FROM THE DIARY OF CJ DIGGORY

The wedding is tomorrow morning. I am trying to figure out who is more nervous at this point, Alf or his Dad.

George has been reflexively packing and unpacking for the week they plan on spending in Paris. Alf keeps smoothing out those dress robes on the hanger, stroking them as if they were a wary hippogriff. George paces when nobody is looking, running his hands through his hair. Alf absentmindedly re-arranges books as he passes by...usually also while running his hands through his hair. (It's really quite funny that they have the same nervous tics and don't even know it).

I think George may win the battle of more nervous, though: he put salt in his coffee. This is like an opera singer forgetting how to read music.

Alf and I are to spend the week with Ginny and Harry while Uncle George and Miss Shell are on their honeymoon. Teddy will be there too before going to spend a few weeks of the summer with his Gran, so it should be fun.

Not fun: I got a letter from my father today. Owled right over from Dubrovnic. Nothing incriminating, of course: Son...I hope the Weasleys are taking care of you. I hope that your behavior has been as we discussed. You know what I expect of you."

Every time I manage to forget for a few minutes that he owns my soul, somehow the reality rears its ugly head. But I refuse to think about it right now. Uncle Harry has an extensive library; perhaps I can find out something more about unbreakable vows over the next week.

Alf got a letter too, one from his sister Liv. It puzzled him a bit and he's been rather distracted the rest of the day...even Tony the muggle can't get him to talk.

I know I shouldn't refer to Tony that way...and I only do in my mind. But he's a year older than we are and sometimes when we're just hanging out, the four of us, I feel like he's so much ahead of us. And then one of us will do something completely innocent...like Teddy changing his hair emerald to match his dress robes...and Tony gets like a five year old. Only for a few seconds, mind, and then he tries to act all cool again. I'm still not sure if I like him or not.

Actually, if I'm honest (and if I can't be honest here, where can I be?) I think I just don't like that his being here reduces me somewhat. I mean, Alf's known Teddy for as long as he's known magic, so they'll always be buds, and he and Tony have this whole history from a time that I can barely understand. I think maybe I feel a little lost, like I don't matter to him so much right now. Even down to the fact that I have my own room, and Tony is sharing Alf's.

Hang on...someone at the door..."

WWWWWWW

George, after knocking on CJ's door, opened it once the boy had called out to him. He smiled to see CJ sitting on the bed, putting his diary away in the drawer on the night stand. "Still up, obviously, eh?" George came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Not tired? The way you lot have been playing soccer non-stop would have me exhausted."

"A little tired." CJ admitted, giving him a slight smile. "But I wanted to finish up my diary entry first."

George reflexively pulled the sheet up a little higher, and smoothed the boy's hair out. "I'm glad you're making good use of it." George watched as the boy's dark eyes studied him; he could almost read the wariness there...CJ waiting to see if George were there because he was in trouble for something. He didn't flinch any more when George came up to him, but neither did he assume George might just want to check in on him, just make sure he was doing okay. He wasn't sure CJ would ever be able to fully trust anybody.

Actually, he wasn't there tonight just to check in , though neither was the boy in trouble. "I know you got a letter from your father today." George said, squeezing his shoulder. "Do you mind if I ask what he said to you?"

Something like understanding came to CJ then, and without hesitation he reached into the nightstand drawer, fishing under the diary and pulling out the simple bit of parchment. "Here." He offered.

George took it slowly, rather surprised. "I won't read your mail if you don't want me to, CJ...I'm perfectly happy with you paraphrasing it for me." He waited for a response before opening it up.

"There isn't anything in there you can't see." CJ said, simply.

George opened it and read the few lines quickly, and let out a little huff. "You're right about that." He frowned. If he were away from Alf for as long as Amos Diggory were going to be away from CJ...not that he ever would be...his letter would have been pages and pages of information. Not three lines that at best sounded scolding. "I assume when he says to remember what he expects of you that he's talking about your behavior?"

"I am to be a paragon of propriety at all time in a manner that won't shame the memory of my brother." CJ's lips twisted slightly. "Something he considered that I failed at on a regular basis when I was living with him."

