-AN I'm so sorry for the delayed update. The last two weeks have been insane for me. My dog had surgery and it's been a very long and exhausting couple of weeks. Luckily, she's recovering well but sleep is still a rare commodity. Thanks for reading!
Rose leaned back in her oversized leather chair and sighed. A kind woman was kneading her sore calf muscles as her feet soaked in an intoxicating mixture of effervescent bubbles and scents. Although it would have been far quicker to give herself a pre-wedding pedicure with a wave of her wand, some things were just better the muggle way. From the contented noises coming from the chairs beside her, Rose was fairly certain that Lily and Roxie agreed.
Rose had invited Elena to join the bridal party for pampering, but the American witch opted to get ready with her sister instead. Rose and Scorpius hired Katrina to cater the reception. Planning the day had been extremely easy, Rose recalled. She and Scorpius had chosen a magical ballroom in the Latin Quarter that had a romantic flair. Luckily, the day they picked to wed had an opening because the couple who originally booked the date eloped in Fiji instead.
Roxanne and Lily were obvious picks as Rose's bridesmaids. She contemplated asking Elena as well, but decided to only have her two cousins stand up for her. Scorpius had, of course, asked Albus to be his best man. Surprisingly, he asked James to be his other groomsman. The pair had bonded after Scorpius decked Daniel at the Remembrance Day Ball. Little Philippe was their ring bearer, but at only 8 months old would be carried down the aisle by Victoire.
"Another round ladies?" asked a very helpful shop assistant carrying a tray of champagne flutes. Rose, Lily, and Roxanne all gratefully accepting their drinks and raised them to their lips. "WAIT!" cried the assistant and grabbed the glass out of Roxanne's hand. He hustled off to the background leaving Lily and Rose with perplexed looks upon their faces. He returned in a moment and placed another glass into Roxanne's grasp. She smiled and took a sip.
"What the ruddy hell was that about?" Lily asked.
"Mine is sparkling cider," Roxanne replied.
Rose's jaw dropped open. "Why would you want to drink sparkling cider when there's delicious champagne?" Lily asked. Roxanne simply lifted an eyebrow and waited until Lily cottoned on. "YOU'RE PREGNANT?!"
Roxanne beamed, "Two months along".
Lily and Rose were out of their chairs and scurrying over to Roxanne as fast as their toe separators would allow. The trio embraced in a group hug of giggles and congratulations.
"Why didn't you say something?" Rose asked.
"We wanted to wait until I'm out of the first trimester before making a big announcement," Roxanne said. "Plus I didn't want to divert any attention away from you and Scorpius. This weekend is about you".
"I love you Roxie," Rose said. "How's Lysander doing?"
Roxanne smiled slyly, "He's terrified. He pretends like he's not, but I can tell when he's panicking. It's sweet. He's reading through every baby book that he can get his hands on. For a while we were both thinking that I was going to have twins all thing considered. Fortunately, there's only one baby in there this time," she said while caressing her still flat stomach.
"I can't believe you're having a baby," Lily said and turned to Rose, "and you're getting married! When did we all get so old?"
Rose laughed, "When are you going to settle down Lils?"
Lily shuddered at the thought, "Not for a long time, I hope. I'll leave that to the two of you. And Al. And Fred." Albus and Alice had recently bought a house and Fred and Priyanka successful rekindled their relationship after the debacle at the Remembrance Day ball. "I'm way too busy for a relationship. Plus I don't want to be tethered to any one person right now".
"That's not the way I hear it," Rose said knowingly.
Roxanne's attention was piqued, "Do tell".
"Scorpius has had the misfortune of walking in on Lily Luna here several times in the on call room at St Mungo's," Rose informed despite the glare she received from the witch in question. "It seems she's been canoodling with Healer MacMillan".
"Wait, wait, wait," Roxanne said, "Scorpius walked in on Lily and Cooper shagging?"
