Lily & James’ Wedding 1979
Francine had been all over the place, running from room to room, making sure that everyone was where they were supposed to be; making sure that James wasn’t trying to sneak a peek at Lily on their wedding night. For Francine, being the Maid of Honor was a blessing and a curse at the same time. She hadn’t even gotten ready for the wedding. Which was in three hours. She still had to make sure that Lily was dressed, had her hair done, and her makeup. Oh, and had to make sure that Lily was comfortable, and not going to explode. From anxiety, nerves, or from excitement. Or just because Lily is realizing that she’s marrying Arrogant Toe Rag James Fleamont Potter.
Mrs. Potter—or, Eupheumia, who’s been trying to get Francine to stop calling her ‘Mrs. Potter’—had been by Lily’s side the whole night, knowing that Francine still had to get ready, so the older woman promptly sent her off to. Which the blonde haired girl was eternally grateful for.
Which now leads to Francine frantically poking her head in room to room of the Potter Manor, searching for Remus. Finally growing frustrated, Francine rushes outside of the Potter Manor out the terrace, overlooking the back gardens/courtyard decorated beautifully.
There were streamers of pale white, blush pink, and even some blossoming yellow. There were lily’s everywhere . It wouldn’t be a wedding for Lily and James if there weren't any lilies. Which James had pestered Francine to decorate with as a surprise for his wife-to-be. Fracnine caved, and promptly ushered Lily away from the back courtyard to keep this a surprise for her.
Many guests (who were sworn to secrecy before attending the wedding, of course) would soon be milling about, with assortments of flowers in their hair. Francine’s heart swelled at the idea.
Only a few more hours until Lily and James’ special night.
There were sheer silks through the trees lined with lanterns hanging to create a canopy over the gardens, the setting sun creating a beautiful hue of pinks and oranges painting the sky. The summer breeze rifled through Francine’s messy hair as she clutches at her binder and pencil to her chest, inhaling the air. Just for a moment. Just to breathe, and actually exist.
She’d been so stressed out, on everyone’s back to make sure that James and Lily’s special night would be perfect, breathtakingly perfect, and would be utterly exceptional. She’d even made Sirius go in ‘time out’, because he’d been pestering her too much, been bothering her about silly things. Her face had grown red angrily at the time, and the Ravenclaw sent him away, somewhere inside the house—and he was not to bother the bride-to-be, at all—just somewhere else away from her. She didn’t want to see him for the time being.
Francine’s hand rests upon the cold stone of the terrace, with pots arranged with pale pink lilies, orange aster flowers, even some baby’s breath sticking out of the arrangements. She quickly straightens out a pot at the edge of the stone railing, leading to the stairs to her right.
She still hadn’t spotted Remus in the gardens, or in the back courtyard, and was starting to worry. From her view from the terrace, she could see straight ahead of her a clearing where three circular tables were magically being levitated by Mr. Potter, with Little Tessa. As the tables were planted on the grass, Mr. Potter waves his wand in the little girls’ face, producing a bouquet of flowers for the girl. Francine’s heart aches at the sight, her round face blooming into a smile.
Francine steps down the stone stairs, a runner on the stone, magically added by the Potters. The rug was pink, covered in hummingbirds and stag antlers in the corners in vivacious gold. The stone railings were decorated with pink, yellow and gold silks, with glowing lights intertwined. Later in the night, the staircase from the balcony will be positively glowing.
“Mr. Potter!” Francien cries happily.
Mr Potter picks up Tessa in his arms, her squealing and flailing about. He let out a groan doing so, his muscles aching, and turned to the older Sherwood with a smile on his wrinkled face. “Ah, there’s your sister, Tessa.”
Lily had kindly asked Tessa to be her flower girl, and Tessa had agreed. Moreso, Francine had accepted for the three year old girl. On her behalf, of course. Francine walks over to the two, taking a squirming Tessa from his arms. “Have you seen Remus by any chance?”
Tessa was wearing a simple white dress that Francine had sewn for her. There was a yellow ribbon at the toddler’s waist tied in a bow that matches her older sister’s dress. Although, unfortunately, there were already some grass stains on the white dress, but that could be magicked away.
“Oh, Remus, yes. He was with Sirius setting up the music just a few moments ago. They asked me to watch over Little Tessa,” Mr. Potter bops the toddler's nose. She squeals, throwing her arms around her sister’s neck. She blabberes something about Mr. Potter, her voice muffled by her face being shoved into her sister’s neck.
