"Alright," he said. "Tell me how bad it actually hurts."

"Do you have any pain salve?" she asked as she finally relaxed enough to access what damage had been done.

"Of course," he said, going to his nightstand. He had a small, purple bottle and a tin of salve. He used a dropper to take a dose of pain potion out of the bottle and placed it under her tongue.

She shuddered, coughing.

"I know it's bitter but it'll help you a lot," he said. Then, smoothing her hair off her neck, he started rubbing the waxy balm into her skin. It tingled for a few moments, before numbing everything up. "Please rest."

"I will."

"I'm going to shower and shave, and when I'm done, we can reevaluate things. If you're not feeling well enough to go, I promise we can reschedule."

She nodded, sinking into their fluffy pillows as the potion gripped her. It made her head fuzzy, taking away the pain but also most of her awareness. To the soothing sound of water falling, she drifted in and out of awareness.

She wasn't sure how long she had been out when he laid on bed next to her. She could smell the eucalyptus lingering on his skin from his shaving cream. He was wearing only jeans, his toned stomach bare.

"Hi," she said, stroking his smooth face.

"How are you feeling, love?"

"A little sleepy," she murmured. "But good enough to go to dinner, I think."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she said. "I don't want Ron to feel badly."

"He did mess up."

"It wasn't malicious," she said, standing up and stretching. She grabbed a sundress and changed into it, slicking on more deodorant and a spritz of perfume. She brushed her hair, her neck only complaining slightly at the movement. He watched her from the bed. "Plus, I want to make a good impression. I can use him feeling bad to my advantage. I don't want to be your annoying girlfriend... I want to be a welcome addition."

"Oh, Liv," he said, getting up. "You already are. He was impressed by you waving us off."

He hugged her tightly, his strong arms wrapped around her tightly. She rested her head on his shoulder, leaning on him as he rubbed his hands up and down her back.

"Shall we get going?" She asked.

"Probably," he said, walking to his wardrobe and pulling out a shirt.

She headed downstairs to grab the bottle of wine and cherry tart she had picked out to bring. She was certainly not going to show up empty handed. The stairs creaked as Harry bounded down them. She slipped on her sandals and decided she was ready to go.

He used side along apparition to get her there, knowing it would be easier on her head. The cottage in front of them was the definition of quaint, a thatched roof topping it off.

The front yard was full of wildflowers, in a slightly haphazard pattern. She followed the stone path to the door. "This is cute."

"I think so."

Hermione opened the wooden front door for them. "Welcome."

"How are you doing, 'Mione?" Harry asked, greeting her with a hug.

"Very glad you made it," she said, smiling. She turned to Liv. "I heard you took a small tumble."

"A tiny one," she said, as graciously as possible. "But I've made a full recovery. We brought a cherry tart for dessert."

Hermione took it from her. "This looks wonderful, thank you, Liv. Come on in."

Their house was cozy, but had touches of upscale artwork throughout. It actually worked, the touches of hand knit blankets and ample family photos coupled with the canvases. They didn't move, so Liv figured they were Muggle.

"Can I get you a drink?" Hermione asked, pulling wine out of the fridge.

Liv knew that wine would not mix well with what Harry had given her, but didn't know how to graciously turn it down.

"I think the heat did us both in this afternoon," Harry said, reaching for a bottle of sparkling water instead. It was obvious he was very comfortable in their home, grabbing two glasses out of the cupboard. The kitchen was a perfect blend of modern, useful items and cozy, rustic ones.

"Of course," she said, moving aside for him. "Ron's got the grill fired up out back, we've got some kebabs and vegetables to grill up."

"Sounds delicious," Liv said. A fat orange cat had lumbered down the stairs and come to rub against Harry's legs. He happily pet it, scratching it behind the ears.

"Let's go out back," she said. The backyard was more groomed than the front yard, a small plot of plants to one side. She could see tomatoes, cucumber, even some pepper. There was a small stone patio with a table and umbrella to shade them from the afternoon sun.

She carried a platter of food to Ron, to start to grill. There were skewers loaded with chunks of seasoned meats and vegetables, as well as corn and eggplant to be grilled separately. It looked like quite the feast. Maybe this would be okay after all.

"Well, we, uh, have some news," Ron said, shifting in his seat. She finished her bite of dinner and didn't take another, because she knew exactly what they were about to share, but did her best to play dumb. Judging by the look on Harry's face, his cluelessness was genuine.

"Oh?" He said, after he finished chewing a bite of eggplant. She wondered in that moment if it was something she should have prepared him for in advance, though it was too late. She's sussed out over their time together, from bits of information gleaned here and there, that the cornerstone of his divorce lay in wanting children sooner than Ginny. She knew that it was not an outright emotional blister, but it was perhaps, a splinter.

