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Twisting round, she found herself confronted with the image of herself bedecked in her wedding dress. And how beautiful she looked. This mirror only made her love herself more in this dress. She loved the feeling of it against her, like she felt what she was preparing to do was the most right thing in the entire world.
"What do you think?" She looked at her sister and Mother's reflection in the mirror. Her Mother's face shone back in a half-hearted smile. She was dressed in fine robes of purple, Bellatrix in Red as she had requested when asked to be bridesmaid. Rather grudgingly, is it be said. Narcissa's other bridesmaid, Iva Zabini was off seeing to the final touches of the wedding.
"Well," Bella grasped the train of the dress, "It's not the Blacks that paid for this one."
"The Blacks are not paying for anything," Narcissa answered sweetly, "Lucius paid it all. And Father wouldn't give me anything."
Her Mother sighed slowly, then stood up. She had never been close to her Mother and given that her Mother did not approve, she had been very surprised indeed that she had accepted Narcissa's invitation to join her in her suite before the event. She hadn't expected anyone to help her with this wedding but she had known her Mother wanted to, it was the only wedding of her three daughters that would reflect the society she wanted. Six hundred of the royalty of the Wizarding world were waiting downstairs in the ballroom. The buffet was being prepared, the wedding band was setting up and she knew that somewhere Lucius was twisting his thumbs. And that Alphius Dodge would be preparing himself for the ceremony. And even if her father forbade it and then evidence was painted in bruises across her face; Druella was determined to be part of this wedding.
"My wedding was the best," Bella grinned nastily at Narcissa's reflection, "I wore a black corse-"
"We know what you wore, we saw the pictures!" Druella snapped, "I'm glad you took them, the shame that caused! Never inviting your family!"
"Oh do hush, Mother," Bella cooed, standing up to come to the other side of Narcissa's reflection, "You are truly stunning, Narcissa. It's a shame you are wasting it on Malfoy, though he is thoroughly charming and offensively rich. Oh, and gorgeous."
"Bellatrix-" her Mother thought better of berating and instead looked at her youngest daughter "You are beautiful Narcissa, I haven't looked at you properly for years."
She looked at her Mother, then to her sister and then back again and wondered how her family had come to this. Why her sister had become so wild and why her other had disappeared? And her Mother, when was the last time she had spoken to her Mother in anything more than trivialities.
"You have grown into a beautiful bird," her Mother suddenly seemed to well with tears, "You are not going to be ruined, promise me you won't let him ruin you."
"She's not you, Mother," Bellatrix said quietly, anger in her voice as she stared with animosity at her own Mothers reflection. The tiger was never to be tamed in Bellatrix. Druella looked weakly at both her daughters, the dark and beautiful Bellatrix and the cold Narcissa and then stared at her own feet.
But Narcissa could not bear Bellatrix's cruelty, she could not stand to see her Mother in so much pain.
"Mother," she whispered as Bellatrix left the dressing room of her suite and walked across to a decanter, from which she poured a large glass of fire whiskey, "I am so glad you came today."
"Thank you," her Mother reached out to her hand, "Thank you very much."
Narcissa never wanted to justify herself to anyone but she felt so much pity for the Mother whom she barely knew that she found herself trying to comfort her as they waited for noon. She wondered why this had come to this, why in those school days of Hogsmede she had never seen the sadness in her Mother's eyes.
"He is not bad Mother," she said quietly, "I-I love him."
She had always known her Mother did not believe in love so this had not been a particularly intelligent thing to say but Druella reached out uncharacteristically and brushed a stray tendril of hair from her face, "You are my hope," she smiled gently, "You were this beautiful thing and intelligent bundle of hope. And I want you to run and come to me if ever he-"
"Enough Mother," she turned away to slip on her shoes, "I would not allow him to do anything to me, and I know he will not. He loves me."
"After today," her mother pressed on, "I will not see you again, Narcissa. Your Father will not allow and I will not disobey him. I am sorry about this."
"I knew about that, Mother," she turned to her as her veil swished behind her and the long train of her dress, "I understood what marrying Lucius would mean for my Father."
"I know," Druella sighed as a knock came to the door. Instead of sitting idle, Druella raised herself up and answered. It was Yaxley, Lucius' friend and best man on the day and Snape, his young 'apprentice' who had been around the house a lot more of late. He nodded curtly to both ladies as he strode into the room with the nervous Snape in tow.
"Narcissa," he smiled, "You look stunning. Lucius shall be pleased."
"Thank you Yaxley," she smiled graciously at both men and Snape nodded slightly. Yaxley moved towards her and put out his hands, so that what he was carrying became more material. It was a leather case, with which she had become familiar. From Lucius' favorite jeweler in Paris nonetheless.
"This arrived this morning from Paris, Lucius was afraid it wouldn't get here in time," Yaxley looked slightly embarrassed, "You know what he is like."
She smiled and took the box from him, pulling of the white ribbon gently. Inside glittering diamonds welcomed her, on fabulous platinum. A necklace and bracelet and earrings. She smiled at the gift then at Snape with a devilish smile.
