A Malfoy Marriage

4: Alone

*Anastasia*

At promptly 8:03 AM I arrived in the Ministry atrium and started my daily stroll towards my office in the DMLE, nodding and smiling at passersby.

As soon as I made it the DMLE I took the lift up to the 6th floor of the department where I was greeted by my secretary, Aggie.

"Good Morning Aggie! What's on the schedule for the day?" I asked

"You have lunch with Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Granger-Weasley, and Ms. Lovegood at noon, Mrs. Potter said she'll come get you. Then, you have the Interdepartmental meeting from half one to half two. Then at half three you've got to leave to meet your mum at The Palm Court in Westminster and she said you'd be occupied for the rest of the day." Aggie rushed out.

"Did she tell you what the subject of our meeting would be?" I asked

"No, sorry Mam."

"It's alright. Just, reserve a ministry car starting at noon for the day. Ok?"

"Yes of course, mam."

"I'll see you later Aggie, just send in any memos or visitors, and please just call me Anastasia. I've told you before."

"Alright Miss. Anastasia."

I walked into my office rolling my eyes at Aggie's behavior , but knowing this was the furthest I was going to get. I sat down and got to work on my old files from yesterday, before I started today's work.

Today was going to be a long day.

****

A few minutes before noon a red headed tornado ripped through my office. Violently pulling me out of my chair and dragging me through the ministry halls by my poor arm.

"We've got so much to talk about!" Ginny exclaimed loudly.

"You don't even know half of it" I mumbled under my breath

She suddenly turned and asked "What was that?"

"Nothing, I'll tell you at lunch. Let's go, I've gotten a ministry car." I replied

Ginny remained skeptical  but relented knowing she'd get the information out of me eventually, and we headed to meet up with Luna and Hermione.

****

We arrived at the small tucked away Italian bistro in Muggle London and had sat down with Luna and Hermione and received our food. The two Gryffindors looked at me with a solemn expression as if they knew that my life had practically ended the night before while Luna was gazing around wistfully.

"Ana..." Hermione started uncomfortably

"Well your mother owled the three of us this morning and umm..." Ginny stuttered

"Well what did she say?" I asked

As if sensing there was a tense situation that needed to be diffused Luna suddenly chimed in and said "Oh, are we talking about how Ana is marrying Draco Malfoy?"

The three of snapped our heads towards her quickly, and while Ginny and Hermione looked aghast at her bluntness I was just surprised that my mother told them before I could explain.

I quickly tried to let them know the situation by saying "It isn't like that I can explain."

"No, no need. Your mum had sent us an extra note along with the invitation to let us know that we're welcome to go to the dress selection later this evening and explain the situation. What Ginny and I were wondering is how you felt about all of this. It's rather frightening that you have to marry Malfoy or all people." Hermione said

"Well, I generally knew that I'd marry someone of my parents choosing so the marriage proclamation itself wasn't much of as surprise. That being said I really do think they've lost the plot choosing Malfoy. There isn't much I can do though, is there?"

"I suppose not, but it's bloody sad. I mean you'll probably never love him or be happy in the marriage." Ginny stated

"Well, only time will tell, and even if I don't get those things I have other things in life."

"I think Ana and Draco Malfoy will make a fetching pair. They looked so cute cuddling after Ginny left yesterday." Luna said in her dreamy tone.

I coughed awkwardly, and an ill timed blush made its way onto my face while the two other Gryffindors gaped at me their faces set in a look of terror.

"I was drunk, and Ginny left" I mumbled pathetically and Ginny simply snorted while Hermione sported a unimpressed look on her face, as if to condemn me for my drinking.

I checked my watch. Seeing it was 12:30 I got up and said "Well I've got to go, and get some more work done. I'll see you all later."

I then kissed them goodbye on the cheeks and made my way back to the Ministry so I could prepare for the big interdepartmental meeting later and get some work done.

****

The monthly interdepartmental meeting ran late today. This was due to that fact that Percy threw a miniature tantrum regarding the budget allocated to the Department of Magical Transportation, and Kingsley's new secretary was late with the copies of the necessary documents.

Needless to say, I'm now running 10 minutes late to meet up with my mother and she is highly likely to have my head.

Reminding myself to be extra sweet so my mother couldn't have any other reasons to nag, I walked through the lobby of the Palm Court, going so quickly my heels made an obnoxiously loud sound.

Just as I approached the table I noticed the two heads of prominent blonde sat in front of my mother. I instantly slowed down and made sure to place on a saccharine sweet smile to hide my irritation at the younger one's presence.

Recognizing me, my mother gritted out "Anastasia, there you are. You're ten minutes late. I've taught you better than that."

"So sorry to keep everyone waiting. An important meeting ran late. Pleasure to see you again Narcissa and Draco." I mumbled on the second name.

"Oh it's not a problem at all darling! I was just telling Jacqueline that I think it's wonderful that you work so hard." Narcissa said excitedly.

"Well thank you, but this delay was more so due to department heads' tantrums and incompetent secretaries. Anyway let's get on with whatever I've been summoned here for." I replied 

And then we spent about an hour going over nuptial agreements, signing multiple different documents and the marriage certificate so it could be processed.

Suddenly my mother stood up and said "I need to make a visit to the powder room. Care to join me Cissa?"

Of course, Narcissa went, leaving me all alone with Malfoy.

Alone

Much like the rest of my life will likely be.

****