"Are you certain this is quite right?"
"Oh yes papa..."
"Am I not...dandy?"
"Not at all," Luna said, adjusting his jacket lapels and giving him a peck on the cheek. "You look like a real gentleman."
It has been a very long time since her Papa had been dressed to the nines, but Luna took this occasion as a chance to parade him out in a brand new suit she had crafted with the help of her magic, and a variety of cloth and fabrics from Little Wilt (that Mr. Malfoy personally shipped to her home).
There was enough fabric purchased there that Luna could make clothing for every single person at tonight's masquerade and...oh!
That's right, there was a masquerade to attend.
Mr. Malfoy had suggested, no, insisted that they go through with their original plan and host a masquerade at the Manor tonight in honour of their successful trip to capture a photograph oh La Llorona. After all, it wasn't every day someone caught a mythical beast like that and it had to be celebrated.
And if he said so, it had to be true.
And good thing he did, because all of the excitement of being in Mexico and seeing the dresses and clothing made Luna all the more anxious to sew her very own costumes, just like she'd been planning all along. That she did with great delight the moment she returned to England. Because there were so many dresses made, she certainly couldn't keep them all.
Luna packed all the dresses and costumes that she had created up and had them shipped over to Malfoy Manor. Those would be auctioned off to raise some money for the Menagerie. She had made certain all of her Fantastic Beasts were fed and cleaned and set, and she had even made matching bow ties for Pop and Pippin the Nifflers...who looked rather dashing and adorable she could almost kiss them.
When she reached the Manor, oh the splendour of it nearly took her and Papa's breath away.
Whatever magic had been done, it had been done to the highest possible degree. The entire buildings' facade had been whitewashed so that the bricks shone a glistening silver. Windows have been polished and gossamer curtains gently swung in the breeze between the panes. Candles flickered up the winding pathway to the main doors and pretty daffodils and irises have been Charmed to peak out along the gravel.
Inside the home, every one of Luna's enchantments remained: the house a wonderful blast of colour and exquisite pattern.
"And that is not all, my dear," said a familiar voice.
With a clap of his hands, Mr Malfoy had summoned over all of Luna's creatures inside the Manor- each taking their respective place inside their little habitat. All but Pop and Pippin, who wound themselves about the man's legs like vines of a summer trellis.
"This is...oh, Mr Malfoy," Luna cried, rushing into his arms and giving him the biggest of hugs. "This is so much more, so much more than I imagined."
"And it is all thanks to your magic, your brilliance!"
"But, you are not yet dressed?"
"Couldn't find my cuff pins," Mr Malfoy said wretchedly, "Pop and Pippin must have snatched them up while they were lurking about the Manor those days."
"Nifflers," Luna said softly. Summoning over Pop and Pippin, she turned them upside down shaking out all the gold coins and contents out of their pouches on the floor until the cuff pins clinked.
"Didn't think it was so simple, though everything is much simpler with you here," he said with a smile, snapping on his cuffs and using his magic to send the others items back into place.
"I did bring you something,"
"You shouldn't have-"
"Oh, it was my pleasure, after all our shopping," Luna cried, then summoned over one special box. "Here."
Mr Malfoy reached inside the box and his eyes twinkled with a boyish delight, for inside the box was the very lavender suit with the lemon yellow cravat.
"Now this," he said, lifting the jacket gently out of the box, "is made for a king. Miss Lovegood you have outdone yourself."
"You-you like it?"
"I adore it-"
"-well put it on, quickly!" she cried, ushering him up the stairs. And with the man gone, Luna stood there in the middle of the empty hall.
Her own clothing was to be auctioned off tonight. Her creatures were finally to get a home and her Papa was inside the Manor with her. It was the most perfect of nights, her first masquerade. She sighed, taking in the entire affair. When...
A shuffle in the distance, a lurker in the shadows caught the corner of her eye.
Breath still, she turned slowly.
"Who is there?"
Two dirty, curled toed feet appeared from the shadows. "Hello Missy," said the quiet voice.
"Twinkle!" Luna said. But Twinkle stayed put, her eyes glistening.
"You don't have to be scared." Crouching down Luna extended her hand. "Come on out."
