Author's Note: I know you lot are ready to kill me. I'm so sorry for the late update, I've been quite busy.:( Nonetheless, thank you for all the lovely reviews! All signed, and anon, and from the new readers. You're all such darlings So, there are a few questions flying about, and it's time to answer some of them. Enjoy the fourth chapter mateys! Oh yes, since I've been prolonging this day for a few chapters already, this one will be way longer than the others so that it would end. (So we can move on to the other days. Nyahaha)
Also, since this is on AU: 1) Narcissa's birthday isn't mentioned or known, so I decided that Harry and she would have the same birthday. 2) The characters might have a bit of OOC-ness, but I'll do my utmost best to stick to the original one. That's about it…for now. Forgive the crappy chapter for I have rusted. LOL
Standard Disclaimer applies :)
Le Fourth Chapter: Bloomers
"Oh come on," Blaise groaned. "Why is she here?" he said through his hands which muffled what he just said.
"Who?" Neville asked, scanning the lounge where people are seated all over the place, the front door where some people come and go, or for someone who might be approaching their table. "Is one of your psychotic girlfriends in here?" He only saw the waitress that was purposely bumping into one of them every time she passed by their table. She gave him a wink.
"I do not have girlfriends, Longbottom! And my exes weren't psychotic ones either." The dark boy said after taking a shot of Firewhiskey. He scowled at Neville. "I was talking to Draco."
Said boy broke out of his reverie and turned to Blaise. "Tequila?"
"No, you git! It's Astoria," He motioned to the stage. "That's her, right?"
Draco lazily looked up the stage.
Holy shit.
It is her.
He is reminded of an ephemeral memory. It was during his seventh year, and she was still a fifth year.
He was on his way to Madam Puddifoot's. And take note: there was a spring in his every step.
Anyone who might've known the young Malfoy would wonder, "Has the world come to an end?" Draco Lucius Malfoy gracing the shabby tea shop?
At that moment, he'd have said, "Why ever not?" and then he'd wink at you.
He was after all smitten with one Astoria Greengrass. The Slytherin beauty has it all: the looks, the swag, the talent. That bint knows how to snog, all right. He'd do anything to be with her, even having a date there. Going to Madam Puddifoot's will be as normal as bashing that ninny—Cormac McLaggen.
It wasn't his first time here (Pansy once made a bet with him, and he lost), so he's not at all surprised at the tacky décor, the ditsy teenagers saying sappy things to each other while holding hands, or the pink doilies. He's just horrified. The frilly bright pink tablecloth on each table hurts his eyes. The lacy napkins reminds him too much of Dolores Umbridge. He shuddered. But most of all, what annoys him to no end is the couples who sno—no suck each other's faces off. Like that bru—
That girl…and that boy. Why the bloody hell do they look familiar?
All he can see is red. No. It can't be.
His stomach felt heavier with every step that he made. He finally reached the couple at the very back of the shop, almost hidden from the others seated at the other tables. The boy was groping that very familiar brunette while she was straddling him with her legs. Those legs are hers. Of course he knew, he spent a lot of time looking at them. Her skirt hiked up higher as they continued snogging. She looked so wanton, Draco was disgusted.
He cleared his throat, "Astoria,"
She looked up; her lipstick was smeared to one side of her pretty face, her hair was disheveled. Recognition registered in her eyes and she tried to untangle herself from her partner. Draco knew him before the bloke started to speak.
"Theo,"
"Draco, I can explain," Astoria said as she wiped her cheek.
"Forget it, we're through," Draco spat. He was about to turn on his heel when Theo's hand touched his arm to stop him. His fist connected with the other boy's jaw as he propelled Draco to his direction. "Don't,"
Suddenly, the music came to life again. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he tuned out the slow jams playing in the lounge that stopped not so long ago. It turns out that the act now playing was I am a Good Girl, and Le Burlesque Foire's resident singer, Nikki who they knew better as Astoria Greengrass, graced the stage with her presence. She danced with flirt, sending a few winks every now and then, while singing. Man, she had a voice that sent tingles down your spine. Her sultry alto pipes were enough to make men's knees weak.
