Most ardently Moments by Swift Night This is a collection of
stories from the world of Most Ardently Chapter 4 rumours and
revelations. Compared to the expansive
grounds and bright sunlit rooms of Malfoy Manor, the Malfoy's
London property felt dark and cramped.
Despite it being one of the largest homes in Mayfair, many
witches and Wizards were not shy about their envy over the
family's wealth and all that came with it.
Nasis and Palfoy simply felt lonely as she sat in the quiet
parlour. She had only waited so late in
the evening. For Draco's sake.
He had taken his dinner and his study for the third night in a
row, claiming the transfer of the black seat required his
attention, despite the solicitor bringing over the final contract
for him to sign before he departed to Ottery St.
Catch Pole with Mr. Zebini. The parlour was situated next to
his study and she knew if he emerged he would see the room
still lit by candlelight and come to investigate.
While Nasisa had not wanted to pry, it did not take much to see
her son's solitude was self-inflicted as he nursed his
broken heart. From what Pansy had told her
while he was away, Drigger's attachment to Miss Granger had
not faded since their introduction, and seeing her at
Malfoy Manor at the beginning of the summer had only appeared to
increase his affections for the witch.
When she came to their home for dinner, Nasisa found Miss
Granger to have exceeded her expectations in every regard.
Not only was the witch beautiful and charming, but she possessed
something so rarely fostered among witches these days.
A mind of her own. It was easy to see why she was
so alluring to him. Her talent and ferocity might
intimidate most gentlemen, but for Draco they were traits worth
admiring. Even Pansy, who Narcissa
considered Draco's closest female acquaintance, was not
afraid to challenge the wizard and thus had earned his respect
with her sharp tongue. Now Narcisa could only sit and
wonder what could be done to make him see that Hermione's
heart was still capable of being earned.
She was just scheming how to force them together at Blaise's
wedding when a pounding startled her as someone banged
aggressively on the front door. Dollop answered it politely,
inquiring what urgent business the mysterious witch or wizard
could have at this late hour. Mr. Malfoy and his mother are
not taking guests at this time. Your Ladyship.
Nasusa heard the elf say after a back and forth, the visitor
would not be deterred. Rather than respect the elf's
information, Nasusa heard a thump, followed by Dollop crying
out in pain. Out of my way, you wretched
creature A. Familiar voice commanded.
Nasusa only had a moment to stand before Victoria Greengrass
pushed her way into the parlour. Victoria.
She sputtered, stunned by the aggression the witch had shown
to forcibly obtain an audience. Did you harm Dollop?
You are too soft on those beasts, Narcissa, she lectured.
They need discipline and a healthy dose of fear.
She replied coldly, ignoring the witch in front of her.
Narcissa summoned another elf and asked him to assist in
treating Dollop for any injury their unwelcome guest and
inflicted. Only when she heard the elves
disapparate back to the servants quarters did she turn back to
address Victoria. I am assuming your business must
be quite urgent for you to call on me so late.
She said, sitting down and gesturing for the witch to do
the same. A grave matter indeed, Narcissa,
and one you will find most alarming.
I. Wish I did not have to.
Tell you at all but for the future of the Malfoy line, I
felt duty bound to deliver the news myself in person.
This seems quite serious. She placed her hands delicately
in her lap, hoping to hide any apprehension created by such a
statement. Oh.
Yes, I rode all afternoon and evening to reach London after
visiting Ottery St. Catch Pole this morning.
Nurses inhaled a deep breath, curious as to what had prompted
the lady to visit the village where a certain muggle born
witch resided. Oh.
She held her cards close, not wanting to disclose any
attachments, knowing how they disagreed on their beliefs about
so-called blood purity. That wretched girl I'm ashamed
to have ever been acquainted with.
Her Victoria professed. To think, I invited her into my
home despite her blood status and now she has the.
Nerve to. Disrespect me, disrespect us by
not knowing her place. Forgive me, Victoria, but who
are you referring to? Narcissa?
Feigned ignorance. Miss Hermione Granger, of
course. She shouted.
The rumours she has spread are an insult to us both.
If Hermione had insulted Lady Victoria Greengrass, she was
even bolder than Narcissa initially believed.
It only made her fonder of the witch, and she suppressed a
smile at the thought. What rumours?
How has she insulted us? Her prying was met with a
frantic expression. Rumours.
That she intends to be married to your son.
I only learned of it from the wife of my proxy.
During a dinner. Only a few days prior, and the
witches had been close confidants for years before she
married Mr. Weasley. Apparently, her friend claims
that your son and the mudblood have been dancing around each
other for months and that Draco has gone so far as to propose to
her. Merlin, that is quite a
salacious, peaceful gossip, was all our sister could think to
say. Indeed.
Victoria nodded. Upon hearing it, I had no choice
but to set off to confront her. She denied having spread the
report and had the audacity to refuse me when I demand she
assure me she had no intentions of making such claims a reality.
Nelissa could not help but jump on the hope the witch's words
offered. She has expressed to you her
interest in him that she would be open to marrying him.
Yes, her mind is filled with delusional fantasies but can
never be allowed to come to fruition.
You know as well as I that Lucius desired to have our
families join through Astoria and Drago's union.
