Chapter Four: The Wedding of a Weasley

For the next six days, Harry couldn't remember a time when he felt so exhausted, both physically and mentally. Keeping to his word, Professor Castor worked him to an inch from death.

Like clockwork, Harry would be awoken at dawn, have a small breakfast prepared by Dobby then run around the island twice, Castor at his side. Although the older wizard had provided him with an immense wardrobe for the summer, including brand new comfortable running shoes and work out cloths, Harry was finding great difficulty in keeping up with Castor's vigorous demands. One morning when he was awoken, he grumbled and turned over on his side. He was so sore he thought he might break something if he stood up. With a flick of his wand, Castor had hurled Harry out of bed and onto the floor. After that incident, Harry never once disobeyed Castor by trying to sleep in.

After his run, Dobby would prepare an immense breakfast in which Harry, no matter if he were hungry or not would have to clear his plate. Afterwards he would go into an immense work out room complete with treadmills, benches, free weights and swimming pool. Harry would spend nearly three hours a way working out, building his muscles and practicing yoga with Castor, who said it improved flexibility and made it easier for Harry to clear his mind.

Harry again would sit down in the kitchen and try to scarf down his lunch. He ate healthy, but in large quantities, the hard pounding exercise made him unbelievably hungry, and Harry noticed that he was rapidly gaining weight. Before his afternoon lessons of Occlumency, Harry overheard Castor speaking to the excited house elf.

'I want him fattened up, Dobby,' he said. 'A good forty pounds before he leaves for Hogwarts.'

Obeying his master in every way, Dobby prepared dish after dish for Harry, deli style sandwiches, creamy pastas and a variety of different juices. After Occlumency Harry would work on dueling. Mr. Weasley wasn't lying about Castor's ability. Although they dueled nearly two hours a day, Harry never once landed a spell on Castor. Because of his training, Harry was finding more and more ease to duck and dodge curses being thrown at him and learned to control his anger when Castor would repeatedly throw a variety of curses.

Harry would spend the last hours of his day in the library, researching new curses and hexes; and, with the assistance of Castor, studied ancient magic pertaining to Horcruxes, giants, Inferi and werewolves. Anything that Castor suggested that would help Harry better understand what he was up against would be studied, outlined and cross-referenced. At dinner Castor would join him in the kitchen, asking Harry a barrage of questions, usually pertaining to his relationship with Dumbledore and his experiences with the Headmaster of the past year. Harry told him all he could. He told him the many times he and Dumbledore had went into the Pensieve, reliving the experiences of the Riddle family, and how Lord Voldemort became the most feared wizard in history. Harry, did not, however, tell Castor about his last adventure with Dumbledore in the search for the Horcrux; instead, he told him that Dumbledore had once found a Horcrux item which turned out to be fake. He had even shown him the parchment in which the mysterious R.A.B. had told the Dark Lord that he would be dead once discovered that part of his soul was destroyed and that he hoped the Dark Lord would fall. To make sure Castor didn't ask questions, he had told him that Dumbledore had given it to him a few weeks before we was killed. Castor, thankfully, didn't press the matter.

Castor seemed very interesting in this aspect of the conversation, and Harry couldn't help but noticed that the young man had actually smirked when learning of the fake Horcrux and the letter from R.A.B.

The first three days of his training were hell. Harry wasn't much into working out, or studying for long periods of the day and it started to bore down on him, but Castor was relentless, always depending more and more from Harry.

During Occlumency, Harry, due to his lack of physical strength after working out throughout the morning twice went to tears after unsuccessfully repelling Castor from probing into his mind. Harry knew that Castor had seen Harry's worst fears, the night that Lord Voldemort had killed his parents, the incident in the graveyard where he saw Cedric Diggory murdered, the long romantic walk with Ginny after winning the Quidditch Cup. Harry was angry, angry with himself and with Castor for discovering his inner most secrets.

Yet, although Castor was stern and hot tempered, he was at all times calm and collective. Never once did he raise his voice or make a snide remark at Harry. He was a great teacher for he never lost his temper. When Harry failed to keep up with him during their early morning runs, or when Harry fell asleep during his researching in the library, or when Harry could not keep Castor out of his mind during their Occlumency level, Castor would say in a collective voice, 'Try again Potter, I know you're better than this.'

For the next couple days, Harry was finding it easier to deal with his rigorous training. He started waking up on his own and began to run side by side with Castor along the beach. He started to notice muscle building in his arms, chest and calves and was extremely embarrassed when Castor caught him flexing his bicep in the mirror.

