The Ceremony
–
August 16 1979 - 11:55 - Five minutes until the Potter- Evans wedding - Bench outside the church.
On the morning of his wedding James was incredibly nervous. It was a strange sense of disbelief that he was nurturing as the ceremony drew closer. He was sitting on a small wooden bench in the church gardens with Sirius having a beer for dutch courage, just sort of staring and thinking about the fact that he was about to marry Lily Evans; the woman he had spent his entire childhood absolutely besotted by and by some miracle she agreed to marry him and here they were.
“I can't believe this is happening Sirius, she's going to be my wife by the time the day is over”
“Truthfully James, I can't believe this is happening either.” Sirius laughed. “All of that pining and here we are, solid work mate.” Sirius, clinked his beer bottle with James’.
Sirius raised his beer and clapped in mock applause.
James rolled his eyes and took a sip. “Thank you, thank you. Hold your applause until the ceremony is over.”
“Speaking of.” Sirius was beamed. “How long, Jamie?”
James looked down at his watch and his smile slid right off his face.
“FUCK! FUCK!” James flew up off the bench, his beer flying onto the patch of grass in front of them.
James’ heart was pounding.
“Sirius! We’re late! Late! Today of all fucking days!” His arms were flailing around above his head.
Sirius was doubled over laughing at James, much to his annoyance. “James, please.” Sirius forced out through his laughter. Little tears had formed in the corners of Sirius's eyes as he continued to laugh.
James flung an arm forward making contact with the side of Sirius’ head.
“Ouch! James, what the fuck!”
They locked eyes.
“Five minutes.” James states.
“Oh fuck.” Sirius was suddenly on his feet staring at James.
–
August 16 1979 - 11:55 - Five minutes until the Potter- Evans wedding - Backroom of the church.
“Remus love, do you have any idea where on God’s green earth our boyfriends are?” Lily asked, as Mary adjusted her veil. “I am supposed to be getting married in-”
“Five Minutes” Remus sighed, staring down at his watch. “They’re probably devoting their love to each other somewhere and gaining the reassurance that your marriage will not come between their very special bond.” He laughed, rolling his eyes.
Lily covered her mouth and laughed quietly.
The little room was bustling, Lily was sitting in front of an oval shaped mirror with Mary buzzing around her, pulling strands of her hair and positioning them to frame her face. Dorcas and Marlene were sat by the windows looking utterly in love, taking turns to do each step of the other's makeup. Each of the girls' bouquets sat on different surfaces around the room, the white lilies almost shone against their green leaves. There was a large “Just Married” banner sitting behind Lily on the table as it dried, its black paint still wet and shiny.
Lily stared at Remus for a moment. “Oh God.” She laughed, with her head in her hands.
Lily stared at Remus as he walked over to her, taking her hands in his.
“You look beautiful Lily, but less of the blasphemy, yeah? We're in God's house right now.” Remus winked, laughing quietly. “I'll go and find them.”
“Please.” Lily muttered, leaning into Remus’ chest.
“Course, Lil. That’s what your best man’s for.” Remus spoke into the top of Lily’s head.
“Thank you, Rem.” Lily laughed, “I’d be lost without you really, wouldn't i?”
“Oh, yeah. Big time.” Remus grinned and put his hands on Lily’s cheeks, kissing her forehead. “You look wonderful Lily, I’ll go and find the two idiots and we can get you married.”
Lily gave Remus a thumbs up and watched him duck out of the small wooden door.
She turned her attention back to Mary who was fixing her veil and making it cascade gently down from her head into where it became one with her wedding dress.
“Remus was right, Lily. You look absolutely stunning.” Mary affirmed, wrapping her arms around Lily.
“You really do.” Marlene agreed, beaming.
Dorcas nodded frantically beside her. “Breathtaking, Evans.”
