Chapter 1:
Narcissa braved the journey to Italy. Indeed she was very fortunate that Lord and Lady Blackstock were even in Europe at this time. They were incredibly hard to get a hold of. She was also fortunate that Draco would not notice her absence long, if he even noticed at all. Bellatrix was staying at the manor, and had approved wholeheartedly of Narcissa's reason to travel. However, Narcissa knew that if her sister was aware of the real reason for this journey and the concerns behind this action she would disapprove deeply.
Narcissa was here to arrange a marriage. She was also here to safeguard her son's future.
Perhaps you would think these two were one and the same.
It was pouring rain when Narcissa apparated from the train station to the sweeping driveway of Rousseau Manor. The iron gates swung open at her arrival and she hurried up the gravel pathway, rain bouncing off her dragon hide jacket.
Reaching her hand up to use the bell pulley, she was stalled by the door opening. A small house elf stood there with large purple eyes. "Madam, please come in."
Narcissa's eyes gleamed, her approval showing for the courtesy shown by the servant. Lucius had lost one of their servants, Dobby, years ago.
The elf took her coat and gloves, and with a snap of the fingers she was dry from head to toe. Not a sign of mud showed on her boots or on the marble flooring where she had been standing. "My masters will see you in the parlor." She followed him to the door, and when it opened she made a quick glance of who was meeting her. "Lady Narcissa Malfoy to see you, Masters." Then with a crack the house elf had vanished.
Inside were Lord and Lady Blackwood.
"Narcissa! How lovely to see you again. Why I don't believe we've had a proper visit since the children were quite young. I distinctly remember Draco complaining about not being able to go to Hogwarts at nine. It's practically been seven or so years!" Phillip Blackwood smiled warmly and enveloped her small hands in his large ones. He kissed her hand then let go. "Here, have a cup of tea," He handed her a warm cup of tea, balanced carefully on a china saucer, which she accepted.
Narcissa had always liked Phillip Blackwood. He was tall of stature and handsome. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes that contrasted greatly with his pale skin. His wife, Miranda, was even darker in colouring. Her olive toned skin and dark curls showed in nearly all her children as Narcissa recalled. So did the bright blue eyes that were a common Rousseau trait.
"Indeed it had been too long, but we both have been terribly busy," Narcissa murmured with a soft smile, "I have been writing to Miranda as always." She turned her attention away from Phillip and greeted her friend. "You look as lovely as ever Miranda."
The Lady Blackwood laughed, "Having 5 children does keep me busy and always on my toes. I've finally had time to relax. Sophia got married last month, lovely wedding in France. She married the nicest gentlemen. Jacques Marquee. Wonderful family that boy comes from. He's works with the French Ministry."
Narcissa smiled, perhaps soon she could boast of her son's marriage. It would be a wonderful thing, not worrying about Draco having to find a bride. He was certainly not going to marry Parkinson's daughter Pansy if she had any say in the matter. The girl was practically a socialite, and did not come from old blood.
"However this isn't a social visit is it?" Miranda was too perceptive by far. "Your last letter had us thinking about your suggestion. Draco still isn't betrothed?"
"No, he isn't. I already worry about Parkinson's daughter trying to rope him in. They've grown up together you see, and she is very possessive over him according to my sources. I would like him to be betrothed. I thought perhaps one of your daughters would make a wonderful future wife to my son. We are practically family after all. Why not make it permanent?"
A thoughtful look crossed Phillip's face, while Miranda's was merely a calculated mask. "Why don't we meet the children, Narcissa?"
They adjourned from the parlor to the lounge, where four young witches and wizards were entertaining. A couple sat on the love seat together, softly talking over a game of chess, while a pair of twins was competitively playing a furious game of Exploding Snap sitting crossed legged on the floor.
All were dressed to the nines with a three piece suit on the young gentleman playing chess, while a pale peach evening gown was worn by his partner. The twins were dressed in matching silk shirts and dark grey breeches with knee high boots.
