As Tina crossed the threshold into the ostentatious spare room, a sense of dread threatened to cloud the elation working through her; she was terrified the room would once more invoke that feeling of loneliness that had plagued her upon her last visit.
To her surprise, the room was abundantly warm, so much so that Tina's breath caught as her mouth curled into a smile finding the space free of any looming isolation. In fact, nostalgia consumed her as her eyes skated over the surfaces. Every piece of the chamber was precisely as she remembered, not a thing out of place. The large, ornately framed bed still stood second to the enormous window at the back of the room. Beyond the crystal clear glass sat the vast English landscape; the picturesque view that had helped make her last stay less forlorn. All of the room was just as lavish and unnecessary as Tina remembered. She was glad however, that she could stand within its four walls and not feel a crushing weight of vacancy.
She couldn't place precisely why or how the room no longer burdened her; a number of things could have been responsible, she guessed. Perhaps it was due to the knowledge that she would be sleeping in Newt's room instead, or maybe Tina had simply grown used to the rooms' odd power. Queenie, too, could have been a cause of the thriving warmth Tina felt as she stood idly in the spare bedroom. The joy radiating from her sister was intoxicating. Her happiness practically burst from her very being, like golden columns of sunlight, and for a moment, Tina had to look away fearing she might go blind with just how brightly Queenie was shining.
When she finally risked a glance her sister's way, the sight that greeted her held that smile firmly in its place. The bride-to-be had cast all manner of beauty products onto the tightly made linens of the bed, along with a sewing kit and several pairs of ivory shoes. Queenie placed everything in a perfect line, ending with the Piece de Resistance: the dress.
"I'm so happy with how this turned out," she mused clutching the garment to her chest as she twirled.
Every intricately sewn bead shimmered playfully in the light spilling through the window. The starlike flashes casted a hundred tiny prisms over each surrounding surface, adding a magical aura to the room. The gown was every bit as breathtaking as Tina imagined it being, and then some.
"You've out-done yourself, Queenie," Tina told her. "You should be proud."
Not once had Tina doubted her sister's ability to create something so beautiful, and unique. The gown was supremely radiant and sure to make other brides weep. Both notions brought Tina a wave of happiness; no one would ever be a better bride than Queenie.
With the sudden surge of pride came a larger surge of vigor and Tina crossed the room with an air of confidence to unpack, finding that she'd brought significantly fewer items.
"Oh!" Queenie perked up with a grin. "You brought the dress I made you," she noted as Tina carefully removed the garment to hang it on a padded silk hanger. "Newt wanted you to bring it?" she went on, plucking the answer from her sister's mind with an impish smile.
"Leave it, Queenie." Tina snapped mildly. "Today is about you and Jacob. Not me."
The simper never left Queenie's face, even when she made a show of rolling her eyes.
"If you say so, Teenie," she quipped with a shrug as she drew her wand and crossed the room to the full length mirror.
The early afternoon sped by despite the slow pace they'd set to get ready. Moxie had popped in with a tray of sandwiches and a steaming kettle of tea just after lunch time, staying to chat and fawn over Queenie's dress before leaving to finish her chores. As the sisters ate their plate of nibbles, lounging in the majestic bed, they swapped old stories fondly, wearing nothing but stockings, robes and foundation garments.
Tina's heart was full, bubbling over with adoration and a profound kinship that she treasured to her very core. The high she was riding was grander than any spell or potion. It distracted her from the dreaded thought of losing her sister — a notion that had plagued her since Jacob's proposal — and Tina was glad for it.
Queenie insisted on helping Tina with her hair and all other corresponding pampering. As she brushed and placed the pins, Queenie spoke tales of her times at school and how long ago they seemed after everything they'd been through. There were bitter sweet stories as well, mostly the memories they had of their parents. Tina was glad for Queenie's gift whenever they reminisced on those days. She had been so young, her memories of their Ma and Pa were more like a dream; Queenie had told her as much. Those were the memories Tina was always eager to share with her little sister.
Eventually all that remained was to don their gowns, after their makeup and hair were each put together tastefully. Once more, being draped in the midnight blue dress made Tina feel genuinely beautiful.
"Oh, Teenie!" Queenie gasped, wide eyed with a toothy grin. "Ain't you somethin'! You shine up prettier than a new penny!"
Tina chuckled, unable to resist the urge to twirl.
"All with your help," she insisted.
There was an look of pride on her sister's face as she glanced her over from head to toe. "Newt's tongue will be draggin' on the floor the moment he gets a gander at you, honey!" She winked.
For once, Tina didn't even feel the need to argue with Queenie's perceived assumptions. Tina had not yet overcome the deep infatuation she'd felt since seeing Newt in that field in Central Park. She even hoped beyond hope that Queenie was right. There had been electricity — a spark of rampant desire — the last time Newt drank in the sight of her. That surge had made Tina anxious, and excited beyond all rational thought. Oh how she longed for it again.
