An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 17 Wedding Preparations

Apparating to Diagon Alley we shopped for a few last minute odds and ends before picking up the bridesmaids' dresses. Ginny suggested The Three Broomsticks. After eating a large lunch, we waddled over to 'Clips and Snips' for our beauty appointments where Tonks was waiting for us. Once Hermione had shown up Gin got everyone's attention.

"I was going to wait until later but since we're all here...I'm pregnant."

"Oh Merlin! So am I, Mouse," Hermione confessed. "I went to see the Healer this morning. Grandmum's birthday isn't for two more months."

Aunt Molly was beside herself with joy. "My little girl's going to be a mother! And you, Hermione, again! Oh, I'm so happy."

Tonks, Shawna, and I congratulated the two Witches. Come to find out the babies were due the same day. The beauticians managed to get the flabbergasted older Witch into one of the design chairs while another escorted me to the nail tech.

Eyeing my chewed fingernails she shook her head and snapped her gum before saying, "You brides are all da same. What's ta be sa nervous about, I ask ya? Ya love 'im don't cha?"

"Of course."

"Then what's ta worry about? True love can conquer anything life'll throw ya."

I though about her words for a minute. "You know, you're absolutely right." The lingering fear dissolved as if it had never been present.

"I always am, sweetie." She performed a few spells and charms. Before long my nails had lengthened and acquired a French manicure. "There ya go, hon."

"They look great. Thanks." I smiled at her. "You're from Brooklyn, aren't you?"

"Born and raised. How'd ya know?"

"I stayed there for a while once." I left her a huge tip and went to see if they were ready to do my hair and makeup.

Time seemed to creep along. I was sure I'd been in the salon for hours and hours but only two had passed. The wedding wouldn't start for four more. I had at least one hundred-twenty minutes before we needed to head for the school.

Aunt Molly gave her apologies and told us she wanted to head to Hogwarts to oversee the preparations. She disapparated with a *crack*.

"Mum's really touched you asked her to be your matron of honor, Aurora," Ginny confided once the woman in question had left.

"As if I would've had anyone else. Your mom's been the closest thing I've had to a mom in a long time."

"So, what are we going to do until 6:00?"

"There's a karaoke bar down the street that just opened," Tonks ventured.

"Oh, let's do that!" Ginny exclaimed, seeming quite excited over the idea of embarrassing herself in front of a roomful of strangers.

"That sounds like fun," Shawna agreed.

Everyone turned to look at me.

"As long as no one expects me to sing we're okay."

"I've heard they have Wizard and Muggle music," Hermione explained as we walked towards the bar.

We entered The Mockingbird and found a table near the front of the small stage. A pretty dark-skinned Witch with a long, thick braid was mangling the Weird Sisters' first hit, "Hex Somebody Now".

"Mouse, isn't that Parvati?"

"Looks like her, Gin."

A waitress came and took our drink orders while Tonks went to the DJ and requested her song.

"What'd ya pick?" I asked her.

"You'll see."

Hermione, Shawna, and Ginny put their heads together and started whispering, never a good sign. Gin got up after a minute and walked over to the music Wizard.

Tonk's turn arrived and she sang, "Going to the Chapel". She even transfigured herself into a pretty good imitation of Harry in a bridal gown! It was a riot.

Parvati and Lavender had joined us after Parvati's song. We caught up with the two party girls. Then Ginny, Hermione, and Shawna were called onstage. They sang "White Wedding" by Billy Idol. Hmmm, was there a theme do you suppose?

Ten songs and 5 Screaming Banshees later, I decided to give it a go. 'Why the hell not? If Parvati wasn't booed off I'm not likely to be either, I hope.'

My hands were sweaty by the time I stepped onto the wooden platform. I closed my eyes, swallowing hard. 'This is NOT as easy as it looked from down there!' The music started and the first hesitant words came out. Trying to forget there was a crowd of strangers I focused on my friends and sang the words to "I'm Just a Witch" by No Doubt. (And yes, they are a crossover group from the Muggle world. But of course you all ready know that if you're a fan.)

Take this tall hat off my head
I'm a witch
but it's no big surprise.
Don't you think I know
Exactly where I stand?
My teach' is forcing me
to hold a wand!

'Cause I'm just a Witch, little ol' me,
don't let me out of your sight.
I'm just a Witch; oh it's my destiny.
So just let me have some fun.
Oh... I've charmed it up to there!

The moment that I step outside
so many reasons
For Muggles to run and hide.
I can't plant the little things
in Herbology
'Cause it's all those little things
that can bite.

