Most ardently Moments by Swift Night This is a collection of
stories from the world of Most ardently, Chapter 5 an
enchanting elopement. Estoya Greengrass had long since
accepted that even with all her wealth, she could never afford a
happy ending. It hadn't always been this way.
Before her father died, Astoria had operated under the delusion
that she would have the choice in the wizard she would
ultimately marry. Now, sitting among the wedding
guests and watching as Blaise danced with his beautiful bride,
all she could think was what a lie that had been.
Others may have had choices, but they didn't suffer the tragedy
of having Lady Victoria Greengrass for a mother.
It had been one thing when her mother hinted about her marrying
Draco since she was seven. He was a respectable and
pleasant gentleman, and his station matched her own.
By all accounts, she had no reason to question such a
sensible choice. They had been childhood friends,
after all, and many marriages had been built on less.
But still, Astoria was relieved when she learned his heart
belonged to another. She could say the same, though
she did not have the liberty to be honest about such
circumstances. The issue arose after her mother
discovered Draco's intentions. Lady Greengrass was not a
forgiving witch. She had spent hours vehemently
denouncing him as a blood traitor for having the nerve to
marry a muggle born privately. Astoria disagreed.
Miss Hermione Granger was a brilliant and accomplished young
lady, yet she kept such thoughts to herself not to antagonise her
mother further. A story is relief at the foiling
of Lady Greengrass's plans was short lived.
She had been naive to think her mother would waste any time
before attempting to seek out a new, more malleable wizard to
carry out her schemes. Less than three days after news
reached Greengrass Grove about Draco's engagement, her mother
welcomed Mr. Gregory Goyle into their home.
The reason for his summons was easily apparent by the way he
leered at her over dinner that evening and made comments about
her virtue. Daphne snuck into her room to
hold her as she cried herself to sleep that night.
Mr. Goyle, while the first born son and heir to a sacred 28
family, had little to his name. His father had squandered most
of his family's wealth and had even lost their seat on the
Wizengamot before his death. It was obvious why her mother
had selected him, seeing how he possessed no ambition of his
own. He would rather get drunk on
fire, whiskey and play cards than worry about what
legislation was up for vote in the next session of the
Wizengamot. As part of the negotiations, her
mother would maintain control over Astoria's inheritance and
continue to employ a proxy to vote on their behalf of the
family seat. For all intents, the wizard
would merely be a figurehead. While her mother tightened her
grip on the power she wielded since Lord Greengrass's death,
there was nothing to be done. Within a week of his visit,
Astoria found herself formerly betrothed to him.
Despite only exchanging a few words once she returned home
from Blazer's wedding, the pair would be married in a matter of
weeks. Her mother had even hinted that
she planned to schedule the wedding the same day as Draco
and Hermione's as a test of loyalty to their mutual
acquaintances. Astoria wouldn't mind if no one
came, as it would mean fewer eyes appraising her as she faked
her smiles. You're slouching.
Her mother lectured, drawing her back into the moment.
Sit up straight girl, you look undignified.
Astoria straightened to appease her apologies Mother.
Where is Daphne? Lady Greengrass demanded.
I specifically instructed her to not wander off.
I'm sure she will be back soon, Astoria hoped, if only to not
have to endure her mother on her own.
Her. Insolence has been.
Indulged long enough. I'll be pleased to be rid of her
after your wedding. Astoria stared at her mother in
confusion. What do you mean?
Well, once you are a married witch, there is no need to keep
her for you as a companion. You will have a husband to
occupy your time, but. Where will you send her?
She asked in alarm. Lord Yaxley requires a new
governess for his daughter and has agreed to pay me for her
services. It is more than she deserves,
but then it will help. Recuperate.
Some of the losses your father wasted on educating her.
Her stomach dropped. Estoria had heard rumours about
the wizard's cruel nature. Her sister was far too gentle to
survive such mistreatment at his hands, having already suffered
enough under Lady Green Cross. Mother, you can't, she
protested. She's still young enough to find
her husband. Do not tell me what I can and
cannot do. Her age is not the issue, she is
a bastard. You needn't worry yourself with
the details. I have it all handled.
All she could do was worry over the fate of her sister.
A story is mine spun seeking out a way to stop such an injustice.
How had things grown so grim? She'd always known Daphne
wouldn't be with her forever, but she assumed her sister would
one day escape her mother's clutches through a marriage of
her own choice. Now it seemed she would be
forced to trade 1 monster for another.
She caught sight of Daphne's return and wanted nothing more
than to shout for her to run. But her sister was not alone as
Draco escorted her, his expression was neutral and he
bowed to them both upon his arrival.
Lady Greengrass? He greeted.
Miss Greengrass. Mr. Malfoy.
I had expected you to avoid us in your shame.
Her mother spat. On the contrary, I wanted to
offer my congratulations. I went to Hogwarts with Goyle.
Something about his speech felt forced, but Astoria decided to
interject before her mother could spout another retort.
That is very kind, Mr. Malfoy. I wish you the same with
Hermione. She genuinely did.
Her situation wasn't his fault. Lady Greengrass would have
forced her into marriage eventually.
I still feel I owe you an apology.
Draco insisted. Please let me offer it with a
dance. While the question was posed to
her, they both knew it was on Lady Greengrass to decide if she
could partake. While her mother voiced no
objection, Astoria stood and allowed him to escort her to the
dance floor. Your apology is unnecessary,
Draco. She declared as they began their
waltz. You are still owed 1, even if
you do not wish to hear it. He insisted.
Besides, that was just my excuse to whisk you away and see how
you're holding up. He offered her a look of genuine
concern and she was too worn down to lie to him.
Not well, She admitted. Goyle is a brute, and my mother
just admitted to selling Daphne to Lord Yaxley as his new
governess. Draco's eyes narrowed.
