Taming

Albus was still hiding somewhere when it was time to line up to go outside. Scorpius was nearly paralyzed with nerves by that point, and Rose had to pry his fingers off of her hand so that she could line up. Astoria was peeking out the door, waiting for some unknown signal.

“It’s time!” she hissed. “James and Lily, you first. Just like we practiced yesterday. Go on!”

Scorpius watched as James took his little sister’s arm, stepped out through the French doors, and began to walk slowly down the path that had been created to lead directly into the large marquee.

Rose ran back and kissed Scorpius on the cheek. “I love you,” she whispered.

He was too scared to respond. She took her bouquet of ivory flowers back from Victoire, and Hugo took Rose’s arm.

“Now you two,” Astoria instructed Hugo and Rose, who stepped outside. “Teddy, Victoire, get ready.”

“All right,” Astoria said, and Teddy led Victoire out into the garden. “Lucy, dear, are you ready?”

Ginny had been holding Lucy’s hand, but Lucy let go and ran to the door, eager to take her walk. She was dressed in a miniature version of the older girls’ dresses, but instead of a bouquet, she carried a little basket filled with ivory rose petals.

“Remember to scatter your petals prettily,” Astoria reminded her, and Lucy nodded eagerly. “Okay, darling, you can go ahead.”

Lucy skipped down the path, and a moment later, Scorpius heard a chorus of ‘Awwwww’s coming from the assembled guests. He smiled despite his nerves.

“I’ll go get Albus,” Ginny told the rest of them.

“Perfect,” Astoria told her, beaming. “Come on Scorpius, it’s time for us. Harry dear, remind Ginny to only wait thirty seconds or so after we leave.”

“He can handle it, dearest,” Draco said with an indulgent smile. “Ready, son?”

Scorpius nodded, smoothing the front of his shirt. Flanked by his parents, he stepped out onto the path that wound through the garden and led into the marquee. He thought he might pass out when he saw the sheer number of people who were there.

His mother had told him, of course, that there would be over three hundred attendees, but seeing them all there was a little overwhelming. He supposed that when a society boy marries the son of the savior of the wizarding world, people want to see it.

When they reached the small raised platform Scorpius smiled at his mother. She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. His father hugged him as well and smoothed his hair back a little to kiss him on the forehead. “I love you son,” he whispered.

“You, too, father.”

His parents took their seats in the front row, and Scorpius stepped up on the platform next to Rose. She grabbed his hand and squeezed and they grinned at each other. And that was when he saw Albus.

He let go of Rose’s hand and watched his fiancé walk towards him. Albus looked like a Muggle movie star in his tuxedo, with his dark hair and pale skin.

Albus hugged and kissed both of his parents, who then sat down next to Scorpius’s parents. Scorpius held out his hand to Albus, who took it, stepping up on the platform. They turned to face Aunt Hermione, who, as a senior Wizengamot judge, was able to perform wedding ceremonies, and she smiled at both of them.

“If any witch or wizard sees a reason that these two should not marry, may she or he speak now or never again,” Hermione recited in her most official voice. There was a hush over the assembled guests. She continued, “Let us begin.”

********************

The actual ceremony was a bit of a blur to Scorpius, but certain things stood out clearly in his mind. The tears in Rose’s eyes as she handed him the ring. The way Aunt Hermione’s voice quavered as she pronounced them ‘husband and husband.’ The love that shone in Albus’s eyes just before they kissed for the first time as a married couple. The deafening applause and cheers from the guests as they turned to walk out of the marquee.

Scorpius knew that he’d never forget those details. He and Albus nearly ran up the path back to the house, clutching each others’ hands and grinning like fools. As soon as they stepped inside the French doors, they immediately turned to each other. Scorpius grabbed Albus’s face in his hands and kissed him hard.

There was no nervousness left. Only pure, radiant joy.

“Okay, you two, there will be plenty of time for that on your honeymoon!” James joked.