Lily growled at her cousins, "He didn't see anything. We don't shag in the on call room. But sometimes it's nice to fall asleep with him there".
"You don't shag there, but do you shag elsewhere?" Roxanne asked knowing that she was following a juicy lead.
Lily blushed and mumbled, "I go home with him sometimes". Roxanne and Rose crowed at the revelation. "He's convenient. We both have insane schedules and sometimes I just need that human connection. It's a mutually beneficial, orgasm driven relationship. Nothing else".
"But it is a relationship," Rose focused on Lily's own words.
Lily harrumphed, "Whatever," and her cousins knew that Lily was getting testy.
"So Rose," Roxanne changed the subject, "any plans for you and Scorpius to create a mini-Malfoy soon?"
News about the curse that had once plagued Scorpius had not been widely shared. Rose's parents and Albus were her only family members who had been informed. Now that the curse was a thing of the past, there was no need to share the painful details with anyone else. Although Rose had been honest with Scorpius that carrying a child of her own did not matter to her, she was happy that having a "mini-Malfoy" was now a possibility.
"We're going to wait a few years before we start trying," Rose said. "I'm starting at Hogwarts in a few weeks and I want to settle into being a professor before we think about having a baby".
"Don't think I don't know about you coming to St. Mungo's for the morning after potion," Lily said with a note of vengeance. Rose blushed. She and Scorpius weren't the best at remembering contraceptive charms when the mood overtook them. "I bet your expecting by this time next year".
Rose scowled at her younger cousin.
"I don't think so," said Roxanne.
"Thank you Roxie," Rose said, "at least someone has faith in me," and stuck her tongue out at Lily.
Roxanne grinned, "She'll be knocked up by Christmas and then our kids can go to Hogwarts together".
Rose sputtered in indignation. Lily laughed, "Ten Galleons says I'm right".
Roxanne shook her hand and said, "You're on!"
"You don't have to go through with this Rosie," Ron said as he waited with his daughter behind the double doors leading into the ballroom. "Just say the word and I'll apparate you out of here and you can move back home with your mum and me".
Rose rolled her eyes at her absurd father. The closer the wedding had gotten the more blatant his attempts to halt her union to Scorpius. She knew that he genuinely liked Scorpius now, but that he didn't want to see his baby girl married. It was sweet in a frustrating way.
"Leave it alone, Uncle Ron," Lily said earning a glare from her favorite uncle. Lily and Roxanne were standing off to the side of the room in their bridesmaids gowns. Rose had chosen sky blue, silk column dresses that flattered both Lily and Roxanne's skin tone and hair. Both bridesmaids had their hair pulled back into French twists with icy grey flowers interwoven. They carried bouquets of matching flowers that perfectly reflected the color of Scorpius's eyes. Rose knew that he and his groomsmen would be wearing matching boutonnieres. She couldn't wait to see him.
"I'm marrying my best friend today, dad," Rose said serenely. She smoothed the fabric of her own gown. Rose wore an ivory dress with shimmering silver threads creating a swirling pattern as they caught the light. The strapless, drop-waist down clung to her torso and emphasized her ample curves without being overt. She wore a traditional muggle style veil to honor her mother's heritage that was pinned to the crown of her head with a diamond hair comb on loan from Narcissa Malfoy.
The Malfoy matriarch had graciously welcomed Rose into her family. She was thrilled that her grandson had found love with "such an exceptional witch". Rose was both shocked and pleased by her easy acceptance. Lucius, on the other hand, was slower to accept the impending union. He moaned and complained about Scorpius finding a proper mate of noble blood and even tried to bribe Rose to end the engagement. Only when Narcissa threatened to leave Lucius did he finally agree to accept the inevitable and promise to not cause a scene at the wedding. He adamantly stated that he'd be leaving as soon as the ceremony was completed so that he wouldn't have to interact with Rose's family for longer than absolutely necessary. Rose and Scorpius supposed that was the best they could hope from the backwards wizard who was still firmly stuck in the past.
