FIC: If Our Two Loves be One
Title: If Our Two Loves be One
Author/Artist: sirmioneforever
Prompt: #122, four weddings in four seasons. By leontinabowie
Pairing(s): Hermione/Rabastan, Parvati/Lavender, Harry/Susan, Antonin/Regulus.
Word Count: 6,289
Rating: M
Warning(s): fluff, slight angst
Disclaimer:Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thank you so much to marc_duork for beta’ing.
Summary: Four different weddings in four seasons.
If Our Two Loves be One
Spring
Hermione woke up feeling relaxed and ready for the day ahead. She had decided to get up quite early to make sure that everything would be ready on time and that she wouldn’t have to rush.
As she got up and ran her bath, Hermione thought about how much things had changed over the past few years.
Rastaban Lestrange had come into her life at just the right time. He had just been released from Azkaban, having been acquitted after he was found to have been under the Imperius curse, and she had found comfort in him after her failed engagement to Ron.
Hermione was walking down one side of a busy corridor trying to dodge people so she didn’t spill the coffee she had just made.
Her day so far had not gone to plan at all and the last thing she needed was to get boiling hot coffee down her robes; but that’s what happened a few minutes later.
As she neared the end of the corridor, someone decided to turn the corner backwards and walk straight into her.
Hermione cursed as the hot liquid seeped through her clothes.
“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” the man asked.
“I’m just peachy,” Hermione replied sarcastically.
“Bad day, huh?” they asked.
“Tell me about it,” Hermione muttered as she failed to get the coffee stain out with magic.
“Marigold’s dry cleaning can get stains like coffee out, and they do it within a day.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Hermione replied gratefully.
Looking up, Hermione did not know whom to expect but it certainly wasn’t Rabastan Lestrange.
She had heard about his release from Harry, but had never seen the man since. Rabastan looked a lot younger than the last time she had seen him, and there was a definite change in the aura around him too. There was still a hint of danger there, but nothing, which made her quiver in fear.
“It’s no problem. Maybe...maybe I can buy you a coffee sometime? To make up for the one I spilt,” he added sounding a little unsure of himself.
Hermione hesitated for a second before saying yes.
“Great. Just owl me a time that you are free and I will meet you. I will let you pick the place as I’m sure you know more than me,” he said with a small smile.
They said goodbye and Hermione returned to her office.
She couldn’t quite believe that had actually said yes to going on a coffee date with Rabastan Lestrange, but her instincts no longer seemed to fear him.
If she could forgive other people for acting out under threat, or under the Imperius curse, then why couldn’t she try and forgive him?
They took things slowly for the first few months as they were both keen to get to know each other properly, but it was obvious after a short while just how perfect they were together. Rabastan had proposed on their first anniversary and Hermione knew that this time around it was right.
Hermione and Rabastan had decided to have a spring wedding, and they decided on the spring equinox in March. The day was an extension of another pagan festival, which symbolised renewal and rebirth. They thought that it would show the wizarding world that it was truly a new era.
A knock at the door to her guest room brought Hermione out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she called through the open bathroom door.
"Hermione?" Ginny called questioningly.
"I'm in the bathroom, Ginny," Hermione replied.
“Do you need any help?” she said poking her head through the door.
“I’m fine thanks Ginny, but I would be grateful if you could start making the primrose crown if you wanted. The basket is next to my desk,” Hermione said appreciating her friend’s thoughtfulness.
It was only one of the many things, which they had done to honour the arrival of spring.
"Good morning, Miss Granger. I see you got the bath set I sent over yesterday," Evelyn said, poking her head around the door.
The elder woman was in charge of Hermione's beauty regime, and all of the lotions she used were made from natural products. It was the main reason why Hermione had wanted to hire her.
"Yes, thank you," Hermione commented.
All morning, people streamed in and out, trying to make sure everything was in place, asking her questions about the most insignificant details. After years of practice organising the men in her life, Hermione was in her element and directed the flower bearers and excitable relatives to and fro as though it were any other formal event. It was only when she saw her bridesmaids all lined up in their delicate yellow dresses that it really hit her that she was about to get married, and it took fifteen minutes to calm her down.
At twelve-thirty Hermione put on her dress, and as she stood adjusting it in the mirror Harry came through the door.
"You look beautiful, Hermione," he said.
He had wanted to go in earlier, but thought he should wait until she was properly dressed.
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione replied, beaming.
"I think you might even stun him."
"Let's hope so," she said nervously.
"They're ready for you, Hermione," Ginny informed her.
Hermione took a deep breath and walked towards Harry’s outstretched arm.
Harry walked her down the grand staircase and out into the gardens of Lestrange Court.
The gardens were buzzing with new life as all the spring flowers were just coming into bloom. There were rows of daffodils, primroses, and tulips, and several of the trees had also begun to blossom.
It looked like something from a dream and Hermione nearly had to pinch herself to see if it was real.
The size of the crowd ahead stunned Hermione for a moment. Although she had sent out the invitations herself, Hermione never thought that this many people would actually come. Many invitations had been written to acquaintances who she did not want to offend by simply not asking them to attend the wedding.
The music that had been playing changed as she came into view, and Pachabel’s Canon in D Major began. Hermione had decided on the piece because her father always used to play it when she was a child.
The whole congregation rose, and many of them craned their necks to get a look at her as she walked past.
Hermione had to take a deep, long breath before she started walking down the aisle. It was lucky she had Harry next to her giving her encouragement.
Hermione wished it could have been her father walking her down the aisle, but he had died two years before. She missed him every day, but today even more so.
The lingering sadness that she felt went away the moment she saw Rabastan. He had brought her more love and happiness than she could ever have wished for and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.
Before she stood next to Rabastan, Hermione glanced at her mother.
Jean Granger was already dabbing her handkerchief under her eyes from the tears that had already fallen.
"Friends, family, and esteemed guests, we are gathered here today to witness the handfasting of Hermione Jean, and Rabastan Ophion," the officiate announced.
"Rabastan, please give Hermione your vow."
"Hermione, I vow to love, honour, and respect you. I will care for you and any children we may have the way a husband and father should," Rabastan recited his eyes full of affection for the woman in front of him.
"Hermione, you may recite your vows to Rabastan."
"Rabastan, I vow that I will love, respect, care for, and be faithful to you," Hermione said as her eyes filled with tears. She had been practising the words all morning but they didn’t have the same impact as saying them in front of all her friends and family.
"Please turn towards each other and hold each other's opposite hand," he said as they clasped the other's right hand.
As he tied a knot around their entwined hands, they shared their declarations of intention.
"Rabastan and Hermione have made their vows and declarations to each other. The binding of their hands symbolises their union, and in unbinding them, it shows that they stay together of their own free will. They will now exchange rings to represent union."
Hermione and Rabastan exchanged the rings.
"I now present to you Mr and Mrs Rabastan Lestrange," the officiate said as the crowd cheered and clapped.