"Bollocks." George said, refolding the paper and tossing it back in to the drawer. "Your brother would have been exceedingly proud of you CJ, and your father has shamed Cedric's memory more by his behavior to you, than you ever could if you tried." George saw CJ blink, and just the faintest hint of wetness in his eyes. He cleared his throat; there was more purpose to this little talk then getting CJ all mushy. "Anyway, what I really wanted was to make sure you were feeling okay about next week."

CJ's brow furled downward in confusion. "Okay how, Sir?"

"Hush with the Sir. And 'okay' in staying with Harry and Ginny. I know you're probably feeling a tad displaced as it is, and I don't want you thinking that I'm abandoning you." George watched the boy carefully, more concerned with what his eyes would tell him than his words.

Those eyes softened, and CJ gave him that rare full smile that somehow seemed to change his face totally. And quite suddenly he reached up and hugged George-it was the first time George ever saw CJ initiate such a thing. "I'll be just fine. Alf will be there...and I'm sure the elves will follow."

George squeezed him back. "Ah, yes...your bodyguards. Ginny may not let them come back here once she gets used to them."

"And you'd be happy to let her keep them." CJ laughed just a little, and let go, sinking back down to the pillow; George rearranged the sheet on top of him once more. "I'll be fine...Alf and I both will...you go and don't even think about us."

"Ha!" George rose slowly, feeling greatly relieved. "Not only will we think about you both, we'll miss you."

"You still nervous?" CJ asked.

"Terrified that she'll come to her senses and change her mind." George ran his hands through his hair and then wondered why CJ seemed to be smirking at him. "That, and I'm still not certain that my friend Lee Jordan will be able to get here with his guests. I'd really like for that to be settled. Anyhoo, you don't need to be worried about me, kiddo. Get some sleep now."

"You, too." CJ said, turning over on to his side with a yawn.

As if I'll be able to. But George felt relieved that he'd taken care of at least one of his worries.

WWWWWWW

FROM THE DIARY OF CJ DIGGORY:

That was Uncle George. Wanting to make sure I'm all right. Wanting to make sure my father didn't upset me. Wanting to make sure I'll be okay while he is gone.

I'm not alright, completely, but I can't tell him that. My father did upset me, but I don't think I let that show, because George is good and he'd want to talk about how my father upset me, and I can't. But I will be okay while he is gone, and I will keep trying to find a way out of this.

Every time I realize that he cares about me, a part of me melts, and a part of me fears that I am only going to hurt him myself one day.

But not tomorrow. And not next week. And not this summer. And that's enough for now.

WWWWWWW

Michelle rose early the next day, feeling refreshed and alive. Quietly she slipped out of the Potter house with a cup of tea, and stared out over the fields beyond, into the early morning sunshine. It was just past 7:30.

"Miss Shell?"

She turned in surprise. "Hey, Alf...what on earth are you doing up so early?" She smiled at him, and moved to sit down on a stone bench; Alf immediately came over and sat next to her, chewing thoughtfully on his lower lip. So like George, she thought, and instinctively she went to push his bangs out of his forehead.

"I wanted to ask you something, and I thought it would be a little nuts later on." He sighed and set his shoulders, looking her in the eye. "Why did you go to my Mum's grave?"

"Ah." She should have known he'd find out. "Got a letter from your sister, did you?"

Alf nodded just once, and went on. "Dad didn't love her, you know. I mean, I think he had a crush on her once, but that's it. I don't want you to think...well...that you have to be up against her, because you're not." He stammered the whole statement out while barely breathing.

"Hold on!" Michelle set her cup of tea down, and grasped Alf's hands. "Are you thinking that I'm worried about your Dad considering me a replacement of sorts?"

Alf paused. "Well...why else would you be there?" He asked, quite simply.

"Because of you, Alf." She squeezed his hands gently. "Look, a year and a half ago I might have wondered how I compared to your Dad's first wife...when I thought he'd had a first wife. I know now it was a good deal more complicated than that. But I'm marrying George, not Fred. I know your Dad loves me." She rubbed her thumbs against him soothingly. "I went there to make a promise to her...that I would care for you. Because she can't. Maybe it sounds silly, maybe it is silly, but it was just something I needed to do."

"Oh." Alf's face went momentarily blank. "Really?"

