CHAPTER 34: PRE-WEDDING PREPARATIONS
Amidst the anticipation loomed the impending double wedding of the twins, a joyous occasion scheduled just before Christmas at the Burrow. While the mothers busied themselves with preparations, the grooms-to-be navigated the familial fervor wit
Alicia and Katie found themselves ensnared in a whirlwind of obligations, straddling the demands of wedding preparations and their commitments as Quidditch players. Despite reassurances from their mothers of impending tranquility post-nuptials, their nerves remained taut, exacerbated by the weight of expectations. Amidst grueling training sessions and high-stakes matches, they found solace in the vigilant watch of both Order members and Ministry security personnel, ensuring their safety amidst the frenetic energy of the Quidditch arena.
"It's time!" Professor McGonagall announced, producing a weathered brass cup, its surface etched with years of use.
Gathering around the artifact alongside Mr. Weasley, the four youths placed their hands upon it simultaneously, bracing themselves for the familiar sensation of being whisked away by the Portkey's magic. In an instant, they found themselves deposited, along with their luggage, within the grand foyer of Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the Black family.
Emerging from the depths of the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley greeted them with warmth, directing them to their respective quarters. With a nod of acknowledgment, Alicia and Katie began lugging their trunks upstairs, while Mrs. Weasley's instructions guided Ron and Harry to their designated rooms.
"Ron, you'll be staying in the same room you shared with Harry. And Harry, Dobby has prepared the master bedroom for you; Tonks' belongings are already there," she announced, a smile adorning her features as she ushered them on their way.
Ascending the staircase, Harry's keen observation caught a peculiar absence, a stark departure from the usual cacophony that greeted them upon their arrival.
"Mrs. Weasley!" he called out, halting in his tracks, his gaze flickering between the Weasley matriarch and the vacant space where Mrs. Black's portrait typically hung.
"Yes, dear?" Mrs. Weasley turned to face him, curiosity etched upon her features.
"Why isn't Mrs. Black's portrait...?" Harry gestured towards the empty spot, a question lingering unspoken in the air.
"It was Dobby's idea!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, her voice ringing with triumph. "The portrait is ensconced in powerful magic, impervious to removal or silencing. But Dobby, bless his heart, was terrified of her incessant screams and threats. So, he devised a brilliant solution - a soundproof shield around the portrait. She can continue her tirades, but we're blissfully spared from the cacophony. Unless provoked, she remains oblivious to the goings-on in the house. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, YOU OLD HAG?" she added, amplifying her voice while muffling it with her hand. "Finally, we can enjoy some semblance of peace in this house."
Relief washed over the group at the prospect of escaping Mrs. Black's tormenting shrieks. With spirits lifted, they dispersed to their respective quarters. The girls wasted no time in unpacking upon their arrival, eager to settle into the sanctuary of their rooms.
Meanwhile, Ron found himself alone in his own chamber, a pang of solitude tugging at his heartstrings.
Harry stepped into what had once been the main bedroom of the house, its decor steeped in the colors of Slytherin. With a flick of his wand, he transformed the palette to the familiar hues of Gryffindor, a testament to his allegiance.
"That's the first thing I have to change!" he declared, surveying the revamped room. Before he could even set his trunk down, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in!"
Ron entered, his eyes widening in awe at the grandeur of the room. "What a room! And what a bed, surely tonight..."
"Ron, steady on," Harry interjected, a playful glint in his eyes. "You're my best friend, let's keep it that way. Respect the boundaries, especially when it comes to my wife." Ron's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, conceding to Harry's gentle reprimand. "At least until you're married," Harry added, chuckling.
"You're quite the jester today! What's gotten into you?" Ron remarked, bemused.
Harry glanced at the neatly arranged clothes on the bed, a sense of contentment washing over him. "I just feel... happy."
"Strange coming from you," Ron teased, his tone affectionate.
A subsequent knock interrupted their banter. "Come in!" Harry called out.
The girls entered the room, Ginny inquiring, "Have you unpacked already?"
"I haven't. The room's all mine," Ron declared, sprawling lazily on a nearby chair.
"Consistency is key, Ron," Ginny quipped, a smile playing on her lips.
