Chapter 26: The End of the Beginning
The next day dawned to find Isla already fully dressed, and slightly nervous. Even though the afternoon would mean that she would be completely free at last of her family and mistress of her own destiny, the thought that Phineas might do something to prevent her marriage to Bob chilled the blood in her veins. There was nothing he could say to her to make her change her mind. She knew her own heart, had irrevocably made up her mind, and had realized for many months now that her happiness lay in her fiancé's hands. But, even if they were not as a rule violent men, she feared that she had offended and dishonored her father and brother too severely for them to simply accept the fact that Isla would be polluting herself and the noble Black bloodline by tying herself to a mudblood. She feared being dragged away from the altar to save the Black reputation.
Unable to contain these thoughts to herself, she voiced them to Sophia as they were preparing breakfast.
"My dearest Isla!", she cried. "What an absurd thought! I may not know Bob Hitchens intimately, but I seriously doubt that he would simply stand by and watch you being snatched from him, especially if it was not what you wished for."
Isla calmed considerably by her friend's observation, and reminded herself that she was a skilled witch who could more than adequately hold her own in an argument, should Phineas or Mr Black choose to appear at her wedding. A small smile appeared on her thin lips as she recalled how she and Bob had almost attacked each other after she had insulted him. Things had changed, but, most importantly, they had changed.
Duilius soon joined them in the kitchen, and the three sat down to breakfast, chatting merrily for the nuptials that were to take place in the afternoon in Bob's apartment, and any preparations that needed to be done. Once it became apparent that Isla had nothing remotely resembling a wedding gown to wear, Sophia was beside herself at her friend's negligence.
"There will not be ten people present, Sophia. I do not think it necessary. I shall be perfectly fine with the dress robes I purchased last year. I have scarcely worn them." When Sophia made it clear by opening her mouth to protest that she would not let the subject drop, Isla continued hurriedly: "I must be going now, or I shall be late for work. And so should you, for that matter."
"You will do nothing of the kind!", Sophia exclaimed once the initial shock that her friend's speech had subsided. "You are a bride, Isla. This is your special day. Surely you..."
"Sophia", interrupted Isla, "I thank you for wishing to do everything traditionally. But there is absolutely nothing traditional about my wedding. I am a Black, and I am taking a muggleborn for a husband. For me, it could not be more special than it already is. I require no dress, no ceremony or grand feast. I am getting married to Bob, and I assure you that is all that it takes to make this the happiest day. I need to go to the laboratory, so that this day can be a little normal; if I am left to dwell on my joy for much longer, I shall go distracted with incredulity at how things ended, or rather, are starting so beautifully." She sighed before she went on. "To be sure, I would have liked for even one member of my family to take the trouble of getting to know and appreciate Bob, but you and Duilius have done that and I am more happy and indebted to you than I can express."
With a little support from Duilius, Sophia was soon able to appreciate what Isla was saying. She had always known her friend to be unique in the ranks of the purebloods, and she should try harder to accept her as she was, instead of trying to make her fit into the society she had been born into, as she had done in their school days. The three friends, stayed silent for a moment or two, each deep in thought, before they began bustling around the cottage, getting ready for the day.
As Isla was making her way through the crowd in Diagon Alley towards the laboratory, she was completely oblivious to the conversations around her. She was even unaware of the chill that had decidedly crept into the November morning, a reminder that winter was on its way. her head was full of the afternoon. Such was her state of mind, that she nearly missed the large sign that hung outside Flourish and Blotts, and would have wandered farther down the main road, had not Mr Percy called at her, bringing her back to the present.
"Good morning, Miss Black", he greeted her with a bow of the head and a smile. "are you quite well?", he asked with concern at her dreamy state.
Isla had nearly flinched at the sound of her surname. She recovered quickly, however, reminding herself that she would be a Black for only a few hours longer.
"Perfectly so, thank you, sir", she replied with a smile, and together, they entered the premises.