"Twinkle cannot." Came the quivering voice. "Twinkle punish herself. Twinkle leaves her Missy in danger."
Luna looked at the poor creature, her little body shaking and her eyes big with regret. She felt pity for the little thing. "Well all that matters is that you were in the Manor taking care of Master Malfoy. I'd have hated to think he was all alone here."
"That Twinkle do." Twinkle said sympathetically, nodding her head and making her eyes twice as large as they normally were and twice as watery with tears.
"I was worried. Did you ever make sure to hide all of Master Malfoy's cuffs and badges while you were here? You know, does like to dress up," she asked, giving the elf a reassuring pat on the head.
"Oh, Twinkle do everything. Twinkle take care of Master. Not Missy. Twinkle leave her Missy."
"Oh, don't worry about me. I was perfectly fine," Luna said.
Between her sobs, Twinkle's mouth curved into a smile. "You is the perfect Missy."
"What?" Luna asked, taken aback.
"Perfect Missy Loveygood."
"Oh well- well thank you," Luna whispered softly.
"But Missy has no dress."
And it was true! Luna grabbed her dress, a lovely patchwork one, but certainly not one that she would have worn as tonight's guest of honour.
"Master has much dress. Follow."
Luna did so. They rose up the steps to the attic. Luna had not touched much here yet, this would be a nice place to create an enchanted spot for the magical birds she had. But of course, she hadn't gotten around to it just yet.
Twinkle led her to an old trunk of clothes. Opening it, Luna found dresses that were absolutely exquisite, though a bit dated by fashion's standards. All hand sewn, all made with the highest care: every stitch, every lace trim, every embroidery on these garments was thought out. This couldn't be just anyone's precious wardrobe, hidden away from the eyes of all.
"Perfect dress. Perfect Missy," Twinkle said, her voice cracking with a sinful fear, as though even suggesting anything but could bring about the wrath of their previous owner.
Tentatively Luna lifted a dress that was velvet and forest green. It had a dropped neckline with silver stitching along the flares sleeves. At the waist was a silver rope belt, the cord stitched together to form snake scales.
"Good choice . Good," Twinkle encouraged her. "Master Malfoy like."
"You think so?" Luna's eyes softened. "Then this is the one I will wear."
The elf watched as she unbuttoned her patchwork dress, then slipped it down to her ankles and carefully stepped out. Carelessly, she scooped it up and handed it to Twinkle.
"Here, you can put it along with the rest of the laundry in the kitchens," she said, "I won't be needing it tonight."
Twinkle grinned as Luna slipped the velvet dress over her head and shimmied the waist over her chest, smoothing down the fabric as she went.
"Yes, this dress really is...perfect," she concluded. "Thank you, Twinkle."
"Master like."
"I'm sure he will," Luna said softly and brushed past the elf, towards the stairs of the attic. "Only doesn't it remind you of Narcissa's colors?"
"No, Missy look nice in green."
"Hmm, I don't think so." Luna pulled out her wand, gave it a wave and the dress turned into a deep red color, with pretty gauze and pearled gloves and a giant bow on the side. "Much better! Oh, and Twinkle?"
The elf looked at her, an energy bursting through its twitching eyes, the kind of look a Niffler had when it snatches up a particularly valuable gold Galleon. Only instead of the Galleon, Twinkle was holding a sweaty, raggedy and worn patchwork dress.
"Yes Missy?"
"That dress is a gift," Luna said slowly. "It's for you."
The look on the elf's eyes changed from glee, to emptiness, to understanding and into a black, black rage.
"Yyyouuu," it sneered, "has gift Twinkle clothes?"
"Yes."
"No, no, no!" Twinkle whispered, shaking the dress in its hands. "No doing Missy!"
"I believe I just did," Luna said, a touch haughtily, "and next time you want to lock your new Mistress in the dungeons, do try to make it less obvious."
"Missy. NO NO NO!"
"And by the way, you didn't hide Mr Malfoy's cuffs. You weren't there at all to help him when I was gone. That is very wretched to do, Twinkle."