Francine nods with a slight frown. The music was supposed to be finished two hours ago. And some guests would be arriving in a few hours. And, on top of that —
“Thank you, Mr. Potter!” Francine rushes. “I’ll take Little Tessa out of your hair,”
She hurries through the gardens passing by the three circular tables. Gratefully, Mary—who is Lily’s bridesmaid, who also needs to get ready like Francine—and Marlene were magically setting up the tablecloths, the plates, and all of the cutlery.
Francine shouts over her shoulder, something about setting up the cutlery as quickly as possible to the girls, and asking them to watch over Tessa. “Only for a few minutes! I still need to get dressed. And make sure Lily’s ready—you two still need to get dressed, and the wedding’s going to start in…” Francine glances at her watch on her wrist, then looks at her clipboard. “…Two hours and twenty five minutes.”
Mary laughs, with her coily brown hair pulled back into a half up half down hairdo, shaking her head. She rests a hand on the toddler’s shoulder. “Franny, we’re fine . We’ve got everything under control. Now, go and get dressed! You’re in jeans, for Merlin’s sake.”
Francine flushes at the comment and rolls her chocolate brown eyes. “I—I’m looking for Remus, first.”
“Lover boy is over with Sirius playing with the vinyls. They couldn’t agree on what music to play.” Marlene speaks from behind Mary, her shaggy blonde hair tied up in a ponytail, throwing a tablecloth over one of the tables. “You’re going to have to pry him outta there alright.”
“Thanks. Tessa—be good,” She bends down to her little sister, waving a finger in her face. Tessa giggles and hides behind Mary’s legs. With that, Francine marches from the three girls without a second thought.
“Good luck!” Mary cries.
Merlin , Sirius and Remus were going to be the death of her.
Taking a left from the three tables where a large clearing for a dance floor that Mr. Potter would be setting up soon; which is supposed to be situated before the long brown walnut table where Lily, James, Sirius, along with Tessa and Francine for a Family-style dinner. The Potter’s would be sitting at the first table across from the dance floor, along with the Evan’s. Petunia—Lily’s older sister—and Vernon Dursley would not be attending James and Lily’s wedding, even though they did get invites. It made Francine absolutely fume when she found out. How could one’s sister blatantly not attend their wedding? Out of…hatred for ‘their sort’?
Shaking her head, Francine all but ran down another set of stone steps that were decorated with an arch covered with more pale pink lilies, orange aster flowers, and some baby’s breath, string lights intertwined, and pale pink and yellow silk fowling in the summer breeze.
Francine ducks under the arch fixing her hair from her face. Down the stone path leading to the reception area is another wide clearing that was decorated with more flowers, more streamers in the tree branches that hang over the reception area, lanterns floating in the sky as the sun began to set. At the end of the stone pathway was an ivory water fountain with three tiers; the bottom tier filled with lemon slices, along with an arrangement of colored flowers in the water. The scent was lovely, reaching Francine’s nose.
Just past the water fountain were four rows or brown benches and chairs separated into two groups, divided by each row was more flowers, lanterns and the seats were decorated with pale pink and dusty yellow cushions on the wooden seating. At the front of the seating was the altar—which is rather simple, a grand willow tree wrapped with silks of pinks and yellows, all aglow with lanterns and floating lights. Francine stops before she turns to her left where a tent-like structure was set up specifically for the music.
The top of the tent was covered with extravagant fabrics of silks and sheer, ranging from a deep maroon to golden yellows. The inside was alight with lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and heart shaped banners from corner to corner. Francine spies Sirius and Remus in there, already in a very heated discussion on what music should be played. Francine huffs, rubbing at her eyes.
“Moony, no, Queen should be playing.” Francine hears Sirius bite out, “ Somebody to Love from ‘A Day at the Races’. It’s perfect, mate, I’m telling you.”
Remus shook his head in disagreement, already pulling out an ABBA record. “I don’t doubt you, Padfoot, but ABBA should be playing. SOS specifically. You know, because of that prank that James and I pulled on Lily and Francine in Fourth Year. It’s special—”
“What?” Sirius balks. “So you’re telling me that Somebody to Love isn’t ‘perfect’?
“ No , I’m saying—”
“For Merlin’s sake! Sirius, Remus, just bloody put something on already!” Francine shouts over their bickering, ducking under the fabrics of the tent. “You two were supposed to be finished with the music hours ago .”
