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Chapter 21

It's almost February, that means that her birthday will come soon, her 20th birthday. She will celebrate without anyone. She never had a big party, just a small party—her father and her, that's enough for her. She might visit her parents on her birthday, if only Draco allowed her, considering he was no longer her protector, but her soon-to-be husband.

She lifted up her eyes, glanced at the clock on the wall. Her wedding ceremony will start at least in 15 minutes, in 15 minutes she will become a Malfoy, become part of the proudest The Dark Lord's followers. If she can choose, she won't choose this of course. She is against The Dark Lord, and she will always be.

She gasped in surprise when the door opened suddenly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I surprise you?" Daphne Greengrass said. Luna is quite surprised to see her presence as her bride maid. She came and helped her put in her dress and her veil. They don't speak much, of course, only a few words like 'is it too tight?' Or 'is it too loose'. She didn't expect pleasant conversations like the bride and her maid usually talked about. Her presence is only for formality, she is not stupid.

"That's fine," Luna replied.

"I brought your bouquet." Daphne handed her pink garden roses bouquet.

"This is beautiful," he muttered.

"Draco says it's your favorite," Daphne said unnecessary.

Luna nodded lightly while stroking the petal with her thumb and index finger. A few days before the wedding Draco asked about her favorite flower.

"I'll leave you then, Mr. Malfoy will come soon to escort you to the altar," she said.

She nodded. "Thank you."

Daphne just smiled and left her. A soft click on the door indicates she has been alone. She got up and approached a standing mirror, she looked at herself in the mirror, she looked as elegant as beautiful as princess in the fairy tales books she always read when she was a child. She looks like Cinderella, maybe? The difference is she doesn't marry the Prince Charming and she doesn't have a happy end like Cinderella.

She closed her eyes and almost laughed bitterly, of course she wasn't Cinderella and she wouldn't have a happy ending, she didn't live in a fairy tale where pumpkin and mice turned into beautiful carriage and white horses, and she also didn't have a Fairy God-Mother. The idea!

"You will be the perfect Malfoy."

Luna gasped when she heard someone talking, she turned her head and found the older Malfoy standing in the doorway, still seen intimating from the last time she met him.

Luna didn't say anything to him because she didn't know what to say. She just throws the veil to cover her face.

"This won't be long," he said, linking his arm with hers. "Draco looks very excited about his marriage."

"I'm sure he is," she muttered as she walked slowly. The tail of her dress is quite long; she ensures that her dress is not stuck.

"I know you are against The Dark Lord. But remember, you're part of us from now on, so don't do something embarrassing," he told her, the tone he used was threatening, but Luna chose to ignore him.

A slow music starts playing as she set her foot on the floor studded with red rose petals. The invitees stood and looked at her. One thing that stands out the most is that they all wear black, except Narcissa. And she felt she was being dragged to the grave and they came to watch. Her eyes moved to Bellatrix who was sitting beside her sister. Luna thought she would curse her with killing curse before she could reach Draco.

Draco smirked as his bride entered the altar. She looks magnificent with traditional wedding dress. Laces decorated her arms, chest to neck, and maybe her back too. Covered yet exposed. She is the perfect picture for a pure-blooded bride.

His eyes dropped into her throat, she no longer wore his ancestral necklace. He made a new necklace with blue sapphire. The design looks simple—so she can wear it every day without having to feel that it's too much—but the sapphire far away from simple since he got the sapphire for Kashmir, it's so beautiful that people know it's the cost a fortune to make it.

The veil that covered her face didn't make Draco miss the look on her face. She doesn't look happy. She doesn't blush like the brides supposed to be. She looks like she's under pressure. But unfortunately, Draco no longer cared about what she felt. He no longer cared after she dumped him and chose Potter instead of him. Now it's only about him and him alone.

His father gave up Luna's hand to him and he grabbed it, he gave her a triumphant smirk before kissing the back of her hand lightly.

Immediately, the ceremony began, the priest said what he had to say. The vows aren't necessary, he knows she will not betray her husband, she is too naïve for that. Once she becomes his wife she will remain by his side no matter if Merlin appears with Potter in his pocket with Weasley and Granger trailing behind.

"May the blessings of life, the joy of love, the peace of truth, and the wisdom and strength of spirit, be your constant companion, now and always, as husband and wife. You may seal this union with a kiss," the priest said.

