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George stood at the altar, looking around. He was happy. He was more than happy. He was ecstatic to be here.
He loved Harry more than he could have ever imagined. It had taken them a long time to get to this point. To be able to admit they loved one another. To be comfortable and ready to marry.
He turned to look at his best man. He was both elated and saddened by the fact that it was Percy who stood beside him. Percy, who had been his rock since he had lost Fred. Percy, whose jealousy had pushed Harry and George out of the friends with benefits thing they had going on and into the beautiful relationship they now had. Percy, who had been his biggest supporter in everything he did, since he had lost his twin.
So yes, he was happy it was Percy. He wouldn’t be who he was today without Percy, but by Merlin did he wish Fred stood beside him.
He looked around the small church, something Harry was adamant on in respect to his muggle upbringing, George assumed. He had never really asked, just agreed with his fiancee. If Harry wanted to get married in a church that ran along a layline, who was he to argue?
There were so many open seats, though. Ones they couldn’t bare to fill as they should have been filled with their loved ones.
George’s side was missing Fred. It was glaring and obvious and in his face that his twin wasn’t here with him, but Harry’s side, Harry’s side, had no family.
Oh, he had Teddy and Andromeda, the only people he could really claim and even that was distant and not the way he deserved. He had Ron and Hermione on his side; he had Neville, Luna, Susan and a whole bunch of other close friends, but the front row, the entire front row, was empty, with a muggle photo of those he wanted to be there.
All of them were unable to be here, like they had been unable to be there for Harry his whole life. It burnt George on the inside, making his heart ache for other reasons than joy on his own wedding day, on Harry’s wedding day.
George looked down at his tanned, freckled hands. Harry deserved more, he deserved better than this, then what George could provide him.
George was spiralling, he knew that. He knew he was being silly, his own insecurities about not being able to save his twin, or help Harry more over the years getting the best of him.
He felt his breath came out faster when he suddenly felt a solid hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you're thinking, enough. He loves you, you love him, and you're enough, Georgie,” Percy said into his ear.
“But ...” George trailed off, his eyes drifting from Fred’s empty chair to all of Harry’s.
“I know. I know it isn’t fair, but it also isn’t your fault. I know that, Harry knows that, and you should know that by now. You are enough, you did enough. He loves you.”
“He shouldn’t,” George croaked out.
“And I shouldn’t have given Viktor another chance, and Hermione should have run from Ron long ago. Mum and dad are so different it should never have worked. Andromeda shouldn’t have run off and got married to a lowly muggle born, Professor McGonagall shouldn’t have had a bonding ceremony with the school’s nurse after having been married to a man a long time ago,” Percy said, with a straight face.
George turned to him, confusion on his face. That wasn’t something Percy would say, not normally.
“Right? Bullshit! They all love or loved the ones they chose. And Harry loves you. And he chose you. He chose YOU George, out of everyone in the world, and we know he met a few, he came back and he came back to you. He came home to your arms. He picked you, Georgie, because you are worth picking, again and again,” Percy said as he cupped George’s face.
“It isn’t fair, it isn’t right. We have all lost so much, Harry especially. But we are here. We survived and we are together. And Harry wants to be your husband. He wants the world to know he chose you, Georgie, so you have to stand here, throw your shoulders back your shoulders back and show the world, and Harry that you love him back, That you chose him in return.”
“I chose him the moment I first saw him, the moment I helped his scrawny little arse onto the Hogwarts Express. I just hadn’t realised it yet,” George said around a wet laugh.
“Oh didn't I know ? You had barely spoken to him first year, and he was all you would talk about,” Percy said with a quiet laugh as he clapped George on the shoulder and stepped back.
George sent his brother a grateful look and sent him a soft smile. He was right. Harry chose him, and he chose Harry and they were getting married.
He let out a soft sigh and twitched his dress robes back into place, smartening himself up when he heard the music that was about to announce Harry’s entrance.
He stood back straight as the doors opened and Harry walked in on George’s mum’s arm. Something Harry had asked her nervously as she was the only pseudo parent he had left, Molly had sobbed and accepted immediately.
And now, here she was, with her absurd mother-of-the-groom hat that she had trawled way too many muggle stores for.
And on her arm, looking nervous but determined (an expression Harry had often sported growing up). He was wearing a nicely tailored Black muggle suit and George had to remind himself it was his wedding day, that he was about to get married and he couldn’t drool over his almost husband’s arse the way he wanted to.
Harry looked at him and his face lit up. George went slightly pink in response, but he also beamed back at the love of his life too.
Molly handed Harry’s arm over to George after kissing both men on the cheek before returning to Arthur’s side.
Harry stood, just staring at George, taking him in. Taking the moment in.
