"I must admit I'm surprised she pulled it off," said Eleanor.
"I had my doubts, but she really came through for Narcissa," said Druella.
"Mother, Mrs. Malfoy, I'm right here," said Bellatrix.
"I'll be the first to admit I was apprehensive as well," said Narcissa.
"Well, I'm glad I've given everyone a surprise. But I'll admit it was mostly me ordering the house-elves around."
"But it is lovely," said Amelia Parkinson. The courtyard of the Black Estate was decorated with green and lavender decorations with lavender and green table covers to match. The house-elves served various flavors of scones with clotted cream, a variety of finger sandwiches, different types of petit fours, and some cheeses, meats, and crackers. There were also some breakfast foods: a quiche, bacon, eggs, bangers, and beans. Along with the food, teas, champagne, and mimosas provided appropriate accompaniments.
Narcissa came up beside Bellatrix, and Bellatrix said, "It would have been much more fun to plan a hen do. Why didn't you opt for one?"
"Because we're not Muggles," Narcissa answered through gritted teeth.
"Well, that is honestly the only Muggle thing that seems like fun. And then torturing them afterward."
"Bella, you have two days to behave. Can you make those two days?"
"I'll try. But only because I care about you."
As the sun shined over the gardens, the attendees of Narcissa's bridal luncheon perspired some as a result of the heat. The attendees—Narcissa, Bellatrix, Victoria Greengrass, Violet Carrow, Amelia Parkinson, Druella, and Eleanor—gathered around the tables with their food and drinks to celebrate Narcissa's wedding the following day. Before they began to eat, Narcissa stood and said, "Thank you all for coming, and thank you Bella for hosting. Having you all here today means the world to me. There isn't anyone else I would want to celebrate with besides my closet mates, my sister, my mother, and as of tomorrow, my mother-in-law." Well, there was one other person, but Narcissa tried not to think about her. Easier said than done. "While we're all gathered here in celebration, I'd like to thank each of you individually. Amelia, we did not know each other well until you became Prefect with Lucius, but as I came to know you better, you became one of my closest mates. Violet, we got closer as we got older, but I'm glad you're here with me today. Vicky, you've been my closest mate ever since we were in nappies. I'm honored to have you stand next to me as I marry the love of my life. Bella, where do I begin? You hated playing dolls and tea party, you were always more interested in roughhousing with Rodolphus and Rabastan, and you saw yourself as one of the boys. But you were also always there to defend me, even when I didn't want it. Still, I'm glad you're my sister. Eleanor, I'm grateful that you raised such a noble, wonderful wizard. You have grace, strength, and dignity; you embody everything a Malfoy witch should be, and I can only hope I can live up to half of your example as the next Mrs. Malfoy. And last, but not least: Mother, you were the first example of an elegant pure-blood witch for me, and I'll admit growing up, I never understood the emphasis on things such as how I walked, the way I spoke, or the manner I should behave in public. But secretly, I was envious because it wouldn't come as naturally to me as it did to you. Yet at the same time, you helped me come into my own. I know Blacks don't say this often, but I love you, Mother."
"I love you too, Cissy."
Narcissa sat down, and everyone ate. As they consumed their meals, Druella cleared her throat and spoke. "Well, now that Cissy has had the opportunity to speak, now it's time for the rest of us to do so. Everyone here knows the cliché rhyme: something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Eleanor, Bella, Vicky, and I have been collaborating, and we'd like to present you with several items. Bella?" Bellatrix pulled out a small, square box and handed it to Narcissa. Narcissa opened it, revealing a white rose corsage. "It's from the same florist who designed the corsage for my wedding as well as Bella's. It isn't officially old, but it's an old tradition for Rosier-descended witches to wear a white rose corsage on her wedding day."
Victoria handed Narcissa a rectangular box, and in this one, there was a blue-beaded necklace. "I found it in Diagon Alley when Mrs. Black instructed me to find something blue and something new."
Eleanor was the last person to present Narcissa a gift: a pair of small, dangling pearl earrings. "I wore them when Abraxas and I married. It's only appropriate for the next Malfoy witch to wear them to her wedding as well. But they're a valuable Avery family heirloom, so the earrings will be you're something borrowed."
"Thank you, Eleanor."
"To Narcissa Black; soon-to-be Narcissa Malfoy," toasted Druella.
"Cheers."
"I still can't believe you planned such a lovely event," said Narcissa to Bellatrix as the two witches sat on one of the benches in the courtyard, sipped their iced teas, and observed the house-elves clean everything.
"Again, I'm right here. I'm not completely incapable of being domestic; I just prefer not to be." said Bellatrix. They stayed silent before Bellatrix asked, "So, are you ready for tomorrow?"
