FILM IT ALL OUT
21:79 ─❁────────── 31:80
◁ Ⅱ ▷
❝Just wanted you to stay the way you are
Kind-hearted, always smiling, but
If tears can be measured, it took this long but
I've barely made it by your side
And found you❞
༻───────────────༺
"HURRY UP AND GET DOWN!"
Four winters had pass and now spring arrived to their doorsteps in the most remarkable way possible. Springtime, the season of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth, was all the season in which happiness flew around the air contagiously. And as the vernal equinox settle over the western hemisphere, the magical world was rambunctiously gossiping about the rumoured wedding that was happening currently.
"Percy, get your bloody arse here right now!" Ron Weasley yelled for his older brother as he stood, tapping his foot against the wooden surface of the floor, in the living room of the Burrow, constantly looking at his watch, anxious.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley, you best not use those heinous words in front of me and your nieces and nephews!" Molly Weasley chastised her son, smacking him slightly.
"But Mum..." drawled Ron whiningly. "We don't have all day, you know!"
"Actually, I think we do," said George Weasley sarcastically. "It's still morning, and If I remember correctly, the wedding starts in the afternoon,"
"No, no, as best man and one of the two planners of the wedding, everything has to go accordingly to plan!"
"All right, just because Harry and Lucia let both our youngest siblings plan their wedding, does not mean you have the right to scream at our faces," deadpanned Bill Weasley as he held his daughter, Victoire Weasley, on his hips.
"Actually," came in Ginny Weasley down the stairs with Percy Weasley behind her. "That's exactly what it means. Ron's right, we have to make their wedding a day to remember! This is the only time where I actually agree with Ron , that's how vital it is for everything to go absolutely perfect!"
"And not to mention that we still have a lot in the list to do — like raising the tents, making sure everything is situated and the catering —"
"Your mother already insisted that she would be the caterer with Andromeda, did she not?" Arthur Weasley looked confused at the gathering of his children.
Mrs. Weasley took her granddaughter from her son's arms and cooed lightly before turning sharply. "Yes. Yes we are. The cake has already been baked and everything and Andromeda is coming soon with Teddy to continue set everything up —"
"The cake, Mum," said Ginny immediately. "Is the cake pandan? Lucia won against Harry and —"
"Yes," sighed Mrs. Weasley. "I made sure to even ask Hermione to buy me a cookbook about it and carefully learn how to make it these past few weeks. I've also made sure that there would be those deserts Lucia love so much... cen.. car... cendol and onde something...anywho, Lucia taught Andromeda and I how to make it already, and then we got tarts — both treacle and fruits."
Ron smiled warmly, clasping his hands together. "Well, the catering is all good. The guests already sent their RSVPs and —"
"The security!" exclaimed Ginny. "Blimey, Ron, why are we settling this on the day of the wedding?" she freaked. "If either of them got to know this, they'll ripped our hair out!"
"Correction: Harry will," said Hermione Granger, exiting out of the kitchen with Fleur Weasley (nee Delacour), Bill's wife, and a woman by the name of Juniper, who turns out to be the successor to Erin Weasley's (nee Malfoy) bakery beside the Weasley Wizard Wheezes.
Juniper Lee was her name, though she changed her name soon after marriage to George Weasley just a year before. It seemed that in their of grieve of losing people to the war, Juniper being her younger sister, and George being his twin brother, as well as the loss of their mutual friend and Juniper's employer, they've grown in bond. Before anyone knew it, they fell in love. It was quite an odd love story.
The three woman sat down simultaneously on the couch, "Who knew Harry would be the 'Bridezilla' of the relationship," chuckled Hermione.
"Wouldn't the term be 'Groomzilla' then?" Juniper said smilingly.
"O' most definitely," giggled Fleur. "Lucia is zhe calm one in zhe relationship,"
"Well, she wouldn't be when she arrives here without the tent even raised!" Ron bellowed in a panic, "And Harry being groomzilla is much more threatening than it sounds — he's scary when he's angry!"
"You're just saying that because you never like fighting with him," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Who would want to fight with their best mate? No one!" said Ron pointedly at his family. "Me and Ginny want to make this whole day special for Harry and Lucia. This is their wedding day, for Merlin sake! Look how far they've came!"
"First of, it's Ginny and I. And second of, you're getting too emotional, Ron." Percy said, yawning as he snatch the parchment from his younger brother's hand. "The guest list are all fine and dandy, Mum and Dad and Andromeda already got the catering and security ready —"
"Godric forbids the person who killed the Dark lord, the most important and famous wizard of all time not having a high security wedding," snorted George as he played with his niece's hand. "That'll be ever so disastrous I reckon. Just imagine the hundreds of journalists that wants to break into their wedding?"
"Do not forget 'arry's fans," sighed Fleur in dismay, crafting a flower crown for her daughter. "Zhey are obnoxious!"
"And some bad guys that want to kill him," said Juniper simply, before she grimaced. "Now that we're talking about security for the wedding, this may be one of the most known important wedding in the whole century of wizard weddings."
"Too bad the date was leaked a week ago," said Hermione in dismay. "Now we have to handle this..."
"At least it remains private," said Ginny.
