I Don't Like Where this is Going

"Now Artemis, I need you to promise me that you will keep an open mind this weekend." Perseus said to his daughter. "I know last summer didn't end all that well, but your hair has grown back and it look's even better than it did before Draco cut it."

"Massacred it," hissed the young girl angrily.

"Please dear, just remember you promised me, that no matter what happened this weekend, you would control your temper." Perseus drew his daughter into a hug, as her mother softly stroked her long, wavy, strawberry blonde hair.

"I remember father, but keep in mind, everyone has their limits… and that insufferable prat, knows just how to test mine."

Just then, the large front doors of Malfoy Manor opened and the Fowlington family was ushered in by the house-elf, Betsy. The Manor was just how Artemis had remembered it, exquisitely decorated and disgustingly large, much like her own family's estate. As they entered the large sitting room Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy greeted them warmly.

"Perseus, it is good to see you again. It has been far too long." Lucius shook his old friends hand. The two mothers, Narcissa and Persephone, embraced warmly, clearly having missed one another's company. Lucius then hugged Persephone and welcomed her to his home, while Narcissa greeted Perseus in much the manner. The Malfoy's then turned their attentions to Artemis.

"I must say Artemis, you are prettier than a picture!" exclaimed Narcissa as she embraced the young girl tightly and offered her a genuine smile.

"Yes, you certainly have changed a great deal since we last saw you," Lucius then took Artemis' hand and kissed her knuckles lightly. "You must drive the boy's quite mad".

As he gave the young girl the once over, he determined, that Artemis had become even more beautiful than he had expected. When last the Malfoy family had seen her, she had been a lanky young girl. However, this last year had been very kind to Artemis and she had matured a great deal. She had grown nearly 2 inches and stood at 5' 7". Though she was still a thin girl, Artemis was not nearly as scrawny as she had been. She had even managed to developed some rather well placed curves. Her regal features were still the same though, from her slightly upturned nose and high check bones to her large crystal blue eyes. He was now, more sure than ever, that his decision to attach his son this young woman was a good one. Her breathtaking appearance, he hoped, who make things easier for Draco to accept.

"Well actually Mr. Malfoy, I have never really had an opportunity to 'drive the boys mad'. As you know, my father has insisted on keeping me locked up in our manor, rather than allowing me to attend a school of magic." Artemis glared at her father. "My one weekend here every summer, is really the only time I get to see people outside of my family."

"Oh, you poor dear, you must be dying to spend some time with someone your own age," Narcissa ran her hand over Artemis' hair gently. "I'll call for Draco, so the two of you can catch up…I am sure he'll be thrilled to see." Narcissa knew this was a blatant lie. Ever since her husband had broken the news to Draco about his future wife, he had been in an absolutely wicked mood. She didn't think she had ever seen her son so angry before.

"Oh really, Mrs. Malfoy, that's not necessary. I'm sure Draco has better things to do than entertain me." Artemis hoped that she could avoid having to waste her weekend in the company of that prat.

"You're right Artemis, I do have better things to do than waste my weekend with…you" Draco stumbled on his words, once Artemis had come into his view, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she had become. "but, my parents insisted that I play host…so here I am.

All of the adults stared at Draco unbelievingly. Lucius then pulled Perseus aside.

"I know we agreed to wait and tell the children together, but I told Draco on his sixteenth birthday. I thought it would be best if only one of them flew of the handle. At least we would be able to better control just one hysterical teenager." Lucius hoped that Perseus would understand his reasoning.

"Yes, I suppose your right. I take it he isn't exactly thrilled"

"That, my friend, is an understatement, though he has assured me that he will not make things worse when we inform Artemis."

"Good to know…good to know."

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The day passed slowly for Artemis. While their mothers gossiped about the lives of other members of the magical world, the children sat in absolute silence, pouting about having to be in one another's company for the entire weekend. Draco made several attempts to enter the study that his father and Perseus had occupied, but was ushered out every time, while his father instructed him to entertain his guest. Finally losing, what little patience she had left, Artemis excused herself and went to enjoy the many books of the Malfoy library.

"Draco," hissed Narcissa. "Go with her!"

"But… "

"GO! NOW" Draco stormed out of the sitting room in search of Artemis.

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The two spent the rest of the day in the library, ignoring one another's existence. After several hours of reading, Betsy, came to collect the children for supper. Once the food had been served and everyone had begun to enjoy their meal, Lucius cleared his throat.

"I believe now, is as good a time as any, don't you Perseus?'

"Alright… but there are quite a few sharp objects present," joked the nervous father.

Draco abruptly stood, his face hardened in anger, "May I be excused?"

"Sit down Draco!" hissed Lucius and Narcissa in unison.

"Your not being here, when she is told, isn't going to change anything," Perseus interjected hoping to ease the tension between the Malfoys, at that moment.

"What's going on?" asked Artemis suddenly, apprehensive about whatever news she was about to hear.

"Shut your face, Artemis, and maybe they'll tell you…idiot" spat Draco, his eyes never leaving his plate.

"Draco…" warned Narcissa, "you are trying my patience." Draco huffed with indignation, but kept quiet just the same.

"Artemis, the birth of my son, as happy as I was, caused me a great deal of worry." Lucius began as he pushed his dinner plate further away. "My worry stemmed from the fact that I highly doubted I would be able to find a suitable mate for him. The Malfoy name has always been a good one... a powerful one. It was my duty to see to it that it remained that way. As you know, pureblood daughters are rare... even more rare, are respectable wealthy pureblood daughters. A prime example of the lack thereof, being one Miss Pansy Parkinson. So when I read of your birth, a mere two months after my own son's birth, I made a decision. This decision is what has led us here today."

