Chapter 4: July, 2014

The next three months were a whirlwind of wedding plans and last minute changes. The Potters and Weasleys had planned to stay a whole week, but things became so tense after Al and Mrs. Potter's fight that everyone went home four days early. After that, Mrs. Potter would stop by every other week or so to help Melony with the wedding plans. The biggest contention was over the guest list. Al kept insisting on cutting people while Mrs. Potter just kept adding them. The biggest fight came when Mrs. Potter demanded that Al's Uncle Dearsy and his family be added to the list. This fight only ended when Melony pointed out that the Dursleys were not magical and so would probably not fly all the way over from England.

Melony was more concerned with all of the witches and wizards who would be flooding New York. She didn't know enough about wizard travel to help out with any of the accommodations, but Mrs. Potter assured her that she and Al had it under control. Melony was more than happy to hand that responsibility over, but she was a little trepidatious handing it over to two people who never seemed to agree on anything.

So it was with extreme apprehension that Melony approached her wedding week.

The Wednesday evening before the big day, Melony was sitting in her living room, filling out place cards, when Al sent her a text saying that he was coming over. Two minutes later he was standing in her kitchen. She was so used to this by now that she didn't even look up when he popped up right in front of her and made his way over to the table.

"Here," she said pushing a stack of blank cards toward him, "you can do these."

Al sat down and started to fill out place cards. For ten whole minutes they sat in silence and rhythmically filled in names. Melony stopped after what felt like the millionth card and looked up at Al. She watched him filling out the cards by hand and realized that this was the first time where just the two of them were doing something for their wedding, alone, since April. She stared at him for a moment, relishing in their quiet, alone time, until he finally looked up at her and smiled.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just...breathing."

He laughed and stretched. "Better get it in now. Don't think there will be much time for it in the next three days."

"Speaking of which, how is everyone getting here?"

Al rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Some are taking portkeys. some are apparating, others are traveling by floo."

"Where are they landing?"

"There are designated areas set up by the wizarding traveling authorities of New York."

"Okay, good," Melony sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I thought maybe they would all have to come through our living room."

"No. I actually sealed it off this afternoon after my family arrived. Mum wasn't too happy with that."

"How are you and your mom? You guys getting along?"

"Enough."

The pair fell silent and looked around Melony's apartment which was now bare except for a few boxes.

"I really like this place, "Al said. "Maybe we should keep it."

"We can't afford it."

"It would be a nice place to put my parents when they visit, though."

"That's true," Melony said smiling.

There is another long pause before Melony glances sideways at Al. "So, I've been wondering. Since the Harry Potter books turned out to be true, are there any other books that are like that?"

"You mean books claiming to be false but aren't?"

"Yeah."

Al sits back in his chair and looks up, thinking. "I'm not really sure," he said slowly. "Although those Twilight books may be close."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Actually, I've been thinking about it since that time you took me to your friend's Twilight party and she started explaining the books to me. It is well known in the wizarding community that there are a group of vampires living in Washington. I don't know if it's just a coincidence or not, but ever since I've thought about traveling out there to find out. Maybe we can go for our honeymoon," he finished, looking at Melony and laughing.

Melony laughed too. "Maybe not for our honeymoon," she said, "but meeting vampires would be pretty fun,"

Al leaned over to kiss Melony on the forehead. "It's not as fun as you might think," he said.

He got up from his chair a yawned. "I think I'm going to head to bed. If I don't get back soon, Mum will start looking for me and then she'll come over here."

"Good idea," Melony said, also getting up. "Is everything ready for your dad's party tomorrow?"

"Pretty much. We rented out a small ballroom at a local wizarding hotel. Thought that would be better than trying to contain everyone in a muggle place."

"But everyone knows that on Friday and Saturday magic is off limits, right?"

"We are going to remind them tomorrow. I'm also having my cousins Fred and Hugo on confunding duty, just in case."

"What does that mean?"

"If anyone does or says anything magical in front of a muggle, Fred and Hugo will confund the muggle. It just makes them forget."

"I don't like that," Melony said shaking her head. "It sounds like your drugging them."

"It's completely harmless. We do it all the time."

"Have you done it to me?"

"No, I've never had to," Al said shrugging.

"But you would have if you had had to?"

"Probably."

"Al!"

"What? It's not that big of a deal."

"I think it is. You are taking advantage of someone because you screwed up. Plus, you are making them completely vulnerable."

"Melony, you just don't understand how the spell works."

"I don't care. I won't have it done to my guests."

