A/N: At the end.
Blood Binding
Ted,
I've run out of time. Rabastan sent a letter to my father asking to move up the wedding. My Parents are planning to marry me off to him as soon as we get off the train.
Rabastan told me today in the village after he pushed me against a building and kissed me again.
If you've got a plan, I'd really like to hear it right about now. The train is taking students back the day after tomorrow.
Ann
Well, that was that, then.
"Theo? What's the matter?" Kip asked.
"I need to go to Diagon Alley for a little while. Do a little last minute shopping."
"Is something wrong? Has something happened to Andie?" Evelyn asked.
"Not yet. But I need to hurry so the brown owl can get a package to her by tomorrow morning."
And with that, he left.
"Eve?" Kip said.
"I have no idea." She answered.
"A bit early for presents, isn't it?" Rabastan said, seeing the package that was delivered.
"Well, my friend really isn't good with dates." Andromeda said, removing the package and the letter from the pretty brown owl in front of her.
There was a small note attached labeled "Important!"
And opened the note and read it quickly.
Open the package and the letter in private. The letter explains. And yes, this owl is new. I thought you might like one of your own. She's a lovely one and I hope you like her. I haven't named her. Dad suggested you name her 'Diana', but don't feel obligated. I don't think she looks like a Diana.
Ann looked at the owl again and noticed her markings and her liquid amber eyes.
A very pretty owl.
She turned her attention back to the package, took out her wand, shrunk and pocketed it and then added the letter along with her wand to the pocket.
"You aren't going to open it?" Rabastan asked.
"Later. She's French, after all. I never know what she'll think of to send, but if experience is any guide, it's nothing for the breakfast table."
She stroked the owl's head and smiled.
"Poor girl. You've had quite a trip."
"Why hasn't she flown off?" Rabastan asked.
"Because she's part of the present." Andromeda told him.
"Your pen pal got you an owl?"
"It's a strain on her owl to fly so much." Andromeda said offhandedly.
"What's its name?" He asked her.
"I think I'll call her Sophie. Do you like that, girl?" Andromeda said, addressing the owl.
The bird hooted and ruffled her feathers.
"Sophie it is, then."
She opened the letter first, once she was in her dorm.
Ann,
Wear what's in the package tomorrow. Shrink your things and carry them in your purse. Do not go to the Hogsmeade station. When you exit the school, steer clear of Rabastan. Act naturally and try to stay calm. I'll be waiting at The Three Broomsticks.
Don't worry, honey. Everything will be all right. I promise.
I love you,
Ted
She shook her head when the package was opened.
He'd sent a new wool cloak. It was a beautiful gray with black scrolled embroidery at the edges and on the hood.
No one would recognize her in it.
But that wasn't the only thing he'd sent.
Beneath the cloak was a set of exquisite cream-colored dress robes. Long-sleeved with a delicate lace collar.
Definitely not something a child would wear.
She giggled.
He'd sent shoes too.
How thoughtful.
"Cissy?"
"Yeah, Andie?"
"I need you to distract Rabastan."
"You realize he's been completely fixated on you, don't you."
"Which is exactly why I need you to keep him occupied."
"I'll try, but…."
Andromeda smiled.
"Don't worry. I've called in reinforcements. Well, one reinforcement, anyway."
"Why do I get the feeling that I don't want to know?"
"I have no idea."
"Did you call in a favor?"
"You could say that."
He owes me for not saying that he was the one bewitching the suits of armor last month. Lucky for me, he liked my proposal.
"You didn't ask Regulus to do something did you?"
"No, but if he can help you…"
"Sirius?"
"No, but he and his friends would probably enjoy it." She smiled.
"You think I should get them to help?"
"I don't think you'll need them. But make sure you have an umbrella ready. I have a hunch it's going to rain."
She was dressed in the robes Ted sent, as well as the cloak, but she put her old cloak over it, at least for the moment.
Rabastan was waiting for her in the common room.
"Ready Andromeda?"
"Yes." She said.
She was careful not to let him take her arm to lead her and she made sure to fall behind when they reached the entrance hall.
"Lookie there! A bridegroom is here!" Peeves cackled, zooming around the ceiling and pointing at Rabastan.
"Sneaky Slytherin, he is, yes. And his bride for him, doesn't care. But let Peevesie, the wedding bless. So that he'll be safe from wife's wrath… Peevesie gives him a nice wedding bath!" And Peeves began flinging water balloons down on their heads, especially Rabastan's.
