Chapter 2
Albus Dumbledore stood in his office, pacing as he awaited the arrival of the Lestrange Twins. He knew they were none to happy about their impending marriages and although he tried to care for the many students under his guidance equally, he had to admit that Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott were not among his favorite people. When the young women had first come to Hogwarts thirteen years ago, Albus had been surprised to find they did not take after their untrustworthy father. Instead, the girls were more like their mother. Open minded and kind. He was not surprised, however, when the wise Sorting Hat placed them in the house of Slytherin.
In the years they had spent in the aged school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Pagan and Dauphina drifted apart from their housemates, preferring the company of those within the houses of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Albus knew they would never fully accept their father's ways and that thought made him proud. It was common knowledge that few evil witches or wizards came from any house other than Slytherin. He was delighted when he heard of the girls' pursuits of good magic and spell casting. He was also aware that this thoroughly distressed their father.
He stopped pacing as a firm knock sounded on the door. "Enter." He called loudly enough to be heard through the thick door. Professor Snape, in all his brooding darkness entered followed by the Lestrange twins. As usual, the girls wore dresses of the exact same Gothic style in their favorite colors; Dauphina in the very color of fresh English lavender and Pagan in the deepest cerulean blue. Both girls bowed slightly to him and Albus felt another pang of guilt.
These two young women had so much magical potential, so much fire and life that shackling them to brutes such as Draco and Theodore would surely break that spirit he had come to know so well.
His voice was steady as he addressed them, he did not want to make things harder than they already were.
"Please, do not bow before me. I am not your father or your husbands. I am simply your friend." He told them.
Pagan gave him a sarcastic smile. "What would our father think if we did not bow to our betters?" She spat. Albus chuckled inwardly. Draco was going to have a tough time with her.
Dauphina moved to her mentor silently, and embraced him as she had the last time they'd seen one another. Dumbledore gratefully returned the affectionate embrace before she pulled away.
"It is truly wonderful to see you both again. The walls of Hogwarts have missed your clever antics." Albus told them in his ancient voice.
Pagan laughed heartily, but Dauphina simply smiled softly. Snape mumbled from behind them. "No two girls have ever given me so much trouble."
Dauphina turned to him, a bright smile on her lovely face. "Oh come now, Severus, you know your life is without joy in our absence."
The man grunted and turned away. Albus addressed them again.
"I have had your quarters in the guest wing readied for your arrival. Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Nott will meet you there. I am sure you will have many things to talk about. Feel free to go anywhere in the castle. I am sure there are some new volumes in the library, Pagan." Pagan smiled, pleased he remembered her favorite pastime.
"Professor Snape, would you escort these visions of loveliness to their quarters?" Albus questioned. Snape nodded mutely, opening the door for the girls.
Dauphina bowed again, this time with a wide grin. "Thank you, wise wizard. Your kindness and wisdom is not found often in this world." He chuckled and she winked. Pagan, as usual, rolled her eyes before bidding their mentor farewell.
With Snape leading the way, they clasped hands, both trying to find the strength to face their dreary fate.
Draco Malfoy stood with a bored expression on his face beside his friend, Theodore Nott. The two boys had been waiting for nearly a quarter of an hour for their brides. Theodore was mentally reviewing the formal address he'd written for his first meeting with lovely Dauphina. Draco simply wanted to get it over with so he could start enjoying a few of the "perks" of the married man.
When the women arrived, Draco gave Pagan what he thought was a withering look. "It's about bloody time."
Pagan, whom had actually decided to be nice to the boy, was sent into instant fury. As she opened her mouth to fire back a comment sure to be filled with levels of profanity young Draco had never heard, Dauphina clamped her hand over her little sister's mouth and smiled.
"We're sorry we are so late, my lords. Professor Dumbledore wanted to see us."
Draco smoldered, his face twisted into an evil grin. "Well then, I am surprised you are even here at all. That old hack can't move much faster than a drowsy turtle."
Pagan's eyes flashed and even the nearly unflappable Dauphina's smile wavered. She did not remove her hand from Pagan's mouth.
Draco moved closer to Pagan, sizing her up and reminding Dauphina of a customer in a butcher shop. "You would do well to learn proper manners. I will be your husband and you will do my bidding. Whether you like it or not." He paused, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "My father has already taught me the proper measures for breaking a woman into a saddle, do not test me, woman."
Pagan's eyes flashed again, she removed Dauphina's hand from her mouth and dropped her voice to an equally dangerous tone.
"Touch me and I will remove your only claim to manhood." She spat.
Snape caught Draco's attention and gave him a pointed look. Although the boy's eyes were on fire with anger, he backed down, waiting until his professor left to continue his conversation.
Dauphina bowed to Theodore. He bowed in response. "Welcome, Dauphina Lestrange. I am sure we will have no trouble getting on. Your manners are much better than your sister's."
Dauphina feigned a look of distress. "I do not know how I will keep her under control and be a wife at the same time, you may have to grant me a bit of lenience."
Theodore smiled. "We will see, my lady."
Snape, bored with the scene exited quietly. As he walked back to his own chambers, he wondered why the thought of Dauphina marrying Mr. Nott bothered him so. He wondered why the young woman haunted his mind. He wondered why he gave a damn. He wondered.