"I'm just getting started; I've only just arrived," the dark-haired boy remarked as he opened his trunk. The girls couldn't help but notice Tonks' belongings neatly tucked away in the closet.
"It seems Tonks has already settled in," Harry remarked, nodding towards the wardrobe.
"You heard your mother; she and Dobby took care of it," he replied, his words trailing off as the door swung open, revealing Tonks entering the room. Harry rose to greet her, but before he could take a step, Tonks enveloped him in a tight embrace, their lips meeting in a fervent kiss as they retreated towards the bed.
With practiced ease, Harry reclined on the bed, their embrace unbroken as they continued to share tender moments.
"Did you miss me, Mr. Potter?" Tonks whispered teasingly.
"You can't even imagine, Mrs. Potter," Harry replied, his voice tinged with affection.
Sensing their intrusion, the other kids exchanged knowing glances, realizing they were intruding on the couple's reunion.
"We'll help Ron with his unpacking," Hermione declared, gently tugging her boyfriend away, who remained transfixed by the scene before him. Ginny followed, amusement dancing in her eyes. Before departing, she turned back, knowing her words would go unheard amidst the couple's affectionate embrace.
"We'll let you rest; dinner will be ready soon," she said with a mischievous grin.
"Ginny!" Ron protested, but his sister simply shrugged.
"Hey, they need some alone time," she reasoned before the door closed behind them, leaving Harry and Tonks alone once more.
Their kisses continued unabated, punctuated only by whispered endearments and tender caresses. As the passion subsided, Tonks voiced a sudden insecurity, her fingers tracing the curve of her belly.
"I've gained weight, haven't I? You must not find me as attractive anymore," she fretted, preparing to withdraw.
Harry's hand halted her retreat, his eyes filled with unwavering adoration. "You're a bit fuller, yes, but my feelings for you haven't changed one bit," he reassured her, a smile gracing his lips. "I'm still utterly, completely in love with you."
His gaze shifted to her belly once more, a warmth filling his heart. "I was just thinking about how incredible it will be to hold our child," he murmured softly. "To walk with them through the Hogwarts gardens, teaching them everything we know, showering them with love." A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes as he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "And I can't help but wonder how many brothers and sisters they'll have."
Tonks sprang up, her eyes widening in surprise at his words, a radiant smile gracing her features.
In the expansive expanse of the house, Tonks' playful suggestion hung in the air, enticing Harry with the promise of intimacy in the secluded chambers.
"In that case, let's practice for the moment," Harry replied, his voice laced with desire as Tonks straddled him, her gaze filled with anticipation.
Their lovemaking unfolded leisurely, each caress and whisper a testament to their shared longing since their last encounter. Despite the discomfort of her advancing pregnancy, Tonks guided their passion with care, ensuring their union remained gentle and controlled.
As Harry sat up, his lips sought the soft curve of her neck, igniting a symphony of sensations that reverberated through her body. His hands traced the contours of her back, eventually finding their way to her breasts, where they tenderly caressed her.
"Don't stop, keep going! I love it!" Tonks pleaded between interrupted sighs, her fingers threading through his hair as she surrendered to the waves of pleasure.
Harry's touch ignited a fire within her, each sensation pushing her closer to the edge of ecstasy. In the throes of passion, they reached the peak of pleasure together, their bodies entwined in a tangle of limbs as they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
As they lay intertwined on the bed, the soft glow of sunset bathed the room in a warm embrace, casting a serene aura over the naked couple. In the hushed moments that followed, they spoke of their dreams for the future, envisioning a life filled with love and adventure, where they would raise their firstborn child amidst the beauty of the world.
In the quiet intimacy of the room, they shared their hopes and aspirations, their whispered words a promise of the love that would guide them through the journey ahead.
In the library, Hermione was drawn to the intricate patterns of the Black family tree tapestry, her thoughts consumed by their enigmatic ally and his motivations for pursuing the Horcruxes.
"What's on your mind, Hermione?" Ron's voice broke through her reverie, followed by Ginny's curious gaze.
"I'm pondering our mysterious friend. We'll never truly understand why he sought out the Horcruxes," Hermione confessed, her brow furrowed with contemplation.
