LADY MALFOY
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related belongs to J. K. Rowling. And the places I mention, in the story do not belong to me.
Author's note: KUDOS to Cassgrass for beta-ing this chapter!!!
Warnings: AU NON-MAGIC . Harry is a female. You will find swear words but quite seldom. I will add furthur warnings as story progresses.
Chapter 3: First Sight
The wedding was a beautiful affair. Harriet sat with her family and smiled as the Bridegroom and the Bride exchanged vows. Her smile quickly vanished when she noticed the worry lines on her parents' faces. Being the only one who knew about the entire situation, Harriet was perceptive of her parents' forced smiles and the hint of worry in their eyes. There was only a week left before Mr. Thicknesse took away their small land if Father couldn't manage to arrange the money.
After the wedding, the Bride and the Bridegroom, followed by guests, left the church to go to the Zabini's house where the reception was being held.
"The wedding was beautiful wasn't it? Blaise looked dashing and so did Susan. The dress looked perfect for her, didn't it?" Hermione commented to Harriet but noticing her inattention, she asked in concern, "Harry, are you all right? You have been quiet all day." Hermione put her gloved hand on Harriet's arm.
"What?" Harriet asked, coming out of her stupor.
"I asked whether you are all right," Hermione repeated patiently.
"Yes, of course," Harriet laughed nervously. "Let's go eat. I am famished," she said pulling Hermione to the serving table.
"Congratulation, Mr. and Mrs. Zabini," Draco said formally as he dipped his head twice, once at Blaise and then again at Susan.
Blaise Zabini acquiesced as he dipped his head in return while Susan curtsied with a soft smile, "Thank you."
Blaise watched Draco in amusement for he knew exactly what Draco thought of weddings but years of training forced him to follow etiquette.
"Grandmother apologizes for her absence today and sends her congratulations on your marriage," Draco relied seriously.
"It would have been a great honour to have Lady Malfoy here but we understand," Blaise responded with an understanding smile.
"The wedding and the reception have come along splendidly," Draco commented to Blaise's mother, Mrs. Julie Zabini when she joined them.
"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Mrs. Zabini accepted looking around proudly.
"I heard your Aunts have arrived?" Blaise said with a slight questioning to his tone.
"Yes, Aunts Victoria and Elizabeth are looking after Grandmother in my absence," Draco replied with a nod.
As the afternoon went on, most of the guests left. Only a few close family members, who would be staying in the house for a few more days, remained. The Weasleys and Grangers also left, except for Harriet and Hermione, who stayed behind upon Mrs. Zabini's request to help with some arrangements.
"I too must take leave," Draco said turning to Blaise and his new Bride and bowing.
"Farewell, Draco. We will meet again, soon," Blaise bowed while Susan again curtsied.
As Draco reached halfway through the tent, under which the reception was being held, it started to rain heavily drenching the tent in the garden thoroughly.
"Everyone please, moves inside the house," Julia Zabini shouted, pointing to the door that led inside.
"Draco, come back," Blaise yelled as he grabbed his wife and rushed inside.
"At least it happened after the reception," Mrs. Zabini said out loud with a sigh and the relatives nearby burst out laughing.
Draco was the last one to enter and as the servant was about to close the door, so as to stop the rain from coming inside, he heard a yell, "Hey, wait, please."
Draco turned around stopping the servant and stared as Harriet, dressed in a lilac coloured dress, ran towards the door holding the dress up.
"Thank-" Harriet panted but before she could finish she slipped on the wet floor, "Ahhhhh!" Harriet's eyes widened before she closed them tightly, readying herself for the pain that would undoubtedly come from the fall.
When she didn't feel the pain she was expecting, Harriet opened her emerald green eyes slowly only to meet with intense grey eyes of the man who was holding her in his arms. They continued to stare at each other until some one cleared their throat loudly.
Noticing Blaise, Harriet blushed brightly and quickly extracted herself from Draco's arms.
"Thank you, sir" Harriet said, staring at the floor, to which Draco replied, "You are most welcome."
Before he could say any more, Hermione arrived saying, "Harry, Mrs. Zabini and I were looking all for you. Have you asked them about the flowers?"
Harriet internally sighed in relief, thanking Hermione for breaking the awkward moment. Harriet quickly curtsied to Draco and Blaise and dragged Hermione back to one of the rooms before she could say anything else.
Draco continued to stare after her as she disappeared through the door. Finally, noticing the amusement dancing in Blaise's eyes, Draco turned to the door and said, "I need to go."
"Wait till it stops raining, Draco," Blaise said reasonably gesturing to the sitting room.
Draco sighed and followed Blaise. For the entire stay, Draco hoped to catch a glimpse of her again but was unsuccessful. Disgusted with himself, Draco strode away the moment the rain stopped.
That night, as Hermione and Harriet settled on the bed in the smallest guest room in the Zabini house, Hermione asked in low voice, "Harry, have you ever wondered about your wedding?"
Harriet, who was on the edge of sleep, replied quietly, "Yes."
"Today's wedding was marvellous, wasn't it? I think I would like something similar for my wedding too," Hermione said dreamily and then asked, "Harry, have you ever thought what kind of husband you want?"
"Hermione, that's hardly in our hands isn't it?" Harriet said fully awake now.
