A/N ~ HELLO BESTIES- look who finally updated :)) Also, don't worry about the title- it's just the name of a song and I couldn't be more creative. Anyways, sit back and enjoy<3

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The shock of losing Mad-Eye hung over the house in the days that followed.

Harry felt that nothing but action would assuage his guilt and that he ought to set out on his mission to find and destroy Horcruxes as soon as possible.

Mrs Weasley kept Y/N, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Pansy so busy with preparations for the wedding that they hardly had any time to think.

The kindest explanation of this behavior would have been that Mrs Weasley wanted to distract them all from thoughts of Mad-Eye's death.

Days passed, of nonstop cutlery cleaning, of colour-matching ribbons and flowers, of de-gnoming the garden and helping Mrs Weasley cook vast batches of canapés.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, the kitchen was crowded with everyone in the house, all gathered for lunch.

"Good work, everyone!" Mrs Weasley said gratefully, for they all looked exhausted. "The wedding is going to be perfect!"

Ron and Hermione had just returned from de-gnoming in the garden, and their faces red from the sun outside.

Ron was mumbling under his breath about something to do with gnome teeth.

Y/N had just helped Fleur sort out flowers for the flower arch.

Y/N realized because Mrs Weasley was so grateful and in such a good mood, there were more dishes on the table than usual, and even pudding.

Meals were never boring at The Burrow, and there were more than enough conversations to engage in.

Hermione and Ron were interrogating Bill and Mr Weasley about the Ministry.

Y/N and Harry listened vaguely as Ginny and Pansy had a mini quarrel on who did a better job trimming the bushes.

"You used magic, so guess who has more self-control?" said Ginny, raising an eyebrow.

"You wish, Weaslette, I only used magic to sharpen my shears," Pansy snarled. "the rest was talent."

Fleur and Mrs Weasley were going over the immense list of jobs for the wedding.

"Now, Ron, have you cleaned out your room yet?" Mrs Weasley looked up from her perched spectacles.

"Why?" exclaimed Ron, slamming his spoon down and glaring at his mother.

Y/N, Harry, Ginny, and Pansy stopped to watch in amusement.

"Why does my room have to be cleaned out?" Ron said, in a slightly childish way. "Harry and I are fine with it the way it is!"

"We are holding your brother's wedding here in a few days, young man-"

"And are they getting married in my bedroom?" asked Ron furiously. "No! So why in the name of Merlin's saggy left-"

"Don't talk to your mother like that," said Mr Weasley firmly. "And do as you're told."

Ron scowled at both his parents, then picked up his spoon and attacked the last few mouthfuls of his apple tart.

After lunch, the Quartet went to Ron's room, where Ron lay back down on the bed, leaving his room just as messy as it had been all week.

Harry positioned his pillow upright and leaned back in his bed too.

Hermione sat in the far corner, and sorted books into two enormous piles, while Y/N played with her fluffy ginger cat, Crookshanks.

"What are you doing with all those books anyway?" Ron asked her curiously.

"Just trying to decide which ones to take with us," said Hermione, "When we're looking for the Horcruxes."

"Oh, I've been doing that too, sorting books," said Y/N, scratching Crookshanks behind the ear. "I have them all in my bag if you need them."

"I love you, Y/N," Hermione smiled admiringly.

"Listen," said Harry suddenly. He had sat up straight.

Y/N, Ron, and Hermione looked at him with similar expressions of defiance.

"I know you said after Dumbledore's funeral that you wanted to come with me," Harry began.

"Here he goes," Ron said to Y/N and Hermione, rolling his eyes.

"As we knew he would," Hermione sighed, turning back to the books. "Y/N, have you got Hogwarts: A History? My copy may be too heavy-"

"Listen!" said Harry again.

"No, Harry, you listen," said Y/N, rather annoyed. "We're coming with you. That was decided months ago- years, really."

"But-"

"Shut up," Ron advised him.

"Are you sure you've thought this through?" Harry persisted.

"Let's see," said Hermione fiercely. "I've been packing for days, smuggled Mad-Eye's whole stock of Polyjuice Potion, oh- and I've also erased my entire existence from my parents' memories."

"Hermione-"

"If I survive our hunt," Hermione continued, "I'll find Mum and Dad and lift the enchantment. But if I don't, they'll live the rest of their lives not knowing they've had a daughter, once."

Hermione's eyes were swimming with tears.

With a great creaking of rusty bedsprings, Ron bounded off the bed and got to her.

One arm around Hermione, he fished in his jeans pocket and withdrew a revolting-looking handkerchief that he had used to clean out the oven earlier.

Hastily, he pulled out his wand and pointed it at the rag.

"Tergeo." The wand siphoned off most of the grease.

Looking rather pleased with himself, Ron handed the slightly smoking handkerchief to Hermione.

"Oh- thanks, Ron... I'm sorry..." She blew her nose and hiccupped.

