Chapter One Hundred And Sixty One: A Wedding To Remember
Instead of going back to their flat, per Fleur's request Lina had taken some time off work and was staying at The Burrow until the day of the wedding with Cedric. Lina was rooming with Ginny and Hermione while Cedric was rooming with Bill and Charlie when he arrived.
The days leading up to the wedding was spent doing preparations, flower arrangements, seating plans, tidying the rooms that guests were never going to see and on top of all that Lina was constantly by Fleur's side. The only time she and Cedric got a moment alone was when they would sneak off for half an hour to the hill near The Burrow to just be with each other without prying eyes.
The day before the wedding (which also happened to be Harry's birthday) Fleur's mother, father and sister arrived. That day was going to be a quiet one for Lina, the only thing Fleur had to do was try on her wedding dress and the only thing Lina had to do was try on her bridesmaid's dress.
Lina only had time to wish Harry a quick happy birthday (she was going to give Harry his present later when Mrs Wealsey wasn't ease dropping any conversation he had) before being whisked away by Madame Delacour and Fleur for her dress fitting.
"I ave sent Cedric away" Fleur informed Lina as Madame Delacour handed Lina her dress.
"Where?" Lina asked slightly alarmed
"Only to the village, so he doesn't see your dress" Fleur clarified.
Lina feeling more at ease took the dress and went behind the screen to change. The dress was incredibly soft to the touch, it was golden in colour and woven in silk. It was floor length with had a heart neckline and shoulder straps that were slightly ruffled. It was beautiful and Lina couldn't wait to try it on.
The dress fit like a glove, she didn't think it needed any alterations to it and neither did Fleur or Madam Delacour.
"Fantastique" Fleur said clapping her hands together "you look beautiful Evangelina."
Fleur and her mother excused themselves not long after Fleur had tried on her own dress, it was even beautiful than Lina's and left Lina in the bedroom to take the dress off when she wanted to.
She didn't want to take the dress off though, in fact, she wanted to find a way to sneak out of The Burrow to show Cedric it, it was only one night but she couldn't wait to show him.
"My mother has cut my hair," a very familiar voice said.
In the reflection of the mirror Charlie was leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed and his hair notably shorter "when did you get here?" Lina asked, she picked up her dress so it didn't drag to walk over to him and hugged him tightly.
"An hour ago" Charlie answered squeezing Lina back "but before I could even unpack, mum had me strapped down to a chair and was cutting my hair."
"It's not that bad," Lina said when she pulled away.
"Your frown says something different."
"No, no it's just...different."
"You're not making me feel better."
"I'll stop now."
"Please do."
Lina tried to fight the smile that was forming but failed miserably.
Charlie just rolled his eyes in response "you look beautiful by the way" he said gesturing to the dress.
"Thanks," Lina said doing a little twirl. "I'm just trying it on to make sure it fits. Fleur even sent Cedric to the village so he wouldn't see it before tomorrow, I think she's being a bit dramatic though, it's not like it's my wedding."
"Which won't be happening for many, many years right?" Charlie said raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
"You're just as bad as Bill!" Lina said "I'm going to get changed now, so you shoo," she said waving her hands.
"Alright bye Lee" he replied ruffling Lina's hair and leaving, letting the door close behind him as he left.
***
"Harry wait!" Lina yelled sticking her head out of Ginny's room, when he looked around for Lina she frantically waved him over.
Harry looked at Lina weirdly but nevertheless followed Lina into Ginny's room.
"I didn't want you to think I didn't get you a birthday present," Lina said "I did. I just didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone" Lina turned around to dig through her bag "I know you're going away to do something on Dumbledore's orders and I know it's going to be dangerous which is why I got you this because well and I don't mean to be rude Harry but you can't do wandless magic and nether can Ron and I'm not sure about Hermione but if anything happens to your wands you're screwed. Which is why I got you this" she turned around with a medium package wrapped up in brightly coloured birthday paper. "It's from Cedric too."
"Thanks" Harry replied unwrapping the gift revealing a muggle's hiking survival kit.
"Like I said it's in case your wand breaks and you need to make a fire, or catch food, or get fresh drinking water, that kind of thing."
"Thanks, Lina."
"It's alright. We should probably go downstairs before Mrs Wealsey gets suspicious."
It wasn't until Lina's hand was on the doorknob that Harry spoke again.
"Why haven't you asked what it is we're doing?"
"It's not my business" Lina shrugged "besides I know if you want to talk or if you want advice you'll ask."
Harry's birthday meal was being hosted out in the garden due to the additional guests of Charlie, Remus, Tonks and Hagrid. Several tables were placed end to end and Fred and George who were already there had bewitched a number of purple lanterns all with the number 17 on them.
The guests were either sitting at the table or standing around chatting while waiting for the food to arrive.
"How did the dress fitting go?" Cedric asked his hands were resting on Lina's waist, her hands linked behind his neck.
"It was good, the dress is beautiful of course, I can't wait for you to see it" Lina replied smiling up at her boyfriend.
