***Dignity***
::Chapter 3::
The Ball had been a great success. Everybody had enjoyed themselves, Draco and Selina (with the help of their mothers) had become better aquatinted, and Mrs Galladen had proceeded to get herself embarrassingly intoxicated over numerous glasses of champagne. This resulted in her being most unpleasant the next day, so Selina retreated to her little sanctuary in the forest on the estate.
She perched comfortably in the fork of a large tree, reading a book while listening to the soft trickle of a nearby stream.
But the peace was soon interrupted by the faint mad squawkings of a lady in the house. Selina's mother was calling her, (and had been for the last 15 minutes) but Selina stayed hidden in the forest, not wanting to receive another tongue-lashing.
Milly must have hinted to her whereabouts though, because in a matter of time, Mrs Galladen burst out of the house. Selina heard a whoosh overhead, and figured her mother must be on her broom. She went back to her book and hoped that the forest canopy would shield her from view. Suddenly, something came crashing down through the trees. Selina suppressed a laugh as her mother landed rather ungracefully in a nearby bush.
Mrs Galladen rarely came searching for her daughter over the estate, but sent someone to do the job instead (probably because of her dreadful flying skills). She must really be itching to yell at someone, Selina thought. As Mrs Galladen scrambled out of the bush, Selina dropped her book while trying not to burst into a cackling fit. Mrs Galladen saw this, and then looked up to see her daughter giggling up a tree.
'GET DOWN YOU STUPID GIRL, YOU'LL GET YOUR CLOTHES DIRTY!!!!' She yelled, breathing heavily. Selina obediently swung down, and picked up her book. She walked over to her mother, prepared to receive whatever insults she would dish out. But she was surprised to find Mrs Galladen had calmed down dramatically, and even looked excited.
'I received an owl from the Malfoys,' she said enthusiastically, 'They've invited us to afternoon tea tomorrow!' She pulled a piece of parchment out of her robes and showed Selina. 'That's fantastic mother,' she said, smiling falsely.
Suddenly a look of horror passed over Mrs Galladen's face. 'What? What's wrong mother???' Selina said, genuinely worried. 'Oh no..' Mrs Galladen said, 'What on earth are you going to wear??? We'll have to go to Perigon Alley right away! And oh dear, I'll need some new shoes and new robes.'
***
The next afternoon, after numerous outfit changes they finally arrived at the Malfoy Manor. The Malfoy dwelling was equally, if not more impressive than the Montue's. They were greeted in the entrance by all three Malfoys, and then were shown into a large sitting room where tea and sweets were served. The room was richly furnished with elaborate hangings of different shades of green, and serpent themed pieces were ever present. The room was a little too dark for Selina's liking, but it was very striking all the same.
While her father & Lucius's conversation revolved around wizarding politics and current affairs, her mother & Narcissa's exchange was simply snobbish gossip. It was very mind- numbing. She listened to the male's more appealing conversation and followed it for quite some time, but soon her mind began to wonder as she examined the intriguing furnishings which adorned the room.
She was snapped back to reality when Draco leaned over to whisper in her ear. 'You look like you're about to fall asleep. Come on, let's go for a walk, shall we?' Selina nodded her head, and they excused themselves from the conversation (not that they were even participating).
The land on the Malfoy's estate was enormous, double the side of her own. To the east there were green, rolling hills as far as the eye could see, and to the west was large, dense woodland. Selina wished she owned a horse so she could gallop through and explore the alluring territory.
Draco led her through to an area of open forest, where the sun streamed through the thin canopy warmly. Selina breathed in deeply as they strolled idly along, allowing the natural forest aroma to envelop her senses. It was so clean and fresh, yet more intensely filled with different and strange herbs, alien to her senses.
She was barley even aware as Draco linked his arm with hers, and she even lightly closed her eyes, trusting Draco the guide her safely. This sharpened her senses, and she could hear the leaf litter crunching underneath their footsteps, the faint twitting of small birds, and Draco's soft breath.
Soon they came to a halt in a patch of direct sunlight. Selina tilted her head upwards, letting the rays warm her face contently. A pair of soft lips suddenly covered her own, and she kissed them back involuntary, vaguely aware of whom it was in her dreamy state.
Draco pulled her close to him, and motioned to deepen the kiss, when Selina abruptly pulled back.
'What? Is something wrong?' he questioned, somewhat perplexed.
