𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ thirty

LILY EVANS WAS PANICKING, something the redheaded witch was rarely known to do.

Maddilyn Snape, Alice Longbottom née Fortensque, Dorcas Meadowes and Marlene McKinnon were consoling Lily.

"Lily, take a few deep breaths," Maddie said soothingly, sharing an exasperated look with her fellow bridesmaids.

In the groom's room, James Potter was faring no better than his wife to be.

"Mate, Lily's not going to abandon you now, it's going to be an amazing wedding. Maddie Snape is a force to be reckoned with, and she's the one who organized practically the whole thing," Sirius said, trying to comfort the nervous groom.

Remus Lupin, who had been able to get away from his Pack duties, courtesy of Silver Gray, rolled his eyes. "Sirius, you are not helping him," Remus berated. "James, Prongs, everything will go according to plan, leave it up to us and Lily's bridesmaids to keep everything in order."

James relaxed, ever so slightly. "Let's do this," James said.

The wedding took place in the backyard of the Potter Mansion. Only close family and friends had been invited. Even though the marriage was a Pureblood and Muggle-born, the old traditions stood strong and there were a few Purebloods, representing their House. Those representatives were only there to see the fall of a once noble House.

James and his fellow Marauders filed out of the House, to stand on the dais. Music sounded and Lily walked in, her dress flowing while Maddie, her Maid of Honor, Alice, Dorcas and Marlene followed.

James met Lily's eyes, and he fell for the witch all over again. Lily smiled and took her place.

The officiant, Albus Dumbledore, much to Maddie's chagrin, started the ceremony.

The wedding went by in a blur. James and Lily were so enamoured with each other that Sirius had to nudge James when it was his turn to recite his vows. They got through the wedding, the audience in tears after the two recited their personalized vows.

"I WASN'T AWARE LILS invited you," Maddilyn Snape said, her voice icy cold.

"I don't know what you mean," said a voice belonging to Heinry McCallister, one of the Snapes and the Evans' neighbors. Heinry was a bit older than them, and the three had grown up around each other.

"Cut the act, Sev," Maddie said, rolling her eyes. "You weren't the only potions prodigy at Hogwarts. You reek of Polyjuice."

Severus Snape, who was indeed Polyjuiced as Heinry McCallister, sighed. "You got me, Mads," Severus said. "What is Black doing here?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe here being the groom's best man?" Maddie said, sarcasm dripping from her words.

"No, not him, Regulus Black?" Severus asked, his tone flat.

"Pureblood tradition dictates that each House sends a representative to witness a Pureblood union. Regulus is acting Head of House Black, because Lord and Lady Black are sick. I suspect, since this is a Pureblood marrying a Muggle, he's here to witness the fall of a once Pure House," Maddie answered. "That doesn't tell me what your doing here. You used the one word more taboo than Voldemort, on your oldest childhood friend. You're not welcome here. So leave."

"I wanted to see her one last time," Severus said quietly, looking over to where the newlywed couple were cutting the wedding cake.

"You chose your path, Sev. They say karma's a bitch," Maddie said. "Now leave. It's not safe for you, you could get caught."

Severus's eyes snapped up to meet Maddie's. "Why would you care if I got caught? You've made your stance clear," Severus said bitterly.

"Once upon a time, you were my brother," Maddie said. "Somewhere, I still believe you are."