Chapter 49 – The Wedding
GN
I woke up early on the day of Bash's wedding, so I slipped out of my room and peeked into Bash's. He was still asleep, his arms tucked under his pillow as he laid on his stomach. I saw Bill walk out of his room and send him a wink before I barged in the room. Right in front of the bed, I leaped forward so I crashed on top of him.
"Wakey, wakey, sunshine! It's wedding time!" I cried out as I fell on him. Bash groaned in his pillow as I sat on his back. I heard Bill chuckle from the door, I looked behind me to see him leaning against the doorframe, a grin on his lips. "The big guns then." I grinned and wiggled my fingers. I attacked his sides, making him squirm beneath me.
"Alright, alright, I'm up!" I heard him laugh as he turned, making me fall next to him. "You're evil." He said, and like any normal adult would do, he stuck out his tongue.
"It's your wedding day, big brother. You should be up and atom." I kissed his cheek. "You go shower, we'll make breakfast." I pointed to the Weasley at the door. I hopped off the bed and walked towards Bill. But before we headed out the room, I looked over my shoulder. "I better hear water running in ten minutes or I'll be back." Bill laughed as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and guided me to the kitchen.
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I was helping Bill with his tie when the bell rang through the flat. "I got it." Bash called out and I focused my attention back to the oldest Weasley in front of me. Once the tie was done, I folded the golden handkerchief.
"Thank you for letting me crash here, again." I grinned as I tucked the handkerchief in the breast pocket.
"In a few hours, you're family. And even then, I like you." He winked.
"Maybe you should find yourself your own girl, brother." I heard a familiar voice behind me and turned to see the oldest Weasley twin leaning against the door. His eyes found mine and he smiled broadly. "Hi, love."
"Hey, Fred." I walked over and wrapped my arms around him. "What are you doing here?" I asked when I pulled back.
"Two things. One-" He held out his index finger. "Georgie told me about yesterday, and I wanted to see you. Two-" Second finger came up. "Charlie wanted me to check up on Bash."
"It's good to see you, Fred. You look good." I said as I pulled a little at his blazer.
"Well, I always look good." He grinned and I heard Bill snort behind me. "Don't mean to sound rude, but..." He looked me up and down. My hair was tied in a messy bun on the top of my head, I was still wearing my baggy pyjama's. "Are you going to the wedding like this?"
"As long as she's coming, she can wear whatever she wants." Bash said as he walked past the room. The three of us looked to the hallway, where he had already disappeared before laughing.
"No matter how sweet that was, no I'm not wearing this. I'm just making sure the boys-" Bill cleared his throat. "Men." I corrected. "Are ready. They all take way longer anyway." I shrugged.
"Since we are no metamorphmagus, yes it takes is longer to look so handsome."
"But us Weasleys, don't need much time." Fred added with his typical grin.
"Alright, let me look at the two of you." I gestured the both of them in front of me. I looked over at Fred first. His muggle suit fitted him perfectly, his hair was perfectly tousled. It looked like he just had come out of his bed, but I knew he had put the time in it to make it look like he didn't. I twirled my finger in front of me. "Turn." Fred rolled his eyes before he turned. "Aha, you should take a little more time next time." I snickered as I pulled his shirt that stuck out of his pants. Fred chuckled as he tucked it in his trousers.
"Now, William." I said looking at the oldest Weasley. "You look... perfect." I grinned.
"Well, you helped me, remember." He winked. Oh, the Weasleys and their charm.
"Like I said before, you really need a girlfriend, mate." Fred laughed as he clapped his brother on the shoulder.
"Why don't you two go to the burrow, I'll be along shortly with the groom. I need to see to him too." I smiled as I kissed their cheeks. "And get dressed myself, because someone told me I didn't look good."
"I never said that." Fred gasped as we walked out of the room.
"You implied it." I clicked my tongue as I hid a smile. "See you later." I waved at them, before I stepped into Bash's room. He was halfway dressed. He had his socks, shoes and trouser on. His shirt was still open, and his golden blazer hung on the closet door. "I've sent both Weasleys on their way, to see to everything." I said as I helped him button up. "We still need to put a comb through your hair, though." I chuckled as his tousled hair.
