CHAPTER SIX
bill and fleur

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"I don't like this," June said, as they remained seated at the lantern-lit table.

"Me neither," Charlie said grimly.

Time seemed to pass by slowly, as June kept her eyes fixed on the Burrow—eager to know what was going on within its walls. Suddenly, raised voices were heard and it was Arthur and Molly who got into the sitting room before June could.

"We—we thought we heard—" Arthur began, looking thoroughly alarmed at the sight of Harry and the Minister virtually nose to nose.

"— raised voices," Molly panted.

Scrimgeour took a couple of steps back from Harry, glancing at the hole he had made in Harry's T-shirt. He seemed to regret his loss of temper.

"It—it was nothing," he growled. "I . . . regret your attitude." he said, looking Harry full in the face once more. "You seem to think that the Ministry does not desire what you—what Dumbledore desired. We ought to be working together."

"I don't like your methods, Miniser," Harry said. "Remember?" He raised his right fist and displayed the scars that still showed white on the back of it, spelling I must not tell lies. June suddenly had the urge to touch her own.

Scrimgeour's expression hardened. He turned away without another word and limped from the room. Molly hurried after him; June heard her stop at the back door. After a minute or so she called, "He's gone!"

"What did he want?" Arthur asked, looking around at Harry, Ron, and Hermione as Molly came hurrying back to them.

"To give us what Dumbledore left us," Harry said. "They've only just released the contents of his will."

Outside in the garden, over the dinner tables, the three objects Scrimgeour had given them were passed from hand to hand. Everyone exclaimed over the Deluminator and The Tales of Beedle the Bard and lamented the fact that Scrimgeour had refused to pass on the sword, but none of them could offer any suggestion as to why Dumbledore would have left Harry an old Snitch. As Arthur examined the Deluminator for the third or fourth time, Molly said tentatively, "Harry, dear, everyone's awfully hungry, we didn't like to start without you . . .
Shall I serve dinner now?"

They all ate rather hurriedly and then, after a hasty chorus of "Happy Birthday" and much gulping of cake, the party broke up. Hagrid, who was invited to the wedding the following day, but was far too bulky to sleep in the overstretched Burrow, left to set up a tent for himself in the neighboring field.

"A word, Harry?" June said, as she saw him move to Hermione.

Harry and Hermione exchange a glance before the former followed June to the back of the garden where they had some privacy.

"If this is about joining us—"

"It is," June said, crossing her arms. "You know you'd be better off with me."

"Probably, but—"

"Harry, please." June tried very hard to look pleading. "I just want to keep you safe. I don't want you to get hurt. "Please let me come with you."

"I don't want you to get hurt," Harry said, but June could tell his stubbornness was fading. Longing appeared in his eyes and she knew all he ever wanted, was to have a family. "I'll think about it, okay?"

June smiled, feeling immensely relieved. "Okay, I can live with that."

—

"You look absolutely stunning," June said, as Fleur had changed into her wedding dress. She herself was wearing a long silver dress as Gabrielle and Ginny, who were both bridesmaids, were wearing gold.

Fleur's mother was beaming at her daughter, though June could tell she was close to tears. It must be quite emotional for her to see her oldest daughter marry.

"I'm going to see how the boys are doing with seating the guests," June said, standing up to give them some space. "Let me know if you need any help."

"I will, zank you, June," Fleur said, smiling.

June grabbed her high heels and walked out of the room. She descended the stairs and only slipped on her shoes when she was about to head out.

"You look good," a voice behind her said.

June looked over her shoulder and grinned when she saw Timothée. "Don't you mean I look fabulous?"

Timothée rolled his eyes. "You look fabulous, June."

"Care to accompany me outside?" June said, holding out her hand so he could offer her his arm.

"If only I wasn't such a gentleman," Timothée sighed, offering his arm.

The two of them headed for Harry, Ron, Fred and George who were standing outside the great white marquee in the orchard, awaiting the arrival of the wedding guests. At least, it was Ron, Fred, George and a random red haired Muggle from the local village. It seemed smart to disguise Harry for his own safety by giving him Polyjuice Potion.