"Yeah, only friends and families are allowed..." Ron said before there was a silence. The only family that either of the two had was them, for they're both orphans. Though the only remaining person that's related to them now was through Lucia. "Dad, who's going to be the one that'll bring Lucia's Muggle friends?"
"I've arranged that already, don't worry," said Percy, resonating his business-like personality.
"And what about Lucia's mum? Who's going to get her from St. Mungo's?"
"That'll be Harry," said Mr. Weasley, astonishing the rest.
"Harry?"
"He insisted on it," the man said, smiling softly. "Said that he'll come by here with Andromeda, Teddy, and Lucia's mother with him as well as a couple of Healers for her mother's sake."
"Right then, all we have to do now is just put the chairs down and the last decorations on the aisle — peonies and lilies?" said Ginny.
"Jasmines and Peonies are for the bouquet, Ginny," Astoria Greengrass, who arrived out of nowhere by the entrance of the Burrow. The inhabitants all jolt at her sudden presence, before they wheeled around at her, who was already wearing the bridesmaid outfit. She sauntered inside, placing down her purse on the table, "The ones that should be hang around the tent and around the arch are roses and lilies,"
"Percy!" Ginny snapped her head at her older brother.
"What?" he cocked a brow, bored.
"Write that down," said Ginny.
"I am," said Percy, yawning as he waved his wand, which was moving a quill on its own to write down the said words on the parchment.
"You arrived fairly earlier than we expected," said Ron, looking at Astoria.
"Yes, well, as the maid-of-honour, I must at least see how the best man and the wedding planner is doing around here on behalf of the bride," she said easily, looking outside of the Burrow. "I see the tents are up,"
"It is?!" said Ginny and Ron, surprise.
Percy smirked. " We expect a thank you, because Bill, George, and I already raised the tent and helped Hermione, Fleur, and Erica decorated the place like how they envisioned it already,"
"What, when?" freaked Ginny, shocked at this new revelation.
"Last night," stated Bill, plopping a grape inside his mouth. "After Victoire fell asleep and when you both were freaking out about today."
"Well, that's a bit of bloody relief," sighed Ron, falling onto the armchair, rubbing the bridge of his nose from the stress. "As much as I'm honoured that both my best mate and friend asked me and my sister to plan their wedding, I never knew it would be such a hassle to make it perfect."
"See, this is why you two should've let others help as well," said Hermione musingly at her fiancé. "So you can avoid this" — she beckoned at their panicking state — "though, no one thought Harry would be so demanding..."
"That's because he wants it to be perfect for Lucia," said Mrs. Weasley, a tender smile on her lips. "He doesn't care what happens as long as he gets to finally marry her, but he knows how important this was for her and all he wanted was today to be perfect for her ."
"He looked pretty expectant of today's outcome yesterday when I visited them at Andromeda's," said Astoria, nodding calmly as she sat down beside Victoire.
"Even more reason to be scared of Harry today and today only," grumbled Ron, and Ginny nod.
"Well, if that's the case then..." George scratched his head, not even trying to bit back his mischievous smile as he looked at his younger siblings. "Someone should make it known that Charlie isn't here yet."
Silence fell upon the room as George said those words.
"WHAT?"
༺❁༻
"This is quite a lovely surprise and all, Charlie, but are you sure it's wise to play around with baby dragons... much less bringing them into the country when it's like, um, illegal?" said Lucia, sipping her glass of strawberry milk as she stood with Charlie Weasley at the vast lawn of the Tonks estate, home to Andromeda Tonks and sister Narcissa Malfoy (temporarily) as well as Teddy Lupin. "Plus, aren't you supposed to be back at the Burrow or something...?"
"Yes, but Harry told me how fond you are of dragons," said Charlie, grinning as he held up the baby dragon that was perched on his arm. "Also, Kingsley gave me a little bit of leeway. My excuse is your wedding's today."
"Ah yes, the perfect excuse to use," giggled Lucia, shaking her head. "Bring dragons into a country that bans them using the influence you have. Especially when it got something to do with the most prominent wizard in the Wizarding world,"
"I knew you would understand, Lucia! And it isn't like you're a part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures just yet, so I don't think I'll get in trouble," he said, grinning.
"Yet," snorted Lucia. "I guess you are lucky that my letter of appliance for the job just got sent yesterday and I'm still an unemployed sod, huh?"
"Very much, because I do not want to get in trouble with you," stated Charlie blissfully, and Lucia rolled her eyes amusingly. "Though, you know, I never thought you would be at the same place where Harry is on the day of your wedding before it even starts. Is that even okay? Isn't it a bit, well, tabooed?"
"How do you even know it's a taboo? You've never gotten married before. How do you know that people just rather not see their future spouse before the wedding to make it even more magical?" said Lucia.
"Ha ha," Charlie scoffed, "but I'm well aware that it's believe to be a taboo. I have married siblings, have you forgotten? And none of them stayed in the same place together,"
"First of, you only have three married brothers, one engage and two other siblings who remains unmarried and probably wished to not for a while..." said Lucia, cocking an eyes at him. "And don't get me started with you,"
"I'm married!" said Charlie, scowling. "Her name is Diana!"
"A dragon doesn't count," Lucia deadpanned.
