FIFTY SIX

RORY WOKE UP WITH the sun, the soft rays hit her skin and caused her to rise with a smile. She looked at her brand new dress, a soft mid length pale pink and green floral dress without straps or sleeves. However she couldn't put it on just yet, she had to shower first. Rory approached the bathroom just beating George who groaned and banged on the door as she scurried in, shutting it swiftly.

"You snooze you lose, Georgie!" She teased behind the wooden door, putting on the water and waiting a few moments as it heat up. She stepped in, feeling rejuvenated by the heat hitting her skin. She hummed softly to the song stuck in her head, Something by The Beatles. After a few minutes, George was once again banging on the door.

"Get to fuck, Weasley! I'll be out soon!" She shouted over the roaring water. After she washed her hair and her body and ran the thin razor down her legs, she stepped out. "Siccatio Sagenarum" she muttered, pointing her wand at her wet hair, sending hot air of the tip and drying her off.

She ignored George's knocking as she applied lotion to her skin, brushes her teeth and put on her bath robe. She exited the bathroom and knocked the Weasley boy down accidentally since he was leaning against the door and she opened it without warning.

"Enjoy your shower," she rolled her eyes and returned to Ginny's room. The girl slipped the flower covered flowing fabric over her frame and softly shook Ginny and Hermione awake.

Before she finished getting ready, she went to check on the bride herself who was in Percy's old room. Fleur was doing her makeup at a small desk while her little sister, Gabrielle was still asleep.

"You dress is beautiful, Rory!" Fleur beamed, "I think you will be outshining 'ze bride today!" The woman joked. Rory smiled and thanked her, knowing that would never be possible because Fleur was simply radiant.

"Fleur! Stop it! You're beautiful! Do you need any help?"

Fleur shook her head, "I will be alright, you go finish up. If I need anything I can ask Gabrielle... or Ginny."

Rory smiled and nodded, heading back to Ginny's room.

Ginny ran out of the room, nearly knocking Rory over and hopped next in line for the shower, behind Hermione. Rory did her makeup on the floor, not doing too much with it. She never went too all out with cosmetics, usually just mascara and the typical face makeup, but today she added a bit of pink shimmer to her eyelids since it was a special occasion. Without even attempting to curl or straighten her hair, given the summer heat would just leave her brown locks in a frizzy mess, she placed it in a delicate up-do, adding a braid for some flair. Fleur had lent her a small, dark purple hair clip the night before which she placed just above the bun in at the back of her head.

Rory smiled at her reflection and went downstairs. The interior of the Burrow seemed to be in perfect condition after the many hours they spent setting up over the past few days. The girl poured herself some coffee and sat at the breakfast table as she heard the shower running upstairs. It was only just eight in the morning, but everyone was already getting up and at it despite the wedding being at three.

"Good morning, Rory," Ron yawned joining her at the table, still in his pajamas "you look very nice today."

"Thank you," she smiled sipping her coffee. "You excited for the wedding?"

"I'm not sure," Ron admitted, "All the fuss is a bit rubbish in my opinion."

Rory shrugged, "Maybe when you get married you'll understand. Or if... only if you want."

"Are you gonna marry Fred?" He asked suddenly.

The coffee, that had begun making it's journey down her throat was almost spat up out of shock of his bold question, but with a cough she recovered the bitter liquid.

"W-What?" She asked, "Well... I mean — yes? I would like to. Why?"

"Sorry," Ron said suddenly, looking down, "It's just... you're sort of like the big sister and I never had and I really think it'd be... cool if you married Fred. You're really good for him, make him less of a git."

Rory laughed softly, "You're sweet, Ron. I promise you I'll always be around."

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HOURS LATER, THE GUESTS WERE arriving, Harry disguised himself as a Weasley cousin via Polyjuice Potion, and Fred was helping a vibrant but pregnant Cordelia Harrison find her seat. Rory smiled as she stood by George, Harry, and Ron as he did so. The four played the role as ushers. Rory was only keeping them company before she headed to her seat with the rest of her family. Fred returned with a smile.

