Aurelian Gaunt was sitting on the edge of an elegant leather armchair, already dressed in an impeccable dark-colored formal suit made from the finest acromantula silk the wizarding world could produce. He was staring intently at the grain of the wooden floor, his hands clasped tightly together and resting on his head.
Anyone who had walked in at that moment and seen him in that posture would have thought the young lord was suffering a panic attack or a nervous breakdown. But nothing could be further from the truth—he was simply happy. Immensely happy. He felt as though his chest were about to burst with joy and anticipation.
The place that Hestia and Flora had chosen and prepared for the ceremony was a haven of peace. Through the room's large window, Aurelian could admire a dreamlike landscape. Vast gardens of vibrant green stretched all the way to the shore of an immense lake, whose waters reflected that day's clear blue sky. The exclusivity of the event was certainly evident; there were no crowds or press, just a handful of chairs set out on the lawn for the most important people in their lives (and the occasional prominent family from the country).
Unable to sit still for another second, Aurelian stood up and began pacing back and forth across the room, mentally rehearsing his vows.
Four soft knocks on the door interrupted his pacing.
When he opened it, he was met by two figures who looked very familiar to him: Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel.
The elegant, elderly witch wasted no time. Perenelle stepped forward and enveloped him in a warm, heartfelt embrace.
"Congratulations on your wedding, dear Aurelian," Perenelle said, stroking his back. "We're both overjoyed for you."
Nicolas burst out laughing, leaning on the elegant cane he was carrying for the occasion.
"Welcome to the club of those condemned to married life, my young disciple," joked the legendary alchemist, winking at him. "I wish you all the luck in the world—you're going to need it with those two life partners."
Perenelle gave her husband a sharp nudge in the ribs for the interruption. Nicolas grumbled under his breath, but instantly the two smiled at each other with that complicity that only centuries of shared love could provide.
Aurelian laughed, feeling his nerves ease a little.
"I'm so grateful to you all for being here for me today," he told them sincerely.
Aurelian left the room with them and accompanied them to the area of the garden where the guests were seated. The atmosphere was serene, and the breeze rocked the lotus flowers on the lake. As he walked, he greeted several people.
When she reached the row where the Longbottoms were seated, Frank and Alice immediately stood up to shake her hand, congratulating him effusively. Next to them, the family matriarch, Augusta Longbottom, dressed in her finest robes for the ceremony and her signature hat, gave her a proud smile.
"I am very grateful that you have chosen me to officiate your wedding, Lord Gaunt," Augusta said, bowing her head slightly in respect.
"I thank you for agreeing to do so, Madame Longbottom," Aurelian replied, returning the bow.
Augusta shook her head, amused by the formality.
"Nonsense. What you've done for the Longbottom family is a debt I can never repay. This is the least I could do for you," the elderly witch affirmed, before turning her gaze to her son and muttering under her breath with clear disapproval, "Not like my son, who at the time didn't want such a beautiful wedding and preferred something… far too simple for my taste."
Hearing his mother's rebuke, Frank smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at the floor. His wife, Alice, chuckled softly and gave Frank a sweet, understanding smile, intertwining her hand with his to calm him down.
Aurelian let out a small laugh at the peculiar family dynamic, bumped fists with Neville in greeting, and continued down the central aisle.
A few meters further on, the atmosphere changed drastically. He ran into his father, Lord Voldemort, who was standing and talking to a Sirius Black who looked stiffer than a statue.
Upon seeing the groom arrive, Sirius seemed to see a lifeline dropped from the sky.
"Congratulations on your wedding, Gaunt," Sirius blurted out hurriedly and with extreme tension, nodding stiffly. "I wish you… all the best—to you and the Carrow sisters."
Without waiting for a response and without looking at the Minister, Sirius turned on his heel and practically fled back to his seat alongside the few acquaintances from the Order of the Phoenix who had been invited.
Voldemort watched Black walk away in complete silence. His eyes softened as they rested once more on his son. The Dark Lord's imposing figure relaxed slightly.
"This is a very, very important day, my son," Tom said softly, with all the sincerity and affection he could muster. "I wish you the very best. You've built your own empire; you've restored this family name to honor. I'm sure it won't be hard for you to start a family."
Aurelian laughed, feeling a lump in his throat, and nodded.
"Thank you very much, Father."
Voldemort cleared his throat, feeling suddenly uncomfortable in the face of such vulnerability and emotion in a place like this. He straightened his posture, regaining his composure.
"You'd better head over to your spot now, Aurelian," his father said calmly, pointing to the arch of flowers in front of the lake. "The ceremony is about to begin."
Aurelian nodded one last time. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with air, and walked with a steady stride toward the altar to wait for the two women who had changed his life.
He stood before the beautiful altar of black roses and white flowers. All the guests were already seated in their respective places, in respectful silence.
Augusta Longbottom, standing in front of him with a scroll in her hands, noticed the tension in the young man's shoulders. The experienced witch gave him a reassuring smile and winked at him.
"You'll do just fine, boy. Don't worry about a thing," Augusta whispered.
Aurelian returned her smile, feeling his heart racing a mile a minute; he discreetly shifted his gaze toward the beginning of the aisle, waiting for the exact moment when Hestia and Flora would make their entrance. From one side of the platform, Cedric Diggory—whom Aurelian had chosen as his best man—caught his eye and gave him a thumbs-up with a beaming smile. Aurelian let out a long sigh, silently thanking his friend for being there.
