Look at the Stars

"You really don't look half-bad in lavender," Sirius commented to Hermione as they waited on the landing of the stairs to descend into the wedding at the Weasley house.

"Gee, thanks. Look, I'm wearing the necklace," Hermione smiled, "How's Harry?"

The elegant wedding music drifted upstairs, where the wedding party stood. "Hyper. He's running around that room like a maniac. . . kind of like his father on his wedding day."

Hermione watched as a flash of guilt and pain struck his face. "You were James's best man, weren't you?" she asked quietly.

"I was. . . oh, I wish he were here today. He would be so proud, like I am. I'm afraid I'm a poor substitute."

"You've been a wonderful godfather to Harry," Hermione told him, "and a wonderful friend to me. Oh, look, it's time for us to go." She took his arm and they descended the steps together.

The Weasley house had been beautifully and simply decorated with fresh flowers, and the curtains were opened wide to let in the bright sunlight that streamed across the small mass of redheaded relatives.

"I'm afraid I'm going to trip in these heels," Hermione whispered.

Sirius whispered back, "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

Hermione gave him a grateful smile. They walked slowly down the aisle between the rows of chairs, with Hermione's hand tucked into the crook of his elbow. They reached the end of the aisle and parted.

Harry came down, beaming giddily as he strolled down the aisle. But soon all eyes turned to the back of the room, as Ginny descended the staircase, her striking red hair set off by white flowers and clouds of white material. Her cheeks glowed with excitement as Harry waited for her.

Hermione glanced at Sirius and caught him steadily gazing at her.

Ginny took Harry's hand. The wedding began.

The recessional music played, the newlyweds walked out, and Sirius took Hermione's hand, intertwining their fingers as he escorted her back down the aisle and into the dining room, which was decorated for the reception. Hermione thought her heart would explode when he gave her hand a tight squeeze.

The dining table was spread with an enticing layout of finger foods, with a magnificent white cake, one of the few extravagances of the wedding, standing at the far end. Harry waited by the cake while Ginny tossed her bouquet to the horde of unmarried females.

The red hair flew as Zandra and Ellie frantically pushed their cousins and friends aside to catch the flowers. Hermione laughed at the action as she stood to the side. Ellie jumped as the bouquet flew over her head, and she couldn't quite catch her balance on the high heels she was wearing. She slipped on the floor, bringing down, like a stack of dominoes, all the girls but Zandra. The bouquet fell at Hermione's feet, and, in surprise, she stooped to pick it up, but it was intercepted by Zandra, who had thrown herself across the floor. Zandra clutched the flowers and jumped up triumphantly.

"The Weasleys are very competitive," Hermione whispered to Sirius.

Ginny and Harry, still laughing as the mass of girls struggled to pick themselves up, started cutting the cake, putting a small piece on a plate. They moved their fingers to feed each other a bite, but when they touched the cake, the silence of shock, so pervasive that Hermione heard Zandra's flowers fall to the floor, filled the room.

They had disappeared.