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Title: THE GATHERING

Contributors: molly_w, _weasleyking_, ccreevy, kestralsfan, wings_of_charm, ___neville___, ginny_ginger

Edited by: Carla Lute

Posted: 2005-12-09 to 12

Game Date: August 20th

Disclaimer: No one at Levicorpus owns Harry Potter, the world or its characters. We just like to play in J.K. Rowling’s world.

Note: This is a long one, grouping several pre-wedding threads.

* * * * * * *

Molly had been up for hours, the kitchen was already filled with things bubbling, roasting and cooling. "They can't still be asleep," she muttered to herself, though she knew 'they' probably were. Fleur floated into the kitchen, rubbing sleep from her eyes and still managing to look elegant doing it.

"What should I do, Molly?" she asked. "Do you need help with anything?"

"Nonsense," Molly said. "The only thing you should worry about getting ready this morning is yourself." She stuck her head out in the hall. If Fleur was up, it was time for everyone else to be. "CHARLIE! RON! GINNY! HARRY! HERMIONE! It's time to get up. Guest will be arriving soon!" When this did not immediately bring bright faces peering over the staircase, Molly huffed, and ran up the stairs pounding on each bedroom. "UP! UP! Everyone up!"

Ron rolled over, covering his head with the pillow and groaning. "Five more minutes," he grumbled, snuggling back under the blankets that were covering him. After a minute, Ron sleepily opened his eyes, realizing that to get any hot water, he'd better be one of the first people into the shower. Rolling out of bed, he grabbed a towel and his toothbrush, walking quickly into the bathroom.

Arthur smiled as he wandered downstairs to the smell of his wife's marvelous cooking. Fortunately the Ministry had given him the day off so that he could help with whatever Molly and Fleur weren't already taking care of. It had proved to be rather uncomfortable when he had to apply to Percy in order to get permission, but it certainly was worth it. Arthur caught his wife and quickly dropped a kiss to her forehead before allowing her to continue scurrying about the kitchen. "Mollywobbles, dear, what can I do to help?"

"Arthur," Molly said in a low, serious voice. "I want you to keep track of the Order members, just in case there's trouble. Tonks is coming at some point, and Lupin and Kingsley should as well. Mad-Eye's already here and frightening people. He insisted on searching the grounds this morning."

Arthur nodded, but couldn't help and smile at his wife's organizational skills. "I'll take care of it." He winked to her before heading outside in search of Mad-Eye and whomever else he could find.

* * * * * * *

Promise rose and stretched then looked around blearilly for a few moments trying to remember who she was and why she was waking up for sleep is so much more wonderful than waking.

She blinked the sleep away then smiled, remembering what day it was and dashed off to prepare herself. She bathed and dressed and primped a bit then ran down to Hagrid's hut where Eclipse sat munching next to a dozing Fang. She pointed toward the ground demandingly at Eclipse who just looked at her irritably and flicked an ebony wing.

"Don't make me take out the wand, young lady!" Said Promise sternly.

Eclipse roled her emerald eyes and knelt to allow Promise to climb atop her side saddle (though she was bareback)then folded her wing back over Promise's legs to give the girl better balance.

Hagrid then came out and carolled a good morning. He was wearing his terrible suit and had attempted to comb his hair. Thankfully he'd not tried any cologne on.

With Charm settled on his shoulder he led promise and her giant winged horse to Hogsmeade where he indicated the building from which they'd be departing. Promise slid from Eclipse's back to the ground, careful to hold down her dress so it wouldn't fly up.

She then pet Eclipse's nose gently, "I'm sorry I can't take you love. I'd just ride you there, but I don't know if they'd have anywhere to keep you. If they need errands run or something, I'll come back here for you ok?" She kissed her horse's velvet nose then ran into the building after Hagrid to make use of the floo network.

Promise took Charm from Hagrid just before she said "The burrow" and waltzed into the fireplace.

Promise stepped from the fireplace at the Weasleys' emerging into a warm house and the first thing she noticed were the LOVELY smells. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It smelled amazing

She looked radient, her long black hair falling in gentle waves and curls around her shoulders and her lovely light blue dress setting of her dark skin beautifully and bringing out her cerulean blue eyes. Charm, her adorable pet, the black winged cat, sat upon her shoulder with her tail laced around Promise's neck loosely for balance.

