"Gamophobia('ga-me-PHO-bia', from the Greek 'gamo' meaning 'marriage') the fear of getting married, being in a relationship, or commitment."
The muted purple and the overly-simple cut of her maid of honor gown seemed to scream "haste" – as if it wasn't obvious enough what a rush this wedding was and they needed more evidence of their scramble. As she stared listlessly into the full-length mirror in front of her, Narcissa Black swore to herself that her own wedding would include extensive and thoughtful planning.
What is far worse than tackiness, Narcissa thought miserably, is the absolute trainwreck of a marriage that would be the result of this ridiculous ceremony.
Druella, Narcissa's mother, was deftly pinning her youngest daughter's golden hair into an elegant coiffure. Upon asking her mother why the elves never did their hair, Druella had explained to her then-young daughter that some things were too delicate for the simple minds and clumsy hands of a house-elf. Some tasks were reserved for ladies to flawlessly execute themselves.
The matriarch caught sight of her daughter's eyes in their reflection. "Smile, dear, this is a joyous occasion."
"You don't sound too convinced of that yourself, mama."
Druella swatted Narcissa's shoulder gently. "Come now. This is a wedding, not a funeral. This is a good thing-"
"This is a cover-up," Narcissa murmured. Druella's hands slowed their motion, then continued slightly rougher than before.
"We can't have talk of that today, Narcissa. I am expecting only the best, most graceful behaviour from you. Prove me right in thinking that you'll do me proud."
Narcissa looked down from her mother's grave face. "Yes, mama."
She knew that bringing up anything to do with Andromeda's removal from the family was not wise, especially on this day. However, seeing as it was her second-eldest sister's desertion that had brought about this wedding so suddenly, it was hard not to have it consume her thoughts.
The half of her mind not dwelling on one (former) sister was focused on the other. The bride of the hour.
Bellatrix had not said a word to her all morning, nor the day before. Granted, she hardly saw much of her sister these days, what with her various… activities consuming much of her time, however when the two girls did meet up, one would be hard-pressed to find an aspect of their lives that wasn't discussed in detail. That's how they had always been – Andromeda included.
The silence from Bellatrix was what caused Narcissa the most worry. It was as if the usually outspoken and vivacious sister she knew so well had gotten lost somewhere behind the dread of the day.
As if partially reading her thoughts, Druella broke the silence. "Don't worry yourself too much about your sister. She's gotten comfortable with how her life is now, but she'll get comfortable once again. After all it's not as if she's marrying some stranger – her and Rodolphus have been close for years!"
This was true – Narcissa had watched the odd sort of romance bloom during the few years her and Bellatrix had attended school together. Being in her year, Rod and Bella had gotten close mostly thanks to the former's persistence on the matter – Bellatrix's initial lack of interest in any commitment whatsoever had not deterred Rodolphus one bit. Narcissa did truly believe he understood her sister on a level deeper than anyone besides herself. This was exactly why they should not get married.
Druella, finished with Narcissa's hair, lowered her hands to her daughter's shoulders. "There. You're beautiful. Lucius is the luckiest man to have you as his future wife."
Narcissa gave a tight-lipped smile before turning swiftly around to face her mother. "Yes, and he treats me so well. You see, mama, soon I will marry him, a Malfoy of all people-"
Druella sniffed. "Don't say Malfoy as if they are worth more than a Black, it's misleading."
Narcissa held back an exasperated sigh. "Yes, mama, but they still are a very old and respected name." Druella nodded reluctantly. Narcissa gained confidence from this. "I can officially become engaged as soon as possible, we practically are already, and the wedding can be next winter even. Bella can go on with her life the way it is, and-"
"Narcissa," Druella's voice cut in, interrupting again. "You cannot be suggesting we call off the wedding the day of. You know better."
She did, but she as desperate. "But Bella… Bella hates this. She's never wanted to get married, and she's not just rebelling for the sake of rebelling in this case, mama, I believe she is truly terrified of the notion. Her and Rodolphus, they have a chance of being happier than we ever thought Bella would be with any one person. Them marrying, this will ruin that chance, she'll completely close off…"
Narcissa's plead trailed away at the mixture of frustration and sorrow on her mother's face. "Please," she continued. "Don't make her do this. I don't fear marriage, not like she does, I know I'm the younger sister but everyone knows Bella beats to her own drum, it wouldn't come as a shock. I'll marry Lucius and do everything as I should."
Druella raised a thin hand to her daughter's cheek at this, a sad smile on her face. "Oh Narcissa. You've always done must things exactly as you should. I know you'll marry Lucius. And I also know that the two of you will be very happy together – it's wonderful that you have found duty and love in the same man. However not everyone is that lucky, and duty must always win out. Bellatrix is doing her part to continue the existence of our kind. We know she cares about that."
"Yes, she does, but-"
"Well then, she knows that this is what must be done, especially in the wake of… recent events. I'm sorry if she's not fond of the idea of marriage, but it's how things have always been done, and how they will continue to be done for the foreseeable future. I truly do wish my girls the utmost happiness –"
"Then just don't make her-"
"Really, Narcissa, she's twenty-two years old. She's avoided marriage long enough." From the harshness of her mother's voice Narcissa could tell she was growing tired of the conversation. Her attempts at appealing to her mother hadn't worked, despite offering herself in her sister's place.
"I'm going to go check on the blushing bride," Druella said as she turned and strode from the room. "Finish up in here then meet us in the foyer. Maybe add some blusher, dear, you're looking a little pale."
Narcissa was on the verge of pointing out that in fact she simply was exceedingly pale, just like her mother, but Druella has already swept out the doorway and down the hall.
It wasn't as though Narcissa was particularly keen to be married at eighteen years old – she would much rather have a couple more years of being with Lucius before they took that step. However, that was hardly ever the way in the pureblooded community, she knew, and considering her mother thought twenty-two was an exceedingly late age to be getting married at she figured that the day would be coming relatively soon anyways. She had thought she may as well try offering herself in her sister's place if her fate was already rather sealed.
Returning her gaze to the mirror, Narcissa gave herself one last look – head-to-toe mauve, disheartened, and yes, pale – before gathering her clutch and following her mother's path out of her bedroom. If she was feeling as nervous as she was, she could not imagine how her sister must be feeling at this very moment.
Turning down towards the stair at the front of the house, she nearly colliding with a suddenly frantic looking Druella.
"Narcissa," she hissed, eyes wide in panic. "Don't act like anything is wrong, don't even let your father know, but Bellatrix – she's gone."