Newt was surprised to discover that planning a marriage, even one being undertaken in order to ensure that someone wasn’t sent to hospital or bonded to a man who wouldn’t treat them well, required a lot of work. Graves was busy working, but he had also taken the leading role in the preparations, able to see that Newt didn’t know how to go about doing this. If Newt had been able to, he would have run. But marrying Graves was his best option to avoid his nightmares coming true.

Graves was surprisingly easy to spend time with, which startled Newt. He was genuinely interested in the creatures, his curiosity and joy spreading like a balm from the mark on Newt’s neck. Graves helped him feed the creatures, and showed no desire to curtail Newt’s adventures. Newt found he quite liked spending time with the man, although their upcoming wedding loomed like a shadow over it all.

The niffler stole Graves’ pocket watch every time that they headed into the case, and so far Graves had never once lashed out. One evening, Newt was staring at some notes when he saw Graves sorting through his wallet, picking out a few shiny coins which he put to one side.

Newt glanced at them curiously.
“I thought I’d best prepare some bribes for when we next check on the mooncalves.” Graves said simply. Several of the mooncalves had been suffering from a fever, and while it seemed to be on the mend Newt was still checking on them every couple of hours.

“What are you working on there?” Graves asked curiously, keeping his distance. Newt had noticed he was rarely within touching distance, but always close. It was strangely reassuring to have him there.

Newt felt himself flush a little.
“Trying to memorise the vows.” He mumbled. He felt a little sick at the thought of reciting the omega vows, promising to obey and to nurture. Then there would be a night spent in a room the Ministry had provided. There would be no observation spells, but in the morning they would check to ensure that the night had gone as it should. It made Newt feel sick to think of it, but this was still his best chance. “I wish...I wish Theseus could be at the ceremony.”

“I wish he could be too.” Graves agreed. Theseus was busy with work so the Ministry were sending the American Ambassador, Hector Podmore, to oversee it. “Newt, I was wondering-“ Newt looked up at him. “I know the Ambassador will be there, but if you’d prefer, I’m sure someone else could walk you down the aisle.”
“Tina.” Newt said quickly, knowing that she was the alpha he wanted representing his brother.
“I’ll speak to her.” Graves said softly. “How… how do you feel about the vows?”

Newt shrugged a little. They represented all the losses of freedoms he had always feared. Graves frowned and glanced at the paper, then took his pen and crossed through most of the words, starting to write out something else. Newt stared at him.
“That’s… that’s the beta vow…” He whispered.

“There’s nothing saying you have to use your orientation’s vow.” Graves answered calmly. “Only tradition. Does that sum up what you want to say closer than the omega version?”
“Yes.” Newt whispered, stunned. Only Americans would dismiss tradition so easily. The promise of being a bonded mate had remained the same – betas vowed to be partners, but the rest of it felt like a weight being lifted. “Thank you. That is… That is better.”

“Good.” Graves smiled. “Now, we’ve got some ill mooncalves to care for. It’s alright Newt. This will all be over soon.”

***

Newt clutched Tina’s hand a little too tightly as they made their way down the length of the Pentagram Room.
“It’s alright.” She whispered beneath her breath. “At least he won’t execute us this time.”
Newt managed a faint smile at that, ducking his head again.
“You are terrible at reassuring people.” He whispered back, lifting his head for a moment to glance up at where President Picquery was standing, Ambassador Podmore on one side and Graves on the other. The President was wearing long golden robes, and Graves was wearing a smart black suit, a yellow handkerchief in the pocket his one concession to colour for the day.

Graves had permitted him to wear something other than the traditional white tunic that virgin omegas were expected to wear, so he faced his fate in a white suit and pale blue waistcoat. As he walked he glanced at the assembled collection of aurors, and saw Queenie stood among them, his suitcase stashed safely at her feet.

He approached Graves, taking his hand when it was held out towards him. Graves nodded at him, and Tina stood close by. Newt took a few slow breaths, focusing on the breathing exercises Queenie had taught him to remain calm.

Graves smiled at him calmly, reaching to push the collar of his shirt aside, tracing his fingers over the mating scar in front of the assembled crowd.

“I, Percival Graves, take you, Newton Artemis Fido Scamander, as my bonded mate and spouse. I promise to care for you, to cherish and guard you, to love and protect you for all the days of my life.” Graves spoke calmly, a faint smile on his lips. He looked confident and at ease, no different from when they had practiced the words at home.

Newt felt his face flush brightly as he began to stumble through his own vows. He knew these weren’t the words he would be expected to speak, could see Podmore’s frown as he began, but he said them anyway.
“I, Newton Artemis Fido Scamander, accept you, Percival Graves, as my bonded mate and spouse. I promise to be true to you, to stand by your side and face our futures together, and to love you loyally for all the days of my life.”