Students ran screaming from the entry hall, out onto the snow-covered grounds and Andromeda was able to get away unnoticed.
She ran out with the rest of them, but then quickly removed her black cloak, shrank and pocketed it and then slowed to a walk.
Running in heels, what fun. Especially in snow…..But she did very well.
She looked back and Peeves waved at her before flying back inside the castle.
She grinned.
I always did like that Poltergeist.
Andromeda made her way down to the village and he was there, waiting for her, just as he said he would be.
He was wearing a black cloak and she could almost swear that he was wearing formal attire underneath.
She hadn't seen him in months…….
Before she could stop herself, she was running to him. Running through the snow again.
In heels…..
He smiled, caught her in his arms, and swung her around once before pulling her in close, enveloping her in his hold.
"Ted." She whispered.
"Ann." He said, as if he spoke a sacred prayer.
She didn't want to let go, but he pulled back.
She looked up to see him smiling.
"Don't cry, honey." He whispered, wiping away a tear she hadn't realized she'd shed.
"I can't help it. I haven't seen you for so long…."
"I know. You look beautiful, by the way. You're glowing." He said, smiling.
"Thank you for being so thoughtful. The dress is gorgeous and I love the cloak."
He grinned.
"But I suspect an ulterior motive than just getting me out of the castle without being noticed." She said, arching a brow.
"How astute. Yes, guilty as charged. All part of the plan, though."
"Oh?"
"Well, you see…. I've been thinking about this for some time and…. Ann, I love you and I'm in love with you. I'm not the brightest wizard, but I'm smart enough to know you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I don't ever want to be without you. I know we're young, but….. What I'm getting at is…. Ann, will…will you marry me?"
"You….you want to marry me?"
He nodded.
She bit her bottom lip as tears slipped from her eyes.
"Ann, honey?"
She smiled.
"You sent the dress and everything, so that we could get married today…."
"Yes."
"I don't know how I could do anything else…. Of course I'll marry you, yes." She told him.
He smiled.
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Close your eyes."
"Another surprise?"
He chuckled.
"Yes, one last surprise."
She closed her eyes and felt him take hold of her left hand and slip something onto her finger.
"Okay, open your eyes."
She looked down at her hand and gasped.
"Ted……"
"Do you like it?"
"It…..it's….." She looked up at him and smiled. "It's perfect."
"It was my great-grandmother's."
A round cut diamond set in a platinum band now graced her ring finger. An engagement ring.
"My great-grandfather gave it to her on their fiftieth wedding anniversary."
"So it's a lucky ring then." She said.
"I've had that in my pocket since the fair…." He said, his cheeks slightly coloring.
"The fair? You mean….You've been carrying this since you bought me Ted Bear?"
He nodded.
"Like I said, I've been thinking about this for a while. I would have waited until after you graduated, but….."
"I'm glad you didn't wait, whatever the reason."
He smiled.
"We'd better get going, if we're going to beat the train and get everything taken care of."
"Everything?"
"Switching the name of your Gringott's account, if you want, for starters. And we'll take it from there. But the Ministry's first." He said.
She nodded.
"Ready to be my beautiful bride, Ann?" He smiled.
"Ready to be my handsome groom, Ted?" She grinned.
"More than." He answered.
"Me too."
"Hold tight then." He whispered.
She tightened her arms around him and he disapparated them on the spot.
They arrived at the Ministry and Ann followed Ted through the building.
"I already filed the paperwork, so that should save some time." He told her.
"Good. I don't care much for paperwork to begin with." She chuckled.
"Tonks? What are you doing getting married?" The man behind the desk asked. "You're just a kid….."
Obviously he knew Ted, somehow.
"Ann, will you help me explain?" Ted asked.
"What do I need to do?"
Ted grinned and unclasped her cloak, slipping it from her shoulders. He then offered her his hand and spun her in a circle.
"That answer your question, Smith?" Ted smiled.
"Yeah, you lucky little bugger. I've got your paperwork here. I just need the bride's signature and we can get you two hitched." The man smiled.
Ann stepped up to the desk.
"He really is a lucky little bugger!" Smith said again when he saw Ann up close.
"I keep telling him that, but he doesn't listen to me." She smiled as she took up a quill and signed her name to the document.
