The morning was a scramble. Not one of the girls had set any form of alarm, and Molly was expecting them for breakfast. Hermione and Ginny, who had both eventually passed out on the couch, were awoke by an owl tapping at the window. This was a mere 15 minutes before they were expected at the Burrow. Chaos followed. Ginny apparated straight home to tell her mum the girls would be late. Deborah had to force two hangover potions down Luna's throat before she could even sit up in bed without nearly being sick. Hermione was sat in the shower for at least 20 minutes, trying to pull herself together. Deborah thanked the stars that she had decided to remained mostly sober and sensible last night, as she didn't think she could cope with her nerves, planning a wedding, and getting her two friends ready with a hangover on top. Thanks to potions, hot showers and beauty charms, they were ready to go, only half an hour after they were supposed to be there. And they left the flat with a pop.
The cool countryside air surrounded her, as she took her first look at the Burrow. It was magical. It looked like someone had tried to play Jenga but with a house, random rooms stacked in the most bizarre way. It looked warm and inviting even from the outside, and she couldn't wait to step inside. Luna looked a bit peaky post apparation, but she reckoned a good cup of tea and one of Molly's breakfasts would sort her out. Quickly, she followed Hermione down the path, to the back door, which opened like the door to a farmhouse. If she had though the outside of the house looked warm and inviting, the inside of the house was enchanting. Every little detail made this house, the most homey place she had ever stepped foot in. She looked around in awe. She had never seen a house so full of people. Fred and Harry were engaged in a game of wizard's chess, being spurred on by George and Ron respectively. Ginny had her head resting against her hands at the dinner table, moaning every time one of the boys shouted. Mr and Mrs Weasley were bustling around the kitchen, it taking two of them to prepare the breakfasts of everyone in the house.
Just as Deborah was admiring the Weasley clock, Mr Weasley spotted the three girls. "Girls, how lovely of you to join us this morning!" He said brightly. Ginny lifted her head from her hands, and the boys looked away from their game of chess. Luna sauntered over to Ginny, and sat next to her, slipping a bottle of hangover potion to her discretely.
The boys made their way over to the table too. "About bloody time you got here, I'm starving!" Ron huffed as he sat down.
"You are always hungry, Ronald." Hermione shout back at him. Hermione grabbed Deborah's hand and pulled her towards the Weasley parents. "Mr and Mrs Weasley, I would like you to meet Deborah Walker. Deborah, this is Arthur and Molly." Hermione motioned between them.
"A pleasure to meet you both." Deborah smiled and held out her hand, even though she felt painfully nervous. Arthur returned the gesture and shook her hand, before moving to take a seat at the table. But Molly stood frozen in place, looking almost shell shocked. Everyone sat at the table had noticed, and were sat in silence looking at the pair. They had never known Molly not to immediately welcome a newcomer into their home. But Deborah knew why, she probably should have at least told Ginny beforehand.
"Walker, as in related to Alice Walker?" Molly asked softly. Deborah nodded slowly. "Oh dear, you look just like her." Molly continued, looking at Deborah as if she was taking in every single detail of her appearance.
"Dad said that too, don't have a muggle bone in my body according to him!" She smiled lightly. Molly pulled her into a bone crushing hug, that felt like it lasted forever. This is what a mother's hug felt like. Everyone sat at the table was perplexed by the strange interaction.
Molly released her. "Now, would you help me get all this food to the table? My sons might waste away if they aren't fed soon!" They smiled at each other. Mrs Weasley still rubbing the sides of her arms comfortingly. In no time, they had used their wands to levitate all the plates to the table and Mrs Weasley and Deborah took their seats together.
"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron said, mouth stuffed full of food. All the confused faces around the table nodded in agreement, apart from Harry, who Deborah had confided in during their Dumbledore's Army days.
"No speaking with your mouth full!" Molly shouted at Ron, before turning to Deborah. "Would you like to tell them dear? Or not? It's your story to tell, so don't be pressured by them." She rubbed her hand on Deborah's shoulder.