They looked up and saw that all their attendants had joined them in the parlor and were watching them with amusement.

“Can’t a man snog his husband in peace?” Scorpius complained.

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhh!” Lily squealed. “You’re really husbands now! It’s so exciting!” She ran at them and hugged them both.

Then Rose was there, hugging Scorpius like she didn’t intend to let go. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!” she sobbed.

“I know!” Scorpius laughed, squeezing her.

“So let’s get out there and celebrate!” James said, enthusiastically.

“James,” Albus sighed. “We have to wait until all the guests are seated for the dinner, and then they’ll announce the wedding party, and we have to go to the head table. Weren’t you paying attention in rehearsal?” He sounded thoroughly exasperated with his brother.

James sighed. “Did you have to have such a fussy, formal affair?” he teased.

“Yes.” Albus said, unrepentant.

“You couldn’t have exuded any control over him?” James said, looking at his new brother-in-law with a twinkle in his eye.

“I didn’t try. What little control I have over him, I save for more important pursuits,” Scorpius joked, cocking his eyebrow.

“Wise decision,” Teddy said, smiling and gazing at Victoire, who colored prettily.

Astoria stepped into the room, and Albus ran to her. “Oh, mother, it’s going perfectly!” he cried happily.

“I know, Sweetums! They’re going to announce you any moment. Get ready children! I need to find my seat now.” She kissed Albus and hurried back out the door.

Rose and Scorpius looked at each other and Scorpius mouthed, “Sweetums?”

Rose still had the giggles when she stepped outside to walk to the head table.

******************

When someone called out, “And presenting the happy couple, Mr. Scorpius Malfoy and Mr. Albus Potter!” Albus and Scorpius stepped out into the garden, hands clasped. The scene had been transformed, and now all of the guests sat at round tables, set with beautiful centerpieces of ivory flowers and greenery.

All of the guests stood and cheered for them as they made their way to the head table. Scorpius looked at his beaming husband and grinned himself. His heart felt like it would burst with joy. He squeezed Albus’s hand and felt him return the squeeze. They took their places at the center of the head table in between Rose and Lily.

Scorpius scarcely tasted his food. He was too busy looking at Albus and grinning like an idiot. He had never felt so happy before in his life.

When the last of the dirty plates had been cleared away, Rose stood up and cleared her throat.

“If I could have everyone’s attention, please,” she started nervously. The crowd quieted down and turned to the head table. “As most of you know, I’m Rose Weasley, Scorpius’s maid of honor. I’m also Albus’s cousin, so some of you might wonder why I’m standing up for Scorpius rather than Albus. The reason is simple. When Albus met the love of his life, I met my best friend in the world.”

She smiled down at Scorpius, who took her hand. “To say that these two had a rocky beginning would be an understatement. Basically Scorpius fell in love with my cousin in the span of about five seconds. And he needed a little help to realize that it was a good thing, rather than something terrifying.” Many of the guests laughed at that.

“For my cousin’s sake, I meddled. I knew that they were already in love, and Scorpius needed a little extra push. So I pushed him.” She grinned at Scorpius again.

“But it only took me about five minutes to realize that he was amazing. Kind, charming, funny, and honorable. Not to mention gorgeous.” That got another big laugh. He was perfect… For Albus, of course.” The guests tittered again.

“I’m thankful every single day that Albus and Scorpius met and fell in love, because I got something amazing in the bargain, too: my best friend. Scorpius, I know you’ll take care of Albus for the rest of your lives. And Albus, I know you’ll take care of Scorpius for the rest of your lives. Every day for the rest of your lives. But Alby, darling, you may be my cousin and I may love you dearly, but if you ever hurt him, you’ll answer to me.”

She looked at Scorpius again. “I love you, Sweetheart.” The guests all ‘awwww’ed, and Scorpius stood up, tears in his eyes, and wrapped Rose in the tightest hug that he could manage.