In real love you want the other person's good... (Wedding Post III)
Amy stood before everyone. All of the employees from Happy Hearth who were not in the wedding party were here to help. The reception would be kicking off any minute now.
"We are running a tight ship here, ladies and gents. Kristen and I planned this and if everything goes according to plan, we should have no problem. Keep the snacks on those buffet tables flowing."
Amy looked around at the tables and dance floor. Where everyone would enter, there was an easel that held the wedding portrait Dean Thomas had done of Hannah in her dress. There was a free bar and the buffet tables were off to the side. There was also a stage where Hera Warbeck and her Hogsmeade band were setting up. It was called the Hogsmeade band because it was composed of villagers, though rumors were starting that Lachlan MacDougal would be going on tour with her as the new drummer when she decided to leave.
Amy straightened a linen on a nearby table. "We can do this."
The bride's cake and the groom's cake that Hannah had made were already set up and ready. Amy thought the cake topper for the bride's cake looked adorable, but she'd never say so aloud. She also needed to go put it on the cake before people arrived. Last minute touches.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Amos approached Blaise when it appeared he had a free moment. "Zabini? A word please?"
Blaise froze and his sister Cecelia cracked up at his expression. "Have fun, brother."
He took a deep breath to steady himself before turning around. "Mr. Diggory, on behalf of both myself Hannah, thanks for your help in the wedding."
Amos snorted. "You can call me Amos, boy. Especially since I am playing the part of your father-in-law now."
He laughed loudly at the young man's expression. Amos was well aware that Blaise Zabini did not know what to make of him half the time.
"You found something rare, boy. Never take it for granted."
Amos knew Blaise would hate this, but he pulled him into a hug.
"Congratulations."
Blaise didn't know what to do. He didn't make it a habit of hugging strange men. "Um, thanks?"
Amos started laughing. "You'll get used to it. I promise to try to restrict my hugs to the girls."
He clapped Blaise on the shoulder.
"I know you have a father, boy, but should you ever need anything, I am available. Even if it's only to take the children to give you some peace."
Blaise gave a small laugh. "Thank you, sir. I really think you'll regret saying that. You might get the children a lot now."
"I don't mind them. Though I do wish Mina was not so fond of going to Snape's place."
Blaise blinked. "Oh dear Merlin, there's a reason I don't take her there. I think he'll kill her eventually."
"Yes, well, I'm not afraid of him, and he'd have to get through me first," Amos said with a playful wink, though it was quite true. He'd stand between anyone who wanted to hurt those kids. Hannah and her built family had given him something to protect again.
"Good for you. I'm terrified of him, although that may be because I know he'd love to get through me in return for the hell I put him through in school," Blaise said with a smirk.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I like his bride, but I can’t decide how much,” Mira said into Cassie’s ear as they strolled arm in arm through the crowds of people. Cassie’s stilettos made her a bit taller than Mira, but the two were used to the discrepancy, and when Mira spoke, Cassandra’s head bent to accommodate without much thought. “I have a hard time believing she was in Hufflepuff, really. She threatened to poison you, point blank, if you had designs on Blaise, violent or otherwise.”
Bright blue eyes flicked from person to person as she spoke, but the whole of her attention was on her sister. “Blunt of her, and it’s likely true that Blaise needs that kind of handling, but …” Mira’s nose crinkled. “I just … don’t get her. She doesn’t … fit. She’s not a Hufflepuff, nor a Slytherin, nor a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. She smiles pleasantly at you and threatens bodily harm in the same breath.”
Cassandra's brow rose at this bit of information. "Threatened to poison me, did she? In front of my twin sister. That is bold."
It amused her that someone she'd never met would feel the need to make such a statement. She and Blaise hadn't as much as set eyes on one another in years. Still, that the sweet-looking little blonde had a bit of bite to her was neither wholly surprising nor wholly unwelcome. It was the woman who'd managed to get Blaise Zabini down the aisle, after all. Merlin knew that was no easy feat.
Bending a smidgen lower, she brushed a kiss to her sister's cheek. Cassie might have the reputation of being a hellcat, but Mira, for all her innocent blushes and wide blue eyes, was a force to be reckoned with in her own right. "You're hardly one to talk about not fitting the stereotype, Mira Sophia. I fully expect you to avenge my death should Hannah Zabini decide to carry out her threat. You know how twitchy my wand can be."
"Oh, I as much as said I would, but much more subtly, of course," Mira replied, tiny smile curling her lips as she tipped her head up to meet her twin's gaze. "And I know I don't fit the stereotype, but at least that doesn't put me one step closer to really pleasantly nice psychopath."
Blue eyes bright, her voice was soft enough that it only carried to Cassie. "Blaise would be into that."
Cassie cackled. There weren't words for how much she adored Mira. She was the only person Cassandra had ever known who could mask every little thing about herself which might be considered threatening. Cassie herself was much more brash, but no one outside their family would ever suspect Mira had a very gray set of morals and a wicked streak that could rival the slitheriest of Slytherins.
"Of course he would. Blaise is more twisted than the bedsheets I leave behind."
"And from what you tell me, that's really saying something." Her words were sly, but the expression on her face was sweet as she smiled at her sister, eyes crinkling with it. "I suppose they're meant for each other in truth at this rate. The pleasant, blond, baking psychopath, and the tall, dark and handsome, crazy drama queen."
"Their children will rival the Blacks, from the sound of it," Cassie joked, grinning back at Mira. "That's good, though. Slytherin needs a new reign of insanity. The induction of non-inbred blood won't do any harm, either."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After helping Hannah bustle her gown, Susan made for the reception to find her favorite ginger. Ron, predictably, wasn't terribly excited about attending Blaise Zabini's wedding, but he'd been a good sport and come anyway because he knew how important it was to Susan. The least she could do was rescue him from having to navigate the other guests on his own as quickly as she could.
The first place to check was the buffet. Her boyfriend could find the food at an event in .05 seconds. Lips curling as she spotted him, she crept up quietly, slipping her arms around him from behind. "Hey there, stud. What silly woman left you on your own tonight?"
"You think you can do better," Ron joked as he turned around, hors d'oeurves in hand. He hugged her to his side with one arm and popped some caviar topped crackers into his mouth. "How's it going so far? You having fun? You look good," he said while still chewing.
"Thanks," she replied, nose crinkling at the view of Ron's snack. "You look quite nice yourself, though the seafood isn't really meant to be see food."
Shaking her head, she rose on tiptoe to press a kiss to Ron's cheek. "I am having fun. Hannah's so happy and honestly, I think Blaise is pretty excited, too, despite all his disdain for matrimony. Have you been set upon by Slytherins in my absence?"
Ron rolled his eyes and started chewing with his mouth closed. Waiting until he was done, he said, "Not yet, though with this lot, I assume it's coming at any moment." Ron looked across the floor and didn't really see anyone he wanted to talk to. There were a lot of Slytherin graduates. It wasn't really his scene.
"You have anyone here you want to talk to?"
Susan surveyed the room. There were so many people it was hard to pinpoint familiar faces. Many of the guests were society types, here only because of the Zabini family's standing. She knew some of her friends were in attendance, though. Justin had been in the wedding, too, and Lavender was sure to be here.
"A few. We ought to say hello to Ginny, and I know I have some friends to catch up with."
Ron nodded and gestured forward, "Lead the way then, Suse."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Though they'd come together, Mira knew that Cassie would wander off sooner or later. Even she wasn't blind to all the pretty men in attendance, and Cassie most definitely wasn't. They'd been trading comments on the selection, after all.
Not that Mira ever actually picked and followed through on anyone, but it was fun to play the game with her sister regardless.
"He's got pretty eyes," Mira whispered, indicating the man that had just looked their way. "Though he looks entirely aware of the fact. And like he'd attempt to charm all of us girls if given the chance." She tipped her head slightly. "He does have pretty eyes though."
"Mmm," Cassandra hummed in agreement, sipping on her champagne. "Very nice eyes and passable charm, though his follow through is dreadful."
Catching the look of surprise on Mira's face, a Cheshire grinned curled her lips. "If memory serves, that is."
A real smile lit Mira's face then, blue eyes alight with it. "You didn't? No, of course you did." Glancing over at the bloke again, Mira couldn't help the giggle and she brought a hand up to cover it.
It was the mass of mussed dark hair passing behind him that caught her attention though. She'd not known that Harry was here, but she supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Everyone was here.
He had the same face on that he had at work though; purposeful and focused. She wondered if he knew how to just be for even a few minutes. "Cassiopeia? Do you want to meet my boss?" she asked, eyes following him as his purpose became clear; the bar.