Deborah stared down at her plate. "I suppose it would be good for people to know, tell her story." She swallowed the lump in her throat, she would never speak about her mum, but her mum deserved to be known. She was a real war hero. "My mum was in your mum's year at school, a Hufflepuff though, and got along very well with all the Prewetts. She joined the Order of the Phoenix with Fabian and Gideon after she left school. She was a really strong witch by all accounts. Then she met my dad, he's not a muggle-born wizard, he's just a muggle. So after they married and had me, and things got bad, we had to go into hiding. She still kept in touch with the Order, you know how we did during this war too. Fabian gave her a protean charmed pendant, in case anyone ever found us, so they could come and help. One night, Fabian triggered it, she knew they were in trouble, so she left. She died trying to save them, her best friends. Molly's brothers. Moody told me they fought like heroes. Dumbledore told me she was the bravest Hufflepuff in Hogwarts history." She felt like she had rambled. She looked up and everyone was looking at her in shock. Ron had even stopped eating.
"I'm sorry, that was a bit much for the breakfast table. I don't normally talk about her at all." She apologised. She glanced around the table, and everyone was giving her small smiles and sympathetic looks. Her eyes found Fred's, he was looking at her as if he might jump up to give her a hug any second, but he remained in his seat.
"I'm so happy you are here, you are as good as family to me. Now eat up everyone, before it goes cold!" Molly ushered the family to enjoy her cooking.
"I thought we had enough war stories for one group of people, but little old Deborah had to come along and add a bit more to the mix." George joked, trying to lighten the mood, before rambling on about 'becoming holy' for the cause. Everyone eventually started chatting and laughing around the table, but Deborah decided to say quiet and listen to Molly talk about how many jumpers she would have to knit for this Christmas. Every so often she would glance up to the other end of the table, and he would be Fred would be smiling back at her. Almost as if his eyes never left her for the entire meal.
After breakfast was finished, Molly made the boys clear the table and start tidying up in the kitchen while the bridal party huddled around the end of the kitchen table.
"So, I don't want to start on anything official while the guys are still here. But I have a little present for each of you, that I would like you to open before we start." Hermione grinned, and handed them each a little box. Hermione watched intently as they each opened their box. Mrs Weasley pulled a white satin sash out of the box, with the words 'Mother of the Groom' written in perfect gold calligraphy across the front. Deborah realised Hermione had gifted them bridal party sashes, that most muggles would wear on their hen do. Luna finished unwrapping hers next, 'Senior Flower Girl', it's seemed the perfect role for Luna in the wedding. Deborah had just opened the box for hers when Ginny whipped her own sash out of its box with a flourish, 'Sister-in-Law To Be', Deborah was confused. Carefully, she looked down at the sash she was holding. Maid of Honour. She had to look again. There it was in perfect gold lettering, 'Maid of Honour'.
She looked up at Hermione, with tears in her eyes. "You want me to be your maid of honour?" She was overwhelmed. Hermione nodded, and pulled her into a hug. Ginny and Luna were smiling ear to ear.
"Aw, how sweet!" George mocked from behind them in the kitchen.
"Girls! They bloody live together, work together, yet it's still all tears and hugs when she's asked to be maid of honour!" Ron acted bewildered.
"Just let them have a nice moment, Ron." Fred replied, earning him a knowing glance from all of his siblings, Ginny especially.
"Not everyone is as cool and collected as you are at all times, Ron!" George backed his twin up.
""If all you boys are going to do is gawp and bicker, go outside and play some quidditch! We have a wedding to prepare for!" Molly shouted at them and ushered them all out of the house. They all sprinted out the back door towards the broom shed to try and get the best ones.
Organising a wedding had so many more little details than Deborah had ever thought. Hermione, prepared as always, had a huge planner and had written a list of everything that would need to be thought about. Deborah found it all a bit exhausting, and it was put even her wedding. She was sure that by the time that the wedding day arrived, Hermione would be sick with stress. They had outlined a few possible dates, decided it was going to be held at the Burrow, even picked out a possible colour scheme. However, working out the guest list had taken them hours. The Weasley family was massive, and they had many pure blood ties. Hermione and Ron were both famous for being a part of the Golden Trio, and had to pick who to invite out of their many supporters and acquaintances. Hermione made them all get diaries so that they could plan dress shopping, and more planning around everyone's schedules.
