Harry Potter and the Incubus Inheritance: Harry Potter and the First Downfall

Chapter 3 – Binding the Cord

Summary: James and Lily's handfasting ceremony is finally here.

A/N: James and Lily finally walk down the aisle, surrounded by family and friends…And thousands of Albion's citizens.

A handfasting is a pagan wedding ritual that's been around since the middle ages. Although some people still do it now, they don't traditionally follow the 'a year and a day' rule. Basically, when a couple is at first handfasted, they agree to be handfasted for a year and a day. Then, once that time has passed, they will host another handfasting ceremony, this time making it permanent. Some choose not to, making their wedding null and void.

I tried to include the traditions from the olden days but most of what I found are regarding modern handfasting ceremonies so it won't be exact. I'm sorry.

Also, you will be meeting lots of James and Lily's family, immediate and extended. You've already had glimpses of Lily's non-canon family – her father (Arwyn Evans, the Marquess of Killian), her mother (Aoife Evans, the Marchioness of Killian), her step-mothers Cara Vance-Evans and Julia Longbottom-Evans and her half-sister Emmeline Vance-Evans. You've also met James' father, the King of Albion, as well as James' uncle and aunt-in-law, Prince William and the Lady Vivian.

Arwyn and Aoife aren't canon but aren't non-canon either. We just never knew anything about Lily's parents, including their names. That they're pureblood witch and wizard is fiction since they're muggles in canon. Cara and Julia are non-canon but Emmeline is the same Emmeline Vance from canon. We didn't get to see or hear much of her in the books except that she was in the Order and that she was killed in the Second War. I don't think we knew her exact age so I'm making her around Lily's age.

Now, you'll meet others such as James' uncle (non-canon), families that are related to the Potters and Evans (such as the Blacks, the Longbottoms, etc.), get surprised by a few characters showing up and even meet a few canon-but-not-mentioned-beyond-a-vague-name characters I've loved incorporating into the story (just like Emmeline, though none of them will have big roles).

This is, after all, a royal wedding. Who wouldn't want to attend?

Timeline: June 1978.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Charmed or Merlin. Those rights belong to JK Rowling, Constance M. Burge and the Four Js (Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, the creators of BBC Merlin). I am merely playing with JK's characters and Burge's and the Four Js' ideas for supernatural powers/Arthurian legends. I mean no copyright infringement.

Long before any of the royals or nobles sleeping soundly within the protected walls of Camelot had woken up, the servants were bustling around preparing for one of the biggest and most lavish days in recent Albion history.

They woke hours before first light, making sure the castle was spic and span, the courtyard ready for the arrival of several hundred guests from around the world, the great hall ready for the reception to take place after the ceremony…The kitchens were hot and sweaty with the preparation of the feast to be held later on that day, chefs yelling at the house elves to do this and that better and faster. The main floor of the palace was decked in red, gold, white and blue in celebration of the upcoming handfasting. The coats of armour for Houses Potter and Evans were displayed proudly on banners placed strategically all over.

Finally, as the sun began to rise over the horizon, James was awoken by his manservant, Hilbert.

'Sire, it's time to wake,' Hilbert called gently as he pulled back the curtains to let in the first rays of sunlight, laid out the breakfast spread he'd gotten from the kitchen and straightened up the mess James had made just a few short hours ago as he'd climbed back in through the window, thoroughly drunk.

James groaned into his pillow, pulling it over his head to shield his eyes. Even the soft morning sun hurt his head. He never should've allowed himself to partake in Sirius' ridiculous drinking games. He'd be feeling all sorts of awful – and on his own wedding day, no less.

Hilbert, however, was used to the repercussions of James' night outs with his friends. Swiping a bottle of Wideye potion from the tray he'd brought up, he uncorked it and held it up for the prince. 'A cure for your ills, my prince,' he offered.

James cracked one bleary eye. He saw the familiar clear blue-green potion and groaned an unintelligible word of gratitude. He downed it in one shot, grimacing at the horrid potent taste and shivering madly for a few seconds as the potion took effect, giving him the feeling of a bucket of ice cold water being poured over his head.

