Chapter 2

Thirty minutes later, we had arrived back at the Manor. Surprisingly, everyone was making an effort to get along; Draco, Blaise, Harry and Ginny had all called a truce for my sake, since I had told them I would not put up with any arguments while they were together.

Once we had all settled down, we showed Harry and Ginny to the rooms they would be sleeping in. Ginny was sleeping in my bedroom with me and Harry was sleeping in his own room across the hall. Ginny could have slept in her own room, but decided she would rather sleep with me so we could catch up.

Since it was the middle of Summer and fairly hot, we decided to go for a swim. This time I wore a black bikini and I made sure my cuts were covered properly; I didn't want any more awkward questions.

Ginny wore a darkish green bikini that complimented her skin tone and hair colour.

The boys were all wearing board shorts. Ginny and I were quite content with that since it allowed us to examine their toned abs. I had officially decided that Quidditch wasn't all bad.

When we had walked down to the pool and dropped our towels onto the deck chairs; Ginny and I jumped in. The boys shook their heads before jumping in after us.

Not long after we got in, Christian ran up, also dressed in bathers. As soon as he saw Harry and Ginny, though, he hid behind one of the deck chairs.

"Christian, you want to come for a swim?" I asked gently, trying not to scare him.

He shook his head and looked apprehensively at Harry and Ginny.

"C'mon Christian, Harry and Ginny are our... friends," Blaise struggled out for our brother, coaxing him from behind the chair.

As soon as he was by the edge of the pool he jumped in and paddled over towards me. I saw he was struggling slightly trying to swim the distance across to us. I reached out my arms to him and pulled him to me, supporting him so he wouldn't drown.

"Chris, this is Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley," I said, introducing Harry and Ginny.

Harry stuck out his hand and gently shook Christians hand and saying hello. Ginny repeated Harry's actions, making Chris giggle.

"Hello," Chris replied, still giggling.

"How old are you Chris?" Ginny asked, tickling his sides gently.

"I'm three and a half," he said proudly.

"Wow, so you're almost a big boy then, aren't you?" Ginny replied with the fake enthusiasm one uses when talking to young children.

"That's what Anna said," he replied, nodding.

Ginny laughed as Chris pulled away from me and started paddling towards Ginny. It was clear he was as taken with her as he was with me.

Before he got there though, Blaise reached out and grabbed him and started to head to the edge of the pool to climb out. I looked at him, asking my silent question.

"Mum and Dad want us," he said.

"Ok, all of us?" I asked, looking around.

"Yeah, come on guys."

We all climbed out and dried off before heading back to the mansion. I walked next to Blaise; I had a question for him that I had been burning to ask.

"Hey, how do you know when Mum and Dad want us?"

"There is a charm on the house that tells me when anyone arrives or calls out my name; I'm surprised you can't hear it as well."

"Why would- never mind. Maybe Mum and Dad need to cast a charm on me or something..."

"Yeah, probably," Blaise agreed.

The others were quiet as we walked inside. Chris was walking next to Draco, since he knew him the best, besides Blaise.

"Hey Mum, Dad" Blaise said, acknowledging our parents.

"Hi, this is Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter," I said, introducing my parents to them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you; my name is Aurora and this is Carlos," Mum said, kindly.

Harry and Ginny just smiled. They weren't sure how to act towards the parents of their enemies.

"Now, as you know, the party is to take place on Saturday, three days from now," she paused and looked around to make sure we understood what was going on. "Tomorrow, you are to go shopping, girls for dresses, shoes, jewellery and whatever else you may need. Boys, you will need tuxedos and shoes. Blaise you may NOT wear something you already have. The same goes for you Draco. Don't worry what you spend; we will cover all your expenses," she finished, looking pointedly at Harry and Ginny. Not that Harry needed it, but I think he was grateful anyway; he truly hated going into Gringotts.

"Where do you want us to go shopping?" Blaise asked.

"Start in Paris then move onto Venice, that should cover everything. If there is anything left that you still need, we can call in a few designers."

Ginny's jaw dropped. Paris and France were some of the fashion capitals of the world, AND to have the chance to call in designers just for us was a dream come true to her.

"Are you ready for dinner?" Carlos asked, changing the topic of our conversation.

