Harry Potter and the Legend of Imlach

Chapter 3 - The Dursley's and an arrangement.

Harry told Ron and Hermione the story, leaving out the parts they really didn't need to know.

"After that we had two days to get Moira all the stuff she needed for school. Dumbledore made her seems like a transfer student and he gave us room we could share which has an entrance from our dorm rooms. It took us both a while to get use to things, but now things are going pretty well. Now that you two know, life should go a little easier."

"You're married." Ron stated as if he had to say for it to be true. Harry could see the anger building in him.

"You know what this means Harry? This means you are more powerful than Voldemort." Harry though Hermione was actually excited.

"I guess if what all the legends say is true, so is that statement, but." He felt his wife's had slid across his back, but he could not accept it for some reason.

"What do you mean Hermione?" Ron nearly screamed.

"You need to read that book and don't talk so loud." Hermione instructed with a look that spoke volumes. Harry raised an eyebrow wondering why the look carried more meaning than the words.

"I guess. You want a report next week?" Ron chided.

"Yes!"

From Hermione's look Ron knew she was not joking, and Harry was sure she would have the report before the week was up.

Just then the train started to slow. They were almost to the station.

"No, we can't already be there." Hermione said as she looked to the window to confirm the reduction in speed.

Hermione was obviously disappointed and was frustrated all of her questions would have to wait two months.

Then she heard the familiar voice, or did she feel it.

"Write me. I will try to answer the questions thou hast."

"Thanks," Hermione said looking at Moira, but not completely trusting her.

"Then forward them to me so I don't get left out of the loop okay." Ron said trying his hardest to keep up with all of this and not knock off Harry's head in the process.

Just then they heard some voices coming down the hall. They new it was Malfoy and his two clowns. All four of them looked at each other with a 'what now' kind of expression on their faces.

Compartment doors where opening everywhere now as the train was slowing and Ron's younger sister stuck her head in.

"Will you help me with my things Ron? You pushed them to the back so I can't quite reach them."

"Yeah sis."

Ginny was the only girl in the Weasley family and both Harry and Hermione were proud of the way Ron always looked out for her. As Ron left the compartment he gave Harry an icy glare. Harry knew Ron was more than mad at him for not telling him what was going on. Harry hoped the summer would give him time to come to terms with the arrangement. When Ron stepped back in he muttered.

"There coming be ready."

Hermione and Ron both had their hands on their wands. Then Hermione looked over and realized Harry and Moira had done nothing and wondered why. The Malfoy gang was making its way down the car and Moira and Harry looked at each other sat back, Harry closed their eyes and relaxed. Ron and Hermione occupied themselves Crookshanks, Ron had left the compartment door wide open.

Harry new the three of them were standing in the doorway and he cracked an eye. Ron was smiling and Hermione and Moira were each playing with their cats.

"May we help you?" Harry said opening his eyes.

Harry knew that Malfoy knew something was up, and it pleased Harry to know he was getting use to this telepathic thing.

"Are you looking forward to going back home for the summer, Potter?"

"Actually, more than ever Malfoy."

That was the truth, just because he was taking Moira with him. The answer caught Malfoy off guard, but he found a quick recovery.

"So Moira, now that you have had a few months to see what a loser this Potter is, are you ready to move on to someone who will take you some were in life?"

"And where exactly is that?" Hermione responded.

"Nobody asked you Mudblood."

Moira gently nudged the cat off of her lap. They had just put away their robs, and Moira had not done anything with her hair. It was the way Harry like it best anyway. Moira rose to her full stature, which wasn't all that tall. She stepped toward the front of the compartment, and Harry was once again taken back by the beauty, grace and confidence of this woman. He was not going to read her mind; this was going to be fun to watch. Malfoy became uncomfortably with her proximity to him, she was just inches away.

"May I ask why you insulted my friends?"

She placed the thought is the heads and moved her lips as if she was speaking. Harry was amazed at how fast she had been able to master this, and Malfoy and his clowns were blind to the fact she was not speaking normally. She had to really think to say the right words and not fall back on her old English. Harry always thought she sounded funny when she spoke right; he liked the old English, because it was simply her.

Malfoy was caught off guard only for a second. She rarely spoke to him; she claimed it was not worth the effort.

"I was only saying, you can do so much better than this crowd."

"Can I?"

"Yeah."

"And I suppose you think you and you friends are better?"

Malfoy could see he was digging a hole for himself, but he was not sure what to do.

"What I am saying is, why don't you visit me sometime this summer and I will show you what I am talking about?"

Harry and Ron looked at each other and they new they where both reaching the end of their chains.

Just then Harry noticed that the cats where walking toward the three intruders. Harry, as gently as he could, placed the thought in Ron and Hermione's heads. "Watch the cats."

Hermione tightened her grip on her own cat, and Harry remembered when the cats had circled him.

"Are these your cats?" Malfoy questioned.

