The Wedding of Sasporilla Bucket
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
The Wedding of Sasporilla Bucket
Sassy didn't want a big wedding though half of her family and her social station demanded it. There was nothing Sasporilla Bucket enjoyed more than giving the finger to all of those who still thought that they had any say in anything she did in her life. Angelo on the other hand had about fifty family members to invite. Forty-three that he truly liked and some who came with as plus ones that you couldn't avoid. That was great with Sasporilla, though she doubted that she could equal that number. Though she clearly knew far more than that many people, there were very few she considered true friends and as for family? Well even her own family was questionable on her mother’s side. With the exception of on aunt that she only very distantly remembered. Her mother’s youngest sister whom she'd only met once. There was something warm and living about her smile that Sasporilla Remembered. Though no one ever spoke of Impatience Bent. She had sent her an invitation to the last known address, a small cottage on an island in the south pacific. Sassy received no RSVP Owl so she doubted very much her aunt would arrive, or even if she did that she was anything like she remembered. No matter, Sasporilla had the Curtiss family which had been her surrogate family since the day if her mothers death. She would be just fine.
"Mabel? Mabel?" Karry shouted into the back hall. "Where is she? Sasporilla’s best friend of all the worker elves and I can't find her!"
"Look down." Mabel giggled waving. "I'm right here. Calm... down!"
Karry took her job as Maid of Honour VERY seriously!!! So seriously in fact it was driving her crazy!!!!
"Ok, ok!" Karry said trying to calm herself, checking the small elf off her list. "It's wonderful to see you Mabel, it's been a long time."
"Yes Miss Karry." Mabel smiled. "The last time was in Geneva."
"I'm married now." Karry smiled. "So no more Miss."
"Ahhh!!!" Mabel smiled. "Congratulations Mrs.Karry!!! So what does Ms.Sasporilla need me to do? Am I serving? Cooking? Clean up? Oh I hope I'm an usher!!!"
"No Mabel Sweetie." Sasporilla said appearing in the door way carrying her dress in a garment bag. "You're a brides maid! You're one of my most important friends. How often did we send letters to each other. How many times have I called you friend. I meant every word. You are as special to me as ever other Witch here that I know!"
Mabel stood near to tears, her chin quivering at the thought of being so loved and accepted. She ran forward and wrapped her small arms around one of Sasporilla’s legs giving her a big hug. Sassy motioned Karry over to hold her dress as Sassy pulled Mabel away only to bend down and join the hug herself.
"This is so touching." Karry said. "Ok everyone’s here."
"Not Lyra." Kay Curtiss smiled.
"What?" Karry's eyes went wide. "Wa-we-where is she? She was right here?"
She said she was stepping out for a moment."
"No, no, no!!!" Karry said. "There is NO STEPPING OUT! Gosh! It's like herding cats with you guys!!! Lyra! LYRA!"
Lyra Lee-Ashwolf appeared quietly in behind Karry.
"Where is the girl?" Lyra asked in Kay's voice using the PERSONATUS spell.
"I don't know." Karry said looking out the door.
"Who is Lyra?" Lyra said in Mabel's voice
As Karry turned, Lyra stayed behind her, out of her line of sight. Making her thing she wasn' there. Having a great laugh.
"Well she better get that wide butt of hers back here fast," Sasporilla smirked, "will take her an hour to squeeze into that size nine."
"I'll have you know it's a size six thank you very much!" Lyra snapped.
Karry whipped around. "Ahah! Got you!"
"Oops!" Lyra smiled. "April fools."
"Could everyone please start getting ready now that we're all here please!!! We are behind schedule!"
"Karry!" Sasporilla laughed. "Calm down. Everything’s cool. Everything’s good. For the first time in our lives, no surprises. Let's just have a calm good day."
"I don't know how," Karry asked, "you can be so positive all the time after every bad thing that's happened to you?"
"It's Simple." Sasporilla smiled. "Have a little faith, that the better life is still to come."
"Ok everyone," Karry said, "we have to be at the Hogsmeade church for 1:45 as the wedding starts 2:00pm."
The guests started arriving as early as 1:30. Angelo had been there with his best man Dave "Rabbit" Mandolini and the Ushers. Angelo's twin cousins Gorman and Norman who were questionably competent but lovable. Colour coded invitations should make seating easy, or the explanation on them to clearly but kindly explain to the ushers which side they were on if the boys became confused. Luckily they did a bang up job seating everyone in the small church of Hogsmeade.
Koleen and Alexander Curtiss sat up front. Proud parents on the side Sasporilla Bucket. Next to them sat there son Korry and his wife Madrigal and there three young children. Angelo's family was big and happy but more important they were proud of the young man who stood before them. However none of them was as proud of him as his father.
Zac stuck his head in from the back of the church, caught Angelo's attention, and gave him the OK! Angelo nodded and gave Zac a thumbs up.
"Ok Father." Angelo said. "It's 2:00pm and everyone's ready. Let's get started."
"Okie dokie arta chokie!" The old priest smiled looking rather tipsy as he pointed his wand at the organ.
The church organ started playing take me out to the ball game.
"Nope!" The priest said trying again. "Sorry!"
The wedding march started playing and the doors at the back of the church opened.
"Are you feeling ok father?" Angelo asked.
"Mime fin ny boy!" The old priest slurred. "I wasss jussst umm toassing yer wedding wiff yerr uncle be 'hick' for the matrimonialisms."
"Oh great." Angelo smiled looking out at the smiling baldhead of Uncle Frank taking a nip out of his 'special' flask. "Not today Uncle Frank! SOBRY-IM!"
A small whiff of blue magical mist up into the face of the Priest, invading through his mouth, nose and ears made the old man suddenly snap back to sobriety as Mabel and Rimmpoli appeared. Mabel's dress was that of the bridesmaids. A light pink dress with skinny straps and square neckline. Rimmpoli wore an elegant black tuxedo to match that of all groomsmen. They walked down to the end, Mabel took her place waiting for the other bridesmaids, in front of Karry's mom who fawned over the small elf, and Rimmpoli joined the groomsmen.
Next appeared Lyra and Angelo's cousin Carlo. Lyra had a lovely smile on her face as they walked arm in arm down the aisle. Carlo had a rather conspicuous black eye and did not look that happy.
"Looks like Carlo got handsy." Rabbit smiled.
"Yep." Angelo nodded. "That's why Sassy and I placed him with Lyra."
"Did you warn her first?" Rabbit asked. "About his hands?"
"Of course." Angelo chuckled. "But I didn't warn him that she's an anarchist Lesbian Aurer a bad ass attitude."
Both young man held back bursting out into, what would have been very inappropriate raucous laughter, as Lyra shoved him into the Groomsmen’s line and joined Mabel in the brides maids line.
Next came Karry and Zac. They looked perfect walking down the aisle together. The perfect couple, as they' always been.
"This brings back memories." Karry said.
"Yes. Zac smiled. "I was so scared that day."
"Why?" Karry asked.
"You looked so beautiful." Zac said looking at his wife. "I was terrified you were going to come to your senses, turn around and leave me!"
"Never!" Karry said.
"We did come close." Zac frowned.
"No, WE didn't!" Karry said. "Salazar Slytherin's curse did and I will hear no more of it!"
"Yes dear." Zac laughed as they kissed and separated into there lines.
Next appeared a young man of five years old. Well dressed in his tuxedo and carrying a pillow with a box on it, the weddings official ring barer had arrived. Kameron Zarkhov Curtiss, son of Karry and Zac and God son of Sasporilla Bucket smiled brightly as he nervously walked up the aisle quickly towards his mom and dad! All these eyes on him made the boy quite nervous. Except for Hagrid from over at Hogwarts. The pair of them got along swimmingly. Hagrid often baby-sat for Karry and Zac. Not that the house staff couldn't do it for them, but the boy genuinely enjoyed learning from Hagrid. There was no more honest and gentle soul that could fiercely protect that boy, next to his own parents of course, than Rubeis Hagrid.
"Good job kiddo!" Zac said holding on to Kameron's shoulders. Looking down at him with a proud fatherly smile.
Out just beyond the open chapel doors Sasporilla straightened her dress and readied her bouquet.
"Stop fidgetin'." Nick Owlmore smiled. "You look beautiful! You look... perfect!"
Sasporilla stopped and beamed at her Uncle Nick and gave him the biggest hug of her life.
"You know." Uncle Nick said, a small tear in his eye. "Your father, God rest his soul told me 'Nicky, one day my little girls gonna be a woman see. Just like her mum, and she's gonna get married! Only I ain’t gonna be there to walk her down the aisle. I want you to be so important in her life that she don't want no one else but you to walk her see? Understand?"
"And there is no one else I would have but you walk me down the aisle Uncle Nick." Sassy smiled through her joyful tears. "You were the most important person to Mom after Dad became ill, along with miss Daisy that is. After Mom died you tried hard to keep a hold on me but I was too independent by then."
"You sure were." Nick Owlmore laughed. "More of a responsible adult at 14 than I was at 35!"
"But you loved me just the same." Sasporilla said. "And you tried to be a surrogate dad/uncle/friend as best you could and I still lobe you for that!"
"I still love you to Sasporilla Bucket." Nick smiled taking her arm. "You are my special little lady. Remember how I used to take your arm like this to walk you down to get an ice cream in town?"
"No ice cream at the end of the walk today." Sassy smiled.
"Nah." Nick smirked. "This treat'll last you much longer!"
The organ clearly announced Sasporilla's entrance. Her long pink hair was twisted into a lose bun with long loose curls cascading the back of her neck. Her dress was a lovely diamond white with V-neck held up at the shoulders. Pink pearl tulle lined the neckline, the half sleeve cuffs, and the slit of the full length over skirt. The detachable chiffon chapel overskirt fits over the light pink satin column skirt beneath.
Her bouquet was a simple bunch of pink and white roses with some wild flowers and baby's breath.
Sasporilla chose to wear a light pink and purple lace hair tie as opposed to a veil. She wanted simple, but elegant. However at the same time completely unpretentious!
Everyone stood as Nick Owlmore, dressed in quite an elegant tuxedo, escorted his Goddaughter into the church. Myron smiled and leaned into Agnes, describing the dress to her in full detail. Professor Splatterpalette and Professor Phenix were there with their families recording the event with muggle technology. Sasporilla knew there would be a lot of people who would feel slighted by not receiving an invitation to her wedding. She had been sad the centaurs she invited declined but she understood why. They were very wary of wizards and witches and especially of being outside of the dark forest. There was one person sitting on her side that she didn't quite recognize? It would of course help if she was wearing her glasses. The woman, sitting alone at the far end of the pew was middle aged and had fair hair. She smiled at Sasporilla and gave her a polite little wave. It was her! Her mothers sister! Her aunt Impatience Bent! The only other person from the Bent blood line to come from HUFFLEPUFF house!!!!
"Well I'll be!" Nick said. "Little Imp is here!"
"What a great day!" Sassy smiled.
Kolleen Curtiss put her hands up to her mouth and pressed her head into her husband Alex's shoulder.
