Narcissa paced the small room she was placed in nervously, wringing her hands and smoothing out her wedding dress every so often. It was finally here. Her wedding day had sprung up so quickly, and the last two months had flown by. Now, late into August, the twenty third to be exact, she found herself in a rather hilly section of Southern Ireland, waiting anxiously for her moment.

She and Lucius spent nearly three days a week together before the wedding. Sometimes they would go into London for a dinner and such, while others they would relax at his home and Narcissa was given the opportunity to interact with his parents more. She wasn't sure whether she liked them much or not, but it wasn't as if she had a choice.

Other days, while Lucius was 'working', or so he told her, she would spend with her sisters. Andromeda was always a pleasant, but she was away from home more and more with each passing day, usually spending her time with Ted. Narcissa wondered if they had not seen enough of each other every single day at school?

Bellatrix was becoming much more mature, her appearance and clothing making her always look older then she ought to be. Perhaps it was to impress Voldemort... Or Rodolphus? The pair were also rather close.

However, the day was here, finally, and Narcissa's stomach had not let her eat anything for nearly ten hours now. Her nerves were shot, and she was frustrated with herself for becoming so upset. It was only a marriage, after all. People had them all the time.

She inhaled slowly, gazing out her window as the wedding guests filed into their seats. It wasn't the idea of getting married that bothered her, she had made peace with that. But the fact that everyone was going to be watching her was a little unnerving. Fortunately, wizarding weddings were short, without vows as there were in Muggle ones, and mainly consisted of the exchanging of rings, and the blessing of whoever was hosting the ceremony, which was Narcissa's grandfather, Pollux Black.

The Malfoys seemed to want to spend every last sickle on their son, and went all out for hiring the most expensive catering companies, and made sure there were hefty flower arrangements wherever anyone looked. It wasn't exactly what Narcissa had in mind, but it was still suitable.

Everyone she had hoped would come came. She had no real girlfriends, so her sisters and cousins were her bridesmaids, each looking quite fetching in their dresses. Severus had managed to tag along with Lucius, since he was his best man, and Narcissa forced herself to drag him aside for some alone time earlier that day.

Of course, he was filled with compliments, but also a good listening ear to Narcissa's worries. He promised that if she tripped and fell, he would instantly modify everyone's memory and allow her to start over again.

She was glad he had come.

Rodolphus had shown up, along with Crabbe and Goyle, but Regulus had been ordered to remain in the hospital after a horrible stomach virus hit him several days earlier.

Oh well, he'd just need to see the pictures that the horrifically expensive photographer would take later that day.

"Narcissa?"

She turned away from the window and her eyes fell upon her mother, who looked quite old all of a sudden. Her eyes were surrounded by thick bags that no amount of make-up could hide, and her shoulders were slumped, which was odd and did not suit her Black persona. Narcissa smiled weakly, "Yes, mother?"

"Come, sit with me," she ordered briskly, her voice sounding hoarse and worn. "There are a few things I wish to discuss with you."

Narcissa moved across the room swiftly, her dress swishing loudly at her feet, then took a seat on the edge of a green couch next to her mother, her hands resting calmly in her lap, "What is it?"

Her mother tucked a piece of slightly grey hair behind her ear and straightened up the best she could, "There are several things you need to know about marriage."

Oh, Gods, she was getting thatspeech.

"Men want things," her mother continued, not sounding as uncomfortable as Narcissa felt. "They want a woman for the bedroom, and they want a woman for the home... But they also want a woman for the public to admire. You must successfully be all three, or you are a poor excuse for a wife. Pureblood men, to say the least, need a woman to host events and look after the house while he works, and if you cannot do that, you are pathetic. A man wants a woman to satisfy his..." she paused and cleared her throat, "... urges. If you cannot satisfy him, he will leave you for someone else at the drop of a hat. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," Narcissa answered in a small voice, new fears suddenly stirring inside of her.

"If you cannot keep him happy, especially when it comes time to bearing him a child, you are worthless," her mother finished, placing a hand gently on Narcissa's knee. "That's what we are, Cissy."

Narcissa swallowed deeply and nodded her head, a silent sign she understood, though her face was no longer one of cheery nerves. Now, it was one of worry and anxiety.

"There there," her mother chuckled, shooting her a smile. "It's a glorious day for the Blacks! We're back into the circles where we belong as soon as Lucius Malfoy says I do."

"I had hoped I would marry for love," she murmured. "Not because my family arranged it."

Her mother snorted and she tossed a few strands of hair over her shoulder, "Don't be ridiculous... Do you think your father and I were in love when we married? Love comes with time."

Narcissa smiled, mainly to herself. For her, love would not come with time; it was already there.

"You look beautiful," her mother commented as Narcissa began to fall into her own thoughts, "but you always have... Always the pretty one, my Narcissa."

"Thank you," Narcissa whispered, watching as her portly mother rose, soothed the lines of her dress, then departed without another word.

Half of her fears were over! She had not tripped over her dress when she had stepped outside to walk down the aisle, nor had her father torn her away and fled, as she had heard him grumble to her mother several days ago.

