𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 53

It seemed that Sunday was the right time.

For both Remus and Fred.

Fred had asked for Remus, Aurelia and Sirius' permission to propose to Natasha, and when he had asked Remus, the man had turned to him, asking if he could propose to Tonks on the same day.

Fred of course, being the man he was, full-heartedly agreed, seeing Nymphadora as an older sister in many ways, so with that, he and Remus had stayed up on Friday night until the early hours of Saturday, meaning that Adrian and Natasha had ended up staying the night.

Natasha was completely clueless to Fred's plans, as was Nymphadora with Remus, thanks to Aurelia and Molly's plans to have tea with Fleur all day Saturday, alongside Ginny and Hermione, the former absolutely detesting the French girl.

Bill had proposed only a few weeks ago, in secret which made Molly furious. She didn't care much for his fiancée, but he was her baby boy, her first born child, which meant their relationship was closer than with any of her other children.

But when Sunday arrived, Molly's mood was quickly restored with excitement for the two couples. She had known Natasha and Tonks for a long time, as she and Andromeda had attended Hogwarts together in the same year, and Natasha was like a daughter to her.

The shop was open as per usual on Sunday, but Lee and Alicia had offered to run it, after hearing of Fred's plans. Adrian, Alicia and George were tagging along for lunch at The Burrow, but Oliver's little gathering with his old quidditch mates was later that night, so they would all be leaving soon after, including a hopefully engaged Fred and Natasha.

Fred had been acting weird all morning, even as Natasha left quickly to make a stop by Maestro's Music Shop in Hogsmeade to look over a present she had waiting there for her father's birthday. Fred had insisted she take all the time she needed, when normally Fred nearly died just being in a different room to Natasha.

She became more suspicious however when during lunch, Fred and Remus kept on exchanging looks, like they were having a conversation using just their eyes. "Psst, Dora," she whispered, nudging the girl with her foot.

Tonks looked up, as Natasha silently flicked her eyes between Fred and Remus, and Tonks nodded, rolling her eyes. "I swear I'm going to gouge Remus' eyes out soon just to keep them to myself," she whispered back, earning giggles from the girls at the table next to them.

Natasha and Tonks excused themselves to go freshen up in the bathroom, just like Molly had said they would, so as soon as they left, everyone rushed around like madmen to set up. Penny and Charlie apparated to The Burrow, holding hands the whole time, and Lyall Lupin, Andromeda Tonks and Ted Tonks all arrived quickly, their faces wide with grins.

"Right, hurry up, get the decorations and banners out!" Molly ordered, and everyone got to work, those that couldn't use magic manually stacking chairs away. Fleur ran off to go keep the two women company,

"Honestly though, auror work isn't even close to as hard as old Minnie used to tell us when I was in my seventh year," Tonks said, changing her hair to a dusty blue. Natasha was fiddling with her wand, which was for once just tucked away into her dress instead of her hair.

"Hey, at least Adrian and I will be with you and Mad-Eye, though I'm slightly happier that I've got you as a primary mentor," Natasha said, slumping against the small chair in the corner of the bathroom.

"Zis' auror work you speak of; it is hard, non?" Fleur said, and Tonks nodded, satisfied with her hair.

"It's bloody annoying, but I reckon they'll be changing the system to what it was like when Mouldy Voldy rose up the first time. It was easy to get in because the Ministry needed as many aurors as they could get. Or at least that's what Remus said his friends did," she added, blushing at her boyfriend's name.

"I hope they change it, I took a look at the exam and stuff, and I don't even think Dumbledore would be able to answer some of those questions now. Fudge really stuffed it up when he allowed Umbridge to change the testing two years ago," Natasha huffed, and Tonks rubbed her back supportively, just as a loud noise occurred outside in the garden.

"OW!" cried Fred, and Natasha rolled her eyes, running out with Tonks to see what Fred had done.

What came next brought both of the girls to tears.

A wonky banner hung between two trees, sporting the phrase 'marry us?'. Every member of Natasha and Nymphadora's families and friends were standing around, including Grace, Barnaby and Merula.

Mini fireworks came from George's wand as he dangerously hung from the roof above Natasha and Tonks, but he still wore a huge grin, the atmosphere heightening his happiness.

Everyone was standing around Remus and Fred, who were now shakily bent on one knee, with a box in each of their hands.

In Fred's, a golden ring was nestled comfortably, consisting of a slimmer band with a glistening diamond in the centre. It was surrounded by rubies and engraved with Fred and Natasha's initials underneath. It screamed elegance, and matched Natasha's personality perfectly.

However, in Remus' hand, a very different ring was present. It was a silver band, with yellow diamonds in the shape of a wolf paw decorating it. Remus had been saving up for months to purchase the ring, but Andromeda and Ted had helped him choose it, taking him to the witch that had designed Andromeda's engagement ring.

"Oh, my Godric," Natasha breathed, as Nymphadora's eyes started to water. All of the women surrounding them awed, as Sirius battled to keep back his own tears of joy.

"Natasha, I knew I loved you from the first moment I stepped through your fireplace for the very first time when I was only three years old. But the love I feel for you only strengthened with the time we spent together over the years, right up to now, where I can see you as clear as day, radiating with such beauty."

"You're kind, intelligent, compassionate, and your heart is as pure as the sun itself, always open to welcome new people and help them in any way you can. Every day I count my blessings as I wake up beside you, and even now, I still can't believe that I'm the lucky guy that gets to kiss you goodnight every time we go to sleep, hold your hand whenever you need support, and hopefully one day, call you my wife."

His eyes bore straight into Natasha's as she walked slowly over to him, and he inhaled deeply. "So, Natasha Lily Black, will you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife?"

"Yes," Natasha cried, and Fred stood up, throwing the ring aside to hug her. He picked up her slim body and swung her around, capturing her lips with his.

"FRED DON'T LOSE THE RING YOU NUMPTY!" Ron hollered, and Fred flipped him off, picking up the box to slide the ring right next to the promise ring her had given Natasha just a summer ago.

Remus was still on his knee, and the newly engaged couple stood to the side, as Tonks walked over to her boyfriend. "I had a speech prepared, with every phrase as perfect as you my love, but just seeing you here as I kneel in front of you renders me speechless," Remus confessed.

Nymphadora smiled and knelt down to his level, her hands resting on his knee. "Remus, I don't need a fancy speech to know how much you love me," she whispered sweetly, and he smiled back, cupping her cheek.

"Dora, I was closed off and cold before you literally tumbled into my life, pink hair and all. And I always thought love to be stupid, until you showed me just how precious it really is. I know I don't have much to my name, but will you do the honour of becoming Nymphadora Lupin?"

"Of course, Remus. I could never say no to the man I love." And with that, the two embraced, sharing a passionate kiss unlike one the others had ever seen them share, finally allowing for the crowd to erupt with applause and cheer for the two couples.

"TO THE NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLES!" Adrian toasted, and everyone raised their glasses in sync, as the sun began its journey to the west.