FIFTY FIVE

"WE'VE GOT TO STOP into the paper shop, boys! Harry needs a birthday card and we need decorations for the wedding... should we make a banner? I love banners!" Rory smiled, stepping into the sunny street of the village by Ottery St. Catchpole. It was the morning of Harry Potter's seventeenth birthday and the morning before the wedding of Bill and Fleur. Rory couldn't have been more happy! It was a bright summer day in late July, and love was in the air.

"Alright but can we be quick please?" Fred groaned, "I'm hungry and I think Mum and Ginny made birthday pancakes."

Rory rolled her eyes and opened the door of the shop, the small bell ringing upon entry. The girl was surprised to see the same beautiful, auburn haired girl working who was there over Christmas. Although small shops like that didn't have many employees, Rory knew better than anyone.

"You're back!" The shop girl smiled, "The girl with the card trick! And my favorite gentlemen! What can I help you with today — oh goodness, are you alright?" Her emerald eyes fell upon George and his bandaged ear.

George leaned across the counter and said to her, "Lost my ear... in a fight. Oh, don't worry about me, I'm fine. But let me tell you..." he looked down at her name tag, "Josephine — you should see the other guy."

"Wow!" Josephine giggled. Rory made her way to the wall of cards and picked out a birthday one for Harry and a wedding one for Bill and Fleur as George chatted up the shop girl. Fred was across the shop, flipping through the used records in the corner.

"D'you have this one yet?" Fred asked, pulling out a record sleeve. "The Byrds? This is the only one here I haven't recognized from your collection."

Rory shook her head, "No, I don't have that one yet."

"Well then I'll get it for you!" He beamed, pulling the muggle money they had brought with him out of his pocket.

She smiled, "Thanks, Freddie. Oh my goodness —" her eyes fell upon the small television by the till playing MTV. A music video was playing. It was Queen's I Want to Break Free.

"Whoa," Fred whispered.

"I remember the day that video came out. It was right before my Dad got kicked out. You should have seen my mother's face when she came downstairs and saw Freddie Mercury wearing a skirt on our television! She shouted at Andrew, told him he was a bad influence on me. It's strange, you know... I used to not remember anything about my childhood but now that my Dad is back and I'm close with my brother it's all coming back to me."

"Wicked," smiled Fred. "What about this paper for the banner? We can enchan— write on it back at the house." He said, picking up a roll of thick pale paper.

"That's perfect, Freddie." She smiled, "Alright, need anything George? We're about ready to ring up!"

George, who was deep in conversation with the auburn haired girl shook his head, "If I need anything I'll just come back later." He shot a wink to the girl and Fred and Rory paid for their things, trying their best not to roll their eyes at George: the most eligible bachelor in Ottery St. Catchpole.

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"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" Rory beamed, embracing the now seventeen year old boy.

"Thanks, Rory," he said with a small smile, "Thanks for the card and the Galleons. And the pack of Quidditch cards. They were pretty sick."

"'Course! It's not every day you turn seventeen!"

"Is your dad coming tonight?" Ginny asked sweetly.

Rory shook her head, "He can't. Work. Cory too. She's got some match to watch tonight. Aaron's coming with Tonks though!"

Ginny beamed, "Great! I've got loads to tell him!"

Rory smiled, but wondered what could have happened in the two days they hadn't seen each other that would prompt Ginny to have loads to tell him.

They waited for the rest of the dinner guests, which at that point, the backyard had been decked out with décor both from magic and from the paper shop. Purple lanterns floated in the air to write out the number "17" and purple and gold streamers hung from the trees.

"Out of the way, out of the way!" sang Molly, coming through the gate with the giant golden Snitch cake they had made for Harry, floating in front of her carefully. She set it on the table and Harry looked up with a grin.

"That looks amazing, Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh, it's nothing, dear," she said fondly.

At about seven, nearly all the guests arrived including Remus as well as Tonks and Aaron who seemed so cheerful in their shared Hufflepuff spirit it made the setting sun seem much brighter. They were all settled outside, across the dinner tables, including the Delacour family, waiting for Arthur's arrival from work.

"I think the twins sell something that can fix your hair, Charlie," Rory said to the Weasley boy quietly, who had gotten a "proper" haircut from his mother upon his arrival.

