Claimed

Draco stood in front of his parents as they surveyed him. He'd spent hours in front of his mirror grooming for their visit.

"Be respectful, and don't speak unless you're spoken to," his father said, priming him for their proper hosts. Draco nodded, not wanting to speak. He would have ended up getting angry with his father's need to impress and be impressed. He didn't want to go anyhow. His mother was dressed in an elegant dress, her blonde hair styled, drawn up on her head. Lucius held his staff in one hand, offering his opposite arm to his wife. She took it, looking as though she were practicing her scrutinizing, important air. He followed behind them, hoping it would end sooner than he thought.

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Jessica stared miserably in the mirror, as her mother and another few women stood over her. They were fussing with her makeup and hair, as if putting a mask on her. They were covering up who she really was with all their fancy creams and powders.

"Jessica, sit up straight," her mother snapped. She slowly sat stiff as a board, as the women powdered her nose, and sprayed her with perfume. There were two older ladies in her closet, looking through things, and holding them up for her mother who seemed to find something wrong with each of them.

"I don't see why all this is necessary," Jessica said, choking on the fumes of the perfume. Her mother glared at her.

"This is a very important night for your father and I, and you will be courteous, and quiet. You will sit like a lady, speak like a lady, and show good manners. Hold still while Vivian does your hair," she commanded. Jessica sighed. It was a very important night for her mother and her father. They hadn't even considered her thoughts or feelings in the process. Vivian, her mother's close friend and one of the Manor's maids, jerked her long hair, causing her to sit straighter. Jessica sometimes wondered why her parents had maids and house elves.

"This one!" her mother exclaimed, holding up a dress. Jessica groaned, despising every inch of her destined clothing. It was a long blue gown, made from a shimmering material. It was dusted with something that made it shimmer like diamonds. She guessed they probably were diamonds. Her mother giggled with delight at the dress. Jessica bit her lip, preventing an outburst that stung her tongue. She wanted nothing more than to scream at her mother, but she restrained her fury, and allowed the torture to proceed.

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"Welcome to our home Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Come in," Mirabelle said, her classy dress swishing as she walked. They were led into a brightly lit room with large bouquets of flowers everywhere. The marble floor shimmered under their feet. William entered, greeting them, and offering them a seat. They all sat on a white chaise longue in the middle of the room. Draco looked around, but Jessica wasn't in sight. He didn't mind. He wasn't looking forward to meeting her anyway.

"Where's Jessica?" Narcissa asked, making Draco inconspicuously squirm.

"She'll be down in a minute," Mirabelle replied, looking a bit nervous. Lucius and William began to talk, while Mirabelle asked a house elf to bring in some tea. The house elf left, and Jessica entered. Her mother glared at her, making her remember to hold her tongue. She walked stiffly and slowly toward them. Draco stared at her, a stranger to him. Her long azure dress trailed behind her. Her dark, auburn hair was pulled up into a tight twist on the back of her head, a few curly tendrils hiding her cheeks. Lucius and Narcissa stood, preparing to welcome her. Draco noticed a bit later than they, and stood quickly receiving harsh looks from his parents. Her green eyes questioningly traveled over him, as if indirectly inquiring his identity. Narcissa and Lucius greeted her warmly, praising her. She stayed silent, flashing a fake smile to them. She stared then, at Draco taking him in. His tall, refined look, and almost a slick, careless demeanor. Her mother gestured for her to sit next to Draco. She shot a protesting look at her mother, but obeyed. They didn't look at each other, they only stared at whoever happened to be speaking at that moment.

"I can't believe how much she's changed," Narcissa said, looking at Draco quickly, then to Mirabelle. Jessica politely nodded to her, trying to smile. Draco watched her out of the corner of his eye. She hadn't been what he'd thought.

"So Draco, what do you think of my daughter," William asked, a pleased smile on his face. Draco inhaled carefully, noting his parents eyes were penetrating his skull. He hesitated, unsure of what to say. William chortled, seeing that he made Draco uncomfortable.

"She's...lovely," Draco said, saying the first thing that entered his head. He looked quickly to his parents who seemed pleased with his conversational recovery. Jessica rolled her eyes unobtrusively to the others. Draco breathed, aware that his cheeks were a bit pink from having to compliment a complete stranger. The house elf returned with their tea, Draco accepting his with a shaking hand. Jessica held hers, pretending to be very interested in it. The talk of marriage began again, and Draco, as well as Jessica stopped. They immediately flashed one another a worried expression, then looked quickly away.

"Aren't the two of you going to talk?" Mirabelle asked, smiling at them, her eyes glazed. They slowly nodded in unison.

"Draco?" Narcissa asked in an encouraging tone, and nodding toward Jessica who was studying the design of the marble floor with her wandering eyes. Draco reluctantly turned toward her, causing her to look up at him. He opened his mouth, no sound coming out, as she, equally struggled to find words for someone she barely knew.

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