Chapter 4

Distracting Missives

He had a slight pang of regret for apparating so suddenly upon returning her to Hogwarts, but he did it for the sake of propriety. After three dates, his need to touch her was becoming difficult to hide away. A gentle grope behind a privacy curtain wasn't his finest moment. Smaller breasts than he was used to, but they were soft and perky, and deliciously inviting. He'd felt emboldened when her hands had slipped into his hair, her back arching as his tongue had swirled around her nipple. So delightfully responsive.

He needed a cold shower. Or a hot shower and a vigorous wank.

Matilda had fared little better. It had taken an age to get to her dorm, having to answer a multitude of questions about her dress and the mysterious package that had arrive for her from Hogsmeade. Of course, she'd had to deal with comments from students insisting that he was simply trying to buy her affection. She'd already thought about this as possibility, but given that neither of them had a choice in the marriage, he would lose anything by ignoring her until their wedding day, like most other pure blood suitors had been doing. Ava's match still hadn't contacted her and Matilda could tell that she didn't feel quite so grateful as she had initially.

She'd taken a long bath, a much-needed fingering, and hung up the clothes he'd bought for her. The only lasting fear that remained was whether he would continue to treat her well once they were married.

Lucius had done as he promised and written to her on the Monday, his eagle owl, Ulysses, dropping a small letter on top of her toast, luckily before she'd buttered it. It didn't stop to wait for a reply, not that she would do such a thing in front of her whole house.

She broke the green and silver wax seal, stamped with the Malfoy crest, and unfurled the thick parchment, quickly reading the impeccably written missive.

Dearest Matilda,

I hope my owl was pleasant enough with his delivery. He's terribly loyal, but he's been with the family for over a decade now and can be impatient with those outside of the family.

I have already written to Headmistress McGonagall for permission to take you to the newest restaurant in Diagon Alley – Charred and Charmed. We could perhaps take in a show, or stop by the Leaky Cauldron. They have taken a page out of the muggle's book and have started hiring musicians to play live on Friday and Saturday nights.

I do hope the rest of your weekend passed by pleasantly. I must confess, the quiet dinner I had with Draco and his wife and son on Sunday rather paled in comparison. As much as I enjoy seeing them, conversations around my grandson's moments of uncontrolled levitation hardly inspire excitement. He's barely a toddler and has been walking less than a year, but Draco has already bought him his first broom. 'It'll only end in tears,' I told him. He ignored me, of course, despite the fact that I have been a parent, but what do I know!

On a serious note, this is not the first time I have been subject to an arranged marriage. Narcissa and I were not a love match. We were socially and politically aligned. Two families from the Sacred Twenty-Eight merging their bloodlines. It would seem such matchings have been our downfall all along. Draco and Astoria had intended to have more than one child, but so far it is not to be, just as it wasn't for Narcissa and I.

Which leads me to a more important topic: I am unsure if you are aware of the testing pureblood witches and wizards endured shortly after the war. I'm sure you must have been wondering how successful matches would be made, especially with purebloods who are far more likely to have fertility issues. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I do not have those issues. Narcissa struggled to carry multiple pregnancies until Draco came along. The Black family have an unfortunate amount of inter-breeding, the results of which plagued Narcissa and her sisters. My family's line has numerous half-bloods in our lineage, and rumours have been spread for decades that there have been muggle-borns in the past, though, knowing my family, evidence of such a thing was erased centuries ago.

I recognise that such monumental life choices shouldn't be forced upon a young woman at the beginning of her career, so I want to do all I can within the bounds of the law we find ourselves at the mercy of, to ensure you have everything possible that will at least give you some semblance of the life you wanted to have. Whatever you need me to do, please don't feel you cannot ask for it.

Yours,

Lucius.

Matilda had chuckled lightly at the brief glimpse into his family life. She'd known that he lived alone in the Manor, his son having moved to another of the Malfoy homes when he married. It wasn't lost on her that Lucius was a grandparent, and would soon become a father again. He hadn't mentioned how he felt about having to be a parent again.