Lily smiled brightly at her bridesmaids. It wasn’t hard for her to choose them. Mary and Marlene had been the people she shared a dorm with at school and when Marlene and Dorcas started dating when they were fifteen, she and Lily became incredibly close. They were her girls. It made absolutely no sense to have anyone else by her side on her wedding day; Remus too.
Remus and Lily had been best friends since they were eleven. They met at school and became friends almost instantly, after Lily joked that Remus was the male version of herself. They were inseparable as children and that hadn't changed as they moved to adulthood. Lily didn’t really remember her life without Remus in it, she had seen him at least once a week since she was eleven and didn’t plan on that ever changing and even if she did, with Remus not only being James’ friend too but being Sirius’ boyfriend and Sirius being the other great love of James’ life, she knew that wouldn't happen. When Lily asked Remus to be her best man, he cried. Lily cried too. Once they had stopped crying Remus agreed, stating it was one of the best moments of his life. Sirius was deeply offended.
–
August 16 1979 - 11:56 - Four minutes until the Potter- Evans wedding - Front doors of the church.
Remus left Lily in the small side room, as Mary fussed over her. It was a relief to Remus really as the room was way too small, especially for five people and his temples had begun to throb because of the combination of the flowers and perfume and the heat of the summer’s day. Once he had closed the door behind him he peered around a large grey pillar that stood in front of him, he could see the familiar faces of the wedding guests chatting excitedly, looking around, checking their watches and fanning themselves with their order of service cards. The church was warm and Remus, in his suit, was slowly overheating as he scanned the crowd that was full of his friends' faces and he could see Peter and Frank standing in the aisle chatting to James' parents as they all looked around the church, presumably for James.
Remus was used to James and Sirius disappearing, they had done that all the way through school. Missing detentions, classes, assemblies. If they didn't want to go, they’d find a way not to and it was always left to Remus, as a prefect, to find them.
However, this time it was slightly easier to find them than it was in school.
Remus had been standing by the doors of the church for a few seconds before James and Sirius came barreling in past him. He locked eyes with Sirius and stopped him in his tracks.
Sirius stood in front of him, chest heaving, eyes wide.
“Remus.”
“Hello.” He smiled.
Sirius took a step towards him.
“You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” Remus smiled, he took a step forward to close the gap between them. “You look gorgeous, love.” He whispered, moving Sirius’ hair out of his face. Sirius’ head followed his hand trying to rest in Remus’ palm. Sirius stared up at him as he held his cheek
“You’re just lovely. Oh, God help me.” Sirius sighed, still staring at Remus.
Remus pulled him in for a small kiss. He couldn't really help himself. Sirius was staring up at him with his lovely blue eyes, surrounded by smudged black eyeliner, in his lovely suit, with his lovely hair-
“God help you!?” James cried.
Remus hadn’t noticed for some reason but James had stopped running as soon as Sirius had and had been watching the exchange from about a metre away.
“God help you, if you don’t get me up this aisle in thirty seconds Sirius, you’ll need more than God’s help!” James was running his hands through his hair frantically causing it to stand up on end the more he touched it.
Remus stared at James fighting a grin. Remus had never seen him like this before. James had always been calm and collected in moments of crisis but right now? James’ anxiety was palpable.
Sirius stood there, mouth opened, before turning back to Remus. “Very sorry Remus, I have to walk James down the aisle now.” Sirius smirked. “Continue this later?”
“Absolutely.” Remus pulled Sirius in for a kiss, as soon as the word had left his mouth.
“Sirius, I swear to-”
“Can we all stop swearing to God or asking him for help?” Remus sighed, shaking his head. “He’s not going to know which to do first.”
“Preferably the help!” James shouted as he and Sirius took off running again.
Remus shook his head, trying to take in the whirlwind of the last thirty seconds before turning on his heels and headed back towards the small room to tell Lily that he had located their missing boyfriends.
-
August 16 1979 - 11:57 - Three minutes until the Potter- Evans wedding - Top of the aisle.