Draco grabbed his wife's hand and pulled her closer and pushed her veil off before giving her a kiss on the lips. "Finally," he muttered to her softly.

They were waltzing on the dance floor while the invitation watching in amazement. They have changed clothes; she is now wearing a white dress that show more skin and modern, while he replaces his black tux to green tux with black vest. He looked into her eyes while they danced, but she broke eye contact. And Draco thinks he must give more lessons about what his wife must do and don't.

After they finished dancing he took her around the ball room to say hello to some of the invitations, especially The Dark Lord.

"My Lord." Draco nodded politely as he greeted his Master. The Dark Lord or Tom Riddle looked masculine in a black suit, with this appearance no one would believe that he was more than half a century old.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Malfoy," Tom Riddle said with his evil smile. His black eyes turned to Luna. "You look extremely... enchanting Mrs. Malfoy. I envy you, Draco."

Draco felt Luna clutching his arm tightly, practically dug her nails into his skin. His other hand holds her hand and strokes it lightly.

"Thank you very much, My Lord," he said proudly.

"I suspect your wife isn't very talkative, isn't she?" Tom said, still refusing to take off his eyes.

"She is still unfamiliar with her new life, My Lord," Draco answered, staring at Luna.

"I understand, staying with Potter will definitely make your life miserable. I heard, they found her in the middle of the forest, shame," Tom sneered. "If you don't mind Draco, I'll go home early. I left my sweet Nagini alone."

"Yes, My Lord," Draco said before his Master left them. "I wish you were kinder to our Lord if he spoke to you."

She looked up and stared at him disapprovingly. "How can I be kind to the man who killed everyone I love?" She demanded, her tone sounded harsh.

Draco clenched his jaw, looking around. "Look, I don't want to hear your nonsense about our Lord. This is the last time you give him cold shoulders. If you don't obey me, you will regret it. Understood?" He hissed harshly. She refused to answer and looked at him, challenging. "Do you understand? Answer me. Don't make me throw you in the dungeon again tonight," he threatened, holding her wrist tightly.

"Yes, I understand," she said softly, holding back from grimacing.

His expression changed, he smirked. "Good girl," he muttered and kissed her temple while his hand moved to her waist and pulled her closer to him. "Do you like your new necklace?" He asked hoarsely in her ear.

Luna shivered as his breath brush against her earlobe. "Yes, this is very beautiful," she replied nervously. She did like the necklace; she preferred this to the previous necklace.

"I made it for you," he told her. "From now on I will make jewelries for you instead of buying it, but you can buy if I want."

She lifted up her eyes; she knew how he didn't like it when she didn't look at him in the eye as they spoke. "How sweet of you." She offered her a smile.

"You prefer diamonds or pearls?" He asked, nuzzled his nose at the curve of her neck.

"Diamonds, but pearls pretty too," she replied.

"Never mind, I will give you every precious gem," he said hoarsely, he pressed his lips against her temple and down to her cheek. When his lips make its way to hers, someone disturbs them.

"I'm sorry to disturb," a familiar voice said.

"You better be," Draco growled as he pulled away from his wife's face. "What, Zabini?" He asked curtly.

"There's something important I have to tell you," Blaise said.

"What's more important than-"

"This is very important, urgent even," Blaise cut him off in hurry.

Draco glanced at his wife who was curious about what Zabini wanted to say. "All right," he muttered softly. "Nott can you take my wife to my mother," Draco asked Theodore who accidentally passed.

"Sure," Nott said.

"Meet us upstairs if you have finished," Zabini said.

"I'll leave for a moment, I won't be long," Draco whispered.

Luna just nodded and let Nott escort her to Narcissa. But before they reach Narcissa, she excuses herself from her friends and approaches her.

"Thank you, Theo," Luna said.

Theodore looks surprised when Luna calls him casually. "You're welcome, Mrs. Malfoy," he managed to say without choking.

"Call me Luna,"

"Then excuse me, Luna," he said and nodded politely to her and Narcissa.

"Where is Draco?" Narcissa asked.

"He went with Blaise,"

Narcissa shook her head in disbelief. "How could he?" She muttered.

"Blaise said something happened and it was urgent,"

"What is happening so he leaves his wife," Narcissa muttered in disbelief.