"Eh," Charlie shrugged. "Worth a try,"
"But you know," started Lucia, as she petted the baby dragon while Bao Bao squirmed in her arms, wanting to mess with the dragon. "Harry and I don't really believe in that superstition, but as a bit of a caution, we do sleep in different rooms when we got here from our trip to Verona, yesterday. It was a bit awkward since Narcissa lives here now, but we made it the first night. Though, I never knew she was good at playing chess..."
"Not better than Ron I hope?"
"Not quite," chirped Lucia, letting Bao Bao go play on his own. "I mean, Harry's always been terrible at chess so..."
"Hey!" Harry yelled from within the house, following soft laughter that belonged to the four year old Teddy Lupin along with his grandmother Andromeda Tonks. Lucia chuckled.
"But, between you and I, Charlie" The man hummed as he neared her to hear what she has to say. Lucia smirked, "Harry and I are technically married already,"
Charlie's eyes widened.
"Wha — ?"
"Shush, it's a secret between my mum, Harry, and I," stated Lucia easily as she petted the dragon. "Before we went to Verona, we kind of snuck my mum out of St. Mungo's for a few days for a trip to Penang —"
"You went to the other side of the world with harry and your mum and no one knew about it?!"
Lucia merely went on with the story. "There, we kind of met with mum's aunts and stuff and it was a spur of the moment, but Harry and I decided to have a small wedding ceremony following my mum's side of culture. It was nice. We even have a couple of pictures," she said as she whistled for Bao Bao to go and fetch those said picture.
Once the ferret arrived back, Lucia showed Charlie pictures of the very small wedding they had; Charlie saw a particular photo of Lucia was wearing this unfamiliar looking red blouse with floral embroidery and long patterned skirt that looked, to him, hot to wear, but still look beautiful nonetheless, especially on her. There were gold ornaments that kept her hair up neatly as she ate what looks to be noodles with spicy looking broth. But what caught Charlie's eyes the most was her smile that made it seem certain that she was happy.
Charlie was incredibly astonished by this. What was worse was that no one other than them and him knew about it.
"But in all honesty, even if I a technically married to Harry already, it doesn't make today's less nervous..." sad Lucia sheepishly as she handed Bao Bao the picture for him to deposit it back inside her room.
"You'll do fine," said Charlie softly.
Suddenly, a silver mist popped out of thin air and whirled around both Lucia and Charlie, whose baby dragon was sniffing at, trying to identify it. Then the silver mist gradually turned into blinding Jack Russell Terrier, whom either of them could identify very quickly was —
"CHARLIE GET YOUR ARSE BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Ron's voice bellowed. It gave out such a loud an echoing sound to the point that was quite alarming to the people inside the house; Harry ran out through the door instantly with his wand in hand, making it known to Lucia that he was in his fight or flight mode that was mostly... well... fight. Following after him was Andromeda and Narcissa, who was holding Teddy in her arms.
"What happened? What's going on? Did I just heard Ron?" Harry asked, looking around. "Is Ron here?"
"More like Ron's voice," said Lucia with a sigh, beckoning over to the Patronus that was sent. Harry looked at it with a deadpanning expression as it continued.
"WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A MEETING, YOU —"
"RONALD WEASLEY!"
"OI, CHARLIE! COME BACK WILL YOU BEFORE I KICK YOUR DRAGON AR —"
"NOT IN FRONT OF VICTOIRE, GINNY!"
"FINE!"
Then the Patronus diminished into nothingness, leaving the group of wizards appalled by what they just heard. Slowly but surely they turned to Charlie Weasley, who looked a bit impressed by the volume of his siblings with a hint of mother in the message.
"Huh,"
"Huh? HUH?" Lucia gaped. "What was that?"
"Don't worry your imaginative mind, Lucia," said Charlie exasperatedly. "We're supposed to have a family meeting about the wedding right now, but I've forgotten. To think Ron and Ginny are already evolving to become Mum... I pray for their children — well, if they ever have children..."
"With the way he is with Hermione," a horrified look crossed Harry's face just the memory of it, "I reckon they'll be having children before they get married..."
"Wouldn't be surprising," said Lucia as she rubbed Harry's arm consolingly. He grimaced greatly. "Though I'm not sure about Ginny and Luna. I wonder if they'll consider adopting..."
"For the children sake, Ginny better stay childless. Last time she held Victoire —" Charlie winced at the mere memory of the moment. "Anyway, now if you two excuse me, Ill have to attend to my Howler of a family. I'll see you and the others back at the Burrow later, Harry." Harry nod, waving at the man. "We'll make sure everything goes according to plan."
"Really, Charlie, I don't mind if things don't go as perfect..." said Lucia, offering a soft smile. Well, she was partially lying. She did want it all to be as perfect as she had always envisioned her wedding to be, but that was near impossible...
"Well I do," said Harry and Lucia casted him a small glare. Harry thought nothing of it, folding his arms over his chest. "Make sure Ron and Ginny don't fuck it up, please,"
"I-It's a fairly simple wedding, you know?" said Lucia quickly.
"I assure you both that everything will go fine," winked Charlie, and with that he Disapparated from the premises with his dragons.
"Well, I guess it's my turn to set off, huh?" said Harry in dismay, glancing at his fiancée.
