Love Potion #9

Chapter Ten: The Burrow

AUGUST 1, 1997 – The Burrow

Harry was very relieved that Remus and Gwen had Sirius well in hand, urging him to accept Harry's relationship with Severus. Sirius, later admitting only to be furious because he didn't know about it beforehand, was determined to get used to it. He said he trusted Harry and Severus, and was relieved that the latter had refused Harry until his seventeenth birthday. He said that there would be rules in place, while Harry still lived at home, and expected an owl or a Patronus message if Harry was having Severus over, or was spending the night with him. Sirius informed Harry that he wouldn't begrudge him moving in with Severus, if that is what he desired, but Severus and Harry said they didn't have plans for that as of yet.

After one more snogging session, Harry said goodbye to Severus, as well as the rest of his party guests. Molly and Hermione were very apologetic to Harry, telling him that they just wanted him to be happy in the long-run, and that Severus was a good man for waiting for Harry to come of age before consenting to a relationship. Harry was relieved, and promised to see them at the Burrow the following day for the wedding.

Harry, Sirius, and Gwen all arrived at the Burrow, immaculate in their dress robes, the following day for the wedding. Harry went to meet with Ron, who was one of the Groomsmen, along with Fred and George. Charlie was stationed as Best Man, while Gabrielle Delacour was Maid of Honor, and Ginny, Cho Chang, and Fleur's cousin, Aliénor, were the Bridesmaids. Charlie would therefore pair up with Gabrielle, Ginny with Fred, Cho Chang with George, and Aliénor with Ron, who was doing his best not to drool, which Harry knew would very likely upset Hermione in the long run.

"You don't want Hermione to see you doing that," Harry warned, adjusting his purple necktie and looking around as some of the guests continued to arrive, knowing that Severus and Draco would likely be along shortly.

Ron huffed, toying with his hair. "I know, I know..."

"Leave it alone!" Harry snapped, placing a Stabilizing Charm onto Ron's hair. "Fleur's very particular about everything, you know. We don't want to upset the bride."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Fine," he huffed, following Harry's eyes out into the crowd. "Don't worry, Harry; he'll be here."

Harry blinked, turning to look at Ron. "What?"

Ron grinned at him. "You know full well that we'd all tear the mickey out of Snape if he didn't show up... He did promise to be your date, didn't he?"

Harry crossed his arms, thanking Merlin for Anti-Wrinkle Charms. "Yes," he replied. "I'm going to his after. Draco's going to stay here with Ginny, and Severus is going to give me a tour of Prince Hall."

Ron dramatically raised his eyebrows up and down. "That sounds fun. You'll have to tell me and Hermione all about it. I'm sure it has a library to die for. You know how much she loves those things... Books," he said, shaking his head, obviously a bit distracted, knowing that he had duties as a Groomsmen.

Harry rolled his eyes, changing the subject. "Where are Bill and Fleur going for their honeymoon, then?" he asked.

"Fleur's family has a villa that they're using," Ron said, and Harry could tell that Ron was just a bit jealous about that fact. "It apparently overlooks the water and is really beautiful. They're going for the entire month, and have invited Hermione and me before we're due to go off to the University of Edinburgh and the Auror Academy."

Harry grinned at him. "Just don't go and get married without me!"

Ron sighed. "I'd like to," he admitted softly, "but it'd be on Bill and Fleur's honeymoon, and that doesn't seem very fair..."

"True," Harry responded, "and, besides, you'll need your best mate there."

"Me?" a familiar voice asked, and Draco slipped effortlessly through the crowd, clapping Harry and Ron respectively on their backs. "Don't know you cared, Ron."