Vater

Bill and Fleur's wedding was wonderful. This was the first wedding Harry was attending, for the Dursleys had never taken him to a wedding, muttering about how he would spoil their fun. But a wizard wedding more than made up for it. Fleur was looking radiant in a silvery set of robes, and Bill, though disfigured, was looking quite nice in his formal robes. Fleur's sister Gabrielle, one of the bridesmaids, was looking very cute, too. Harry remembered her from his fourth year...she had grown up quite a bit since then; but again, so had he. And Ginny...

Harry's breath caught in his throat as he saw Ginny, the other bridesmaid. She and Gabrielle were wearing matching robes, but while Gabrielle looked cute, Ginny looked resplendent. Harry had never seen her look so beautiful before. Or perhaps it was the effect of love, he thought bemusedly.

Ginny caught his stare and smiled at him. He blushed and looked away. He could not be with her until Voldemort was around...she would be in too much danger...

The last few days had passed in a daze of colours. Mrs. Weasley had put the three of them to work almost immediately after their arrival at the Burrow. Harry never knew weddings required such a lot of preparation. But he had gladly made himself useful.

Hermione touched his arm lightly, bringing him back from his thoughts. He watched as the marriage vows were taken, and Bill was allowed to kiss Fleur. Hundreds of tiny glass balls shattered and showered everyone with sparkles as the newly wed couple kissed. There was a round of applause and cheer.

As soon as the ceremony was over, Harry found himself wandering around, trying to avoid Ginny. He wasn't sure if he would be able to stay away if he was near her for a long time. It had been difficult during the past few days. Especially since Ginny was taking it so well...she seemed to be absolutely unaffected; she talked to him like they'd done before his sixth year happened; casual friends, but not too close. It felt awful.

Harry found himself seated next to McGonagall during dinner.

"Good evening, Harry," she said pleasantly.

"Good evening, Professor," he said quietly, suddenly wishing Dumbledore were there.

McGonagall gave him a strange look and said softly, so that no one else could hear, "I'm glad you have decided to follow your father's footsteps, Harry. But I think you ought to wait till the school reopens; I will be able to guide you and your friends better then."

Harry flicked his wand under the table and used Muffliato non-verbally. Then he shook his head and told the Headmistress that they needed to do it as soon as possible.

"But why?" she asked.

"Surely, Professor, you know that by now?"

McGonagall shook her head.

"I am the Chosen One," Harry said simply. McGonagall looked shocked for a moment, but she quickly recovered her composition.

"So the papers have had something right for a year..." she muttered.

"I have to kill Voldemort, Professor, or he will kill me. And he is not going to wait until the school begins. I need to boost my power as soon as possible...moreover, since I'm of age, the blood protection that I received at my Aunt's place has also ended."

McGonagall nodded sympathetically.

"I'm going to help you, of course. I'll send a port-key to Hogwarts to you tonight. Tomorrow evening you can come to the school. We'll need to brew some potions before we can start with it."

"Hermione has already managed to brew all of them. We started brewing when we wrote to you."

McGonagall smiled slightly.

"Seems like I've been underestimating you and your friends, Harry."

Harry smiled back at her, then stared down at his hands.

He looked up as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, Harry, I know. I miss him too, you know," she said, "I'll let you talk to his portrait when you come down tomorrow."

"Thank you - thank you, Professor," Harry said earnestly.