𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

Alecto Carrow was utterly terrified. She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into. Osiris Arafa seemed a good match. Her father approved of him, he was a pureblood, and he was from a renowned wizarding family. She hadn’t taken into consideration that his family’s Egyptian roots would affect her. She had heard the history of what the Egyptians did ceremonially. She knew that the women were typically, although not required, sent to the afterlife with their husbands in the untimely event of their death. She knew this, but not once did it even come close to crossing her mind that she would be blood bonded to the sodding git.

Hell, the only reason she was marrying him in the first place was because they were both queer. He was shagging some wizard whom he wouldn’t name and she was in a secret polyamorous relationship with Bellatrix Lestrange and Rita Skeeter. Osiris and her relationship was meant to be purely transactional. They would be in a lavender marriage to appease both their families and to be sure that no one would suspect them indulging in any ‘unsavory’ behavior.

Alecto was currently getting dressed in her wedding gown. The dress was gorgeous, but she felt anything but at the moment. She had always thought, as a young witch, that she would be ecstatic on her wedding day. Right now she just felt terrified.

She was dressed head to toe in Egyptian silk. The gown showed off her figure but was modest enough for pureblood standards. It had no sleeves and was covered in diamonds. Alecto looked like a pureblood princess.

The ladies inside the room were helping her dress, though she had not a clue as to who they were. They applied makeup to her face in ways that she had never imagined possible. By the end of all of it, she looked as though she were naturally a goddess. She wore a pair of sage green shoes, which she assumed were to match her husband-to-be. Merlin those were such odd words to think of.

Never once did she truly imagine that she’d be married, much less to a man. After getting into her relationship with Bellatrix and Rita she had nearly sworn off the idea of marriage. After her father had promised to disown her if she didn’t get married within the year her hand had been forced. That’s when, out of seemingly nowhere she met Osiris Arafa.

He had caught Bellatrix and her fooling around during one of the socialite parties. Everyone else was drunk and they had moved to a close alcove that no one was near, or so they thought. Just as Bellatrix was about to take everything a step farther they both heard footfalls from the other side of the alcove. Before they even had time to realize what was happening Osiris was standing in front of them.

Alecto thought she was ruined. She was certain Osiris would rat her and Bellatrix out to everyone. To her surprise, he hadn’t. Osiris had instead pulled her to the side and proposed the offer of a lavender marriage.

It was like everything had finally fallen into place. She could be with her lovers and still prove herself to her family. She had never imagined that a blood bond would be involved.

Now, however, she had to suck it up. She moved her eyes forward toward the tulle curtains that were to reveal her to the crowd. In just a few moments she was to be a married woman. She set her shoulders back and fixed her posture. One of the ladies handed her the bridal bouquet and Alecto put on her fake smile, readying herself.

The curtains opened, light poured in, and the crowd roared in excitement.

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Sekhmet was truly sorry for what she was about to do. As she brought the golden knife down to cut Osiris’ and Alecto’s palms she felt even worse. Despite this, she knew she couldn’t back out now.

Sekhmet gently brought each of their hands together over a golden basin. She started muttering under her breath, performing a spell that hadn’t been heard in centuries. A ribbon of light encased the couples joined hands, and with the light, their blood turned a rich saffron color as it dripped into the basin below. The crowd went silent in anticipation. Blood magic was considered taboo in many European countries. These people had never seen magic like this, not that this type of magic was ever seen outside of Arafa women. Sekhmet closed her eyes and began to chant.

‎“عسى الدم ده يربطكم. عسى أرواحكم تتحد كواحد. طالما عندكم كلاكم سائل الحياة في عروقكم، أرواحكم هتظل خالدة في عكس بعضها.(easaa aldam dah yarbitukum. easaa 'arwahukum tatahid kawahidi. talama eindakum kilakum sayil alhayaat fi euruqikum, 'arwahukum hatazalu khalidatan fi eaks baediha: May this blood bind you. May your spirits join as one. For as long as you both have ichor in your veins, your souls will be immortal in their mirroring of one another.) “ Sekhmet spoke, her pronunciation clearer than glass.

From the blood of the basin, a lotus began to form. Sekhmet slowly began to cut her own hand with the knife, her blood steadily dripping down onto the surface of the lotus. It sprouted from the depths of the life-giving substance, her blood making it glow in a bright light. This was to prove that the union was solidified. The spell was done; the bond was sealed.

“It’s done” Sekhmet announced, her eyes flickering open to look at the crowd.

The crowd was hushed, and the mouths of witches and wizards would be seen open in shock. Sekhmet couldn’t bear to look at Osiris or Alecto, so she kept her gaze steady. When she looked through the crowd she spotted one vaguely familiar face. The man looking at her had dark brown hair, powder-white skin, striking cheekbones, and most peculiar of all a pair of vibrant red eyes. Sekhmet felt unsettled just glancing at him and quickly moved her eyes to focus on someone else.