James was thoroughly panicked. His whole body was shaking, he kept his hands safely stowed away in his trouser pockets and breathed as deeply as his lungs would allow.
He stood at the top of the aisle with Sirius as he allowed him to straighten his suit and his hair and pin a Lily to the lapel of his suit jacket.
He truly believed that this was the most stressful morning of his life. The panic of being late to his own wedding was subsiding slightly, it was a relief really. However, it had subsided enough to leave space for doubt, he suddenly felt a feeling of anxiety crawl up his spine and right out of his mouth.
“Sirius.” he whispered, staring at Sirius wide eyed.
“Yes.” Sirius was fiddling with the Lily’s petals and making sure it was fully open.
“What if she doesn’t come?”
Sirius’s hands fell down by his sides and he shifted his gaze up to James’ eyes.
“What? James, no. Of course she will!” Sirius placed his hand on James’ shoulder, his thumb rubbing over it slowly.
James felt himself just staring blankly at Sirius. His heart was pounding right out of his chest. He felt like he could be sick or cry. Or both.
“James, I promise you she’s gonna be here. She’d be absolutely mental not to. You’re the sun, the brightest person in every room and I know Lily knows that too.” Sirius said, his gaze was unmoving.
Sirius had taken to likening James to the sun when they were fourteen, after a night in the summer holidays when Sirius had taught James and Remus how to find ‘his star’ in the sky. They lay on the grass in James' back garden talking until the sun came up and that's when Sirius decided. James was the sun. Remus was the moon. Sirius was a star. He didn't understand why, but Sirius said it was something to do with that fact that he couldn't do without James. That nobody could. He had always been that pulling force between everyone, he kept everything together.
“Lily is going to walk right up this aisle in-” James felt Sirius’ hand close around his wrist as he pulled back his sleeve and checked his watch “Three minutes and she’s going to stand right where I am right now and say something far less romantic to you.” Sirius smiled.
James' face softened slightly as a small laugh escaped him. “Ok.”
“Ok?” Sirius’ head tilted to the side slightly. “James, it’s the happiest day of your life. Tell your face!”
James’ mouth broke into a grin. “Ok!”
Sirius beamed at him and pulled him into a hug. “Really proud of you, mate.” Sirius whispered.
“Thanks.” James replied.
Sirius’ words had hit him right in the middle of his chest. The panic and the doubt fizzled away in seconds.
“Right then!” Sirius announced. “Me, Frank and Pete have to go and find our bridesmaids and get this wedding started!” Sirius smiled.
“Alright.”
“Love you, James.”
“Love you too.”
He watched as Sirius turned and walked down the three little steps at the top of the church and marched over to Peter and Frank, who were engaged in conversation with Alice, he began whispering and practically dragging them to the small room they had seen Remus outside earlier.
As he waited for Lily, he came to the conclusion that he didn’t exactly doubt Lily would meet him at the end of the aisle, he just couldn’t really believe this was happening, not to him anyway. He had always been hopelessly romantic. He had seen so much love in his life from his parents who had been together since they were children, to the love he held for his best friends. James Potter loved love; he always had. He had loved one woman since he was eleven and in three minutes that woman would walk down the aisle and become his wife and for one of the first times in his life James really felt like this was what he was meant to do.
-
August 16 1979 - 11:58 - Two minutes until the Potter- Evans wedding - Back room of the church.
Lily was anxious.
“Two minutes, Lils!” Mary was fluffing her hair in the mirror and grinning excitedly.
Lily smiled, her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest that she could hear it in her ears.
“Two minutes.” Remus grinned, leaning against the doorframe.
Lily could truthfully say she had never been happier to see him.
Behind him appeared Frank and Peter waving and smiling broadly at her. Sirius appeared under Remus’ arm, wrapping an arm around his back and looking up at him.
“Evans!” Sirius gaped. “You look bloody beautiful!”
“You sound surprised, Black.” Sirius was eyeing her from under Remus’ arm.
