A/N: I really enjoyed writing the drunk brothers, it basically wrote itself! I tried to put all their personalities in there and I think I managed okay but I feel like the brothers are always a lot to manage in a scene, there are so many of them (and we love them).
Trigger warning: vomiting (after the last line break)
Tassia smiled as they appeared in front of her again. Every day the audience grew slimmer but every Royal, Lord and Lady of significance still attended ceremony after ceremony.
"As King or Queen, loyalty to your realm takes a prominent spot in your life. Your unwavering allegiance ensures the success of your Kingdom and the well-being of its inhabitants. In marriage, your allegiance to each other is important both to you and to the Kingdom. Keeping this in mind, do you promise to let Drymera guide you and help you keep up this loyalty throughout your life, during the good as well as bad times?" Tassia turned to the small dog statue, Drymera's symbol and touched it with both her hands.
Both Harry and Ginny took her hands when she turned around.
"King Henry?" she asked.
"Yes, I do," Harry spoke.
Tassia turned to Ginny. "Queen Ginevra?"
"Yes, I do."
Tassia nodded and let go of their hands. She took up the symbol and walked to Drymera's altar. The pair of them followed her through the temple. Tassia put the symbol back in the shrine. The three of them bowed to it.
They exited the temple holding hands. People had gathered on the side with their own dogs, a tradition to wish the happy couple loyalty. Harry and Ginny split up so they could pass by all the dogs.
He walked to the crowd and the dog in front of him wagged their tail.
"This is Marla. She herds sheep," her owner said proudly.
Harry carefully held out his hand and then petted her. "I bet you are really good at it." He said goodbye to the dog and her owner and greeted more dogs. A little further down the line he was surprised to spot Kingsley.
"They're my guard dogs," Kingsley said, pointing at the three sturdy-looking dogs. "They are mostly for show, they are absolute sweethearts."
Harry eyed them. "So they won't bite my hand off?"
"No, go ahead," Kingsley assured him with a chuckle.
Harry put his hand out and one of them immediately licked his hand. He smiled. "Ah, I see." He scratched under the dog's chin.
After petting the three dogs, he moved across the hall and met Ginny in the middle; she was smiling widely.
"All the ceremonies should have animals, it is so much more fun," she told him.
He returned her smile. "Good thing it is Xydite's turn then tomorrow."
She nodded in agreement. "Indeed."
Neville called for the attention of the audience in the ballroom. "It is time to test the loyalty of the bride and groom."
The guests mumbled excitedly as Neville made Ginny and Harry stand next to him.
"King Henry, if you would please turn around and cover your ears," Neville asked. "And ladies, please line up."
Ginny walked to the line and joined the row of women. Hermione stood next to her. Then she saw George push Bill in the line who objected but remained put.
"Okay, please put out your hands," Neville told the women who had lined up. "Remember, no noise." He handed a blindfold to Harry.
Harry tied the blindfold around his head. Neville checked if he could see anything and when he verified Harry couldn't, he led him to the line.
His hands touched the first in the line-up, Queen Dora. His hands touched hers. He paused for a moment and shook his head. He moved on to Romilda. He put one of her hands in his and twisted it. "Willing to bet that's Romilda," he said and then moved on.
They all smiled at each other but kept silent.
Harry's hands touched Bill's and everyone held their breath. Harry froze in surprise at the hands that were clearly not a woman's. He reached up and touched Bill's head, touching his hair. "Wonderful hair, must be related to Ginny."
Ginny bit her lip, trying not to laugh and give herself away.
"Hi Bill," Harry said.
The brothers laughed and Bill exited the line. Harry shook his head and moved on. Hermione was next and he was getting closer. He held her hands for a moment but then shook his head and moved on.
Ginny held her breath, scared of giving herself away by the smallest sound. His hands held onto hers and he squeezed softly and she knew he could already tell it was her but he lingered, twisting her hands in his and running his fingers over her palm.
"I think I'll stop here," he said.
"Are you sure?" Neville asked. "There are two more ladies."
He shook his head. "I am quite sure." He pulled his blindfold off and looked at her, satisfied he had managed with ease.