"My knight in shining armour." He grinned, then he looked at my clothes, just like Fred did ten minutes ago. "Where is your shining golden armour?"
"In my room. I needed to get you men ready first." I said as I looped the tie around his neck and started to tie it. "You know I only need five minutes to get ready."
"I know." He smiled. "Making all the girls jealous." He bobbed my nose. I turned and took the golden blazer from the closet door and when he put it on, I went to grab his comb. "Come here, handsome." I said as I ran a comb through his hair. "I'm so proud of you."
"I'm proud of you. And I'm so proud and happy that you are my maid of honour. You turned into a beautiful, smart and kind young woman."
"And that's all thanks to you, Bash." I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight, the comb still in my hand. "You were the one who taught me to be brave, to be kind. You were the one who helped me study and look after me when our parents were gone. If I turned out like this, it's all because of you. I love you, big brother."
"I love you, little one." He kissed the top of my head. "Now, get dressed. Cedric should arrive any minute now."
"Alright, but don't eat anything!" I pointed to him as I walked out of the room. "You always spill your food on your clothes. And you look perfect, so don't ruin it."
"Okay." He grumbled a little, he was probably thinking about all the snacks Bill had stashed in his cupboards.
GN
After I closed the door to the bathroom, I shook off my pyjamas and hopped in the bathtub for a quick shower. I dried myself off and headed to the bedroom in one of the bathrobes that hung on the door. I looked in the mirror for a second but decided to wait until I was dressed to see what I would do with my hair. The large garment bag hung on the closet door. I opened it to reveal the beautiful golden satin dress. A small gasp escaped as I looked at the dress. Because apparently, I forgot how beautiful it was. I tossed the bathrobe on the bed and let the dress slide over my head with the help of my wand. The fabric felt like heaven against my skin. It flowed perfectly around my curves. I felt giddy as I remembered the deep pockets. I let my wand slide in one of them and sat down on the bed to tug on my heels. I sat down at the little vanity table and looked over at the jewellery. The thing I put on first was the bracelet Charlie had given me when he proposed to Bash. The second was the necklace Cedric gave me for my birthday. Once those were on, I didn't need any more and focused on my hair. I shortened my hair until it reached my shoulders, turning it in a wavy ash blond bob. I pecked my lips turning them a lighter pink shade, I didn't change the colour of my eyes, I just let them pop out more. I stood back up and turned to the floor length mirror. I let my hair lengthen just a little bit more, before I was happy with the outcome. With my wand tucked safely in my dress, I headed out of the bedroom.
"Wow." I heard a gasp as I walked in. I didn't see who it was, because as I walked in, I was looking down as I held up my dress a little. My head snapped up from the familiar voice. Cedric was standing next to Bash at the fireplace, his mouth dropped open when he saw me.
"You - you look-" Cedric cleared his throat as he tried to form a sentence, making me chuckle and Bash grin wide. "You look absolutely stunning, gorgeous, breath-taking." He breathed out. He walked clumsily away from Bash towards me. His eyes were filled with love, lust and promise. He cupped my cheeks with two hands and crashed his lips against mine. The moment his lips touched mine, I completely forgot my own brother was there, the overprotective brother I might add. My arms curled around his neck and pulled him closer. Then, off course, Bash ruined the moment and cleared his throat.
"I don't want to be late for my own wedding."
With one last peck on his lips, I turned to Bash. "How can you be late to your own wedding? Without you there isn't any."
"But we don't want to give Charlie the scare of thinking I'm not coming."
"That... I can't disagree on. We should get going." I looked to Cedric as I looped my arm through his. "You look devilishly handsome yourself." I leaned in to whisper. "Can't wait to tear it off you." I smirked proudly as he blushed rather fiercely. Bash cocked an eyebrow at me, but I didn't say anything just looped my other arm around his. "Let's get you married." And we were off.
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We landed on the edge of the crowded garden. To our right was the burrow in all its glory, to our left was the tent, the circus tent. But instead of being the typical red and white, it was gold and white, so it matched the theme and our clothes. I saw Molly at the kitchen door, ordering everyone around. Bill and Ron were checking the tent and the seats in it. I was so focused on my surroundings; I didn't see Arthur come up to us.
"Mr Weasley." Bash shook his hand.
