A Midsummer's Daydream
By ASortofWing
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter or anything related to him, either. Humph.
Beginning Note: Thanks to firefly4u, xStillxWaitingx, Mei fa-chan, Azabaza, and Corvi for their comments on chapter 6. Glad you're enjoying the story. Here we go!
The story thus far: Harry Potter and his friends have just finished their 6th year in Hogwarts. With the ending of this year, new ways of life has made its way to the wizarding community. With the loss of Albus Dumbledore, the esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and the ever present threat from Lord Voldemort people are now considering how important being with the one you love is now instead of worrying about their safety in the future. Harry is staying at his best friend Ron Weasley's house with his family for the special occasion of Ron's brother's wedding. After being in the same house as his former girlfriend Ginny, Harry is reminded how much he will miss her. Harry then decides to make his final two weeks at the Burrow lasting ones with Ginny. But does Ginny still love him too? Will their relationship ever be the same?
After days of nail-biting situations, longing looks, and awkwardness Harry has finally confessed to Ginny how much he still loves her. He is pleasantly surprised to find that Ginny feels the same way. In even more surprising news, Ron and Hermione have also found their way with each other. Now that both couples know about one another, all that's left to worry about is making Bill and Fleur's wedding fantastic. With this many people, is it even possible?
Chapter 7, Part One: Matrimony, Rings, Relatives, Oh My!
The sun rose on Sunday morning and shone, apologetically, on the Burrow. For with the sun, came the long day ahead of them – Bill and Fleur's wedding.
It was merely 7:00 AM – an hour unspoken and almost unknown to teenagers during the summer. Half the house didn't even retire the night before until 11:00 PM. So, as you can imagine, the sound Mrs. Weasley's hurried footsteps coming up the stairway was most unwelcome.
Knock Knock Knock
"Boys!" Came her voice from the other side of the attic's door.
Knock Knock Knock!
"Come along now boys," She rang again, causing both Harry and Ron to stir in their cots reluctantly, "Up! You're on decoration duty while Mr. Weasley gets Ron's tuxedo."
There was a pause. Harry and Ron listened still half asleep for more instructions. But, when none came, they sighed peacefully and turned over.
"UP!" She called, loudly. She knew boys better than that. She did raise 5 others before Ron, after all.
Harry clenched his fist as he sat up, raising his arms into the air for a morning stretch. He then glanced at Ron who was still cocooned in his sheets, mumbling inaudible phrases. Harry couldn't believe Ron could sleep with blankets in the August heat. If Ron wasn't in the room, Harry would have slept in the nude.
Moments later, he heard Knocking from down the stairway and Mrs. Weasley's summoning voice now concentrated on the girl's room.
"C'mon now, dears! You'll be coming with me later to get food and your hair done for this afternoon. Up and Adam, now!"
Harry shook his head and grinned, imagining the look on Ron's face when he sees Hermione all dolled up.
He'll be a mess, I bet. Oogling with drool running down his Tuxedo.. Blimey. He isn't waking up, is he?.. Hm.
Harry got off his cot and went toward Ron's open trunk. He grabbed a stay sock, bundled it up and threw it at Ron, as hard as he could manage.
Ron sat up instantly, a bit of sheet hanging from his mouth, soaked with night time drool.
"Whussat.. Wha… Damn spi-spiders.. I'll.. …Blimey. What time is it?" He bumbled, unraveling himself from the nest of sheets, squinting at the nearby window.
"7 in the morning," replied Harry, walking back to the side of this cot to grab his glasses. "We're on decoration duty."
"7.. 7 in the morning? There's no such hour, Harry." Repeated Ron, rubbing an eye, "Decoration duty? For wh.. Oh yeah. The wedding. Is that today?"
"What's wrong with you?" Asked Harry, his eyebrow's furrowing at Ron's lack of memory. Ron was clumsy… but not usually this forgetful.
"Oh, nothing, really. I just sleep better when.. " He trailed off, glancing at Harry and waving a hand, "Nothing, don't worry about it. I'm just groggy this morning, I guess."
"Oh, Come on." Persisted Harry, folding his arms and kicking the sock at his legs again. "You have to stop keeping things from me because you'll think I'll have too much to think about. You're my friend."