"Then what should we do? Someone's bound to mess up, especially since there will be alcohol at the party."

"Fred and Hugo will just have to explain it away. People want to believe what they can understand."

"So it's okay to manipulate people by lying, but not by magic?"

"Yes, because at least by the end of the night, they will have remembered being there."

Al took a long, deep, steadying breath. "Okay," he said tensely. "I'll tell them, but if things get out of hand…"

"I'll deal with it," Melony said in a deadly voice.

Al gave her a weary look, nodded sharply, then spun and disappeared.

The next night, Al led Melony to a lonely stretch of the Hudson river and out onto a dock which contained one, small, run-down schooner. The gnarled old owner met Al on the dock, shook hands with him, and then helped him and Melony onto the boat and down into the hull where there was an elevator waiting for them. The young bellhop who bowed them into the elevator was practically giddy with excitement, and his hand shook as he pressed the down arrow.

"Are you here for the party?" he asked, practically jumping up and down. "What am I saying, of course you are! I would recognize you anywhere, you are Albus Potter! We are so honored to be hosting your family here today! We only wish the wedding could be here as well, but we do understand, it being a muggle wedding and all. Is this her? Is this the lucky muggle who will be joining the Potter clan?"

Just as he said this, the elevator gave a loud ding and the doors opened to reveal the most splendid hotel lobby Melony had ever seen. She and Al made their way through dozens of witches and wizards who were milling about, talking to each other, or sitting and reading the newspaper by one of hundreds of huge windows that depicted every scene imaginable. Several house elves were scurrying around, almost unseen, refilling drinks, or emptying ashtrays. If Melony had not been so concerned with keeping up with Al, she would have loved to stop and take it all in, but as it was, Al was moving swiftly through the lobby with his head down and eyes averted.

Within minutes they had made it to a back deserted hallway with only one set of double doors placed off to the right and a pair of bathrooms to the left. One of the double doors was open and Melony could hear the babble to conversations and the clinking of plates and glasses issuing from the room. She and Al slowly made their way toward this door, and peered in.

The room was alive. Orbs of light danced overhead, catching and reflecting the water which was visible from the huge, transparent windows lining the opposite wall. Platters of food slowly made their way around the room, hovering at arm's height with no support, and the bouquet of flowers adorning each table faded into different types of flowers in every color imaginable every few minutes.

Melony stood awestruck, looking around at the gorgeous room. "This is amazing," she breathed.

"Wait until next year," Al said. "It will be his 50th and I'm pretty sure I heard mum saying something about getting a live dragon. This was kind of thrown together. Mum didn't want to upstage our wedding."

"Well, she failed. There is no way we can do anything this cool."

Al shrugged, then proceeded into the ballroom. Melony followed as he weaved in and out of tables and people toward the front of the room where his parents were greeting guests.

"Hello, mum," Al said giving his mother a brief hug.

"Hello, dear," she said returning his brief hug and then turning and giving Melony a long and affectionate one. "Hello, Melony, how are you doing?"

"Pretty good. A little nervous."

"Oh, well, that's to be expected."

"Happy Birthday, Mr. Potter," Melony said, turning to Mr. Potter. She didn't really feel like discussing the wedding tonight.

"Thank you Melony," he said.

"Happy Birthday, dad," Al said, giving him a big hug.

"Thanks, son."

"Why don't you go around and introduce Melony to everyone?" Mrs. Potter asked.

"Sure, mum. Can you remind people that there is to be no magic at the wedding?"

"Of course, dear, but you know there is bound to be-"

"Yes, we know. Just remind everyone, please."

As soon as Al had said this, he spun and walked away before his mother could respond, dragging Melony with him. After crossing to the other side of the room, Al found a small table and pulled out a chair for Melony.

"I thought that instead of parading you around, We could just sit," he said.

"Thank you," Melony said, giving a sigh of relief as she sat down.

They had only been sitting for a moment when a man in a messy ponytail walked by their table and Al called out to him.

"Ted! Hey, Teddy!"

The man looked around, saw Al, and gave a huge smile. "Well, if it isn't little Albus! How are you, man?" he said shaking Al's hand vigorously.

"I'm good," Al said. "This is my fiance, Melony."

"There's the luck lady," Teddy said, opening his arms wide and giving Melony a huge hug. "You snagged a good one here, Melony. Al is one of the best people I know."

"You want to sit down for a minute?" Al asked, indicating the chair next to him.

"Sure, for a little bit. Can't stay in one place for too long, though."

