A Malfoy Marriage

6: 129th time

On my way back to my office from lunch I stopped by the Department for International Magical Cooperation to place a transfer request for about 10 aurors from various foreign magical governments. 

Unfortunately, when I was only one floor away from my office I was joined on the lift by Cormac McClaggen, certified egotistical arsehole.

To make matters worse instead of letting me be he tried asking for to go out, again. As if my answer was going to change the 129th time.

"No." I said just as I walked out of the lift and made my way to my office.

Just as I came up to it he grabbed my wrist tightly and turned me around and said "Come on Anastasia, why not. I'm good looking, rich, and I actually like you, which is not easy."

"Let. Go. Of. Me." I gritted out through a clenched jaw, and while he didn't actually let go he loosened his painful grip on my wrist, making it easy for my to snatch my hand back.
"And, to answer your question, I won't be with you because, frankly, I find you rather repulsive, you don't actually know how to treat a lady, and I'm engaged so it doesn't matter anyway."

"Engaged!" He babbled out. "But, how, when, who."

"Not that's it any of you business but yes I'm engaged." I said waggling my ring finger at him "As for all of the other stuff I'm sure my mum has sent your family an invitation. Now, if you'll excuse me I must be getting back to work."

I turned toward my office and saw Malfoy sitting in the little visitors waiting area near Aggie's desk. He had his jaw clenched, but who knows what his deal is, so I just smiled and waved him over into my office.

"So, Malfoy, how's you day." I said while flipping through the pages of his credentials.

"Well, thank you, and you?" He asked

"I'm ok." I said noncommittally

"Ok? You looked pretty tense back there with that slug McClaggen." He said

I looked up slightly startled he had been paying attention and said "Well, he's a pompous arse who think he has some sort of stake over me even though I've said no almost a 130 times now. But, it's nothing new really."

"Why exactly does he think you like him then?" He asked

"Well, for Ginny's 20th birthday, Harry threw a party with all of our friends and he managed to tag along as a plus one. Anyway I got piss drunk and came onto him, but Blaise managed to apprehend me and take me home before anything happened. But, I suppose, he assumed that this meant I have some long lost feelings for him." I replied nonchalantly.

After a small stretch of silence Malfoy continued asking "Well, do you?"

"Do I, what?" I asked not fully focused because I was reading his file.

"Do you have 'long lost feelings' for him?" He asked.

I scoffed then let out a small chuckle and said "I have about as many feelings for him as he does braincells."

"So,none." He stated but there was a certain lilt to his voice that made it seem like a question.

"Well I wouldn't say I have no feelings for him. I mean it wouldn't be fair to disregard the annoyance and general discomfort I feel around him." I laughed

"Of course." He said with a small chuckle of his one that he clearly tried to pass off as a cough.

After about a minute of general silence I said "Well, your training scores are really rather high. I'd say Robards was a bloody fool to not take you on. I'll send a memo to Harry to add you to his lists and wards and to take care of other formalities. You should report to work on Monday morning, but you'll need to stop by my office before you will be taken to the Auror offices because there's paperwork and the Oath."

"Thank you. Give your parents my regards. Goodbye." he said and walked out.

After Malfoy left, I finished up all of the work I had allowed to get backed up and headed home later at night.

****
On Saturday morning I was awoken to multiple voices singing Happy Birthday in my bedroom. I slowly opened my eyes to see my family, friends, and future in laws standing around my bed donned in their variety of sleepwear, my mother in the center holding a birthday cake with 23 candles for each of my years. This wasn't very surprising as it's a bit of a tradition, but I was surprised to see all of the Malfoys dressed so casually.

It isn't exactly a normal sight.

This was further proven by the amazed look on Narcissa's face, as though she was truly surprised people would be seen in their sleepwear. Since credit must be given where it is due, I will say Lucius didn't look even the slightest bit perturbed by his attire and was having a serious conversation with my father in the background.

In fact I'd say Malfoy mini looked the most uncomfortable, but I'd wager that this had more to do with the company than his attire.  In fact, I could almost guarantee it was the case,  judging by the way he was standing next to Blaise, scowling at everyone.

As I sat up, my house elf, Blippy gave me a black satin dressing gown that matched my nightie, and I blew out my the candles on my cake.

Eventually we all headed downstairs and had breakfast for my birthday. Complete with plenty of cake and booze.

****
On Monday morning when I walked up to my office Malfoy was already waiting outside. So I walked up and decided I could get my fill in from Aggie a little later and invited Malfoy into my office.

Grabbing his file off of the shelf of employee records I said "Ok, so I just need you to sign some general contracts and safety waivers." 

I pointed out all of the areas where he'd need to sign. As soon as he was done I put my signature on the final page of the employment agreement and told him "You just have to wait for Harry so you can take the oath, and then he'll take you to the Auror offices."

He simply nodded in response. He did this a lot I realized. It's probably because he still can't stand me. Oh well.

Harry was clearly running late and the silence between Malfoy and I was only getting more and more awkward by the second so I called in Aggie for my rundown and any paperwork.

Not even a minute after I'd dismissed Aggie, just as I was starting to read the list of temporary transfers we'd gotten from MACUSA, she came back holding a crisp white letter. "Sorry to interrupt Miss. Anastasia, but this came in" she said.

"Just add it to the pile of letters Aggie"I said unfocused.

"But miss I think it's a personal letter it's addressed to 'My Dear Anastasia' and it doesn't have a seal" she said

I frowned in confusion and took the letter from her. Once she walked out I looked down at the letter, and saw the curly lettering addressing me. As soon as I saw the oh so familiar handwriting my heart sunk.

It was David.

My emotions must've shown because Malfoy looked at me curiously and asked "Who is it?"

Schooling my features, I looked up and said "No one, just an old friend I wasn't expecting to hear from."

He didn't look convinced, but thankfully he let it go.

I put it aside to read later just as Harry walked in.

****