"Well, if you ever change you mind, Miss…"
"Thanks for the offer, but I think it's a done deal." She whispered.
"My loss. Okay, Miss….." He looked down at her name and his eye went wide. "You're a Black?!"
"Is that a problem?" Andromeda asked.
"No, I just….Your family's got a bit of a reputation…."
"Yes, but I don't see eye to eye with the majority of my family, so…. How long?"
"Twenty minutes, tops."
"Go on then, Smith. You wouldn't want to make a pretty girl cry on her wedding day." Ted said.
"Have a seat and I'll get everything in order." Smith said and he headed off somewhere behind the desk.
Ann looked at Ted.
He'd taken off his cloak.
I was right. He is wearing dress robes!
Black dress robes with a white collared shirt beneath and it also looked as if he was wearing a vest as well.
She smiled at him.
"You dressed up too."
He grinned.
"I thought the occasion called for it. Besides, can't let you have all the fun, can I?"
She chuckled as Ted led her over to several folding chairs and they sat down.
Ann closed her eyes and sighed.
"Ann? Everything alright?"
"Yes, it's just been a busy morning, is all. What sort of ceremony are we having, anyway?"
He looked uneasily at her.
"Ted?"
"Well, I thought….I thought a Blood Binding would be best…."
"Blood Binding….yes, I suppose so. I mean, my parents won't really be able to contest the marriage then and Rabastan will be S.O.L."
"You're not upset?"
"No, I just hope it doesn't hurt too much."
He wrapped his arm around her.
"It won't be bad."
"So, Gringott's?"
"Yes, unless you don't want to change your account…?"
"No, I do. Then my parents definitely won't be able to touch it. That, and there's something I want to take out."
"Oh?"
She grinned.
"It's going to sound silly, but when I was younger a distant uncle came to visit and he told me and my sisters we could each have whatever we wanted. Bella asked for an emerald necklace, Cissy asked for an enchanted mirror and I…."
"Yes?"
"I asked for a set of wedding rings." She told him, embarrassed.
He smiled.
"We don't have to use them, but…." She said.
"Why shouldn't we? I'm sure you picked a good set."
She nodded.
"Platinum woven smooth to resemble braids."
"Sounds just right to me."
"Where else did you want to go?"
"You mean after Gringott's?"
She nodded.
"Well, I was looking at some houses and…."
"House shopping?"
He chuckled.
"Can't live with my folks forever, Ann."
"I…I know, I just….You've been busy."
"I suppose. But I haven't found the right house yet. At this rate, I'll end up building it, like dad did."
"That wouldn't be bad." She said.
"No, just tedious."
"Even with magic?"
"In a muggle populated area, yes. But if we're with wizards, it's much easier."
She sighed again and rested her head against his shoulder.
"Perhaps when we get home you should take a nap." He whispered with a small chuckle.
"Mmm…"
"Tonks, you can come back. We're ready now." Smith called.
Ted stood and offered Ann his hand.
She took it, stood and followed him back behind the desk and into an office.
An old wizard with gray hair dressed in deep blue robes smiled at them.
"Good morning. I'm Hyman Van Locke. I understand you two wish to be married, correct?"
"Yes, sir." Ted answered.
"Very well. As this will be a Blood Binding ceremony, I will guide you through it. Please step forward."
Ann and Ted stepped closer and Van Locke looked at Ann.
"Do you come to this union with an open heart? Ready to accept another, him and only him as your husband, blood kin and family?"
"I come with a ready and willing heart." Andromeda answered.
The old man smiled and turned to Ted.
"Do you come to this union with an equally open heart? Ready to accept her and only her, who has already pledged her heart to you, as your wife, blood kin and family?"
"With a willing and ready heart, I come."
The man turned back to Andromeda.
"If it be your wish to join with this man, know that a Blood Binding cannot be undone. It is everlasting. Do you still wish such a union?"
"I do."
"And if you still wish to join with this woman, know that Blood binds Blood and cannot be unbound. Do you still wish to be bound to her?" The man asked Ted.
"I do."
"Finally, I ask you both, do you come to this union freely, without hesitation? Without secrets? We can exclude Yuletide gifts, since the holiday season is upon us." He smiled.
Ann stiffened.
I don't have secrets, really…..But….I need to find the right time…..
