Chapter 41: The Summer Wedding
The summer was passing on, and August had just begun. Severus had been quite surprised to learn of Petunia's sexual orientation. It was yet another difference in this universe compared to the original that he had not seen coming, and this one was the biggest shock yet, but not unpleasantly so.
It explained why Petunia wasn't with Vernon Dursley, whom appeared as pompous as ever when he met him via Lily, Petunia and Millie Quince. Rose ensured that Petunia and Carly could still see each other, but their intimate experimenting was not to continue, due to the compromising situation they had been found in. Carly was very relieved that she and Petunia were still friends and that her friend was unharmed by what appeared to be a tyrannical father, whom had shown repentance for his harsh reactions. Carly still feared Trevor however, and Petunia was showing no sign of forgiveness towards him. Lily and Rose were having great difficulty trying to keep Petunia in the same room as Trevor, and it had taken Eileen and Severus' kind words to help the pair dissuade the elder sister from moving out in her fit of rage that afternoon.
Trevor had tried everything to earn his daughter's forgiveness, such as giving her his blessing to date women, keeping her friendship with Carly and giving her a gift of a ruby bracelet that she had been eyeing through the local jewellery shop window for some months. But she had discarded the bracelet, insisting savagely that jewellery would not buy her forgiveness for Trevor's cruelty and favouritism of Lily. Trevor and Rose kept the bracelet, should Petunia ever reconcile with her father. The only method the pair hadn't used was brute force in making her socialise with Trevor and telling her to 'pack this feud in' as Trevor's dictating actions that day had mostly been the cause of Carly's fear and Petunia's hatred. The last thing they needed was for Petunia to hate her mother too.
Lily was also caught up in the middle of the family's estrangement. She too had tried to help Petunia see sense, but the net result was Petunia thinking Lily was taking her father's side because she was the favourite. It took a good deal of persuading for Lily to reassure Petunia that this wasn't the case.
"Tuney, I just hate seeing our family broken up like this. I sometimes still wonder how life would have been for us if Sev had never tried to help you learn magic one day. I still fear that you hate me for having magic naturally."
"I don't," whispered Petunia.
"And I don't hate you for liking girls…but Daddy hates himself for how he treated you and Carly. He hates himself for making you feel unloved. Mummy still feels guilty about that too."
"I don't hate Mummy. I only hate him."
"But that hate is ripping the family apart, Tuney," sobbed Lily, tears beginning to fall.
"He should never have scared me and Carls. He was going to entomb me in here…what if you and Mummy were on his side? Would you have all locked me away, like a leper, and starved me until I was forced to date men?"
"You know full well that we would never do that!"
"You and Mummy may not have, but Dad…I really don't know what to think anymore, Lils!"
Petunia burst into tears, shaking all over.
"Dad said he loved me just as much as he loves you…and yet, he sent me to my room, he was disgusted at the sight of me, and all because he saw me kissing another girl. He may have gone further, if not for Mummy. I don't trust him, Lily, I cannot. He's not the same man I thought he was…a loving dad, a kind man, a fair man! He…he hurt me so deeply…and I can only ever hate a man who makes his daughter feel so…vile and wretched."
Lily hugged her feeling worse than ever. Petunia was suffering just as badly as Trevor was with this whole breakup. She clearly felt as though she didn't have a father anymore, and unless Lily and Rose could find a way to clear the air, Trevor may now have lost a daughter.
Severus was worried too, when Lily visited him at the park that early evening, where the sun was still up, and the mellowness was setting in as it slowly began to make its descent.
Lily recounted her last conversation with Petunia to Severus, whom paled.
Could it be that Petunia's bitterness and hatred for Lily would now be set upon her father for life, just as it had with Lily all of the original Petunia's life?
Then Severus had a thought.
He was due to reunite with Lily Potter soon via the Resurrection Stone. Their last conversation had been disheartening and they had parted ways on bad terms. He almost feared talking to her again, but he still needed his best friend for comfort, not to mention for her information on the Horcruxes.
That investigation and mission against Voldemort had been at a standstill ever since he and Dumbledore destroyed the ring and the diadem. The only breakthrough since then had been Lily Potter's recruitment of Ariana and Helena in the search for the remaining Horcruxes.
"Sev?"
"Sorry, Lils. I was thinking of how awful it'd be if Petunia never forgives your dad, though his reaction was pretty bad."
"Not as bad as your…"
Lily froze, ashamed.
