Chapter 13: Percy and Penelope
Harry had come back just in time for Gryffindor's match against Slytherin. The team had been practicing without him, and was showing much improvement. Harry always hated matches against Slytherin. They cheated and fouled other players. They would do anything to win.
"I know Slytherin always cheats," he said during the locker room speech right before the match, "but we're better than them, and we can beat them without stooping to their level." The team cheered and they got ready to play.
From the toss up, Slytherin showed their style. One of the Slytherin Chasers elbowed Alicia out of the way to get the ball, and he immediately flew down to the end of the field and scored. After that, Katie was able to get the ball and score before she was violently shoved.
"Penalty!" Lee Jordan called. "That's got to be a penalty!" Madame Hooch blew the whistle and Katie took a penalty shot. She was so angry she missed. The Slytherin section of the crowd cheered. In less than a minute, Slytherin had scored again.
Then Harry saw the small glint of gold that he recognized as the Snitch. He was much closer than Malfoy; he would have no problem getting it. He zoomed towards the Snitch.
"Potter's seen the Snitch!" Lee yelled excitedly. Malfoy sped after him, but he was way behind. Harry was within five feet of the Snitch.
Wham! A Slytherin Beater had crashed into Harry, almost knocking Harry off his broomstick. "Hey! He did that on purpose!" came Lee's voice. Harry held on for dear life and was able to right himself. He had been forced back, and now Malfoy was ahead of him. He took his hand off the broom and grabbed the Snitch.
"What filthy, rotten, stinking, cheating a- Sorry Professor."
"That's a foul," Fred was shouting at Madame Hooch as Harry approached.
"There's nothing I can do," she responded. "The game is already over. Slytherin is the winner." She looked just as upset about it as Harry felt. The team walked angrily back to the locker rooms. They felt bad about losing, but they felt even worse that they had lost because of cheating.
"Don't worry," said Angelina. "We'll get them back."
The Christmas holidays were approaching. They had but one more week of classes until the break. Everyone was looking forward to it. Even though they had lost at Quidditch, it was hard to think about the match when they had Christmas on their minds.
"So what are you going to do over break?" Harry asked Lauren as the two of them and Hermione walked down to breakfast one morning.
"Well, I guess I'll be going home. Maybe we might spend a couple days sightseeing in London, though. I guess you'll be staying here?"
"Yeah," answered Harry. Although he hadn't done anything to the Dursleys over the summer, they still forced him to stay at Hogwarts. Not that he was unhappy; Harry would much rather have been with his friends then his awful relatives.
"What about you, Hermione?" asked Lauren.
"I don't have any plans yet. Maybe I'll just stay here."
By this time, they had reached the Great hall. Ron was sitting at the table. An envelope was resting on his plate, and he was holding a square piece of parchment. By the look on his face, they could all tell there was something wrong.
"What's up, Ron?" asked Harry, sitting down next to him.
"You'll see in a moment," Ron sighed. As if they had heard his words, two post office owls swooped down to the Gryffindor table and dropped letters on Hermione and Harry's laps. Harry opened his letter and read.
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater
Saturday, December twenty-third
At the Wizard Hotel and Party Hall
Ten o'clock in the morning.
"What's so bad about that?" asked Hermione.
"Percy's getting married. Just another brother to take all of my attention," Ron said gloomily.
"How come I wasn't invited?" Lauren asked.
"The Weasleys don't even know you. And besides, you said you already have plans," said Hermione.
"I was just joking," said Lauren, laughing.
Both Harry and Hermione sent the owls back saying they would go to the wedding. It was soon the end of the week, and everyone had their bags packed. The four of them walked down to the entrance hall together. They walked with the hundreds of other Hogwarts students to the train that was waiting for them.
The train ride seemed short since everyone was excited about the holidays. They arrived at platform nine and three quarters. They went through the barrier and back into King's Cross Station.
"See you guys later!" shouted Lauren as she split from the other three, making her way towards platform ten, and the train she and Joey were taking.
The other three walked towards the train that would take them back to the Burrow.
It was late at night by the time Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George got off the train at their stop. It was only a short walk back to the house, but it was pitch black.
"I'm starving!" Ron grumbled.
"How much farther?" asked Ginny.
"Not much," answered George. As soon as he said this, they came over a hill and saw the house. Happy that they were finally there, the six of them ran down the hill.
Mrs. Weasley opened the door and welcomed everyone. "It's so nice to see you! Are you hungry?"
Everyone nodded. Mrs. Weasley flicked her wand and a spread of cold cuts appeared on the table. They sat down and started eating.