Still, Harry wasn't making any progress with dueling or in Occlumency. One night Harry was so furious with again being stunned that he angrily threw down his wand and punched a nearby wall, nearly breaking two of his knuckles.

Castor stepped forward and picked up Harry's wand for him.

'It'll take more than a couple of days to learn how to duel properly, Potter,' he said calmly. 'We have all summer to teach you how to become the wizard you, apparently, were born to be. Now try again'

Harry took out his wand and began to duel once more, total concentration and determination lined in his face. He was pleased to see that after his dueling round, he noticed that Castor had a thin layer of sweat on his face and he looked a bit dishevled.

'Better,' he said plainly. 'Much better.'

On the morning on the day before the wedding, Harry walked into the kitchen sitting down and gratefully devouring a few scrambled eggs and yogurt. He downed a glass of milk and waited patiently for Castor to walk in and announce they would start running.

Instead, Castor appeared into the kitchen wearing an expensive looking muggle suit of dark charcoal grey and a light green shirt.

'Potter,' he said fastening pure gold cufflinks to his shirt, 'You are going to be on your own today. Your time reserved for Occlumency will be divided with working in the gym and researching in the library, understand?'

'Yes Professor,' Harry said at once.

'Excellent.' He nodded at Dobby who bowed gracefully and was out the door. Harry remembered something and dashed out the kitchen and into the front drive wear he saw Castor get into the BMW. For the first time, Harry tried to figure out how Castor could get his car on and off the island.

'Professor,' he called.

Castor, who was almost in the car stepped out and straightened up.

'Yea, Potter?'

'The wedding,' Harry exclaimed. 'The wedding is tomorrow.'

'I am aware of that,' Castor said with a little bit of a sneer. 'The wedding is at sunset so we'll get there around three for you to spend time with your friends and all that happy shit. Your dress robes are in your wardrobe cabinet.'

'Thank you, sir,' Harry said quite relieved that Castor hadn't forgotten.

'Don't mention it Potter, and don't call me sir,' he said coolly.

Harry looked down at the ground. He had a problem with remembering that.

'Sorry.'

'I will not return until very late. I want you to do your exercises in the morning and we're going to be leaving around two tomorrow understand?'

'Yes, Professor.'

'Good,' Castor said. 'Enjoy your run.'

He stepped into his car, and grinded the engine to life. He drove down the dirt path leading up to the house and vanished behind the rolling hills and stone walls.

Harry stretched a bit and starting walking down to the beach, picking up the pace as he went along until he went into a run.

After working in the gym, Harry walked into the kitchen feeling not as soar anymore. He had lunch and talked a little with Dobby, finding out that Winky, another house elf that once belong to Barty Crouch was now at Hogwarts and had quit drinking, and was now happy with her position with working in the kitchens.

Harry walked up to the library but, for some reason, fancied himself a drink. During his dinner conversations, Castor would allow him to drink whatever he wanted. He actually was beginning to like the taste of wine and decided that a glass would help him relax while he researched.

He made a bee-line for the study which was down the hall from the library, between it and his bedroom. He had been in the study a few times before. A couple nights ago, after dinner, he and Castor talked about the school he had attended in the United States. Balmorhea, Harry learned, was the American equivalent to Hogwarts and the Headmaster there, Nathaniel Addams, was a well known and powerful wizard, and was also a very close friend to Albus Dumbledore.

'He was a liberal son of a bitch,' Castor had said about his past Headmaster. 'Hair as long as a reggae singer and a face like a novelist. The guy loved to walk around the grounds, talking to every student and even flying on broomsticks during Quidditch practices. He was a good guy, a real genuine fellow.'

Harry walked into the study. It wasn't that big, but it looked very comfortable with plush couches made of dark leather. A large painting of a cowboy lassoing an enormous black cow lined the back wall wear a bar stood. Harry walked around the bar and spotted the wine rack along the side. He uncorked a bottle and poured himself a large glass.

He took a sip, and started to walk around the study, taking in the large mahogany desk, the pool table that stood in the middle of the room and muggles photographs that lined a nearby table. Harry looked down at the pictures with fascination, and started to look at them one by one.

A younger version of Castor was receiving his diploma by what looked like according to him the Headmaster of Balmorhea. Castor had a look of great relief as he took hold of his diploma and shook hands with Nathaniel Addams.

