Ch 20 Thursday December Twenty-second
Thursday morning Harry had to get up at 6:30 AM. By 7:00 AM he was met by a Ministry car. He nodded to the driver and two Aurors in the car. Harry took a quick nap during the half hour drive. When they arrived at the residence the Royalcouple who were going to visit Scorpius and Rose entered Harry's car, and they were driven to St. Mungo's. Harry ushered the royals past the security and into Scorpius' room.
Scorpius and Rose had been warned that they were going to have visitors, and Rose was appropriately dressed in a conservative but pretty dress. Scorpius had a nice pair of slacks and shoes on, and a loose tunic. The medical people were still looking at his abdomen every hour or so. The curse wounds attached to the knife that had done so much damage to his abdomen could be healed so his insides functioned normally, but at the cost of leaving visible scars. He had one small scar on his face, but a couple of very visible scars on his arms, although the wrist scar disguise was gone. Scorpius' abdomen wound looked bad.
From the best memories of people who had seen the battle, including a couple of the opposing Magi, Scorpius had killed the wizard that had stabbed him and a couple more after he had been severely wounded, but it was only advanced magic that had saved him, first by Rose and then by the healers at St. Mungo's. His insides were rather torn apart during the battle.
Harry ushered the Royals out about 8:15, and accompanied them back to where they were staying, filling them in on what was going on in the world of the Magi during the ride.
Thursday at 8:00 AM Draco and Astoria showed up at St. Mungo's. Draco told the witch at the reception desk, "We've come to see Scorpius Malfoy." The receptionist recognized them, having had a little contact with Astoria and getting a very unfavorable impression of her, so despite knowing who they were she asked, "Who are you? Why do you want to see Scorpius?"
"We're his parents" Draco huffed.
The receptionist discretely pushed a button on the screen on the wizard phone on the desk (paging Rita Skeeter) and asked, "Why do you want to see Scorpius? Are you on his approved visitor's list? You have not been here for a day and a half!"
"We're here now," Draco insisted in an even tone, "and we demand to see our son."
"Even if Rose Weasley is part of the package?" asked Rita, coming into the room.
Draco and Astoria just stood there. The receptionist said in a somewhat hostile tone, "You still did not say why after staying away for a day and a half you decided to finally try to see your son."
"Rose Weasley is in the room with Scorpius, has been since he was wounded," Rita proclaimed as she rushed in. "Are you finally going to be civil to her?" Rita looked right at Astoria and repeated the question. "We all know you hate anyone who is not a pure blooded-witch or wizard. You hate Hermione Grainger-Weasley more than anyone. Are you finally going to be civil to Hermione's daughter Rose?"
"I don't have to answer your questions, you vulture," Astoria raged, just suppressing yelling at her.
"Only one son," Rita proclaimed with a sneer. "Your precious only son, only child, is marrying Hermione Granger-Weasley's daughter. How does it feel?"
"Defend me, Draco," yelled Astoria, her face inches from Draco's. Draco stood there frozen. Despite the nasty tone of voice everything Rita said was true. Astoria was furious that Draco was letting Scorpius marry Rose.
Rita turned her attention to Draco, with a raised voice just short of yelling, "Going to do a better job of defending your precious ice maiden wife than you did defending your son. Everybody else fought and you ran. We saw the photographs. You and Astoria stood as far away from the action as you could. How does it feel to have Scorpius calling Ron Weasley 'dad?' You're not a husband to your wife and now you're not even father to your son."
"We're not going to answer your questions," Draco quietly muttered.
"Because you cannot answer them," softly yelled Rita.
"You're a nasty bitch," Astoria snapped.
"I may be nasty," Rita replied, calmly but loud enough that everyone in the waiting room could hear, "but everything I said was and is true, and my quick quote quill has it all down. Are you even going to be at the wedding?"
"Yes, we are going to be at the wedding," Draco strained to get out.
