Chapter 25

The ballroom had been cleared out and was covered in snowy whites, icy blues, and glittering silvers. The floors were covered in what looked like snow and the ceilings were draped with pure white silks to resemble billowing snow clouds. The chairs were also white with accents of silver and and bouquets of white and icy blue flowers. The aisle down the middle was lined with barren trees (that were dusted in snow) and candles. There were candles everywhere. In fact the only light source in the entire room came from the soft glow of the candles. In all, the room made you feel like you had been transported into a winter wonderland.

Draco stood at the rear of the space, drinking it all in. His mother had done a magnificent job transforming the space, she had even charmed the ceiling to have a gentle dusting of snow float down every few minutes or so.

He knew that Caity was going to love it.

"You look so handsome," his mother whispered as she straightened the single ice blue flower on his white lapel.

"You did an amazing job, Mother. Cait is going to love this," he told her, giving her a smile, a real smile. It felt like it had been so long since he had really smiled. He couldn't quite explain why, but everything about today made him feel like smiling-even though it really shouldn't.

"I wish the circumstances were different," Narcissa sighed softly to her son. "I wish this were a real wedding that the two of you had chosen to partake of on your own. I wish.."

"Mother, we have to deal with what we have been given. You have always taught me that. Cait and I will not be unhappy together. Despite the circumstances, I do actually love her."

"I know you do, I just wish that you had a choice," she murmured softly.

Draco leaned in closer, giving her a hug.

"I'm just going to go check on Caitlyn. I want to make sure that she is ready. I'll see you at the ceremony." She gave him one last squeeze before making her way upstairs.

Cait stared at her reflection in the three paneled mirror that had been set up in her and Draco's suite. Her long auburn hair had been twisted up into a complicated updo-a few strands cascading around her face. Her make-up was soft and light-barely there. She had to admit that the dress was absolutely stunning, but what had truly made her choose it had been the look on Draco's face when she had stepped around the changing screen. The look on his face had made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

"Caitlyn?" Cait turned at Narcissa's soft call. As the older woman entered the room, she stopped short at the sight of her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. "Merlin, Caitlyn, you look stunning."

Cait blushed at the compliment and gave the older woman a smile, "Thank you," she breathed.

She couldn't deny that she was the tiniest bit nervous. Deep down she knew that the wedding was a sham and that it was something that she was being forced into, but she couldn't help but think about a possible future with her soon to be husband. Her head had been filled with pretty thoughts of their own pretty little family growing up in a world that wasn't tinged with darkness and war. She desperately hoped that somehow, someway she would find a way to give their child the life that they deserved.

What made her even more nervous though, was that once the wedding was over she and Draco would be sent on their honeymoon. That was when the hard part would really begin. She still didn't know what the escape plan was or if it would even work. She couldn't bare the thought of something happening to Draco or their baby in the attempted escape.

"What's the matter?" Narcissa asked, coming to stand close to the girl and staring at their reflections.

"Just a bit nervous," Cait admitted.

"There is nothing to be nervous about, my dear." Narcissa soothed. "Today will go about perfectly. And then tonight, tonight you will be whisked away to your very romantic honeymoon destination where you and Draco will get to spend an entire week together. Alone."

Cait gave the older woman a small smile. She would never be able to tell her exactly how grateful she was for everything that the woman was risking. Instead, she threw her arms around the woman and hugged her tightly.

"I'm sorry that Theodore couldn't be here today," Narcissa whispered to Cait as she squeezed her back. "Or your father."

Cait acknowledged her words with a nod, but didn't respond aloud. Instead she grabbed the bouquet of blue and white flowers and let the older woman lower her veil.

"I'm ready," she told the woman breathily.

Draco wanted to fidget as he stood at the front of the ballroom. The seats had filled in and soft music was playing in the background. He knew that any moment his Caity would appear at the end of the aisle and would make her way towards him. This was the first step to them getting out of this manor and the first step towards them getting free of this life that had been forced upon them.

Draco had never been as disquieted about joining the Death Eaters as when Cait had distanced herself from him because of his choice. He hadn't anticipated her reaction, although, looking back he should have. He never thought in a million years that he would have another chance with her, he had thought that she was gone from his life forever. And then she had fallen back into, or rather been sucked back in.

As much as he had thought about Cait entering the hall, his imagination had not prepared him for the sight of her. One minute he was staring around at the sea of faces and the next everyone was standing as Cait appeared in the doorway.

She looked perfect, he thought to himself as he watched her glide towards him. The lighting seemed to make her glow and her dress floated around her as if it were caught in a private breeze that only affected her. He tried to give her a small smile, but he wasn't sure that his facial muscles were reacting properly.

When she finally reached him, his mother took her bouquet and the two of them stood face to face. He couldn't help but think that he saw a spark of determination in her eyes. The look was familiar to him, he had been seeing the same look in her eyes for as long as he could remember.

The real Caity was back and she looked like she had a plan. For once in the past few months, Draco finally felt like survival was possible.

A throat cleared, startling Draco out of his thoughts and abruptly dropping him back into reality. Voldemort stood before he and Caity, his black robes seeming intrusive to the light and soft decor that his mother had painstakingly arranged. The Dark Lord gave them a frightening grin before he addressed the hall.

"Welcome, my loyal followers! We are gathered here today to witness the union of Mr. Draco Lucius Malfoy and Ms. Caitlyn Elizabeth Nott," The Dark Lord's voice boomed around the hall. "Through the joining of these two households we will see the dawning of a new age. The next generation is about to be sown and we will be the ones to nurture it into fruition."

With another horrible grin, Voldemort focused on Draco and Cait. He gestured for them to join hands and then motioned for Lucius to step forward with the rings. Draco's band was silver and gleaming in the candlelight with what appeared to be a snakeskin design etched into the band. But it was Cait's ring that truly caught his eye. Her ring was made of the same gleaming metal, but was adorn with twin snakes winding up either side of the band. Each snake had their jaws unhinged to fit a diamond in each of their mouths. Those diamonds framed a larger diamond that glittered in the light. Draco had to admit that the bands were stunning, but he couldn't help but feel that Cait's just wasn't right for her hand.

"Now, if you would repeat after me," The Dark Lord told Draco as he pointed his wand towards their joined hands.