Part three of George's wedding. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The credit belongs to J.K. Rowling
Weddings of the Weasley Boys
Love is a Funny Thing
Part 3
"Where are they?" Ginny anxiously looked outside the window into the darkening sky for any sight of Faye or Viorica. "I'm sure they'll be here soon, Ms. Weasley. You can sit down," Professor McGonagall lectured from her desk. "By the way, excellent catch in today's match. I know we're winning the cup this year."
"Thank you, Professor," Ginny briefly turned to face professor McGonagall. She settled herself in a chair, still craning her neck to see out the window. Hermione's face was buried in Herbology book. She was attempting to finish her work for that evening and Monday. She and Ginny, as well as Luna, were going home for George and Faye's wedding. They would not be returning to Hogwarts until late Monday evening.
The door to Professor McGonagall's office went slightly ajar. Ginny, excitedly turned to see if it was Faye or Viorica. Luna Lovegood slipped through the door dragging a small trunk behind her. "Good evening Professor McGonagall," she said dreamily. "Hello Hermione, Ginny." Hermione and Ginny nodded hello. "I hope I wasn't keeping you. Are they here yet?"
"No," answered Ginny impatiently tapping her fingers on the arm of her chair.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Ms. Weasley," Professor McGonagall tilted her head towards the open window. Sure enough, two dark figures were walking along in the dimly lit path to the gates of the school. They were nearly impossible to make out, unless someone had inhuman, almost cat-like eyes, like professor McGonagall. About minutes later there was a knock on the door of Professor McGonagall's office.
"Come in," Professor McGonagall called. The door opened to reveal two young women. One followed the other inside. One of the women was rather tall with bright auburn hair and amber eyes. Her stature was slightly more animated and nonchalant than the other women who's pale face, green eyes, and seemingly quiet disposition made her look like a beautiful porcelain doll. Ginny and Hermione were already acquainted with Faye and Viorica; however, Luna needed an introduction. "Luna, this is Faye," Ginny pointed to Faye who came over to hug Luna. "And this is Viorica." Viorica did the same as Faye.
"Pleasure to meet you," said Luna.
"Hello, Professor," Faye embraced Professor McGonagall.
"Hello, Faye dear." Professor McGonagall smiled grabbing her shoulders, "and congratulations."
"Thank you," Faye smiled. "Professor this is my good friend Viorica Lepescu," Faye gestured her hand towards Viorica.
"Hello," Professor McGonagall offered her hand. "I don't believe you went to school here."
"'Ello Professor. No. I deed not attend 'Ogvarts. I vent to a small school back in Romania—Georghiou's School."
"Ah. Romania. Ms. Dobson's brother-in-law to be, Charlie, studies dragons there, correct Faye?"
"Right, Professor," Faye smiled widely and let out an almost unnoticeable laugh. Hermione, Ginny, and Luna smiled.
"Oh?" said Viorica trying to keep her polite smile without laughing.
"Well, you all better get going. I know Molly will start worrying if you're not home at the suggested time. I will see you all tomorrow," Professor McGonagall held open her office door allowing the five women to leave with their luggage. She was also attending the wedding, but she planned to leave Hogwarts early the next morning.
The five women set down the set of stairs and made their way towards the great doors of the entrance hall. "Now Luna dear since your bag is really small, why don't you just let me harness that to my broom with Hermione's things," Faye took Luna's bag and with a flick of her wand it fastened itself with a leather tie underneath her broom.Viorica repeated the action with Ginny's bag.
"Oh… we're flying. Not j-just app-parating," Hermione attempted to sound unfazed, but her nerves caused her voice to shake.
"No. We're flying," said Faye with an air of enthusiasm. "Kind of a last hurrah for me," she laughed.
"But Luna and I…we don't have brooms. We could just appa…," but before Hermione could finish her resolution Faye cut in.
"Not to worry. Ron let me borrow his old Cleansweep for you and Luna can ride Charlie's old broom and Ginny I got your broom out of the shed," she pointed towards the corner of the hall near the entrance doors. Leaning up against the wall were three brooms.
