Revised: Friday 16th July

Chapter 11: A Love Match

"I am getting married today."

She had to get it out of her mouth as soon as she woke up for some reason.

This was going to be the biggest day of her life.

She woke with the strangest feeling though. She was in limbo over it all still. She was happy and she was nervous as well as terrified and scared. But, most of all, she was excited.

She opened her eyes to find what had woken her. Already people were in her room getting the preparations under way.

Elizabeth, Izzy and Bella were also there. None of them were in there wedding out fits yet but were pouring champagne when Izzy noted the bride had awoken.

"Come on, you, up!" she said to her. "No time for a lay in today!"

She sat up with a smile on her face. No, there was not. She had to get herself looking stunning then she had to get to the church on time.

"I cannot believe this my wedding day. This day has come so fast." She said as her sister gave her a glass of champagne.

"It doesn't seem that long since the two of you were betrothed."

"It has only been four weeks." she shook her head.

"Yes and you have been thinking of this day every day since." Said her mother to her as she sat down by her side. "How are you feeling?"

"Ready!" Narcissa nodded. That was how she felt, ready and relieved.

"Well I am glad to hear it!" said her mama to her. "There is no other way to face today than to be ready of it and it face it with courage."

"I don't need courage. Mama, I trust Lucius to look after and be good to me when we are married. My life begins today as far as I am concerned. Really it does." She said to her.

"That's the spirit my girl!" she said to her. "Now up, out of bed and go get washed." She said to her.

Narcissa was surprised how many extras maids her mother had brought in for the work that had to be done that day.

As soon as she went out in to the corridors everyone was asking her what she wanted and if she was ok.

It got quite annoying very quickly.

She went in to the bathroom where she found a tub had already been drawn for her which she was grateful for and so she got in for a soak.

She wanted to let go and relax. But there was no way that was going to happen. Narcissa felt far too many emotions to be able to relax. And knowing all her friends and mother were in her room made her nervous for some odd reason.

She went back down to her room with in twenty minutes in her dressing gown to find her auntie head arrived.
"Is my cousin and uncle down stairs?" She checked with her as they kissed.

"Well, of course they are. They are not going to miss today for the world." Said her aunt as she caressed her cheek,

"Good." she said as she went over to get her drink. "I want today to be perfect." She concluded.

"Well, with you as the bride, I am sure it is going to be." she said to her

"Cissy," her mother said who had popped out of the room for a moment. "The hair dresser is here, as is Christopher!" she said to her.

"Chris? Why has he come here he said he was going to be meeting us at the church."

"Cissy?" he asked as he went sheepishly in to her room. His breathe was taking away for a moment. "You are not even in your dress yet and you look stunning." He said to her.

"My hair is not done and neither is my make up, I am sure I don't." She shook her head. He was watching her sadly. "Sorry but is something the matter Chris? Is that why you have come to see me?" she asked him. she just wanted today to go to plan; no surprises.

He nodded, before looking about at her friends and family.

"Ladies will you give us a moment please?" she asked.

"Ok." Said Izzy as she got up. "But don't take too long. We have to get her ready." She told him and he nodded.

"This isn't going to take long don't worry," he said and waited till they were out before he spoke again. "Cissy there is no easy way to tell you this so I am just going to say it. I am not going to be at the church today."

Her face fell. He had never seen such disappointment on any ones face and the thought he had caused it on her hurt.

"Cissy I am so sorry!" he said and moved forward to embrace her but she stepped back.

"No, no it's ok." She said in a voice that made him sure it was not. She didn't want to be held by any man but her husband that day. She knew the two of them should not even be alone together now. Not when she was still in her dressing gown no less.

"If it could have been avoided, I would have but Cissy!"

"What is it though? I think you owe me that much, how long have we been friends? We have always been there for one another and now you come to me on the morning of quite simply the biggest day of my life and tell me you are not going to be there. What the hell Chris?" she said losing her composure for a moment.

"I have been given a mission by the Dark Lord. I have to leave for it immediately." He explained.

