Disclaimer: Once again I own nothing except my original characters.
Author's Note: If you aren't interested in smut or lemons this is not the story for you. If you are, there are all sort of naughty encounters in store for you ahead! Read on and let me know what you think, whether it is good, bad, or otherwise.
Nona awoke in a daze as soft light filtered in through her window. The digital clock on the nightstand read seven o'clock. She rolled off of her side and onto her back as the smell of men's cologne and the ache between her legs brought her simultaneously back to reality.
In a panic she sat up and looked around her hotel room, but the mysterious silver devil who had shared her bed was gone. The only trace he left behind was his scent on her sheets and her torn panties. Nona groaned and swallowed a rising lump in her throat. What in the fuck had she done? What kind of woman slept with a complete stranger on the night before she got engaged? A shaky hand reached out to her wand that lay discarded on the bedside and she murmured a contraceptive spell as tears welled in her eyes. Shame and guilt reared their ugly heads as she hugged her knees to her chest and stared at the mangled pair of black panties on her floor.
Tears welled in her eyes as she grabbed a hank of her messy curls. Whether she was crying out of shame, or the fear of being trapped in a loveless marriage, she didn't know. In truth she was glad the stranger was gone. She didn't think she'd have the strength to turn that gorgeous face away if she'd woken up next to him. In her reckless abandon she'd imagined that having one last daliance would settle her nerves and release the tension she felt, but all it did was make her feel sick with herself.
The feminist in her screamed that she had every right to fuck who she pleased, but the reality was that she felt utterly empty like a porcelain doll on a shelf. She crawled off her bed and stumbled into the bathroom. Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembered a murmured goodbye in the small hours of the morning, but it could have been her imagination playing sweet tricks on her. She turned the shower on as hot as it would go and watched as steam began to billow off of the cold tile. Even if she cooked herself she wouldn't be able to burn away the euphoric sensation of his hands on her skin. Not that she wanted to.
Nona stepped into the shower and hissed as the scalding water hit her skin. She stood stock still as the water ran in rivers down her body and stared at the pristine white tile wall. The thought of any man holding a candle to the silver devil that had shown her how truly mind blong sex could be was laughable now. Perhaps if she'd picked a clumsy man who couldn't get it up she could have convinced herself that she would be happy with whoever she was stuck with.
The sad witch shook the idea out of her mind. The stranger had left before she woke. It was clear that he'd only wanted a dalliance, conveniently enough for her, but somehow that knowledge hurt like a knife in the chest. Nona let out a shaky breath and shook her head. She was a big girl, and she wasn't going to let her family down just because she'd been selfish and reckless.
When Nona stepped out of the shower twenty minutes later with her towel wrapped around her body there came a knock at her door followed by her mother's cheery voice. "Wake up, Darling! It's your big day!"
Nona sighed heavily and kicked her destroyed panties under the bed before walking to the door and letting her mother in with a dower look. Her mother was several inches shorter than she was, but the two women shared the same emerald eyes and dark curly hair. Octavia LaLorie was dressed in the latest Louis Vuitton couture, with heavy diamond earrings hanging from her ears.
"Isn't the wedding the big day?" Nona quipped as she returned to her bed and began combing her fingers through her mop if sopping curls.
"My baby gets more than one big day, so what?" Octavia waved her hand dismissively and dropped a dress bag on Nona's unmade bed.
"What is that?" Nona pointed suspiciously at the bag.
"Your dress! I just picked it up this morning. It's from a lovely muggle designer called Marchesa Notte. She's absolutely marvelous at cocktail dresses and I simply had to get it for my sweetie pie!" The southern drawl that slipped off Octavia's tongue slow and smooth as molasses. The LaLorie family's Lousianna origins were evident in the family matriarch.
Nona pressed her hand over her eyes and groaned. "I thought we agreed no more shopping, Mamma!" The frustration in her voice was plain. "We can barely afford this fancy hotel and you went out to buy clothes?"
"Now, Nona Fortuna LaLorie, I did not raise you to scold your mother that way." Octavia waggled a chastising finger at her daughter. "Now do your hair so you can try it on!"