"O-oh. T-hanks," Hermione answered her hand slightly shaking and she held tight to Ron's broom.
"Hermione hates flying," Ginny stated.
"Oh, I'm sorry no one told me," Faye turned around to apologize to Hermione. "We can apparate instead if you'd like."
"N-no it's fine." Hermione held the broom cautiously in her hands. They walked the end of grounds, where there weren't any charms blocking them from flying away.
"Ready?" asked Viorica already up on her broom. Hermione nodded and nervously hoisted herself onto the broom. "You know Harry offered his broom, but I'd figure you'd prefer a Cleansweep compared to a broom that can go to 150 miles an hour in ten seconds," Faye mounted her broom and lifted gracefully into the air. "Don't worry we'll go slow. Actually, the only speed that Cleansweep has is slow."
It was quite a lengthy flight to the Burrow, but the women enjoyed the time they got to talk. Even Hermione was enjoying herself. "Thanks for your input on the wedding colors girls," said Faye. Although Ginny and Hermione could not be at the Burrow to help plan the wedding, Faye wanted them to be involved and sent them a palate a colors asking them to choose a scheme for the wedding.
"Thanks for letting us help." Ginny zoomed up to meet Faye who was leading the way. "It was our pleasure," Hermione called. She was perfectly content staying in the back of the group.
"You're flying like new," said Faye impressed by Ginny. "How's the wrist? Harry told us about it."
"I got pretty messed up last game," Ginny admitted. "My eye was as purple as my Mum's dress robes, but Madame Pomfrey fixed me up alright. And we still won."
"Well that's what important," Faye laughed. Of course she was joking. Faye was a healer at St. Mungo's so she obviously took special interest in caring for people. "What was the score?"
"150 to 75," said Ginny triumphantly.
"That's my girl. Viorica," Faye answered her broom around to fly next to Viorica, "I think I should introduce you Charlie. I'm sure you'll really get along well." Viorica laughed. Her face caught the moonlight. Next to Fleur, she was the most beautiful girl Hermione and Ginny had ever seen. She had long brown hair and emerald green eyes and her face was speckled with a group of freckles around her nose. "I theenk I vill as vell." Professor McGonagall didn't know that Viorica was Charlie's girlfriend.
"Did you introduce her to Charlie?" asked Luna.
"No," said Faye. "We actually met when Charlie brought her over during the holiday. We started talking about, what was it? Quidditch. Yeah. And we've been friends ever since," he took one hand off the broom to wrap her arm around Viorica. "Who's your favorite team?" asked Ginny.
"The Holyhead Harpies," Faye and Viorica answered in unison.
"Me too."
"Who knows Ginny, you might be playing for them next year." Faye nudged her playfully.
"I hope so."
"What is it you vant to do Ermione?" asked Viorica.
"I think something in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. There are still some rules in favor of purebloods and I'd loved to start working on elfish welfare."
"Zat ees quite interesting." She and Hermione began talking about the laws in Romania concerning animal cruelty. Viorica worked at a reservation that specialized in caring for rare magical creatures.
"And what about you, Luna?" asked Faye.
"My dad and I are going to travel. We plan on documenting all the rare animals we find."
"That's cool. Any type in particular?
"Specifically crumple-horned snorkacks, but they may be hard to track. So we'll just be happy with whatever we come by." Faye, like many others, had never heard of a crumple-horned snorkack, but she nodded in excitement.
They flew for about twenty more minutes, until Faye suggested they take a small break. "Won't Mrs. Weasley be worried?" asked Hermione.
"No," Faye smiled mischievously. "I told her we'd be back an hour longer than it actually takes to get home." She spotted a small hill and flew straight for it, the others in tow. Once everyone was settled, Hermione asked Faye if she was ready for the wedding. "I am," she stated smiling widely. "I'm a bit nervous, but I really am."