"So he means more to you these days than I do?"

"Don't be so stupid Narcissa, it doesn't suit you."

"Well, that is what it feels like. I know we have had a few fights lately but I really want you to be there with me!" She said to him.

"And if I had my way then I would be there with you too." He nodded. "But Narcissa that can't happen now."

"Ok then. Go now please." she said turning away from him.

"But Narcissa there's something else, the reason why I think this has happened."

"Fine, tell me what it is." She said not turning to face him.

"I think the Dark Lord was requested to do this by Lucius." He said quietly.

"What? Rubbish! He would never do that! He knows what today and what you mean to me. Just because you are not going to be there do not try and get me angry with him because today of all days it is not going to work! He is my husband; don't you dare talk of him in such a manor to me." she said to him viciously. "he is ten times the man you are. Mama," she said as she went to the door.

"Yes Cissy?" she asked,

"Chris is done here, can my hair be done now?" she asked.

"But Cissy I need to explain."

"No Chris, you don't, I have told you it is fine. You go and do what you have too and I shall see you in a few weeks when I am used to married life no doubt."

"Cissy don't leave it like this between us."

"Just go! Chris. Go if you're going!" she said to him agitated which alarmed her friends and family. She run a hand over her face.

"You had no right to upset her today!" said Izzy as she went back in to her friend's room.

"Don't worry Izzy I am perfectly fine. Chris is just leaving. Come on girls this is meant to be my big day."

Seeing he was going to get nowhere with her that day Chris left her. She was right. This was her big day and he had right to wreck it.

Narcissa let out a slow deep breathe. She knew they had been fighting but she had wanted him to be there to see her take her vows. She had needed him to be there for her. she had never needed her friends so much.

She brushed back her hair and looked in to the mirror as her mother and the others poured back in to her room.

"Are you ok Cissy?" asked Bella.

"Of course I am ok. I am just fine in fact." She said with a smile. She was sick of that question.

She sat down quiet calmly as the hair stylist came in to the room. The champagne was flowing soon and Chris's entrance was forgotten. Narcissa didn't want to remember.

Why had he accused Lucius?

She shook her head. It made no sense to her, and she wasn't going to let it. The one thing she could think of was that he was trying to wreck her big day because she had turned down going to the meetings with him, which seemed a bit extreme.

Once she had put him out of her mind she found the getting ready fun, with every one making such a fuss of her. She remembered how it felt to buzz around the bride when it had been Bella's wedding day.

Her room on the morning of the wedding hadn't been so loud though. She needed to think so she had said and so they had got her ready silently. But Narcissa room was buzzing with music and laughter.

"An hour to go!" said her mother as ten rolled about.

"We should start thinking about getting my dress on. We are going to have to leave at half past aren't we?" she asked and her mother nodded. "Is papa ready?"

"Yes he has his robed on; I went and checked when you were in the bath." She nodded.

"Good." Narcissa nodded. "Very good." She said as she turned back to the mirror.

0

"Oh my darling daughter! Look at you." said Narcissa's father as he saw her coming down the stairs.

She was stunning. And she was a woman. The little girl he had raised was gone.

"Papa." she said to him.

"I don't believe I am going to let you go sweet heart." he shook his head. "He is in no way worthy of you. But I think it is too late to retract your hand, isn't it?"

"I am afraid so." she said as she came down off the bottom stairs.

Cissy had chosen a very traditional dress in the end. The silk material was fine and smooth, matching her complexion. She had a long train on the back and the sleeves cut off at her shoulders.

Her hair had been pulled back in to a soft bun and she had ringlets falling down her face. Her make up had been down so subtlety that she might not have been wearing any.

"You are a young woman. Not my little girl." he nodded.

"Rubbish. I am always going to be that." she said to him.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "You're brilliant my daughter. There is no other way to say It." he said as he gave her his arm and the two went in to the parlor where the family waited. Her aunt and mother were in dress robes, one blue and the other a deep purple, both wearing big hats. They gushed about her beauty and her grace. Her uncle stood with them and Regulas was there with his hands in the pockets if his dress robes looking cool.

