GAMBIT

There is a scorch mark on the House of Black Tapestry where Cedrella's face used to be. One might think a powerful passion had motivated Cedrella to leave her family and all she knew behind.

That would be a gross inaccuracy. Cedrella and Septimus Weasley did not marry for love, and nor do they expect to find it in each other.

Whyever did they marry, then?

Strategy.

Before the ink has dried, the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, the increasingly powerful Tuft family, and the Pureblood society led by one Cantakerus Nott demand blood for Cedrella's betrayal.

Cedrella loathes the Ministerial Bylaws that place other Wizarding girls in similar danger to that from which she escaped. But old parchment is not easily changed. Meanwhile, evil forces rise under Grindelwald's banner, and Septimus's duties for the Ministry grow ever more dangerous. If they're to survive, they must turn their marriage of strategic convenience into a more effective arrangement. A friendship. A partnership in stealth and strategy.

The risks are steep; the gambit bold.

The Lumos Universe story of Cedrella and Septimus.
*Rated T
*Slow Burn
*Enemies to Friends to Lovers
*1930's & 1940's Wizarding Britain
*Wizard Spies. There are wizard spies in this one.
*Novel-Length
*This story does include allusions to more mature themes that may be difficult for some readers. Content warnings included in relevant chapters. <3 Please be kind to yourself.