Harry didn't know what to say. "I- Hermione, I'm sorry- I didn't-"

"Didn't realize that we know perfectly well what might happen if we come with you?" Hermione offered. "Well, we do."

"And we're not changing our minds," Y/N said firmly.

"Yeah, mate," said Ron. "get it through your head. It's OK to accept help when you need it."

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Y/N woke up with a grin and scrambled out of bed.

Madam and Mosier Delacour had arrived at The Burrow yesterday, which meant today was the last day of July.

Y/N considered whether she should wake Hermione up or not- then realized Hermione's bed was already empty.

Y/N seized the alarm clock and stared- it was already ten o'clock.

Of course one of the few days she accidentally slept in would be Harry's special day.

Y/N cursed under her breath and threw on a jumper over her pajamas to look decently appropriate.

She practically sprinted in and out of the bathroom, teeth brushed and face splashed with water, before fetching her gift for Harry and hurrying downstairs.

As she had predicted, the whole house was already awake.

Everyone was scattered in the kitchen either eating, chatting, or watching the beaming Harry open his huge mountain of presents.

Harry was seated at the end of the table, unwrapping what seemed to be a Sneakoscope.

He was wearing one of his best flannels, his green eyes gleaming behind his glasses.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Pansy stood around him, eagerly urging him to open the next package.

When Y/N skidded into the room, everyone's head turned, and- if it was even possible- Harry's smile grew wider.

"There you are, Y/N," Hermione waved from beside Harry.

"Look who's here," Harry grinned.

"Happy Birthday," Y/N said cheerfully.

She hurried across the room and Hermione made room for her beside Harry.

Y/N gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, which made Harry's face go pink, and handed him her present.

"I can tell you spent time on the wrapping," Harry acknowledged. "Is that why you slept in?"

"Perhaps," Y/N grinned. "so what did you guys get him?" she asked the others.

"I got him a Sneakoscope," said Hermione.

"We bought him a broom polishing kit," said Ginny.

"Who's 'we'?" Pansy said quickly.

"You and me," Ginny shrugged. Pansy looked like she wanted to protest the statement, so Y/N quickly said,

"What about you, Ron?"

Everyone turned to Ron.

Ron's ears and neck turned scarlet, and Y/N could see Harry shift in his seat hesitantly.

"Er- come on, then, open Y/N's present," he said to Harry, giving him a nudge on the arm.

Harry immediately obeyed, not meeting any of the girls' suspicious gazes as he hastily opened Y/N's present.

It was a knitted scarf. Simple, clearly handmade, and navy blue.

It wasn't the most perfect thing, there were bumps and inconsistencies, but Harry didn't care. In fact, he adored it exactly how it was.

"I know it isn't amazing," Y/N said quickly, "but I remembered the hat you gave me so long ago, and it made me feel so special. I knitted this by hand, mind you- so it might not be perfect-"

The rest of her speech was lost, for Harry had got up from his seat and kissed her.

This startled Y/N slightly, but she managed not to fall back into a chair, for he held onto her waist.

Harry tried to put a lot of unsaid things into the kiss, and perhaps she understood them, because she looked flustered and ruffled his hair clumsily when he released her.

"You're welcome," she whispered, feeling her cheeks grow hot.

Hermione and Ginny were sniggering, Pansy mouthed 'good for you', and Ron seemed to be finding the tablecloth very interesting.

The remaining packages contained an enchanted razor from Bill and Fleur, chocolates from the Delacours, and a box of the latest Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products from Fred and George.

Harry, Y/N, Ron, and Hermione did not linger at the table, as the arrival of Madame Delacour, and Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle made the kitchen uncomfortably crowded.

"Wait, Ron!" Mrs Weasley called, just as the four were about to leave. Ron let out an exasperated groan. "The laundry's almost done, wait here so you can get your underpants-"

"Ahh!" Ron exclaimed, drowning out his mother's words. "Alright!"

Hermione sniggered at this, but said she'd wait for him, and told Y/N and Harry they could go wait in Ron's room.

With all his presents in his arms, Harry walked up the creaking stairs, following Y/N upstairs.

She was saying something about Ron and Hermione, Harry didn't really know, her voice running smoothly through the air.

He loved listening to her talk.

He finally understood those love songs on the radio that he'd found absurd- until he realized he was relating lyrics to Y/N.

"Harry, you can put those presents down now," Y/N laughed.

Harry didn't even realize they'd arrived in Ron's room.

Y/N stood before of him, sniggering, her arms crossed, and she was looking at him charmingly, her head slightly tilted.

He chuckled along with her, though his face flushed with embarrassment as he lowered his bundle of presents onto his bed.

They climbed onto Harry's bed and sat leaned against its headboard.

Y/N had her knees tucked to her chest, so the bracelet gleamed directly under their noses. It was pink.

Harry grabbed her hand and examined the bracelet and its pink glow.

