A/N: I'm back! I'm terribly sorry for the enormous wait for the next update, life caught up on me, and if I'm honest, I experienced my first ever bout of writers block! I just didn't have a clue what to write... it was awful! I have most of my chapters planned out and written, but this one was actually from scratch, as I hadn't planned on going into so much detail for the wedding. I finally managed to get this chapter written, and it's a two parter, so the next one should be up soon enough. I've also scrapped alot of things I had planned for future chapters, and have taken a completely new direction with the story, so it's almost like starting from scratch. Again, I really apologise for the wait, I've been rather unreliable haven't I?! I hope this makes up for it =) I'm not sure when the next update will be, but I promise it won't be months! My creative juices are flowing once again, you'll be happy to know.

I'll keep the review response collective, as I'm sure all you will want to do is read the chapter. So thank you once again to my wonderful readers, for continuing to read the story, being so patient and loyal, and I hope my absence hasn't driven you away! Please enjoy, and I look forward to hearing from any still out there =)

The Marauders Tale - The Hogwarts Years

Chapter Twenty Five

The Wedding - Part I

"JAMES! JAMES!"

James looked up from the large three tier cake he was so desperate to devour, and spotted his mother hurrying towards him, waving a piece of paper. Sighing at the fact she clearly had something else for him to do, James dragged himself away from the cake and adopted the most eager smile he could muster at present time.

"James, there you are," Mrs Potter sounded rather out of breath, "The guests will be here any moment, I need you and the boys to escort them to their seats," Mrs Potter thrust the piece of paper – a seating plan – into James' hand, quickly smudged some none existent dirt from his cheek, patted down the shoulders of his tuxedo, then hurried off into the crowd of chefs working tirelessly in the large Knight kitchen. With one last longing look at the cake, James exited the kitchen to find his friends, hopefully to put into place the final stages of the plan.

James spotted his fellow Marauders huddled together in his aunt and uncles back garden, under a large willow tree near a small pond. Of course, being born a Potter, Ivy Knight was able to provide her family with a rather spacious garden, coupled with the large home her parents had bought for her. As well as being a largely respected family, the Potter's were quite well off too.

Skirting the edge of the rows of ivory white chairs that were currently taking up a large portion of the garden, James hurried over to his friends, shooting a quick glance to ensure they were alone and relatively unnoticed.

"James, look, we're almost finished!"

Peter, dressed in a slightly greying suit that already appeared to be smudged with some sort of food, seemed doubly excited, the fact that he was even allowed to the Knight wedding topped with a Marauder prank; it seemed to be getting him a little over excited.

"Calm down Pete, do you want James' family to hear?" Sirius hissed, looking quite dashing in his casual white shirt and charcoal trousers, finished off with a scarlet tie, and moving over a little to shield their pranking tools from prying eyes. As always, Sirius took great pride in what he now deemed his 'life's work'; causing as much trouble as possible.

"Or worse, Evans," James muttered, glancing over to the small rock garden where Lily and the girls (minus Holly, who was helping Olivia get ready) were currently tying up silver streamers. Already dressed in their wedding attire, James felt the annoying pull in his stomach every time he spotted Lily in her floaty green dress, looking as though she glided over the grass, rather than walked.

"Stop staring and she won't get suspicious, then," Sirius shot his friend and annoyed look; he seemed to be taking their 'work' very seriously today.

"James, shouldn't you be helping with the wedding?" Remus, ever the voice of reason, asked. James glanced down at the seating plan in his hand, and sighed. As much as he'd like to muck about, this was Jonny's wedding. The fun would come later.

"Actually, we need to seat people. It'll be starting soon."

A darkest navy clad Remus nodded, stepping into 'Lupin mode', as James and Sirius called it, and took the plan from the bespectacled boy.

"Sirius, you and James put that away. Peter, you start helping me seat people," Sirius groaned, and quickly gathered up his work of art, whilst James and Peter both mock-saluted Remus, "And don't mess anything up," Remus glanced at his friends with a twinkle in his eye, "Yet."

~**~

Lily stepped down from the wooden stool after putting up the last silver streamer, attaching it to one of the large bushes that surrounded the edge of the garden. Admiring her handiwork, she dusted off her dress and turned to find Bridget and Chris still eyeing one of Holly's muggle cousins appreciatively.

"So who gets him," Bridget shot a glance at Chris, whose mouth was still slightly agape. The blonde didn't answer, and Bridget chuckled. That one was obviously settled.

