I love the title of this chapter. My favorite title so far but hopefully theres alot more to come.
Chapter 9 The Truth Makes a Fickle Bride
Draco sat completely still in his throne at the head of the massive table and watched Ms. Devon storm away. He did not dare look at his mother, in fear of what he might to at the sight of her.
Rage soared through his veins, like a fast acting poison; coursing, finding a place in every nock and cranny of his being. 'How dare she do this behind my back! Who does she think she is?' He took a moment or two to calm down and force himself to look at this form a rational point of view, reflecting the grown man he had become.
'So this is what they had planned. I knew it was something. Looks as though, things aren't exactly going to go as planned,' he joked. 'Well serves them right.' Betrothals, though still some what common for purebloods, were so last century. The war was over, his father dead, things were suppose to be better, no steadily get worse.
'She couldn't tell him what to do,' he decided. He was going to end this right now, send the mother and the daughter away, but then there was a pang in his chest.
Did he really want to let this girl slip away. She was just so…amazing, it nearly pained Draco to think of a life without knowing 'what if.' What if he let this play out? How would his life be with this feisty witch?
His head screamed, 'Stop this now, stay a bachelor forever. You can have all the girls you could ever dream of.' Then his heard call out, 'but none will ever be like her. Just assess the situation. Those girls are all the same, brainless, like Pansy.'
Draco blenched, he would never settle for a thousand Pansys and the look on her face when he walked in with Isabella one his arms would be priceless.
Draco knew Pansy was infatuated with him, and even more so after a brief relationship with her. Draco had been lonely and Pansy had been there, so that was that. But the next morning when Pansy began to tell Draco her 'plans' for him, he bailed and has been trying to avoid Pansy at all costs.
She however was relentless, and managed to find him even in his best hiding places. She even had the nerve to suggest to her mother that he, Draco Malfoy, actually wanted to marry her. He only found out this plot from his mother who was rather disturbed after a conversation with Mrs. Parkinson. She was a rather fat, painful thorn in his side and the mere though of her face after seeing Mrs. Isabella Malfoy leaning comfortably on his arm would be worth it.
'Make this work in your favor,' his heart said. 'Its obvious Ms. Devon wants money, Mother wants grandchildren, and Isabella doesn't want anything, especially a marriage. So what do you want Draco?'
He questioned himself as his head rambled about something like, 'All those girls, all those girls. Stupid heart.' Draco didn't know exactly what he wanted but he did want to take this a little further and for the time, his heart won.
The only thing problem was Isabella, who had already candidly refused so what, his thoughts were interrupted by a scream. The legs of his chair screeched against the wood of the floor as he scrambled to investigate. "No Draco," his mother said as she grabbed his wrist in mid-step.
"What" "Sit Draco, we need to talk." He did and his mother took his hand in hers. "Draco, I know the last few years have been difficult," Draco snorted.
"Difficult? For you maybe. My life has been hell the last few years but you wouldn't care about that would you?"
"Draco, your entire life, since I gave birth to you, I've tried to give you the best. Or well, the best I could. Draco, this marriage will be good for you. You'll see, and Isabella, she's so beautiful. Your children will be stunning."
"Mother, you've gone behind my back, behind the Lord's of this house's back, and made a secret betrothal, and all you can think about is may supposed children? What is wrong with you?" His rage had got the best of him yet again but he quickly regained composure.
"You're not the Lord, Draco," Narcissa said quietly. Then all proverbial hell broke lose.
"What?" Draco screamed. "How could I not be Lord. Father is dead, I am of age. There is nothing else standing in my way."
"But there is Draco," she told him. "Its law that a Lord must have a Lady. You won't be Lord of this house till you're married. Just another reason for this marriage. By marrying Isabella, you'll be caring for our home, our pride. Can't you see all the good things that will come from this?"
Draco didn't speak for a long time. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier? After father died?"
"His death was so hard on both of us and then the war, I put if off allowing us both time to recover. Then when Mary suggested it, it made perfect sense. Isabella needed a husband and you a wife. She is so smart Draco, she's already finished with her schooling. She's perfect for you, I am certain of it. I only wish you would consider all the possibilities."
Draco turned towards his mother, truly considering the possibilities. "I have only one question," he said to make sure his understanding was correct, "if I marry her, I will be Lord of this house?"
She only nodded and smiled, the prospect of him agreeing were growing. He eyed her once more before allowing his heart to win over.
"I accept," his mother's grin beamed, "but only if she agrees," and her smile fell again. "But…Draco," she stuttered, "she wants nothing to do with you. She made that perfectly clear when she walked out during dinner. Mary will try her best to persuade her, but I do not see her accepting."
Narcissa was nearly pleading, begging, almost desperate. She had hoped her son would take charge but this agreement would do no good. Narcissa had tried everything: showing him her beauty, showering him with affection, promoting all the good that would come from the marriage. Hell, she had even lead him to believe it was "his choice." If her plans were ruined all because her son suddenly grew a heart, heads would roll.
"I'm sorry Mother but that is the only way I will marry Isabella."
Narcissa's breathes shallowed and all the blood in her body rushed to her face, making her look like a new born hell cat.
"No, Draco you listen to me," she said enraged, slamming her hands on the table. "You will marry Isabella regardless of her opinions on this marriage. I don't care if you approve or not. The papers have been signed and by next week you will be married, even if I have to Imperio you there myself."