An otter patronus suddenly floated into the hallway where the group was waiting. "It's time," announced the voice of her mother from the silvery otter.
Roxanne and Lily lined up behind the double doors. When the music cued up, the doors opened allowing first Roxanne and then Lily to leave. Rose placed her hand into the crook of Ron's arm. "It's time, Dad".
"I love you, Rosie," Ron said quietly.
She had just enough time to smile at her father before the double doors opened wide once more and her breath left her body. She did not see the seats containing her family and friends that lined either side of the aisle. She did not see Lily or Roxanne as they stood at the front of the room. She did not see James or Albus looking smart in their dress robes. Rose didn't notice her own mother glancing down the aisle with unshed tears of happiness twinkling in her eyes. She saw only Scorpius.
Her wizard was gazing at her from across the distance. Like a magnet, she felt drawn to him. He wore impeccable black dress robes with silver trim and an ivory shirt underneath. Scorpius was clean shaven and his jaw looked positively lickable. The corner of his mouth was upturned in the characteristic smirk that Rose adored. His platinum blond hair was artfully tousled and Rose longed for the opportunity to thread her fingers through the silky locks. His icy grey eyes sparkled with affection and love.
Ron guided Rose down the aisle until they reached the altar. He carefully removed Rose's hand from his arms and placed it in Scorpius's. "You better be good to my daughter, ferret," Ron said in jest.
"I will be," Scorpius promised. He squeezed Rose's hand lightly.
"Are you ready for this?" Rose asked in a whisper.
Scorpius chuckled and challenged, "Are you?"
Rose rolled her eyes at the crazy, wonderful man in front of her.
"If I may," Hermione interrupted the moment and caused both Rose and Scorpius to blush, "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this witch and this wizard in matrimony. . ."
Rose tuned her mother out as she rambled through the requisite phrases required in a wizarding wedding. She instead gazed longing into Scorpius's eyes as they made each other silent promises of love and eternity.
"Now Rose," Hermione said once again regaining Rose's attention, "repeat after me. 'I Rose Minerva take thee Scorpius Hyperion to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness".
Rose repeated her vows while Scorpius held her hands. Scorpius repeated the same words back to her and Victoire carried Philippe up to the altar and Rose and Scorpius briefly separated to pick up their rings.
"With this ring," Rose whispered as she slid the platinum band onto Scorpius's fourth finger, "I thee wed".
Scorpius slid Rose's wedding band onto her finger to join her sparkling engagement ring, "With this ring, I thee wed".
Hermione waved her wand over Scorpius and Rose's joined hands. Rose felt her wedding ring heat and knew that they were now bonded. "With these rings, I now pronounce you eternally bonded as husband and wife. Scorpius, you may kiss the bride".
Scorpius slowly raised the veil over Rose's face and cupped her cheek. He leaned forward and gave her a chaste kiss that succeeded in stoking her passion. She laced her fingers through his hair, ran her tongue along the seam of his lips, and deepened the kiss. She could hear wolf-whistles and cheers from the crowd but couldn't bring herself to care. Only when she heard her own mother say, "Might want to save something for the honeymoon," did she release her grip on her new husband.
"I'm pleased to present to you," Hermione announced, "Rose and Scorpius Malfoy!" Scorpius grabbed Rose's hand and the raced up the aisle to find a quiet room to have a little bit of private time to celebrate away from the crowd.
Hours later, the reception was in full swing. Rose and Scorpius had been teased for sneaking away to have a quickie after the ceremony. In truth, they had escaped to just talk and kiss. Even though their kisses had gotten a bit heated, both of their outfits had remained in place. They'd have plenty of time for more later on that night.
