Annabelle
We arrived at Malfoy Manor late, as befits a bride. Grandmother lectured me all the way, that I should be serious and responsible, that this is a big holiday for our family, so I would not dare to do something weird at the reception. She lamented that my bad temper was all my father's fault, that he should have been stricter with me, and so on. My grandmother, Walpurga Black, was a highly respected witch among pureblood families. It was rumored that even the Dark Lord himself listened to her opinion! After all, both of her sons served him as Death Eaters. My late uncle Regulus, however, did not stay long in his service. A short time later, he went missing and was later declared dead. Grandmother took the news rather hard, but soon after that I was born and she had something to switch her attention to.
Immediately after my birth, she and her brother Signus Black — Narcissa's father, Draco's mother — agreed on a marriage alliance between their grandchildren. Me and Draco. My father was not particularly enthusiastic about this idea, but he did not resist either, since he had no time for it. He mourned the death of my mother, Elizabeth Burke, who died in childbirth. Therefore, my grandmother decided everything for me, and now the day of the engagement has come, from which, no matter how much I would like, there is no escape.
The fact is that an agreement on a marriage alliance between families is one of the ancient and most sacred traditions of pureblood wizards. Since we do not want our family to be defiled by dirty blood, we have to conclude such contracts from the cradle. Only us — grooms and brides — no one asks.
The process itself is also quite old. This is a kind of rite in which the elders of the clans pronounce an ancient spell, it also obliges us to tie the knot, leaving no choice. We cannot terminate this contract, run away from each other, refusing to marry, just as we cannot part and divorce. As the centuries passed, another clause was included in this agreement about the impossibility of getting rid of each other by premature death, if our efforts were applied to this. You can't even poison your betrothed, just not to marry him!
Here is such an inevitability and doom to be together, even against our will.
And if even with a future husband it was possible to agree, find a common language and get along together, then with Draco... Oh, Merlin, why do I need this?
Yes, he is handsome, rich, even witty sometimes, but if you "blow" on him, he will immediately hide under his mother's skirt and whine that his father will hear about this! Oh yeah. And then the curse of the great and terrible family of Malfoys will descend on you. Yeah of course! Rather, I will put something on him myself.
Well, that is, he is so... Whom you want to kick while you wait until he stands up for you or saves you from some monster.
But I really want romance, adventure, a knight on a white horse! To take me with him to fight the dragons! He would have covered me with his wide chest from the spell cast by enemies! So that he is not afraid to pick a flower under the nose of a troll and, if anything, throw his dead carcass at my feet... What's there, the whole world!
And Draco? Well, Draco... I still can't forget how in the third year that mud blood Granger slapped him right in the nose! No, of course, I can not stand this Granger, but Merlin's beard, how funny it was! We were walking that evening with my friend and cousin Aurora and were already returning back to the Slytherin common room when we suddenly heard some screams. Well, my spirit of mischief and curiosity overcame Aurora's caution and we hid behind a stone wall, getting closer to the source of the sound. I couldn't laugh out loud and give away our hiding place when the mudblood Granger pointed her wand at Draco, who began to whine something unintelligible and almost cried. And then, when she lowered her wand and Draco felt like a winner, Granger spun around and punched him right in the nose! How he wailed and whimpered as he moved away from her! It had to be seen...
And after this they tell me that I should become his wife? If I don't like something, will he threaten to tell his father about everything? So what? And I'll tell mine. And let's see who wins.
But that just won't solve the problem.
I did not even notice how we entered the hall and all the guests fell silent, turning their eyes on us. The music, which stopped for a moment, was immediately replaced by a more solemn melody, and my father, taking my arm, led me to the middle of the hall. That's where Draco came in. I was surprised and could not help noticing how handsome he had become over the two summer months that we did not see each other. As I approached, it seemed to me that he had become even taller, now certainly a full head taller than me.
"Don't incinerate him with your gaze," my father whispered to me with a grin, and gently kissing the top of my head, handed me over to the groom's hands.