A few seconds passed and James noticeably brightened up, feeling as wide awake as if he'd gotten nine hours of sleep instead of a measly two. His head was clearer, his limbs weren't as lead-heavy and his eyelids didn't feel as though they were being pulled down by weights.

Magic truly was amazing.

'Thank you, Hilbert,' he threw his quilt off of his body.

James stretched his arms over his head, smiling slightly as he looked out the window at the steadily rising sun. The day seemed better than all the other good days he'd ever had before in his life. The air seemed fresher. The birds' chirping sounded like a real melody. A sense of peace and happiness had settled over his entire body, as though nothing awful could ever touch him again.

It took him a few moments to realise why. And, when it did, it struck him dumb and wiped the silly smile off his face.

'I'm getting married today!'

Lily had an easier time waking up on the morning of her wedding than the future King of Albion. Then again, she hadn't gone off drinking Firewhisky into the early hours of the morning like James had.

She had spent a quiet but lovely evening with her mother, Emmeline and Alice Longbottom. They had shown up at her chambers after her bath and had sat around with her in her sitting room. They'd given her a gift each for her upcoming handfasting, wishing her all the best for her future as the next Princess of Albion. She had gone to bed long before the midnight hour and had drifted off to sleep dreaming good thoughts of her future.

Her maid Helena had woken her up just a little while after first light. The handfasting ceremony was at midday and as the future bride, she wouldn't be greeting the guests like James was supposed to do. No one but her maid, her bridesmaids, her mother and the house elves helping to dress her would see her before her walk down the aisle.

She had been served a light breakfast of fruits and cheese, and had immediately been shuffled off to the bathroom attached to her chambers for a bath. According to Helena, it would take hours to dress Lily appropriately for the wedding.

She tried not to cringe at the thought, or take too much offence.

Helena had made Lily scrub from head to foot, the bath taking much longer than usual. By the time Lily got out of the water, her normally pale skin had turned a light pink colour and there was not a single trace of hair anywhere on her body except for her head. Helena had used a drying spell on Lily before helping her don a warm robe.

Lily's mother Aoife had shown up with her maid Trudy whilst Helena had been working on twisting and curling Lily's hair, making it gloss and bounce.

'Oh, my darling,' Aoife had taken one look at Lily and her eyes had welled up with tears. 'You look absolutely glowing.'

'Yes, that was because I spent nearly an hour getting scrubbed clean,' Lily said dryly. Helena blushed but made no comment, as was appropriate for a maid in the presence of her mistress and the Lady of the House she served.

'Nonsense,' Aoife scoffed. 'It is the day you are to be handfasted, my dear. It is only expected that you should be lit up with happiness.'

Lily couldn't help the uncontrollable smile that spread from one ear to another.

'And to think, just three years ago, you would've scolded me silly for even suggesting a possible marriage between Houses Potter and Evans,' Aoife teased.

Lily scowled. 'Mother!'

Aoife laughed. 'Well, I only wanted to drop in and see how you were,' she brushed a gentle hand over Lily's cheek. 'I will have to greet the guests arriving for the day with your father soon.'

Since Camelot was made difficult to enter – another form of protection – the King had had to send out hundreds of their winged Abraxan horses, decked out with carriages, for the guests to be taken from the sea port they would arrive at straight to the palace, dodging the press and thousands of fans who weren't invited to the handfasting. The horses had been hard at work since seven that morning, waiting for the ships carrying the invited wedding attendees to arrive from the wizarding port in mainland Albion, and shuffling guests back and forth.

Aoife stepped forward, causing Helena to cease her work on Lily's hair, and gently embraced her daughter. 'You've grown up so very beautifully, my lovely Lily,' Aoife whispered in her ear. 'I want you to know that your father and I are both very proud of you.'

Lily felt tears stinging the back of her eyes. She hugged her mother a little harder and breathed in the familiar comforting scent that always managed to propel her back towards childhood. 'Thank you, mother,' she murmured.

