Revenge Is Sweet

"Right. I've got all my clothes, my books, so what's missing?" Dawn was positively outraged at her own short memory. She realized almost immediately that the house elves would probably know the answer to her predicament, so she shouted "Lizzie!!! Get up here right now!" The fact that the elf was not there in the following three seconds made her already fragile nerves snap. "LIZZIE! Get over here! NOW!"

The elf appeared almost immediately. It knew better than to ask any questions, so it waited for its orders in complete silence. By this time, of course, Dawn had regained her composure and was glaring at the elf with complete loathing.

"Have you finished packing my belongings yet?"

"Y-yes. All except...your wand. I-I couldn't find it."

Her wand! Of course! How could she have forgotten about her wand?

"Alright. Get out then, what are you waiting for?" Her eyes were full of daggers, although she kept her voice low and controlled. The elf ran for dear life.

'Stupid elf. God, I hate those stupid critters!' She took a final look in the mirror before heading for the door. As usual, the sight of herself made her relax a little. Her dark hair was up in an elegant bun, and she was wearing a white, silk dress that made a nice contrast with her dark green eyes. The cosmetic charms she had applied earlier that morning hid her skin's little imperfections. Teenage trouble was almost over. She was now turning eighteen, and she was a real woman.

Dawn! Come on down!

She hurried out of the room and down the green marble stairs.

"I'm ready. Let's go!"

And with that the Redgraves got into one of the family carriages and headed towards the Malfoy Manor.

The familiar site that met them when they reached their destination was almost overwhelming. A huge, old, expensive building that looked like a place of darkness and monsters and death. This was one of the reasons Dawn liked it so much there: it was the way that the Malfoys were open about their dark past and present. Her family was always hiding behind simple elegance, and the only clue to their real loyalty was the long tradition of Slytherin students that dated back to the time of the Founders.

Draco felt himself tense as he waited for the guests to reach the drawing room. When he saw the girl, he almost fainted, if it wasn't for the fact that Malfoys never fainted. He simply put on a charming smile and looked straight at the young woman in front of him, even while her parents were complimenting his clothing and making polite remarks.

"Good afternoon, Dawn," he said with the most charming smile he could muster. "How pleasant of you to accept the... invitation."

"Hello, Draco. I see you haven't changed much. Still charming."

"I must say I was surprised to hear that you accepted my proposal so easily. I would have thought you to give me quite a fight, but I suppose your parents taught you better than to run from duty." His smile was now a little malicious, yet not less charming.

Proposal? They couldn't have... not like this. But then realization dawned on her. The white dress, the nervous laughter her mother had displayed at dinner, the talks her parents had been having in a hushed voice... it all made sense.

Even though she was taken by surprise, her composure showed nothing of the kind. She looked confident as usual, even if her mind was in turmoil. She gave a broad smile. They would pay for this. She would accept it and use her position to destroy them. Her parents had just lost their only child to sheer stupidity. When she spoke her voice was all honey.

"Well, I do have a soft spot for you, don't I?" She shrugged. "It was the logical thing to do."

Draco reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened the box, pulled out a silver ring with a snake holding a huge emerald and slipped it on her slender finger.

"Our parents have decided we will get married the day after tomorrow. That should give you enough time to buy the clothing and... the underclothing." He gave her a sly half-smile at the last word and she answered with a meaningful look. Maybe all this marriage stuff won't work out so bad. At least it's Draco, who is rich and handsome and famous. Revenge will be sweet... and he will make it even sweeter.

And giving the fact that she was a Slytherin, her acceptance was a natural thing. No Slytherin girl would reject marrying a Malfoy, especially if it was the charming and delightfully vicious Draco. She followed him to the library where they launched into a conversation about how stupid Gryffindors were. It was familiar ground for both of them, so they talked late into the night. Draco then showed her to her room, and she waited for the morning to come: the only day of engagement she would have before marrying an old childhood friend.