Always. (A Draco Malfoy Story)

Pureblood.

"Miss Joy! Your dress has arrived."
Binky brings in a gorgeous silver, glitter floor length dress. It has a see through material along my neckline and sleeves for a hint of modesty, although this dress is quite tight fitting, which compliments my curves.

"Thank you Binky, I'll be ready in a few minutes." Binky nods and closes my bedroom door.

I'm getting ready for the Christmas Ball that I'm forced to attend. I styled my hair down, simple and straight. I did a dramatic smokey eye, paired with a dark mahogany lip color for Christmas.
I take one more more look at myself in the mirror. "Great Salazar, I'm fucking hot." I turn and look at my backside before heading out the door.

-

On the way to Malfoy Manor, I turn to my father to ask, "You still haven't told me why this ball was so important."
Father keeps his focus out the window, "I will explain it when we get there." I sigh, knowing that's the best I'm gonna get out of him.
I look out the window and see that we're almost to the Manor.

We're greeted by Lucius and Narcissa at the door, and Draco was patiently waiting in the foyer.

"Ben." Lucius shakes my fathers hand.
"Hello Joy." I greet him back, "Hello Lucius."
Narcissa brings me in for a hug, "Oh, Joy. It's so good to see you again!" I smile as she pulls me out of the hug, "It's nice to see you too, Narcissa. I do apologize again for not returning your letter."
She dismisses my apology, "Oh, nonsense. You're here, that's all that matters." They both motion for us to come in.
"Hello Joy." Draco was dressed in all black, per usual. His hair neatly combed, and wearing an all black attire: turtleneck, jacket, bottoms and shoes. He's wearing his Malfoy ring along with others on his other fingers.
Draco kisses the top of my hand as I curtsy, "Hello Draco."
Our parents are just staring at us while we greet each other.

-

The adults dismiss us to talk about business matters and we found ourselves up in Draco's bedroom again.

This time, I sit on his desk chair... far away from him as possible.

"So, your parents throw a ball every year?" He chuckles, "No, actually. This is the first." I nod, "Oh... cool." I look around the room, "So... any idea who's invited to the ball?"
He shakes his head, "No idea."

It's quiet again. When did things get so awkward between us?

Draco speaks up, "So... how are you and Pucey?"
Now is my chance to tell him.

"Actually, we—"

I get interrupted by a knock on the door, "Come in." Draco shouts.

Dibby opens the door, "Y-young M-Master, M-master has requested f-for you both in his st-study."
Draco nods and starts to head to the study, bumping into Dibby on the way out.

I scoff at his arrogance and walk towards Dibby. "...Dibby?" He flinched at my voice, "Y-yes, Miss?"
"Binky says hi." I give him a smile, "Y-you know Binky, M-Miss?" I nod, "He's our elf. He watched me grow up." I saw Dibby smile for the first time. "Oh! Y-you're Miss Joy! B-Binky has told m-me a lot about y-you!" He pulls my arm so that I'm crouching at his eye level, "T-thank you f-for taking c-care of B-Binky, M-Miss." I smile and kiss the top of Dibby's head, who flinched at the impact.

Draco comes back and sees that I'm talking to Dibby. "What are you doing?"
I roll my eyes at him, while pushing Dibby to stand behind me. "Showing compassion, you should try it sometime."
I turn to Dibby, "If he's ever mean to you, just let me know. I'll hit him for you." I give Dibby a wink before standing up, quickly fix my dress, and walk out the room.

-

We enter the study with Lucius sitting behind a large desk and Father standing beside him.
"Have a seat, both of you. We have something to inform you of."

We slowly sink into the chairs that are parallel to them, both of their eyes fixated on Draco and I.

Father speaks, "What we're about to say is non-negotiable. You will not argue or make a fuss about it. Do I make myself clear?"
I look at Draco who giving me the side eye, before nodding his head yes. I divert my attention back to our fathers before also nodding yes, more hesitantly than Draco I might add.

They fell silent, as if it wasn't already so fucking awkward in here.
Lucius breaks the silence, "You will marry each other once you graduate."

My mind went blank as I saw his lips move, but don't think I quite understood what he said.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Lucius looks at the both of us, "Tonight, we will be announcing your engagement."
Draco and I both shout, "Engagement?!"

I stand up yelling, "I just got out of a relationship and now I'm engaged to someone else?!" All eyes focused on me.

"You were... dating someone?" Father asks.

"You broke up?" Draco asks.

I gulped as I realized I just exposed myself. I slowly sink back into my chair, "No... who said that?" Father raised his eyebrows in question.

Father begins to explain, "You both know how important it is to keep our blood pure." Lucius adds on, "To ensure that, you will be married." Draco and I both huffed at the same time.

"Do I make myself clear?" They say in unison.
Both Draco and I hesitantly say, "...Yes."

Father and Lucius nod at each other as they shook hands, like they just settled a business deal.
I scoff so dramatically, I almost felt myself throw up.

I marched out of the study, with someone footsteps following right behind me.