the_debt_of_time

that they were joking. When none of them did—and instead Pandora presented Lily with
photographs from her own ceremony—she burst into hysterical laughter and threatened to
elope.
In the end, Lily and James had chosen a beautifully planned ceremony that fell
somewhere between Muggle traditions and the current customs of Wizarding society—
dress included. The wedding was to be held at Potter Manor in the orchards, which Sirius
and James were supposed to be cleaning up the morning following the full moon while
Remus rested in the manor. Despite protests from her friends and fiancé, Lily invited
Petunia and Vernon to the reception—but not the actual wedding ceremony, which would
include a bonding ritual. Mia imagined that even if Petunia could handle some forms of
magic, the ceremony was something that Lily was not willing to let her sister and brother-
in-law's close-minded opinions sully.
The invitations had been sent out and, as suggested by Mia and Sirius who had seen
it done before, they had been charmed as time-activated Portkeys that would bring the
guests right to the manor. Frank and Kingsley offered their services as security, knowing
that Death Eaters could try to use the Potter wedding as a chance to infiltrate and attack
the Order. The food was all being prepared by Tilly, who had not been so happy since
before Dorea had passed away.
As much as they wanted to celebrate, Mary's death still hung over them all like a
flashing reminder that, wedding or not, they were still at war. When planning Lily's hen
night, it was suggested that they try to get out and enjoy themselves, but with Alice needing
to work the following morning, Lily not in the mood to celebrate without Mary, and Remus
informing the witches that Mia was not to get into any firewhisky after a recent drinking
binge, the witches all decided to stay in, brew potions, and enjoy a quiet girls' night in.
"All right, so we've got enough Blood-Replenishing Potion to stock the Order for
emergencies... Invigoration Draught, Essence of Dittany," Alice said as she continued to
go over the list of potions that they had been brewing all day to keep the Order well
prepared, just in case. "I can start on the Pepper-Up Potion if you'd be willing to do a
double batch of yours for me, Lils?"
"Not a problem," Lily replied, smiling as she added several ingredients to the brew
to double up the batch. "I'll make enough to last us each three months. What're you making,
Mia?" she asked as she leant across the table to look at the green liquid of Mia's cauldron.