Aoife released her after one final squeeze and pressed a kiss to Lily's forehead before straightening up. 'Well, I shan't keep you much longer,' she smiled at Lily. 'It's time for me to head down. I'll see you at midday, love.'

Lily smiled at her mother as she left the room, lavish dress and cloak swishing at her feet.

At quarter before eleven, Lily's room was invaded by her bridesmaids, her half-sister Emmeline, Alice Longbottom and Dorcas Meadows. They were all already dressed up in their pretty purple bridesmaid dresses, their hair done up and their bouquets sitting daintily at one side. They crowded over Lily, gushing and tearing up, hugging her, wishing her luck and teasing her on her wedding night.

Lily blushed at a particularly crude comment from Emmeline. 'Good lord, Emmeline!' Lily said, aghast. 'I think you've rather spent far too much time with Sirius.'

Emmeline scowled slightly at the mention of her on-again-off-again suitor. 'Let's not mention him at the moment,' she said, looking slightly green. 'I heard he was off having the time of his life last night with that cow, Penelope Pierce.'

'Emmeline!' Dorcas giggled. 'That's awful. How was she to know that you still have a possessive streak even when you and Sirius aren't together?'

'I do not have a possessive streak,' Emmeline sniped. 'I simply don't think it's all that right for her to jump into his bed so soon. She's only just met him.'

'Well, I hope you aren't planning on creating a scene,' Alice warned her. 'Let's not forget that this is Lily's day.'

'Yes, and accusing the American Wizarding President of having a slut of a daughter isn't a great way to kick off the celebrations,' Dorcas added.

Emmeline rolled her eyes. 'I'm well aware, thank you,' she said dryly.

Finally, at half past eleven, whilst the King, the Crown Prince, the wedding party, most of the royal household and the thousands of guests had all departed by winged horse-drawn carriages for the palace church, Lily stepped into her wedding gown, created just for her.

It was spun out of the softest, most lavish acromantula silk, with tiny little diamonds hand-sewn into an intricate swirling pattern all over the dress, the train and the flowing veil adding a flare of sparkling white to the blue. Her heeled shoes, made of soft velvet and leather, were covered in the same diamonds with a touch of blue sapphires to complement the dress.

A house elf, one that Lily didn't recognise but who clearly worked in the royal palace judging from the crest on the uniform she wore, knocked on Lily's door and popped in when allowed entry.

'It's time, my lady,' the elf bowed low. 'The ceremony is ready to begin. Lady Lily is required downstairs for the ride down to the church.'

'Thank you,' Lily said politely.

The elf bowed once more before leaving.

Lily stood frozen in place, her heart hammering away in her chest and her hands shaking.

'Lily?' Emmeline, noticing Lily's face suddenly going pale, rushed to her side. 'Oh, my dear…You aren't suddenly getting cold feet, are you? Lily, this is the day you've been waiting for!'

Lily nodded her head, her throat too tight to speak.

She wanted to tell Emmeline that she knew it was the day she'd been waiting for. In fact, ever since James had proposed and she had accepted, she had dreamed about this very day every single day, counting down the days to the real thing. However, having something she coveted so dearly coming true shook her to the core, despite all the preparation she'd gone through beforehand.

Thankfully Alice, who hadn't yet forgotten what it felt like to be nearly wedded, having had her handfasting ceremony mere months ago, clasped Lily's hands in hers.

'Oh,' she moaned sympathetically. 'That's exactly the reason she's so shook up, Em. Listen to me, Lily…It's going to be alright. It's nerve-wracking right this second but once you're walking down the aisle and you see him…You'll be biting your cheek to stop from sprinting the rest of the way.'

An almost hysterical bubble of laughter burst out of Lily's mouth. She took the delicately arranged bouquet of flowers Helena gave her, took a steadying breath and nodded her head in resolve.

Helena opened the door and all five of them filtered out, Lily at the helm. They made their way down the impressive marble spiral stairs to the main floor of the palace.

