The Loveless Union

In the quiet twilight of the Greengrass household, the air was heavy with an unspoken tension. The dying sun cast long shadows across the room, illuminating the faces of the Greengrass couple, wearied by time and illness. Their daughters, Daphne and Astoria, were summoned into their room, a sanctuary that had witnessed countless family moments.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Mrs Greengrass tearfully looked at her husband, who shook his head in defeat. Mr. Greengrass cleared his throat and his wife wiped her eyes. Daphne and Astoria grew tense, expecting the worst. Astoria's eyes brimmed with tears as she stood rooted to the spot but Daphne sensed the gravity of the situation and instinctively moved closer to her parents, her expression a blend of concern and determination.

With a raspy voice, Mr. Greengrass began, "My precious daughters, we have kept a grave secret from you, a burden we wished to shield you from. But time is no longer on our side, and the truth must be revealed."

Mrs. Greengrass reached out, her frail hand trembling as she took Astoria's, squeezing it gently for reassurance. "Your father and I are suffering from the last stage of Dragon Pox. The Healers at St. Mungos say we only have a maximum of a couple of weeks left!"

Astoria burst into tears, "Mum! No! Dad, please!"

Astoria looked at her sister, "Daphne!"

Daphne, ever resilient, looked straight and spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "I will stay by your side, Mother, Father. I will care for you in your time of need."

Mrs Greengrass's eyes brimmed with tears whispered her gratitude, her voice choked with emotion. "Oh, Daphne, my brave child."

In the midst of this heartbreaking moment, Mr. Greengrass cleared his throat, "We were hoping to get you married, Daphne."

"NO!" Daphne protested. She always had a commanding voice and presence. Even at Hogwarts, not even Pansy Parkinson and her gang of vicious Slytherins could tamper her spirits. "I will stay by your side, Father! Mother! There is no question of anything! Do not force me, I request so!"

"But, my child, we have arranged a marriage for you. It is a decision made out of necessity, a political alliance that will secure your future." Mrs Greengrass said.

"No means no, Mother! Father!" Daphne stood tall and elegant, her chest out in defiance. "You two matter to me! Especially when you both have been suffering from a deadly disease you didn't consider us worth informing about!"

"We did not tell you because we wanted to keep you away from this, dear!" Mr Greengrass said.

"We love our children and we wouldn't want to burden you with this. But, unfortunately, our time has come!" Mrs Greengrass said.

Daphne glared at her parents, "So be it! But don't expect me to leave you. Not for politics anyway!"

With a sigh as though expecting this reaction from his eldest, the dying man looked at his younger daughter.

"Then, it shall be you, Astoria!" He said sadly.

"WHAT?" Daphne bellowed, the glass breaking due to the shrillness. "Astoria will not be sacrificed for politics. I won't allow it!"

Daphne's eyes flashed with defiance, Astoria began sobbing hard, but the parents shook their heads.

"Dad, please consider!" Astoria said. The enormity of their expectations, the burden of a marriage forced upon her, left her speechless. "I-I disagree..."

"The Greengrasses were neutral during the war. Your mother and I are dying and we want to secure a political future for you. If at least one of you gets married to a pure-blood family with power, it would mean the world to us!" Mr Greengrass said.

"Your father has taken this decision for your own good, Astoria." Mrs Greengrass gave no chance for either of the girls to speak up, cementing the discussion by pulling Astoria to her bosom.

Astoria's shock was reflected in her tears. What came next sent a shiver down her spine, entangling her fate with a name synonymous not only with power and privilege but also with Lord Voldemort and his gang of prejudiced goons who fancied themselves "Death Eaters". Her world crumbled around her. She was only seventeen, in her final year at Hogwarts, looking forward to a career in preparing medicines from magical herbs at St. Mungos. At that moment, she felt a mixture of fear, resentment, and helplessness. The room echoed with the weight of unspoken words and shattered dreams, leaving the Greengrass family forever changed by the revelation that had unfolded within its walls.

Astoria stayed silent even as Daphne protested, "WHY THEM? Why not the ones not associated with that madman? There are other respectable pure-blood families. Ones that were never associated with the Dark Arts! What about the Prewetts? And what of the Weasleys?"

"The Weasleys are married or engaged to different people like Hermione Granger, the Johnson girl from the Gryffindor team, that Beauxbatons champion, and that Ministry witch with curly hair often seen with that bookish Weasley." Mrs Greengrass said.

"Longbottom?" Daphne said.

"You liked Neville Longbottom? You should've told us earlier! He is currently dating that Hufflepuff girl - Abbott!" Mr Greengrass said in surprise.

Daphne's cheeks went pink. "I have never fallen in love before, Father! I am merely suggesting different choices! Maybe Potter...!"

"He is dating the Weasley girl." Mrs Greengrass shook her head. "He won't give the time of day to anybody else."

Mr Greengrass insisted, "Political alliances are the lifeblood of our society, my dears. Aligning ourselves with the Malfoys, even in their tarnished state, can open doors for us. Connections matter."

