Chapter 1- Choosing the future bride
An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself.
(Oscar Wilde (1854-1900), Anglo-Irish playwright, Lady Bracknell to Gwendolyn, in The Importance of Being Earnest)
In the middle of a vast garden, surrounded by dozens of rose bushes with blossoms in every imaginable colour, stood a castle-like house, made from grey sandstone. Ravensden Hall, the home of the Black Family. For generations there had been strong ties between the Blacks and the Malfoys, two of the most respected Pureblood families of the country; those ties had been strengthened by a binding contract agreed upon in the Middle Ages. According to this five hundred year old contract between the Blacks and the Malfoys, the Heir of the Pure and Ancient House of Malfoy had the right to choose his bride from the daughters of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black first, granting the Malfoys therewith a right of pre-emption.
Abiding by this ancient contract, an appointment between the Malfoys and the Blacks had been made for the 8th July in the year 1960 in order to find an appropriate bride for the Heir of the Malfoy Clan.
Loyal to their traditions, both the Malfoys and the Blacks chose that day, though their children hadn't yet entered school, maintaining therewith the practice of betrothing their children while they were infants.
For that purpose Abraxas Malfoy and his heir, the seven year old Lucius, stepped out of the black marble fireplace belonging to the magnificent vestibule of Ravensden Hall. The formidable marble hall inspired awe in most people who entered this place but neither Abraxas nor his son spared the vestibule more than a short glance, being used to magnificence, as Malfoy Manor was famous for its overwhelming splendour, reflecting the power of the richest family in the Wizarding World. No other Pureblood family, not even the Blacks, could rival the wealth and power of the Malfoys.
From time immemorial, the Malfoys have prided themselves on the fact that no Bloodtraitor has ever arisen from their line, whereas the Blacks have had at least one in each generation. One could believe that the strict way Malfoy children were raised prevented such shame to occur but behind closed doors the many mysterious deaths of family members who might have had a weak spot for Mudbloods wasn't unbeknown. It was unspoken knowledge that every Malfoy who dared to soil the impeccable blood lineage was not only burnt from the family tapestry like the Blacks used to do, but was ripped out of life immediately. It might seem surprising that the Ministry for Magic hadn't noticed the high amount of tragic deaths among the Malfoy family but even the Minister of Magic knew better than to oppose a family like the Malfoys.
Cygnus Black, head of the house, was awaiting the guests already, nodding his head in friendly acknowledgement. He was a tall man in his thirties with dark brown, almost black hair and eyes of the same colour. He stepped towards Abraxas and his son, welcoming them with a short handshake and an amicable smile, that wasn't returned. Abraxas Malfoy wasn't a man who tended to smile and the boy at his side seemed to imitate his father perfectly. Aside of their similar demeanour, their exterior family likeness was even more striking. Both, Father and son, had short, white blond hair and prominent grey eyes, like mercury.
"It's good to meet you, Abraxas," Cygnus said, leading the way towards the parlour of the house. Sometimes he feared that his emotional daughters wouldn't fit into the Malfoy family but he tended to push such thoughts aside, as a connection of the two oldest Pureblood families was far too important to abandon the union out of a few, probably unsubstantiated worries.
"It's always pleasant to visit Ravensden Hall, Cygnus," replied the tall blond wizard.
They arrived in the parlour and Cygnus indicated the Malfoys to sit down on one of the lush black sofas. The floor of the room was made from black ebony and soft red rugs were covering major parts of it. The walls were a warm beige and the magnificent chandelier that hung above the sofas used to cast a friendly light on the parlour in the evenings, while momentarily the only light that illuminated the room, were the sunrays that streamed through the huge windows. All in all, the room, just like the rest of the house, emitted a pleasant, almost cosy atmosphere, exactly the opposite of Malfoy Manor.
Lucius was sitting silently beside his father, his piercing grey eyes wandering around in the room, his expression emotionless. His demeanour was that of an adult not of a small child but, of course, the Malfoys were known for their coolness.
"My wife and our daughters will join us soon," Cygnus said with a smile.
Abraxas nodded his head shortly, looking at his son, who still hadn't said anything, though it was his future that would be decided this afternoon. Callidora Malfoy, Lucius' mother, wasn't present at this important meeting, as she had died a few months ago in January, a few days after Lucius' birthday.
"Have you deliberated yet which of my daughters would suit your son and your lineage best?" Mr. Black inquired interested. He was glad that one of his daughters would become a Malfoy, though his wife Druella didn't like them much.
"Of course I've thought about that but I'd like to see them today to be sure," Abraxas stated politely.
A soft knock rang through the parlour, moments before the door was opened and Druella Black, a slender woman in her late twentieth with dark brown hair, entered the room. She nodded her head in the direction of the guests, a forced smile on her lips. "It's a pleasure to see you, Abraxas," she stated dignified, but not too warm, extending her hand for the man to kiss it.
She watched the boy a moment before she gave him a more sincere smile than his father. "Hello Lucius, I hope you feel well."
The boy nodded, his face emotionless. "Yes, Mrs. Black."
Cygnus got up, giving his wife a smile before he beckoned his three daughters who'd been standing in the doorframe over to them.
Abraxas watched the girls closely; it had been quite some time since he had seen them. The two older girls had the typical appearance of the Black family: slightly tanned skin, dark hair and even darker eyes. Only the youngest daughter was the total opposite, having inherited the look of an angel. The little girl had long blond hair, pale skin and sky blue eyes. She looked more like a Malfoy than a Black.
"That is Bellatrix, our oldest daughter. She's only a month younger than your son Lucius," Druella explained, positioning the said daughter in front of herself. Bellatrix made a sullen face, apparently not happy to be presented like that. Her dark eyes were fixed on Lucius and she stuck her tongue out at him when she felt unobserved, causing Lucius to narrow his eyes angrily.
