"Are you ready?" Ginny asked me on the morning of Dumbledore's funeral.
"No," I answered truthfully. I stood up anyway though and took a pack of tissues out of my draw. I looked at Ginny and saw her close to tears. I picked up a second packet and shoved them into my small bag before going downstairs with her.
All of the students were to wear our uniforms and a few of us had the idea to wear the plain Hogwarts tie. It was black, more suitable for a funeral, and showed that we were not divided into houses; we were all equal. I think Dumbledore would have liked that. Most people had gone along with this idea but some students (Slytherins) didn't.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting for us in the Common Room. Hermione had started crying already and Ron had his thick arm around her. Harry engulfed Ginny in a sad hug when she came down too.
I know it was incredibly selfish of me, but I felt left out. I know that this was Dumbledore's day and all, but I felt so lonely. Harry had Ginny, Ron had Hermione, Tonks and Remus were now together, Fred would be coming with Verity and I would be all alone.
The service was a lot bigger than I imagined. There had to be at least a thousand seats. I did not think the wizarding community was that big. We luckily managed to get seats on the third row. I was in the aisle seat; so I had a good look around before the service started.
Tonks and Remus were sitting not far from us, hand in hand. I gave them a small smile.
Mr and Mrs Weasley sat with all of their graduated children along with Fleur and Verity. If it was possible, my hate for her increased even more. She was draped all over Fred and was crying her eyes out. Did she even know Dumbledore?
Ugh, why couldn't she have been on top of that Astronomy tower? I'm just kidding. Kind of.
I turned my attention back to the front as the speaker person/funeral conductor dude stood onto the podium.
"Albus Dumbledore was a brilliant man. He was kind, caring, had greatness of heart. He was Nobel and caring..."
Was this guy just listing adjectives or something? They could have at least got someone who knew Dumbledore to say something about him. I decided to make my own speech up in my head as the man wittered on.
Dumbles was more than a great man. I was in danger and had nowhere else to go, and he took me in. My mother was a convicted Death Eater, but he accepted me. He had done the same for Remus, Sirius, Tonks, Harry and countless other people. He had given them a family when they were all alone.
Dumbledore had devoted his life to others. He was so much more than an intelligent intellect. He was like the father or grandfather I never had.
I had to stop as tears began to brim my eyes. Harry put his hand over mine, making me feel slightly less alone.
The guy stopped speaking and then lit the surrounding area around the tomb on fire. I let out a little cry of shock, causing the people in front to stare at me.
The funeral was over way too quickly. He was such a great wizard, and he deserves a lot more than a random man reading a prepared speech.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny went to talk by the lake while I went over to Sirius who was now with the happy couple.
"So how are you guys?" I asked Tonks, smiling up at her pink hair. I felt bad smiling at a funeral, but I was just so happy for them.
"We're good thanks," She said blushing slightly.
"How did you find the funeral?" Sirius asked, putting a comforting arm around me.
"Really impersonal. I could have done a better job than that." The three of them nodded along in agreement.
"Your favourite teachers here, have you seen?" Sirius pointed to the front row where Umbridge was sitting, dressed head to toe in pink.
"It's a funeral," I said exasperated. "Dumbledore's one. Hasn't anyone voiced that it's inappropriate that she's -" I stopped when I saw Dung sneak past her, heading for the road to Hogsmede.
"Will you guys excuse me for a sec?" I didn't even wait for a reply. I sprinted over to him, making sure Umbridge did not see me on the way.
"Dung!" I called, when we were out of hearing range.
"What the bleedin' 'ell d'you want now Ally? Y' want me to jump through a 'oop or feed meself to a dragon?" he asked. He had this charade he always played, but I could tell he like me really.
"I was just wondering if you still had the locket." I asked desperately.
"Yeah, I still 'ave it. When can I sell it?" he grunted.
"Soon," I smiled. "Thanks so much Dung. Here," I gave him my pretty gold Rolex watch. "...As a thank you." He smiled lightly.
"Well I best be off." I grinned at him again. That was Dungs way of saying thank you. I waved him off before going back to Sirius, but Harry intercepted me on the way. He took me to the spot where he, Ron and Hermione were talking before.
"We're not coming back to Hogwarts next year," Harry said after a long pause. "And we were wondering if you wanted to come with us."
"What?" I asked, sounding generally surprised.
"We won't think any less of you if you decline," Hermione said hurriedly.
"I think I'm going to have to," I said, knowing I would regret it later. I would love to go on the Forrest adventures, but my place was here.
"Hogwarts is going to change next year," I continued, solemnly. "I need to stay here in order to help them." I pointed to a group of first years who were relaxing by the water without a care in the world.
Harry smiled. "That's understandable." I hugged him sweetly. "Don't say goodbye. We're not going anywhere yet. We've still got the wedding yet."
