[Special] The Wedding
Delacour Manor had never been so alive.
The enormous white gates stood completely open as enchanted carriages, luxury brooms, winged creatures, and even a few rather interesting vehicles arrived one after another in front of the estate.
Wizards from all across Europe walked through the vast gardens decorated with thousands of white and blue flowers that floated gently above the grass like tiny stars.
Dozens of enchanted fountains sent crystal-clear water into the air, and before it fell again, it transformed into tiny glowing birds that fluttered around the guests.
The entire place looked like something straight out of a fairy tale.
And that was exactly what it should be, because this day was none other than the long-awaited wedding of Luciel Delacour and his beloved fiancée, Katerina Le Soler.
A day eagerly awaited by the entire Delacour family and, of course, by Luciel himself.
Several of France's most important families had gathered for the ceremony and, naturally, many of the guests from both sides sat waiting in elegant chairs arranged in two rows along either side of a soft silver carpet.
The decorations were a luxury the groom had personally made sure would be the very best.
Everything so that his fiancée could have the most special day in the magical world.
The musicians stationed near the entrance played a gentle melody while everyone patiently waited for the bride to appear.
Meanwhile, the groom, Luciel, stood before everyone with a gentle smile on his lips.
Normally it would have looked like his usual smile.
But perhaps because of his veela blood—even though that blood was not passed down to men—that smile now seemed like the most charming smile in the world, enough to make even men question their own orientation.
He wore an elegant black haute couture robe with golden stitching that looked as though it had been woven from pure gold thread, matching the blond of his hair perfectly.
Even though this was the happiest moment of his life, it was not as though he was not nervous.
Every now and then, he could be seen discreetly trying to dry his hands.
Luciel's already dazzling smile immediately grew even brighter as he looked toward the entrance at the arrival of his beautiful fiancée and, in only a few more minutes, his future wife.
Katerina looked breathtaking.
A beauty that matched Luciel perfectly.
Her dress was not extravagant or excessive, yet it highlighted her natural beauty, which honestly was not very difficult to do.
It was an ivory-white gown with elegant lines, refined without becoming overly elaborate.
Delicate golden embroidery ran across the fabric, forming subtle floral patterns that shimmered softly beneath the light.
The long skirt flowed naturally behind her while the fine lace sleeves revealed just a glimpse of the skin on her arms.
Her hair had been gathered into an elegant braid adorned with tiny white flowers.
And little fairies flew before her, scattering petals that formed a path.
Wherever a petal touched the silver aisle, small white flowers bloomed before disappearing a few seconds later.
As Katerina slowly walked forward with a bouquet in her hands, a gentle smile appeared on her lips when she saw the groom waiting for her.
The entire place seemed to have fallen completely silent.
Only the soft melody played by the musicians accompanied each of her steps.
And the little fairies continued fluttering ahead of her while white petals slowly drifted down over the silver path.
Luciel simply could not take his eyes off her.
If he had been smiling before...
Now that smile had become even warmer.
"...She's beautiful," Nicolas Flamel murmured from the front row as he watched the young woman approach.
"She always has been. They both are," Perenelle replied with a small smile. "But today they're shining even brighter."
Beside them, Wanda watched the scene quietly with a gentle smile, one that, for the moment, seemed to be remembering the past.
Billy and Tommy remained completely focused on the ceremony.
"Why won't Luciel stop smiling?" Tommy asked quietly.
"Because he's getting married," Billy answered calmly while continuing to watch the ceremony, though his brother kept interrupting every so often, obviously bored.
"So?" Tommy asked again.
Billy spent a few seconds thinking about the answer, one that was not entirely clear even to him.
"...I guess that's what happens when you find the person you love."
Tommy looked back toward Luciel, then shifted his gaze a few seats farther down the row, where his older brother sat watching the ceremony beside Fleur and the others.
"That's why Harry keeps hiding his real smile and puts on that villain smile instead," Tommy said in an amused tone.
Billy did not answer.
But his silence was practically confirmation.
Harry, sitting right in front of them, had very clearly heard those words.
"..."
He simply decided to pretend he had not.
This was not the moment.
Beside him...
Fleur could not help hiding a small smile behind one hand.
Harry glanced sideways at her.
