Chapter 2/Of Birthdays and Weddings

In the days that followed, Mrs. Weasley went crazy trying to get ready for Fleur's parents' and little sister's arrival. Anyone unlucky enough to catch her sight was sent straight to work making the house spotless. I got tired of hearing her voice calling out for me to do something useful and work towards making the Burrow as clean as it could be. I could tell Fred and George shared my complaints.

Once the Delacours did arrive, I thought we might get some rest from work. No such luck. The cleaning ceased, yes, but was replaced with wedding arrangements. Harry's birthday was the day before the wedding, so there was that to prepare for as well. My head was whirling with all the things Mrs. Weasley dumped on me to do.

Two days before the wedding, I couldn't take it anymore. Disregarding Mrs. Weasley's list, I snuck out of the house and made my way down to the clearing behind the Burrow where Harry, Ron, Fred, and George liked to practice Quidditch. It was a beautiful day and I contented myself by simply walking around in the smooth grass and smelling the sweet, fresh air. The peaceful morning was disturbed by the sudden wind made by two broomsticks flying towards me. Fred and George grinned down at me.

"Had the same idea we had," Fred said.

George was carrying two bats, a Quaffle, and a Bludger, which was struggling to get free of his grasp.

"Come on, summon your broom and we'll play some Quidditch." Fred said.

"But I've never played Quidditch before. And it's two against one." I pointed out.

George shrugged. "Then we'll just dodge and knock the Bludger away while we toss the Quaffle around."

"Kinda like Muggle's 'catch.'" Fred said.

I slowly smile. This could be fun. I retrieved my wand from my pocket.

"Accio my broomstick!" I said.

A few seconds later, my broom flew towards us. It halted right in front of me and hovered a few feet above the ground, waiting for me to straddle it. I did and rose into the air to meet Fred and George. George released the Bludger and tossed the Quaffle to me. Dodging the iron ball that hurtled itself towards me, I caught the Quaffle with my very finger tips. Unfortunately as I leaned out to catch it, the hand that was holding my broom handle slipped. I dropped the Quaffle in an effort to stay on my broom. My face burned in embarrassment as the Quaffle hit the ground.

"Sorry," I muttered to Fred as George dived to catch the Quaffle.

Fred grinned. "Don't worry about it. Not everyone can be as good Quidditch players as me and George."

George handed me the Quaffle and I threw it at Fred's head. He ducked and I had to chase it while listening to the twin's laughter.

The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent playing around in the clearing. Every time Ginny came to call us to the Burrow to help with some wedding preparation, Fred was able to convince Ginny that we were helping just fine by staying out of the way.

"I broke one of Mum's best china cups," George said. "She practically blew her top. I could hear her well enough for two ears."

I sniggered at this and almost got knocked off my broom by the Bludger. When we were all tired and sweaty, we ceased playing and lay down in the grass, looking up at the clouds. Fred lay on my left, George on my right. I had to struggle to keep my gaze away from the dark hole that had taken the place of his left ear.

"So Angie, what are you going to do once this battle with Lord Thingy is over?" George asked.

I sighed. "You mean before or after I marry Draco Malfoy?"

Fred's breath came out in a hiss. I glance over at him, frowning.

"Yes Fred? You wanted to say something?"

"No," he said sullenly.

I looked over at George's long face. I sat up. "Honestly, you're both acting like little boys. Sulking and making rude comments about Malfoy. Why can't you just lay off?"

The twins exchanged a glance but did not answer me. I stood and shook my head.

"You're both pathetic."

I started walking back to the Burrow, taking my broom with me. I was halfway there when Fred and George caught up with me. Fred grabbed my arm and swung me around to face him.

"Come on Angie, you can't blame us for not wanting you to marry that arrogant, lousy, biased scumbag."

