The following afternoon found Harry mingling with the guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding, out under the marquee in the orchard, alongside Ron, Fred and George as they escorted people to their seats.
"I swear when I get married, there won't be all of this seating plan nonsense. Let everyone just sit wherever the hell they feel like and we'd get it all over with quickly." Harry tugged at the collar of the white dress shirt he had on beneath his steel grey dress robes. It was just too bloody hot to be dressed like this today...
"Oh, planning on proposing to your princess, are you?" Fred teased. "One would think a royal wedding would be even more complicated than this one. Can't offend your country's allies, now can you?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up, Fred. Roxy and I aren't getting married..."
"Yet..." George stage whispered to his twin and the two, plus Ron, cracked up.
Harry resisted the urge to jinx them.
"Gotta agree with you there, though, Harry. Wear whatever you like to my own wedding and we can put a Body-Bind Curse on Mum until the wedding is over..." Fred said.
"Good afternoon, Misters Weasley, Mr. Potter. Lovely afternoon for a wedding, isn't it?"
The quartet of young men looked up to see Dumbledore striding towards them, wearing a set of dark purple dress robes with silver trim- which were actually much tamer than his usual everyday attire.
"Indeed it is, Professor," Harry agreed. "Let me show to your seat, then..."
"Indeed..." Dumbledore nodded and followed Harry as he went.
"I know it's been less than a day, but have you had a chance to really examine the book I gave to yet?" the older man asked.
"I looked it over last night and a bit this morning, but not in a lot of detail. What I saw though... All those spells and potions and such that I've never heard of- and which I'm quite sure that Hermione hasn't heard of either..." Harry sounded slightly awed as he spoke.
"I suppose that, plus what you are learning in Magix will help you greatly in the struggle against Voldemort and his ilk. Besides, I am an old man, Harry. I can't be expected to live forever. I felt the need to pass on my knowledge to someone who deserved to have it before it was too late..." Dumbledore spoke casually, as if he were merely discussing the weather and not the war that was looming around them or the inevitability of his death.
"Well, um... Here's your seat, sir..." Harry gestured to a seat that was just a few rows away from the front.
"I thank you for your assistance, Harry. It is much appreciated..." Dumbledore smiled at him encouragingly, perhaps sensing Harry's discomfort.
"You're welcome, sir..." Harry nodded, walking off.
When he made his way back to the greeting line, it was to see Lupin and Tonks there, the latter of whom who had gone blonde for the occasion.
"Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks beamed.
"Hello Tonks, Remus! How are you?" Harry let Tonks kiss him on either cheek and Remus gave him a manly hug.
"Doing quite well, thanks, all things considered..." Remus looked happy on the surface, but looking closer, Harry could see that the smile wasn't quite reaching his eyes.
He decided to let it slide as they made some polite chat with him and then were escorted to their seats by George, who'd just returned from seating a group of middle-aged witches.
"All the guests are almost here. I heard Mum say that Percy actually responded to his invitation, saying that he'd come. I hope he doesn't," Ron spat bitterly, taking Harry aback. "He's still being a right prat..."
"Oh?" Harry raised an eyebrow. "Didn't he try to talk to you after the Diagon Alley incident? Didn't he save you and Ginny from some Death Eaters? You told me he did..."
"Yeah, he did, but he still turns down invitations from Mum and Dad to come visit on any ordinary day. Why should he show his ugly mug here now?" Ron growled.
"Perhaps he'd feel awkward coming back to The Burrow with an attitude like yours there," Harry pointed out reasonably. "Granted, he should just man up and face the music like the Gryffindor he is, but still... Weddings are strange things, from what I hear. Make people do and say things they wouldn't ordinarily..." Harry shrugged.
"I suppose if he behaves himself and doesn't ruin the day for Bill and Fleur..." Ron shrugged.
"I think you should more worry about Fred and George behaving themselves..." Harry inclined his head towards the twins who were now laughing with a pair of what looked to be some Veela relatives of Fleur's.
"True. Percy at least, isn't bound to be charming all the ladies or pranking the wedding... And there's Hermione..." Ron's mood lifted as he saw the brunette witch approaching them.
"Hello, Harry, Ron." She gave the latter a quick kiss on the cheek. "I've just met Muriel. Awful woman, she is..." Hermione scowled.
"Don't worry. She's awful to everyone. Fred and George drive her up a wall though, so she hardly comes to visit, thank goodness. Last time she did, I was nine. Fred and George turned her hair electric green, her skin orange and made her dinner plate dance around the table..." Ron snorted and Harry joined in.
"Come on, you lot. Time to get out of the way or the bridal party is going to run us over. Everyone is seated..." George came up to them.
"Even Percy?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, even him..." Fred scowled.
"Come on. Forget about Percy for now," Hermione touched Ron's shoulder lightly. "Let's just go find our seats..."