"Almost, we will go have showers and get changed first," Blaise replied. Ginny and I were shivering; the night had begun to turn cool as the evening set it.

It must have been obvious we were freezing as Draco soon had his arm wrapped around my shoulders while Harry had done the same for Ginny. They both gave me curious looks as I shrugged my shoulders. I snuggled into Draco, he was warmer than I had expected. I saw him smirk at Blaise, who was glaring at us.

We walked up to my room, where the boys let us go, making their way to their own rooms.

After we were showered and changed, we met up in the hallway outside our rooms, this was to avoid getting lost on the way down; I still didn't know my way around.

Five minutes later, we were in the dining room, eating our entrée of Minestrone Soup, when Blaise looked pointedly at Dad.

"Morgana, there is something we should probably have told you as soon as you arrived..." Dad said, looking at me. "It is an ancient Pureblood tradition, when Pureblood families have children around the same time; they sign a contract," he continued, watching my face for a reaction.

Ginny dropped her fork, having an idea of what was coming.

"What are you saying?" I asked quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We signed a contract of betrothal, along with Lucius and Narcissa," he said, letting me piece it together.

"You mean... I- I'm betrothed to Draco?" I asked, stunned. I couldn't describe the emotions running through me, but I knew I was losing control. My breathing was becoming heavy and I could feel a cold sweat break out on my face.

Draco grabbed my hand from his seat on my right. He squeezed it gently, telling me it would be alright.

"Yes, that is what I am saying."

"No… no, this can't be happening. I thought I was able to live my own life, not one dictated by tradition. I agreed to come live with you and then you- you throw this on me! I won't go through with it, you can't make me!" I said. I could feel the tears streaming down my face.

I pulled my hand out of Draco's before running from the table. I knew someone was chasing me but I kept running anyway. For some reason it made me feel better.

I got to my room and ran inside, into the bathroom. I locked the door and sank to the ground, sobbing.

I couldn't handle it. I reached up onto the basin, reaching for my razor.

I knew it was bad, I could hear Draco and Blaise yelling at me through the door, trying to get me to open it. I couldn't. I couldn't move. I had cut too deep; I realised that.

As I felt myself losing consciousness, I heard them breaking through the door. Everything went black. Before I slipped completely into the nothingness.

Draco's POV

'Oh my god, what happened?' I thought as I rushed into Mya's bathroom. There was blood everywhere. Her arm was a mess of cuts and blood.

"Mya, oh Mya," I whispered as I picked up her injured arm, taking a towel and pressing it over her wounds. Before I had finished Ginny and Harry pushed their way past Blaise and saw what had happened.

"Why? She never told us... Never gave us any signs," Ginny cried. She collapsed to her knees on Mya's other side in tears. She was whispering how sorry she was and that she should have done something.

I finished cleaning her up before picking her up bridal style and carrying her to the bed. I felt her begin to stir as I laid her down on the bed.

"Mya, can you hear me?" I asked.

Mya"s POV

'What is going on? Where am I?' I thought as I began to wake up.

"Mya, can you hear me?" I heard a voice ask me. I couldn't place it, though it was familiar.

"Mmmm..." I groaned in response. I felt two people take my hands and squeeze them gently, reassuringly. I was sure one of them was the person who spoke to me, but the other one I didn't know.

"I'm so sorry Mya. I didn't know. I should have paid more attention. I should have realised," a familiar female voice was saying to me.

My eyes fluttered open and I saw Draco and Ginny were the ones holding my hands. Harry and Blaise were sitting at the end of the bed.

"It's not your fault," I whispered to Ginny, who was nearly sobbing.

"But it is. Can't you see it? If I had noticed, this wouldn't have happened and you would be okay."

"No, I wouldn't. Gin, there is nothing you, or anyone else could have done. Don't blame yourselves, any of you," I said, looking pointedly at everyone in turn.

"Fine, but if you ever do something like this again…" Blaise said; knowing I knew full well he would tell someone.

"Alright," I promised. "Draco, how long have you known?" I asked.

"Forever, since I can remember really. My parents told me when I was little that I was betrothed to you. I just never knew it was you until a few days ago," Draco replied, squeezing my hand.

