The Rowle Wedding (tagged, invite)

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On the rolling grounds of the Rowle estate, a large marquee had been assembled to contain the wedding ceremony, the wedding breakfast and the reception. While the exterior had been decorated with elaborate garlands, water features and ribbon bunting, the interior was where everything came alive: large flower displays that touched the top of the canopy, ice sculptures, reupholstered seating, centre pieces, chandeliers; it was very clear that this couple was rich and they had no modesty about it.

The guests were already arriving for the ceremony, welcomed in with a live band playing tasteful, classical music. Ptolemy greeted each and every guest as they came through, shook hands, excelled in his pleasantries, smiled so much that his cheeks hurt. In just under an hour's time, Alayna and her bridesmaids would be ready. They were all currently inside the house doing finishing touches, he assumed. Ptolemy hadn't seen her since the night before.

"So lovely to see you, Mrs Selwyn. Mr Selwyn - a pleasure..."

As he gushed and fawned over the guests, his best man stood very stiffly next to him, murmuring at best. When Mr and Mrs Selwyn had passed through and there was a gap in the arrivals, Ptolemy turned to him in annoyance: "You could at least try to be less like a board, Burke," he hissed at him, out of the corner of his mouth. "People will think they're coming to a bloody funeral."

@Melanthius Burke  @Carina Malfoy @Alayna Nott @Millicent Bulstrode Burke  @Minnie Bulstrode  @Astrid Eriksson  @Aquila Malfoy  @Orion Black  @Andrea Herrera  @Idina Herrera  @Scorpius Malfoy  @Cecelia Burke  @Mackenzie Riddle  @Persephone Rowle  @Meredith Riddle  @Pandora Carrow  @Medea Riddle  @Katherine Riddle  @Gabriella Riddle  @Doran Riddle  @Dahlia Travers  @Mason Riddle  @Jeneva Avery  @Vidar Eriksson

As he dithered and hovered about, his mind and his heart were racing more and more by the minute. Why was this happening now? He'd kept composure for all this time, and suddenly when he was expected to stand there - he couldn't bloody do it.

Argh!

After shaking off his frustration and grounding himself to a point, Ptolemy had no choice but to return inside the tent. However, when he got inside of there, he was looking right at the back of--

"Potter?"

Perplexed, he stood there a moment in a daze, wondering what last-of-minute change of plan could have brought him here. Was it Atticus? Alayna?

Then it struck him. What was the most manly, most noble thing he could do here? He stuck out his hand to him. "Thank you for coming."

@James Potter

Alayna nodded and took his arm, "Only one way to find out. Just don't let me fall. These bloody shoes are a nightmare." She said with a small laugh and followed her uncle's lead to the top of the stair case. She didn't know it but she was holding her breath. She tried to sneak a peek downstairs but couldn't see Ptolemy anywhere. She looked at Carina with worry in her eyes, "Where's Ptolemy?"it was then that she heard his voice and knew that James had decided to come as well. She sighed in relief and decided to give everyone a few more moments, "Uncle Draco? Were you nervous at your wedding?

He was taking in the extravagance of it all, how formal it was unlike his own family's gatherings, and how stuck-up everything was when Ptolemy's hand reached out to him. Merlin, this was fucking surreal. Not even a year ago, they were practically at each other's throats, and now Ptolemy's trying to shake his hand.

It was like it was opposite day! James gave him a skeptical look as he hesitantly reached out his hand to shake it. "Er, thanks?" James gave his most awkward smile as he wondered where Atticus was. Now that he thought about it, where was he supposed to sit?

@Ptolemy Rowle

Astrid nodded to Atticus, a smile of thanks coming to her lips. She hadn’t known what to do but now she had a purpose to return to Alayna. Things would be starting soon. ”Thanks, Atticus. she said before going back to the room where all of them had been. Though, it seemed that Alayna was already on her way out. She had been just in time! She smiled at Alayna and then took her place among the other bridesmaids.

Amaryllis wasn’t expecting his lips to brush against hers. The contact was feather light as he had leaned in but she felt it all through her body. Oh, how she had missed her time together with Memphis. He only served to remind her just how much when he made sweet little gestures like this. A soft smile came to her lips as she saw he was about to say something only to be cut off by Hector’s speech. ”see you soon.” she said as the butterflies still fluttered in her stomach. She knew she was here for the wedding but she just couldn’t take her eyes off Memphis as he walked away from her. She hoped maybe she would be able to get him to dance with her at the reception if he weren’t too busy with the other guests.

