Draco Malfoy's mother was nothing but meddlesome. She loved to meddle on things that shouldn't be her business, like the Malfoy Enterprises that had been named after Draco since his father's death two years after his incrimination in Azakaban. She loved to make everything her business. There was a time that Draco didn't mind it, his mother meddled on his father's decisions when he was young. Like for example, when Draco was five and a governess was hired to teach him everything he needed to know from arithmetic to etiquette. But Draco wanted nothing more than to have his own broom and fly all day. He asked his father to buy him own, but instead he was told that if he would get O from every subject his governess would teach him, Lucius will buy him one. Unfortunately for Draco, he hated arts. He thought it was a subject for ninnies and he certainly wasn't one. He only got an A, at first, then it turned to EE. Although that was the highest score the woman would give him. He was absolutely horrible, and as much as she wanted to help him, she couldn't lie to the elder Malfoy. Draco, defeated, had thrown a tantrum the day before his sixth birthday. Narcissa had seen him when she entered his bedroom, but left quickly. Draco didn't care but he knew she was the one he should be thankful for when the next day he got exactly what he wished, a toy broom- a racing one nonetheless.

The next incedent happened almost a year after his sixth birthday. He wanted a crup, a small docile brown crup. But his father wouldn't agree. Draco threw a fit in Magical Menagerie and people looked at them, but never voiced out their thoughts. They were Malfoy's after all. Spoiled like he was, Draco didn't mind the stare. Let them see! Let them see then probably father would buy me. Those were Draco's thoughts as he stomped his feet and cried. He was almost seven now, a big boy, but his tantrum got him his broom, so maybe his tantrum would get him his crup too. He saw his mother talk to his father in the corner of his eyes as he continued his act. There wasn't much people inside the place, it wasn't summer after all, no students around. His father's eyes glazed over but nodded nonetheless when a flash of camera blinded the three Malfoys by the window of the shop. Draco thought his mother was the best woman because without her, he wouldn't have had that crup. He named the crup "John." It was common, but he liked it. He never realized that his mother was punished for her meddling because Draco never realized that the cameraman was planned by his mother all along. Somehow, Narcissa Malfoy knew that her son would throw a fit and she only wanted to make him happy- in that case, getting him a crup.

After that incedent, the woman grew distant to Draco and he was forced to have lessons with his father. Thus, Draco had ignored his responsibilities to his pet. After two months of owning John and having daily lessons with Lucius, Draco finally found time for his pet. Unfortunately, the crup was nowhere to find. He called Dobby, his father's house-elf, and asked him where the crup was. However, Dobby only cried. Draco didn't understand at first but felt remorse because he liked Dobby and he didn't want to see him cry. He awkwardly patted his head but he quickly retracted his hand when he heard his father call his name. The man stood at the top of the stairs, cane in hand and a stern look at his face. "Your crup is gone." He said drawled. "Come on, you would do well not to bother with common creatures." He continued, emphasizing his disdain on said creatures. He beckoned Draco along to follow him, to teach him his heritage and to plant hatred for Muggles and Muggleborns both. That day, his mother never meddled.

The next time Narcissa meddled in his business was during the summer before his sixth year. He had received the Dark Mark, had received his first order- to kill Albus Dumbledore and to find a way for Death Eaters to inflitrate the castle. He felt so alone that time. Since his eight birthday, Draco and his mother had been nothing but acquaintances and housemates. He was taught how to be a perfect pureblood child, and he was taught that emotions were weakness, thus, he was forced to be cold to the woman. She was everything but motherly to him since then. But he never imagined she'll make an Unbreakable Vow to save his life. He hated it, he hated that he was a coward. He hated that he couldn't do the task. But most of all, he was scared and he was afraid to admit that he was grateful for his mother and for the Vow, because deep inside, Draco knew that he was not a killer. He could not kill Dumbledore, not if he had to repeat his life a thousand times again.

