LADY MALFOY
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related belongs to J. K. Rowling. And the places I mention, in the story do not belong to me.
Author's note: My beta Pheonix Soar is back and with a bang, people !!! yay !!! cheers to her !!!
I am over the moon because of your awesome reviews. Thank you sooooooooooo much. I am glad you liked it. Also, I wish those of you who dream to have equally lovely wedding, that your dream may come true.
Warnings: AU NON-MAGIC . Harry is a female. You will find swear words but quite seldom. I will add furthur warnings as story progresses.
Chapter 11: The Wedding Breakfast
The picture-gallery was situated on the first floor. It was a large room with a red carpet covering every inch of the marble floor and the walls lined with portraits of what Harriet assumed to be the ancestors. Almost all the Malfoy men had pale skin and white blond hair, Harriet noted as she glanced from one portrait to another.
Alexandra guided them towards the large portrait of Abraxas Malfoy and herself that was hung on the centre of the wall directly across the door. Alexandra, who wore a radiant smile, looked absolutely beautiful and was seated in an ornate chair, whereas the tall, handsome but stern-looking Abraxas stood behind her. Instead of waning with age, Alexandra has only grown more exquisite, Harriet noticed with slight awe. Elizabeth looked, more or less, like how her mother had then.
Alexandra moved forward and opened a wooden box laid on the mahogany table that stood directly below the portrait. The box opened to reveal a large sapphire ring sitting snugly on a cream coloured velvet cloth inside. Alexandra gently took it out and turned to face Draco.
"This ring marks the identity of Lord Malfoy. It signifies the power the person wearing it holds on the family members and businesses. It also reminds the person the duty he has for the well being of the family," she told him.
"With the powers bestowed upon me by our forefathers, I, Alexandra Jasmine Malfoy, declare you, Draco Lucius Malfoy, as Lord Malfoy from hereon," she announced, looking proudly at Draco as she slipped the ring on the middle finger of his right hand.
"May you take the family name to new heights, multiply the riches and connections and make wise decisions by the family members and vassals that you have responsibility towards," Alexandra blessed him, smiling widely.
"Thank you, Grandmother," Draco said solemnly.
Next, turning to Harriet, she said, "Dear Harriet, while Draco is kept busy with running the family businesses and fulfilling the material needs of the family, it is your responsibility as Lady Malfoy to run this household and secure the happiness, comfort and well-being of the family, not just your husband."
"And I have faith that you will perform those duties with efficiency and elegance," Alexandra added warmly.
"I will," Harriet said solemnly. All the while, Draco eyed Harriet with an unreadable expression on his face.
Everyone around broke into applause while Lucius' face turned red with shame and fury and Narcissa' s eyes glittered with rage at her loss.
Draco was receiving congratulations from the family when Francis knocked and entered.
"Madam, the guests have arrived," he informed Alexandra.
"Ah yes, we should not keep them waiting any longer," Alexandra said gesturing everyone to move to the ballroom.
Fred, George, Charlie and Ron were the ones to arrive in the last carriage.
"Bloody hell!" Ron exclaimed as he, Fred and George stared wide-eyed at the huge Manor. Unlike Charlie and Bill, this was the first time they were seeing the Manor.
"Our Harry is going to live here!"
When the footman arrived, "We are the bride's brothers. We have her luggage and wedding gifts with us," Charlie informed him, pointing to the luggage.
"I will take care of it, sir," Landen said moving forward. "Please proceed through this path to the ballroom."
The Malfoy family walked into the ballroom while Harriet and Draco stood outside the doorway, waiting for their signal to enter.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Lord Draco Lucius Malfoy and Lady Harriet Jean Malfoy," a male voice announced loudly.
The guests turned to the doorway and clapped as Draco entered the room with Harriet on his left arm.
It was a large room that was filled with the light fragrance of white and yellow damask roses that decorated it resplendently, along with golden coloured ribbons. Several large diamond-paned glass windows and three huge oak doors that overlooked the beautiful gardens of the Manor were opened widely. A large, beautiful candle-lit chandelier that hung from above at the centre of the room lit the hall brightly along with the sunlight streaming through. Several small round tables covered in white linen cloth and chairs were arranged across the room. An orchestra was playing melodious music at one corner near the dance floor. Loud excited chatter filled the room as men dressed in their best suits and women dressed in lovely dress gowns greeted one another.
At the start of the buffet, a large fruitcake was placed. Alexandra and Draco's cousins gathered around the Bride and the Bridegroom as they cut the cake together.
"You have to feed it to your bride instead of eating yourself, Draco" Laura commented as Draco picked a piece of cake, causing people to burst out laughing.
Draco rolled his eyes, but fed it to a blushing Harriet.
"Now you, dear," Alexandra encouraged Harriet.
As Harriet placed a piece of cake in Draco's mouth, Edgar remarked loudly, "Draco, don't eat off her hand too."
Harriet's blush deepened in embarrassment at his comment while the others laughed again.
Servants dressed in white uniforms stood serving behind the long side-table that held several varieties of bread, hot rolls, buttered toast, roasted chicken and ham, white sauce and eggs along with cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, hot chocolate and cake in expensive china. Waiters walked around the room serving wine in sparkling glasses to the guests.
The Bride and Bridegroom occupied the large table, set in the very front of the hall along with their parents on either side. Alexandra occupied a seat between Draco and Lucius. Together, Harriet and Draco broke their fast for the first time as a couple along with their family and friends.
"The bride and her father are required on the dance floor," the same male voice announced again.
At the announcement, Arthur rose to his feet. Taking her offered hand gently, Arthur led Harriet over to the dance floor while the other Weasleys watched them with wide grins. Once they took their position at the centre of the floor, the orchestra started playing a slow tune. They smiled softly at each other as they glided around with the rhythm. Halfway through the dance, Draco approached them, cutting through. Arthur handed Harriet to Draco with a smile and left. The music changed to a Waltz as Draco took Harriet gently in his arms and she slipped her arm on his shoulder and her hand in his. Their gazes never wavered from each other as they danced flawlessly around the floor.
