You Are Why

Chapter Four

Somehow, they managed to finish getting ready, including Narcissa pulling Y/N's hair into a loose chignon and floo in time to arrive in the Malfoy Manor drawing room at six a.m. sharp. A twelve ounce glass full of water immediately popped into Y/N and Narcissa's hands. "You've got thirty minutes to get that down," Narcissa warned as she guided her towards where the other ladies had gathered.

The new couple looked helplessly at each other, both hauled away in different directions. Y/N was, perhaps, slightly more panicked. "Oh Narcissa, you're back," a woman greeted her warmly. "And who've you brought with you?"

"This is Y/N," Narcissa introduced. "Draco's wife."

"Aw," another lady crooned. "She's precious."

Y/N pasted on a smile, hiding the waver with a sip of her drink. "It's wonderful to meet you all."

"Come along, darling," Narcissa started off towards a secluded corner with a tiny fireplace. "You and I have some talking to do."

The ladies laughed, clinking their drinks before tossing a bit more back. Y/N followed her mother-in-law with little enthusiasm other than to escape those other bats. The second they'd arrived in their little corner, Narcissa admitted. "I despise those women."

Y/N grinned. "Looks like we agree on something."

Theodore Nott's father smirked at the two ladies in the corner from across the room. "You certainly are your father's son."

"He certainly is," Lucius agreed with a smirk.

Draco turned around, clearing his throat. "How so?"

Mr. Nott grinned. "Look at them."

The two women were smiling at each other with identical uncomfortable grins on angular faces topping well endowed hourglass figures, slim in just the right places. Their legs were even more identical, slender definition highlighted by their shoes. The only things that varied between them were Y/N's elegant brown hair and glasses. "It's no wonder," Lucius revealed, "he did have a bit of an Oedipus complex when he was younger."

"I did not," Draco retorted, face flushed.

"Oh you most certainly did," Lucius chuckled. "When you were three you came into our room claiming nightmares and slept right between us every night for six months."

He pursed his lips. "I was attempting to prevent the conception of a sibling."

"You needn't have worried son, you were quite enough headache for the both of us," Lucius replied.

Four hours and ninety-six ounces of water later, the glasses were refilled and the ladies were squirming, beginning to pair off with their partners. Narcissa had gone to join Lucius, leaving Draco free to approach his wife. She was shifting from foot to foot, crossing one ankle over the other. He smirked. "You alright?"

"This is absolutely ridiculous," she snapped. "How much longer?"

"That should be your last glass."

"Why do they do this I wonder?" she began hopping around. "We're all completely miserable."

"Not all of us," Draco cocked his head to the side, admiring her bouncing figure.

Y/N curled her lip disparagingly. "You actually find this attractive?"

"Quite," he confirmed, leaning against the mantle and tapping her cup. "Bottoms up."

Albeit huffing, she complied.

"There you go," he praised. "There's only about four ounces left."