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Chapter 21

"Let's go check on Teddy before we go to bed," I suggested to Charlie as we headed back to my suite.

"Capital idea, love," he agreed. We stopped by the hospital wing before turning in. Teddy was sleeping quietly. During the night Victoire had snuck out her dorm and had fallen asleep next to Teddy.

"Should we wake her up and send her back to bed?" Charlie asked.

I just shook my head. "She'll just sneak back down here, I imagine that her presence is good for Teddy." I noticed Remus standing over his sons bed. I just smiled at him.

"Tonks is in the room with her mother," he said sadly. "She misses her so much."

I nodded, and pulled Charlie towards the door. "They'll be fine," I assured him.

"They really do look cute," Charlie commented offhandedly, as we left the room.

"Yeah," I agreed, with a yawn.

"Sleep?" he asked me.

"Sleep."

***********************************

We woke up at noon, or I should say, I woke up at noon to Charlie nibbling on various parts of my anatomy. "That tickles," I scolded him, giggling and squirming, as he kissed the back of me knee.

He poked his head out from under the covers, "you know," he said matter-o-factly. "I think that I'm living every Hogwarts school boy's perviest fantasy."

I just raised my eyebrow quizzically. "Oh?" I remarked. He just gave me a heart melting grin, and returned to his nibbling. I didn't mind a bit.

"What time is Petula's wedding?" I asked, as we dressed.

"The ceremony starts at seven," he explained. "I'll apparate us to the hall."

"You know where it is?" I asked.

"It's at Petula's parents' place, in Wales."

"Oh, ok." I went to the closet and pulled out the dress I wore on our first date. "Do you think this is too casual?" I asked.

"Not at all," he grabbed my hand and kissed it. "It's my favorite dress."

"It's not your color," I joked.

"It is yours Darling, the moment I saw you in that dress, I said to myself. 'Charlie old chap, if you don't make that woman yours, you'll never forgive yourself.'" He pulled me into a hug. "You and that dress stole my heart."

"Wow," I whispered. "You're good Mr. Weasley, I think I have to keep you. I asked one of the house elves to fetch your dress robes when you were in the shower." I pointed to a garment bag that was hanging off my closet door. "I asked her to feed Binks, and let Ruby out as well," I added as an afterthought.

"You think of everything, don't you?"

There was a knock of the door as I was tying Charlie's tie. "Who is it?" I asked.

"It's Misty, Professor."

"Come in, we're decent."

The house elf that had assigned herself to helping me, appeared at the door. "Headmistress wishes to see you in her office, Professor, Hogwarts business."

I looked over at my night table, the clock said, five forty-five. "All right Misty, please inform Headmistress that we'll be there shortly."

"Excellent Professor."

Nott was also in Minerva's office as well as a tall, frizzy haired, thin blond girl, with Slytherin robes, cat's eye glasses, and a sour look on her face. She looked quite hostile. I assumed that this was the delinquent Miss Skeeter. "Since you were the one who found Mr Lupin, I wanted you to be present for this, Professor Goode," Minerva said.

"Certainly, headmistress," I agreed.

"Miss Skeeter, you are to consider yourself on probation. You have been banned from all extra-curricular activities, and all Hogsmeade visits for the remainder of the term, and you are to report to Professor Longbottom for work in the greenhouses for the next four saturdays, at nine am, sharp."

"Headmistress," Nott tried to intervene for his student, "perhaps that is a bit harsh."

"Miss Skeeter is lucky she hasn't been expelled or arrested," Mcgonagall stated.

"Arrested?!" Both Linda and Nott cringed.

"Miss Skeeter is of age, therefore her actions might be considered criminal, had Mr Lupin been more seriously hurt, these steps may have been taken. As it is, she should consider herself fortunate that Teddy Lupin's family has declined to press charges," Minerva then turned to the girl. "Think about your actions young lady, you're dismissed." Linda Skeeter left the office with a mutinous look in her sharp blue eyes. Minerva then turned to me, "Thank you Glinda, have a good time at the wedding."