"Oh Alex." Kolleen wept with happiness. "All our girls have grown up."
Alex patted his wife’s head. Knowing she, in many ways used the ersatz adoption of Sasporilla, to replace the daughter they lost. Some times Alex wondered if Kolleen even remembered their precious Kandy?
Nick Owlmore reached the end of the aisle where he met up with Angelo who stepped forward in line. Nick turned to Sasporilla. "It's not to late to change your mind and leg it!"
"No I think I'll stay." Sasporilla smiled kissing her Uncle Nick on the cheek.
"Here you go lad!" Nick said. "I'm handing you a piece of my heart today. Break it, I'll hunt you down. Savvy?"
"Uncle Nick!" Sassy hissed!
"No worries." Angelo nodded. "I feel the same. If anything happens, Sassy can give you my pieces to deal with."
"Deal!" Nick smiled shaking the young mans hand. "He's got heart and character. I like that."
"Your not bad your self," Angelo smiled, "big man!"
Vicar Applebottom smiled widely as the young couple joined hands and faced him. The older religious leader of Hogsmeade only church just loved weddings and christenings. The church saw far to many funerals for his liking. The Vicar signaled for the organist to wrap it up and he began the ceremony.
"We are gathered together on this day," the Vicar began, "to witness and celebrate the marriage of Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket & Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus . We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event.
This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year.
"Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime.
"Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Sasporilla and Angelo to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You. Bless their marriage with peace and happiness and make their Love fruitful for Your glory and their joy, both here and in eternity. Amen.
"While the commitment begins with the two of you, its effect radiates outward. It touches your family and friends and ultimately all of society. When this commitment is seriously made and continuously fulfilled, it leads to the richest and most rewarding of human relationships.
"Your relationship will take more than love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. Dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.
"While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey. Marriage is a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both.
"Seeing that no moment is without meaning, we ask that you take this marriage as a beginning of your lives together. Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each other’s love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create.
"Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey – a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another.
May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all begins.
Sasporilla and Angelo, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?"
"We do." Both Sassy and Angelo answered together.
"Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?" The Vicar asked
"We will." Sassy and Angelo answered.
"Angelo, please repeat after me." The Vicar smiled. "I, Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus...."
"I, Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus...." Angelo said turning to Sassy.
"... take you Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket, to be my wedded wife." The vicar said.
"... take you Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket, to be my wedded wife." Angelo repeated.
"I promise to stay by your side," the Vicar said.
"I promise to stay by your side," Angelo said.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad." The Vicar raised his eyes.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad, and I'll hear no more of I have to do this alone. We're a team now... DEAL?" Angelo smiled.
"Deal." Sasporilla laughed.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." The Vicar said. He had a good feeling about this young couple.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." Angelo smiled.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." The Vicar said.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Angelo repeated.
"Sasporilla." The Vicar smiled. "Repeat after me. I, Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket,"
"I Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket," Sassy repeated looking at Angelo.
"... take you Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus, to be my wedded husband." The Vicar said.
"... take you Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus, to be my wedded husband." Sasporilla repeated.
"I promise to stay by your side," the Vicar said.
"I promise to stay by your side," Sassy said.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad." The Vicar raised his eyes.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad, and I promise to stick by our DEAL?" Sasporilla smiled.
Angelo laughed.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." The Vicar said.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." Sassy smiled.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." The Vicar said.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Sasporilla repeated.
"Having this love in your hearts, you have chosen to seal your vows by exchanging rings." The Vicar said as the ring bearer walked up proudly presenting the rings on his pillow.
"Kameron Zarkhov Curtiss." Sasporilla smiled. "You are just the best boy ever!"
Sassy and Angelo took each others rings and Kam walked over to his dad and sat down.
"From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness." The Vicar said. "The rings that you have chosen to wear have neither beginning nor end, much like your love for one another. They are a symbol of the words that you speak today. May these rings be from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises you are making today.
Angelo, take your ring, place it on Sasporilla’s finger and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Angelo said slipping the gold ring carved with Celtic knot work all around it on Sassy’s finger.
"Now Sasporilla, take your ring, place it on Angelo’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Sassy said slipping the gold ring, which was a copy of her ring set into the center of a plain gold band, to symbolize Angelo holding Sasporilla's heart in his.
"Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket and Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazerus, from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world." The Vicar said putting his hands on the young couples hands. "Having pledged their fidelity to one another, to love, honor and cherish one another in the presence of God and by the authority vested in me it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
**********************************
Zac and Karry promised a wonderful wedding reception for the young couple. The party of their dreams! Sasporilla and Angelo, walked out of the church being showered in magical confetti. The best part about magical confetti is the birds and squirrels found it quite tasty and it was good for them too! All the guests followed as the young couple walked hand in hand down the center of Hogsmeade. Karry and Zac were quick to catch up. Everyone in town, though not invited to the wedding was certainly invited to the reception! Many people came out of the stores to applaud and cheer as Sasporilla and Angelo walked by.
"Where are we headed?" Sasporilla asked Karry.
"The empty Broom shop." Karry said.
"What?" Sassy said surprised. "Why?
"Trust us!" Karry smiled.
They lead the way to the old broom store. The windows were still papered over with yellowed pieces of the Daily Prophet from the summer Sassy graduated. Dust was thick on the inside window ledges and the outside of the building was in need of some desperate repairs. Over all though it had been the building Sasporilla dreamed of one day owning and making her own wand shop. One day.
"Sasporilla." Angelo said. "Zac and Karry came to me when I told them I wanted to marry you all those years ago and offered us this great Gift."
"The reception!" Sassy smiled. "You are both so sweet but honestly you didn't have too."
"No silly." Karry giggled. "Listen to Angelo for a second?"
"You told me your hopes and dreams." Angelo said. "Like the line from my favourite Christmas song, I put them with my own. Can't make it all alone I've built MY dreams around you."
"What are you saying you beautiful man?" Sassy asked taking his head in her hands.
"Zac owned the building." Angelo smiled. "He and Karry offered it to us as a gift..."
Sasporilla gasped shaking her head.
"....and I said no!" Angelo smiled. "I took some of the money I made from my inventions and bought it from Zac as a wedding gift... for... you!"
Sasporilla stood in awe of what the man of her dreams, and the people who meant the most in the world had done for her! She could cry out in delight and through her arms around her husband!
"Oh Angelo it's a dream come true!" Sasporilla sniffed.
"It will be." Angelo winked at her. "Once you've finished with it. The best part is it has a full apartment upstairs! So we have a place to live until our house in built on Hogsmeade’s back road."
Angelo held out a small box for Sassy to open. Inside was the key to the shop. Sasporilla put the key in the doors lock and gave it a turn. The door opened to reveal the shop had been cleaned, scrubbed and redone inside. Pink velvet ropes lead people through from the front door through to the back and out to a large event tent where the reception party was happening.
Karry and Zac whisked Sassy and Angelo up back steps to their new apartment to rest a moment and change. It was a two level four-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a balcony, that over looked the back of Hogsmeade but from where you had a great view of Hogwarts.
*********************************
The party was in full swing when Sasporilla and Angelo came down stairs. Sassy chose to reuse her maid of honour dress from Karry's wedding as her reception gown, and Angelo changed into a more comfortable and stylish set of formal black robes. They could see people in the tent dancing to the music of a local live band Zac had found. They could play anything you asked of them and sounded 100% accurate every time!
Glasses started to clink to get everyone’s attention. There was some pointing towards the door. Zac ran up to the band that stopped the song and handed him the him the mic, as the drum rolled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests, may I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Angelo and Sasporilla Lazarus!!!"
"I'll need to get use to that!" Sassy smiled at Angelo.
"You mean you didn't doodle it in hearts all over your note books?" Angelo chuckled. "I'd have just as easily taken Bucket!'
"I know, you progressive man you." Sassy said kissing him as she pulled him by the hand to the head table.
Sasporilla had a wonderful less formal set up for her reception. Each table had it's own refillable buffet, just like a Hogwarts feast! This way everyone had enough to eat and got exactly what they liked. If they couldn't find anything to suit their tastes, they could transfigure their meal. That was the nicest way she could put it, As there were hundreds of choices!!!
‐---------------------------------------------#---------
The meal was consistently interrupted by the abrupt tinkling of glasses demanding public displays of affection from the bride and groom. Of course as is customary it continued down the line to members of the wedding party. Father and mother of the groom who had no problem displaying their affection and love for one another openly. When Karry the Maid of honour and the best man hugged politely then shook hands, The crowd tittered with glee, as the Maid of Honours husband Zac walked past the head table scratching his head with his wand. Everyone was having a joyous time.
'TINK*TINK*TINK*TINK*TINK!'
"All right everyone if I could get your attention please?" The best man Dave "Rabbit" Mandolini called out, "As best man I'm expected to give one of those embarrassing story speeches that makes the bride suddenly rethink her life choices. Well I was asked very nicely not to do that as that is just not what this guy is like!"
The crowd politely applauded.
"Nahhhhh" Dave smiled, "I couldn't resist! I mean with stories like that first year we had in University, spring break when we went on that hike and hooked up with those two wood nymphs!!!"
The crowd gasped as Sassy raised her eyebrows to her husband.
"Oh wait." Dave said. "Nahhh that was Jimmy "The Weasle" Snodgrass wasn't it? Ok, forget that story how about that time we bet each other who drink more of other peoples drinks in the Three Broomsticks without anyone else noticing.... no..no, that was Tim Flopshtronick."
The crowd started to mummer as the best man looked through his notes and wives started questioning the shenanigans of their husbands!
"Well folks," Dave smiled, "The Rabbit has to admit, for all the wild and crazy guys I know and all the fun times I've had... this guy... Angelo has always been my rock of truth and honour. He's a good honest guy. I can't think of anybody better suited for one of the greatest witches of our age, Sassy Bucket. I think you two are the perfect couple. I hope you have a great life together. Long and happy. I hope you have lots of kids and get fat! Raise your glasses you jealous witches, wizards and muggles!!! Too the happy couple!!!"
Everyone raised their glasses as Sasporilla and Angelo raised a special intertwined glass. A twin set of champagne flutes adorned with glass leaves the stems entwined as vines holding up the drink that carried to the lips. The vines stretched but never broke, allowing the couple’s glass to always stay together. Everyone drank as the happy couple drank and applauded!!!!
A rather tall slender young half house elf named Xmicklely (Zimicklily) pushed out a lovely silver cart with a towering cake upon it. The White, toppsy turvey style wedding cake with lovely icing and candied floral arrangements around it, tipped and bobbed as if it were going to fall in any direction at any time. This was always one of the fun things of Mrs.Honeyduke's topsey turvey cakes. They looked structurally as unsound as piles of jelly in an earthquake but in reality they were brilliantly put together! Fruit cakes were the standard for muggle weddings of old, sticky toffee pudding cakes for the Wizarding weddings history but this bride and groom wanted something a bit more fun! Sassporila picked up the cutting knife. Angelo took her hand in his and they made the first cut of the cake as everyone applauded. They cut out the first piece. A heavenly light vanilla and chocalte marbled square set alternating with a red velvet and choclate marbled square set. People gasped at the checkerboard pattern of the cake.