@Memphis Rowle

He simply nodded at him. While Potter was a guest at their wedding, he would treat him as such. He couldn't say how the other guests may react to his presence there, and Ptolemy wouldn't do anything to silence them.

"Come with me," he said, sweeping past him to guide through the seating arrangements. When he arrived to where Weasley was sat, he transfigured a chair that wasn't dissimilar to the others, but still stood out as being different. "There. You may sit next to your cousin."

Giving him one last, long look, Ptolemy turned and headed towards the front. His Mother had turned around and appeared to be in a state of shock, but he made a point of avoiding eye contact with her while she digested the situation.

@James Potter

"Hello James," Louis said brightly, perhaps the only person in the entire venue to take his arrival spiritedly. "Good to see you. You're looking well."

@James Potter

He smiled as Memphis and Parzival joined him at the front, but remained silent as they undoubtedly hadn't much to say to one another. His eyes turned over a sea of faces looking at him, feeling that familiar dread of expectation from people of their kind. Perhaps he should just find one focus point and keep his eyes there, so he decided to look at Louis.

But Louis wasn't alone...

Ptolemy retreated, and Atticus saw him. At first he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but it was... It really was James.

Not for the first or the last time today, Atticus was overcome with emotion. His face immediately started breaking and tears pooled at the corners of his eyes. Alayna had invited him! Unperturbed by how he may bring attention to himself, Atticus gave James a teary wave which he only had to stop as his face started running.

Sniffing and sobbing, he felt Ptolemy's hand on his shoulder.

Ptolemy was smiling at him.

"Thank you..." he whispered shakily.

Ptolemy muttered something about it not being his doing, but Atticus wasn't listening. He sucked up his sobs and tears to smile widely at James in the crowd.

@James Potter

Being led to a chair beside Louis, James was still processing just how strange this entire situation was. He only came to see Atticus and get some cake, so hopefully it won't go too badly? At least he could defend himself? Er, he probably shouldn't put too much faith in his minimal duelling skills or whatever.

"Er, hi, Lou Lou. I, er, had no idea you were here, yeah?" he responded as he sat down, noticing one of the ice sculptures. How many galleons went into that? "Er, how are you, Lou Lou?"

Not long after he sat down, James had noticed that Atticus was there, up front, looking right at him. And he was crying. Oh, Atti! He was going to have to jump onto him and give him a big hug the moment he was able to!

Waving at him, James grinned widely and mouthed 'Atti!'.

@Louis Weasley @Atticus Nott

Poking her sister's shoulder relentlessly, Medea exclaimed, "Look! We have Potter here too!"

Why did he have to be gay and a father?

@Matilda Riddle

Gabby had just been nilling around the room, staying away from the other guests as much as possible but truly trying to avoid her sisters. She was sure they would probably be up to their normal shenanigans and she just wasn’t in the mood to deal with it. Though, when the announcement came that they should all find their seats, she made her way to her family’s little section and took a seat next to Medea since it was the first seat open. Her eyes moved to Potter as Medea pointed him out. ”Im surprised he was invited.” she said softly to her sister. It was a surprise indeed.

@Medea Riddle

"I'll take it slow, don't worry. We have to get outside first though, across the carpet in the gardens then stand just outside the marquee until the music starts to play. Then we're walking down the aisle"

He decided they should start walking and talking, as the flurry of elves inside of the house were beginning to bother him and alerted him that time was getting short.

"Come along, girls. Just like we practiced. Follow behind, nice and easy," he spoke to the group of bridesmaids, his daughter included in the group, before turning with his head tilted upwards and led them outside.

"I was nervous beforehand," he told Alayna, as the bright, dazzling sunlight hit them, "But as soon as I was stood facing Astoria, all the nerves went away." He was sure he hadn't told his own children that.

They arrived just before the opening to the marquee, where he could see the backs of the guests' heads all seated and waiting.

"Take your time, Alayna. Tell me when you're ready."

