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Princes of the Universe : Chapter Two
"Er…Louis? What are you doing?"
"I…have nothing to wear!" I whined, throwing the last of my shirts out of my trunk and onto the floor of my dormitory.
"By the state of our floor, I'd say you have plenty to wear," Lorcan said with a snort from his bed. Grabbing my wand, I spun around on the blonde.
"Don't make me hex you, Scamander!"
"I think he means you'll look wonderful in anything, Louis," the younger twin placated with a genuine smile. Lorcan rolled his eyes but I chose to ignore him and instead slung an arm over Lysander's shoulders.
"Always a flatters, Lys. However, I have it on good authority that Malfoy had a new outfit imported from Paris last week for tomorrow's Hogsmeade trip. Therefore, I need the boy look like he walked out of Madam Malkins and not the runway," I informed. "Unfortunately, I seem to be missing something of that magnitude with this current wardrobe."
"But that's where you got all of your clothes you already own," Albus pointed out from his spot on the bed. He seemed nonplussed with the current dilemma and while I did frequently find myself in similar positions, a bit of sympathy would help the predicament.
"Not all from Paris- you can't do that. I have styles from every fashion capital- Milan, Tokyo, New York City- even our own precious London. Being well rounded is key," I emphasized with a wink at Lysander. The younger of the two was much more inclined to react to my flirtations and touches, as seen by his arm secured around my waist. Lorcan was still ignoring me but I knew I could have him melting with just the right plays as well.
"I've never been to Tokyo! You go everywhere, Louis," Lysander announced in his dreamy nature. Chuckling, Al just shook his head. Lysander also took after her mother in most matters.
"Ah, Lys, you don't have to actually go places to get their fashion," I explained. Instead of clarifying the fact that I was not some jetsetter- yet at least, Lysander just frowned in confusion.
"Then how do you get your clothes from so far away?" Both Albus and Lorcan snickered and I had to hold in my own laughter.
"You know what, I have been to all those places. I'll take you with me next time," I promised with an affectionate kiss to Lysander's temple.
"Lys, how about you go check and see if Mum sent us the newest editorial on Wrakspurts? Don't want one getting in your ears again," Lorcan suggested. With a smile on his face, Lysander agreed and jumped from my arms with alarming speed to check on their owl. Glaring, I turned on Lorcan.
"You just lost me my best stylist," I accused.
"If by stylist you mean toy, then yes. But you know Lysander- he can't tell heads from tails with things," Lorcan responded pointedly. Grin spreading across my face, I sauntered across the room without breaking eye contact with the blonde.
"And I'm assuming you do?"
"Enough not to be entranced by a little hip shaking and faux waterworks."
"Hey, those tears were real when I found out my favorite shirt was too small!"
"You haven't worn it in two years, Louis," Lorcan pointed out with a smirk. My grin widened.
"Ah so you do pay attention to me…and my wardrobe," I added. Lorcan rolled his eyes in response. "Fine, I guess you win. We'll be leaving in ten minutes," I announced airily.
"What?" both Albus and Lorcan chimed simultaneously.
"Well, I can't go out in rags tomorrow! We need to make it to Hogsmeade so I can get an outfit," I explained. Noticing Albus had closed his textbook and was beginning to stand, I held up a hand- absently noticing that I needed a manicure before tomorrow as well.
"I was talking about Lorcan and I, Al," I said with a soft smile. "Besides, you wouldn't be able to tell cashmere from wool." I justified when I saw him prepare to argue.
"Err, what?"
"Exactly."
Lorcan, while he may be able to match clothes, was not what one would consider a stylist nor did he have a passion for clothes, which I knew before having him escort me arm in arm to the now lifeless town. In fact, I also knew that he had little interest in me romantically but our flirtations had become a basis of friendship over the years and lines were clearly drawn. Those lines were a little less rigid with Lysander and apparently my actions earlier had triggered his brother to draw lines for us. Little did he know that I wouldn't take things as far as I insinuated with either.