Following Mira's line of vision, Cassie spied the Harry Potter, boy wonder, savior of the wizarding world, and her sister's employer. He didn't appear to be having a very good time and a grin spread across her face. Harry Potter looked like exactly the sort of person Mira would enjoy taking care of.
"Of course I want to meet him. It's high time I spoke to the slave driver who's been keeping my sister from me."
"He's not a slave driver," Mira said with a light poke to her sister's side though she tipped up to brush a kiss to Cassie's cheek despite her words before slipping through the crowd towards Harry.
Sliding up beside him and feeling her twin just behind her, Mira smiled at him as she tipped her head, trying to catch his eye. "Are you having any fun at all, Mr. Potter?"
Turning from the bar, recognizing the voice but surprised to hear it all the same, Harry's gaze landed on Mira, eyes widening slightly. He wasn't aware that Mira knew Hannah, and besides the obvious people, hadn't expected to see someone from work.
Though, as the whole of the wizarding world had been invited, it really shouldn't have surprised him too much.
"Mira," he said in greeting, smiling slightly. "I'm trying my hardest not to." Surprised by the joke, sure that it wouldn't have slipped if he hadn't already indulged in three glasses of champagne in an effort to at least become marginally more social, Harry nodded at the person standing just behind Mira who was looking at him with an intense blue gaze. "Hello."
"How do you do?" Cassandra asked, her tone pleasant, though her gaze remained piercing. Hero or not, Harry Potter spent significant time with Mira. He'd have to pass muster. Extending her hand, she continued, "I'm Mira's sister, Cassandra Montgomery. How's she doing? I know she's been working hard. I scarcely see her these days."
"I think I've seen her more in the past few weeks then I saw the whole of my dorm mates during school, actually," Harry replied, shaking the blonde's outstretched hand before releasing it. "I haven't heard any complaints and as of yet she hasn't decided to switch to a different department or discover that her real talent lies in becoming an Unspeakable, so I'm thoroughly satisfied."
So long as that the only way you seek your satisfaction, she thought, the familiar protective instincts swelling inside her. "Mira's not a complainer, but she'd let you know if she was unhappy." She'd also let me know if she was unhappy.
"Mira's also right here," she reminded both of them gently, amused blue eyes tracking between Harry and her sister. "She also has many other qualities besides keeping complaints to a minimum and working hard," she added, eyes twinkling as she looked between the two.
Mira had seen the look in Cassie's eye. Her sister had been about to slip into the 'hurt her and die' speech, though Mira thought it particularly unnecessary. If she wasn't safe in Harry Potter's presence, then she really wasn't safe with anyone at all.
Crinkling her nose at Cassie, Mira turned back to Harry, blue eyes bright as her lips slipped into a smile. "Are you here trying not to have fun all by yourself?"
Grabbing his drink when it was set in front of him, Harry shook his head as he brought the glass to his lips. "I'm here with Luna," he said, green eyes looking over Mira and Cassandra's shoulders, attempting to locate the blonde through the crush of people. "I think she's talking with Mac."
"Mac is the one that I replaced," Mira informed her sister, eyes following the line of Harry's. The name 'Luna' was familiar, though she couldn't place it off the top her head. And she'd not even known that Harry had had a Luna type person. Not that it was any of her business, but she would try to push him out of the office earlier if there was actually someone waiting for him.
Memory supplying her with the name that was on the tip of her tongue, Mira's expression brightened as her gaze slid back to Harry despite the fact she'd not spied his date. "Luna Lovegood, yes? She was in Ravenclaw?"
"Yeah," he answered, taking another large drink of his firewhisky. "You brought your sister," he asked, already certain of the answer. The way her sister was glaring at him for no reason made him think that maybe boys weren't allowed near his secretary.
"My twin," Mira supplied, glancing over her shoulder to see what Harry had. Cassie was watching; she was always watching though, especially when she was with Mira and Mira decided to talk to someone of the opposite sex. She'd been doing it since the boys had gotten over the fact that girls really didn't have cooties, and had never stopped.
Turning blue eyes back to Harry, she tipped her head to the side. He looked... well, kind of miserable. She only ever saw him at the office, but out of it and around other people it was more noticeable that his skin was pale, there were purple smudges beneath his eyes, he was just a little too thin for his frame and he just seemed to carry an air of near apathy.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked, out of the blue, eyes just a little wide for her daring. "I mean, very properly and respectably, but ..." her hands fluttered a moment as she tried to find the right words. " ... you know, fun, maybe?"
Blue eyes drifting from her hands to him, she hurried to add, "but not if it'd be a bad thing. I mean, you should dance with Luna. Or Mac. Or Mac and Luna." Eyes widening as her cheeks tinted slightly, Mira glanced over at Cassie. I was just trying to help!
Cassie's expression softened at the look on her twin's face and she cracked a smile. She hadn't detected any interest on Harry's part where Mira was concerned, or any real acknowledgment that the bright-eyed brunette was female, even. If she could convince Potter to step onto the dance floor, there was no harm. He didn't look like much of a dancer, though. Thankfully, Mira was quick on her feet.
"I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't mind if you wanted to indulge your very capable and thoughtful secretary," she commented, amusement in her tone.
Harry's eyes widened as he looked between the two women. "Oh..." he started, something akin to horror on his face, "I don't... dance." He frowned, looking at Mira with apologetic eyes.
Mira brought a hand up to cover the smile that was threatening to peek out, blue eyes bright now. Lowering her hand a moment later, she did smile then. "It's actually pretty fun, and the waltz they're doing is not too hard. You just move in boxy circles." Nodding her head at him then, she added, "but it's alright. There's lots of people here, and I'm sure my Papa will dance with me. I just thought it might be ... well, fun."
"Yeah. Dancing really isn't... fun... for me." He was having flashbacks to the monstrosity that was the Triwizard ball and the dancing he'd attempted that night. No. Dancing was definitely not his idea of fun. "I'm sure there's plenty of guys out there that would love to dance with you." His eyes flicked up to look at Cassandra. "Very properly and respectfully, of course," he said, parroting what Mira had said earlier.
Brows raising in amusement, Mira's blue eyes twinkled. "Yes, always very properly and respectfully." Her smile was just a bit wily as she added, "there's plenty of girls, too, Harry." His expression nearly made her giggle and it was then that she linked her arm with her sister's to show what she meant. This time.
"Well, you have a good night then, Mr. Potter. I do wish you well in all your endeavors at not having any fun as dreary as that sounds." Grinning again then, she leaned forward, eyes bright. "You know, if you don't like dancing, then you just haven't done it right yet," she added softly.
Leaning back against her sister, she looked up. "Dance with me, Cassiopeia?"
"I'd be honored, Mira Sophia," Cassie said, taking Mira's hand and twining their fingers. She hadn't missed Harry's little jibe and it was then that she decided she liked this Potter bloke well enough. She'd still keep an eye out to make sure her sister was enjoying her job, but a man who didn't back down from her glare couldn't be too bad. "Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Potter. It was very nice meeting you."
"Likewise," Harry murmured, watching as the pair moved away and back onto the dance floor. Finishing the fingersworth in his glass, he set it on the bar and signaled for another.
He really didn't need to be thinking about his secretary dancing with girls.
It was the alcohol forcing the thoughts. Obviously.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Moody had been making the rounds, speaking to various order members and old friends. After an hour or so, his bad leg had started throbbing so he had made his way to a table and seated himself with a view of the dance floor.
Verity was dancing with her beau -- or at least, he assumed it was dancing. It didn't look like anything that he'd taught her.
He pulled his flask out and took a swig of its contents. Out of the corner of his good eye, he saw someone sit down next to him.
"Hullo, Nessa," He greeted her cordially. "Scotch?" He held the flask out to her. "It's single malt."
"Thank ya, no. I've my whiskey. Tha's all I'll be needin'. Just dinna tell Brody. He's on about me no' drinkin' so much. I'm old. I should be able to drink what I like."
Nessa watched the children dancing with a grin. Her Morag was looking very ladylike tonight. All her girls were, and her boys looked lovely in their kilts.
He chuckled. "I feel your pain. All of mine are after me for the same reason."
"Do what I do - hex them. Well, actually, I hit them wit m'cane."
"I let the stick hit them with itself. It's sapient pearwood. Comes in very handy during a hand-to-hand altercation." Moody grinned and took another swig while his cane tapped itself on the floor next to him, and then rested up against the table again.
