The silence was eerie, broken by the soft sounds of breathing. Three people sat quietly, two of them, a young male in his late teens, with blond hair and grey eyes; the other his mother, also blond gazed at the youngest woman in the large room.

'M-m,' the dark haired, young witch stuttered, she had not believed her own ears. Green eyes, searched the grey and blue eyes before her, in signs that they - that the elder woman had lost the plot. Mrs Malfoy however seemed to be extremely calm, and Draco Malfoy looked almost pleading, though she was not sure in what he's look was begging for; her to end this madness or go along with it. Aria Potter glanced from one to the other, sighed then cleared her throat to try again. 'Marry?' she managed to choked out, 'you want me to marry your son? In exchange for the life debt I owe you?' she had to repeat it all, or her brain would never believe it.

She could still not believe she was actually here, sitting there, in a large sitting room in their Manor, drinking tea. Because coming to Malfoy Manor had been a toll in itself, especially after the last time she had been here. That last visit where Hermione had been tortured, Dobby killed, by Mrs Malfoy's own sister hands, well Aria did not want to think on those advents. But Aria could not ignore the facts, and if Mrs Malfoy wanted to call in her life debt, she was entailed to, than she had to be here and listen to what Narcissa Malfoy wanted for repayment. But this? Aria had not been expecting this! Aria still did not understand why Malfoy wasn't protesting against his mother, why he wasn't saying something - anything! Surely he knew how much of a bad idea this was. They could never - not in a million years - they could not even stand one another. Granted he had saved her life, and she, his, but this - marriage! - it was too much to expect from them both.

'I - surely - there must be something else,' Aria said, 'We can't marry each other - we don't even - we barely -' she stopped once more, pausing trying to think of a better word, though their were several she would liked to have used; tolerate, stand, like. Damn her brain! Why wasn't she smarter like Hermione, or out outspoken, well maybe being outspoken like Ron, was wrong for this situation, it would only led her into trouble - well more trouble. But no, she had to ramble, when nervous or couldn't think, which made her feel and seem like such an idiot, '-know,' yes that was a much better word, 'one another. I still have your son's wand. I'm more than happy to return it!'

She felt like shouting, Anything! Anything else, then marry your son, please, I beg of you! But she did not, she was more mature than that ... she hoped. She was more deified than shouting to get her own way, though she was not above begging, and if it came to it she would. To hell with her dignity - she wanted her life - marrying Draco Malfoy had not been part of her life plans. At all! Begging sounded like an extremely good idea.

'Draco has a new one,' Mrs Malfoy replied coolly, 'the one you ... required from him, will not work the same way for him again. You said so yourself, when you battled the Dark Lord; "the wand chooses the wizard".'

Damn it! Of course they had been paying attention, but still it had been worth a try.

'You do however, make an excellent point,' she added, and Aria looked up at her hopefully. 'You both do not know each other well.' Aria took a breath of relief, 'I think it is wise we change that.'

Aria stared at her, wondering what she could possibly mean.

'So I suggest this,' Mrs Malfoy's eyes met her own. 'A year. You will give Draco a year in which, he will be allowed to court you, to woo you,' Well that was better than Aria's first option. 'If the courtship goes well,' she said simply, 'you will marry and if not then you are free to do what you want.'

This was even better than her first option, like Draco Malfoy could woo her! It was win, win. And Mrs Malfoy wouldn't be able to call in her debt again.

'I have conditions,' Aria replied quickly, a little too quickly. Malfoy courting her might be the best way out of this, but that didn't mean she would let them run or change anything about her or her life. 'If I agree to this. Ma - your son,' she stopped herself from calling him Malfoy, before it was too late to disrespected them within their own home. Though she could not bring herself to call him by his first name. 'Is not - not to insult my friends. I don't want to hear it, any of it. One word, one insult and I call this off.' Aria said as firmly as she could manage. 'I don't care what I have to give you instead Mrs Malfoy, but I can promise you I won't be marrying - courting or in anyway shape or form, be in a relationship with your son.'

'I can manage a simple task like that,' Malfoy replied, speaking for the first time. 'If your friends can manage to do the same. Is that all?'