"I'm pregnant," Hermione said. It was clear she'd just barely been holding it in. Liv didn't blame her, it was obviously something they were very happy about and had been a long time coming. Liv clapped her hands together.

She watched Harry's face, seeing a slight waiver of confidence before he broke out in a large grin. "That's wonderful!"

He stood up, first crushing Ron in a giant hug, then treating her a bit more gently. Liv kissed Hermione's cheek. "I'm so happy for you both."

"I had a feeling you knew," Hermione said, sensing Liv's hesitation.

She just shrugged. "I mean… I may have had a hunch, but nothing certain. And it's not the kind of thing you ask about, yeah?

Hermione nodded in agreement.

"So… when?" Harry asked.

"The end of February," Hermione responded, resting her hand on the small swell of her stomach. She looked at ease.

"I'm so happy," Harry said, the shock still evident on his face. . "You two will make great parents. I cannot wait to meet your child."

There was a knock on her office door, pulling her back down to earth. She'd been lost in a case that was particularly interesting and had her on the floor of her office with files in every direction.

"Come in," she called, flipping the page she was reading.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, a look of bemusement and a bit of shock on his face. He shut the door behind him.

"What?" she asked, then looked at the piles of files. "Oh, yeah, of course."

"It looks like your filing cabinet vomited."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, standing up. "I'll get it organized once I can make sense of this case."

"The new one?" he asked. "The Salem Brothers case?"

"Mmhm," she said. picking up the stack of files she'd been reading and placing them on her desk. "What's going on?"

"It's actually about them," he said, sitting down in the chair opposite her desk. "Rutherford wants me and a few others to do some work on the ground for the case."

"Oh," she said, lazily making notes on the parchment in front of her. "Yeah, that's certainly a good idea."

"He wants us to leave before sun up tomorrow," he said slowly. "It might be a few days."

She looked up at him. "A few days?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

She sighed, taking her glasses off and rubbing her eyes. She took a sip from her mug, but winced at the cold coffee. "Ugh."

"I know," he said. "I'm not particularly thrilled about it, but it's my job."

"Of course, of course," she said, the words rushing out of her mouth. She didn't mean to make him feel bad about something that was an intrinsic part of their careers. "Well, that's fine then. You've got to do what you've got to— oh. The wedding."

He nodded, slowly, and she realized that had been what he was waiting for. "Yeah."

"It's fine," she said, though she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up with dread. "I'll go with Teddy. No big deal."

"I don't mind writing Ginny and letting her know you won't be able to make it."

"You can't," she said, despite the deep desire to not have to interact with his ex wife. "It's three days before the wedding… that's terribly rude. I can't do that."

"They've invited two hundred people," he said. "They won't care."

"I've a feeling she will," she said. "I'll go. I will be very pleasant to everyone and I will hang out with Teddy and leave as soon as is reasonable after the cake is served."

"I'm sorry, Liv," he said, again.

"It's fine," she said, her eyes returning to the papers on her desk. "Seriously, don't worry about it. I'll be fine. I'm a big girl."

"I know," he said. "Thank you."

"Now get back to work," she said. "We'll talk more about it tonight, okay?"

He leaned over her desk to kiss her quickly. "See you later, Liv."

Around midnight, he untangled his legs from hers and got up to open the windows. Liv slept obliviously, just a sheet around her otherwise naked body. He felt restless, and guilty for leaving her. If he had known he would be flying halfway across the country, he never would have responded that he and Liv would be attending the wedding. It was one thing to ask her to attend as his date, but to subject her to the entire Weasley family, up to and including the weirdest of their weird cousins, without him there to act as a buffer? It seemed unreasonable.

He'd spoken to Molly, who had completely understood his situation and reassured him that if she wanted to stay home, they wouldn't be offended. Hermione promised to keep an eye out for Liv at the reception to make sure there was nothing to be worried about. He felt uneasy about subjecting her to the crowd, though he knew she could handle it.

He stood at the window, the fresh evening air blowing against his bare midriff. Hermione had reassured him that Ginny was happy he was bringing a date to Charlie's wedding, but he wasn't entirely sure. She'd told him there was no reason to contact Ginny, but he felt otherwise. He looked to his bags, packed and waiting for him in front of the wardrobe, and walked towards them. He took out his parchment, a quill and some ink to write to Ginny.

I've had to go away for work. Please be nice to Liv at the wedding.

He blew on the ink to make it dry faster, waiting until the moonlight that shone through the bedroom windows showed it had dried flat. He folded it in thirds, using his thumb nail to flatten the crease, and left it atop his work bag. He would mail it in the morning before he departed.

"Harry?" Liv asked, sitting up from bed. "What are you doing?"

He closed the difference between where he was crouching and the bed, getting in beside her. "Nothing, love."

"Can't sleep?" she asked, quietly, wrapping an arm around his middle.

He settled into the embrace, running his fingers through her messy hair. "Just a little restless."

