A Marriage of Convenience

Disclaimer: All that you recognise belongs to JKR.

Warning: None.

A/N: I’m not sure how well this chapter will turn out. I seem to be completely mentally drained at the moment and probably just need to spend a good few days in bed, but unfortunately sleep is eluding me, so I am trying to pass the time by writing. I’m sorry if it’s awful and all.

To the Manor

Ginny bit into her honey-covered crumpet and gazed about the sunny meadow in some boredom. Charlotte’s voice droned on and on around her like an annoying buzz of bees that would not go away. She was talking about the importance of women staying pure and modest, or some such stuff. Ginny could see her good friend Kitty trying to stifle a yawn behind her hand and failing, while the other girls who had accompanied them on the picnic vainly tried to pay attention to the uplifting words being said, but their eyes would droop slightly as their heads dipped and bowed like a bunch of bobbing bottles in water. Maria and Celia could be seen snoozing quite happily in their chairs some metres away- clearly having given up trying to listen to Charlotte’s invigorating lectures a long time ago.

Kitty gave a pointed glance at Ginny as Charlotte continued to prose on from her book, and Ginny tried hard not to giggle as her friend rolled her blue eyes, mouthing, “I’m so bored.”

Ginny’s eyes flickered about at the collection of half-asleep girls, wondering if there was any way to escape. She looked back at Charlotte sitting prim and proper while reading from the book, so engrossed in the words that she didn’t seem to have noticed no one was really listening. Ginny looked back at Kitty and then shuffled closer to her vivacious friend. “Do you think she’d notice if we went for a walk?”

“No, and if she does I don’t care.” Kitty ground out vehemently, casting an exasperated glare at her much more plainly dressed sister. “I refuse to listen to this bluestocking rubbish any longer!”

Giving a wary glance at Charlotte who was still reading monotonously from her book, Ginny gave a mischievous grin at her friend, her chestnut eyes dancing wickedly, and then quickly scrambled to her feet. Kitty beamed in pleasure at the thought of escaping the dull lecture and followed suit. Some of the other girls spotted their movement and gave envious looks at their daring to leave, but Ginny and Kitty were far too pleased with their own plan to give much thought to them.

Once the two rebels were safely away from Charlotte’s readings they burst into girlish giggles, clutching each other for support as they laughed and laughed at the sheer absurdity of it all.

Holding her stomach as she tried to stop the laughter that bubbled out of her mouth, Ginny said shakily to her friend, “Can you believe they actually expected us to listen to that? I don’t know how the other girls possibly managed it.”

Kitty’s blue eyes brewed with amusement as she laughed. “I know! I’ve never heard anything more ridiculous!”

“Now, now, Kitty,” Ginny said through trembling lips, still trying to stop her laughter as she plastered a serious expression on her face, but her dancing eyes belied the primness of her lips. “You must take heed of Charlotte’s words and not read anymore romance novels, for they will only corrupt the mind and make one want to elope and lose all maidenly modesty in clandestine affairs!”

Kitty dramatically placed her hand over heart. “Oh, will you not save me wise Ginny from my helpless addiction to romance, and help me to be a pure, modest woman of unromantic thoughts? Only think that they might make me actually want to fall in love! Oh the horror!”

Ginny giggled again and collapsed on the grass in a very unladylike way, not even bothering to cover her legs where the dress had flown up. She brushed her fingers against the pretty, wild flowers beside her face and glanced at Kitty with a wry smile, her eyes still twinkling enchantingly. “Do you think they actually believe that stuff?”

Kitty shrugged and pulled off her straw hat to fix up her dusky curls. “I know Charlotte does. She would never dream of reading anything that mentions romance. She believes in duty only, and is forever telling me that I must stop this incessant dreaming of love and adventure. They all want me to make a respectable marriage…”

“How boring,” Ginny commented bluntly. “I could never marry for duty. There’s just no passion or anything.”

Satisfied that her hair still looked nice, Kitty sat down on the grass next to Ginny and fiddled with the pink ribbons on her dress. She was quiet for a moment, and Ginny chanced a glance at her to see a frown on the normally cheery girl’s face.

“What’s wrong Kitty?”

Kitty’s blue eyes followed the bee buzzing busily by them, watching it dance across the daisies scattering the silky grass as it collected the sweet nectar. She let out a small sigh and tore her eyes away from the little bumblebee to stare at her hands. “Mama wants me to marry Theodore Nott.”

