Chapter Two:

The story starts 110 years ago, in the spring of 1877. Zayden and Ambrosia Malfoy were holding their annual spring ball, and anybody who was considered a somebody was there, even a certain Bradley Potter. It's neither good nor bad that the young man saw fit to show up that day, we wouldn't have a story if he had stayed home with his newly acquired wife, but maybe having no story would have been better than what happened.

Zayden and Ambrosia were celebrating their 5th anniversary, which was the reason they held the spring ball to begin with. Though their marriage had been arranged, they got on well enough, and had had a child together, Abraxas Regius Malfoy. He was the spitting image of his father, and though they had hoped he would inherit Ambrosia's beautiful hazel eyes, he had instead ended up with Zayden's icy blue/grey orbs. It mattered not anyhow; the color suited young Abraxas who, even at the age of four, was showing signs of a quiet and recluse nature, keeping himself to himself and asking for things he only desperately needed.

He was the perfect heir to the Malfoy fortune, and though they expressed it less often than most parents, Ambrosia and Zayden loved their son more than Malfoy's were supposed to love anything. Abraxas was the saving grace in their relationship, as Zayden had a tendency to "accidently" forget he was married whilst out with his companions and would often come home with the morning light, looking rumpled and tipsy. By some unspoken agreement the two never spoke of what Zayden got up to with any willing bar maid that passed by, it was his right as the head of the family to do as he pleased. Even if it was not proper. The Malfoy's, though traditional by default, were often largely improper.

In return, Zayden allowed Ambrosia to buy anything and everything she desired. From elaborate tapestry's of great wizards and witches past, to eloquent gowns that swept the floors, attracting attention with the vibrant jewels adjourning the front and dark colored laces covering the back. Ambrosia was aware of her great beauty, though she did not often flaunt it, and enjoyed nothing more than occasionally putting on a new dress for a ball and winking at all the married men she knew fancied her. And really, it's on one such occasion that our story begins.

Ambrosia looked forward to the spring ball every year, it was one of the only times she was allowed to casually socialize with people in an environment she found comfortable, the Malfoy Family ball room. With its domed roof, which was actually just a enormous sky light, you could see a million stars and constellations. The full moon, strangely, shined down through the exact middle of the dome. It lite the room with an unearthly glow, casting shadows upon the face's of the guests. Ambrosia looked around the room, taking in the fact that there was close to 400 people crowded into the room, dancing in close proximity with each other and generally having a grand time.

It was not unusual for so many people to attend the ball, but many of them, she realized with a jolt of shock, were new to her. Why that man over there! Surely she would remember him? He was large and unpleasant looking and it appeared as though he was trying to make his way through the crowd towards her. Oh dear, she thought, feeling downtrodden; this is going to be very nasty. Finally, after much effort, the man stood huffing and puffing in front of her. He held up his hand, as he stood bent over, catching his breath. Eventually he stood straight and cracked an obnoxious smile, revealing putrid yellow teeth and blood red gums.

The man seemed to be in his late thirties, and he had most definitely not aged well. He must have weighed close to 300 pounds and his thin, stringy hair was already waning. He wore a dark red suit with enormous shiny buttons running down the front of his shirt, just barely covering his many pounds of fat. How unfortunate for those poor buttons, Ambrosia thought scathingly, they must try and contain such a pig of a man.

The unnamed man reached down and plucked Ambrosia's hand from her side, pulling it to his lips and kissing it none too delicately. As he dropped it Ambrosia made a mental note to thoroughly wash it as soon as the ball was over. Grinning in what he must have thought was a seductive way; the man spoke in a humorously high-pitched drawl,

"My, my how ravishing you look tonight, Ambrosia darling! Why you easily outshine us all with your delightful dress! What a pity Mister Malfoy is not here to appreciate you." The man seemed to think he was being sympathetic when he said stated the last pleasantry, but Ambrosia thought it just made him sound like an even bigger creep than he already was. He was wrong any way, her husband was attending the ball and she opened her mouth to tell him so when she realized her spouse wasn't actually in the ballroom anymore.

Looking around, Ambrosia tried to remember when she had last seen Zayden. Suddenly she recalled seeing him flirting with some young women, who, along with Zayden, were now missing from the ball. Probably off somewhere doing unmentionable things in one of the guest bedrooms, Ambrosia thought with a sneer. The man seemed to have come to the same conclusion as she had, moving closer he said,

"He doesn't appreciate you, does he? There are so many willing persons ready to appreciate you." He moved closer still, whispering into her ear, "Icould appreciate you."

Ambrosia reared back in disgust. Never had she been so repelled all her life! How could this man, this despicable man, think she would lower herself to his level! She didn't even know his name for Merlin sake! So unhinged by the man's suggestion, Ambrosia didn't even realize someone was approaching until they were right behind her.

"Excuse me," said the person behind her. He tapped her shoulder lightly, turning her around so that she was looking at him, "But may I have this dance?" Ambrosia nodded quickly, anything would be better than then being here.

As the mysterious stranger led her out onto the dance floor Ambrosia took a moment to look up at him. His hair, which was a dark raven color, fell gracefully into his ocean blue eyes. He was tall and skinny, though not in an unappealing way, and was attractively muscular. His lips were shaped into a half smirk, which Ambrosia found very appealing. He began to speak,

"I thought it might be a good idea to save you from that creep, I didn't like the way he was looking at you. I'd tell you to pick your admirers better, Mrs. Malfoy, but I know that's impossible. Even for someone as pretty as you." He flashed her that same half smirk as he said this, eyes twinkling in amusement. Ambrosia thought numbly that it might have been the most amazing thing she had ever seen. She realized that she didn't know who he was, and that it might be a good idea to find out.

"Well, while I do appreciate your help, my dear knight in shining armor, I believe it may be necessary for me to know your name so that I may thank you properly." If the widening of his eyes was anything to go by, her "knight" seemed to have realized he had forgotten to introduce himself.

"Sorry love, the names Bradley, Bradley Potter, and it would be my everlasting pleasure to be your knight." Here he bowed low, hair almost kissing the floor, before straightening up and joining in with Ambrosia's laughter. This, they both thought, could be the start of something interesting, and for the rest of the night they danced and talked. Falling hard, and falling fast, they didn't know that in a few months time they were going to wish they had never met.

A/N I wanted to upload this yesterday but it wasn't finished. I know it's not perfect but I'm only 13 so give me a break. Any way, I really love little Draco so the next chapters going to be about Fane and him, I think I'll just switch back and forth between Draco's time and Ambrosia's time each chapter. Hope you've enjoyed the story so far. If you have any suggestions then tell me in a review please!

Live long and prosper,

Socka

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