CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE:

WEASLEY WORRIES

The Burrow occupants woke to Molly Weasley making her rounds to each room. She was even more particular about everything than normal, given that day was the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding. Immediately after breakfast the boys followed Arthur outside to set up the canopy and what else was needed for the wedding. It didn't take long to transform the backyard into an elegant beautiful dream wedding setting. The twins teased Ron since he didn't have a chance with Fleur that he may had a shred of a chance with one of her cousins. He nearly smashed one of the glasses in his retort causing Hermione to chide him for thirty minutes.

It was shortly before lunch that guests arrived in small clusters. Shantiel was impressed by just how big the Weasley family had been. The house quickly filled with people. Hermione and Ginny introduced Shantiel to Fleur's sister Gabrielle. The girls gathered in Ginny's room to get ready. Gabrielle and Shantiel became good friends. She had heard about Beauxbatons at Hogwarts.

Rumors flew around that the tiara that Fleur was wearing had been made by Goblins. Fleur looked so elegant in her dress. Before the ceremony, Molly made sure that everyone knew their places and where to go. The beautiful symphonic music began and one by one each pair of the wedding party walked down the aisle. Shantiel couldn't help but be overjoyed for the couple next to her. Their joy seemed to spread across the area as tears of happiness flowed.

Everyone stood and cheered as the union was completed by the traditional kiss. Flower petals fell upon them while the wedding entourage made their way back down the aisle. Everyone followed the path to another canopy where tables were set up. It looked like a smaller version of the Great Hall feast.

The new couple was announced upon their entrance and once again applause sounded. Groups of people made their way up to the happy couple for congratulations. Shantiel sat at a table in the back, watching the crowd. She couldn't help wishing that Harry should have been there and how happy he would have been for everybody. A voice from her left brought her out of her thoughts.

"So beautiful, isn't it?" Hermione said as she sat next to her best friend. Ginny and Ron followed.

"Yes, very," Shantiel said looking around, admiring everything. She sighed and Ginny squeezed her hand.

"He is here in spirit you know," Ginny said as she read Shantiel's mind. Shantiel gave her a small sad smile.

"I know and thanks," Shantiel said, grateful for her friends' understanding. Ron stood and grabbed her hand. She gave him an odd look but Ginny nudged her lightly. Shantiel stood and awkwardly followed Ron to where people were dancing. Ron took her hands and started dancing with her. She felt completely ridiculous and wanted to be back at the table. Ron twirled her unexpectedly, causing her bad mood to disappear. The blonde girl laughed in shock and delight, letting herself enjoy the moment. The song ended about two minutes later. Shantiel politely thanked Ron for cheering her up.

A little while longer, Shantiel stole away and walked out to the orchard alone. She could still hear the music and laughter from within the canopy not far away. Despite what seemed to be nothing but darkness coming from all directions, the wedding seemed to be the only light. Everything went perfectly and Fleur's true happiness made her the most beautiful. The young woman was truly happy for the newlyweds but it tore just a little at her scarred heart. For months now, she had been trying to ignore the shards of a shattered love that were stabbing her…but now it was almost unbearable. The tiniest part of her was jealous of Bill and Fleur.

Shan closed her eyes and held her wand out in front of her. What Ron did reminded her of when Harry comforted her after the terrible break up with Jayden. The feeling engulfed her with full force. "Expecto Patronum!" she shouted into the night. She opened her eyes expecting her beautiful silvery Pegasus to form in front of her. The silver wisps formed together but the creature that should in front of her actually shocked the girl. Her Patronus had taken shape of a Stag instead. It galloped majestically around her before vanishing into the night. It left her with the same peace as her own Patronus had.

Severus Snape had decided it was high time that he discuss the origins of this mysterious Moonstone with Remus Lupin. It was when Dumbledore was at Snape's home recovering that Snape invited the werewolf over as well.

The Slytherin professor sat across his meager living space from both the headmaster and Lupin. While it was commonplace to have the three in the same room together, it was highly odd for Snape to have two Gryffindors in his home, much less at the same time. This place is crawling with Godric worshipers, he lamented. He supposed it was occupational hazard, now that it was out he had worked for the Light contingent the entire time. It also left Snape rather exposed to the Death Eaters and other Dark supporters now that the Dark Lord was on the rise again. While it was dangerous, Snape much preferred being a double-agent. That position had its own security.

"Lupin..." began Snape, "tell me about this Moonstone."

"As I told Adonna, it is merely a legend regarding Vampires and Werewolves. I haven't any idea where the thing might be, even if it exists. I know no more than the average lycanthrope about the matter. I apologize for my lack of information."

"Where was the last known location?" Dumbledore asked.

"I've no idea. For all I know, Albus, it could be in your office at Hogwarts," Lupin joked. Both Gryffindors smiled.

Snape was intrigued by the idea and found it difficult to keep his mind on the conversation. He should his head. Everything seemed to lead back to the school. Could the very stone he'd been seeking be at Hogwarts after all?

