Bad Company

 

Mei Queen

 

B.A.N- If anybody has MySpace, feel free to add me! It’s the most addictive thing, and I’m on there a lot more than messenger, so you can harass me about future chapters a lot quicker!

 

Chapter 60- Before Your Love

 

3 days left

 

Lily stood in the hallway and sobbed as she looked in the window of the Muggle hospital.  Her father was fading fast.  Three more days, the doctors had predicted.  Three days to get out everything she might possibly have wanted to say.  The past two weeks had been very difficult, trying to keep her life together, trying to get back into the swing of things with James, catching up in her Auror training.  It had been very rough. But she knew it was all boiling down to this.  These next three days would be her final memories of her father.  What would her father’s last memories be of her?  She had to make things worthwhile.

She dried her eyes on her sleeve and sniffed a bit, trying to regain her composure.  Petunia and her mother exited the room, allowing for her and James to proceed in. She smiled bravely, took James’ hand, and stood.

“Hi Dad!” Lily said cheerfully, entering the hospital room. “How are you?”

Her father’s hair was gone in tufts because of the chemotherapy, and he looked extremely pale.  Hayden looked like a ghost of his former self.

“Hi there, kids. Fine, Princess.  I’m doing fine.  How are you and James?”

James smiled at Hayden.  “We’re doing alright.”

“Yes, we’re doing fine, Daddy.  Is there anything we can get you?  Can we do anything to make you more comfortable?”

“Yes, Princess. Stop fussing over me…being the subject of a big hubbub is enough to make your father uncomfortable.”

Lily grinned at her father.  She admired him so much.  His ability to use humor in the most inappropriate of situations was something she always adored about him.

“Okay, Daddy.  Well, the nurse is telling us we have to leave.  But we just wanted to stop and let you know that we love you…and we hope you are feeling all right.”

Hayden opened his arms for the two, and Lily felt a hot tear drip down her cheek as she hugged him.

James caressed her hand gently as she quickly wiped the tear away.  “We’ll see you tomorrow, Dad,” Lily said softly.

“Okay, kids,” Hayden said cheerfully “Bye, Princess. See you later, James.”

“Good-bye, Hayden,” James said softly.

“James,” Hayden said softly after James turned toward the door.  James stopped.  “Call me Dad.”

 

James sat thoughtfully in his class later that day, thinking about the visit to the hospital. I finally have a person who wants to be a father figure in my life…and he’s about to pass away.  There has to be something I can do to make it easier for him.  If I were dying, what would I want to see or do?

 

Lily was twirling her hair idly in their apartment while trying to concentrate on some of her homework from class. She heard a door slam behind her and looked up quickly.  James was standing in the doorway, face red and panting. 

“James, are you okay?” Lily asked with obvious concern.

“Li…Lily.”

“Yes, James? What is it?” she asked cautiously, walking over to where he was still trying to regain control of his breathing.

“I want to marry you.” James said quickly.

“I know that, James,” she said with confusion.  “We’re already planning the wedding.”

“No.  I want to marry you within the next three days.  Think about it.  Your father is dying, Lily.  If we get married, he can see his Princess being given away to someone he trusts, and hopefully loves.  Isn’t that what every father dreams of?  To give his baby away?”

At first, Lily regarded him as completely insane, but then cocked her head slightly to the side and thought.  “You know, you’re right, James.  He only has three days left, and he deserves to see something worthwhile before he goes.”

James smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She always understood where he was coming from, even when the ideas seemed downright insane.  “I love you, Lily!”

“I love you too, James!” she said happily.

 

2 days left

The next day, Sirius wiped his hands off on his pants as he let himself into his apartment.  It had been a long day in class, and he was happy to have the long day be over.  Dropping his keys on the table, he noticed a letter there that had not been there before.  Picking it up, he ripped the seal and read-

Sirius-

I am getting married! Lily’s father is very ill and we want to get married in the next few days.  It will have to be at the hospital, because Lily’s father doesn’t really have to health to go anywhere else, but we still want him to see it.  You’re my best man, and you are in charge of letting my groomsmen (Peter and Remus, obviously) know about the proceedings.  Owl us back right away with a time that’s good for you…Next two days! Can you believe it, Siri? I’m not going to be a bachelor for much longer!

I can’t wait!

James

 

Avia sat back in her chair at the hostel in Germany she was staying at.  She was still on the run from Voldemort.  She knew if she were to try to risk another visit like the one she had with Remus she would be risking not only hers, but all of her friends’ lives.  Suddenly, an owl swooped in and perched on the chair next to her, ruffling its feathers importantly.  The few wizards in the room turned towards her knowingly, but many people were completely bewildered by the owls’ actions and cool demeanor. 