"It's not just the wedding," Ron cut in. "It's the event of the century; it's going to be massive."
Oh, how right he was...
:-:
"I'm bored," I complained to Sirius on the second day of the holiday.
"Me too," he whined. I was sat on the tire swing, and he was pushing me. Tonks and Remus were God knows where doing God knows what. (I didn't really want to know what though.)
"Why don't we go for a swim in the creek?" Sirius suggested.
"No, I was in there yesterday and this slimy fish swam up to me and freaked me out," I said. It actually did. I was just floating on my back when this slimy thing brushed up against my back. I almost drowned in the scramble.
"Diagon Alley?" He asked.
"No, Fred and Verity are there," I sneered her name.
"The Burrow?"
"We'll be made to help out with the wedding. Even though it's like a month away," I groaned.
"So why are you complaining if you don't want to do anything?" I shrugged and went back to swinging while Sirius gave me more suggestions. We switched after a while so I was pushing him.
It was about half an hour later when Tonks and Remus came walking up the drive, hand in hand. It was a normal sight and the only difference was the small glittering diamond on Tonks left hand.
"Oh my god!" I squealed, knocking Sirius off the swing and into a heap on the floor. I raced over the Remus and Tonks and bounced up and down in front of them. "Are you?" They both nodded happily.
I squealed and hugged them. Sirius ran over looking very confused but then zoned in on the ring.
"Moony, you didn't. You didn't ask my dear cousin to marry you without consulting me first," he asked in mock anger. Remus smiled slightly. He was so cute when he was with Tonks. It was just too adorable. "Wait, did you knock her up?"
Tonks and Remus began to hush him and argue.
"Way to ruin the mood you idiot," I glared. "So how did you pop the question?" I asked, cheerfully.
"He took me to this old enchanted castle, where we had our first date and asked me on top of the tower," Tonks grinned. Her hair was constantly turning all of the colors of the spectrum; showing that she really was happy.
"When's the big day?" Sirius asked, walking up to the house.
"In about a week," Remus said.
"A week!" Sirius and I shouted simultaneously.
"Well Bill and Fleur are getting married soon. And things are all going to change soon. And due to my predicament, things are awkward for Tonks now. The ministry strongly disapprove of our relationship," Remus said sadly.
"So we're going to have a small muggle wedding. Just family, you guys and some of the order, and the Weasleys," Tonks said.
"The Weasleys? Can Fred just not come?" I asked. Tonks rolled her eyes. When we reached the porch we sat down on the swing and the bench.
"I think that may look a little bad." answered Tonks.
"So?" I grinned. This time they all rolled their eyes.
"I don't oppose to that idea," Sirius said, leaning casually back in his chair. Remus looked at Tonks and grinned. She nodded at him. Ok, what was going on?
"We have something to ask you," Remus smiled. "Sirius, would you be my best man?"
"Hell yeah," Sirius said, jumping up and hugging him.
"And Ally, will you be my maid of honour?" Tonks asked. I gapped at her in shock. I had never even been a bridesmaid. Never mind maid of honour. I leapt upwards and hugged her.
"Of course I will," I said happily.
"That's great. I was thinking Ginny for bridesmaid too?" I nodded.
"Yeah she'll like that. As long as you don't dress her in pink like Fleur has."
Over the next few days, we all prepared for the wedding excessively. As there was so much to do in such little time, I declared myself unofficial wedding planner.
Ginny and I were to wear plain navy strapless dresses. They were long and simple, but the White flowers we would have made them beautiful.
The simple wedding they wanted sort of turned into a low key extravaganza with me at the helm. There were only twenty people coming, but that figure was far from Tonks' five people wanted.
On the morning of the wedding, Ginny and I woke up to a panicked Remus running around the house. The two of us had stayed in my room before we would floo to Tonks' parents' house.
"Remus, shut up. We're trying to sleep!" I called, putting my pillow over my head.
"Sorry," he said popping his head around the door. He looked a mess. He gagged and then covered his mouth before running out of the room.
Ginny grinned. "Shall we help him."
"No Sirius will. You'll hear him coming from a mile away."
Ginny laughed. But soon enough, Sirius' thunderous footsteps sounded on the stairs. I looked at the clock and saw it was 6am. I groaned.
"We're not getting any more sleep," I said, getting out of bed. "This is like Christmas all over again."
Ginny followed me out of my room and in to the bathroom. Remus was being sick into the sink while Sirius was pretending to be sympathetic but laughing at him behind his back.
"Nervous?" Ginny asked, trying to hide a smile. Remus nodded before throwing up again. I sniffed my nose as the smell was making me feel sick.
I went downstairs to fetch some water and dry toast for Remus and came back up. Sirius was still laughing and didn't really seem to be any help.
"You're supposed to be his best man. Help him!" I reprimanded.
