"Why did you agree to let Draco take you? You two can't stand each other" Izzy hissed as we walked towards the Great Hall for dinner. Today was Friday which means tomorrow was my date with Draco, and also with Mark and Hermione. When Mark asked me who I was taking, I panicked and told him it was a surprise. I wasn't exactly sure how Mark would react when Draco showed up. I was actually curious to see how Draco would handle himself. I haven't talked to him since our little talk and so far I haven't heard any gossip about our date. He was keeping his promise, which was amazing to me. Since when did Draco have a heart?
"Things have changed" I muttered sitting down. Izzy rolled her eyes and leaned across the table with a smirk on her face. "You are starting to like him, aren't you?" She hissed. My eyes widen, was I really that easy to read? I had been thinking a lot about Draco and I noticed I started staring at him in classes now. I didn't know what had changed, but something surely did. "No. Can we drop this?" I hissed as Grant and Ben walked into the Great Hall.
"Okay fine, but don't be surprise when Mark acts negatively towards Malfoy. Mark is practically in love with you" She leaned back and began to talk lightly to Daphne when Ben dropped down next to me while Grant sat on the other side. "So Draco seems more pleasant" Ben muttered placing some mashed potatoes on his plate. Grant placed a roll on my plate and stuffed one into his mouth like he hasn't eaten in days. I felt my heart stop and looked at Ben. What did he know?
"What do you mean?" I asked buttering my roll before take a bite out of it. "I mean he isn't being a complete dick. He actually helped me with my essay last night for Snape's class" I sighed and looked at Ben as he glanced at me out of the corner of his eyes. "What do you know?" He perked up and placed an innocent look on his face. "You didn't bring this up for nothing. Just spit it out already"
He brushed off the crumps from his hands and turned fully towards me. "Ever since he saw you making out with Mark, his attitude has gotten worse. Then he magically is okay now. Did you two bang or something? Because honestly I think he really digs you or just wants to bang"
"We weren't making out; first off, he just sort of kissed me. And no, we didn't bang! We talked and he was really nice. That's it" I spat out before taking a drink of my pumpkin juice. Grant froze and looked over at Ben, who had also frozen at the spot. They both glanced at each other then slowly put all their attention on me. I tensed up and looked first at Ben then at Grant. Both of them had giant smirks on their faces.
"What are you two looking at?" I snapped.
"You like Draco, don't you?" They said at the exact same time. My jaw dropped, "What?!"
"I have seen you when you like someone before! And you like Draco" Grant hissed nudging me in the side. I dropped my fork and stood up quickly. I leaned forward, "Not a word"
"See you always get angry too!" Ben called out as I stormed away. I glanced back, Ben and Grant attention was all on Izzy but the eyes that were on me were none other than Draco Malfoy's. I gave him a weak smile and turned around storming out of the Great Hall.
000
I was skipping two steps at a time and finally reached my dorm room. I pushed open the door and the first thing I saw was a package on my bed with a note attached to it. I closed the door behind me and locked it so Pansy wouldn't storm in bothering me. I slowly walked over to the package and pulled off my cloak setting it on my chest that was at the foot of my bed. I smoothed my skirt down before I finally picked up the package that had my name written on it.
I placed the note to the side and tore open the package. Inside were two boxes. One small one and the other one was large. I opened the small one and saw a beautiful pair of diamond earrings. I smiled and picked up the bigger one. I opened it to see a gorgeous strapless green dress. I quickly picked up the note and tore it open quickly.
Aella,
Here is something for our date tomorrow. I kind of snooped around to get your dress size. Hope you aren't too angry. See you tomorrow.
Draco
P.S. It's supposed to be chilly tomorrow so make sure you wear a sweater.
I plopped down on my bed and read over the letter probably about ten times. This couldn't be Draco. This was thoughtful and planned out. I have never seen Draco act like this towards anyone. Narcissa was always complaining to my mother about how Draco treated every relationship like a fling. I mean she actually told her best friend that her son was a man whore.
Wait, this isn't a relationship. This was a favor and a way for me to find out who I am supposed to marry. I don't know how he knows but he knows and I was going to get it out of him. I threw away the wrappings and placed the boxes under my bed. I placed my dress in my closet and hid my earrings in my chest where my jewelry box was hidden under a bunch of cloaks. There was a loud pounding on my door, "Oi!" I sighed, it was Pansy.
I pulled out my wand from my cloak pocket and waved it at the door. It unlocked and swung open. "Why are you locking the dorm room?" She hissed walking in and pulling off her cloak. She pulled off her tie and threw it on the bed. "To keep you from entering" I muttered, picking up my PJs and walking towards the bathroom to change my clothes. She threw one of her shoes at me and it missed slamming into the wall. I snorted and quickly left. I walked down the hallway and pushed open the door to the bathroom. The bad thing about the bathroom that it was unisex, which meant I have walked in on Theo Nott taking a shower.
I walked into a shower stall and hung my towel on the hook outside of the stall. Izzy and I have learned just to get dressed in the stall. Most of the girls just walk around in their underwear and bras then flip their shit when a guy walks in to take a shower. It was stupid. You think they would learn. I quickly took a shower and reached out for my towel, but it was gone. I peeked out to see Nott holding it with a smirk on his face.