Lucia quirked a confuse brow before her lips parted in a shape of an O.
"Oh yes, yes," she said. "You, Andromeda, and Teddy will have to go off to the Burrow for Teddy's fitting,"
"And fetching her ,"
"Mum..." Lucia smiled to herself. "At least she gets to be at our wedding for them..."
"They'll be there, Luce," said Harry softly. "Just not where our eyes could see,"
"Hawwy! Hawwy!" Teddy wiggled from his grand-aunt's arms and ran to Harry's arms, in which Harry quickly caught him. He giggled. "Gran Gran said we go!"
"Right, er... you're going to be okay with Narcissa right?" Harry asked Lucia, who brushed Teddy's ebony haired for the day, matching hers.
"'course I would be, love," she told him, pinching Teddy's plump cheeks before taking a few steps back as Andromeda came up to Harry's side. "Have fun, you three!"
"Bye bye, Lushi!" And with that, they Disapparated, leaving only Lucia and Narcissa in the premises of the Tonks house.
"Come along, Lucia," said Narcissa, seizing her hand softly. "Let's get you ready for your wedding."
"But I'm not going to arrive at the Burrow until the next few hours...?" said Lucia.
"I am aware, but I would love for you to learn some of the Wizarding world tradition. I came to know from Astoria that you were brought up by... Muggles ..." Narcissa winced slightly, she and Draco were still in the middle of washing away all her prejudice for others that were not 'like her' by Andromeda and Astoria. It took time, but they were slowly getting there. Kind of.
Lucia chuckled at the woman. "Of course. More knowledge for me, I guess..."
༺❁༻
The Weasleys and Hermione sat in the living room, waiting for Charlie to arrive as they watched both wedding planners panic: Ron paced back and forth as Ginny scrolled through the Quibbler she had found lying around, doing the crossword puzzle on it. When they heard the familiar sound of a crack coming from outside, Ron was the first to race out and immediately yelled.
"Did you know how long we've been waiting —"
"Settle down, Mum, " Charlie pressed the word, completely making Ron recoil from his words as he looked at the rest of his family with a look of horror in his face.
"M-Mum?"
Mrs. Weasley heaved out an exasperated sigh. "Oh, hurry up!"
"Aye aye!" Charlie walked past his youngest brother, smirking.
Ron stood, appalled by what was told to him — Hermione patted his back pityingly while dragging him back inside as he continuously mumbling under his breath.
"So's everything ready?" Charlie asked, plopping on the couch beside George, who snorted at Ron's state that he was very sure he would never recover.
"Did you have to traumatise him on his best friend's wedding? How's he supposed to be the best man now!" commented George.
At the mention of being Harry's best man, Ron snapped out of his daze instantly and pointed his finger at his older brother. "You — where were you? "
"Had to drop of the babies before coming here," said Charlie nonchalantly.
"And why exactly were the dragons with you?" mused Mr. Weasley.
"As an early wedding present for the soon-to-be married couple!" said Charlie. "Should've seen the smile on her face!"
"You saw them? How're they doing?" Juniper spoke, and the rest of the Weasleys and Hermione perked at the mention of the couple.
"Ah, well, looks like Harry's about to set off to St. Mungo's by the time I left. Probably there now,"
Ginny's eyes widened. "Which means he's going to arrive in about..."
Their eyes turned to glance over at the grandfather clock in the corner. Albeit completely useless to tell the time, it was, however, very informative when it came about monitoring each one of the members in the Weasley family along with a few additions. The once nine hands were now up to twelve, and each of them was engraved with every one of the Weasley family's name as well as Hermione, Harry, and Lucia. There were no numerals around the face, but descriptions of where each family member might be . "Home," "school," and "work" were there, but there was also "traveling," "lost," "hospital," "prison," and, in the position where the number twelve would be on a normal clock, "mortal peril."
Currently, all of them were positioned at "home," except for two hands: Lucia was positioned at "travelling" , while, to their slight fear, Harry's were slowly moving from "travelling" to "hospital" and back to "travelling" before finally it stopped directly at "home".
As if on cue, there was a faint sound of blazing flames coming from the kitchen, following a light sound of a child giggling. Ron snapped his eyes back to the others.
"He's here!" he mouthed anxiously.
"Why are you panicking for, Ron?" said Charlie. "I thought everything's already been set up?"
"Everything but —"
"Harry, dear!" Mrs. Weasley squealed at the sight of the man. Harry smiled courteously at the woman whom practically raised him, putting Teddy down before being engulfed into the very, very tight embrace of the woman. She pulled away in arm's length, cupping his face in her hand endearingly. "How have you been, dear? How was Italy?"
"I've been good like the last time I saw you, and Verona was quite enjoyable," chuckled Harry, before he noticed his godson speeding pass him. "Teddy — no biscuits before —"
"No!" said Teddy, grinning menacingly as he took the biscuit that was laid on the coffee table before running away like the gremlin he is.
"Oh, there my grandson goes... on his normal rampage again," sighed Andromeda. "I'm sorry, Molly, Arthur,"
"It's alright," said Mrs. Weasley, hugging Andromeda welcomingly.