"It's going to be fine," she said. "You don't need to worry about me."

"I know," he said, not giving her enough credit for her strength. "I'm not."

"You're a terrible liar," she whispered. He chuckled, brushing her hair out of her face. She leaned up to kiss him, cupping his stubbly face in her soft palm. At the encouragement of his body, she swung a leg over him, straddling him. "I might know a way to tire you out."

"Oh yeah?" he asked, unable to wipe the smirk off his face.

"Most certainly."

—-

Friday night after work found her emptying a bottle of wine over a take away container of chicken korma. The house was empty, and still. Too still. Once upon a time, an empty flat on the weekend was her definition of solace. Now, though… she had realized what she was missing. She wished that Harry was home, cooking them a delicious meal, or that Teddy was around, fiddling with the radio dial until a Quidditch game came on. The house felt too empty for her own good.

She woke up after midnight, on the couch, her wine glass still in her hand. On her way to the bed, she stopped in the bedroom across the hall. She had a few dresses hanging on the door of the wardrobe, unsure of which to pick. For just a moment, it was odd not to have purchased any beautiful gowns in the last few months. She had originally intended to wear the pink silky gown she had worn to Finnegan's wedding a few months back, at Harry's request. But now that he wouldn't be her date, she wasn't sure. She had pulled out a deep aubergine dress that was nearly backless and a peach colored gown that shimmered in the light. She stared at them for a few moments before deciding she would choose in the morning.

Upon settling in their bed, on his side, she felt a great sadness that he wasn't there. In a way, the awkwardness of having to attend the wedding was overshadowed by the loss of the first time they would be out in public as a couple. She was looking forward to dancing with him, to meeting people he had known for ages and being introduced as his girlfriend. It was a move that felt reaffirming. She was reassured by the fact that wherever he was, he was wishing he was with her.

The silky material of the pink dress felt lovely against her freshly shaven legs. If only Harry was here to enjoy them...

He had promised to write if he could, but she wasn't surprised to have not gotten a letter yet. She knew he would be home the first possible second he could. Part of her wished he would have made it home miraculously early, in time to take her to the wedding, but it didn't happen.

She bent down to fasten her sandals, and grabbed her clutch. In the mirror, she looked good. Her hair was beautifully waved, longer than it had ever been. A light wash of blush colored her pale cheeks, a berry colored lipstick tied the look together. Her appearance gave her enough confidence that she would get through the evening in one piece. Most likely.

A quick glance at the clock told her she needed to leave now, so she hurried outside of the wards. A quick trip via apparition, and she was at the traveling point just outside the Burrow. And she certainly wasn't alone, though she didn't recognize anyone. She followed the torches, staked in the ground, covered with wildflowers, towards the house.

Everyone was gathered toward the edge of the field, sitting on split logs. It was a beautiful, picturesque scene. Among the throngs of people she didn't know, she spotted Teddy and his grandmother. Teddy spotted her from the distance, and ran towards her. "Liv!"

His bounding turned into a hug when he got close enough, and she felt oh so much gratitude to him.

"You look so pretty!" He said.

"Oh, Teddy," she said, ruffling her fingers through his messy hair. "I'm so happy to see you."

"Come sit with me and Nan," he said, grabbing her by the arm. She noticed a few people looking at her as she took a seat next to Teddy and Andromeda.

"It's so good you could make it, dear," Andromeda said, leaning over her grandson. "It's too bad Harry couldn't be here."

"He really wishes he could be here," Liv said, fussing with her hands.

"I'm sure he does," she said, her eyes stern on the crowd. Liv declined to follow Andromeda's gaze to see who she was scowling at. Liv could guess.

"I love weddings," Teddy said. "They've always got lots of good food. Do you think there will be cake?"

Liv snorted. "Y'know, I think there's a very good chance there will be cake."

"And pumpkin juice?"

"It's highly likely."

"Yorkshire pudding?"

"Maybe," she mused. "You're making me hungry, Ted."

He grinned at her, and she felt grateful that he was here with her. He was such a welcome addition to her life, ans not just as a buffer to the crowd.

The string quartet began to play, and the few people that had been dawdling took the signal to take their seats. She was ambivalent towards weddings, truly. Finnegan's ceremony had been nice, though she couldn't remember any of the details. Would the wedding have been nicer if her boyfriend was at her side? Probably, though not hugely. She enjoyed Harry's company, and he had brought so much joy and love to her life, but marriage seemed so… far from the life they were living. It wasn't something she was entirely convinced she wanted. They had never spoken about it, though, and she really had no idea how he felt about the subject. She made a mental note to ask Harry how he felt at some point, when it was convenient, maybe after a glass of wine or two…

Having never met the bride or groom or any of their attendants, save a handful, it was a rather boring wedding for Liv to attend. Luckily, the ceremony itself was quick and she was able to fight through the crowd of people to get a glass of wine quickly.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and filled with dread, hoping she wouldn't have to speak to Ginny one-on-one, politely in the crowd. She turned to see Hermione, though, who was a welcome face. "Oh, Liv, I'm so glad you decided to come."

