Love and War

Without knowing it, their lives were changed forever.

Lady Narcissa Malfoy quietly entered the dark-lit room with her head bowed to the ground as in deep prayer. The only sounds that could be heard were voices spoken softly by two women, one of whom Lady Malfoy was familiar with.

The approaching footsteps alarmed the two other women, fearing it was some sort of deception from the woman they had agreed to meet. Lady Granger trembled in fear. She knew many frightful stories about the Malfoy clan, how they easily plunder villages and kill men in their search for more wealth in the Highlands. She kept her fear to herself and placed a mask of calmness on her pale face.

"Lady Malfoy, I am very pleased to meet you."

"Stop that nonsense, Mistress McGonagall. I'm surprised that you still have some manners left."

"You are the only one who forgot her values, Madam. Marrying Laird Malfoy was clearly a tactic of a deceiving worldly mind," Minerva McGonagall snapped back. She wanted to forget her days with the Dark Lord. She quite earned the trust of Dumbledore and did not want to lose it.

As if sensing that this would lead to a nightlong discussion, frail Lady Granger interrupted the two. "Please. Let's get over the past and concentrate on what we are here for."

"Very well then, I don't much time. Give me the papers and I'll sign them," Lady Malfoy quickly added. She remembered that Lucius would want her soon and come looking for her. This meeting sounded preposterous at first but she knew better. Bringing peace through this union woule keep her husband at home, and if she was lucky, they might travel to England. Narcissa always wanted the lavish lifestyle of the English court. The fancy dresses and jewelry would further enhance her beauty.

With a twinkle in her eye, Mistress McGonagall surprised Lady Malfoy. "I'm afraid it will take longer than signing papers. We will have to cast a spell to ensure that none of you," emphasizing Lady Malfoy, "will break this."

"What? I don't believe this. This was not part of our agreement, Lady Granger!"

"I'm sorry for not consulting you beforehand. But surely this would not affect anything." With a calm voice Lady Granger again brought much needed silence between Minerva and Narcissa. She often wondered how two close friends drifted apart and turned into their own enemies.

"I guess we should get started then." Mistress McGonagall used the magic her ancestors passed on to next generation. It was a secret power that separates her clan from the other families. Minerva said numerous incantations and spells that would seal the two clans' pledge of peace.

It ended before the sun set. It started a bond between the two bairns from clashing families. If love will blossom between the two, then peace will finally reign in the Highlands.

The wee lass from the Granger clan was picking up acorns to feed her pet squirrel. The brave young lad from the Malfoy clan was out fishing for trout in the nearby lake to please his father. They would never know of the spell their mothers had made to bind them in one true love.