ONE SHOT A representative from another member of the wizarding aristocracy inquires about Draco's last Duchess.
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/7712/
A/N- Just a little ficlet to help me through my writer's block as I write The Prince. This was based off of the brilliant poem by Robert Browning, which shares the title. He writes about the abstract mind and has written some really crazy, but amazing poems. If you like "My Last Duchess", try "Porphyria's Lover". Enjoy!
My Last Duchess
“Master Malfoy, my master expresses his deepest gratitude over your consideration.”
Draco waved off the young man’s effusions. “It’s no trouble at all. Any man would be happy to have sustained the interest of your master’s daughter.”
The young man bowed. “Thank you, sir.” He looked around the room that he and Draco had just entered. “This is a beautiful gallery. I have yet to see a match for its finery.” The young man glanced about the room once more before his eyes rested on a crimson silk curtain. “Master Malfoy, may I ask what is behind that red curtain?”
Draco’s eyes followed the young man’s finger, finally resting on the curtain in question. “Ah, yes. That.” He strolled over to the curtain, pulling on a golden rope, allowing for the curtain to slide open.
Revealed was a beautiful girl. No older than sixteen or seventeen, she was regally dressed in shades of green, making her thick red tresses pop off of the canvas. Her creamy buttermilk skin had a slight sprinkling of freckles along the bridge of her nose, and the slightest pink tinge could be seen creeping along the area where her neck met her chest. Her amber eyes entranced; containing a sparkle that deceived her serious expression.
The young man walked to stand in front of the portrait, his mouth agape in awe. “Who was she?”
Draco turned to face him, slightly amused by the reaction. “That’s my last Duchess. Beautiful, is she not?” Draco waited for the young man’s nod of approval before continuing. “Personally, I feel that her portrait does not do her beauty justice. The artist failed to capture her innocence and youthful glow.”
The young man looked at Draco in astonishment. “But surely, sir, you are not that old.”
Draco chuckled at his naivety. “I thank you for the compliment, but unfortunately, she has not been with us for at least twenty years now. It was only recently that I decided that I decided to remarry.”
“Her portrait looks so new though.”
“I personally placed anti-aging charms on it to keep the paint fresh.”
“And why does her portrait not move?”
“I wanted to be able to gaze upon her whenever it struck my fancy.”
The young man's eyes remained on the portrait. “What happened to her?”
“She was a nice girl. Always amiable, always smiling. Very courteous to those around her. I had met her during our school years, and I fancied myself in love. That certain kind of youthful love where you feel completely invincible. She was from a different social class than I, though, so I constantly made an effort to teach her proper protocol. And she learned, make no mistake of that, but she purposely disregarded her teachings, instead opting to continue to behave in the way she was brought up. She told it me it was because she wanted me to ‘love her the way she was’, or some other such nonsense. It aggravated me to no end. She told me she loved me, yet she seemed to be incapable of putting her stupid pride aside, and take on habits that would only be beneficial to her. Her demeanour grated on my last nerve: I hated how she was constantly smiling at everyone and everything. A simple act that should have been reserved solely for me was given out, as if it was nothing, to servants, of all people. Did she not appreciate the 300 year old title I bestowed upon her? Yet in all of this, I never deigned myself to argue with her or even discuss the matter for it only brought me down to her level. And let’s face it; I am above her level.” Draco sighed. “Eventually, my love for her waned and I grew tired of her plebeian ways, so I sent out the orders to have her killed.”
The young man was at this point deathly pale. Draco returned to the golden rope beside Ginny’s portrait, pulling the curtain close.
He always grew bored whenever someone made an inquiry about her. Although, this was the first time he ever told the truth about how she died. Hm. Funny, that.
Draco returned to the young man’s side with a smile. “Now, let’s return to my study in order to discuss possible wedding dates, shall we?”
A/N- Love to my beta, Lady Laurelin, and to my friend, Lisa, who has decided to beta all of my works for me. Please review!