It seemed logical to have been testing purebloods for fertility, otherwise the law would have been rather pointless. It would simply have resulted in multiple forced marriages with no children to show for them. The fact that Lucius had been explicit in his assurance that his fertility wouldn't be in question made Matilda's stomach do a little flip. She wasn't sure how to interpret such a reaction. Was it nerves? Excitement? It wasn't revulsion.

She had little time to think more on it as her first lesson of the day loomed – Potions.

Ordinarily, she loved Potions. She rarely ever fell foul of Professor Snape, she had some of the best marks in her entire year. Potions was a compulsory requirement for apprenticing in healing, which was what she'd intended to do before the law was passed. Lucius had tried to reassure her that her wants would still be possible, but she wasn't certain how she would manage an apprenticeship whilst pregnant and then a mother.

Unfortunately, her mind drifted beyond the contents of the letter and back to her last date with Lucius. After their second date when he'd kissed her, she had expected him to do the same again. What she hadn't expected him to do was slip his hand over her breast, exposing her nipple so he could slide his tongue over it.

She suddenly felt warm remembering how his mouth had felt on her skin. She dropped her textbook when she tried to retrieve it from her bag, the sound echoing around the silent room.

Snape's head was instantly looking in her direction, frowning in annoyance and no small amount of confusion. She was usually so diligent and quiet in his classes, only speaking when permitted, never allowing a potion to bubble over or exploding her cauldron.

He didn't say anything. He knew that the law would no doubt be playing on the minds of those students who were affected. He would give some slight latitude. Very slight. She didn't drop another book and got on with the task for the lesson.

Matilda thankfully managed to make it through the rest of the day without any further mishaps. What she'd been aching to do all day was to write back, but hadn't found a quiet moment where she wouldn't be disturbed. She took herself off to the library once her final lesson was done and found the quietest corner she could so begin her reply and hopefully send it out before curfew.

Dear Lucius,

Your owl was perfectly pleasant! Luckily, my toast wasn't buttered before he dropped your letter onto it!

I hope she agrees to the trip to Diagon Alley, though I hope she doesn't insist on parental permission as my parents wouldn't cooperate with such a request. It would also mean they know about the law, which isn't a discussion I am prepared to get into just yet. I still haven't told my brother. Although he's accepting of our world, I'm not sure he'll be happy about the law.

My weekend was mostly filled with studying. With NEWTs so close and with the extra classes I am taking, I'm doing all the studying I can. It's a lot to juggle!

I also wanted to thank you for the package you sent. You really didn't need to buy more clothes for me, the dress you bought on Saturday was more than enough, especially considering you bought shoes to match. I do appreciate you showing me the cushioning charm though! I'll be sure to use it at the end of year Quidditch match, my converse aren't terribly supportive these days to hours of standing around.

It would make sense for people to be tested if they are to marry and have children, though I'm not certain why they wouldn't test us muggleborns to ensure we don't have any issues. We might not have the interbreeding issues, but fertility problems can affect anyone.

I would still like to take a healer apprenticeship, but I don't know how feasible it will be long term. We're expected to have a child within the first two years. I'm not sure St. Mungos would let me strap our child to my back whilst I do my rounds…

If they would let us wait a few years… I know such a hope is probably pointless. They want to increase our numbers as quickly as possible. It seems equally as unfair to expect people who have been parents and raised their children already, to be forced to do it all over again. I can't imagine you thought you'd be raising a child when you already have one all grown up.

Honestly, I'm not sure what I could ask for that would help negate the purpose of the law. This is unchartered territory for me. For us. All of us. All I can do it focus on the day ahead. I have no seer skills, so I can't divine how this law will play out. It's a good job I didn't take Divination at NEWT level!

Matilda.

She'd agonised for longer than she'd ever admit to him on how best to sign off the letter. 'Yours' seemed a little forward, given they'd had three dates. 'Sincerely' always struck her as too formal for more intimate correspondence. In the end, she settled for just her name.