Remus looked down at Sirius, stifling his laugh. He opened mouth slightly. “ No! No! Not surprised! Just, you just look nice.” Sirius was staring down at his shoes.
Lily laughed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I think what Sirius was trying to say is, you look wonderful Lily,” Frank explained, Sirius nodded.
“Really lovely, Lily.” Peter agreed.
“Thank you, loves.” Lily stared at her friends, her heart was still pounding but it was slowing slightly.
Marlene and Dorcas stood up from the small windowsill, their hands laced together and moved across the small room to join the group.
“Alright. Who’s walking down this aisle with me then?” Marlene asked, surveying the group.
“Hopefully me.” Dorcas winked.
Marlene’s head whipped around to look at Dorcas who was beaming down at her, she placed a small kiss on her cheek, gazing at her lovingly.
“That’ll be Sirius, actually.” Lily announced.
Sirius and Marlene shot each other a smirk.
“Well McKinnon.” Sirius grinned, “You're not quite Moony, but you’ll do.”
“I’ll do? In your dreams I'd do. Black.” Marlene shot back.
Dorcas and Mary began to laugh quietly to themselves as Remus shook his head, a smile creeping across his face.
“In my dreams, actually.” Dorcas laughed.
The room descended into laughter and Marlene swatted at Dorcas’ arm.
Marlene made her way over to Lily and kissed her cheek. “Good luck, Evans. Love you, y’know.” Marlene squeezed Lily’s wrist.
Lily took her hand. “Love you. You too Sirius.”
Sirius beamed back at her. He kissed Remus and took Marlene’s arm as they made their way out of the small room.
“Dorcas, you’ll be with Frank.” Lily pointed to the two of them. “Pete, you’ll be with Mary, ok?”
“All good with me.” Frank replied. “See you out there, Lily.”
Dorcas enveloped Lily in a hug, before sipping out with Frank.
Peter waved at Lily and waited at the door with Remus.
Lily looked back to Mary.
“You look stunning, but I’m sure you know that.” Mary grinned. “I'm so happy for you Lils. For you and James.”
At the mere mention of James, Lily’s heart was racing.
“Thank’s Mary. For everything.” Lily’s eyes spiked with tears. “You’ve been a huge help.”
Mary had helped Lily plan so much of the wedding. The flowers, the decor, the bridesmaid outfits had been her and Dorcas’ work and she had helped Lily get ready, do her makeup and get into her dress. Mary had been by her side the whole way and Lily couldn’t have done it without her. A rush of gratitude surged towards Mary as Lily pulled her into a hug.
“That's what bridesmaids are for.” Mary held her tightly.
When they came apart, they held each other's arms for a second before Mary let go and headed towards the door. She hugged Remus in the doorway and left with Peter.
Remus and Lily stood in silence, just staring at each other.
“So.” Remus stood opposite Lily. “Are you feeling ok about all of this?”
Lily took a deep breath. “I’m ok.”
Remus tilted his head to one side. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Remus stared at her, the corners of his mouth twinging slightly. Lily had never been good at hiding her feelings from Remus, he had always seen directly through her. Lily’s cover dropped immediately.
“Rem, is it ok that i'm terrified?”
Remus’ face softened instantly. “Of course it is.” He reached out and grabbed Lily’s hands.
“It is?” Lily’s eyes were stinging slightly as tears slowly filled them.
“Yes. I’d think you were mad if you weren’t!”
“I’m so excited Remus. So excited. I’m scared too, what if he decides he doesn’t want to marry me anymore? Or he gets bored of me? What if I'm not- I don’t know. I just have this nagging feeling that this is too good to be true. Like, someone is going to tell me that there's been a mistake, that he's too good for me and that it was fun while it lasted.”
