Prompt: Cinderella (Strictly Dramione's Moviefest 2017)

Author's Note: I used Google Translate for everything so, if the grammar is incorrect, it is entirely Google's fault ;)

I have no connection to the Potterverse except for my love of Dramione fan fiction and the firm belief that Draco and Hermione were meant to be. Alas, J.K. Rowling and I will never agree on this point. On a happier note, I do own a rather cool Slytherin keyring.

Lots of Alpha love to coyg81, Beta hearts to kikakanyume7 and withered (who helped me sleep again!) and grammar love to Mr. Benzedrine. And where would we be without our aesthetic beauty safewordisdevilsnare?

I also have a Pinterest page and a Spotify playlist to accompany this story, the links are as follows:

.ie/racheljane1718/cinderella-fan-fiction-prompt/

user/rj1718/playlist/5p0WI1inm32XR5G85UAbXG

Some of the songs on the Spotify playlist are relevant to the story, others are just in keeping with the theme and too bloody good to ignore.

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July 25th, 1980

Narcissa Malfoy curled up on the chaise, her seven-week-old baby asleep in her arms. Her husband of one year, Lucius, stood with his back to her by the large Georgian window, gazing down upon once-beautiful lawns, dried-up fountains, and the decaying carcasses of slaughtered game. Both adults wore tear-stained faces as the infant twitched peacefully in his mother's arms.

"Lucius, we need to do something."

"I would like to approach The Order, Cissa. Would you agree?"

"It is our only option at this point but we cannot wait much longer. I cannot live like this much longer."

Lucius turned to his wife and looked directly into her shining eyes. In another life, her pale blue eyes would be hazel and his son would have a different woman's nose and fingers. In turn, Narcissa thought of the man she once loved with a passion that still smoldered deep within. In her ideal world, Draco would have dark brown hair and eyes of deepest blue. Both young adults understood each other thoughts and smiled sadly.

"I'm so sorry, Cissa."

"It is not your fault. It was never your fault. We were abused and raped, Lucius, both of us! I will not have our son reared in this world. We must escape!"

Lucius turned back to the window, not wanting to see the pain in his wife's face anymore. One year ago, life had been exciting and eventful until their parents fell in line with a maniac who wanted to rule the wizarding world with pure-blood supremacy. A bonding agreement was made between Maison Noble et la plus Ancienne de Malfoy and the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black resulting in his arranged marriage to Narcissa. The two people they each loved were taken away, never to be seen or heard of again. Their first night together as husband and wife was watched by the Dark Lord as he relished in their coupling. He watched every time until Narcissa fell pregnant. It was sick; he was sick.

Draco Lucius Malfoy was born without incident and their deranged houseguest announced he would take the boy to raise himself once the infant's weaning period was over. He gave Narcissa three months.

"Cissa," Lucius began, his shoulders slumped with fatigue and distress. "I will not give up our son. I know you won't either. We will go to the Order; I'll make plans."

He knelt in front of the softly-weeping woman and gently placed a hand upon her own. Placing a loving kiss to his son's forehead, he looked up at her.

"I know we do not love each other. It breaks my heart to think that Esther and Thomas were taken and probably murdered." He gripped her hand tightly as she flinched at the name of her lost love. "But, Cissa, I promise we will raise this child away from him. We will be a family and I hope, really hope, we can make this work."

Narcissa raised her other hand to cup Lucius' cheek; he closed his eyes as her thumb wiped away a stray tear.

"It will work. We'll get out of here, Lucius. Contact the Order, as soon as you can. Let us escape and raise our son together in a home of respect and happiness. Who knows what may happen…" She let the remainder of the sentence fade from her lips. "But there is something I want to do now."

"Name it."

"I do not want Draco to ever experience what we have suffered; I want him to feel and know love." She held her sleeping son to her breast. "I spent a lot of time in the library during my pregnancy, just to stay out of his way, and I came across a book of Celtic spells. I want to protect our boy, Lucius, that goes without saying but I am desperate for him to have what we have not had so far - a happy life. Regardless of what happens to you and me, I need him to know that. There is a spell which will guide him to his true love and guarantee him joy in this life. Please Lucius, let me cast it."

"I want nothing but happiness for our son, Cissa. Do it when you're ready."

"I'm ready now."

Lucius smiled. "How could I think otherwise? What do I need to do?"

"Hold Draco, please?"

He stood and she passed the sleeping baby to his arms. Lucius looked down at the innocent and held him close.

"Your mother is a very clever witch, my son. She is promising you a happy life, you deserve that much from us."

Narcissa uncurled her legs and stood beside her husband. She reached into her robes and retrieved her wand, pointing it at their baby boy.

Beidh a fhios agat grá

Beidh a fhios agat áthas

A ainm tugtha ar do liopaí

Séalaigh do ghrá go deo

You will know love

You will know joy

Her given name on your lips

Will seal your love forever

She waved her wand gently over the infant, bathing him in rose pink light, before looking up at her husband.

"Thank you."

He smiled tenderly at her, placing an arm around her shoulders. To anyone looking on, the family of three looked peaceful and carefree.

The following morning, Lucius made contact with the Order of the Phoenix and plans were set to extract the family from Malfoy Manor as soon as possible.

Six days later, however, the Dark Lord was no more and Harry Potter was the saviour of the wizarding world.