"Trying to be civil but hating every minute of it," Rita loudly retorted. "I have enough material for plenty of stories about the unhappy Malfoy couple. You deserve each other." Rita did not leave but just stared at the couple.
"The Royal couple has left," the receptionist announced. "You can go up to see Scorpius now."
"Who?" asked Draco.
"A couple of members of the Royal family saw your son before you did," the receptionist snapped.
"I'll add that to my story, how you snubbed the Royal family," Rita thought out loud.
"We had no idea the Royal family would send anyone," Draco objected.
"I'll add that to the story, then," Rita grinned an evil grin. "They know so little of what Scorpius is doing, and care so little for him, that they did not even know the Royal couple was coming to visit him."
A young witch was at the door, and asked, "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy?"
"Here," Draco replied.
"I'll bring you up to see Scorpius and Rose," the witch said.
"At the mention of Rose's name Astoria winched, her hatred for her future daughter-in-law visible in her face," Rita snarled. Astoria checked her step a moment when she heard this, then stomped on following Draco and the young witch.
A furious Astoria and a very depressed Draco went into the room with Rose and Scorpius. Neither Rose nor Scorpius knew what to say. Scorpius was still tired from all he had been through and lay back on the bed. Rose stood in front of the bed between Scorpius and his parents, turned to him and gently told him, "It's going to be a busy day, love. Try and get a little more sleep. I'll speak to your parents." Rose turned back to face the parents, holding onto Scorpius' hand. Rose and the Malfoys faced each other for no small amount of time, as Scorpius gradually fell back asleep.
It was obvious from the facial expressions that Draco was lost, not knowing what to do, and Astoria was furious. Rose had no idea that they had just had a nasty exchange with Rita Skeeter, and just figured that Astoria was furious at her. Their relationship had been tense at best, and her attitude did not surprise Rose.
Rose finally said quietly, "Scorpius has been short of sleep. His wounds are getting better, but healing and the treatments are keeping him from getting as much sleep as he needs."
"Whose child are you carrying?" Draco snapped.
"I am pregnant with Scorpius' child," Rose patiently explained. "I am going to marry Scorpius. We have already signed a formal engagement contract, and after that consummated the marriage. The formal ceremony is important, but really just a formality.
"You may not like it, but you are stuck with me."
"You are never going to be welcome in MY home, you little Mudblooded bitch," Astoria fumed.
"It is a good thing Malfoy Manor is not just your home then," Rose quipped. "I think Grandmother Narcissa has something to say about it, and as Scorpius's wife I'm not exactly an uninvited guest either.
"Great grandmother Black is on my side as well!"
Rose proudly showed off the large engagement ring. "Great grandmother gave this and the wedding rings to us and we hugged yesterday. She saved my life! She loves me."
Rose ended the conversation by making a face at Astoria.
Astoria fumed, visibly extremely agitated.
"Is he going to be ready for the wedding?" asked Draco, nodding to Scorpius.
"Yes," Rose said. "I doubt if we will dance much, and we will have him sitting down as much as possible. If it gets too much, we will get him down for a nap. One of the healers is going to be with us until we go to bed tonight."
"Is there anything we can do?" asked Draco.
"Aunt Ginny is in charge," Rose replied. "You probably need to go over to Potters New Burrow and see what you need to do for your son's wedding. I really think that Scorpius just needs to rest."
Rose stood there between Scorpius and his parents. She was not about to let them disturb him. No one said anything else, and they finally left. When they did Rose asked the wizard outside their door not to let anyone disturb them, that Scorpius was sleeping, and she was going to try and get some sleep as well. She then climbed into the bed next to Scorpius and fell asleep.
As Draco and Astoria were leaving, they saw Rita again. Rita smirked, "After a nasty confrontation between Astoria and Rose Astoria stomped out of St. Mungo's…"
"We did not have a nasty confrontation!" Astoria exclaimed. "I didn't even speak to the little bitch."