Before the couple walked off the platform, they jumped over the broom which had been placed in front of it. It was traditional for a handfasting as it symbolised the bride and groom starting their new life together.
The celebrations carried on long after the sunset below the blooming trees. A great bonfire was lit outside the marquee where the reception was being held and people walked around the flourishing gardens enjoying the first bit of spring.
When almost everyone had bidden them farewell, and only a couple of the more drunken uncles remained, Hermione and Rabastan slipped away.
The whole day had been amazing and Hermione would have only felt happier if her father was there, but she could feel him watching over her and that was enough.
Summer
The summer sun was glaring down on the guests as they filed into the large marquee that was standing in the Brown family’s garden.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil’s engagement came as no shock to the people who knew them. The couple had been together since the war had ended, and it was obvious that how much they loved each other. Most of their peers had accepted their relationship and had no problem that they had found comfort in each other. The only people who had strongly objected were Parvati’s parents.
They had wanted to see her settle down and have children with a man who had a similar background to her own. They had even dragged her sister, Padma, into the argument by stating that she had managed to find a nice, respectable young man from America to marry.
Parvati had tried to explain to her parents that she wouldn’t be happy with anyone else, but they had stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. Padma had tried to intervene on her behalf and hadn’t had much luck. Parvati’s parents had eventually said that they would not have any contact with her until she ended her relationship with Lavender. She had in turn told her parents that she would always love them, but she loved Lavender as well and knew she would not be happy without her by her side. They had not spoken since then, but there was nothing more Parvati could do than wait for them to come around.
The couple had been planning the wedding for six months and had decided that they just wanted something simple. There would only be around forty guests, as they wanted to be surrounded by their closest friends and family only. They had decided on a non-religious ceremony with several readings and songs about love and commitment instead.
Parvati was in one of the guest rooms putting the last few touches to her saree before she went downstairs. The colour was a bright pink, not dissimilar to what she wore for the Yule Ball in their fourth year, but this was more extravagant. This one was embellished with silver and lavender flowers to represent her lover.
“Come in,” Parvati called as a knock came at the door.
The door opened to reveal her sister, Padma, and her brother-in-law, Michael. They would be the ones walking her down the aisle instead of her parents.
“They’re ready for you,” Padma informed her.
“I’m almost there. Can you check everything is okay with the saree please?” she asked standing up and twirling around so Padma could see her clearly.
“You look beautiful. Lavender will be stunned when she sees you, and I’m sure she’ll love the flowers too,” Padma replied smiling.
"Is my bindi wonky though? I always do it wonky," she gabbled.
"It's fine, Parvati." Padma rolled her eyes, "Stop fiddling with it, you'll make it worse."
"So it is wonky! Oh, can you do it again for me sis?"
Padma pulled Parvati's shaking hands away from her forehead and held them until they stilled. "Honestly, Pav, you look perfect," she smiled.
Her sister always seemed to calm her down, and a few seconds later, the nerves were gone.
The walk from the guest room to the marquee seemed to take forever, though in reality it was only a couple of minutes. During that time Parvati looked over the decorations, and enjoyed the heat from the glaring sun.
She was happy that the weather had stayed pleasant enough for the wedding to still be held outside. Lavender had originally wanted a spring wedding, but another of their friends had decided to marry then and they pushed the date back so it wouldn’t overshadow their own.
The guests stood when she entered the marquee and ‘oohhed’ and ‘aahhed’ as she walked down the aisle, her sister’s steady hand on her own. Immediately, the band struck up an unfamiliar tune and Parvati knew that her lover would be there.
Lavender had always been beautiful to her even after the scars Greyback had left down her face and neck, but today she took Parvati’s breath away. Her smile was the widest Parvati had ever seen, the joy in her eyes made them shine like sapphires, and the glow of the sun around her made Lavender look like an angel.
It felt an age had gone by before Lavender’s hand was placed in her own, but it felt natural to have it there.
When everyone had settled back into their seats and the minister had welcomed them, Padma took her place on the podium, as she had the honour of the first reading. Smiling tearily at her sister and her bride, she began.
“The poem I’m going to read is called ‘The Good-morrow’ by John Donne.
I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.
And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.”
When she was finished, Padma made her way back down to her seat behind Parvati. As she passed Parvati, Padma squeezed her sister’s shoulder lightly. The poem was one of their parents’ favourites and it served as a reminder that they were not there.
Lavender held Parvati’s hand through the reading trying to give her some comfort.
The music of a familiar tune filled the tent as the minister invited the congregation to sing the song they had chosen.
“I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy…”
Parvati and Lavender stared into each other’s eyes and let the world fade away as they remembered why they picked this song in the first place.
They were sitting at the bar in the Silver Dragon looking at all their friends dancing and having fun with their other halves and felt slightly miserable at the sight.
“I wish someone would look at me that way,” Lavender sighed as she saw the way Harry Potter was looking at his wife.
Parvati bit her lip and didn’t say anything. Her feelings for Lavender had been more than platonic for a while but wasn’t sure how her friend would react to the news.
A slow song came on. It was a Muggle one which had come out during the war. Parvati had heard it several times since and liked it quite a lot.
“Dance with me,” she said, trying to pull Lavender off her seat.
“I’m not in the mood,” she scowled.
“Dance with me,” Parvati insisted.
When they reached the dancefloor, Parvati pulled Lavender in close and began to move side to side like most of the couples were doing. It was like nothing she had ever felt before; like she was complete.
By the time the song ended Parvati had plucked up the courage to tell Lavender how she felt.
As she pulled back slightly she looked into Lavender’s eyes before gently pressing her lips to hers. After not reacting for a second she felt Lavender tentatively respond.
This kiss was like nothing either of them had ever shared before, and it signified the beginning of their romantic relationship.
As the song’s last notes came to a close they brought their attention back to the present.
“Love is patient, love is kind,” the minister read, “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” he paused before continuing.
“We will now move onto the vows, but before we can do that does anyone here know of a reason why these two souls should not be joined as one in matrimony?”
Silence greeted his words and the two women let out a breath they hadn’t known they were holding.
“Lavender and Parvati have chosen to recite their own vows. Lavender?” he gestured to her to go ahead.
Lavender turned to stare into Parvati’s eyes once more and said, “When we first met, we instantly became best friends and I knew that you would be in my life long after we left Hogwarts. I never dreamed at that point that you would become so much more, but you have and I wouldn’t change it for the world. There was a while where I never thought I would get to have this. That no one would look past the scars to see the real me, but you knew who I was all along. I love you, and I will never want to be with anyone but you,” Lavender finished, voice breaking as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
At a word from the minister, Parvati took her turn. “I love you. Every time you smile it lights up the room, and you make me laugh until I can’t breathe. You are my soulmate, my other half, and I will never love anyone as much as I love you,” Parvati said, love and adoration shining in her eyes.
“Now the vows have been exchanged it is time for the giving of the rings,” the Minister informed them.
Michael stepped forward and held the rings out on his palm.
