Arranged marriage between the purebloods

The Yule Ball (part 2)

Your attire :

You admired yourself in the mirror before grabbing your coat and heading downstairs to meet Draco. You spoke to your parents earlier that day. Not only to tell them how much you missed and loved them. But, also to ask permission to attend the Yule Ball with Draco. For some reason, they were quite cheerful that Draco had asked you. Of course, they gave you their blessing. You didn't think they'd allow it but, you weren't married yet and after all, it was just a dance. As you descended the staircase. Draco looked as if his heart exploded. No one had ever looked at you like that before. He admired every inch of you. You removed your coat and held it on your arm until you could put it somewhere. "That dress on you, Cherish.." He exclaimed. You giggled "I'm glad you like it." "Matches your eyes." He said softly touching your rosie cheek. Which made you blush. You both made your way into the great hall. "Cherish!" You looked over at Draco. "Yes?" You asked curiously.  "Our parents are here." You looked over to where he was looking and sure enough.. Draco's parents were standing with your parents. "What a pleasant surprise!" You told Draco while making your way over to them. They noticed you both walking over and smiled. "Cherish, how lovely to see you my dear." Narcissa exclaimed. "And you as well Mrs. Malfoy." "Oh please, call me M-" she stopped herself.. "Narcissa." She smiled again. Your parents said hello to Draco. He greeted them with a smile. The ball began with the Champions dancing first. You and Draco had such a lovely and magical time. When the night was ending, you and Draco were one of the last couples slow dancing. You loved the way he held you so tightly in his arms.

Parent's POV
"I think we made the right decision my dear friends." Lucius smiled to Cherish's parents. "Indeed." Marcus replied. Narcissa and Lucinda were fawning over how cute their children looked dancing together. "Do you think they know?" Lucinda asked the other three at the table. "Possible." Lucius answered. "But not quite yet." Narcissa told her husband "I can't wait to watch them dance at their wedding." He nodded with a smile.

Draco's POV
You absolutely adored how small Cherish felt in your arms. Every so often when she moved her head, her silky black hair brushed against your arm and the scent of her strawberry shampoo filled the air. "God, I never want to let her go." You thought quietly to yourself. She looked up at you and stared right into your soul with those piercing green eyes. No words needed. You knew in that moment. You were hopelessly in love with this beautiful girl. Not in lust, like you thought, but full blown head over heels, in love. You wanted so badly to lean in and kiss those salmon pink lips. But, then you remembered "I'm engaged to another." You felt your heart sink. She immediately noticed the expression on your face. "Draco, what's wrong?" You snapped back to reality and told her "Oh, I just.. never want this night to end." She smiled at you. When the dance had ended you returned to your dormitory. Sitting on the bed, you knew you had to speak to your parents about this.. arranged marriage. You had to tell them that you had chosen a woman for yourself. You knew you parents would fight you on this subject but, damn it even if you had to elope with Cherish, you knew you had to be with her in the end. Your heart demanded it. "They should still be here!" You spoke to yourself. Quickly,  you changed out of your dress robes and went off to find them.

Cherish's POV
"What an enchanting evening." You told Hermione as you were both leaving the great hall. "Mine was, until Ron spoiled everything with Victor and I." You stopped and hugged her. "Don't let him ruin your evening my dear friend." You comforted her. "You're right." She agreed. "So, I couldn't help but notice you and Draco were pretty cozy with each other tonight." You looked at her suspiciously. "Well, of course. We're the best of friends." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Forgive me, Cherish but, I think Draco has a bit more than friendship on his mind." "Huh?" You asked genuinely confused. "Cherish, please don't take this the wrong way, and I mean this in the nicest way possible.." You cut her off. "Just tell me, Hermoine." She continues "Everyone else can see it but you. Draco is very much in love with you." Your jaw hit the floor. "I had a feeling. But, god I could never return his feelings. Even though I do." You felt tears well up in your eyes. "Because of your parents arrangement." She remembered. You nodded slowly. "Perhaps you can speak to your parents about this arrangement?" She asked trying to give you some hope. "No, that's out of the question. My parents always know what's best for me. I will marry the man they chose for me.. Even if my heart aches for Draco."

Draco's POV
You looked all over for your parents. You found Snape first. "Professor, Have you seen my parents?" You hurried over to him. "Why yes, Draco. They are still in the great hall with Cherish's parents." You thanked him and bolted for the great hall. You spotted all four of them at the same table you last saw them at. "Mother! Father! I need to speak with you." Your mother noticed how out of breath you were. "Draco sit down. Catch your breath before you start." You noticed   Cherish's parents looking at you with curiosity. Finally you stood up and made your announcement. "I REFUSE to go through with this arranged marriage." Everyone at the table looked shocked. "Why not, Draco?" Your father asked suspiciously calm now. You felt that same burning feeling in your chest. The one you feel for her. "I am in love with Cherish and will do any and everything in my power to make her my wife one day." You looked at Cherish's parents who had a look of shock on their faces. Her father spoke Up. "Draco, Cherish has also been arranged to be married." You felt your heart hit the floor. Suddenly, you felt rage as you tipped over the chair you had been sitting in. "No! She will be wife. I shall have no other." What your mother said next, almost made you faint. "She will be your wife, my son." Your father pounded the table once with his fist and shot your mother a death glare. She covered her mouth with her hands as soon as she realized what she said. "What?" You asked very confused. "Well, now that the cat is out of the bag. Yes, draco. You and Cherish have been arranged to be married." Cherish's father spoke. For the next half hour they explained to you all the events leading up to the arrangement. "So we thought it best to keep it a secret from you both until the wedding day. Keep the tradition of our bloodlines." Your mother told you. You didn't know what to say. You just sat there smiling like a fool. "So, Cherish has no idea I am her future husband?" You asked looking around the table. Everyone shook their heads. "You will keep this a secret from her Draco." You nodded still smiling. You didn't care what the terms were. Beautiful Miss. Cherish Rosier was going to be your bride and eventually the mother of your children. "Secret safe with me, everyone." You left the table to go find Cherish.

Cherish's POV
You walked into your dormitory and changed into your black silk night gown with the matching floor length robe. "Guess I'll go sit in the common room until I feel tired enough to fall asleep." You thought to yourself. Walking down the stairs you heard the door open. In walks Draco. You watch him as he hums to himself and dances with the air. "You poor fool" You whispered to yourself. He spotted you on the stairs. "Hello my dearest Cherish. Not tired yet are we?" "No not really" You replied while walking down the rest of the stairs. "What's wrong my dear? You look glum." He asked as you sat on the couch. "Draco, nights like tonight will never happen again between us." You turned away from him. "Why not?" He asks. "I have to tell you something. But, you must keep it a secret." He nods in agreement. "I'm engaged to be married Draco. My parents arranged it before I came back to hogwarts." You turned around and looked at him. He was looking into the fire, you couldn't quite read his facial expression. "Do you know who your future Husband is, Cherish?" "No. My parents are keeping with the tradition of secrecy." You replied. His face changed again and you still couldn't tell what he was thinking. "I'm so sorry, Draco. I'm so sorry." You cried as you ran back up the stairs and into your room. Slamming the door behind you. You cried yourself to sleep that night.