"It’s funny when you feel like something is missing in your life that it is usually something you have never had. It’s funny because if you’ve never had something then how could you miss it in the first place?"
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/7348/
Disclaimer: I did not create any of the Harry Potter characters, etc….
A/N: I know I have so many other fics I should work on, but this idea just came to me. This chapter has not been Beta’d, so sorry for the typos.
The New World
It’s funny when you feel like something is missing in your life that it is usually something you have never had. It’s funny because if you’ve never had something then how could you miss it in the first place?
I have plenty of voids in my life. The reasons are endless but one of them stands out the most. I do not know how to love and don’t even know if it is a real emotion. Mother told me that love does not exist. You simply do your duty and marry the person who suits your station. That was when the seed of doubt was planted. I had thought my parents loved each other. But I was wrong. Mother was just doing her duty. Father was just picking the one who pleased his eyes the most.
My eyes had been opened to what real life was like and that was when I realised that love is simply a word to give some glamour to a relationship. There is no undying emotion for that person. No fire that cannot be quenched. It’s simply a word and nothing more...
There is only duty in this world and I knew where mine was. If I had to live with a void, then so be it. I had nothing left to lose anyway.
Love had died in my eyes… along with all my childish dreams.
OOOOOOOOO
Draco Malfoy stared blankly at the vase resting next to him on an ornate table. A rather ugly pink flower had been painted on the vase but Draco supposed it had cost a fortune, despite its rather vulgar appearance. Pansy never could distinguish between tasteful and just plain tacky.
“Are you even listening to me?” Pansy demanded, her dark eyes flashing with annoyance.
Draco looked up into her face and gave a polite smile. “Pansy, you were the one urging me to get married. I don’t see why my asking Natalie to marry me should shock you.”
Pansy let out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, I wanted you to get married but I did not tell you to marry her.”
Draco shrugged. “I don’t see what is wrong with her.”
Pansy rolled her eyes. “The woman is like ice. She has absolutely no emotion and you know that she’s only marrying you because she has no money.”
Draco remained unmoved. He knew very well that Natalie Chaldene was only interested in him because she needed to save her family from debt. The Chaldenes were a French Wizarding family that were classed as “old aristocracy,” which meant, they were very badly in debt and had not a knut to save themselves, though they were still allowed to move in high society on account of their being purebloods.
Draco was only slightly bothered by this knowledge. There would be benefits in having a wife who cared nothing for him. He would never have to worry about being faithful to her and could carry on his life exactly how it suited him. There was also the fact that Natalie was very beautiful and if he had to have any woman, he’d much prefer her to be a nice trophy, rather than a dull one. She didn’t have to hold much conversation; she simply had to look nice by his side. Narcissa had always told him it was his duty to marry someone who would uphold the family honour, so he was. It didn’t matter what others thought about the affair. He was simply doing what was expected.
“Maybe you’re right?” Pansy said throwing up her hands in frustration. “Maybe you did pick the right woman? You’re both as cold-hearted as each other!”
“Why thank you, Pansy. I’ll take that as a compliment.” Draco said amiably, as he leaned back against his chair and smiled. The hard-faced Ex-Slytherin glared at him with all the venom she could muster. Draco barely reacted, he was so used to her dagger looks.
The bell chimed in the clock, causing Draco to look at his own watch in surprise. He had not noticed how fast time had gone. He was supposed to be meeting his future wife for a light luncheon. It would not do to turn up late.
“Sorry Pansy,” Draco said with a disarming smile as he stood up from the chair. “I’m afraid I’m going to be late for my lunch with Natalie if I delay any longer. Give my regards to Theodore, won’t you?”
Pansy sniffed but nodded all the same. “I’m sure he’ll be just as delighted to hear of your upcoming nuptials as I am.”
Draco opened the door and glanced back at her, a small smile curling his thin lips. “Oh, I’m sure he will be.”
Pansy rolled her eyes and gave a careless wave before settling herself back on the chair, where she had been previously occupied in reading Witch Weekly’s ‘Frivolous Fantasies’- A short serial about a woman in search of her dream wizard. Draco watched his old school friend become absorbed in the magazine and smiled to himself before shutting the door softly. Draco headed to the disapparation point and vanished with a loud crack.
His grey eyes opened, revealing a handsome bedroom, decorated with thick, forest-green curtains made of the finest velvet. An imposing bed that was both inviting and luxuriously soft rested against the wall next to a tasteful wooden dresser, where a few odds and ends sat. The room, although decorated with the finest taste, was also rather gloomy. There was a dark and almost depressing feel about it, as though the walls had seen many times of tears and sorrow that no one else had been allowed to see; secret words and confessions that no one was allowed to hear. This room was but a silent audience to every moment spent in this exquisite prison.
Draco moved towards the cabinet that held his robes and briefly glanced at the small mahogany table where a copy of the ‘Independent Voice’ sat. His eyes stopped when they read the bolded heading:
“Protests Against Oppression”
Draco took his hand away from the cabinet door and picked up the black and white newspaper. A grim looking wizard was talking silently, while a young man gestured wildly. Draco thought the man oddly familiar. Frowning slightly, Draco began to read the article.