"Not only is the theme of our cake a wonderful marbled Game board design in side of vanallia and red velvet chocolate by the one and only Honeydukes..." Angelo smiled. "... but at our request the theme of our desert course is WIZARDS CHESS! If anyone wants to play there will be white and black cream and Carmel filled chess pieces you can play on cake or candy or ice cream boards!!!"
"As well as many other confections and treats!" Sasporilla smiled smearing icing on her husbands nose laughing. "Enjoy your deserts everyone!"
Sasporilla found her way outside, into the relative quiet of the evening air, behind the reception tent.
"Most people go out front." A woman’s voice said startling Sassy. "Sorry, didn't mean to give you a start."
"Didn't see you there." Sasporilla said.
"I guess I should introduce myself. I'm your mother’s youngest sister. Your aunt Impatience Bent."
"I'm happy you were able to make it to the wedding." Sasporilla smiled.
"You can let go of the handle of your wand in your sleeve." Impatience sighed. "I'm not a threat to you."
"I'm sorry." Sassy said. "Bad experiences make for cautious reactions."
"True enough." Impatience smiled. "Though sometimes knowing the whole story is the best light when your dark place. I have left you and your husband a rare family heirloom as wedding gift. I can think of no one who deserves it more. This how ever..."
Impatience Bent pulled a small box out of her purse. It was wrapped in rather plain blue muggle tissue wrap with a nylon red bow. This is a gift from your mother. She wanted you to have it when it was time. There are a few things in there that will let you see... well, you'll see."
"Shall I open it now?" Sasporilla asked.
"You can if you like," Impatience smiled, "but honestly it's of no use without what's upstairs."
"Ok then." Sassy gave the woman a puzzled but coyly trusting look. "Then I will wait untill I am upstairs."
The two women stood looking out at the field and down the hills in the night sky.
"So you were in Hufflepuff?" Sassy asked.
"Sure was!" Impatience laughed. "Scourge of the family name."
"Thought that was my mom being a Squibb?" Sassy sniffed.
"That's why we got on so well!" Impatience smiled. "Out casts us! Bloody unwanted scum of the Earth. So we were always together. You'll see."
"What?" Sassy asked confused.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..." the band leader announced "... CAN WE HAVE THE BRIDE AND GROOM FOR THE FIRST DANCE?"
"You best get in there." Impatience Bent smiled and awkwardly hugged her niece. "I'm leaving on the Hogwarts express special in the morning. Come see me there if you want to."
Sasporilla appeared on the darkened dance floor walking into the spot light where her husband stood alone.
"Thought you left me crying in the chapel?" Angelo smiled.
"Sorry I'm late." Sasporilla frowned cutely.
"As long as you're here now." Angelo said taking her hands. "I'll always wait for you."
"I'm trying not to go anywhere my love." Sassy smiled.
"Yes woman." Angelo said sternly. "You are VERY TRYING!"
Sasporilla started to laugh as the music started to waft through the air. Sasporilla chose the one song that her mother had always loved. It was the song her mother and father had danced to at their wedding, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN by some muggle band called.... what was it??? The builders? The wood workers? The Carpenters!!!
Sasporilla folded into Angelo's arms and rested her head against his as they danced slowly to wafting music that filled the air. The rest of the world disappeared and only they existed lost in each others love.
‐--------------------------------------------------------------
The bride and groom ducked out early, back to their little apartment over the future wand shop, amongst all the well wishes and cheeky comments. The party went on late into the night, or was it early into the next morning? Angelo knew he would more than likely have to apologize to someone for something that Rabbit had done. With luck he wouldn't hook up with Lyra and get into even more trouble.
The large pile of well wrapped gifts were brought up to the apartment. Sassy looked over the wrapped packages intently.
"So Mrs.Lazarus,"
Angelo hummed snuggling in behind Sassy, "looking for a toaster?"
"No Mr.Lazarus," Sassy laughed, "I am looking for a gift from my Aunt Impatience Bent."
"It would probably be that big box over there." Angelo said pointing at the dining table.
A large antique cherry wood chest sat on the dining table with white ribbon and bow on it. The tag read, To Sasporilla and Angelo from your aunty Impatience Bent.
Sassy pulled the ribbon and the box doors opened revealing it to be a small cabinet holding an antique pensive!
"What a wonderful gift." Angelo said. "These are very, very rare!"
"My aunt told me it was a family heirloom." Sasporilla said and produced the other small box. "She also said this was from my mother."
Sasporilla opened the small blue tissue wrapped box. Inside were three vials. Sasporilla knew from her studies they were taken memories of some sort to be experienced in the pencieve.
One vial was marked tears of joy. One vial marked tears of pain. The last vial was marked final tear.
"Tears?" Angelo asked?
"So many of our greatest memories aren't lost but are shared in tears." Sasporilla smiled. "I read a paper on it by Albus Dumbeldore. He was quite the expert on pencives. Had one of his own in his office. He collected thousands of memories, not just his own. He preferred to extract them from happy tears. Though his research demanded he gather some through sadness."
"Just how did he gather those?" Angelo grimaced. "I hope he didn't cause pain in anyone."
"My guess is as Head master of Hogwarts he always had some student in distress who needed a shoulder to lean on." Sassy said. "I often did."
"Did you often go to Headmaster Dumbledore?" Angelo asked.
"No." Sasporilla smiled. "I often cried on Karry's shoulder or that of an elf."
"Just wondered if he collected one of yours?" Angelo smiled.
Dancing with Myron as he sang to her... happiest moment of her young life... a single tear rolled down from her eye...but never dripped to her dress. Corner of her eye, the flick of a wand, the flash of glass lid shutting and robes fluttering in a turn.
"He ACCIO'D my happy tear!" Sassy laughed. "The sneaky old sod!"
"What?" Angelo asked.
"Not important right now." Sassy said. "Let's get to these memories my aunt wants me to see."
Sassy poured the first vial into the pencive and watched it swirl. Like the mists of time both inviting and terrifying and inviting Sasporilla Bucket plunged her face into the pencive. The last thing Sassy ever expected to experience were her mothers memories.
Sassy fell through time and space until she found herself sitting on the floor across from her sister playing ball. They laughed and giggled. She could feel how much she loved her little sister. The mist shifted to her seeing a rather homely boy in Diagon Alley in Flourish and Blots. She loved the bookshop. It was the one place wizards, witches and SQUIBS like her were truly equal. If you could read, you could get lost in a book! The boy was here with his parents getting his books for Hogwarts. He waved at her and smiled. She didn't know what to do??? She bumped into someone or something.... but the memory shifted... Sasporilla knew that little homely boy would grow up to be a big homely boy! Her dad Riddonkulous Bucket!!! Swirling to Kings Cross station her mom was waving good bye proudly to her little sister Impatience who was off to Hogwarts. Both of them waved. Her little sister cried not wanting to be away from the one happy positive person she had ever known. Wysteria knew she was a baby bird about to soar! She would meet wonderful new positive people and she would do just fine! The next memory was her and her dad running hand in hand through the field by her old home. It was their dream to one day move to the small village of Avonshire, build a nice home of their own for them and their four children, two dogs, a cat and a budgerigar! The next memory was the joy she felt of her wedding... it melted Sassy's heart. Her mother was so in love! Just like the love she felt for Angelo. How she wished her mom could be here today. It both surprised and saddened her that this was her last happy memory. At least it was the last one collected from her.
Sasporilla raised her head from the pencive smiling contented with what she'd seen.
"I take it that went well?" Angelo asked.
"It was an incredible experience." Sasporilla smiled pulling her wand to retrieve the memory from the pencive and cast it back into it's bottle. "Now for vial number two. I'm afraid I may find it just that."
"What?" Angelo asked handing her the small glass bottle.
Sasporilla turned the vial around to show the label saying 'PAIN' "Vial!" Sassy sighed.
***********************************************************
Sasporilla Bucket poured her mothers painful memories into the pencive. They swirled like a thunderstorm. Raged like a living creature angry at the world for giving it life. Sassy took a deep breath and slowly placed her face in.
She felt the memories grasp at her and pull her under like Grindylows in the Black Lake. Sasporilla fought at first then let them pull her in. Those horrid memories were, after all, where she wanted to go.
Like deatheater landing in a whisp of black smoke, Sasporilla arrived in the first memory. Wysteria sat on the floor weeping at the feet of her mother. Sasporilla recognized the twisted hideous evil features of Grandmother Bent, even in her younger days. She was livid, standing over her first born child, still just a toddler, angrily smoking her Wizingard brand cigarette.
"You!" Chrysanthemum Bent hissed. "What will people say when we tell them we have a SQUIBB in the family? Us! The BENT's!!!"
"Sowee mummy." The little girl cried.
"Sorry?" Chrysanthemum growled. "Sorry?"
The witch grabbed her child roughly and painfully by the hand.
"Owwww!" Wysteria whined as her mother dragged her up to her feet.
"I'll make you sorry!" The evil woman said putting out her cigarette on the palm of the child’s hand.
The screams were deafening but the fear her mother felt as she was thrown into the wardrobe and locked in. Alone, in the dark.
"You just sit there and think about the shame you bring to this family, you little SQUIBB!"
The memories swirled in gray and black until she saw her mother, about five or six years of age, being dragged by the hair by a gripping charm, cast by her father Trillium Bent. Wysteria cried in pain grabbing at her hair.
"Did you honestly think you could run away Wysteria?" Trillium sneered. "As useless as you are as a witch, being a Squibb, you may still be trained as a servant. We may not love you or have a use for you but someone may."
Shifting memories brought in her first baby Sister and brother, being taught spells by mum and dad early with borrowed wands. Wysteria stood by patiently shaking, holding targets, for her smaller siblings to fire spells at.
"But father," Periwinkle Bent asked, "what if we miss and hit Wysteria?"
"Entertainment is free." Bougainvillea laughed casting BOMBARDA burning her oldest sisters hand, making her laugh hysterically.
"See my boy," Trillium said placing his hand on the boys shoulder squeezing, "she's fine!!! SQUIBBS don't feel pain like you witches and wizards do! Now cast the spell!"
The burning, the pain, the screaming... Sasporilla didn't know how much more there was, nor how much more she could take.
Platform nine and three quarters. Bougainvillea and Periwinkle ran ahead followed by their father. Mother turned back to Wysteria having trouble pushing both trolleys, "Keep up girl! Try not to be completely useless!"
"Sorry mam." Wysteria said, masking the fact that the poorly dressed serving girl was in any way related to the Bent family.
Trying as best she could, one her sisters trolleys still got away from her, and ran off the edge of the platform and dumped onto the tracks. Wysteria gasped, terrified of the punishment coming. The rest on the platform just laughed and shook their heads. Wysteria ran to the platforms edge and was about to climb down when all the scattered items collected themselves up and packed back into the trunk. Wysteria's mother stood there looking very angry as she levitated the trunk and other items back onto the cart.