Rita immediately dictated to the Quick Quote Quill, "Despite being in the same room with her future daughter-in-law, Astoria Malfoy did not have the common courtesy to speak to her. As she was leaving St. Mungo's she called Rose a 'little bitch,' demonstrating just how deep was her hatred for her future daughter-in-law."
"YOU CANNOT PRINT THAT!" yelled Astoria.
"I'm not the one who just called my future daughter-in-law a 'little bitch' in full view of several witnesses and my quick quote quill," Rita proclaimed with a look of victory on her face.
Ginny knew that Harry had to get up early, but it was still a little disappointing when she woke up and Harry was not there. She was very aware that too much was happening too soon, just like the time before and just after the Battle of Hogwarts. She was going to be a grandmother before her 42nd birthday! Not how she had planned … well, she hadn't really planned this part of her life at all. She just thought it would not come so soon.
She was already a grandmother to Teddy's children, but that was somehow different. The love was the same, but the biology, the idea that these were the children of her womb who were becoming parents, was different.
Praise Merlin that Scorpius had survived the attack, and Rose, and Al and Cleo! Just like she and Harry after the Battle of Hogwarts, Al and Cleo had not had a chance to rest. She hoped they would have a little time this morning.
By 8:00 AM Ginny was down in the breakfast room/kitchen area, Minerva in tow. Minerva had turned out to be a much more pliable child than Lily, a real delight. Ginny was not sure if she would have had another child if she knew that grandchildren would come so quickly. At the same time, it was hard to look at Cleo and not want to be pregnant. Just because Ginny knew that it was because of all the spells did not make the feeling any less real.
With the rescheduling of the weddings Ginny's time was hectic. The weddings were scheduled to start at 4:00 PM Friday the twenty-third, with James and Erica first, then Scorpius and Rose, and finally Albus and Cleopatra. Ginny and Harry were very good friends with the Lionhearts, so that was the easiest of the weddings. Ginny had actually arranged some of that before the twentieth, but there were still many things that had to be done.
"The children are old enough that they do not need a sitter, but Bill's brother and his wife are looking after the youngsters," Donna told Ginny right after breakfast, as she and Bill sat down with Ginny, James and Erica. "Where is Harry?"
"The Ministry is still a madhouse, with all the captured Magi," Ginny replied. "Al, Cleo and her parents are back on the island. Things came up overnight."
"I still need a wedding dress," Erica informed the group. "I at least want a wedding dress, so I can feel this is a real wedding and not just some … Is it all right if I feel rushed and not ready? I know James and I were going to marry, probably right after we graduated, but I always had these romantic notions of weddings, and it is not quite what I imagined."
"Do you want to wait?" Ginny asked.
"If you want to, we could put off the wedding," Donna confirmed.
"NO!" Erica insisted. "I'm just feeling rushed, and I really want a nice wedding dress and to have a wedding."
"We will purchase a wedding dress today," Donna told her daughter.
"And wedding rings, and I really want to give Erica an engagement ring too," James told his mother.
"I will go with you to get rings, and a suit," Ginny told James.
"What about your best man and maid of honor?" Donna wondered.
"I've seen them both at dances and told them they can wear the same clothes they wear at a formal dance," Erica replied. "I just don't want them to show up in a Quidditch Uniform."
"Not even a Cannons uniform?" Ginny kidded, grinning.
"Mrs. Potter!" Erica exclaimed. "NO!"
And just like that Ginny's Thursday morning was full. They were running out of time.
Harry was in his office dealing with scheduling and seeing if he could hire a couple of Aurors from other countries until summer when Kingsley walked in.
"We have an issue with Max Maximillian and his parents, and his partner Dax Dunleavy," Kingsley told Harry. "Max is brain dead, and Dax wants to let him go. It is only some extraordinary magic that is keeping his heart beating and him breathing. But his parents do not want to let him die. They are not responsible for him, but they have never accepted Max and Dax as partners, and the situation it tough."
"Why me?" Harry wondered. "Hermione knows the legal situation. She would be better than me for that."