Mrs Greengrass continued, "Financial stability is another aspect. The Malfoys, despite their downfall, still possess considerable resources. Marrying into their family ensures our prosperity, securing your future, Astoria."

Daphne snorted, resulting in her father shaking his head weakly, "Prestige and reputation are not easily regained after a war. By associating ourselves with the Malfoys, we aim to restore our standing among pure-blood families. It's a strategic move."

Mrs Greengrass looked at Daphne sadly, "Hidden agendas, my loves, exist in the world of politics. We have obligations and debts that need addressing. This alliance might help us fulfill those obligations, ensuring our family's honour."

Astoria and Daphne exchanged glances, absorbing their parents' words. Afraid they would protest, their parents raised a hand and looked stern.

"Draco Malfoy! It is final!" Mr Greengrass said in a tone of finality. "They may be a disgraced lot but they still hold power! Do you not wish to honour your dying parents' wishes, girls?"

Outside, the night was in turmoil. A fierce storm raged, with raindrops slashing against the windows like desperate, angry spirits trying to break in. Thunder roared, shaking the very foundations of the earth, while lightning streaked across the obsidian sky. Narcissa and Draco stood by Lucius' cell in Azkaban as the prison guard shouted impatiently at them to hurry up and leave. Lucius, the patriarch, wore a scowl that mirrored the storm outside, his desperation and fury palpable.

"Well done, Narcissa! I'm so proud that you are my wife! As for you, Draco, this alliance is non-negotiable! We cannot allow the Malfoy name to wither in disgrace."

"The Greengrass family is respected, and this marriage will restore our honour. I have told you just before we left to come here, Draco." Narcissa said.

Having no say in this matter, Draco's shoulders slumped. He had been raised to adhere to pureblood values and traditions. Defiance was frowned upon. Retorting back at parents was almost unpardonable. His head was bowed as his mother and father nodded at him with such heavy expectations. Narcissa led the way home mumbling to herself about the wedding, while Draco walked behind her in utter defeat.

In the grandeur of Malfoy Manor, under the glimmering chandeliers and amid the heavy drapes that shielded the room from prying eyes, the Greengrass family, led by Astoria's parents, entered the room with smiles that hid a multitude of secrets the following morning. The union was a strategic move, a desperate attempt by the Malfoys to salvage what was left of their family's tarnished reputation, tarnished by their allegiance to Voldemort. The Greengrass couple greeted Narcissa as though they were long-forgotten pals, exchanging pleasantries that sounded hollow in Draco's ears. But he stood stoically, his chest puffed out, wearing a mask of nonchalance and a mixture of defiance and resignation.

Draco's eyes met Astoria's, and in that instant, a mutual wave of resentment passed between them. Astoria was the embodiment of pureblood traditions that suffocated Draco. Tears flowed down Astoria's cheeks but she glared ahead and clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. Draco was the very embodiment of everything she despised. The room fell into a suffocating silence, broken only by the strained smiles exchanged between the parents, sealing the fate of two young souls bound by duty, not true feelings.

"Let us not wait any further! The wedding needs to be discreet. The sooner, the better!" Narcissa gave a fake, charming smile.

"Agreed! A grand ceremony might attract unnecessary attention and scrutiny!" Mrs Greengrass shook hands with Narcissa.

Clutching his heart in pain, one of the effects of dragon pox, Mr Greengrass nodded. Astoria's sobs were muffled by her hands, but no one cared. Daphne stormed out in red-hot fury.

"Astoria! This is Draco Mlafoy!" Mr Greengrass turned and introduced warmly, as though Astoria and Draco had never met before. Being two years younger than Draco, Astoria had seen Draco a multitude of times at Hogwarts. She resented how Draco always bullied Harry Potter and his friends. Draco would insult Ron Weasley's family, Harry Potter's mother, and Hermione Granger's muggle-born status, and even had the audacity to loudly claim that Ginny Weasley had opened the Chamber of Secrets. Even though everyone knew Lucius Malfoy had given Ginny Tom Riddle's diary. Astoria had seen Harry Potter in a classroom later that evening and could hear Ginny's muffled sobs. She knew the girl in Potter's arms was Ginny because Ginny's bag was on the desk. There was no limit to the Malfoys' arrogance, apathy, spite, cruelty, and indifference.

"Now, say something! Or else leave! I have no intention of staying here alone with you!" Draco's harsh voice echoed off the walls.

Astoria jumped, realizing the room had emptied, leaving only her and Draco in the room.

Astoria's eyes narrowed with suspicion and disdain "You're Draco Malfoy," she said coldly, her voice dripping with contempt.

Draco, equally unimpressed, replied with a smirk, "And you're Astoria Greengrass. I've heard your family is quite neutral. Must be tough being the exception."

Astoria crossed her arms, "Well, here we are. I hope they're satisfied now that they've successfully trapped us in this... this mockery of a marriage."

Draco sneered at her, "Don't think for a moment that I wanted this any more than you did. I have my own dreams, and my own future to consider."