As usual, there were guards stationed everywhere for protection, but the eerie stillness made Lily's nerves come back. So did the way the guards bow to her, a courtesy on her wedding day. No one else was around, however. Not the servants, bustling about their usual everyday chores. Not the noblemen who came by for business or pleasure. Not the knights who were given free rein to roam the halls of the palace they protected with their lives. Not even the wedding planners who had crowded the castle with tulle and flowers and seating charts for weeks beforehand.

There was only one person she knew waiting for her at the bottom of the spiral stairs.

'Lily,' he breathed, taking in the sight of her in her beautiful dress, her vivid red hair curled and pinned up, her delicate hands wrapped around her white and blue bouquet. 'You look…like a vision.'

Lily's eyes welled up as she saw the love in her father's eyes. 'Papa,' she murmured affectionately, glowing warm when he took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

Her sister, bridesmaids and handmaiden remained politely quiet, discretely giving father and daughter some time alone before she became a married woman.

Arwyn pulled away first, his eyes suspiciously wet as he kissed the top of her head. 'Well, we best be off,' he sighed a shaky breath. 'We wouldn't want the groom to grow worried if his bride is late down the aisle.'

Lily giggled slightly, feeling a giddy sort of rush, taking her father's proffered arm.

Lily stepped outside the front entrance of the palace and carefully walked down the stone steps leading to the courtyard, Emmeline holding up her train so it wouldn't be accidentally stepped on.

The Abraxan horse waiting for her was huge, with a beautiful snowy white body and an almost luminescent mane. The feathers of its wings looked shimmery and downy, and it was decked in gold and red. The carriage attached to the horse was intricately crafted, with golden wheels and a black body with red and gold accents. There was no driver; the Abraxan would know exactly where to go.

'Go ahead, Lily,' Emmeline urged her on towards the carriage. 'We'll be right behind you.'

It was then that Lily noticed a second horse and carriage, both smaller and less elaborately dressed up, waiting behind the bridal carriage.

Lily took a deep breath, hugged her sister gently and was off towards the bridal carriage. She was nothing but a bundle of nerves at this point but she supposed she only had two options – stand there, frozen in panic, or get moving and see where the day leads. It couldn't possibly be as scary as she imagined it to be.

Arwyn reached out and took Lily's hand, squeezing it in comfort before placing it on his arm. She snuck a look at him and the soft smile he offered her was enough to give her the courage she needed. With another deep breath, she stepped into the carriage.

Lily was silent as the horse started moving, Arwyn sitting on her right. She rubbed the soft sleeve of her father's elegant silk robes, made especially for this momentous occasion.

The entire city of Godric, from the palace gates all the way to the church was decorated for the special event. Red and gold banners proudly displaying the royal crest were hung up everywhere. There were confetti thrown on the floors and flowers pinned to every door and vendor stall.

Though the streets of the city were completely empty of people, asides from the guards ordered to roam about and defend against any potential threats, there was a large crowd just outside the palace gates. They were held back by a force field, erected and held in place by the King himself early last evening. They cheered and waved, screaming and calling out her name, as the carriage passed by, enthusiastic at the prospect of a new member of the royal family.

She knew that once the carriage was out of sight, the crowd outside the palace would leave and join the others outside the church, waiting for her to arrive.

Her heart started pounding faster and faster when the royal church came into view, its intimidating gothic stone structure looming over the carriage, casting a shadow on her.

As she had predicted, the crowd cheering and screaming outside the church gates were triple the size of the one outside the palace earlier. They called out for her exuberantly at the sight of the bridal carriage and, doing her more superficial duties as James' future bride, she held up her hand and waved, just as she'd been taught in the etiquette lessons preceding her wedding day. They cheered louder.

When the horse came to an abrupt halt, Lily's heart almost burst out of her chest in anxiety.

Arwyn laughed softly next to her, startling her. He patted her hand gently and brought it to his lips for a kiss. 'Ready, princess?' he asked her affectionately.

