An over-hanging arch covered in roses of every possible shade stood grandly above the rolled out carpet of ruby-red. On either side were rows and rows of gleaming white marble benches, adorned and decked out with white laces and frills. The grass was a bright, emerald green and the over-head sky was of the softest, breeziest hue. The clouds looked like fluffy cotton, suspended in the silvery canvas above. Lucius sighed, it was a perfect day and so it should be. He could not resist a soft snort as he recalled how Mr. Orion Black paid the Department of Weather Augury and Modification an absolutely exorbitant sum to ensure that rain clouds forecast for the engagement morning drifted toward Wales instead.

They indeed were desperate. Lucius rolled his eyes as he looked at the raised platform of crème white where an altar stood and draperies of gauzy netting were hung like enlarged cobwebs in the corners. Strangely, all these sight of expense and the pungent perfume of flowers did not enlighten him as he saw a woman with bottle green eyes and glossy chestnut-brown ringlets advance towards him. A tight gown of the same matching green of her eyes, hugged her full-fledged womanly curves as she fluttered towards him like a butterfly. "Lucius!" she exclaimed, puckering her big, rouge lips. "Andromeda." He greeted as she held his offered arm. "Lucius, I have already told you to call me Andry…" Lucius frowned, "Such informalities can come afterwards." He quipped, making their slow progress towards Ravensden Hall.

"Look at all these new roses!" Andromeda continued as if she had not heard him. "I wonder how father could have afforded all of them, I love primroses, do you like them Lucius?" Lucius was about to cut in that his father paid for the whole renovation of the Black's mansion and any expenses to the engagement but held his tongue as he just nodded. "Good! That's another thing we have in common. Bellatrix had just confronted me in the study and argued that I shouldn't be engaged with you because we had nothing in common but I counted all the things that we did have in common and there is quite a lot, including the primroses I mean - "

"How very like Bellatrix." Lucius interrupted, a flash of annoyance clouding his handsome face. "Bellatrix is so outspoken, she doesn't think twice about what she's going to do or say, as long as she believes its right, that's enough for her. Narcissa's like that too, no…actually she's much more vain, she doesn't care about anybody else except herself and she's so spoilt by father. I know she has the beautiful looks but honestly she's so obstinate…" Lucius's thought focused on Narcissa as Andromeda chatted on, the silent girl had completely amused him and her most unnerving eyes stirred something deep inside of him that he didn't quite recognise.

"The guests have arrived!" Andromeda squealed, waking Lucius up from his momentary thoughts. "Oh look!" she exclaimed again, "There's the Averys, McNairs, Parkinsons, Karkaroffs, even the headmaster! Professor Dumbledore!" Lucius nudged her gingerly, "Andromeda, not quite so loud." He whispered, Andromeda gave him a dramatic look, "Can't I please get excited on my own engagement party?" she demanded, a misty look flashing over the green eyes. "No," Lucius drawled, "You can get excited on our Wedding." At this Andromeda started bouncing up and down with renewed excitement, finally bounding off to greet her friends.

Why did it annoy him when he mentioned the wedding? Was it because he didn't want to get married? No, he was certain he was quite satisfied of ensuring a strong alliance and producing another Malfoy heir whom he could raise. Maybe it was the person he was getting married to? He glanced at Andromeda who was talking to her hearts content, her facial expression was always as it was, open and full of expression. Her hand was flying away in hand gestures, her shapely mouth garbling animatedly. Lucius stuffed his hands deeper inside his pockets. Why was he even considering this? The engagement would be in any minute and wasn't Andromeda his ideal future-bride? She was indeed beautiful and lively, she lacked academic achievement and some elegant lady postures but those things could be mended in due time.

Already the swarm of the wizarding population streamed through into the gardens, gasping at the newly planted flowers and rare trees, commenting as subtly as possible about how wise this alliance was going to be. Mrs Ophine Black was beaming around in pleasure and many were patting Andromeda on the back, giving their congratulations. Lucius also noted the numerous jealous mothers trying to put on a jovial face and their equally jealous daughters who were staring at Lucius wistfully. Feeling like a cheap display item, he quietly slipped away.

