The song that George and Angelina had chosen for their first dance began with just a few drumbeats and then a perky 80s synthesiser introduction. A huge smile crossed Hermione's face when she immediately recognised it.

"Is this their song?!" she asked Fred. "I remember it from when I was little!" she exclaimed happily.

He nodded eagerly, pulling her to the edge of the dance floor. "Ange introduced George to muggle music when they were first dating, and they fell in love with this song. Used to sing it to each other across the quidditch pitch. Sometimes from their brooms when they were fifty yards apart," he laughed.

Hermione tipped her head to one side as she watched George scoop Angie into his arms and begin to sing the first lines into her ear. Probably quite badly, she thought to herself with a smile, if his singing voice was anything like that of his twin. But Ange didn't seem to mind; she was singing it back to him with a big smile on her face.

"Looking in your eyes, I see a paradise… This world that I've found is too good to be true…"

Fred leaned closer to Hermione's ear, singing his own version, though he didn't know as many of the words as George did. Until they neared the chorus and Fred decided that it was time for the best man and the matron of honour to make their own entrance onto the dance floor. Excited, he scooped her into his arms and carried the laughing witch onto the dance floor to join his twin and their newest sister-in-law.

"Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care about that. Put your hand in my hand, baby, don't ever look back…"

Hermione was set upon her feet and Fred immediately spun her out. She laughed as she saw George doing the same with Angelina; they were using their twin bond to match their movements and put on a show for the crowd.

"Let the world around us just fall apart. Baby, we can make it if we're heart to heart…"

The twins were reaching a crescendo, and Angie wasn't far behind them. Most of their guests were watching and clapping delightedly at the show. A few weeks prior, Hermione might have found herself feeling mortified at being the centre of attention in this way. Now, as the beloved wife of an exuberant, excitable extravert, she had grown a bit more accepting of Fred's antics. She was even beginning to feel, with the help of their own bond, how such activities could occasionally be enjoyable, at least if she was with Fred. Certainly she now understood what Fred gained from his showmanship as the bond allowed her to feel the unique joy that he experienced when he and George's performances and products made others happy.

Fred and George decided a couple of sonorous charms were necessary for the chorus. "And we can build this dream together," they sang out across the beach, their arms swaying, "Standing strong forever. Nothing's gonna stop us now." They each scooped their wife into their arms and sang the next line to her. "And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other. Nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us now…"

Although Molly shook her head at their performance, wiping away tears that stemmed from a combination of emotions that she couldn't have named, she supposed that it was only fitting. Her twins, and their witches, taking the dance floor by storm, together. Each couple were now holding each other close, while the twins and Angelina continued to sing at the tops of their voices. And then George reached for Hermione and Angie reached for Fred and all four of them drew together into a group hug, in which somehow they still managed to keep dancing before they separated back into couples, still singing loudly, faces tipped to the sky.

Across the dance floor, Harry turned to his girlfriend. "That song could have been written for them," he said, and Ginny laughed in agreement.

Molly wiped away more tears, and she watched as Lauren reached for Charlie's hand, pulling him up onto the dance floor to sing and sway to the anthem alongside her. Charlie pressed himself close to Lauren's body, his arms reaching around her and his face nuzzling into her hair. Molly would find out later that evening that Lauren didn't really enjoy dancing; it was the sentiment of the song that had brought her to her feet, wanting to join in. Most of their guests clearly agreed, as the dance floor soon filled with their friends and family loudly singing the song, which seemed to sum up how so many were feeling on that day. For many of them, the knowledge that the war was over was only really just beginning to sink in, and they were experiencing and enjoying a sense of freedom that no-one had felt for a good few years.

"May I have this dance?" asked Phil, holding his hand out to Molly.

"Of course," she replied, and followed him onto the dance floor as Arthur smiled. He headed across the side of the dance floor until he found Minerva McGonagall, who he always enjoyed dancing with. Principally because she, like his wife, knew how to take her turn in the lead. And Arthur was happy to stick with what he knew. As the music changed and the singing and dancing became a bit less loud, they took the chance to catch each other up on news; his from the Ministry and their family, hers from Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Minerva smiled warmly when he outlined the plan they had begun to make to move Lauren and Charlie to the grounds of The Burrow.