“These rings are a symbol of the vows you have taken and of the union which binds you. They represent the eternal love you have for one another. Lavender, you may place the ring on Parvati’s finger.”
“I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. I will honour, protect, and love you,” Lavender said looking into Parvati’s eyes.
Parvati repeated the vow as she slipped the ring on her bride’s finger.
“Lavender and Parvati, when you commenced this wedding ceremony, you stood before all assembled here as best friends and partners. Through the poignant exchange of wedding vows, you are sealed together in bond as wife and wife.
“You may have kissed many times before, but now your kiss is a demonstration of your perpetual love and commitment to each other. Your kiss is also a promise to stand together during the happy times and during times of adversity.
“May you experience great love, joy and happiness as you walk through life together. May you also have the strength and perseverance to weather the storms that life may bring your way. In celebration of your love and commitment to one another, you may now kiss the bride.”
The guests cheered and clapped at the announcement.
Later as dusk fell, Lavender and Parvati stole a moment away from their guests to watch the sun go down. It was one of their favourite past times and it was truly a splendid sight that evening.
“It’s beautiful,” Lavender whispered looking towards the sky.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Parvati said stroking her wife’s cheek.
As they kissed, a breeze blew through the warm summer’s evening, but neither of them noticed. They were too caught up in each other without a care for anyone else.
Autumn
Harry paced nervously in the master bedroom of his and Susan’s new house.
It was supposed to be one of the best days of his life, and yet it felt as if he was about to face Voldemort all over again. Not that his fiancée was anything like that monster, it was just that he was scared that everything would go wrong.
The door opened slowly and Harry turned to see who was there.
Hermione stood against the doorframe in lilac robes looking concerned.
“Are you okay, Harry?” she asked cautiously.
It was well known amongst his friends not to disturb him when he was like this, but today was different; he was getting married.
“I’m fine,” he replied, starting to pace again.
“Harry.”
“Okay, I’m not,” he admitted.
Hermione waited patiently for him to carry on.
“I’m scared that everything is going to go wrong. What if she changes her mind?” he asked, feeling like a child seeking its mother’s reassurance.
Hermione walked forward and took Harry’s hands in hers, “Susan won’t change her mind. She loves you, and she’s nothing like her.”
Her being Harry’s ex-fiancée Daphne Greengrass. The witch had broken Harry’s heart by having an affair with Draco Malfoy. The discovery had reignited his hatred for the man and it only abated once he had started seeing Susan Bones. They had become reacquainted with each other at one of Neville’s birthday parties at the Silver Dragon and started to date shortly after.
The music that filled the room was completely unfamiliar to Harry.
He was sat at the bar watching most of his friends make fools of themselves when a lively redhead bounced up to the bar and ordered a shot of Firewhisky.
“Not drinking, Potter?” she asked, turning towards him.
Harry recognised her as Hannah’s best friend, Susan Bones.
“I’ve had a few already, but I’ve got the night shift tomorrow so I don’t want to drink too much,” he informed her.
“That’s a shame. Are you sure you don’t want one more?” she asked, trying to persuade him otherwise.
Harry hesitated. He knew he shouldn’t, but he was sure one more wouldn’t hurt.
“Go on, but if I’m bad tomorrow I’m blaming you,” he warned her.
She shouted to the barman to make it two shots.
“I’m sure you’re not that bad at drinking.”
“You haven’t seen me drink yet,” Harry chuckled.
“You could always show me,” she said biting her lip.
“I’m sure I could, but maybe when I’m not working the next day.”
“That’s a deal,” Susan said as she slid the shot across the bar to him.
They downed them at the same time, and stood in silence for a moment after.
They spent the rest of the night chatting about the old days, and before either of them knew it the bar was closing. Harry took Susan home to make sure she was safe.
It hadn’t taken Harry long to notice the difference between the two women, and he wondered how he could ever have thought that he was in love with Daphne. It was obvious to him that she was just good at manipulating people into believing what she wanted them to. Daphne didn’t have a hold over him anymore, and it wasn’t because of her that he was feeling this way.
“I know she isn’t, Hermione,” Harry replied softly.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” she said, trying to reassure him with a smile.
“Is it nearly time to go?” he asked, changing the subject slightly.
Hermione checked her watch and said, “Ten minutes and then we will have to leave.”
They stood in silence for a few minutes before they heard footsteps approaching the room.
“The cars are here to pick us up,” Ron informed them.
“Thanks mate. Let’s get going,” Harry thanked his friend as he passed him in the doorway.
He had no doubt that Hermione was silently telling Ron behind his back that everything was okay and there was no need to panic. Harry wasn’t annoyed by it; he had grown pretty used to it in his years of friendship with them.
The crisp autumn air hit Harry the moment the front door opened. It was refreshing, and although the air had a bite to it, Harry liked it. He liked the way the leaves crunched under his feet as he approached the waiting car.
The car journey wasn’t very long and before Harry knew it he was standing at the altar waiting for Susan to arrive.
He became nervous again, but tried to push it aside and focus on the excitement that was building in his chest. The woman he loved was about to walk down the aisle and become his wife, and he couldn’t wait to see her.
The guests were talking quietly amongst themselves, and he saw Luna with her notebook and quill.
There had been many offers from journalists to report on the wedding, but Harry and Susan didn’t really want it to be splashed all over the gossip columns. Instead, they asked Luna whether she would mind writing a small piece for them and publishing it in The Quibbler. They knew that their friend would keep it simple and not over exaggerate the details.
The music changed and every guest stood up. Some towards the back craned their necks to get a look at the bride, but Harry couldn’t see her.
“You need to look forward, mate. You’re not supposed to look at her until she’s at your side,” Ron whispered to him.
“I know, but I can’t wait,” he replied anxiously.
As Susan started coming into view Harry felt his breath hitch.
She looked completely stunning, and for a moment Harry couldn’t believe that she was his.
He didn’t seem to manage to keep his eyes off her long after she had stood next to him. He was so lost in her eyes that he wasn’t listening to a single word the Reverend was saying, and if it wasn’t for Ron nudging him in the side he would never have realised that he needed to say his vows.
Harry repeated the words that the Reverend said slowly to make sure that he didn’t say anything wrong.
When Susan said her vows they stared into each other’s eyes and Harry was overwhelmed by the love that was shining there. He could only hope that Susan saw the same thing as she looked into his.
As they exchanged rings they still held each other’s gaze. Everyone seemed to have faded away and it was as if it was just the two of them there with the Reverend.
“Susan and Harry, you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss.”
The couple shared a passionate kiss which got a few coughs and catcalls. Harry pulled away slightly a little embarrassed that he had gone that far in front of people.
Once the signing of the certificate was done the whole wedding party moved outside onto the church lawn. They spent the next half an hour taking photographs with all their friends and family, beneath the churchyard trees. Their once vibrant green leaves had all turned every shade of red, orange and brown, and they were just as beautiful. Eventually, Ron and Neville came to inform them that the cars had arrived to take them to the reception venue.
