Chapter 48: The Weasley Wedding

I feel numb. Everything, from Professor Dumbledore's funeral to my family picking me up in Hogsmeade, seemed like a blur. Nikki sadly left for Romania with the rest of our schoolmates, riding the Hogwarts Express. I refused to hear anything about what happened as the memory of the headmaster, our secret meetings, that twinkle in his eyes, the wisdom he imparted seemed to come back in one painful sweep.

"I know it's still painful for you, but we have to face them eventually," Viktor placed his arm on Ianthé as they lain on their bed.

Ianthé sniffled, "It's my entire fault. It's as good as I killed him myself…"

"No, you helped him decide, and in fact, he decided the right thing."

Ianthé got up, shocked at what Viktor said, "Right? You call killing our headmaster right?"

Viktor shook his head, "We need to talk about this now, even if you don't want to…"

Ianthé closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, "I'm ready… just hold my hand while you're at it…"

"Draco Malfoy did not kill Albus Dumbledore. Your Professor Severus Snape did."

Ianthé clutched his hand tightly, "No. You're kidding right?"

"Harry Potter told the professors everything. That includes Professor McGonagall."

Ianthé suddenly realized what Dumbledore's grand plan was. She suddenly ran out of their room.

She sprinted towards her parents' bedroom suite.

"Daddy, I need to talk to you about something. It's important!"

Alexander Herze, dressed in his dark emerald dressing gown, opened the door.

"Daddy, I just suddenly realized something!"

"What is it?" her father muttered almost incoherently.

"I need to talk to the whole Order, but I need to see Harry Potter first."

"What is your reason?"

"Something you have to trust me with."

"I'll call the Order here."

"Bring out Draco, Daddy. We need to clarify things."

Her father nodded.

It seemed surreal that a wedding, especially at a time like this, would even happen. I prepared myself for my first meeting with the whole Weasley family, also including Harry Potter. I am not a mere bystander, an observer, anymore.

"Ready?" Viktor asked, wearing his best dress robes by far.

Ianthé nodded, "Ready to knock Hermione off her feet?"

Viktor chuckled while shaking his head, "More like make Ron Weasley mad."

They Disapparated outside the steps of the Herze Manor.

"So this is their home?" Viktor looked unbelievingly at the sight in front of them.

The house in front of them seemed to have been held only by magic. It was indeed a far cry from the home Ianthé lived in. Here, laughter seemed to echo in every creaking foundation. There was a large white tent propped in the garden.

"Oh come on. Don't be such a spoilsport!" Ianthé playfully slapped his arm.

They entered the tent. It suddenly became a huge cathedral inside.

"Here's our lovely guest!" Fred (or George) warmly welcomed Ianthé.

"What are you doing in our neck of the woods?" the other asked. He then looked at the man beside Ianthé.

"Blimey! Viktor Krum's here!" Fred offered his hand to Viktor who shook it, "Fred Weasley of Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. It's always a pleasure to personally meet a Quidditch prodigy like you."

Viktor smiled at him.

"Good one you got there, I tell you. But she's a bloody pain in the arse!" George enthusiastically shook Viktor's hand.

Ianthé looked at the Weasley twin incredulously, "I am not!"

"Come on, Nikki's over there with her boy toy…."

Ianthé looked at the eastern side of the tent. She saw her best friend playfully slapping Charlie Weasley's arm while talking to Hermione Granger.

"Nikki! Ianthé's here!" one of the twins bellowed.

Nikki looked at them and waved.

"Over here!" she mouthed silently.

"Come on!" Ianthé practically dragged Viktor towards the group.

"Hey! You look good!" Ianthé looked Nikki from head to foot.

"Totally blew me off my feet!" Charlie kidded, "I thought she was still that little girl with pigtails and then suddenly…"

Nikki slapped his arm again, "Mr. Cradle Snatcher here babbles non-stop about me…."

"I am not a cradle snatcher!" Charlie tickled Nikki.

"Hermione, you look very elegant in those robes," Viktor complemented.

There was a disgruntled growl behind them. It was Ron Weasley, and if looks could kill, Viktor Krum would have been blown into smithereens.

Hermione just glanced at Ron, "Oh be quiet, Ronald!"

Ianthé smiled mischievously, "Although we are in the same year in Hogwarts, I think we haven't been formally introduced…."

"Ron, this is Ianthé Herze, she's my classmate in Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies."

Ron stood wide-eyed at the sound of her surname.

"You're a Herze! You're stinking rich!"

Charlie rolled his eyes, "Thanks for pointing out the obvious, Ron…"

"What are you doing here?" Ron asked accusingly, "I mean, you're chummy with that scum Malfoy!"

