Chapter; Fifty-Four

I'm Sorry

Ron was one of the groomsmen so he couldn't talk to Hailey until the bride and groom said their vows and I do's. But they did make eye contact when the boy pretend like he was blown away by her making her laugh. Harry who was beside Hailey rolled his eyes but deep down inside, he was happy they were happy.

"You look stunning."

That was the first thing Ron had said when he saw Hailey at the reception where the newlywed couple were having their first dance. She had her strawberry blonde hair in a messy bun, few strands falling right over her glasses. She had worn a red strapless dress that ended a few inches after her knees. For the first time, she went for a pretty bold makeup look. She had worn red wine lipstick with bold foxy eyeliner. And to pair it all off, she wore a simple earring and red stilettos.

Hailey and Ron knew each other for years, but he had never seen her look like this. She always looked pretty. But he had never seen her look so fierce. Even on the Yule Ball, she looked like a girl, but today she looked like a woman.

"You don't look too bad yourself," Hailey said with a nervous grin.

"No... I mean I have to say this... You look good. Like really good. You always do. But today you look... Hot." The boy rambled making her go redder than her hair.

"Please stop." She blushed burying her face in his shoulder.

"What? I'm just completing my girlfriend. Am I not allowed to do that? Besides, I'm just stating facts." Ron smiled kissing her bare shoulder making her giggle. This boy somehow managed to hype her up every single time. Even when she would be wearing an oversized sweater and sweatpants and he would still say she looked pretty.

"God you two make me sic-"

"Shut up George." Both of them said simultaneously looking at the boy with a death glare.

"Hey hey I'm only joking. No need to be rude." He said putting his hand up surrender. "Jeez..." He laughed. "Gonna introduce your pretty little girlfriend to Muriel? She's been dying to meet the girl who fought."

"Well, might as well introduce them," Ron said with a shrug.

"Whose Muriel?" Hailey asked as he put an arm on her lower back leading her. He pointed at a white haired woman who was walking by angrily muttering- More like judging everyone she walked by. "Oh hell no. I'm not talking to any woman like that."

"Oh c'mon love. It's my great aunt. She's a bloody nightmare. But she'll kill me if I don't introduce you to her. Saw on the papers about us. Have owled me at least five times asking about you." Ron said as she tried to protest.

"But look at her." She whisper shouted as the woman was talking to someone about how ugly the Lovegood's dresses were. "She's going to judge the shit out of me."

"You're Hailey Potter. The prettiest person in this room. She can't say anything bad about you. So chill."

"Please don't make me do th-"

"Hey, aunt Muriel!" Ron exclaimed making her groan.

"Bloody hell... I thought the newspaper was lying." The elder woman muttered as she eyes her up and down almost like she didn't believe her eyes. Hailey awkwardly waved at her not knowing what to do. "I'm Muriel, Ronald's great aunt. It's so good to meet you honey."

"It's so good to meet you too... Ron's told me loads about you."

"All the good things I hope."

"Absolutely." She lied looking at the boy who tried his best not to laugh out loud.

"You're so much prettier in real life." She said taking her hand in his. "I'm so glad you're going to be a part of our family. I'm guessing you both talked about settling down?" She eyed the two.

"Uh... We haven't talked about it yet..." Ron said rubbing the back of his neck. "We're still young. I mean Hailey just turned seventeen last day."

"Oh, rubbish. I got married to your uncle when I was sixteen." She said with a laugh as the two shared a look. "Think about it. Starting a family and having children is the best achievement for a woman."

"I think settling down is better after having a stable career," Hailey said with a tight smile. "I wanted to become an auror. So why not fulfil my dreams before getting married?"

"Oh my god. Mum's calling us. We'll see you around." Ron grabbed her hand and started walking away. They got out of her eyesight. "Bloody hell... I'm so sorry. Didn't think she was going to bring up marriage and all."

"It's fine." She said with a smile as a slow song came on.

"May I have this dance m'lady? I never got the chance to ask you to dance." He said extending a hand.

"Of course you didn't. You chickened out and I had to ask you instead." She said with a small laugh as she wrapped her arms around his neck while he had his on her waist. "You know I have a feeling Fred intentionally asked me to the ball to make you mad."

"Don't know what he wanted, but it sure as hell worked." Ron smiled leaning down to press his lips against hers. "I love you."

"I love you more." She said pulling back lightly.

"Nope pretty sure I love you more. I'm taller than you. Meaning I have the capacity to love you more. You aren't physically capable." He said making Hailey look at her with a that made no sense at all look.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night love."

Soon enough the song changed to an upbeat song. Everyone was now jumping around drinking butterbeer. Hailey laughed when she saw Harry sitting beside Viktor Krum (who Fleur had invited) talking about god knows what. Hermione was dancing with Ginny, both looking as happy as ever.

"Bet I can drink more butterbeer than you," Ron said eyeing the table where all the butterbeer was. Fred and George were just beside the table handing out drinks to some girls flirtatiously.

"Nope. I'm pretty sure you can't."

"Fine. Loser has to do whatever the winner says for two days."

"Oh, you're on Weasley."

~

"I surrender!" Hailey said finishing halfway through her fourth pint. "God my stomach can't take so much liquid at once. I'm dying!"

"In you're face!" Ron said chugging his fourth one completely. "Never underestimate my eating capabilities Hails, never." He grinned as she rolled her eyes.

"You only won because it's butterbeer. I could beat you easily if it was chocolate. Or maybe pies." She said grumpily as she lost.

"What are you saying? Sorry, can't hear you taking over my victory." He said grinning. "Now love, you have to do whatever I say for two days."

"Yeah yeah. I know."

"So we c-"

"The ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming." A voice said.

"What the-" Hailey couldn't even finish her sentence when it was like parts of the tent was blasted off. Black smokes were everywhere indicating death eaters had arrived. Soon enough spells were being shouted everywhere.

Ron immediately pulled Hailey closer to his body while trying to find Harry and Hermione. The tent was on fire. Screams were heard from every direction. Mostly from children who couldn't use magic, or were not legally allowed to use it outside school.

"Potter girl is here!" They heard a death eater yell loudly. "Boy not with her! Look for hi-"

"Stupefy!" Hailey exclaimed as the red shot from her wand blasted him off a few feet away.

"This is bad. This is so bad." Harry gasped finally as the four met. "What do we do?"

"This was not planned, I-"

"Plan B! Plan B!" Hailey exclaimed looking at Hermione. "Death eaters are everywhere."

"But Hailey..."

"There is no other way. They saw me. But they don't know about you all. Not yet."

"What is plan B?" The boys asked as she looked at them guilty. They didn't know about the plan.

"I'm sorry."

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