The soft breeze of the cold Christmas crept through the windows and corridors of the great castle, filling everybody's spirits with delight, happiness, and love. For one thing, the students have now got their biggest chance to be relieved from the tremendous amount of schoolwork. Many were leaving, but only a few stayed.
"Good
morning," muttered Ron, as he joined Harry and Hermione for
breakfast. He was still rubbing his eyes. Apparently, he didn't have
much sleep last night.
"Morning," replied Harry,
chewing some toast with jam.
"Merry Christmas," mumbled
Ron, sitting down. His voice seemed to be a mono-tone.
"Happy
Christmas," said Hermione, setting Ron a close look, "are
you sick?"
He raised an eyebrow at her, and then spoke.
"A
bit...I guess," he answered weakly.
"You should go to
the hospital wing then," advised Harry, as he drank his orange
juice, "maybe it's something with your throat that's wrong,
or..."
"Maybe," replied Ron, and laughed at his
situation.
"Hey," started Hermione, "have some
tea."
"Will you fellow stop telling me what to do?"
asked Ron. "If this gets any worse, I will go to the Hospital
Wing happily, I'm not stupid."
"Allright," said
Harry, "we're just giving you some advice. Right?"
Hermione
nodded.
The Great Hall, as always, has been decorated
with trees, Christmas Lights, and many other things that happened
every year at Hogwarts. Pity most of the students weren't here.
Suddenly, a flock of something big and brown soared in the air
above the four house-tables. Mail time!
Although there weren't
many students currently at Hogwarts, over fifty were still there ,
probably doing homework.
A very familiar hoot came from over ten
feet in the air. Ron looked up, and saw Errol, the clumsy unfortunate
family owl, carrying a letter to him from home.
"What it is
this time?" he asked, as he helped Errol, who bumped into a tray
of muffins. "Probably another maroon jacket from Mom."
"Ron,"
began Hermione, grinning, "how can you be so stupid? How in the
world would a jacket fit in this small parcel?"
Hermione was
right. Sometimes, when Ron got used to the things he was always sent,
he couldn't forget them. He imagined them being sent to him in any
way possible, even in a letter.
"Right," nodded Ron in
agreement.
He opened the parcel, and saw the neat big writing of
his mother.
It was about seven or eight lines long. As Ron read
the next line, his eyebrows rose higher and higher, and a weird
expression appeared on his face...irritation and disparagement.
"What
is it?" asked Harry politely; Ron didn't answer. He sort of
frowned, and then sighed.
"Ron? What's the matter? Is there
something wrong?" added Hermione in curiosity.
"Worse
than wrong," he claimed, "Percy's getting married!"
At
those very words, Harry an Hermione glanced at each other, looking
very surprised.
"WHAT?" yelled Harry, his smile
widening.
"Why are you so happy?" smirked Ron. "The
slimy git...abandons our family...sides with Fudge...says our father
was wrong...and now he's getting married!"
"Well that's
good, isn't it?" complimented Hermione. "He's finally done
with the horrible Ministry work."
"Yes, sure, he's
done," mumbled Ron angrily, "done...after resigning when he
knew Dumbledore became Minister of Magic this summer."
"He
did what?" shouted Harry, stunned. He knew that Percy was the
biggest possible and imaginable source of nuisance to Ron, but...gave
up when he knew Dumbledore took charge of the Ministry?
"Rotten
git," continued Ron, "I've always known that he was a
spoiled egg. And guess what? Mother has invited me...no...insisted
that I come to his lousy wedding at Grimmauld Place."
Harry's
looks changed sympathetically. He understood and knew how Ron felt.
However, Percy was a good friend of his. Two years ago, he helped him
with a few points to win the Tournament. He always asked how Harry
was, and cared about him. Only a year ago, when Cornelius Fudge,
ex-Minister of Magic, started all these Ministry decrees at Hogwarts,
preventing students from believing that Lord Voldemort has returned,
Percy decided to join him, and be there to his aid. He couldn't
afford to lose such a job at the Ministry.
