The day of Euphemia's wedding to Orion dawned on a very sunny summers day, the warm sun bathing the entirety of London in golden rays as the blue sky above shone and was clear of clouds, an extremely artistic day which contrasted marvellously with the rather sombre mood of the day, in the Black household anyhow.
The manor was full to bursting of all the guests, who were walking in and out, to the massive gazebo outside that had been set up, where Orion and Mia would soon say their vows, in front of a massive audience. Also there were Euphemia's bridesmaids and her maid of honour, who had all been hand-picked by Cassiopeia and were, quite fittingly, all the Black female cousins.
Despite her change of heart and revelations the other week, Cassiopeia didn't appear to change her mind on altering the date of the wedding and that hurt Mia deeply because, no matter how sorry her mother was, she was struggling to see how Cassiopeia could be truly sorry and yet still force her daughter to marry her cousin. However, Euphemia was unaware of the fact that Cassiopeia had tried but had been rejected.
"Quiet for the photograph, please, girls!" she told her nieces as all of the bridesmaids gathered for a picture, their creamy white dresses matching with a golden sash and ribbons adorning the material - very beautiful. Druella was stood in the middle, as she was the maid of honour (obviously not a choice made by Mia herself) and she held the month-old Bellatrix who was reaching out a tiny hand to tug on Charis' brown curls.
Callidora batted the baby's chubby fists off her sister's gleaming locks as Charis herself was unaware, chatting away to Walburga instead, who appeared extremely displeased and seemed like she didn't want to be there. Dorea was on the other side, the only one actually smiling for the camera as she sent sideways dirty looks towards her cousins.
"Where's Euphemia, anyway? It's her wedding!" Callidora commented drily and Cassiopeia, who was ordering a few house elves around and telling them where to place the flowers, overheard and turned her head, "She's upstairs in her bedroom, Tibet is helping her get ready," she informed her, talking loudly in order to be heard over all the babble.
Meanwhile, behind one of the beautiful flower displays decorating the Black manor, Henry Potter nudged his son from underneath the invisibility cloak that they were both hidden by, "D'you hear that, Charlus? She's in her bedroom, now go and find her!" he whispered to Charlus, who sent a questioning glance in return, "And how are you going to get out to where we agreed without the cloak?"
"Don't you worry about me, I'll blend in just fine. S'long as Cassie or Pollux Black don't see me..." Henry reassured his son with a wink, provoking Charlus' question about why Pollux Black seeing him would matter which caused Henry to add in another whisper, "I arrested the prick back in '45 and he's not the type to forget a face!" he laughed quietly before patting Charlus on the shoulder, "Go get your girl."
Charlus sighed deeply, his heart racing as Henry ducked out from underneath the cloak and immediately blended into the crowd, his bowler hat tipped slightly to shield his face from the wedding guests. This had been what the two Potters had agreed on when devising their plan - that they would sneak in invisibly before the wedding started and then try and sneak Mia out, via broomstick.
Even so, Charlus was extremely nervous. Not only was he going to see his ex-girlfriend for the first time in months, but Euphemia's entire future and happiness relied on whether he would be able to execute his plan successfully and efficiently. He started to creep up the grand staircase, still blown away at how fancy and glamorous the entire manor was.
Mia had always told him how large and heavily decorated her house was but Charlus hadn't really expected nor envisioned sparkling chandeliers in every single hallway and rich, red carpets that made his feet sink into the fluffiness. At least the carpet disguised his footsteps but, as he snuck around Black Manor, he realised there was a major problem....
Cassiopeia had said that Euphemia was in her bedroom but it hadn't occurred to Charlus that he had never actually been to his ex-girlfriend's house before and therefore didn't have a clue where Mia's bedroom was....
It was going to be a long day.
~~~
Euphemia sat in her bedroom, staring into her mirror as she slumped on her vanity stool, her energy sucked from her body and rendering her as useless as a sack of potatoes. She found it ironically funny that her posture was shocking at that moment in time, unladylike enough to shock all her aunts and her mother but she just didn't care.
Her brown hair had been swept into a tight, frigid bun and a hair clip was digging into her scalp, restricting her hair from escaping, rather like herself, as a piece of white lace dangled over her eyes. Mia could hardly breathe as well and this time, it wasn't because she was having a panic attack but was instead brought on due to her extremely tight corset, tied so tightly that it hurt to inhale and exhale.
Euphemia's body heaved with noiseless sobs and her corset creaked as she moved to grab a tissue from her vanity table, wiping carefully at her eyes and trying not to smudge the eyeliner that Cassiopeia had already applied twice that morning. She was just so restless and she dragged one of her now painted black nails along the edge of the vanity, tears beginning to pour down her cheeks silently, the eyeliner forgotten and smudged mercilessly.
