The wedding bells are ringing...and an unexpected visitor surprises all...

"Hold still!"

"Here, I found it."

"Thank Merlin!"

"Guys! Shut up! You're not the one getting married!" I glared at my two friends until they subsided. "Now someone please finish zipping me up before this whole thing just falls off!"

The two quickly obeyed as I studied myself in the mirror, hands trembling.

"Shut your eyes," Ginny ordered. "I have to put this stuff in your hair."

I obeyed. A light mist was sprayed over my hair, and I sneezed lightly from the aroma.

Over the murmurs I heard a door open, then close.

Carefully hands took my hair, adjusting it in a way I couldn't detect without opening my eyes, before something fixed it in place.

"You can look now."

My eyes sprang open at the voice. I saw a woman with my hair behind me in the mirror, surveying me through blue eyes. A quick check revealed that she had not changed my blonde tresses too much, just adjusted it so it would hang down in shimmering waves. She'd fastened my veil over the top with a silver pin in the shape of an emerald eyed serpent.

"Mother," I finally whispered, turning away from the mirror to look at her directly.

"Hmm." The woman studied me carefully. "The pin sets it all off rather nicely. I'm glad I decided to give it to you. I received it from my mother, and intended to pass it down to you. I'm glad I remembered."

"You came," I said softly, brimming with emotions.

My mother tsked. "Don't cry now-you'll ruin everything. Cry later, when it won't matter." She smiled. "You look absolutely beautiful."

I turned to look in the mirror again.

A woman with white-blonde hair and silvery eyes stared back. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, simple yet elegant, and a lace veil hung over her face and down the back of her neck, fluttering with the slightest movement.

I swallowed, meeting my mother's gaze in the mirror. It was only then I realised we were alone-Ginny and Hermione had gone already.

"Is Father here?" I asked softly.

Mother sighed. "No. He was still sitting at the table with the invitations when I left. I wasn't sure if I wanted to come myself."

Carefully she offered me her arm. I took it, smiling at her. "I'm glad you came."

"Me too," she replied softly.

We exited the room, meeting Draco on the other side. As I met his gaze, a memory swam before my eyes.

"You're getting married? Took you long enough, what with you fussing around with England and Bludgers and everything before you figured it out."

"Be quiet Drake, or I'll lose my nerve." I swallow and take a deep breath, looking up into my twin's face. "Would you give me away at the wedding?"

Draco goes still for a long moment. I am starting to fear that he will refuse when he throws his arms around me. "I'd be insulted if you asked anybody else," he says, his muffled voice choking on tears.

For a moment I was torn. Traditionally, Father should've been here, but I didn't think he would come. However, Mother was here now, and it would've been more appropriate, as she was my parent, for her to give me away.

Mother had anticipated this, and she decided for me. "Off you go then," she said, giving me a light push. I blinked up at her. She smiled faintly. "I do love you, darling, but I think Draco has been with you far longer and so it is more fitting for him to have the honour."

I swallowed the lump that rose in my throat. Mother kissed me on the cheek, and glided past, smiling at Draco. "I'll be in the front row."

"You look brilliant." Draco's voice startled me out of my silent contemplations. His brow furrowed as he watched me. "You're nervous, aren't you?"

"Yes," I admitted.

Draco snorted. "Don't be. Marrying George will be great fun-you should know. You've only been living with him for, well, the past 10 years or so."

I laughed, my mood lightening almost instantly. "You're right. Thanks Drake." I looped my arm through his, and we walked together towards my future.

As I walked down the aisle, I sensed everybody on either side of me, standing and watching expectantly. It was as small as an affair that I could hope for-the Weasleys, Xenophilius Lovegood, Neville and his grandmother, and Blaise-as promised I'd kept in touch with this friend. Ginny, Hermione, Luna, and Fleur's sister Gabrielle (we'd become very close friends over the years) were dressed in silver gowns, and carefully carried the train, while Draco matched my pace.

As we finally reached the aisle, Draco let go of my arm. I turned to face him, nervous now. My twin only smiled, his eyes alight with joy. "You'll be fine," he said softly. "You look amazing." He squeezed my hand, then let go, moving to take his place at the front. My four other friends took their positions as I moved to stand with George.

He grinned at me. It was then I saw a glint of nervousness in his eyes. Feeling better now-at least I wasn't the only one-I smiled back, causing him to smile more broadly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of two souls," began the wizard presiding over the ceremony. My eyes again found George's, and I gazed and gazed as the wizard spoke on and on.

"Do you, George Weasley, take Lyra Narcissa Malfoy as you partner, your equal, and wife, for as long as you live?"

"I do take Lyra as a partner, equal , and wife, for as long as I live," George replied, his voice soft.

"Will you treat her with respect and love, be her friend to laugh with and her shoulder to cry on, protect her, and remain forever true to her? "

"I will."

"And will you, Lyra Narcissa Malfoy, take George Weasley as a partner, equal, and husband, for as long as you live?"

"I do take George as a partner, equal, and husband, for as long as I live," I repeated, equally soft, my eyes burning already.

"Will you treat him with respect and love, be his friend to laugh with and his shoulder to cry on, protect him, and remain forever true to him?"

"I will."

"You may exchange rings now."

Carefully I slid a gold band onto George's finger. He performed the same service for me.

My eyes met George's as the wizard said, "I now declare you bonded for life." He raised his wand, a burst of gold and silver stars and streamers shooting out of his wand tip and sprinkling over us. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr George and Mrs Lyra Weasley."

