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Chapter 17: Ball at Malfoy Manor

For all first years arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the first sight they got was of the castle emerging from above the Black Lake. Selene had been brought up on tales of Hogwarts, tucked into bed at night with a story about how her mother and father met at a Quidditch game. That had been a pre-arranged marriage, too, but one that eventually had its foundations in love.

Could Selene ultimately see herself loving Nott? Even if she could, the tone of her father in the Howler betrayed more than he probably intended. The Dark Mark on his forearm was darkening against his skin, and it was only a matter of time before He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned. If she was to marry Nott, then she would become a Death Eater. Most likely at the right-hand side of the Dark Lord himself.

Such were the perils of being born into the Most Noble and Ancient House of Malfoy. Her grandfather, Abraxas, was always eager to place Selene into the forefront of his dreams. Pureblood Supremacy, with the Malfoy family leading the way into a new era for the Wizarding World. His granddaughter, with the equally prestigious Nott family at her side, would be the perfect opening.

Between marrying Theodore Nott and joining Voldemort or finding some convoluted way out of the mess she had created for herself, Selene was pretty sure that she wanted the latter. Even if she had a burning desire to become a Death Eater, which she most definitely did not want to do, she would want to complete it on her own terms. Not under the thumb of her father.

"Draco," Selene started to say, as she spotted her younger brother advance out of the Slytherin Dungeons. She walked towards him, grasping his arm gently as he met her gaze. "Have you heard from mother?"

Draco shook his head, relaxing somewhat as Selene dropped her grip on his arm. "Nothing," he admitted, glancing behind him. "Selene, you're seriously going to defy our father again? I've never heard him so serious about something in his entire life."

"You know what I think," Selene replied simply, shrugging her shoulders. "If I'm not going to see my final year here, why should I bother appeasing father?"

"He might change his mind?" Draco suggested, rolling his eyes at his sister's expression. "Nott might be an arse but he's only fifteen, you can't get married until you're both of age. You've got a couple of years to find someone else - someone that isn't a Blood Traitor Weasley."

"I wouldn't marry Weasley if he was the last plum at the picnic," Selene scoffed, crossing her arms. "And I don't think you're one to give me advice, Draco, hanging around with that horrific Pansy Parkinson. Do you seriously expect me to take your words when you're dating a pug-faced troll?"

"You sound like Weasley," Draco replied darkly. "I don't know what you're playing at, but do you expect father to let you go around gallivanting with him and the rest of the Blood Traitors even whilst you wait to be married?"

"Good," Selene rolled her eyes again. "You're perfectly happy with your life as it is, and that's okay, but I'm not. The sooner our father realises that, the better."

It was ridiculous that the Weasley family wasn't a viable option to begin with, Selene thought, grimacing as Draco strode away from her. Sacred Twenty-Eight, Pureblood down the main line, related to the Blacks through Dorea and, by extension, the Malfoys. Not that she wanted to marry any of them, she had to remind herself. Fred was… okay, she supposed. She didn't like him as anything more than a business partner.

But still, Fred Weasley's offer to accompany her to the fast-approaching, much hated ball at Malfoy Manor had to be rewarded in some way. Selene stretched her arms above her head and made her way to the grounds, pulling her hair up away from her face as she did. Spring was beginning to approach now, and with it came less wind and more sunshine. Her preferred time of the year.

She burnt incredibly easily in the summer sun, however, although a quick Anti-Sun charm could sort that out very quickly. Not that it was ever an issue in Scotland, with its often overcast and gloomy days, even at the very height of Midsummer.

"Ah, Mr Bagman," Selene began, as she saw the man approach from across the Grounds. "May I have a quick word?"

Ludo Bagman jumped in surprise at being addressed, obviously when he least expected it. "Yes, what can I do for you?" he replied in his booming, jovial voice. "Ah, you must be Lucius Malfoy's daughter! I met your father at the World Cup, put a nice little bet on Ireland to win the cup, made a tidy profit from that!"

Selene smiled tightly, waiting for Ludo to finish speaking before she continued. "This is a slightly delicate matter, I'm afraid," she admitted, keeping her voice as level and cool as she could. Naturally, for her, that wasn't too hard. "You know my father has quite a lot of influence in the Ministry, correct?"