"I know.." Said Ron, guiltily, "I just sleep better when I know where Hermione is, that's all." He said, looking at the floor. "W-with you-know-who and everything." He added, quickly, glancing up at him.
Harry nodded, and watched as Ron rose from his bed and stretched like Harry. He couldn't help but feel older in a sense. How long would it be until Ron and Harry's weddings? Even though it wasn't the time, nor really the place to be thinking about it, Harry felt that it was a question worth asking. He wasn't given much time to think about it though. With the wedding drawing ever closer, he and Ron were on a schedule.
After a very quick shower (Half the Burrow still had to become clean), Harry met Ron in the living room in a t-shirt and some wholly jeans. He decided he should wear comfortable clothes when decorating the yard for the wedding and not ruin his dress clothes. Apparently, Ron had the same idea. They went across the living room, through the kitchen when Harry saw Ginny with her mom and Hermione. They were all chatting with one another gleefully and looked very preoccupied. Yet, just as they were about to go, Harry noticed Ginny wink at him quickly, and then continue her conversation with Hermione about ribbons.
Harry and Ron surveyed the back yard. They assumed Mr. Weasley put a greening charm on the whole lawn because it was so green, the Irish would have been jealous. The lawn was cut, the hedges groomed, and every gnome had slicked its hair back for the occasion.
"Well," Said Ron, next to their heaping amount of supplies, "Mom wants this whole place done up. I don't know why they made us do it – using magic would have been so much easier.." He added, sighing lazily.
"Yeah.." Agreed Harry, "But, I guess it wont be so bad. Let's start so we can get it over with..."
Half an hour into their labors, they had managed to get an arch erected where the bride and groom would stand in front of one of the magic communities justices of the peace. This Justice of the Peace was named Filmore Stunby – a shout, well mannered wizard resembling Professor Flitwick from Hogwarts. He was well known for the mole on his cheek and the sense of humor he had for it. It was one of the things Harry and Ron were interested in seeing.
"Harry, Pass me that ribbon, would you? This gnome is being a prat and won't help." Said Ron, eyeing the defiant little gnome beside him who rolled his eyes and went inside the bush Ron was decorating.
"Here," Said Harry, tossing a roll of ribbon towards Ron.
The yard had progressed into more of a wedding scene with each passing minute. Ron and Harry had placed the conjured chairs made for the occasion in straight rows of 5. There were 5 rows on the groom's side, and 5 on the bride's side. Harry doubted if the Weasley's could fill their side, but it didn't matter. If there were any chairs left over, they would most likely be filled with more guests from the bride's side.
During a break they had taken, Mrs. Weasley came out to see their progress before leaving with the girls. She went to the beginning of each row and conjured a small bush – so the ending result was a pathway from the Burrow to the arch for the bride to walk. After she left, 6 gnomes came from their hiding places and groomed the bush so it was in a perfect sphere. After they were finished, they would give a nasty look to Ron and Harry before returning to the Burrow's perfectly groomed bushes.
Harry wiped his forehead. The sun was beating down increasingly as time went on. He couldn't imagine wearing a tuxedo later on – today would be a scorcher. He took and opened a bag of white, self-inflating balloons and wrapped ribbon around the end of one. He then flicked its limp self and it automatically began to blow up. He then tied it onto the outside chair of a row and did the same for the rest of the balloons. Meanwhile, Ron continued to decorate the pathway with ribbons linking each bush to the next, a bow placed in the center of the bush.
Finally, after at least two hours of ribbons, balloons, bows, and gnomes the wedding scenery was complete. Everything was white like Fleur had requested. Harry and Ron stood on the back porch and overviewed their progress.
In the center was the bride's pathway leading up to a small ledge where the bride and groom would stand, in front of the Justice, a little higher than the seats. In the center of the pathway lied a long piece of white cloth for the bride to make her entrance on. The seats themselves had a white sleeve thrown over them that hung above the ground by inches, but still covered the chair's legs. To give them detail, a small silver ribbon was tied in a bow on the back.
