Fire and Water

Chapter Fifty two



5 Months Later



Krystal smoothed the front of her dress and frowned. It was a little tighter than she thought it would be when she bought it. She pulled at the bodice, trying to adjust it so a little less cleavage was on display. Her boobs looked enormous: had she really put on that much weight?



She heard a soft knock on the door, and looked over her shoulder to see Fleur and Hermione in the doorway, smiling at her; Molly standing at the back, peering around them. Krystal smiled back at them and turned fully around so they could see her problem.

“Can someone please help me? Remus is never going to get through the ceremony unless I can cover these up a bit more,’ she joked, still tugging on the low cut dress.



All three woman laughed and entered the room, fussing around Krystal, straightening her dress and trying to smooth wayward strands of hair. Molly pointed her wand at Krystal’s breasts.

“Be careful, Molly,’ she warned the red haired woman. “I like them the way they are.”

Molly snorted as she magically adjusted the dress.



“Well, enjoy them while you’ve got them. They won’t look like that for much longer; not once you’ve had the baby,’ said the mother of seven as she pointed the wand now at Krystal’s belly. “Hmmm, it’s a little snug here too, isn’t it? I didn‘t think our last fitting was all that long ago.”

Krystal frowned and gritted her teeth. “It wasn’t,’ she admitted.

Must be a boy,’ Molly said, knowingly. “I was bigger with the boys.”



Hermione and Fleur, her bridesmaids, stood in front of her. Krystal looked at them, noticing their appearance properly for the first time.

“You both look gorgeous!’ she exclaimed, noticing how well the blue dresses she’d chosen suited the women.

“Maybe a little too gorgeous,’ she grumbled, raising an eyebrow at them, envying how thin they looked. The younger women laughed, and Molly scolded Krystal.

“Remus is the only one who matters and you know he can’t keep his eyes off you,’ she said.



“Or his hands,’ came a male voice from the doorway. “It’s revolting actually; walking in on them all over the place.”

Krystal grinned as she saw Bill’s reflection in the mirror. “Did he send you to spy again?’ she asked, remembering Bill’s unexpected appearance at her hen’s party.

“Yep!’ said Bill throwing himself down on the bed, his eyes on Fleur as she fixed a crown of flowers on Krystal’s head.



“You can’t tell him anything about the dress, Bill,’ cut in Hermione. “It’s bad luck.”

Krystal snorted. “We certainly don’t need any more of that,’ she said darkly. She turned towards the reclining man and let out a breath.

“Well, give me a male opinion. What do you think?”



Bill gave her a sly grin as his gaze slid down to her chest. “I think that Remus is going to have a heart attack when he sees you,’ he teased as Hermione laughed and Krystal spun around to look back into the mirror.

Fleur admonished her husband, who chuckled then stood and walked over to Krystal, standing behind her with his hands on her bare shoulders.



“You look incredible,’ he said softly into her ear, his face serious now. The two had become close over the last year and his words meant a lot to her.

His eyes met hers in the mirror. “More importantly, you look happy. Remus is a very lucky man.”

She smiled at him and he kissed her cheek.



“A very lucky, impatient man,’ he said with a grin. He backed away towards the door saying in a louder voice, “See you downstairs, ladies. Don’t be late, Krys. I don’t think Remus’ heart could handle it.”

The door closed behind him, and Krystal frowned into the mirror. “Molly, I think this neckline could come up just a little higher.”



As sunset drew closer, Krystal asked to be left alone for a moment. She didn’t know why she felt nervous; she had been waiting for this day for five months.

‘No,’ she corrected herself, smiling a little.

She’d been waiting for this day since her first trip to Hogwarts when she’d seen a scrawny, quiet Remus reading on the school train.



Her mind flashed back to those years at school. Meeting Remus and becoming friends; finding out about his lycanthropy; realising in fifth year that she wanted him in a thoroughly non platonic way; their first kiss at Sirius’ house; the first time they made love, also the first time they admitted they loved each other out loud.



She smiled again, wincing a little as the scar along the side of her face twinged. She put her hand to it and frowned. The mark Bellatrix had left on her would never fade. It was a permanent reminder of the battle they’d fought; and of what that war had cost she and Remus - their baby’s life.



