8 YEARS LATER
Christmas at the burrow was always wonderful. Hectic but wonderful, so why should today be any different? Even if the gardens were currently holding more people than it had held in a very long time, my grandmother was in her element. From the window, I could see her as she strode around determinedly, trying to whip my cousins into shape and get them to behave. I contemplated opening the window, to catch a flake as it started to snow, but decided against it. Peering up at the sky, I could only give an impressed shake of my head; leave it to Molly Weasley to ensure I got a white wedding.
As if she knew I was thinking about her, my grandmother's voice echoed up through the glass of the window and entered my room. Even from here, I could hear her as she berated Fred, chasing my cousin around as he dodged away from her arms.
"Fred Weasley!" she shouted in exasperated. "If you do anything to ruin this wedding, you will face the sheer force of my wrath and that young man-"
"Relax, grandma," Fred called back laughing, chucking something at Albus who caught it easily. "Nothing's going to happen."
But my grandmother wasn't paying Fred any attention, her eyes were fixed on Albus now who was running with determination straight towards Uncle George, hoping to seek refuge from our grandmother's wrath. Shaking my head a little, I struggled not to roll my eyes; what else could I expect? Of course, my cousins were going to cause mayhem on my wedding day. But, I didn't want it any other way.
A call of my name had me looking back to the door where Victoire, having managed to track down my veil, stood. She held the veil aloft with a victorious laugh, clearly relieved. Shutting the door behind her, she crossed the room and gestured for me to turn around.
"Merlin, could anything else go wrong?" Victoire asked with a sigh, securing the veil in place.
"As long as I get to marry Teddy, I don't care if my dress catches on fire."
Appalled by my words, Victoire said, "You're a much more laidback bride than I would be."
I stopped myself from telling her that I didn't see much changing after marrying Teddy. We already lived together and had spent over a decade together, so what more could change? As far as either of us was concerned, this felt more like a formality than anything else, it just meant we'd tick the married box rather than the cohabiting box on any official documents. In all honesty, we were essentially married in all the ways that counted. But I kept all that to myself.
Instead, I approached the window again, thanking Victoire who said she was going to check on everything. Staring out of the glass, I looked down into the garden, searching for my groom and finding him easily because of his blue hair. It drove my grandmother mad that Teddy wanted to have blue hair, even on his wedding day, but I'd made him promise to keep it blue, at least until the ceremony started so I'd be able to find him easily. It worked. Locating Teddy and admiring him from afar, I watched as he greeted the guests that arrived for the ceremony.
Teddy, as if able to feel my eyes on him, lifted his head and turned to the window where I was standing. Grinning, I waved at him and he was quick to return it before having to look away again as Uncle Harry approached, preparing to lead him away. I continued to appreciate him from afar until I was forced to look away at another knock on the door.
"Come in," I called out, turning my back to the window.
It was my dad who walked into the room, stopping short in the doorway. He watched me with eyes that were becoming suspiciously misty before he walked into the room. Clearing his throat, my dad reached out for my hand.
"You look beautiful," he said, taking my hand and holding it steady.
"It's because of your genetics," I pointed out with a smile.
"I'm glad you know it." Laughing slightly, Dad sucked in a deep breath. He kept watching me before squeezing my hand. "Just give me the sign and I can get a dragon flying in to disrupt it all."
"Dad!" I protested, removing my hand from him. He raised his hands in defence, paying no heed to the look I shot him. "Just because you don't want to get married or settle down, doesn't mean that I feel the same."
Rolling his eyes and choosing not to comment, likely not wanting to bring up a topic we'd discussed to death, he extended his hand to me. I took it again, letting him tuck my hand into the crook on his elbow. Recognising the gesture and realising it was time, I fixed the front of my dress and held on tight to his arm. Godric, this was just a formality, and yet I was suddenly nervous.
"Are you ready to go?" Dad asked, watching as I summoned my bouquet from the bed.
Tucking my wand into my bouquet, I let out a deep breath. Nodding, I said, "Yeah, let's get going."
Walking with slow steps, being careful not to stumble or trip, I relied heavily on dad to make sure I didn't slip. We made our way through the house and entered the garden where all of our guests had congregated and were waiting. Squeezing Dad's arm tight, I did my best to regulate my breathing. Merlin, this was more nerve-wracking than I thought it would be. Silently, Dad brought his free hand up to squeeze the hand that was still clinging to him before releasing it. Lifting my eyes to his, I searched my dad's gaze and he returned it steadily, holding my eyes. He offered me an encouraging nod and I returned it.
Making it to the end of the aisle, my eyes sought out Teddy who stood at the front, with James at his side. He had already turned to see me, grinning madly and I returned it. Behind me, my bridesmaids took their places and we started our procession down the aisle. It felt like it took forever, and if I had my way, I would have speed-walked towards Teddy but knowing that my grandmother was watching me with eagle eyes, I forced myself to walk at a more reasonable pace.
Finally standing in front of Teddy, my Dad handed me off to him. The two exchanged quiet words before Dad took his seat. Holding my hand steadily, Teddy's eyes were locked onto mine and everything else faded. Nothing else mattered. Not even the tinge of red that was creeping into the tips of his now sandy brown hair.