"I'm sorry mom!" Wysteria said.
"Mam!" Chrysanthemum laughed, "she meant mam! Give...me...your...hand!"
"No please!" Wysteria pleaded.
Tendrils whipped from her mothers wand pulling the young girls arm in to her mother. The older woman opened her daughters hand and held its scarred palm face up.
"Take your punishment like a servant!" Chrysanthemum insisted, "Do you think you'll ever see a better life outside our house?"
The tendrils turned to strands of leather that Chrysanthemum used to whip her daughters palm. Pain swirled into feelings of sadness as Sasporilla saw her mum and dad, both very young, sitting in a room with both groups of grand parents that looked very angry.
"Who do you think you are?" Trillium Bent laughed sarcastically. "Trying to marry your useless BUCKET son into the BENT family? Don't make me laugh!!!"
"My son?" Woodrow Bucket yelled! "You mean marrying that SQUIBB of yours into our pure blood BUCKET family!"
"Pure blood!" Chrysanthemum snorted. "Don't make me laugh. Elf blood!"
"How dare you?" Oblivion Bucket hissed. "Your squibb would be lucky to be a Bucket!"
"Oh shut up!" Riddonkulous yelled. "We love each other and we're getting married. Like it or not! I love Wysteria, whether she's a squibb or a muggle or gobblin or whatever!"
"Yes!" Wysteria cried. "and I love Riddonkulous! We want to get married, have our own life and have a family."
"What?" Trillium frowned, "more squibb children or dirty little half breed elf bloods?"
"Should all be put down in my opinion" Chrysanthemum said.
"Well perhaps we could make a pact." Oblivion smiled. "We will allow the children their...marriage. However, any offspring not up to our family standards as a certified tested witch or wizard by a certified testing medical professional just after birth, will be... eliminated."
"Agreed!" The Bent's smiled.
"Agreed." Woodrow Bucket said reluctantly.
"No!!!" Riddonkulous protested as Wysteria broke down in tears.
The tears flowed and pounded against her like a hurricane as Sasporilla found herself hurtling towards the next memory. It was the morning of the Christening. Wysteria awoke and stretched. The small place they lived in was only temporary until they really got on their feet. The new mom stepped over to the bassinet.
"Good morning my lovely." She smiled as she looked upon an empty bed.
The scream woke up Riddonkulous and Nick that had past out drinking on the couch.
"What is it?" Donk asked drawing his wand.
"What's," Nick began belching, "the problem?"
"The baby," Wysteria cried, "Sasporilla's Gone!"
"The pact." Riddonkulous growled. "No one harms a hair on the head of my girls. Get dressed quick, we need to apparate to London!"
The minor constant belittlement. The senseless hatred directed at her. The mistreatment by the Wizarding world all because of the way she was born, the feeling of sadness and loneliness when her daughter left for school. The spinning pain of her mothers life through Sasporilla Bucket from the pensive in tears. Angelo ran to his wife’s side and took her in his arms calming and cuddling her.
********************************************************
It took some time for Sasporilla to stop shaking, let alone to stop feeling the latent ghostly sensation of the physical pain her mother had suffered. Angelo brought her a nice cup of tea to settle her nerves.
"Thank you." She smiled taking a sip.
"Some wedding gift!" Angelo cringed.
"It was a trip." Sassy sighed. "But I've one more vial to go."
"Oh no Sassy please!" Angelo begged. "Not tonight? You've been through too much already. The last? I fear it must be horrific!"
"We will see." Sasporilla said more determined now than ever to see her mother’s last memory. "Accio vial" Sassy said pointing her wand right at it.
The vial marked Final flew right into her hand. Pouring it carefully into the pensive the final memory of Wysteria Bucket was her daughters to view. Sasporilla dipped her head into the swirling bowl was peacefully pulled inside.
Her mother was having a lovely cup of tea. Talking and laughing with her younger sister Impatience. The faerie cakes Impy brought were brilliant. It was getting late when the knock came at the door. Time for her to go as Wysie never wanted Sassy to know about her nice sister. Wysteria still feared the pain curse which may just harm her one good family member.
Impatience aparated home as Wysteria answered the door. To her surprise it was little Billy Bombaduck, but no longer so small. All went white from there..... other than a distant strong feeling for all whom Wysteria had truly loved her daughter, her sister, her husband and the rarest of rare facts that they had loved her back.
Sasporilla pulled out from pencive.
"What did you see?" Angelo asked.
"My mom really did love my Aunt Impatience." Sassy smiled as she hugged her husband tenderly. "She left from having tea seconds before my mom died. I can't imagine how she feels?"
"You should find her in the morning." Angelo said.
"Agreed." Sasporilla yawned. "This has been such a long wedding day! We didn't have anything else on our agenda... did we?"
*********************************
Impatience Bent sat just outside the Three Broom Sticks, at one of three small tables Rosemerta had set up to take advantage of the good weather cafe business, sipping a cup of Jorrow Bean Coffee. If there was money to be made anywhere in Hogsmeade, Rosemertta could see it and tell you how to squeeze every nickel out of if. There was no schroeder merchant in town and none better at business in all of Scottland! That's saying something!!!
It was a lovely morning, blue sky with just a hint of whispy blue clouds. The national weather service called for rain but that was simply not happening untill her Niece was away on her honeymoon. She hoped the gift she had given her would bring them together? Perhaps it was a mistake and only drive the apart once and for all?
"Impatience you're being foolish!" She told herself! "She is Wysteria's girl! What will be will be and that is all there is to it! There is no more you can do! You loved your sister, you love your niece, just calm down!"
"You look deep in thought?" Sasporilla smiled shocking her aunt back to reality.
"Oh!" Impatience jumped. "You surprised me!"
"Sorry 'bou' tha'!" Sassy laughed doing her best Hagrid impression.
"Hey!" Impatience laughed. "You do Hagrid pretty well!"
"He's a friend." Sassy smiled. "May I join you?"
"Yes of course!" Impatience insisted, motioning for Sassy to sit. "I'll ring for Rosemertta to bring you something."
"No, no," Sasporilla smiled, "I got it! You want a top up? Anything else?"
"I'm good thanks." Her aunt smiled.
Sasporilla pulled out her wand and with a quick flick made the front window fly open.
"Rosie!" Sassy yelled in. "Cupa Butter tea and a butterscotch scone please!"
"Bloody Bucket girls here!" Rosemertta laughed.
"She knows you." Impatience chuckled.
"Just about everyone here does." Sassy smiled. "Been around here a lot through Hogwarts and what with Kerry and Zac's house being right over there!"
"That's your best friend from Hogwarts?" Impatience asked. "The Curtiss girl?"
"Yes that's her." Sassy smiled. "We had some amazing times in this town. Now we'll be here together! Raising our families, while I run my shop."
"Is it the life you wanted dear?" Aunt Impatience asked concerned placing her hand on her nieces. "I mean, did you dream of more?"
"Like being the most powerful witch in all of the Wizarding World?" Sasporilla smiled. "Been there, done that, gave it up to give people freedom! No THIS has ALWAYS been MY dream. To be a wand maker with my own shop... BUCKET WANDS!"
"Then I am so happy for you and so proud of you Sasporilla!" Impatience said hugging her niece.
"All right you two!" Rosemertta said bringing out the tea and scone for Sasporilla. "Break it up! This is a decent sorta place."
"Oh please Rosie!" Sassy started laughing, "Why just last week you and that travelling Quaffle salesman..."
"Enough out of you." Rosemertta quickly cut Sasporilla off holding up her finger. "This is on the house. For your nuptials an' all. Where are you two love birds goin' on your honey moon then?"
"Have either of you ever heard of the exclusive resort Island of Tzopheniopola?"
"No?" Both women answered rather shocked being well read and or well traveled.
"I'm not at all surprised. Tzopheniopola,” Sasporilla began, "is a small island in the south pacific. It houses one of the most beautiful resorts and staffed by a very well taken care of staff of muggle natives, and house elves. It is very exclusive! Only royalty may grace its shores! The only way to travel there is by private portkey from the Royal Palace of the Royalty in question. Its existence has been kept secret from the public by concealing it with spells. After all, it has been in the Witch Queen's best interest to do so!"
"That's how you discovered it?" Impatience smiled.
"And my first order of business when I get there is to tear down it's protective spells," Sasporilla smiled, "kick the royals off the island back home, tell the worker elves they're finally truly free and return the island to it's native people!"
"Wow girl!" Rosemertta smirked. "You do have a funny Idea of what makes a honey moon? I mean most young people want to get their hands on each other, not the ruling class!"
The ladies laughed. Rosemertta walked back inside, as Impatience and Sasporilla took a sip of their drinks. The one thing about a witches brewed tea or coffee, they never got cold, and always stayed just the right temperature.
"I wanted to thank you aunt Impatience." Sassy smiled.
"For what dear?" Her young aunt asked.
"For letting me see my mothers memories." Sasporilla said. "Especially the last."
"I feared that one would make you hate me." Impatience said looking down, a tear dripping from her eye.
"Why in heavens name would ever think that?" Sassy said taking her aunts hand.
"I left your mother alone!" Impatience cried. "I aperated out when that maniac knocked! If I'd only stayed, I..."
"You can not change what happened." Sasporilla said tipping her aunts head up. "Look at me! I do not place any blame on you. She did not put any blame on you. Her last thoughts were of those who loved her and who she loved. That includes you! Knowing this how could I ever possibly HATE you aunt Impatience Blueberry Bent."
Through the tears Impatience let out a laugh. An uncomely bubble blown out her nostril made both of them laugh.
"How did you know my middle name?" Impatience asked.
"Memories." Sassy said tapping on her temple. "I learned a lot about you. My mom loved you dearly. You are very welcome in my life."
"I have waited your whole life to hear that!" Impatience Bent sniffed throwing up her hands to go hug her niece as she started crying again.
"Oh my you are weepy one." Sassy giggled hugging her aunt back very tightly.
It was a hug that felt like her mom was feeling her sisters hug for the first time in years. Sasporilla felt comfort and home in this hug, safety and love, everything a good hug should have.
"I should let you go dear." Impatience smiled. "I'm sure my moldy old arms are not the ones you want to be in at the start of your honeymoon?"
"I would not put it that way," Sasporilla Bucket smiled, "but I do have to get things together and go. Plus I have to make sure my husband has the ability to keep up! Not his fault, he's new you know?"
"Oh you are a card Sasporilla!" Impatience laughed. "Send me an owl when you’re back."
"I will, I promise." Sassy smiled and waved. "Won't you be surprised when you meet MY owl!"
"What?" Impatience asked confused.
"You'll see!" Sassy laughed blowing a kiss, turning and happily walking away waving.