Suddenly, Luna looked down nervously and played with her diamond bracelet when a servant came and offered her a glass of champagne. Luna recognized her, a Hufflepuff, a year older than her, Susan Bones. She looks very thin, and she looks dreadful. She hopes she can do something to make her feel better. She didn't expect to be able to save her, how did she save someone else when she was also a prisoner?

She glanced at her and offered her a friendly smile, a simply sign that she understood how she felt. She hoped Narcissa would leave so she could chat with Susan. "No, Susan, but thank you," Luna said kindly.

Susan just nodded and left her, offering champagne to others.

Narcissa is not an idiot; she knows Luna feels uncomfortable with people she recognizes work as servants. She had seen how she lowered her head every time a servant passed by her. Poor girl, Narcissa thought. But being a servant is better than being sent to Azkaban.

"Do you want to wait for Draco somewhere else?" Narcissa began.

Luna nodded. It will be better, Luna thought. When she took a few steps she stopped grimacing in pain. Her head, suddenly hurts, it's like someone pounding her head.

"Oh dear, are you okay?" Narcissa asked when she realized that Luna was in pain. "Is your head hurt?"

Luna didn't answer; she just placed the palm of her hand on her forehead. "Maybe... maybe I should sit down," she said haltingly.

"Sure, sure," Narcissa said while guiding her to a room with less people.

Draco is upset, angry! Potter is back! He even released his friends from the Ministry prison. Today supposed to be the happiest day of his life, but yet Potter came and messed things up, he always did it!

"Then what will we do?" Blaise asked.

They gather in his father's study. Nearly 2 dozen Death Eaters filled the room, looking uneasy.

"What we can do? Potter has escaped," Rabastan said casually as he poured Brandy into his empty glass.

"The Dark Lord says to do nothing for now," Snape muttered with his monotone voice.

Draco clenched his jaw in disapprovingly. They should hunt Potter and kill him. Even though he had bond Luna into a marriage it didn't mean he could relax when he found out Potter had taken an action.

"Do you want to say something Draco?" Snape's voice brought him back to reality.

Draco tried not to sneer, especially when he saw the look his father gave him. "No," he managed to say coldly.

"Today Luna is married to Malfoy," Neville told Harry as they rested in the kitchen in Grimmauld Place while the others had occupied their rooms.

"What?" Harry jerked his head toward him, unsure of what he had heard.

"Don't you read the Daily Prophet?"

Harry shook his head, still dumbfounded. He no longer reads the Daily Prophet; he doesn't want to be reminded of failure as The Chosen One. Kreacher brought the Daily Prophet several times but he never touched it.

"She married Malfoy. The news has spread throughout the World Wizarding,"

"I thought she was kidnapped?"

"She was. Malfoy sent his men to look for her and bring her to him," he responded with emotionlessly tone.

"Then why you didn't say anything?"

"I just did,"

"But it's too late," Harry snapped. He should know this sooner so he can save Luna.

"The moment you set your foot in England was too late to save her. She is surrounded by Death Eaters. How can you save her when you can barely save yourself?" Neville demanded feeling frustrated. He closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't mean-"

"No, you're right. If I can save myself, I won't be hiding here. If I can save myself, we will live peacefully and happily. You're right, Neville, you're right," Harry said quietly in defeat.

Neville didn't know what to say, he felt bad for Harry, he didn't mean to hurt him.

"What happens to others?" Harry changes the subject.

"Some were thrown into Azkaban, especially the muggle-born. They were sent to Azkaban without trial. And some are sold as slaves," Neville replied bitterly. "Cho was purchased by Adrian Pucey, while Seamus and Pervati, he was purchased by Zabini to replace the house elves."

"They no longer use housel elves?"

"No," Neville replied. "Madam Rosmerta has purchased me, but somehow she never came to pick me up. Maybe it's because I opposed Malfoy once."

"Why?"

"I spoke to Luna once and he didn't like that at all. Then he came to me and caused me to be put into the isolation room for two weeks and they feed me with bread, cold soup, and rotten fruits," Neville said as it was nothing.

"I have to bring the others back and stop this," Harry muttered.

"They're too strong, Harry,"

"We are strong too. We just have to be solid to be stronger," Harry determined. And once he has determined, no one can stop him.