The Girl In White

[Beth Titus]

The sun rose over the icy Welsh hills as morning dawned upon the residents. The year had spiraled past at light speed, and the day had already arrived. So soon. So young. Yet so certain that this was exactly what she wanted. The green haired girl sighed a smile through her open curtains as she was helped into her wedding dress. In just an hours time, she would be wed. Mrs. Beth Titus. That was, should her future husband remember to turn up. Blissfully unaware, she was, of exactly what his stag-do had entailed, and just how far away he now was.

 

[Aiden Titus]

The young man's brown hair fluttered around his aching, pallid face. Where on earth was he? Was he even still on the same planet? The way his head thundered from his previously intoxicated state was enough to bring him into questioning reality itself. And that only hurt his head more. "What.." He attempted to ask, glancing, for the first time, at his surroundings. It was not as cold out as he had expected, but something large and solid pressing against his form- probably made of metal, was indeed the coldest of all, and very noticeable, too. Aiden tried to pull away from it, but something was holding him in place. He tugged, feeling the ropes around him.

Where in Merlin's name am I?

And then it dawned on him like frozen rain in winter, slashing against one's cheek like a blade: He had been on his stag-do only the night previous. Not the greatest of ideas, he had to admit, though his best man had felt it to be ideal. And today was his wedding day.

Aiden swore loudly, tugging firmly against the ropes holding him to the lamppost. It was only then that he became alarmingly aware of how very little he was wearing. He let out a loud whimper at the realisation, before grasping at something wooden strapped to the post. His wand! How pleased he was to find it once more. Now, checking that no muggles inhabited the baron street he was in, Aiden firmly grasped his wand, muttered something, and released himself from his restraints with a large jolt. Hitting the ground was not a particularly fun experience, and certainly one he cared not to repeat under future circumstances.

Aiden stood to examine himself. He was alright. A few minor scratches, a bruise on his elbow, but nothing more. However, he suddenly found something silver on his wrist; an expensive looking analog watch, rested gently on his wrist. Something tan coloured protruded from beneath it, and Aiden moved a hand to remove the small scrap of parchment. His expression melted into a pained one as he read the ink-scrawled words:

Aiden,
last night you told us you wished you could have just one last adventure before you settled down to married life. Be careful what you wish for, or you might just get it. You're getting married at nine. Don't be late, and good luck.
See you there,
Terrance, Daniel & Grus.

P.S. The watch is your wedding present.

 

[Beth Titus]

The sky melted from its early morning grey into a sour blue. The frost atop the buildings had begun to vanish, and the venue for the wedding was all too perfect. Beth stood in the gardens of the old manor house, watching the flowers awakening from their slumber, and the trees shiver as a cold wind blew. It was five minutes until she was due to get married. Aiden had not arrived. Had the inner calm not been so overwhelming and her self-confidence, what it was, Beth would have been concerned as to her fiancé's whereabouts. But she had faith in him, and in herself. She was going to get married. Today. To Aiden Titus. And it was going to happen at nine O'clock.

She would make sure of that.

 

[Aiden Titus]

8:12

He had been awarded no more than one hour in which to clothe and ready himself for the wedding. And Aiden still did not know where he was. Apparition and summoning were the obvious solutions to such a problem. At least, they would have been, had Aiden not suddenly discovered that his beautiful and faithful wand, had been broken in the fall. "No.." he breathed, failing to repair it. Now he was truly stuck. It was time to think like a muggle. It was time to become a resourceful Gryffindor.

His first decision had been to sprint into one of the nearby gardens, to steal a collared shirt from the washing line. No, not steal, simply borrow. He would return it later. The only shirt he could find was a striped, fragrant pink one. Well, that would have to do. He leapt over the wall into the next garden where the washing line offered more opportunity. Such as a pair of straight black trousers, a pair of white socks, and a lemon-coloured tie. Not exactly perfect for a wedding, but then again, the bride was quite outgoing in fashion, herself.

After a short stumble over another four garden walls, Aiden found himself faced with a pair of black leather shoes. They would have to do. He pulled them onto his feet. Catching sight of himself in a window, Aiden shook his head. "This will have to do," he muttered, pocketing his wand and clambering over yet another garden fence.

 

[Beth Titus]

"Darling, I'm sorry, but I don't think he's coming."

"He is," Beth said in a rather nonchalant manner, stroking the petals of one flower, and watching the tips begin to tint in colour. She turned her eyes on her mother. "Trust me," her eyes stared with certainty, and not a flicker of hesitation nor doubt at the truth of her words, "he will be here."