George stepped forward, his eyes ablaze, and lifted the veil. For a long moment we simply stared at eachother. I smiled. Our lips pressed together under the stars and streamers as people burst into applause.

During the reception afterwards, both George and I were separated as we were passed from person to person, receiving hugs and congratulations. Finally George and I were free to cut the cake, after which I smeared icing on his face. The people watching roared with laughter and cheered as George grabbed my arm, pulling me in so he could return the favour. We were still laughing while the cake was distributed, and lunch was started. At the end of it all, Draco rose, tapping his fork on his wine glass with a clinking. "And now, I shall hand the floor to my sister, Lyra Weasley," he announced, smiling mischievously.

I shot him a very dirty look. I had not wanted to give a speech. Nevertheless, when George tugged me gently to my feet, I rose with a resigned sigh.

"Thank you all, for being able to make it here. I'm glad you could come witness our next step in life." I paused to take a breath, before realising how much I didn't want to say the speech I'd prepared-it sounded too ridiculous to say to people I'd spent my whole life with.

George coughed lightly before he took charge. "We will enter this next phase of life with a great amount of laughter and fun, for that is what we were born for."

"That and fighting Death Eaters!" someone that sounded suspiciously like Ginny called out. The audience plus George laughed.

"Anyway," I said, pointedly. I floundered for a moment, before discarding the speech and going with my gut. "What I wanted to say…well…I came up with a speech before, but then decided against it. It would've been embarrassing to say it to all of you."

"Say it!" Ron yelled.

I shook my head with a grin. "No way dearest Ronald," I replied, causing a wave of laughter. "What I'll say instead is that there are choices you can make, paths to choose, even in the last second. My whole life was based on the split-second decision to tough it out at Hogwarts. I'm glad I did," I added, smiling up at George. "It is those choices," I added, softer now, "that show others, and yourselves, who you are. It is those choices that determine what path you tread, and who you choose to walk it with you. So, I present to you, my best friend, and now, husband, George Weasley. It was in my first year that we first met, though we didn't properly become friends until after I moved into The Burrow. My favourite memory of George will always be of us at the Yule Ball. Even if we were just friends back then. Thank you, George, for showing me that there is laughter to be found everywhere. Thank you, George, for showing that, even in the darkest moments, there are always paths to joy." I paused again to look over all my friends and family. "But this didn't really turn out the way I planned. Which brings me to my next point: There is always something unexpected around the corner. I used to think "expect the unexpected", but living with George has taught me otherwise. Sometimes, just taking it is fun too. George once told me he and Fred befriended me as a joke. Well, George," I said, turning to him so he could see the huge grin plastered on my face, "joke's on you now-you're stuck with me for life!"

George waited for the laughter to die down before adding, "And we wouldn't have it any other way."

It was only after we sat down that the tight feeling in my chest went away. "Merlin's beard, I hate giving speeches!"

Draco, his arm around Hermione, heard and leaned over. "You seemed to be pretty good at them, especially when you rescued that boy from Amycus in seventh year." And when you offered me your help in sixth. The words passed from him to me, not needing to be said aloud.

I snorted. "That wasn't a speech you idiot. That was…I don't know what it was. But definitely not a speech."

"Nah," remarked Ginny, having heard the story from Draco, "that was her being all heroic again. You have to stop thinking you can save the world-that's what Harry's for!"

The table burst into laughter as Harry scowled at the woman on his arm.

Quickly the tables were moved to create space for a dance floor. Draco rose to offer me a hand. Again standing in for Father. I brushed the unwanted comment from my mind. It hurt that Father wasn't here, but I would live. Perhaps another time.

I gave my brother a smile and placed my hand in his, rising from my chair. Draco was smiling back when his expression froze. I frowned. "Drake?"

"Excuse me, but may I be allowed to cut in?"

I knew that voice.

I wheeled around.

Lucius Malfoy stood behind me.

Slowly I looked my father over. He was dressed in simple black dress robes, and his grey eyes, which Draco and I had inherited, were unsure.

"Father?" I didn't realise I was speaking until the word left my lips. "What, I mean how…"

"I'm sorry I'm late. I wasn't sure if I should come," remarked Father quietly, "but then I decided that this was your day, not mine. And Merlin himself would not stop me from our dance."

I felt my eyes brim with tears. Suddenly, I saw in him a humanity that I could compare to Draco. Lucius Malfoy truly was his son's father. He just hadn't realised it until now.

I did not place my hand in his. Instead, I stepped forward and embraced him impulsively, blinking back tears. "Thank you for coming, Father."

The shoulders, which had been stiff with tension, relaxed minutely. "I'm glad I came," he replied. I was astounded when I felt his lips brush my hair. The father I had known had stopped with such gestures shortly after I turned 10.

"Now," said the man, smiling as he took my hand and led me forward, "let's see if your dancing has improved at all from the little girl I used to teach."

I couldn't help smiling at the memories that dredged up-A young girl being lifted in her father's arms and spun around the room to nonexistent music, her feet rested on her father's slippers. "Rest assured, Father," I replied, "my dancing excels even yours now."

The man laughed, a startling sound that reminded me of Draco. Well, Draco is his son. "We shall see, Lyra. We shall see."

And so they dance into the hopeful future...ugh. I can't believe I said that, sounds a bit sappy xD

Anyway...the next chapter is the last! Hope you've enjoyed the ride!

~ MagicalLeaves