Chapter 52: A Wedding to Remember
Augusta made Neville sleep in his room from the month before the wedding, so it was difficult for us to sleep, having gotten used to sleeping in the same bed. We barely saw each other and on the evening before the wedding, Neville appeared in the garden to see me. "Hey, Gran is going to be looking for me soon, but I wanted to see you before tomorrow." he kissed me deeply, almost as if we weren't going to see each other ever again. He pressed his forehead to mine and sighed, "This is the last time I'm going to see you Aethna Chesmino. Tomorrow you will be Aethna Longbottom." I nodded, already loving the sound of that.
We sat together for a while, staring up at the stars and being together. "I know you two are out there, Neville get inside. Aethna go to bed already." I laughed and turned to him, pulling him off the ground. "Guess it's time for goodbye for now. Until tomorrow my love." I bid him goodnight and he didn't want to let go. "Aethna…are you 100% sure?" I touched his hand to my heart, "With every part of me, this is everything I want. I never knew I could be so happy." his eyes lit up as we walked back, Augusta looking so annoyed at us, but I could see the happiness in her eyes.
When morning came, Augusta greeted me with a ton of things to do. First breakfast, then shower and getting ready. It took hours to get the dress on and last minute touches, my hair to be curled into ringlets and to pin it back with the veil. My makeup was minimal and not really needed but it did bring out my eyes. My sandals were laced up my legs, opting for those instead of heels for the beach. "Finally, you're ready." she said, standing back and looking at me. The only jewelry I had was a choker silk necklace of the same green as my dress and emeralds for earrings. I climbed into the car, heading off to meet Neville and begin our future as husband and wife.
Augusta left to go tend to Neville as soon as we arrived and I went to the lobby where I was to wait until the wedding march. There was a knock and I saw Hermione's head pop in. She walked in quickly, shutting the door and gasped when she saw me. "So amazing! You look stunning!" she said, admiring my dress. "Has something happened?" she shook her head. "I saw Neville's grandmother heading his way and thought maybe you would like to have some company your own age…" I smiled and we sat down, careful of the dress. "This is insane I know, getting married so young. But I can't help it, Neville is my true love." "That's so sweet. I never even knew you liked each other."
I told her about our sweet moments and how we fell in love, she seemed so entranced, it made me wonder if she was thinking about someone else. I didn't have time to ask as Augusta came back and ushered Hermione out and said it was time. "Who's going to walk you down?" she asked and I realized, I never thought of that. Normally it would be the father, but seeing as I hated him…and killed him… "I would be honored…" I turned and saw Nikolaus standing in his suit, a smile on his face. "Fine fine, well it's about to begin, be ready when you hear the music."
She walked out and Nikolaus came over, kissing my cheek. "Beautiful my sister, just beautiful. Neville is a lucky man." I nodded, taking his arm and stepping out into the hall so we would be able to hear the music. "Forgive me for taking off as we did. Sanguini said it was for the best. Then I heard about your coma and we rushed back. But by the time we arrived, we were told about the wedding and I knew you were going to be alright." I nodded and thanked him for coming back. "Is the sun going to be an issue?" he asked and I shook my head, my powers seemed to be back to normal, but stronger, faster, more deadly. "Is it for you?" "No, although it is different, human food is bitter to me. Blood is pretty much all I consume."
I went to ask more, but I heard a melody play and froze, this was it. "Ready?" I nodded and began our walk. The sun was bright and everyone stood and turned as we exited the hallway, I found Neville waiting at the alter. He looked so handsome in his suit, like a man ready to take on anything. His eyes fell on me and the smile on his face made my heart soar. I smiled brightly back, only seeing him as Nikolaus led me to him. I felt tears of happiness in my eyes and I fought them from spilling, Augusta may kill me if I have running makeup in photos.
He stopped and was asked, "Who gives this woman away?" "Her Brother does." he replied and then passed my hand onto Neville's and we stepped up together, facing and listening to the wizard welcome everyone. "Time for the vows. Repeat after me." he did Neville first and he stumbled, his words getting twisted slightly, but we just laughed and went on. "Actually, I have something to add." he stopped him from moving on. "Aethna, I have never been the one that people look at, never impressive or important. However, when you saw me, you actually saw me. You didn't see what everyone saw. You saw the true me, you helped me overcome a lot of fears and learn what it is to be loved unconditionally. I can never thank you enough for that and I can only hope that I make you as happy as you make me. I am the luckiest man in the world. I love you with everything that I am. I swear to always love and protect you, with every breath in my body."