Sirius and Remus whirl around to face Francine, their eyes wide in surprise. Sirius has a Queen record in his hands, while Remus has an ABBA vinyl in his. They look like toddlers caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
“Well?” Francine prods, her hands on her hips sternly.
Sirius blubbers indignantly, “Fine. I’m putting on Bowie.”
“Brilliant.” Francine mutters, swiftly taking Remus’ hand in hers and turning on her heels. “Don’t bother us for twenty—no, thirty minutes . I still need to get ready.” Francine shot over her shoulder to Sirius.
Remus follows behind her quickly, almost stumbling before he gets his footing. He shoves the ABBA record in Sirius’ hands as Francine dragged him through the gardens.
“Mhm, ‘ getting ready ’, alright.” Sirius mutters darkly under his breath.
Francine whirls around. “I heard that!”
Sirius positively jumps out of his skin, clutching at his chest, crying out something about ‘bloody women’. Francine scoffs.
“You haven’t gotten ready yet?” Remus asks, walking beside Francine now.
“Does it look like I’ve gotten ready?” Francine immediately regrets saying that, a frown appearing on her round features. “Sorry, er, no.” She shakes her head tiredly. “I’ve been too occupied making sure everything else was set up and ready.”
Remus lets her lead him the way back to the Potter’s Manor. Up the stone steps, through the arch, past Mary and Marlene who were occupying Tessa and setting up two more tables. She smiles at the three, her hand intertwine with Remus’. “Well, as the Maid of Honor, Francine,” Remus assures, squeezing her hand in his. “You’re doing an amazing job.”
Francine smiles up at Remus, lifting her chin to meet his striking green eyes. Her heart flutters. And a blush blooms on her already rosy cheeks. “Thanks,” shaking her head, leading Remus past the newly appeared dance floor, courtesy of Mr. Potter, to the terrace of the Potter Manor.
The warm August breeze flows through Francine’s hair as she shoulders the heavy glass door, closing it behind her. She’d taken up the guest room with Tessa in tow for the last two years, since her parents’ untimely death—which is…irrelevant. Not a rather happy topic on a happy day. She doesn't want to think about that. Not when she’s going to need to hold everything together tonight. Nevertheless, Francine walks down the long hallway taking a left, her footsteps over the tiled flooring, with Remus following behind her.
“So,” Francine turns to glance at Remus, giving him a run down of what she’s been up to for the last few hours. “I’ve got my dress all set up, and my jewelry too. I want to surprise you with it, so can you wait outside my door while I get dressed?” Francine blabbers on not waiting for Remus’ reply. “Lily’s not ready yet, she wanted to look over some things, but I wouldn’t let her because I didn’t want her somehow running into James. Since, you know, it’s bad luck to run into the bride,” She was on a roll with her ramblings, if she stops now, she’d forget what she’s even talking about. “Or even see the bride on your wedding day. Er, Mrs. Potter is with her right now. And I wanted to get you and Sirius to occupy James… but I guess he’s occupying himself just fine in his bedroom. I actually don’t know where he is…He’s probably tearing a hole through the flooring—I can already see him pacing— if he is in his room. I bet he can’t believe this is happening to him right now.” Francine turns right down the hallway, pictures upon pictures of the Potter family along the walls. “You might actually have to check up on him.” Francine trails off, passing by James’ bedroom, then Sirius’.
“Sirius was with him twenty minutes ago.” Remus confirms, rubbing at his jaw. “Said he wanted to be alone to go over his vows,”
Francine nods her head slowly.
“Well, as long as he doesn't sneak into Mr and Mrs. Potter’s bedroom where Lily is, I guess he’s alright.” Francine pauses, looking over her shoulder to Remus. “Although, if he does try to, I swear I’m hanging him upside down from the terrace only in his boxers.” Francine mutters darkly.
Remus barks out a laugh, shaking his head. “That’ll be a lovely sight to see.”
“You’re right. It would.” Francine agrees with a smirk.
Francine walks through the Potter Manor with Remus in tow, past James’ bedroom taking another right down the hallway to the guest bedroom, and to Mr and Mrs Potter’s bedroom.
“And…Lily’s in Mister and Mrs. Potter’s bedroom getting ready, last I checked,” Francine’s voice briefly fell as she opens up the ivory intricate door to the guest bedroom. “I already said that…”
Francine pauses, pivots to face tall and lanky Remus, almost placing her hands on his chest to steady herself. “—Wait right out here, I’m surprising you with my dress.” Francine spoke as if it were an afterthought.
