind of music Neville and Susan wanted, they both told him muggle and appropriate. For the father/daughter dance, he chose "I Hope You Dance" by Leanne Womack. Yes, it was country, but most of the songs that are appropriate are.
Sirius bows to Susan and leads her around the floor in a waltz. He smiles when he listens to the lyrics. "Susie, I wish it wasn't me that has this honor. It belongs to your father. He would have been so happy to see you marry a great guy like Neville.
I gave your father my word to see you through your milestones. I am sorry that I wasn't there to see you and Harry off on the train. I will be there this year. Just remember that we all are very proud of you." He kisses her brow and bows again as the song ends.
As everyone claps, Jasper cues the next song. Neville bows and extends his hand to Alice Longbottom, happy that he can dance with his mother after all that they went through. She blushes at her tall son and takes his hand.
"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts comes on and Neville sweeps his mother around the floor. "Neville, you need to be yourself, honey. Your Gran is set in her ways. I am glad that you have Susan, Harry and Hermione to rely on. Dad and I are very proud of you, Son. If your dream is to replace Madame Sprout, then go for it. We will back you all the way." Alice kisses her son and when the song ends hugs him before going back to her husband.
"Let's keep this going with the Flower toss." Emmett booms over the mic. "All available ladies to the dance floor please." Hannah, Pansy, Padma and Hazel walk up along with many cousins, neighbors, and friends until at least a quarter of the floor is filled behind Susan. Her Aunt Amelia is one of them. "One, two, and three…" Emmett counts off and Susan lobs the bouquet over shoulder.
In the background, the others that were dancing stop to watch the action. Jasper had put on "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" by Pat Benetar. Many are laughing at chorus as the flowers land in Hazel's hands. The dark skinned girl blushes and ducks her head.
"Go Sis!" Sirius yells then hoots and hollers. Hazel's blush deepens as her little brother carries on. The question goes around the room, since when did Sirius Black have a sister? Amelia approaches the boisterous man to ask.
"You heard about Remus' parents coming to teach? That they were Harry and Draco's parents also. Well, their mother, Enyo is my oldest sister. Thant, her twin is my big brother and Hazel there, is my big half-sister on our father's side. I'm the baby.
I was blood adopted into the Black family. That's why Mother passed me over in favor of Regulus. The whole blood traitor was the cover reason, though I did get kicked out for it. When they both died while I was in prison, it passed to me." He explains.
Susan Bones Longbottom:
An interview with a young bride.
by Rita Skeeter
I sat down with the young heiress right after her wedding. She says she had the advice that it would be kinder of her and on her if she did. (Me thinks I smell Mr. Potter's influence.)
RS: Thank you for sitting down with me so soon. How is married life?
SL: You're welcome. Married life is great so far. I mean, we've only been married a few hours. We are waiting until winter break to take our honeymoon.
RS: Please tell me about your wedding. My readers are on their seats to know how it went.
SL: Well, we were married at my family home as with tradition. Harry (Potter) was Neville's best man. My best friend Hannah Abbott was my maid of honor. Beyond them, our party was made up of Hermione (Potter), Padma (Patil), Pansy (Parkinson), and Hazel (Leveau), Connor (Stoll), Jason (Grace), Leo (Valdez) and Frank (Zhang). Our color was slate blue. Lord Black, a good friend of my father's, walked me down the asile. It seems like the ceremony flew by. We said our vows while looking into each others eyes. It was very romantic.
Neville grew all of our flowers himself. We had a non-magical reception at the Longbottom Manor. Harry's godfather Emmett Cullen and uncle Jasper Whitlock offered to be our DJs. They did a great job, I would gladly recomend them if they ever wanted to go into the business.
The Volturi Kings gave us a very generous gift that Emmett was so kind to deliver for them. Our first dance was to "You Had Me At Hello". (I looked it up. It is by Kenny Chesney and very apt.)
Harry convinced Neville to smash the cake into my face. He got the same back before he admitted to being influenced by Harry. Let's just say that Harry's famous hair will need to be washed very well tonight. I smeared some cake all through it and down his jacket. (I would have paid big money to see that!) Afterward, Harry gave a very touching speech.
Lord Black and I danced to "I Hope You Dance" and he told me that my father should be the one doing this with me, but he felt very honored to step in for him. He also apologized for not being there for me and Harry when we were younger.
Neville got his wish and was able to dance with Lady Longbottom at his wedding. I think the whole room teared up at that.
RS: Sounds like a very enjoyable time was had by all. Thank you Mrs. Longbottom for your time. Best Wishes.