Bagman nodded, although he had the grace to turn a little pale at the insinuation behind her words. "Yes," he replied, tensing as Selene began to smile. "Ah, dear me, look at the time! I would love to stay and chat, but-"

"I believe you owe some friends of mine some money," Selene continued smoothly, ignoring the interruption. "My father has no need for a paltry sum of seven Galleons, but you owe these gentlemen thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles and three Knuts."

Bagman paled even more at her words, swallowing loudly. "My dear girl," he continued loudly, shooting Selene a winning smile. "I don't have the money on me at the moment, but you tell the Misters Weasley that I'll have their money to them lickety-split, yes I will!"

Somehow, Selene highly doubted this, especially when looking at Bagman's uneasy, twitching face. "Are you sure?" she replied coolly. "Ah, because I'm sure my father will have no issues putting in a few words to Mr Crouch, especially surrounding your position at the Department of Magical Games and Sports."

"Yes, yes!" Bagman spoke even louder now, frantically looking around. "No problem at all, Miss Malfoy. No problem at all. Be with you in a jiffy. Bye for now!"

It seemed that Selene's (definitely empty) threats would have to do for now. As Bagman walked away, she allowed herself a small smile, knowing that, at the very least, the commentator would be looking over his shoulder for the next few weeks.

oOo

By the time Saturday rolled around, Selene had more than mentally prepared herself for what she was going to do at this Ball. Not that Fred Weasley had much clue as to her plans quite yet, but he would definitely be a significant part of them.

She let out a sigh, and smoothed down the folds of her dress, grimacing as the fabric bunched up under her hands. She'd gone for red, mostly because of its significance and links to Gryffindor House. The dress robes she'd managed to procure for her 'date' weren't quite as crimson, to avoid clashing with the signature Weasley red hair (although that was a sight she would pay to see), and instead were a tasteful shade of black. Not that shades of black were technically a thing, but the catalogue had several variations. Selene had selected 'midnight'.

Buying clothes, testing out their convoluted products - it was becoming scarily like an actual relationship between the pair of them. Especially after what had passed between them at the Second Task, Selene had to admit that from all the people she could have picked, Fred Weasley was not a bad one.

And here she was, actively inviting a Weasley into her home, something she honestly had not seen coming at the beginning of the school year. Not that it was an altogether negative thing, no, the expression on Fred's face when they enter Malfoy Manor would be another thing entirely. Hopefully that would make everything completely worthwhile.

That was seemingly unlikely right now, but she had to admit, this dress did flatter her. Not that she had any figure to speak of, but it looked good, and she was ready to turn some heads - well, only one.

Fred wasn't a complete idiot, as it turned out, because he did manage to make it into the Ravenclaw Common Room. He looked horrendously awkward, stood by the fireplace and smoothing down the lapels of his dress robes, but he'd answered a riddle to get in. "Impressive," Selene commented, as she made her way down the stairs and into the Common Room. "Ready to go?"

The Weasley twin nodded, looking his 'date' up and down with a passing glance. He'd already seen her naked (unfortunately) so she dismissed him quickly, although he did offer her a small smile. "You scrub up well, Malfoy."

"Already forgotten the Yule Ball, Weasley?" Thank god there was nobody in the Common Room right now. She didn't want news of this night to get any further than it absolutely had to, and the school already knew enough from her Howler. "I think I prefer my dress from that night. Pity it was vomited on."

"Your fault," Fred said quickly, regaining his senses quickly enough to offer Selene his arm. "Lead the way Miss Malfoy. How are we making it to your humble abode?"

His tone was ridiculous, but it did sadly set the tone for the rest of the night. Pomp and circumstance indeed, these balls were always a tirade of awkward phrasing and unneeded manners. The times when she managed to make it upstairs to hook up with Roger Davies were the only times she really relaxed at these events.

"Portkey," she said, as they left the Common Room to advance to the corridor outside. "Flitwick's office."

Fred shrugged, frowning a little as Selene unhooked his arm from hers. "I'm trying to be chivalrous," he pouted. "As my job as your date."

"'Date'," Selene added air speech quotes. "Weasley, we are not dating. We are not even screwing. We aren't even friends."

