✧BETROTHED✧

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ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟᴀᴜɢʜ
ᴇᴄʜᴏᴇs ᴅᴏᴡɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴀʟʟᴡᴀʏ

 ᴄᴀʀᴠᴇs ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ʜᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴄʜᴇsᴛ

 sᴘʀᴇᴀᴅs ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴘᴛɪɴᴇss
 ɪᴛ's ʙʟɪss

 ɪᴛ's sᴏ sɪᴍᴘʟᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ sᴛᴀʏ

 ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴀʟʏᴢᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ
 ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴋɪʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ɪғ ᴡᴇ ᴋɪssᴇᴅ

𝔻𝕣𝕚𝕧𝕖

***

The weight of the ring now on her finger was strange, she had been so used to her hand being littered with rings. That the single two made her feel naked.

"Rory...What do you know about betrothing?" She shrugged a bit, but then nodded that she knew what it entailed. "Mum gave me that book a while back, remember? When she gave me the talk. It said a little about betrothing, everything else come from the books downstairs in the library." He wanted to sigh in relief but knew it wasn't the time.

"I didn't know it at the time when I gave you that ring for Christmas, but it had the colors of the Lestrange house...My parents doing more or less." That screamed to the young witch in confusion, that was years ago...How did they plant that so early?

"So I have to still wear it right?" She questioned, and the silent nod caused her to fish out the gifted ring. Although he didn't know where she would put it, leaving her left-hand blank was not what he expected.

"There's one more thing love..." He spoke, taking out a match velvet box, containing a very old and very jeweled necklace. She knew exactly what it is, despite the long conversation he had with either his own father and hers to know the properties of it.

"I didn't know we used them anymore..." He didn't want her collared like an animal, it gave him a sense of pride to see the ring on her finger, but the necklace was a sign of ownership.

"...Well that's better than having to ask a bloody million questions like I had. Apparently only myself, my father or brother can take this off." She nodded, having known that prior. He already hated the look she was giving it, and so he sighed. 

"I promise I will show you with dozens of better-looking necklaces in the future. But it's meant to bring luck to our marriage." She swallowed again, her hands coming up from her lap to unclasp her own necklace. 

"I've never had to take this one off for so long though..." she mumbled, her hand squeezing over the tiny necklace.

He smiled on recognition of it, he had gifted it to her when she was accepted into Salem. And for the first time since then would she have to part with it. "It falls off after...after our first night?" She had worded it as innocently as possible, and so it was his time to reassure her.

"After we consummate the marriage yes...Which, might I add...Is painful to wait any longer." He spoke, his breath mere inches from her ear, teasing her.

But his self-control allowed for him to lean away, completely obvious to Aurora self-conscious stature when thinking about their first night.

Merlin was she in worry about it, his question hadn't rightly addressed the fact that they would be allowed to finally have sex.

And that scared her beyond reason.

"When we're together alone I don't want you wearing it. But unfortunately when going back in there..." She attempted her best smile but when looking back at the grand hall she was struggling immensely.

After minutes of silents did he call out her name, he didn't want her to panic at all. But she surely was, so he wrapped his arm around her. Pulling her closer, both had the same idea as Rory managed to sit onto his lap and hide away into his chest.

"I was so worried I'd have to say goodbye to you..." She cried, and his own ragged breath seemingly knew what she was talking about. Their biggest fear was being married to someone else in obligation, but in Aurora's mind, she simply assumed that Rabastan had gone and asked her family to get married.

Stopping whatever marriage contract was set in place.

It wasn't far from the truth, but he wasn't about to ruin the moment and tell her they've been engaged for most of their life. Hopefully she'll never have to know, or maybe when they're further into their marriage he would find the courage to tell her properly.

"I couldn't possibly say goodbye to you my little Raven, I'm too selfish...And to see you with someone else..." The mere thought made him squeeze her tighter against his body, and she hummed. Adoring the sensation of him warmly around her body.

But it was the kiss he initiated at her neck that really flared her body. "You sir...Have to wait until our wedding night." She reminded, tapping his nose in warning to not start something he wouldn't be able to finish.

"I suppose I can wait..." She huffed, but then the insane question was thrown into her mind. 