That was the last straw. I had had enough of their insults of Draco. Before I really knew what I was doing my hand had come up and slapped Fred hard across the face. For a moment everyone froze. I suddenly felt like crying. I had never hit either of the twins. They were my friends; the ones who had helped me overcome many of my suicidal thoughts and feelings. I could not believe I had just slapped one. However, I couldn't let them see me weaken. They could not get away with slighting Draco like that.

"I told you never to do that again." I said softly.

George's eyes were huge. Fred kept his face turned in the position it had gone when my hand connected so fiercely with it. His jaw was tight. I was breathing heavily. I didn't wait for either of them to speak. Turing on my heel I stormed away into the Burrow. Brushing by Ginny in a rather rude manner, I entered the room I shared with her and Hermione and flung myself down on her bed. It was then that I let the tears fall.

The next day was Harry's birthday. I had gotten him a book (under Hermione's advice since I wasn't sure what exactly what to get him), He Flew Like a Madman. Hermione said it was a Quidditch book and I took her word for it. Harry thanked me politely enough; I'm not sure whether or not he liked it. Fred and George seemed to be avoiding me. I couldn't blame them. I felt ashamed of my outburst and wished I could take it back. But unless I had a time-turner (which I didn't) it was impossible. I was less upset with George so we exchanged grins when Gabrielle Delacour picked up a fake wand and it turned into a rubber chicken. However, I could not bring myself to look at Fred.

After a few hours of this torture, I retreated into the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley with Harry's birthday cake. She wanted it make it into the shape of a giant Snitch. I thought that was slightly overkill, but she was dedicated on it. She soon shooed me out so she could make the finishing touches. I hurried out and ran into a red-haired young man that looked vaguely familiar. I quickly apologized, trying to remember who he was.

"That's okay," he grinned. "Mum can get protective of her creations."

"Yeah," I said slowly. "I'm sorry, who are you again?" I flushed at my bad memory.

The red-haired young man's weather-beaten face crinkled in laughter. I went on tentatively.

"You must be a Weasley . . ."

"That's right," he stuck out a calloused hand. "Charlie Weasley."

"Oh!" Realization dawned on me. I had never met Charlie Weasley before, only heard of him from Ron, Ginny, Fred and George. I also distantly remembered Mrs. Weasley attacking a red-haired young man's hair when I walked past earlier that day. I shook his hand. "I've heard of you. You work with dragons in Romania, right?" I couldn't help but notice the burns and scratches that showed from underneath his rolled up sleeves.

"Right, you must be Angela Barry." I nodded. "I've heard of you too. Ron and Ginny have told me a lot about you. Fred and George have too."

I felt a spasm in my chest at the mention of Fred. I managed to keep my smile however. Forced smiles had become a habit of mine in the past three years and I had become rather good at them.

"They tell me you're going to marry Draco Malfoy." He had a funny expression on his heavily freckled face. I couldn't read it. I quickly changed the subject.

"Yeah. Hey, what do you think of Bill and Fleur getting married tomorrow?"

If Charlie noticed my nervousness of the previous subject of conversation he did not mention it. He smiled amiably.

"I knew those 'English lessons' were just a front for what was really going on. They make quite the couple don't they?"

I nodded. "I never would have thought prissy Fleur Delacour would fall for someone who dresses like Bill does," I giggled slightly.

Charlie grinned. "Neither had I. But," here he shrugged "they're happy together."

I nodded again. "Draco and I are happy together too." I stated firmly.

Charlie looked at me bemusedly. "If you say so."

"And if we're happy there is no reason to convince us to break apart."

Charlie's mouth twitched. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"So everyone can just lay off telling me their opinions of Draco. I'm in love with him and that should be good enough for you all."

"Of course."

I blinked. Charlie was standing there with his arms crossed, an amused expression on his weathered face. I placed my hand over my mouth.

"Did I just say that all out loud?" I asked, horrified.

Charlie nodded. "Yes you did, and it was very enlightening. Have you given that speech to those 'everyones' you were talking about?"

