Chapter Text
Cain:
I have no idea what I have ridden into but it is most definitely something. As I approach the Ollivander estate I can hear a female voice yelling. As I get closer I see none other than Rose, my future wife, sprinting across the field after a dog. The dog comes closer to us and Sibby neighs. She’s not fond of dogs. With this, I dismount and approach the dog who’s holding something in its mouth. The dog's black tail begins wagging excitedly as he comes up to me. I smile at him and crouch down to say hello.
“What do you have there?,” I say in a soft voice. The dog drops something at my feet. A boot. A singular boot. With this I look over to see that Rose is close to us now. She simply looks between me, the dog, and the boot. I finally piece it together and chuckle. I stand up and turn to Rose.
“Miss Ollivander”, I say with a smile, “I believe you may have lost this.” I hold up the boot and raise a brow. She blushes lightly as she takes in my appearance and she finally looks back to the boot.
“Simon”, she gestures to the cocker spaniel who’s now rolling in the grass, “decided that my new boots would make an excellent toy.” I chuckle at this.
“Well, since I'm a gentleman it is only proper that I put your shoe back on for you,” I say, flashing a teasing smile and crouching down. She blushes deeply at this.
“I suppose you must,” she says as she lifts up her ivory skirt to extend her foot to me. I gently take her foot and slip her boot back on.
“Thank you, Lord Malfoy,” she says stiffly. As I stand back up I can see her looking me up and down. Hopefully she likes what she sees. I smile as she says my name. I suppose she does remember me after all.
“Do not be so formal, Rose. To you I am Cain,” I say with a devilishly charming smile. I see her cheeks flush at this statement.
“Okay, Cain,” she says softly as she extends her arm. I reach out and kiss her hand. We slowly make our way back to the main part of the estate. She leads me to the stables and reassures me that Sibby will be taken care of. As we walk toward the house I can’t help but stare. It is everything our house is not. Where our house is dark, theirs is light. Where ours has tall spires, theirs has ornate columns. I glance over at Rose as we approach the front door. She looks so beautiful.
Rose
Our house elf, Lettie, leads Cain into our formal sitting room as I go to inform my family of his arrival. He is an hour early. How charming. It is hard not to admire someone who is on time, especially when one's family is always late. But this is Cain Malfoy we are speaking about. Therefore it is not impressive.
I entered our formal sitting room to find him sat comfortably on the sofa with none other than Simon in his arms. Traitor. Cain looks up at me through his thick lashes as I bow to him politely.
“Lord Malfoy,” I say with a soft nod. I am taken aback when he stands and reaches out to kiss my hand. How charming? I wonder how long he will keep up this charade. He was known for being a rake throughout school. I can only hope that he has changed.
“My Rose,” he murmurs softly as he kisses my hand. I blush lightly, furious that my heart fluttered. He gestures for me to take a seat on the opposite end of the couch.
“My mother told me that you are skilled in the pianoforte,” he says, trying to make conversation. I nod.
“I dabble a bit. My primary focus is on potions at the moment,” I say with a smile. Maybe he’ll slip up and show his real character. It’s not everyday a woman pursues potion making. He takes a sip of the fire whiskey that Lettie handed him and eyes me curiously.
“Ah, a true trait of Slytherin indeed. William mentioned you have a gift with potions. I am also a rather talented potions master myself. How lovely.”
I raise a brow at his cockiness. A potions master? Really?
“We shall have to combine our talents sometime,” I say with a polite smile. God he was getting under my skin. Why wasn’t he as awful as he used to be?
“Yes, we must, or at least test our skills against one another. Perhaps after the festivities,” he says as he leans forward slightly to lay the glass of fire whiskey on the table. “Perhaps we could even duel? I know you’re talented from what I’ve heard. I myself am a decent duelist… Well, I’m actually quite good. But I’d be curious to test myself against you,” he turns and grins at me with a cheeky smile. I try not to smile back but it's so damn contagious.
“I wouldn’t be too surprised if you lose, Cain,” I say with a small chuckle.
“I’m confident that I may surprise you,” he says proudly as he takes another sip of fire whiskey. He looks over at me and something shifts in his dark eyes. His tongue quickly swipes over his bottom lip as he adds,
“Besides, losing may come with some… benefits.” Benefits? I furrow my brows in confusion. What could he possibly mean? How would losing have benefits? Oh! Ohhhh, that’s what he meant. My cheeks flush as I understand now. I look back up at him with a shy expression. The dark curls framing his face make his eyes look even darker. He smirks as he sees my cheeks redden, tickling his dark humours.
I’m left speechless as both sets of parents enter the drawing room. Cain's mother with her jet black hair and green eyes, dressed in a pale blue dress. Cain's father with dark hair and eyes, wearing a suit with a matching tie to his wife. My parents enter after them, smiling happily. I stand and bow politely to both mine and Cain's family. Cain rises out of his seat, bows to my father and shakes his hand. Lettie quickly hands out glasses of champagne as my father eyes Cain with anticipation. My father looks at me proudly, raising his glass.
“To Rose and Cain. Who join their houses, to bring about generations of beautiful children and powerful wizards. May their union bring glory and honour to our families.”
Everyone clinks their glasses to this toast. Cain smiles at me and gestures for me to sit. The evening is only just beginning.
The room fills with chatter and laughter as guests begin to arrive for the celebration. The conversation is mostly cordial, and Father is impressed with Cain’s family. I spare a glance over at Cain. He’s looking over at me.