As soon as she had left her traveling cloak and hat in her office, she made her way hesitantly to Professor Williams' office. she knocked, waited, but no response came. She was not surprised; it was a week day, and the professor would be at Hogwarts. Sighing, she returned to her office, took a piece of parchment, a quill and ink bottle, and wrote to her employer, requesting the afternoon off, as she was obliged to attend her wedding. Imagining her old teacher's reaction at the news, Isla sealed the letter with a mischievous grin. It was then that she noted that on the smallest finger of her right hand still rested the gold ring with the Black crest. She carefully removed the ring, placed it in an envelope, and wrote the name of the recipient.
To Cygnus Black
Informing Miss Macmillan that she would be gone for five minutes, she made her way to the Owl Post Office, wondering what Pegasus, her tawny owl, would do without her. Or, indeed, Godam, the house elf. The little creature had come to heavily depend on her. But he was beyond her help now. At least someone would remember her with some fondness in that house.
As she saw the owl carrying the ring back to her father, she felt a strange finality; it was over. She had relinquished the last thing that tied her to her pureblood heritage. She was free. Well and truly free. A little while longer, and I shall cease being a Black even in name. Impatient for time to fly by, like the owls delivering post to the corners of the land, she returned to the laboratory to await Professor Williams' answer.
Isla did not doubt that her employer would allow her the afternoon off, especially once he knew of the reason, but she would like to be absolutely certain. Therefore, while she was working, she threw eager glances at the window, lest an owl had appeared there with a letter tied to its leg. But there was nothing to see for the whole morning.
A soft tap was heard around midday, but the message was not from Professor Williams. It was in a vaguely familiar hand, and it consisted of a single sentence:
Seven o'clock cannot come soon enough for me.
It was enough to shatter the concentration she had achieved with so much effort, and to put a broad smile on her thin lips and light her dark eyes.
It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, and Isla had despaired of receiving an answer to her plea of half the day off, when suddenly the front door was heard slamming, and quick footsteps made their way down the corridor. Without any further notice or ceremony, her office door opened widely to admit a frowning Professor Williams. He was brandishing her letter in one hand, while the other seemed engaged in reducing the doorknob to no more than dust. He looked at her for a moment in stern contemplation.
"Is this why you were so worried?", he asked finally.
She nodded.
"Please, sir, close the door, and I shall explain all to you."
As soon as he had obliged her, he turned to her perplexed.
"But I read nothing about it in the papers. Surely, such an event would have..."
She was shaking her head in denial.
"No. My family only learned of my engagement last night, and it is the sort of event that they would try to hush up at all cost."
"Last night? And who might this illustrious fellow be that your family disapproves of?"
"Bob Hitchens", replied she with a smile.
A gasp of astonishment escaped Professor Williams, only to be followed by a great laugh.
"Well, who would have thought it", he said after a while, shaking his head in wonder. "By Merlin, you have grown a good deal more independent than I ever imagine you would", he said, and Isla was very moved to find that his words were filled with pride. Pride for her.
"Thank you, Professor. You have always been kind to me", she said, truly moved by the look of paternal pride in his face.
"You deserve all the kindness and happiness in the world, Isla."
He smiled at her for a few moments, but his countenance turned serious once more, and a frown appeared on his brow.
"What in Merlin's name are you still doing here?!", he said.
"I was not certain whether it would be fine for me to leave without notice..."
"What nonsense! Off you go, now."
"Yes, sir", she said. "Thank you. Oh, and if you would care to join us, the wedding will take place at -, Cheapside, at seven. It will not be much, but we will both be pleased to have you there."
"Yes, yes, I thank you, but be off with you now!"
And needing no further prompt, Isla left the laboratory. Seven o'clock was drawing closer with each passing moment.
Bob took yet another turn in his small apartment to make certain that everything was ready to receive his bride. He had brought his family from Manchester with Side-Along Apparition, and they were now waiting in the drawing room, along with the Ministry official that was to perform the ceremony. An awkward silence presided over the room, but his own anxiousness for his wedding was too great to notice the uncomfortable glances between his family and the official. He sighed dejectedly.