After a moment of taking in the smells she opened her eyes and looked around for now she wasn't sure what to do. She hoped someone was there to greet her for she'd feel VERY awkward wandering about a stranger's home.

"Good morning," Molly called from the kitchen, as a girl popped out of the fireplace. She looked absolutely lovely except for the soot that dusted her from head to toe. "The bathroom's right through there dear if you to freshen up again. I'm sorry...I don't think I know your name."

Promise coughed slightly and had quickly reached for her wand, looking baffled.

"Umn...I'm Promise and I COMPLETELY forgot about how messy this mode of transport can be."
Charm was trying valiantly to get soot off of her nose to no avail so Promise reached over and rubbed it off for her cat.

"and Thank you, I'll take you up on that bathroom offer," She looked down at her dress and grimaced before disappearing into the bathroom. She appeared fairly quickly afterward looking fresh, happy, and clean again. "Thank goodness for magic," She murmured as she checked her dress to see if she'd missed any soot.

She then shyly walked into the kitchen and piped up, "Is there anything I can help with, Ma'am?"

"Oh, Promise! It's been so long since I've seen a picture. So glad you could make it," exclaimed Molly. "Of course you can help, we've set the big tables up out in the garden. If you can start taking the food out there, it would be very helpful."

Promise beamed brilliantly at the prospect of being able to help out and quickly had three plates balancing on her left arm, a platter in her right and using her wand to have a couple hover behind her. She smiled, "I've been a waitress for three years," She explained then headed outside to place the food on the tables. She was glad she was making herself useful, she'd feel very awkward if she was just standing there. And Mrs. Weasley seemed so nice!

* * * * * * *

Colin woke up that morning and donned his dress robes. He'd always hated the dratted things, but they were necessary. It wasn't a casual wedding after all.

He threw a pinch of floo powder into his fireplace and shouted, "The Burrow." A few spins and he arrived safely in Molly's kitchen.

"Hello!" he said cheerily while getting up from the floor. After a moment of dusting himself off, he took a quick picture of Molly. "Lovely house you have. Mind if I wander?"

He hoped to get as many pictures as he could, recording the wedding process as it were.

Colin stepped out into the yard. He felt like a nuissance when he was indoors with all the hustle and bustle from people of the wedding party preparing for their day.

Momentarily stunned by the flash, Molly let Colin pass without a word.

* * * * * * *

Blaise checked his silver and white patterned robes in mirror. He had brushed and whitened his teeth, trimmed his hair and nails, and done every other thing he could think of...but he had simply run out of things to do to delay. He had even tidied his London flat. Tracey still had not written him back. He remembered her saying something about being busy, but just so that he could delay his departure a little longer, he wrote her a second letter and sent it off.

Blaise checked the mirror one last time, unable to find any flaws in his appearance, and gave up putting things off an longer. He locked his flat, stepped outside, and apparated to the Burrow.

* * * * * * *

Ron got out of the shower and walked to his room to change. Crossing the hall, he could already hear the bustle of people below and he wasn't sure that he was looking forward to going downstairs to be a part of it. Changing into the dress robes that Fred and George had bought him, he combed his hair, and picked up his room a bit, delaying the time that he had to go downstairs. After Harry had changed into his robes, he gave one last look around the room before deciding that he had to go join the group of people congregating in his house.

Slowly walking down the stairs, Ron sighed. "This is going to be a long day," he muttered. Walking up to his mom, he asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Colin Creevey just arrived," Molly told Ron, her forehead lightly creased with worry. She had read Neville's journal. "He went out to the yard, said he wanted to look around. Could you keep an eye on him, Ron?""

Ron rolled his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood to babysit, especially Colin, who'd be sure to talk nonstop and take pictures of everything and everyone. "Of course, Mum."

Promise was very absorbed in the task of walking and almost crashed directly into Ron, and depositing her load of food that was headed to the tables outside all over him. However at the last moment she stopped short, blue eyes wide and made a small sound of surprise.

"Sorry! Didn't see you there...probably should have but what can I say? I'm a bit of a dolt." She winked at him before scooting out the door to complete her trip.

Ron let out an air of surprise as a girl he had never seen almost crashed into him.

"Don't worry about it," he called after her. "This is getting ridiculous," he said under his breath as he continued on his search of Colin.

Ron grabbed a piece of toast before walking outside. "Oi, Colin," he called after the little blonde, catching up with him near the tree. "How've you been?"