Harry went off with the group to take their seats, just in time for the wedding march music to start playing.
After the wedding ceremony was over, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Luna found themselves seated around a white-clothed circular table near the edge of the tent, which had been converted into a reception area with a wave of the wand of wizard who had presided over the wedding.
"So Luna, how's Neville?" Harry asked her.
"Oh, he's fine. His Gran took him on vacation to Portugal and he's sent me postcards and letters. He seems to be having a wonderful time there..." Luna smiled wistfully.
"When's he due back?" Hermione asked.
"Next week. He's in the magical district of Lisbon now and says he'll be there until he leaves..." the blonde witch answered.
"It's a pity I'll miss him. I'm due in Tir Nan Og in two days. Queen Nebula has offered me some training which I, of course, have accepted and I'm going to be accompanying Roxy to the Young Royals Gala on Domino as well, before I return to Red Fountain for Sophomore year..." Harry took a glass of Firewhiskey off a passing waiter's tray- as did Ron- and the two downed the liquor in one gulp.
Hermione looked mildly disapproving, but didn't say anything.
"What's it like in Tir Nan Og?" Luna asked suddenly. "Are there Snorkacks there?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Those don't exist, Luna."
"How do you know, Hermione?" Luna asked, her voice still maintaining its dreamy sounding tone even as she argued. "Last year, we would have been saying that Tir Nan Og doesn't exist. Or that the fairies and witches we now know of didn't exist either. Harry's been to Tir Nan Og and he's met some of those same fairies and witches. Possibly even seen creatures that we don't know exist yet either, haven't you, Harry?" Luna turned her gaze at him and he held up his hands in defence.
"No. No way, Luna. I'm not about to be dragged into a debate between you and Hermione. Now or ever. About anything." Harry looked horrified at the very idea, drawing some rather ungentlemanly laughter from Ron.
"You can tell us about Magix though. What's it like?" Luna asked.
Harry brightened. "Oh, it's lovely. There are they flying cars there- though not like your dad's, Ron..." he glanced at Ron for a moment, who grinned sheepishly. "And there are flying motorcycles and such. They don't have wheels though. They hover all the time. Even when they're off. There are courses at Red Fountain that teach how to operate and maintain all sorts of magical vehicles. I'm partial to the hoverbikes. Closest thing to broomsticks they have over there..."
"And what about the fairies and witches thing? Is it really like a rivalry of sorts?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded. "A bit comparable to the Gryffindor versus Slytherin rivalry here, except without the Blood Status bit. Technically, everyone there is a Pureblood by our 'standards', except perhaps Roxy and I..." He shrugged.
"Oh yeah! Her dad's all Muggle, isn't he? Never really thought of that..." Ron realised.
"That doesn't matter anyway. So... What about the fairies and witches there?" Hermione asked.
"Fairies and witches there... they key thing is not the wings or lack thereof, but the magical alignment and the type of magic that either particularly uses. Fairies typically use light magic, but witches typically use dark magic. Each mistrusts the other because of it..." Harry explained.
Ginny plopped into an empty seat there, looking slightly winded. "I've just been dancing with Viktor Krum. He dances as well as he flies..." she smiled at the group, as her way of greeting.
"Wait, you were dancing with Viktor Krum?" Ron sat up straighter.
"Yes. Yes I was, Ronald. He was a perfect gentleman. Is there a problem?" Ginny narrowed her eyes at him.
"I..." Ron glanced at Hermione, who raised an eyebrow at him. "... as long as he behaves himself, it's alright, I suppose. I don't have to like it though..." he scowled.
"Who are you and what have you done with Ronald Weasley?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Oh, he's the real thing, alright. He's actually maturing. Trying harder with his schoolwork too!" Hermione said, before smirking. "Even though that might be hard to believe, it really is true!"
"Oi!" Ron exclaimed, indignant.
"That's a good thing, Ron. I mean, with Voldemort out there and all, everyone has to take things a bit more seriously these days. Though it's always okay to take a break from the seriousness and enjoy a bit of the nicer things in life. Like this wedding..." Harry spoke as an upbeat tune began to play.
"Luna," he turned to her. "Since Neville's not here, care to honour me with a dance?"
"I'd love to, Harry." Luna smiled at him, taking the offered hand as he led her out onto the dance floor.
As they danced, they began to talk.
"So, Luna... How is your father these days? Is he here?" Harry asked.
"Oh, he has a limp now from that attack on us in December and walks with a cane, but other than that, Daddy is fine. He and The Quibbler are still going strong." Luna said. "That's him over there..."
Luna inclined her head towards a rather eccentric looking, cross-eyed man, leaning on a polished, brown cane, who was having an apparently interesting conversation with Dumbledore and another man.
"Ah. Good to hear." Harry nodded.