"I'm so excited about Percy's wedding!" Ginny said, her mouth full of roast beef.
"Speaking of Percy, where is he?" asked Harry.
"He's still at work," answered Mrs. Weasley. "He should be home soon."
But Percy and Mr. Weasley still weren't home when Mrs. Weasley told them all that it was time for bed. Harry slept on the floor in Ron's room, and Hermione slept on the floor in Ginny's room.
When Harry woke up the next morning, he could hear a heated argument downstairs.
"I had no idea where you were!"
"I'm sorry… I thought you knew!"
"If you were still living here, you'd be in big trouble! Imagine! Not telling you own mother that you've moved!"
Ron sat up groggily in his bed and looked at Harry. "What's going on?" he asked sleepily.
"I don't know. It sounds like your mom arguing with somebody."
"I didn't move! It's just for a little while!" argued the male voice downstairs.
"That sounds like Bill," said Ron. The two of them pulled on some clothes and went downstairs.
"What's going on?" asked Ron.
"Nothing," said Bill. He and Mrs. Weasley walked into separate rooms and shut their doors.
"Wonder what they were fighting about," said Ron, sitting down at the table.
Hermione and Ginny came downstairs. "Who was fighting?" asked Ginny, sitting down.
"Mum and Bill," answered Ron.
"What were they fighting about?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know. They didn't say anything when we asked."
Mrs. Weasley came back into the kitchen. "Breakfast anyone?" she asked cheerfully.
"What were you and Bill fighting about?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, it's nothing," replied Mrs. Weasley. "He just moved out of his house in Egypt and decided not to tell me. Want some eggs?"
They could tell that Mrs. Weasley didn't want to talk about it, so they accepted her breakfast offer.
"What are you going to do for the rest of the holiday?" Harry asked Ron.
"I'm just gonna stay here until school starts up again," answered Ron.
"Oh, that reminds me," Mr. Weasley cut in, as he came downstairs into the kitchen. "You're welcome to stay for the holidays, Harry. You too, Hermione."
"He can?" said Ron, amazed. "You never told me!"
"We thought it best not to get your hopes up before we checked with Dumbledore first," said Mrs. Weasley. "But we asked and he said it would be alright."
"Yeah!" said Ron.
"I'd love to stay, too," said Hermione, "but I want to spend Christmas day with my family. I only get to see some of my relatives once a year, and I don't want to miss it! But thanks for the offer."
"Aw," said Ginny.
After breakfast was over, Harry, Ron, the twins, Ginny, and Hermione went outside to have a snowball fight. They build such huge forts and such heavy artillery that they skipped lunch just to keep playing. It was dinner before they stopped.
"Aw, Mom! Do we have to come in?" asked George, hitting Fred with a huge snowball in the back.
"I didn't like you skipping lunch, and I certainly won't let you skip dinner!" said Mrs. Weasley. "Plus, we have a lot to do before tomorrow."
Tomorrow was Percy's wedding, and Harry had not even seen Percy yet. Apparently, he was very busy with work and planning. He had left so early that morning that no one had seen him leave. Tonight he was staying at the Wizard Hotel and Party hall so he could be ready early the next morning.
They went to bed early that night, after much protesting. "You will be getting up early and staying up very late tomorrow," argued Mrs. Weasley. There was no arguing with her. They were all so worn out from the snowball fight that they wanted to go to bed, but didn't admit it.
"Rise and shine!" called Mrs. Weasley the next morning. Harry sat up and put his glasses on. Ron rolled over and pulled the covers over his head.
"How can we shine if the sun's not even up yet?" he grumbled. Harry looked out the window. It was snowing lightly, and the footprints they had made yesterday had vanished.
Mrs. Weasley knocked on the door. "Ron! Get up!" she shouted.
"Alright, alright," Ron said, stretching and standing up.
Everyone was dressed in their best when they all gathered in the kitchen an hour later. All the boys were wearing nice suits, and much to Ron's disgust, ties. Mrs. Weasley was wearing a very nice looking long, dark blue dress. Ginny wore a black skirt and a cream colored blouse with flowers on it. Hermione's dress was sleeveless and lavender. Because it was winter, she wore a dark purple sweater to cover her bare arms.
"How are we getting there?" asked Ginny. "We can't take Floo Powder in these clothes!"
"You'll see," said Mr. Weasley. They walked around the corner of the house and gasped. It was a shiny black limousine, and while it looked too small from the outside, Harry knew Mr. Weasley had enlarged it on the inside.
