It was a rainy English morning similar to many others, and Anastasia was heading down the stairs of the large Phillips Family home. She enters the breakfast parlour to see her mother and father chatting about whatever nonsense the tabloids had cooked up for the day.
"Morning Mummy, Daddy" Anastasia said greeting the couple with a kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning dear" her mum said
"Anastasia," her dad started "you cannot be late dinner for tonight. I don't care what's happening at work you can finish it tomorrow. We're having guests."
"Alright, but who exactly will be joining us" she replied nonchalantly
"The Malfoys" her mum cut it. Regarding this information Anastasia mouth curved into a slight frown " Don't make that face Ana. They've changed and they wanted to meet you as well" her mother chastised
Letting out a deeps sigh "Fine" she replied
Emptying her coffee cup in one large swig Ana stood dusting off the nonexistent crumbs on her robes she waved her parents off and said "Well, I'm off then if I've got to make sure I'm not tonight" half way out the door she mumbled "See you later, have a nice day."
****
After about an hour of consistent work at the ministry a knock sounds from the door of Ana's office. Without looking up she calls out "Come in." The Boy Who Lived himself walks in and while unexpected, the real surprise is her fiery haired best friend trailing closely behind "Ginny! What are you doing here?" the brunette asks.
"Wow, it's nice to see you too." she replies " That's besides the point, Harry and I received some news this morning and I just had to come with him and tell you right away!" she states excitedly.
"Judging by the look on your face it must be wonderful news. Go on then, I could use some good news today."
"I'm pregnant!" Ginny all but screeched "Though, I am super excited why did you sound so miserable a moment ago" While not normally one for girlish screeching or squealing Ana made an exception and congratulated her closest friend and her partner with a big hug, choosing to not damper the mood but ever the insistent female, Ginny replied " Yes, yes. That's well and all, but what's got you in such a mood today?"
Ana started "You don't even want to know-
"Yes I do." her friend cut in
Bored of the conversation Harry placed the file of documents from his latest mission down on her table, pecked his wife's cheek and made his way to the door while saying "I only came to drop off the file from yesterday so you can sign off on the necessary documents and fill out the arrest document for yesterday, but I'll leave you ladies to your gossip!" with that he was out of the office.
"So what is it?" Ginny questioned following her husband's retreat.
Letting out a deep sigh Ana said "You know how my parents are super friendly with the Malfoys for some god forsaken reason?" to which Ginny nodded "Well, my parents invited them over for dinner because they said 'the Malfoys wanted to meet you' and I'm just kind of dreading having to see that pointy prat from when we were younger."
"Well I'm sure he's still an absolute git but it's just a dinner party it's not like you have to be his new best friend or something" Ginny replied.
"Yeah you're right, I guess I was just worried he'll be just as horrid" Ana sighed
"He probably will be, but again it's just dinner" Ginny reassured
Following the the reassurance the longtime friends talked about everything and nothing for another hour or so, making plans to meet with Luna for lunch tomorrow when Ginny had to leave for training to put in her notice of leave for the Harpies.
Following Ginny's retreat having lost an hour of work time Ana decided to simply review the documents and take them home to sign and fill out the arrest documents.
****
At half six the the roar of the floo network erupted from the fireplace of the Phillips home foyer indicating Ana's return home from work. While she brought her remaining work she was still running quite late so she quickly tossed her winter jacket on a chair in the foyer and ran upstairs without greeting her parents. She stopped in her study first to lock away work files for safe keeping until she could further revisit them, and headed into her room to quickly switch into a simple navy silk gown before refreshing her glamour charms from earlier in the day and letting her hair down. At her mothers call she headed downstairs just as the floo went for the second time in the past half hour to indicate the arrival of the Malfoys. Though she was scowling internally she put on the trained smile she'd picked up from her mother she continued down the stairs. Shaking the older two Malfoys' hands she said "Lovely to meet you Mrs. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy"
"The pleasure is all our. Please call us Lucius and Narcissa, Anastasia." replied the matriarch while Lucius simple gave a curt nod
At the end of the small line of Malfoys stood the ever arrogant and obnoxious blonde from Anastasia's childhood while he'd definitely grown into his appearance, now much taller and filled out, he still has nose stuck up looking down at Anastasia as though she were below him. Greeting him she shook his hand, noting that it was much warmer and softer than she would've originally thought, and with a pointed glare said "Malfoy"
He simply replied with a stiff sounding "Phillips" rolling out of his mouth
****
Conversation had flown freely throughout dinner between the older Malfoys and the Phillips family, while Draco decided to simply sit on the left of his father and sulk through Dinner. As pudding was served and the youngest members of the bunch picked up their forks to start eating Henry Phillips loudly cleared his throat. Reacting to the start of an announcement the both placed down their forks and looked up anticipating whatever was to be said. Seeing he had their attention Henry hesitantly started "Lucius, Narcissa, Jaqueline and I have something important to tell the pair of you." seeing both of them nod in assent, he continued "As you both know, following the war the Malfoys have had a rather difficult time reintegrating into their former lives and wizarding society, and seeing as our families have become close and Anastasia's 23rd birthday is approaching soon we have decided upon a betrothal between you two."
Both of the youngsters just sat they're with stunned looks upon their faces not daring to utter a single word while they took in what they were just told. After many silent seconds Ana broke the silence practically screeching "Seriously? Him? Of all of the wizards in the country you chose him? You've all absolutely lost it!"
With that she practically bolted out of the dining room only her the stifled "For once I actually agree with her!"come out of Draco's mouth as she headed into the coat room where she grabbed her coat and purse and flood to The Leaky Cauldron.
****
YOU ARE READING
A Malfoy Marriage
Hayran KurguAnastasia Phillips a member of Wizarding high society knew her whole life she'd be married off in a betrothal at age 20 for as long as she can remember, but being the reckless gryffindor that she is in her teen years at hogwarts she pursued a relati...