Molly was sniffing quietly in her handkerchief when Arthur returned to his seat.
"You did wonderfully, Mr. Weasley," Molly said with tear filled eyes.
Arthur patted her hand, smiling in return.
"Ohhh, don't they look divine," Hermione remarked, dreamily watching Draco and Harriet dance.
The audience burst into loud applause when the dance ended. When Draco and Harriet left the floor, several couples took to the dance floor while others mingled among themselves. Children ran around the gardens outside, laughing and giggling.
As Draco finished introducing Harriet to his acquaintances, Hermione approached Harriet and, with a polite excuse, led her away.
"Congratulations, Malfoy, she is ravishing," Mr. Carl Warrington said, his beady eyes watching the retreating form of Harriet with a strange glint.
Draco clenched his jaw at that comment, but before he could open his mouth to retort, Mr. Fawcett intervened, "Just two weeks of notice, Malfoy? Were you worried that we would try to talk you out of it?"
Gilbert Fawcett was the long-standing member of the high-class bachelors club in Wiltshire, as was Carl Warrington whose reason for being a bachelor was that he could never be satisfied with one woman. Draco had been a member of the club for the last 4 years.
"Worried? No. But wouldn't you have?" Draco retorted with a raised brow.
"Of course. The club would certainly miss a challenging player like you, Malfoy," Fawcett told him.
Draco simply inclined his head in reply.
"So, Malfoy, where are you taking your new bride for the honeymoon?" Carl asked, leering as he sipped his wine.
"Nowhere," Draco replied simply.
Warrington looked taken back. "What? Why?" he asked incredulously.
"I could not possibly leave the business at this time of the year," Draco replied, staring down at Carl like he was a dunderhead for not figuring that out by now.
"Business or not, I wouldn't waste a minute in whisking her away if she were mine," Carl replied, gazing lustfully at Harriet across the room.
"What did you say?" Draco hissed in fury, his eyes burning like molten silver.
Before they could come to physical blows, Fawcett intervened again, saying, "I apologise for his behaviour, Malfoy. He is just drunk." With that, he quickly dragged Carl away.
Draco turned and watched Harriet for a long moment before he remembered himself. He downed his drink in a gulp and closed his eyes to calm himself before turning to more pleasant people.
"Congratulations, Alexandra, they make quite a striking pair," Augusta Longbottom said, watching the bridal couple with a calculating gaze.
"They do, don't they!" Alexandra agreed with a proud smile, also watching as Draco introduced Harriet to his business associates and family friends.
"I see that you have gotten wiser and chose a better woman for the family," Augusta remarked with a smirk.
"Draco chose Harriet himself," Alexandra told her with an indulgent smile.
"Well then, you can sleep better knowing that your grandson is turning out to be wiser than your son," Augusta told her.
"I have always known that. But still, how can you say that Draco has chosen better?" Alexandra asked, looking curiously at her
Augusta raised a brow at her as if to say, 'Like you don't know' but decided to indulge Alexandra nonetheless.
"Well, for one, I see no conceit or hard-heartedness in her. Only time will tell whether she has got any brains in that pretty head of hers."
Alexandra nodded in agreement.
"Have you had any success in finding a suitable young woman for Neville?" Alexandra asked her.
"Not so far. That young man is happy, playing in the gardens. Not at all a proper interest for the future Lord," Augusta said, shaking her head in disappointment. "But I am afraid that he would forfeit his inheritance if I pressed him further."
Suddenly, "Harriet, I want you meet a close friend of mine," Alexandra said, stopping Harriet and Hermione who were walking past them.
"Harriet, this is Mrs. Augusta Longbottom. We have been friends since we were in our teens." Alexandra told her, smiling.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Longbottom,," Harriet said with a curtsy, which Augusta returned with a genial smile.
"This is my best friend, Miss Hermione Granger," Harriet introduced to her.
"Mrs. Longbottom," Hermione curtsied to which Augusta replied, "Hello."
"Show us the ring, Harry," Hermione urged excitedly.
Bemused, Harriet withdrew her left hand from the glove and showed a large square-cut diamond-studded golden ring sitting snugly on her delicate finger.
Hermione, Molly and a few other women ohhed and ahhed while staring wide-eyed at the ring while the boys nodded, impressed.
"Fleur, are you all right?" Harriet asked in concern, noticing the tired smile on her face. "You look flushed!"
"I am just a little tired, 'arry" Fleur admitted quietly from her seat beside Bill, who was watching her in concern while holding her hand below the table.
"Oh, I can arrange a guest room for you so you can rest," Harriet offered gently.
"No, no. I will just sit 'ere. I will be fine," Fleur assured her.
"Are you sure?" Harriet pressed. Fleur nodded.
"Let me know if you need anything. Anything at all," Harriet told her insistently.
"I think I could use ze Ladies' room," Fleur said, standing up.
"All right. Come on, I will take you there," Harriet said, taking her arm and guiding her out of the ballroom.
"Her dress isn't anything special. Embossed with just one flower and nothing more. Clearly she has no sense of fashion," Mrs. Patricia Parkinson criticised, staring at Harriet.
"They must have run out of satin. It is, after all, expensive," Mrs. Anita Edgecomb smirked nastily.
Patricia snorted in acceptance.
"Her jewellery doesn't seem to be worth much either," Mrs. Henrietta Greengrass added.
"I still don't understand why young Malfoy married a woman below his status. He is fairer than her and her other features are definitely not that stunning for him to abandon the protocol. There are so many beautiful young girls in our circle. Why there is your daughter, Mrs. Parkinson," Mrs. Edgecomb trailed off, shaking her head.