Still crying, Mia made her way over to her window and looked down into the garden where the gazebo tent was sheltering the rows of stiff backed chairs and the small podium which was decorated with flowers, strung along the frame of a bowed archway. Underneath the archway, the Ministry Official stood, ready to perform the union and Euphemia shivered at the thought that he would be the man to declare her the wife of Orion Black.
Almost as if he could sense he was being thought about, Orion appeared and started talking to a few of the Black cousins - Cygnus was smoking a pipe and acting rather dignified and distinguished, making Orion laugh about something as they glanced over at the group of female Black cousins, who were all playing with Druella's baby, Bellatrix, who seemed to have knocked over a vase of flowers and was now picking petals off a rose, one by one.
Alphard was also stood there, looking quite displeased about something - whether it was the whole prospect of his fifteen year old cousin getting married or the things that Orion and Cygnus were now muttering but he did shoot a bright smile at Callidora, who seemed rather melancholy for such a 'happy' occasion.
Mia's eyes were drawn to her future husband, though, and all she could feel was hatred and disgust rising up within her as she stared at Orion, his tuxedo cut tight to his thick form and his hair freshly cut, with his face adorned with the moustache he had started growing out, the one that she detested so much and hated with a passion. Like him, really.
Euphemia had to turn away from the window at that point, unable to continue looking at him for even another second. But that would be all she would be doing for the rest of her life - looking at Orion and hating him, hating her family for forcing her into a marriage with him. No matter Cassiopeia's 'true intentions' behind making her marry Orion, Mia didn't think she would be able to forgive her mother for this, not ever.
She just wasn't ready...she didn't think she would ever be ready but getting married at the end of seventh year definitely sounded better than becoming a wife to her cousin at the tender age of fifteen. Euphemia hadn't even reached the age of consent yet! It was utterly terrifying and disgusting and Mia was absolutely bricking it.
Euphemia knew that there was no way out at all now - she had held a little bit of hope that things might change when Cassiopeia had admitted that she was really sorry about marrying Mia off to Orion but nothing had come of it and she was still going to be trapped in a marriage for the rest of her life. That fate was not one she was looking forward to and yet, she had no choice and there was no way out now...
And even if Euphemia did manage to escape, they would come after her, find her and then kill her and probably Charlus as well. Mia couldn't bear to even think about losing the love of her life and she knew that the wedding was a very small price to pay if Charlus managed to stay alive because she wouldn't ever be able to forgive herself if Charlus died because of her, because of her cowardice.
Euphemia trembled and fear poured in the form of a cold sweat from beneath her arms and across her back, her corset still squeezing her body with tears still clouding her eyes as she took a deep breath, looking into the mirror and attempting to wipe her eyes but there were black trails down her cheeks from her mascara and eyeliner that stuck to her skin, not escaping. Rather like her, really.
If only there was some way to escape...Mia found herself looking at the open window, that Tibet had insisted on opening before whilst saying 'I is wanting to make sure that Missus Euphemia is not being too warm.' Her back was turned and she didn't seem to notice the door opening but the sound of it closing did make her turn around, puzzled.
"I must be imagining things," Mia muttered to herself in bewilderment. She could've sworn the door had opened but, perhaps in her hysteria, Euphemia had simply heard a noise and instantly become paranoid, thinking that someone had walked in. Just as she took a rattling breath to ensure that she wasn't about to cry again, Mia heard someone clear their throat and she jumped a mile.
"I take offence to being referred to as a thing, as a matter of fact," a familiar voice said and Euphemia felt a mixture of dread and happiness rise in her as she span around slowly. Invisibility cloak off, and there was Fleamont Charlus Potter, looking at her with so much love and intensity that Mia became breathless, not just because of the extremely tight corset (which was still the only thing she was wearing...)
Euphemia's jaw dropped at the sight of her ex-boyfriend and she found herself lost for words before stammering out, "Flea, what are you doing here?" she asked, though she just longed to melt into his arms and stay there for all of eternity. It had been easier to kid herself that they hadn't been in love when Charlus wasn't here but, when he was stood in front of her, donning his muggle clothes with his hair styled accordingly - Mia felt nothing but love for him.
"I'm here for you," Charlus told her and he shoved the invisibility cloak into a small rucksack that he was carrying with him, "I've been an idiot...I'm sorry. I didn't realise how seriously fuc—" he was obviously about to swear but cut himself off, aware he was in the presence of a lady and a gentleman just didn't do that, "—messed up the Black family is. But I talked to my dad about this...this - complete rubbish - and we agreed it had to be stopped."
"Your dad knows?" Euphemia asked, that being the one question on the forefront of her mind at that moment, despite the urgent circumstance. Charlus nodded before walking forward to place his hands on her arms, "He made me realise that I was completely stupid to even think about letting you go. I love you, Mia, and I can't let you go through with it," Charlus ran his hands up and down her arms, sending pleasant shivers running over them.
