A/N I'm doing that thing again where the timeline gets a bit fluid, so we're going back to go forward. Sorry.

November '00

"New year. We've got nearly everything sorted. By New Year we should have Higgins on board, and once that's done, there's nothing to stop the repeal," Percy said tiredly leaning up against the kitchen cabinet after a long day at the office.

"Really?" Audrey brightened turning around from the stove where she was cooking dinner, wooden spoon in one hand.

"Yes."

"So, in the summer of next year? I think we could probably still get dates. Mum is going to insist on a church. Do you mind?" She turned back to the stove as a pan hissed. "How do you do it? Can we have a magical wedding? Will a muggle one count for you?"

"We can't have a magical marriage where two people go to the Ministry and say the vows. There's an element of magic in the process. Also, you wouldn't be allowed in the Ministry. Having an official come to perform the vows much like Bill and Fleur did is pointless if your parents can't be there and again involving an aspect of magic. If we are to marry in a church, particularly your family church, is there a way I could perhaps familiarise myself?"

"You mean, go to Sunday services?"

"I hardly know," Percy replied regrettably. "Which is rather the point."

"Of course, we can go. I'll let Mum know. We can go together if you like. Dad will want us over for Sunday lunch afterwards. Do you not have a religion?"

"We follow the Christian calendar of celebration, Christmas, Easter, but there's no emphasis on religion. Water into wine? Well, that's basic transfiguration."

"Oh, I suppose." Audrey mused.

"I can still respect the tradition," Percy said gently.

"I didn't mean anything by it. I'm not particularly religious myself. It was something we did as kids, but I stopped going as soon as I was allowed. But you didn't answer my question, would a Muggle marriage count for you?" Audrey glanced back over her shoulder at him.

"Audrey, I assure you, that no matter what the final Ministry decree is, my marriage to you, whether in a muggle or magical ceremony will most certainly count."

"Fleur said wizards don't divorce," Audrey said turning back to the stove.

"It is uncommon, but not impossible. Some magical weddings favoured by the more traditional involve magical vows, reducing the ability of the participants to dissolve their marriage."

"Would they hold it against you? Having a muggle wife? If you went for Minister?"

"I shall not be running for Minister in a year, so it has no bearing," Percy replied.

"Percy, of course it does! This is your career!" Audrey span around to face him, ignoring the pans on the stove in favour of looking at him properly.

"This is my life," Percy indicated to them both. "If I never rise higher than my current position in the Ministry because of the choices I made, then so be it. I will not apologise for my actions under Thicknesse. I will not back down regarding pushing for the marriage law to be revoked, and there is not a day that I would consider that you are not the single most important thing in my life. The Ministry can go hang. I shall marry you in a church, and that will be that."

"I just think that we should have a plan. Something that they can't argue. If something happens to you, will they even recognise me as your wife? What about when we start a family?" Audre said, quickly turning back to the stove as a pan hissed as it began to bubble over.

Percy crossed the kitchen to come up behind her, he clasped his arms around her as she stood, tending the pans on the stove. "There may not be a way to formalise our marriage through magical means, but if there is, I shall find it and discover if it is a viable option for us."

Audrey nodded then nudged him gently. "Get the plates, would you? This is ready. We'll have to tell my parents about the dates as soon as we can, and well, I think we're going to have to organise something where my parents can meet your family. Mum hasn't been pushing for it, but once she knows we're setting a date, she will."

Percy laid out the plates and stepped back, allowing Audrey to dish up the meal. They carried their dinner through to the dining room where a swish of Percy's wand had the table laid.

"Entirely understandable. I suggest that we perhaps host a Sunday lunch. Invite your parents around for lunch, then my lot over for dessert. I think an entire meal together at this stage might be asking a bit much."

"Do you think your Mum would come to the wedding?"

"Honestly, no."

"We're going to invite her, aren't we?"

"Yes," Percy said after a pause. "Yes, we can, but I cannot see in the next six months, resolving what is between us."

Audrey phoned her Mum to let her know about the plans to marry in June. After the initial excitement had passed, Audrey brought up the reason she had called.

"We'd like to invite you for Sunday lunch, and well, we thought we would invite some of Percy's family for dessert. So, you could meet. Before, you know, the actual wedding."

"We'd like that," Lizzy replied. "Who would we be meeting?"

"Well, Fred and George, the twin brothers, possibly Bill his eldest brother and his wife, Fleur."

