Chapter 13
At Malfoy Manor, the sun filtered through the grand, draped windows, illuminating the opulence that surrounded Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. However, the air was thick with the remnants of last night's chaos, a somber reflection of their friend Rabastan Lestrange's plight. Lucius was the first to rouse, his heart surprisingly light, in stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere that lingered from the wedding debacle involving a Muggle bride.
“Why are you in a good mood so early in the morning?” Narcissa murmured, her voice soft and tinged with weariness as she propped herself on one elbow, observing her husband with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Lucius couldn’t suppress a smile as he hummed a cheerful tune, planting a sweet kiss on her lips. “Oh, my lovely Cissy, I’m simply delighted about Rabastan's wedding! Today is the day he is fated to marry that Muggle girl!”
Narcissa's brow furrowed. “That’s hardly reason to celebrate, Lucius. You know how upset he was about this. He drank himself into oblivion last night.”
“Oh, come now, darling,” Lucius replied, waving a dismissive hand. “It doesn't matter. He’s going to marry her whether he likes it or not! Besides, who wouldn’t want to marry a Muggle? Think of the fun!” His laughter echoed through the grand room, but Narcissa's heart sank further at her husband’s cavalier attitude toward their friend’s misery.
“Lucius,” she said softly, “this is his wedding day, not a circus.”
Narcissa's concern deepened. “I need to ask again: why do you look like that? It’s our friend’s wedding day, not yours ” she replied, observing her husband’s mischievous demeanor with apprehension.
With a flourish, Lucius declared, “Because, my love, it’s time for my revenge on your best friend. Ever since I got engaged to you until the day we married, he’s been nothing but a pest! His pranks and annoyances have driven me mad. But today? Today it’s my turn to have some fun!” He leaned closer to her, a conspiratorial grin spreading across his face. “Maybe I should befriend his future wife as well—imagine the delight!”
“Lucius,” she began, but he cut her off with enthusiasm.
“Come, my love! Let us awaken the groom! He has a bride waiting for him!” With that, Lucius dashed down the grand hallway towards the guest room, his heart racing as he conjured images of the chaos about to unfold.
“Wake up! Wake up! It’s your wedding day!” he bellowed, bursting through the door with exuberance. He began to sing a cheerful wedding tune, his wand flicking to life as he sent colorful fireworks bursting through the air, lighting up the room and startling Rabastan awake.
“For Merlin’s sake, Lucius, what are you doing?” Rabastan croaked, his hair a disheveled mess and his eyes wide with disbelief.
“Don’t you know what today is?” Lucius said, a feigned innocence gracing his features. “It’s your wedding day, and your lovely bride Petunia is waiting for you!”
“I will not go through this marriage! The Wizarding World can kiss my arse!” Rabastan shouted, twisting the sheets in frustration.
But Lucius was unperturbed. He snapped his fingers, summoning a flurry of house-elves. “Duffy! Prepare this idiot for his wedding!”
As Rabastan searched frantically for his wand, he found it missing. “Wait a minute! Where is my wand?”
Lucius waved the wand mockingly in front of him. “Looking for this?”
“Lucius, you insufferable—” but Rabastan’s protest was drowned out as the house-elves seized him, dragging him toward the bathroom.
“Lucius!” he howled, as an army of tiny hands ushered him along. “This isn’t funny!”
“It’s your wedding day, Rabastan!” Lucius sang, ignoring the chaos his antics had created. He had taken to pacing the room as Rabastan’s cries echoed through the halls. “And I’m going to invite everyone!”
“Cissy! Help me!” Rabastan’s voice was desperate, nearing a shriek.
At that moment, Narcissa's attention was drawn to a loud hoot as an owl arrived, delivering a howler. She grabbed it in confusion, unrolling the parchment as her sister Bellatrix’s voice rang through the Manor.
“Cissy,” the note began, and her heart sank as she recognized her sister Bella’s flamboyant handwriting. “What in Merlin’s name is your husband doing? He’s inviting everyone from our circle! This wedding was supposed to be a private affair. My father-in-law tried to burn Rabastan from the family tree! If this gets out, I’m going to kill you both!”
The letter erupted into flames, sending a shower of ash fluttering to the floor as Narcissa gasped. “Lucius!” she cried out, now fully aware of the brewing storm.
“Ah, my love,” he chuckled, “you’ll have to prepare for quite the party, won’t you? Today will be legendary!”
Just at that moment, Evan and Antonin burst through the floo, having received their invitations as well. “ Lucius, Are you out of your mind? Inviting everyone from our circle? They’ll start a riot!” They exchanged incredulous looks, searching for answers.
“Don’t worry, nothing’s going to happen as long as we’re at the Ministry,” Lucius waved dismissively. “And besides, you two will be there to keep everyone calm.”
“Lucius! You bloody bastard! You’re using us as shields?” Evan cried, wide-eyed, as if he had just realized Lucius' true, devious intentions.
“You say shields, I say loyal friends! And…” Lucius grinned wickedly. Behind Evan and Antonin, Crabbe and Goyle had arrived, wands pointed at their backs.
“It’s going to be the best wedding ever!” Lucius declared, his laughter echoing off the manor’s walls, resonating with the chaotic excitement he had conjured.
“Merlin help us,” Narcissa muttered under her breath before shaking her head.
And so, the scene was set—an elaborate wedding was about to unfurl at Malfoy Manor, and none of them could quite predict how deeply the impending chaos would influence the lives of all those involved.