Descending the stairs, she shut the attic door behind a wailing house elf and bumped face first into a perfectly dressed,
"Draco."
"You're here!" he stuttered, scratching his head.
"Of course, where else could I be? Mexico?"
"No, of course not," he replied sheepishly. "I heard the screams here and thought someone might be in trouble?"
"Oh?" Luna said, dragging out her words and lifting her brows in feigned surprise. "Well it is an old house. Easy to get lost in here or locked up in one of the rooms." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "See you downstairs!"
With that she skipped off down the stairs, leaving Draco wondering how in Cauldron's name she had managed to find his mother's old wardrobe room and why an elf was crying in the attic above. But upon unlocking the door and seeing a weeping Twinkle holding Luna's dress, the latter question was answered.
"Missy know," Twinkle hissed.
And Draco's heart dropped into his toes.
-x-x-x-x-
Astoria Greengrass was skinny sort of woman with a slim nose and pretty eyes and a simple set of lips. Those features were currently nodding along to something the Ambassador of a distant Magical county was telling her about Muggle properties and how they are taking away from wizards' opportunities to own instead of rent on the land. She was raised by Purebloods herself and knew the polite way to continue conversation while simultaneously not caring a bit for the subject or the speaker.
It was a lovely affair, this entire event at the Malfoy Manor. Clearly, her plan of getting father and son together had made Mr Malfoy's spirits raise enough that he was hosting a farewell party at his home before departing on his long anticipated trip abroad. And with Luna gonna-way, all was perfect.
Her eyes skidded to the side just for a flash of a moment to see her boyfriend cutting through the crowd. She sighed.
Almost perfect.
"Mister Malfoy!" the ambassador exclaimed, shaking his hand. "You gotta know this wonderful young gal."
"Yes Mrs Beelzebub."
"I'll say, you look a tad flustered," she said, patting his pale cheeks. "Whatchu been running for?"
"That is exactly-"
"You see, these are the sort of young ladies your father would have wanted you cavorting with." She took Draco's hand, placing it into Astoria's for a handshake. "Not the sort of half-dressed scandalous-"
"Actually if I could have a word with Miss Greengrass..."
Mrs Beelzebub's face went white. "You two know each other already."
"Oh yes," Astoria interjected, for Draco was too busy shutting and opening his mouth like an idiot fish. "After all, young Mr Malfoy needs better company than some money-hungry young witch that he was locked up in the Prefect bathrooms some weeks ago."
"Jolly right! Well you two youngsters, do save a dance for each other!" Mrs Beelzebub walked off with a wink, entrapping the Magical Minister with a conversation about making a vineyard to grow Wizarding wine grapes on her new properties instead of Muggle grapes, which he deemed infinitely inferior.
Draco yanked Astoria to the side, exchanging a polite smile with the couple passing by. His face instantly dropped into something between panic and fear. "She knows."
Astoria rolled her eyes. "Obviously. So awkward-"
"Not her. Her!"
Astoria's facial expression changed in a variety of different ways: from realization, to shock, to anger, to fear and back to shock. Her lips tightened and her usually pretty eyes glowed a fearsome shade.
"I thought you said that Luna was gone for good," she said with an arch.
Draco scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "Err, yes. She was. But it seems there's been a change of plans."
"As it so happens to girls who get tempted back into the place that once almost caused their death, because...reasons!"
Draco let out a short laugh. "Yeah, pretty surprising! I mean I thought getting trapped in the basement with my mother's ghost was enough to spook her. But it seems like she's pretty strong, our Luna."
"Of course," she said with a smile. "How silly of me to assume that death was not spooky enough. Maybe next time we should drown one of her silly Nifflers in the duck pond."
"Astoria! That would be a hit she wouldn't take!"
"Draco Lucius Malfoy," she said, grabbing him by the lapels of his wizard frock and giving him a shake. "If your father decides to hand over the Malfoy estate to her and not to you tonight, our plans to invest in the rebuilding of Hogwarts will be over."
"He'd never do that," Draco said quickly. "I'm his son. His own blood. He has to hand it over to me." He paused. "It's not like Luna is his wife or something."
"Or is she?"
