LADY MALFOY
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related belongs to J. K. Rowling. And the places I mention in the story do not belong to me.
Author's note: Thanks to my wonderful beta, Phoenix Soar, for being swift with the job.
Thanks for your wonderful reviews, guys, I was overjoyed!!!
Well, here is the 2nd part of Preparations.
Oh again I want to add, I am not a Christian, but I have incredible respect for all religions. There are parts in the chapter that refer to Christianity. If I made any mistakes in writing those, please forgive me, for it is nothing but my ignorance. Most of it came from research on the net.
Warnings: AU NON-MAGIC . Harry is a female. You will find swear words but quite seldom. Be prepared for overly emotions in this chapter. I will add further warnings as story progresses.
Chapter 9: Preparations 2
It took the whole of Sunday to write the invitations. Arthur insisted on writing every single one of the invitations himself, refusing help from the boys, whereas a calligrapher was summoned from Calne by Alexandra to write the invitations from the Malfoys.
Most of the invitations had to be posted by both parties. Replies to letters sent to Harriet's brothers, except Percy, arrived immediately. Both Bill and Charlie expressed their shock and bewilderment over the news, but passed their congratulations to Harriet nonetheless. They both promised to arrive at Biddestone as soon as they had acquired leave from work.
Eleven days before the wedding, during Sunday morning service in St. Nicolas, the Banns were announced as,
I publish the Banns of Marriage between Mr. Draco Lucius Malfoy of the Malfoy family and Miss Harriet Jane Potter of the Weasley family. If any of you know cause or just impediment as to why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the second time of asking.
They all internally sighed in relief when no one raised any objections over the previous week, but the anxious waiting resumed that afternoon.
"Blaise is going to be my best man and Regulus Black, the usher," Draco told Harriet. They were, once again, taking a walk around the lake with Ron and Hermione following them at a distance.
"Who is Mr. Regulus Black?" Harriet asked curiously.
"Regulus is my mother's cousin. He and I went to Oxford together to study Law. Before, we met on rare occasions, but we have become close friends since Oxford," Draco told her.
"Oh, you never talked of your education before," Harriet observed softly.
"You don't mind if I ask why you aren't practising Law?" Harriet asked, gazing quizzically at him. She had to crank her neck to look at his face. Draco was easily six inches taller than her. But she was used to it since all the Weasley men were tall.
He returned her gaze for a moment and answered, "I didn't study Law to practise. I always knew that I had to take over the Malfoy business and finances. I thought the knowledge of Law would help me with them and I was right. Law study helps me a lot in the business dealings."
Blaise's advice for them to meet regularly definitely helped, for Draco and Harriet had become more comfortable around each other.
"Your brothers, Mr. Fredrick and Mr. George, they are quite talented," Draco remarked causally.
"They are." Harriet nodded in agreement. "Having been their test subjects for years, we know that quite well."
Draco raised his brow questioningly at her.
"Except Mother and Father, we all have been the victims of their products," Harriet admitted, giggling softly at some distant memory.
He stared at her curiously, but she just shook her head in return.
"They are in search of premises in Calne for the joke shop. But what with the wedding preparations, they are not finding much time. I think they will open the shop immediately after the wedding," Harriet told him with a fond tone.
Draco simply nodded in understanding.
As the week before the wedding descended upon them, Molly ordered a thorough cleaning of the Burrow. It took two whole days for Nancy, with the assistance of the twins and Ron (Molly forced them), to complete the task.
The wedding gifts had started to arrive by now. Molly asked the boys to keep them safe in the Master bedroom since no one entered the room without their parents' permission.
By mid-week, Molly had busied herself with baking biscuits and making sweets for the guests while Arthur bought wine. All the guests coming from far away would be arriving at the Burrow a day or two before the wedding.
On Friday, after breakfast, Molly asked the boys to stay behind.
"Listen up, boys. At the wedding, you will be subservient and extremely polite to the Malfoys and the guests. You must pay extra attention while making sure that they are comfortable and aren't in need of anything. You must be on your best behaviour at the wedding breakfast. I do not want to receive a single word about improper behaviour on your part."