Granted, it would be hot with the three of us as such diverse yet attractive blondes to establish some sort of relationship and it was true we all got on well. But that was clearly not going to happen and it wasn't as much of a loss as I made it out to be as I still got quality time with both twins and could bed the rest of the school population. Or maybe the rest of the population in its entirety I mentally amended as I winked at an oncoming wizard in well fitting Muggle clothes. As his eyes raked over me, Lorcan forcibly pulled me along with a glare at the older bloke.
"Once again you've spoiled my fun," I teased with a jab to his ribs.
"I don't care what you get up to but when the guy is twice your age I feel some sort of responsibility to keep you on a leash rather than let you run wild," Lorcan said with a smile.
"If you keep it too sort maybe you should beware that I may bite," I playfully growled, nuzzling my head into his sort locks. Lorcan pushed me away, flattening out his hair but couldn't resist to laugh. Pleased that once again I could make the elder Scamander open up, I almost didn't notice we were passing my Uncle's shop. Thought coming to me, I grabbed Lorcan's hand and dragged him through the open doors of the Weasley Wheeze's shop.
"Hey-" Lorcan began to protest before he smashed into my back as I stopped shortly.
"Mama!" I exclaimed, abandoning my friend to throw my arms around my mother's small frame. "What are you doing here?"
"Mon bébé!" I was suddenly being fiercely hugged back. "Moi? What are you doing 'ere? You should be at zee castle!"
"I needed-"
"I told your Papa zat 'ogwartz is no good! Zey let mon petit prince wander around on his own outside of zee grounds!"
"Actually Mama, I snuck out," I admitted, not wanting her to go on her old rant on how my sisters and I should have been sent to get a proper education in Beauxbatons. Watching her expression darken, I quickly went on to explain myself. "But it was an emergency! Malfoy had an outfit flown in from Paris and I cannot let that prat attempt to outdo me without some sort of retaliation!"
"And he thought that the rest of his wardrobe was 'unfit'," Lorcan added in an uncharacteristically bold moment. He typically couldn't even manage 'hello' around the women in my household.
My mother frowned, tossing her long blonde hair behind her shoulder in a show of displeasure. If she disliked anything in particular, the Malfoys were at the top of he list. Not being the center of attention when it came to fashion was probably a close second.
"Oh Louis," she said, straightening the collar of my shirt. "You don't need to worry about zat boy. 'e could never compete with your looks. But I think I know just zee thing to remind him of zat!"
"Really mama?"
"Of course! If 'e thinks he knows zee best designers 'e is mistaken- now get back to zee school and I'll send you a package tonight," she assured, shooing me back to Lorcan. "Take 'im back and make sure 'e doesn't wander off," my mother instructed the blonde. Lorcan just nodded dumbly, momentary ability to think properly lost once again.
"Thank you mama- tell Papa that I miss him and I'll owl him soon!" I called behind me as Lorcan began leading me away from the shop. With a smile, one so flawless that I could proudly say I inherited, she waved us off. Lorcan was babbling something about how I shouldn't worry my mother by wandering off to Hogsmeade without faculty supervision and how he is making sure I get back to the Gryffindor Tower as fast as possible, but I was in no mood to tease him on his ridiculousness or to argue.
My mother, as the predecessor of my sisters and I, was the one who taught us all the secrets of playing up our natural beauty so if she said she had something in mind, it was sure to blow Malfoy away. Allowing myself a moment of being unguarded, I kept silent and let Lorcan continue on while I smirked to myself about the prospective outcome of the next day.
"So what exactly was your mother doing at Uncle George's shop?" Albus questioned the next morning as I bounded up the steps to the boy's dormitory, package in hand.
"I don't know. I was so wound up in the moment I didn't ask," I admitted, too enthralled with opening the package to give his questions much attention.
"Funny, she usually doesn't visit at the shop- too hazardous or something, right? Wait, why were you in there anyway?"