Nessa chuckled. "It was a nice wedding, aye? Interestin' tha' the lass chose Aberforth to marry her. I wasna aware the old goat were ordained."
"Yes," he responded. "Reminded me a bit of Bebhinn's. And I think that you'll find that there's quite a lot about Aberforth that you don't know."
"I miss ever'thin' livin' in Nem's Nook. Malfoy's drunk. Ya think ya might have to handle tha'?"
"Merlin I hope not. I think perhaps Arthur might take him aside to sober up. If he doesn't, Young Ginevra might. And you really don't miss everything. I've seen Aberforth's file. That thing with the goat? Not what you think."
Nessa eyed him. "The Malfoy thing might be an 'our' problem iffen ya get my meanin'. I heard his mother tried to get him to join them. Of course the boy refused... or did he now?"
"From what I understand from my sources, Young Malfoy has been betrayed by his dear old mummy and is not taking it well. From all accounts, he spends his days in the backyard burning his garden and getting pished in his skivvies. I'm told that he told her to go and pound sand."
Nessa chuckled. "Good on him then."
Moody nodded and commented, "But you're right... He may become our problem."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carly had thoroughly enjoyed her evening so far. She had danced with many cute boys, including some that had been out of Hogwarts a few years. She had even eaten a piece of cake, which Theo gave her a thumbs up for. Jodie had tried to throw a fit about her dress, but Carly had put up with it until she could push her sister in Cullen's direction so she was properly preoccupied.
For once, she stood on the side of the dance floor. She had begged off for a few dances because she needed to rest--it had been a while since she had been in heels--but now she was anxious to get back on the dance floor.
With a predatory glance, she looked around for her next dance partner. Carly grinned when she saw who it was. As she made her way over, Carly tossed her hair back and stood up straighter.
James Stewart was talking with his sister Sarah and another girl--Warbeck. It was easy to see he fancied her, so she was just going to help that along. She came up behind him and put her arm through his.
"Dance with me, James. I'm getting bored." Without waiting for an answer, she dragged him off.
Sarah slowly looked at Arie. The willowy blonde's eyes had narrowed to slits before she stalked off in the opposite direction.
"Oh dear."
James sighed as he looked over his shoulder for Arie only to find her gone. "I'm not really in the mood for dancing, Carly. Go pick on someone else."
Someone poked him quite hard in the back. James yelped as he watched his older sister stomp by with a scowl. Don't be rude, Kristen mouthed. James sighed and started dancing with Carly.
Carly bit her lip and tried to hide her grin. "Oh please. I'm doing you a favor. How long have had the hots for Warbeck?"
"Why does everyone think I like Arie that way? She's not my type."
But even as he said so, he knew it to be a lie.
"How is it helping me for you to piss her off?"
"I'm a girl. Trust me, James, I know these things. She'll get jealous, swear me her enemy and cuddle you close to make sure the big bad Carly can't get you." Carly spun herself and then put herself back in James' arms. "I'm only doing you a favor. It's more of a thank you for hexing Avery."
"Avery wasn't all about you. He hurt my sister. She's soft. Someone has to stick up for her."
But that wasn't entirely true either. James had this thing for defending girls. It probably had something to do with having four sisters. Probably didn't help that he spent most days surrounded by girls with the exception of Owen and Argyle at the bakery.
And speaking of Argyle...
"Sorry, Stewart, but I'll be cuttin' in now."
James looked around Argyle to see Arie with a very calculated look on her face.
Carly laughed. "What did I tell you, Stewart? Prepare to be cuddled. I wouldn't be surprised if she hisses at me when we pass each other now."
She turned to Argyle. "Well then, MacDougal. Sweep me off my feet."
Arie glared at Carly as she passed her before nervously asking James to dance. He smiled at her.
Argyle just shook his head. "Yer one of those girls my Nana warns about."
"What are you talking about? I was just doing a friend a favor! Where's the harm in that?" Carly asked innocently.
"He'd have figured it out. Lad doesna look at a lass like tha', and no' know what he wants to do wit her."
Carly rolled her eyes. "I've made it my job to be surrounded by boys. Most boys piss around until the girl they fancy decides they have better things to do. Not all men are like you MacDougals."
Argyle turned when the music picked up. Hera's voice filled the room.
He grinned at Carly. "Let's see iffen ya can keep up."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Callum meandered through the throngs of people, unsurprised that the only faces he knew were those he'd met at other society events his parents had insisted he attend. It was a necessary evil, though, and on the whole this particular familial obligation hadn't been too bad. The food is excellent, at any rate, he thought, biting into a pastry.
Spotting the newlyweds nearby, he cleaned his hands on his napkin and handed it to a passing waiter before sipping his champagne to clean the remnants from his mouth and walking over to them. He smiled pleasantly as he extended his hand.
"Mr. Zabini. Mrs. Zabini," Callum greeted. "I'm Callum Wildsmith. Congratulations on your nuptials. Your contentment is quite easy to see."
Blaise grinned, recognizing the Wildsmith surname. "Thank you, Mr. Wildsmith. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"
"I am, thank you." He looked at the little blonde beside Zabini. She was Muggleborn if rumor was correct, quite a scandal among the old families, not that Callum had ever been concerned by that sort of thing.
Hannah Zabini was positively glowing, and the pleasant smile he'd been wearing changed into something more genuine. "I understand the catering is from your business, Mrs. Zabini. It's excellent. Do you do much catering, or is this exclusive to your own celebrations?"
"No, I am not exclusive. I've catering anything as small as a ladies' tea to Gwenog Jones' birthday celebration. I can not take credit for today, however. That goes to my maid of honor Kristen Stewart and my Assistant Manager Amy Anderson."
Fortuitously, Kris and Amy were standing near one another at the moment. Hannah pointed them out.
"Kristen planned the menu, and Amy and my staff executed it. I'm quite proud, actually. Though the cakes? Those are mine. I tend to be especially particular about sweets."
"I'll be sure to sample them, then, if you're particular enough not to entrust ladies who are obviously very skilled with their creation."
Bowing slightly, Callum made to excuse himself. "I won't keep you from your other guests. Please accept my best wishes for a long and happy life together."
Hannah smiled brightly. "Well, thank you. If you like what you eat, be certain to pop into my bakery in Hogsmeade."
"I'll be sure to do that," he assured her before bidding the couple a good night and slipping back into the crowd.
Hannah leaned over to Blaise and whispered, "Who was that?"
Blaise blinked. "Well I certainly didn't invite him. I thought you knew him somehow. I do know of him. The Wildsmith family is very wealthy, mostly on account that one of the ancestors created floo powder. They're pureblood, but stayed neutral in the war."
"Well, as long as he's not one of those down with all mudbloods zealots, he's fine, I suppose."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco approached Ginny. He was comfortably numb right now. Drunk enough not to care about his pain, but still sober enough to function properly.
"Would you dance with me?"
Ginny pulled the glass of champagne away from her lips as she turned to look at Draco. His eyes were slightly glazed over. She'd lost count of how many drinks he'd had, but that had become normal, even at home. "Have you danced with Hannah yet?"
"No," he said. "I haven't danced with anyone. I wanted to dance with you first. I haven't even danced with Blaise yet."
"You're going to dance with Blaise before you dance with Hannah?"
"He's my best friend. She won't be offended. I think Hannah knows by now how Blaise and I are. You don't think she'll be offended, do you? Should I dance with her after you?"
"She is the bride," Ginny said, taking another drink. "It's her day."
"I will trust you to know better than I the inner workings of a sweet Hufflepuff. I'll dance with Hannah before Blaise, but right now I want you." Draco smirked. "For a dance."
She looked at him seriously then, considering her answer. There was no way she'd miss Hannah's wedding, or her partner's, but the idea of being surrounded by people and pretending that everything was alright had been an intimidating thought. She'd been watching the dancing, and while she'd always loved to do it before, her mind tonight was not in the right state for it.
"I don't really feel like dancing, Draco."
"Oh," Draco said, looking down. "Okay then."
Draco sat down and wondered how things had gone so wrong with him in the last few months. He knew a lot of it was his fault. He'd been thinking a lot lately. Maybe she didn't think he was worth the trouble he seemed to be. Perhaps Arthur was wrong.
Closing her eyes, Ginny sighed silently. She set her half-empty glass down on the table, taking a seat beside him. "Just because I don't feel like dancing doesn't mean you can't. I'm sure Hannah would like a dance with a groomsman."
"It seems wrong to dance with someone besides the person I love first," he said, inching his hand towards hers. "If you're not dancing, I won't either."
He needed to apologize for being a wreck, but Draco couldn't quite make the words come out.