"Arthur, my boy. Call me Arthur. You're family soon." He tugged the hand that he was still holding and wrapped him in a hug. I smiled at the moment in front of me, and Cedric handed me the polaroid camera and I quickly took a shot. "Charlie will be thrilled to hear that you have arrived. Both of you." He said as he turned to me. "Hello, Gwen. Lovely to see you again." He gave me hug.
"Nice to see you too, Mr Weasley."
"Like I said to Bash, it's Arthur. You too, are family." He smiled, his smile was always so sweet and kind, it tore me up a little inside. So, happy Bash had Arthur here, but sad that our parents didn't even bother.
"You remember Cedric?" I asked as I looked from Arthur to Cedric.
"Of course. Cedric how are you, how's your father?"
"We're both doing good. How is Charlie doing?"
"He's a ball of stress. He didn't sleep much last night."
"Know the feeling." Cedric muttered and I looked up to him in surprise. He shot me a little wink and I turned back to Arthur.
"Speaking of... Is it okay if I see him?"
"He would love to see you before the wedding. Charlie is in the little tent on the right. Bash will go on the other side of the wedding tent on the left." The three of us looked behind Arthur to look at the two smaller tents on either side of the large one. "We wanted to give you a little privacy before the wedding and the burrow is far too crowded for that." He explained.
"Alright." I said as I squeezed both hands. "Ced, why don't you go with Bash and Arthur, I'll be there in a few."
"Can you give him a message for me?" Bash asked and whispered something sweet in my ear.
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"Knock, knock." I said before I opened the flap of the tent. Charlie was pacing in the little tent, turning every three steps, because otherwise he would walk against the tent wall. He stopped his pacing and looked at me, his eyes bulging before he leaped forward and picked me up in a tight hug.
"I'm so happy you're here." He murmured in my wavy hair. "It's not fair." He said as he sat me on the ground. "You look better than me." He pouted.
"I don't look that good."
"Have you looked at yourself? Every eye is going to be on you."
"Have you looked at yourself? Bash is going to faint when he sees you. Merlin Charlie, I would swoon over you if you weren't about to marry my brother." I smiled as I tugged at his blazer. "How are you? Your dad told me you didn't sleep much."
"Just the nerves and being away from Bash. Afraid he-" He stopped himself.
"Afraid he had gotten cold feet?" I scoffed at him. "Nothing farther from the truth. He isn't even nervous because, and I quote, I'm marrying the man of my dreams. He knew he wanted to marry you after your first date. Believe me, he's ready." I kissed his cheek. "And so are you."
The flap of the tent opened and let in a stream of sunlight. Because of that, it looked like Aruthur's hair was on fire. "The guests have all taken their seats. We should be going in a few minutes."
"Already? Five minutes ago, there was no one inside."
"The wedding isn't too big." Charlie explained. "My family and a few friends from school. Then Bash's side it's only you and some of his friends."
"I should go to Bash then." I kissed Charlie's cheek and readjusted the handkerchief in his breast pocket. "Don't make them swoon too much when you're in the front." I teased and started to walk out.
"You are one to say!" He called back as the flap fell shut behind me.
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"Everyone ready?" I asked, stepping in Bash's tent. Cedric was gone, probably already taken his seat and Molly was crying as she hugged a stunned Bash. "Mrs - Molly are you alright?" I asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
Molly pulled back from Bash, he shot me a relieved look, and turned to me. "I'm okay." She said as she dapped her tears away. "Just emotional. My baby is getting married to this wonderful young man. And you." She pulled me in a hug and my eyes crossed with Bash, who grinned. "You are amazing, I don't know what happened between you and George, but you are part of the family now."
"And I'm proud to be part of it." I smiled as I took her hands in mine. We heard music starting to play in the background.
"That's our queue." Molly said a little startled and headed out of the tent. "Oh, and Gwen." I turned to see that she was waiting, holding the flap open. "You look lovely."
"Thank you. You look beautiful yourself, Molly." She blushed a little before she walked out.
"Ah, the Northon charm." Bash chuckled as he came to stand next to me.
"Ready to get hitched?" I asked, holding out my arm.
"For ages." He answered and looped his arm through mine. With great confidence, we walked out of the small tent.
