Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, any related characters, and so on.
A/N: Well, here it is, on time, as promised! Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, and added my story, or me, to their favorites or alerts. It was very flattering. I hope you enjoy tea with the Malfoys. It's longer than the other chapter with- at last!- a little confrontation, and perhaps even a surprise or two? PLEASE leave a review!
Stolen
Chapter 3: Tea At Malfoy Manor
Rather than outside some monstrous mansion, Hermione found herself seated clumsily in a rather lovely, and altogether comfortable, armchair. It was green, but not the kind of green one might expect from a Malfoy. Rather than a deep emerald or Slytherin shade, it was light and soft. It reminded her of fresh summer grass, or leaves that had light pouring in through them.
She observed that she was seated in a classic tea room, whose walls matched the armchair in color. The decorations on the mantel piece, along with the tea tray and china set before her, were a fine, white gold. It was actually quite beautiful. She didn't know what she'd expected; the Slytherin common room perhaps, or some dark, dank medieval castle? However, that was foolish, she reflected. The Malfoys always did have good taste and a sense of style. In fact, as she surveyed the room further, she grimaced as her mind conceived the similarity between room and the family to which it belonged. It was lovely enough in appearance, well groomed, and expensive, like the Malfoy's themselves, but it was only for show.
She turned, instead, to look out of the window which was adorned with massive green curtains. Upon these were embroidered flowers in the same white gold of the tassel and cords. The window faced a gracefully sloping hillside of a brighter green than that of the room she now inhabited. The land rolled on under the light grey clouds until it met a dark wall of stone. The wall, even from there, seemed oppressively thick and high, roughened by the ages it had apparently served as the edge of the Malfoy property.
Even as she stared at the grounds, a pair of predatory birds swooped across the field her eyes were trained upon. She felt an unexplained jolt of excitement. Perhaps it was because these were the only living creatures in sight, and their agile, war-like bodies had taken her so suddenly by surprise. She scolded herself. If only the birds outside surprised her, how was she to get through this meeting? She drew in a calming breath and watched the birds turn sharply in mid air. At that exact moment, she heard the door across the room open, and willed herself to turn her head slowly.
When she did, she was staring at none other than Lucius Malfoy. Lucius? The smallest of gasps escaped her involuntarily as her eyes widened and eye brows shot upwards instinctively.
"Surprised to see me, Miss Granger?" He inquired, his voice as smooth and wicked as ever. Damn. So much for control on her emotions. 'Well, be natural,' she told herself.
"I was expecting your son, Mr. Malfoy. Is it not him you intended me to marry?" She held her breath.
"Obviously. I already have a wife, so to do otherwise would be bigamy. Surely you were aware of that," came his smart reply.
"Naturally." She did not bother to remove the bite from her tones. He took a seat across from her, and casually sipped from his tea cup, indicating that she should do the same.
"In fact," he continued, once she had braved the tea in hopes it wasn't laced with poison (or worse: Veritaserum). "It is proper that I, as head of the Malfoy house, should meet with the head of your house, or legal guardian, for this occasion. As that is obviously impossible, and you are of age, you will speak for yourself in these affairs. However, Miss Granger, I must suggest that you speak carefully." The delicately worded threat did not go unnoticed. Here, he took another sip before placing his cup gingerly down upon the tea tray.
"On that topic, allow me to extend my condolences to you for your terrible loss." His face was tight, and she could almost feel him trying not to smirk.
'I'm sure you're very sorry about that,' Hermione thought angrily, 'Considering you probably had a had in their murder. Bastard.' She bit the inside her mouth as hard as she could, tasting blood, but it kept her from speaking something she knew it would be unwise to voice. Not trusting her expression any more than her mouth, she bent her head to drink again as she forced herself to utter a tight: "Thank you."
She stared into her cup, waiting for him to go on. The queer silence stretched on a while, and she returned her gaze to the window. He followed her eyes.
"Lovely, isn't it? The Manner of Malfoy is centuries old and is elegant in every fashion. After your marriage to my son, you will, of course, become lady of the house. That, in itself, is quite an honor."