"Come button me up, please." Queenie spoke a moment later, pulling Tina from her thoughts. There was devilish smirk on her sisters face, letting Tina know without a doubt Queenie had caught every juicy bit of her inner musings.
Tina simply sighed, unable to hide her own smirk and moved to help her sister. She took extra care as she completed the task, not wanting to miss a single loop and offset the entire back of the dress.
"There," Tina said, finishing the last pearly button. "Now, let me see."
Tina had been slowly building an image in her mind for some time as to how her sister would look on the day of her wedding, and that picture in the back of her head could not hold a candle to how Queenie actually looked standing before her. The ivory gown gleamed with a spectrum of rosy hues. All it took were slight movements to make the intricate beadwork from bodice to hem glisten like freshly fallen snow. Each sleeve came to a point, looping around her middle finger, made from a translucent fabric embedded with pearls and tiny glass beads. The back of the gown spilled into a small train and a veil fell over her face from where it was fastened to her golden curls.
Tears immediately welled in Tina's eyes. "Oh, Queenie…"
Her sister's eyes were glistening with moisture too. "Don't cry, honey!" Queenie laughed softly. "You'll ruin your makeup!"
Tina scoffed, with a weak chuckle wiping a tear from under her eye. The last thing on her mind was the well being of her make up.
"You'll ruin yours!" Tina retorted, trying to diligently fight back the sudden wave of emotion.
Queenie quickly brandished her wand, tapped each of their faces, and murmured a spell.
"Waterproofing charm," she answered as the question drifted into Tina's mind. "Now we can cry all we want."
They both laughed, doing their best to keep the remaining tears to a minimum.
"You look so beautiful, Queenie. Absolutely stunning," Tina said.
"I only wish Ma and Pa were here," Queenie said softly.
The look on her sister's face was enough to tug sharply on Tina's heartstrings.
"Ya know what?" Tina asked, taking her sisters hands into hers. "If they were here they would say the same thing, they would probably both be in tears too."
A subtle grin returned to Queenie's lips. She squeezed Tina's hands before letting go and placed herself on the edge of the bed to wait.
"Do you think Louise will be able to pull this off?" Queenie asked as Tina sat next to her.
"Without a doubt," she nodded. "Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if she already had some sort of plan ready just in case."
Louise Scamander struck Tina as the kind of woman who was very rarely surprised by anything; someone who was always prepared for any likely scenario. She didn't like to rush things — a mantra she'd imparted to Tina on her last visit. Surprise ceremonies called for haste, which led Tina to believing Louise was almost ready the moment they walked through the door.
"You think?"
"That's just how she is," Tina shrugged with a fond smile.
"I like her," Queenie said after a moment. "She has a good mind, although hers is even more difficult to read. The accent — it's so much harder than Newt's."
Tina couldn't help but laugh and roll her eyes.
It wasn't long before a soft knock sounded from the other side of the door and Moxie poked her head in bashfully.
"Ms. Louise has asked me to collect you, if you both are ready."
Queenie jumped to her feet first, pulling Tina up as well. She could feel the joy buzzing through her sister as they stood so closely; Queenie was thrilled, without a trace of nerves to dampen her spirits. Tina knew this was the moment her sister had been dreaming about since Jacob's memories had returned to him. She was ready to be married.
"Lead the way please!" Queenie beamed.
The house elf smiled as she nodded, and snapped her fingers, conjuring a full bouquet of white roses and yellow lillies. Queenie gasped as she took the beautiful arrangement eagerly. Moxie snapped once more, summoning another bouquet of fresh flowers, much smaller but just as lovely, for Tina to carry.
Featherbeak was quiet as they trailed behind the houself leading them, which was unhelpful at providing any clues as to what exactly Louise had managed to stir up. Tina's nose however, caught the savory aromas drifting through the air from the kitchen as they carefully trekked down the grand stairway. The fragrance and the promise of a meal made Tina's mouth water; the tea and sandwiches she'd eaten earlier were suddenly failing her.
The three of them continued past the kitchen — whose wonderful smells had Tina's stomach rumbling — down the narrow corridor before finally exiting the home through the back door. Immediately, they were met with a breathtaking landscape cascaded in the golden light of the slowly sinking sun. A quaint stone pathway sat nestled in lush green grass and ventured out before them under a thick canopy of fragrant yellow lilies like the ones adorning Queenie's bouquet.
Tina felt her mouth drop from the awe the scene inspired; beside her, Queenie's eyes grew wide and shimmered as she took in the intricately woven tunnel of greenery that seemed to stretch into eternity. Tears suddenly prickled Tina's eyes from the overwhelming gratitude stirring in her; the look on her sisters face only encouraged the bothersome tears more.
