True to his word, once the briefing ended James Acton contacted the Malfoy matriarch. If the speediness of the Ministry's response surprised her, the witch did not show it. Her note was short, to the point and beautifully written in rich parchment:

Undersecretary Acton,

I have received your letter requesting a meeting with both my son and me. I think it would be best for us to meet at the Manor to keep this gathering private. I have amended the wards so you can apparate.

Narcissa Malfoy

As soon as the undersecretary finished reading it, the note disintegrated without a trace. It wasn't the first time James Acton had had to communicate with the woman due to her capacity as spokesperson of the sacred families, but it never ceased to surprise him that her letters caught fire or crumbled or simply vanished upon being read.

He sent an interdepartmental memo to the Minister to notify him of his whereabouts, wished his secretary a good rest of the day and put on his best wizard robes even though he knew it wouldn't deter the hateful portraits of Malfoys past. Taking a deep breath, the man apparated to the foyer of Malfoy Manor where a house elf materialized with a pop.

"Hello," said the undersecretary as he adjusted his robes back into place "I am here for a meeting with Mrs. Malfoy and Mr. Malfoy." The elf's eyes went wide with fear, but it took only a moment for the man to understand the reaction, "pardon, I meant to say, Mr. Draco Malfoy."

"Nym is supposed to take you to the sitting room, Mr. Acton sir," said the young elf as she gestured for the man to walk with her. The wizard looked up to face the inevitable name-calling that was due to start any moment from the portraits but found the foyer stripped of them.

"Uh, excuse me," he cleared his voice, "where have the family's portraits gone?" The elf appeared unsure for a moment but seemed to decide it was okay to share because, after a pause, she spoke with conviction.

"Master Draco returned from New World after being gone for long." The elf was now looking up at the place where he knew the meanest portrait had hung, "Ancient masters now are in Gringotts vault."

"I must admit I rather like the new setting." A breath he hadn't realized he was holding left his lungs with a low hiss.

"Master Draco is a good wizard," the elf said secretively as she led him into the sitting room, "Please take a seat, mistress and master come now."

The elf left him to his own thoughts as she exited the room with a pop. Upon closer examination of the space, Acton found that it, too, had been changed. The area now featured sprawling couches and an inviting fireplace where logs sat ablaze. The cream walls created an inviting ambiance in which the ever-present darkness that plagued the manor seemed miraculously subdued.

Suddenly, the doors to the room open allowing both mother and son in. As the pair strolled the considerable distance between the door and where he stood, Acton wondered, not for the first time, how it was possible that they always seemed to float rather than walk. It was as if the Malfoys never found it necessary to mind their step or look down at the floor.

"Undersecretary," Draco Malfoy greeted him with a nod, "how may we help you today?"

"Draco," his mother chastised, "Were you raised by ogres, dear? Where are your manners?" The two could have been talking about the weather for all the emotion their faces showed. It was yet another trait of the Malfoys that never ceased to unsettle Acton.

"Apologies, mother," The platinum blonde turned to gesture at the couches the man had eyed before, "Please, join us for tea."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," he said taking a seat across from mother and son as tea and pastries materialized in front of them. After a few pleasantries were exchanged the ministry official cleared his throat and gestured at his wand.

"Please, feel free to use magic at your convenience" Draco Malfoy nodded.

"Thank you. Now, I believe we can all agree it is in everyone's best interest to get these attacks under control as soon as possible," with a flick of the ministry official's wrist two sets of documents materialized in front of the Malfoys, who set down their saucers in order to begin reading. "Due to the nature of the situation the Ministry has begun implementing measures of unification on all fronts."

"While I can appreciate the benefits of exposing young wizards to non-magical genocides and mentorship programs fostering unity," Acton had to stop himself from spitting his tea at Draco Malfoy's words, "I feel the need to say that my mother's letter was a very understated version of the facts and that I believe a more aggressive approach is in order."

Taking a second to collect himself, the undersecretary continued the speech he had prepared, "the Minister shared your concerns, Mr. Malfoy, which is why another measure is being implemented." Another flick of the wrist apparated a thick mandate in front of the fair-haired man. "This is the, uh, mandate the Minister hopes to announce to the wizarding world tomorrow at noon."

The blonde took his time reading this particular document, only stopping every so often to think, yes, think, notes onto a parchment he had wordlessly apparated. Acton made a mental note to notify the Minister of Draco Malfoy's ability to perform non-verbal magic. Once he had finished reading the draft mandate, he passed it over to his mother, who after only a few seconds looked straight into the undersecretary's eyes with acrimony.