"Yes, and they have some special qualities." Moira said as she looked down at them.

"Oh really, what?"

"Well, if someone enters my presence and they sense even the slightest of ill intentions, hunger for power, greed, pride or other things of like, well lets just say their demeanor changes and people have died."

The cats reached Moira's side and they both puffed up and hissed like Harry had never heard a cat hiss. All three members of the gang stepped back into the hall. The cats relaxed all at once and sat down like at command stations one on either side of Moira. She bent at the knee and placed a hand behind them both; like on command they jumped up, one on each shoulder. She stood and Harry just smiled when he saw the fear cross Malfoy's face.

"Now, I have learned that these cats are never wrong. What does that tell you?"

Malfoy knowing he had lost this battle, and not trusting the cats weighed his options. He chose wrong as he reached for his wand. The second he made up his mind the cats jumped off of Moira's shoulders toward Malfoy's face, scratching him. Malfoy had escaped with only a handful of serious paws marks. His goons stood there wide mouthed.

"I'll see those cats killed for this!" Draco said as he leaned again the other side of the hall. Other students were starting to come out of their compartments.

"They did nothing wrong." Moira said as she turned and took her seat again.

Just then the train pulled into the station and stopped, the three of them disappeared.

"How do control your cats like that?" Hermione was obviously looking for some pointers as she was loosening Crookshanks from the seat.

"I have some unique cats."

Both Ron and Hermione noticed her lips did not move when she spoke, it was going to take some time for them to adjust. With everyone else they started to unload their things. Harry noticed that Ron had not yet spoken to him, he knew Ron was mad.

Molly and Arthur Weasley were waiting for everyone. They were eager to meet Mrs. Potter. With Harry's permission Mr. Weasley was told the necessities of the story, but with all of his duties as Head of the Ministry of Magic he had never been able to get away to meet the new couple. From what Harry was told, Mrs. Weasley was beside herself when she found out, and Harry looked at her and knew it took all of her self control not to run up to them.

The cats had flatly refused to go back into their cage after the Malfoy incident, so one was sitting on each of her shoulders has the four of them walked up to the Weasleys. They were soon joined by Ginny and the group was complete. They where talking pleasantly when Hermione let out a little squill as she found her parents and went to get them. Soon all of their things were in the cars and they were ready to go. Harry said their good-byes and promised they would visit the Burrow sometime this summer. Unlike the Weasley's taxi, theirs was a normal black London taxi.

"Where to?" the driver said.

"Number 4 Privet Drive," Harry responded.

The driver said nothing and Harry tried to imagine what it would be like when they arrived. No scenario he could come up with was pleasant. They arrived and Harry walked up to the door as the driver unloaded their stuff. There was a note taped to the door.

We went to get Dudley from school. We expect to be back around 5pm. Wait on the stoop!

Harry was furious. It was not even noon and he was not going to sit on their porch for over four hours. He mumbled something under is breath and put his hand on the door and opened it. He was glad he was no longer under any restrictions, Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley had seen to that after the end of last month. The driver helped them with their things, and Harry thanked him as he left. Once inside, with the door closed, and making sure all of the curtains where drawn, Harry levitated their trunks up to their room.

The room had changed little sense he last saw it, and it was apparent no one from the family had set a foot into it. The dust was thick, and the air was stale. Harry closed his eyes. In a moment he felt the familiar warmth spread over all of his body as a fresh breeze came into the room. He felt his wife's arms wrap around him and he opened his eyes. The room had completely changed. Everything was in its place. It felt warm and inviting, just like their room at Hogwarts.

"How did you do that?" He thought.

"My grandmother teacheth me many things." And she longingly smiled up at him.

Harry took her in his arms and looked over his shoulder at the bed. He smiled when he realized she had changed it from a bed made for one to a bed made for two. He picked her up and decided to put it to use.

Harry was wakened by the loud opening of the front door. There was no doubt about it, his aunt, uncle and cousin where home. He quickly dressed and was walking down the stairs when he heard them talking.

"Well, I don't know where he is," Aunt Petunia said.

"The note is gone," Uncle Vernon huffed.

"Maybe he decided to go some where else for the summer." Dudley said with a little too much excitement in his voice for Harry's liking.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I just opened the door."

The minute Harry said it all three of them turned to stare at Harry. Their sound of shock was apparent. Harry gratefully, had spent little time with them last summer, but he had still grown considerably. He was by all means now a young man. He stood almost six feet tall, and although he was still thin, he had filled out considerably and stood with a confidence which unnerved his uncle a bit. Harry was actually pleased with their response, as his uncle recovered and stepped forward.

"You are not allowed...your school prohibits it."

Harry looked at him and said with the same confidence as he stepped toward the kitchen and started to collect the things to make some sandwiches.

"I'm no longer under any restrictions Uncle Vernon."

Harry knew the three of them were looking at each other very worried and wondering what to do.

"I don't care! I will not have you doing anything in this house."