Ginny sat up more straighter and stared at her friend in alarm. Kitty had never mentioned anything of this before.

“And do you want to marry him?”

Kitty shook her head sadly. “No. He’s so quiet, and when he does talk it’s about things that I don’t understand at all, and then I feel quite stupid. I’m not like you Ginny. I can’t keep up with intellectual conversation.” She tugged at one of the daisies and savagely ripped the pale, white petals off the flower. “I’m just a silly girl.”

“Nonsense!” Ginny exclaimed impatiently. She knew Kitty was perhaps not as intelligent as the other girls, but she was a good person and could always bring a smile to anyone’s face.

“It’s true.” Kitty insisted, casting helpless eyes Ginny’s way. “I was always terrible at school, and even Papa says that I cannot grasp anything that is not fashion or gossip. Mama wants me to try to sober myself- that’s why she always makes Charlotte accompany me now, because she says that Mr Nott doesn’t like a girl who only lives for pleasure.”

Ginny scrunched her face up in distaste. “Well I don’t think Theodore Nott sounds like the man for you.”

Whoever heard of such nonsense? How could Maria Cunningham think someone as serious as Theodore Nott could possibly be a good match for someone as frivolous as Kitty? Her papa was right; she was only interested in fashion and gossip- and while she was a dear friend of hers, even Ginny herself sometimes wished Kitty could give a bit more stimulating conversation.

“Well it doesn’t matter if he and I don’t suit or not. Mama wants it to be so, and Papa has agreed as he always does.”

“And what does Mr Nott think of this?”

Ginny did not know Theodore Nott at all, but she did remember the brooding Slytherin quite clearly from her school days. He had always been rather quiet, and was often seen skulking around the library. She couldn’t see him taking much interest in Kitty Cunningham, but then stranger things had happened before.

“I don’t know,” Kitty confessed with a sigh. “I do wish that he will refuse though. I don’t think I could ever love him...”

Both girls fell silent, each getting lost in their own troubled thoughts. For Ginny this was the first time she had ever had to really face the idea that some people were not blessed with being able to marry for love. It just seemed so old fashioned to her, and yet she knew that Kitty’s fears were very real. Her friend very well could be forced to marry Theodore Nott, and there would be nothing she could do about it. Pureblood society did not care about romance and love; it was duty and upholding family honour that mattered here. If Ginny were younger no doubt she would have encouraged Kitty to run away and do what she wanted, but she was older now and more mature. She understood that real life was not like the fairy tales, and running away was not always an option.

For the first time Ginny realised how truly lucky she was to have the parents she did. She would never have to face the choice of having to choose between her family and her love. She was free to do as she wished…

Ginny suddenly felt very humbled. All that time she had complained about her family situation, bemoaning the fact that they were poor and looked down upon. How ungrateful had she been? She could be friends with whoever she liked, love whoever she wished; she was not expected to make a grand marriage, nor was she expected to dress and act a certain way. She could be herself. Her family may not be the most powerful, respectable, or even the wealthiest, but now she realised how truly blessed she was to have been born into such a family; a family that loved her and cared enough about her well-being to let her do as she pleased.

“Is there nothing you can do?” Ginny asked quietly, though not really sure herself what could be done in such a situation. She’d never really had to think about such things before.

Kitty shrugged and twisted her lips in frustration. “I thought about going to talk to him and telling him how I feel, but I’m just too scared. He… he frightens me.” She looked down again in embarrassment, tugging once more at the daisies and scattering the petals. A collection of snowy flakes surrounded her pink skirts, and Ginny realised her friend was obviously on edge. She didn’t understand it though. What was there to be so scared about?

“Why? It’s just Theodore Nott. It’s not like he can eat you.”

“But he’s so serious,” exclaimed Kitty despairingly. “And he just gives me these looks that make me feel so nervous, not to mention how powerful he is in society. He’s part of the Malfoy crowd and is so much more above me. I just couldn’t. I can’t even bear talking to him, and whenever he comes over to visit me Mama will insist on leaving us alone in the room, and it’s just so awkward…”

Ginny frowned. It seemed to her that Kitty was very much in awe of the serious ex-Slytherin. She herself knew that if it were her in the same situation she’d have no qualms in telling Theodore Nott that she did not like him, but Kitty had lived in this society her whole life. Mischievous and pleasure-seeking she may be, but Kitty was still droned into believing she had to do everything her parents said, and was very much brainwashed into believing those with more money than her were more powerful than her.

