CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Over the years, the Potters had adopted a peculiar tradition—marrying shortly after graduation. There was no formal agreement or plan, it was simply a recurring trend that they had stumbled upon.

To everyone's surprise, Albus, much like his family members, embraced the tradition. The moment he and Nova graduated, the desire to get married took root in him. He craved an opportunity to boast about his wife without feeling like he came off as overly fixated on his girlfriend.

While his family might've assumed he was merely eager to brag about his wife, deep down, they realized that it was more than just a desire to boast. Albus was so enamoured with the Malfoy that he had already made up his mind about spending his life by her side.

The same applied to Nova. However, her motivation was also tied to a secret, a secret she had yet to reveal to Albus regarding her own destiny. Only members of the Malfoy and Greengrass families and those close to them were aware of what Astoria had endured.

In her mid-twenties—a time she would finally find out if the blood curse that cursed the females in her family had claimed her fate. However, she had already decided that she would have to disclose this revelation to Albus, especially when they contemplated starting a family together.

The prolonged conversation had brought on the worst for Nova. When Albus suddenly knelt down and proposed to her, he hadn't anticipated her fleeing. Instead of remaining immobile and watching her run, Albus chased after her.

When Albus finally managed to catch up to her, he spotted Nova sitting on a bench, her face buried in her hands. The sight of her tears tugged at his heartstrings. Albus made a conscious decision to discreetly take a seat next to her and rest his arms on his knees.

"I cannot marry you, Albus," Nova stated firmly, lowering her hands, and wiping the traces of her freshly shed tears away.

Albus still stared down at the gradually covering snow that was blanketing the surroundings. He remained silent for a moment, contemplating her response. "For what reason?" he finally asked, unable to hide the hint of hurt in his voice.

"Al..." she began, pausing as her voice wavered. "I need to confess something. I'm aware that I should've revealed it to you a long time ago..."

Albus turned to face her, offering a gentle smile. Nova, still in awe, looked at him in disbelief. He nodded and reached out to take her hand, gently guiding her attention towards him.

"I know about it already" he confirmed, his voice soft.

Nova's eyes widened in astonishment, a look of shock on her face. "You... knew?" she repeated, incredulity in her tone. Albus nodded, his own smile still present. He reached out, intertwining their fingers together, turning her body to face his.

"You're aware that before I even had a chance to propose, I first had to obtain youur families permission?" Albus elucidated, a gentle smile on his face.

Nova chuckled, recalling the obstacles Scorpius and his father had imposed on him. Her father, being the stern figure, would have been the most formidable opposition, with her brother joining in for amusement. However, her smile faded as she remembered the situation at hand. "And they shared the information with you?" she asked, the memory weighing upon her.

Albus nodded solemnly. "Scorpius inadvertently revealed the truth," he admitted, his expression serious.

Nova wept softly, mumbling a curse under her breath. "Of course it was him," she lamented.

Albus gently took her face in his hands and rested their foreheads together. He gently reassured her, "I understand how much that must have hurt for you to tell me. And I've come to realize that no amount of my knowing or not would have altered my feelings for you. Nova, I love you with all my heart," he professed, his voice filled with conviction. "I want to marry you despite the possibility of the curse."

With a deep breath escaping her dry lips, Nova closed her eyes. "Even if there's a chance that I wouldn't be able to spend a long life with you?" she whispered, her voice filled with trepidation.

Albus, still caressing her cheek with his thumb, echoed, "Even if..."

"Did Scorp or Dad tell you the risk...if we..."

As Albus finished her sentence, he gently lifted her chin to make her look at him. "They shared all the risks with me, yes," he revealed.

"It's quite a heavy burden to bear, knowing the possible risks of us having children," he confessed.

Nova, with a soft yet determined tone, confessed," You know that I would choose our children over myself, right?"

Albus acknowledged her statement, nodding his head. "I understand," he assured her. "This isn't about what-ifs or maybes. I want to marry you, no matter what the future holds for us."

"I love you," Albus declared simply, his fingers gently stroking her cheek.

"I love you too," Nova replied softly, appreciating the tender gesture.

Albus nodded and drew a deep breath, contemplating how to broach the conversation. "I wanted to tell you one more thing," he began, his tone a mix of seriousness and concern.

"Sure," Nova responded, her expression shifting to one of curiosity, wondering what topic had his full attention.

Albus's expression turned weary; he struggled to word his question. He professed, his voice genuine, "I'm glad that I fell head over heels in love with you." With that confession, Nova couldn't help but chuckle a little at the sincerity in Albus' words.

Albus smiled at her reaction, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "What?" he asked, a bit defensively.

"Nothing," Nova laughed, still managing to contain her chuckles.

Albus playfully huffed, a slight pout on his face. "You were laughing. What's so funny?"

Nova raised her hands in defence, her chuckle still present. "I wasn't laughing at you."

Albus crossed his arms over his chest, a mock stern expression on his face. "Then what's so funny?"

Nova continued to suppress her laughter and shook her head. "I was just thinking about your confession," she admitted.

Albus's mock sternness softened a bit. "What about it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Nova's laughter slowly subsided, and she shrugged. "It just sounded a bit...corny."

Albus's eyes widened slightly, feigning hurt. "Corny? You're calling my heartfelt confession corny?"

Nova couldn't help but smile at his reaction. "A bit, yes."

Albus mock-sulkingly stuck out his chin. "I pour my heart out to you, and you call it corny. Harsh."

Nova's eyes glistened with the effort she put into maintaining her composure. In that brief moment, her mind briefly contemplated the potential challenges they could face in the future. However, she forced herself to push those concerns aside and centre her attention on the present.

Albus, sensing her inner turmoil, held her gaze steadily and gently ran his fingers along her jawline, offering silent reassurance.

"Yes," she whispered, eliciting a brief pause from Albus as he attempted to recall what they were discussing.

In the fleeting moment before their lips met, Albus managed a soft inquiry. "What?" he prompted, his voice quivering. Nova swiftly brushed her lips against his in an impulsive kiss, and Albus reflexively reciprocated with a broad grin.

"Oh, Merlin!" he exclaimed, scooping her up in his arms. "She said yes!" The couple shared a moment of sheer joy, twirling around, their laughter blending in perfect harmony together.

They were an unlikely pair, a contrast if there ever was one. She was a Malfoy, renowned for their history and status, while he was a Potter, associated with an equally powerful lineage. She was a Gryffindor, champion of courage and bravery, while he was a Slytherin, often perceived as cunning and ambitious.

And...it was not Strange after all.