"Mourning Miss." I smiled at the young elf, settling myself down in my spot at the dining table
"Mourning." I replied "I must say, you and the elf's kept the house in good condition while I was away."
"That's our job Missus." The elf said, before disappearing. Like I had said I would, I returned to my house that night, sleeping in my bed in the first time in ages. It felt weird not being in Draco's arms, but knowing that I would have forever in his arms in just a few days made it better.
"Breakfast without me?" I stood, spinning to face the door
"Lukas!" I shouted, practically throwing myself in his arms "I've missed you." I told him, as he hugged me back
"I missed you too sis." He said into my hair, holding me tight. We broke apart and moved to the table, both of us digging into the breakfast the elf's had made us "How you been?"
"Busy. The wedding planning's been taking up most of my time."
"How long is it now?"
"About five days." I smiled "I've got my hen party tonight."
"Yeah, Draco's invited me to his stag do."
"You going to go?"
"Yeah." He nodded
"I think Charis is coming with us tonight. Pansy's had full control over what we are doing."
"Yeah, she is. Hasn't stop talking about it since she got the invite."
"How did it go?" I asked, after a moments of silence
"How did what go?"
"I thought you went over there to talk to her dad?" I questioned
"I did." He nodded, having a drink
"And?"
"And, we will be getting married next year." I squealed, making him jump.
"Oh, I'm so happy for you." I smiled
"But, we have to concentrate on you and your wedding."
"Talking about my wedding, will you give me away?" I asked, looking at him.
"Give you away?" He asked quietly
"Please?" I asked, just as quietly, looking over at him.
"Of course I will." He burst, practically leaping over the table to hug me, "Like I would ever really say no." I smiled at him
"What would I do without you." I laughed "And if you ever leave like that again, I will hurt you." I threatened, pulling away.
"I am, so sorry."
"Why?" I asked him, abandoning my hardly touched breakfast
"I just needed to get away. With dad gone and Alek, I just needed some time."
"What about me?" I asked
"You seemed to be handling it all so well, and I didn't want to break you. But, I'm back now, and strong and I'm going to be the big brother you need."
"What about an uncle?" I asked. He looked shocked, looking down at my stomach; his face turning red in rage "Not me!" I laughed "I'm not pregnant. Draco has a daughter."
"And you're still with him? I'll kill him."
"No you won't." I told him, grabbing his arm "She's a sweet little thing, and I love her like she was my own daughter, and you are not going to do anything, but meet her and love her like I do."
"You're serious?"
"Perfectly."
"I'm never going away again."
"Good." I smiled, standing up "Is Charis at her dads?" I asked,
"Yes, she's going to drop by later to say hello."
"Good."
"One more thing, I gave her mums engagement ring." I nodded slowly, "You okay with that?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked
"No reason, just checking." He replied with a shrug
"But the rest of mums' jewellery." I informed him "Is mine." He nodded, and we hugged, again.
"Pansy, I am NOT wearing this!" I cried, although she was nowhere around and couldn't hear me. I had received a box and a note from here, telling me to put on the dress in the box and be ready by six. That was four hours away. The note had also said that I was not allowed out of my room, except the bathroom.
I picked the dress out of the box. It was a midnight blue dress, made out of such tight material it looked like it was going to squeeze me to death before I had got it on, and so short I was sure it wouldn't cover anything. There was also a pair of black killer heels in the box, and a garter, that I knew was going to be on full display thanks to the length of the dress.
After examining the dress I moved to my dresser, determined to at least change the length of the dress, but found my wand missing. I swung around, my eyes scanning my room as I searched for my wand. Upon finding it not in here, I went to my door, only to be stopped my Thimble
"Missus Pansy say you not allowed out your room." He told me
"I need to find my wand." I told him, moving to go past him
"Your wood is safe missus." Thimble told me "And you need to go back in your room and get readys for tonight."
"Thimble, are you really not letting me out my room?"
"Yes." He nodded, putting his hands to his hips. I tried to stare him down but soon gave up and stepped back into my room, slamming my door behind me.
"Stupid witch." I muttered, reaching back so I could undo my dress "Making me wear such a ridiculous dress! Won't even let me out my room!" I continued to undress, my underwear the next thing to come off as my muttering continued
"Hello to you to Mia." I tensed at the voice, my whole body freezing. I turned my head over my shoulder, making sure I had guessed who it was correctly, before bending down to pick up my discarded dress to try and cover myself with it
"My Lord." I stuttered, one arm holding the top of my dress over my chest, the other trying to make sure I was presentable "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear you moaning about some stupid witch, why not just Avada her?"
"It's Pansy My Lord." I laughed, trying to not show how tense I was
"Weakness." He said, walking towards me "But, why do you not want to wear the dress?" He asked, picking it of the bed where I had thrown it "And why is she making you wear the dress?"