Another picture had Castor at a bar, looking up with eyes gleaming. Next to him were two men, one was black with close-cropped hair in a pin-stripped suit, his arm draped over Castor's shoulder. The other man was tall and pale with short dark brown hair and almond eyes. Harry noticed that this man was wearing official looking black robes. Harry had seen those robes before.

Those are the robes Aurors wear.

Sure enough, looking closer into the picture Harry noticed the official looking seal of the Ministry of Magic on the shoulder of the wizard. In the bottom of the right hand corner was a little note penned in. Harry leaned in more closely and read:

Celebrating the end of Auror Training in style. Demetrius, Riley and Marcus. Mates for life.

Harry smiled at the picture briefly than noticed another photograph in black and white, hidden from other pictures of Castor with friends and of him attending school. In the picture there were two men having dinner. One of them was Castor but it didn't look that recent considering Castor didn't have the scar that lined the top of his eyebrow and he had much longer hair. He was sitting at a table with another man who was smiling broadly, his eyes locked on Castor with happiness and great joy. The man had dark shoulder length hair and was clean shaven, but Harry noticed his eyes were gaunt and his face looked exceptionally thin, lining his features. Harry's heart plummeted.

The man was Sirius Black.

His late Godfather. Sirius had been killed the battle at the Ministry of Magic about a year ago. In the picture Sirius was looking at Castor with great interest and a look of something else, pride? Castor himself was looking everywhere except Sirius, his expression unchanging, a look of nervousness and distrust. Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was unbelievable, but Harry thought to himself, what wasn't these days?

He knew Sirius.

He put down the photo and walked out of the study and into the library. He pulled out a book, The Strengths and Weaknesses of Inferi, and began to try to read, but it was no use. His mind was spinning. How could someone like Professor Castor who lived nearly his whole life in the United States know his Godfather. Where had they met? Harry's mind was reeling until noticing he had read the same line about twenty times. He took a deep calming breath and another sip of his wine, relenting to whatever he yearned to know about Castor's relationship with Sirius was, it'd have to wait. Castor was gone doing Merlin knows what. He concentrated on his book and began to read, but still unable to get the image of Sirius and Castor sitting at a table together out of his mind.

The next morning Harry did his daily of running around the island to the point where he might pass out, working out in the weight room, then taking a few dozen laps in the pool. After a quick lunch with Dobby, he dashed up the stairs to his bedroom. Walking down the hallway, he got a weird feeling walking past the study, feeling the photo of Castor and Sirius staring at him.

He shut the door to his bedroom and took a quick shower. He pulled on his dress robes that were very elegant. They were a light khaki with a white silk dress shirt with just a dash of dark grey trim around the cuffs and lapel. For the occasion, he went back into the bathroom and pulled out a bottle of Sleak-Easy. After copious amounts, he finally tamed his hair, pulling it back stylishly. Pocketing his wand, he took a long look at himself in the mirror. Although, with his hair back, his scar stood out much more, but he didn't care. He was going to The Burrow after all.

'You look very handsome dear,' the mirror said to him.

Harry couldn't help but smile, he did look pretty damn good.

He bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen at a quarter to two to find Professor Castor sitting at the table, a pot of coffee in front of him, pouring over what looked like to be over two dozen bounded letters, all official looking. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, and Dobby was giving him a worried look.

'Um, Professor?' Harry said.

Castor's head jerked up then took sight of Harry. His eyes looked red and unfocused, dark underlings bringing out the paleness of his face.

'Nice outfit,' he said surveying Harry.

'Thanks. Nice suit,' Harry said. If Harry looked good, he looked awful compared to Castor. He wore elegant silk thin khaki robes, just a little darker than Harry with a pastel violet button down shirt. Black silk trimmed his sleeves of his robes and lapels.

'Thanks,' Castor said draining his coffee and standing up slowly. He chucked most of the letters into a bin and the rest he placed carelessly on the kitchen counter. Without a word to Dobby, the two wizards walked out of the house and into the driveway.

'Uh, Professor,' Harry asked uncertainly. 'How are we getting to the Burrow?'

'Apparation.'

Harry looked nervous. He hadn't apparated since he was with Dumbledore that unforgettable night. Castor might have noticed. He walked to his car and pulled out two parcels wrapped in thick brown paper with black string. He walked up to stand right next to Harry, shuffling the parcels under one arm.

'Grab my arm there Potter,' Castor said.

Potter didn't want to act weak around him, but he heard that apparating great distances were to be very physically demanding. He wrapped his left arm around Castor's right.

'One, two, three!' Castor said and with a loud Pop! They were standing now on a little dirt road outside of a familiar looking village.

