Disclaimer: Draco, Harry, and the gang belong to J.K.R. Oleandera, and the Vienna branch of the Malfoy family are my characters. If you are going to use them, please ask my permission.
Synopsis: Marriage to a Malfoy can be dangerous... even deadly. In order to survive, one must learn the Rules of Engagement...
Chapter II: The Rules of Engagement
Oleandera was speechless. "He-- my--"
"It's a wonderful match." her father continued. "The lack of Pureblood families today is nothing shy of revolting. We will soon be overrun my Muggleborns' and half-breeds. Even some of the families that are of the purest lineage are... well... Enough. Oleandera, you may leave us. There are things that need to be discussed."
"I'll take her back out to the ballroom, Sir."
"You may call me Nicholas or Father if you wish."
"Thank you Sir, I mean... Nicholas. Come." he held out his arm. Feeling completely numb, Oleandera took the offered arm.
The minute they were out of sight, Draco dropped her arm. "Well," he drawled. "This is simply thrilling. I thought I would at least get to marry someone grown, and I get promised to a baby."
"I'm not a baby. I'll be seventeen next month. Forgive me for not being an old maid of twenty. I didn't ask for this marriage!"
"And you think I went begging on my knees to be married to you?" he sneered. "I would be more than happy to remain single; however, that didn't seem to fit into my father's illustrious plans." he put his hands in his pockets and started walking in the direction of the ballroom."
"Well," she called after him. "If you are leaving me, I suppose I should go up to my room and do something useful; perhaps start thinking of names for our children." her last words stopped him. "Naturally, the first son will be Lucius, after your father. The next will be Nicholas, after mine; and, of course, our third son shall be named for you."
He gave her a look of disgust. "We aren't even formally engaged yet, and you are already naming our children. Do you think that is appropriate?"
"I see nothing wrong with it."
"I do." his voice was a low growl.
"Oh forgive me." her voice dripped sarcasm. "I didn't mean to offend my Lord and master." in two strides, he was beside her, and holding her arm in a vice like grip. "Don't you dare mock me. I can make your life a hell on earth."
"I'm aware of that fact. Now, if you would be so kind as to release my arm, I believe I shall return to the party."
"Oh, allow me to escort you. Surely it would not do for me to allow my fiance to return to the ballroom alone, having to walk through a darkened hallway."
"Your gallantry is astonishing. DO you plan on continuing this... behavior, after we are married?"
"As I said before, I didn't want to marry. We shall, of course, behave... in a certain manner in public. That will not extend to our private lives."
"Ah, I see... a marriage of convenience, How quaint." they walked quickly, and in silence. There was a question she was dying to ask him. Although it was inappropriate, she felt she should know what she was up against. "Do you have a mistress?"
His question surprised her, and he stopped walking, for the second time that evening. "What?"
"You know... a mistress; a lover; a 'partner'. Do you have one?"
"That, my dear, is none of your business."
"Oh, but I think it is. I am going to be your wife." she laughed. "The mother of your children. If you do have a mistress... I think I have a right to know. After all, what's good for one is good for the other."
"You will not take a lover. I will not have the gossips wagging their tongues about my family." he took her by the shoulders, and shook her. "You, my wife, will be beyond reproach. You need to learn that I, and not you are the one in charge. The sooner you learn that, the better off you will be." he learned forward and kissed her so hard, she felt her lips bruising. He pushed her away from him, and strode into the ballroom, leaving her leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.
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She had little difficulty finding her sister. Hope was standing, motionless, next to her handsome husband. He was engaged in a conversation with two other gentlemen, and paid her no notice. Hope looked Oleandera thought, as if she would collapse at any moment. Oleander a was sure that if her husband had not been griping her am so tightly, Hope would have sat down long ago.
In a moment's decision, Oleandera decided to rescue her sister. "Won't you please excuse us for a few minutes Maxim? There is someone who wishes to speak with Hope." she smiled at her sister, who looked quite relieved, but Maxim Du Bois did not release his wife's arm. "and who might that be?"
"Our... aunt." Oleandera replied, thinking quickly.
"Yes..." his eyebrow was arched so high, it reached his hair.