"As my dad? You're right, and I still don't forgive him, but I still worry about your dad. He'll never forgive himself, never mind Petunia forgiving him if this carries on."
Lily exhaled at Severus' lack of offence.
"I know…I don't think I could bear it if they stay this way."
"On the bright side, wedding dress shopping with my mum will likely cheer you both up."
The ladies were going dress shopping the following day in Diagon Alley and in London respectively.
"Yeah. That'll be something," replied Lily, with a small smile.
The two friends cuddled on the grass as the sun set, and parted ways; Severus to dwell on thoughts of Petunia and of Lily Potter, while Lily dwelled on her broken family and her upcoming wedding-based events with her mother, sister and Eileen.
Lily Potter was also dreading her upcoming visit to Severus. Her reaction to Severus' outburst had not been pleasant. She had been angered by his continued hatred towards the original Marauders, and she even called him an 'ungrateful dunderhead' to James, Sirius and Dumbledore himself.
Sirius was the only one who agreed with Lily, and he had suggested that she no longer bothers herself with the 'snivelling git.' James and Dumbledore, however, knew full well that forgiveness had never been in Severus' nature, except in the case of Lily herself.
"Time will heal those wounds, Lily," assured James. "Wait till he and the other Lily get together, marry, have children of their own, a life together. And with the new versions of us as his friends…he will finally heal from his old wounds and let bygones be bygones."
Lily wasn't so sure, and even Dumbledore was reflecting on words that he had exchanged with Harry; 'Sometimes, the wounds run too deep for the healing.'
"I am not as sure as you are, James," he said reflectively. "And if I may say so…Severus did have a point."
Lily was also pondering this in her head.
Severus had been correct in several aspects.
Pettigrew did die a coward and his death was justified; one small flinch of mercy and regret was not equal to the lives he had sacrificed and the ones he had taken, such as Cedric Diggory and those people he had killed just to conceal his own survival.
Remus had lied to protect his friends and had been nothing short of a coward to protect his own popularity with his friends. While that was worthy of pity, being so insecure as to believe his only friends would abandon him, it still did not justify what Severus had to endure to save his own hide. James and Lily hadn't been separated in death, and James did get forgiveness more easily than Severus ever did. Severus' hatred for James was also well founded as he had led those attacks on him and manipulated his privacy via the Map and the Cloak, not to mention playing a part in ruining the life with Lily that Severus had always wanted.
And if there was one thing that Lily did agree with Severus on…was that Sirius did deserve punishment for nearly causing his murder. He may not have earned twelve years in Azkaban, but he still never got the arm of the law for the crime he did commit. Even if he was given mere detentions for the rest of his education, it was better than the minimal punishment Dumbledore did give him and the praise he gave to James for 'saving' Severus. But Lily knew full well that James was not so much saving Severus, as saving both Sirius and Remus from the repercussions of wilful and unknowing murder.
What made Severus' statement about Sirius all the more justified was that Sirius still to this day showed no sign of true repentance, and still hated Severus with all his being. This hatred and conflict were what strained her friendship with him, and even James couldn't heal the rift, not so long as Sirius hated Severus, and for as long as Lily felt obliged to help him through his new life.
"But I haven't helped you lately," she muttered bitterly to herself. "I just don't seem to know…how to make things up to you anymore. What if you die fighting Voldemort before you and the new me can be happy together?"
The wedding day was soon upon them.
All the guests were attending at Prince Manor, where the wedding was to take place. A Ministry official was there to bond the happy couple in a magical vow. Eileen had not had a wizarding wedding with Tobias and intended to do so now, as she was certain, more certain that with Tobias, that Robin was her true love and she would not regret marrying him in the least.
The guests included people who worked with Eileen and Robin in the past, including a disgruntled Aberforth Dumbledore, whom looked like he'd sooner be at home tending his goats. The other guests were Severus' friends at Hogwarts, except for Sirius, Regulus and Melody. The Blacks were prohibited from attending such a scandalous affair, and Melody was ill with a stomach bug. Their parents were also there. The Lupins looked out of place, considering they hid a lot and did not often bring their son out into society, let alone social occasions. Also in attendance was Professor Dumbledore, secretly to give Severus the Resurrection Stone. He and Aberforth were not interacting. McGonagall and some other Hogwarts staff members were there too and so were Eileen and Robin's staff members from the Gobstones Inn. The friends all sat cheerily, waiting with Robin, in his finest navy suit for Eileen to appear on the Manor grounds with her father, whom was giving her away, along with Severus the page boy, and the bridesmaids, Eileen's closest female friend, Rose Evans, and Lily and Petunia as well.