“Were here,” Harry mumbled in awe.
“We are Harry. Me and you, we’re here, together.”
George lifted a hand and gently wiped the tears that were falling down Harry’s face away. “We made it love.”
Harry didn’t answer, just smiled in that soft way of his and then they faced the officiant.
The ceremony went fast as far as both men were concerned. Before they knew it, they had exchanged rings (another nod to Harry’s muggle upbringing) and it was time for the handfasting.
It was the colours of their houses entwined. Purple for the Potters and Red for the Weasleys, the braids of rope entwined and ready to be placed over their hands, allowing their magics and Houses oto interconnect. It was old magic rooted in their marriage practices and George was excited to see how it connected them.
Harry looked down as the officiant used a spell to seal their houses, their lives together. At that moment, he turned towards the empty chairs, his empty family, and had to fight the tears back. He wanted Sirius and Remus to be there. He wanted his mum and dad there to see him get married. He just wanted to share one happy day with his family, a dream that he knew would never, could never, happen.
He took a deep breath before facing George again. George, who understood the deep sadness in his eyes had nothing to do with marrying him, George who knew he was Harry’s everything.
George just smiled at him before Harry looked down with a gasp. The entwined braids tighten around their hands. He saw the same expression of awe and giddiness on George’s expression when suddenly the world was muffled, and there was what felt like a pop of magic in the room.
Harry looked at George worriedly, but George wasn’t looking at Harry, even though he was squeezing his hand tightly.
Harry looked up at George, confused, before he followed his line of sight.
“What? It ....it can’t be...” Harry said, tears suddenly filling his vision.
“Harry.....” George said in warning.
“It’s them,” Harry said in awe. His face alight with wonder.
“Harry, they are dead,” George said, trying to soothe Harry and figure out how this was possible at the same time.
“I know they're dead. You think I don’t know that they are dead? But they are here, George,” Harry snapped back as his eyes refused to leave the figures before him.
“You're here right? For real, you came to see me?” He asked, his voice trembling.
“We are kiddo. The veil is always thin. But when magic is shared, there’s a little more push. We can’t stay here long, Harry. But we love you, we’re here always, even if you can’t see us,” the Sirius figure said.
And Harry knew, he knew with everything inside of him, that this was Sirius. His Sirius, the only father figure he had ever known, stood before him. Harry would know Sirius anywhere.
“Im ... I’m so sorry, Siri,” Harry choked out.
He felt as Sirius’ spirit got close, not quite, but almost touching. Harry closed his eyes, and he swore he could almost feel the heat of Sirius’ hands, feel the kiss on the head he knew his Godfather had given him.
“You never apologise to me or anyone else. I made my choices Harry, as did others. You are not to blame. You are here, healthy and happy and alive, and we get to see you marrying the love of your life. Today is not a day for sorrys or could have beens. It’s a day of rejoicing,” Sirius said with a soft smile.
“I love you Harry, and I am so very, very proud of you,” Sirius said before stepping back.
Harry wanted to grab him, to cling to him, to beg him not to leave him again. To somehow stay or let Harry go with him. The only reason he didn’t was George’s hand in his, grounding him.
Next Remus stepped forward, his own hand clasped in Sirius’.
“Sorted yourselves out then?” Harry asked around a sob.
“Oh cub. I’m sorry we weren’t adult enough to deal with it when we were alive, but we’re ok.”
Remus then looked through the bubble at Andromeda and bowed his head in shame. He said nothing, but he looked at Teddy, feasting his eyes on his precious boy. “Thank you Harry. For loving him. For being there for him when I and Tonks can not. I love you, and I love him, and I’m glad you have each other,” Remus said as he reluctantly turned his eyes away from Teddy. “I love you, remember that, OK?” Reus reiterated.
“Ok Uncle Moony. I love you too. And I will. My godfather taught me what unconditional love is, so he is to thank for the way I’m able to love Teddy,” Harry said around a sob, a responding sob coming from Sirius. Harry saw as Sirius’ ethereal hand squeezed Remus’ tightly, almost the exact moment he did George’s. Sirius must have realised to as he let out a wet chuckle.
“Love you, pup,” Sirius said solemnly.
Harry knew right in that moment, both he and Sirius understanding that there would never be another moment like this. That this was it until it was Harry’s time to finally pass through the veil of life and death.
“Love you too.” Harry replied. “Don’t go, don’t leave me again,” Harry all but begged.
He watched as Sirius and Remus’ faces fell, but what did they expect from him? They knew him better than that. Should have known he would never be able to give them up.
“Oh Prongslet,” he heard his dad’s voice say. Harry was reluctant to turn his head from Sirius, but did when he saw James Potter walking closer.