"Lily, what d'ya think of Thomas? Holly said he's free and looking," Bridget nodded her head towards the tall, light haired boy with the bright blue eyes who was currently being escorted to his seat by a rather nervous looking Peter Pettigrew.

Lily watched the boy for a moment, then shrugged, "He's alright. Shall we go and see if Holly's mum needs anymore help?"

Bridget tore her eyes from the boy, and nodded. She turned back to Chris and grabbed her by the elbow.

"Alright lover-girl, time to get going."

"What?" Chris shook herself out of her boy induced stupor and shot a quizzical look at her friend, "Where're we going?"

Bridget and Lily rolled their eyes, hiding smirks as they led Christina back into the house, winding their way through the large crowd that was accumulating there.

"So what kind of wedding is this?" Chris asked as the girls walked down the hall towards the drawing room where the female members of the wedding party were currently getting ready, "I mean, with all the muggles about."

"Muggle," Bridget turned a corner and headed down a second corridor, "Holly said most of her dad's family haven't got a clue about...our world."

"Oh, that's a shame," Lily sighed, "I've never seen a wizard wedding before."

"Couldn't they have put up wards or memory spells?" asked Chris. Bridget shook her head.

"There already are," the mousy haired girl shot her friends a dark look, "Remember? Holly said her mum had to put protective wards up after the attack in second year. Apparently adding more will weaken the important ones."

Lily and Chris exchanged worried looks. As much as they wanted to forget the woes of the outside world, even on such a special day as this, the troubles of the wizarding world were never far from thought.

Hoping to at least try and forget it, the three girls hurried towards a set of large oak double doors. Lily remembered the first time she had come to Holly's house, how amazed she had been to see such a normal (albeit large) house suddenly surprise you with something completely out of the ordinary, and obviously, wizarding. Like right now, various symbols around the double doors had begun to move, jumping around on the door frame and changing shape and size.

The girls waited for the doors to open, themselves of course, and stepped through them into the Knight portrait room.

They entered a spacious room with a high, polished wooden ceiling and equally high arched windows. The carpet was plush, a deep shade of crimson, as was the gold trimmed heavy looking curtains. Elegant portraits of Potters past and present lined the clean, cream walls and intricately carved mahogany tables and chairs were dotted here and there. In the centre of the room, four large sofas were grouped around a coffee table set with a large vase of brightly coloured roses.

On the left side of the room, Mrs Knight, Olivia's mum Mrs Berry, and people Lily presumed to be female members of Olivia's family were fawning over the bride, smoothing down her hair and tapping her with their wands every so often. Standing in front of one of the full length mirrors placed in the room, Holly was currently tugging at her pale gold bridesmaid dress, her nose scrunched up as she scrutinized her reflection.

"Girls, did you finish putting up the last of the decorations?" Mrs Knight turned away from her soon-to-be daughter in law and smiled politely at her daughters friends.

"Yes Mrs Knight, is there anything else we can do?" asked Bridget.

Mrs Knight waved her wand for a moment, a small scroll of parchment appearing out of thin air before her. Adjusting her glasses for a moment, she quickly scanned the parchment, before flicking her wand once again and banishing the scroll.

"I think we have everything ready," Bridget and the girls nodded to Mrs Knight, who clapped her hands together; "You can chat to Holly for a moment, if you like?"

The three girls nodded, and hurried over to their dark haired friend, who still seemed slightly unimpressed at the Holly looking back at her.

"Is it just me, or do I remind you of a sick snidget," Holly pulled at the dress for the umpteenth time and turned to her friends, "This dress is really poofy."

Lily rolled her eyes, and snorted, "Holly, it looks fine. You just like to complain."

Holly narrowed her eyes at her fiery haired friend, and turned back to her reflection. In all fairness, she looked gorgeous as usual, but Lily knew telling her that was as productive as telling James Potter she'd never go out with him, although that didn't stop Lily from constantly rebuking his attempts to woo her, of course.

"James and the guys were huddled together before," Bridget remarked as she examined a photograph of Holly and James at what appeared to be age three and covered in mud.

"You say that as if they've never done that before," Chris snorted, tilting her head at the portrait of a portly old man with messy grey hair and round glasses.

Bridget rolled her eyes, moving onto the next photo, "I'm just saying, they're up to something."

"Again, you say that as if they've never been like that before," Holly smirked, turning away from the mirror, "Don't worry, mum and aunt Gwen are anticipating something, especially since all four of them are here."

"They wouldn't try anything at the wedding, would they?" asked Bridget incredulously. This time it was Lily who snorted.

"This is Potter we're talking about, of course they would."

