Disclaimer: The title should be familiar to those who heart the LOTR books, albeit tweaked. Of course, Les Misérables by Victor Hugo belongs to Victor Hugo. I do recommend it to you guys, and, for those of us who are not inclined to read profound works, I'd try the abridged version. ;)

Chapter Two: The Long-Expected Wedding

Ginny Weasley sighed. Regardless of how much Fleur Delacour had improved in the Weasleys' eyes, she was still very, very annoying. Ginny could not stand girls like her, who were forever bemoaning their looks. Well, it could be worse; Fleur could be moaning about her brother's, Bill's, shattered looks. But she wasn't, so she had improved in their eyes…a little. Bill, however, had only survived the first week after Fenrir Greyback's attack because Fleur had stayed by his side…in fact, Mrs. Weasley had to, on more than one occasion, force the girl to eat and sleep. It was the only reason why Ginny's mom was happy about the prospect of the wedding in the middle of the war.

Ginny, however, wasn't happy about the wedding. It meant that she would most likely run into her ex-boyfriend, and her brother's best friend, Harry Potter. She still had feelings for him, even though he had crushed her heart at the end of last year and at a funeral, no less. He said he wanted to protect her, but breaking up with her wouldn't change anything. Her last name was Weasley, so regardless of whether she dated Harry or not, Ginny was already a target of the most evil wizard to…well, grace this planet. She shook her head, grace? Tom (as she called him since she was taught to never say…Voldemort) still haunted her in her dreams and she knew he wanted her dead. After all, all death eaters seem to believe Weasleys would better suit the planet better dead. They believed that about muggles and magic users of muggle lineage too. So Ginny was mad at Harry because he broke up with her for one of the stupidest reasons she could think of.

Ginny stared through the bars of the stairwell into the rather shabby-looking sitting room. Her brother, Ron, was sitting at the aging desk writing what could only be a letter. And that meant that Harry was truly invited to the wedding. She could only hope that there wouldn't be enough room at the house for him to stay any longer, although she knew in her heart that her mom would make room for the boy-who-lived.

Ginny shifted her gaze toward the noise coming from the kitchen. Honestly, with the way everyone was fighting as to how the wedding was planned…well, they'll be lucky if they get a wedding at this rate. Ginny knew it was worse than it sounded. Mdm. Delacour wanted nothing short of the Ritz for her daughter (in fact, she insisted that all of her family stayed at the closest Ritz, as well), but the wedding would be held outside in the Weasley's backyard. Ginny had to admit that the gnome-infested lawn was the greatest attribute to her home. It would be big enough to fit all the guests but nowhere near as expensive as any other place. However, not only did Mdm. Delacour insist the groom should pay for it all, she insisted that it be done to her taste. Ginny's mom wasn't having any of it though. Ginny decided to brave the kitchen and find out what, exactly, they were arguing over this time.

With a sigh, Ginny stood and stretched and walked down the last few steps of the stairwell, hoping that she would not be dragged into yet another argument. Ginny knew better than to hope, but she did so anyways. Opening the door, Ginny learned that they were arguing over the service…Mdm. Delacour did not want her daughter married so barbarously (AN: M. Delacour is a snob who believes only her way is the right way; this statement no way reflects the author's viewpoint)…under a canopy! What nonsense! Shocked, Ginny realized her mother did not appreciate the choice either. Rather, they were arguing over alternatives. Fleur sat ungratefully in the corner, miserable that the wedding seemed to be deviating from her expectations yet again. And that's when Ginny felt sorry for her. Fleur wanted to marry Bill in her own way, not their parents' ways.

Ginny was not left with that thought for long; her mother soon spotted her and, like a child who reached the last bar of chocolate first, gleefully cried, "Ginny!" and reality crashed upon Ginny; she'd have to pick yet another side to another pointless argument.

"Yes, mum?" She asked as innocently and with as little vehemence as possible.

