Therefore gone to meet the Delacours on top of a nearby hill, where they were to arrive by

Portkey. The first sound of their approach was an unusually high-pitched laugh, which

Turned out to be coming from Mr. Weasley, who appeared at the gate moments later,

Laden with luggage and leading a beautiful blonde woman in long, leaf green robes, who

could be Fleur’s mother.

“Maman!” cried Fleur, rushing forward to embrace her. “Papa!”

Monsieur Delacour was nowhere near as attractive as his wife; he was a head

Shorter and extremely plumb, with a little, pointed black beard. However, he looked

Good-natured. Bouncing towards Mrs. Weasley on high-heeled boots, he kissed her twice

On each cheek, leaving her flustered.

“You ‘ave been so much trouble,” he said in a deep voice. “Fleur tells us you ‘ave

been working very ‘ard.”

“Oh, it’s been nothing, nothing!” trilled Mrs. Weasley. “No trouble at all!”

Ron relieved his feelings by aiming a kick at a gnome who was peering out from

Behind one of the new Flutterby bushes.

“Dear lady!” said Monsieur Delacour, still holding Mrs. Weasley’s hand between

his own two plump ones and beaming. “We are most honored at the approaching union of

our two families! Let me present my wife, Apolline.”

Madame Delacour glided forward and stooped to kiss Mrs. Weasley too.

“Enchantée,” she said. “Your ‘usband ‘as been telling us such amusing stories!”

Mr. Weasley gave a maniacal laugh; Mrs. Weasley threw him a look, upon which

He became immediately silent and assumed an expression appropriate to the sickbed of a

Close friend.

“And, of course, you ‘ave met my leetle daughter, Gabrielle!” said Monsieur

Delacour. Gabrielle was Fleur in miniature; eleven years old, with waist-length hair of

Pure, silvery blonde, she gave Mrs. Weasley a dazzling smile and hugged her, then threw

Harry a glowing look, batting her eyelashes. Ginny cleared her throat loudly.

“Well, come in, do!” said Mrs. Weasley brightly, and she ushered the Delacours

into the house, with many “No, please!”s and “After you!”s and “Not at all!”s.

The Delacours, it soon transpired, were helpful, pleasant guests. They were

Pleased with everything and keen to assist with the preparations for the wedding.

Monsieur Delacour pronounced everything from the seating plan to the bridesmaids’

shoes “Charmant!” Madame Delacour was most accomplished at household spells and

Had the oven properly cleaned in a trice; Gabrielle followed her elder sister around, trying

To assist in any way she could and jabbering away in rapid French.

On the downside, the Burrow was not built to accommodate so many people. Mr.

And Mrs. Weasley were now sleeping in the sitting room, having shouted down Monsieur

and Madame Delacour’s protests and insisted they take their bedroom. Gabrielle was

sleeping with Fleur in Percy’s old room, and Bill would be sharing with Charlie, his best

Man, once Charlie arrived from Romania. Opportunities to make plans together became

Virtually nonexistent, and it was in desperation that Harry, Ron and Hermione took to

Volunteering to feed the chickens just to escape the overcrowded house.

“But she still won’t leave us alone!” snarled Ron, and their second attempt at a

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 563