To Live is the Rarest Thing

Chapter 19

It was interesting, Harry mused while he and Tom stood holding hands in front of the ministry official, that even after being married for so many times in previous lives, it was still quite an emotional affair. Binding your lives together legally, and as was the current case magically, was always a truly memorable moment.

Harry knew he and Tom had been married together well over a hundred times at that point, but that didn’t change the fact that their current wedding might as well have been their first one, considering how choked up Harry felt.

Or perhaps that had something to do with the fact that they were finally their original selves again, living a completely different version of their original lives. Whatever the reason, Harry had to swallow more than a few times to keep himself together. And while Tom’s expression remained carefully relaxed, Harry could also see plenty of emotions shining in his eyes.

The ministry official, a short, plump woman with curly, grey hair named Delia Hatfield, kept the ceremony short but entertaining. She had a lovely sense of humour that allowed for a few well-timed jokes to break some of the tension.

The ceremony was being held in Riddle Mansion’s largest reception room, where Tom and Harry stood in front of the fireplace while their few guests sat on chairs facing them. The rest of the furniture had been moved aside for the occasion.

The photographer Tom had arranged, an older man with a messy head of white hair named Willard Woodley, took plenty of pictures during the ceremony.

“I pronounce you husband and husband,” Delia said with a beaming smile. “You may now kiss.”

Harry’s could barely hold back a huge grin while Tom leaned down and pressed their lips together while Willard snapped a few more shots.

Remus volunteered to serve tea and coffee to everyone in the sitting room while Sirius rearranged the furniture so they could sit more comfortably instead of having everyone face the fireplace. Harry and Tom sliced into their small wedding cake, which was an absolutely delicious Schwarzwaelder Kirsch, a German chocolate and cherry creation, and which went down so well that most guests had a second slice, Harry and Tom included.

Afterwards, Willard took Tom and Harry outside for a few official wedding pictures around Little Hangleton, one of which Harry was determined to have framed and put up on their wall for the rest of their lives, as they always did.

Back at the mansion, Sirius approached them with a small wrapped present while he gestured at Remus and Regulus to join him. “Our gift,” Sirius said with a genuine smile. Harry had been very relieved to see that Sirius’ meeting with James the previous week had done wonders for his godfather’s mood, and now Sirius seemed at peace with Harry marrying Tom.

“You shouldn’t have,” Harry said automatically, even though he knew very well guests would bring gifts to a wedding. It’s just that he and Tom had everything their hearts desired as far as Harry was concerned and he genuinely didn’t expect people to get them stuff, not even for a wedding.

Sirius snorted and waved Harry’s mild objections away. “You’re my godson, Harry. You’re family, so of course you get a gift.” Sirius all but shoved the box into Harry’s hands. “It’s from me, Remus and Reggie. Now open it.”

Fondly shaking his head, Harry ripped away the blue paper to reveal a small, leather box. Harry opened the box to find a set of housekeys inside. Confused, Harry looked up at a grinning Sirius.