Chapter Four: Dress Number Four

Draco and Grace carried on the next couple weeks doing whatever they felt like with all the time in the day, leaving Narcissa and Mr. Gringos to the wedding details, until one afternoon Narcissa came in and announced they were needed for some of the planning.

"Hello dears. I'm sorry to pull you away from your lazy afternoon but we need to go into town. Today is 'Dress Day'. I know I'm supposed to be in charge of the details but this is one choice you will want to make, Grace." The two agreed and headed off with Narcissa.

"So you two seem to be getting along lately. Something change?" Narcissa asked, eyeing the two before her.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked.

"I mean, are you two okay with wedding now?" She pressed.

"Not particularly but it's going to happen anyway, so why spend the time and energy being upset about it?" Grace answered quickly, taking the words from Draco's mouth.

"Okay, well that's a good way of thinking." Narcissa said, dropping the conversation. Draco shook his head at Grace for using his words and she laughed.

"Here we are! Now, I have narrowed the selection to five dresses. You just have to try them on and pick one." Narcissa explained as they filed into the dress shop. Grace was shoved into a dressing room while Narcissa and Draco took seats in front of the large half-moon of mirrors.

"Dress number one." The shopkeeper announced after a few minutes of fabric rustling and a couple curse words from Grace, which made Draco chuckle. She stepped out of the dressing room and glared at her audience. The dress was pure white, like all the choices Narcissa had given her, but it was covered in feathers, even the bodice had smaller white feathers on it.

"I feel like a giant pigeon." She said dryly. Draco put his fist to his lips, hiding a grin. She turned back in to the dressing room and started on dress number two. She had the same feeling about dress two because of the giant lace flowers placed sporadically on the bodice. Dress number three earned her some looks from the peanut gallery as it was white silk with a low cut front and even lower cut back.

"I would like it, if I wasn't getting married." Draco could no longer stifle his laughter and let it burst out. Grace stuck her tongue out at him childishly and stomped back in to the dressing room.

"Dress number four." The shopkeeper announced. Grace walked out and stepped in front of the mirrors. She turned around and looked at herself thoroughly. It was a ball gown style dress with light beading on the heavily boned bodice. The lower skirt was made of netting and hung nicely just barely above the ground. The small sleeves attached to the bodice allowed her to feel more secure that the top would stay up, although the fit was more snug than any of the others. She pulled her hair out of its loose pony tail and let her curls bounce around her shoulders. Draco stared at her as she let down her hair and proceeded to gape at the dress. He felt his stomach flop when she turned to them and smiled.

"I actually love it." Narcissa clapped her hands together then ran to hug the girl.

"Well, what do you think?" Narcissa and Grace faced Draco, waiting for his answer. He looked her over once more then stood.

"Perfect." Narcissa clapped again and rushed to the shopkeeper to organize the payment and delivery. Grace turned back to the mirror and continued to gaze at the dress.

"I can't believe I'm actually smiling!" She exclaimed to Draco, who had moved to stand behind her. She turned around to face him, her smile wide. He looked her over once more then stepped forward, put his hand through her hair onto the back of her neck and brought her lips to his. All air escaped Grace as her head lit off fireworks. Draco parted his lips and Grace felt her head begin to swirl. She put her arm around his neck and this time Draco put both of his around her waist and pulled her close to him. Her heart stopped and so did her world when his warm hand found its way to the bare skin of her back. He pulled away suddenly and stepped back. Grace opened her eyes and stared at him questioningly. She looked over and saw Narcissa and the shopkeeper headed back in their direction and understood the abrupt ending of the kiss.

"Well the dress is yours, dear! Congratulations!" The shopkeeper chimed happily; Narcissa clapping in agreement.