Part Three: The Girl that I Marry
Sirius could feel a cold wind passing through the Hall. The silence was complete and not even a rustling among the guests could be heard. The gong sounded again as the two doors at the back of the Hall were thrown apart and two figures appeared between them.
Lucius's blond hair had been cut since the last time Sirius had seen him. Instead of falling to just below his shoulders, the hair now fell to frame his chin. His black robes fell from his shoulders in the traditional manner that always reminded Sirius of tents.
"I hope the room isn't to cold for him," Regulus whispered, which earned him a glare from their mother. Sirius's mouth twitched at the reference to what the groom traditionally wore underneath the robes, but managed to keep himself under control.
Sirius suppressed the urge to cough at his mother's suspicious glance, and looked to the bride. Narcissa's blue robe fluttered slightly in the breeze. Her hair had been grown out to fall to her feet in contrast to her betrothed's cut.
Two bells, one powerful 'Masculine', the other softer, 'Feminine', echoed through the Hall.
The couple began their walk down the aisle. As they passed each row the wizards and witches in that row bowed in greeting. Sirius nearly broke out into a grin when the couple passed him. It was such a relief to sit down.
Lucius lead Narcissa up the narrow steps to the platform where Lord Malfoy stood. The two bells rang again as the two knelt before the older man.
"A wizard or witch who is pure of blood is the foundation that all of our society stands on." Lord Malfoys voice reverberated through the hall with out the aid of a charm. "Our families and our lives are dedicated to our duty of protecting our land. Though those of non-magic descent may live here, we bear the responsibility of keeping them and the land safe."
Mr. Black stepped forward to stand next to Lord Malfoy. In his hands was a simple wooden box.
"Today I give the daughter of my brother and my land to your son and your land." Mr. Black said. "She has been taught of the responsibilities of her new station and stands eager to fulfill them."
Lord Malfoy took the box. "My son stands ready, my land stand ready." He looked down at the kneeling pair. "Narcissa Black, do you accept the responsibilities, as they were taught to you, to my son and my land."
"As I was taught," Narcissa's voice was horse from disuse. "I cannot accept the responsibilities to your land and your son."
Sirius wanted to look away from the platform. The box that Lord Malfoy was holding was emitting a bright light. His eye was caught by another light as he saw his father raise a knife into the air.
"As I was taught," Narcissa continued. "I accept the responsibilities to my husband and my land." The knife fell. Narcissa didn't flinch, though it must have grazed her face.
Lord Malfoy opened the box and placed it in front of the couple, so that they were shielding the light from the guests. He then took the knife from Mr. Black's hand.
"Today I give my son his land, and his wife." Lord Malfoy intoned. "He has been taught, according to the traditions, of his responsibilities to her, the land, and our family."
"Lucius Malfoy!" Mr. Black's voice rang with the bells. "You have learned the responsibilities of our families and your land. My daughter has accepted you and your land. Do you accept the duties that we place upon you today."
"As I was taught," Lucius's voice showed the same disuse as Narcissa's. "I accept my wife, my land, and the duties inherent." The knife fell again, this time in an arc that passed by Lucius's face.
Mr. Black took two wands out of his belt and held them out to the bride and groom. Lord Malfoy picked up the wooden box, the light coming from it had turned into a sickly blood color. He held it up to show the assembled guests. "The blood of all Malfoys is connected to the land on which we live. As long as the traditions are observed and the blood is kept pure the land will thrive."
"The land will thrive," Sirius murmured along with the rest.
Narcissa and Lucius turned around to face the crowd. Their cheeks had mirrored slashes from the knife. Lord Malfoy placed the box on a pedestal in front of them. Their wands came up and stirred whatever it was that was inside the box. The bells rang and the wands stopped their movements.
Lord Malfoy dipped his hand into the box and brought out a hand that was dripping with blood and dirt. "All of our children are bound to our land," He reached out and touched Narcissa's forehead. "With our blood we bear our responsibilities."
"So we bear our children," Narcissa bowed her head.
Lord Malfoy turned to his son. "The land is the dirt with which we were created," He touched Lucius's forehead.
"So are all our children created," Lucius bowed his head.
"As we are bound to our land and our home so are you bound to each other." Lord Malfoy stepped back into the shadows with Mr. Black.
Narcissa and Lucius turned to face each other, they raised their wands as if to duel. The wands kept rising as the bells sounded. The wands came to rest on the other's forehead, touching the spot that was covered by the dirt and blood. A white light, not unlike that which had come from the box earlier, spread through out them and enveloped the entire platform.
Silence reigned as most of the guests tried to hold their breath. The light faded as the bells rang. Lord Malfoy came forward. "We are bound."
"We are bound," Narcissa and Lucius echoed.
"We are bound," Sirius said along with the other married couples and heirs.
