✧HIM & I✧

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ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏ
ɪs ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢs

ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇ ʜɪᴅᴇ

ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏ

ɪs sɪᴛ ɪɴ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇ

ᴡᴀɪᴛɪɴɢ ғᴏʀ ᴀ sɪɢɴ

sɪᴄᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ᴘʀɪᴅᴇ
ᴀʟʟ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏ ɪs ᴅʀɪᴠᴇ

____________
𝙷𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚎𝚢

𝙳𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚎
***

The day had finally come, her graduation party and Aurora was particularly her dreading the attention solely being on her. Her parents had rented out a banquet hall for this event, a vast and lavish hall filled with flowers. Even the occasional eagle, which defiantly brightened up her spirit as she smiled and caressed the small statues.

Rabastan had been one of the first to arrive. Apparently, Aurora was meant to arrive later than her guests. She didn't rightly understand that bit of pureblood liberties, but her boyfriend had not stayed still since he woke up that morning.

His brother had just laughed at his jittery behavior, by tonight he would be engaged. At every thinking moment would he go over his proposal speech. He had begun writing it just a bit before the NEWTS.

But here he was now, watching from afar as the dozens of guests come and congratulate the young witch and her genius. Orion and Walburga had done the perfect job at bragging about their daughter's accomplishments. Even if Aurora wanted to call her mother out for not being 100% supportive throughout her work.

Rabstan on the other hand wrapped his arms around her waist, seemingly distracted by the given dress and lace she had recreated.

Perfectly fitting her now matured formed, Avery had to swat Rabastan to regain himself from drooling over his dress robes.

She looked beautiful, ever fitting to be the youngest potion mistress to date.

"Raba...Merlin, there's so many people here I..." He squeezed her tighter, a small kiss at her cheekbone in hopes of calming her down.

"I met Otto just a few moments ago, he's as excited as your father." She giggled, and in doing so had he taken the liberty of spinning her around. Twirling her around and around.

They were young adults, in the presence of an exclusive party hosted by her family. This was the safest place for her to be present at, the amount of Death Eaters present made it all the more protected.

Even the Daily Prophet attempted to get an invitation as he heard a rumor, but they stomped on that outlet. Even then, he'd assumed that Rabastan's future in-laws would take the front page with this engangment, if only he could pluck up the blood courage.

"Mate, good goddess. Get a move on will you, been pacing since last night!" He groaned, why was this so difficult for him to get through?

Avery did not quick pestering until the man grew seemingly irritated.

"Fine. Fine! Arsehole." He growled off his mate's direction as he was far too agitated to see that he was already in the midst of walking over to Aurora.

Attempting to ignore the knowing glances of either family had they held back their smirks and fidgeting hands. A wedding only happened ever so often in their world, a celebration of a line being continued.

But when the calming smile of Narcissa as well as his girlfriend, it almost settled the nerves that Avery and McNair had put on him.

"Might I steal Rory for a moment Cissy?" He asked, quite politely actually. Mrs.Malfoy knew well what was about to occur, she...Much like the rest of the room knew, had already claimed that both these younglings would have the most adorable of any children.

And bets have been made to how quick the two could get pregnant.

By the stares Rabastan had been giving Aurora, most assumed not that long.

"Of course, she looks like she could take a breath outside Rabastan." Aurora's eyes sparked with interest as she nodded eagerly to get away from the crowd. If he had known she was feeling uncomfortable then perhaps he would've managed to be a bit more confident in asking.

He offered his arm, stilling being in public. But the second they had left their families lingering glances his hand moved to interlock with hers. Causing her to giggle.

"And? Having any fun?"

"It's a bit much, but I sort of expected that." The second they had exited the building, she hummed in approval at the cool night's air.

Goddess was her burning skin burning, with the number of dances and damn bodies in the hall...It was a struggle for her feet not hurt.

She twirled she started herself had arched arm for a moment before he had lost her into the night. "I'll have to take you to another park, don't I?... Perhaps we'll go this weekend?" Aurora nodded instantly at the plan, but then laughed.

"I found your Slytherin sweater in my truck, I forgot to give it back."

"Thought I had another one, keep it. Looks better on you." Her cheeks flared, the complements would never get old. Especially when it dealt with wearing his clothes...

Eventually the two walked a bit into the surrounding garden, he had scouted it in the beginning of his arrival to see where the perfect place would be. And to settle both of their nerves of being inside, the walk to the center display of a fountain had given them enough to debunked the fake faces they shared.

He could easily see Aurora's starting to crumble when reaching the stone path, but now it was gone. Offering up the small fountain as a place to sit and chat, but while Aurora was letting her hand glaze over the running water to her left. It gave Rabastan ample time to admire her from where he sat.

Merlin did she look beautiful, the moon high above them, blessing his little Ravenclaw with an angelic glow. Had he not been so caught up in his gaze, he would've noticed the oncoming poke of the nose she had given him.

"Staring?"

"Can't help myself, love." He ushered, the ring once again burning in the center of his pocket.

Fuck. He internally screamed, this was it...The moment he had practiced for in front of the mirror a dozen times just that day.

"It seems like I can't help myself at all when I'm around you...That smile can knock me off my bloody feet half the time. And when you give me that smirk of yours, I want to know what devilish things you've managed to conjure up in that beautiful mind of yours..." He began, perhaps it was a bit much. But when writing this on his desk for the umpteenth time, it was worth it.

Her blushing was a clear sign that his words had been working, so he continued, interlocking his hands into hers.