Sassy didn't want a big wedding though half of her family and her social station demanded it. There was nothing Sasporilla Bucket enjoyed more than giving the finger to all of those who still thought that they had any say in anything she did in her life. Angelo on the other hand had about fifty family members to invite. Forty-three that he truly liked and some who came with as plus ones that you couldn't avoid. That was great with Sasporilla, though she doubted that she could equal that number. Though she clearly knew far more than that many people, there were very few she considered true friends and as for family? Well even her own family was questionable on her mother’s side. With the exception of on aunt that she only very distantly remembered. Her mother’s youngest sister whom she'd only met once. There was something warm and living about her smile that Sasporilla Remembered. Though no one ever spoke of Impatience Bent. She had sent her an invitation to the last known address, a small cottage on an island in the south pacific. Sassy received no RSVP Owl so she doubted very much her aunt would arrive, or even if she did that she was anything like she remembered. No matter, Sasporilla had the Curtiss family which had been her surrogate family since the day if her mothers death. She would be just fine.
"Mabel? Mabel?" Karry shouted into the back hall. "Where is she? Sasporilla’s best friend of all the worker elves and I can't find her!"
"Look down." Mabel giggled waving. "I'm right here. Calm... down!"
Karry took her job as Maid of Honour VERY seriously!!! So seriously in fact it was driving her crazy!!!!
"Ok, ok!" Karry said trying to calm herself, checking the small elf off her list. "It's wonderful to see you Mabel, it's been a long time."
"Yes Miss Karry." Mabel smiled. "The last time was in Geneva."
"I'm married now." Karry smiled. "So no more Miss."
"Ahhh!!!" Mabel smiled. "Congratulations Mrs.Karry!!! So what does Ms.Sasporilla need me to do? Am I serving? Cooking? Clean up? Oh I hope I'm an usher!!!"
"No Mabel Sweetie." Sasporilla said appearing in the door way carrying her dress in a garment bag. "You're a brides maid! You're one of my most important friends. How often did we send letters to each other. How many times have I called you friend. I meant every word. You are as special to me as ever other Witch here that I know!"
Mabel stood near to tears, her chin quivering at the thought of being so loved and accepted. She ran forward and wrapped her small arms around one of Sasporilla’s legs giving her a big hug. Sassy motioned Karry over to hold her dress as Sassy pulled Mabel away only to bend down and join the hug herself.
"This is so touching." Karry said. "Ok everyone’s here."
"Not Lyra." Kay Curtiss smiled.
"What?" Karry's eyes went wide. "Wa-we-where is she? She was right here?"
She said she was stepping out for a moment."
"No, no, no!!!" Karry said. "There is NO STEPPING OUT! Gosh! It's like herding cats with you guys!!! Lyra! LYRA!"
Lyra Lee-Ashwolf appeared quietly in behind Karry.
"Where is the girl?" Lyra asked in Kay's voice using the PERSONATUS spell.
"I don't know." Karry said looking out the door.
"Who is Lyra?" Lyra said in Mabel's voice
As Karry turned, Lyra stayed behind her, out of her line of sight. Making her thing she wasn' there. Having a great laugh.
"Well she better get that wide butt of hers back here fast," Sasporilla smirked, "will take her an hour to squeeze into that size nine."
"I'll have you know it's a size six thank you very much!" Lyra snapped.
Karry whipped around. "Ahah! Got you!"
"Oops!" Lyra smiled. "April fools."
"Could everyone please start getting ready now that we're all here please!!! We are behind schedule!"
"Karry!" Sasporilla laughed. "Calm down. Everything’s cool. Everything’s good. For the first time in our lives, no surprises. Let's just have a calm good day."
"I don't know how," Karry asked, "you can be so positive all the time after every bad thing that's happened to you?"
"It's Simple." Sasporilla smiled. "Have a little faith, that the better life is still to come."
"Ok everyone," Karry said, "we have to be at the Hogsmeade church for 1:45 as the wedding starts 2:00pm."
The guests started arriving as early as 1:30. Angelo had been there with his best man Dave "Rabbit" Mandolini and the Ushers. Angelo's twin cousins Gorman and Norman who were questionably competent but lovable. Colour coded invitations should make seating easy, or the explanation on them to clearly but kindly explain to the ushers which side they were on if the boys became confused. Luckily they did a bang up job seating everyone in the small church of Hogsmeade.
Koleen and Alexander Curtiss sat up front. Proud parents on the side Sasporilla Bucket. Next to them sat there son Korry and his wife Madrigal and there three young children. Angelo's family was big and happy but more important they were proud of the young man who stood before them. However none of them was as proud of him as his father.
Zac stuck his head in from the back of the church, caught Angelo's attention, and gave him the OK! Angelo nodded and gave Zac a thumbs up.
"Ok Father." Angelo said. "It's 2:00pm and everyone's ready. Let's get started."
"Okie dokie arta chokie!" The old priest smiled looking rather tipsy as he pointed his wand at the organ.
The church organ started playing take me out to the ball game.
"Nope!" The priest said trying again. "Sorry!"
The wedding march started playing and the doors at the back of the church opened.
"Are you feeling ok father?" Angelo asked.
"Mime fin ny boy!" The old priest slurred. "I wasss jussst umm toassing yer wedding wiff yerr uncle be 'hick' for the matrimonialisms."
"Oh great." Angelo smiled looking out at the smiling baldhead of Uncle Frank taking a nip out of his 'special' flask. "Not today Uncle Frank! SOBRY-IM!"
A small whiff of blue magical mist up into the face of the Priest, invading through his mouth, nose and ears made the old man suddenly snap back to sobriety as Mabel and Rimmpoli appeared. Mabel's dress was that of the bridesmaids. A light pink dress with skinny straps and square neckline. Rimmpoli wore an elegant black tuxedo to match that of all groomsmen. They walked down to the end, Mabel took her place waiting for the other bridesmaids, in front of Karry's mom who fawned over the small elf, and Rimmpoli joined the groomsmen.
Next appeared Lyra and Angelo's cousin Carlo. Lyra had a lovely smile on her face as they walked arm in arm down the aisle. Carlo had a rather conspicuous black eye and did not look that happy.
"Looks like Carlo got handsy." Rabbit smiled.
"Yep." Angelo nodded. "That's why Sassy and I placed him with Lyra."
"Did you warn her first?" Rabbit asked. "About his hands?"
"Of course." Angelo chuckled. "But I didn't warn him that she's an anarchist Lesbian Aurer a bad ass attitude."
Both young man held back bursting out into, what would have been very inappropriate raucous laughter, as Lyra shoved him into the Groomsmen’s line and joined Mabel in the brides maids line.
Next came Karry and Zac. They looked perfect walking down the aisle together. The perfect couple, as they' always been.
"This brings back memories." Karry said.
"Yes. Zac smiled. "I was so scared that day."
"Why?" Karry asked.
"You looked so beautiful." Zac said looking at his wife. "I was terrified you were going to come to your senses, turn around and leave me!"
"Never!" Karry said.
"We did come close." Zac frowned.
"No, WE didn't!" Karry said. "Salazar Slytherin's curse did and I will hear no more of it!"
"Yes dear." Zac laughed as they kissed and separated into there lines.
Next appeared a young man of five years old. Well dressed in his tuxedo and carrying a pillow with a box on it, the weddings official ring barer had arrived. Kameron Zarkhov Curtiss, son of Karry and Zac and God son of Sasporilla Bucket smiled brightly as he nervously walked up the aisle quickly towards his mom and dad! All these eyes on him made the boy quite nervous. Except for Hagrid from over at Hogwarts. The pair of them got along swimmingly. Hagrid often baby-sat for Karry and Zac. Not that the house staff couldn't do it for them, but the boy genuinely enjoyed learning from Hagrid. There was no more honest and gentle soul that could fiercely protect that boy, next to his own parents of course, than Rubeis Hagrid.
"Good job kiddo!" Zac said holding on to Kameron's shoulders. Looking down at him with a proud fatherly smile.
Out just beyond the open chapel doors Sasporilla straightened her dress and readied her bouquet.
"Stop fidgetin'." Nick Owlmore smiled. "You look beautiful! You look... perfect!"
Sasporilla stopped and beamed at her Uncle Nick and gave him the biggest hug of her life.
"You know." Uncle Nick said, a small tear in his eye. "Your father, God rest his soul told me 'Nicky, one day my little girls gonna be a woman see. Just like her mum, and she's gonna get married! Only I ain’t gonna be there to walk her down the aisle. I want you to be so important in her life that she don't want no one else but you to walk her see? Understand?"
"And there is no one else I would have but you walk me down the aisle Uncle Nick." Sassy smiled through her joyful tears. "You were the most important person to Mom after Dad became ill, along with miss Daisy that is. After Mom died you tried hard to keep a hold on me but I was too independent by then."
"You sure were." Nick Owlmore laughed. "More of a responsible adult at 14 than I was at 35!"
"But you loved me just the same." Sasporilla said. "And you tried to be a surrogate dad/uncle/friend as best you could and I still lobe you for that!"
"I still love you to Sasporilla Bucket." Nick smiled taking her arm. "You are my special little lady. Remember how I used to take your arm like this to walk you down to get an ice cream in town?"
"No ice cream at the end of the walk today." Sassy smiled.
"Nah." Nick smirked. "This treat'll last you much longer!"
The organ clearly announced Sasporilla's entrance. Her long pink hair was twisted into a lose bun with long loose curls cascading the back of her neck. Her dress was a lovely diamond white with V-neck held up at the shoulders. Pink pearl tulle lined the neckline, the half sleeve cuffs, and the slit of the full length over skirt. The detachable chiffon chapel overskirt fits over the light pink satin column skirt beneath.
Her bouquet was a simple bunch of pink and white roses with some wild flowers and baby's breath.
Sasporilla chose to wear a light pink and purple lace hair tie as opposed to a veil. She wanted simple, but elegant. However at the same time completely unpretentious!
Everyone stood as Nick Owlmore, dressed in quite an elegant tuxedo, escorted his Goddaughter into the church. Myron smiled and leaned into Agnes, describing the dress to her in full detail. Professor Splatterpalette and Professor Phenix were there with their families recording the event with muggle technology. Sasporilla knew there would be a lot of people who would feel slighted by not receiving an invitation to her wedding. She had been sad the centaurs she invited declined but she understood why. They were very wary of wizards and witches and especially of being outside of the dark forest. There was one person sitting on her side that she didn't quite recognize? It would of course help if she was wearing her glasses. The woman, sitting alone at the far end of the pew was middle aged and had fair hair. She smiled at Sasporilla and gave her a polite little wave. It was her! Her mothers sister! Her aunt Impatience Bent! The only other person from the Bent blood line to come from HUFFLEPUFF house!!!!
"Well I'll be!" Nick said. "Little Imp is here!"
"What a great day!" Sassy smiled.
Kolleen Curtiss put her hands up to her mouth and pressed her head into her husband Alex's shoulder.
"Oh Alex." Kolleen wept with happiness. "All our girls have grown up."
Alex patted his wife’s head. Knowing she, in many ways used the ersatz adoption of Sasporilla, to replace the daughter they lost. Some times Alex wondered if Kolleen even remembered their precious Kandy?
Nick Owlmore reached the end of the aisle where he met up with Angelo who stepped forward in line. Nick turned to Sasporilla. "It's not to late to change your mind and leg it!"