"Aw, Malfoy," Fred grinned, catching up with Selene (who was speeding off down the corridor away from him). "You kissed me like we were dating, you can't say that we're not even friends."

"We aren't friends," Selene repeated adamantly, although she did slow her pace somewhat to allow Fred to walk alongside her. "Although I should offer you this - are you definitely sure you want to do this?"

Fred hesitated for a moment, glancing across at Selene, whose mouth was stuck in an obstinate line. She had the look of sniffing dung that her mother always seemed to have, that made him laugh internally. If this was the 'real Selene' then he was in for a treat. "Sure," he replied blithely, although he could tell that Selene sensed his hesitation. "If it gets too much for me we can always just get George to sub in."

Selene snorted with laughter, a smile quirking at the corners of her mouth. "Definitely," she seconded, slowing down as they reached Professor Flitwick's office door. "Thank you, Weasley."

Fred blushed somewhat at her tone, which was somewhat warmer than usual, more like the tone she used with him on the banks of the Black Lake. "Anytime," he said gruffly, dropping a kiss to Selene's wrist. "But why?"

"I need to get out," Selene replied simply. She looked down at the doorknob to Flitwick's office and knocked on his door sharply, once, and then twice. "I need to do something so unforgivable that they can't excuse me anymore. And parading my Blood Traitor Weasley fiancé in front of Theodore Nott and his parents is the worst thing I can think of."

"Wait-" Fred started in surprise, mentally running over the words Selene had just spoken in his mind. "What do you mean, fiancé?"

Before he could get a response, the office door opened to reveal Professor Flitwick with a beaming smile on his face. "Ah, Miss Malfoy, Mr Weasley," he said jovially, fully opening the door so the pair could walk inside. "Perfect timing, I must say!"

"Thanks Professor," Selene replied warmly, smiling down at her tiny Head of House. "Is everything set up?"

"Yes, yes," Flitwick squeaked, ushering her and Fred towards the fireplace. "It's a hat today, my dear!"

Fred smirked as Flitwick gestured to an old ten gallon hat, complete with showy feather. "Inconspicuous," he noted, ignoring Selene's glare in his direction.

"Miss Malfoy," Professor Flitwick's attention turned grave, and Fred finally shut up. "You know - if there is any problem, any whatsoever-"

"I will," Selene replied quickly, shooting Fred a quick glance. "We will, Professor, although I'm sure we'll be fine."

Flitwick studied Selene's face for a moment before nodding. "You know what to do," he said simply, standing back from the Portkey. "Good luck, Miss Malfoy."

Fred pouted somewhat at his omittance from the well-wishes, but quickly leaned down to place a finger to the hat after Selene shot him another glare. Was she psychic or someone? Bloody women always seemed to know what he was thinking, first his mother, now his girlf-

Before he could finish his thought, he felt a sharp tug at his navel and was suddenly flying through the air, twisting and turning like he was being squeezed through a tube. Fred closed his eyes and braced himself as they landed with a bang. His arse met dry ground and he banged his tailbone, but after a second of reprieve, he let out a breath and opened his eyes.

Just in time to see Selene fall out of the sky and land right on top of him, hitting his stomach with her hand. Fred let out a soft oof, winded by the assault to his belly, before taking advantage of Selene's stunned expression to flip her over and press her into the ground.

"That'll teach you to land on me!" he crowed triumphantly, as Selene wriggled underneath him. "Ah, ah, Malfoy! Calm down or you'll hurt yourself."

"Fuck you Weasley," Selene sighed, although it was half-hearted. She raised an eyebrow as Fred continued to lie on top of her. "We have somewhere to get to, you know."

Fred rolled his eyes, and reluctantly released her, getting to his feet and brushing the dry mud from his robes. "I had you right where I wanted you," he muttered, but offered Selene a hand. "Come on. Up you get."

With the previous interruption forgotten, Fred could look around his surroundings and really take everything in. And to say the least, he could see where Selene got her dung-sniffing expressions from.

They'd landed in the centre of a garden that seemed to stretch out for miles, with roses and carnations of every colour imaginable surrounding them. A little ahead, Fred spotted a maze, the entryway flanked with two granite peacock statues, expertly polished to a beautiful shine. There were a few real-life peacocks strutting around as well, with the same air that Draco Malfoy patrolled the castle, but with more colourful feathers. And right in front of them, although it would be at least five minute's walk from where they were standing, was a gigantic manor house.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Selene grimaced, brushing down her dress and fixing her hair.