"What about his parents?"

"Probably his Dad, Arthur."

"Not his Mum?"

"No," Audrey sighed. "I don't think that's likely."

"Well, I suppose it's enough to be going on with."

"Yes," Audrey smiled, dropping into the armchair in the bay window of their front room. "I haven't met Charlie yet. That's Percy's second eldest brother. He works abroad and doesn't come home very often. I have met his youngest brother and his sister. They are nice. Ginny is in America though so I don't suppose there will be many chances for you to meet before the wedding. And Percy and Ron aren't especially close."

"So, we're meeting everyone else, then?"

"Yes, are you alright with it? We just thought if it was dessert, it meant that there were fewer chances for it to get too awkward."

"Of course, and with so many of them, dessert is much more manageable than a whole meal."

"There's that as well," Audrey laughed. "Percy tells me that mealtimes when he was growing up, were something else."

"I can only imagine," Lizzy replied. "Well put us three down as RSVP-ing yes and let me know if there's anything you want us to bring. I'll phone Father Hirst and see if we can't get a date in June. You might not get to be too picky."

"Thanks, Mum," Audrey said her goodbyes and hung up the phone, letting out a sigh. She was not looking forward to her mum quizzing her future father in law about his wife's refusal to accept her. Frankly, she'd quite like to forget that that particular sword of Damocles was hanging over them.

Sunday came bringing Rick, Lizzy and Rachel to the house. Percy took command of the kitchen quietly confident in his abilities and allowed Rick to join him to escape the inevitable turn towards the wedding the conversation between the women made.

"How're things?" Rick asked, leaning against the cabinets out of the way.

"Work is going well," Percy replied. "We're on the home straight to wrap up a largish project. It's taken quite a lot of time, but I'm optimistic that come the new year we should have it completed."

"That's good," Rick said. "It's good to know you've settled on a date. I didn't think you'd have such a long engagement."

"It wasn't deliberate," Percy said. "We wanted to get the house done, and that took time, then this project took off at work. It has taken a lot of effort to complete, we agreed that I would finish it before we started on the wedding because of how involved it has been. Audrey has hardly been any less busy with the expansion of the shop. She's done exceptionally well."

"She has," Rick agreed. "She attributes it to you, introducing her to new suppliers."

Percy shrugged. "I'm not sure I did anything so impressive. I happened to know of a shop, and I took her there hoping, to, well, impress her, I suppose," Percy laughed. "Everything after that is Audrey's hard work."

"Lizzy said Audrey asked if you two could come to services with us."

"Yes, if that's alright with you. My family isn't religious, and I would like to familiarise myself with things before the wedding."

"It's a good idea," Rick replied. "You can meet Father Hirst. He christened both Audrey and Rachel, he'll be delighted to marry you both, I'm sure."

Percy nodded his agreement. "I understand from Audrey that you are planning a holiday soon?"

Rick nodded, accepting the conversation change and went into detail about the planned trip to Italy until Percy indicated that the food was ready to be taken through.

The table had been cleared, and Audrey was in the kitchen, making coffee when the doorbell rang. She hurried down the hall to open the front door where a gaggle of Weasleys all crowded.

"Come in," Audrey said. "We're in the dining room still, I've just started making the coffee."

Fred and George bounced across the threshold, divesting themselves of their coats before heading to the dining room. Bill and Fleur followed them in, Fleur was holding a silver tray. "I have dessert. Shall I take it through to the kitchen, it just needs warming through."

"Please, I'll be with you in a minute," Audrey said then turned to the last person in the party. "Hello, Arthur."

"Hello, Audrey, dear, thank you for inviting us."

"It's quite alright. You're alone?"

"Yes, I am sorry."

"It's alright," Audrey said, laying a hand on his arm. "I can't say we were expecting her to come. Come through, my Mum and Dad would like to meet you, and I'm sure Fred and George have finished making an impression by now."

Arthur smiled. "They did promise to behave I'm just not sure that that means anything in the grand scheme of things. They've been trouble since they could crawl."

Fleur joined them holding a tray of cups and a teapot and coffee pot.

"I was going to do that," Audrey admonished. "You're a guest."

"It was no trouble," Fleur smiled. "I was in there and only finished what you had started."