Patricia's face flushed in embarrassment before taking on a haughty expression, "We don't care that he did not choose Pansy. She has many wealthy and handsome suitors standing in line hoping for her hand in marriage," Mrs. Parkinson boosted.
"Do you think he has some major flaw? Or maybe he got her pregnant? Middle class girls, after all, are known not to have any respect for virtue or self control," Mrs. Greengrass said with disgust.
"That must be it. Oh, of course that would explain so much why the wedding took place in such a hurry!" Mrs. Edgecomb exclaimed, wide-eyed. "You see, they will be revealing the news of her pregnancy in a month's time."
"She doesn't look like she is in delicate condition," Sally-Anne Perks, who was a plain-faced young niece of Mrs. Greengrass, said tentatively as she stared at Harriet, who was standing at a distance talking her father and a man.
"But, of course, women do not start showing until four months, you silly girl," Mrs. Greengrass admonished her with a glare.
Hermione, who was standing nearby, heard their conversation with disgust. She felt sorry for Harriet as she realised that her good-natured friend would have to deal with such conceited people hidden behind the disguise of expensive clothes and ornaments for the rest of her life.
Arthur drew Harriet to a corner to introduce her to a short and exuberant man in his fifties.
"Harry, I want you to meet Mr. Dedalus Diggle. I told you that his family has been working for generations for the Potters in the cotton factory in Wales," Arthur said.
"Yes," Harriet agreed. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Diggle." Harriet curtsied with a smile.
"Pleasure meeting you again, Mrs. Malfoy," Mr. Diggle said, bowing deeply. "The ceremony was absolutely splendid!"
"Thank you."
"I know this is not the place to give you your wedding gift, but I thought I should give this to you personally," Mr. Diggle said, extending a rectangular shaped brown package held with a white bow towards Harriet.
"Thank you," she replied, taking it.
"You can open it if you want," he added with a slight urge.
Harriet frowned at him in curiosity before opening it. It was a golden frame that held a black and white picture of a young couple.
"This photo was taken on your parents wedding. I remembered the photographer and persuaded him to make a copy," he told her gently as tears filled in her eyes at the sight of her parents.
After composing herself, "Thank you for this valuable gift, Mr. Diggle," she said gratefully. "I do not even remember how they looked."
Mr. Diggle looked more than happy to tell her about her birth parents.
"Except for your hair, you have inherited all your mother's features. Mrs. Potter had dark red hair," he told her.
Harriet listened, fascinated as he talked about James and Lily Potter. In the years that she had lived with the Dursleys, Harriet had often wondered about her parents. But her longing had lessened over the years since the Weasleys had adopted her.
"Hello, Blaise," Harriet said, coming to stand beside Blaise.
"You look absolutely radiant, Harry!" Blaise remarked, smiling at her.
At the vague smile she gave in return, "How do you feel, Harry?" Blaise asked seriously.
"Terrified, absolutely terrified!" Harriet confided to him nervously.
After a moment's silence, Harriet whispered, "I did the right thing, right Blaise?"
"I am hardly the person to answer that question, Harry," Blaise said warily.
Then, remembering their audience, Blaise said quietly, "You should go."
Harriet nodded in understanding before walking away.
"Harry, this is brilliant!" Ron remarked, gulping down his fifth glass of hot chocolate with gusto.
Harriet smiled indulgently while Hermione, who was sitting beside her, huffed in irritation before standing up and leaving.
Ron stared bewildered at her retreating form before turning to Harriet with a frown. Harriet shook her head in dismay before saying, "Ron, don't you think you should ask Hermione to dance at least once?"
"But I hate dancing. And she knows it, too," Ron whined petulantly.
"Doesn't matter. Ask her to dance," Harriet ordered him sternly.
A little distance from them, "Look at her brother, he is drinking chocolate as if he hadn't tasted it in his whole life," Miss Dobbs said, wrinkling her nose a little.
"With the lack of money, it might be true!" Miss Cappar replied with disdain.
"It was a lovely wedding, Harriet!" Mrs. Nancy Smith told her. Her husband, Mr. Edward Smith was Arthur's boss.
"Thank you, Mrs. Smith," Harriet replied politely.
"Where are you going for the honeymoon?" She inquired nosily. Mrs. Smith was known to be the biggest gossip in the whole of Biddestone.
Harriet definitely did not want to answer her for fear of being the topic of gossip for the next several weeks, but she knew that if she didn't, they would take it as an offence.
"We couldn't especially since Mr. Malfoy can't leave business this time of the year," she lied, but seeing the frowns on their faces, she quickly added with a smile, "Besides, seeing around Tisbury will be quite an experience for me, I should think. I have never been here."
"Excuse me," saying that, Harriet quickly left to escape further enquires. Mr. Malfoy had told her firmly before marriage that he had no intention of leaving his grandmother in the Manor, especially in her current condition, even for appearance's sake. She had quickly nodded in understanding in response.
"She certainly seems to be quite acceptable," Mrs. Angela Corner, wife of Arthur's colleague, Mr. Evan Corner, commented with raised brows.
"Oh, they all will be acceptable at the start," Mr. Smith mumbled under his breath.
"Of course, she is! She must be counting herself lucky for snagging such a wealthy and handsome husband. She has no cause for complain," Mrs. Smith answered with a snort.
"She certainly fooled everyone in the village with her naïve and innocent looks. She doesn't look like she feels the least bit guilty for breaking young Cedric's heart. Oh, how I feel for the poor boy," Mrs. Smith continued.
Knowing that his wife about to launch into full-blown gossip, Mr. Smith excused himself and drifted away. But Mrs. Corner and the other women were listening intently to her.
"Young Ginny, it seems, became quite upset about it. I heard that the sisters hadn't spoken a word to one another since young Malfoy proposed," she told them conspiratorially. "Why wouldn't she? After all, Ginny is fairer than Harriet. And unlike Harriet, she comes from a well known background."
