Chapter 13: The Wedding Crashers
As the hour of the ceremony approached, things settled down a bit. The yard was beautifully decorated per Fleur's orders, with graceful white canopies draped across the yard and swans sitting peacefully on the pond. Ron took the liberty of showing Cécile around the house, while Hermione and Viktor sat outside catching up. Harry and Ginny sat inside, moping about the horrendous outfits they would have to wear in an hour's time. The rest of the Weasleys tried to meet as many as Fleur's relatives as possible, although it proved difficult due to the large number of them and the language divide. Fred and George took it upon themselves to introduce themselves to Fleur's other two veela cousins, who also happened to be twins.
Finally at the last minute, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione trudged themselves upstairs to change. Harry followed Ron into his room, while Hermione followed Ginny into hers. Harry unwillingly reluctantly pulled out the pink sweater and kilt, grimacing as he looked at them. He turned around to look at Ron, who was wearing new dress robes.
"Fred and George bought them for me," Ron said.
"Ugh, I feel like you probably did at the Yule Ball. No-worse," Harry complained, trying to figure out how to put on the kilt. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he nearly cried. I'd rather fight Voldemort than wear this get-up!
As the boys exited the room, they ran into Hermione, Ginny, and Gabrielle Delacour in the hallway, who were wearing the matching frilly pink gowns.
"Hey there, hot stuff," Ginny joked, winking at Harry. He smiled weakly, both supremely embarrassed yet a little bit flattered. Well, I do have nice legs.
Ron opened his mouth to make a remark to Hermione, but she held up a hand to his face before anything came out.
"Don't even say a thing! I look ridiculous, so please don't mock!"
"Hey Hermione, you're not the only one who looks like an idiot! Look at me! This pink so clashes with my red hair," Ginny said.
"I like zee outfitz, zey are veree preety," Gabrielle said. Ron raised an eyebrow at the little girl, whose veela charm had not seemed to start working yet. The group proceeded outdoors, and Harry and Ron took their seats as the girls waited for their cue to proceed. Harry reddened as Fleur's sophisticated relatives scoffed at his clothes. Mrs. Weasley, however, had tears in her eyes when she spotted Harry.
"Oh Harry, you look so handsome!" she whispered.
Harry looked up and noticed Charlie was standing in the best man's position. What nerve! Percy won't even come to his own brother's wedding! At this thought, there was a loud crack! and everyone in the first few rows jumped as someone unexpectedly apparated.
It was Percy.
"Oh, Percy! Percy!" Mrs. Weasley jumped out of her chair and smothered her son with hugs and kisses.
"Mother, I cannot breathe." She released her grip and smiled. "Thank you," he said. Percy turned to Bill, who looked completely shocked. "I am sorry for this hasty arrival, but I have been very busy at work. I absolutely could not miss a moment of it. However, I managed to pull myself away for this wedding. Well, actually, Mr. Scrimgeour made me come. Nevertheless, I am here."
Bill looked amazed. "Well, you're here and that's what counts! Uh, sorry Charlie," Bill said.
"It's no problem," Charlie said, stepping aside for Percy and sitting down. The music started; Gabrielle, Ginny, and then Hermione walked down the aisle, holding pink bouquets of flowers. Gabrielle had a huge smile on her face. Hermione and Ginny, however, had weak, fake smiles and were forced to squint due to the radiance of the sun reflecting off their thickly sequined collars. Following was Fleur, who was dressed in a graceful rose pink gown, which sparkled in the sunlight. The crowd was sprinkled with several "oohs" and "aahs."
The ceremony was a sweet one, performed in both French and English. As soon as it was over, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione ran upstairs to change into something that would torment them less.
When they came downstairs, they sat down at a table with Ron, Fred, George, Viktor, and the three veela. The four young men were mesmerized and slightly drooling, so Ginny slapped her brothers on the backside of their heads to pull them out of their trance. No one dared slap Viktor Krum, star Quidditch player, but Hermione somehow managed to bring him to himself.
Harry looked at his two best friends, trying to decide if he should change tables in case they erupted into another row. The more Ron ogled Cécile, the closer Hermione scooted towards Viktor. Harry was getting sick of this.
"Hey, Hermione and Ron, can I talk-"
But Harry never finished his thought as screams pierced the air. They all turned their around to see a hoard of dementors hovering over the surrounding tables, heading their way.