"Can you tell me a story, Time?"
"Of course, but why?"
"I've never had a story read to me before. Could you do it?" Time answered him by picking up a small book.
"Let me tell you about a woman named Morgana, and her daughter, Celeste."
"What's up Harry?" Neville asked his friend, noting the way Harry kept looking at him guiltily. "Did you mess with one of my plants again?"
"What? No! I just, I was thinking."
"Everyone hide!" Neville teased. "What about"
"You didn't get your own birthday celebration this year. I just kind of felt bad is all." Harry said, looking at the ground. Neville was confused. Why? Their birthdays were close enough to be celebrated together, so why wouldn't they?
"It's alright, I promise," Neville smiled. "Besides, we've got countless birthdays coming, we can celebrate them apart if you want."
"What? If I want to?"
"Yeah. I don't mind our birthdays being celebrated together. It's like being twins."
"I just assumed you would want to," Harry said, scratching his head.
"I celebrated most of my birthdays with just me and Gran. It's much nicer having a big group of people to celebrate with."
Harry stayed silent for a few moments before nodding.
"Yeah, yeah it is."
A few minutes later, both boys were dressed and ready for Fluer and Bill's wedding. They stepped out of Ron's room, one after the other, earning some applause from Hermione and Ron.
Neville looked especially elegant in his suit jacket, the fabric of the jacket hugging his broadening shoulders perfectly. Harry decided to leave the jacket, going for a vest over his white long sleeve button up. It suited his lithe build quite well, as did the colour. Both suits were a deep shade of blue, with subtle patterns and texture that added to the overall effect.
"Look! Mine has little vines," Neville showed off the jacket sleeves, grinning. "You two look great!"
Harry nodded his head in agreement. Ron and Hermione were matching, looking every bit the couple they were known as. Hermione wore a cute lavender dress with off the shoulder sleeves, while Ron wore a 3 piece suit with a tie that matched Hermione's dress.
"Hermiones got great transfiguration skills. This was my gryffindor tie," Ron said with a grin. The four were about to head out when Mrs Weasley stopped them.
"Harry? I have something small for you." The woman said with a small smile. It looked a bit sad. Harry waved off his friends and followed the lady into the kitchen.
"Yes, Mrs Weasley?"
"I told you to call me Molly," she laughed softly, pulling out a brown box. "Open it."
Harry did so, gasping as he saw the watch nestled in there. It was a gorgeous thing, gold and shiny. Harry lightly touched the sides of it, feeling the cool mettle on his fingertips.
"It's traditional to give a wizard a watch when he comes of age. I know you saw Neville get his from Augusta. I'm afraid that one isn't new like Ron's, it was actually my brother Fabian's and he wasn't terribly careful with his possessions, it's a bit dented on the back, but-"
"It's beautiful," Harry said thickly."
"I'm glad, Harry. You'll do it proud."
Mrs Weasley helped Harry put the watch on, and fastened it to his wrist. It was protected with a few charms that would keep it from being stolen or lost, as well one that kept it from slipping off his wrist. He'd have to cast the counter to take it off, but Harry didn't mind. He doubted he'd be taking it off for a while.
Harry returned to his friends, wiping his eyes with a large smile. It quickly dropped when he saw what Hermione was holding.
"I almost forgot about that part," Harry grumbled, taking the small bottle.
"Who knows if everyone that's coming is safe, Harry." Hermione said, offering a sympathetic smile. Ron looked smug. "It shouldn't be too bad, and it's only for a little bit."
"You say that…" Harry sighed. "Bottoms up I guess."
The three took a swig of the polyjuice, grimacing as their face and body changed. Neville was glad the suit jacket he had on was a little long, as in his transfigured body his arms grew longer. Harry wasn't so lucky. Ron snorted as the sleeves shrank on Harry's arms, making the now-redheaded boy groan. Hermione fixed all their outfits with a swish of her wand, but Ron was still snickering.
"Ronald, be nice." Ron leaned over and kissed the top of Hermione's head.
"Much prefer the brown," he muttered. Neville and Harry turned around, fake gagging and making retching noises.
"I'd hope so," Hermione pouted. "Now off, we're all related today."
"I'm a pureblood you know?" Ron said with a wicked smirk. "We date our cousins, sometimes."
Ron didn't stop laughing at Hermione's appalled face the whole night. The four head to the outside tent, walking in with a gasp. It was stunning.
"Let's find our seats," Harry muttered, moving him and Neville to the front of the seats. Hermione and Ron were in the actual wedding party, so they went to the front, chatting before the actual ceremony started. It wouldn't be long now.
"Wonder what style she went with," Neville mused. "I know Hermione and Ginny were talking about it before."
"Think she'll go big?" Neville shook his head.
"Hermione had asked her that too, but she said she wanted to keep it to simple french customs."