She had deliberately avoided talking about how his kiss had taken a slightly more intimate turn. She wasn't sure how best to broach such a thing, not that she felt badly about it. She was just a little inexperienced in such things that talking about them didn't come easily for her. She'd rarely dated anyone during her time at Hogwarts. Very few of the boys within her house held her interest. For the most part, they always struck her as immature. Even her brother, who was in his 20's, could seem immature to her on occasion. Perhaps it would be a good fit to have someone older, though a man in his 50's wasn't someone she thought she'd end up with.

She'd sent the letter off with one of the school owls, feeling a little sad that she would likely need to wait until the morning for a reply, if not longer.

Lucius had chuckled at the description of his owl dropping his letter onto his toast. He'd be having a word with his owl before he sent off his next letter. He wanted the correspondence to continue, and his owl's slightly snotty attitude wouldn't be conducive to such a thing.

It wasn't lost on him that she hadn't mentioned their progressive intimacy. He knew she didn't feel bad about it, her fingers clutching at his hair as his tongue slid around her plump nipple had been evidence enough that she'd enjoyed it. More than anything, he wanted her to feel comfortable with him. They had very little time once they were married in which to consummate their union, and he wanted her to feel completely at ease with him touching her. He had been many terrible things in the past, but a man who was cold and inconsiderate of a woman's comfort and pleasure wasn't one of them. He knew that it was highly she was a virgin, so care and attention would need to be paid to her needs. If he could make her first time painless and pleasurable, he would do everything possible to ensure it.

Deciding he couldn't wait, he penned a second letter of the day, intending for it to be delivered directly to Ravenclaw tower. 7th years were allowed personal mail, given that they were all of age.

Dearest Matilda,

I do apologise for the terrible manners of my owl. I do hope he was a little more courteous this time. He has been instructed to be more careful and to remain with you for a short time, should you decide you wish to respond this evening. We hadn't discussed whether you had your own owl, so I thought it best to allow you the use of mine.

I am certain that you require very little help with your studies as you seem to have all your bases covered, as the muggles would say. I will offer my help regardless, should you wish to bend my ear? I would be more than happy to assist in any way you need,

I haven't yet had a response from McGonagall, though it has only been a few hours. I would say though, given that you are of age in our world, you shouldn't need parental permission. If such an arrangement is required, I'm sure we could postpone the Diagon Alley visit for an extra week, until you've turned 18? I believe 18 is the age that muggles are considered adults?

Inbreeding did become a very big problem amongst many of the pureblood families. The Blacks, the Lestranges, Crabbes, Goyles… They've all suffered from fewer children born, and those that have been have not been particularly remarkable in the magic department. I am sure we will not have such an issue when the time comes for us to fulfil our part in this law, as much as an infringement as it is.

But, the law aside, as much as I didn't particularly see myself becoming a father again, I am not saddened by the prospect. Such a thought is made much more pleasant when considering that the mother of my future child will be you. I do not believe I could have picked a better match myself, should I have been given the choice. I have very much enjoyed our time together. How could I not? Fate saw fit to bless me with a beautiful, young, and intelligent witch. I do hope my slightly amorous attentions at our last date didn't make you feel uncomfortable. As delicious as the food was, it wasn't the only thing that had me salivating.

But, I digress. I wish you to be happy with more than just my affections, and I will do all I can to help you achieve your goals in becoming a healer. We will make it work somehow. The law is not dictating that wives must become shackled to the kitchen sink. Such archaic thinking is best left to the past, along with ideas of blood supremacy.

I will eagerly await your return letter, though please don't feel you must respond tonight. Your studies and sleep are far more important than entertaining an old widower.

Yours,

Lucius.

It was a little manipulative of him to point out his age and status, things he was sure she was already aware of. He really had no excuse for it, other than the fact that he was indeed bored and alone. Aside from Severus' regular letters, and the occasional missive he received from Draco, he rarely received anything from anyone else. Given that most of his old acquaintances were former Death Eaters, he didn't regularly have friends to visit. Half of them were in Azkaban.

Draco had been telling him for years to put himself out in the world more, and not just at formal functions. He needed to branch out. Find new friends.

Easier said than done for an old Death Eater.