Draco immediately politely kissed the back of my hand, took my arm and stepped back to make way for my grandmother:
"Our dear guests, today we are gathered here to celebrate the union of two families, the ancient and pureblood bloodlines Malfoy and Black, and to witness their betrothal. Our children, you are our immortality, prosper and continue our family, strengthening it and doubling it. Pass on our traditions and beliefs. After all, the purity of blood is above all!"
The hall exploded with applause. Glasses clinked immediately, and only when the rumble subsided did grandmother turn to us and, making a strong-willed gesture, pointed to her place.
We have taken a few steps forward. And immediately Draco knelt down in front of me, holding out a box with a stunning ring. It was a thin silver snake, which should gracefully bend around my finger (and sit there forever), encrusted with perhaps a dozen diamonds, and its mouth held a huge emerald, as for such a thin ringlet. It matched perfectly with my brooch, which, by the way, my grandmother, oddly enough, gave me this morning; and matched the color of my eyes.
"Annabelle Lucretia Black, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I swear I will live up to all the expectations placed on me, no matter what the cost," Draco said in a calm voice, as if he had been rehearsing these phrases for more than a day, therefore they sounded somewhat monotonous and memorized.
Oh Merlin! Every girl dreams of hearing these words in the presence of all her relatives, who are staring at her in anticipation of what she will answer. Really what? Or maybe make a joke? I caught my father's cheerfully grinning gaze, as if he had read my thoughts and was thinking the same thing. And immediately I met my grandmother's eyes. Her piercing gaze somehow made me feel uncomfortable. I swallowed nervously and looked back at Draco.
I wonder what he's thinking now? I even felt a little offended when I caught in his eyes complete indifference to what was happening.
Well, I need to gather my courage, it's not in vain that I preened myself so much today! I am the center of attention, everyone admires me. And I need to not screw up.
"Yes, Draco, I agree to become your wife!" I finally choked out, hoping it didn't sound too squeaky.
But judging by the applause of the guests and the cheers, it looked like I was so embarrassed by this and touched that I could not hide my feelings.
If you knew what I really think...
Draco straightened up and placed the ring on my ring finger. As I expected, it looks amazing. I did not notice that I was admiring how the ring looks against the background of my green silk dress, which flowed to the bottom. The fabric was decorated with golden threads stretching from the waist to the hem, where they were wrapped in flowers, the core of which was made of natural malachites and topazes. These colors, by the way, were perfect for my dark brown curly hair, very elegantly pulled up in a high hairstyle with a pair of flowing curls at the face.
And while I was looking at the reflection of the candles in the emerald, I did not notice how someone's hand laid that same strand behind my ear and long pale fingers slid down my cheek. I looked up and saw Draco slowly approaching my face, and before I could dodge, his cold and slightly rough lips touched mine, and froze there, it seemed to me, for an eternity. Oh heaven! How could I forget that the engagement must be sealed with a kiss!
He really took me by surprise and I even parted my lips in shock, as if I allowed myself to be kissed further. Draco pressed his lips to mine more insistently, and I was about to push him away, when he soon pulled away himself, smiled at the corners of his lips at his relatives and took my arm.
I didn't know how to react to this. Yes, we had kisses before, at first children's, purely out of curiosity, because we spent all family holidays together from an early age. Until they completely disappeared, when we realized that we didn't like each other and all this engagement was an exclusively necessary measure. I tried to get it out of my head right there, because the kiss is only part of the engagement.
And he was silent. Draco took me from one relative to another, we accepted congratulations and compliments, until these thoughts completely disappeared and it became sick again. The music began to play loudly again — or so it seemed to me — and there was nothing left but to pray silently to everyone who was possible so that this evening would end as soon as possible.
*
The rest of the guests departed the next day. Draco and I, as the future owners of the house, saw everyone off. Mr. Gorbin, by the way, one of the owners of the shop "Gorbin and Burke" — a cunning and dodgy huckster who managed to buy out the share of my late maternal grandfather, remaining the sole owner — got drunk at the celebration and did not dry out even on the second day. To be honest, I was extremely surprised why he was invited at all, this person was unpleasant to me. I swear by Merlin, he somehow twisted grandfather around so that I, the only heiress, would get nothing.
