Marrying Lucius Malfoy

~*~Chapter Two~*~

It didn't matter that she had threatened to jump off the roof, that she had promised to marry any other man, and that she begged and pleaded not to be forced to walk down the aisle at her young age. Selina still sat in the large, drafty, nicely furnished changing room of St. Peter's Cathedral, dressed from head to foot in white. All the bridesmaids--cousins and nieces of Lucius Malfoy--had filed out a moment ago. Only Riley remained in the designated bridal room, putting finishing touches on Selina's hairstyle.

"Hey, Selly, I thought brides were supposed to smile on their wedding day," she said after a while. Selina could only shrug and look at herself in the mirror.

Donned in a flowing white wedding gown with a lacey top, a billowing skirt opening onto pale gold petticoats, and a veil to top it all of, Selina looked every inch the blushing bride she was meant to be. Riley had managed, after four bottles of Tangle-Be-Free's Rose Shampoo, to smooth Selina's wild curls into a thick auburn mane of waves. A thin silver chain was clasped around Selina's waist and hanging from it was the Julliard family crest, overlapping that of the Malfoy family crest. It was traditional that bride's wore the 'Family Clasp' to signify the binding of two people, but Selina could have cared less about tradition, looks, or finery that day.

It had taken two weeks by boat, broom, and train to reach Bridgington, where the wedding would take place. She had arrived at the 'Grande Hotel' late last night and had been awoken early that morning by Debra, who had chosen a pale green off-the-shoulder dress for herself. Her bony shoulders stuck out oddly, making Debra look like an awkward giraffe, but Selina was too polite to point that out. The whole day leading up to the exact moment had been a whirlwind of getting dressed, being made up, and having her hairdo redone fifteen million times before Riley stepped in.

So far Selina hadn't caught a glimpse of her bridegroom, but, as her godmother had said, everyone told her for a man of forty-four he looked quite good. She still wanted to hop on a broom and fly into the sunset.

"Sugar, Riley! Y'all get out here!" Debra cried. "The wedding's about to start and Mr. Malfoy can't be kept waiting, now can he?" Selina sighed and followed Debra's orders. She knew not who was going to give her away at the end of the aisle, but she had heard from Riley that it would be one of Lucius "friends".

Riley was indeed right. A tall, pale, blonde man who introduced himself as Lucius's brother, Lucifer, took Selina's right arm and linked it to his.

"Nervous, are you?" Lucifer asked when he felt Selina's arm tremble. The organ music had just begun and already three bridesmaids and groomsmen were down the long aisle.

"Would you be nervous if you were in my place?" Selina asked after two more bridesmaids and groomsmen had left.

"Lucius isn't someone you should fear. I won't lie and say that you're marrying the best man in the world, or even Britain." Lucifer paused to look down at Selina, and he sighed sadly. "But as long as you're well mannered and quiet then you have nothing to worry about. Lucius knows how to treat a women well, but he knows how to keep them in line as well."

Lucifer Malfoy's words confused--and maybe even frightened-- Selina. What was he talking about? Sure, there were rumors about less than commendable deeds that the Malfoys had committed over the past centuries, but she thought that the Ministry had found Lucius innocent on the charges of being a Death Eater, right? Her grandfather himself had told her before he died that Lucius Malfoy was just a man trying to redeem himself in the eyes of the world.

Still contemplating about her husband-to-be, Selina was quite startled when the bridal music began and the doors to the church swung open...

~*~

Lucius betrayed no emotion as the bridal march began. He saw, at the far end of the church, his younger brother Lucifer appear. On the arm of Lucifer was the girl--or woman, rather--who had to be Selina Julliard. She was a bit plumper than the pictures had shown her to be and a wee bit taller as well, but Lucius was still pleased with his new bride. Even if she wasn't the most beautiful wife of all his pureblood associates, she was the youngest and most spry, and for that Lucius knew he would be envied.

As Lucifer and Selina drew closer, Lucius could tell that she was more than a little frightened. Her green eyes were trained on the red carpet ahead of her, and the bridal bouquet shook in her hands. Soon, though, she reached him, and looked up for the first time. Lucius did his best to give a reassuring smile but Lucifer made a 'stop it' gesture and Lucius went back to looking cold and piercing.