"No I think I'll stay." Sasporilla smiled kissing her Uncle Nick on the cheek.
"Here you go lad!" Nick said. "I'm handing you a piece of my heart today. Break it, I'll hunt you down. Savvy?"
"Uncle Nick!" Sassy hissed!
"No worries." Angelo nodded. "I feel the same. If anything happens, Sassy can give you my pieces to deal with."
"Deal!" Nick smiled shaking the young mans hand. "He's got heart and character. I like that."
"Your not bad your self," Angelo smiled, "big man!"
Vicar Applebottom smiled widely as the young couple joined hands and faced him. The older religious leader of Hogsmeade only church just loved weddings and christenings. The church saw far to many funerals for his liking. The Vicar signaled for the organist to wrap it up and he began the ceremony.
"We are gathered together on this day," the Vicar began, "to witness and celebrate the marriage of Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket & Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus . We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to acknowledge and strengthen a bond that already exists. This ceremony is a public affirmation of that bond and as their dearest family and friends, it is our honor and privilege to stand witness to this event.
This day is made possible not only because of your love for each other, but through the grace and support of your family and friends. It is our hope that your fulfillment and joy in each other will increase with each passing year.
"Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime.
"Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Sasporilla and Angelo to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You. Bless their marriage with peace and happiness and make their Love fruitful for Your glory and their joy, both here and in eternity. Amen.
"While the commitment begins with the two of you, its effect radiates outward. It touches your family and friends and ultimately all of society. When this commitment is seriously made and continuously fulfilled, it leads to the richest and most rewarding of human relationships.
"Your relationship will take more than love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. Dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.
"While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by. They are not a destination, but a journey. Marriage is a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments which diminishes neither, but enhances both.
"Seeing that no moment is without meaning, we ask that you take this marriage as a beginning of your lives together. Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each other’s love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create.
"Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey – a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another.
May the promises you make to one another today, be lived out to the end of your lives. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys, but today is the day it all begins.
Sasporilla and Angelo, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?"
"We do." Both Sassy and Angelo answered together.
"Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?" The Vicar asked
"We will." Sassy and Angelo answered.
"Angelo, please repeat after me." The Vicar smiled. "I, Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus...."
"I, Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus...." Angelo said turning to Sassy.
"... take you Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket, to be my wedded wife." The vicar said.
"... take you Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket, to be my wedded wife." Angelo repeated.
"I promise to stay by your side," the Vicar said.
"I promise to stay by your side," Angelo said.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad." The Vicar raised his eyes.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad, and I'll hear no more of I have to do this alone. We're a team now... DEAL?" Angelo smiled.
"Deal." Sasporilla laughed.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." The Vicar said. He had a good feeling about this young couple.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." Angelo smiled.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." The Vicar said.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Angelo repeated.
"Sasporilla." The Vicar smiled. "Repeat after me. I, Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket,"
"I Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket," Sassy repeated looking at Angelo.
"... take you Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus, to be my wedded husband." The Vicar said.
"... take you Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazarus, to be my wedded husband." Sasporilla repeated.
"I promise to stay by your side," the Vicar said.
"I promise to stay by your side," Sassy said.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad." The Vicar raised his eyes.
"In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad, and I promise to stick by our DEAL?" Sasporilla smiled.
Angelo laughed.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." The Vicar said.
"I promise to love you without reservation,
Comfort you in times of distress. Encourage you to achieve all of your goals, Laugh with you and cry with you, Grow with you in mind and spirit." Sassy smiled.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." The Vicar said.
"Always be open and honest with you,
And cherish you for as long as we both shall live." Sasporilla repeated.
"Having this love in your hearts, you have chosen to seal your vows by exchanging rings." The Vicar said as the ring bearer walked up proudly presenting the rings on his pillow.
"Kameron Zarkhov Curtiss." Sasporilla smiled. "You are just the best boy ever!"
Sassy and Angelo took each others rings and Kam walked over to his dad and sat down.
"From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness." The Vicar said. "The rings that you have chosen to wear have neither beginning nor end, much like your love for one another. They are a symbol of the words that you speak today. May these rings be from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises you are making today.
Angelo, take your ring, place it on Sasporilla’s finger and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Angelo said slipping the gold ring carved with Celtic knot work all around it on Sassy’s finger.
"Now Sasporilla, take your ring, place it on Angelo’s finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." Sassy said slipping the gold ring, which was a copy of her ring set into the center of a plain gold band, to symbolize Angelo holding Sasporilla's heart in his.
"Sasporilla Imaginarium Bucket and Angelo Melvin Michael Anthony Lazerus, from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world." The Vicar said putting his hands on the young couples hands. "Having pledged their fidelity to one another, to love, honor and cherish one another in the presence of God and by the authority vested in me it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
**********************************
Zac and Karry promised a wonderful wedding reception for the young couple. The party of their dreams! Sasporilla and Angelo, walked out of the church being showered in magical confetti. The best part about magical confetti is the birds and squirrels found it quite tasty and it was good for them too! All the guests followed as the young couple walked hand in hand down the center of Hogsmeade. Karry and Zac were quick to catch up. Everyone in town, though not invited to the wedding was certainly invited to the reception! Many people came out of the stores to applaud and cheer as Sasporilla and Angelo walked by.
"Where are we headed?" Sasporilla asked Karry.
"The empty Broom shop." Karry said.
"What?" Sassy said surprised. "Why?
"Trust us!" Karry smiled.
They lead the way to the old broom store. The windows were still papered over with yellowed pieces of the Daily Prophet from the summer Sassy graduated. Dust was thick on the inside window ledges and the outside of the building was in need of some desperate repairs. Over all though it had been the building Sasporilla dreamed of one day owning and making her own wand shop. One day.
"Sasporilla." Angelo said. "Zac and Karry came to me when I told them I wanted to marry you all those years ago and offered us this great Gift."
"The reception!" Sassy smiled. "You are both so sweet but honestly you didn't have too."
"No silly." Karry giggled. "Listen to Angelo for a second?"
"You told me your hopes and dreams." Angelo said. "Like the line from my favourite Christmas song, I put them with my own. Can't make it all alone I've built MY dreams around you."
"What are you saying you beautiful man?" Sassy asked taking his head in her hands.
"Zac owned the building." Angelo smiled. "He and Karry offered it to us as a gift..."
Sasporilla gasped shaking her head.
"....and I said no!" Angelo smiled. "I took some of the money I made from my inventions and bought it from Zac as a wedding gift... for... you!"
Sasporilla stood in awe of what the man of her dreams, and the people who meant the most in the world had done for her! She could cry out in delight and through her arms around her husband!
"Oh Angelo it's a dream come true!" Sasporilla sniffed.
"It will be." Angelo winked at her. "Once you've finished with it. The best part is it has a full apartment upstairs! So we have a place to live until our house in built on Hogsmeade’s back road."
Angelo held out a small box for Sassy to open. Inside was the key to the shop. Sasporilla put the key in the doors lock and gave it a turn. The door opened to reveal the shop had been cleaned, scrubbed and redone inside. Pink velvet ropes lead people through from the front door through to the back and out to a large event tent where the reception party was happening.
Karry and Zac whisked Sassy and Angelo up back steps to their new apartment to rest a moment and change. It was a two level four-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a balcony, that over looked the back of Hogsmeade but from where you had a great view of Hogwarts.
*********************************
The party was in full swing when Sasporilla and Angelo came down stairs. Sassy chose to reuse her maid of honour dress from Karry's wedding as her reception gown, and Angelo changed into a more comfortable and stylish set of formal black robes. They could see people in the tent dancing to the music of a local live band Zac had found. They could play anything you asked of them and sounded 100% accurate every time!
Glasses started to clink to get everyone’s attention. There was some pointing towards the door. Zac ran up to the band that stopped the song and handed him the him the mic, as the drum rolled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests, may I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Angelo and Sasporilla Lazarus!!!"
"I'll need to get use to that!" Sassy smiled at Angelo.
"You mean you didn't doodle it in hearts all over your note books?" Angelo chuckled. "I'd have just as easily taken Bucket!'
"I know, you progressive man you." Sassy said kissing him as she pulled him by the hand to the head table.
Sasporilla had a wonderful less formal set up for her reception. Each table had it's own refillable buffet, just like a Hogwarts feast! This way everyone had enough to eat and got exactly what they liked. If they couldn't find anything to suit their tastes, they could transfigure their meal. That was the nicest way she could put it, As there were hundreds of choices!!!
‐---------------------------------------------#---------
The meal was consistently interrupted by the abrupt tinkling of glasses demanding public displays of affection from the bride and groom. Of course as is customary it continued down the line to members of the wedding party. Father and mother of the groom who had no problem displaying their affection and love for one another openly. When Karry the Maid of honour and the best man hugged politely then shook hands, The crowd tittered with glee, as the Maid of Honours husband Zac walked past the head table scratching his head with his wand. Everyone was having a joyous time.
'TINK*TINK*TINK*TINK*TINK!'
"All right everyone if I could get your attention please?" The best man Dave "Rabbit" Mandolini called out, "As best man I'm expected to give one of those embarrassing story speeches that makes the bride suddenly rethink her life choices. Well I was asked very nicely not to do that as that is just not what this guy is like!"
The crowd politely applauded.
"Nahhhhh" Dave smiled, "I couldn't resist! I mean with stories like that first year we had in University, spring break when we went on that hike and hooked up with those two wood nymphs!!!"
The crowd gasped as Sassy raised her eyebrows to her husband.
"Oh wait." Dave said. "Nahhh that was Jimmy "The Weasle" Snodgrass wasn't it? Ok, forget that story how about that time we bet each other who drink more of other peoples drinks in the Three Broomsticks without anyone else noticing.... no..no, that was Tim Flopshtronick."
The crowd started to mummer as the best man looked through his notes and wives started questioning the shenanigans of their husbands!
"Well folks," Dave smiled, "The Rabbit has to admit, for all the wild and crazy guys I know and all the fun times I've had... this guy... Angelo has always been my rock of truth and honour. He's a good honest guy. I can't think of anybody better suited for one of the greatest witches of our age, Sassy Bucket. I think you two are the perfect couple. I hope you have a great life together. Long and happy. I hope you have lots of kids and get fat! Raise your glasses you jealous witches, wizards and muggles!!! Too the happy couple!!!"
Everyone raised their glasses as Sasporilla and Angelo raised a special intertwined glass. A twin set of champagne flutes adorned with glass leaves the stems entwined as vines holding up the drink that carried to the lips. The vines stretched but never broke, allowing the couple’s glass to always stay together. Everyone drank as the happy couple drank and applauded!!!!
A rather tall slender young half house elf named Xmicklely (Zimicklily) pushed out a lovely silver cart with a towering cake upon it. The White, toppsy turvey style wedding cake with lovely icing and candied floral arrangements around it, tipped and bobbed as if it were going to fall in any direction at any time. This was always one of the fun things of Mrs.Honeyduke's topsey turvey cakes. They looked structurally as unsound as piles of jelly in an earthquake but in reality they were brilliantly put together! Fruit cakes were the standard for muggle weddings of old, sticky toffee pudding cakes for the Wizarding weddings history but this bride and groom wanted something a bit more fun! Sassporila picked up the cutting knife. Angelo took her hand in his and they made the first cut of the cake as everyone applauded. They cut out the first piece. A heavenly light vanilla and chocalte marbled square set alternating with a red velvet and choclate marbled square set. People gasped at the checkerboard pattern of the cake.