The dress is Chanel
The shoes YSL
The bag is Dior
Agent Provocateur
"She's stunning."
"As usual."
"She's smoking hot." A guy said. His girlfriend smacked him, muttering something about 'make-up and that flimsy outfit'.
"I think she's single."
"She's soooooooooo sexy."
My rings are by Webster,
They make their heads twirl
They all say "Darling, what did you do for those pearls?"
What? I am a good girl
Every bloke in the lounge wolf-whistled when she began dancing…except for Draco and his friends.
"Good girl my arse," Blaise murmured darkly. He voiced out the paralleled thoughts of their lot.
Ron shuddered, "She was that minx?"
The dark boy nodded gravely.
"You're too dramatic, Blaise," Draco said, taking a pudding slice from Harry's platter. "And Ron, she is that minx, not was,"
"Oh,"
She had a step where she lightly tapped her bum with her heels as she swayed to the music. Then she slowly made her way to the stairs whilst dancing on the steps or grinding the air. She ruffled her hair and smiled sexily.
"I'd do anything to get her to go out with me."
At the last comment by the guy nearest their table, Blaise snorted. He tapped the bloke and said, "Believe me. Getting her is as easy as casting a Floating Charm,"
"Oh?" The other guy asked, not quite believing him.
"All you have to do is ask,"
"Really?"
Blaise faced him fully, and said, "Yes, because she's a filthy slut." He smirked at the look the other bloke's face gave him. He was clearly taken aback.
"Blaise!" Draco hissed. He jerked his head at the guy to tell him to just continue watching.
"What? It's true!" The dark boy exclaimed.
Harry only snorted at this. He doesn't care about Astoria, no matter how much of a horrible girl she is. He doesn't care about what they all say. Alcohol, money, girls… Those aren't the only things that make the world go round. He has always wondered why his friends fussed about those when there's food. Glorious pudding. What could possibly best the tasty treat?
The wonderful blonde creature dancing on stage, his conscience murmured.
No, she couldn't be better than pudding, Harry countered.
How would you know? You don't know her well yet.
The raven-haired boy smiled to himself, That's exactly the point. I don't know her yet.
But she has your interest, and you know her name.
Only her name, and that she's a good dancer. I highly doubt that I'll get the chance to get to know her more after this.
Why?
Because I'm not coming back.
Why not?
Harry shifted in his seat, Because I'm 20, and I don't want to go to these kinds of places.
Oh please. All the more reasons to go! You're legal, she's here. It's the first time in years somebody caught your damn attention; the first time in years, a girl, and not anything remotely edible caught your attention. I reckon you both like pudding. You've always liked dancers, and she seems nice. No, very nice. Why don't you give it a go?
The voice in his head was getting really annoying, so he chose to ignore it. He drank up his Margarita and picked on the pudding slices. Coincidentally, the curtain revealed the dancers when he looked up at the stage. He searched for a certain blonde in the mass of dancing pink. There she was, clad in a similar outfit as the other girls. But somehow, it looked quite better on her than the other girls. He found it damn sexy.
I told you so! You fancy her!
Oh, piss off. Harry said, although he'd have wanted the voice to continue. He shook his head. This is not healthy.
He focused on the number instead. He noticed that the dancers and Nikki were now only wearing their pink corsets and their frilly bloomers. He could hear a lot of men clapping and cheering. There were even ones who were drooling. They were dancing using the mirrors that were lining the back of the bar. Some would disappear behind it, and then reappear once again.
"How do they do that without tripping?" Neville asked Ron. "They're even wearing heels!" The redhead only smiled as he watched his girlfriend.