"Don't flatter yourself," Y/N said quickly, "it's been glowing subtly pink since I got it on again."

"It always stays pink?"

"Sometimes it glows even brighter, but- the pink never wears off."

"Hmm, funny thing is my ring's been like that since you gave it to me," said Harry. Y/N turned to him and raised her eyebrows.

"We both got frauded then," she chuckled, though they both knew what it meant.

Harry smiled at her warmly and put his hand in her hair, turning her face so she was facing him.

"Have I ever told you, you have pretty eyes?" Y/N questioned.

"You haven't,"

"You have pretty eyes."

"I think you might've, I just wanted to hear you say it again."

Y/N threw a pillow at his lap. Harry laughed hysterically as he caught it in his hands.

"I adore you so much, I really do," Y/N said flatly. "But sometimes I'd like more than anything to hex you into oblivion."

"I'm the one who can legally do magic here," Harry said, broadly twirling his wand with a faint smirk on his face.

"I still have hands to throw,"

"Not if I bind them."

"Hey, I have Gifted powers."

"I can hit you with the Jelly-Legs Curse."

"Jokes on you, I don't need the Jelly-Legs Curse to make your knees weak-"

The door banged open and Ron and Hermione came bustling in. Ron was complaining and Hermione was laughing.

"I can't believe she said that in front of everyone!" Ron fussed, crash landing on his bed. "Fleur was there! Her parents were there-"

"God, relax, Ron, I'm sure no one heard," said Hermione, though she was still in the middle of laughing.

"Oh, yeah? Then why were Pansy and Ginny sniggering?" Ron shot, "I swear I'll get them back some- what's up with you two?"

Ron frowned at Y/N's smug look and Harry's flushed face.

"And we were only gone for a few minutes," Hermione jeered, crossing her arms. Ron made a face.

Y/N couldn't stand their expressions. "Alright-"

"No, it isn't alright- it's my house," said Ron, looking like he'd just swallowed a lemon. "my room- I don't want you two snogging-and-more in here-"

Y/N let out a noise that sounded like she'd been stabbed and buried her face into her hand. Both Hermione and Harry laughed this time.

That afternoon, Charlie arrived, adding another being to the already crowded house, which no one was really happy about.

As Harry's birthday dinner would have stretched the Burrow's kitchen to breaking point, they held it in the garden.

Fred and George bewitched a number of purple lanterns all emblazoned with a large number 17, to hang in midair over the guests.

George's missing ear was still something Y/N had to get used to, though the twins were making jokes about it already.

Hermione had conjured purple and gold streamers and draped them artistically over the trees and bushes.

"Nice," said Ron, "You've really got an eye for that sort of thing."

"Thank you, Ron," said Hermione, looking both pleased and a little confused.

Y/N turned away, smiling to herself, then caught Harry's gaze. They both burst into snickers.

"Out of the way, out of the way!" sang Mrs Weasley, coming through the gate with what appeared to be a giant, beach-ball-sized Snitch floating in front of her.

Seconds later Harry realized that it was his birthday cake.

"That looks amazing, Mrs Weasley," he said in awe.

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

By seven o'clock Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Hagrid, and Rolf arrived, and everyone was down in the garden.

"Happy birthday, Harry," said Sirius, hugging him tightly. "Seventeen now, eh? My seventeenth birthday was one of the best."

"I'm sure it was," replied Harry, grinning at his godfather. "Didn't you buy that bike on your seventeenth birthday?"

"Bought a bike, got a house, graduated- I did it all," Sirius gave a wink.

Hagrid had honored the occasion by wearing his best, and horrible, hairy brown suit.

Remus smiled as he shook Harry's hand, and Harry might've imagined it, but he looked happier than usual.

It was like Tonks' radiant personality had passed on to him when they got married.

"Happy birthday, Harry," Rolf gave Harry a brief smile and landed himself onto a seat next to his sister. "So long no see, little sister," he gave Y/N a small shove.

"I saw you last week, Rolf," Y/N said grimly, shoving him back.

"That's like- the longest we've been apart since ever," said Rolf. True.

"What've you been up to, then?" Y/N asked curiously.

"Oh, not much," Rolf shrugged. "Just moving the creatures back into the house. Grandpa's been spoiling them and now they're all fussy. Luna's been helping too, she loves it there."

"So are you and Luna, er- together?" asked Harry.

"Mhm," said Rolf, bringing a glass of lemonade to his lips, probably to hide his giddy grin.

"Oh, Merlin!" cried Mrs Weasley, suddenly.

Everyone stared, as Mr Weasley, who had appeared out of thin air at the gate, walked towards the garden, accompanied by Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic.

They marched across the yard toward the lantern-lit tables, where everybody sat in silence.

Y/N and Hermione glanced at each other uneasily.

"Sorry to intrude," said Scrimgeour, as he stopped before the table. His eyes fell on the giant Snitch cake. "Many happy returns, Mr Potter."

