In the drawing room of Parkinson Manor in Berkshire, England, Draco Malfoy set down the Daily Prophet and discussed dropping out of school with Professor Parkinson, who sat opposite him.
"Won't you reconsider?"
Professor Parkinson looked at the pale-faced Draco and said softly, "Severus has always hoped you would return to Hogwarts and finish your education."
"For me now, whether I finish my education no longer matters." Malfoy looked up at Professor Parkinson and pulled slightly at the corner of his mouth in self-mockery. "Keeping the Malfoy family line going is what I should be doing most."
Yes, Draco Malfoy was already married.
It had happened just half a month ago.
His bride was his former girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson.
They had kept their wedding quiet. Only a few acquaintances had attended that day.
Such a wedding would certainly have been unacceptable to the Parkinson family, but Severus Snape had helped Malfoy persuade old Mr. Parkinson.
After old Malfoy had inexplicably lost his life, Severus Snape, an old friend, had personally gone to discuss Draco and Pansy's marriage with Mr. Parkinson.
Originally, Snape had no standing to represent the Malfoy family in discussions with the Parkinson family. Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy was already dead, Narcissa Malfoy's whereabouts were unknown, Bellatrix Lestrange had vanished outright, and Andromeda Tonks, having been disowned by the Black family, was clearly unsuitable as well. This left Draco Malfoy utterly alone, and in the end, Snape—whom Lucius had entrusted with great responsibility—had no choice but to handle the matter.
Fortunately, Snape was Voldemort's right-hand man and the current headmaster of Hogwarts, a formidable figure whom everyone had to show some respect. That was why the young couple had been able to marry smoothly.
The union of the Malfoy and Parkinson families was considered a suitable match, so there