The guests clapped and the ladies went back to their places.
"Queen Ginny, over here," Neville said.
She walked to the other side and faced the wall, her hands covering her ears. She waited patiently until Neville handed her the blindfold. She tied it and waited for Neville.
"You have a very long line of gentlemen," he offered her. He carefully guided her towards the beginning of the line.
The first hands were mildly familiar, and she could tell by the shape of his hands that he was tall. She guessed it was Dean but remained silent. She stepped to the next one.
"This kind of feels like Regu— Ah. It isn't. Must be King Sirius then," she said. She moved on and then touched more familiar hands. "This is Regulus," she said with certainty.
The next hands she held must belong to an older gentleman. She thought it was likely Lord Elphias. Then she was met a row of very similar hands. Six hands with similar structure of which two pairs were identical. She couldn't begin to guess between Fred and George.
She continued and touched the next hands. She immediately recognised his hands; she had become quite used to holding them. He was holding her hands gently, careful not to move and give himself away but it did not matter. She smiled softly and squeezed his hands.
She stepped once again and then Neville told her to bend down. Teddy's nervous giggle gave him away immediately.
"This must be a handsome Prince!" she said as she squeezed his small hands. She got to the last person of the line. She wasn't very familiar with these hands but he seemed tall, and his touch was gentle so she assumed it was King Remus, standing next to his son.
Now that she had gotten to the end of the line, she walked two steps back to Harry and pulled her blindfold off. She wasn't surprised to see Harry standing in front of her. She looked across the line and found she had guessed all the rest correctly too.
All the guests clapped and the men stepped away.
"Good job, very promising," Neville said. "Now. You get a few minutes to select an item that you associate with the King. It will be up to him to guess which is the Queen's.
She turned to Harry and put the blindfold on him, leaving him in Neville's care. She took off running.
She could hear Neville yell. "No items that you can't carry with one hand!" She knew that was aimed at her brothers.
She grabbed a deck of playing cards and then made her way back. She shuffled through the deck until she found the card she was looking for. The Queen of Hearts. She put it with the pile of other trinkets and stepped back.
When everyone had returned, Neville told him it was okay to look. Harry walked to the table where they had gathered the items. There was a quill, a tomato, a book, a royal stamp, a knife... One of her brothers must have been responsible for the random egg.
He rummaged through it as he looked. Then he reached out and pulled her card from the pile and showed it to her. "Do I win the game now?"
She nodded with a smile. Everyone took up their item and returned it to where they found it. Harry took the card and tucked it into his pocket.
It was Harry's turn to look for an item. He put the blindfold on her and quickly kissed her cheek. She listened intently, trying to hear if anyone would give themselves away but she couldn't make out anything specific.
When everyone had put down their item on the table, she took off her blindfold and looked at the pile. It was an interesting collection for sure.
A bridle, butterbeer, grapes, a knife... It wasn't difficult to guess who had put the little container of paint down. There were a few trinkets she wasn't even sure meant something to her but it was a colourful collection of items. While the bridle and butterbeer and even the knife would have made sense for Harry to pick, only he knew about the grapes. She picked them up and raised her eyebrow in question.
His face lit up, and he nodded. "Yes."
She smiled and plucked one grape off. She locked eyes with him. He seemed a little amused but turned towards her. She threw the grape, and he caught it in his mouth with ease. The people closest to them chuckled.
She walked to him. "Do you want to test your aim?" She held up the grapes.
"Not with this big of an audience," he told her.
She popped one of the grapes into her mouth and grinned. "Alright."
Neville faced the guests again. "Enjoy the rest of the evening. You two, only dancing with each other tonight." He faked a sigh. "I know. A terrible sacrifice."
As the music started, Harry took her hand and lead her to the middle of the floor. She pulled him close for the dance as other pairs joined the dance too. Since loyalty was the focus of the day, the dance partners of tonight were meant to be significant. Married couples danced together, but for someone without a partner asking someone else to dance could be a sign of their intention to be loyal to them.
She could see Fred and George talking to Ron in whispers. She tried to focus on what they were saying.
"You don't want that Prince boy Viktor to get there first, right? Go and dance with her — she is looking over here. Just go," George said.