Colin was taking pictures of the yard when he heard Ron approach; he actually put his camera down to his chest. "Good. What's up mate?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing really. Mum just sent me out here because she said you wanted to take a look around. Merlin knows why you couldn't have done it by yourself, but I'm not about to disagree with her today," Ron said, kicking a rock.

Colin began frantically snapping pictures. He loved when people were so natural around him. He captured Ron's foot just colliding with the rock, and new it would be one of his more artistic pictures of the day.

"Looking forward to the wedding? The Delacours joining the Weasleys, great huh!" he said cheerily.

The tents further away from the house looked beautiful from here. Providing just enough shade, and there was a perfect amount of wind to make the silk sway. "Are we allowed to go in there?"

"I'm looking forward to it being over," Ron mumbled. Looking up at the tents Colin was pointing at, Ron shrugged. "I don't see why not, I guess."

Blaise apparated onto the Weasleys’ lawn. There was already quite a crowd milling about. He sighed and headed towards the buffet set up in the garden, praying that at least some of it would be edible. He was just picking up a promising looking French appetizer, when he was momentarily blinded by a bright flash.

"What the devil?!" he exclaimed bringing his hand up to shield his eyes. As his vision cleared he made out and hyper as ever Colin Creevey and a rather bored looking Weasley.

"Oy!" Colin yelled. "How're ya mate?"

"I've been better," Blaise said coolly and crinkled his nose at the Mudblood.

"What is with the guest list to this wedding?" Ron exclaimed as Blaise walked towards them.

"Zabini," Ron said stiffly.

"Weasley," Blaise returned in the same tone. "I’m with the bride's side...happily."

"Well, obviously," he said, his voice rich with sarcasm. "We definitely wouldn't invite you."

Blaise gave Ron an icy glare and walked away. He wished Tracey or even Draco was there. He spotted Seamus Finnigan talking to a very pretty girl he had not seen before and slipped closer to see if he could hear anything of interest.

* * * * * * *

Seamus woke up early, but surprisingly he didn't feel tired. He dressed, packed up his dress robes, and grabbed a quick breakfast before throwing some powder into the fireplace and shouting "The Burrow!" Moments later the spinning stopped, and he stumbled out of the fireplace at the Burrow. He looked around, trying to spot his friends in the growing crowd that was bustling through the house, helping with last minute preparations, half of the people doing exactly what Seamus was doing: trying to figure out what they should be doing and where to be.

Molly set down her last tray of food and noticed a boy who she believed to be in Ron's dorm. "Seamus, Seamus Finnigan, is that you?"

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley! I wasn't sure exactly where I should be, or what I'm supposed to be doing."
He looked around. "Looking great, I bet you've been busy."

"Extremely," Molly said with a smile. "And I have a job for you, if you're up to it. That young lady over their with the black hair and unusual cat is the daughter of an school friend of mine. She's going to be attending Hogwarts this year and doesn't know a soul. It would be very nice, if you would go introduce yourself to her, and then perhaps help her make introduction with the other young people."

Seamus made his way over to the girl Mrs. Weasley pointed out as Promise. "Hello! I'm Seamus Finnigan, Mrs. Weasley says you're a new Hogwarts student?"

Promise didn't reply for a moment, her face was crunched in concentration (not the prettiest of sights). She finally managed to set down her armload of food and get her 5 floating plates on the table safely (she was getting a little overzealous).

Finally she looked up at Seamus, her pretty face relaxing, and her blue eyes lighting up with glee. Another student! Hooray! She smiled at him brilliantly, "Hello, Seamus! My name is Promise, and yeah, I'm the new Hogwarts student. Well I'm an exchange student anyway. As you can probably tell from the accent that I don't realize I have, I'm from America."

She beamed, "Nice to meet you. What year?"

Charm peeped irritably, ruffling her feathers.

"Oh sorry, This is my ca...er...friend, Charm" Promise said, motioning to the little black winged cat. She cut herself short from saying 'cat' for the term tended to make little Charm very displeased...and when Charm was displeased...claws were involved.

Blaise had intended to hang back, but he was fascinated by the cat. He had not seen one like that before. "Did you transfigure her?" he asked indicating Charm. "Or is this a new breed I'm not aware of?"

Promise turned around, looking slightly startled, bright eyes wide, she hadn't realized he was there. "Oh, yeah, no I didn't transfigure her, I think she'd eat my face off. She's actually a race native to the mountains in Montana. Back where I grew up in the states. They're kind of rare but that's just because they have a very small habitat. I think they call themselves the Car Danathi, but I don't know. She can't speak human languages very well, her mouth isn't made for it. Then again she doesn't have much interesting to say anyway."

