Chapter 2:

I Choose You

(Inspired by the song by Sara Bareilles)

Saturday July 16, 1978

Rosewood Castle, Oxfordshire, England

Ancestral Home of Wilma Julia Eloise Parker Nighman Potter

"I can't believe you talked me into this," Hermione complained as they walked up the winding path which ran from the carriage drop off location near the road to the large marquee which was set up behind the castle. "I swear, Harry, if you do anything today—"

"Hermione, I promised I wouldn't, okay. You're just going to need to trust me. I know I can't change time. Bill and I had a VERY detailed discussion about the ramifications of those actions. I just want to see them happy. Please, we'll sit in the back, eat a little cake and then leave. Why can't you trust me?" The pain, frustration, irritation and sadness crept in slowly, so that his last question was weighed down in emotion and timbre.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Harry," she replied. "It's just that I would find it hard not to change something. I can't imagine the temptation you'll be under."

Harry had argued with her for three days about coming today; they'd been to Bill and Fleur's to talk with him about it. They'd even consulted Headmistress McGonagall, who had taken a few moments out of her overseeing the rebuilding of Hogwarts to approve their visit to his parents wedding. All of them had reiterated that he needed to refrain from changing anything or even making direct contact with his parents; but his being here to witness the day would be okay. He had so much to figure out about his own life; and it wasn't helping him that he felt adrift. Hermione's parents were still angry with her, but at least she had them; same with Ron and Ginny. Harry had no one, save his Muggle relatives. If he never saw them again, it would be too soon. The Wizarding world wanted to claim Harry as their own, but all he wanted was someone to claim as his own.

The castle was impressive as they road up to it. The Potter family had everyone come into Oxford—whether they arrived via Portkey, automobile, Apparition or airplane — and then carriages, with living, wingless horses, brought the guests to the castle. The limestone front was gleaming, different from how Harry had seen it a few weeks ago. The gardens were meticulously prepared and the lawns were lush and vibrant in their greens. The wedding was taking place outside, and the guests were being kept from the main building. Harry suspected this was due to the house-elves; April, Bogden, Cammy, Dusty and Eldo. He knew from the bank papers that the family simply worked its way through the alphabet and when they reached the end, it would start over. The elder Potters had been without elves most of their married life, but found in their advancing ages and with their only son away at school, the help was needed. Harry looked up at the first floor of the castle, wondering which rooms his Mum and Dad were in. He'd reviewed the blueprints of each floor the night before, considering which ones would be best. Since this wasn't his grandparents' primary house, he suspected they didn't have assigned rooms. They lived in the more modest Potter Manor in Portree, Scotland; this was a 'summer home'.

"It's so beautiful," Hermione gasped, and Harry couldn't help agree. The path from the front ended under a stained glass gazebo which was about thirty yards from the back portico and house. The entire ceiling of the gazebo had an intricate rose design, the flowers in vibrant reds, pinks and corals. The columns had climbing roses gracing them. The colours matched the stained glass versions, with their blooms adding a sweet, romantic scent. There were marble benches built into every other opening with flower boxes at the top, cabbage roses in the palest of pinks and white filled them to the brim. The backs of the seats were high enough that a young courting couple could sit and only have their feet showing, affording them some privacy from their chaperone.

"My great-grandfather built it for my great-grandmother as a wedding present. Her name was Wilma, but everyone called her Rose, although given the motif, you could have probably guessed that one," Harry joked. "This is one of the places I'd like to show Ginny."

"I can see why."

The pair followed the steady stream of guests to the large white and gold marquee, and went inside. Harry was shocked to find Peter Pettigrew there to meet them.

"Good day," he said happily. "Are you here as part for the bride or the groom?"

"Er…um…" Harry stammered, shocked to not only see the man who had betrayed his parents here, but obviously part of the wedding party by his appearance. He wore a black morning coat over grey trousers and a matching waistcoat.

"We're here for the groom," Hermione covered for Harry. She too was surprised to see Pettigrew, but her reaction had never been quite as visceral as Harry's.