Graves placed a ring made of jet onto Newt’s finger, flashing a smile at him.
“Hoping Niff won’t go for that.” He said softly, before leaning in and biting at the mating scar. Newt closed his eyes, practicing the breathing exercises as he felt blood bead up and then get licked away. He heard a few wolf whistles from the aurors, and the ceremony continued. He focused on Graves’ hand on his, reminding himself that nothing was changing.

Graves played his part beautifully, and after their first dance he joined Newt sat quietly, watching the others, hand holding Newt’s.
“You’re safe now.” Graves whispered. Newt nodded.
“You … thank you.” He mumbled.
“Queenie’s taken the case to the room.” Graves told him softly. “And no one will object if we leave now.”

Newt stood, letting Graves lead him away. His head was bowed and he was quiet, lost in thoughts.

***

The bedroom the Ministry had provided was dominated by a large bed, which Newt’s case had been placed upon. Newt walked to it as soon as he entered the room, running his fingers over the leather and drawing strength from the fact it hadn’t been taken from him.
“There somewhere we can sleep in there?” Graves asked, and Newt nodded. They had already agreed that they wouldn’t sleep in the hotel room tonight – Newt bothered by the idea of how many omegas would have been taken for the first time on those sheets.

“There’s a bed in the study and I can take one of the nests.” Newt answered quickly. “If… If that’s alright? Unless you want…” He couldn’t bring himself to complete that sentence.
“Sounds good. I’d offer to take the nest but…” Graves chuckled, and Newt managed a little smile. While Newt could curl up into the space quite comfortably, Graves’ body would not easily fit into it.

Newt hesitated.
“You’re sure we don’t have to…” His voice trailed off. He was afraid that if he voiced his fears it would somehow make them more likely to happen.
“I’m certain.” Graves answered. “Newt, I told you before. We’re bonded but I will not mate you against your will. You say no, and I…I respect that. You don’t think your brother would force someone do you?”

Newt glanced down and shrugged a little.
“I don’t think so but…he’s an alpha…”
“He’s able to control himself. Even in rut an alpha should be able to keep themselves under control.” Graves shook his head. Newt reached to touch the mark on his neck.
“You’re angry?”
“Not with you.” Graves said firmly. “Just with everyone who thinks they can tell omegas what they should be and what they should do.” He reached into his pocket, withdrawing a vial. “You can go into the case if you want. I’ll be down soon.”

Newt frowned a little, trying to work out what the vial was. He remembered their previous conversation, when he’d pleaded to be sedated prior to taking Graves’ knot. He didn’t think that Graves was going to go back on his promises, but he couldn’t understand.
“What’s that?” He whispered, his voice shaking a little.

Graves hesitated for a moment, a look of discomfort passing across his face before he answered.
“It’s to convince them that we … met expectations.” He answered, and Newt frowned a little as he saw Graves spread the liquid over the sheets. “It’ll be dry by tomorrow.”
“What…what do you-“ Newt started to ask, then frowned. “Is that blood?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you get blood?” Newt whispered, eyes widening with horror.
“It’s mine. They won’t check whose as long as it’s there.” Graves said, and he sounded so matter of fact about the issue.

Newt gagged a little, looking away, trying not to consider the tangle of smells he could scent in the air. He didn’t want to think of the implications, of what the people who looked in the morning would think. It was distancing himself from Grindelwald, implying Newt had remained pure. It was a sensible action. But it was wrong and made so much worse by the fact he could sense that Graves wanted him. Wanted the blood he spread on the sheets to be Newt’s own. Newt didn’t want to see that, didn’t want to think about it. So he clambered down, and went to check on the creatures.

He started by checking on the erumpent, then the grindylows, half expecting Graves to call him from the case at any moment. He did trust the man. Graves had been nothing but a gentleman. But it was their wedding night. As time passed, he started to relax a little. The sense of wanting didn’t fade, but no attempt was made to summon Newt from his case. He was trimming the fwooper’s talons when he heard the case open.

The mooncalves were recovered from their fevers, and they swarmed towards Graves when he climbed down. He took a handful of their food and tossed it into the air, smiling at Newt. Newt smiled back a little, relaxing. The sense of desire had faded, and Graves was looking around at everything in the same enchantment he had shown that first day.

They completed the rounds of the case together, and then Graves went to sleep in the bed while Newt curled up in the nest beside the occamy. He felt Dougal pat at his hair, and allowed himself to relax a little.

It was alright. Nothing had changed. Tomorrow the world would assume he and Graves had done as they were supposed to, and they could return home. He could keep his creatures. He would work on his book and Graves would work at MACUSA, and everything would carry on as normal.

He yawned and glanced towards the open shed door, seeing Graves lying down with Niff in his arms, and felt almost comfortable. Nothing had changed.