'Ottery St. Catchpole,' Harry said looking over the small village with its red brick houses and bright orange rooftops.

'Indeed it is, Potter,' he grumbled. He checked his watch then started to walk down the dirt path away from the village.

'We're going to get there a little early,' Castor said pulling out a cigarette.

Harry and Professor Castor walked slowly down the dirt path. Leading up to the edge of the path, the familiar sight of the Weasley's home, The Burrow came into view. It was bustling with activity. Harry's eyes went into awe as he saw hundreds of witches and wizards and a couple of muggles who were making it look extremely obvious standing by themselves, looking very nervous. Castor stopped and handed the two parcels to him.

'The squared one is for Bill,' he said. 'And the other one is for his wife.'

Harry thanked him. He looked over towards the house and spotted Mrs. Weasley jogging up towards him wearing a simple white Celtic dress with pink ribbons around her neck.

'I'll see you later, Potter,' he said and before Harry could answer him, Castor had disappeared in the groups of people bustling around the Weasley's front yard.

'Harry dear,' Mrs. Weasley said after enveloping him in one of her infamous bone-breaking hugs. 'So wonderful to see you.'

'Thanks,' Harry gasped, trying to get air.

Mrs. Weasley took a step back and surveyed Harry for a minute.

'My word, Harry,' she said, 'You look very handsome.'

'Uh, thanks,' he said and on instinct, leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'Congratulations by the way.'

'I can't believe it,' Mrs. Weasley said, her eyes filling up with tears, my oldest son, my sweet Bill, is getting married. And to such a wonderful young lady.'

Harry didn't want to bring up the fact that up to about a month ago Mrs. Weasley was positively revolted by the idea that her eldest son was getting married to someone like Fluer Delacour, but he let it slide.

'Where's Ron?' he asked getting very anxious to see his best friend.

'Upstairs with the rest of his brothers,' said Mrs. Weasley waving her hand up at the house. 'Fred and George's room. Bill's a bit nervous about the wedding. I keep telling him its natural to be nervous on your wedding day, but he won't say anything. He's barely spoken a word since he started staying at the house this past week. Reminds me and how I felt on my wedding day, oh so many years ago. Arthur couldn't look at me straight for a week before we finally got married.'

Harry didn't really know what to say to this so instead he thanked Mrs. Weasley, and, getting a better grip on the wedding presents, headed towards the house. The front yard was crammed with people. It was easy to tell who was part of the Weasley clan, judging by their flaming trademark red hair and freckles. The Delacour family, in majority, had platinum blonde hair and the women looked exceptionally beautiful. Harry laughed as one of the Weasley men leaned forward towards a pretty French woman with hair so blonde it looked white and muttered, 'Would you mind having the best two minutes and forty five seconds of your life?'

Harry distinctly heard a very hard slap before he shut the door and now stood in the kitchen. Some familiar faces were sitting at the kitchen table, all of them, were in the Order of the Phoenix. Remus Lupin, who looked old but regal in black robes sat next to Tonks, who had chosen to have raven black hair and light blue eyes for the occasion. Harry smiled as he noticed they were holding hands. Mad-Eye Moody looked as horrific as ever in a devastatingly grotesque dress robe of putrid green. Kingsley Shaklebolt, in robes of dark purple nodded at Harry then continued his conversation with non other than Professor McGonagall. Harry noticed that the new Headmistress looked exceptionally tired and a bit thinner than last he saw her. Her eyes were red rimmed and fatigued, but nevertheless, her firmness and piercing stare remained the same as she gave a small smile and nodded at Harry before he dashed up the stairs to Fred and George's room, for some reason, not wanting to be in a room that had so many haunting memories.

He reached the twin's room and gave a loud knock.

'Come in,' said a boisterous voice.

Harry turned the knob. Bill was standing around his brother's all of whom were grinning from ear to ear. Percy wasn't in the room, and it didn't surprise Harry in the least. They were all dressed identically, in muggle tuxedos with black bow ties and single red roses in their lapels. Bill, on the other hand, wore a white bow tie with a white rose, and his face looking exceptionally green. The scarring on his face had all but healed, but Harry could see the faint lines that slashed across the side of his face.

'It's Ickle Harry!' said Fred as he shoved past Bill and shook Harry's hand vigorously. 'It is so capital to see you old chum!'

'Likewise,' said George, picking up the theme, trying to look pompous and regal. 'It is simply marvelous to see you my good man. Haven't seen you in more than a bloody fortnight.'