"Really." She reached forward and kissed him on the forehead. "I can't imagine how her last days must have been...the worry about the children she knew she was leaving behind must have consumed her. And no matter how much she hoped George would be willing to be there for you, she couldn't have known exactly what state his life was in, or how it was going to continue. No, as a woman, Alf, I owed it to her, to try and find a way to let her know she could trust me with your care. I don't know if it worked...I think it did...but I needed to try, no matter what."

Alf blushed a tad. "Sorry...I mean, I knew that you knew about how my Mum was with Fred, but I didn't think you'd go all the way to Sheffield just for me."

"Hey..." She playfully tapped him on the chest. "None of that now...there is no 'just for me.' We're family now, and family does all kinds of crazy stuff for each other. Now go. If I know your Dad, he's probably already awake, has lost the ring and spilled coffee all over his shirt. He needs his best man!" She rubbed his head, and Alf popped up with a lopsided grin.

"To be awake would make it sound like he'd slept, which I don't think he did." Alf added in, then looked at her in some surprise. "YOU look very calm."

"This is a perfect day for me, Alf. I am marrying the man that I love. Nothing else really matters." She felt herself glowing, as she hugged herself tightly in the morning sun. Alf gave her that flashing grin as he ran back off. As he popped in to his own house...the one that would soon be hers as well, Michelle heard George's groan. "Has anybody seen the bloody ring?"

She chuckled. A good day already, indeed!

WWWWWWW

"I've forgotten everything!" George moaned.

Alf was quite calm. "No, you haven't!"

"I keep losing the ring...my shirt is stained...and I can't remember my ruddy vows, Alf!" He sat down on the bed in frustration, then threw himself backwards. Alf came around the bed so he was looking right down at his father's face from up above; arms crossed, smirking slightly.

"First, if you should forget the vows, just remember that all you need to know is that you love her and you are promising to spend the rest of your life with her. Everything else will follow. Second, Dixie...or maybe it was Delwyn, I can't tell them apart, is removing the coffee stain from your shirt even as we speak...and here it is!" Alf nodded as the house elf in question came in with a gleaming white dress shirt...Alf forced his father to sit upright and assisted him into it, as Delwyn bowed low and backed away.

"I'm wrinkled." George frowned as he got into the dress robes that flowed over his base suit. Alf, with a patient sigh, took out his wand and muttered a quick spell that Eileen had taught him; the robe flowed suddenly as if freshly pressed.

"You're not supposed to do magic!" George muttered, though he looked relieved.

"Right. Ground me if you wish." Alf joked, and George just rolled eyes at him. "Now, lastly, I have the rings-yours and hers!" Alf took them out, and held them in front of George. "I will not lose the rings, Dad. And we will be there together, on time, without worries. Although not if we don't leave within the next fifteen minutes!"

George exhaled. "Did Jimmy and Tony go?"

"Gramps came an hour ago to get them to Hogwarts, along with CJ...you were trying to drown yourself in the shower." Alf looked faintly wistful. "I think he's resurrected the flying car!"

"No...Mum will kill him!" George nearly smirked, though it looked like it might make his face crack.

"Yeah, but I bet Tony and Jimmy are having the times of their lives!" Alf added. "Now...shall we get to the floo?"

George took a deep breath, and then looked Alf over carefully. With suddenly steady hands he reached over and undid Alf's crooked tie, redoing it into a perfect bow. "We're ready now. And may I say, I think we both look smashing."

"Of course we do!" Alf said, his eyes wide. "We are strikingly handsome men, we are!"

Pure Fred, George though, with a wistful twinge.

WWWWWWW

CJ, Teddy and Tony were ushering guests as they arrived on the Hogwarts grounds; they were in slightly less fancy robes but still made an impressive sight, even Tony, who had insisted that he wanted to be in robes too.

"I mean, I can't wear a suit. You might as well hang a sign around my neck that says 'muggle!'" He'd protested to his bemused father.

CJ watched now as he and Teddy managed to make it so that Tony escorted the incredibly ancient and apparently disliked Aunt Muriel to her seat.

"Now, young man…I'll have no funny business. You're one of those friends of that boy, I suppose…if you're around that Fred you can't' be anything but trouble. Or was it George who lived, and Fred who died? Never could tell…"

By the time Tony got back to them he and Teddy were standing there trying to look innocent, as if they hadn't planned that.

"It is a good thing that I'm not a wizard…that woman would be jinxed in to oblivion by now." Tony muttered. "What a witch."

