CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
I Can Hear The Bells!
June 20th, 1984

A white and perfect wedding that took place in the month of June, that was what Daphne had dreamt of and that was what Daphne was getting. James hadn't argued when she proposed the month of June, instead he went in her direction stating that the weather would be perfect and they would be able to get married under the orchids arch in the garden–Daphne hadn't said no to that. Then with her mum and Molly, she had agreed on the colour of the dress: a pearly white. The only reason why she didn't get an aggressive white like Molly had said was because of her mother who, of course, wanted darker colours. Then, late at night, James and Daphne would stay up in their room, a huge slate board in the middle of the bedroom where circles had been drawn on it and names under–the seatings.

All Daphne could think of was how exhausting it was to plan a whole wedding.

When all of this had been taken care of, it was now time for the decoration and the choice of the food. Daphne had enough so she let Molly and her mum argue about the whole thing until they had settled on something good. For hair and make-up, she had already done her choice earlier in life. She was about six years old and was in Andromeda's bedroom with Narcisssa and Andy.

"If I do get married like mum and dad, I'd want Andy to do my make-up and Cissa to do my hair," Daphne had said, writing it on a little notebook that she had kept for many years.

And now that all of the preparations were over, they had reached June 20th–Evan's birthday and Daphne's wedding. As expected, the sun was shining and burning Daphne's back as she let her two cousins work on her face and hair.

"Salazar, I can't believe you are getting married, Daph," Andromeda said, lighting a cigarette that was rapidly taken away from her by Narcissa. "What was that for?"

"No smoking, Andy. I don't want her hair to smell like cigarettes during the ceremony and the reception," she muttered.

Andromeda groaned, "For your information, Cissa, it does not stick on the hair that long."

Narcissa scoffed, "Is that why I can smell your morning cigarette in your hair?"

"You know what? Sod off," Andromeda exclaimed. "You are lucky it is Daphne's day or I would have walked out."

"Behave," Amalthea's voice echoed from the door as she walked in. Despite their age, Andromeda and Narcissa apologised quietly to their aunt. "Now's not the time to argue like cats, yes? I could hear you from behind the doors."

"How do I look?" Daphne chirped in, looking at her mother's reflection in the mirror.

Amalthea breathed out so softly that Daphne could hear the shakiness in it, "Perfect. You look perfect, darling," she said, kissing her head. "Your father would be proud."

Bacchus Rosier had passed away on a cold night of December. Healers told her mum that it was inevitable and that they had done all they could to make him live as long as possible. James and Daphne had visited him and Bacchus had smiled widely at the sight of James Potter, stating that he looked very much like Euphemia Potter.

"Salazar, you took everything from your mother, James," he had breathed out, his voice weaker than before and his skin paler. "Not a single trait from Fleamont."

"Would he?" Daphne queried with a tiny smile. Daphne was at peace with her father's death, they had been able to talk about everything during one of her visits and he apologised. "I wish he was here to walk me down the aisle. Evan too."

"They are," Amalthea reassured, squeezing Daphne's shoulder. "In your heart, they will always be here."

Daphne hummed, looking back at her reflection and released a breath. Getting married was scarier than she thought it would be–and walking down the aisle by herself was even more terrifying. If she could have, she would have opted for a quieter wedding, the ones that only involved family but James wanted so many people here and she couldn't bring herself to say no. It was his wedding too.

Looking at the clock, she realised the ceremony started in ten minutes so she rose on her feet, slipped on her dress that did fit like a glove and let her mum check her one last time. In a few hours, she wouldn't be a Rosier anymore and she would be a Potter. Fully a Potter.

"Oh, that's mental," she whispered to herself, waiting for the music to start. Her mum had kissed her cheek a few minutes ago, promising that everything would be alright.

"What is, Daffy?" Sirius's voice echoed behind her. She turned around, feeling relieved at the sight of her cousin in a tuxedo.