Harry felt his patience starting to come to an end. Then he felt that flood of warmth and he knew that his wife would be joining them shortly.

"Very well, I will respect your wishes as long as it is wise, but you must also trust my judgment to know when it is not wise."

Uncle Vernon twitched as he remembered last summer.

It was then that he knew the family realized he was making two plates of food. His aunt and uncle exchanged glances, and it was obvious that Dudley was oblivious to the fact he would not becoming alone. He smiled, as he added the finishing touches to plates and looked up. His wife was standing a few feet behind the three of them. As he looked beyond them and smiled the three of them whipped around and backed further into the kitchen. Harry stepped past them and put the plates on the table and then stepped to his wife's side.

"I would like to introduce you to my wife Moira."

Moira stepped forward and nodded slightly in introduction. Harry was actually enjoying this, Dumbledore was right. Harry escorted his wife to the table where they sat down and began to eat. It took a few minutes for his relatives to recover. It was actually Dudley who was the first to get something out.

"Is she a... a.."

"Yes, Dudley, she is a witch." Then he took another bite of his sandwich and looked at the three of them. Harry almost laughed when Dudley thought that this was the most beautiful witch he had ever seen. Harry wondered if he thought all witches had untidy hair and moles on their noses. Of course Harry agreed with him, but he still thought it was funny.

"I do not approve. I did not give my permission. You are not old enough."

His uncle finally managed to get some of what he was thinking out of his mouth. His face was very red and Harry new he was near the blowing point. Harry sat his almost finished sandwich down, but Moira rose before he did and turned to face her new uncle-in-law. He knew that Moira's voice would have little effect on muggles, so he decided to trust her and see what happened.

"I know this is sudden for you, we are young, and this has caught you by surprise. However,"

Harry was noticing that his uncle was calming down, maybe her voice did have some affect, or the fact she was a women and Uncle Vernon always had to put on a show for them. He thought for a moment and came to know that his uncle had realized just how polite the young woman in front of him was, and for the first time Harry had a little hope things might go over smoothly.

"Nothing you can say or do will change the fact, Harry and I are married. I hope you can come to understand and respect just how much we love each other and accept us for who and what we are."

"Hump." Was all Uncle Vernon said as he moved to the counter and started making his own sandwich. His face was still red as he started pulling things out of the fridge.

His aunt stepped in and pulled more food from the fridge. Soon they were all sitting at the table. Harry had to smile when none of them even realized how the extra chair they needed just happened to be at the table. When he was finished Harry helped his aunt clear the table. A thought crossed his mind.

"Let me help your aunt with the clean up."

Harry saw Dudley get up and start to lug his stuff up to his room. Despite all of their diet efforts Dudley was still as big as an elephant and getting all his junk upstairs was a major effort for him. Harry left the women in the kitchen and then picked up the last of Dudley's bags and headed up the stairs. It was the heaviest he was sure, but he managed with little effort. Dudley was a bit shocked when Harry walked into his room and sat the bag down by the others. Harry turned to walk out of the room. He heard one of the suitcases open as he started to put things away. Harry went back down stairs with not so much as a thank you from Dudley. Harry stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked around. His uncle had his head buried in the evening newspaper and his aunt and wife were making quick work of the dishes. Harry noticed that his aunt was a little worried; Moira knew where everything went. Harry knew it because she knew his childhood as well as he did, of course he could not explain that to his aunt. They were done and Harry watched his wife come across the kitchen. He took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. That is when his uncle put down the newspaper.

"We need to get a few things straight." And he tossed the paper on the table.

Harry took his seat and his wife stood beside him. His aunt stood stiff, leaning against the counter. Harry waited hoping a boom was not going to drop on him.

"If you're married, you're married. I can do nothing about that now, but I am still the head of this house, and I expect you both to treat me as such."

Harry and Moira both nodded. They had no problem with that as long as his requests where within reason and Harry felt they would be nothing different than they had been in the past.

"I expect you both to carry your own weight around here."

Harry quickly told his wife telepathically this meant they would have to do everything, but he they had expected no less, at least they would have things to fill their time.

"That's fine, is there anything else." Harry stated.

"I believe the lawn needs watering." And he picked his paper up.

Harry rose and kissed his wife's hand as he let it drop and walked outside to tend to the lawn. Moira watched him and tried to let him know she loved him, and it would be okay. Harry hoped the summer would pass quickly.

There was shouting from up stairs and Moira decided to head up stairs to face the small disaster and leave her husband with the uncooperative hose he was battling.

When she reached the hall she found Dudley pointing at her two cats who where standing in front of the door to her room. Once the parents realized their son was in no danger they turned around and found themselves right next to Moira. They wanted to take a step back, but Dudley did not want to get any closer to those cats. Moira stepped past them and the cats took their places on her shoulders. She turned to face the bewildered looks of the Dursley family.