"Narcissa." a new voice interjected. "Narcissa Malfoy. I am Lucius' wife. I'm sure you won't object to my stealing your bride away for a few minutes?"
"No, not at all." he replied politely, and with a glare at Oleandera, he released his wife, and turned back to his guests. "Why don't you get some food dear?" Narcissa said, giving Hope a sympathetic look. "You look famished. I would like to have a few words with your sister."
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"I didn't know he was your son." Oleander a said, as she and Mrs. Malfoy made themselves comfortable in large chairs in one of the many sitting rooms. "Well, I knew he must be, because I saw you come in together; but if I hadn't, I would have taken you for his sister. You don't look old enough to have a child of his age."
"Well," Narcissa chuckled. "When I was your age, I was married, and about to give birth to Draco. I had him two weeks before my seventeenth birthday."
"Really?" Oleandera was astonished.
"Yes. I married the day I turned sixteen. I missed my last year of school in order to marry." she sighed. "A year later, I gave birth to our son. I wanted so much for him... and in the end, he ended up just like his father." her eyes were slightly clouded, and she looked as if she might cry.
"Madam, although I admit I am none to thrilled about marrying your son, I am determined to make our marriage work. I could fight it, but it would only make me miserable. My father is a strong man, and when he makes a decision, there is no going back."
"A very sensible plan my dear. But I must warn you... my son is not a kind man. I am certain he will do everything in his power to make you miserable,"
"Yes... he promised as much; I am prepared Madam." she hesitated. "Does your son have a mistress?"
"This last question took Narcissa off guard. Her mouth hung open, and then she began to laugh. A high, tinkling laugh that was pleasing to the ear. "What a question. Have you heard gossip?"
"No, none. Only..." she blushed. "I asked him, and he refused to tell me."
"That doesn't surprise me. One can hardly expect a man to tell his fiancé such a thing; but since you asked... yes, he does."
"Well, oh, I..." Oleandera was extremely uncomfortable. She hadn't actually expected him to have a mistress; and now that she knew he did, she didn't expect that it would upset her as much as it did. "Why doesn't he marry her then?"
"I believe he might have, only it wasn't a suitable match. Oh, she comes from a Pureblood family, but let us say... Ms. Parkinson is a bit... loose. Even her in school years she was so. If she had been discreet, it might have been acceptable, but she flaunted her lovers in public. No," Narcissa shook her head. "Marriage to her would not have been prudent."
"Does he... love her?" This subject was beginning to greatly interest her. She was determined never to love, and it would be much easier not to love him, if he was in love with someone else.
"I really don't know. Perhaps you should ask him yourself."
"What a perfect opportunity. Here I am." Draco stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He walked forward, and kissed Narcissa. "Good evening mother. How kind of you to share the details of my private life with the world. Miss Malfoy," he held out a hand to her. "You father would like us to rejoin the party. He has an announcement he would like to make."
Oleandera stood, and took his hand. "Lead the way Mr. Malfoy."
The guests were all gathered around several large tables, which had been set up for the occasion. Her father called for attention, and raised his glass. "I wish to thank all of you for attending this evening. It gives me great pleasure to see one of my daughters well married. That said, there seems no time like the present to announce the engagement of the next in line." there was a murmur from the guests, and many eyes turned toward Oleandera. "It gives me great pleasure to announce the engagement of my daughter, Oleandera, to Mr. Draco Malfoy."
There was applause as the two stood, and Draco led the way up to the front. "There marriage will take place in the spring, when Mr. Malfoy turns twenty." There was more applause as Draco took a ring from his pocket, and slipped in on her finger. It was beautiful, with a large round diamond in the center, with a ruby nestled on either side. Draco leaned forward, and kissed her, essentially sealing their contract. It felt wonderful, and she wished it could last forever, but after a moment, he pulled away.
"Now, now," he whispered. "Save that for when we are married, and alone." he turned, her to face their guests, and after a moment, led them back up the isle. He pulled out her chair, and seated her. Then, brushing her hair away from her ear, he leaned down and whispered, "If you ever go prying into my personal matters again, you will be the sorriest mortal ever born." he smiled, and sat down next to her.
She did not reply. How was it that his threats could make her feel so cold?
