Chapter Forty
Harry was relieved as he and Remus Apparated to the Weasleys for the wedding. The tension at Grimmauld Place was driving him mad. He knew that the day wasn't likely to end well, but he'd just as soon get it over with than sit around waiting any longer.
Severus still didn't know any more than he had when he'd first returned – only that Voldemort was aware many of the key players of the Light side would be attending the wedding and he planned to take advantage of that. There wasn't anything that Harry could do to prepare.
He and Draco had spent the entire day before in training with Lucius and Remus, though. Training with Lucius had been . . . disturbing. He'd actually wished more than once that Severus had been feeling well enough to train him. When he trained with Severus, the focus was still concentrated on defence. Lucius seemed to go by the theory of defending by attacking first. Harry had quickly learned to question whether a spell was legal or not, even though he'd learned them all.
He'd been surprised that Remus hadn't interfered. Remus had only said that whatever kept Harry safe, he wasn't going to question. Draco hadn't been nearly as easy to deal with, but it didn't pertain to training. He did not worry peacefully – any more than Harry waited patiently – and he was pissed off that he wasn't being allowed to fight in the upcoming battle. His anger wasn't really directed at anyone in particular, except perhaps Voldemort, but Harry took the brunt of his irritation. Their sniping was driving everyone mental, and when Severus had joined them later in the evening, he had quickly resorted to ordering them to their room to work off their frustration.
The morning had gone no better than the day before. After a lot of warnings, Harry was finally sent off to the Weasleys to attend the wedding – with a ferret in his pocket. Narcissa had even sent him with a wrapped gift, considering that Harry had never bought one. Supposedly it was some ornate clock meant for Bill and Fleur's first home. Harry didn't even know if they had their own home or if they were still going to be living at the Burrow, but was thankful he wasn't arriving empty handed.
He left Remus to the other wedding guests and walked confidently into the house, dropping the package off along the way. Mrs. Weasley greeted him warmly, exclaimed how handsome he looked, then sent him to Ron's room.
He knocked on the door and a harried looking Ron let him in. Ron blinked slowly, taking in Harry's appearance. "You sure look a hell of a lot different than the last time I saw you," he said.
Harry smirked. "Sorry, but I wasn't going to wear a skirt to the wedding," he said.
Ron rolled his eyes. "I didn't expect that," he said. "I've just never seen you look so much like a wizard before. You really did go shopping, didn't you?"
Harry shrugged. Remus had said that was the best impression to leave everyone with and was willing to be Harry's cover. It didn't mean Harry liked lying to his friends.
"I like the phoenixes," Ron said admiringly.
"Look at the back," Harry said, turning so Ron could see the phoenix embroidered into the back of the robe.
"Wow," Ron said. "Did Fred and George know about this?" he asked.
Harry shook his head, turning back around. "Believe it or not, no, they didn't," he said. "I just seem to be associated with a phoenix now." And snakes, he added mentally.
"Makes sense, mate," Ron said. "What with your role in the war and all. Now help me find my tie."
Laughing, Harry helped Ron search for his tie and waited while he finished getting ready. They went downstairs and outside together, searching for Hermione and Ginny amongst the guests. They were greeted by a few of Bill's friends that they'd met at the party, Harry enduring several teasing comments about how well he cleaned up. Eventually they found the girls and their seats.