Fred snorted at her tone, and the choice of words. "You grew up here?" he asked incredulously, grabbing Selene's arm before she could start off without him. "And you don't want to inherit it?"

"I've got other houses," Selene said dismissively, flicking her wrist. Then she paused, and as if realising how she sounded, elaborated. "I'm heir to the Black family fortune as well. As soon as I turn of age, I inherit those properties. Malfoy Manor is just extra."

Fred snorted again, earning yet another glare. "You could fit a hundred Weasleys in this house," he pointed out, before grinning at his partner. "Would you like to fill it with me."

"You're a pig," Selene replied, without missing a beat, as the pair of them began the walk towards the front door of the Manor. "You'd have to get me to actually have sex with you first, and that's unlikely enough as it is."

"Oh, it's likely," Fred retorted, gripping her arm ever-tighter. "I see the way you look at me. Like you're trying to undress me with your eyes."

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," Selene sniffed, although she was determinedly avoiding Fred's eyes.

Fred laughed aloud, but was quickly shushed by Selene. "Be quiet," she snapped, stopping in front of the door to the Manor. He could hear voices inside, and Selene was quickly adjusting her dress. "Don't make a scene until I tell you to."

She pulled out her wand from the pocket of her dress and grabbed Fred's hand. He would have made a joke about her wanting to hold his hand had hers not been so clammy. Selene bit her bottom lip in concentration as she waved her wand over their clasped fingers, until a wispy mimic of two golden rings appeared on their fingers. "Just to make it believable," she said by way of an explanation, before sliding her wand back into her pocket.

"If you wanted to marry me, you only had to ask," Fred smirked, trying to tap the ghost-ring with his finger. Instead of hearing the familiar clink of nail against metal, his fingertip drifted right through.

"Fiancé," Selene snapped under her breath. "You're my fiancé. We're not married."

"Yet," Fred murmured in addition, before holding his hands up as Selene glared at him for the tenth time that night. "Alright woman, keep your hair on. You're my fiancée."

"Thank you," Selene exhaled, reaching her hand up to knock on the front door. "Now, behave."

Fred mock-saluted Selene from behind her back, before gripping her clammy hand again as they waited for the door to open. It seemed like an age before the old oak finally began to creak, and Fred automatically took a step back.

"Selene," a woman's voice came from within, seemingly full of hope and relief. "You came."

"I did," Selene's voice softened as Narcissa Malfoy came into view for Fred as well. As she noticed the redhead standing on her porch, hand interlaced with her daughter's, her expression soured. She looked him up and down as if she couldn't believe he would dare to show up on her doorstep. "Mother, let me introduce-"

"Fred Weasley," Fred interjected before Selene could continue, stepping forward and gripping Narcissa's hand tightly, pumping it up and down in a furious handshake. "I'm Selene's husband."

He wasn't sure what Selene was doing behind his back (although he could only guess that it was nothing pretty), but her anger was worth it for the look on Narcissa Malfoy's face - anger, confusion and disgust.

oOo

"IN ALL MY LIFE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH INSUBORDINATION, SUCH STUPIDITY, SUCH-"

"Calm down Daddy-O, keep your wig on!" Fred replied cheerfully, templing his fingers as he grinned across the long black oak table at Mr Nott, who was currently throwing a conniption fit over the current state of affairs. "It was quite a shotgun affair, but it needed to happen, especially in the circumstances!"

"The circumstances?" Lucius Malfoy was speaking now, face even paler than usual. He looked like he was about to flip the table over in his anger. "What circumstances, Weasley? Anything other than marrying an engaged woman?"

Fred could see Selene glaring at him in the corner of his vision as the control of the situation slipped further and further out of her hands. He was rather enjoying this, although he was sure he would be in for an earful when his parents got wind of what he was doing (and who he was supposedly dating). But right now he was having far too much fun, especially as he stretched out a hand and placed it on Selene's stomach.

"She's pregnant," he responded, after a moment, meeting Theodore Nott's eyes and beaming.

