A/N: The characters and most of the plot do not belong to me. I own the dialogues and some of the plot. Review and favourite!

Emperor

Crown Prince

Princes/Princesses

Grand Duke/Grand Duchess

Custodian Leader (In this case)

Dukes/Duchesses

Marquis/Marchioness

Earl/Countess(wife of Earl)

Count/Countess

Viscount/Viscountess

Baron/Baroness

Advisor of Emperor

'I'm not marrying my daughter! Give all the dowry back!' snapped Molly Granger. She swirled around and stared accusingly at her husband. 'What's he playing at, with such a grand ship waiting at the harbour? Is he trying to show off that he's oh so wealthy? Well, you tell the Blacks that I'm NOT interested! Who cares if they're Counts?'

Lucius Granger sighed and stood up, walking towards his wife. 'This is a very nice marriage! What are you blabbing about?' he asked snappishly. 'Me? Blab? If the person who is getting married today is not my Narcissa but your Astoria, you think your darling Daphne wouldn't be blabbing?' Molly snarled.

'What do Astoria and Daphne have to do with this?' asked Lucius, 'We're talking about Narcissa!' Molly stood up abruptly. 'You never loved Narcissa! You love Astoria more!' Molly pointed an accusing finger at her husband, 'You did ever since your affair with Daphne! I've let her into the family, but you adore her even more than me! And I'm your wife!'

Lucius raised his hands in defeat while Molly continued. 'The Blacks agreed to witness the wedding in person, but now they only send their eldest son Sirius to come here!' Molly ranted, 'You promised me that this marriage is perfect! Regulus is rather handsome, and he knows his manners, but look at the family! They do know their manners well, don't they?' Molly took a deep breath before barking, 'Narcissa is my first daughter and child. No one is going to treat her brutally!'

Huffing loudly, Molly flopped down on a chair. Lucius walked gracefully toward his fumbling wife, taking the comb from a maid's hands. 'Mrs Granger,' he said as he calmly combed his wife's hair, 'Your words wound me deeply. Of course, I love Narcissa. She was born when I nearly used all my fortune! Her family was poor when she was born, so she suffered so much! You did too, my dear,' he added, 'But still, she was the cleverest and most obedient of all the children!' Molly beamed at his words. 'I choose the Blacks because I knew that Regulus is a good kid. I hope that Narcissa can marry a man that's worthy of her!' Lucius explained.

Molly glared at him, suspicious of his sudden change. Lucius smiled softly and murmured, 'Let me help you put on your earings, my wife.' Molly glanced at him and sighed, 'Alright, but if anyone dares to treat her unwell...' 'I'll beat them up immediately,' Lucius promised, 'But before that, we should welcome our guest Sirius Black, who already was at the harbour.' 'WHAT?!' Molly shrieked, 'I didn't even agree to this marriage!'

'Mrs Granger, calm down,' replied Lucius absent-mindedly. 'Calm down? Am I still your wife?' Molly snapped, 'I asked Cedric to station at the harbour! He wouldn't welcome the guests without my permission!' 'Well, we can't exactly order them to return to the ship, can we?' Lucius tried to conceal his smirk. 'Fine! Let them in!' Molly huffed. Lucius gave her a peck on her head and left the room.

After leaving the room, Lucius glanced sideways before calling a servant, 'You there, tell Cedric that he can welcome the guests in now.' 'Yes, Viscount,' the servant bowed. 'Wait! I haven't finished,' snapped Lucius, 'Tell the Blacks to be more polite when they come in.' The servant nodded and scurried away. Lucius straightened his robes and left.

The corridor was filled with smoke. Hermione Granger coughed and coughed as she attempted to clear the thick smoke by waving her hand. The maid, Hannah Abbot, quickly took the pot of carbon into the courtyard. Jean Granger came out of her room and fanned the air around her, tears in her eyes from all the coughing.

'Why is there so much smoke?' Hannah complained, 'The carbon is not even wet!' Jean smiled and replied, 'It's the stove carbon.' 'What?' Hannah exclaimed, furious, 'The stove carbon emits a lot of smoke! How dare they trick me! I'm asking them to give me the good carbon right now!' She was marching angrily towards the kitchens when Jean grabbed her arm. 'No, don't go!' she said, 'We can wear more clothes if the weather is cold. If not, we can shut the windows.'

