21st June (cont'd…)
It was an odd sight, seeing Madam Pomfrey climb through the Gryffindor Common Room portrait door. She was no longer wearing her black floor length dress and black vale over her face, now being dressed in her own 'plain clothes' which was certainly different from her usual Matron gear.
"I thought I'd missed you." she said, holding what I can only describe as a leather doctor's bag. She must be on her way home for the holidays now that the Hogwarts Express is soon departing from Hogsmeade. It's hard to imagine our teachers and school support staff having lives outside of Hogwarts, but I guess these are just as much her holidays as ours, "Minerva suggested I might find you here. I wanted to see you before you left."
"Don't you be getting emotional on me now." I joked.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "I wanted to leave you some things to use and take a look at over the summer. If you're serious about becoming a Healer, you need to get your nose in the books now." She indicated towards her bag, "And there may be a few other things you may find of use."
She remembered.
"You have no idea how much this means to me…" I could barely get the words out, "I'll never be able to repay you," I flung my arms around her and held her tight, "Thank you so much."
"I put everything in there I could think of, and the books should cover most ailments." She whispered before saying, "You take care of yourself – all of you."
She waved to the four of us and disappeared before emotions could be shown.
"What was that all about?" Ron questioned.
"Madam P may have just saved your life."
I went home via Maura's office, to conclude my sessions with her. It is too much of a risk for me to continue seeing a therapist – if one Death Eater caught sight of me in the office, they would torture Maura for information and I've already divulged so much to her. I thought of Mr Snow, whom I could never see again, so long as the target remained on my back. Maura and I sat for an hour and discussed my plans for the future in the barest bones of information safe to give, including how I need to go off-grid after putting everything in place. I'm by no means 'cured'; I will always suffer from the acts inflicted upon me in my past, but Maura has given me all the tools I need to go forward in my journey alone. Her parting words were ones of encouragement, "I'm proud of you, Kathryn. Take care." Now all I needed was a night in with my two favourite boys and oh boy did they deliver.
"Welcome home, Katy!" George shouted in celebration as I arrived back at the apartment via Floo, he wrapped his arms around me and picked me up off the floor, "It's so good to have you back for the summer!"
I raised an eyebrow at Freddie, who said, "Whoo-hoo!" as enthusiastically as a person about to have a tooth extracted.
"This really is vomit worthy, isn't it?" I asked him.
He gave the smallest of nods, "Oh yeah, but George does big and -" he indicated the room with his hand, "- this – oh so very well."
"We have pizza cooking in the oven and ice-cream for dessert!" George grabbed my attention.
"Now that is what I'm talking about." I chucked my trunk into our bedroom, kicked off my shoes and plonked myself on the sofa, "Tell me all the gossip."
Fred grinned, "I thought you'd never ask…"
22nd June
The list of items Tonks had left George with yesterday was quite extensive. From it, I imagined an overnight stay in a nice hotel with a pamper session. I fancied a massage followed by a cocktail in a Jacuzzi, though knowing Tonks, we'll be spending all our money on new clothes first! I was up for anything spontaneous, excited to be able to spend some time with my cousin when the two of us aren't completely miserable.
As I packed, George made a stack of thick, fluffy pancakes for breakfast, showing off his new skill, flipping them into the air and catching them in the pan again. (Though, one of them did land on the top of the kitchen cupboards, but I wasn't supposed to have seen that.)
"Show off."
"And you haven't seen the table spread yet."
I gasped, seeing the amount of effort he put in, from strawberries and whipped cream, a fruit salad, pastries, jam, syrup, breakfast juices and fresh coffee in the cafetiere, "You spoil me." I said with a huge smile, offering him a lingering kiss.
He sat me down at the table, placing a napkin on my lap, kissing me gently on my forehead, "You deserve it." He piled three pancakes on my plate, "Eat up."
"I really don't deserve you."
Armed with enough clothes to dress me for a week, I apparated for the first time by myself to the Tonks' family home. Their garden had changed considerably from my last visit, there was now a pond in the middle of the greenery with its own water feature and a range of fragrant flowers lined the edge of the freshly mown grass as I hopped along the steppingstones.