"Remember what Sirius said? His brother idolized him," Ginny interjected, her tone thoughtful. "Even if he wasn't considered family, he still admired him. When he realized the danger he was in, he knew that betraying his master meant certain death. Perhaps he sought to weaken him, even at the cost of his own life."
"That's quite a theory, Ginny," Ron remarked, impressed by his sister's insight.
"Leave me alone!" Ginny snapped suddenly, storming out of the room and leaving Hermione and Ron alone.
Caught in a charged silence, Hermione and Ron exchanged glances, a palpable tension lingering between them. It was Ron who broke the silence first, his words laced with longing.
"What I want more than anything right now is to be with you," he admitted, surprising Hermione.
"But if I make a move," he gestured towards the door, "my mum will come barging in and probably ground me for life!"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his wit. "Honestly, I wouldn't mind if you did," she confessed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Before they could delve deeper into their conversation, Mrs. Weasley entered the room, reminding Hermione to inform the "lovebirds" that dinner was ready. As she left, Hermione shot Ron a playful look, silently acknowledging his earlier prediction.
Harry and Tonks were nestled together in bed, enjoying a quiet moment of intimacy when a soft knock interrupted their tranquility.
"Are you decent?" Hermione's voice filtered through the door.
"Come in, Hermione," Harry replied, a slight blush tinting his cheeks as Tonks sat up, and he hurriedly slipped on a robe.
Hermione entered, her gaze respectful but curious. "Mrs. Weasley asked me to let you know that dinner's ready."
"Thanks, Hermione," Tonks responded warmly, appreciating the interruption.
Turning to Harry, she nodded. "Harry, I'll inform Kreacher to bring everything after the Weasley twins' wedding. Tomorrow night when we return, we'll start with everything."
As dawn approached, the household was abuzz with activity, anticipation rippling through the air as the Weasley family prepared for the long-awaited wedding. The Weasleys were the first to Disapparate, leaving behind a flurry of last-minute preparations before the guests arrived.
In the Weasley parents' room, the girls were getting ready under the watchful eyes of their mothers and Hermione, while in the twins' room, Fred and George struggled to don their formal attire, hardly recognizable in their unfamiliar garb.
When Harry and Tonks arrived, already dressed and composed, Lupin greeted them, leading them upstairs to join the bridal party.
As Tonks entered the room, she was greeted warmly by the brides-to-be, Alicia and Katie, who were in various stages of preparation. Mrs. Weasley presided over the bustling scene, ensuring every detail was perfect for her daughters' special day.
Alicia and Katie's eyes widened in surprise as they noticed Tonks' noticeable bump. "You're pregnant!" they exclaimed almost simultaneously.
Tonks chuckled, a sparkle in her eyes as she raised her hand to display her ring. "It seems so," she replied with a grin.
The brides were eager for details. "But we didn't know you were married at Bill and Fleur's wedding. You were still single, right? When did you get married?" they inquired, their curiosity piqued.
"On October 26th," Tonks answered, her smile widening.
"But you're almost..." Alicia began, her eyes widening in realization.
"Five months along, just like Fleur," Tonks confirmed, her tone lighthearted.
"And who's the father? Do we know him?" Katie asked, her curiosity unabated.
Tonks hesitated momentarily before responding, "As soon as you're married, you'll know. I'm sorry, it's for security reasons."
The brides exchanged knowing glances before offering their congratulations, their smiles warm and genuine. Tonks returned the sentiment, her heart full as she shared in the joy of the impending nuptials.
Harry couldn't help but revel in the comedic irony of the situation as he entered the room, finding Fred and George looking like guilty schoolboys caught red-handed.
Offering his congratulations, Harry couldn't resist a playful jab at the twins. "Welcome to the married club!" he declared, casting a teasing glance at Ron. "Your brother will take care of erasing you from the singles' club."
The twins exchanged a mock scowl. "Not funny, Potter!" they retorted in unison.
"We'd like to see you in our place!" Fred added, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Unable to contain his laughter, Harry quipped back, "Don't you remember you already did it?" The twins couldn't argue with the truth, resigning themselves to Harry's jest as they finished preparing for the wedding.
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