Chatter about the Halloween Formal continued throughout the month. At some point, Astoria ambushed me about what happened that day in the common room. I was in the library working on a Herbology analysis when she said, "OMG, Thea! What you did to Pansy was amazing! I can't believe you did that!" Her friends around her started nodding excitedly. My face lit up at her words.
"Thank you, Astoria," I replied. "Do you have a date yet?" She giggled.
"Not yet, but I hope Bryce Babineaux asks me."
"What about you girls?" I asked to her group of friends. There were three of them, two from Slytherin and one from Ravenclaw.
"No, we don't yet. If no one gets a date, we are all going as a group," the Ravenclaw said. I smiled at her and looked at Astoria.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked. She nodded and quickly said bye to her friends, telling them that she would see them later to study. "Go ahead and sit down. I don't bite."
She sat in the seat across from me and, knowing what I'd ask, said, "No, Pansy hasn't been harassing me much." At this, I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, yeah? Then, why did I hear that she spilled your ink everywhere the other day? And, afterwards, shoved you into a wall? I hear things honey - you can't keep much from me."
"I can't say anything! Daph always turns an eye and, if I write Mum, Daphne always says that I am lying. What do I do, Thea?" she said with tears beginning to run down her face.
I pulled her over to my chair and hugged her for a second, resting my head on hers. "Honey, I will take care of it. She's been a bit bitchy as of late because I stole her precious 'Dracy-poo' from her. I will make sure she leaves you alone, okay?"
"Okay. Thank you, Thea," she says before hugging me one more time and standing up.
"Go run off and study with your friends," I tell her. She nods before sending a smile my way and following my orders.
How can someone let their sibling be treated this way? Braxton would never let this happen. I nod my head in disappointment and move on with my homework. Soon after, I hear footsteps walking towards me and, thinking it was Astoria again, I say, "Astoria, you'll be okay. I'll take care of it." When I looked up, I saw Malfoy instead. My caring smile turned into a blank look upon sight of his trademark blonde hair. "Yes, Malfoy?"
"And what will you be taking care of for darling Astoria?" he questioned.
"Nothing you need to worry your entitled ass about," I snarkily replied.
He tutted and said, "I'm not here to discuss my ass; although, I would be glad to show you later in bed," he winked. Ew.
"Oh, bugger off. If you have nothing relevant to say to me, I have some letters to write."
"I do have something to say, actually. Why did you 'ask' me to the dance?"
"I was in a terrible situation, you were in a terrible situation, and it benefited both of us. It will piss off Parkinson and could boost my social status."
"I see our little talk on the train has gotten to you. Well, I'm glad someone is listening to me."
"Anything else?"
"Yes. If we are going to the dance together, we need to match," he stated. I threw my head back and groaned.
"And what does the 'Slytherin Prince' want to dress as?" I asked while crossing me arms.
"You just said it," he said with a smirk.
"No, no bloody way. I am not dressing up as a princess to satisfy your little power fantasy."
"You got yourself into it. Green will go lovely with your hair. I'll have my mum send you money. Lord knows you can't afford anything worthy to be next to me." He looked at my outfit and repeated, "Green will do just fine." He finally walked off and I pouted in my seat. I can't believe the dick is making me dress like a princess. Maybe he should own up to his actions and be the princess instead. Zabini can be his prince.
The Halloween hogsmeade trip approached quickly. On the morning of, I woke up swiftly. I addressed my hair situation by slinging my long hair into a messy bun and got dressed. I headed down to the Great Hall to quickly eat breakfast and find Miles. When I told him about my conversation with Draco, he decided that he would help me find the perfect costume. After I finished my meal, I walked out into the oddly warm October weather.
"Thea, you will be the epitome of the Slytherin Princess, no, Queen for the ball!" Miles exclaimed.
"I just need the night to go well, okay? I told you, I need the status. They have all declared Malfoy and Parkinson as a power couple, but when puberty hit, well, let's say she isn't so desirable," I replied. Do it for Braxton, I assured myself.
"Whatever, take this opportunity and run with it. You are going to be a queen for the night so act like it." I raised my arms in surrender and we walked down to Hogsmeade while chatting aimlessly. We arrived in the quaint village and found a little shop to the side that sold formal wear and wandered around the racks, pulling green dresses here and there. I found a few that caught my eye and then went into the busy changing room to try out what we had found.
"Okay, how about this one?" I said. The first dress was very simple. "Maybe we could dress it up?"
"No, that is way too simple. Is it on clearance?" he said spotting the red tag. "Oh hell no, Narcissa Malfoy sent you 10,000 galleons for a reason and we are not spending it on something on clearance." I laughed at his antics and went back into the dressing room. I tried on two more failed dresses. Dress number two showed too much skin, I guess, and dress number three was just ugly. I tried on the fourth dress and immediately fell in love. It hugged my body just right and showed the perfect amount of skin with the lace overlay.
"I think this is it," I said walking out to Miles.
"Perfect! Now, Mrs. Malfoy added a snake ring to wear with the dress. We just need to find a mask and the rest of the jewelry." We went to a jewelry store on the same side of the town and found the right earrings and mask to go with it.
"I have to wear a tiara. What do you recommend?" I asked.
"Hm, I don't know. I'd owl your mum about it," he said, shrugging. I agreed and linked arms with him to head back up to the castle. On the way, I passed by Malfoy and Parkinson snogging in an alley. I made a face of disgust and moved on with my walk. When Miles and I finally made it to the castle, we parted ways - him to the library to finish out some homework and I to the dungeons to hide away my dress and owl my mum. I got to my room and slid my garment bag into my favorite purse. It has an undetectable extension charm on it. My mum charmed it ages ago so I would never have to buy a bigger purse and so that it was more convenient. I sat on my bed and wrote a note to Mum.
Dear Mum,
I know that you have heard that we are having a Halloween formal and that my date and I have decided on dressing up as a prince and princess. Do you happen to have a crown or tiara I could wear? School is going just fine. I have made a lot more friends this year, so my social life isn't completely trashed. How is Brax doing? Any updates? I can't wait to see you guys over winter break.
All my love,
Thea
I grabbed my note, left the common room, and went to the owlery. I stepped into the loud room and found one of the Hogwarts owls. "Send this to the Elsword Manor," I said and gave the bird a treat and a rub on the head before letting him fly out the window. I checked the time and saw I was about to miss curfew, so I quickly hurried back down to the dungeon. But, of course, I ran into Parkinson and her gang.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in," said Parkinson.
"I don't need this right now, pug-face," I said.
"Excuse me?" she shrieked.
"You are excused. Back off and let me get to bed. You should too; you need the beauty sleep."
"You little bitch," she said charging at me. "You will regret ever insulting the Slytherin Princess." She actually managed to punch me and I felt my lip split. I grabbed my lip as soon as she stepped back and saw blood on my fingertips. My face morphed into an expression of anger and I punched her back right in the nose. She screamed and clutched where my fist landed. I hope it broke.
"Fuck off, puggy," I finished and stormed off to the dungeon, leaving her and her friends behind me.
Dear Unknown,
How dare Pansy lay a hand on me. What a bitch. Anyways, I better get some eyes at this dance. My dress is gorgeous and the ring that sent is beautiful. I saw Malfoy pointing at me the other day when his friends. I hope that him pointing me out will get my name out there.
