Disclaimer: Alas! J.K. Rowling has beaten me in creating the wonderful world of Harry Potter... -sigh-
A million thanks to my brilliant beta-reader, Indie.
Chapter 1 – After the War
Draco was sitting in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. He had been temperamental as of late. He should be rejoicing along with the Wizarding world. Voldemort was finally defeated. But that was not the reason behind his mood; that was because of his predicament. He remembered their family discussion the week before.
Whenever they held a family meeting, he knew something was up; today was no exception. Draco cautiously entered the family room. It was still the same; the furnishing was expensive and elegant. Even after the war, the Malfoys were still extremely wealthy, and Draco was thankful for that.
He kissed his mother on the cheek and turned to Lucius.
"Father," Draco inclined his head.
"Make yourself comfortable before we start."
He did as he was told and waited. He didn't like this one bit; his mother was very pale and his father looked serious.
"Draco, your mother and I thought this would be the right time to tell you this little piece of information, seeing that the war is over and we cleaned our family name," Lucius said. "You know very well that we are one of the oldest pureblooded families today," he sighed, "My father thought it would be nice to make that last longer, with the use of a complex spell."
Draco schooled his features perfectly, but inside, he felt more than a little nervous.
"There is an ancient magical spell that activates on the seventeenth birthday of my children, either witch or wizard. Seeing that you're my only child, it is unfortunate that the spell activated on your seventeenth birthday, which took place three months ago."
Draco's eyes widened slightly, "How did this happen?"
"Blame that to your grandfather, Draco," Narcissa answered, "He was the one who cast The Pureblood Bond to your father when he was still young. In doing so, it affected Lucius' future child."
"So that means I need to marry a pureblooded witch?" Draco asked.
"Yes," Narcissa answered.
"But that's what you want right? For me to marry a pureblooded witch?" Draco directed his words to Lucius, "You're gonna arrange me to someone anyway."
"That's the problem here," Lucius said, "I can't. This spell makes you choose the woman you'll marry."
Draco smirked; now he didn't have to worry about an arranged marriage. His childhood friend, Pansy, could be his bride. Not that he loved her, but he had to admit, she was better than someone he didn't even know.
"Don't rejoice yet, son," Lucius said. "For you can't pick a random pureblood out there."
Draco looked confused, "I'm afraid I don't follow."
"Because of the spell, you will be attracted to a pureblooded witch and eventually fall in love with her," Narcissa answered softly. "The catch is… we don't know who she is, what she looks like, if she's smart, rich or sophisticated even," she sighed.
Draco let those words sink in. "You mean I'll fall in love with someone, even if she looks and acts like a..." he paused, "bloody ogre, as long as she's a pureblood?" he stared in horror at his mother.
Narcissa was surprised by the words that came out of her son's mouth, but nonetheless, she nodded grimly.
"Draco, watch your language," Lucius said sternly.
He ignored him, "Tell me there's a way out of this…"
"We checked, Draco… nothing could be done."
Draco groaned. He thought now that the Dark Lord was vanquished, he could live peacefully. And then this problem had to come out and ruin everything. A hand touched his shoulder comfortingly.
"Your father didn't cast the spell on you, so your future children won't have the same fate as yours," Narcissa said, "and don't worry, there's still hope that you'll find the perfect witch for you."
"I have to think..." Draco stood up. He bid his parents goodbye and locked himself in his room.
Draco was cursing all the gods for putting him in a situation like this. Why couldn't he be peaceful for once? Right now, for example, Blaise was nowhere to be found, and Crabbe and Goyle were snoring so loudly he couldn't hear himself think. I've had enough, he thought.
He left the compartment to do some thinking. He was so lost in his thoughts that when he rounded a corner, he collided with someone, sending that someone crashing to the floor.
"Ouch!" a female voice yelped. Draco looked down and saw auburn hair, long creamy legs and books scattered everywhere. She looked up and her chocolate brown eyes widened.
Draco knew only one girl with those lovely legs, Ginny Weasley, the same girl who had helped him during the war.
He was badly injured that fateful night, for he had barely escaped the clutches of the Death Eaters. It was the night of his initiation as a Death Eater.
He never wanted to join them… That's why he went to Dumbledore long before that day and told him he wanted to join The Light Side. Thankfully, Dumbledore agreed, for Draco would be an excellent spy; they really needed to know what Voldemort was up to.
For months, he spied for Dumbledore. But tonight, when the Death Eaters suddenly told him he would be initiated, Draco acted upon instinct. He fought and escaped them. He limped to the Headquarters of The Order of the Phoenix and softly knocked.
When the door opened, he heard a soft gasp. Suddenly, he was pulled inside and laid down on the couch.
"Mum, Draco is bleeding! Come here, quick!"
"Goodness! What happened?"
"I don't know, but Professor Dumbledore mentioned that tonight was the night of his initiation," Ginny said while she and her mother tended to his wounds. "Looks to me he barely escaped. Good thing Professor Dumbledore told him the location of the Headquarters."
"Oh the poor dear…" Molly said, "He is misunderstood after all. Dumbledore was right about him."
"I know, Mum, I know…"
The last thing Draco felt was a soft hand caressing his face, then all went black.
After that incident, he and his family turned to the Light Side. Narcissa had never liked the Dark Lord anyway; she only joined the Death Eaters so they wouldn't harm Draco. She was appalled when she heard what they did to her only son. She immediately turned to The Light Side. Lucius was doubtful at first, but she managed to convince him to join too.
It was a bumpy ride at first, but Draco eventually became civil with Potter and his friends; more particularly with Ginny, much to the disgust of her brothers. But he didn't care; he was really fond of her. After all, she did save his life, and took care of him while he was injured. Not that he would openly admit that, of course.
"Sorry…" Draco said, "Here, let me help you up," he offered his hand and Ginny took it.
"You should really watch where you're going, Draco," Ginny said softly.
"I was lost in my thoughts…" he said and bent down, picked her things and handed them to her.
"Thank you…" She gratefully took them. "You're lost in your thoughts?" She cocked her head to the side, "Why? Do you have a problem?"
"Thanks… but I prefer to keep them to myself for now."
"I understand… If you need someone to talk to, I'm here, okay?" She smiled. Something inside him stirred but he mentally shook himself. "I'd better be off. See you around, Draco."
"See you around," Draco replied softly as she walked off. He felt his heart lighten when she smiled at him. What was that all about?
My first fic ever! Read and review!