Dragon Lace
By BTTD28
Chapter One
A/N: Summer has never met Draco in this story…just to clarify.
This story begins and ends with the blossoms of the Dragon Lace tree, a girl, and a boy. As any good story starts, we begin with the girl, a prisoner of her father's dark legacy, and a prophecy that must be fulfilled. We join her and her very best friend Alexia Gemini Potter in the office of Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. They've been discussing Summer's fate and along with Summer, Alex does not approve of the possible outcome.
"No," Alex said flatly. She looks at Summer then turns to Professor Dumbledore. "Absolutely not, there must be another way."
Professor Dumbledore sighed and laced his fingers together as he placed them on his desk. "I'm sorry Miss Potter, but there's no other way around it." He turned to summer who was staring at her feet. "You do understand, don't you? I wish there was another way, but you must…for your own sake."
"Yes…" Summer sighed deeply. "Sir."
"Very well, all is settled then." A cold voice came from the corner of Dumbledore's office. "Summer will return with me to the manor and plans for the wedding will be made."
Alex got to her feet and spun around to face Lucius Malfoy. "You're not taking her anywhere!" She turned, miserably to Professor Dumbledore. "You can't let him do this! You can't let him take her!"
Professor Dumbledore raised his hand that made Alex stop talking instantly. "It is my understanding that Summer must marry before the year is out, but she has the choice to stay here or return to your home before that point."
Summer looked over her shoulder at Lucius with a frown on her face. "It's entirely up to Mr. Malfoy."
"No it's not!" Alex snapped. "You're staying here! I'm not letting you go home with him!"
"Alex," Professor Dumbledore whispered harshly. "Lucius, I implore you consider letting Miss Astin stay with her friends as long as she can."
Lucius glared at Alex and gave a little smirk. "Why would I give you the satisfaction of having your way Potter?"
"Cause if you don't, I'll kill you myself!" Alex whispered to him.
Lucius chuckled softly, obviously unfazed by Alex's comment. "Miss Astin will stay here and continue her friendship with Miss Potter, however short lived that'll be." He said with his eyes fixated upon Summer's lowered head. "And will be sent to my manor on Christmas holiday."
Dumbledore nodded slowly, "As you wish Lucius." He looked down at Summer. "You may go to bed now Summer, my dear."
Summer nodded, "Yes sir." She got to her feet and froze in front of Lucius Malfoy. "Good Night, Mr. Malfoy."
He nodded in her general direction and then turned to his Son Draco, who had been staring at her the entire time. "Say good night to your fiancé, Draco."
Summer looked up into Draco's Silver eyes as he took her hand and brought it up to his lips. "Good night." He whispered. He was tall, atleast six inches taller then Summer. His Hogwarts robes matched hers and yet she had never seen him before, not once. He still held her hand in his, gently rubbing her knuckles with his thumb.
Alex stormed over and wretched Summer's hand out of his grip. "Until Christmas holiday, you stay away from her!" Alex growled at him. "Or I'll rip out your throat."
"No promises." Lucius whispered to Alex.
"I don't care what the prophecy says, I will never trust you with her!" Alex glared at Lucius.
Alex led Summer out of Dumbledore's office leaving Draco at His father's side. He sighed heavily, "I don't know about this."
"There's nothing to think about." His father snapped. "It's part of the prophecy. You should be honored to even be part of it."
"Well he didn't have a choice. "Dumbledore whispered. "The child of the dark lord must be wed to the pure blood prince whose birthday matches hers by the time the Dragon Lace tree blossoms." Dumbledore stared out the window of his office overlooking the Black Lake to a strange looking tree of the opposite shore. Unlike the trees around it, it stood bare. Dumbledore knew full well it had been three hundred years since the Dragon Lace tree had produced any blossoms. Maybe the legend was just that…a legend. Maybe it would spare Summer and Draco of this forced engagement.
:-:-:
"This is pure bollocks!" Alex snapped pacing the empty hallway just outside the Slytherin common room.
"You think!" Summer snapped. "This is my entire fault. I wish I could go back and change the past."
Alex stopped pacing for half a second, "How is it your fault. Cause you could help that Voldermort was your father." Alex shook her head violently, "There has to be something we can do!"
"I don't think there is." Summer said gently. "He seems nice." Summer whispered.
"There is nothing nice about the Malfoys! We'll figure out something!" Alex took Summer's hand gently. "I promise."
"Alex! There's no other way." Summer stared at her desperately. "I'll die if I don't."
Alex couldn't hold back her tears. "Fucking prophecy."
Summer rested her head on Alex's shoulder. "If she doesn't say 'I do' then by the first of the new year she will lie in ashes as her father before her."
Alex sobbed, "Don't remind me."
"Don't be sad Alex, We still have three months before that stupid tree blossoms. Let's make the best of it. Let's go to Hogsmeade and find the others."
Alex nodded, admitting her temporary defeat and walked hand and hand with Summer to Hogsmade to find their friends.