Chapter Sixteen: Wedding Bouquets and Garters

*As James blinked his eyes open, he shot up, half expecting to find a redheaded girl near him, but the rest of him already knowing that she had slipped away. She was so unusual, James reflected. He could tell her anything and feel satisfied afterwards.

When he had first told Sirius and Remus, they had given him a hug and a pat on the back. Dumbledore had hugged him, as had McGonagall. But no one had truly hugged him, and it made such a difference! Lily’s warmth had given him the strength to do what he hadn’t done for two years… cry. He had wept openly, unashamed that he wasn’t being strong, and it had felt good. He had needed to let everything out, and last night he had finally been able to do just that.

Lily had been able to comfort him, to ground him in a way he hadn’t even believed possible. And now, he knew, it was her turn. She needed to let things go, to let everything about her family loose. When was it her turn to cry? When was it her turn to be listened to? She observed everyone else, but she herself never had anyone to go to with her problems. Would she finally trust him? He didn’t know. And he wouldn’t, unless he dragged himself out of the bed. Besides, today was the day of the wedding.

Rolling out of the makeshift bed, James grabbed his clothes and scurried to the bathroom across the hall to dress. He could already hear people beginning to make breakfast in the kitchen, and he didn’t want to look like a slob in front of Lily’s family. For some reason, it was really important to him that he make a good impression on them. When he was finally dressed, he walked into the kitchen, a wide smile plastered upon his face.

“Good morning.” He greeted everyone.

“Good morning James.” Lily and her mother chorused.

“Potter.” Vernon spit.

“James.” Lily’s father nodded. Petunia simply sat there, refusing to acknowledge him. Well, he had Lily’s mother anyway.

“James, how are you?” Lily asked quietly, pulling him aside.

“I’m fine Lady Lily.” She grinned goofily. Lily gave him a worried look, and he became more serious. “Lily, thank you for helping me last night. I really did need to just get it all out. You know, that’s the first time I’ve cried since it happened. But I’m really fine with it. It’s been two years. I just needed the final closure, that was all.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better James.” Lily gave him a sad smile.

“Hey Lil?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t think I didn’t mean it when I said that I would always be there to protect you. I will, I promise. Just remember that, all right? And if you need someone to talk to…”

“I know James, I trust you.” And with those little words James’ heart soared. She trusted him! Lily Evans trusted him!

“Well then, let’s celebrate! Food!” James announced. Lily just shook her head.

“What are we celebrating?” Petunia snipped.

“Your wedding Petunia!” Lily broke in quickly. Petunia’s face went from sour to happy.

“Well in that case!” And breakfast was kept light.

Soon after the meal, and after the dishes were finished, the five people quickly found themselves busy with last minute details for the ceremony.

Lily and James finally got the tuxedo tailored to James’ size, and everyone else finished setting up for the reception after the wedding. By the time four o’clock rolled around, both James and Lily were ready for a well-deserved nap. Unfortunately, neither got their wish. Instead, they found themselves piling into a car for the ride to the church.

“James, I’m sorry I’m going to have to leave you to Vernon and my father, but please try to ignore them as best you can. When my father is around Vernon, he isn’t himself.”

“I’ll be fine Lily. You just watch out for yourself with Petunia, understood?”

“Yes James.” She patronized him sweetly. He laughed deeply and winked, but was being called away.

“Bye Lily!”

“Bye James!” She shouted after him.

“Come on freak!” Petunia shouted at her. Lily sighed. Even on her wedding day her sister couldn’t be in a good mood.

“Coming Petunia.” She sighed. Walking into the small changing room, she balked at the dress she was supposed to wear. Honestly. It was a long dress that came off the shoulders, had almost no back, and was low cut in the front. But that wasn’t quite so bad. It was the color that made Lily unhappy. Pale blue? She never wore anything but black. This dress was white with pale blue gauze draped over it. Well, Lily did know one thing. Even if she herself was a freak, her sister had been known as a wonderful fashion consultant for as long as she could remember. Maybe, for once, she would be able to hide her freakishness for the night.