"Be a doll, and tell us, which wedding reception is better? The classic wizard asking for vows and uniting the lovers with a marriage charm, or—" and Ginny noted the stress on the word or "—would a, er, classic Veela wedding sound better to you?" Mrs. Weasley smiled a sweet little smile that read "if you don't agree with me, you'll regret it!" at her daughter.

Like a cornered animal, Ginny sought possible escape routes. As her eyes darted around the room for something she could change the subject to, her eyes landed on the very dejected looking Fleur and she knew her answer. "Well, mum, honestly, I think that since this is Fleur and Bill's wedding, they should decide on how they want the service," Ginny spoke with as much courage as she could, hoping this would end the ridiculous argument.

Mrs. Weasley looked unsure. "But, honey, they're planning on a…a druid wedding design…" Hope seemed to flicker into Fleur; perhaps she'd get her dream wedding after all…

Ginny's copper eyebrows shot up, "Really? I thought most people frowned on those kinds of weddings because they symbolized eternity. I—wow…Mum, I kinda like her idea." Ginny glanced in Fleur's direction and realized that was why Fleur wanted the untraditional wedding styles. She wanted to prove to the Weasleys and, from the way Fleur defiantly looked at her mother, her family that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Bill, and only Bill. And Ginny realized that she had chosen the right side, whether her mother agreed with her or not. Ginny made up some lame excuse about having forgotten to do something…or the other, and left the room, before someone tried to change her mind.

Escaping into the living room, Ginny noticed that Ron must have finished her letter. Relief flooded her body. Ever since Harry had broken up with her, Ron had been trying to find out what had happened. Neither she nor Harry told Ron, knowing that he would blow it out of proportions…the famous Weasley temper would strike again! Ginny shook her head and made to the bookshelf in the corner of the room. She had finished reading all of her books and completing all of her schoolwork for school next year and, rather than pull a Hermione and memorize all the books, she was going to find a book in her parents' collection. Finally deciding on Healing Remedies for Every Household by Rawanda Shanks, Ginny made her way to her room, glad she still hadn't run into Ron.

Luck seemed to be on her side, she had yet to run into Ron and she was already in the hall her room was in. "There you are, Gin!" Ginny froze at those words. Great. Just great. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I just sent a letter to Harry inviting him to the wedding. We'll be getting him tonight, whether the Dursleys like it or not. So…" Ginny forced a happy look. It apparently worked since Ron was still oblivious to their breakup…unless, of course, Ron lacked tack, which was true as well.

Smiling her fake smile, Ginny replied, "That's nice. Well, I've got to work on some homework so I'll see you later, eh?" Ginny turned away from Ron and went into her room, afraid that if she stood out there anymore the tears would flow and Ron would find out. As much as she was mad at Harry, she was not going to let Ron get mad at him too. Who knew? Ron would probably side with Harry for the same reasons. She was not weak! She'd show them all…one day she'd show them all.

Ginny spent the rest of the day learning about the fascinating field of modern healing. It tore her mind from the issues at hand and gave her a career goal. Sure, an auror would be nice, but after the war was over and after the bad guys were all round up…Ginny was no longer sure if that kind of life would suit her. But being a healer would be beneficial before and after the war. Furthermore, she liked it. Ginny knew the counters for every hex she knew and that might be helpful, especially since she knew each hex like the back of her hand as far as symptoms went.

The tell-tale signs of dinner were wafting through the house. Regardless of how poor they always were, they always ate yummy food, thanks to her mum's cooking. Heading to dinner after she had been called, Ginny knew that it would be anything but pleasant. It would definitely be awkward. Luckily, Fleur motioned for Ginny to sit between her and Bill. Ginny gratefully accepted it. Fleur wrapped Ginny in a hug as soon as she sat, which caused Ginny's eyes to pop out in surprise, and muttered, "zank 'oo, Gin." Ginny merely smiled at her before Harry walked in the room and avoided her gaze. Thank God the wedding was in three days.