"I can't believe Fleur sent me away" Cedric grumbled.
Lina laughed "I'm sorry about that. What did you do while you were banished?"
Cedric puffed out his cheeks "I saw my parents."
"How are they?"
"Good...dad's still dad, but mum she was happy to see me know that I'm safe. She wished you were with me though."
"How about after the wedding before we go home, we go see them?" Lina suggested.
As an answer, Cedric lent down and kissed her.
"Out of the way, out of the way" sand Mrs Weasley coming through the gate with a giant golden snitch cake floating in front of her, Mrs Weasley held her wand up and directed the cake down onto the middle of the table.
"That looks amazing Mrs Wealsey," Harry said.
"Oh it's nothing dear" she replied fondly.
By seven o clock, the rest of the guests had arrived, led into the yard by Fred and George who had waited for them at the end of the yard.
After Tonks had wished Harry a happy birthday, she spotted Lina cross the yard wrapped up in Cedric's arms and bounded across to them.
"Hiya you two!" She beamed.
"Someone's happy" Lina chuckled hugging her.
"I've got news to tell you both, well me and Remus do" she looked over her shoulder at Remus, he was talking to Harry looking rather unhappy "we're not telling anyone but I couldn't not tell you. I'm pregnant!"
Lina's hand went to her mouth in shock "holy Hufflepuff" Lina nearly screamed in happiness and hugged Tonks again.
"Congratulations Tonks," Cedric said hugging her after Lina had finally let her go.
"Thanks" Tonks replied, " Remus is a bit-"
"I think we better start without Arthur" Mrs Wealsey called out to the guests in the garden. "He must have been held up at - oh!"
They all saw it at the same time, a streak of light that came flying across the yard and onto the table where it formed the same shape of a bright silver weasel, a second later Mr Weasley's voice came from it.
"Minister for Magic coming with me."
"We shouldn't be here," Remus said at once "Harry - I'm sorry - I'll explain another time-" he grabbed Tonks's wrist, pulling her away they left the yard and vanished from sight.
"The Minister?" Mrs Weasley questioned "but why? I don't understand-"
But there was no time to discuss the matter, a second later, Mr Wealsey had apparated at the gate accompanied by Refus Scrimgeour.
Everyone watched in silence as Mr Wealsey and Scrimgeour marched across the yard to the garden where everyone was.
"Sorry to intrude," Scrimgeour said as he came to a stop before them "especially as I can see that I am gate-crashing a party" his eyes lingered on the golden snitch cake "many happy returns."
"Thanks" Harry replied.
"I require a private word with you. Also with Mr Ronald Wealsey and Miss Hermione Grainger."
"Us?" Ron said sounding surprised "why us?"
"I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private," Scrimgeour said, "is there such a place?"
"Yes of course," Mr Wealsey said looking nervous "the, er, sitting room, why don't you use that?"
"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron "there will be no need for you to accompany us, Arthur."
Ron did as told and as the trio with Scrimgeour disappeared into the house the rest of the group stared after them dumbfounded.
"What do you think he wants to talk to them about?" Lina asked Cedric.
"Could be anything" Cedric replied.
They waited ten minutes until they heard yelling coming from inside. Lina immediately ran inside followed by Mr and Mrs Wealsey. Scrimgeour was standing almost nose to nose with Harry, the Minister's wand pointed to Harry's chest.
"Everything alright here?" Lina asked coolly.
"We thought we heard raised voices," Mr Wealsey said.
Scrimgeour took a couple of steps back from Harry, glancing at the hole he had made in Harry's t-shirt. "It-it was nothing" he growled "I regret...your attitude," he said looking directly at Harry "you seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you - what Dumbledore desired. We ought to be working together."
"I don't like your methods Minister," Harry said, "remember?" Harry raised his right fist and showed the Minister the words that were permanently scared there 'I must not tell lies.'
The expression on Scrimgeours face hardened. He turned away without another word and limped out of the room.
Mrs Wealsey hurried after him, Lina heard her stop at the back door, after a minute or so she called "he's gone."
"What did he want?" Mr Wealsey asked the trio as Mrs Wealsey came hurrying back into the room.
"To give us what Dumbledore left us," Harry said, "they've only just released the contents of his will."
Mr and Mrs Weasley seemed to breathe out a sigh of relief and suggested that they all go back out to the garden.
"So everything's okay?" Lina asked Harry as they followed the others out.
"Everything okay" Harry confirmed.
***
The morning of the wedding was spent in the room Fleur was saying in getting ready for the big event. Hair, makeup and dresses were done and even Ginny was being nice and polite to Fleur. Lina also found Gabrielle, Fleur's sister absolutely adorable.
Towards three o clock, when the guests would be arriving Ginny's aunt Muriel arrived with the tiara she was allowing Fleur to borrow for the occasion, accompanied by a range of insults.
Hermione had bad posture and skinny ankles, Ginny' face was resting in an odd ugly-looking way and Lina in addition to her eyes being too close together also had the burden of her surname as judgement enough. Ginny kicked the door shut behind Muriel as she left.