I flushed. "No," I muttered, finding the floor suddenly fascinating.

Charlie laughed. "Well if they give you any more hard time about your marriage, just give them that lecture. That'll shut them up."

I nodded, still highly embarrassed. Charlie laughed again before clapping my shoulder and walking away. I hurried outside.

The kitchen was too small for all of us plus the guest that were coming so we held Harry's birthday dinner outside in the garden. Hermione, Fred, and George had decorated the garden with streamers and purple lanterns inscribed with the number 17. It all looked elegant yet fun. Mrs. Weasley came out with the Snitch cake and I could see Harry was slightly overwhelmed. He stayed polite and complimented it nicely.

Just then Mr. Weasley came in with The Minister of Magic. The Minister wanted to talk to Harry, Ron, and Hermione so they went into the house. An awkward silence covered the garden for a few moments before small conversations started breaking out among the guests and the Weasleys. Charlie caught my eye and gave me an encouraging nod. I could only smile weakly back.

I glanced over from my place between Gabrielle Delacour and Lupin to where Fred and George were sitting. They were laughing with Tonks about something. I knew the right thing for me to do at that moment was go over and ask Fred to forgive me. But some selfish part of me wanted him to be the first to apologize. And from here it didn't look like that was going to happen any time soon.

I sighed and poked at my napkin. Gabrielle turned to me.

"Eez there sompzing wrong?" She asked sweetly.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "No, nothing's wrong." I looked down at her. "Aren't you going to Beauxbaton this year?"

She nodded. "It eez ma first year."

Eager for conversation I hastened to keep her talking. "Tell me about that."

She smiled brightly and proceeded to tell me everything she knew about Beauxbaton and what she was looking forward to. I tried to stay interested. She spoke of how magnificent the castle was (from what she remembered from visiting Fleur), how excited she was to follow in her older sister's footsteps, and about how Harry had saved her life that time during the Tournament. She asked if I remembered that task and if I thought Harry was good-looking.

I almost choked with laughter. I struggled to hold back a smile as I answered. "Yes I remember the task and I suppose Harry's good-looking, for a younger brother at least."

Gabrielle's eyes were shining. "'E saved ma life." She said dreamily.

I smiled indulgently. "Yes he did. He was very brave."

"Oui," she sighed.

I picked up my napkin and held it to my mouth, disguising my laugh in a cough. I then realized that this was the first time I had spoken of the Tournament without getting depressed. It must have been because I was finally moving on, what with my engagement to Draco. I fingered the spot on my left hand where my ring should have been. Closing my eyes I thought of Malfoy. Was he as sickly as he looked before? Was Voldemort torturing him? Was he thinking of me at all?

I still thought of Cedric once and a while, but no longer with the burning ache in my chest that threatened to consume me. Now it was more of a bittersweet feeling, missing him but also trying to concentrate on the good times we had together. I lifted my hand to my locket which held a picture of my mother and father on one side, and Cedric on the other.

Raised voices were suddenly heard from the Burrow. Conversation died as we stopped to listen.

"You go too far!" We heard the Minister shout.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchanged a look.

"Oi!" I heard Ron's voice.

In the babble of talk that followed around me, I couldn't understand the shouts coming from inside. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood and rushed into the house. I caught George's eye and gave him an expression that read "What's going on?" George shrugged, looking bewildered. Fred nudged his twin and George turned away. Gabrielle's eyes were wide.

"Do you zink 'Arry eez 'armed?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "I'm sure Harry's fine."

A few moments later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione came walking out of the Burrow followed closely behind by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I saw that they were each carrying something.

"The contents of Dumbledore's will," Harry explained. "He left us each something."

"He gave Harry Godric Gryffindor's sword, but that stuffy Scrimgeour wouldn't let Harry have it," said Ron gloomily.

"He also gave me the old Snitch from my first Quidditch match," said Harry. "I have no idea why though."