"Thanks," said Harry flatly.

"I require a private word with you," Scrimgeour went on.

"What about?" Sirius demanded.

"It is Ministry business, Mr Black," said Scrimgeour. "I also need Mr Ronald Weasley, Miss Y/N Scamander, and Miss Hermione Granger."

"Us?" said Ron, sounding surprised. "Why us?"

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

"Yes, of course," said Mr Weasley, who looked nervous.

"You can lead the way," Scrimgeour said to Ron.

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Y/N, Hermione, Harry, and Ron sat slightly crammed on the sofa in The Burrow's living room.

They all stared blankly at Scrimgeour as he tested all the chairs in the room and sat down on the one he was most fond of.

"Now, I am here, as I'm sure you know," The Minister started, once he was seated. "because of Albus Dumbledore's will."

Harry, Y/N, Ron, and Hermione looked at one another.

"A surprise, apparently!" Scrimgeour raised his thick eyebrows.

"Dumbledore died over a month ago." said Harry, "Why has it taken this long to give us what he left us?"

"Isn't it obvious?" said Y/N, before Scrimgeour could answer. "They wanted to examine whatever he's left us."

"You had no right to do that!" Hermione said, and her voice trembled slightly.

"I had every right," said Scrimgeour dismissively.

"That law was created to stop wizards passing on Dark artifacts," said Y/N, "Are you telling me that you thought Dumbledore was trying to pass us something cursed?"

"And why let us have our things now?" Harry asked. "Can't think of a pretext to keep them?"

"It'll be because thirty-one days are up," said Y/N. "They can't keep the objects longer than that unless they can prove they're dangerous."

Scrimgeour scowled at her with his lion-like eyes.

"Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Scamander?" he asked.

"No, I'm not," retorted Y/N broadly. "I'm hoping to do some real good for the world."

Ron laughed. Scrimgeour ignored this.

He put his hand inside his cloak and drew out a drawstring pouch.

From it, he removed a scroll of parchment which he unrolled and read aloud.

"'To Ronald Bilius Weasley,'" He said, "'I leave my Deluminator, in the hope that he will remember me when he uses it.'"

Scrimgeour took from the bag an object that looked like a silver cigarette lighter and handed it to Ron.

Y/N had heard of the Deluminator. It could suck all light from a place, and restore it, with a simple click.

"That is a valuable object," said Scrimgeour, watching Ron examine the item. "Certainly it is of Dumbledore's own design. Why would he have left you an item so rare?"

"Dunno," Ron shook his head, looking bewildered.

"To what use did he think you would put to the Deluminator, Mr Weasley?" Scrimgeour pushed on.

"Put out lights, I s'pose," mumbled Ron.

After squinting at Ron for a moment or two, the Minister turned back to Dumbledore's will.

"'To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in the hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive.'"

Scrimgeour now pulled out of the bag a small ancient-looking book.

Hermione took it without a word. She held the book in her lap and gazed at it, eyes watering. Y/N saw that the title was in runes.

"Why do you think Dumbledore left you that book, Miss Granger?" asked Scrimgeour.

"He... he knew I liked books," said Hermione in a thick voice, mopping her eyes with her sleeve.

"But why that particular book?"

What was she supposed to say? Y/N thought irritably.

"I don't know. He must have thought I'd enjoy it." Hermione suppressed a sob.

They were wedged together so tightly that Ron had difficulty extracting his arm to put it around Hermione's shoulders.

Scrimgeour turned back to the will.

"'To Miss Y/N Alexis Scamander,'" he read, "'I leave my dearest and oldest item in my collection, the ancient compass, in hopes it would direct her down the right path.'"

Scrimgeour pulled out a bulky golden compass from the drawstring bag and Y/N carefully took it in her hands.

It was heavy and had a lid, which she opened. She was slightly disappointed when she saw that it looked like any other normal compass.

She spun it in her palm to match the gold arrow with the tiny letter 'N'.

"Why did Dumbledore leave you this compass?" asked Scrimgeour.

"Might come in handy if I ever get lost, I guess," Y/N shrugged, still spinning the compass dreamily.

"This is not a joke, Miss Scamander," Scrimgeour snapped.

"I don't know," Y/N said in exasperation. "What else would it be for?"

Evidently, Scrimgeour had no suggestions.

"'To Harry James Potter,'" he continued, "'I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill.'"

Scrimgeour pulled out the tiny, walnut-sized golden ball, but he did not hand it to Harry right away.

"Why would Dumbledore leave you this?" he asked Harry.

"No idea," said Harry. "For the reasons you just read out, I suppose..."

"You think this a mere symbolic keepsake, then?"

"What else could it be?"

"I'm asking the questions," said Scrimgeour, "I notice that your birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch, why is that?"

Hermione laughed derisively.

