After dinner, cake, and the obligatory dances were completed, Arthur strode over to the musicians. He motioned to the closest man.

They spoke for a moment, and then Arthur pulled a few bottles out of his magically expanded pockets. The man pulled the cork and took a whiff and then looked up and grinned.

"Mister Father-Of-The-Groom... We have a deal." He spat on his hand and held it out. Arthur did the same and they shook on it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bishop had watched the ceremony with a growing sense of anticipation. Not long from now he and Dora would be exchanging their vows just a little way up the coast, many of the same guests in attendance. Much like the celebrants on this day, they already had a family started. It was just the formality of vows that was missing.

Seeing the object of his thoughts approach, shimmering blue gown fluttering lightly in the breeze, he smiled. His arms opened in welcome and she came to him, letting Bishop wrap her up in a warm embrace. "You're beautiful. Have I mentioned that today? I couldn't take my eyes off you."

"You're supposed to be watching the bride, not me," Tonks chided gently, warmed by the complement. She'd known Bishop had been watching her; the weight of his gaze had followed her as she danced, laughed with friends and family. Her duties as unofficial bridesmaid put aside for the moment, Tonks took a deep breath of sea air and rested her head on Bishop's chest. The lack of shoes made her even shorter than usual.

"Katie looks wonderfully happy and lovely, too. I did notice her. I'm sure she and Fred would understand my distraction, though. I was imagining you with a round belly of baby." As he found himself doing more and more often, his fingers danced across her stomach. It was as yet still flat, but he could feel the tightness beneath the skin, signifying the growing life within. "How are you feeling?"

"A little tired, but exhilarated, mostly. I'm so happy for Katie and Fred I could burst," was her reply. "The food is amazing. It's tempting to eat until I can't move. Have you gotten a chance to eat?" Tonks had made sure both Katie and Fred were fed before wandering off to her own food.

Chuckling, Bishop squeezed her. He liked seeing Dora so animated and excited, and the way she was looking after everyone. She'd be a good mother. "I had a little. Honestly, I'm more interested in the drinks. This is a celebration, after all."

"Don't remind me," Tonks groaned, thwapping him on his shoulder. "I'm not dragging you home if you're sodden, Gypsies or not. I've seen the way some of those younger girls have been eyeing you. It would serve you right if I let them at you." Her eyes twinkled with mirth, and the threat had very little heat behind it.

Shifting their position a bit, Bishop pulled her into a dance, moving them in a gentle circle. He wasn't known for his grace, although once he'd had a few, he'd more than make up for it with enthusiasm. "You know you wouldn't let the gypsies at me. They might whisk me away in the middle of the night and you'd miss me. And don't worry, Joscelin will make sure I get home in one piece. We'll stumble up the beach together," he said, winking.

"I was hoping you'd stumble up by yourself," she began, craning her head, pretending to look for Joscelin. "Many a lady would be jealous of the attentions of you two." A peal of laughter escaped at the look on his face. "Don't look at me like that."

"Many a lady has hoped for the attentions of us two - simultaneously. Since I'm not one to share, I'm glad to hear you aren't one of them. Though I must admit we are two very good looking men. Me more than him," he teased, dipping Tonks until her hair nearly touched the sand.

She squeaked, then laughed again as he spun her a bit. She was glad for the sticking charm on the front of her dress, else she'd have fallen out the top. "I've been asked, and no, I'm not telling you who, if I enjoy being in a sandwich."

Laughing loudly, he said, "If it was Burke, I hope you kicked him in the sack. Do I get to know what your answer was?  I'm curious if there's a need I've not been fulfilling."

"Well..." she said slowly. "I do feel a need for more pumpkin juice. That need is fully unfulfilled."

"Pumpkin juice, but no sandwich?"

Spinning Romy around and then bringing her back into the circle of his arms, Joscelin leaned over towards Bishop and Tonks, grinning madly. "She never did answer the question, sweetums."

"Nor will I, dollface," Tonks replied, smacking a loud kiss on Joscelin's cheek. "You'll always wonder what it is."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Molly was on the edge of the dance floor, practically radiating with happiness as she watched her son and her new daughter dance. If someone were able to burst from sheer joy, Molly would have done so hundreds of times over during the evening.

"Madam, might I have this dance?"

The band, fulfilling its part of the deal, began playing their song.

She turned to Arthur, looking at her husband as he held his hand out to her. She finally recognized the music, her face breaking out into a large grin at the sounds. "Always," she answered, placing her hand in his.

The floor was still nearly empty, and Arthur and Molly moved around it with ease. They'd certainly had enough practice over the years.

"You look pleased," he told her.

"My son is happy, and I just gained a daughter. Why wouldn't I be pleased," she asked, effortlessly dancing with her partner. "The ceremony was beautiful, they're married, and soon they'll be giving us grandbabies."

"True enough," he responded. Truth be told, he was pleased as well. Arthur navigated them around a corner and dodged a couple who wasn't paying attention to the flow of the floor. "Can you believe that they got all of this put together in two days?"

"I've learned never to underestimate our children." Grinning at her husband, she allowed him to lead them around the floor, easily moving them to the beat of the music. "I'm always proved wrong."

