Chapter Five, The Ceremony

Two weeks had flown by and the day of the Ceremony, August 20th, had arrived along with Mia's three week mark, and Mia was a little nervous about the upcoming Ceremony. Waking up a little early; Mia quietly climbed out of bed pressing a kiss to André and Fred's cheeks, before she changed into her swimming costume and headed down to the beach after letting Dobby know so André and Fred wouldn't worry. Since moving here three weeks ago she either went for a run or went for a swim in the sea. Healer Talbot said it was actually good for both her and the baby to exercise in moderation so she kept it up. Plus, it helped her relax and she really needed that today. It was only 7:30 and the Ceremony started at 10:30 so she had plenty of time to have a swim, have breakfast, shower and get ready.

After an hour of swimming Mia made her way back to the beach, pausing to pick up her towel and dry off her face and wrap it around her and slip on her flip flops once again. As she was making her way back up to the house she came face to face with Fred and André both still in their pyjamas.
"Morning sweetheart. Did you have a nice swim?" Fred asked, kissing her softly as André kissed her temple lovingly and wrapped a second towel around her. She was shivering a little due to it still being quite early and the sea had been a little cold.
"Morning Freddie. Bonjour André."
"Bonjour, ma chérie. Let's get you in and have some breakfast." André said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders while Fred wrapped his around her waist, both of them offering her their body heat.

"In answer to your question; I did thank you. It was nice and relaxing and just what I needed." Mia sighed happily.
"You don't have to be nervous Mon chéri, Fred and I will be with you and we will always protect you if you need it." André assured, brushing his thumb over her towel clad shoulder. Mia waved her hand over herself, sighing as the drying charm dried her off and her mates' body heats kept her nice and warm on the walk back up to the house. When they entered the kitchen Mia greeted Dobby and stroked Hedwig before joining her two mates and Dobby to a breakfast made up of pancakes, fruit, a splash of honey and a nice cup of honey tea. Sipping at her tea she enjoyed the conversation flowing around her, joining in occasionally, and feeling completely at peace and relaxed for the first time in her life.

***

Fred and André had let Mia use their bathroom as it would take awhile to wash the salt water out of her hair and had used one of the other bathrooms because they knew they'd end up having their way with their gorgeous mate, and they couldn't afford to be late to the Ceremony. Once she had finished in the shower, and had wrapped a towel around her body and around her hair; Mia brushed her teeth, used her mouth wash, deodorant and perfume before she headed into the closet and slipped on a black strapless bra with matching lace underwear. Grabbing her royal blue, off-the-shoulder mermaid style dress that was glittery at the top and very bottom of the skirt, gold strappy heels and her makeup bag; Mia headed back into the bathroom hanging up her dress on the back of the door, while she got to work on her hair and makeup.

Ten minutes later, Mia was pleased with how she looked and a little shocked to be honest. Her blue-tipped black hair was in fishtail-waterfall braid with the rest of her hair in tight curls cascading down her back. She had royal blue eyeshadow with silver eyeshadow over the top, black eyeliner in a small cat eye, black mascara and red lipstick. Putting a Stasis Charm over her hair and makeup, which worked much better than hairspray or staying spray, Mia slipped on her beautiful dress that fit her like a glove, her rings and finally her heels. After packing everything away Mia went back into the bedroom where she was shocked at how handsome her two mates looked. André wore navy dress robes, a white shirt, a black tie and warm brown shoes. Fred wore charcoal dress robes, a white shirt, a royal blue tie and burgundy shoes.

Their robes, much like Mia's dress, exposed their mate marks.
"Wow! You both look so handsome." Mia complimented amazed.
"Us? What about you? You look absolutely stunning Mia! More than you did at the Yule Ball and you were my stunning date, then too." Fred replied, his voice husky and his dark brown eyes darkening, causing Mia to blush.
"Fred's right. You look amazing and I wish we could show you how much, but I guess we'll have to show you tonight." André said huskily, the pair of them wrapping her in their arms and kissing both sides of her neck. All the way down to their mate marks causing Mia's eyes to flutter closed.