"I will go see after 'im," offered Fleur, smiling beamingly, knowing that Victoire would have a friend now. "Viens, Victoire,"
Once Victoire and Fleur was out of the frame, going out to the gardens where they were certain Teddy had went, Mr. Weasley turned to Harry peculiarly.
"We weren't expecting you this early?" he said, perplexed. "We thought you would be coming a bit later..."
"Oh, well, the plan changed, but that's all right," said Harry, shrugging, peaking out to see Teddy playing with Fleur and Victoire near the chicken coop. He smiled at his godson's antics. "S'not like nothing will change. Lucia's going to still come here before the wedding to get ready, and the wedding will start like we planned." He then turned to Ron and Ginny expectantly. "Right?"
"The tent's been raised and all we need to do is situate some flowers — !" said Ginny, ginning nervously. "You don't have to worry about anything, Harry."
"Yeah, mate," said Ron, though with a much unconvincing smile.
"That's unlikely," snorted George. Juniper chuckled.
Ron and Ginny glared at both George and Juniper, but they merely offered them an unapologetic smile, slipping away from the living room and scurrying out of the door to play along with Teddy, Fleur, and Victoire. Andromeda and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley shook their heads.
"Oh, Mrs. Weasleys, Mr. Weasley," Harry called at them.
"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked instantly.
"I just want you to know that Mawar, Lucia's mum, is in there with a couple of her Healers," said Harry sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I should've told you both before coming here —"
"Codswallop, Harry!" grinned Mr. Weasley. "We'll make her feel at home!"
"She's quite an odd woman — kind, but odd," said Andromeda, though more directly to herself. "Well, fitting for someone as odd as Florian, I guess..."
"Pretty sure she's like that because of the Cruciatus Curse," said Harry weakly.
"Oh,"
"Well, I'm sure she would love to help us with preparing her cultural cuisines!" said Mrs. Weasley. "Come along, Andromeda!"
"Ah yes," said Andromeda, sauntering back into the kitchen.
"I have to check in with Kingsley about the security and how the guest would be coming. I'll see you all later," Mr. Weasley waved at the rest in the living room before following his wife into the kitchen. Faintly the heard the sound of blazing flames before diminishing.
"Well, Harry," Bill patted his shoulder. "I assure you that Ginny and Ron did well in their task,"
"Yeah, I've already take a look around, and it looks just like how Lucia had drawn it," said Astoria beamingly.
"Yeah, and even if they had problems along the way, we were here," said Hermione amusingly, flipping through The Quibbler. "There's nothing for you to worry about —"
"Except for the rest of the groomsmen that have yet to arrive," chirped Charlie.
"Why do you guys look a bit tense?" Harry asked, suspicious as he folded his arms over his chest. "Everything's okay, right?"
"There's nothing to worry about, Harry," said Percy. "Actually, Bill, Charlie, care to join me with looking around for any imperfections?"
"Would love to Percy," smirked Bill. "You, Charlie?"
"Let us ride to the sunset gents!" said Charlie, lunging his arms around his brothers' shoulder, all three howling with laughter as they left the living room, out of the door, leaving their youngest siblings and Hermione to deal with a fairly curious Harry.
"So," he started, playing with the heart locket on his chest. "What's going on?"
"Nothing!" said Ron, his voice cracking.
"Thought the era of your voice cracking is already over, mate," teased Harry.
"Shove off," scoffed Ron, playfully pushing Harry.
"Children," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're not worried one bit?" Ginny asked curiously. She found it odd of how Harry have yet to yell at them about their incompetency, merely smiling like a fool in love — which she was sure he was...
"About the wedding? Oh yeah, definitely," said Harry, still grinning like an idiot.
"Then why do you look like Eros shot an arrow through your heart again? I thought that only happened in your sixth-year?" said Astoria, suspicious.
"Yeah... you're a bit odd around here..." Ron gestured at his smile that made the others a bit uneasy.
"Well, I'm also happy aren't I? I'm finally going to marry the love of my life!"
"Did you accidentally ate sweets before you came here, Harry?" Hermione narrowed her eyes at her best friend.
"No," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "But really, I'm really excited for today. I can't wait to finally see her!"
"But... but you just saw her before this?" said Ron, confused.
"Yeah, but it's a whole different thing," said Harry, stealing Ginny's cup of tea that she had been reaching. She glared at him as he brushed her off. "You wouldn't know, Ron. You're not getting married ."
"I'll have you know Hermione and I are going to get married," said Ron, offended. "See?" he showed off the diamond engagement ring on his finger before he showed off the ring on Hermione, whom looked nothing but annoyed by this whole situation, finger. "Probably worth more than that stupid engagement ring of yours!"
"Then I advise you to wait for our wedding ring, Ron! Just wait!"
"This is way too early for me to handle this," Dean Thomas stood at the entrance of the Burrow, at his side was Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan, who looked equally exhausted, wearing their dressrobes.
"It's afternoon, get over it," said Ginny. "Where's Luna?"
"Still at her dad's," said Neville, putting down his travelling cloak on the armchair. "Why aren't you ready yet and where's George?"
"Yeah, we didn't came here for nothing, you know?" said Seamus, yawning.
"You lot look drunk," deadpanned Astoria. "Extremely drunk,"
"Did you three, like, went for a drink last night?" queried Harry, amused by the state of his two groomsmen.
