A/N: This chapter is a little long, but I wanted to do it justice. Warning: There are adult themes and mild violence in this chapter. Also, thanks to those who are sticking with this story and who have reviewed and/or added the story to favorites or alerts. Plus, I still own nothing HP related.
Chapter 21—The One with One and a Half Weddings
Over the next few months, Charlie kept his promise to write to Maya on a regular basis. She returned most of his letters, but, again, over time, their correspondence came much less frequently. B y the time a year had passed, Maya hadn't really heard from Charlie in almost a month. By the time the second year passed, they hadn't written in almost another year.
One evening, after a show, Maya's father came to see her and invited her to come back to the family. She agreed, with encouragement from Drew and Jamie. Her father introduced her to the son of one of his associates, Jack Walters. Jack was studying law at Cambridge and was very impressed with himself. When he heard that Maya was working in the theater, he smirked. At her father's insistence, Maya agreed to start dating Jack. They were engaged within six months. Of course, Maya never really agreed to marry Jack; her father arranged it for her. Maya was displeased, but tried to hide it as much as possible. They set the wedding date for August 3, two days after Bill's wedding.
Not long after Maya had gotten engaged, she had a visit from Molly Weasley. "Molly!" Maya exclaimed. "It's so nice to see you. How have you been? How's the family?"
"We're good dear," Molly replied. "You really are too kind. Of course, you will know that Bill's getting married on August 1."
"I hadn't heard that," Maya answered. "I don't really get the Daily Prophet here."
"Well, he is, though I'm still not sure why," Molly continued. "That is actually why I came to see you. His fiancée, Fleur, has agreed to have the wedding at the Burrow with the war and all, and we need some musicians. Will you play for us? We're happy to pay you, of course."
"I'd be honored to play for you Molly," Maya replied. "But, please, I won't accept any payment. It will be my wedding gift to Bill and his bride. I must ask, though, that you write to Charlie. I haven't really heard from him in some time and I don't want to be sprung on him."
"Of course, dear," Molly answered. "I will write to Charlie at once to let him know that you will be playing."
"Thank you," Maya said. "Now, I'll send an owl to Bill to set up a time to go over music for the wedding." Molly left after a half-hour, during which time, she and Maya chatted. Maya invited Molly and Arthur to her wedding, noting that it would be a muggle wedding. Molly was unsure about whether she would be able to attend, and also a little sad that Maya was getting married to someone other than Charlie.
A few days later, she went to the Burrow to meet with Bill and Fleur and plan music for the wedding. She agreed to play a piano and would have some classical music for the ceremony. When she returned to her flat, she found Jack waiting for her. "Where have you been?" he demanded.
"I had to go and visit a friend who is getting married," she answered. "I've been asked to play for his wedding."
"When do you think you're going to be playing for this wedding?" he growled.
"August 1," she said, sighing. "It won't interfere with any of your plans."
"I'll want to go with you," he ordered.
"You can't," she answered. "It's a wedding for people like me. You know, wizards."
"Then, why do you think I'd let you go?" he argued.
"I don't believe that I need your permission to do my job, Jack," Maya reasoned. Jack's face contorted with rage and Maya braced herself for the punch to the stomach. Twenty minutes later, Jack left and Maya sat on the floor crying.
A week later, she was at the Burrow for the wedding rehearsal and Harry Potter's birthday party. She was seated at the piano to rehearse when she heard someone approaching. "I hear congratulations are in order," Charlie said, startling Maya.
"Thanks," she replied, offering a small smile. "It's Sunday. Will you come?"
"Of course. You're really good at that music thing," Charlie joked. "You should think about doing that for a living."
Maya chuckled. "Thank you, Charlie," she answered. She stood from the piano bench and allowed Charlie to hug her tightly. "You look good."
"And you're looking beautiful," he said quietly. "I'm sorry I stopped writing. I've missed you."
"Me too, Charlie," Maya replied. He walked her over to the table that had been set up for the dinner in the back yard. After dinner and cake, Maya said her goodbyes and apparated back to her flat.
The next day, Maya returned to the Burrow for Bill's wedding. After the ceremony, she found herself at a table with Charlie. He looked at her and said, "What's wrong, Maya?"
"Nothing," she lied. She had forgotten that Charlie could tell when she was lying.
"Tell me the truth," he ordered, then added, "Please."
"I'm just nervous, I guess," she answered. More people came to sit at their table, so Charlie invited her to dance.
"You're not really happy about your wedding, I'm guessing," he said when they were alone.
"I'm really fine," she promised. "But I should get going. I have my own wedding rehearsal tomorrow." The sun had set and moths were flying around the wedding marquee. "You're still coming? I really could use my best friend there."
"Wouldn't miss it for anything," Charlie promised. He kissed Maya's cheek and wished her goodnight. She apparated just before all hell broke loose.
The next morning, Drew and Jamie picked Maya up to take her shopping before the wedding rehearsal. "So, how is Charlie?" Drew asked.
"He's good, Drew," Maya answered, blushing slightly.
"Will he be coming tomorrow?" Jamie asked.
"Yes," Maya replied. "But, my Dad will try to keep him from getting in, so you lot have to make sure that he's there. I don't think I can go through with this without him there." Drew and Jamie exchanged a look. They knew that Maya was not really happy about this marriage and had been trying to find a way to get her out of it for a while. They had also arranged to take her out that night after the rehearsal, and had sent a letter to Charlie, begging him to meet them.
When the rehearsal ended, Drew and Jamie grabbed Maya and Maggie and dragged them out of their father's house. They promised Jack that it was a "hen party," even though they were part of it. Jack didn't worry. He knew that Drew and Jamie were gay and, therefore, not a threat.