And then, the soft murmur of the guests ceased completely. Everything fell silent, broken only by the gentle singing of the birds and the breeze from the lake.
Aurelian steeled himself mentally, straightened his posture, and as he turned his head, he saw them.
The whole world seemed to stand still. Hestia and Flora were walking down the aisle, linked arm-in-arm with their father. They wore lace dresses that perfectly highlighted their beauty; their dark hair was adorned with tiny diamonds that sparkled like stars; and their eyes were fixed solely and exclusively on him. They were, without a doubt, the most beautiful women Aurelian had ever seen in his two lifetimes. He knew that never, not even if he lived a thousand years, would he be able to forget that moment.
Upon reaching the altar, Alaric Carrow paused. He gave him a broad smile and handed his daughters' hands to Aurelian.
Aurelian took their hands, feeling the warmth and the slight tremor in the twins' fingers.
"You look like two angels who have fallen from heaven," Aurelian whispered to them, unable to keep his voice steady.
Hestia and Flora blushed. Their cheeks flushed an adorable crimson, and with voices trembling with emotion, they replied in a whisper at the same time.
"And you look gorgeous, my love."
Augusta Longbottom raised her hands, calling for everyone's attention, and began the ceremony. Her voice was warm, echoing throughout the garden. She spoke wisely about the importance of true love, unwavering loyalty, and the meaning of always being there for one another, no matter how dark the times might become. After blessing the occasion that had brought them together that afternoon, Augusta asked them to exchange their vows.
Hestia and Flora were the first. Their words were intense, pure, and filled with the adoration and obsession that defined them. As he listened to them promise him their lives, their magic, and their eternal devotion, Aurelian was deeply moved.
In the front row, Selene Carrow wept silently. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she smiled, overwhelmed with happiness at seeing her daughters fulfilling her greatest dream. Suddenly, Selene noticed a slight movement beside her. Turning her head, she was greatly surprised to see that her cold and strict husband, Alaric, was also shedding a couple of tears.
Feeling his wife's gaze, Alaric gently squeezed Selene's hand.
"They're my daughters, Selene… and I love them," Alaric murmured in a hoarse voice.
Selene smiled tenderly at him, squeezed his hand in return, and turned her full attention back to the altar.
It was Aurelian's turn. He cleared his throat and looked deeply into the eyes of the two women holding his hands.
"I never… never thought I'd come to love anyone as desperately as I love the two of you," Aurelian began. "I want to thank you for always being there for me. For never judging me, for embracing my flaws, and for supporting me through every crazy idea, every step, and every battle I get myself into."
Aurelian let go of one of each woman's hands so he could caress their cheeks, gently wiping away the first tears that were already beginning to well up in the girls' eyes.
"Before you, my world was gray—somewhat lonely and cold—just me, my plans, and my business. But you burst into my life to teach me something very important: that no matter how powerful I become or how famous I am, the best part of my life is feeling the warmth of your hugs at the end of the day," Aurelian continued, letting out the cheesiest and most romantic words he'd ever spoken, caring very little about who might be listening. "You are my anchor, keeping me sane, my refuge and safe haven, my most beautiful weakness. I love the intensity of your gazes, I love it when you get jealous, I love your smiles and the way you make my heart race when you're near."
Hestia and Flora could no longer hold back. They began to sob openly, clinging to Aurelian's hands as if they were their lifeline, soaking up every one of his words.
"I promise you that, from this moment on and until the end of time, I will be your shield against the world," Aurelian declared. "I promise to adore you at every sunrise, to protect you with my life, and to choose your happiness over my own every single day. Because a single lifetime—and even eternity itself—will never seem long enough to show you how much I love you," he smiled as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. "Thank you… thank you for bringing joy to my life."
When he finished, silence enveloped the garden, followed immediately by the soft applause of the guests.
Augusta Longbottom discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, cleared her throat, and raised her wand toward the sky.
"Therefore, by the power conferred upon me by the most ancient of magics and as a witness to this bond, I bless Aurelian Gaunt, Hestia Gaunt, and Flora Gaunt," Augusta proclaimed, her voice resonating strongly. "May their marriage be immensely happy, today and always. I now pronounce you husband and wives. You may kiss the groom."
Aurelian didn't wait a second longer. He pulled them toward him, giving Hestia a deep, passionate kiss, followed immediately by an equally loving kiss for Flora.
At that very moment, from the back of the seating area, Fred and George Weasley shouted at the top of their lungs and set off their best fireworks. A massive explosion of fireworks lit up the evening sky with dragons and serpents of light, showers of green, red, and blue stars dancing over the lake.
Applause erupted. All the guests stood up, cheering and celebrating the union.
Oblivious to the noise, the fireworks, and everything else, Aurelian wrapped his arms around Hestia and Flora. The three of them melted into an embrace at the center of the altar.
"I love you," Hestia whispered against his neck.
"I love you," murmured Flora, burying her face in his chest.
"I love you, my beautiful wives," Aurelian replied, smiling from ear to ear.
------------------
I have a Patreon account. If you would like to support me, I would greatly appreciate it. You will be able to read up to 15 more chapters, listen to all chapters as audiobooks, and view images of the characters in the story for free. Thank you very much for reading my story :D
patreon.com/Daoistrg