@Alayna Nott

Millicent sat with her ankles crossed impatiently waiting for the ceremony to begin. Besides Cecelia doing some slight back-talking, she was behaving rather well thus far. She could only hope that her daughter would continue to do so, especially as they were in the company of like-minded families, other than the Malfoys and the two Potter-Weasleys that were invited.

Alayna followed her uncle to the beginning of the marquee and listened to his story. She thought of her aunt Astoria and smiled softly. She clutched his arm a bit tighter and stood beside him as she took a few deep breaths. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she closed her eyes and exhaled, "I'm ready." She took the first step into the opening and saw all of the guests with their eyes on her. But then she saw him, and there was nothing else.Her Tolly. She smiled as she walked to him, keeping pace with her uncle. When she reached him, she took his hand and smiled, "Hi." 

@Draco Malfoy @Ptolemy Rowle

When the music started up and Alayna appeared, Ptolemy was all smiles. She looked nothing but equisite sweeping down the carpet in her ivory gown: all the worries he had of others muttering about their pre-marital intimacy (they probably were) and of Perdita winning the argument and having her own moment with Alayna (she had turned quiet), had disappeared.

Then it was just them, face to face. Atticus was snivelling somewhere behind him, but Ptolemy wasn't paying attention. He took his bride's hands and was beaming at her. "Finally, here we are," he whispered back to her, "And you look beautiful, Alayna..."

As the Ministry representative stood before them and started to speak over the crowd, Ptolemy faced him out of courtesy.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Ptolemy and Alayna in their lifelong commitment of love and devotion to one another. In marriage we find our companion for life; our soulmate; the other half of ourselves to become complete: it is both a blessing and a joy that you both stand here today before me, cherished by your friends and family, having found one another."

He shared some more words about love, and about the trials and challenges that they may face would be fought together, so that they could grow together. Then came that stupid statement:

"... if anyone knows of a reason why this couple should not marry, let them speak now."

At least after that part was over they could move onto the ring exchange and the vows.

@Alayna Nott

Bellona pursed her lips, but glanced at Thius. It would be wonderful if someone were to speak up at that moment, but she knew that would never happen. It never did. No one was that much of an idiot.

@Melanthius Burke

Comarth didn't say anything, but his stomach decided to rumble very loudly at that exact moment. That should be all the communication they needed to get on with it!

"Ooooh I love Alayna's dress!" Matilda was telling Medea in a hushed whisper.

@Medea Riddle

Thius eyed his girlfriend, thinking similarly. He wasn't fond of Alayna, especially with how she treated Bellona the past few months, but that wouldn't be considered a valid reason to speak up. And ultimately, he and Ptolemy had been friends since childhood, he wasn't going to be the one to ruin it for him. If someone else did, he wouldn't stop them.

He moved his head closer to hers and whispered as he admired her silhouette yet again, "You look amazing, my lady. Truly the only one who can pull off such a stunning dress." That should reassure her of her beauty after Selwyn was being a careless numbskull. He could've said that their wedding would be much better, but they just started dating, and why state the obvious?

@Bellona Lestrange

Jeneva rolled her eyes as she wiped a napkin against her dress; why couldn't that stain just come out? Grrr, she had a bone to pick with Malfoy later!

There was a lot James could speak on, especially as all of the school-aged guests and recent graduates could attest to their behavior towards him, but it wasn't worth it. He wanted Alayna to accept the idea of him and Atticus better, and he wasn't going to let himself get evicted from the marquee. He wanted to be with his partner and have some of the cake he made. He stood there awkwardly, waiting for this part to end.

"CONGRATS!!!!"

She would end up being the one to say something.

Nodding in agreement, Medea replied, "Me too! What do you think the ring looks like?"

@Matilda Riddle

Acheflow bit on her tongue waiting for the vows to be made. At least unlike many, mainly mixed-blood, couples nowadays, Rowle and Nott were ensuring that their children wouldn't be born out of wedlock. Deplorable conduct was becoming far too common these days, and it sickened her. She looked at her granddaughter pointedly to silently tell her to not even think of having premarital relations ever again.

@Cecelia Burke

Aquila teared up as she watched her cousin join Ptolemy at the altar. Alayna looked so beautiful, she was so happy for her cousin! Outside of her about-to-be-husband being Ptolemy. Could she sneak a photo? Holding her camera up from where she was, Aquila tried to take a photo of the moment as inconspicuously as possible.