He was a rather handsome young man.

"You ok Cissy?" he asked.

"I am cousin. I must say you're looking dapper today."

"You don't scrub up so bad yourself." he said to her.

"Good." she said as she and her father passed, and at the end of the line she met Bella, Izzy and Elizabeth. Her three bride maids.

"Ready?" she asked the three with a nervous hint of a smile on her face.

"We are," said Bella as she fell in to step behind the bride and their father with the two other girls. "Enjoy the day my sister. It all goes downhill from here."

"Bella, must you day such things?" there father snapped. "Cissy might have a successful marriage, and you have always been happy enough. Don't fill your sisters with doubt!"

But nothing could do that. Not now Cissy was in her dress. She felt every bit the blushing bride going off to met her beloved and live happily ever after. She could fool herself that this was going to be perfect. And she was going to have to act some of it, of course. However she was sure some of her happiness was going to be genuine.

Going out of the house she saw all the servants had lined up to see her off. As soon as they saw their young mistress they begun cheering and clapping. She was adored by them for her sweet nature and was going to be missed when she went off to her new home.

"I have arranged for old friend to take us to the church." her father said to her.

Cissy looked at the carriage and the horse waiting to take her. Snowy was going to be pulling her.

"Oh thank you!" she said to him.

"I know you would have had no other horse for the job if you had thought about it. But you have had so much else on your mind." he said to her.

"Yes I have. Today that ends though." she said to him as she got in to the carriage with him and the three girls.

The weather had gone in the Malfoy's and the Black's favour that day. They had wanted her to be a perfect summer bride and there she sat as one in the beaming sun.

"Maybe the gods favour this match." suggested her father as he kept hold of her hand as they headed off to the church.

Lucius and Rod were at the church well before the guests begun to arrive. In matching dress robes they waited for the Black girls. Lucius could not wait to see his bride. She was going to be more beautiful than usual.

"No regrets?" checked Rod.

"You have seen my bride to be. How can any one regret asking for her hand?" he shook his head.

"I agree." he nodded.

"Why, do you ever regret asking for Bellatrix?"

"I never got a choice in it, did I? My mother and my father sorted it with the Blacks. But no I don't think I'd swap her."

The church was decorated with the same red roses that were going to be in his bride's bouquet. He was ready. He just wanted them to be man and wife now.

Over the next twenty minutes the church begun to fill. Everyone was given him reassuring smiles. He didn't need it though. He was sure they were going fine.

At last eleven o'clock came and the vicar who was performing the service came to him.

"Your bride is here, and is ready. Are you happy to begin now?"

He looked down the pew where his father and his best friend sat.

"Yes." Abraxas said to him. "You're ready aren't you son?"

"Yes I am."

The three of them stood up. The congregation followed their lead. The organ begun to play and the wedding of Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black begun.

He turned about to look down the aisle and there she was in her white dress. She looked to put it in its simplest terms like an angel. A complete angel.

His angel.

She had a smile on her face as she saw him. The man she had thought looked like a prince from the moment they had begun their courtship. And he really did look so handsome and strong as he stood there waiting for her.

She was thrilled they were marrying one another. She was thrilled he was hers. She dared to admit to herself she had feelings stronger than friendship.

Suddenly she was by his side. They were standing together. They were facing the future together.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Lucius and Narcissa. They have attended there bonding ceremony, they have pledged themselves to one another and now all that remains is for them to take their vows, the vows that are to steadfast them through the long and happy years that no doubt await them. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It is a bond that takes two people and binds them as one. The commitment these two young people make to one another is one of the truest sanctimony. It is to be the rock when things get too rough. It is to be a refuge from any storm. It is to be a place of peace should this world go to war. Lucius asked for Narcissa's hand. Now we will watch her give it to him. But first I must ask if either the groom, his bride or the congregation know of any lawful reason why this ceremony legally should not take place."

