Fred had always thought of marriage and weddings as good things because he had been surrounded by positive relationships the majority of his life. But Eleanor's reaction to the Marnie and Cedric's letter puzzled him greatly. Once she announced that they were married, she fell silent. She didn't frown but she didn't smile, her face was just blank.
George came upon the two standing there.
"Er...what's going on? You two aren't fighting are you?" he asked fully preparing himself to walk away if they were.
"No, at least, not that I'm aware of." Fred answered. "Ellie got a letter from Cedric and Marnie."
"Oh they're still in France then, how's the trip going?"
"Quite well I'm assuming since they were just married."
George looked over at Ellie. "I can see this going one or two ways. One Ellie is silent because she's trying to hold back her ecstatic happiness or two Ellie is silent because she's trying not to head to France and kill them right now."
Finally, Eleanor spoke.
"Those swine bastards!"
George and Fred looked at each other. "Two." they nodded.
"How..how could they...I...I'm going to kill them!" She said throwing the letter onto the counter. "I have been with them since...since the beginning. Since Marnie told me she fancied him, to when Cedric broke up with Cho. Ugh...just..."
Fred walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's alright, love."
"No it's not! I would have loved to have been there to see my two best friends get married, but instead I find out through a bloody letter!"
"So you're not upset that they got married before you did?" George asked.
"It's not a competition, George. " Eleanor answered. "I would have just liked to have been there to see them...to share in the happy moment considering Marnie never thought it was going to happen back in school. Then all I get is a letter."
Eleanor was not in the greatest of moods for the rest of the night and it seemed to carry on until morning. Fred and George didn't blame her for being upset, especially knowing how much Eleanor cared about her friends, but it didn't mean they didn't fear her when she was angry. They allowed her to do what she wanted the next day which involved Eleanor knitting down in the shop behind the counter for the majority of the morning.
Verity tried to offer some comforting words, but it was obvious Eleanor was hurt. She didn't understand why she hadn't been invited even if it had been a small ceremony. She wouldn't have cared in the two had been married in a horse's stall as long as she had been there. So many times, Marnie had pestered her about being the maid of her honor since she was her best friend, but couldn't bother to invite Eleanor to her wedding?
Eleanor was even surprised that they had gone and got married so soon, they had been together only a short while and not even engaged. But she sincerely wished she could have been there, they knew if they had asked she would have been there in a heartbeat.
By mid-afternoon, Eleanor left the shop and Fred assumed that she was either going to the Burrow or to her dad's house to either vent or find comfort.
"I hate seeing her like that." Fred confided in his brother as they stood beside each other near the entrance of the shop. "That frown..it's just...heartbreaking really."
"I know." George said. "I tried to cheer her up with the little Umbridge on a Unicycle toy, but she didn't even crack a grin. She always laughs at that thing."
"I think Cedric and Marnie hurt her feelings without even realizing. She's happy for them I know that, but she's not happy that she wasn't there for them."
"Well, if she's still upset with Marnie...I shall gladly take over as maid of honor."
Fred snorted while Verity who overheard them bursted into a series of giggles.
"What's so bloody funny? I would look damn good in a dress and you two know that." George chuckled.
"You'd be the ugliest maid of honor-" Fred said before George tried to attack him.
Verity watched the two professionals in amusement as the raced around the shop, Fred taunting George all the way.
Nixie sat a cup of tea down before Eleanor who glanced down at it while Sirius made a playful gagging noise after sipping his.
"I swear, I can brew some tea even if I can't cook." Nixie reassured her. "I'm not that terrible!"
"Sorry." Eleanor took a quick sip and it turned out to be a decent cup of tea.
Sirius laughed as he sat down with his cup. "I only tease her because it get's her upset."
Nixie rolled her eyes. "Hasn't changed one bit over the years...." she shook her head at him. "Anyways, I know you're still upset Ellie so..after tea Sirius and I are going to distract you completely."
"How?" Eleanor asked raising a brow.
"We're going to get started on your lessons." Sirius smirked.
"Really?!"
"Yes but before you get too excited, I will warn you, it won't be easy. It'll be a long enduring process..." Sirius said in a dramatic tone.
Nixie looked at him before turning to Eleanor.
"It won't take you nearly as long as it took him. Half the time, he and James were questioning everything I was saying so the process took much longer. You on the other hand are a good listener so I wouldn't be surprise if you get it in half the time that it took them."
"Great!" Eleanor smiled for the first time that day. "Now, just one thing..we're not going to mention any of this to my dad...right? I have a feeling he wouldn't agree with it."
"Don't worry Ellie, your secret is safe with us." Sirius said.