The day the article was published in the Quibbler, there was uproar in the Wizarding world. That the rumours had been true, was a surprise. That their heroine had requested privacy.. That was surprising, and to some, disappointing.
But to those who knew the couple - their family, friends, and those teachers at Hogwarts who the couple had made an impression on, it was just a reason to laugh. It was so like them, that it was almost a surprise to their friends that the couple had to request for respect and privacy at all.
It was such a relief for Lyra and Charlie to be open about their relationship, as they could finally begin properly planning the wedding and heading out in Diagon Alley and other Wizarding areas without being preyed upon by feasting reporters. At least now, everyone knew. It wouldn't be such a big story now, as what news could there be? Lyra didn't plan on letting anyone find out the details of her and Charlie's wedding day.
When Lyra wasn't in the company of Charlie, she spent her days with her friends. Ron and Hermione, and sometimes Luna, Ginny and Neville as well. Neville often brought along Hannah as well, so the men of the group were often outnumbered by the women.
But Lyra cherished the days when it was just her and her two best friends. The two who had stuck by her and been her family when there was nobody else. Before Sirius, before Remus, before Tonks and Teddy. They had been her first friends, and held a very special place in her heart. Although the other two were in a relationship, nothing much had changed between the three of them. They never pushed her away, just drew her in. When she spent time with Charlie, they spent time together. So the dynamics of their little trio were perfect.
Her two best friends still struggled, sometimes, to understand that she was engaged, however, especially as they were only in the beginnings of their own relationship. Sometimes there were pauses in their conversation when there hadn't been before. Sometimes Lyra caught the fleeting, nervous glimpse that Hermione sent at her ring, or the flushing of Ron's ears when they disturbed Lyra in her daydreams of the future. She couldn't help it, even if she did feel sorry for making her friend think of her and his brothers life after marriage.
While she spent days with her friends at her home and in Diagon Alley, Charlie finally worked up the courage to approach his parents. He appeared at the Burrow on one Saturday in July, when both his parents were home. They looked up curiously when he arrived, as they had expected to have the day to themselves, with each of their children off with friends or living away from the Burrow. Charlie sat down in front of them, and finally asked the question he'd been thinking about for weeks.
"Would you be ok if I changed my surname when Ly and I get married?"
His parents exchanged startled looks, this was a question neither had thought about, and definitely hadn't expected.
"Why would you want to do that?" His mother asked, her face similar to the one she wore so often before she deemed Fleur a suitable wife for her son.
Charlie looked his parents in the eye before speaking.
"Because she is the last Potter. It's something her parents gave her.. One of the few things. It means so much to her, it's something that she shares with her parents. I don't want her to be a Weasley if it means she gives up one of the few things of her parents." At his mothers frown, Charlie added "I'll change my name regardless of what you think, I'd just rather you were ok with it."
His father smiled gently but sadly at him.
"It will take some getting used to - for you as well as us. But I am so proud of you, Charlie. I will respect your decision - it's not like there's not going to anyone to pass the name Weasley down!"
"Mum?" Charlie asked, turning to face his mother. "Are you.. Are you ok if I change my name?" His mother turned to face him, tears in her eyes.
"Not really" she said, "I think Lyra should be a Weasley. You're my little boy, I thought we'd always have the same name. But you're growing up, and you're your own person.." Charlie rolled his eyes.
"I'm not ok" she finished, "I'm not ok but I will be. Lyra's gone through enough. If this is something you can do to let her have a family with the last name Potter then I will be more than happy. But it will take some time, ok?"
Charlie nodded, then impulsively hugged her.
"Thanks mum" he mumbled, "thanks dad."
They smiled at him and watched as he strode off.
"What happened to our Charlie, Arthur? In a few months Charlie Weasley won't exist." Molly turned and hugged her husband, whispering "I'll be ok, I'll be fine" over and over again as if to remind herself.