"Honestly Ron,"
started Hermione, "I know how you may feel. But... well... this
is a very important family issue, and you've got to be there for you
brother, to congratulate him on his wedding, and to bless it..."
"You
mean my nemesis," interrupted Ron, breathing heavily.
"No,
Percy's your brother. And you've got to attend his wedding, or
else...your seat will be taken at Grimmauld Place."
"I
don't care if my seat is taken. I don't count him as a brother, the
bossy hag...giving me advice about me not taking Fred and George's
route. Well, look at them; they've got a fortune! All because of that
little joke-shop idea of their's, that turned out to be a great
success!"
Harry looked at him, with the most fervent
feelings.
"Ron," he started calmly, "you have to go
there. Think of all the things he's done to you."
"I
can't think of any," said Ron, grinning.
"This it Ron,"
muttered Harry, " either you go, or I'll make you do it. Look,
for friendship's sake, just go, ok? Tell you what, Hermione and I
will come too."
Hermione nodded. Although she wasn't quite
sure she was going to go, she made up her mind. In reality, she
fancied visiting Mrs. Weasley, and talk to her about the strange
attacks the occurred at Hogwarts. She also wanted to hear from her
about her busy husband, Arthur Weasley, and how the Ministry is still
trying to track Voldemort's death-eaters. Hermione just, missed her,
for she was good as a mother.
"Oh fine with me, I give up.
I'll go," said Ron, nibbling the rest of his cheese.
"Good,"
said Harry, clapping Ron on the back.
"You're so easy,"
Hermione laughed at him.
Then, a red headed fifth year girl, came
walking along the Gryffindor house-table.
"Happy Christmas!"
It was Ginny, Ron's younger and only sister.
"Hello Ginny,"
he answered.
"Merry Christmas," replied Harry and
Hermione together.
"Have you received presents? I didn't
have any," proclaimed Ginny.
"Sure, why would you?"
asked Ron, grinning at her.
"Hello, it's Christmas!"
"I
know it is. What I meant to say was that of course you wouldn't
receive any presents from home...with Mom busy with Percy'
wedding..."
At once, Ginny eye's bulged out, and she dropped
her heavy Transfiguration book.
"What was that you said?"
she looked horrified.
"Yeah, I know, " said Ron, picking
up her book, and giving it back to her, "it came as a shock to
me too, Ginny."
"How? When?" She seemed full of
questions.
Ron turned to Harry and Hermione.
"Friends,
would you mind explaining?"
They smiled at him.
"No
problem," they answered.
The afternoon
went by, faster than ever, to Ron' dismay. The wedding was scheduled
to be at six o'clock back in Grimmauld Place. It was now three
o'clock, and Ron hasn't woken up form his nap yet.
"Ron, "
began Harry, pulling of his untidy blanket, "will you get up?
You've got to take a bath, and wear the best suit you've
got."
"Later," muttered Ron vaguely.
Harry was
fed up with Ron; he was sick of waking him up.
"GET UP!
NOW!" His voice echoed all over the Gryffindor Common room.
Ron
jumped out of his bed, scared of Harry's behavior.
"What's
the matter with you? Aren't you getting enough sleep?" asked
Harry, and then disappearing from Ron's sight. He couldn't believe
how irresponsible Ron was; he was even made a prefect. This was a
very important family occasion, and he thinks it's like a matter of
loosing in a game of chess.
Half an hour later,
Ron finally came down to the Gryffindor Common Room, in his best suit
possible. It made him look a bit handsome. He has his hair combed
well, and his face washed.
"Look who's here," said
Ginny, looking at her brother.
"Shut it Ginny, it took me an
hour and a half to get ready for departure," said Ron, sitting
on the armchair opposite to Harry.
For several minutes, the
common room sank in boredom and silence, when Hermione appeared out
of her dormitory.
