Bellatrix's room was almost completely packed. Starting tonight, she would be living in a house on the Lestrange property with Rodolphus. Narcissa knew this moment had been coming from the moment the couple had been betrothed to each other, but now that it was here, she was overwhelmed with emotion she hadn't expected. "Cissy?"
Narcissa turned around and found Bellatrix standing behind her. Bellatrix had curlers in her hair, and her nails were painted a light pink. Narcissa wasn't sure how Mother had won that argument, since Bella almost always painted her nails black. Bellatrix closed her last few suitcases with her wand. She looked into Narcissa's eyes, and Narcissa swore a tear ran down Bella's cheek. "I guess this is goodbye," said Narcissa.
"We still have an entire wedding ceremony and reception to go. And it's not like we won't ever see each other again."
"I know," said Narcissa. "But you're not going to live here, anymore. Bella, I know we've had our differences over the years, but in truth, I'm going to miss having you around. Merlin, I can't believe I just said that."
Bellatrix smiled and chuckled. "I can't see myself gossiping with Rod all night, unfortunately. You're better at it."
"Dromeda isn't much for gossip."
"No, she isn't."
Druella knocked on the door and entered the room. "Bella, we need to start getting you ready. You as well, Cissy. Dromeda and Cécile are in the dressing room."
"Yes, Mother," the sisters answered.
Druella closed the door behind her, and Bellatrix chanted, "Accio, suitcases."
The suitcases flew over to her, and she grabbed the handles. The sisters entered the dressing room, where Andromeda had already had her hair and makeup done, plus she was already clad in her bride's maid dress. Narcissa enjoyed it more the Bellatrix, but they also dressed in their appropriate dresses, had their hair styled, and had their makeup applied. "You look beautiful, Bella," said Druella.
"This is a change for me," Bellatrix admitted.
"I better go check on my sons," said Cécile. Everyone else nodded, and Cécile Apparated out of the room.
"Tuffy thinks Mistress Bella looks beautiful for her wedding," said Tuffy.
"No one asked your opinion, you stupid elf," said Bellatrix. Tuffy cowered out of the room. "Mother, Dromeda, may I have a moment alone with Cissy?"
"Of course, dear." Druella and Andromeda left the room.
Bellatrix turned to Narcissa, and she took Narcissa's hands in hers. "Look, Cissy. I want to give you some sisterly advice one more time as a Black." Narcissa nodded, a few tears forming in her eyes as the reality of Bellatrix's time as a Black was ending. "I have some affection toward Rod, and we get on well enough, but I'm also marrying him mostly out of duty and to bring honor to the family."
"I know," Narcissa whispered softly.
"I know I constantly poke fun at you and Lucius, but for the love of Merlin, please don't let him go. You might actually get to marry someone you truly love."
"How do you know I truly love him?"
"You look all gaga every time you're around him. I was there when you first told him you love him. Plus the fact that you smelt him in the Amortentia potion."
"How did you find out about that?"
"Victoria Greengrass is terrible at keeping secrets, and she mentioned about you brewing one for your Potions final. Then, she went on to describe what you both smelt, and I could figure out what the musk scent was. Lucius smells like a giant forest every time he walks into a room. The bloke spends more times styling his hair than you do."
Narcissa chuckled. "He does obsess over his hair a little too much."
Druella and Andromeda entered the room again, and Druella said, "It's time. Dromeda, hold onto me as I Apparate us over to the Lestrange Manor. Cissy, you hold onto Bella."
The Black witches Apparated to the Lestrange Manor, though Bellatrix wasn't nearly as efficient in Apparition as Druella was. "Merlin, Bella, how did you pass your Apparition exam?" asked Narcissa.
"Barely," Bellatrix responded honestly.
Narcissa glanced into the Great Room, which was decorated in silver and green tones. Almost every member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight families—minus the blood traitor families—was already seated. Narcissa noticed Lucius sitting with his parents toward the front on the right side. Minister of Magic Eugenia Jenkins was standing at the front. "They're ready," said Cygnus.
The orchestra began to play, and Rodolphus first processed down the aisle on his parents' arms. Next were Andromeda and Atticus Crabbe. Narcissa clutched her flower bouquet and linked arms with Rabastan; the pair walked down the aisle as the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Finally, Minister Jenkins signaled everyone to stand, and Bellatrix walked down the aisle in between Cygnus and Druella. "Who gives this woman to this man?" asked Minister Jenkins.
"Her mother and I do," answered Cygnus. Cygnus and Druella kissed Bellatrix on the cheek before taking their seats.
