The wedding

The next day, the grand hall was decked in black and green, the colours of the Malfoy crest. In a side room, Rose and Albus were waiting. Rose had been given a new dress, found in a chest in the attic. It was not white, but dark green, so it matched the decorations. Rose didn't want to know whose dress it had been originally, or exactly where they had found it, but it fit her remarkably well. She had also been allowed to take a bath, the first since she had been captured. She had been able to wash in the washbasin in Scorpius' room before, but there was only so much cold water could do.

She was nervous and scared, but strangely, also a little excited. She just hoped this would all work out, and that she and Scorpius would be able to leave together tonight.

"You look lovely," Albus said to her, though it was not entirely true. Rose was still looking a bit ragged; a new dress and a bath did not entirely remove weeks' worth of captivity, though she held herself straighter than she had just a few days earlier. The chain ruined the picture somewhat as well.

"Thank you," Rose said. "It is not exactly a wedding dress, but then, this isn't exactly a wedding either."

"I am sorry about this," Albus said.

"Don't be," Rose assured him. "It is a small matter, considering what the last few weeks have been like. This may also stop them from torturing me anymore."

"True. And at least I can now finally do this," Albus reached over and removed the harness and chain from under the dress. Rose took several deep breaths and almost started crying in relief.

"Oh, that feels much better. I feel like I haven't been able to breathe properly in days. Thank you."

"Scorpius persuaded Voldemort to do this without a chain. He said that even you wouldn't attempt anything stupid in a room filled to bursting with Death Eaters."

"He is right, I wouldn't be that stupid. Even without the chain, I wouldn't have tried to escape. I know how well-guarded this place is."

"It is nearly time," Albus said "Remember, you must be a little reluctant, but also scared and cowed. Don't' make a scene, but don't appear too eager either."

"I remember. The scared part should be easy. I can't remember the last time I wasn't scared."

"You could do a lot worse than Scorpius."

"I know. He is a good man, even if he doesn't believe it himself. I am not a fan of the officiant though," Rose drew a deep breath. "Ok, let's do this."

They walked out of the room together.

***

In the grand ballroom, Scorpius was standing next to Voldemort when Rose and Albus walked in. He barely contained a smile. Then he looked up at Voldemort and remembered where he was. Rose and Albus eventually reached the front. Albus bowed before Voldemort. Rose merely looked up at him and whimpered before looking away. Albus took Rose's hand and put it in Scorpius'. She briefly tried to resist, but one look at Voldemort weakened her resolve. Albus moved and stood next to Scorpius, as the best man.

"Now. We are all ready. Vows will be taken; names will be made. We will join these two together with bonds that cannot be broken," Voldemort said in a ceremonial tone. "Now. Malfoy. Hold on to her hand. Like that, yes. Severus, you will be their Bonder."

"Bonder?" Scorpius asked, suddenly alarmed.

"Yes. For the Unbreakable Vow. That is why we are here, after all," Voldemort replied.

"Yes. Yes, of course," Scorpius said. An Unbreakable Vow. Of course, that is what Voldemort meant. His mind started racing, trying to find words for a Vow that would sound strong, but allow their plan to work. His face showed little emotion, but his eyes would have betrayed his panic, if anyone but Rose had been close enough to see.

Albus pointed his wand at their held hands. He didn't know what to think of this unexpected turn of events but thought to himself that they should have realised that this is what Voldemort meant when he talked of bonds. This complicated matters. He just hoped that Scorpius would find the right words. Scorpius was usually good with words. Except when Rose was involved. Still, he would hopefully do better than Albus would have done himself.

"Now. All I need from you, girl, is that you say "I agree" to all the statements Malfoy makes. Do you understand?" Voldemort said coldly to Rose.

"Y-yes…" Rose said, shaking slightly. She didn't like this sudden change in the plan, but there was little she could do to stop this now. They would have to do this. Could Scorpius find the right words?

"You know what will happen if you try to make trouble," Voldemort said in the same cold voice.

"Yes. I won't make trouble. Please don't hurt me."

"Good. Glad we understand one another. Now, please begin, Malfoy."

Scorpius collected himself and began. He just hoped it would be enough, and that Voldemort wouldn't insist on adding something towards the end.

"I hereby declare that I, Scorpius Malfoy, will wed this woman. I will keep her safe to the best of my ability. I will not be unfaithful and not turn my back on her love."

"I agree," Rose said.

"In return, she will be my wedded wife, a cherished treasure. She will not try to escape from me and will not physically harm me or my master."

"I- I agree."

A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire. Albus held the flame for a little longer, before it disappeared, leaving barely any trace behind. He had considered botching up the process, but he didn't know what would happen if he tried that. What if any of them died because he failed? It wasn't worth the risk. Besides, they would probably just have had to try again.

"To all you witnesses gathered here. Let me present: Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy!" Voldemort leered at Scorpius. "You may now kiss the bride."

Scorpius took Rose's head and kissed her. It took all of Rose's self-restraint to not just lean in and kiss him back. Instead, she struggled slightly but let the kiss happen. All the Death Eaters cheered. One of the Death Eaters took a photo, the infamous wedding photo that was to be sent to Rose's family to show what had happened.

"Now, let the feast begin," Voldemort declared with a smirk.

The feast continued all day. Rose ate greedily, having mainly lived on leftovers for the last week. But anytime any of the Death Eaters looked at her, she whimpered and looked down, playing the part of a cowed prisoner. And she was a cowed prisoner, no matter how much she tried to pretend otherwise. She just played more cowed than she felt. Scorpius, however, ate little and appeared slightly nervous. He pretended to drink quite a lot of alcohol but Vanished most of it with his wand. The other Death Eaters attempted to drink as much as him, but most of them failed. Most of the new recruits were out after barely an hour of drinking. There were no speeches or gifts, or any of the other things normally associated with a wedding. Finally, Albus got up and asked for quiet. He also appeared slightly drunk.

"This has been a good celebration. The match between these two people can benefit us all. Now, as tradition dictates, a three-day honeymoon is required. In that period, they are alone. They will learn to live with each other. They have done so for a while already, but traditions should be upheld. It is one of the few things we can still rely on. And Mrs. Malfoy needs to learn that her new Bond is not any weaker than her old ones. Now let us see them off!"

With that, the whole crowd of people, those who could still stand at least, rose and surrounded the two people. Scorpius lifted Rose up in his arms and started carrying her towards the front door, only staggering a little. As soon as he reached the boundary, he Disapparated.