Scorpius was guiding Rose across the ballroom floor. They and their guests had indulged on Katrina's many culinary creations and were ambling across the dance floor to work off some of the rich food before dessert. Katrina was lapping up the compliments and looked forward to the influx of business from the British wizarding world. She was talking to Ron about opening up another restaurant in Diagon Alley. Ron, the bottomless pit, was keen on having easy access to the delicious edibles and was discussing becoming a partner in a new restaurant.
Albus, who had inherited his father's lack of dance ability, was swaying with Alice nearby. Fred and Priyanka were snogging rather violently across the room. Dominique, Lucy, and Molly were chasing after the attractive servers that Katrina had brought. Lily, Louis, and Hugo were in a heated discussion at their table. Victoire and Teddy, who had sent Philippe off to bed with Grandma Molly an hour before, were twirling elegantly.
"Look over there, love" Scorpius said to Rose and gestured his head to the side. Rose glanced around and was surprised at what she saw.
James and Elena were having a quiet conversation as he led her in a proper waltz. As far as Rose knew, her playboy cousin did not know how to dance but she could see that she was plainly wrong about that. A small smile graced both James and Elena's faces as they spun.
"Huh," Rose said inconclusively, "What do you think about that?"
Scorpius considered it for a moment, "It's odd. We'll have to keep an eye on that. Maybe invite her to visit us in Hogsmeade in a few months and schedule James to pop by at the same time".
"You've clearly inherited the meddlesome gene from your father," Rose grinned.
"It seems his and your mother's interference has paid off many times over. It's not a bad skill to have at all," he said with a laugh. "What do you say we go grab some of Katrina's desserts now so we can dodge out of here soon? I've got a few surprises planned for tonight."
Rose felt a surge of heat pass through her body at the thought. "Lead the way, Scorp".
After saying goodbye to their guests, Rose wrapped her arms around Scorpius and allowed him to apparate them away. With a soft thud, they landed on stone balcony overlooking a beautiful garden.
"Where are we?" Rose asked.
"Welcome to our honeymoon, love," Scorpius said. "We're in the Loire Valley, just outside of Amboise. This is Le Chateau de Malfoy". The large, stone building more closely resembled a castle than anything else. "This was my family's ancestral home before they invaded Britain".
"It's beautiful, Scorp," Rose said in awe of the architecture. Rose's knowledge of the Malfoy family made her aware that the building must be over one thousand years old.
"I'm glad you like it, love, because it's ours now," Scorpius said with a smile.
"WHAT?!" Rose exclaimed.
"It's my father's wedding present to us. So we have a place to go during the summer months when you aren't teaching. He worked it out with your mum that we can hook the floo into the British system so I can commute to St. Mungo's. We can stay in Hogsmeade too if you'd rather, but.."
Rose cut him off by pressing her lips to his. "I love it, Scorpius". She leaned into him and reengaged their kiss. The fire ignited between them and Rose broke away. "Take me to bed, Scorpius. Love me".
"For every day for the rest of my life," Scorpius pledged and pulled Rose up into his arms. He carried her bridal style across the threshold and into their new home.
He gently laid her down on a bed that was impossibly large and stared down at her in wonder.
"You look beyond beautiful in that dress Rose, but I need to get you out of it". With a quick wave of his wand, Rose's gown was off her body and hanging on the back of the door. Rose was left in a white corset and skimpy lacy knickers. Scorpius began to devour her body while alternating words of love and promises of forever. Rose lost herself in clouds of lust and returned the sentiments of love to him.
Soon enough, Rose and Scorpius were separated by nothing but air. Scorpius looked deeply into Rose's eyes searching for permission. Rose arched her back up to bring his hardness closer to her heat. "Make love to me, Scorpius. Make me yours".
Scorpius shifted his hips forward and slowly entered her body. When he was fully seated within her, Rose felt an electric heat burn into her finger from underneath her wedding band. Rose knew that Scorpius felt the same thing as he grasped their left hands together above her head. Their bonding was completed as they made love for the first time as husband and wife. He was hers and she was his. Forever.