"You're just biased 'cause you hate James," Bridget stuck her tongue out at Lily and turned back to the portraits, "Holly you look just like this one."

"It's my great-grandma when she was younger," Holly waved her hand absently, "We all know they'll try something, I'd just like to see it get past mum."

"Doubt they will, your mum could spot a Marauder prank a mile off," Lily gently ran her fingers over one of the many silver photo frames on the small table next to the mirror.

"Girls, time to go to your seats!"

Lily, Chris and Bridget nodded to Mrs Knight, bade goodbye to Holly and hurried out of the portrait room, all three anxious to see the ceremony start.

~**~

The guests had taken their seats now. Row upon row of delicate white chairs were now filled by various family and friends, whilst the staff hired to cater and organize the grand event filed inside the Knight home to continue working. Jonny had taken his place at the white flowered arch facing the white chairs at the south end of the garden, as well as his best man Fabian Prewett beaming his trademark (and often remarked 'goofy') grin, James, Gideon Prewett and Simon Meadowes. Mr and Mrs Knight had taken seats beside Mrs Berry, with Mr and Mrs Potter sitting on the other side. Alot of people from both the wizarding and muggle community had come to witness the marriage of Jonny and Olivia; both were loved very dearly.

The music started, soft and gentle, not the traditional wedding march at all. All eyes turned to the doors to the garden, where the first bridesmaids were appearing. Several of Olivia's cousins passed down the carpeted aisle, each clutching a bouquet of white roses and wearing the same pale gold 'poofy' dress Holly was wearing. Holly then appeared, smiling dutifully and throwing glances at her friends clearly telling them she wasn't at all happy with the fashion choice. James' eyes quickly darted to Sirius, who as always, was ogling his cousin. He'd gotten used to it, but still didn't like it. Sirius seemed to ogle just about everyone.

Olivia's maid of honour, Jennifer Aldridge was next (Sirius' eyes almost popped out of his head) and finally it was Olivia's turn.

Even though James defiantly protested his heart belonged to only one, he would've been an idiot to think Olivia looked nothing short of breath-taking, as all brides do. Her soft blonde hair fell down to her shoulders in elegant curls, skirting just above the top of her strapless dress. The dress itself was a creamy ivory colour, the bodice decorated with small beads and pearls, with skirt and train lightly trailing the ground. Simple, elegant, and perfect.

Mr Berry, who at that moment looked to be the proudest man on earth, led his daughter towards the slightly raised platform being used as an alter, shaking Jonny's hand and kissing Olivia's cheek as he gave her away. Jonny's eyes were glazed over, a large grin plastered to his face. He looked very happy indeed.

The ceremony was beautifully done. Though he was young, James could very much see how in love Jonny and Olivia were, it radiated from them brighter than the late summer sunshine above. As Jonny and Olivia shared their first kiss, James looked out into the crowd and spotted Lily cheering and clapping, a wide grin plastered to her face. As always, she looked beautiful.

The newlyweds left the small platform, and walked down the aisle as the guests threw rose petals over the couple. James and the rest of the groomsman paired off with their assigned bridesmaids (James had specifically asked to be paired with Holly rather than the giggling friends of Olivia) and followed.

"I thought this was meant to be a muggle wedding?" James quirked his eyebrow towards the platform, which had lengthened and now sported a large head table. All around them small rounded tables appeared, complete with plates and cutlery and decorations, and just before the platform, a large silver dance floor spread across the grass.

Holly rolled her eyes, and nodded towards James' father, "The muggles won't notice, it's the only bit of magic they're using all day. Everything else is as muggle as my dad."

James snorted, and led Holly over to Jonny and Olivia, who were receiving congratulations from their parents and Mr and Mrs Potter. True to her word, the muggles attending the wedding didn't seem to notice their change of surroundings, and carried on blissfully unaware of the magic around them.

"Jonny! Congratulations," James pulled his cousin into a hug as Holly did the same with her new sister in law.

"Cheers James," Jonny's eyes were still fixed on his new wife, James had a feeling he'd be like that for awhile.

"And Olivia," he continued, "Welcome to the family."

Olivia positively beamed, "Thanks James, I couldn't be happier!"

"I finally have female company!" Holly cried, sounding genuinely relieved. James pushed his cousin playfully, and rolled his eyes.

"We can't gang up on her anymore mate," he sighed, causing Jonny hang his head in mock sadness.

"You sure you know what you're getting into?" Holly whispered to Olivia as they watched the two begin to argue over what to do now that Holly had back up.

Olivia pulled a face, and wrapped an arm around Holly's shoulders, "I'm not so sure anymore."