Narcissa sighed. "I'm so excited to finally marry Lucius. The time in between our engagement and the wedding has gone by both slowly and quickly. But I'm also incredibly nervous about tomorrow."
"That you'll trip down the aisle or mess up your vows?"
"No," Narcissa responded, though those thoughts suddenly occurred to her upon Bellatrix's mention of them. "I'm more nervous for…"
It took her a few moments, but Bella's eyes widened when she realized what moment Narcissa was referring to. She guzzled down the last of her tea. "Come on, Cissy. There's still a bit more to pack in your room." Narcissa didn't know why Bellatrix was pulling them toward her almost-empty bed chamber; magic had sufficiently aided in the packing process. Bellatrix closed and locked the door, pulled out her wand, and chanted, "Muffliato." As she put her wand away, she said, "One credit I have to give to that Snape bloke: he is quite advanced at magic, particularly Dark magic."
Bellatrix sat down on Narcissa's bed and motioned for her sister to join her. Narcissa sat next to Bellatrix and asked, "So, why did you bring me here?"
"As your Matron of Honor, it's my job to make sure you're prepared for your wedding day."
"But I am: my dress is ready to go; our house-elves, Kreacher, and Dobby are decorating the gardens of Malfoy Manor; and aspects involving the reception are finalized."
"Good, that's everything for when you're in the public eye," said Bellatrix. "Then comes the moment where everyone goes home, and you and Lucy will leave the Ministry ballroom and go back to the Manor."
Narcissa's eyes widened in horror. "You're not giving me 'the talk', are you?"
"We can call it something different, if you want?"
"Bella, you have no idea how I feel right now. You weren't a virgin on your wedding night."
"No, but I did have a first time, only I was sixteen, and it was in the Astronomy Room. Do you want my advice or not?"
"Not really, but I'm sure you'll give it to me anyway."
Bellatrix took Narcissa's answer as a 'yes', so she said, "Everything you've seen in cinema about a mind-blowing first time—scratch that thought from your mind. It will be awkward as hell."
"Not helping, Bella."
"It will be weird to have someone else see you naked for the first time, and if Lucius is anything like Rod, he'll be nervous, but won't show it, not only because of his ego, but also because of the fact that he does everything to make you happy and comfortable. And don't underestimate the importance of foreplay; it's in both of your best interests to take your time and explore each other's bodies before the big event. Trust me: I speak from experience. It'll probably be a bit uncomfortable physically, and you might bleed a little…" Narcissa's eyes widened again. "Not a lot, but you might a little if or when your hymen tears. It would be a good idea to place a towel underneath of you just in case. Most importantly: everything will be okay, and you'll get better at it. Oh, and lube is your friend. I snuck some in one of your trunks." Narcissa didn't say anything. "Please say something, Cissy."
"Somehow, I feel slightly better. And I'm also thinking Mother will die if she gets word of this conversation."
"Well, I better be getting back to Rod's house," said Bellatrix. She still refused to call the Lestrange Manor 'home.' "I'll see you in the morning, Cissy."
"Good night." Bellatrix Apparated out of the room. Narcissa peeked into the trunk Bellatrix had mentioned, and there was indeed the aforementioned lube in it. Narcissa sighed to herself before she prepared for bed. She wondered if Lucius was as exhausted as she was, as he had had a celebration at Malfoy Manor with Evan Rosier, Atticus Crabbe, Julian Parkinson, William Greengrass, Xavier Nott, Philip Avery, Cygnus, and Abraxas. She dressed in her nightgown and crawled under the covers. Before she shut her eyes, she pulled a news article out of her nightstand drawer. It was a birth announcement from The Daily Prophet: Ted and Andromeda Tonks announce the birth of their daughter, Nymphadora Eileen Tonks, on 18 April 1973. The child's hair color in the picture constantly changed; Nymphadora was obviously a Metamorphmagus.
Nymphadora: what kind of name is Nymphadora? thought Narcissa. Clearly, Andromeda hadn't cared about following Black family tradition, but given the fact that the kid wasn't really a Black or a pure-blood, she didn't deserve that honor either. "I hope you're happy, Dromeda," Narcissa sarcastically said to herself. She ripped up the announcement and used magic to make it disappear. She wasn't going to let the Mudblood and the blood traitor ruin her wedding day, no matter how much Narcissa secretly wished for Andromeda to be standing next to her as she professed her lifetime love and commitment to Lucius.
Narcissa turned out the lights, and as she lied down, she said to herself, "Well, this night is my last one in this bed chamber as Narcissa Black."
Since I was in a writing mood, I've uploaded two chapters. The next chapter may or may not have a special event. ;)