Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments): Assignment 10

Culinary Arts: Types of Knives: Slice & Dice but not Stabby

Task #3: Write a fic featuring a minor character you've never written or hardly written before.

Word Count: 404 (Google Docs)

Not As Strong

I don't want to do this.

At all.

But this is my duty as a daughter of House Black. Perhaps I could have delayed it, or even not do it at all, but when Andromeda ran away, and Bellatrix became slightly insane, it fell to me, Narcissa Black, the youngest sister, to marry and continue the Black line.

If my parents had betrothed me to a more agreeable person, perhaps I could be happy. But no. My betrothed is Lucius Malfoy, who is one of the most despicable people I have ever met.

Sometimes I wonder if I should have accepted Andromeda's offer and ran away with her. Then I wouldn't be in this crazy web of politics and alliances.

But I am not as strong as Andy, and I could not.

I inspect my wedding dress again, searching for the smallest tear or rip. This wedding must be perfect, even if I might not want it.

Someone knocks on my door, and I call, "Come in."

The door opens and Mother steps in, the blonde hair that I inherited from her in a classy chignon, her features as sharp and cold as ever. A flash of pride takes over her face as she looks at me, her favourite daughter, all perfect and ready to be married.

I hate it.

But I am a daughter of House Black, bound by duty. I cannot show my inner feelings, as much as I want to stomp and rage (though perhaps something less dramatic). I must not neglect my duties and responsibilities, like Andy did.

The wedding passes in a blur. I recite my lines dutifully and make the appropriate noises when I am to do so, but I am not really paying attention. All I can think of is what life would be like as not Narcissa Black, but Narcissa Malfoy.

Lucius smiles at me, but it is not the type of kind smile Andy would send me during particularly fussy pureblood gatherings. It is cold and cruel, like a knife.

Then suddenly, Mother is leading me to Lucius's bedroom - no, our bedroom, I correct myself mentally. I swallow.

It is time for the part of the wedding I dreaded most.

"Go in," Mother encourages me.

Perhaps I could have rebelled at that time. Perhaps I could have ran away. But I am not as strong as Andy, and I will never be.

I go in.