𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒- Marlene McKinnon

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

𝐍𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

July 31th, 1977

Rabastan Lestrange's arm is wrapped around Mathilda Yaxley's waist. His hand is resting against the small of her back. She's trying to smile, laughing when she's meant to, letting him lead her about the great hall of the Lestrange manor. It's her own engagement party and yet the seventeen-year-old could not be less excited.

She's only just finished her sixth year at Hogwarts, and Rabastan has just finished his seventh, but it's been decided, the pair must marry quickly to ensure an heir. Once Mathilda finishes her final year at school, she and Rabastan will be married. Within the year, her parents will expect a child, preferably a son to take the Lestrange name. If they're lucky, they might even have a child before Bellatrix and Rodolphus.

Mathilda is dressed in a deep blue gown that falls to her ankles. Her mousy hair is piled into a bun on top of her head and her wrists are covered in antique silver bracelets gifted to her by her mother. Rabastan is dressed in a smart black suit, his dark hair slicked back to his head.

Mathilda shivers at the feeling of his fingertips creeping lower down her back. They're in the middle of a discussion with Bellatrix and Rodolphus, and Mathilda can't help but shrink away from the dark gaze of her future brother-in-law.

"When do you plan to have the wedding?" Bellatrix asks, giving Mathilda a jolt.

"Oh," she says. "I- - I would love to have a summer wedding. I do just love flowers."

"A summer wedding?" Rodolphus says, looking toward his younger brother. "It'll be quite a busy summer, then, with missions."

Rabastan's smile is patient. "It'll likely be winter," he says. "Much easier to get everyone here without incident."

"But- -" Mathilda begins.

"Darling," says Rabastan, looking at her with a smile. "We can discuss it later."

She manages to smile. "Of course. Winter sounds wonderful, too."

Bellatrix, perhaps in a genuine attempt at comfort or perhaps trying to satiate who she assumes to be a petulant child, offers with a smile, "Winter can have flowers, too. Think of it, the alter could have mistletoe and the tables could be laid with holly."