“Well I suppose talking to him is out of the option then,” said Ginny with a sigh, not really sure what she could do to help her rosy-cheeked friend now.

“Aren’t you going to the Malfoys’ home tomorrow?” Kitty suddenly asked, looking at her earnestly through big, blue eyes. Ginny could see the hope creeping into her friend’s face and wondered what could possibly have caused this change.

“Yes.”

“Could you perhaps talk to him for me?”

“You want me to talk to him for you?”

Kitty nodded eagerly. “Could you please? He’ll be there for certain, and I’m sure he’d listen to you.”

Ginny supposed she could, and she was sure the quiet Slytherin would indeed be at the Malfoys’ home. She glanced back at Kitty, seeing the hope and reliance in her friend’s eyes, and slowly nodded her head. “Yeah, I’ll talk to him for you.”

“Oh thank you!” Kitty leapt at her and gave her a crushing hug, causing Ginny to fall into laughter again as they both fell back against the grass.

“What have we here?” an amused male voice said from above them. His tall frame was half-blocking the sun, and as Ginny placed her hand over her eyes to shield her view from the blinding light, she found herself meeting familiar, dark-blue eyes.

“Julian!” exclaimed Kitty with a giggle, as she scrambled up off the ground and gave the handsome, dark-haired man a playful jab in the ribs. “What are you doing sneaking up on us like this? You’re not supposed to be around here you know. This is for ladies only.”

“Well do point them out to me if you see them then,” Julian said teasingly, earning another playful slap on his arm. His eyes fell on Ginny again, who was feeling a little breathless right now by the intense expression she could see in those divinely blue eyes. She was still laying on her side, propped up on her elbow, with one leg flat against the grass, and the other bent and upright, allowing her blue skirts to reveal smooth, creamy legs and the barest hint of a white, silk petticoat. Her red hair was tumbling out of its bun and falling in loose curls around her sun-kissed face, and anyone of a romantic mind would have been able to turn a pretty phrase at the innocent yet seductive picture she created- not that Ginny knew anything about that. She just thought she looked the same as she always did, but maybe a little bit more dishevelled from running around with Kitty.

“La mia bella incantatrice,” Julian murmured softly, reaching down a hand to help her up. Ginny had no idea what he had said, but it sounded nice, and by the smile on his lips and the warm glow in his dark eyes, she had a feeling it was a compliment.

She took his hand and found herself being pulled up with ease to her feet. Her eyes glanced at his strong arms, wondering just what he would look like without all those fine clothes, and slowly a blush settled on her face as she realised what she was doing. It was a good thing no one knew legillemency here- or at least she hoped they didn’t.

Julian was still holding her hand in his, and silently she raised her eyes to his face, feeling her heart pounding in her chest as she realised he was still staring at her with that hot intensity. The smile on his face was not the easy-humour one he normally wore; there was something passionate about it; something that made her body rush with excitement and feel drawn to the handsome man before her…

“When you two are done staring at each other.”

He dropped her hand suddenly, and Ginny glanced at Kitty who was watching them both with a knowing smile on her lips. She did not like the sly gleam in her friend’s eyes, and just knew Kitty was easily putting two and two together.

“My mother would not happen to be around here by any chance?” said Julian, looking somewhat awkward from being caught staring his fill at Ginny. His hands kept fidgeting by his sides, and there was a certain edginess in his bearing, as if he very much wanted to get away from both girls to cool his thoughts. Ginny thought it rather cute, and felt a small sense of triumph that she had created such emotions in him.

“Yes,” answered Kitty, still with that same knowing smile. Her eyes kept flicking from Ginny to Julian, and Ginny gave her a sharp glare to not make the situation worse. Kitty seemed to take the hint, her expression becoming less mischievous, as she gestured towards the meadow where the reading was still going on with one pale hand. “She’s snoring with my mother over there.”

“Thank you.” He bowed his head quickly to both girls, and started walking towards where Kitty had pointed.

Ginny took an impulsive step forward. “Will you be coming to dinner tonight, Julian?”