"He was ten times worse at James' wedding. James even more nervous than me, so Sirius hired a stripper to calm him down," Remus muttered. Ginny and I stared at him gobsmacked. "James of course declined, but Sirius got a nice little treat."
"Should we leave these two alone?" Ginny asked me.
"We do need to go, but I'm reluctant to leave Sirius in charge," I said. But we were due at the Tonks' in ten minutes and we needed to get going. We both threw on some random clothes before flooing to their house. I was pretty eager and excited to meet my fake family.
We landed in their living room five minutes early. It was quite small, but still very neat and elegant. The Walls were beige and two leather sofas sat opposite a TV. Pictures and photographs were scattered around the room and I was surprised to see myself in a few of them.
I inspected one on the fireplace. It was of Tonks, presumably her mom and I in Paris. It looked really authentic, and if I didn't know any better, I would have said I was actually there.
"We had to keep up with appearances, hope you don't mind," a gruff voice said from the door. I spun around and saw a very tubby man in the doorway. His voice did not match him at all. He had a kind face which held a proud and excited air about it.
"You must be Mr Tonks," I said, hugging him tightly. Ginny came up beside me and did the same.
"That Ted to you and Dad to you," he said. We both laughed. He led us into the kitchen and made us some pancakes.
He was really funny and sweet. If I had to pick any man to be my dad, this guy would be it. Tonks is so lucky to have him, it's such a shame he died. And the worst part is, I don't think I could save anyone else. Mad Eyes death day was coming in fast, as was Hedwig's. Maybe I could save the bird it wouldn't change too much... But I couldn't. You never know with that blasted knock on effect.
Tonks came racing down the stairs and stared at our little group.
"Dad, why have you kidnapped my bridesmaids? We need to be at the chapel in an hour."
We were ushered upstairs to put on our dresses. I did mine and Ginny's makeup. I left her to do her own hair while I attempted to sort out my birds nest. It was in a desperate need of a straighten, but I don't think these people had a flat iron. Sighing, I messily scooped it back and left a few trailing curls. It didn't look that bad to be fair. But I was nothing compared with Tonks.
She looked absolutely stunning in her lace flowing dress. She wore her hair brown, but it was half concealed by her veil. When Ginny and I saw her, we burst into squeals.
"You look so perfect," Ginny said, admiring the dress. It really was beautiful. It wasn't over the top, but not too bland and boring. If I were to get married, I would have picked that dressed.
'Dad' came into the room and smiled happily. His eyes brimmed with tears as he hugged his only daughter.
"You look beautiful Dora," he said softly, kissing her on the cheek. Although it wasn't really much, I looked away as I felt I was intruding on a special moment.
We took a Portkey to a country road not far from the chapel. Ginny and I had a hard time making sure the dress wasn't dirtied, but we managed it. As planned, we arrived five minutes before the service.
I popped my head around the door and saw that the tiny chapel was full. One side held a few Hogwarts Professor's, Order Members and trusted Aurors while The Weasley clan took up the entire opposite side. As planned, Verity didn't turn up. We had told her it was just close friends and family. Unfortunately, we couldn't do the same for Fred and he was sitting in the second row on the side I would be standing. I swear they planned this on purpose.
When Tonks and her dad disappeared into a side room, Remus and Sirius appeared, ready to make their appearance.
The dreadful organ started playing and the doors opened. Remus practically ran to the alter, but Sirius, who had Ginny on one arm and me on the other, walked extremely slow. He did that one step; stop, thing which almost made me laugh aloud.
"How was the stripper?" Ginny whispered to him.
"There wasn't one. The party pooper wouldn't let me," He pouted while trying to maintain his grin, giving himself a pained constipated look.
"You poor deprived child," I said, in feign sadness. He continued to walk slow, we were now only half way up the isle; and it was only about 15 feet long, maximum.
"May I just say you two look lovely," he said quietly.
"You do too. I see you've caught the eye of the organ player." I discreetly pointed over to the little old woman who was grinning happily at Sirius. He pulled a very disgusted face, making Ginny and I laughed aloud. I stopped though when the Vicar gave me a murderous look.
Once we finally reached the alter, Sirius broke off and stood behind Sirius while Ginny and I stood on the opposite side. I grinned happily at the Weasley's and glared at the stupid one.
The wedding march began and Tonks and 'Dad' marched up the aisle. While everyone else was watching the bride, I watched Remus. His face was just so happy and joyous. Oh, I'm getting all girly and sentimental again.
The Service was very short but beautiful. Nothing really interesting happened until we got to The Country House for the reception. We had laid out a few tables on the back lawn and decorated them simply.
I went inside to grab some champagne, but I was intercepted by Fred.
"Hey, how are you doing?" he asked me.
"Good," I said stiffly, before turning my back to him and going down the wine cellar.