Thinking quickly, she jumped to her feet and allowed the owl to crawl onto her hand.  Walking briskly outside, she muttered something about “out of control pets” and everyone there seemed content with the explanation.  Sitting on a bench outside, she took the scroll tied to the owls’ leg and opened it, all the while wondering, Who would be writing to me?

Avie-

It’s Remus.  Lily and James are getting married…in the next two days.  Her father is very ill, so the wedding will be at the hospital, and it has to be soon. Obviously, she still wants you to be her bridesmaid.  I was the only one who knew where to find you.  Owl me back…I know you don’t have a wand, but is there anywhere you can Floo from immediately? If not, I will try to find a way to go to you and Apparate you back here.  Please write as soon as possible-

I love you-

Remus

She smiled as she finished the letter, and turning it over, she took a spare quill from the pocket of her robes and wrote-

Remus-

Got it covered. Will Floo.

Love you more-

Avia

 

Emia opened the scroll tentatively as the owl urged her further.  She was sitting alone in her apartment, because Sirius was at school.  Emia and Sirius were doing well, well in the sense that Emia felt that Sirius perhaps wasn’t as committed as she was, but what could she do? It wasn’t that Sirius was a bad boyfriend, it wasn’t that he didn’t care about Emia, mainly Emia just got terribly jealous when she was out with James and Lily.  James was always very outwardly affectionate towards Lily, and it made Emia upset…why couldn’t she have gotten a boyfriend that liked public displays of affection?  She knew Sirius cared, but sometimes, she just wished he would show it.

Emia thought about her relationship with Sirius more as she opened the scroll.  When compared with James and Lily, they certainly were off-track with their future.  It made Emia worry.  There were many sleepless nights because she often wondered if she would make it through this war alive.  She would toss and turn, all the while wondering if Sirius would ever propose naturally, or if by some terrible circumstance lose his chance to.

Opening the letter, she found the bittersweet revelation that her friends were getting married, and she would be a maid of honor much sooner than planned.   I wonder if I’ll ever get to be on the sender side of a letter like this one?, Emia thought sadly, turning the letter over in her hands.

 

“Perfect,” an icy voice whispered in the darkness.

“Dark Lord…”a squeaky voice said cautiously, “it’s their wedding. Can’t they just have one day of peace?”

“Peter, you will speak when spoken to. Furthermore, no…a wedding will draw Avia and that husband of hers out of the woodwork. We need more werewolves for our side of the battle.”

“They won’t cross, sir. I know that they won’t,” Peter said, looking down at his feet.

 

Final Day

Lily stared at her reflection in the mirror.  She was in the dress she had picked out a few months ago, a dress with lace and a full skirt (B/A/N- I will be doing a few sketches of Lily and the crew, and I will do Lily in this dress. I’m going to try to post them on my MySpace) accompanying by a tiara with a long veil.  Her hair was down in long spiral curls, and she didn’t think she had ever felt more beautiful in her whole life.  As Lily looked in the mirror, she thought about her and James’ relationship.  It had always been James…She remembered so many fond things about him…how he had acted like such a pompous ass when she first met him on the train, and how so soon after that she realized that he was only acting like that because he thought it was cool…that in fact, he was so much more sincere and funny and kind-hearted…

She remembered how he had desperately tried to find out her middle name, and upon her revealing it to him, had desperately tried to pronounce it…without much luck…their late night party in the Common Room after a narrow escape from Filch…their secret trip to Hogsmeade…

Lily smiled at her reflection. She thought about how he asked her out, a long ordeal that was probably one of the most beautiful, phenomenal days of her entire life…not just her youth.

Every memory that she was fond of had James in it, as far back as she could remember. She was ready…this was the man she wanted to commit her life to, and she was very lucky, that much she knew, to have found him at such a young age.

The door to the hospital room creaked open.  The twins cautiously entered, both clad in navy blue dresses (B/A/N-I’ll try to do these two too), both carrying coffee. Avia was carrying an extra for the bride, and handed it to Lily while taking a seat on the hospital bed. Emia sat in the visitor’s chair, and asked, “Are you ready?”

Lily smiled and nodded. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop being ready to marry James, Emie.”

Emia smiled back. I wonder if Sirius will ever be ready to marry me…Emia had seen James earlier, and he was practically buying coffee for the entire hospital staff in excitement.

Avia slurped the last of her coffee and stood. “Are we ready to get married?!”

 

I wonder how I ever make it through a day
How did I settle for the world in shades of gray
When you go in circles all the scenery looks the same
And you don't know why
And I looked into your eyes
Where the road stretched out in front of me
And I realized

James was standing in the hospital courtyard, tapping his foot nervously on the pavement.