"No," lied Dean and Seamus, while Neville said, "Yes,"
"You went drinking?!" said Hermione, shocked
"'Course not!" said Neville immediately. "But these two sods did invited me, only I already promised Luna and Ginny with the peonies." He showed off the array of small peonies in one box
"Ah, the boutonniere!" shrieked Astoria excitedly.
"The butt what?" said Ron, blinking.
"Ugh, never mind," she scoffed.
Dean narrowed his eyes at Ginny, who narrowed her eyes back at him. He then scoffed.
"What a prude,"
Ginny's eyes twitched at her ex-boyfriend. "Says the knobhead!"
Before a fight could ensue, Seamus interjected, inquiring. "Why isn't the groom and his best man in their dressrobes yet?"
"Because we still have hours to go," said Harry. "Also, I have a couple of inspections to do before the whole thing starts."
"What he means is that he doesn't want Ron and I fucking up his and Lucia's wedding — which I would never do! I'm offended!" gasped Ginny, scandalised.
"Then go suck a toe about it," said Harry easily.
༺❁༻
Lucia stepped out of the fireplace after being engulfed by the blazing green fire of the Floo Network that had been connected from Andromeda's to the Weasley, instantly being graced with the presence of her bridesmaids and maid-of-honour. They squealed simultaneously at her appearance.
"There's the queen for the day!" Lavender Brown said shrilly, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'm surprised that you guys are already here..." said Lucia sheepishly. "Was I late or something?"
"Nonsense," Lucia appeared out of the fireplace behind her. The room was filled with mix reaction; Lavender and Parvati Patil looked slightly hesitant of her presence; Ginny didn't look all that amuse but remain civil; Hermione looked indifferent, and Astoria Greengrass had a small smile in which Lucia was not quite sure whether it was a nice one or a sarcastic one. However, Narcissa pretended as though she hadn't seen them. "A lady is never late, people are just early."
"Well said, Narcissa," said Astoria stiffly. "Anyway," she took Lucia's arm and began dragging her out through the door to the living room with the others following behind. "Draco's waiting for you outside — you'll probably find him easily —"
"Charming," said Narcissa coolly.
"Is it not?" rebutted Astoria with the same demeanour. Despite years of knowing each other and Astoria dating her son, both simply did not like each other. They just, naturally, did not agree with one another, and there was just no helping either of them.
"Okay," Ginny pushed her way in between them. "Let's not start a fight,"
"Yeah, that's the last thing Lucia needs today," said Parvati.
"Look, er, Mrs. Malfoy, why don't you go outside and find your son?" Hermione suggested. "Astoria came by with him..."
"I'm well aware," said Narcissa coldly. "Then I will take my leave,"
"Ah, yeah — thank you for coming, Narcissa," said Lucia awkwardly, watching as the woman disappeared out of the door. Once they were assured that she was gone, everyone beside Lucia heaved out a sigh of relief.
"That was painful to endure," sneered Astoria.
"No kidding," Ginny said, running her hand through her hair.
"Oh, shush, she's our guest," said Lucia. Ever since she had heard what happened in the Forbidden Forest in one of hers and Harry's therapy session (that took months to be convinced by others to attend,) Lucia felt the need to give the woman a second chance. Albeit it took a really long while, but things turned out for the better. She wished that she could say the same for Astoria's and Narcissa's none-existent bond despite the chances of them becoming family was more than they were estimating.
Lucia did a headcount of her bridesmaid and noted that seemingly everyone was present. It was a shame that Luna had rejected her offer, but turns out it was solely because she did not want to cause trouble, attracting Nargles while they stood at the end of the aisle. Regardless, Lucia wasn't all that sure to feel disappointed or worried...
"Never in a million years would I have thought the Malfoys would attend Harry's wedding," Ginny laughed. "When we saw the guest list, I swore that my dad and brothers all thought that he had gone barmy,"
Hermione shook her head, smiling. "They thought that Lucia had invited them..."
"It was actually Harry that did," said Lucia simply, as she waved her wand and levitating her trunk filled with accessories and make-up, along with her wedding dress up the stairs into Ginny's room, where she would get ready. The others followed after her.
"I reckon that's what makes it more humorous," said Astoria.
"I honestly would've just invited Astoria and she can bring a plus one or whatever," said Lucia, truthfully, "But Harry insisted."
"He has too good of a heart. Too forgiving," said Parvati, laying down on Ginny's bed.
"Well he never thought that he would have to welcome the guest, did he?" cackled Ginny. "He has to go and be nice to Malfoy,"
"Harry's a grown adult, I'm sure he would be civil since he is the one that invited him," said Hermione.
"And Draco will too," said Astoria, hanging up the dress at the wall, "but I also know that if they were given the littlest of chance, they would start with their rivalry."
Everyone in the room groaned.
"They better not, or I'll kick them both out and end up marrying another person," said Lucia, as she unfastened her res brow and setting it on Ginny's vanity before she began combing through her hair with her hairbrush. "Don't care who, I'll just marry someone. Hell, I'll bloody marry you, Lavender,"
"Flattered, but taken," said Lavender, simpering.
"Yeah, you can't just say that outright," said Parvati. "Take us on a date first!"