"I think she'll enjoy that," Minerva said.

"I really like the idea of moving the cottage," Lauren was saying to Charlie at almost exactly the same moment. "Are you sure you're OK with being so close to your folks?"

"After all those years of being so far away," he replied, looking lovingly into her eyes, "it'll be great. We'll be at the reserve for part of the time anyway, and it'll be great knowing that they'll keep an eye on the cottage. And just think; free babysitting on tap. We'll be able to share child care and other stuff with the others as well."

Lauren smiled, her mind's eye full of thoughts of swings and garden sofas; of happy summer barbeques and autumn bonfires; of watching Charlie and, she hoped, some of brothers spend time outside together while she, Molly and Hermione chatted on the sofa. She tipped her head to one side, wondering whether Angelina and Fleur and the other witches knitted, and was then distracted by the realisation that, as soon as she had a floo, she could spend more time with her new French friend, getting to know Fleur better.

"What are you thinking?" Charlie asked her, seeing her eyes flash with happiness at the thought.

"How much I'll love having access to a floo of my own," she replied. "I'll be able to get around by myself then. I can go to Shell Cottage, and the shop," she said, and then paused. "And I've never even been to Percy's. Or Ginny and Harry's," she exclaimed.

"Well, it has only been two and a half weeks," Charlie laughed, and she tipped her head, laughing in acknowledgement.

"True," she conceded, as one song came to an end and a faster tune began. "Shall we sit down now? You know I'm not really a dancer!"

"Boooo!" Ginny called to them as they passed her, letting Lauren know that she disapproved of her leaving the dance floor so soon, and Lauren laughed.

"I need to be more drunk first," she said, leaning closer to Charlie's sister so she could be heard over the music.

"The bar's that way then," Ginny said cheekily. "Don't be long … I'll be waiting!"

"She doesn't take any prisoners," Lauren laughed to Charlie as they headed over to get themselves another drink.

"Never has," said Percy, who had also excused himself, though he had left Penny happily bopping with Fleur and Bill. "But with six older brothers, she was never going to be a shrinking violet!"

"What does your week look like, with all this legal stuff going on?" Charlie asked his brother.

"Legal," replied Percy, shortly, though he didn't look too sorry about that. Truth be told, he enjoyed wading through laws and solving political puzzles. He checked around to see that no-one else was listening to him before continuing. "I'm pulling a document together which is basically a stay of the marriage law. Kingsley's hoping that the plan that this lot have come up with," he tilted his head slightly towards the dance floor, and Charlie knew that he was indicating Hermione, George, Fred, Angelina and Lee, "will stun the Wizengamot into signing it right there and then, which means we can all wake up on the first of August without that threat hanging over us."

"That would be amazing," Charlie said.

"Yes, well," Percy replied, "we all just have to do our bit and then hope for some luck and a fair wind." He took a sip of his beer.

"Is there anything I can do?" Lauren asked.

Percy shook his head. "Most of it's in motion and we just need to hope now," he told her. "And you've given Charlie what he needs to be safe. There is one question I've been wanting to ask you, though…"

Lauren smiled. "Go on then," she said, looking back out over the dance floor and smiling at the sight of Charlie's family enjoying themselves. "Everyone deserves some happiness, by the sounds of it, and I'd be happy to help." She smiled at Elliot, who had found Hermione and was having a chat with her and Fred.

"Right then," said Charlie. "I'll get the drinks in? What would you both like?"

Twenty minutes later, Percy and Lauren were still poring over a piece of parchment, in deep conversation, and Charlie had given up watching and gone to chat to Bill and Fleur instead. "Well, would you look at that," Fred whispered into Hermione's ear, pointing the two of them out. "Now that's a friendship pairing I would never have predicted!"