Apparently her father did not approve of Lucius Malfoy, but like Narcissa, wasn't given much of a choice.
She had given both her sisters a weak grin as she made eye contact with them, and Severus a wink as soon as they spotted each other. However, when she saw Lucius, her mother's words began replaying in her head, and she had accidentally started sinking her nails into her father's coat sleeves. However, when she was up there, in front of her grandfather and Lucius, with everyone watching her back, she had to let go of her father and join her husband-to-be in front of the alter.

The soft breeze flew her dress lightly. Her hair had been pulled back and curled into a rather large bun, some strands hanging down her back. Despite Bellatrix's worries, many of the women complimented Narcissa's sleeveless dress, and several younger ones even admitted it was something they would like to wear whenever their wedding was.

Narcissa glanced up at Lucius, and he grinned. His eyes were not blue, as she had always thought, but more of a pale grey, which seemed to suit him. Hesitantly, she returned the smile and he frowned, apparently wondering why she felt so nervous.

"Today," Pollux's loud voice boomed, "we join together two of the greatest wizarding families in England, the pure and noble Blacks-"

Narcissa grinned when a few of her younger, male cousins cheered from somewhere in the back. She could already see her mother scowling.

Pollux cleared his throat, his eyes narrowing, "A house with dignityand grace. But we cannot forget the Malfoy side of our union. Strong and tracing as far back to Salazar Slytherin himself, it is a worthy match."

Lucius lightly touched her hand with his slender finger as the crowd behind them cheered. She turned her head slightly, looking up at him. His eyes were riddled with confusion; why wasn't she smiling back?
Narcissa forced a smile, but apparently it had not resolved anything in his mind. Her hand closed around his finger as Pollux rambled on about blood purity, pausing every so often to listen to the cheers of the 'refined' wizards in the background. With a more genuine smile, Narcissa gave his finger a light squeeze and stroked his skin with her thumb, trying to reassure him she was fine.

She and Bella had watched a Muggle wedding once, when they were both very young. They had gone into London with their parents, and while the older wizards were attending to their business, Narcissa and Bellatrix snuck into a nearby church, watching the silent ceremony take place. There was no one cheering, as was custom in a Pureblood wedding, and everyone just sat and listened to the bride and groom talk to each other, which seemed rather dull.

Wizarding weddings were quite the contrast, and were more fun for the audience, rather then the pair actually getting married.

"Moving along," Pollux boomed, adjusting his blue and black robes diligently, "I believe there is a marriage to perform. Would the couple please have your rings ready?"

They turned away from each other, Lucius going to Severus, and Narcissa shuffling over to Bellatrix, smiling warmly at Andromeda when their eyes met.

"You still want to do this?" Bellatrix whispered as she dug out the ring Narcissa had picked for Lucius, "I've got my wand... You could apparate home right now."

"Bella," Andromeda hissed, rolling her eyes. "Just give her the bloody ring."

"Charming, you two," Narcissa muttered as she was handed the ring. "Great wedding memories are already starting to form."

She noticed their cheeky grins as she turned back to face Lucius, who was watching her intently. Pollux clasped his hands in front of him, his long, white hair tossing delicately in the breeze, "Do you, Lucius Malfoy, take my granddaughter, Narcissa Black, to be your wife?"

Lucius clasped her hand delicately and slipped the ring on her finger, his eyes locked with hers, "I do."

Her eyes flickered down at the ring, and they widened. A large diamond now towered over her finger, and she stared up at him, shocked at it. He smirked, looking a little smug with his choice of rings. She would have chastised him, looked away, but she couldn't... It was so beautiful.

"And do you, Narcissa Black take Lucius Malfoy to be your husband?"

Narcissa gazed up at him and he raised an eyebrow, suddenly looking a little desperate for her to answer. She giggled softly and placed her ring on his hand, "Yes, yes I do."

He released a small gust of air and he watched her, uttermost affection clearly written across his grey orbs.

"Then, as both families act as witnesses, I place my blessing on the union of these two children," Pollux thundered, removing his wand in a ritualistic manner and pointing it at their clasped hands. A wisp of red smoke puffed out, then shot around their hands, tying an odd knot formation around them, then vanishing quickly. Pollux beamed down at the couple, "Then I now pronounce you man and wife... You may kiss your bride."

Lucius swooped down upon her swiftly, cupping her face with one hand, while tightly holding the other in his grasp, his lips firm, yet soothing, against hers. Her eyes widened, shocked at the very public display of affection, and mutually ended the kiss when a small grunt reminded him where they were, and who was watching.

When she finally had her breathing back, she noticed the vigorous round of applause from the crowd, and was dimly aware that Lucius was leading her down the aisle and away from everything, back into the hall she had first been pacing in that morning.

Now that was not ready to upchuck whatever food she had eaten in the past two days, she took the time to really take in the hall. It had a romantic, gothic style to it. For some reason, it suited the wizards more than anything ever could.

"Where are we going?" Narcissa asked suddenly as Lucius pulled her into a room, shutting the door loudly behind him.