Lily nodded, a wry thought crossing her mind that in just an hour's time, she would be a real princess, not just in her father's eyes. A moment of panic overcame her once again at the thought of the responsibilities that title would entail, but the image of James' beaming face, dressed in his wedding robes, waiting for her at the altar, popped into her mind. A strange sort of excited resolve came over her.

'Yes, I am,' she answered with a twinkling smile.

Arwyn nodded and, when the footman waiting for their carriage outside the church opened the carriage door, he stepped out, holding out his hand to assist her so she wouldn't trip all over her long dress.

Lily hardly noticed when Emmeline, Alice and Dorcas stepped out of the bridesmaid carriage and joined her and Arwyn, nor when Helena stepped forward from the staff carriage behind them. She most definitely didn't notice the crowd growing even wilder at the first sight of her, though her father did remind her to wave at them as a general greeting.

The large church doors were opened, a red carpet laid out to welcome them and guards stationed on each side to ensure their safety. Lily and Arwyn passed through the doors arm in arm, her bridesmaids behind her and Helena behind them. Once they were inside, the guards shut the doors behind them, two of them standing guard outside and two standing guard inside. The deafening sound of the crowd outside was muffled extensively when the doors were swung shut.

The group of six stopped at the huge ceiling-to-floor solid oak door leading to the great hall. It was shut to shield Lily from the eyes of the public – and the groom – until her fateful walk down the aisle. She knew everyone inside was already at their places, awaiting the arrival of the bride eagerly.

'Last chance, Lily,' Emmeline mock whispered behind her.

Arwyn shot a look at his daughter behind him. 'Emmeline,' he scolded.

Far from contrite, Emmeline simply shrugged with an impish smile almost identical to Lily's.

Lily simply laughed. 'Thank you, Em, but…my husband is waiting for me,' she shot a smile at her sister and patted her father's hand.

The flowing procession music began just as the doors to the great hall swung open, her arrival and readiness to walk through the door sensed by magic.

The room was decorated in white – pure, blinding white – rather than the ostentatious red and gold everywhere else. It was almost like stepping into a winter wonderland in the midst of summer. Every head turned in her direction the moment they heard the music, and Lily nervously scanned the crowd sitting on the white painted oak chairs.

Arwyn's arm, a comforting presence, slid arms hers and Lily inhaled deeply. She turned her head in his direction, giving him a small smile, and adjusted her grip properly.

'Come on, Lily love,' he whispered to her, unheard by anyone else. 'Your future is waiting.'

At those words, Lily's gaze snapped to the very front of the church. There, waiting at the altar, was James. The sight of him took her breath away. He was so very dashing, dressed in his dress robes: a perfectly tailored pair of dark trousers and a red silk shirt she knew had been made especially for today. A red, white and gold cloak bearing the royal crest and his crown completed the look.

'Yes, he is,' she murmured, almost to herself.

She took the first step.

Just like her father had said, everyone else in the church had faded from her mind. All she saw was James, standing there with a beaming smile on his face, suspiciously bright eyes tracking her every step towards him. Before she knew it, they had already reached the altar.

Arwyn patted her hand, unwound it from his arm and brought it to his lips to kiss her knuckles before he gave her away to James.

James' hand slipped over hers and Lily noticed dimly that it was shaking slightly. The fact that he was as nervous as she was made her feel slightly better.

Arwyn took his seat in the front row, next to Aoife. Lily's bridesmaids walked up next and Lily handed over her bouquet to Emmeline before she could move to take her place.

Lily and James held hands as they faced each other, giddy smiles stretching their faces before they turned to face the High Priest of the royal church.

'Lords and Ladies, women and gentlemen,' the High Priest began. 'We are gathered here today to witness the holy union between James, Crown Prince of Albion, and Lily, daughter of the Marquess of Killian.'

Lily's heart thrummed hard against her chest. James' fingers tightened around hers and she couldn't help the shaky smile on her lips.

'The first handfasting, which will bind James and Lily for a year and a day, is a sacred ritual, one that our ancestors have used since magic roamed freely, and one that our descendants will continue to use until the end of days.'