"I come freely, but my secrets are hers." Ted said.
Ted looked at her and smiled reassuringly.
She smiled too.
He said that for my sake…
"I come freely, and my secrets are his." Said Ann.
Not a lie…….He just doesn't know the secret yet….
The old man nodded.
He procured a gold dagger and held it before them on an indigo cloth made of crushed velvet.
"It is tradition for the bride and groom to cut each other's palms." The man said.
Ted picked up the dagger and Ann held out her hand to him.
He slicked her palm, placed the dagger in her uninjured hand and offered up his own palm.
She cut his hand and the old man took the dagger from her.
He held it up before them.
"Blood of the Sun and Blood of the Moon. Join together your hands and complete the binding." He said.
Ted clasped Ann's palm and she smiled at him.
She felt a tingling in her palm and the sensation traveled through her. When she looked up at Ted, he seemed to be feeling the same thing.
"Blood of the Moon and Blood of the Sun. The circle is complete. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss, if you are so inclined." The old man smiled.
Ted leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers.
When they parted they released their hands and Ann blinked in surprise.
"It….it healed…"
"All part of the ceremony, my dear." The old man assured her.
"But there's a faint scar." Said Ted, running his finger over the crescent mark on Ann's palm.
"You've got one too." She said, turning over his palm to reveal a sun-shaped scar.
Ted laughed.
"I guess the old myths hold true." He said.
She looked at him and smiled.
"Your dad will like that." She said.
"Probably right."
"You've picked quite the day for a wedding." Mused Van Locke.
"Oh?" Ann asked.
"Most people wouldn't choose Christmas Eve for a wedding." Van Locke said.
"Yes, well, we aren't most people. I doubt most people would pair a Hufflepuff with a Slytherin either. But it works well for us." Ted told him.
"Hufflepuff and Slytherin? That is a combination…." Van Locke commented, surprised.
"Is it really that much of a surprise?" Ann said.
The old man arched his brow.
"Occasionally, I see a Slytherin and a Gryffindor and those are always turbulent. But never a Hufflepuff with a Slytherin and especially not ones so young."
"Mmm…well, I doubt my parents will be pleased, but I don't care what they think, either." Ann grinned.
"Good luck, young lady. And here, this is yours." Van Locke said, handing her a velvet bag.
"What….?" And started to ask.
"Your dagger." The old man answered.
"Oh, right." She smiled and she accepted the bag, quickly putting it in her purse.
"We should be off. We still have a few errands to run." Ted smiled.
"Have a happy Christmas." The old man said.
"And you do the same. Thank you for your help." Ted said, shaking the man's hand.
"It was my pleasure. Safe trip."
Ted helped Ann with her cloak and soon they were disapparating again.
A/N: Yay! Chapter 21 is here! Quite early, too! And there's a lot going on in this one. I had to add the part about Rabastan getting pelted with water balloons by Peeves, I just couldn't help myself. And Ann and Ted got married. Yay! And now I guess I should explain all of the mythological references. Hyman was one of the gods that presided over weddings. Can you guess why? Anyway...if Hyman presided over a wedding, it was a sign of good fortune for the couple. And the scars on their hands after the ceremony are meant to symbolize male and female. The sun being male, and the moon being female-- traditional symbology. Wouldn't Robert Langdon be proud?And Sophie means wisdom and Diana, the goddess of wisdom, is usually represented by an owl. I was reading Ovid's Metamorphoses when I wrote this chapter, can you tell? But the important thing here is... Ann and Ted are together...now the fun begins. Thanks for reading and a very special thank you to my wonderful reviewers. You guys are the best. Please let me know what you think about this chapter. I'd really appreciate the input. See you in the next chapter!
A/N2: In case you haven't read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code or seen the movie with Tom Hanks, Robert Langdon is the main character of the story. He is also in Brown's other book, Angels and Demons--which I think might even be better than Da Vinci Code. Anyway...the character Robert Langdon is a Harvard professor of Symbology, but he knows his mythology and his history too. I highly recommend both books.
Metamorphoses by Ovid is a collection of ancients myths- Apollo and Daphne, Vertumnus and Pomona, Andromeda and Perseus, Cassiopiea and Cepheus, Odysseus and the Cyclops, Cinyras and Myrrha, Hades and Persephone... All of the classics. It gets a bit difficult at times, but it has some very good tales in it.