Dumbledore was having a few words with Minerva McGonagall, who was playing music for the event.  Dumbledore then walked up next to James and stood, as he was the officiant for the wedding.

Charisse and Vernon were already seated, with the couple shooting nervous stares at all the magical folk.  Sirius’ family had shown up to support James, as did Peter’s grandmother and a few of Remus’ family members. Emia and Avia’s parents were there, as were Madam Pomfrey and Professor Flitwick.

All in all, it was a small, intimate wedding, just as the couple had originally intended.

Professor McGonagall played Pachelbel’s Canon while the bridal party processed in (Peter had to walk in with Petunia, the last bridesmaid), then the recognizable first tones of the “Bridal Chorus” were heard, and everyone turned to the double doors.

Hayden was too weak to walk far, so the staff wheeled him up to the door in a wheelchair.  Intent upon doing things the “right” way and giving his baby away properly, Hayden arose from the wheelchair, and took Lily’s arm.

Carefully, as though it probably caused him so much pain, he hobbled down the aisle with Lily.

Dumbledore looked at him kindly when they reached the end of the aisle (which was thankfully a very short aisle), and asked loudly, “Who gives away Lily to be married to this man?”

“I do, her father, Hayden Evans,” Lily’s father said softly.

Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he inclined his head in a nod of respect.  Hayden turned to Lily with tears in his eyes.  “I love you, Princess.”

Lily, even though she had sworn to herself she wouldn’t cry, hugged her father with tears in her eyes. “I love you so much, Dad…”

Her father withdrew from the hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Good luck, baby.”

 

I never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch

James went down to meet Lily, and together they walked slowly up to where Dumbledore stood.  Turning towards each other, a teary-eyed Avia (matron of honor) fluffed Lily’s dress and took her bouquet.  Lily rested her hands’ in James, and met his hazel eyes, eyes that were full of devotion and trust.

This wedding had been a long time coming.

Dumbledore asked James, “Do you take this woman, Lily Amiel Evans, to be your wife? Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

When a very confident “I do” quickly followed the question, Dumbledore turned to Lily. “Do you take this man, James Blake Potter, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Lily said softly, smiling up at James.
And I'd never needed anyone
To make me feel alive
But then again,
I wasn't really living

I never lived...
Before your love

Dumbledore smiled at the couple “And now, for my favorite part of the ceremony. When couples, especially my former students, ask me to be the officiant for their weddings, I always request that they write special vows to one another. Neither of them knows –yet- what the other one wrote, so this will be as much a surprise to them as it is to all of you.”

Clearing his throat, he opened the first of two pieces of paper. “This is what Lily wrote. ‘Dear James, we’ve been through so much. The break-ups, the make-ups, the hard times, and the good… We’ve always been there for each other; as far back as I can remember. You have become my best friend, and my family already considers you their son. Today is just a formality, because I feel like I’m committed to nobody else, and that there is nobody else in the entire world for me but you.  We are so lucky to have found each other that day on the train, that day that you made a total fool of yourself…and even though it sounds silly, I think I knew even then that you would be very special to me in the future. If only I knew how special! You will make a wonderful husband and someday a wonderful father, because you have been such a fantastic friend, boyfriend, and fiancé.  I can’t wait to start a life with you. I love you so much, James, and I’m so happy that this day is finally here.’”

There was a collective happy sigh from the crowd while James’ eyes clouded over with tears as he grinned stupidly at Lily’s praise. Lily was blushing slightly at her words being read aloud, but she whispered to James softly, “I meant every word of it.”

He squeezed her hand softly in thanks.

I wanted more than just an ordinary life
All of my dreams, seemed like castles in the sky
I stand before you and my heart is in your hands
And I don’t know how
I'd survive without your kiss
’Cause you've given me
A reason to exist

Dumbledore smiled at the couple’s exchange, and continued. Opening the second piece of paper, he said, “Now this is what James wrote.  It’s slightly lengthier than Lily’s, but you’ll hear a lot of the same messages. ‘Dear Lily, I’m going to be a husband! We’re getting married…that is such a huge step, but we are definitely ready.  Lily, you are absolutely phenomenal…funny, sweet, beautiful, kind, smart. You are everything I’ve ever wanted in a girl, in a wife. I’m the luckiest man in the world for getting to marry you today, and marry into a family like yours. Most people are scared of their in-laws, but I know for me that that isn’t the case. Hayden, you are more of a father to me than mine ever was, and Charisse has always been kind and welcoming to me, and I appreciate both of your kindness more than you know.  You’ve raised the most wonderful girl, and I’m so thrilled that you trust me with her. Since the first time she kissed me, that night that I floated back to my dorm on a cloud, I realized that there was no girl out there as amazing as Lily Evans. There would be nobody else in the entire world for me. Nobody can or could ever make me go weak at the knees like you.  You’ve been there with me when I lost my mum, and you protected me against my dad. I can’t imagine a better friend or a better gift of a person than you.  I can not wait to start a life with you, Lily, because I know that there will be no better wife or mother than you.   After 4 ½ years of dating, I’ve finally got you…and I’m not letting go. I love you, Lily, so much.’”

