Great reviews for the last chapter...you guys are so great I can't thank you enough (but I'll still do it each chapter anyways...thank you).
The burning sun that blazed high above had caused the temperature of the Burrow to raise to epic proportions which near enough roasted the eight people that apparated back into the living room at around four o'clock in the afternoon.
''Blimey,'' Arthur exclaimed. ''It's a million degrees in here,''
Molly immediately ran to open every window and door. ''How on Earth has Percy been able to live in this heat?'' Realising that no noise could be heard coming from anywhere downstairs, Molly walked over to the bottom of the staircase and shouted up. ''Percy,''
''He's probably at work Molly,'' Arthur said as he stood by the open back door.
''Alright, is everybody ready for dinner?'' Molly asked as she wandered into the kitchen.
Everyone spoke their agreement except Ron who simply grunted.
''Oh Ron, cheer up,'' Molly stood in the kitchen doorway with her hands on her hips. ''It's only a sport...and we were second,''
''Yeah, second,'' Ron said in disgust. ''I actually got my hopes up,''
''What was the end score? I've forgotten,'' Hermione enquired.
''England; 140, South Africa; 270,'' George informed her as he and Luna sat side-by-side on one of the windowsills.
''It could have been worse,'' Hermione's attempt to comfort him didn't change the glum look on her boyfriend's face.
''Oh I don't care anymore. I'm giving up on Quidditch; we never win...I'm sticking to wizard chess,'' Ron mumbled as he headed up the stairs with his suitcase. Hermione followed him, Molly and Arthur went into the kitchen and Ginny and Harry disappeared through the back door.
''So...what to do,'' George muttered to himself as he and Luna sat in silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the faint chatter of Harry and Ginny and the whooshing of wind travelling through the window and into the cooling house.
''We could go for a walk,'' Luna's suggestion didn't take George by surprise and he immediately jumped down from he windowsill and held out his hand for her to take.
It had felt like only a few minutes since they had left the house, but as George turned around briefly, the Burrow seemed far away across marches and grass. ''You really know how to make time fly by Luna Lovegood,''
''Thank you,'' Just a small distance in front of him, Luna was staring dreamily up at the clear blue sky and was twirling slowly around as she moved across the hilly countryside. She continued this for many minutes and for that reason, George steered clear of the nearby woods; one, so that she didn't twirl herself straight into a tree, and two, because that wood filled him with memories of a time when Luna had been taken from him by Rodolphus and he and his father had been searching for her. Those memories fed George with the sudden need to hold Luna close and to keep her as safe as possible, a need that was increased as he noticed that Luna had stopped moving and was looking straight ahead.
''Luna, what is it?'' He asked as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
''I've just realised where we are''
George searched for anything that helped him realise himself, but nothing revealed their location to him. ''Where are we?''
''My house'' Luna's voice was so small and quiet that George barely heard it. As he looked at the area in front of him, he noticed a familiar area of the woods which use to be situated behind Luna's tall and narrow home; which was no longer there. It was as if her house had literally been erased from the picture in front of him.
''I didn't know that it had been knocked down''
''Neither did I'' Luna leant back into George's embrace and he kissed her temple. ''But I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised''
''Are you okay?'' George whispered softly into her ear.
''It always felt as though Mum and Dad were here...it still does''
George observed the area around them; the grass was short but a pure, healthy green; the nearby trees that bordered the woods were full of colourful leaves and the open countryside was overwhelmed with space and beautiful views of its surroundings.
''Luna...maybe we should do something here; it's a beautiful place and there's lots of room'' George hinted.
''I hope you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting'' Luna turned round to face him with a questioning look on her face.
''Luna I know what you're thinking; and we have a lovely flat to do that in...But I was actually thinking of something like the wedding''
Luna's expression was sceptical, but as she turned around to get a proper view of her surroundings (rather than just the spot where her house had once been) her expression softened and a smile etched its way on to her face.
''You think the wedding should be here'' Luna wanted a confirmation.
''Yes I do. It's beautiful. It's not the Burrow, so that will be different to the other Weasley weddings...and best of all; you're parents will get to be here with you''
''What?'' Luna asked gently.
''You said yourself; you feel as though your mum and dad are here...so why not bring the wedding to them?''
Luna looked at George with an admiring smile and with glistening eyes. Before George could make himself aware of what was happening, Luna threw herself at him faster than a bludger.
''I love you so much George Weasley'' She said as she held her arms tightly around his neck.
''Can't breathe...'' He choked.
''Sorry'' Luna smiled sheepishly as she let go of him. ''Are you sure? I don't want you to think that you have to have it here for me...''
''Luna, I want it to be here'' He insisted.
''Okay...'' Luna beamed. ''...But can we please not tell your mum for a while...she'll start picking out the flower arrangements before we even finish telling her''
George laughed. ''I know that you're joking...but it might actually happen whether she tells us she'll butt out of the planning or not...so no, we will definitely not tell her anytime soon''
''Okay, do you want to head back now?'' Luna asked as she noticed the sun slowly getting lower along with the cooling temperature.
''Of course my lady'' George said, holding out an arm for Luna to take.
George held his stomach as he walked into the Burrow behind Luna after it had churned for the fifth time since they had began walking back. The house was apparently silent and this was only ruined by George's shout. ''Mum, I hope your offer for dinner still stands; I'm starving''
''George, Luna; could you please come in here for a moment?'' Molly called back from the living room.
''Sure Mum, what's up...'' George stopped suddenly as he noticed a particular presence in the room. ''Hi, Aunt Muriel''
''Hello George'' Even in a simple greeting, Muriel's tone sounded as if she disapproved of something he had done. All the other Weasleys were sat silently in the room also, but it seemed that Hermione had gotten away in time as she was not there looking both irritated and fearful like the others.
''Your Aunt Muriel came for a surprise visit George, and apparently she'll be staying for a few days'' Molly said gritting her teeth, faking any happiness she was showing for Muriel and her presence. ''She says she wants to spend some time with us and to get to know Ginny's new husband a bit better...''
''Oh well good, Harry and Ginny should get some alone time with her then, we'll just be leaving then Luna...'' George quickly spoke and took Luna's arm in order to make an escape.
''Wait, George. She says also wants to get to know your future wife better as well'' Molly called after him causing George to stop before he had even got past the doorway. He shot Luna a sympathetic look which worried her slightly. 'How bad could she be?' Luna thought. In the two Weasley weddings she had attended, she had never encountered Aunt Muriel, although she did remember George telling her to keep away from his Aunt during the reception of Ginny and Harry's wedding.
George turned back hesitantly and walked back with Luna into the living room. ''Luna, meet my Aunt Muriel'' George introduced. ''Aunt Muriel, meet my fiancée Luna Lovegood'' Luna smiled politely at the old woman who didn't move or act as though George had said anything.
As everyone stood or sat in silence, George could only wish that rather than decide to get married at the site of Luna's old house, he had asked her to elope.
Next chapter; George tries to keep Luna as far from Muriel as possible...but will Luna manage to escape the scruitiny of Aunt Muriel.
The idea of bringing in Muriel was one that came to me as I as writing this chapter. I thought it would be nice to see that some of the issues and drama could be the very typical dramas in life (ie. meeting the in-laws) and hopefully there will be a bit of humour as well with George and his family trying to evade Muriel in the next chapter.
Please review and give me your feedback...your views on this is much more important than what I think about it.