'Mistress, it's winter! How could we have no carbon?' Hannah asked, irritated, 'Besides, the carbon should be yours!' 'Mine? If they give me, then it's mine. If they don't give me, then it's not mine,' clarified Jean, 'Do not mention this to anyone.' 'But mistress!' Hannah argued, 'Miss Hermione and Rose are still too young! They might catch a cold!' Jean was quiet for a few moments before answering, 'Come with me.'

They went into the room, and Hannah opened the windows, trying to disperse the smoke. Jean took out a silver bracelet and handed it to Hannah, whose eyes widened. 'No, no mistress!' she shook her head furiously, 'This is your only dowry left! You've sold the rest of them already!' Jean gave her a sad smile, 'I don't care about my dowry when I saw the kids shivering.'

She sighed before ordering, 'Sell it, Hannah.' 'No! Mother!' Hermione ran into the room, 'This is grandmother's bracelet! You can't sell it!' She snatched the bracelet from Hannah's hands. 'Tell father about it,' she suggested, 'He'll scold the people at the kitchens and give us the carbon for sure!'

Jean looked at her young daughter, she sat down. Hermione resembled Jean a lot. Her chestnut brown hair was frizzy and shoulder-length. Her big brown eyes shown with determination. Although wearing a plain striped dress, she was beautiful like an angel. 'If you don't want to sell it,' Jean said quietly, 'Then stay at grandmother's starting from tomorrow.' 'No, mum,' Hermione responded quickly, 'I want to stay with you! If I left, who will take care of you?' Jean laughed softly, 'I'm an adult, Hermione, I can take care of myself well. Staying with your grandmother is an honour.'

She paused before smiling, 'If grandmother likes you, you'll be allowed to live in her house. I heard that there's some very nice charcoal there. The room will be warm and toasty.' 'I'm not afraid of the cold!' Hermione declared proudly, 'I'm burning!' Jean suppressed a smile as she told her daughter sternly, 'If you do not want to go to grandmother's, then don't talk about the carbon incident again. Give the bracelet to Hannah.'

Hermione bit her lip as her hands clutched the bracelet tightly. 'Give it to her,' Jean said with a bit more force. Sensing the danger in Jean's voice, Rose and Hannah stopped dusting the furniture, eyes glued on their mistress nervously. Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she handed the bracelet to Hannah.

Hannah was about to leave when Hermione called, 'Hannah!' Hannah turned around and saw her little mistress coming out of the room, eyes red and puffy from crying. 'What's wrong?' She asked attentively. Hermione stared at her with those big, innocent eyes and pleaded, 'This is the last of my mother's dowry...' 'I don't want to sell it either,' Hannah replied resignedly, 'But there will be no carbon for mistress.'

'I don't want carbon!' Hermione snapped, 'That bracelet is mother's last dowry!' Hannah looked down awkwardly, avoiding Hermione's eyes. 'Well,' Hermione proposed, 'Why don't we sell the carbon and buy some good ones? Even though we can only buy a little, at least we can stay warm for a while.' Hannah's eyes brightened. She squatted down and hugged Hermione, 'You, my lady, are truly smart. I'll do it right away.'

Hermione smiled before hearing Jean call her, 'Hermione! Come and get dressed! Your elder sister's fiancé will be here soon!' Hannah pressed a finger to her lips and shushed her playfully. Hermione giggled and did the same, making a silent promise not to tell anyone.

Sirius Black rode his horse into the marketplace, with men carrying loads of presents behind him. People poked their heads out to see the majestic army of musicians and priests marching along the streets. Some of the gifts like jewellery were put on cushions, which were held by maids. The rest was put into boxes wrapped with red silk, which were carried by men with matching red slashes around their waists. Two of them were even holding a carpet made out of lynx skin.

Inside the main room, the Grangers were waiting for their guests. Molly kept fidgeting in her oak wood chair. Lucius kept sneaking glances at her as if terrified that she will suddenly change her mind about the marriage. The maids stood outside the room, waiting to assist the guests. The ladies stood on the right of Molly, looking neat and pretty in their best dresses.

