I'm so sorry this chapter took so long to put up. I re-wrote it 3 times and I'm still not 100% happy with it but I desperately wanted to put something up, it sounds a bit rushed but that was how Narcissa felt the day was. I'll let you get on with reading xx
Disclaimer: As in chapter 1.
Sun light filtered through the curtains of the spacious room, twinkling off the chandelier making colours dance around the room. Though early in the sun's rise, it was to be a glorious day. The green lawns of the manor rolled on with the early morning dew as horses grazed peacefully on the luscious grass. The sky was clear and the atmosphere calm as the inhabitant of the large four-poster bed began to stir. White blonde hair was strewn across the pillow as the clock across the room chimed six times. Sheets began to be pushed aside, disentangling the young female from their comforting grasp. She sat up, allowing her mind to awake with her body when a ray of light hit the stone perched atop the ring finger on her left hand. Hasty footfalls could be heard down the hall, the knock on the door made her look up as a dark haired older women opened the door, a smile gracing her face as the women made eye contact.
"Good morning my darling." Said the older witch, strolling across the room to open the French doors that led out to the balcony of the second storey room, allowing crisp morning air to enter the manor.
"Come down for a quick breakfast before we start getting you ready." She allowed her smile to linger then gracefully left the room. Narcissa Black, soon to be Malfoy, drew a deep breath attempting to settle the butterflies that had just erupted in her stomach. She put on a gown and marched down to the dining room.
The manor was louder than most mornings, Bellatrix had come to help her younger sister prepare for the day, there was less elves in the house as most of them were already at Malfoy Manor but Bellatrix could be heard from the other side of the mansion. Narcissa couldn't even stomach the thought of food today but managed to get a cup of tea down before she was ushered back up to her room. Her white gown was floating in the middle of the room as Narcissa came out of her bathroom, fresh from a bath, where her mother and sister stood either side of it waiting for her. The morning seemed to pass in a blur, she was dressed with her hair and make-up done in what felt like the blink of an eye. From her window, Narcissa saw the carriages rolling up to the manor's entrance hall awaiting to transport the Black Family to Malfoy Manor. She was seated in an uncomfortable upright position, her bodice restricting in her breathing in the strapless, glowing white gown. The tiara amongst her curls kept catching the morning sun and her train and veil cascaded down her back onto the floor as she sat in silence. Druella entered her room closely tailed by Bellatrix.
"Narcissa dear, it's time." Her hands came to rest clasped together in front of her, Narcissa looked up, then with a nervous smile, stood and turned towards the door. Bellatrix moved around behind her then with a flick of her wand, the lace train was floating a foot above the ground. The small party made their way across the hall, down the stairs and across the entrance hall to the front door where the carriages awaited them. Cygnus was already at the door, dressed in his best robes, he smiled warmly as his youngest daughter walked towards him in her wedding dress. She was helped into the second carriage and Bellatrix climbed in after her, whilst Cygnus and Druella boarded the first, then the carriages set off.
Malfoy Manor was like a bee hive, bustling with activity as guests arrived. Lucius was still on the second floor with his best man, Severus Snape, watching and listening to the atmosphere around the manor. Chairs were filled in the garden as the last few stragglers arrived and took their seats. From where he was standing, it looked like the majority of the 237 invites that were sent out had showed up, but then again, he thought to himself and smirked, something would have to be seriously wrong to not turn up to this wedding. Severus cleared his throat.
"Time to go down stairs Lucius." He turned and looked at his oldest friend, nodded in acknowledgement and stole another look at the garden before striding towards the door where Severus followed. Lucius was nervous, Snape could tell, his lack of words gave him away as he was normally very opinionated. He could have mocked him, the high and mighty Lucius Malfoy was scared about his own wedding, but Severus chose not to. He would let this opportunity pass him now because Severus knew if he was in Lucius' shoes, he would be a lot worse.
They reached the entrance hall and moved down into the garden and across the aisle just as the carriages carrying the bridal party rolled to a stop at the front of the manor. The small party exited the carriages, Druella lingered for a moment, smiling widely and kissing her youngest daughter on each cheek before moving out of the hall to take her seat in the front row. Cygnus held out his arm for Narcissa which she graciously accepted, her grip firm on his arm but he didn't mind. Music started playing and Narcissa looked around nervously, Bellatrix stepped out in front of her, taking a boutique of flowers from a waiting elf and handing them to Narcissa as all the guests rose and looked down the aisle. This was it. Bellatrix moved forward and if it wasn't for Cygnus, Narcissa would have stayed, feet planted, in the entrance hall. As they moved out into the natural light, the full beauty of Narcissa's dress was shown. She looked breathtaking. Lucius struggled to keep his mouth closed as she came into his view. She looked like a princess, complete royalty. A silk white dress, beaded strapless bodice, enhanced her naturally great figure. At her hips the magnificent dress puffed out slightly, absorbing her legs with lace and ruffles and elegantly floated to the floor. Although a veil covered her face, Lucius thought she was stunning, the tiara a top her head definitely completed the idea that she looked like a princess. She clung to Cygnus absolutely certain she would trip and fall at any moment. The nerves were starting to make her feel sick, until she made eye contact with Lucius. He was standing at the alter smiling at her, he looked smart in his robes, handsome as ever, his hair tied back in a green ribbon. Looking at him seemed to calm her, the world felt like it was falling away to leave her and Lucius. Narcissa and Cygnus reached the alter where he removed Narcissa from his arm and handed her to a waiting Lucius. He took her delicate hand, brushed a kiss over her knuckles and helped her up the steps just as the music stopped and Bellatrix took the flowers. The minister began talking but she wasn't listening. She continued to stare into the depths of the grey eyes in front of her and she knew everything was going to be fine.
The time came for the vows and Lucius spoke first.
"I, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, take you, Narcissa, to be my wife, knowing in my heart that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special day, I give to you my sacred promise to stay by your side as your husband in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I further promise to love you without reservation, honor and respect you, provide for your needs, protect you from harm, comfort you in times of distress, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." A silver banded ring was slipped onto her finger.
"I, Narcissa Black, take you, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, to be my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special day, I give to you my sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful wife in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as well as through the good times and the bad. I further promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live." She placed the ring on his finger, never breaking eye contact. The minister spoke again but these were the first words Narcissa had actually heard.
"Do you, Narcissa, take Lucius to be your husband?" Her reply was barely louder than a whisper,
"I do."
"And do you, Lucius, take Narcissa to be your wife?" Lucius however spoke strongly without a hint of regret in his voice.
"I do." The minister pulled out his wand and held it above their connected hands. Streams of white light shot out of its tip encircling their hands as he spoke again.
"By the power and acceptance of the Ministry of Magic I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Lucius Malfoy." The white light glowed brighter than ever around their hands then disappeared. Lucius lifted her veil and without a second thought, his lips met hers and applause erupted from the crowd. It lasted for what felt like an eternity, and it was exactly where Narcissa wanted to stay.
AN: I couldn't decide between making Severus or Rodolphus the best man, but after much deliberation and because I just started reading HBP again, Narcissa says then that Snape was Lucius' oldest friend so it just made sense to make it him. Also the wedding I tried to make as magical as possible, I liked the vows, not really something that I think Lucius would say of his own free will but I thought they were fitting. There was something else I have been thinking about adding to my AN at the end of this chapter but I can't for the life of me think what it is right now. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed, please leave a review =)