The twins paused the game briefly to study Narcissa and share a quick smile with their parents.
"I would like to introduce my children. I'm sure they have quite changed since you last saw them. I'm afraid Dominic is working all summer, he couldn't make our annual trip." Dominic was the oldest of all the Blackwood children. He had practically been born out of wedlock; arriving barely 5 months after the wedding. But it wasn't their sons that Narcissa was here to see. It was the daughters. And they had indeed changed.
Phillip and his wife Miranda had five children. Three lovely daughters and two boys according to her latest sources. All pureblood. All with dual citizenship between Canada and England. But there was one girl in mind, the middle daughter. She would be just the right age.
"This is Sophia, my oldest girl," He boasted proudly, as his daughter blushed, smiled warmly first at Narcissa, and then returned her gaze to the man beside her. Presumably her new husband. He didn't have the prominent blue eyes that all of Phillip and Miranda's children had inherited. "And of course this is Jacque Marquee." The Frenchman nodded to Narcissa, before moving a pawn across the board.
"I'm sure you remember the twins of course? Laura and Blake. They are turning 14 this year." Narcissa smiled as the two teenagers shared a quick grin between them. They could have been identical if not for their genders. Matching chocolate brown hair, and mischievous blue eyes, they made quite the pair.
"But where are Natalia?" Narcissa turned to Phillip curiously. It was Natalia she remembered the most. The girl was the closest in age to Draco. She would be roughly 16 years old, and had been brilliant and cunning as a child. She hoped that trait had stuck with the girl.
"Here!" Narcissa turned around to view the young woman standing in the door way. She had the same blue eyes and delicate bone structure as her mother, but with the chocolate brown hair and pale skin as her father. She was perfect. Narcissa could already imagine little Draco Natalia babies.
"Natalia, why don't you give Mrs Malfoy a tour of the house, since Uncle Ross is away tonight," Her mother suggested. Sophia glanced up curiously at her mother. Tours of the house weren't uncommon, but this late at night?
Natalia's eyes slid from her parents to Narcissa and she smiled politely, "Certainly. We can start with the best room in the house… the Ballroom!"
Phillip turned to Miranda as Narcissa followed Natalia away, "Do you think she'll do well as Draco's wife?"
Miranda bit her lip thoughtfully, "Dumbledore said that maybe Natalia would be the key to keeping Draco from the Death Eaters. If he loved her above all else… then she could sway him from his father's path."
Miranda and Phillip were no fools. They were well aware of the war happening. Voldemort had been one of the reasons she had married Phillip so young. They had been 18 when they met in Italy. Phillip had been on a tour of Europe and had fallen in love with the British born girl. Six months later found them wed and fleeing back to Phillip's homeland Canada. Being pureblood meant that Voldemort and his followers had set out to recruit as many talented witches and wizards as possible. Her brother Anthony had inherited the Rousseau mansion when their parents fell, and he had made it unplottable during the first war. Soon they might have to take such measures again, Miranda mused.
They had discussed Narcissa's coming and her proposal with Natalia early this week. Natalia knew the risks and consequences. She knew what Draco might be capable of. She also knew that she could possibly save him. If not, then they were safeguards for each other. Should the Death Eaters fall, then Draco would be granted protection just from being married to her. But should the Dark Lord win, then Natalia would be protected by the Malfoys. She would also have an in on any information passing through the manor.
The tour had ended and Natalia returned Narcissa to her parents in the parlor. Several scrolls of parchment were lying on the side table. Narcissa eyed them; they had not been there previously. She sat carefully on the chair facing the couch where Miranda reclined elegantly. Phillip stood at the fireplace, inspecting the portrait of his family. Tonight he would give away Natalia, and he didn't know if he would ever get his daughter back. Natalia left the room, shutting the door behind her.
