Bill and Fleur's Wedding

At 7:45 on Thursday morning, the 17th of August 1997, Harry and Mark appeared in Ron's room. Mark tripped over one of Ron's trainers and fell heavily on the edge of Ron's bed. Ron grumbled, sleepily opened one eye then groaned. "Is it that time already," he moaned.

Harry grinned knowingly. "Sorry, Ron. Your room was my safest bet. I didn't want to appear in the middle of any rush and I figured it was probably a safe bet that you would still be in bed when we arrived."

Ron scowled up at Harry. "You know me too well, you know that."

Harry shook his head and laughed. "Oh, I don't know, Ron," he said. I know you about as well as you know me." Then, hesitating a moment, said, "Come to think of it, that is really rather frightening isn't it."

Ron flipped over in bed and buried his head under his pillow. "Go 'way!" he growled. "I'm on vacation!"

As Harry led Mark out of Ron's room he said, "That may be, Ron, but the wedding is in two hours. Besides, I don't see what you are complaining about. You've been getting up at four o'clock every morning since last September."

As Harry closed the door Mark said, "Interesting wallpaper. If I had bright orange quidditch posters hanging all over my room I'd want to stay in bed too."

"Arrrrrrgh!" Ron screamed as Harry and Mark hurried down the steps, "I heard that, Evans!"

When they reached the landing Neville stuck his head out of the twins' room as Charlie poked his head out of his and Bill's room. "Morning, Harry, Mark," Neville said. It looked as though Neville had been the first one up at the Burrow that morning. He was suitably dressed for the wedding but Harry noticed that his clothes, while clean and fashionable, were not so stiff that they would get in the way of any of his tumbling moves if needs be.

"Morning, Neville," Harry said. "Have you been out for your run?"

Neville smiled an easy, relaxed and confident smile – one of the few changes in attitude that Harry was pleased to see taking place in his friends – and said, "Yes, as a matter of fact I have. Four o'clock in the morning as usual. You?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Mark and I did three laps this morning as well as a few flexibility exercises."

"How'd you do that?" Charlie asked from across the narrow hall.

Harry turned and was about to ask a question when Ron came stomping down the steps in his dressing gown with a towel thrown over his shoulder and a scowl on his face. "Oh, that?" Harry coughed in an attempt to stifle his laughter. "I think is was a combination of things, really; but I think Mark deserves most of the credit."

Ron glowered at Harry and Mark as he squeezed past on his way to the bathroom for a shower. Harry couldn't be sure but he thought Ron was grumbling something about two weeks off, crazy drill instructors and noisy friends who couldn't appreciate a good poster when they saw it.

When the door to the bathroom slammed shut moment's later Harry and Mark burst out laughing. Moment's later Fred was pushing past Neville to shake Mark's hand, congratulating him on a job well done. From the look on his face, however, Harry could tell that Mark was uncertain as to whether or not he should be pleased at waking Ron up in time for the wedding or worried that he had upset a friend. Harry knew, from his many years worth of experience in dealing with Ron that he would get over it but since Mark did not have the benefit of that experience he felt an obligation to explain Ron's moods to his 'little brother.' He would have to make time for that soon, preferably before Ron got out of the shower, because if Mark didn't know what to expect Harry knew that Ron could be mildly intimidating; and for someone as young as Mark, Ron could be flat out frightening.

Ron was still scowling at breakfast but, fortunately, Harry had taken Mark for a quick walk around the grounds and explained some of Ron's eccentricities to him in a way that had alleviated some of his fears. Harry could tell that Mark was still unsure of himself around Ron but was pleased to see that he was at least laughing and enjoying himself.

Two of Fleur's friends from France were due to arrive at 8:30 to help her get ready so Harry at a quick, light breakfast and retreated up to Ron's room with pictures of various Weasley relations to begin working on his transformation. The goal was to make himself look enough like a Weasley so that he could not be mistaken for anything else but not so much like any of the Weasleys to cause confusion.

Fifteen minutes later, after apparating in for the wedding, Tonks joined him and began talking him through the transformations. Half an hour, and one glamour charm, later Robert Weasley was introduced to the inhabitants of the Burrow. As a testament to their work and Harry's acting abilities, all of his closest friends, even though they had known that he would be disguising himself as an unknown relative, were wondering where he was even after being introduced to Robert Weasley.

The only person Harry let in on the secret was Neville and even then it was done in an off-handed sort of way. A few minutes before the guests were scheduled to begin arriving he walked over to the small knot of ushers who were gathered beneath the large tent that was being used as the pavilion and tapping Neville on the shoulder, said, "Er, Neville?" When Neville turned towards him he said, "Could we talk … in private?"

Neville smiled. "Sure, Robert. What's up?"

