Chapter Fourteen

Eventually we were all seated in the sitting room, more or less in the exact same seats as before. Uncle Lucius and Mr Flint spoke quietly with one another before Lucius stood up and said, "Ok, I believe we need to talk about the betrothement properly, and let Aurora and Marcus share their thoughts without any interference."

Everyone nodded in agreement and so with a quick look at Marcus I stood up. "Okay, a lot has happened in the last couple of days, and I know there is no way out of the betrothement, I just hope we can compromise on a few things."

He gave me a brief nod, and I continued, "I know we need to marry within a year, so I cannot object to that at all, so I propose that we start to spend some time with one another and get used to one another's presence in our lives".

"I have to admit I agree, there is no other way to make this work, but I think we need to discuss the job thing, I would like you to be happy and if that means working then, so be it, but I have one stipulation. When we have children, you either quit working or work part time, because I don't our children to grow up being taken care of by nannies and house elves, okay." He told me and I nodded in agreement.

"That's fair enough, I agree," I said with a small smile, which he returned. I looked around us and could still see Mr Flint frowning but there was nothing he could do so he was keeping quiet.

"Oh honey, I can't wait to begin the wedding preparations," Mrs Flint gushed as she gave us both a small hug, followed by Narcissa.

"I think we should aim for the wedding in January, a lovely winter wedding would be amazing," Aunt Narcissa suggested, to which I couldn't help but nod in agreement as I always pictured my wedding day in the snow.

Some time passed, with the ladies talking about the wedding and the gentlemen discussing Quidditch amongst their mutual business dealings. Before I knew it, it was time for the Flints to leave. Uncle Lucius was the first to stand and everyone else followed as he thanked the Flints for their company for the evening, as did Draco and Narcissa, until it was my turn.

I turned to Mr and Mrs Flint and informed them that I was glad to make their acquaintance and hope to see them both again soon. Then it was time to speak with Marcus.

"I'm glad we could get things sorted today, I know this is a bit awkward for both of us but I would really like it if you would accompany me to lunch tomorrow," he said with a small smile.

"I admit, things went better than I had expected, and I would really enjoy lunch tomorrow," I replied.

We agreed that he would be round to pick me up at 12 noon and we would then go to lunch and spend the afternoon getting to know one another, I had to admit I was really looking forward to spending time with him.

It wasn't long after our guests left that I retired to my room for the night, climbing into bed with Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, one of my favourite books, I must have read it at least ten times already.

I wasn't reading for long when I was interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door, I folded my page over before getting up and opening my door, it was Draco, I couldn't help but groan as I knew I wouldn't get back to my reading tonight.

"What's up?" I asked him as he walked into my room.

"What, cant a guy come talk to his cousin for no reason at all?" he replied with his signature smirk.

"Not when the said cousin is you," I pointed out, raising my eyebrow slightly, trying not to giggle.

He looked slightly affronted for a minute before laughing and shaking his head.

It turned out he just came to have a word with me, we talked late into the night, about one another's interests and got to know each other a bit better, it seems that had Draco and I not been in opposing houses, or even if e had grown up with one another, we could have been great friends. It was 1am when Draco finally left, and it took me seconds before I fell into a deep slumber.

Once again I must apologise for the time I have taken to update! Thank you for all of you that have reviewed this story, it is very much appreciated.