Rachel sucked back the tears that she had refused to let fall and put on a brave face to prepare her for rest of the ceremony.
"Are you alright?" Draco muttered to her under his breath. He clenched her hand in a comforting gesture from his position besides her.
"I'm fine." Her voice was so soft yet held a jagged, icy edge to it that made his heart sink a foot or two.
"And now," Voldemort's voice sliced through their moment of tension. "To solidify the bond of your marriage with blood." Kelly and Kristin Knott, two twin teenage girls who had gone to school with Draco, stepped forward. They held ornately crafted daggers that shone in the pale moonlight and raised them up as they tossed back their hoods to better see their targets. They both had long hair of spun gold and eyes as blue as the moons glow and they smiled as they opened up small gashes in Draco's left hand and Rachel's right one, Kristin cutting into Rachel's flesh and Kelly into Draco's. Voldemort then grasped their wrists and forced their hands together. The two winced at the sudden jolts of pain that flooded through their arms. Then a strange sensation came flowing through their blood. 'What's going on!' They both thought, and then gasped in shock. 'Draco, are you are you in my head?'
'I was about to ask you the same thing, luv.' He gave her what would have been a smirk had his face not been twisted with pain.
"You may now kiss the bride." Voldemort gave a grin that dripped with sadism and Draco kissed Rachel, interlocking both her hands in his.
The reception was as grand as you would have expected for an affair as luxurious as this one. Both the Blacks and the Malfoys were more than rich, and more than willing to pay for such a decadent occasion. Rachel and Draco barely realized all the celebrating that was going on around them, quite worn out and shocked by all that had proceeded during their ceremony. They sat at the head of the grand, stone table as toasts were made and guest after guest came up in a line to give their wedding gifts; as was tradition. The couple thanked them all politely and shook hands with their fellows, putting on the farce that they knew they would have to hold onto for quite a long time. When the feast was over and no one could dance anymore from the exhaustion, they all lined up by the stairs as Draco and Rachel walked up to go to their chambers. Rachel paused at the top and tossed the bouquet over the railing and behind her back, not even bothering to look into the shrieking pile of girls who fought violently for the decadent foliage arrangement. Draco led Rachel down the hall and through a door that led to his section of the Manor and then to his bedroom door.
"Here we are." He opened it by the polished silver handle and gently pushed it open. Rachel paused for a moment and saw that her possessions had been moved into his large room. "Allow me." He lifted her into his arms, startling her so she instinctively threw her arms around his neck to keep from falling. He carried her over the threshold of their room together and gently put her down on the bed. "Draco..." She started to speak, but he cut her off with a kiss.
"I love you," He spoke to her gently. "Mrs. Malfoy."