GN
We stepped in the opening of the tent. At the front, Charlie was standing with his best man, Bill. While Arthur had taken his place in the middle as he would perform the ceremony. I saw all kinds of camera's taking pictures in the tent and caught sight of mine taking pictures of me and Bash. Charlie was openly gawking at Bash, and it made my heart soar from the love they have for each other. Bill was gawking at me, and I know he liked to flirt and tease with me, but all that was innocent. The look now, not so much. He came out of it, shaking his head slightly and shot me a wink. I didn't see Cedric, the twins or Lee, because all the other people blocked my view, so I looked back to Bash.
Bash himself was gawking at his future husband and I nudged his ribs a little. He came out of it and smiled sheepishly at me before we walked the aisle. As we neared the three Weasleys up front, I started to recognise some of the people in the crowd. I smiled at Lee, who was looking at me like he never met me. Next to him sat Cedric and he shot me a warm smile. On the first row, were all the remaining Weasleys. While Molly's eyes went from Bash to Charlie and back, the others, the twins, Ginny and Ron were all visibly gawking at me. I turned my head away from them and looked to the front. When we reached them, Bash and Charlie couldn't take their eyes of each other. I kissed Bash's cheek and went to stand next to him, sending Bill a wink. Bash and Charlie held each other's hands both sporting a silly grin as Arthur spoke.
GN
The ceremony was beautiful and the whole room clapped as the newlywed couple walked down the aisle. Bill offered his arm ceremoniously to me with a slight bow and we followed the two grooms out. I heard Molly and Artur give instructions to the guests as we waited outside.
"Congratulations." I squealed and pulled them both in a hug. "I love you both so much!"
"We love you too, little one." They chimed. "Thank you for being here, for being here for Bash." Charlie added as he held my hand.
"Anything for Bash." I said sincerely. "Anything for you." I squeezed Charlie's hand.
"I think we can go back in." Bill said as music filled our ears. "You two go in first."
They intertwined their fingers together before they walked back in the tent. Bill turned to me once they were gone. "You surprised me, Northon."
"How so?" I asked turning away from the opening of the tent to face him.
"I knew you were pretty, but that dress..." He whistled. "It would be an honour to have a dance with the most beautiful woman here tonight."
"Do you want me to ask Denise?" I grinned up at him, he narrowed his eyes at me. "I would love to dance with you, Weasley. But maybe we should head inside first."
"Yeah, before they are going to think we're doing something else than talk. My gawking earlier didn't help the matter."
"No, it didn't." I laughed as I looped my arm through his. "I never would've thought I could fluster thé Bill Weasley."
"I wasn't flustered." He huffed as we walked in. I felt several eyes on us already as we walked towards Bash and Charlie, who just started on their first dance as married couple. We watched them for a moment as we sat on the table, before Bill offered his hand. I took it and we went to the dance floor. Not soon after we stepped on, others followed. Arthur and Molly were dancing a few metres away from us. Fred was dancing with his little sister, and a few others I didn't know by name where dancing around us.
After the dance, I went to turn around and sit back down, but I was being pulled in another dance by Fred. "Hello, love." He greeted.
"Hello, Fred. Long time, no see." I grinned as he twirled me under his arm.
"I gotta say, even though you're taken and George's ex, you look smashing."
"Thank you. Better than my pyjama's?"
"Much." He grinned as he dipped me. "George nearly stopped breathing when he saw you. I think most men in the tent had that reaction to be honest; You even managed to fluster Bill."
"It's just a dress." I murmured
"But it's not. Yes, the dress is phenomenal. But you, you shined when you entered the tent, you radiated."
"Radiated? Like particles?" I teased and I couldn't help the laugh from Fred's confused face. "Nothing, it's a muggle thing." I waved my hand in the air.
"You were beaming. That confident, proud smile lit up the room, Guinevere."
"I -" I started, but I didn't know what to say, so I just said. "Thank you."
"Fred?" Bash tapped his shoulder. "Can I cut in?"
"Of course." Fred bowed deep and shot me a wink. "I see Charlie doesn't have a dance partner yet. Excuse me." He said as he walked over to his brother. Bash and I looked to the two brothers. Fred finally convinced Charlie to dance with him, and he was being over dramatic to do so.
"My guess is that he had to promise not to prank him." I snickered as my hand rested on his shoulder while me other clasped his hand.