“Lily, sit down dear.” Her mother gave her a grim smile. “No, wait. First go wash your face and take that hideous black off. And it’s a good thing those ugly black streaks you had in your hair are nearly gone. Go on… Then come back and I’ll do your makeup.”

“Mother? Aren’t you going to do Petunia’s?” Lily asked in confusion.

“She wants to do her own. Oh, my oldest baby is getting married!” Lily’s mother fought back tears. Lily saw this and felt bad. She had to let her mother do something; otherwise she would start crying before the wedding even began!

“Alright Mother. Let me go wash my face.” Lily made sure she went quickly, and then she settled herself back down again. As her mother began to apply the makeup, she tried not to flinch. It felt so weird. Her mother had never done this before. Before she had always been so expecting of the way she chose to dress. Well, things and people could change. Maybe Petunia’s marriage was just the turning point in her mother’s life where she started caring. After all, now her mother didn’t have Petunia around to constantly dress up and talk about makeup with. Maybe her mother was just scared she was going to be lonely.

“Lily, your makeup is done. Go put on your dress now.” Her mother finally sat back on her heels. Lily opened her eyes, which she had shut tightly earlier, and looked around. Nothing seemed any different to her. Was it possible that the different makeup didn’t change her? She was still the same… she felt the same, thought the same, still had the same reserved shyness… but her makeup was different. Maybe it didn’t matter?

Standing, Lily pulled the dress on and then a pair of her sister’s old party shoes. She was ready. Aside form being slightly unable to breath in the dress; she felt the same as she usually did. How unusual. What was James going to say? He would probably think her a major freak. Once a freak, always a freak, or so the story goes.

As the music started, Lily stood nervously in her place. Finally when the signal was given, she walked to the center of the aisle and waited for James to walk out beside her and escort her down the long red carpet.

James saw the cue for him to walk and noticed that a girl had stepped out from behind the curtains. Was that…Lily? His breath caught. She was so pretty in her dress and the makeup. She looked almost average, but, James thought, Lily made average beautiful. He then mentally smacked himself for not moving and hurried to catch Lily’s arm. When he reached her, he smiled at her, and saw her return the smile with a small side grin. She was still the same Lily, just in a different get-up, and James admired that.

“You look lovely Lady Lily.” He whispered. The blush that crossed her face was bright red, much deeper than he had ever seen before without the heavy white makeup on. She said nothing back, but he knew it was simply because they were supposed to be silent during the ceremony. When they reached the alter, they split ways, and then watched Petunia walk down with her long, white dress trailing behind her.

The ceremony had been beautiful, and as soon as the groom had kissed the bride making it final, the Evans family, the new Dursely family, and James all managed to get down the aisle and out of the church without too much of a hassle.

The wedding reception began nearly as soon as they arrived back at the house. People began drifting in, bringing gifts and wine, and then the loud music and dancing began. Lily was dancing with her father when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

“May I cut in sir?” She had the urge to laugh at James’ proper behavior. It didn’t fit him.

“Of course.” Mr. Evans gave James a stern look, but then left, figuring the boy couldn’t put the moves on his daughter in the middle of so many people. Lily and James began to sway with the music.

“Now then Lady Lily. Have I told you that you look stunning?” James grinned.

“Don’t flatter me. It’s only a dress James, it doesn’t change me.” Lily told him quietly. “And it certainly doesn’t hide my freakishness.”

“Lily, Lily, Lily. It is only a dress. But maybe that isn’t what I meant. Maybe you just look extra alive tonight. Your eyes are practically glowing Lily.”

“James…” Lily sighed.

“It’s true!” He protested. “Lily, you are not a freak.”

“I know you think that, but everyone else? Please James.” She flushed red again.

“If I had a dime every time you blushed, I would be rich.” James laughed.

“Well, if I had a dime every time you…I don’t know!” She gave up, mildly frustrated.

“Hey Lily. Do you realize school starts in only two weeks?”

“I know. I can’t wait either. James, we’re seventh years. I’ve been waiting all this time… and I’ll finally get my witching license.”

“What will you do after school Lily?” James asked, their conversation turning serious as the song slowed. Lily shivered as she felt James’ arms wrap around her waist and support her as they spun in circles.