"Your hands...Are so small I feel like I have to be delicate with them so they don't break, and Merlin are they always cold. But I'll never get enough of it when you place your hand right here..." If Aurora had any problems with this, she wasn't being vocal about it. But her smile brightened when she came into contact with his warm cheek, even running her thumb across the top.

She hadn't known any of these tidbits, he'd always caster off with loving her smile or laugh. But this was different, this was more.

"Gods have me am I so bloody proud of you...All that time ago you told me you wanted to be a potion mistress and look at where we are. You're surrounded by future colleges and a boss who is boasting about you like you're his daughter." His words had meant the world to her, she was spiraling out of control as a tear was starting to form. And under the worry of ruining her makeup, she wiped it quick.

With her being distracted for that given moment did he remove his hand from hers...If only for a moment.

"I'll never come across another witch as beautiful, as talented or as adoring as you..." With those words finally out into the open did he properly handle up the small box. Leaving his position beside her did he knee down to the ground, although one hand held firmly to the box. The other had transferred her caressing hand back to her lap in order for him to properly move down.

"...So, will you do me the honors of being my wife?... Will you, Cassiopeia Aurora Black marry me?"

His questions had shot a bloody paralyzation curse to her body, not being able to do anything more than just stare at him.

She didn't give one more glance to the ring, as it was already a pure indication as to what was going to happen.

Rabastan is proposing.

Or Rabastan had proposed, seeing as how he had been left sitting in the grass as his little Ravenclaw was caught entirely off guard.

"Y-you...What?" He chuckled, knowing well enough that have any of her family members see this she would've been embarrassed. But he was entirely used to this behavior, Aurora hated surprised.

Hated them with a passion.

And this one had taken the cake by far.

"Rory...Will. You. Marry. Me?" He whispered, his palms starting to sweat at how long it was taking for her to comprehend such a simple question, the last time he remembered she discussed marriage was how she thought he didn't want to get married...

So what was troubling her?

Out of everything that he could've predicted to happen, she rose from her seat...On very unsteady feet might he add, and took a step back.

"Are you serious?" She whispered, worriment chasing over her expression in the instant of asking her own question.

"I've never been more serious in my life Aurora. I want to protect you, to love and to care for you like a husband is meant to..." He was now up on his feet to level with her, or as level as he could considering he stood a great deal taller than his little bird.

"But you...I—" It seemed her thoughts were getting the best of her, so he smiled.

"I asked your father, your brother...They gave me their full-hearted blessings." He addressed one of the million questions rolling in her head, and although he was prepared to continue with another round of reassurance to his proposal, he was not at all ready for her to walk straight on up towards him, her hands cupping his cheeks to forcefully bring him down for a rushed kiss.

Perhaps her body and mind had been wired on the never-ending glasses of wine she's been sipping at throughout the night. As she pulled away, Aurora unmistakably whispered a soft yes before pushing her lips back up to his.

She repeated this action again and again, as if her brain finally kicked into gear to what she had meant to say when he first asked all those minutes ago.

After hearing her agreements to his question, his hand steadied her waist and so easily picked her up. Molding her perfectly to his form. He twirled himself around, which caused his little fiancee to giggle in light of his own response.

He felt as though he was the king of the world, that Aurora Black had said yes, that she looked beyond happy with the idea...Try as he might to get the idea out of his mind, there wasn't much of a choice.

Had she said no, this would've been an entirely different conversation. This was both of family duty and loyalty. But the loyalty spread through the love they have with one another, and that is what Rabastan had thought when first kneeling in front of her.

When he finally returned her feet to the ground, her hands started to make their way down from his shoulder and cheek. Her smile was still vibrant, but it was paired with a stream of tears on either side of her face.

Reaching into his dress robes had he retrieved a small cloth and offered it to her.

"Thank you." She mumbled, dabbing gently to the underside of her eyes. As well as fixing her lipstick as it was more less smugged after what they just accomplished.

"...Oh goddess Raba I'm sorry! I completely blanked on—"

"I've known you for well close to sixteen years Rory, I had a feeling something in the sort would've happened." His chuckle didn't make her feel any less guilty, but he did pull up the small box that housed the engagement ring.

"It's beautiful..." She whispered, and he smiled ever so proud. "I had it designed...Actually, that was the one I wanted to have made for Christmas, but I went with the other..." It was now his turn to fluster at the talk of him drawing up sketches with the jeweler.

Now what confused Rabastan was the act of her removing all her rings. She had put all of them in her pocket leaving one remaining.

"Would you prefer the ring over it?" She smiled at his eager face. But all this suddenly made sense as to why everyone had been so bloody excited for her party.

Not that her success hadn't been worth celebrating, but she had the feeling she was missing out on a big secret...And well, here it is?

"You transfer this ring to my other hand, then you put yours in its place." He nodded at her instructions, he was terribly confused as to why it had to be that way. But seeing as she had this ring on since she was eleven, he didn't want to argue.

But upon further investigation he recognized it...It was the purity ring!

With it now on her other hand, it gave him the chance to take his claim. A promise to reign in her purity and their union.

Sliding down the ring was the longest possible second of his life, but once it stopped at the end he too couldn't contain a tear. A part of him wanted to tell her that they've been engaged since they were barely toddlers, but the happiness radiating off her at this very moment was far too valuable that he allowed himself the moment to stand tall and proud...Especially when Rory was eyeing the ring on her hand.

To gain her attention once again he brought her left hand up to his lips and kissed it ever so gently. "I love you." He whispered.

"And I you."

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Date Posted: 07-05-19

Time: 3:15

Words: 2459

AHHHH THEY'RE ENGAGED!!!