my sweetest downfall

Ah. You’ve done that. 

"I’m going to take that as an overenthusiastic congratulations! And thank you, it’s much appreciated.”

That was different. We had to avoid our parents finding out. [ she scowls, entirely childish ] I was your sister first, you should’ve mentioned it. Even just a note beforehand would’ve been something. 

"I wanted to tell you in person.” Because it was more personal and because a small part of her worried Viola or Atticus would try to stop it. “I’m sorry, okay. It was sudden and I was a little over excited.”

Garrick made a face, but he followed her loyally up the stairs to the roof. “I mean, I was kind of hoping it’d be something slightly less disruptive to the neighborhood,” he said. “And something that involved less clothes, but alright, go ahead and shout.”

He laughed when she shouted, unable to help himself, and shook his head. He was too embarrassed to make himself shout, but it was worth it just to watch Lavinia belt it out. He tugged her.

“Alright, get down from there.”

Lavinia chuckled as he made a face. "Are you really surprised that I want to disturb the neighborhood?” She raised an eyebrow, turning around to face him fully. She wrapped the end of his tie in her hand and pulled him down gently to kiss him. “Oh, that’s the next newly married activity. Don’t worry, love.” 

Her arms reached out to her sides, the warm summer breeze against her face. Her voice echoed in the wind, attracting a few annoyed gaze, but nothing really out of the ordinary. She laughed when he pulled her back. 

“Alright, alright. One day I’ll get you up here.” She jumped down, holding onto his tie once more. “Your turn to pick a newly married activity.”

Oh, alright, I can’t begrudge you that, I suppose. Are you happy being a married woman?

"Besides, it was super gross. I don’t think I stopped kissing him. You wouldn’t have wanted to be there.” She teased, mostly. “I am, actually. That’s such a weird thing to think about.”

I don’t want to give up on what I want, though. I still want marriage, and kids, and Barty’s the first person since– that I thought maybe could– but he doesn’t want any of that! [ the words are painfully resigned, even as she smiles and shrugs helplessly ] I should’ve just let my parents arrange a marriage for me. I clearly can’t do this for myself. 

She sighed heavily, putting her hand on Cas’ arm. "Barty’s the first person you can see yourself with. That doesn’t mean he’ll be the last. It’s a sign, Cas. That you’re able to see a future with someone who isn’t Regulus. This is a good step, even if it doesn’t feel like it.”  She shook her head, pulling her into a hug. “We both know that’s not true. On both accounts. You can, you just need time. And you should abstain from the idea of arranged marriages after watching me try them.”

Aw, you’re off the market now. I was going to steal you away.

"Yes, it’s official. I’m an Ollivander now and off the market. I know, I’m so sorry. You missed your chance by a few days.”

Garrick couldn’t stop laughing. “Oh?” he said. “Please, enlighten me, Mrs. Ollivander.” He didn’t think he’d ever stop saying that. He followed her up to the rooftop. “Oh, Rowena, are you actually going to scream it from the rooftop?”

Lavinia could fill a chill could down her spine as he called her that and she would never be over it. "Well, follow me right this way and you’ll find out.” She giggled, looking up at him with an idiotic smile. “Oh, absolutely. Did you expect anything less?” Lavinia walked over to the edge of the roof, looking down at the city below. Bustling a bit from the morning commuters. She laughed, clearly her throat before cupping her hands around her mouth. 

“I, Lavinia Ollivander, am in love with my husband! And I don’t care who knows it!”

You invited Claudia to be your witness but you didn’t actually bother to tell me? Or Atticus? Alright, okay. That’s gonna’ go over so well with him.

"Are you forgetting you got eloped and I found out when you both got home?” She squinted at her for a moment before shaking her head. “I know that. Which is why I’m here telling him in person. Would you have preferred an owl?”

I’m kind of offended I didn’t get an invite to the big day. I saw you like three days ago, how long did this engagement last? Twelve hours?

"Don’t be, Claudia was our witness and that was it. Fourteen and a half hours, to be precise.”

He laughs. “I’m not a giant, no,” he says, chuckling. “Just very tall. I’ve never seen you be responsible ever, Lavinia, sorry. I’m sure she is.” He shakes his head. “Cedric? He’s great. Been running around the house like a little devil, but he’s good. How’s Garrick?”

"Hmm, I stand by it.” She shrugged, her nose scrunching up tight. “Hey, I can be responsible when I have to be. Maybe I don’t have the best...track record. But I’m growing up. It’s gross but she’s cute so it makes up for it.” She laughed. “How old is he now? You’re lucky you’ve got those long arms so you can scoop him up when he starts to bolt. He’s good. Everything has been settling and so we’ve had some peace which is nice.”

“That’s a bloody ring. Where’d you get off to?” 

"The ministry, with Garrick.”

“Dear god, did the poor boy actually do it? Please tell me you didn’t wear that. Even you couldn’t be that tacky.”

"Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. He did. Did I wear the ring he gave me? Yes, that’s usually the way it goes.”

“That is not nothing! You eloped, didn’t you?”

"That is a distinct possibility.”

“Oh, tell me you didn’t.”

"Are you aware that you are the biggest buzzkill?”

It felt so stupid, to feel like this, to be this happy. He didn’t think he’d ever get this kind of happiness, and now that it was here, it didn’t feel real. But it was, and Lavinia was here. “Lavinia Ollivander it is,” he said, perfectly happy with that. He raised his eyebrows. “Oh? And what’s that?”

She hummed pleasantly as he send her new full name. It sounded, right.  She wanted to listen to him say it on repeat. Instead, she kissed his neck gently before pulling him toward the door. "It’s a very important part of our honeymoon. At least top three on the list of things to do, just trust me.” She winked, popping her shoulder before pulling him out of their townhouse up to the rooftop garden of their building. “Garrick, you have honestly made me the happiest I have ever been. And it’s about time I screamed it from the rooftops.” 

That a one day engagement was insane? You didn’t even tell me. Did you tell Atticus? Claudia?

"Insane, maybe, but I don’t have the best track records for engagement so we just skipped that part. It happened...two days ago. We got married yesterday. Claudia was our witness and she didn’t know until we dragged her to the ministry. I – I’m telling Atticus today when he gets home from work.”

So that’s it, then? You think I should just go and do it? [ she rubs her hand over her face several times ] I can’t. You know what should be happening? We should be celebrating our one year anniversary, we should be getting ready for the birth of our first child. That’s where I should be right now. 

"That’s not it. It’s not that simple but I do think you should let yourself have a shot at happiness.” She shook her head almost instantly. “But it’s not. Cassie, it’s not and focusing on what should be happening right now, where you should be in your life – it will drive you insane. You will lose everything because you won’t allow anything else in your life because it isn’t what you think you should have been. I love you, Cassie. It breaks my heart that you have to go through this everyday. And I can’t even begin to understand your pain. But getting consumed in what should have been will destroy any chance you have at even being happy enough.”