Chapter 32
With the sixth Horcrux eliminated and Harry's life saved from what seemed like a terrible end, life seemed lighter. Of course, they still had to kill Nagini and fight a war for which they didn't feel prepared, but for the moment their only concern was their godparents' upcoming wedding.
Still reeling from almost losing Harry, Sirius and Remus decided they wanted to get married as soon as possible. If they were to die on the battlefield, they would do so as a married couple because they would not allow Voldemort to take that away from them as well.
Without any surprise, they proclaimed Daisy and Harry their witnesses/dames of honor. The two siblings were ecstatic at the news, knowing that they would be tasked with helping with the wedding preparations. However, all enthusiasm waned when they communicated that they intended to be married by the end of the week because, according to Sirius, there was no better time than the present. And also because they wanted to get married during the vacations so that all the guests would be present.
They would have liked to get married at Hogwarts, where their story began so many years earlier, but it was impossible. They had a mini-crisis when they realized that they couldn't get married anywhere without drawing the attention of the Death Eaters to themselves. It was Molly who gave them the idea to hold the wedding in the garden of the Burrow. From there began the fight between the two future spouses over anything concerning the ceremony. Initially it was about the flowers and the wedding colors. Where Sirius wanted bold, bright colors, Remus preferred more muted things that would not be too conspicuous. Later they had a squabble over the taste of the cake, and when it seemed it couldn't get any worse, they even started arguing about the song for their first dance.
It had been horrible trying to match Remus and Sirius's tastes without it turning out something too tacky but in the end Harry and Daisy managed to find a compromise. Truth be told, the solution had been to split their parents up into different rooms so they could question them separately on what they preferred. Once Harry finished with Sirius and Daisy with Remus, they met and after several attempts managed to find the perfect combinations that totally expressed the essence of the spouses-to-be.
It was only after they were able to come up with a solution that they showed their choices to the bride and groom. But only so that they wouldn't ruin everything by buying dresses that didn't match the style of the setting at all.
Apparently the only thing they agreed on at the time was that both siblings should wear a shade of red, but leaving the choice of dress itself to them. Giving the twins the go-ahead, they didn't realize the look of understanding the two exchanged.
Apparently Daisy and Harry surprised them when they announced that they had already booked their dresses, having guessed long ago the colors they would surely choose for them. After all, they knew them too well.
Now, as the first guests began to take their seats, the twins tried to calm the agitation of their godparents. Although Molly had been clear that the newlyweds should not see each other before meeting at the altar, Daisy and Harry were aware that the two men were not like everyone else. After spending more than a decade apart, the last thing they needed was distance. So as soon as it was just the four of them left inside the house, the siblings brought them together.
Seeing Sirius's bewitched gaze as he watched Remus's lanky figure approach accompanied by Daisy was something Harry would never forget. Secretly he thought that every time someone would ask what love was, he would think back to that moment.
" You tied up your hair. " Remus commented in amazement, unable to look away from the disheveled bun on his fiancé's head.
" You always liked them when we were young. I thought about reliving the old days. " blushed Sirius, adjusting Remus' tie so as to distract himself from the man's beauty. He noticed with pleasure how Remus had opted for a simple black tuxedo that hugged his figure perfectly, showing off his slender but muscular body. The white shirt only made the red of the tie stand out, drawing attention to his magnificent face. How could someone look so good in something so simple?
" I like them even now. " Remus reassured him, gently stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. " But if you don't stop looking at me like that we probably won't make it down the altar. "
" You are not subtle either, Moony. " Sirius chided him amusedly, leaving a light kiss against his lips. The man had noticed how his companion kept looking hungrily at his clothing. Although their outfits were not very different, Sirius decided to opt for a black tie while the touch of red came from the strong part of the suit: a red-and-black striped vest that only brought out his pearly skin and gray eyes. " By the way, why don't you have your stick with you? "
" The mister needed his hands free so he could touch you freely. " huffed Daisy, slightly horrified while repeating the words Remus said earlier. She handed Remus his walking stick and immediately offered him her arm, as excited as the promised couple about what was happening. " Ready? "
" Let's hurry, before Molly finds out we've secretly brought you two together. " Harry said to Sirius, mirroring his sister's gesture.
" Already I had to endure a few dirty looks for my not at all feminine dress. " huffed Daisy, exchanging a look with her brother and smiling proudly at him. The twins had decided to take advantage of everyone's comments about their closeness by dressing almost identically.
Suits in the same shade of red, featuring an oversized jacket, only drew attention to what they wore underneath. Both had chosen to be adventurous in different ways: Harry, wearing a sheer black T-shirt that left nothing to the imagination, and Daisy, choosing a black lace corset.
" I think you look perfect. " nodded Sirius, also looking amused at their matching jewelry.
" Our perfect twins. " agreed Remus, smiling sweetly at the two teenagers and trying to ignore the tears he saw forming in their eyes at the comment. If they were going to cry, Sirius and Remus would surely join in as well.
As they walked them toward the altar, they could not help smiling when Sirius let slip an impressed gasp at the sight of Minerva McGranitt waiting for them, ready to officiate the ceremony.
Daisy and Harry had awakened at dawn to set up the garden with the help of their closest friends and the Weasley family. And while they watched their parents hold hands in front of the large archway made entirely of ivy, a symbol of faithfulness in love, they could not help but give each other a sign of approval as they looked at each other from opposite sides of the altar.
And when Professor McGranitt excitedly announced that they could kiss, Remus moved his cane behind him, confident that Daisy would grab it without question. After that, he pulled his husband into a kiss that led everyone present to clap and whistle in approval.
" At last you are mine. " whispered Remus against his lips, with a huge smile on his face that made him look much younger.
