"Smile!"
It was a bright, beautiful summer day, and I was trapped inside, wearing a heavy, uncomfortable dress, thirty minutes from starting a terrifying new life, unable to run away, unable to do anything. Beneath the silk and pearls, my heart was pounding, my skin icy cold.
I smiled.
"Much better," said my mother. She was smiling, too, her cold reptilian smile. "Remember, Astoria, you are happy."
"Very happy," I said, through my smile. "Right. Of course. Naturally. What else?"
My mother glared.
"I'm happy," I said, trying to convince myself of it. "Happy. Happy." I reached for my pearl necklace, but Mother slapped my hand away.
"Don't fuss, Astoria," she said impatiently.
I sighed. "Shouldn't you be out front crying or something?"
"There will be time to cry later," she said crisply, which I interpreted to mean someone has to get you down the aisle, you pathetic excuse for a pureblood. Of course, I was being sarcastic. Mother did not cry.
The music swelled. I swallowed hard. Normally I loved violin music, but now, I felt like it was serenading me into a prison sentence.
"It's time," said Mother. She gave me my bouquet, adjusted my necklaces, and pulled my veil over my face.
"Smile," she hissed, and then the doors were opening, the crowd standing, my feet carrying me forward. Sunlight fell through the church windows. I probably looked dazzlingly beautiful. I concentrated on not tripping.
Then, suddenly, I was there, at the end of the aisle, and Draco was standing in front of me, his expression not cold, but indifferent. I could have been any other pureblood girl— it didn't make a difference to him. For the family, Astoria, I told myself, and I smiled, forcing my lips upward. Happy. So happy. The wedding official began to speak. My ears were rebelling, only allowing me to pick up on a few phrases "Through sickness and health… to hold… cherish… respect and honor…
We were nearing the end.
"…forever and always, from this day forward."
I felt like I was falling. Was this really happening?
Draco's lips were moving.
"I do," he said, and then it was my turn.
How was I going to speak? My throat felt dry, scratchy. I swallowed, coughed, and spoke. "I do."
"I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Oh, Merlin, I thought. Draco and I had rarely touched. We'd certainly never kissed. I was wearing a veil. How is this going to work?
Draco stepped forward, carefully lifted the veil from my face, and leaned in, wrapping his arms around my waist. His lips were cold against mine. For a moment, I completely forgot how to kiss someone and just stood there like an inexperienced idiot. Then my brain started working and I slipped my arms around his waist, feeling strangely detached, like a robot.
To my complete surprise, Draco leaned forward, dipping me. I held on a little tighter, terrified that I would let go and collapse on the floor.
Apparently we looked romantic, because the guests went wild. At least someone's enjoying it, I thought. I heard the snapping of cameras. Maybe the picture would make it into the Daily Prophet. Mother would be pleased.
After a considerable amount of time, we broke apart.
The wedding official turned us towards the crowd. "May I present to you… Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy!"
Instinctively, I wove my fingers through Draco's. He glanced at me, his expression uncertain, probably wondering if I actually wanted to hold his hand or if I was just playing for the crowd. I wasn't sure.
The wedding vows echoed in my head. Forever and always, from this day forward, I thought, and I wondered how the two of us were going to make it through all the days to come.
AN: My newest multichap! Please don't follow/favorite without reviewing :) I'd love to know what you think!