Hermione smiled. "I guess they're only opposite in temperament," she said, stroking Fred's waist with her fingers. "They're both very clever, and they're probably talking about philosophy or something…"

Fred chuckled. "Well," he said, "it's nice to see them both connecting with the family. Oh, look!" He exclaimed, delighted at what he was seeing. "Here we have another great friendship pairing in the making," he said, turning Hermione around to watch. "Bet he's spotted how tiny she is!"

"Excuse me…" Lauren turned and looked up at the sound of a pleasant male voice, and then had to tip her head down slightly when she saw a very smartly-dressed shorter man addressing her. "Am I interrupting?" he asked.

"Not at all," Percy said, "We've just finished."

"Percy," said the newcomer with a smile. "I wonder if you would be so kind as to introduce me?"

"Of course!" Percy smiled, turning to Lauren. "Lauren," he said, "this is Professor Filius Flitwick, who teaches charms at our school." Lauren smiled broadly at the older man and offered him her hand to shake. "Professor," she said.

"Filius, please," the older wizard looked between the two of them, urging them both to feel able to address him by his first name.

"Filius," Percy continued, with a small nod to acknowledge the honour that had been bestowed upon him, "this is Dr Lauren Bennett. She's a muggle lecturer and, as I'm sure you know, she and Charlie are together and Elliot is their son."

"Charmed," Filius said, kissing Lauren's hand and giving her a bow, which made her smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and I wondered if you would care to dance?" He tipped his head to one side and smiled. "I stand no chance with all these tall women who insist on wearing high heels, but I think you might be perfect!"

Lauren leaned towards him. "I'd love to," she said, "but I'm not very skilled. Can you teach me what to do?"

"Of course!" he exclaimed, holding out his hand, which Lauren took, giving Percy a smile before standing and allowing Filius to lead her onto the dance floor and begin a foxtrot lesson.

Just a few yards away, Lee was leaning close as he spoke into Verity's ear. "Are you OK, love?" She had taken his hand and accompanied him to the dance floor, but he could tell that she wasn't totally present. "You've been quiet ever since you talked to Kingsley earlier…" He trailed off, not sure whether his observation would lead to a reprimand or a happy look that he had noticed. He knew from the experience of pointing out when stock was low or out of place that it could go either way with Verity.

It went the way he wanted, and she leaned into him more closely. "It's time," she said, and then there was a long pause.

Lee didn't reply. He knew better than to interrupt if Verity was finally ready to talk about what was going on for her.

"I need to be honest with you, and I'm never going to find a better time or place," she said, looking around. "Are you needed for anything?"

Lee shook his head. "Phil has his own DJ," he said, "and the fireworks are all set."

"Right." Verity paused again. "I'm going to use the ladies. You get a bottle of something that'll last us an hour, and," she looked around and then pointed to the side of the cove they were in that led away from the honeymoon area, "I'll meet you round there in five."

Lee nodded, feeling apprehensive and excited all at once. He had no idea what Verity wanted to tell him, but he hoped more than anything that it might end with her finally agreeing to go out with him. He was at the bar and back in a flash and slipped away with just the quietest word to Fred, who gripped his shoulder with a whispered, "good luck, mate," before spinning Hermione out again, ensuring for his old friend's sake that any unoccupied eyes were on himself and Hermione and not on the couple who needed a bit of time to themselves.

"Our terrible twosome," said Molly, watching Fred's wild dancing from her husband's arms. "Can you believe that they're the second and third of our kids to be married?!"

"I would never have bet on it," Arthur laughed. "But I'm so proud of both of them."

Molly nodded, and then looked between George and Fred again, smiling when she realised that they had now swapped witches. They had loved to play with her when they were younger, each pretending that they were the other. For years, she had played along with it, knowing how much they both enjoyed thinking that they were fooling their mum. She wondered if either of them would have magical twins of their own. If they did, she thought, they would soon realise that she had always known which was which. You can't sit and gaze at your children for hours, while you breastfeed or play with them, or watch them sleep, and not come to intimately know every minute difference between the two. She wondered if one day they would come to know that kind of love.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Arthur whispered, leaning close to her ear.

