Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or locations from the Harry Potter series. They belong to J.K Rowling.

I was in my office, attempting to make a potion that would cure the newest strain of dragon pox when there was a knock at my door.

"Come in."

"I received a very interesting letter from my Aunt Aurora last night."

"Ah, so you know of my impending engagement then?"

"Of course I know. Anytime you don't want to do something, who does she turn to? Me. Your loving cousin, Avalon," my cousin said while sitting at the chair in front of my desk. I quickly turned my chair so that I was facing her. My cousin had inherited the von Arden looks, just as I had. Long dark hair, hypnotizing green eyes and a glare that could kill. She's the cousin closest to my age, only 5 years older. But still unmarried. This was almost unheard of in the pureblood community and was approaching old maid status. She would soon be too old to marry at all.

"And what are you going to do this time, try to convince me to do it or laugh with me about the ridiculous things my mother tries to get me to do."

"Not sure yet. This is a great opportunity, Victorine. But I know how you feel about arranged marriages."

"Did my mother mention in her letter how long I have to decide."

"A week. According to her Draco has already said yes."

"Why," I said exaggerating the end of the word while I spun in my chair. "Why on earth would he agree to this?"

"I know you don't want to hear this right now Vic, but you're kind of a catch. You graduated top of your class at Hutchbins, you have great job, and you're quite beautiful. The last one coming from your von Arden blood. If you turn down this marriage, another arrangement won't be far behind."

I began hitting my head on my desk out of frustration. I stopped and rested my chin on the edge. "Av, if I tell you something, you have to promise to not tell anyone. Ok?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"I mean it. No one."

"Vic, just tell me."

"Will you vow?"

"The unbreakable vow? Really, Vic? For something like this?"

"You don't even know what I'm going to tell you yet."

"Fine." Avalon stuck out her hand and I took it. Centuries ago, the von Ardens had come up with a way to make an unbreakable vow without a third party. It came in very useful when secrets had to be kept.

"Ok. I have a boyfriend."

"You have a boyfriend and you're just now telling me. I find this hard to believe. If you have a boyfriend, who is it?"

I pulled my purse out from a drawer and took yesterday's issue of the Daily Prophet from it and slid it my cousin.

"Landon Covington. You expect me to believe that you're dating quidditch star, Landon Covington?"

"Not really, but it is true."

"How, and I ask this nicely, how did you score a guy like that?"

"Years ago, Lucius Malfoy payed a big time quidditch star to come train the Sytherin Quidditch team over summer break. And as you know, I never spent breaks with my own family so I was there. And if you haven't already figured out, that quidditch star was Landon Covington. You know that I've never really followed quidditch so I had no idea who he was. All I knew was he was some gorgeous guy who flew around the Malfoy Manor Quidditch Pitch every day without a shirt on. By the end of the summer we were together."

"Who else knows?"

"No one. Well, I think. You're the only person I've told, so I guess you and whoever he's told."

"I'm not going to tell you what you should do Victorine. But if need someone to talk to, you know where to find me."

"Thanks, Avalon. That means a lot." She quickly got out and walked out of my office. Before I could return to work, the door swung open and a letter flew in. From the obnoxious orange paper I knew it was from my mother.

Victorine,

We will be going to the Malfoy's for dinner tonight. Now, I know at this point that Avalon has probably told you that you have a week to decide and while that is still true, you are to be on your best behavior tonight. Do not act like you do not want this marriage. Be dressed and ready to go at the manor at 7:30, not a minute later. This is a formal dinner so dress appropriately.

Love,

Your Mother