"You're getting married," Astoria said, choking a bit on the words. Merlin, her daughter was going to be married in approximately fifteen minutes. "You look beautiful," she murmured, adjusting a part of Arianna's dress just to give her shaking hands something to do.
"You really do," Olivia nodded, looking striking in a deep blue dress. "Albus will lose his mind," she laughed, admittedly nervous about seeing her ex and being expected to enter with him. But they were adults now, it seemed silly to hold grudges. It wasn't like most relationships worked out like Albus and Arianna's. Actually, Olivia had suggested that Albus might have rushed into a proposal, and that Arianna should perhaps wait, but the blonde had, as expected, flipped her hair, huffed, and ignored Olivia for two weeks.
Not a month after Albus' proposal, Scorpius has popped the question, and much to his chagrin, Rose had declined. She had said that she wasn't ready to settle down, and she and Scorpius had to accept that they were on different levels in their life. Purebloods, even if Scorpius didn't buy into the whole ideal, seemed to be raised with the idea of an early marriage, where as others seemed a bit more modern. Scorpius had wanted a family, and Rose had not. So they had split. Arianna had been too wrapped up in her own wedding plans to offer much sympathy for Scorpius. She wasn't unkind, just too preoccupied to really be sad for her brother.
But Scorpius couldn't really complain anymore. Sure he still missed her sometimes. She was the first girl that he had ever actually loved, but if it hadn't been for their break up, he wouldn't be happily dating the maid of honor, now would he? It wasn't the pure passion he had felt with Rose, but it was a nice feeling. He didn't know how to explain his emotions for someone he had always assosciated with his little sister, but she was the kind of woman he could have a family with, and that was something Scorpius knew now that was important to him. Only upon this knowledge had Scorpius learned that it was generally accepted that the two of them would be together, especially by their families, who had always thought a Malfoy-Zabini union would truly be something of importance. Did he buy into that idea? Not really. Was he happy with Olivia? Yes, he was. He kissed Olivia lightly, then hugged Ari.
"You look lovely," he told her with a smile. "Albus is a lucky guy," Scorpius added, kissing her forehead before going to find his seat in the crowd of people, towards the front. Arianna was practically trembling as she took her fathers arm, watching Olivia walk with Hugo to take their places. She caught the slightest glimpse of Albus before she began walking, and she beamed.
"Love you," Draco told Arianna, choking a bit on the words. He had long since accepted that Albus was to be his son-in-law, and found that he actually kind of liked the boy, not that he'd ever really say that aloud. But he was supportive.
Albus' breath caught when he saw Arianna. Merlin, she was so beautiful it hurt to look at, at least, that was the only reason his eyes would be stinging and prickling so uncomfortably. He took her hands as soon as she was within reach, nodding to Draco as he grinned at her.
"You're beautiful," he mouthed to her before the vows began. They both repeated in a complete daze, his eyes locked on hers the whole time, blindly nodding until he heard himself say 'I do.' He held his breath until she repeated his words. In an instant, he had his arms around her and was kissing her in a way that was probably not appropriate with their families watching.
"Mr. and Mrs. Albus Potter," they were announced, and Arianna wiped at her eyes hastily as rice was thrown their way on their path out. Scorpius chuckled as he got a significant amount her hair, Olivia whacking his arm in return, shaking her head.
"Never in my life have I been happier that I made that bet," Albus whispered later at the reception, as they shared their first dance, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "It was worth every back and foot rub, and confessions of love to be with you," he murmured.
"Damn straight it was," Arianna nodded, her voice cracking as she kissed him softly. "For what it's worth, I'm very glad you made the bet too. You taught me a lot about lust, love, and heartbreak," she murmured.
"Hopefully not too much of the last," Albus said with a slight smile.
"Enough to know when it's worth it," Arianna whispered , kissing him once more.
"I love you, Mrs. Potter," he murmured against her lips.
"Albus, how would you feel about-well, about a baby Potter?" Arianna asked him quietly, looking into his glowing green eyes.
"Ecstatic," Albus grinned.
Okay guys! That's the end of this fanfic, however, I know that some people cough breebree711 cough will be a bit upset with how the RoseXScorpius part went, but I can offer you all a consolation! I can either begin work on my next fanfic. It will also be Next Generation, but told through a series of journal entries of some seriously messed up Pureblood children. And I promise that has lasting ScorpiusXRose or I can write a relatively short side-fic about how Scor and Olivia came to be and the issues they end of facing when Rose and Scorpius are working as Aurors and having trouble behaving as proper. You tell me! Sorry this was short, but I felt like dragging it out would make it worse. Thanks to all of you that stuck with this story till the end. Link for pictures are up on my profile.
Cunning and Ambition
ps. I'm looking for fic challenges to keep me motivated. Any criteria, any rating you want, any random words that you want used! You tell me a basis or a frame, some stipulations, and I'll write it if I like it. Thanks!