Thalia: The hilarity of the wedding, spazzy!Marcus, assorted Slytherin Quidditch players, and methinks poor ickle Olikins doesn't stop blushing at all. Enjoy!

Skyler: **battleworn but waving the fic flag proudly** Sorry 'bout the wait y'all! RL just has no sympathy on us poor ficcying devils. **sniff** Much fun all around here... lots of snark and Oli gives a tomato a good run for its money in the red department. XD Have fun!

Disclaimer: We don't own them. We just have them on indefinite loan.

~*~

"You're dating WHO?!"

Adrian Pucey, despite being surrounded by his oldest and closest friends, any number of different types of good alcohol, and a horde of brazen, buxom strippers (one of whom was caressing her stiletto boot up and down with both hands and giving him a smouldering look), looked as though he would rather be anywhere but there at the moment. He gave Cassius Warrington, the one who'd asked the question, a very cowed sort of look. "Hannah's nice, really..."

"I know that," Warrington rolled his eyes slightly, absently moving a bikini-clad blonde off his lap and depositing her onto a nearby bar stool. "That's the point. How did someone so... nice... end up with you, ol' boy?"

Pucey almost squirmed, as all the others turned to stare at him. "Er, well... met her one evening... at a cafe. I'd just been, you know, sitting around, minding my own business, and she was working there. It was really late, and she just looked really tired and yet she was always smiling when she gave me my order... and then it started to rain..."

"And you offered to walk her to her apartment in a Muggle neighborhood because she was just so damn adorable and innocent, she gave you a smile to cause cavities with its sheer sweetness at the door, kissed you on the cheek, made you blush, and all sorts of incredibly un-Slytherin things?" Warrington interjected with a mock-sigh.

"...Something of the sort," Pucey mumbled, to the amusement of everyone. "WHAT? She makes a really good apple pie!"

"Ah well... Hufflepuff girlfriend or no, you're still somewhat free," Terence remarked with a slight smirk at Adrian, "Marcus, on the other hand... how do you feel about getting married? The whole PERMANENCE of the thing?"

Marcus shrugged, unsure if saying something positive would be construed as despicably soppy, while saying something negative might be construed as... terribly wrong and unfeeling. "Well... honestly... I don't know. But it should be interesting."

"I'm sure it shall," Montague remarked in a deceptively quiet voice, "And when they do, they'll give Adrian's sweet Hufflepuff girlfriend a run for her money in the sugar department."

"Especially when the sproglets come," Terence interjected with a smirk, "My heart just warms up at the image of Marcus rocking an ickle baby to sleep, crooning lullabies and babbling baby-talk and..."

"Shut the hell up..."

"I'm sure it'll happen someday," Warrington said comfortably, "Let's hope that someone shall be on hand to take the incriminating photographs."

"Let's hope that you rascals don't attempt such a thing for your own safety's sake," Marcus retorted.

"Who said anything about us?" Warrington smirked, "Katie will do it herself. From what it seems, most females go batty over that sort of scene. And Terence, just so you know, Spinnet's going to kill you if she knew how hard you're staring at that redhead's breasts."

"Alicia's breasts are bigger... and I personally think that that redhead needs to do something about that mole..." Terence trailed off, blinking as the other men burst into raucous laughter.

"Bloody HELL... since when did I start comparing the breasts of bloody STRIPPERS to those on my girlfriend?!"

"Since the word 'whipped' can be added as a epithet to your name, next question?"

~*~

"Kathryn Ann Bell! If you don't quit with the fidgeting, illegal or no I'm going to Imperius you so you don't wind up tugging your gown to pieces! Leave it alone, girl!"

Katie squirmed a little more at Angelina's scolding, but she managed to still her hands. Alicia shot the Maid of Honour a bemused but reprimanding look as both of them helped their friend with the final touches to her wedding dress. Angelina merely shrugged, her motion saying "That's how I am, dear."

"Are you sure the train's fixed? I couldn't believe the seamstress did attach it right..." Katie fretted, starting to fidget again.

Angelina snapped her mouth shut as Alicia cast her another look, but it was Kirsten, who was standing with Risa and watching the whole process, who answered. "That's because you were so anxious to try it on, you didn't give her a chance to finish making sure everything was together properly! Honestly, Katie; everything will be just fine." She paused to hand Alicia the brush so the girl could go through the bride's locks one last time. "Besides... I think I've got more to worry about than anyone else combined. I hope you know how much this means for me to willingly pair up with a bloke like Pucey. Think he'll behave himself at the ceremony?"

