Molly Weasley was in heaven.
Not only was she invited to Harry's wedding, but she also got to play 'mother of the bride' and help Phoebe with her outfit.
Of course she felt for the girl, who, despite her happiness over her upcoming wedding to the man she loved, missed her own family dearly. Molly didn't try to replace them. She did her very best to make Phoebe a very happy young bride.
That she got to help pick out dresses, flowers, and meddle with the catering had nothing to do with it. Oh no.
Like right now. She was dragging Albus and Severus through Diagon Alley to find the perfect outfits for them.
"You are NOT wearing those ridiculous star patterned robes of yours, Albus," she scolded, "and I will NOT have you dress Severus in them either."
The Headmaster, carrying the small boy in his arms, just surrendered to the determined witch. Severus giggled and pointed to everything that caught his eye.
Molly, who knew what Harry would be wearing, pushed them into Madam Malkin's and deposited Severus on the counter.
The boy squealed and jumped around when a piece of measuring tape started to wind around him.
"Stay still," the tape scolded, "How will you ever measure up to anything like this?"
Madam patted Severus on the head.
"What color should his robes be?"
"He should match the groom," Molly said, "Harry's wearing black slacks and shirt under a full-length open deep green robe. I'm not sure about the black for a child, though."
Madam Malkin retrieved her tape from Severus's hands, "Perhaps the same green robes as Mr Potter, just a little shorter so he won't trip over them, not open robes. That way he can wear his own clothes underneath and won't feel uncomfortable."
Molly nodded in satisfaction and turned to Albus.
"Since you will be acting as the 'father' for both of them, Albus, you should wear decent robes too."
"My dear lady, when have I ever not…"
"Don't start," both women said in unison.
"Green won't suit him," Madam Malkin mused, "blue would look better. In the same trim as Harry's?"
"Erm…you two ladies just decide whatever we should wear," Dumbledore picked up Severus, "the two of us will be at Florean's."
The witches were so caught up in their planning they didn't see the two males make their escape to tastier pastures.
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Back at Hogwarts, Phoebe sighed in front of her mirror. Hermione had done a good job covering up the curse scar with makeup, but it was still visible.
"Such a shame that charms won't work on it," she muttered depressed, "I so want to look good for Harry."
The man in question, who had just entered and heard her last comment, came over to kiss her.
"You always look good to me," he softly stroked the scar with his finger, "I want to marry you just as you are. I want to marry you just as I am."
Phoebe smiled. "I didn't know you had such a romantic streak," she tried to tease, but it came out choked up.
"I love you," Harry assured her once more before he was shooed out of the room by Hermione, who kept to the Muggle tradition of it being bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.
She had to laugh when Albus entered an hour later with Severus by his side. The little boy was holding on to the Headmaster's finger and looked up at her in awe.
"Oh dear, Albus – Molly didn't let you wear your own robes?"
The very beautiful, but very unDumbledore-like blue dress robes seemed a bit out of place on Albus, who moved about a tad uncomfortably.
"Ah, well, she insisted," he muttered, before kissing Phoebe on her cheek. "You look radiant, my dear."
Severus tugged on Phoebe's skirt. "Eep – up!" he demanded, seeing the glittering necklace she wore. Obediently she lifted him in her arms so he could play with it.
"Remember what you are supposed to do, little guy? Throw flowers?"
"Fowa," Severus nodded, still playing with her jewelry.
Albus smiled, put Severus on the ground and offered Phoebe his arm.
"Come, child, everyone is waiting in the Hall."
A lot of people had spent many hours turning the Great Hall into the perfect scene for a wedding. Instead of tables, there were two rows with a nice wide aisle between them. Flowers hovered in the air above, with a huge bouquet of roses and lilies above where the Staff Table usually stood. Harry was waiting for his bride, his eyes wide in anticipation.
A collective "Aaaaaahhhhh" sounded through the Hall as the three entered. Phoebe had decided on a compromise and wore light green robes that were cut to fit like a Muggle dress more than actual robes. She had refused a bouquet, because she had put one hand on Albus's arm and was holding Severus's hand with the other.
Severus carried a basket of flowers that he was supposed to throw on the floor before them. Phoebe, Albus and Molly had practiced this with him many times. Seeing so many people, however, Severus shyly hid behind Phoebe's skirt. Until he caught sight of Harry.
"AWY!" he screamed, and letting go of Phoebe's hand, he stormed up the aisle as fast as his little legs could carry him.
Harry caught him at the end and lifted him.
"Fowa, Awy," Severus said proudly…and emptied the entire basket over Harry's head.