"Is this why my mother was so excited?... Because she gets to plan a wedding?" His smile cracked, he couldn't help it if his little Ravenclaw figured it out.

"Both our mothers have been running around nonstop for all of it, mind you, our engagement party has already been planned before the ring was even finished." She rolled her eyes, it would be Walburga's doing to take control like that.

"Suggest we do make an appearance before your mother does come looking for us." She agreed, but he could tell she would rather stay outside alone than in the crowded room.

It was rush of multiple things, having the small necklace off made her instantly anxious. Even if she held it securely in her fist.

"Trade it back when I don't have to wear this anymore?" She asked, and he of course smiled. Taking the necklace in his own possession and making a mental note to never lose it.

Rory adored it, she had tackled Salem, even been sorted in it and has worn it ever since.

But now, as he clasped the betrothed necklace onto his fiancee's neck...A new source of honor projected to see her sporting a similar style to his family crest. When it settled properly he kissed the back of her neck, causing her to jump at the touch. 

"Rabastan!" She hissed...Had he found her weakness?

"Little bird ticklish?" She turned around and protected the back of her neck. Merlin had his family's crest looked beautiful over her dress. The jews of Platinum, onyx, and diamonds.

"Will it get in the way of you making potions?" 

"I was just thinking that, but I'll put it under my blouse." He hummed, actually liking the idea of it hiding away near her breasts. That made his mouth water just imagining it, how would he manage to wait until July 20th to actually see?

Out of the blue, a spark of excitement rushed over her. "And what tickled you...I can assure you it wasn't me."

"I can design my dress!" She managed to debunk his daydream to begin brainstorming what her dress would be like.

"Fuck." He growled, his hands gripping her waist and returning her to his hold. Although she assumed it was another hug, he needed her close in hopes of ending his imagination.

"You said they'd start coming outside, come...Cissy will want to see this." She spoke, flashing her ring with a proud smile beaming up to him. How was he not to reward that with a kiss?

The entire time were they whispering to each other and ending in a fit of laughter, even if it was childish. They were still young, and Rabastan was going to remind his little fiancé of that regularly.

But they barely got a moment before Walburga came over in a fit of tears. Taking her daughters cheeks into her ring riddled hand and gushing over how proud she was.

Regulus had been watching from afar, his teeth gritting at the sight of their mother making a fool out of his sister. Had the room known she'd attacked her just months before with one of the three unforgivable curses then nobody would believe the rubbish coming out of her mouth.

But as the whispers started growing, he couldn't help but smile to see the couple happy. To see the protective hold Rabastan has over Aurora.

Mrs. Black had accorded this all too well, the daily prophet photographer had been waiting for someone to come out and gain some information. But it was all in their own favor, the pictures of Aurora weren't allowed to have her face in them, but Rabastan hid her quite well. Kissing her forehead and having his hand interlocked to showcase the Dimond resting on her left hand.

The reporter took notes and already made claim that this would make the front page. The rush of fear began to cast into the young girl's heart.

Sirius is going to have a heart attack!

She wouldn't be able to get to the textbook, and there was no part of her that wanted a scolding. Especially after feeling like she was in heaven, Dumbledore would be pleased with this progress.

It was one thing to be promised to a Death Eater, but when the Death Eater is in love with her?

That gave her immense power.

The two managed to get a few more dances in, before an all too worried fiancee noticed she looked exhausted. With all the work she did in preparation for her leaving to the orientation in Germany, he wouldn't be seeing her for a few days.

But the second she would return, he was going to ravish her in gifts...Especially in making up for having to stand by his side at the Death Eater ceremony.

No part of him wanted her back in the room, but here they were...Already planning on her being the future wife of a death eater.

Better me than anyone else. He thought, but the interruption of Walburga kissing his cheeks made him instantly fall out of his thought process.

The entire family was waiting until they returned as Rabastan was demanding that bit of privacy, but now it was up for grabs. Aurora showed her ring to the onset of all her female guests, Otto came over with his wife in congratulations.

But in all seriousness, the two freshly engaged adults had been instantly separated. Rabastan was the first to notice this, and excused himself from the current group of mates that were congratulating him.

"Might I steal my fiancé for a moment?" He issued, and all the women gave in instantly. A thankful smile relished on her as he led her elsewhere through the grand hall to a side room, allowing once again for privacy.