He stopped in mid-walk and turned around, his eyes laughing silently as they always seemed to do, and the ready smile coming easily to his lips that she loved so dearly. “For you, Ginny, I will be there.”

 

She couldn’t stop the small smile that settled on her face, her eyes shining with a happy glow that only a budding romance could give. Yes, she was indeed fast falling for him, and as she watched him continue on his way, her smile only grew until it lit up her whole face with radiant warmth.

Kitty walked over and gave her a teasing nudge, her eyes sparkling with playful mockery. “Well, well, it seems like you two have been busy. He could not keep his eyes off you, and I do believe you couldn’t keep yours eyes off him either.”

Ginny’s cheeks blossomed with pink, and she looked away in embarrassment, not quite able to meet her friend’s eyes. Ginny was a strong and spirited young woman, but when it came to romance she was just like anyone else facing their first love, feeling the bashful awkwardness in trying to explore her new feelings, and trying to hide blushing smiles at the compliments and the questions people threw her way. Her heart was like an innocent rose still waiting to bloom, shyly holding its beauty from the world, and only very tentatively unfurling its petals. She was still tender and inexperienced in love, and the feelings she felt for Julian were just as frightening as they were wonderful.

“Do you like him, Ginny?”

“Yes…” Ginny stared towards where she had last seen Julian, the smallest of smile gracing her lips as she thought of the charming and handsome man that had so easily caught her heart. “Yes I think I do.”

OOOO

Dinner that night was an interesting affair. Ginny constantly found her eyes straying to the handsome, dark-haired man opposite her, seeming to forget she was supposed to be eating her soup, and twice not noticing when Celia was talking to her. She was scolded once more for daydreaming, but Ginny thought it was worth it when Julian shared a secret smile with her across the table.

She spooned another mouthful of pumpkin soup into her mouth, watching the man before her eat so gracefully. He was older than her, though she was unsure just how old he was. He couldn’t be too old though. She figured he must be twenty-six at the most, for he still held glimpses of the youthfulness so easily seen in the younger men like Draco Malfoy. This only made her feel more pleasure at the thought that he was showing attention to her: she who was only nineteen and had no fortune or connections to give an incentive for a handsome man like Julian to look her way. It only proved how wonderful he was- that he only cared about her for her own merits and not because of anything else.

Ginny inwardly gave a wistful sigh and wondered what would happen between them now. It was clear he did like her, and she couldn’t help but feel a bubble of excitement at the thought of being whirled into a romance with him. Would Celia be angry if she found out? Would Julian be forced to protect her from his own mother? Would they run away together in an elopement just like her own parents did?

Such were the thoughts that raced through her over-imaginative brain throughout the dinner, steadily becoming more and more fantastical as the night wore on. She barely listened to the idle chitchat between Celia and Julian, not even paying attention as they talked about what it would be like at the Malfoys tomorrow, for that was when Ginny would be going. All she could think about was him; all she wanted to think about was him, and when dinner and dessert were over and she was being told it was time to withdraw to the private room, Ginny found herself so caught up in thoughts of Julian that she barely realised she had stood up, followed, and had taken a seat.

“Now, Ginny, please remember to try to follow all the instructions I gave you.”

Ginny finally snapped out of her reverie and realised Celia was staring at her suspiciously again, clearly having noticed that Ginny had once again been daydreaming.

“Sorry?”

Celia repeated herself, looking somewhat disgruntled that Ginny was not paying attention. Ginny could only sigh. She’d already been instructed in all the etiquette and social decorum she was supposed to display (and had promptly forgotten it), and Celia had spent hours droning into her head that she was not to under any circumstances say anything rude about the Malfoys, their guests, or to talk to the house elves as she so liked to do.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Good girl. Remember, your very future could rely on this. They’ll be plenty of handsome, rich men there, and wouldn’t it be lovely to return to your mother with a man on your arm?”

Ginny thought it would indeed be lovely, but she’d much prefer the handsome man sitting next to her than anyone else at the party…

OOOOO

The next day Ginny was woken up early by Tippy the else elf, and the whole morning was spent with Celia trying to decide which dresses to take, which jewellery to wear, and which men Ginny should make a point of talking to. Celia assured her that Narcissa would look after her well, considering there would be quite a few people Ginny did not know there, and she also said that Julian would be there for the first few days to help her settle in before he had to go back to Italy. Ginny found much more comfort in the latter, but she was sad to hear that Julian would not be with her for the whole time.