"Excellent," Peter replied. "You have the look of a Potter about you. If you would follow me." Hermione had used a common Aging Potion to make she and Harry looked as if they were in their early fifties, and should anyone ask, they were Harold and Jean Granger. Given the size of the throng that was here, she didn't figure anyone would care.

Once they were seated, Harry looked around, feeling as if he'd stepped into one of his own pictures. The front of the marquee had a floral arch, completely done in white roses and tiger lilies. His father's nickname for his mother had been 'tiger lily', which is why the bright orange blooms were being used. His grandmother and grandfather Potter, Julia and Andrew, were walking about greeting people. Hermione caught his staring and elbowed him gently.

"You can't stare like that," she reminded him.

"I know, it's just…might be my only chance." She couldn't refute his reasoning, so instead took his hand and gave it a squeeze. Suddenly, Remus walked briskly into the tent, and it seemed he was walking right to them, causing them to each hold their breath. When he stopped next to Harry, who was on the aisle, the young man was convinced someone had known of their travel back in time. Instead, Remus began talking to someone else in the narrow space between the rows of chairs.

"I think you need to go in there," he said. "Padfoot is making Prongs more nervous."

"Honestly, he's not the one getting married, what's his problem?" a sweet female voice asked. Harry turned his head just enough to see the gold lace dress, and knew it was Sirius' girlfriend, Anwen speaking. "He told me this morning he's allergic to weddings, which is why he's so uptight." Although Harry was facing forward, he swore he heard the girl roll her eyes; something Sirius said she was prone to doing. "I'll go talk to him. Lily should be here any moment, and SHE should be my concern, since her sibling won't show." The disgust at having to even refer to Petunia delighted Harry and he watched Anwen quickly walk down the aisle to the house, while Remus went the other way.

"You okay?" Hermione asked when they were gone, her tone so low, Harry had almost missed her question.

"I am," he replied. "I knew I'd see them, hear them, so it's okay. She's even spunkier than Sirius had said."

The couple were nearly two-thirds of the way back in the wedding tent, and it afforded them a great place to people watch. The women were wearing hats, although there was a strange and pronounced difference between what the magical and Muggle considered appropriate items on their chapeaus. The Muggle ones were covered in demure flowers, butterflies, birds, and feathers; while the magical ones were generally more vibrant and had whole plants, large birds or the like on top. He was sure one of the women had a cat curled onto her head. He could only imagine what Lily's extended family was thinking about the odd dressing tastes of the magical.

When the ceremony started, Harry was prepared for how beautiful his Mum would look; how proud his father was when he looked at her and how in love they both were. He was surprised however, at how serious Sirius was when he was standing next to his dad. Remus and Peter were seated with his grandparents, signifying their importance in his dad's life. Eva and Anwen were with Mr and Mrs Evans on the other side.

What shocked Hermione and Harry was the sound of Anwen's voice when she sang. Sirius had said she could sing, but after hearing her sing the processional, they agreed he'd undersold her talent. When she stood a second time, Harry looked over at Sirius. He'd never seen him look so happy, calm or in love.

"She's pretty remarkable," Hermione noted.

"Yeah," Harry muttered. "I wish I'd known her."

"I know, Harry. I know."

When Anwen was done, Eva came forward and read a passage from the Bible about love, and then Remus stepped forward. "A reading by Lord Byron; So, we'll go no more a-roving." He took a pause before starting the poem.

"So, we'll go no more a-roving

So, late into the night,

Though the heart be still as loving,

And the moon be still as bright.

"For the sword outweighs it sheath,

And the soul wears out the breast,

And the heart must pause to breathe,

And love itself have rest.

"Though the night was made for loving,

And the day returns too soon,

Yet we'll go no more a-roving,

By the light of the moon."

Remus sat down quickly, and Harry noted the amused looks on the set of friends. Even his parents looked as if they were having to stifle their laughter. Sirius appeared as if he would jump out of his skin from his delight.

"Did he just actually read that?" Hermione questioned, her tone and face laced with happiness.

"He did. Dad must have picked that one."

Harry watched with rapt attention as his parents exchanged vows and rings, which Peter produced. The words were tender and affectionate, and while he should have been happy, it only accentuated how much he missed them.