As much as she wanted to stay in his hold, Euphemia pulled away with a shake of her head and Charlus' face fell, "I can't. They'll kill us, they'll kill us both if I ditch Orion on his wedding day," Mia practically breathed, licking her dry and cracked lips nervously as she shuffled from one bare foot to the other.
But Charlus wouldn't be deterred and he stepped forward again, this time taking both of her hands in his and looking deep into her greyish blue eyes, "I would rather die, Mia Black, then spend another day without you. These past few weeks have been absolute hell and I can't bear it....I need you. Like Romeo and Juliet," he smiled and Euphemia was sucked into his charm for a moment before wrinkling her brow in confusion.
"Wait....Romeo and Juliet both die at the end of the book, Flea," Mia reminded him cautiously and understanding dawned on his face which was soon replaced with horror, "Yeah, let's not be Romeo and Juliet then," Charlus added hastily and Euphemia let out the first true laugh that she had in decades before clapping a hand over her mouth in shock.
Charlus appeared delighted and he squeezed her hand and looked her up and down happily before suddenly becoming very flustered and quite red in the face, actually. It seemed that he had only just realised that Mia was in nothing but her undergarments and extremely tight corset and Euphemia quietly enjoyed his embarrassed discomfort, "Get dressed, love. We haven't got long to spare. Pack your prized possessions as well and throw them in that bag," he gestured to the rucksack on the floor, in the middle of her bedroom.
Mia still couldn't help the uncertainty growing in her as she quickly threw on a white blouse and pinafore, wiping the eyeliner streaks on her cheeks away quickly until there was hardly a sign that she had been crying. She felt sick to the stomach about what they would do to her after they realised she was gone and Euphemia became extremely frightened, which wasn't helped by the buzz of chatter down below from the wedding party arriving and finding their seats.
Despite it all though, Mia felt blissfully happy that Charlus was there, even if he was currently in the corner with his hands shielding his eyes respectfully as she got changed. There was just something about him that made Euphemia feel lighter and like there was a sun on a rainy and cloudy day - he was her sunshine and, even though she brought her fair share of stormy days and clouds and rain, Charlus continued shining through it all.
That was until the distinct sound of footsteps approaching snapped the pair of them into action. Charlus grabbed the rucksack and reached out for Mia's hand but she had frozen on the spot, terrified out of her wits. "Mia, now! It's our only chance!" Charlus hissed, one leg propped up on the windowsill as he planned on escaping via the window but Euphemia shook her head.
"We won't make it in time!" she insisted in a whisper and, as the footsteps reached the outside of her door and it started to creak open, Mia rushed over to the window and Charlus went to grab her hand, thinking she was trying to escape now, but she sent him an apologetic glance and shoved him out of the window, "Stay there," Euphemia mouthed as Charlus grabbed onto the window edge to save himself from dropping from such a height.
As Mia turned to face her mother in the doorway, she saw Charlus send the middle finger her way as he dropped onto the little roof below and she had to suppress her laughter, looking Cassiopeia in the eye with a straight face, her lips clamped together. Cassiopeia had one eyebrow raised and Euphemia's heart rate increased - her mother may have had a change of heart but she hadn't changed her mind about blood traitors.
"Eventful morning, Euphemia?" Cassiopeia asked lightly and Mia acted casual, shaking her head and shrugging as her mother continued, "Well, I have terrible eyesight, it seems, and I just thought you should know that I saw absolutely nothing sneaking out of your window just then," Cassiopeia winked slightly at her daughter, who was immensely relieved though taken aback.
"You should really get your eyesight checked, Mother," Euphemia said casually and Cassiopeia bit back a smile before gesturing to the dress in her hand, which Mia hadn't really seen upon her mother's arrival as she had been more concerned with not getting caught.
The dress was honestly beautiful in an ethereal kind of way. It was long and had sweeping skirts, that were embroidered with hundreds of little diamonds and sequins which sparkled gloriously in the light. The skirts themselves were quite simple and didn't stick out like a fancy ballroom gown and they gathered up at the waist to tighten around the figure, smoothing up into a bodice that was sleeveless and was decorated with a simple silver heart.
Despite hating the whole idea of the wedding and being trapped in a marriage to Orion Black, Euphemia couldn't deny that the dress was absolutely stunning and she felt quite entranced by it, actually, and even began to stretch out her hand towards the sparkling skirts, wanting to touch the beautiful material with her bare hands.
"I thought I'd have to wear that traditional, horrid green dress?" Mia's statement lilted more towards a question near the end and Cassiopeia shook her head with a slight laugh, "No, I accidentally spilt some wine on that dress," she shrugged, "I can be terribly clumsy sometimes, it's such a shame," her mother commented lightly and Euphemia managed a slight chuckle.
