Hello everyone, it has been a while. Have not found the time to write recently … but I will !
I also just read the last chapter I posted and I want to retract my slash suggestion of Percy and Marcus, I think I will still have another slash, but not them.
The Lion and Serpent
By
TheBigEmeraldPeacock
Chapter 6 – Dead on Paper
Ron's POV
Ron was in shock. In fact coma patients would have a clearer grasp of the present situation if in his position.
It just didn't make sense. After playing a giant chess game; visiting the Chamber of Secrets; discovering your rat was a death eater; and breaking into the department of mysteries; he had come to accept the danger which now frequented his existence.
But this? This was not … well, predictable.
He supposed he should try to treat this like all the other 'situations' he had ended up in, and hence try to focus on the positives.
'The Positives, right! Positives … Positives' he hummed to himself.
This was not going to be easy.
'Well I should start with the simplest ones. I'm not dead … great! Malfoy isn't allowed to kill me … he might still try though. His father is in Azkaban … for now. This isn't Voldemorts doing … makes a nice change.' He thought, vaguely aware that he had somehow made it to his room, and was now sitting on his bed.
He let out the breath he had been holding and slumped backwards so he was staring at the ceiling.
He wished there was someone he could talk to about this who would understand; however his two best friends were out of the question for now.
From the look of his letters, Harry was still devastated by Sirius's death and was in no state to receive more bad news, it was probably best to tell him when he came to visit in a few weeks.
Hermione, depite her academic brilliance, was still a muggle-born and probably wouldn't understand the intricacies of pureblood marriages, and a lot of the rules were passed down through families so she would have a hard time finding much in any library.
He didn't know how long he had been laying there but eventually there came a soft knocking at the door and Ginny poked her head into the unlit room.
"Ron, are you awake?"
"No"
She flicked on the light and walked over, staring down at him with a concerned expression.
"So … how are things?"
He looked at her trying to convey his emotions through the expression on his face.
"That good huh?" she said, sitting down next to him.
"I have had better days"
"I wouldn't feel to sorry for yourself; I mean you are getting what you always wanted".
"I think I would remember if Draco Malfoy was what I always wanted".
"If you look at it objectively he is. Do you remember when we got drunk at Fred and Georges 17th birthday party and we started talking about our ideal future spouses?"
Ron racked his brain for the memory, "Yeah, you said you wanted to either marry a quidditch champion or Harry, or you wanted Harry to be a quidditch champion and then marry him or a more mature Dean Thomas who wouldn't stare at other girls tits".
"Admittedly Dean was a pervert and that's why I dumped him; but what I was talking about was what your ideal spouse was"
"I don't know" Ron tried to bring forth the memory, however he had been very drunk at the time.
"Then allow me to enlighten you" Ginny said hauling him up into a sitting position "You said wanted someone incredibly good looking who would turn heads wherever they went; well I mean Malfoy may be a git but its common knowledge that he is, in Seamus's words 'Sextacular' ".
"Please, Seamus will have sex with anything, why do you think I keep Pigwidgeon locked in a cage?"
"Don't interrupt! Next you said you wanted someone rich so you would never have to worry about money again. I mean you do complain a lot about how poor we are, and it's not a bad thing, we all want more money and the Malfoys are one of the richest wizarding families in Europe so you're set for life".
"Its not for life Ginny! Just until this stupid law is abolished"
"Well then you might as well enjoy the money while you have it. You also said you wanted someone who would take care of you and wouldn't constantly expect you to support them. Well according to Mrs Malfoy you're the wife, I think that's how it works; all you're expected to do is keep the staff in line and have children".
"Ginny I can't have children with Malfoy, he's a guy!"
"Ron you're not stupid; Snape taught us about the potion that can allow same-sex couples to become pregnant in first year; it's an expensive potion but its not impossible."
Ron couldn't for the life of him remember ever learning that; however Ginny had stood up and was heading for the door.
Before she left she looked over her shoulder "Also when we were talking about our ideal spouses you never said 'she', you only ever said 'they' or 'them'. Just something to think about."
She turned of the light and closed the door behind her.
Lucius's POV
Daily Prophet – "Lucius Malfoy Found Dead"
Lucius Malfoy head of the Malfoy family and convicted death eater was found dead yesterday morning in his cell in Azkaban prison. The cause of death is believed to be suicide and is not being treated as suspicious by the authorities. However one member of the Aurour department who wished to remain un-named commented that the body was almost unidentifiable, which leads us to believe that it was a pretty gruesome suicide.
