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: My extreme gratitude to my incredibly patient beta, La baguette.
Thank you, guys, your reviews really brought smile on my face especially now, when I am going through some tough, emotional times.
Well, I am back with the new one. Now, don't be miffed at me for being late again. I have a good reason. This chapter was supposed to be a small, passing chapter which turned into one that contained around 20,000 words( I can't seem to write short chapters). But I have decide to split the chapter into two. The other is finished but going through editing. You will get to read that soon. For now, I hope you enjoy the first one.
ABOUT THE KISS: I seemed to have put my foot in my mouth by giving that explanation. Because previously there were only 4 or 5 readers asking for it, but now almost everyone seems to have joined the rally, 'I want 'THE KISS''.
Let me tell you that I chose set Harry Potter and co in 19th century so I could have a valid reason for prolonging their physical intimacy. You might think it as an excuse but I have no choice. I tried Tara-yo's advise and tried to pull the kissing scene forward but as it turns out, I have to come up with a whole new storyline if I did that. Sooooo sorry but I urge you all to be patient. There is another strong reason for it but I can't tell if I don't want to spoil couple of chapters.
I can't make them kiss but that does not be mean I can't include other romantic scenes. Harriet and Draco are certainly not non-sexuals *wink*. You will start noticing it from this chapter, I promise.
Enough of my ramblings, Enjoy!!!
Warnings: AU NON-MAGIC. Harry is a female. You will find swear words but quite seldom. Description of some of the characters was taken from the book. I will add further warnings as the story progresses.
Chapter 19: Celebrations of different classes
The jubilance emanating from Harriet was palpable within the closed quarters of the carriage as the three Malfoys travelled to Biddestone. Draco was escorting his wife and Grandmother to the Burrow upon the Weasleys' invitation. The occasion was the Weasleys were finally throwing the long promised party for the neighbours to celebrate Harriet's wedding and also, now the birth of Arthur and Molly's first grandchild.
When Arthur himself arrived at the Manor a week ago to invite them, Harriet surmised that the debts the Weasley family had owed to the creditors had cleared at last. Harriet noticed the striking difference in his manner in light of the absence of perpetual worry that had assumed her Father's kind face ever since the Weasley family had fallen into the nasty spiral of insolvency. A feeling of relived satisfaction settled within her heart when Harriet realised that the desire with which she had made the hardest decision of her life has finally been fulfilled.
The Burrow was already bustling with guests dressed in their best clothing when the Malfoys arrived at their destination. Since the front yard garden would not be comfortably sufficient for people attending the party, the vacant land beside the Burrow had been cleared to add more space and a white marquee was erected upon it. Weather that day was surprisingly dry and warm for mid-August and the hosts were praying that the condition would prevail till the end of the evening when the party would conclude.
Walking into the tent, Harriet noticed with amusement, several paper lanterns that were shaped in the form of mythical creatures hanging low from the ceiling and pleasantly illuminating the approaching evening; the twins' work no doubt. Several linen covered tables were placed under the tent holding the centrepieces filled with scarlet Crocosmia Lucifers whereas the bushes and trees in the garden were contrastingly draped with streamers made of fresh, white daises.
Arthur and Molly, first of the Weasleys to notice the Malfoys' arrival, stepped forward and warmly greeted them.
"Mother, the decorations are enchanting!" Harriet remarked with a delighted smile. Alexandra nodded genially in agreement.
"Oh, it was all the boys' and Hermione's doing, of course. I was occupied in the kitchen all day and I did not get the opportunity to inspect their work until after they finished. I must agree that they have done a wonderful job!" Molly replied cheerfully. The pink blush across her chubby cheeks clearly spoke of the absolute pleasure Molly was experiencing at the moment.
"Hermione helped, did she?" Harriet muttered throwing a sly look at Molly who nodded knowingly in response.
While the Weasley couple cordially enquired Alexandra and Draco after their welfare, Harriet glanced around the garden with a smile carved across her crimson lips, taking note of merrily conversing guests who were in attendance.
"Come on, Mr. Malfoy. I will introduce my relatives to you," Harriet urged, gently tugging his forearm that was linked with hers.
Alexandra, who was engaged in a conversation with the Weasley couple, paused for a brief moment and then, glancing at Draco standing quietly beside her, she said with a smile, "Go on, Draco. Arthur and Molly will keep me company."
With a sigh, Draco let Harriet drag him around the garden, enthusiastically greeting and introducing her relatives and friends to him. Early that afternoon as Harriet had prepared to dress for the celebration, she had decided to use this opportunity to the fullest in eliminating the lingering doubts that her family and friends might still have regarding their marriage. Harriet wanted her well-wishers to have no concerns over her happiness as Draco's wife. She would make sure that they found Draco every bit of a gentleman, a male could ever be.
Draco had caught on to her intention pretty quickly and tried to help her along in the process by politely speaking to the people but there was no helping the fact that the Weasleys guests were intimidated by the stature of the Malfoys in the society hierarchy. And more over, Draco's attempts could not completely hide his composed, blasé countenance.
Unlike Alexandra who had several acquaintances in different classes and was aptly communicating with the guests, Blaise was Draco's only middle-class friend. As such, Draco had no experience in friendly intermingling with people belonging to a lower class. Despite that, Harriet tried her best to showcase the best qualities of her husband to her relatives and friends.
Harry eagerly guided Draco in the direction of a short, thin middle-aged bald man and a slightly taller, kind-faced middle-aged woman standing by his side.
"Mr. Malfoy, these are my mentors in nursing, Mr. Albert Pomfrey and his wife, Mrs. Poppy Pomfrey," Harriet introduced them convivially. Her sparkling eyes indicated how excited she was over their meeting. "Mr. Pomfrey, Madam Pomfrey, this is my husband, Lord Draco Malfoy."
"How do you do, Sir, Madam?" Draco said politely, bowing while ignoring their poorly veiled calculating looks.
While Poppy acknowledged his greeting with an affable curtsy, Mr. Pomfrey grumbled accusingly, "So, you are the one who stole our apprentice and my assistant!" This caused Draco to arch a brow at him and Harriet to giggle softly.
"Mr. Pomfrey, be nice!" Madam Pomfrey admonished immediately and then, glancing at Draco with a mischievous smile, "Don't mind him, Mr. Malfoy. He is just miffed that he lost an assistant who would patiently put up with his prudish and grumpy disposition."
"Awww Mr. Pomfrey," Harriet said affectionately, briefly grasping his hand with her free one, "I miss you, too."
Despite the sore look his thickly moustached face acquired over Madam Pomfrey's words, Mr. Pomfrey fondly squeezed Harriet's hand before she released his.
Albert glared at his wife for that revelation, which she blithely ignored. Huffing in irritation, Albert turned to face Harriet, "Just because you are no longer practising nursing, I better not find out that you have forgotten what we taught you," Mr. Pomfrey said sternly, changing the subject and moving the focus onto Harriet.
"Absolutely not, Mr. Pomfrey!" Harriet exclaimed, wide-eyed. "In fact, I learned quite a lot about medicine since our marriage." Then gently patting Draco's hand of the arm linked with hers in emphasis, she added with a smile, "All because of Mr. Malfoy's encouragement, of course."
Draco had to use all his will power to mask his shock but he could not help staring at his wife.