"Come on, we're going to be late." Mia said, trying to will her blush away, as she snapped herself out of the lust induced trance. They let out their wings just moments before, Mia shadowed herself and her mates away to the entrance of the Dragel Halls. As soon as they arrived there was a throng of people entering the Halls, Healers and Guards were standing at the doors. The Healers were scanning everyone to make sure they were fit enough to take part, while the Guards were there to keep people in line. Mia had only just caught her bearings when she suddenly caught the scent of those two delicious smells she had caught in the plaza three weeks ago.
"What's wrong Mia?" André asked, noticing her looking around at everyone as they headed to the back of the queue, as still more people were arriving.

"When we were here the first time; I caught these two wonderful scents and I just caught them again, but I can't place them." Mia said with a soft whine.
"Don't worry sweetheart." Fred said softly, kissing her temple. "I'm sure you'll catch your new mates after the Ceremony. If you've caught their scent they would've caught yours too, so they'll most likely approach you afterwards by offering you a favour."
"You're not mad?" Mia asked unsurely.
"Of course not!" Fred and André exclaimed together.
"You need more than two mates, and we accept that, ma chéri. We could never be mad at you for that. I love you." André assured, kissing her lips softly.

"You forget baby, that I've known you since you were eleven. I know how powerful you are, how amazing you are, even then. Not many people can say they made the House Quidditch team in First Year or who had the highest marks after only knowing about magic for less than a month beforehand. You were the first youngest female Seeker in a Century and you were either top or joint top with Hermione, and I love you as you are." Fred declared passionately.
"Thank you Freddie, André. I love you both too." Mia said, kissing them both a little intensely. After queuing for a little while -just talking and getting to know each other more - they finally got to the front where they were greeted by a different Healer than the one they knew. Healer Rochelle Fraser, the badge on her lime green robes stated.

She was a kindly Brazilian woman with bright grey eyes and matching wings with muted topaz scales, a dominant, when she scanned Fred and André everything was fine but when she scanned Mia she paused, checked the file in her hands then scanned again.
"Is something wrong?" André asked concerned.
"This is your first pregnancy, correct?" She asked in a tilted voice.
"Yes." All three answered together. Healer Fraser nodded and read further down the file until she made an 'Ahh' noise.
"It seems you are expecting two babies. Superfecundation twins to be exact. Healer Talbot made a note that she expected as such due to your unique mate-ship." Healer Fraser explained gently.

It seems there was a privacy ward around the doors as no one was looking at them in shock or any such thing. In fact, they barely noticed they were at the doors.
"So, nothings wrong?" Mia asked worriedly.
"No, Querido, nothings wrong. All three of you are in perfect health, I would just make sure you take vitamin C and maybe even join a baby yoga class. I'll send the details to your home for you. And it means sweetie in Portuguese." Healer Fraser explained, seeing Mia's confused but intrigued expression.
"Thank you." Fred said, relief coating his tone.
"You're welcome. Now, enjoy the Ceremony today and your Mate Meet tomorrow." Healer Fraser smiled at them, stepping aside so they could enter.

"Thank you." The three said together, entering the entrance hall that seemed to be dressed up for the occasion with fresh flowers in vases and flower vines wrapped around the pillars that matched the ones outside.
"Don't you three look gorgeous." Candice complimented them. "Just head on through the door stating 'Ceremony' and take a seat in one of the front rows. That's where all the new Dragel's have to sit. Makes it easier, you know."
"Thank you Candice. Have a nice day." Mia said politely.
"You too sweetie." Candice said, waving her manicured hand and smiling at them. As they reached the cherry wood door Mia took a deep breath, Fred and André squeezing her hands reassuringly.

Entering the Ceremony Hall, Mia was amazed at how grandeur it looked. There was a dark wooden stage and balcony where she supposed the leaders sat, white marble flooring, cream coloured walls, red comfy chairs in long lines of rows on either side of the aisle, and Guards in black leather armour and hilted swords strapped to their waist standing at the edges of the Hall. Mia's heels clicked on the marble flooring as they made their way to the front, pausing to greet people they knew as they made their way down. It was compulsory for everyone to attend the Ceremony, so even fully mated families with children were here. As they got closer to the front she caught the scents once again and this time she had a vague idea on who they were coming from as she could only see the back of them.

There was an ebony skinned male, with short black hair, and dressed in a charcoal dress robes, with obsidian wings and emerald green scales pressed flat against his back. She swore she recognised him but couldn't place where. The second male sitting next to him; had long dark brown hair to his ears that was styled, he wore royal blue robes and his sapphire blue wings and turquoise scales almost blended into the robes.
"I hate sitting at the front." Mia grumbled, making Fred and André laugh. Unknowingly attracting both males' attention as they sat in front of them.
"Mia." One of the males called, causing the trio to turn around and for Mia and Fred to recognise him.
"Blaise. I didn't know you were a Dragel. Although, I guess that's the point." She muttered a bit embarrassed. But Blaise just laughed endearingly, his amethyst eyes lighting up.