'Cause I'm just a Witch,
not sure I wanna be
'Cause they won't let me fly
Late at night.
I'm just a Witch,
Guess I'm some kind of freak
'Cause Muggles sit and stare
with their eyes!
I'm just a Witch;
Take a good look at me
just your typical magitype.
Oh... I've had it up to here!
Oh... am I making myself clear?

I'm just a Witch
I'm just a Witch in the world...
That's all that I'll ever be!

I'm just a Witch, living in Gryffindor.
Our common room is

So very nice.

I'm just a Witch, is this my destiny?
What you've hexed is
now making me numb.
I'm just a Witch, my apologies!
What I've become is so dangerous.
I'm just a Witch, lucky me
Twiddle-dum there's no comparison

Oh... I've charmed it up to

Oh... I've charmed it up to

Oh... I've charmed it up to

Oh... I've charmed it up to there!

The song over I hurried off stage to return to my table. "Horrible, right?"

"No way! That was great. I've never heard the Wizard version before," Hermione answered.

"Only you wouldn't bother to keep up with WW groups," Shawna griped.

"Anyway, girls, what's next?" Ginny demanded to know.

The group nagged me to sing another with everyone this time. Shawna and I shared grins when we went through the list of songs the DJ had.

"What?" Lavender asked.

"Just try to follow," Shawna told her.

Shawna told the guy what we wanted and I cast the charm we'd used so long ago for the Christmas prank at Hogwarts. Blue, smoky words appeared and the girls sang along as we sang 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper. The audience loved it.

"Merlin! Rory, it's 6:15!"

"Shit! Aunt Molly's going to kill me. We'd better get. Are you two coming tonight?" I asked Lavender and Parvati.

"Not go to the biggest party of the year?" Lavender exclaimed.

"Sorry. Whatever was I thinking?" I teased. "We'll see y'all later then."

We apparated back to the Cottage where I took a quick bath and everyone got her things together. Arriving back at Hogsmeade thirty minutes later, Aunt Molly lit into us.

"And where have you five been? The wedding starts in just over an hour! Tonks, Hermione, I expected more responsibility from you."

"We have plenty of time, Aunt Molly. We just needed to blow off some steam," I explained trying to calm the irate matron down.

She snorted and pushed me towards the village's entrance. "Merlin save me from nervous brides," she muttered.

"Whoa! Where'd that come from?" I asked spying a carriage with the Hogwarts' coat of arms on its side.

"Albus, dear. It will take us to the school and then you and Harry will ride back here in it when you leave."

"It's so beautiful." The conveyance had the shape of a huge white pumpkin; green leaves and curlicue vines fell from the stem completing the look. Two pure white unicorns pulled it. I half expected to see Jacques the mouse as a footman. (Sorry, it's another Muggle thing. He was one of the mice in a fairy tale named Cinderella.)

We arrived at the school where my aunt immediately put me under the Disillusionment charm in case we ran into Harry. We used the Room of Requirements to change. It had transformed itself into a huge room equipped with several full-length mirrors. I let the others dress and then they helped me.

The soft satin and lace dress floated around me. I felt like a fairy princess. Aunt Molly attached the veil with a clip in my hair and I was officially ready. Admiring the effect of the wispy lace I didn't see Dad until he appeared next to my reflection.

"You look beautiful, sweetie."

I turned around and hugged him. "Thanks."

"I can't believe my baby girl's getting married."

"Neither can I," I whispered. "I'm getting nervous again."

"That's normal, honey. You should have seen me when I married your mother."

I scowled at the reminder of her.

"She wasn't always like that. We used to be very happy."

"Dad, what if Harry and I...?"

"You won't. The two of you were made for each other."

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too."

I wiped a tear away, careful not to smudge my makeup. I took in the people in the room and smiled. I was so lucky to have them in my life.

I turned a critical eye to the bridesmaids' dresses. They had turned out wonderfully. They were of a dark blue shimmering fabric that was interwoven with bright silver and burnished gold threads. The colors represented mine and Harry's Conexus bands and the vivid hue of the runes on them.

Uncle Arthur peeked his head in. "Molly, they're ready to start."

"Places, girls." Aunt Molly ordered us about until we were exactly like she wanted. She fussed over me for another minute and then went to stand in line. The soft strains of a harp could be heard as Sirius opened the door and one by one everyone was escorted to the Great Hall until only Dad and I were left.

"Ready?"

"I think so. Oh Merlin, I'm nervous."

"Wait until you see Harry, baby. You'll feel so much better."

At the mention of his name I lit up. A knock on the door signaled it was time. Wearing my Gryffindor courage like a mantle I placed my hand in the crook of Dad's arm and we walked slowly to the hall.