Harry couldn't help but grin at the antics of the twins. He noticed that Charlie was patting his big brother's back reassuringly and passing him a small pewter flask. Bill took it with a trembling hand and tilted his head back, taking a long draught from the flask.

'He's bit nervous,' said Fred in a whisper, but Bill overheard him.

'I am not bloody nervous!' he sputtered. Charlie held back a grin. 'I'm just, I'm just,'

He couldn't finish his sentence, so George did it for him.

'Nervous?'

'Shut up,' said Bill and he took another drink from the flask.

'Easy there, brother,' said Charlie taking the flask away from Bill. 'Now what would your wife say if you showed up at the altar drunk?'

'Hey Harry,' said a voice from the corner of the room.

Harry turned around to see his best friend and youngest of the Weasley sons, Ron, walk forward, grinning from ear to ear. Although it had only been two weeks since last Harry had seen his best friend, he could've sworn that Ron had gotten taller. He was thin and lanky, with a long crooked nose with big clown hands and feet. They shook hands and gave each other a one armed hug.

'How you doing, mate?' Harry asked. He never felt better seeing Ron, for the exception of when he and the twins had showed up at Privet Drive in a flying car, rescuing him from the Dursley's.

'Good,' said Ron who was still grinning. 'Can't believe I have to wear this get-up and be a groomsman. It's not like there aren't a shortage of us Weasley brothers.'

'Shut it, Ron,' said Charlie but he also didn't look all that happy to wear such formal attire.

There was a knock on the door and a female voice filled into the room. Bill made a high pitched squeak and jumped behind the mirror he was surveying himself in. All the Weasley men laughed together to see Bill, the king of cool, look like a cat that just got dunked in a swimming pool.

'Bill thinks its bad luck to see his bride before the actual wedding,' mumbled Ron, who couldn't help himself from grinning like an idiot.

The door opened and Ginny, the youngest sibling and only daughter came striding into the room. Harry couldn't help it, he could have sworn his jaw dropped to the floor.

She wore a simple red gown that just skimmed below her knees that was very tight, accentuating her luscious curves. She wore high heel stilettos. Her hair was pulled back but a few strands had escaped, falling over the side of her face. She wore very little makeup except for a thick layer of ruby red lipstick. Harry had never seen anything look so damn sexy.

'Earth to Potter,' said a distant voice in his ear. 'Come in Potter, this is the present calling.'

Harry jumped out of his drunken stupor to see all the men in the room staring at him with knowing looks.

Harry became very nervous and mumbled a sorry to no one in particular.

'We love you Harry,' said Charlie slamming his hand a little harder than usual on his shoulder. 'But it's not the brightest idea to be gawking at a woman when five of her older brothers are standing in the same room as you.'

Harry went beet red. He took another glance at Ginny who was turning the same shade of her lipstick but smiling shyly just the same.

Damn does she look good!

'The wedding is about to start,' she said.

'Give us one more minute, Gin,' said Fred.

Ginny nodded and closed the door.

Bill still hadn't moved from where he was standing. He wasn't blinking, his expression looked haunting. Finally, he took a deep resounding breath and turned around to face Harry and his brothers.

'Alright,' he said taking a coming breath. 'I'm ready.'

'Took you long enough,' said George. Charlie swatted him on the back of the head.

Bill ignored them. He straightened his bow tie then looked at all the men in the room.

'How do I look?' he asked uncertainly.

'Like shit,' said Fred and George at once.

Ron swatted Fred in the back of the head while Harry, taking up the theme, swatted George.

'You look great Bill,' said Charlie putting an arm on his shoulder and leading him to the door. 'Now lets go make Fluer the happiest woman in the world.'

'Yea,' said Ron, smiling, 'She's already the hottest chick in the world, might as well go for broke.'

'Shut up, Ron,' Harry and all of Ron's brothers said at once.

One by one they filled out of the room, down the stairs, veered left and waited in the back parlor.

'Mum is probably saving you a seat,' said Ron. 'We got to do this whole ceremony thing so I'll see you after the wedding.'

'Right,' said Harry. He shook Ron's hand. 'Don't trip mate.'

Ron went green at the thought of it.

'Prat.'

Harry opened the door to the back of The Burrow. It was beautiful. The back yard was more like a meadow with evergreen trees lining the side of the house to the left. In front of him, the sun was beginning to set as hundreds of wizards and muggles, although small in numbers alike took their seats on both sides of a silk white path leading up to a handsomely wooden carved gazebo, decorated with white silk ribbons and hundreds of white roses that had been charmed to glow in the light of the setting sun.