"We'll have plenty of dances, Draco. Lots more to come," Ginny said softly, wrapping her hand around his, "just not tonight."
Draco nodded. "I can be better. I'll do better. I'll stop this... whatever this is. It's a process. I just have to get through it. Just promise me when I surface, you'll be there. Otherwise, surfacing isn't worth much."
"I'm not going anywhere," she said, almost a whisper in the loudness of the reception hall. "I'm waiting for you. I'll be here, however long it takes." What would be there for him when he was ready, though, was what worried her.
"That's good." Because he was pretty sure when he got it together he was asking her to marry him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Justin was glad Lavender had had many dance partners to keep her busy. He had not had a chance to dance with her yet. He wasn't really looking forward to the dancing, but he was looking forward to holding her close.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Grinning at the voice, Lavender turned, her cheeks pink with exertion. Duff MacDougal, and a slew of other unnamed MacDougals, had her feet hurting in such a delicious way. She really hadn't been dancing much lately. In fact, the last time she'd gone out had been with Percy.
That reminded her that she needed to owl the older, stuffy archivist. Maybe another night out was in order.
"I've my eye on pulling Susan out to dance yet, but yes, I'm quite enjoying myself." She smiled, putting a hand on Justin's lapel, looking up at him through her lashes. "Have I told you that you look very dashing in a suit?"
Justin grinned at her. Things were good, very good. They were busy and in a pattern. Justin liked that. He knew she did not, however. This broke up their routine nicely. Justin needed to break things up with them, be spontaneous, but he'd been rather busy with work.
"Thank you. You're looking lovely yourself this evening. Care to dance with your actual date and not Scotty MacManwhore?"
"I don't know," Lavender said, tossing a playful grin over her shoulder at the Scotsman. "He was a very hands-on dancer..."
"Stop trying to provoke me into picking a fight. He knows better than to put his hands on you inappropriately if he wants to keep them."
Lavender grinned. "Big words, sir," she joked, hand sliding down the front of his suit before they fell from his body. "And I'm always trying to provoke you. It's what I'm good at."
Justin made a face. "Gil is here. You see him watching everyone dance. Why don't you ask him if I could possibly damage someone?" Justin kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll have you know I am very dangerous."
"You're not the only one," Lavender said, spinning away from him, her dress moving around her knees as she made her way back to the dance floor. "You've yet to see how dangerous I can be," she said, smirking at him.
"You think I don't know? You're very dangerous to me. I've nearly died of exhaustion several times since being with you."
"Nearly?" She pouted as his hands found her hips and began to move with the music. "That means I have to try harder." Grinning, she rose onto her toes, pressing her lips against his, pulling back with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh God. You know I have to work six days this week."
Justin pulled her close.
"When's your next vacation?" she asked, leaning against him, pressing her chin against his chest as she looked up at him.
"I don't usually take vacations, but I suppose I could. Why? Did you want to go somewhere?"
"No where in mind, I just want more than one day a week with you," Lavender answered, cheek moving to rub against his shoulder when the music took on a slower tone. "I'm usually asleep when you get home, or on my way to work. I'd just like to see you," she said. She'd been busy at the shoppe, and he was always at work. She was getting used to it, but she wasn't sure she liked that idea.
"I'll put in for a couple of days then," Justin replied, hand moving lower on her back. "We could order in, not wear clothes, it'll be nice."
He was really liking this plan.
"Brilliant," Lavender said, looking up at him with a smile on her lips. "I'm sure the shoppe will be able to carry on without me." The fact that he would try for her still made her stomach do that stupid flip. "Of course, everyone will know why you're taking the time off. I'm not particularly subtle in my want for you, Mr. Finch-Fletchley."
"I don't particularly care if they do know. Then maybe I won't get any floo call or owl questions while I am out."
"Good. I'll send the memo out. 'Dear Department of Mysteries. Justin Finch-Fletchley will be too busy satisfying Lavender Brown to help you do your jobs. Find someone else. Until next week.' I'm sure Gil would love it."
"He probably would. He's very romantic. He watches the womens' movies channel on the telly all the time."
Lavender laughed, throwing back her head before her eyes sought the very hard-to-miss person in question. "I think I love him even more, now."
"All women love Gil. He looks like he's part giant, but can completely hold them in conversation they find interesting."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She'd paced herself, only having one glass of champagne for the beginning of the reception. However, after her conversation with Draco, she was needing something to fade the look on his face when she'd declined a dance.
Ginny wasn't in the mood for dancing, and hadn't been in the mood for several weeks now. She was waiting, waiting for something, and it was more tiring than she'd originally thought it'd be.
"Do you have anything with grenadine?" she asked the bartender, grabbing a cherry from the small cup he had sitting out.
Arthur came up beside his daughter and asked, "Ordering a Celestina Warbeck, eh? Not in the mood for anything harder?"
"I've recently discovered an aversion to alcohol," she said, smiling softly as she looked over at Arthur. Frowning slightly, she cast a glance around the room. "Is Mum here? I didn't see her during the ceremony."
"Your mum's not feeling well," he responded. "Is this aversion related in any way to your young man's sudden affinity for the stuff?"
Processing the information that her mother was ill, brown eyes flicking back to her dad for a second, Ginny lowered her gaze a second later. "He's having a tough time right now. Everyone goes through them. He's just dealing with it in... actually, it's a very normal way." Doesn't mean I like it.
He looked over at Ginny and raised an eyebrow. "You didn't answer my question, Lovey."
"I've never particularly liked drinking in excess," she clarified. "I've had a glass of champagne for the toast, but I'd rather leave my mind clear. I'll have to apparate two of us home tonight, and I'd rather I didn't splinch us."
Perhaps he'd have to take her out for ice cream at some point... He could see that she wasn't going to talk about this here. "Probably for the best then."
The bartender looked up at him with an inquisitive look on his face.
"I'll have what she's having," he told him.
Lips turning upwards, she knocked her father's shoulder with her own. "You always did like Celestina Warbeck, if I remember correctly."
"Not as much as your mum," he responded. "Do you remember when Fleur started taking the mickey out of Celestina that Christmas?"
Ginny laughed, remembering the look of outrage on her mother's face. "I honestly thought Bill was going to become a widower."
"So did I."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He was NOT happy to be here, scowling at everyone. However, Astoria was. There were so many people here. She wanted to dance, but Marcus wasn't having any of it. Astoria sighed when she noticed Hera Warbeck walking towards them. She'd been playing with a band for most of the night. She must be on a break.
"Tori," Hera said, smiling.
She could feel the animosity from Marcus Flint. Hera felt pretty secure in the fact that he wouldn't hurt her because it would upset Angelina and Astoria, though.
"Marcus," she said. "Don't you clean up nice."
"Go back to your Scotsman, Hera," Astoria said tartly. "Marcus is mine."
"Actually, I notice you're not not dancing. I was coming to ask you to dance since Angie is working."
Astoria looked at Marcus a bit nervously to see what he'd do with that.
Marcus growled at Hera and gripped Astoria's arm. He bloody well didn't want to dance. But he also wasn't about to let her dance with Warbeck.
"She's dancing with me," he snapped, pulling her towards the dance floor.
Hera laughed in delight. "There's no need to be jealous, Flint. I know who belongs to whom around here. It was just a dance."
Astoria sighed as Marcus held her tightly to dance, all the while glaring at Hera. "She's right, you know. No need to be so jealous. I only belong to you and Angie."
But she was happy to be dancing with him.
He knew she was telling the truth. It didn't stop him from sending another glare in Warbeck's direction before turning back to the woman in his arms.
"I don't suppose that you're willing to go yet?"
"It isn't time yet. There are two more things I must do before leaving, and you one more. These things must be, so just enjoy holding me close. I'll make it up to you when we are back at home later."
He leaned back a little to consider her. He had something to do? He wasn't sure he liked that. Not when he promised to behave.
"And what, exactly, did you See me doing?"
"Just stuff. Just... when it happens remember you promised to behave. You'll know it when you see it."
"Stuff," he grumped, frowning. "That's not very much to go on. But, I will try to behave. Not making any promises."
"I don't expect them. Not from you. I happen to like you as you are, Marcus, and by how you are, I do mean the real you. I don't know hwy you suspect I don't. The point is you'll try, and that pleases me."
She didn't think he appreciate her mentioning a fair amount of people were noting their dance simply because she was Astoria and he was Marcus. They didn't see what she did, so naturally, they would not understand it at all. Angelina did, and she was the only one that mattered on that count.
