House of Caliban

Chapter 31

It had been three days since the last of the order had been killed.

Haylan and Blaise had decided to combine their public wedding with Blaise's coronation much to the chagrin of their relatives. But they wanted to get the public events over with so they could just have some time alone together.

Since they were already married they were getting ready together and Blaise was finally getting to do what he had wanted to do for months. Blaise was getting to play with and braid Haylan's gorgeous red curly hair. Haylan had never had anyone so excited to handle the chaos that was his hair so he happily left it to Blaise. Haylan's eyes were closed as he enjoyed the intimacy of his husband's hands in his hair.

"Haylan?" Blaise's voice pulled Haylan from his quiet meditation.

"Yes, my love?" Haylan hummed.

"Do you regret killing Granger?" Blaise seemed hesitant but curious. "She used to be your best friend."

"Hmmm... My feelings about Hermione are complicated. I regret what she could have been. I befriended a bright young witch willing to lie to authority to protect her friends. As the years passed she refused to integrate herself in any form of wizarding culture, clinging to her muggle beliefs to the point they blinded her." Haylan explained. "She could have been one of the wizarding world's greatest minds. What she became in the end due to Dumbledore's influence and her own prejudice is just a waste of talent and magic."

"Why didn't you tell her who you were? I thought for sure you would. They were going to die anyway so there isn't a danger of your past getting out."

Haylan chuckled but it was a bitter sound. "I thought about it. To see how she would react to her old best friend having become the person she was trying to malign, but in the end, she isn't worth it."

"What do you mean?" Blaise was confused.

"Harry Potter is my past. I am not that boy she knew. I am a stranger and I do not owe her anything. She will learn the truth in her death but I do not need to see the perceived betrayal on her face. I don't owe her anything nor does she deserve the time. Especially after Remus told us how she drugged him with liquid imperio."

Blaise couldn't help but be amazed by his husband. He leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I love you."

"I love you too my darling. Now hurry up, I am looking forward to showing the world that you are mine forever."

Haylan stood in the great hall in front of Merlin knows how many people, dressed in his official Caliban black robes with purple and silver trimming as well as his black and white opal crown that Blaise had insisted he wear.

Blaise stood in front of Haylan, holding hands with his husband, dressed in the Zabini green robes with gold trim. Blaise wouldn't receive his crown until the coronation after the wedding, but Blaise didn't care. Haylan in his crown made Blaise's mouth salivate.

The ceremony they chose for the public was simple and plain. They had already professed their love intimately in front of the gods, their citizens would be fine with the normal ceremony.

The officiant wrapped the woven ribbon rope around their hands as they pledged their devotion and love to each other, magic sparking around them even with the simple vows.

"In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another. May you forever be one, sharing in all things, in love and loyalty for all time to come. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. You may kiss your husband." The officiant finally declared and Blaise eagerly kissed Haylan causing their nearby family to chuckle. Haylan had never smiled so much in his life and he couldn't wait to see what other joys Blaise brought into his life.