Francine was taken by— pleasant —surprise when Remus smiles down to her, leaning down to her lips. She lifts her chin, her arms moving from his chest to his shoulders.
Their lips meet in a quick kiss—fleeting even—but Remus’ warm lips on hers made her melt. She wanted to stay right there, forever.
Instead, Francine pulls away quickly, dashing into the ‘safety’ of the guest bedroom, with a burning smile on her lips. She didn’t bother to close the grand ivory door all the way. It’s just open a crack, and Remus can see Francine rushing around her room looking for her dress.
The spare room that Francine and Tessa had been graciously given by Mr and Mrs Potter which had been decorated with ivory white and sky blue wallpaper, possibly to reminisce in Francine’s Hogwarts House, which had been Ravenclaw. Since 1977 Francine and Tessa had been sharing a large queen size canopy bed, with hand sewn quilt work, courtesy of Mrs. Potter.
It was a whirlwind at the time, when Francine and Tessa crashed at the Potter’s Manor, but Mrs. Potter had insisted—or really just forced—Francine to stay.
Francine had felt like an intruder at the time, she feeling terrible because she had no way of caring for one year old Tessa, since she’d be going right back to Hogwarts for the rest of her Seventh year, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Potter to care for the toddler. It’s not like they didn’t want to, because it surely seemed like they did—Mr. and Mrs. Potter see Tessa and Francne like the daughters that they never had. She’d even promised Mrs Potter that she and Tessa would be out of their hair by the next year…but that didn’t come to fruition.
Needless to say, the ivory and pale blue room had been Tessa and Francine’s room for the past two years, and she couldn’t be happier that the Potters (even James and Sirius) had convinced her to stay. She didn’t know where she’d be today, if she didn’t stay. Most likely living in a homeless shelter with three year old Tessa. Francine shivered at the thought.
The room had gone from empty and personality-less—but still rather elegant and clean—to the flower designed wallpaper hidden by all kinds of pictures that Tessa had drawn. And, rather messy. They were hung up by muggle tape, large pieces of parchment paper; some of Francine, James, Sirius, and some of Mr and Mrs Potter with their peppery hair. There were some in the mix of Francine and Moony, scribbled in gray crayon. The parchment papers were mostly labeled by Francine, and colored in by Little Tessa.
Granted, the two had been sharing the queen canopy bed, even though Tessa has her own bed. Francine had to kick out Tessa for a night or so when Remus would…sleep over. Much to the toddler's annoyance. She’d sleep in Sirius’ room, or in James. Francine had made Tessa promise her that she wouldn’t bother the elderly couple—the Potter’s weren't elderly, but were still quite old and didn’t need a toddler bounding into their room late at night. Even though they’d probably love it. It made Francine’s heart swell at the sight of her room, knowing that Tessa was cared for, even after everything that happened on December 25th 1977. The Sherwood sisters had come a long way. Even with the threat of the Dark Lord and his followers rising. At least the two had a safe place to stay, where they were protected. Francine tried hiding her worry about her future from Tessa, who is only three, she’s a child and should be guaranteed a bright and happy childhood without the threat of some random powerful wizard trying to kill every muggle born witch or wizard.
Francine shakes her head, inhaling deeply. Tonight’s a special night, and she shouldn’t be thinking of anything of that sort. Not one bit.
She turns from the ivory door to the grand built in bookshelf that also doubles as a built-in closet. She pulls on the door to the wardrobe, with gold knobs, to reveal her long flowy dusty pink dress with yellow roses and a silk sash under the bust. Francine smiles and takes the dress and hanger, turning in surprise.
Remus was leaning on the doorframe of her bedroom, rather casually, eyeing the dress.
Francine blushes, “I wanted to surprise you.”
Remus smiles and pushes off the door, closing it behind him as he does so.
“Oh, don’t worry, I can act all surprised when you put it on.” Remus assures, reaching out to feel the silky fabric.
Francine pulls the dress away with a flourish, a smirk on her face.
“Mhm, sure,” She turns on her heel, grabbing the petticoat from the wardrobe, moving to the bathroom across from her bedroom door.
“I want to see your jaw drop, when you see the dress on me, mister!” Francine calls over her shoulder.
Not bothering to wait for Remus’ reply, she closes the ivory door to the bathroom, leaving Remus to his own devices in her bedroom.