Daphne frowned, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be next to James?"

"I was," he shrugged. "He's a nerve-wreck and I thought I'd get away from him for a second. Besides, did you really think I'd let you walk down the aisle alone?"

"Are you joking?"

He snorted, linking their arms together, "Why should I be joking, dear Daffy?" The music started quietly as he started walking and Daphne did her best to follow the pace. "You look beautiful, by the way."

Daphne didn't answer, afraid that the tears would start streaming down her face and she didn't want that. Instead, she clung tighter to him and smiled widely. Daphne didn't know a lot of people on James's side—just some friends. On her side, there were her family and some Slytherin friends with whom she got along. Rebecca and Pandora were on the second row, their smiles were huge and they waved at Daphne when she made it to their bench.

"Why would you invite that wench?" Sirius queried, referring to Rebecca.

Daphne rolled her eyes, "She is my friend."

"Right."

There he was–her James. He stood straight, his eyes fixated on her as she made her way to him. His eyes never left her frame once. Sirius wasn't even sure he blinked. With a kiss on her cheek, he let go of her arm and positioned himself behind James and next to Remus.

"You look beautiful," James commented, taking her hand in his and caressing her cheek timidly.

Daphne couldn't help herself and chuckled, "Thank you. You look amazing as well," she replied as he smirked. "Very neat tuxedo."

"Your mum helped me pick," he admitted quietly, making her laugh.

Daphne didn't attend many weddings in her younger years. Except for Bellatrix and Narcissa. They were beautiful weddings but she didn't recall them being that extraordinary. The orchid arch was perfect for the occasion. It was as perfect as it could get. His hand in hers spread warmth throughout her whole body and she did her best to ignore the butterflies swooning in her stomach at his sight.

As the preacher said his words, none of them cared to give him a glance or to the public. Instead, they looked at each other with smiles that could have defeated any evil or to chase the dementors away. They were in their own bubble and no one dared to do something about it. Narcissa and Andromeda were quietly crying behind her and she ought to give them a hug right after.

Then came the moment to tell their speeches, Harry approached with the rings and ran back to Molly and Amalthea, "With this ring, I, James Potter, take you, Daphne Rosier, to be my wife," he breathed out shakily, sliding the ring on her finger. "In sickness, health, I'll love you and cherish you until death do us apart."

Daphne cleared her throat, chasing the tears away, "With this ring, I, Daphne Rosier, take you, James Potter, to be my husband. I will love you in sickness, health and until death do us apart. And even after it separates us apart, I will find a way back to you because we always find a way back to each other, don't we?"

"We do," he said with a snort, not bothering to dry the tears on his cheek.

James cupped her face, resting his forehead against hers and then proceeded to sail their lips in a soft kiss. This kiss marked their forever–the life they would be able to live as a married couple. Not a secret couple.

...

"Oh, how beautiful you were," Rebecca exclaimed once the reception had started. She gave her a bone crushing hug before letting go, she kissed her cheek and smiled widely. "I can't believe you are Daphne Potter now. I used to hate that wanker."

"You don't hate him anymore?"

Pandora rolled her eyes, "Hate is perhaps a strong word, Rebecca. You didn't like his way of living," she corrected and Rebecca hummed, not totally convinced but agreed nevertheless. "I, on the other hand, think it was a beautiful wedding."

"It was really beautiful. Pandy is right on that one!"

Daphne chuckled, "All right. You two ought to come visit me!"

"Oh now that you're living in a gigantic manor, you are actually inviting us," Rebecca exclaimed.

"Oi! Pandy lives in one too," she argued as Pandora opened her mouth to argue but Daphne shushed her rapidly. "Just come visit me, alright? Bring that french man of yours. I'm sure James will be delighted to learn french."

"Sure," she snorted, rolling her eyes.