Astoria took on a sarcastic tone "Oh, forgive me if I don't shed tears for your shattered dreams, Malfoy. You've had it all, haven't you? The money, the status, the privilege. Meanwhile, I've been fighting for a chance, a chance to live life on my own terms."

Draco's tone was ice cold as leaned closer, "You think I haven't fought? You think I wanted to be dragged into this mess, forced into a union with someone who's as eager to be here as I am?"

Astoria's voice trembled with fury and frustration as tears welled up in her eyes., "Well, congratulations, Malfoy. You get to preserve your precious bloodline, and I get to be the sacrificial lamb. How romantic!"

"DON'T YOU DARE!" Draco bellowed at her.

Astoria glared back, her hands clenched into fists. "I won't be intimidated by the likes of you, Malfoy. Remember, you're the one with a dark reputation, not me!"

"You and I both know this marriage is a farce, Greengrass!" Draco snapped.

"I despise everything you stand for. I am not happy about this alliance, Malfoy!" Astoria snapped back.

Draco's face hardened, his patience wearing thin. "Believe me, I have no interest in playing the doting husband either. But we're bound by our families' wishes. Get used to it."

Astoria furiously swiped at her eyes, "I won't stand for this. I won't let you make a mockery of my life."

Draco stood tall, arms across his chest, "Who was the one pleading with me to take you to the Yule Ball in my fourth year so desperately?"

Eyes streaming, Astoria screamed, "I did not beg you to take me, Malfoy! It was between Daphne and me!"

"Greengrass, the Yule Ball was only meant for students aged 14 and above. You weren't 14." Draco laughed.

"Ginny Weasley in Gryffindor wasn't 14 either, but she could go because she was asked out by Neville Longbottom from Gryffindor! I wanted to go with my sister but she was going out with her then-boyfriend!" Astoria protested.

"Yeah, and I saved you by asking you out! I still remember the front of robes being stained by your desperate tears!" Draco grinned maliciously.

Astoria wiped her eyes, "YOU asked me out, Malfoy! I did not beg you to take me! You could have gone with Pansy Parkinson as she had asked you out! But you chose to go with me!"

Draco shrugged, "Be grateful, Greengrass. You have no idea what I've been through. You don't know me!"

Astoria glared back, "You have no idea what I've faced, Malfoy! Let's not play the victim here. Spare your arrogance for someone who cares!"

Draco stumped his foot, "Just deal with nothing going your way!"

Astoria was seething, "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you care about salvaging our lives? You, a Malfoy, who has only ever cared about his own selfish desires?"

Draco's tone was sharp as he clenched his fists, "Selfish desires? You have no idea what it's like to live under the weight of our family name, the expectations, the pressure to maintain our legacy."

Astoria's sarcastic tone cut through Draco like a sword, "Oh, forgive me for not sympathizing with your burden, Malfoy. It must be so difficult being born into privilege and power."

Draco's eyes narrowed, "You don't know anything about my life or the choices I've had to make. Don't pretend to understand the complexities of my situation."

Astoria cracked her knuckles, "And I suppose you understand mine? Growing up in the shadows, fighting tooth and nail for every opportunity while your family's reputation hangs over your head like a storm cloud?"

"I thought you said let's not play the victim here?" Draco snapped.

"Then why did you AGREE?!" Astoria's voice cracked with more tears. "Are you just a spineless puppet, dancing to their tune?"

Draco clenched his jaw and puffed out his chest in defiance, "You think it's that easy? You think defying the Malfoy name doesn't come with consequences? I'm not a hero from one of your storybooks. I am not Harry bloody Potter that I can save the wizarding world and everyone would worship me! I'm just a Malfoy, expected to play my role, just like you're expected to play yours. I'm a prisoner in my own life, just like you. Being born into the Malfoy family and being sorted into Slytherin does not automatically label me as a villain in a children's book, Greengrass!"

Astoria swiped at her eyes, "Being a Slytherin does not make me a villain, Malfoy! Don't think the world always dances to your tunes. I am a live example - nothing ever goes my way!"

"You know, I don't particularly like you," Draco said. "You keep accusing me always!"

"I don't need your approval, Malfoy. I'm here because my family believes in this alliance." Astoria said.

Astoria and Draco stood inches away from one another, glaring even as everybody came back in. The couple stood so close to each other that Astoria's face was inches away from Draco's chest.

"Oh, look! They're already comfortable with one another!" Mr Greengrass said, missing the glares his daughter and the Malfoy heir sent each other.

Mrs Greengrass began sobbing, "I told you, Astoria! Your father and I made this choice for your own good!"

"Bollocks! They planned it for their own reasons, not for Astoria or me!" Daphne muttered.

"My boy!" Narcissa wept in joy, "My picture-perfect couple!"

Astoria let out a sob, her head bent. Draco sighed as he could feel Astoria's hair brushing against his chest. He defiantly stood tall despite his discomfort with having Astoria so physically close.

"He is too shy to hold her in front of us!" Narcissa explained in a know-it-all fashion. "Lean properly against him, Astoria. We won't mind!"