"Well." Draco considered for a moment, the hands of his marvellous and very angry girlfriend tight on his own arms. "She's a bit too young for him."
"That will definitely stop him."
"Thought so too-"
"No!" She gave him a little shake. "For someone so bloody brilliant, you can be so dull sometimes!" She released him straightening her dress and giving another unconcerned nod to some passerby guests. "If you don't do something now, then everything we've worked for, all of Hogwarts will be gone!"
"Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration. After all, there is no universe in which my aging father could ever become the object of affection of someone our age. Least of all, someone so coucky and weird like Luna Lovegood."
"Draco if you don't fix this I'll-" she paused. "I'll never speak to you again!"
Well, this would not be good, Draco thought sulkily. He liked Astoria very much. In fact, he was thinking of proposing to her once all of Hogwarts had been restored, and later, moving far far away from this dark, dreary Manor to start their lives together.
He was sure his scheme with Twinkle the Elf had gone wonderfully well. Now, he was sure that whatever planet Luna was from, she was not so easily scared away by a bit of danger and death. In fact, it seemed she wasn't scared of anything at all, especially his own father, whom Draco always considered very scary. This was a witch from an entirely different planet. But even stars could falter and die.
-x-x-x-
What on earth was taking Miss Lovegood so long to dress herself, was not a thought that had ever crossed Lucius Malfoy's mind.
Witches, like all other women, took their precious time powdering their noses, fixing their curls and making certain their pantyhose did not tear upon wear. He was certain whatever she was doing, Miss Lovegood would look marvellous by the time she came over to the Manor. He had sent up one of his friends' sons, the Ambassador Beelzebub's boy, Adam, to open the door for the young lady and escort her up to the ballroom where the entire affair was held.
He did not disappoint. Lucius had been in the midst of discussion with the head of the Muggle Artifacts department when a glimpse of blonde flashed out of the corner of his eye. There, descending the winding staircase was his very own lady in red.
"Just like the song," the department head said, humming along to the tune of the supposedly famous Muggle tune. Lucius did not care much for music, he did care to be the first to help Miss Lovegood onto the floor.
And with a slip through the crowd and a few cleverly placed niceties, he had achieved his goals. He took her gauze, gloved hand and placed a quick kiss on her fingertips before taking her arm in his and leading her down the final two steps.
But as his eyes trailed up towards hers, he caught a fleck of a distant trickery glimmering in them. It stirred within his chest, a certain...well he didn't know whether it was appropriate to call it intrigue, he didn't know what to call it at all. It was not the sort of glimmer that was befitting on his witch, but certainly one that made her even more sweet to his appetite (particularly since he himself had been planning a surprise for her tonight).
You see, Lucius Malfoy had made his decision to pass on his estate, the Malfoy Manor, to Miss Lovegood. She deserved a space for her wonderful creatures, and even if he was the scoundrel who made her endure his awful House elf, his wretched son and his ghastly neighbours in the process.
That's why tonight, he had planned on announcing in front of everyone that the Malfoy Manor would soon be passed over to Luna Lovegood and co. And if anyone should have a word to say about it, they would be tossed swiftly out of the Manor, never to be seen again. But of course, it would not come to that because Miss Lovegood was a very sweet kind of witch and she was not about to be the topic of ridicule for a good deed. He had invited everyone in Little Wilt as well as his old Ministry friends and various other notable personalities to bear witness to his actions.
At first, he was concerned she might look a tad unconventional for the wizarding ton. But now that she stood beside him, looking so poignant in that red gown of hers, he was certain that she would be accepted as the Manor's new mistress by all. Almost as convinced that she would not reject his offer simply on behalf of her hatred for him. That was all subject to change.
Tonight, he would put on his own best manners. The Paragon of a Malfoy he'd be.
His lips brushed the edge of her flaxen hair as he whispered, "you look splendid tonight."
She shivered. "It is a very different night," she said, looking worriedly out into the distance.
"It is." Lucius drew in a breath, his muscles beneath her arm tightening, "I have the sudden urge to open the dance floor with you as my follow."
There in the distance, the hired quarter of musicians lifted their bows and strings, ready to play.