"If his girlfriend has anything to say about it, he'll be such a good boy even his own mother won't recognize him," Katie laughed, glad for a reason to relieve some of her built up nerves. "Marcus tells me he's quite the angel as far as Hannah is concerned."

"An angelic Slytherin..." Angelina mused, smirking. "Who'd have thought I'd live to see the day?"

The women all giggled at this. As one of them WAS a former Slytherin, and three of them were either dating or about to be married to other Slytherins, they all knew full well what a rare case Pucey's was.

"And look at it this way," Alicia said to Kirsten, still chuckling, "At least it's not Warrington."

"No, because I have that esteemed pleasure. Because I'm the only one of you lot who can STAND him." Risa put in with a grin. "Oh, the memories this shall bring... although unlike that time at the Yule Ball, he won't be hexing anyone afterwards. I hope..."

"I highly doubt that," Katie said, adjusting her headdress one last time before taking the bouquet Risa had been holding for her. "Actually, the one I'm REALLY worried about going on a hexing spree is Oliver. I just hope he can behave himself... for a few hours at any rate."

"Oh, he will," Alicia reassured her. "Despite his supposed lack of blessings, Oliver just wants you to be happy. This is YOUR special day: He won't do anything to ruin it for you."

"Still," Risa drawled, her eyes alight with amusement. "This will definitely be... interesting. It's no secret that he and Marcus can't stand each other..." she paused while the girls sniggered at Katie muttering "Don't I know it..." under her breath, "and they're both cursed with this habit of being rather overprotective. It'll be quite fun to see them resisting the urge to hex the living daylights out of each other."

Kirsten cracked up at this. "Such a little sadist you are! That's your own brother you're going to watch suffer!"

"Your point being...?"

Risa smirked as the others dissolved into giggles again, the bride now looking far more relaxed. When one of ring bearers, (a younger cousin of Katie's) poked his head in to say they were ready, she took a deep breath and walked steadily over to the door, the others following her, uncertainties and nerves left behind to drift out the window, forgotten.

~*~

Katie looked splendid in her wedding gown, the cream-coloured satin bringing out the warm golden colour of her hair and her graceful figure. A bouquet of delicate flowers in her hands, her head demurely bent, she came down the aisle on her father's arm.

Her brother, Risa noted to great satisfaction, did look suitably goofy and lovestruck. Or perhaps discombobulated was the better word for it. Warrington, standing close behind Marcus, had to prod the groom before he remembered to say his vows.

Scanning the audience as the couple at the altar exchanged rings, Risa noticed one man, looking rather better than the last time she'd seen him, wearing burgundy dress robes and a still-somewhat-bewildered-but-rather-resigned expression.

"... I pronounce you man and wife, to traverse through the journey that is life together forevermore. You may kiss the bride."

Risa glanced at her brother and Katie, as the former, a wide smirk on his face, pulled the blushing ex-Gryffindor into his arms and kissed her soundly, amidst applause from the audience.

Oliver Wood, shaking his head like a poor, lost soul, started clapping along with everyone else after about three seconds' hesitation. Risa caught his eye and smirked.

She decided that he was very endearing, all in all, when flustered and trying to glare at her.

~*~

The actual wedding over, everyone moved to the glitzy, spacious ballroom for the reception. Katie, beaming and radiant, with her veil streaming behind her, threw the bouquet out towards the women, and an exuberant Alicia caught it securely, amidst cheers from the others and a loud wolf-whistle from Terence.

"To one of the most dictatorial and demanding blokes I've ever had the dubious honour of knowing," Montague, eyes glinting, made a toast, "And to a former rival whose talents I would never have acknowledged in the past. But things have changed a great deal since school, and I wish both of you happiness and long, healthy lives."

"And of course, splendid and frequent shagging," Terence piped up, to be thwapped by Alicia and glared at by Oliver, but resulting in laughter from all the others.

"To my blustery git brother, and the Gryffindor foolish enough to fall for his questionable charms," Risa piped up merrily, "Since you HAVE made it to the altar, all the best for the future."