“Muggleborn, Colin Creevy, a well known wizard who has fought valiantly against many of the new laws, has been very adamant in his refusal to accept the oppression of Muggleborns in the New World. Indeed, Mr Creevy has commented to us that he feels, “The oppression of Muggleborns must not be allowed to continue. We are wizards and witches too and should not be treated as aliens to this society. If this continues, I can only see genocide becoming a reality once again, and we will only find ourselves with another war on our hands.” Many of us, like Mr Creevy, have questioned the necessity of the Muggleborn oppression. We remember a time when Halfbloods, Purebloods and Muggleborns lived peacefully together. Now that seems no more than a mere fantasy, as we look at the Muggleborns being forced into impoverished areas, no longer able to aspire to the careers they used to hold. They are deemed dangerous and corrupted people, while Halfbloods are left stuck in the middle with no real direction of where they can go. Only the Purebloods have managed to escape the New World unscathed from the new legislations…”
Draco tore his eyes away from the paper and let out a heavy sigh. This new newspaper called the “Independent Voice” was nothing but trouble. It was ridiculous to try and make things go back to the way they were. Though Voldemort had been killed, his teachings lived on with the Light side losing the war. The new Minister of Magic, Cyras King, created a law that Muggleborns would no longer be able to learn anything but the most basic of magic, if that at all. They would simply be slaves to the rest of the Wizarding world, doing the most menial of jobs. Halfbloods could have trades, such as robe making and other such jobs but the real careers and influential jobs were designated to the Purebloods, who were seen as the only real wizards and witches. Thus came the emergence of the New World: A world full of hope for aspiring Purebloods but one of despair for Halfbloods and Muggleborns in particular.
Draco had found hope in this New World. Though he had turned away from the dark side, Draco had not embraced the light. Because of this neutrality, King pardoned Draco and allowed him to get a job at the ministry as a member of the council. Draco was pleased that his intelligence had gained him the high-ranking job, but he still felt rather empty in his triumph.
Draco rubbed his head absently, attempting to smooth away the headache that was threatening to take over his mind. He tried to put the troubling article out of his mind, as he changed out of his robe into some casual clothes. He didn’t know why but Natalie seemed to enjoy going into Muggle London for lunch. As long as she was happy he decided it really didn’t matter. He took one final glance in the mirror, not even noticing the striking appearance he made. He had long outgrown his awkward teenage years, becoming almost painfully handsome with his sharp features and piercing grey eyes. His soft, silvery hair framed his face perfectly, bringing out the unearthly, pale tones of his skin. His build was tall, slender, and graceful; a fitting look for one so princely.
Draco smoothed down the tasteful black pants and pulled on his jacket before once again vanishing with a loud crack. He materialised again and allowed himself to gather his bearings. Disapparation could be disorientating sometimes. He walked out of the apparation point and gazed about the busy street. Muggles walked to and fro across the street, completely oblivious to the rebellions and problems happening behind the walls of the New World. Draco almost wished he could have that simple life too. Whoever had said, “ignorance was bliss”, certainly knew what they were talking about.
Draco stumbled back slightly, as someone bumped into him. He looked down, expecting to see another nameless muggle but instead, his eyes fell on a woman with long, flaming-red hair that was oddly familiar. Her large, striking eyes were of a deep chestnut colour and veiled with thick, dark lashes. A crease grew between her fine eyebrows, her painted, red lips curving into a frown.
“You’re in my way.” The woman said bluntly. Draco snapped out of his daydream, blinking once, twice, and a third time.
“My apologies.” Draco said stiffly as he moved out of the way. The woman barely acknowledged him, merely continuing to walk down the muggle infested streets until she became lost in the crowd. He frowned to himself as he stared at the place where he had last seen her. There was something magical about her, something familiar as well, but who was she?
Draco shook his head slightly and walked through the crowded streets to where he could see the café he and Natalie were supposed to meet. He pushed open the door and gazed about the café. Natalie was probably going to be angry with him because he was late, but she would just have to handle that. He finally spotted her when he saw the familiar, light-brown hair. She was not facing his way, so he walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Sorry I’m late.” Draco said apologetically as he sat down. Natalie raised her cool, blue eyes to him and gave an emotionless smile, one he knew she was giving for the sake of appearances.
“It’s alright, Draco darling, I was not waiting long.”
Draco nodded and stared about the crowded café. He briefly wondered again why Natalie liked coming here, and almost had a mind to ask her when she leant over and took his hand lightly in hers, the same fake smile on her lips.
“I was thinking we should have the wedding in winter. What do you think?”
Draco inwardly smirked. A wedding in winter would of course be an attraction for someone so cold. Still, she was very beautiful, with long ringlets of light-brown that perfectly framed her pale face. Her eyes, though often marred by a disinterested, cold expression, were of a deep blue and stood out against her flawless skin. Her lips were rather thin, but they suited her delicate features well, and her figure was certainly nothing to scoff at. Yes, Draco was well pleased with his choice of wife; she would indeed make a nice trophy.
“Whatever you like. If you want to be married in winter, than we shall.” Draco said agreeably. “I’m leaving all the wedding plans in your hands; money of course will not be a problem.”
Natalie smiled but her eyes remained cold as she let go of his hand. “I knew you would agree. I can tell we are going to get along well.”
Draco smirked as he nodded his head. Her words might have made more impact if she had bothered to take away the dispassionate tones, but he had come to realise that if anyone was made of ice, Natalie Chaldene most definitely was. She was as emotionless as she was beautiful, and though at one point in his life that may have bothered him, now he had merely accepted the fact that love marriages did not exist. All he wanted now was convenience, and Natalie was most definitely convenient. She would do her duty, and amuse herself. He wouldn’t have to worry about some simpering miss clinging to his arm all day and night, and that was exactly how he liked it.
“Of course, why do you think I asked you to marry me?” Draco said with one of his own fake smiles.