“You look ravishing, my Rose,” Cain says with a smile. I blush deeply at this and look away. I can feel butterflies forming in my stomach. I have to stop. He is a rake. I’m just going to get hurt. Cain stands and goes over to pour another glass of fire whiskey. I am sipping my glass of wine when Cain's mother comes over and sits across from you. She looks at me with warm eyes.
“It’s lovely to meet you Rose. So you are to marry our eldest. He is… difficult. But if you can keep up with him and handle his moods… he is actually quite sweet,” she adds the last part in a whisper as she smiles at me. Moods? Hmm? I wonder what she means.
“He’s his fathers pride and joy,” she chuckles. Cain is behind her at the bar. He rolls his eyes and pours more fire whiskey into his glass.
“His moods?” I say with a wry chuckle. What the hell has my family got me into? She laughs heartily.
"The moods of Cain Malfoy are as volatile as a mountain! A storm to some, but a beautiful sunrise to others. You must catch him in the right mood. I believe you have what it takes, ” She smiles and looks at Cain, who is standing with his hands behind his back. He is still studying me intently.
“I’m never one to shy away from a challenge,” I say with a smug look and flick my eyes behind her to Cain. He raises an eyebrow at me challengingly.
"As I've heard. Your father here has bragged up and down about you. Not just your beauty, but your wit and magical prowess. You'll fit right in,” She smiles once more.
“Thank you,Viscountess Malfoy,” I say with a genuine smile. She seems so kind. I can only hope he is like her.
"Please dear, call me Andromeda.”
Cain smiles at this interaction. He slowly takes a sip of his whiskey as he walks over to sit next to me on the couch.
“Thank you, Andromeda,” I say with a smile. I look over at Cain who is sitting next to me. My heart skips a beat as his eyes lock with mine. Why doesn’t he seem as awful anymore? Andromeda chuckles as she walks away,
“Your Rose has thorns it seems, Cain,” She grins.
“Indeed Mother. Indeed she does,” Cain says with a grin.
Cain
Rose blushes as I say this. It's quite adorable how easily I can make her flustered.
I lean forward, balancing my elbows on my knees. I look into her eyes as they lock with mine. This woman will be the death of me. I try to break the trance I’m in by speaking.
"I would be interested in learning more about you,” I say. She looks at me for a second processing what I said. She raises her brows slightly as she replies,
“Ask anything you wish to know.” I rub my chin as I think. There is next to nothing that I don’t already know about this woman. She is to be my wife after all. I laugh as a simple question comes to mind.
"Hmm...how many siblings do you have, my future wife? I only know of William, from our escapades at Hogwarts,” I chuckle.
“I have another brother as well, James. He works with the Ministry of Magic. Will, as I assume you already know, is studying at Oxford”
I smile at her and lean forward, getting more comfortable. It’s time to ask things that I can’t find out from any other source.
"And what of you? What is it that you wish to do? Besides making potions, of course,” I say with curiosity. I want to know what my Rose’s hopes and dreams are. She looks at me, purses her lips and shrugs.
“I am only nine and ten. I really am not sure what I wish to pursue,” she looks down almost as if she’s embarrassed by this. If she only knew what I had planned for us. I smile at her.
"Well, if you would allow…I’d like to take the time to make sure you are fully content in your future as my wife. I'd be happy to assist you,” I chuckle as I reach forward to take her smaller hand in my larger one. My long fingers gently wrap around her hand. I look up and see her eyes for a moment. The world seems to fade away. Nothing else exists. Rose. My Rose. After what seems like an eternity our connection breaks as she looks away, and her cheeks flush.
“I would enjoy that,” she says softly.
I smile at her and take another sip of my fire whiskey. Nothing beats the smooth burn. For some reason it tastes even better as I’m holding Rose’s hand. Maybe I should slow down. I gently lay the glass on the table and turn to her.
"I'm told you have a penchant for designing. Correct?” She nods in agreement and whispers,
“My mother insisted on me learning to sew. Personally, I prefer designing gowns, not mending buttons.”
I smile at this. Her honesty is refreshing. Most women say whatever fits societal standards, sewing included. I lean back slightly, still encasing her hand in mine. She really is one of a kind.
"I am impressed. A girl with wit and culture. A dangerous combination…,” I say with an amused expression.
She grins at me wickedly. I can feel my heart beat a little faster. Merlin, I need to get a grip. I quickly snap out of it when she playfully says,
“You best be careful, Malfoy.” I can’t help but laugh at this. If only she knew what was in store for her. For us. I look down at her and lean in to whisper lowly,
“I’m not sure if I’m the one who must be cautious, darling…” I gently release her hand and smile at her. I take another sip of whiskey to hide my smirk at her now pink cheeks. I normally refrain from drinking. Since the…incident. She quickly masks her surprised expression and raises a perfectly shaped brow at me.
“Oh really?” She says with a challenging tone and a playful smile.
"I am not used to meeting such a stunning girl with such wit and intelligence. You are intriguing...I'm not sure if I'm being seduced by you, or if you're being seduced by me?"
I lean forward and stare into her eyes with a mischievous smile. She maintains our eye contact. My heart begins to beat faster. Maybe it's the firewhiskey, but the attraction in the air is almost palpable. She is the epitome of beauty and grace. I want her to be mine. Now. I feel the firewhiskey course through my veins when she speaks. She speaks softly, almost as though she isn’t used to this.
“You flatter me, Cain.”
I give her my most charming smile as I speak,
"Flatter you? No no no, my dear, you are being charmed..."