It took Prometheus a good two weeks to get rid of the nightmares that the locket induced in him. The last words of the Horcrux echoed in his mind; he knew it wasn't true but he couldn't help half believing it. They had two Horcruxes left now but due to what happened in the cave, they most likely wouldn't hear anything about the remaining ones for a while. Prometheus thought that it would be the time to go back to Pandora. He walked into the cave.

"Oh, you're home, darling?" Pandora said sarcastically, causing Rome to smile a little.

"Hello, Dora," Rome said. He knew she could sense something was up. He ignored it and sat down on a nearby boulder.

"I thought you were searching for what you needed to find?" Pandora asked with a hint of concern.

"Something happened so the search is on a standstill for a while," Prometheus reported. He tried hiding his slight annoyance. He realized something else that Pandora had told him...something before he had left the last time they were together.

"Aren't you supposed to be at Crimson Palace?" Rome asked curiously. Pandora raised an eyebrow. She turned away from him as she answered his question.

"Zeus hasn't been around much and besides I wanted to be back here in case you came back again," she said, Rome knew she was avoiding discussing something but he decided to let it go.

She decided to pursue the issue that was bothering him and questioned, "Honestly, what is wrong?"

Resigned to the fact that Dora was not going to let this go, Rome decided to tell her what was going on...at least, after a fashion.

"Well, there's this...associate of mine...and he got himself into a bit of trouble."

"And this bothers you?"

"Yes, it bothers me a lot."

"Did this 'associate' of yours bring this trouble on himself?"

"Yes," Rome answered without hesitation.

"Did he get himself killed?"

"Almost."

"So he's still alive?"

"Yes."

"And he'll recover?"

"Eventually, yes."

"Then what's the big deal?"

"What's the big deal?" shouted Rome. Dora folded her arms and watched him rant. "He nearly gets himself killed after dragging along Viktor and I for the ride!"

"So you're angry he brought you along?"

"Yes!"

"Were you afraid for yourself?"

"Of course not," Prometheus scoffed, "I'm immortal now, I had nothing to worry about."

"Were you afraid for Viktor?"

"Not much, he can take care of himself."

"Then," Dora said carefully, "I have come to the conclusion you were afraid for your other associate."

"Yes," Rome considered, "I was very afraid for him."

"And you didn't like it."

"Not at all."

"Because you don't wish to care for him."

"I don't care about him!"

"Oh, but you do, Rome. You care for him a lot. You care about him so much that it's consumed you the last two weeks."

Prometheus picked up a rock, threw it against the cave wall, and the rock shattered into a million pieces.

"Yes," he answered angrily, "you're right. But I'll be damned before I tell him that."

Viktor and Prometheus sat quietly in their tent until Rome broke the silence. He turned toward Viktor and asked a question.

"Where do you think the next Horcrux is hidden?"

Viktor gave a half-smile and answered, "Vell, if I was going to hide something very important and I didn't vish for anyvun else to find it, I vould hide it at Hogvarts."

Thunderstruck, Rome just stared at him for a time before replying, "That has to be the most mind-bogglingly obvious thing you've ever said, Viktor."

Viktor shrugged.

"And so," said Rome, "you must go there and talk to Dumbledore. Because I refuse."

Rolling his eyes, Viktor said, "Very vell, if you vish not to come along. I shall go soon. Most likely vunce Dumbledore has recovered."

The headmaster leaned on his much-hated cane and stood up out of his seat. Dumbledore hadn't been back on the job at Hogwarts very long before tragedy struck again. Dumbledore's eyes were concerned as he addressed the two red-haired young people in front of him.

Ron and Ginny Weasley gazed at him warily; they knew they were about to be given some very bad news. It had happened in the Headmaster's office enough times before. Again, it was the middle of the night. Ron yawned in spite of himself.

"Three of your brothers, George, Bill, and Charlie, have each been attacked by vampires this evening. Fred and Percy have barely managed to escape the attacks meant for them. I am not currently aware of their exact conditions, but your mother and father and I are all of the mind that these attacks were no coincidence. Also–Ron, and Ginny?" Dumbledore put a hand on each of their shoulders, making certain he had their undivided attention. "We caught several vampires on the outskirts of the school grounds tonight. It is our belief that it was their intention to get to the pair of you. As much as I know you wish to visit your injured brothers at St. Mungo's, it is also safest for you two here at Hogwarts right now. Arthur and Molly will come to visit you after things have calmed down."

"But that's not fair! I want to–"

Dumbledore looked deep into Ginny's eyes and said, "I know it's not fair, but it is the right thing. Would you want your parents to have even more injured children to worry about?"

"We know you're right," Ron protested, "but we...just...want..."

"You want to be with your family," finished Dumbledore.

"Yes."

"Since I know the pair of you will no doubt pace the floors and wake up everyone in your dormitories, I will have you wait here and summon both Hermione and Shantiel to my office. Is that satisfactory?"

"Yes, oh, please!"

"It shall be done immediately."