I couldn't stop the tears that time, but thankfully the make up didn't run, I'm assuming it was magically charmed. I repeated my vows and they assumed I wanted to add as well. "Neville, I never fit in, in life, in school, in everything. I was always different and I never truly felt like I was normal. And yet when I was with you, everything seemed to be perfect. You made me feel like I belonged, you made me feel special and worthy of being alive. For so long I chased the morning, trying to find where I would finally be a part of something. All those years, I found you, you are a part of me and where I belong. I never really had a family, now I gain you and your family, I feel like I am at home when I'm with you. You make me safe and I swear to always protect you with every bit of my power. I love you with every piece of my soul, we are forever bonded and bound to each other, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am yours, eternally." we didn't need much more than that as we leaned into each other and sealed our vows with a kiss.
The guests went into the building for the food, but Neville and I hung back, walking along the beach. "You almost made me pass out, I lost every breath in my body when I saw you." he said, giving me a twirl as I giggled. "Oh please, look at you. So handsome and manly. I swore you looked twice your age. God, you're hot." I said, admiring his suit as he blushed to his ears. "My love, you are so perfect. This day is perfect. It couldn't get any better than this." I said as we walked back, figuring we kept them waiting for long enough. I stopped him at the door.
"I didn't know if you noticed, but this is your mother's dress. We had to alter it to fit me…I'm sorry if you don't like it." he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me flush to him. "Aethna, I'm sure my mother would have been so happy to give you her dress. I'm happy Gran offered it to you. It's amazing. You're amazing." "Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Neville Longbottom." I heard a booming voice and we walked inside, hearing the clapping and cheering from his friends and family. We ate and accepted gifts and well wishes. Had our first dance as husband and wife, he would have stepped on my toes a couple times, but my speed was able to float us along just fine.
He pulled me to the side with his Gran, who was looking around with worry filling her face. "Neville, this isn't the time nor place." "Gran, it is. I wouldn't have this day without them." he led me into a room, I saw a man and woman that was so familiar, it didn't take long to realize it was his parents. "Mom, Dad, This is my wife. Aethna." his dad just stared as his mom glanced me over, before pointing at my dress. "Yes, it is yours. I merely borrowed for the wedding." She came over and placed something in my hand, then Neville's. It was a candy wrapper, I smiled, Neville had told me about it and I was happy she gave one to me as well.
They couldn't stay longer as they needed to get back to the hospital, but I was so happy he included them in this day, it wouldn't have been the same without them here. Neville looked so happy, which made me happy as well. By the time night came, most of the adults had left, leaving the younger friends to hang out and go night swimming. "This is insane. I mean it's Neville!" I heard a guy saying, his accent thick. "Yeah, who would've thought he'd be getting married to such a hottie. Can you believe how good she looks?" it was a black guy, he looked familiar but I couldn't remember his name.
I turned back and saw Neville not paying attention to them, he was talking to his uncle who was leaving. I faced the guys, knowing that they didn't know I have overheard them. "Congrats to you and Neville. Aethna, that's an interesting name." he was saying and I smiled, "Yes, it's an old family name…" I leaned down to their faces, making me blush as I got so close. "…and I would like to ask you to not insult my husband like you did. I believe I am the lucky one to be with him. Don't be rude." their faces turned beet red as they rubbed their heads and apologized.
"Aethna, everything alright? Hey Dean, Seamus. What's going on?" Neville asked, coming over and seeing their faces. "Oh nothing, just having a nice talk with your…wife." "Yeah, it's just weird that you are married, I mean we are all still so young." they began to talk about school and what we were planning for our future and I blew out a breath, walking off and toward the water. I had changed into a shorter lighter dress, it was knee length, deep blue in color and had thin straps. I walked to the edge of the small dock that was nearby and sat down, sinking my feet into the water.
"Hey, you alright?" I nodded as he sat beside me, taking my hand. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" he shrugged and I leaned my head onto his shoulders, feeling a bit tired, but full of excitement. "Thanks…" "Hmm..?" I asked, confused. "About Dean and Seamus, they apologized to me for something they said, but wouldn't tell me what. I'm assuming about you being too good for me." I gave his shoulder a kiss and we turned back to the water, watching it ripple from our feet and the moon was so bright.
"Everyone is leaving soon. We'll be heading back as well?" he asked, and I met his eyes. "Actually, Augusta rented the building for all night as well. As a gift to us, to spend our wedding night in a beautiful suite." desire filled his eyes as he leaned down and kissed me deeply, not paying attention to the world around us. We pulled away after a minute and just gazed at each other. It wasn't too long before everyone had indeed told us bye and left us all alone. Neville grabbed my hands and swung me into his arms, carrying me bridal style up to the suite.