"Looks like Fred and George are eager for another wedding," Harry commented as he noticed where she was looking.
She thought so too. "I am surprised they are not teasing him instead."
"Maybe they're romantics at heart," Harry said. "They have no difficulties finding ladies to dance with."
She shook her head and threw another glance at her brothers. At least Ron had made his way over to Hermione. Harry and Ginny both watched to see Hermione's reaction.
She blushed, quickly set down her drink and followed him with an eager nod. Ron let out a breath of relief as Fred and George nodded approvingly before finding dance partners for themselves.
"Hermione is really taken by him, I am surprised," Harry observed.
"Why?" Ginny asked. She pursed her lips. "You don't think my brother is charming enough?"
Harry quickly looked back at her, frowning slightly. "Hermione doesn't usually blush when men ask her to dance. She isn't easily impressed," he clarified.
"It would be nice, if they were to marry..." She raised her eyebrows. "You and Hermione could be in-laws."
Harry seemed intrigued. "That would be pretty neat." He looked over at them. "Oh my, she is laughing at his jokes."
"True love," Ginny commented.
Harry turned her around under his arm twice and pulled her close again.
"We are getting quite good at dancing together," she noted.
He nodded with a smile. "Practice makes perfect."
She chuckled as Harry retook Regulus' words.
"I noticed you haven't danced with Dean a single time this week," Harry said softly.
"Even though I know I never had an interest in Dean, and I know he doesn't care for me that way... I know it makes you jealous. I didn't want to do that. Not at our wedding. So, I kindly let Dean know I wouldn't dance with him. He didn't seem too upset," she told him.
"Right, you said he was interested in someone that worked for me." Harry looked around as if he would be able to spot that person now.
Ginny didn't reply and let Harry think for a moment, wondering if he was going to catch on.
Harry glanced back at her. "You won't tell me, still?"
She shook her head. "Not my secret to tell. If you figure it out, I will confirm it."
Harry sighed. "Fine."
The music stopped. She bowed to Harry, and he bowed to her. They walked to the side and settled down on one of the couches. At least tonight they were expected to spend all their time together.
Harry reached out to the card deck on the table and looked through it until he found the King of Hearts. He offered it to her. "Yours. You won that game fair and square."
She looked down at the card grinning, her last birthday was a fond memory. She took the card and put it in the front of her dress, just the border peeking out. Harry cleared his throat and swiftly pulled it out and took her hand. He tucked it into her sleeve with a disapproving shake of his head.
"You don't need to draw everyone's attention there," he told her.
"Sorry," she said unapologetically as her eyes lit up.
The evening continued calmly, he danced with Ginny a few more times. Suddenly there was an uproar of noise and he looked up to see her brothers getting rowdier than usual.
He shared a look with Ginny and then immediately got up to look what was going on.
The whole group seemed rather buzzed and giggles and laughs erupted.
"William!" Charlie said, slurring the name. "You are a good brother."
Bill was wearing a stupid grin. Harry's eyes danced over the table and then he spotted the Fiendfyre Whiskey on the table. Ginny walked up and snatched the bottle away before they could pour themselves any more shots.
Harry turned and spotted Hagrid. He knew only Hagrid carried such strong liquor, mostly because he needed a bit more to get properly drunk.
Hagrid shrugged. "They were asking for something stronger... I warned them not to do more than two shots, but..."
Ginny looked at Harry. "... Even two shots."
He nodded, remembering how drunk one shot had gotten them. "Yes." He took the bottle out of Ginny's hands and gave it back to Hagrid. "Not a single drop to anyone anymore, all right?"
Ginny looked over at Neville. "Please find water and some bread for my idiot brothers."
Neville took off immediately to do just that.
All the brothers stood up when the next song came on. They all formed a line and started dancing. The guests watched on with mild amusement.
Harry was genuinely surprised to see Bill in such a relaxed state.
"King Haaanry," Percy squawked. "Join us!"
Harry quickly took a step back from the dancing brothers to remain out of reach. "No, thank you."