She did not start, but rather looked at him solidly following his declaration. When she did not immediately speak, however, he went on.
"It is a man's duty to take care of his family, and the Malfoy's never shy from their duties. You will be taken care of. Apart from the Manor, the Malfoy family also holds a few chalets in France and Germany, used mainly for vacationing. As you have probably assumed, in our ages old fortunate standing we have filled several vaults at Gringotts. You will want for nothing; nor will your children, for that matter. Their places have already been put down in the Hogwarts books. Also, Draco has already been offered a future position, similar to mine, within the ministry. "
Hermione set down her cup. His choice of words was beginning to worry her.
"I feel that is more than enough to entice anyone of good sense," he stated frankly.
"It seems you have assumed too much, sir."
"How is that?" his voice hardened.
"You seem to think that I am both concerned with materialistic possessions and that I am already planning on accepting the proposal. There is another one to consider." He raised an eyebrow and stood slowly, moving to window.
"First, it is not possessions I speak of: it is security. When I heard of Weasley's proposal I feared that you might be young and foolish enough to consider marrying the beggar in the belief of some idealistic fantasy where school girl love is enough to survive. Have you ever been poor, Miss Granger?"
"No, but I doubt you have ample experience there either."
"Quite right. A Malfoy would never allow himself to sink so low. It is a disgrace to see a man have a family he cannot support. You may not mind going without, but tell me, is that what you desire for your children?"
Hermione glanced down at the carpet and studied the paths of the white flowers intertwining on its green surface, matching the curtains. Try as she might to ignore the jibe, it hit her hard. Did she want that life for her children? The Weasleys were happy enough with each other, right? Yes, she answered. Even as she did, unbidden memories flashed through her mind: Ginny crying in the dorm over her hand-me-down clothes, Ron looking abashed and ridiculous in his dress robes, Draco with his new broom, and Harry offering to buy Ron's snacks. She had always heard, and took for granted, that money did not matter. At the same time, did her parents ever have to tell her no because they could not afford to get her what she needed? What would it feel like to do that to her own children?
"Do you think it so noble and loving to let your children go hungry?"
"The Weasley's never let their children go hungry."
"Arthur Weasley works at the ministry, but, tell me, what does Ronald do?"
"Well, he works in the joke shop with his brothers, but only until he goes into Auror training-"
"Think he'll make a good Auror, do you?" She shut her mouth slowly. "As for your second notion," He took his seat again and returned to his emotionless, silk tones. "I have no doubt you'll accept the Malfoy proposal."
"Oh?" she said.
"You would never do anything to increase the danger your friend and his family might be placed under, would you? Even if they had, say, protection from a secret society, why take the chance?"
"Are you threatening them?"
"Do you doubt my loyalties?"
"To the ministry or the Dark Lord?"
"Let us not play politician's games, Miss Granger. Leave it for the ministry. You know who I am. We have faced each other before now. You know what I want. You know what I am capable of, do you not? You will agree to this proposal, under my terms, tonight." Hermione firmly held in her smile from seeping through to her face. Malfoy had unknowingly benefitted her plans.
"How do I know you won't just hand me over to Voldermort?"
"Do not dare to speak his name! He is the Dark Lord, and you'll do good to remember it. As for you, if you pose no immediate threat, and please my son, there will be no reason for you to be harmed. If the Dark Lord was after you particularly, you would be making funeral arrangements rather than wedding ones, I assure you."
Translation: he couldn't touch her a retain his cover, as Snape had said, and they were definitely going to be using her. Still, the words 'pleasing Draco' were not specifically appealing. She appeared to deliberate for a moment before asking: "What are your terms, sir?"
"I thought you'd never ask." He smirked. "Where are you currently staying as you await the start of term?"
"The Burrow," she answered, relieved that the tea appeared to have no effect on her ability to lie.
"The Burrow?" he asked.
"The Weasleys' home."