"Oh, Hermione has already explained the legal situation, and I've told the Ministry in Max's home country," Kingsley replied. "We could force the issue, may have to, but they seem to be a little in awe of you, and you may help defuse a rough situation."
Harry looked at the work that still needed to be done. "Give me about fifteen minutes to finish something, to make sure the next two days are covered, and I will go over there," Harry replied with a deep sigh.
"Thank you, Harry," Kingsley told Harry.
Harry walked into a room at St. Mungo's to see Dax sitting on a bed in a hospital gown. He had several nasty looking wounds, curse wounds or cuts, but seemed to be awake and alert. Max was lying in another bed, surrounded by tubes and machines. Harry recognized the parchment above his bed, the magical equivalent to the monitors you would see in a Muggle hospital. The unique symbol for a human soul, the dove, was fading in and out.
"Hello, Mr. Potter," a very frazzled looking witch greeted Harry. "These are Max's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maximillian."
"Tell the healers here that we are Max's parents, and are responsible for his care, Potter," Mr. Maximillian insisted.
"Do you have the medical power of attorney forms here?" Harry asked the witch.
"The Department of Law Enforcement insists that all of their employees have a medical power of attorney form filled out, and up to date," the witch replied. "Max and Dax have medical power of attorney for each other, and if neither of them can exercise medical power of attorney you are next in line, and if you cannot whoever is next in line at the Auror Department."
"That man cannot be responsible for OUR son!" Mr. Maximillian insisted. "Two men living together in sin is wicked, and we do not recognize any of their perverted lifestyle."
"The medical power of attorney forms have nothing to do with their living arrangement," Harry countered. "I'm next in line, per the form, and I assure you that I'm rather thoroughly heterosexual, not that it makes any difference.
"I have had the unfortunate experience of being at the bedside of people who have died. I am told that it is only the magical machines keeping Max's heart beating and his soul from moving on. It is time to let him go. As next in line after Dax I agree. I'm sorry to have to agree; he was an excellent Auror and will be missed."
"Can we take him home?" Mrs. Maximillian asked.
Harry turned to Dax. Dax replied, "We have purchased a niche in the columbarium at St. Merlin and Mungo's for both of us to be buried in. We are both going to be cremated. If you wanted to take a few of his cremated remains that would be acceptable, but I would like some of him buried with me."
"NOT his body!" Mr. Maximillian yelled. "Potter, you are supposed to be an extremely powerful wizard. Heal him!"
"I am very sorry, but I cannot do any more to heal him than the healers here at St. Mungo's," Harry responded. "The most we can do is let you kiss him goodbye and be with him as he takes his last breaths."
Dax arose. went over to his partner and kissed him. "You may go now," Dan told Max.
Max's parents glared at the two men. Max had stopped breathing, and all the lines on the chart were going flat. The symbol for the soul had disappeared.
"I am sorry for your loss, Dax, Mr. and Mrs. Maximillian," Harry told the three. "I have to get back to the office, but I will leave instructions that you can see me if you want to before you leave England." He made sure the parents left the room before he left to make sure there wasn't any backlash against Dax.
Harry contacted Ginny shortly before lunch and came home for lunch. James and Erica had lunch at Potters New Burrow so Erica could model her wedding dress, and the couple could show off the rings. Erica was wearing her engagement ring.
"A little over twenty-four hours, James," Erica thought, looking at the ring.
"It is the documents that formalize the engagement, Erica," Ginny told Erica. "Not the ring."
Erica sighed. "I know. It is just that everything is too rushed. Did Mr. Potter surprise you with that ring?"
Harry laughed, and turned to Ginny, wondering how she would respond.
"Oh, the ring was a surprise!" she laughed. "That is a story for later."
"I need to contact Draco and … I guess I really ought to include Astoria," Ginny told Harry, her grimace making it very obvious what she felt about Scorpius's mother. "I think James and Erica are all taken care of, and Albus and Cleo and her parents are not here, so we need to contact the Malfoy family next."