"Yes, she doesn't fancy the idea that some part of her person can be transfigured or assaulted just by stepping through the door. A sentiment I thoroughly agree with. The only reason I was there was to see if Teddy was working that night- you know he still does that part time despite his new ministry position- which I can't understand. He's the same size as me and Victoire showers him in designer clothes but he rarely wears any. I was hoping he'd have something new lying around I could borrow," I explained in a rush, carefully pealing back the folded edges of the package, excitement mounting.
"So was he there?"
"Oh my god!"
"What's wrong?" Lorcan asked, coming in to the room as I swung around, clutching the package to my chest.
"Mon cher, nothing is wrong! My mother has simply outdone herself- although nothing less can be expected from us superior Weasleys," emphasizing with a small spin of delight. "Malfoy will look out of date when I'm done with this."
Changing was a blur but after buttoning, zipping, and tucking everything in to place, I reemerged to earn gapes from both my cousin and close friend. Smiling, I made sure to put a bit more sway in my hips as I approached Lorcan, teasing his cheek with my hand before tapping his chin.
"Come now, gaping does not suit you," I purred. Lorcan glared for a moment before huffing and turning around.
"Guys we are gonna be- oh wow! You look great Louis!" Lysander exclaimed. Before I could respond, Lorcan grabbed my arm harshly jerking me beside him.
"We're going to be late," he hissed. Smirking, I glanced back at Albus who was now looking at his own mismatched outfit and snickered at how once again I made my point.
When Lorcan had finally let me walk by myself, the attention I got from my fellow students didn't vary much from awe. I snagged James's girlfriend somewhere along our walk to Hogsmeade as the older Potter had been unable to come today due to detention and she was eager to join us. While notably attractive, he had nothing to worry about but it helped for looks of the situation. Besides, it wasn't as if I was flirting with her, I had just offered her a drink at the Three Broomsticks- what kind of cousin would I be otherwise?
The fun was over before it even began, really. When I noticed heads turning between myself and another figure just out of sight, I steeled myself into my best smile, knowing just whom else could command as much attention. It was a good thing I made sure to train my expression before seeing the Slytherin because if I hadn't I wouldn't have been prepared for the sight of my rival. Malfoy didn't seem as lucky as his smile faltered before quickly being replaced with a smirk.
"Well if it isn't Weasley and his dogs. I'm glad to see that you managed to make yourself presentable today. Quit that ugly treatment yet?" the few behind him snickered at the taunt.
"Actually, I was just thinking you could use it. Your pores are taking away from the rest of the picture," I said with a sigh, lying despite myself. Gray eyes flashed dangerously before he crossed his arms and piqued and eyebrow. Damn, he really knew how to work his features to his advantage- I'd need to work out disbelief later.
"I love your shirt," James's girl exclaimed. Clenching my jaw, I cursed her ill-timed input and understood just why the girl was with my cousin- she had absolutely no wits about her.
"Why thank you," Scorpius said smoothly, eyes now dancing. "It's-"
"Parisian," I interrupted, getting the attention back to me. "I do fear that you must have had it flown in." Tutting, I closed the distance between us, pretending to examine the article of clothing.
"The one thing I must fault the French for when it comes to their clothes is that if you don't examine every article exceptionally you might find that the craftsmanship is…shoddy at best," I babbled, appalled with myself that my eyes weren't appreciating the finely crafted, slightly sheer button down that was neatly tucked into olive green woven boot cuts that were accented by distressed leather loafers and belt- but instead they were appreciatively taking in the sculpted body underneath the barely there fabric. While I was lean and toned, Malfoy had somehow become a bit wider and lightly muscled if his abs were anything to go by.
"Ah, look, threads loose already," I chided, tone diminutive of both the invisible threads and my train of thought. I went to remove the not-there imperfections but Malfoy caught my hand. Smirking, I drew my eyes up to meet his again. Leave it to him to take advantage of the last gleams of summer and wear such an outfit.