Miss Lovegood's brows furrowed. "Later, perhaps," she said. "I was hoping to speak with you in private."
Giving a head-shake to the quartet, he stole away from the crowd, Miss Lovegood in hand, suddenly feeling wretched. Usually when women wanted to 'talk' it had meant bad news.
They'd settled on a small sofa in a more private sitting room. With the door shut , and both sitting on the sofa, he took her hands and awaited the message.
"I will be honest," she started, "it took a lot of convincing on both mine and Papa's end to come back to the Manor tonight."
"And I am certainly glad you decided in favour."
"The Manor does look lovely. We are happy you wanted to celebrate our recent breakthrough in photographing the Llorona." She smiled weakly. "Thank you."
"Good! I am glad."
"Good."
He licked his lips. "I feel like your 'good' and my 'good' have slightly different meanings."
"What did your good mean?"
"Simply put, that I am happy you made the decision to come. And yours?"
"It's just," she said softly, "that I don't want to upset you after all your...hard work."
"Your hard work."
"Yes, yes...well our hard work," she said, twiddling her glove between her fingers in a very charming way. "But I was thinking that maybe its not the best idea I use the Manor for my Menagerie."
"You mean to say, you would reject the offer?" he stuttered. "Theoretically if I had made the offer."
"Oh no, well yes," she said. "But luckily, you haven't made the decision to sign it over to me since our last disagreement." She looked his in the eye, affirming her decision. "Have you?"
"I...had."
"Hankering Hinkypuffs," she said fanning her cheeks with the glove. "Oh, I knew this would be very awkward-"
He waved a hand. "-but I can take it back if you desire not to-"
"-no, then it would look very silly, this entire event. You had made it for the two of us to announce to everyone that I would be the Manor's Mistress...and now if you go back on your word, everyone would think you were not the sort of wizard who keeps his word, and of course, you are the sort of wizard who keeps his word...well what I mean to say is that, I don't actually know what sort you are..."
Seeing her so flushed and out of words, it had compelled Lucius to do a sort of thing that would have been considered very improper a century ago. Cauldron, it had even been considered improper now, but for other reasons.
With her stuttering that adorable and very dumb manner that she was doing, with her face all flushed a bright shade of pink down to her neck and her stiff upper lip, well, there was no question in Lucius' mind what he should do to stop her vexation. Of course, he did not think about the consequences on his decision until after his lips left her cheek and she was staring at him in a quiet shock.
"My dear Miss Lovegood," Mr Malfoy said, instantly relieved at her silence. "I do not care if anyone in that room." He pointed. "thinks I am the sort of wizard who keeps one word or another."
She continued staring at him, hand to her cheek where the kiss was placed. He wondered whether or not he should continue, but it didn't appear she was in any way negatively affected by his words.
"What I do care about is whether anyone in this room thinks as much," he continued. "And if I had made a promise, I would not want to be known as the sort of wizard who would back down from it in the heat of an argument." He glared at her. "Do you understand?"
She nodded quickly.
"Good," he said. (This good meant something entirely different than the previous two). "Now, I, see you as perfectly capable, more than capable of managing this entire Manor by yourself if you so choose to."
"It is not me I'm worried about."
"My son then? I assure you the rascal won't bother you."
"M-Mr Malfoy," she whispered. "You'd be all alone."
His voice softened as he took her hands. "I have plenty of practise with that."
"And without an elf-"
"Who needs an elf?" he said. "And when I am away, Twinkle can come with me if you choose to make her my Elf once more."
"That...would be tricky," she said. "Since I had let her go."
"You-?"
"With my old dress."
Lucius clapped his hands and chuckled. "How entirely naughty of you!"
She smiled in return. "I do know my creatures, great and small. And this one was trying to get me killed, but you already knew that."
"Ah," he said, a touch quieter than before and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well one must not trust a House Elf with anything but dinner."
The look in Miss Lovegood's eyes suggested that she knew exactly the reason why she brought up the elf in the first place.
Did Lucius think Miss Lovegood a pleasant little fool at times? Yes.
Did his opinion of her competency change in the course of an evening? Also, yes.
"My Malfoy, can you please tell me the truth?" Miss Lovegood said sternly.