"Oh, it can't be a reference to the fact Harry's a great Seeker, that's way too obvious," she said.

"Yes, Miss Granger, that is a factor," said Scrimgeour, "but a Snitch would be a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why, I'm sure?"

"Because Snitches have flesh memories," Hermione said.

"What?" said Y/N, Harry, and Ron together. They all knew Hermione never really got into Quidditch.

"Correct," said Scrimgeour. "A Snitch is not touched by bare skin before it is released. It carries an enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it."

Harry's heart was beating rather fast.

"This Snitch will remember you, Mr Potter," Scrimgeour said carefully. "And it will reveal itself at your touch."

Harry was sure that Scrimgeour was right.

How could he avoid taking the Snitch with his bare hand in front of the Minister?

"You don't say anything," said Scrimgeour. "Perhaps you already know what the Snitch contains?"

"No," said Harry, at once.

"Then take it," said Scrimgeour quietly.

Harry met the Minister's yellow eyes and knew he had no option but to obey.

He held out his hand. Scrimgeour leaned forward and place the Snitch, slowly and deliberately, into Harry's palm.

Nothing happened.

"That was dramatic," said Harry coolly. Y/N, Ron, and Hermione laughed.

"That's all, then, is it?" asked Hermione, making to raise herself off the sofa.

"Not quite," said Scrimgeour, who looked bad-tempered now. "Dumbledore left you a second bequest, Potter."

"What is it?" asked Harry, excitement rekindling.

"The sword of Godric Gryffindor," he said.

They all stiffened.

"So where is it?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Unfortunately," said Scrimgeour, "that sword was not Dumbledore's to give away. It is an important historical artifact, therefore, belongs to-"

"It belongs to Harry!" said Hermione hotly. "It chose him, he was the one who found it, it came to him out of the Sorting Hat-"

"According to reliable historical sources, the sword may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor," said Scrimgeour. "Why do you think-?"

"-Dumbledore wanted to give me the sword?" said Harry, struggling to keep his temper. "Maybe he thought it would look nice on my wall."

"This is not a joke, Potter!" growled Scrimgeour.

Harry wanted more than anything to argue further, but from Hermione's intense gaze, he knew it was best not to push it.

"If that's all you have to say, then please excuse us, Minister," he said coolly, standing up. "I have a party be at. Have a good day."

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"Now, that's a stunning wedding dress," said Y/N.

Fleur squealed and clapped her hand as Y/N glided into her room and hugged her and spun her around.

It was the day of her and Bill's wedding and she was being kept and dressed up in her room.

"You look wonderful," Y/N gushed, backing away to examine Fleur's glowing white wedding dress as Fleur spun in her spot.

"Even more so when she finally gets her hair done," Mrs Weasley said sternly.

She was holding up her wand and had about eight hairpins hovering in the air.

"Oh- sorry to interrupt, Mrs Weasley," Y/N said, stepping out of Mrs Weasley's way, still looking giddy.

"That's alright, dear," said Mrs Weasley, continuing with Fleur's magnificent hair.

"Have you received the dress I prepared for you?" Fleur asked Y/N eagerly, "It will look amazing on you, and my mother can do your eye makeup!"

"Thank you, Fleur," said Y/N gratefully.

At two o'clock that day, Mrs Weasley shooed the whole house off to get dressed.

Y/N and Hermione hurried up to their bedroom and found two dresses laid on their beds, presumably prepared by Fleur and Mrs Weasley.

Hermione's was a beautiful bright scarlet A-line dress and Y/N's was the simplest but sleekest black dress she'd ever seen.

"Fleur knows her fashion," Hermione chuckled, examining her dress pleasantly.

Hermione being Hermione got ready within ten minutes and went off to help Mr Weasley and the twins in the garden.

She'd offered to stay behind to wait for Y/N, but Y/N insisted she was independently capable. Which was quite a stretch.

"Damn you- damn you- zipper-" Y/N let out an exasperated sigh.

Her zipper had gotten stuck halfway. She attempted a couple more times, cursing under her breath, but after a few frustrating minutes of failure, she gave up.

"Hermione!" she called, striding out of their room, brows furrowed.

She marched down the flight of stairs, through the living room, but the house seemed to be empty. Everyone was probably already out in the garden.

"Hermione, I lied- I really need your help-" Y/N was cut off by her own startled gasp.

She had bustled into the kitchen and almost tripped on her own foot, for Harry was standing right at the door.

"Easy, there," Harry laughed, getting ahold of her arms to steady her.

"Sorry," Y/N mumbled, gathering herself, practically breathless. She looked up at him and felt her cheeks grow warm.

Harry was wearing something similar to his Yule Ball dress robes, a few years ago- something Y/N couldn't fully appreciate at that time.

His hair was in neat curls, something Y/N had never seen before, and his eyes were looking down at her with surprise and amusement.

"You look-" Y/N couldn't find any word to match the floaty feeling in her stomach.

