Chapter 1: The Will
Draco Malfoy was sitting in a soft brown chair facing a large desk in a spacious office. He shifted slightly in his chair and set his eyes on the stack of papers on the desk: his father's will. His father had died two weeks earlier in Azkaban. He had been there for the past three years; ever since Potter had finally defeated the Dark Lord. Draco knew it would happen. Heck, if Potter could defeat Voldemort as an infant, why wouldn't he be able to defeat him as an adult? That was the reason he never received the Mark. He knew it was a lost cause. Besides, he never really cared for the cause. Oh, he still hated Potter and all he stood for, probably always would. He just didn't hate muggles and mudbloods enough to murder them. He would rather just ignore their existence.
It had definitely been… interesting trying to explain this to his father. But for all the screaming and threats, Lucius just could not make his son change his mind. Draco had no intention of spending the rest of his life in Azkaban.
Draco shifted in his chair again. "Where is he?" he said out loud.
He had been waiting for the damn lawyer for the past forty-five minutes. "Doesn't he know I have things to do?" Draco grumbled.
He had been growing increasingly anxious over this meeting. Not that he was worried about the will… not much anyway. His father really had no choice but to leave everything to him. He wouldn't leave it to Narcissa. As much as he loved his mother, Draco knew that the only thing the woman knew about money was how to spend it. He had always known that he would have to care for his mother after his father's death. He didn't really mind. She was usually pleasant company.
Except for recently. She had been in such heavy mourning over Lucius's death that she never talked and refused to eat. Draco was beginning to get worried. Contrary to popular belief, his mother really did love the bastard, and she believed that he loved her, too. He just didn't like to show it. Draco wasn't so sure. He knew his father never loved him, but he never loved his father either. Not that that mattered now.
Draco had visited his father once in Azkaban. It was this visit that worried him. Lucius had made it very clear that Draco would get a surprise when he read the will. It was Lucius's final revenge for his son not becoming a Death Eater. Draco was pretty sure his father hadn't really done anything to the will. He only wanted to torture him with anxiety, but still… The man had been known to do some pretty cruel things in the name of revenge.
"Ughh! One hour. That's it. I'm just going to sign the will and leave," he said getting up.
As he was standing, a middle-aged wizard with a balding head bustled into the room.
"Mr. Malfoy, sir, I am sorry I'm late. I had an important matter to discuss with the Minister of Magic," stated the man as he sat at the desk.
After Fudge had been killed in the final battle, the entire wizarding world had been stunned when Arthur Weasley had been unanimously voted Minister of Magic. He tried to refuse, but they wouldn't hear of it.
"Well let's just get this over with, Mr. Waltham," snapped Draco.
"Very well," said the balding man, "It seems that Lucius Malfoy has left you the entire estate."
Draco had expected this and reached for the quill to sign the papers when the man stopped him.
"Actually, before you can receive any of the money, you have to meet a few conditions," said Mr. Waltham carefully.
`Damn, I didn't think he would actually do anything,' thought Draco. Out loud, he impatiently sighed, "Which is…?"
"Well, maybe you should read the letter your father left you," Mr. Waltham said as he handed Draco a piece of paper. Draco immediately recognized his father's leaning scrawl.
Draco,
As I am sure you remember, I told you that you would be surprised when you read the will. To get the estate, you must get married by the time you turn twenty-one. Don't start thinking of those whores I've always seen you with. No, I have a particular bride in mind for you, son. Virginia Weasley. She's a pure-blooded witch and I'm sure you can control her muggle-loving tendencies. Her family has gained considerable amounts of respect over the past few years. This marriage will help the Malfoy name demand the respect it deserves. Besides, she's enough your opposite to drive you crazy for the next sixty or so years. That's right: no divorce. You must also produce one heir by your twenty-fifth birthday. In love or out, you must always play the happy couple in public, which will be about everywhere considering the publicity this union is sure to receive. Appearances are, as always, extremely important. You will receive the estate as soon as you marry, but if you break even one stipulation, you lose everything. It will all go to the dark arts program at Durmstrang. And remember, do what you must to marry her, but do it soon.
Lucius Malfoy
So that's what his father meant. He planned on torturing him for the rest of his life. "Just great! Not only do I have to marry a girl I despise, but I have to convince her to do it in three months. Just great!" thought Draco as he gripped the paper. This was Lucius Malfoy's final revenge.