Finally the bridal march ended and the wizard whom Debra had hired to perform the ceremonies--called Father Harris--stepped forward. "We are gathered here today to witness the joining of Lucius Aurelio Malfoy and Selina Amberly Julliard in holy matrimony. May they never no hunger, may they always know friendship, and may they be blessed with many children." The elderly man stopped and fixed his gaze upon Selina and Lucifer. "May I ask who is presenting the bride today?"

"I am," Lucifer said, and he bowed and stepped away from Selina.

Father Harris turned to Lucius. "Father Harris turned to Megan. "Lucius Aurelio Malfoy, in your heart and soul, do you accept this woman, Selina Julliard, to be your wife, bound by the law and your love for her, through all the obstacles that you might face?"

Lucius replied quickly, "Yes. I do."

Father Harris turned to Selina. "Selina Amberly Julliard, in your heart and soul, do you accept this man, Lucius Malfoy, to be your husband, bound by the law and your love for him, through all the obstacles that you might face?"

Selina wouldn't even look Lucius in the eye as she whispered, "I do."

A dramatic melody began to play and Father Harris said, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The kiss was quick and pained. As soon as was prudent Selina broke away. Lucius locked arms with her and they walked stiffly down the aisle.

It was the beginning to a most troubled marriage.

~*~

Selina had avoided Lucius the whole night, or at least as much as was possible. Being near her husband--if you could call him that--made her insides crawl and her heart beat quickly, like a small animal being chased by a predator. Dinner was the longest period of time that they had to sit together. After that Selina had faked having a headache and rushed out to the concierge to ask where her room was.

The concierge, a kindly woman of middle age, had smiled and replied that Selina would be staying in the penthouse apartment.

Selina had just laughed and said, "Oh, but I'm just one person! Surely I won't need all that."

The concierge had given what Selina guessed to be a coy smile. "But your husband requested it...You see, the penthouse apartment is also our Honeymoon Suite."

And then she remembered. She was a married woman. Tonight was her first night as Mrs. Lucius Malfoy...But surely she wouldn't be expected to have sex with the slimy jerk! He was old enough to be her father, for heaven's sake! The world began to reel...

"Mrs. Malfoy?" the concierge asked. Selina looked up. The plump woman looked worried. "Is something wrong, Mrs. Malfoy?"

Selina clamped her hands over her ears. "Please!" she begged in a voice she did not recognize. "Please don't ever call me by that name!"

The concierge looked downright frightened now. "Oh, lord, what's wrong dear?" she asked, stepping out from around the desk. But Selina couldn't hear her. The despair of her predicament had hit her head on.

Her whole family had been murdered just a little over a week ago. She was in big financial trouble. And now, as if things hadn't been bad enough, she was now Mrs. Lucius Malfoy. And she had to share the 'Honeymoon Suite' with him. Unless she could play off the sympathy that this woman was showing her...

"It was an arranged marriage," Selina said, doing her best to look helpless. "Oh, and my dear mother...She'd die if she saw me like this! The wife of Lucius Malfoy! Oh, ma'am, if I could only slip away unnoticed..."

The concierge looked doubtful. "Oh, ma'am-"

"Call me Ms. Julliard," Selina cut in.

"Oh, Ms. Julliard. I couldn't possibly lie to Mr. Malfoy. He owns this hotel and everything else in Bridgington. If I were fired from here because I withheld the secrets of his new bride's whereabouts then I'd have to totally relocate. I am terribly sorry about your mother, though, and I wish I could help, but...I just can't." The concierge couldn't meet Selina's eyes and she suddenly found herself busy with the task of cleaning up her desk. So busy, in fact, that she didn't notice Selina slip out the front door...

~*~

It had been nice--pretending she wasn't married. For a while Selina had just wandered around Bridgington, taking in all the sights. She had, of course, stripped out of her wedding dress and taken to walking about her slip, which resembled a simple sleeveless dress. Finally, when the clock in the middle of the Bridgington ton square struck eleven, Selina had rented a room in the nearest inn.

After paying up front Selina had rushed into her room and drawn a warm, steamy bath. She was just getting settled when the door to her room was kicked open. Selina gasped and sat up in the tub.

'Oh please,' she thought. 'Don't let it be him!'