"Why do we have to do that?" Ron growled, frowning.
"Yes, Mother, how can you accuse us of improper behaviour, especially at our sister's wedding?" Fred piped in a mock hurt tone.
"Fred, George, you will not play any pranks or use your products on them, or on anyone for that matter. Else you'll face my wrath later," Molly warned fiercely before answering Ron's question, "Dear, we are the Bride's family."
"Well, we don't remember the Delacours paying any special attention and more respect to us at Bill's wedding," George argued petulantly.
"I don't care what the Delacours did. But we will follow tradition," Molly snapped with a glare. "Tell them, Mr. Weasley."
The young men turned to their father who wore a distasteful but slightly sympathetic expression on his face.
"Mr. Weasley!" Molly shrieked when he didn't answer for a long time.
Arthur sighed heavily. "Your Mother is right, boys. Besides, it is just for one day. Remember that for any disrespect on our part, Harry will have to face the consequences."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked angrily, imagining their sister being tortured by Malfoys.
"Not like how you are assuming, Ron. However, they might blame Harry for it," Arthur answered with a sigh.
"Fine," Ron said deflated, while Fred and George nodded in acceptance.
Draco had stopped visiting Harriet a week before the wedding. The next time they would meet again was at the wedding itself. On his last visit, Molly insisted on him joining them for dinner.
Charlie arrived at the Burrow on Saturday and immediately rushed out with Arthur to help with the arrangements.
Three days before the wedding, on Sunday morning service in St. Nicolas, the Banns were announced as
I publish the Banns of Marriage between Mr. Draco Lucius Malfoy of the Malfoy family and Miss Harriet Jane Potter of the Weasley family. If any of you know cause or just impediment as to why these two persons should not be joined together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the third time of asking.
No one had contested the wedding the previous week either.
On Sunday afternoon, Bill arrived with Fleur, who was five months pregnant. Bill asked Harriet if she really wanted to marry Mr. Malfoy. Despite Harriet's assurances, Bill still looked sceptical. So, Arthur took both Bill and Charlie (who hadn't said anything on the matter until now) to his study and explained in detail about the events that had happened in the last two months.
That evening, Madam Malkin arrived at the Burrow, bringing with her the wedding day gowns. First, Molly helped Harriet into her wedding gown.
"How does it fit?" Malkin enquired her, scrutinizing the fittings of the gown with a critical eye.
"Perfectly," Harriet replied with an assuring smile.
"Hmm ... it is a good thing that I stitched it a bit loose. You must have gained some weight," Malkin mused aloud.
"But of course. I did nothing but sit around the house for the last three weeks," Harriet complained with a huff.
Malkin and Molly laughed softly at that.
"But you look much prettier now," Malkin remarked, gazing the length of her.
"She does, doesn't she?" Molly said fondly as she stared at Harriet.
Later, Hermione and Molly tried on their dress gowns.
On Monday morning after breakfast, Fleur and Hermione dragged Harriet to her bedroom.
Fleur simply asked her to undress while pulling several jars from her bag.
"But why?" Harriet asked, looking sceptically at the jars that contained a thick, gold-coloured liquid.
"'ermione, please 'elp 'arry wiz 'er dress," Fleur said in her French accent as she scrutinized the jars.
Hermione gave her a look before moving forward to help Harriet until she was left only with her chemise on.
"Ah, good. Now 'ermione, ask Mozer-in-law to bring any useless cozon strips sze 'as," Fleur instructed.
Hermione gave an apologetic glance to a now nervous Harriet before walking out of the room. A few minutes later, Hermione, followed by Molly, arrived, carrying white cotton strips.
"Can I ask why we need those?" Harriet asked nervously.
"'air removing," Fleur said simply. "Now 'arry, lie down on the floor."
"But ... Mother, we never practised hair removing before. Why should we start now?" Harriet asked shrilly, looking desperately at Molly.
"Oh 'arry, don't you want to look beautiful for your 'uzband on your wedding night?" Fleur cajoled gently, pushing Harriet onto the floor.