"This is the solution with which the Ministry has come up?" Narcissa Malfoy spoke angrily, or as angrily as was allowed from a woman of her status "the extermination of our families' lineages?" Acton was sure that if things were different, the woman would have cursed him where he sat.

"I assure you, Mrs. Malfoy, that we are doing this in an effort to create an egalitarian society in which you and your family have no reason for which to be targeted. This mandate will allow you to live in peace." Acton said clearing his throat and shifting uncomfortably in his seat as Draco Malfoy lifted his hand stopping the undersecretary's babbling.

"Mother," He said with all the detached calm in the world, "It is time to leave behind the infatuation with purity of blood that has landed so many of our family members both in Azkaban and six feet under." The witch looked like she wanted to put an end to her own son's life right then and there, but then her features softened to match her son's.

"Draco, you are now the head of this family, if you consider it best to go along with this mandate so be it." The statement seemed to have taken a real toll on the woman because to Acton it was as if she had aged a decade before his very own eyes. "I guess this will be the beginning of a new era."

"A new era indeed, in which all wizard can prosper and lead the lives they wish to lead." Acton said with a solemn nod.

"A new era that will probably begin sooner if Draco was to publically support this mandate, correct?" James Acton had never felt so exposed before in his life; he dared guess the witch had known all along the purpose of the meeting even if she ignored the specifics.

"I, uh," the undersecretary cleared his throat, "The Ministry of Magic was hoping to secure Mr. Malfoy's support, yes."

"I am sure you have brought some sort of bargaining chip, Mr. Acton." Malfoy said reaching for a scone, "I encourage you to give your best offer because while I cannot publically reject the mandate, I certainly need not sponsor it."

"Well, as outlined in the draft mandate, there will be a charm carried out to determine the matches for each wizard or witch," both Malfoys nodded in unison, "of course, we could arrange for your charm to be carried out first so as to have full access to the most eligible witches in the pool."

"From what I read, the charm is supposed to test for compatibility but choosing someone from a different blood background, correct?" the wizard nodded and so Malfoy continued "Then, it seems to me, Mr. Acton, that your offer is not very much of an offer at all."

"Pardon me, Mr. Malfoy?"

"You see, I achieved Os in all my OWLs and NEWTs, I am gifted in business and negotiations and have a large, though admittedly sequestered, family fortune; how exactly am I supposed to be matched with anything else but an extraordinary witch?" Acton was speechless given that Malfoy was indeed right in his reasoning.

"Uh, Mr. Malfoy-" the grey-eyed wizard stopped him once more.

"Mr. Acton, let's not fool ourselves." Malfoy said standing up from his seat abruptly, "this is not a negotiation, you were sent to this meeting empty-handed and I have bested you. I am sure the Prime Minister has plans for my marriage, otherwise, you wouldn't be here making sure I go quietly into the night."

"I assure you, Mr. Malfoy, that no such plans have been made; your match will be determined via charm just like every other wizard's." Acton said standing as well.

"If you truly believe that, Mr. Acton," said Narcissa Malfoy as she vacated her seat, "then you are completely unaware of how things work." The witch wished him a good day and exited the room, leaving both wizards to continue their conversation.

"Mr. Malfoy, I swear to you-"

"Enough," the blonde looked furious for all of two seconds before regaining his composure, "Acton, you were a Ravenclaw, use your brain. Deep down you must know that certain people are key players and that their matches cannot be left to chance." Malfoy could almost see the wheels spinning in the other wizard's brain.

"The Golden Trio, the Weasleys" said the wizard looking straight at the former death eater.

"Yes, the notable do-gooders." Malfoy nodded, "but also that of their counterparts during the war; my match, Nott's, Zabini's, Parkinson's and that of any other wizard or witch belonging to one of the twenty-eight." The undersecretary looked at the other man in awe of his deductions. "Lucky for you, Acton, unlike you I understand the rules of the game, which means I am interested in collaborating with the Ministry."

"You are?" Acton asked, but quickly cleared his throat and stood tall, "I mean, of course you are."

"I am." Malfoy said putting the man out of his misery, "I believe this means I will be calling my secretary to move my noon meeting and scheduling a press conference instead?"

"You will receive an owl with all the details regarding the event." Malfoy looked at the man, nodded and turn towards the door.

"Good day, Mr. Acton. Nym!" a loud pop was heard as the elf materialized "Please, show our guest out."