At that, Arthur laughed. "Especially with Fred and G-Katie." He winced a little bit inwardly.

Molly smiled nostalgically. She could feel her lost son everywhere around her today. He was on the dance floor, his limbs dancing crazily, and he'd been standing beside Fred, giving his twin strength. "It's wonderful, having out families surrounding us today."

He agreed. "It is, isn't it?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Percy made his way, smiling, towards the bride and groom. To see his younger brother married, and so happy, did something to chase the bit of gloom that'd been following him around since he'd been back in England.

"Congratulations and best wishes, brother and sister," he said when he'd finally made it to the pair. "I was hoping I might garner a dance from my newest sister? That is, if you can part from her, Fred."

"What say you, Kit? Enough energy left to give Perce a dance?" Fred asked, lifting Katie's hand to his lips to brush kisses across her knuckles. He grinned at his brother, spinning Katie within Percy's grasp as she nodded. "I get her forever, Perce... you can have a few minutes. Just don't tire her out... my sons don't need any help in that arena."

Percy returned Fred's infectious smile, nodded. "Of course not, Fred." He settled his arm firmly across Katie's back, and took her hand in his, leading her carefully to the music. He laughed when he bumped into her belly and felt a sharp poke from within.

"Active, today, are they?" he asked.

"Always, lately," Katie nodded, cheeks tinting rosy despite herself; this was Percy, he was a shiny, ginger Weasley, and her large belly kept getting in the way. "They've been just as excited as me for today."

Ignoring the heated rosiness she could feel, Katie raised her gaze to Percy's and gave him a warm smile, squeezing his hand that held hers. "I'm really glad you're here, Percy. Here with us, but just here."

His own smile widened, and he could feel the echoing rush of color in his ears. It touched him that Katie was so sincere in her affections. "Thank you, sister. Today, I'm glad to be here as well."

Katie's smile went shy at his words, and she could feel her skin heat. She was sister in truth now to an army of a family. An army of a family that made her blush by existing. "Brother. I can call you that now," she ventured, testing it out on her tongue before glancing up at him with bright eyes. "I've never had any siblings before."

"You more than made up for it today. I'll do my best to be a good brother, I've had a bit of practice," Percy grinned, dropping a kiss on her cheek, and chuckling when the color on her face deepened. "Don't tell Ginny, but you're much nicer than she is."

Katie couldn't help the giggle that slipped her lips. "It's not true," she said, laughing, even as she shook her head. "But if she's had to be firm, it's you boys and Weasleys at the same time."

"Firm?" Percy feigned his incredulous look. "You've never been at the receiving end of her Bat Bogey Hex."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Charlie watched his baby sister step away from her boyfriend. It looked like she was moving off to get something to drink while Malfoy started talking to someone he didn't know.

"I'm going to talk to Gin for a moment," he told Daphne, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Will you be OK for a bit?"

When she nodded, Charlie kissed her once again, this time on the lips, and made his way over to the drinks.

"You look like you're having fun," he said as he slung an arm over Ginny's shoulder, startling her.

Pressing a hand to her chest, she glared softly up at Charlie. "I was, until one of my big brothers decided to scare the crap out of me," she said, bumping her hip into his side. "How's the reserve?"

"Busy," he replied. "We've three new hatchlings to look after. How about you? The clinic keeping you busy?"

"Very. There are only two patients left from the raid," she said, her eyes flicking to the people dancing on the sand. "Theo's been extra busy helping me. I'm fairly certain that I would have died of exhaustion if he hadn't been there." Ginny turned to Charlie, a small smile on her mouth. "We had people come help us from St. Mungo's. It was... incredible."

Charlie nodded. He'd missed the raid and it's aftermath. He'd hated to do so, hated to send his family and friends into danger while he stayed safe. But he'd been forced to take the night shift at the reserve that night.

He pushed aside the guilt and smiled down at Gin.

"That's great, Pigeon. About Mungos helping out." He stepped away from her to grab one of the drinks. "And what about everything else? Malfoy keeping you happy?"

"To an annoying degree, yes," she said, the corner of her mouth turning up. She sipped from her glass, watching the topic of conversation talking animatedly to one of the gypsies. "And yours?" She tore her gaze from Draco to look over at Charlie, an eyebrow lifted in his direction.

Charlie glanced back at Daphne, who seemed to be trying to avoid conversation with a gypsy. By the way his hands were clasped to his chest, he'd guess that the young man was expressing his undying love. He didn't seem at all concerned with the fact that she wouldn't look at him.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "She really does." He cleared his throat and looked back at Gin. "She also keeps me on my toes. I never know what she's going to do next."

"Like try to kill someone," Ginny offered. She smiled a second later, taking the sting from her words. Seeing how happy Fred was, and using it as comparison, she could see that Charlie was happy as well. She wasn't sure if she liked Daphne Greengrass, but she did like the way her brother looked at her, the feelings she could read in his eyes when he did so. "You know I'll put her down if she hurts you."

"All fear the wrath of Ginevra," he joked with a grin. His baby sister could be downright scary when she put her mind to it. Maybe that's what had attracted Malfoy to her.

"Who do you think will be next?" He waved a hand towards where Katie and Fred were dancing, barely swaying back and forth in time to the music. They both looked happy.