Having only noticed her mentors' surprised looks, "He bought me several books on medicine," Harriet elaborated and then, leaning closer to the couple, she added, "And you know what else, Dr. Derwin is Mr. Malfoy's great grandfather. Of course, I didn't learn this fact until after the marriage."
"Really?" The older couple chorused in astonishment.
"Yes, Dr. Derwin is Grandma Malfoy's Father!" Harriet happily confided in them.
"Well then," Madam Pomfrey said decidedly, "we should go pass our gratitude to her for her Father's medical services."
Mr. Pomfrey nodded in agreement.
"We will see you later, Harriet, Mr. Malfoy," Poppy promised, nodding with a smile at the young couple.
Together, the Pomfreys walked away towards Alexandra.
Half an hour later, Neville arrived at the Burrow and anxiously glanced around the tent. Having noticed his entrance, Harriet hastened towards Neville and jauntily greeted him; he, in turn, looked relieved at her appearance. When the Malfoys had received the invitation, Harriet had taken the liberty to invite Neville with a solemn promise that the party would be a very casual gathering.
Ignoring Draco's disgruntled expression at his presence, Harriet introduced Neville to her maiden family as her new acquaintance.
Despite his earlier trepidation, Neville instantly felt comfortable by the warm and amicable treatment from the Weasley family. Soon into his arrival, Neville found himself engaging in a passionate debate over the topics of botany with some of the moderately educated neighbours who were farmers by occupation.
Noticing the makeshift dance floor arranged at one corner of the yard where the couples, most of them young though some old, were energetically dancing to the tunes played by two musicians seated at a distance, on the piano and the other on flute, "Let's dance, Mr. Malfoy," Harriet requested zealously, staring expectantly up at him.
"But I don't know any folk dances!" Draco protested loudly over the melodious sound of music, his grey eyes wide, whether in disgust or in disbelief, Harriet could not comprehend.
"It is quite easily, Mr. Malfoy," Fred intoned suddenly appearing by Harriet's side.
"And considering your lightness of foot, I believe you won't need much time to learn," George piped in, appearing by Draco's side.
"Just watch and learn!" Fred and George exclaimed loudly, dragging a startled Harriet to the floor before Draco could even blink.
"Fred, George, No!" Harriet cried in anxiety and a bit of alarm as they pulled her forward. Upon Fred's signal, all the couples vacated the floor with bemused looks on their faces.
Once three siblings stood at the centre of the floor, George signalled the musicians to play.
"Come on, Harry, dance!" they chorused in encouragement and started dancing around her. Harriet had only two choices left: either participate or fall flat on her front. Harriet knew both would cause her no less of embarrassment over the days to come, so she chose to spare herself the pain and started dancing but not before releasing an exasperated sigh.
As the music progressed with them dancing the silliest moves, Harriet could not help but follow their lead with continuous giggles and making complete fools of themselves.
More and more people paused in their conversations, to watch and laugh as Harriet joyfully danced between her twin brothers without care, momentarily forgetting her personal life grievances and losing herself in the fond memories of the past when the three of them danced this way during Christmas celebrations for their family's entertainment.
When the music slowed, finally coming to a halt, the garden vibrated with wild applause, cheers and catcalls from thoroughly entertained guests. In response, Fred and George standing on either side of Harriet bowed deeply with wide grins playing across their freckled and slightly red faces while Harriet dropped an appreciative curtsy with a smile to their audience.
As they moved away from the floor, the couples dancing previously, returned to their positions.
"You know, Fred, George, I am a married, gentry woman now. I can't go around dancing like that," Harriet berated them; though there was no heat in her words and more over, her eyes were twinkling brightly in mirth.
"Ah, but that was our revenge, Harry," Fred admitted in a whisper.
Harriet stared at him in confusion for a brief minute before her eyes widened in understanding. Shaking her head, "So you have figured it!" Harriet commented with a sigh.
"It would be a slap to our intelligence if you thought we wouldn't," George sniffed overdramatically, feigning affront.
"No, I knew you would find out some day but I also knew that you would understand why I had to do it," Harriet confessed with a rueful smile.
Fred and George nodded in acceptance.
"But that does not mean we would not retaliate. We are pranksters, Harry. We would never refuse a challenge," George asserted with a smirk.
Harriet fretfully stared between Fred and George, biting her lips and wondering what other forms of embarrassment they would put her through before they were satisfied. Seeing the worried look on her face, Fred and George burst out laughing.
"Relax Harry," Fred soothed, still sniggering. "Since you have won so many cricket matches for us, we decided to let your deliberate act of losing go this time."
"Couldn't you have done that before you forced me to dance like that?" Harry huffed, crossing her arms in her front.
"Not if it means extracting that expression from your normally impassive husband," George chortled, directing her gaze to Draco who standing at a distance and staring at her in undisguised shock.
Harriet's large eyes widened marginally at that. "YOU PRATS!" she exclaimed angrily at last, simultaneously cuffing the smirking twins at the back of their red heads.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Harriet said, diffidently approaching him. She eyed Draco apprehensively, afraid of his reaction to her unceremonious performance.
Coming out of his stupor, "You wanted me to dance like that with you?" Draco demanded in disbelief, highly appalled.
Wincing at his incredulously tone, "No, that is just some crazy dance my brothers invented for their amusement. See, the actual folk dance is completely different," Harriet muttered placating while pointing to the couples dancing spiritedly on the floor at the moment in emphasis.
With his forehead furrowed, Draco watched as Harriet gave him an uneasy smile and quickly averted her gaze and pretended to search for someone around the garden.
Still frowning, Draco glanced back at the dance floor and keenly watched the dancers' perform a Polka, ignoring the awkward silence that settled between Harriet and him.
"Dance with me, Mrs. Malfoy?" Draco proposed after few minutes of silent observation. He thought of this action as a way to prove her accusation of not returning the courtesy, a false one. Draco refused to consider the words of a second voice in his head that said that his asking her for a dance had nothing to do with impressing her family with their perfect marital relationship.
Harriet could not help but gape at him in astonishment. Draco was willing to partner her in the loud, energetic country-dance!
Still dazed, Harriet slowly slipped her palm upon his outstretched one and causing him to close his fingers around her hand and hold it firmly. Harriet stared unblinkingly as Draco led her to the dance floor.
Joining five other couples on the floor, Draco and Harriet took their positions. When the music started, Harriet danced with a bewildered expression on her face, which quickly transformed into startled laughter, upon seeing her usually poised and stolid husband dancing with equal vigour and unreservedness as other men. For a first timer, Draco danced extremely well, rarely stumbling but Harriet was quick to catch him at those instances. Harriet's joyful laughter did not cease throughout the lively Polka. Her ecstasy was so contagious that it brought a combination of amused smirk and genuine half smile on Draco's face, making him look handsomer than ever.
When the dance ended, Alexandra watched, her face glowing with absolute pleasure as slightly flushed and breathless Harriet and Draco left the floor. Alexandra's smile turned into a knowing one when she noted that Draco still didn't relinquish his grip on Harriet's hand.
Sometime later, Blaise and his wife, Susan arrived at the gathering. Harriet and Draco together approached to greet them.
Surpassing all the greetings, Blaise asked simply, "Happy?" gazing at Harriet.
"Very much so," Harriet replied with a wide smile causing Blaise to nod in acceptance.
While Draco understood the meaning behind Blaise's question, Susan glanced confusedly between her husband and Harriet.
With Blaise by his side, Draco found it easy to converse with the Weasleys' relatives and neighbours when Hermione dragged Harriet away.