"Let's see!" Ginny said.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione's new possessions made their way around the tables. Everyone exclaimed over the Deluminator that had been given to Ron, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, which had been given to Hermione. We lamented over the fact that Scrimgeour refused to pass on the sword, but no one could offer any suggestions as to why Dumbledore would have left Harry an old Snitch.

I was startled out of my wonderings by Mrs. Weasley's voice.

"Harry, dear, everyone's awfully hungry, we didn't like to start without you. . . . Shall I serve dinner now?"

I had completely forgotten about dinner. Mrs. Weasley served the food and I noticed that people were eating quite quickly. I didn't want to be left behind so I tucked in hurriedly. Once we were done, we all sang a rather awkward chorus of "Happy Birthday." After that we dug into the cake. It was rather good and I decided to savor it. People started to stand up and leave. Hagrid left for a field nearby to set up a tent. He was too big to stay in the house. I stayed in my seat, chewing on my cake. Mrs. Weasley came and cleared everything away.

"Are you doing okay, dear?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Just enjoying some delicious cake," I said, smiling.

She beamed. "Yes well, don't stay out here too long, it's not safe."

"Okay."

She left. I sighed and stuffed another piece of cake in my mouth. The party didn't go as well as we would have hoped. The wedding was tomorrow. I would have to make up with Fred then. I couldn't let this go on for too long. I didn't want to lose another friend.

I finally went up to bed. Ginny was up, reading, but Hermione was not there. I did not care. I lay down on my pallet, said goodnight to Ginny, rolled over, and fell asleep.

000000

For the wedding I wore the dress Mum had made me for the Yule Ball. With my wand I lengthened the hem and made it dip just a small bit lower on the neck. Since I didn't have the turquoise stone hair net of Cho's, I had to content myself with just curls on the top of my head. Hermione helped me with that one, using the Charm she had used for the Yule Ball herself. The effect was nice enough. Ginny and Hermione gushed over me but I told them they looked beautiful themselves and that I couldn't compare.

Ginny ran off to find Fleur and Gabrielle since she was a bridesmaid, and Hermione went to help. She asked if I wanted to join but I refused politely. I had to find Fred. Leaving the Burrow I made my way to where Fred, George, Ron, and an unfamiliar red-headed kid were standing outside the marquee, holding seating plans. They were the ushers. They all looked hot and uncomfortable.

As I was coming up on them I heard Fred comment,

"When I get married, I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You can all wear what you like, and I'll put a full Body-Bind Curse on Mum until it's all over."

I laughed slightly, moving to come up behind them.

"She wasn't too bad this morning, considering," said George. "Cried a bit about Percy not being here, but who wants him?"

"Hello boys," I said casually.

The four seating attendants jumped, whirling around on me.

"Don't do that!" George cried. "I almost had a heart attack!"

I just smiled. "The heat not favoring you?" I asked, looking into their sweaty faces. "Hello Harry," I nodded to the red-headed kid. "Don't you look different."

Harry grinned half-heartedly. "My name's Barny for now."

I nodded. "I see," I turned to Fred. "Fred, we need to talk."

He shook his head. "Can't. Guests arriving. Very busy."

George sucked in his breath. "Oh blimey, brace yourselves—here they come, look."

A procession of guests was making their way towards us. I sighed and stepped out of the way.

"Excellent, I think I see a few veela cousins," said George, craning his neck for a better look. I rolled my eyes. "They'll need help understanding our English customs; I'll look after them. . . ."

"Not so fast, Your Holeyness," said Fred.

He darted away towards the beautiful veela and spoke to them in French. I couldn't exactly hear him but whatever he said must have charmed the French cousins for they giggled and allowed him to escort them inside. George watched mournfully as he was left with a few middle-aged relatives. I shook my head and made my way inside. I saw Fred but if he noticed me he did not look my way or speak to me. I snagged Ron on his way back to the entrance and asked him where I could sit. He directed me to a chair and I sat.

