Halina shivered under the thick fleece blanket. So far she had not been enjoying marriage. She moved restlessly, thanking some god that Draco was gone right now. She was worn out and he never cared. He still made her get up and cook, meaning she would also have to clean. She looked at their only wedding picture and felt the corners of her eyes well with moisture. She looked so distant. Draco had refused to be photographed. Halina had begged; she wanted at least one picture to show her children. The only one she had gotten was of her. It was a pretty picture, and Draco had decided to carry one on him to show her off.
She exhaled deeply. Why had her father made that pureblood's pact? She rolled around restlessly again, smoothed the cover, and then lay breathing softly.
August 31, Halina's 17th birthday.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Halina, Happy Birthday to you," chanted all her friends.
"Blow out the candles and make a wish Lina," said Fred Weasley playfully. Halina smiled and closed her eyes. "I never want to be alone," she wished silently. She pursed her lips and puffed air out over the cake. The fiery tips went up in a cloud of white smoke. Everyone clapped.
"Ok Lina, cut the cake," said Remus happily. Halina giggled merrily and with the wave of her hand the cake was divided and on plates. Remus chuckled.
"Not exactly what I meant," he said.
"Well while we eat cake, open your presents," said Ginny. Halina nodded eagerly and tore into the nearest one. She opened present after present. Books, a new cauldron, mater potions set, a new dress robe, and the last thing a small wooden box.
"It's locked," she announced seeming perplexed.
"Oh yes. That was left to Dumbledore, who left it to me. The key is around your neck. It was your fathers," said Remus. Halina grinned and pulled the key off her neck. Her Father had given it to her after she was born. The room was hushed all eyes fixed intently on Halina. She pushed the key into the lock easily, and turned.
The lid popped open immediately and Halina saw a pile of Jewels. All but an emerald pendant had her mother's name engraved on them. The Emerald had her name. She showed everyone. Necklace after Necklace was passed around. Only when the box was empty did she notice that there was another compartment.
"Hey there's a hidden compartment," said Halina pulling the small brass ring. The wood lifted revealing an envelope marked Rahalina Lily Milan. She opened it curiously.
"Read it," urged Ginny.
"This is a Pureblood's Pact among the families Malfoy and Milan. It is arranged that on the occurrence of Draconius Lucius Malfoy's and Rahalina Lily Milan's coming of age they shall be married. To continue these noble lines of Pureblood they will become one. As avowed both parties agree. Salina Amelia Milan/Covinhough Devlin Henry Milan
Narcissia Gabrielle Malfoy/Black Lucius Kane Malfoy
Halina let the paper flutter to the floor. She could feel the color draining from her. Draco Malfoy? She felt clammy and sick. Irony was harshly apparent. "Halina," said Hermione tentatively. Halina pushed herself up off the chair.
"Be careful what you wish for," she said in a muted panicky voice. Before anyone could reply Halina fainted.
Halina heard the slam of the door echo through the large old manor. She thought about pretending to be asleep, but knew he would wake her anyway. He wasn't supposed to be home until tomorrow. She thrust the covers off and went to welcome him. Halfway down the long hall she glimpsed him. He was a Malfoy alright, but it wasn't Draco. Lucius was out of prison.
"Where is my wife," he requested.
"Lucius, Narcissia has been dead for two months," replied Halina quietly.
"What? Who killed her," he snarled.
"She killed herself," said Halina gently. "I am sorry for your loss. I could make you some tea and something to eat."
"I don't care that she's dead. I just need…," he paused and looked her over menacingly, "A woman," he finished running toward her. Halina screamed and tried to run. Lucius had been working out in prison. He had become swift and well-built. Now his sweet little Daughter-in-law was easy prey. He grabbed her from behind and dragged her into his old room. As he threw her on the bed, he saw the blue energy emitting from her hands.