Ianthé sighed, while Nikki rolled her eyes at the particular thick headedness of that Weasley.

"She doesn't need to explain anything to you," Viktor growled.

"And what are YOU doing here?" Ron, addressing Viktor Krum.

"Ronald Weasley, they happened to be your family's guests so treat them with respect!" Hermione threatened to box Ron's ears out of anger.

Ianthé raised her hands, as if in defeat, "I'd better explain. Viktor was invited by Fleur Delacour. He was allowed to bring another guest, preferably a date. So, obviously, he brought his girlfriend, who is me."

Ron stood flabbergasted, "Krum's girlfriend!"

Charlie muttered under his breath, "Way to go, Ron."

The twins approached them, "You guys all right?" they asked Nikki and Ianthé.

The two of them nodded.

"You two knew them?" Ron again mouthed loudly.

"We have a bit of a few run-ins with them…" George did not elaborate further.

Ianthé looked around and spotted Harry Potter talking to Ginny Weasley. The couple parted as the ceremonies were about to start.

Ianthé discreetly approached Ginny.

"Hey, you look glum…" Ianthé commented.

Ginny sighed, "Oh, it's nothing."

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

Ginny nodded, "Sure. What is it?"

Ianthé got closer to her, "Tell Harry that he's invited in the next Order meeting. He could bring anyone he wanted to bring and given the fact that they also have to be very trustworthy. Tell him to go to Professor Lupin for further instructions."

Ginny looked at Ianthé wide-eyed, "You can't possibly be…"

Ianthé looked at her with an unreadable face, "I'm just a messenger." She winked before walking away.

Ianthé got back to Viktor's side and clutched his hand.

"Did it go well?"

Ianthé looked into his eyes and nodded.

Viktor moved closer to her and whispered, "Ours might be next…" as he wistfully stared at Bill and Fleur.

Ianthé squeezed his hand tighter.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ginny whisper something into Harry's ear. She then looked at Ianthé. Harry Potter followed suit.

Ianthé titled her head as a form of recognition.

The ceremony ended and tables creaking from the enormity of food materialized in front of their very eyes. Chairs also appeared out of thin air.

"Lucky we sit beside each other…" Ianthé told Nikki.

"I made Charlie change the seating plan a bit, so we can chat a bit more… Are you planning to go back to Hogwarts if it will remain open?"

Ianthé sighed, "I guess so… I still need a lot to learn from Madam Pomfrey… We still need to complete our education, right?"

"Dad truthfully did not want me to go back anymore but being of age now, I decided to go back to school. I think since we're seventh years, we have that responsibility to protect the little ones… Just in case… it happens again…"

Ianthé knew what Nikki meant. A lot of innocent lives are at stake inside Hogwarts. She felt it was her duty to protect those inside the castle.

"You're right… Anyways, is your father…. you know?"

Nikki nodded, "Charlie managed to convince him. Romania is a bit far away but it this whole thing turns to be a very large scale battle, the good guys need the help of the dragon-handlers… It was part of our boyfriends' brilliant idea…"

Ianthé raised her eyebrow, "Really? I thought it was your father's idea."

Nikki shook her head, "My father just suggested it to your father but originally it was Charlie and Viktor's idea."

Ianthé got closer to Viktor and kissed him on the cheek, "I just learned something from Nikki that made me happy."

Viktor smiled at her, "Exactly how happy?"

She gave another mischievously at him, "Oh, you'll see… Later…" She squeezed Viktor's thigh under the table.

Ginny approached them, "You guys having fun?"

Charlie smiled, "The food's great, as usual, Gin-gin…"

Ginny sat beside Viktor, who willingly switched seats with Ianthé, "Harry wants to talk to you. Apparently, he's puzzled by what you told me."

"Tell him, I'll talk to him during the meeting. We can't be seen talking to each other. Tell him to bring the pensieve."

"The what? Pensieve? He doesn't have a pensieve!"

Ianthé laughed with mirth, "Oh, trust me, he will have one by the end of this day!"

Ginny looked at her closely, "Are you going to give him one?"

Ianthé shook her head. She followed Professor McGonagall with her gaze. The professor seemed to be carrying something large in her hands and is walking towards Harry.

"She will."

Ginny looked to the direction where Ianthé was looking at. She nodded and left to go to Harry.

The night became deeper and Viktor motioned to Ianthé that it was time to go back to the Herze mansion.

"You will show me how happy you were, right?" Viktor smiled at Ianthé as she clutched his arm for Side-Along Disapparition.

Ianthé smiled like a Cheshire cat, "When we retire for bed, I think…"

The couple gave a small pop as they vanished from sight.