The girl swallowed deeply as she got worried in disappointing her soon to be husband, but his reassuring kiss renewed her smile. Especially when he twirled her deep into his hold.

"How are you darling?" He cooed into her ear, making her shiver with content, but she choked back a struggling sob. The pressure of her family had been gaining, almost like talons digging into her skin, not to mention the idea of Sirius rushing in to shout his disagreements at the wedding.

"Rory if this is about your dream to be a potions mistress, I promise...I will bring you to work every bloody day if you want me to." The silent tear paired with a sad smile had him strike that out on the list of what had begun to bother her.

"Is it your mother?" 

"It was...But not anymore..." She sniffled, only then did he realize that she was indeed thinking of Sirius.

Narcissa sometimes had the same miserable look when thinking about her disowned sister. But now, as his hands cupped either side of Aurora's face, it set her up to be pulled directly into an ever longing kiss.

They wouldn't have to sneak around at the idea, no more chaste kisses around her family. They weren't in school any longer, but him having to wait until their wedding night was endearing count down to be able to ravish her...To treat his little Ravenclaw to stop thinking for an hour at a time.

"Your brother made his choice Aurora...I'll never fault you for missing him." Her eyes widened at his ability to pinpoint what had been bothering her, she had been prepared to just agree to the next he theorized on, but alas...He managed.

"I need to let go...It's. Not healthy for myself or Reg...But I—I can't." Rabastan had taken that as a good sign as any, he kissed her temple, before leaning just a bit further to lay one on the tip of her nose. Then finally a brisk beginning to a pushing her up against the wall of this grand venue.

Yet their actions had been interrupted by a clearing of a throat. 

"Perhaps you can refrain from snogging my sister anywhere in my general presence...You've managed well enough these past few years." Aurora, whose face had been bright red upon getting caught by her brother, simply began to giggle into her hand as Reg's embarrassed expression.

He did not want to be there.

"Are you going to close your eyes at our wedding as well?" The youngest Black sibling nodding in confirmation. Personally he did not agree to have this wedding so soon after she turned eighteen. But he talked it through with himself that it was better than another bloke trying to woo his sister into something she doesn't want.

Then again it helped that it was also Rabastan, he's been there for the both of them when Sirius had got up and left...He couldn't be all that bad.

Granted, if it had been their mother's wants...He wasn't in doubt that Aurora would've gone to her final year of Hogwarts married already.

"Mother suggests it's time to go...Granted I think she's suspicious of the both of you." His sister rolled her eyes but agreed that it was getting a bit late.

"Best leave Reg, I want a moment to say goodbye." The entire conversation did Regulus have his hands clasped behind his back, squeezing them roughly in terms of seeing Rabastan so bloody close to his sister.

"Goodnight Rabastan." It was a warning, and the youngest Lestrange nodded intently at the way the young lad sport his name. 

"Goodnight Regulus." The two weren't on the best of terms at the current moment, mostly likely trying to find the bridge on being closest to Rory.


Which would only get harder as the date approached.

It earned a swat from his little Ravenclaw at the scene that just unfolded. 

"At least try to be civil with him, he's having a hard enough time as is...Having to go back to Hogwarts without any of us there." He pulled his body lip up and pouted, but he nodded. 

He didn't doubt that Reg was in for a difficult final two years at Hogwarts without the guidance of his sister.

"Then we'll make ourselves available, and I can predict from here that you'll be sending him NEWT worksheets." Her eyes narrowed, he was defiantly teasing. So in spite of all this, she kissed his cheek and gave him the famous Black family smirk before moving away. 

"Goodnight Rabastan."

She hadn't gotten as far as she hoped, but he had let her get the feeling of escape. "I remember quite clearly that a proper goodbye was in order?" Her grin still rallied, she had been expecting something in this regard. But her giggle filled the hallway, but she had given in easy enough. Leaning upward on her tippy toes to secure the position in gaining power against his lips.

"Won't I be seeing you tomorrow?" He hummed, leaving one last kiss to her lips. 

"Of course, I need to flaunt my beautiful fiancé to the rest of the world now won't I?... But with the way your mother has been acting, it might not happen until the weekend."