Oliver found himself uncomfortably nodding in agreement to the first part of her toast, even as the rest of the company laughed and clinked glasses.

With toasts made and the wedding cake cut (bits of frosting landing not-quite-accidentally in the groom's hair), the small orchestra struck up with classical music, and gradually, with the bride and groom leading, various couples began dancing around the room.

A light, easy tune of friendship filled the ballroom after the first one, and Risa, just as she set down her champagne glass, felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Cassius Warrington, a slight smirk on his handsome face, looking down at her. "Well, how about it?"

"Where's Su?" Risa asked, looking about the room for the small Asian woman who had come with her old friend.

"With the Entwhistle bloke," Warrington replied, nodding his head towards where a boyishly handsome Ravenclaw was twirling Su Li around the dance floor. "I think this is the 'yes to friendship but no to shagging' dance."

Risa laughed. "How eloquently put," she remarked drolly.

"Fear me and my gift for words," he retorted, "Well?"

"Provided that you don't hex myself or anyone with an elephant's trunk tonight, sure," the young woman gave her friend a grin, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.

Warrington wasted no time getting 'to business' once they were on the dance floor. "So. There were some... less-than-minor spazzings from your brother, dearest Risa," he started in a bland voice, "Regarding a certain ex-Gryffindor known by various titles, ranging from a respectable 'Puddlemere captain' to a ludicrous 'Great Kilted Wonder'. Care to fill me in on the specifics of this, and why Marcus seems to think that Wood has terrible intentions of some sort towards you?"

Risa shook her head wryly, "I met Oliver Wood one day at a pub, getting drunk out of his mind, is all. Apparently, my watching him whine about how his Chasers were being evilly seduced to the dark side rather than, say, hexing him into pieces while he's open for attack... is a dreadful and dangerous thing."

Warrington chuckled. "So Wood knows you... is THAT why he wouldn't look at you for half the ceremony and then for the other half, kept blushing and scowling?"

"Wouldn't have a clue," Risa replied airily, "Why were you watching Wood, anyway?"

"Groomsmen's duty to make sure that guests don't go berserk and Transfigure groom into a spiny anteater," Warrington answered immediately. "It seemed most logical that he'd be the one to do it, out of all the guests there."

"I see," Risa snickered slightly, "He seems harmless now... dancing with Alicia Spinnet over there. Still rather shocked by the reality of the whole situation, but otherwise all right."

"So he does," Warrington nodded, before drawing back as the song came to an end. "Well, then... thank you for the lovely dance."

"Yes, yes..." Risa smirked, "Go rescue Su from Entwhistle's clutches before he tries to steal her or something."

"He's not that daft." Warrington replied comfortably, "Hopefully we can talk again later tonight. Enjoy yourself, then!"

And as her friend walked off, Risa leaned against one of the columns, surveying the people in the huge room. Now, various couples were coming together, as another tune struck up. Marcus and Katie were twirling around amongst the others, the latter smiling blissfully.

Slowly, Oliver Wood made his way towards her, a resigned sort of expression on his face.

They'd not exchanged more than three witticisms when Marcus, snarling, was upon them, raging at the former Gryffindor about his 'intentions' towards his sister.

It was only after much convincing (and dragging) from Katie, much more glaring and muttering, and Risa shaking her head in the background the entire time that the groom finally stalked off.

"Slytherins get overprotective too?" Risa had to laugh... he looked genuinely surprised, and if it weren't so ruddy hilarious, she was sure that she'd be feeling awfully sorry for him and his being-re-arranged mind. As it was, though...

"You still have a lot to learn about Slytherins," she told him in a gentle sort of voice, as one song ended and another, a waltz, struck up. "Here, do you want to dance?"

She could do worse. It would be highly interesting, at any rate...

And it was still early enough in the evening that the chances of all the groomsmen still being sober were fairly good.

Just in case Marcus, the great prat, decided to go berserk.

~*~

There was no real polite way to decline. 'Ah,' said a traitorous voice in the back of his mind that just had to throw in its own two knuts. 'But do you REALLY want to decline?'

'She's a Slytherin for Merlin's sake! That's like posting a sign saying Run away!' He mentally retorted.

'Yet that isn't stopping YOU,' the voice pointed out. 'Did you really wanted her to dance more with Cassius 'Swarthy Git' Warrington?'