"We can leave," Donna told her old friend.
"James and I will go with them," Erica added. "My sister Ginny is very anxious for me to get the rest of my things out of what she is calling HER bedroom."
As soon as the four were gone, Ginny texted Narcissa. We need to meet with you, Draco, and Astoria about the wedding tomorrow. I can meet you at the Floo at the New Burrow as soon as you can come."
Narcissa answered, I am with Molly, but I will find Draco and Astoria and bring them over as soon as I can.
Ginny asked Harry, because she knew he saw Rose and Scorpius early that morning, when Scorpius was going to be released from St. Mungo's. Harry informed Ginny, "Rose and Scorpius should be at the New Burrow shortly. I just talked to St. Mungo's, and they are both sleeping. Draco and Astoria showed up, and there was a nasty confrontation between them and Rita Skeeter. I don't know what happened in Scorpius' room, but they told me that on the way out Astoria called Rose a 'little bitch' and Rita Skeeter was there to record it. I'm sure it will be in the Evening Prophet, or in the Prophet tomorrow.
"We need Hermione and Ron here as well. You call your brother, and I will call Hermione."
"I would stay here with you," Harry told Ginny, "But it is a madhouse at the Ministry, with all the captured Magi and being shorthanded."
Both calls were made, and both promised to be there as soon as possible. A short time later Ron, Hermione, and Narcissa were there.
"Draco is trying to find Astoria, and as soon as he finds her they will be here," Narcissa informed the group.
Ginny suggested, "We ought to go to the living room." Once she was there, she sealed the room putting a Muffliato spell around the room so they could talk in private.
Ginny then said, "I know that Draco and Astoria are not exactly thrilled with Scorpius marrying Rose. Just how bad is the relationship?"
"Two different stories," Ron suggested. "I've gotten to know Scorpius reasonably well. I am sure he has worked really hard to become friends with me. He told me quite bluntly a couple of days ago, before the battle, that he deliberately tried to get to know me and to have me know him. He is a real smart kid, and almost as smart as Rose." Coming from Ron this was a huge compliment!
"Scorpius thinks that his father's biggest problem is that Rose is not Cleo, and his dad wanted him to marry Cleo. He does not know why, but he thinks that Jezebel promised Lucius something in return. One more thing that his father gave Draco to do and that Draco failed at. Draco really does not expect anyone to like him anymore, and does not like anyone in return.
"Draco is not happy that Hermione and I are part of the package, but he tolerates Rose."
"Astoria's problem is more visceral," Hermione thought. "She and her mother believe whole heartedly in the pure blood myth, including that aristocratic pure blooded-women should not have to work. She married Draco for his money and because he was pure blooded, and because he was the only candidate who would support her. I do not think she ever really loved Draco. She gave him a son, but most of the nasty things Rita has written about her are probably true.
"Rose and I are an affront to all she believes, brutally smart working women, extremely capable witches that are not pure blooded. Astoria and her mother also think that any woman who looks like a woman with a little shape is fat. Rose says that at her best Astoria is coldly polite to her, but often the hostility is obvious."
"I have to agree with Hermione," Narcissa replied, shaking her head. "I wish Draco would grow up and stop trying to please his father. No one will ever please Lucius, not anymore. If Lucius was dead and Draco could find the right kind of friends' maybe, just maybe, he could change. I'm not sure if anything will change Astoria.
Narcissa rubbed her face and grimaced, looking like she was trying to get something out, before continuing, "Something had to happen to her, or several somethings. I've tried to get some idea what it was, but she doesn't talk. I've tried to be sympathetic, but from talking to friends I get the impression that she was never a nice person."
"What do we do about the wedding?" asked Ginny, trying to solve the current problem. "Will they say the parents' marriage blessing?"
"If asked Draco probably will," Narcissa suggested, "just because I cannot see him having enough guts to turn it down. I am not sure about Astoria."