Bellatrix took her place, and while she didn't have any sort of excessive admiration on her face, both she and Rodolphus looked at least semi-content. "Ladies and gentlemen, wizards and witches, we are gathered here today to unite Bellatrix Druella Black and Rodolphus Edmund Lestrange in Matrimony. In the Wizarding world, Matrimony is almost as permanent as the Unbreakable Vow. Today, Bellatrix and Rodolphus will vow before each other, Merlin, and everyone gathered here to love, honor, and protect each other for the rest of their lives. If Bellatrix and Rodolphus's two witnesses would join me? The Ministry has granted Ms. Narcissa Gwyneth Black and Mr. Rabastan Francis Lestrange permission to use magic underage." Narcissa and Rabastan pulled out their wands and joined Minister Jenkins. "Bellatrix and Rodolphus, please join hands." The pair did so, and Minister Jenkins, Narcissa, and Rabastan waved their wands, creating a magical seal over Bellatrix's and Rodolphus's hands. "Rodolphus, do you take Bellatrix to be your wife, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live, or until death do you part?"
"I do," responded Rodolphus.
"Bellatrix, do you take Rodolphus to be your husband, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live, or until death do you part?"
"I do," answered Bellatrix, attempting to feign sincerity.
The seal disappeared, Narcissa and Rabastan put their wands away and they returned to their places. "May I have the rings, please?" Andromeda and Atticus handed the rings to Minister Jenkins. "Rodolphus place this ring on Bellatrix's finger, and say, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"
"With this ring, I thee wed." He placed the ring on Bellatrix's finger.
"Bellatrix, place this ring on Rodolphus's finger, and say, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"
"With this ring, I thee wed." Bellatrix slipped Rodolphus's ring onto his finger.
"By the power vested in me by the Wizarding world of the United Kingdom, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rodolphus, you may kiss your bride."
Rodolphus kissed Bellatrix passionately. For two people who claim they have no love for each other, they sure do lust after each other, Narcissa thought.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor for me to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange."
Given the fact that the wedding was being attended by numerous witches and wizards, the Great Hall was converted into a reception hall in no time. The bride's and groom's parents and the wedding party were introduced before Bella and Rod. Food was abundant and drinks were flowing as the band played numerous songs. Soon, the band began playing a slow song, and the lead singer announced, "I would like to invite the newlyweds, the parents of the bride and groom, and the wedding party out onto the dance floor."
Narcissa followed Rabastan as he led her out onto the dance floor, and the pair swayed back and forth in time with the music. While Rabastan was a decent enough dancer, Narcissa noticed they just didn't fit in her mind. Andromeda and Atticus weren't doing much better, and quite frankly, neither were Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Despite hours of dance lessons before the wedding, Bellatrix still had not improved. The only two couples in sync were Charles and Cécile and Cygnus and Druella.
After the song ended, Narcissa took the opportunity to get some refreshments, pouring herself a Butterbeer and grabbing a few Pumpkin Pasties. She had barely finished either before she heard someone come up behind her and ask, "May I request the honor of a dance?"
Narcissa swallowed the last bit of Pumpkin Pasty and washed it down with the last swig of Butterbeer. She threw the cup in the trash and took Lucius's hand. "You may."
Lucius led her out to the middle of the floor, and many other couples and mates were dancing together. Narcissa noticed Rabastan dancing with Philip Avery and Evan Rosier, while Victoria Greengrass and Atticus Crabbe were waltzing together. Bella and Rod were dancing together, of course, and Narcissa observed the Notts and her parents encouraging Xavier and Andromeda to dance together. Narcissa figured that Mother and Father and Mr. and Mrs. Nott might be thinking about making Dromeda and Xavier the next match. Narcissa was unsure how successful this endeavor would be, though, since Andromeda looked less than enthusiastic about the prospect of waltzing with Xavier.
"This might be us at our wedding in another five years or so," said Lucius.
"Yes," Narcissa verified. "But I don't want any of this formal betrothal rubbish. When the time comes, I expect you down on one knee, presenting me with the largest diamond ring you can find."
"I wouldn't do anything less since you deserve only the best," Lucius whispered in her ear, sending shivers down Narcissa's spine.
The reception ended, and Rodolphus and Bellatrix wished their families and friends goodbye, as they were going on a two week excursion to Italy for their honeymoon. "Behave, Cissy. And make sure you keep Lucius in line as well," said Bellatrix.
"I believe Lucius and I behave better than you and Rod ever did before today," Narcissa quipped.
Bellatrix gave a wicked grin and said, "But now it's considered socially acceptable."
Figures, Narcissa thought. Clearly, Bellatrix only cared about the family motto when it came to blood purity. "I know Rod wasn't your first choice for a husband, but I hope you both can get on well in your marriage. We both know how important preserving our pure line is."
"Agreed." The two sisters hugged before Bellatrix joined her new husband for their getaway.