"I see Percy is here..." Luna noted, having spotted him speaking to Bill and Mrs Weasley, Mr. Weasley joining them quickly afterwards."I do hope they make up. Family is one of the most important things you could have in your life..."
"Yeah, Luna..." Harry swallowed. "It is."
After the song finished, Harry and Luna parted ways and Harry ended up talking to Viktor Krum.
"Vell, vell, vell. Look who it is. Harry Potter." Viktor took his hand and shook it firmly. "You look... vell... more... sturdily built than when I saw you last..."
"Yeah. Everyone's been saying that recently..." Harry admitted.
"Magix must be doing very vell for you then, although I hope you have not forgotten Quidditch. I haff hope to haff Seeker's Duel against you someday." Viktor said as the two young men moved to help themselves to some tarts, sandwiches and Firewhiskey off passing trays and finding a vacant table.
"I've not forgotten Quidditch. How could I?" Harry chortled. "I played some smaller scale games with the Weasleys while I was here, but it's just not the same as playing at Hogwarts..."
"And playing at school not same as playing international level," Viktor said. "Still, your skill on a broom is vell known. As vell as your other exploits of course. Even in Bulgaria, we know of your... how you say... escapades in Magix..."
"I figure the whole world knows about that by now..." Harry rolled his eyes. "Still, we shall have to arrange one of these, er... Seeker's Duels one day..."
"I shall hold you to it..." Viktor nodded, smiling briefly, before the two young men fixated their attention on their food and drinks.
The evening progressed smoothly; as twilight descended upon the festivities, everyone seemed to be getting along well and having fun (except Percy, who looked more awkward than anything else).
Harry was out wandering the boundaries of the orchard, some distance away from the marquee and the party it sheltered, a half-empty Butterbeer bottle in his hand.
Finishing it off, he vanished the bottle and looked up at the sky, simply enjoying the quiet.
"I too, enjoy the beauty of this time of day, Harry."
Harry looked around to see Dumbledore walking towards him.
"Yeah. It's nice. With everything going on recently, I don't even think of things like this most of the time..." Harry shrugged. "I should probably get back to the fun, though..."
"Indeed you should..." Dumbledore nodded in agreement.
Harry began to walk back towards the marquee, but stopped in his tracks.
"Magic Sense... It's going off..." he thought. "Something's not right..."
He hurried back to the festivities and found Ron and Hermione dancing and laughing to an upbeat tune.
Luna, nearby, was dancing by herself, looking a bit odd, but seemingly having fun.
Ginny was talking to Viktor again and the two laughed at an apparent joke.
"Hey you two," Harry tapped them on the shoulder. "I need to talk to you. Now."
Ron looked at Harry's disturbed expression and immediately went aside with him.
"Back in Magix," Harry started. "They taught us active magic users an ability called the Magic Sense. It's basically a built in magic detector. That's how fairies and witches can tell each other apart, even when not transformed or actually casting spells around each other. It can also act as a danger sense of sorts."
"What do you mean then?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "Did your 'Magic Sense' ability tell you something?"
"Yes. Yes it did. I don't know if it might just be party crashers or-"
Harry was cut off by the sounds of a loud bang, several cracks and screams beginning to erupt from amongst the guests.
All around the marquee, cloaked and masked Death Eaters appeared with their wands raised and began firing curses into the crowd.
"GET DOWN!" Harry bellowed, taking Ron and Hermione down to the floor, narrowly missing a Killing Curse.
They quickly got to their feet and pulled out their own wands, joining in the fight.
Harry could see Lupin and Tonks, wands raised, casting Shield Charms, Bill shoving Fleur out the way of a Blasting Curse, Mrs Delacour protecting Gabrielle while her husband fought, Luna and Ginny, back to back with their own wands raised; ready to fight, Percy and Charlie already firing off hexes towards the Death Eaters...
"Well, Ron. You said you hoped that Percy wouldn't ruin the wedding, but I think I'd rather have his version of ruining things!" Harry exclaimed as he twirled his wand in the air, tracing a spell that produced a dark blue wave of energy that threw a pair of Death Eaters back.
"Yeah, I think so, too..." Ron muttered as he blocked a hex.
Jacob Springsteen, youngest child and only son of Isaac and Andrina Springsteen had had a lovely day out with his wife Catherine.
They went to have dinner, see a movie, just have some quality alone time together...
But now it all had ended and here he was, on their way to their suburban home to pick up his children; their grandchildren and bring them back home for the night.
Susannah, who was six and little Aaron, only two, loved spending time with their grandparents as most children did. He was sure they'd behaved themselves and had a wonderful time with them.
At least until he saw their suburban London home ablaze and the Dark Mark set above it.
Fear filling him, he ran straight for it and ran inside.
