Subject: Defence Against the Dark Arts

Task: Write about a minor issue in a relationship.

Square: Malfoy Manor

Prompt: (Pairing) Lucius/Narcissa

Word Count: 651


The Guest List

"For the last time Narcissa, I do not want your crazy sister at our wedding," Lucius yelled at his bride to be. "Have you completely forgotten about the spectacle she made at our engagement party?"

Narcissa sighed. This had become a recurring argument between the two of them over the last couple months.

Every time she broached the subject of inviting Bellatrix to their up and coming wedding, Lucius refused to listen to her side and it was driving her up the wall. It was her wedding just as much as it was his, and she wanted all of family around her. It was already bad enough that she couldn't invite Andromeda because she had run off with some Mudblood and brought shame upon The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black.

"No Lucius, I haven't forgotten about it," Narcissa answered, recalling how Bellatrix had hexed Lucius' cousin, Brutus, for making an offhand comment about her hair. "But that's not the point; she said she was sorry, which for Bella is a pretty big deal."

"Ha," Lucius barked, "that wasn't an apology. You imperiused her and forced the words out of her mouth. It doesn't count."

Narcissa recognised that Lucius had a point, but she wasn't about to admit it.

"At the end of the day Lucius, she is my sister and I want her there," Narcissa reasoned. "How would you feel if I turned around and told you that your cousin couldn't come to the wedding because he has no filter?"

"Oh Cissy, stop being so petty and ridiculous," Lucius exclaimed. "You're not going to disinvite Brutus, and Bellatrix is still not coming to our wedding—she's too volatile."

"What if I made her promise to be on her best behaviour?" Narcissa asked.

"I'd like to see you try and control Bellatrix Black. She is a law unto herself," Lucius told her. "The Dark Lord is the only one who can reign her in, and ever he has trouble sometimes."

"So you're saying if I want my sister at our wedding, I have to invite him too?" Narcissa asked, feeling appalled at the very thought of exchanging vows in front of a man who could kill anyone there without batting an eyelid.

"No, of course not, he's much too busy with his plans to attend our wedding," Lucius informed her. "However you cannot deny it would be a very high honour if he did. Perhaps I will ask him at the next gathering, if he is a good mood."

Narcissa could sense that they were getting nowhere with this argument, but she viewed this as her best opportunity to get Lucius to agree to her wishes, especially since 'The Dark Lord' was the last person she wanted attending her wedding.

She hated to admit it but the man terrified the living daylights out of her.

"If you ask him to our wedding, then regardless of whether he says yes or no, I will be inviting Bellatrix," Narcissa informed him.

"Very well, but if she pulls any stunts at our wedding, I am holding you responsible," Lucius told her sternly.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes at Lucius. "Fine," she agreed, "so long as you ensure Brutus holds his tongue around Bellatrix, because if he winds her up, I cannot and will not be held accountable for her actions."

The witch watched as Lucius pondered her words before he nodded his head in agreement.

"Then it's settled, Lucius; Bellatrix can come to the wedding?" Narcissa asked, wanting a verbal acknowledgement of her terms.

"Yes," Lucius said through gritted teeth. "She is permitted to attend the wedding."

"Excellent," Narcissa smiled, kissing her betrothed on the cheek. "Now where are with the flower arrangements?"

And just like that, the minor blip in their relationship was forgotten as they moved forward with their wedding plans, and Narcissa was proud of the small victory she had won.