Now that the feast was being served, Weasleys, Malfoys and their close acquaintances occupied the largest table placed in the garden while their guests took the smaller ones. Upon Harriet's insistence, Hermione had joined them at their table. Now, Harriet was sitting between Ron and Hermione while Draco occupied the opposite side with Alexandra and Blaise on either side of him.
"Mother told me you helped my brothers with the decorations," Harriet whispered to Hermione, raising a brow at her. "Already assuming the responsibilities of your future family, are you?"
Hermione flushed at her remark. "Your Mother already had a lot on her hands with cooking the feast. And since Ginny is being so obstinately uncooperative, I felt that I should help," she quietly but quickly defended herself, seeing the knowing look Harriet was directing at her.
But before Harriet could tease her further, Hermione added in a hiss, "Have you noticed how Mrs. Weasley is keeping Ginny at her side at all times? She probably wants to prevent Ginny from causing a scene at the party."
"Yes," Harriet agreed with a sigh. Ginny hadn't spoken to her since they arrived at the Burrow. Harriet herself did not bother trying to start a conversation, mainly because she was afraid of what Ginny might spew in front of her husband. After her behaviour at the Manor, even Draco did not seem eager to talk to her.
Noticing the dejected expression that was rapidly forming on Harriet's face, Hermione tried to divert her from morose thoughts. "Your husband seems so different from the man I met in March!" Hermione observed in a whisper, furtively glancing at Draco who seemed to be in deep discussion with Blaise.
"I told you, Hermione. Mr. Malfoy is a gentleman," Harriet said with a smile, also glancing at Draco seated a couple of the chairs away across the table.
After a pause, Hermione reluctantly nodded in agreement. Harriet sighed in resignation upon seeing the still-existing scepticism in Hermione's eyes. The two best friends continued to chatter among themselves in quiet tones throughout the dinner.
Since the party was a casual gathering, no one was expected to linger on the table until everyone else was finished. The fact that Blaise was quick to point out to Draco, when he watched, befuddled as others left the table.
Within the next five minutes, the Weasleys and Malfoys deserted the table leaving Harriet, Hermione and Ron alone. Though Hermione had finished with her meal, she decided to stay by Harriet's side.
Watching her friend eat, Hermione could not curb the desire to voice the doubts that were bubbling within ever since the dinner started. "Harry, are you pregnant?"
Hermione asked bluntly though she had the sense to keep her voice low, much to Harriet's relief.
A split second later when her mind registered Hermione's question, Harriet choked on the piece of chicken she had just forked into her mouth.
With eyes watering and coughing repeatedly, Harriet almost blindly groped for a glass of water around the surface of the table.
Biting her lips in concern, Hermione gently thumped Harriet's back while darting her brown eyes around for the water jug, only to find it empty.
"Where…cough … is…cough … my water glass?" Harriet exclaimed in annoyance.
At her words, Ron flushed in mild guilt. "Sorry Harry, I was a little thirsty," he muttered, pointing to the two empty glasses beside his plate.
Harriet managed to direct a glare at him between her coughs.
Draco, who was standing nearby, quietly watched their interaction for a moment. Rolling his eyes at their antics, Draco walked up to the table and silently offered his half-emptied glass of wine to his wife.
Quickly accepting the drink, Harriet gulped it all in a single swallow and sighed in relief.
Finally looking up at her saviour, Harriet blinked in surprise. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," she said at last with an pretty smile and then immediately remembering Hermione's earlier question, promptly ducked her head and turning away from him with a violent blush. Draco's forehead creased in confusion at her reaction before he shook his head in exasperation and walked away.
Harriet internally sighed in relief when she heard him leave before turning to Hermione who had returned, having gone to fetch her water; and was watching her black-haired friend with a sly expression on her face.
"Hermione, why would you ask that?" Harriet demanded heatedly.
"Sorry Harry," Hermione said, looking not at all apologetic. "It's just that you were eating like Ron," she added in a whisper.
Both Harriet and Hermione glanced at Ron who was gobbling down great amounts of Turkey roost in quick successions.
Noticing their eyes on him, "Mo'dd'er has ou'done owwself, eh Hawwy?" Ron complimented blissfully, giving them a view of his mouth full of partly chewed food. Both young ladies grimaced simultaneously while Ron immediately turned his attention back to his plate, single-minded.
"Really?" Harriet asked sceptically, turning her gaze back to Hermione.
"Well," Hermione slowly started, "not so much as manners but the quantity," pointing to the food left on Harriet's almost empty plate.
"Hermione, that is rudest thing to notice, let alone point out," Harriet reminded her, frowning in offence.
"I am sorry, Harry, you are right," Hermione muttered, chastised. "It's just that you are eating like Fleur did when she was pregnant."
Harriet gaped at her response for a whole minute. "So, you assumed that I was…pre…pr.," she finally spluttered turning red again before continuing with a wild, vague gesture towards her midriff, "… you know!"
"It's not just that!" Hermione exclaimed in self-defence. "You are glowing and you look exhausted."
Harriet blinked several times at her explanation. "All right. I will take that glowing thing as a compliment," Harriet said with an exasperated roll of her eyes.
"As for eating too much, I am getting to taste my Mother's cooking again after a long time, Hermione. But my being hungry and tired has other reason," Harriet conceded with a sigh.
Hermione stared at her in curiosity.
Leaning close to Hermione, Harriet whispered in her ear that Draco is now allowing her to work in their garden after she complained to him that she was overly bored in the Manor with nothing to do and that she had, in fact, spent that whole morning in the garden. But of course, Harriet refrained from giving the exact reasons for growing a new garden.
Hermione reared back with a dumfounded expression. Harriet nodded emphatically to her goggling friend.
Now that the matter was settled, Harriet returned her attention back to her food. They did not realise when Ron left the table.
But just as Harriet made to fork chicken in her mouth, she paused realising something, "Hermione, you don't think everyone else is also suspecting that, do you?" Harriet asked worriedly, glancing imploringly at her best friend.
Hermione bit her lower lip to prevent the oncoming mirth from bursting forth and shrugged noncommittally.
Grimacing at her response, Harriet anxiously glanced around the garden and pushed her plate away.
Rolling her eyes at her, "Don't be fool, Harry. Finish your meal," Hermione protested firmly, pulling the plate back to her.
After a long moment, Harriet reluctantly agreed.
"Fred, George, your special performance seems to be absent in this party," Blaise commented with a smirk, glancing between the twins.
"Ah, but we did. You missed it because of your late arrival," George responded airily.
"I am sure you did not include Harriet in your performance this time," Blaise perceived, looking nonchalant over missing their act, confident of Harriet's absence.
"Are you?" Fred asked with wicked grin.
Blaise's eyes widened for a brief second. "You did not!" he exclaimed, throwing a disbelieving glance to Draco standing beside him.
An instant glower briefly appeared on Draco's pointed face upon hearing the disappointment in Blaise's tone. Something the other three failed to notice.
"We so did," George confirmed with a wide grin and then added, "If only we could make Harry ride a horse. Now, that is a true challenge."
Blaise and Fred nodded in unison.
"No, it's not!" Draco drawled, smugly smirking at them, momentarily forgetting his earlier frustration.
They stared quizzically at Draco who admitted about Harriet's horse riding lessons. Despite her stubborn refusal in June, Harriet had given into Draco's persistent nagging and reluctantly allowed him to teach her.