"Who says I'll marry you, Parvati?" scoffed Lucia.
"You marry my best friend, might as well marry me too," retort Parvati playfully. "Isn't that how it was with you and Harry?"
"Oh yeah..."
"What does that supposed to mean?" sneered Hermione, arranging the bouquet of flowers for Lucia.
"Don't act faux, Hermione. When she started dating Harry, you and Ron — Godric, especially Ron," stated Ginny. "you both would go anywhere they go,"
"We're friends!" Hermione defended.
"Too close for friends," said Astoria, face screwing. "Are you sure you four never had, like, a —"
"Don't you dare finish those words of yours Astoria Marie Greengrass," said Lucia. "I could literally throw you out of the window right here right now,"
"Immediately," started Lavender, repulsed. "I am disgusted."
They laughed together. Lucia had a slight feeling that this day would certainly be a day to remember in all her life, she was just not sure whether it would end for a good or a bad reason. Either way, she relished the memories she had currently, being around her friends — albeit not every one of them, but she sure that she would see them all soon. She would see him soon.
And she couldn't wait for that.
Meanwhile, down below, standing outside of the great white marquee in the orchard, was Harry and a couple of the Weasley brothers as they welcomed the wedding guest, whilst the others were situating them to their designated seats. This, to Harry, would have never been needed if it weren't for the plenty of journalists and cameras that stood outside of the barrier that had been casted by the Aurors that had come to assist by Kingsley's order, who have yet to arrive.
Harry knew he could have easily stayed within the confinements of the Burrow until it was his turn to come out, but he felt the need to welcome Kingsley and his friends to his wedding, and not to mention welcoming his old teachers, despite the fact that he absolutely hated the attention and constant flashes of cameras. It was unfortunate, in his opinion, that they could not create a dome that could keep them hidden.
"Sure you don't want to hide, Harry?" George asked the dark haired man, and Harry sighed.
"Would love to, but I want to thank Kingsley —"
"You could've just done it after the service is over," said Ron, as the matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, but then I would have to deal with the Prophet's headlines being: THE BOY WHO VANQUISHED THE DARK LORD DISRESPECTING HIS PATRON, THE MINISTER FOR MAGIC —"
"Or — FAME HAS FINALLY GOTTEN INTO GOLDEN BOY'S HEAD —"
"Nah, I would think it would go like this: NOT GREETING THE MINISTER? HAS THE BOY WHO LIVED FINALLY BECOME THE BOY WHO IS IMPUDENT?! " Harry and George, impressed by Ron's thought.
"Well, either way, I can't win — thanks for coming — this is harder than I remembered," said Harry before putting his public smile, shaking hands with people. "This was supposed to be a private wedding, right? Why do I feel like there's so many people that I don't even know of?" he whispered to Ron and George, slowly growing impatient.
Before either could respond why, the familiar face of Hestia Jones appeared out of nowhere, grinning widely at the three of them. "No worries, Mr. Potter. They're merely trespassers from what we could identify. But us Aurors have been able to round them all up,"
"Ah... but I'm not sure that's making me anymore better..." mumbled Harry, making sure his colleague did not hear him much. His peaceful mind disrupted by the thought of trespassers on his wedding day. This was the exact opposites of what he wanted for today, for today's only consisted of their family and friends. "C-Can you make sure no one except the ones that are invited gets in before the service starts?"
"'Course!" said Hestia. "But It would definitely be more easier if we have photos of those who are invited. We don't want to accidentally escort those who are invited."
Ron than spoke, "You can see through the wedding invitations — but George can bring photos of them,"
"That would be much appreciated,"
"Well, come along I guess," said George, beckoning the witch to follow him into the Burrow.
"Things are going to go well, Harry," Ron reassured him when he noticed the dejected look upon his face.
"Yeah? How are we so sure? All my life everything always goes hell, how are we so sure that this isn't the same?"
"Because, mate, if the day you both got engage so happens to be the day you both proposed to each other simultaneously and went well, than why can't this? I can't ask you to forget everything that happened in the past, because, well, it can't be erase," said Ron , slinging an arm around Harry's shoulder. "But what I can ask you is to look forward in your future, because you're not alone anymore, mate."
Harry smiled softly to himself. Ron had always been the one to joke around, but when it came to the time he needed him the most, he would always be there. Harry, patted his back graciously. "Thanks, mate,"
"Anything for you, mate,"
"Mate..." Harry nodded at him, touched.
Ron smiled, touched as well. "Mate..."
"This is a repulsive sight," They turned their heads to meet the familiar pale appearance of Draco Malfoy. Instantly they both went indifferent. "I'm not sure if I went to the right wedding or not. Is this where Lucia DiFiore and Harry Potter would be wed, or is this where Ron Weasley and Harry Potter's wedding would be instead?"
