Narcissa Malfoy seldom expressed any emotion beyond a mild apathy towards life. The only exception being her fifteen-year-old son who was currently sulking in his bedroom. His father had been unpleasant, to say the least, about his less than stellar grades and his constant obsession with upstaging Harry Potter. Particularly, now that the Dark Lord had made a reappearance.
Her fingers were restless against the tea cup perched daintily, at the corner of her mouth.
"Bitsy! Please inform Master Lucius that I request his company."
It had been a week since the Dark Lord had returned. Lucius had been quiet ever since, only stepping in to make sure Draco understood the magnitude of the current scenario. Lucius sighed, his son didn't have the makings of a killer, he was too soft. He pinched the bridge of his nose before returning to the Daily Prophet. Harry Potter had been caught practicing underage magic in front of a muggle. Lucius snorted, let's see how Dumbledore gets him out of that one.
Lucius' quiet solitude was interrupted by the arrival of Narcissa's elf. As he sauntered towards the sitting room, he realized that the prospect of having an uneventful summer, would remain unfulfilled.
***********************************************************************
"Lucius dear, have some tea."
Narcissa's face was pinched into a grimace. Lucius knew better than to cross her, when she was in one of her moods. She settled her cup down.
"In light of recent events, I think we must make a decision regarding Draco – "
"Draco?"
Her expression turned dark at his interruption. She continued, her wand idly making the tea cup swirl.
"As I was saying, we must decide about Draco. It's imperative that we have his best interests at the forefront. I think, it has become apparent that he doesn't possess the grit to be a Death Eater – "
"Cissy, why must we decide now? The boy hasn't even come of age, surely you're not suggesting the Dark Lord will call upon our underage son?"
"Lucius, we must always prepare for the possibility – "
"Cissy, I've tried to train the boy, you know, I have. What are you suggesting?"
The swirling cup came to a standstill. The light buzz of a silencing spell enveloped them.
"Lucius, we must show our solidarity with Dumbledore – "
"Cissy! What you're talking about is sheer lunacy – "
"It came to me in a dream. Draco will be instrumental in making this possible – "
Narcissa was convinced that she had inherited her great grandmother's Seer abilities, usually Lucius humoured her, but he could remain silent no longer.
"Enough! I refuse to discuss this further, once you've calmed down enough, to see reason, we – "
"Silencio"
"Ah finally. Lucius dear, stop fretting, you look rather foolish."
She took a sip of tea.
"We must invoke the old marriage laws, get Draco married to a respectable member of Dumbledore's plethora of do-gooders – "
She watched as Lucius indicated towards his silenced mouth helplessly.
"I will remove it, provided you listen to me patiently. Excellent."
Lucius scowled, he waited for her to continue.
"Don't you see darling, with a single move, we will be safe from the Dark Lord. Draco will be safe –"
Lucius sarcastically quipped.
"Cissy, perhaps the excitement of the past week has addled your mind –"
"In exchange for the marriage, we shall bargain for our safety from him –"
"Let's forget the absurdity of your plan and consider that Dumbledore were to agree, what leverage would we have over them to bargain for anything?"
Narcissa's cold smile frightened him for a moment.
"You don't seem to comprehend the power of a marriage bond. It creates a magical bank, if you will. No harm could befall Draco's partner while he remains alive – "
"And what were to happen if the reckless idiot risked her life? It would mean certain death for Draco."
"Ah that's where it gets tricky, we could ensure the flow of life force to be one-sided, there are provisions for that. Draco, will be safe and sound with us, ensuring the safety of his partner. That's what we will use as our bargaining chip."
"And pray tell, who would need protection so desperately, that Dumbledore would be willing to provide us amnesty?"
"Harry Potter."
***********************************************************************
Lucius' ears were ringing, that could be the only explanation. His mouth was agape as he listened to his wife's words.
"Lucius dear, close your mouth. Do try to keep up."
Lucius harrumphed, he disliked being in the dark while Narcissa schemed.
"Severus has graciously divulged the existence of a prophecy pertaining Harry Potter and the Dark Lord. Neither can live while the other survives, not a very ringing endorsement for Potter's well-being is it?"
Narcissa's face barely concealed her glee, she watched as comprehension dawned on her husband.
"And what made Severus share this information with you?"
"You would be surprised what a drop of Veritaserum and a well-placed Obliviate can get you."
"So, you are proposing that we marry off our sole heir to that half-blood Potter, so that he can leech off Draco's 'life force', in exchange for a safe harem from the Dark Lord?"
"That is precisely what I'm proposing. Isn't it lovely when we are on the same page?"
"Even if you were to get Dumbledore to agree, force a protesting Draco down the aisle, do you think, that Potter of all people, would agree to this scheme of yours?"
"You don't realize the old man's foolishness when it comes to Potter, to ensure his safety, he would agree. And once we have Dumbledore, Potter will come along, willingly or not."
"And you're willing to sacrifice Draco over this, marry him off to a man, to Potter no less? He will never forgive you, Cissy."
"Don't be so dramatic, darling. Draco will listen to reason, he's a good boy, he will do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of this family."
Lucius chuckled inwardly with dark amusement. He hoped he would be able to witness Draco's tantrum as Narcissa cajoled him into agreeing with her.
"One last thing, Cissy. Is this worth sacrificing our son? Binding him to someone who could never understand his worth."
"Lucius, there's no place for sentiment in a marriage, it will be a marriage of convenience. Potter will get what he needs from Draco, and our family will be protected from the Dark Lord. Look how well it worked for us."
Lucius' nose itched, as he retired back to his study. He didn't know whether to marvel at his wife's scheming or sympathize with his son's plight. Draco's bedroom door was ajar, Lucius peered in. Draco was sleeping peacefully, his blond hair fanned out on the pillow.
Sleep well Draco, this may be your last peaceful slumber.
Read more at :
https://www.wattpad.com/369882666-the-contract-a-harry-potter-fanfic-chapter-1or at :
http://archiveofourown.org/works/9627881/chapters/21751205![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
anrym66.livejournal.com
musamihi
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timeasmymeasure![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}