{Thank you so much for the review RubyMoon838 – hope you enjoy this chapter}

Chapter Three

Lucius watched the girl sitting before him carefully, having given up any pretense of subtly a few minutes ago. While Narcissa was still talking to Draco, presumably about his noticeable lack of manners at dinner, Lucius had taken his guests into the drawing room, pouring coffee for Antoinette and brandy for himself and Charles. Virginia had declined a drink, earning herself a stiff glare from her mother, which Lucius had noted with vague amusement and a wry smile. He would have done the same to Draco, although inexplicably the girl's refusal hadn't offended him in the slightest.

But now he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up conversation with Mr and Madam Renwick, so caught up was he with watching their daughter. The girl was perched on one end of a sofa, opposite the armchair he had placed himself in. She looked a tad nervous, which, he had to admit, was understandable. It had been clear at dinner that she didn't know why she was there, which put her at a distinct disadvantage.

She kept her eyes down modestly, and he wondered if she could feel him watching her. Probably, he thought. Beauxbatons girls normally had a sixth sense for these things, as far as he could tell from past experience. But this one was different, and he felt almost guilty lumping her in with the flirtatious, often promiscuous, young women he'd come to associate with the French Academy in his younger years.

He watched her with interest, bordering on fascination, from the corners of his eyes as the corners of her lips rose in a small smile as her father concluded an anecdote he'd been telling Lucius. Lucius smiled in return, and let out a small, dignified laugh, although he hadn't really been paying any attention to the story, which sounded vaguely amusing at best, dreadfully dull at worst.

Luckily for him, he was saved from having to make comment by the return of his wife and son. Draco was looking suitably chastised, he noted approvingly, and both he and Charles Renwick rose to welcome Narcissa into the room. These social niceties had been engrained in him at a young age, and he didn't even think about them anymore, but was happy to note that the Renwicks observed them too.

"Virginia," Draco began awkwardly, and Lucius cringed at his son's lack of eloquence. "Would you join me for a tour?" His voice was stiff and embarrassingly unenthusiastic. Lucius was almost tempted to take the girl outside himself. Almost...

Virginia smiled politely and rose, smoothing the skirt of her dress over her shapely legs. "There's a chill in the air at this time of year," Draco continued, his tone distant, having noticed the flimsy material of her dress. "Shall I fetch your travelling cloak?"

"No, no, that won't do," Narcissa cut in, her clear voice ringing, her tone soft. "Virginia can't wear a travelling cloak for a tour. No, Virginia come with me for a moment, I shall lend you a shawl for your walk." She smiled encouragingly at Virginia, and Lucius marveled at the sight. She must really like her...His wife was notoriously difficult to please.

He watched as Narcissa took Virginia's arm, in the manner of an old friend, and led her from the room, heading towards the staircase. Draco perched uncomfortably on the edge of the chair she'd vacated, and made no effort to start a conversation with his future parents-in-law.

*.*.*.*.*

"Let's see," Narcissa hummed to herself, searching through the many pieces in her armoire for something suitable for Virginia to wear. Virginia stood behind her, hands clasped in front of her from a mixture of nerves and discomfort. Should I make conversation? she wondered. Would that be presumptuous?

She took in her surroundings subtly, knowing better than to stare or look too closely at any of Narcissa's personal belongings. The older woman's bedroom was quite something though, even though Virginia had a restricted view from where she was standing. The room was decorated in cream and pale pinks, serving as quite a contrast to the other parts of the Manor Virginia had seen so far. This room was obviously a woman's space.

It came as no surprise to her that Lucius and Narcissa didn't share a bedroom; if her own parents and parents of her friends were anything to go by, the older aristocratic pureblood families often didn't. She was also aware that many men in the same social circles as her father and Lucius Malfoy took mistresses and had numerous affairs outside of their marriages, especially when their wives were pregnant. Although her own father had never been with other women, as far as she knew, she had heard numerous complaints from her roommates at Beauxbatons, that their fathers, who normally spoiled them rotten, would go through phases of buying them nothing because they were busy with their other women.

"There, what do you think of this one?" Narcissa asked, turning to face her with a beautiful cape, dark pink in colour, with what looked like diamonds studding the neckline.

"It's lovely," Virginia replied, trying to keep the edge of surprise from her voice. She hadn't expected Narcissa to offer her anything so obviously expensive to borrow. The older woman stepped nearer, unclasping the fastening, and reached around to drape the cape over Virginia's shoulders, before stepping back to inspect her.

"Beautiful," she murmured, circling her in much the same way her mother had earlier in the evening. Virginia stood still and smiled, a genuine smile this time. She didn't know why Mrs Malfoy was being so nice to her, but she didn't want it to end any time soon. "It matches your dress perfectly. In fact-" Narcissa disappeared for a moment through a small door adjacent to the armoire, and reemerged holding a pair of cream heels: "These will go perfectly, don't you think?"

Virginia only just stopped her jaw from dropping. She really was taken aback. "Yes, Mrs Malfoy, that's so kind of you..." She trailed off, unsure of what to say or do next.