Severus felt silly in a blue suit, fit for a Muggle stylist, but he was keeping quiet for his mother's sake. Lily and Petunia were wearing lavender dresses, Rose was wearing a traditional bridesmaids' dress that she worn on another friend's wedding some years ago, and was helping the blushing bride, Eileen, style her hair for the big event.
Eileen looked radiant. Her white wedding gown complimented her curves and her hair, with Rose's help and some magic was perfected to how she wanted, a beauteous bun with highlights of green magically placed in, giving a satisfying effect to her beauty. She also wore emerald earrings to go with the hair, and her father had lent her a necklace of pearls that he had bestowed upon Desdemona for their wedding.
"You look so beautiful, sweetheart," said Septimus fondly.
"How could she not?" chuckled Rose. "She has me to help."
"Mum!" moaned Lily and Petunia in unison.
Eileen and Severus chuckled.
Just then, a beautiful Patronus shaped like a Red Kite flew in, much to Petunia and Lily's awe and admiration. Rose almost fainted as it hovered over Septimus and spoke in Desdemona's voice.
"The Ministry officiator is here, we're all seated and ready. Not sure how long he'll wait."
Septimus sent a quick reply, saying "We'll be there in ten minutes."
His Patronus was shaped like a giant falcon.
Severus smiled. If there was any proof needed for his grandparents' reformed natures, it was the fact that they could cast corporeal and beautiful Patronuses such as those.
"Nearly done, I hope, Mrs Evans?"
"Yep, just about done!"
"I look perfect, right? I only want the very best for Robin! I was never good enough for Tob-!"
"Forget about him, Mum!" snapped Severus curtly. "That man is nothing but a memory now, a bad dream long forgotten! Today is about you and Robin! You were perfect long before today! Let's prove that to them all now!"
Eileen cuddled her son, trying not to cry and spoil the make-up that Rose had applied.
"Okay, honey. You're right! Let's go!"
The six of them departed from the Manor and proceeded out towards the grounds, where a red carpet was laid out, ready for Eileen to tread upon and follow leading to her future husband.
There he stood, straight, resplendent and very happy.
Robin grinned as he watched Eileen approach slowly and gracefully to the music provided by the more talented House Elves. Behind her, Rose held up her dress. Severus, Lily and Petunia brought up the rear, winking to their friends. Petunia was saddened that she couldn't invite Carly or her other friends, but they still had to be in the dark about her sister's magical world. She ignored the look her father was giving her, remorse and pride for her.
Septimus was arm in arm with Eileen until they reached Robin, and he took her hand and placed it in his.
"Look after her, Kennedy."
"I will, sir," replied Robin confidently.
The happy couple held hands as the Ministry officiator began his speeches.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered on this special summer's day, to bond Robin Jacob Kennedy with Eileen Desdemona Prince in matrimony. Is there anybody here who objects to this union?"
Nobody did so, but Severus caught James offering Rebecca to do so with a cheeky smirk. He vowed to cup his head once he had a chance.
"Very well, we shall proceed."
As the speeches went on, Severus took everyone in. All of Robin and Eileen's respective colleagues and friends smiling broadly, Dumbledore beaming, his brother grimacing, Desdemona wiping her joyful eyes with a handkerchief, her husband beside her, pulling her head to his shoulder with a happy expression on his face, the softest look he had ever displayed. Petunia and Lily stood behind Eileen while Severus and the best man were on Robin's side. Petunia and Lily looked dreamy, as though they were imagining their own weddings, and it brought to Severus' mind of the possibility of he and Lily going through this very same process one day. He smiled happily at the thought.
Just then, the official's next words brought him back to earth.
"I understand you have your own personal vows."
Eileen was addressed to go first.
"Robin…I have been through a lot in my life…more than you'll ever know. But my family saved me in the end, me and my son, and I thought life couldn't get any better once I felt freedom shine on me again. But then I met you, and that same shine hit me again. You have made me happier than I ever thought possible, and I cannot wait to spend the remainder of my life making you feel just as happy."
She slipped the ring that Rose had handed her onto Robin's finger.
Robin then recited his own speech, after taking the ring handed to him by the best man.