“Just...just give me a few moments. I need to…” Harry trailed off.
Ron and Neville nodded in understanding and started to round up the other guests and get them into the waiting cars.
“Are you ready to meet them?” Harry asked turning to Susan.
“Yes,” Susan replied softly.
Harry took her hand and guided her around the headstones of the Godric’s Hollow graveyard until he reached his parents. He felt a bit odd being here today and celebrating his wedding on the anniversary of their deaths.
So many bad things had happened to him on Hallowe’en that both he and Susan thought it would be nice to finally make a joyful memory that would outweigh all the negative ones.
As they reached the graves, Susan pulled out two of the roses from her bouquet and handed them to Harry.
“I wish you were here, and I wish that you could meet Susan, she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever known. I hope you are proud of me, the way I am of you,” Harry said, his voice cracking slightly.
“They are here, Harry,” Susan said softly. “They are in your heart, and as long as they are there, they are always with you. I am sure that they are proud of you as well.”
Harry bent down and lay the two roses on top of the headstone.
As Harry wiped a few tears away that had escaped, rain started pouring down. It was as if the weather had decided to express his feelings for him.
Harry stood slowly and chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Susan asked, her eyebrows raised.
“This morning I...er... I was a bit nervous and I thought that everything was going to go wrong. But the weather never even crossed my mind,” Harry admitted to his wife.
“What did you think would go wrong?” she asked, snaking her hands around his neck.
“That you would change your mind because I wasn’t what you wanted,” he confessed as he pulled her close to him.
“I will never leave you, Harry. I love you more than anything in the world,” Susan said, looking into his eyes.
“I love you too.”
Harry leant in and captured her lips in a slow but passionate kiss.
The couple didn’t notice the rain getting heavier, or the wind swirling the leaves about. It was just the two of them and that’s all that mattered.Winter
Regulus and Antonin were standing at the altar of a small and deserted chapel, no one but their witnesses and priest present to celebrate their love. They had decided that it didn’t matter what their families and most of their friends thought about their relationship, they would make it official in the eyes of the law anyway.
“Now that the two of you have said your vows, it is time for the exchange of rings. Can the bearer of the rings please come forward,” the minister said.
Before Rabastan could do anything the chapel doors crashed open and a powerful gust of bitter winter wind blew in. An imposing figure stood in the doorway, robes swirling in the gale, and then strode up the aisle to where the men were.
Antonin stood defiantly and tried to hide the fear which was slowly creeping into his mind.
“I demand that you stop this at once,” the man said icily.
“Father,” Regulus said sternly.
Orion turned to his son, and eyed him critically.
Antonin knew exactly what Orion was thinking even though he never said a word.
Ever since he and Regulus had gone to tell Orion and Walburga of their relationship and that they were planning on getting married they had made life hell for them. At first they had tried to dissuade Regulus by saying that it was his duty to carry on the Black line and that he wouldn’t be able to do so without a wife.
When Antonin had coldly remarked that Regulus wasn't the only man who bore their family name, his parents exploded, as they always did when reminded of Sirius.
It had all come to a head the day Orion had tried to forbid Regulus from seeing him. Regulus had had enough and told them that they could try and keep them apart as much as they wanted but it would never work. Regulus left home to live with him that day and hadn’t bothered going back.
“Well, what do you say?” Orion demanded of the priest.
“I am sorry, but the time for objections has passed. Both your son and Mr Dolohov have said their vows, and I cannot deny them the right to make their marriage legal,” he said shifting under the icy glare that Orion Black was giving him.
“So that’s it then? You’ve chosen him over your family. I thought you would eventually realise that your family, your mother, was more important than he is. Obviously, I was wrong. I -”
“Mother is important to me, but I wouldn’t be happy without Antonin. If that is something you cannot come to terms with, father, then I’m sorry. I stand by my decision today,” Regulus said with all the courage he could muster.
Relief flooded through Antonin as he heard Regulus’ words. There was always a small part of him that feared that Regulus would tell him that it was over and rejoin his family.
“Then you are no son of mine. When everything falls apart - and it will - and you come crawling to us on your knees begging for forgiveness, you will not receive it. You are nothing to us now; I am not your father, you filthy dog,” Orion informed him coldly as he turned on his heel and walked out of the chapel.
The five men stood there for a moment gazing at the door.
“Do you wish to continue now?” the priest asked.
“Yes, we do,” Regulus replied turning back to the man in front of him, swallowing down the lump in his throat with a hard expression on his face.
“Could we have the rings please?”
Rabastan stepped up and placed the rings on the cushion which was being held by the priest and stepped back down again.
They exchanged rings silently. There was a chill in the air that was not only due to the weather.
Neither man thought that it was necessary to declare their love for each other in front of the other three men in the room after that. It was abundantly clear how much they meant to each other now. Sometimes their silences and actions said more than their words ever could.
“Regulus and Antonin have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the bond between them with spoken vows and with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, it is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and husband. You may now kiss one another.”
They leant in and shared a brief but loving kiss.
The signing of the wedding certificate didn’t take long and no one lingered once it was done.
As Regulus, Antonin, Rodolphus and Rabastan left the chapel the chill of the biting wind made them shiver to the bone.
“So… are you going away anywhere, or are you staying at home?” Rabastan asked curiously, trying to lighten the dark mood.
“We’re going away for a while,” Antonin replied taking Regulus’ frozen hand in his.
Rabastan nodded and said, “Don’t worry about the Dark Lord, I'll come up with something to tell him while you're gone. You'd better come back though, I can't make up excuses forever!" he grinned with a wink at the two of them.
“Thanks, Rabastan,” Regulus said wondering what he would want in return. Nothing was ever simply an act of goodwill in their circles...
The couple left Rabastan a few minutes later and headed home to pick up their luggage. Antonin had planned the whole thing without letting Regulus know where they were going. The only clue he’d had was to pack for cold weather.
Regulus and Antonin lay contentedly on the sheepskin rug in front of the fire, the howls of the cold Russian wind doing nothing to disturb the cozy atmosphere inside their cabin. The silence between them was comfortable. The two men were thinking of the events that had occurred earlier on in the day.
“What are you thinking about?” Antonin asked as he trailed his fingers up and down Regulus’s chest.
“How much I love you,” Regulus said gazing into Antonin’s eyes.
“I love you too. I know that I don’t say it much, but -”
Regulus cut him off with a kiss.
Regulus knew that Antonin loved him through the things that he did and that was all he needed. He didn’t need Antonin to tell him that he loved him every day. In fact, it wouldn’t matter if he only said the words once a year.
Author/Artist: sirmioneforever
Prompt: #122, four weddings in four seasons. By leontinabowie
Pairing(s): Hermione/Rabastan, Parvati/Lavender, Harry/Susan, Antonin/Regulus.
