This chapter fast forwards a month.

Edited 2/17


"Sarah, there's another one on your desk. Looks to be from Sweden."

I glanced at the ever growing pile of letters from various countries. All of them were requests to for information about the upcoming All-Stars Match, the Quidditch World Cup, and other major matches that were fast approaching. I'd just managed to clear my desk of any letters, souvenir proposals, player forms, forbidden items lists, and other match related paperwork the day before. I took to stacking the envelopes so I could sort through them another time.

"Dean," I asked, "did all of this get here just now?"

"Most of 'em came while you lot were in that meeting with Graham," said Seamus Finnigan.

I nodded. The meeting I'd just left included me, Dean Thomas, Devon, and a few other members of the British and Irish Quidditch League. We sat around the fire as the manager for the French National Quidditch Team talked back to us from the flames. We discussed the possibility of them being showcased in the All-Stars Match with other major teams. Frankly, all they wanted was to show off their special move, the Blitzen Ballet. I can't blame them, though. It helps them win almost all of their matches.

"And how was it you weren't there?" Dean turned to Seamus.

"Had nothing to do with me." Seamus lifted a box marked DO NOT IGNITE and said, "I don't talk to the teams until after their set for the matches. There's no use in planning fireworks for a team that might not be admitted."

Suddenly, a grey owl swooped in from the window and dropped a red letter in front of me before flying off again.

I picked it up. "Oh great, it's from Bulgaria, fellas."

"Not them again."

Bulgaria had been our most high maintenance team to deal with. They were constantly owling us trying to find ways into the ASM without filling out the right paperwork, and they'd already made plans as if they knew they're going to be accepted.

"This better not be a Howler. Because if they're going to yell at me, that's certainly not the way to get into the ASM."

"If it's a Howler, it's probably 'cause you told them no," mentioned Dean.

"Did they seriously think I was going to allow them to have their own special mid-game show featuring every major player their team has had?" I plopped down in my chair and rubbed my eyes. "I'm sorry, but that is the most outrageous thing to ask for when there's been over a hundred. We'd be there all night!"

"Yeah, and then I'd have to shoot flares into the sky behind each person," said Seamus. "Do you know how much that is? Sending thousands of flares bursting in the sky behind beaters that can't guard worth a damn? What a waste!"

My eyebrows shot up. "Oh, I didn't hear that one. They didn't want any moving works? Just the regular bursts in the sky?"

"Yes, the boring blighters."

Dean and I burst into laughter. I loved working with Dean and Seamus. The two of them made planning matches amazing. On McGonagall's recommendation, Seamus got a position as the pyrotechnic coordinator for the World Cup and other Quidditch events. His particular proclivity for pyrotechnics, as she put, proved to be just what we needed. Of course, wherever Seamus was, Dean was sure to follow. He was hired by the Foreign Affairs and Sports Department, and works with me in the Department of International Magical Cooperation to ensure things run smoothly during and after planning.

"Hand me the letter, Sarah. I'll owl them back," Dean suggested. "Besides, don't you have to go to the Weasley's?"

"What for—? Oh!" I'd almost forgotten. I promised George I'd meet him at the Burrow to do more planning our wedding. "Oh, damn! What time is it?"

"It's nearly six," said Seamus. "Gonna be late, aren't ya?"

I quickly grabbed my bag and started stuffing papers inside. "No, not if I apparate now. Thank you so much, boys. What would I do without you two? Do you have everything covered?"

"We've got it," said Dean. "Go, go!"

"See you tomorrow!"

Seamus waved me off. I lifted my bag over my shoulder and disapparated. As I arrived at the Burrow with a loud crack, I half expected to find Mrs. Weasley to enter the room. Instead, I was greeted by Mr. Weasley.

"Ah, Sarah, you're here."

"I am." I set my bag beside the sofa. "How're you doing?"

He smiled. "Well, thanks for asking."

"Is George here, yet?"

"Yes, he and Fred are upstairs. But, before you go, I was wondering if I could ask you something?"

Slightly taken aback, I lifted my eyebrows. Huh? tumbled from my lips before I could stop it. Mr. Weasley chuckled and I realized quickly how awful my reaction sounded. "Sorry. It's been a long day. Of course, ask me anything."

"First, let's sit down."

I followed Mr. Weasley's lead and sat on the sofa while he settled in the chair across from me. After clasping my hands together in my lap, I looked at my future father-in-law expectantly. I hadn't the faintest idea what he wanted to ask, but whatever it was, it seemed serious.

"Now, Sarah," he began, "at the wedding reception, it's customary for there to be a dance between the bride and her father. Given the circumstances with Sirius, I'm curious if you've put any thought into whom you will dance with instead?"

The question took me even further off guard. "I hadn't give it any thought, actually," I admitted. "Do you have anyone in mind?"

The father-daughter dance was the farthest thing from my mind. My grandfather and Lupin were really the only prominent men in my life next to Sirius. I honestly wasn't sure if I wanted to dance with my grandfather. Lupin would gladly do it if I asked. However, depending on the moon, he might not be feeling well enough.

"I do. Sarah, I know I'm not Sirius, but I was wondering if maybe you would consider dancing with me? After all, you'll be my daughter when the wedding comes 'round."

My jaw slackened. That was one of the nicest things I'd heard since the day Mrs. Weasley saw me at WWW last summer, and said she wished George would hurry up and make me her daughter-in-law. I wasn't sure why I hadn't considered it before, but Mr. Weasley had become a surrogate father the moment Fred, George, and I became close first year

"I'll do more than consider it, Mr. Weasley," I said. "I'll accept. I'd love to dance with you. Um, can you dance well?"

He grinned and got to his feet. "Oh, I know a thing or two."

I watched as he placed a vinyl record on a turntable in the corner. With a bow, Mr. Weasley offered me his hand. A familiar song began to play and I felt a pull in my chest.

I took his hand. "How did you...?"

"George told me how your dad liked to sing this song to you. I figured why not dance to it in his memory?"

Mr. Weasley wasn't joking when he said he knew how to dance. As we swayed slowly to the music, and I could feel myself beginning to miss my dad. The thought of Sirius's ghost watching Mr. Weasley and I dance at my wedding caused a knot to form in my throat. The reality of my father not being there to struck me like a bludger to the stomach. Who would walk me down the aisle? Mr. Weasley? Lupin? Mum? Or would I walk alone? Sirius already wasn't there to congratulate me on my graduation or engagement, and it made me sad that he'd continue to miss so much. I wouldn't get to see the look on his face when he found out he was right about me marrying a Weasley twin. If I had a child, he wouldn't be there to assist Fred and George in showing her or him the art of pranks. Dream on, but don't imagine it'll all come true...

The lyrics hit me hard.

"Sarah? Sarah, are you alright?"

Mr. Weasley snapped me out of my thoughts. I tried to take a breath but sobbed instead. A few tears dropped from my jaw, and I realized I was crying. My bottom lip trembled as I looked up at him. I started to blubber an apology. He shushed me and pulled me into his chest. I buried my face in the knitted fibers of his vest, allowing myself to cry. There were footsteps rumbling down the stairs. Ginny called for me, as did George, but I didn't let go of Mr. Weasley. For a moment, I was afraid that if I did he'd disappear, or worse. He rested his chin on my head and rubbed my back.

"It's okay, dear. It's quite alright. Let it out."