Thoroughly impressed, "All hail, my Lord for accomplishing the impossible!" Fred stated, dramatically bowing down to Draco.
While George mirrored Fred's sentiments, Blaise stared at his amused looking friend, nonplussed.
"We are leaving, Harry," Poppy told her, approaching Harriet along with her husband.
"Already? Can't you stay for some more time?" Harriet urged softly, glancing between the couple.
"We can't, dear," Poppy replied, a bit regretfully. "You see we have left the house with the notice hung on the gate that we would return by eight."
"But can't your new apprentice look after the apothecary in your absence?" Harriet enquired, confused.
Albert snorted loudly in derision.
"Ran away, didn't he? Or more like Mr. Pomfrey scared him away," Poppy told her, throwing an exasperated look at her husband.
"Oh Mr. Pomfrey, you didn't!" Harriet exclaimed, her eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Yes, I hope the next one will at least be strong enough to put up with him," Poppy sighed while Mr. Pomfrey gave Harriet a conspiratorial wink.
After exchanging warm farewells, the Pomfrey couple left the Burrow.
Within the following hour after the Pomfrey's departure, the rest of the guests took their leave one after another.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy for inviting me. I really had an excellent time," Neville remarked with a wide grin, approaching her to bid his farewell.
"I hoped you would," Harriet replied genially before cordially enquiring with a soft smile, "Now that you are familiar with my family, am I to believe that you will be more willing to accept any future invitations?" Harriet had noticed Neville cheerfully dancing with Ginny as well as couple of girls from Biddestone during the party.
"I would consider it an honour," Neville answered, still grinning and then bowed.
In return, Harriet dropped a curtsy in adieu.
Now that the party crowd had cleared, Fleur brought her new daughter outside to the garden. Earlier into the party, when Fleur had carried Victoria to the party to introduce her to the guests, the baby girl had started crying, having been overwhelmed by the whole eager lot.
"Fleur, could I hold her?" Harriet requested longingly. Till now, Harriet had only seen Arthur, Molly, Bill and Fleur carry Victoria around. Harriet did not know whether it was because of Victoria's parents' unwillingness or because everyone was afraid of handling the tiny, delicate form of the baby. But, Harriet had desired to hold her new niece ever since she had received the letter from Bill informing her of Victoria's birth.
Seeing the tentative look on Harriet's face, Fleur smiled benignly at her and said, "Of course Harry, go occupy that sofa."
Nodding in understanding, Harriet quickly took her seat and eagerly waited.
Smiling at her, Fleur carefully placed the baby on Harriet's outstretched forearms and said softly, "Victoire, zis ees your Aun' 'arriet."
Fleur watched as Harriet adoringly stared at her faintly pink-complexioned niece. Harriet could not help lovingly finger Victoria's soft tuft of white blond hair that strongly reminded her of her husband's.
Suddenly, Harriet raised her head from the delicate form of her niece and searched around between her family members who watching them with smiles before her green eyes landed on her husband.
"Mr. Malfoy, come see my niece," Harriet exhorted him, her pretty face wearing an expectant smile.
Before Draco could respond, Bill was already pushing him towards the sofa where Harriet was sitting. As soon as Draco settled beside her, Harriet gently but hurriedly adjusted her seat and arms such that the baby looked like she was lying on both of their laps.
"And Uncle Draco," Fleur finished with a knowing smile noticing that, in the current position, Harriet's back was partly resting on Draco's broad, slender chest.
At her Mother's words, Victoria opened her tiny, adorable mouth and yawned softly.
Peering at her cherubic niece who seemed to have inherited the best features of her parents, snugly bundled in warm clothes, "You are bored, aren't you? You are thinking these are one too many Aunts and Uncles than one ought to have, aren't you?" Harriet chortled, lightly bouncing the baby in her arms.
Victoria simply blinked at her.
"Well, think of it this way, darling, the more relatives you have, the more gifts you will get for festivals and your birthdays," Harriet cooed affectionately.
Everyone of their audience except Ginny laughed at Harriet's words.
"You think she understands your nonsensical twaddle," Draco drawled with a snort, also gazing at Victoria over Harriet's shoulder.
Harriet turned her head around to face him and adorably pouted her pink lips in mock-insult at his comment. In response, Draco simply arched his eyebrow at her while his lips twitched involuntarily.
Staring unblinking with her large, blue eyes between Harriet and Draco who seemed to be lost in their own world, Victoria released a giggle causing them to jerk their attention back to her in wonder.
"Now there is that treasure worth of smile, I was hoping to see!" Harriet exclaimed joyfully, placing a tender kiss on the baby's forehead.
Victoria continued to giggle merrily, fascinated by their peculiar interaction. "See, she does understand what I am saying," Harriet added smugly, briefly glancing back at a surprised looking Draco and nudging his chest with her shoulder.
"Oh, don't they look perfect together!" Molly stated to Alexandra while gazing at the young couple. Alexandra herself was tenderly looking at them as Harriet was blabbing at Victoria while Draco offered his index finger, which the baby immediately grasped in her chubby, little fist. "I can't wait for them to have their own."
"Me neither, Molly, me neither," Alexandra confessed, watching the young couple fondly.
"My heart tells me that they are the ones who are going to give me my second grandchild," Molly added fervently.
An hour later, the Malfoys exchanged hearty farewells and left for Tisbury, but not without Harriet extracting a promise from Bill to visit the Manor along with Fleur and their daughter before they returned to Wales.
Few days later, Alexandra received a letter from Elizabeth informing her of the details of Emily's wedding. The following three weeks were extremely hectic for Harriet and Draco. Draco was engaged for long hours finishing his important business meetings and delegating tasks to his more competent and trustworthy employees, all to ensure the proper functioning of the factories in preparation for his weeklong absence. Harriet, on the other hand, was occupied assiduously working in her garden, finishing handmade gifts for the Parkin family as well as making a shopping trip along with her husband to buy jewellery and clothes for their hosts, and assigning the duties of the Manor that were to be performed by the servants in their absence.
"Grandmother, do you wish to stay longer with Aunt Elizabeth after the wedding?" Draco gently enquired after apprising her and Harriet of the plans for their trip.
When Alexandra furrowed her eyebrows at him, "Although I myself could not stay away from the family business for a longer period of time, I don't mind returning to Newbiggin to collect you whenever you wished," Draco elaborated and then gazed questioningly at her.
Alexandra lovingly smiled at him. "It would not be appropriate for me to overstay the visit at my daughter's marital home, darling," she explained reasonably. "No, I will return with you."
Draco nodded in understanding but internally, he sighed in relief. Draco was sure that he couldn't wholeheartedly trust anyone else (even his own Aunt) to take proper care of his beloved Grandmother, especially in his absence. Alexandra's decision to come back to Tisbury with them had effectively relieved him of those concerns, not that he would ever admit it vocally.
Draco was so immersed in his thoughts that he failed to notice as Harriet endearingly beheld him. Just like Alexandra, Harriet perfectly understood the worries behind his carefully veiled words.
Now that the matter has settled, Alexandra wrote the letter to Elizabeth informing them of their five-day visit to Newbiggin. The plan was that they would be spending two days before and two days after the ceremony with the Parkin family. The remaining two days would be spent in travelling back and forth between Wiltshire and Northumberland.