"How long have you and George known each other?" Luna smiled as she brushed her hands along the soft grass. She didn't know of the many expressed worries about the quickness of George and Faye's engagement and marriage. "Well, I went to Hogwarts. I was in his year, so I obviously knew of him. I was in Ravenclaw so we didn't have much interaction." Luna smiled. It was nice to be talking to a fellow Ravenclaw. She was used to being surrounded by Gryffindor mania. "I still think it's odd you weren't in Gryffindor," said Ginny. "Besides you're obviously smart enough to be in Ravenclaw."
"Well, we know the hat doesn't just base it off that or Hermione'd be there too. I guess I did qualify with my smarts, but my sister was in Ravenclaw too and my mother. I think the hat wanted the tradition to continue," she explained. "So, anyway, I did know him. Who wouldn't have after the incident in seventh year when they left?" When Fred and George left Hogwarts before end of term not able to live under Umbridge's authority, they made their departure quite a spectacle. People talked about it for weeks. "I came into the shop one day that summer to buy one of their reusable hangmen for my neighbor, Tyler's, birthday. He was turning six and he loves their shop. That's when I met Fred and George. Well I met Fred first actually." She hesitated not knowing how Ginny would react to her talking about Fred. "Then I met George and…" she seemed to be looking for words, "I came back to the shop a few times."
"And a few more times and a few more times," Ginny mumbled.
"Yes," Faye admitted. "So we kept in contact and went places together. He didn't bring me around to meet anyone because of everything that was going on. Then I was in America for a long while visiting my cousins. We kept in contact by owl. Then I came back in the middle of all the chaos. I watched the shop a few times when Fred and George weren't there and it was under surveillance. Believe me if you've ever had that weird feeling that someone's watching you, this was ten times that—very creepy. Then after the…well the end of it all," no one was ever really sure what to call the day of Voldemort's defeat. "He thought he'd wait awhile for things to settle down and I met these lovely girls," she wrapped her arms around Ginny and Hermione giving them a tight squeeze, "and the rest of the family in July."
"People have been a little worried they're rushing things," said Ginny to Luna.
"I know and truthfully, if you'd tell me how quick I let this all happen a few years ago I'd never believe it," Faye admitted. "It's just, different. George he's so grown up in all he's had to deal with. We've both had trials in our lives, his far greater than mine, and I feel like if we could handle those, we can handle marriage." She laughed trying to make light of her statement.
"All zat matter ees you both love each other," said Viorica. "And everyone loves veddings."
"True," said Faye. "Wait 'til you girls see your dresses—they're just the color you picked," she looked at Hermione and Ginny. They talked for a few more moments about the dresses, the guests list, and Faye's family before Faye checked her watch and realized they needed to be getting back in the air. Each girl mounted her broom, Hermione with a little more ease, and they took off into the sky.
"Is that it, Luna?" Faye pointed down to a small brown building in the town of Ottery St. Catchpole. "Yes." Luna and her father had been staying at the inn in the village until their house was rebuilt. "Dad should be waiting outside."
"That him?" Faye pointed to the only thing visible in the dark street—a blob of fuchsia moving excitedly. They flew closer careful to be as quiet as possible so they wouldn't awake any muggle villagers. "Hello dad," Luna hopped off her broom and embraced him in a hug.
"Hello, my Luna." He was dressed in bright fuchsia dressing gown. "And hello Hermione and Ginny." He received a quick introduction to Viorica and Faye as Faye unharnessed Luna's bag from her broom and handed it to him. He wished her the luck with the wedding since he would not see her until after the ceremony. Faye thanked him and Luna.
Viorica suggested they walk out of the village before flying as a precaution. "Hermione, we can just walk from here if you want," said Faye. "The house isn't that far."
"Oh no," Hermione answered quite excitedly. "I'm actually getting the hang of it." She was the first to mount her broom. Faye, Viorica, and Ginny followed.
"There it is," Faye picked up speed when the Burrow came into view. Two darkened figures were waiting by its door. Although the darkness dimmed their features, the girls could easily tell they were Harry and Ron. "Looks, like someone's come out to greet you," Faye teased. She knew of Harry and Ginny's blooming relationship and Hermione and Ron's rather obscure one. "Better than my husband to be. Probably inside already sleeping…or irritating Percy, bless him."
