Dracona was trying to read a book on potions in the Slytherin common room, But every few minutes there would be a bang from exploding snap and then she would look up from her book to see Abi and Abraxus messing around and Scorpius and Kestrel throwing a Quaffle and then see Georgia and, of course, Louis playing the exploding snap. For the thirtieth time Dracona contemplated giving up and just hanging with her friends, and, this time, she did.

Dracona sat down next to Abraxus and Abi as they debated whether Boomslang skin and lacewing flies where ingredients that were used in Berttie Botts every flavour beans. She was just getting into this rather weird conversation and was quoting Professor Slughorn when Regulus came into the Common room with his owl and a handful of letters. Regulus started handing out letters to his family. Dracona looked at the three letters in her hand and then a small scraggly piece of parchment. She was about to open up the letters when a screaming voice filled the room
"Kestrel Abercrombie Nott!" Dracona whipped around to see Kestrel struggling with a howler
"You better have convinced that Malfoy girl to marry you! If your 6 day old sister has to marry that Scorpius boy I will sign you onto a marriage contract with your great aunt Belladona! If you have not got that ring round her finger you will be in more trouble than your father was when I found him trying to burn our tapestries!" Dracona watched as the howler exploded into an inferno of flames.
"Kes?" Scorpius said trying not to laugh.
"What?" He asked indignantly blushing
"Was that your mother?" Scorpius couldn't hold himself together and collapsed into waves of laughter.
"Whats so funny" Kestrel asked stroppily trying to regain some respect.
"Nothing sweetie" Dracona whispered quickly pecking him on the lips.
"Hm" Kestrel shrugged as the two sat down on the sofa.
"Oh, I've got a letter from Mum and Dad" Dracona said slipping it open
"What does it say?" Scorpius asked
"Dear Dracona," Dracona read out loud "I hope that this letter finds you in good health and that you have actually opened it instead of destroying it. Anyhow, your mother and I had no part in your betrothal, and the fact that your grandfather - my father - went behind our backs is a serious concern. We hadn't actually arranged any plans, but we are currently investigating whether either of your brothers are in the same situation. I am glad that you have agreed to marry Kestrel. From what I have heard he is a good boy and a gentleman, he will be a fine husband. Love Draco and Astoria"
Dracona finished as she looked up at her brothers.
"Well, they seem to like you" Scorpius said as he flicked through his letters
"That's always good to know" Kestrel said as he ran a hand through his hair
"Yeah, Dad and Mum are really quite nice" Regulus said as he thumbed through a small novel that Astoria had sent him.
"Hey, look!" Dracona said as an Eagle owl pecked on the small window Payne of the Slytherin dungeons "It's Dad's owl!"
Kestrel waved his wand at the glass and it disappeared letting the noble brown bird through.
"He's sent a package!" Dracona exclaimed as she untied the string on the bird's foot
"Scorp it's for all of us" Dracona said as she read the tag
"Oh God what could he have sent us?" Regulus said as he looked down at the package. It was roughly the size of a book, but slightly slimmer and covered in brown paper and tied up in string.
"Shall I open it?" Dracona asked, the parcel light in her hands
"Yeah, might be for the best" Scorpius said as he looked down at the flat object with piercing eyes as if trying to see straight through the paper. Dracona pulled off the paper to see a piece of parchment. It was in a picture frame surrounded with moving jade Serpents and on the parchment was Dracona's name written in emerald green ink and next to gets was the name Kestrel Nott written in golden ink. Dracona admired the snakes that squirmed around the picture frame as Scorpius picked up a note that had been in the package but had fallen out when opened.
"My children" he read aloud, "This piece of parchment will write your names onto itself when a betrothal is revealed. Dracona and Kestrel are already on it because their betrothal has been shared. Keep up your guard. Astoria"
"Well, at least we're not betrothed" Regulus said as he looked down at the frame and everyone laughed as the mood lightened for a bit.