Now, five years after the war, Draco found himself at the mercy of his mother's meddling. During the times she had meddled with his business, Draco was always grateful to her. Even if he wouldn't admit that to her. Today, however, Draco felt nothing but irritation with her meddling ways. She had hinted about him getting married, and that she was getting old that she wanted to see her grandchildren before she died. The latter excuse was ridiculous, witches tend to outlive wizards and as a general rule, magic folk could live and maintain their young looks for a very long time, longer than a muggle for sure. So Draco was sure that she'll meet her future grandchildren, there was absolutely no reason to get married. He had fooled around, discreetly of course less it would make a dent in their almost repaired rank in society.

Unfortunately, the widowed Malfoy saw differently. Perhaps she was getting lonely in the large manor, despite the fact that her son lived there too. Or perhaps she was jealous of her socialite friends who had their sons and daughters married and procreated already. Those were the rest of the pureblood generation who survived the war and were too proud to adopt to changes. Draco was not one of them. He had seen the flaws of his life after some turning points he'd rather keep to himself for now, and he had done his best to repair their name to society's graces. No matter what Narcissa's reason was, Draco couldn't careless. There was one simple thing in his mind. He absolutely hated her show.

In the first ever season, he had just learned this fact a fortnight ago, Draco was to be the bachelor who would pick from the single women who would stay in one of the Malfoy Mansions in UK. He was not required to live with them, but he would not live in the Manor. He would live in another place, one of the Malfoy estates too, and he would be monitoring the girls with the crew. He would go on dates with them, and he'll pick. It was pretty simple, but he didn't like manipulation when it was not him who was the manipulator. Besides, Draco didn't like the fact that he had to stop his life for the show. He didn't like that he would be stuck with the show to the end. It was bloody frustrating, but he had to resign to this fate. Narcissa Malfoy was pulling heartstring with him.

Draco stood behind the balustrade between the double grand stairs of the foyer of the Mansion. It was large, and gaudy, but it was still smaller than the manor. Despite the size and the fact that it belonged to the Malfoys, there was something inviting in the place. He couldn't place his finger on it, but he blamed that to the fact that he owned it now- and to his mindset, nothing he owned was inviting, except his handsome and charming demeanor.

He clasped his hand on his back and stood perfectly still, with a haughty but curious look on his face. He was concealed with a Disillusionment Charm waiting for the arrival of the 18 girls who were deemed eligible to be his wife. He was not to see them yet, but he was a Malfoy and he would do what he wanted to do. No staff could hinder him. It was ten to 11 o'clock and in the next ten minutes the first contestant would arrive. At the very least, meeting the girls was something Draco was very much looking forward with.

The candidates were allowed any method of transportation to get the the mansion. Apparation wards were lowered down to accept the women, the floo network were connected specifically for them, and the gates were wide open for those who would chose to use cars. He didn't mind them, the cars I mean, for he own quite a few. They were handy, much like the television and telephone in the new times.

The house hummed announcing the arrival of the first contestant- or rather three contestants. Three distinct pops were heard and the cameramen and crew were alerted and ready to assist the girls. He found himself staring at the curvy blonde and two dark-haired women from above. He'd seen them before, but he was sure they'll hate him once they knew who he was- or maybe not. They were like Pansy after all. Lavender Brown, Padma and Parvati Patil arrived at the foyer, the former and the latter giggling in anticipation. He sneered at them, the giggles were too girlish. At least the ex-Ravenclaw was still very much like herself in school, serious and pretty.

Two other women arrived after, one red-haired that reminded him of a Weasley though he was sure that the She-Weasel wouldn't join unless Potter divorced him. He was probably late in the news if that was the case, and the other had a strawberry blonde hair. She looked like a new face, but he couldn't be sure. He couldn't recognize all contestants now could he? He wasn't that social anyway.

He just realized that then number of women were lower than that of the muggle show- he was forced to watch it beforehand- but maybe they couldn't find enough participants. Good for them, he'll show them what a wreck the show is. Draco cackled in his mind. He had to stay silent as the floo hummed and out came another woman from Hogwarts. He was sure who she was- Mandy Brocklehurst, Ravenclaw. She was one of the purebloods of his generation who wasn't married yet. Why would she? Draco was sure she didn't believe in pureblood supremacies anyway. She was too much of a goody-good prefect during Hogwarts, much like Granger.