Selina had snapped alert when he pulled her to him, and was suddenly bewildered and a little confused. She didn't know what had made her pull back or even kiss him in the first place, but the uncomfortable feeling was lingering there, and it just didn't feel right. 'I, erm..I just..' she faltered, trying to say what she felt.
A look of confusing and impatience passed over Draco's face, as he searched her eyes for some sort of explanation.
'I just..I can't see us being together,' she said quietly, her eyes dropping. Suddenly a cloud passed over the sun, blocking out the warm sunlight.
'It's not that there's anything wrong on your behalf, you're a really nice guy and I'm sure you'll make some girl very happy one day, its just..I don't think that girl is me.' Selina looked up again, and said softly, 'I'm sorry.'
Draco was silent, and Selina had no idea what kind of reaction to expect. 'Its ok,' Draco said suddenly, 'I understand.' He paused. ' I wouldn't want you being forced into this situation when you don't want to be. But.we can still be friends, can't we?' 'Of course we can!' Selina laughed, relieved. Draco smiled back, then suddenly frowned. 'But what of our parents?' he asked, 'I somehow don't think our mothers will be as understanding.' Selina pondered about this new obstacle for a while, then spoke. 'Well, I suppose we don't have to tell them about our decision now, just let them think we're getting to know each other, and take it as it comes.' Draco smiled with approval of the plan. 'Good idea. Come on, we'd better be getting back.' Selina sighed. She could stay out here in the serenity of the forest forever, but agreed with Draco. 'I suppose,' she said, then on a sudden whim turned to him and said, 'Race you!' and sprinted off as fast as her attire would allow. Draco smiled and chuckled to himself, before tearing off through the forest after her.
************************************************************************
Sorry if Draco comes across as a bit *weak*, lol but he's the kind of character I see as putting up a tough exterior but being the opposite on the inside (or sumthing like that!).
Wind runner- I don't think I'll be incorporating Hogwarts into this story, because when I do write about hogwarts and all its characters I really wanna spend a lot of time and effort to make it authentic and believable (and at the moment I just don't have the time!) Sorry to disappoint you :(
I'm still very hungry for reviews (my stomach is only running on 3!!) because if I don't get more soon I'll have succumbed to the fact that my writing is toilet paper material and not write anymore.
~*Fernie*~
p.s. please excuse my terrible grammar, it always screws up when I upload and it pisses me off!
::Chapter 3::
The Ball had been a great success. Everybody had enjoyed themselves, Draco and Selina (with the help of their mothers) had become better aquatinted, and Mrs Galladen had proceeded to get herself embarrassingly intoxicated over numerous glasses of champagne. This resulted in her being most unpleasant the next day, so Selina retreated to her little sanctuary in the forest on the estate.
She perched comfortably in the fork of a large tree, reading a book while listening to the soft trickle of a nearby stream.
But the peace was soon interrupted by the faint mad squawkings of a lady in the house. Selina's mother was calling her, (and had been for the last 15 minutes) but Selina stayed hidden in the forest, not wanting to receive another tongue-lashing.
Milly must have hinted to her whereabouts though, because in a matter of time, Mrs Galladen burst out of the house. Selina heard a whoosh overhead, and figured her mother must be on her broom. She went back to her book and hoped that the forest canopy would shield her from view. Suddenly, something came crashing down through the trees. Selina suppressed a laugh as her mother landed rather ungracefully in a nearby bush.
Mrs Galladen rarely came searching for her daughter over the estate, but sent someone to do the job instead (probably because of her dreadful flying skills). She must really be itching to yell at someone, Selina thought. As Mrs Galladen scrambled out of the bush, Selina dropped her book while trying not to burst into a cackling fit. Mrs Galladen saw this, and then looked up to see her daughter giggling up a tree.
'GET DOWN YOU STUPID GIRL, YOU'LL GET YOUR CLOTHES DIRTY!!!!' She yelled, breathing heavily. Selina obediently swung down, and picked up her book. She walked over to her mother, prepared to receive whatever insults she would dish out. But she was surprised to find Mrs Galladen had calmed down dramatically, and even looked excited.
'I received an owl from the Malfoys,' she said enthusiastically, 'They've invited us to afternoon tea tomorrow!' She pulled a piece of parchment out of her robes and showed Selina. 'That's fantastic mother,' she said, smiling falsely.
Suddenly a look of horror passed over Mrs Galladen's face. 'What? What's wrong mother???' Selina said, genuinely worried. 'Oh no..' Mrs Galladen said, 'What on earth are you going to wear??? We'll have to go to Perigon Alley right away! And oh dear, I'll need some new shoes and new robes.'