"Mr. Malfoy, Bella," he drawled in an unctuous voice.
"I'm Annabelle," I corrected through gritted teeth. Even though it sounded impolite, I couldn't stand it when my name was shortened to the second half of it. Moreover, our family already has one Bella — my aunt — whom I also dislike. And it's mutual.
"Thank you for such a luxurious reception," Mr. Gorbin ignored my remark, as if he did not pay attention to me at all. "Mr. Malfoy, see you on Monday."
He bowed and walked away. I looked at Draco, puzzled, but he had been silent all day, and too gloomy, although he tried not to show it among the guests.
In the evening we had a family dinner, as only the closest ones remained at the manor. I stood in front of the mirror in my assigned guest room. Tomorrow morning my father and grandmother were going home, and I have to stay until the evening, because tomorrow the results of the O.W.L.s come. Since we are all together in the same house now — me, Draco and Aurora — the letters will come to us here. That's what Narcissa ordered, I have no idea why. Anyway.
Ora, it seems to me, worries about the results more than anyone. She is an excellent student and this is really important to her. Draco doesn't care, his father decides everything for him. Although his reputation is not the best now, but anyway. And I don't really care either. I know that my favorite subjects are handed over perfectly with me. Divination, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Spells and Transfiguration — I definitely have "Outstanding" here. But Potions let me down a little. The old quarrel between my father and Professor Snape is to blame for this. What can I do, he does not like me, although he does not pester me with comments, because he is for us, it seems like... However, this does not interest me much.
But Care of Magical Creatures is an idiotic subject! It was also led by "Professor" Hagrid. Ridiculous, what can this failed giant teach us? He himself would not hurt, for starters, to learn his native language...
I want to go to Hogwarts as soon as possible. Still, it has its own charm. Favorite subjects, friends, fun, constant jokes for the Gryffindors! It's all so distracting from thoughts about my inevitable fate in the future.
"Anna, daughter, can I come in?" came a familiar voice from behind the door.
"Come in, dad," I rejoiced at my father. He has always been my best friend, adviser and partner in all sorts of jokes.
"They are waiting for us at the table. I ran away from this exciting company for you," Sirius grinned.
He was obviously just as unhappy being here as I was. But what could we do? Grandma sent him to serve the Dark Lord as soon as the First Wizarding War began. The Death Eaters were feared to death back then, and respected by other purebloods. It was a completely different time, not like now... Many were killed, or they served time in Azkaban, like aunt Bellatrix and her husband Rodolphus. Father, only because of his resourcefulness and his name, escaped punishment. However, so is Lucius. Although dad constantly joked that Malfoy just paid off.
"I'm ready. Is it so boring there?" I giggled as I left the room.
"Oh yeah! Your grandmother wished to stay in the room and go to bed early. Don't worry, she's just tired, it's already hard for her to get out of the house," he added solicitously, noticing my worried look.
"And our relatives. Well, you know them…" Sirius laughed, twirling a finger at his temple.
"That's right, especially aunt Bella!" I rolled my eyes, mimicking Bellatrix's obvious mental breakdown.
We laughed together until the very entrance to the dining room, when suddenly Effy, the new house elf who came to serve the Malfoys after Dobby, blocked our path.
"Excuse me, Effi has to announce your arrival," the elf squeaked.
"Get out of the way!" Sirius snapped.
"But sir, the hosts… They asked…"
Father shoved the elf aside and we entered the dining room, finding a curious sight: Draco was sitting at the head of the table, pale as a white sheet, looking off into the distance and seemingly oblivious to the people around him. Agitated Narcissa was sitting opposite her sister, and next to her, as if dozing, Rodolphus.
"I don't have anyone else to turn to. Lucius is in jail... And he should know! The Dark Lord believes him!" Narcissa whispered. "Bella, this is my only son..."
"Draco should be proud," Bellatrix replied indifferently, "he has been given a great honor. An honor awaits him, which no one else has ever dreamed of! And, by the way, one thing you can't take away from Draco is that he doesn't try to evade his duty..."
