THE WEDDING CEREMONY between James and Lily was to be held in the garden at Potter manor. It was of the most appropriate fit, because James and Lily adored home; and that place was as much home as it could get.

The morning of the wedding, Claudia, Remus, Hope and Lyall arrived at the manor, where chaos was going on, if one were to put it plainly.

The girl was barely even able to let go of Remus' hand as Marlene arrived, took Claudia's other hand and dragged her away without saying a word.

Claudia looked Remus' way with a small and gentle smile as she was dragged up the stairs, and Remus returned it with an ever bigger one, butterflies fluttering in his stomach simply because she was looking at him like that.

It was a strange thing, Remus thought, that she still had that affect on him. That affect that made him feel completely weak in the knees and all flushed and giddy.

He would normally excuse it by using the simple little fact that there was soon to be a wedding, and weddings had the tendencies of making people feel more in love than ever, but Remus knew that it was like that every day.

Up the stairs, however, Claudia's smile quickly sunk.

Evan hadn't responded yet. And, well, the time was pretty much up. So, she had decided that she would stay a little while longer.

Just a few short days.

Because what harm could it cause?

Claudia, however, was as anxious as one could be. Think about every horrible emotion of regret, guilt, sadness and anger mixed together in a disastrous bowl of hell.

That was basically how Claudia felt.

And it affected her so. Every night, she couldn't sleep. She would simply lay in Remus' arms as she watched his chest heave up and down, which reminded her of how badly she wanted him to keep breathing, as silly as it sounded. She tried to eat, but it was rather difficult since she was constantly dealing with a lump in her throat, and she also had to disappear every now and then to take a few deep breaths to calm herself down or even cry.

She was hanging on by a thread. And that thread was, well, nearly broken.

"And there's the bride," Claudia said with a plastered on smile, walking towards Lily who was sitting in a chair in front of a vanity. Claudia kissed her on the cheek and allowed that smile to only grow. "You look so beautiful!"

Lily chuckled, "I haven't even began getting ready yet."

"But you still look perfect!" Claudia smiled, receiving a hug and a thank you from Lily, before it was time for the large group of girls that consisted of Lily, Claudia herself, Marlene, Mary MacDonald, and Alice Fortescue to get Lily and themselves ready.

You see, Claudia was one of Lily's bridesmaids. She had been incredibly surprised once asked - considering that the other girls were the ones Lily had shared a dorm with all those years at Hogwarts - but she accepted happily and excitedly.

They spent a long time in that room as they did each other's makeup and hair, got dressed, ate grapes, drank some small amounts of champagne and did whatever bridesmaids would do.

Time went quickly, however, much to Claudia's distaste. And, eventually, the ceremony was about to happen and everyone was ready for the big day.

The bridesmaids wore matching blush pink dresses that went down to their ankles. They also wore matching white heels, and they all had little floral details in their half up half down hairdos that Lily had specifically requested.

And, well, they were all bloody gorgeous.

As for Lily, Claudia couldn't even describe how beautiful that girl who was pretty much a woman at that point was.

Her white dress was simple, yet very Lily-like if that made sense. It had some white floral details as well, much like her hair, that was placed in a beautiful low bun, did.

She was certainly going to blow James away with her beauty, that was for sure.

The girls, with the exception of the bride, were all in the bathroom dealing with some malfunction that they didn't wish for Lily to hear about so that she wouldn't panic. Claudia, however, came to the conclusion that the place was way too crowded for them all to even fit in there, so she walked back to the room where Lily was sitting by the window, watching all the guests arrive in the backyard.

"Is it how you want it?" Claudia asked as she sat down next to her.

"It's better," Lily smiled dreamily, and then suddenly Claudia was surprised to find that smile go away as the redheaded girl kept her gaze on the garden outside the window.

"What's wrong, Lils?" Claudia asked concernedly. "Are you okay? Are you having cold feet, or-"

"My parents are here," said Lily with a slightly forced smile, and then she turned her face so that she could meet Claudia's eyes. "My sister is not."

Oh.

"James and I went to her wedding, as you know," Lily sighed. "Things didn't go well. But it still surprises me that she actually didn't come here. It shouldn't, though, which is the strange part."