"Ahh … It's damn cold," Harriet complained, quickly getting up from the floor.
"Language, Harry. Here, put this sheet on the floor. We can wash it later," Molly said, passing the bed sheet to Hermione.
Harriet was laid flat on the sheet on the floor again. Hermione and Fleur sat beside her legs. Unstopping the jar, Fleur asked Hermione to pull Harriet's chemise up.
"What is that?" Harriet asked, blushing because of her exposed naked legs.
"It is called sugaring. Now, be quiet and let me do ze work," Fleur said, liberally spreading the cool, sticky paste on her legs. Harriet shivered slightly at the cold sensation.
"'ermione, smoothly place the cloth strip on ze paste," Fleur instructed professionally.
The process continued until both her legs were covered in cotton strips.
"Now 'ermione, 'old 'er legs down tig'tly," Fleur instructed next.
Hermione nodded nervously before holding her ankles down. Fleur, in one swift motion, yanked off a strip of cloth.
"Oh my god!" was all Harriet said as her face rapidly turned red and her eyes watered. She bit her lip from the pain while others watched her in concern.
"'arry, don't bite your lips, zey will be c'apped," Fleur said sternly.
"I am doing it so as not scream at the top of my lungs," Harriet bit out, glaring at Fleur.
"Oh, you can scream, dear," Fleur said dismissively, yanking another strip.
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!" Harriet shrieked loudly.
"Well, I could 'ave used razor or pumice stone. But razor might cause cuts and pumice stone usually leaves red scratches. Just 'wo days before ze wedding, sugaring is the mos' ideal solution. It is a little painful, but safe," Fleur explained calmly to Harriet who was now breathing heavily.
"You call that a little painful!" Harriet exclaimed in disbelief and outrage.
"Oh, you will get used to it eventually," Fleur shrugged causally.
"But why am I going through this? Aaaaahhhhhh...! Where did you learn to do it anyway? Aaaaahhhhhh...! I am going to kill the person who invented it," Harriet panted painfully.
'No, first I am going to kill Blaise and Malfoy for putting me through this. What was I thinking when I accepted that proposal?'
"Ahhhhhh…!"
'This is hell!' Harriet thought, glaring fiercely at the roof.
"My Grandmozer was from Egypt. She taught me. Women zere are beautiful because zey take care of zeir skin," Fleur lectured, continuing her task.
Suddenly, someone banged at the door.
"I will see who it is," Molly said, walking to the door.
Molly opened the door slightly.
"What do you want, Ronald?"
Instead of answering, Ron tried to peek inside. Molly squeezed herself out and firmly shut the door behind her.
"What is going on in there? Is that Harry's voice? Why is she yelling, Mother?" Ronald asked rapidly in concern.
"What are doing here, Ron? Why haven't you left with your Father and brothers?" Molly asked instead.
Ron frowned at her.
"Father said I should stay in case you need something," Ron replied. "Mother, what...?" He trailed off as another shout came from behind the door.
"That is not your business, Ronald. We won't need anything at the moment. Go visit your friends and return around lunch time," Molly ordered. She walked back to the room and closed the door on his bewildered face.
The process was repeated for her entire body. When Fleur started to work on her pubic region, 'Damn you, Malfoy' was the only thought that rang through Harriet's head.
By the time the process was finished, Harriet's skin looked red and raw. Harriet sighed in relief later when Molly massaged some milk cream on her skin after thoroughly cleaning her body off the paste with water.
Next Fleur attacked Harriet's forehead with a twisted thread.
The day before the wedding, the Burrow was crowded with relatives. Their loud and joyous voices could be heard throughout the neighbourhood. After breakfast, all the men were driven out to the front yard so that the women could take their baths for tomorrow's event. For this exact case, Arthur ordered a small tent to be placed in the yard along with chairs.
The men entertained themselves with card games while indulging in delicious snacks that Molly made along with wine.
Inside the house, Nancy was boiling the water for the Misses and Mistresses that the Weasley boys were constantly bringing from the nearby lake. Molly told Harriet to take the first turn. She nodded and went up to her room to bring her clothes.