"Darling, please, call me Narcissa." Virginia nodded and slipped her shoes off, setting the light pink ballet slippers to the side as Narcissa dropped to her knees before her and helped her step into the heels. They were slightly too big, but with a quick charm they fitted perfectly. Narcissa rose, looking very pleased with herself, and gently grasped Virginia's shoulder, turning her to face her reflection in the mirror.

Virginia took in her reflection, smiling gratefully at the woman behind her own image. The cape matched her dress perfectly, and the shoes set off the outfit strikingly. She was still wondering why exactly Narcissa was so keen she look good, but was grateful nonetheless. It had been a long time since anyone had taken time to play dress-up with her, not since her days at Beauxbatons, much less her own mother, who only took enough interest to scorn her and berate her choices in clothing.

"Thank you, Narcissa, you're very kind," she said, the almost musical lilt in her voice which she'd been taught at Beauxbatons more pronounced in the presence of company. Narcissa smiled warmly at her, and patted her shoulders fondly.

*.*.*.*.*

Lucius, Draco, and her father all rose when she entered the room, and Draco went to meet her, taking her arm in his. Nobody noticed the way Lucius' eyes darkened slightly with lust, seeing this beautiful young woman in a cloak he hadn't seen his wife wear in years. He quickly tore his eyes away from her, scalding himself for allowing the old fires to rekindle within him, and cleared his throat, offering the Renwicks more drinks.

"You look lovely," Draco offered stiffly, as he led Virginia away from the room and towards the back of the house.

"Thank you, Draco," Virginia replied, her voice soft. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the boy, who clearly didn't want to have had anything to do with the dinner party, let alone be giving her a tour. She felt a sudden urge to ask him why his parents had invited them, but pushed the thoughts aside briskly: that would be highly inappropriate. Instead, she waited to see if he'd make conversation, content to walk quietly if he didn't.

Draco let go of her arm to open a set of double doors, which led out onto a terrace, beyond which Virginia assumed were the gardens, although in the darkness she couldn't see very clearly. Draco pulled out his wand, and muttered a spell, which provided them with slightly more light. In all truth, he was unsure what exactly his father expected him to show the girl: Malfoy Manor didn't have gardens, only high hedges lining the boundaries of the estate.

The pair stood awkwardly on the terrace, looking out into the darkness of the night. Draco's thoughts turned, not for the first time that evening, to the Marriage Law, and he wondered why Virginia hadn't already been paired with someone else. A flash of hope struck him - what if she was already betrothed, and that was the reason she was so confused about having been invited this evening? She was sixteen, within the age boundaries, unmarried, pureblood...It made no sense. Unless...

"When did you say you say you came to England?" he asked abruptly, taking Virginia by surprise.

"When I was fourteen," she answered. "Father wanted me to take my OWLs in Britain."

"And before that? You had always lived in France?"

She nodded, nonplussed as to why he was suddenly taking such an interest in information she had already relayed to his mother at dinner, when Draco clearly hadn't been listening. "Yes, although I visited England and Scotland in the holidays, to see my father's family and practice my English."

Draco nodded curtly, and turned to face away from the house again; that explained it. She probably wasn't on the Ministry's radar, having spent the majority of her life in France. Dammit, he cursed under his breath, hoping she wouldn't hear him.

"Have I said something wrong?" Virginia asked quietly, alarmed at Draco's mutterings, although this was more like the boy she'd observed from afar at Hogwarts. He clenched his jaw and shook his head quickly.

"No, forgive me." He regarded her intensely for a moment. His mother was right - she was beautiful, especially standing here in the moonlight, although Draco was no hopeless romantic. Her dark hair shone in the dim light, slightly tousled from the breeze, and her almond-shaped, grey eyes returned his probing gaze with an air of kindness which he hadn't appreciated before. In another time, he would have found her chiseled jaw line, small chin and heart-shaped face highly attractive. Stunning, even. But she was no Pansy. And he wanted Pansy.

"Come, let's go back inside," Draco commanded, his tone firm, like his father's, and he reached out to take Virginia's arm again, clearly hoping to keep up appearances for his parents' sake.

They walked in silence back to the drawing room, where to their surprise, only Mr and Madam Renwick were seated. Charles rose to greet them: "Draco, your parents asked me to tell you that they'd like to see you in your father's study, while we speak with Virginia."

"Thank you, Mr Renwick," Draco replied, a hint of worry in his reply, and he dropped Virginia's arm, almost rudely, lacking the watchful eyes of his parents, before hurrying from the room.

"We have zome news," Madam Renwick announced, a triumph gleam unmistakable in her eyes, and her father gestured for her to sit. Before Virginia had even had a chance to gather her thoughts, her mother hit her with what felt like a thunder-bolt: "You are to marry Draco Malfoy!"

*.*.*.*.*

"Draco, enter." Lucius cold voice rang across the length of his office, and Draco entered warily, crossing to where his father sat at his mahogany desk, his mother standing to his side, her hand resting on his shoulder, the image of a dutiful wife.