"You look stunning today," he blurted out. I looked at him sceptically and examined his pupils. He hadn't been drinking that much, so what had come over him?
"Oh - erm- Thanks," I said awkwardly. I grabbed a bottle of Chardonnay and then spun around to face him. I was unaware how close he was so I stood back a bit and crashed into a wine rack. He steadied me with his arms, but didn't remove him.
"Fred, I -" he placed his finger on my lips and then leant forward towards me.
Against my better judgement, I leant in to, all my feelings from Christmas came rushing back to me.
He removed his finger as our noses brushed together. I could feel his breath of my lips when...
"Ally can you bring up some Pinot Noir and Rosé too?" Sirius called from the top of the stairs.
"Sure," I cried breathlessly before grabbing the wine and running back upstairs.
:-:
Just like before, we ignored each other. It had become a routine of ours. Have a moment, fall out, get on fine, have a moment, fall out. The stupid cycle was getting annoying and was really stressing me out. I was already losing sleep over the rescuing of Harry.
Thankfully, Dung was still a part of the mission. But Sirius would be taking Kingsley's part.
I was so conflicted what to do about Mad Eye. It was a bad thing to say, but I did have to let Mad Eye die. I had told Harry to send Hedwig on beforehand. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let the poor old owl die. It was quite shameful that I cared for animals more than humans, but that's just the way I am. In the books, it was Hedwig's death that touched me the most and Dobbie's. I shook my head, trying to get the thoughts of Death out of my head. I couldn't be thinking about this now.
"Ally, they're leaving," Ginny said, popping her head into her room. I sighed sadly and followed her downstairs to say goodbye. My stomach churned when I saw them all prepping in the kitchen. I almost threw up when I saw Sirius and Kingsley there.
"W-Where's Dung?" I asked hysterically. Sirius pulled an annoyed face.
"The little bugger didn't show up," he said bitterly. "We had to re-pull Kingsley from the Muggle Minister. I'll kill him next time I see him."
"No - No, No. We'll go find him," I said, running to the fireplace.
"It's too late girly," Mad Eye said, walking to the door. "We don't want him there anyway. Alright troupes, let's go."
I ran forward and hugged Sirius tightly. He seemed taken back, but then hugged me too.
"I'll be fine," he whispered.
"Just please be careful. If anything happens, please just get out."
He pulled back and stared at me with a puzzled expression. "I can't do that." I shrugged before going around and saying goodbye to everyone else.
All too soon, they were gone.
Mrs Weasley made us some tea and we sat in an awkward silence waiting for them to return. My heart was beating so fast it was hurting and I was beginning to hyperventilate. I went to the sink to get some water and Ginny shouted.
"Harry's here and Hagrid. Oh God, is he ok?" I looked out of the window and saw Harry trying to support the large figure. I bolted outside and went to help him but Hagrid stood up strongly and went into the house.
"Where are the others?" Harry asked.
"No one's back yet," I muttered. Harry's face paled.
"What happened?" Ginny asked desperately. Harry gulped and looked down.
"We swarmed by Death Eaters as soon as we left the perimeter. A few followed me and Hagrid and – "
A large crack came from the reeds of the field. The three of us ran out and saw Remus supporting George, whose entire face was covered with blood. Harry supported his other side while Ginny went into the house to tell Mrs Weasley.
I waited outside as I didn't really like the smell of blood. I was also desperate to see who was back.
As before, Ron and Tonks came back, and then Hermione and Kingsley. I almost cried with happiness when Fred came back, but still my sombre expression was visible.
"What's wrong?" he asked me.
"George," I said quietly. He ran into the house, leaving me along once again.
I sat down on the floor, my stomach sinking heavily. I knew Sirius hadn't made it, he couldn't have done. Sirius would never leave to save himself like Dung would have. My fears were heightened when Bill and Fleur returned.
He gave me a sombre look before kneeling down beside me and telling Fleur to go into the house.
"Ally, Mad Eye… He was hit by the killing curse. Their broomstick crashed and I – I don't know what happened to Sirius."
I put my head in my hands and broke down crying.
Dedicated to the 150th reviewer Dragon Wand and to FredAndGeorge'sAwesomeness who was forgotten in the thanks ;)
There was a kind of happy bit with the wedding, but sorry it got a bit depressing again. But next chapters the BIG wedding. Some of you have been asking about the vampire, he will make an appearance very, very, soon.
Thanks to the reviewers FredAndGeorge'sAwesomeness, Lenie954, DragonWand, xXxFredWeasleyForeverxXx, Cloud Cult, The DoctorRowanaRisska, Fruityloops156, Sara, prongsandflower, People-Are-Crazy, Georgeie Monsoon, Writer. Of. The. Gods and 2Featherbraids.
Thanks so much for reading, let me know what you think.
BTW – One more day until Pottermore…