"A/n: We're so sorry for the delay in this! But here is Chapter 12 of our project written by stufferknee [@firewhisky-kisses] and she couldn't be more emotional about this. As always, this is a joint effort between her @obsessedwithrandomthings @kalimagik dandelionandburdock [@iliveiloveiwrite] and @heloisedaphnebrightmore [me]​. We hope you enjoy Ellie's choice & happily ever after!" - Tumblr

Word count: 4k

Warnings: alcohol consumption, so much fluff

*

Racing through the Ministry to the fireplaces in the entrance, Ellie grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and tossed it in. "Headmistress McGonagall's office!" she cried, letting the flames whisk her to the one place she desperately needed to be.

McGonagall was thankfully out of her office as Ellie dashed out the door, making her way down the staircase and through the familiar corridors. Only one face was on her mind, the one she desperately needed to see. Tears streaked down her face as her footsteps echoed against the stone. The school year hadn't begun yet but a few Professors were planning their years tucked away in their classes. The cool air of the dungeons nipped at her skin as she neared the door she was looking for, throwing it open as she panted.

Blaise was huddled in the corner over a cauldron, his eyes bloodshot as he absentmindedly stirred the potion in front of him. Not bothering to lift his head to see who disturbed him, he simply muttered a dismissal, "go away, I'm preoccupied."

"Blaise..." Ellie's voice was quiet as she stepped into the classroom. "I get to stay."

His head had never snapped up faster, fresh tears pricking his eyes as he stared at Ellie. "If this is a cruel prank..."

"B it's me, I promise. I'm never leaving you again." She smiled moving towards him as he pushed away from the bench and met her in the middle.

Their lips met in a hurried, desperate kiss, Blaise crushed Ellie against him as he cupped her face. Relief and joy flooded his veins as he broke away to study her face. She was here, she was truly in his arms. There were questions of how and why but for now Blaise was content peppering her face with kisses as he promised over and over to never let her go again.

—

Ellie's fingers tapped against the countertop as she poured over the books littering the surface. Various medical texts and lab notes piled up as she gripped at her hair. Deciding to stay was the easiest decision she'd ever made, there wasn't a speck of doubt in her mind about it. That didn't mean that life perfectly fell into place afterwards, however. It was a process of trying to figure out what exactly she wanted to do while remaining in this world. The answer came to her as she thought of what she left behind and with a little push from Blaise, she found herself studying for her lab certification.

"You're going to get a bald spot," a voice called from the doorway, Blaise stepping into view.

"It"ll be well earned. How is studying for my certification this hard? It's what I did before all of this for Merlin's sake." Ellie groaned as she moved away from the books, crossing the floor to wrap her arms around Blaise. "Why did you let me decide to get a Muggle job?"

"Because it's what you love and it makes you happy. Your happiness is most important, darling," Blaise answered with a smile, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Are you hungry? Want me to make you something?"

"You're a blessing," Ellie sighed, hugging him tighter as he chuckled.

"Anything for you, my love." He quickly got to work in the kitchen as she settled back in at the island. "Fifteen more minutes and then you're done for the evening, I'd like some time with my fiance tonight."

Her smile nearly lit up the room as she nodded, focusing back on the text in front of her. As the fifteen minutes passed by, Ellie closed up her books and sat back in the chair. Blaise had rolled his sleeves up, too busy chopping vegetables and adding them to a pot on the stove to realize she was watching him. He was lost in it but that was nothing new, Blaise loved cooking more than anything. Ellie liked to tease that it was so similar to brewing potions and of course he'd love it, but really it was one thing handed down to him in his family.

"Have I told you yet today how handsome you are?" Ellie said with a smile, chin resting on her palm as she leaned on the island.

"Roughly six times though it never hurts to hear it again," Blaise answered, turning his head to shoot her a wink.

After the meal and Blaise filling her in on his day, they were curled up on the couch together with Ellie tucked under his arm. He pressed a light kiss to the side of her head as she hummed contently, delighted at the fact that she didn't have to give all of this up in the end. After choosing to stay Blaise insisted that she keep the ring regardless. They could figure out a day and time later, for now, he was content with being able to keep her. Ellie absentmindedly twirled the ring on her finger as Blaise watched, chuckling as he squeezed her tightly.