"Literally. And that's not considered slander here." Teddy smirked. "And a hex would work better than a jinx…say, furnunculus. Boils all over her face."

The three of them paused, and then CJ stated the obvious. "Would it make a difference?"

They snickered quietly.

"Ah, Boys." Arthur came up to them, eyebrows raised. "Not up to anything, I hope."

"Oh, no Sir." They said in unison, suddenly looking quite angelic.

"Right. Not that you have to fear me…but Molly is keeping an eye on you. The woman raised six boys and Ginny…you have a better shot of getting a quaffle past Alf than any pranks past her." Arthur winked.

CJ had to bite his cheeks to keep from laughing out loud.

"I've got next…" Teddy smoothed his robes down and went forward.

"Friend of the bride or groom?" He asked, with exceeding politeness.

Lee Jordan smiled down at him. "Both, I hope…but though I fear Michelle, I've known George longer."

CJ gaped. There was a tall, dignified black wizard with them who looked as though he could use a good meal; CJ had no clue who he was. But beside him was a powerfully built wizard, not so tall but wiry and lean, with a chiseled face. "Oh, my God…it's KRUM! VIKTOR KRUM! Blasted lucky Teddy!" He half moaned.

"Can I ask who Krum would be?" Tony asked, watching as Teddy escorted the trio to seats.

"He's only the greatest Quidditch seeker the world has ever seen. Well, I've heard Uncle Harry could have been that good if he decided to play pro…but Krum, he was unstoppable." CJ desperately tried to think of something that would put this in perspective…he'd been around George Weasley and the rigged television to have picked up some muggle sports…not to mention Miss Shell's class for a year. "Um, it's kind of like David Ortiz. Only magic."

That Tony understood. "Whoa! I didn't know Alf's dad knew any celebrities!"

CJ thought Uncle Harry would probably be highly gratified to hear that. But there was no way to explain Harry Potter to Tony.

Teddy, looking ecstatic, floated back. "Krum just gave us a Galleon each if we guarantee that when Professor Morgainne arrives we escort her to the seat with them."

"Cool!" Tony took the bit of gold reverently. "Wicked souvenir!"

CJ looked imploringly at Teddy. "You can have mine if I can take her over. C'mon Teddy…I want to talk to Krum too!"

Teddy tossed him the Galleon anyway. "I can play fair, Ceej…she's all yours." His eyes went a glinting gold. "Never thought I'd hear you beg to escort Morgainne the Gorgon anywhere!'

"Shattup." CJ flushed.

Time passed slowly. There was still forty-five minutes to the ceremony. The wind was starting to pick up.

"There she is." Teddy nudged him at once.

CJ came forward, his stomach fluttering slightly. With a bow, he offered his arm. "Professor Morgainne? May I escort you to your seat?"

Tall, proud, and severe, she looked down at CJ. And for the first time he saw her smile. "You may, Mr. Diggory."

WWWWWWW

Angelina nearly hadn't gone to the wedding. It hurt to much, with Matthias still somewhere in Uganda. She knew George had been sincere in his offer to help her find him, but she also knew that it wasn't likely that much would get done before the wedding. And she couldn't blame George; the man was in love, had a business, had a kid…and an extra ward, no less…in short, he had a life. And he couldn't put it on hold to help her out. And how many of the old lot would help her out anyway? So going to the wedding, alone, was of no great appeal.

But no. She would not be a coward any longer. She would see George get married to Michelle, who really loved him, and she would see him happier than she had ever imagined he would be again, and she would be pleased about it. Really.

Staying away would make it look like sour grapes. And it wasn't, not anymore.

She was surprised when she arrived to see CJ Diggory willingly come forward and offer her his arm; she had not been kind to the young man all year. But he was quite polite and surprisingly genteel for a twelve year old boy; she accepted with a smile, and followed where he lead.

Had she been paying attention, and not lost in her own worries, she might have noticed that he lead her past open seats near old school mates, all of whom were looking as if they would willingly accept her with them. But CJ was moving with purpose towards a particular spot. Not that it mattered to her.

A man rose by the seat which young Diggory was directing her to. "Angelina?" A deep voice resonated.

She looked up into the eyes of the wizard before her, and in a rush of an instance she realized what a fool she had been all year. This was the only man she loved.

"Matthias?" She whispered, shaking slightly as she reached up to stroke his face.