There has been no formal engagement agreed upon between
them, she reminded her. Oh, but we both know it is
coming Narcissa, it is only a matter of time.
Astoria has just come of age and Draco has been enjoying his time
as a bachelor with their wedding.
The pair will. Consolidate the wealth of two
great families and he will come into possession of the green
grass seat in the Wisengemot now that he was forced to forfeit
the black. Seat to that.
Upstart Mr. Potter. He will desire the chance.
To not lose any of the influence he has built.
None of the reasons Victoria had listed had anything to do with
the future happiness of her daughter.
Nurses felt a pang of pity for the young witch, knowing her
mother only viewed her as a vessel to amass more power to
exploit against the innocent. In many ways, Astoria was a
reminder of Narcissa's own mother.
She debated how to proceed when the door creaked open to expose
Draco standing on the other side.
Draco. She called for him.
And Lady Greengrass has stopped by, Won't you join us?
He hesitated in the door frame but made no attempt to leave.
I heard shouting and came to investigate.
Nazisa had tried to speak with him previously about Hermione,
but he would not hear her in regards to her obvious
affections. While Draco didn't trust
Victoria, he would hopefully listen to her tale and
reconsider. Yes, Lady Greengrass has grown
quite passionate as she informed me about her trip to Ottery St.
Catchpole today. Nazisa revealed the village name
was enough to capture his attention.
Victoria could not restrain herself from spewing more
vitriol in the presence of the wizard.
Do you remember the Mudblood, Miss Granger?
Neceser did not miss the way Draco's nostrils flared at the
slur being used against Hermione.
She is a difficult witch to forget.
He replied, stepping further into the room.
I will certainly not forget her rudeness.
Victoria seemed oblivious to Draco's growing irritation at
the insults. To think she dares to believe
herself one of us. As if you could ever deem her
worthy of becoming the future Missus Malfoy.
Keeping watch of her son, she witnessed the changes across his
face as he processed the claim. There was a moment of suspicion,
then astonishment, culminating in a calm sureness that only
came with complete certainty. I do, Draco said.
What was that? Victoria finally looked at him,
confusion appearing between her furrowed brow.
I do deem her worthy of becoming the next Mrs. Malfoy.
Enough so that I proposed to her while at Green Grass Grove last
spring. The conviction in his admission
left no room for questioning, even if Victoria searched for
any way to deny it. Lies.
She told me you were not engaged.
Why would she be willing to refuse you then, but take you
now? She confessed to it.
It was plain as day when she denied my command to never enter
into an engagement with you. I should have crusoed her to
teach her what happens to those who defy me.
Nosisa witnessed the moment a spark ignited behind her son's
eyes, the love he once believed unrequited now found to be
returning in earnest. Get out, he growled.
I. Beg your pardon?
Victoria took offence. Nasisa had never found herself
afraid of Draco, but part of her feared what he was capable of if
the witch in front of her did not comply.
Her dragon was fiercely protective and Victoria had just
threatened the one which he would burn all of England to
smoking cinders for if it kept her safe.
Beg and plead all you would like, but it does not change the
location of the door or the fact that you will be passing through
it. Your only choice in the matter
is if you leave by force or your own free you will.
She momentarily splittered before finding her words.
You cannot speak to me like that.
What would your father say about your certain lack of manners,
boy? I am sure he would be vastly
disappointed in me. At one point that may have been
enough to have me hold my tongue and follow his plan for my life.
But it is not. Any more?
Seeking an ally, Victoria turned to.
Her Narcissa. Do you hear him?
I do, and I could not be more proud of seeing him become his
own man. She offered him a smile filled
with pride. It was all she had wanted for
him, a chance to be free from the shadow of his father's
legacy. For so long he had tried to be
Lucius, and she had worried he would lose himself.
But no longer would that fear keep her up at night.
After finding no assistance, Victoria concluded Draco's
threat was not an empty one. She begrudgingly stood
complaining all the way to the door as she made her exit.
I have never been so poorly treated in my life.
That witch has poisoned you, and the Great House of Malfoy will
crumble with you at the helm. I shall find Astoria a far more
suitable husband, one who understands I am not a witch to
be reckoned with. Once she had gone, Draco paused
only a moment to adjust the wards to bar her entrance should
she seek a second chance at confrontation.
When he finished, he turned back to face his mother.
Man must return to Featherfield at once, he informed her, though
she had already expected it. Of course, she agreed.
We can get a Porky in the morning and she'll write to
Pansy and tell her to expect us. No, he insisted with an adamant
shake of the head. I will fly there tonight and
reach Ottery's hate catch pole by dawn tonight.
His need for haste was greater than Narcissa had anticipated.
Yes, I cannot delay. I have delayed long enough
already. His logic was that of a man in
love, and she could not fault him for it.
Be safe, my dragon. Do not be afraid, for if what we
have learnt tonight is true, you can finally find your happiness.
A grown wizard did not need his mother's assurance, but there
was a steadiness Draco seemed to find in receiving it all the
same. They made their final goodbyes,
Narcisa standing in the garden as she watched him take off into
the moonlit night. When he disappeared into the
darkness, she searched out his constellation in the sky, asking
the stars to light his way until he reached the dawn.