"What? Your name's not in the running," she asked, teasing. He was the second oldest. He was supposed to have been the next in line, but Fred appeared to have been unable to wait to make Katie his forever. Grinning, she turned her face to her brother, her eyes bright.

Charlie laughed. "No, not yet." He had considered it, of course. But he didn't think they were there yet. Didn't think that she was there yet. And even if she was, he wouldn't put her in danger like that. Not when she was spying on pure-blood fanatics and he was a known "blood traitor".

"What about you? Should I expect to see some monstrous rock on your finger soon?"

A laugh tore itself from her throat. "I think it might be a bit too much for us right now," she said, turning to look at Charlie with slightly widened eyes. "We're happy as we are. Not that I'd mind it, mind you. I just..." She swiveled, looking over at Draco with a goofy grin on her face. "It does seem like the in vogue thing to be doing now. Katie and Fred. Tonks and Bishop." She smiled brightly, imagining all the babies that would be arriving soon.

"But you've never done something just because it's popular," he stated. Gin had always marched to her own beat. It was one of the many reasons that the family loved her.

"When the time's right, it'll happen. I guess the two of us just have to find the right time."

He glanced over at Daphne again. The young gypsy was still declaring his love, following his girlfriend as she tried to ease away. Judging by the look on her face, he was about to find out how fierce Daphs could be.

"Speaking of significant others, I think I should go rescue mine before blood is spilt." He pressed a quick kiss to Gin's forehead. "Don't be a stranger."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dragging Ron by the hand, Susan weaved through the other guests to where she saw Katie taking a rest from the festivities, looking ecstatic and tired and very, very pregnant.

"Katie!" she exclaimed, releasing her boyfriend's hand so she could hug the usually petite blonde woman. "Congratulations. You look beautiful and very happy. The ceremony was lovely."

"Thank you," Katie grinned, returning the hug as tightly as she could given her rather large tummy. "I feel really big, but I am very happy. Happier than I can ever remember." She'd seen Susan the times she went in to Healing Hands for her check-ups, but they never got the chance to visit as Katie would have liked. Susan was working, after all.

She was glad that Ron had brought her though; Katie wouldn't mind knowing Susan better.

Susan giggled, feeling very happy for the newlyweds. Fred was a good man, and Katie was a darling. With the two little boys waiting to come into the world, they had everything Susan hoped to have one day herself. "Do you have names picked out for the babies? I have to admit, I'm a little envious. I'm looking forward to being a mum someday."

"I can't wait," Katie admitted, "but if they keep me up more than they already do, I don't think I'll ever sleep again." She blinked a moment as the reality of her statement settled before smiling at Susan again. It wouldn't really matter if she got one hour a sleep or ten; she was so excited to have her boys come into the world.

"And their names are Corey and Devon," she added, holding her hand out for Susan's. When the other woman placed it in Katie's, she put Susan's palm on her belly where she knew Devon to be. He almost never stopped moving. "That's Devon. Corey's a bit nicer to his mummy, but they've both been dancing with the music a lot tonight."

Ron smiled at Katie. It amused him to no end that Fred was going to have twins, and that they were very active. After all that Fred and George did to him when they were kids, all the pranks they pulled, it was nice to know Fred was getting it back. Ron squeezed Susan's hand lightly.

A happy laugh escaped Susan as she felt the baby kick. She grinned at Ron and moved to replace her hand with his on Katie's tummy. Covering his hand with her own, she said in wonder, "That's your nephew, Ron. Can you believe it?"

Ron's eyes widened when he felt the baby kick. He took his hand off Katie's stomach and smiled awkwardly. "That's pretty cool, Katie." He always felt a bit weird feeling people's pregnant stomachs.

"I think so," Katie agreed, knowing her smile was crooked as she replaced Ron and Susan's hands with her own, feeling the boys say hello to her. "Uncle Ron," she added, grinning up at him then, her hazel eyes sparkling though her cheeks went rosy at her boldness.

Ron smiled at her. That did have a nice ring to it; it would be just like little Jack, except he would get to see them grow. He grinned down at Katie. "Think you'll get used to 'Mum'?"

"I can't wait," Katie admitted, a bright smile slipping over her features. And she really couldn't. She felt as big as a house and she couldn't wait to have the boys out, but she also couldn't wait to hold them in her arms, and trace their features with a light fingertip, sing to them, and love them. "I think it has a nice ring, too."

"It does," Susan agreed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Penelope was standing to the side, not dancing. She was keeping an eye on Jack. She didn't mind the not dancing. If Brody was here, she would be, but Brody was not here. He was giving her her space and time to figure out how the pieces of her life fit together now.

Having returned Katie to Fred, Percy made his way to a very familiar person. Penny had come alone, it seemed. He noted the fact, and filed it away for later.

"One customarily has a good time at a celebration, Penny. You look as if you've swallowed something tart," Percy teased. He followed her line of sight to Jack, and smiled.

"He's perfectly safe here; you needn't worry about him between Mother and Dad, or Katie's Gypsies. A dance?" He made an exaggerated bow, and held out his hand.

"I'm having a good time," Penelope protested.

She took his hand though. She hoped he recalled how non-athletic and uncoordinated she tended to be. It was why she had always watched Quidditch instead of playing it.

