I take thee… to have and to hold…

On the expansive grounds of an old estate, almost twelve-hundred witches and wizards gathered to watch the union of two of the most honourable Pure-blood families in the country. The guest list was compiled completely by the parents of the couple, with the bride and groom only recognizing about half of their guests.

The traditional ceremony was long and dull, and it was followed by an ever longer and more tedious dinner. The bride and groom sat at the head table, placing false smiles on their faces when someone addressed them, then returning to their state of sullenness when they thought no one was paying attention.

The gift table was piled high with gifts to be opened by the newlyweds, but there wouldn't be enough time to do it in front of the guests. They would do it later – or, more likely, they would have one of the servants do it for them. Neither one thought that anything in the packages would be of much interest to them.

The bride looked over at her husband. He was handsome, rich, and knew the importance of maintaining blood purity in their world. She didn't dislike the man, but she didn't love him either. She knew his feelings for her were mutual. Their families had made the arrangements for their marriage when they were both very young, and they had long ago accepted that this would be their future.

The bride would be moving in with the groom's family, and she would be playing the role of a faithful wife to the heir of a wealthy, powerful family. Just as her mother and mother-in-law had both done and continue to do. She would be expected to give him a couple children, but he assured her that an au pair would be hired to raise the children. The groom knew of her future plans; after all, he had the same ambitions that she did, and the work involved with achieving their goals didn't leave much time for child-rearing.

As the wedding began to wind down, her husband looked over at her, finally able to speak openly for the first time that day.

"Are you happy?" he muttered to her.

"Not particularly," she replied. "Are you?"

"No," he said, with a shrug, "but we could both do worse."

"Very true," she agreed, giving him a small smirk.

Bellatrix Black married Rodolphus Lestrange for duty.

*.*.*

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer…

In a small church, in eastern Suffolk, a man and woman stood in the same spot that the groom's parents had stood some twenty-five years previously. His parents now sat in the front pew, amongst a handful of chosen relatives. Only the groom's family was in attendance. No one from the bride's family was invited – not that they would have come anyhow.

The wedding ceremony was short, but sweet. They bride and groom wrote their own vows, each one becoming tearful as they spoke of their love and devotion to one another. After the wedding, the small group gathered for a simple, yet delicious meal at the home of the groom's parents.

Later, gifts were presented to the newlyweds and opened for all to see. The bride felt tears come to her eyes as her mother-in-law presented her with an antique brooch that had been in her family for six generations. The kind-hearted woman was only too happy to pass it on to her new daughter. The two women embraced, sharing the first of many cherished moments.

The bride looked over at her husband, who was grinning at her. A couple of years ago she never imagined she would be married to someone like him and surrounded by a family like this. He was loving, considerate and treated her like royalty. He told her once that the first time he laid eyes on her, he knew he would marry her. She didn't reveal what went through her mind the first time she saw him; the thought of how ignorant she was shames her now.

Later that night, the bride and groom went to a small bed and breakfast on the coast, where they planned to stay for a few days. After the honeymoon was over, they were going to start house hunting for a home of their own. She couldn't wait to have children and give them the love that she never knew as a child. She stood on the beach, not too far from the inn, staring out into the sea, dreaming about her future. Her husband walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Are you happy?" he asked, resting his chin on her shoulder.

She leaned into him and smiled. "I have never been happier in my life," she said honestly.

Andromeda Black married Ted Tonks for love.

*.*.*

To love and to cherish… 'til death do us part…

The manor and gardens were beautifully decorated; there wasn't a single thing out of place. The bride had spent the previous week coordinating every tiny detail of this wedding. She wanted everything to be perfect. The guest list contained four-hundred-and-fifty-two guests, all of which were approved by the bride.

The actual wedding ceremony was elegant, tasteful and exactly how she wanted it. She stood next to the man who would become her husband and they recited the traditional vows to one another. She had spent weeks practicing the words, so that they would slide off her tongue smoothly, and she ensured her face displayed the appropriate devoted expression, as she listened to the groom effortlessly recite his words to her. Following the ceremony was an extravagant meal. The food was chosen by the bride, and she took careful consideration to ensure that the favourite dishes of the groom's family were on the menu.

They followed the meal with an exhibition of opening gifts. The bride and groom took the time to thank each guest personally. The bride knew it was important to remain in the good graces of each of their guests. It was of utmost importance that her new family welcomed and accepted her.

Fortunately, her new husband was completely enamoured by her. She considered herself lucky to have won the hand of someone who was near-perfection. He was incredibly good-looking, with a well-refined, aristocratic demeanour. He acted the way any well-bred Pure-blood should, which earned him a respectable reputation in the Wizarding community. She didn't love him yet, but she's sure that will come later. For now, she needs him. Her own family was crumbling, with blood-traitors and Muggle-sympathizers emerging all the time. She was delighted to surrender her surname and take one that wasn't tied to multiple scandals. She planned to have children – a son, at the very least – and then she would be forever secured to this family.

"Are you happy?" her husband asked her later that night, as they lay in bed together. He was smiling at her like he won the best prize.

"Of course, I am," she replied swiftly. She gazed down at the golden band on her finger; the one that made her feel safe. She looked back at him and returned his smile. "I have everything I ever wanted."

Narcissa Black married Lucius Malfoy for protection.