Granger. His mind difted off towards the older brunette. She was one of the older students in his year- he knew it because he had seen her record in the Infirmary once. The Golden Girl, Gryffindor Princess, Brains of the Trio, and the famous War Heroine of all time, Hermione Know-it-All Granger. She had escaped the venomous grasp of media the year after the war, thanks to the attention grabbing wedding of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. Draco had to commend her that. Even her break up with the Weasel was short lived. Unlike him, she had lived an almost silent life during the first years after the war.

That all ended when the St. Mungo's Charity Ball happened. He had to admit, the man was cruel. Coming from a man who had been nothing but cruel to that woman, that surely was saying something. Draco sneered at the man as he watched the hurt flashed before her eyes when -what's his name? whatever- the git showed his true self. It was cruel because Draco had seen them together before, in the distant, through his dealings in St. Mungo's and the Ministry. He had witnessed loved on her side, and somehow what that git did hurt her more than what Draco did during their childhood. That wasn't saying that Draco was not cruel, because he was. He probably couldn't face her again... probably.

Through his musings, Draco had missed the arrival of the rest of the candidates. It wasn't very long apparently, because the girls had arrived via floo or apparation and mostly around the same time. Only one contestant arrived in a car. He hadn't seen nor heard their arrivals for he was so lost in thought. He was only pulled back from it when he heard an all too familiar shriek downstairs. Oh bloody hell, Merlin help him! Pansy Parkinson was included in the pool of girls.

Eighteen women stood in the foyer. Seventeen of them already in the vast space with their heavy laden trunks, one stood by the wide open double doors. Draco blinked rapidly, and swallowed thickly. Wasn't just moments ago he was thinking of her? Double damn, he thought.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT FILTH DOING HERE?" Pansy shrieked every so shrilly and her voice echoed in the huge room. Draco stood, his mouth slightly ajar but quickly closed it as he shook his head from the momentary shock. Only a few minutes now, it was exactly 11:40 and in the next five minutes, the host, Margaret Fletcher would explain everything to the girls. Then it'll be time for him to go down and show himself.

"We would appreciate if you keep calm, Ms. Parkinson or we will be forced to retract our offer and send you back home." Margaret, the buxom blonde woman, said as she climbed down the stairs gracefully. Pansy pouted and glared at the last contestant while the host welcomed them all.

"Welcome girls to the Red Rose Mansion." Draco had tuned her voice out. He grimaced at the fact that she was here. He couldn't face her, right? Or could he? A plan formed in his mind. Maybe this would simply make the show very interesting. Yes, yes, maybe it would.

"Now ladies, let's all welcome our handsome bachelor, Mr. Draco Malfoy," Margaret's silky voice rang through everybody's ears and Draco placed a smirk on his lips as he took the charm off of himself. He stood impeccably straight and handsome and watched every single reaction from the women below. Even Margaret Fletcher was charmed, although maybe she had to act like she was. The woman was a relative after all.

"Good morning ladies, welcome. I look forward to knowing you all." He greeted, almost pleasantly as he walked down the stairs to meet the girls who had lined up in front of him. He kissed each of their hands and winked at some. He played the perfect gentleman. Other giggled, others merely smiled, while other stood stoic and one glared.

That one was Hermione Granger. Her eyes were full of disbelief and rage as his own connected with hers. She didn't offer her hand for him to kiss, nor did she make a move to leave. She could leave anytime, he was sure it was part of the contract. But she didn't, and he wouldn't ask her that. Not yet. Draco smirked wider and bowed graciously in front of her. He could feel the eyes of the other women, particularly that of Brown, Parkinson and Greengrass, but he ignored them all. He didn't care, not really.

"Granger, lovely seeing you again." He drawled, and smirked at her, maintaining the steady and haughty look in his eyes as they communicated with hers. Yes. This would be really interesting after all.

Please read and review~ I hope you like Draco, as much as I love him so. 3

-elaine