Chapter 7 (Ava)

"Are you sure it will be safe for you, Ava?" Mrs. Weasley asked, putting her wand down and looking at me with a serious expression, "Harry is disguising himself, and perhaps it would be best if you did too-"

I sighed. For safety reasons, Harry was being disguised as a muggle boy from the village nearby so that people didn't recognise them. Mrs. Weasley had asked if I had wanted to disguise myself as well, but I had declined the offer.

"Mrs. Weasley," I stepped towards her with a smile, "I'll be alright. Barely anyone knows what I look like. I was never in the Prophet, and no one heard from me last year. I can use a fake surname if that puts you at ease-"

Mrs. Weasley nodded quickly, "Arthur will help you with something before the wedding starts this afternoon. Until then, get ready with the others and if I need you for decorations I'll give you a shout."

I grinned, turning out of the kitchen and thanking her as I made my way to the room that I shared with Ginny and Hermione. They had both laid out their dresses on their beds and were preparing to sort out their hair and make-up. Hermione glanced up.

"So you're still going to be Ava today?"

I nodded, "A fake surname, of course. But I didn't fancy walking around as someone else for the whole day."

"We'd better get started then," Ginny stood up, "Hermione- you ought to go first, your hair is a nightmare to get under control."

I laughed, reaching into the wardrobe to pull out my dress. It was a red lace sleeveless dress with a hem that was a few inches above the knee, and I had a pair of red heels to match. It had taken a while to choose, but once I had seen it I knew it was going to love it.

Ginny was right- Hermione's hair took a good hour to calm down, and it was half an hour before we had styled it properly.

Ginny went next, styling her bright ginger hair into a half-up half-down style which looked fantastic.

Mr. Weasley popped his head around the door, asking to have a word with me for a moment. I followed him out quickly.

"Your surname this afternoon is going to be Longbottom. We thought as you're good friends with Neville you'd know a lot about him so you'd be able to pull off being his cousin. Is that alright?"

I nodded, "Thank you Mr. Weasley- that's a good idea!"

When I walked back into the bedroom, it was finally my turn. Ginny sat me down and pulled my hair out of its ponytail, curling it into soft waves with a flick of her wand. She then used a silver clip to arrange it all onto one side- I had to admit, I was impressed. Ginny knew how to style hair well.

We went into the bathroom one by one to get changed into our dresses, and I had time to put my make-up on before Mrs. Weasley started to call everyone downstairs.

"The guests are already arriving!"

The three of us dashed downstairs where Harry and George were standing by the front of the marquee- with Harry in his disguise.

Fred was standing a few feet away from them, in deep conversation with some Veela girls. However, when he glanced up at me, he stopped.

"You can find the seats yourselves, can't you?" he asked the girls absently as he walked towards me with a smile on his face.

"Ava," He smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear, "You look gorgeous."

"Is this a genuine compliment or to make up for you hanging out with those Veela girls?" I asked slyly.

"I mean it, you idiot." Fred shook his head, his eyes twinkling, "I mean it."

I started to speak, but was cut off when someone behind me said, "Wotcher."

I spun around and grinned at Tonks, "Hello!"

Remus was standing behind her, a small smile on his face that didn't look very genuine. He cleared his throat, "Sorry about yesterday... we couldn't have the Minister of Magic in the same room as a werewolf... they aren't being very friendly at the moment."

I shook my head, "Don't worry about it. After the Minister came, the party wasn't exactly fun."

They both nodded and turned away, walking into the marquee. I felt Fred reach out and squeeze my hand, "You don't need to worry about Remus- Tonks can look after him now."

I nodded, not quite believing him.

An interesting-looking man walked past us with a smile on his face, having just spoken to Ron and Harry. Someone with long blonde hair followed, and my face broke into a smile when I realised that it was Luna.

"Ava!" She grinned, "Good to see not everyone around here's disguised."

I frowned, "How did you-?"

She just shook her head, "His facial expression is very distinctive, couldn't you tell?"

I laughed, "Only you would be able to, Luna."

She smiled, turning away to follow her father towards the seats.

An elderly woman was walking towards us with Ron, who was looking rather uncomfortable. She squinted at me and then Fred, "Who's this then? A new girlfriend?"

"Ava Longbottom," Fred squeezed my hand, "She works with George and I at the shop."

"Why did she choose you and not the other one? He's always been better looking, although his ears are looking a bit lopsided nowadays..." She glanced at me again and shook her head, "Your hair would look so much better shorter, did you know that?"

I raised my eyebrows, surprised by the comment. Fred started to speak, but I cut him off, "I've always liked it long myself."

