DISCLAIMER: In no way do I own any of the characters in JK Rowling's Wizarding World. I am but a fan who has run away with her imagination.
Chapter 28
Draco and Dara had wandered further into the greenery that surrounded the Malfoy Manor, passing garden after garden, pond after pond. Dara was taken with Draco's surge in energy. She was surprised that he was open to sharing childhood stories and little tidbits about some parts of the house. Hand in hand, they were lost in each other's presence amongst the flora and fauna that graced the Malfoy grounds. They had found themselves by the river that flowed freely along the outskirts of the boarded property. The sky had turned darker and they were enjoying the little show the fireflies were putting on for them, flying circles around them and the neighbouring tree. Far on the horizon the Malfoy Manor could be seen, lit from within and from the outside. From where they were standing it looked like it belonged in a painting.
"I never got to ask you." Draco whispered in her ear and gave her ear lobe a little peck.
"Ask me what?" Dara smiled leaning against his strong chest and letting him wrap his arms around her waist.
"What you thought of the ring? Of being engaged?" She brought her left hand up to where she could clearly see the ring that Draco had gotten her, admiring it under the moonlight.
"I don't think it has sunk in yet, to be honest. I love the ring Draco. It's absolutely beautiful. But I'm afraid that post engagement bliss has been replaced with immediate fear." she chuckled. He knew what she was talking about.
"The ring is actually a family heirloom." He shared, taking her extended hand in his and admiring the rock that was on her finger. "It was passed on from my great aunt Decima who was a third generation Malfoy. This was her ring from her engagement to my great uncle Magnus. They were one of the first to come to England from France, together with uncle Armand ."
"Je savais que tu étais français. (I knew you were French)." Dara said cooly. The Frenchwoman in her was thrilled at the admonition, of course. "Your last name is French. Je saurais. (I would know)." Draco chuckled behind her, planting a kiss at the bottom of her ear.
"Is it okay that this is mine?" she asked unsure. "I mean, if it's a family heirloom then doesn't the family have to approve of the receiver?"
"You worry too much Dara." he said dismissing the fear in her voice.
"Draco!" she faced him, worry written all over her face. He looked irritated that she was pressing him on this.
"I asked permission from the Malfoy Covenant and it didn't disapprove of my request." He took a finger to the side of her cheek. "I wouldn't want to anger the family covenant Dara. I know the rules. Don't worry. Please."
"It didn't protest?" she blinked at him. This was news. Every wizarding family had some sort of higher magical force governing the family's fate and destiny. It, in itself, was living, breathing and pulsing. It would make itself known in the heirlooms family member's left to be passed on, contracts like marriages and unions that each member of the family would partake in. Some families, especially the big, important and powerful ones, would treat the family covenant as a living breathing entity and actually consult it for major decisions. The Malfoy Family was one of them.
Dara knew Draco's family had some kind of affinity to their family covenant which worried her. Her family covenant on the other hand, was already waning. She was the last of her name and the family covenant had very little source of power and energy. But now that they were talking about it, she pieced together the surge of power and energy she felt when Draco placed the ring on her finger but paid little attention to it because, back then, she did not know that the ring was a heirloom.
"Does anyone…" she began but Draco cut her mid sentence.
"No one knows yet. It's just between you and me." he sighed. "If it makes you uncomfortable I can cast a concealment charm just for the weekend? I personally think it's wise so as not to attract suspicion or trouble. But it's up to you." Dara thought about it, looking at the ring on her finger as she rested her palms on Draco's chest. There was a slight tinge of disappointment in his voice which she quickly recognized. She didn't want to hide her love for him but she knew Draco was right.
"Alright. Just for the weekend." Draco took her hand in his and kissed the top of it. When he pulled away she knew the spell had been cast, leaving a tingling feeling on her ring finger.
"We can do this. I know we can." she said, more to herself than for Draco to hear. He gave a small smile in reply. She looked up at him, tenderly placing both hands on either side of his head. "I love you."