Soon the music started playing, drifting in and out of the tent as everyone quieted. The wedding party stood at the front, looking beautiful. Bill walked in first, a simple white suit, his hair in a bun. He looked good, regal even. But nothing compared to Fleur Delacore.
With each step she took, Fleur seemed to glow, as if the dress brought out the very essence of her beauty. Everyone in the room was in awe of her, as they watched her glide towards the altar, her confident stride showing the strength and tenacity that lay behind her soft exterior.
The dress hugged her curves and showed off her graceful figure, with a deep neckline that flaunted her delicate shoulders and a flowing train that followed behind her, held up by two small children. Each of the dresses layers were subtle and sparkly, adding to the beauty of the whole outfit. It flowed out at her ankles, a small circle of fabric around her. She looked beautiful.
Bill looked like he was about to cry.
"My love," he said softly, taking her hands in his. They shared a soft kiss as they stared at each other, the crowd laughing softly at the show of their love.
The room filled with magic as a man spoke between them, his french accent making some of his words hard to understand. Bill sank to one knee, his eyes never leaving Fleur.
"Fleur, you are my everything. My light, my beauty, my happiness. Since meeting you, I have seen the world in a new way. You are so smart, so kind, and absolutely stunning inside and out. I love you, Fleur Weasley. I speak to you, to the people, and to magic herself, I will never do anything to harm you."
A golden light appeared from the wedding officiant's wand, wrapping around their hands. Fleur sank to the floor next, tears filling her eyes.
"My William, you are my life, my joy, my forever. I never want us to part, and if we do, I shall follow quickly after. I love you more than magic, more than life. I speak to you, to the people, and to magic herself, I will never break our promise."
A second golden light appeared, wrapping around their hands before exploding in soft gold sparkles. The people cheered as Fleur pulled Bill in for a kiss.
They walked out of the tent, hand in hand, staring into each other's eyes lovingly. The second they were gone, Molly, Arthur, and Fleur's parents (Appolline and Marius) began clearing the room of chairs and the small alter.
It was party time.
The four teenagers quickly found a small wall to stand against as adults moved around the place, talking and laughing as they discussed the wedding.
"Her dress was beautiful!"
"Bills words almost made me tear up,"
"Think your wedding will be like that?"
"Our wedding!?"
A few minutes later, a set of earless twins make their way over to the group, grinning from ear to- well, lack of ear.
"Ickle babies standing all by themselves," Fred teased.
"Ickle babies want a drink?" George offered, grinning as he leaned on his brother.
"We really shouldn't," Hermione said. At the same time, Ron was taking one of the champagne flutes. "Oh, alright, fine."
It was their night of freedom after all.
Harry, Neville, Ron, and Hermione danced and chatted the night away. They switched partners frequently, sometimes throwing in Gabrielle, Luna, Ginny, and even Marius (who was very awkward without his wife). It was great fun, and eventually they started to relax.
Taking a break, Harry sat down, taking a swig of his polyjuice potion to keep up appearances.
"And who might you be?" A woman who Harry recognised as Muriel Weasley. Ron had said she was unpleasant, but Harry thought that was understating it.
"Harrison, a friend of Ron's from school."
"House?" She questioned.
"Uh, Ravenclaw. I'm a year below him though." Harry lied quickly.
"You aren't a mudblood are you?"
Harry felt his blood go cold.
"Er, no. Not…that. I'm a pureblood, like Ron."
"At least my great niece can do something right. You must be a soft one, hanging out with these people."
Harry nodded awkwardly before turning to face the man next to him. Maybe he'd be better at conversation?
"I'm Harrison," He greeted, sticking his hand out. The man shook it.
"Elphias Doge. Wonderful to see such happy people in such trying times."
"It really is,"
"Say, are you-"
"Ronald!" Muriel said, calling her nephew over. He thankfully left Hermione behind.
"Sorry, sir, you got interrupted," Harry said. The man waved a wrinkled hand.
"No harm, Muriel is like this often. Are you going back to Hogwarts this year?"
"And your hair's much too long, Ronald, for a moment I thought you were Ginevra. Merlin's beard, what is Xenophilius Lovegood wearing? He looks like an omelette... Isn't Harry Potter here? I was hoping to meet him. I thought he was a friend of yours, Ronald, or have you merely been boasting?" Muriel demanded from beside them. Ron shot Harry a look.
"I think so, why?" Harry asked the man.
"Is it going to be odd without Dumbledore?"
"Harrison!" Neville ran up. Muriel looked him over and sneered.
"Another Weasley? You breed like gnomes."
The conversations overlapped, before Elphias and Harry began talking about Dumbledore, drowning everything out. Neville dragged Ron back to Hermione after a bit, leaving Muriel to butt into their conversation once more.
"Honestly, how can you support that beast? My, he even broke his own brother's nose at Arianna's funeral!"
Elphias winced but continued on. Muriel wasn't having it though.
