Almost

Chapter 76: Pry

Katherine's tone as she got ready a second time was much calmer. More somber. She barely noticed what happened between when she arrived at the museum and when she was dressed. Her eyes, instead, were with her magic down below—watching the aurors set in place, skimming the guests that trickled in, or even just letting herself get distracted with the falling petals Nicole and Brian had perfected.

There were aurors Katherine had never met before helping funnel in the guests through an apparition point and a number of floos. The museum had a large vestibule so that there were never lines drawing attention outside, and it was here where there was a coat check and the front desk. However, a small crowd had gathered before Katherine and Ezra had arrived, waiting for glimpses of Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, as well as Hermione and Quahog. Ragman and a woman who Katherine assumed was Rita Skeeter milled among them—Katherine had been very adamant that there would not be press passes given for her wedding.

She was watching the two reporters trade snide remarks with one another when Victoire got her attention. Whatever she and Ginny had done, she was wildly grateful. While she hadn't been paying a lick of attention, they had made her into a bride.

Her hair was pulled back in a series of twists and braids that ended in a low bun at the nape of her neck. Her veil began there, held in place with the blue and green hair comb. She'd opted for contacts again, and her eyes looked even brighter than they had in the Weasley garden. Her cheeks were a perfect burst of pink and her normal light rosy lipstick had been swapped for a deeper shade. And with the dress, the long awaited and much anticipated dress that now she wished wasn't being wasted on a day where she'd probably end up ripping it . . .

"Katherine?" Ginny said, pulling her niece's attention. "What do you think?"

Katherine shook her head, as if realizing that the woman in the mirror really was her. This was really happening.

"You've outdone yourselves," she said, forcing the corners of her mouth upwards. "I can't thank you enough."

Looking around the room, she saw the worry in their eyes. The rest of her family were downstairs with the children, making sure everyone was situated. They'd already met the aurors from both the Ministry and MACUSA. Hermione wouldn't come in until later, nor would President Quahog. They nodded at her as she plastered all the strength she could muster on her face.

"I'm going to go get your father," Ginny said, fluffing the veil behind her. "Will you two be okay up here?"

"Of course," Katherine said. "Thank you. For everything."

Ginny smiled, though it was strained. Harry had told Katherine earlier that Ginny had decided to stay. To fight. Harry, for his part, had accepted her decision. James, on the other hand . . . it looked like she'd had a long night.

"Tell me," she said when Ginny left, turning to Victoire. "On a scale of one to ten—how mad is everyone?"

"The children aren't so bad," Victoire began. "Roxy down, I'd say, understand. And I think Louis, knows that they'll handle it better if he keeps his head. Models cooperation. But Molly, Fred, and James . . ." She sighed, shaking her head. "Well, there's a martyr complex that runs in this family. Makes it difficult to walk away from a fight."

"Any chance they'll try and sneak to stay behind?"

"Obviously," Victoire said plainly. "That's why I'm going with them—I've been telling them what to do their whole lives. They wouldn't have gotten away with half of what they did without me there to keep them out of trouble."

Katherine laughed hollowly, taking her cousin's hand. "Can I ask you a favor?"

Victoire nodded, tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear.