"Narcissa, dearest, you look beautiful. Your father and I are so proud of you. So proud-"

"Mother, please, please, don't make me do this." Narcissa whispered helplessly, staring with unseeing eyes into the gilt-framed mirror before her. Immediately, Druella's gaze hardened.

"Enough is enough, daughter!" She hissed vehemently, unwilling to raise he voice in the present company. "It was an unfortunate mix up about the Yaxley boy, but see the benefits it has? Of course you were fond of the other boy-"

"I love him!" Narcissa gasped.

"But darling, love is nothing. It doesn't exist! Do you know what exists? Money. Influence and power. Respectability. I was certain we'd lose them a thousand times over- kissing that other boy at the same reception where your engagement was officially announced? That was the worst, but you've made so many errors, I'm surprised Lucius is even willing to take you as the next Mrs. Malfoy!"

"I wish he weren't! He's heartless, mother. He never smiles- I've never seen him smile! And I don't think he knows the meaning of the word 'laughter'. That horrible sneer- why, did you see the way he was looking around our home? Like he'd walked into some little shanty! Just because we don't have all this-" She gestured to the wealth and luxury of the room surrounding them, "-doesn't make us peasants!"

"We've already had this discussion. If we were not to be dissuaded from this union a year ago, do you think you can convince us to go to Abraxas Malfoy and call it off on your wedding day?"

Before she had a chance to respond, Bellatrix bounded into view. "Cissy!" She embraced her sister affectionately. "Don't you look like a princess! All in white- you ought to be proud of her, mother, for being able to wear white today."

"And I'd be even prouder of you to change out of that atrocity you have on- scarlet Bella? Really? All the other bride's maids are wearing a lovely pastel pink..."

"Well, I'm hardly a bride's maid. I'm the maid of honour. Or the… whatever-you-want-to-call-it of honour…"

"Bellatrix Black!"

"Not the time for name calling, mum. Our little princess needs to finish getting ready." She tweaked Narcissa's magically curled hair and steered her off. "Alright, what is it?" She demanded in an entirely different tone. "You look as though you just swallowed bobotuber pus."

"Bella, I can't marry him."

"Who, Malfoy? Of course you can. All you have to do is walk down the aisle and agree to all the Bonds."

"Yes, but after that."

"Oh, you mean tonight? That's not difficult either, just lie on your back and-"

"No, Bellatrix! Not that either, although-" She attempted not to shudder with horror at the idea of the approaching evening. "Living with him. Being his wife."

Bellatrix sighed. "Cissy, Lucius really isn't all that bad. He's not… warm and fuzzy, but he'll take care of you. He'll give you anything you ask for. Imagine, you can buy any dress of jewel you want without mother saying it costs too much! And just look around you- have you gotten a tour of the whole Manor yet? It's incredible! Lucius isn't nice, but he isn't unnecessarily cruel, either. Not to you, at least." She added as an after thought. Narcissa scowled.

"What d'you mean by that?"

"Nothing. And besides, Lucius isn't so awful to look at either, hmm?" She nudged her younger sister playfully.

"Just let Rodolphus hear you say that."

Bellatrix waved an untroubled hand. "I'm only keeping Rodolphus for play. Him and half a dozen others I've managed to convince are my first. Which reminds me, I've got to go meet Roddy for a quick pre-ceremony shag." She misread Narcissa's expression of shock and horror. "But don't worry! I'll be perfectly presentable by the time I've got to walk down the aisle!" With a grin she flounced from the room.

"Are you all ready then, dear?"

Narcissa looked up quickly at the sound of the soft, drawling voice by her ear.

"Y-yes, I believe so, Mrs. Malfoy."

The older woman smiled gently. "You look lovely."

Narcissa nodded stiffly. Mrs. Malfoy never spoke in a tone louder than a whisper, but she was undoubtedly in control- of both herself, and her surroundings. From what she had observed of the older woman, every elf or servant went to Mrs. Malfoy for instructions or the solution to a problem. However, despite her evident power in the household, Narcissa also noticed the way every action deferred to her husband- Abraxas Malfoy clearly thought his staff would be floundering and undirected without his guide. She was a true lady- a holdover from a time where women were entirely subservient to their spouses and fathers, but invaluable, nonetheless. But Mr. Malfoy was a clever man, and must on some level have been conscious of the important role his wife played- why else would he keep her dressed in the latest fashion, adorned with the most stylish jewels, and reserve a private, affectionate smile he granted to his wife alone?

Narcissa had carefully watched the elder Malfoys over the past two years; the lady of the home to learn cues of what her role was to be in the future, and Abraxas to scavenge clues about the personality of his son. So far, she'd discovered nothing.

"Mrs. Malfoy, might I ask you a rather personal question?"

Immediately, the expression upon her face became guarded- Mrs. Malfoy shared nothing personal, least of all with a soon to be daughter-in-law.

"It's about Lucius. He- he doesn't talk much."

"No, he never has." She agreed.

"He… Does he like me? He just seems so… cold."

Mrs. Malfoy seemed slightly relieved by the simplicity of the query. "If you're a good wife and mother, there's not reason for him not to. And while a marriage of compatibility is preferable-" She unconsciously touched her own wedding band here "-it's not necessary. This union was arranged as an alliance between two of the oldest wizarding families in our world. Surely your own parents have told you this? But don't concern yourself too terribly for now. My son has never been particularly difficu-"

"Mum, the elves have mixed up the menu again. They need you to sort it out." Terentia Malfoy appeared quite suddenly with her abrupt message. Mrs. Malfoy nodded and rose.

"I'll go see to it."
Once she was gone, Terentia turned back to Narcissa, who tried to smile amiably at her almost-husband's older sister. However, the other woman didn't waste time with such pleasantries.

"I know about you, Narcissa Black." She hissed. Narcissa's eyes widened and she stared, taken aback.

"I beg your pardon?"

"There was another man. Before Lucius you wanted to marry… Mortimer, was it?"

Narcissa's stomach slid down several notches. "M-Mortimer? I don't know anyone named Mortimer."

"I don't care his name. He's why the only person in your bridal party that you chose is you sister- I know you two were so involved, you hardly had anytime for friends, did you? Look, I don't care what excuses you have, but you will not, under any circumstances, see this man again- and I will find out. You're not a Malfoy, and until you learn the ways, you will never be one. My mother will be the lady of the house until the day she dies, and you'll have no place here until then. If you make a mistake… consider yourself forewarned: this isn't a life ease and perfection. You-"

"Terentia, that is quite enough."

"Mother! You-"

"There was no menu error. We need to have a discussion."

Mrs. Malfoy led her daughter to what she thought was out of earshot, but Narcissa still caught pieces.

"…were you thinking?"

"…didn't want her to embarrass us!"

"…scare the girl…"

"…should know!"

Narcissa edged a bit closer to hear the rest.

"She absolutely should not, Terentia. She is to be Lucius' wife- an ornament, and nothing more. Treat her as though she is as fragile as one- and tell you sisters the same thing. I'm disappointed in you."

…

"You ready, Cissy?" Bellatrix grinned, but Narcissa could only stare bleakly ahead.

"Bella, I can't do it."

"Of course you can, silly, we've discussed it already. Listen, the music is starting up!" She watched as the flower girls went ahead (two distant cousins of Lucius) and the lesser members of the bridal party along with their escorts (also all Malfoys) before Bella straightened her hair a final time, and strode out to the aisle, head lifted proudly as if it were her own wedding she met Rodolphus, the best man, and placed her hand demurely upon his arm as they walked up together. Narcissa's stomach gave a horrible wrench as the pair reached the altar at last. There was a heartbeat of silence, and then the music changed. It was time.

The stretch of carpet before her seemed to roll on to an eternity. She wasn't conscious of putting one foot before the other, but yet she moved forward, one step at a time. The great cathedral was full to its capacity- every pureblood witch or wizard who was anyone at all had been invited to the undisputed wedding of the century, and each person not deathly ill who had received an invitation was in attendance. And currently, every set of eyes in the room were focused on her. All but one.