Her husband...alive and well...smiled down at her. "Your friends seem to have worked a miracle for you, love."

Suddenly, the proud, stern potions professor evaporated, and Angelina shrieked, a shriek of pure joy, as she leapt into Matthias' arms, wrapping herself around him. And he laughed, loud and hard and almost giddy, as he swung her around.

Just beyond the decorated grounds, Angelina caught just a glimpse of George Weasley, sticking his head out of a tented area, to find the source of the commotion. As he realized what had happened, he smiled at her.

"Thank you." She mouthed at him. He gave her a semi-mocking salute.

Thank you. It would never be enough. Because he had given her everything.

WWWWWWW

It was time.

George waited at the front of the assembly, just beside the podium which Kingsley Shacklebolt would be using to conduct the ceremony. Not every person had the luck to have the Minister of Magic perform their wedding; but then the Weasleys were not just any family. Alf, very subtly, reached over and patted George on the back, a familiar gesture between the two of them.

The chairs Hagrid had assembled on the lawn were full; those people who knew mostly George had spilled over to the bride's side, since Michelle was not blessed with a multitude of family. That's about to change big time. He thought, smiling a little. Even blasted Aunt Muriel had shown up; he noticed his father shooting dangerous looks at her periodically, and wondered what nonsense she was spouting now.

The wind rustled at his robes, a surprisingly icy blast, even for the Scottish highlands.

He forced himself to focus. There now, there were Jimmy and Tony, looking exhilarated and amazed from their ride in a flying car. He looked forward to introducing the pair to Kingsley during the reception; Kingsley was interested in continuing to make joint ventures in the muggle world, and this would be a perfect chance.

His brothers were spread out in the assembly, each with their respective wives and offspring. Victoire kept shooting glances over to Teddy, who was looking particularly handsome, George thought. He wondered if Teddy would ever have a chance, should his beautiful, headstrong and part veela niece decide to choose him!

Of course, there was Charlie, proudly single and perhaps a little worried that Molly and Fleur's match-making attempts were about to change their focus. His brother met his eye and gave him a firm "thumbs-up", George managed a smile back.

Speaking of Molly, there she was in the front row, already dabbing at her eyes, which brought a lump to his own throat. It was barely two years ago when the two of them were hardly speaking to each other, because of a lifetime of misunderstandings. That had all changed...because of Alf.

Because of Alf. How much in his life that made everything he had so worth living for was because of Alf? The best thing that had ever happened to him, without question, and the reason that Alf was the one standing beside him right now as his best man.

Just as the music started, George leaned down to his son., putting his hand on his shoulder. "I cannot ever tell you how much you mean to me, Alf."

Alf glanced up at him. "If it's anything near to what you mean to me, then I know."

The strains of Pachelbel's Canon floated over the grounds, and he saw Michelle's friend Karen enter, wearing a simple red silk dress which flowed gracefully around her. And then he stared, as if stunned, as he first caught glimpse of Michelle, as if he had never seen her before. Good heavens, what is a woman like that doing agreeing to marry a silly bloke like me?

She floated...there was no other word for it, down the center aisle, the wispy skirts trailing about her like clouds. Her hair was half pulled up and secured with braids of tiny red rose buds, the remaining hair falling in waves over her bare shoulders and down her back. The top the dress seemed to shimmer and sparkle in the camera flashes going on around her. There was no shimmer from the sun; though George had barely registered the fact, the day had become quite overcast.

As Michelle came up next to him, her green eyes shining into his, she handed off the bouquet that she carried to Karen. Karen and Alf then moved of just slightly to the side, and George took Michelle's hands. Truly he thought that if a thousand dung bombs went off, he wouldn't notice.

"Friends...family...those beloved by Michelle and by George..." Kingsley began to intone.

There was a splash on George's nose. He ignored it.

"The lifetime bond occasioned by a magical union is not one to be entered into without careful thought. As two young people begin a journey together..."

Young people. George nearly laughed; he was over thirty, and Michelle was two years older. They hadn't exactly rushed into this crazily.

Another couple of drops splashed on Michelle's shoulders. Her dress seemed spelled to repel any potential hazards, but that rain must be cold. He reached over and wiped her shoulder dry, and she smiled at him even more beautifully.

