A/N - A million thanks to my wonderful BETA ohlookamockingjay for helping me with to improve the story.


Chapter 5

"Oh, you look ever so sophisticated in that dress," Bellatrix remarked, eyeing Luna from head to toe. Luna tried not to squirm under her strong gaze. She was in a long, pale mermaid dress chosen by Bellatrix.

"It's far too loose though," Bellatrix said, as she flicked her wand lazily, causing the corset to tighten and Luna to gasp as it sucked the air out of her.

Luna would never have guessed that Bellatrix Lestrange, shrieking and sadistic Bellatrix, had such an interest in fashion. It was unnerving having the notorious Death Eater accompany her dress shopping. But then again, better here than somewhere hurting people. And here they stood in a high end fashion shop at the edge of Knockturn Alley. All the designs were custom and made of the finest material. She had lost track of the number of dresses she had tried. She was exhausted.

Narcissa clicked her tongue, "A ball gown would be much better," she said, and disappeared back into the aisles and aisles of dresses.

The wedding preparations were in full swing and everyone was excited to have something to do to occupy themselves. It was a pleasant distraction war outside

"Which one do you like, Luna?" asked Narcissa carrying two ball gowns, one with sleeves and one without.

"I think the one with sleeves look simple-"

Bellatrix cut her off with a snort of disgust, "Simple? You are marrying a Malfoy. Malfoys do not go for simplicity. Your wedding dress isn't going to look simple. It's going to stand out. You are going to be remembered, seen and remembered and envied by witches everywhere." she explained proudly.

Everywhere.

Soon, the entire wizarding world of Britain would know that she was married to Draco. How would everyone react?

Oh, Merlin, how would they react?

Would they think that she betrayed them? They probably would. They wouldn't look at her the same anymore. She'd lose them. She would lose the few people saw her as more than a Ravenclaw lunatic.

Her face had fallen.

Narcissa didn't miss Luna's expression, something was bothering her.

"Bella, why don't you go back first to take care of the catering and decorations, while I will be here to help Luna choose a dress," she said quietly.

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow, "But-"

"Bella."

"Don't ruin it, Cissy," she murmured, and sauntered out the door.

Luna heaved a sigh of relief as Bellatrix left. She sat down on a plush stool behind her.

"Are you alright?" asked Narcissa after hearing the soft click on the door. Luna looked up and smiled sadly.

"I just..." she sighed, "I miss my friends. I can't imagine how they'll react to all this."

Narcissa smiled weakly. She couldn't empathise. She never really mingled with any friends outside of her social class or anyone her parents didn't approve of.

"I'm sorry," was all she could say.

Luna shrugged lightly, "It's alright, it happens. I can't blame them if they're angry at me or hurt. I would be too."

Narcissa looked at her, "I think, if they are your true friends, they will give you the chance to explain before judging. There are times when you will have the opportunity to explain what has happened to you."

Luna just stared at the ground. Her voice had dropped to a whisper.

"I hope so."

The next two weeks went by fast. All the preparations had exhausted her, not physically but mentally.

Physically, she looked perfectly fine, healthier than she had been in a long time. Her skin was bright and shining, and no longer pale as a ghost. The tangles in her hair were gone and it was now silky smooth. Her eyes were as blue as the ocean. Her nails look polished and beautiful. And she always wore a stunning dress. She smelled like money.

It was disgusting.

Mentally, she was screaming to get out. She didn't want to be here, on Voldemort's end. And she felt she was slowly losing her mind. She always looked blankly at the ceiling or out the window. There wasn't a reason to smile. The only thing that helped was the sleeping draught that had been prescribed. She'd been drained of all optimism during her time in the dungeons.

It was an awfully festive and joyous day out in the gardens of Malfoy Manor. It was a nice break from all the war and chaos raging outside.

The war and chaos they started.

Luna was preparing in a guest room on the ground floor. It had been set up with a counter for accessories and a mannequin for her wedding gown. She fiddled the butter cork necklace before tucking it under her dress.