Narcissa sat under the same mahogany tree that she had met Lucius; she unwrapped the white silk ribbon with its blood red flower and took out her wand. 'Silium,' she muttered. Before her very eyes, her skin began to seal with a blinding spear of golden light. The process was painful but no word of the agony escaped from her as she stared transfixed at the healing wound. She sat so still in silence and suspense that the birds started to come right to her knee to peck at the worms, which squirmed its way around the dirt. A soft sigh was heard as she picked up the stained piece of silk. She thought it looked quite beautiful and deadly… quite liking the idea; she swept up her finely spun hair into a high ponytail and wrapped it firmly around it. An amused light crept into her frosted eyes as she examined the effect. It was amazing what imagination could do…

Rodolphus smirked as he poured some Scotch into a crystal glass. "It's not too bad after the formalities…" he said, trying to sound sympathetic. "In no time, you'll be married and that's when you get to enjoy yourself…" he took a deep swig, Lucius glared at him disdainfully, "It's easy for you to say, your wedding's going to be in a fortnight!" Lestrange made a very awkward face, a cross between commiseration and a smirk, the latter becoming more pronounced. "Now…now, no need to get tense." Lucius frowned as he sank into a comfortable Parisian chair. "There's nothing to be tense about." He replied curtly, "And I'm quite sure I can take care of myself without your voice of helpful advice." He continued in a tart tone.

Rodolphus shrugged as he produced another crystal glass and swivelled Scotch into it. Handing it to Lucius he gave him a wry smile, "I'm just your best mate with previous experience." Lucius leaned back, "Precious," he said sarcastically. "I couldn't agree more, experience is indeed precious." Rodolphus shot back, an eyebrow raised. Lucius shrugged casually as he accepted the drink. "What if I don't want to be engaged?" Lucius started; expressing his doubt. "What, you want to live the rest of your life as a bachelor?" Lucius shook his head, "What if you don't want to be engaged to a particular person…" it was very unlike Lucius to express his thinking but such important stage of his life couldn't go un-debated.

Rodolphus's eyes grew wide, "You don't mean…" he started, Lucius gazed deeply out of the window. "Don't worry about it." He said simply, masking his real concern. Suddenly Lestrange looked deadly serious as he considered the idea, "If you don't want to get married to Andromeda, you better tell everybody now before its too late. It's a big event, you wouldn't want to be regretting it." Lucius's face was still blank, hiding the furious argument he was having with himself. Both sides were equally competent as they squabbled over each possibility, tired of the restlessness he asked, "Are you regretting it?" Rodolphus whirled his Scotch around slowly, "No…" he drawled. Lucius took a long gulp and stretched his legs out.

"Then I'm sure I won't either." He said in a set tone as if that settled the matter. Rodolphus just shrugged and casually glanced at his watch, he stiffened in surprise. "Oh Merlin!" he swore. Lucius nearly choked on the liquid at the sudden outburst. "What?" he asked, disturbed. "We were meant to be down there five minutes ago!" Lucius swallowed the rest of his drink hurriedly, "Oh for Salazar's sake!" he growled in annoyance. The two youths hastily materialized their cups into the kitchens downstairs as they stealthily bounded the many flight of stairs and corridors, panting breathlessly as they hoped with all their hearts that they would make it to the eastern gardens in time.

These were the numerous times Lucius wished that their mansions were simple and small, without countless rooms, cross-ways of stairs and endless, wandering corridors that were full of portraits whom jeered at the running pair mercilessly. Using his acute memory to guide him, Lucius finally sprang from the top of the staircase to the bottom in haste, his cape billowing out behind him like a gaping wave of darkness. They burst out into the open air, the blast of pungent roses wafting into their heated faces. They continued to run swiftly and came to the labyrinth of hedges in which, the other side was the engagement ceremony. Persuading Rodolphus to not blast the hedges away with his wand, Lucius placed both his hands on the prickly hedge and levered himself high in the air before dropping expertly on his feet at the opposite side. Taking his example, Lestrange landed at his heels.

Dashing past a few more turns, they stumbled into the open where the ceremony had already begun. Tactfully Rodolphus melted away to take his respectable seat besides Bellatrix when Lucius was ushered towards his mother, Lucreta. Lucreta shook her head disapprovingly, causing her sandy, elegantly curled hair to wobble vigorously. Her fixed muddy green eyes sparkled with anticipation as she pushed him forwards. All too quickly, Lucius was the centre of all the attention, walking stiffly towards the druid clothed entirely in white. The rest was a blur as he stood by the altar, the breath-takingly beautiful Andromeda standing beside him, her whole face alight with giggling delight.