Mrs. Corner nodded in agreement.
"Consorting with classes beneath us now, Malfoy?" Antonin Dolohov, Lucius' long-term acquaintance, sneered, throwing a disdainful look at the group of red heads and Harriet standing at a distance from them.
"Apparently, my mother and son have lost their minds!" Lucius spat, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his cane tightly.
"I thought Draco had more sense than to be swayed simply by a pretty face," Dolohov tutted mockingly.
"I am not surprised. Draco had always been soft with their sort," Lucius admitted contemptuously. "And growing up under my mother's tutelage certainly hadn't helped him."
"So, how exactly do you plan on curing Draco of his madness, seeing that you have lost any opportunity to gain back the Lordship?" Dolohov purred, raising a brow at Lucius.
"Watch your place, Dolohov. I can still destroy you," Lucius hissed in outrage before stalking off.
"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy, congratulations on your son's nuptials," Mrs. Greengrass called with a simper, walking with Mrs. Parkinson and Mrs. Edgecomb towards Narcissa who had her back turned to them.
Narcissa closed her eyes, praying for patience. She had been hoping to avoid them all throughout the party. But it seemed she had been unsuccessful.
"Thank you," Narcissa replied, finally turning around.
"You have certainly outdone yourself with the arrangements," Mrs. Edgecomb mock complimented her though she very well knew who had arranged the event, seeing that the servants kept coming to Alexandra for further instructions.
"Well, of course. It is, after all, her only son's wedding!" Mrs. Parkinson smirked, throwing a knowing look at Narcissa. "So, how did this union come about, Mrs. Malfoy? I remember you saying that young Draco had decided to stay a bachelor for the rest of his life!"
"I thought so, too, until he thoroughly surprised us with the news of him falling in love with Miss Potter. His father and I were not at all happy when he first announced his wish to marry her, but conceded at last. We could not say no to our only son, after all," Narcissa finished with a sweet smile.
"Of course," Mrs. Parkinson said bitterly.
"But what baffles me is that it hasn't even been 24 hours since your daughter-in-law stepped into the manor and still she is declared as Lady Malfoy when you are in such healthy state," Mrs. Greengrass said with mock innocence and a confused look on her face.
Narcissa snorted internally. All she wanted to do was wring their necks.
"You see, my husband and I fell so much in love with France, we decided to transfer the responsibilities permanently to my son and his wife and continue to stay there," Narcissa answered with a smile while those words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Of course, after all, it is such a beautiful country," Mrs. Edgecomb agreed.
"Susan tells me you played the matchmaker, Mr. Zabini," Mr. Edgar Bones, his father-in-law commented. "Look how much good it did Harriet to befriend you."
"I hope she realizes how fortunate she is, to have married the most eligible bachelor in the whole of Wiltshire," Mrs. Bones added in agreement.
Both Blaise and his mother exchanged exasperated looks.
'But Draco is the lucky one. And I hope he realizes that soon,' Blaise thought internally, gazing at Draco, but outwardly he simply agreed with his in-laws.
"Congratulations, Draco, everything went without a hitch," Blaise said, standing beside Draco.
"Yes."
"Any problems with your parents?" Blaise enquired lowly.
"They haven't accepted her as their daughter-in-law," Draco simply replied.
"No surprise there!" Blaise snorted, shaking his head.
"My family thought so, too," Draco said, sparing a glance at Blaise.
"So, no degrading comments to Harry about her family and such?" Blaise asked further.
"No. Grandmother never gave them a chance. Her warning kept them quiet during the wedding. Here, the little time we had before the guests arrived was spent with me introducing the family to her and, later, Grandmother gave me the title," Draco admitted.
"Congratulations on your Lordship, Draco. Are you happy?" Blaise asked him, peering at his face closely.
Draco watched him with a calculating gaze for a long moment before answering at last, "Yes, although I would have been happier if I didn't have to deal with this secret agreement."
Blaise simply shook his head.
"Draco!" A handsome, black haired man in his late forties exclaimed happily, his arms wide open. "I apologise for my late arrival. Congratulations on your nuptials, by the way."
Draco inclined his head with a small smile on his face.
"Regulus told me of Mrs. Black's condition. He said you might not able to come to the wedding at all," Draco said in return, his eyes showing his pleasure at seeing the man.
"Oh yes, Olivia gave birth to a baby girl last night. I did not want to leave them at all, but she insisted that I should attend your wedding," the man told him, smiling widely as his grey eyes shone brightly.
"Congratulations on your fatherhood," Draco greeted with a smile. "How are the mother and the child?"
Inclining his head a little in response, "Both are doing well. Resting now, I should think," the man answered and then jokingly added, "Well, what about you? Where is your bride? Don't tell me you have lost her already!"
Draco shook his head and guided the man to where Harriet was talking to the Weasleys.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Draco called. When she turned around, he said, "I want you to meet my cousin, Lord Sirius Black."
"Nice to meet you, Lord Black," Harriet curtsied with a genial smile.
"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Malfoy," Sirius said, bowing with a wide smile.
"He is Regulus's older brother. He just arrived. He couldn't make it to the wedding since his wife, Mrs. Olivia Black, gave birth to a girl last night," Draco told her.
"Oh, congratulations, Mr. Black," Harriet said brightly. "Can I know the baby's name?"
"Her name is Isabella," Sirius announced happily.
"That is a beautiful name!" Harriet complimented, her green eyes shining with pleasure, while Draco nodded in approval.
"You look very familiar, Mrs. Malfoy. Have we met before?" Sirius enquired, frowning a little.
"I do not believe so, sir," Harriet said with a smile.
"Oh," Sirius said, his handsome face not losing the frown. "Can I ask you your maiden name?"
"It is Potter," she told him promptly.
"Are you, by any chance, related to the late Lord James Potter of Godric Hollow, Wales?" Sirius asked wide-eyed, his tone hopeful.