Alexandra also wrote to Augusta, inviting her to the Manor. Whenever the whole of the Malfoy family went on trips that lasted longer than two days, Alexandra requested her friend to stay and look after the Manor for the duration of their trip. Similarly, Alexandra returned the favour when the Longbottom's were away.
Whatever her steadfast behaviour towards Neville, they was no denying that Augusta Longbottom was an honourable woman who would loyally perform the duties secured in her hands.
Meanwhile, Harriet taught the methods of cultivation to her personal maid, Nola, temporarily transferring the responsibilities of her new garden; she also requested Neville visit the Manor to check upon the plantation in his leisure. Harriet did not want the new, tender plants to go to ruins just because she was unavailable to take a proper care of them.
The night before the train ride to Northumberland, Harriet could not sleep, despite the fact that she was awfully tired, having spent the whole day shuffling around the house, gathering and ensuring that all their things were packed. Harriet was not only excited about the trip to a new place but also anxious about travelling so far away from her maiden family. Harriet had only journeyed around Surrey, a part of London (where the Dursleys had taken her to shopping, not because they were feeling generous but because they had needed someone to carry their purchases), and finally Wiltshire.
Harriet had never been on a train either, a fact that she was too embarrassed to share with her in-laws. Harriet had, however, admitted to Edgar that she had never seen the sea when they were talking about Emily's upcoming nuptials during the summer visit. Instead of looking flabbergasted at her admittance, Edgar had only seemed more excited and promised to escort her to all the popular sights in Newbiggin on her visit. After all, Newbiggin was the most sought after seaside town in England.
Having spent most of the night tossing and turning, Harriet finally fell asleep, only to be awakened by her maid, Nola around three hours later. With their luggage safely secured in the carriage, the Malfoys along with two servants, Henry and Elladora, departed to Calne at the crack of the dawn.
Arriving at the Calne's railway station, they had to wait more than half an hour before the train to Northumberland arrived. All the drowsiness Harriet was feeling vanished at the sight of the scarlet locomotives, arriving and departing while puffing steam from the engine at the very front. Harriet watched as farmers and other food suppliers scrambled from their seats to load the wagons with sacks whenever a freight train arrived at the station.
Their fellow travellers hastened towards the transport when the much fancier passenger train to Northumberland finally pulled into the station. Draco carefully guided Alexandra to the door closest to their compartment with Henry and Elladora carrying their luggage and following behind.
Only after settling Alexandra in the compartment did Draco notice Harriet's absence by his side. Peering through the open window, Draco saw his wife, unmoved from her position, staring transfixed at the long row of compartments that people were boarding into.
Shaking his head in mild amusement, Draco stepped back onto the platform and marched up to her.
"Mrs. Malfoy, are you coming?" Draco asked softly approaching closer and extended his arm to her in invitation.
Jolting out of the stupor at his voice, Harriet blinked at him before glancing around in confusion, only to notice that they were the only ones remaining on the platform.
A smirk formed across Draco's handsome face as Harriet blushed in embarrassment at her silly fascination. Hastily taking his arm, Harriet allowed him to escort her to their first class compartment.
Eagerly occupying the seat by the window, Harriet peered out as the train slowly pulled away from the station. With childlike delight, Harriet listened to the sound of the whistle blowing and the wheels noisily running on the iron-wrought rails while gazing at the moving scenery of the town of Calne.
For more than an hour, Harriet watched as the scenery passed by outside the window: the green pastures with grazing cattle, the wooden houses of quaint villages, the bridges traversing streams and lakes. The simple beauty of the serene countryside thoroughly captivated Harriet.
But the sudden onslaught of the rain ruined her pleasure. Draco who was sitting beside her, reading, speedily leaned towards the window and firmly brought the shutters down while Harriet slumped back in her seat with a sigh of disappointment.
Giving her a sympathetic look, Alexandra returned to her book. Disheartened, Harriet pulled her woollen shawl close around her upper body as the cool air permeated their compartment through the tiny cracks of the door and windows. She listlessly gazed as the fog spreading across the glass was disturbed and washed out by an infinite number of droplets that rapidly lashed against it and slid down. Draco abstractly noticed as Harriet eventually drifted off into sleep, tiredness from the last couple of days finally catching up with her.
Noticing Harriet's unconscious state, "Draco darling, outstretch Harriet's palms, will you?" Alexandra said, pulling a small glass bottle from her handbag.
Frowning in curiosity, Draco did as instructed and watched as Alexandra removed a generous amount of colourless cream with her wrinkled fingers and gently rubbed it on Harriet's open palms.
With a small smile, "This concoction prevents her hands from developing calluses," Alexandra explained to a quizzical-looking Draco.
Draco's expression cleared in understanding as he stared at Harriet's now glistening, slightly pink palms. During their conversation that late afternoon, Draco noticed how Harriet suffered while working in the garden, and he had brought her warm leather coat and gloves to protect her from the wild winds of autumn. Harriet had been truly touched and grateful for this thoughtfulness. Draco now realised that even the gloves would not be enough to completely protect her hands against the coarse soil and rough tools.
When Alexandra was done, Draco tucked Harriet's hands back inside her shawl, his hold on her wrist lingering a moment longer than necessary within the confines of the wool before he released them and returned his attention to the perusal of his paper.
Behind the veil of newspaper, Draco could not help his grey eyes from straying sideways, to his deeply slumbering wife. Turning his head ever so slightly in Harriet's direction and staring at her tranquil face, Draco leisurely and interestedly studied her face: her not too thick and shapely eyebrows; her pink and veined eyelids that hid her large and curious almond-shaped emerald eyes (Draco had to admit to himself that he had never seen such beautiful and expressive eyes in his life); her long and curly eyelashes that shadowed the light golden-coloured patch of skin beneath; her pert, little nose; her luscious lips, the thin upper lip and the painfully tempting, plump lower one, a shade or two darker than the upper. 'Probably due to her habit of constantly biting it,' Draco thought with an amused smirk.
Just as Draco finished that thought, the train abruptly lurched causing Harriet's lulling head on the headrest of the seat to jerk forward. Draco acted instinctively and caught her around the shoulders before she fell face forward.
Alexandra secretly smiled when Draco, instead of securing Harriet back in her seat, slowly and gently pulled her to his side and let her rest her head on his shoulder. A few seconds later, unconscious Harriet half turned towards him and firmly tucked her arms by his abdomen and slept on with a sigh, much to Draco's astonishment and Alexandra's happiness.
Feeling contented, Alexandra herself laid on her berth and gave in to sleep. Now the only one to be awake, Draco felt his body congenially warm against the cool air inside the compartment as Harriet's body heat gradually seeped through the layers of clothes that separated them, the longer they stayed in contact.
A few hours later, Harriet woke up and groggily stared around the compartment. It took a moment or two for Harriet's sleep-muddled mind to sense clothed muscle and bones beneath her cheek. Slowing raising her head in confusion, Harriet realized that she has been lying on Draco's shoulder. Flushing deep red, Harriet promptly moved away from him.
At this action of hers, Draco eyed her face, searching for any signs of revulsion, only to find utter embarrassment. Unconsciously relieved, Draco silently left the compartment to use the restroom.
It was around six in the afternoon when their train arrived at Newbiggin, Northumberland station. After disembarking from the train, Draco scanned the station and quickly spotted their escort. A tall man in his late forties was waiting for the Malfoy party to arrive.