"You must understand Narcissa, I won't force my children into marriage," Phillip began, "However, I will give Natalia's hand in marriage under the following conditions: Natalia will attend Hogwarts for 2 years. For the duration of her education she will be betrothed to your son, Draco Malfoy. During this time, neither Draco nor Natalia will have any dalliances with other partners. Should Natalia be mistreated in any manner, or should after the two years she not wish to marry Draco, then the contract will be void."
Narcissa realized what was happening; Phillip and Miranda had already discussed this in great deal between themselves and probably Natalia as well.
"That is quite satisfactory," Narcissa agreed, "Shall we discuss dowry now or later?"
Miranda smiled, "You think Natalia won't have an amiable dowry? We shall discuss this when the betrothal turns into an engagement. We will also discuss pre-nuptials then as well."
Narcissa could detect the challenging tone in Miranda's voice. Miranda was always out for her family's best interest, as was Narcissa. But it wasn't Miranda that had come begging for an arrangement. It was Narcissa, and she would have to accept whatever terms necessary to ensure her son's safety.
Phillip handed her a scroll, "This outlines our conditions. We will meet you and Draco at a specified place of your choosing in three weeks' time to seal the contract. We will make contact with the Headmaster of Hogwarts and arrange for her transfer."
Narcissa accepted the parchment and slipped it into her handbag.
"Should Draco choose to decline the offer, please owl us. The less time wasted in England the better." Miranda sniffed. The less Voldemort knew about her family's whereabouts the better.
"Oh he won't. I'm sure he will be very excited about this opportunity. I should return to England though, before it gets too late." Narcissa glanced at the clock; already it was nearing 11 at night.
Phillip showed her to the door, "We will see each other soon then. Safe travels Narcissa." He handed her a quill, which she took, slightly confused. Then it glowed and she was transported back to the small village that was close to her home. A portkey, she smiled. Phillip indeed thought of everything. Now it was time to break the news to Draco.
She found him in the library yet again. Since Voldemort had set him the task of killing Albus Dumbledore, he had spent every waking moment researching poisons, spells, and cursed objects.
"Draco, stop your research for a moment darling, I have something very important I need to speak with you about." Her heart saddened as he scowled at her. "Mother, I am very busy at the moment."
She frowned and snapped, "Draco Lucius Malfoy! You will do as you are told."
He begrudgingly got up from his chair and joined her at the sofa. "Mother what is it?"
"I have set up a betrothal with the Blackwoods for you." Draco went to interrupt her, "No buts! She is a pureblood with excellent breeding, powerful and rich. Natalia Blackwood will arrive in 3 weeks. And you will treat her with every courtesy. The contract is not set in stone. If after two years she does not wish to marry you, then the contract is void. She must marry you. No matter what, you must win her over this year. Not only does she come from a family that the Dark Lord has been trying to win over since the last war, she also has powerful connections. Connections that we couldn't dream of making with your father in Azkaban. One year Draco, and I expect an engagement!" Narcissa explained this urgently. Draco must wed the Blackwood girl.
Draco frowned; this hadn't come as much of a surprise. His parent's marriage had been arranged, as was Auntie Bella's. It was just the timing. How was he supposed to win over a girl when at the same time he was planning a professor's death?
"Is she agreeable?" Draco asked his mother, "Attractive?"
"Very much so," Narcissa smiled, "However she is a free thinker. Miranda Blackwood encourages independence in her children. She won't be falling at your feet like Pansy Parkinson." She warned her son.
This changed things. From the sounds of it, Draco would actually have to win her over. He'd never had to win a girl over before. When and if Pansy was ever mad at him, he simply conjured a set of flowers for her. Then she was back to worshipping the ground he walked on.
He stood to leave his mother. It was getting later then he realized. "Mother, I bid you goodnight."
Narcissa called after him, "The other condition is that you stop all dalliances with other witches. I won't hear of my son disgracing his family by impregnating a girl."
He turned and swept her a short bow, "Of course, Mother."
A/N
So what do you think so far? If you haven't noticed it starts off the summer before 6th year. Leave some comments in the box below!