Old Alliances
Lucius Malfoy strode along a corridor within the Ministry of Magic, he had a determined look on his face that meant trouble.
“Greengrass, “ he said in a clipped greeting to the Wizard he had come to speak too.
“Malfoy,” came the brighter greeting with a look of confusion as his hand had been ignored.
“I do not have time for the niceties, Greengrass. Draco informed me early this morning that Astoria has failed to meet many of what is accustomed in a Magical betrothal. He has kept me apprised of her lacklustre attitude to fixing a date for their nuptials.”
“I was unaware until last night that Astoria had been avoiding Draco’s interest and I do intend to speak with her later today.” Greengrass was sweating as he was aware that much lay within this magical union that was agreed so many years before.
“Draco and I will be over at 7pm tonight Greengrass. A date will be fixed for this union and it will be binding to all.”
Lucius stood over the desk of Greengrass, the man had not had time to stand but Lucius had stood over him with the look of authority and menace in his grey eyes.
“Agreed.” Greengrass replied, he had been dreading this meeting but glad it was over and by tonight a date would be finalised and a wedding would take place.
Lucius Malfoy tapped his ebony walking stick down hard onto the floor and then abruptly turned and departed, his business now concluded.
Mrs Greengrass received an owl from her husband. He ordered her to secure the wards and that on no account was their daughter allowed to leave their home or communicate with anyone.
Mrs Green grass had set the wards and blocked the floo and Apparition areas. The whole estate was in lockdown. Only her husband could get in now.
She knocked on the door to her daughter’s suite but got no reply. The door was locked. The door was broken open by a burst of magic and a very angry Mrs Greengrass stared in shock and horror at the empty bed. Her daughter had gone.
She covered her ears as the family Wardsb began to shriek . What had their daughter Astoria done? The Wards shrieked out a danger warning.
The Magical Births, Deaths and Marriages had been inundated with scrolls that morning and it was not until the afternoon that the marriage of Astoria Greengrass to Ronald Bilious Weasley was finally recorded .
This set off a Magical reaction as the marriage record turned bright red and another older magical document revealed itself to the transcriber.
“Oh my, I’d hate to be in Astoria’s place right now,” chuckled Lavender Brown.
The Magical Betrothal scroll wiggled in alarm as Lavender pointed her wand to it and made a slicing motion. The parchment was ripped in too. Both parts remained as Lavender created copies of the marriage lines. She then created two magical letters, one to Lucius Malfoy and the other to Astoria’s Father Dick Greengrass. A third owl was sent to the Daily Prophet.