Outside, the Blacks have arrived at the front door. A servant hurried to the door and yelled, 'Heir of Count Black is here to send the dowry! A carpet made of the finest lynx skin as the main gift, and dozens of minor gifts! Please open the gate and let us in!' The doorman rushed inside the main room and waited for the Baron and Baroness' answer.

Lucius peeked at Molly anxiously, and she sighed. Taking it as a 'yes', Lucius sat up and answered, 'Let them in.' The doorman ran to the gates and open them before bowing at Sirius, 'Sir, you're accepted.' The crowd clapped and cheered as Sirius dismounted the horse. Narcissa came out of the castle, blushing as Sirius took her hand and kissed it. 'My dear sister-in-law,' he announced with a smile. The other two teenagers dismounted, too.

Sirius faced the gates and bowed, 'I, Sirius Black, thank Baron and Baroness Granger on behalf of my parents, Count and Countess Black.' After that, he went into the castle with all the servants behind him in tow.

There were so many presents that the courtyard was half-full. Two jugs were put on the ground as the guests tried throwing arrows into them. Hordes of people feasted in the dining hall as Lucius went around, being congratulated by visitors. His eldest son, Cedric, followed his father around.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Rose sneaked into the kitchens excitedly. They never had such a feast before, and as they ran past Molly who was laughing and chatting with her friends, they saw lots of delicious food such as roasted chicken, pork and beef. Hermione stealthily stole two tarts from the table and gave one to Rose. They then dashed away fast before Molly could spot them.

Away from the noise, Narcissa sat in the room of her Grandmother, Minerva, sharing their possibly last conversation before getting married. 'You are obedient, tough and clever,' Minerva smiled fondly at her granddaughter, 'So, I'm not too worried.' She then gestured at the beautifully carved boxes. 'But still, you're marrying into a family of Counts. You should prepare as much dowry as possible.' Narcissa and Minerva laughed together.

Molly was busy socialising with the guests when a maid came and whispered urgently into her ear, 'Baroness, Sir Cormac was playing a game with someone, and he was about to lose all the dowry!' Molly immediately put down her goblet and snarled down her breath, 'That little bastard!' before hurrying to the courtyard.

Back in Minerva's room, maids opened the boxes and showed Narcissa a box of title deeds for lands and a box of jewellery. Narcissa stood up and curtseyed at Minerva, and was about to speak when a maid scuttled in and exclaimed, 'Lady Narcissa! Sir Cormac used the carpet of your dowry to bet with others! He's about to lose!'

Minerva sat up straight, stunned by what the maid had said. 'How come?' cried Narcissa, shocked. 'I'm not sure...' the maid's voice trailed off. 'How should I do now, grandmother?' Narcissa was panicking. 'How many times did Cormarc win?' asked Minerva. The maid swallowed uneasily, 'Once.' Minerva sighed, 'We can't stop the game if others kept on winning.' 'Why not?' asked Narcissa, her voice filled with hysteria. 'If you quit the game after agreeing to compete with others, our family will be a laughing stock!' answered Minerva impatiently.

After a moment of silence, Minerva faced Narcissa, 'What do you say about this?' 'Well, I...I'll listen to all your arrangements, Grandmother,' Narcissa bowed her head. Minerva shook her head, 'You're still a lady today. Tomorrow, you'll be the wife of Regulus Black. You might encounter the same issue after getting married. You can not listen to me.' Narcissa nodded slightly. 'From now on, you'll have to make your own desicions,' Minerva added. Narcissa's apprehension quickly melted into something close to determination.

In the courtyard, Cormac Granger was trembling slightly as he reached for another arrow. He shakily threw it at a jug. It went soaring past the jug. His younger sister, Astoria, stood in the crowd, watching and crying silently as onlookers roared with laughter. She turned around and saw Hermione pushing her way through, trying to see what is going on.

Astoria turned back to the game, and heard the other competitor ask her brother, 'You sure you don't want to give up?' Filled with humiliation, Astoria ran away, tears streaming down her face.

Cormac glared at his rival but faltered when he saw the arrow hit the bottom of the jug with a 'clang'. Spectators cheered loudly as his competitor smirked arrogantly. Cormac closed his eyes and wished that it was all a nightmare.