'......'

'I thought so.'

"Oliver?" Risa ventured as she watched his face twitch with barely concealed expressions. "You there?"

"Eh? What is it?" Oliver asked, coming back to the present.

"Oh nothing... except you're about to walk into the refreshment table and get frosting on your robes."

Oliver turned his face forward just in time and nearly collided with the table. With a yelp he jumped back... and then cast Risa a reproachful look when she sniggered. Pink blossomed on his cheeks as he tried to reclaim his dignity and offered his arm to Risa to guide her onto the dance floor.

She glanced at his arm before looking up at him. "You sure you won't walk me into the gift table when I'm not paying attention?" A smirk was her reply to his glare, and she looped her arm through his. "Oh, hush. Stop trying to spoil the day. Have you even LOOKED at how happy your Chasers are?"

Grudgingly, almost hesitantly, he did look. Katie was sitting with Marcus, having already danced several songs with him, and was laughing with some of the fellow Slytherin friends of his. Among them was Montague... with an arm looped around Angelina's waist. They all burst out laughing as Su Li made some snarky remark to Warrington, who regarded her with an amused look.

Then Oliver glanced out at the dance floor, and Terence and Alicia where also just making there way onto it, holding hands and grinning.

"Love-sick pups, the lot of them," Oliver mumbled, even as he turned to face Risa, taking her right hand in his left, and placing his other hand on her waist.

"But..." Risa coaxed, admittedly enjoying squeezing this confession from him.

"But they ARE happy," he finished with a sigh.

"There... now was that so hard?" Risa said like she was praising a five-year-old for sharing his favourite toy.

Oliver started to scowl at her... but then swallowed roughly. Their close proximity had just dawned on him as her hand came to rest on his upper arm for support. She was almost-but-not-quite pressed up against him, swaying in time to the music and letting him lead. Her wolfish grin at the flustered look on his face made him all the more nervous, but she continued steadily, and he found himself following her example.

That's when that blasted inner voice decided to come back.

'Pretty, isn't she?'

'For a Slytherin... and a Flint at that.'

'Oh, hang the school days rivalry: she's pretty for a GIRL. Go on... say it.'

'I'm not going to...'

'Say it.'

'Well, I don't know if I...'

'Saaaaaaaay it.'

'I... I don't.... I '

'Say it!!'

'... She IS rather pretty.'

'There. Now was that so hard?'

'Not really... it's true after all...'

'You catch on quick. Now I'm going to get you to confess to something else.'

Oliver blinked. This was madness. He was carrying on bloody conversation in his own bloody head!! '...And what would that be?'

'Not now,' the voice replied impishly. 'Later.'

'Later?' But then Oliver was snapped out of his thoughts by Risa asking him a question. "Where'd I learn what?"

"To dance," she elaborated. "We had to run Marcus through emergency dancing 101 before the wedding. You Quidditch blokes don't strike me as being very knowledgeable on how to dance. Except Cassius, that is. But I knew he could dance since that Yule Ball. What about you?"

Oliver shrugged as they continued to twirl to the music as the song began to wind down to its close. "The girls taught us," Oliver said, referring to Katie, Angie, and Ali.

"'Us'?"

"The Weasley twins were included. The girls told us it was improper for a bloke not to know how to dance as..." He stopped as a fresh blush arose.

"As...?" Risa prodded, curious.

He took a deep breath. "As we never know when we'll find ourselves with a pretty girl to dance with."

Risa laughed at this, causing him to blush harder. "Definitely sounds like a Gryffindor precaution." She tilted her head as the music changed for the next song, then gave him a not-so-innocent look. "So did they teach you how to dance to this?"

Oliver paused to hear the music as well... and then his eyes widened to dinner plate sizes. "You mean you want to...?!"

"Sure, why not?"

"... Merlin save me..." Oliver muttered as they changed positions slightly... and changed their dance.

Their movements were different now. There were times they were pressed tightly together, and he could feel all of her feminine curves pressed against his frame, and there were other times where he was holding her away from him, guiding her with his hands. And heaven help him... he was rather enjoying himself.

And just as he was taking her in his arms for a dip, that pesky voice came back. 'Confession number two, laddie.'