"Talent, mate. Talent,"
It was a nice touch, Harry thought while the girls did a series of synchronized steps. The bartenders held Astoria's hands as she did a catwalk on the backs of the other bartenders as if it was a walkway. The tempo matched the way she made each step as she strutted towards the stage near the bar counter.
I am a good girl
As she belted out the last few notes, the lights dimmed, and the people clapped; some still continued wolf-whistling. At back stage, the girls sighed in relief as their number went smoothly. Pansy and Lavender looked at each other and laughed.
"Oh Merlin, did you see that?"
"Yeah, I mean—she's just—in front—of us!" Lavender said in between fits of giggles. The other girl slapped her arm playfully.
"She nearly slipped!"
The supposed blonde ruffled her hair as they strutted to their powder room, "I wish she did. She stole Ali's number!"
Pansy rolled her eyes and smiled, "She'll have her day,"
"Oh, she will. She mi—"
"Hush, she might hear. Let's go!"
Upon entering the room, they were greeted by a smiling Hermione who was carrying a tray of their cocktails: an apple martini for Luna, Firewhiskey on the rocks for Lavender, a Bloodhound for Ginny, a Mojito for Pansy, and her own Vesper.
"Good job, ladies. Drink up!" said Hermione. All five clinked their glasses together and took their shots.
"You all right, Ali?" Ginny asked. She was really worried when it wasn't her friend's voice that she heard singing earlier.
"Why wouldn't I be? It was really her number anyway," the brunette shrugged, and then swirled the lemon around her glass.
Pansy slammed her hand on the nearest table, making Luna flinch, "Heck, no. Cissy said you'll be doing it tonight since she's on sick leave," She's obviously ticked.
"Well, she's here, and she's obviously not sick,"
"How can you be so apathetic in this? You're so much better than her, and everyone here knows it!" Lavender reasoned, nearly shouting. Ginny and the others nodded. Their friend only sighed.
"She's still co-owner. We can't do anything about it. Merlin knows she might get us sacked if we say anything,"
"That won't happen because Cissy's the other owner,"
Luna spoke up, "And we'll be able to pay our dues by the end of August. That way we needn't worry about her giving us the sack,"
"Cissy will have full ownership again," Pansy finished, smiling at them.
"And…" Ginny started but she got cut off when Hermione clapped her hands.
"Enough of this, let's prepare. It's her birthday," she downed the remains of her drink and looked at them, "All right, you lot. Better get everything right before we do her favorite,"
"Got it," the other four nodded, giving each other a brief look, and dispersed. Luna hugged Hermione before pirouetting her way to her mirror.
"Georgia,"
"Yes, Scarlet?"
Oh, they just love using those names.
"You noticed that Draco was there, right?"
One.
Two.
Three.
Bingo. Lavender mentally counted as Pansy's face transitioned from a mischievous one to that of shock.
"He was?" Pansy asked with disbelief. She just missed seeing her best friend; her best and oldest friend. Pathetic.
"Yep. Before he was blatantly ogling at Hermione, he tried several times catching your attention. However, you were too busy flirting with Weasley to even notice him."
Pansy ran a hand through her hair. "Duh. Ron's my boyfriend. I think that's blindingly clear," Before she turned on her
heel, she remembered what Lavender had just said. "HE WAS OGLING AT HERMIONE?"
"Yes," The blonde said. "I was near giggles when I saw that. Merlin, he was so fixated on her that he couldn't even look away, much less notice that he accidentally knocked over his shot on Neville,"
Pansy laughed. "Poor bloke," she shook her head. "Oh well, we'll see him later anyway." She said, smirking as she took her best girl friend's hand and headed to the mirrors. They sat down and started reapplying their make up.
"So, who do you reckon Ginny's mystery guy is?" Lavender asked as she picked out a decent brush to use.
"Might be Harry,"
"But that'd be way obvious, Pans. She wouldn't bother being cryptic if we already know."
