Edge of the Forbidden Forest

"Fred, hand Nikki her ring and repeat these words. 'With this ring I promise to love you and cherish you, cause mayhem and insanity, and live each day to the fullest. With this ring I promise to enjoy every minute we are together, and miss you every minute we are apart. With ring, I bind myself to you.'" Firenze smiled, eyes suddenly rather watery.

Fred glanced at Firenze then turned his gaze back to Nikki's face, looking at her eyes steadily and smiled. He repeated, "With this ring I promise to love you and cherish you, cause mayhem and insanity, and live each day to the fullest. With this ring I promise to enjoy every minute we are together, and miss you every minute we are apart. With ring, I bind myself to you." Still smiling, he slipped the ring out of his pocket and onto her ring finger carefully.

Nikki felt herself awash with contentment as Fred repeated his vows, eyes never leaving hers. She felt tears building in her eyes, tears of joy. This was the best day of her life.

Turning to Nikki, Firenze began to speak. "Take the ring from Fred, and repeat this. "With this ring, I bind myself to you, just like the day we began to date. Our love is like duct tape, keeping us close. With this ring, I promise to love and cherish you, cause mayhem, insanity, and mild trauma. With this ring, i promise to live each day to the fullest, enjoying every moment we have been given on this earth. With this ring, I promise to enjoy every moment we have together and miss you every second we are apart."

Taking the ring from Fred's outstretched hand, Nikki slid it slowly onto his finger, her eyes locked on his. "With this ring, I bind myself to you, just like the day we began to date. Our love is like duct tape, keeping us close. With this ring, I promise to love and cherish you, cause mayhem, insanity, and mild trauma. With this ring, i promise to live each day to the fullest, enjoying every moment we have been given on this earth. With this ring, I promise to enjoy every moment we have together and miss you every second we are apart." Nikki felt tears begin to trickle down her cheeks. She felt like there were only three people in the universe. Fred, herself, and Firenze. "Fred, I love you. I love how happy you make me feel. I love the way you smile when you think up an ingenious prank, and the way you smile when I do something particularly out there. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together."

Firenze smiled at the two love-struck young adults. "Now, not that I think you need any encouragement, but... you may kiss the bride."

Fred definitely didn't need the encouragement. He slid one arm around Nikki's waist and cupped the other hand under her jaw and kissed her softly but with all the love he had. As Ari sat here d'aaawww-ing, he felt his own tears of happiness begin to slide down his face. He was so glad he decided to do this.

Nikki kissed him back gently, pouring all the love she had for him into this kiss. His tears and her tears mixed together and dripped onto the ground. Fromt eh one spot, a small flower began to grow and bloom, not like they noticed. But it grew, a beautiful red wildflower.

[And this is wear the tears really started to come down hard.]

Firenze waited for the two to break their kiss, watching Venus grow even brighter. Then, silently, he lead them tot he edge of the forest by Hogsmeade, before retreating back in.

Fred smiled at Firenze and thanked him then scooped Nikki up, bridal style, of course, and walked off towards Hogsmeade. Let the insanity begin, he thought.

GEORGE RAN IN SCREAMING "WHY DIDN'T YOU INVITE ME?!" but was too late.