"I always do."
"You don't," she said earnestly. "Not really. You just omit many details."
Lucius sighed, leaning on his hand. "Very well, my dove. The truth is, I did think the Manor and its secrets would frighten you."
She crossed her hands. "I am not afraid of much."
"Now I know I was sorely mistaken." He gazed at her. "It is not often that I find myself on the losing end of my own convictions. You, Miss Lovegood, have surprised me in the most good way possible."
"People used to say I was a little odd."
"You are wonderful and unique in your own way. I had never seen a witch so good at dealing with House Elves, or training Nifflers and handling magical beasts as you do. I had never seen anyone brave enough to visit a man she barely met and stay with him. And if you were any more ordinary, you would not be half the witch I could ever imagine giving Malfoy Manor to."
She blushed. "You mean it? Oh, I could never repay you."
"And you don't have to," he said softly. "I want you to care for the Manor." Then added more softly, "And I know the disdain you must hold for me. I will not be there to cause trouble any longer. I am leaving tomorrow night to Spain."
"You are?" she said, big eyed.
"The Portkey tickets are booked and the bags are packed. There is just one formality. Signing over the Manor." He took her hands. "I don't expect forgiveness, but my dear, if you do not accept my offer I shall think you silly from thousands of miles away."
"I don't want to be silly."
"And you won't be if you'll accept the offer. No strings attached."
"I might." She held out her pinky finger. "But you have to promise me that next time you think something dangerous will happen, that you'll tell me first."
And Lucius, without hesitation looped his finger into hers. "My pinky promises."
Still holding his finger. "And please tell me what you are thinking. Without any tricks."
He nodded. "I promise."
"Good," she said smiling. "Now, you wanted to dance?"
"And so I did."
"You must be very good at it."
"Yes. I am good at most things."
-x-x-x-
The trouble with House Elves is that they are not very confident. That is because House Elves are used to getting pushed around by their Masters and Mistresses at the most inopportune times, like when they're carrying a tray of biscuits up the stairs, or cleaning the floors or returning back to their former owners in hopes of redemption.
But when a House Elf is let go, which happens very rarely (because free labour is always valued), they become just Elves. And Elves, well, they no longer have to worry about such trivialities.
It wasn't that Lucius and Luna should not have been mistrusting of Twinkle when she was theirs. It's that they should have been more cautious when she wasn't.
-x-x-x-
Draco Malfoy, at present, was trying every spell in the book to keep himself from sweating through his shirt.
The fate of his future children was literally on the line if he did not find some way to convince his father to not give away the Manor to Luna Lovegood.
Luckily, he was a Malfoy, and a Malfoy had one thing other families did not - connections. At the time of the writing of this passage there were at least two wizards in the room that could help.
The first was Master Snyder who was a barrister with the Wizarding Court. In his past life, he had also been working for the Other Side, which is how the Malfoys came in contact with him in the first place. Surely, he would know that there are laws that prevent the passing of an estate to a stranger, and not to his own blood born son. Master Snyder was also a skilled communicator of delicate news and a very charismatic gentleman.
The second was Madame Trevahney who was a trained assassin.
The sweat continued to pour. Dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief, Draco watched as his father walked into the room with Luna on his arm. Dressed in a red gown, she was twirled about and led into a quick waltz with the other couples.
In any case, red stains won't show up on red.
In times of great indecision, it is said in myths that a small angel and demon show up on either shoulder of the decider. In Draco's case, there was an ugly looking fairy and an unnervingly adorable looking goblin that had popped up out of thin air.
What are you waiting for? Get that girl! whispered the ugly fairy. The sooner she's gone, the sooner you'll be inheriting Malfoy Manor.
Draco said the goblin, You like that girl. She was in the same year as you.
What's that got to do with anything?
Luna is a sweet girl. A good witch. And look, look how happy she and your father are. Doesn't Lucius Malfoy deserve some happiness after his wife passed?
But he's old...
And you're ugly, but you don't see me making a fuss of it...
Draco, think of Hogwarts. Imagine how much money you'd make if you sold half of that old Pureblood stuff in this house. There's be new desks and chairs and books and potions ingredients...think of the children...