"These are the cats my grandmother left to protect me. The only reason they came out of the room is because some tried to enter," she said looking at Dudley.

"I hate cats." Uncle Vernon seethed.

"They are filthy animals!" Aunt Petunia said.

"I assure you, I knew how you felt about cats, and I gave them strict instructions to stay in the room. As I said the only reason they left is because some tried to go in."

Once again she was looking at Dudley and so where his parents.

"Did you go in that room?" Uncle Vernon said it as if there were some disease in the room.

"I just cracked the door and the cats came running out."

Uncle Vernon turned to look at Moira with anger in his eyes. She meet his stare with a confidence which made him relax somewhat.

"Is there something in that room you do not want us to see?"

"Not at all."

She opened the door and walked in and the cats jumped off her shoulders and ran to the bed. The Dursley family looked in from the door and Moira noticed the look of wonder on their faces. Technically nothing had physically changed about the room except the bed. The room was clean and had a warm and comfortable feeling. Finding nothing to complain about Uncle Vernon turned and went downstairs, Dudley followed. Aunt Petunia looked once more around the room. Her eyes stopped on the bed for a minute and then she looked back at Moira.

"It looks nice. You did a good job cleaning it up."

"Thank you. You do have a lovely home Aunt Petunia."

She seemed be taken back by the compliment, but it was simply to try and calm things over. Moira could not bring herself to fell anything but animosity toward this women, she had treated Harry horribly for years. A mutual understanding passed between the women and Aunt Petunia turned to go. She passed Harry on the stairs and Harry entered the room to find his wife sitting on the bed with the cats. The second he walked into the room he felt better and he smiled knowing what had just happened. At least now they could settle into some routine.

He shut the door and walked over to his wife. She stood up to meet him.

"Thou art so wet," Moira spoke out loud.

He just loved how the words danced across his body, how they filled him with power and a never ending desire to simply be in her presence. He had to laugh at her expression.

"Don't even pretend you don't know how that hose attacked me."

They both laughed. She was right; telepathy was becoming easy to Harry now. A little too easy and that thought made him a little nervous. Knowing how he felt and why she brushed her hand across his face and looked into his eyes.

"I knoweth what thou thinketh husband, and don't. It serveth the evil one, thou canst change what liethin the future."

She kissed him and went to the closet. He was a little let down, that was not what he was after.

"Mr. Potter, there are too many people up and about in this house right now." Moira said, thinking each word before she said, so that she would say it just right. Of course she was smiling the whole time.

She placed some very old books from the mountain on the bed. He wanted to know why he always ended up studying while he was on vacation. She opened one, and he another and they both started to read.

______

Draco slumped into the soft, dark green sofa in his room. His room was just like he left it, he mused as he looked around, noticing that nothing had been moved since he'd left for his sixth year at Hogwarts. There was not one speck of dust on his dresser to imply how long it had been since he'd opened it last. The house elves had obviously cleaned it before he'd arrived, but the efforts of the house elves didn't even cross Draco's mind. He was too busy still fuming over the incident on the train. Why would Moira choose Potter over him? Thinking of Moira, though, caused flashes of her strange wild cats to float over his mind and his anger increased. "Stupid meddling animals," he muttered as he absent-mindedly touching the small scratches he'd received from them. His mind turned from Potter and the geek squad to his bed and sleep. He was extremely tired since it was late that evening by the time he and his parents had returned to the Malfoy Manor from the train station. He sluggishly got up, undressed and crashed on his bed, immediately falling asleep.

Draco woke up late the day in the late afternoon. He sat up in bed and glanced at his dresser. There was a note. Deciding it was about time he got up anyway, he stood, walked to the dresser and picked up the note.

Draco,

I have gone to Diagon Alley to have some new robes made for you and to pick up a few other items. We are having company over tonight around 6:30, so make sure you are back by then. I will be back by 4:30.

Mother

He stared blankly at the note, shrugged and laid it back down on the dresser.

When his mother returned, Draco was out on the back paddock, practicing on his broom. He was running through the strategic moves that he had come up with to try and help him shrug Potter off when he was chasing the snitch. He had the fastest broom on the market, but somehow Potter always seemed to catch the snitch before he'd had a chance. He frowned. The thought of Potter catching the snitch right out of under him still left a bad taste in his mouth. There was no denying that Potter was good on a broom, but it irritated him to no end. After all Potter was a muggleborn, and he should have no trouble beating him since his blood was as pure as it comes. Talent was passed from generation to generation, but every year somehow Potter seemed to catch the snitch. He'd even had the audacity to make it look like he'd done it accidentally on several occasions! Draco pressed harder into his broom to put on some speed. It would be different this year he promised himself! He stopped in mid air and looked down at the manor, where his mother was standing on the patio. He turned and swooped down coming to a graceful stop in front of his mother.

"It is nearly time for the party and just look at you! Filthy and sweaty! I thought I had made it blatantly clear from my note that you were to be ready on time!" she sneered.