Hurriedly approaching the party, the man bowed deeply. "How do you do, Lady Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Hello, Luther. How are you?" Alexandra asked pleasantly while Draco simply gave a curt nod of acknowledgement.
"I am quite well, Madam. Thank you," Luther answered politely.
"Harriet, this is Luther. He used to work for us before Elizabeth's wedding. He was sent with her to the Parkin house thereafter," Alexandra told her. "Luther, Harriet is Draco's wife."
"How do you do, Luther?" Harriet said genially to which he responded with a small smile, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Malfoy." He escorted them out of the crowded station, toward the carriage waiting outside for them.
While Draco helped the ladies into the carriage, Luther secured their luggage at the back with the help of the two Malfoy servants. Elladora then joined the Malfoys inside the cab while Henry stood on the tail end of the carriage. After Luther took a seat beside the driver, they set off to their destination.
Opening the small window to the front, "How are the arrangements being done, Luther?" Alexandra enquired curiously while Harriet stared outside the window, wondrously taking in the sight of wild, heather moorland and hay meadows of the small town as they progressed through long and linear streets.
"Arrangements are coming along splendidly, Madam," Luther replied quietly.
"And Elizabeth, I suppose she is riding on her nerves again?" Alexandra questioned next, her face briefly twisted in worry.
"Well, you know her better than anyone else, Madam Malfoy," Luther answered vaguely.
"I see," Alexandra sighed. "What about the guests?"
"They have arrived and settled in their rooms, Madam. In fact, you are the last ones to arrive," Luther told her.
Draco and Harriet inwardly grimaced at the thought of facing Lucius and Narcissa as soon as they arrived at the Parkin residence.
Harriet observed the handsome Parkin Hall when their carriage finally halted after an hour-long journey. Though the estate was smaller than that of Malfoy Manor, the Parkin residence was beautifully designed; the house itself had the air of a new building and the garden looked attractive with local vegetation.
No sooner than Draco had climbed out of the carriage and helped the ladies out, did an agog-looking Edgar accost the Malfoy party.
"Oh thank god, you are here. I was going insane dealing with garrulous women and overly ambitious, proud old men!" Edgar grumbled lightly.
Draco got the weird feeling that Edgar's remark was singularly directed to Harriet.
"Edgar," Alexandra admonished though her eyes were twinkling in amusement.
Smiling indulgently at him, "But I thought you would be preoccupied with the wedding arrangements and would not even have time to greet us," Harriet teased lightly as the butler ushered them inside.
Walking beside Harriet and Draco who were following Alexandra, Edgar replied, "For you, Harriet, I have all the time in the world," staring fervently at her. Chuckling, Harriet shook her head good-humouredly while Draco narrowed his eyes in annoyance at Edgar's attempt at flattery.
"As promised I would show you around the town, but you should have visited Newbiggin in summer, Harriet, when the town is brimming with tourists and we wouldn't have had to worry about the rains ruining your plans. No matter, we will see everything. I really wish you could stay longer so that we wouldn't have to rush through the trips. I can't wait for the ceremony to end so that we could carry out our own—"
"So, instead of helping the family with wedding preparations you have been gallivanting around uselessly," Draco quipped, interrupting Edgar's enthusiastic chatter to an interested Harriet. At that remark, Harriet turned sharply and stared at her husband with a frown while Edgar looked slightly hurt.
A hush descended upon them as they progressed further into the house.
As soon as they entered the living room, they found the ever-immaculate and expensively-dressed Narcissa conversing with Natalie. Being the bride's sister and Matron-of-honour; Natalie arrived at her maiden family's residence a month ago along with her son.
Noticing their arrival, Natalie immediately stood and, approaching Alexandra, embraced her briefly before greeting Draco and Harriet with genial smiles. Alexandra, Harriet and Draco pleasantly returned her greeting.
Languidly standing on her feet, Narcissa first greeted Alexandra before turning to face Harriet and Draco. As etiquette dedicated, they would have to be first to greet Narcissa. So, Draco bowed a little without uttering any pleasantry whilst Harriet said, "Hello, Mother-in-law", curtsying to Narcissa. Like the others in the room, Draco was taken aback by the coldness in Harriet's tone as well as her blatant rudeness when she intentionally didn't lower her gaze while curtsying.
With a frosty glare, Narcissa returned her greeting in kind.
At that moment, a slightly tense-looking Elizabeth entered the living room and quickly greeted them.
"Why don't I show you to your rooms so that you can get refreshed before dinner?" Elizabeth said, noticing the terse atmosphere of the room.
Nodding in consent, they followed Elizabeth out. It was then that Harriet noticed Edgar's absence and felt guilty.
Ascending the stairs, they descried a tall, dark woman in her early forties, standing on the top stair and staring at them with an unreadable face.
"Aunt Bella!" Draco exclaimed sharply, being the first one to notice the woman.
Harriet watched with her eyebrows furrowed as her husband actually took a step back in surprise. Harriet did not think this surprise was of a pleasant kind. Staring at her, Harriet thought Bellatrix could be considered a woman of great beauty with thick, sleek and shining black hair, pale skin and an appealing figure if not for the crazed look in her heavy-lidded eyes.
"So you do recognise me, Draco!" Bellatrix said with a sardonic smile. "I started to worry that you would have forgotten about your dear old Aunt's existence when we didn't receive an invitation to your wedding." She haughtily threw a fleeting glance at Harriet before turning her gaze back to Draco.
Assuming a mock-hurt expression on her face, "Your Uncle and I were most disappointed that you chose to invite Sirius but not us," Bellatrix pouted her thin lips at him.
Draco had to use all his self-control to keep the sneer from forming across his lips while he silently stared at her.
Alexandra spoke up, saving Draco from answering her. "The blame for that lies completely on my head, Bellatrix, as I was responsible for sending out the invitations. In all the hustle-bustle, I failed to send out invitations to many important people. My memory is receding with my age, I am afraid," she added as an afterthought.
"Understandable, Lady Malfoy," Bellatrix responded with a quirk, curtsying a little. "I hope your health isn't that bad too."
Alexandra caught Draco's arm before he could angrily retort and smiled at Bellatrix. "Not at all, Bellatrix. I feel more chirper than ever before. Now, if you will excuse us, we would like to see our rooms."
"Certainly," Bellatrix complied easily and made way for Alexandra to pass, but as Draco made to follow his Grandmother, she stopped him in his tracks by blocking his path. "But Draco darling, won't you introduce your bride to me even now?" Bellatrix purred with a delicate brow raised at him.
Thinning his lips in irritation, "Aunt Bellatrix, this is my wife, Mrs. Harriet Malfoy," Draco introduced reluctantly, gesturing to said woman.
Moistening her upper lip with the tip of her tongue, Bellatrix eyed Harriet with a cold, calculating gaze.
"Mrs. Malfoy, this is my Aunt, Lady Bellatrix Lestrange. She is my Mother's elder sister."
Harriet hastily curtsied to Bellatrix and let Draco to lead her away. For some reason, Harriet wanted to avoid her company as much as she desired Narcissa's absence.
Ushering them to their rich and commodious guest rooms that consisted of a sitting room, a bedroom and a bathroom, Elizabeth muttered bitterly, "I am afraid, you three will have to share these rooms. I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience, Mother. I had planned the assignment of the guest rooms a month before. Only Bellatrix had to visit us and spoil everything."
