A/N: It's hard to believe, but we've made it to the semifinals of the QLFC! I write as Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrels. This round's prompt was to write a story inspired by the song "Orchideous Symphony." This fic is taken from the lyrics "She's smiling at the wedding/I'm broken at the wedding." Beta: Binte Muhammad. Word count: 1,113.
Rolf glanced into the bedroom. Luna was humming to herself as she brushed her hair, but looked over at him with a warm smile. He found himself smiling back, thinking how beautiful she was.
"Are you ready?" She asked.
The smile fell. "Ah, I will be."
She blinked at him suspiciously for a moment before turning back to the mirror.
Breathing a silent sigh of relief, Rolf slipped downstairs. He hovered there for a moment, before stepping outside.
He had enough time to check on the kappas that Hagrid had donated, right?
Telling himself that he was not stalling from squeezing into dress robes, Rolf jogged down to the pen.
While he had his grandfather's enchanted briefcase, they also had built several enclosures and pastures on their property. The new kappas (there were two, twins) lived in a mini bog with protective charms. He was on his way over when he heard a pained whinny from the Abraxans.
Changing course, he walked over. One of the yearlings was limping near the fence, giving him a pitiful look.
"What's wrong, Julius?" He asked, running a hand down his flank. He tossed his head, and Rolf knelt to inspect his foot. A piece of sharp wiring was wrapped around his cannon. He gave Julius a stern look. "You've been wandering in the Muggle fields again, haven't you?"
Juilius did not answer.
He sighed, unwinding the wire and alternatively scolding and soothing the animal as he did so. "This might hurt. What have I told you about going near muggles? You're to stay with the rest of the herd. I don't want to tie you up, Julius. There, it's off. Better?"
A warm nose snorted against his hair, blowing the ends up. He smiled and rubbed at the yearling's ears. "Luna's dragging me off to Victoire and Teddy's wedding, but I'll get some stuff to wrap that up when we get back."
Julius moved to step away, then reared back. His eyes were blown wide in terror, and a flailing hoof caught Rolf in the chest.
He felt something crack and clutched at his ribs, wincing in pain. Julius bolted. Rolf whipped around to see what had alarmed him.
One of the kappas stood there, hunched over and grinning evilly.
Probably should have checked the kappa enclosure first. Rolf groaned and pulled himself to his feet.
"C'mon, back you get-"
The kappa tackled him back into the grass. Rolf cursed and rolled away. Crouching, the kappa prepared to pounce.
Rolf surged up and wrapped an arm around its trunk, ducking out the way of its claws. It scrabbled at him as he tried to twist out of his grip. His shoulder got pulled painfully and his hold loosened.
The kappa immediately tried to bite him. Rolf began to wish he'd stayed behind to get dressed.
"That's… it!" Rolf gasped, beginning to haul the kappa towards the enclosure. "No more cucumbers for the rest of this week!"
The kappa kicked at his knee.
"This month!"
He managed to get the kappa into the mini bog. Before he could escape and cast stronger wards around the area, the other kappa had snuck up behind him with a rock. Rolf mostly managed to duck out of the way, but it came crashing down on his leg. A sharp spike of pain radiated through his calf. He grit his teeth and made a tactical retreat.
"This year," he whispered, casting the strongest ward he could around the bog. The kappa prowled around it, staring at him with the promise of death in their eyes.
"Rolf!" came Luna's sweet voice, calling from the house.
Oh, no.
Luna was going to be furious. Well, no, she wouldn't, but she'd certainly be worried and maybe a little upset. Knowing that his injuries weren't something he could heal on his own, he spelled a quick splint and bandage on his leg and used an illusion charm to make his clothes look fresh and hair brushed. Hopefully, she wouldn't notice that anything was amiss.
"Coming!" he called back, giving the kappa a dirty look. He walked to the front garden as best he could, putting on a pleasant smile that he hoped would fool his wife. She looked bright and cheerful in her sun-coloured robes, a large sunflower nestled in a crown of braids in her hair.
He didn't realise he was holding his breath until she held out her arm. He took it, and they apparated away.
The wedding was held on the beach. It was a small, private affair, just family and close friends. They sat on chairs that faced the flowering arch where the happy couple stood. The Weasleys took up one full side of the onlookers, while the other side was filled with Delacours and Teddy's family, interspersed with friends.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Next to him, Luna was smiling. Rolf tried not to show how broken and battered he felt. It became a little easier when she took his hand during the vows.
Several people sniffled throughout the wedding, little melancholic sobs that turned into watery laughs when Harry's boy James gave a wolf whistle as the couple kissed. Ginny cuffed him over the ear, which earned more laughter.
All of the Weasley siblings stood in tandem, raising their wands to reveal a tent set up for the reception afterwards. Everyone ambled over. Luna exclaimed in delight, and Rolf followed her gaze to see several enchanted butterflies of light flying over to Victoire to create a robe of light. Laughing, she took Teddy's hand and he led her to the dance floor.
They danced the first song together. Rolf wrapped his (good) arm around Luna and watched the young couple twirling around. After that, people began migrating to the dance floor, and Rolf realised he would probably be expected to do the same. He looked at Luna out of the corner of his eye, but she drifted over to where Ron and Hermione stood. He followed gratefully, trying to hide his limp.
"Luna! Rolf! How are you?" Ron asked, shaking Rolf's hand while Hermione gave Luna a hug.
"Fantastic," Rolf said.
"The nargle flock is doing well," Luna said. Both Ron and Hermione got the slightly befuddled look that a lot of people who speak with his wife get, a look that Rolf secretly loved.
"Any plans for later?" Hermione asked after a moment, having no good response to Luna's comment.
"We have to visit St. Mungo's," Luna sighed, giving Rolf a fondly exasperated look.
Rolf blinked, then laughed. "No getting past you, is there, love?"
She shook her head at him and threaded her arm through his.
A/N: If you've ever heard the song, you'll know that the lyrics are not meant so literally as I took it here, but I thought a sweet domestic story was in order. If the Kestrels win this match, we'll move on to the finals next!