"So that's why you are being so nice to me…" I said, confirming my suspicions with a look at his face. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Our parents forbade it. It is also law; only the parents of the betrothed can tell them. It is stupid, but I couldn't have told you."

"How do we break the contract?" I asked. I knew I couldn't go through with it; I couldn't marry an enemy.

"We can't. If one of the people who signed the contract dies, then it is broken. But all our parents are all in good health and alive."

"Mione, it's not that bad. At least you like each other well enough now and you're not at each other's throats anymore, and you know I will kill him if he ever hurts you," Harry said, trying to comfort me.

I nodded; Harry was right. I shouldn't stress about it. There was nothing I could change about it and he was being really nice to me now anyway.

There was a knock at the door. Blaise looked at me; after I nodded, he told them to come in. I turned my arm so they couldn't see my most recent injuries.

"Morgana we are sorry we had to tell you that. But, we must also tell you something else," Dad said, pausing to let me prepare for more news. "You are to be married just after your Graduation ceremony, within a month in fact. Your engagement will be announced at your birthday party."

I stayed silent. At least I could finish my 7th year in peace, or at least that is what I thought.

Three Days Later

"Morgana, you have to start getting ready," Mum called from the other side of my bedroom's door.

I glanced at Blaise; we were all sitting on my bed talking to one another. I stood up and ushered the boys out. Ginny and I were going to get ready. It was three hours before the party started and we were just beginning to get ready. We both showered and put on a robe before we called Missy to help us get ready.

Earlier:

I woke up in my massive bed and stretched. I loved this bed! Ginny was still sleeping beside me, so I quietly got up so I wouldn't wake her. I walked into the bathroom and gasped.

The girl staring back at me from the mirror was NOT me! I remembered the charm and realized it must have worn off at midnight, when I officially turned seventeen.

I moved forward to get a closer look.

I now had the same olive skin of the rest of my family. My hair was longer and dead-straight. It was a shiny black and the tips were coloured the same violet of my bedspread. The eyes staring back at me were the same violet colour. I spun while watching my reflection; I was... taller? Well, I didn't know my height would be affected like that. I noticed that I was also slimmer and my butt definitely had more of a curve to it.

I ran back into my room and dove onto of the sleeping Ginny. She screamed at me, since she couldn't recognise who I was. Harry came storming into the room, wand drawn; Blaise and Draco were right behind him. Blaise started laughing at the terrified Ginny and the menacing Harry. I looked at the two and started laughing as well. Draco just stood there, jaw on the floor, staring at me.

"It's me guys! You knew I had a charm on me; I can't believe you weren't expecting this. Honestly!"

At my final word, Harry's eyes widened. "Hermione, is that really you?"

"Yes, Harry, it's me."

Present

After two hours, we had our hair and make-up done and were about to get into our dresses. Luckily for me, I could use magic now and my cuts were perfectly hidden.

I pulled my dress out of the wardrobe. It was a long, deep purple dress with a sheer black material over it. The dress had a halter neck and clung to my curves in all the right places. Ginny had teamed it with a pair of deep purple six inch stilettos.

She was wearing an emerald green dress. It had spaghetti straps and was floor length. Even though you couldn't see them she wore emerald green strappy heels with it.

By the time we were all dressed we had just ten minutes to sort out where we had to be. I had been told earlier that Draco was to be my 'escort' for the night to ensure nobody tried to hurt me, which was likely if they figured out who I really was.

Blaise was escorting Ginny, since our parents didn't want the partygoers to see her with Harry early on. Harry would be floating between both Ginny and I, in essence escorting us both.

We met up with Draco and Blaise at the top of the staircase. When they saw us, their jaws dropped.

Draco's POV

'Oh my god, she looks amazing.' Mya had her hair half up with the part that was left down in loose curls. Ginny looked pretty good too, her hair was down in loose curls that looked really good. Tonight though, I only had eyes for Mya. I couldn't believe this is what the bookworm really looked like.

I closed my mouth and offered her my arm just as Blaise offered his to Ginny. The girls accepted and we began leading them towards the staircase. Blaise and Ginny were to go down first, while Mya and I would follow. Our engagement would be announced later that evening. I hoped she wouldn't freak out again when the time came.