Legs kicked up high, but the whole row seemed on the brink of collapsing as they swayed left and right. Neville came back with two servants in tow, carrying bread and big jugs of water. They put it all down on the nearest table. Now the next trouble was getting them to break formation.
Ginny seemed to mumble something under her breath and walked up to Ron who was at the far end of the line. She talked to him quietly. Suddenly he stilled and Percy almost stumbled over Ron's feet. Her youngest brother walked to the table rather sheepishly and sat down. Harry poured him water and offered him the goblet.
"Bread?! I fucking love bread," Fred said and he too joined Ron at the table.
George looked around, confused that their row was shrinking. He looked around, spotted Viktor and he smirked. "Durmstorm boy! Come dance with us!"
"Oh gods no," Ginny said, trying to get to George but the whole line turned away from Ginny. She walked back to Harry. "If we are not careful, we are going to have a diplomatic problem."
"Or they spill some other important secret," Harry said anxiously. While it was amusing for now, he was worried about what would happen if this continued.
"We need to get them up to a room, now," Ginny said.
Harry nodded. "Bill's room is biggest and between ours."
She nodded. Her look at Regulus made him walk up to her immediately.
"You need help with that?" he asked.
She grimaced. "Please?"
It was nearing midnight, but it didn't look they'd get all the brothers settled in time. At least it meant most guests would be leaving soon.
Together with Neville, Regulus and two guards, they began guiding the brothers out, but it proved difficult. Neville grabbed one of the bread baskets and brought it upstairs.
Ginny stood in front of Bill. "You are very drunk," she said firmly. The fact that she was so much shorter than him, made it all the more funny, especially since Bill looked immensely apologetic. Ginny looked at him sternly. "And you wouldn't want to embarrass me at my wedding now, would you?"
Bill shook his head. "No."
"Good, so you will go up to your room and sleep this off. And take Percy with you." She grabbed Percy by the arm as he tried to sneak past her and handed him off to Bill.
"My apologies," Bill said solemnly.
Harry looked carefully as the two trod up the stairs. They almost made a wrong turn, but Ernest guided them in the right direction.
Harry turned around to find Fred and George tossing bread at each other at incredible speeds. The most impressive part was that they weren't dropping any of them, despite barely being able to stand on their own legs at this point.
Hagrid approached. "Should I tell them who brought out the Fiendfyre Whiskey?"
Bread was quickly placed on the table as they shook their heads.
Regulus took over from Hagrid. "Off we go, boys. We know an angry Ginny isn't fun for anyone."
Both of them sighed. With disappointed faces, they made their way out of the ballroom. Regulus walked behind the twins in silence, keeping a close eye on them.
"Reg! Has someone ever told you that you look like the King of Orion," George said as he paused and turned to him.
Regulus' jaw clenched. "I beg you, please walk on."
The music stopped, indicating it was almost midnight. Most guests politely took their leave, and a few actually wished them good luck with the remaining brothers, offering them a sympathetic smile.
Harry walked over to Viktor. "I am so sorry you almost got pulled into this."
Viktor shrugged. "We know how to drink in Durmstorm, I understand." He frowned. "Though I don't think two of those shots would have affected me that much."
Charlie popped up. "Do you want to try and find out?" he offered eagerly.
Harry turned him. "We are all out of the Whiskey, you drank it all," he lied. "Maybe some other time." He turned around to Viktor. "Again, I apologise."
The Prince smiled. "No problem. Good night." He bowed and left too.
Ginny walked up to Harry. "Okay, I will try Ron and can you try Charlie?"
He eyed Charlie. "I will try."
While Ginny walked off to find Ron, Harry went after Charlie.
"You'll never catch me!" Charlie said as he weaved through the tables.
Harry didn't feel like running after him and making himself look like an idiot. He walked after Charlie. He paused and gasped, causing Charlie to turn around.
"Someone just told me they have spotted a small dragon by Bill's room," he said casually.
Suddenly Charlie looked much more sober. His jaw set and he shook his head warily. "A castle is not a good spot to keep a dragon!" He grunted. "Do people never learn?" And he too headed to Bill's room.
Harry sighed in relief and walked up the stairs after Charlie. He suddenly paused in the middle of the corridor.