Ginny felt heat rise into her cheeks. She and Harry were still together, but they only talked in letters. It was strange to be seeing him again. She was excited, but very nervous. Luckily, when she touched the ground, her feet seemed to know what they were doing. They carried her right to Harry who, with Ron, was jogging towards them. They embraced and Harry gave her a quick kiss; therefore, without his knowledge, reassuring her that things were still the same between them. Ron had slowed his jogging to walk up to Hermione. Completely unaware of how to greet her, he looked to Harry for help; however, he was busy kissing Ginny. Ron took Harry's unspoken advice and kissed Hermione's cheek which caught her off guard causing her to jump back a bit and her cheeks to redden. "Err…can I get your bag?" he ran over to Faye's broom and rook Hermione's bag off her hands.
"Hello girls!" Mrs. Weasley called from the doorway of the Burrow. Unable to wait for the group to come to her, she met them halfway, grabbing Hermione and Ginny first. "How are you girls?"
"Fine," Hermione and Ginny mumbled still wrapped in Mrs. Weasley's arms. George came out from the Burrow next. He was finishing off a licorice wand. "So nice of you to come out," said Faye sarcastically as she met him. He greeted her with a kiss. "Where's Charlie," she asked looking back at Viorica who was walking alone. "Fell asleep on the couch listening to the wireless," George laughed. "Or maybe it was Percy's going on about the Ministry that sent him off. He'll wake up when we get inside."
Everyone piled into the Burrow. Mr. Weasley was waiting with cups of tea for everyone. Charlie finally woke up and greeted everyone. After two cups of tea and mild conversation, Mrs. Weasley insisted everyone go up to bed. Faye, who was staying at her parents' house, asked to use the fireplace to floo home. "Good bye dear," Mrs. Weasley hugged her tighter than Ginny and Hermione before allowing her to step into the fireplace. After Faye left, Hermione and Ginny, as well as Harry and Ron headed straight for the stairs to go to bed.
"What time is it? Oh I forgot that doesn't tell time?" Hermione lowered her wand from lighting the grandfather clock that didn't give the time, but rather gave the location of members of the Weasley family. "No clue, probably about midnight." Ginny's stomach growled. "I should have eaten more dinner. I only had a helping of carrots before I went upstairs to pack. I was sure Mum would have left something?" She scanned the counter trying to illuminate it as much as she could with her wand.
"Ginny," Hermione asked staring out the window. "What's that?" she pointed out the window towards the orchard. Ginny joined her. "I don't know," she stated curiously walking towards the door. Hermione followed. The slipped quietly out the door and walked towards the light. As they got closer they could see two figures sitting in the grass. They seemed to be staring up at the sky. You don't think that's George and Faye?" asked Ginny tiptoeing closer.
"Faye went home. I'd doubt she'd come back now when the wedding's tomorrow," Hermione answered. A scared look fell over her face, "You don't think something's wrong do you?" she whispered. "I hope they're not calling it off."
"Oh," Ginny sounded relieved. "It's Charlie and Viorica."
"Oh, good," Hermione sighed happily. "I didn't even realize she'd left the room."
"I thought she was still in bed." Viorica had been staying in Ginny's room with her and Hermione.
"Vhat vas dat?" Viorica asked taking her eyes of the stars. Charlie grabbed his wand, which was already lit, and turned right to where Ginny and Hermione were standing. "Run," Ginny whispered yanking Hermione's hand and pulling her across the orchard and back towards the house.
"I hope we didn't disturb them," said Hermione catching her breath once they were inside.
"They were just looking at the stars. Plus, I doubt they care anymore," Ginny peeked out the window. Charlie hadn't followed them. "We should get to bed before mum wakes up and gets angry. My stomach will just have to wait." She and Hermione climbed the stairs as quietly as possibly. Although sleep was required, they didn't plan on getting much of it. Besides Ginny's hungry stomach, there was too much excitement awaiting them in the morning.