Chapter Sixteen
2001- April
Danica smoothed her hair in the mirror before carefully placing the red flower comb into the bun at the back.
"You're coming a little undone at the back there." Lily said kindly, helping Danica, "There you go, perfect."
Danica smiled, "I'm so excited."
"I know." Lily said, tears of happiness forming in her eyes. She brushed them away quickly so that it didn't leave streaks of mascara running down her face, "I'm going to go and check on Harry. Do you want me to walk with you to Cho's room?"
"Yes please." Danica smiled.
She hopped off the seat and grabbed the large bag containing her dress and shoes from the back of her wardrobe.
Lily held her hand as they walked through the house. Cho was getting ready in one of the guest rooms with her parents and the other bridesmaids.
"Come on in." Cho smiled, as Lily knocked softly on the door.
"Just here to drop off Danica." Lily told her, "I'm going to go and see how the groom is doing."
"Feel free to stay Lily, if you want." Cho said softly, Daphne smoothing eye shadow onto her eyelids.
"Thank you." Lily said, "But I think I should be with Harry. I'll see you later."
Danica gave her mum a quick kiss on the cheek before hanging her dress up on the curtain rail with the other bridesmaid dresses.
"You look really pretty Cho." Danica grinned, sitting next to her to watch Daphne finish Cho's make up.
"She does." Pansy nodded, "Do you want help getting into your dress Danica?"
"I should be ok." Danica assured her, "I was just waiting until the last minute so there was minimal chances of me spilling something on it."
Cho laughed, "Fair enough."
It wasn't long before the photographer came in, telling them that they would be ready to take pictures of the bridal part in ten minutes.
Danica slipped the red silk dress on and twirled in the mirror. It was simple, with a swishy A-line skirt and thin straps. The older bridesmaids had strapless versions and they all had fine silk chiffon wraps to wear as well.
"Marietta, would you mind grabbing the flowers for us please." Cho's mother asked.
The quiet, red headed girl nodded and went into the bathroom where the flowers were being kept cool.
"Are you all decent in there?" Cho's father called through.
"Yes Papa." Cho grinned, taking the flowers from Marietta.
"Wow." her father smiled, quickly wiping tears away as he looked her over, "You look so beautiful."
Cho blushed and smiled, running her hands over the bodice of her dress. It was fitted to just below her hips, when it then flared out, complete with a wide, long train. While the dress was white it was covered in red appliqué flowers that matched the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses.
"You're not cross at me getting married in white anymore then?" Cho smiled.
Her father shook his head, "I was never cross, I just didn't want you to be forced into something you didn't want to be to be 'normal'. You always wanted a bright dress when you were little." he reminded her.
Cho laughed, "Papa I was like five."
"I fail to see your point." her father shrugged, kissing her on the forehead.
"Come here while I put your buttonhole on and stop being cheeky or I'll stab you with it." Cho's mother chided her husband.
He laughed, moving over to his wife and kissing her once the red rose was in place.
"There, you look most respectable." Cho's mother smiled.
"And you look beautiful, as always." her father answered.
They shared a quick kiss before Cho's mother moved over to her daughter to put her hair comb in place.
"Perfect." her mother smiled.
"Thank you for lending it to me." Cho said.
It had been the comb her mother had worn to her parents wedding. It was silver and red, with the flowers made from beautiful red stones that sparkled in the sunshine.
Cho may have gone for a white dress in the end, but her mother's comb was something she'd also always wanted and her mother was over joyed to lend it to her.
Danica took her place in the photos next to Daphne and Pansy smiling and moving as instructed. Cho had five bridesmaids, Marietta, Danica, Pansy, Hermione and Daphne, all dressed in red. Her mother was dressed in a very similar dress to the bridesmaids, but had a matching jacket rather than shawl and was a slightly darker red in colour. Her father's tie and waistcoat matched this darker shade of red.
"I think that's all done." the photographer beamed, "Were there any other shots you wanted me to get?"
"No I think that was everything." Cho told him.
"Wonderful." he nodded, "Well I'll head down stairs and get some more of you all coming down and getting into the carriage before heading to the church."
Danica felt like she'd walked up and down the same step a million times before the photographer was satisfied with the photos and allowed them out the house.
Outside waiting were two large carriages, each pulled by two horses with long flowing manes. The carriages were all done up with trailing ivy and matching red roses.
Cho, her mother and father went into the back carriage while the bridesmaids went in the front one. It would allow them to arrive slightly earlier to help Cho down before her entrance into the church.