"And I, you." he bent down and kissed her, gingerly and sweet like the flutter of wings. A small pop had come from the side as they broke the kiss just in time.
"Young Master Malfoy," the old house elf began, his voice a low gargle. "Your mother and father request your presence and that of the lady's in the family dining room for supper." He bowed his head waiting for a reply.
"Thank you Frock." The elf disappeared. Dara exhaled loudly. She felt the pit in her stomach grow bigger and deeper with fear. She could feel it, the beginning of the weekend just around the corner. Hopefully, with Cersei's blessing, she'll get through it with Draco by her side.
"Shall we?" Even Draco looked slightly queasy but he was hiding it better. Dara could only nod. Hand in hand, gripping their courage for dear life, they walked back to the manor.
"Oh where is he? He's been here since when you say?" Narcissa sounded frantic. She was in the family dining room, making sure their first family dinner would go as smoothly as possible.
"He's been here since noon." Lucius replied, taking a seat on the table, sounding unnerved.
"And why didn't he show his face to his mother?" she sounded irritated.
"Probably because he's been taking the girl on a tour of the grounds."
"That and he knows my temper." She replied huffing and puffing around the table, fixing the plates and checking if any of the cutlery were out of line. "Oh why does he have to be so hard-headed. If only he'd listen to us more often."
"He gets it from your side of the family, I'm sure." Lucius chimed in.
"Oh that girl! Tsk. Who is she? What is she? Like an apparition popping out of nowhere. It infuriates me so Lucius. It really does." There was a snarl to her voice.
"Narcissa, would you calm down, please. Merlin, you're giving me a headache." Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose between his elegant fingers, making him look like a classical painting.
"What if she's ugly? Or worse, a half blood! Oh Merlin above!"
"Mother. Father." Draco cleared his throat silencing his panicking mother. Narcissa spun on the spot catching sight of Draco standing by the door, with a silent Dara draped over his arm. There was a momentary pause, each and everyone appraising the energy in the room. There were stern faces, raced heart beats and sweaty palms.
"Draco. Finally. Come!" his mother greeted, more enthusiastic than expected. She was about to welcome him with open arms when Draco cut her mid hug.
"This is Adara Vega Burling." he presented her to his parents without hesitation, his voice clear and his diction strong.
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Thank you for having me this weekend." Dara tried her best to sound like the kindest, most respectable witch in the world, hoping to get on their good graces. Narcissa gave her one look from head to toe, taking in the color of skin, her modest white dress, her arm on Draco's arm, and maybe even her soul - at least that's how Dara felt. There was immediate disapproval on her face. Lucius was more passive.
"Well it wasn't as if we had a choice." Narcissa's tone was curt, giving Draco a stern look with a raised eyebrow. "Sit. Dinner will be served soon." Draco quickly exchanged glances with Dara before leading her to the opposite side of the table.
"Burling, is it? From France?" Lucius asked as soon as Dara was seated, not once looking in her direction.
"Yes sir." She was momentarily stunned. "Alexander Burling was my father and Abelard Burling was my uncle." she replied politely tucking her napkin under the table. One by one house elves started to enter the room with plates of food in hand. All at the same time, the house elves lifted the cloche on each of their plates revealing their first course; soup.
"And your mother?" Narcissa quickly added. Dara had a feeling she wasn't going to get anything past her throat tonight.
"Mother." Draco warned.
"It was just a simple question Draco." Narcissa answered, eyebrows raised in determination.
"A question that clearly you both talked about to reveal to you her lineage and patronage within the first 10 minutes of meeting her." Draco spat. "Merlin mother, as if I don't know you and how your brain works." Dara has never heard Draco this irritated. There was venom in his voice and a scowl on his face.
"It's quite alright Draco." Dara placed a hand on his forearm immediately snapping him out of his anger. They exchanged meaningful looks before Dara let go of his arm and answered. "My mother was Nadeleine Vega. All my family perished during the great war."