Molly hurried to the courtyard and saw a man taking the arrow out of the jug. That little bastard threw an arrow but it missed the jug completely. 'Where's Baron Lucius?' she asked anxiously. 'I've been searching in the whole castle, but I still can't find the Baron,' Molly's maid, Pansy replied.

Molly huffed angrily and watched as the other kid threw the arrow.

'Although this is a game for kids, the carpet is still part of the dowry that you have just sent, Sir Black,' Lucius tried to reason with his guest, 'If it is won by a kid, not only us Grangers will be humiliated, you would also be too.' Sirius laughed dryly, 'Yes, that would be embarrassing. Why don't you go and stop this, Baron Lucius?'

'What?' asked Lucius disbelievingly, 'That kid was brought here by you! Shouldn't you, Sir Black, put a stop to this?' 'Well,' Sirius grinned, 'Draco is a very famous person in England. He was just curious about this, ah, game. I can't persuade him to stop.'

Lucius wrung his hands and heaved a sigh.

On the other side, Molly was getting restless. 'He must be in the room of Daphne Greengrass!' she muttered, enraged. 'That's not possible, mistress. Baron Lucius must be socialising with the guests,' Pansy argued. 'Well then, tell me why he still hasn't come when Narcissa's dowry is about to be lost?' Molly barked, 'He must be with that bitch!'

She immediately rushed up the stairs with Pansy a tow.

'I've told Sir Cormac not to bet, but he won't listen,' Padma explained to her mistress, Daphne Granger. Astoria grabbed her mother's arm. 'Mother! I'm not going back! It's too humiliating!' she cried. 'Alright, alright. You're not going,' Daphne soothed her daughter, 'You don't have to cry.' She then ordered, 'Parvati, take Lady Astoria to the garden and play for a while.' 'Yes, mistress!' Parvati curtseyed.

After her maid and daughter left, Daphne sighed lightly.

There was another round of applause. Lucius couldn't handle it anymore. 'Look at him!' he snapped, 'I am the host, and he is the guest. It'll be inconvenient for me to stop him. Will you, Sir Black, help me with this favour?'

Sirius chuckled. 'But you should now, Baron Lucius, that despite the carpet is made of the lynx my brother hunted, it is now the property of the Grangers,' he answered, 'This is your carpet! I'm an outsider, so, will you be so kind to stop this game, Baron Lucius?'

'Sirius,' Lucius tried to be patient, 'You gave the carpet to me. Now, a kid you brought is about to win it back. Are you trying to embarrass me?' 'No, no, Baron Lucius,' Sirius responded, 'It's Cormac who started this game. It will be unreasonable if we Blacks intervene.'

Lucius glared at him and stood up. 'Well then, Sir Black, I apologise for wasting your precious time,' he spat venomously before leaving. Sirius called after him. 'Don't say that, Baron Lucius,' he shouted sarcastically.

'Fucking Count,' Lucius muttered under his breath as he hurried to the courtyard.

'Stupid boy,' Daphne growled, 'Can't retain his composure once humiliated. Why does he have to be so impulsive? He—' 'Baroness Molly is here,' Padma warned.

Molly rushed towards Daphne and slapped her hard. Daphne gasped and fell backwards. Padma quickly squatted down, helping her mistress up.

'Baroness Molly, please forgive me if the service is inattentive,' Daphne cried, tears swelling in her eyes. Molly huffed, 'Don't pretend that you don't know! Your son is about to lose my Narcissa's dowry, and you're still sitting here, combing your hair and frolicking with the Baron? Call Baron Lucius to come here!' 'Yes, Baroness,' a maid curtseyed and left.

'Baroness, I don't know that Cormac can do such a thing!' Daphne kneeled on the ground, 'But shouldn't you, Baroness, be the person who handles things like Narcissa's dowry?' Molly swirled around and glowered at Daphne, 'So, it's my fault?' 'No, no!' Daphne whispered, 'Please, Baroness, please stop Cormac! He will never win!' She grabbed Molly's arms and begged.