"Yes, but didn't you ever imagine what your future husband would be like?" Hermione pressed.
With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Harriet turned around to lie facing Hermione, "Well, I don't know about me but I certainly can imagine what you want your future husband to look like," Harriet said barely containing her amusement. "Let's see tall, gangly sort, pale complexion, deep blue eyes, freckles splashed lightly on the face and finally wild red hair," Hermione's brown eyes widened at Harriet's description.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, blushing bright red as Harriet laughed.
Harriet controlled her laughter to continue her teasing, "Ummm…. since there are a lot of young men with those features I should be a little more specific and add that the young man's name should start with 'R'," she said and burst out into laughter again.
Hermione moved forward and quickly covered Harriet's mouth. "You'll wake everyone up with the noise," Hermione hissed lightly, her face still red.
She let her go when Harrriet signalled that she wasn't going to laugh anymore.
"Well, Hermione, as a member of Weasley family, you at least have my permission to be the wife of my oblivious brother, Ronald," Harriet declared with a warm smile.
Hermione smiled through tears and hugged her close, "Thank you, Harry."
Letting go, "Enough about me, you too must have dreams about your husband, Harry?" Hermione prodded insistently.
Harriet contemplated for a moment. "I don't know about looks, Hermione, but I certainly hope that my husband would be like my father," Harriet admitted quietly.
"Mr. Weasley?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"Yes, Father is the only man I know closely who respects and loves his wife and children. He may not be able to provide us with riches and comforts but he always values our opinions. And I admire the way he treats his sons and daughter equally when people outside have such low opinions about us women. I want my husband to be like that," Harriet said wistfully.
"Well, then I hope your wish will come true," Hermione said with a smile.
Harriet smiled in return.
A few days later, Draco arrived at Blaise's residency after receiving his invitation. The letter said he needed to speak with Draco about an important issue.
"I thought you would be occupied with your new Bride," Draco commented as he sat on a chair in Blaise's study.
"I have rest of my life to spend with Susan, the matter I want speak with you, however, cannot wait," Blaise replied lightly as he closed the door behind him.
"Have you come to a decision regarding Lady Malfoy's proposal?" Blaise asked as soon as he settled himself in a mahogany chair across from Draco.
"Why?" Draco frowned suspiciously, when Blaise continued to gaze without reply, he sighed, "I tried to talk Grandmother out of this madness but now she refuses to even speak with me until I presented her my Bride-to-be." His face twisted as if he tasted something vile as he said the word Bride-to-be.
After a moment of silence, "I think I may have an idea that will get you out of this situation," Blaise said hesitantly.
"You do?" Draco asked in surprise.
Nodding, Blaise said, "Marriage."
Before Draco could open his mouth, Blaise cut in, "Let me finish. You said that Mr. Derwent said that your Grandmother might not survive more than 2 years, yes? How do you like to be married until she died?"
"Blaise, I don't want to marry at all!" Draco exclaimed in anger.
"I know, but you must accept the fact that Lady Malfoy will not back out on her decision. You'll be married whether you want to or not. You care for your family too much to put it back in your parents' hands," Blaise said reasonably.
When Draco's anger deflated a little, Blaise continued calmly, "Think about it, Draco. If your Grandmother chooses a wife for you, you'll be stuck with her forever. But if you accept my proposal you'll at least be in control. You can make her agree not to interfere in family finances and decisions that would affect the family. By the end of 3 years, you'll be free of marriage."
"And where exactly will we find a woman whom my Grandmother would find suitable, not only to be my wife but also the next Lady Malfoy, and who will agree to marry me for just 3 years?" Draco asked sarcastically.
"I might know someone," Blaise said vaguely.
"Who?" Draco asked suspiciously.
"If you agree to my proposal then I will put forth the arrangement in front of her. And if she too agrees then I will tell you her identity," Blaise said firmly.
"What is the catch?" Draco asked narrowing his eyes.
"You will have to do her a favour in return," Blaise replied quickly.
"And what might that be?" Draco asked raising his eyebrow.
"Nothing beyond your power," Blaise admitted and then quickly added, "and it'll not hurt your family in any way."
He paused before continuing, "It will make your grandmother happy and you will get what you want. A marriage of convenience if you will."
"You think this woman can live up to the expectations of my family?" Draco asked sceptically.
"I am sure of it," Blaise said with confidence.
"I'll think about it," Draco said standing up. "If there is nothing else I must take leave."
"Draco, you have ten days left," Blaise reminded him.
"I remember perfectly, Blaise," Draco snapped. "Farewell."
"Farewell."
Author's note: Hope you liked their first meeting.
If you are wondering why Blaise did not introduce them or atleast reveal her identity to Draco after Harriet and Hermione left, despite Draco's obvious interest.
Well, he did not because he wanted Draco to ask him first, so that he could tease him about his attraction. And Draco did not give into the urge, suspecting Blaise's intention.
Another thing is Harriet's comment about not able to choose a man of their choice to wed. In 19th century, women were married off to men who proposed to them and their parents agreed on. Arranged marriages, only women had no choice.
Also, women had no rights, no power or money. Everything they earned or inherited went to their Father and later to their Husband.
Tell me how did you like it. Please Please Review!!!