“There now,” Celia said with a broad smile as she packed away the last of Ginny’s dresses. “You’ll be fine, and I know they’ll love you.”

Ginny simply nodded, feeling just a little nervous now that she realised she was actually going to spend a week at the Malfoys’ home. Somehow it hadn’t seemed so daunting when she had first accepted the offer, but now when she thought about it, she realised that these were the people who did not pay her attention at the parties, and would not spare her feelings for Celia’s sake. Still, she would be strong and not let her nerves show, and she would have Julian for a little while at least.

Tippy the house elf popped in again and gave them both a quick bow. “Master Julian wishes to tell you, Mistresses, that he has been called away on urgent business and will not be able to go to the Malfoys’ today, but that he will try to get there tomorrow.”

Celia sighed. “Very well, thank you Tippy.”

“Tippy must also tell Mistress that a message from Malfoy Manor came, requesting that Miss Ginny come to the manor early for a light meal with the lady of the house.”

Ginny felt her stomach drop slightly. Julian would not be there to accompany her, and now she was being asked to go and have lunch with Narcissa Malfoy, who always made her feel just that little bit uncomfortable because of the scrutinising gaze the woman so often gave her. She did hope that sour-faced Alexia would not be there too. That would just be awful.

“Well you must accept of course. Goodness, Narcissa has certainly taken a liking to you, Ginny. I don’t think she’s ever marked such open attention to any young lady. I do wonder why…”

Ginny couldn’t even feel it in herself to be offended at Celia’s thoughtless musings, knowing fully well that Celia’s confusion stemmed from that fact Ginny had such low connections, and therefore could not possibly be of interest to someone such as Narcissa Malfoy. It would be rather hypocritical anyway, for she herself wondered why Narcissa seemed to be interested in her so much, but figured it was probably because her mother had been a friend of the haughty woman’s back in their younger days.

“Did the message say what time, Tippy?” Ginny asked with a crease on her brow.

“Now, if the miss were ready. A portkey has been provided.”

Ginny nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Very well then, dear,” Celia said with a smile. “I’ll send your luggage over to the house with the house elves, so you don’t have to worry about that, and you can take the portkey over now.”

Tippy handed her the portkey, which was a simple wooden box. Ginny held the portkey in her hands, feeling the smooth wood under her fingers, and suddenly felt the familiar pull at her navel, telling her that the magic had activated. She opened her eyes and stared about an unfamiliar room that seemed to be a gaming room, judging by the tables where cards could be played and the billiards table in the middle.

She frowned slightly to herself and wondered where on earth she was. There was no one in the room to tell her either. Sighing and wondering if they had perhaps gotten the room wrong, Ginny opened the door and left the room. She was greeted by a very magnificently designed hallway, carpeted in rich, red velvet, with large, ornate windows looking out into some of the most beautiful grounds Ginny had ever seen. Giant jade hedges stretched proudly into the sky, forming intricate patterns and walkways, and in the middle a large fountain could be seen trickling merrily away to itself. She was amused to see white peacocks wandering around the immaculately kept grounds, and just knew that Ron would have a ball in making up new names for Draco if he knew that peacocks actually lived at his rival’s home.

Casting a glance down both ends of the hallway, Ginny decided to take the route to the right, and opened the mahogany door to see an entrance hall that almost rivalled Hogwarts Castle, with giant, marble stairs leading down on both sides to the spacious room that was surprisingly empty in its decorations. She looked up, amazed at how high the ceiling was, and noticed the beautiful painting of the heavens that had been designed on the white, marble ceiling, where angels and cherubim’s floated through milky, white clouds in pink sunsets and glittering stars.

The door to the grounds opened, and two men walked in, one of which she had no trouble recognising. His grey eyes found hers with just a hint of surprise lurking in them, his blond hair looking tousled from the wind, and seemed to make his angular face look somehow softer and younger. His companion was also blond, but he was shorter than Draco. He also had grey eyes, though they were a softer grey and were slanted slightly. Ginny was struck by how similar they looked, standing side-by-side, but Draco had the more piercing features, his companion being much more easier on the eye.

