In Love and War

4. The Reception

As James and Lily left the church, hand in hand, a wizarding photographer stopped them at the top of the church steps: "Smile!" The two stopped at the top of the steps, along with the rest of the party, and gazed into the lens of the camera. Sirius squeezed Ellie's size and she ducked down with laughter, hidden behind James for the snap of the picture. James then picked up Lily, bridal style of course, and she squealed as he carried her down and across the street to the outdoor reception. It was nearing nightfall, and the red stained sun was sinking behind the steeple of the church. Ellie watched Lily and James happily, and Sirius slid his arm around her waist. Instinctively, she leaned into his lavender smell, smiling up at him.

"Hi," she said, stupidly.

"Hi back," he said, then bowed his head to her ear, "you are the most beautiful girl in the world." Ellie blushed, annoyed that after all this time he could still turn her cheeks pink with such a comment. She turned away from him, not wanting him to see, and replied,

"I see you wore your dress robes." He pulled her back into him, and she could feel him smiling as he said,

"Anything for you, Avia."

They had reached the reception. Soft music was playing as a large white tent hung with ivy and small fairy lights illuminated a dance floor, surrounded by elegant tables and lilies at each centerpiece. As the rest of the party arrived, everyone gathered around the dance floor, watching Lily and James take the floor and begin to dance, waltzing lightly around the floor. Their eyes never left each other's, and Ellie saw James whisper something into Lily's ear that made her blush. So, I guess she wasn't the only one. She felt Sirius' breath close to her ear again,

"Am I going to have to dance with you?" She repressed a snort,

"There is no way I'm stepping on a dance floor with you again. Not after the Black Ball. You stepped on my feet so much. Do you even have any idea what a waltz is?" She felt his chest deflate as he huffed,

"I am too a good dancer." He pouted. The song ended, and everyone clapped. Lily gestured to Marlene and Peter, and they took to the dance floor as a new, quicker waltz filled the room. "I'll dance your toes off." She turned to face him, and he realized what he'd said, "Wait – no – I meant - "

"You quite possibly might." Ellie laughed. Remus came up to the pair.

"Come dance with me El," Remus said, grinning and clicking his feet. Sirius cuffed him over the head.

"I WAS ABOUT TO ASK HER!" Ellie laughed again at Sirius' incredulous pout. She held out her hand and Remus took it,

"Take me away from the toe killer, please." Ellie said dramatically, winking at Sirius over her shoulder as she took to the floor with Remus.

"Remy," she said, smiling, arm loosely on his shoulder, the other still holding his hand.

"El," he said back, also smiling, "I love seeing that necklace on you. But I think it might be time for a new one. Is the engraving even on there anymore?" She glanced down at the snitch necklace, which had become so faded and worn over time that it resembled more of a golden lump than anything else.

"No," she laughed, "but I'll never take it off. My best friend gave it to me." He spun her around in response.

"And don't forget it." He said, "How is everything? It feels like we haven't talked in ages."

"Good," Ellie started, but, seeing the look on Remus' face, pressed on, "well, about as good as anything can be right now. At least I have an idiot to lean on." They looked over at Sirius, who was watching James' feet very intently and mouthing one, two, three, four in time with the music. Remus laughed.