“We never left, kiddo. I know it didn’t always feel like that. I know you have felt more alone in your life than anyone should ever have had to. But you weren’t son. We’ve been with you, we’ve been watching and our love has never left you. I'm just sorry we weren’t there. That we didn’t prepare better. That we didn’t do better for you when we could.” James’s figure said.
Harry could see the tears in his eyes. The love written all over James’ face. Harry hadn’t been forgotten. He hadn’t been left behind. He looked at Sirius before looking back at his dad. “It is a see you later, right? Not a goodbye?” he asked in a tiny voice, with a lump in his throat.
It was then she came forward. Her love lighting her up from the inside. “Oh, my baby. It was never goodbye, it will never be goodbye. I love you, Harry,” Lily said as she stood before her precious son.
“I remember. Mummy loves you, Harry. it’s what I heard when I needed to know someone loved me for being me. It’s the four words that helped carry me through my life, even when I didn’t realise I knew them. They were there, they had always been there,” Harry choked out.
“And I do, my precious boy. I always will and nothing will ever change that. I love you with everything I ever was or I am. You were loved from the moment we knew you were quickening inside me and will long after you fade. My love is always with you,” Lily said, her own tears flowing down her face, matching Harry’s.
“Literally I guess. It’s stamped in my blood,” Harry said with a half-hysterical laugh.
Lily smiled at him as she leant close. “In your blood, in your heart, in your very soul. My love for you, the place you have in all of our lives, is marked forever more Harry. Hopefully, your path will never get that dark again, but no matter what happens, you have not and will not ever walk it alone,” Lily assured him.
She lifted her hand and gently stroked the side of his face. Harry swore she was there, that he could smell the scent of her jasmine perfume, that he could feel the callouses on her hand. For one glorious moment, his mum was touching him, telling him with her own voice and her actions how much she adored him.
“I love you, mum,” Harry rasped out.
“And I you, my sweet, sweet boy. We have to go,” she said sadly as she turned to look at where George was now standing.
To Harry’s surprise, George had moved as far away as possible without letting go of Harry’s hand.
“Freddie,” Harry rasped out, seeing the shaking shoulders of his ... now husband he supposed, as he stood as close to his twin as he possibly could. “Fred I’m...”
“Not your fault Harrykins. We know whose fault it is. Take care of him, yeah?” he asked Harry.
Harry nodded quickly, causing both George and Fred to let out identical chuckles.
Fred then turned to Percy, who had been standing there, knowing it wasn’t his place to interfere in a reunion between Fred and George, but how his hands itched to scoop Fred up in them.
“And you, how dare you become so cool now? How dare you stop being such a prat?” Fred asked him.
Percy made a strangled sound and stepped forward, having to grab George’s shoulder to stay upright.
“It’s ok, Perc. Stop punishing yourself. Stop blaming yourself. I'm sorry you feel guilty, but you have no reason to. And I love you," Fred’s spirit said as he gave his brother a soft look.
Percy just stood, unable to say anything, but he knew Fred understood. He knew he understood everything that Percy was sharing with his look alone. He knew Percy loved him, and Percy knew Fred didn’t blame him for his death, even if he would still blame himself.
Fred gave a sad sigh as he looked over to where the rest of their family was standing. Molly was at the front, pushing against the bubble boundary around them. “I wish I could go to her. I wish I could ease her suffering. I hope she knows I love her, no matter what,” Fred whispered.
Fred caught his mother’s eye. When he knew she was looking at him, he blew her a kiss. He could see as she sobbed before catching it and pressing it to her heart, the way she had when they were small. Fred’s own breath hitched as she blew him her own kiss back. He held her eyes as he caught it and pressed it to his own heart. Molly was still sobbing, but she had stopped pushing, had stopped fighting. It wasn’t fair, but her boy was ok, and he was in good company, it seemed.
“We’ve got to go, Georgie,” Fred said sadly.
“But...” George stumbled over his own words.
“Don’t look a gift hippogriff in the mouth, George. Were lucky we got to come through at all and it's only because we pushed through together. So we have to go back together. But I promised I would cause a stir at your wedding, right?” Fred said with a strangled laugh.
“You did at that,” Percy said, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his voice.
“You know me, Perc, always up for some mischief.” Fred said as he drifted away from Geroge. It was only Harry’s hand in his, and Percy’s hand on his shoulder, that kept Geroge rooted where he was.
“Don’t worry, we’ve got him. Tell your parents we are grateful for everything they have done for Harry. They have Harry on that side of the veil, and we’ve got this one on this side,” James said as he pulled Fred closer and into the middle of the small group.
Harry wasn’t sure if he was supposed to feel jealous that Fred got time with his family and he didn’t, but then he turned and looked at the Weasleys and realised his family were just doing what Ron’s had done for him for all these years. Even if they argued or fell out. They were still family and Harry was a part of it, the same way Fred seemed to be a part of his own.