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Next chapter: Of Mysteries and Mistresses
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this next installment. Even if you didn't, I'd still like your opinion. So, please, please, review.
Synopsis: Marriage to a Malfoy can be dangerous... even deadly. In order to survive, one must learn the Rules of Engagement...
Chapter II: The Rules of Engagement
Oleandera was speechless. "He-- my--"
"It's a wonderful match." her father continued. "The lack of Pureblood families today is nothing shy of revolting. We will soon be overrun my Muggleborns' and half-breeds. Even some of the families that are of the purest lineage are... well... Enough. Oleandera, you may leave us. There are things that need to be discussed."
"I'll take her back out to the ballroom, Sir."
"You may call me Nicholas or Father if you wish."
"Thank you Sir, I mean... Nicholas. Come." he held out his arm. Feeling completely numb, Oleandera took the offered arm.
The minute they were out of sight, Draco dropped her arm. "Well," he drawled. "This is simply thrilling. I thought I would at least get to marry someone grown, and I get promised to a baby."
"I'm not a baby. I'll be seventeen next month. Forgive me for not being an old maid of twenty. I didn't ask for this marriage!"
"And you think I went begging on my knees to be married to you?" he sneered. "I would be more than happy to remain single; however, that didn't seem to fit into my father's illustrious plans." he put his hands in his pockets and started walking in the direction of the ballroom."
"Well," she called after him. "If you are leaving me, I suppose I should go up to my room and do something useful; perhaps start thinking of names for our children." her last words stopped him. "Naturally, the first son will be Lucius, after your father. The next will be Nicholas, after mine; and, of course, our third son shall be named for you."
He gave her a look of disgust. "We aren't even formally engaged yet, and you are already naming our children. Do you think that is appropriate?"
"I see nothing wrong with it."
"I do." his voice was a low growl.
"Oh forgive me." her voice dripped sarcasm. "I didn't mean to offend my Lord and master." in two strides, he was beside her, and holding her arm in a vice like grip. "Don't you dare mock me. I can make your life a hell on earth."
"I'm aware of that fact. Now, if you would be so kind as to release my arm, I believe I shall return to the party."
"Oh, allow me to escort you. Surely it would not do for me to allow my fiance to return to the ballroom alone, having to walk through a darkened hallway."
"Your gallantry is astonishing. DO you plan on continuing this... behavior, after we are married?"
"As I said before, I didn't want to marry. We shall, of course, behave... in a certain manner in public. That will not extend to our private lives."
"Ah, I see... a marriage of convenience, How quaint." they walked quickly, and in silence. There was a question she was dying to ask him. Although it was inappropriate, she felt she should know what she was up against. "Do you have a mistress?"
His question surprised her, and he stopped walking, for the second time that evening. "What?"
"You know... a mistress; a lover; a 'partner'. Do you have one?"
"That, my dear, is none of your business."
"Oh, but I think it is. I am going to be your wife." she laughed. "The mother of your children. If you do have a mistress... I think I have a right to know. After all, what's good for one is good for the other."
"You will not take a lover. I will not have the gossips wagging their tongues about my family." he took her by the shoulders, and shook her. "You, my wife, will be beyond reproach. You need to learn that I, and not you are the one in charge. The sooner you learn that, the better off you will be." he learned forward and kissed her so hard, she felt her lips bruising. He pushed her away from him, and strode into the ballroom, leaving her leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.
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She had little difficulty finding her sister. Hope was standing, motionless, next to her handsome husband. He was engaged in a conversation with two other gentlemen, and paid her no notice. Hope looked Oleandera thought, as if she would collapse at any moment. Oleander a was sure that if her husband had not been griping her am so tightly, Hope would have sat down long ago.
In a moment's decision, Oleandera decided to rescue her sister. "Won't you please excuse us for a few minutes Maxim? There is someone who wishes to speak with Hope." she smiled at her sister, who looked quite relieved, but Maxim Du Bois did not release his wife's arm. "and who might that be?"
"Our... aunt." Oleandera replied, thinking quickly.
"Yes..." his eyebrow was arched so high, it reached his hair.
"Narcissa." a new voice interjected. "Narcissa Malfoy. I am Lucius' wife. I'm sure you won't object to my stealing your bride away for a few minutes?"