They had been well on their way to becoming fast friends in the previous years at Hogwarts thanks to studying together in the library. Admittedly they'd both been weary of the other until they put aside their Houses stigma, plus Blaise had a crush on her in Hogwarts but she'd been with Fred and he understood why now. They'd both been subconsciously drawn together just like he'd been drawn to Mia.
"Hello W- Fred. André Aubert of Guérison Potions, right?" Blaise asked, holding his hand out first to Fred who shook it after a second, and then to André who shook his hand as well.
"Yes." André confirmed, nodding his head.
"Blaise Zabini. I went to school with Fred and Mia, but I was in Mia's year but in Slytherin." Blaise introduced. "This is my friend Damon Lestrange-Gerard."

Mia tensed up a little at the name Lestrange but tried to calm herself down. Unfortunately, Damon noticed but luckily he didn't take offence. It was well known what had happened a few months ago in the Ministry.
"I'm nothing like my Sire, Mia nor his crazy family. I promise." Damon assured, smiling softly at her with his cute baby face and bright blue eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be tense. It's just Bellatrix she... she -" Mia trailed off, wiping the backs of her hands beneath her eyes.
"I know. And I'm so sorry about your Godfather." Damon apologised sadly. "I promise my siblings and I are not like him."
"Thank you." Mia said softly.
"You know, we may have been in different Houses, but I was always intrigued by you, Mia." Blaise piped in, changing the subject and making Mia blush.

Fred, who wanted to glare at them, quickly shook that fleeting thought away before he even felt the emotions to go with it. Kissing Mia's temple in an attempt to comfort her, he then turned to the two behind them.
"Mia's holding her first Mate Meet here, tomorrow." Fred informed them.
"We'll be there." Blaise and Damon promised. They spoke to Blaise and Damon for a bit, while they waited for everyone to enter the Hall. Finding out what it is that Damon did (Ward designer and a protector), and what Blaise wanted to do (he's a warrior and wanted to join the Guards here, especially after what happened to his father) - until Elder Talbot walked on to the stage and called for silence.
"Thank you Freddie. And you know you have nothing to be jealous of and neither do you André." Mia whispered to the pair, so only they could hear.
"We know and you're welcome baby." They whispered.

"Welcome everyone to your First Dragel Ceremony or welcome back to our more established Dragel's. For those who don't know me, I'm Head Council Elder Quinn Talbot. Or just call me Elder Talbot." Elder Talbot spoke in a clear but loud voice. "Before we begin to introduce our new Dragel's and mate-ships, I'd like you all to welcome King Elliot Payton and his beautiful Queen. Queen Vienna Payton." He said, clapping which started a round of applause as two beautiful people walked on to the stage besides Elder Talbot. The first was a handsome male in his early fifties but still with a muscular slim build. He was around 5"8 1/2, had short dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.

He wore satin red and gold trimmed robes, with a golden bejewelled crown upon his head, his alexandrite and angelite wings poking through his robes. Next to him and holding his hand, was a beautiful woman slightly taller than her mate at around 5"11. She had curly blonde hair to her collar bone, bright blue eyes, a slim build and white wings with Angelite scales poking through her black formal dress and a golden jewelled crown upon her head.
"Welcome everyone to your first, second or even multiple Ceremonies." Queen Vienna Payton said graciously and welcomingly.

"To those new Dragel's this year, my lovely wife and I, would like to welcome you to our lovely community here in The Nether Realm. Here you will find friends and family for life. Now, you may visit your friends and families in the Wizarding or even Muggle Worlds but you must be careful and if they were to come here make sure to speak to the Elder designated to you first, so our best Ward designers, Guards and Elders can be on standby at the entrance to assess them. Not only for your safety but for everyone else's. As everyone's safety is our top concern." King Elliot Payton said firmly.