"Hey you!" I smiled as I approached the front door where Tonks was jumping on the balls of her feet, awaiting my arrival, dressed in a fluffy white dressing gown.
"You made it! Oh Kat, I'm so excited!" Tonks beamed as I stepped inside and closed the door, "Slight change of plan today."
I gave her a massive squeeze of a hug, which seemed to be fuelled by a lot of excited, over caffeinated energy, "I'm up for anything! What're we doing?"
"Will you be my bridesmaid?"
I let out a high-pitched squeal, "Of course, I'd consider it an honour!"
"Good, cause Remus and I are getting married in an hour." She grinned like a Cheshire cat, "Small ceremony, there will be six of us, I couldn't not have my little sister there!"
"Wait, wait, wait! You're getting married to Remus today? Like … Today?" I questioned, stunned, trying to process the significance of this conversation at speed as she nodded, "Wowzah, T!" I could barely get the words out, "When did you plan this?"
"This morning. The officiant had a cancellation at midday and we thought, well ... What the heck?" she let out a similar high-pitched noise to the one I had seconds before, "Mum and I quickly went shopping and… here we are!"
Barely given a second to greet Ted or Andromeda, who were both hurrying to get ready themselves, I was dragged by my hand into Tonks' bedroom, where she sat me down at her beauty table and started pinning my curls up into a messy chignon roll. She worked with quick precision as I flicked my wand and summoned my makeup bag.
"Which dress do you want me to wear?" I asked, having completed my eye makeup, a careful addition of winged eyeliner and a beige smoky-look eyeshadow, "I brought a few, thinking we were going out of dinner and drinks tonight? I've got the red one with me, but it's a bit –"
Having now finished clipping up my hair, Tonks bounded across her bedroom, opening her wardrobe door, "I got one for you, I couldn't resist."
Tonks showed me the most beautiful bubble-gum pink 1940s style tea dress.
"I know you probably hate the colour, but it's my favourite -"
"I love it." I said genuinely, shedding my clothes, stepping into the dress, allowing her to zip me up. I gazed into the mirror, admiring the way the dress was tailored to show off my waist and bust and was long enough to respectfully cover my knees. This dress was the embodiment of Tonks' femininity, her favourite shade of pink, the frilled ¾ sleeves that would float in the wind, the V neck that showed a little bit of cleavage, below which were 3 buttons. The dress itself was light and floaty and everything I loved.
Tonks smiled proudly, "Look at you! Perfect!" she turned around and handed me a shoebox, "I also bought you shoes, and they're quite something." She opened the box, revealing them like she was proposing to me.
I picked up one of the black stripy high heeled sandals, with blue, pink and purple designed butterfly wings on the back. My heart was so full in that moment, "I do, I definitely do."
She raised an eyebrow, "Kat?"
"I'm going to marry you instead." I wrapped my arms around her, "I feel like sometimes you know me much better than anyone else… and hey! This is supposed to be your special day and so far, it's been me you've been showering with love and gifts and …" I stared at my new shoes, "Oh, T, these are … wowzah, I mean, you bought these for me?"
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee?" she beamed, reaching into my jewellery box, she lifted out the charm bracelet she bought me, that reminded me greatly of the significance of the butterflies and slid it onto my arm, taking a second to look at my princess ring and my blue chalcedony ring.
The two of us gazed at my complete outfit in her full-length mirror as she fixed me, doing the final tweaks, "Enough gawping; what are you going to wear?"
"Turn around."
I turned my back, reaching into my mountains of luggage, searching for my black clutch bag, filling it with money, tissues and pink lipstick. I already knew I was going to be an emotional mess, not just because my best friend is getting married, but because she is getting married to the man of her dreams.
"I'm going to need a hand with the buttons." Turning around, I was frozen in admiration, of how gorgeous she looked in the stunning white silk backless dress, with cupped sleeves and tiny white buttons down the back which pinched her in at the waist emphasising her womanly curves.