Francine quickly pulls on her petticoat, and then her very long blush pink dress with ruffles at the hemline, with a yellow roses pattern on the skirt on the bust line and gratefully, the dress flows right over her body, not bringing any attention to her stomach rolls, and puffs out at the skirt. Francine glances in the mirror of the bathroom, assessing her body. Her curves aren’t really the focus of the dress, focusing mostly on her chest—which is basically nonexistent. With her height average, the dress grazes over the tiled floor, the skirt poofing out. The dress was reminiscent of an empire dress style, with the satin yellow ribbon being right below her bust that was covered with the patterned blush fabric, tying in the back. The sleeves are long pieces of silk, barely covering her shoulders leaving the rest of her arms bare.
Before even zipping up the dress, Francine frantically rummages around her bathroom looking for her jewelry.
She had everything all set up and ready for her just to pull on everything and get back to helping Lily, but she can’t find any of her jewelry anywhere. Pulling open drawers, small jewelry boxes, and looking in her small linen closet, Francine was at a loss. She had no idea what she did with her jewelry.
“Remus?” Francine calls through the door, pushing her annoying blonde hair out of her face as she bends down to the floor to look for her earrings.
Francine hears the ivory door creak open from where she had sat down on the floor to look under the sink, Remus seeing Francine on the bathroom tile. She glances up to Remus, hearing him chuckle at the sight. She furrows her eyebrows with a small laugh of her own. “It’s not funny,”
“Okay, you’re right, it’s not funny.” Remus nods his head trying to hide his smile. “What are you looking for?”
“I can't find my earrings, or my necklace. And I had them all set up, I thought I was all organized,” Francine pushes her hair out of her face.
Pulling herself off the floor, picking up the hem of her dress to pace around her room, barefoot. Her voice fell off at the end of her sentence, biting at her lip. She holds up the front of her dress as she exits the bathroom.
“I’m looking for a pair of dangle pearl earrings, and a gold chain necklace with a tarot card charm. They weren’t in the bathroom, so they must be in my bedroom somewhere,” Francine could hear the music from outside wafting through her bedroom, and she began to humm as she looked around her room. She probably only had a little under thirty or so minutes to herself to get ready, before Lily would need some help getting dressed for her wedding.
Remus follows behind Francine all but towering over her as she walks. “Where do you want me to look?” Remus asks, running a hand over her bare arm.
Francine glances up at Remus shivers running through her body. He knew what he was doing to her.
“Can you check in the wardrobe? I’m going to check my vanity.”
Remus replies smoothly, “Of course,” the warmth of his hand lingering on her arm as he pulls away.
Francine watches Remus for a moment, walking in her room, just…existing in her room.
She shakes her head, crossing the large elegant room to her built in vanity, taking a seat on the plush blue cushion. She pulls open drawers in the vanity; rummaging through her scarce amount of makeup, pulling open boxes and boxes, shoving brush after brush around, looking for her jewelry.
“Francine?” Remus calls out to her, his tone a bit amused.
Francine whips around on the cushion, her eyes wide.
“What?” She eagerly asks. “Did you find them?”
She had begun to worry that she'd lost her tarot card necklace; it was the moon she’d gotten because it reminded her of Remus—of Moony—and saved it for this special occasion. And her white pearl earrings. The two cost an awful lot, but she’d been working hard as a bookkeeper in a small muggle shop.
Francine watches as he pulls out the items, holding them in his hands, showing them to her. “Looks like I found them,”
Francine stops in her tracks, her wound up demeanor switching to one of excitement. Her face split into a wide grin, her brown eyes lighting up. Francine squeaks, jumping from the vanity seat. She picks up the skirt of her dress all the while, the top of her dress falling down a bit as she bent over to do so. Francine quickly holds up the top of her dress that’s still not zipped up, and the bottom of her dress as she bounds over to Remus from the vanity. “Oh, my Moony—you're a lifesaver!” Francine declares happily.
She gratefully took the earrings from Remus, noticing how his eyes darts down from her chest to meet her chocolate brown eyes with his seafoam green.
Slightly smirking, Francine quickly turns on her heel back to her vanity, putting on the dangly white pearl earrings. Her skirt of the dress twirls around as does so, the blush pink and dusty yellow colors of the dress swishing around her body. She looks breathtakingly beautiful.
She hears Remus laugh softly at her actions, following her over to the vanity. Remus stands behind her, a smile playing at his lips as he watches her.
“What?” Francine murmurs eyeing him through her vanity mirror.
