FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
19 June 1999

The garden of the Wood estate was in full bloom on a warm day in July. Flowers and ivy rose up from the ground in beautiful towers of shrubbery. Hundreds of witches and wizards came out in their most expensive and luxurious robes. It was the first big wedding since the end of the war. Everyone was determined to have a fantastic time.

Harry wasn't part of the festivities, at least not yet. He was housed up in the guest bedroom with Oliver trying to prepare the groom for the most important day of his life. Well, actually Charlie was doing most of the preparing. He was best man after all, his friendship with Oliver leading back to his own days as Quidditch captain for Gryffindor.

"She looks stunning," George said running in the room and closing the door behind him.

"How do you know?" Oliver asked.

"Ginny let me peek," he smiled.

There was a tap on the door and then Angelina poked her head in.

"Everyone decent?" she teased. "At least there's nothing I haven't seen before. After all, I used to share changing rooms with most of you lot."

"What is it?" George asked her.

"It's time," she explained. "We're all meeting downstairs in the hall. Line up like you were told."

"Right now?" Oliver's face was suddenly drained of color.

"Take your time," she laughed. "But right now would be nice. And no peeking. We've had a concealment spell on the bride since yesterday."

Angelina then disappeared out of the room.

"You said you saw her," Oliver accused George.

"Just trying to cheer you up, mate," he replied. "They won't let me anywhere near there."

They all laughed and piled out of the bedroom. Oliver stood in the back with his mother. Charlie in front of him escorting Demelza Robins, a last minute pick from the bride's party due to Alicia Spinnet's last minute absence. Next were George and Angelina who were already bickering and tugging at each others' fancy dress robes.

Harry linked arms with Leanne in front of them. She batted her eyelashes and he kissed her quickly. Initially he had been concerned about being in the wedding party with his girlfriend. Despite his limited knowledge in the world of dating and relationships, Harry was still fully aware of the repercussion of being a girl's date to a wedding, especially when they were both part of the wedding party. He only hoped she wouldn't start getting ideas of her own wedding.

In front of Harry, Ginny linked arms with Benjy Williams, a Puddlemere player from Oliver's squad. Even though they were no longer together, Harry still cared for her and it made him just the tiniest bit jealous to see her linking arms with another, even if they were just doing it symbolically for their friends' wedding.

"Harry," Ginny had turned around and was looking at him sternly.

"Yes?" he replied dreamily.

"You're standing on my dress," she hissed.

"Er, right, sorry," he stepped aside.

Harry could feel the jealousy emanating from Leanne's face. She squeezed his arm tighter and without warning, pulled his face toward hers leaving a sloppy wet kiss on his mouth. Harry rolled his eyes. He hated the games women played, but he knew Leanne would have a spat if he wiped his face.

Finally, the tiny witch, although she was more like a fairy, who had helped plan the event steered them all toward the altar. They passed the rows of wizards trying to get a good look at the procession and then stood on either side of the small tufty-haired wizard who presided over the ceremony.

After Oliver took his place under the floral archway, Katie walked down the aisle in a beautiful white dress accompanied by her father. He gave her away and then took his seat with the rest of the guests.

Harry knew this was a happy day for Oliver and Katie but he felt like time was passing at an alarmingly slow pace. Not even five minutes in he saw George and Angelina making faces at each other from opposite sides of the ceremony. He noticed Oliver had seen it too as he was struggling to keep his composure during the vows.

Finally, the officiant pronounced them man and wife and the festivities began. Leanne sidled up to Harry and they found their seats at a long rectangular table.

"You know," she nudged him, "that will be us one day."

"Er...yeah," Harry winced. He wasn't convinced that he would ever settle down with Leanne, but he didn't quite know how to tell her that yet.

"Hey," she pointed at Ginny who was deep in conversation with Benjy. "Are they together?"

"I'm not sure," Harry replied, once again the sting of jealousy in his throat.

"Harry!" Hermione plopped down in the seat next to him. "Have you seen Ron?"

"Last I saw," Harry told her, "he was trying to get an autograph from Galvin Gudgeon."

"Who?" Hermione asked.

"He's a Seeker for the Chudley Cannons," Harry explained. "Wood invited him and Ron's been chasing him down since before the ceremony."

"I'll just let him tire himself out," Hermione said, as if she were describing a pet. Then she turned her attention to Ginny who was now dancing with Benji. "They look happy."

"Er...yeah," Harry said icily.

"Oh sorry Harry," Hermione said quickly. "I shouldn't have..."

"No, it's okay," he did his best to persuade Leanne. "That was a long time ago."

"Well, I best go find Ron," Hermione stood up, "before he makes a fool of himself."

Harry watched her go and turned his attention back to Leanne. He gave her a sweet kiss, anything to keep her happy, and she took his hand.

"Come on," she urged him up. "Let's dance."

"I don't really..." he began but it was in vain.

Leanne dragged him toward the empty space under the delicate white tent. She looped her arms around his neck and they swayed to the sounds of the harp player. Harry couldn't help but glance in the direction of Ginny and Benji. They were the only other people dancing this early in the ceremony.

"Are things really over between you two?" Leanne asked.

"Er...sorry?" Harry asked.

