Once again I would like to remind everyone that I own nothing. Thank you once again to my lone reviewer princess areith, I hope you like this chapter better then the last, even if it starts off slow. I love any reviews that I can get so please review, thanks!
Chapter Five- The Morning After
With a heavy heart Mrs. Molly Weasley ascended the stairs to the attic wondering if she could bear it to have her entire family all the family who hadn't disserted her that is in the Order. Dumbledore's wishes though were impossible to go against and that must be her final discussion. She slowly pushed open the door to be greeted by the early morning sun shining on four tightly pushed together beds. She had not thought that placing the boys and girls in the same room had been a good idea, what with the feelings between Harry and Ginny made known, and what she suspected to be going on between Ron and Hermione. There really was no choice with the wedding guests arriving today. "Time for breakfast, everyone. There are still many things to do before the wedding guests arrive." She did not want to add that there was also many things to discuss, there would surely get to that in due time.
"Ah, mum, it's not even seven!" Protested Ron, who needless to say had not gotten to bed till around three in the morning. The three other sleepy people in the room seconded his words most heartily.
"Now, now! Come on before your breakfast is so cold that you won't be able to eat it."
Slowly and with much mumbling the four teenagers got out of bed, shrugged on dressing gowns and were off down the stairs. Knowing unlike Mrs. Weasley exactly what breakfast would bring. Knowing that they would have to fake surprise. Knowing that the rest of their lives would be different from now on. They only thing that they didn't know was if they were ready to take on the challenge. One thing though was certain; they would face whatever was around the figurative bend in the road together.
Surprise did not have to be faked though when they were met by not just, Molly and Arthur and Professor McGonagall, but also by Remus, Tonks, and Bill. Hermione was the first to recover and the first therefore to be able to wonder "Where's Fleur, Bill?"
"Oh she is coming over later today and bringing her family from France. They are actually traveling by the muggle way, a flying machine I guess. Something about not wanting You Know Who, to find out about cross country travel."
"Yes, yes, I wish that it had been me who had the chance to travel in such a way. I always wanted to know how those aeroplanes, stayed up in the air?" Added his father looking excited.
"But Arthur dear, you have moved on to such better things why can't you just get over this muggle obsession? Besides there are things that must be discussed and I don't think I can bear the secrecy any longer. Why don't you just get on with it, please Minerva?" Mrs. Weasley said in a rush as she finished laying the toast on the table.
"Yes, well Molly why don't you sit down, have something to eat. It will settle your nerves." Professor McGonagall seemed much more together after her nights sleep. Something that all who had heard the letter the night before was relieved to see. "That's better. Now as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are both aware I have received a letter from Professor Dumbledore." Seeing the shocked faces from around the table she thought it best to add that there was no need for questions till all the news had been revealed.
"It said many things and has provided much information for the Order. Firstly, I have been appointed to be the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, a position that I have not assumed lightly. Secondly we have been requested to make some additions to our ranks of members. Young though they may be they have proven to be worthy of such a responsibility. Therefore Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Ron Weasley, I formally welcome you into the Order of the Phoenix, you are bound to silence about all the activities of said Order, to your classmates, and everyone else. Do you accept this appointment?"
Knowing that they should really be acting much more than they were, as Lupin and Tonks were acting now, hiding there openly wide mouths behind their hands. Though all they seemed to be capable of doing was saying "Yes" almost immediately, having given much thought to the matter the night before.
"There will not be a formal meeting till after the festivities of the wedding but, I would like to meet with you this afternoon, to discuss what happened...what happened..." only at the mention of Dumbledore's death did Minerva seem to falter. She once again became the brisk Professor they all knew. "What happened the night of the attack on the school." With a start she left the table, to go out the front door and into the garden.
Seeing this as their cue to leave as well Tonks and Remus went into the Living room to turn it into a room fitting of a wedding reception. Remus unknowingly takes Tonks hand to guide her into the room. It seemed to be the moment for handholding in fact, as Ron had reached across the table to take Hermione's hand. Much to the happiness of Mrs. Weasley, who despite the bleakness of future of her family, realized that her oldest son would marry the following morning, no matter how badly he was scared from the war, and maybe, just maybe it was time to forget the war for a few days, and have a wonderful time.
Meanwhile in the living room there was much discussion about what form the decorations would take. "You know Tonks, as well as I that Fleur wants gold." Said Bill trying to stop the whole room from becoming pink. Which was of course Tonks plan. "Oh, but pink is such a nice colour." Tonks whined "My favorite colour, why am I the only one who seems to see the wonderfulness of pink?"
Lupin once again trying to be diplomatic added "Well maybe when you have your own wedding you can have pink decorations, but for now they must be gold."
"Not that I have much chance of having a wedding anytime soon." Tonks said with disdain " So I might as well get on with this, I suppose."
"Oh, I think that you are wrong about that my, dear. I was going to wait till later at sun set actually but seeing as we are on the subject." Slowly he reached out and took her hands in his. "Nymphadora Tonks, would you marry me?"