Her head follows Remus’ movements as he places the necklace down on her vanity before turning back to her, gently holding the two parts of the back of her dress. He slowly zips her dress, fabric pulling together as he did so. Francine felt a blush creep up her cheeks, goosebumps shivering down her body as Remus slowly zipped up her dress. Adjusting her shoulders, she gave Remus a lovely smile that made her eyes light up.
“You look lovely, Francine.” Remus whispers with a gentle smile upon his lips.
“Thank you,” She replies, to his compliment, and for zipping up her dress. She finishes with her earrings, and turns around on the stool. “You look rather dashing, if I must admit,” Francine reaching up for Remus’ collar of his button up, straightening it out for him.
Remus looked rather handsome, too. Not just dashing. He was already dressed in
She watched as Remus’ scarred cheeks flush, like hers. A smile on his lips at her comment, chuckling. “Dashing? You think so?” Remus glances at himself in her mirror just over Francine’s blonde hair, running a hand through his hair, fixing up the mess of curls that he had.
“Of course I think so,” Francine assures, resting her hands on his chest, her chin lifted up to admire Remus. His scars stood out on his pale skin, his crooked nose, and full lips that she loved so dearly to kiss. Yes, he is rather dashing to her, if she does say so herself.
Remus blushes again, she knew he couldn’t help but get a bit flustered every time she had her hands on his chest. She knew the extent of how she affects him, just by her hands resting on his chest. Remus gently lifts his hands, placing them on her hips, the silky fabric beneath his finger tips squeezing her side. “You are far more dashing than me though.” He whispers.
Francine hums as Remus’ hands drifts to her hips. She felt a light pink tint appear on her cheeks. And it's not from her very minimal makeup. Her heart fluttering at his comment. “...do you want to brush my hair for me?” She held up a wooden brush that she’d previously painted with her name on it and a small stuffed yellow duck. “I'm just going to brush it back and do a little braided crown.” Francine suggests, knowing how much Remus likes to brush at her unruly hair.
Remus smiles a bit, seeing the pink tint to Frrancine’s cheeks. “I wouldn't mind that at all.”
Remus leans down to take her brush from her hand, standing behind her. Francine shifted on the cushion to face the mirror as she watches Remus gently holding her hair. He made sure to hold the brush gentle, and careful not to tug on her hair. Remus gently ran the brush through her hair, being quite careful so he didn't end up tugging on the strands by accident. His face seemed rather calm, almost relaxed, holding her wild hair in his hands.
Francine watched Remus through the vanity mirror, a content smile on her face. These are the moments she lived for. Just the simple, daily things. Finding the joy in life, spending quality time with the people she loved.
She hummed to the music wafting through her bedroom from the gardens outside. She was instantly reminded how much time she’d have to get ready, before she has to go back to Lily and help her with Maid of Honor things for the ginger's wedding—but she’d take any moment that she could with Remus.
His fingers brushed through her blonde hair, being as gentle as he always is. Francine watched Remus' content features, a small smile on her lips. She loved observing people. Of observing Remus, her love. Her heart swelled as Remus continued brushing her hair.
Remus felt warmth in his chest, just happy to be around Francine at this moment. He'd even admit that he loved to observe her when she wasn’t paying attention. He loves these moments, just the quiet moments filled with each other, that he manages to slip in. His green eyes watches how content she looks through the mirror, a feeling of happiness, truly happy.
He finally has her hair all brushed nicely, the tangles taken care of. Remus slowly took a small hair tie from the vanity countertop, and began to carefully braid her hair into the braided crown.
“Since when have you been able to braid hair, Remus Lupin?” Francine asked quietly in astonishment.
She watches in the reflection as Remus finishing braiding her blonde hair into a crown like she'd said moments before. A look of awe on her round features, her eyes boring into Remus.
“I'm quite useful with braiding hair.” He answered, continuing to braid her hair carefully.
“What? Because Little Tessa begs for you to do her hair whenever she sees you?” Francine quirks up an eyebrow in the mirror, a smirk on her features.
Remus chuckled, finally finishing up her hair in a braided crown. “Yes, because of Little Tessa.” Remus agrees, gently grabbed a few wisps of hair to frame her face and tucked them behind her ears. “There you go.”
Francine stares at Remus in awe through the reflection, her mouth slack.
“You utter—” Francine mumbled, her eyes wide. She stared at her reflection, like this was a revolutionary moment. “My lord, Remus. I’ll be making you do my hair from now on. And you won't be able to get out of it,” Francine gushed. She gently raised her hands to her hair, inspecting it.