{SUMMARY} The wedding reception for Mr. ad Mrs. Zabini is getting underway.
"We are running a tight ship here, ladies and gents. Kristen and I planned this and if everything goes according to plan, we should have no problem. Keep the snacks on those buffet tables flowing."
Amy looked around at the tables and dance floor. Where everyone would enter, there was an easel that held the wedding portrait Dean Thomas had done of Hannah in her dress. There was a free bar and the buffet tables were off to the side. There was also a stage where Hera Warbeck and her Hogsmeade band were setting up. It was called the Hogsmeade band because it was composed of villagers, though rumors were starting that Lachlan MacDougal would be going on tour with her as the new drummer when she decided to leave.
Amy straightened a linen on a nearby table. "We can do this."
The bride's cake and the groom's cake that Hannah had made were already set up and ready. Amy thought the cake topper for the bride's cake looked adorable, but she'd never say so aloud. She also needed to go put it on the cake before people arrived. Last minute touches.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Amos approached Blaise when it appeared he had a free moment. "Zabini? A word please?"
Blaise froze and his sister Cecelia cracked up at his expression. "Have fun, brother."
He took a deep breath to steady himself before turning around. "Mr. Diggory, on behalf of both myself Hannah, thanks for your help in the wedding."
Amos snorted. "You can call me Amos, boy. Especially since I am playing the part of your father-in-law now."
He laughed loudly at the young man's expression. Amos was well aware that Blaise Zabini did not know what to make of him half the time.
"You found something rare, boy. Never take it for granted."
Amos knew Blaise would hate this, but he pulled him into a hug.
"Congratulations."
Blaise didn't know what to do. He didn't make it a habit of hugging strange men. "Um, thanks?"
Amos started laughing. "You'll get used to it. I promise to try to restrict my hugs to the girls."
He clapped Blaise on the shoulder.
"I know you have a father, boy, but should you ever need anything, I am available. Even if it's only to take the children to give you some peace."
Blaise gave a small laugh. "Thank you, sir. I really think you'll regret saying that. You might get the children a lot now."
"I don't mind them. Though I do wish Mina was not so fond of going to Snape's place."
Blaise blinked. "Oh dear Merlin, there's a reason I don't take her there. I think he'll kill her eventually."
"Yes, well, I'm not afraid of him, and he'd have to get through me first," Amos said with a playful wink, though it was quite true. He'd stand between anyone who wanted to hurt those kids. Hannah and her built family had given him something to protect again.
"Good for you. I'm terrified of him, although that may be because I know he'd love to get through me in return for the hell I put him through in school," Blaise said with a smirk.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I like his bride, but I can’t decide how much,” Mira said into Cassie’s ear as they strolled arm in arm through the crowds of people. Cassie’s stilettos made her a bit taller than Mira, but the two were used to the discrepancy, and when Mira spoke, Cassandra’s head bent to accommodate without much thought. “I have a hard time believing she was in Hufflepuff, really. She threatened to poison you, point blank, if you had designs on Blaise, violent or otherwise.”
Bright blue eyes flicked from person to person as she spoke, but the whole of her attention was on her sister. “Blunt of her, and it’s likely true that Blaise needs that kind of handling, but …” Mira’s nose crinkled. “I just … don’t get her. She doesn’t … fit. She’s not a Hufflepuff, nor a Slytherin, nor a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. She smiles pleasantly at you and threatens bodily harm in the same breath.”
Cassandra's brow rose at this bit of information. "Threatened to poison me, did she? In front of my twin sister. That is bold."
It amused her that someone she'd never met would feel the need to make such a statement. She and Blaise hadn't as much as set eyes on one another in years. Still, that the sweet-looking little blonde had a bit of bite to her was neither wholly surprising nor wholly unwelcome. It was the woman who'd managed to get Blaise Zabini down the aisle, after all. Merlin knew that was no easy feat.
Bending a smidgen lower, she brushed a kiss to her sister's cheek. Cassie might have the reputation of being a hellcat, but Mira, for all her innocent blushes and wide blue eyes, was a force to be reckoned with in her own right. "You're hardly one to talk about not fitting the stereotype, Mira Sophia. I fully expect you to avenge my death should Hannah Zabini decide to carry out her threat. You know how twitchy my wand can be."
"Oh, I as much as said I would, but much more subtly, of course," Mira replied, tiny smile curling her lips as she tipped her head up to meet her twin's gaze. "And I know I don't fit the stereotype, but at least that doesn't put me one step closer to really pleasantly nice psychopath."
Blue eyes bright, her voice was soft enough that it only carried to Cassie. "Blaise would be into that."
Cassie cackled. There weren't words for how much she adored Mira. She was the only person Cassandra had ever known who could mask every little thing about herself which might be considered threatening. Cassie herself was much more brash, but no one outside their family would ever suspect Mira had a very gray set of morals and a wicked streak that could rival the slitheriest of Slytherins.
"Of course he would. Blaise is more twisted than the bedsheets I leave behind."
"And from what you tell me, that's really saying something." Her words were sly, but the expression on her face was sweet as she smiled at her sister, eyes crinkling with it. "I suppose they're meant for each other in truth at this rate. The pleasant, blond, baking psychopath, and the tall, dark and handsome, crazy drama queen."
"Their children will rival the Blacks, from the sound of it," Cassie joked, grinning back at Mira. "That's good, though. Slytherin needs a new reign of insanity. The induction of non-inbred blood won't do any harm, either."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After helping Hannah bustle her gown, Susan made for the reception to find her favorite ginger. Ron, predictably, wasn't terribly excited about attending Blaise Zabini's wedding, but he'd been a good sport and come anyway because he knew how important it was to Susan. The least she could do was rescue him from having to navigate the other guests on his own as quickly as she could.
The first place to check was the buffet. Her boyfriend could find the food at an event in .05 seconds. Lips curling as she spotted him, she crept up quietly, slipping her arms around him from behind. "Hey there, stud. What silly woman left you on your own tonight?"
"You think you can do better," Ron joked as he turned around, hors d'oeurves in hand. He hugged her to his side with one arm and popped some caviar topped crackers into his mouth. "How's it going so far? You having fun? You look good," he said while still chewing.
"Thanks," she replied, nose crinkling at the view of Ron's snack. "You look quite nice yourself, though the seafood isn't really meant to be see food."
Shaking her head, she rose on tiptoe to press a kiss to Ron's cheek. "I am having fun. Hannah's so happy and honestly, I think Blaise is pretty excited, too, despite all his disdain for matrimony. Have you been set upon by Slytherins in my absence?"
Ron rolled his eyes and started chewing with his mouth closed. Waiting until he was done, he said, "Not yet, though with this lot, I assume it's coming at any moment." Ron looked across the floor and didn't really see anyone he wanted to talk to. There were a lot of Slytherin graduates. It wasn't really his scene.
"You have anyone here you want to talk to?"
Susan surveyed the room. There were so many people it was hard to pinpoint familiar faces. Many of the guests were society types, here only because of the Zabini family's standing. She knew some of her friends were in attendance, though. Justin had been in the wedding, too, and Lavender was sure to be here.
"A few. We ought to say hello to Ginny, and I know I have some friends to catch up with."
Ron nodded and gestured forward, "Lead the way then, Suse."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Though they'd come together, Mira knew that Cassie would wander off sooner or later. Even she wasn't blind to all the pretty men in attendance, and Cassie most definitely wasn't. They'd been trading comments on the selection, after all.
Not that Mira ever actually picked and followed through on anyone, but it was fun to play the game with her sister regardless.
"He's got pretty eyes," Mira whispered, indicating the man that had just looked their way. "Though he looks entirely aware of the fact. And like he'd attempt to charm all of us girls if given the chance." She tipped her head slightly. "He does have pretty eyes though."
"Mmm," Cassandra hummed in agreement, sipping on her champagne. "Very nice eyes and passable charm, though his follow through is dreadful."
Catching the look of surprise on Mira's face, a Cheshire grinned curled her lips. "If memory serves, that is."
A real smile lit Mira's face then, blue eyes alight with it. "You didn't? No, of course you did." Glancing over at the bloke again, Mira couldn't help the giggle and she brought a hand up to cover it.
It was the mass of mussed dark hair passing behind him that caught her attention though. She'd not known that Harry was here, but she supposed she shouldn't be surprised. Everyone was here.
He had the same face on that he had at work though; purposeful and focused. She wondered if he knew how to just be for even a few minutes. "Cassiopeia? Do you want to meet my boss?" she asked, eyes following him as his purpose became clear; the bar.
