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"Remus, can I have a word with you?" The voice was pleasant, thought tinged slightly with nervousness. James Potter had stood up with an awkwardness not typical of his normal gait, and his cheeks were slightly flushed with the first hints of embarrassment. He rubbed the back of his neck glancing at his friend, the floor, and the hallway that led to a small unused bedroom in his home.

Remus raised an eyebrow with a sort of subtle curiosity. He had a fairly good idea of what was about to happen and smiled as he rose from his chair and followed his friend into the private room. "What is it, James?" he asked, shutting the door behind them.

"Well," started James, pausing slightly as though he was delivering a speech that was simultaneously well rehearsed, and somewhat unpleasant. "Lily and I... we're getting married," he managed to blurt out.

"Really, James?" grinned Remus. "I had no idea. You ought to have told me. Once. Or Twice. Or perhaps every time you saw me and occasionally via owls just to make sure. Oh wait," he said, his smile growing more broadly. "You did."

A deeper red began to seep into James' cheeks. His head hanging somewhat low, his eyes raised sheepishly to meet the amused expression on Remus' face. "It's just- the wedding will be in a few months, and well, tradition being what it is- I have to find myself a best man."

Remus nodded. He knew quite well what was coming next. "Go on," he said in his pleasantly mild tone.

"Well, the thing of it is..." James trailed off, looking a more embarrassed and shy than Remus had ever seen him. "I've decided to ask Sirius," he blurted out at last. "I mean, of course Remus you know how it is, I can only pick one- and Sirius didn't even get INVITED to his cousin's weddings, not that he would have gone but still-" he paused and looked into Remus's amber eyes with an apologetic expression. "I just ... hope you're not offended."

The polite expression had left Remus' face. He took a deep breath and straightened up slightly. "Frankly, James. I don't see how I could not be offended." He spoke with a quiet seriousness that made James wince, "That is to say, I'm offended you thought it would bother me in the slightest," he added, a warm smile returning to his face. "I know you and Sirius are brothers in all but blood."

James shook his head, smiling broadly at Remus and the two embraced warmly. As they left the room to join Lily and Sirius, Remus added under his breath, "Of course- you realize this means you'll have to persuade him to wear a suit."

"Who's going to wear a suit?" roared Sirius from across the room. Remus and James exchanged glances and broke into a fit of laughter.
---

Remus closed the door carefully behind himself and took a seat eagerly towards the front of the chapel. He smiled and gave a small wave to Mr. and Mrs. Potter who were sitting a few seats away. The wedding was well attended, although he'd heard one of Lily's bridesmaid's muttering about Lily's sister refusing to attend. Still, it did nothing to take away from the atmosphere. Remus took the sights in happily. Flowered garlands were draped around the doorways, and delicate white bouquets were placed around the chapel. James and Sirius stood side by side at the front of the chapel, Sirius grinning widely, a brotherly hand placed on James' shoulder. James' eyes were set resolutely on the doors to the chapel, as though the focus would cause his bride to appear sooner.

All at once, the organ began playing mirthfully, the doors gently glided to reveal Lily, in a gown as white and lovely as the flower that shared her name. Remus stood with the others, his heart pounding almost as though it was his wedding. Lily wore a charming smile and turned her head slightly to him as she passed, before stepping up to the altar.

As the ceremony ended, Lily and James stepped out of the chapel- facing the world for the first time as husband and wife. Everyone rushed out to toss rice at them and wish them well. Sirius and Peter scrambled out behind the crows as quickly as they could manage to wave their good-byes, but Remus lingered for a moment, merely taking in the atmosphere of the empty church. The satin runner had come up from the floor slightly, after dozens of people had rushed out after the Potters. Near the doors, a few blossoms had fallen unnoticed to the ground. Even though the building was empty- a feeling of happiness still lingered. Remus sighed slightly, running his hand over the back of a pew. He'd long since resigned himself to the knowledge that he'd probably never have a day like this for himself, though this did not keep him from enjoying today. Quite the opposite, he relished in his friend's joy as though it were his own.

The steeple bells began to sound, echoing cheerfully through the chapel, and breaking Remus out of his solitary thoughts. He rushed out the door to join the crowd, shaking hands with James and kissing Lily gently on the cheek. In what seemed like a mere moment, the two of them were gone, and the wedding party began to disperse. Remus stood alone, watching the last of the guests leave, smiling as the bells continued to sound through the air.