As soon as everyone was seated at the table, Fleur announced to the table that they had made the arrangements for the druid service. He would be coming tomorrow to set up the service section. That only left the setting up of all the preparations. It seemed that tomorrow would be jam packed and stressful. So much the better for Ginny.

The next few days passed away in a hazy blur of rushing that left everyone exhausted. Even Ginny, who was still underage, was allowed to help out since the ministry wrote the creed that allowed young witches and wizards the right to use their magic should they need to. However, it was still monitored and any underage magic user caught performing magic in front of a muggle when not threatened with death would be arrested and tried. So even magically, Ginny was drained each night.

She woke up the morning of the wedding exhausted. As soon as realization of what morning it was did she spring out of bed. A glance at the clock revealed that everyone else would be finishing breakfast before rushing to get everything ready. Ginny threw on some clothes and rushed downstairs. She managed to eat some eggs and bacon and drink a bit of juice before rushing to help Fleur get ready. Both Michelle, Fleur's sister, and Ginny were her bridesmaids. Charlie, Ginny's second oldest brother, and Seth, a code breaker Bill was friends with, were Bill's choices. Charlie was the best man, however.

After frantically putting Fleur in a simple, druid-style wedding gown (her mother had refused to let her wear anything that would not match the service, to Fleur's delight). Both Ginny and Michelle frantically dressed in their simpler druid-style dresses. In the end, it looked as if they had not frantically donned the dresses, much to their happiness. Fleur picked up her wedding bouquet, which consisted of wildflowers. Ginny remembered that each type of flower held a significant meaning as did the number of the kind of flower, but she could not remember the meanings for the life of her. She took a deep breath. The types of flowers were not important, only that she did her part right.

Taking a collective deep breath, the three girls made their way to the back door of the Burrow. Unable to break away from some tradition, Ginny lined up next to Seth (Michelle had wanted to walk with 'Jarlee') and made the slow progression to the canopy. Taking the designated spots around the canopy, the druid told Ginny to stand in the spot of fire, while Seth was placed on water. Once Charlie and a beaming Michelle came forward, they were designated to their respective spots, Michelle stood on air while Charlie took earth.

Finally, Bill escorted Fleur to the canopy. They stood in the center, their predecessors to the canopy each holding a corner of the canopy. From outside the canopy, the druid began the ceremony. Uttering a call in a language no one understood, Bill and Fleur felt a tug at their hair. In a moment, it was gone but Ginny noticed two strands of hair flying to the druid and landing on his outstretched palms. Still muttering in the ancient language no one could understand, the two strands twirled upon themselves and formed two rings. The rings came to hover above his palms, one red-hot and the other white-hot.

With a clash of what sounded like thunder, the rings seemingly disappeared. Ginny cried out the words as instructed by the druid with the others. Then a feeling a fire rushed through her as a wind picked up and created a vortex surrounding the love-struck couple. When Ginny felt like she couldn't take anymore, the druid yelled, this time in English, "Child of fire and Child of air united as one for all time!" And the wind suddenly died as the fire within her stopped. She was exhausted yet again, and relieved. The ceremony had worked.

The reception was yet another blur for Ginny. She was busy scribbling the entire ceremony down; she never wanted to forget it. She felt rather than saw someone sitting next to her. Glancing up, she noticed Michelle. She smiled at her before continuing to write.

"I 'ave somezing to ask 'oo. Did 'oo feel the wind blowing within 'oo?" Michelle looked at her intently.

Ginny glanced up at her, "No, the wind was blowing all around me." Michelle's face seemed to fall with those words. "But, there was a fire raging within me. I suppose you didn't feel like your insides were on fire, did you?"

Michelle shook her head. "It zeems that we felt whatever corner we ztood on. I zall ask Jarlee what 'e felt." And with that statement, she left Ginny. Ginny watched her retreating back for half a minute before scribing down the events. She wondered if Charlie realized he was being admired by Michelle and if he returned her affections. She would have to ask him some other time. After seeing the various guests, including some close family members, leave, Ginny was ready to call it a night. There was only her parents, the newlyweds (much to Mdm. Delacour's dismay), Ron, Hermione, Harry, and herself staying. And Ginny really did not want to wind up alone with Harry.