"No, not at all." he replied politely, and with a glare at Oleandera, he released his wife, and turned back to his guests. "Why don't you get some food dear?" Narcissa said, giving Hope a sympathetic look. "You look famished. I would like to have a few words with your sister."
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"I didn't know he was your son." Oleander a said, as she and Mrs. Malfoy made themselves comfortable in large chairs in one of the many sitting rooms. "Well, I knew he must be, because I saw you come in together; but if I hadn't, I would have taken you for his sister. You don't look old enough to have a child of his age."
"Well," Narcissa chuckled. "When I was your age, I was married, and about to give birth to Draco. I had him two weeks before my seventeenth birthday."
"Really?" Oleandera was astonished.
"Yes. I married the day I turned sixteen. I missed my last year of school in order to marry." she sighed. "A year later, I gave birth to our son. I wanted so much for him... and in the end, he ended up just like his father." her eyes were slightly clouded, and she looked as if she might cry.
"Madam, although I admit I am none to thrilled about marrying your son, I am determined to make our marriage work. I could fight it, but it would only make me miserable. My father is a strong man, and when he makes a decision, there is no going back."
"A very sensible plan my dear. But I must warn you... my son is not a kind man. I am certain he will do everything in his power to make you miserable,"
"Yes... he promised as much; I am prepared Madam." she hesitated. "Does your son have a mistress?"
"This last question took Narcissa off guard. Her mouth hung open, and then she began to laugh. A high, tinkling laugh that was pleasing to the ear. "What a question. Have you heard gossip?"
"No, none. Only..." she blushed. "I asked him, and he refused to tell me."
"That doesn't surprise me. One can hardly expect a man to tell his fiancé such a thing; but since you asked... yes, he does."
"Well, oh, I..." Oleandera was extremely uncomfortable. She hadn't actually expected him to have a mistress; and now that she knew he did, she didn't expect that it would upset her as much as it did. "Why doesn't he marry her then?"
"I believe he might have, only it wasn't a suitable match. Oh, she comes from a Pureblood family, but let us say... Ms. Parkinson is a bit... loose. Even her in school years she was so. If she had been discreet, it might have been acceptable, but she flaunted her lovers in public. No," Narcissa shook her head. "Marriage to her would not have been prudent."
"Does he... love her?" This subject was beginning to greatly interest her. She was determined never to love, and it would be much easier not to love him, if he was in love with someone else.
"I really don't know. Perhaps you should ask him yourself."
"What a perfect opportunity. Here I am." Draco stood in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He walked forward, and kissed Narcissa. "Good evening mother. How kind of you to share the details of my private life with the world. Miss Malfoy," he held out a hand to her. "You father would like us to rejoin the party. He has an announcement he would like to make."
Oleandera stood, and took his hand. "Lead the way Mr. Malfoy."
The guests were all gathered around several large tables, which had been set up for the occasion. Her father called for attention, and raised his glass. "I wish to thank all of you for attending this evening. It gives me great pleasure to see one of my daughters well married. That said, there seems no time like the present to announce the engagement of the next in line." there was a murmur from the guests, and many eyes turned toward Oleandera. "It gives me great pleasure to announce the engagement of my daughter, Oleandera, to Mr. Draco Malfoy."
There was applause as the two stood, and Draco led the way up to the front. "There marriage will take place in the spring, when Mr. Malfoy turns twenty." There was more applause as Draco took a ring from his pocket, and slipped in on her finger. It was beautiful, with a large round diamond in the center, with a ruby nestled on either side. Draco leaned forward, and kissed her, essentially sealing their contract. It felt wonderful, and she wished it could last forever, but after a moment, he pulled away.
"Now, now," he whispered. "Save that for when we are married, and alone." he turned, her to face their guests, and after a moment, led them back up the isle. He pulled out her chair, and seated her. Then, brushing her hair away from her ear, he leaned down and whispered, "If you ever go prying into my personal matters again, you will be the sorriest mortal ever born." he smiled, and sat down next to her.
She did not reply. How was it that his threats could make her feel so cold?
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Next chapter: Of Mysteries and Mistresses
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this next installment. Even if you didn't, I'd still like your opinion. So, please, please, review.