Her hair looked lovely, angelic even. Francine’s not able to make her hair look this good on any occasion. It's like Remus was the hair god. Turning around on her seat in front of the vanity, Francine tilted her chin up to stare at Remus, her lips tugging into a wide smile.
The thought of doing her hair to Remus, made him smile. He wouldn’t mind doing that at all. As she turned to look up at him, he leaned down, gently cupping her face in his hands. Leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her lips. It was quick, but held that warm feeling behind it.
Francine all but melted as Remus' large hands cupped her face. She giggled as his lips met hers, a quick and soft kiss.
“You look absolutely beautiful.” He whispers.
“And you're positively and sickeningly handsome, Remus. It's making me weak," Francine whispers back with a smirk.
Her hands wounds up to rest over his on her cheeks, turning her head in his hands to kiss at his fingers, leaving a little bit of red lipstick where she left quick kisses.
“Do I now?” He chuckles, lifting one of her hands to his mouth, gently placing kisses along her knuckles.
Francine smiles up at Remus, loving how his scarred features were appearing rosy. She'd made him flustered. And god, did she love it.
“Remus, you know fully well the effect you have on me.” Francine rolled her eyes.
She began to stand up from her stool, her hand still in Remus’ as he left gentle kisses along her knuckles. Her stomach flutters at the action.
“I do, I do. I just love to hear you say it." He grins a bit cheekily, chuckling at the way she had rolled her eyes.
Once she stood up, he pulls her a bit closer to him. Just gently holding her close in his arms. It was so nice in the moment, just the two of them. Almost as if time was standing still. “I love you, Francine.” Remus said, a whisper, before he presses a kiss to her cheek.
Francine wraps her arms around Remus' shoulders, feeling her heart utterly take flight in her chest and swell all at once. It was like she was going to explode at this very moment, her heart beating rapidly, a wide smile on her cheeks making them ache, and so much love in her body that it practically hurt. She sighed as Remus pressed a kiss to her cheek, melting to him.
“And I love you, Remus,” Francine whispers. “So, so much, you don't even know.”
Remus gently rubs at her back with one of his hands, feeling quite content in the moment. In her bedroom. The ivory doors, with gold knobs, built in bookshelves and wardrobes. Even the scribbled drawings of the Potters and Francine, some of Remus, too, everything, he loves it. Loves her. With her, it almost felt like he was going to burst with the love he had for her.
In the back of Francine’s mind, she could remember that the wedding was going to start in a few hours. Soon, her best friend would no longer be an Evans, she'd be a Potter.
Even with the music coming through the halls seems to grow a bit loud. That was Sirius, changing the music for James and Lily’s wedding. ‘ Dedicated To The One I Love ’ by The Mamas & The Papas wafted through the room. Francine hummed happily along to the music, a memory resurfacing in her mind.
“I think I might have a slight idea.” He whispers, smiling brightly down at Francine.
While I'm far away from you my baby
I know it's hard for you my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn
Francine quirks an eyebrow at Remus, a small smile flickering over her lips. She leans back a bit to stare Remus in the eye, tilting her chin up even more. Just looking at Remus made her heart thump with warmth and love.
“…And what's your idea?” Francine asked Remus. Her hands clasping behind his neck, one of his hands on her hip, and the other on the small of her back, right over the yellow ribbon that still needs to be tied on her dress.
His hand slowly trailed from the small of her back up along her spine. With a rather cheeky smile, he leaned down to whisper into her ear.
“Why don't I show you, love?” Remus gently kissed below her ear. “Later of course.” He adds, line an afterthought.
“Later?” Francine all but whines, her eyes widening as Remus moves to litter kisses below her ear. She makes a sound almost a mixture of a laugh, and a gasp at his words. Turning her face to the side, Remus kisses at her soft skin, feeling her heart flutter. Her pulse was hammering in her body. “I don't think I can wait for ‘later’,” Francine admits. Remus’ warm breath against her jawline, meeting her neck.
Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
This is dedicated to the one I love
(Love can never be exactly like we want it to be)
I could be satisfied knowing you love me
(And there's one thing I want you to do)
(Especially for me)
And it's something that everybody needs
“Oh, really?” Remus all but taunts, “I think you can make it, ‘later’.” He said as he pulls back from her neck. Remus could blatantly see how his kisses affected her, her chocolate brown eyes wide, her hands on his shoulders.