"How is my favorite usher doing?" The girl smiled.

"How is my favorite wedding guest doing?" Fred asked.

Rory shrugged, "Eh, these ushers are rubbish." Fred rolled his eyes and jokingly stuck out his tongue at her.

"How kind," he said, "Have I mentioned you look positively radiant?"

She nodded, "Only about thirty times today! You look rather great yourself! Hot, though."

Fred sighed and tugged at the collar of his dress robes, "When we get married, I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. You can all wear what you like, and I'll put a full Body-Bind Curse on Mum until it's all over."

Rory could feel herself blushing.

"She wasn't too bad this morning, considering," said George. "Cried a bit about Percy not being here, but who wants him? Oh blimey, brace yourselves — here they come, look."

Across the way was the arrival of Fleur's side of the guests. A slew of Veela cousins and friends approached, but Fred hadn't even noticed. He didn't even look up as they walked by. However, they all looked up when a bright Scottish accent appeared out of the soft French ones.

"Kirsty?" George said as the blonde approached, holding on to the arm of an old woman Rory could only assume it was her Grandmother whom she lived with.

"Hello! Are you the blokes helping us find our seats? Who put you in charge, geez?" she cracked a smile, "This is my Gran. Gran, these are my bosses! They're Bill's bothers. This is Rory, she works at the shop with me."

"Nice to meet you," George smiled, "You two can follow me."

More blonde heads approached and Rory gave Fred a look, "I'm going to my seat so you can... usher. No funny business, I'll be watching."

"I promised you after the Word Cup you'd be the only pretty girl I swooned over," he said, "I intend to keep that promise."

And so, she joined Andrew, Cory, and Aaron at their seats around the slew of red heads and other members of the Order. Rory noticed the arrival of several standout guests such as Luna Lovegood and her father and Viktor Krum. There was also Fred's Aunt Muriel who Fred introduced to Rory. However, all the woman had to say was that her hair was such a dull color and she was too short. She was not very pleasant.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined Rory's family in the second row behind the twins as the wedding began. It was a beautiful ceremony. It had much more flair and spectacle than Cory and Andrew's, but both were wonderful representations of love. She nearly cried, nothing compared to Molly and Madam Delacour's sobs from the front row. Hermione was also teary eyed, a few seats down.

"... then I declare you bonded for life."

Silver stars fell upon Bill and Fleur's intertwined hands and a round of applause was led by Fred and George. Everyone stood up as instructed to do so and then, with the wave of a wand, the marquee and seats turned into the reception area with a dance floor and tables. Fred turned around and extended his hand to Rory, "Care to find a table, m'lady?"

She nodded and took his hand. They found a table not too far that was empty and sat down as Aaron went to sit with Luna (who was soon join by Harry, Ron, and Hermione), and Andrew and Cordelia found a seat by Tonks and Remus.

Before she knew it, the night sky was darkening and she held a bottle of Butterbeer in her hand. She hadn't done too much dancing, not really any with Fred yet, but the night was still young. George hadn't done any dancing at all. It seemed his loneliness had gotten to him, being at a wedding... it made sense. He had denied every invitation from Rory to dance, and she had nearly given up.

"George, please," Rory said, "Just one dance?"

He sighed, "Go dance with Fred."

"Fred is dancing with Ginny, see. C'mon just one dance and I promise I won't step on your feet," She said to him.

As he denied her once again, someone approached their table. Wearing a navy blue dress with an asymmetrical hem and silver threaded details, Kirsty Blaine stood in front of them. Rory smiled, as she always did in Kirsty's presence.

"George Weasley," she said, holding out her hand, "I haven't seen you dance at all yet. I'm here to change that. C'mon, I've seen your moves before. Remember the Yule Ball —"

"Kirsty," he groaned in embarrassment.