"How unfortunate." Lucius drawled but he did not sound like he meant it. "I met your father long ago. He was a rather curious fellow, with his choices and - how should I say - proclivity for being different."
"What is it that you do?" Narcissa asked not giving Dara a chance to reply to Lucius' comment.
"I teach children at the local school." She replied simply.
"She's also an artist." Draco added. "She recently concluded her first solo show in London. It was sold out." You could hear the pride in Draco's voice. Oh, bless him.
"And you live on the beach?"
"Yes. In a little hut by the sea." Dara tried her best to calm her nerves which were starting to tighten and tighten with each passing second. She felt like she was facing the inquisition. The food in front of her lay untouched. She couldn't muster enough energy to do anything but keep her wits intact.
"It's beautiful there. Take my word for it." Draco commented, taking a spoon full of soup to his mouth.
"Yes, of course. That's why we hardly see you anymore. You never come home. Because you're on that blasted little island throwing your cares away." The way Narcissa gave her comments and replies were like sharp dagger straight through Dara's essential being. It was clear that Narcissa hated everything about her and, as of now, there was nothing she could do to change her mind. Thankfully, Lucius started talking about business which gave Dara time to breathe momentarily. The food was good but she hardly had enough energy to go actually enjoy the food in front of her. She was always wary, on her guard if any of them started asking her questions again.
Was it to be like this the whole weekend? Would she be able to endure each and every jab they had towards her? Her mind was racing and so was her heart rate. She was panicking. Moreover, she was anxious to get this weekend over and done with so that Draco and her could go back to their normal lives. But what if after this weekend, based on her 'performance', Draco changed his mind about being with her? No, he wouldn't. She answered herself in her head. They were in this together and together they were going to get through the weekend. He loved her and she loved him. There were a dozen side comments her anxiety had come up with to answer that statement.
"Do you not like the food that is being served to you?" Narcissa broke through Dara's internal dialogue. Only did she realize she was staring at the main course and had not touched it at all.
"Oh. No. Nothing like that." she blinked but already the disapproving look on Narcissa's face had said it all.
"Is something the matter?" Draco whispered, laying a hand on her lap. If Dara had seen it correctly, both his parents actually looked disgusted. The panic was washing over her - it was an overwhelming buzz in her system that she just couldn't shake off. But she had to try - for Draco, for herself.
"I'm alright. Sorry. Everything's fine." she said smiling but Draco knew something was amiss. He gave her a lingering look before returning his attention to his father's narration of his last meeting with the elves. Thankfully, dinner went on without any other altercation. Narcissa had informed Draco about tomorrow's schedule and how he must be present and visible at all times. Dara had excused herself to the outdoor patio to finally catch a breather.
"Please be up and ready before 10. I cannot, by the life of me, greet that many guests without you and your father's help." Dara saw Draco roll his eyes in protest before she completely disappeared into the night. She set herself against the marble banister, exhaling loudly.
Oh Merlin. What a disaster, she thought to herself, shaking her head as she ran the events of dinner through her head. There was still tomorrow's luncheon, afternoon tea festivities and the much awaited evening ball. She was dreading it all, everything, even with the thought of Draco by herself. She'd give anything to be back at the beach hut right now, looking up at the same moon but surrounded by peace and comfortable silence.
"Excuse me Ms." a small pop had come from behind her and Frock, the house elf from earlier, appeared. "The young master Malfoy has asked me to escort the lady to her room."
"Oh." she replied, blinking at the wrinkling thing.
"He says he may take longer and would want you to start settling in." he bowed.
"Of course. Lead the way then." she answered. Frock cleared his throat and offered his hand.
"Side along would be easier my lady." hesitating, Dara took his small crooked hand in hers and braced herself for the short trip. Only when Frock opened the double doors that lead into her assigned room did she relax.
"Your room, my lady." with another pop, Dara was left alone in the middle of what she felt was the most lavish room she's ever been in.