"You still traveling?" Al asked as Teddy sat down.

"Yep, just got done shooting in India. After this, it's Argentina."

"Teddy's a photographer," Al said to Melony.

"Actually, your mum asked me to take photos at your wedding," Teddy said.

"She did?" Al asked, irritation in his voice.

"We already have a photographer," Melony said.

"I think she wanted some wizards' photos too," Teddy said.

"She shouldn't have done that," Al said. "You are there as our guest."

"Don't worry, she's paying me."

"Still…"

"Al, she's doing me a favor. I hate sitting through weddings. This way I can get up and move around."

"Well, it would be nice to have some moving photos. As long as you're okay with it," Al said.

"More than okay. Vic isn't too thrilled, but that's about normal. She'll get over it. She always does."

Al looked at Teddy concerned as Teddy gazed un-looking across the ballroom.

"Where is Victorie?" asked Al.

"Over talking to George and Angelina," Teddy said, bobbing his head toward a trio of people who were talking about fifty feet away. One was an older, balding, red-headed man with glasses and a bit of a stoop standing next to a handsome older black woman. They were both speaking to a beautiful blonde woman who would have been gorgeous if it hadn't been for the premature wrinkles lining her face.

"I should go say hi to Uncle George," Al said, standing up.

"Yeah, I'm going to...work the room," Teddy said, waving his hands over the room before wandering off in the opposite direction of Victorie, George, and Angelina.

Al watched him go, concern and sadness etched on his face.

"Honey?" Melony said, softly touching Al's arm. "I'm going to find a bathroom, okay?"

"Okay," Al said, snapping out of his stare and looking down at Melony. "I'll be over talking to my Uncle George."

Melony nodded, kissed him lightly, then moved off toward the hallway outside of the room. She passed by witches and wizards who were dressed in colorful robes, showing each other pictures which waved up at the viewers, or swishing their wands to make food and goblets appear out of thin air. Melony, dressed in her thrift store sheath dress, was starting to feel very out of place and made her way as silently and quickly as she could to the open doorway. As soon as she had made it to the hallway, however, she wished she had made a little more noise since standing in the empty hallway, right in front of the bathrooms, were Mr. Potter and Hermione arguing loudly.

"It's been months, Hermione. I can't delay this anymore. I am vetoing the bill."

"You can't do that, Harry! I have been working on this for far too long! Why aren't you on my side?"

"Because it is not in their best interest."

"You're only thinking of your best interest and the interests of all the witches and wizards who only want to work those poor creatures to death!"

"I am not having this argument with you again. I am vetoing the bill. If I get overruled, fine, but I am not okaying a law that is just going to make house elves miserable."

Mr. Potter moved around Hermione and opened the door to the men's bathroom.

"Think about Doby!" Hermione threw at him, in a last ditch effort.

Mr. Potter froze, becoming rigid. He slowly turned to face Hermione, his face deadly, his eyes cold. "It's over, Hermione," he said then slammed the bathroom door behind him so hard the picture on the wall between the two doors fell to the floor, it's occupants screaming.

Hermione stomped her foot furiously, then stormed past the ballroom door where Melony was hovering and out into the lobby.

Melony waited for a full minute before venturing into the hallway and scurrying into the woman's bathroom. Once inside, she leaned against one of the sinks and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to gather herself. She looked up into the mirror, ready to fix her flyaway hair when she noticed Luna standing right next to her, having walked up unnoticed by Melony.

"Oh, hello," Melony said, startled, "I didn't see you."

"Yes, I was hiding in here because of the fighting," Luna said in her airy voice. "Didn't want to interrupt."

"Well, I think it's over now."

"Okay," Luna said, not moving.

Melony nodded turning back toward the sink and starting to wash her hands just to have something to do.

"Aren't you going to use the bathroom?" Luna asked.

"Um, no," Melony said drying her hands. "I mostly just came in here to take a breath."

"I get that," said Luna, looking around. "I often sneak away when life become too overwhelming."

Melony nodded and started to move slowly toward the door.

"Melony?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry for exposing your engagement. I didn't know it was a secret."

"Actually, you did me a favor. The engagement wasn't supposed to be a secret and it's better that everything is out in the open."

"Yes," Luna said quietly, once again looking around the bathroom.

Melony waited for her to keep going, but Luna remained silent, so Melony slid out the door and hurried into the ballroom, looking for Al. He was standing in the same place, speaking to George, Angelina and Victorie apparently having moved off.