"The last time I had a diary that was this controlling, it was possessed by Tom Riddle." Ginny joked and Luna giggled, but quietened down when her mother gave her a stern glare.
"After everything Hermione has been through, she deserves the wedding of her dreams, Ginny." Molly warned her daughter, "Just because you were happy to elope, doesn't mean everyone has too."
After they had finished outlining some dates and finished planning for the day, Deborah and Ginny got up to make everyone some tea and biscuits. Deborah went over to the sink to fill up the kettle, and glanced up out the window. As soon as she looked up, she saw Fred on his broom in the distance, bat a bludger out the way. His hair stuck down to his forehead, his t-shirt clinging to the muscles in his shoulders and upper arms. Her insides turned to jelly. The kettle was overflowing, and splashed the front of her shirt.
Ginny leaned in front of her to turn off the tap. "Caught you looking, Dee." She sang, smirking at Deborah's flushed expression. Ginny gave her suggestive looks while they made the tea. At exactly the wrong moment, all the boy burst through the door. He looked magnificent. His hair was slicked back out of his face with sweat, his cheeks were pink and flushed and he was still panting slightly. She could see his scar properly now; instead of ruining his face, it somehow made him look more handsome. Devil may care, cheerful and reckless, it suited him perfectly. She knew not to stare too long, because Ginny was trying to catch her out. Turning around she picked up the tray of teas to take over to the table, she made eye contact with Ginny who gave her a cheeky little wink. Like she knew exactly what was going through her mind. Once she had set the teas down, she took at seat with Hermione, and started discussing ideas for her wedding dress. Ginny, George and Fred were sat at the other end of the table, whispering between themselves. Every so often she would notices all three of them look over to her, before turning back and whispering. Fred seemed to be in distress, constantly looking nervously towards the ground.
Eventually, Deborah knew it was time for her to go home. She was completely knackered from all the social interaction she had over the past couple of days, and needed to recuperate at home. Obviously, Hermione would be spending the evening with Ron and his family, so she would have the flat all to herself. Her and Hermione stood from the table, so she could say a proper goodbye to Molly before she left. After she thanked Molly for her food, kindness and hospitality, Molly gave her another bone crushing hug, telling her she was always welcome at the Burrow. She really did feel at peace here. They walked back to the table so she could get her bag and bid everyone farewell. The girls all had a sweet group hug, excited that the wedding was going to bring them closer together. As she was leaving she tried to catch Fred's eye, but he was studying the table with severe intensity. So she made her way through the back door and into the dark garden of the Burrow.
"If you don't go and ask her out before she disapparates away, I'm gonna hex you, you plonker!" She heard George shouts as soon as she set foot out the door. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she stopped to listen.
"Fred! You made it so you and George would be here today, just so you could speak to her, and you haven't said anything to her all day! Go after her now or I'll apparate you to her flat!" Ginny stressed to him. Deborah started to walk up the path and, three, two, one.
"Deborah! Wait a minute." Fred ran after her, and Deborah turned on her heel. He stopped about three feet away from her, slightly breathless and looking increasingly nervous. She had never seen him this worked up before, he always seemed so charming and playful, like nerves didn't effect him. "I was just wondering... you don't have to say yes or anything... would you like to go on a date with me?" He impulsively played with the hair at the back of his neck. Her heart felt like it was soaring. Whether Ginny had put him up to it or not, a date with Fred Weasley, was a date with Fred Weasley. And she had been fantasising about him all week.
"I would love to." She breathed back, smiling brightly up at him. His face lifted instantly, forming a big grin.
"Wow, great!" He chuckled. "I can do tomorrow, or next weekend after that maybe?"
"Tomorrow is perfect." She could barely breathe, she couldn't believe what was happening.
"Outside my shop, at one?" He had taken a couple steps closer to her. She nodded to answer his question, and he had a wild look in his eye, as if he was going to pick her up and spin her around. Instead, he bent down and pressed a light kiss to her cheek. "I will be seeing you tomorrow afternoon." He whispered between them, before turning and running back towards the house.
With a pop, she was home. She went to bed excited, knowing that this time tomorrow, she would have been on her first worth while date in years.