Nona looked at her mother slack jawed. There she was, about to sell herself into a marriage to pay her family debts, and her mother couldn't even be bothered to stop spending money for one day. Nona pinched her eyes shut in defeat and resolved herself to simply focus on her breathing. Her mother got what she wanted, there was no two ways about it, and if she wanted to shop them into bankruptcy then she would do it. Nona was too exhausted to fight a pointless battle.
"Oh just wait till you meet your betrothed! I picked the most eligible bachelor in the wizarding world just for my darling daughter!" Octavia droned on as she flitted about the room, tidying up and arranging makeup she'd brought with her on the vanity with a few flicks of her wand. The dress bag magically unzipped itself and Nona watched as a plum cocktail dress floated out of the bag and hung in mid air.
"He's a real handsome devil to boot!" Octavia added as she began brushing through her daughter's curls. Nona winced as she tugged on the many knots but knew better than to pull away. After all, in her mother's eyes, beauty was pain.
"I don't care." Nona mumbled. Octavia's hands stilled and Nona knew she'd made a mistake. A tug at her hair that was just gentle enough to pass for accidental made her yelp and Octavia feigned surprise.
"Oh I'm so sorry, Darlin'." Octavia cooed. "I thought I heard you say something ungrateful and my hand slipped!"
Nona grit her teeth. It wasn't an accident and she knew it. Her whole life had consisted of threats veiled behind smiles and covert abuse that no one else ever seemed able to see.
"I'm sorry, Mamma." She ground out.
"That's my little doodlebug." Octavia chimed with a venomous smile. "You're going to make me proud today. Knock this british boys' socks off and you'll be on top of the world."
Nona let her thoughts drift away as her mother droned on and on about powerful lords, titles, and money. None of it mattered to her. She just sat like a perfect doll as her mother coiled her curls and preened her. She might as well be a show dog offered up to a champion stud for all the compassion her mother afforded her.
POV Draco
Draco sat on the edge of his bed, a suit jacket dangling from his hand as he stared at the floor. Any moment his intended bride would arrive and he'd be forced to play at gentility. The lack of information he had on the woman ate at him. Tradition mandated that they must meet in person, and not exchange pictures before the betrothal day. It was some rubbish about avoiding doctored photographs and portraits. He chuckled bitterly at the idea of some lord catfishing a lady ages ago and giving birth to this inconvenient rule.
Draco had spent the better part of the morning scrubbing scarlet lipstick and the smell of gardenias from his skin. Sneaking in during the wee hours was something common for him, but he'd never come home looking so thoroughly shagged before. The woman from the night before flashed into his mind's eye and he clenched his jaw as her breathy moans echoed in his head.
"Lucky bastard, indeed." He spat. If he was truly lucky he wouldn't have had to tear himself away from her and could have fucked her well into that afternoon.
Of course pureblood lords didn't get that option. He had responsibilities to carry on the family line, and dispite the war being long since won, his parents would not allow any break from the suffocating family tradition of aranged marriage. They'd had to search far and wide for a suitable woman of fine breeding who would be willing to take his name. After the war his family's fall from grace had damaged the Malfoy name almost beyond repair. It was only his grueling dedication to rebuilding their reputation that saved them from the despair of obsalescence.
Even the massive fortune he had built was not enough to coax any woman this side of the Atlantic ocean to tie herself to the Dark Lord's chosen. Draco scowled at his left forearm where the dark mark would forever lay dormant under his skin and rumors of what had happened to Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of their age, under his own roof had done more damage than anything. Of course they weren't rumors. Every sickening detail was true and he had stood by and allowed it.
There was no use in pitying himself or regretting the unchangeable past. He would marry whoever his parents selected like a good son and fulfil his duty to the family line. Maybe he could track down his dark haired, little witch one day and take her as a mistress, though he hardly imagined such a title would flatter her.
With a resounding crack Franny the house elf appeared with a timid smile. "Master request the presence of young Master Draco in the library." She said in a quivereing voice.
