Harry Potter and the Founders

LuvFantasy

Chapter Nine: A Weasley Wedding

Mrs. Weasley tore off upstairs in search of the twins, leaving Harry, Ron and Hermione alone in the kitchen with each other. Harry looked over at Ron from beneath his flour-encrusted glasses and realized that Ron seemed deeply incensed…and hurt.

Hermione picked herself up from the floor and began to brush off her hair nervously, attempting to straighten her clothing before finally remembering her wand and muttering "Scourgify!" She looked over at Harry and then over at Ron, and back to Harry. She opened her mouth to say something, but Harry but her off – breaking the drawn out silence.

"Ron, we just got into a flour-fight," He said quietly, "We were making the cake."

Ron stared at Harry, his ears still flushed a furious red, "You were on the floor."

Hermione's expression of surprise changed to one of anger and resentment, "And you thought Harry and I – me and Harry!" She spluttered, "I can't BELIEVE you, Ronald Weasley! How could you think that?"

There was a moment's angry silence before Ron opened his mouth and roared, all sense of propriety forgotten, "YOU WERE ON THE FLOOR WITH HIM!"

"OH!" Hermione shrieked, "OH! I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!"

"NEITHER CAN I!" Ron roared. He turned to Harry, "You were my friend! I told you everything! I can't-!"

"NOTHING HAPPENED HERE RON!" Harry exclaimed, an inexplicable fury rising up in him from nowhere as he saw the tears welling up in Hermione's eyes and Ron's accusing face. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING BUT COME OFF IT! WE WERE MAKING A CAKE, AND I STARTED THE FLOUR FIGHT! THEN WE WERE INTERRUPTED! NOTHING ELSE HAPPENED!"

Ron glowered at them both, his ears deepening in their shade of red. Beside Harry, Hermione sniffled and hastily wiped a stray tear from her eyes.

"Ron, nothing happened," she whispered. "How could you even think something did?"

Harry picked himself up off the floor and took a step towards Hermione. He looked from her to Ron and said through clenched teeth, "If the first thing you can do when you come into a room is jump to conclusions despite all we've been through then-!"

"Okay," Ron said quickly, his fists unclenching slowly and hanging limply by his sides, "I-I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"SORRY!" Harry exclaimed, "Ron, you accused us-!"

"Look, I-I just don't think okay! I…I jump to conclusions and let my emotions take over. I'm not you or Hermione. You two are…" Ron stared down at his feet, his ears beginning to redden again.

Harry looked over at him angrily while Hermione wiped away another tear.

"Me and Hermione are what? What exactly do you think we are, Ron?" He demanded heatedly.

"Smart and perfect for each other!" Ron shouted, "She has all the ideas, you're the hero, and I make all the mistakes! It's obvious who's the third wheel in this relationship! So, fine, go and take her too, why don't you? You already have everything else!" Ron turned on his heel and then pounded off upstairs. Harry ran upstairs right after him and barged into the room he had shared with him, slamming the door behind him.

Ron whirled about and faced him – and Harry saw there were tears on his face, "What? Come to have another go, eh, mate!" Ron spat viciously.

"Oh come off it, Ron!" Harry shouted, "I DON'T WANT HERMIONE!"

"Yes you do!" Ron argued, "You think I haven't noticed, but I have! You two miss my Quidditch games to go save each other from giants, you two go on secret expeditions with time turners-!"

"I never did that because I wanted her I did it because it had to be done!" Harry roared, "I wouldn't do that to you, Ron! You're my best friend and I've known you longer than I've known her! If you want her you can have her because I bloody don't!" Harry broke off, panting hard; and in the silence that followed he vaguely heard the pounding of footsteps as Fleur, Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny broke out into another argument.

"Y-You…don't?" Ron asked, shaken.

Harry sank down onto the bed. It creaked beneath his weight and he sank his head into his hands. "No, I don't." He mumbled, "I never did."

Ron didn't say anything, so Harry looked up to see his reaction. Ron was looking down at where Harry was sitting, his face pale and his eyes still bloodshot. He finally managed to croak,

"Never?"

Harry hesitated for a moment, as he recalled a particular moment when Hermione had turned back and kissed his cheek before returning to the muggle world and felt a blush creeping up his neck. But only for a moment.

"Never." He repeated, meeting Ron's gaze steadily with his own.

