Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Herbology (Assignment 4)
Prompt: Write about someone going somewhere and being surprised by the weather.
Word Count: 705 (ish)
It was surprising that his mother turned up. Actually, most people were surprised that she had even been invited, and at first Narcissa Malfoy was treated to sharp looks and suspicious glances from all assembled. When she broke into happy tears during the service though, and was seen to warmly embrace her new daughter-in-law afterwards people began to consider her more approachable.
Upon receiving the invitations many were surprised at the location. Hogwarts had been rebuilt and was functional as a school, but it was the summer holidays and clearly Headmistress McGonagall had decided to indulge her old favourite pupil's wish to be married at the school she had loved.
The cake was surprising. It was, in it's own way, magnificent, but far from the traditional towering tiers of white. It was a chocolate cake, huge and leaning slightly under the weight of the thick chocolate frosting. Mrs Weasley had disapproved, claiming it was bad luck not to have a white cake, but they were recklessly in love and didn't care.
Her dress was a surprise, to everyone (including the groom) except her best friend and mother. If anyone had given any thought to what she might have worn on her wedding day they would have assumed a long white dress, elegant and dignified. Instead she wore a knee length dress that flared out from her waist, her hair loose and cascading down beneath the only item of tradition she had accepted-a dainty veil that had been in her family for generations.
Most were surprised that there were no fights, no dramatic showdowns. There was an intake of breath as Ron Weasley stepped up to congratulate the happy couple, and then a gasp if relief when he (a little grudgingly) simply shook the groom's hand and smiled (a rather forced smile).
It was surprising that the ceremony was able to be conducted in relative peace. No reporters flocked to the scene, no quills were brandished at attendees by interviewers desperare for a nice quote. The bride was not ambushed by the Daily Prophet's minions.
It was, in fact, surprising that there was a wedding at all. Five years ago, no one would have expected it. Gryffindor's Golden Girl and the Prince of Slytherin were not a couple that sprung easily into being. It had taken a war, two years, and at least seven boxes of Honeyduke's finest chocolates before they reached a friendly conversation. However, on the day they were as happy as any newly wed young couple, giddy with love and convinced that nothing could stand in their way.
These might have been surprising, but anyone who had spent any time in Scotland knew that the most surprising thing about the wedding was the weather.
The ceremony was held outside and concerns had been voiced about the possibility of rain. Those cynical students who had spent alnost six years at Hogwarts knew that in Scotland, if it wasn't raining your first thought should be to wonder when the rain will start.
However, during the wedding the sky was clear, a gorgeous blue that seemed to go on forever with only a few puffs of cloud. The sun shone brighter than either could ever remember seeing before and both felt as if the sunshine was shining on their souls. The heat was just perfect and occasionally a cool breeze rushed it's way through the tent and provided a relief from the warmth.
As it moved towards evening and they danced outside, the crisp grass beneath their feet, the sky became streaked with pink. It seemed as if every one of the colourful dresses that twirled on the ground was reflected in the sky. The sunset was spectacular, an incredible blend of pinks and blues and yellows that was talked about for weeks afterwards..
As they made their to the magic carpet that would take them to their (utterly and completely secret) honeymoon destination the pallete faded to a deep blue and the stars came out. The sky was a blanket speckled with lights, and as a shooting star streaked through the dark they both knew that they had nothing more to wish for.