Alright guys, this chapter is a little shorter then the other two. Hope its to your liking. Thank you again for reading! - CharleighA

Lucius Malfoy was NOT looking forward to the dinner conversation tonight. In no way, shape, or form did he even begin to fathom that it would go over well. He paced in the kitchen, directing cooks and house elves to make everything perfect. PERFECT.

"Dronald, GOD HELP YOU! YOU'RE THE BIGGEST FOOL I HAVE EVER HAD THE MISPLEASURE OF MEETING!" He screeched at a particularly unlucky elf that had the responsibility of salting every piece of meat the "right" amount. His hands shook as he sprinkled the seasoning, which was causing an uproar with the house owner. He wanted to tell his master that he would be able to do it right if he would just leave the kitchen, but he didn't dare speak a single word to the angry man.

"Barney, what the hell do I pay you for?!" He yelled at the cook, giving the elf a quick break from the relentless harassment. The cook wasn't as scared of the man, and only frowned as he continued to sear scallops in a pan. He didn't know what Malfoy was doing in the kitchen, but he didn't like it. Everyone continued to work in an uncomfortable silence, and Lucius finally took the hint, finally heading for the door.

"Don't forget, coconut cake with RASPBERRY jam, you understand? Don't screw this up!" He added before he was completely gone, leaving a the door swinging in his wake. The whole kitchen let out a sigh of relief and picked up the pace. They didn't know what pissed Malfoy off so bad, but finally, they could work in peace.

Narcissa's hands were sweating as she sat in the dining hall of the Malfoy mansion. Gods she was nervous as her and her husband waited for their son. Lucius was twisting his hair apprehensively, which was a nasty habit he had picked up when serving the Dark Lord. One piece was in a little ringlet around his finger, frayed in curled.

"Calm down, honey." She offered, looking at the man from across the table. He looked back at her, not comforted.

"'Cissa, this is going to be a nightmare." He stated blandly, though she knew there was nothing bland about it. Things were certainly going to be interesting in the Malfoy home tonight.

"I know dear, but it can't be worse than how it was with us all those years ago." She said with a wink. Lucius only paled, thinking back on the horror stories his in-laws told him about the night she found out she had an arranged marriage.

"Thanks, dear." Was all he could manage. The anticipation was killing him as he waited for Draco to come to dinner. His father sent Draco's nanny, Morelia, with an invitation to a special dinner up to his room hoping he would be pleased to see the lady. She worked as a maid now, and Draco was gone so much that it would surely be a long and pleasant reunion.

Several minutes passed, but finally the butler announced that "Master Draco" was arriving. Both the parents' hearts clenched.

"Now Lucius, be brave, okay?" She reminded her husband with a reassuring smile. He returned it with a small one, and they stood as their son entered.

"Mother," Draco said nodding to his mom, "Father." He did the same to his dad. They returned the gesture coyly, and all three sat down. Before the conversation could even start a course of Caesar Salad appeared in front of them and their goblets filled with wine.

Lucius tried to strike up all kinds of conversation from Quidditch to graduation, but Draco just wasn't having it. They had already made it through Salad, soup, and entre before Draco even said any words. Their usually quiet son was just being plain nonsocial, and it just was not the night for it.

"Draco," His mother cut in, tired of Lucius's failed attempts. Draco looked up at his mom, hoping it was important. She usually kept quiet at dinner, so he was willing to hear what she had to say.

"Hm?" The blonde boy asked, cutting a scallop and plopping it in his mouth. He did like that the lack of company they had tonight. It was quiet and he could eat without perfect etiquette.

"Have you found a girlfriend yet, dear?" She asked bluntly, but to her son it was no surprise. It had been a common question that had come up over the last 2 years.

"No, mother." It was his simple and "end the conversation" response that he always used. But tonight Narcissa would not let it work.

"You'll be 21 in two months, son." This time it was Lucius who spoke, much to Draco's surprise. Usually his father didn't care for conversations about his love life.

"Yeah, so?" He snorted, ready to leave dinner and get as far away as possible. Maybe Blaise would let him stay over tonight.

"We found you a wife." Lucius said suddenly. Draco's grey eyes shot up to his in an intense stare. The boy didn't speak, obviously not grasping the information. "You will meet her tomorrow night. You WILL marry her, Draco, or you will no longer be an heir of this family." He didn't leave his son any room to fight it. He would do what he said, or he would leave.

"What about my schooling?" Draco demanded, not breaking his staring contest with his father.

"You can continue school until the end of the semester. Then you can start back after the wedding." The older blonde assured him. There was another moment of silence as the realization of what was happening sunk in.

"You want me to marry some woman I don't even know?" He asked, his face suddenly twisting into a look of horror. "People don't do that anymore! Are you seriously that desperate to get rid of me?!" The boy yelled, slamming his fist on the table. Narcissa jumped slightly at the gesture.

"You will not argue, Son. This is how Pure-blood families work. You have always known that." Lucius said sternly.

"Yes, but still. What about Pansy Parkinson?" Draco asked desperately. He hoped to God that they would say that was who they had chosen after all.

"She's so much prettier and smarter than Pansy, dear." His mother said softly, hoping her word would count for something. The Parkinson's were traitors and a dying blood-line, anyways.

"Would it matter if she was?" He sneered, looking at his scallops. He wasn't hungry anymore…He knew after tonight, he would hate his favorite dish due to association. "I don't get a choice in the matter. She could be butt ugly and you wouldn't care. You don't have to marry her."

"Draco…" Narcissa said softly, but it was too late. Draco had checked out of the conversation.

"I know your angry, son, but you will have a chance to meet her tomorrow. Be in the floo-room at 7 sharp. And dress nice, you'll be taking her on a nice date." Lucius said, standing up. Draco did the same, leaving without a word.

"That wasn't as bad as I expected." Narcissa said with a sigh. Lucius walked behind her and hugged her neck affectionately.

"If he would give this a chance, he may find the love of his life." The man said absentmindedly. "But I guess not every man is as lucky as me." Narcissa smiled and hugged his arms in return. Yes, she thought, sometimes having someone else tell you who to marry wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Love you guys! Come back and see me!

-Han