Lady Narcissa Malfoy has been unavailable for comment; however it is likely that the family will soon be announcing the engagement of the heir Draco Malfoy who is one of those effected by the 'Wizarding Heritage Preservation Act 1501', though his future bride is yet to be revealed.
Will this mark the end of the families association with 'You-Know-Who' or is young Draco simply the new generation of death eater?
Rita Skeeter – Daily Prophet Reporter
"I have to say I'm rather disappointed my death produced such a small article; I mean there isn't even a picture of me".
"Lucius will you shut up, I'm trying to write" Arthur growled from across the table.
The two men were sat in the kitchen of number 12 Gimmauld Place, which was to be Lucius's home until it was safe for him to come out of hiding. The order had faked his death the morning after Narcissa had visited the burrow.
As he had asked when she visited him, Narcissa had informed Dumbledore that Lucius had important information and was ready to talk in exchange for his and his family's safety.
"I'm bored" he whined. He was in a remarkably good mood which was probably an effect of not being around the dementors.
"Too bad" Arthur said without looking up.
"What happened to you Arthur? You used to be fun".
"I was not".
"Come on Arthur we hung around at school, though you were grumpy then as well".
"I was only grumpy because as head-boy my deputy was supposed to help me prevent students from breaking rules, rather than breaking them himself"
Lucius smiled, "Good times. And now we're going to be family. It's all coming together Arthur, you and me, happy families".
Before Arthur could reply the door of the kitchen opened and Dumbledore strolled in.
"And how are we all today?" He said beaming.
"Lucius is acting weird" Arthur replied.
"I am not! I'm just happy".
"I prefer you miserable"
"Arthur, Lucius that's enough", Dumbledore said taking a seat at the head of the table, "Molly and Ronald should be here any second and Narcissa and Draco will be arriving in 5 minutes. I thought it best that they not arrive at the same time in order to avoid awkwardness, at least some of it anyway".
It was pureblood tradition that before an engagement was officially announced, the terms of the marriage had to be agreed in a meeting with the heads of both families present.
They had chosen to hold the meeting at Grimmauld Place as it was neutral ground for both families.
Dumbledore stood, "I have prepared the necessary papers and they are ready in the dinning room, I suggest we go up and greet our guests".
As the climbed the stairs the sound of the floo could be heard from the drawing room and when they entered Arthur's wife was dusting herself off and looking around the room. She smiled at her husband and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"As is pureblood tradition we start with introductions" Dumbledore announced, "Lucius this is Arthur's wife Molly Weasley, Molly this is Narcissa's husband Lucius".
"Charmed" Lucius said shaking her hand, she smiled politely but remained silent.
Nudging her husband, Arthur then stepped forward trying to keep his face impassive, "Lucius I would like to introduce my youngest son Ronald" he gestured over to the fireplace.
He only then noticed that there was a very uncomfortable looking teen standing on the far side of the room. The boy was tall and well built, {'probably from quidditch' he thought}, he had the same Weasley ginger hair however it was far darker than his parents and was wavy rather than frizzy. He still had freckles but only on his cheeks and nose; all in all he wasn't bad … for a Weasley of course.
"Ronald this is Draco's farther Lucius Malfoy" Arthur finished looking slightly ill.
"Yes we've met Dad" the boy said in a low voice, "about two months ago he tried to kill me and my friends in the Department of Mysteries".
There was a very tense silence which seemed to drag on for what seemed hours.
"Kill is a very strong word and though I can't speak for other death eaters, I never tried to kill any of you" Lucius said, raising his hands diplomatically.
The Weasley boy scoffed however his mother gave him a very stern look and he remained silent, choosing to simply glare instead.
"Ronald, Lucius has turned over a new leaf and it is our job to support him, hence I will accept nothing less than civility, from either of you" Dumbldore stared hard at both of them, "Now shake hands".
The boy seemed unwilling to approach, so Lucius closed the space across the drawing room and held out his hand. For a moment it appeared as if the boy was going to ignore it, however he eventually raised his arm and gave a very unenthusiastic shake. Dumbledore at the very least seemed satisfied.