"Well you can dance with me, or I can keep going," she smirked. He grabbed her hand reluctantly and she fiercely pulled him on to the golden dance floor. Rory smiled as she saw George smile too. Cordelia's infectious laughter was heard across the way and turned Rory's head to see her share a dance with Remus. Andrew was spinning Tonks silly on the dance floor, and Aaron was... dancing? with Luna. It was a strange motion, but looked fun nonetheless. Fred was still on the floor with Ginny as the song changed. However Andrew, was now coming towards his daughter with a smile.

"Care to dance with your old man?" he joked.

Rory took his hand and smiled, "Please, you aren't old at all. Thirty eight is practically a child!"

"Glad you inherited my sense of humor," he said sarcastically, leading her on to the dance floor. The song was upbeat but slow at the same time, a good one for swaying along to unlike the last which was full of energy.

Rory and Andrew had a unique relationship. Given their interesting background, only getting to know each other when Rory was seventeen. They had a lot in common, they even shared the same friends. They were close in a way maybe not all fathers and daughters were. Andrew didn't need to play the caregiver role with Rory since she was already grown up and independent. At the same time though, she still needed guidance only a father could give.

"Did you hear Cory made Tonks the Godmother?" he beamed, spinning her around.

"That's great! I can't wait for her — or him to be here," she said, "Thought about names yet?"

Andrew smiled, a mischievous smile, "The other day, I was listening to a record that belonged to my dad. Simon and Garfunkle. And this song came on, Cory was trying to take a nap. I thought she was asleep, her head was on my lap and she was breathing all slow. The song was For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her. I sort of was singing along. Then her eyes fluttered open, all blue and beautiful and she asked me what the song was called and I told her and she says, 'Emily is such a beautiful name'. And then she closed her eyes and fell asleep."

"Emily..." Rory smiled, "and if it's a boy?"

He shrugged, "Didn't even think about it yet. Of course I'd still love a son, but the more I think about it, the more I agree with all of you about Cory having a girl. I thought about... sitting there with a little girl in my arms, with big bright blue eyes like my Cordelia... singing that song as she falls asleep."

"I really wish we didn't miss all those years..." she said with a fading smile, "I wonder if I'd be better, if you'd been able to be there."

His face softened and his brows furrowed, "Rory, you grew up to be a kind, loving, intelligent, and brave young woman all without my help. You didn't need me."

She hugged him, her brown eyes filling with tears, "But I need you now. I love you, dad."

"I love you too, dear."

The song finished and she pulled away, wiping her eyes.

"I think someone wants a dance," Andrew whispered. Rory turned around and saw Fred, with a flower plucked from a centerpiece in hand.

"May I?" He asked Andrew.

"She's all yours," he nodded, heading back to Cory.

Fred gently placed the lilac colored flower behind Rory's ear and took her hand. The song was now much slower. The two were dancing very close. Even in her heels, Fred had to slightly lean down to meet her face.

"I'm so lucky," Fred hummed, "I get to dance with the most beautiful girl here. And she's even wearing my initial around her neck."

Rory smiled, "Yeah, you are pretty lucky. I'm lucky too. I see how all those girls have looked at you all night. I'm a bit suspicious they all want you, but who wouldn't? You're such a charmer. Yet, despite all the pretty French girls asking you to dance, you chose me. Isn't that wild?"

"Not at all. I have yet to see anyone more beautiful than you tonight."

She leaned into his chest, hearing his heart beat and inhaling his smokey scent. It was a peaceful thing, being in his arms.

As they danced, she felt as if she were on another planet. She barely noticed anyone around her, song after song, it was just them. Occasionally, she would share a bit of a song with Aaron and she even got to dance with Remus for a bit (Ron was far too busy dancing with Hermione to be pulled away). Back again with Fred, she sipped another Butterbeer while lazily swaying with him.

Out of the crowed of guests, appeared suddenly, a large silver Lynx — a Patronus — landed in the middle of the dance floor. Rory dropped her bottle in shock, many guests gasped. Fred wrapped his arms around her and out of the Lynx's mouth came the voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

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