~**~

The wedding reception was in full swing. Already Jonny and Holly had shared their first dance, the song being 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You', by a muggle singer named Elvis Presley, who was apparently quite a star in the muggle world. James had never heard of him, but Holly said her dad listened to him alot.

Now, as much as he loved his cousin, James was starting to get bored. Jonny was too occupied with his new wife to hang out with him much, and it seemed relatives from far and wide were flocking to him. He hadn't spotted Lily for awhile, but assumed she was with Holly and the girls.

Spotting Remus and Peter sitting at one of the small round tables, James managed to slip away from his uncle Ian's mother Ruth, who had a strange obsession with ruffling James' hair.

"Where've you two been?" James slumped into a seat, grabbing Peter's glass of pumpkin juice (Jonny told his father's family it was an old family recipe) and drained it in one gulp, much to the annoyance of his friend.

"Here," Remus informed, glancing over to the dance floor, "There isn't much to do."

"Yeah, where are all your female cousins, Potter," sounded a voice from behind James.

"Bugger off, Sirius," James leant back in his chair, stretching his arms high above his head, "Holly's the only girl, and you're not going anywhere near her."

Sirius rolled his eyes and took a seat next to Remus, "What about Lily, she's free and –"

"Sirius, shut up," Remus smacked his friend upside the head, "Where've you been anyway?"

Sirius nodded his head over to the dance floor, "Dancing. Just like everyone else."

"Who with?" frowned Peter, his head snapping to the dance floor, "James said he doesn't have any girl cousins."

"Yes he does," Sirius wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"And there was me thinking Holly had standards," Remus smirked, taking a sip of juice.

"Sirius!" James cried, "Will you please choose someone else to go after!"

"I'm not going after her," Sirius replied lazily, "We danced. Then I danced with Chris, and Bridget," Sirius paused, and grinned at his friend, "Don't worry, Evans was nowhere in sight."

Half concerned, half relived, James craned his neck to see if he could spot where Lily was. He saw Holly, chatting to her uncle Colin and his wife Helen, Chris, who was ogling Colin's son Thomas, Bridget, who was chatting to his father and uncle...but no Lily.

"Where is she?" he wondered aloud, hazel eyes scanning the large crowd.

The three boys around him sniggered, "For the love of Merlin, James, will you just give up on her already?!" Sirius said in exasperation. James shot his friend a disbelieving look, then returned to his search for Lily.

"When are we starting the – "Peter's voice was cut off by Remus, whose hand had quickly clamped over the smaller boys mouth.

"Will you keep your voice down!" Remus hissed, "James' mum is just there," he nodded his head towards Mrs Potter, who was talking with Alistair and Lobelia Potter, her husband's aunt and uncle. James loved his great-uncle Alistair; he was full of wild and frankly unbelievable stories. His aunt Lobelia, on the other hand, he wasn't too fond of.

"I didn't realise your family was so big," Remus mused, finally releasing Peter.

James nodded absently, "There's Potter's all over, most of them are really old now, though. None of my dad's cousins had kids, there's only me, Holly and Jonny who are magical kids in the family now."

Remus exchanged a look with Sirius, who shook his head. James was clearly occupied at the moment.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to talk to the bridesmaids," Sirius stood up, winked at an unimpressed Remus, and disappeared into the crowd.

"I'm going to make sure he doesn't get hexed," Remus quickly followed Sirius, leaving James and Peter at the table.

"You mind if I go look for Lily, Pete?" James asked hopefully. Peter sighed, and shook his head.

"Sure, go for it, I'll just..." Peter's voice trailed away as James leapt from his seat and hurried into the crowd of dancing guests.

~**~

"So, have you known Holly for long?"

Lily glanced up at the twinkling blue eyes of the boy she was dancing with, and smiled politely.

"Four years now, we met at school," she paused, wondering if Holly's cousin knew of Hogwarts.

"Ahh, the boarding school aunt Ivy went to," the boy nodded, "Do you like it there? We never thought uncle Ian would send his kids to a boarding school, my dad was rather shocked."

Lily forced a chuckle; it wasn't that she didn't like Michael; he just seemed a little...smarmy. Holly had warned her Thomas and Michael were like that, courtesy of a 'stuck up her own arse' Helen Knight.

"It's great, I love it," she finally answered, her green eyes wandering over the crowd. She spotted Sirius chatting away to Holly, and snorted. Those two had it bad, if only they'd get a move on with it. Michael spun Lily rather clumsily around, Lily almost tripping on the hem of a bridesmaid's dress behind her.