At their questioning looks, Elizabeth explained, "It seems that Mr. Lestrange is an old acquaintance of our future son-in-law. When Mr. Davies arrived here a couple of days ago with Draco's Aunt and Uncle in tow, we were dumbfounded to say the least. It was Emily who first recognised her presence. It seems that Bellatrix hadn't bothered to mention our relationship to Emily's fiancé despite knowing the family he is getting united to. Bellatrix then admitted to the bewildered Mr. Davies about our already existing family ties and said she wanted to give everyone a pleasant surprise."
"Of course, the matter didn't end there. Upon seeing her sister, Narcissa insisted on Bellatrix staying at the house rather than at the large, capacious guesthouse that was arranged for the bridegroom's relations. Now for the last couple of days, we have been enduring the presence of both sisters here," Elizabeth sighed tiredly, slumping down on the sofa.
Sitting beside her, Alexandra wrapped her arm around Elizabeth's waist and softly consoled, "Don't worry, dearest. Now that I am here, I will make sure that they behave properly. As for sharing the room, we will adjust somehow. Yes Draco, Harriet?" she said glanced between the young couple
"Absolutely!" Harriet announced benignly while Draco gave a reassuring nod to his aunt.
"Aunt Elizabeth, please remember to call on me if you need any kind of assistance with the preparations," Harriet added earnestly.
Nodding in relief, "There is hot water in the bathroom. Call for servants if you need anything. I'll leave you to freshen up. I must see to your dinner arrangements," Elizabeth said cordially and exited the guest rooms.
With Alexandra excusing herself to the bathroom, Harriet and Draco were left alone in the sitting room. Harriet seized this opportunity to round on her husband.
"Why do you have to be so callous?" Harriet asked in a furious whisper.
"What?" Draco snapped, befuddled as he stared at Harriet.
"With Edgar. Why do you have to belittle him at every turn?" Harriet cleared her enquiry, deeply frowning at him.
"I wouldn't have to if Edgar acted his age and behaved like a proper gentleman," Draco sneered at her, his already existing frustration elevating by every minute.
Harriet snorted loudly in disbelief before she realised Alexandra's presence in the next room.
Approaching close to him, "Edgar is well-behaved when he is among acquaintances and strangers. He only reveals his true disposition around his family, don't you deny it. And Mr. Malfoy, you are the one to talk when you don't act like a proper gentleman yourself," Harriet remarked in an angry hiss.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco demanded irefully, towering over her.
"Edgar may be your little cousin but that does not change the fact that he is the future Master of the Parkin family and Landlord of this property. It wasn't very gentlemanly of you to insult him in his own house, Mr. Malfoy," Harriet reminded him, matching his heated glare with her determined and unblinking stare.
Even after a long pause when Draco continued to glare at her, Harriet sighed, "How would you feel if someone constantly criticised your every movement, Mr. Malfoy?"
Purposefully ignoring her last words, "What about you, Mrs. Malfoy? How do you explain your cold demeanour towards my Mother in the drawing room? I suggest you practise your moral lessons before you preach them to others," Draco growled, seething.
Harriet stared at Draco's fuming face for couple of minutes before deciding on confessing the truth, "I have no respect for people who torment their own children. After knowing the truth about your parents, I don't think I can bring myself to even pretend to respect them anymore. I am sorry if my countenance towards your parents upsets you, Mr. Malfoy," Harriet said softly, gazing up at him.
Stupefied at her reply, Draco felt the anger he had been feeling a moment ago subside before vanishing into nothing. He stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"Darlings, either of you could use the restroom if you want," Alexandra said, interrupting their staring contest.
Quietly nodding, Harriet disappeared into the bedroom that had attached bathroom while Alexandra settled herself on the bed to rest for a while.
In the quiescence of the sitting room, Draco stared out at the vast lands of rock formation through the window. A part of him was largely miffed that his wife was fighting him for the honour of his cousin instead of the other way round, while the other brought out the memories of the past that he never wanted to reminisce.
"Must you be mediocre in all your performances, Draco? If not for your visible Malfoy features, I would have doubted your paternity!"
"How would you feel if someone constantly criticised your every movement, Mr. Malfoy?"
These two statements, one made by his Father and the other by his wife rang through his head repeatedly causing Draco's face to contort in dismay. After that incident 16 years ago, Draco had strived hard to be different, to be a better man than his Father. But, here he was, mirroring Lucius' disposition, at least according to Harriet. This reflection troubled him greatly.
Over the following two days, Edgar did not seek their companionship, instead keeping himself occupied with overlooking the wedding preparations, though there were servants hired to perform every task.
There wasn't much to do for the ladies, so Alexandra introduced and acquainted Harriet to the other guests of the wedding while Draco spent the time with his Uncles and male cousins, meeting and conferring with the bridegroom-to-be and his relatives.
In the bathroom that late afternoon, Harriet thought over her words and felt guilty for being so harsh in her judgement. Noticing the exceptionally serious expression on Draco, she reckoned that her berating has, indeed, hurt him, at least a little. Harriet intended to apologise to him immediately but Draco never gave her an opportunity. Not wanting to trouble her husband further by being rude to his parents, Harriet avoided them whenever she could.
Harriet used this chance to join Laura and others in teasing Emily who had transformed from a bold and lively girl to a blushing bride-to-be.
"So Emily, is Mr. Davies the man you have been dreaming about?" Harriet queried with an amused expression.
In response, Emily simply turned rosy, causing the other women to snigger at her expense.
"Natalie, did you notice the severe lack of wedding night jokes here?" Laura commented, giving a pointed glance at the unusually silent and shy Emily.
"But of course, Laura. What happened, Emily darling, you seem awfully quiet?" Natalie teased with a chuckle, joining in the fun.
Not wanting to be the object of their amusement any longer, Emily ran out of the room, blushing profusely and engendering laughter from others.
The day after their arrival at Parkin Hall, Newbiggin was showered with heavy rain that lasted for several hours. With Alexandra resting in their rooms and Draco gone to meet Mr. Davies at the guesthouse, Harriet accepted the responsibility of entertaining the children and thus, keeping them inside. Harriet was playing games with them in the drawing room, when Narcissa and Bellatrix entered.
Harriet ignored the malicious looks directed at her by the sisters by focussing on the ongoing game and keeping the children from fighting amongst themselves. While Narcissa possessed a sharp and biting tongue and an air of cold indifference around her, her elder sister seem to have this perpetual maniacal glint in her eyes that always sent shivers down Harriet's back.
After few minutes, Narcissa could no longer stay silence.
"As if it wasn't disparaging enough that Draco went and married an orphan with no money or background information on her real family, now we find out that she is a hoyden who worked as a cleaner in a local apothecary," Narcissa was loudly telling her sister. Her icy gaze, however, was on Harriet.
Harriet closed her eyes tightly and balled her hands into fists but did not retort. Harriet reminded herself of Alexandra's wise advice.
"You should never display your family disapproval or disputes in public, for otherwise it would only serve as fodder for gossip mills and thus cause ill reputation. Some people may even take advantage of these disagreements amongst ourselves to further their own malignant schemes."
"What are we to discover next, Harriet? Your pre-marital affairs?" Narcissa sneered, finally addressing her Daughter-in-law, foe who had taken away her chance of reassuming the Ladyship.
Harriet was now strongly praying for patience.