Finally settling down for the night, Ginny went to sleep dreaming of love and marrying that special someone in a druid ceremony. However, she could not recognize who the man was and her dream awareness of him only acknowledged that it was not Harry. She woke up the next morning and, remembering her strange dream, realized that she was a lot angrier at Harry than she thought. Perhaps she should give him a piece of her mind; after all, it seemed like destiny when they had finally hooked up last year. She didn't want to dream of marrying some unknown guy when fate seemed to have linked Ginny to Harry.

She climbed out of bed and changed quickly. Upon looking at the clock, Ginny realized that she didn't need to rush. There was no way that anyone but Hermione would be awake this early. Not even her mother would wake up at 6 am to make breakfast. But her mom would wake up at 7 am to do so. Since Ginny could not sleep, and a glance to the bed Hermione had stayed in revealed it to be empty, Ginny decided to find the bushy-haired girl and together they could make breakfast.

The sounds of hushed, anxious whispers echoed to where Ginny stood, right outside her bedroom doorway. Unsure if it was her parents discussing Order business, as in business against Tom, Ginny crept down the stairs, careful to not step on the creaky steps. By the time she reached the first floor landing, the voices seemed to be heading in the general direction of the kitchen. As soon as the kitchen door could be heard swinging shut, Ginny rushed as fast as she could stay quiet to the kitchen door. Upon putting her ear to the kitchen door, Ginny received the ultimate shock of the morning.

"If we don't go now, we won't get another chance, Ronald! They don't expect us to do anything yet!" Hermione's urgent whispering could be heard through the door.

"We need to get the horcruxes now, mate," Harry's whispering was not nearly as urgent, but it held a determination of steel.

Ginny could hear another door open and realized that they were leaving now and she was now the only one to know! She had to do something, anything. Ginny rushed through the kitchen door as soon as the front door shut. She threw herself at the doorknob and looked out the window beside the door to see a faint shimmer of three people through the morning fog that had gathered. Her sweaty palms grasped the handle and she heard Hermione say, "Well, let's first hit Italy and then we'll leave for you-know-where as soon as we land, ok?" before her hand decided to oblige her and open the door. As soon as she did, Ginny heard three tell-tale cracks; they had already disapparated.

Knowing nothing could be done to get them now, Ginny stared blankly into the backyard. They neglected to tell her anything…again. They never told her anything, not even when she dated Harry. He never told her any of his problems. He never sought her help for any of their great schemes. Perhaps he never really did see her as anything more than a sister to protect from the evils of the world. She knelt on the front stoop of the porch and forced herself to not cry over a git like him. If she wasn't important enough for Harry to share his secrets with, she didn't need him. She would find someone else…one day.

After a few minutes, Ginny stood up and made her way back into the kitchen. There was no way she would be able to go back to sleep, so Ginny decided to make breakfast for the family. By the time she had finished, her mum would be up (and therefore her dad) and Bill and Fleur would need to be awake to make it in time for their honeymoon reservations. She would have to tell her parents, but not in front of Bill or Fleur. They deserved to have as much of a fun-filled honeymoon as they could, under the current circumstance, that it.

Ginny's mum came down shortly after she had started. One look at Ginny and Mrs. Weasley remarked, "Why, you're up early, dear. And making breakfast too." Mrs. Weasley's joy at her daughter making breakfast was punctuated with a kiss. She then bustled around to set the kitchen table.

Deciding that she had better tell her mum sooner rather than later and that Bill and Fleur would not be awake for at least another half an hour, Ginny stated, "They left, mum. I just missed them."