"Yes, Father?" Draco asked, his eyes darting between his parents' faces, trying to discern what might be going on, although he had a pretty good idea.

"We've made a decision," Lucius announced, as if it had never been Draco's choice at all. Which it hadn't, Draco thought bitterly. Despite his mother claiming earlier that they wanted him to "meet Virginia" and "see if he liked her", he had always known deep down that his opinion didn't matter, not if his parents liked her.

"Yes, Father?" he asked, gulping. His hands gripped the back of the chair he stood behind, his knuckles turning white with nerves he was desperately trying to hide from his mother's scrutiny.

"Virginia will make a fine bride for you, Draco. Her parents have agreed. You are to be married. Next week."

*.*.*.*.*

"You are to marry Draco Malfoy," Virginia's mother repeated impatiently, when her daughter made no move to break her stunned silence after a few seconds. "Poussin, answer me," she demanded, although she'd asked no question.

Virginia raised her eyes to meet her mother's, before glancing towards her father for affirmation. He raised a thick eyebrow at her, but kept his typical stony silence, watching his wife and daughter from afar.

"Mother, I...I wasn't aware that..."

"Ze British Ministry of Magic has implemented a Marriage Law," her mother explained briefly, "And ze Malfoys have chosen you for their son." She regarded her daughter coldly, noting her lack of emotional response with harsh disapproval. "Vell, aren't you happy, poussin?" she demanded. "You should be honored!"

"But, Maman," Virginia began, "I am only seventeen. I don't know Draco, or the Malfoy family..."

"So?" her mother retorted, shrugging in a very French way. "I vas seventeen when I was betrothed to your father. I didn't know him. It is," she paused to think of the word she wanted: "Irrelevant."

"Maman, I..." she shook her head in disbelief. She'd been right in thinking that something more was going on, her intuitions spot on. "Why do they want me?" she asked finally, thinking about Pansy Parkinson, and the other girls she'd seen Draco with in the Slytherin Common Room.

"Good question!" her mother exclaimed cruelly, before resuming her serious expression. "Ze English girls have been paired with others. Also, you are from a good family, a pure bloodline, you are," her mother hesitated to say it, "Beautiful, and your father does business with Lucius. It is a perfect match."

Virginia was too shocked to say anything more. She'd always half-expected her parents to arrange a marriage for her, although she'd hoped that the aristocratic tradition would have died out by the time she came of age. But she'd never thought it would come so soon. "I am only just seventeen..." she repeated helplessly, looking to her father, but Charles Renwick merely looked away.

The three Renwicks were interrupted by a rap on the door of the drawing room: as if on cue, Lucius and Narcissa had returned. Narcissa took in Virginia's pale expression with slight concern, although it didn't surprise her. She had hoped for, but not expected, a positive reaction from the girl.

She took a seat next to Lucius on a couch, opposite where their guests were seated. Virginia, prompted by her mother, changed seats to be part of the group. She was pleased to note that Draco had not returned to the room.

"May I assume that your parents have told you our news?" Lucius asked, addressing Virginia directly for only the second time that evening, although he'd been watching her keenly for most of it. Virginia could only nod numbly in answer.

"We have a proposition for you," Narcissa said, her voice unusually gentle, and she waited until Virginia met her eyes before continuing. "We are very aware that we've...sprung this upon you, and we know that you don't know our son very well. So, we would like to invite you to stay with us here in the Manor until the wedding, so as to get to know Draco better." Virginia's eyes widened. "You will have your own room," Narcissa continued quickly, "And you are welcome to have your personal house-elves sent over, along with your other possessions. We want to make you comfortable here."

"'Sent over'"? Virginia asked, picking up on perhaps the most mundane detail.

Narcissa nodded. "Well yes, there seems little point in sending you home at such a late hour, when the wedding is approaching so quickly. We'd like you to move in tonight."

"I-"

"Virginia, your manners," her mother berated, trying to keep her tone light in front of the Malfoys, although she was fooling no one. "It is a very kind offer, you must accept."

"I...Thank you, Mr Malfoy, Narcissa," Virginia stuttered at last, trying for a smile which came out like a grimace.

"Call me Lucius," Lucius commanded, his velvet voice sending shivers down Virginia's back. She was about to move in with these people...She'd known them only hours...

Charles Renwick chose this moment to find his voice again, and again Lucius was forced to tear his eyes away from the girl. "We'd best be leaving now," he said, rising to his feet, and Antoinette followed his lead, reaching down to swipe a stray lock of hair behind her daughter's ear before she left her in the hands of strangers.

"We will send your belongings, and Mimi and Bron," her mother told her. "Her house-elves," she explained to Narcissa and Lucius. In fact, this was only half-true: Bron was not her house-elf, but her mother clearly wanted to create the impression that they had as many servants as the Malfoys did, when in fact they had only seven.

"Very well," her father cut in, bending awkwardly to kiss his daughter on the top of her head. Antoinette did the same, and with that, Narcissa and Lucius escorted them from the room, leaving Virginia alone in the drawing room.

*.*.*.*.*

{Please leave me a review, I'd really appreciate it!}