The reality of her situation seemed to hit her then, though, brought on simply by looking at the wedding dress and, despite the fact that Charlus was lurking outside the window, Mia couldn't help but be frightened of the whole wedding situation. What if Charlus didn't get the chance to save her before it was too late? How were they even going to escape if they were surrounded by the entire Black family and many capable wizards and witches?
"Right, let's get you into this dress, then," Cassiopeia ordered with a clap of her hands and she gently draped the dress over Euphemia's slender figure, smoothing it down and adjusting the skirts so that they swished around her ankles. Mia breathed in as her mother tightened the bows at the back of the dress and only exhaled when she was escorted over to the mirror by Cassiopeia, who was holding onto her shoulders.
"Oh Euphemia, you look beautiful," Cassiopeia sighed blissfully and she appeared almost proud that Mia had managed to pull the entire look off. The girl in question actually wanted to pull the dress off, run to Charlus and escape from this dratted debacle but, no matter her change of heart, Cassiopeia would never allow that because the shame it would bring on the family name would be unbelievable and Euphemia would definitely be disowned.
But, Mia found that she didn't care about being disowned anymore. When she had been younger, her biggest fear had been being disowned from her family and burned off the tree but now she just wanted to have freedom and be with Charlus, whatever the cost. If that meant that the name Euphemia Black would be reduced to nothing more than a charcoaled mark on the Black family tapestry, then so be it.
"Euphemia? Are you listening to me?" Cassiopeia's voice snapped Mia out of her reverie and the girl found herself nodding even though she hadn't heard a single word that her mother had uttered. "The ceremony should start in ten minutes which gives you, uh, a little longer to prepare," Cassiopeia seemed to be speaking unusually loud, as if she wanted someone to hear her and she kept sending pointed glances towards the window.
Before leaving to go and take her place in the audience, Cassiopeia popped her head around the side of the door, "I hope you make the right choice, dear. If I don't see you now, I just want you to know that I love you, no matter what. Good luck," she blew a kiss in Euphemia's direction, who was incredibly confused before she realised, her mouth forming a shocked 'o.'
Cassiopeia had pretty much just told her that she had her blessing to escape! Now that's what you call a plot twist Mia thought to herself as a great amount of respect rose up in her for her mother, who seemed to be fine with Euphemia escaping from her own wedding to be with her blood traitor boyfriend.
Speaking of blood traitor boyfriends, Charlus appeared then with a shocked expression to match Mia's own facial emotions, "Was that your mother or some possessed version of her?" he asked her and Euphemia laughed before gasping as she looked at the time, starting to stuff more of her belongings in the rucksack, "Flea, we need to hurry. We have eight minutes!"
Mia turned demandingly towards Charlus, only to be met with a rather dazed expression which initially worried her because she thought he'd been hexed but he was simply looking at her, in all of her wedding dress glory. She waved her hands impatiently and Charlus blinked furiously, "Sorry. You just...I-I...you're bloody gorgeous," he smiled lovingly at her, still dumbstruck, as Euphemia blushed deeply before clearing her throat.
Charlus jumped into action and leaped into her bedroom, beginning to help her gather the possessions that she wanted and, once they were finished, Mia stood in the middle of her bedroom and looked around with a slightly nostalgic and sentimental expression, her hand pressed to her chest, "Weirdly, I'm going to miss this bedroom," Euphemia said, her eyes scanning the entire room.
The chunk of wall that was missing from when she had thrown her hairbrush in frustration; the bed that had been her sanctuary for many years and had often served as where she spilled her tears the most; her writing desk that still had the words 'Toujours Égal' engraved into it from when she had been feeling rebellious...this place held so many memories for her, good ones but mostly bad as well.
"Not to interrupt this emotional goodbye but we really need to go, sweetheart," Charlus whispered in her ear, sneaking his arms around her waist and Mia shivered before nodding, turning around in his grip so that they were face to face, "I'm ready," she nodded, adrenaline and excitement pumping through her veins.
"Wait, aren't you forgetting something?" Charlus acted puzzled and Euphemia glanced around, confused, "No, I don't think so—" she was cut off as Charlus kissed her, his hands resting on her waist, feeling the embroidered wedding dress fabric as Mia ran her hand through his hair, smiling into the kiss as he pulled her closer, drinking her in as if he couldn't get enough.
It didn't seem to matter that they had literally five minutes to get out of there before it was too late because they were just so dependent on one another and it had been too long, far too long since they'd kissed and there was a sense of need behind the kiss along with a fiery passion and just pure and unadulterated love electrocuting between them.
Both Charlus and Euphemia got completely invested in each other, that they were oblivious to anything going on around them and, as a result of this, didn't notice the door opening and they didn't see the figure appearing in the doorway, their arms crossed. In fact, they only realised anyone was actually there when a voice broke them apart....
"Well, well, well - isn't this touching?"
Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday, regardless of whether you celebrate it or not x