Silence overcome the church to Narcissa's relief. There was nothing to stop them going ahead. She was thrilled.

Here she was. Ready to be Mrs Malfoy. They turned to face one another.

"Do you Narcissa promise to love Lucius, to be faithful to him, to honour him, to nurse and comfort him as long as you both should live?"

"I do." she whispered. Her heart was pounding and her stomach was doing back flips. It was then her cool hand took his and slid a ring to his finger.

"And do you Lucius promise to love Narcissa, to comfort her, to protect her, to cherish her and to take care of her, as long as you both should live?"

"I do." his voice sounded strong and confident, his chest was bursting with pride.

The two glanced nervously at one another. His hand raised hers and put the silver band on to her slender fingers. When their hands returned to their sides they didn't let go of one another.

"Before this congregation the two of you have declared your feelings for one another. You have promised to be good to one another and to keep and nurture your feelings throughout your days. Therefore, without further ado I pronounce you man and wife. I do believe it is now customary to kiss the bride."

Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief for a single moment. They were man and wife. This was it. Her name was now Mrs Malfoy. She was Mrs Narcissa Malfoy. Then her stomach clenched. They had never kissed before. Never had their lips met.

She looked up in to his face. He was smirking in a devilish way. But there was a truth in his eyes.

His face moved towards her and with a giggle she leant in.

There was no fireworks, the heavens did not open and the world wasn't wholly right in itself, but at that moment Narcissa felt she might die with happiness. It was only a single touch of their lips but it was passionate.

As he pulled away he was grinning. "Thank you Narcissa." he whispered.

"You are more than welcome…husband…"

She could hear cheering, but all she saw was him.

The two of them turned, she linked her arm in to his and they walked out of the church. Everything in that single moment had changed.

Lucius and Narcissa sat side by side at the head of the table. The two of them were a king and his queen for the day, as if it was their coronation. And she felt like royalty. He had treated her as such and her dress made her carry herself even taller than normal. She was queen for the day.

It was hard for them to converse with every one watching their every move but they still found the odd moment together.

"You know I have seen some of the great beauties of this world, but none of which compare with you today." he muttered in her ea.

"Is this you trying to romance me?"

"Depends…is it working?"

"Yes it is." she said to him.

That day she let go. Nothing was to stop her falling in love with him now. And she was more than ready to fall in love.

"No more indifference? That was a confident answer… "

"There should be no secrets between a man and his wife. I don't want us to have secrets. Not from one another." she said to him.

"No, me neither." he shook his head. Under the table he squeezed her hands. Her morals, her virtues and her beauty made him want to indulge everything about her. He wanted to give her the world. How was it that this seventeen year old girl had him so wholly?

"Is it time we got on with the speeches?" Rod interrupted them.

Lucius sighed in annoyance. They had been caught in a moment and he had wrecked it. Still there was plenty of time for them to have moments from now on.

"Yes, is that ok with you?" he asked his wife.

"Of course it is." she said agreeing with him.

"Right then." said their best man as he stood up.

"Quiet every one, please quiet. Everyone knows the speeches are the boring bits at weddings but they have to be done," he said and every one had stopped talking and watched him. "Well I have known Lucius for quite some time. We went to Hogwarts together and grew up as brothers really. And, of course, ever since the day of my marriage to this beautiful girl on my right, I have been a brother to the bride. I don't think I could have made a better match for either of them, though it is a rare thing the groom is prettier than the bride." he said and everyone, including Lucius, laughed. "Serious though, the two of them deserve each other. They are two fine upstanding people of the right blood line who know what they want and how to get it. Perhaps there is at times going to be a little too much ego in this marriage, but there is no doubt in my mind they well teach each other, and learn from each other and grow with each other every day. These two are going to be safe in one another's hearts whatever comes I think. So get up on your feet and raise your glasses to our bride and groom. May they live long and happily together!

"THE BRIDE AND GROOM!"

Narcissa beamed. Every one toasting her, it was enough to make a girl blush.