"Who, darling? Fleur and Bill aren't supposed—"

"No, mum; Harry, Ron, and 'Mione." Ginny paused as the cutlery hit the floor with a clatter. "I overheard some whispering, and, you know me, I snuck downstairs to catch some of it. I managed to hear something about a hunt for horcruxes before Hermione told them to go to Italy first. They're planned to leave Italy as soon as they arrived for…someplace else. I don't know where…she said to them 'you-know-where' and then they left. I only had enough time to throw the front door open and they were gone."

Ginny looked down at her feet, willing the tears that had gathered to go away. A sigh could be heard from her mother. Ginny was afraid to look, afraid to lose the composure she just barely had. "I knew they were planning on leaving; I should have realized they'd try to leave as soon as they could. At least Ron stayed for his brother's wedding." A sniff escaped from her mother and her voice became watery. "I'd better tell your father." Her mother stood up to leave.

Ginny couldn't believe the way they had left, as if they were above good-byes. "Mum, please don't tell Bill or Fleur. They deserve to have something resembling a honeymoon." Mrs. Weasley nodded before heading upstairs. At least Bill and Fleur would leave after breakfast.

)CaT(

Breakfast passed relatively quietly and the tension seemed to be made into apprehension by the two love birds, who continuously assured the family that they'd be fine on their honeymoon and they needn't be so worried. A collective sigh of relief could be heard by the three Weasleys now that the newlyweds had left and the risk of slipping about Harry, Hermione, or Ron was gone.

After explaining, yet again, to her parents what exactly had happened that morning, Ginny asked to be excused. She wanted to find something to read to take her mind off of things and she didn't care what. But first, she'd have to find a book as she had already finished her mother's personal collection of healing for housewives. Deciding that Hermione might have left some alternative reading in the room she had borrowed, Ginny made her way up to the second floor and peaked into Percy's old room. On the nightstand next to the bed, Ginny found a brand new copy of the book, Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Fascinated that Hermione would know enough French to read a book of that size, Ginny picked it up. Seeing that Hermione had, indeed, not touched it, Ginny decided she should try the book out, especially when she discovered that the words were in English. Ginny took the book from the room and headed to her own room to begin reading the novel.

)CaT(

Immediately, Ginny was fascinated by the idea of the good bishop, who claimed that Jean Valjean (who Ginny quickly learned to be the predominant character in the story) had not stolen the silverware (which he had) the police had found him with. When asked why he had lied to save the convict's neck, the Bishop told Valjean that the money obtained from the silver was to make him an honest man. Ginny was shocked. The bishop reminded her of Professor Dumbledore. Perhaps this is how he had operated; lead those who had wandered in the dark to the path of light. Ginny was fascinated and could barely put her book down for dinner. It was even better that she knew the book would last her a while; after all, it was well over 1,000 pages.

As silent as a cat, Ginny crept down the stairs to dinner. She knew her parents would be talking about the trio and wanted to know what they truly felt about it. She had the feeling that they had been hiding something from her. Yet, upon reaching the kitchen door, it was not the trio her parents were discussing, but rather her.

"She needs to go to school, Molly. She should be able to have that opportunity! Furthermore, Minerva is depending upon Ron and Ginny going to school. She's not certain of anyone else coming."

"But that's just it, Arthur. Ron won't be there anymore to watch for Ginny. I'm worried about her, especially after what happened in her first year."

"That was a long time ago, Molly. You need to let her grow-up and take a hold of situations herself. Just trust her, please."

Ginny couldn't understand why everyone insisted that she couldn't take care of herself. She was sick of it. She was a Weasley and she'd show all of them. Upon hearing her mother say "I'm just afraid of losing another child…and this child permanently," Ginny entered the room.

The dinner was eaten in silence. Upon finishing her meal, Ginny looked up at her mother and stated, "I'm going to Hogwarts. Dad's right, and besides, I've already gotten my books and things. It would be a waste not to go." Before anyone could ague with her, Ginny ran back upstairs to the comfort of Victor Hugo and his philosophical ways.