The Wedding of Bellatrix Callidora Black and Rodolphus Jacque Lestrange
The House of Black were not known for doing things by halves. A Black wedding was an expensive affair, and the Lestrange family came from old money as well. It became something of a competition between the two - which family could spend the most money. A hefty dowry was paid to the Lestrange family as was tradition, and the rest of the wedding came together swiftly. Rabastan was his brother’s best man, and Bellatrix’s sisters stood beside her on the day they’d always giggled about as children.
The wedding took place in a Chataeu not far from Paris, the setting fit for royalty. Anyone who was anyone was there - trust two of the most prestigious pure-blooded families to make a happy union of their children into a networking event. Cygnus and Druella Black never passed on an opportunity to demonstrate why the House of Black were practically wizarding royalty, and to compete on why their strand of the family line was best. There was no male heir between them, but their eldest daughter fit their wishes perfectly. The perfect heir to the House of Black marrying the perfect Lestrange heir.
Bellatrix’s dress was dazzlingly white, a huge and heavy train trailing behind her. It was long sleeved to obscure the mark on her arm, and she was a vision of beauty as Cygnus walked her up the aisle. Rodolphus and Rabastan stood at the end of the aisle, and unbeknown to Bellatrix Rabastan had a copy of Rodolphus’ vows just in case Rodolphus forgot. As she carefully watched her soon-to-be husband, Bellatrix could sense his nervousness. Strange, considering it were an arranged marriage but the ceremony continued with little issue.
Vows were exchanged - a promise to be loyal to one another, to share everything life could throw at them, and a promise of eternal trust. Bellatrix avoided using the word ‘love’ in her vows, but Rodolphus declared before their gathered families and guests that "I didn't mean to love you, but I do."
That set alarm bells ringing in Bellatrix’s mind, but it was too late now. They shared their first kiss as husband and wife as their families applauded, and a grin played on both of their lips as they pulled away. No longer a Black, instead she was Bellatrix Lestrange. The name fit so perfectly. Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange, a husband and wife duo not to be trifled with.
After the ceremony began a grand celebration. Their first dance was set to the same piece of music that Cygnus and Druella had danced to at their own wedding, and Druella had taught her daughter how to dance like a proper pureblooded woman - much to a younger Bellatrix’s dismay. Now she was glad of her mother’s teaching, for there were what felt like hundreds of eyes on the couple as they twirled around the dance floor of the ball room. After their dance was over, others joined them on the dance floor. A sweeping glance across the room showed that Andromeda and Rabastan were dancing - theirs would surely be the next wedding that they attended. Malfoy was there, much to Bellatrix’s dismay, dressed in robes that were drawing eyes all across the room. Trust Lucius Malfoy to try and show up one of his best friends at his wedding. It was exactly the sort of behaviour Bellatrix had come to expect from the Malfoy heir, and exactly the sort of behaviour she deplored. If she’d been given her way, he would not be here.
Almost as if her new husband could sense her growing displeasure as she watched Malfoy, his lips brushed close to her ear and he whispered that they should go somewhere more private. Taking his hand, Bellatrix allowed Rodolphus to lead her away from the dance floor and to one of the upper levels of the chateau. A brief glance over her shoulder showed her mother’s look of shock that the bride and groom were leaving the wedding already - but Bellatrix needed a moment. Narcissa wasn’t too far from Andromeda, and a warmth filled her heart. She couldn’t have imagined her wedding day without her sisters by her side as bridesmaids, as they had talked about so often when they were young. Bellatrix was so proud of both her sisters - of the women they were becoming.
Rodolphus led Bellatrix towards a balcony that overlooked the beautiful grounds of the chateau. The music was still playing faintly in the background - but for now husband and wife stood alone. His arms encircled his new wife, and he began to sway with the faint music. Bellatrix followed his lead before looking up to catch Rodolphus’ gaze. “Love?” She questioned, knowing that Rodolphus would know precisely what she asked. “What a terrible thing for a husband and wife to love each other,” was his response, dripping with sarcasm. A small huff and Bellatrix cleared her mind, returning to their dance with a small smile.
At the end of the day, she was pleased with the husband she ended up with. They served the same master and had the same values - she would have refused a husband that did not believe what she did, regardless of the shame it might have brought upon her. But Rodolphus was enough. They danced under the stars for a while longer before Rodolphus drew backwards, a hand searching within his jacket pocket. A small box lay in his hand, and Bellatrix quirked an eyebrow. “What’s this?” Rodolphus opened the box to reveal a black rose necklace, set with sparkling black diamonds. “A gift for my new wife,” he simply offered in explanation, motioning for her to turn so he could put the necklace on. Brushing her hair aside, the necklace lay comfortably against the top of her chest and she reached up to touch it gingerly. It was beautiful, just her style, and a gift fitting for the heir to the House of Black. “It’s beautiful,” Bellatrix whispered as she turned before capturing her husband’s lips.
After stealing a few more private moments, the newly weds returned to the ballroom hand-in-hand. Bellatrix’s careful gaze didn’t miss the fact that Andromeda no longer appeared to be present - but she didn’t allow herself to dwell on it too much. The rest of the evening passed with a blur, full of dancing and kisses and more stolen private moments in the gardens. A fireworks show ended the evening as the couple reached for a portkey that would take them to their honeymoon destination.
And so began the rest of their lives as the Lestranges.
@thefamouswolf-rodolphus