"Having second thoughts?" he teased, leaning down to steal a kiss.

"Never. Just wondering if we should pick a date? The girls all know about the engagement, I'm sure your mother has been all over you for it. She sent over a room full of samples for me the other day to 'get inspired' which I'm assuming is her way of telling us to hurry up." She smiled as Blaise nodded, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"She has my sisters after me now, what do you think?"

"May. I'd like a May wedding," Ellie mused, twirling the ring some more as she thought about it. "My certification is in April so it'll be out of the way and we can go on our honeymoon in the summer after the term is done."

"You've already thought this through it seems," Blaise laughed, thinking about the date himself. "I'd like May. Towards the end preferably, fewer days to count down until I can sweep you away to somewhere beautiful."

"Blaise, we could stay right here in this house and I'd be perfectly happy," Ellie said as she curled up closer to him, her eyes fluttering closed as she relaxed in his embrace. "It doesn't matter where we go as long as I'm with you."

"So you wouldn't like to see Canada again? Or at least whatever version exists here."

"You'd do that? You'd take me back home?" Ellie's eyes opened as she shot up to her feet with excitement, unsure if Blaise was serious.

"After spending a week or two in the French countryside, of course. I'd love to see where you're from, darling." Blaise reached out his arm as he pulled Ellie back down, straddling his lap as he gave her a soft kiss. "You'll have to plan that leg of the trip I'm afraid."

"I know exactly where to go," she mused, stealing another kiss as she cupped his face in her hands. "I love you."

"I love you more."

—

Picking the date proved to be the hardest part with the team of eager people willing to help out. Ana picked a colour scheme and got to work with a wedding planner handling the details. Mrs Zabini took care of the venue and nearly everything else, it seemed she was a natural at planning a wedding now. All Ellie had to do was show up to consultations and fittings for her dress. It worked out perfectly, studying for her certification only took up more and more time the closer the exam grew. She planned a girl's night to relax from both responsibilities as everyone but Des was there, who was still on her trip with Sirius.

"I can't believe you finally picked a date," Kiara teased, enjoying her wine as she bumped Ellie. "We thought you were going to dangle him forever."

"Please, I would have married him the second I stayed, being engaged was just more fun," she mused, eyeing Mel as she spoke. "Speaking of, any news for us Mel?"

"We haven't even done your wedding yet and you're pushing for mine?" Mel laughed, shaking her head as the girls joined in.

"Can you blame me? Narcissa will probably go out, probably bigger than my dear Mother-in-law and Ana are planning. They won't tell me half of what's already done."

"Because you need to focus on your studying! Don't you trust me?" Ana asked, batting her eyelashes as the girls laughed.

"Of course!" Ellie smiled as she reached over to set down her glass. "I actually have something to ask you all. I think it goes without saying but I want you as my bridesmaids. I've already sent Des a letter too, it wouldn't feel right being up there without you guys."

The room was filled with overlapping voices as the girls all agreed, ecstatically asking about dresses which prompted Ana to pull out the samples she had already picked out in preparation. Ellie moved towards the kitchen to grab a few more bottles of wine and nodded to Kiara who followed her. Mel and Ana were focused on the dresses and the two girls slipped away.

"You know you're my best friend, right Ki?" Ellie asked Kiara, fumbling for the bottles as she laughed.

"Yes, and you're mine. Is there more to that?" Kiara leaned on the counter as Ellie finally pulled the bottles out of the rack.

"Will you be my maid of honour? No one else is more important to me — I see that look on your face and yes you can hold that over Blaise's head — and I'll refuse to get married if you say no." Ellie couldn't help but laugh at the smug smile on Kiara's face as she threw her arms around her. "I'll get on my knees and beg, I'm not scared to."

"Oh shut up for a second would you, of course I will," Kiara hugged her back, laughing as the girls pulled apart. "You're a tad dramatic you know."