Draco was used to his mother's cold temper and let it slide.

"Good afternoon, mother." He kissed her cheek. "I was just coming in to shower and get ready. Don't worry I will be on time."

He flashed his innocent smile and she melted a little. He certainly knew how to play her like a fiddle.

"I have some new clothes for you to wear tonight. I will have one of the house elves bring it up to your room while you are showering."

"Who is coming over? Are we having a party?" he asked a little confused. They had people over all the time, but his mother rarely bought him new clothes for just that occasion.

"No, we are not having a party. The Avery's are coming to dinner, that's all. You remember Mr. Avery, don't you? He works with your father at the Ministry."

"Yes, I know him." He replied remembering the man who had a countenance of strength, but Draco secretly thought he was weak under the public image. "He and his wife have been to our house for dinner before, why the unusual formality now?"

"They are bringing their daughter with them this time, and we wanted to have a formal dinner." She gave him a little smile to hide her cautious eyes as she studied her son. She turned quickly, ending the conversation, and wondered if her son was as smart as she thought he was.

Draco stood there stunned. Why should it matter so much if they were only bringing their daughter with them? He stood a little taller and walked into the manor heading for his room. A thought crossed his mind, but he quickly forced it out, not wanting to think of the implications it would mean. He opened the door to his room and crossed to the large attached bathroom. There were many rooms in the manor, but only the master suites had the bathrooms attached. The suites were comprised of the bedroom, a bathroom, a parlor and a study. His parents shared a suite and they each had a separate suite, Draco had a suite and there were at least six other suites were there for really important guests or family. The smaller rooms were for unimportant guests or others.

He undressed and quickly got into the shower. When he had finished his shower he walked to his bed looking at the clothes laid out for him. His face clouded. The clothes that his mother had picked out for him were very nice and they fit him perfectly, as did his new robes. After he dressed, he descended downstairs to the parlor where his mother was. She told him that his father had returned and wished to speak to him in the study.

Lucius Malfoy was sitting at his large desk looking over some paperwork when Draco entered.

"Mother said you wished to see me?"

"Yes, sit down Draco. There is something that I need to discus with you that is of the highest importance."

Draco's brow furrowed as he sat in a chair opposite his father. His father was a very cold man and did not show much emotion to Draco. There were times when Draco could sense weather he was proud or disappointed with him, but other than that, he seemed to be indifferent with him.

"Your mother told you that the Avery's are coming for dinner, of course?" Draco nodded. "She told you that they are bringing their daughter as well, did she not?" again Draco nodded only this time he did not try to hide the concern in his eyes and knew immediately that his father had seen it.

"Mr. Avery and I have reached an agreement that will benefit both of our families. You are to be married to his only daughter after she finishes at Hogwarts. This will give you ample time to come and work at the Ministry with me and begin to earn a living for your family." Seeing the look of anger mixed with loathing on Draco's face, he continued. "You have no choice in the matter and fighting it will not do you any good. We have planned this arrangement almost from the day you started at Hogwarts. We both wish to keep our blood as pure as possible and are willing to ensure this happens, as my father did with me and my grandfather did with him. It is your legacy."

Draco sat there infuriated by all that his father had just told him, staring at him cruelly. The feelings of total loss of control and anger were brewing at a dangerous temperature in Draco. This was what he'd feared, but had hoped it would not come to pass. His freedom, or the hope of ever having his own freedom to choose, was being taken away from him. However, he loved his father, or more respected him, and his family name. He did not want to let his father down, so he conceded for the moment, pushing the anger away as he always did, hiding it with indifference and said nothing, silently wishing that she would not be as bad looking as Millicent.

When no response came from Draco, Lucius took this to mean he would accept his duty and marry this girl, just like he had with Narcissa. He felt a slight twinge of pity for the boy and wished in the deep recesses of his heart his marriage would not be as loveless as his own marriage was to Narcissa. He had done his best in choosing a match for his son and the Avery's were a decent and respectable family of the wizarding community. Of course, there were other families out there more respected, but their daughters lacked something to be desired, and he wanted to spare his son in the humiliation of being married to someone who could not match him in looks. His son was turning into a fine looking man and this match would suit him very well. The Malfoy wife needed to be a prominent social figure and having one that was nice to look at was even better. Not to mention that there was the girl's fine dowry to take into account, not that the Malfoy's needed any addition in funds, but having wealth with a decent bride was always better. The Avery's daughter had a very handsome dowry and when paired with Draco's inheritance and what he would earn at the Ministry while she was at Hogwarts for her last year, they would be able to maintain a very comfortable lifestyle. This match would also bring a very good light to both of the families; this was of most importance in Lucius' eyes.

"They will be here any minute. Go and wait with your mother in the parlor for them."

