It was obvious to anyone that the two girls were listening through the door to what was going on inside the study.
Both girls steadied themselves.
Narcissa stepped forward as she pulled Gilderoy toward another room. "I want to talk with him alone."
Gilderoy went willingly as she pulled him into the room and closed the door. As the door closed, he noticed Bellatrix had followed them, but she didn't enter.
"If I want to go out for a job, would you allow me?"
"Why not?" Gilderoy answered her genuinely.
Narcissa seemed confused by his answer.
She must be confused because she is from a pureblood family.
"Narcissa, look at my own sisters. Even though they are muggles and married, both are working in the muggle world. One is a teacher and one works as an assistant. This is normal to me."
"I think even some of the noble families allow females to act as proxies in their place in the Wizengamot."
Gilderoy asked her directly, "What is your dream, Narcissa? Tell me."
"I want to be in a higher position of power… Minister for Magic?"
Gilderoy grinned at her. "Go higher, Narcissa. Why not Supreme Mugwump?"
"I did not think of that!" Narcissa was surprised at his reply, wondering how she hadn't thought of it herself.
"Hmm, I think my decision is being made."
Narcissa suddenly leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips, to Gilderoy's surprise, before turning around and gliding toward the exit.
Gilderoy's eyes followed her as she left.
"I am definitely gonna ask her to cosplay elves from different fantasies when she becomes my wife."
Bellatrix strode in as soon as Narcissa left. To Gilderoy's confusion, she locked the door and moved toward him.
"Most of the questions I had were already asked by Cissa. I just want to know one thing."
"How did you get so strong?" Bellatrix had her hands on the chair Lockhart was sitting on, leaning over him. "You defeated those idiots quickly, and you even defeated my grandfather. You weren't this strong before."
"Maybe after you become my wife, I might even share my method," Gilderoy said, looking up at her.
Bellatrix, who seemed to be holding herself back, decides to let go and sits on Gilderoy's lap, pulling his robes forward and capturing his lips hard.
Gilderoy noticed her awkwardness as she kissed him. He held her neck gently, guiding her, teaching her slowly.
Bellatrix pressed closer against him, her movements unsteady but intense.
Gilderoy reluctantly stopped her. "Bellatrix, your grandfather is waiting for your answer."
Bellatrix looked slightly flushed at what she had done, stood up, and walked toward the study.
Just outside, both of them were met by Narcissa, who smirked looking at the black smudge on Gilderoy's lips. "I didn't know you were so passionate, Bella."
Bellatrix walked past her, ignoring her younger sister, though a faint blush lingered on her face.
Inside the study, both gave their approval, and their grandfather had them sign before marking the official seal. Then he handed Gilderoy a copy.
Arcturus told them to rejoin and enjoy the remaining party.
As Gilderoy rejoined, he was stopped by a person wearing the Bones family crest.
The man extended his hand. "I am Amelia's brother, Edgar. It is nice to meet you. Amelia talks about you all the time."
"Hello, Edgar. Oh really? She talks about me? I hope nothing bad."
"Oh, she keeps praising you as the best boyfriend ever. Not that she had any before. How did you even win over my sister? She is not easy to approach."
"Truth be told, she approached me, but we got along right from the beginning."
"That's great. Thank you for taking care of Amelia for me." Edgar paused, slightly teary-eyed. "We lost both our parents recently, and our loved ones are the ones keeping us grounded."
Gilderoy stepped forward, embracing Edgar like a brother and patting his back.
The hug seemed to make Edgar cheer up.
Soon the music started, and people moved toward the floor almost at once. Gilderoy didn't wait. He stepped forward, took Mabel Nott's hand, and led her into the dance before anyone else could.
A few whispers started almost immediately—people noticing, judging, but Gilderoy ignored them. If anything, he pulled her a little closer, his hand firm at her waist as he guided her through the steps. Mabel didn't pull away. She matched him instead, moving with him easily, as if she had already decided she didn't mind the attention.
"How daring… dancing with a lord's wife," she murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"I don't care. You don't seem worried though," Gilderoy replied without missing a step.
"Good thing that Lord Nott disappeared early, he might've had another stroke seeing his wife dance with me. Ha."
When the music slowed, Gilderoy walked her back himself, his hand still lightly at her back before letting go.
He turned and immediately caught Narcissa watching him.
"Care to dance?" he asked, offering his hand.
Narcissa didn't hesitate. She placed her hand in his, and he led her onto the floor.
This dance lasted longer. Narcissa moved with confidence, her steps precise, shifting through patterns that were more complex than the last, testing him without saying a word.
Gilderoy followed without breaking pace, adjusting smoothly, keeping up with her rhythm, and when she realized he wasn't going to stumble, there was a flicker of surprise in her expression before it turned into something quieter.
"You're keeping up," she said under her breath.
"I try," Gilderoy replied, guiding her into another turn.
After a while, Gilderoy leaned in slightly. "If I don't dance with Bella, she's going to pretend she doesn't care and then glare at me for the rest of the night."
Narcissa let out a small breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "Then you should fix that."
The music shifted again, and Gilderoy stepped back, letting her go before turning toward Bellatrix.
"Bellatrix,dance with me."
"I'm not interested," Bellatrix said immediately.
Gilderoy didn't argue. Instead he took her hand anyway and pulled her onto the floor ignoring her refusal.
"Relax," he said quietly, already guiding her into the first step.
Bellatrix didn't reply, but the tension in her shoulders eased.
By the time the dance picked up pace, she had settled into it completely, moving with him instead of against him.
When the music ended, she didn't pull away immediately.
Soon after, the night thinned out, conversations slowing, people beginning to leave. Midnight had come without much notice.
Gilderoy made his way through the remaining guests, exchanging brief farewells before heading toward the fireplace.
Narcissa and Bellatrix were already there waiting.
He stepped closer, taking Narcissa's hand first and pulling her slightly toward him before pressing a quick kiss to her lips. Then he turned to Bellatrix and did the same, his grip just a fraction firmer as he pulled her in and kissed her.
He stepped back, bidding them goodnight, then took a handful of Floo powder and moved into the fireplace as the green flames rose around him. The last thing he saw was Narcissa smiling, and Bellatrix standing beside her, her face still stoic though there was a clear hint of happiness in her eyes.
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