Ron sank onto the bed opposite and stared at the garish walls, managing a wry smile. "Huh…how many times can we fight before this wedding?" He stared down at his hands, not really expecting an answer. Harry didn't have the heart to give him one.

They sat in silence for some time as the distant shrieks of Mrs. Weasley reached their ears,

"GINERVA MOLLY WEASLEY, YOU WILL HELP FLEUR PREPARE FOR HER WEDDING THIS INSTANT! I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE TO GET READY! THIS ISN'T YOUR WEDDING, GINNY! GET HERE RIGHT NOW! I AM NOT CHASING YOU-GINERVA MOLLY WEASLEY!"

Ron, still staring at his hands muttered, "I'm sorry…for everything, Harry." He looked up and over at him, "There was no excuse. I know you and Hermione better than to have believe that of you. I don't know…" Ron shook his head, "No, I do know what I was thinking."

Harry looked over at him and was shocked to see that Ron's face had a determined glow about it, as if he were finally making something clear that he had meant to say for a long time.

"I've always been jealous of you Harry. You have everything I've ever wanted. Gosh, you were there with me at the Mirror! You're a hero and you're popular. I'm just the sixth boy in a poor family. I have nothing special – I have no talents. Bill's a banker and he works for the Order, he's marrying Fleur. Charlie's got dragons and the Twins are Money-Making Moguls! I'm just, well…Ron. I haven't got a galleon to my name, and girls practically run away from me whereas they flock to you! What I'm trying to say is…you always get everything I want. We fought once before Harry, do you remember why and when?"

"Fourth Year, 'cause I was in the Tournament," Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, that too…but mainly you had…well…you got Hermione. She chose you over me, Harry. She wanted your friendship more than she wanted mine. I meant nothing to her when it came to you." Ron stared down at the bed sheets, continuing on as fast as he possibly could, as if hoping it would help him sort out his problems by spewing out random words as fast as possible.

"You always got her. She chose to go with you over watching my Quidditch game, she went with you and Neville in the Department of Mysteries, she-!"

"-loves you Ron." Harry interrupted, not able to listen to this any longer. "You've insulted her, you've hurt her, and you've acted like a prat to her, but she loves you."

Ron's ears turned red at the rebuke and he continued to stare down at the bed. "If she ever did she doesn't anymore."

Harry got up from his bed irritably and walked over to the window, not even fully understanding what he was doing or why he was doing it. "Ron, maybe you've forgotten certain events from sixth year, but I haven't. Hermione was jealous over your girlfriend, not mine. She attacked you with birds, not me. She fought alongside you that night and cried in your arms. Now ask yourself this Ron, how have your actions over the last years led to her loving you then and still loving you now? Was it how you insulted her in first year, accused her of killing Scabbers in third year, ruined her night in Fourth Year, or fought with her all those other times? No. Ron, you have something I don't. You have…" Harry turned from the window and returned to sitting on the bed, "You've got Hermione. She fell in love with you because of your qualities, not because of your actions…or lack thereof."

Ron looked over at him and mumbled, "She hates me now, Harry."

"No," Harry sighed, running his hands through his hair, "No, you've just probably made her extremely angry and you've hurt her. Rather like me and Ginny actually." Harry looked over at Ron, "Listen, if you want to fix this you need to do something about it now. Go downstairs and apologize, offer to help with whatever she needs…I don't care if you end up becoming the S.P.E.W. mascot, if you want her go get her."

Ron stared at him blankly, as if he wasn't sure Harry was serious.

"Go!" Harry said, with a little more emotion than he had intended. Something he didn't quite understand was driving him to things he had never believed he would do. It was as if he wanted Ron to go out with Hermione…or for him to ask her out as quickly as possible and make it as painless for Harry. But why should it be painful? It was obvious the two of them liked each other, he as their friend should be happy for them…

"What are you waiting for?" Harry demanded. "Go!"

Ron stood up, looked at Harry quickly and slowly made for the door, shutting it behind him quietly. Harry stared at the door for some time before finally turning away as he heard Ron's footsteps creaking on the stairs as he descended. Impatiently, Harry made for the window and stared down at the pond. It was searingly hot out and he could see the shimmering haze floating above the yellowing grass. The sky overhead was the brightest blue he had ever seen and there was not a single cloud in the sky. Aside from the heat, it was perfect for a wedding.