Her curls were coiffed upon her head fragilely and her gown of the tasteful emerald-green was low-cut and very suggestive as it swayed smoothly over the arch of her slender reed-like legs. Lucius saw her give him furtive looks of desire as she eyed him up and down, seemingly to see right pass those tightly fitting robes of rich colours, defining his well-built muscles. Lucius rolled his eyes exasperated as he saw in turn the druid muttering and chanting between laboured coughs in a continuous monotone and the guest's eyes boring at the back of his head.

Everything was happening through a thick, heavy fog and it seemed to unravel in a very high speed. Maybe too fast for Lucius's liking but he did not have any say in the matter as a band of a shimmering band of wrought dragon platinum was placed on his finger, the intricate engraved design flashing in all its hollow as the evening sun sank towards the horizon, emblazing the precious metal in every iridescent shades that no jewels could supply. In Lucius's name, Andromeda was presented with a similar ring except with a diamond solitaire that sild flawlessly over her ring finger of her left hand…

Just before the ceremony officially ended, Lucius's eyes met with the most mystifying crystal blue of a gorgeous young witch. Her such feather-light finely spun golden locks of silk tied up in a high, graceful ponytail with matching white silk. He narrowed his eyes, the white silk looked so suspiciously like the one stained by her blood, the one he had presented to her. The delightful, natural curls at the ends were more pronounced as they fell down to her shoulder.

Her eyes seemed to flash a warning, a faint warning, its full principle hidden behind a barrier of unfeeling ice. Then as the ceremony was proclaimed concluded, she followed after her mother as she rose from her seat, her most divine head held high, her shoulders squared and her back straight. A shadow of weariness seemed to pit itself in the dazzling light of the heavenly blue as she proceeded to the other side of the hedge where an open-air buffet was held and a marvellous tour of the renovated gardens that was taking place. He should have been feeling relieved and glad that the ritual had been preformed without a glitch but an unknown feeling of disappointment would not rid itself as his proud shoulders slumped a fraction.

He had finally done it. Sealed his fate, Beautropeus Malfoy would never accept any inappropriate behaviour now that he was formally engaged, he could not deny his destiny…there was no going back. Nobody lingered in their marble seats, everybody had progressed to the buffet, and even the religious druid seemed to allow himself some enjoyment as he advanced towards the food. Lucius was all alone, the feeling of dread and doubt overwhelming him with the additional sum of the silence. He was not alone for long, he saw Andromeda make her way towards him, a seductive smile present on her ravishing lips.

"Lucius…" she breathed, the name rolling off her tongue like honey. Lucius nodded coldly, his thoughts still loitering uncomfortably on Narcissa. Andromeda expertly looped her arms around his neck and Lucius uneasily realised that her hands were toying with his cape; soon enough, the black silk fell in an embarrassing heap on the lurid green grass. "Now that we're alone…" she continued, her body pressing disturbingly against his robust figure. "We could get to know each other more…" she pressed on recklessly as she placed his arms around her waist. Lucius glared at her icily, "I don't quite catch what you're meaning Andromeda."

Andromeda battered her long eyelashes efficiently, "Andry, Lucius…Andry…" she placed her hands on both sides of his dignified cheeks as her lips touched his. Her tongue burst through in his mouth maddeningly, passion burning on every flicker of its movement as it ran ruthlessly all over the inside coves of his mouth, the place where he locked away his sweet and enhancing taste. Slyly, she worked her hands to his shoulder where she successfully tried to deposit him of his costly robes. Noticing the disturbance, Lucius tried to pull away but one of Andromeda's hands pressed at the small of his neck, causing his head to dip, deepening the toxic kiss. As she grew more successful in pushing his robes further downwards, Lucius tactfully tried to batter her efforts but as her whimpering and moaning grew louder and her tongue grew more fiery, he felt himself drain with exhaustion because of the tension and endeavour of that day.

With the last possible strength he could muster he took a sharp intake of breath that was audible as he breathed, his usually glibbed face was highly strained… "No…"