When they were several feet away Harry cast a quick, wandless privacy charm, which startled Neville. "I just want you to know that if any death eaters show up I am as good as your regular dueling partner."

Neville's jaw fell slightly open. "Harry?" he asked.

Harry gave a quick nod. "Yeah. You and Tonks are the only two who know my true identity. If we get attacked the others will figure it out but for now I would rather keep it quiet."

Neville nodded then, momentarily chewing the inside of his cheek, asked, "Any news? What's the death eater situation?"

Harry frowned slightly. "I really don't know, Neville," he admitted. "I've been so focused on training that I haven't been monitoring his activities all that much. I do, however, know that he has started sending them out on training missions."

Neville's expression turned grim. "So it's possible they could attack."

A twisted smile played across Harry's face. "Yes," he nodded. "You and Ron have mapped out a defensive strategy for the Burrow haven't you?"

"Yeah. We have people stationed at strategic points all around the Burrow, some inside the wards and some out. We also have a contingency plan for the defense of Ottery St. Catchpole if it comes to it."

Harry nodded grimly and, with a sigh, looked down at his hands. "I hope we don't need them, Neville, but thanks."

After lifting the privacy charm Harry and Neville rejoined the rest of the ushers as they prepared for the arrival of the guests.

As the guests arrived Harry did his best to remain inconspicuous. On the few times he was asked to escort a family member or someone who knew the family quite well his cover story had been that he was the teenage son of distant relative from Surry who was being home schooled. When it cam time for the wedding procession Harry stood in a back corner nervously rolling his wand between his fingers. Something didn't feel right. The problem was that he couldn't put his finger on just exactly what it was.

As Bill and Charlie made their way to the front of the tent, Charlie serving as Bill's best man, Harry scanned the audience. Fred and George aside, everything seemed to be in place and the twins had been forced to take unbreakable vows not to do anything to disrupt the wedding. Glancing around he saw that Neville was stationed in the opposite corner and that five of their best fighters, not counting Ron, Hermione and Luna who were seated with the groom's family, were scattered throughout the audience.

When Aunt Muriel began playing the traditional wedding march on her old piano Harry mentally blocked out the music and tried with all his might to focus all of his attention upon the bride and her court. Ginny was dazzling in her golden robes and the sight of her nearly took his breath away. He noticed Gabrielle and Fleur ass well but so far as he was concerned Ginny was the most beautiful woman there. And yet there was still that nagging, niggling something in the back of his mind that would not let him completely relax and enjoy himself.

The ceremony passed without incident and, with a little wand waving, the pavilion was transformed into a reception hall, complete with dance floor and band. He allowed himself to relax a little and even shared a few dances with Ginny, Hermione and Luna. He couldn't give himself away, event to them, which bothered him to no end because he could tell that Ginny was not having a good time no matter how good an actress she was.

The were dancing a slow waltz and Harry was about to lean in and revel himself to Ginny when the first sounds of spell fire could be heard coming from the forest behind the lake. Harry suddenly froze and drew his wand. "Ginny!" he said, a little more sharply than he had intended, "find Hermione and get Tonks and the rest of the wedding party out of here!"

Ginny's eyes flew open as she recognized Harry's commanding tone. "Smiling briefly she hugged him tightly and whispered a quick, heartfelt "I love you!" before releasing him, kicking off her shoes, and sprinting over to where Ron and Hermione were dancing in a secluded corner.

Glancing out towards the nearby hills Harry was dismayed when he saw the familiar silvery flash that indicated the collapse of the wards. Activating a sonorous charm on himself he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Please remain calm. Twenty of our best fighters are in the hills and valley's surrounding the Burrow and there are an additional ten here, within the tent but the wards have collapsed and we are under attack. Those of you who are able please partner with someone who is not and apparate home." As an after thought he added, "Oh and Bill, Fleur? Congratulations."

The evacuation took less than five minutes. By the time the first of the death eaters made it through the forest the only people remaining at the Burrow Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Orville Burns, Daphne Greengrass, Terry Boot, one of Ginny's roommates, Fred, George, Charlie, Remus and Mad-eye Moody. Tonks had apparated herself and Mark to Hogsmeade where, Harry hoped, they would be safe. At first Tonks had protested her evacuation order but when both Harry and Remus had explained the risks of mixing spells with pregnancy, Remus for the fifth time that summer, she had acquiesced. Victor had apparated to Hogsmeade and returned with his broom. He was currently circling overhead, under the effects of a disillusionment charm, relaying information to the forces on the ground.

Three of their fighters had been wounded but were being attended to by their team medics. The team in the forest was involved in a horrendous firefight. The situation there was extremely fluid and it was anyone's call. After Ron and Hermione had dispatched the few death eaters who had snuck around the forest's main defenses Harry sent them off to join that battle, with chest belts loaded with Fred and George's special fireworks and portable swamps.