I took a deep breath, blinking back tears, "Oh T… you look … breath-taking." How I managed to hold myself together, I don't know, but I gently fastened the delicate buttons, as Tonks looked in the mirror, changing her hairstyle from a short bob in bubble-gum pink, to long brown curls, to poker straight blonde with a fringe. I watched as she nodded in satisfaction at her lilac hair as she sported the soft beach waves look.
"Nymphadora?" Andromeda knocked the door gently, holding a veil, "I found this sweet-" she gasped, her eyes filling with tears, "oh Ted, our baby girl really is getting married!"
Ted stood in the doorway behind his sobbing wife, his eyes filled with tears.
"For goodness sake! Am I not going to be able to rely on one of you to keep the waterworks at bay long enough to get to the altar on time?" she too had tears forming in her eyes.
I quickly dabbed my eyes with a tissue and took the veil from Andromeda, who was experiencing a hard time composing herself and attempted to pin it to Tonks' hair, "Erm, d'you mind if I?"
"Work away!" she smiled.
I carefully lifted the two front side sections of her wavy hair and twisted them, clipping the two in a relaxed half-up-half down style, giving me something to attach the veil to, "Mmmm…" I said, considering my work, knowing that something was missing, "Stay there…" I said, reaching into my jewellery box again, finding the vintage comb Narcissa gifted me years ago, it had the perfect amount of diamond-y bling to set the look off, I slotted it in above the veil and heard a click of a camera.
"I hope you don't mind; I saw it at the top of your bag?" Andromeda gave me a watery smile, holding my camera in one hand, "Precious memories!"
"That's true." I said, turning Tonks to face me, "let me just add a touch of colour to your face." I dabbed on a little blusher onto her cheeks and a blush pink colour to her lips, "Perfect."
Ted re-entered Tonks' bedroom with a tray of champagne flutes, "A toast to the bride-to-be?"
We all took a flute and Ted uttered something incoherent about his beautiful little girl becoming a woman and marrying a lovely man and how he hoped they would live a long and happy life together. I don't think at that stage there was a dry eye in the house as we clinked glasses and took a sip. The bubbles hit the back of my throat and went down a little too easy. Tonks finished her look by adding a pair of brand new black combat boots.
"Why am I not surprised?" I giggled.
"It wouldn't be me standing there if I didn't wear them!" she grinned, "Mum? Dad? Do you mind if I have a couple of minutes with Kat before we go?"
"Of course, sweetheart." The two of them nodded, leaving the room, undoubtedly grabbing the last of the essentials before our departure.
Tonks took a deep breath and held out her shaky hands for me to hold, "You are my best friend and the best little sister a girl could ask for. I hope you realise that things aren't going to change now that I'm getting married, because I'll always be here for you, no matter what." She reached into her drawer and lifted out a lace garter and slid it up her leg, "Something old," she caressed the veil, "something new", she indicated the dress and boots, "something borrowed", she tapped my comb in her hair, "and something blue," she indicated the blue ribbon running through the garter, "Remus will have fun finding that later."
I giggled, "You are going to have so much fun."
Tonks cheekily wiggled her eyebrows, "Between you and me; he's amazing in bed. I mean. He said he's been waiting for the right woman and he was incredible." She looked off in the distance, sporting a far-off look, "I mean, the passion, the hunger, I mean… that man made me scream."
"Oh – okay!" the two of us giggled like a bunch of school-girls, "Sounds like you will be a very happily married woman, then!" I caressed her cheek in my hand, blending in the last bit of makeup, "You are my best friend, and nothing will change now that you're going to get married, though I do imagine that getting into bed with you and Remus might be a bit weird, but I'm sure he'll roll with it. Though, please refrain from re-enacting any sexual fantasies in front of me, if you don't mind."
She beamed, "I'm sure mum'll want a hundred photos before we leave, so if we have any hope of arriving on time, we'd better get moving – Kat?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for being here to share our special day."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" I hugged her tight.