"Learned it from the best, babe." Ellie winked as Kiara rolled her eyes.

"Living with Draco?"

"Living with Draco."

—

The house was quiet while Blaise was teaching. McGonagall gave him leave every second weekend and Ellie was free to stop by the castle so long as she didn't disrupt any learning but still the house grew lonely. While she was studying it was nice but now that the exam was over and all that was left was to plan the wedding — except Ana and Mrs Zabini had already covered everything — it was unbearably quiet. The anxiety over her test results mixed with missing Blaise left her irritable, pacing the floor instead of enjoying her time. The envelope sat on the counter but Ellie didn't feel right right opening it without Blaise. She considered popping by to see Kiara and Neville, cuddling with Alice always seemed to brighten her mood and they definitely welcomed the night to themselves.

As she paced a few more laps, the fireplace sputtered out a figure as she darted for the living room. Blaise wasn't supposed to be home this weekend yet here he stood, beaming with his arms outstretched as Ellie quickly ran for him. Hopping into his arms and tucking her legs around him, her face buried in his neck as he chuckled and squeezed her tighter. She clung to him refusing to let go, it had been a long two weeks since she'd seen him. She'd begged for him to have an agreement like Remus, Tonks, and Neville, but being head of house for Slytherin came with more responsibility.

"I take it someone missed me a little," he mused, letting her feet drop back to the floor as he crushed her in another hug.

"Are you saying you didn't miss me, Zabini?" she argued back, words muffled against his chest.

"If I didn't miss you would I be home right now?"

"Fair. Why are you home right now?" Ellie pulled away enough to steal a kiss, smiling against his lips as he chuckled again.

"Seems I've driven McGonagall to her wits end with my pouting. She shifted the weekends around so I could come home and dismissed me immediately after my last class." He stole another kiss before pulling her towards the couch, falling down on it and pulling Ellie down with him.

"I get a whole surprise weekend with you?" Ellie beamed as she snuggled against his chest, the familiar beat of his heart lulling away her previous anxiety. "How'd I get so lucky?"

"I believe that's my question, my love," Blaise whispered, pressing another kiss to her forehead. "Is it possible you've gotten more beautiful in my absence?"

"Is it possible you've become more of a sap in your absence?" Ellie let out a sigh as she let herself melt into a rare quiet moment with the love of her life.

"They say absence makes the heart grow fonder," Blaise murmured, looking down at the girl he loved with a look of admiration. "I'd much rather spend my days with you."

"Pity you chose a career path that keeps you away for so long."

"I wasn't anticipating the love of my life quite literally falling from the sky at my feet," he laughed, earning a snort from Ellie.

"I think I have a permanent bruise from that, thanks for reminding me."

Ellie climbed to her feet much to Blaise's protest until she crossed the room to their record player, carefully selecting one as a soft song spilled out into the air. She held out her hand and Blaise jumped to his feet at once, one hand on her waist and the other clasped hers, leading her through the steps. They were clumsy and interrupted with kiss after kiss, uncaring of anything else but being wrapped in their lover's arms. It was the quiet moments like these that made the periods of solitude worth it. Whispered declarations of love and fingertips brushing against cheeks had the two of them utterly entranced with each other. As Blaise caught her lips in one last kiss at the song came to an end, Ellie sighed as he pulled away.

"I nearly forgot! My results are here!" Ellie raced for the kitchen as she grabbed the envelope. Thrusting it into Blaise's hands as she returned, she closed her eyes. "Open it, I'm too nervous."

Blaise ripped open the envelope, pulling out the folded results as his eyes scanned the paper. A wide grin stretched across his face as he picked Ellie up, spinning her around as he yelled. "You did it! You passed!"

Ellie ripped the letter from his hands and scanned the results, an equally wide grin tugging at her lips. "I can't believe it, I did it!"

"I never had any doubt," he mused, stealing another kiss.

"Would my darling husband to be care for a bath?" Ellie's eyes sparkled as she tossed the letter to the side, focused on Blaise once again.