"...Vows made to love one another, through all hardships and all joy, through whatever life may send their way..."

And at that moment, the threatening clouds made good; water streamed down on them in torrents. A distant rumble of thunder was heard.

Kingsley went on, raising his voice over the now howling winds, as guests scrambled for umbrellas or more magical forms of protection. "And George and Michelle have shown their deep commitment to each other, and to their new family, and intend to grow that commitment in the coming days..."

There was a shriek from the assembly. Michelle's hair flew out behind her. Nearly Headless Nick, who had been watching the proceedings, flew back towards the castle as if he'd been deflated by Peeves. The trees waved wildly, and he saw Hagrid trying to shoo a flock of storm-swallows which swooped over the crowd.

What the hell? Kingsley wrapped his robes around him, and looked worried; Michelle's skirts were frothed up, George's robes billowed out. There was another grumble of thunder and a flash, and a few folks ran towards the great hall; he thought he saw Minerva McGonagall magically moving the catering in that direction. This can't be happening!

Then he looked at Michelle, eyes wide, and suddenly, together, they laughed. Great peals of laughter that over-rode the storm. After everything else they had been through, why on earth shouldn't he have expected this?

Kingsley was clearing his throat, and George yelled out loud, grasping Michelle's hands in his and holding them before the Minister. "THE BLOODY WEATHER BE DAMNED...I LOVE THIS WOMAN, AND I WILLINGLY BIND MY LIFE TO HERS!"

Michelle threw her hair back proudly. "AND I LOVE THIS MAN, AND I WILLINGLY BIND MY LIFE TO HIS!"

Alf handed Shacklebolt the two rings, and he waved his wand over them, before handing one to George, and one to Michelle; they placed the rings on each other, ignoring the chaos about them, and re-grasped each other; a silver wisp of light wrapped around their clasped hands.

Kingsley yelled as loud as he could. "Ladies and Gentlemen...Michelle and George Weasley..."

The rest of what he said was lost in the storm, but that was unnecessary; George knew damned well enough what to do and he swept in with a kiss, one that she matched passionately, and he wrapped arms around her, swinging her about and laughing in the storm as the resolute photographer (Dennis Creevy, actually) kept snapping away.

Then, as fast as the storm came up, the clouds parted, though it still rained. A beam of sun shot through, and a rainbow formed, right over George and Michelle.

Way to go, Fred. Wondered if you'd manifest yourself somehow. George thought, looking up at the sky even as Michelle nuzzled his chin.

He realized Alf was tugging at his robes, and looked down at his son.

"Everyone else is running for the great hall." Alf's eyes twinkled. "I wouldn't count somebody holding the wild weather at bay for too long!"

"Gotcha. Let's run for it ourselves then!" George nodded, and he wrapped an arm around his new bride, and held his son's hand, as they took of for safety, and dryness.

WWWWWWW

An hour later, the laughter seemed contagious. CJ watched with great happiness as George greeted guests with a wide smile, Michelle never leaving his side. The food had been moved in with surprising ease (although with magic perhaps not so surprising) and background music accompanied the variety of people milling about, champagne in their flutes, as hot Hors D'Oeuvres were passed before dinner commenced.

There was a tap on his shoulder, and he turned to find himself staring into the face of Viktor Krum. And his mouth merely fell open, and he couldn't speak a word.

"You brought Mrs. Morgainne back to our seats, yes?" The severe looking wizard asked.

"Yes...um...Mr. Krum...sir." CJ stuttered out.

Krum's face changed as he smiled. "I believe I recognize you...your brother was Cedric Diggory, yes?"

CJ gaped. "Yes...he is...was. I mean, he died before I was born."

Krum nodded slowly, sighing. "I know. Perhaps you were not aware, but I was a part of that competition, the tri-wizard tournament. I represented my school, Durmstrang."

"Oh." CJ was stunned. His father had harped so much on the deceitful Harry Potter and the evil Weasleys that none of the other players in that event ever seemed to figure in the story. "I didn't know."

Krum put a friendly hand on CJ's shoulder. "Dark days, those...not that I knew it, nor your brother, nor Mr. Potter or your Aunt Fleur...she, you know, represented Beauxbatons. And yet friends I made then that have stayed with me longer than all my other days at school. Your brother was a good man. I believe that I would have counted him as a friend as well, if fortune had permitted."