Claudia nodded, and then she wrapped a friendly arm around Lily's shoulders, "I know what that's like. Feeling disappointed over and over and still not managing to stop being surprised every time even though you know deep inside what the other person is like. But, you know what?"

"What?"

"Maybe it's a good thing that you're surprised rather than accepting of it," she said. "Because, if there's one thing people need, it's hope."

Lily smiled faintly, "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Even if it might make you sad?"

"Even if it might make me sad," Claudia nodded with a chuckle. "It's your day, Lily. My emotions shouldn't be your concern right now."

Lily nodded, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"How do you do...things when you've lost so many people?" Lily asked quietly. "I just...we always had a weird relationship, Petunia and I. I don't think she's ever really liked me. But we were sisters, so I think she must've loved me as I loved her. And that's probably what makes me feel a little strange getting married and knowing that she's not going to be here. It just feels like something's missing. And I just...I thought about you. You must feel like that every day."

Claudia nodded with a sad smile, "I do. Every day I feel like there's a hole. Like there's something missing. And it gets worse when days like these come around; birthdays, Christmas, graduation. Even meeting all my friends and Remus feels weird without my mum even knowing any of you. But...I guess the lack of her doesn't feel so awful anymore."

"No?"

"It was so hard for so long," Claudia smiled sadly. "But I think overtime I became more appreciative of what I had. The more people you lose...the more people it feels like you have in some weird way. And I had all of you to constantly cheer me up. So, whenever you think about the fact that she's not here today, just try to remind yourself of who is, alright? We all love you so. Your parents love you so. James loves you so. Just think about that instead of what your sister failed to do. That's on her, not you."

Lily nodded with a big smile and sad, yet happy eyes, and then she threw her arms around Claudia in a loving way, "Oh, what would I do without you Claudia Maple?"

"You'd get on just fine I think," Claudia chuckled, knowing that Lily and the others had to do just that very soon. "Now! I think you're just mere minutes away from being the new Mrs. Potter!"

Lily squealed, "Oh, I can't wait to marry that arrogant toe-rag!"

Claudia laughed, "He still is that to you?"

"Nah," Lily smiled. "It's just my first nickname for him. I've got to stick to tradition, right?"

Lily.

Claudia snickered as the rest of the girls came inside the room again, and then she stood up and helped Lily to her feet as last-minute preparations began.

Claudia was standing in front of a full-body mirror as she suddenly was met by the presence of Betty and Inez, who had sneaked into the room to catch a glimpse of them all and were now standing next to Claudia with their heads on each of her shoulders, watching with smiles as she put in lipstick.

"Aren't you two clingy today?" Claudia asked the two with an amused smile.

"We haven't seen you in a while!" Inez excused. "We've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Claudia smiled, turning around and straightening out her dress with an insecure look on her face. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," Betty answered, avoiding to comment on how the dress looked a little bigger than it did last time she had seen it on her, which she had done thanks to the pictures Lily had sent her. "You look so grown up it's insane!"

Claudia smiled nostalgically, and then she wrapped her arms around both of them in a hug that lasted far longer than they usually did.

"Can't believe us Eagle Chicks are all off out into the world now," Inez whispered. "We're going to do great things, aren't we, ladies?"

"We sure are," Betty agreed.

You sure are, Claudia thought.

"That reminds me, Betty, are you going to France or not?" Claudia asked.

"I haven't decided," the blonde girl replied. "But I think either way I'll be happy."

"Well, that's the point," Inez smiled.

"Yeah," Claudia nodded. "As long as your happy."

Betty.

The blonde girl walked away, and Inez intended on following, until she stopped and looked right at Claudia with a strange expression on her face.

You see, Inez had for months at this point had this strange feeling that something was happening with Claudia. And now, as the girl looked skinnier than she remembered her doing, and a little more nervous than anyone else in the room, she felt the need to ask her about it.

"Claudia, is everything alright?"

Claudia smiled nervously, "Everthing's fine! Why do you ask?"

"You just seem a little...nervous."

"It's just jitters over walking down the aisle," Claudia lied with a shrug.