Following Mira's line of vision, Cassie spied the Harry Potter, boy wonder, savior of the wizarding world, and her sister's employer. He didn't appear to be having a very good time and a grin spread across her face. Harry Potter looked like exactly the sort of person Mira would enjoy taking care of.
"Of course I want to meet him. It's high time I spoke to the slave driver who's been keeping my sister from me."
"He's not a slave driver," Mira said with a light poke to her sister's side though she tipped up to brush a kiss to Cassie's cheek despite her words before slipping through the crowd towards Harry.
Sliding up beside him and feeling her twin just behind her, Mira smiled at him as she tipped her head, trying to catch his eye. "Are you having any fun at all, Mr. Potter?"
Turning from the bar, recognizing the voice but surprised to hear it all the same, Harry's gaze landed on Mira, eyes widening slightly. He wasn't aware that Mira knew Hannah, and besides the obvious people, hadn't expected to see someone from work.
Though, as the whole of the wizarding world had been invited, it really shouldn't have surprised him too much.
"Mira," he said in greeting, smiling slightly. "I'm trying my hardest not to." Surprised by the joke, sure that it wouldn't have slipped if he hadn't already indulged in three glasses of champagne in an effort to at least become marginally more social, Harry nodded at the person standing just behind Mira who was looking at him with an intense blue gaze. "Hello."
"How do you do?" Cassandra asked, her tone pleasant, though her gaze remained piercing. Hero or not, Harry Potter spent significant time with Mira. He'd have to pass muster. Extending her hand, she continued, "I'm Mira's sister, Cassandra Montgomery. How's she doing? I know she's been working hard. I scarcely see her these days."
"I think I've seen her more in the past few weeks then I saw the whole of my dorm mates during school, actually," Harry replied, shaking the blonde's outstretched hand before releasing it. "I haven't heard any complaints and as of yet she hasn't decided to switch to a different department or discover that her real talent lies in becoming an Unspeakable, so I'm thoroughly satisfied."
So long as that the only way you seek your satisfaction, she thought, the familiar protective instincts swelling inside her. "Mira's not a complainer, but she'd let you know if she was unhappy." She'd also let me know if she was unhappy.
"Mira's also right here," she reminded both of them gently, amused blue eyes tracking between Harry and her sister. "She also has many other qualities besides keeping complaints to a minimum and working hard," she added, eyes twinkling as she looked between the two.
Mira had seen the look in Cassie's eye. Her sister had been about to slip into the 'hurt her and die' speech, though Mira thought it particularly unnecessary. If she wasn't safe in Harry Potter's presence, then she really wasn't safe with anyone at all.
Crinkling her nose at Cassie, Mira turned back to Harry, blue eyes bright as her lips slipped into a smile. "Are you here trying not to have fun all by yourself?"
Grabbing his drink when it was set in front of him, Harry shook his head as he brought the glass to his lips. "I'm here with Luna," he said, green eyes looking over Mira and Cassandra's shoulders, attempting to locate the blonde through the crush of people. "I think she's talking with Mac."
"Mac is the one that I replaced," Mira informed her sister, eyes following the line of Harry's. The name 'Luna' was familiar, though she couldn't place it off the top her head. And she'd not even known that Harry had had a Luna type person. Not that it was any of her business, but she would try to push him out of the office earlier if there was actually someone waiting for him.
Memory supplying her with the name that was on the tip of her tongue, Mira's expression brightened as her gaze slid back to Harry despite the fact she'd not spied his date. "Luna Lovegood, yes? She was in Ravenclaw?"
"Yeah," he answered, taking another large drink of his firewhisky. "You brought your sister," he asked, already certain of the answer. The way her sister was glaring at him for no reason made him think that maybe boys weren't allowed near his secretary.
"My twin," Mira supplied, glancing over her shoulder to see what Harry had. Cassie was watching; she was always watching though, especially when she was with Mira and Mira decided to talk to someone of the opposite sex. She'd been doing it since the boys had gotten over the fact that girls really didn't have cooties, and had never stopped.
Turning blue eyes back to Harry, she tipped her head to the side. He looked... well, kind of miserable. She only ever saw him at the office, but out of it and around other people it was more noticeable that his skin was pale, there were purple smudges beneath his eyes, he was just a little too thin for his frame and he just seemed to carry an air of near apathy.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked, out of the blue, eyes just a little wide for her daring. "I mean, very properly and respectably, but ..." her hands fluttered a moment as she tried to find the right words. " ... you know, fun, maybe?"
Blue eyes drifting from her hands to him, she hurried to add, "but not if it'd be a bad thing. I mean, you should dance with Luna. Or Mac. Or Mac and Luna." Eyes widening as her cheeks tinted slightly, Mira glanced over at Cassie. I was just trying to help!
Cassie's expression softened at the look on her twin's face and she cracked a smile. She hadn't detected any interest on Harry's part where Mira was concerned, or any real acknowledgment that the bright-eyed brunette was female, even. If she could convince Potter to step onto the dance floor, there was no harm. He didn't look like much of a dancer, though. Thankfully, Mira was quick on her feet.
"I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't mind if you wanted to indulge your very capable and thoughtful secretary," she commented, amusement in her tone.
Harry's eyes widened as he looked between the two women. "Oh..." he started, something akin to horror on his face, "I don't... dance." He frowned, looking at Mira with apologetic eyes.
Mira brought a hand up to cover the smile that was threatening to peek out, blue eyes bright now. Lowering her hand a moment later, she did smile then. "It's actually pretty fun, and the waltz they're doing is not too hard. You just move in boxy circles." Nodding her head at him then, she added, "but it's alright. There's lots of people here, and I'm sure my Papa will dance with me. I just thought it might be ... well, fun."
"Yeah. Dancing really isn't... fun... for me." He was having flashbacks to the monstrosity that was the Triwizard ball and the dancing he'd attempted that night. No. Dancing was definitely not his idea of fun. "I'm sure there's plenty of guys out there that would love to dance with you." His eyes flicked up to look at Cassandra. "Very properly and respectfully, of course," he said, parroting what Mira had said earlier.
Brows raising in amusement, Mira's blue eyes twinkled. "Yes, always very properly and respectfully." Her smile was just a bit wily as she added, "there's plenty of girls, too, Harry." His expression nearly made her giggle and it was then that she linked her arm with her sister's to show what she meant. This time.
"Well, you have a good night then, Mr. Potter. I do wish you well in all your endeavors at not having any fun as dreary as that sounds." Grinning again then, she leaned forward, eyes bright. "You know, if you don't like dancing, then you just haven't done it right yet," she added softly.
Leaning back against her sister, she looked up. "Dance with me, Cassiopeia?"
"I'd be honored, Mira Sophia," Cassie said, taking Mira's hand and twining their fingers. She hadn't missed Harry's little jibe and it was then that she decided she liked this Potter bloke well enough. She'd still keep an eye out to make sure her sister was enjoying her job, but a man who didn't back down from her glare couldn't be too bad. "Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Potter. It was very nice meeting you."
"Likewise," Harry murmured, watching as the pair moved away and back onto the dance floor. Finishing the fingersworth in his glass, he set it on the bar and signaled for another.
He really didn't need to be thinking about his secretary dancing with girls.
It was the alcohol forcing the thoughts. Obviously.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Moody had been making the rounds, speaking to various order members and old friends. After an hour or so, his bad leg had started throbbing so he had made his way to a table and seated himself with a view of the dance floor.
Verity was dancing with her beau -- or at least, he assumed it was dancing. It didn't look like anything that he'd taught her.
He pulled his flask out and took a swig of its contents. Out of the corner of his good eye, he saw someone sit down next to him.
"Hullo, Nessa," He greeted her cordially. "Scotch?" He held the flask out to her. "It's single malt."
"Thank ya, no. I've my whiskey. Tha's all I'll be needin'. Just dinna tell Brody. He's on about me no' drinkin' so much. I'm old. I should be able to drink what I like."
Nessa watched the children dancing with a grin. Her Morag was looking very ladylike tonight. All her girls were, and her boys looked lovely in their kilts.
He chuckled. "I feel your pain. All of mine are after me for the same reason."
"Do what I do - hex them. Well, actually, I hit them wit m'cane."
"I let the stick hit them with itself. It's sapient pearwood. Comes in very handy during a hand-to-hand altercation." Moody grinned and took another swig while his cane tapped itself on the floor next to him, and then rested up against the table again.
Nessa chuckled. "It was a nice wedding, aye? Interestin' tha' the lass chose Aberforth to marry her. I wasna aware the old goat were ordained."