'And what do I have to admit THIS time?' he thought irritably.

'That she's sexy.'

He chose that moment to look down while she was bent in an arch over his arm, her head thrown back and her lashes lowered.

'I'm doomed.'

'Now THAT, I could have told you long ago.'

~*~

Up to this point, Marcus felt he had been exceedingly generous. He had not wanted the Scottish git here at his wedding... but for his bride's sake, he had agreed to tolerate his presence. Then he noticed said git getting a little too close for comfort with his little sister. Once again, he had backed off, more or less to keep his beloved wife (Ha-ha Wood! She's mine now and there's nothing you can do about it!!) happy. Besides, there was nothing wrong with dancing... right? He didn't mind her dancing with Warrington. Although, he trusted one of his old teammates loads more than Oliver bloody Wood... plus he knew that the man had a girlfriend who apparently was to his satisfaction, and therefore not a threat to baby sister's innocence.

But still... a dance or two was safe. Although he didn't like how close Wood was dancing with his sister... another few tunes, and they'd wander off to do other things. Right? Right??

Fate did not favor him this time around: when he heard the next melody for the upcoming song, he paled visibly. No way... now bloody fecking WAY...

His head snapped back to look at the dance floor, and with a feeling akin to horror, he saw that his sister and the git were going to stay and dance to... to...

Bloody hell. His sister was dancing the tango with his archrival. That was just... wrong!

Particularly when Oliver looked down during that certain dip, turning very red when he did so. At this, Marcus all but lunged out of his seat, only hesitating when Katie put a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What is WRONG?? I'll tell you what's wrong! Your former CAPTAIN is what's wrong!"

"Marcus, really... you promised to leave him be..."

"If he didn't pull anything! And quite frankly, leaning over my baby sister's... well, YOU know... "

"Breasts?" Katie finished for him, a pitying smile on her face. "It's the tango dear..."

"I REALIZE that! THAT'S why I'm going to KILL him..."

Before Katie could say any more on why committing murder on the day of his wedding was BAD, Marcus was off, practically shoving through the couples on the dance floor, making his furious way towards where Oliver and Risa were dancing the tango at the other side of the ballroom.

Almost as if on cue, three men separated quickly from their partners and wove through the dancers as well, right at Marcus' heels.

"WOOD! GET YOUR GRIMY SCOTTISH PAWS OFF MY..."

"Flint." Warrington quickly stepped in between where an alarmed Oliver and wide-eyed Risa were moving slightly away from each other, and the murderous groom, even as Terence and Montague both took one of Marcus Flint's arms. "°Now, then, do try not to get yourself imprisoned on your wedding. I for one have no intention of bailing you out."±

"Some friend YOU are," Flint glared, struggling in the grasps of Terence and Montague. He gave a glare of unadulterated evil towards Oliver Wood, who was quickly recovering himself and glaring right back. "°Wood, what did I SAY about my sister?"±

"Marcus," Risa interrupted, narrowing her eyes somewhat, "°What did I say about being able to take care of myself?"

"You're twenty-four," Marcus hissed, now turning his glare towards the young woman, "And he's..."­

"Dancing with me," Risa snapped back, "°And I might add that Katie is my age, which doesn't happen to be twelve. Also, what if I'd asked him to dance, not the other way around?"

"B-but… it's..."­Marcus stared at her, completely uncomprehending.

"It's her choice," Warrington finished wryly, "Not the one I'd choose, but then again, I don't swing that way at any rate. Flint, go back to your woman before people start wondering why you're neglecting her. I'll take care of the situation here."

Montague and Terence pulling him inexorably backward, Flint growled and gave Warrington a long look.

"Yes, yes, I'll do a thorough job of threatening the git, now run along," Warrington waved his hand dismissively, before turning his attentions towards the Oliver and Risa. His face was half serious when he faced Oliver Wood. "This is where I'm supposed to give you a long lecture on why you're not to lay a single finger on the girl without her desire, on pain of a very gruesome, lingering death involving, among other things, bubotuber pus, rabid acromantulas, a pair of rusty broom tail clippers and an enchanted rogue Bludger."

"Trust me, Warrington," Oliver narrowed his eyes, "I've no intention of seducing her."

"How about you lot stop talking about me," Risa piped up sweetly, "Both of you, and let me decide whether or not I want to jump Oliver Wood or anyone else on the presents table?"