Charm reached out and cuffed Promise across the face causing Promise to smirk. Charm was sitting up, glaring at Promise indignantly and made a squawking sound. "Watch your mouth, Charm," Promise said with a good-natured look on her face.

Blaise reached out a hand to stroke Charm behind the ears. "Car Danathi? I've never had a cat, but I don't think I'd mind one like this."

Charm shrunk back a bit until Promise glared at her, "Oh knock it off, Charm. Stop being standoffish."
Charm stopped and let Blaise stroke her fur which was almost unnaturally soft.

"She doesn't like you yet...but don't be offended. The only things she does like are chicken, sushi, and money."
This drew another cuff from Charm. Promise smiled, "Another helpful thing is that they can apparate. It's a defense mechanism, but it works out very well for Charm being a messenger. She can do cross-continental apparation as well. That's why my mother let me keep her, actually. Since they're overseas a lot, and it's nice to be able to send letters. I'll tell my mom that if she finds any more eggs that you're interested."

Blaise broke a piece of chicken off one of the dishes and presented it to Charm. "You mean they hatch?" he asked Promise. "Yes, I'd be very interested."

Charm's cold exterior instantly melted and she gave a slight squee of joy, instantly leaping into Blaise's arms to get the chicken.

Promise laughed, the fact that Charm who was the type who liked to pretend she wasn't interested in much, turned into a little kitten when chicken was involved never ceased to amuse her.

"See? Chicken? Now if you'd presented chicken AND money she'd love you forever. But, yes, they hatch from eggs. And you really need to get them as eggs and be there when they hatch, as well. When they're born and you are the first person they see they will impress upon you, much like birds will. They won't be under the illusion that you're their mother however they will form a bond with you that will make them loyal to you and only you for the rest of their lives...unless you do something to really, REALLY piss them off that is."

Blaise cocked an eyebrow. He had assumed that he smelled like money. He realized Charm snuggling in his arms meant black cat hair all over his silver and white robes, but he did not mind so much as he might have. He stroked the Car Danathi's back, examining her wings, and gave her another piece of chicken.

Charm purred happily and munched on the chicken, loving the attention, as she tended to do. Promise smiled, glad Charm had decided to be friendly with Blaise with no more than a piece of chicken. A lot of times she was far more stubborn about new people than that. Perhaps his interest in her kind made her like him more.

* * * * * * *

Arthur nearly fell over as a flash of light hit him and immediately he had his wand out as he stumbled, ready to throw out a petrifying curse, if necessary. He slowly lowered his wand when he saw nothing more than several boys standing around, including one who was holding a rather odd looking contraption in his hand. It took Arthur a full moment to realize that it was a camera, but when he did he felt the grin jump to his lips and he motioned towards it. "Is that a camera??!!" Of course, he knew very well that it was, but that did not prevent him from asking the question, just the same.

Colin nodded ecstatically. It wasn't often someone seemed as excited about cameras aside from himself. "Would you like to take a look Mr. Weasley?" he didn't wait for an answer, and began to take the strap off from around his neck.

It was all that Arthur could do to stop himself from tearing the camera from the boy's hands in curiosity and instead gingerly took it from him as the boy handed it to him. "I've never seen one up close before!" As with many things, a camera of such a quality as this one was something that the Weasley budget simply did not allow. "How does it work?" He didn't wait for the boy to answer and eagerly pressed one of the buttons, waiting to see what happened.

Colin didn't mind him pressing buttons, but when he saw which button he had his finger on, he near yelped. "Wait! Mr. Weasley-" too late. The film cartridge swung open and was exposed to the light. Collin frowned. "The film is ruined now."

Arthur had an apologetic look on his face, and Collin knew he felt bad. "I have more film in my pocket though," he said, trying to cheer up Arthur. There went the picture of the rock Ron kicked.

Collin didn't make a move to take the Camera from Arthur. He figured it best to let Arthur fiddle with it before he fixed it.

Arthur felt his heart sink, but the boy's remarkable cheerfulness raised his spirits slightly. After experimenting with the camera for a few more moments, he passed it back to Colin. "May I see how it's done?"