Harry walked along side to spot Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sitting in the front, a seat next to Mrs. Weasley left vacant. To the left was none other than Harry's other best friend Hermione Granger. She also looked very pretty. She must have gone through half a dozen bottles of Sleak-Easy to make her hair straight and slick. It fell over her shoulders. She wore a simple mid-night blue dress with a V-neck front, and a simple silver necklace. She waved at him to come over, and thankfully, Harry took his seat.

'Hi Harry,' Hermione whispered as light music began to fill in the backyard.

'Hi,' Harry said taking his hand in hers and giving it a friendly squeeze.

'We'll talk after the procession,' she said.

Harry gave her a wink. He looked around behind him and was surprised by all the familiar faces surrounding him. Hagrid, for one, along with Madame Maxine sat in the very back. Hagrid, Harry noticed, was still in his ugly brown suit but did away with the orange tie. Madame Maxine looked much more elegant in robes of black silk. Lee Jordan, who ran the joke shop with the twins was also in attendance, his arm draped over a girl Harry didn't know. Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Oliver Wood, who saw Harry and gave a small wave to him were also there. Some of the teachers of Hogwarts were in attendance. Professor Sprout, Professor Vector and tiny Professor Flitwick who was standing on a high chair were all beaming.

The wedding began. Remus Lupin stood in the middle of the gazebo cradling an ancient leather bound book in his hands.

Bill walked forward first. He didn't look green anymore, Harry noticed, but he did have a nervous look about him, his feet were a bit unsteady as he made his way to the front. Afterwards came his brothers, each escorting one of the bridesmaid, most of them with platinum blonde hair and extremely beautiful. George, apparently, had picked the short straw and had to escort his own sister to the altar. He looked very put out about it. Ron came last, grinning like an idiot. He girl on his arm looked just like Fleur but was taller and had, Harry couldn't help but notice with wide eyes, a little bit more of a bust line. Ron was strutting more than he was walking up to the gazebo, and Harry heard Hermione give a little huff, looking very put out. The flower girl came next, who was Fluer's younger sister, Gabrielle, giving Harry a little smile as she passed.

Finally, the music stopped for a moment and then came up again. Everyone rose as the familiar song of the bride flooded over the scene. Everyone turned around to face the back and nearly everyone gave a collective gasp.

'Bloody hell,' Harry heard himself whisper as he took sight of the bride.

She had never looked so speechless. She was dressed in a long and smooth dress that hung low and was wrapped in intricate pulls around her back. She had simple white stilettos on and her hair fell flawlessly over her shoulders, radiating the light of the most stunning beauty. Harry caught sight of a beautiful diamond tiara atop Fluer's hair. It was the tiara that Mrs. Weasley had persuaded her great aunt for lending it for the wedding. And she was more than right, Harry noticed, the tiara did look positively radiant with her hair. Upon reaching the bottom of the gazebo, Fluer's father, a handsome middle age gentleman placed his daughter's hand into Bill's, but not before leading in and giving Bill a kiss on each cheek. Bill went bright red to match his hair and nearly everyone in attendance laughed at Bill's embarrassment. Mr. Delacour took his seat and Remus Lupin finally spoke in a commanding and yet calm voice. Harry just noticed that his hand was intertwined with Mrs. Weasley's who was looking up at her eldest son with her husband with tears in her eyes. Mr. Weasley, also in a muggle tuxedo looked upon the procession with great pride and happiness in his eyes.

'Love is not chaste, it is not foolish and it is not anything but the purest of emotion and feeling of great contention,' said Lupin, the book laid out open in his hand although he wasn't looking down at it. 'Love is true, and we are gathered here to today to join William Bartholomew Weasley and Fleur Delacour in holy matrimony.'

Harry chuckled in his seat.

Bill's middle name is Bartholomew?

Lupin's words faded away as Harry took sight as what was happening around him. He thought his hand was going to shatter as Mrs. Weasley grasped it tightly in her own. Hermione was silently crying as well, her hand in Harry's too. Bill looked as though he had been struck dumb as he stared at Fleur with gaping eyes. It was the happiest moment Harry had ever seen. The sun was about to skim underneath the horizon as Remus Lupin said in the same commanding yet calming voice,

'I now pronounce you man and wife.' He turned his attention to Bill and a grin spread over his face.

'Well Weasley,' he said, 'What are you waiting for?'