All four of them were clutching seating plans, so that they could help show people to the right seats. A host of white-robed waiters had arrived an hour earlier, along with a golden-jacketed band, and all of these wizards were currently sitting a short distance away under a tree; June could see a blue haze of pipe smoke issuing from the spot.

Behind them, the entrance to the marquee revealed rows and rows of fragile golden chairs set on either side of a long purple carpet. The supporting poles were entwined with white and gold flowers. Fred and George had fastened an enormous bunch of golden balloons over the exact point where Bill and Fleur would shortly become husband and wife. Outside, butterflies and bees were hovering lazily over the grass and hedgerow.

"Hello boys," June said, smiling as she and Timothée approached them. "How is everything going?"

Fred turned around, looked at her, deemed to be speechless for only a couple of seconds before saying, "When I get married," he tugged at the collar of his own robes, "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."

June grinned.

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

Brightly colored figures were appearing, one by one, out of nowhere at the distant boundary of the yard. Within minutes a procession had formed, which began to snake its way up through the garden toward the marquee. Exotic flowers and bewitched birds fluttered on the witches' hats, while precious gems glittered from many of the wizards' cravats; a hum of excited chatter grew louder and louder, drowning the sound of the bees as the crowd approached the tent.

"Excellent, I think I see a few veela cousins," George said, craning his neck for a better look. "They'll need help
understanding our English customs, I'll look after them . . ."

Timothée raised his eyebrow in disapproval but did not reply. Fred also said nothing, which surprised June.

"Wotcher guys," Nymphadora said, as she and Remus headed towards them. "Wow June, you look great!" Then she gave her a tight hug.

"Thanks Dora," June said, smiling as she hugged her back.

Nymphadora pulled back and looked at Harry—or at the red haired Muggle boy. "Arthur told us you were the one with the curly hair. Sorry about last night," she added in a whisper. "The Ministry's being very anti-werewolf at the moment and we thought our presence might not do you any favors."

"It's fine, I understand," Harry said, as he began leading them to their seats.

"I think it's time for us to go inside and take our places," Timothée said. "I'm sure Camille and my mum will be excited to see you as well."

"Okay," June said. "I'll see you guys later," she added to the others, before being chaperoned inside.

"June!" A flash of pink appeared and before June knew, Camille's arms were already wrapped around her neck. "I missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, kiddo," June said, letting go of Timothée's arm and hugging Camille back. "Look how much you've grown!"

Camille grinned and gave her a twirl. June's heart ached as she recalled that she and Liam would have been the same age.

Aubrey was right behind her and engulfed her in a tight hug. "It's been too long," her godmother said. "When this wedding is over, you and Charlie should visit us in France."

"We will," June promised.

"Speaking of him, where is he?" Aubrey asked, looking around.

"He's with Bill," June said. "I think they should be here any moment."

"In that case, we should get to our seats," Aubrey said, guiding Camille and Timothée towards the side of the ride where her husband was already sitting. "See you later, June."

"Right, I need to take my place," June said, hurrying back inside, almost colliding with Bill and Charlie, who were coming out.

Bill gave her a friendly smile and a kiss on the cheek together with a 'you look good', but June could tell he was nervous.

"You'll be fine," June assured him, checking his dressing robes and straightening the large white roses in his buttonholes. "Just remember to breathe when you see her."

Bill grinned. "I think Charlie could use some of your advice. It seems he you've caught his breath ever since you entered."

June turned her head and laughed when she saw Charlie's expression of awe. She kissed him on the cheek. "Breathe, Charlie."

He took a dramatically long gulp of air. Bill laughed.

"I'm going to see Fleur, I think it's almost your turn," June said. "Good luck—not that you need it."

She left the men as she walked into the other room where Fleur, Ginny, Gabrielle and Mr Delacour were waiting. June walked around Fleur, mentally checking off everything and decided her friend looked perfect.

"Nervous?" June asked.

"No," Fleur said confidently. "I am marrying the love of my life."

"Good," June said, smiling. "You're ready to go."

Ginny and Gabrielle walked out and June checked over Fleur once more before following the two girls outside.

A sense of jittery anticipation had filled the warm tent, the general murmuring broken by occasional spurts of excited laughter. Music started to play as Ginny, Gabrielle and June walked down the aisle.

