Barnburner: something that is highly exciting or impressive.

April 25, 2030

"Merlin, it's a madhouse out there."

Albus Potter's lips curved in a smirk as he looked up at his best friend.

"Have a drink, Malfoy, and I'll try not to remind you that you brought this on yourself."

"You're a rubbish mate," Scorpius informed him, dropping to the damp grass behind the crumbling stone church in Hogsmeade and snatching the flask Albus offered him. "And an even worse best man. Getting sodding drunk while my mother made me change my tie three ruddy times."

"I brought the Firewhiseky, didn't I?" Albus pointed out, unperturbed by Scorpius's assault on his friendship.

Scorpius took a generous swig from the silver flask and handed it back to Albus, shaking his head vigorously as the substance burned down his throat. "About fifty more of those and I'll be ready. Your dad's playing referee, Mum's currently looking for another bloody tie, and James is conspicuously absent."

"Bloody hell," Albus muttered, turning and craning his neck to peek in the stained glass window just above his head.

Scorpius took a deep breath before he asked the next question. "How's Rose?"

"Lily locked me out," Albus told him, gingerly rubbing the ear his sister had used to drag him from the dressing room.

"Don't tell me that stopped you," Scorpius snorted.

Albus cast him a dubious look. "You have met my baby sister, haven't you? But yeah, I snuck in the window. I am Rose's best man after all. There's no way I'd be going through all this for a Slytherin prat like you."

Said Slytherin prat smacked his best friend's shoulder. "Grandmother sacked the florist after a hundred bouquets of red carnations were here, Mum's cried three times (only once over the carnations), Dad got into a brawl with your uncle, Louis knocked over the cake, Roxanne and Lucy are herding pigmey puffs, and James is conspicuously absent. Why the hell did you let me get into this?"

"As you'll recall, I was unconscious when the two of you decided to start snogging," Albus reminded him, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "The second I get knocked out you two are all over each other. Isn't it lovely to be so important to your two best friends? But I hope you've learned never to make life-changing decisions like this while I'm out of commission."

"Haven't we already talked about your feelings?" Scorpius muttered.

Albus shrugged and chucked a stone over the low wall encircling the church and separating it from the cemetery on the other side. Funny how convenient it was to the place of marriage. Scorpius took another swig out of the flask.

"Rose's walking on air," Albus said finally.

Scorpius looked at him sideways, disbelieving. "Funny. Think I'd notice if my fiancé didn't have ears or something…."

Albus waved a hand. "She's heard it all, but she doesn't care. Scorp she told you this would happen, remember? And since when had Rose Megan Weasley ever been wrong about anything?" He clapped his friend on the shoulder again and gave him an earnest look. "I've known Rose since the day I was born – literally, she was there. As mad as it is – as traitorous as it is for both of you to abandon me like this – I've never seen her happier. Now I might be your best man, but if you let that smile slip off her face once tonight, I won't hesitate to sick Hugo on you, got it?"

Scorpius grinned just as a loud bang rattled the windows of the church behind them. Albus got to his feet and offered a hand to pull Scorpius up beside him. "At least no one can say it's not exciting. Shall we slink off for a last call with Arora at the Three Broomsticks? Last time you can notice her curves without me having to bruise your jaw. Or better yet, let your wife at you."

"Shut it, Potter."

And the two fled down the narrow back road, away from the currently-smoking church.

A/N: The moment I saw this word I knew it had to be Rose and Scorpius's wedding. Yes, I ship them. I didn't at first, but then I fell in love with Scorpius. Not quite as in love as I am with Teddy and Albus, but very much in love. Anyway… this chapter was highly influenced by another AMAZING fic I read about this very day. That fic was much longer, much more in-depth, and – frankly – much more vulgar. I wouldn't recommend you read it if you're offended by excessive smoking, swearing, drinking, or sexual innuendos, but aside from that, it's marvelous. Can't remember what it's called or if I've favorite it or not…sorry. Please review? :)