"You sure?"

"I'm sure."

Inez nodded, and then she held out her arms, "Come here again, Clauds. I need another hug from you."

Claudia grinned, wrapping her arms around her as Inez whispered, "You'll be fine. You've just got to keep your head up and walk in a straight line."

Inez.

"Okay, everyone get your arses to where you're supposed to be!" Marlene, the maid of honour, suddenly yelled. "Yes, that includes you Inez! I'll see you later! By the way, you look darn good in that dress-"

"Marlene!"

"Sorry, get in your places everyone!"

Claudia sent a final thumbs-up to Lily, who was obviously walking down the aisle last after James and all the bridesmaids and groomsmen had.

The girls all made their way down the stairs, Claudia walking next to Marlene who suddenly made a very strange sniffling sound.

"Marlene?" Claudia questioned. "Are you...crying?"

"Yes," the girl said as she wiped away a few tears. "But I'm okay. I've been waiting all morning for the tears to come."

"Oh," Claudia said with a small smile aimed at the emotional girl who was normally not so soft but now incredibly so since her best friend was getting married.

"Oh, I just love weddings! I must look insane right now!"

"You really don't," Claudia chuckled, wiping a tear away from her face. "You're beautiful, Marlene."

Marlene cried even more at that, and then she whispered, "I'm also on my period, so that might explain me being a mess. Oh! And you're beautiful too, Claudia! Honestly, if I hadn't been dating Inez-"

"That's enough of you trying to steal my girl," Remus, who was suddenly there, interrupted her as he sneaked an arm around Claudia's waist.

Marlene snickered, "Jealous, Lupin?"

"Very," Remus replied.

"Good," Marlene grinned, and then she blew Claudia a kiss before running up to stand in the front with Sirius.

Marlene.

"Oh, this isn't gonna work," Claudia heard Remus say from next to her. She frowned, considering how he was clearly talking to her about her, due to the fact that he was looking right at her.

"What isn't going to work?" She asked confusedly.

"Everything," Remus grinned. "You're far too gorgeous right now for me to be able to function. I think we need to cancel the ceremony somehow, because there's no way my legs will be working."

"I guess you're gonna have to lean on me, then," she smiled back. "And thank you. You look quite dashing yourself."

Remus opened his mouth to say something as he continued to smile giddily, but then it seemed that the walk down the aisle was to begin, so Claudia took his arm and then they were off behind all the others.

A soft song played in the background, and they were met by so many smiling guests that Claudia couldn't help but to smile for real this time around.

And, well, it didn't even falter as Hope spotted her and Remus together and practically bursted into tears so much that Lyall had to hold back his laughter.

They arrived at the front, and soon enough Lily was walking down the aisle in her beautiful dress. She made nearly everyone cry simply because of how beautiful she looked and how she and James looked at one another.

Now, Claudia wouldn't deny that she had a hard time even focusing enough to remember some parts about the wedding. It was beautiful, she would tell you that, but it was also emotional. It was a celebration of life, love and laughter - and what more was there to it?

As the couple made their vows, no eyes were dry. Especially not Claudia and Remus'.

They looked at each other, and for just a moment no one else was there. It was just them.

And they smiled, and each mouthed an "I love you".

•••

Mr and Mrs. Potter were the happiest married couple in the world. That was one sentence that could summarise the next few hours.

A while after the ceremony, the guests gathered in the large party tent, where a lovely meal was served.  Claudia was seated nearby the happy newlyweds next to Remus, with his hand on her thigh. Peter and Remus' parents were also nearby.

After speeches were made, more tears were shed, the food was consumed, and the first dance was finished, it was time for the guests to just do whatever they wanted - wether that was dancing, talking or whatever else it could be.

Claudia was having a fun conversation with the boys as someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and was met by the lovely sight of Henry and Jia Li.

"Oh!" She exclaimed happily, immediately getting to her feet and hugging the two of them. Remus stood up too, hugging Jia Li and shaking a friendly hand with Henry just like boys did.

You see, Remus was still slightly jealous every now and then when he thought about the kiss that Henry and Claudia had shared all that time ago, and how Henry clearly had an interest for her back then, but he also genuinely liked the guy and he would consider him his friend.