"I was just thinking to myself, is all. I usually look like I have eaten something tart when I do so. If I am recalling properly, it was you that first pointed that out to me. I believe when we were third years?"

"I wouldn't doubt it," Percy replied, pulling Penny a bit closer and resting his hand lightly on her lower back. "I do recall that particular look being directed at me, and was horrified." He turned her slightly, glad that this particular number was a bit slower.

"A knut for your thoughts?"

She was supposed to have thoughts right now?

"D-dinner."

He looked confused.

"You should come for dinner this next week with Jack and myself. I'll cook or something. You can talk to Jack."

She'd said all of that in a rush. She didn't even know why she had come up with the idea. The only thing she knew how to make was spaghetti with sauce from a jar.

"I've been invited to quite a few dinners lately," Percy mumbled under his breath. He did, however, look forward to seeing Jack again.

"Might I bring anything? I'm afraid I don't cook as well as my mother, but I'm not Tonks, either."

Percy spun Penny out, then in again, and continued to circle them around the floor.

"I'll let you know?" Penelope frowned. "Honestly, with you, I feel like I am at a loss. I don't... but I want you to know Jack. That's the most important thing."

He fought a frown. "I'm sorry you feel at a loss. Is there something I should or shouldn't be doing?"

"You worry too much, Perce. Just be you. This is my problem. I'm a smart girl. I'll figure it out. Hopefully sooner rather that later. I don't mean to make you feel like you need to do something just because I am too afraid to say what I believe I want because you might not want it for me."

"I'm afraid you're speaking that fascinating and endlessly confusing woman-speak I'm not quite fluent in, Penny." They had reached a quiet corner of the dance floor, and he slowed almost to a stop, considering what she'd just said.

"You've almost never been anything but forthright and honest with me, so I'm sure that'll make sense eventually."

"I'm certain it will as well," she said quietly.

Bravery had never been strong within her, so it was no shock that she was keeping back, afraid of being hurt. Afraid of finding she'd somehow gone mental, and he was still dead. What good was it to be honest with him when she could not even be honest with herself?

"When I become more coherent, we'll have that talk," Penelope said, realizing this was certainly not the place to open that can of worms. "I just have a hard time believing you're really here. I fear waking up to find it isn't so."

Percy cupped Penny's face with his hand, rubbing his thumb against her cheek softly.

"I'm here, Penelope. I'm not going anywhere, not if I can't help it."

There were hundreds of things she had thought to never have again after the war had ripped them from her. His hand on her face was one of those. Penelope shut her eyes for a moment and just stayed right there.

"That's good. That's very good," was all she could manage.

"I concur," Percy said softly; it was true to a point, and it was true with Penny.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco walked up next to Daphne. She sighed loudly, cursing Charlie in her head for repeatedly leaving her to speak to other people tonight.

"Greengrass."

"Malfoy."

"Want to dance?"

"With you," she asked, not even looking at him.

"No, with my mother. Yes, with me, you nit."

"Because you asked so nicely... no." Daphne looked at him. "Make that a hell no."

Draco smirked at her. "Want to dance with Ginny then?"

"I prefer her brother."

"Good."

"Fine."

"Fantastic."

Daphne sighed. "I was trying to be antisocial, Malfoy. Surely there's someone else you can go stand next to and annoy."

Draco snorted and started off. "You should brush your hair more often. You look less like a hag."

"And I live to please you, pillock."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hullo, Tonks."

Tonks smiled. She had been watching her rather tipsy fiance dance by himself. "Wotcher, Arthur."

"Would you care to dance?" Arthur had spotted Muriel across the way, and wanted to make sure that he was indisposed when she finally noticed him.

The musicians had struck up a peppy number, and from what Arthur remembered, Tonks wasn't big on ballroom dancing. This piece should be good for her, and Arthur could easily follow suit.

"You're wearing the proper protection, yes?" Tonks asked.

Arthur just smiled. "I'll just be sure to be light on my feet."

Tonks took the lead, knowing that that was probably what Arthur had intended. He had learned the difficult way at a Ministry function that while Tonks was a very capable Auror, dancing wasn't a strength.

"It's nice to have another cousin, albeit in a very complicated way."

"Hmmmm?" Arthur looked confused for a moment. "Oh, you mean Katie." He grinned. "It's good to have another one married off, I'll tell you that. Hopefully, this'll be enough to keep Molly off of the the other four for a bit. Ron just started seeing Susan, Daphne won't be ready for marriage for a while yet, and Ginny... Well. She's still got a ways to go before Draco's broken in enough for her. And don't even ask me what Percy's got planned."

Tonks raised an eyebrow. "I thought I saw him about, and I've heard rumors. He's alive then, that's good."

Arthur chuckled. "Yes, the rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated. He's apparently been working in the archives for the last few months."

"Huh. Imagine that. People just don't seem to stay properly dead lately," Tonks said, thinking of the ghosts Draco was seeing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Charlie watched as Percy spun Penelope around on the dance floor. His little brother looked happy. So did Penelope for that matter. He was happy for them, though part of him wondered where Brody MacDougal fit into the situation. It wasn't something he could ask. Not of Brody, Penelope, or Percy.

