A Million Things {Hamilton/Harry Potter Universe}

Chapter 16

It look awhile to herd the guests into the ballroom for the reception. They kept crowding the newly wedded couple, preventing most from heading anywhere.

Angelica cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "There's champagne in the ballroom!"

"Alright, alright! That's what I'm taking about!" Laurens called out gleefully. He led the way and most of the guests followed.

Alexander and Eliza sat at the head of the table with the rest of the wedding party. Eliza leaned over and tapped on Angelica's shoulder. "Will you say something?"

Angelica cocked her head, confused. "What?"

"Well, John wants to give a speech too, as he's the best man, but Alexander says he may talk for a long time. Why don't you go first?"

Angelica never heard of the maid of honor giving a speech, but she looked into her sister's pleading eyes and gave in. "Of course I will."

Everyone went wild when Laurens stood up, glass in hand. He waved his wand a loud bang! silenced them. "Not yet," he laughed. "Now everyone give it up for the maid of honor! Angelica Schuyler!"

The sea of people cheered again as Angelica took his place. All eyes were on her. "Let's give a toast to the groom!" she yelled, thrusting her glass into the air.

"To the groom!" they repeated, copying her.

"To the bride!"

"To the bride!"

"Eliza, this is coming from your sister, who is always by your side," she said. Eliza beamed, her eyes sparkling.

It didn't seem complete so she yelled, "To the resistance! To the Order! To victory!"

People really did go crazy then. Many tossed their drinks in the air and hollered like banshees. She chuckled as Sirius Black and James Potter climbed up on their seats, while Lily struggled between looking upset and amused at the same time.

Alexander's face shone out at her, smiling She swallowed hard. "And that you'll always be..." Her voice caught. "Always be satisfied." She gulped hard as tears began to well in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, handing her drink to a confused Laurens. "But I have to go."

She walked as quickly as she could from the room without running. Her mother rose. "Angelica? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said quickly, trying not to cause a scene. "I just need some air."

Angelica huddled in the dim hallway as tears streamed down her face. She could hear the muffled words of Laurens's speech. The party would not miss her for a while.

She was furious with herself for letting her emotions get the best of her. She was even upset with Eliza for having her give a speech in front of everyone. But it wasn't her fault. She didn't know. No one knew of her feelings towards Alexander. They didn't know of the gut-wrenching pain of seeing Eliza with him.

Angelica stood up and wiped at her eyes. She needed to clear her mind. The sounds of celebration faded as she went up two flights of stairs to her father's study. She opened the little cabinet he had stowed behind his desk and pulled out a wide, flat disk, shimmering with what appeared to be liquid vapor. She placed it on his desk, where is hovered serenely.

Her father's Pensive. A gift from Albus Dumbledore. She and her sisters had been told time and time again to leave it alone, but tonight was a special case. She pulled her wand out of her pocket and put the end to her temple. She slowly pulled out a long, thin, blue-white string of thoughts and dropped in into the Pensive, which swirled eerily.

Taking a deep breath, and checking to make sure she hadn't been followed, Angelica plunged head-first into the Pensive. She felt the world tip and her feet leave the floor as she was sucked into her painful memories.

All around her, the liquid vapor was taking the shape of walls, tables, and people. She heard voices and snatches of unintelligible conversation all around her. She landed on the solid ground of her parent's ballroom, the exact same place where the wedding reception was currently taking place. But now, there were different people in dress robes and ball gowns. Pointsettias and holly decorated everything. Snow was swirling outside against an ink-black sky.

Not caring whether she passed through people or not, she found herself, dressed in pink, surrounded by many young wizards.

Angelica was back at the Winter's Ball. That night that had been haunting her nightmares and taunting her dreams. The night of her biggest regret. The night she gave up Alexander for her sister.

She decided to watch the events take place and her past thoughts came running back to her, as if she was experiencing it all for the first time.