"You look very pretty," he commented, nodded at my dress.

I thanked him and he went on. I sighed and watched as Fred made his way out. It didn't look like I would be able to talk to him until the reception.

The wedding was beautiful. I did not cry but I came close to it a couple of times. Mrs. Weasley and Madame Delacour practically bawled. When the old wizard presiding over the wedding announced Bill and Fleur "bonded for life," Fred and George began a round of loud applause. Then, with a flick of the old wizard's wand, the marquee became a canopy and the reception began. A dance floor was made and Bill and Fleur took to it amid more applause. Mr. Weasley and Madame Delacour soon followed along with Mrs. Weasley and Monsieur Delacour.

I spotted Luna Lovegood spinning around on the spot by herself and stifled a grin. She looked slightly ridiculous dancing like that, flapping her arms like she was trying to land an airplane. But she was my friend and a sight that would have been bizarre to someone else was endearing to me.

As Ron and Hermione joined the dance, a hand tapped my shoulder. I turned to face George Weasley.

"Yes?" I asked, slightly apprehensive.

I needn't have worried. His eyes were twinkling.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, bowing deeply.

I smiled and curtseyed. "You may, kind sir."

I took his arm and led me out into the dance floor. Taking my waist, he moved forward and we began to dance. He was a fairly good dancer, the Yule Ball had taught both of us. I couldn't remember now who he had gone with, but that didn't matter now.

"Hey, sorry about getting on your case about Malfoy," George said. "It's just that, you're our little sister's friend and you could say we're kinda protective."

I gave him a small smile. "I forgive you. I guess I'm just nervous about Draco. He's in great danger."

George opened his mouth and I could see from his expression that he was going to insult Draco. I gave him a stern look and he shut his mouth, grinning sheepishly. I glanced over at where Fred was dancing with one of the veela girls. George followed my gaze.

"Fred's sorry too; he just hasn't gotten around to saying anything yet."

"I shouldn't of hit him," I said mournfully.

"Yeah well, we underestimated the fury of a woman who's fiancée's been insulted."

I smiled slightly at this. "So does this mean you'll stop insulting Draco?"

George pretended to think hard. I punched him in the stomach. He doubled over slightly.

"Alright! Alright! I'll stop insulting the little ferret."

I punched him again. He yelped.

"Sorry! I forgot!"

I couldn't help laughing. George's face relaxed into a grin. We continued to dance a while longer. Then George caught sight of a waiter carrying tarts and pastries. He got out his wand, pointed them at the tray and said, "Accio two tarts!"

Two tarts came hurtling towards us. I ducked and George caught them in his hand. I opened my mouth to protest. We couldn't eat tarts while dancing. Before I could say anything however, George stuffed the tart in my mouth.

"Moo cawn't moo bat!" I mumbled.

George grinned. "I'm sorry, I can't understand you." He put his own tart in his mouth and started to dance again. I couldn't say anything so I just chewed my tart and rolled my eyes at his tart-filled smile. About an hour later my feet were hurting too much to keep dancing. I limped over to a table and collapsed in the chair. George sat down next to me.

"I don't think I've danced like that since the Yule Ball," he said.

"I don't think I've ever danced like that," I admitted.

George grinned but before he could answer a silver Patronus in the shape of a lynx fell into the middle of the dance floor. Everyone froze.

"The Ministry has fallen," it said. "Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

Complete silence reined over everything. Then the lynx disappeared and someone screamed. I jumped up and George did the same beside me. Looking across the panicked, sprinting, and Disapparating group of guests I could see cloaked and masked figures appearing in the crowd. I heard someone calling my name and turned to see Fred running towards us. George grabbed my hand. Fred reached my side and grabbed my other hand. All animosity between us was forgotten as I held his hand tightly. He turned on the spot and I felt the familiar pull from my navel as I was pulled through time and space, the screams of the guests still ringing in my ear.

Reviews make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. :-P