CJ swallowed hard; how could he just have taken everything his father told him at face value without learning more? "Thank you." CJ finally mustered out. "I've always been a big fan of yours." He added, feeling just a tad stupid.

Krum smiled widely once more, and at once he whipped out a Quidditch card from his last season; with a flourish he signed it. "I hope, young CJ, that you find the greatness that your brother was destined for." He handed over the card, and then rubbed CJ's head.

CJ held the card reverently. It was funny; what Krum had wished him wasn't so different from what his father had tried to beat in to him, only the motives were far, far apart.

His reverie was interrupted by Alf, who looked angry, annoyed, and flustered. All in all, very much not like Alf! "Ceej...I need to speak with you...privately..." He tugged at him without ceremony, and CJ followed Alf at once.

WWWWWWW

They found a quiet alcove, just by the bathrooms outside the great hall. "Geez, Alf, what's gotten in to you?" CJ wondered, for Alf was pacing, running his hands through his hair, and muttering darkly under his breath.

"I'm going to curse her, CJ…beyond oblivion. And I need you to tell me I'm not crazy." Alf said, turning at once and staring, wild eyed, at CJ.

"Whoa!" CJ held his hands up to try and calm Alf down. "Who is it you're cursing, exactly?"

"Aunt Muriel!" Alf said at once.

"And why…"

Alf rushed on. "She's going to upset Dad! Firstly, she keeps calling him Fred, which is bad enough, and then she bad mouths Fred and George together and has implied more than once that they ought to have both died. And she's insulting Miss Shell, and I won't have that, I won't! She keeps calling her this wanton witch buying her way into a famous family, she even called her a…" Alf's face went pale and he looked faintly ill as he said more quietly, "…a whore!" He gave himself a little shake. "And I won't have it, I won't…I won't have Dad upset today, and especially not by HER!" Alf stomped his foot down.

"Okaaaaaaaaay." CJ spoke slowly. He'd never seen Alf like this before, and wanted to keep him, if not calm, at least not frothing at the mouth. "And you don't think it would upset your dad to have you…his son…disobey the decree against underage magic in a violent and aggressive manor that causes somebody harm?" He said at last.

"I'm not going to KILL her!" Alf objected.

"You could still get yourself into quite a bit of trouble. This isn't like using alohamora when nobody is looking at home. And think how upset…how hurt…your Dad would be if you did something like that?" CJ saw that hit home, as Alf paused. "Look, remember when I first got there for Christmas and you two were upset with each other over a silly misunderstanding? Do you really want him to go off on his honeymoon feeling like that?"

"You do not fight fair!" Alf grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "So what you're saying is, either Aunt Muriel is going to upset him, or I am, but either way, he's going to be hurt?"

"Right. Except I don't think he cares so much about Aunt Muriel as he does you." CJ added.

Alf huffed, puffing his hair up from his forehead, and leaned back against the wall, arms folded before him. "I don't like this one bit. What gives her the right, anyway, just because she's old, to come in and say bad things about people?"

CJ mused on that. "From what I've heard, she's been like that for longer than she's been OLD." He thought some more. "Why me, anyway, Alf? Why not snag Teddy or Tony?"

Alf looked at CJ as if he thought CJ were nuts. "Teddy and Tony might technically have known Dad longer…but I don't think they know him as well as you do. I mean, you live with us…you're as good as my brother…who else would I go to?"

CJ flushed, remembering some of his less than happy thoughts about his standing in Alf's life from just yesterday. And that prompted another thought. "I…could…do it!"

"What? Oh, no, CJ…no way!" Alf said at once.

"Why not?" The idea seemed to grow better with each second. "I mean, nobody will get as mad at me…they'll probably blame my father and my lousy upbringing for losing my patience. Your Dad as good as saved my life…why wouldn't I object to how she's talking about him? And he wouldn't get so mad at me…he'd cut me a little slack, anyway…it's not like he'd send me away…um, he wouldn't, right?" CJ hesitated.

"He wouldn't, but doesn't matter, Ceej, I can't let you do this…and he might cut you a little more slack, but he'd still be upset by it…and I don't want to see you in trouble, either!" Alf protested.

"You were willing to get yourself in trouble." CJ argued back.

"Different case entir…"

There was a loud rumbling bang, followed by a shriek and the strangest noises of agitation CJ and Alf had ever heard. CJ looked at Alf in alarm.