Deadly silence followed. Molly had her hand clasped over her mouth. Fred and George were bright red with suppressed laughter. Ministry officials shook their heads with a frown.
Then, a peal of bright giggles filled the Hall. Phoebe leaned against Albus, head pressed against his shoulder, trying to regain her composure. Harry followed suit, grinning at Severus.
"Thanks, Junior," he handed the child to Molly and quickly shook the worst of the mess from his hair and robes.
Phoebe managed to quell the snickers by the time she took her place by her flowery fiancée.
"Whose idea was it to have Junior do the flowers?" Harry whispered at her, nearly setting her off again.
Junior, however, behaved like a little angel for the rest of the ceremony.
"Phoebe," Harry took her hands in his, "From the moment I opened my eyes in the hospital, you were my light, the one who helped me pull through. You made me laugh, you helped me cry, but most of all, you let me be Harry. We clung to each other when things were difficult and pulled every prank imaginable on the staff when we felt good enough. When you came to Hogwarts I was overjoyed. My time with you has been the happiest of my life. I will love you, protect you. I would have died for the Wizarding world, Phoebe, but for you I will do more. For you I will live."
Phoebe smiled through her tears.
"Harry, you came into my life when it was at its darkest, just when I had lost everything. When I thought there would never be love and life and joy, I found you. You pulled me up from despair before I could sink too deep. When you were still recovering from rescuing everyone, you rescued me a second time. You are more than my hero – you are my Harry."
Slowly, their fingers entwined and they leaned in to each other. As their lips touched in a kiss, magic swirled around them in rainbow colored light. When it disappeared, both of them wore a thin band on their finger.
Severus started clapping in delight, and soon the whole room followed suit. The two newlyweds were oblivious to it, however – they stood forehead to forehead, smiling at each other and marvelling at the wonderful feeling of coming home.
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The wedding had taken place in the morning, and after a short lunch during which the 'disposable' guests, as Harry had called them once, could congratulate the pair and be off. Ministry officials and curious reporters were the most prominent of those. Then in the afternoon the Weasley Twins had been enlisted to entertain the guests while the bride and groom retreated. This to allow both Harry and Severus to take a nap, which was necessary to prevent Harry wearing his braces on his wedding day and Severus going cranky.
When they returned, at the end of the afternoon, the company went for a sled ride over the snowy grounds before the dinner started. The Hall now held tables that could seat about eight, and the middle was free for dancing.
Harry slowly led Phoebe onto the dance floor. With the still present Seeker reflexes, he caught a flower from the air and carefully tucked it in her hair.
They didn't knew what a striking couple they made, scars notwithstanding. More than one guest had to wipe a tear at the sight of the happy young couple.
Soon others joined as well. Albus danced with Phoebe and Harry with Molly and Hermione. Phoebe took Severus on her arm and twirled around with the child, making him gurgle with glee. Harry took the boy from her.
"May I cut in, good sir?" he asked the baby.
Severus yawned widely in response.
"I'll tuck him in bed," Albus said with a smile, "kiss Phoebe and Harry goodnight, sweetheart."
After many cuddles not only by the young couple, but also by a number of Weasleys and staff, Severus was brought upstairs and put to bed, hopefully dreaming peacefully of colourful flowers and dancing light.
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At the end of the evening Phoebe and Albus looked at Harry in concern. He was clearly getting tired. Catching Phoebe's eye, Harry nodded.
"May I have your attention, please?"
The crowd hushed.
"My wife and I," cheers emerged and cat calls from Fred and George, "my wife and I would like to thank you very much for sharing this day with us. Before we leave on our honeymoon, we'd like to say we hope you had a good time, and feel free to stay around a little longer. I also want to thank Molly, Arthur, Hermione, Albus and everyone else who helped. Especially my friend Dobby and his fellow Elves, who worked tirelessly to treat us to the most delicious snacks and meals."
Wails could be heard from the castle kitchens as a hundred house-elves burst into tears at the first time they were thanked in public for their work.
Phoebe beamed happily. "I second my husband's remarks. Thank you, everyone. And thanks to little Severus for doing the flowers so well..."
Harry snickered. "Junior has a gift. We are going to leave you now, good people. We'll see you all in a week or so."
The whole room accompanied them to the carriage. Hermione had managed to stop the Twins from tying cans to the back, claiming it would upset the Thestrals and there would be accidents, but the lurid 'Just Married' that Molly had a fit over was still there.
Waving wildly, Harry and Phoebe set off to the edge of Hogwarts's wards where a Portkey would take them to their holiday destination.