"To the new mate-ships this year, my husband and I would like to wish you the best of luck and wish you many happy years to come." Queen Vienna Payton continued, before they explained what happens here in the Nether Realm from everything from Baby Yoga classes, rules, the Harvest, Yule Ball Ceremony, what schools are available, tutors to complete their magical education, jobs, and finally the Dragel Holiday at the end of Easter before they started introducing Dragel's and their mate-ships, if they had any. After an hour of Dragel's of each gender in different ethnicities, coloured wings and sizes and even some fourteen year olds were introduced, it finally got to Mia and her mates Fred and André.

"Now," Queen Vienna Payton started. "This is a very interesting and unique mate-ship: Mia Elizabeth Potter, a powerful, submissive Dragel came into two mates at once due to dating her Beta Frederick Gideon Weasley since she was thirteen years of age. Once she came into her Inheritance she called out to her Alpha André Aubert." She paused as the three walked on to the stage. "Something quite unique happened due to this unique mate-ship, Mia is pregnant with her first pregnancy but it is Superfecundation twins, instead of a single baby. I wish them good luck with their new mate-ship and their new babies. They will be holding her first Mate Meet here tomorrow, so make sure you attend if you want to win this amazing lady's heart." Mia, Fred and André shook hands with the King and Queen before rejoining their seats after thanking them quietly for their well wishes.

Once the Ceremony was finally over Fred, André and Mia left for the bazar so they could get some lunch when they caught up with George, Chantelle, Megan and Elijah.
"I knew it! I knew it!" Chantelle screamed, pulling Mia into a tight hug. "Fred, André and Elijah you owe me and George 10 Galleons each." She said smugly, as they pulled two tables close together so they could eat together.
"Thank you." George smirked, once he came back with André with two large trays full of fish and chips for everyone, side order of mushy peas and smoothies for Mia, Chantelle and Megan and Pumpkin juice for the others, and accepted the money off his twin.
"Shut up." Fred grumbled, handing over the Galleons but stopped when Mia kissed his cheek.

They'd barely been eating for ten minutes when piles of favours landed on the table in front of Mia startling her a bit.
"Do you want me to set up a Ward so only those with good intentions can get through and they'll be sent straight to your home?" Elijah asked, after another ten had arrived.
"That would be great. Thank you Lijah." Mia said gratefully. After a few complex waves of his wand, the pile separated into two; the larger pile vanishing to her home, and the smaller pile that consisted of around ten stayed on the table. Which obviously was not good news. After a few more complex wand movements from Elijah, then André, and then Fred and George after he gave them a look, the four of them started growling.
"What is it?" Mia asked worriedly.

"One has an abortion spell weaved into it and the others are either fake scents which is against the law as it'll make your job harder tomorrow and could prove dangerous if they continue to use it, or they have some compulsion spells on them." André growled.
"Get rid of them!!!" Mia screeched fearfully, causing some people to look but she didn't care.
"Don't worry Mia we'll send them to Elder Talbot where he can get the Guards and either himself or other Elders to investigate as they've not only endangered you and my nieces or nephews, but also my mate and our sons or daughters." Elijah said with a gruff growl, as he quickly penned a letter and had all four dominants sign it and push magic into it before he tied everything all together with a wave of his wand and sent it off.

Seeing Mia and Chantelle still looking fearful, George waved his wand a few times in a complex pattern as he performed complex and deep cleaning spells.
"You're safe Telle, Lizzy. None of us will let anything happen to either of you or our new family members. So let's just enjoy this afternoon. Right Princess?" George asked, rubbing noses with Megan who giggled.
"Dada." Megan said happily, clapping her hands.
"Thanks Georgie." Chantelle and Mia said in relief.
"Any time." George said, kissing Chantelle softly than he got up and hugged Mia.

"Maybe one day you can all come over and Megan can play on the beach." Mia suggested, trying to distract herself and the others from what just happened.
"That would be perfect, Mia. Now, we can join these baby yoga classes together. Oh, some new stuff came into the shop." Chantelle said happily, making the others laugh. But Mia couldn't help but wonder if this was how her first Ceremony ended; what would the Mate Meet tomorrow be like? But she had a good support network in her mates, sister-in-law, and in her brother-in-laws and extended family, so she knew she'd be okay.
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French translation to English:

* Bonjour ma chérie = good morning, my darling.

* Mon chéri = my darling
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Authors note: what should the twins be?

For those who don't know what it means; Superfecundation twins means: fertilisation of a second ovum during the same oestrus cycle as a result of a second mating, leading to fetuses of the same age but different parentage.