Bill grinned sheepishly as he leaned in to kiss Fleur, but instead he was caught off guard as Fleur grabbed him with both hands around the back of the neck, dipped him all the way down below her waist and kissed him very passionately.

All the men in the audience laughed heartedly and gave wolf-whistles. Fleur pulled Bill back to full height and the back yard exploded in cheers, giving them a standing ovation.

'Ladies and gentleman,' yelled Remus Lupin in a booming voice, 'I now present Mr. and Mrs. William Weasley.'

At this, Fred and George pulled out there wands, pointed them both over Lupin's shoulders and shouted.

Iccendio!

At once, hundreds and hundreds of multi-color fireworks shot up from the ground and exploded in the sky, illuminating the glorious scene below. The clapping and whistling grew louder as Bill took Fluer's hand and walked down the aisle back inside The Burrow, the Weasley brother's with their escorts right behind them. George, to Harry's great pleasure, shoved Ron out of the way and hooked his arm with the pretty girl Ron was supposed to escort. Ron looked excessively grumpy as he connected his arm with his sister and trotted back into the house.

After the wedding, Mr. Weasley, along with the help of his sons and the teachers of Hogwarts conjured up dozens upon dozens of elegant round tables that were soon ladened with dish after dish of an immaculate spread of steak, chicken, rice, mash potatoes and salad. Afterwards, the wedding cake appeared, over four feet fall and looking more beautiful than delicious. Ron nearly burst into tears when he saw it.

After the toasts were done, (Charlie had brought many people to tears over his very emotional speech about his older brother and the new relations that everyone had gained from this wedding), music again started to fill the backyard, fast pace, loud and boisterous. The wizards charmed the tables to be pushed back to make way for a large dance floor. Bill and Fleur danced their first dance as a married couple, then Bill danced with his mother who was still crying profusely but looking deliriously happy as Fluer danced with her father.

Harry, after having a few drinks, felt brave enough to dance. He danced with Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, a few relatives of Fleur that he didn't know but what pleased to anyways considering all of them were stunning, and he even got a chance to dance with the bride herself. Harry felt very warm as Fleur put her hands around his neck and played with the fine hairs of his nape. But then, he danced with Ginny. Harry couldn't get over how beautiful she looked. They danced a few fast paced ones until finally a slow song came on. Without thinking, Harry wrapped her arms around Ginny's waist and started to sway to the music. Ginny put her arms around his neck and looked straight into his eyes. She looked so beautiful. Her lips were parted and her touch to his skin sent electricity down his spine.

She is so beautiful.

Ginny made a little sigh and leaned her head and rested it on Harry's chest. Harry bent his head and rested it on Ginny's. They stayed like that for what seemed eternity until the music stopped. Ginny looked up, they were so close, Harry could feel her breath on his face. She smiled timidly, leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

'Thanks for the dance,' she said and she walked away, off the dance floor, and out of Harry's view.

Harry stood there, stunned. It had been the most erotic feeling of his life dancing with Ginny. He walked off the dance floor, nearly getting bulldozed by Hagrid who was waltzing exuberantly with Madame Maxine. He sat down at a table by himself as he watched Ron and Hermione dance together, both eyes locked on one another. Ron looked very nervous and Hermione had a timid smile on her face. Harry smiled at his two best friends.

'Thanks for the cigars,' said a voice from behind him.

Harry spun around. Bill was standing there carrying a simple wooden box in his hand. He placed it on the table and opened it, displaying about two dozen dark brown cigars, a wrapper with a large red X at the end of each one. Bill had one clamped between his teeth, smiling broadly.

'I'm not much of a cigar kind of guy,' he said taking a long drag and blowing out a cloud of acrid smoke, 'But these are pretty damn good.'

Harry stared dumbly at him until realizing the cigars were probably the present for Bill Professor Castor had given him.

'You're welcome,' Harry heard himself say.

'Hey, are those cigars,' said Fred who plopped down in a chair next to Harry. George joined him as well as Charlie, followed closely by Ron. Mr. Weasley joined them too, and Bill started to pass out the cigars in earnest. Ginny and Hermione started to approach the table but Fred shouted at them while pouring each man at the table a large portion of Ogden's Firewhiskey.

'Hey, this is a classic Weasley male bonding moment,' he said sternly. 'No girls allowed.'

Both girls looked rather taken aback by it but shrugged and walked back onto the dance floor.

'But I'm not a Weasley,' Harry said while Bill passed him a cigar.

Fred looked up, and shoved a glass into Harry's hand.

'You are to us.'