The owl scratching at the window nearest to her bed had surprised Matilda. She recognised the owl instantly and let him in. This time, he held out his leg for her to take the letter and hopped back to the open window, sitting patiently on the ledge. She had no idea why he didn't fly away until she opened the signature Malfoy seal and began reading. She chuckled at his words and sat back down at the desk she'd been studying at.

She was thankfully alone in the dorm. It wasn't terribly late, so most were either in the common room, or in the library.

He'd gotten straight to the point regarding their requirement to have a child. She was glad he didn't find the idea distasteful, but she flushed at his words regarding her attractiveness. He hadn't detailed in words what he'd done, but the memory alone had her sliding her fingers over her covered breast, pinching the nipple so it would harden.

She was further bolstered by his affirmation that they would find some way to make her career goals work, and smirked at his attempts at manipulation. Even if she'd not been smart enough to recognise it, she knew that he wasn't a man who was generally self-deprecating. He wanted a reply.

Dear Lucius,

He was very gracious and sat patiently for me to reply. I tried to give him a few crumbs, but he refused. You'll need to let me know what he likes!

Yes, when I turn 18 shortly, I will be considered an adult in the muggle world. I know it doesn't hold much water in the wizarding world, but at least both bases will be covered. I would prefer not to wait though. We scarcely have much time left before my NEWTs. I'm enjoying your company as well. I'd had no idea what to expect, but I'm glad you decided to meet me that first time.

You didn't make me uncomfortable. Not at all. I will admit to having scant experience with intimacy. The boys of Hogwarts rather pale in comparison. I've never been kissed quite like that before. A slithering tongue down my throat or a soggy mouth trying to suck in half my face are the limits of my experiences. I definitely wouldn't be opposed to more from you.

The food was indeed delicious, though I can't imagine how my mouth and breast could possibly taste better? Perhaps I should charm a chocolate bar into a bra next time? Just to make sure?

Matilda.

The owl had looked at her disapprovingly as she tied her letter to its leg, as though it could discern the contents of it just from the grin Matilda had plastered across her face.

It flew dutifully away and Matilda went back to her studies, though she didn't get much else done.

When the owl deposited her letter to Lucius, he grinned widely. He hadn't fully expected her to respond, but found that his chest tightened with anticipation as he opened it and read.

He groaned as she spoke of how she'd enjoyed his attention and smirked at her suggestion. It was definitely an idea to put aside for another time.

Dearest Matilda,

He is fed very well, so he will rarely take food from anyone. I assure you, it isn't personal on his part.

It makes me happy to hear that you have enjoyed my company. I would never wish to inflict anything unpleasant upon you. I knew that we couldn't simply turn up at the Ministry, having never met before, and utter vows to each other without truly understanding what the would mean.

Boys are unfortunate victims of their hormones. It takes a great deal of practice and patience to truly learn how best to employ a pleasurable kiss. How you responded to mine belies your inexperience. It wouldn't be a lie to say you seem to be a natural. I would most certainly enjoy kissing you at every occasion possible, if only to draw out those deliciously soft sounds you were making.

I can honestly declare that your exquisitely plump nipple did indeed taste far more succulent than any food I have ever ingested. I would gladly say as such under one of Severus' Veritaserum potions. Far better than even a chocolate bra could possibly taste. Just as with your lips, I would have your breast in my mouth at every possible occasion I could. One after the other, to be certain that one wouldn't feel neglected over the other.

Yours,

Lucius.

She was just slipping into bed when his owl returned with his third letter of the day.

This time, she told the owl to fly home. She was smart enough not to spend the whole night writing letters to her future husband and risk getting very little sleep.

She closed her curtains and cast a Silencing charm before reading, soft moans leaving her lips when she read what he wanted to do to her breasts.

By her third re-reading of his letter, despite its shortness, she'd already slipped a hand into her knickers, her fingers sliding quickly over her clit as she remembered how his mouth and tongue had felt on her skin. It took very little time for her orgasm to crash through her, the letter slightly crumpled in her free hand.

She rolled onto her side and shoved the letter under her pillow, falling asleep with a grin.