"True," Pansy said, applying red lipstick over her puckers. "We get to meet that wanker later, right?"
The other nodded.
"Five minutes, ladies!" Niam shouted over them.
"Okay, darling!" Lavender said after drinking up her whiskey. It burned down her throat; she liked it.
"Don't tell me that the Greengrass kid is here," Pansy said while she smoothed down her curls. The irritation in her voice wasn't hard to miss.
"Who are you calling a kid, huh, Pansy?" a very feminine, high-pitched voice hissed. The sound of her heels affirmed her entrance.
Georgia looked at the younger girl's reflection in her mirror. "Nikki, love! I thought you called in sick today?" she said with endearing sarcasm.
Astoria laughed haughtily, and then sauntered over her bejeweled vanity space. She eyed the older girl in her own mirror, a nasty glint glossing her emerald green eyes. "Why, I'd never miss Cissy's birthday, much less be upstaged by some hag like you…Georgia, darling."
"Oh please, me? Upstage an amateur such as yourself? I needn't to stoop to your level," said Pansy as she stood up from her stool, and walked over to where Astoria was. The younger girl was positively blushing in fury; her hand was gripping her eyeliner brush rather tightly. Pansy leaned down to her ear and whispered, "If I'm a hag, then you must be a drag,"
Lavender and the other girls laughed. She tugged on the hand of her best friend and murmured, "C'mon Pans, let's go. Her make up might melt."
"I heard that Brown!" Astoria screeched. She huffed and grabbed her powder. One of the triplets, Mia, looked at her cosmetics array.
"Hey, can I borrow this?" Mia asked as she opened a bottle of sparkly bronze eye-shadow. "Pretty," she murmured to herself.
The auburn-haired girl snatched it from the standing girl. "Don't touch my stuff!"
"Two minutes! Mia, Lia, Ria, get your arses here!" Niam motioned for them to hurry up.
"Can't you extend the due date?"
"No. I already gave you a month extra, Cissy," a woman replied icily as she downed her cocktail. "You could always reconsider that part of the deal,"
That part of the deal isn't happening.
"I'll be able to give it in three weeks," Narcissa said firmly. She stood up and glanced at Cassandra Greengrass briefly. Astoria really was her carbon copy. Like her daughter, she was a brunette with soft curly waves, azure eyes that seem to pierce through you, and a strong personality. Time was kind to her.
"Nice doing business with you, Sandra,"
She is not going to give up this lounge. Not now, not ever. Cassandra wants to play the power games? Fine.
We'll fight until hell freezes over.
"If you insist then," she stretched to her right to retrieve her purse, "I'll be taking my leave,"
Both ladies stood up from their seats in the private booth, and walked silently to the doors. The tension was crisp in the air. They finally reached the front door, but before leaving the lounge, Cassandra smiled to Narcissa but it didn't reach her eyes. "Happy birthday, Cissy."
The former Malfoy only grimaced as the older Greengrass left. Carlos noticed.
"Are you all right, Madame Narcissa?" he asked with thick French accent.
Narcissa laughed. "Oui, Carlos. That woman is just too much sometimes, don't you think?"
"Oui, Madame," he smiled.
"How's the night going?"
"Ali's been fantastique in her two numbers a while back,"
She nodded in approval, "I heard Nikki did her number?"
"Oui,"
"Was she sober?"
"Oui, Madame Narcissa."
"Oh, and don't call me Narcissa. Cissy's fine,"
"All right then, Madame Cissy," Carlos said as he skipped towards her. He held up a black cloth. Narcissa raised a brow. "It's only a scarf, Madame,"
"What for?"
"For you," he said theatrically as he tied it over her eyes. "Now take my 'and, and follow me,"
She felt nervous yet excited at the same time. She held out her hand, and let Carlos lead her to wherever they were going. "This better be good, or else you'll receive only have half of your paycheck,"
The French chuckled. "Oui, oui. The birthday girl is threatening me, eh?" he said as they started walking down. They passed a few tables, and then they stopped. Narcissa doesn't know which area of the lounge they were in since Carlos made quite a circuit. He gave a signal to the band to start playing.
