Smolder

Sequel to 'A Friendship Broken'

*Harry Potter Disclaimer*

By Kukaburry

Chatper 1 – I Do

"Arie you look so beautiful!" Becky crowed while flapping her arms giddily.

"You really do," Angelina agreed, looking Arie up and down. "Today is going to be amazing."

A small sniffle escaped Becky's lips. "I love weddings. They bring everyone together."

Arie grinned and turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror, noticing how the dress framed her curves perfectly. The soft, crisp fabric draped itself over her shoulders and washed down her back, coming to a sudden stop at her ankles. "I'm so nervous you guys. What if I forget everything?"

Becky and Angelina giggled. "You'll be fine," Becky reassured her. "You're Arie, you always know what you're doing."

It was strange to think that she and Becky had been mortal enemies only three years earlier. Three wonderful years. Grinning confidently, Arie pulled her shoulders back and proceeded to march through the archway as music began playing.

Every face turned to her as she walked down the aisle towards the altar. Rows and rows of pink begonias lined the aisle, bathing her vision in a light pink hue and a scent of buttercups trailed past her nose. Her gaze passed over her parents and the Weasleys sitting up at the front of the congregation. She glanced at her two brothers, Richard and Martin, who stood in line at the altar in crisp tuxedos. Finally her eyes fell on the one person whom she had wanted to look at all day, whom she wanted to look at every day for the rest of her life, Fred Weasley.

A small tremor ran through her body and lodged itself in her chest. A warm wave of memories from the past three years rushed to greet her, flashing through her mind. The moments when she and Fred found time to cuddle in his room while his mother was away. The time when she accidentally set the Christmas roast on fire and Fred turned it into an epic tale for the family to hear. The seconds she stole away for a quick kiss at breakfast when they slept over at each others house. Helping Fred and George decorate their new flat above the joke shop. The memories slowly swept away and left her breathless.

She took her spot opposite of him and continued to gaze tenderly. She was still the same old fiery Arie with a foul mouth and quick temper, but when she was with him, she knew he helped to keep her calm. Today, she knew, was going to be the biggest day of her life so far.

"Everyone quiet down, here comes the bride." Arie turned towards the door she had just passed through and watched as Angelina, washed in white, walked fluidly down the aisle towards her soon-to-be-husband, Martin. Every emotion escaped into Angie's eyes brimming with heart-felt tears and Arie knew with all her heart that this was the one woman who would never disappoint her brother. The congregation stood and watched in awed silence as she passed each row and bathed them with her warm glow.

Angie took her place next to Arie and passed the large bouquet of white lilies backwards into Arie's hand. "Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to bring together two wonderful families: the Williams and the Johnsons."

Arie let a few stray tears slip down her cheek as she watched her big brother kiss Angelina for the hundredth time that day. "I bet you can't wait until your big day, right Arie?" Her aunt Mary asked with a glimmer in her eye. "That handsome boyfriend of yours is a great catch. I'm sure you'll be tying the knot soon."

A small chuckle escaped through her nose and she shook her head. "No plans now auntie. You'll be the first to know when it happens." She joked. In the back of her mind she knew today was special for a completely different reason. Fred had acted strangely for the past couple of weeks and she somehow knew that tonight would be the night he would ask her to marry him. What better night than after her own brother's wedding?

"Hey pumpkin," her uncle Walter flapped his loose gums. "What a great night huh? Your brother is a lucky guy." He winked fondly at her. "How's my favorite niece doing tonight? Where's the excellent fella of yours?" He scanned the crowd and Arie joined in. "You have to introduce me to him sooner or later. Your dad just can't stop talking about how darn successful he is."

Arie grinned proudly. It was true: Fred and George's business had never been busier. Fred was on Witch Weekly's cover five times in the past year for youngest entrepreneur. They had a huge profit margin that they split in half and donated 50% to the less fortunate wizards and witches. "I promise I will." Not wanting to miss the opportunity to brag a little about herself, Arie added, "Did you know that I just got a promotion? I'm working as a calligraphy interpreter in the Runes department now."

Uncle Walter smiled and patted her on the head. "That's wonderful dear. Remember, I'll be the first you tell when you get engaged." Her grin faltered slightly at the implication in his tone. She shrugged it off and smiled endearingly.

She was already used to people referring to her as 'Fred's girlfriend'. It's what came with dating someone as successful as him, and it never bothered her because she was happy with how their relationship stood. He never made her feel inferior and always celebrated with her when she made progress in her field. It had taken her two years to land the job with the Runes department in the Ministry of Magic. She had lamented her every day of existence before then, but Fred always pushed her to her full potential. There was no reason not to be proud of herself; she was only 20, almost 21, and she had a highly-sought after job in a tough department, and she was dating one of the most successful men in Britain. What could she possibly be missing her life?