"Yes, he was my father. Did you know him?" Harriet asked with a frown.
"Know him! Your Father and I were close friends since Eton. Later, we went to Oxford University together. After our education, we both took our Lordships. Our meetings waned a little seeing that the Potters lived in Wales and the Blacks in London. Only after I came from a long business trip from America did I hear the news of your parents' tragic demise," Sirius told her, a pained look on his face. "I tried to find you, but before I could, I heard of your demise."
The colour on Harriet's face drained as she shot a gaze at Draco.
"She is not dead seeing that she is standing right in front of you," Draco drawled with a scowl.
"I am so sorry. I did not mean to upset you by bringing this up. I am just shocked to see you," Sirius admitted regretfully, also noticing her stricken expression.
Harriet slowly nodded in acceptance.
After a moment of awkward silence, "So how did you come to live with the Weasleys?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Sirius, we can talk about that later in your stay," Draco drawled pointedly.
Understanding, Sirius gave them a sheepish look before saying, "Oh no, I planned to give you my wishes and return to London by the evening train."
Draco made a disapproving noise from the back of his throat. "Nonsense. At least stay for the night. You can leave tomorrow morning," Draco drawled firmly. "You do not want to upset Grandmother, do you?"
With a sigh, Sirius agreed.
"Where is Aunt Alexandra anyway? I see that she did a marvellous job with the wedding arrangements," he said, glancing around the room. "Oh, there she is! I must go greet her. Excuse me. Mrs. Malfoy, we will talk more later," he smiled before leaving.
Harriet turned to Draco when he made a loud, exasperated sigh.
"He may seem to be loud and boisterous, but he is good man," Draco told her.
Alexandra made her way to where Harriet and Draco were standing. A servant followed behind with a tray covered in a cloth.
"Dear, the tray has broken cakes. Would you like to distribute them among your friends and relatives?" Alexandra asked Harriet in a whisper, a secretive smile on her face.
Smiling, Harriet answered, "Thank you. I would love to."
Alexandra handed her the tray with a wink. Harriet walked to where Hermione, Ginny and a few other girls were sitting huddled together, watching eagerly as Harriet walked towards them.
"Looks like you already know the reason for my arrival, huh?" Harriet said in amusement.
"We noticed Lady Malfoy walking into the room with the tray and guessed," Luna, the eccentric friend of Ginny, answered simply.
"So, did we guess right?" Hannah asked hopefully, her eyes never leaving the tray on Harriet's hand.
When Harriet intentionally did not answer her, "Well?" Ginny prompted with irritation.
"Dear girls, I brought broken cakes!" Harriet announced, pulling the cloth on the tray with a flourish.
Their eyes widened in excitement as Harriet passed them the tray. Molly and the other women watched the girls with amusement. Each girl grabbed a piece of cake and carefully folded it in a hanky.
As Hermione took a piece, Harriet leaned closer to her and whispered, "You don't really need one, Hermione, I should think."
"Shut up, Harry!" Hermione hissed, a flush spreading around her cheeks. "Beside, you are the bride here. I should be the one to tease you, not the other way around."
Harriet shrugged with a smile.
"Anyway, thank you for talking to your brother," Hermione said vaguely, gesturing to the dance floor. "I know it was your doing," she added in exasperation.
Harriet smiled, remembering the look of absolute delight that had crossed Hermione's face when Ron had asked her to dance.
"Be grateful. He has his eyes set on only one woman this time, Hermione," Harriet said with a wink before walking away. Hermione watched her with a thoughtful look on her face.
Around three in the afternoon, the guests started to leave. Draco and Harriet, standing at the doorway, bid them farewell, accepting their wishes one last time.
"The wedding was a delightful affair, Mr and Mrs. Draco Malfoy," Minerva said formally.
"Thank you."
"Don't forget to visit us when you are in Chippenham next time," Albus reminded them pleasantly. Minerva nodded in agreement.
Harriet nodded with a smile.
"Harriet, Poppy requested that I give this letter to you," Minerva said, handing her the envelope.
By four, most of the guests had left.
"The Bride, Bridegroom and the family members, please move to the gardens. The photographer is here," Alexandra announced when Landen arrived with a thin, balding man carrying the equipment.
As everyone moved to the gardens, Harriet quietly grabbed Hermione, who was sitting on one of the chairs, and dragged her along. When they arrived, several chairs were already arranged in a row in front of the beautiful rose shrubs.
First, the Bridegroom's family was asked to sit with the Bride and Bridegroom occupying the centre seats. Harriet internally sighed in relief when Alexandra took the seat beside her. Harriet felt cold vibes directed towards her from Draco's parents whenever she stood near them.
FLASH
Next, Arthur took a seat beside Draco whereas Molly sat beside Harriet. Ginny and Fleur occupied the remaining seats while the Weasley boys stood behind them. Before the photo was taken, Harriet protested, "Wait! I want Hermione and Blaise to be included in it."
Before they could open their mouth to protest, Alexandra was already pushing them forward and a servant added one more chair.
"You are right. She will be part of the family soon, anyhow," Molly breathed. Swirling around, Harriet stared wide-eyed at Molly before breaking into a wide smile when Molly winked.
FLASH
"Next, just the Bride and Bridegroom!" Alexandra announced gleefully.
Harriet and Draco were asked to stand under the blossoming orange tree.
Alexandra, who was standing beside the photographer, hissed discreetly at him, "Tell the Groom to put his arm around the Bride's shoulders."
"What?" the photographer said incredulously.
"Do it!" Alexandra hissed, throwing a withering glare at him before walking away.
The man gulped before stuttering, "Er, sir, could you move ... cl – loser… to the lady and pu … put your arm … er … around her … er … shoulders?"
"What?" Draco yelled in disbelief.
The photographer gulped once again at Draco's smouldering gaze. But before he could say anything, Edgar came to his rescue.
