Word Count: 586
Druella sighs when she enters her youngest daughter's room. Narcissa is still in bed, curled up beneath emerald sheets. Ordinarily, Druella would allow her to sleep in, but today is a big day.
"Hello, sweetie," Druella says, gently nudging her daughter. "Rise and shine. You are getting married today."
Narcissa groans and rolls over, hiding her head beneath her pillow. "Wake me up when I care," she mutters, her tone sleep-heavy.
Druella sighs. She knows Narcissa isn't happy about this upcoming marriage. So few people are happy in their arrangements. Still, their family's honor is at stake. Refusing a marriage may not seem significant to Narcissa, but Druella knows that it could have dire consequences.
"Lucius expects you to be on time, darling."
"Lucius can kindly sod off."
Druella pinches the bridge of her nose. Narcissa has always been the perfect daughter, so eager to please Druella and Cygnus. Why does she have to choose today to be ornery?
"Show him the proper respect," Druella says, pulling at her wand. She waves it, and a blue light washes over the room as the blankets hover over Narcissa, folding themselves neatly.
Narcissa sits up, glaring at her mother. She folds her slender arms over her chest. "I'm not sure why you are acting like today actually means something, Mother. I don't love him, and I never will."
"Love?" Druella echoes with a laugh. "Darling, do you really think love has a place in a marriage? It's a fairytale."
She remembers being young and blind and foolish. Once, she had believed that love could be enough. She had given her heart away, and all it led to the worst pain imaginable. Broken hearts never really heal, and she wants Narcissa to be spared that misery. Arranged marriages may not be filled with love, but they keep people safe from heartache.
"You will marry him, and you will have children by him so that our bloodlines stay strong," Druella says firmly.
"That's the worst reason I've ever heard to have a baby."
Druella shakes her head, moving closer. She sits beside Narcissa, taking her daughter gently by the hand. "If you're scared, you can just say so," she says. "You don't have to pretend."
That's all this is. Just an act. Narcissa would never be so disrespectful, so disobedient.
"I'm scared," Narcissa confirms, deflating as she sighs. "I feel like I'm missing something, Mother. Aren't I too young to get married? Shouldn't I be able to live first?"
"This is our way, my love. You know that."
Narcissa huffs. "I hate it."
"Anything sounds bad if you say with that attitude," Druella says, standing again, still holding Narcissa's hand. She guides Narcissa to her feet. "This is what it means to be a Black. Family always comes before yourself. Don't ever forget that."
It isn't the advice that Druella wants to give. She wishes she could tell Narcissa to be free, to have the life Druella never could. Maybe Druella even envies Andromeda for being brave enough to challenge the Black family ways.
But it is the part she must play and the words she must say. She is not brave and cannot change things. All she can do is pass the tradition on to her daughter and hope for the best.
"Come, darling. We must prepare."
Narcissa may not have a happy future ahead of her, but she will be taken care of, and the Blacks and Malfoys will come together. It's all anyone could ever hope for.