"Probably." He snickered with me. "You know... I wished you were dressed in your pj's."
"What?" I chuckled. "Why?"
"Because I could pound on every guy in the room for looking at you like that."
"Except Charlie, and that's the most important part." I grinned.
"Well, yeah. But-"
"But what? Don't think I forgot how you were back in school. Besides I can stand my own, it's not like I have any interest in anyone of them."
"Except Cedric." He added with a grin of his own.
"Yes." I laughed. "When do you leave for Italy?"
"About ten o'clock. Be good to my dragons, will you. And be careful, please. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll be fine. I will only do what they tell me to, I promise."
"Good." He stopped dancing and pulled me in a hug. "Because you are my family."
"You just added a bunch of red heads to that family too." I pointed out with a chuckle.
"I know, but you are my family. You and you alone."
"And you're mine, Bash. Always." I buried my head in his chest and I heard him murmur back. "Always."
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After my dance with Bash, I headed back to my table and Cedric came over with two drinks in hand and handed me one. He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"Hi, gorgeous." He whispered before he pulled back. "If I were the jealous type." He said and I snorted. Which he ignored completely and carried on. "I would have dragged you away the moment you stepped in the tent or at least put a garbage bag over you."
"A garbage bag?" I raised my eyebrows at him. "And since when are you not jealous?"
"It depends on the situation." He said with a shrug. "I know your mine, remember." He winked.
"And your mine." I intertwined my fingers with his. "Even if that bimbo at the dance club didn't get the hint. I still can't believe she slipped her phone number in your jacket pocket."
"I'm just too handsome to resist." He licked his lip with a smirk.
"Is that so?" I pursed my lips as I scanned to the room. "Maybe I should find someone else to dance with then."
"Oh, hell no. If you're going to dance, I'm next. You danced with three blokes already."
"Not jealous, huh?" I snickered.
"No, just lonely." He pouted. I leaned forward and gave him a chaste kiss. A smile stretched on his face, so wide I thought it would hurt. "Now I feel better." He leaned back, his arm resting on the back of my chair. I leaned back, slightly against him as we talked and watched the others dance in front of us. Charlie was now dancing with his mother, while Bash danced a little awkwardly with Arthur. My eyes shifted away from the dance floor and found George, who was nursing a glass of fire whiskey in his hand. From the looks of it, it wasn't his first drink. His eyes were red, and he swayed like a drunk man on the music. Fred, who was talking to Bill, was watching his twin intently.
I was standing at the bar, the tent was getting emptier by the minute. Charlie and Bash had left for their honeymoon a little over an hour ago. Cedric was dancing with Molly on the dance floor as I accepted the drink from the bartender. I leaned against the bar, my eyes going over the remaining guests. Suddenly I felt a familiar body stand next to me, against me. The smell of alcohol filled my nostrils.
"Hey, George." I said before turning to face him. "Had a bit much to drink?"
He looked at me for a long moment before he spoke. "Just a splash. You knew it was me."
"I always know, you know that." I said as I sipped my drink. George leaned closer, the smile of fire whiskey prominent.
"You look stunning. If you were still my girl, I would take you away and ravish you."
"George!" I chastised, but I had a feeling he wouldn't remember anything the next day. "You should get some sleep."
"You're right." He nodded sloppily. I looked away from George and saw Fred watching us with a frown, maybe he was afraid of what his drunken brother would say or do. He was walking over slowly. I saw Cedric watching us too over Molly's head. But he didn't look wary, he looked concerned for George. "You know." George tapped my bare shoulder, gathering my attention and I looked back to him. "I still love you. I'm still in love with you." My mouth dropped slightly open at his confession, my heart beating fast in my chest. "I should've never pushed you away. I love you."
"Alright, that's enough, little brother." Fred intervened. He probably heard everything he said to me. "Time for bed." He wrapped an arm around George and looked back to me, with an apologetic look. I mouthed to him, it's okay. "Good night, Guinevere."
"Good night, Fred. Night, George." I said as they walked out. I tried not to think about his drunken confession and drank the last of my drink and turned to the dance floor to relieve Cedric from Molly. We shared two more dances together before we floo'd home from the burrow, both a little too drunk to apparate home.