"Not only is the theme of our cake a wonderful marbled Game board design in side of vanallia and red velvet chocolate by the one and only Honeydukes..." Angelo smiled. "... but at our request the theme of our desert course is WIZARDS CHESS! If anyone wants to play there will be white and black cream and Carmel filled chess pieces you can play on cake or candy or ice cream boards!!!"
"As well as many other confections and treats!" Sasporilla smiled smearing icing on her husbands nose laughing. "Enjoy your deserts everyone!"
Sasporilla found her way outside, into the relative quiet of the evening air, behind the reception tent.
"Most people go out front." A woman’s voice said startling Sassy. "Sorry, didn't mean to give you a start."
"Didn't see you there." Sasporilla said.
"I guess I should introduce myself. I'm your mother’s youngest sister. Your aunt Impatience Bent."
"I'm happy you were able to make it to the wedding." Sasporilla smiled.
"You can let go of the handle of your wand in your sleeve." Impatience sighed. "I'm not a threat to you."
"I'm sorry." Sassy said. "Bad experiences make for cautious reactions."
"True enough." Impatience smiled. "Though sometimes knowing the whole story is the best light when your dark place. I have left you and your husband a rare family heirloom as wedding gift. I can think of no one who deserves it more. This how ever..."
Impatience Bent pulled a small box out of her purse. It was wrapped in rather plain blue muggle tissue wrap with a nylon red bow. This is a gift from your mother. She wanted you to have it when it was time. There are a few things in there that will let you see... well, you'll see."
"Shall I open it now?" Sasporilla asked.
"You can if you like," Impatience smiled, "but honestly it's of no use without what's upstairs."
"Ok then." Sassy gave the woman a puzzled but coyly trusting look. "Then I will wait untill I am upstairs."
The two women stood looking out at the field and down the hills in the night sky.
"So you were in Hufflepuff?" Sassy asked.
"Sure was!" Impatience laughed. "Scourge of the family name."
"Thought that was my mom being a Squibb?" Sassy sniffed.
"That's why we got on so well!" Impatience smiled. "Out casts us! Bloody unwanted scum of the Earth. So we were always together. You'll see."
"What?" Sassy asked confused.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..." the band leader announced "... CAN WE HAVE THE BRIDE AND GROOM FOR THE FIRST DANCE?"
"You best get in there." Impatience Bent smiled and awkwardly hugged her niece. "I'm leaving on the Hogwarts express special in the morning. Come see me there if you want to."
Sasporilla appeared on the darkened dance floor walking into the spot light where her husband stood alone.
"Thought you left me crying in the chapel?" Angelo smiled.
"Sorry I'm late." Sasporilla frowned cutely.
"As long as you're here now." Angelo said taking her hands. "I'll always wait for you."
"I'm trying not to go anywhere my love." Sassy smiled.
"Yes woman." Angelo said sternly. "You are VERY TRYING!"
Sasporilla started to laugh as the music started to waft through the air. Sasporilla chose the one song that her mother had always loved. It was the song her mother and father had danced to at their wedding, WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN by some muggle band called.... what was it??? The builders? The wood workers? The Carpenters!!!
Sasporilla folded into Angelo's arms and rested her head against his as they danced slowly to wafting music that filled the air. The rest of the world disappeared and only they existed lost in each others love.
‐--------------------------------------------------------------
The bride and groom ducked out early, back to their little apartment over the future wand shop, amongst all the well wishes and cheeky comments. The party went on late into the night, or was it early into the next morning? Angelo knew he would more than likely have to apologize to someone for something that Rabbit had done. With luck he wouldn't hook up with Lyra and get into even more trouble.
The large pile of well wrapped gifts were brought up to the apartment. Sassy looked over the wrapped packages intently.
"So Mrs.Lazarus,"
Angelo hummed snuggling in behind Sassy, "looking for a toaster?"
"No Mr.Lazarus," Sassy laughed, "I am looking for a gift from my Aunt Impatience Bent."
"It would probably be that big box over there." Angelo said pointing at the dining table.
A large antique cherry wood chest sat on the dining table with white ribbon and bow on it. The tag read, To Sasporilla and Angelo from your aunty Impatience Bent.
Sassy pulled the ribbon and the box doors opened revealing it to be a small cabinet holding an antique pensive!
"What a wonderful gift." Angelo said. "These are very, very rare!"
"My aunt told me it was a family heirloom." Sasporilla said and produced the other small box. "She also said this was from my mother."
Sasporilla opened the small blue tissue wrapped box. Inside were three vials. Sasporilla knew from her studies they were taken memories of some sort to be experienced in the pencieve.
One vial was marked tears of joy. One vial marked tears of pain. The last vial was marked final tear.
"Tears?" Angelo asked?
"So many of our greatest memories aren't lost but are shared in tears." Sasporilla smiled. "I read a paper on it by Albus Dumbeldore. He was quite the expert on pencives. Had one of his own in his office. He collected thousands of memories, not just his own. He preferred to extract them from happy tears. Though his research demanded he gather some through sadness."
"Just how did he gather those?" Angelo grimaced. "I hope he didn't cause pain in anyone."
"My guess is as Head master of Hogwarts he always had some student in distress who needed a shoulder to lean on." Sassy said. "I often did."
"Did you often go to Headmaster Dumbledore?" Angelo asked.
"No." Sasporilla smiled. "I often cried on Karry's shoulder or that of an elf."
"Just wondered if he collected one of yours?" Angelo smiled.
Dancing with Myron as he sang to her... happiest moment of her young life... a single tear rolled down from her eye...but never dripped to her dress. Corner of her eye, the flick of a wand, the flash of glass lid shutting and robes fluttering in a turn.
"He ACCIO'D my happy tear!" Sassy laughed. "The sneaky old sod!"
"What?" Angelo asked.
"Not important right now." Sassy said. "Let's get to these memories my aunt wants me to see."
Sassy poured the first vial into the pencive and watched it swirl. Like the mists of time both inviting and terrifying and inviting Sasporilla Bucket plunged her face into the pencive. The last thing Sassy ever expected to experience were her mothers memories.
Sassy fell through time and space until she found herself sitting on the floor across from her sister playing ball. They laughed and giggled. She could feel how much she loved her little sister. The mist shifted to her seeing a rather homely boy in Diagon Alley in Flourish and Blots. She loved the bookshop. It was the one place wizards, witches and SQUIBS like her were truly equal. If you could read, you could get lost in a book! The boy was here with his parents getting his books for Hogwarts. He waved at her and smiled. She didn't know what to do??? She bumped into someone or something.... but the memory shifted... Sasporilla knew that little homely boy would grow up to be a big homely boy! Her dad Riddonkulous Bucket!!! Swirling to Kings Cross station her mom was waving good bye proudly to her little sister Impatience who was off to Hogwarts. Both of them waved. Her little sister cried not wanting to be away from the one happy positive person she had ever known. Wysteria knew she was a baby bird about to soar! She would meet wonderful new positive people and she would do just fine! The next memory was her and her dad running hand in hand through the field by her old home. It was their dream to one day move to the small village of Avonshire, build a nice home of their own for them and their four children, two dogs, a cat and a budgerigar! The next memory was the joy she felt of her wedding... it melted Sassy's heart. Her mother was so in love! Just like the love she felt for Angelo. How she wished her mom could be here today. It both surprised and saddened her that this was her last happy memory. At least it was the last one collected from her.
Sasporilla raised her head from the pencive smiling contented with what she'd seen.
"I take it that went well?" Angelo asked.
"It was an incredible experience." Sasporilla smiled pulling her wand to retrieve the memory from the pencive and cast it back into it's bottle. "Now for vial number two. I'm afraid I may find it just that."
"What?" Angelo asked handing her the small glass bottle.
Sasporilla turned the vial around to show the label saying 'PAIN' "Vial!" Sassy sighed.
***********************************************************
Sasporilla Bucket poured her mothers painful memories into the pencive. They swirled like a thunderstorm. Raged like a living creature angry at the world for giving it life. Sassy took a deep breath and slowly placed her face in.
She felt the memories grasp at her and pull her under like Grindylows in the Black Lake. Sasporilla fought at first then let them pull her in. Those horrid memories were, after all, where she wanted to go.
Like deatheater landing in a whisp of black smoke, Sasporilla arrived in the first memory. Wysteria sat on the floor weeping at the feet of her mother. Sasporilla recognized the twisted hideous evil features of Grandmother Bent, even in her younger days. She was livid, standing over her first born child, still just a toddler, angrily smoking her Wizingard brand cigarette.
"You!" Chrysanthemum Bent hissed. "What will people say when we tell them we have a SQUIBB in the family? Us! The BENT's!!!"
"Sowee mummy." The little girl cried.
"Sorry?" Chrysanthemum growled. "Sorry?"
The witch grabbed her child roughly and painfully by the hand.
"Owwww!" Wysteria whined as her mother dragged her up to her feet.
"I'll make you sorry!" The evil woman said putting out her cigarette on the palm of the child’s hand.
The screams were deafening but the fear her mother felt as she was thrown into the wardrobe and locked in. Alone, in the dark.
"You just sit there and think about the shame you bring to this family, you little SQUIBB!"
The memories swirled in gray and black until she saw her mother, about five or six years of age, being dragged by the hair by a gripping charm, cast by her father Trillium Bent. Wysteria cried in pain grabbing at her hair.
"Did you honestly think you could run away Wysteria?" Trillium sneered. "As useless as you are as a witch, being a Squibb, you may still be trained as a servant. We may not love you or have a use for you but someone may."
Shifting memories brought in her first baby Sister and brother, being taught spells by mum and dad early with borrowed wands. Wysteria stood by patiently shaking, holding targets, for her smaller siblings to fire spells at.
"But father," Periwinkle Bent asked, "what if we miss and hit Wysteria?"
"Entertainment is free." Bougainvillea laughed casting BOMBARDA burning her oldest sisters hand, making her laugh hysterically.
"See my boy," Trillium said placing his hand on the boys shoulder squeezing, "she's fine!!! SQUIBBS don't feel pain like you witches and wizards do! Now cast the spell!"
The burning, the pain, the screaming... Sasporilla didn't know how much more there was, nor how much more she could take.
Platform nine and three quarters. Bougainvillea and Periwinkle ran ahead followed by their father. Mother turned back to Wysteria having trouble pushing both trolleys, "Keep up girl! Try not to be completely useless!"
"Sorry mam." Wysteria said, masking the fact that the poorly dressed serving girl was in any way related to the Bent family.