"Thank you, Franny, you may go." Draco saw the elf nod her bald head from the corner of his eye and heard another crack signalling her departure. He'd made an effort in recent years to at least be cordial to the house elves, if not overly kind.
Draco stood and pulle don his suit jacket. He apraised himself in the mirror and straightened his tie. The light gray suit fit him well, and the charcoal button up underneath contrasted with his silver tie. An emerald green handkerchief was neatly folded in his breast pocket and he wore gold cufflinks. As his eyes fell on the handkerchief he frowned, remembered the color of his witch's eyes. What once reminded him of the hogwarts house he represented with pride was now nothing more than a reminder of the woman he couldn't have. Cursing under his breath Draco sat back on his bed and ran a hand through his slicked back hair. They could wait a few more minutes while he composed himself.
NONA POV
Nona and Octavia sat awkwardly across from the prim Malfoys as the clock ticked deafeningly in the corner. The young witch thumbed the hem of her plum cocktail dress anxiously and readjusted the cross of her ankles for what felt like the hundredth time.
"I'm sure Draco will be down to join us any moment." Narcissa reassured diplomatically. Nona could tell by the tightness at the corner of the older woman's eyes that she was hiding her displeasure.
"Don't you worry, I'm sure the sweet thing is just nervous as a sinner in church." Octavia gave her best winsome smile and the Malfoys nodded uncomfortably. It was plain that her mother's coloquial comparisons were lost on them.
"We do not attend the christian church." Lucius Malfoy conveyed dowerly. "They burned too many of our relatives to ignore." Nona's eyes widened at his curt explanation. It was clearly a thinly veiled reminder to her mother that she was not in her element.
"Now Lucius," Narcissa scolded "Have you forgotten what was done to their ancestors? Every witch and wizard the world over has heard of Salem." Narcissa folded her hands neatly in her lap and smiled apologetically to the visiting women.
Nona's eyes flicked back and forth between the stately couple. Both of them had an air of importance that was palpable, and there was something about them that seemed disturbingly familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she'd definitely seen those high cheekbones and pale blonde hair somewhere before. Absently she thought of her silver haired stranger but she immediately forced the thought out of her mind.
"What year did you graduate from school?" Narcissa asked pleasantly. Nona raised her brows at the sudden change of focus and tried to smile.
"1999." Nona answered.
"Only a year after our Draco. We were so fortunate to find a match so close in age. What were your favorite subjects?"
Nona did not know how to handle the pale grey eyes of the older witch scrutinizing her, but the ghost of a pleasant smile encouraged her to reply.
"Herbology and potions." Nona admitted with a smile. "I was top of my year in both subjects." Lucius Malfoy rolled his eyes in disinterest and Nona felt a ball of nerves forming in her stomach. The ornate grandfather clock that stood against the far wall rang out half past nine in the morning and the mood of the room darkened. The sound of leisurely steps descending the stairs caused everyone to look towards the large doorway that led into the enormous library.
Nona's heart leapt to her throat as she realized any moment she would meet her betrothed. She felt like she would vomit, but she contained the urge by sheer willpower. When the man who made the echoing footsteps rounded the corner it was all she could do not to scream in surprise. There in the doorway stood the silver devil who had so completely ensnared her thoughts.
For an instant she imagined it was a trick, some twisted joke meant to rankle her but as his silver eyes met hers and his brows shot into his hairline she realized that he was just as surprised to see her as she was to see him. A hot flush rose to her cheeks and she tore her gaze away from his. Her mind began racing a million miles a minute as she tried to imagine the odds of accidentally hooking up with the man she was to marry.
"You're late." Lucius droned with a tone of utter disappointment.
"My apologies. I could not find my tie. I hope you haven't been waiting long." The way his smooth baritone drifted across the room to her ears brought back all of the embarrassing things she'd done the night before. Nevermind that his excuse was a lie.
"What's thirty minutes amongst family?" Octavia cooed indulgently. "We will be family soon after all!"