He tore his gaze away from the couple to check on Daphne, who had needed a few minutes to herself. She had been dealing with the boisterous crowd pretty well, but he knew that she hated it. Now she was standing in the shadows, taking a moment to breathe and not worry about offending anyone.

A tug on his arm drew his attention away from his girlfriend and Charlie looked down to see Jack.

"Hey, Sprout," he said, ruffling his nephew's hair. "How're you doing?"

"All right, I suppose. I don't like this suit thing. It's too tight," Jack complained, tugging at his tie. "Are you going to dance with Daphne? Does Daphne dance? I noticed she brushed her hair today. That's good. Aunt Katie doesn't need to be upset. Not that she would be about hair, but you never know. Girls are weird."

"You'll never understand them," he said seriously. "And I might dance with Daphne, if she wants to. Crowds make her feel uncomfortable." He studied the top of Jack's head. The boy was watching his parents dance.

"Are you OK with everything? Lots of changes going on."

Jack looked up at Charlie. "I think I need to have a talk with Brody. I want him to know that no matter what happens with him and my Mum that he's still my friend. I heard him and Mum talking one night, and she's confused, and Brody said he'd let her figure it out. They didn't sound mad or anything. I don't know if my dad likes kids. Brody likes kids."

"I know Brody," Charlie assured him. "And I'm sure that he knows that you still like him. And to be a Weasley is to like kids. It's ingrained in us." He wasn't so sure if that was true when it came to Percy, though. Perce had always been a little... Uptight. It wasn't an attitude that he associated with children.

"Did you enjoy the wedding? Your new aunt looks very pretty."

"I was bored, but this part's been fun." Jack looked at Charlie again. "Uncle Charlie, sometimes even when people know stuff, you have to tell them out loud."

He blinked down at Jack. That had been very profound. He felt like the boy had been talking directly to him, to the feelings he had for Daphne but had not yet expressed. The feelings that grew each and every day.

"You wouldn't happen to know a lady named Astoria, would you, kid?"

"Yes. She comes into the bakery. She told me to stay out of Knockturn Alley. Why?"

Charlie just shook his head. "No real reason.You just sounded a bit like her. The advice about staying out of Knockturn is good, though. You've been following it, right?"

"Yeah. Mum got really upset the last time I was there." Jack shrugged. "Tori gives real good advice, but most people don't listen to her. She likes Angelina. Nobody thinks I notice, but I do. They forget I'm there and say all sorts of stuff."

"People should listen to her more often," he agreed. "And you, little man, should not listen when people are having a private conversation. Even if they do just forget that you're there."

Daphne was heading back towards the party, looking hesitant.

"We still need to have that zoo trip," he told Jack. "I'll try to remember to owl your mum to set that up. Now, if you will excuse me, Young Master Jack, there's a lady I think I need to ask to dance."

Jack nodded and rushed off.

Daphne turned when she felt Charlie come up beside her. "Yes?"

Charlie sketched a short bow before holding his hand out like a true gentleman. "May I have the honor of this dance?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ron walked over to the buffet table for the third time that night. The food they had for the wedding was pretty good, especially the specialty gypsy recipes. He filled up his plate and walked back over to where Susan was sitting.

"Have you tried these things? They are amazing."

"They are good," she replied, reaching for one of the little meat pastries and giggling at the look on her boyfriend's face. "You can spare one of them, can't you? For me?"

"I'm quite afraid you may have to fight him for it, Miss Bones," Percy said amiably, nodding to his brother. "Evening, Ron."

Ron handed Susan a pastry and looked up at his brother.

"Percy," he said, but in a tone that suggested he may as well have said Pillock.

Susan kicked him under the table, smiling up at the newly returned Weasley. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Videnov. Please feel free to call me Susan," she said with a smirk. "It took me awhile to remember where I'd heard that name. You came to the clinic, with sheet music."

Percy noted the slight wince Ron made, and added it to the short list of things he liked about Susan Bones.

"I did, indeed. You gave me a horrible time about it, too. Ginny is lucky to have a guard dog like you. Are you having a good time?" This was actually directed at both parties, but Percy didn't actually expect Ron to answer.

"Thank you, I like my job. And yes, we've been enjoying ourselves. Haven't we, Ron?" she said, shooting him a piercing look.

"Yes," Ron said, shoving a piece of pie in his mouth. At the look on Susan's face he looked up at his brother's face. "You?" he asked, his mouth full of food.

"Charming, Ron. Yes, I'm enjoying myself." Arse. "The pie is good, have you sampled the boysenberry?"

Ron pointed to the plate next him. "About to."

"You know, I quite realize that, as per usual, you're pissed at me. That's no reason to act like a berk, Ronald, especially at Fred's wedding. Our mother taught you better than to speak with food in your mouth, for Merlin's sake." He lowered his voice. "You'll hardly keep a woman about with manners like that."

Ron swallowed his food and smiled tightly. "Well, Percy's back everyone. If there was ever a doubt, that proved it. Still scolding me like I'm five years old."

"Ron!" Susan turned to him with wide eyes. She knew he was still having trouble getting over the lies Percy had had to make his family believe for the past six years, but this was not the time to argue about it. "This is a wedding. Fred's wedding. It's a happy occasion. Just for today, can we focus on being happy for Katie and him, and save the sniping for some other time?"