Word Count: 6,289
Rating: M
Warning(s): fluff, slight angst
Disclaimer:Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thank you so much to marc_duork for beta’ing.
Summary: Four different weddings in four seasons.
If Our Two Loves be One
Spring
Hermione woke up feeling relaxed and ready for the day ahead. She had decided to get up quite early to make sure that everything would be ready on time and that she wouldn’t have to rush.
As she got up and ran her bath, Hermione thought about how much things had changed over the past few years.
Rastaban Lestrange had come into her life at just the right time. He had just been released from Azkaban, having been acquitted after he was found to have been under the Imperius curse, and she had found comfort in him after her failed engagement to Ron.
Hermione was walking down one side of a busy corridor trying to dodge people so she didn’t spill the coffee she had just made.
Her day so far had not gone to plan at all and the last thing she needed was to get boiling hot coffee down her robes; but that’s what happened a few minutes later.
As she neared the end of the corridor, someone decided to turn the corner backwards and walk straight into her.
Hermione cursed as the hot liquid seeped through her clothes.
“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” the man asked.
“I’m just peachy,” Hermione replied sarcastically.
“Bad day, huh?” they asked.
“Tell me about it,” Hermione muttered as she failed to get the coffee stain out with magic.
“Marigold’s dry cleaning can get stains like coffee out, and they do it within a day.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Hermione replied gratefully.
Looking up, Hermione did not know whom to expect but it certainly wasn’t Rabastan Lestrange.
She had heard about his release from Harry, but had never seen the man since. Rabastan looked a lot younger than the last time she had seen him, and there was a definite change in the aura around him too. There was still a hint of danger there, but nothing, which made her quiver in fear.
“It’s no problem. Maybe...maybe I can buy you a coffee sometime? To make up for the one I spilt,” he added sounding a little unsure of himself.
Hermione hesitated for a second before saying yes.
“Great. Just owl me a time that you are free and I will meet you. I will let you pick the place as I’m sure you know more than me,” he said with a small smile.
They said goodbye and Hermione returned to her office.
She couldn’t quite believe that had actually said yes to going on a coffee date with Rabastan Lestrange, but her instincts no longer seemed to fear him.
If she could forgive other people for acting out under threat, or under the Imperius curse, then why couldn’t she try and forgive him?
They took things slowly for the first few months as they were both keen to get to know each other properly, but it was obvious after a short while just how perfect they were together. Rabastan had proposed on their first anniversary and Hermione knew that this time around it was right.
Hermione and Rabastan had decided to have a spring wedding, and they decided on the spring equinox in March. The day was an extension of another pagan festival, which symbolised renewal and rebirth. They thought that it would show the wizarding world that it was truly a new era.
A knock at the door to her guest room brought Hermione out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she called through the open bathroom door.
"Hermione?" Ginny called questioningly.
"I'm in the bathroom, Ginny," Hermione replied.
“Do you need any help?” she said poking her head through the door.
“I’m fine thanks Ginny, but I would be grateful if you could start making the primrose crown if you wanted. The basket is next to my desk,” Hermione said appreciating her friend’s thoughtfulness.
It was only one of the many things, which they had done to honour the arrival of spring.
"Good morning, Miss Granger. I see you got the bath set I sent over yesterday," Evelyn said, poking her head around the door.
The elder woman was in charge of Hermione's beauty regime, and all of the lotions she used were made from natural products. It was the main reason why Hermione had wanted to hire her.
"Yes, thank you," Hermione commented.
All morning, people streamed in and out, trying to make sure everything was in place, asking her questions about the most insignificant details. After years of practice organising the men in her life, Hermione was in her element and directed the flower bearers and excitable relatives to and fro as though it were any other formal event. It was only when she saw her bridesmaids all lined up in their delicate yellow dresses that it really hit her that she was about to get married, and it took fifteen minutes to calm her down.
At twelve-thirty Hermione put on her dress, and as she stood adjusting it in the mirror Harry came through the door.
"You look beautiful, Hermione," he said.
He had wanted to go in earlier, but thought he should wait until she was properly dressed.
"Thank you, Harry," Hermione replied, beaming.
"I think you might even stun him."
"Let's hope so," she said nervously.
"They're ready for you, Hermione," Ginny informed her.
Hermione took a deep breath and walked towards Harry’s outstretched arm.
Harry walked her down the grand staircase and out into the gardens of Lestrange Court.
The gardens were buzzing with new life as all the spring flowers were just coming into bloom. There were rows of daffodils, primroses, and tulips, and several of the trees had also begun to blossom.
It looked like something from a dream and Hermione nearly had to pinch herself to see if it was real.
The size of the crowd ahead stunned Hermione for a moment. Although she had sent out the invitations herself, Hermione never thought that this many people would actually come. Many invitations had been written to acquaintances who she did not want to offend by simply not asking them to attend the wedding.
The music that had been playing changed as she came into view, and Pachabel’s Canon in D Major began. Hermione had decided on the piece because her father always used to play it when she was a child.
The whole congregation rose, and many of them craned their necks to get a look at her as she walked past.
Hermione had to take a deep, long breath before she started walking down the aisle. It was lucky she had Harry next to her giving her encouragement.
Hermione wished it could have been her father walking her down the aisle, but he had died two years before. She missed him every day, but today even more so.
The lingering sadness that she felt went away the moment she saw Rabastan. He had brought her more love and happiness than she could ever have wished for and couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.
Before she stood next to Rabastan, Hermione glanced at her mother.
Jean Granger was already dabbing her handkerchief under her eyes from the tears that had already fallen.
"Friends, family, and esteemed guests, we are gathered here today to witness the handfasting of Hermione Jean, and Rabastan Ophion," the officiate announced.
"Rabastan, please give Hermione your vow."
"Hermione, I vow to love, honour, and respect you. I will care for you and any children we may have the way a husband and father should," Rabastan recited his eyes full of affection for the woman in front of him.
"Hermione, you may recite your vows to Rabastan."
"Rabastan, I vow that I will love, respect, care for, and be faithful to you," Hermione said as her eyes filled with tears. She had been practising the words all morning but they didn’t have the same impact as saying them in front of all her friends and family.
"Please turn towards each other and hold each other's opposite hand," he said as they clasped the other's right hand.
As he tied a knot around their entwined hands, they shared their declarations of intention.
"Rabastan and Hermione have made their vows and declarations to each other. The binding of their hands symbolises their union, and in unbinding them, it shows that they stay together of their own free will. They will now exchange rings to represent union."
Hermione and Rabastan exchanged the rings.
"I now present to you Mr and Mrs Rabastan Lestrange," the officiate said as the crowd cheered and clapped.
Before the couple walked off the platform, they jumped over the broom which had been placed in front of it. It was traditional for a handfasting as it symbolised the bride and groom starting their new life together.
The celebrations carried on long after the sunset below the blooming trees. A great bonfire was lit outside the marquee where the reception was being held and people walked around the flourishing gardens enjoying the first bit of spring.