The reception hall was not as crowded as it had been before the ceremony when Sirius finally emerged from the Hall. He moved to one side of the room and looked around for either Remus or Severus. He spotted Peter but decided to leave the smaller boy to his own devices. He had almost given up and was thinking of heading into the family dinner when he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"I don't believe we've had much of a chance to talk Mr. Black," A pleasant voice said.
"I am not sure that we've ever had the opportunity to talk," Sirius turned to face Tom Riddle.
"Then we shall have to strive to create opportunities in the future," Riddle smiled. "I trust you liked my gift?"
"Very much," Sirius felt himself relax. "I can not believe that I have never run across them before."
"They were my dear companions when I was younger," Riddle said in a conspiratorial fashion. "When things got rough I was able to slip away to Wonderland with Alice."
"I wonder," Sirius mused as the two began to walk toward the dinner. "A lot of Muggle fairy tales have their roots in Wizarding Myths. What if the Wonderland books are the same?"
"That would indeed be an interesting topic to research," Riddle agreed. "Let me know if anything comes of it."
"I will," Sirius grinned. He spotted Remus standing with his parents. "Now we must part ways."
"Must we?" Riddle inquired. "I was going to say my good-byes to my dear Lupine friends. I assume you are doing the same?"
"I am," Sirius admitted reluctantly. Neither of them said anymore as they completed their approach to the Lupins.
"Mr. Riddle," Mrs. Lupin smiled when the man claimed her hand. "We missed you last night."
"I am very sorry to have missed your party, but some dear friends dropped by unexpectedly." Riddle kissed the palm of her hand.
"You missed a most entertaining guest." Mr. Lupin shook his hand.
"I am sure the night was very," Riddle paused and glanced toward Remus and Sirius. "Informative"
"Quite," Mr. Lupin agreed. "We were thinking of a turn about the famous Malfoy gardens. Would you care to join us?"
"I would be delighted," Riddle offered his arm to Mrs. Lupin and the three moved off.
"There is something about him that puts me off," Remus declared when they had seen the last of the retreating figures.
"I think I could come to like him," Sirius shrugged. "He is the one who gave me the Carrol books."
"And you kept them?" Remus said in a slightly incredulous fashion.
"They are good books," Sirius said defensively. "And I am not one to waste good books."
"Siri," Remus sputtered. "Riddle is one of the greatest Dark Arts practitioners ever! There is even a rumor that he is the direct descendent of Salazar Slytherin."
"If he is, then good for him." Sirius shook his head. "I don't see why all of this makes him a bad person."
"Slytherin hated Muggles." Remus sneered.
"Not quite." Sirius shook his head again. "Slytherin hated Muggles only in so much as that their fear of us made them violent."
Remus opened his mouth to say something, and closed it after a moment. "Interesting."
"Remus! Sirius!" Sirius groaned as he heard Peter's squeal. He then winced as Peter threw his arms around the two other boys. "I didn't know you two were here!"
"Narcissa's my cousin," Sirius moved so Peter was no longer touching his back.
"Ah," Peter nodded wisely. "So you're here under protest."
"No." Sirius bit out, hoping that no one else had heard Peter's remark. "It is always a joy to be able to see two people taking on the responsibilities of their station."
'Merlin, I sound like my mother.'
Peter blinked. "You winding me up?"
"Are you doubting the word of a Black?" Severus joined them. "You, a Pettigrew, dare doubt that today was anything but a joy for all attending?"
"Go away Snape." Peter glowered. "You aren't wanted here."
"Really," Severus drawled. "Do you also have a problem with my presence Mr. Black?"
"Not really Mr. Snape," Sirius suppressed a grin. "I find your company quite pleasant."
"You see?" Severus smirked at Peter as he clapped Sirius's shoulder. Sirius managed to catch the yelp of pain, but judging from Remus's expression he hadn't managed to stop the expression on his face. "Sirius and Remus want me to stay."
"I wouldn't go quite that far if I were you." Remus raised an eyebrow. "But you haven't done anything objectionable."
"Yet." Peter added.
Mr. and Mrs. Lupin returned to collect Remus, preventing any further conversation the boys might have had. Peter, seeing that his only ally was leaving left to look for his own parents.
"I'm getting the feeling that Pettigrew doesn't like me much," Snape laughed as he and Sirius entered the dinner.
"I am not high on his list either," Sirius sighed. "There are days I really believe everything my mother says about bad breeding."
"Hmmm..." Severus shrugged. "What was that look that Lupin gave you before he left?"
"I'm not sure," Sirius lied. "He is a weird one. He could have been telling me to be nicer to Peter."
Severus let that go, though it was obvious he thought Sirius was withholding information. Sirius sighed again as he took his seat next to Impetua. Remus had given him a look that promised a letter from both him and James. A letter that would demand to know what had happened after that afternoon in Diagon Alley.
'And boy am I going to be hard pressed to keep from telling them.'
End Notes:
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