Francine shook her head, bringing a hand from Remus’ neck to her neck, clasping over where Remus had last kissed. Like she was trying to keep the warmth, the tingling there.
“You are an absolute tease,” Francine huffs.
She was all hot and bothered now. Wedding be damned. And honestly, Lily had Mary and Marlene with her to help. Even Mrs. Potter. They could survive another half an hour without Francine.
While I'm far away from you my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
Because it's hard for me my baby
And the darkest hour is just before dawn
“You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?” Francine half acusses, waving a finger in Remus' face with a small smirk upon her lips.
Remus smirks at her comment, though, he is rather proud that he could get her all worked up so easily. He gently took her hand that was waving a finger at him, and raised it to his lips to kiss. “I have no idea what you mean.” He said in a sarcastic tone, kissing her ring finger and the back of her hand. Though his expression said it all.
If there's one thing I want you to do especially for me
Then it's something that everybody needs
Francine's heart flutters as Remus kisses her ring finger. Her mouth had gone dry, her eyes widened.
Does Remus know what he means when he kisses at her ring finger? Especially at a wedding? They're only nineteen for god's sake, and they have a lot more things to worry about. She can’t think about this, or she’s sure that her heart will be ripped out of her chest, and crushed in her hand. No, the thought of, well, marrying Remus had been on her mind, but they can’t. There’s too many variables and other unknown possibilities. It was like Francine's heart stopped for a minute, her breath taken away. Then it was back, full force and hammering violently in her chest.
Without even thinking, Francine pulls at Remus’ collar, smashing her lips onto his greedily.
She's tired of the teasing, the sarcastic tones. She's got to leave to help Lily soon, and she wants all of the time that she can get with Remus.
Each night before you go to bed my baby
Whisper a little prayer for me my baby
And tell all the stars above
Her hand cups at Remus cheek, his warm skin burning up beneath her palm. Her lips are soft against his, her mind racing and also so utterly quiet at the same time.
Remus was more than happy to meet her greedy lips with his own, his arms wrapped around her waist. Pulling her closer to him so she was nearly up with her back against her vanity, their chests close together.
Francine wants this, she wants him, right now, Merlin be damned. She’ll worry about her obligations later. She’s been working her butt off for the past few days for Lily and James’ special day, being the Maid of Honor, staying up late to make sure that all of the plans were perfect; what James and Lily wanted. Being the Maid of Honor consumed her thoughts for the last month and an half, so she’ll take whatever moment between Remus that she can.
And it seems to Francine that Remus wants this too. He wants her. He has her right in this moment, and he isn't going to waste a second of it.
Remus presses a hand against the small of her back, keeping their lips connected. The thought of Francine helping Lily slips thought his mind like water. It didn’t matter, right here, right now. He just wants her, and only her.
Francine smiles into the kiss, her heart hammering, her stomach pulsing fervently. She doesn't mind that her back was pushed against the vanity, forcing her closer to Remus. If her hair got messed up, oh well, the more time she could spend with Remus. Francine pulls Remus down to her, slightly annoyed by his height. Letting out a small gasp as Remus trailed his hand down her back, over the silky material of her dress.
She could care less if her appearance got messed up, if anything, she slightly wished for it. Just being with Remus made her go haywire, drunk on love. And she loved every second of it.
Remus’ hand sneaks over her silky dress, down her waist to her thigh covered by the fabric. Remus pressed into her, his kisses growing more hungry and passionate by the second. His mind seemed to grow dizzy with his love for her, only wanting to be in this moment for a while longer.
Francine leaned back away from the kiss, her lungs burning for air. Rather reluctantly, she must say. Pulling away, her chest was hammering, rising and lowering with each breath. She gave Remus a blinding smile, her hand clasping over Remus' hand on her chest that was poking out from her dress.
Her skin was covered in goosebumps, her cheeks ablaze now. And god, did Remus have an effect on her. “I love you so much,” Francine whispered.
He looked absolutely smitten at the way she looked. He could be around her all day and never grow tired of the way she made him feel. That smile, the blush upon her cheeks, it was all so perfect. He leaned down to kiss her again, though he wanted more.
"I love you more, love ." He whispered back, kissing just below her ear. He gently pressed her back against the vanity again, holding her close. His hand that was on her back had slipped down quite a bit, and now rested right above her hips.
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated (to the one I love)
This is dedicated to the one I love
This is dedicated (to the one I love)
This is dedicated
This is dedicated