"Please, relax, brother dear", said Anne's soothing voice as she entered into the bedroom, were he was currently standing. "All will be well."
"Will it? She has been used to a house five times the size of this one", he confessed, looking half-heartedly at the minuscule bed chamber. She has grown up with fine dresses, goblin-made jewelry and as fine a dining table as the best house elves could offer. I have nothing remotely similar to give her."
"That much is true", she said with a smile. "But do you believe that she does not know that? For all the extravagance among which she has been raised from her infancy, she lacked the most important luxury of all: affection. And she knows that you can and will love her to the best of your ability. She wants you to provide her with affection. This is her choice, as well as yours. Never forget that."
All the moments that she could have backed out, cancel all their plans, and break her promise and she had not came back to him to reassure his turbulent soul. He nodded to his sister, and a smile blossomed slowly on his lips.
A knock was heard at the door, and the two siblings were in no time in the drawing room, expecting to meet the bride at the doorstep. Instead, Bob was most astonished to see Professor Williams enter, shake his hand and offer his warmest congratulations.
"Miss Black invited me today", he proceeded to explain.
"You are most welcome, sir", replied Bob. "Unfortunately, things with Miss Black's family have prevented us from issuing invitations."
"I understand", said the professor, and then stood for a moment examining Bob with an unreadable expression on his face. "Well, who would have thought it... It took a particularly powerful Shield Charm to keep you from harming one another on that damned Quidditch final, and yet here we are, on your wedding day."
Bob laughed heartily at the words of his former teacher, and proceeded to introduce him to his family.
It was not long after that that Isla arrived with Sophia and Duilius. In the commotion that the bride's arrival created, there was no time for the couple to exchange even a word. But a look into each other's countenance as Duilius handed his cousin's hand into Bob's was enough to reassure both. The Ministry official began the ceremony without further ado in a dreary voice.
Isla and Bob barely heard a word of what the official was saying, and were only forced to pay him attention when, after half an hour, Sophia gently nudged the bride to remind her that the vows followed. No one in the room who heard the couple make their vows to each other could doubt that they meant them, in spite of their young age; the groom's mother, in particular, realized that there was genuine affection between her son and his strange bride. The one placed a simple golden band on the other's finger, and the ceremony was over. As a single tear escaped both black and blue eyes, Bob took his wife's hands into his own, pressed them, and kissed her, to the cheering of his siblings. Isla sighed in relief that nothing unexpected had happened, or rather, that no angry Black descendant had burst through the door to cancel the wedding. Now, she could properly breathe again.
Bottles of elf-made wine were immediately opened, and soon the few guests of the wedding held goblets full to the brim with the sweet liquor, and an atmosphere of good cheer presided the room. Isla found herself being toasted by a widely grinning Professor Williams, and turned a brilliant shade of red.
"Well, now, I think two weeks leave of absence should do the trick", he whispered to her.
"Professor, I thank you, but you needn't...", Isla began protesting almost immediately.
"Of course I needn't. Consider it your wedding present, since I was vulgar enough to come here without one."
She smiled and thanked him warmly. Merlin knew, married life would take some adjusting to, she thought to herself, and took a large sip of wine in an attempt to hide her smile. She was married to Bob. She thought she would never stop smiling.
She knew that life would be no rosy path. It had never been for her before. There would be difficulties ahead, and sorrow. Arguments and disagreements between herself and Bob were bound to arise, she had no illusions in that direction. But there would also be happiness, and hope. Loving each other as they did, Isla doubted not that she and her husband-how strange and wonderful that sounded!-would overcome all difficulties and be well in the end.
The night had progressed a good deal before the guests decided to give the newlyweds some privacy. Bob took his parents and siblings back to Manchester, and in the short while that he would be away, Isla took the chance to familiarize herself with his-their-home. Wandering leisurely through the small rooms, she was indifferent to the limited space. Instead, she marveled in everything that made it perfectly evident that Bob Hitchens lived here; the bookcase at one end of the bed chamber, full with well-thumped books of muggle literature, a stack of magical academic periodicals, the light colors of the walls and furniture, so in contrast with the dark, heavy wooden furniture that adorned Number 12, Grimauld Place, the untidy kitchen, the comfortable-looking sofas, the wide open curtains.