The arch was decorated with white ribbon that was draped and curled around, the top of which set a great white flower showpiece. Where the ribbons failed to cover, Ivy was arranged so they would alternate and complement each other. The platform on which the bride and groom would stand was also decorated with flowers and ivy, smaller flower sets were put at the edges facing the audience. The whole image made the boy's eyes water. Not from beauty – but from the sun's rays that were being reflected.
The two went inside, sweaty and tired. They were met by Mr. Weasley who was holding Ron's tuxedo, and Mrs. Weasley who was there to survey the yard.
"Oh, it looks absolutely stunning, dears. You did very well. I'm sure Fleur will be very pleased." She said, beaming at the two of them, her hands clutching.
"C'mon Ron," Said Mr. Weasley, patting his son on the shoulder, "Lets go get this on. The wedding'll be on its way fairly shortly."
Ron waved a drained good-bye to Harry and followed his father up the stairs. Harry wondered what to do next. Ron was getting ready, Hermione and Ginny were in Ginny's room getting ready.. What was he supposed to be doing?
"Harry Potter!" chimed a small voice from around the height of Harry's knees.
Harry glanced downward to see Dobby, his house-elf friend hovering a large platter of vegetables in front of him.
"Dobby? Why're you here?" Asked Harry, smiling a little, surprised.
"Dobby is helping Mr. Bill and Miss. Fleur with their wedding food, Sir." Answered Dobby, cheerfully. "He and his other house-elf friends have come to set things up."
Harry glanced upward and saw 5 or 6 other little elves, each hovering their own portion of the wedding meal. The last elf was hovering, extra carefully, a large 5 layer wedding cake iced with edible ribbons, bows, flakes, and as a special touch, miniature singing vanilla songbirds sat on the edges of the top layer, singing a nice merry tune.
"Looks great," Said Harry, glancing at the clock. It was 11:30 and the wedding started promptly at 1:00. He decided getting ready was the best idea to do.
"G'bye Dobby," he said, smiling once before turning for the stairway.
"Good bye, Harry Potter, sir!"
As he passed Ginny's room he could hear the two girls talking quietly; most likely about he and Ron. If time wasn't so short he would have stopped to investigate – but, he continued up to the attic where he met Mr. Weasley and Ron, who was wearing his wedding-best.
"I look like a penguin." He said, looking down at himself.
"No you don't!" Said Harry, chuckling a little. Never before did he think that Ron was able to stand so straight.
"You don't and you know it," Said Mr. Weasley, smiling at his son. "Now, lets go and let Harry get ready." He added, leading Ron out the door. Before he closed it, he peeked his head in and said,
"Oh, and Harry, don't dally, alright? We're almost ready."
Harry nodded as the door closed behind Mr. Weasley. After a while, he had gotten his pants up and was without a shirt when he heard a loud,
CRACK!
He jumped and opened the attic door. CRACK. CRACK! He went down a few steps and looked around, bewildered. Ginny and Hermione came from within Ginny's room.
"The guests must be arriving. I'm going to go save my seat. Good luck!" She said to Ginny, smiling. CRACK! Hermione turned and went down the stairs, and Harry watched her. She looked very pretty in a light purple summer's dress, and her hair straightened. Different, was more the word.
Harry turned to go back up to the attic now that he knew the noise was only the guest's apparating.
"Harry!" A familiar voice behind him called, a little surprised.
Harry turned and saw Ginny in her bridesmaids dress. It was white and sleeveless, with embroidery around her chest. The bottom was higher in the front than in the back, but the whole thing never touched the ground. Her hair was down, but in curls, some behind her ear half up with a white lily. Harry was reminded of his mother, lily. He couldn't speak.
"Harry..?" She said, still looking at him. "Earth to Harry? You're not going to the wedding like that are you?"
"N..No." He finally said, running a hand though his hair restlessly. "No, I just wanted to see what the noise was.. "
"Oh.. well, okay then.." She said, turning to go back into her room.
"Ginny," Said Harry, quickly. She turned to look at him curiously, "Y..you look stunning." He spluttered, smiling clumsily afterward.
"Thanks.. " She beamed, blushing slightly.
