A Civil Union

Title:A Civil Union, chapter 17

Lucius' POV

Potter came into the huge, tea-rose strewn room very shortly after we did. We had tried to put off our entrance until immediately before the ceremony to reduce the need to entertain and mingle with the guests, most of whom I was not acquainted with, or knew only slightly and would never have invited to any personal function if it were left up to me. However, this was essentially a state function for all intents and purposes, for which I had the honor of footing the bill, not a personal one. So I had little say in it. I wielded the cheque book and little else in this event.

Of course since the end result was going to be that Potter and I were wed, well I was not going to complain too much nor too loudly. I couldn't imagine that less than a quarter of a year ago, I had known next to nothing about him. He had had no part in my day to day life, now he was integral to it, absolutely vital. After one week at the house, I couldn't imagine going back to not having him there. It was equally apparent that Benjamin and Roberts felt the same.

Roberts was escorting me as we made our way, I was firmly attached to his arm, and a good thing as everyone seemed to feel it necessary to reach out and touch me. Even the complete strangers took a grip on me to offer congratulations, pumping my hand vigorously. A few of the ladies embraced me more familiarly than I thought warranted, being as I'd never seen them before. I fended off more than one grope. All the myth about women being the ones needing to defend their virtue? Hogwash.

I was hugged, my hand shaken, passed from group to group, and I caught only about a third of the names spouted at me. I held Roberts tight to my side with grim determination throughout it all. If I should inadvertently blast one of these important guests the wedding would be delayed and I did not want that. I wanted it done and over and Potter on his way home with us, safe and sound. Benjamin headed off in Potter's direction the instant we saw him.

Harry was all I could look at after he entered. His friend Weasley, who we had met at the house last week, was tucked up to his side, one long arm around him, bending down as Harry was swamped by well wishers and self-important public servants. The CoWW people were in the lead, the rotund little man who had bearded me in my office, at the head of the line. Harry looked both happy, unhappy, and terribly nervous, a hand clutched in Ron's coat, holding fast, as they descended on him. Ron, bless him, towered over Harry protectively, a forbidding scowl on his face.

Harry was wearing ivory, antique lace if I don't miss my guess. Not fine, feminine lace, but lace nevertheless, bold and well done, and ivory-gold brocade edging it. He was clad in a long coat, it ended just above his ankles, well tailored, snugly fit to his slender frame, with a high neckline, full length sleeves. Tiny gold earrings winked in his earlobes. His hair was it's usual wild, wonderful mass.

His black trousers showed underneath the coat, narrow legged. And his shoes were as black, sporting discreet, two inch heels. I smiled at that. Potter was a foot shorter than I, 5'6" to my 6'6". No amount of heels were going to bring us up to the same height. What it did was make him appear even more slender, delicate. Frail. I was glad to see the tall, strong figure of Benjamin arrive at his side and manage to offer him some additional protection from the mob.

He could not have chosen a better color. The ivory set off his fair skin until it glowed, and made his green eyes stand out, looking even larger than they actually were, the dark lashes around them like a fine fringe of lace themselves. His mouth was soft looking, full, tinged pink, I didn't think it was artifice. Harry Potter was truly lovely in his own right. I was devastated his usually easy smile was missing.

I watched as Benjamin extricated them from the surrounding hubbub, Harry clung to both of them seizing Benjamin's arm in grip that left his fingers bone-white. They spoke for a few moments, as Ron and Benjamin led Harry without more interference towards us. It took both of them, big as they were, to get him headed our way, past the many outstretched hands. Then Harry was headed towards the altar. Roberts and I set off to meet him.

Just before we arrived at our destination, a miniature whirlwind bounded up to us. Miriam Destry, the marriage counselor extraordinaire, leaped up, making a surprising jump, all the way up into my arms as I automatically caught her. Her chattering made no inroads into my brain. I merely patted her, nodded as if I understood a word or two, then set her down with another pat on her dark head. She, for her part, beamed at us, like a proud parent. I think she said something about remembering the lessons, and communicating well.

Roberts reply, I did catch. He was assuring her that we remembered all of our sessions with her, as each had been utterly impossible to forget. At that she hugged Roberts, he squeaked at the force of it, and she spun back onto me, grinding her small breasts into my crotch as she hugged me again, muttering into my belly button. It took both Roberts and I, as I could only use one hand, to pry her off. When we won my hard earned freedom, I saw Potter had made it all the way to the right side of the altar. Benjamin stood with him,a wry smile on his lips as he saw us wrestling the tiny dynamo. Who once pried away, whirled off into the crowd, chortling happily. I wondered, not for the first time, how aware she was of taking such profound liberties.

Then it hardly mattered. I was at the altar, Harry next to me. And the officiator stepped up in front of us. My knees began to shake.

"Steady on." Roberts whispered to me, his hand on my elbow turning to iron, the only thing keeping me on my feet for a moment. Harry looked no better, he reached out a hand and I took it.

Ahhh, better. Much better. Our fingers entwined as we stood sharing a look. It took the clearing of the officiator's throat to pull me back from the look to the present and ceremony under way. She droned on and on, and once again I was lost in the huge green eyes. We exchanged the simple gold bands we'd chosen, as if in a dream.

"I do." Roberts hissed in my ear, stretching up on his toes, trying not to be overheard. I blinked, almost asking him what he was talking about, that he did what? Then it hit me, and I gulped.

"I do." I said clearly, pleased at how steady and sure my voice was. Harry blushed, his lips parted, and I felt all the blood in my body heading south. We leaned in and kissed for the first time. My mouth on his, so impossibly right.

Harry sighed, a tiny little moan of heated pleasure, as our mouths came together. Every hair on my body stood to attention, as well as more hefty portions of my anatomy. Just our lips. Wet and warm. His tongue slipped out and touched mine.

Oh.

OH.

ne'ichan
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