"Eileen, I never really thought I fit in well enough to find love in the Wizarding World. I was always looked down upon as lesser for being Muggle-born. Then you and I met, and everything made sense to me. I am happy to be your light, your love and now, your husband. And I vow to forever love you, to be the perfect husband you always wanted, and a good father to your son. I love you both and am proud to be a part of your lives."
He slipped the ring on her finger and they looked back to the officiator.
He was weaving his wand around Eileen and Robin's now ringed fingers. A red entanglement of magical energy surrounded and wreathed around the hands as they were bonded in matrimonial union.
"Do you, Eileen Prince, take Robin Kennedy, to be your lawfully bonded and wedded husband, in sickness and in health, vowing to love each other until death do you part, and beyond to the next great adventure?"
Severus felt a pang, just before Eileen replied with, "I do."
Did Lily make that same vow when she married James Potter in the old universe? Is that another reason she continued to love James over him, even in death?
"Robin Kennedy, do you take Eileen Prince to be your lawfully bonded and wedded wife, in sickness and in health, vowing to love each other until death do you part, and beyond to the next great adventure?"
Robin beamed at the sight of Eileen's teary, happy eyes.
"I do."
The officiator waved his wand and the red entanglement turned white, delved into the skins of their joined hands and disappeared from view.
"By the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot, cleared by Minister Bagnold, I pronounce you bonded and wedded husband and wife."
Before he could say the five traditional words, Robin pulled his new wife into the most passionate kiss that Severus had ever seen. Eileen melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around her new husband.
Everybody clapped, cheered and some cried, particularly Petunia, Rose and Desdemona. Even Septimus wiped his eye conspicuously.
Severus liked the sight of that especially, seconded only by the pure happiness in his mother's eyes as she became Mrs Robin Kennedy.
Not long after that, Severus walked with his mother back towards the Manor, where a huge banquet awaited them and their guests, and the ballroom was prepared for the reception party to celebrate the nuptials.
As they walked up, the guests, led by the best man, threw confetti in the air, as he shouted simultaneously, "TO MR AND MRS KENNEDY!"
Septimus and Desdemona embraced Eileen happily, muttering privately how proud they were of her. Severus then did something he never saw himself doing with his own father; he wrapped his arms around Robin, fully accepting him as his new stepfather. Robin almost teared up with joy and pride.
Lily's heart melted at the sight. Severus had come a long way since they had first met that day in the playground at Cokeworth.
"Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Kennedy," said James as he approached with his parents.
He slipped past as his parents gave their own blessings to the happy couple, and joined Severus, Lily and Petunia.
"That was great, guys!" he said cheerily.
He had a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"No, don't even think of pulling a prank during the reception!" snapped Severus.
"Darn it!" grumbled James mockingly.
"Let's go in! The party's gonna begin!" said Lily, shaking her head and linking arms with Severus.
Severus almost turned beet red at Lily's contact with him.
"I want us to dance today," she whispered.
Severus blushed more and nodded in consent.
The wedding prompted Lily to be more courageous, like a real Gryffindor, and set the ball rolling for her and Severus to begin a relationship. She was done waiting. Severus may not be ready, but he may never be while she did nothing to encourage him, so she was now going to start today with Phase 1: Get Severus to dance with her.
The wedding banquet was a success. The Prince Elves cooked everything from Shepherd's Pie to honey-roasted partridges. There was something for everyone and thankfully, James didn't pull off any cheeky stunts as he had hinted. Nobody's hair turned blue, no-one starting breathing fire and not one child started crying because their napkin started calling them harsh names.
Severus was asked to give a speech after Septimus and the best man gave theirs. They both showed pride in Eileen and Robin, though the best man had told some traditional jokes at his friend's expense. He felt cornered when he was asked to conduct in public speaking but felt he must do his best for his mother's sake.
"Erm…everybody, um…I am Eileen Pr-uh, Kennedy's s-son…and I just wanted…to say a few words to show how happy I am for my mum…and Robin. I love my mother so much because she has done more for me than I can ever even begin to repeat. She has been there for me through thick, thin and beyond…and I can never thank her enough. The least I could do was to be there for her on her special day, and to get out of this chair and stutter out this s-speech."
There were some chuckles at that.
"And I intend to spend all my days reminding myself to never take my new family for granted, and I will always be there for you, Mum, as you always were for me. I love you, Mum, and I quite like you too, to an extent, Robin."