"Sometimes imperfections add to the overall picture," Scorpius countered. My smile went from one of challenging to one of false pity.
"That is just what people who can't achieve perfection tell themselves to feel better."
"Well then that must be your mantra," Scorpius hissed. Shaking my head, I stepped back but made sure that he didn't release my trapped hand.
"I dare you to find a misplaced thread on me," I challenged. As I anticipated, his gray eyes left mine and slowly trailed over my frame. The Henley I was wearing was Gryffindor red and clung to my frame to give just the right impression- the half tucked half loose look giving the illusion I hadn't styled myself as immaculately as I had. My pants were just as complimentary, a light rum tone worked with the vibrant top and dark brown boots hidden under the tapered bottoms with a matching belt to top it off.
I knew it made me look good and that the color would only emphasize that I inherited my father's dark skin tone as it always did and could tell Malfoy thought the same when his eyes reconnected with mine. They were wild with fury but also darkened by something from beneath the surface I couldn't put my finger on.
"Maybe no threads but one needs beauty in the first place," he hissed and I noticed the change in his voice and lack of witty retort. Oh that was checkmate in my book.
"Don't fret, Malfoy. I'm sure once you let me show you how to properly buy prêt-a-porter we can hide that small little detail as well," I said sympathetically.
"Out of all the things you could show me, Weasley, I think that would be the least beneficial.," Malfoy sneered. "Otherwise I'd end up looking like some…walking fruit basket."
"Oh darling but you already are a fruit," I laughed. Malfoy's eyes narrowed and glanced behind me before he broke out into a large grin.
"I do believe that would be more applicable for you as my track record boasts many more females and, just for you, will add another to the ranks tonight," he said coolly, eyes now looking past me. I didn't have to look behind me to know he was talking about James's girl and I felt a bit bad for my cousin. It would have been more if I hadn't know that James played the game just as well as the two of us and would probably have been over her by next weekend anyway.
"At least you take some benefit out of being second best; now I know why you've built such a large reputation for yourself." For some reason my stomach was still in knots despite having shrugged off my cousin's loss. Gray eyes pierced mine and I found myself being forced forward by my still trapped hand.
"I assure you that you cannot even pretend I am second best in that matter," Scorpius whispered in my ear before releasing my wrist and giving me a look that could only be described as purely Slytherin. "I bet it took you all night to put that 'ensemble'," he said with a fake French drawl that had me glaring, "but I rather like to spend my time getting more…enjoyment." His eyes went over my shoulder again as his friends laughed.
"And when you're done with having your child's play you might want to think about taking that to the big leagues," I suggested hand going out to teasingly tug on the open lapel of his shirt, while I was silently screaming at myself for my behavior. A sense of happiness settled in my stomach as his eyes turned back to me, widening beyond their usual disregard.
"And here I thought you were too much of a dumb lion to think logically," Scorpius joked with less bite. I watched as he backed up, a sign that signaled to his group of snakes that the encounter was over. His eyes stayed on mine as he backed away, proving he wasn't backing down but simply leaving. Getting to the perimeter of where it would be acceptable to act as such, Scorpius threw me a threatening grin before winking at the girl behind me. I heard Albus sigh, a sign that the brunette was most likely responding as Malfoy hoped.
At the last moment the blonde pined me with his gaze and for once the gray eyes were unreadable. When he finally turned away, I let go of a breath I realized I had been holding and let feeling return to my body. Energized and excited, I turned to my group who had all been lingering around boredly- used to these encountered but never interfering.
Looping my arm with Lorcan once again, I began to drag us all towards the Three Broomsticks, mouth going a mile a minute about Merlin knows what as I tried to decide just which lucky classmate I was going to take my now riled libido out on. Nothing was more of a turn on than a good row or fashion showdown.
Our two boys have much more face-to-face time next chapter...feedback is always appreciated!