At half-past three the bridal party was ready to go to the marquee below where the wedding was taking place.
Fleur made a beautiful bride. It was like Fleur was gliding as she walked down the aisle next to her father who was bouncing and beaming. Fleur was wearing a very simple white dress which almost seemed to glow.
"Ladies and gentlemen" the wizard who spoke at Dumbledore's funeral in a slight sing-song voice was standing in front of Bill and Fleur. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls..."
Lina let the words became background noise as she searched the rows of guests for Cedric. A smile one that nearly matched Fleur's spread across her face when she saw him on the right-hand side five rows back sitting next to Viktor Krum.
"I love you" she mouthed.
"I love you" Cedric mouthed back and winked.
"Do you, William Arthur Weasley, take Fleur Isabelle Delacour to be your wife?"
"I do."
"And do you Fleur Isabelle Delacour take William Arthur Weasley to be your husband?"
"I do."
"Then I declare you bonded for life" the white-haired wizard raised his wand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them.
As Fred and George led a round of applause, the golden balloons that were floating overhead burst, golden birds flew out and floated up into the sky.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Called the wizard "if you would please stand" everyone did so. He waved his wand, the seats on which the guests had been sitting on vanished as did the walls of the marquee. Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the centre of the tent to form a gleaming dance floor, the chairs reappeared now around white circular tables around the edge of the dance floor.
Bill and Fleur were immediately mobbed by well wishes so Lina and decided to leave them to it and say congratulations later on when it was quieter.
She moved through the crowd in search of Cedric only to find someone else.
"Francis," Lina said in complete surprise.
"Evangelina" Francis said cool and collected, he leant forward and kissed both of Lina's cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" Lina blurted out.
Francis chuckled and moved a piece of his hair out of his face "Fleur is my cousin, you were not aware?"
"No" Lina searched through the crowd for Fleur ready to interrogate her on why this bit of information was never shared.
"You look beautiful" Francis complimented.
"Oh thank you," Lina said, unlike the times Cedric complimented her she didn't get that warm and fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
She quickly looked him up and down to return the favour. He was wearing a tightly fitted suit with the top button undone and his hair was longer and floppier than it was three years ago. He looked handsome but just like the yule ball he wasn't Cedric. "you look nice too."
The crowd around them were slowly disbursing to the table surrounding the dance floor. Lina looked around again for Cedric or one of the Weasley's but once again came up empty-handed.
"Save me a dance later?" Francis asked.
"Oh, I-"
A hand slid around Lina's waist, the place where it was heated up and butterflies erupted in her stomach. From that feeling alone Lina knew it was Cedric. "Sorry mate but she's already promised me the dances." Cedric held his hand out to Francis "Cedric Diggory, Eve's boyfriend."
Francis shook his hand "Francis-"
"I know who you are," Cedric said sharply, clearly the sight of Francis reignited old feelings on jealously in him "we should really go to our table before the bride and groom have their first dance."
"Of course," Francis said "et was lovely to see you again Evangelina" Francis nodded to Ceric and walked over to a table filled with his Veela sisters.
"What's he doing here?" Cedric grumbled.
"Why jealous?" Lina asked looking up at him laughing slightly "but if you must know he's here because he's Fleur's cousin."
"Since when?"
"Since birth I imagine."
Cedric rolled his eyes and right in front of Francis cupped Lina's cheek and kissed her so deeply it made Lina dizzy and weak in the knees.
Even when they pulled away she was left breathless.
"Shall we go to our table now?" Cedric asked slightly cocky.
Lina nodded and gripped tighter onto Cedric's arm.
They joined the table where the twins, Charlie and Ginny was sitting next to the table where Bill and Fleur sat with both their parents.
"You alright Lee?" Charlie asked taking in her flustered appearance.
"Fine" Lina squeaked taking the glass of champagne Fred was offering her.
Once everyone had settled down the band began to play. Bill and Fleur took to the dance floor first to great applause, after a while Mr Wealsey led madam Delacour onto the floor followed by Mrs Wealsey and Moisour Delacour. After the first song ended and the second began more couples joined in on the dancing.
Cedric stood up "care to dance," he asked holding his hand out.
"With pleasure" Lina replied taking his hand.
They danced in silence for most of the song just enjoying being in the presence of each other.
"While today has been beautiful is it bad I've been thinking about what our wedding would look like?" Cedric said.
Lina dipped her head to hide her blush, more butterflies erupting in her stomach at Cedric thinking of their future together. "No," she said, "I've had a few thoughts here and there."
Cedric grinned and suddenly spun Lina away from him, pulled her back and dipped her down kissing again.
The rest of the night was mostly spent dancing with Cedric but there was also the dance with a drunk Charlie and both the twins to an upbeat song that ended with them both abandoning her mid-second sing for a pair of Veela cousins.
After a dance with Ginny, Lina decided enough was enough, she was going to sit down, but at that moment, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor.
Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the guests on the dance floor. Heads turned as those closest froze in shock, then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."