A/N: This is a stand alone piece, but it does incorporate small story points from Redemption. It is not necessary to be familiar with ‘Redemption’, but if you enjoy this story, I encourage you to read that one.

This harmless bit of fluff was inspired by those brides that become unrecognizable as they plan their weddings. There is a web site out there with Bridezilla horror stories which was the direct inspiration for this fic. Enjoy!

Many thanks to Samantha_kathy for her assistance as a beta reader.

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Whatever You Want, Dear


Whatever you want, dear. Those had sounded like such simple words at the time. Little did he know that they would come back to haunt him. Lucius thumbed through the latest stack of invoices. A new estimate from the florist. A consultation fee from some dressmaker in Paris. Another bill from the jeweler. Even though he only had about half his assets returned to him, he had found that business was very good in the post-war period as everyone was rebuilding. He could afford this, that wasn’t the issue.

The issue was that he found he did not recognize his fiancée anymore. Hermione was no longer the sweet, bookish young woman she had been. She had morphed into some sort of monster. There were still three weeks before the wedding, and there seemed to be no sign of improvement. He was beginning to wonder if he had made a mistake.

He heard a house-elf clearing its throat. “What is it?” he asked in an irritated voice.

“Master, mistress was telling me to remind you the jeweler is here,” the elf said meekly.

The jeweler. This would be the third time they had met with the jeweler, and something told him it would not be the last, especially since she had not yet found a dress to her liking. Once she chose a dress, she would have to choose jewelry to match. Unfortunately, they were still trying to choose the wedding set, or rather, she was still trying to choose a wedding set. He would have been perfectly happy with a plain gold band, but she had yet to find something to her liking. Looking back, he was amazed that she had not complained about her engagement ring. At this point, a part of him wanted to go back on his word and start making all the decisions to be done with it.

Three more weeks. This will all be over in three more weeks. He kept telling himself this in order to hold on to his sanity.

When he entered the drawing room, he could see the look of frustration on the jewelers face. The elderly man had been the family jeweler as long as Lucius could remember. He somehow doubted that would remain the case for much longer.

“Lucius, where have you been?” Hermione asked sharply.

He forced himself to bite back the scathing remark. “Forgive me. I lost track of time.” Actually, darling, I can think of a million places I would rather be since my opinion here is completely meaningless.

******************

After listening to forty-five minutes of Hermione criticizing each of the ring choices and providing non-committal replies, he was saved from further torture when Ginny Weasley arrived. Her arrival couldn’t have been timelier. His headache was becoming downright unbearable and he was finding it hard to maintain his pleasant demeanor.
“Hi, Hermione. Are you ready?”

Hermione looked up in surprise. “Oh, yes. Just a moment.” She turned back to the jeweler. “Mr. Duncan, none of these rings will do. I think that I’ve been very clear about what I want. We’ll try again on Tuesday.”

He nodded and replied neutrally, “As you wish, Miss Granger.”

She turned her attention to Lucius. “Ginny and I will be in Milan. I should be back by dinner.”

Lucius tried not to look elated. This would give him a good six or seven hours to himself. “That’s quite all right. I hope that you have a productive trip.” May you please find a dress to your liking.

She gave him a quick kiss before leaving with Ginny.

A part of Lucius wanted to apologize to Mr. Duncan. The other part knew that Malfoys did not apologize to people like the jeweler.

Mr. Duncan said, “Mr. Malfoy, perhaps you should look into finding another jeweler? It is clear that I do not have the jewelry that your fiancée wants.”

“We will try once again, Mr. Duncan. You have been our family jeweler for a long time and it wouldn’t feel right giving my business to another.”

“As you wish, Mr. Malfoy,” Mr. Duncan said before closing his case and departing.

Lucius realized this was one of the few opportunities he was likely to have some time to himself. “Gupper!” he called for his house-elf.

“Yes, Master? How can Gupper be of service?”

“Go to Severus Snape’s and ask him to come for a visit. Also, ask him to bring his potions kit.” He knew that sending the elf was quicker than an owl, and he had always been protective of his Floo connection.

While waiting for Severus to arrive, he retired to the library and poured himself a large drink.

****************

Lucius heard the door open, glanced over his shoulder and saw Severus hovering in the door before draining his glass.

“A little early in the day, isn’t it?” Severus asked facetiously.

He slammed the glass on the sidebar and began refilling it. “I need something for this splitting headache. Tell me you have something for it?”

Severus pulled a bottle out of the black bag and handed it to Lucius. “Of course. May I inquire to the source of this headache?”

“You know damn well what it is. It’s this infernal wedding.” He downed the headache potion. “I never would have thought it would be this much trouble. She’s in Milan right now. No one in London or Paris had a dress that she liked. At least I am forbidden from getting involved in that decision, not that I’m really involved in any of the others. What’s happened to her?” He poured himself another drink and offered one to Severus.

Severus declined the offer and took a seat. “She is a woman. I have found that all women are highly irrational. Oh, some may put on a good show of being logical and reasonable, but underneath, they are completely unpredictable.”

Lucius pointed to the bridal magazines. “They are most definitely unreasonable. Every time a new of those infernal magazines comes out, she begins changing plans. I’m not sure I can last another three weeks.”

Severus had no advice to offer, having long ago decided he was better off on his own. “You could always elope.”

“Ha! That would never happen. I was foolish enough to tell her she could have whatever she wants. She’s now obsessed with the perfect wedding. Besides, if I cancelled the wedding now, it would be a huge black mark on the family name. This is to be the society event of the year,” he announced officiously.

“So I’ve seen,” Severus replied dryly. “It seems your plan to use her to regain your place in society is not as simple as you thought.”

“Oh, it is that simple. I just didn’t imagine it would be so stressful. I thought we would have a simple wedding where she invited her friends and family. I would of course issue political invitations, but it was going to be a simple affair.”

Lucius leaned forward in his chair. “Do you realize she has had the house-elves decorate the ballroom seven different ways for the reception? She hasn’t been happy with any of them.”

Severus couldn’t control his laughter.

“This isn’t funny.”

“What do you think has prompted this?”

“I don’t know. Everything started off much as I expected, but over time… I think she went insane. We were planning the wedding together and then…I don’t know exactly what happened. All I know is that my opinion became meaningless. Have you seen the monstrosity that is the guest list?” He handed a roll of parchment to Severus.

Severus quickly perused the long list of names. “This is a very political list. Everyone of any influence has been invited.”

“I told you she was making this the society event of the year.”

Severus considered this statement. “Didn’t you mention that she was interested in some sort of house-elf protection agenda?”

“Yes, what of it?” Lucius asked cautiously.

“Is it possible that she’s using this wedding as a launching platform for her political agenda?”

“Preposterous. She’s Gryffindor, not Slytherin.”

Severus shook his head in disbelief. “Be careful about what you believe. I have seen her do some rather devious things when she believed in a cause.”

Lucius considered Severus’ words carefully. Was it possible that she was using him as much as he was using her? A part of him was disturbed at this prospect, but another was aroused. “You don’t really think…?”

Severus leaned back in his chair. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. I’ve learned that she is quite vehement about her little house-elf cause. I’m surprised that she hasn’t had you free yours.”

“We’ve discussed it and I believe I’ve convinced her that was an unproductive route.”

Severus wore an amused grin. “You don’t know how comical I find this. The thought that she is using you is just priceless.”

Lucius scowled. “It’s just a theory. You have no proof.” Though, the more he thought about it, the more merit that theory had. A sly grin spread across his face as he thought about the fact that his bride might be more Slytherin than she liked to let on. Yes, it would be a beneficial marriage indeed.