Every one sat down except Lucius who had to make his speech.

"First of all I want to thank you all for coming today. We know who are true friends are and both myself and my wife are glad to celebrate this day with such admirable and beloved witches and wizards! Secondly, we want to thank our parents for making today possible. I know my dear mother in law has worked tirelessly in preparation for this day and Narcissa and I could not be more grateful. Lastly, I want to thank this lovely lady myself." he said as his eyes landed on his bride, she was beaming up at him. "She's one in a million. Thank you my darling." he said and bent down to kiss the crown of her fore head. Every one gushed.

"Nice speech." she said to him tenderly.

"Every word was the truth. Now wife, shall we dance?"

She smirked. "You know what I think we should!"

And they did. Together they were the life and soul of the party. Anyone who had come in on the wedding without knowing anything about them would have thought they married not for social standing but for deep seated love that they had for one another. Lucius was surprised how at ease his new wife seemed about him.

He was glad though. He thought of what she had said to him earlier that day. She wanted no secrets between the two of them. But there were, on his part, in fact there were many. He had so much he could tell her and so much he did not want too.

He wasn't yet sure exactly how she viewed him but it was not as the monster he was. Already since he had joined the Death Eaters he had killed, he had tortured. He had even raped one girl he thought to himself. A girl who might be beloved to one man.

As beloved as his wife was to him. If anyone ever hurt her he thought to himself, he was not going to hesitate to kill again.

She turned in to his arms and he held her tightly, enjoying the warmth of her body on his, totally oblivious to his thoughts. She was so sweet, so lovely he thought to himself pushing out the darkness that had overcome him for a moment.

She looked up at him, such was the heads height difference between them. She wondered what he had meant in his speech when he had been talking about friends, and if that had been connected to what Chris had said to her earlier that day. It seemed such a long time ago since he had visited her. Everything had changed so much. She was someone new now and when he returned to her, he was going to find her wholly changed.

She looked among the crowds who were watching them dance if they were not dancing themselves. She wished he was there. Not just him, but Andy and her cousin Sirius too. How she missed them that day! She felt the three of them should be celebrating with her. But as Lucius held her, she realized she had him completely. Maybe he was all that mattered to her any more. Just maybe, he was enough.

She was his now. He was hers. They were facing the world together and with any luck were going to be an unstoppable team...

"Just let him lead for tonight. Let him do as he wishes to you, relax or it is going to hurt you more." Bella said as she helped Narcissa get ready for her big night. They had left the reception and she and her mother as well as Rod had gone back to the Malfoy manor to help the couple get ready for the next big step. The consummation of their vows.

"Is it really painful?" she asked.

"No, not severely or not thing. Maybe a bit uncomfortable to start with but the more you get used to it the more you'll get pleasure from your husband. Just remember for a while not to show too much pleasure. Lucius choose you because you are not a wanton whore like Caroline. You are his wife. Moan a little but not too much. At all times let him believe he is the man and the centre of your universe, at least for tonight. Men love it when their new lovers think they are so good and chivalrous."

"But I am not just his new lover. I am his new wife. I have to hold him longer than any lover has to hold a man."

"You are going to work it out with in time that is what is important to keep in your mind. A marriage takes hard work, believe me I know."

"I thought you were against my marriage with Lucius." she said to her sister.

"Oh, I am. But I still love you dearest, don't I? You may be a married woman but you are my baby sister." she said and kissed her forehead. "I guided you through Hogwarts; all those days home we mucked about. I want to ease your way still. If Lucius is the path you have chosen, I'll support you. I don't have to agree with it though, do I?" she sighed. "Let's have a look at you then!" she said.

Narcissa stood up. She was in a silky night gown which was the most revelling piece of clothing she had ever worn. Her breast were visible slightly under it though it flowed all the way down to her ankles, it was going to be easy enough for Lucius to take off when the time came.

Bellatrix moved to the arm chair wear a much heavier night gown was. She took it over to her sister and helped her in to the rose patterned garment.