Narcissa followed her soon-to-be husband's gaze to a pew beside shrouded annex off to the far side of that church. And seated there was a woman, fair-skinned and curly-haired. There were tears streaming down her cheeks, and the look she returned to Lucius was undoubtedly accusing. In the small niche behind her, a cloaked figure stirred, but Narcissa hardly noticed the tall, white faced man; she was completely numb. Lucius had a lover- one of enough social standing to attend his wedding- and yet she, Narcissa, was the one being forced to marry him? She looked back up at Lucius, but the other woman had failed to hold his attention- Narcissa swallowed hard as his grey eyes locked with her own. Neither approval nor disappointment was there, no joy or sorrow.

He may as well be dead, she thought with sudden vehemence. He had no heart or care in the world other than wealth and power, it seemed. He didn't care that he was taking her from Mort, didn't care that she would never be happy- he had no cares other than for himself. In that moment, Narcissa hated him. Mrs. Malfoy's harsh words came back to her- an ornament, was she to be? A pretty little doll? Good for no more than planning social events, bearing children, and warming her husband's bed on the occasions he tired of his mistress? Tears pricked at the back of her eyes but she blinked them back; she would die before crying in front of all these people.

At last, Narcissa reached the altar, and stood before Lucius. He held his hands out for hers and she grudgingly placed them upon his. Rodtimer's hands had been slightly calloused along his palms, but Lucius's were rough from finger tip to heel, as a person who had been put through demanding physical labour might have. This was odd for an heir of the Malfoys, but she hardly pondered it at the time.

"We are gathered here today as witnesses to the Bonding of this, Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, to Narcissa Cassiopeia Black…"

Narcissa couldn't focus on the man's words, as her full attention was absorbed by forcing herself to breathe. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Inh-

"What?!"

Narcissa's head sprang up, heart pounding hopefully. That sounded like Bellatrix… Her eyes quickly sought out her older sister. Bella stood facing Rodolphus, stance defensive, hands fisted and jaw clenched.

"What did you just say?"

The crowd was muttering uneasily, but Narcissa grinned. She surely had the most wonderful sister ever known- to cause a distraction to delay the wedding! It was positively the sweetest thing Bella had ever done for her.

"I…erm…" Rodolphus cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I don't think now's the time, Bellatrix…"

"You should have thought of that first! Did you really just ask me you to marry you, Lestrange?"

The shock muttering doubled in intensity, and Rodolphus looked positively ill.

"I…"

"Well?"

"Yes." He seemed to have made up his mind. "Yes, I did." He squared his shoulders and Narcissa thought it quite brave, though could hardly suppress a giggle. Bellatrix had turned down so many men, but never before in front of an overflowing congregation.

Bellatrix took her time responding. After a long pause, she shrugged. "Alright then."

There were gasps, and Narcissa used the distraction as a cover to slip her hands from Lucius's. She knew her escape had arrived.

"Bellatrix, how dare you!" The words were outraged, but she shot her sister a covert, grateful smile. "Always need to be the centre of attention, even at my wedding!" Lifted her skirts in a perfect act of indignance, she turned and dashed back down the aisle, towards freedom. Perhaps her parents would be so ashamed they'd lock her up for ever, perhaps the Malfoys wouldn't want her once they saw how flighty and emotional she was. However, she barely made it down the steps of the altar when she felt a hand on her arm.

"Don't," Lucius's voice was very soft in her ear. "Don't do that to yourself."

His hand wasn't a barrier; she could easily break free of it. It was his words that stilled her. Would she truly be able to shame her family name in such a way? After Sirius and Andromeda, if she fled, the Black name would be brought to irreparable disgrace. She would likely be disowned as well. But if it meant she had a chance with Rodtimer…

But she couldn't. She was a Black before all else, more Black than Narcissa. Swallowing hard, she gave a jerky nod and slowly forced herself to turn. Upon catching her eye, Bella offered an apologetic shrug.

It's not you fault, sister. I know that you tried.

She ascended the steps, and quietly surrendered all hope of happiness.

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated- but I did write an entire story since then! It's about Helena Ravenclaw and called Understanding, if you'd like to read it. Thanks for all your reviews on this!