But there are other ways to make money. Draco's a very clever boy.
I'd say he's stupid for not taking his chance-
"Would you both shut up already!" Draco cried, swatting the imaginary creatures away. "I'm trying to use my head."
The trouble was his head was giving him all the wrong answers. And his usual voice of reason was threatening to break up with him if he didn't solve this conundrum tout de suite.
But what if he didn't have to be the one to be rid of Luna Lovegood? What if he could find someone else to do the job? Someone small. Someone inconspicuous. Someone you wouldn't think to notice.
Draco dashed down to the kitchens and knocked on the little elf door, hoping he wasn't too late.
"Twinkle? I know you're in there," he said. "There's a job for you and with it, a good reward. How would you like to be the next Hogwarts Kitchen Elf in return for helping me get rid of your last Mistress?"
-x-x-x-
Mr Malfoy was an excellent dancer. The moment they stepped on the floor together, the strings and flutes of the quartet began to play and Mr Malfoy twirled Luna into a lively waltz.
All eyes were on them, and her eyes were staring directly into Mr Malfoy's, which were a remarkable shade of grey and at present winking to the musicians to continue playing.
Back when he was her age, he must have been a very handsome boy and the breaker of many, many a witch's heart. I mean, look at what he could do with only a fraction of his usual charisma.
With the dress auction not yet started and a few dances behind their backs, Luna suddenly was parched and went to get a glass of lemonade. But Mr Malfoy insisted she stay put while he brings her one himself.
Swirling the cool liquid in her hands, she took a long gulp and watched her Papa dancing with Mrs Meddledrap and laughing.
"Are you happy, my dear?" Mr Malfoy asked proudly, leaning against the chaise.
"Very much."
"That is wonderful because I have anouther surprise for you. And- oh...not him again. Excuse me." Bowing quickly, he dissapeared into the crowd, presumably to returned right away.
Luna was surrounded by a variety of other lady-witches, all of whom eyed her with a red-envy. Mr Malfoy was a widower, and a very wealthy one at that, and Luna was poor...but not stupid.
Nearby, Pop and Pippin scurried about, picking through the purses and handbags of the dancers and stuffing Galleons and sparkling knick-knacks into their pouches. She shook her head, smiling. This was a perfect excuse to get away from this unfortunate crowd.
"Get back here you two!"
Pop and Pippin didn't know English, but they did know danger. Jumping up, they ran off towards the gardens and Luna, hiking up her skirts, chased after them.
She ran all the way into the depths of the garden until she reached the maze. She had not enchanted much of that space yet.
Think of the darkest, dreariest, most stark of shade of black. Well the inside of that maze was a great deal darker. Still, Luna was not afraid of a little darkness. Going within, she lit up the tip of her wand and wandered through the narrow passageways.
"Pop! Pippin! You have to return those coins."
She felt her sight grow hazy. No, she was wobbling around and slowly losing herself in the twists and turns.
"P-pop?"
She stumbled into the edge of a briar, her hands stinging as she tried to reach over and steady herself, but ended up getting a handful of thorns instead.
Roses.
The maze was made of rose bushes. She could smell them now, sweet and succulent and she tumbled to the floor. She must have hit her head pretty hard, but it did not hurt one bit.
"P-Pippin?"
She felt her breath slowing and everything around her fading.
"Mr...Malfoy?"
She coughed.
"He...lp..."
-x-x-x-
"Help you? But that is impossible!" Master Snyder swirled his cocktail. "You know very well how Wizarding Laws work. The next male heir must get the rights to the Manor."
"Yes, I know how they work." Lucius rubbed his temples. "Perhaps I haven't made myself very clear." Reaching into his robe pockets, he produced a sizable bag of Galleons and slipped it into Master Snyder's pocket. "I need a favour."
"Unless that favour requires me ridding you of your only male heir which I, for your information, will not do...there is no other option for you."
"I have more Galleons."
"It is not Galleons that are the matter," Master Snyder said. "The Malfoy Manor is ruled by an ancient wizarding magic that states it can only be passed onto those of Malfoy blood. Your great, great, great grandfather made sure of it. So unless..."