More laughter followed that and then some kind applause. Severus smiled softly and sat down, and he spotted Lily smiling at him softly, winking at him with pride.
Not long after the speeches and the food, the party began in the ballroom. Eileen and Robin led the first dance, and were quickly followed by Septimus and Desdemona, followed by the Potters, the Longbottoms, including Frank and Alice, whom Lily owled to invite, and to Lily's surprise, as she hadn't spotted her earlier, Andromeda Black and whom she assumed was her boyfriend, Ted Tonks. They looked blissfully happy together.
"Hey, Lils!" called Andromeda after the first number ended.
"Hey!" greeted Lily pleasantly.
"Ted Tonks," said the Muggle-born partner politely, holding out his hand.
Lily took it and introduced herself officially along with Severus.
After a chat, Andromeda dropped some news on Lily, Severus, James, Rebecca, Frank, Alice, Quincey, Mary and Peter, who also attended the wedding.
"Ted and I are marrying next month…but sadly, we won't be having many guests due to Hogwarts term starting, and the fact that this will be a scandalous marriage…my family disowned me, of course."
She wiped a tear at the thought, but Ted held her close in a one-armed embrace.
"But it'll be worth it," she persisted, "and Cissy doesn't hate me. She said she'll correspond with me once we were back at Hogwarts and will try to attend the wedding."
"Well, that's good news!" said Severus optimistically.
"It is," smiled Andromeda, "a close second to the news we both received yesterday." She squeezed Ted's hand.
"What news is that?" asked James naively, but Lily and Rebecca looked ready to squeal in delight.
"Are you?" asked Rebecca excitedly.
"Yes! I'm pregnant!"
"Oh! Oh, wow!" cried Severus.
"Yeah, like…"
"Woah!" gasped Quincey.
Everyone offered sincere congratulations to the pair, and then Rebecca pulled James onto the dance floor to celebrate.
"May I have your hand in a dance too?" asked Lily, offering her hand to Severus.
"Yes, you may," said Severus after a brief pause.
On their way over to the dance floor, Dumbledore quickly approached them and quickly shook Severus' hand joyously.
"Congratulations to you and your mother, Mr Prince," he said delightedly, then he swept off again to sit next to Professor McGonagall and Aberforth.
"Odd, for Dumbledore," shrugged Lily, as she pulled Severus onto the floor and placed his hand on her waist.
Before she made him move his other hand, Severus slipped what Dumbledore had pressed into his palm into his pocket; the Resurrection Stone.
He pushed the thought of talking to Lily Potter out of his mind for now. He was in Heaven as it was. He was dancing with Lily Evans, and he could see smitten eyes, those perfect green eyes looking at him with adoration and love.
Eileen and Robin looked at them with knowing looks of joy, as they continued their own slow dance in the centre of the ballroom, admired by all.
Rose looked at the pair with a mixture of happiness and hesitation, knowing full well that her youngest daughter was in love.
Trevor on the other hand, only had his eye on Petunia, whom was unfortunately, still avoiding him, giving Peter a brief dance, as he had no partner with him.
Rose put her hand over his.
"We'll get through this, honey. Just leave her be for now and let Eileen have her special day without any issues."
Her husband nodded morosely.
The party carried on very late into the night, and it soon ended with Eileen and Robin away on their honeymoon, Severus hugging his friends goodnight, Dumbledore and co Flooing back to their own homes, and Septimus and Desdemona offering for the Evans family to stay the night, which they agreed to do.
"Straight to bed, kids," said Desdemona.
"Okay," they said in unison.
Petunia hugged Lily and nodded kindly to Severus, before entering her spare room. The pair lingered for a moment, smiled at each other and cuddled.
"I really enjoyed tonight," whispered Lily.
"Me too," replied Severus.
Lily knew better than to try and kiss Severus now. He was in an emotional state as it was due to his mother's wedding and the social interactions he hadn't been entirely comfortable with, such as his speech and the dancing. So, she simply kept the cuddle going until they both felt awkward.
"Good night, Sev."
"Good night, Lils."
The best friends split up with that, and entered their bedrooms, sleeping happy and content, dreaming of what the future had in store for them both.
Here's Chapter 41! THEY GOT MARRIED! And now, things are beginning to develop between Sev and Lily. Sorry, I forgot about Tonks being born when Remus was 13, so I've altered it to be when he's 15. I'm not entirely sure yet if I will keep the canonicity of their relationship yet. Please review! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Chapter 42 coming soon!