Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of Rowling's licensed characters.
Author's Note: Okay, time for a little clarification. I am fully aware that Regulus is supposed to be dead. I am also aware that Narcissa was a Black and that would make Draco and Rachel cousins. I am also aware that Andromeda, as Nymphadora Tonks' mother was not a Death Eater. Additionally, I am aware how Rachel's name doesn't quite fit in with those of the others. I would like to point out that this is set in a different sort of universe where things have been changed for the sake of the story. I also want to remind everyone that this started as a Quizilla quiz and that it was not meant as a Mary-Sue fantasy story.
That being said, I want to thank all my reviewers for taking the time to tell me what they think of the story! Thanx everyone- you put a rare smile on my face!
It was nearly one in the morning when all the guests had left and Rachel was allowed to return to her room. She allowed Draco to walk her there, purely because she wasn't a hundred percent sure how to get to her room yet, especially in her tired state.
"Watch out for that little lump in the rug," Draco steered her a little to the left. "You're wearing heels and you might sprain an ankle or something. "There was an unfamiliar warm tone to his voice.
"Thank you." She smiled at him, too tired to try and hold anything against him.
"Your rooms are right next to mine," He shrugged self-consciously. "It's not that big a deal."
"Really?" Rachel shuddered as a portrait of a man looking a lot like a vampire gazed at her scrupulously and the veela-looking woman who had been licking his face paused to give her a lusty wink. "I didn't realize the rooms were so close." She looked straight on and decided not to gaze at any more portraits.
"Mother and Father thought it would be useful." He drawled. "You know, so I could help you find your way around the manor." He added quickly, seeing her raven brow raise.
"How sweet of you to be concerned about me." She rolled her eyes. "Well, here we are." He stopped in front of slightly familiar looking door that had the words nox noctis candidus carved deep into the mahogany; words she knew to mean Night Beauty, roughly translated.
"Well, goodnight." She said rather quickly, anxious to get cleaned up and crash for the night.
"Sleep well…" Draco winked at her, a gesture that went unnoticed. They lazily embraced each other in a weak, but friendly, hug.
Rachel turned on the shower that was enclosed in glass doors in her bathroom. She slowly took off her shoes on the bed, placing them gently by the wardrobe and she put her jewelry in the ornate jewelry box on the vanity. Her dress she laid out on the bed for the house elves to hang up and take care of as she locked herself in the bathroom and took her shower. Now in a dark green silk nightgown with her waves pulled back in a neat bun, Rachel was ready for bed. She opened her wardrobe and found the dress there, smelling fresh amongst her other clean clothing. She had many nice things, bought for her with a small portion of her father's inheritance as a Black. Narcissa had also insisted on taking her shopping the previous day shortly after her arrival. She felt a pang of sympathy for Narcissa; she had wanted a daughter so badly. Rachel just had to concede to her request when she saw the pleading look on the older woman's face.
There was a small knock at her door and Rachel reluctantly got out of bed. It was her Father and she shut the door behind him as he sat on the couch that sat by the wall.
"Hullo, Father,' She yawned. "Come to say good night?" "Yes, Rachel. I also came to see if you had reached a decision," She bit her bottom lip. She had nearly forgotten why they had come to the Malfoy manor.
"My decision, Father?" She swallowed hard. "I haven't given it much thought…" She admitted.
"Don't feel too bad, Raye darling. Well talk about it at tea, all of us." He said with a hint of foreboding on her part. She embraced her father, who left her to have nervous dreams.