Avery

It's a feeling he has never felt before, the day Topsy brought the news of her injury at St. Mungo's. His world went dark instantly; he panicked and apparated himself straight away, seeing her lying down with bruises and bandages all over her head, with blood still soaking it. He dropped to his knees in front of her bed crying, realizing the consequences of what he did to her. It's his fault.

Malfoy was shaking hands with his father's business partners as usual, chatting small talk, whiskey in hand, cigars in hand. He has been used to this lifestyle since he was 15. His father has been bringing him to introduce him as his heir to the important people that make the Malfoy name wealthier each year; he learned quickly.

When Lucius was going to talk with another business partner, someone new came to him, a face he hardly recognized, but still, he politely shook his hand.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Malfoy. I've been hearing all the great things about the Malfoy family name."

"Pleased to meet you too, Mr.."

"Salem."

That name sounded familiar, but he couldn't recall where he heard it. He took a sip of his whiskey, gazing around. The man was in a proper tuxedo, had proper manners, a high chin, sharp eyes, black eyes, and black hair.

"Tell me, Mr. Malfoy, what do you think about opening a new business, away from your father's? Make your own branch, make your own name. People will no longer talk as if you are just following your father's footsteps but your own." He looked straight into Draco’s eyes.

"Usually, people are more eager to talk to my father about new business proposals, not me."

"I need you instead of your father... my marketing says we need a new young pureblood gentleman."

"There are a lot of them. Why me?"

"Yeah, I found out it should be yours... I can show you outside. Follow me if you're curious."

It's not polite to reject an offer right away, so he politely went along with whatever this man would show him, planning to see it and reject it later. They were walking outside the Manor, with Malfoy leading in front of everybody.

As they walked, he said, "I heard you are already betrothed? Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"It's very difficult to find the right woman these days, the right woman with the right family name that will continue the greatness of our family name. We are lucky to have someone that feels right and belongs by our side, don't you agree, Mr. Malfoy?"

"You are engaged too?"

"Yeah... but someone has her now. She's very hard to get... but she's just perfect."

Draco was a bit confused but said nothing and kept walking. After they reached a lake, before turning around, he heard,

"Imperio."

Draco's face became blank.

"Like I told you before, I need you... or more," he chuckled. "I need your fiancée."

"Give me your hand!" Draco followed the order; they shook hands.

"Say, I Draco Lucius Malfoy will break my engagement with Hermione Avery."

"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, will break my engagement with Hermione Avery."

The unbreakable vow glistened, and the light was gone. Salem pulled his wand to his head, took his memories out, and put them into a vial. After Draco sobered up, he looked at it and asking, "What is that?"

"This vial is my business proposal," he smirked and handed it to Draco. "I'll show you through my memories; it's easier." He shrugged. "I'll wait here," gazing away while drinking and closing his eyes.

Draco apparated to one of the Pensieves he had in the Manor, poured the vial into the Pensieve, and started diving his head in. He saw himself making the unbreakable vow with Salem just now. He re-emerged and spasmed, eyes wide open, and apparated back, shoving Salem and grabbing him by the collar. "What did you just do?!" 

"You saw it all."

"Do you think you can make me..." Draco screamed in rage.

"Oh, I can and I will."

He smiled wickedly. "I heard the Triwizard Tournament is next week; I'll warn you, the faster the better. I don't want to hurt our Avery."

"I will not give her to anyone! She's mine!"

"Are you rather let her die than let her go and live? Your choice." 

He smirked. "I'll wait for the good news," he winked and apparated. 

After a couple of days with no news of their engagement broke. Draco got a letter; there was a picture of the Black Tornado. 

She could've died, he told himself that over and over again, and it's all because he could not protect her due to his selfishness and arrogance for not letting her go. 

He distanced himself from her, facing the fact that there was no other way to protect her other than distancing himself from her and letting her live. But when he saw her with that Hufflepuff boy she went with at the Yule, it was like a slap on his cheek—the future he had never imagined before, the consequences of his actions leaving her, leaving a beautiful emerald would only gather miners. 

Blaise asked Draco curiously, 

"Do you think I should ask Avery to find me a match, like your betrothed? I want one too; you seem... in love." 

Blaise's words made Draco think about when he fell for Hermione the first time. 

He had fallen in love with her a long time ago when he saw her not as his childhood friend anymore but as a girl who came to him with that smile. She was smiling; he was an only child but he had never felt alone; she was always by his side. Is it the way her curly hair blew in her face, or her warm hugs, or how she blushed? No, it's the way she looked into Draco's eyes with her fiery gaze. That's when he realized. 

He loves her.