A peek from behind the lacy veil at her future husband made her blush. His attention was riveted on only her.

'Repeat after me,' the High Priest instructed. 'I , James Charlus Potter…'

'I, James Charlus Potter…'

'I, Lily Aoife Evans…'

'I, Lily Aoife Evans…'

A thick pleated cord of rope startled Lily. She looked down on hers and James' entwined hands to find that the High Priest was waving his wand, the rope tying itself loosely around the couple's hands in a binding ritual.

'And so, with this cord, I do bind James and Lily in holy matrimony for a year and a day, when they will make the sacred vows to be bonded in holy union for as long as they both shall live,' the High Priest continued. 'With magic, the universe and the Gods as my witness, so mote it be.'

'So mote it be,' James and Lily echoed.

'So mote it be,' the congregation resounded.

The High Priest smiled at them both. 'You may now kiss your bride,' he told James.

James broke into a wide smile. Untangling his hands from Lily, the cord binding their hands falling away and coiling itself neatly on the altar, he reached up and lifted back her veil. Bringing her close, he clasped his arms around her and brought his lips to her in a soft, passionate kiss.

The High Priest waited until the kiss and the applause died down before he stepped forward, this time carrying a wooden box intricately carved with symbols Lily knew to be protection runes and crests belonging to the royal family. He placed the box on the altar and opened it, revealing a beautiful gold crown, complete with shining drops of emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

He lifted the crown from the box and moved towards the newly wedded pair. 'By the power vested in me, I now pronounce thee, Lily Potter,' he placed the crown gently but firmly on her head, 'Princess of Albion.'

The congregation went wild once more and the High Priest smiled as he announced to the crowd, 'It is my greatest honour to announce to you James, the Crown Prince, and Lily, the Princess of Albion.'

The applause started up again, and so did the procession music. Emmeline appeared next to Lily, handing her back her bridal bouquet. Hands clasped together, James and Lily walked back down the aisle towards the door. Their family and friends stood, clapping as they made their exit. They were followed by Lily's bridesmaids, James' ushers and their immediate family.

The crowds of spectators outside the church grew wilder than they had before when they saw the newly wedded royal couple. Lily giggled alongside James as they stopped for a quick moment to wave to the public.

It was still a little overwhelming for Lily. She could only thank the heavens that she'd had practice with overzealous fans and press from being part of a noble family. It was nothing compared to being part of a royal family but at least she wasn't completely unprepared. She could only imagine the shock this must all be had she been from a peasant family – or even more so had she been a muggleborn.

The door to their newlywed carriage swung open, a footman waiting patiently and quietly at the side.

James held her hand and helped her up into the carriage before stepping in himself. No one else, not even their personal servants, were allowed to ride with them in the newlywed carriage. The door swung shut and as the winged horses started to move, James and Lily waved out their windows to the admiring crowd once more.

Once they were high up in the air, en route back to the palace where the reception will be held, James turned to his new bride. Their hands were still joined together. She was already looking at him, an exultant grin on her pretty lips and a sparkle in her soft eyes.

'Ah, can you believe it, Lily flower?' he asked her, bringing her hand up to his lips for a kiss. 'You are now my wife.'

'And you are now my husband,' she teased back. 'Surely you could afford to give me a proper kiss now.'

A sly smile formed across his lips as he leaned in and stole an entirely improper, hungry kiss from her. When he'd finally pulled away, Camelot was just coming into view and they were both heaving, mouths parted to suck in as much air as they could.

'How was that for a proper kiss?' James asked cheekily once he had regained his breath and his heart beat had slowed down somewhat.

Lily, blushing an almost bright red colour, gave him a smile that was almost bashful. 'It was entirely improper,' she said, and for a moment James thought that she might chide him. The streets were, after all, lined with crowds – people with binoculars and presses with cameras. They could have gotten a look at the two of them necking around like two lustful teenagers.

However, she surprised him by leaning in towards him and pressing another kiss to his lips. It was just as passionate as their kiss just moments ago, though it ended a lot quicker since they were nearing the palace. Her green eyes were dark when they pulled apart.

