Chapter 2: The Dragon Master
~Pansy~
I worry about him. He hides. Everything. Not just from people, like being in isolation, but also his emotions. Blaise and I are the only people with whom he is connected. Or sociable for that matter. When he is out in the world, the Malfoy mask is firmly in place, and nothing can remove it. He did not use to be this bad.
When I first met him nine years ago, he was reserved and respectful, like the heir to any wealthy family should be. He held himself away from everyone. It was not until second year that Draco let me and Blaise become his friends, and then close friends. Up to that point, he did not have any close friends, or even friends now that I think about it. He still does not have other close friends; however, he does have a few friends. I know he is lonely, but I do not know how to help him.
That is why I planned this party the way I did. The ballroom is crawling with horny, gay men looking for a shag. The air is so thick with bodies that the heat pulses with the beat of the music. He most definitely is not the clubbing type: too many people with their motives unknown and unclear. My hope is that he will find someone to at least share the night with, to scare away the loneliness of the dark hours of the night.
I did invite Draco's actual friends as well, because I am not the complete bitch like the world sees me. Millicent, Vincent, Gregory, Daphne, and Blaise are all sitting at table in the back of the ballroom. The men look mildly uncomfortable; that is understandable seeing as all three of them are straight. Millie's and Daphne's vision is glued to the dance floor, watching the gorgeous men grind against one another. There are full drinks in their hands and an army of empty glasses amassed on the tabletop. At least they seem to be enjoying something in this party.
Blaise looks over at me, and winks when our eyes meet. I can tell he is tipsy, well on the way to being drunk. I love him so much; he puts up with all my crap. I really want to make him happy. I cannot wait to tell him the news, but I do not know how he will react. We have talked about it as a possibility, but not for a couple years. This took me completely by surprise; I thought we were being careful, but apparently not careful enough.
I am pulled from my mental ramblings by Blaise wiggling his fingers at me. I cock my eyebrow at him, and he smirks, knowing he has my attention. He then taps his wrist and points to the stage. I understand immediately what he is communicating: time to announce Draco. I slowly begin to make my way through the throng of bodies toward the stage.
~Blaise~
I watch my beautiful flower make her way to the stage. I love her with all my heart. We have been friends since we were little, and I have loved her just as long. I was secretly possessive when we started school. I thought Draco as a threat when he became our friend. That thought ended two years later when he told us he was gay. I was so relieved because I could never stand a chance against his beauty.
I am still possessive, getting jealous at any man who makes eyes at my Pansy, even with the ring on her finger. This is the only place where I can be relaxed without her constantly by my side. No man is lustfully watching her in that short, sliver, glittery dress. No man is transfixed by the sway of her hips in those ridiculously high heels she wears. No man is even sparing her a glance as she strolls to the stage. Gay men have no interest in the female body. And that makes me very happy.
She disappears behind a door at the foot of the stage. Moments later the music cuts off. The light show stops and a spot light appears at the side of the stage. Pansy steps into the light and walks to the center of the stage, the light moving with her. She waits for it to be quiet, but it seems like the partygoers are oblivious to her. That is stupid: who could possibly miss my flower with her dress positively shining like a diamond in that spotlight. She loudly clears her throat, reminding me of that vile Ministry woman we had as a Defense against the Dark Arts teacher fifth year.
"Thank you," she says with a meaningful glare as the crowd finally quiets down. "Now that I have your attention, I have an announcement to make. Well, I suppose it is more like an introduction." Her eyes glance to the wings of the stage. "As you should very well know, this is a celebration of the birth of a special individual. He's dashing; he's handsome. He's witty; he's snarky. He's influential; he's rich. He's the great Draco Malfoy, Lord of this manor!"
At this, the crowd erupts into cheers, and Draco walks out into his own spotlight. He scowls at the gathered men, peering down his nose at them. He then walks over to Pansy and give her a look that clearly says 'get on with this'.
"And now the party can really start!" She waves her wand and stairs appear off stage to the dance floor. "Off you go, my dear, join your party."
Draco sends her a death glare, then proceeds down the stairs as the music begins again. He does not look happy to walk into the throng of dancing men. I hope he can forgive us for subjecting him to this
~Draco~
I hate her. I mean, I do not actually hate her completely, but right now she is on the top of my hate list, above Divination. How could she subject me to that? I was groped by over a dozen different men. Not to mention, I was ground on by most of the dance floor. The grossest thing is I can feel their sweat on my skin because of my lack of clothing on my torso.
