Betelgeuse kept her promise not to interfere in her sister's relationship with Alphard. Meanwhile, the couple enjoyed the two months before the end of their studies at Hogwarts to live their passion, albeit discreetly, as Marguerith had requested. It wasn't as difficult as it might seem. They had always been close, and seeing them spending time together was not unusual for their peers. The kisses and caresses were reserved for empty rooms and the hidden corners by the lake. Alphard shared the news with his closest friends, who understood the situation.
When the night of the seventh-year graduation ball arrived, it was no surprise that Alphard and Marguerith attended together, accompanied by Abraham, Carmilla, Bartemius, and Alicia. Betelgeuse went with her fiancé, who agreed to the older twin's request to keep her sister's relationship a secret.
The night went by pleasantly and without incident. However, an astute observer would notice a different sparkle in Alphard Black's eyes. Taking advantage of everyone being on the dance floor, he leaned in close to his girlfriend's ear, asking her to join him in the nearby garden.
"Why did you call me out here?" Marguerith asked.
Alphard seemed content. The ball had been enjoyable, and he rightly thought that this was the perfect occasion for what he desired.
"Do you remember what you said when I proposed to you?" he asked.
Marge raised an eyebrow slightly, giving a suggestive smile.
"Maybe after our graduation," she said.
Alphard responded with a sly smile.
"Today is our graduation."
"You're not planning to get married right here and now, are you?" she asked, almost laughing, imagining that her boyfriend might ask the headmaster to officiate the ceremony.
"It's not a bad idea," Alphie said jokingly, scratching his nose. "But seriously, I wanted to take this occasion to make our engagement official."
Alphard pulled a small black velvet box from his pocket and opened the lid, revealing a white gold ring with a discreet emerald set in it.
"Marguerith Black, will you marry me?"
The young woman blinked, immensely moved by the gesture.
"I accept."
Alphard carefully placed the ring on Marge's hand, then kissed the back of her hand. He raised his head, passionately kissing his now-fiancée.
When the two parted, slightly flushed and breathless, the young man added, "I imagine you want to wait until after Bete's wedding."
Marguerith nodded.
"I think my sister would kill us if we stole her thunder."
Alphard opened his mouth to respond, but the vigorous sound of the band made them both fall silent momentarily. Marguerith gave her fiancé a knowing look. They had known the melody filling the great hall for a long time. With it came memories of family parties.
"Will you accompany me in this dance, milady?" Alphard bowed.
Marguerith nodded at the jest.
"It would be a pleasure, my lord," she replied playfully.
Thus, arm in arm, the two returned to the main hall, joining the others in that joyful rhythm. Marguerith let herself be carried away by the moment, living the happiness of being young and in love, while Alphard delighted in her happiness and his own for having her by his side, looking forward to the day they would seal their commitment to stay together for the rest of their lives.
In the days that followed, the twins returned to the mansion at 12 Grimmauld Place, while Alphard moved permanently to his small apartment. The wedding between Betelgeuse and Stephanio would take place in mid-August, and there was still much to be arranged and organized. The Russian settled in a luxury hotel in the English capital and left the clan's affairs in the hands of his brother-in-law, Leonid, and his sister, Irina, who would come to England for the ceremony.
At night, Marguerith and Alphard met at his apartment, while during the day, she endeavored to be the best bridesmaid possible for her older sister. She attended dress fittings, chose cakes, and delivered invitations.
That afternoon, the sisters were at Orion and Walburga Black's house to deliver the invitation to Betelgeuse and Stephanio's wedding. Although she kept a polite smile on her face, Marguerith felt immensely bored. Of all the cousins, Walburga was the one she liked the least, always bragging as if she were better than the others. If there was one thing Marge had learned from Sirius and Hesper, it was that the greatness of a Black was demonstrated in their actions and demeanor. Poor Walburga was a shadow compared to the twins' proud bearing.
"Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment," Marguerith said, insinuating that she was going to the restroom when she really just wanted to take a break from Walburga's chatter.
She walked through the house's corridors, thinking that a few minutes on the balcony would be enough to compose herself. However, she didn't reach her destination because she found Alphard smiling at her along the way.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, returning his smile.
"Orion asked for my help with an artifact he bought," he replied. "I was in his office a moment ago."
"You might become a specialist," she joked.
"That's the idea," Alphard said, approaching Marguerith and taking her hand. "And you?"
"I came to deliver Bete and Stephanio's wedding invitation. Our sisters are in the living room. I needed a break but have to go back."
"Then let me give you a proper farewell, hoping it makes you want to see me very soon tonight," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Alphie, please, we're in the corridor, anyone could see us," she protested, a bit apprehensive.
"So what?" he retorted, smiling. "We're going to get married. What's the problem?"
Marguerith sighed.
"We haven't talked to Uncle Sirius yet to make everything official."
He didn't let her continue listing the reasons why he shouldn't kiss his fiancée – which, by the way, was herself.
If she had any more objections, Marguerith didn't show it as she fervently returned the kiss. And they would have continued there, if not for the sound of approaching footsteps accompanied by a small gasp of surprise.
"Alphard!" Walburga's shrill voice filled the corridor. "What are you doing?"
The couple immediately broke apart. Alphard didn't hide a half-smile, while Marguerith, initially taken aback, quickly regained her composure, adopting the customary proud expression she wore around some undesirable relatives.
"Exactly what you saw," she said coldly. "We were kissing, any problem with that, Wal?"
Alphard was surprised by his fiancée's reaction. She, who wanted so much to have her uncle's approval before committing, seemed quite confident at that moment. This made him immensely happy.
"We are engaged," the young man added.
Walburga looked from her brother to her younger cousin, still incredulous. It was no secret in the family that the patriarch did not favor Alphard and was very controlling about the twins' futures.
"Does Uncle Sirius know?" Walburga asked, still shocked. It was no secret that the patriarch did not favor Alphard and was very controlling about the twins' futures.
"He will, at the right time," the young man said firmly. Then, turning to Marguerith, he asked, "Will you come with me?"
The young woman looked at the hand her fiancé extended to her. Now that the secret had been revealed, there was no need for discretion.
"Let's go," she said, taking Alphard's hand and following him out of Walburga's house.
Alphard's sister's brow furrowed as she watched the couple walk away.