The man waved a weak hand in front of him and shrugged, "It always grows back fast... I'll keep it like this as long as I'm here. Just to give Mum some peace I suppose."

"How kind of you, Charlie." Fred said sarcastically, "There's a reason you're the favorite."

"I think we'd better start without Arthur," she called to the garden at large after a moment ortwo. "He must have been held up at — oh!"

A streak of light came flying across the yard and onto the table, where it formed into a bright silver weasel that stood on its hind legs and spoke with Arthur's voice.

"Minister of Magic coming with me."The Patronus dissolved into thin air, leaving The Delacour's in astonishment.

"I shouldn't be here," said Lupin at once. "Harry — I'm sorry — I'll explain another time —" He ran off, reached the fence, climbed over it, and vanished from sight. Rory sighed, feeling sorry for Remus that he couldn't enjoy dinner with them all.

Molly looked around, bewildered."The Minister — but why — ? I don't understand —"

Soon, the Minister and Arthur came across the yard. Rufus Scrimgeour in all his old, silver haired, and walking stick glory approached the table.

"Sorry to intrude," said Scrimgeour, as he limped to a halt. "Especially as I can see that I am gate-crashing a party."

His eyes fell on the giant Snitch cake and he said, "Many happy returns."

"Thanks," said Harry.

"I require a private word with you," Scrimgeour went on. "Also with Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."

"Us?" said Ron, sounding taken aback. "Why us?"

"I shall tell you that when we are somewhere more private," said Scrimgeour. "Is there such a place?"

"Yes, of course," said Arthur nervously, yet still keeping his cheerful demeanor, "The, er, sitting room, why don't you use that?"

"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron. "There will be no need for you to accompany us, Arthur."

The four entered the house and a short silence fell upon the table. Rory waited until the door was shut and leaned over to the people around her (the twins, Aaron, and Charlie).

"Why does the bloody Minister keep coming here?" Rory rolled her eyes.

"Good thing Dad isn't here..." Aaron mumbled. Rory nodded in agreement as her stomach growled, waiting for dinner even longer now.

"At least that twat isn't accompanying him," Fred said under his breath, but Rory heard, and shot him a glare.

It seemed the table was quiet as they waited. What could the Minister of Magic possibly want from the three of them? And why did he always have to crash their meals?

"Fun fact about weddings," Rory piped up awkwardly to the few around her who were listening, "The bride's family traditionally pays for everything because of... dowries. In which the bride's family would essentially pay the groom off to take their daughter and marry them. It's a hundred year old ritual but... the concept of it is still practiced."

"How do you know —" George looked around, "How does she know this shit?"

Fred shook his head, "That's bloody rubbish! When we get married, Ror, we won't listen to those stupid traditions. Although your dad is quite — never mind. We'd only split the cost to defy those weird... sexist rituals."

Rory's heart fluttered and she smiled softly, "Yeah... yeah we won't do any of that silly stuff."

George groaned, "They're fucking doing it again! Pretending no one exists except each other!"

"George! Language!" Molly snapped, having caught his curse words from across the table, "The Minister of Magic is here!"

"Really? I don't see him!"

The woman shook her head and turned back to her conversation with the Delacours.

Rory noticed Charlie and Aaron become deep in conversation about his work with dragons. Aaron had a liking for magical creatures, so it made sense he would be so eager to speak to Charlie. Rory decided to speak to the twins while she waited, who were still attempting to place bets with her on the sex, birthdate, and name of her sibling.

"Cory swears it'll be a girl, says she can feel it." Rory mentioned, "If she got pregnant mid March then the baby will be born mid December if all goes well..." she gasped, "Wait! What if the baby shares my birthday?"

"That'll be cute!" George smiled, "Now you get to finally know what it feels like!"

"Oh, I suppose you're right," she nodded, "I guess it would be sort of nice — did you hear that?"

A ruckus erupted from the Burrow. It seemed Arthur and Molly ran in to check on it, but not much later everyone came out including the Minister.

Everyone ate together as if nothing had happened.

That night, Rory hung up her dress for the wedding and cast a quick de-wrinkling charm on her's as well as Ginny's. She wished she had been able to savor her sleep that night a bit more, since it would be a while before she was able to get any more.