“Lily.” Remus whispered. “James has been in love with you since we were eleven, I watched him make a complete fool of himself for years just so you would look at him. He cares about you so deeply. Trust me when I tell you, I have never seen two people love each other more than you do. It's something really special. It’s not too good to be true, it’s the love and happiness you both deserve. In a few minutes you’re gonna stand up there across from James, devote your love to each other, make everyone in this bloody church cry and then we're gonna get very drunk and put everyone to shame with our dancing. Ok?”
Lily felt the tears spill out as she flung herself at Remus. He grabbed her and held her tightly.
“I really love you, Rem.
“I really love you too.”
Lily smiled as Remus wiped her tears with his thumbs.
“Are you ready, then?” Remus asked, eyeing the door.
Lily nodded and took Remus’ hand in hers.
They walked towards the wooden door, hand in hand. They stopped for a moment and held each other's gaze. They nodded and Remus reached for the door handle, opening the door and holding it for Lily and closing it gently behind them.
-
August 16 1979 - 12:00 - The beginning of the Potter- Evans wedding - Top of the aisle.
James was surveying the pews of the church, he had received many broad smiles. His mum and dad were sitting in the front pew, their hands interlocked, staring up at him. His parents' love had been something he had admired his entire life. They had been together for most of their lives and their love had only ever grown, they were truly the pinnacle of adoration. James had never known two people love each other more. Until he met Lily. Then he finally understood. He knew the second he met her that it was over for him. She was everything.
‘I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it’
The music made James head snap to the side and stared at the end of the aisle. He was greeted with Sirius and Marlene’s smiling faces. Sirius and Marlene’s matching eyeliner and suits made them truly a sight to behold. Marlene’s suit was a sage green colour, three pieces, with an oversized jacket. She was truly so cool. Sirius’ suit was black but his tie matched Marlene’s suit perfectly, his hair fell down onto his shoulders, his arm linked with Marlene’s and his hands littered with rings. James shuffled on the spot, smiling, as they came towards him. They split apart at the top of the aisle, Sirius coming up the little steps to stand to the right of James and Marlene throwing James a little thumbs up and standing across from him, just behind where Lily would be only seconds from now.
‘God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me’
Frank and Dorcas came out next. Their arms interlinked, their smiles bright. Frank’s suit was just like Sirius’, his hair was neat and pushed to one side slightly. He winked at Alice as he walked further down the aisle. Dorcas’ dress was silky and the colour of a eucalyptus plant, her braided hair came down to her midriff and had little charms threaded through it. She had silver cuffs on her upper arms and lots of dainty silver bracelets around her wrists. She was practically shining as the beams of light from the tall church windows hit her jewellery. As she and Frank reached him at the top of the aisle Dorcas mouthed a quick “lookin’ good” to James as she joined Marlene across from him. Frank squeezed his shoulder as he came past him.
'God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Well life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me’
Peter and Mary were the last pair to come down the aisle. James knew that after them it was Lily. His heart was pounding at the thought. Peter was slightly awkward about the whole thing which amused James, his tie was slightly askew and he kept taking his free hand in and out of his trouser pockets. His other arm was linked with Mary’s. They shared a look and Mary seemed to whisper something, Peter stifled a laugh and looked visibly calmer. Mary’s dress matched Dorcas’, it was a very light green, with short flowing sleeves and buttons in a line down the front, her dress was silky too and flowed as she walked, holding her bouquet of lilies to her chest. Mary went to join Marlene and Dorcas and beamed right at James as she went, Peter did the same, nodding at James as he went.
‘God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows’
James’ heart was beating so quickly that he didn’t know what to do with himself. And then he saw her.
Lily Evans.
All of the air in James’ lungs decided to leave at that second.