When almost everyone had bidden them farewell, and only a couple of the more drunken uncles remained, Hermione and Rabastan slipped away.
The whole day had been amazing and Hermione would have only felt happier if her father was there, but she could feel him watching over her and that was enough.
Summer
The summer sun was glaring down on the guests as they filed into the large marquee that was standing in the Brown family’s garden.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil’s engagement came as no shock to the people who knew them. The couple had been together since the war had ended, and it was obvious that how much they loved each other. Most of their peers had accepted their relationship and had no problem that they had found comfort in each other. The only people who had strongly objected were Parvati’s parents.
They had wanted to see her settle down and have children with a man who had a similar background to her own. They had even dragged her sister, Padma, into the argument by stating that she had managed to find a nice, respectable young man from America to marry.
Parvati had tried to explain to her parents that she wouldn’t be happy with anyone else, but they had stubbornly refused to acknowledge it. Padma had tried to intervene on her behalf and hadn’t had much luck. Parvati’s parents had eventually said that they would not have any contact with her until she ended her relationship with Lavender. She had in turn told her parents that she would always love them, but she loved Lavender as well and knew she would not be happy without her by her side. They had not spoken since then, but there was nothing more Parvati could do than wait for them to come around.
The couple had been planning the wedding for six months and had decided that they just wanted something simple. There would only be around forty guests, as they wanted to be surrounded by their closest friends and family only. They had decided on a non-religious ceremony with several readings and songs about love and commitment instead.
Parvati was in one of the guest rooms putting the last few touches to her saree before she went downstairs. The colour was a bright pink, not dissimilar to what she wore for the Yule Ball in their fourth year, but this was more extravagant. This one was embellished with silver and lavender flowers to represent her lover.
“Come in,” Parvati called as a knock came at the door.
The door opened to reveal her sister, Padma, and her brother-in-law, Michael. They would be the ones walking her down the aisle instead of her parents.
“They’re ready for you,” Padma informed her.
“I’m almost there. Can you check everything is okay with the saree please?” she asked standing up and twirling around so Padma could see her clearly.
“You look beautiful. Lavender will be stunned when she sees you, and I’m sure she’ll love the flowers too,” Padma replied smiling.
"Is my bindi wonky though? I always do it wonky," she gabbled.
"It's fine, Parvati." Padma rolled her eyes, "Stop fiddling with it, you'll make it worse."
"So it is wonky! Oh, can you do it again for me sis?"
Padma pulled Parvati's shaking hands away from her forehead and held them until they stilled. "Honestly, Pav, you look perfect," she smiled.
Her sister always seemed to calm her down, and a few seconds later, the nerves were gone.
The walk from the guest room to the marquee seemed to take forever, though in reality it was only a couple of minutes. During that time Parvati looked over the decorations, and enjoyed the heat from the glaring sun.
She was happy that the weather had stayed pleasant enough for the wedding to still be held outside. Lavender had originally wanted a spring wedding, but another of their friends had decided to marry then and they pushed the date back so it wouldn’t overshadow their own.
The guests stood when she entered the marquee and ‘oohhed’ and ‘aahhed’ as she walked down the aisle, her sister’s steady hand on her own. Immediately, the band struck up an unfamiliar tune and Parvati knew that her lover would be there.
Lavender had always been beautiful to her even after the scars Greyback had left down her face and neck, but today she took Parvati’s breath away. Her smile was the widest Parvati had ever seen, the joy in her eyes made them shine like sapphires, and the glow of the sun around her made Lavender look like an angel.
It felt an age had gone by before Lavender’s hand was placed in her own, but it felt natural to have it there.
When everyone had settled back into their seats and the minister had welcomed them, Padma took her place on the podium, as she had the honour of the first reading. Smiling tearily at her sister and her bride, she began.
“The poem I’m going to read is called ‘The Good-morrow’ by John Donne.
I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
Did, till we loved? Were we not weaned till then?
But sucked on country pleasures, childishly?
Or snorted we in the Seven Sleepers’ den?
’Twas so; but this, all pleasures fancies be.
If ever any beauty I did see,
Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.
And now good-morrow to our waking souls,
Which watch not one another out of fear;
For love, all love of other sights controls,
And makes one little room an everywhere.
Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to other, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears,
And true plain hearts do in the faces rest;
Where can we find two better hemispheres,
Without sharp north, without declining west?
Whatever dies, was not mixed equally;
If our two loves be one, or, thou and I
Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.”
When she was finished, Padma made her way back down to her seat behind Parvati. As she passed Parvati, Padma squeezed her sister’s shoulder lightly. The poem was one of their parents’ favourites and it served as a reminder that they were not there.
Lavender held Parvati’s hand through the reading trying to give her some comfort.
The music of a familiar tune filled the tent as the minister invited the congregation to sing the song they had chosen.
“I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy…”
Parvati and Lavender stared into each other’s eyes and let the world fade away as they remembered why they picked this song in the first place.
They were sitting at the bar in the Silver Dragon looking at all their friends dancing and having fun with their other halves and felt slightly miserable at the sight.
“I wish someone would look at me that way,” Lavender sighed as she saw the way Harry Potter was looking at his wife.
Parvati bit her lip and didn’t say anything. Her feelings for Lavender had been more than platonic for a while but wasn’t sure how her friend would react to the news.
A slow song came on. It was a Muggle one which had come out during the war. Parvati had heard it several times since and liked it quite a lot.
“Dance with me,” she said, trying to pull Lavender off her seat.
“I’m not in the mood,” she scowled.
“Dance with me,” Parvati insisted.
When they reached the dancefloor, Parvati pulled Lavender in close and began to move side to side like most of the couples were doing. It was like nothing she had ever felt before; like she was complete.
By the time the song ended Parvati had plucked up the courage to tell Lavender how she felt.
As she pulled back slightly she looked into Lavender’s eyes before gently pressing her lips to hers. After not reacting for a second she felt Lavender tentatively respond.
This kiss was like nothing either of them had ever shared before, and it signified the beginning of their romantic relationship.
As the song’s last notes came to a close they brought their attention back to the present.
“Love is patient, love is kind,” the minister read, “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” he paused before continuing.
“We will now move onto the vows, but before we can do that does anyone here know of a reason why these two souls should not be joined as one in matrimony?”
Silence greeted his words and the two women let out a breath they hadn’t known they were holding.
“Lavender and Parvati have chosen to recite their own vows. Lavender?” he gestured to her to go ahead.
Lavender turned to stare into Parvati’s eyes once more and said, “When we first met, we instantly became best friends and I knew that you would be in my life long after we left Hogwarts. I never dreamed at that point that you would become so much more, but you have and I wouldn’t change it for the world. There was a while where I never thought I would get to have this. That no one would look past the scars to see the real me, but you knew who I was all along. I love you, and I will never want to be with anyone but you,” Lavender finished, voice breaking as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
At a word from the minister, Parvati took her turn. “I love you. Every time you smile it lights up the room, and you make me laugh until I can’t breathe. You are my soulmate, my other half, and I will never love anyone as much as I love you,” Parvati said, love and adoration shining in her eyes.