Collin smiled and took the camera from Arthur’s hands. He loaded a new roll of film, and re-adjusted everything. He lifted it to his eyes and pointed it at Mr. Weasley. His forefinger pressed the shutter, and the flash went.

He placed it back on his chest afterwards and gave Mr. Weasley a try. "I could probably give you one of my old cameras if you'd like," he offered. Arthur was infamous for his fascination with Muggle artifacts and Collin knew he'd probably appreciate it.

Arthur blinked after the light had passed and grinned at the boy's offer. "That would be absolutely brilliant!" He suddenly checked his enthusiasm, reminding himself that he was no longer a child, but couldn't wipe his grin free. "I will pay, of course, but that would be wonderful, Mr. . . . um, I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Creevey, but just call me Collin," he said, grinning. "I'll owl it to you tomorrow."

He brought the camera back up to his face and began to retake the pictures of the tents in the distance, and anything else he could think of. He didn't think Mr. Weasley would consider it rude. If anything Collin figured he'd appreciate it, as odd as that would be.

"That would be wonderful, Collin." Arthur watched as the boy returned to his photography and sighed, remembering Molly's assignment for him. He quickly glanced around hoping that she wasn't secretly watching him, ready to slap him with her rolling pin for not following orders. Instead, he spotted Mad-Eye speaking animatedly with one of the young students who appeared to almost be in tears, and Arthur rushed over to break it up.

* * * * * * *

Neville got up early in the morning and got ready as quickly as he could. He was so excited to finally be seeing people his own age that weren't Death Eaters or people that wanted something from him. This was going to be such a fun day! As soon as he was ready, he said goodbye to his gran and apparated to the Burrow.

Once there, he saw that everyone was very busy, so he quickly said hello to everyone and then made himself scarce.

* * * * * * *

Ginny tumbled out of the shower, towelling off long, straight red hair end eyeing herself in the mirror. Her hair was a little messier than she'd have liked: had she been at school, she might have charmed it a little straighter, but unfortunately, magic was not allowed outside of school. She briefly considered setting it into rollers and seeing what it would do, but decided it wasn't worth the risk.

Shaking out a bit more of the water, she resigned herself to letting it dry on its own, threw on a tshirt and jeans, and grabbed a very unfortunate looking muffin - whoever made it had certainly not been a Delacour. It tasted alright, some sort of bran something, and after scarfing it down, she went to changing into her dress for the wedding. It was made of a rich blue satin, and Ginny didn't really hate the dress for itself so much as she hated it on principle. Fleur picked it out, and it was too low in the front. The dress did, however, hang well from her small frame, for which she was grateful.

Charging down the stairs in her dress, hair still only mostly dry and now quite straight from brushing it with the Sleakeasy's Wet to Dry Hair Straightening Brush. She was chilly and barefooted on the hard wooden floors, walking into the kitchen as guests were beginning to arrive and looking expectantly at her harried mother, waiting to recieve an assignment or find guests to greet.

Arthur watched his daughter skip down the stairs, her hair still wet and he frowned. "Ginny, there's no need to catch cold just to help out your mother." He smiled in Molly's direction just in case she was listening, then slipped his wand free and tapped it in his daughter's direction. "Exarescus." He watched as her hair shimmered and became dry.

Ginny smiled and nodded, "Does that mean I don't have to help?" she joked turning to her father with a mischievous little glint in her eye. "Thanks for that, dad. I hate not being of age."

Arthur smiled at her daughter. "I wish, honey, but I think your mum has assignments all lined up for each of us." He patted her lightly on the back before heading outside to begin searching for Mad-Eye and any other potential trouble maker.

"Ginny, there you are!" Molly said. She stepped back to admire her daughter. "I don't care what you say. You look absolutely lovely. Now be a dear and go help Fleur."

Ginny curled her lips a little to note her disdain for being asked to do something with Fleur, but dropped the attitude after a moment and nodded in resignation. "You're joking - lovely in this? Alright, I'll go."

An origami swan, small and white, flitted through the air, flying in through an open window. It dodged several guests and two cats before finding it's way to Ginny where it began to slowly circle her head.

A black-haired boy would like to meet you behind the old oak tree by the lake.

Ginny opened the note and smiled, noticing the corners of her lips curl into a slight smile. At least someone would provide her with a distraction from the wedding madness.

She slid on silver shoes and walked to wear the note dictated, still smiling slightly and wondering who it was from. Her first thought was Harry - though with as many people as had arrived now, it could have been others.

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