Malfoy manor was a grand house decorated in silver and green for the holiday season. Ribbons, wreaths, trees and tinsel, all put together by the house staff, house elf and human. In the living room, a tree of six feet stood proud in the corner, each decoration and light placed perfectly to give a both homely and chillingly absent feeling, adaptly suited to the Malfoy family home.
“And this must be your darling daughter, Septimus,” Leonard Spencer-Moon, the Minister for Magic, said with a drunken lilt as he nursed a sherry. “What a doll face she has. I'm sure we'll be seeing you on the engagement page of the prophet soon enough.”
“If the Gods be good, Leonard,” Septimus Malfoy laughed, clapping the Minister on the shoulder as Victoria kept her expression even. “You're running low, old boy. The drink never stops flowing at Malfoy Manor.”
“No it does not,” Leonard chuckled, the smell of sweet liquorice lingering on his hand as he made an attempt to pinch Victoria's cheek.
Septimus laughed, guiding his sixteen year old child a step back as Leonard left for another drink. “Drunk idiot.” He muttered, only ever holding his glass of fire whiskey while he had guests.
Victoria chuckled as her father's hand left the shoulder of her black and silver dress. Her father's hair was half the length of hers and pulled back neatly with a discrete tie, leaving the decorative hair pins to his daughter. Septimus’ robes were mostly black with a dark green trim that made him look even taller than he was.
“Father,” Victoria said, her voice even but her heart racing as she attempted to approach her question, “I actually wanted to ask you about my future… prospects.”
“You don't need to worry about that,” her father said, his voice just as commanding as ever, “I've nearly settled it all for you.”
“But I wanted to know about the rules on halfbloods,” Victoria said, blue eyes looking up at her father's grey. “How many generations of magical blood would it take to be acceptable?”
“Victoria,” Septimus sighed, rubbing a hand over his eyes, “I know how picky you are, you don't need to stress yourself over it. Which is why I have been working through a deal with Mr Lestrange and not negotiating bloodlines with a halfblood. You'll get your pureblooded boy.”
“That's not what I asked.” A frown wrinkled her brow, her need to excuse her feelings causing a desperation in her voice. “Is a child of a muggle too tainted?”
“Don't try and bargain with me,” Septimus shook his head, finally taking a sip of his whiskey. “If this is about that Riddle boy, I won't allow it. I will not let you embarrass this family for a Gaunt.”
“How do you know about that?” Victoria frowned, clutching her hands closed to her chest.
A stern look was all she received. Of course he knew. Her father always knew everything.
“Tom's a bright boy, but you deserve better,” her father told her, lifting his head and clicking his neck. “Obsidian will make you a good husband.”
“But Tom has just as bright a future,” Vienna argued, “more so than Obsidian. Professor Dippet and Slughorn adore him, Slughorn calls him a future Minister.”
“I'm sure he thinks he'll go far,” Septimus told her firmly, “but I won't risk the future of this family because you're having a fleeting fancy.”
“Father—”
“You'll do as I tell you too,” her father said sharply, “you can make your own schemes when you inherit this house.”
“But I am your daughter.” Victoria's expression hardened as she held her father's stare.
“Yes, you are.” Septimus left no room for question. He never did. “And when you take the Lestrange name, you'll do as Obsidian tells you. I'll hear no more of this childish nonsense, you're nearly grown.”
YOU ARE READING
The Fearsome Name of Riddle
Fanfiction"I had to sit in this house and watch him destroy her. Do you really want to hear all of that?" ##### In the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts, an old photograph is found, revealing the life of a young witch that had been lost with the memories of...