James was sure he looked like a fool, his eyes wide and the biggest smile anyone had ever seen, but he just couldn’t help it. Lily was just so beautiful. Her fiery hair was pinned up, with little wavy pieces framing her face, her dress was long and white with flared sleeves that cascaded downwards in front of her as she held her bouquet. Her dress was flowing and gliding with her every movement. She had one arm linked with Remus’ and she was smiling broadly at her friends sitting in the church pews. James couldn’t believe she was even real. Lily was the most beautiful woman James had ever seen, he didn’t doubt that but seeing her now, walking towards him, made him fill with pride. His eyes were spiked with tears as he watched Lily draw closer. She gazed back at him and her face softened, as she smiled, softer this time but it was a smile James knew so well. A smile that was only reserved for him.
-
Walking down the aisle was really the part of her wedding that Lily was looking forward to the least. Everyone in the room staring at her was never something she enjoyed but as with many things in her life, having Remus by her side made it so much better. She was smiling at all of her friends who were sitting in the pews, as she walked by them. Barty and Evan were pretending to whistle at her and she rolled her eyes mockingly as she passed them, as well as Pandora and Regulus who were smiling softly. The whole of the Weasley - Prewett family were there with all of their children in the pews, Minerva and Poppy both gave Lily a small wave as did Andromeda, Ted and Alice.
Lily looked straight ahead at her bridesmaids and the groomsmen, who all looked just perfect. And then there was James.
Lovely James. With his beautiful suit and his dark, messy hair. He was so tall and his shoulders were so broad. Suddenly Lily felt like a teenager again, with a massively embarrassing crush on James Potter. Well, if thirteen year old Lily Evans could see her now she would be so jealous. The thought made Lily smile to herself. She looked back to James again but he was already looking at her. Staring, with tears in his eyes and Lily almost instantly followed suit.
When she reached the top of the aisle she turned to face Remus, she stared up at him, eyes filled with tears only to find that Remus was teary too.
“Ok Evans, this is it.” He smiled.
“Love you, Rem.” She whispered as she pulled him into a tight hug. “Thank you, for everything.”
Lily had so much more to say to him but Remus already knew. He knew how much this meant to her. How much he meant to her. Lily didn’t have anyone to walk her down the aisle, so Remus volunteered. He had tried so hard for years to make the absence of her family unnoticeable and he had always made her feel so loved. Now was not an exception.
Lily felt Remus take a deep breath before answering. “Love you Lil. Anything for you.”
Remus helped Lily up the little steps and went to join the bridesmaids.
She was suddenly standing facing James. A small laugh escaped her as she looked at him.
“Hello.”
“Hi Lils.”
“You look so handsome, James.” Lily smiled.
“You’re breathtaking, Lily.” James’ eyes were wide and earnest.
Lily stared at James with complete adoration, she felt the tears well in her eyes as one escaped her, James’ hand appeared by her cheek catching it for her. They both laughed softly. James' hands fell to hold Lily’s.
-
The priest, Aberforth, came out of the side door and came to stand between James and Lily. He gave them a soft smile and opened up his book.
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Aberforth surveyed the church as he spoke. “On behalf of James and Lily, I would like to thank you all for being here.”
“Before we begin. I have to ask.” He paused looking at James and Lily. “Does anyone know a reason that these two may not be wed?”
Aberforth’s words silenced the entire church.
If you looked hard enough you could see a small smile quirk on a few faces. There was simply no reason in anyone’s mind that James Potter and Lily Evans should not get married. There had never been two people more obviously right for each other. The question was almost comical.
James looked panicked as he looked around and his friends and family’s reactions to the question. A sense of relief washed over him as he saw the smiles and the quiet laughter. This made Lily laugh and squeeze his hands, his eyes darted back to Lily as Aberforth spoke again.
“Ok. Well, I can proceed and James can relax.” He chuckled slightly as he said this. It was greeted by muffled laughter from the pews, James ran his hand through his hair laughing too.
“So, James.”
James’ head whipped around to look at Aberforth. “Yes.”
“Repeat after me.”
James gulped.
“I, James Fleamont Potter.”
James grinned. “I, James Fleamont Potter.” His eyes were fixed on Lily as he spoke.
