Prologue – The Poison
Death of a Beautiful Lady
By Rita Skeeter
This reporter has the unhappy task of telling you, dear reader, that the Duchess Astoria Malfoy née Greengrass shuffled off this mortal coil last night at the tender age of 26.
According to the statement given by St. Mungo's, the late Duchess Malfoy was suffering from a terrible bout of Dragon Pox, something that had apparently been developing ever since the birth of Lord Hyperion Malfoy-Greengrass. It seems so unfortunate that such a kind, compassionate young woman was taken from us by a child's worst nightmare.
Little has been seen of the Duke Draconis Malfoy today, but he has reportedly withdrawn to the Family's stronghold in Champagne...
A young woman put the Prophet down, looking at the picture of Astoria and Draco from their wedding. Her attention then changed to the bundle in the drawer.
Draco Malfoy ran his hands through his hair. Why Tori, why now? He heaved a heavy sigh and leant back against the headboard. Now, he, his mother and sons had fled to France – well, it wasn't like anything could get worse...
"Master Draco sir?" A House Elf stood by the door, looking nervous.
"Yes Ivy?" he asked tiredly, wondering why Tori's old House Elf wanted him.
"Sir, Ivy was summoned backs to England today by your Little Weasel and given this, Master Draco sir." Ivy scurried over to his bedside and raised the snow-white bundle that was in her arms.
Draco stared unattractively. Little Weasel? There was only one person he called that and there was only (now) one person who Ivy would respond to...Could it be?
Carefully, as though he could break it, Draco lifted the bundle out of Ivy's arms and gazed down as what he could only describe as perfection. The little baby girl had the same champagne coloured hair as his mother and his molten silver eyes...but her facial structure was purely his Weasel's...
"Your Little Weasel also gave Ivy these Master Draco." Ivy piped up, holding out two letters.
That shook Draco out of his dazed state...he had a daughter now and he couldn't mess her up...
"Ivy, take the letters to my office, then go get my mother...please." Draco glanced back down at little girl.
"And...Get the other house elves to organise the three room suite near Scorpious and Hyperion's please."
"Of course, Master Draco sir." Ivy popped off.
Draco sighed heavily again – Blaise had always said that his big mouth would get him in trouble someday and it looked like it finally had...
His mother was going to kill him.
...At least she had a granddaughter now...