Drew and Jamie took Maya to a karaoke bar in London. "What is this, boys?" she asked.
"It's your bachelorette party," Drew answered. "And, love, we have a surprise for you." He wiggled his eyebrows and stepped aside, allowing Charlie into the center of the group. Maya shrieked and threw herself into his arms.
"I'm so glad you're here," she whispered into his ear.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," he promised. "Will you be singing tonight?"
"No way in hell," she joked.
The group spent a few hours at the bar, laughing and singing for nearly the entire time. Maya even got Charlie to join her in a duet, which was painful for everyone as Charlie was not gifted musically. When their song ended, Maya decided to call it a night. "I've got to get up early tomorrow," she said, sadly.
Charlie insisted on seeing her home. When they arrived at her flat, he said, "Are you sure about this?"
"No," she said, her voice shaking. "But I don't know how to stop it."
"Just don't do it," Charlie offered.
"It's not that simple," Maya protested. "My father won't allow me to just back out."
"Your father?" Charlie asked. Maya led him into her flat and sat them on the sofa. "What has your father got to do with this?"
"He set us up," she answered. "He thought we'd be a good match and he's made sure that I know that it's my duty as the oldest child to ensure the family is taken care of. Marrying Jack is his idea of taking care of the family."
"You can't get married for duty," Charlie reasoned. Maya sighed. "Look, I know that you're scared and everything, but just think about what I've said. Promise?"
"I promise, Charlie," Maya replied. "Thank you. And, when did you grow up?"
"I've had a lot to think about over the last few years," Charlie said. He stood and kissed her forehead, adding, "Forever," before apparating back to the Burrow.
"Always," Maya said just before he left.
The next day, Maya woke to the door buzzer ringing. She got up and answered the door, finding Drew and Jamie on her step. "Come on, sweetheart," Jamie said. "It's time to get moving. We've brought coffee and bagels. You get a shower and we'll have breakfast set up for you."
"Thanks, mates," Maya said. She got showered and dressed. After eating breakfast, they left for Fenton House to get ready for the wedding.
When they arrived, they found that the entire house was a flurry of activity. Maya was sent to her old room, which would be her bridal suite. Her dress was waiting. "Did you pick this out?" Drew asked.
"Christine did," Maya explained. "I hate that fucking thing. Don't watch. I'm going to fix it." The dress that Christine had chosen for Maya to wear was covered in lace and bows. It had large, poufy sleeves, and a really long train. Maya pulled her wand from her bag and locked the door. Then, she removed the lace and sleeves from the dress. Still not satisfied, she waved her wand a few more times and transformed the dress into something that she didn't actually hate.
"That is so much better," Jamie commented. "Will it fit?"
"It will," Maya promised. She sat in the chair to let Jamie help her to her hair and make-up. Once that was finished, she let Drew help her into her dress. Maya looked at herself in the mirror and started to cry.
"Love, what is it?" Drew asked. "You look beautiful."
"I don't think I can do this," she cried. She sat on the settee, trying to breathe.
"I'll be right back," Jamie promised. Maya opened the door and he set off. He returned a few moments later. "I've brought you a present," he said entering the room. Charlie followed him in.
"I've heard you're having a day," he said, kneeling in front of a still-crying Maya. Drew and Jamie took their leave and left Charlie and Maya alone. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"You weren't supposed to see through me," she said, sniffing. "I don't think I can do this. What do I do?"
"Why don't we start with getting you out of this dress?" Charlie offered. "And for the record, you look beautiful." Maya nodded and thanked Charlie for the compliment. He unzipped the dress and noticed the bruises on her back. "Bloody hell, Maya! What happened?"
"I can't marry him," she answered. She couldn't say anymore, but she didn't need to, either. Charlie understood and it was all he could do to keep from finding Jack and beating the living piss out of him.
"Does anyone else know about this?" he asked.
"I tried to tell my dad, but he wouldn't believe me," Maya answered. "I was too scared to try to tell anyone else."
"You're safe now, princess," Charlie promised, holding her close, but gently. "I won't let them hurt you anymore." Maya nodded and finished getting changed. When she was ready, she took Charlie's hand and led him out into the house.
In the study, she found her father. "Maya, why aren't you dressed?" he demanded. "And how in hell did you get in?"
"I'm not getting married, Dad," Maya said, meekly. "And Charlie is here because I asked him to be."
"Don't be ridiculous, Maya," Gareth sneered. "You're getting married today. I've got 500 people here waiting for a wedding. Now go and get into your dress. The ceremony starts in 30 minutes."
"No," she said, with more conviction. "I won't do it. I can't do it."
"Are you trying to ruin my life?" Gareth wondered.
"Sir, your daughter is telling you she's not happy," Charlie interjected. "You would do well to listen to her."
"You should keep your mouth shut before I have you arrested for trespassing," Gareth ordered.
Charlie started to protest, but Maya cut him off. She aimed her wand at her father and said, "You won't be having him arrested and I won't be getting married. I can tell Jack or you can, but I'm not getting married today."
Gareth blanched, but the door opened, revealing Christine and Jack. "How did you get that back?" Jack demanded.
"I have my ways, you asshole!" Maya shouted. "The one in your safe is a very good copy. And if you don't believe me, I'd be happy to give you a demonstration of my powers." She started to leave with Charlie, but turned and said, "By the way, the wedding is off and the sex was lousy." As Charlie passed Jack, he couldn't help but slug the bastard right in the nose. He muttered an apology to Maya as they left the room.