She heard the door open, and was startled out of her happy observations, for it was not long after Bob had left that she had understood that she could very well call this house her home. Her husband came to her, and embraced her tightly.
"I can scarcely believe our good fortune", she said after awhile of blissfully remaining silent in Bob's arms.
"Good fortune?", he asked, laughing softly. "Tell me then, what would have been ill fortune for my extraordinarily perseverant wife? Our journey up to this point has not been what I would call easy."
"No. But we are here now. And we made a vow to be here for the remainder of our lives; that is all that matters."
"Indeed it is", he said, and prevented her from further talking with a kiss.
As can be expected, news of Isla Black's wedding to muggleborn Robert Hitchens, and her consequent disownment, traveled fast, especially in the gossip-mongering circles of the high pureblood society. Mr and Mrs Duilius Max's presence at such an event was highly discussed as well, and highly condemned. Indeed, the discovery of his nephew's attendance made Mr Black and Phineas furious, causing an insurmountable breach between them and Duilius. At least Mrs Black never quite forgot her daughter, and managed to secretly save a few galleons each year to support Isla. It was not much, but Isla knew that it was her mother's way to atone for neglecting her, as well as to remind her that, no matter what, she was at least loved by her.
For all the shock that the wedding of the quiet Miss Black had caused to many a pureblood lady, no one was more shocked by the news by Miss Macmillan, who, upon hearing the next afternoon Professor Williams announce that Miss Black was now Mrs Hitchens and therefore would be absent for a fortnight, looked bemused for fully ten minutes. She had been certain beyond a shadow of doubt that between her colleague and Mr Hitchens existed a strong dislike, if not downright hatred, that would be passed on to the next generation, creating thus an enduring rivalry between their two families. The idea that they would be beginnig a family together instead would take some getting used to.
Indeed, the only one not taken aback by the professor's revelation was Mr Blishwick, who gave a great bark of a laugh.
"Good for her! I never thought she would actually marry him! That girl has more spirit than I gave her credit", he said loudly.
"Do you mean to say that you knew that there was something going on?", said Professor Williams, shocked to find that his friend suspected the attachment between his former students.
"John, anyone in possession of eyes and a brain could see what were their true feelings for each other."
The whole team laughed, and a bottle of firewhiskey was produced in no time. Their glasses rose in a toast: the newlyweds!
The couple soon found married life suited them perfectly. There was a deep level of communication and understanding between Isla and Bob that greatly helped their joint lives. Their love only grew deeper as time passed. They never became wealthy, for both their salaries, though more than enough for a modest living style, could not fuel an extravagant spending regime. Bob had been used to struggling in order to live, and therefore the comfortable life that his and his wife's jobs afforded was perfectly adequate. But what truly made a difference for them both was waking each morning next to one another. As for Isla, she could not care less for the lack of expensive jewelry or clothes, for every day that passed was yet another proof that "poor and content is rich, and rich enough".
Author's note: Phew! So, that's it, folks!
First of all, let me apologize for the RIDICULOUSLY long time it took me to update. I hope you liked it at least!
I'm a little sad that I finished it-and just a tiny bit proud. This is my very first completed story, and it's taken me fourteen months to write! I will most certainly miss Isla and Bob. So much that I am planning a sequel! ;)
There are many people I want to thank for helping me: my friends, Maria and Sophia, who patiently heard me ramble on and on about it at its earliest stages, Anna, who prompted me to post it here, Eva, who has patiently read it and boosted my confidence time and time again, as well as suggest some brilliant ideas. And, of course, to YOU, who read, followed, favorited or review'd this story, and especially Victory Goddess, who has written amazing reviews for nearly all the chapters. Thank you SO much to all of you!
I hope you liked my take on how Isla Black came to be Isla Hitchens! If you did, stay tuned for the sequel! Hopefully, I'll start posting chapters in April!
All the best,
Tulipa Negra
xxx