The light in her eyes faded a little as she remembered the difficult days after the final battle. She’d remained unconscious for nearly three days: the mediwizard, Matt, warning Remus to prepare himself for the worst. Finally, she stabilised, but her daughter had not survived. Krystal remembered waking with Remus by her side, his face drawn and ashen. He broke the news gently, then crawled into bed with her as they both cried.



She blinked the tears from her eyes as she moved to the window, looking out at the blossoming tree under which the alter for their ceremony was set up. She and Remus had planted that tree when they arrived home and magically aged it. It was a living memorial for their daughter, whom they’d named Ally Savannah. Ally after Albus, who had bought them back together again; and Savannah as a tribute to Severus, who’s bravery and loyalty had saved both of their lives.



Krystal ran a hand down to her abdomen, where she thought she already felt the slight swell of her growing baby. ‘Remus didn’t waste any time getting me pregnant again,’ she thought, smiling as her mind wandered back three months ago to the night they’d conceived.



A tap at the door bought her back to the present, and she turned to see Harry standing in the doorway.

“Wow!’ he said, his jaw dropping when he saw her properly.

“Is it really that hard to believe that I could look good?’ she grumbled, walking to the bed and picking up her bouquet.

“No, but you look……….hot,’ Harry blushed a little as he complimented her.

Krystal grinned, saying, “Gee thanks, Harry.”

He grinned back at her, a little mischievously.



“I’ll have to keep Charlie and Ron away from you,’ he said cheekily. “That dress kinda clings at the back, and you know how much they enjoy looking at your…”

His sentence ended in a muffled laugh as Krystal smacked his arm.

“I don’t think I’ll have too much trouble with Ron: Hermione keeps a tight rein on him, and Charlie has promised Remus he’ll keep his hands and eyes off now the ring‘s on my finger.”

She wiggled the fingers of her left hand, the light bouncing off the engagement ring Remus had insisted on buying her.

‘Oops, that reminds me,’ she said, slipping it off and putting it on her right ring finger to make room for her wedding ring.

She stood in front of him and took a deep breath. Harry took her hand and tucked it under his arm.

“Are you ready?’ he asked.

She smiled, as she realised she was no longer nervous.

“I’m ready.”



*****



Remus tugged at the neck of his dress shirt, feeling uncomfortable in the unfamiliar clothes. He was pacing the living room, having sent Bill in to check on Krystal. Harry was watching him, his expression amused as he lounged back against the couch.

“Remus, sit down for Merlin’s sake,’ he said to the older man. “She’s not going to do a runner - she’s crazy about you.”



Remus looked at Harry, and sat down at the kitchen table. “I know. I just….. I want to be married to her - now,’ he said, jumping up again to greet Aberforth Dumbledore, who had just walked up the stairs of the house.

“Hell of a trip. Why on earth does she want to live in Australia?’ the man complained, shaking Remus‘ hand.

“I know it’s a long apparition, but we both wanted the wedding here,’ he said, his eyes moving past all the chairs set up on the lawn and the people that stood around there, to the large, flowering tree that stood over the alter - their daughter’s memorial.



Remus stood in the doorway as Aberforth greeted Harry. He shuddered a little at the memory of the time after the battle. His injuries, although serious, were repaired easily with the right potions and charms. Krystal, though, had suffered internal bleeding that the healers found difficult to staunch. It was touch and go for a few days; Matt, who was caring for her, warning him that they may lose Krystal as well as the baby.



Remus closed his eyes as he remembered the expression on Krystal’s face when he’d told her that Ally hadn‘t survived. He never wanted to see her look like that again. He opened his eyes, looking back out at the tree. Krystal had told him a month ago that she was pregnant again. Remus smiled a little. He was nervous about Krystal’s health, it was very soon after the miscarriage, but Matt had promised to monitor her closely.



He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Bill behind him. His friend had an understanding look on his face.

“Krystal looks radiant,’ he said to Remus in a low voice, letting him know that he knew what Remus had been thinking. Remus smiled broadly as he turned away from the veranda to look at his best man.

“What’s the dress like?’ he asked eagerly, Krystal having refused to tell him anything except that he’d love it.



Bill opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Hermione, who was now sitting on the couch.

“Bill…..’ she said warningly.

As Fleur moved towards him, he spun back to face Remus and said quietly, “It’s fantastic, especially the front.”

He raised his eyebrows and moved his cupped hands to chest height, unfortunately getting spotted by Fleur, who looked furiously at him while Remus laughed.