"I feel a bit sick now to be honest with you, Bella. What if I am rubbish in bed?" she asked her.

"Well, let's just allow Lucius decided that shall we." she said jokingly till she realized her little sister was being serious. "You are going to be just fine I promise you. We all think that on our first times. Now are we going to leave your husband wanting for you any longer? He was sick with lust for you today."

The two sisters walked down to the bedroom that was going to be shared by the married couple. She had of course been given her own set of rooms now that she was the mistress of the manor but with any luck she and Lucius were always going to be sharing.

As she entered the room, she saw her husband had sat down on the bed and had poured a glass of wine for them both. Wordlessly Rod left the room, Bella gave Narcissa a wink and for the first time, Mr and Mrs Malfoy were alone.

Up till that moment she had always been so confident about him that it was a worrying thing for her to be so nervous about him. But she was seventeen years old, with in the space of a month she had left school, got engaged and now she was on her honeymoon night.

It really was no wonder she was nervous.

He stood up and wondered over to her. She smiled coyly at him as he took her hand and led her over to the bed, where he sat down and gently, pulling her in to his lap and gave her the glass of wine he had poured for her.

"To us, wife." he purred in to her ear playfully making her giggle.

She wanted to reply, but she so nervous she felt if she opened her mouth then she might be sick so she drew the glass to her lips after she had raised it to him. She needed the courage.

Together they sat there for five minutes, with her in his lap. Up till then she had always been in control of their relationship. But now he was the one holding all of the cards. She had nothing left.

Candles were lit about his - their - room and the bed was covered with rose petals. The atmosphere was unspeakably romantic. Just like what she had read in all her trashy romance novels.

He put down his wine glass. Once she had finished drinking her wine, which had been a slow process as she struggled to swallow, he took hers out of her hands and put it down.

It was just them. Nothing left to stop them.

He begun to kiss her.

First he kissed her neck, making her way up to her cheek and then to her button nose making her giggle nervously again. His hand worked it was up to cup her breast.

He smiled and kissed it again, before kissing her lips. It was more forceful than it has been at the church. Unable to resist nor wanting too she wrapped her arms about his neck, trying to make him hold her tighter not that he needed a lot of persuading, and pulled her closer.

His hands were on her back as their kisses became so intense, and he could feel her back tense.

He leant back in to the bed, and she fell on top of him but their lips did not part. His desire for her was over whelming. The only thing in his mind was his need of her and how he was going to die if he did not take her that night.

His hands left her back and went up to her shoulders, where he pulled off her night robe, revealing the thin night gown she had on.

"Lucius…" she moaned under his touch. She needed him as well. He found the end of her gown and pulled it up and off of her as she clumsily attempted to remove his shirt and trousers…

Three o'clock had come and still the Malfoy's were awake. Snuggled together under the covers he had encased her much smaller body in his and she held his hands tight about her, as she looked up at his face.

Every now and again he bent down and kisses her, making her blush.

"I can't believe I am your wife." she said to him, melting in to him completely.

"Neither can I. I didn't think this day would ever come. But I had to have you. You understand why now I think." he asked her.

"Yes." she said to him.

The moon at that moment moved in the sky and beamed in through the curtains making him note something he had not seen before.

"Cissa…" he said his voiced laced with affection and tenderness …"Cissa , you're crying." he said to her concerned.

"I'm happy." she explained to him, and collapsed in to his arms once again. She was no longer tense or worried. She was only happy, because in that night everything had changed for her. And it was a match of love for her. She did love her husband. And she knew that now. And when she had come to that realization tears of silent joy had cascaded on to her cheeks. Nothing else mattered. She was his lawful wife now.

Until death did they part.

"By this time tomorrow we are going to be on our honey moon." he said to her.

"Yes. Where are we going? You never did tell me." she said to him.

"You'll see, but for now it is a surprise."

She nodded happily as he wiped away her tears, brushing them away. Fresh ones replaced them but not once that night did she stop smiling.

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