He gazed at the letter with the Ministry's seal, a smile playing over his thin lips. The Marriage Law had gone into effect a month ago, and he had waited for his assignment ever since. A half-blood, he would be paired with a pure-blooded witch. Narcissa Malfoy, single since Lucius had been executed as a war criminal, had put in a bid for him, he knew. Since saving Potter during the last battle, he was a hero, his name cleared. This should be good…

A long, thin finger slit open the envelope. He pulled out the parchment...and gasped.

MILLICENT BULSTRODE?