Here the Princess in the Tower

She twirled in front of the mirror, throwing coquettish looks over her shoulder at her reflection. The cream dress seemed to make her skin glow. She was truly luminous, as she stood there, smiling fit to burst. All the posing had loosened her chignon, and I watched her grimace at her reflection. Deftly, she tucked the offending stray hairs back in, before lifting her tiara, and securing it in amongst her red hair.

It was then that I thought I should knock, it seemed faintly wrong of me to spy on her like this. On hearing me at the door, she turned to face me as I entered. "Oh darling, I could have been changing or anything!" She blushed, and her hand went up to touch her tiara.

"This late on?" I smiled at her transformation from queen of the coquettes to shy schoolgirl. Not so long since she was in school, really. "I know you're much more organised than that."

She turned her back on me then, and busied herself in front of the mirror. "Late on?" she queried, with a sudden frown of panic. "Is it time then? Don't tell me that I'm late, is that why you are here, have you come to fetch me?" Her fingers, normally so quick with a pen or a paintbrush, fumbled with her hairpins, and she dropped one.

I bent down to pick it up, and gave her a reassuring look. "Relax, sweetheart. It's not time yet. I just wanted to come up and have a look at you." She kept smiling that gorgeous smile, and turned slowly on the spot, so I could take her all in. And I did.

"You are a knockout, Lily. I can't believe how beautiful you look today. The dress, the hair, and I've never seen you smile quite like you are smiling today."

"Love did it to me," she said, and she turned back to the mirror, applying her make-up with care.

"Yes, well..." I said, unable to disguise the catch in my voice, "I'm very happy for you, Lily. Very happy."

Her hand faltered, and she lowered her head. The room was still, and silent for a moment. Outside the window, a horse whinnied, as the carriage to take her to the church arrived.

"I just wanted to tell you, Lily, my darling, my..." My voice, I knew, sounded strained, but I forced myself to continue. "The light of my life, that's what you are."

Tears sprang to my eyes, just what I didn't want. I swallowed hard, and forced myself to continue. That's what you are, and I wanted to say to you, before... Before it's too late... I just wanted to tell you that I..." I stared at the floor, and contemplated the wet drops that were appearing on my black leather shoes. Could I say it? I sensed she wanted to hear it, but how could now possibly be the time, when the groom would be arriving at the church, when the guests were assembled, all to see my Lily wed?

She came and stood in front of me, her hand lifted my chin, and so my wet eyes met her kind gaze. "Remus, you dear, sweet man. Today, I am becoming a wife! It is a happy day. Really, it is. I am happy. I want you to be happy too... And I want all my friends there, to dance at my wedding. Go. Go, meet Peter and Sirius at the church."

I had almost closed the door behind me, when she called me back. "Remus?"

My heart gave a leap of hope, as I wheeled round to answer her shout, and then sank when I saw the look on her face.

"Just because I am married, doesn't mean I will be missing from your life. I will always be there, always, whenever you need me. Remember that."

I let the door swing almost shut behind me, but stood, unseen, as before, and I watched her cry. Suddenly, I didn't feel so alone.