Work Text:
The fresh wintergreen fragrance of dry pines, fir and holly berries perfumed the Great Hall with the crisp smell of Yule.
The delicious scents of orange, cinnamon, meat pies and pastry bread wafted from the feast Hogwarts House elves spent the afternoon preparing and teased his nostrils.
By the time Heir Alexander Vaisey took his seat, his stomach was jumping with anticipation.
Naturally, nothing showed on his face. A Slytherin and a son of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Vaisey, he was to act with grace at all times, even when he was in the midst of plotting a scene that would keep the rumourmongers busy for weeks to come.
Not that he cared.
He was tired of waiting.
Holly Potter should’ve known better. He wasn’t known for being the most patient of wizards.
His dark blue eyes sought the entrance to the Great Hall covertly while he held a glass of butterbeer and conversed with his mates.
“What are you looking at?” Heir Terence Higgs deadpanned, always straight to the point.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to fool the observant bastard.
Heir Miles Bletchley dipped cream from the pitcher into his tea and poured an abundance that made him wince inwardly.
The spoiled brat never shied from indulging himself. As if being the only child of Lady Emmaline Rosier wasn’t enough, he never gained weight no matter how much food he polished off. Mother Magic seemed to favour the dark-eyed devil.
The concoction, however, must have tasted dreadfully sweet.
Miles shrugged and his smile widened. “Terence, your question should be ‘What have you done?’ Haven’t you noticed that our best friend disappeared for hours—again—doing Merlin Knew what? Out with it, Alexander. It disheartens me that you won’t share your secret with your best mates.”
Alexander scoffed and took another sip from his butterbeer. “Don’t you know the saying: three must keep a secret if two of them are dead?”
Miles pouted. “Aw, is your secret that invaluable? Now, I have to know it.”
Alexander’s eyes twinkled and it took a great effort not to laugh. “Miles, Miles…Curiosity killed the cat, mate. Luckily for you, I won’t keep you waiting for long. Bear with me. In a moment, you will find no reason to complain like a brat.”
He looked cautiously at the Mistletoe he had enchanted earlier and tried to hide his glee by crossing his arms over his chest.
I will catch you, my doe…
For a week, Holly managed to sidestep all his traps. Whether she jumped back, pushed another unsuspecting soul under his enchanted Mistletoe or merely shrugged and turned away.
Her knowing and smug looks remained, though.
She knew what he was up to and she intended to enjoy the chase to the fullest.
Not that he wasn't having a blast, too.
But Alexander was a Slytherin. He played to win.
He was possessive by nature and he never shared. It wasn’t a coincidence that the Motto of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Vaisey was: ‘Sub Hoc Signo Vinces’; Under This Sign, We Shall Conquer.
Holly Potter inadvertently gave him the sign he waited for all his life.
From the moment she saved him from the Weasley Twins' trap, his magic claimed her as his.
The Vaiseys were among the oldest Norman Pureblood families that chose to leave their homeland and settle in Magical Britain. They went by their own code of honour.
By coming to his aid, Heiress Holly Potter showed her noble and valiant character.
How could he with the knights’ blood running through his veins resist her charm or consider any other witch worthy of his eternal devotion?
Of course, it was unfortunate that Graham Montague was the one forced head-first into the Vanishing Cabinet.
It wasn’t unfortunate that the incident made him cross paths with Holly Potter.
The Courtship had been an ardent task. It took him months to make her trust him. But he did it and snatched her most priceless possession; her heart .
And now that Holly was sixteen, he could no longer wait to announce their relationship.
Alexander wasn’t stupid. He knew that a war was looming on the horizon. However, he was ready.
As soon as he claimed Holly his the future Lady of his House, the banners of House Vaisey would swaddle her. Every member of his family, their Vassals, allies and friends would become honour-bound to protect her.
He sensed the moment she walked through the doorway and he immediately turned toward her.
Even from across the room, he saw surprise in her expression when he gave her his best victorious smile.
Just as he’d hoped, he managed to catch her unprepared. And it felt wonderful.
There was nowhere for her to hide anymore.
As soon she took a step inside the Great Hall, the Mistletoe he spent a week enchanting precisely for this moment, glowed.
Alexander put his glass down and stood, ignoring Terence’s narrowed eyes and Miles’: ‘’Oh.’’
His long strides ate up the distance between them.
Heedless of the eyes and whispers that followed his approach, or the swift wash of colour that darkened her cheeks, he towered over her.