Audrey gestured Fleur into the room where the rest of their guests had gathered. The dining room table was looking crowded now everyone had arrived. Percy had found some extra chairs which Audrey assumed he had transfigured out of something else in the cellar. As the ten of them jiggled and jostled for elbow space, Audrey took her own seat and let Percy complete the introductions.

Fleur handed out tea and coffee then took a seat at Bill's side. There was a pause where everyone looked at each other and Audrey bit her lip denying the laugh. It was slightly ridiculous that they hadn't gotten their respective families together in all the years that she and Percy had been together. "So," she said. "We're planning to get wed in June. Any objections?"

The tension in the room broke as everyone smiled at the attempt at humour.

"Do you know where you will marry?" Fleur asked.

"The church I attended as a child," Audrey answered. "We'll have the ceremony at the church then arrange a hotel or something for the meal and the night do I suppose. I haven't really thought about numbers, but I don't think we'll go over a hundred or so."

Lizzy shook her head. "For the dinner, perhaps, but for the night do expect it to creep up to double that. There's always such and such who's a friend of a friend, and then there are all the plus ones."

Audrey sighed. "You're probably right, we haven't even started organising yet."

"We can get some magazine and look through them for venues," Lizzy assured Audrey. "We can visit those you think might be a possibility and narrow down the lists that way."

Audrey looked over at her sister. "Fancy touring venues with me?"

Rachel lifted a shoulder. "Why not, if you put me in some monstrous concoction of tulle and lace, however, I will ruin all your photographs."

"But I thought you'd look so good in custard yellow," Audrey smirked.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Think again. No to puffy sleeves either thanks. I'd like to be able to attend the reception rather than hide in a loo because you've got awful taste."

"You'll be a bridesmaid as well, won't you, Fleur?" Audrey asked. "Since I've promised no puffy sleeves and to avoid custard yellow."

Fleur looked stunned for a moment. "Yes, of course," she replied, blinking quickly. "I would be honoured."

Audrey smiled back, warmly. "Do you think Ginny would agree as well?" she turned to Arthur. "I'll call her and ask, but I'd like her to be part of it as well."

Arthur smiled. "I'm sure she would be delighted to be asked. Although she does not suit custard yellow either so perhaps don't mention that."

"Who else? In the bridal party." Lizzy asked

"Just Rose. Four isn't too many, is it?"

"Four is manageable, and as you're all a similar age, you'll only need to find one style of dress which will help immeasurably. What about you, Percy, have you thought about groomsmen?"

"Err, well, not really. Do I need to match Audrey's numbers?"

"No, though it shouldn't be too tricky with the number of brothers you have," Rick pointed out.

A chime sounded from the kitchen and Audrey got to her feet. Fleur followed her into the kitchen as Audrey bent down and pulled the strudel out of the oven. "Fleur, this is a work of art!" she exclaimed at the delicately layers pastry.

Fleur shrugged. "It is not so difficult." She made a twirling motion with her hand.

"Oh," Audrey said grinning. "That I suppose is true. Can you grab the bowls and that jug there? It's got the custard in it." Audrey glanced over her shoulder down the hall. "Umm, could you give it a quick reheat before we take it through? Save chucking it in the microwave?"

Fleur nodded, withdrawing her wand and casting the charm to bring the custard back up to temperature.

"You're a star," Audrey said. "Let me grab the ice cream, and we can take it all through."

The strudel was oohed and ahhed over before being sliced up and dished out. The conversation picked up between the group and Audrey breathed a sigh of relief that this wasn't a disaster. Her parents seemed to be getting along fine. Fred and George had been polite and distinctly calm for them which had Percy casting them glances every now and again. Audrey hid her smile in her dessert. Fred and George had been very much the same when she had met them for the first time. Right up until the dinosaurs had reverted them back to small boys again. She could appreciate their efforts not to overawe her family.

It wasn't until dessert had been cleared away that things went distinctly sideways. Audrey only caught the end of a silent conversation her parents had and instantly knew that they were about to bring up the one topic that Audrey had hoped that they wouldn't.

She shot a glance around the table searching for Percy hoping that he would know how to derail the conversation before it started. Her eyes landed on Fleur before they reached Percy and Fleur's own eyes widened taking in the situation.

"Ahem," Fleur said, drawing everyone's attention, interrupting Lizzy who had just turned to Arthur. "I hope you don't mind, but as you are all here, Bill and I would like to share our news. I'm pregnant."