Thinking quickly Lucius grabbed them and tied them to the posts of his bed. He ran to his store of potions under the closet floor and grabbed the one he needed. The Draining potion. He pressed the vial to her lips and forced the liquid down her throat. Her arched back fell instantaneously and her whole body went limp. Her eyes were still opened, an insignificant hinder. It was supposed to make her slumber. Ah, well she was too frail to do anything, and perhaps it would be more arousing if those attractive emerald eyes were open.
He freed her hands and smirked. Her eyes filled with alarm. "Oh come now it won't be so appalling gorgeous. You know you really are too attractive for your own good, love. You may even enjoy it," he said undressing her. Halina couldn't budge. Not even her mouth. Just her eyes. Lucius had now moved to undressing himself. She saw Draco enter looking as though nothing was wrong. Then Halina realized nothing was wrong. She was dreaming.
It had been Draco home all along, and when she heard the door it was him. She sat up and gasped. She was fully dressed and in her bed. She saw Draco sitting at the end of it taking off his shoes. He looked at her oddly and said "What the hell is up with you?" She couldn't help it; she threw herself into Draco's arms. He looked at her raising an eyebrow. "I thought you said no sex," he replied rubbing her bare shoulder.
"I'm just so glad it was you," she said burring her face in his shoulder.
"Who else would it be? I got home early that's all. You know I worry about leaving you alone now," he said.
"I am fine just… a bad dream. Are you hungry," she asked.
"Starving, did you eat yet," he asked.
"No I was waiting for you," replied Halina.
"Well get going then. And Halina," he said just as she began to walk out the door.
"Yes Draco," she asked.
"Don't forget the honey in my tea this time," he replied. Halina nodded and left to go make the meal. Downstairs she began crying as she made the roast chicken, whole red potatoes, and Green beans. She also made some biscuits. She wanted Draco to love her. She wanted to love Draco.
An hour later Halina called Draco down to eat. He came ambling in looking striking as usual. She smiled dutifully. "How was business Draco," she asked serving him his meal.
"Better than last time, nearly a million. You made my favorite," he replied.
"Good to hear. And of course I made your favorite, you deserve it," said Halina.
"And you put honey in my tea. You're getting better," he said judgmentally. Halina stiffened. She realized that she had never been good enough for Draco Malfoy, and never would be. Tears feel into her plate rapidly. She needed to stop caring; Draco sure didn't. She couldn't; she wanted to love him so much and she wanted to be loved back. She set her fork down.
"Draco why don't you love me," she asked powerless to tolerate it any longer.
"Because our marriage was strictly business. I don't have to love you Halina. I just don't want you. My father made a stupid mistake, and so did yours. You are good to me because you want it to work, I don't. I don't want children, I don't want love, and I don't want you. Just understand that Halina. I want you to hate me. I want you to leave me," he said unsympathetically.
Halina began to cry harder. Draco just shook his head. "You see Halina? You're so whiney. You don't love me either. You never kiss me or have sex with me. Just go. Go live with your pal Mudblood," he recommend. She got up and grabbed her cloak. She was about to Disappearate, when Draco said. "Do you mind if I have a girlfriend?"
She sobbed then choked. She just shook her head and Disappearated. Hermione was sitting with Harry, Ron, and Ginny by the fire. Hermione was the first to rush to her.
"God Halina you look like Hell. What happened," she asked.
"Draco kicked me out. I'll only need to be here for the night. I have another house that was Snape's. He left it to me. I just need to get my things in," said Halina much more serenely than she felt.
"Honey you can stay as long as you need," said Hermione.
"Will you guys come and get my things with me tomorrow," she asked.
"Of course we will," said Ginny and all the others nodded in agreement.
"Go get some sleep in the Spare room," said Hermione gently.
"I'll bring you up some tea," said Ginny dashing into the kitchen.
Halina went to the room and gulped the tea that Ginny had made her. She arranged herself on the bed, and was nearly immediately asleep. She did not dream, she was too upset.