"You'll see when I finish dressing her up, how beautiful Harry will look," Molly gushed excitedly.
Fleur raised an eyebrow at her Mother-in-law.
"Molly, let Fleur dress Harry up. You can do it for Ginny and Hermione," Martha, Molly's younger sister, suggested quietly. Martha was a gentle, sombre woman who had lost her husband in the war.
Before Molly could refuse, she pulled her to the corner and added; "You know very well that Harry is the one woman in this house who tolerates Fleur."
"But I wanted to dress my daughter myself," Molly argued in distress.
"I know, but Molly, you cannot take all the responsibilities yourself. It is not practical. Besides, you need to meet with the Harry's in-laws at the entrance. Fleur can stay with Harry in the dressing room," Martha cajoled her.
Molly sighed in resignation.
"All right. I won't be able to dress her up, but I am going to wash her hair," Molly said firmly, noticing Harriet who had returned with her clothes.
Martha shook her head with fond exasperation.
"Mother, I can do it myself," Harriet protested, frowning at her.
"Nonsense. Nancy, is the water ready?" Molly asked, pulling Harriet into the small bath chamber beside the kitchen.
"Yes, Mistress," Nancy answered politely.
As Molly washed her hair, she asked, "Harry, do you remember our talk when your periods first started?"
Harriet jerked, baffled, turning her head towards Molly.
"Keep still," Molly admonished, turning her head back. "Dearest?"
"Yes Mother," Harriet answered reluctantly. It was the most embarrassing situation for Harriet. And she could see where this discussion is heading.
"Good, then I won't have to repeat myself. I am only going to give you advice that my mother gave me before my wedding."
"Mother," Harriet whined in embarrassment.
Ignoring her, Molly continued, "Every man has a beast within who, when it comes out, makes them do terrible things. Unfortunately, we women bear the brunt of it. And there is only one way to keep that beast away. That is to keep his two appetites satisfied. Do you know what they are?" she asked rhetorically.
"Mother, please," Harriet moaned in mortification.
Molly again ignored her.
"Food and intercourse. As long as they are fulfilled, men will behave properly," she told her seriously.
Harriet's face went bright red at her words.
"Now, dear, I know that Malfoy Manor has a cook and Malfoy women don't bother with cooking themselves. But there is nothing wrong with cooking occasionally for your husband and his family. Find out his favourite dishes and make them. Also, try different dishes that I taught you," Molly suggested.
"Yes Mother," Harriet agreed quickly, hoping her mother would stop.
"Take good care of your hygiene, too. I hate to say it, but follow Fleur's advice about body care. I am sure that the ladies in the Manor practise those themselves."
Washing her hair was done. Thus, Molly left her alone so that Harriet could take her bath. 'Finally,' Harriet thought in relief.
It took the whole of the morning and half the afternoon for everyone to finish bathing. The Weasley boys were awfully flushed and sweating by the end of it. They were the last ones to take baths.
In the late afternoon, Harriet was seated in the living room where the family could offer her gifts while the relatives watched with smiles.
First Arthur moved forward and placed her wedding gown and white lace shoes in her outstretched hands.
'Something new,' Harriet thought, teary eyed. She hugged Arthur close and whispered "Thank you" in his ear.
Arthur just nodded, trying hard not to let his tears fall. He kissed her on both cheeks before backing away.
Molly moved forward next. Crouching in front of Harriet, she opened the top of a small jewellery box. It revealed a delicate golden bracelet with a ruby stone embedded in the centre.
"This bracelet was given to me by my Mother who, in turn, received it from her Mother. Now, I am passing it to my daughter," Molly said, her voice cracking with emotion.
'Something old.'
"Mother!" Harriet cried, breaking into sobs and throwing herself into Molly's embrace. A couple of minutes later, Molly pulled back and dabbed a handkerchief on Harriet's wet cheeks gently.
Next, Bill and Fleur moved forward.
Bill crouched on the floor and placed a jewellery box on her hands. Harriet opened it to reveal a simple silver chain with a silver pendant in the shape of a heart.