The familiar sound of drums and trumpets registered to Narcissa. Continuous upbeat notes played the intro of her favorite number. As she felt the blindfold being slowly untied, the beat of the percussions synchronized with her heartbeat. She'd recognize that sound anywhere.
Wagon Wheel Watusi.
"Quick, quick! Carlos is coming!"
"Is Cissy with her?"
"Yes, yes! Come on. Quick!"
"Geez, Coco. Relax," Lavender said as she zipped up her blue-silver striped corset, and although it feels really weird to wear it with the skimpiest and frilliest pair of shorts, doing a great number surpasses that discomfort. "Where's Jessie?" She twirled the ends of her hair.
Luna half ran towards the assembled group, narrowly missing the huge speaker beside the curtains, "Here!"
Astoria threw her a dirty look. She has always hated that odd girl. I wonder why we took her in, in the first place. Her thoughts were soon drowned out by the mini fuss created by some of the nervous girls. She snorted, Amateurs.
"Everybody in their positions?" Hermione asked, double-checking everything. She scanned them in order. Pans, Lav, Luna, Mia, Ria, Lia, Gin, Astoria. Everyone nodded. She looked at Will and Niam, the twin backstage directors. "We're ready,"
Niam gave them a thumbs-up.
"All right, just wait for the band, and you're good to go!" Will said gaily as he signaled the lights to prepare too. "You four there, get the playback after the number!"
And then, the first note played.
Show time.
Is this Wagon Wheel Watusi? Now where have I heard that before? Blaise pondered as he continued people watching while waiting for the act to begin. The upbeat tempo of the music filled the whole lounge. Even the waitresses and the bartenders were dancing to the beat. Is there some kind of group performance happening here?
"It seems like there's a festive mood here tonight," Harry commented after popping another pudding slice in his mouth. Damn these babies.
"Of course, it's Cissy's birthday,"
"Naturally, it's my mum's birthday,"
Ron and Draco said at the same time. They looked at one another, and started laughing. It's odd seeing them get along when it's not on the matter of making fun of Harry. They usually argue on the pettiest of things, but when it comes to pranking Harry, they're inseparable like Tweedledee and Tweedledum…only smarter.
"It's Narcissa's favorite!" Blaise exclaimed. Delight was written all over his face. Obviously, he was chuffed that he remembered the familiar sound.
"What is?" Neville asked.
Blaise gave him a sideways look. "The number, mate. Wagon Wheel Watusi,"
"Where is she anyway? She should be watching," Draco said as he craned his neck to look for his mother in the crowd.
Ron shook his shoulder as he pointed at the pair standing not too far from them, "That's her with that French bloke at the front desk, right?"
"Yeah. I think I'll head over," the blonde said as he stood up.
They are so incredibly sweet. My girls, Narcissa smiled in thought as the dancers swayed in sync to the music. "I wonder what came into their minds," she said.
"They practiced for weeks, Madame," Carlos said. "They knew it was your favorite,"
A perfect blonde brow rose, "Oh? And who told them that?"
Carlos only blushed.
"Mother," a drawling voice said. Narcissa turned around to see her son walk toward her. She smiled at him and held out her hand. He took and held it beside him. He kissed the crown of her head, "Happy birthday, Mother,"
She looked up at him with an odd smile on her face, "Since when did you become so sappy?"
"It's only once a year, relish it," Draco smirked. She laughed, and then he proceeded to place a kiss on her dainty hand, "So, are we having a smashing time, Madame?"
"Yes," she managed to say as she suppressed another fit of giggles. "How about you and the boys? How's Le Burlesque Foire?"
"Oh, everyone is having the time of their lives," he said with a knowing grin.