"Whoops," Michael chuckled, steadying Lily, "I take it you're not much of a dancer."

Lily inwardly rolled her eyes, but kept her polite facade simply because of the way she'd been brought up.

A few feet away, James Harold Potter was watching the pair through narrowed eyes. Lily was smiling; she looked as though she were really enjoying herself. Apparently that muggle was some great source of entertainment.

A wicked grin curled on James' face. Forgetting where he was momentarily, James shot over to Sirius, dragging him away from a rather dazed looking Holly, then hurried off to locate the rest of his Marauders.

"What was all that about?" Bridget appeared at Holly's side, watching as a determined looking James and a bemused looking Sirius disappeared from view.

"Huh?" Holly shook her head, looking as though she'd only just realised Bridget was there, "What're you on about?"

Bridget quirked an eyebrow, and threw her hands in the air.

"Am I the only one who doesn't turn into a dithering idiot through those boys!?"

~**~

The wedding guests fell silent as the gentle tinkle of a spoon hitting glass sounded (magically magnified, of course). All eyes turned to a grinning James Potter, who was standing in front of the head table, hazel eyes glinting with mischief. To his side, Sirius, Remus and Peter watched their friend with a mixture of amusement and pity. This more than likely wasn't going to go down well.

"Ahem," the waltzing wedding guests slowed to a halt, and James threw his friends a cheeky wink, "Good afternoon everyone, hope you're all enjoying yourselves," another charming grin, "I know I am. I didn't get the chance to say anything earlier; between Fabians frankly hilarious speech to aunt Ivy's blubbering not many of us had a chance. I'd just like to say congratulations to the happy couple, and cheers for giving us a reason to throw a party," the crowd broke into scattered chuckles, "I'm really happy for you guys, you make one hell of a couple," James raised his glass to Jonny and Olivia, who were smiling from somewhere over to the left, as the crowd chanted their name.

"Also," James continued, startling several guests, "There's someone else I'd like to make a toast to."

In the crowd, Lily paled, as James' eyes rested on her. She whipped around and mouthed helplessly to a gaping Holly, a chuckling Chris and a concerned Bridget.

"Now Liv, you know you're the most beautiful girl here, but I'm afraid I must comment on the beauty of another," James continued, as Lily repeatedly chanted no under her breath. Mrs Potter soon realised, and tried to push her way through the crowd, however Mr Potter, who himself was fighting laughter, quickly grabbed his wife's arm.

"Now Gwen, let him have his moment," he chuckled. Mrs Potter gaped at her husband, who merely smiled in return.

James' eyes rested on Lily, whose eyes were now tightly squeezed shut. As if on cue, Sirius appeared behind, ready to stop any attempt at an escape. As much as James' obsession with Lily annoyed him, Sirius found the whole situation highly entertaining.

"To Miss Lily Potter," James raised his glass and cleared his throat.

"The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright."

A resounding 'awww' sounded from the older members of the crowd, whilst the younger members merely gaped at James in utter shock. Sirius' eyes looked ready to burst from their sockets, Remus and Peter's jaws hung loosely open, while the girls looked as though they'd just seen a dragon deliver the very same speech.

Lily, suffice to say, looked stunned to the core.

"Where the bloody hell did he learn that!" Lily hissed, her eyes fixated on James, who was now drinking to the red head in the crowd.

"I haven't got a clue," Sirius replied in a daze, "Potter can rhyme!"

"It's a muggle poem," Lily muttered, "One my dad used to say to me," the red head trailed off, looking lost in thought.

Sirius merely shrugged, and hurried through the crowd towards James, who was already being bombarded with questions by Remus and Peter.

Lily continued to stare at nothing at all, until her three best friends arrived and shook her from her reverie.

"Lils! Did you hear that!?" Chris cried, tugging on her friends arm.

Bridget snorted, and shoved Chris a little, "Course she did, look at her face!"

Holly leant closer to Lily, forcing her to make eye contact, "You alright, Lily?"

Lily nodded slightly, thought Holly could tell it was a bare faced lie. Lily would explain later though. She was about to speak when a voice sounded smoothly in her ear.

"I must say, James is completely right, I couldn't agree more."

And by the look on James' face, he had heard every word.

There we go, chapter twenty five =) not long until we begin fourth year too! Our little Marauders are beginning to grow up =( hope you have enjoyed, and that it has been worth the wait. Part II is almost finished!

Disclaimer: The poem James so wonderfully recites to dear Lily is a poem titled 'The Lily' by William Blake. I thought it was rather fitting =)

Also, I don't own HP, but we all knew that anyways!