Bill looked at his wife in slight shock and Audrey understood that they hadn't been planning on sharing that news today. As a distraction, it worked exceptionally well as the conversation was diverted into congratulating Fleur and Bill.

Audrey got up, moving around the table to hug Fleur. "Congratulations, I'm delighted for you." She pulled Fleur a little closer. "Thank you," she breathed.

Fleur released the hug shrugging laconically, "I hope that it does not spoil your wedding plans."

"Oh, god, yes, when are you due?"

"The end of April," Fleur said. "But with these things, there is no telling I understand."

Lizzy had come around the table to offer her own congratulations. "Yes, Audrey was on time bless her, but Rachel had to be induced. I'm very happy for you."

The conversation stayed safely in the areas of weddings and babies until Rick started making noises about leaving. Audrey walked her parents out to their car.

"They seem a friendly bunch," Rick said.

"God, how did Percy cope with so many brothers?" Rachel said. "He's the quiet one, isn't he?"

"Yes," Audrey replied drily. "I have told you about them before."

"Hearing and seeing Audrey, hearing and seeing," Rachel said as she got into the car.

Lizzy hugged her briefly. "I'll ring you in a day or so about venues if you want to get some magazines to start with."

"Thanks, Mum."

"Don't think I'm going to forget, though."

"Forget what?"

"About his Mum."

"Mum, please," Audrey protested. "Don't make a thing out of It, alright. Its, it's not simple, and Percy is really hurt and upset about it, and if you start grilling his Dad, it's just going to upset him more."

"What about you, love? Are you not going to be hurt?"

"She's not my Mum, and I don't care if she's against our relationship and wedding. She can't stop it."

Two weeks later, Audrey followed her mum back into her family home and dropped tiredly into a chair at the kitchen table.

"Tea?"

"Yes, please."

"So, did you like any of the venues?" Lizzy asked as she put the kettle on and got the teabags out of the cupboard.

"Urgh, maybe the second one. Maybe. The first one is too far away and that third one, I think Percy would bang his head on the ceiling in that function room."

"There is no garden on the second one though just the ballroom which admittedly was exquisite."

"Hmm, Percy would like it," Audrey said. "And let's be honest a garden isn't necessary it will probably rain anyway."

"Well there's a good chance, yes, but by the twenty-first of June, you should be able to expect some good weather. Are you sure you want to get married on a weekday? Father Hirst did say they still had some weekend slots later in the year open."

"Yes, but they weren't until September. I don't mind, and if people can't make it because of work commitments, then that's fine. Also, you know that it will help with the reception costs not to have it on the weekend."

"I liked it, the second venue. We'll have to take Rachel and Percy to see what they think. Does Percy's family want any input?"

"Arthur won't," Audrey said with a shake of her head.

Lizzy gave Audrey a knowing look.

"Mum don't,"

"You've been engaged for nearly three years, and she won't come around at all?"

"No. She doesn't approve of me. Percy's mum wants him to marry someone within their community. Someone who understands, who isn't an outsider."

"But Fleur, Bill, you said that Fleur grew up in France?"

Audrey nodded.

"They got to marry, why shouldn't you and Percy?"

"Molly doesn't really approve of Fleur either. She was quite cruel by all accounts until Bill had his accident and Fleur stood by him."

"She went to their wedding, though."

"Yes, though Fleur would sooner she hadn't. She took over. Molly is quite controlling."

"You have met her, haven't you?"

"Yes, back in ninety-eight. It wasn't auspicious. She was polite, but Percy wasn't on good terms with them, and once she found out I wasn't from their community, she refused to invite me to family events such like."

"I suppose it's better she doesn't come if she's so against it, but I couldn't imagine hurting your child like that. It's unfathomable."

Audrey shrugged, sadly. "I think it's quite beyond reconciliation. Arthur and Percy's brothers are all standing by him, us."

Lizzy reached out to cover Audrey's hands with her own. "I want it to be special for you."

"It will be, without her and her bigotry" Audrey said with a smile. "And talking of special. Can I have the Dress."

Lizzy blinked. "You don't want one of your own?"

"No," Audrey said, shaking her head. "I really don't."

Lizzy got up, leaving her coffee behind. "Yes, I mean you can have it, of course. Whichever of you married first was to be offered it. But honestly love, it was delicate when I wore it."

Audrey followed her mum up the stairs and into the spare room that used to be Rachel's. "But it will be ok, won't it? We got it out as kids, and it was alright."

