Today was a very good day for the wizarding world. Hushed whispers came from groups of men who appeared to be in the most peculiar dress, with the occasional hushed word being heard of "boy" or "muggle", whatever that might mean to the passers by.
To the witches and wizards who had fought long and hard, the first of those two words meant everything. A single baby boy had brought about the downfall of the most feared dark wizard of their time, and it was a time of celebration. The pubs of the wizarding world were all full of those celebrating and the festivities had spilled over to the muggle world. The Ministry of Magic were having a hard time, but not nearly as hard as some of the most noble pureblood families.
The Priscuses sat in their home in mourning. Their whole lives and everything they knew was the Dark Lord, yet he was gone, brought down by a child no older than their youngest. Their daughter lay in her crib upstairs in the nursery, none the wiser as to who the Dark Lord was or what had happened to him. Her brother, less than a year older, slept across the room from her, none the wiser. Little did either of them know that their lives would forever be changed by this moment.
There was soon a tap of a silver snake head on the dense, dark oak doors of the mansion, three loud and clear taps in quick succession. This was the head of the cane belonging to a certain Lucius Malfoy, long time servant of the Dark Lord and close friend of Cassius Priscus. The cane was the only feature leading to his true identity; he wore a black cloak that ran across the ground as he walked with a strong step. The door was opened to reveal the sorrowful face of the man of the house, wary of whoever came to his door.
"Cassius. I have a proposition."
He was allowed to enter the house quickly. It was dangerous times for any of the Death Eaters. Many were unknown to the Ministry, yet there was always the danger that something may have slipped. Cousin Bella had already been taken, which was a great sadness to Narcissa. However, Lucius did not care for their troubles right now. He wished to improve the relations of their families in the time of great need.
"Your daughter, Cassius. How old is she? A year?" he enquired. Above them, the little girl shifted in her sleep.
"She is."
Cassius was wary to involve his only daughter in such troubled times as this.
"My dear friend, you know that my son is of a similar age. I propose a betrothal."
The man of the house thought deeply for a minute. If he were to agree to this, his daughter would have little say in her future. However, if he were not to agree, it would be a waste of an opportunity for great honour when it came to the return of the Dark Lord.
"Lucius. Does this not come in great haste during our mourning? The Dark Lord has been gone not a day," he questioned. Although he did not doubt Lucius' judgement, he worried about making a rash decision.
"We are both noble families and the Dark Lord will rise again to see what we have done. They will be the perfect servants to him in that position."
"You have my word then, Lucius," Cassius replied quickly.
The alliance between the families had been made in this time of need. Although the promise had been made, the little girl turned over once more in her sleep, unaware.
"Aquilia and Draco are to be betrothed then. Thank you, Cassius, you have made a great choice."