"Oh yes, I heard it is the pose that is picking up new trend in London these days. My friend, Ethan, who picked up the hobby, told me," Edgar said, nodding his head in agreement.
Draco narrowed his eyes at him, but Edgar looked back innocently.
Sighing in irritation, Draco put his arms around Harriet and pulled her closer. Startled, Harriet, who till now had been staring at the ground intently in embarrassment at being the object of everyone's attention, jerked her head up to stare incredulously at him. Noticing her gaze, Draco simply stared back.
Alexandra, again moving closer to the photographer, hissed urgently, "Take it, take it!"
"What?" the photographer asked stupidly.
Frustrated, Alexandra hissed again, "Take the damn photo!"
"But they are not looking at the camera!" he argued.
"I said take it!" Alexandra hissed angrily.
Confused and seriously afraid, he pulled the cap.
FLASH
Alexandra gave him a satisfied grin, which turned to exasperation, when a startled Draco and Harriet turned to the camera.
"Look what you did! They weren't even looking at the camera!" Alexandra exclaimed dramatically.
The photographer stared, bewildered, at her, confused beyond belief.
Ignoring his look, Alexandra sighed loudly, "What can we do now? Take another one, I should think. A proper one this time!"
Blaise and Edgar, who had been watching the proceedings closely, snickered quietly behind their hands.
Shaking his head, the photographer said, "Ready?"
FLASH
"Goodbye, Harry," Blaise said before leaving with his family.
"We are leaving too, Harry," Arthur said. Molly and the children, along with Hermione, were gathered behind. They were the only ones in the sitting room.
"But can't you stay a little longer?" Harriet urged them, her expression hopeful.
"Sorry, beloved, but we must get back to The Burrow before nightfall since it looks like it is going to rain tonight," Arthur told her gently.
"You could stay the night. Lady Malfoy would be happy to arrange guest rooms for all of you," Harriet insisted.
"I am sure she would. But we are the bride's family and it will be wrong on our part to overstay our visit at our daughter's in-laws," Molly explained calmly.
Deeply frowning, "So, you will leave me all alone here because of some stupid tradition?" Harriet hissed unreasonably in anger, her eyes filled with tears.
"Oh dear," Molly sighed. Taking the stubbornly resisting Harriet in an embrace, Molly said, "You are not alone here. This is your new home and the people in it are your family now."
When Harriet made a disapproving noise and tried to get away, Molly held her tightly and said firmly, "But that doesn't mean you are no longer a Weasley. Because no matter where you live or what name you assume, you will always be a Weasley."
A sob emitted from Harriet as she held her mother equally tightly. Tears flowed from her eyes unchecked as Harriet hugged her father and brothers one last time.
"Remember what we said about using pranks, Harry," George whispered seriously in her ear. Harriet simply nodded.
Giving her an encouraging smile, Hermione next embraced her closely and whispered, "I want all the details of your wedding night through your letters. I will be expecting at least one in a week. Although I think it would be more interesting to hear you relay it in person while blushing profusely."
"Hermione!" Harriet exclaimed in disbelief, wide-eyed.
Hermione returned it with a feigned, innocent look.
Shaking her head, Harriet turned back to her parents.
"Take care of yourself, sweetheart. I want letters from you every week, young lady!" Molly said sternly.
Harriet nodded sadly and Molly kissed her cheeks.
"Good bye, Harry," Ginny said as everyone walked out of the room.
Draco and his family, except Lucius and Narcissa, were waiting for them at the entrance hall when they arrived.
After exchanging farewells, the Weasleys and Hermione left. Seeing the sad and longing look on Harriet's face, Draco looked away in discomfort. Alexandra internally sighed in disappointment and put her arm around Harriet and, with a smile, led her inside.
Taking into account Harriet's flushed face and blood shot eyes, Alexandra summoned Francis.
"Harriet, this is Francis, our butler," Alexandra introduced him when he arrived.
Francis was an elderly man with a kind face who bowed to Harriet.
"Francis, please show Harriet to the guest room," Alexandra ordered and then, turning to Emily, she asked, "Emily dear, could you accompany her please? I am sure all of us could use some rest before dinner."
"Especially you, Grandmother," Draco drawled, throwing a stern look at her.
"Of course, Grandmother," Emily said, standing up. "Come on, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Please, call me Harriet," Harriet requested her.
Nodding, Emily asked, "Are you all right, Harriet?"
"Yes, I am fine," Harriet lied unconvincingly
"Don't worry. We will take such care of you that you won't notice their absence," Emily said smiling.
"I wish I could change the dress," Harriet murmured, after the butler left the room.
"But you can't!" Emily protested immediately.
"I know," Harriet assured her with a weak smile.
"That's right. Only my cousin could that," Emily said slyly.
"Miss Parkin!" Harriet gasped in disbelief, wide-eyed.
Not the least bit regretful, she shrugged, "Oh, you can call me, Emily. Whole family does."
"Umm, maybe you can remove your veil," Emily added thoughtfully a little later.
"Really?" Harriet asked hopefully.
"Sure. I will help you with it," Emily said, walking up to her.
"Thank you."
Night had fallen. Around half past six in the evening, Francis returned to inform them that dinner was served. Then he led them through the faintly lit long corridors to the large dining room.
Harriet's eyes widened at the sight of the long table that seated around thirty people comfortably at once. The room was bathed in bright golden glow emitting from several candles that stood along the middle of the table.
Noticing her expression, "Meals are served here when we are entertaining guests. Usually we eat at the other, much smaller dining room," Emily explained quietly as they walked further.
Emily and Harriet were the last ones to arrive. When they did, everyone else stood up. Harriet gave them a nervous smile. Draco pulled a seat for her beside him whereas Emily took a seat beside Natalie.
"We are having an early dinner since Nathan and Peter are returning to London this evening," Alexandra told her.