"Yes," he responded. "Reminded me a bit of Bebhinn's. And I think that you'll find that there's quite a lot about Aberforth that you don't know."
"I miss ever'thin' livin' in Nem's Nook. Malfoy's drunk. Ya think ya might have to handle tha'?"
"Merlin I hope not. I think perhaps Arthur might take him aside to sober up. If he doesn't, Young Ginevra might. And you really don't miss everything. I've seen Aberforth's file. That thing with the goat? Not what you think."
Nessa eyed him. "The Malfoy thing might be an 'our' problem iffen ya get my meanin'. I heard his mother tried to get him to join them. Of course the boy refused... or did he now?"
"From what I understand from my sources, Young Malfoy has been betrayed by his dear old mummy and is not taking it well. From all accounts, he spends his days in the backyard burning his garden and getting pished in his skivvies. I'm told that he told her to go and pound sand."
Nessa chuckled. "Good on him then."
Moody nodded and commented, "But you're right... He may become our problem."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carly had thoroughly enjoyed her evening so far. She had danced with many cute boys, including some that had been out of Hogwarts a few years. She had even eaten a piece of cake, which Theo gave her a thumbs up for. Jodie had tried to throw a fit about her dress, but Carly had put up with it until she could push her sister in Cullen's direction so she was properly preoccupied.
For once, she stood on the side of the dance floor. She had begged off for a few dances because she needed to rest--it had been a while since she had been in heels--but now she was anxious to get back on the dance floor.
With a predatory glance, she looked around for her next dance partner. Carly grinned when she saw who it was. As she made her way over, Carly tossed her hair back and stood up straighter.
James Stewart was talking with his sister Sarah and another girl--Warbeck. It was easy to see he fancied her, so she was just going to help that along. She came up behind him and put her arm through his.
"Dance with me, James. I'm getting bored." Without waiting for an answer, she dragged him off.
Sarah slowly looked at Arie. The willowy blonde's eyes had narrowed to slits before she stalked off in the opposite direction.
"Oh dear."
James sighed as he looked over his shoulder for Arie only to find her gone. "I'm not really in the mood for dancing, Carly. Go pick on someone else."
Someone poked him quite hard in the back. James yelped as he watched his older sister stomp by with a scowl. Don't be rude, Kristen mouthed. James sighed and started dancing with Carly.
Carly bit her lip and tried to hide her grin. "Oh please. I'm doing you a favor. How long have had the hots for Warbeck?"
"Why does everyone think I like Arie that way? She's not my type."
But even as he said so, he knew it to be a lie.
"How is it helping me for you to piss her off?"
"I'm a girl. Trust me, James, I know these things. She'll get jealous, swear me her enemy and cuddle you close to make sure the big bad Carly can't get you." Carly spun herself and then put herself back in James' arms. "I'm only doing you a favor. It's more of a thank you for hexing Avery."
"Avery wasn't all about you. He hurt my sister. She's soft. Someone has to stick up for her."
But that wasn't entirely true either. James had this thing for defending girls. It probably had something to do with having four sisters. Probably didn't help that he spent most days surrounded by girls with the exception of Owen and Argyle at the bakery.
And speaking of Argyle...
"Sorry, Stewart, but I'll be cuttin' in now."
James looked around Argyle to see Arie with a very calculated look on her face.
Carly laughed. "What did I tell you, Stewart? Prepare to be cuddled. I wouldn't be surprised if she hisses at me when we pass each other now."
She turned to Argyle. "Well then, MacDougal. Sweep me off my feet."
Arie glared at Carly as she passed her before nervously asking James to dance. He smiled at her.
Argyle just shook his head. "Yer one of those girls my Nana warns about."
"What are you talking about? I was just doing a friend a favor! Where's the harm in that?" Carly asked innocently.
"He'd have figured it out. Lad doesna look at a lass like tha', and no' know what he wants to do wit her."
Carly rolled her eyes. "I've made it my job to be surrounded by boys. Most boys piss around until the girl they fancy decides they have better things to do. Not all men are like you MacDougals."
Argyle turned when the music picked up. Hera's voice filled the room.
He grinned at Carly. "Let's see iffen ya can keep up."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Callum meandered through the throngs of people, unsurprised that the only faces he knew were those he'd met at other society events his parents had insisted he attend. It was a necessary evil, though, and on the whole this particular familial obligation hadn't been too bad. The food is excellent, at any rate, he thought, biting into a pastry.
Spotting the newlyweds nearby, he cleaned his hands on his napkin and handed it to a passing waiter before sipping his champagne to clean the remnants from his mouth and walking over to them. He smiled pleasantly as he extended his hand.
"Mr. Zabini. Mrs. Zabini," Callum greeted. "I'm Callum Wildsmith. Congratulations on your nuptials. Your contentment is quite easy to see."
Blaise grinned, recognizing the Wildsmith surname. "Thank you, Mr. Wildsmith. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?"
"I am, thank you." He looked at the little blonde beside Zabini. She was Muggleborn if rumor was correct, quite a scandal among the old families, not that Callum had ever been concerned by that sort of thing.
Hannah Zabini was positively glowing, and the pleasant smile he'd been wearing changed into something more genuine. "I understand the catering is from your business, Mrs. Zabini. It's excellent. Do you do much catering, or is this exclusive to your own celebrations?"
"No, I am not exclusive. I've catering anything as small as a ladies' tea to Gwenog Jones' birthday celebration. I can not take credit for today, however. That goes to my maid of honor Kristen Stewart and my Assistant Manager Amy Anderson."
Fortuitously, Kris and Amy were standing near one another at the moment. Hannah pointed them out.
"Kristen planned the menu, and Amy and my staff executed it. I'm quite proud, actually. Though the cakes? Those are mine. I tend to be especially particular about sweets."
"I'll be sure to sample them, then, if you're particular enough not to entrust ladies who are obviously very skilled with their creation."
Bowing slightly, Callum made to excuse himself. "I won't keep you from your other guests. Please accept my best wishes for a long and happy life together."
Hannah smiled brightly. "Well, thank you. If you like what you eat, be certain to pop into my bakery in Hogsmeade."
"I'll be sure to do that," he assured her before bidding the couple a good night and slipping back into the crowd.
Hannah leaned over to Blaise and whispered, "Who was that?"
Blaise blinked. "Well I certainly didn't invite him. I thought you knew him somehow. I do know of him. The Wildsmith family is very wealthy, mostly on account that one of the ancestors created floo powder. They're pureblood, but stayed neutral in the war."
"Well, as long as he's not one of those down with all mudbloods zealots, he's fine, I suppose."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco approached Ginny. He was comfortably numb right now. Drunk enough not to care about his pain, but still sober enough to function properly.
"Would you dance with me?"
Ginny pulled the glass of champagne away from her lips as she turned to look at Draco. His eyes were slightly glazed over. She'd lost count of how many drinks he'd had, but that had become normal, even at home. "Have you danced with Hannah yet?"
"No," he said. "I haven't danced with anyone. I wanted to dance with you first. I haven't even danced with Blaise yet."
"You're going to dance with Blaise before you dance with Hannah?"
"He's my best friend. She won't be offended. I think Hannah knows by now how Blaise and I are. You don't think she'll be offended, do you? Should I dance with her after you?"
"She is the bride," Ginny said, taking another drink. "It's her day."
"I will trust you to know better than I the inner workings of a sweet Hufflepuff. I'll dance with Hannah before Blaise, but right now I want you." Draco smirked. "For a dance."
She looked at him seriously then, considering her answer. There was no way she'd miss Hannah's wedding, or her partner's, but the idea of being surrounded by people and pretending that everything was alright had been an intimidating thought. She'd been watching the dancing, and while she'd always loved to do it before, her mind tonight was not in the right state for it.
"I don't really feel like dancing, Draco."
"Oh," Draco said, looking down. "Okay then."
Draco sat down and wondered how things had gone so wrong with him in the last few months. He knew a lot of it was his fault. He'd been thinking a lot lately. Maybe she didn't think he was worth the trouble he seemed to be. Perhaps Arthur was wrong.
Closing her eyes, Ginny sighed silently. She set her half-empty glass down on the table, taking a seat beside him. "Just because I don't feel like dancing doesn't mean you can't. I'm sure Hannah would like a dance with a groomsman."
"It seems wrong to dance with someone besides the person I love first," he said, inching his hand towards hers. "If you're not dancing, I won't either."
He needed to apologize for being a wreck, but Draco couldn't quite make the words come out.