"Yes, well, let's see, then. You'll need to have it altered to fit you. You're slimmer than I was. A touch taller too." Lizzy opened the wardrobe, reaching for a larger white box on the top shelf. The box was stained and crushed but still holding its shape.

Lizzy put the box on the bed, flipping off the lid and removing the top layer of tissue paper. Audrey reached for the neatly folded dress running her hands gently over the beaded lace. Carefully, Lizzy lifted the dress out from the box, laying it out on the bed and returning for the lace veil that accompanied it.

Audrey reverently touched the dress, rubbing the lace between gentle fingers. The underlying dress was a simple sheath with a deep v neckline held up by thin straps, it flared out at the back to provide a train. Over the top was a layer of lace and beadwork that as simply stunning to behold. Her great-grandmother had worn it when she married in nineteen thirty-eight, and it had since been worn by her daughter, her daughter - who was Audrey's grandmother and her mother. Audrey would be the fifth member of the family to marry in the dress.

"Oh," Lizzy said in dismay. Audrey looked over at where her mother was spreading the veil out. The veil as had been the fashion in the thirties was a huge thing and mirrored the lace detail and beading of the dress all the way around the edges offering weight and solidity to the delicate fabric.

Audrey's face fell as she noticed the damage to the veil. The beading had come away, and the fabric was worn and fraying.

"The tissue," Lizzy said in dismay. "It must not have been acid-free. Here, let's check the dress as well."

Carefully they unpacked the dress to find the bottom hems in similar condition. The train, which was some five feet long, was nearly in tatters.

"Oh, love, I'm sorry," Lizzy said, wrapping an arm around Audrey. "I haven't looked at it in so long."

Audrey swallowed down the lump of disappointment welling within her, this was the dress she'd always wanted to get married in. It had been one of those things she'd known. Now it was looking horribly unlikely. Lizzy picked the train up carefully, trying to minimise further damage. "Perhaps if you shorten the train," she offered. "It was dreadfully heavy, and they aren't as fashionable anymore."

Audrey nodded dumbly, looking on as Lizzy continued to examine the dress. "Oh," she said the tone of her voice sinking Audrey's spirits even further. "The stitching has gone here as well. I'm sorry, if it were just the stitches, we might have managed something."

Audrey twitched, her brain latching onto the word, a memory surfacing. "Stitches?"

"Yes, here," Lizzy folded the seam back to show Audrey the frayed threads.

Audrey blinked as the memory coalesced into an idea. "Mum, can I take this with me?"

"Take it? Where?"

"I think I know someone who could fix it."

"Audrey love, this dress, its, well it's practically an antique. Your local dressmaker isn't going to be able to fix the lace or the beadwork, this was hand sewn."

"I know," Audrey said. "But I think I know someone who could restore it. Please, mum."

Lizzy sighed. "Ok, fine, but do consider that fixing it might not be cheap. Restoration work is only likely to be hideously expensive. I know you want to wear it love, but it might be cheaper to get a new dress."

Audrey nodded, carefully packing the dress back into the box. Wrapping it in the hateful tissue. "I know. I'd like to try though."

Lizzy shrugged, folding the veil and placing it on top before putting the lid back on. "Well, let me know, alright."

"Yes," Audrey agreed, gathering up the box. "I'm going to go. I'll ring and see if they can see me."

"Do you want me to come?"

"No, it's alright, Mum, I'll call you later and tell you what they said."

Audrey carried the box with reverence and determination. She honestly had no idea where Minerva might be at half past three on a Saturday, but she hoped that she would have at least one mirror with her and that the witch would be amenable to her idea.

Audrey stopped at an empty bus shelter and perched on the bar. Balancing the box on her knees, she rooted in her bag for her compact. "Minerva McGonagall," she said clearly into the mirror. It was a minute or two before the mirror showed the witch on the other end and from what Audrey could make out, she was still at Hogwarts.

"Audrey, this is a surprise. Is there something wrong?"

"No," Audrey said hurriedly. "Both Percy and I are fine. It's not that. It's, well I was wondering if I might ask a favour of you and more specifically of your elves?"

Minerva didn't hide the look of surprise on her face.

"I know it sounds a bit odd, but if I could explain?"

Minerva turned her attention to her surroundings briefly before concentrating on the mirror again. "I've got nothing pressing to detain me at the moment. Do you have access to a floo? I can meet you at the Lodge."