Mya's POV

Draco looked good; he was wearing a traditional black suit with a deep purple tie to match; mum must have coordinated the boys' outfits to go with our dresses because Blaise had an emerald green tie. Both boys were acting like the perfect gentlemen, offering us their arms as if chivalry wasn't really dead.

They led us to the stairwell, stopping just before we came into sight. Blaise and Ginny were in front. Seconds after we arrived, an announcer beckoned them forward, so they were standing at the top of the staircase.

"Miss Ginevra Weasley, escorted by Master Blaise Zabini," the announcer said as they began to descend the stairs. The crowd applauded, though we could hear murmuring questions about why Blaise was with Ginny.

After about two minutes, the announcer beckoned us over to the top of the staircase.

"Miss Morgana Zabini, escorted by Master Draco Malfoy."

Everyone went silent as we walked down the staircase. I could see Blaise, Harry, and Ginny waiting for us at the bottom of the staircase, as well as our parents. All of the Weasleys were there, bar Ron, which did not upset me as much as I had thought. Even though it wasn't as bad as I had expected, it still hurt that my best friend wouldn't accept me.

I must have stiffened when I thought of Ron, because Draco's grip tightened on my arm. I knew he was watching me carefully. I subtly shook my head, letting him know I was fine.

Ten minutes later, Draco and Blaise led us over to a group of teenagers I vaguely recognised from school. They were all Slytherins.

"Hey, Theo, Pansy, Millie, and Tracey, this is Morgana; you already know Harry and Ginny," Draco said, introducing us.

"Hi." I replied, receiving "hello's" from everyone.

I'm glad I wasn't 'Hermione' right now; I knew they wouldn't accept me for who I was. They were all glaring especially hard at Harry as it was.

Pansy annoying voiced the question they were all wondering about. "Why are Pothead and Weaslette here? And why are the rest of her blood traitor family here? Drakey, what's going on?'

"Shut up Pansy.

"Fine, she huffed. Her attention was shifted back to me. "So, where have you been?"

"Uh-" I started before Blaise cut in.

"She was raised as someone else; that's all you need to know."

"Why are you so protective of who she was? Did she go to Hogwarts? If so, I mean I'm sure she was a Slytherin, or a Ravenclaw at the very least. It's not like she was a Hufflepuff, or worse a Gryffindor," she laughed.

"It's none of you business who I was! And, for your information, I AM a Gryffindor, so don't use your blood stuff on me; I don't care," I replied. I knew I did care, but I wouldn't show it, not to her

"So that's why Scar-face and the Weaselette are here... But where is the Weasel, I wonder? Perhaps you're really Granger and Weasel finally got sick of you. Did he finally see you as a Mudblood traitor? Did he run away and break your heart little Gryffindor Princess, oh you poor baby..." she laughed sarcastically. The rest of her cronies weren't sure how to act. She was the female leader of the Slytherins, but Draco was the male, leader and higher in status. He wasn't insulting me, so they weren't sure what to do other than follow his example.

I walked away from her, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't believe she had figured it all out so quickly. Perhaps she knew already...? But how could that be?

I knew Draco was following me and Blaise was having Pansy removed from the Manor.

I made my way outside, into my favourite part of the garden, and sat on one of the benches, facing away from where I had come.

"Hey, you okay?" Draco asked as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him.

"No," I replied vaguely.

"She'll get over it, and if she doesn't, it's her problem."

"Mmm..." I was pissed.

"Come on, we have to go back. They're announcing our engagement soon," Draco said, standing up and pulling me with him.

"Do we have to?" I didn't want to go. I didn't want to face all those people again.

"Yep, come on; I'll protect you from the big bad Slytherin's," he teased gently, putting an arm around my waist and guiding me back towards the manor.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"What for?" he asked, looking at me curiously.

"Everything." I stopped and hugged him before kissing him softly on the lips.

I was shocked with my boldness. He seemed to be too, at least for the first few seconds. He deepened the kiss for another moment, before breaking it and taking my hand, continuing our journey back to the party.

Once we were back to the party, Blaise, Ginny, and Harry met us by the door, checking to see if I was alright.

Blaise told me that our parents wanted me and Draco up on the stage where the band was performing. I took a deep breath to ready myself for what was coming.

Edited 18/6/10

Thanks for reading, please review,

Beta'd by Audrey414

Love Scarred Princess