'Marriage'. The word popped instantly into her head. It was hard for her to admit it, but she wanted to settle down with Fred already. She never talked about it with anyone, especially Fred, but she felt like she was ready. Some tiny voice in the back of her head always told her that Fred wasn't ready, but she knew better today. Why else would he have been so secretive the past couple of weeks? Everything in her body told her that tonight was the night that everything changed.

Arie continued to wander through guests and make introductions. Angelina's family was especially sweet. "Hi, I'm Arie." She stated with a dazzling grin on her face. The tall, thin woman before her looked down and grinned.

"Yes, you're Angie's friend and Martin's sister, right?" Arie nodded. "I'm Angie's aunt Dorothy, but everyone calls me Auntie D. It's so nice to meet you. You know, you looked gorgeous up there today. Who did your makeup?"

The comment took Arie by surprise, "Oh, the other bridesmaid, Sarah. I guess she's pretty good with makeup."

"I'll say. You and Angie absolutely glowed! So, I heard you got a job in the Runes department? I've heard that's a tough department to get hired for. You must be really proud of yourself." Arie blushed and smiled modestly, silently cheering that someone had brought up the subject.

A hand snaked around Arie's waist and she looked up to find Fred smiling down at her. "Oh, Auntie D. this is my boyfriend, Fred Weasley." She felt Fred chuckle at 'Auntie D'.

"A pleasure! Look at you two, a lovely couple. Oh, I know you!" Her voice rang with recognition. "You're the boy who owns the Weasley Wizard Wheezes with his brother."

Bowing his head in admonition, Fred said solemnly, "That is me. I'm afraid you've caught me." He winked at Arie briefly.

"I'm very impressed with your skills young man. I'm the head of the International Dwarf Evacuation Embassy and those invisibility cloaks you made were the key in our last raid. Do you have time to talk to my son? He is a sixth year at Hogwarts and he's looking to start his own business with a couple of friends. I'm sure he'd be grateful for any advice you can give him." Fred cast a bemused glance at Arie before following Dorothy through the crowd. That was just like Fred: making business contacts everywhere he went.

Arie made her way over to the table where her parents sat chatting together. "Hey mom, dad." She heaved a sigh and sat down in a most ungainly fashion. "When are they serving the cake?"

Diane smiled at her step-daughter. "Soon honey. Just be patient." Patience was the last thing on Arie's mind, but she decided not to let her mother know that. "Are you having fun?"

"Yeah of course. They really went all-out for this. The food is amazing and everyone seems really nice."

I'm so happy you introduced Martin and Angie. Look how happy they are now." Arie looked at the couple in question, envy gnawing at her. "That'll be you and Fred soon, dear," Diane soothed as though reading Arie's thoughts. "You two are lucky to have each other." Leave it to Diane to be the only person who appreciates both sides of the relationship.

As if on cue, Fred stepped up on the stage and grabbed the microphone noisily. Arie's heart stopped beating for fully a minute. She inhaled sharply and watched as her wildest fantasies came true before her eyes. "Ladies and gentleman, there is some important news I need to share."

Fred looked at Martin who nodded and smiled conspiratorially. 'So Martin knew about this? The traitor!' Arie thought dramatically. All around them, the hover lights began dimming and a large spotlight burned into the middle of the dance floor. Thoughts seemed impossible considering how loud Arie's heart was hammering against her chest. This was it! This was the moment that she had dreamed about for several weeks.

The sound of heels tapping caught Arie's attention as she looked over her shoulder and saw George leading Becky by the hand towards the spotlight. A bead of confusion stirred in Arie's ribcage as she tried to process the scene before her. Becky's eyes were wide as she looked blindly at the people standing in a circle around her. Together, they halted directly in the spotlight and George got down on one knee and pulled out a little velvet box. Inside sat a solitaire sapphire ring bound in white gold.

"Becky," George's voice echoed with the sonorouscharm. "Becky, I cannot imagine living a day without you. You have become my best friend and the one person I can always count on. You give me something to look forward to in the future. Will you marry me?"

The air seemed thick with stolen air; air that went into every feeling George poured into his proposal. Every person watching collectively held their breath and waited for the answer. "Yes," Becky cried, eyes gleaming with fresh tears. "Yes I will!"

In that moment, Arie's entire reality came crashing down.

Hey guys. New story. I know I haven't updated in a while and it's kind of a personal matter as to why. Let's just say that several of my feelings are being put into this story. I hope all you lovely readers will enjoy this as much as 'A Friendship Broken'. This story seems to be writing itself already so expect an update soon.

~Kukaburry