"Whoa!" said Ron, at the sight of
Hermione. She wore a pair of dark bluish-purplish jeans, glittering
and shining, and a yellow cotton shirt, covered with a long sleeve
black leather jacket. Her hair, which had a few stripes of blonde in
it, frequently moved up and down as she descended the stairs. Harry
thought he caught a glimpse of what seemed like a pair of golden
earrings, dangling down her ear. She had some light red lipstick on,
too. She even wore a diamond necklace, to decorate the neck. She
looked fantastic.
"How do I look?" She had her right
hand on her waist, and the other playing with her hair.
"Stunningly
beautiful! Amazing! Thrilling! Wonderful! Very elegant..." began
Harry, so stunned by Hermione's sudden beauty.
"Nice earrings,"
commented Ron, shocked.
"Whoa, stop before you run out of
adjectives. Do you really think I look good?" she was quite
uncertain of her fair appearance. It was just new to her.
"Yes,
of course, " said Harry, swallowing a lump, and becoming
speechless.
"Where did you ever get this...muggle suit?"
asked Ron.
"I bought it last summer. You see, Mom and Dad
noticed that most of my outifts were getting a few inches short, so,
we went out shopping in some of those huge malls, and they got me
this, " explained Hermione, looking at herself in a small
mirror. Her reflection emerged from the mirror. Even she was
surprised at the sight of herself.
Hermione raised her eyebrows,
looking a bit surprised herself.
"Well," she started,
"this is my new look guys. Anyway, how will we be getting to
Grimmauld Place?"
Still staring at Hermione's whole new
appearance, Harry answered.
"I talked to Dumbledore about it.
He said that we could go to his office, and use a portkey to transfer
us to there. Of course, if we were seventh years, we could've easily
Apparated, but...let's go," said Harry, looking at his watch,
"or we'll be late."
Immediately, the four friends crept
out of the Gryffindor common room, heading to the headmaster's
office, so happy about Percy's wedding. Actually, they wanted to see
Bill, Charlie, and Mr. Weasley, to have a nice little chat with them
about work.
The large stone gargoyle came into the four
friends' view, waiting for the password.
"Pumpkin juice,"
said Harry quickly. Immediately, the gargoyle came to life, and began
spinning. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny stepped onto the stairs,
rising up in the air.
At last, the movement of the gargoyle
ceased, and a beautiful golden colored circular office filled the
four friends' eyes. They climbed a few stairs, when they heard an old
man's voice calling them in.
"Professor Dumbledore, sir,"
began Harry.
"Hello Harry," replied Professor
Dumbledore, as usual, wearing his old half-moon spectacles.
"I
see that you've finally come to be transferred using a portkey,"
continued Professor Dumbledore.
"Yes," replied the
four, smiling.
"Very well then," Professor Dumbledore
went on," step inside here please."
He directed them
into a smaller office inside this big one, and they noticed that it
contained several closets. Harry then saw something shiny and silver,
placed at the top shelf.
"The Pensieve!" he began,
intrigued by the thought collector. "How well I
remember."
Professor Dumbledore nodded; he understood Harry
quite clearly.
"Yes, my dear Harry, the Pensieve, the tool in
which all your thoughts that fill your mind are emptied,"
"I
wish I had one," commented Ginny. Professor Dumbledore's old
friendly face smiled at her.
"Now then," he began, "you
all know how to use a portkey. Just place your hands on the Pensieve
at three."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny got ready.
"Oh,
and before you go," said Professor Dumbledore, giving them a
wink" please send my best wishes to Percy Weasley, and may God
bless his marriage."
Ron frowned at the name of Percy.
"Right then," muttered Professor Dumbledore,"
one...two...three!"
At once, eight hands , two from each
of the four, touched the tip of the Pensieve. They began swirling in
air, spinning quickly. The sight of Professor Dumbledore faded away
slowly, as it became darker.
Finally, the four reached an old
ancient house, the house of Black. It once belonged to Sirius's
family, but now it's been used as headquarters for the Order of the
Phoenix. Harry recalled how it looked like a year ago, when he was a
fifth year. Dusty, filled with hatred of mudbloods, filthy, and full
of doxies. However, now, its whole appearance changed. From the
outside, it was decorated with colored lights, red, blue, orange,
green, purple, yellow, gold, emerald green, and lots of other colors.