Trying as best she could, one her sisters trolleys still got away from her, and ran off the edge of the platform and dumped onto the tracks. Wysteria gasped, terrified of the punishment coming. The rest on the platform just laughed and shook their heads. Wysteria ran to the platforms edge and was about to climb down when all the scattered items collected themselves up and packed back into the trunk. Wysteria's mother stood there looking very angry as she levitated the trunk and other items back onto the cart.
"I'm sorry mom!" Wysteria said.
"Mam!" Chrysanthemum laughed, "she meant mam! Give...me...your...hand!"
"No please!" Wysteria pleaded.
Tendrils whipped from her mothers wand pulling the young girls arm in to her mother. The older woman opened her daughters hand and held its scarred palm face up.
"Take your punishment like a servant!" Chrysanthemum insisted, "Do you think you'll ever see a better life outside our house?"
The tendrils turned to strands of leather that Chrysanthemum used to whip her daughters palm. Pain swirled into feelings of sadness as Sasporilla saw her mum and dad, both very young, sitting in a room with both groups of grand parents that looked very angry.
"Who do you think you are?" Trillium Bent laughed sarcastically. "Trying to marry your useless BUCKET son into the BENT family? Don't make me laugh!!!"
"My son?" Woodrow Bucket yelled! "You mean marrying that SQUIBB of yours into our pure blood BUCKET family!"
"Pure blood!" Chrysanthemum snorted. "Don't make me laugh. Elf blood!"
"How dare you?" Oblivion Bucket hissed. "Your squibb would be lucky to be a Bucket!"
"Oh shut up!" Riddonkulous yelled. "We love each other and we're getting married. Like it or not! I love Wysteria, whether she's a squibb or a muggle or gobblin or whatever!"
"Yes!" Wysteria cried. "and I love Riddonkulous! We want to get married, have our own life and have a family."
"What?" Trillium frowned, "more squibb children or dirty little half breed elf bloods?"
"Should all be put down in my opinion" Chrysanthemum said.
"Well perhaps we could make a pact." Oblivion smiled. "We will allow the children their...marriage. However, any offspring not up to our family standards as a certified tested witch or wizard by a certified testing medical professional just after birth, will be... eliminated."
"Agreed!" The Bent's smiled.
"Agreed." Woodrow Bucket said reluctantly.
"No!!!" Riddonkulous protested as Wysteria broke down in tears.
The tears flowed and pounded against her like a hurricane as Sasporilla found herself hurtling towards the next memory. It was the morning of the Christening. Wysteria awoke and stretched. The small place they lived in was only temporary until they really got on their feet. The new mom stepped over to the bassinet.
"Good morning my lovely." She smiled as she looked upon an empty bed.
The scream woke up Riddonkulous and Nick that had past out drinking on the couch.
"What is it?" Donk asked drawing his wand.
"What's," Nick began belching, "the problem?"
"The baby," Wysteria cried, "Sasporilla's Gone!"
"The pact." Riddonkulous growled. "No one harms a hair on the head of my girls. Get dressed quick, we need to apparate to London!"
The minor constant belittlement. The senseless hatred directed at her. The mistreatment by the Wizarding world all because of the way she was born, the feeling of sadness and loneliness when her daughter left for school. The spinning pain of her mothers life through Sasporilla Bucket from the pensive in tears. Angelo ran to his wife’s side and took her in his arms calming and cuddling her.
********************************************************
It took some time for Sasporilla to stop shaking, let alone to stop feeling the latent ghostly sensation of the physical pain her mother had suffered. Angelo brought her a nice cup of tea to settle her nerves.
"Thank you." She smiled taking a sip.
"Some wedding gift!" Angelo cringed.
"It was a trip." Sassy sighed. "But I've one more vial to go."
"Oh no Sassy please!" Angelo begged. "Not tonight? You've been through too much already. The last? I fear it must be horrific!"
"We will see." Sasporilla said more determined now than ever to see her mother’s last memory. "Accio vial" Sassy said pointing her wand right at it.
The vial marked Final flew right into her hand. Pouring it carefully into the pensive the final memory of Wysteria Bucket was her daughters to view. Sasporilla dipped her head into the swirling bowl was peacefully pulled inside.
Her mother was having a lovely cup of tea. Talking and laughing with her younger sister Impatience. The faerie cakes Impy brought were brilliant. It was getting late when the knock came at the door. Time for her to go as Wysie never wanted Sassy to know about her nice sister. Wysteria still feared the pain curse which may just harm her one good family member.
Impatience aparated home as Wysteria answered the door. To her surprise it was little Billy Bombaduck, but no longer so small. All went white from there..... other than a distant strong feeling for all whom Wysteria had truly loved her daughter, her sister, her husband and the rarest of rare facts that they had loved her back.
Sasporilla pulled out from pencive.
"What did you see?" Angelo asked.
"My mom really did love my Aunt Impatience." Sassy smiled as she hugged her husband tenderly. "She left from having tea seconds before my mom died. I can't imagine how she feels?"
"You should find her in the morning." Angelo said.
"Agreed." Sasporilla yawned. "This has been such a long wedding day! We didn't have anything else on our agenda... did we?"
*********************************
Impatience Bent sat just outside the Three Broom Sticks, at one of three small tables Rosemerta had set up to take advantage of the good weather cafe business, sipping a cup of Jorrow Bean Coffee. If there was money to be made anywhere in Hogsmeade, Rosemertta could see it and tell you how to squeeze every nickel out of if. There was no schroeder merchant in town and none better at business in all of Scottland! That's saying something!!!
It was a lovely morning, blue sky with just a hint of whispy blue clouds. The national weather service called for rain but that was simply not happening untill her Niece was away on her honeymoon. She hoped the gift she had given her would bring them together? Perhaps it was a mistake and only drive the apart once and for all?
"Impatience you're being foolish!" She told herself! "She is Wysteria's girl! What will be will be and that is all there is to it! There is no more you can do! You loved your sister, you love your niece, just calm down!"
"You look deep in thought?" Sasporilla smiled shocking her aunt back to reality.
"Oh!" Impatience jumped. "You surprised me!"
"Sorry 'bou' tha'!" Sassy laughed doing her best Hagrid impression.
"Hey!" Impatience laughed. "You do Hagrid pretty well!"
"He's a friend." Sassy smiled. "May I join you?"
"Yes of course!" Impatience insisted, motioning for Sassy to sit. "I'll ring for Rosemertta to bring you something."
"No, no," Sasporilla smiled, "I got it! You want a top up? Anything else?"
"I'm good thanks." Her aunt smiled.
Sasporilla pulled out her wand and with a quick flick made the front window fly open.
"Rosie!" Sassy yelled in. "Cupa Butter tea and a butterscotch scone please!"
"Bloody Bucket girls here!" Rosemertta laughed.
"She knows you." Impatience chuckled.
"Just about everyone here does." Sassy smiled. "Been around here a lot through Hogwarts and what with Kerry and Zac's house being right over there!"
"That's your best friend from Hogwarts?" Impatience asked. "The Curtiss girl?"
"Yes that's her." Sassy smiled. "We had some amazing times in this town. Now we'll be here together! Raising our families, while I run my shop."
"Is it the life you wanted dear?" Aunt Impatience asked concerned placing her hand on her nieces. "I mean, did you dream of more?"
"Like being the most powerful witch in all of the Wizarding World?" Sasporilla smiled. "Been there, done that, gave it up to give people freedom! No THIS has ALWAYS been MY dream. To be a wand maker with my own shop... BUCKET WANDS!"
"Then I am so happy for you and so proud of you Sasporilla!" Impatience said hugging her niece.
"All right you two!" Rosemertta said bringing out the tea and scone for Sasporilla. "Break it up! This is a decent sorta place."
"Oh please Rosie!" Sassy started laughing, "Why just last week you and that travelling Quaffle salesman..."
"Enough out of you." Rosemertta quickly cut Sasporilla off holding up her finger. "This is on the house. For your nuptials an' all. Where are you two love birds goin' on your honey moon then?"
"Have either of you ever heard of the exclusive resort Island of Tzopheniopola?"
"No?" Both women answered rather shocked being well read and or well traveled.
"I'm not at all surprised. Tzopheniopola,” Sasporilla began, "is a small island in the south pacific. It houses one of the most beautiful resorts and staffed by a very well taken care of staff of muggle natives, and house elves. It is very exclusive! Only royalty may grace its shores! The only way to travel there is by private portkey from the Royal Palace of the Royalty in question. Its existence has been kept secret from the public by concealing it with spells. After all, it has been in the Witch Queen's best interest to do so!"
"That's how you discovered it?" Impatience smiled.
"And my first order of business when I get there is to tear down it's protective spells," Sasporilla smiled, "kick the royals off the island back home, tell the worker elves they're finally truly free and return the island to it's native people!"
"Wow girl!" Rosemertta smirked. "You do have a funny Idea of what makes a honey moon? I mean most young people want to get their hands on each other, not the ruling class!"
The ladies laughed. Rosemertta walked back inside, as Impatience and Sasporilla took a sip of their drinks. The one thing about a witches brewed tea or coffee, they never got cold, and always stayed just the right temperature.
"I wanted to thank you aunt Impatience." Sassy smiled.
"For what dear?" Her young aunt asked.
"For letting me see my mothers memories." Sasporilla said. "Especially the last."
"I feared that one would make you hate me." Impatience said looking down, a tear dripping from her eye.
"Why in heavens name would ever think that?" Sassy said taking her aunts hand.
"I left your mother alone!" Impatience cried. "I aperated out when that maniac knocked! If I'd only stayed, I..."
"You can not change what happened." Sasporilla said tipping her aunts head up. "Look at me! I do not place any blame on you. She did not put any blame on you. Her last thoughts were of those who loved her and who she loved. That includes you! Knowing this how could I ever possibly HATE you aunt Impatience Blueberry Bent."
Through the tears Impatience let out a laugh. An uncomely bubble blown out her nostril made both of them laugh.
"How did you know my middle name?" Impatience asked.
"Memories." Sassy said tapping on her temple. "I learned a lot about you. My mom loved you dearly. You are very welcome in my life."
"I have waited your whole life to hear that!" Impatience Bent sniffed throwing up her hands to go hug her niece as she started crying again.
"Oh my you are weepy one." Sassy giggled hugging her aunt back very tightly.
It was a hug that felt like her mom was feeling her sisters hug for the first time in years. Sasporilla felt comfort and home in this hug, safety and love, everything a good hug should have.
"I should let you go dear." Impatience smiled. "I'm sure my moldy old arms are not the ones you want to be in at the start of your honeymoon?"
"I would not put it that way," Sasporilla Bucket smiled, "but I do have to get things together and go. Plus I have to make sure my husband has the ability to keep up! Not his fault, he's new you know?"
"Oh you are a card Sasporilla!" Impatience laughed. "Send me an owl when you’re back."
"I will, I promise." Sassy smiled and waved. "Won't you be surprised when you meet MY owl!"
"What?" Impatience asked confused.
"You'll see!" Sassy laughed blowing a kiss, turning and happily walking away waving.
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, donate to J.K.Rowling's charitable foundation LUMOS! Link below! ( https://www.wearelumos.org/ )