Disclaimer: Bill Weasley ended up with Fleur Delacour so no, I do not own the Harry Potter series.
Lena was almost running as the very quick house elf darted through passageways and corridors. By the time the two reached their destination, Lena was breathless. A large mahogany door was opened and Lena blinked quickly. She couldn't believe her eyes. There was her Mother. Laughing. With Mrs. Malfoy. Over...wedding magazines?
"Oh, hello Lena. I was just telling Narcissa that I think spring colored tulips would be a beautiful contrast to a white gown." Krystal Langdon waved her daughter over to a sitting area in the middle of a large room. Lena numbly moved forward. She wasn't sure if she was happy to see her Mama. Krystal wasn't exactly the loving, doting type of mother that every girl dreams of having. Instead of accepting that she had two completely different daughters, Krystal chose to ignore the girl she thought was vapid and nearly untrainable for Pure Blood Living. Of course, Krystal Langdon did not go without her rebellious streak as a teenager. She had gotten married to Xenophilius Lovegood after knowing him for only 2 days. After becoming pregnant, Krystal only stayed a Lovegood for her daughters. Eventually, she was swept up into the romance of Paris and the wizards there. Lena had always had a tumultuous relationship with her mother, one minute she idolized everything Krystal did, the next, she couldn't wait until she could escape to her father's house for the summer.
"Mother? What's happening?" Lena addressed her Mama for the first time in almost six months. Lena was guided by some old witches with measuring tapes onto a small round table.
"You're being fitted of course. Darling, do pay attention to your surroundings and stand up straight for Merlin's sake! Elaina will take your sizes for the New Year's engagement dress while the other girl takes measurements for the wedding dress." Krystal had waved her daughter's questions away with her hand and had already returned to floral arrangements with Narcissa.
Elaina turned out to be a rather fidgety old lady who only spoke in commands. She would harshly whisper at Lena to lift an arm or turn her body. However, Elaina was extraordinarily gifted with a yard of lace. Lena's dress was nothing like she had imagined before. It was a gorgeous white lace fit and flare, but it wasn't what she had imagined. Lena had always imagined herself in a vintage dress much like the one her grandmother had worn. Lena and Luna used to spend hours dressing up in Xenophilus' mother's gown and veil. They would take turns being the bride, while the other twin dressed in Xenophilius' large button down shirts and nice jackets, being the groom.
Lena allowed her mind to wander to her childhood as she was fitted in another white gown for the New Years Party. The gown was long and full, strapless and covered in delicate stonework and embroidery. Lena thought of a story she had been told by her father when she was very young, Cinderella it was called. Lena laughed at the thought of dancing and singing mice as she turned around to appease Elaina. Krystal looked up from a Witch Weekly Wedding edition to examine her daughter's dress.
"Don't you think Draco will love it, Narcissa?" Krystal smiled at the ornate engagement dress while Narcissa nodded. "Now listen dear," Krystal continued, "Draco will propose to you tomorrow night. He said he wanted to write his own proposal, the little darling, but all you have to do is say, 'I'd be honored to be your wife' or maybe 'Of course, I would love to'. Understand?"
Lena nodded as she imagined Draco down on one knee. She couldn't help but picture Bill's face instead.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLL
"Can you hand me that scarf, Lulu?" Lena and Luna were in Lena's room, getting ready for the rest of the day. They were to go wedding decoration shopping with their Mama. They had been handed an itinerary and Lena shuddered at the third item: Madame Francesca's Lounge of Lingerie. Lena was broken out of her silent horror movie by a gentle knock on the door.
"Can I come in?" Draco peeked his head in the door. Luna smiled as Lena nodded her head. Luna felt the two could use some privacy and walked through the door conjoining the twins room, into her own room and shut the door. Draco strode over to where Lena stood and embraced her in a warm hug, kissing the top of her head. "How've you been?"
Lena couldn't imagine a more difficult question to answer. How had she been? She had been loved, depressed, torn, happy, sad, angry, and everything in between. Lena heaved a sigh and broke the embrace. "Where do I start?" Draco looked at Lena with concern; she'd been under too much stress lately. Lena took a seat on the bed and looked at her hands. Draco took the chair from the vanity and sat in front of Lena, covering her hands with his own.
"At the part that hurts the most." Draco admitted to himself that this was...odd. He had never cared about anyone beside of himself until this year. Of course, he knew Lena was not in love with him. He just wanted to help her. Maybe they would fall in love as they grew old together. They would never cheat on eachother, but was what he had done considered cheating? No, they weren't married yet and Lena was seeing Bill Weasley. Yes, Draco would learn to be in love with Lena and not just simply love her. He would start now.
"I saw my Mother today. She barely even acknowledged my presence except to approve the engagement dress. And, Draco I love you, I do, but you and I both know that we will never be in love with eachother. I don't want to get married. I don't want my sister to be in danger. I don't want to put you in danger. I just want to be back at the Burrow with my sister and Bill." Lena had let a few tears out, something she rarely did, but she didn't really care. Draco wouldn't betray her.
"We will be in love with eachother one day, I promise. Plus, you're sister is here with you. And, you're Mother doesn't know what she's missing out on. Krystal Langdon has a beautiful, caring, intelligent, amazing daughter that she's missing out on." Draco slipped onto the bed beside of Lena and placed a comforting arm around her. Lena sniffled one more time before gratefully looking up and giving Draco a small, weak smile.
"Thanks, Draco." Draco smiled down at Lena. As he gazed at his future wife he felt this moment was perfect. Between them. Because they were friends, just friends. Draco knew there needed to be a change. He slowly brought his arm from around Lena's shoulders and placed his hand under her chin. Recognition flashed in Lena's eyes as she realized what Draco was about to do. This would change everything. Would a kiss with Draco be considered cheating on Bill? Lena didn't even want to kiss Draco, but she was his. Lena was tired. Tired of fighting for a love that was impossible to obtain. Lena closed her eyes in surrender as Draco lowered his face to hers.
A/N: Do you hate me? Please don't hate me! The engagement party is up next and then maybe the wedding? The plot will surely unveil itself soon enough! I know it's been kind of a while since I last updated, but hey, I'm one busy person! Thanks to everyone who's favorited, followed, or reviewed! Reviews really help me decide where to take the story and encourage me to write more, so please please review!