"Thank you," she said. She noticed that today, there was no hiding the bump of her stomach underneath a baggy jumper. Instead, her dress practically embraced it. "You look really great, Hermione."

She blushed a bit, but did look grateful. "I'm so sorry he wasn't able to make it—"

"Oh, it's fine," Liv lied. "It's the nature of our job. You know how it is."

"Of course," she said. "It was so nice to have you two over for dinner last week."

"Thank you for having us, we'll have to have you 'round soon, yeah?"

"Absolutely," she said. "It's lovely to see you here, though, Liv. Feel free to stop by our table, we're up front."

The idea of being towards the front, where more people would undoubtedly notice her made her skin crawl, but the smile on her face didn't waver. "I really appreciate it, Hermione."

"Of course. I hope you enjoy yourself."

"I'm sure I will." Liv said, at a loss for anything else to say to her. She liked Hermione, who had been very kind to her, but socializing seemed much easier with someone else as a cushion. Even Ron would've been a welcome addition for that moment.

Hermione spotted someone else she needed to greet, which gave Liv the opportunity to excuse herself. She grabbed some crudités and took a seat next to Teddy at a table under the giant tent.

"Found yourself some food?" She asked him, as he stuffed a slice of bread and cheese in his mouth.

She dipped a few slices of radish into some salsa and ate it herself

"Oh yeah," he said, through the mouth full of food.

"Manners, Ted."

"Tho-wy."

She couldn't help but chuckle at him, and was eternally grateful their table was off to the side, by the edge of the tent. As Andromeda worked the crowd, Liv and Teddy could enjoy the solace.

"Ginny's been looking at you a lot," Teddy said, glancing over Liv's shoulder.

As great as he was, he lacked discretion, though perhaps she was expecting a little too much out of a thirteen year old. She resisted the urge to turn around and look back, instead fanning her hair over her shoulder to block that side of her face. "Don't stare back, Ted. It's rude."

He shrugged, before downing his glass of pumpkin juice. He was certainly going through a growth spurt.

As Andromeda worked the crowd, she had gathered a few distant relatives who wanted to see how big Teddy had gotten, which Liv used as an excuse to get a refill on her glass of wine. The crowd near the bar had died down a bit, and she was able to get up close quickly.

"A glass of moscato, please," she requested, dropping a few Knuts in the tip jar. She did so appreciate an open bar.

"I don't believe we've met," a tall, lanky gentleman said, leaning into her at the bar. She was a tad alarmed, but remained calm.

"Liv Wellwood," she said, extending her hand.

"And how do you know the bride and groom?"

She opened her mouth for a moment, not immediately sure how to answer that question. "I... well, uh..."

He cracked a large smile, and let out a chuckle at her. "I'm George Weasley," he explained. "I know who you are, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. "You as well."

"He bothering you?"

Liv turned to see Ron had come up behind her.

"Oh, it's fine," she said, waving him off. "Absolutely."

"C'mon, Ron, I was being friendly. I was just about to buy her the next round!"

"It's an open bar, you prick," he said, about to smack his brother upside the head.

She smiled, and raised the glass of wine to her lips, not knowing how else to react as the brothers bickered.

Ron shooed his brother away, and began to walk Liv back to her table. "Is my family bothering you?"

"No, no, everyone's been very kind so far," she said, trying to remain as neutral as possible. The way Ron was speaking to her was a far cry from when he'd first encountered her in Harry's kitchen two months ago. "Truly."

"If anyone gives you trouble, please let me know," he said.

"I'm sure they won't."

He nodded, without anything else to say, left her at her table with Teddy, Andromeda, and a few others she had yet to meet. Dinner was beginning, as course after course of delicious plates of food began to make their way to the tables.

The food alone made any awkward encounters worthwhile. She dove into her roast pork dinner with gusto, savoring every delicious bite. The other ladies at their table gossiped away with Andromeda, and she enjoyed listening to them.

As the sun began to set, twinkling fairy lights lit up under the tent. It was a gorgeous sight. As the alcohol started flowing even harder, people took to the dance floor, enjoying the live music.

She started debating when it would be okay for her to sneak out, but Teddy dragged her into the dance floor.

Author's Note: And with this chapter, we are officially caught up (and hopefully for the last time, hah!). Thanks to all the kind folks who have sent messages and reviews, I think at the point I've gotten back to everyone one. If not, don't hesitate to leave a and let me know For those who are intrigued by the dynamic between Liv and Ginny, you're really going to love the next chapter. Many thanks to the eternally great potter-reading-coastie.