This was his way of dismissing Draco and so he did as he was told, not to satisfy his father, but to be rid of his company. He fumed all the way to the parlor and when he got there, he tried to look at his mother's eyes, but she would not look at him. He'd always thought she loved him, even though she didn't touch or hold him as other mothers do with their children. Now he wondered if she really did love him or if he was a pawn in her socialite lifestyle, there only to fulfill the only duty that a wife really had. After Draco, they had not had any other children. She had always told him that they didn't have other children because they wanted to pamper only him, but he secretly wondered if it was not because they had gotten an heir in the first try, so why bother with others? He didn't care about being an only child; he rather enjoyed being an only child since he did get whatever he wanted. Did she love him as a mother loves a son or as a political figure loves his voters that keep him on top? The anger was rising again and he checked it quickly. His best attribute was being able to hide everything inside him with his calm veneer. He took immense pride in his ability to always keep him cool in the most unnerving circumstances. He hadn't been able to always do this, but has begun to really master it in the past few years.

Draco was sitting in a red chaise in the parlor when the doorbell chimed. He briefly looked at his mother who had already put on her warm hostess façade and was getting up from her seat near the fire to head to the foyer to meet her guests. He rolled his eyes and wondered how she would be received if she were herself around her guests. He followed at a short distance, delaying the inevitable would not help his situation. Lucius was the first to reach the foyer where his guests were already being attended to by the head house elf that was taking their cloaks for them. He crossed the foyer in great strides sticking out his hand to Avery and welcoming him to the manor. He also had a wonderfully configured cover that he used with everyone, but family.

"Avery, how good of you to come. Hope your journey was an easy one?" Lucius asked with ease.

"Thank you for having us Malfoy. It was a long journey, but not that difficult." Darius replied as Narcissa and Draco entered the foyer. The Avery's lived only a mile or two down the road from the Malfoy's and had decided a carriage ride would be nicer than flying or floo powder. "I am looking forward to the day that Sabine is old enough to Apparate!"

"Yes, I quite agree. We have that same problem." Lucius smirked back at him

"Narcissa, I believe you know Darius and Bellona Avery," Lucius began the unnecessary introductions, "and their daughter Sabine? Darius and Bellona, you know my wife Narcissa and this is my son, Draco."

Draco stepped forward and shook the man's and kissed the woman's hand. He had been taught at a young age what were good manners upon meeting your guests. Darius and Bellona moved apart to let their daughter, Sabine, step forward towards Draco. He stared for a minute, but quickly remembered his place, took her hand and kissed it. She was fairly tall and slender, had light blue eyes and pale skin that was accented by her dark hair which was almost black. She was pretty, not overly pretty, but definitely WAY better than Millicent and Draco thanked his luck silently. A small smile crossed his face as he contemplated if he would enjoy wooing her. There were few girls that could resist the Malfoy charms and most would quickly bend to his every whim.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he told her quietly and stared at her a moment. "Have we met before? You look very familiar." He was puzzled and definitely not prepared for her response.

"Well, you should recognize me since we have been in the same house for five years now, shouldn't you?"

Her words were icy and laced with malice, but since she smiled while she was saying them, somehow the effect wasn't so rude. Inside, however, Sabine was a torrent of raw hatred towards her parents and the Malfoy's for this stupid "arrangement" they had come to without her consent. She wanted to decide whom she was going to spend the rest of her life with, not leave it up to her "dear old daddy" to take care of! She had a mind of her own and she vowed that she would not make it an easy win for Draco. By the time she was through with him, he would do everything in his power as well to be separated from her.

Draco smiled coyly.

"I do apologize for any offence that you may have sustained, but I tend not to notice things that easily stand out."

Her smile faltered a little at his insult. This was not going to be as easy as Draco had hoped. She was just as angry about this as he was. He would put up with her for tonight, and then work on what to do next after she was gone. However, she did pose a great challenge, and he did love a good challenge. Was she worth the effort?

The parents said nothing at their exchange, since they had all gone through it. Sarcasm, insults, anger and even cruelty to one another were expected reactions to arranged marriages. They had all been through this. Lucius remembered there were times when he thought he would like to strangle Narcissa in her sleep, but in the end they'd reached a mutual unspoken agreement to help each other and do their duties to their lineage of blood. Darius and Bellona on the other hand, had a strong marriage and were not completely "happy" so to speak, but there was definitely more love in their marriage than in the Malfoy's. They had grown to love each other, but that was severely strained when Darius and Lucius struck up this agreement not long ago. Darius had not mentioned it to Bellona before hand and she was rather upset that he just handed their daughter over to the highest bidder. Darius, of course, defended his actions reminding her that the Malfoy was as good of a family as any, and it would be a profitable match indeed. Bellona cared nothing of this! She wanted her baby to be happy and have what she herself had not been able to, but instead Draco would be force on her. She was not as fooled at Draco's charms as others were. She knew that there was more to him than he let loose in the public, but then this was even true of herself. It basically came down to the fact that she didn't think that Draco was good enough for Sabine, but when Darius made up his mind there was nothing she could do.