With a final kiss in check, on his nose no less...Something he treasured and adored.

He returned to his pureblood nature, straightening his back and offering the hook of his arm. All in an attempt to lead and return her back to her family for the night...

Because if he stayed a second longer pressed against her body, they wouldn't separate until—

"Were you being serious about taking me to the park?" 

"As serious as I was about proposing...Will you survive until then with your mother?" Whatever sort of noise that came from his Ravenclaw instantly thought of a kitten.

"She's like a bloody kitten!" His brother's voice started to creep into his mind, causing him to gain another ounce of confidence. "Making sounds like that?... Kitten." He was not prepared for the reaction Aurora had given him, it wasn't in embarrassment, but rather...Arousal that tempted her.

This brought him even further on edge as he smirked in triumph. "Making you anxious?" 

"Rabastan I am not afraid to hex you if you keep this up." She growled, whether it was her own instincts or a swell of Salem's coming to the surface.

She hadn't had to really control these emotions before, it must be the lingering idea of what's to come that are bringing these suppressed emotions down.

"I'm sorry kitten...Please forgive me." It was another glare sent his way, but he caught the fact that she was biting her lip to stop herself.

This was easy prey.

"Thought it was fitting, considering your patronus..." He issued, but it still did not stop her hate-filled glare. 
He was in for it.

"Ah, there you are Cassi, come...Your mother has a full day planned for you tomorrow." She chuckled, looking up to Rabastan as either of them had called Mrs.Black behavior in already overbooking her daughter.

Her fiancé gently left a kiss on her cheek before departing with her family.

It was far too late to report what she's heard, perhaps she could write a quick response?

All had been forgotten as she sat in the warm tub, bubbles surrounding her. Filled with oils and herbs to promote good health.

And fertility.

Apparently, that was one of the biggest things her mother wanted her to get into, so instead of a good book. She was reading a flimsy magazine on which sort of programs her mother wanted her to start taking.

Whether they were illegal, dangerous or even disgusting...Her mother's ability to persuade was a struggle to fight against.

She wasn't even married yet, why was the idea of children being dragged in so quickly...

What about her career? 
What about everything she's worked so hard for?

Surely children can wait a few years down the line.

Instead, after reading the third pamphlet, she threw it to her bathroom floor and submerged herself under the warm water.

She was relieved that she was engaged to Rabastan, that wasn't the problem. Not at all. 

The problem was the idea of being physical with him, that scared her beyond belief.

Would he get bored?

Would he go searching somewhere else for what I can't provide?

What if I can't get pregnant?

What if I'm no good at it?

Finally she resurfaced, gasping for air as she finally listened to the burning sensation her lungs had been begging for. Taking deep breaths and settling herself back into her spot, had the obnoxious knocking start off in her room.

"Cassiopeia!" Aurora huffed. Bath time was meant to be her chance at peace and quiet...And here her mother is, destroying the mood.

"In the bath mother!" She called out, which somehow translated to 'enter' for the women. Course there was no privacy in this home, Merlin you could hear a creak downstairs all the way from here.

"Cassiopeia you'll get wrinkles if you stay in the bath for so long!" 

"I made a potion mother, relax." For one reason or another, it had been easier to talk to the women, it was probably because she was so damn distracted in planning the wedding and making everything perfect that she was left with little anger.

"A...You made a potion to stay in the bath longer?" 

"Shh...I haven't patented it yet, but the prefect bathroom was too tempting." This conversation had changed Mrs.Black's idea of ignoring her daughter talents.

There was no part of her brain that could compute on how to start a project like that, and to think she made it in school.

"Do you want some? It's that teal bottle on the counter." Now it was Walburga's own desire in trying her daughter's product. "I thought you wanted to go into the medical field of potions?" 

"Oh I do, but there's a fine line for both medical and beauty...It just that I don't understand." Mrs.Black followed her daughter finger to the dozen of fertility booklets that she had left in her room.

"We'll talk in high detail with the specialist before you venture to Germany Cassiopeia." She spoke calmly, but Aurora did notice her potion gone from the counter when her mother had finally left.

The young girl leaned further down into the tub, groaning as half her face managed in the water than out.

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Date Posted: 07-07-19

Time: 4:31

Words: 3598