Chapter Forty-Six
The Burrow, August 2nd 1997
Violet light stretched over the hills, brushing the dew dropped fields with satiny fingertips. The white tent stood against the rising sun, its golden top shining in the sunrise.
In the smallest bedroom in the Burrow, Sonia crept out of bed. It was barely six, and both Hermione and Ginny were still asleep; she enjoyed sharing a room with the girls, it was something she thought normal girls her age would do. Though staying up long in the night whispering was hard to do when a war weighed down on your shoulders.
Slipping out of the house and across the yard Sonia enjoyed the refreshing feeling of dewy grass against her bare feet, moist soil getting between her toes. Behind the Marquee tent she dug her toes into the soft earth, heart beating wildly.
“Nice pyjamas.”
Whipping around, Sonia beamed as she saw Charlie; he was wearing a robin egg blue shirt that made his eyes almost resemble the delicate shell. It made Sonia’s knees weak. “Thanks.” She didn’t think about her ratty tank top, just thankful she’d put on a pair of cut offs before leaving. “So what’s the plan?”
Sidling up to her, Charlie wrapped one arm around her waist and tugged her close. With his other hand he brushed a stray bed head curl out of her eyes “I was thinking we have a glass of champagne, I dance with your Mum a little, force you onto the dance floor, eat a few ordure’s…sneak off. No one will even notice we’re gone.”
“I don’t know if -” embarrassed, Sonia bit her lip, turning her head so the kiss Charlie aimed for her lips landed on her cheek. “If I’ll be able to control myself.”
Chuckling, Charlie turned her gaze back to his “Just enjoy the evening love, have fun – dance with me. We can worry about all of it tomorrow. Let’s just have tonight, hm?”
Sighing, Sonia nodded “Okay.”
Charlie smiled and kissed her quickly “Good.”
Sonia, Andrew, Harry, Ron, Fred and George standing outside the great white marquee in the orchard, awaiting the arrival of the wedding guests. Harry had taken a large dose of Polyjuice Potion and was now the double of a redheaded Muggle boy from the local village, Ottery St. Catchpole, from whom Fred had stolen hairs using a Summoning Charm. The plan was to introduce Harry as "Cousin Barny" and trust to the great number of Weasley relatives to camouflage him.
The boys were clutching seating plans, so that they could help show people to the right seats; Sonia had escaped the insanity of Mrs Weasley’s weeping and come to help (or snigger as they tried to deal with a number of batty old witches and wizards). A host of white-robed waiters had arrived an hour earlier, along with a golden jacketed band, and all of these wizards were currently sitting a short distance away under a tree. Sonia could see a blue haze of pipe smoke issuing from the spot. Behind her, the entrance to the marquee revealed rows and rows of fragile golden chairs set on either side of a long purple carpet. The supporting poles were entwined with white and gold flowers. Fred and George had fastened an enormous bunch of golden balloons over the exact point where Bill and Fleur would shortly become husband and wife. Outside, butterflies and bees were hovering lazily over the grass and hedgerow.
"When I get married," said Fred, tugging at the collar of his own robes, "I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You can all wear what you like, and I'll put a full Body Bird Curse on Mum until it's all over."
"She wasn't too bad this morning, considering," said George. "Cried a bit about Percy not being here, but who wants him. Oh blimey, brace yourselves, here they come, look."
Brightly coloured figures were appearing, one by one out of nowhere at the distant boundary of the yard. Within minutes a procession had formed, which began to snake its way up through the garden toward the marquee. Exotic flowers and bewitched birds fluttered on the witches' hats, while precious gems glittered from many of the wizards' cravats; a hum of excited chatter grew louder and louder, drowning the sound of the bees as the crowd approached the tent.
"Excellent, I think I see a few veela cousins," said George, craning his neck for a better look. "They'll need help understanding our English customs; I'll look after them...."
"Not so fast, Your Holeyness," said Fred, and darting past the gaggle of middle-aged witches heading for the procession, he said, "Here ¨Permetiez moi to assister vous," to a pair of pretty French girls, who giggled and allowed him to escort them inside. George was left to deal with the middle-aged witches and Ron took charge of Mr. Weasley's old Ministry-colleague Perkins, while a rather deaf old couple fell to Harry and Andrew’s lot.
Sonia laughed and left to find Ginny in the house, but instead bumped into Charlie once more.
“Woah.” He breathed “You look…fantastic.”
Blushing, Sonia glanced at herself in the hall mirror. She was very pleased with the sapphire blue dress she’d found, its light chiffon hanging all the way down to the floor. Mostly backless besides a blue cross, the bodice was embroidered with a silver fern like pattern. “I thought you’d like it.”
“I most definitely do.” He said, and reached for her hand “Listen Sunny, I was thinking-”
“Sonia?”
The couple turned to see Hazel, their hands quickly dropping to their sides. “Hullo Mum,” Sonia babbled “You look nice.”
“Thank you.” Said Hazel suspiciously, smoothing down the fabric of her long beige pink dress. The flowing fabric reached the ground, and a long golden chain was looped around her waist several times, almost as thing as thread. Sonia had meant it; Hazel did look nice – almost like a teenager again, her hair swept up in an elegant bun and her dark wooden pendant handing from a long golden chain. “What are you up to?”