"Sounds like some sort of animal hole." He sniffed the air arrogantly, a detestable habit she had noticed on previous occasions. "Well, that won't do. It would be entirely inappropriate, wouldn't you agree, for my son's fiancee to live with the opposing suitor?"
"I suppose."
"Of course you do. So, you agree, therefore, that it would be best for to move in to Malfoy Manner as soon as you accept, formally, the proposal?"
"What?" He raised an eyebrow at her distress. "Yes. That would be fitting." She responded.
He nodded.
"What about when we return to school?" She ventured, silently praying they would be allowed to return.
"I don't foresee that being a problem." Hermione wondered how on earth that could be, unless...unless he knew she was to be made Head Girl, as she had hoped. "It is not too much to ask that, as new member of the Malfoy family, you will conduct yourself in the way of Malfoy family. Be respectful of any rules we have and any guests we entertain. Uphold the code of family honor. Do refrain from setting free our servants. You are to be friendly towards the ministry in all regards. As for your former acquaintances,"
"Yes?"
"Gallivanting with Harry Potter and sporting Gryffindor colors would hardly paint the sort of picture we want to be seen of this marriage."
"Which is?"
"That your allegiance lies with our family."
"And with who your family chooses to serve?"
"That is none of your concern. To the public, you will show a proper amount of obedience and gratefulness that I- no longer under the finger of the Dark Lord- have seen fit to take you in for your safety, after your parent's sad demise, as show of good faith to the community. Although you are to be loyal to my son, there is no need to display false romances. Most traditional marriages are arranged logically and you need not make a show of emotions except, of course, for nosy press. You made the best decision you saw. That is all they respectable community will think. Only, it would do good for you to remember that the further you stay from your friends, the better off the both of you will be. "
"So I protect my friends, myself, and provide for my future children. How generous of you. Tell me: what do you get in return?"
"As I explained, my name will be with good standing in the ministry again."
"And?"
"I thought you'd be able to figure that out. You're an intelligent girl," he sneered. "Keeping you away from Potter and his friends deprives them of a good resource of intellect."
'And,' she added mentally, 'You can use threats on my life to manipulate Harry, while tricking me into slipping up information on him or the Order.' She did not allow herself to comment.
"Shall we make the best of this difficult situation? I'm sure you see the logic in my standing proposal. I trust you will make the right decision. We'd all hate to have to do things the hard way."
Hermione drew another deep breath for strength. It was now or never.
"Yes. I'll accept."
"Excellent." He made no attempt to conceal the look of triumph washing over his aristocratic features. "Would you care to sign now, before you are tempted by your friends to back out on our agreement?"
She looked surprised again, and knew it showed, but Malfoy senior conjuring an official document and quill before her eyes had thrown her. For a moment she considered saying no, but soon realized that he was not going to let her run back to her friends, the Order, or the ministry, and report what had just happened. If she left, there was chance she would back out, and Malfoy could not-would not-let that happen.
Things were happening too fast. How could she explain to Harry and Ron she wouldn't be with them at school? Was she really to stay in the home of the Malfoy's? Was she moving now? At least she had the diary with her. As much as she hated to say it: Lucuis was right. She had to do things the easy way, for now.
"That's probably best." She answered, staring at him blankly. It was Malfoy's turn to look taken aback. She then moved over to the antique, roll-top desk he had gestured towards. Onto the line under the heading: "Acquiesce or Decline", she printed "I accept Mr. Malfoy's proposal of marriage to Draco Malfoy." There.
She sensed, rather than saw, Malfoy leaning over her shoulder as he waited for her to steady her grip on the quill and finalize the document. Her mind was racing. 'Now or never,' she told herself. She placed her signature upon the last line of the contract: "Hermione Jane Granger."
She was officially engaged to Malfoy.
A/N: Thanks for reading. As I said, please leave a review! What did you think of this one? I got half as many on chapter 2 than chapter 1 and was confused. I need you to tell me what you thought and what you want to see. The next few chapters are ready to go and a new one will be up in 5-7 days. Anyone ready to meet Draco?