The woman's eyes widened and her eyebrows pulled together in a frown. She started to walk away, clearly irritated that I had spoken back to her.

Fred snorted beside me, "So that's Aunt Muriel. Don't take anything she says to heart."

I laughed, "She sounds like a bundle of fun. I won't be going anywhere near her for the rest of the afternoon."

We walked towards George, Hermione, Fred and Ron just in time to catch the last of their conversation about Muriel.

George sighed, "I wish old Uncle Billius was still with us, though; he was a right laugh at weddings."

"Wasn't he the one who saw a Grim and died twenty-four hours later?" Hemrione asked seriously.

"Well, yeah, he went a bit odd towards the end."

Fred grinned, "But before he went loopy he was the life and soul of the party. He used to down an entire bottle of Firewhisky, then run on to the dance floor, hoist up his robes and start pulling bunches of flowers out of his-"

"Shut up before we hear anything we rather wouldn't!" I laughed, shoving Fred away.

"Yes, he sounds a real charmer," Hermione remarked.

"Never married, for some reason," Ron muttered, and Hermione snorted.

"You amaze me."

I burst out laughing along with everyone else, forgetting Aunt Muriel's comments already.

Suddenly a dark haired, broad young man walked in and turned to Hermione, "You look vunderful."

Hermione screeched, dropped her bag and blushed, "Viktor! I didn't know you were- goodness- it's lovely to see- how are you?"

I gave Fred a quizzical look and he bent down, muttering in my ear, "Viktor Krum, one of the Triwizard Tournament competitors. He and Hermione had a short... fling in fourth year."

I glanced at Ron's twisted, angry face and couldn't help but smile.

"We should probably sit down, I think everyone's here," George remarked, walking towards the marquee and gesturing for us to follow.

I sat at the end of the row beside Fred, glancing at the end of the aisle to see if the ceremony had started.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were the first to walk down the aisle, smiling at waving at everyone. Bill and Charlie were next, both wearing dress robes and large white roses in their buttonholes. At the sight of them, Fred wolf-whistled, causing an eruption of giggles from the Veela in the row behind.

Music began, and we all turned to see Fleur. She looked beautiful, wearing a simple white dress with a silvery glow. Ginny and Gabrielle were on either side of her, both looking absolutely stunning in golden dresses.

The whole event looked absolutely beautiful. I had never been to a wedding before, but now I had I realised why people enjoyed them so much. I felt Fred reach out and hold onto my hand, and I glanced up at him, a smile creeping across my face. I rested my head against his shoulder and watched as short wizard standing behind Fleur and Bill asked, "Do you, William Arthur, take Fleur Isabelle...?"

It was peculiar- such a happy event with everything else that was happening. Fleur and Bill were in love, and they hadn't let a war affect that.

"Then I declare you bonded for life."

The wizard lifted his wand and a display of bright silver stars fell around Fleur and Bill. Fred, George and I began to clap, and the golden balloons above us burst, letting out birds and small golden bells.

"Ladies and gentlemen! If you would please stand up!"

We all stood up quickly, allowing the short wizard to wave away the walls of the marquee to reveal an orchard and a golden dance floor beside a selection of white-clothed tables.

Fred, George and I went to find a table with Ginny, Remus and Tonks, who had a constant smile on her face and was talking away to Remus without a pause for breath.

Despite the upset expression on Remus' face, I could tell from his eyes how much he cared about Tonks. I was pleased to see that he had found someone at last.

The band began to play some music, and Fleur and Bill moved onto the dance floor. After a few moments, Fred pulled me up and onto the dance floor.

I laughed, "Fred! I don't dance-"

"Oh please," Fred smirked, spinning me round, "I've seen you dancing in the kitchen if mum's ever played any music. You dance."

I sighed, reluctantly beginning to move to the music with him. We weren't really doing it properly and probably looked rather embarrassing next to Bill and Fleur who had obviously done a lot of practise. I didn't mind though.

Ron and Hermione were dancing near to us as well, and I couldn't help but smile. Ron kept casting glances over in Krum's direction, but Hermione didn't notice.

"It's all rather fancy, isn't it?" Fred asked, causing me to look at him with a questioning glance. He gestured at the decorations around him, "A wedding like this seems like far too much effort."

"Would you rather get married in the Potions dungeon?" I asked with a grin, and Fred shook his head, staring at me with a smile on his face.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have cake on my face?" I reached up to wipe my mouth, but Fred caught hold of my wrist.

"Not at all- it's just... you're beautiful- did you know that?"

My face flamed a dark red, and I could only smile in response. I started to stutter out something, and Fred laughed, "I want to kiss you."

