New Harry Potter Adventures: Chapter 2 – The Wedding

This story does not reflect the attitudes or characters in the Harry Potter series, or have any affiliation with the author.

AUTHORS NOTE: For the purpose of this story, Gabrielle’s age has been altered slightly so now that she is 16.

Chapter 2
Harry began to straighten his bowtie in the mirror that hung in Ron’s old bedroom. Harry sighed as he stared back at himself, and began to button up his dress-robes and jacket. The last few weeks had been particularly difficult for Harry. The flight from Privet Drive had been disastrous. Mad-eye Moody had been killed, George had lost an ear and Harry had yet again narrowly escaped from Lord Voldemort clutches. For the first time in his life, Harry had wished he was anywhere else but at the Burrow. As the preparations for the Wedding were in full flow, space at the Burrow became scarcer then usual and Harry had been forced into sleeping in his and Ron’s old room. Nostalgia would often overpower Harry whenever he was in the room, whether it was the bright orange posters of Ron’s team the Chudley Cannons that covered the walls, or whether it was the ghoul that often caused a racket in the attic. Hermione tried her best to keep Harry’s spirits up, but no matter how hard she tried, Harry could not forget the image of Ron falling from the battlements to his death.

Whenever he felt particularly low, Harry would often go and sit in Ginny’s room alone, thinking about where she was at that moment and if she was safe. Her room still carried the sweet, flowery scent that reminded him of her. A far-away voice suddenly broke Harry away from his deep thought.
‘Harry dear,’ called Mrs Weasley’s kind voice from downstairs, ‘the wedding will be starting soon.’
‘On my way Mrs Weasley,’ Harry called back. With one last look at the mirror, Harry exited the room and made his way to the garden that was awash with sunshine.

Harry had never been to a wedding before and he found the whole ceremony fascinating. Around a hundred witches and wizards were all sat in silvery chairs, chattering away excitedly in many different languages. Harry even spotted two Egyptian looking wizards, who Harry imagined had met Bill while he was working for Gringotts, dressed like the ancient Pharaohs. Music suddenly played as Fleur and her father made their way down the aisle towards a beaming Bill. Gabrielle, Fleur’s younger sister was bridesmaid and trailed behind her Father and Sister. Gabrielle looked resplendent in a bright gold dress and she gave Harry a wide smile as she passed him, which he returned weakly. Finally, after many tears from Mrs Weasley and Mrs Delacour and much smiling and shaking of hands between Mr Weasley and Mr Delacour, the wedding ended to rapturous applause. At once, the tables zoomed towards the side of the garden and a wooden floor magically appeared to create a dance floor. Harry made for one of the far corner tables where he was soon joined by Lupin.

‘Great ceremony wasn’t it Remus?’ said Harry as he helped himself to a butterbeer.
‘O yes,’ said Lupin with a smile, ‘it went very well indeed. Tonks loved it. I must say, she’s been much happier these last few weeks.’
‘Yeah…I’m sure she has been,’ said Harry, disguising his little smirk by taking a swig of butterbeer as he thought back to the quickie he and Tonks had shared. A few moments passed in silence as they ate and drank and sank in the joyous atmosphere of the party.
‘So,’ said Lupin eventually, ‘Hermione tells me that the Minister came by for a little visit not long ago.’
‘Hmmm,’ said Harry a little coldly as he remembered back to the heated exchange he and Scrimgeour had shared, ‘he came to give me and Hermione what Dumbledore left us in his will. He left me the first golden snitch I caught and he left Hermione a children’s book.’
‘Really,’ replied Lupin, obviously interested, ‘you have any idea why Dumbledore left you these items?’
‘No idea,’ said Harry non-conversationally as he took a swig of butterbeer.
‘Ahh….,’ said Lupin, obviously let down by Harry’s lack of co-operation. A few more moments passed.

‘Harry,’ whispered Lupin in a more urgent tone, ‘I just wanted to warn you if you plan to take on Voldemort alone. There’s talk that he has recruited a new, powerful Death Eater.’
‘Yeah,’ Harry said thinking back to the escape from Privet Drive, ‘he killed Mad-eye Moody didn’t he.’
‘He or she Harry,’ injected Lupin, ‘we do not know for sure. We only think it’s a man because of how tall it looked. Anyway, whoever it is, they’ve been very busy since that night. He or she managed to kill Hestia Jones, and kidnap Mr Ollivander. They were a very powerful witch and wizard Harry, this person obviously has much magical skill and if they’re on Voldemort’s side, then we’re weakened even more.
‘But the Order must have some idea of who it is,’ said Harry a little desperately.
‘None whatsoever Harry,’ said Lupin sadly, ‘we’ve nicknamed him the Hooded Man, as we’ve never seen him without a hood up to hide his face. Of course, it could be a woman…..might not even be human at all. Anyway, I needed to tell you this Harry, we have more than just Voldemort to contend with now,’ said Lupin as he got up from the table and left, leaving Harry feeling alone, as well as, for the first time in his life; afraid.

Not feeling much like in the party mood, Harry quietly sneaked out of the garden and made his way to Ginny’s bedroom where it would be quiet, and he could have time to think and prepare for what needed to be done. If Harry hadn’t have been so caught up in his thoughts, he might have noticed a golden figure follow him into the deserted house. Harry entered Ginny’s room and sat down on her luscious double bed. As his hands felt the soft, warm sheets, he imagined a peaceful looking Ginny sleeping there, with not a care in the world. Harry’s mind began to wander to all the long, quiet times he and Ginny had spent in this room together. Harry looked out of her window towards the apple orchard where Harry and the Weasley’s often played Quidditch, he and Ginny, Fed, George, Ron……..Ron….., tears began to form as he thought about the two people he missed the most in the world.
‘Erm…’Arry?’ said a quiet voice from the door which caused Harry to swivel round sharply. Even in his sadness, Harry’s hopes could not help but soar slightly as he gazed upon the visitor. Gabrielle was standing before him; her long golden dress hung loosely on her slender frame and seemed to flutter in a non-existent breeze. Her bright, blonde hair that was done up in a bun earlier, now hung in long flowing curls that framed her face nicely. She had twinkling blue eyes and a small, straight nose that had a few cute freckles. Her skin was perfect and unblemished and was naturally tanned. With her high heels in her hands from too much dancing earlier, she now stood a head shorter then Harry.

‘What zee’s the matter ‘Arry?’ she asked concernedly as she closed the door behind herself and walked gracefully towards him.