"Hello, Malfoy," said Ron through gritted teeth, irritated by the presence of the man. "How's your day been? Bad I hope,"
"Nope," smirked Draco. "Particularly, this day is a fairly good day for me. Though, of course, that would change if Potter here decided that he wants to run away with you, Weasley,"
"Your invitation?" said Ron with a strain in his voice. He was hoping that he did not have an invite —
"Aww, burst your bubble didn't I?" said Draco smugly, holding out the ruby wedding invitation that was adorned with sprinkles of gold and floral patterns as the centre read:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE UNION BETWEEN TWO LOVERS:
HARRY J. POTTER
AND
LUCIANA P.A.C.J.M. DIFIORE
WEDNESDAY, TWENTY-THIRD APRIL TWO THOUSAND TWO
AT SIX IN THE EVENING HAVE AND HOLD IN THE ORCHARD OF THE BURROW. ONLY INVITEES WITH INVITATION CAN GET PASS THE BARRIERS. PLEASE BRING INVITATIONS WITH YOU FOR IDENTIFICATION.
"Well, perhaps you have to thank your best mate right here for inviting my mother and I to his wedding. Either way, I would've come even if you didn't. For Astoria."
"Where is she anyway?" asked Harry, looking around. "Why isn't she babysitting you right now?"
"Forget, did you? She's already off attending your bride-to-be, Potter," scoffed Draco.
"I really hate you, do you know that?"
"Actions speaks much more louder than words," he said, walking into the marquee and instantly being escorted by Juniper to his seat. "If you really did hated me, Potter, you wouldn't have invited me!"
"I hate him," scowled Ron. "Why did you have to invite him?"
"Wouldn't change a thing, would it?" said Harry, sighing. "At the end of the day, he's going to come with Astoria. And s'not like I would ever not invite Astoria,"
"We'll have to deal with I guess," Ron grumbled.
Suddenly, the flashes merely doubled the amount as the gate opened and entered through it was the Minster for Magic himself, Kingsley Shacklebot, alongside him was Professor McGonagall, Professor Filtwick, Professor Sprout, Professor Slughorn, and Hagrid.
Harry smiled at the sight of them, thankful that they were able to make it. The outside, he was sure that they were questioning as to why Kingsley did not have Aurors beside him as he walked along the weird bunch, but nonetheless they held a but sense of authority as they approached the entrance into the marquee.
Despite the fact that they were fine with queuing with the line that had been formed even before they arrived, the others simply made way for them. Kingsley was the first to speak.
"Congratulations, Harry," he said, shaking Harry's hand, in which Harry greatly reciprocated.
"Not yet wed, sir," grinned Harry. Actually...
"Codswallop," said Kingsley, and Ron held back a grin. Although they knew each other from years ago and remained friends, first and foremost, Kingsley's their boss in the Ministry. "I remember back when I first met you. Smitten by her,"
Harry blushed.
"I'm sure we weren't clear about our feelings yet, sir,"
"Hah! speak for yourself," said Kingsley. "Everyone in the Order could see how you look at her. Reminded me of how your mother would look at your father sometimes during the meetings,"
Harry was quite surprised to hear this. "My mum, not my dad?"
"Lily and James were in love, in or out of Hogwarts," sighed Slughorn;
"I think we all knew tha', Slughorn." said Hagrid. "But congratulation ter yeh, Harry. Finally gotta this part o' your life!"
"Congratulations are in order, Potter," said Professor McGonagall with a smile on her thin lips. Harry felt his chest warm at the gesture. "We're all proud of the man you've become, and the woman DiFiore have become. Thank you for inviting us to this special day of yours,"
"We're really honoured that you invited us in the first place, Mr. Potter," said Professor Sprout, beaming.
"No worries," said Harry, a smile somehow back on his lips. "Thank you for taking a time off and coming, Professors. And thank you, Kingsley, for officiating."
"It would've been an honour either way for me," said Kingsley kindly.
"Has Poppy arrive already?" Professor Filtwick asked.
"Madam Pomfrey already arrived half an hour ago with Madam Pince," said Ron, and Bill stepped out of the marquee with a wide and accommodating smile of his face as he held the seating plans. "Bill can show you all to your seats,"
"Ooooh, I can't wait!" said Professor Sprout excitedly as she stepped inside the marquee. The group of teachers followed Bill inside. Kingsley sent them a smile before entering behind them.
Harry and Ron exchanged smug looks as they peaked inside the marquee, the sight of the beautiful decoration within it gracing them; there were rows and rows of golden chairs set on either side of a long velvety black carpet. The supporting poles were entwined with the white of lilies and red of roses. At the end of the aisle was a medium height podium, an arch filled with flowers adorned on it that had been fastened by Percy and Bill. It was as if wherever your eyes roam, all that could be seen was the beautiful flowers. Harry turned back outside, the weather was perfect as well; butterflies and bees were hovering lazily over the grass and hedgerow.
"Want to go in now?" George came back from the house to them, seemingly having already attended to Hestia Jones. "Seems like the girls are already in Ginny's room."
Harry's heart skipped a beat as his eyes travelled nervously to the window he knew to be Ginny's. He was eager to see her and all her lovely glory, as though he hadn't just seen her hours and hours ago. But this time, when he'll lay his eyes on her, she would be appearing as his bride and him as her groom. Things will change by the time they would see each other once more, but for the better. That, he was sure.
And the mere thought of her in the wedding dress that still remained a mystery to him was more enticing than he had thought.
"Nah," said Harry, shaking his head. Ron and George looked at one another, surprised. "I'm good."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," nod Harry, playing with the cuffs of his tailored dress robes. "I'll wait."