Once everyone had settled down at witnessing the bond, they quickly began to disperse. The main couple in question walked back down the aisle together, their hands intertwined. People in the crowd grazed their fingers over the shoulders of the couple, their whispers of admiration and praise heard almost as if in worship.

Sekhmet was unsettled by the behavior. If that was how they acted with the people the spell was performed on how would they act with her? She was scared by the prospect of worship. She was no god, she knew what worship did to people who didn’t deserve it.

Sekhmet had heard whispers of the Dark Lord and his followers. She had heard of his hatred for those with ‘dirty blood’ and how he had been gaining followers from the ancient pureblood houses of England. Mostly, she had seen the blind devotion that many of her friend’s parents, and her father, had for the man. She didn’t quite understand it. Many on the self-proclaimed ‘light side’ did the same with Dumbledore, yet she couldn’t see how their behavior differed from the people they were so adamantly against. These men were just that: men. They were wizards with undeniable skill, yes, but they were no different than any other person. Devotion and worship did horrible things to the people they were targeted at, and she wanted nothing to do with it.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Sekhmet quite enjoyed the wedding festivities. After dodging multiple questions about her ritual rites and the spell she performed at the ceremony she was able to speak to some of her friends. Currently, she is in the process of conversing with Regulus Black. Evan was making his way toward her and Pandora was stuck in a conversation with her sister-in-law, Bellatrix Lestrange Neé Black.

“Tell your brother I say congratulations. This wedding will be one for the ages,” Regulus exclaimed, taking a sip of his dragon wine.

Although he was not officially of age, pureblood festivities, especially weddings, were seen as an exception to the usual rules. Men over the age of 15 were allowed to drink in honor of the occasion, but women were not allowed the same opportunity. That’s why, despite being the same age, Sekhmet was sipping on a glass of honeysuckle-infused water. Osiris had requested it specifically for her, knowing that it was her favorite beverage during their time in Egypt.

“I will Reg.” Sekhmet smiled at him, “Where are your parents?” She whispered to Regulus her tone less casual.

“They’re around here somewhere,” He replied, his gaze scanning the crowd in sight of Walburga and Orion Black.

Just as the two were about to start talking again Evan Rosier threw himself at Regulus, playfully punching his shoulder. He was a little tipsy if his bright smile and unabashed laughter were any indication.

“Reg! Little goddess! How are you two doing? Ah who cares, it’s a day of celebration! And look who I’ve brought with me! Meet my wonderful Aunt Via. She just flew in from Paris this morning!” Evan rambled on, his form slumping onto Regulus as he vaguely gestured to the stunning woman beside him.

Via, if what Evan was saying wasn’t entirely drunken nonsense, was a beautiful witch. She had brown wavy hair that fell past her shoulders, intimidating green eyes, and the infamous Rosier facial structure that screamed French in its sophistication. Her lips were covered in a dark red lipstick that further accentuated her appearance.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Via said, her accent thick, “I am Via Rosier, daughter of Vinda Rosier.”

That name struck a chord with Sekhmet, especially considering that Via looked directly at her as she said it. Vinda Rosier was a loyal follower of Grindelwald. Although not entirely public in her support it was speculated that Vinda had funded the vast majority of Grindelwald’s ‘campaign’. Perhaps Via would know something about her grandfather? After all her mother’s family used to be supporters of the Greater Good.

“It’s wonderful to meet you Via. I’m terribly sorry that Evan didn’t properly introduce us. My name is-“ Sekhmet started, though she was abruptly cut off when Via opened her mouth.

“Sekhmet Arafa. I know who you are. Your mother is Addette Morozov no?” Via asked, her tone polite but it was obvious that she was asking something deeper.

“Yes. Addette Arafa, was my mother,” Sekhmet replied, her eyes focused on Via, trying to read the witch's reaction to her answer.

“I believe I knew your grandfather. He says hello, by the way.” Via responded, her chin high, her eyes holding no particular warmth toward Sekhmet.

“Well then, as wonderful as that is to hear, I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure of introducing myself. I’m Regulus Black,” Regulus broke the tension, stepping up between Via and Sekhmet.

It seemed that Evan went to peruse the dessert table, leaving Regulus free to move from his previous confines. Regulus covered Via’s unwavering stare directed at Sekhmet with his body. He had placed himself strategically between the two women while still seeming like nothing was amiss. He introduced himself politely, his behavior not showing an ounce of oddity. Despite this, Sekhmet knew how Regulus operated. Every move was calculated. He had meant to shield her from Via, had meant to protect her from whatever prying eyes were trying to pull her away. This feeling of being cared for by someone other than her brothers left Sekhmet stunned.

She stared at Regulus, not comprehending a single word of his conversation with Via. To be honest she wasn’t even sure her attention could be caught by a stray spell whizzing its way past her head. She was so engrossed by the enigma that was Regulus Black. This boy, this man, whom she had been friends with for years was becoming foreign to her. It wasn’t a bad thing, Merlin no, but it was different. Where she had once seen a friend she now saw an opportunity for love.

Merlin was she utterly fu—