Argent et Vert
Rabastan stood as the death-march drone began, filling the chapel with a precise rhythm that called the guests to order. The calla lilies and anemones, interspersed with white carnations, tied delicately to the end of each wooden pew spoke of a beautiful promise, of talent yet to be realised. As Lucius turned to face down the aisle, his dark verdant velvet robes falling gracefully at his sides, all faces turned to see the entrance of the bride.
Traditions were high as she entered, a perfect image in white with silver thread-work that shone in the light of the thousand candles gleaming above. And there were a thousand, Rabastan knew. Druella had assured him she'd counted them herself. Narcissa's blonde hair, usually down and straight, was pulled high and tight with intricate plaits and accents, while strands were left loose, framing her face. Her blue eyes shone, a summer sky, as she smiled.
As she passed him, train flowing delicately behind in the gentle clutches of her bridesmaids, Rabastan turned to face the front and noted the controlled yet appreciating stare of Lucius as he gazed down at the woman who would soon be his wife.
The bridesmaids passed by next, Bellatrix swanning down behind her sister in a dark green ensemble, with Rabastan's cousin, Phyllida Lestrange, at the far side, in a long silver gown. Would such a pair as Narcissa and Lucius ever choose other colours to accent their union? Rabastan would like to think not.
The ceremony itself was uneventful, the way any good marriage should begin. Rodolphus carried the rings towards the couple with a look of an Archbishop, crowning his King. As honourable as Rodolphus was, he was always one to bow to superior power, as he did the day he was named husband to Bellatrix Black.
At the Reception, as the guests presented their gifts to the couple, Rabastan noticed Severus Snape, shabby and slimy as he'd ever been, politely stand back and he assumed the man had not been able to afford anything. He was surprised, however, when Regulus Black stepped forward.
Regulus Black stood towards the back, half-bored as he watched his favourite cousin leave the family. The smile that hovered across her face spoke of a Calming Draught brewed too potent. He wondered if he was the only one to notice. For the most part, Regulus felt like he could have been at anyone's wedding. The colours were the same – the flowers, the guests - even the words they spoke.
All the same, it was an escape from the thoughts that had haunted his days and left his nights restless as of late. It was an escape from the fact he shared a dark and sordid secret with a man who thought it was his alone.
Regulus did, however, watch with interest as the pair broke away from tradition before speaking their vows. In a time of trouble and uncertain allegiances, they had decided it was only right to take Veritaserum before pronouncing themselves man and wife. It secured the bond in a halo of trust. Regulus was glad the guests did not have to partake.
The speeches were droll, as these things often were. Cygnus Black spoke of the preservation of family honour, which Regulus believed was a throw-away reference to his recently disowned daughter, Andromeda, who had brought shame on the Black family name.
The troubling truths he had recently come to know were still weighing heavily on his mind, clouding his thoughts in a dreary shade of grey as he stepped forward after the ceremony, a small box in his hands to present to the newly made Narcissa Malfoy.
"My dearest cousin," he began, polite and formal now she was no longer a child. She smiled, wearily, while Lucius nodded his head ever so slightly, granting his permission for the boy to speak. "While you deserve nothing less than the locket of Salazar Slytherin himself, it proved difficult to locate," he said with a smile, and there was a murmur of agreeable chuckles from the old men around him. It had proved difficult to locate, after all, but that wasn't his biggest worry.
"I hope you will accept this small token in its stead," he finished, as he handed her the carefully wrapped box, containing a necklace he had decided was far prettier than the garish old thing he compared it to.
Andromeda should not have come. She knew that, which was why she'd acquired the Polyjuice Potion, through a little known seller in Knockturn Alley. You could acquire anything there if you wished.
As she took a back row pew, she understood that Severus Snape had been a perfect choice. No one questioned his presence here, but no one greeted him, either. They did not want to be seen engaging in idle chatter with the strange and secretive man. That suited Andromeda just fine.
Her sister's wedding was not a place she was welcome at, not anymore, but she could not bring herself to stay away. She was also ambitious enough to find a way. She looked around at the flowers, so precisely tied, and the candles that flickered in the chilling draft. It was beautiful, as Andromeda had expected. Throughout the ceremony, she fought to keep her face stoic and hide the tears, desperate to retain her disguise. If she were found out...
It seemed her departure still left a sting in the minds of those who had raised her as her father gave his speech. While he didn't mention Andromeda by name, his intention was as clear as his appreciation of the union.
When Regulus, who had always been a favourite amongst her cousins, stepped forward to present his gift, her heart swelled with pride at his words. They were not the words of the boy she'd left behind, but of the man he had chosen to be.
Andromeda thought the day was perfect, but had she said it, she would have spoken too soon.
The draught picked up and the candles began to flicker while a chill filled the air. That was the first sign. Chatter began to die down and laughter was no longer heard.
A shadow appeared in the curtains, a figure moving towards the building, robes billowing, wand raised. A few members of the congregation brought their wands out, too. There was a war on, after all. Andromeda heard her blood racing in her ears as her mouth dried and her breath came short. She could not be found here. The curtain was pulled aside by long, bony fingers and a figure in green and black entered the room, commanding attention as he gazed around. Wands went back into pockets immediately as people looked away.
"My friends," Lord Voldemort said. A dangerous, calculating smile danced on his face as he glanced around the room, taking in the faces of the guests. His followers.
"My Lord," Lucius began, stepping forward as Lord Voldemort's eyes slowly turned to him. "How honoured we are that you would grace us with your presence." He dropped into a low bow that Lord Voldemort watched appreciatively.
"I am touched by your words," Lord Voldemort said, as if he was able to feel anything. Andromeda was sure she had never been as scared before. "But I am not here for you."
No one questioned that, all convinced that their Lord's reason would be more important than the frivolity of a wedding. His eyes gazed around the room before coming to land on the young boy with dark hair and a pale face stood close to the couple.
"Regulus Black. How fortunate you should be here," Lord Voldemort commented as Regulus' face turned alabaster. "I've been looking for you. Follow me," he finished and began to turn away.
Regulus saw he had no choice but to follow the man, and reluctantly stepped forward, jaw still hanging agape as his eyes focused on the back of Lord Voldemort's head and nothing else.
There was silence as the pair left, and Andromeda was no less shocked than anyone else. What had he done?
A/N: Written for The Four Houses Competition: Slytherin
Prompts used were numerous: Andromeda Black, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black, Regulus Black, Severus Snape, Rabastan Lestrange, Lucius/Narcissa, Slytherin's Locket, Calming Draught, Veritaserum, Polyjuice Potion, Ambitious, Preservation, Traditions and Family.
I'm really happy with how this one turned out, so let me know if you liked it or not please!