Furious at Harriet's lack of response, Narcissa continued, "For all his self-righteous attitude, Arthur Weasley did not seem to feel any shame in making his supposed adopted daughter work for some blunt. It is not surprising considering that he could, in no possible way, provide for his overly large family with his measly little occupation as a lowly clerk."
That broke Harriet's resolve.
"How dare you!" Harriet screeched, springing to her feet. "I was never a cleaner but a nurse who not only strived to save lives but also worked to ease people's suffering." Her eyes blazing like an emerald fire as she stared at a perturbed Narcissa.
Suddenly, a whimper escaped from one of the children. Turning and seeing the slightly frightened looks on their faces, Harriet winced in shame. Closing her eyes, Harriet worked to pull herself together.
A moment later, Harriet turned to face Narcissa again but this time, there was a malicious smirk on her normally angelic face.
"But I can understand why you could never comprehend the nobility of my profession, Mother-in-law, considering that you strived for the contrary all your life, most importantly in your brief tenure as Lady Malfoy,"
Harriet purred nastily, causing Narcissa to bristle in outrage.
"As for my actions that you find hoyden. I played Cricket upon express permission of my husband and acceptance of Grandma Malfoy. You most certainly are living in a disillusioned world, if you think I care for your opinions, let alone approval. Do save yourself from such ingenuity of being disregarded in the future, Mother-in-law," Harriet advised, giving her a pitiful look.
An ugly snarl appeared on Narcissa's face but before she could open her mouth, "Come children, let us be away. I do not believe incivility is contagious but I do not want to take any risks," Harriet piqued staring at Narcissa and ushering them out.
"Oh and Mother-in-law, next time, I will deign to respond to you if and only if you address me as Mrs. Draco Malfoy," Harriet added as last cutting remark with a devious smile. Harriet did not bother glancing at Bellatrix before strutting out of the room.
The instance Harriet left, the drawing room reverberated with hysterical laughter escaping from Bellatrix.
"Laugh it up, Bella. I am not surprised that you found that amusing, for you have always been envious of me," Narcissa spat, her naturally pale-skinned face flushed in rage.
Controlling her mirth, Bellatrix cleared the tears of mirth from her eyes and, with an emphatic drawl, "I was, Cissy. But at this moment, you have nothing that I could be jealous of. The Lestranges might not be as rich and powerful as the Malfoys but at least, I still hold the title of Ladyship". Bellatrix looked at Narcissa with a superior smirk playing on her blood red lips.
"As for your goody-two-shoes Daughter-in-law, you know people like her frustrate me to the point that I feel like mutilating them with my bare hands. It is not her Cinderella disposition that I care for, no, not at all. Her attitude towards you, however, I find immensely entertaining. So, do continue bitching at her, Cissy, so I can have my fun watching as Mrs. Draco Malfoy takes you down a peg or two each time," Bellatrix responded gleefully, mockingly enunciating the name, 'Mrs. Draco Malfoy' with a cackle.
Narcissa gave her sister an intense glare of loath.
The evening before the wedding, Harriet noticed several times her husband trying to hide his yawns when in company. At the end of the evening, when everyone retired to their respective rooms, Harriet adjusted the warm blanket on Alexandra and then turned her attention to Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, you look worn out," Harriet remarked, gazing concernedly at her husband.
"I am fine," Draco said shortly, occupying the settee in the bedroom that he has been sleeping on for past two days.
Harriet frowned as Draco stretched the upper part of his body on the soft, thickly cushioned furniture and propped his bent knees on it.
Harriet's expression cleared in understanding at Draco's predicament. "No, you are not. Please occupy the bed beside Grandma," Harriet insisted quietly.
"There is absolutely no need for that. Go to bed, Mrs. Malfoy," Draco scowled, narrowing his slate eyes at her.
"Yes, there is. This settee is not designed for a grown man of more than six feet tall to sleep comfortably in. You usually sleep all stretched out. I bet the restrictive length of the furniture is keeping you awake all night," Harriet argued perceptively. "Please take the bed."
"No, go to sleep," Draco retorted firmly whilst Alexandra watched their interaction silently.
"This isn't gallantry but absolute foolishness, Mr. Malfoy. Can't you imagine how rude it would be for the bride's cousin to be falling asleep at the ceremony tomorrow?" Harriet asked rhetorically.
"I think I have more self-control than that," Draco said stiffly, now glaring at her.
"I don't doubt that but there is no humanly possible way to control the yawns. Please Mr. Malfoy, take the bed," Harriet urged incessantly.
Throwing a hard glare at her, Draco stubbornly turned sideways, pointedly dismissing her and her words.
Harriet pursued her lips tightly and stared at his back for a moment before coming to a decision. Stalking up to the bed, Harriet grabbing a pillow and quilt and then noticing Alexandra's twinkling eyes on her, she gave her a wink and returned to the settee.
Placing the pillow on the head of the settee beside Draco's, Harriet lay down in the small, vacant space available.
Feeling the touch of warm and soft body beside him, Draco startled and sharply turned around. Seeing Harriet, Draco simply gaped at her in shock.
"What are you doing?" Draco demanded angrily, recovering himself a minute later.
"You seem greatly opposed to relinquishing your bedding, so I thought I would experience its allure myself," Harriet said casually and then added, "Show some complaisance and move over, will you?" Without waiting for his acquiescence, Harriet adjusted her width more comfortably, and in the process, pushed her husband away, making him glare at her.
"Mmmmm," Harriet moaned in appreciation, her eyes closed. "Now I understand your reluctance, Mr. Malfoy. This is incredibly delightful."
Alexandra's amusement peeked at Harriet's words, and she had to put a hand over her mouth to prevent the mirth from bursting out. Draco's glare intensified at her imprudence.
Blithely ignoring him, Harriet adjusted herself again, this time forcing Draco to actually grasp the armrest to prevent himself from falling off the settee. If Draco was uncomfortable before, he was now laying on the very edge.
"Mrs. Malfoy, cease this childishness and go to bed!" Draco snapped irefully.
"Shhh," Harriet said and then, opening her eyes, she added with a whine, "Mr. Malfoy, I am really haggard. Can't we talk tomorrow?"
Again not bothering with his reply, Harriet closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh.
After lying precariously on the settee and intensely glaring at Harriet for five minutes, Draco growled in irritation, rose from the furniture, and stomped off towards the bed. Alexandra quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep upon seeing Draco's movement. Throwing a final heated glare at his wife from his resting position on the bed, Draco quickly drifted into sleep.
Eyes still closed, Harriet finally let a smug smile spread across her face whilst Alexandra internally applauded her on a job brilliantly executed.
Author's Note: Was Bellatrix true to her canon personality?
Don't worry, there is more to come on Narcissa/Harriet/Bellatrix and of course, a lot of Harriet and Draco.
Coming to the explanations,
A woman in those days was expected to eat moderately, probably because they won't do any heavy work. I am not sure and I don't think this mindset has changed over the years even if woman does as much work any man these days.
Seaside resorts became quite popular in 19th century with people choosing to visit those in summer.
Also, trains were novelty in the 19th century. Railways developed predominantly in England as many of the rail tracks were built in the 19th century.
Blunt was the word used to mean money in those days.
I can't think of anything else that needs explaining. If you have questions, please ask me.
You all guessed that the female character right. But I wondered why none of you guessed Umbridge Uh h? *wicked smirk*
All right guys, you must have got my implication. Now if you want to MEET her, click that cute green button below and PLEASE REVIEW.