Friday, 2 August, 22:05 GMT, present day
Drew smiled inwardly to herself as she looked on at the children talking story under the old elm tree in the Goyles' old backyard. It harkened back to all of the family parties they had when she was a child.
The elder Goyles, Gregory, and Joanna moved back into the Goyle Mansion three years ago after Gregory's father had passed. Jessica, the youngest of the Goyles, moved back home where she and her new husband, Blaise now live.
Drew took a sip of her hot chocolate before smiling. She nodded at the ginger bride-to-be who smiled back.
"Galleon for your thoughts, Drew?" Ronda asked.
Drew shrugged and pointed at the children. "It reminds me of when we were kids."
"Were we ever that small?" Ronda asked as they both laughed.
o-o-o
Drew, Payton, Catherine, and Caroline had left Malfoy Manor over four hours ago. Hermione and Draco had volunteered to watch the infants while the five older kids accompanied their mums to the family-friendly bachelorette party, no strippers included.
Dean and James dropped off Neve, Lauren, and the kids. They waited for Parker and Harry, as the two dropped off Patty and Blair. They had gotten Blaise's messenger Patronus ushering the boys out so that they could meet up with him, Hans, Heath, Draco, and Harlin at the bar; 'couldn't let the girls have all the fun,' he pointed out.
The early part of the evening had been filled with party games that even the children had fun with. All of the guests were quite full from dinner. The adult women caught up with the goings-on in each other's lives as the evening's festivities went on. Later on, the younger kids and their mums stayed in the house as they played quietly. The older kids gathered under the elm tree.
o-o-o
Friday, 2 August, 22:10 GMT, present day
"Can you believe it?" Ronda sighed as she turned to Drew. "By this time tomorrow, I'll be Mrs. Harlin Jankovic."
Drew gently took hold of Ronda's left hand as she nodded at her. "You and Harlin have come a long way, Ronda."
"I knew of him at Hogwarts," Ronda shrugged. "He was three years ahead, always with his Slytherin mates. He put on his bad-boy persona which didn't quite sit well with me.
"Who would have thought that he would have turned over a new leaf years later?"
"He's redeemed himself admirably," Drew gave Ronda's hands a squeeze before nodding at her.
"He's mentioned you saying that 'redemption is a part of life.'"
Drew nodded. Ronda smiled and then canted her head at her old friend.
"It wasn't easy at first. He and I didn't hit it off. We worked side-by-side, fighting against his former brethren. He came through," she shrugged. "I've grown to love his idiosyncrasies; I've grown to love him.
"Merlin, could you imagine me as a mum? Let alone Harlin and me as parents?"
"Crazier things have happened," Drew shrugged. "I think you two will make amazing parents.
"You two were meant for each other, Ronda. Harlin deserves you," Drew smiled. "He's your happy ending."
Ronda nodded. "Thanks," she took a deep breath. "How about you?"
It was Drew's turn to take a breath. She shrugged.
"You deserve to be happy, too, Drew," Ronda said. "You deserve your redemption as well."
"It'll come when the time is right," Drew nodded. "Please don't bring up Phil."
Ronda nodded as she squeezed Drew's hands. Ronda smiled, "Everything will turn out, eventually."
They both took a breath. They turned to watch the younger generation hang out under the tree.
o-o-o
Friday, 2 August, 22:30 GMT, present day
"Look who decided to crash the party," Jessica said as she stepped out onto the patio followed by Harlin and the rest of his bachelor party mates.
Ronda stood up shaking her head but smiling. Drew watched as the bride-to-be walked toward Harlin. He kissed her.
"I missed you," the groom-to-be said slightly slurred as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I missed you, too," Ronda said as she smiled at her fiancé. Then she looked over at Harry and James, "You're all pretty pissed drunk, aren't you?"
Her brothers and the rest of the boys shrugged. "We had a couple of Muggle beers and then we moved on to Fire Whiskey in the end," James said as he smiled. Lauren rolled her eyes.
"Nothing a hangover potion can't cure, right Heath?" Hans said as they all laughed.
"You know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," Blair joked as she looked at Harlin and Harry.
"Alright, alright," Harry said as he put his arm around Harlin. "Come on Harlin. Let's bid these ladies adieu."
Harlin kissed Ronda again. "I love you," he said softly before bowing.
"We'll bring him home to Godric's Hollow," Lauren said as she gathered the kids. "We'll see all of you tomorrow at the Burrow, then."
The other women gathered their children as well and joined up with their husbands. They all took turns saying goodbye to their host, Jessica and to the bride-to-be, Ronda.