"Oh."
"Yes, tomorrow Morgan will escort Victoria, Katie and Mathew to London. Edgar will leave for Newbiggin with Elizabeth and Emily. Even Laura is leaving with her husband tomorrow," Alexandra continued, her tone clearly implying how upset she was about it.
Draco sighed heavily before pointedly looking at his aunts and uncles.
"I am really sorry, Grandmother. But we promise we will be here the day Christmas vacations start," Edgar said solemnly. The others nodded in agreement.
The matter ended when Alexandra nodded half-heartedly.
Dinner was an extravagant affair with the servants bringing several courses, but Harriet could not bring herself to eat much. Only out of fear of offending them, Harriet ate a little. Other than the clinking of utensils, no noise was heard.
"How are you doing, Mrs. Malfoy?" Draco suddenly enquired Harriet in a whisper.
Startled, Harriet turned and blinked at him. "I am fine."
"Indeed?" Draco arched a brow in disbelief, staring pointedly at her still red rimmed green eyes at which Harriet turned away from his intense gaze.
"Were the guest rooms adequate?" Draco asked her further.
"They were more than satisfactory," Harriet whispered in reply.
After a brief pause, "I hope my cousin wasn't too much trouble for you?" Draco said, a slight question in his hushed tone.
At her questioning look, "Despite her age, Emily tends to act childishly at times. A trait shared by her brother, I am afraid," Draco said in exasperation, though his tone was slightly fond.
Shaking her head a little, "She is delightful to be around. I like her," Harriet told him honestly. Draco watched her with an unreadable expression on his face.
"What are you two whispering about?" Edgar asked loudly from across the table, thoroughly startling Draco, Harriet and the others.
Draco sighed before turning to him with a raised brow.
Making a frustrated noise at the back of his throat, "Draco, do you know how irritating it is to receive a raised brow instead of a verbal reply to every question?" Edgar complained
Harriet bit her lip to stop the suddenly giggle that tried to escape from her mouth as she stared intently at her plate.
Everyone else turned and looked expectantly at Draco with amused looks.
"Is that so?" Draco drawled slowly. "I had no idea my expression bothered you so much. I, however, don't think I can change that."
"Oh. God, save poor Mrs. Draco Malfoy, who will no doubt be on the receiving end of that irritating expression everyday from now on," Edgar moaned dramatically, throwing a sympathetic look at Harriet.
Harriet's cheeks turned pink.
"I don't think she needs your prayers considering that she never claimed to have a problem with it," Draco drawled, rolling his eyes.
"Dear Cousin, everyone has a problem with it and there can only be two reasons why she did not complain yet. Either she does not want to hurt your sensibilities or she is afraid of you," Laura replied with a smirk.
"So which is it, Harriet?" Emily asked eagerly.
Harriet flushed under everyone's gaze, especially Draco's intense one.
Clearly her throat delicately, Harriet said nervously, "I do not have a problem with Mr. Malfoy's expression."
"Now you are lying, Harriet!" Emily declared.
"That means she is afraid of you, Draco," Edgar said, directing a reprimanding look at him.
"I am not afraid of him!" Harriet denied vehemently.
Everyone burst of laughing while Draco shook his head in dismay.
After Nathan and Peter left for London immediately after dinner, everyone retired to the drawing room where tea was served. A couple of hours later, Alexandra announced that they all should retire to bed, having noted their tired faces.
At the announcement, Laura, Edgar, Emily and Natalie exchanged sly looks and turned to Draco and Harriet. Harriet, who had already been dreading this moment, felt more nervous at their smirks whereas Draco watched them nonchalantly.
"You heard, Grandmother, let us go," Laura declared to the bride and the groom. Alexandra watched them with an amused look.
"Although you must be itching for this moment, huh?" Edgar whispered slyly to Draco as they walked to the Master rooms.
Draco directed a most withering glare at him.
On reaching the rooms, Edgar pushed the heavy doors open. Standing at the threshold, Laura said, glancing between Harriet and Draco, "This is the last step to which we accompany you. You have to proceed further yourself."
"Maybe we should ask Draco to carry Harriet inside," Emily said excitedly.
"Nah, poor thing looks already flushed. He might drop her in the process," Laura said, throwing pitying looks at him, which he returned with a sneer. "OK, you can go inside."
After Harriet and he had walked inside, "Thank you," Draco said mockingly, loudly closing the doors on their faces.
Harriet watched anxiously as Draco bolted the door tightly, but before he could turn around, she turned and pretended to be inspecting the rooms.
Like the dining the room, the sitting room was lit with candles and brightly burning wood in the fireplace that gave off warmth. It was a spacious room furnished with comfortable, soft looking chairs with fluffy cushions, a study table and chair at one corner, doors and large windows though closed and draped with heavy royal blue coloured velvet curtains with silver trimmings. The room was decorated with beautiful items while the marble floor was covered with a soft blue carpet. The cream coloured walls were adorned with expensive paintings and a large ornate wall clock. A mahogany bookcase holding a few books and artefacts was placed along one wall. Plump red damask roses, filling the porcelain vases, spilled light fragrance around the room.
"The Master rooms are occupied by the family member who is currently the head of the family. These rooms belonged to Grandmother a couple of months back," Draco told her as she looked around the room with barely concealed awe.
"She had the rooms refurbished for the new Lord. I myself am seeing the rooms for the first time since," Draco admitted to her as he looked around.
"They are exquisite," Harriet said reverently.
"Yes," he agreed. Then gesturing to the other door, he added, "Through this door is the bedroom."
"Oh," Harriet said nervously as she walked inside.
The large bedroom was designed in the same colours. Harriet's eyes bugged at the sight of the king-sized bed covered in cream sheets, soft and fluffy looking pillows and surrounded by dark blue coloured drapes, situated in the middle of the room with bedside tables on either side, which held the carved silver candle stand and a bell, which she reckoned, meant to call on the servants. A love seat was placed against the closed glass-paned window. Fire was crackling merrily in the large fireplace, bathing and warming the room with its golden glow. Several vases that were filled with red damask roses decorated the room. The room had two other doors.