Unable to help himself, James leaned in and whispered in her ear, 'I can't wait for the reception to be over so our wedding night can begin.'

Her entire face turned an almost purple colour. She slapped him on the arm and chided, 'James! You rogue!'

There was no heat to her scolding, however, and she was still blushing and smiling coyly as she turned her head away to look out the window.

The Abraxan they were on swooped down just as they reached the palace gates. Lily could feel her heartbeat thudding faster and faster once more, and this time, it had nothing to do with lust.

The heavy wrought iron palace gates swung open and the Abraxan trotted forward, pulling the carriage with ease with it. It moved gracefully through the complex, perfectly scenic, winding pathway leading to the palace. It hit her hard that this was now her home.

She was now a Princess, a royal. The ceremonial coronation, which would be conducted by the King himself, would take place a year and a day from now, when she and James would renew their vows and cement their marriage forever. But that would only be for ceremony's sake. She was already crowned Princess. She had already been given the responsibilities of a royal and a wife.

It wasn't like it hadn't been brought up before – she had seen her family's house elves packing up her clothes, her books and the rest of her possessions and it had all been moved to the new bedroom in the palace she would be sharing with James as a wedded couple, in the east wing where they would live and raise their future family. She hadn't, of course, seen the new room but she knew it would hold no sign of childhood and every sign of their shared adulthood.

But somehow, none of the preparations or the talks or the wedding fare that had begun weeks ago when James had proposed had given her a full understanding to what it would be like in this particular moment.

A jolt of panic rushed through her at the thought of proving herself a failure in these regards.

However, an image of James standing at the altar, love and utter faith in his eyes, came unbidden to the forefront of her mind. Holding on to that image, Lily took several deep breaths and calmed her racing heart. She had always excelled at everything she gave her heart and soul to. This would be no different.

She was startled out of her thoughts when the carriage came to a stop and the door was opened by a palace footman. She took a shy glance at James who seemed to sense the reason for her anxiety.

'You have nothing to fear,' he assured her. 'You are my light, my life. We are going to have a brilliant life together.'

Invigorated, Lily nodded, squeezed his hand one last time before letting the footman help her out of the carriage. The crowd outside the gates were still celebrating the royal union, and they could hear their roars and cheers and merriment from outside the gates even miles away at the palace entrance.

A welcome party was waiting for James and Lily when they arrived – every member of the royal family, immediate and extended, their wedding party, their closest friends and allies…Lily blushed when she saw Minerva McGonagall standing a few people down on Charlus Potter's right. It was so strange knowing that she and James were related, however distantly, and now so were they. Of course, coming from a pureblood family, Lily was not a stranger to distant relatives everywhere she turned. Still, none of them had been her teacher.

Charlus, Arwyn and Aoife greeted the newlyweds joyously, with Charlus proclaiming loudly to the court, 'My son, Prince James, and his new bride…' he took Lily's hand and presented her to the gathered. 'Our princess, Lily.'

Their families and friends clapped and cheered and congratulated the couple and, eventually, when the excitement had died down a little, the party moved into the palace, with Charlus leading the helm, and the newly wedded couple in tow.

All of the palace staff, including the guards, were waiting in a welcome line for them in the foyer just as they entered. They bowed and curtsied in respect as the royal party moved past.

Lily and James were taken to separate, adjoining chambers where they freshened up and had a refreshing cold glass of pumpkin juice to refuel their energy as they waited for the remainder of their guests to arrive and for everyone to get situated for the wedding feast and reception. King Charlus and the others handled the responsibility of greeting the guests when they arrived back at the palace.

The great hall where the feast was held was already in full swing when Lily and James finally entered, the rest of their guests seated at their seats, music playing and servers circulating the room with drinks on their trays. Everyone stood and clapped when James and Lily entered.

The newly wedded couple went to the very front of the room where a large long rectangular table was set up on a dais. At the very centre of the table, Charlus had taken his place on his throne. James sat to his right, and Lily next to him.

