"Sometimes the things you want the most don't happen and what you least expect happens. I don't know – you meet thousands of people and none of them really touch you. And then you meet one person and your life is changed forever."

- Love and Other Drugs

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From a young age, adults have drilled the notion into children's heads that it does not matter whether or not you fail or succeed. In the end, all that matters is that you tried your best. They make you think that, so long as you do that, you'll be okay.

What no one thought to mention, what no one bothered to warn children about, is that there are moments when it doesn't count for anything. Trying your hardest does not always work. And, for Narcissa Malfoy, this was one of those moments. She had tried so hard not to resort to this, had tried everything she could think of. But everywhere she had looked there was nothing but dead ends and cold looks, and hence why Natalie Hopkins was sitting across from her. Because there was no other choice.

Only that did not make what she was saying any less expected.  

"Just so we're on the same page here," Narcissa started slowly, her clear blue eyes watching the woman across from her coffee table, "in order for my son, Draco, to marry your daughter, Ophelia, he must...?"

"He must fit the required expectations," Natalie finished for her, nodding, as she reached for her tea and took a slip. "We are the most well-known, respected, wealthy, pure-blooded family throughout Europe, Narcissa. There is not a single witch or wizard in our society who has not heard of my family's name. Did you really believe we've become so successful through our wealth?" She did not pause for an answer. "No, the majority of today's society is made up of magical creatures, half-bloods, Muggle-borns and Squibs alike. If we were not kind towards them, we would only have half, not even that, of our publics' respect."

Narcissa clung to her every word. "Showing courtesy to everyone you meet is how you've worked your way to the top?" she asked as she mulled the words over, absentmindedly stirring her tea.

Natalie was the only person Narcissa had ever met who could stare a person down, yet, by some striking talent, still managed to look polite about it. "Yes," she said shortly. "Therefore, you must see why I'm hesitant to allow Draco to marry my daughter. With all due respect, your family hasn't exactly..." She paused to think over her next words. "Well, it's no longer on high standards since the war, is it?"

"No," Narcissa answered quickly, having anticipated that this particular subject would come up, "but that is why if we combined our families –"

"You're hoping that'll bring you on good terms again with the media and such?" she guessed, her gaze stern and calculating.

"Of course."

Natalie raised an eyebrow, crossed her legs, and leant forward – perfectly neat, wavy blonde hair not moving an inch out of place as she did. "But what will that do for my family?"

Narcissa said nothing, because, in all honest, at this point all she cared about was her family.

Natalie leaned back a little on the plush sofa, a sort of resigned look about her now. "See? I cannot afford for my family's reputation to be put in jeopardy. That is why, if you truly want Draco married to Ophelia so badly, he must have all seven values my family is so famously known for; patience, bravery, respect, kindness, tolerance, loyalty and chivalry."

Narcissa fought down the irritation threatening to seep into her tone. "But Draco is all of those things and more."

"Some of them, maybe. Certainly not all," she said flatly. "I know for a fact that your family does not care for Muggle-borns, Squibs, or any magical creature – especially house elves. I know Draco isn't what one would call the most respectful towards women, or anyone else with different views for that matter. I know –"

"Very well," Narcissa interrupted, rubbing the bridge of her nose, sure that her annoyance was beginning to show now. She had not brought the woman here to be insulted, after all. "I understand where you're coming from. But what can I do to fix that?"

Natalie put down her teacup. In the silence, the china made a small clink against the mahogany table. She then stood, swinging her violet handbag around her shoulder. "That is for you to figure out, not me," she said unconcerned, adjusting the straps of her bag. "But if you want your son to marry my Ophelia, I suggest you think of something to change my mind by the second Sixth Month Ball. You're still holding it this year, I presume?"

"I am." Narcissa also got to her feet, if only because Natalie was looking down on her as though she were in some way inferior rather than the Malfoy she was.