“Take you, Lily Jane Evans, to be my lawfully wedded wife.”
“Take you, Lily Jane Evans, to be my lawfully wedded wife.” James squeezed Lily's hands, punctuating the words he spoke. Lily smiled broadly at him.
Aberforth turned to face Lily next.
“I, Lily Jane Evans, take you, James Fleamont Potter, to be my lawfully wedded husband.”
James’ eyes lit up as she spoke, the two of them were grinning wildly at each other. The joy was palpable.
“I will now ask you to speak your vows to one another.” Aberforth closed his book and took a step backwards. “James, if you’ll go first.”
-
James was fumbling around in his jacket pocket for the small folded piece of paper he had written his vows on. They had been a labour of love, worked on since the moment he had asked Lily to marry him. Writing them was difficult, James had found it really hard to sum up all of the reasons he loved Lily in such small words and so he had started re-writing them probably ten times over. His final draft was finished a week before the wedding. It was the only version that he felt could truly capture the feelings that he held for Lily. That his eleven year old self would be proud of, his sixteen year old self and his twenty year old self.
James unfolded the small piece of paper and held it in his shaking hands. He took a deep breath and looked at Lily, she nodded at him and he began to speak.
“Lily, as we all know my love for you has spanned for almost a decade. For the better part of that decade, when I allowed myself small moments to imagine what it might be like to be with you, I always ended up here. I’d see you in the corridors, studying in the library or walking past me with Remus and I would say something stupid and you’d roll your eyes at me and I would end up here, standing here in front of you, telling you how much love I have for you.”
James took a deep breath.
“I have so much love for you Lil, tons, so much that it overflows and spills out everywhere. It has found its way into everything I do. You have found your way into everything I do. You’re the only one for me Lils, its always been you. I'm a fool for you, Evans. Always have been, as I'm sure you’re aware.” James let out a breathy laugh. “And even though it took you a few years to catch up, I’m so glad that you did.”
James paused for a second. He met Lily’s gaze, her eyes were glistening with tears as she listened intently. He smiled and Lily’s lips broke into a smile too, a small laugh escaped her, one intertwined with a small sob.
“So, Evans in the simplest way I can put it: I love you. I can’t believe I get to marry you, eleven year old James would be overjoyed right now. Nineteen year old James is too, actually now that I mention it.”
James raised his eyebrows and tiled his head to the side and another bout of muffled laughter came from the pews in front of them as Lily laughed and shook her head. James could see Lily’s bridesmaids and her best man behind her, Remus was looking up and smiling. James could see small tears escape his eyes and when Remus looked back at him he shrugged and James was sure he laughed a little.
Aberforth raised his hand towards Lily. “Lily, if you’d like to read your vows.”
-
“You’ve outdone me here, James.” Lily sighed, smiling slightly.
James just stared back at Lily, his expression was calm. “Don’t be daft Evans, yours will be brilliant.”
Lily turned around as Remus handed her a small piece of paper from his jacket pocket.
“Thanks Rem.”
Remus nodded.
“Ok.” Lily breathed deeply. “James, it’s no secret that when it comes to our relationship I was one of the last people to figure it out. I remember meeting that messy haired boy on the first day of school, you had the loudest laugh I’d ever heard and I thought to myself: ‘wow he's annoying’ but now the loud laugh I heard as a teenager has now become one of my favourite sounds.”
James laughed standing across from her and grinning ear to ear..
“Even so, when that boy started shouting ‘Oi Evans!’ at me in the corridor, I did think: ‘wow, he's even more annoying!’
Lily could see Sirius’ lips curl and he laughed slightly and his laughter was coupled with the muffled laughter from those in the pews.
“But, as time went on, I couldn’t help but look forward to seeing you, you stayed so persistent, so determined and it made me think that maybe I should try and look past your ego and try and get to know you. Trust me that was hard, your ego is massive, love.”
James released a wet laugh, beaming at Lily, his cheeks wet with tears.