"Thank you, Minerva," I said. "I'll see you sunday. I know I drew supper watch." I took my leave of the headmistress. Nott tried to follow me, but I heard Minerva say, "Not so fast Professor Nott," in a dangerously quiet voice.

Petula's wedding ceremony was held on a beautiful beach in the northern part of Wales, near a town called Holyhead. The beach had been enchanted with fairy lights and floating candles. It was one of the most beautiful sites I'd ever seen. The bride and groom said their vows in the crisp autumn night. Charlie and I stood on the beach with the couple and about fifty other guests. Charlie had draped his outer robe around my shoulders, and held me, telling me he didn't want me to get chilled.

"Do you, Petula Leah Pevensey take Brandon Eric Kimberly to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The minister was a short wizard with a bushy gray eyebrows and an impressive mustache.

"I do." Petula replied. She looked so beautiful, and happy, in her white robe and veil.

"Do you, Brandon Eric Kimberly take Petula Leah Pevensey to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"He really cleans up well," Charlie whispered into my ear. "When I met him, he had hair like a rooster and pins in his nose."

"Shhhh," I put my fingers to my lips. The young groom looked quite dapper in his black dress robes, with his brown hair slicked back neatly. As they said their vows Charlie hugged me tighter. We all applauded when the ceremony was finished. Petula hugged both Charlie and I as we said hello on the receiving line. "You look lovely," I said to her.

"Thanks," she replied. "It feels kind of weird, I feel so...normal."

"You look beautiful, Petula," Charlie assured her.

"Oh, Glinda,"She grabbed her new husbands elbow. "I want you to meet Brandon, you and he have something in common."

"Hello Brandon, it's lovely to meet you," I said.

"Howdy, m'am," he said, I recognized the boys Texas drawl immediately. Petula's husband was American.

"Texas?" I asked him, noticing that he was about six-six. He shook my hand, and said. "Yes, m'am. Born and raised in Amarillo. I hear some Boston in your voice. Nice to see a fellow countryman, or country woman, as the case may be."

"I agree, it's lovely to meet you, and congratulations!"

The Pevensey's residence could only be described as exquisite. The reception was held in the main dining room, which opened out onto a covered veranda that had been set up for dancing. Charlie

and I found ourselves seated at a table with two other couples. The first was Brandon's cousin and his wife, a lovely young couple who ran a wizarding book shop in San Antonio, and the Scamanders. "It's lovely to see you, again," Luna said as she hugged both us. "As you can see no babies, yet," she grinned patting her still round stomach.

"Babies?" Charlie raised his eyebrow at Rolf.

"It's twins," he explained happily. "We found out two weeks ago. Two boys."

"They are going to be Lorcan Artemis, and Lysander Xenophilius," Luna stated proudly.

Dinner was excellent, afterwards we were led out to the veranda for music and dancing. Charlie

got both of us drinks from the bar set up in one corner, and we sat on a bench as we watched Petula and Brandon dancing their first dance, as married people. Their song was an old muggle song that I'd heard my father listen to as a child: Unchained Melody.

"Are you crying?" Charlie asked, as he noticed a tear in my eye.

"Not really," I assured hi, "this was my father's favorite song," I explained, sadly.

He just hugged me and whispered, "I love you," into my ear. Thirty seconds into the song, the

major-domo invited everyone else to join the bride and groom on the dance floor. Charlie stood up and pulled me with him. "Dance with me?" he asked. I nodded and followed him to the dance floor. We stayed there until it was time for the bride to throw the bouquet. I was going to stand on the side with Luna and a few others, but Luna pushed me out on to the floor. And, wouldn't you know it, but I think someone bewitched (my money is on Petula) the damn thing to land in my arms.

"Well, as the groom is from the States, he asked that we next honor one of his country's quainter customs. It's called the 'garter toss'" The major-domo announced with a smirk. He went on to explain the custom to the audience.

"Nobody's getting that bloody thing but me," Charlie shouted as he joined the other single men on the dance floor.

the final AN: I cut it off there because I didn't want anyone to OD on fluff.