"I've just left my Mum's," Audrey said. "I'm about forty-five minutes from Fred and George's. Percy isn't home, so I can't use the floo there."

"For expediency then, shall I send Stitches to you, if you'd like?"

"Yes, please Minerva that would be great.

"Well, do go somewhere you won't be seen then, dear. No use giving someone a heart attack."

Audrey nodded and stood up. "Thanks, Minerva"

"Nonsense, my day was quite dull. This, at least, is a break from marking."

Audrey smiled in acknowledgement, then the connection was cut. She shoved the mirror back in her bag and got up from her perch. Looking around her to decipher which way she had walked from her Mum's she set off at a jog towards the ginnel where Percy apparated them to. Hidden in the shadow, it wasn't a moment before Stitches appeared at her side.

Audrey smiled a welcome and took the proffered hand. The Lodge looked the same as it had when she had stayed briefly. Clutching the large box closer to her, she followed Stitches into the conservatory where Minerva sat straight-backed at a small table. The tea things were already laid out, and Audrey couldn't help marvel at magic all over again.

"Audrey," Minerva welcomed her with a smile.

"Thank you for seeing me," Audrey said. "Especially at short notice."

"It's quite alright. Tea?"

"Please." Audrey settled into the chair, setting her bag down on the floor and the box next to it.

Once tea was dispensed Minerva looked at Audrey expectantly. "How might I or my elves help?"

"Right, well I don't know if it is possible yet and I know elves have a thing about being paid but I, I do want to pay you or them for their time. I'm not sure if it can be done and if it can be, well a professional in the muggle world would demand payment so I would, of course, pay you whatever you think reasonable."

"Perhaps," Minerva interrupted. "If you start at the beginning. You're starting to ramble worse than a second year out after curfew with no good reason."

Audrey nodded and rose from her chair picking up the box and setting it on her recently vacated seat. She flipped off the lid. "While you were all gone that night in February, I spoke to Pins. I'd noticed that all your elves bar Folly, have a theme to their names and Pins explained that they had all been employed to work for one of your ancestors who ran a successful high-end clothing shop."

Minerva nodded calmly, waiting.

"My great grandmother was married in 1938 in a dress she and her mother and grandmother, aunts, sisters all helped make. The dress has passed down the family, all of the daughters have worn it at their weddings, and I've always wanted to wear it when I got married. Only, when Mum packed it up after her wedding, the tissue, its damaged the lace. Mum wasn't sure that it could be mended because it's not just the lace and the train, but the dress it's self. I really don't know if a dressmaker or even a costume restorer could fix it, but Pins said that the elves used to do really high detailed, complex work, and I thought if anyone could fix it maybe they could?"

As Audrey looked at Minerva, the witch noted the quiet desperation in her eyes at the idea that this dress might be beyond salvage. Minerva's heart went out to the young woman. She had had something of her families when she had married, and it had meant the world to her.

"Well then," Minerva said, briskly over the lump in her throat. "Let's see what they make of it, shall we?"

Audrey's smile was blinding, and Minerva returned it with one of her own. "Pins?" she called out.

The elderly elf arrived with a slight pop bowing to his mistress and casting a curious glance at the box on Audrey's chair.

"Pins, Audrey has a wedding dress that has been damaged. I would like to know if you think it might be fixed?"

Pins quivered, a light coming to his clouding eyes. "Really, Mistress?"

Minerva wondered once more about her cabal of elves but nodded.

"Pins would be needing help," the elf said.

"Retrieve who you want," Minerva said with a nod. The elf vanished, and Minerva picked up a spoon from the table, transfiguring it quickly into a dressmakers dummy. "Get it out, and we'll put it on this so they can see it," she instructed Audrey as the elves returned in an excited murmur.

Audrey gently took the dress out of the box to an excited coo from the elves. She shot them a look before exchanging a humorous smile with Minerva.

"If they make me open a dress shop," Minerva said with a sigh, "I'll know who to blame."

The dress was put on to the dummy with care and Minerva transfigured a head on a pole so that the veil could be laid out alongside it. The elves swarmed the two dummies, and Minerva indicated that they should return to the table.

"It is quite special isn't it," she said as they sipped their tea.

"Yes," Audrey said. "It is to me."