"Unless?"
"That's impossible."
"Tell me."
"Unless you marry the witch, then the Manor cannot possibly go into her hands."
"Marriage." Lucius' mind did not quiver, which again should have been a problem, but wasn't. "Marrying Miss Lovegood."
"That's what I said."
"This marriage," Lucius pondered aloud. "It would not theoretically require any form of consummation or birth?"
"Theoretically, no," Master Snyder said, "it's only a legal formality."
"Then, that is very good."
This 'good', like all the ones before, also meant something entirely different.
"Lucius, I must ask, for it will trouble me if I do not. You are not seriously contemplating marrying the chit?"
"No." Lucius shook his head and clever smile graced his lips. "I am actively planning on it."
"You've gone mad. Stop!" Master Snyder chased after the wizard, who was walking quickly through the crowd, "You must think of the reprecautions!"
But Lucius had already thought two steps ahead. It would be a marriage of convenience, true, but it would be nothing untoward the young witch's wishes if she agreed. They wouldn't even have to touch each other. A quick Binding Ceremony and off they went their separate ways. Him, in Europe, and her in the Manor.
She wouldn't have to take his surname if she did not wish it. She didn't have to even look at him anymore. And if she wanted to take a lover, she could very well do so. And after his death, she'd be able to marry him. She was considerably younger than him, and would certainly outlive him. And her suitor in question could surely wait to marry a rich widow of an old Pureblood bastard such as himself.
It was, in short, the perfect legal arrangement, even if Master Snyder did not agree. Well, he wasn't paying him for permission.
Running through the crowd, he ran straight into his blasted son, who was always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Father? What's the rush?"
"Draco, move aside," Lucius said hastily, "I'm getting married."
"You're...WHAT!"
Now both Master Snyder and Draco were hot on the eldest Malfoy's heels. He, in turn, was searching for Luna who should have been drinking lemonade with the rest of the Ministry wife-witches. But she was not there.
"Has anyone seen Miss Lovegood?" he cried, brushing a loose lock of hair over his eyes.
If he could see the way the ladies saw him now, he might have been a bit flustered. Lucius Malfoy was a sight: with his chest heaving unevenly, and his eyes darting around the room in hot pursuit of his lady-witch and his hair-tousled lazily about his handsome face.
The ladies had no words, only quick, drunken nods and fingers that pointed in any direction but the necessary.
"Ladies," he mumbled and dashed off.
"Father! It is not necessary to run so fast! Maybe if you slowed down and waited, she'd come to you."
"I'd done my waiting, a whole year of it, boy." Lucius looked around, but Miss Lovegood's familiar head of hair and red dress were nowhere to be found.
Where was she?
He did see her father, who was at present talking to Mrs Meddledrap. Better than nothing.
"Xenophilius, might I have a word?"
"You might have two," Xenophilius cried, his face alight with joy (and the result of one too many cocktails). "What a splendid event Lucius! I admit I had some not-so-nice words to say of you an hour ago, but my flute plays a different tune now."
"Ah, well that is good to hear," Lucius said, shaking his hand and bowing to Mrs Meddledrap. "Because I may be able to make your daughter infinitely happy!"
"That is not possible. My Luna is the most positive of witches!"
"No, I think I do have a method. You see, I am about to make her the owner of the entire Malfoy Estate! No strings attached," Lucius said proudly.
"Oh such good news!" Mrs Meddledrap cooed. She was relieved that the long line of Malfoys living so close by would end with him.
"Indeed! But first, I need to find a Binder."
"Well, as it happens, I received my Binding certificate some years ago," Mrs Meddledrap cried. "I am a fully licensed Witch marital Binder!"
"Perfect. Because that is exactly what we will be needing tonight, should Miss Lovegood agree."
"Agree?"
"To marriage!"
Xeno spat out his cocktail. "To which lucky bastard am I going to give my precious flower to?"
"This one," Lucius said proudly. "If she'll have me."
The result of this conversation was not heard, because at that moment there was a shrill cry from the ballroom.
"Fire! Fire in the gardens!"
A/N: Thank you for reading thus far!