'My time is my own,' Aria added, 'If I tell you I'm busy - I'm busy. I'm not changing my plans for you!'

'But you are returning to Hogwarts, yes?' Mrs Malfoy said, Aria nodded, 'So you will have plenty of time to spend with one another, and not just over the rest of the summer. I expect you do as much or I will change my mind back to my original request.'

Yes a whole two lovely months before Hogwarts started back up, Aria had jumped at the chance to repeat her last year when the offer came. She had not realised Malfoy was returning also.

'So you're in agreement then, Draco and yourself will be engaged -' Aria raised her eyebrows at Mrs Malfoy, she really had to read up on old wizarding customs and meanings, if courting meant engagement. But at least it would be just for a year.

'As long as -' Aria glanced towards Malfoy, 'he - agrees to my conditions, and doesn't try to change anything about me in anyway.' She had to add it, for her own sanity, she could picture it now, Malfoy changing her hair, clothing, her dorky round glasses, personality just to please himself.

'I think you miss understand,' Mrs Malfoy said calmly, 'Draco is to court you, not to change things about you.'

Yes, but I wouldn't put it past him, Aria thought. 'I'm just covering all the bases, so that everything is clear.'

'Draco?' Mrs Malfoy turned to her son, Aria followed suit. He seemed hesitant to speak, maybe just maybe he too was thinking of a way out of this. She could never be want he would want after all; Pure-blood, pretty, smart - apart from Quidditch and Defence Against the Dark Arts, she had never shown any talent for anything. Then Malfoy did something she had not ever expected.

'I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, swear on my honour and magic, that I will never harm Aria Lily Potter, attempt to change anything about her, I will treat her henceforth with the utmost respect, added to that I also swear to treat her friends with the same respect. I will respect that her time is her own, and she is free to as she wishes with it.'

Aria gaped at him, blinking rather rapidly. Draco Malfoy had just sworn an oath. A magically binding oath at that! He was agreeing to her conditions, and had not demanded anything other than respect from her friends in return. Though she gathered his mother had covered the bases of actually spending time with him.

'Then I agree,' Aria said softly, silently cursing herself. This had to be the craziest thing she had ever done! Or was agreeing to do to!

'Very well,' Mrs Malfoy said, 'We shall see you Sunday for dinner, no excuses,' she added the last part firmly, 'Lucius should be home from his stay in Azkaban.'

Stay! Well that was one word for his sentence for the crimes he had committed, she was slightly startled to here that he was be back so soon. It was just the news she wanted to hear, after being told that she was now engaged to Draco Malfoy. Not! At least someone else would be on her side, if their was one person who couldn't stand her more than Malfoy junior it was his father.

'How lovely for you all, the whole family back together.' Aria said.

'Yes, it will be quiet pleasant,' Mrs Malfoy said, 'Now do tell us, are there any plans you have made over the summer. Long visits or stays anyway.'

'Oh, you should know,' Aria said she supposed she should tell them both now, 'I'm going away for a couple of weeks with a few of my Muggles friends,' well her cousin and his girlfriend, but she didn't need to tell Malfoy that, 'in about two weeks time. I hope that won't be a problem.'

This was going to be so much fun, if the look on Malfoy's face was anything to go by. If she could just get Malfoy to call the whole thing off - or his father to get Narcissa to call it off, her life would be able to go back to normal.

'Not at all,' Malfoy replied, his jaw set, he looked ready to kill, 'Love.'

Love? Well that was new. But then she supposed he had just sworn to respect her, which meant he couldn't taunt her with his usual nicknames of Potty or Scarhead. It was so on!

'Well, Dragon,' Aria smirked, despite her lack of imagination, it would have to do, for now, 'Do be sure to owl me, won't you!' I can't wait to tell you, that I have hardly any time to see you.

'Of course Aria,' Malfoy said, he posture stiff, his fist clenched at his side. 'May I call you Aria? We are engaged after all. You can call me Draco.'

'Suppose so,' she shrugged, she had not missed the unsaid if you can manage it. Well challenge accepted, 'Draco.'