Gently, Tina felt Queenie's hand encase her own as she slowly began the walk down the stone pavers. Her golden headed sister was serene and quiet as they strode down their magical tunnel, a smile permanently curling her pink lips. In the distance, beyond the wall of flowers, a symphony played whimsical tunes, none that Tina had ever heard before, but surely would remember. The melodies grew louder as they neared the end of the tunnel, and Tina alone seemed suddenly anxious.
Louise was waiting for them, radiating that calm energy that Tina envied on such occasions. The Irish woman was grinning excitedly, her flaming curls pulled back into a neat cluster at the crown of her head and her work trousers swapped for a jaunty summer dress.
"Oh my," she beamed as they approached. "Queenie, dear, yer sparklin'! So very much brighter than the sun!"
Louise carressed Queenie's face gently. "Might I hug ya?"
"Yes!" Queenie all but lept into the woman's arms, squeezing her as tight as possible from the look of it.
"I 'ope everythin's just right. Wit only a few 'ours of plannin' I did the best I could," Louise noted as she pulled out of Queenie's embrace.
Queenie nodded. "It's perfect, Louise. Thank you for giving Jacob and I this."
A sparkle glimmered in Louise's eye, looking touched as she waved her hand dismissively. "Don' say a word about it, dearie. I was 'appy to 'elp."
She paused long enough to signal someone on the other side of the flowering canopy then turned back to them eagerly.
"Now, are ya ready to get married?"
"So much…" Queenie answered, sounding breathless and without uncertainty.
Tina's heart started to pound exactly then.
The day — the moment — was finally happening. The realization crashed into her with the same frantic electric shock and power of spell fire. Queenie getting married may not have been a goodbye, but it undoubtedly marked the end of a significant part of Tina's life — a part she wasn't sure she was ready to give up. Once the words 'I do' were spoken, Queenie would no longer be that little girl Tina had been responsible for. She would be a wife, family to Jacob, and not just the sister who'd raised her any more. Tina knew it was greedy to think that way; Queenie was never solely hers, and Jacob was a perfect match. She had no quarrel with the baker; he was a good man, an unbelievably kind man and if Tina had to share her sister with anyone, she was glad it was with Jacob Kowalski.
When Louise disappeared behind the tunnel of lilies, the unfamiliar melody faded before triumphantly cascading into the classic wedding march.
Queenie gasped then, an excited sound, and quickly took Tina by the arm.
"I love you, Teenie." she whispered, looking teary eyed again.
"I love you, too" Tina said with so much conviction and adoration she could have sworn she felt the earth move beneath their feet.
With a steadying breath, both the sisters stepped around the corner and were quickly transported into an enchanted garden. An impossible array of flowers surrounded them, bright yellow lilies most of all. The air sparkled with small orbs of magical light, akin to fireflies. In the distance the sun gleamed on the horizon like a precious gemstone, casting everything in gold.
Their path was lain before them with a carpet of white rose petals that lead to an archway of green ivy that popped with a sprinkle of yellow and white flower buds. Under the arbor, Jacob stood looking like a proper gentleman in a reworking of Newt's suit and tails, his dark hair slicked back.
The Magizoologist was there beside him, which was where Tina's focus fell. Everything dulled in comparison to him; the sun, the flowers, all of it was drab in the light of his silent majesty. He too looked just as posh as the baker next to him. Newt wore a well tailored suit, elegant but without the ornate tails. It fit him better than anything (apart from the suit and tails, possibly) that Tina had ever seen him fashion; all the lines were symmetrical and drew attention to his physique. which made him appear far less boyish than usual. Even his hair was combed carefully, though every so often the breeze would cause it to twirl slowly back into it's tangles.
He was all she could see, and for a moment her anxious heart calmed, taking in the sight of him and the wide eyed expression he watched her with. This time, he didn't even try to hide the way he was drinking in the sight of her, and it absolutely thrilled Tina.
Jacob, at a passing glance, was much the same — thirsty for the sight of his bride to be. In fact, he almost looked faint, face pale and completely in awe. The baker was slow to smile — struggling through a few heavy swallows — but the grin that followed was rivaled only by the one Queenie wore.
The sight of them warmed Tina's heart, a tender, happy feeling that stung her eyes with joyous tears as she strode proudly with her sister down the aisle. It drew her soft smile tighter across her face.
When they reached the altar, Thaddeus smiled at them, a rare sight from someone who seemed so reserved, but it's brilliance was something Tina couldn't help but to marvel at for a moment.
As the moment neared to surrender her hold on her baby sister, Tina's stomach churned. This is it…
Tina let Queenie go with two kisses, one on each rosy cheek, and filled her thoughts with nothing but love, praise and adoration in the hopes her gifted sister would catch a handful of them all. Tears were in Queenie's eyes as she mouthed one last "I love you, Teenie" before she took Jacob by the hand, and it was enough to steer a single tear down Tina's face.