After ten minutes of activity and low murmured conversation Pins approached Minerva. After looking for permission, the elderly elf bobbed in quiet excitement. "It can be done. It will take some time, the stitching of the dress will need to be done by hand, magic will help but it is delicate work. The lace and beadwork can be done the same way."

"You can do it?" Audrey asked. "You can fix it?"

Pins nodded, looking at his Mistress. Minerva smiled at Pins in approval as Audrey slumped in relief in her chair. "How long do you think the work will take?"

Pins shuffled his feet nervously. "It would be best to go slowly. If the Miss wishes to wear the dress, then it would be better for it to be fitted while the repairs are made."

"When are you thinking of getting married?" Minerva asked Audrey.

"June," Audrey answered.

Minerva looked expectantly at Pins.

"It will be done," Pins said a beaming smile creeping over his face.

"What do you need? Materials? Thread?" Audrey asked, sitting up and paying attention.

Pins shook his head. "The dress is too old for new things. The repairs will show."

"Then, how are you going to fix it?"

Pins looked at Minerva again, clearly asking for permission. Minerva waved a hand to indicate he should continue, curious about why her elf was reticent.

Pins turned back to Audrey. "We have things." The elf shot a cautious glance at Minerva again. "From before. We were not told to get rid of them, only pack them away."

"Ahh," Minerva said in understanding. "You have my permission to use the materials required from the stores to fix the dress."

Pins nodded. "Buttons is the best pattern drafter. She would need to know how Miss would like the dress to look. It has been changed since its original form."

Audrey looked at Minerva, who said in exasperation. "Honestly, tell them what you need and want, and they will do it. You need not look to me for permission for every decision."

Relieved Audrey turned back to Pins. "I don't know much about how it looked originally. The photographs of the dress when it was made have been lost."

Pins turned and called Buttons over. A quick chatter in what Audrey assumed was elvish and Buttons popped away. Buttons returned clutching a drawing pad which was over large for the elf, but easily levitated it while sketching furiously with a stub of a pencil.

Buttons flipped the drawing around. "This," Buttons said stabbing the sketch. "The train has been extended using material from the sides, making the dress more sheath-like. The veil was cut to provide material for the gathered lace over the train."

Buttons eyed Audrey up and down then flipped to a new sheet of paper while the two women watched. Furious scowling and scribbling followed then Buttons flipped the pad around again. "This would suit Miss the most while retaining the original dress as much as possible. The veil will be mended. The dress brought into a closer fitted sheath. The lace overlays the sheath loosely to show off the beading."

"Yes," Audrey said. "Yes, please."

Buttons nodded and returned to the elves crowding around the dummies.

Pins took hold of the box Audrey had brought the dress in and carefully shook out the tissue paper, catching the loose beads up before contemptuously incinerating it. Audrey squeaked in surprise at the sudden blast, but Pins seemed not to notice. He examined the box, then seemingly satisfied, snapped his fingers, and it vanished. Then he returned to the gathered elves. The chatter of eager happy elfish grew then stopped as the elves the dress and veil vanished.

Minerva chuckled.

"You don't mind, do you?" Audrey asked again. "I seem to have distracted your entire staff."

"It's good to see them happy," Minerva said, picking up her tea. "Though I am not opening a dress shop."

"Well," Audrey said. "Perhaps you might ask them to make you an outfit for the wedding. It would provide them with a challenge. That is if you want to come?"

"I would be honoured," Minerva said, smiling. "I haven't been to a wedding since Bill and Fleur's. My husband and I eloped, you see. Ran off because he wasn't quite the right sort, or that's what my Mam said, and I wasn't of a mind to listen to her. We went to Gretna green. They do wizarding marriages as well as muggle ones. Bonded over the anvil."

"That sounds lovely. Mum wants a church, sit down meal evening do the whole lot."

"There are worse things you can do than let her have it if you don't mind."

"I don't," Audrey confessed. "I want a day as well, but well, it might be a lot to ask at least half the guests?"

"Nonsense. We're magical not troglodytes. I can't speak for everyone magical of course, but we're not so different are we."

"No, but it's ingrained in Fred and George to reach for their wands and they've spent more time in the muggle world than most. Percy is better, but he's been pretending to be muggle longer. I'm just not sure I want my wedding crashed by a team of obliviators because someone made the wine levitate. We might get away with the odd happening or two, but I think even the thickest of my family might notice if a bunch of wand waving, robe-wearing people storm the reception."

Minerva laughed. "I can see you might have a point."