Molly pushed her away, looking disgusted. 'I will kill him if he lost the carpet!' Molly snarled. Pansy bowed her head and whispered, 'The Baron is not here, mistress.' 'Yes, he's not here!' Daphne agreed, looking terrified. 'Baroness, Baroness!' the maid who went to look for Lucius returned, 'The Baron went to the courtyard!'

'Let's go!' Molly ordered before leaving Daphne's room. 'Baroness, please save Cormac! Please!' Daphne shouted after Molly, 'Please, Baroness! Pl—' Once Molly was out of earshot, Daphne stopped and turned around. Grabbing Padma's hand, she snarled, 'Go and tell Cormac to apologise to his father, saying that he is too young and ignorant! The worse he scolds himself, the better!' 'Understood, mistress,' Padma nodded. 'Also, ask Dean to pretend to hit Cormac during his punishment. Give him some coins if you need to,' Daphne instructed. 'Yes, I know what to do mistress,' Padma replied before scurrying to the courtyard.

In Minerva's room, Narcissa had an idea. 'Um, I think that if mother and father can cooperate and face the guests, it's not important that the carpet was lost,' Narcissa said slowly, 'If we lost the carpet, the Blacks, who allowed the dowry they sent to be lost, will also be humiliated. Both of the families will be embarrassed, so it'll be fine.' Minerva nodded with a smile. 'However, if mother and father started arguing, then everyone is going to laugh at us,' Narcissa explained.

Lucius was in the courtyard, watching the game when Molly rushed down the stairs. She pinched his arm hard. 'You raised this bastard up!' She whispered-shouted. Lucius was trying to pry her off when a maid came and whispered, 'Lady Narcissa said that if Baron and Baroness can cooperate and face the guests, it's not important if Sir Cormac lost.'

Molly let him go. 'Look at your daughter!' she snapped, 'Thinking of us before her! But still, you found such a rubbish family for her to marry!' Molly pinched him hard again. 'I'm...I'm Narcissa's father. I...I can't explain to you,' Lucius whispered, pushing her off, 'Where's Cedric?' 'Sir Cedric is in the study,' a maid answered. 'Tell him to come here, quick!' Lucius whisper-yelled. The maid scurried away when Molly asked him, 'Why did you want Cedric to be here?' 'Be quiet!' Lucius whispered.

They turned back to the competition to see Cormac lose another round. Molly was about to march toward him when Lucius grabbed her arm and pulled her back. 'What are you doing?' Molly snarled, 'I'm going to throw the arrow for him!' 'You can't even aim well! Do you want to be even more humiliated?' Lucius responded exasperatedly, 'Let's wait for Cedric.'

Just then, a man called, 'Sir Malfoy, seventeen points! Sir Cormac, thirteen points! Two arrows left!' Lucius bristled and disappeared into the crowd, Molly and Pansy following him.

Hermione was in the crowd, watching the game when she saw her father. 'So, that's why I didn't see a lot of people in the dining hall,' Lucius faked a laugh. He walked toward Cormac and gripped his arm softly. 'It's only a game, Cormac, relax,' he said soothingly, 'Aim and throw.' He lowered his voice and hissed, 'If you lost this, boy, I will kill you.'

'I..I...' Cormac stammered before dropping the arrow onto the ground and bowing his head. 'What's wrong? You admit defeat?' a voice asked. Lucius glanced at the rival.

That Draco Malfoy kid was something. His platinum hair slicked back and his face wore an arrogant smirk, his mercury grey eyes flashing maliciously. He was in some expensive navy blue robes which must have cost a lot.

Lucius coughed before shouting, 'Alright everyone, the game is over! To the dining hall!' Everyone was about to leave when they heard a 'clang'. They turned around to see the arrow in a jug.

'Lady Hermione! You did it!' Rose cheered loudly. Lucius bent over and asked disbelievingly, 'You did this?' 'Miss Granger, do you really want to compete with me?' Draco asked, raising an eyebrow. Hermione locked eyes with him and nodded determinedly. 'Well, people will laugh at me for winning a little girl like you,' Draco began but was cut off by Hermione. 'Fair is fair,' Hermione answered, 'Continue.'