"It's my hen night tonight My lord, and she is my Head Bridesmaid, tonight is her responsibility." I smiled, watching him "May I ask what you are doing here?" I asked, trying to sound as respectful as possible
"I thought I would come and tell you my news."
"News, My lord?" He held out the dress for me, and I took it
"I have news on your brother's whereabouts."
"My brother?" I asked, excited
"Yes, he was spotted in England a couple of days ago, I sent some men to go and get him." He stopped there, and I gave him a couple of seconds to carry on, but when he didn't
"Did they get him?"
"Get who?"
"My brother?"
"What about him?" He asked, turning so he wasn't facing me "Are you not going to get dressed? Pansy will be annoyed if you are not ready."
"Damn getting ready!" I screamed "What about my brother?"
"I warn you, not to take that tone with me."
"Blast your warnings!" I screamed, walking closure "Tell me." I demanded, my fury rising. He swung around, fury flashing in his eyes, but in my own state I ignored this "Tell me what happened to my brother!"
"And if I don't?" He hissed down at me. I looked up at him, and against my better instincts, I felt my arm come up, ready to swing at him. Before it was near him he grabbed it, as well as my other arm that had dropped my dress and moved to hit him as well and pulled me flush against him "I command you to remember you place." He told me, his eyes flashing as he stared down at me.
"I am sorry master." I muttered, lowering my gaze. Not missing a beat he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight
"I forgive you." He whispered into my hair "I wish you didn't make me act like that around you." He practically begged "I do not like being angry with you."
"I don't like when your angry with me either, sir." I muttered, trying not to think about the fact that I was wrapped in an almost loving embrace with one of the darkest wizards of all time. I kept my head down, my ear pressed to his chest as he held me tight. "Sir?" I whispered, when what felt like years has passed, silence they only thing between us.
"Yes?" He asked, pulling back slightly so I could lift my head to look into his eyes
"My brother?" I whispered, trying to ignore my beating heart, it felt like it was going to beat out of my chest as I asked him this, but I needed to know. What looked like a smile flittered across his face, and he pulled me down to sit on my bed next to him.
"I sent some my men to go and collect him." He repeated "He is now at my house." I let out a breathe, having been expecting the worst.
"Is he well?" I asked, trying to hide my excitement at the news "Can I see him?"
"He is with your father for the time being."
"Will I see him before the wedding? Will he be able to come to the wedding?"
"I have left it all up to him." He told me, his eyes and hands on my thigh, rubbing random shapes into it.
"Is he OK at least?" I questioned, my mind whirling as to whether he had chosen not to come and see me or Voldermort was not telling me the full truth.
"He is well." Voldermort replied, though his attention was no longer on the conversation, and more on the fact that I was naked next to him, having not picked up my dress when I had calmed down.
"Can you tell him that I want to see him? And to at least open the connection?" I practically begged "Myself and Lukas need to know he is OK."
"I will tell him when I return." He told me, his head bending to bury in my neck, peppering kisses onto it
"My lord." I cried, pushing myself away from him and grabbing the covers up from around me "It's my hen night tonight."
"So?" He asked, trying to pry my fingers of the covers
"I cant sir."
"And why not?" He asked, his eyes flashing to meet mine. "I have not had you in a very long time."
"I am sorry my lord, but I could not do that."
"And why not?" He asked
"I would not feel right." He took a breathe, examining me. Before I knew what was happening, he had swept down on me, grabbing my face and pressing a hard kiss to my lips, his mouth forcing mine open.
"Next time I see you, I expect you to be happy to have me." He hissed, pushing me back into the bed, face first. I stayed down, not knowing what was happening.
I eventually rose to a sitting position again, glancing around to find him gone and me alone in my room again. I took a deep breathe, shacking of his touch and grabbed my robe, throwing it on. I rushed to the bathroom, jumping in the shower and scrubbing myself clean, my skin becoming red raw as I scrubbed, getting the feel of his hands of me. For a moment I wondered why he had stopped, it was totally unlike him. He should have forced me to have him, not kiss me and go. Not that I wasn't grateful that he went, because I want. But the way he was acting around me had me on egg shells. He was being to loving towards me, like he had feelings and was not the evilest man in the world.
I snorted to myself, tipping my head into the stream of water. They only possible answer would be the Veelat trait in my, I mean, what else could hold his attention for so long? I would have to look into it more, I told myself deciding that the next free moment I had I would be searching both my own and the Malfoy library for any books referring to the matter. The little I knew would not be enough for me to figure this one out.
I arrived out the shower clean and fully shaven, and ready to try and work out a look that looked good but not slutty. It was hard.