"You DIDN'T set anything up before you came and got me, did you?" He worried.

"No…swear I didn't!"

They both darted back into the great hall, where a little puff of smoke was clearing and where the band had gone silent. All the guest were staring in one area.

Alf paled, CJ put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing.

Aunt Murial was there. Or at least, something wearing Aunt Muriel's dress. Something that greatly resembled a giant, five foot tall chicken which began floating up to the enchanted ceiling. And it was squawking and waving its wings, shedding feathers and raising a holy ruckus.

"Who ON EARTH???" Headmistress McGonagall came forward.

And then Alf and CJ saw something else…Karen Brookes and Lee Jordan were on either side of the floating chicken, each with their wands drawn. And the entire room burst in to laughter.

Teddy came up to them at once, with Tony behind him. "You should have seen! Lee used a transfiguration spell, and at the same time without even planning it, Karen inflated her! I guess the crazy bat was running off at the mouth about Fred and George, and Michelle, and they both just lost it!"

"This place ROCKS!" Tony said, with a wide grin.

Alf and CJ, stunned for the moment, watched as Professor Sprout managed to get the ballooned Muriel out of the hall, with Madam Pomfrey beside her, no doubt to help with the remedy. And then suddenly, from up front, somebody let out a loud whoop.

"IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME!" Molly Weasley yelled, starting the applause by standing on top of the head table.

Everyone, including the boys, joined in.

WWWWWWW

As the evening drew to a close, George gave Michelle a kiss as she left him to change into an outfit more suitable for traveling. It was nearly one in the morning, but Krum had arranged a special treat…a flying carpet to take them to Paris. Not technically legal, but every once in a while the rules could be bent.

He looked about the room as the last few guests staggered away. Professor McGonagall had a decided spring in her step, mainly thanks to Ron. George had started it; after the first dance he'd spotted the headmistress off by herself, and had flung Ron at her. It was an old joke, and Ron had been quite flustered; Harry nearly doubled over at the memory it brought up. But Ron had risen above them both; and with great aplomb proceeded to waltz the startled Minerva all over the room.

Naturally none of her former students wished to be outdone. And one by one, from Lee to Neville, even to Draco Malfoy, they had each had a dance with her. Even George, who could swear he heard Fred snickering the entire time.

Brother, you don't know what you missed…the old bird's quite agile and a good bit of fun, really. He thought.

They had untransfigured and deflated Aunt Muriel, but the woman, after calling him Fred twice and cursing him mightily, swore she would never speak to anyone in the family again. George found himself quite fine with that!

One other surprising event had happened. Michelle had approached him earlier with a curious cat-gotten-in-to-the-cream look on her face, and had gently pulled him aside. Where he could just glance into a half hidden alcove, in which Michelle's best friend...Karen...was seriously snogging George's best friend, Lee! "A good thing I've gotten used to him!" She'd sighed in mock exasperation. Even now, hours later and after watching Karen and Lee very quietly leave together, the thought still make George chuckle.

Then he spotted Alf and CJ at a table, admiring a collector's card that CJ had managed to procure from Krum, and he approached them.

"Boys. I'll be off soon…" Before he could finish, Alf had sprung up and given him a hug. "Ooof. Take care of yourself, now, it will only be a week and Uncle Harry knows how to reach me…" He said, rubbing Alf's head.

"So do I!" Alf reminded him, pulling out the spelled medallion that helped to bind them. " But we won't need to."

"Just remember that you can!" He repeated, then looked over to CJ, who had risen more shyly.

"Have a good trip, Sir…er…Uncle George…"

"Oh, hush!" George said, pulling CJ into the hug with Alf. "Stay out of trouble, both of you…and start thinking of all the crazy things we can do this summer when Shell and I get back." George spotted Harry getting ready to take the family to Hogsmeade so they could apparate. "Get on with you, now…" He smiled at the boys as they headed away, then had a thought. "Oh, and boys?"

"NO FIREWORKS!" They called back to him in unison, with wide grins.

George laughed, and waved as they headed out, before he spotted Michelle waiting for him, in simple jeans and a sweatshirt, nearly exactly as how he'd first seen her back in Salem. He walked over and took her hand, and knew that he was the luckiest man in the world.