Before I could say no, not surrounded by so many people, he brushed his lips against mine softly. I leant up into him and closed my eyes for a moment, savouring the feeling of his lips against mine.

"Not here," I whispered, grabbing hold of his wrist and pulling him out of the crowds and towards the orchard.

The moment we were behind the trees, Fred kissed me again, pushing me back into a trunk of an apple tree.

He tasted of cake and Butterbeer and everything sweet, and I wished to be in his arms for the whole evening.

"Try not to ruin my hair," I murmured, "Ginny put a lot of effort into this."

"Is it even possible to keep it this perfect for the whole night?" Fred grinned, pressing his hand against the tree trunk and leaning over me.

"We can try," I sighed, "Because you can't spend your brother's wedding out here with me, no matter how much the idea appeals to the both of us."

"But-"

I reached out and pinched the end of his freckled nose, "Later, Fred. When everyone's gone home."

I started to walk towards the marquee again, but not before Fred caught hold of my wrist and spun me round to kiss him one final time. I inhaled his scent and whispered, "You're making this increasingly difficult."

"Okay, okay- fine. I'll go and spend time with my brother on his wedding day." He muttered sullenly. I giggled, pushing him away and turning towards the marquee. I spotted Remus inside with a small smile on his face as he watched Fred and I.

"Do you think now would be a good time to ask Remus about joining the Order?" I spoke softly to Fred so that no one would hear.

Fred stopped, "Ava- maybe not... he doesn't- he doesn't look like the happiest of chaps, does he?"

I glanced over at him again and saw that his face had changed to a rather dark expression once he had turned away from me. My throat tightened.

I pulled away from Fred and began to walk towards Remus, ignoring Fred's calls from behind me.

Remus was sitting at the table alone- Tonks had nipped off to get some food and talk to Ron and Hermione for a moment.

"Remus," I cleared my throat, sitting down beside him.

"Why are you coming over here to talk to boring old me? You were spending time with Fred-" Remus started.

"It's his brother's wedding, he can spend time with me later this afternoon. Besides, I want to sit with you."

When he didn't say anything, I sighed, "What's wrong?"

Remus' shoulders slumped- he had clearly known what I had been about to ask him. He shook his head, turning away from me and closing his eyes. He sat like that for a moment, and just when I thought he was going to ignore me altogether, he started to speak, his voice hoarse.

"Tonks is... she's pregnant."

I started to smile, but when I saw the bleak expression on Remus' face I concealed it quickly, "What's wrong with that?"

Remus shook his head with a shudder, "I can't... I can't be a father... not with the way I am. And what- what if it's like me?"

I reached my hand out and clasped it around his, "Remus- it's a miracle that you've survived this long with your condition. If you can do it and your child inherits the condition, you can help it and teach it to find ways to survive each full moon."

"Ava- I can't. I can't be a father. I need to leave-" He sounded on the edge of a breakdown, so I squeezed his hand.

"You won't leave, Remus. You can't! You can't leave Tonks during this war. She needs you, and so will the baby." I spotted Tonks making her way back over to the table and stood up, "It's better to grow up with an inexperienced parent than none at all."

Remus' eyes widened with guilt, understanding the meaning behind my words.

"I'll do what I can..." He whispered, and I smiled, squeezing his shoulder and darting into the crowd.

I found George and Ginny in the crowd, who both pulled me towards them to dance in a mini circle.

"You're truly awful at dancing, Ava!" George shouted, and I shoved him.

"You're not exactly too great yourself!"

Ginny snorted, and by the end of the song the three of us were breathless from laughter. Although I longed to sit down and get some water, we carried on for a few more songs.

I only stopped moving when I spotted a large silver animal dart into the marquee, weaving through the frozen dancers towards the middle of the dance floor. I grabbed onto George and Ginny to stop them, pointing silently at the Patronus. It opened its mouth and started to speak- I recognised the voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt instantly.

"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

My heart stopped in my chest, and everything suddenly appeared to be moving in slow motion. The marquee was silent for a split second before a scream suddenly echoed throughout. People began to Disapparate as the Burrow's protective enchantments broke.

I scrambled forwards, pulling my wand out and pointing it at the incoming stream of Death Eaters.

I fired as many jinxes as I could, and I could see members of the Order nearby doing the same. The space around me was a pattern of different coloured streams of light, and I could just about spot Fred across the marquee, standing by Remus and Tonks. I shouted his name out, sprinting towards him just before a firm hand wrapped itself around my arm, tugging me away.

With a jerk, the Burrow swirled away into darkness and the screams and shouts of the Order faded into silence. The only scream that was left was my own just before I fell against the floor with a thud.