The corner of Harry's lips quirked up and he flushed slightly when he realized her dress was unzipped.

"You look like you could use some help with that zip," he said modestly. "Shall I-?"

"Right- of course," Y/N said swiftly.

She spun around so her half bare back was facing Harry. She was beyond glad he couldn't see her face.

Harry gently moved her yet done hair to the side and his hand brushed against her skin briefly as he got hold of the zipper.

For a moment, Y/N felt herself take in a sharp breath, for she felt Harry tug the zipper down.

But after a second, she realized with embarrassment he was simply getting it loose before zipping her up all the way.

"Thanks," Y/N turned around and gave him a warm smile.

"No problem," Harry grinned, "black looks really good on you,"

"Oh, well, I can say the same to you," Y/N smirked, glancing at him up and down.

Harry took a step closer and cupped the side of her face gently and carefully. Y/N felt butterflies swarm in her stomach when he leaned in and kissed her.

She could feel the kitchen counter behind her as she backed against it, with one hand on Harry's chest and the other in his raven hair.

She kissed him back willingly, heartbeats hammering in her ears. She didn't know if they belonged to her or Harry- perhaps both, in sync.

Harry didn't think it was possible to ever get used to the feeling of her kiss- it was blissful oblivion, better than firewhisky...

"Mooorning..." crooned a voice.

Y/N and Harry pulled apart, whirling around in bewilderment.

George was leaning against the kitchen sink, a few feet away, sipping on a cup of tea.

The missing weight of his former ear was replaced by a green toothbrush.

When they both gave him a bitter look, he simply winked back.

At three o'clock Harry, Ron, Fred, and George were positioned outside the great white marquee in the garden, awaiting the arrival of the wedding guests.

All four of them were clutching seating plans, so that they could help show people to the right seats.

In the marquee, rows and rows of fragile golden chairs were set on either side of a long purple carpet.

Golden balloons were fastened 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.

"When I get married," tutted Fred, "I won't be bothering with any of this nonsense. And I'll put a full Body Bind Curse on Mum until it's all over."

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

Brightly colored figures were appearing, one by one out of nowhere.

Within minutes, a procession had formed, which began to snake its way up through the garden toward the marquee.

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

"Not so fast, Your Holeyness," said Fred, jumping in front of his twin, "Here- permetiez moi to assister vous,"

A pair of pretty French girls giggled and allowed him to escort them inside.

George was left to deal with the middle-aged witches.

Harry greeted Sirus, Remus, Tonks, and Hagrid as they entered. He saw countless new faces and a lot of red-haired Weasley relatives.

As well as a man that he knew right away, for obvious reasons, was Luna Lovegood's father.

Mr Lovegood was extremely eccentric-looking, with shoulder-length white hair the texture of candyfloss, and wore robes of egg-yolk yellow.

An odd symbol, rather like a triangular eye, glistened from a golden chain around his neck.

"Xenophilius Lovegood," he said, extending a hand to Harry, "It's an honor to meet you, Harry Potter. I think you know my Luna?"

"Yes," said Ron. "Isn't she with you?"

"She wanted to say hello to the gnomes," said Mr Lovegood, "She's with her friend, Rolf- I'm sure you know him as well?"

"Oh, yes, we do," said Harry.

"Such a glorious infestation, gnomes!" exclaimed Mr Lovegood. "Mr Scamander seems to be the only wizard just as fascinated as them as we are. My Luna is lucky to have him."

He then disappeared into the marquee, looking around with amusement.

"Here come our girls..." said Ron faintly, gazing over Harry's shoulder.

Harry whirled around and saw Hermione and Y/N walking towards them from The Burrow, both beaming bright.

Y/N looked just as beautiful as she was in the morning, in her glorious black dress, with her makeup done and her hair pinned into an elegant bun with loose pieces hanging around her face.

Harry could see his own awed expression reflected on Ron's face.

"Wow," The Weasley said, blinking rather rapidly as the two girls approached them. "You two look great!"

"Always the tone of surprise," said Hermione, though she smiled.

"Truly," Harry whispered, as Y/N stepped into the light.

"Thank you, Harry," Y/N smiled. "Though Ron's Great-Aunt Muriel doesn't agree- I just met her upstairs with Fleur. She said, 'What a grim face. And that dress is way too lowcut.'"

"Then she looked at me and said 'This one has bad posture and skinny ankles.'" said Hermione.

"Don't take it personally," Ron said quickly, his ears turning red. "She's like that with everyone."

A party of warlocks had marched into the marquee, and behind them, Luna and Rolf rushed up.

"Hello, everyone!" Luna said brightly to the four of them.

Like her father, Luna was wearing bright yellow, which she had accessorized with a large sunflower in her hair.

Rolf was wearing grey dress robes and had a sunflower sticking from his chest pocket. His hair was neatly pushed back and he was grinning cheerfully.