"Bellatrix, behave yourself for god's sake!" Cygnus said, though his eyes showed clearly that he wasn't really angry with her.
Bellatrix made an innocent face. "I haven't done anything."
"Enough," Druella reprimanded her daughter impatiently. "Apologize."
Bella made a face as though she had to swallow something sour. "Sorry, Lucius."
Abraxas was watching the scene emotionless, though he made the decision that Bellatrix wouldn't be the right choice for his family.
Druella took the other dark haired girl at her arm. "That's Andromeda. She's six years old, so one year younger than Lucius."
Though she looked similar to Bellatrix, her character differed obviously from that of her older sister. Andromeda seemed timid and even a bit afraid, her dark eyes watching Abraxas Malfoy fearfully. Lucius watched her without interest, though his father had told him before that this day would be important for his future. Lucius didn't understand why he had to choose a bride now, though he wasn't interested in girls yet.
When Druella presented her last daughter, a small proud smile graced her lips. "That is Narcissa, our youngest daughter. Today is her third birthday."
The petite girl watched the Malfoys shyly. Abraxas took her hand. "My best wishes for your birthday, young lady," he drawled in his aristocratic tone. Narcissa smiled timidly, making a small curtsey like her mother had taught her.
Abraxas was intrigued by the little girl. Lucius took Narcissa's hand as well, stating formally. "Happy Birthday, Narcissa." His father had taught him since he had been nothing but a toddler that he had to remain polite and composed in public.
Narcissa watched the boy with his short blond her and steely grey eyes uncertainly before she made another curtsey. She felt somehow queasy when he stared at her.
"You can go playing into the garden," Druella released her daughters. "Maybe Lucius will join you later."
The three girls hurried through the French window out of the parlour and into the garden.
"Well, Abraxas, what do you say?" Cygnus sat down in an armchair, watching the other man curiously.
In the meantime Druella summoned a house-elf who served tea and biscuits. Then she sat down beside her husband.
The older Malfoy turned to his son. "What do you think, Lucius?"
Lucius seemed shocked for a moment that he had to give his opinion but recovered soon. "I liked Narcissa best." She was the only one of the girls who didn't seem crazy.
Abraxas nodded. "I agree with Lucius. I think Narcissa would fit perfectly in our family and make a good bride for my son."
Cygnus smiled, while Druella didn't seem very happy to give her youngest child to the Malfoys in the future but she knew better than to disagree. The Blacks would profit socially and financially through the wedding.
"Do you want to join Narcissa, Bellatrix and Andromeda in the garden until we're finished with everything?" Druella asked Lucius. The boy watched his father uncertainly, waiting for permission.
"Go if you want to," stated Abraxas and Lucius got up from the sofa, stepping out into the garden. He wasn't really keen on spending time with those three girls but it was better than staying with the adults. His father was always watching every move he made and reprimanding him harshly for the slightest mistake.
Lucius looked around in the large garden for the sisters and found them near a swing that was surrounded by pink roses. His lips curled up in distaste at the sight, favouring the gardens of his Manor. He approached them casually, observing bored how Narcissa swung higher and higher on the swing. As he had no siblings, Lucius didn't play much at home, actually he didn't play at all. Most of the time, he was tutored or had to read something. His father expected him to act like an adult.
"Hey Blondie, what do you want?" Bella grinned at him.
"My name is Lucius," he said coolly, giving the dark haired girl his best scowl that could even scare some adults away but it didn't seem to work with her.
Bella stepped closer to him, looking up into his face mockingly. "Oh sorry, Blondie."
He glared down at her, as he was about two inches taller than her, though they were the same age.
"Bella, that's not nice. Mom said that we're supposed to treat guests with respect," Andromeda said.
Bella shrugged. "Mom is not here and I don't want to be nice."
Narcissa was still swinging, watching the scene with a wide smile. "Bella, be nice!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes, sitting down on the grass.
"Come sit, Lucius." she said, before turning to her sisters. "See, I can be nice if I want to."
Lucius sat down reluctantly, knowing quite well that his father didn't appreciate grass on his clothes. Bella whispered something in Andromeda's ear, causing her to giggle.
Lucius groaned. Why did his father make him marry into this mad family?
XXX
"I guess we can sign the contract now," explained Cygnus eagerly, fetching the papers from the table in front of him. He tapped the paper with his wand, murmuring an incantation, and the names of Narcissa and Lucius appeared on the contract.
"The wedding will take place at the latest in the month after Narcissa's graduation," Cygnus stated, waiting for Abraxas' consent. The man nodded simply.
"I know that you've told Lucius about the arrangement but I insist that Narcissa remains ignorant," Cygnus said.
Druella added. "It would make everything, especially attending school, difficult for Narcissa. I think we should wait until her sixth year before telling her."
"Then it'll remain a secret until Narcissa is older," Abraxas agreed. "I insist that Narcissa enters the marriage untouched. Malfoys don't settle for anything second-hand."
Druella jumped up enraged, glaring at the man. Abraxas didn't seem impressed at all and straightened up a bit more.
"How dare you!" Druella hissed, ignoring Cygnus who tried to calm her.
"Druella, please."
Abraxas' emotionless mask didn't falter. "I don't intend to insult you or your daughters but I think it's reasonable to put this part into the contract in order to prevent disappointment."
Druella sat down slowly, trying to calm herself. "Our daughters are educated to be proper Pureblood ladies but if you insist on having it in the contract, we'll accept that."
Cygnus added the part to the contract, glad that his wife had calmed down so fast. She had quite a temper, just like Bellatrix.
After reading over the agreement once more, Cygnus and Abraxas put their signatures under the contract, binding their children magically to each other.