"Not to mention his horrid leading skills, I'm sure others could do better."
"Don't listen to this sympathiser, Harrison." Doge growled, impressive for his age. Muriel just glanced away.
"Sympathiser? As in…?" Doge nodded. Harry was suddenly on edge. After a few more minutes of (interrupted) conversation with Elphias, Harry scattered, heading back up to Ron and Neville.
"You alright mate?"
"Absolutely not." Harry hissed. "Your aunt is a sympathiser for You-Know-Who."
"What? Muriel?"
Their conversation was interrupted by a silver lynx floating through the door, its booming voice sounding over the music.
"The Ministry has fallen. The Minister of Magic is dead. They are coming." Chaos ensued.
Harry looks over, and then he sees it. The look of absolute mirth on Muriel's face.
"Ron," he nudges. Ron looks at the woman, his gaze filling with anger.
"Stupefy!"
The spell hits the woman, and the four run to find someone they can tell.
"They're banging on the wards!" Ron yelled, running up to his dad. "Da!"
"I know! Bill's already doing something, you four get out of here!"
"Muriel had something to do with this!" Harry said, pointing at the stupefied woman. "She was talking all night about supporting You-Know-Who."
"Damnit!" The man yelled. The sounds of spells being cast outside had all of them looking around, wands in hand. "Be safe, you four. Please."
Arthur ran off, another man following. The four looked at each other. Ron suddenly groaned, looking at the wards.
"Someone cancelled the nightmare ward, Harry."
"Shit!"
A spell flew past Hermione's head, and the four began to run.
"Grab on!" Hermione yelled. They all grasped hands, and the familiar pull of apparition twisted in their guts.
And then, Neville's hand slipped from Harry's.
Neville felt Harry's hand slip from his, and he cursed. He reached out, ignoring the pain in his hand as he tried to grasp Harry's hand in his. He felt their fingers brush against one anothers before the two were pulled apart, being torn into different directions.
Neville landed on the ground, his hand throbbing. The ground was soft beneath him, but it didn't do much to help his fall. Merlin, he needed to find Harry and fast.
Neville sat up, head spinning. He was surrounded by blood, and he was sure it was his. He raised a hand to his face, his body going impossibly paler. The blood was most definitely his. He squeezed his palm, watching the blood shoot from the wound.
He passed out with a thud.
Severus apparated with a pop, landing in fiery ruins. A few voices shouted, spelling water onto surfaces or floating water up from a nearby well. The house was a wreck.
The air smelt of sulphur, the dirt dry and the flowers in their vases were dead. The part of the house the wedding tent was connected to was also in shambles. A few Death Eaters were laying in a pile, dead, but Severus didn't care. No word had gotten back about Harry Potter having been captured, thank Merlin, but that doesn't meen the rest of the party had survived.
A curse shot off from the side, Severus deflecting it as he took off his mask. He turned, facing a teary Molly Weasley.
"Severus, it's just you." She sighed, her face seeming to age a few years. Severus could understand.
"I apologise that I was not here to help."
"You're doing what you can, for Dumbledore." She responded kindly.
"Is everyone alive?"
"Yes, but… your student, Luna Lovegood?" Severus nodded. "She and father were invited, but… no one can find Xenophilius. Luna is in a spare room with Fleur. She's not doing well. Muriel is in the living room, being watched."
"And…?" he prompted. Molly's face softened.
"All four of them aparted off together. He had a good birthday, thanks to you, Severus." The man just nodded, slipping his mask back on.
"Thank you for what you do for him." Severus' voice sounded slightly deeper, due to one of the spells on the mask.
"Anything for Harry."
"You know I have to take her to him, correct?" He asked her. Molly sighed, nodding.
"I understand. Just-," she sighed again. "I don't know."
"The Dark Lord does not react well to failure."
"Then she shouldn't have joined him," The eldest Weasley chimed in. "Hello Severus."
"William," Severus greeted. "I must head back now."
"She's this way," Bill said, turning around. Severus followed, patting Molly on her shoulder. That was all the comfort he knew how to offer. "Will she be killed?"
"I will try and convince Him to be gentle, tell Him that she was overpowered by you all."
"You're a good man, Severus." The man offered him a nod, but said no more, laying his hand on the sleeping woman and apparating on the spot.
However, they didn't land at Malfoy Manor. Instead, they were in a field. He waved his wand, waking the woman.
She was disoriented, Severus taking the time to pull off his mask. Muriel was not someone who Severus expected to deal with today. His eyes glowered as he watched her try and sit up.
"Severus! Have you-"
"You seem to be utterly mistaken," he growled. The woman shut up. "I am not here to save you."
"What? No, you- you work for them?!" Severus raised his wand, pointing it at the woman's throat.
"You have failed your Lord, Muriel." he whispered the spell, watching the blood spill from her neck. "And you have endangered my son."
Severus was not a good man.