“Thanks dad, look after him, ok?” Harry said as he squeezed George’s hand tightly. Feeling him squeeze back in response. Both of their hands were shaking.
“My dad played a song at my and James’ wedding, I can’t play it but, well, before we go,'' Lily suddenly said as she moved to be in the middle of the group of deeply loved but missed spirits before Harry and George.
She looked at George as a soft melody started playing. Harry went to look around, but George grabbed his hand and pulled him closer. “It’s magic, Harry,” he said, getting Harry to stop and focus on his mum.
Lilly took a deep breath and the most angelic singing voice came from her. She looked at Harry and mouthed “I love you,” before actually singing.
Look at the two of you standing together that way
Lost in the moment and each other’s face
So much in love, you’re alone in this place
Like there’s nobody else in the world
I was enough for him so long ago
I was his number one, his love told me so,
And he still means the world to me, just so you know
So be careful when you hold my boy
Time changes everything, life must go on
And I’m not gonna stand in your way
But I loved him first. I held him first.
And a place in my heart will always be his
From the first breath he breathed
When he first smiled at me,
I knew the love of a mother runs deep
And I prayed that he’d find you someday,
When the world was against him and his future looked dim,
He still shone above the world,
And it’s still hard to give him away when I was barely able to stay,
I loved him first
How could that wonderful man with you?
Be the same freckle face baby I knew
The one that I read all those fairytales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with him
It was only a matter of time,
We knew, and we watched, and we hoped, and we prayed,
Just remember, I loved him first,
I held him first
And a place in my heart will always be his
From the first breath he breathed
When he first smiled at me,
I knew the love of a mother runs deep
And I prayed that he’d find you someday
But it’s still hard to give him away
When I was barely able to stay,
But I loved him first
From the first breath he breathed
When he first smiled at me,
I knew the love of a mother runs deep
Someday you might know what I’m going through
When a miracle smiles up at you,
I loved him first, but you, you can love him well. You can love him last and forever more.
Lily’s voice trailed off. With a final “I loved him first,” she grabbed hold of James and Fred’s hands. Sirius, who was already holding Remus’s hand, grabbed James’ with his empty one.
“Remember what I told you Harry, those we truly love are never really gone, they are here,” Sirius said as he moved the hand holding James to his forehead.
“And here,” Remus continued as he moved his spare hand to cover Sirius’ heart.
This time, Harry didn’t even try to control his tears. He remembered when Sirius told him that all those years ago, when he thought he would have at least one person who loved him by his side.
Harry watched through tear-filled eyes as they disappeared back through the veil between life and death. He fell to his knees sobbing, taking George down with him.
George, whose own tears were falling down his face, went with Harry willingly.
George used his free hand to pull Harry’s sobbing face into his chest and ran his hand through Harry’s now dishevelled hair. “Harry, babe, talk to me,” he all but pleaded.
Harry attempted to control his sobs. He looked up at George, his face puffy and tear stained, but a beaming smile on his face. “They broke through the veil, George. They broke all the laws of life and death because they wanted to see me on my wedding day. How ....” he trailed off as he buried his head back in George’s chest and hid there whilst he composed himself.
“They did, your family and mine. They came to make sure you know how loved you are, Harry. And you are. You really are. I love you so much, Harry,” George said, his own voice cracking with emotion.
“And I you. Come on, we have to finish getting married, right? And I’m sure you have some mischief planned for the reception. You have to do it now that we know the Marauders and Fred are watching,” Harry laughed. It was watery and uncertain, but what wasn’t was the glow he felt from the inside. The glow of knowing he was adored as much as he was.
Little Harry Potter had grown up unloved and alone. But adult Harry Potter looked at the place his family had stood, the place they had fought the very laws of existence to be here with him. He felt his husband’s hand in his. He could see Percy’s hand still clapped on George’s shoulder. He could see the rest of the Weasleys standing wide eyed as they watched everything. They were his family too, may as well have been adopted, though he supposed as he smiled at George, he was legally a part of their family now, anyway.
Adult Harry Potter stood with a family and love and a future he hadn’t even dared to dream about because he hadn’t thought it would be possible for most of his life.
As the officiant came back to finish the ceremony, all Harry could hear was his mum's voice singing “I loved him first” again and again. And she did. She had loved him enough to die for him. Her love was a part of Harry in a way he could never explain to anyone else.
He turned to George and smiled. Harry Potter-Weasley had been loved as a young child, was loved as an adult, and would be loved beyond the veil.
Harry finally understood he wasn’t alone and was loved the way he had always wanted to be, the way he had always deserved to be.