He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, "I just wanted a moment for you and I... Since... Well, the rest of the evening we will belong to the family."

Gods, Lucius was right. It was nearly time for the main course of the wedding, which involved Narcissa and Lucius sitting at the head table, with Severus at Lucius's side and Bellatrix at Narcissa's, and continue with a rather lengthy meal. Narcissa was afraid her dress seams would just burst, since she was so full already, and there was still more food on the way.

The atmosphere of a wedding, no matter the blood purity, was always a joyous occasion in the wizarding world. While at dinners, most of the Blacks would try to outdo each other with something or another, usually ending the night in an argument. However, at a wedding, there was music, singing, and an ending supply of drinks that helped move everything along smoothly.

Narcissa wrinkled her nose slightly as a dish was placed in front of her, resembling something of a fish that was still alive, eyes intact. She leaned closer to Lucius, resting her hand gently on his arm, "Lucius?"

"Hmm?"

"Is... Is it dead?"

He snorted loudly, which caused him to nearly spit up the sip of wine he had just taken. Severus patted his back awkwardly as he watched his friend choke on his drink, coughing slightly.

Narcissa couldn't help but grin at the reaction, but she was still a little apprehensive about the food, "I'm serious, Lucius... Look at this thing."

"Eat it and make Mother happy," he murmured, turning his head and planting a sharp peck on her forehead, "Or... Just push it around your plate and make it look like you ate it."

She giggled quietly and began mashing things around her plate, quite satisfied that in the end it looked as though she had eaten something.

"Welcome home," Lucius purred, holding her hand firmly as he led her into the familiar Malfoy Manor. "It's ours now."

The day had almost crawled by, and all Narcissa wanted to do was to get out of her shoes and sink into a hot bath. However, the way Lucius's eyes were clouded over, and had darkened a shade or so, she was sure he had other things on his mind than a bath.

Unless it involved the pair of them shagging, she supposed. Then he wouldn't mind.

When guests finally started to clear out of the hall, they gave the new married couple some words of advice and their best wishes, some rather drunk as they departed.

Finally, the last to leave were their parents. Her mother was tearful, and her father still seemed discontent with the whole thing. The Malfoys were different. They had more class, she guessed, and did not cry all over Narcissa's dress, nor scowl as her father did.

They were... appropriate.

"Come on..." he urged lightly. "There's a new, large bedroom with a massive bed just waitingfor me to make you my wife properly in..."

He bent down to hoist her up, but she hesitated, stepping away. Lucius frowned, his hands falling limply to his sides, "What's wrong?"

"It's just... Just something my mother said to me," Narcissa muttered, looking down at her wedding dress adoringly, loving the way it clung to her, making her feel attractive and alluring for her husband.
Or, at least, she wished it did. She did not feel the least bit attractive. What if she was rubbish tonight?

"Oh, Merlin," Lucius groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "What's she gone and said now?"

"Lucius..." Narcissa blurted, suddenly feeling her cheeks tint, "If... If I'm not any good tonight... Would you leave me?"

His face relaxed and he slid closer, his arm wrapping around her thin frame and sweeping her into his chest, his head resting on hers, "I'm never going to leave, Narcissa Malfoy. You're my wife, and I love you... Very much."

Perhaps it was just the realization that the stressful day was over, or by how touched she was at his wording, but she started to weep. Silently, of course, her hands curling up against his chest and clutching his unbuttoned shirt. His arms stroked idly up her back, "I hope that isn't out of sadness."

She chuckled and shot him a watery grin, her make-up no doubt smudged. Finally, Lucius crouched over and picked her up, somehow managing to get a hold of her entire wedding dress with her in one, large armful. Resting her head on her chest, she stared at the familiar paintings, potted plants, and carpets that adorned the home.

Soon it would be different. Her taste would be mingled in.

"You know who I thought would come?" she inquired as Lucius backed into a large set of double doors, "The Dark Lord."

"He was there," Lucius informed her, walking lazily across the room and depositing her on a king size bed in the center, the curtains pulled back elegantly, the red sheets seeming oddly out of place in a Slytherin home.

Narcissa quirked an eyebrow, "He was there?"

"He said he didn't want to interrupt your day," Lucius chuckled, "and he wishes us well."

"I'm pleased, then."

They stared up at each other for a moment, and Lucius shrugged off his coat, tossing it unceremoniously on the floor, then unbuttoning his cuffs, his eyes never leaving her.

Narcissa slid the front of her right foot into the back of the left one, then kicked off her shoe, doing the same with the other foot. She released a soft moan at how amazing it felt to be rid of those damn confinements.

"What about you, Mrs. Malfoy?" he whispered, climbing over her and running his lips along her skin, "If I'm no good, would you leave me?"

"Never," she whispered, her fingers sliding up into his hair roughly, "I... I couldn't leave you, Lucius."

He grinned a feral grin and brought his lips crashing down into hers, the contrast between them astounding. While she felt flush, heated and pumping with desire, his lips and fingers were ice cold, flooding over her skin with his own sort of admiration.

Opposites attract, and as far as Narcissa was concerned, they attracted just fine.