"Hey, you two," Y/N beamed. "You look really nice, Luna. The yellow suits you."

"Thanks," said Luna, smiling, "You all look wonderful. Rolf and I were in the garden and look- one of the gnomes actually bit me."

She held up her hand and Y/N saw the ugly wound on her pointer finger. Hermione winced and Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, it's a good thing," Luna assured them. "Dad said I might be gifted by the Gernumblies!"

"She wouldn't let me do anything about the wound," Rolf explained to them, then placed a careful kiss on Luna's forehead. "Should we go find seats?"

"Ooh, yes," Luna smiled, then Rolf took her by the good hand, and they both disappeared through the crowd.

"They make an interesting couple," Ron said, blinking blankly after the two.

"Tell me about it," grunted Y/N.

They were all busy staring after Rolf and Luna that none of them noticed the latecomer, a dark-haired young man with a curved nose and thick black eyebrows.

"You look wonderful." He said to Hermione, catching all of their attention.

"Viktor!" Hermione shrieked, and dropped her small beaded bag.

She scrambled, blushing, as she bent down to pick it up.

"I didn't know you were- goodness- it's lovely to see- how are you?" she said breathlessly.

Ron's ears had turned bright red again.

Harry quickly distracted Krum by saying hi and guiding him to a seat.

"Time to sit down," Ron grunted, "or we're going to get run over by the bride."

When Harry came back, the Quartet walked into the marquee and took their seats in the third row behind Fred and George.

Hermione looked rather pink and Ron's ears were still scarlet.

"Did you see he's grown a stupid little beard?" he muttered to Harry and Y/N. Y/N smiled weakly and Harry gave a noncommittal grunt.

Mr and Mrs Weasley strolled up the aisle, smiling and waving at relatives.

A moment later, Bill and Charlie stood up at the front of the marquee, both wearing dress robes, with larger white roses in their buttonholes.

Fred wolf-whistled and there was an outbreak of giggling from the veela cousins.

Then the crowd fell silent as the music started to swell.

"Ooooh!" said Hermione, swiveling around in her seat to look at the entrance.

A great collective sigh issued from the assembled witches and wizards as Monsieur Delacour and Fleur came walking up the aisle.

Fleur looked beautiful. Her alluring white dress and seemed to be emitting a strong, silvery glow, as well as her hair.

While her radiance usually dimmed everyone else, by comparison, today it beautified everybody it fell upon.

Ginny and Gabrielle, both bridesmaids and wearing golden dresses, followed behind, looking just as beautiful.

Y/N turned to Pansy, who was sitting next to Fred and George. She wore a deep magenta dress that matched with her lips and was staring at Ginny speechlessly.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said a slightly singsong voice.

With a slight shock, Y/N saw the same small wizard who had presided at Dumbledore's funeral, now standing in front of Bill and Fleur.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls..."

"Yes, my tiara set off the whole thing nicely," said Auntie Muriel in a rather carrying whisper.

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

In the front row, Mrs Weasley and Madame Delacour were both sobbing quietly into scraps of lace.

Y/N watched as Fleur's hopeful and loving eyes stared into Bill's.

She was the girl that had befriended Y/N the moment she stepped into her life.

The girl that had given Y/N the ridiculous nickname, Miss Balcony... now getting married.

Harry grinned at Y/N as she blinked her tears away in annoyance.

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

The tiny wizard waved his hand high over the heads of Bill and Fleur and a shower of silver stars fell upon them.

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.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" called the tiny wizard. "If you would please stand up!"

They all did so, and he waved his wand again.

The canvas walls of the marquee vanished, so that they stood beneath a canopy supported by golden poles.

"Smooth," said Ron approvingly as the waiters popped up on all sides, hearing silver trays of pumpkin juice, butterbeer, and firewhisky.

Fleur and Bill were beaming, clutching onto each other's arms, as people came to congratulate them.

"You three can go take a seat," said Y/N to her friends, "I'm going to go congratulate them."

Y/N departed them and moved through the crowd, smiling, and approached the husband and wife.

"Hey, Fleur," she said brightly. "Hello, Bill,"

"Oh, there you are, Miss Balcony!" Fleur exclaimed, immediately pulling Y/N into a hug. "I knew you'd look adorable in that dress."

"Thank you," Y/N said sheepishly, "And congratulations on the marriage,"

"Thanks, Y/N," Bill smiled, and it was like he was never attacked by a werewolf before. "I think your godparents want to talk to you."

He was looking over Y/N's shoulder, so she spun around. Remus and Tonks were waving cheerfully at her by the dancefloor.

"Will you excuse me-?"

"Of course! Go enjoy your night," Fleur said with a beautiful smile.

Y/N gave her another big hug and walked over to Remus and Tonks.

They were both wearing dress robes and were smiling.

Tonks' hair was sleek blonde today, and Y/N could see a new glint in her eyes as she approached them.