"I would love nothing more, my darling wife to be." Blaise smirked as he tugged her through the house towards their bathroom, ready to enjoy their weekend together,

—

The guests arrived and were seated as the girls sat tucked away in a room, readying together for the big moment. Ellie's nerves were nearly non-existent today, she was ready for this moment for a long time now. She found herself giddy instead, bouncing around the room as the girls laughed at her.

"Aren't you supposed to be throwing up or getting cold feet?" Des teased, fixing her hair in the mirror as Mel touched up her make-up beside her.

"How am I supposed to be nervous about marrying Blaise? I've wanted this for a long time," Ellie mused, spinning in her gown as Kiara snorted. "You'll all be just as giddy as me marrying your men."

One by one the girl's left and Ellie was alone in the room. She stood the middle of the room, a smile plastered on her face as she wished for the day to pass by a little faster. As far as she was concerned, she could have done this with just Blaise and the girls present but she wouldn't deny Mrs Zabini a wedding for her only son. A light knock on her door had her walking towards it but as she turned the knob a voice stopped her.

"Don't open it, it's bad luck to see your groom." Blaise's muffled voice came through the door as Ellie smiled wider.

"I don't believe in those superstitions, please can I see you?" Ellie begged, turning the knob again as Blaise held the door.

"Only a few more minutes, love. I came to see if you were having any second thoughts, thinking of shimmying out the window or asking Kiara to help you escape," he chuckled.

"Blaise Zabini, I have not an ounce of regret or nerves about being your wife. I wish this entire day would just hurry up," she laughed, leaning against the wood. "I love you."

"I love you more."

The music swelled and the guests stood as they waited for Ellie. Tucked on Lucius's arm — who had agreed instantly to escort her down the aisle, she floated down finally catching Blaise's eye. She could see the tears welling in them as her eyes matched, her legs wobbling a little as Lucius held her steady. Blaise was striking in his tux, ripping the breath straight from her lungs as he beamed at her. The delicate veil was tucked over her, gold flakes lining the bottom as the music swelled and she stepped closer. Ellie wanted to hike her gown up and run the rest of it, throw herself into his arms and say 'I do'. Instead, she took her carefully planned steps and tried her best not to trip, watching Blaise laugh at the effort he knew she was extending. Draco was beaming beside him — his obvious choice for best man — as Neville shot a wink from Draco's other side. Kiara had tears in her eyes on her side as Ellie finally reached the end.

Ellie didn't fully process most of the ceremony. Her eyes were trained on Blaise, the words merely floating around in the air as they held hands, anxiously awaiting that pivotal moment. Vows were exchanged, simple and precise promises to love and lift each other, easy as everything else was between them.

"When I thought there was a chance I'd lose you forever, I knew in that moment that nothing in life mattered more than you. I pressed that box into your hands and I declared that I'd never let go of you — that promise still holds true. Through anything else life may throw our way, I'll never let go of you, I'll never stop loving you. I promise that no matter where we go, I will always find you. I can't wait to start living this life with you. You are my falling star, captivating me and wrapping me up in your warmth from the second we met. Ellie, you're everything I could have ever hoped to have found in this life and beyond, I love you."

"I grew up with fairytales and stories of magic and fell asleep every night wishing I could find a little magic of my own. I didn't realize at the time that it was coming when I least expected it. Quite literally falling into this life is the best thing to ever happen to me, my dreams came true because of you. I promise to always find my way back to you. No matter where life sends me next, I'll never let go of your hand. I've built a home with you, Blaise, you're everything I could ever ask for and more. My little piece of magic that found me exactly when I needed it. I love you more than I can ever express, but I promise to try my best to show you every day."

When they were finally prompted to kiss, Ellie nearly tackled Blaise to the ground, crushing her lips into his as wolf whistles echoed from the front row — Sirius had quite a range it seemed. He held her hand tightly as they made their way back down the aisle and the reception kicked into full swing as guests got to their feet. It was a beautiful outdoor event with lights strung around, a dancefloor on the grass, and two matching green chairs at the front. Blaise led Ellie straight to the floor, impatient to finally be able to dance with his bride.