The chimney was fixed, and the whole house smelled better. Through
the windows, Harry could see the inside, being so warm and lit with
fire.
The four reached the door, and rang the door bell. Seconds
after that, came the loud shrieks and noises of Mrs. Blacks' portrait
that had a permanent sticking charm on it.
The door opened, and
the smell of fresh cakes and muffins satisfied the four's appetite.
"Oh my dears, how wonderful to see you," it was Mrs.
Weasley, hugging them tightly. As always, she perfectly well knew haw
to welcome guests. Along with her own son and daughter, Harry and
Hermione were like her own son and daughter.
"Come in my
dears, come in. I'm so glad that you've come to join us in Percy's
wedding tonight,"
"Big Head Boy, " mumbled Ron,
grinning at Harry, Hermione, and Ginny.
The four entered to sit in
a big room, the main living room. It had rows of seats in it, just
incase many visitors came. The seats were so comfortable, that they
made Harry sort of become dizzy.
"Muffins?" asked Mrs.
Weasley as she carried the tray to the four, beaming at them.
"Thank
you," said the four, and took some bites out of the freshly
baked muffins.
As Harry chewed on his third muffin, something
swirled in his mind.
"Mrs. Weasley," he began, as she
turned to him, "who's the lucky woman?"
By that, he
meant the bride that was going to be wedded to Percy.
"Penelope
Clearwater, Harry," answered Mrs. Weasley, and went off to the
kitchens to get some Butterbeer.
"I knew it," said Ron,
"she's been his girlfriend at Hogwarts, remember?"
"Yes,"
answered Harry, clearly having a flashback about when Ginny claimed
that she caught her brother kissing her. It kind of made him laugh.
Moments later, two funny voices echoed all over the living rooms.
"Hello mates, nice to see you here,"
The fours'
attention was totally distracted, as they saw the two deceiving twins
appear out of thin air.
"Fred! George! What are you doing
here? I thought you had to watch over your joke-shop," said
Harry happily.
"Naah, we took a day off," started
Fred.
"Besides, this is one big thing to attend. Big Head
Boy's wedding!" continued George, chuckling.
Ron joined them
for a laugh. Hermione laughed too; it was their favorite way of
making fun of Percy.
"So, where are Bill and Charlie? Aren't
they coming..." but Harry was interrupted by a pair of other two
voices he recognized, coming from the entrance door, discussing
something about raising the goblins' paychecks at
Gringotts.
"Honestly Bill, why would you..."it was
Charlie's voice. He was the amazing legendary Quidditch player at
Hogwarts several years ago, and now he worked with dragons at
Romania.
"Harry! Hermione! Ginny! And ickle Ronnie are here!
How wonderful!" this was Bill, the cool Weasley son, with long
hair, and a pair of dragon-like earrings.
"Hello Bill, and
Charlie," stated Harry, shaking their hands.
"It's so
great to see you guys," commented Charlie, "so, you cared
for a visit, huh?"
"But of course," started
Hermione, smiling," it's our duty to celebrate Percy's
wedding."
Charlie and Bill looked at each other,
frowning.
"Pity, for all these months he left us...even
resigned when he knew Dumbledore took charge of the Ministry,"
began Charlie sadly.
"His job totally controlled him, and
Fudge was his perfect model," continued Bill.
Harry and the
others nodded in agreement, because he had a point.
For the
next fifteen minutes, Harry and his friends had a nice chat with
Fred, George, Bill, and Charlie. Until at last, Percy appeared from
upstairs.
"Hello kids," he started, with a wide smile on
his face.
"Kids?" mumbled Ron angrily. "Who does he
think he is? The bossy big head boy!"