"Good," she replied levelly, leading herself to the large double doors, shoes clicking on the polished floor. "You will bring him to our traditional afternoon lunches when I request it so I can see how the process is coming along. I will tick off the values he has shown and I expect the media will also be paying close attention." She swivelled around on her heels to meet Narcissa's gaze and continued, only more clearer this time. "Then, by the last Sixth Month Ball of the year, I will finally make my decision whether or not he is fit to marry Ophelia." Her eyes swept over Narcissa, as if searching for something. "Do we have an understanding?"

For whatever reason, she hesitated. This was her last chance to finally bring the family name out of the dirt. Except it felt like something more, only she could not think what. Pushing the feeling aside, Narcissa nodded. "I accept your terms."

Natalie, too, nodded. "Keep in mind that this will most definitely be the last chance you'll get to redeem your lost reputation," she said, as if Narcissa needed reminding. "I advise you to take particular interest in Draco's dislike and hatred for house elves and... the blood status problem he seems to have developed from Lucius. Those are the main areas I feel will be most difficult to mend. Good day and good luck to you Narcissa," she smiled, and though it was a friendly smile, it did not hide the flash of perseverance in her eyes.

When Natalie was gone, Narcissa's body slumped against the wooden door. What could she possibly do? How could anybody change a persons' lifetime views? Was that even possible?

Her eyes swept over the foyer as if expecting the answer to suddenly fly in her face. She wasn't worried about the values Natalie had set out, Draco could be charming when he wanted to be, only just to people he believed was worth it. The real problem was how was he going to suddenly start loving house elves? How was he going to even begin learning respect for Muggle-borns?

And then, the answer quite literally did fly in her face. The family black owl swept through the large window at the back, and as it flew by, it zoomed over Narcissa's head, dropped the Daily Prophet in her ready hands, and flew gracefully back out again with a single hoot.

She breathed out heavily, moved to toss the paper aside when something made her do a double take, and she found herself holding the paper closer, because it was barely noticeable and she might never have seen it if it were not for that second glance. But there, in the corner of the parchment, was a picture of no other than Hermione Granger, smiling brightly and standing before a large sign that adorned the words: The Promotion of Elfish Welfare. And just under the picture, it read: In need of an Assistant.

There are also moments where you have to wonder just how much in life is coincidence, and how much is fate. Later, Narcissa would think about what might have happened if she didn't look back that second time. Wondered what would have happened if she never even looked at the paper. Or if this particular issue of The Prophet came out a week too late. Only she did look that second time. She did look in the paper and it did not come a week late, and after several moments of pure, intense silence regarding the moving photograph, the solution to all the Malfoys problems uncurled itself, becoming crisper and crisper as she considered the Granger girl. But she was not really just Hermione Granger anymore, because from that moment on, the know-it-all Draco so frequently complained about over the summers, the girl who he hated more than any other, suddenly became the solution to everything.

The trademark Malfoy smirk spread across Narcissa's lips. She could not help but feel this could be the beginning of something very interesting indeed.             

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Next chapter; Draco will make his first appearance and how will he react to his mother's ideas? Answer? Not well. 

"Yes, sorry. And I came across a picture –"

"Really?" he asked with mock fascination. "A picture in the Daily Prophet? How unusual, tell me more."

"– of Hermione Granger."

~

Disclaimer: If you haven't guessed, I do not own Harry Potter, I never will, I have never claimed to, I never want to and I'm all good with it that way. I also do not own any videos or pictures used for this fic unless stated otherwise. So if you sue me, all you're going to get is a 'special' budgie that has random spaz attacks and hangs upside down by one claw most of the time. Also, let me just say that there is swearing in later chapters. Nothing horrible, really. I just felt it was right to warn in case some of you don't like that and I would hate to offend anybody.

Now with that out of the way, I welcome you to my second Harry Potter fanfiction *awesome theme music* ;D

new note: lolol omg just reading that ^ made me cringe but i'll leave it there for the same reason i've left my old fb statuses - for a chortle! anyway, just a heads up that i've edited the first quarter of this book a while ago but have yet to do anything about the catastrophe that is the rest of it so pls forgive and may jebus be with u