Not JK Rowling so I don't own any of the Potters or Weasleys

From the Ashes

Chapter 1

"I can't believe today is your wedding day!" I say to the girl in front of me, grinning at the blushing reflection I see. I twist her curly brown hair into an intricate updo, pinning different sections down before placing the veil on top of her head. "Are you nervous?"

My best friend shakes her head, loose curls falling free around her face. "I've never been more ready for anything in my life, actually."

I let out a sad sigh and say, "I really do miss living with you. It's so sad to wake up and not see you every day..."

She laughs, being careful not to shake her head too much. "You saw my face every day for four years after we graduated. Besides, you definitely upgraded to a better roommate. I'm sure living with James isn't that bad."

"It's great, actually. But it's not the same as living with you." I help her up off the floor, looking at her reflection in the mirror in front of us. "So Bri, what do you think?"

She smiles at her reflection, removing the veil from her head so she can get a better look at her hair. "Ari, it's perfect. You know, if this Auror thing falls through, you could always go to muggle school and become a cosmetologist..."

I roll my eyes, swatting at her arm with a laugh. "You're all jokes today, huh?"

She shrugs her shoulders as she crosses the small room and gazes at her dress for the umpteenth time today. "What can I say? I'm just excited..."

I look over at the clock on the wall and nod to the dress. "I do believe it's time you put that on, Miss Franklyn."

She grins at me as she says, "Today will be the last time you can call me that. From tonight on, I will be known as Mrs. –"

The door to the room opens and Brittany's mom pokes her head in, tears pooling in her eyes when she sees Brittany standing next to the dress. "You two almost ready?"

I nod in response, waving her in. "Yes, mum. I was just telling Bri that it's time to put our dresses on. Can you help her with her dress while I go put mine on?"

Mom nods, a proud smile on her face as she gives her daughter some tips for a successful marriage. I internally laugh at the irony, since Brittany's mom and Brittany's dad are separated and have been for a while, and silently exit the room, my silver maid of honor dress in hand. However, before I head to the room across the hall to change into my dress, I want to make a detour.

I hang my dress in the room I'll be changing in then head for the stairs to the familiar building. I go down a single flight and approach the only room on that floor with an open door, placing a nervous hand on my stomach as I try to figure out if I should share my news now or not. I lightly knock on the door, poking my head into the room and grinning when I see my boyfriend, too preoccupied tying his tie to hear my knock. "James Potter... Don't you look dashing!"

He glances up at me and smiles, giving up on his tie completely and inviting me in. When he sees that I'm still in jeans and a t-shirt, he lets out a laugh and says, "You do realize this is a wedding, right?" I nod, so he adds, "You do know that you're in the wedding, right?"

I nod again, invoking a smirk from him. "I do believe you're a bit underdressed..."

I grin at him, rolling my eyes as I tie his tie for him and decide now isn't the time to tell him. "Oh shut it. I, uh, just wanted to see if you knew how our groom is doing?"

James nods, laughing when he says, "He's ecstatic, actually. He does think that Grandma is going through far too much trouble, but she is very persistent and insisted that she take care of everything."

"That sounds like Grandma Weasley..." I say with a grin, finishing the knot on his tie and fitting it around his neck. "It really was nice of her to let them use the Burrow for their wedding..."

He shrugs, running a hand through his messy black hair. "You know how generous Grandma is. Besides, Bri is about to become family. Grandma sees it as only fair to welcome her into the family properly."

I give him a quick kiss and nod with a smile. "Speaking of Bri becoming family, I'm going to go get ready, but I'll see you soon."

I run up the stairs, not waiting for him to respond. I quickly go into my room and pull my silver strapless dress over my head, using my wand to fix my hair, and zip up the back. Once that's done, I rummage through the room for my silver heels, frowning when I remember that I didn't bring them with me. I hurriedly run across the hall to the room across from me, old floorboards creaking under my bare feet as I go, and burst into the room Brittany is getting dressed in, immediately stopping in my tracks and fighting the urge to cry when I see Brittany.

Brittany stands in front of the mirror, nervously double checking her wardrobe. Her dress is white and floor length with a small train behind, silver glitter blending into the edge of the bottom and a strapless bodice decorated with silver glitter along the trim. Her hair is pulled up into the intricate updo I did earlier and her veil is draped over her face. When I enter the room, she pulls the veil up and smiles at me, gesturing to her dress. "How do I look?"

I look over at her mom, who is wiping away a tear and smiling endearingly at her daughter, and then look back at Brittany, an involuntary smile forming on my face. "Bri, you look gorgeous..."

She laughs nervously, smoothing her hands uncertainly over her dress. "Are you sure? I feel like it's too much..."

I shake my head rapidly. "No! It's perfect! And-"

"And it's time for Ari to get out there. The wedding should be starting any moment now and I imagine they're waiting on Ari to start." Her mom adds, shooing me out of the room.

I skid to a halt and yell, "Wait! I need my shoes!"

Brittany's mom opens the door again and thrusts a purple bouquet and my heels into my hands then shuts the door again. I run down the stairs, placing the bouquet in my mouth and cursing when I stumble down a few stairs as I attempt to pull my heels onto my feet. I get to the bottom floor and run into the kitchen, giving Grandma Weasley the best "I'm sorry" face I can must when she flashes me a stern look. "Ariana Brighton! Where have you been? We've been waiting for you for at least fifteen minutes!"

I continue to give her a contrite look as I say, "Sorry... It took me a bit longer to get ready than necessary..."

She huffs at me as she ushers me into the living room. "Just go get ready to walk the aisle."

I nod, sneaking a peak outside at the wedding arrangements and frowning when I realize I can't see anything. When she leaves me alone, I place a hand on my stomach again and take a deep breath before I hurry to the window and pull the blinds to the side and get a clear look at the arrangements outside, once again frowning when I can only see a large white tent and a few straggling guests entering it.

Finally, the door opens and Grandma Weasley opens the back door and says with a smile, "It's time."

Hey all!

Sorry for the long hiatus... I've been doing homework nonstop for the past couple months and haven't had much time for anything other than school. I'm back now though! And, now that I'm back, I've decided to change some things around with this story. It's basically going to be a five or six chapter story and I'm going to be starting over with it. Chapter one and two will remain the same, for the most part (a few things might be added to chapter one and things will definitely be added to chapter two). I just wanted to give yall a heads up that things are going to change with this story.

Hope yall like the changes!

-Tx :)