Tonks didn't know what to say. It had seemed so unreal that they had finally gotten officially together after the attack on the school, but that was only five weeks ago. Now her wildest dreams were about to come true. All she had to say was just one simple word "Yes" she whispered. With a smile she pulled Remus to her, wordlessly turning the living room into a sparkling, tastefully gold palace.
Upstairs Mrs. Weasley had put Harry, Ron and Hermione to work magicing the bedrooms, clean and tidy. Mr. Weasley had taken Ginny, the only youngster still unable to legally use magic away form school, to tackle the garden gnomes the old-fashioned muggle way, with sticks hitting them across the head. The day continued much the same, everyone working along at their respective tasks. Harry's meeting with Minerva came and went without incident, though the professor still seemed to find it hard to speak of the night Dumbledore had died. Harry did not think it right to tell her that he had overheard the letter in which he confessed his love for her. Tonks and Remus had decided not to announce their engagement till after the wedding, not wanting to take the spotlight off of Bill and Fleur. They did however tell Minerva after she had come out of her bedroom to help with the preparations. Seeing how she was now the leader of the Order, they had felt that as the person who controlled their future missions and hoping that they would be able to stay together. Order members started to arrive by mid afternoon with Fleur and her family arriving just before supper. Before anyone knew it was time for bed, with everyone knowing that tomorrow was going to be a very busy day.
The next morning dawned bright and sunny, as Hermione turned herself over with a sigh, trying to stop the sun from lying in her eyes. With a start she realized that turning over brought her face to face with Ron, just remembering that she fell asleep in his arms the night before. Her movement seemed to wake Ron, who mumbled "What time is it?" to Hermione. As soon as he had opened his mouth Hermione reached not for the clock but her wand. "Freshify!" she said pointing her wand at Rons' mouth. "What?" he asked shocked that she had drew her wand at him. "Your breath stinks." she replied turning back into his grasp.
This whole exchange was witnessed by a highly amused Harry and Ginny, both of which had just woken up moments before them. There was a knock on the door before Mrs. Weasley came in looking as fresh as ever. Luckily for the four everyone was still fully clothed in there pj's. "I want you four to be down for breakfast in the next ten minutes. I don' t know what I was thinking letting you stay abed till seven. The ceremony starts at ten, you had best get a move on." Mrs. Weasley once again rushed out of the room mumbling to herself.
They ran into Professor McGonagall as they hurried down the stairs. Surprised to find her in the most beautiful robes of forest green, not the usual tartan that she tended to favor. "Morning Professor." Mumbled Ron as he nearly plowed through her. "Good morning, Mr. Weasley." she replied with what might have been a taste of amusement. As eight thirty approached everyone was once more herded up stairs to change into their wedding finery, the boys to the boys to the second floor and the girls to the third. An hour later, everyone was gathered out side in the backyard, which had been completely transformed. Practically all the members of the Order were there, from Kingsly Shacklebolt to Mad-eye Moody, dressed in there best awaiting the start of the ceremony.
At ten precisely Hermione Ganger started walking down the asle looking stunning with her head of golden brown hair pinned up in a tumble of curls which fell softly over the open back of her gold dress. After the attack Fleur had suddenly asked her if she would like to be a bridesmaid at her wedding, something that Hermione could see of no kind way to refuse. Ron could barley stop the drool which had collected in his open mouth from falling as he stared at her. "Ron close your mouth, you'll let the flies in." Harry whispered from his place seated next to Ron. Ron had to repeat this message to Harry a second later as Ginny had emerged from the house as well. At last Fleur herself started up the asle on her father's arm. All the women in the audience would had said that the exchanging of the vows was a beautiful thing and the men would find it hard to disagree. When the moment had come for the kiss to seal all though, the was the horrible crack of a hundred or more people Apparating.
With shock the people who were so involved with the ceremony noticed that the newly arrived guests were not guests at all but were instead death eaters. Chaos ensued with curses flying everywhere, the members of the Order though quickly recovered and conducted an amazing defense. Harry and Ron leapt out of their seats and ran to the altar which Bill hand turned on its side and was using for cover against the attack. Hermione and Ginny were also there. Ginny cowering and unable to use her magic trying to protect Gabrielle. Hermione though was fighting fiercely her beautiful hair having come undone and flying wildly over her face.
"Hermione, we have to go!" yelled Ron hurrying to help her curse a nearby death eater.
"NO, we have to help the Order! They need us." Hermione yelled back to him, as a curse whisked over her head. Watching the fight that was in full swing, many death eaters were lying in the grass, but a few members of the Order also seemed to have met the same fate. It was impossible to tell if any were dead.
Before Harry could add his opinion to the matter, Minerva McGonagall appeared at their sides. "You must go, the Order needs the information you know more than they need the help of three teenagers. NO ARGUMENTS!" With that she rushed over to help Bill fight off four death eaters who seemed intent on attacking him and his new bride.
"Godric's Hollow." Harry said and without a word, Hermione and Ron disappeared. Harry grabbed hold of Ginny's waist, placed a kiss on her forehead, just as he felt the sensation of not being able to breath creep into his chest.