"Could Draco and Narcissa say the spells?" Ginny wondered.
"I think so," Hermione replied. "I'll look it up, and if the wording must change I will have the right wording. It really would be better if Astoria said the spells, though. She doesn't have to be nice for the spells to work."
"Will the spells work as well?" asked Ginny.
"Probably not as well," Hermione admitted, "but Ron and my spell should be ten times better than average so it should work out." Hermione had a grin on her face when she was finished with this statement.
"I want Druella Black with us," Narcissa suggested. "She did save Rose's life and lost her arms in the process. She will probably die soon, but before she does she ought to at least be up there voicing the blessing and getting some recognition for her sacrifice.
"I will go back to Malfoy Manor and get Druella, Draco and Astoria."
Everybody nodded their agreement with Narcissa.
Narcissa went back to Malfoy Manor to corral Draco and Astoria and bring them and Druella over to the New Burrow.
Narcissa first went up to Druella's room. "Mother, I would like you to come with me over to the Weasley home. We are planning the wedding and want you visible and in an honored place."
Rapier, Druella's Elf, insisted, "I needs to go as well. I needs to be mistresses' hands."
"Absolutely you need to come," Narcissa agreed.
The three beings went to the living room, and Narcissa called, "Debbie."
"You need me?" the Elf responded, appearing with a CRACK.
"I would like you to find Draco and Astoria and have them come here, Debbie," Narcissa explained. "We need to go to the New Burrow to plan Scorpius's wedding.
A short time later Draco walked into the living room, a surly look on his face.
Debbie then walked into the room holding the hand of a reluctant Astoria.
"You don't have to look like you are going to a funeral, Draco, Astoria," Narcissa scowled. "Your only son is getting married and will be carrying on the Malfoy name.
"He is not marrying who my father wanted him to marry, and my father is going to be furious," Draco muttered. "The only thing worse than marrying a Weasley is marrying a Granger-Weasley."
"One more witch that has to let her body be abused by a wizard," Astoria griped. "I don't see why we celebrate it."
"I always enjoyed it," Druella volunteered.
"I still miss it," Narcissa added. "If Lucius died and the right wizard came along, I would marry again."
The group went through the Floo to the New Burrow.
Molly was sitting in the little sitting area right off the kitchen, reading a book to Minerva. Molly shut the book and told Minerva, "Take the book up to Aunt Victoire. Ask her to finish it for you."
"Maybe I can read it to the babies," Minerva suggested. Minerva scampered off.
"Welcome to my home," Molly told the crowd.
Draco looked down at the floor like he found being there painful.
Astoria looked hard at the entire area, trying to take in everything. She smelled the kitchen, which smelled like a working kitchen. There was a stuffy old money smell that she associated with money and position, and there was none of that here. Almost everything in the kitchen showed signs of use, some of it well used.
"You greet people in the kitchen?" she sniffed.
"That is where the fireplace is," Molly countered calmly. "We occasionally use the formal fireplace in the living room, and more and more Magi are using the magical Closet, but this is how most people arrive."
Victoire walked into the kitchen, carrying baby Venus. Minerva was walking hand in hand with Maria Guadalupe.
Astoria scowled. The place reeked of fertility and children, of the pleasures of the hearth and home, of everything she wasn't and didn't want to be. "Plebian lower-class mothers," Astoria muttered.
A very frazzled looking Harry Potter walked into the kitchen. "Hello, Narcissa, Druella, Rapier," Harry started out. "Welcome Draco, Astoria. Why the scowl, Astoria?"
"I was attacked by Rita Skeeter at St. Mungo's," fumed Astoria, trying to explain away why she was so upset.
"Rose and Scorpius are going to be here shortly," said Harry. "It is going to come out in tonight's Daily Prophet that you called Rose a 'little bitch' on the way out of St. Mungo's. It might be good to apologize to Rose now, before the paper comes out or she hears about it some other way."