“And then I saw you. I really saw you, James. I saw how much you loved, how passionate you are about things you care about, big or small. I saw how you made others feel, how you made me feel, more valued and needed than I had ever felt in my life. That's when I knew.”
Lily looked up from the paper and took a breath. James was staring at her like she was the best thing he had ever seen, Lily allowed herself to believe that in that moment, James probably did think that.
“I love you, James. So much.” Lily felt her voice shake slightly and James squeezed her hand.
“Everyday I spend with you makes me wonder how I ever spent my days without you. You are so bright, James Potter and how lucky am I to experience the light you provide everyday.”
Lily’s eyes welled with tears, she saw James do the same. They stared a moment at each other, small smiles sitting comfortably on their faces. It was a small moment, fleeting even, it passed between them unnoticed by anyone else but they had both seen it. Full of love and admiration.
-
Aberforth then asked James and Lily to exchange rings, Sirius had been tasked with providing the rings in that moment, when James looked back at him expectantly Sirius reached into the small pocket of his waistcoat to retrieve them.
His pocket had one ring in it.
Sirius’ eyes must have been as wide as dinner plates because James shot him an alarmed look.
“The rings?” Aberforth asked.
Sirius pulled the gold band out of his pocket and handed it to Lily, it was James’ ring.
Sirius’ eyes were darting around until he caught Remus’. He could see the corners of his mouth twitching slightly, no doubt a reaction to the look of panic on Sirius’ face. He saw Remus fumble in his pocket and retrieve a little gold ring with a diamond glimmering on top. He held it up to Sirius with a rye smile.
Sirius sighed gratefully, he signalled to James who looked at Remus and quickly accepted the ring from him.
Sirius could see Remus shaking his head to fight off a smile. He shot him a sharp look but smiled slightly.
-
James Potter was the happiest man alive. He was sure of it. When Aberforth had announced that James and Lily were now husband and wife, and if they wished to do so they may kiss, James thought his heart might burst right out of his chest.
He raised an eyebrow at Lily who quirked a smile at him. They shared a sweet kiss, James cupping Lily’s cheeks with his big hands and Lily lacing her fingers into the back of James’ hair. This earned cheers and clapping from their family in the pews.
They parted and Lily raised her bouquet above her head and grinned holding James hand.
The music picked up again.
It was a song that James had always sung to Lily. He had always hummed it around her and once they had started going out James would always sing:
“I'm a lucky fella
And I just got to tell her
That I love her endlessly
Because love grows where my Rosemary goes
And nobody knows like me”
Lily beamed. She was practically glowing in the early afternoon sun as it shone through the windows and onto the angles of her face. She was smiling right at him, he shot her a grin back before looking out onto the small crowd of people in the pews.
His parents were beaming at him, teary eyed, clapping and wiping their eyes. Their pride was infectious and James’ heart soared. He looked back at Sirius who had a very similar look on his face. He was grinning so wide that James could see nearly every tooth. Sirius’ eyeliner was slightly smudged around the edges from the small tears he had shed.
James looked to Frank and Peter next, Peter was letting out a small cheer as James threw him a thumbs up and Frank mouthed a ‘well done, mate’ as James and Lily began to walk down the small steps.
“There's something about her hand holding mine
It's a feeling that's fine
And I just gotta say, hey!
She's really got a magical spell
And it's working so well
That I can't get away”
James waved as he and Lily walked towards the doors of the church. It was a blur of white and green as small pieces of paper confetti were thrown above their heads as they passed the pews. James leaned down and kissed the top of Lily’s head. The heavy double doors of the church opened and light flooded through them. As they stepped out into the heat of the early August afternoon, James could have sworn he had never felt anything even close to what he felt in that moment. Pure and unbridled joy.
“I'm a lucky fella
And I just got to tell her
That I love her endlessly
Because love grows where my Rosemary goes
And nobody knows like me”
-