"That's really too bad," Al was saying as Melony slid up to him, and put her arm through his. "I hope he can still make it to the wedding."

"Who?" Melony asked.

"My Uncle Charlie," Al said. "He got detained at work."

"Loose dragon," said George smiling. His face contained the marks of someone who constantly smiled, yet when he did smile, there was a sadness hidden in the corners, and his eyes had no life to them.

"That sounds exciting," Melony said.

"It would be if Charlie were still out in the field," George said laughing, "but he's not young and spry like the rest of us."

George finished this statement by puffing up his chest and patting his gut, which was slightly protruding.

"You'd have to be to keep up with all the kids at the shop," Al said as Fred and Hugo walked up to the group.

"You know it!" George said. "But my son here is a big help on that front. Training him to take over the business, isn't that right?"

"You know it, pop!" Fred said. "By the way, mum's looking for you."

Fred pointed across the room where Angelina was standing with an older, grizzled-looking man in a white ponytail and the most beautiful woman Melony had ever seen, with long, shimmering blonde hair.

George's face dropped into slight concern for a brief moment before snapping back into his normal smile.

"Better go deal with this then," George said, winking at Al and Melony before striding off across the room.

"So," Al said, as soon as George was out of earshot. "What was up with that phony response?"

Fred smiled and shook his head at Al. Melony tried to hide her smile, but it was hard. Al was always doing this. He was able to read people better than anyone Melony had ever met. It was part of what made him a great detective.

"I still haven't told dad that I don't want the shop."

"Ah, still wanting to go chase dragons with good ol' Uncle Charlie?" Al asked.

"Yep. Haven't found a way to tell dad yet," Fred said.

"Don't you mean you haven't gotten the courage up to tell him?" Hugo said teasingly.

"Well he's got this weird thing about not liking the idea of me risking my life," Fred said, and then winked at Melony in much the same way his father had done. "Al, you have not introduced us to the stunning young lady next to you."

"Fred, Hugo, this is Melony. Melony, these are my cousins, Fred and Hugo. Fred is my Uncle George and Aunt Angelina's son, and Hugo is Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione's son."

"Much obliged, ma'am," they said in unison while bowing deeply toward her.

Melony watched as the two of them rose with their matching red hair and devilish grins and couldn't help but feel a slight sense of deja vu.

"It's very nice to meet you both," she said. "And thank you so much for helping out with the wedding."

"Of course!" Fred said. "We'd do anything for Al."

"Got us out of a lot of scrapes in our younger years," Hugo said, rocking back on his heels.

"Of course, most of the scrapes we got into because of James," Fred pointed out.

"Where is James?" Hugo asked. "I haven't seen him yet."

"He said he might stop by if he got the chance," Al said rolling his eyes. "Said he was denied the 'New York Experience' the last time he was here and was not going to miss his chance this time."

"Bet Aunt Ginny loved that," Fred said.

"Al," Melony piped in, wishing to get the subject away from his mother and brother, "did you tell them about the wedding yet?"

"Oh, yes," he said turning toward the boys. "There is to be no confunding during the wedding."

"No confunding?" Hugo asked. "What's our job then?"

"Damage control without using magic," Melony said. "You know, try to explain away the incident rather than cover it up."

"Slick talk our way out of it, eh?" Hugo said stroking his chin. "What do you think, Fred?"

"I like it, Hugo," Fred said. "Sounds like an interesting challenge."

"If something goes really wrong though-" Al started.

"They will come to me and I will handle it," Melony finished for him.

"Sounds good to us," Fred said. "You're the boss."

They all looked over at Hugo for confirmation, but he was no longer paying attention. He was looking at the entrance to the ballroom and the color had drained out of his face.

"Damn it," he said softly.

The group followed his gaze to see a young girl with wild, curly red hair holding hands with a pale young man, who looked as if his translucent eyebrows were constantly furrowed in disgust.

Al groaned next to Melony when he saw the odd pair and Fred snorted.

"What a prick," said Fred.

"Which one?" asked Hugo sarcastically.

"When did this happen?" asked Al.

"About a year ago," said Hugo. "Although she's been threatening it for a while. Dad's gonna go ballistic."

Melony looked around the room and saw Hermione scurrying toward the door, her hair flying and her eyes blazing. The young woman was watching Hermione storm toward her, a smirk on her face.

"Who is she?" Melony whispered to Al.

"That's my cousin, Rose, Hugo's sister," Al said. "And the guy she'd holding hands with is Scorpious Malfoy."