She immediately looked away as though nothing had happened.
Fortunately, Wanda interrupted her younger sons by turning around and gesturing for them to stay quiet.
Meanwhile...
Katerina finally arrived in front of Luciel.
The two of them spent several seconds simply looking at one another.
As though the rest of the world had disappeared.
"I thought I'd be the more nervous one."
Luciel let out a quiet laugh.
Even though Katerina did not show it, she was actually even more nervous than he was.
But as always, she was very good at hiding her emotions.
"I was," Katerina said.
But now, standing right in front of him, it felt as though all those nerves, all her worries, and everything else had simply disappeared.
Because the most important moment had finally arrived.
The happiness she felt made everything she had lived through until now seem insignificant.
As long as she had this man by her side...
What else could possibly matter?
Katerina could not help letting out a soft laugh at the thought.
Then she felt Luciel slowly take one of her hands.
Without caring that everyone was watching.
"From this day forward, I'll never let go of you. In return, you never let go of me," Luciel said, looking into her eyes.
The love reflected in that gaze was so pure, so full of sincerity.
"I never intended to," Katerina replied without hesitating for even a second.
Those simple words brought smiles to more than a few of the guests.
"...How sickeningly sweet," Sirius muttered, crossing his arms.
Selene let out a small mocking laugh.
"Says the man who chased every girl in Hogwarts only to end up following his beloved James Potter instead. I think the love between you two was even greater," she teased.
Those words instantly infuriated Sirius, who was about to answer, but Narcissa, seated right beside him, gave him a look and silently gestured for her cousin to be respectful.
Sirius looked thoroughly annoyed and merely clicked his tongue before turning his attention back to the ceremony.
"Doesn't it remind you of our wedding?" Selene asked Edward, finally leaving Sirius alone as she turned toward her husband, who was seated beside her while she rested against his shoulder. "Maybe we should renew our vows," Selene said calmly.
"Of course," Edward replied without the slightest hesitation, his face as cold as always to the rest of the world, but not to his beloved family, as he once again took his wife's hand.
Harry continued watching the ceremony with the small smile he was, as always, trying to hide.
Beside him, Fleur seemed far less interested in hiding hers.
Hermione watched the bride and groom with a softened expression.
For a brief moment, her eyes drifted toward Draco, but the instant she noticed he had also slightly turned his head, they both immediately looked back to the front as though nothing had happened.
A little farther back, Viktor Krum watched the ceremony with a peaceful smile.
Yet every now and then, his gaze inevitably settled on Daphne, who remained completely focused on Luciel and Katerina's happiness without noticing.
Susan and Wendell Granger watched the ceremony with warm smiles, happy to witness another generation enjoying a peaceful moment like this.
Pandora wore her usual dreamy expression, while Narcissa observed the scene with an elegant smile.
Perenelle had even gently rested her head on Nicolas's shoulder, while he continued watching the ceremony proudly, as though he were seeing one of his own grandchildren getting married.
The elderly man officiating the ceremony smiled when he realized that neither of them seemed to be listening to a single word he was saying.
Or rather...
It seemed that no one was.
The two of them were far too busy looking into each other's eyes.
"...I think this is one of the few weddings where I've had to say so little," he commented with a small laugh, prompting several of the guests to smile as well.
"After all, it seems the two of you have already said everything that truly mattered."
Luciel and Katerina simply smiled once more.
The old man slowly raised his wand.
A gentle circle of golden light appeared around the two of them as ancient French runes slowly began rotating beneath their feet.
"Before your families."
"Before your friends."
"And before the magic that shall bear witness to this union today."
"I hereby declare the marriage of Luciel Delacour and Katerina Le Soler."
The runes shone brilliantly.
The golden light slowly wrapped around their joined hands before fading away completely.
"You may now call yourselves husband and wife."
Luciel took a small step forward.
And gently kissed Katerina.
At that very instant, the entire garden erupted into applause.
Thousands of tiny lights shot into the sky.
The enchanted fountains sent enormous columns of crystal-clear water soaring upward before they transformed into hundreds of glowing birds.
While dozens of fairies filled the air with an endless shower of white and golden petals.
At last...
Luciel Delacour and Katerina Le Soler were husband and wife.