“Now the vows have been exchanged it is time for the giving of the rings,” the Minister informed them.
Michael stepped forward and held the rings out on his palm.
“These rings are a symbol of the vows you have taken and of the union which binds you. They represent the eternal love you have for one another. Lavender, you may place the ring on Parvati’s finger.”
“I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. I will honour, protect, and love you,” Lavender said looking into Parvati’s eyes.
Parvati repeated the vow as she slipped the ring on her bride’s finger.
“Lavender and Parvati, when you commenced this wedding ceremony, you stood before all assembled here as best friends and partners. Through the poignant exchange of wedding vows, you are sealed together in bond as wife and wife.
“You may have kissed many times before, but now your kiss is a demonstration of your perpetual love and commitment to each other. Your kiss is also a promise to stand together during the happy times and during times of adversity.
“May you experience great love, joy and happiness as you walk through life together. May you also have the strength and perseverance to weather the storms that life may bring your way. In celebration of your love and commitment to one another, you may now kiss the bride.”
The guests cheered and clapped at the announcement.
Later as dusk fell, Lavender and Parvati stole a moment away from their guests to watch the sun go down. It was one of their favourite past times and it was truly a splendid sight that evening.
“It’s beautiful,” Lavender whispered looking towards the sky.
“Not as beautiful as you,” Parvati said stroking her wife’s cheek.
As they kissed, a breeze blew through the warm summer’s evening, but neither of them noticed. They were too caught up in each other without a care for anyone else.
Autumn
Harry paced nervously in the master bedroom of his and Susan’s new house.
It was supposed to be one of the best days of his life, and yet it felt as if he was about to face Voldemort all over again. Not that his fiancée was anything like that monster, it was just that he was scared that everything would go wrong.
The door opened slowly and Harry turned to see who was there.
Hermione stood against the doorframe in lilac robes looking concerned.
“Are you okay, Harry?” she asked cautiously.
It was well known amongst his friends not to disturb him when he was like this, but today was different; he was getting married.
“I’m fine,” he replied, starting to pace again.
“Harry.”
“Okay, I’m not,” he admitted.
Hermione waited patiently for him to carry on.
“I’m scared that everything is going to go wrong. What if she changes her mind?” he asked, feeling like a child seeking its mother’s reassurance.
Hermione walked forward and took Harry’s hands in hers, “Susan won’t change her mind. She loves you, and she’s nothing like her.”
Her being Harry’s ex-fiancée Daphne Greengrass. The witch had broken Harry’s heart by having an affair with Draco Malfoy. The discovery had reignited his hatred for the man and it only abated once he had started seeing Susan Bones. They had become reacquainted with each other at one of Neville’s birthday parties at the Silver Dragon and started to date shortly after.
The music that filled the room was completely unfamiliar to Harry.
He was sat at the bar watching most of his friends make fools of themselves when a lively redhead bounced up to the bar and ordered a shot of Firewhisky.
“Not drinking, Potter?” she asked, turning towards him.
Harry recognised her as Hannah’s best friend, Susan Bones.
“I’ve had a few already, but I’ve got the night shift tomorrow so I don’t want to drink too much,” he informed her.
“That’s a shame. Are you sure you don’t want one more?” she asked, trying to persuade him otherwise.
Harry hesitated. He knew he shouldn’t, but he was sure one more wouldn’t hurt.
“Go on, but if I’m bad tomorrow I’m blaming you,” he warned her.
She shouted to the barman to make it two shots.
“I’m sure you’re not that bad at drinking.”
“You haven’t seen me drink yet,” Harry chuckled.
“You could always show me,” she said biting her lip.
“I’m sure I could, but maybe when I’m not working the next day.”
“That’s a deal,” Susan said as she slid the shot across the bar to him.
They downed them at the same time, and stood in silence for a moment after.
They spent the rest of the night chatting about the old days, and before either of them knew it the bar was closing. Harry took Susan home to make sure she was safe.
It hadn’t taken Harry long to notice the difference between the two women, and he wondered how he could ever have thought that he was in love with Daphne. It was obvious to him that she was just good at manipulating people into believing what she wanted them to. Daphne didn’t have a hold over him anymore, and it wasn’t because of her that he was feeling this way.
“I know she isn’t, Hermione,” Harry replied softly.
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” she said, trying to reassure him with a smile.
“Is it nearly time to go?” he asked, changing the subject slightly.
Hermione checked her watch and said, “Ten minutes and then we will have to leave.”
They stood in silence for a few minutes before they heard footsteps approaching the room.
“The cars are here to pick us up,” Ron informed them.
“Thanks mate. Let’s get going,” Harry thanked his friend as he passed him in the doorway.
He had no doubt that Hermione was silently telling Ron behind his back that everything was okay and there was no need to panic. Harry wasn’t annoyed by it; he had grown pretty used to it in his years of friendship with them.
The crisp autumn air hit Harry the moment the front door opened. It was refreshing, and although the air had a bite to it, Harry liked it. He liked the way the leaves crunched under his feet as he approached the waiting car.
The car journey wasn’t very long and before Harry knew it he was standing at the altar waiting for Susan to arrive.
He became nervous again, but tried to push it aside and focus on the excitement that was building in his chest. The woman he loved was about to walk down the aisle and become his wife, and he couldn’t wait to see her.
The guests were talking quietly amongst themselves, and he saw Luna with her notebook and quill.
There had been many offers from journalists to report on the wedding, but Harry and Susan didn’t really want it to be splashed all over the gossip columns. Instead, they asked Luna whether she would mind writing a small piece for them and publishing it in The Quibbler. They knew that their friend would keep it simple and not over exaggerate the details.
The music changed and every guest stood up. Some towards the back craned their necks to get a look at the bride, but Harry couldn’t see her.
“You need to look forward, mate. You’re not supposed to look at her until she’s at your side,” Ron whispered to him.
“I know, but I can’t wait,” he replied anxiously.
As Susan started coming into view Harry felt his breath hitch.
She looked completely stunning, and for a moment Harry couldn’t believe that she was his.
He didn’t seem to manage to keep his eyes off her long after she had stood next to him. He was so lost in her eyes that he wasn’t listening to a single word the Reverend was saying, and if it wasn’t for Ron nudging him in the side he would never have realised that he needed to say his vows.
Harry repeated the words that the Reverend said slowly to make sure that he didn’t say anything wrong.
When Susan said her vows they stared into each other’s eyes and Harry was overwhelmed by the love that was shining there. He could only hope that Susan saw the same thing as she looked into his.
As they exchanged rings they still held each other’s gaze. Everyone seemed to have faded away and it was as if it was just the two of them there with the Reverend.
“Susan and Harry, you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss.”
The couple shared a passionate kiss which got a few coughs and catcalls. Harry pulled away slightly a little embarrassed that he had gone that far in front of people.