Ginny wondered if Draco knew that she had been invited here by his mother, but judging by the faint frown on his face she doubted he did, and felt suddenly driven to explain why she was standing in his house.

“Your mother invited me here to have afternoon tea with her…”

“I see,” was all Draco said, his expression impassive.

His companion muttered something to him, and Ginny saw with some amusement Draco cast him an exasperated glance and mutter something back. They seemed to be having a small, quiet argument, and then finally Draco pulled his eyes away from his look-a-like companion and turned back to Ginny.

“My cousin wishes to make your acquaintance, if you would come down.”

Ginny stared curiously at the handsome young man next to Draco and caught his genuine smile flashing back at her. She felt a small sense of relief that he was obviously not as cold as his cousin, and came down the steps towards the two blond men.

“Miss Weasley, this is Armande Malfoy, my cousin.” Ginny was amused to note that his voice had slipped into the cool, politeness of someone simply doing their duty of introducing two people. “Armande, this is Ginevra Weasley. She’ll be staying with us for the week.”

Armande took one look at Ginny’s face and flashed her a boyish grin, reaching out to take her hands in his and still smiling as he said feelingly, “Ah, mais elle est charmante!”

Confused, and not having any clue what he had just said, Ginny looked to Draco for an answer. He didn’t seem too pleased by his cousin’s words or his actions, and shot them both a scowl. Realising Draco was not going to explain anything to her, Ginny looked back at Armande apologetically.

“I’m sorry, I have no idea what you just said.”

“Ah, forgive me,” Armande said with his own apologetic smile, the faint traces of a French accent creeping into his voice. “I forget where I am. In France I do not speak English.” His smile grew rather cheekily, and Ginny could see his grey eyes twinkling merrily. “I hope you’ll forgive me, for I did not mean any harm other than to say how charming you are. I have never seen a woman with such red hair. I’m sure Draco must admire you a lot too. He likes redheaded woman.”

Ginny laughed slightly and cast a curious glance at Draco, who was now glaring at his cousin in obvious annoyance.

“Is that so?” she asked with her own eyes dancing enchantingly. “Because I have it on good authority that your cousin likes blonde women.”

“Oh no,” Armande replied with a laugh. “It’s definitely redheads.”

“Ça suffit, Armande!”

Armande shot his frustrated cousin a cheeky grin, and Ginny was amused to see Draco’s piercing, grey eyes narrow in annoyance, his scowl becoming more pronounced on his face.

“When you’re done, Armande,” Draco said in an irritable voice, reverting back to English. “You can join me in the gaming room, unless you’d rather entertain the ladies and your sister, since you seem so enthralled by Miss Weasley.”

Armande shook his head, his expression becoming more serious. “Non, I shall come.” He smiled once more at Ginny and bowed his head gracefully. “It was a pleasure meeting you, ma belle.”

Ginny smiled in reply and nodded her head to the cheeky Frenchman. She glanced at Draco with a determined, and yet hopelessly embarrassed expression, knowing that if she didn’t ask him for directions now she’d just end up lost in the giant mansion.

“Could you tell me where your mother is meeting me? I’m afraid she did not say, and the portkey took me to the wrong room.”

Draco’s eyebrows drew together slightly, and a small frown formed on his lips. “Serino.”

A house elf popped out of nowhere and bowed ridiculously low to Draco’s legs.

“Take Miss Weasley to my mother.”

“Yes, Master,” Serino said with a bow, and then gestured for Ginny to follow her.

Ginny watched the two men leave the room the same way she had come, as she followed the house elf, feeling just a little confused and yet amused at the same time. One thing she did wonder though was whether Draco really liked blondes after all, and couldn’t help but giggle to herself as she thought of all those women dying their hair blonde.

“What is so funny, Miss?”

“Nothing,” Ginny said with a smile as she followed the elf to wherever Narcissa was waiting. “Nothing at all.”

Translations:

“La mia bella incantatrice” = “My beautiful enchantress.” (Italian)

 “Ah, mais elle est charmante!” = “Ah, but she is charming!” (French)

“Ça suffit, Armande!” = “That’s enough, Armande!” (French)

“Ma belle” – “My beautiful.” (French)

(Note, all translations were done from memory, and since I have a memory much like a goldfish, it is very possible I am wrong. I’d say they’re close enough though.)