#cruciocarrow

Most things at the engagement party for Evan and Alecto had gone well.  All that remained was for the bride-to-be to make her appearance.  Narcissa was most certainly not going to let that, of all things, to go wrong.  She retreated to the salon where she knew that Alecto waited, where she had dressed and had her hair done.  She entered with a brisk knock, not waiting to hear the answer.

The large door opened with a slight creak - she had already made the note to get the hinges oiled by hand, it was really the only way to take care of old houses.  Standing there was the young Carrow girl, though she would not be a Carrow for much longer. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection, as if in awe that the woman standing there were truly her.  Narcissa remembered the moment that the same thing happened to her.  Everything seemed to become a little more real, a little more adult.  As soon as she was wed she would no longer have the excuse of being a girl - she would be a woman.  It was a terrifying thought at the time, though she had grown into it nicely.  

Now, it was the Carrow girl's turn to stand there in front of the trifold mirror, put on a pedestal.  Now it was her turn to be paraded around like an object, subject to her husband's desires.  In truth, Narcissa had no idea what marriage with Evan would be like, despite the fact that she had known him since childhood.  She imagined that it would be little like what marriage to Lucius was.  Still, she came to greet the girl, to offer her advice, wanted or not, because it was her duty and Narcissa Malfoy always did her duty.

She smiled at the girl, a calm, knowing smile to ease the nervous aura that had filled the room, that shone in her radiant blue eyes.  "Now, I know that this all seems... well, impossible, but I assure you, it is nothing like what you have been made to believe."  She paused for a moment, searching for the right words.  "In my experience, my marriage has been one of the better parts of my life.  Knowing Evan, I am sure he will give you freedom, treat you in part as an equal.  You couldn't ask for much more... at least not publicly."  The last part flew quickly from her lips, an afterthought.  

Her hand idly played with the small plate of jewellery that lay on the table, set out of her to wear and be the blushing, elegant bride that she was meant to be.  "YOu can, however, exet more control than many believe, as I am sure you know.  It is just a matter of pulling the right strings." As she said this, she pulled a diamond encrusted chain from the plate, a large emerald pendant weighing it down.  She moved from the girls' side to behind her as she reached around and draped the heavy necklace around her delicate, thin neck.  "It looks wonderful and will stun.  Should you need anything, I will be in the hall."  She moved back aroudn to the girls side, smoothing the girls' hair.

"Cmon! You said you'd teach me to dance!"

"I'm not in the mood, pup."

"Oh, what's upset the Princess today? Did Daddy not get you the pony you wanted?"

She shot him a look, and the smile faded. "Oh, shit, it's true, isn't it?"

"I... don't want to discuss it."

"Yeah, fair enough." He sat next to her, looking out over the village as the sun set, the lights glowing warm in the cool air. They sat in companionable silence for a while, Thane carving into a piece of wood. "Y'know, Fen's the only dad I've ever known. There's a saying that... Uh... You can pick your friends, but not your family or something. Well it-"

"I said I don't wish to discuss it."

"You aren't! You're sitting there and listening and I'm making a beautiful and moving speech, so shut up."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh shit, sorry, uh, prithee, milady, would it please thee to shut up?" She laughed, and he grinned. "Anyway, I reckon it's bullshit. Blood doesn't mean anything. I know you're with those purebloods, all Muggle-hating and stuff, but speaking from experience, pure blood, or impure, it all spills just as easy. Just cus some dickhead happens to share your blood don't mean he has any kinda claim over you."

"He does have claim-"

"And what's he gonna do? If you decide to tell him to bugger off, what could he actually do? Evan could protect you, we could protect you."

She smiled, faintly. "Very gallant of you, Thane. But it's too late for me."

"It's never too late, Princess. You've got most of your life ahead of you. Are you gonna live it the way your dad wants you to, or the way you want you to?"

They held each other's gaze, for a moment, and then he smiled, springing to his feet, landing silently like a cat, and held his hand out. "Now, dance with me."

He didn't usually take baths, but he had painful knots and kinks in his back and shoulders, that Marie hadn't been able to get out, so he'd run a burning hot bath. He sighed, the steam rising from the water, and closed his eyes.

The door opened.

"Whoever you are, go pee in the yard. Alpha's busy."

"Charming." He opened his eyes, and saw Alecto, leaning in the doorway, in a silk robe she must have hidden somewhere because it would not have survived exposure to the pack.

"Didn't know it was you, did I now?"

"And I get special treatment?"

"Naturally, milady." 

She closed the door behind her, and dropped the robe to the floor. His eyebrows raised, and he looked her up and down, her entirely naked form seeming to almost glow. "Alecto..."

"Yes?" She slunk over to the bath, bending down, running her hand along the bath rim, meeting his eyes, grinning. He met her eyes, raising his eyebrows. "Well?" She ran her tongue over her teeth, with a grin, and stepped into the bath. He began to protest, but she leaned forwards him, pressing a finger to his lips. "Hush."

She sat down, her back against his chest, and he frowned. She chuckled, turning round. "What? What did you expect, my dear?"

Just because I said you were one of the people I'd mate, doesn't mean I'm about to jump your bones. I do have standards.

Gabriella Wilde

Ashley Benson

Claire Holt

Claudia Lee (may be too young)

Britt Robertson

Emma Rigby