"Evening," she greeted them cheerfully. "You needed me?"

"Yes, we have something to tell you," said Remus.

Y/N could tell he was trying desperately to hide his excitement. He was grinning like mad.

"I don't know a more suspenseful way to say this," started Tonks, "so I'll just say it... I'm pregnant."

Y/N was sure she had punctured her lungs with the gasp she let out the next moment.

It was the last thing she was expecting, but she couldn't be more pleased.

She was jumping and shaking Remus' shoulders and had to restrain herself from shaking Tonks too.

"You're kidding! Please tell me you're not joking!" She jabbered.

"Not joking, I swear," Tonks laughed.

"Merlin's beard, congratulations!" Y/N said unbelievably and pulled them both into a long embrace. "This is- I don't know what to- this night's been full of surprises."

"There's more to it," said Tonks, grinning mischievously.

"Don't kid me like that."

"Look to your five o'clock," said Remus, gazing over her shoulder.

Y/N spun around, facing the golden dance floor, and her heart took a leap.

There beside Luna and Rolf were Newt and Tina Scamander, dancing together happily as if they weren't the age they were.

They were both wearing creamy white- Newt in neat dress robes and Tina in a beautiful flowy dress.

"They came!" Y/N exclaimed. "I knew they were around Britain but I didn't know they were here,"

"Do you want to go and say hi?" Tonks suggested.

"Not now, they look like they're having fun," Y/N beamed, as she watched Newt spin Tina around carefully.

She felt a little sadness tug her heart and turned back to Remus and Tonks.

"I want to see my dad," she blurted.

She's been wanting to say it for a while, especially now that they were about to go on the Horcrux hunt.

If anything happened to her- she wanted to see her father for the last time or she'd regret it.

Remus didn't look surprised at all. He simply gave her a warm smile and put a hand on her shoulder.

"We can go to St Mungo's tomorrow, how's that?" he said kindly. "Rolf can come along too."

Y/N nodded, returning Remus' smile with a slightly weaker one.

Remus cleared his throat loudly, and the second later, Y/N felt someone tap her shoulder.

Harry stood behind her, his hair already getting out of place. He cocked his eyebrows when she turned around, looking nervous but determined.

"Are you busy?" he said quickly, glancing at Tonks and Remus.

"Oh, no, you can have her," smiled Tonks, grabbing Remus' arm, before he could say anything.

"Thanks... Y/N," Harry took a deep breath and extended a hand, "I think- I think I owe you a dance."

Y/N blinked at him- his emerald eyes, his rudy raven hair- then she looked at the dancefloor behind him, which was now crowded with guests.

Y/N smiled at him and accepted his hand, wordlessly.

They walked towards the dancefloor and Y/N looked back at Tonks and Remus.

Tonks flicked her hand at her encouragingly and Remus smiling back in approval.

'A baby,' Y/N mouthed giddily, then turned back to Harry.

They then arrived at the dancefloor and Harry put his hand on her waist firmly.

He was looking at her like how Bill looked at Fleur earlier that evening- utterly mesmerized.

"The last dancing lesson I had was for the Yule Ball," he started. "so I hope your shoes aren't so expensive."

"They aren't expensive, but they're still steppable." Y/N laughed. "It's alright. We'll work this out."

They started waltzing to the light and whimsical music- it was the most beautiful thing Y/N had ever heard. Or was it Harry that made it seem so?

The way he held onto the small of her back so carefully, the way his eyes were unable to leave her, even when he spun her around and caught her in his arms.

They could've had that, years ago.

"I love you, Niff." Harry whispered, just loud enough for her to hear him, only. It seemed like he didn't even realize those words left his lips.

"I love you too, Harry," Y/N whispered back. Harry pulled her closer in his arms. "Not," Y/N mumbled, grinning.

Harry laughed, as he spun her around in her spot.

Nearby, Y/N saw Rolf and Luna, now slow dancing like everyone else, but still in a unique way.

Ron and Hermione, so close to each other, gazing into each other's eyes.

Fleur and Bill, dancing gracefully, both so beautiful as the center of attention.

Ginny and Pansy, who spoke to each other in low whispers and laughed as they danced.

"I love it here," said Y/N, turning back to Harry.

"Me too," grinned Harry. "Can I tell you how much you mean to me?"

"Go on," Y/N echoed.

But Harry didn't get the chance to do so.

At that moment, something large and silver came falling through the canopy over the dance floor.

Everyone came to a halt and stared.

Graceful and gleaming, the lynx patronus landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers.

Then the Patronus's mouth opened wide and it spoke in the loud, deep, slow voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

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

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ Hope the extra fluff in this chapter made up for all the grim moments in the past. Let me know your thoughts :)

Also, I love when people make theories about the ending of this story, I really do- but why not enjoy the present moment as well?

I'll see you all next week x

-ScribblingQuills