All of the sudden, the door burst open and Ginny hurtled outside, followed closely by her mother, both extremely red in the face.

"Look mum, I've already decorated the backyard for her stupid wedding! I'm not going to do her hair as well!" Ginny snapped, the heat getting to her…or maybe it was just her temper flaring up on its own, "Everything's about Fleur now! And I'm sick of it!" She stamped her foot and crossed her arms angrily, glaring at her mother.

"Ginerva Molly Weasley, it is her wedding for God's sake NOT YOURS! This is supposed to be the best day of her life, and here you are acting like a spoiled brat! I don't know what's gotten into you these last few years, but it's going to stop now! You will go in right now and apologize, and you will not leave Fleur's room until she is the bride of Bill's dreams! Now go!" Mrs. Weasley pointed commandingly towards the Burrow to which Ginny replied by sticking out her tongue and stomping back inside.

Harry turned from the window as he heard Ginny storming up the stairs and making for Fleur's room. He slowly made for the door and waited for her footsteps to fade away before leaving the room and heading down to the kitchen where Ron was apologizing to Hermione.

He met Mrs. Weasley on the stairs and was surprised to see her purse her lips at him and point commandingly back up the stairs. "You need to get dressed. Now, Harry."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, "But, Hermione…the cake-!"

"No!" Mrs. Weasley forcibly turned him around and pushed him back up. "Gabrielle should be arriving any minute now, she's already an hour late. We have two hours until the wedding, the guests are going to be arriving in an hour and I will not have this wedding be a minute late. It's going to be the wedding of Bill and Fleur's dreams. Now get dressed. I'll be sending Ron and Hermione up in a minute."

As she had been speaking, Mrs. Weasley had successfully pushed Harry all the way upstairs to his "room" and now slammed the door shut before him. He heard her footsteps heading back downstairs and her shrill voice calling, "Ronald! Hermione! Get dressed NOW! I'll finish the cake!"

As she was saying this, the doorbell rang and Mrs. Weasley shrieked, "That'll be Gabrielle! I'll get it! No, Ron, I said UPSTAIRS!"

Harry ran to the window and looked outside quickly. The door was opening and Harry saw Mrs. Weasley grab a very pretty looking girl with long, silvery blond hair inside exclaiming loudly, "Oh good! Wonderful to see you, Gabrielle. Fleur's up in her room with Ginny. Hermione will show you." The door swung shut just as the door to the bedroom opened again and then shut behind Ron. Harry whirled around and looked at him.

"How was it?"

Ron grinned, "It'll be okay, she said." He made for the closet and started pulling out his dress robes, "She's not happy with me, but at least I'm forgiven. She said that the three of us are all under a lot of pressure and bound to say and do things we don't mean," Ron paused and pulled on a very Hermione-ish face, " 'Not, that that excuses your actions, Ronald. You are extremely rude and jump to conclusions far too quickly. If you want the three of us to remain friends, you need to start asking before you accuse.'" Ron held up his green dress robes against him and turned to Harry,

"Do you think she'll like them?"

Harry shrugged and turned to his own suitcase, pulling out his black robes and shoes.

"Harry?"

He looked up from his clothing and over at Ron, "Yeah?"

"She'll still say yes, won't she? I mean…after what I said today?"

Harry looked away again, "If she really does…um…" he cleared his throat, all of the sudden it was hard for him to say it, even though he'd just told Ron not fifteen minutes ago, "…if she does…love you…then yes, I think she'll go out with you."

Ron beamed, his ears turning an even brighter red than they ever had before and proceeded to hum a tuneless song to himself, oblivious to Harry's discomfort.

By twelve o' clock sharp, everyone was gathered in the Weasleys' backyard in their best clothing seated on exactly seventy-three chairs drawn magically out of the air by Moody. Lupin was heading for the podium set in the center of the yard between three long tables draped in dark blue and gold tablecloths. Harry, seated between Ron and an empty seat reserved for Hermione was trying his best to watch as Lupin quietly waited for the chattering to stop instead of sneaking sidelong glances at Ron and the empty seat.

"Thank you, thank you," Lupin said, smiling, "We are all very happy to be here for the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delaceur, I am sure. But in order for them to get married, we do need to let the minister marry them."