"Susie! Aaron! Mum! Dad!" He cried out. "No, no, no, no, no..." he chanted in fear as he fought the smoke.
The screams of children to his right drew his attention and he jumped over a burning chandelier and into the kitchen, swinging open the door to the pantry, where he found his son and daughter huddled, terrified, a light blue shield covering them.
"Come on, come on! I'm getting you out!" Jacob grabbed them once the shield dropped and Apparated just outside the house.
"What happened? Where's Grandma and Grandpa?" he ignored the pain of his Splinched finger.
His little Susannah answered between sobs as she grappled her toddler brother for dear life. "Grampy went to go get some food at the Muggle supermarket and Grammy was just... just.. givin' Aaron a... a bath... I don't know! I sorry! I sorry Daddy!" Susannah wailed and held onto her father tightly.
"Jacob!" Isaac came bolting down the street just then, fear etched into his features. "What-"
He looked up into the sky, noticed the Dark Mark and let out a whimper.
"Drina!" He exclaimed.
" Jacob, take the children home and call the Aurors. I'll go in and try to find her! If I don't... or if I do..." Isaac shuddered at the thought as he ran inside the house, wand raised.
Amelia Bones sat in her dining room one evening with her niece, Susan, having their dinner.
"Well then, Susan. In a few more weeks, you will be starting your last year at Hogwarts." the older woman started. "Do you have any plans for after you graduate?"
"Well, Auntie..." Susan paused between bites of her dinner. "I want to go into Magical Law. Not enforcement like you, but I want to practice law. Become a lawyer and maybe someday... I'll open up my own practice and become a lawyer."
Amelia smiled. "Good on you, Susan. You certainly have the grades. Nothing less than an E in all your OWLs! Keep that record up with your NEWTs and you'll do well!"
"Thanks, Auntie. " Susan smiled back.
"And I'll do my best to help you along. Now, about the rest of your summer, I think we could-"
Amelia was cut off by the sound of a loud gong reverberating through the room.
"Auntie?" Susan took in her aunt's suddenly serious expression.
"Susan," Amelia stood up slowly. "someone's trying to break through the wards..."
"Death Eaters?" Susan became terrified.
"Most likely." Amelia nodded, glancing out the window.
Several cloaked figures were surrounding their home, wands raised, trying to break through the now visible barrier.
"Susan, get your wand and get out of here. Don't stop to grab anything. Don't try to fight. Just go. You can Apparate on your own now. Go to a friend's house. Hannah, Ernie, I don't care. I'll find you. Just go!" Amelia shoved her out of the way of a hex that finally broke through the barrier, shattering the window and showering them with glass.
"But Auntie!" Susan looked pained.
"GO! Before they do an Anti-Apparition Jinx! It's me they want, but what do you think thugs like that will do to a young woman like you if they capture you?!" Amelia snapped.
Susan paled at the implication.
"Auntie..." Susan hugged Amelia tightly.
"Just go!" Amelia cast a Protego, protecting them from another dark spell.
Tears streaming down her face, Susan ran out of the room, went upstairs to grab her wand that sat on top of her dresser and a backpack that was conveniently packed for a trip they'd planned on taking and Apparated out, just as the house began shaking violently.
"Get some Aurors out here now!" Scrimgeour called out as he tried his best to reinforce the protective spells and wards around his home as the Death Eaters tried to break in.
"I tried, but they said that the Aurors were spread thin! You Know Who's apparently done a co-ordinated attack across the homes of several prominent figures! And that was before the Floo cut off and threw me out!" his wife Sandra looked utterly terrified.
Scrimgeour swore as he saw a particular Death Eater striding forward to join those that were trying to break through the protections.
"Bloody Hell. It's Bellatrix Lestrange!" His eyes widened.
"Zinnie! Flo!" He called out.
At once, two House Elves- one male and one female appeared next to his wife.
"Master called?" The male asked.
"Zinnie, you and Flo need to take your Mistress and go somewhere safe before the Death Eaters break through the protections!"
He could hear Bellatrix's loud cackles as the Death Eaters finally broke through the enchantments.
"Rufus! I-" Sandra kissed him.
"Just go, Sandra. No matter what happens, know that I love you, okay?" He spoke softly.
Sandra nodded tearfully, Zinnie and Flo taking her away just as Bellatrix burst into the room.
"Hello Minister!" Bellatrix cackled as she fired off a curse with a black light that Scrimgeour managed to block. "I decided to pop in for a little visit!"
"Well you can pop back out again!" The Minister of Magic waved his wand in an S motion and it seemed as if the very shadows from the ground reached up and grasped for Bellatrix, who dispelled them with a sweep of her wand.
"Try harder, Mister Minister! Crucio!" Bellatrix twirled in the air and fired back her curse.
He narrowly managed to dodge and with a snarl, put his all into the duel at hand.