She turned her head when she heard a soft knock on the door. It was Narcissa.

"You look absolutely divine. Draco had better know what he's getting," she praised while fixing Luna's veil.

Luna smiled weakly, "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy."

Narcissa sighed softly, "Didn't I tell you to learn to call me mother,"

"Mo…mother." The word felt strange on her tongue.

"That's better," Narcissa smiled in pleasure. "I have someone wants to see you."

Luna looked up.

"Who?" She finally asked.

"It's a surprise," said Narcissa with a smile before leaving the room. Within a minute Luna heard someone opening the door.

"Poppet?"

She froze.

She turned around and smiled widely at the sight of man with blond hair, wearing a set of dark dress robes, not his usual bright colours. "Dad?" She smiled and then hugged him.

Xenophilius Lovegood hugged his daughter tightly. "You look wonderful," he whispered.

"I missed you," she said.

"I missed you too. I thought I had lost you. You have no idea how horrible it was when I found out they captured you," he said.

Luna pulled away and looked at her father. "I…" she didn't know how to explain it all. "How can you be here?"

"You wouldn't believe it, I was at home, waiting and wishing and hoping that you would return safe. And then one Lucius Malfoy appears at the door with a wedding invitation. I was about to hex him when he told me it was your wedding. When did all this happen?"

"It wasn't by choice," she replied quietly.

"You can tell me, Luna. I'm not just going to stand and see you do something against your will,"

Luna sighed, "I was chosen, by You-Know-Who, after I cast a spell wandless," she said bitterly.

Xeno nodded slowly. He wasn't surprised. Sooner or later she would have found about her ability.

"I should have told you sooner."

"What?" Luna looked at him wide-eyed.

"Granted, all wizards and witches can cast spells wandless, but you've been able to do it since you were just 3 years old. It was extraordinary! We should have told you sooner, I should have, but we didn't want you to get complacent."

Luna took a deep breath, trying to digest it all. "I'm not going to use my new ability to do things against my will, I refuse to. " Luna said calmly.

Xeno watched his daughter; he almost didn't recognize her. Her face showed no emotion at all but sorrow. Her eyes, once full of innocence, were now filled with misery. "You shouldn't be sad, this is your wedding day," he tried to comfort her.

"As lovely as weddings are, I'm afraid I can't be happy. I don't love him, Dad. And I doubt he loves me." She tried her best not to cry and ruin her makeup.

"It just takes time. The young Malfoy didn't look bad for the eye," he said jokingly.

Luna wrinkled her nose, "It could be worse,"

The woman came in to tell them that it was time to go.

"Shall we?," said Xeno as offering his arm to his daughter.

The music started to play. A string quartet playing a melodious tune.

Luna tightened her grip around her father's arm. She looked around at all the guests as they stood and smiled at her. Mostly Death Eaters. Lucius, Narcissa, and Bellatrix were in the front row. Voldemort was nowhere in sight.

Narcissa smiled softly at her while clutching a handkerchief. Then her eyes moved on Draco.

Draco stood at the front. He looked dashing and handsome with that robe. His eyes stared at her unblinking, and she couldn't help but keep eye contact with him. His eyes looked sad. He didn't want to be here either.

As her father handed her to Draco, Luna felt her stomach in knots. She grabbed her bouquet tighter. They grasped each others' arms, as the official cast a series of charms that magically bound the couple.

She was numb. It was like she had lost her sanity. She wanted to run away, running away from here and from all of them. Be one of those runaway brides, maybe. The ones that ditch the groom. But she couldn't. It wasn't right, or fair to Draco, or her father.

She came back to reality when she heard Draco say 'I do,' firmly.

"Luna Lovegood, do you take Draco Malfoy to be your husband? Do you promise to be true to him in good time and in bad, in sickness and health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life?"

Luna looked up and stared at Draco through her veil. He just nodded his head lightly at her to encourage her.

"I do," she said quietly, as a tear streamed down her rosy cheek.