" I have always been yours. " Sirius replied, giving him a full kiss.
" I always knew they were meant for each other. " commented Minerva, smiling happily at the two men while watching them head hand in hand toward the tent a few yards away, where they would all celebrate together.
They were amazed at the combination of dark red with cream and beige that made everything look surprisingly elegant. The numerous candles scattered around only made everything even more romantic. Letting their eyes wander they noted with pleasure how perfectly they had set everything up so that there was enough space for a dance floor where they could enjoy themselves.
" Oh my God! " Sirius screamed, bouncing with joy while dragging his husband toward what had caught his attention. " Karaoke machine! "
" Whose idea was it? " moaned Remus, looking ruefully at the object. He was going to have to start drinking soon to survive the night.
" Daisy's. " snorted Harry, patting him on the back a few times in an attempt to comfort him. " Don't worry, there are rivers of alcohol. "
" I adore you. " said Remus, leaving a grateful kiss on his son's forehead before turning his attention back to his thrilled husband who was trying to engage Daisy in choosing a song to sing together.
" Congratulations my boys. " said Dumbledore, approaching them along with the other teachers. " I think I say on behalf of everyone that we are really happy for you. Some of us have been looking forward to this day, after all we have watched you grow up and fall in love. "
" Thank you all. " Remus said, grateful. " We didn't think we could do this without the approval of the ministry but ... "
" But we did it anyway, in the face of those bigots. " said Sirius, leaving a kiss on his cheek and urging their guests to help themselves to food. " You'd better get your fill because we'll be dancing a lot later. "
" I can't wait. " said the principal, amused as he listened to Sirius explain how the karaoke machine worked.
" Poppy. " smiled Remus, looking emotionally at the nurse who had cared for him since childhood and still cared deeply for him, despite the fact that he was now an adult.
" I am so happy for you, my dear. " the woman said, grabbing Remus' face with her small hands and dragging him down so she could hug him. " It was like seeing my baby get married. Ignore all those who say that this marriage is not valid because of your condition. It is to everyone who matters. "
" I hoped you would come. " admitted the werewolf, hugging her one more moment before letting her go. " Now if you don't mind, I'll go rescue Dumbledore from that nightmare of a husband of mine and force him to eat something. "
" Good luck, dear. " chuckled Poppy, walking away toward her colleagues.
Having to go through each table so as to thank their guests, Sirius and Remus didn't have much time to eat. It was only when they got to the adolescents' table that their children forced them to sit with them so they could relax enough to eat.
" Are you guys having fun? " asked Sirius, while stealing a piece of meat from Theo's plate.
" A wonderful wedding. " smiled Astoria, confiding in him how excited she had been during the ceremony. " I already know I'll have to do my make-up again after the first dance. "
" What song did you choose? " Hermione asked, curious.
" We don't know. " Remus said, looking at his children for an answer.
" They wouldn't stop fighting so we did everything, even the song. " Harry informed them.
" As long as it's not Abba. " snorted Remus.
" Come on Moony, you'd totally love it. " Sirius teased him, poking him in the ribs with his index finger. " Stop pretending to be all squeamish about it. "
" We picked a song we both like so don't worry about it. " Harry reassured them.
" All you have to do today is have fun, we'll take care of the rest. " Daisy added, squealing while beckoning them to approach the dance floor once they announced it was time for the first dance between the newlyweds.
When the first notes of Songbird by Fleetwood Mac started up, the two men looked at each other with emotion. They didn't know how their kids had come to know the song, but they were grateful to be able to dance to it. It was their last year at Hogwarts when the album came out. They remembered listening to it in the common room with their friends, dancing to the tunes of the livelier songs when Songbird came on, leaving them breathless.
Sirius and Remus were the only ones left of that small group of theirs and as they danced to the notes of the song, they couldn't help but turn a thought to their departed friends. They knew that James, remembering the way they looked at each other as they listened to the lyrics, would make the same choice as their own children for their song. It was painful not having him with them on this day, but they knew that wherever he was, his heart wept with theirs.
They danced softly to the gentle rhythm of the song, without making any exaggerated moves. After all, it was not a show for the others but just something for the two of them. Halfway through the song, Remus spun Sirius around before whispering against his lips along with the song "and I love You, I love You like never before" .
They both kissed gently before Sirius repeated her husband's gesture at the end of the song.
The DJ later decided to save them by changing the song, inviting all the guests onto the dance floor, getting the party started. Taking advantage of the small distraction the newlyweds headed towards their children before pulling them into a family hug.
" I don't know how you found that song, but thank you. " Sirius said, showering them with kisses on the head.
" We had a little help. " Harry admitted, looking in the direction of McGranitt who was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
" Come on, let's all go dancing. " Remus said, smiling sweetly at his family. Just a few years ago the mere thought that he could be as happy as he felt now was something he would not have believed possible. He wanted to profit as long as possible.
And the thought only grew a few hours later while, exhausted from dancing and after a small incident with the dark chocolate and berry wedding cake that resulted in his beautiful husband having to go shirtless (not that Remus was complaining), he watched, together with Theo, his husband and daughter enjoying karaoke.
Both were jumping around on their little makeshift stage while singing hit me with you best shot as if they were rising rock stars. The attitude was all there. All that was missing was the voice, Remus thought with amusement.
" Look at you two. " Harry teased them, bringing them each a glass of sparkling wine. " You're totally in love with those tone-deaf idiots and you don't even try to hide it. "
" They're our idiots. " Remus replied, clapping his hands when Daisy and Sirius bowed after their performance.
" I'm off to dance with Cedric. Good luck to you both. " He chuckled when he heard Sirius tell Daisy to get their significant others to join them for a song.