There was a resounding laugh from everyone in the chairs at Lupin's joke before they quieted down and let him recover.

"That being said," Lupin gave a meaningful glance at Fred and George who were standing beside a Muggle radio, playing with the antennae. Fred jabbed George in the ribs and George, grimacing, pushed a button on the radio. A wheezy old sung crackled out of the radio and an off-key voice sang out,

"So don't go, my love!

Don't marry him

My love!

Don't-!"

Fred smacked the radio irritably and the station changed to the correct one. A loud orchestral symphony broke out and the back door of the Burrow opened. Fleur stepped out into the hot summer day, her long silver hair braided up ornately into a bun, a thick veil obscuring her face from view. Behind her, carrying the long train of her silver dress was the beautiful Gabrielle, who was nothing like the little girl Harry had rescued three years before. She was tall and slender, wearing a pale, lavender bride's maid's dress embroidered with silver that caught the sunlight and shimmered in front of him. He felt that familiar swooping sensation in his stomach that had occurred whenever he saw Fleur.

He felt an overpowering urge to spring up from his seat and throw himself prostrate before this beautiful, glowing angel, protesting his undying love for her. Compared to Gabrielle, Ginny, in her matching lavender dress and beautifully curled hair looked like a pug in dress robes. Why he had ever dated her Harry couldn't imagine. Beside him, Harry could see Ron's eyes grow round and his jaw drop as he watched Gabrielle, beaming, follow her sister carefully. Harry was just about to turn around and tell Ron to buger off, Gabrielle was his, when he was brought back to his senses by the image of Hermione in lavender, her curly brown hair caught up in an elaborate bun, smiling as she followed the wedding train. Giving Ron a quick jab in the ribs, he brought his drooling friend back to the present. Ron grunted and hastily shook his head,

"Woa! Look at Hermione!" He whispered in Harry's ear, "She looks even better than she did in Fourth Year!"

Harry was going to second Ron's comment when he caught sight of another blond girl he knew right behind Hermione. Luna Lovegood, wearing nothing less than her customary dreamy smile was bringing up the end of the line. She looked almost normal in her lavender robes. Her long gold hair hung down her back in a braid and in her hands was clasped around a large bouquet of white and purple flowers to match those of the other bridesmaids, Hermione, Ginny, and Gabrielle. The red crescent moon necklace dangling from her neck killed the look though.

Beside him, Ron sniggered. "She almost managed to look average, that one."

Harry nodded in ascent and watched as Fleur came to a halt opposite Bill, who was staring at her as if he couldn't believe this day had actually come, and that the veela before him was actually here to marry him. His long red hair was tied back in a ponytail, and for once, he wasn't wearing any earrings. His face was still horribly scarred from the attack just a few months ago, but he was beaming at her happily, and beneath the heavy veil, Harry could see Fleur's face break into a smile as well.

Lupin smiled quietly too and reached for the papers before him, "Well then, now that we're all here…" He looked over at the twins again who hit the radio once more and the music stopped.

"We are gathered here today to witness the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delaceur."

Everyone in the audience clapped and Lupin continued.

"A wedding is a symbol of everlasting love and commitment. It joins together two souls who are perfect for each other in every way, and binds them for eternity by the exchanging of rings. It is a symbol of how light can shine despite the darkness closing in, and how good can prevail. By the exchanging of vows, a witch and a wizard swear that they will care for each other in turn, through sickness, despair, and poverty. That being said, Bill…" Lupin turned to face Bill who in turn looked back at Charlie, the best man. Charlie dug around in his pocket and pulled out a wad of paper which he handed to Bill with a grin.

"I, Bill Weasley, do promise and swear to take this woman, my love, Fleur Delaceur as my wife for all eternity. I understand that by the exchanging of rings, I am giving my soul to her forevermore. From the moment she puts it on her finger, we will never be parted from each other again – save by death. I understand that by the signing of our names, we are married and joined by law and our joint assets will become one. Whatever one earns will become ours, whatever one takes becomes the loss of both. I swear that I, Bill Weasley do accept these terms and shall follow them with my entire being, until death do us part."