"We'll have plenty of dances, Draco. Lots more to come," Ginny said softly, wrapping her hand around his, "just not tonight."
Draco nodded. "I can be better. I'll do better. I'll stop this... whatever this is. It's a process. I just have to get through it. Just promise me when I surface, you'll be there. Otherwise, surfacing isn't worth much."
"I'm not going anywhere," she said, almost a whisper in the loudness of the reception hall. "I'm waiting for you. I'll be here, however long it takes." What would be there for him when he was ready, though, was what worried her.
"That's good." Because he was pretty sure when he got it together he was asking her to marry him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Justin was glad Lavender had had many dance partners to keep her busy. He had not had a chance to dance with her yet. He wasn't really looking forward to the dancing, but he was looking forward to holding her close.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Grinning at the voice, Lavender turned, her cheeks pink with exertion. Duff MacDougal, and a slew of other unnamed MacDougals, had her feet hurting in such a delicious way. She really hadn't been dancing much lately. In fact, the last time she'd gone out had been with Percy.
That reminded her that she needed to owl the older, stuffy archivist. Maybe another night out was in order.
"I've my eye on pulling Susan out to dance yet, but yes, I'm quite enjoying myself." She smiled, putting a hand on Justin's lapel, looking up at him through her lashes. "Have I told you that you look very dashing in a suit?"
Justin grinned at her. Things were good, very good. They were busy and in a pattern. Justin liked that. He knew she did not, however. This broke up their routine nicely. Justin needed to break things up with them, be spontaneous, but he'd been rather busy with work.
"Thank you. You're looking lovely yourself this evening. Care to dance with your actual date and not Scotty MacManwhore?"
"I don't know," Lavender said, tossing a playful grin over her shoulder at the Scotsman. "He was a very hands-on dancer..."
"Stop trying to provoke me into picking a fight. He knows better than to put his hands on you inappropriately if he wants to keep them."
Lavender grinned. "Big words, sir," she joked, hand sliding down the front of his suit before they fell from his body. "And I'm always trying to provoke you. It's what I'm good at."
Justin made a face. "Gil is here. You see him watching everyone dance. Why don't you ask him if I could possibly damage someone?" Justin kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll have you know I am very dangerous."
"You're not the only one," Lavender said, spinning away from him, her dress moving around her knees as she made her way back to the dance floor. "You've yet to see how dangerous I can be," she said, smirking at him.
"You think I don't know? You're very dangerous to me. I've nearly died of exhaustion several times since being with you."
"Nearly?" She pouted as his hands found her hips and began to move with the music. "That means I have to try harder." Grinning, she rose onto her toes, pressing her lips against his, pulling back with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Oh God. You know I have to work six days this week."
Justin pulled her close.
"When's your next vacation?" she asked, leaning against him, pressing her chin against his chest as she looked up at him.
"I don't usually take vacations, but I suppose I could. Why? Did you want to go somewhere?"
"No where in mind, I just want more than one day a week with you," Lavender answered, cheek moving to rub against his shoulder when the music took on a slower tone. "I'm usually asleep when you get home, or on my way to work. I'd just like to see you," she said. She'd been busy at the shoppe, and he was always at work. She was getting used to it, but she wasn't sure she liked that idea.
"I'll put in for a couple of days then," Justin replied, hand moving lower on her back. "We could order in, not wear clothes, it'll be nice."
He was really liking this plan.
"Brilliant," Lavender said, looking up at him with a smile on her lips. "I'm sure the shoppe will be able to carry on without me." The fact that he would try for her still made her stomach do that stupid flip. "Of course, everyone will know why you're taking the time off. I'm not particularly subtle in my want for you, Mr. Finch-Fletchley."
"I don't particularly care if they do know. Then maybe I won't get any floo call or owl questions while I am out."
"Good. I'll send the memo out. 'Dear Department of Mysteries. Justin Finch-Fletchley will be too busy satisfying Lavender Brown to help you do your jobs. Find someone else. Until next week.' I'm sure Gil would love it."
"He probably would. He's very romantic. He watches the womens' movies channel on the telly all the time."
Lavender laughed, throwing back her head before her eyes sought the very hard-to-miss person in question. "I think I love him even more, now."
"All women love Gil. He looks like he's part giant, but can completely hold them in conversation they find interesting."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She'd paced herself, only having one glass of champagne for the beginning of the reception. However, after her conversation with Draco, she was needing something to fade the look on his face when she'd declined a dance.
Ginny wasn't in the mood for dancing, and hadn't been in the mood for several weeks now. She was waiting, waiting for something, and it was more tiring than she'd originally thought it'd be.
"Do you have anything with grenadine?" she asked the bartender, grabbing a cherry from the small cup he had sitting out.
Arthur came up beside his daughter and asked, "Ordering a Celestina Warbeck, eh? Not in the mood for anything harder?"
"I've recently discovered an aversion to alcohol," she said, smiling softly as she looked over at Arthur. Frowning slightly, she cast a glance around the room. "Is Mum here? I didn't see her during the ceremony."
"Your mum's not feeling well," he responded. "Is this aversion related in any way to your young man's sudden affinity for the stuff?"
Processing the information that her mother was ill, brown eyes flicking back to her dad for a second, Ginny lowered her gaze a second later. "He's having a tough time right now. Everyone goes through them. He's just dealing with it in... actually, it's a very normal way." Doesn't mean I like it.
He looked over at Ginny and raised an eyebrow. "You didn't answer my question, Lovey."
"I've never particularly liked drinking in excess," she clarified. "I've had a glass of champagne for the toast, but I'd rather leave my mind clear. I'll have to apparate two of us home tonight, and I'd rather I didn't splinch us."
Perhaps he'd have to take her out for ice cream at some point... He could see that she wasn't going to talk about this here. "Probably for the best then."
The bartender looked up at him with an inquisitive look on his face.
"I'll have what she's having," he told him.
Lips turning upwards, she knocked her father's shoulder with her own. "You always did like Celestina Warbeck, if I remember correctly."
"Not as much as your mum," he responded. "Do you remember when Fleur started taking the mickey out of Celestina that Christmas?"
Ginny laughed, remembering the look of outrage on her mother's face. "I honestly thought Bill was going to become a widower."
"So did I."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He was NOT happy to be here, scowling at everyone. However, Astoria was. There were so many people here. She wanted to dance, but Marcus wasn't having any of it. Astoria sighed when she noticed Hera Warbeck walking towards them. She'd been playing with a band for most of the night. She must be on a break.
"Tori," Hera said, smiling.
She could feel the animosity from Marcus Flint. Hera felt pretty secure in the fact that he wouldn't hurt her because it would upset Angelina and Astoria, though.
"Marcus," she said. "Don't you clean up nice."
"Go back to your Scotsman, Hera," Astoria said tartly. "Marcus is mine."
"Actually, I notice you're not not dancing. I was coming to ask you to dance since Angie is working."
Astoria looked at Marcus a bit nervously to see what he'd do with that.
Marcus growled at Hera and gripped Astoria's arm. He bloody well didn't want to dance. But he also wasn't about to let her dance with Warbeck.
"She's dancing with me," he snapped, pulling her towards the dance floor.
Hera laughed in delight. "There's no need to be jealous, Flint. I know who belongs to whom around here. It was just a dance."
Astoria sighed as Marcus held her tightly to dance, all the while glaring at Hera. "She's right, you know. No need to be so jealous. I only belong to you and Angie."
But she was happy to be dancing with him.
He knew she was telling the truth. It didn't stop him from sending another glare in Warbeck's direction before turning back to the woman in his arms.
"I don't suppose that you're willing to go yet?"
"It isn't time yet. There are two more things I must do before leaving, and you one more. These things must be, so just enjoy holding me close. I'll make it up to you when we are back at home later."
He leaned back a little to consider her. He had something to do? He wasn't sure he liked that. Not when he promised to behave.
"And what, exactly, did you See me doing?"
"Just stuff. Just... when it happens remember you promised to behave. You'll know it when you see it."
"Stuff," he grumped, frowning. "That's not very much to go on. But, I will try to behave. Not making any promises."
"I don't expect them. Not from you. I happen to like you as you are, Marcus, and by how you are, I do mean the real you. I don't know hwy you suspect I don't. The point is you'll try, and that pleases me."
She didn't think he appreciate her mentioning a fair amount of people were noting their dance simply because she was Astoria and he was Marcus. They didn't see what she did, so naturally, they would not understand it at all. Angelina did, and she was the only one that mattered on that count.
{SUMMARY} The wedding reception for Mr. ad Mrs. Zabini is getting underway.