Wedding of the Century
Nerves were making Astoria jittery the morning she was to be married. She was relieved beyond belief when the knock at the door was her sister, holding up a glass of champagne in offer. She took it gladly, downed it, and held it out, silently requesting her sister fill it again. Why was she so nervous? She had been preparing for this for years. The thoughts of becoming Lady Malfoy someday had quite literally saved her life during the war. During times she was punished for her parents' missteps, she had let herself daydream about moments just like this one to preserve her sanity.
"Astoria, you don't have to do this."
She realized she had been staring off into space, stupidly thinking about the war and the training her parents had given her on a day that should have been the happiest of her life. She plastered on her best smile for her sister and told her the truth, "Of course I do. I've been dreaming of this practically my whole life."
"But that doesn't mean it has to happen. Do you really want to do this to them Astoria? To him? I know it's not exactly like you love him, but come on. This is cruel."
"What do you mean? Of course I love him. I'm not doing anything but taking my rightful place at Draco's side. This is what I am meant for, Daph. I've been training my whole life. I'm going to plan the best charity events and host wonderful dinner parties. It's going to be grand. We're going to be so happy. I'll be the best Mistress the manor has ever known. He won't have any choice but to love me back eventually. I bet I can win him over in a year. Do you want to make a wager?" Astoria was expecting her sister to be laughing at her when she turned to face her, but Daphne looked horrified.
"Oh Tor, are you under the impression Draco…wanted this marriage? With you?" Daphne was asking so gently Astoria bristled. Her sister was never gentle with her like this. She was her best friend and Daphne was not exactly the type to protect her feelings.
"It's not about wanting it. He did insinuate he hadn't been consulted about the marriage, but how is that an issue? He's a Malfoy. How did he not see this coming? This was agreed upon, Daph. We're not exactly the first two pureblood children to be betrothed by our parents. That doesn't mean we aren't a good match. He'll see that."
"Draco was days away from being married when the agreement was finalized. His whole wedding was planned. He was about to have his bachelor party for Salazar's sake. He's been in a serious relationship for years that ended because of this. You did realize that, didn't you?"
It took all of Astoria's practiced control to not burst into tears. She hadn't known. She felt like she was blinking very fast. She needed to regain control or her beauty charms would all have to be re-done.
"When would I have been given that information Daphne? Do you think the healers at St. Mungo's were feeding me the Hogwarts gossip while I was bedridden, fighting for my life? Or do you think the Death Eaters were bringing me the Daily Prophet to peruse after my punishments were finished? Of course I hadn't known! I assumed that even if he was not consulted about this particular match, that he would have assumed he was to be betrothed to a worthy witch and would have been living in a manner that would be respectful of his future bride. Not trying to sneak and marry someone else before our contract was finalized!"
"He was not made aware a betrothal was even a possibility, and I'm not sure it would have mattered. They have been together for years. Years, Tor. And they…they have a crazy connection. I've never seen anything like it. From what I understand, Father did some pretty underhanded things to make this happen. You are the only one that can stop this madness. Let him go, Tor. Tell Father you changed your mind. You're the only one that can set this right."
Madness? Her own sister thought her wedding, her marriage, her life, was madness? This was her dream. Her chance. She could do this. She would show everyone.
"Thank you for coming to see me Daph, I think it is time I finish getting ready. It is almost time, after all."
The smile on her face was fake and forced and she was certain her sister was aware, but she had to get Daphne out of here. She felt very lonely, and guessed it was a good thing that after today, she would have a husband to alleviate that.