The Wedding
The music swelled dramatically as the doors were flung open and she swept in, escorted by her father. She was draped in a gorgeous pure white dress, her mother's before hers.
Bellatrix walked toward the altar, her white dress fluttering gracefully in the breeze. She looked radiant as she took her place next to her fiancé, who wore a sombre black suit, his face filled with prideful arrogance.
As Bellatrix made her way towards the altar, the guests turned to watch the beautiful bride. Her white dress fluttered gently in the breeze, and she looked radiant as she took her place next to her fiancé.
The music built, and the atmosphere in the room was filled with anticipation.
The priest began the ceremony, and soon they were exchanging vows, promising to be faithful and to love each other in the good times and in the bad. And as they said "I do," the guests clapped and cheered in celebration.
~
The wedding reception swooped in quickly, all guests ushered out into the grand gardens where drinks and food awaited. Various seating arrangements but a large number of the guests took this as an opportunity to mingle.
Andromeda jumped on the idea to ditch her date so she split at the earliest opportunity. Sneaking away to a quiet corner within the gardens more covering shrubbery.
Perched carefully on a garden wall, she let out a shaky sign. Nothing like hours of small talk with the high and mighty to drain every ounce of life out of you. Andromeda leaned back as the sun washed over her face, shutting her eyes to bask in its warmth.
A few moments passed back before her calm was interrupted. A high pitched giggle approaches her. She opened her eyes to a pleasant surprise, she couldn't help but smile.
"Sirius! Pea!" She exclaimed, as her two baby cousins came running towards her.
"ANDY!" The young children cheered as they ran to embrace her.
"Aw, how are my favourite cousins?" She asked, running her hands through the soft ruffles of their dark hair. "You guys did good with your jobs at the wedding."
"Carrying that ring was easy." Sirius snorted. "But this tie is killing me!"
"Come here and I'll loosen it a little for you."
Andromeda bent down to his level. "You know, when you start Hogwarts, you're gonna have to wear a tie all the time."
A deep groan escaped the young boy's lips. Andy couldn't help but laugh.
"And you," She turned to Cassiopeia. "You were a fabulous flower girl, you and the little Lestrange girl looked very pretty."
"Why couldn't I be like Sirius?" She huffed.
"Well, I know those rings looked really heavy but Sirius is a nice strong boy so he can carry them all by himself." Andromeda explained sympathetically, as she messed with her short curls.
"I'm strong too!" She protested.
"I know my little pea but it just works out that way sometimes." Andromeda planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
This did not stop the pouty lip stroppy to ensue.
"Maybe you can carry the rings at my wedding, how about that?"
"Really?" Cassiopeia beamed, her eyes shining with joy. "Yes, yes, YES!"
Sirius rolled his eyes affectionately, his arms crossed.
"Oh, don't be such a grump, Sirius," Andromeda teased, her voice softening as she looked at him.
"Does that mean I have to do flowers next time?" He asked with a grimace.
Andromeda chuckled softly, "Only if you want to."
That answer seemed to satisfy him.
"Andromeda!" Walburga said, her tone sharp and harsh as she stepped towards them in an aggressive manner. Her face was set in a stern expression as she looked at her niece and her children.
Andromeda's eyes widened, sensing trouble.
"Yes, Aunt?" She asked, her tone cautious as she stepped in front of Cassiopeia and Sirius instinctually to protect them.
"What are you kids doing unaccompanied?" Walburga snapped, her eyes moving to Cassiopeia. "And avoiding the party? Should you not be with your fiancée?"
"Oh, I just stepped away for a minute. I'm sure Lucius is fine."
"I think it best if you go find him." Walburga gave her a steely glare.
"I suppose you're right." Andromeda smiled softly, turning to her cousins. "I'll see you guys later, be good."