"I would like to
thank you for...um...attending my wedding," apparently, he had
practice on this speech, but he still was sweating, "it really
means a lot to me...and I'm...I'm very sorry that I left my family
for the past couple of months...I...I didn't mean to...but, well...I
had to finish some business with the ex-Minister of Magic, after
resigning...I thought that I...I'd be happier to live with my
fiancé than to work at the Ministry, still...I hope that I
get a new job...someday."
Sweat drops were falling down his
nose. Ron grinned at him, so did Harry and Hermione.
Then, the
door sprang open, and a bunch of witches and wizards came in. First,
came Mr. Weasley. Second, Nymphadora Tonks. Third, Kingsley
Shacklebolt. Then came Professor McGonagall. Behind her, was
Professor Snape, surprisingly. Behind him, came Professor Lupin, the
amazing Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and finally, the
ex-Auror, Mad Eye Moody.
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny stood up
to greet them and shake their hands. At once, they were seated. The
lights were dimmer now, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came to the front.
"Dear friends, it is our pleasure to thank you for joining
us on this very happy occasion, the marriage of our son, Percy,"
spoke the happy Mr. Weasley.
"He's been such a wonderful
obedient boy for all these years. It seems only yesterday that he
received his letter from Hogwarts," continued Mrs. Weasley, who
had tears of joy in her eyes.
"How well I remember Percy,
being so young in age, and learning the brands of magic," said
Mr. Weasley, smiling at the audience.
"However," Mrs.
Weasley went on, taking a deep breath, "tonight is a night,
containing happiness and grief together. It's true. How wonderful it
is, when lovers get married. And yet...how painful it is to give away
a member of the family."
She held a handkerchief to her
eyes, and wiped off some of the salty hot tears.
"And now,"
said Mr. Weasley, turning his back to the audience, and facing his
own son Percy," is the moment, when our young Percy, starts a
new generation and family, that holds the name of Weasley."
He
slowly approached his own son.
"Son, congratulations, and may
God bless these wonderful moments," At those words, the father
and son hugged each other, tightly as never before.
Then,
into the dimly lit room, came a handsome and fair girl, covered
entirely with white, that was destined to be Percy's wife. She sort
of waved at the audience, and joined Percy. She was absolutely
conspicuous between everyone, wearing the floor length white wedding
gown.
Professor Lupin got out of his seat, and stepped forward,
standing between Percy and Penelope.
"Dear lovers," he
started, "we are gathered here today to..."
"Remus,"
started Mr. Weasley, "would mind skipping this part. Can you
please go on?"
Professor Lupin nodded, his smile curving,
just as Snape did sometimes.
"Pleasure," he went on. "Do
you Percy Arthur Weasley take Penelope Zak Clearwater as your beloved
wife till the last day of your life, when death separates you?"
"I
do," replied Percy, looking Penelope in the eye.
"And do
you, Penelope Zak Clearwater take Percy Arthur Weasley as your
beloved husband till the last day of your life when death separates
you?"
Instantly, she replied, "Yes, I do."
"God
bless you, and I announce you married in front of all,"
Professor Lupin turned his head to Percy, "you may kiss the
bride."
Percy was pink for a moment, and then he leaned over
to kiss Penelope. It was done at last! He was married! The whole room
was filled with the loud noises of applauding.
Harry was clapping
so hard that he didn't feel his hand. Hermione was cheering too. Ron
and Ginny went over to hug him, and say goodbye, until they meet
again, after Percy' honeymoon is over. Ron couldn't hold himself, he
had to congratulate his brother.
"Goodbye Perce," said
Ron, " I hate to admit it, but I love you!"
"I
love you too, little brother," replied Percy, rubbing Ron's back
sympathetically.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were in deep tears of
happiness, both holding each others hands.
"Goodbye Mom,
goodbye Dad," said Percy, crying softly.
"Very well
son," muttered Mr. Weasley," until we meet again."
Percy
smiled one last time, and then, he and Penelope both dis-Apparated.
"They're gone!" shouted Ginny, as she hugged Ron.
"I
know," he mumbled, as Ginny's tears fell from her watery eye,
"they'll be back soon, though."