A great collective sigh issued from the assembled witches and wizards and June knew Fleur had emerged in the tent. She looked up the aisle and smiled upon seeing Bill's expression of wonder. However, when she glanced at Charlie, she noticed he was looking at her, a smile playing on his lips.

June took her place and turned around to see Fleur beaming up at Bill.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the wizard who had also presided at Dumbledore's funeral, said. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls . . ."

As the wizard continued the ceremony, June let her eyes dwell over the guests. On the right sat Bill's family, Harry, Nymphadora, Remus, Aiden, Sirius and several other witches and wizards. On the left sat Fleur's family. Her father, mother, sister, Aubrey and her family and, much to June's surprise, Viktor Krum.

"Do you, William Arthur, take Fleur Isabelle . . .?"

In the front row, Molly and Madame Delacour were both sobbing quietly into scraps of lace. Trumpetlike sounds from the back of the marquee told everyone that Hagrid had taken out one of his own tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs.

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

The tufty-haired wizard waved his wand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them. spiraling around their now entwined figures. As Fred and George led a round of applause, the golden balloons overhead burst: Birds of paradise and tiny golden bells flew and floated out of them, adding their songs and chimes to the din.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the tufty-haired wizard called. "If you would please stand up!"

They all did so, he waved his wand again. The seats on which they had been sitting rose gracefully into the air as the canvas walls of the marquee vanished, so that they stood beneath a canopy supported by golden poles, with a glorious view of the sunlit orchard and surrounding countryside. Next, a pool of molten gold spread from the center of the tent to form a gleaming dance floor; the hovering chairs grouped themselves around small. white-clothed tables, which all floated gracefully back to earth around it, and the golden-jacketed band trooped toward a podium.

"Congrats, guys," June said, who managed to be the first to congratulate the couple as the waiters popped up on all sides, some bearing silver trays of pumpkin juice, butterbeer.

"Thank you," Bill beamed, exchanging a loving look with his now wife.

Charlie appeared besides her and engulfed his brother in a tight hug, before doing the same with Fleur.

"Welcome to the family, Fleur, although you were already part of it way before today."

Fleur smiled. "Zank you, Charlie."

"Let's give them some space," June said, grabbing his hand and moving away so that other people could congratulate them.

"I'll go get us some drinks," Charlie said.

"Great," June replied, her eyes dwelling over the place and falling on Viktor who seemed to be like a lost puppy. Poor boy, he probably didn't know anyone. "I'm gonna see how Viktor is doing."

June made her way towards him through the crowd and he looked relieved when he saw her.

"June, it's good to see a friendly face."

June smiled. "It's good to see you as well. You look good."

He looked down at his suit and then up to her. "Thanks, you too."

At that moment, Charlie arrived, carrying three glasses.

"Here you go," he said, offering Viktor one.

"Thanks," he said, surprised.

"Viktor, this is Charlie, my boyfriend," June introduced him. "And I don't think I need to introduce Viktor to you, huh, Charlie?"

Charlie smiled and shook Viktor's hand. "No, indeed. It's nice to officially meet you, Viktor."

"Likewise," Viktor said.

The three continued to chat for a while before Charlie excused them and dragged June to the dance floor. At this point, June had kicked off her heels and was dancing on her bare feet.

"This reminds me of the Yule Ball," June told him.

Charlie smiled. "You looked stunning that night. I mean, you always do, but then you were exceptional."

June laughed. "Be careful or all this flattery will go to my head."

Charlie chuckled before placing his forehead against hers. "I love you, June. A little more than I did yesterday and less than I will tomorrow."

June smiled up at him. "You promise me forever?"

"I promise you eternity."

June was about to kiss him, when something large and silver caught her eye. She turned her head and saw it falling through the canopy over the dance floor—only mere feet away from them. Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers. Heads turned, as those nearest it froze absurdly in mid-dance. Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

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

☆ ☆ ☆

Published 29.08.2023

Hi everyone!
Here's another update, I hope you enjoy it! I really liked writing this chapter tbh it was good to see some old characters again! And now exciting times are coming :)) any predictions?

I hope you are doing great & do tell me what you think of it!