"Ten galleons," Molly replied, surprising him into a loud laugh.

"That's an expensive thought, Mollywobbles," he smiled.

"No," she said, swatting him with a laugh of her own. "Ten galleons on Hermione and Fred being the first of the pair of them to give us a grandchild. Look at the way they look at each other! Even after five weeks or however long it is, they can't wait to get home and be alone!"

"I'll gladly take that wager," Arthur grinned. "Because I think George and Ange'll get there first. Hermione's too sensible; she'll stick to her plan of waiting AND she'll take account of the Weasley super fertility."

Molly laughed. "You might be right, but we'll see. I still have Fred's persuasive skills on my side, and goodness knows I've been at the receiving end of those for twenty odd years, so I know how good they are!"

Arthur tipped his head and leaned closer. "But I still have the fact that George and Angie can't use any contraception tonight, while they seal their bond…"

"Get away with you," Molly laughed again. "You have them all thinking it's me who's obsessed with grandchildren, and you're far worse than I am."

"Well," Arthur said, delighted to have Molly in such a relaxed mood after the difficulties she had been experiencing over the past few weeks, "I was wondering whether, once we've got all the new houses moved and up, we could built a little railway around the garden, with a train which could stop outside each house so that we use it to could visit each other! And we'll have a stop at the pond, of course, so we can go straight from home for a swim!"

Molly's laugh was so loud and happy that Ginny heard it from across the other side of the dance floor. "Mum seems to be feeling better," she said to Harry, who agreed. "Did you talk to Hermione yet?" she asked him, and he made a positive noise.

"We're meeting for coffee in the Alley tomorrow morning," he said. "And Ron. You could come if you like?"

"I might," Ginny said, sounding non-committal. "I'll see how hungover I am. Oh hello, look!" she exclaimed, turning Harry to watch the twins and Elliot heading straight for their favourite transfiguration professor, who was dancing with Bill. This could be good…"

"Auntie Minnie!"

Two almost identical voices called out, with one sounding just slightly more gravelly than the other. Minerva turned in Bill's arms; a half-smile on her lips. She wished she had placed a bet with Molly on how long it would take Fred and George to abuse her new name.

"I do hope," she said gently, eyeing the small wizard in Fred's arms, "that you're worth it!"

Elliot held his arms out. "Dance? Miney said you're the best…"

Bill laughed, bowed to Minerva and stepped back, conceding his dance partner to his nephew.

Walking up just behind the twins, Hermione gave her old teacher a smile. "When Elliot said he wanted to learn to dance, we told him how you taught us all, for the Yule Ball…"

"Did they now?" she asked Elliot, who nodded excitedly. "Well then," she continued, "let's see."

Minerva tipped her head slightly to one side, considering how best to facilitate a dance with the tiny boy, and then made a decision. "I think," she said, choosing a Weasley twin at random and taking Fred's hand, "we'll borrow Uncle Fred to give you some height. George, some help here please!"

Within less than a minute, she had directed George to hold Elliot snugly against his brother while indicating that Fred should hold his arms in the air. Minerva then spun several strands of rainbow coloured fabric from her wand, much to Elliot's delight, using them to gently but firmly secure the little boy to Fred's chest. Bill had turned around, catching both Lauren and Charlie's eyes to ensure that they would witness the fun. Filius laughed, gave Lauren another bow and led her back to Charlie so that they could all watch together.

"That's genius," George said, smiling as their old professor placed Elliot's right hand on her shoulder while Fred reached for her waist. She then took hold of both of their left hands and the three of them moved easily back onto the dance floor, with Fred doing the legwork and Elliot laughing delightedly; his feet dangling in the air as he was swirled around in a dance by his uncle and his lovely Auntie Minnie.

None of them noticed as Lee slipped away and then turned the corner, a large bottle of wine in one hand and a couple of glasses in the other, and smiled as he saw the sight that was awaiting him.