Oliver's face turned approximately the same colour as his old Gryffindor robes, but Warrington merely sighed and gave Risa a slight smirk. "Ah well, little Risa, remember to play nice, always cast your Contraceptive Charms, and not say such things in your brother's hearing, yes? That's a good girl..."±

Risa gave a light snort, and Warrington turned to Oliver Wood. "Don't do anything too outrageous, Wood. Like, oh… snogging her in front of anyone who would be forced to hex you on principle of the thing."±

The 'threats' given, Warrington turned on his heel and walked away.

~*~

"So..." Warrington was intercepted by a curious Terence Higgs, followed closely by Alicia Spinnet and Su Li. "What did he-who-was-allergic-to-Slytherins have to say for himself?"

The former Slytherin Chaser shrugged, "Aside from assertions that he really didn't have intentions of seducing her, not much. I'm not too worried, really. Though Wood was willing to do the unprecedented and dance with a Slytherin, he's still got a long way to go before any of the terrifying things that Marcus is fearing have any chance of coming true."

"You think they'll come true?" Terence persisted, a mildly diabolical glint in his eyes.

Warrington gave the other man a piercing look, before quickly taking Su's hand and backing away, "Oh, no, no… I'm NOT going there. I have better things to do with my money than one of your silly wagers, especially when they involve an old friend..."

"Awww," Terence gave an exaggerated pout, "But you have so much money… and wouldn't you like to help the poor sods find true luuurve?"

"Not really," Warrington smirked, "I'll be respectful for once and not interfere."

"Damn," Terence muttered, "Stingy bugger."

"Save that face for Alicia," Su told the former Slytherin Seeker bluntly, "As for Risa and Oliver, I hope that… if they do work things out, Marcus won't give them too much grief."

"He's just not as adept as swaying the family of a girl to blind devotion," Warrington remarked complacently, before glancing at his watch. "Well, it's nearing the time for the bride and groom to leave for their honeymoon."

As he and Su backed away, seeking out Katie and Marcus, Terence turned to Alicia with a smirk. "Well."

"You're not serious about betting, are you?" Alicia widened her eyes, even as she met his smirk with one of her own.

Terence glanced at their Quidditch captain, following Risa to where Katie and Marcus were standing, next to a table that used to hold the wedding cake, dressed in traveling robes and cloaks.

And in front of all the guests, the bride and groom (the latter scowling darkly at Oliver Wood), grabbed the small figurines of the witch and wizard that had been on top of the wedding cake.

As the guests waved, the newlyweds disappeared, portkeying to a resort villa in Asia for their honeymoon.

"Lord, but it's nearly midnight," Risa glanced at the clock on the wall, "Time does fly."

"I think that we should probably leave," Alicia remarked to Terence.

"And go to your flat," Terence gave her a very appreciative look, looping his arms around Alicia's waist, "I've spent all evening seeing you in this lovely dress… and thinking that you look even more beautiful without it on."

"I think it's your flat this time," Alicia shot him an arch look, turning her head to meet his eyes, "Shall we?"

"Actually..." Terence paused, something catching his attention a slight distance away, "Just a moment."

~*~

"Well, congratulations," Risa remarked softly, looking up at Oliver, "You've survived the night, and you haven't had to kill any of my old housemates for evil acts of heartlessness against your Chasers."

"I suppose..."­ Oliver grumbled. Katie had looked immensely happy when she had left with Flint, hand in hand. But she didn't have to look so inordinately pleased at his discomfort.

"Now, stop pouting," she told him candidly, "You're not fooling anyone. You're happy for them, aren't you?"

He wasn't quite sure why he nodded. But she smiled widely at him. "See, it will be all right." She seemed to hesitate, for the first time in their acquaintance, before stepping on tiptoe and leaning her face towards his. He gulped.

But her lips merely brushed his cheek for the briefest of seconds, and then she was pulling away, giving him a cheerful "Good night, Wood" and disappearing into a room.

Even as both of them surveyed their crimson-cheeked Quidditch captain in amusement, Terence whispered against Alicia's neck, "Five Galleons that they shag before June."

"I say by St. Patrick's Day," Alicia remarked, "You're on."

"Excellent," Terence grinned, "Now… to my flat."