Lupin smiled at Bill and then turned to Fleur, who was passed her vows by Gabrielle. Fleur began, "I, Fleur Delaceur, do promiz and zwear to take zis man, my love, Bill Weazley az my huzband fer all 'ternity. I understand that by ze exchanging of ringz, I am giving my zoul to him forevermore. From ze moment he putz et on 'iz finger, we will never be parted from each ozer again – zave by death. I understand zat by ze zigning of our names, we are married and joined by law and our joint assets will become one. Whatever one earnz will become ourz, whatever one takez will become ze loss of both. I swear zat I, Fleur Delaceur, do accept zese terms and shall follow them with my eentire being, until death do us part."

While the two stood opposite each other, beaming, Lupin shuffled through his papers once more and gave a quiet smile to the audience as he finally found the correct one,

"And do you have the groom's ring, Charlie?"

Charlie dug into his pocket and handed a small golden ring towards Bill, who held it up for all to see the intricate engraving of vines and thistle along the golden band.

"This ring signifies the everlasting love we hold for each other. For me though, the exchanging of rings holds a special place in my heart. Just a few months ago as you may recall, I was attacked and nearly killed. I've since been scarred…" Bill's voice dropped an octave and began to quiver with emotion. He heaved a great sigh, "I don't deserve this beautiful woman before me…I'm not worthy of her. She's shown me…" He wiped at his eye and looked back at Fleur, "…she's shown me true love. And that's all I can say."

There were a few chuckles at this and even more blowing of noses. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Mrs. Weasley sobbing quietly into her hankie as she watched her scarred son.

Bill reached out his hand and slowly pushed the golden ring up her finger as he finished, "The ivy signifies how love can grow in the rockiest and hardest places, the thistle shows how something truly ugly can still be beautiful, and the diamond in the center signifies how our love will last into eternity." Bill raised Fleur's hand and kissed it before dropping it slowly so that Fleur could give her speech.

Gabrielle handed Fleur a golden ring with tiny engravings of lions and phoenixes along the band. Through the veil, the audience could still hear the sob in Fleur's voice as she spoke in her heavy French accent,

"Bill, you 'ave shown me so much zese last few years. I never thought I would fall for a Weazley, yet 'ere I am today. You showed me compassion and love, and last year you showed me bravery and courage. You are a true Gryffindor lion, and like the phoenix you 'ave shown me how life can exist even in the face of death. I love you Bill." She slipped the ring onto his finger and stared up adoringly at him through the veil.

Lupin held out his wand and magically drew up a floating official document and one golden quill.

"With the signing of your maiden and new names, this marriage is made official in the eyes of the Ministry of Magic. But first, Bill Weasley," Lupin looked over at him, "Do you swear to hold dear to this woman, Fleur Delaceur, and remain with her for the remainder of your life as you stated in your vows, understanding that she is your soul mate and you can never leave her."

Bill gazed steadily at his bride. "I do."

Lupin looked over at Fleur, "And do you, Fleur Delaceur, swear to hold dear this man, Bill Weasley and remain with him for the rest of your life as you stated in your vows, understanding that he is your soul mate and you can never leave him."

"I do."

Lupin looked back over at Bill. "Will you please sign your former and new names upon this document."

Bill and Fleur both bent down obligingly, Bill first and wrote out their names. The paper soared off into the bright blue sky and Harry felt himself grinning as he watched Bill and Fleur.

"You may kiss the bride."

Amidst catcalls (from Fred and George), tears (from Mrs. Weasley), and clapping Bill grabbed Fleur around the waist, lifted her veil, and gave her as the twins would put it "a big wet one".

A/N:

I thank you for reading and reviewing and dealing with the rather LONG wait for an update. Unfortunately, my computer, despite the wipe, seems to have some lasting damage on it. I was not even able to load until about five minutes ago. I apologize for the long wait and in the future - if his happens again - it's because I cannot load the site. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

harry'n'mione4ever: yes, they do have a knack for that sort of thing. Well, despite the long wait, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Sky Spirit: Ron was annoyed because he thinks that Harry has betrayed him and tried taking "his girl". As you may recall, Ron already jumped to conclusions about Harry in 4th year. They had an argument because Harry always got everything Ron wanted. Ron just thinks it's happening all over again.

emeraldthefish : thanks, and I'm sorry for the incredibly long wait. My computer has been having major problems. I'm really sorry about this. When authors don't update promptly I always get annoyed, which is sort of hypocritical considering I do it myself.

Thankyou, and please continue to read and review and I will do my best to update as soon as possible.

LuvFantasy