It takes me twenty minutes to fight my way to the back of the ballroom. There I can see my "friends" sitting at one of the tables. I partially enjoy their company, but I am not really close to any of them; they are my fellow Slytherins. I spy Millicent, Gregory, Daphne, Vincent, Blaise, and Pansy. I am glad Millie and Greg finally got engaged; they are the perfect couple. Vincent is not interested in anyone that I know of, however he seems happy with that. Daphne, on the other hand, is married to some Hufflepuff; true to her personality, she is the controlling one in that relationship. I sit down at the table, just enough pause in their conversation to greet me.
Millie is lamenting on about a Doxy problem in their hedge maze. This is apparently a big deal because Millie is concerned for their child's safety. Good heavens, she is pregnant, already. That was sure quick. I wonder if that is the reason Greg finally found the courage to pop the question. She goes on and on about how it is a large infestation, covering the whole two acres of the maze.
"Who did you hire to handle it?" I ask, "There are few people who could take care of that." I am genially curious. I am in need of a new beast tamer; someone who can handle that large of infestation could be valuable to me.
"Do not fret, Draco, Greggie hired the best. Didn't you, dearest?" Millie responds, looking at Greg meaningfully. Greg enthusiastically nods his head. "He hired The Dragon Master."
"The Dragon Master?" I cock my head, confused. "Who is this Dragon Master?"
Daphne answers, "How could you not know, Draco. Everyone has heard the rumors of the Dragon Master. He is the greatest handler of magical creatures. I have heard he subdued a Hungarian Horntail while neither injuring himself nor the dragon."
Vincent contributes, "I heard he is friendly with many tribes of merpeople and even rescued a wizard from their clutches."
"I have heard that he is ridden a unicorn." Blaise adds with respect glazng over his drunken eyes. "No one can ride them."
"That's a myth." Pansy says while smacking Blaise's arm. "I hear he is a magnificent flier. He can fly anything: hippogriff, thestral, even a dragon. However, I hear he is the best on a broom. Supposedly, he played as the reserve Seeker for the Bulgarian team for three seasons, actually playing starting when Krum had his major accident."
This man sounds too good to be true. However, he may be just what I need. He does not seem like the person to turn tail at the first sign of danger. I hired many of those people over the last year. Each was fine for a few weeks, and then I would suddenly get a letter of resignation, stating they fear their life is in danger. The last one quit because, and I quote, 'The hippogriffs were giving me the evil eye; I fear they have it out for me'. Coward. My thoughts are if you are afraid of danger, find a different career.
"When is he coming?" I ask Millie. I need to meet with this miracle man.
"Next Wednesday. Would you like to meet him? I think he would be perfect for your beast tamer."
She is so perceptive. She knew exactly what I was after the second I asked. This is why I both love and hate having Slytherin friends: they are just as crafty and cunning as I am.
We settle out the details over another round of drinks. I cast a quick Tempus charm to see if it is socially acceptable for me to leave the party. An hour has passed. That is plenty of time for me to be here. I make my exit from the table. Apparently, I also need to say good night to my "guests", as Pansy so helpfully reminds me.
I walk up to the center of the stage. The music cuts off again and I am now in a spotlight. I decide to have some fun with this announcement.
"Good evening, everyone. I very much enjoyed having you all here with me tonight. However, I am very worn out, so I am retiring to my chambers. You are free to continue partying without me. Just be warned, the wards will throw everyone not of Malfoy blood out at midnight, so I suggest that you all be gone by then. Have a wonderful time."
I wave, smiling evilly, and exit the stage through the wings. It is currently ten thirty. They have less than two hours to get off my property. I just love being an evil bastard sometimes.
~Harry~
(parseltongue)
I stand watching the Northern Lights from outside the igloo. It is so beautiful here, so crisp, so pure. Everything is so simple here. I hear a rustling in the snow. I turn and see Frost, my beautiful ice snake, slithering towards me. I reach down my arm for her to crawl up, and she settles around my neck.
I wish we could stay here forever, I whisper to her. Life is less complicated out here on the ice sheets.
Yes, it is, Sweet One, but this is not your home, she hisses back at me. You belong with other two-legged creatures. Besides, you have a job in two days on that island you have avoided for five years, no nine years when you count your school time as well, ten if you count the year before school.
Yeah, yeah, I know. You are right, of course. Whatever would I do without your incredible knowledge? I wittily reply.
Die of boredom, I presume.