“Me?” Sonia asked innocently “Nothing – nothing. Charlie and I were going to go – ah –”
“See if Mum needed any help.” Charlie supplied smoothly “She’s a bit out of sorts.”
“Yes,” Hazel narrowed her eyes at them “She is. I’d hurry along.”
“Yes Mamma.” Sonia said, tugging Charlie by his sleeve down the stairs. “Good thinking.” She whispered over her shoulder. “I’ll see you at the ceremony.”
“Sonia-” Charlie grabbed her hand and pulled her into the cellar.
“Charlie.”
“Just a moment,” he said “I want to be with you tonight.”
Sonia looked at him incredulously “What do you mean?”
“I mean I want to be with you.” He said again “Truly. I want to dance with you and kiss you in front of everyone – I don’t care anymore.” He cupped her face, brushing her cheek with his thumb. A dash of freckles had appeared across her nose and cheeks, and he found it adorable. “I just don’t care.”
“We can’t.” Sonia hated to say it, but she willed herself to hold on “Not only because they won’t accept us yet, but because this isn’t our day. We would draw the attention from Bill and Fleur.”
Sighing, Charlie pressed his forehead to hers. “You’re right.” He said heavily “I couldn’t do that to Bill – we’ll wait.”
“I’m glad you agree.” She said “But…we can still dance.”
Charlie smiled sadly and kissed her slowly, sweetly – as if they truly were in the middle of a dance floor surrounded by people who didn’t care about their age or circumstances. “I’ll see you on the dance floor then Miss Bowen, I look forward to it.”
They left the cellar separately.
As the evening drew in, and moths began to swoop under the canopy, now lit with floating golden lanterns, the revelry became more and more uncontained. Fred and George had long since disappeared into the darkness with a pair of Fleur's cousins; Hagrid and a squat wizard in a purple porkpie hat were singing "Odo the Hero" in the corner.
Off to the side Hazel watched her old friend Molly cry silently but happily into a hankie, clutching Arthur’s hand as he tried to get her to dance. Hazel loved seeing Molly so happy, even if she was worried the whole thing was rushed because of the impending battles; Hazel disagreed, she thought Bill and Fleur knew exactly what they were doing.
“Hazel!” Bill himself walked up to her, beaming brightly as his bride followed quickly, her eyes shining as she looked lovingly upon her husband. “I’m so glad you came, Mum told me she really had to convince you.”
“Yes, well – I’m not too good with crowds.” Hazel said quietly, glancing over at two dark figures slip away. They almost looked like Charlie and Sonia, but she turned her attention back to the newly weds. “However, I couldn’t miss the first wedding of the Weasley children, especially yours Bill.”
“Ve are very happy to have you ‘ere.” Fleur said “Bill told me you knew ‘im as a young boy?”
“Yes, since I was fifteen – you must have been about three I believe.” Hazel hugged him suddenly, much to Bill’s surprise; Hazel was quiet about affection, had been for a very long time. He barely remembered the days when she used to cuddle and keep him busy so Molly could have a nap or clean. “I’m so glad you’re happy, William.” She whispered in his ear “I wish you both a long and happy life together.”
Bill hugged her tightly. “I heard you defend us to Mum you know, about how we’re not making an irrational mistake. Thank you.”
Pulling away, Hazel wiped her misty eyes. “I think you two love each other very much, and even without all this pressure of time and war…you’d still be doing the exact same thing.”
Bill and Fleur left to dance with their guests, and Hazel watched as her daughter and Charlie Weasley snuck back into the party, dancing together as merrily as any other young couple. She was not afraid for Sonia, did not worry that she would get hurt – Charlie was a good man, he would look after Sonia.
On the dance floor Andrew was dancing with Amara, who he’d asked to bring to the wedding. Molly had been delighted, ecstatic to meet the Muggle girl who had captured the Bowen boy’s heart. Arthur had spent a very long time asking her questions about her daily life, and Amara had been happy to answer. Hazel was content with her son’s happiness, loved Amara – she knew that the relationship would only blossom.
Hazel only hoped she would be around to see it flourish.
Deciding she had had enough of the party, Hazel turned to leave – but something stopped her. 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 astonished dancers. Heads turned, as those nearest it froze absurdly in mid-dance. 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."
A/N: Whew, that was intense. I went to see Spiderman 2 today and I loved it so much and then the end and I died and it was horrible but so so good and arsdjhbak. I don't know if I ever mentioned, but I LOVE Spiderman and Batman and X-Men and all and everything to do with Marvel and DC comics. Take me to a superhero movie, get me some M&M's and I'm yours.
Question: What did you think of how The Bowens were at the wedding? Hazel went even though crowds make her anxious; Andrew brought Amara; and Sonia and Charlie are getting a teensy bit careless! Where do their paths lead now?
Rose<3
P.S Go see Spiderman 2 it will make you so happy. I love Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Ugh. So good. SO GOOD.