He wasn't sure who was screeching, if it was Selene, her mother or Nott himself, but Fred was quite pleased with his handiwork. Next to him, the Malfoy heiress put her head in her hands and groaned. "I am going to kill you," she muttered, only loud enough for Fred to hear, but that only made him smile wider and more maniacally.

"Married and pregnant?" Lucius Malfoy evidently hadn't been expecting his night to go in this direction. "Selene - is this true?"

Fred half expected her to deny it and tell her family that it was all an elaborate ruse but, to his surprise, Selene looked up from her hands and slowly nodded. "I'm sorry, father, but I'm in love with him."

She sounded surprisingly sincere for someone who, only a few hours before, was denying that she even liked him as a friend, but Fred didn't question it. Instead, he followed Lucius with his eyes as the Malfoy patriarch got to his feet and slowly stalked around the long table.

Lucius walked all the way around the table until he got to his daughter, and for a split second, Fred thought he was going to hug her. Instead, his hand stretched out and slapped Selene around the face, skin connecting with skin. Lucius stood above Selene, panting heavily. "Get the fuck out of my house," he said quietly.

The pair of them sat there in stunned silence, Fred slowly getting to his feet. "Get your hands off my wife," he snarled, ignoring Selene's expression that was pleading with him to leave it alone. "Apologise."

Lucius sneered in his direction, stepping away from Selene and walking towards the Weasley. "If you have any sense, Weasley, I would take your whore and get out of my house," he threatened, pulling his wand from his pocket. "Or do you want daddy dearest to feel my anger too?"

Fred gritted his teeth, opening his mouth to say something, but pausing when he saw Selene. Getting to her feet, a large red handprint on her cheek where her father had slapped her, she looked angry. Angry in a way that he hadn't seen before. Remembering her words, I can look after myself or something to that effect, he offered Lucius an awkward grin. "Not really!" he said cheerfully.

In that moment, Selene had her wand out of her pocket and pointed it at her father. "CALVORIO!" She yelled, and Fred ducked to avoid Lucius's angry whirl-around.

"MY HAIR!" The Malfoy screeched, grasping at his long blonde locks, which were coming out in big clumps. He tore at his scalp, looking in shock at the shedding strands. Narcissa ran over to her husband, anger at their daughter forgotten as they frantically tried to stop Lucius's hair evacuating his head. "MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR!"

Selene grabbed Fred's arm and they apparated, appearing outside in the gardens where they had landed, probably not even half an hour before. Fred stumbled from the shock, before he gathered his balance and grabbed Selene. "Are you okay?" he asked quickly, grasping Selene's face in his hands. "Selene?"

Selene was breathing deeply, the first few tears beginning to escape from the corner of her eyes. Before she could respond, Fred pulled her in close, hugging her close to him and relaxing as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" he repeated, slower and more gently.

Selene nodded into his shoulder, although he could feel her beginning to shake. He shushed her gently, running his fingers through her hair and kissing the top of her head. "It's okay," he said quietly, holding her as tightly as he could. "It's okay, I promise."

"You're an arse," Selene said quietly from his arms, and Fred could do nothing but nod.

"Yes, yes I am," he admitted, pushing her hair away from her face as she left his hug. "I'm sorry, Selene, if I knew this was going to happen-"

"You never listen!" Selene exploded, whirling around and pointing her wand at Fred's chest. "If you could just fucking listen, you'd realise that you weren't meant to do that! Now my family hate me, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Fred flinched at her words and the look in her eyes, but tried to remain still and not automatically pull her in for another hug. "I'm sorry," he repeated, quieter, avoiding her gaze. "Selene, I truly am."

There was silence now, except for Selene's angry loud breathing. Despite himself, Fred couldn't help thinking that he wouldn't mind that kind of breathing - but in a very different context. Instead, he began to look around for the discarded Portkey, eventually spotting it on the other side of the clearing.

"Back to Hogwarts?" he asked weakly, reaching for Selene's hand.

Selene didn't respond audibly, but she nodded, placing her hand in Fred's. "You're an arse," she said again, although with slightly less conviction this time.

Fred laughed, smiling as Selene visibly relaxed. "I am," he said. His mind was running away from him now, and he was caught up in what he'd just seen, so the next thing he uttered, he would later claim, was due to the situation. Not actual feelings.

"But I'm an arse that loves you."