The doors to the grand building opened and small, collective groups of finely dressed people drifted into the street where their carriages were waiting. It was night, only the dim light from the street lamps illuminated the scene. The prisoners had been released of their magical bonds inside the building and were being led to the carriages by their new owners.
Draco Malfoy lifted the collar of his black, wool coat to shield his neck from the harsh wind and chilly mist. He cursed under his breath for forgetting his hat at the Manor. Draco continued to stare at the pavement under his feet. This wasn't what he expected. The War ended three years ago when Harry Potter fell during the Battle of Nurmengard. Potter's death seemed to crush the last bit of hope out of the Order of the Phoenix and it had slowly crumbled. The Death Eaters had been killing off members ever since. Captured wizards and witches had been kept in Azkaban but now, young witches were being auctioned off.
This was the second auction Draco had attended but he hadn't actually expected his father to buy someone- he thought his father just wanted to be seen at the parties held before the bidding. Now, not only had this father bought a prisoner, but he expected Draco to marry her. And she was a Weasley!
Draco knew that, at 27, he was nearing the end of the proper age to settle down and carry on the Malfoy lineage. Before the War, he had been engaged to Pansy Parkinson. Despite what everyone thought, he had love Pansy and had loved her since their time at Hogwarts. She had been murdered though, a few months before the War had ended.
For a few seasons after her death, Draco had locked himself in his wing at the Manor. It was only two weeks ago that Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini had finally been able to get Draco out into the public eye. Draco was still quite quiet at dinner parties and with large groups, but he was smiling and on good days, he even flirted with Astoria Greengrass. A bit of flirting here and there was fine for Draco. Marriage, however, especially to a Weasley, was too much to handle.
Narcissa Malfoy looked across the carriage to her only son, frowning as she noticed his blank expression. In the end, he would see it was for the best. Even though the girl had an unfavorable immediate family, she had impeccable blood and a pretty face. With a few months of edicate lessons, a new wardrobe, and improved posture, Ginevra Weasley would be fit to be Mrs. Draco Malfoy.