'According to the rules here,' Draco furrowed his eyebrows, 'Sir Cormac had lost a lot. You admit it?' 'Yes, I do,' Hermione confirmed. 'Fine, your determination is admirable,' Draco nodded slowly, 'I'll compete with you.' Molly glanced at Lucius worriedly, 'Can she handle this?'

Hermione drew an arrow and threw it into the jug. Draco also drew an arrow and drew it carelessly, which also went into the jug. Onlookers cheered.

Hermione drew another arrow and threw. It went through the handle of the jug. Molly gasped. 'Through the handle! It's four points!' Cormac yelled, thrilled. Lucius was surprised. 'When did you learn to throw like that, 'Mione?' he asked. Draco's brows knitted for a moment before he drew two arrows. Spectators gasped. Draco threw them, and each of them went through the two handles on the jug.

'Six points!' Sirius exclaimed before whispering, 'They'll never win this game.' Molly gripped her son's arm and asked, 'Can we win?' Cedric pried his mother's fingers off and shook his head. 'Hermione, let's stop the game,' Lucius whispered, glancing nervously at the onlookers. Before Hermione could reply, he ushered everyone to the dining hall. 'Alright, the show's over! Let's leave!' he shouted. Cedric crouched down and smiled, 'It's fine if you lose.'

Hermione grabbed her last arrow and aimed it. She was not going to go down without a fight. She inhaled and threw. The arrow went soaring through the air, flying over the jug...

...And straight into a tall vase in front of the carpet of lynx skin.

Spectators went silent. Everyone was quiet until Hermione yelled in glee, 'That's ten points! We won!'

The crowd went wild.

Hermione, her sister Ginny and Rose grabbed one another's hands as they skipped around in a circle. Lucius was stunned for a moment before he asked, astonished, 'We won?' Molly was thrilled. She kept on asking, 'This counts for ten points?' Onlookers clapped politely. They never thought that a small girl could win the game.

They were celebrating until a strong gust of wind nearly blew some of the dowries away. 'Let's all go back to the dining hall,' Molly suggested, trying to open her eyes. Servants quickly came in and carried the dowry away. Molly led Hermione and Ginny to their rooms, while Lucius took the guests to the dining hall.

Only Draco was left in the courtyard. He sighed and grabbed two arrows, turning his back to the jugs. Throwing them backwards, he turned and smirked before leaving.

Both of the arrows were inside the vase.

Cedric was heading towards his study when he heard a voice, 'Is this yours?' He turned to find his sister's rival in front of him, scrolling a map open. 'I've never seen this map before. Care to share?' he asked before Cedric snatched it from him. 'Since you're oh so rich, why don't you buy it yourself?' Cedric growled.

'Wait! Look, I'm sorry, and please lend that to me.' Cedric turned around and walked away. 'How about I treat you to lunch?' He looked back. 'You are a guest, and my family welcomed you warmly. But you have to humiliate us in front of others,' Cedric snapped, 'Have you no shame? Leave, now!'

The boy grabbed his arm. 'It's not my fault! Sirius told me to do so,' he argued. Cedric rolled his eyes and continued walking, but he was blocked by the boy. He bowed deeply, 'I'm sorry about what happened today. I swear that I'll never bet with others on that kind of games from now on.' 'Do you think I'll believe any promises made by you?' Cedric sneered. 'I swear it on my late mother!' the boy added.

Staring at the boy, a wave of pity rushed over Cedric. He sighed. 'You don't have to swear it on your late mother,' he grumbled. The boy straightened up and smirked, 'I'm Draco.' 'Cedric, Cedric Granger,' Cedric replied before giving him the map.

In Jean's room, Jean was straightening Hermione's dress. 'I've told you to stay unnoticed and not show off,' Jean lectured. 'I did not show off!' Hermione argued. 'You did so today,' Jean responded. 'But if I didn't do so, Sister Narcissa's dowry will be lost!' Hermione reasoned. 'Narcissa and Ginny are different from you, do you understand?' Jean asked. Hermione shook her head.

'Baroness Molly's family is rich and powerful, while Lady Astoria is the Baron's favourite,' Jean told her daughter, 'I'm not the same. I am only a mistress of the Baron because my father was ill. I need the money to buy him medicine.' 'Mother, you've told me the most important thing is to know between right and wrong,' Hermione answered, 'Sister Narcissa sent you a cloak when the weather had turned cold. I can't bear to watch her lose her dowry!'