But it was.

"Selina Malfoy! Get out here this instant!" Selina tried to make no sound as her new "husband" pounded on the door. "It's embarrassing enough that you left our reception early, but to arrive at our Honeymoon Suite and find my bride gone? I swear by Merlin that if you don't open this door right now I'll break it down with my bear hands!"

Selina sighed. As much as she didn't want to face her "husband", the meeting was inevitable. "Hold your horses, will you?" she called, and the pounding stopped. After wrapping a towel around herself, Selina threw the bathroom door open. In front of her stood Lucius and Lucifer Malfoy. Lucifer shot Selina a pitying glance before he slunk over to the busted open door.

"I'll see you later, Lucius," he muttered, and, just like that, Lucifer disappeared. After taking one look at Lucius's furious face Selina wished that she too could disappear.

"Are you happy?" Lucius asked, arching his right eyebrow. When Selina didn't answer, Lucius just continued. "You have successfully humiliated me in front all of Britain's most powerful wizarding families! Lucius Malfoy, stood up on his wedding night! Do you know what this will do to my reputation?" he snarled in Selina's face. Selina was beginning to feel frightened. She had heard that Lucius Malfoy had a bad temper...

"Are you listening to me, Selina?" Lucius asked, grabbing his wife's shoulders and giving her a good shake. "You're my wife now, not some southern floozy who does as she pleases! You live for my happiness!"

Selina winced at each word Lucius yelled into her face. No one in her life had ever treated her like this...Her father had always been firm but gentle and her mother as sweet as the day was long. Bruce had never raised his voice to her--while he was alive--and neither had Riley. Sydney hadn't been aroun enough to ever lose her temper. But there wasn't time to think of anything like that. Lucius had thrown her on the queen-sized bed that the room provided, a fierce look in his eyes.

Selina tried to roll off the bed and make a break for it but Lucius anticipated her move. "Petrificus totalus!" he cried, and instantly every joint and inch of Selina's body was bound together stiffly. Selina had yet to give up yet. She tried to squirm this way and that in an attempt to break the curse, but that only made the bindings more uncomfortable. Lucius chuckled cruelly as he watched his new bride struggle. "Oh, don't waist your strength," he purred, sidling up to the bed. "You're not going anywhere soon and the night is far from over."

A wicked grin curved Lucius's finely shaped lips as he bent down over the struggling Selina. "Narcissa was far from a virgin on our wedding night," he whispered, "but I know that you won't disappoint me, will you?" Selina tried to knee her "husband" in the chest but the spell staid firm, as did her magical bindings. She closed her eyes tight and tried to think of better things, of happier places.

She was vaguely aware of Lucius rolling off the bed, though she knew he would be back soon. Sure enough he was, and this time, when he leaned over he, she found him to be naked. As she felt Lucius--with no gentleness at all--begin to rip the towel away from her body, she began to tremble. And when she felt her "husband" enter her with the force of a hippogriff, she began to cry.

Selina had always been told by her mother that your first time was always painful--but only for a second. Then the pain gave away and you felt better than you ever had in your life. Riley had once added that lovemaking was a beautiful, wonderful thing.

Oh, how they had lied!

The pain never stopped, and neither did Lucius. Her soft sobs were drowned out by Lucius's feral grunts and at that moment Selina's despair was so great that she forgot she had ever known anything the least bit beautiful. She supposed, though, that what she and Lucius were sharing was not lovemaking, as Riley called it, but intercourse.

'The term lovemaking is reserved for someone you love,' Selina thought, 'and I will never love this monster!'

Finally, it seemed, Lucius gave one final grunt and slumped on Selina. After a good fifteen minutes had passed Lucius stirred and rolled off--and out--of her.

"That," he muttered sleepily, "was bloody good." He quickly cast the reversal spell on Selina and, before falling into a deep sleep, he hissed, "Dare you run away again and the next time we share a bed I'll make sure that it's ten times worse."

Selina rolled over to her side of the bed, too stiff and sore all over to even consider running away. Was this her destiny? Was this what her life was to be from now on? Painful sex, dangerous threats, and other such abuse? And that was if Lucius even paid attention to her!

Softly, as she had so many nights since her parent's murder, Selina cried herself to sleep.