Ron Weasley opened his mouth, patently a warning about to leave his throat but Hermione Granger gripped his arm, shook her head and pointed at the ceiling.
Interesting …
The thin green leaves of the Mistletoe started growing swiftly, and ripe red berries followed, sprouting from the slick roots.
They were irrevocably trapped; ensnared by the biggest Mistletoe Hogwarts had ever seen.
Holly gasped. With a snap, she raised her head to the ceiling but it was too late.
What did she expect? All his past traps were leading to this moment. He gave her a false sense of security, making her think that she had a chance against him.
His sweet, innocent Holly.
She bit her lower lip, dragging his gaze to it.
There was a noticeable unnatural rise and fall to her chest with every breath she took. Her strain to remain poised was evident in her features.
All his attention was on her. He looked at her as if there were no one else in the Great Hall.
Again, he was captivated by the sight of her. He would never get tired of looking at her; of admiring the perfection that was his girl.
Her hair was combed attractively away from her face. Her Gryffindor-red sweater—undoubtedly a Yule gift from Mrs Weasley —added to her charm.
When their eyes locked, green clashing with blue, he felt as if the fire in the hearth had suddenly flamed out of control.
He invaded her personal space, too near but she didn’t seem to mind.
“I got you.” He patted a shiny berry lightly. She lifted an eyebrow and he brushed his hair away from his forehead while his gaze continued to caress her face. “If you want to leave this spot at all, you have no choice but to give me what I want.”
She inhaled deeply and glared playfully at him. “But you cheated. You used advanced enchantments.”
“True,” Alexander admitted unashamed. “But you gave me no choice. Moreover….” He let the words hang between them as he tilted his head to the side. “Remember what you said when I gave you a proper snog two days ago? You like seeing mischief sparkling in my eyes, Holly. It becomes me; these were your exact words.”
She seemed dead set on needling him a little more. “Don’t you sound a little so sure of yourself, Heir Vaisey?”
“Only a little?” Alexander quipped.
She gave him a knowing smile, enjoying their lighthearted banter. “You could just ask me to kiss you.”
“Ah, you could’ve fooled me.” He shook his head, his hands going instinctively to her waist. “It is a public kiss I want. Many wolves have been sniffing around you as of late. They need to understand that you are happily claimed by me and no other would ever have you, my Holly.”
“Now, I feel flattered,” Holly seemed pleased. “Is that why you devised this most evil plan? Don’t you feel any remorse for cornering poor, helpless, little me?’’
Alexander scoffed not paying any heed to the chattering around them. “Not in the least,” he spoke without hesitation. His blue gaze swept down her face to her tall and lean form back to her enchanting eyes. “I’d do it again and again without a second thought. However, I’ll be sure to refrain from acting recklessly in the future. Now, give me that kiss. I don’t plan to stand here all night.”
“See that you do that,” she said sternly, but then smiled charmingly and pressed a hand over his heart. “So, you will be more subdued from now on?” she pouted adorably.
He shrugged. “I will be extra careful if you want.”
“Not too careful, I hope,” she looked at him with a peculiar mix of exasperation and challenge before her lips gave a slow grin.
Weasley at last spluttered. “Ho-Holly? Wh-what...You-and-Vaisey?”
Holly straightened, inching closer as she did.
Her arms went around his neck. “Do it and let’s get everyone out of their misery. But be warned. I will hold you accountable for the ensuing chaos your ploy created.”
“I don’t mind as long as they keep their hands and their eyes to themselves,” he whispered in a low tone, his gaze caressing her face as an appealing smile lingered on her lips.
He wanted kisses. Lots and lots of kisses.
He lifted his hand and slowly ran the backs of his fingers across her cheek while giving her a slow, sensuous smile.
The Great Hall buzzed with gasps and whispers.
His gaze remained steady on hers. He was determined to take his time. He lowered his head and stole a kiss, then a slightly deeper press followed by a nibble on her lower lip.
A moan escaped her and she opened her mouth to let him in. His groan of satisfaction rumbled through his chest.
When the Mistletoe vanished, he lifted his head slowly looking into her dazed eyes.
He let out a huff of laughter at the adorable flush of red that crested the tops of her cheeks.
When she shook her head, regaining some of her composure, he bent his head toward hers. His gaze was so penetrating as he took in every breath she took, feeling everything she felt. Luxuriating in the Aura she exuded.
Even her magic was exalted.
“Now, everyone knows that you are mine ,” he whispered against her lips.
She scoffed with an unmistakable air of excitement. “Oh, Alexander, but you are mine, too.”