"I don't like where this is going... Dad, I would like to go now." Artemis looked at her father pleadingly. He simply looked away.

"Mother... please?" She implored frantically. No one answered.

"When I read of your birth," Lucius continued, " I immediately contacted your father and scheduled a meeting with him. When I brought up the topic of an arranged marriage," Artemis gasped. " your father was quite receptive and we drew up the marriage contract right then." Lucius cleared his throat nervously and looked to his partner in crime for some sort of assistance.

"Artemis I will spare you the details and cut to the chase. You will wed, young master Malfoy, within six months of your seventeenth birthday." Perseus interjected, as calmly as he could. "You will not only be wed, but also magically bound to one another." The young girl was about to object but her father stopped her before she had the chance. "That was my choice and it is non-negotiable. None of this is. If you fail to comply with any stipulation of the marriage contract an Imperious-like charm will take effect and force compliance." At this point the tears had begun to fall freely from Artemis' bright blue eyes.

"This is all for your own good darling," whispered Artemis' mother softly as she rose to and comfort her daughter who was near the point of hyperventilating.

"This is... madness!" shouted the young girl brokenly between sobs. "Of all the people you choose, you choose that... prat! What the hell were you thinking?"

"Hey! I'm not exactly thrilled about having to spend forever with some... unattractive... mudblood loving cow! If you ask me, you're the one who's winning in this situation." Draco shouted, finally voicing his opinion.

"Well, I don't recall asking for you opinion...So until I do, keep it to yourself!"

"CALM DOWN!" boomed Lucius, trying to return order to the situation. Both children instantly quieted, as they stared at the menacing man before them. Apparently Lucius had, had enough and decided to revert back to his "Death-eater" mentality.

"I know that neither of you are happy about this, but you have NO CHOICE but to accept it!" Lucius returned to his seat and softened his mood.

"We all have to do things we don't want to, for the sake of what is right... the two of you are no exception." Perseus said trying to make the children see how futile it was to put up a fight.

"We will be announcing your engagement the day after Artemis' sixteenth birthday." Lucius withdrew a small black velvet box from his pocket and handed it to his livid son. Draco made no move to take the box until Lucius cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow in warning. Draco took the box and stood, turning to face his soon to be fiancé.

"I would be honored if you would accept this ring as a token of my intentions to... wed you." Draco could hardly force the farce words from his mouth. Artemis stared at him as she sobbed uncontrollably. Draco attempted to grasp her hand but she instantly jerked it away and sat on it, to prevent his access. He roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her hand from underneath her thigh. He then forced the ring onto her finger and, begrudgingly, placed a light kiss upon her knuckles, before rudely letting it drop in her lap.

"In order to ease the transition from friends..." Perseus stated as he placed his hand between Artemis' shoulder blades rubbing in a slow circular motion, to calm her.

"We are not friends," both Artemis and Draco hissed at the same time.

"...to husband and wife," Perseus continued as if he had not been interrupted. "Artemis, you will attend Howgarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry these last two years of your education. That way, you will be able to spend more time with Draco." Artemis' face lit up at this revelation, as she had always wanted to attend a real school, rather than learn from her private tutors.

"Really? An actual wizarding school... all year?" She questioned enthusiastically.

"Yes, I know how badly you always wanted to attend, but with the contract set up the way it is, it was impossible. You see, if you had... succumbed to your teenage... lusts, you would have been banned from the wizarding world and your wand would have been snapped. Perseus explained, glad he could finally inform his daughter of the real reason she had been kept from people her entire life.

"That's... barbaric!" She shouted. "Well then why was Draco allowed to go?"

"The same rules do not apply to him?"

"So he can run around shagging whomever he pleases without consequence, but I can't?"

"You bet that sweet little ass of your's I can... and do?" Draco replied cheekily.

"Did," interjected Lucius quicky. "Once he was informed of your intended union, he was also placed under a very powerful faithfulness charm. So unless he wishes to live like a muggle, he will have to keep it in his pants."

"I can't believe this," she stated sadly.

"Well you had better believe it, because it is happening." Lucius stood beckoning the other three adults to join him. "Oh and here is a copy of the marriage contract. It will explain everything in detail, including your monthly meeting requirement. I suggest you read it over carefully." With that said, Lucius left the children by themselves.

"Let's get one thing clear... you stay out of my way. I mean you don't talk to me, don't look at me and you certainly, don't touch me." hissed Draco once he was sure his parents were out of ear shot.

"You don't have to worry about that Draco, I don't want to talk to, look at or touch you."

"Good..." stated Draco lamely.

"Draco?"

"What?"

"What are we going to do?"

"Get married."

"But I hate you"

"Fuck off, would you!" Draco then stormed out of the dining room and locked himself in his room.

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After reading over the contract, a very distraught Artemis, locked herself in her guest's suite, as well. Neither of the children came out of their respective rooms until it was time for the Fowlington's to leave. Draco still refused to come out of his room, but Artemis, who wanted nothing more than to leave Malfoy Manor, packed her things in haste. Later that night, after Artemis and her family were gone, Draco emerged from his room. Upon opening his door, he found a small black velvet box sitting on the floor. Inside of the box was the enormous diamond engagement ring he had place... shoved... onto Artemis' finger. Draco quickly pocketed the box and forgot to inform his father that Artemis had given the ring back.