“I flirt with other women, another compulsion, so I understand what you’re doing but I’m still jealous because I worry about you doing better. I don’t know how to deal with the tears, but I listen and I’ve stopped telling you to just leave the job and instead encourage you to keep being a thorn in Skeeters side. She is the insecure one if she still holds a grudge this long later. I tell you that she’s jealous because of your youth, beauty, and talent as well naturally.” He didn’t take Victoire’s claim that she was being too honest as serious as it was, but he upped his own confession all the same. “I still can’t sleep without the bedroom door open and sometimes the window. I won’t step foot in any room below street level without time to prepare.”
“Ready,” he followed her out, glancing in the mirror himself before doing so. Once outside he slung an arm around her waist in preparation for her to apparate them to her parents.
‘‘Beyond jealous,’‘ she deadpanned, still eyeing him, before losing eye contact in favor of the mirror. She only regained real interest, facing Scorpius again, though she had been listening all along, when he mentioned what seemed to be the aftermaths of being kidnapped by the Mayte. She turned on her sympathetic face for a split minute before they moved onto better things. It was the nice and human thing to do.
Apparating at the Burrow on Christmas was limited to certain spots to secure the place, but Victoire still remembered the old red couch in the kitchen. It was probably too sudden of an entrance, but that was what they were going for, weren’t they? Suddenly surrounded by red heads, she smiled unknowingly. As much as she tried to hide it, it smelled like home and that was still comforting no matter how fast she’d be running away from it.
‘’Grandma!’’ She was always first. ‘’Grandma...’’ she sighed into the woman’s hair in a hug. Then, reminded of the context, she remained in Molly Weasley’s arms while turning around to the rest of the family. She quickly checked their faces, sad to notice they were less surprised by her actually showing up and more taken with Scorpius. ‘’Oh, right. Look what the cat dragged in.’’ Like a child, she glanced at her parents, feeling fifteen again. ‘’No one faint. I’m getting married. This is Scorpius Malfoy. We love each other.’’
‘‘Honestly? Finally,’‘ grandma broke the ice joyfully, while everyone else seemed in confusion and skepticism still. Her grandparents wanted their eldest grandchild to get married already.
Victoire’s voice turned hoarse, but still overwhelmed by adrenaline. This wasn’t an usual game she played. ‘’Fleur, Bill...’’ she began, knowing that the only ones with reactions worth worrying about had to be mum and dad. Upon scanning the room, she was relieved that Louis seemed to not be in the room at the moment.
‘‘It’s very nice to meet you, Scorpius,’‘ madame Weasley spoke bravely, knowing how to be diplomatic although her still artistically beautiful face said nothing but disapproval for how the bomb was dropped, all directed at Victoire. She stretched out her hand in an attempt at warmth. The sad part was that it was entirely believable Vic would get married to someone her family didn’t even know. She hardly ever spoke to them.
Bill took a step ahead, although taken aback. He wasn’t afraid of young boys or preparing to be threatening in front of his daughters’ boyfriends. The shock was real and almost thermic, since this wasn’t a relationship as much as a marriage announcement, but he was adaptable enough. He eyed Victoire with a sober face, analyzing his daughter. He chose to trust her like he trusted her with all the questionable choices she’s been making lately. Victoire was a good child. ‘’Welcome to the family, Scorpius. And this small crowd isn’t even half of us, so get prepared. You’ll have to learn quite a few names. And I’d love to get to know you.’’ Victoire felt a sudden wave of emotion over how well her father was handling it. Her smile reeked of gratitude before she even noticed it.
Dominique seemed conflicted, though intrigued, nudging Victoire gently. It was the first amiable interaction they had with each other in months and when her sister rose on her toes to hug her, she knew she had an authentic bride-to-be reaction to show, even though she wasn’t that good of an actress. Yet, in that moment, it was great to imagine how emotional this would be if real. She knew instantly that if her chosen spouse took Scorpius’ place, not much would be different at all after all.
‘‘Welcome to the family,’‘ uncle Ron mirrored, handing Scorpius a small glass already pouring some alcohol in it. Victoire smirked under her breath. She could have sworn she heard him whisper, just earlier, something about what kind of name is Scorpius anyway and then some gossip about the father. His wife, aunt Hermione, wasn’t looking at him with much kinder eyes, though she was the most polite of them all and she had to feel a faint air of melancholy over the son of an old school mate. His family name apparently still left a bitter taste, despite all memories, though.
Albeit confused and agitated, the rest of the present members came by to congratulate the prodigal daughter with a cheek kiss and the groom with a handshake.
Aunt Ginny, visibly weakened and paler than in other years, for this marked a year without Albus and Harry, even dared to open her mouth to ask, ‘’How is your father doing?’’