Anwen stood to sing another song, and the tone and words of the song were different. The song spoke of 'one heart, one love' but with a melancholia in the tune which just made him sadder. When she sang 'even death can't part us now", Harry felt the first tear fall from his eye. Did she know, did his parents? He wanted to believe that his parents married and then the danger surrounded them; but was it the other way around? Had they known their marriage would attract attention from the Death Eaters? Had they already defied Voldemort and set themselves on the pathway which would lead to their destruction and his loneliness? If they'd married with the acknowledgement they might not be long for this world, then why do it? Harry's head was spinning and he felt clammy and sick.

The ceremony ended and while everyone else stood, Harry remained sitting, putting his head between his knees. When Hermione saw this, she knelt next to him, her hand on his arm.

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"Hermione, they married knowing it might cause their murders. They knew, did you hear that song? They knew!"

"Oh, Harry, of course they did."

"Why do it? Why did they draw attention to themselves?"

"Didn't you see why today?" she asked, to which he shook his head fervently. "They did it because they were so in love with each other, they couldn't not marry."

Harry wasn't sure he liked her answer, but it at least made sense to him. With her urging pull on his arm, Harry stood and began clapping as the couple walked past, followed by Anwen and Sirius. Mr and Mrs Evans were next, then the senior Potters and finally Remus and Peter flanking Eva.

The reception was to be on the back lawn of the estate, and round wrought-iron tables were set up about the area, large white, pink and coral umbrellas providing shade from the late morning sun. Champagne, fruit salads and an assortment of breads were already on the table when the guests sat down, and a battalion of men, dressed in tuxedos with gloved hands were filing out of the summer kitchen building. The gentle sounds of a string quartet filtered out from a walkway, which was covered in wisteria vines and blooms. Harry and Hermione chose a table a ways away from the head table, although they had a direct view of it.

Harry was quiet during the meal, processing everything he thought and felt during the ceremony, relying on Hermione to make the small talk with the others at their table. Although saddened by his earlier recollection, Harry enjoying watching his parents kiss and snuggle for the pictures. Harry picked the children's table out almost immediately, as Tonks' pink hair was unmistakable. He could only imagine what the Muggles were thinking about that. Harry saw Remus staring at the gooey children with revulsion, and thought of his hidden picture.

The five friends of the couple gave the toast together, and after hearing Sirius' series of slightly suggestive remarks, Harry understood not letting the best man do this alone. Remus had nudged him one, and if the grimace Harry noticed, he was sure Anwen had done something as well. If what he'd heard was the stuff they'd allow, he couldn't imagine what they wouldn't.

Thankfully, his parents were spared further embarrassment by the beginning of the dancing, and he loved watching his parents waltz. It was obvious his father was comfortable leading his mother, as was Sirius when he joined them, Anwen in his arms. The latter couple had a grace and fluidity that even his parents couldn't match. How it took Sirius another year to figure out he loved this girl was something Harry didn't get. It wasn't long before Remus and Eva and then Peter and a short, round faced girl were all on the floor. It was a surprising side to the Marauders, they could be gentlemen too.

People began leaving, and Hermione suggested they head back to Oxford before they were noticed. Harry downed his last swig of champagne and pushed his seat out. He was surprised to notice Peter heading directly to their table.

"Please, make sure you take a bit of the cake with you," he said to Hermione. "It's a sure way to dream of your true love."

"I, er, I already have one," she stumbled over her answer, "but thank you."

Three things happened in such rapid succession that when Harry would remember them later, he really couldn't pinpoint which was first. Hermione stood, and pushed her chair back while Peter smiled and set his sights on the next table to tell others about the small boxes with the wedding cake inside. At the same moment a little boy ran behind their chairs. Hermione accidentally bumped into him, which sent his small body flailing. Peter, with reflexes Harry didn't know he had, quickly grabbed the child and pulled him out of the way.

Then the small boy vomited…all over Peter Pettigrew, his nice suit and his gracious manners. Harry turned away and smiled.

For reference, from the wedding ceremony, if not specifically stated:

Processional: "Gaelic Blessing" by Butter

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Song after vows: "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story