"That Skeeter is such a nasty woman," Astoria fumed. "I do not see why they still let her report."
"Because as nasty as she is most of what she prints is mostly true," Harry replied. "We have actually been reasonably successful in making sure that Rita stays reasonably close to the facts, and where she has strayed have gotten apologizes and corrections."
Astoria just glared.
Shortly after Rose and Scorpius and one of the medical wizards showed up. Scorpius was in a wheel chair. "They want me to rest up before the wedding," Scorpius explained. "I need to do a little walking every hour to keep my insides from binding up, but not push myself until the wedding."
"Thank you, Grandmother Black, for giving me your engagement ring and the wedding rings," Rose told Druella as she showed off the ring with the large diamond and several other stones she was wearing. "Scorpius and I have done the spells so the wedding rings will fit as well, and they look good on us."
"Malfoy men don't wear wedding rings," Draco snapped.
"I am so I can show that I'm a married man, not someone who wants to pretend he isn't," Scorpius replied, glaring at his father.
Harry motioned for everyone to calm down, and they did, barely. Harry took everyone over to the living room of Potter's New Burrow.
Ginny had the wizard who was going to officiate at the marriage come in, and together they went over the wedding plans.
Al and Cleo were going to be dressed in Muggle clothes for this part, a dress for Cleo and a suit for Al, and they were going to be best man and maid of honor.
Hermione wasn't much for brides walking down the aisle, especially brides being given away by their fathers to their husbands. Rose, however, wanted the formal procession, so they compromised. She and Ron were going to accompany Rose, and both families were going to greet. As Hermione told the group, "It is the joining of two families, not the bride being given away."
Ginny then asked Draco and Astoria if they were going to say parents' spells. Draco indicated he would. Astoria just glared, arms folded. Ginny said pointing to the marrying wizard, "We need to talk to Draco and Astoria and Narcissa in private." Ginny walked over to Draco and Narcissa and forcibly led Astoria over to the small library/office on the first floor of the house, followed by the wizard, Draco and Narcissa.
"If you don't want to say the parent spells then Narcissa can say them with Draco," Ginny growled. "The wording is somewhat different, but the effect is the same."
"I never said I would not say the … spells," Astoria snapped, having paused before saying spells and obviously having a hard time saying it.
"I did not say you had to say the spells, even if they stick in your craw," an obviously angry Ginny huffed. "Apologize to Rose for calling her a 'little bitch' and you both come and ask to have you and Draco say the spells, or I will have Narcissa say them with Draco instead."
"I don't have to do what you say, you little bitch," an obviously angry Astoria snarled.
"When it's time for the parent spells I am going to make sure there is a sticking spell on her seat so Astoria cannot get up, and muffliato around her so no one can hear her curse," Ginny told the others. "If she indicated to any of you that she has become civil to Rose and wants to say the spells let me know."
"Let her come up with the others," Narcissa countered. Narcissa glared at Astoria, who withered at the glare of her mother-in-law.
Ginny felt relieved. Narcissa could handle Astoria.
Hermione and Harry really had to go back to the Ministry, especially if they were going to take Friday off, with all that was going on with the captured Magi. Ron had to go back to the store, Christmas holidays being some of the busiest days of the year. That left Ginny, Molly, and the Elves to rearrange the New Burrow and Potter's New Burrow to hold three weddings.
The weddings were going to be held in the U shaped-areas between the houses, which with magic had been turned into almost an auditorium. The raised platform was at the Potter New Burrow end of the houses, and all of the upstairs bedrooms had windows turned into doors with a large balcony running around both houses, adding almost fifty percent more seating room. The seating was going to be redone between James and Erica's wedding and the next two, so a few of the Quidditch friends could attend the first wedding and then stay in the living rooms for the next two, and others could congregate in the living rooms for the first wedding and then get out to the main area for the last two weddings.
The group from the island was not back until late, to Ginny's frustration. They were going to have to get wedding garments and rings the morning of the wedding.
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