Ernie & Astoria WHO: Ernie MacMillan & Astoria Greengrass (Draco Malfoy may make an appearance) WHAT: Ernie did not want to attend the Weasley renewal alone so an old friend obliges. WHERE: Around the Burrow. WHEN: Saturday afternoon. RATING: PG
Ernie had never been one to get too distracted by dating. Yes, he had a crush here and there over the years, but he was always more focused on other matters. First there had been school, then a war, and then the DMLE. Helga had been the first one to break into that bubble. He knew Analisa would fulfill that role at home, but here? He fell for Helga before he knew anything about his future marriage. He would not deny that he could see why he fell in love with Analisa, but right now? They barely knew each other. The distance with Analisa was likely his fault. Helga had even pushed him away so he could explore things with the young woman though Ernie resisted. Neither he nor Analisa wanted anything romantic and forcing it would do neither any good. He knew who he loved and it wasn't Analisa. Not here. Why did everyone else get to redo their lives? What was the point of Ernie even being in the village if he could play out things the same way at home? Double standards existed. How could they not? There was no handbook for a magical village that defied time and space. Still, he couldn't just stop living. He had been in the village for one year so it was unlikely he was going anywhere any time soon. Knowing that, he felt determined to remain in touch with those he cared about. Astoria certainly fell under that category. Not only had they been friendly before, but their families knew each other. On top of that, he knew he reconciled with Draco in the future and they were part of each other's lives. How could he not be there for Astoria now? He knew there was trouble with the Malfoys not only because of what his "niece" and "nephew" confided to him, but because he knew Draco well enough to know he was in his avoidance phase. Maybe Ernie couldn't draw Draco out, but he could at least be there for his mate's future wife. No matter what happened in the village, Ernie cared about them. For that reason, he invited Astoria to the Weasley vow renewal. Hiding away did no one any good, did it?
Maybe Ernie should have been thinking about Analisa as he watched Molly and Arthur renew their promises, but he wasn't. He was thinking of Helga. Merlin, would that feeling ever go away? She had been his first real relationship so heartbreak was new to him. Still, he hoped he covered up his feelings as he turned to Astoria. "Lovely ceremony, wasn't it?" It made him think about his parents too. Oh, how he missed them.