Inferno | Draco Malfoy

107 | Night Together

August 2001,
nearly 3 years later...

I giggle as we step through the door of our home, Malfoy Manor.

Over the last few years, my life has transformed in ways I never expected, both personally and professionally. After graduating from Hogwarts, Draco and I decided to pursue careers as Healers at St Mungo's Hospital. This choice was not merely a career path, but it provided us with the flexibility we desired to fulfil our personal lives while working for the sheer joy of it, as we could arrive at the hospital at our leisure or respond to urgent cases as needed.

Alongside pursuing our careers and fulfilling our lives, the move of Narcissa and Lucius to a new home in Derbyshire prompted Draco and I to embark on a redecoration project at Malfoy Manor.

This healing endeavour allowed us to create new memories and redefine our understanding of home, all the while honouring some of the historical artefacts. With every brushstroke and thoughtfully chosen décor item, we breathed new life into the manor, turning it into our haven.

Now, the decision for Narcissa and Lucius to leave the manor is rooted in a pivotal moment from a year ago when Draco proposed to me; it's a long-standing tradition to pass the estate down to the (eldest) heir upon their marriage.

And today is not just any day; it's our wedding day (or night, as it is now), a day that symbolises the peak of our love story.

This day has truly been one of the best days of my life, overflowing with joy, love, and the promise of a shared future. Surrounded by our beloved friends and family, we exchanged vows that solidified our commitment to one another, pledging to stand by each other through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, and truthfully, everything.

As I look back on the day's events, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the path that has led us to this point and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.

This is just the beginning, and I eagerly anticipate treasuring every moment no longer as Lady Adriana Harlow, but now, as Mrs Adriana Malfoy.

"Is anyone home?" I ask, my voice reverberating gently in the pitch-black foyer, where not a single house-elf is present to greet us.

The only indication of life is the banner overhead, celebrating our return as newlyweds. The fabric, adorned with shimmering gold letters, reads "Welcome Home, Mr and Mrs Malfoy," and it sways slightly in the stillness as if echoing the joy that fills my heart.

Considering it is only around midnight, it seems improbable that the house-elves would have already retired for the night. After all, we have just returned from our wedding after-party, a vibrant celebration filled with laughter and happiness. The memory of our friends and family dancing, toasting, and sharing in our joy lingers in my mind, a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds. So, surely, the house-elves would still be active, prepared to assist our non-existent needs as we have a little celebration with them too.

God, I am just so incandescently happy to the point I feel like I could do a backflip over the moon and... and land in a field of marshmallows!

"I suspect our family and friends have cleared the manor for our privacy," Draco remarks, a playful chuckle escaping his lips. "They wanted us to enjoy this night together; just the two of us." His laughter resonates throughout the room, enhancing the ambience as he employs the wand-lighting charm.

Suddenly, I feel a flush of warmth, aware that this night is poised to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life, especially given that Draco and I have been progressing in our relationship at a measured pace.

"In that case," I encircle my arms around his neck, leaning in to softly speak, my breath warm against his skin. "I believe it would be best for us to head up to the bedroom." My words hang in the air, imbued with a playful tension that quickens my own heartbeat.