'Why didn't you just tell me?'

Draco had not suspected a question to be the first thing Aria would say after not seeing her for almost a week. Her brows were narrowed, her face tense - as though she was accusing him of doing something. When it became apparent she had not made herself very clear, her facial expression softened into a more thoughtful look.

'Is - was it because you thought I wouldn't ... believe you - '

'Aria, you're going to have to be clearer than that,' Draco replied.

'I know what this means -' Aria said, holding up her wrist to show the bracelet upon it, 'I know what you are - I know that this is only given by - why didn't you just tell me to begin with?'

The accusing tone in her voice was back.

'Is that why - why you didn't protest to your mother's - arrangement?' she turned her head, she looked sad, how was it possible for one person to go through so many emotions at once? Draco braced himself - if she had finally worked out the meaning behind the bracelet or was told about it, then she knew what he was, knew that the debt could not be paid this way - but the hex he braced himself for never came.

'I ... I wish - you should have just told me ... from the very beginning - it's not like I wouldn't have heard you out,' Aria mumbled. 'I know which - types - of magic that are honoured, and well - you should have told me - you could have told me.'

Draco then realised that Aria was not accusing him of lying to her - just of her disappointment that she had not been told all the facts.

'We didn't exactly get on very well Aria,' Draco said calmly, 'How was I meant to know that? How was my mother?'

Aria gave it a moments thought, 'Fair enough.'

'I do apologise for not telling you sooner,' Draco added, noticing Aria's taut facial expression. 'Is something the matter?'

'No,' Aria shook her head, disbelieving her, Draco raised his eyebrows into a questioning look, 'Yes - it doesn't matter - can we just leave it -I've had a bad enough of a week as it is.'

'Why? What happened?'

Aria hesitated for a few moments indecision plagued her face, 'I had a row - we, Ron and I had a row - about you.' she gave a heavy sigh, 'He thinks - he thinks that you've just made it up - as none of us knew you were ... well, a Veela - you always said you were Pure-blood - and it's bad enough I've had to get my head around us ... having compatible magic ... which is a bit ... daunting .. let alone, having a row on top of everything.'

'You're daunted by our compatible magic?'

'Yes - no - maybe - I dunno, I'm just ...' she sighed, 'It's confusing.'

'We'll figure it out,' Draco said softly, 'together ... that was the idea of our engagement.'

'I can understand why your mother proposed it at least now,' Aria said. 'Even if I'm not ready to forgive you for not telling me or explaining yourselves.' she sighed once more, 'So what happens now - what happens if we don't work out? The agreement was for a year - and if - as our magic is -'

'We have time ... we can get to know each other - figure out if this ... is meant for us.'

'OK,' Aria said with a firm nod. 'We best head to dinner before your father accuses me of not knowing how to tell the time again.'

'Yes, we best,' Draco held out his hand to gesture for her to follow, he was slightly surprised when she caught it, and he gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. 'Speaking of things I need to tell you -' it was Aria's turn to give him a questioning look, 'I do not know if I told you - you see, it is a tradition of ours to hold a family gathering -'

Aria turned her head so quickly clearly startled by this announcement, 'Right...?'

'Yes, well, it well be held here - mostly father's family as mothers-'

Aria ducked her head turning away, clearly thinking along the same lines ... the last person they both wanted to speak of was that of Bellatrix Lestrange.

'So I have to put up with a bunch of ...' she trailed off, Draco somehow knew an insult had been on the tip of her tongue. 'Malfoys.'

'My grandmother is lovely, my grandfather .. I don't think you would have liked very much.' Draco said, 'Father shared his views -'

Aria understood though she said nothing as they walked into the dining room. Dinner had once again been laid out for them.

'Aria, lovely to see you,' his mother welcomed her, 'has Draco told you about the ball we are holding in honour of your engagement?'

'BALL!' Aria seemed to be battling with what emotion to show first, anger or frustration, 'no he did not.'

'I was going to tell Aria after dinner, as we were running behind,' Draco informed his mother. Aria glared at him.

'It's fine,' Aria said, though she did not look it, 'Draco will just have to put up with treading all over his feet - as I am a terrible dancer.'

'Maybe you just haven't had the right dance partner,' Draco countered, 'I can teach you.'

'How lovely of you,' Aria said, 'I think I might take up your offer, Dragon.'

'I look forward to it, love.'

'So we were planning on having the ball next Saturday evening-'

'I can't ...' Aria interrupted, 'I'm babysitting.'

'Babysitting?' Draco repeated.

'Yes .. my godson,' Aria stated, 'I'm having him the whole day and for the night to give Dromeda a break.'

'How about the weekend after?' his mother suggested.

Aria shook her head, 'It's ... I'm busy that weekend - it's my birthday ... and I've got my orders from Dudley-' Aria did not seem at all pleased, 'I'm to celebrate it the normal way.'

'Normal way?'

It was his father who spoke this time, the sneer in his voice clear.

'In the Muggle world - you turn of age at eighteen - and basically ... it involves a lot of drink,' Aria shook her head, 'Speaking of which - you're officially invited to come along Draco.'

'We'll arrange it for the weekend after then Aria,' his mother said, 'normally your family would be invited to join us but Muggles have never-'

'It's fine, I understand,' Aria interrupted once more, 'It's probably best that they aren't anyway.'