“Come on now all of you,’ Molly rushed through the kitchen, clapping her hands. “Time to get outside. Remus, come on, it’s time. Bill! For goodness sake, put her down; you’ll ruin her makeup,’ she admonished her eldest son as he’d swept Fleur into his arms, kissing her.

“Girls, you wait here. Krystal is just about ready. Harry! Where’s Harry?’ The woman looked around frantically, finally spotting Harry on the veranda with his head down close to Ginny’s.

“Harry,’ she called. He gave Ginny a smile and quickly moved to Molly’s side.



“Goodness Harry! What have you been doing, rolling in the grass? You can‘t walk Krystal down the aisle looking like that.”

As she brushed down the back of Harry’s suit, Remus suspected, given the look on Harry’s face, that might have been exactly what the young man had been doing. There was a wonderfully private spot around the back. The very spot, in fact, that Krystal had conceived three months ago.



Molly left Harry alone, moving to frown at Fleur and her mussed hair. Harry smiled at Remus.

“Not long now,’ he said, reassuringly. Remus nodded.

“Thank you for not minding about the change of plans,’ he said.

Harry smiled and said, “I’m honoured she asked me.”

Harry was supposed to be Remus’ best man, but Krystal had other ideas, asking the young man if he would give her away instead.



Harry moved forward, reaching out for Remus’ boutonniere which was a little crooked. He quickly pinned it straight, then looked up at Remus.

“It’s really good to see you so happy, Remus,’ he said, his voice a little gruff.

“You too,’ the older man replied, putting his hand on Harry’s shoulder. They moved at the same time, hugging each other tight for a moment before Molly came and shooed Remus outside, and Harry to collect the bride.



Remus’ foot repeatedly tapped on the ground as he sat waiting at the alter. Bill glanced over at him, then put his hand firmly on Remus’ knee, giving him a ‘cease and desist’ look. Remus stopped, and grimaced in apology, looking over his shoulder.



“What if she has changed her mind?” he said, turning to Bill, his voice low and uncertain.

“She hasn’t changed her mind,’ Bill said in a reassuring voice. There was a few seconds of silence between the men, then…

“She’s taking too long,’ Remus complained, looking over his shoulder again.

“Remus, it’s been about three minutes. Give her a chance to get out here - that dress is pretty tight. I don‘t know how she can breathe.” Remus turned to look at Bill.

“How tight?’ he asked, all too easily imagining Krystal in a skin tight dress.

“See for yourself,’ Bill replied with a smile, standing as he looked down the aisle.



Remus stood as well, turning to see Hermione standing at the other end of the aisle. Bill pushed him gently in the back and they both moved to stand in front of the minister, who smiled at them. Remus looked back towards the house and saw Fleur walking carefully down the stairs. She saw Remus and Bill waiting and gave them a wide smile as she joined Hermione. Music flowed from the enchanted harp near the pulpit, as Krystal and Harry stepped out onto the veranda.



Everyone stood and Remus craned his neck to see as Krystal stepped down and stood at the top of the aisle. As her caught her eye, a wide grin spread across his face and he felt his nerves disappear. She smiled back at him, a wonderful, happy smile, before his view of her was blocked by Hermione, who was walking towards him and Bill.



He saw Hermione smile at him, and then look over to the guests, finding Ron in the crowd and giving him a little wave. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Bill stand taller as Fleur started down the aisle. She only had eyes for her husband as she approached the two men, blowing Bill a kiss as she moved to stand beside Hermione. Remus now looked up the aisle to get his first uninhibited view of Krystal.



He forgot to breath for a moment as he watched her walk slowly towards him on Harry’s arm. Her dark brown hair was loose, framing her face, cascading over her shoulders in waves. That had been his one request - he loved her hair down. A ring of white flowers encircled her head. Her strapless dress was simple but beautiful, following all the curves of her body, then flowing gently to her ankles.



His heart rate sped up as he allowed his eyes to wander down, seeing exactly what Bill had meant about the front of her dress being fabulous. He thought he could see her already slightly rounded baby belly and felt a surge of primal satisfaction.



She was smiling at him, her whole face lit up and he grinned back, unable to contain his joy. When Harry and Krystal reached he and Bill, Remus couldn’t help himself. He knew it wasn’t what he was supposed to do, but he leaned over and kissed her, feeling her wrap her arms around him as she responded enthusiastically.