"I used multisyllabic words, brother, which I didn't do when you were five. I apologize, Miss Bones, for my behavior." Percy's voice was pleasant again, but the slight smile hovering on his lips didn't quite reach his eyes.

Ron pursed his lips and stood up to stand next to Percy. After a moment's thought he said, "Look, Perce. I'm happy you're alive, really I am. But the way this all unfolded- it's just a shite thing to have done, no matter what your intentions. You don't know what a bad time we all went through when you died. You have no idea."

"So that's a no on the saving the sniping for later, then," Susan muttered under her breath.

Percy's ears went red, and he breathed through his nose.

"Think what you will, Ron, but making assumptions based on circumstances on which you don't have all of the information is not only stupid, it's illogical." He pushed his glasses up his nose. "And don't for one moment, little brother, think I don't know what it's like to lose a brother, to mourn the loss of his life. You? You, Ron, had Mum, Dad, Ginny, Bill, Fred, and Charlie. I had no one. When it comes to my family, my child, I will do anything to keep them safe. This includes you, Ron, and if you think that's a shite thing, then shove it up your fucking arse."

He nodded again to Susan. "Save a dance for me later, Susan," he said, then spun on his heel to stride off in the other direction.

"I will, Percy." She looked at Ron helplessly, wondering how a simple hello at a family wedding could've gone so wrong.

Ron sat down with a huff and and shoved a piece of the boysenberry pie in his mouth. Hmm. It is pretty good, he thought, annoyed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ginny had watched her father dance on the floor, waiting for her turn. She sidled up to him, tapping him on the shoulder. "Do you have time and energy for a dance with your daughter?"

"Of course I do," he responded. "The question is, do YOU have the energy for a dance with your father?"

"Draco dances, and I have to follow. He was basically throwing me around the floor. I really didn't have to do much, so I have quite of bit of energy, actually," she said with a grin, putting her hand in her father's as she pulled him onto the floor.

The band picked up and started playing a jaunty tune. Arthur listened, and grinned. "Do you still remember how to do the Charleston?"

He remembered when the children had been small, and Molly had taught the boys how to dance (whether they'd wanted to learn or not), but it had fallen to him to teach Ginny.

He'd had a ball. He was fairly certain that Ginny had as well.

Laughing, Ginny nodded. She definitely remembered the Charleston. It'd been the dance she'd made him do over and over with her. "I think I can handle it."

With a sparkle in his eyes, he smiled and led the way to the middle of the floor. He slung an arm around her back and took her other hand in his free one. "Ready?"

She nodded.

Arthur started counting, and they began to move. Then he swung her out into open position.

It'd been quite some time since he'd done this particular step, so he was counting in his head.

Ginny let her father lead her like she'd done when she was younger, only this time she wasn't placing her feet on his. There was a large grin on her face that she was unable to hide. After her previous day and the emotions her conversation with Neville had filled her with, it was nice to just be happy surrounded by her family.

It was all coming back to Arthur now. The arm movements, the ankle swivels... "Kickouts?"

Ginny did so, throwing her body into the movements, kicking each leg in time with the music.

They resumed the standard step and he grinned. "This is nice," he told her. "We should do this more often."

"Go to a brother's wedding and dance? Yeah. I agree. We should do this much more often."

"Not quite what I had in mind," Arthur panted, "But now that you mention it... yeah."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Percy had stormed his way across the dance floor, and was on the opposite side of the room, trying to calm down and not send ocular fire in Ron's direction. The two fingers of brandy in his glass was helping considerably.

"You didn't used to drink," Charlie commented, coming up beside his lost brother. He'd heard Percy curse at Ron but had not been able to reach the two of them in time to stop the argument. They shouldn't be arguing. Not tonight of all nights.

He lifted his own glass and gestured back to where Ron was shoving a whole piece of pie into his mouth. "Do you ever miss it? Miss when we were kids and our only worry was that Mum would make us de-gnome the garden? We didn't know anything about Death Eaters or pure blooded idiots. And you'd spend hours reading to me when I got too frustrated to struggle through the books Mum assigned. I miss those days, Perce."

Percy raised his eyebrow, surprised. "I do, too, Charlie. I imagine the books you're reading now are much more entertaining." He had expected Charlie to be hot with anger as well. Percy was fervently glad that his shorter, but much stronger brother didn't seem to be upset with him.

"Mating Habits of the Chinese Fireball? Yes, it's a real page turner." For him it was, but he knew Percy wouldn't think so. "And you're just mad that you couldn't join my year at Hogwarts. You were reading on the same level as a Firstie, better than me. But the school had that pesky age restriction."

Percy chuckled. "I had to borrow something of a similar nature from Sam Fawcett for the Archives. Makes me happy I'm a wizard and not a dragon." He paused.

"How are you, Charlie? And who is that lovely woman you're escorting?"

He glanced over at Daphne, who was picking through the refreshments, trying to find something to eat. He kept abandoning her to the crowd and he was sorry for that, but knew that she would like it better than being dragged from family member to family member.