Danica felt butterflies rise in the pit of her stomach with excitement, she couldn't wait to see Harry's face when they arrived.
Lily arrived at the main house and was greeted by a middle aged man dressed in formal wear who introduced himself as the butler for the day.
He showed Lily through to Harry's bedroom, although she already knew where it was, and gave her a small bow before leaving her.
"Come on in Mum." Harry called, as Lily knocked on the door.
Neville, Draco and Severus were already there, all dressed and ready to go.
"How's Cho?" Harry asked, fighting to get his bow tie done up.
"She's fine." Lily assured him, "She looks wonderful."
Draco smacked Harry's hands away from the tie and quickly did it up for him, "There, you're all sorted."
"I brought the flowers, for your buttonholes." Lily said, pulling the box out of her bag.
A few moments later all four of the men had a red rose buttonhole and Lily had a single red rose tucked behind her ear.
"Are you nervous?" Severus asked with a slight smirk, watching Harry straighten his tie for the fourth time.
"Yes." Harry laughed, "I'm terrified I'm going to screw this up."
"Just don't say 'I don't' and you'll be fine." Neville said, snorting a laugh.
Harry rolled his eyes, "You laugh all you want. It'll be your turn one day. Then we'll see who's laughing." he muttered, "Look I know it sounds stupid but I keep having this dream where we're saying the vows and… and I say the wrong name."
"Is it always the same wrong name?" Severus asked.
"No!" Harry said, laughing to himself and running a hand threw his hair, despite Draco's best efforts it was as unruly as ever, "It's always a different name."
"Oh darling." Lily said kindly, "I think that's just nerves."
"Just promise to slap me if I say the wrong name?" Harry asked her.
"Oh definitely." "With out a second thought" Draco and Neville said at once.
Harry snorted a laugh, "I wasn't meaning you two."
"Well, be assured we'll do it anyway." Draco told him, patting him firmly on the back, "Now, we need to get a move on."
The butler they'd hired to keep everything running smoothly for the day took a few pictures of them all before headed out.
It was only a short walk from the main house to the little church that the estate housed, so Harry had chosen to walk the distance.
Several people from the cottages they past came out to congratulate him and wish him luck.
"You've done so well with the estate Harry." Lily smiled, "I'm really proud of you."
"Thanks mum." Harry grinned.
The church was only small, although it had been magically enlarged inside for the day. It had small, stained glass windows along the sides and a tall bell tower in the middle with a single bell hanging there.
It was white washed, inside and out, and surrounded by neat gardens and a cobble stone path. Harry walked up and shook the hand of the minister.
"Everything alright?" the man asked.
Harry nodded, "Yes, we're all ready to go."
"Excellent." the minister smiled, "I think I see the first of your guests arriving now."
Danica got out the carriage and waited next to Hermione for the second coach to pull up. Cho's parents got out first, turning round to help their daughter down.
They all took a few minutes to straighten the train on Cho's dress before taking their places in the small entrance to the church.
Danica was right at the front of the bridal party, next was Marietta and Pansy, who were walking in front of Cho and her parents, Daphne and Hermione were walking behind.
The music started and the double doors to the main part of the church swung open. Danica smiled as she walked down the aisle. The bright sunshine streamed through the stained glass window, painting them all in coloured light.
Harry felt his heart light up when Cho reached the end of the aisle and gave his hand a tight squeeze.
"Thank you." the Minister said clearly, "You may now all be seated."
He allowed a few moments for everyone to sit down.
"Welcome all to St John's church, here on the Potter estate." the minister smiled, "We are here today to join in marriage Miss Cho Chang and Lord Harry Potter, Viscount of Somerset. Cho and Harry met while they were still at school, where Harry was smitten by Cho's skills at Quidditch. They ended up playing against one another many times of the Quidditch field and of course they stood with one another many times during the horrific battles they faced. In the end, their love remained steady though, and they are now choosing to spend the rest of their lives with one another. Who brings the groom here today?"
"We do." Lily and Severus said, giving him a kiss on each cheek before taking their seats.
"And who brings the bride?" the Minister asked.
"We do." Cho's parents said, also kissing her cheeks.
Cho's mother took the large waterfall bouquet of flowers from her daughter before they sat next to Lily and Severus.
"If the two of you come here, of your own free will, to be married to one another, please join hands."
Harry and Cho gladly took each other's hands, gazing into one another's eyes.
Danica let herself be carried away by the poetry of the vows they took. The red row circling their joined hands as they kissed one another deeply and the Minister pronounced them man and wife.