James smiled at Lily, who was sobbing and smiling all at the same time.  Emia looked concerned, and pulled a tissue out from her bouquet (she had secretly stashed a few under the ribbon, because she and Avia always cried at weddings) and handed it to Lily.

Lily dabbed her eyes quickly and smiled again at James. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“No…thank you,” James whispered back.

I never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch
I'd never needed anyone
To make me feel alive
But then again,
I wasn't really living

I never lived... before your love
I never lived... Before your love

Taking the rings from Peter, Dumbledore turned towards the couple. After the rings were on each other’s respective hands, and Dumbledore had them recite the traditional prayer that goes with the rings, he directed them to kneelers in front of the altar for the first communion as a couple.

Following the communion, the couple lit the unity candle, all the while smiling lovingly at one another. It was almost over!

After the unity candle, Dumbledore asked for any objections by saying, “If anyone knows of a reason that these two should not be wed, please say it now, or forever hold your peace.”

Hayden held Vernon’s arm down while Charisse held Petunia’s, and the moment for objections proceeded without interruption.

Dumbledore’s blue eyes twinkled with tears as, the moment over; he turned to the couple, saying, “James, you may kiss your bride.”

James and Lily grinned at one another while the distance closed between them.  Their lips met excitedly, their kiss was passionate but not vulgar while the crowd clapped and whooped excitedly.  Hayden’s eyes clouded with tears while he watched his little girl.

Dumbledore grinned as he looked up at the crowd when the couple finally quit kissing, and said loudly, “It is my honor to be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. James Blake Potter!!”

And I don't know why
Why the sun decides to shine
But you've breathed your love into me just in time
I'd never lived
Before your love
I'd never felt
Before your touch

 

Back in the courtyard, Petunia and Peter had processed out as had Emia and Sirius, and Avia and Remus were just about to start down the aisle when a shadowy figure came up to the double doors. “Avia, I believe the last time I saw you was a year ago, on a day much like this one. Where have you been?” the icy voice asked.

Remus stepped in front of his wife quickly.  The crowd began to scream in panic and disperse.  The man was shrouded in a black tattered cloak, and hands of the whitest ivory reached tentatively out of the cloak, the right of his hands gripping a long wand.

“Voldemort, leave.” A deep voice commanded from behind Remus. “You do not need to ruin this happy occasion with your misery and spite.”

Dumbledore, the owner of that voice, walked calmly in front of Remus and Avia. “You are not going to take any of these children today.”

“Really?” Voldemort asked softly, though he sounded unsure. “What makes you so sure?”

Dumbledore took a wand out from his cloak. “I’m quite positive, that much I can assure you. After all, it doesn’t seem as though you brought your usual horde of Death Eaters.”

“They’re here,” Voldemort said quickly. “You just don’t know who they are.”

“Leave.” Dumbledore said, commanding forcefully.

“I don’t think I really much want to…”Voldemort said snidely. “Accio Avia!” he commanded, pointing at the girl.

She flew quickly into midair, and Dumbledore pointed his wand at her, shouting, “Finite Incantatem!” while creating a soft bed of grass to land on rather than cement.

“We could be at this all day,” Voldemort said softly, while Avia ran back to her place behind Dumbledore, hands shaking in fear.

“Not if you leave. These children need one day of peace, sanity and happiness. Heaven knows that they will not have many with the childish war that you plan to begin,” Dumbledore articulated softly, chin raised stubbornly.

Voldemort pulled back his cloak slightly, enough to see his ebony hair and ivory skin. His scarlet snake eyes were flashing in anger, and he seemed to take on an intimidating and frightful air. “Fine. One day, Dumbledore. But tomorrow, you had all better be on your watch.”

Turning in a huff, he stormed out, his anger taking on a type of telekinesis and flipping many chairs on the way.

“I don’t understand,” Remus said softly. “We were right where he wanted us. Why didn’t he us just attack?”

 

 

B/A/N- That’s the end of the chapter, and I’m exhausted. I’m going to go get a manicure or something, my hands are killing me! I hope you all liked it though! Review! Don’t forget to read my other story ‘Reflections’ if you haven’t already…I’m rather fond of that one, it’s more funny!