Punishment- Reader POV

Chapter 20

July 13th, 1997

Just like our holiday to Cornwall, the summer had continued to fly by. It has been one of the best summers of my life. Severus and I had been doing absolutely nothing besides lounging around his home, eating, and shopping. There were a few times when we ventured out into London for some shopping but we mostly stayed local. It was wonderful to just let go.

Like all of the best things, this one has to come to an end. I arrived at the manor early for Narcissa to get me ready, Snape stayed at home, he would come later. He wanted to arrive with the rest of the guests to avoid raising suspicion. Narcissa had turned one of her guest suites into a bridal suite for me. The elves steamed my gown and kept everything tidy as they waited on us hand and foot since early this morning.

"You have such beautiful hair, darling," Narcissa smiled, looking into the mirror to meet my eyes as she brushed my hair behind me. It was a beautiful vanity. It was white-stained wood with a sturdy marble top. Narcissa's high-end makeup and hair products were skewed on top.

"Thank you," I gave her a small smile. I wasn't sad about marrying Draco. I love him. I always have, I could have done much worse than being forced to marry my best friend, it just hurts to know I will be bound to him and never get to live the life I want with Severus.

"You know I was doing some research," Narcissa started as she pinned my hair up with a diamond-crusted barrette. I looked up into the mirror, watching her expectantly. "And," she continued, "If I perform the ceremony I can pretend to bind your souls to each other so that way after this is all over you two can be free."

"Really?" My eyes lit up and relief washed over me, my muscles relaxing instantly.

"Yes, we can just tell everyone that it was special for the two of you and that it's what you wanted," she shrugged nonchalantly. I turned around in my seat and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Oh thank you," I hugged her close, feeling so relieved I could cry.

"Of course, darling, now don't ruin your makeup." Narcissa rubbed my back before finishing to get me ready for the ceremony.

Narcissa and the elves helped dress me in my ivory gown, I stood on a pedestal and watched myself in the full-length mirror before me. The gown was extravagant. Narcissa picked it out and I could not care less. It was a grim affair. I would have never picked a dress like this on my own but it was undeniably beautiful of course, it had to be, I was being married off to a Malfoy for Merlin's sake. The gown had short puffy sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The skirt was lush and the train was long, a giant satin bow rested on my lower back, and I looked like a princess. Everyone would love it, I would satisfy their expectations, that I was ready to submit to him, to make a proper pureblood wife out of myself for Draco. I wonder if Severus would like it. Lastly, Narcissa clipped my veil by my barrette and I was finally done. I was ready. Now came the hard part. I had to face a crowd of people that I hated and marry Draco. My eyes flickered to find Narcissa wiping away her tears on a cloth.

"Sorry," I felt bad, worse that she knew it meant nothing to us, she has been looking forward to this day for forever and now it's ruined.

"No no do not be sorry, you just look so beautiful, your mother and father are fools for not coming, they are missing out," she sniffled.

"I am happy they aren't here, I hate them," I poofed my skirt. Narcissa parted her lips to speak but there was a knock from the bottom of the door. Another elf went to get it as soon as Narcissa nodded towards it.

"They are ready for the bride," a house elf spoke.

"We are coming," Narcissa spoke clearly, any tell of emotion disappeared. The elf nodded and scurried off. "Are you ready, love?" I took a deep breath and nodded. Narcissa walked me through the manor and we stopped at the French doors that led to the garden. The elves opened the doors revealing the floral pathway that led to Draco. Everyone stood for me. Narcissa walked me down the aisle arm in arm. I kept my gaze on Draco at the end. He was crying. Oh, Draco.