Drew hugged Ronda goodbye. Ronda looked into her eyes after the embrace and nodded at her. Drew nodded back, silently acknowledging their earlier conversation.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Ronda," Drew said before joining her family who was getting ready to floo to Malfoy Manor to close the evening.
o-o-o
Saturday, 3 August, 11:30 GMT, present day
Drew danced with the dark blue suit-clad mini Phillip in her arms. She was joined on the dancefloor by many of the wedding guests, big and small who came to celebrate the Jankovic-Potter union. The Malfoy clan had arrived at The Burrow nearly two hours ago for the 10 am wedding ceremony.
The Potter-Weasley clan had been prepping for the wedding for the past week, ensuring everything would go off without a hitch. Ginny, the matriarch of the family made sure that all the small details were taken care of, from the food to the seating and table arrangements. Harry, the patriarch, took care that the setup of chairs and tables, the food tent, and of course, the bar were all completed to Ginny's specifications.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Drew almost didn't recognize Harlin in his forest green formal dress robes. Ronda's deep burgundy formal wedding dress robes complemented her ginger locks.
Drew watched as the bride and the groom looked into each other's eyes, lovingly and as if no one else were there watching. Drew wondered if she would ever experience the same thing. She sighed and smiled as the officiant pronounced them husband and wife. Harlin gently kissed his new wife. The pair turned to the audience and bowed before walking to the head table so that Uncle Harry could start the reception festivities.
Aunt Ginny's choice of surf-and-turf entrees and side dishes were scrumptious. The wedding singers entertained the guests while they enjoyed their lunch.
Both James, Harlin's Best Man, and Hans, the lone groomsman made toasts to the newlyweds. Jessica, the Maid of Honor, and Blair, the lone bridesmaid also made toasts to Harlin and Ronda. The newlyweds made sure to speak with guests at their tables and took Wizarding photographs with all of them.
The father-daughter dance was very special. Uncle Harry held his daughter in his arms, smiling at his oldest child. Joining them on the dance floor was Harlin, who had asked his Aunt Joanna to join him on the dancefloor. The pair were noticeably shedding tears.
o-o-o
Saturday, 3 August, 11:40 GMT, present day
Drew felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and smiled.
"May we cut in?" the ginger bride asked smiling.
Drew laughed and nodded as the young infant even held his arms out to the Auror. She let Ronda take the baby in her arms before turning to Harlin who extended his right hand.
Drew smiled as she took the mangled appendage. The groom nodded at the Half-blood Squib as they danced to the slow number.
"You two looked beautiful at the altar," Drew said.
"Thanks," he blew out a breath, "I've never felt more nervy in my entire life than the moment I saw Dad walk Ronda down the aisle. I was so afraid she'd leave me at the altar."
"She wouldn't have done that," Drew said as they both laughed. "You two are devoted to each other."
"Still," he shrugged, pausing. "I never thought I would ever be good enough for her."
Drew canted her head. She smiled, "That's strange, seeing as you're the Pureblood of the pair."
He laughed and then sighed, "I thank my lucky stars every night, knowing what she knows about me and still she allows me to be in her life."
"This deformed hand," she said, squeezing his right hand, "and that tattoo on your left forearm are vestiges of your past, Harlin.
"Like I said before, 'redemption is a part of life.' You've redeemed yourself, Harlin. Ronda recognizes that."
"I want to do right by her and our child," Harlin shrugged. "Can you imagine me as a dad?"
"You'll be the father you never had, Harlin. I think you and Ronda will be fine," she nodded. "You're each other's happy ending."
He laughed and then took a breath, "It took me a long time to finally get the nerve to tell her how I really felt about her. I was gobsmacked when she said she felt the same way about me. We've been together ever since."
"You're going to say something about Phil, aren't you?" she smiled.
He laughed. He shrugged his shoulders, "You'll never know how he really feels about you until you take that leap of faith, Drew."
She studied him for a moment. "I've tried that already," she shrugged. "He went back into the arms of his ex."
"For a moment, perhaps," he smirked. "I doubt she's captured his heart. You won't know how he really feels until you put it out there."
She smiled, "That's pretty sage advice, Harlin."
"I'm not as dumb as I try to act," Harlin smiled. "Don't give up on him just yet."
"You're a hopeless romantic, you know that?" she laughed.
"Don't let Ronda know that," he laughed as the music came to a lull. "She'll take advantage of me."
"You're incorrigible," his lovely wife said as she approached them. They all laughed, including Andy.
Drew brought Andy into her arms. Harlin nodded at her before bowing. He turned to his wife and smiled as he brought her into his chest. They waltzed away from the young mother.
Drew watched the newlyweds as they danced. She took in a breath before turning to her son. "I think we should sit this one out, what do you think?"
The little boy clapped and smiled. She laughed as they walked back to their table.