"Don't lie to me," she replied. "Do you still love her?"

"She's my best mate's sister," Harry explained. "I'll always love her."

"I know you care for her," Leanne replied. "I was there when the chamber was opened. But I want to know if I have a chance."

"Hey," he pulled her close, cupping her cheek in his hand before he gingerly placed his lips on hers. He had hardly touched her before she allowed herself to melt in his embrace. With a smirk he finally said, "I'm with you, aren't I?"

That seemed to satisfy her enough. It wasn't long before dinner was served and a round of speeches were made. First Katie's dad, then Oliver's, followed by Charlie and Angelina who had each done a mediocre job of planning what they were going to say.

Once that was over, the party really started. The food was cleared, presumably the work of house elves, and couples quickly took their place on the dance floor as a Weird Sisters song began.

Ron must have been practicing his dance steps with Neville as he was gracefully spinning Hermione around in circles. Nearly everyone watched in awe. Harry, on the other hand, could hardly keep a beat. And then of course there was George who couldn't be bothered. Everyone made sure to give him space every time he asked another girl to be his partner. He was definitely an enthusiastic dancer, to say the least.

Finally, the floor cleared and Mr. Wood announced it was time for a special dance, just the happy couple. George rolled his eyes. He hated these types of formalities. He tapped Angelina's leg under the table and opened his palm so she could see the vial of shimmering dust in his hand.

"Where did you get that?" she asked.

She recognized the substance from her healer training but she had never seen it in person. It was a substance that allowed the user to literally experience a hightened sense of reality. In fact, the most common side effect was the feeling of weightlessness.

"Do you want it or not?" he whispered. She nodded. "Wait a minute, and then meet me in the kitchen."

Angelina smiled and watched him go. She waited a bit and then stood up herself, following George into the main house. She saw him sitting on the counter with the small vial in his hand and hopped up next to him.

"Ramora scales?" she laughed. "You can't find these anywhere with the anti-poaching laws."

"Charlie got it for me," he explained. "Loads of Ramoras washed up ashore in Romania last year. He just picked up the scales. No poaching."

"I've never done this before," she breathed.

"First time for everything," he laughed.

He uncorked the vial and inhaled just a tiny bit. Immediately he felt the effect. He hovered into the air, only a few inches from the ground, feeling absolutely weightless. When the initial high wore off, he stepped down onto the solid floor so he was standing opposite Angelina.

"Here," he brought the vial to her nose. "Just inhale a little. See how you like it."

She did as told but in her enthusiasm took twice the recommended dose. In seconds she felt herself rise nearly a foot into the air. Then she burst into a fit of giggles.

"George!" she shrieked. "Get me down."

"It's okay," he told her. "You took too much. Just hold my hand and close your eyes."

George reached for her hand and she shut her eyes quickly as soon as she felt his warm touch. But instead of descending, she shot further into the air.

"I'm too high!" she opened her eyes. "Get me down!"

He suppressed the urge to laugh and held her hand tightly before reaching up to grab her waist. Then he pulled her down from the rafters and held her close to him so she wouldn't get away again.

"It's okay," he told her. "I've got you."

"Thanks," she laughed.

"I forgot to tell you," he explained, "it's most effective the first time."

"Couldn't have filled me in earlier?" she laughed.

George smiled, he loosened the grip around her waist and she instantly floated into the air. Angelina panicked and hooked an arm around his neck, the other across his back.

"Sorry," he told her sincerely. "I thought it would have worn off by now."

"So I guess, we just," she sighed, "stay here like this?"

"I guess so," he nodded.

He readjusted his grip closing any space that was left between them. Angelina smiled, she was starting to feel the effect of the scales and felt just as weightless on the inside as she did on the outside. But the fear of rising back up toward the ceiling still kept her clinging to George's coat.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

"A bit," she pursed her lips together. "Thanks for sharing."

Angelina couldn't explain what happened next. Maybe it was the magical effect of the scales or maybe she had been served too much champagne at the wedding. Whatever the reason, she felt something pull her toward George. She moved her hand so it was plastered to the nape of his neck and brought his lips to hers. He didn't back away. Instead, he kissed her back.

"Hey," she pulled away for a second. "Let's get out of here."

"Upstairs," he hoisted her into his arms.

"No," she breathed. "Let's go to yours?"

George nodded. He held out his arm and she grab ahold of it. With a pop they had left the Wood estate and were standing in the living room of George's flat. He kept one arm tightly around Angelina's waist, despite the physical effects of the scales had worn off, and lit the fireplace with his wand.

"So," she turned to him, "where were we?"

He smirked. His lips were on hers once again as he pressed her against the wall. She wrapped her leg around his waist and he lifted her up, carrying her into the bedroom before laying her on the bed. He shrugged off his dress robes as Angelina unbuttoned his shirt. Then he tugged at the bodice on her taffeta gown.

"Wait," she stood up and turned so her back was facing him. "This is easier."

George smiled as he unzipped her dress revealing the taut muscles of her back. She stepped out of the gown wearing only a pair of lace knickers and stockings. He drew his breath in as she turned around.

"We don't have to do this," he said slowly.

"No," she smiled. "I want to."