Epilogue
Romance, the kind that belongs in storybooks, wrecked every plan and tidy, organized methods I had. Destroyed cravats, social etiquette, even ivy growing along a trellis. And I followed it, through meandering corridors in Gothic, high arched mansions, through seaside villages, through exhaustive amounts of pride, prejudice, danger, and ridicule. The spark of destiny ignited in a smoky library, with a woman sitting on a windowsill with cunning eyes and a closet full of personas.
In the aftermath, we waited a mere two weeks to wed on the cliffside at Windermere Lake in a private ceremony witnessed only by our parents and Narcissa's sisters. What should have been a yearlong affair planned and executed as the highlight of our society's year was a pure and simple affair. There were not snapshots or photos printed in the newspaper, just a single headline proclaiming our union, which, once recognized, reasonably exploded into headline of news columns for nearly nine months—the approximate of time it took to dispel rumours of our fastidious marriage the result of an unexpected pregnancy.
Our early years of married life was tumultuous. The backlash of marrying Narcissa had society in a frenzy, a frothing, envious hatred directed primarily at my wife, whose iron will proved much stronger than theirs and we endured it, seeking solace in traveling and reading. Our exploration of ancient caves, catacombs, and far-off cities provided much needed inspiration for Narcissa's writing.
And write she did. In the early months of our second year of marriage, her first novel was published in both magical and Muggle communities, reaching critical acclaim with Muggles, but wallowing with pureblood society, of whom were still angry with her for escaping her exile by marrying above her station. Despite this, more books are anticipated by Narcissa Malfoy.
As for my successes and occupations, I pledge part of my time as Hogwarts governor. The rest, I spend with Narcissa in the organization of the Moonflower Society, now public, with its own library system and official resources. Our society replaced the literary clubs of both men and women of all ages, supplying both magical and non-magical material to read from.
. And little by little, I fell in love with my life.