The second major hot spot was just over the hill to the north and east. That team was holding its own but could use a little help. One of their fighters was down but not seriously injured. After setting the others to guard the Burrow and prepare the sitting room for triage he teleported Neville and himself to the scene of this battle.

One ting about it, these death eaters were not going to go down without a fight. Their spells were so over charged that a simple "Reducto!" would reduce a boulder to little more than a few small bits of rubble and dust. The ground was pockmarked with craters and Harry could not help but wonder how this team had held out for so long. Turning to Neville he said, "I know its risky, Nev, but what do you say to disillusionment charms and teleporting inside their ranks?"

Neville paled slightly at the thought then, as his resolve returned, nodded. "Hostages?" he asked.

Harry thought for a moment then said, "We'll worry about hostages later. Right now I just want to stop them. If a few of them die from their injuries …"

The look of determination in Neville's eyes told Harry all he needed to know and as soon as they were both disillusioned to their satisfaction he teleported both of them into the middle of the death eaters' ranks.

The fighting was fast and furious. At first the death eaters were confused. Then, as a few of them seemed to figure out what had happened they started firing a number of rather viscous spells in Harry and Neville's direction. Fortunately, as soon as they had appeared, they had split up. The other thing working in their favor was that they were used to fighting on the run, which made them extremely hard to hit. That. Not to say that they were not hit, however, because, even though he was able to ignore the pain, Harry knew that he had been hit by at least three burning hexes and a slicing curse or two.

Fifteen minutes later, after the fighting was over and all of the death eaters had been either temporarily or permanently disarmed, Harry softly called out, "Neville?"

"Yeah?" Harry heard Neville say from a few feet away.

"Are you alright?"

"I don't know," Neville's voice said tiredly. "I think so, but I don't know?"

Harry grinned.

"You want to sent the signal or should I?" Neville asked.

Harry thought he knew Neville's voice but at the same time his senses were telling to be cautions. Rather than giving away his position to a possible foe he decided to play it safe. Even though he knew could defend himself against most comers and had the energy to cast the charm he said, "Go ahead, Neville, you can do it."

A whispered incantation later Neville's bulldog patronus was racing up the hill towards their comrades in arms. When Harry saw the familiar bulldog he relaxed and lifted his disillusionment charm. Moments later Neville lifted his as well.

Looking over at his friend and dueling partner Harry said, "Er … Neville, I hate to tell you this but I thing your robes have seen better days."

Neville looked down at himself and then cast a critical eye towards Harry. "Yeah, I agree," he said. "But your robes didn't fare too well either."

Harry looked down at himself and then back at Neville and before either of them knew what had caused it they were both uncontrollably laughing at themselves and each other.

"And what exactly are you two laughing at?" Pansy Parkinson asked several seconds later as she approached the two from the knoll behind which her team had been deployed.

Before Harry could say anything that would blow his cover Ginny and Luna flew over the hill, medical bags in hand. "ROBERT WEASLEY!" Ginny screamed, "What do you think you're doing? You haven't been training like the rest of us! You're just lucky Neville was here to save your skin!"

Harry knew she was acting to maintain his cover but as she landed and dismounted her broom he could tell she was more than just a little angry. For a moment he thought back to Charlie's comment Ginny's temper at the dragon camp the previous September and was secretly glad he had not been awake to experience it.

Ginny ran over and slapped him soundly across the cheek then, almost immediately, pulled him into a bone-crushing hug and started crying. Harry looked over and saw that Luna was tending to Neville's wounds. Somehow he got the feeling that Luna's professionalism and silence were masking a seething inferno and that Neville would get an earful as soon as they were alone. Glancing over at Pansy and Millicent Harry, as Robert, shrugged his shoulders. The two Slytherins shrugged their shoulders in response and turned back to their duties of securing those death eaters who had survived the onslaught.

When they were out of earshot Ginny tilted he head back and looked Harry in the eye. "I was so worried, Harry. When Victor started reporting the carnage that was going on over here it made Hogsmeade sound like a walk in the park. Do you know how many death eaters you two were up against?"

Harry shook his head. "I really don't think I want to know," he said honestly.

Ginny nodded into his chest then stepped back to get a better look at him. "Are you hurt?" she asked softly.

Pocketing his wand Harry tiredly rubbed his eye. "I don't suppose Francis is available?" he asked.

Ginny's pupils briefly dilated. ""That bad?" she asked fearfully.

Harry nodded, wincing slightly at the pain in his side. "I'm afraid so," he said. "Can you help me with these robes? I'd really rather stop most of the bleeding before I see him, if you don't mind that is."

Ginny grinned. Sure. Just a second." Turing around she cast a Messenger Patronus. As her lion galloped over the hill she turned around and smiled up at him. "Healer Stone should be waiting for us when we arrive,"