"Even Harry, The Glutton is feeling quite adventurous tonight," Blaise added, and gave Narcissa a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Narcissa,"
A hand flew to her cheek, "Blaise!" the dark boy made a curtsy. "Ever the joker you are," she said fondly after smacking him lightly. "Harry? He's a glutton, you say?"
"Yes,"
"For pudding," Draco said. Blaise nodded vigorously.
The older woman laughed. "So, why say that he's feeling adventurous?"
"He fancies one of your lassies," Blaise said in a heavy Irish accent as he waggled his eyebrows, and then looked at Draco for confirmation only to see him focusing on the stage; more accurately, at one Ali. "Seems like Draco does, too,"
Narcissa trailed her son's gaze. "Oh, our Ali?"
At the sound of her name, Draco's head whipped back to face them. "Mm?"
His mother and Blaise shared a look, and then they laughed.
The final sound of the cymbals signaled the end of the show. Everyone stood and clapped. Suddenly, the room dimmed. For a moment, everybody held their breath. Slowly, tiny blue flecks of light emerged from the darkness. They slowly filled the lounge like the stars that appear at evenfall. The whole place was now like the inky night with the glittery stars.
Fairy lights.
"It's beautiful," Narcissa breathed. Then she felt a light squeeze on her hand. She looked at Draco, and then at Blaise, then smiled. She craned her neck further to see if Carlos if there but he was nowhere to be seen. Just then, the band started playing again.
"Happy birthday to you,"
"Happy birthday to you,"
"Happy birthday, dear Cissy,"
"Happy birthday to you,"
The spotlight turned on to reveal the whole Burlesque troop holding a Black Forest cake. They sang along with the faster singing of the crowd as they made their way towards the trio standing unmoving. Narcissa smiled at her girls. They finally reached her when they song ended. She blew out all the candles, and kissed every one of them.
"Thank you, really. You're all very sweet," she said while dabbing at her eyes. "You lot are making me feel old,"
They all laughed and hugged their mother figure. The two young men stood there watching.
"They're family,"
"Yeah,"
"I wish they'd hug me too," said Blaise while pouting. Draco smacked him.
"You and your hormones,"
"Hey! You blokes never hug me!"
Draco smirked, and said, "It's because we're blokes, you ninny,"
"There you two are!"
The pair of them turned to see who called out.
"Oi, you thought you could get away with getting the ladies to yourselves?"
"Nope, Georgia's still yours. I have my own lady," Blaise said smugly. The other boys narrowed their eyes at him. Blaise only raised a brow. "What?"
"Is she sane?"
"Is she a control freak?"
"I'm pretty sure she's a bitch,"
"She has long hair, doesn't she?"
"Another sugar momma?"
Questions and accusations started firing out from Draco, Ron, Neville, and Harry. The dark boy found it amusing. Does he really have that bad taste? NO. He held up a hand to silence them.
"No, no, no. She is nowhere near your claims. In fact, you could meet her right now," he said to them, although he wasn't looking at them but at the girl who was now walking to their direction.
All the boys' heads whipped up to see one of the dancers stop in front of them. She was with the other dancers, Georgia, Scarlet, Jessie, and the singer, Ali. The girl was olive-skinned like Blaise. She smiled at the boys as she took her place beside Blaise. Her friends, however, looked nervous as hell.
"May I introduce to you lot, my girlfriend, Coco," he linked their hands together. "Or you all know better as…"
The Polyjuice potion wore off, and transformed the girl. Not only her, but also the rest of her posse.
"Ginny Weasley," Blaise finished.
Ron's eyes bulged, "Ginny?"
"Lavender?"
"Bloody hell,"
"Pans? You're Georgia?"
"Yes, Harry,"
"Looney?"
"I knew it. Granger,"
"Luna Lovegood?"
Oh dear.
Author's Note: Please tell me how bad it is. Hahahaha. Sorry if I disappointed you lot.