As the two went back to their separate rooms, Harry's mind was blank. Only Ginny's image remained there as he continued to dress.
At 1:00 on the second, a swift music took the crowd. It was filled with violins, pianos, and flutes that rung though each ear of everyone who was in the Burrows back yard. Harry was sitting next to Hermione who at the sound of the music perked up excitedly. Under the arch was Mr. Stunby, smiling fondly at all before him, holding his book in his small bony hands.
Like a wave, the crowd turned their heads to the back of the pathway where Bill and his best man, Charlie, and the bridegrooms, Ron, Fred and George began to walk down. Following them were Fleur's bridesmaids and Maid of honor; a tall brunette haired girl who had the biggest set of teeth Harry had ever seen, a shorter but still as awkward blonde, a lanky strawberry blonde, and Ginny, who, in Harry's opinion, was the most stunning of all.
Hermione squeaked as Ginny passed them and threw a glance their way with a roll of her eyes. Harry grinned.
Next came Gabrielle, Fleur's little sister as the flower girl. She walked along the white cloth and tossed white rose petals, glitter, and bits of white ribbon in front of her. She was especially dolled up, her blonde hair up in a bun with hanging curls. She took her place next to Ginny and beamed at her mother – A ravishing blonde who smiled calmly back at her. Clearly, this wedding would have been better her way.
At last, the music around the yard switched to the familiar bride's march. The crowd was transfixed at the end of the pathway where the bride was to be produced. Hermione held her breath.
Then came Fleur in a flowing white wedding gown from the doors of the Burrow. She was carrying a large bouquet of white roses and lily's that covered her hands completely, and hung a bit in front of her gown. Her veil floated as she began to walk towards her groom and Mr. Stunby, stealing everyone's gaze as she passed. Her train floated magically inches off the ground, waving and curling in the wind. Even Harry watched, his mouth slightly agape as she passed him, taking a delicate step onto the platform, and subsequently facing Bill.
There was a pause of reflection before Mr. Stunby opened his book, smiled, and began to recite.
"Dearly beloved," He began, looking out onto the audience fondly. "We are gathered here today to unite these two persons.. in Matrimony."
Everyone watched him as he spoke. Harry watched his mole and quirked an eyebrow. It really wasn't that impressive.
………………………………………………………
"Do you, Fleur Marie Delacour, take this man, Bill Arthur Weasley, to be you lawfully wedded husband?" Asked Mr. Stunby, facing Fleur with a small smile.
"I do." Fleur answered, beaming at Bill though her veil.
"And do you," Said Mr. Stunby, turning to face Bill now with the same look, "take this woman, Fleur Marie Delacour, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." Answered Bill, smirking at Fleur.
Mr. Stunby turned to face the audience straight on now, speaking to them.
"If anyone here has a reason why these two should not be wed, please, speak now or forever hold your peace." He stated, eyeing the crowd.
Mrs. Delacour peeked over her shoulder threateningly, ready to smite anyone if they were to speak.
After a short moment, Mr. Stunby smiled once again and spoke to the couple once more.
"Then.. By the great power vested in me," He said closing his book gently. "I now pronounce you… man and wife."
Hermione took a deep breath in and watched, no, anticipated..
"You may kiss your bride."
Fleur and Bill came in for the most romantic kiss Harry had ever seen. The crowd and music erupted all at once while white doves took flight behind the kissing duo. Harry rose with the rest and saw that Mrs. Weasley was sobbing on her husband, who secretly wiped a tear away from his cheek, patting Molly on the shoulder.
The bride and groom went down the path hand in hand and into the house followed by the bridesmaids and bridegrooms. With much clattering and chatting, everyone eventually followed them inside as well leaving Harry to look at his hard work... now gone and stepped on.
He shrugged. At least he wouldn't be picking it all up.
Author's Note: Oh MAN, finally. The wedding. Hope you like it. I was just guessing Fleur and Bill's middle names. If anyone knows them for sure, please review and tell me so I can correct it later. Hope you like it. I'm going to go eat dinner now. :slump: Stay tuned for part two! The AFTERPARTY! Whee. Until then, buh bye.
Read and Review for the sake of my sanity!