The smile never left Ellie's lips as the day stretched on. After Blaise was pulled away to speak to some family, she stood to the side as she watched her friends and found family drink, dance, and laugh around her. Her heart swelled at the sight of each girl with their loves, spinning around the floor as their laughs mixed and melted into the air around them. Blaise slid up beside her as he chuckled.

"This is our wedding, love, shouldn't we be dancing?" He trailed where her eyes were currently resting, the girls were taking turns spinning Alice around the floor in their arms as she laughed and clapped.

"Well someone was pulled away from his wife quite suddenly, so I stepped away. I'm just happy we're all happy, you know? None of us knew what was going to happen being stuck here. None of us could have ever dreamed of any of this, but look at us all," Ellie said with a tear in her eye, motioning towards her friends.

Sirius was pulling Des back into his arms as his smile stretched to his eyes, happier than he had been in years. Draco was whispering in Mel's ear as he pressed another glass of wine into her hands, her laughter drowned out by the music overhead. Neville and Kiara were sharing a moment with Alice, wrapped together as one little happy family. Ana and Ron we're swaying to the song now, too lost in each other to notice anyone around them.

"And what about you? Is my darling wife happy?" Blaise moved behind her, tucking his arms around her as his head rested on her shoulder.

"I'm happier than I ever thought I could be, my darling husband," she mused, tilting her head to steal another kiss. "I love you."

"And I love you, now come dance with me, I miss having you in my arms."

"Mr Zabini, your arms are wrapped around me right now," Ellie laughed, taking his hand as he led her back to the floor.

"Mrs Zabini, it's not the same. Now come dance with me, or are you determined to make me cry?" Blaise pouted.

Ellie laughed, wrapping her arms around him as his lips found hers again. A tender, loving kiss that perfectly encompassed the day they shared, the love in the air, and the devotion they felt to each other. It was one of many kisses they'd share on the dancefloor, focused wholly on each other as the band played and their friends twirled around them. Ellie had never once wavered in her decision to stay and this was why — building this new life with Blaise.

A sense of serenity hung over the crowd as all of the girls felt the same peace within them, their choice to stay becoming one of the best decisions they had ever made. They fell into this world together, found love together, and now were starting new lives but still together in their own way. They found each other's gaze as they exchanged smiles and knowing looks, happiness radiating from each of them. Another tear slid down Ellie's cheek as she beamed at each of them, her little found family that she couldn't picture doing this without.

—

The rain fell down outside but it went unnoticed. Ellie was wrapped up in Blaise's arms, tucked on his lap as her focus was on him. She had never felt more at peace anywhere than seeing where she grew up in a different light with Blaise by her side. Her island was still here, a small cottage by her favourite beach was even able to rent and now that's where they found themselves. It had to rain some days, something her Dad had taught her in another life. They'd spent the few weeks in the French countryside that Blaise had wanted and now we're spending their time by the sea.

"Thank you," she murmured, her head tucked in the crook of his neck.

"For what, my love?" Blaise held her closely as her lips brushed across the skin of her neck.

"For taking me home, for seeing it with me. It means more than I can say. I may not be able to truly go home, but this is enough." She smiled as she kissed further up his neck and along his jaw, finally settling on his lips. "For being the best husband I could ask for."

"Careful love, you'll make my head bigger," he teased, catching her in another kiss as a giggle slipped out.

"So I shouldn't tell you that I love you," she started, punctuating every statement with a kiss. "Or that you're perfect. And caring. Attentive. Wonderful. Beautiful."

"I love you," he murmured, his lips hungrily finding hers again as she shifted in his lap.

"I love you," she answered, her hands cupping his face. "I'll never let you go."

The sound of the rain was the only noise as they lost themselves in each other, the start of their new life already more than Ellie could have asked for. It didn't matter what happened next, with Blaise by her side and the girls here with her nothing could stand in their way. While they'd eventually make their way back across the sea for their jobs left waiting, for now Ellie and Blaise gave themselves over to the island and the sea, fulfilling their shared promise to never let go.

*

Notes: If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to like and/or comment. Thank you :)