"Now, shall we head to the dinning room before our other guests walk in on us? Lucius if you would like to stay and welcome them, I am sure you have some catching up to do".
They left and headed into the next room and Lucius turned to stare nervously at the fire, awaiting his family.
Draco's POV
Draco stood in the entrance hall of Malfoy Manor, adjusting his tie for the fifth time, awaiting his mother so they could depart to this 'Grimmauld Place'.
He knew very little of the place apart from what she had told him; she had visited her aunt's house often when she was a child and that it now legally belonged to Potter, who it turned out was Sirius Black's godson.
If it was anything like his mothers childhood home, Black Castle, then he was expecting a great deal of dust and decay. The Blacks were old in every sense of the word.
What prayed on his mind more however was the fact that his father would be there at the meeting.
He had half expected never to see his father again when he was taken off to Azkaban, it wasn't like the dementors let people go willingly.
As for meeting Weasley it was inevitable; it was impossible to get out of the marriage and as they had to reside together it was logical that they would eventually have to be in each others presence.
As for the meeting, it was too important for him to be nervous. The terms of the entire marriage were dictated at this conference and Draco wasn't going to give any ground to those gingers.
He was so distracted with his inner scheming that he didn't notice his mother had finally finished getting ready.
They seemed to be on the same wavelength as they both wore intimidating dark suits, however hers had a large amount of mink on the lapels and she was, as usual, wearing heels.
"Ready?" She asked squeezing his hand.
He grimaced but said nothing. She let out a tinkling laugh and led them both towards the floo.
"I'm sure we'll be fine. Anyway your father will be there".
"Great" Draco replied rolling his eyes.
They stepped into the green flames and were whipped away from the room.
Narcissa's POV
The horrible spinning sensation eventually slowed and she could glimpse a dank drawing room through the flames. Stepping out of the fireplace she surveyed the room with great distaste.
Her aunt had never had anything near a sense of style and the room had not apparently improved with age. The furniture was moth-eaten, the wood work had worms, and the grandfather clock was clanging alarmingly.
Her attention was averted however when Lucius lifted himself from an armchair in the far corner and approached her, a nervous smile on his face.
He halted when he was within 3 feet of her and looked uncertain as to whether he should risk closing the distance.
It was rather alarming behaviour from someone as confident as Lucius; however she decided to take pity on him and moved forwards to examine his face.
"I must say you look remarkably good for someone who's dead" she teased, turning his head this way and that she was glad to see he had shaved, his hair was still a complete mess though, but she loved a challenge.
As if reading her mind, Lucius smirked, "I'm afraid the make-over will have to wait".
She pouted slightly, but his attention had been drawn to behind her. She turned to see Draco standing in front of the fireplace looking wary.
"Father", he gave a curt nod, his eyes like freezing ice.
There was a rather tense silence, in which she tugged at her fur lapels; Lucius however eventually stepped past her and opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Draco.
"We should get on with this. Where are they?"
Lucius nodded and turned to lead them out. As he passed her, she swore she saw disappointment in his eyes. However it was impossible, Lucius had always been distant towards Draco and it wasn't about to change now, was it?
They walked out into the hall, turning immediately and walking into the adjacent room, which turned out to be a spacious dinning room.
The long cherry wood table had been cleared and dusted and morning sunlight streamed in from the large windows on the far side of the room.
The Weasleys were sat on the other side of the table facing three empty seats; Dumbledore was positioned at the head of the table with a large stack of forms in front of him.
When they entered he stood and smiled, "Narcissa, Draco, it's very good to see you".
They both inclined their heads, so Dumbledore continued, "Well why don't you all take a seat and we will finish the introductions".
They sat, copying the Weaselys by flanking Draco, Narcissa on his left, Lucius his right.
"I believe you all met Narcissa a few days ago when she visited her home"
Narcissa looked to her right and saw Draco staring at her with a scandalised expression; she had to failed to mention she had actually been inside the Weasley's 'home'.
"So all that remains is the other groom"
Draco glowered at Dumbledore, but he just beamed right back.
"Molly, Arthur, Ronald this is the heir to the Malfoy family, Draco. I am aware that Ronald and Draco already know each other from school however we have to do this by the book. Draco these are Ronald's parents Arthur Weasley and Molly Weasley".
Both Weasleys smiled warmly at Draco however Ronald simply stared blankly at him.