"Looking good." Pansy greeted me, stepping into my room
"Am I allowed out of here now?" I questioned her, returning the hug she had wrapped me up in
"Yes you are." She nodded, grabbing my cloak from my wardrobe "And here is your wand." I accepted it from here, slipping down my cleavage as Pansy slipped the cloak over my shoulders
"Do you want a drink or anything?" I asked here,
"No, were leaving." She told me, grabbing my shoes and placing them in front of me so I could slip the on. I grabbed her hand as I slid my feet into the red heels,
"Where we going?" I questioned, following her out of the house. "And why is Damien here?" I asked, eyeing him as he stood by my front door, dressed in a black suit, his already scary figure looked damn right intimidating.
"None of your business. And because it was the only way I could get Draco to let you come, without them following us around all night." She replied, waving to the elf's as we walked to the gate of the garden, so we could apparate
"Does that mean-"
"Yes, side apparition."
"Ugh." I moaned, wrapping my arm in hers
"Stop moaning." She said, before I felt the familiar pull.
We landed in the middle of Diagon Alley, Damien immediately looking around to make sure that there was no press, as Pansy pulled me into the nearest doors. I didn't get time to look and see where we were, but I had a good guess that it was a very upper class restaurant by the tasteful décor that greeted us, and the smell of food wafting from the kitchens
"Why am I here? Dressed like this?" I questioned Pansy, as she pulled me towards a curtained of section of the restaurant
"Because." Pansy replied. The curtains pulled back as we grew closure, to reveal the whole of my bridal party. I smiled wide as they all began to clap and cheer, all moving to their feet as I moved forward, the curtains closing behind me.
"Now, girls." Pansy shouted, grabbing everyone's attention "The bride is here, so this means we can finally PARTY!" She screamed, and the noise rose.
We stayed at the restaurant for about an hour, having something to eat and starting our drinking for the night, before moving onto the first of many wizarding night clubs.
It wasn't long before I, along with most of the girls, where staggering instead of walking, and falling instead of dancing and giggling like hyenas.
"Right, how is he in bed?" Leonie, one of the bridesmaids, practically screamed at me. We were sitting in a private booth in Privileged, one of the best wizarding clubs England had to offer. Damien stood to the side of the Booth, looking out on the floor to keep us safe.
"Here we go Ladies." The barman smiled, interrupting our conversation and placing a tray of drinks on the table "On the house, a special potion."
"What sort of potion?" Damien asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Nothing bad!" The poor barman said his eyes wide "It keeps the effect of the drink running through you, but gets rid of any hangovers, and gives you the full use of your minds."
"Sounds good." Pansy smiled, reaching forward and grabbing two glasses for her and me. I took mine and downed it in one, the burn going straight down my throat as the liquid slid down it. I coughed, but could feel my mind seeping back into full use, but I still had the buzz from the alcohol.
"Right, anyway! I want to know the answer to the question!" Frances squealed, "How is he in bed!" I laughed
"Amazing!" I replied, with a nod of the head "The things that man can do with his body, are-"
"You don't need to tell us." Daphne laughed, leaning across the table to cover my hand with hers "I think most of us know that that man should have a statue made of him." I stared at her, anger bubbling inside me as she laughed, her sister joining in. "I mean, does he ever do that thing-"
"I think that's enough." Damien interrupted, looking down at his watch "Miss Snape, I should really be getting you home."
"No, I was having a good time." Astoria pouted
"You should be getting back to school." Pansy spat, grabbing my hand and pulling me up, they others standing as well so we could work our way out the booth
"They let me have the night at home; I'm not expected back until tomorrow." Astoria replied with a sweet smile
"So where to next?" Daphne asked, as we all stood around the table, I glanced at Pansy, afraid if I said anything then I might end up swinging for her
"I think it's time for you all to go home." Damien told us, moving through the girls to stand by me
"What? But we've only just started!" Astoria pouted
"Then you can happily carry on." I smiled at her, before turning to the other girls, making sure I had my back to the two sisters "girls, back to mine to finish this night of? You can all crash there." I smiled at them as they all agreed
"What?" I heard Daphne splutter behind me
"As I said, you two can carry on." I smiled sweetly at them as I walked past them, leaving them spitting and spluttering behind me.
They others laughed as we went back to mine, bottles of alcohol disappearing as the minutes flew by.
"Jesus." I muttered, my eyes blinking open in the light. I sat up, stretching my back out to find myself on the sofa, the whole of the living room decorated with my bridal party, all in various states of sleep.
"Who?" I heard Pansy mutter from my right, we had fallen asleep cuddled together, and my moving had woken her
"No one, go back to sleep." I muttered, standing up
"m 'kay." She replied, grabbing a pillow and hugging it as I made my way out. Once out of the room, I closed the door quietly behind me, before calling softly for Thimble.