"That's Daphne. You met her, remember?" Of course, this time she was groomed and wearing make up, not to mention the dress that he was looking forward to stripping off of her. He thought she looked beautiful all the time, but he remembered the first time he'd seen her so. He'd been surprised then as well.

"Though, given all the information that was exchanged that night, and how high emotions were running, I shouldn't blame you for forgetting her. She's... Well, I guess the technical term for her is 'significant other'. Mine, of course." He liked saying that. Mine.

"And, I'm good. Busy at the reserve. How about you? Confrontations with younger prat brothers not withstanding?"

"That's your Daphne?" Percy's ears went red, again. "I don't mean that like it sounded. She's lovely, Charlie, honestly." He meant it, too. She cleaned up very well, and he had liked her well enough at the disastrous family dinner.

"I'm doing all right. I'm finally getting my proper accent back, and have almost lost the urge to answer in Bulgarian."

"It must be very strange for you, this return from the dead. I'd try to offer some sage advice on how to handle everything, prat brothers and accents and all, but I'm pants at that sort of thing. Bill's the wise one. It's in his job description as eldest."

He took a sip of his drink and stared out over the ocean. "I don't remember saying it before," he said quietly. "But I missed you. And I'm glad you're back. And if you ever even think about pulling something like that again, I'll use my big brother privilege to pound some sense into you. Expect to lose a few teeth in the process."

Percy cleared his throat and smiled. "Duly noted." He squeezed his older brother's shoulder lightly. "So tell me, do female dragons really like it when the males blow fire at their-" he coughed, not sure how to put that particular part of anatomy delicately. "And do they really make that noise?"

Charlie choked on his drink. "Percy!" The mating habits of dragons was never something he thought his brother would ask about. Especially not in correlation with an age-old rumor. The kind that school boys passed around while trying to suppress their giggles.

"Drinking and a gutter brain." He chuckled. "You've changed over the years. I think I might like the new you."

Percy grinned. "You'd be surprised what's changed. We all have to grow up sometime. I'll take that as a no, then?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sipping from her glass of punch, opting not to indulge in the drinks, as it seemed a little unfair to her that the bride and Tonks couldn't do so, Ginny watched the colorful dancing occurring on the sand.

The ceremony had been beautiful, and she'd cried right alongside her mother as her brother and Katie exchanged their vows. In fact, Ginny'd rarely had dry eyes all night. Bill's wedding had been too busy to just absorb the fact that her brother was happy and that she was gaining a sister. Here, on the beach, she was able to just reflect on the happiness that was seemingly hanging in the air, right next to the scent of the sea.

Draco jumped into the space next to Ginny. He'd been all over tonight, loving the vibe. It was fun. He'd been dancing with everyone, but not enough with his girlfriend. He'd even managed to horrify Greengrass by asking her to dance once.

"Tired?"

Ginny grinned, looking over at Draco with a raised eyebrow. "It's a wedding. Whether I'm tired or not makes no difference. Why? Are you?"

"Are you kidding? I would think you'd know about my stamina by now," Draco said with a saucy grin. "Dance with me?"

He did not wait for an answer, but hauled her out on the floor. Things were set at a fast pace, and while a slow dance was always lovely, Draco liked the energy this tempo provided.

Laughing as he twirled her around, Ginny held the bottom of her dress in one hand so she didn't trip on it, her other hand gripped in his. "I take it you know this type of dancing," she called over the music.

"Pesh is a dancer. I've never met anyone that loved to dance more. All I knew how to do before I met her was a very starchy waltz."

Draco stopped and dipped Ginny way back. "Now I like to blend things."

Hands gripping his shoulders as he dipped her backwards, Ginny let her hair fall, the ends of it brushing the sand. She laughed, lifting her head to look back up at him. "Apparently."

Draco smiled. "I could stay out here all night. You just let me know when you are tired. I'll take you home and put you to bed."


He wiggled his pale eyebrows at her.

Shaking her head as he lifted her back up, the look in her eyes bright and humorous, Ginny began trying to keep up with his feet. "You're incorrigible."


"I would hope that to be one of my finer qualities. I'd hate to think you adored me for my brilliant plans, always-excellent decisions and above-reproach behavior."

"Oh, I adore you for a great many things, Mr. Malfoy," Ginny said with a grin, leaning in to kiss his cheek.


"You do realize I will be wanting an exact list someday, right?"

"Someday," she answered, allowing him to lead her around the floor.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Avoiding Aunt Muriel?" Percy asked his father, grinning. "I don't think she's seen me yet."

Arthur smiled. "And you'd best pray that it remains that way. I don't think she knows that you're back from the dead yet. Imagine the scene she'd make."

Percy's eyes widened a bit in horror. "Hopefully she'll think I'm Bill with my long hair. Having a good time, Dad? I enjoy watching you and Mother around the dance floor."

"I'm just happy that they're playing so many waltzes," Arthur told him. "And don't bet on Muriel thinking you're Bill. She's still sharp as a tack, that one."

Percy sighed, wishing his youngest brother was sharing that particular trait at the moment.

Noting the look on his son's face, he asked, "What? Someone not being sharp as a tack?"

"Ron. He's exhibiting that particular Weasley stubbornness combined with his particular brand of tunnel vision," Percy said, softly. He honestly didn't like arguing with his brother, but Ron seemed to push his buttons best. "I knew this would be hard, Dad. I had no idea."