An odd sense worked through Tina as she took her place off to the side of the happy couple. It was bittersweet, the feeling. The scene before her marked the end of a lengthy chapter of her life, as well as the beginning of a new one. No doubt Tina would miss coming home to her sister, or those long afternoons together, but more than that, she longed to see what adventures Queenie and Jacob's companionship would bring.
This time, acting as a maid of honor was a title Tina took pride in. Unlike before, she didn't feel as though she were on display for the whole of the British Wizarding community to see. The audience before her was vastly different than before. Among the grass was a single bench with only three witnesses. Theseus looked dapper and charming as ever, tossing friendly smiles around feely. Lillian was nestled beside him, glowing and genuinely beautiful in the pink dress she wore and looking just as moved as Tina felt. Louise was next to her. The woman responsible for breathing life into what had been a dying dream the moment Jacob proposed. Tina owed the world to Louise for giving Queenie so much happiness, and she was prepared to pay that debt however she could.
The ceremony was not one that stretched on into infinity; it was sweet and concise and Thaddeus orchestrated it all perfectly. Jacob stuttered only once saying his vows: a short proclamation of how Queenie had not only brought magic into his life literally but also metaphorically, and how he would strive every day to bring the same to her for the rest of their lives together. Unsurprisingly, the vows Queenie had written were poetic, silky, and profoundly emotional. She spoke them through a veil of happy tears with a honeyed voice that never wavered. In that mix of overwhelming words she expressed all of her love and the certainty that as long as he remembered her, it didn't matter if everyone else forgot.
Her moving vows had everyone on the verge of tears. Even Newt's eyes were slightly red from the emotion he'd been fighting and when he reached to brush a stray droplet away with his sleeve, it made Tina smile.
Jacob and Queenie ended the ceremony with a kiss that put the ones in fairytales to shame. On cue the enchanted instruments sounded a cheerful melody to celebrate Mister and Misses Jacob Kowalski as a shower of white and gold sparks burst into the air to rain down, shot from Louise and Theseus' wands. Tina watched the newlyweds strole back up the aisle through watery eyes, only moving when Newt warmly took her arm so they could follow.
As twilight fell on their enchanting oasis, Louise transformed the space into a similarly breathtaking reception area with a skillful flick of her wand. A buffet materialized on the long table, lit with the aid of a few dozen floating candles.
They feasted under a starry sky, while the charmed instruments filled the night with soft melodies that somehow fell in tune with the tranquil song of nature around them. All of it together created a calming atmosphere — intimate even — that stirred memories of the Fourth of July Tina had spent with Newt only days ago.
Queenie had taken to Lillian quickly, just as Tina assumed she would, while Jacob and Theseus bonded over tales of the Great War. Newt was quiet beside her, watching the other couples, seemingly entranced with such simple human interaction. When his inquisitive gaze finally fell to her, Tina found she couldn't look away. Newt's eyes danced over every piece of her, amorously causing Tina's heart to flutter. The need to lean close enough to kiss him swelled but she never got the chance.
Without a word, Newt offered his hand, which Tina took with no hesitation. She hadn't noticed until they were already swaying that the music had slowed considerably and the light surrounding the party had dimmed. Unlike the last time he'd asked her to dance, Newt held her close, their middles touching and their hearts beating as one as he led her across the empty dance floor. His face was so close, the sweep of his hot breath across her skin sent chills racing down her spine. Newt's focus was wholly her, there were no timid glances to her shoulder or into the empty space behind her. He looked at her like she was all there was to see.
Be it the tone of the evening, the alcohol swimming through her system or solely the sensations Newt himself had stirred within her, Tina stole a taste of his lips for herself. They were soft and sweet, stained with flavor from the champagne. His mouth was warm and gentle, working a slow momentum but deeper than any kiss before. She melted into him when Newt's arms circled her waist as he pulled her closer, and Tina twined her arm around his neck as though it were second nature.
It didn't matter to them that only a few feet away sat their watchful family. Nor did Tina mind the tickle she felt in her head as Queenie fished for a peek into her thoughts. Newt was all there was; he was more real than the earth and the sky. As she felt him in her arms, the taste left on her lips and the way he looked at her, Tina understood the gravity of her sister's vows. More than that, Tina was suddenly sure of something as she danced under the heavens with Newt.
She was falling in love with him.
A/N: That's the end! (for now anyway) I hope you guys enjoyed this, some of my favorite chapters I've ever written were in this, and that's saying something because I am my own worst critic. The next part of this is in the works, I almost have the first draft completed, which unfortunately is slow going, but I'll hopefully have it done by the end of the year at the latest!
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