"Zat pendant is a charm zat will bring love in your marriage," Fleur, who standing beside Bill, explained smiling.
Harriet felt incredible shame well up inside of her. She averted her eyes down and nodded slowly, tears falling down her cheeks.
Concerned, Bill gathered her in his arms and hugged her tightly.
When they moved back, Charlie came forward. Occupying Bill's previous position, he placed a heavy object covered in white cloth in Harriet's hand. He pushed the cloth away to reveal a horseshoe.
"For luck," Charlie winked at her though there were tears in his blue eyes.
Harriet's face split into a small smile. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead before backing away.
Next, Fred and George came forward. George took the shoebox from Hermione who was standing beside Harriet, while Fred revealed a six pence coin on his palm.
"This, Harry, is our first earning from selling our products," Fred said, putting the coin inside the shoe that was resting on George's palm.
"And we hope that it will be bring you prosperity in your marital life," George said solemnly.
'Silver sixpence in the shoe.'
Harriet choked on a sob. Both Fred and George put their arms around her and kissed her hair gently.
"Remember to inform us immediately if your husband or in-laws ever give you a hard time, Harry. We will be more than happy to use our products on them," George told her in hushed tone.
"Yes, you know we are always looking for test subjects," Fred whispered in agreement.
Harriet gave a shaky laugh, pushing them away.
Next came Ron.
"Harry, since I am not earning money, I could not buy you a gift, but…." Ron trailed off in a whisper, placing a tiny thing in her palm and closing it.
Harriet frowned in curiosity and opened her palm to reveal a brightly twinkling white stone. Wide-eyed, Harriet jerked her head back to stare at Ron.
"But, Ron, this is part of your collection." Since childhood, Ron had been in the habit of collecting beautiful stones found on the shores of the nearby lake. He never allowed anyone to touch them, saying it was his treasure, jealously guarding it.
"Yes, but I want you to have it," Ron shrugged, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.
"Oh Ron!" Harriet cried, throwing herself at him.
Ron patted her back gently. When she let him go, Ron moved away, discreetly scrubbing his eyes. He went to stand beside Charlie who put his arm around his shoulders.
While Harriet was dubbing her face off tears, Molly placed something in Ginny's hand and nudged her towards Harriet.
"Here," Ginny said, extending the white handkerchief in her hand.
"But I already have one, Ginny," Harriet said confused, pointing to the handkerchief in her hand.
Ginny shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, for Christ sake!" Molly exclaimed, moving forward. Molly took the handkerchief and opened it fully to reveal the Weasley family tree, beautifully knitted in blue silk thread.
'Something blue.'
Noticing her name between Ronald and Ginevra, floodgates opened for Harriet. She started crying earnestly. After several minutes of Molly's consoling, Harriet composed herself.
At last, Mrs. Minerva McGonogall walked forward. Carefully, she placed a simple but elegant tiara, embedded with diamonds and pearls, in her hand.
"Something borrowed for you, Miss Potter," Minerva said formally with a small smile.
Shock was Harriet's reaction considering that her Governess always dealt strictly with her.
"Thank you," Harriet whispered, finally coming out of her stupor.
Minerva nodded with a fleeting smile before walking back.
The ceremony ended with some of the close relatives personally giving her gifts. Molly told Harriet to go upstairs and rest for a while.
Feeling tired, Harriet simply nodded and retired to her room.
While Harriet had a restless sleep, Molly, with the assistance of her sister and sisters-in-law prepared the dinner.
A couple of large tables were set in a single row, along with several chairs, in the front yard below the tent since no room in the house could accommodate all the people. During lunch, people ate at different times.
They were having an early dinner since Harriet, Molly, Hermione, Fleur and Ginny along with Minerva were leaving for Chippanhem that evening. It was an hour's journey from Biddestone to Chippanhem, so Mr. Dumbledore and Mrs. McGonogall graciously invited them to spend the night at their house, which was a ten-minute distance from St. Nicolas church.
Though Arthur would escort them, the other men and guests were to stay behind at the Burrow and arrive directly at the church. Molly sighed in relief at the invitation since their dressing up would take time.
