Claimed

The day had arrived. Mirabelle woke Jessica so early that morning, that the sky was still dark. She groaned, her mother shaking her forcefully. She remembered what day it was, and she felt cold. Her body was numbing slowly, as she uneasily stood.

"Come now, we have so much to do," Mirabelle shouted. She literally dragged Jessica to get dressed simply, in a pair of pants and an old shirt. Then they set off to get her prepared for the wedding. When they arrived, her mother's friends began loading her with creams and oils, covering her face with different colors, her mother shouting all the while. She couldn't hear, nor could she see. She was in a bubble, unaware of her surroundings. When she was finished with the distressing primp fest, her mother brought her back home. When she got back, she realized they'd left four hours earlier.

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Draco rolled out of bed, the early morning sun peeking through the window. He got up, feeling almost pleasant until he discovered the very day it was. His father entered, like clockwork.

"Good, your awake. The wedding is at three sharp. Get dressed, we have a ring to purchase," Lucius demanded, leaving hastily. Draco got dressed slowly, making no effort to rush this occasion.

His father took particularly long deciding which one he wanted. Draco was somewhat confused by the idea of a wedding ring. What exactly was it supposed to symbolize in their case? His attention was directed to a large emerald ring. It glimmered in the light, reminding Draco of a pair of eyes belonging to someone whom he was supposed to despise. Wasn't he? He wasn't so sure now. Lucius bought the most expensive ring, showing it to Draco when they arrived back home. Draco looked at it uninterestedly. He really didn't care.

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The hours passed quickly, much to the dismay of the couple. Jessica had been dressed in her wedding dress since the early morning. Her family had been visiting, taking pictures and such. She walked around miserably, refusing to let a smile inhabit her face. There was nothing to smile about. Draco was taken to the hall where the wedding was to take place. His mother as well as Jessica's were coaching him on how to walk down the aisle. He barely listened, letting his mind wander. He thought about Jessica. When he was sure he wasn't going to get in trouble, he headed off in search of her. He checked the rooms on the second floor, finding her sitting alone, staring out the window. He tried to close the door quietly, but failing, making her whirl around in shock.

"What are you doing here?" Jessica asked, trying to seem pleasant. She was surprised at the look on his face.

"I wanted to talk," he said, sitting beside her. She froze, remembering when they had kissed at the manor.

"You know it's bad luck or something, right?" Jessica asked.

"I don't think our luck could get any worse," Draco joked, making her grin.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" Jessica asked.

"Well, today we get married. And I know you know that, but we never really had a chance to talk about this. I mean, I don't want us to hate each other forever because this was forced on us," Draco said.

"I don't hate you. I hate my parents for making this so hard on the two of us," Jessica said.

"I know, but, I wanted you to...I don't know...be happy I guess," Draco said, feeling strange in the pit of his stomach.

"I don't think happiness is a major issue," Jessica said, looking to the floor.

"Jessica, what I'm trying to say is..." he stopped. She stared deep into his eyes, getting swept away by him.

"What are you two doing? It's not time yet!" Mirabelle screeched, grabbing Jessica, and pulling her out of room. Draco watched her go, feeling like there was a lead weight inside him.

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Jessica stood nervously, the music starting. It was almost time for her walk down the aisle. Her father looked upset about something, but she figured it was his way of being sentimental. She started slowly through the door, her arm intertwined with her father's. People she didn't even recognize were standing. She stared ahead, trying to see over the people in front of her. Trying to see Draco. She continued, her mother sobbing loudly from the front seat. She could see Draco now. He stood, a strange look on his face. She smiled slightly, making him smirk. When she reached him she walked the rest of the way down the aisle with Draco, her heart stopping every so often. She barely heard the words being said by the pastor. Draco couldn't think about anything but how strange he felt inside. He was nervous, but happy, but sad, but angry all at once.

"I do," Jessica said, barely hearing her voice. Draco repeated the words shortly after.

"If anyone here has any reason for these two to not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace," the pastor said. Much to the dismay of the two, the hall stayed dead silent. Jessica knew what followed and she felt a burning heat build inside her. She couldn't tell the source of her sudden wave of emotion, but Draco penetrated her with his eyes, burning with a strange look. Anger? Hate? Disappointment? She breathed in and out heavily, trying to calm herself. Draco was barely breathing. It was all too much. He was overwhelmed by all the eyes staring at him. His blood was boiling with anger, but he tried to control himself. He felt as though he were going to pass out.

"I now pronounce you man and wife...you may now kiss the bride," the pastor said dreadfully slow. His words sounded hollow to Jessica. The two stood for what seemed like hours, just staring at each other. The pastor cleared his throat at their lack of action. They felt four sets of glaring eyes on their backs as they stood like stone statues. Jessica made the mistake of looking at her mother and Narcissa who had stopped crying long enough to stare daggers at them. Jessica looked pleadingly to Draco as the pastor cleared his throat again. Draco slowly lifted her veil, trembling with anxiousness. They leaned forward, their lips joining. They stayed like that as cheers erupted into the hall. They stayed frozen still on each other's mouths. It was a juvenile kiss, not expected by their scrutinizing mothers. Jessica finally pulled away. Draco slowly opened his eyes from the kiss, hoping he'd find himself in his bed. Hoping it was all a bad dream, or a merciless prank. The reality sunk in. Jessica was no longer Jessica Amara Lenora Thurston. She was as good as claimed as the newest edition to the Malfoy family. She stared at all the happy, joyful people, looking up at her adoringly. They were looking at Jessica Thurston...Malfoy.

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