Nona kept her eyes glued to the floor as the man she now knew as Draco Malfoy crossed the room to her. Would he expose her? Tell his parents that she'd been slumming it in a London bar and had gone home with him without even knowing his name. Until this moment she hadn't truly regretted her actions, but the fear of being exposed was a pill she couldn't swallow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." A pale hand entered her view and she looked up into those piercing steel eyes. He was smiling at her and offering his hand. Nona swallowed and offered her hand to him. With a wicked smirk he bent and brushed his lips against her knuckles. Memories of the same action from the night before flooded her mind and she realized she must be as red as a tomato. Her words failed her as she reached dumbly for a polite response.
"She's just charmed!" Octavia cut in, overbearing as ever. "Aren't you, Darlin'?"
Nona recognized her mother's cue and nodded. "Charmed to meet you." She said, barely able to peek up at him. He hadn't revealed her yet, but she couldn't tell if he intended to.
"Sit, Draco, you're making the poor dear nervous!" Narcissa waved her son towards the seat to her left and he obediently released Nona's hand before strolling over and sitting in the luxurious armchair. His eyes, however, did not leave Nona for an instant.
"Now that we are all here we may begin discussing the wedding timeline." Lucius thrummed as he waved his hand and silently conjured a large contract and a quill pen in the middle of the table that sat like an island between the two families. "Narcissa has suggested we hold the ceremony at the beginning of June. She is rather keen to plan a summer wedding."
Nona's heart pounded in her ears as they began to discuss her marriage as though it were a highly anticipated garden party and nothing more. The beginning of June was only one month away and her stomach churned as she realized how little time she had.
"The wedding can be held in the tea garden." Narcissa chimed in. "The roses will be in full bloom by then and I know a wonderful decorator that will see to all the details."
"That sounds delightful." Octavia chimed in. "Don't you think dear?"
"I'm sorry?" Nona realized all to suddenly that the attention had shifted to her and she looked up like a deer in headlights. Three pairs of silver eyes looked at her expectantly and she felt dizzy all at once.
"Mother," Draco piped up. "Perhaps my betrothed and I should take some time to become acquainted. We could take a stroll through the garden. She looks as though she could use some fresh air and you hardly need us to discuss the details." Nona felt the blood drain from her face at his suggestion.
Narcissa looked at her son asconce and raised an inquisitive brow before turning to look at Nona. "You do seem rather pale, dear. Perhaps Draco is right." Narcissa nodded as though confirming her own thoughts and produced a notepad from thin air.
Nona felt like the world shifted out from under her feet as her mother pinched her side to make her move. She sprang up and rushed quickly out the french doors with Draco Malfoy hot on her heels. The crunch of gravel beneath her feet broke the serene silence of the tea garden as she hurried to get out of earshot of their parents.
"Do you plan to make a run for it?" His jovial tone struck a nerve in her and Nona wheeled around on him with a bright red flush in her cheeks.
"I have a mind to." She admitted as she kept a distinct distance between them. Draco quirked a silver brow and his smirk twitched in irritation.
"And why is that?" He took a predatory step closer, shrinking the space between them. Nona took a step back and crossed her arms. The way he towered over her so elegantly made her feel like a field mouse facing a lion.
"Did you know? Last night?" Nona shot back accusingly.
"I'm as shocked as you are, Darling." He purred taking another long step forward. Nona retreated again and chewed her lip nervously.
"Don't call me that." She begged with a shiver. Images of the night before filled her head and she did her best not to look at the gorgeous man stalking towards her. How could she reconcile the fact that the lover she never planned to see again would be her husband in less than a month?
"You seemed to enjoy it when I called you that last night." He took another step forward and Nona realized too late that he'd backed her into an alcove. Her back hit the cool stone of the shady nook and she gasped in surprise. His silver eyes flashed devilishly at her and she swallowed roughly.
"That was last night." She retorted, trying desperately to get a grasp on the situation.
"And you feel differently now?" He thrummed as he planted his hands on either side of her head. His face was mere inches from hers and she couldn't look away from his burning gaze.
"I'm marrying you now!" She yelped as he tilted his head and examined her closely. Nona couldn't read his statuesque face as he seemed to ponder something. "Last night you were a handsome stranger in a bar! This is different." Her sentence seemed to fizzle out as she flushed and tore her eyes away from his in shame.
