Borrowed Time

kishijoten

Story Summary:
Harry sets out to find the missing horcruxes, encountering unexpected allies, enemies, losses, and revelations along the way.

Chapter 04 - Chapter Four

Posted:
07/16/2007
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116


Harry was uncertain whether he was more glad or frustrated that the wedding itself forced him and his friends to abandon discussion of the Horcruxes for a day. They needed to work out what to do next, but for the moment they were stalled. So far, Bill hadn't been able to get his hands on a Pensieve. This meant a change in plans for Harry and his friends, who had meant to leave for Godric's Hollow the day after Bill's wedding. Still, if Bill could make any sense of Harry's memories, the delay would be worthwhile.

Shifting restlessly in his seat, Harry focused his attention on the enchanted archway in the arbor where Bill awaited his bride. Roses and orchids gently shifted colours in sync with the soft music issuing from ornate, trumpet-like flowers situated at the bottom of the arch.

Suddenly, the music shifted. Harry, along with everyone else gathered in the garden, turned to look behind. There was Gabrielle, followed by Ginny, and then Fleur on her father's arm.

Harry felt a lump form in his throat. Ginny had never looked more beautiful, dressed in formal robes of palest gold, her hair pinned up and adorned with a single pale gold rose. He imagined for a moment what it would be like to be in Bill's place, looking down that aisle, watching Ginny slowly making her way to his side.

He angrily pushed the image aside. He had no time for dreams, now. For that's all it was, all it could be. Just a dream. One he was certain he'd never live to see come true.

Bill and Fleur's was the first wedding Harry had ever attended. With all the fuss leading up to it, he had expected the ceremony to drag on for ages. The brief, if moving, exchange of vows seemed hardly worth all the expense and effort that had gone into the wedding.

The reception turned out to be a completely different story. There was wine, and dancing, and laughter, and everyone seemed determined to make the most of the merry occasion.

"Knut for your thoughts," Ginny murmured in Harry's ear, drawing him out of his reverie.

"Just thinking how good it is to see everyone so happy," he replied, sliding his arm around Ginny's waist.

"It is, isn't it?" They stood silently, holding on to one another and watching the dancers on the lawn: Arthur twirled a beaming Minerva McGonagall; Charlie danced with his mum; Ron and Hermione swayed to some slower melody only they could hear; and Tonks stole kisses from Remus whenever she thought no one was looking.

After a time, Harry turned to face Ginny. "I'm not much of a dancer," he said. "But, I was wondering...."

"I'd love to," Ginny replied quickly. Grinning, she led him out to join the celebration.

Some hours later, the festivities paused to allow for the traditional send-off for the newly wed couple. Fleur took the spotlight for a moment; standing under the archway, she turned her back to the gathered throng and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder. The ensuing scramble reminded Harry rather strongly of Seekers diving for a snitch.

Every single female from 10-year-old Gabrielle right up to Professor McGonagall made a grab for the bundle of flowers. In her haste to join in, Tonks managed to get herself tangled up in her own dress robes, knock both Ginny and Hermione to the ground, and land on her knees in the dirt. She also managed to catch the bouquet.

Harry immediately headed over to give Ginny a hand up, pausing for a moment to give Remus a congratulatory pat on the shoulder as all of the other men seemed to be doing. Remus looked both pleased and embarrassed.

A moment later, the newlyweds were gone, Apparating away to spend their first night together as a married couple.

The others, reluctant to see the night end, struck up the music again and continued celebrating deep into the night.

The next day, Bill turned up at the Burrow rather unexpectedly. Ignoring his brothers' teasing about running away from his own honeymoon, Bill ushered Harry upstairs. He had found a Pensieve.

Harry dutifully placed his memories into the shallow bowl as Bill instructed, including the horrible memory of his journey with Dumbledore to retrieve the locket. As an afterthought, he tossed in the memory of finding the substitute locket and the note in Dumbledore's pocket.

"Thanks," Bill said when Harry was done. "I'll give these a look and then owl you in Godric's Hollow."

"I'll send Hedwig as soon as I know where we'll be staying," Harry replied.

Bill seemed to think hard for a moment and then asked, "Would you mind if I showed this to a friend of mine? It'd be great to have someone to bounce ideas off of."

Harry shrugged. "I suppose." He trusted Bill to be discreet and to keep the information on the Horcruxes close to his chest. If he needed to talk things over with Fleur -for Harry was certain that was who Bill had in mind, then so be it.