They fell silent as soon as they saw us. Draco got up and walked over to me, seating me in the chair beside him. I did manage to notice how Narcissa brushed away a tear with her hand, and immediately smiled:
"Its time for dinner! All in place? Where is Aurora?" She looked around the table and clapped her hands, signaling to the elf that it was time to bring the dishes.
"What is the noise, but no fight?" Sirius asked playfully.
"Dear cousin, if you're starting to feel anything, it probably means it's time to go to St. Mungo's," Bella scoffed.
"Only after you, dear cousin," my father found what to answer.
I giggled, for which I immediately caught the unfriendly look of Bellatrix.
"Well, Anna, you are now our daughter-in-law, so maybe it's time to stop being capricious and embarrassing us in front of our relatives? With each passing year, your bumbling attempts to hide your true relationship to Draco annoys us more and more. But you should be grateful that you were engaged to the heir of the Malfoy family. Aunt Walpurga could have chosen either Goyle or Crabbe…" Bellatrix ranted, obviously wanting to piss me off.
"Do you think it changed anything? I would still have to endure them as well as…" I blurted out, unable to restrain myself, but immediately bit my tongue.
A flushed Draco jumped up from his chair, nervously throwing the napkin in his lap onto the floor and flying out of the room.
"An unbearable girl!" yelled Bellatrix. "You don't know who you're dealing with!"
"Bella!" Narcissa interjected, obviously unhappy with her sister's behavior, although she was definitely hurt by my words.
"Don't you dare talk to my daughter like that!" Sirius barked at his cousin, slamming his fist on the table.
"Or what, brother?" Bella went on.
"Stop immediately!" Narcissa raised her voice and got up from the table as well. "Annabelle, follow me."
I was confused, but got up and headed for the exit, following Narcissa. To be honest, I was ashamed in front of her, she always treated me well. At the exit from the dining room, we ran into an astonished Aurora, who had just come down to dinner.
"What happened?" she asked, obviously sensing something was wrong. Although it was hard not to notice it here, because Bellatrix and my father still continued to drill each other with hateful looks.
"Never mind, Ora, come in for dinner and we'll be joining you shortly," Narcissa told her matter-of-factly.
She took me to her husband's office and until she was convinced that the door was closed and no one was listening to us, she did not say a word.
"Forgive me, aunt Cissy, I shouldn't have said that," I began to apologize. I really didn't want to offend her.
"Draco is having a hard time right now. You are now part of our family, and our female share is to support and take care of our men, no matter what."
I chuckled involuntarily, unable to contain my emotions.
"Let now you think that there is some kind of universal injustice in this, but it will pass. You only think so because of your age, Anna, then you will understand. But now you should be more forgiving. Especially now," Narcissa emphasized these words, "it's a big secret. All I can tell you is that Draco has been chosen from among many for a great mission."
"This is a very responsible and serious task, therefore it should not be interfered with and it is better not to upset him. After all, in the end result, he will bring our family great honor and respect like no other! We should all be proud of him! He is already a hero for agreeing so unquestioningly and bravely to fulfill this duty."
Narcissa's words made an impression on me. I will not hide, this is a feature of all Slytherins - the desire to achieve fame, to win respect. Listening to her, I noticed how I already drew an image in my head. And, to be honest, I liked it! Will Draco, having completed some mysterious task, really become the courageous and brave guy that I dream of? It's such a great honor, as Narcissa says! This means that it is impossible to fulfill this mission without becoming a real man, and at the same time not tempering the character. This is exactly what I miss so much in Draco!
I began to quickly turn the alleged scenarios in my head, to compare the facts. As soon as I arrived at Malfoy Manor, I really noticed that he had changed. He became more thoughtful and serious. And that's why! It's amazing how quickly the change took place in me.
"He needs your support and care, Anna," Narcissa concluded.
"I will do my best, you can rely on me," I answered slightly embarrassed.
We returned to the dining room, where the tense atmosphere still reigned, but it soon dissipated with our arrival. Draco never returned. And I sat, as it seemed to me, with burning cheeks, and thought about what Narcissa had told me.