The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

88. From This Moment On

The atmosphere remained light and warm as the group filtered out of the Room of Requirement.

Twenty minutes had passed since the ceremony, but nobody seemed ready to let the moment end.

Daphne was still showing off her rings to anyone willing to look. Which was everyone. For about the fifteenth time.

"And then look at this one," she said excitedly, thrusting her hand toward Ginny again.

"Daphne."

"What?"

"You showed me that ring two minutes ago."

"Well look at it again."

Ginny laughed. "It is beautiful."

"Damn right it is," Theo said proudly.

Daphne immediately beamed. Theo looked ridiculously pleased with himself.

Sloane couldn't help smiling. The newlyweds were positively glowing. They walked slightly ahead of the others, fingers intertwined, unable to stop touching each other.

Every few steps Theo would glance down at his wedding band. Then grin. Then look at Daphne.

Then grin even wider.

It was becoming a problem.

"Sloane." She turned.

Theo had fallen back to walk beside her. His expression was unusually serious.

"Sloane, this ceremony has been amazing." Sloane immediately shook her head.

"Theo—"

"No." He held up a hand. "I'm serious." His voice softened. "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you properly for what you've done."

Ahead of them, Daphne laughed at something Hermione had said.

Theo's eyes followed her immediately. The look on his face made Sloane's heart ache.

Pure love. Pure devotion. Pure happiness.

"You made today possible."

"Theo."

"You did." His voice cracked slightly. "You made me the happiest man alive."

Sloane opened her mouth. Closed it. Then smiled. "Theo, by now I assume you know I have a bit of an ability to understand how people are feeling?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Then listen to me." She glanced toward Daphne. "She isn't smiling because of me."

Theo frowned.

Sloane continued. "She's smiling because she married you." Theo went quiet. "You are her family now."

The words hit him hard.

Sloane could practically feel the emotion rolling off him. "You gave her what she wanted most."

"What?"

"Belonging." Theo's eyes drifted toward his wife again. His wife. The word still felt unreal.

Sloane smiled. "That's why she's glowing."

A grin slowly spread across Theo's face. "You really think so?"

"I know so."

Theo walked for a few moments in silence. Then looked sideways at her.

"Kind of like how you make Draco smile."

Sloane blinked. "What?"

Theo laughed. "Oh come on."

He gestured toward Draco. Who was currently attempting to explain wedding etiquette to a very confused Ron. "You've seen him."