Author's note: The story behind this AU is quite funny. I basically was going through my DVD collection in search of romantic comedies that might fit my new pet pairing, and when my eyes fell upon "Laws of Attraction" I thought that the scene where they wake up after a drunken night in Ireland married would be outright hysterical. So I wrote a small ficlet and made a graphic to go with it and posted it up on my tumblr (mrsreginagold). I got such a positive response that I decided to ahead and write something more substantial. The result is this.

A couple of interesting side notes: Maurum means "moor" in Latin. Corbeau means "raven" in French. The former was a result of me using google translate, the latter was a personal choice.

I sincerely hope you all enjoy this ride with me. It's looking to be an entertaining one!

Legal and Binding

Part One: The Dragon meets The Raven

She was known by her compatriots as "The Dragon".

At first, Maleficent Maurum did not appreciate the nickname gifted to her in law school, but when she graduated top of her class: it became evident that it was just the right fit.

Over the years since her graduation, Maleficent's reputation as a fierce, highly esteemed attorney only grew.

Eventually, she decided that her skills were best suited for family law, and it wasn't long before she became the most in-demand divorce lawyer in the entire city.

Life was good: she had an illustrious career, a spectacular apartment all to herself, and the respect of her colleagues (not to mention some of the most revered judges in the state).

Therefore, the last thing she ever expected was to earn a rival, but one day: she found him in Diaval Corbeau.

The proper reaction that one had upon learning that a new opposing counsel had been hired was to quietly and calmly process the information, and then proceed as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

And to all around her: that was exactly how Maleficent appeared. No one would have guessed that fifteen minutes before walking through the courtroom door she had locked herself up in a restroom stall and downed an entire Hostess Cupcake.

Her one vice was junk food. She did her best to quell the cravings with healthy alternatives, but she often kept a stash of sweets hidden in her desk for emergencies.

Once she was no longer in danger of a panic attack, the stunningly beautiful lawyer went about her business: organizing her files, making sure her client was prepared for what was to come; and paying absolutely no attention whatsoever to the attractive young man who was currently asleep in a chair on the opposite side of the room.

She snuck a glance over her shoulder to ascertain him fully, and decided that her initial assessment of "handsome but shabby" was right on point.

His lanky form was half-slumped over in the chair, though his long legs were resting on top of the desk in front of him. His head was tilted back, exposing an elegant neck, and his jet-black hair was falling over his eyes rather boyishly.

His suit was horribly wrinkled and his tie was hastily thrown on, which she found entirely unprofessional, but there was also something almost endearing about him.

Maleficent shook her head, a ghost of a smile flitting over her ruby-colored lips for half-a-second. This is who I'm going up against? He looks like he still belongs in school!

After letting him sleep for a few more minutes, she finally glided over to him, her heels clacking against the tile.

That sound alone didn't wake him, so she tapped him on the shoulder with a pencil.

Still nothing.

Sighing, she debated her options: slapping him was definitely out of line, and leaning close to his ear to speak into it seemed far too intimate for strangers.

Finally, she settled on using the eraser of the pencil and swirled it around in his ear—carefully, of course: she didn't want to damage his hearing.

It worked like magic.

Dark brown eyes shot open and met hers, widening considerably as he got a good look at her.

Maleficent took great pride in making sure her appearance was immaculate while in court. Her auburn hair was piled into a sensible bun, and she wore a tailored pantsuit comprised of a black coat, matching trousers, and a dark purple button-down shirt that she left open at the throat to reveal a string of expensive pearls.

"Uh…hi." He stared at her in complete awe.

Putting on her most winning smile, Maleficent extended her hand. "Maleficent Maurum. I'm representing Mrs. Hood."

He shook her hand before replying. "Diaval Corbeau. I've heard excellent things, Mrs. Maurum."

"It's Miss," she corrected, not certain how she felt about the way his eyes seemed to light up at the information.

"That felt nice, by the way," he gestured at his ear and flashed a playful grin in her direction.

Maleficent blinked, thrown off-guard by his easy-going nature and because, when he smiled, her heart unexpectedly started doing cartwheels in her chest.

"Well…I should get back to my client. I just wanted to introduce myself."

"And I appreciate that you took the time," that grin seemed to widen and his eyes sparkled. "I look forward to seeing you in action, Miss Maurum."

She had no idea how to respond to that, so she offered a small nod and then turned and headed back to where her client sat.

A voice that had been buried deep down within her said that Diaval Corbeau was going to be trouble.

She was proven right almost immediately.