Chapter 16: Bel and Sunday

December 19, 2019; Present

"Mum, can you pass the salt?" Nikki asked. Fleur handed over the salt and they returned to their awkward silence. Every time a new subject was brought up, it seemed to be less awkward but then, after the subject was completely dry, the awkwardness would return once more.

"So… Teddy, Rachel, who is in the wedding?" Tonks asked brightly, knocking over the paper towel role, which seemed to amuse both Reese and Remus.

"Well, my sister Diane and my friend Patricia are the bridesmaids and another friend of mine, Susan, is my maid of honour," Rachel began. "Teddy's groomsmen are his friends Danny and Steve and the ring bearer is my cousin's son Tyson and the flower girls are Bel and my niece Sunday."

"Bel and Sunday," Tonks mused so only Reese heard her.

"I'm sorry?" Rachel asked.

"What? Uh…uh…" Tonks stuttered.

Grinning slightly, Reese said, "She said 'that sounds lovely." Rachel looked somewhat appeased and Tonks threw Reese a grateful look.

After another considerable pause, Albus spoke. "Um, if you don't mind me asking," he directed at Hermione, "how many people are you going to tell about our- er- situation?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment and then answered, "Well, obviously all he Weasleys except for Charlie who came back to live in Britain four years ago and wants to start teaching dragon care to younger people next year. He's back in Romania for a few months taking a teaching course and Fred, who's there visiting him. Remus, Tonks and Andromeda probably don't have to know. Kingsley, the Minister for Magic," Kingsley beamed, "ought to know. Uh, Amy, Steve and Danny will probably get told."

"I'm sorry," Tonks interrupted, "who were the last three?"

"Friends and/or roommates of Reese, Goldy, Teddy and Vicky," Ginny quickly explained.

"OK."

"So…" Tonks said, once again trying to take a stab at making conversation. "Does everyone who's not here still look the same?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Reese said offhandedly.

"Well, Dad looks pretty different without the scars-" Victoire said, then abruptly shut up, realizing that may not have been the best thing to say.

"What scars?" Molly I demanded, panicking.

"Ah-" Fleur began then she, like her daughter, stopped. She seemed to have an internal battle with herself and then shrugged. "Fenir Grayback," Fleur narrowed her eyes almost imperceptibly, "started attacking people- Wizards and Muggles alike- not only on full moons but also every day."

Both Remus and Bill didn't like where this was going.

"Zere was a brief fight between ze Order and some Death Eaters at Hogwarts zis year-"

"This year?" Minerva gasped. Fleur nodded. The twins exchanged an uneasy glance.

"Fenir Greyback attacked Bill." Molly I gasped. "As it wasn't a full moon, you're not a werewolf zough you do like your steak rare now."

"How bad are they? The scars?" Bill asked bravely.

Fleur smiled slightly sad, slightly- proud? - and turned towards Bill. "You do not look ze same now."

To validate that point, a badly scarred man walked around the corner and said, "No, I don't really, do I?"