Molly stalked the house next morning, hurling sobering charms like they were Unforgivables.
'Ron! (BANG!) Harry!(BANG!) Get up now! Honestly, I can't think what you were playing at! Have you seen the state poor Rolf's in? HE'S GETTING MARRIED IN FIVE HOURS TIME!'
'Yeah, alright mum!' said Ron, wincing, 'It was his party.'
'Don't you dare blame that poor boy for the state he's in! Charlie! (BANG!) You as well. I don't know what that drink is you brought with you but it's staining the worktops in the kitchen.' They noticed that Mikhail was woken with a gentle shake and a cup of tea. It obviously didn't pay to be family.
Rolf and Morten were sprawled across the kitchen table. They grinned lopsidedly as Ron and Harry came into the kitchen.
'That was a good night!'
'Are you going to make it?' Harry asked as he slumped beside them. He was getting a little worried about Luna's reaction if Rolf turned up at the wedding worse for wear.
Rolf rubbed his hands across his eyes. 'Ja, another couple of sobering charms should do it. Your mother is very good at them , Ron.'
-o0o-
Luna was walking around in tiny circles, shaking with nerves. Kristine and Ginny were chatting to each other and ignoring her, having long given up any attempts to calm her down. So far they had listened to he's; run away, been kidnapped, in hospital with amnesia - or received an urgent call from his current wife to say the baby's coming.
Hermione walked into the room, already wearing her outfit – a rather fetching pale blue ensemble. She looked at Luna, shook her head and turned to Kristine.
'The portkeys have started arriving from Norway. Are you going out to meet them? Xeno's just arrived back as well.'
Kristine nodded and stood up. 'What state is Xeno in?'
'Sober' said Hermione, a little surprised.
'Then the others are probably alright, too.'
'Luna' said Hermione.
Luna screamed and turned round. 'What? What's happened? Have you heard from him?'
'Erm…no. He's not arriving until one. Hannah says she's ready to start your hair and make-up.'
-o0o-
There was trouble in paradise. Luna was arguing with Hannah, and Ginny had been called in to mediate.
Hannah had arranged Luna's hair into the most fantastic creation and the make-up was a work of art. The trouble was, Luna didn't like it.
'But it's not ME!' she wailed. 'Rolf's marrying me, not some oil painting!'
'It looks lovely' said Hannah. Ginny had to agree with her; Luna looked amazing.
'No! Rolf says he likes me because I'm natural; he calls it WIZZYWEG or something. This isn't me!' She started pulling at her hair, whilst trying to wipe off the make-up.
'OK, OK! Stop!' said Hannah. 'Alright, we'll go natural, but please let me do it.' Huffing somewhat, she started to try and make Luna look like Luna. It would be a tough one.
-o0o-
Rolf and Morten arrived with the rest of the people from The Burrow. The sobering charms had done their job and, apart from a few bags under the eyes, they looked almost normal and walked towards the house greeting their friends with much laughter and slapping of backs.
Ginny was watching as Morten gave his girlfriend a hug. Dagrun was, by any measure, a very beautiful girl; tall and willowy. Ginny sighed and turned away. Ah well little fantasies were nice, and as long as they stayed like that they did nobody any harm. Anyway, she had Harry and wouldn't honestly swap him for anybody.
Rolf went over to greet his Grandparents, who were standing together and talking. Helja gave him a hug and a kiss.
'Ah, you are all grown-up, and will be married today.' She wiped away a tear. Newt and Jens gave him a hug and wished him well. Newt told him his father would have been very proud.
The boys thought they might as well have a drink before heading into the house to get changed. It was an hour until the ceremony started and it wouldn't take them long to get ready. Anyway, a beer would refresh them and set them up for the task ahead.
The glass was just about to touch Rolf's lips when Kristine swooped out of nowhere. 'No you don't!'
'Mamma!'
'In the house now and get ready.' She spun and deftly removed Morten's glass from his hand. 'You too! Go!'
Rolf and Morten shrugged and grinned at each other, but did as they were told.
-o0o-
Hermione knocked on the door of the boy's room at quarter to two.
'There are fifteen minutes to go. Kristine says you need to be outside so we can get Luna down and ready.'
'Thank you' said Rolf. 'How is she? I wish I could just see her and tell her how much I love her.'
Hermione smiled. It was so obvious Rolf cared about her more than anything in the world that it brought a lump to her throat.
'She's fine, honestly, and she looks very beautiful. You two look good as well.'
'Thank you!'
Rolf was wearing robes in ivory white, with a high stiff collar. Most people wouldn't have got away with it, but he could. His tanned skin and sun-bleached hair set them off to perfection. He didn't just look good Hermione thought; he looked stunning.
Morten wasn't bad either. His robes were a pale grey, almost silvery, and complimented Rolf's to perfection. For boys they hadn't done too badly, she decided. They must have spent days designing and co-ordinating their look. She doubted Ron and Harry would do the same when their turns came.
They walked out into the garden to take their places and wait for the ceremony to start. Every eye turned to look at them and there were a few whistles and cheers from their friends.
'Bloody hell' said Ron. He turned to Harry and Neville. 'What do they look like?'
Harry was blowing out his cheeks. 'A couple of male models, if you ask me. It's a bit over-the-top, isn't it?'
'Yeah' agreed Neville. 'I mean, it's a special occasion and all that, but you don't have to make an exhibition of yourself do you?'
'True, Neville.' Ron was nodding sagely. 'I mean, what's wrong with black, or maybe a bit of grey pinstripe?'
-o0o-
Rolf and Morten walked to the front of the marquee, which was sign for the rest of the guests to start taking their places.
'How are you doing?' asked Morten.
Rolf nodded. 'I am fine.' He checked his watch. 'Ten minutes to go. All I have to do is wait.' He checked his watch again and started tapping his heel. He looked at his watch.
'It hasn't moved much' said Morten.
'I know. I hate this waiting. Why doesn't she come?'
'It is not time, yet. She has to be made ready.'
'Perhaps there is a problem.' Rolf's leg was still tapping up and down. He checked his watch. 'Maybe I should go and see.'
'Rolf, there is no problem. Trust me, I am a healer, you must calm down. Just concentrate on breathing good and slow.'
Rolf took a few deep breaths. 'How long to go now?'
'It will be soon.'
Kristine came and sat next to them. 'She is ready, Rolf, and will be here in a moment.' Rolf gave a nervous smile. He was starting to look as pale as his robes.
Kristine stroked his cheek. 'Relax! You are looking very handsome; your father would be proud of you.'
'Thank you, mamma.' He looked at his watch. It was a few seconds until two o'clock.
Music started, and Rolf jumped.
'That is our cue' said Morten. They stood as the Registrar Wizard nodded to them, and walked towards him.
The waiting was over, and Rolf turned to get his first look at his bride.