“I don’t know. I’m not even sure if I want to stay in the wizarding world. I mean, I’ve grown up a muggle all my life; it’s all I know. But I’ve taken the advanced courses in muggle studies and defense against dark arts. McGonagall told me I could probably get a job anywhere in the ministry if I asked for it.”

“I couldn’t imagine living in the muggle world.” Lily could feel James shudder.

“Well then, what do you think you’ll do?”

“I don’t know yet either. I want to become an auror.”

“James…”

“No, not just to avenge my parents. I think it’s what I’m good at. I took the advanced defense against dark arts courses too... and I took the divinations courses- though I doubt they’ll do me much good.”

“I think you have to have a talent in divinations. I know I didn’t have it when I tried it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I dropped the class. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, it just seemed too useless to me. I’m like that I suppose. Everything I do needs to have a purpose.”

“Really?” James smirked.

“Yes.”

“Dancing doesn’t have a purpose, and here you are dancing with me.”

“James!” Lily whined. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

“I know.” They smiled at each other lightly.

“Hey everyone! Time for Petunia to throw her bouquet!” Someone shouted.

“Huh?” James asked.

“Oh.” Lily blushed. “It’s tradition for the bride to throw her flowers to all the single women. The rumor is that the one who catches it is the next to get married. Then the groom throws his bride’s garter to the single men. The same rumor applies.” Lily explained.

“I like this tradition!” James declared. Lily laughed.

“I thought you might.”

“All single ladies to the dance floor- throw the men off!” Another woman called. The man laughed, including James, and the stepped aside. James watched Lily as she practically disappeared into the crowd of woman. She was so petite compared to the others.

“Ok, here I go!” Petunia shouted. Then she turned around and threw the bouquet behind her towards the women. There was a lot of mad rushing for a while, but when all of the women stood, no one could find the bouquet.

“So who has it?” One of the women asked disappointedly.

“I do.” And quiet Lily stepped forward, the bouquet cradled in her arms. It had just… landed there; she hadn’t even had to fight for it.

“Figures the freak would get it. She probably witched it.” Lily could hear Petunia mutter under her breath to Vernon. But she didn’t pay too much mind to it. She had caught the bouquet. Did that mean… would she really get married? But who could love a freak like her? Besides. She didn’t believe in love, it didn’t exist.

“Alright, now all of the single men!” Petunia roared above the crowd. James smiled.

“Hey Lil, does that include wizards?”

“Of course it includes you James!” Lily almost laughed. She watched as he winked and stepped onto the dance floor, paling around with a few other boys he had just met. The throng of men whistled and hollered as Vernon slowly removed the garter from Petunia’s leg. When he finally had it off, he spun it around on his finger, and then threw it.

James, who had been looking to the side, was quite surprised to find that a garter suddenly landed on his head. His hand went up in wonderment as he grasped the small piece of white women’s underwear in awe. Petunia’s… garter… had not just landed on his head! Oh, yes, it had. And then he laughed.

“Lily! We’re getting married!” He hollered out. The crowd, save Lily, her sister and her new husband, and her parents all broke into a roar of laughter. The couple was adorable.

When the party was over and the bride and groom had left for their honeymoon, the quiet seemed almost unbearable. The heavy silence was due to the fact that since James and Lily had caught the garter and bouquet her parents hadn’t taken their eyes off of them. But secretly, Lily and James kept slipping each other smiles. It was too funny. But eventually it was time for them to sleep, and then the goodbyes began.

“Well Lily. When you wake up, I won’t be here.” James looked down at his feet as he spoke. He knew he would miss having Lily around. He always felt so much happier, calmer, when she was near him.

“I’ll miss you James. Thank you so much. For everything.” She whispered. James was so sweet… always there for her. She was truly going to miss him.

“No, thank you Lily.” James told her seriously.

“I’ll see you at the train station James.” Lily told him.

“Right then. And when Ara and Si and Remie all see you, they’ll flip. You’ve changed. Not physically… I mean, sure, you’re pretty, but you’re so much happier Lily. They’ll all notice the difference.”