Once the signing of the certificate was done the whole wedding party moved outside onto the church lawn. They spent the next half an hour taking photographs with all their friends and family, beneath the churchyard trees. Their once vibrant green leaves had all turned every shade of red, orange and brown, and they were just as beautiful. Eventually, Ron and Neville came to inform them that the cars had arrived to take them to the reception venue.
“Just...just give me a few moments. I need to…” Harry trailed off.
Ron and Neville nodded in understanding and started to round up the other guests and get them into the waiting cars.
“Are you ready to meet them?” Harry asked turning to Susan.
“Yes,” Susan replied softly.
Harry took her hand and guided her around the headstones of the Godric’s Hollow graveyard until he reached his parents. He felt a bit odd being here today and celebrating his wedding on the anniversary of their deaths.
So many bad things had happened to him on Hallowe’en that both he and Susan thought it would be nice to finally make a joyful memory that would outweigh all the negative ones.
As they reached the graves, Susan pulled out two of the roses from her bouquet and handed them to Harry.
“I wish you were here, and I wish that you could meet Susan, she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever known. I hope you are proud of me, the way I am of you,” Harry said, his voice cracking slightly.
“They are here, Harry,” Susan said softly. “They are in your heart, and as long as they are there, they are always with you. I am sure that they are proud of you as well.”
Harry bent down and lay the two roses on top of the headstone.
As Harry wiped a few tears away that had escaped, rain started pouring down. It was as if the weather had decided to express his feelings for him.
Harry stood slowly and chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Susan asked, her eyebrows raised.
“This morning I...er... I was a bit nervous and I thought that everything was going to go wrong. But the weather never even crossed my mind,” Harry admitted to his wife.
“What did you think would go wrong?” she asked, snaking her hands around his neck.
“That you would change your mind because I wasn’t what you wanted,” he confessed as he pulled her close to him.
“I will never leave you, Harry. I love you more than anything in the world,” Susan said, looking into his eyes.
“I love you too.”
Harry leant in and captured her lips in a slow but passionate kiss.
The couple didn’t notice the rain getting heavier, or the wind swirling the leaves about. It was just the two of them and that’s all that mattered.Winter
Regulus and Antonin were standing at the altar of a small and deserted chapel, no one but their witnesses and priest present to celebrate their love. They had decided that it didn’t matter what their families and most of their friends thought about their relationship, they would make it official in the eyes of the law anyway.
“Now that the two of you have said your vows, it is time for the exchange of rings. Can the bearer of the rings please come forward,” the minister said.
Before Rabastan could do anything the chapel doors crashed open and a powerful gust of bitter winter wind blew in. An imposing figure stood in the doorway, robes swirling in the gale, and then strode up the aisle to where the men were.
Antonin stood defiantly and tried to hide the fear which was slowly creeping into his mind.
“I demand that you stop this at once,” the man said icily.
“Father,” Regulus said sternly.
Orion turned to his son, and eyed him critically.
Antonin knew exactly what Orion was thinking even though he never said a word.
Ever since he and Regulus had gone to tell Orion and Walburga of their relationship and that they were planning on getting married they had made life hell for them. At first they had tried to dissuade Regulus by saying that it was his duty to carry on the Black line and that he wouldn’t be able to do so without a wife.
When Antonin had coldly remarked that Regulus wasn't the only man who bore their family name, his parents exploded, as they always did when reminded of Sirius.
It had all come to a head the day Orion had tried to forbid Regulus from seeing him. Regulus had had enough and told them that they could try and keep them apart as much as they wanted but it would never work. Regulus left home to live with him that day and hadn’t bothered going back.
“Well, what do you say?” Orion demanded of the priest.
“I am sorry, but the time for objections has passed. Both your son and Mr Dolohov have said their vows, and I cannot deny them the right to make their marriage legal,” he said shifting under the icy glare that Orion Black was giving him.
“So that’s it then? You’ve chosen him over your family. I thought you would eventually realise that your family, your mother, was more important than he is. Obviously, I was wrong. I -”
“Mother is important to me, but I wouldn’t be happy without Antonin. If that is something you cannot come to terms with, father, then I’m sorry. I stand by my decision today,” Regulus said with all the courage he could muster.
Relief flooded through Antonin as he heard Regulus’ words. There was always a small part of him that feared that Regulus would tell him that it was over and rejoin his family.
“Then you are no son of mine. When everything falls apart - and it will - and you come crawling to us on your knees begging for forgiveness, you will not receive it. You are nothing to us now; I am not your father, you filthy dog,” Orion informed him coldly as he turned on his heel and walked out of the chapel.
The five men stood there for a moment gazing at the door.
“Do you wish to continue now?” the priest asked.
“Yes, we do,” Regulus replied turning back to the man in front of him, swallowing down the lump in his throat with a hard expression on his face.
“Could we have the rings please?”
Rabastan stepped up and placed the rings on the cushion which was being held by the priest and stepped back down again.
They exchanged rings silently. There was a chill in the air that was not only due to the weather.
Neither man thought that it was necessary to declare their love for each other in front of the other three men in the room after that. It was abundantly clear how much they meant to each other now. Sometimes their silences and actions said more than their words ever could.
“Regulus and Antonin have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the bond between them with spoken vows and with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, it is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and husband. You may now kiss one another.”
They leant in and shared a brief but loving kiss.
The signing of the wedding certificate didn’t take long and no one lingered once it was done.
As Regulus, Antonin, Rodolphus and Rabastan left the chapel the chill of the biting wind made them shiver to the bone.
“So… are you going away anywhere, or are you staying at home?” Rabastan asked curiously, trying to lighten the dark mood.
“We’re going away for a while,” Antonin replied taking Regulus’ frozen hand in his.
Rabastan nodded and said, “Don’t worry about the Dark Lord, I'll come up with something to tell him while you're gone. You'd better come back though, I can't make up excuses forever!" he grinned with a wink at the two of them.
“Thanks, Rabastan,” Regulus said wondering what he would want in return. Nothing was ever simply an act of goodwill in their circles...
The couple left Rabastan a few minutes later and headed home to pick up their luggage. Antonin had planned the whole thing without letting Regulus know where they were going. The only clue he’d had was to pack for cold weather.
Regulus and Antonin lay contentedly on the sheepskin rug in front of the fire, the howls of the cold Russian wind doing nothing to disturb the cozy atmosphere inside their cabin. The silence between them was comfortable. The two men were thinking of the events that had occurred earlier on in the day.
“What are you thinking about?” Antonin asked as he trailed his fingers up and down Regulus’s chest.
“How much I love you,” Regulus said gazing into Antonin’s eyes.
“I love you too. I know that I don’t say it much, but -”
Regulus cut him off with a kiss.
Regulus knew that Antonin loved him through the things that he did and that was all he needed. He didn’t need Antonin to tell him that he loved him every day. In fact, it wouldn’t matter if he only said the words once a year.