The Second Kiss

Wedding

The room was small and cramped, the polished mirrors and blinding lights on every wall doing nothing to dispel the claustrophobic feeling induced by the clutter--the bobby pins, the satin white ribbons and stretches of lace, the half-opened jewelry boxes spilling their shining ornaments of silver and emeralds onto the lacquered wood tables.

"You're so beautiful, Bella," Narcissa sighed, gathering her sister's shining black locks at the nape of her neck.

"The most beautiful bride there has ever been," Andromeda added, beaming as she handed Narcissa a few bobby pins enchanted with disillusionment charms. "And ever will be," she thoughtfully added after a few moments.

Trying to keep from wincing in pain as Cissy pulled her hair a bit too tightly, Bella smirked in response, "I'm certain that you two will prove more than able competition for that honor."

"But that's ages away," the blonde haired girl sighed again, her grip on her sister's hair loosening slightly.

"Only four years. I wouldn't say that's ages," corrected Bella, in the knowing, confident tone of older sibling. "Or at least four years until you graduate, and then you'll probably marry that summer, like I'm doing."

"I suppose," she sullenly replied.

There was a polite rapping at the door, and a moment later Rabastan Lestrange entered the dressing room. "I think the ceremony's due to start soon. Whenever you're ready, Bella."

Andromeda, the beginnings of a mischievous smile on her face, tapped Rabastan on his shoulder, before adding in a teasing voice, "You're not supposed to be here."

"I'm not?" he replied with mock horror, before sweeping into a gallant bow and grinning, "But how then, pray tell, am I supposed to tell you how absolutely lovely you look today?"

The middle Black sister gave a girlish giggle. "I meant, no one's supposed to see Bella before she steps out for the ceremony."

His face graced by a glowing smile, he continued, "Then there's not a problem, is there? Because how on earth could I look anywhere else in the room when I'm blinded by your radiating beauty?"

Her hand over her mouth, Andromeda poorly attempted to hide another pleased giggle as she swatted Rabastan's shoulder. "You are an awful best man, leaving your brother to prepare all on his lonesome. You best return and inform him that Bella is almost ready."

Narcissa gave a knowing smile to Bellatrix in the mirror, and with a slight inclination of her head towards Rabastan and Andromeda, mouthed "They're going to be at the altar next." Bella had to agree, even if the dull jealousy in the pit of her stomach kept her from expressing the belief in a manner similar to the joyful smirk now gracing Narcissa's face. Why couldn't Rodolphus express the same sort of uncontrollable, elated joy at seeing her? Compliments easily, sincerely spilling from his mouth, so much so that it almost bordered on a lack of propriety? Even as she was walking towards the altar, Rabastan looked more overjoyed to see Andromeda as a bridesmaid, than Rodolphus did to see her, his future wife.

The minister started reading the ceremony, while Rodolphus's gaze shifted between the audience, their families, the minister himself, and his future wife. He supposed she really was quite beautiful, a commanding, haughty look gracing her face as she immovably kept her eyes fixed directly in front of her.

"You may now kiss the bride."

They had kissed a handful of times before, in the subtle, quiet courtship that had led up to the extravagant wedding, and Bella felt another one of those chaste pecks brush her lips as the audience applauded.