"Well, should we go to the parlor for drinks until dinner?" Lucius asked in the uncomfortable silence.

"Grand idea, Lucius," Darius replied not missing a beat and he offered his elbow to Bellona to escort her to the parlor, as did Lucius for Narcissa.

Draco stood before Sabine with a wild look in his eye. There was something about her that made him want to take a closer look, but back away from her at the same time. He offered her his elbow, but she continued to stare at him with that same icy smile tattooed to her face. He was about to leave her standing there and walk to the parlor himself, when she changed her mind and slipped her small hand in the crook of his elbow. They walked in silence till they reached the parlor.

Dinner, thankfully enough, was ready only minutes later and they all settled around the large ornate dinning room table. The conversation was carried mostly by the parents trying to make things a little more comfortable, but there were many long silences that seeped in between the discussion subjects making the whole dinner a strained activity.

"So, Sabine, what are you studying at Hogwarts, dear?" Narcissa asked.

She appraised her future daughter in-law with careful eyes. She would be the future of the Malfoy women and she hoped that Lucius had picked well. She remembered all too well the pressures of being married at a young age to a complete stranger, but the worst had been her mother in-law. Narcissa had married well by marrying Lucius and her family, the Blacks, had been grateful for the marriage, but her mother in-law thought Lucius deserved better. Until her dying day, she treated Narcissa as if she was second best and never good enough for Lucius, and Narcissa hated her for it vowing not to do her future daughter in-law the same disservice. However, Narcissa realized that without that opposition, she would not have risen to become the woman she was today and therefore knew she would be the same, pushing her daughter in-law to the greatness that all Malfoy women must be.

"I am studying Arithmancy currently, among other things," Sabine responded.

The coolness in her voice was again thickly coated by the convincing smile on her face. She knew that Narcissa was scrutinizing her, but didn't care. In her opinion, she was being subjected to the cruelest punishment of all. If she could do anything to break off the arrangement, so be it. Draco was a good catch and highly sought after by many of the girls in school, but he wasn't the best that was out there and she deserved the best. She deserved someone who would do what ever her heart desired and she knew that this would not happen with Draco.

"Really, don't you find that to be a little flighty, dear?" Narcissa purred at her with contempt at the subject she had chosen.

"Not at all. In fact, I also find History of Magic to be interesting and have studied them both closely together. I have come to find that Arithmancy can and has predicted things very accurately."

Batting her eyes, she looked directly at Narcissa. She was not scared of this older woman, despite Narcissa's attempts at baiting her. The conversation quieted once more as they all continued to eat. Lucius was eyeing Draco, trying to send him the message that he should talk with the girl that was to be his future bride. Draco caught his stare and rolled his eyes. He could not believe he was being subjected to this! He had always been a good son, done his best to make his father proud, excelled in many of his classes and tried to bring honor to the Malfoy name. Why did not his father trust him to make the wise decision when it came to picking his future companion? His father trusted no one, and it would be like him not to trust his own son when he could just as easily do it himself.

"So you are in Slytherin then? Draco asked lightly.

"Yes and have been for five years now," she answered politely.

"Well, then I am at a disadvantage, since I know nothing about you," he added.

"Yes, you are at a disadvantage. I, however, know all about you. Everyone knows who you are." A sly grin came over her face. She was one up on him now, but she continued, so to prove her point. "You are the Quidditch team seeker for the Slytherin house, you are constantly in the companionship of Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle, you excel at Potions and..." she paused debating, "you are rivals with Harry Potter."

Upon completing her sentence, she noticed the look in Draco's eyes change, but only slightly. He was studying her intently, judging her.

"Yes, you do know me, but then again everybody knows I don't like Harry Potter."

He said Harry's name with a particular dislike in his tone, but he was intrigued by the fact she had paid attention to who he was.

The conversation turned to other matters of their parents, before it had a chance to take off in the direction of Harry Potter and turn sour. Dinner quickly passed and soon the night was over and their guests were leaving for their journey home. The Malfoy's were saying their goodbyes to the Avery's and Draco was standing next to Sabine.

"Well, I suppose I will be seeing you soon?" she asked rather miserably.

"Yes, it would seem that way." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Until we meet again."

He was pleased with himself. He could actually be charming if he wanted to be. He said his goodbyes to Sabine's mother and father as well, noticing that her father was much more generous in his good bye than her mother was, and they quickly left.

Draco walked back inside the manor with his parents, but walked right passed them as they paused and turned to him.

"Draco..." Narcissa called after him.

"Sod off!"

He shouted his response as he headed straight to his room and shut himself in. Draco had no desire what so ever to see or talk with either of them at the moment.