Harriet opened one that led to the smaller dressing room. Two huge mahogany wardrobes occupied the two opposite walls. Harriet decided that the one outside, near which her luggage was placed, belonged to her. A beautiful ornate dressing table was placed against the wall at the centre. When she returned to the bedroom, she assumed that the other door led to the bathroom.
When Draco thought that she had finished her inspection, he cleared his throat loudly to draw Harriet's attention.
When Harriet turned to face him, Draco said, "I will wait in the sitting room while you change for the night."
Before she could say anything, he walked out the room, closing the door behind him.
Not wanting to make him wait longer, Harriet quickly walked back to the dressing room and removed her jewellery and gloves. Then she opened her luggage and pulled out a nightgown. After carefully removing her wedding gown, she struggled with the hooks on the back of the petticoat and then with the knots at the back of the corset. She always had either her mother or Ginny or even Nancy to assist her with them at The Burrow. She seriously hoped that she was not expected to wear them by herself from now on, because in no way could she wear them on her own. Next came out the stockings.
Donning her nightgown over the chemise and socks, Harriet pulled out the silver springs from her hair and loosened her bun. She sighed in relief as her long hair cascaded down her back, relieving the weight on her nape. After brushing the hair, she loosely braided it.
She did not spend much time admiring the large bathroom that consisted of a large oval shaped ornate mirror placed above a large porcelain basin filled with water and a large bathtub.
Finished, Harriet quickly walked towards the closed door, noting with a wince that she had taken nearly fifteen minutes. As she was about to pull them open, she felt herself shy to appear in her current attire before Draco. She struggled with herself for another five minutes before deciding that she could not spend the next three years shut inside the room or locking Draco outside.
She finally opened the door only to find Draco snoozing lightly on a chair, a book loosely held in his hand and his leather boots discarded on the carpeted floor beside his socked feet. Feeling incredibly guilty for making him wait, Harriet soundlessly walked up to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Harriet gently shook him awake.
Startled, Draco turned his sharp gaze on her.
Draco took a moment to notice her form. Harriet was dressed in a cream coloured nightgown with its long sleeves trimmed with lace. Her black tresses beautifully framed her heart shaped face and, without the red paint, her full lips looked dark pink. Her green eyes and light golden skin glowed brilliantly in the light of the fire.
Blushing under his intense stare, "Sorry, I made you wait this long," Harriet said sheepishly. "You can change now. I will wait here."
Nodding, Draco stood up and walked inside, closing the door behind. If Harriet thought she had taken a long time, then Draco took double that time to dress. Remembering Poppy's letter, she grabbed the envelope and eagerly opened it.
Dearest Harriet, First, please pass on my congratulations to your husband for winning such a wife. Secondly, I want to say how much I regret not being able to attend your wedding. I am sure it was beautiful. No doubt, I will be hearing all about it from your mother and those who attended it. Last night, Timmy got sick again and had to spend the night in the clinic. His condition has improved, but he still needs all my attention for a couple of days. If not for the occupational hazard, I would not have missed your wedding for anything. I admit I was looking quite forward to it. If anyone can understand it, I know you can. Please forgive me and accept my wishes of your long and healthy marriage. Also, don't forget to bring your husband by my house when you visit Biddestone. I would very much like to meet the young man who stole our Harriet from us. With Love, Poppy Pomfrey Harriet smiled sadly as she finished reading the letter.
Several minutes later, Draco called her inside. Harriet awkwardly walked in and stood staring at the bed blankly.
"We will have to share the bed since there is no furniture in the rooms big enough for a person to sleep in comfortably. The floor is no good either since it gets cold in the night despite the carpet and heat," Draco said reasonably, though his countenance nonchalant.
When Harriet reluctantly nodded, Draco asked, "Do you prefer any particular side of the bed?"
"No."
"Then you don't mind taking the side closer to the window?" Draco prodded her.
Harriet shook her head.
Nodding, Draco sat on the bed and looked expectantly at the still standing Harriet.
Sighing heavily, "Despite my cousins' insinuations, I intend to keep my word, Mrs. Malfoy," Draco told her seriously.
Harriet turned red in mortification and quickly walked to the bed. As they settled on the soft, fluffy bed, she realised that the bed was big enough to accommodate them comfortably without them ever touching the other. She slowly lay on the bed with her back turned to Draco who lay on his back on his side after blowing the candles off.
After a moment of silence, "Now, I understand why you get along with Fred and George better than my other brothers," Harriet said in an amused tone.
"What?" Draco asked confusedly, turning to stare at her back.
"I wondered so why you got along so well with them when all the people who visit The Burrow go out of their way to avoid them, afraid of being pranked!" she answered in the same tone.
Snorting softly, Draco said, "Goodnight, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Goodnight, Mr. Malfoy."
Author's note: Pfft that was one long chapter there!!!
To the explanations then,
About the dance, Groom cutting in the middle of the dance between Father of the Bride and the Bride signifies that the Father is now passing the ownership of this daughter permenantly to the groom.
About broken cakes: In those days, it was believed that when an unmarried young woman sleeps with that broken cake under her pillow, she would dream about her future husband. Again no sugar in those cakes. *rolling my eyes here* thankfully guys!!!
About Parkinson's comment: Poverty was so much that people did not have money to get married so the man and woman lived together and got married when they did have money or when the woman got pregnant. Most of middle class and lower class women were already pregnant when they got married. It was mostly common in cities.
Continue sending me your wonderful reviews, constructive criticisms, please, no, pretty please!!!
Those of you who are waiting for Harriet/Draco moments, from next chapter onwards, almost all chapters will be on them. I am eager for them myself!!