AN: I do not own Harry Potter.

The tremendous boom of the waves repeatedly crashing into the rocks were deafening. They reached a staggering four meters into the air and showed no signs of calming down. The mist from the waves blew far in all directions as strong gusts of wind came down from the north. The dark clouds allowed little light to reach the ground, allowing no one to see more than a meter all around them. Not that there was a lot to see in the middle of the North Sea. Dementors made the air frigid and sucked all remaining life from their surroundings.

The prisoners in Askaban rarely saw visitors, as many family and friends were devastated that their loved ones committed such crimes that ended in a life sentence to Askaban. After the second Wizarding War, the isolated island became filled with Death Eaters.

A man with a ghostly complexion and a pointed face leaned against the cold stone wall near the bars or his cell. His bones could be seen through his leathery skin. Ragged, ripped clothing hung loosely from his body. Dirt and grim covered him from head to toe. His platinum blond hair looked to be in knots and damp from the amount of sweat that was gathering on his forehead despite the frigid temperature. The man was gravely ill, it was just a matter of time before his would pass away. Perhaps if he had seen a healer in the beginning, he would not be in such a state, but neither the ministry or the dementors care about his health enough to bring a healer to Askaban to tend to him. He "did not deserve to be saved" as the minister so lightly put it a few months ago when his wife and son appealed for a healer to tend to him.

"Hello Lucius"

The ailing man looked up only realizing now that he had a visitor. The woman before him could only be described as plump middle-aged witch with red hair. "Mrs. Weasley, what a surprise to see you here of all places" he said with distaste for the woman before him. But there was something else in his voice, he sounded grateful that she was here. Although that couldn't be it, for the Weasleys and the Malfoys had a long history of hatred between them. Going back centuries if Lucius remembered correctly. If Mrs. Weasley noticed the gratefulness, she did not show it. "Have you come to gloat at what your son and his little friends have done to me" Now showing more distaste for the woman.

"Oh Lucius, the war has not treated you well, " she reached her arm through the bars and put a hand on his forehead. Too weak to forcibly remove her hand, Lucius grumbled something about her being too motherly for her own good. "You are burning up!" she exclaimed with concern in her voice.

"Surely you did not come all this way to confirm I am indeed dying" he hissed at her.

"No. I have a proposition for you" the woman sounded hurt by his words but changed to a business tone as she took his silence as an invitation to continue. "I would like my daughter to marry your son."

A look of shock passed through Lucius' face for a moment before his expression hardened. "Why in Merlin's beard would I or Draco agree to this" he questioned choosing his words very carefully fearing her wrath if he said something to upset her.

Molly Weasley smirked. "Rumour has it that your friends the Death Eaters are planning on a come back. I also heard that the Dark Lord himself is not dead as we thought he to be." Lucius looked at her wondering how she came across this information. She continued leaving no chance for him to confirm nor deny these remarks, "both our families need protection, regardless if these rumors are true or not."

"The Malfoys do not need protection from the likes of you" he said with conviction, and refusing to believe that the Weasleys could help his family.

"Well if you won't do it for the safety of either of our families I suppose you wouldn't do it for your wife or your family's social standing in certain societies" and with those chosen words said she turned on her heel and walked away. Counting in her head she counted, one... two... and three.

"Come back here and explain yourself woman" an angry voice said from behind her.

A smile formed on her face for a split second. Predictable she thought as she turned back to face the dying man in the cell. She had him wrapped around her little finger and she knew it. This was going to be easier than she thought. "I mean your wife lied straight to your master's face about Harry being dead. Now it would be a shame to let that little piece of information to get back to the other dark art supporters. Who knows what they might do. They might hurt your son, and that would be the end of the Malfoy family." Lucius' grey eyes focused on Mrs. Weasley. Hatred flowing through his veins. "Now," said Mrs. Weasley quickly, " if your son did decide to marry my daughter I will keep this little detail beyond the grave" By the look of the man's wearly face, she knew she had him convinced that this was a good idea.

"Fine, anything else you need to tell me?" he whispered giving in to her blackmailing.

"Divorce is not an option, as I assume you will agree. Also they must have at least two children within the first seven years of marriage. They must also fit in with each other's social groups.. Finally, they must seem in love to everyone. I do not wish for people to know that about the arranged marriage."

Lucius nodded slowly. "What about Potter? Isn't your daughter courting him?"

"Harry died two months ago. You are behind the times Lucius. Now I do believe your wife and son will be here shortly. I do suggest you tell them sooner rather than later."

"You should have been a Slytherin by the way you negotiate" he commented as she started to walk away from him.

Molly Weasley turned to face the dying man in the cell. "Both our lives would have been very different if I had indeed been a Slytherin. Goodbye Lucius, it was good to see you again." Then she quickly turned away and walked down the narrow corridor towards the exit.

"Goodbye Molly, my dear" came the soft almost inaudible voice of Lucius Malfoy.