Charlie's eyes scanned the place, as if he would have somehow missed a whole dragon. "Well, where is it?"
Harry pointed towards Bill's room. "In there, it's a baby dragon."
Charlie perked up and walked into the room. Regulus was busy putting the twins in the bed beside Bill. They were objecting but the drowsiness was setting in. Percy was already snoring loudly on the couch. Ginny walked in, holding Ron. She made him sit down on the other couch.
Neville politely guided the two guards out of the room again when he saw all brothers were there. Charlie sat down on the carpet beside the bed.
Regulus met eyes with Ginny. "What a handful. How did your parents manage?"
Ginny chuckled. "I have no clue." She smiled at him. "Thanks, Reg."
"Anytime, little one," he said. He patted her shoulder and exited the room too, closing the door behind him.
Ginny observed her brothers, quickly starting to doze off. She knew they were going to regret this in the morning.
She met eyes with Harry, hesitantly at first but then they both laughed. Harry shook his head.
"They have been giving me shit all week about behaving, now look at them," she said. "Making sure I am in my room by midnight and now because of them, we didn't manage."
Harry nodded and put his arms around her. "They are really something."
"Thanks," she told him sincerely.
He smiled softly. "We make a good team."
"You should go to bed," she suggested.
He met eyes with her. "What about you?"
She glanced over to her brothers. "I am going to watch them for a little bit, make sure they're doing okay."
"I'd stay with you, but we can't both be in here," he said.
She nodded. "I know. It's fine, they're my brothers so..."
Harry nodded and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight."
She pulled him closer and kissed him quickly. "Goodnight."
Harry left and she walked over to the table and poured more water into goblets, so they'd have easy access to it. She was sure they would need it. Her brothers were all asleep now, and snores filled the room. Charlie was sprawled on the carpet. It did not look very comfortable.
She settled down on the ground and watched over them. She sat there for quite a while before one of them stirred.
Bill groaned, slowly sitting up. Ginny stood up. His eyes landed on her. He wore a deep frown. His face suddenly turned incredibly pale, and Ginny knew what was about to happen. She quickly grabbed a bowl and walked over to him. He got onto the floor beside the bed, and she put the bowl down just in time as Bill threw up. She kneeled down beside him.
He grunted and met eyes with her. "Not a single fucking word."
She nodded. She did have many comments, but she was keeping them for herself for now. Ginny could hear Bill's stomach turn. A moment later he hurled again.
"That's better out than in, trust me," she said in comfort.
Bill slumped against the bed and let his head drop back as he took in a deep breath. He seemed much more sober now. He shook his head and met her eyes. "I am sorry."
She shrugged. "It's fine, nothing bad happened."
"You shouldn't have to be looking after me, after us, at your wedding." He seemed disappointed in himself. "I tried so hard to make sure everything was perfect and then I go and fuck it up myself."
She pitied him. "That Fiendfyre Whiskey is unforgiving. I've had it before." She closed her eyes. "Do you know what I told Harry then?"
"What?" Bill asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "That we shouldn't have it at our wedding. That it would be a bad mix with my brothers."
Bill let out a sour chuckle. "You weren't wrong." He looked at her. "You should go to bed."
"I am fine," she said with a shake of her head. "I wanted to make sure you were fine."
"You should be sleeping. You have... Gorphine in 24 hours," he said, glancing away from her.
She laughed. "That's a decent way to put it."
He shook his head. "I am simply trying not to think of it too much." His lip pulled up in mild disgust. A shiver ran down his spine.
"It's part of the deal," she said, referring to the fact that it was an expected ritual of most weddings.
"I know," Bill said. "But you are my baby sister." He looked at her more sternly. "Go get your beauty sleep."
She gasped. "I don't need beauty sleep!"
Bill snorted. "Go to bed, please. I am fine and I'll keep an eye on them."
"I am fine to stay," she said.
"Leave, please, and sleep. Or I'll feel terribly guilty," he said, waving her off.
She stood up. "Fine." She walked to the door. "You are going to feel terribly guilty either way."
He sighed. "I know."
"Don't hesitate to call for me if needed," she said before she opened the door.
Bill nodded. "I won't. But thanks."