***
The next afternoon, after numerous outfit changes they finally arrived at the Malfoy Manor. The Malfoy dwelling was equally, if not more impressive than the Montue's. They were greeted in the entrance by all three Malfoys, and then were shown into a large sitting room where tea and sweets were served. The room was richly furnished with elaborate hangings of different shades of green, and serpent themed pieces were ever present. The room was a little too dark for Selina's liking, but it was very striking all the same.
While her father & Lucius's conversation revolved around wizarding politics and current affairs, her mother & Narcissa's exchange was simply snobbish gossip. It was very mind- numbing. She listened to the male's more appealing conversation and followed it for quite some time, but soon her mind began to wonder as she examined the intriguing furnishings which adorned the room.
She was snapped back to reality when Draco leaned over to whisper in her ear. 'You look like you're about to fall asleep. Come on, let's go for a walk, shall we?' Selina nodded her head, and they excused themselves from the conversation (not that they were even participating).
The land on the Malfoy's estate was enormous, double the side of her own. To the east there were green, rolling hills as far as the eye could see, and to the west was large, dense woodland. Selina wished she owned a horse so she could gallop through and explore the alluring territory.
Draco led her through to an area of open forest, where the sun streamed through the thin canopy warmly. Selina breathed in deeply as they strolled idly along, allowing the natural forest aroma to envelop her senses. It was so clean and fresh, yet more intensely filled with different and strange herbs, alien to her senses.
She was barley even aware as Draco linked his arm with hers, and she even lightly closed her eyes, trusting Draco the guide her safely. This sharpened her senses, and she could hear the leaf litter crunching underneath their footsteps, the faint twitting of small birds, and Draco's soft breath.
Soon they came to a halt in a patch of direct sunlight. Selina tilted her head upwards, letting the rays warm her face contently. A pair of soft lips suddenly covered her own, and she kissed them back involuntary, vaguely aware of whom it was in her dreamy state.
Draco pulled her close to him, and motioned to deepen the kiss, when Selina abruptly pulled back.
'What? Is something wrong?' he questioned, somewhat perplexed.
Selina had snapped alert when he pulled her to him, and was suddenly bewildered and a little confused. She didn't know what had made her pull back or even kiss him in the first place, but the uncomfortable feeling was lingering there, and it just didn't feel right. 'I, erm..I just..' she faltered, trying to say what she felt.
A look of confusing and impatience passed over Draco's face, as he searched her eyes for some sort of explanation.
'I just..I can't see us being together,' she said quietly, her eyes dropping. Suddenly a cloud passed over the sun, blocking out the warm sunlight.
'It's not that there's anything wrong on your behalf, you're a really nice guy and I'm sure you'll make some girl very happy one day, its just..I don't think that girl is me.' Selina looked up again, and said softly, 'I'm sorry.'
Draco was silent, and Selina had no idea what kind of reaction to expect. 'Its ok,' Draco said suddenly, 'I understand.' He paused. ' I wouldn't want you being forced into this situation when you don't want to be. But.we can still be friends, can't we?' 'Of course we can!' Selina laughed, relieved. Draco smiled back, then suddenly frowned. 'But what of our parents?' he asked, 'I somehow don't think our mothers will be as understanding.' Selina pondered about this new obstacle for a while, then spoke. 'Well, I suppose we don't have to tell them about our decision now, just let them think we're getting to know each other, and take it as it comes.' Draco smiled with approval of the plan. 'Good idea. Come on, we'd better be getting back.' Selina sighed. She could stay out here in the serenity of the forest forever, but agreed with Draco. 'I suppose,' she said, then on a sudden whim turned to him and said, 'Race you!' and sprinted off as fast as her attire would allow. Draco smiled and chuckled to himself, before tearing off through the forest after her.
************************************************************************
Sorry if Draco comes across as a bit *weak*, lol but he's the kind of character I see as putting up a tough exterior but being the opposite on the inside (or sumthing like that!).
Wind runner- I don't think I'll be incorporating Hogwarts into this story, because when I do write about hogwarts and all its characters I really wanna spend a lot of time and effort to make it authentic and believable (and at the moment I just don't have the time!) Sorry to disappoint you :(
I'm still very hungry for reviews (my stomach is only running on 3!!) because if I don't get more soon I'll have succumbed to the fact that my writing is toilet paper material and not write anymore.
~*Fernie*~
p.s. please excuse my terrible grammar, it always screws up when I upload and it pisses me off!