And that, well, honestly made Claudia more happy than she thought that it would.

"Is it alright if we sit down here?" Henry asked, nodding towards the empty seats that belonged to Hope and Lyall.

Remus glanced towards the dance floor were his parents were dancing, and then - with an embarrassed grimace - he said, "Of course!"

The two sat down for a moment, and the entire table talked happily about the ceremony. Apparently, Jia Li and Lily were friends, so that's why they were there, and also just because they were fellow kind Hogwarts students.

Eventually, however, the conversation Claudia had been waiting for came up thanks to Henry bringing on the initiative.

"So, Claudia," he said. "Your stepbrother and my sister are getting married."

Claudia nodded, immediately grimacing at the thought, "Yeah...and it's-"

"Weird, yes," Henry nodded with an agreeing face.

"We agree," Sirius said. "I mean, Claudia's told us loads of crazy shite during the few years I've known her but that must be one of the weirdest things I've ever heard."

Everyone nodded.

"You know she said that she's cut all ties with you and your family," Claudia said.

"Really?" Henry asked in a surprised and slightly hurt tone. "When did she say that?"

"During Easter Sunday lunch," Claudia explained.

Henry frowned, "Really?"

"Yes..."

He chuckled, "That was definitely a lie. I saw her two weeks ago. She came to family dinner."

Claudia looked taken aback at that, and then Henry shrugged, "Not the first time my baby sister lies. I'll have to ask her about it though, but I doubt she'll tell me the truth."

"Yeah," Claudia agreed quietly as the image of the Dark Mark on Rosamund's forearm popped up in her mind. She was, without considering it, about to tell Henry about it when he took Jia Li's hand and stood up.

"We'll have to see each other soon and talk about that, Clauds," he smiled. "I don't think now's the best time. Have fun everyone! I'll see you later!"

Henry.

The group said their goodbyes, and as James approached to ask for something, Remus was whispering something funny in Claudia's ear that made her laugh.

"Hey, guys," James greeted with a smile, turning to Claudia. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," she shrugged, and then the two laughed again, which caused James to give up on asking again. "I was wondering if any of you could head inside and get some more ice? We've run out."

Claudia nodded, squeezing Remus' hand one time before standing up, "I'll do it."

"Thanks, Claude," James smiled, patting her on the shoulder. "You're an angel! Just make sure it doesn't melt."

"It won't, Jamie," the girl chuckled, walking towards the exit of the tent, only to run into a fairly unexpected visitor.

"Mary?!"

"Oh, hey Claudia!" The girl, who was stuffing her the with chocolate, greeted. "How are you?"

"I'm...great!" Claudia said happily. "And you? What're you doing here?"

"I'm great," Mary smiled. "And, uh, I was invited."

"Right," Claudia laughed. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, idiot! I can't believe you're not coming back to school next year!"

"And I can't believe that you're about to start your fifth year!"

"Ugh, don't remind me," Mary groaned. "I've got O.W.L exams this year! I'm definitely going to fail. You'll help me study, right?"

"Of course I will," Claudia said with an uncertain smile that Mary couldn't notice. "I have to go get ice now, but I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay!"

Mary.

Claudia walked out of the tent and inside the empty manor, where she went to get the ice. But, her actions were quickly interrupted due to her being caught incredibly off guard by an owl pecking on the window. She recognised it so much that she panicked inside immediately.

She opened the window with a frown, and let the owl in, only to pick up the letter it came with. The owl left as quickly as it came, and then Claudia looked down at the letter in her hands.

It was addressed to her, just as she feared.

And who was it from you might wonder?

Evan Rosier.

Sunshine,

I'll be expecting you at Maple manor tomorrow for lunch. I also expect that you'll have left him by then. If you're not there and if you haven't left him, you know what's bound to come your way. Or, more like his way. I won't hesitate to say the simple words, nor will I hesitate on hurting him or anyone else that you hold dear.

Don't be stupid now, Claudia. I'll find out if you tell someone. I'll find out if you do anything unlike what you promised.

See you soon, sunshine.

Yours,

Evan Rosier (your future husband).

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