"And your future husband isn't supposed to call you by pet names?" Draco thrummed. His question sounded almost accusing. It was exceedingly obvious now that she was beginning to anger him. He had her there though. She couldn't rightly ask him not to call her darling when he would soon be the only man with a right to call her that.
"I'm just shocked." She admitted quietly. "And when you call me that-" A shiver ran up her spine as she remembered the filthy things they'd done together. "I remember."
"I never planned to forget." He thrummed sensually as he removed his hand from the wall and caressed her cheek. "You were supposed to be my final hurrah before I resigned myself to marrying whatever well bred woman my parents chose." He leaned in even closer and their lips were mere inches apart. "I was going to let the memory of you haunt my dreams."
Nona felt her heart thump in her chest and she looked at him in a new light. He had been in that bar for the same reason she brought him back to her hotel. He wanted a final taste of freedom, and by some strange twist of fate, they had cheated eachother out of that chance, though neither seemed to take exception to that realization. The fact that he'd said it like some character from a romance novel did nothing to calm the butterflies in her stomach.
"But you left." She squeaked. It was a pitiful response.
"I couldn't very well leave my intended waiting while I laid in bed all day shagging you senseless. Tell me you wouldn't have thrown me out the moment you woke up." He smirked at her boyishly.
"I would have." She admitted. Having him so close to her was making her head spin. "But you did keep me waiting." It was petty to point out the half hour she'd spent agonizing over meeting him, but she wasn't feeling very mature at the moment. On the contrary she felt like a schoolgirl sneaking around after hours with a boy she fancied.
"Only because I had to get your lipstick and perfume off of me." He countered snarkily. "Or would you rather our parents saw the state you left me in?" His silver eyebrow rose in a challenge and he grinned broadly at her. "Did you blush this much last night?" He asked absently.
"Maybe." She retorted childishly. Last night she had been high on the taboo of what she was doing, or high on how he made her feel. She couldn't tell the difference.
"You're beautiful when you turn pink like that." The curve of his smile changed and the energy between them intensified. "Do you have any idea how happy I am that you were the mystery woman I was so anxious to meet?"
Nona shook her head, unable to find the words she wanted. "Why? You don't know anything about me." It was the painful truth.
"I think we can agree that knowing anything at all about eachother is an advantage over the alternative." He countered. "Besides, we have the rest of our lives to get to know eachother."
Nona looked at him as though she were meeting a new man. Wasn't this something she'd wished for? That she could have the silver devil who had shattered her idea of what sex could feel like? Slowly, she reached up and placed a hand on his chest, causing his jaw to clench and his steely eyes to cloud with lust. Even the slightest touch of her hand seemed to evoke the devil in his soul, but he did not move.
"I won't be so easy next time." She warned. "You can't simply come calling and expect me to spread my legs at the drop of a hat." Her attempt to sound authoritative fell flat as he grinned wolfishly at her.
"Is that your only condition?" He asked as he once again stroked her flushed cheek. Nona bit her lip and shook her head.
"There's more?" Draco seemed intrigued by her hesitation.
"No one can know that we've already-... You know." Nona stumbled awkwardly over her words and flushed in embarrassment.
"Fucked like demons?" Draco asked, eliciting a gasp and a smack to his chest.
"Yes, that!" Nona looked around frantically hoping no one would see them so intimately nestled into the alcove or overhear their secret.
"Then I have a condition of my own." He countered, boxing her in with his body, shielding her from imaginary prying eyes. His hard chest pressed against her and she gave a little gasp at the feeling of his warm body against hers. Flashes of their passionate night together filled her head and she felt warmth pool in her stomach. Draco looked fiercely in her eyes as he spoke. "When you're ready to let me worship this delectable body of yours, you'll come to me."
Nona's breath caught in her throat as she looked into his eyes. He was deadly serious. She barely nodded, but he took it as agreement and took a step back, releasing her from her place against the alcove wall. Nona put a hand to the wall and steadied herself. How was she ever going to get used to this. A one night stand was one thing, but marrying this gorgeous man was going to prove to be a minefield.