Jean smiled softly, 'I know that you both adore each other very much. However, sometimes when she loses something, it might be nothing at all, but to you, it might mean the world.' Hermione tilted her head slightly, trying to comprehend what her mother meant.

Late at night, all the guests have left. Molly strode angrily down the corridor towards Lucius' room, Ginny and a bunch of servants and maids following her.

'You bastard! Bastard! Bastard!' Daphne cried, smacking her son's back hard with a paddle. 'Please mother! Stop! I'm sorry!' Cormac screamed, tears flowing down his face. Daphne threw the paddle to a servant and was about to sit down when Molly burst into the room. She immediately lowed her head and stood up. 'What're you doing here?' Lucius asked, surprised, 'And why did you bring Ginny?' Ginny stepped forward. 'Daddy, my elder sister is still crying in her room,' she replied furiously, 'I'm here to ask Brother Cormac if he has any grudges against my sister.' 'There's nothing like that!' Lucius explained, 'He's just useless and drunk.'

Astoria grabbed Ginny's hands, 'Please, can you explain it to Sister Narcissa? Brother Cormac was too ignorant! We're very sorry!' Ginny pushed her away. 'Who wants to help you?' she sneered. 'Ignorant?' Molly huffed, 'To me, everyone in the castle is stupid and ignorant!' She glared at Daphne. 'In other castles, the kids of mistresses live in the wife's part of the castle, but you?' Molly barked.

'It's all thanks to the Baron and Baroness' kindness,' Daphne quickly replied, 'I'm always grateful for your kindness. I'm just sorry that I could never repay you, Baroness—' 'And this is how you repay us?' Molly shouted, enraged, 'Today should be a happy day, but your son has to nearly lose Narcissa's dowry to the Blacks!' 'This is all Cormac's fault! All because he is too young!' Daphne reasoned, 'He was drunk and did not know what he was doing!' Molly clutched her fists and silently counted to ten. 'Everyone knows that Baroness Molly is kind and generous,' Daphne whispered as she began to cry, 'I don't dare to beg for forgiveness, I just hope...Hope...Hope...' 'Don't give me that pathetic look!' Molly shot back, 'I'll look like an evil person whatever punishment I give you.'

'It's my fault that I can't teach him well,' Astoria sobbed, 'Baroness Molly, you can whip him, you can beat him. I won't object.' 'As you wish,' Molly answered, walking toward a chair, 'Tell me, how should I punish him?' She sat down and stared at Astoria. 'Tw...twenty times with a paddle?' Astoria stammered. 'Twenty times?' Molly asked disbelievingly. 'Then thirty times!' Astoria kneeled and begged, 'Please Baroness, no more!' 'Alright, thirty times it is,' Molly agreed. 'Mother!' Astoria cried, horrified, 'Brother Cormac was sick a few days ago! Thirty times will kill him!' 'Shut your mouth!' Daphne hollered back, 'We should thank the Baroness for only hitting him thirty times! Please let the Baron's servant, Dean punish him. It'll be fairer.'

Lucius glanced at Dean for a moment. Daphne continued, 'I can't teach him well. I don't know if I can ever face Lady Narcissa or the Baroness again... Hit him as hard as you want, Baron!' Astoria sniffed hard when she heard her mother.

'What do you say, dearest?' Lucius asked Molly. 'Hit him,' responded Molly with barely suppressed anger. Lucius cleared his throat and hollered, 'Hit him!' Dean came and took Cormac away, patting his shoulders softly. The first cry of pain pierced through the air. 'Count it yourself!' Daphne shouted, 'Remember why you were hit for the rest of your life!'

'That sorceress! I can't even find a mistake of hers!' Molly seethed as she marched back to her room, her arm around Ginny. 'It's a wonder she's so obedient this time, letting her precious son get hitten,' Molly continued. 'I do not understand too, mistress,' Pansy answered, 'Maybe she thought that the Baron would forgive her if she hit her own son, since the Baron was rather furious today. Don't you see, mistress? The Baron adored her more than ever after this.'

To be continued...

A/N: Like it or not? Tell me!