The Brightest Sun

Chapter 24

2006: Lily

They had watched them for the past three years – sometimes quietly, most often with a bit of input – waiting to see what would become of the two.

Not for nothing were they left to impart wisdom on generations of Potters, be it in matters of their house or magic. But this was the first time they had taken up the mantle of matchmakers.

At least, the first time any of the portraits could recall having to interfere so obviously.

Harry had only had eyes for the Dornish Princess even before he had given her the ring. They all knew the look in his eyes, familiar as it was to them from their own husbands, and saw their boy unknowingly fall as deeply in love as those who came before him.

“Really, what is the point of pushing them together if we don’t get to see any of it,” huffed Iolanthe.

“Mother!” came the scandalized voice of her daughter-in-law.

“Oh, hush you. Where do you think it was all leading to?”

“Not something we should be watching,” Elizabeth hissed, bright spots high on her cheek.

“Dear girl, I am not so uncouth as you think,” Iolanthe sniffed, a devious glint in her eyes. “I merely want to know whether the boy will act on his feelings or not.”

“We don’t even know if she feels the same way,” protested Helene.

“Ach! Aren’t you French people supposed to be experts of romance?” sniped Ursula. “Anyone with eyes can see how she feels for him.”

Rolling her eyes at the familiar arguments that broke out, Lily wrinkled her nose as her mother-in-law winked.

“Six hundred years, and you think they would tire of that same argument,” Euphemia chuckled softly.

“I’m afraid they’ll air their dirty laundry soon enough,” Lily said. When she had married James, the last thing she expected was to be introduced to the multitude of portraits that were housed in Potter Hall. Her first meeting with them had gone well until two of the portraits had broken out into an argument, the cousins letting them all know exactly what had happened in their time.

“You worry for him,” Euphemia stated.

“He’s my only child,” she bit back. She grimaced in apology a moment later, but Euphemia waved her off.

“Harry has a good head on his shoulders,” her mother-in-law grinned. “And she has proven more than willing to give him a swift kick when needed.”

Lily hummed in agreement, eyes wandering to the ballroom doors. She could hear the music they danced to, and for once found herself agreeing with James over the need for at least a single frame in that blasted room.

There had been a moment, after Andromeda’s death, that she had feared for her baby boy. Andy had been the last parent he had known; the only person tied to him alone who had loved him for being Harry. Alone with Teddy and mourning yet another soul, Lily had watched in slight fear as he kept himself hidden from the world, as the only person to pull a genuine smile to his face was his son.

Perhaps it was selfish of her, but seeing the love in his eyes as Elia and her children carved a space in his heart made her wish they never had reason to separate. Let Westeros remain an impossible dream if it meant the two of them found some measure of happiness together.

Lily had given the world her son; the least they could do was allow him this one joy.