AN: Thank you to Goodybad, Hopefully this chapter cheers you up a bit and pulls you away from murderous Perce. It's a bit short, but hopefully that's all cool. I'm steering away from Percy and Pansy together for the next two chapters, but that's enough of that. Here's the latest!
It was first announced in the Daily Prophet. A simple 'congratulations' message containing the date, time, place. A few choice words from the editor giving well done's to Luna Lovegood and Seamus Finnigan.
The next day, it was shown in more detail now that it was widespread knowledge that Harry Potter would be attending, along with 'heroes', Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley and the rest of his family. Suddenly, the wedding was a huge event.
Percy carefully allowed his wand to sort of a few repairs, a removal of dust from his cloak lined with red. Nothing fancy, just simple. He hadn't had an invitation, nor did he know how many members of his family would be there, but he had decided he would try and make his way into the chapel.
Try and reconcile with his family at a grand occasion when they would be happy and gracious... though he supposed that wouldn't happen anyway.
-- -- -- --
The man standing at the door saw immediately the red hair, the freckles and smiled graciously. "A Weasley, obviously!" he exclaimed, looking through at the guests already seated. "Unfortunately, the rest of your family are already seated, and the press are taking a lot of space – I feel so sorry for Harry Potter, he doesn't want to put up with this..."
"I'll stand at the back," Percy interjected, carefully walking past and finding a corner, well away from the scuffle of the other guests. He could see all of his brothers. The twins, Bill, Charlie and Ron who stood at the front next to the groom, Harry and two men Percy did not know. Arthur and Molly sat behind the brothers, next to a few Hogwarts teachers and members of The Order. Seamus' family took up a lot of space at the front of the church, with a few members of Luna's on the other side.
A sudden hush fell across the chapel as the organ started on its own, and Luna Lovegood began the walk down the aisle with her father, Hermione and Ginny. Her hair was done up in elaborate plaits, a small tiara held a veil, and a cream dress with beading on the bodice was placed upon the body of the girl who had since grown up since Hogwarts,
Her eyes still held a distant gaze, but sparkled with excitement. "The bride walks with utmost grace, toward the smiling faces of her husband and friends, including Harry Potter who is dressed in..." Percy heard a woman, a member of the press, talk into a 'recording quill' words she would later write onto paper for print.
Pictures were being taken, words written furiously. A real extravagant affair. It didn't feel long until the ceremony was over and Luna and Seamus were making their way outside for photographs.
Percy's family calmly walked past him, not even seeing him there, prying the reporters away from Harry. Charlie was the last to leave, and as he was about to walk through the door, he swung around and looked straight at Percy. "Percy," he muttered, lowing his head slightly. "Didn't suspect you'd be one to get an invite."
"Guy at the door realised I was a Weasley. He figured I'd be welcome."
"Are you a Weasley Percy?" Charlie asked, curiously, rocking on his heels. "Or have you given up the family name?"
"I'm still a Weasley," Percy answered. "Always have been, always will be." Charlie took a step towards him.
"What are you really doing here? You're not here for the wedding, I know that much. You don't even know Seamus and Luna. So, I figured you must be here to see us. At least, that's what it appears to be, but I'm not sure whether I like that or not."
"I wanted to see how everyone was." Charlie raised his eyebrows.
"I would tell dad you're here and want to sort things out but... he said something's a while ago... he's given up on you Perce."
"I know... and I wouldn't expect any less either. Not the way I've acted. Then again, dad and I have not always seen eye to eye." Percy and Charlie sat down in one of the pews, beside each other, Percy noticing for the first time that the church was now deserted.
They sat in silence for a few moments, thinking, when finally Charlie spoke. "Like the time you dropped all of the best plates..." Percy nodded.
"He'd had a hard day at work though," Percy reminded him. "Over-reacted. He never had a bad temper really... but he did that day didn't he?" Charlie smiled slightly.
"But, other times, he was the caring father that everyone loved. Everyone loves," he corrected himself. "Mum misses you. Everyone goes round for Sunday dinner, the whole family you know? Ron's moved in with Harry and Hermione, and Ginny's dating Dean Thomas again. Fred and George live over their shops – well, one of them anyway. The house is normally empty. Fleur comes round for dinner as well with Bill... basically, the whole family... minus one."
Percy glanced at his brother. "Dad doesn't want you there," Charlie continued honestly. "But mum does, and Bill does. Ginny's in the same boat as dad, but... she only wants mum to be happy." He rested a hand on Percy's shoulder. "We all want you home Perce, deep down." Percy looked down at his knees, uncomfortably.
"I miss everyone," he admitted. "And I want to go home but..."
"You're too proud?" Charlie asked to be replied with a nod. "Well, get over it. Get over whatever baggage you're carrying around, because pretty soon, you're not going to have anyone left. Pretty soon it's going to be you, and just you. You can't just walk into our lives like nothing has happened, you know that. Turning up to somebody's wedding doesn't make everything okay again."
Charlie stood up angrily. "But you can at least try and make contact with mum again, you've got to stop being stupid and get over yourself. You know what you should be doing Percy. The question is, are you really a Weasley? Have you got the guts that every member of this family has proven? Or are you going to chicken out on everything?"
Percy looked up at his brother. "Goodnight. I'll await a message one day." He began to walk away, but then turned around again. "We all love you." He then adjusted his cloak slightly, and walked out to join the rest of his family outside.