CHAPTER 11

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife…?"

Narcissa tried to keep her eyes glued to her sister and Rodolphus, but her gaze kept drifting toward Lucius instead. He was standing just across the aisle, occasionally meeting her eyes, likewise seeming far more interested in her than in the Lestrange's much-anticipated wedding.

In two more months, it would be their turn.

Narcissa looked down at the glittering diamond on her left hand. The huge, pear-shaped rock felt pleasantly heavy and reassuring on her finger, reminding her that she didn't have much longer to wait.

Of course, she might have been married to Malfoy months ago.

Even a quarter of a year later, Narcissa couldn't prevent a flipflop in her stomach whenever she remembered her sense of terror, and then of euphoria when Lucius announced he wouldn't marry her that day.

"Narcissa deserves better than this." Lucius had said, squeezing her shoulders to dispel the tension that had gathered there when he began to speak. "She deserves an engagement party and bridesmaids and…"

"Lucius, none of that matters!" She had protested, "I'll make due. I hardly merit-"

"I don't want you to 'make due', Narcissa." He had said with an earnestness that made her skin begin to glow. "No more settling." He announced in a voice that declared his decision on this point to be final.

Narcissa had nodded in dreamy agreement. She already had Lucius, what more could she possibly want?

"…witches and wizards, I present to you, Mr. And Mrs. Rodolphus Lestrange."

Narcissa forced herself back to the present as her sister and new brother-in-law turned to face their guests. They were greeted by raucous applause, which Narcissa happily joined. Then, as the elven orchestra began to play again, Mr. And Mrs. Lestrange walked back down the aisle. Narcissa, as chief bridesmaid, and Lucius as best groomsman, linked arms and followed them back toward the reception. She turned and smiled at familiar faces as she passed: their father, their cousins, and their friends from school…she giggled as she took in the appearance of her Aunt Agrippina Black. The accidental magic reversal squad had managed to cure Augustus Rookwood of the love potion, and a well-timed promotion to the Department of Mysteries had kept him quiet about Lucius and Narcissa's potential involvement in the sordid affair. Mrs. Black was not so lucky. In spite of a team of cursebreakers, an expensive antidote potion, and the pleas of her humiliated husband, they had not been able to dissuade her from wearing mini-robes, or from catcalling Augustus whenever he walked past. Lucius thought she was faking. Narcissa thought her aunt had been simply waiting for a chance to snap.

The young couple was barely back into the house before Lucius pulled his fiancé into a dark corner and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Have I told you that you're beautiful?" He whispered into her ear.

"In the last ten minutes?" Narcissa volleyed back, well aware that she sounded like a heroine in a Wizarding Wireless soap opera, and not caring even in the slightest.

"You're beautiful." Lucius said, punctuating his reply with a row of kisses along her jaw. "Ravishing. Exquisite…"

"Lucius, stop!" She laughed, not really wanting him to. She was definitely getting used to this. In fact- she was starting to believe it!

Sighing happily, Narcissa settled into her fianc's arms and snuggled close. Turning her head, she saw that they were standing in front of a mirror, and she carefully regarded their reflection. She smiled at the way their pale blonde hair blended together, and how perfectly her head nestled beneath the crook of his chin.

"Kiss me?" She asked quietly, inclining her head toward his. He required no further encouragement. A second later, his warm, sweet breath was mingling with hers, and the electric friction of their lips was shooting sparks along her spine.

Lucius's arm looped around her waist, tugging her closer, and she deepened the kiss automatically. She playfully poked her tongue against his, taunting and teasing, and promising a million other wicked delights as soon as their own wedding day arrived.

It was a long time before they broke apart, both breathless and flushed. Again, she admired their reflection- the picture had only improved.

Following her gaze, Lucius looked in the mirror as well. His eyes were sparkling as he bent toward her ear, and whispered, "You know, you're getting rather good at that."

"I ought to be." Narcissa answered, closing her eyes and smiling to herself.

"And why is that?" her fiancé teased.

Narcissa's lips spread into a radiant grin and she turned to meet his gaze. "Surely you remember, Lucius- I learned from the best!"

THE END

A/N: Thanks to everyone who followed along and who took the time to send me your comments! I really treasure hearing what other people think of my humble efforts. If you are interested in reading more of my writing, please check out my livejournal, or my personal websites (the addresses are on my profile).