The Slytherin Brides

THE BINDING VOWS

The day of Lysandra's wedding arrived sooner than she'd anticipated, and despite her careful planning with the other girls, nerves danced within her. The grand hall of the Slytherin estate was elegantly adorned, crystal chandeliers casting warm light over the guests. Lysandra could feel the weight of the moment in her chest. She knew Tom would be watching her every move.

Seraphina, Amara, Vivienne, and Celeste stood by her side as bridesmaids, each of them dressed in emerald green robes. They exchanged tense glances, feeling the same unease. The quiet resolve they'd once felt about their plan seemed to falter now that they were standing here, in the heart of their future.

Vivienne leaned close to Seraphina, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you think he'll go through with it?"

Seraphina's expression was unreadable. "He's Tom Riddle. Of course, he will."

Celeste squeezed Lysandra's hand before they walked down the aisle, offering her a reassuring smile. Lysandra returned it, though her heart was pounding in her chest. As she neared Tom, she could see his cold, calculating gaze waiting for her.

He was as immaculate as ever, his presence commanding. She joined him at the altar, and he offered his hand.

"Lysandra," he greeted, his voice low and controlled.

"Tom," she replied, keeping her voice steady despite the anxiety swirling inside her.

The officiant's words blurred in the background as they focused solely on each other. Tom's gaze never left her, a quiet intensity there that made Lysandra's heart race. A soft smile tugged at his lips. She couldn't tell if it was genuine or just a calculated move.

He leaned closer, his voice barely a whisper in her ear. "Nervous, Lysandra?"

"Not at all," she answered with more confidence than she felt. Her heart beat faster, but she knew she had to stay calm.

The officiant turned to Tom first. "Do you, Tom Riddle, take Lysandra Rosier  to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health?"

Tom's eyes never left Lysandra as he said, "I do."

The officiant then turned to her. "And do you, Lysandra Rosier, take Tom Riddle to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health?"

For a moment, Lysandra hesitated. She felt every pair of eyes in the room on her, and her breath caught in her throat. But with a deep breath, she pushed her doubts away. "I do," she said firmly.

A subtle glimmer of satisfaction crossed Tom's features as the officiant pronounced them husband and wife. Tom didn't waste a second before pulling her into a kiss, his hand firmly on her waist. The room seemed to freeze for a moment, and Lysandra felt the weight of the kiss, of everything it meant. When they broke apart, Tom whispered, "Welcome to your new life, Lady Slytherin"

Lysandra smiled, though her nerves threatened to consume her. "Thank you, Mr. Riddle. I'm looking forward to it."

 The reception followed, and though Lysandra kept her composure, the tension was palpable. The other girls watched from the sidelines, exchanging glances of concern. They hadn't spoken to any of the boys since they'd returned home, and now, in the midst of this wedding, the fear of their plan falling apart was stronger than ever

Amara, nervously clutching her glass of champagne, accidentally brushed against Blaise as he passed by her. The contact was brief, but it made her pulse race. He glanced down at her, his eyes sharp.

"Amara," he greeted smoothly, the faintest smirk on his lips. "Avoiding me, are we?"

She forced a smile, trying to keep her voice steady. "I wasn't trying to avoid anyone."

Blaise's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. "We'll see how long that lasts."

Seraphina was across the room when she caught a flash of movement. Lorenzo standing just a few feet away, caught her eye. She stiffened slightly but quickly masked her discomfort with a tight smile.

"Seraphina," he said, his tone cool but his eyes calculating. "I had hoped you would be more... social."

"I'm busy," she replied, her words clipped. "Not every conversation needs my attention."

Enzo chuckled softly. "For now. But soon, I'll have all your attention, I'm certain of it."

Vivienne was near the cake table when she felt someone's presence looming behind her. She turned and found theo standing, watching her with an almost unreadable expression. He was so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

"Vivienne," he said, his voice low. "You look stunning. As expected."

She raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain her composure. "You always have a way with words, don't you?"

Theo smiled slightly, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time for more words later."

Celeste stepped outside to the balcony, needing a breath of fresh air. But her moment of solitude didn't last long. Draco Malfoy was leaning against the railing, his gaze following her every move.

"Celeste," he said, his tone almost teasing. "You always find a way to slip away, don't you?"

She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "I wasn't looking to entertain anyone."

Draco grinned, his eyes glinting. "We'll see how long that lasts. You'll be the one entertaining soon enough."

By the end of the night, Lysandra felt Tom's hand on her shoulder. "Let's go," he murmured, his voice soft but firm.

Her heart raced, but she kept her composure as she gave her friends a final look. They nodded at her in silent support, a reassurance that she wasn't in this alone.

Together, they had made it this far. Now, it was a matter of staying strong.