"Looking for this?" I groaned and looked down to see if my clothes were still there, but nope… He had them too. "Come on! Don't be a douche" I said holding out my hand. "Nope, come and get it"
"If you think this is cute and flirty then you need to reevaluate your life, bud" He rolled his eyes and tossed me my towel. I wrapped it around me and stepped out. I held out for my clothes, but he held them back. "So, my father talked to yours"
"Congratulation" I muttered moving towards him trying to take my clothes back. "Yeah, your father pretty much told him that your fiancé was set and there was no changing it. I beg to differ. So, who is he?" He asked holding my clothes above his head. I wasn't about to jump knowing fully well my towel would fall.
"I have no idea! I'm not allowed to know till I'm eighteen" I hissed. He made his way to the door that leads towards the boys' dorm and I felt my heart stop. This kid was going to sell my bra and underwear if I didn't get them back. Before I knew it, he took off and I chased after him. I didn't care if I was just in a towel. I wanted my clothes back.
"Hey blokes! Aella Athanas in a towel!" Every door busted open and I felt eyes all on me. "Nott! Give me my clothes" I hissed. He held up my purple bra, "How many gallons for this gem?"
Then he held my lacy thong and smirked, "I might keep this for myself"
"I would pay you a hundred gallons if you make that towel fall, Nott" I looked to my left to see Marcus Flint's cousin, Phil Flint, who was a seventh year. His teeth looked just like Marcus and they both had the same hair color. "You got it" Nott hissed holding up his wand and was about to muttered some spell when his wand flew towards me. I picked it up quickly from the ground and pointed it at him.
Grant had his wand to his throat and Draco snatched my bra and underwear from his hands. Ben picked up the rest of my clothes while Blaise quickly walked forward pulling off his cloak. "Put this on" I nodded and put it on quickly.
"You are lucky I won't kill you right here and now" Grant hissed pushing his wand further into his neck. "Come on, mates. Let's not keep her all to yourself" Phil said leaning against the door frame. Blaise rested his arm around my shoulders and I felt him tense up.
"Flint, remember who her father is" Ben hissed. Phil shrugged, "I don't care. Aella is a hot piece of ass"
"Hello! I am right here" I screamed pointing Nott's wand right at Phil. "Come on, Aella" Ben said gesturing me forward. I moved forward from Blaise and Nott's wand flew out of my hand. Not only that but Blaise's cloak and my towel fell off as well. I froze and all I heard was cat calls. Blaise jumped into action and wrapped his cloak around me. Grant literally pushed Nott down the staircase and pointed his wand right at Phil. Phil flew backwards and I saw that Draco had his wand out.
"Take her in our dorm" Blaise nodded and Ben jumped to life unlocking their dorm room. All of them filed in and Draco kicked Phil as he walked by. The second the door closed, I busted out into tears. Grant ran towards me and gathered me up in his arms.
"Aella, he will pay. I promise you" Ben muttered kissing me on the head. "Okay, I'm going to go ahead and say it! Aella, that body is fantastic" Blaise said throwing his hands up in the air. Draco smacked him on the back of the head and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Thanks Blaise" I said pulling back from Grant. "I mean those boobs are amazing"
"Alright, Blaise" Ben hissed. "And that ass"
"Enough, Blaise" Grant snapped. "And that…"
"BLAISE" Draco, Grant, and Ben all yelled at the same time. "It's alright, guys. I mean every year has seen me naked so it's not that big of a deal. I surprise Ben and Grant didn't die from shock" I laughed to see Ben and Grant's faces turn bright red.
Draco looked down and jumped when he saw he was still holding my bra along with my underwear. I took my underwear from him and slid it on under Blaise's cloak. I took my bra from him and turned my back towards the boys quickly putting it on. I put on the rest of my clothes and handed Blaise's cloak back to him. "Well I'm going to go take a cold shower" Blaise muttered picking up his towel and a new set of boxers.
"Thanks for the cloak, Blaise"
"No problem! Let me know if any other guy messes with you" He said patting me on the back. He opened the door and yelled at some guy to keep walking. Ben plopped down on his bed and Grant awkwardly walked back to his bed. Draco just stood there staring at me. "Alright. Thanks for everything guys. I'll see everyone tomorrow" I smiled and snatched up my towel before leaving.
Ben sighed when the door closed and sat up, "I keep forgetting how hot Aella is"
"Those boobs… You know I am a boob guy! How am I supposed to get hers out of my head?! She is my best friend!" Grant yelled dramatically falling back on his bed. Draco was just staring at the door with his fist clenched at his sides. "You okay, man?" Ben asked.
"I'm livid" Draco whispered. "We all are. Aella has had worse. I'm surprise you haven't brought up her body like Blaise" Ben muttered pulling out a towel and a pair of PJ bottoms. "I didn't think it would be respectful to say that in front of her best mates"
Grant sat up quickly and looked at Draco before looking over at Ben, who had frozen to the spot. "We are used to it. It honestly doesn't bother us. Back in fourth year some guy pulled Aella's skirt down. She is kind of used to getting harassed by the male population. It still pisses me off though, but Aella handles it like a pro" Ben said watching every movement Draco made. Draco finally looked away from the door and walked slowly towards his bed.
"She doesn't deserve that" Draco muttered. Grant's jaw dropped and he pulled out his wand pointing it at the door locking it. "You like her, don't you?" Grant hissed getting up and quickly walking over to him with Ben close behind.
Draco sighed, "Mate, I've been in love with her since we were twelve"
Ben and Grant looked at each other before looking back at Draco with smirks on their faces. "What would you say if we could help you tell her how you feel?" Ben asked. Draco raised an eyebrow and leaned back staring at the two.
"I'm listening"