“James, you’re too much sometimes.” Lily laughed.

“I really do love your laugh Lady Lily.” He laughed too.

“Good night James. I’ll see you soon.”

“Good night and good bye Lily.”

>>>)(<<<

Lily sighed. She was finally back, after all this time. Hogwarts. Before last year she would have shuddered at the thought of returning to the school for another lonely nine months, but now… now she was almost glad she was going back.

“Lils! Lils! There she is! Hey Lils!” Lily turned around, knowing full well who was calling her.

“Hi Ara.” She smiled slightly as the other girl bounded up to her, four boys in tow.

“ ‘Hi Ara’? We’ve been gone for three months, and all I get is ‘Hi Ara’? Come here!” Arabella laughed and pulled Lily into a bone-crushing hug. Lily smiled and returned the hug.

“Hey Ara!” She tried to sound more enthusiastic.

“That’s more like it!” Ara laughed. “Look, the guys are here too.”

“Hi Sirius, Remus, Peter. Hi James.”

“Hello Lady Lily.” James smiled. “How was the rest of your summer after the wedding?”

“Good.” Lily smiled.

“Yes, we want to hear in detail why you needed James for a wedding! He says you’re getting married!” Sirius boomed. Lily blushed.

“It’ s just wedding folklore. James, didn’t you explain that?”

“Nope! More fun that way!” James announced happily.

“Oh James!” Lily sighed smiling. Some things never changed.

“Come on, let’s get a seat on the train.” Remus suggested. “Before all of the good cars are gone.”

“I’m in!” Sirius announced.

“Um Remus?” Lily breathed quietly.

“Yes?”

“Do… do you feel alright? You don’t look so well.”

“I’m fine.” Remus answered her, paling considerably simply because she noticed he wasn’t feeling top-notch. The full moon was tomorrow night, and he always looked haggard the days before it.

“He’s fine, pay no mind to him.” Sirius said quickly. Too quickly for Lily.

“Alright. Just worried.”

“Isn’t that just like you to be worried?” James teased her. She recognized it as one of his ploys to ignore a problem that was bothering him.

“Just like me.” She agreed to appease him. “Well, let’s go then.” She suggested.

“Let’s!” Ara agreed, also noticing the tension that had built in the air. The boys were hiding a secret from her and Lily; that much was obvious. But she wasn’t going to pry, and neither was Lily she didn’t think. The boys would tell them when they were ready.

They climbed aboard the train and found a cart that suited them. As Lily began to describe a muggle wedding for them, they felt the train lurch forward and their return journey to Hogwarts begin. After hours of sitting and talking, Ara warned them that they would be arriving soon.

“Come on Lily, come change with me.”

“Now?”

“Yes now! We have to be wearing our uniforms when we get there, remember?”

“Yes but…” Lily was still hesitant. She didn’t want to believe they were there yet; she was comfortable on the train.

“No buts, come on!” And Ara grabbed her hand and dragged her away. The two girls walked quickly down the train hallway towards the bathrooms. When they finally got to them, they both took a bathroom and quickly changed out of their normal clothes and into their robes. Lily also washed her face and removed her nose ring. She would be going as herself for a change- no heavy makeup or gothic clothes. Neither would she be wearing the same sort of makeup her mother had put on her for the wedding. She just wasn’t going to wear any. No more masks.

“Lily, you done?”

“Yeah, coming.” As she opened the door, Ara gasped.

“Oh Lily…”

“I know. No more makeup this year.”

“I like it. I’m glad you’re just you. Besides… you really didn’t need the makeup to begin with… you’re naturally pretty like that. I wish I was that lucky.”

“Ara, that isn’t true. I was just tried of having people talk about me behind my back. I may be a freak, but I don’t want to hear about it this year.”

“Lily, you are-”

“Not a freak, I know, you keep telling me that. Just humor me?” Lily asked. *

~~~How about that huh? Now they’re in their seventh year… what’s going to happen to them? How WILL Lily and James fall in love? Will they ever realize it? (Actually, the answer is in the next ch... yes, I already have it written!) But you don’t get to see it unless you REVIEW! Much love, Vixen ~~~