Chapter One

The air surrounding Malfoy was filled with tension, so tight that had Severus Snape pulled out his wand it would cut straight through it. Lucius stood outside the front entrance, pacing fast and muttering under his breath. Severus couldn't make out the words as he approached the man, but he was sure that they were about his son, Draco. The boy - and the girl - were all anybody was talking about today, and it was no surprise that the Death Eater was so on edge; Voldemort would be arriving any minute now.

Malfoy looked up, sighing with relief. "Severus, you're here." The two men had never seen eye-to-eye in their entire lives, but something about this situation made it easy for the two to be civil. Snape nodded at the blonde Death Eater, following as Lucius led him into the large house. People waited in the Foyer, most smiling and joking, but a fair few - mostly the other Death Eaters - were too slightly tense. They were easily distinguished, not by their hard faces and creased upper brow - which all seemed to be permanent nowadays - but, by their identifiable long black cloaks. It seemed none of them cared that their were other wizards here, though they didn't care either. Half the room were devout Voldemort followers anyway.

From somewhere upstairs Severus could here the jubilations of many women and had no doubt that they were from the 'Bridal Party'. It seemed ridiculous that they be celebrating even if there was a Wedding, because he was sure that both involved in the ceremony were in no mood to celebrate at all. The two had been ordered to be joined in matrimony by the Dark Lord himself, and there was no arguing unless you wanted to be added to the list of the dead that were being read out on the various radio stations.

A small, stodgy, looking man appeared then and began to usher everybody outside where the courtyard had been transformed into an impressive outlay - the whole place smelt like roses, Emelé's favourite flowers. Severus stayed behind as the progression of wizards walked through to their seats. Soon it was only him and Lucius, who had gone back to pacing.

"Where is Draco?" He asked the man wearily, watching him pause in his stride before speeding back up as he continued pointing only his head to the door that was on the left of the foyer.

Severus entered without knocking, shocking the teenager as he did so. There was a strange connection between the two that had stayed since sixth year, memories of the Astronomy Tower coming to mind as he looked at the horror on the teenagers face.

Draco hesitated before speaking, "You can't help me this time, can you?" He didn't need to hear the reply to know the answer. If he refused to do this, then both he and his parents would be killed. It wasn't a debate this time, there was no second chances.

"I cannot change the Dark Lord's mind." It was exactly what he'd the previous year to his mother, only this time the sentence wasn't followed with a 'but'.

Draco nodded, sucking his lip in to stop himself from crying. There weren't many times in his life where he had felt the need to cry, but this past year he'd found himself on the verge of tears more than he ever had. He shook his arms, turning his back on the professor and pushing the hair of his face. When he finally faced Severus again a strange glaze of steel had covered his eyes. They were filled with determination and a strength Severus had only ever seen in the eyes of Lily Potter. It froze him for a second before muttering that the Bride would be down soon.

As they walked, Draco looked up at Severus. "Is she OK?"

Severus had to think about it for a moment, he'd met her a few times since the order had been placed and had found himself filled with the same fondness as a man would with his own daughter. "The girl is feeling the same as you are." There was no mistaking the bitterness in his voice; there were some orders that even Severus found himself disagreeing with. He walked the boy to the alter before taking a place beside Lucius, just in time for the music to begin chiming.

There was a brief moment of stative air before Emelé and the procession of the bridal party entered where the empty seat at the top of the alter became filled with his presence. Sat straight and smiling despite the devoid of emotion in his eyes as he watched the girl walk down the long aisle.

She looked beautiful, there was no denying it. Her dress made entirely out of lace that clung to her petite stature, it almost looked like the most intricate tattoo against her pale skin. Her eyes were wide, locked on the two 'men' that were waiting for her. Long hair curled for the most part and pinned back excluding a few thin strands that lingered beside her face. Emelé was a Pureblood witch, her parents - now deceased - had been fully pledged Death Eaters, and had the most extraordinary beauty. There really wasn't a couple more perfectly matched if you based it on appearance and blood status - which was one of the main reasons that Tom had paired them together, that, and the failed task that the only Malfoy son had failed to complete himself last term.

Voldemort's unpleasant smile widened as she reached the alter, extending his frail arms out to greet her in embrace. He held her there for longer than she wanted, and Draco could feel himself becoming uncomfortable at the sight of his 'fiancée' being so close to him, despite knowing nothing of the girl.

When he finally released her, pushing her dismisfully towards Draco - who caught her with ease - so that he could greet the guests.

"My friends, let the ceremony begin."