Before the feast was to start, Charlus stood and addressed the court.

'Today, I am ecstatic to welcome a new member of my family, Lily,' he beamed in James and Lily's direction. 'I never thought the day would come when my son would find the sort of happiness that I once shared with his mother. He always seemed so restless, always eager to fight battles rather than start a family. But now…Now I am pleased to say that I know James will experience all the things a man should experience – the pleasure of being a husband, the joy of being a father…These are the things a father cannot explain to a son, until he goes through it himself. Let us all raise our goblets…'

Charlus lifted his bejewelled golden goblet, and the rest of the room followed suit.

'To James and Lily. Long may they reign.'

The wedding feast carried on gaily with an enormous banquet prepared by the palace's kitchen staff. There was roast duck, roast geese, lamb chops, smoked salmon, stuffed swans, pheasants, pottages, turkey legs, ragouts, a large selection of cheese, freshly baked bread and warm butter. Apples, wild fruit, dates, sugared almonds and pistachio nuts cleared their palettes. Custards, tarts, cherry hearts, puddings, fresh fruits and, the Prince's favourite, treacle tarts sweetened the teeth. Pumpkin juice, spicy mulled wine, butterbeer and Firewhisky flowed freely, along with some of the more exotic drinks and mixes.

For their many foreign guests, the palace chef had also made a variety of specialty dishes from around the world. Lily was particularly fond of the bouillabaisse. Servers went around the great hall, offering up whatever was on their carts and trays. Goblets were magically refilled every time it was empty.

The chatter and laughter and merriment in the great hall were nothing short of booming.

At the centre of the royal table, James and Lily wore large smiles and flushed faces as they revelled in newlywed glory. It was difficult for them not to sneak looks at each other even as they carried on with conversations with members of their family and their closest friends.

'I'm so happy for the two of you,' Emmeline said as she leaned forward and smiled at James and Lily.

'Yes, the ceremony was very beautiful,' Vivian agreed. 'Your dress is gorgeous, Lily.'

'I thought your vows were the best part,' Alice piped up. Her round face was alight with a bright smile. 'Congratulations, Your Highness,' she addressed both Lily and James.

Lily blushed, squeezing James' hand under the table. She hadn't let go of it since their handfasting, it seemed, and she wasn't able to stop smiling.

Finally, once the last dollop of pudding had been licked clean and the last plate had been cleared, the King stood up and announced that they would be moving to the ballroom for the reception.

The ballroom had completely transformed since the last time Lily had stepped foot in it. Crystal chandeliers gleamed as they hung from the ceiling, the drapes were a rich blue and white, and stunning red roses were everywhere, a shocking contrast to everything else. There were three long tables situated all along three sides of the room, with chairs for those who needed the rest and cooling refreshments for those who needed to refuel. A large stage was at the very front of the room, with a band already playing some music as they entered.

James grinned as he took in the large dance floor in the middle of the room, with the royal crest painted in red and gold on the wooden floors. The band started playing a very familiar, requested song the moment the newlyweds entered the room.

Turning to Lily, he held out his hand to her and asked, an impish grin on his handsome face, 'May I have the first dance?'

I didn't put in the vows. Truthfully, I always skip the vows whenever I'm reading a story – fan-fiction or otherwise. I rarely even enjoy watching wedding vow scenes in movies or on the television. It's almost always on the wrong side of corny. I cringe really. I didn't want to make you cringe (any more than you might have in my brief and very vague foray of what a medieval-like handfasting ceremony is like; it probably is as far from accurate as possible, for those of you who know their medieval history and ceremonies, so I'll simply claim artistic liberties).

Also, the Wideye potion is not an invention of mine. For those of you who are as Potter-obsessed as me, you'll recognise it as one of the potions on Pottermore. It is said to be a cure for the Draught of Living Death but could also be used to wake someone from a drugging. I suppose it could work for a hangover cure, but I'm just taking liberties with that.

Thank you so much for reading this chapter, and for those who favourited, alerted and reviewed 'First Downfall'. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are very much welcomed.

Lorelai.