As Rebecca and Pandora started another conversation, she scanned the garden, trying to find James Potter but he was nowhere to be seen. She asked a few people if they knew where he was but none of them knew, except for one who told her that he had seen her walking towards the other side of the garden. Daphne thanked Andromeda for making her change into a shorter dress or else, she wouldn't have been able to make his way to him. When she finally spotted him, he was seated on a bench, looking ahead of him.

"Hello," she said quietly but loud enough to catch his attention. "Am I allowed to sit here?"

James smiled, his face lighting up, "You're allowed to sit anywhere, love. It's your house as much as it is mine," he told her which made her heart swoon for some reason. "I'm sorry for disappearing."

"It's fine," she told him. "What brought you here?"

He shrugged, "Lily. Well, I'm not thinking of her but I–" he paused, trying to find the right words because he was not trying to cross Daphne in any way.

"You wonder if she is mad at you?" James nodded softly, running a hand through his hair, making them messy. Daphne chuckled at the thought of James forcing himself not to ruin his hair for their big day. "I wonder that too. I used to ask myself if Fabian would be angry with me for liking you again."

"Do you think he would be?"

Daphne shook her head, "Salazar, no," she laughed. "Fabian was never jealous of anyone–perhaps, he knew that he belonged next to me and as long as he was alive, there would be no one for him or for me. Andromeda was the one who told me to go for it."

"For me?" James queried as Daphne nodded.

"Yes. She told me that he wasn't going to be mad at me," she said softly. "And it just clicked in my mind that I was allowed to love you again, that it was not cheating or betraying in any way. I believe in second chances and–you're my second chance, James."

"Merlin," he said with a chuckle. "You always know what to say."

Daphne nudged him softly, pressing her lips on his cheek, "That is why you love me."

"One of the many reasons, yes," he agreed. "It was her favourite spot. I have no idea why but after Hogwarts, we lived here for a while because her parents died and Petunia wouldn't see her. So, she lived here with me and she used to come here every single day."

"I can see why it was her favourite spot."

They both stayed in silence, enjoying each other's presence like they used to do so in the past. Daphne liked calmness and James had learned that during the few months they spent together–she liked to read, to spend time by herself and James was totally fine with that.

"Do we have to go back?" Daphne queried with a sigh.

James smiled, kissing the top of her head, "Eventually."

Daphne sighed defeated and rose on her feet, she was about to walk back until a familiar song caught her ear. Slow dancing, "Let's dance."

James held out his hand for her to take and once she had taken it, he brought her closer until their chests were touching and his other hand was on her waist. Daphne's head rested on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. James's head rested on the top of her head and he only realised now that he was slightly taller than her.

"Is it bad that I want to shag right now?" James whispered in her ear, causing her to laugh loudly. "Sorry. I may have had too much alcohol. Sirius's influence," he added sheepishly. "You do look sexier in the light."

She snorted, shaking her head, "Bed it is," she told him, making him pout. "You look so much like Harry," the comment slipped out and he stayed silent. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no," he said with a soft smile. "I just–thank you for being a mum to Harry. I know you don't want to phrase it that way but you've been like a mum to him."

Daphne grimaced, "I'd prefer replacement."

"It is all the same to me. You're good to him, to me, to Sirius and Remus," he said. "Merlin, I love you."

Daphne hummed, kissing his forehead, "So you are that type of drunk. The sensible one," she said with a chuckle as he agreed tiredly. "Alright, love, we're going to bed."

"What about our guests?"

"They can sod off," she told him. "It is our wedding after all."

Their wedding. It was official. This was their day. Today, they made one and the thought of it filled their hearts with joy.

—————
authors note, there are literally 2 chapters left 🥲 i'm not crying, you are... ok maybe i'm crying a little (a lot) too.

anyways, i can't believe that we got james and daphne back??? like who knew?? not me! i literally had 6 endings possible 😭😭

but as usual, thank you for all the love on this book—it's been a JOY to update and to answer your comments for like a year and a half. i'm so so grateful for all of it