"Can you have some coffee and tea and breakfast ready for when the girls wake up?" I asked "And can I have a cup of coffee and some toast?"
"Yes missus."
"Is my brother back yet?"
"No, he is still at Malfoy's." Thimble replied
"And how is Mrs T?"
"She is good Missus. The baby is soon here." He squealed excitedly
"I am happy for you." I smiled, before walking into my room and going straight to the shower, happy to get the remnants of last night of my skin, to wake up a bit more.
After the shower I through on one of Draco's old quidditch shirts and a pair of shorts, throwing my hair into a pony tail and sitting at one of the tables in the garden, enjoying the sun and reading Witch Weekly.
Of course I was on the front cover, a massive smile on my face as I through my arms around Pansy and Millicent, the other people in my party behind us. I read the article laughing, Rita basically called me an alcoholic, saying my drinking was out of control and because of this Draco was thinking of stopping the wedding.
I rolled my eyes, imaging the up roar that this article was going to cause, and already planning a few different ways to come back at it when the first of the girls rolled out to me. "Mourning." I smiled, laughing as Millicent slumped into the seat "coffee?" I asked, she nodded and I poured her a cup, letting her enjoy it in peace as I carried on with my planning.
"Popsy." I called, the youngest of my elfs appearing in front of me "Can you bring up some hang over potion for my guests?" I asked. Popsy nodded, practically vibrating with energy when she reappeared, placing the vials on the table
"How can you not be hung over?" Millicent questioned, downing the potion
"The potion we had at the club seemed to sort me out for the rest of the night." I laughed, smiling as some of the other girls wandered onto the porch, their heads in their hands, as they tried to hide from the sun.
"Aren't you the lucky one then." Leonie mumbled, before drinking down the potion.
"So you got anything planned for the rest of the day?" Tracey Davis questioned
"I have some final things to double check." I muttered, trying to remember what was written in my book
"No you don't." Pansy told me, walking in "we're going to the spa. We only have two days before the wedding, both are going to be used for you to relax. No worrying over anything." She ordered
"But, I need-"
"No." She said, crossing her arms over her chest
"but-"
"No."
"PANSY!"
"You have a wedding planner, let her do her job." She finally said, "And if you argue I will take your wand again." I huffed, crossed my arms and pouted
"can I at least go and see Draco and my children?"
"You may." Pansy replied "But we're all coming with. And when we decide it is time to leave, it is time to leave."
"Pansy." I called, as she went to walk back in the house
"yes?"
"I hate you." I told her simply
"Love you too." She replied, turning around. I stuck my tongue at her retreating back before carrying on with breakfast.
"Are they really dragging you away for another two days?" Draco complained, pulling me into his arms. I was the first through the floo, practically throwing myself at Draco when he greeted me at the other end
"Yes. Save me?" I begged, peppering light kisses on his face as he held me around my waist
"Try, and I will make you look like a clown for your wedding." Pansy said, coming through the floo. Draco went to answer, and I stopped him by pressing my lips to his.
"How was last night?" I asked Draco, letting him lead me to a chair and pull me into his lap
"It was good, yours?"
"Have you seen Rita's latest article on me?" I questioned
"Not yet, we only just got up."
"Well, apparently you are not marrying me because I am a drunk." Draco barked out a laugh
"I would marry you even if you were a drunk." He muttered tightening his hold on me
"Cute." I smiled "How are the children?"
"They are good, getting excited."
"Can I go and see them?" I questioned
"no need." Draco laughed, nodding towards the door. I looked up to see Dimitri standing there with Ava in his arms, Aaron slightly behind the pair. I stood, and went over, taking Ava from him and hugging her tight, pulling Aaron for a hug as well
"How are you?" I asked Aaron
"Good, last night was fun."
"You went?" I questioned, raising an eye brow
"Yeah, firewhisky-"
"I thought we agreed not to tell her." Draco muttered "No I'm in trouble, thanks, mate."
"I will leave your mother to deal with you." I told him, seeing him pale further at the mention of his mum "And you." I rolled my eyes at him "Boys will be boys." I kissed his cheek "Now, missy." I looked down at Ava, who had been playing with the beads I wore around my neck "I am going to go away for a couple of days, and you are going to stay with Daddy. Be a good girl for him."
"Where you going?" She asked me, her big eyes widening as he looked up at me
"I'm going to a spa with some friends."
"What's a pa?"
"Its where people look after you and make you feel good."
"Can I come?"
"No sweetie."
"Please?" She asked me with a pout
"Hay, don't you want to spend time with your old man?" Draco asked, coming up behind me
"Course I do, silly Daddy." She laughed, sticking her tongue out at him. He took her from me, tiggling her sides. Her laughter held the whole rooms attention as it drifted, the innocence it held bringing tears to peoples eyes.