A sumptuous dinner was prepared to mark it as the last meal for Harriet as their daughter. During the next meal, she would be known as Mrs. Malfoy, even in the Burrow.
Harriet sat between her parents, both of whom wore sombre expressions but forced a smile wherever Harriet looked at them. Everyone noticed the silent sobs that periodically escaped from Harriet and the lone tears that fell from her bloodshot eyes throughout the dinner.
Molly put her arms around Harriet's waist as she silently shed tears herself. Arthur looked on the verge of tears, but refrained with immense control while the Weasley boys threw concerned looks at Harriet.
After dinner, their luggages were placed in the carriage. Harriet cast a long look at the Burrow. Her face was etched with pain and misery. She broke into sobs again as she stared at her brothers. The Weasley boys hugged her one last time before the ladies and Arthur departed for Mr. Dumbledore's house.
A week before the wedding, Draco's aunts and cousins arrived at Malfoy Manor. His uncles, who were busy with their professions, would be arriving a day before the wedding.
Unfortunately for Draco, he became the subject of endless teasing from his cousins. Whenever Blaise visited the Manor, he joined them in teasing, ignoring Draco's warning glares. Instead of berating them, Alexandra watched on in amusement.
Almost all the preparations were complete in Malfoy Manor. The ballroom would be decorated the night before the wedding.
On the morning of the last day, a red-faced Lucius Malfoy, along with Narcissa, stormed into the Malfoy Manor.
Before the footman could announce their arrival, Lucius and Narcissa barged into the morning room where Alexandra was talking softly with her daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria. The three of them looked startled at their rude entry.
Composing herself, Alexandra got to her feet and said, "Oh good, you have made it. Welcome Lucius, Narcissa."
"Mother, don't patronize us. News of Draco's upcoming nuptials reached our ears three weeks ago, but why did we receive the invitation only this week?" Lucius fumed while Narcissa glanced coldly between her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.
"Must have been some delay in the post," Alexandra replied coolly.
"Oh no, don't push the blame on the postal delivery. We know it was your doing. Did you not want us to attend our only son's wedding?" Lucius sneered fiercely.
"Lucius, I wouldn't have wasted my time writing an invitation to you if that was my intention," Alexandra answered calmly.
"Then why?" Lucius yelled in anger.
"You know very well why," Alexandra said, sitting again. Before the argument could continue, she called the butler and ordered him to escort them to their rooms.
"Lucius, Narcissa, you must be tired from the journey. Go rest," Alexandra advised firmly.
"We would like to talk to our son first," Narcissa said coldly, intentionally putting an emphasis on the word 'our'.
"Draco is not in the Manor at the moment. He and his cousins went out on some business. They will, however, return by evening," Alexandra told them before continuing the previous discussion with her daughters, ignoring her son and daughter-in-law.
Lucius and Narcissa stared coldly at her before stalking away.
The good spirits in which Draco returned to the Manor with his cousins vanished at the sight of his parents. Greeting them politely, he excused himself to his rooms.
Before nightfall, Draco's uncles, along with Regulus, had arrived at the Manor. At dinnertime, Draco could no longer avoid his parents. It was a stiff affair; the presence of Lucius and Narcissa definitely put a damper on the celebratory atmosphere.
Lucius, who could no longer keep quiet, spoke pointedly to Alexandra, "So this union, which gains us nothing, is not against Malfoy policies?"
"Draco chose his bride himself. I had no hand in it," Alexandra replied candidly. "And seeing that Draco is not yet Lord of the family, it doesn't matter."
"And this young man is going to be made Lord of the family? The one who can't even find a bride of our statue and wealth," Lucius criticized nastily.
At Lucius's words, Draco clenched his jaw tightly and squeezed the spoon in his hand in anger.
"Four years since Draco assumed the responsibilities of the Malfoy businesses on my behalf, the profits have increased by five times. You are a fool, Lucius, if you question Draco's business proficiency," Alexandra said to him.
Lucius glowered at her indirect jibe, but was not dissuaded.