"He also said that you'd not to think this was your wedding present," Yaxley rolled his eyes, " He said he just thought you would look nice in it. And that he, well, you know what he feels for you."
She reached up on tip-toes and divested a kiss on Yaxley's cheek, wondering if Lucius had sent him just to be cruel "Give him that from me, will you?"
"Not likely," Yaxley laughed and made a rather quick and embarrassed exit dragging the meandering Snape with him.
"Mother," she handed Druella the necklace, "Put this on for me?"
"Gladly," Her Mother draped it round her neck and then locked the clip, "He has impeccably taste."
"Well," Narcissa closed the back of an earring as she gazed at the clock, "It's time."
She smiled to herself thoroughly astounded she had got this far. She was about to be Mrs. Malfoy and how wonderful that felt.
"Are you ready?" Iva, pretty and already disastrously lost of her first husband came into the room, "Why darling Narcissa, you look quite swell!"
Narcissa smiled and laughed at her old school friend, of model-quality who was hugely scandalous to her family who did not like her choice of career. And how it beguiled her that Iva did not care one jot.
"Thank you," she turned once again to look at her reflection in the mirror, "And how excited."
"I have never seen you so animated Narcissa," Bellatrix crowed, "He must be good at something."
Bellatrix always managed to lower the tone as she swigged the last of her alcohol for that morning as they walked down the corridor.
Narcissa could not resist as they made their way down the stairs, "Bellatrix, you should lay of the liquor. You're getting a pudgy middle."
She glided in front, rather pleased that she had brought Bellatrix down a peg or two.
Much to Narcissa's relief and bedazzlement, the wedding ceremony went without a hitch and she was impeccable. As was her groom who seemed more than rather subdued by her beauty. They exchanged rings, which she had left to Lucius to arrange. Of course, Mr Malfoy would wear his on his little finger as was custom and so had managed to wangle a ring in the shape of a snake. Hers was a platinum band, elegant and discreet much to her surprised pleasure. He smiled sheepishly as he placed it on her finger and for the first time he seemed truly nervous. Some guests looked on with feigned interest, others were genuinely pleased for them (mostly old school friends, Lucius' business partners and their present circle) but others were there out of politeness and necessity. Like Dumbledore and Fudge and other people neither particularly cared for and of course their families. Indeed, it was only her small family in attendance. Lucius' Father had not shown face and neither had his Mother, though neither had been expected she knew Lucius had hoped they might, just for him to save the family's floundering reputation. Alas, they were both absent and she made a silent promise to turn the Malfoy name around, to make it reputable.
"You were quite beautiful, I was forced to think I was marrying an angel when you glided down. All to slowly," he whispered so no one knew what he was saying as they danced, "I thought you would never reach me and how afraid I was you would never get there."
She smiled up at him, "Oh Lucius, how lovely today has been."
Most of the unwanted guests had left now, so it was just a small group of around two hundred milling about the ballroom in the glow of firelight, drenched in champagne and eating canapés. Her family had not gone yet but Bellatrix was comfortably ruined, as was Rudolphus and they were curled up in a corner of the drawing room, fumbling about the last time she had saw them. She couldn't care less for she felt so content that what her ridiculous sister did meant nothing to her.
"Let's get a drink," Lucius let go of her and let her pass in front, taking two flutes of champagne from the tray floating nearby.
"To us," he whispered, clinking his glass against her own, "And the world we will create."
"Well said," she smiled fiendishly as she sipped, "I do wish my parents would just go. All the oldies have gone, leaving us to party."
He looked at her sideways and raised an eye brow, "Who are you and what have you done with my wife? She would be tired by now!"
"Wife!" She tried the words in her mouth as she suppressed a giggle, " I am someone's wife."
"You are not just someone's wife Narcissa," he reached out to touch her wedding band, "You are mine."
"Oh and how wonderful!" She smiled and then braced herself as she saw her Father and Mother, dressed to face the cold outside coming towards them.
"Thank Merlin," Lucius whispered but already she could feel terror building in her and pain for she knew this would be the last time she ever saw her Mother as her daughter, rather than a social equal. And her Father, she knew he would not go without a parting word of nastiness.
"Goodnight Narcissa," her mother smiled weakly and in her eyes Narcissa could see a glimmer of hope die, "You make a splendid couple."
"Thank you Mother," she leaned forward and kissed her Mother on the cheek.
"You have let me down," Cygnus did not hold himself as he addressed her," he is even more of a monster than me, Narcissa. For that is what you think I am."
"Father-"
"No, Narcissa" Her Father would brook no protest as his voice raised defiantly and some people nearby stopped to listen, "You marry below you and you expect me to be proud of you! He is filth! Pure-blood does not mean equal to you, you are a Black."
"Mr. Black," Lucius interjected even though he had been there all the time Cygnus had been speaking as if he wasn't, his tone threateningly powerful ,"Let us take this somewhere quieter, shall we? You will not embarrass my wife in front of our guest." With that he led Cygnus out by the arm, discreetly but firmly and Narcissa followed.
The guests went back to dancing as Druella stood in a corner of the ballroom, trying to fight off tears as she searched for someone to save her. There was no one.
