Love, Marriage And A Grain Of Rice
A/N: This story is dedicated to my friends Maisie and Les. Thank you for all the fun times and inspiration.
"We should get married!" Alecto said, joyfully tossing a handful of rice into the air. "And once we're married, people will come from miles around, bringing loads of rice to celebrate."
Her brother winced as he was hit with several grains of uncooked rice, then slowly turned his head, gazing at her with disbelief etched into the lines on his face.
"Just think about it," she continued, grinning and leaning across the table until she was barely a foot from his face. "We could have brown rice, extra fancy calrose rice, komachi short grain rice, silver pearl rice, organic harvest medley - "
"No, this is ridiculous," Amycus insisted, cutting her off in midsentence. "First of all, you really don't want to get involved with a Dementor. They're such cold, emotionless beings. And do you truly desire a relationship with one of those things, " he paused, wrinkling his nose in disgust, "or are you only in it for the rice?"
Alecto gaped at him, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. "You're never supportive of me and my decisions!" she wailed, standing up suddenly and thrusting her chair out behind her. "I love him and my rice. And if we want to live together in our little rice filled cottage by the sea, then we will!"
She fled the room in tears, leaving behind a soggy trail of long grain rice. When she reached the top of the astronomy tower, she spied her beloved drifting lazily on the warm summer breeze.
"There you are!" Alecto practically flung herself at the floating specter, ignoring the chill that passed between them when she grasped its ragged cloak. "My dearest Dementor," she murmured, sniffling and sobbing. "My brother doesn't approve of our relationship. All he cares about is licking the walls and silverware and whatever else he finds under the couch."
The Dementor was surpassingly affectionate, placing a hand beneath Alecto's chin and gently lifting her head. "It doesn't matter what he or anyone else thinks of us," the Dementor hissed, his voice no more than a hoarse, rattling whisper. "We don't need their approval. All we need is each other and a sandbox full of rice."
"Yes." Alecto managed to smile through her tears, her eyes bright and shining in the moonlight. "And cookies. Big cookies with lots of shiny sprinkles. And shiny cake and a super shiny, sparkly wedding dress."
"Anything for you, love," the Dementor crooned sweetly, and together they watched the sunrise as the twilight hours began to fade.