At this, each man around the table looked at Harry and smiled. Harry couldn't help but smile back. George lit his cigar for him. He took a few tentative drags before raising his glass into the middle of the table.

'To Bill and Fleur,' he said grinning broadly at Bill who smiled right back.

'Bill and Fleur,' they all said, clinking their drinks together and taking a sip. Ron coughed immediately, as did Harry. The other men at the table laughed.

The Weasley men and Harry sat around and talked for about an hour, and, probably because of the amount of alcohol being passed around, started placing bets on who would be the next Weasley man to fall into marriage. (Percy wasn't included). In the end, it ended up that the odds were in Fred's favor considering he had been dating Angelina Johnson for nearly a year. They all joked and dramatically planned Fred's imaginary wedding with Angelina until Fleur showed up and dragged her husband onto the dance floor. Harry noticed that Mr. Weasley had now started to dance with his wife, looking just as happy as they did probably at their own wedding decades ago. Ron went back to dancing with Hermione but nearly passed out when Fleur asked him to dance. Reluctantly, Hermione danced with Harry, giving furtive glances and Ron, who looked ready to explode in happiness, clucking her tongue angrily.

The dancing went on for a few more hours until Harry could barely stand. He walked over to the closest table and sat down. Most of the people in attendance were well into their drinks and every now and then, a spell or firework would go off, adding to the cheers and ruckus permeating through the backyard.

Harry took a few deep breaths and leaned back in his chair, gazing up into in the sky.

'Having fun, Potter?' said a cool voice next to him.

Harry sat up straight. Professor Castor was standing in front of him, holding two glasses of wine and a cigar clenched tightly in his mouth. He handed one to Harry and took a seat next to him, both men facing the dance floor.

'I'm having a great time,' Harry slurred.

Professor Castor didn't say anything. He took another sip of wine and took a puff of his cigar. They sat in silence, watching Fred and George dance with two identical twins that were both very beautiful. While they danced, Fred and George glanced over the shoulders of their partners and gave each other wicked grins.

'Uh, Professor,' Harry stuttered, 'Do we have to go back tonight?'

Castor eyed Harry suspiciously until leaning in so he was about an inch away from Harry's face. He took a sniff.

'You're drunk Potter,' he said. It wasn't a question.

Harry tried to pull himself up to full height, but it was to no avail. Instead, he slouched in his chair even more and gave a stupid grin to his Professor.

'Yep,' he said, and to emphasize his declaration, hiccupped quite loudly.

Castor rolled his eyes, stood up and downed his drink. He set the empty glass on the table and put his cigar back into his mouth.

'You can stay here for the night Potter and for all day tomorrow. I highly doubt you'll be any condition to train with the bitch of a hangover that's in store for you tomorrow morning.'

Harry mumbled something that Castor probably registered as thanks.

'Don't mention it Potter,' he said. 'I'll inform Mrs. Weasley that you're staying here tonight and to remind you to come back to my house via Portkey by no later than seven tomorrow night. I highly doubt you'll remember a word I'm saying anyway.'

Harry grinned sheepishly and raised one finger, pointing it straight at his teacher.

'Yea,' he said giggling, 'shash probly true,' he mumbled.

Professor Castor eyed Harry with a look of pity but nonetheless smiled. 'You know something Potter? For the Chosen One, and all, you can't hold your liquor.'

And with that he was gone.

Harry stared at the empty space that Castor had just stood in before spinning in his chair and laying both arms upon the table, his glass of wine sitting between them. He felt someone sit down next to him. Although his eyes felt like they weighed a ton each, he turned his head and looked into the beautiful brown eyes of Ginny.

'Hey,' he said raising his glass and spilling a bit of it on his dress robes. 'I got a secret to tell you.'

Ginny raised an eyebrow, enjoying that Harry was a happy kind of drunk.

'And what's that?' she asked leaning closer.

Harry took his glass of wine with both hands, kicked back his head and drained his it in a breath. He made a loud contented grunt, leaned forward and kissed Ginny squarely on the lips. He lingered there for a moment, quite enjoying the way her lips tasted then pulled back.

'You,' he said, feeling his head drop a little, 'are the most sexiest woman in the world.'

And with that, he felt his head hit the table, and his eyes close.

A/N: Alright, I'm on a role, what can I say? Two long chapters in two days. Damn I'm good.. Hope you all enjoyed that. Please review, it makes me want to write more frequently. And a special thank you to Kyra, the prettiest redhead in Tucson, thanks for being my first reviewer.