"Has everyone else been easier?"

Percy didn't respond right away. "In their own ways, a little. I think we're too similar, and too different, sometimes."

Arthur nodded. He'd have to take Ron out drinking sometime to see if he could get anything out of him.

"And Jack?"

"Jackson is a delight, thus far. I almost lost my composure when he climbed into my lap and looked excited at learning how to swear in Bulgarian."

Arthur was about to comment on how being excited to learn how to swear in foreign tongues was part of being a Weasley when he processed the other bit. "Lost your composure?" Please don't mean what I think you mean.

"Bawled like a baby, Dad."

Arthur let out the breath that he hadn't even known that he'd been holding. He slung an arm around Percy and squeezed "If you cry, you cry. He's yours. Don't hold him at arms length because you're afraid to let him in."

"I'll keep that in mind, Dad, thanks. This parent thing is hard. I'm sorry."

"You were pretty easy, all told. I'm waiting for an apology from Fred, though."

Percy laughed. "I think twins is apology enough. He and George kept you and Mother young."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was harder to see with only the fire and floating lamps for light, but Reese's gaze was drawn to the hand that held hers and the freckles dotting Percy's skin. She'd always noticed his hands, and it was the reason she'd recognized him at all when he'd been 'Leo' for awhile.

She traced the constellation she'd temporarily named him for with her eyes, letting him lead her in a gentle sway, before looking up at him.

"Are you happier being Percy, or do you miss being Leo?"

"I'm not quite sure yet," he replied, looking at Reese. "I think it was easier being just Leo, but then I would missed out on this-" he nodded at the sway of people still celebrating," - and I feel less stuck."

He'd danced with his newest sister, his former lover and the mother of his child, and now he was dancing with Reese, still not sure where she fit with him. She did fit, he knew, effortlessly, and he appreciated it. Percy wasn't sure how to express that appreciation without becoming awkward and overly formal, so he said nothing, continuing to guide the small blonde to the music.

Reese nodded slowly, taking time to turn over his words. She was distracted a lot, lately, and it took a bit of effort to make herself focus. There were her feelings, but she felt the pull of other feelings, almost from within her, but not hers all at the same time. It didn't happen as often when she was with Beckett, as everything inside of her seemed to agree on how to feel about him, but most everyone else caused distraction.

"I think I know what you mean," she finally said, lifting green eyes to his. "I don't really know why I feel different now, and I'm not sure what it is that's making it different, yet, but I feel like I've been waking up from a really, really long time of being stuck."

She tilted her head, gaze distant in thought again, colors filling her vision by default, the glowing golden firefly at the forefront as always. "And I didn't even know I was stuck, and starting to sink, even, until ..." Her brow knit as she tried to find the words. "... until I started to breathe for real, and see."

Reese focused back on Percy again. "Seeing some things, and not others though, and that's frustrating. I'm used to ... seeing." She didn't know how else to say that she was just used to seeing more of what was already there, the hidden parts, and just a little into the past and future parts, and right now she couldn't do that all the way, not with the painting she was doing of her and Beckett's colors mixing.

"But being less stuck is mostly a good thing, I think. Except for the part where you're free to move again, and that's a little bit scary."

He just nodded, and pulled Reese a little closer, dropping a kiss on the top of her hair. "I don't believe I could have said that better, and I'm generally a man without a loss for words."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"You're glowing," Charlie told Katie as he came up beside her. It was the first chance he'd had to talk to her since arriving. She'd been surrounded by friends and family the whole night.

"I have been really warm all night long," Katie nodded, grinning up at Charlie. "And I haven't even danced that much, but the boys are enjoying the party," she added, hands smoothing over the silky white material covering her large tummy, little feet and fists moving beneath her hands.

"It's not the weather, or the dancing," he returned. "You've got the pregnancy glow, of course. I've seen it often enough in Mum to recognize it. But you also have the happy glow. It's a good look on you."

"Happy with babies, with Fred's and my babies," Katie agreed, eyes crinkling with her smile. "And you look a little glowy too. Happy with the way things are kind." Her gaze shifted to Daphne, the woman he'd come with and she'd seen him with a few times now, and Katie blushed, realizing perhaps she had gone beyond her bounds.

Charlie followed her line of sight and smiled. She'd probably be distressed by all of the attention she was receiving from his family tonight. He supposed it was normal, though. They'd been together for months and the family had weddings and babies on the mind. He expected his mum to start pestering him about his own future just as soon as she saw Fred and Katie and the twins settled.

"Have the two of you decided on names yet?"

"Mmhmm," Katie nodded, reaching up to brush a stray lock of wavy blonde hair from her face, smile widening. "Corey George, and Devon Percy." Her eyes widened as a thought occurred to her, and it was more of an afterthought that she added, "we should probably tell Percy he's a nephew named for him."

"I think he'd like that," Charlie said before giving her a hug. "If you need anything, anything at all, feel free to ask me. Or anyone in the family, really. We look after our own, and you're ours."

A blush tinted Katie's cheeks as she returned Charlie's hug. She belonged to all of them now. "Thank you, Charlie."


Continued ...