**Smut**
The room had been decorated like a secret plant garden, scents of flowers and plants filled our noses, our eyes taking in all the beautiful and unique things from over the world. "This is…" "…perfect." I finished his sentence and pulled his face to mine. He walked us over to the bed, and laid me down, allowing me to see the vines crawling along the bed rails and creating a canopy of greenery above us. Flowers bloomed from the vines as Neville's face appeared in front of me, his eyes shining with his love for me. "Aethna…I love you so much." "I love you too Neville. This is a dream come true." I whispered and reached up, easily unbuttoning his shirt.
He took the lead and slid my straps off my shoulders, my dress sliding off with little effort. I pushed his shirt off and ran my fingers along his chest, loving his skin on mine. He kicked off his shorts, glad that they were just pull on, and kissed me. I gripped his hair in my hand, my other roaming his back and pressing us closer. His fingers ran along my breast and made me gasp, allowing his tongue to slide into my mouth. I moaned as his other hand went between my legs, stroking my center, knowing exactly how I wanted to be touched. "Neville, please…" I begged, breaking free of his kisses as he began to suck on my neck.
It didn't take much begging before he entered me, causing a groan to escape him and my moan to urge him forward. "Oh…yes…more…" I breathed into his ear, nibbling it slightly as I bucked my hips to meet with his, our movements in sync. We were both panting now, moving into different positions as the night went on, our love-making never wanting to end. I was on top, riding him as his hands were rubbing my breast, teasing my nipples as I moaned out his name, going over my head with pleasure and I climaxed all over. "Neville!" I sank onto his body, sweat covering us both and he rolled his hips, making more pleasure seep into me. I sat back up, pulling him with me as we began to move together again, until it was his turn to groan out his pleasure and call my name, finishing with a final thrust.
We were laying in the bed, our bodies wrapped together still, watching the flowers continue to grow. They had bloomed and grew as we made love, looking beautiful and creating the perfect scene for us to seal our wedding. Nothing was said as we cooled off in the night air, just being with each other made this the greatest night of my night. I fell asleep to Neville's voice humming a song to me as he rubbed my back. By morning, I woke up to Neville holding a tray of breakfast for us. He got into the bed with me and we fed each other, feeling a different feeling now that we were married, it was more personal, more deep.
Augusta send us a letter, telling us to come back to the house when we were ready, and offered another congratulations to us. "When are you wanting to leave?" he asked, pulling me between his legs and hugging me close. "Never…I don't want this to end." I said, leaning back until he was able to lean forward and kiss me. We made love again and afterward, the sun was well into the sky and we decided that we were going to have to go back soon. I was sad, but took Neville's hand and we found a car waiting for us. When we got back to the house, Augusta and his uncle was waiting at the front door for us. "Look it here! Beautiful couple you are!" his uncle said, clapping Neville's back and kissing my cheek.
I turned to Augusta, who looked more than annoyed. "Let's go you two, I have a final gift for you." I blinked, she had already given us so much. This was too much. But Neville gave me a tug, prompting me to follow him. She led us to the greenhouse, and walked behind it into the small hedge maze they had. We followed, although when we passed the greenhouse, the maze wasn't there. Instead there was a small cottage, almost completely covered with plants and vines. "Gran, what's this?" "Your uncle and I, as well as some of the other family, have been working on this since I informed them of you getting married."
"It's a gift from the whole Longbottom family. Your own house, being a young married couple, of course you wouldn't want to be stuck in that house with your Gran. Not a proper setting, not to mention awkward when you get to it and wake her up." we both turned red, knowing exactly what he meant. Augusta popped him over the head with her bag and cleared her throat. "Now now, it's nothing big or fancy. And of course you will want to move away when you are older, however, I feel this is a perfect start for you two." we stared at the cottage, it was so nice and Neville was entranced by the plant life, making me smile.
"Well, let's get out of here, before they start tearing at each other." His uncle said and Augusta bid us goodbye, smacking him a final time as they walked off. Neville opened the door and then carried me over the doorway, very traditional. Inside was larger than the outside, knowing the magical world. It was simple, but had plenty of room, books, a fireplace, even two rooms and bathrooms. It didn't take long for us to find the master bedroom and claim it as our own. We had our perfect wedding, now we had our perfect home. Everything seemed to be perfect.