They crashed into her for one more hug before she was forced to leave them alone with their mother. She knew for fact the cruelty of her aunt and uncle after an unfortunate misunderstanding a few Christmas dinners back. A ticking time bomb type of temper. They weren't even teenagers yet and Andromeda could still see all the signs. A situation Andromeda wasn't overly comfortable with but had little control over.
She made her way back towards the main bustle of merry guests and obnoxiously loud conversation, but surprisingly could not identify the location of Lucius throughout the crowds. Not that she wanted to.
Andromeda paused for a moment, wondering why she couldn't find Lucius amidst the chaos. She looked around the room, her eyes searching for a glimpse of his dark suit or his familiar face, but she couldn't seem to see him anywhere. Perhaps he had already left or was simply somewhere else in the crowd? In her search for her fiancé, Andromeda moved through the crowds, scanning the faces of each guest as they passed. But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't seem to find him.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Andromeda! There you are!"
Andromeda turned towards the sound, her eyes
settling on Rabastan.
"Rabastan," she said with a smile, "How are you doing tonight? Are you enjoying the celebrations?"
"I am," Rabastan said with a warm smile, "It's a lovely party." He stepped closer to her, his tone lowering to a whisper. "I've been looking for you everywhere. It seems like every guest in the room wants to speak with you."
Andromeda smiled back at him, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Really?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise and delight. "Do you mean it?"
"Oh, certainly," Rabastan continued, his voice soft and low. "You're the most fascinating woman here tonight."
"Watch your tongue, Bastan. I'm off the market." Andromeda said, flexing her engagement ring.
"So?" Rabastan said with a playful wink. "I believe in my powers of persuasion."
Andromeda couldn't help but laugh at his comment. "So you do, but I must say, your charm won't work on me."
Rabastan's eyes widened, his grin growing wider. "That's what you think," he said, his voice filled with self-confidence. "I'd be careful, Andromeda. I have a way of making a certain taken woman change her mind."
Andromeda rolled her eyes, feeling annoyed by his constant flirting.
"Perhaps I do not want my mind changed," Andromeda said, her gaze sharp as she challenged him. "I know what I want, and it isn't you, Rabastan."
The moment of tension hung heavy in the air, neither one wanting to back down. After a moment, Rabastan let out a loud laugh, as if he had just gotten the better of her.
"Well, perhaps I overestimated my charms," he said, his tone light, "But don't go thinking that you're immune to it entirely, Andromeda."
"You flatter yourself, Rabastan," Andromeda said, still not fully convinced by his claim. "Besides, even if I were to a single woman once more, you would still not stand a chance."
Rabastan smiled at her response. "No chance?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Not even a smidgen of a chance that I could turn you from your fiance and win your heart?"
"Don't you know women nowadays don't have the luxury of a heart?" Andromeda frowned slightly.
Rabastan raised an eyebrow at Andromeda's comment, his grin fading slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked slowly.
"Oh, you know what I mean," Andromeda responded, her tone sarcastic. "Money, purity, status. That's all that matters."
"It's tradition, Andromeda."
"You sound like my mother."
Rabastan let out another laugh. "I'm sure you'll learn to love Lucius…him and his hairstylist."
"You're so naive, it's adorable." Andromeda rolled her eyes.
"Well, you'll never be happy together with that attitude."
"Stop." Andromeda scowled at him.
"Stop what?"
"Trying to give me…marriage counselling! You aren't even engaged yet, so keep your nose out of mine."
"Androme-"
But before the argument could continue, another voice interrupted them
.
"Enough," Lucius said harshly, his eyes fixed on the two of them.
Rabastan froze at the sound of his voice, but Andromeda turned towards the source of the commotion, her expression defiant.
"I believe your brother was looking for you, you should go find him." Lucius said, his tone calm and controlled, but glinting with anger.
Rabastan assessed the situation for a quick moment. "Oh yes, I probably should. It was nice talking with you Andromeda."
"Goodbye, Rabastan." Andromeda replied before he disappeared off into the crowd.