As he raised his head, he heard the clapping and cat calls from the wedding guests and Bill’s snigger from beside him made him chuckle.

“You’re trying to kill me with that dress, aren’t you?’ he whispered, his voice rough with desire. She gave a soft laugh and moved closer to allow her lips brush over his.

“You’ll have to make an honest woman out of me first,’ she began softly, as the minister cleared his throat, trying to get their attention. “But if you‘re good, I‘ll let you rip it off me later.”



As she pulled away, he saw the heat in her eyes and felt his knees go weak with longing. Once the guests had settled down, the minister began to speak.

“Well, we seem to have gotten the order of events backwards,’ he said, getting a chuckle from the crowd. “Let’s try again, shall we?”



Remus couldn’t tear his eyes away from Krystal’s as the minister spoke. It felt as if the rest of the world had melted away and they were the only two people left on earth. When Harry responded “I do” to the question, “Who gives this woman to this man?”, he and Krystal were jolted out of their own world, turning to Harry. He had a huge grin on his face as he leaned over and kissed Krystal on the cheek, and clapped Remus on the shoulder. He moved to stand beside Bill as the minister continued with the ceremony.



Remus and Krystal both responded with firm, clear “I do’s” when asked if they came to each other willingly, and Remus took his time sliding her ring on her finger, running his thumb over her inside wrist, hearing her intake of breath. She gave him a sly smile when it was his turn, stroking his finger in a way that made him bite his lip to stop a groan escaping.



Finally, the minister held his wand over them and declared them bonded, sparks and stars surrounding them. Before the man could say, “You may kiss the bride”, Remus had pulled Krystal to him, and was kissing her, his arms wrapped tightly around her, lifting her off the ground. The crowd applauded and, as the kiss deepened, Remus felt Bill poke him in the side and say, “Mate, save something for tonight.”



Two hours later the party was in full swing. Krystal was dancing with Bill, and Remus with Fleur. Harry and Ginny were swaying together, as were Ron and Hermione. Charlie, Hagrid and Aberforth were laughing loudly off to the side of the dance floor, and Arthur was talking with Kingsley and Matt. Molly had convinced Percy to dance with her, and George had disappeared with his date, Angelina. Neville, Dean and Seamus were watching Luna dance alone, shaking their heads. Several other members of the Order were sitting at tables, finishing dessert and reminiscing. Remus and Bill exchanged partners, both women smiling at their husbands as they took them in their arms.



“It took nearly twenty years, but you finally got me down the aisle,’ said Krystal, running her hand down to rest on the small of his back. ‘Are you happy, now?’

“Move that hand a few inches lower and I’ll be in heaven, Mrs Lupin,’ he murmured into her ear, his lips brushing her skin as he spoke.

As he called her by her new name, she felt a tremor and heat rushed through her.

“I like the sound of that,’ she said into his neck. “Makes me hot.”



Remus drew his head back and stared at her, his breath coming faster. “Is that right?’ he said quietly with a hungry look in his eyes.

He lowered his head to ask against her lips, “Exactly how hot, Mrs Lupin?”

Her own breath quickening, she told him, graphically. When she stopped speaking, he stared at her for a moment, looking a little stunned. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her up to the front of the tent.



“Excuse me!’ he called over the noise. “Excuse me!” He called louder, the noise fading as the guests turned to look at him.

“My wife and I,’ he stopped as a cheer arose from the crowd. “My wife and I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight, and thank you for your good wishes. Stay as long as you like, feel free to make use of the house, drink our booze and eat our food, but please excuse us now. We would really like to start our honeymoon!”

There was a laugh from the crowd and cheers from some of the younger men. Remus grinned and pulled Krystal with him as he sought out Harry. He saw him sitting with Ron and Hermione at a table.



“Hey!’ he greeted them as they reached the table.

“You know where everything is, right?’ Remus asked.

Harry had agreed to stay at the house and look after it while he and Krystal were away.

“Yeah! I’ve got the keys; I’ve been warned about the strange wildlife, and told not to throw any wild parties.”



Krystal spoke quickly as Remus waved and began to pull her away. “You know how to contact us?”

Harry nodded as Remus called out warningly, “Don’t contact us!”

Harry grinned and Krystal laughed and waved as she followed Remus.



Wishes of good luck rang out as the newlyweds moved out of the crowd, Remus grasping Krystal’s hand as she spun on the spot, apparating them away.