She won't get that far, Draco, please don't give me false hope.
There is nothing that can be done.
I just ask. She hesitated, afraid she would
succumb to her sadness if she continued.
What do you need, Astoria? Taking a deep breath, she said
the words that threatened to shatter her.
I just ask that you tell Theo that I shall miss our walks in
the garden. Astoria would miss more than
that. She would miss his laughter, his
smile, the way he held his hand when it brushed against her.
But those words were far too intimate to be delivered through
an intermediary. Draco seemed to sense her
restraint, offering an alternative instead.
Perhaps you should tell him yourself.
While she puzzled over what he meant, he spun them again until
they were nearly colliding with the dessert table, and then
quickly tugged her through the flap that led to a hidden exit.
I don't understand. The afternoon's sun momentarily
blinded her, but when she could see again, she found Draco
smiling. I know, but you will.
Theo is waiting in the greenhouse.
You have 10 minutes. Blaze and I will keep watch of
your sister until you get back. Good luck.
Without any further explanation, he disappeared back inside the
tent. She stared at where he vanished,
momentarily stunned by his odd behaviour.
When her mind caught up, she realized she'd already wasted
the first of those precious minutes and turned to hurry up
the path where the greenhouse beckoned her inside the glass.
The room was sweltering from the summer heat, but she entered
without a second thought. Theo.
She called out, eyes scanning the greenery for his dark curls.
Over here, Astoria. He replied from her left.
Dashing around the corner. She ran straight into his chest.
Astoria immediately felt herself crumple in his arms.
He held her as she began to sob, to see him after all these
months felt like finally being able to breathe after holding
your breath too long underwater. She was drowning and she needed
him more than air. Oh, my love.
His hand brushed the tears from her cheeks while he leaned back
to look at her. I've missed you, Theo, I'm
scared. She gasped out, clawing at his
dress robes. Coyle, he is.
He is. The weight of her situation came
crashing down on her shoulders. In a mere few weeks, she would
find herself married to a man she barely knew.
Without even Daphne by her side to lean on.
She would be isolated from her friends, her mother's grip on
her only tightening as it squeezed the life out of her.
He hushed her, tucking her back into his chest.
She felt his lips ghost along her forehead, closing her eyes
in the comfort of having him so close.
She shouldn't be here. If anyone walked in on them, it
would be sure to cause a scandal, but all she could think
was how she wanted him to hold her closer.
Despite her protests, he eventually stepped back, running
his hands through his hair as he sighed.
You deserve more than this. But time isn't on our side, I'm
afraid. She tilted her head in
confusion, unable to comprehend the meaning behind the
statement. He began pacing in the narrow
space, starting to ramble. I would have preferred to do
this properly, to be able to publicly court you, to send you
flowers every morning and call on you every afternoon.
But alas, nothing between us has ever been traditional.
See here, no, Dory, let me finish.
He pleaded. When Draco introduced us all
those years ago, I thought you utterly enchanting.
You were beautiful and funny, witty and above all kind.
I will admit from the beginning to have loved you, but it wasn't
until that spring that I wondered if I was not alone in
harbouring secret affections. Her breath hitched, her heart
clenched and she wished for nothing more than for him to
continue. I'm a third born son.
I don't have a single galleon to my name, but a story of green
grass. If you let me, my would run to
the ends of the earth to make you happy.
His eyes never left her as he knelt on the ground on one knee.
However, today we only have to go so far as Scotland.
Marry me, Astoria, and I promise to never let you feel powerless
again. His confession brought with it a
way out. Once she could see clearly the
entailment dictating her inheritance was clear, that upon
her marriage, Astoria's husband would take the mantle as head of
the family and the estate. Eloping with Theo would make her
his partner, freeing her from the role of her mother's pawn.
While any wizard could have made her such an offer, the one
before her was the only one she wanted to accept.
Yes. Astoria shouted, unable to
contain her enthusiasm. Theo rose to his feet, scooping
her up as he spun her around. The euphoria between them built,
summoning an uncontainable bout of laughter from her lungs.
When he placed her down, the world righted itself, and a
fresh wave of apprehension washed over her.
How are we going to get to Scotland?
Once she learns I'm gone, she will send the auras after us.
They would never make it to the border.
By Broome Orthestral Blaise acquired as an extra porky when
arranging travel for his various guests.
By the time she discovers we're gone, we will already have
reached the altar. Thea rubbed the back of her hand
to soothe her, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to
reveal the velvet box wrapped within it.
The box is a porky. The ring inside is for you.
It appears you Wizards have thought of everything between
the three gentlemen. She felt quite secure in their
success. We can't take all the credit you
should be thanking Daphne. He corrected with a smile.
Without her, we would not have had enough time to prepare.
She managed to get me a letter with what she knew of your
mother's plans and we schemed from there.
She would thank her as soon as they returned, Oida deciding her
first order of business as the new Missus nott would be
nullifying the deal Lady Greengrass made with Lord Yaxley
and restoring her sister's dowry.
Her second action would be sending her mother to the coast
for some fresh air, if only because the witch despised the
smell of salt water. We only have a few minutes left.
He explained as he offered her a quill and some parchment.
Write a note for Lady Greengrass.
Blaise will send Cramsey by to collect it once we're gone.
Eager to be done with it, Astoria jotted down the note for
her mother. Every letter, every word, every
stroke of the quill was a declaration.
With each line, she reclaimed her life and her future.
She had just signed her name when the box began to glow.
Ready, my love? Draco asked as she placed the
note carefully on the workbench where the elf would find it.
She nodded, placing a finger upon the soft velvet as the blue
glow intensified as it whisked them away.
She let the current of the magic carry her into her own happily
ever after.