The Years of Riddle

Chapter Forty | Outskirts of Wimbourne, England, January 1970

Chapter Forty

Outskirts of Wimbourne, England, January 1970

It was not a large wedding. Silas and Inesa had insisted, they wanted a quiet winter wedding, with simple decorations and guests. Dahlia Fawley had not been pleased with her daughter's requests, but had eventually agreed.

Silas had not expected what he found on that snowy Saturday morning, when he arrived to get ready with Arthur and Anthony by his side.

The conservatory was set up like a winter wonderland, with snow falling gently from the ceiling, with pale roses and frost decorating almost every inch of spare space, dozens of white chairs lined up to face the wedding arch dripping with blooms and frost.

"I thought you were going for simple?" asked Arthur slowly.

Anthony chuckled. "I don't think 'simple' is in Dahlia's vocabulary."

"Silas!" Dahlia Fawley rounded the corner, her hair already pinned and coiffed into a magnificent updo. "You peeked!"

"Oh, sorry." Silas back away from the conservatory. He would never admit it to anyone but his friends, but he was mildly terrified of Dahlia.

There was much to be done. Molly fiddled with Silas' wayward curls, before she hurried back to Inesa. "She's ecstatic." She whispered before leaving, adding to the building anticipation. "And she looks gorgeous." Molly added, noting his grin.

"She could wear a burlap sack and I'd marry her that way." Silas said dreamily, and his best friends laughed.

"Inesa is a lucky girl," Hal said.

Silas shook his head. "I'm the lucky one, I still don't understand how we ended up together."

Anthony ruffled Silas' hair, undoing most of Molly's careful work. "I think it has something to do with you both being wonderful, caring people."

"Thanks, Pa."

Silas hadn't stopped grinning since he woke up that morning, and it didn't slip as he waited for Inesa at the end of the aisle. His first glimpse of her had tears coming to his eyes, just the sight of her face had his heart contracting – he knew she was beautiful, and he would have been happy if they got married in their living room wearing pyjamas, but Inesa looked stunning. Silas did not know much about dresses, but this one was simple, slim, with light lace sleeves and falling over a silk skirt. Ferns and roses were tucked in her hair, which has tucked and curling at the base of her neck.

When Epharis Fawley put her hand in Silas', the world shifted into a new realm – everything fell into place, with Inesa's pale eyes gazing into his own. The whole world fell away.

Their vows were short and simple; they had never needed words to express love, a simple touch or offering was enough. Flowers on the kitchen table when she woke up, having tea ready when he got home, bringing her favourite dessert from her favourite bakery in London. They said this and more, with their eyes, never dropping hands.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the tiny, balding wizard said gleefully, "You may kiss the bride!"

Silas took Inesa in his arms, and they kissed like they had over the years and more – they remembered the lake, Alric's wedding, and the rose garden behind the house, the woods, secret passages.

It was then time to have a party, and the chairs disappeared, the atrium becoming a dance floor, tables and chairs at the sides. The food and music were enjoyable, but if you asked Silas what they had eaten and listened to that night, he wouldn't be able to tell you – he was too busy looking at Inesa.

They were all sat down to dinner when Anthony stood, raising his glass. "I would like to make a little speech, a toast, what have you." He was nervous, and Hal squeezed his hand. "I remember when Silas was born, and I had never seen a more perfect thing in the world, or felt so much undying love for one little person." He cleared his throat, remembering that day.

"His name is Silas."

"When he was little, his mother and I used to talk about this day – Gwyn always said he would find a girl as kind, as perceptive and smart as he was, and I wish..." Anthony paused, throat tight. "I wish Gwyn could have met you Inesa, because you would have made her so happy, because there is no else I would rather see my son spend his life with, and I'm positive Gwyn would agree." He raised his glass. "To Silas and Inesa, I wish you a long and happy life."

Everyone cheered, but Silas had not looked away from his father. There were tears in both their eyes, and Silas tried to express that this was all he needed, everything he had always wanted to hear.

In the early hours of the morning, Silas and Inesa were sat on a train to catch a boat that would take them to Paris. Snuggled together on the seat, a blanket knitted by Molly thrown over their legs, the couple couldn't get over the fact that they were married, going on a honeymoon, had married friends.

"How on earth did we get here?" asked Inesa, yawning as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Something to do with us being wonderful, caring people, according to my father." He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

"Hmm...that was a nice speech he made." Inesa was dropping off. "I wish Gwyn was here."

"She was," Silas smiled, held his new wife close, watched hints of the sunrise seeping from behind the hills. "Lately I've felt closer to her."

Inesa was almost asleep, hand resting in his. "I'm glad."

It was true. As the Wizarding world slipped into chaos, and Silas' life blossomed, he felt as if Gwyn was near. He only hoped he could keep the promises he had made, all those years ago, in his parent's chilly bedroom, the full moon hanging low. In many ways, Gwyn would never leave Silas, not when he remembered all the things she had given him, what she would miss, her smell, how her hugs felt. Even as his life progressed, with a wife and a home of his own, Gwyn never felt far away.

A/N: I can't believe we're at chapter forty! This book was supposed to be short! Okay, short ish. Sometimes stories just evolve as you write them, and I'm glad it has, because I love it.

Question: As the wizarding world is under threat, what will become of Silas and Inesa, Molly and Arthur? Who might shoe up next?

I hope you're all enjoying! This chapter is a filler really, but it was cute so I don't really care. Anthony is so sweet. And HAL! Hal came to the wedding!

Rose