Mr. Weasley opened the doors of the limo and helped everyone in. After they were settled, he got in the driver's seat. Mrs. Weasley sat next to him. It was only a short drive to the Wizard Hotel and Party Hall, but it was too cold and snowy to walk.
The Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione walked inside the Hall. It was a huge room with tables and chairs set up. Percy walked over looking overjoyed. He was wearing a black tuxedo, and looking very classy.
"Hello, everyone!" he said happily.
Ron groaned.
Soon the other Weasleys, Bill and Charlie, came into the room. As there was no room at the Weasley house, the two had stayed at the Hotel. There was much work to be done before the ceremony started at ten. Of course, the younger kids, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins, were sent away as they would cause more mischief than help.
Hermione and Ginny sat on the stairs talking quietly, while the boys thought about all the food they were going to eat later.
"I bet I can eat more food than you," Fred said to George.
"I bet I can eat more food than you and Ron combined!" George said.
"I bet you…" Ron started, but what he bet, no one ever found out. At that moment, Mrs. Weasley called to them all.
"Time to go outside to welcome everyone," she said. They reluctantly got up and walked to the entrance of the Hall.
Most of the guests at the wedding were from out of town, so they had stayed at the hotel upstairs. Harry didn't know any of them. Ron barely knew any of them, at that. He introduced Harry to a few people, but Harry quickly forgot their names. Most people were too busy staring at him to care that he was Ron's friend, anyway.
"At least none of them will forget my name," muttered Harry as more people gawked at him.
In no time at all, it was ten o'clock. The guests were all there. Harry and Ron went to their seats. They sat at a table with Hermione, Ginny, the twins, and a few other kids Harry didn't know. Ron introduced them.
"This is my cousin, Julie, and my other cousin, Mark. They're from Scotland. And I don't know who that is…" Ron looked at the boy sitting between George and Mark.
"I'm Simon," the boy said, "Penny's cousin."
"Oh, that could be why we don't know you," said Fred.
"Where do you go to school, Simon?" asked Hermione.
"Post's Academy," he answered.
"Hey, isn't that a Muggle school?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, it's a Muggle school," Simon answered. Ron laughed. "Hey kid," Simon said, "You may think I'm not as good as you, not knowing magic and all…. But I could beat you so bad in a fist fight."
"Fist fight? Wow, that's mature," said Ginny.
"Wanna have a go right now?" asked Simon. Ron looked like he was ready to fight, but music began to play and they quieted down.
Penelope came in wearing her wedding dress. She looked beautiful. Hermione, Ginny, and Julie started to talk about how lovely Penelope's dress was. Ron, overhearing, was having fits about Percy's wife looking so beautiful, but George pointed out, "Your girl isn't that bad."
"She's not my girl," Ron said, his ears turning pink. Harry pretended not to hear them.
The wedding went smoothly. After the ceremony, there was dancing and plenty of food. George and Fred ate until they had stomachaches and had to sit down the rest of the night. Hermione and Ginny spent most of their time dancing, along with Julie.
Suddenly, a slow song came on. Mark asked Ginny to dance with him, so Hermione an Julie went to sit down. After a few moments of encouragement, Julie went to dance with George.
"Wanna come, Fred?" George called.
"No thanks, Fred said quietly. George and Julie ran onto the dance floor, and Fred trooped off to the punch bowl, muttering something about missing Angelina too much.
The trio was left at the table with Simon.
"Ask her," Harry nudged Ron, looking at Hermione.
"No, why don't you?" Ron said.
"She wants you to. Remember the Yule Ball?"
"Okay…if you say so." Ron turned in his chair towards Hermione.
"Want to dance?" Simon asked Hermione out of nowhere.
"Sure!" Hermione said enthusiastically. She got up and walked to the dance floor with Simon.
"You missed your chance," said Harry.
"Did you see that look he gave me? Pure evil in that guy, I can tell. He just wanted to stop me from dancing with Hermione!" Ron said angrily.
"Aw, give it a rest, Ron. Maybe he's just lonely. He doesn't know anyone here, it seems."
Percy and Penny had their dance, too. The wedding cake was brought out. It looked so delicious that even Fred and George had a piece. But after that, they had to excuse themselves from the room, clutching their stomachs.
As Mrs. Weasley had said, it was a late night by the time all the guests had left the party. The only people who hadn't left yet were the Weasleys and the Clearwaters, including Simon.
By the time the Weasleys got back to the burrow, it was the next day. They had to clean up everything and decide what to do with the leftover food. After packing everything up, there was still the walk home. Mr. Weasley said it didn't matter if their clothes got wet now that the party was over. They didn't have enough money to get the limousine again.