"But the Weasleys?" Lucius sneered in distaste, gazing severely at his son. "Draco, have you lost your tastes since I last saw you?"
"Darling, I thought you declared yourself a bachelor not a few months ago," Narcissa said lightly, throwing a concerned look at him.
Draco internally flinched at her use of the word 'Darling'.
"I changed my mind since I cannot inherit the Lordship without marriage," Draco replied stiffly. "I am sure you can understand my ambition for power, Mother," he added with a sneer.
Rest of the family watched quietly as they sparred with one another.
"Oh, sweetheart, I would have introduced you to so many beautiful young women of our status if that was how you felt," Narcissa replied sweetly, not at all deterred by his implication. "Why, Miss Parkinson or Miss Greengrass would have made a perfect wife for you."
Draco chose not to reply.
"How much dowry has Arthur Weasley been able to arrange? I suppose the family will be living on the streets after the wedding," Lucius commented, raising a mocking eyebrow at Draco.
"That is none of your business, Lucius," Alexandra told him sharply.
Lucius opened his mouth to retort, but stopped at the last moment when Narcissa discreetly placed her hand on his arm.
"Is she at least handsome?" Narcissa enquired coldly.
"Yes, Harriet is quite charming. She has black hair and green eyes. She is the complete opposite of you, Narcissa, if I may say so myself," Alexandra gushed with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Draco hid his smirk behind the napkin while others hid their smirks and smiles by staring at their respective plates.
"What about the people in our class? Don't you believe that they will speculate why Draco is marrying below his status?" Lucius inquired Alexandra with a scowl.
"High class society will speculate about something or another despite whom Draco marries. But he and, in extension, the Malfoy family will receive accolades and praise from the middle class and lower class families for making this match," Alexandra countered, giving Draco a proud look.
Lucius snorted in disgust.
"They are the majority of our population. Their opinions matter just as much. A concept that, unfortunately, you, Lucius, never understood," Alexandra said, shaking her head in disappointment.
"She can never accustom to our upper class lifestyle and mannerisms," Narcissa remarked with icy surety.
"She was born in a high class family," Draco ground out.
"Doesn't matter. The Weasleys raised her. Any finesse in her blood would have been washed out by now," Lucius argued with a sneer.
Alexandra had had enough of the arguments.
"That is enough." Alexandra stood on her feet. "Anyone who tries to sabotage Draco's wedding tomorrow will be disinherited at that very instant," she declared with commanding force.
"Lucius, Narcissa, you will both keep your tongue to yourselves at the wedding and breakfast. I have been very lenient on you for all these years. Do not force me to take drastic actions. If you don't heed my warning, then I will order the servants to throw you out of your son's wedding, reputation be damned," Alexandra said before striding out of the room.
The rest of the party dispersed not long after without saying a word to Lucius and Narcissa.
Author's note: About Ron's reaction and Molly's advice to Harriet: In those days, there was no law to protect women from physical abuse at her husband and in-laws' hands. The wife's family could not do anything either too. Molly is one of the lucky women to be blessed with a nice and loving husband.
In 19th century England, Women only indulged in removing hair on their forehead to make it look broader. That is why Harriet was surprised. Molly let Fleur do it because of the wedding. Also, clearly, Fleur was more beautiful than them and took care of her skin. She was vain, so she had more knowledge of beauty care.
In those days, women never cut their hair unless because of some illness. That is why they had long hair.
The house had neither separate bathrooms nor running water. All shared one bathchamber and a toilet, usually beside the kitchen by the back door.
They usually washed, only bathing once a week or so. Hair washing was a huge task then. It was done separately. This was the case with middle class and low class people.
In Manor houses, some bedrooms had attached baths, but toilets were on the ground floor. They used chamber pots mostly.
People then had many beliefs. Gift-giving ceremony by the family is not a tradition, but I wrote out of my own imagination.
Also, I hope I didn't go overboard with the emotional scene with the Weasleys.
Please feel free to ask questions you have.
Review dears and tell me what do you think of this chapter. Constructive criticism is most welcome.