It had been months since Elena was so publicly humiliated in the common room. She felt disgusted every time she thought about it. Disgusted because for some reason; Draco being so rough with her she had enjoyed. She had liked the way he possessed her mouth, touched her, and almost claimed her.
She wasn't naïve, she had heard about Draco's reputation with girls. He was a lady killer, that much was obvious and he also was no stranger on how to have sex. Elena was so repulsed by this it near eclipsed her excitement.
Elena refused to speak to Draco, and he would not be the first to talk to her. And so, it was an unending cycle; neither wishing to speak with the other for pride and honour. She still spoke to Pansy, albeit rather reluctantly. For all she seemed to talk about was Draco.
"Oh Draco and I went to Hogsmeade yesterday, he took me in to Honeydukes and bought me all these sweets! Then we went over to the Shrieking Shack and –"
"Pansy! For Merlin's sake girl, shut up!" Elena very rarely snapped at people, but when she did they knew she was more than irritated.
"But –", began the girl before looking past Elena's shoulder to spy said wizard looking at them.
"I don't care about Draco Malfoy, Pansy, and I certainly don't care what you do with him. I'm pretty sure I already know." She sneered, imagining exactly what they did in the Shrieking Shack.
"Oh really?"
Elena didn't even need to turn round to know whose cold drawling tones spoke. It was Malfoy, come to anger her further.
She whipped round to see him, he had gotten taller since the last time they had spoken and broader across the chest too. His face more chiselled and masculine. His grey eyes sharper as if they had seen things that they wanted to un-see.
"Yes, Malfoy. I don't particularly want to see you, speak to you or hear others talk about you. I'd much prefer if you didn't exist at all, so that I didn't have to think about your ugly mug every time someone brings you up." Elena was going to say that she didn't want to think about their unspoken engagement.
"Well, I'm sure you'd love to see me in the holidays then, as I have been invited along to your families Annual Ball this year." He sneered, an amused glint in his eye. "I have been told I am to accompany you."
Elena knew what this was. This was a ploy created by their parents to get them closer, Elena had owled her mother and father, warning them that if they went through with the arrangement she would leave. Of course, they saw this as the petty threat of a teenage witch.
Elena's glare narrowed, "And you expect me to go along with this, Malfoy?"
"Oh I don't expect, I know." He stepped closer to tangle his long fingers in her snowy locks, "And I will enjoy every minute of it."
The blonde wizard stepped back, and smiled before turning on his heel and walking out the Great Hall. His followers getting up from the Slytherin table as he left.
Elena felt dread build up inside her as days flew by and the summer holidays grew ever closer. Malfoy would casually smirk at her, as if to remind her of the Ball.
It got to the point where Elena would avoid him at all costs; she had stopped speaking to Pansy and made new friends, those that didn't follow the Slytherin Prince around like dogs.
She found compassionate friends in her new company. Something she did not think was possible in Slytherin. Lucas Ogden was a true friend and knew of her plight with Malfoy well, finding the blonde wizard completely insufferable.
Lucas was very easy on the eyes with chocolate brown curls and blue eyes, his kind face led many believe he was sorted into Slytherin by mistake but once they got to know the person behind the handsome exterior there was an ambitious and resourceful boy, a Slytherin through and through.
Lucas was loyal to Elena, bitching severely about Malfoy and how his family was so determined to keep pureblood ties that they had all married to a relative - something that repulsed both pureblood students.
"It's only next week, Lucas. Next week and I will be home, forced into a tight dress and made to dance with him." Elena walked back to the common room with a familiar ache in her abdomen.
"You're thinking about it too much, you'll probably only have to dance with the sod once and then you can drink yourself stupid." Replied Lucas, as they came to the Slytherin Common room, setting their things down and taking a seat on a sofa by the fireplace. It was late, the two students had been sneaking around the restricted section of the Library and had nearly been caught by Filch had it not been for some quick thinking on Elena's part and a Fidelius Charm to hide them both.
"Though you in a tight dress gets me all hot," groaned Lucas while running a hand through his brown curls.
Elena smacked his arm in jest, "Yeah right, you idiot." He looked at her with a grin.
"Ah well, we'd better get to bed, shall I take the book or you? I can't say I'd enjoy waking everyone up with it." Lucas held up the book they'd stolen about Animagi up.
"Hmm, well I guess I can take it, I am much better at silencing charms than you." Elena took the thick tome from him, before gathering her bag and getting up to go.
"Elena," the white haired witch turned back as she went up the stairs, "Don't think about him, he's not worth your worry."
Elena smiled broadly, truly grateful for Lucas, "Thanks Lucas, sleep well."
A week passed quickly, much to Elena's dismay. She was back on the Hogwarts Express with the school year finished so fast it was like yesterday she had stolen a book from the Library with Lucas. Elena was sat in a carriage with Lucas and some other friends. Humphrey curled up on her lap asleep.
Elena didn't speak, she was too worried. Too worried that she might actually enjoy being with Malfoy and dancing with him, because as much as she hated him for what he did, she still imagined his hands on her and his tongue in her mouth. She still imagined his voice as he told her that he was glad he was engaged to be married to her.
As the train pulled into Kings Cross station, Elena said goodbye to her new friends, hugging Lucas for a particularly long time before separating with a smile and a promise to write.
Elena stepped off the train, Humphrey back in his carrier. There waiting on the platform was her parents. Both dressed impeccably, her father with his black hair combed off his face and eyes made severe by dark thick eyebrows. Her mother stood graceful and poised as always. Her glossy brown hair curled softly about her shoulders and framed her hauntingly beautiful features. Her eyes were piercing bright jade, something that Elena shared with her mother.
Elena walked towards them before she was pulled into a warm hug by her mother, and the comforting hand of her father stroked her silver hair. As much as she hated them for forcing her into marriage, she would always miss them during the school year.
"Come now, Magdelena, let's get you and Humphrey home." Her father smiled, instantly softening his harsh features. They released their only daughter before leading her off of Platform 9 ¾ and away from the Hogwarts express, her belongings on a trolley pushed by her father.
Once out of sight of muggles, they apparated back to the Manor, which was already decorated ready for the Morgan Le Fay Annual Ball. The hall was lavishly designed, with crystal chandeliers and mahogany furniture. Tapestries and paintings of ancestors and relatives hung across the walls along with medieval paintings the family had acquired over the years.
"Beau!" called Mr Le Fay, setting down Elena's school things. With a small pop, the family house elf appeared and bowed lowly to his master.
"Yes Master, Beau is here." Spoke the creature before standing straight once more. His sweet face was highlighted with huge emotive eyes and fat button nose; his long pointed ears drooped endearingly, almost like a rabbit.
"Beau, would you put Magdelena's things in her room at once," commanded Elena's father, but not severely.
"Of course, Master, right away," with another pop Beau was gone, along with Elena's suitcases and trunk.
Elena bent down to let Humphrey from his carrier. The Persian cat lazily ambled out the case before spotting Elena's mother and father and purring as he wound around their ankles.
"Well, Magdelena, we have much to discuss. Don't you agree?" Her father put on his authoritative voice, stepping aside to let the ladies of the house into the sitting room behind him.