"How dare you," Lucius looked more than threatening and Narcissa feared what he may do in this situation, "Never embarrass me like that again, you may be older than me Sir but it does not give you right to think you lord over me. A man of your caliber is no ruler of me."
"And a man of your caliber Mr. Malfoy," he growled, "Is not fit to marry my daughter. You are scum and I doubt there is not some tainted blood in those veins, son! You will turn into your Father, a philandering lecher!"
"Just like you then," Narcissa snapped, "I know what you did when I was little, I know about your Mistresses, your fraudulent charges! I am not stupid Father!"
"No," he laughed cruelly, "But perhaps you contradict that by marrying this fool! I may be many things but a wife-beater I am not, his Father was!"
He may not beat her Mother, she mused but he certainly played mind games with her. Perhaps that was worse.
Lucius head sprung up at this comment and suddenly his eyes were aflame with anger, "Fine! You do not believe I love her, you think I will hurt her? Fine! Right here I will make an unbreakable vow! I will vow to never beat her or be adulterous."
Cygnus stared open mouth as he watched his son-in-law roll up his sleeve and Narcissa just looked at her husband as if he were mad.
"Lucius, no" she shook her head, "I don't want you to do that."
"Why, do you think I will not live up to it?" he looked at her straight in the eye and she felt unbelievably uncomfortable under that type of scrutiny.
"Of course I don't, I trust you too much to make you do this!"
"Get down on your knees Narcissa," he ordered, "I would have you know you are everything to me."
"I already do know-"
"Get down on you knees then," he continued patiently with a serene smile as he lowered himself onto the Persian rug of the study. She refused to move and simply shook her head, she would never make him do this- she knew how he felt for her, no vow was necessary.
"Narcissa," he looked sternly at her, "I mean it."
She looked at her Father, then her husband and hitched her dress slightly so she could rest on the floor better. Lucius smiled kindly at her.
"Lucius I don't want this, I don't need this."
"I do," he said simply as he took his hand in hers and leaned into kiss her forehead.
"Cygnus," he kept his eyes on hers at all times, "If you do not believe me, then you will have this. When you hear of my death you will know I have committed this against your daughter. You understand? Now, do the honors."
Cygnus took out his wand but hesitated.
"Do it, Cygnus!" Lucius almost shouted in frustration as he gripped her hand tighter. She shook her head furiously but did not let go.
"I know you love me, I know-" but already light was binding their hands like a rope and she felt the tight pull of her husband's hand on hers.
"I promise to love you forever, Narcissa Malfoy. I will never be adulterous to you or lay a hand on you unless you grant your permission. I request this in return?"
Another shot of light bound their hands and the glint from her wedding band blinded her, "I too promise all to you, never to be adulterous to you an to love you, forever Lucius Malfoy even in times of trouble. I request this of you?"
"Yes." Another shot of blinding light tied them and then disappeared.
"Goodbye Father." No sooner was it done that with Lucius assistance she had stood and kissed her Father's cheek one last time, "Goodbye."
Cygnus said nothing but nodded curtly to Lucius and left the study.
"Why did you do that?" She question after he had gone.
"To prove…" he trailed off as she frowned at him.
"That was horrible. Surely you think I trust you enough."
"I know you do," he stood up and leaned against the desk, "He didn't."
"The only person that matters is me," she said coldly, "You needn't prove anything to anyone."
"I know that," he looked at her and then turned to look at the window, "I needed to prove it to myself… Marrying you Narcissa, is the best thing I will ever do with my life. I needed to prove that I could love you forever, I need to know I would die rather than hurt you. And you need to know that too. We are different outside of these walls, we are two different people because when I am with you I am not so arrogant, I am not a fool. You make me different and I love you for it. You change me from what I am in politics, in the world of business and in society."
"In equal measure you do that to me," she wrapped her hands round his waist and pressed herself to his back, "You needn't vow anything. What you just said makes me more happy than any vow signing away your life."
"I would die for you," he laughed deeply, "I remember when I didn't care about anyone. And I want people to still think that, have no doubt. I will never be affectionate in public, damn even alone I find it hard to say these thing but I need you to know that I will never stop loving you, ever. You understand?"
"I do," she came to stand in front of him, "You have a reputation to upkeep. It is highly unfashionable to love a wife, especially if she is yours!"
"Indeed," he laughed and lifted her to his mouth to kiss her.
"Come now Lucius," she took his hand, "Let's return to our wedding reception."
"Yes," he sneered slightly as he reached out to still her. He ran a finger from her neck, down the front of her bodice, "Isn't it time I divested you of your virginity?"
"Ha!" She laughed gloriously, "Can't that wait? Somehow I recall my being divested of it already."
"If only," he growled slightly, "Ah but if only on that fateful night you had not been such a wanton creature, I might be taking you this evening."
"I doubt I could have lasted it out," she kissed his chin, "Don't you?"
"With me at the helm darling, you wouldn't have lasted a month!"
"I won't glorify your tremendous ego with a retort to that, Mr Malfoy," she answered as they returned into the throng of guests.
Yours,
M
Xx