Exiting her bedroom, the two of us posed for photos taken by Andromeda. Ted stepped in through the front door holding two bouquets of flowers from the garden, in a mix of pink, lilac and white flowers tied together with string. I took the camera and got some pictures with the bride and her parents. I also managed to get the camera on a timer to take a few photos of the four of us in the garden by the new water feature.
The time quickly arrived for us to leave. I apparated with Andromeda, leaving Ted and Tonks together to arrive after us. Auntie Andromeda brought me to a beautiful private walled garden in the middle of a huge estate. The two of us entered the garden on a board path that led the way across the grass. We were both grateful for the pathway in our heels, as she had a mulberry purple long dress and coat on, and a very tasteful hat, which complimented her outfit wonderfully. With blooming flowers of pink, white, yellow and purple on either side, the two of us walked arm in arm, steadying each other as we breathed in the sweet scents under the bright blue sky. A short walk later, saw us turn a corner to see the white gazebo in the middle.
"There he is." Andromeda took a deep breath and gave me a toothy grin, she handed my camera to the other gentleman who was hanging around and he immediately sprang into action, click click clicking away, "I'll walk down first and settle his nerves – I can't leave him standing there on his own. He mustn't have been able to get Harry from his Aunt and Uncles' without risking his safety. You can join us once Nymphadora and Ted get here."
In that moment, my heart broke. From behind a fragrant rosebush, I watched as Andromeda walked towards the man who was imminently to become her Son-in-law. The two of them shared a short hug and a few comforting words which saw Remus' tense shoulders drop and relax.
It wasn't too long after that Ted and Tonks arrived, "Is he there? Are we ready?"
I nodded, unable to resist running over and giving her a massive hug, "Enjoy every minute, you deserve it. You are the epitome of perfection."
I gave her the thumbs up and got myself into position, straightening my dress and shaking off the nervous excitement radiating throughout my body as I walked along the remainder of the board pathway towards the gazebo. Remus, who was wearing a crisp white shirt under a tweed waistcoat and matching trousers had this hopeful, youthful and eager look about him. He was finally allowing himself to be happy and that made my heart melt.
Our eyes met and he gave me the broadest of smiles, "Just you wait until you see her." I beamed at him as I reached the end of the aisle, taking my position to the left beside Andromeda and turned to see Ted and Tonks walking together.
A lump caught the back of my throat as I saw how happy she looked. Remus couldn't keep his eyes off her and Tonks simply radiated happiness. Ted was bursting with pride as he approached the gazebo, and kissed his daughter's cheek, handing her off to be married.
"Do you give this woman to be wed to this man?" spoke the officiant.
"I certainly do." Ted spoke with conviction and he took a few steps back, beckoning Andromeda and me to make a bit of a semicircle to support the nuptials as a three.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on this beautiful day to celebrate the love of and be present in the joining of Remus John Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks in holy matrimony." The officiant spoke.
Both Remus and Tonks were gazing at each other lovingly. I don't think they were aware of anything or anyone else as they listened to the official words and held each other's hands, "Here in the presence of these witnesses, do you, Remus take this woman, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, honour her, to comfort her and to keep her in both sickness and health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
Remus choked up a little as he said, "I do."
"And do you Nymphadora take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love him, to honour him, to comfort him, to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do, I do, I do!"
And so the two repeated the words, spoken to each other:
… to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part …
Safe to say we were all blubbering messes by the time Tonks had finished her vows, to the point that Remus took out his pocket square and dabbed her tears before wiping away his own. The intimate ceremony was full of emotion and love was undoubtedly in the air as the two came to the exchanging of rings.
Remus took out a box from his pocket and handed it over to the officiant. Together they placed rings on each other's fingers, as a token and pledge of their love for one another.
"By the power and authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The officiant turned to Remus, "You may now kiss your bride."
Andromeda, Ted and I cheered as Remus tenderly took Tonks in his arms and kissed her. It was like she was the only person in the whole world that he could see. I wished them every happiness in the world as we started the celebrations.