The next few weeks were more tense than normal in the Malfoy Manor as Draco avoided his parents like the plague. He was still livid with them for deciding for him who would be his bride. Why couldn't he choose for himself? He was actually angrier at his father, because he knew that his mother, like him, really had no say in the matter as well. However, he was still upset with her for not fighting Lucius more on the subject. Draco was beginning to wonder if he would make it through the entire summer without saying anther word to either of them until it came time to shop for school supplies, but it was only about a few more days and Lucius decided to talk with Draco.

"Draco, could you come into my study please?"

Taking the opportunity that had landed in his lap as Draco walked passed the door.

"Yes, father," Draco spat at him.

Lucius had intended on being as pleasant as possible about this, but it was apparent from Draco's attitude that this would not be possible.

"I have arranged for you and Sabine to go on a date, tomorrow evening. You will pick her up at six promptly. Flowers may be a good idea for an ice breaker. I have made reservations for you both to eat at Lugarno's Italian Cuisine and then you are to attend the theater." He paused for a breath and Draco cut in.

"Father, why did you not let me choose who will be my wife?"

The rage was building inside him and he tried to contain it as best he could, but as the words exited his mouth, he knew he'd left a little too much malice in his voice to make it unnoticeable.

Lucius sighed, "My dear boy, I only wanted to make sure that you had a proper wife, and it has always been done this way."

There was a little leniency in his father's voice and for a moment he thought that possibly his father would change his mind.

"Therefore," Lucius continued, "you WILL marry the girl that I have chosen. She is everything you will need to be as successful as I have been, just like your mother was for me. Now, I say again, there is no use in fighting this or sulking around the manor all day long! I will not change my mind and you will learn to live with this decision!" He puffed at Draco.

Draco instinctively knew it would be futile to try and go against his father. It was unfair, but if he were to fight him on this for too long, it would become apparent to others outside their families and he would dishonor the family.

"As you wish, Father!" Draco seethed as he turned on his heal and headed for the door.

It was not that Sabine was all that disagreeable or that he would not choose to marry her, it was more the fact that he didn't have that choice to make. Truth be told, he was intrigued by Sabine, and why she had paid attention to him and what he'd done all those years. Obviously, he had not tried to hide anything that he'd accomplished, but they had shared the same common room for over five years now and she had escaped his attention completely. How that was possible, he didn't know.

Dressed in his best, Draco waited in the Avery's grand entrance hall for Sabine to finish getting ready so they could leave on their first date. He was on his best behavior, even though this was the last place on earth he wanted to be right now. Still furious his father was making him go through this; he had fought him on it and still not won. He had argued, he had fought, and he had pleaded with his mother, but nothing worked. So he gave in, reconciled to the fact that at least he was doing his duty to the Malfoy name and hopefully he might be happy with his new wife to be. Pondering on the past week and the future to come was now a constant distraction for Draco.

Sabine had just put on the finishing touches in her make-up; made sure her hair and gown looked all right, and then left her room and walked into the hallway towards the foyer. She had almost been ready when Draco had arrived, but she wanted, or rather, liked the thought of him waiting on her. Reaching the grand marble staircase which went down into the foyer, she surveyed Draco as she descended the stairs. He was rather good looking and debonair, but she pulled her thoughts back down from the clouds and tried to remember this was not at all the person she had envisioned for herself! She was being forced into this and was not going to make his life any easier to help their fathers' little plan.

Sensing motion from his left side, Draco looked up at the grand staircase and sucked in a little breath. She was wearing an off the shoulder royal blue gown that brought out the color in her eyes and matched the little jewel hanging on a silver chain around her neck. Her long black hair was piled on top of her head and pinned in a French twist with a section of her long hair hanging down her back in soft curls. She was fabulously stunning, but the grin on her face told Draco she knew she looked good. He was comforted, if he had to marry this girl, at least she was nice to look at, but he also knew that beauty wasn't everything.

"Ready my dear?" Draco asked dully.

"Yes, I suppose I am," she replied just as uninterested as he was.

The two of them left the Avery's Manor with her parents looking on in uncertainty at the young couple. They climbed into the Malfoy carriage and were off. They took the carriage since they could not yet Apparate and floo powder would have been too messy.

Dinner was bearable and what conversation they did have pretty much revolved around chitchat and what their favorite things were. Her favorite color was blue because it matched her eyes, and his was green. It had always been the Slytherin green since he was old enough to think about school. His favorite food was some fancy French dish; hers was simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He was shocked to learn this little detail considering he figured she only valued the finer things. They both agreed that they liked dogs better than cats. She was afraid of spiders, and he claimed not to have any fears.

They talked on and off all night long through dinner and the theater, and the time passed rather quicker than either of them had expected. Before either of them knew it they were standing in front of the Avery's Manor door.

"Well, thank you for dinner and the theater." She smiled; she had actually had a good time.

"You are welcome, my dear." Draco took her hand and kissed the back of it. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but he had started calling her "dear".

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, "Good night, Draco."

He watched her walk through the massive doors and then turned and got into the carriage and began the journey home. He sighed.