Last time:
Blaise looked over at Draco with a smirk and said, "Sorry mate, all is fair..."
Blaise took Artemisia's hand and placed it on his arm. He then gracefully led her onto the dance floor, circling her carefully around the floor before taking putting his arm around her waist, his hand in hers.
"...In love and war" Draco muttered. looking up he saw his father's eyes glaring at him.
Now:
Lucius had heard his son's distasteful comments. In fact, he had watched the entire fiasco. He then suffered as he watched Blaise hold this girl in his arms for the first dance. Any dance Artemisia had with someone else was an opportunity to lose her. He would not lose this girl like he lost her mother. He remembered when he courted her mother. It was a strange time, much like it was now. The impending doom of war lurking. One day, she just disappeared. No one mentioned her again. It was as she had never existed. He had never been able to get the mystery resolved. He eventually came to the conclusion that she had died. But since Artemisia's emergence he thought perhaps she married someone abroad and never returned. Where was she now? No, she surely would be here tonight if she were alive. She must have died in childbirth...
Lucius decided it was time to take matters in his own hands. He crossed the room to have a few words with his son.
Draco watched intently as Blaise put his arm around Artemisia. Watching him waltz this angel around the floor, it had been the longest 3 minutes of his entire life. He watched as Blaise touched the small of her back. He watched them smile at each other. He said something to her. She laughed. He said something in her ear. She blushed. Arrghhhh! He couldn't take this. And then, the music stopped. Blaise thanked her, released her to her "attendant" and sauntered back over to Draco to gloat. Ginny had already secured the next person on the list, Neville Longbottom, who was waiting in the sidelines to take a spin on the floor.
"That was incredible. She is the most amazing girl. Good breeding, good family, and that body. Man, she is a total package!", Blaise gloated.
Draco watching Artemisia dance with Neville. Just watching the way she moved. There was something so familiar about her. Yes she was beautiful, even with the mask on he could tell that. But it was more her mannerisms, the way she held herself. There was something that was so incredibly captivating about her; it was simply driving him crazy. Maybe if he was able to dance with her he would be able to figure it out. Interrupting Blaise's thoughts, Draco blurted out, "I want a shot at her. I want my dance."
"No way Draco. She's mine. I saw her first." Blaise responded. True he thought this girl was lovely, but Draco seemed to be taken with her. He almost looked like he was possessed the way he was looking at her. He had seen the look in his friends eyes when he was presented to the Yaxley girl. The dumbfounded look on his face. Later as Blaise was dancing with her, he had felt Draco's eyes watch their every move. Well, to be honest, most of the room had been watching. But still, Draco was rarely like this. Blaise was so looking forward on torturing Draco!
"Actually, I am sure her mother saw her first. 'She's mine, I saw her first'." mimicked Draco "This is so stupid. What is this the 1st grade? You kept me from getting in line. You knew what you were doing. You have to give up the last dance." Draco was almost pleading.
"Actually, No I don't. You snooze you lose Draco." Blaise answered dryly. God it was fun terrorizing Draco for a change.
"I will make it worth your while." Draco eyed Blaise suggestively, insinuating that money could be exchanged.
"Offering me a bribe? There is nothing you can say or do that will make me change my mind." Blaise said, pretending to be shocked.
Just then Lucius walked up behind his son and his friend, "Good evening gentlemen. Enjoying yourself?" Lucius asked.
Surprised by the intrusion, Blaise was able to stammer out, "Uh, hello Mr. Malfoy".
"Hello father." Draco grimaced. He was in trouble so deep he didn't think he would ever see the light of day again.
"I couldn't help but see that you were the first to dance with the darling Yaxley girl." Lucius said, his eyes on his son.
"Yes, sir.", stammered Blaise.
"She is lovely, isn't she?" Lucius said.
Blaise wondered where this line of questioning was going. Honestly he just wanted to crawl away. He had spent most of his life avoiding being around death eaters, and Lucius was one of the elite. Blaise knew he had to watch what he said so he said the only thing he could, "Yes, sir."
Lucius turned his direction to Draco, "Son, when are you dancing with her?" his voice exuding with disdain.
Draco looked at his friend, pleading for his help. He didnt know what his father would do to him if he screwed this one up.
Without hesitation Blaise retorted, "The last dance. Draco will be dancing the last dance with Artemisia. He had me save it for him. He was a bit delayed and asked if I would be able to plead for a dance for him just in case he missed his opportunity."
Blaise meant it when he said there was nothing that Draco could do that would change Blaise's mind. but Lucius Malfoy? He might be able to Do something... something terrible.
Draco looked at Blaise, his eyes full of appreciation. He was going to owe him big for this one.
Lucius smirked at Blaise and Draco, "Fine, fine. Well Mr. Zabini, do enjoy your evening. Make sure to make the rounds. Do some networking." He then turned his attentions to the younger Malfoy, "Draco, a word on the terrace."
Draco hung his head down in shame, "Yes, sir."
Lucius escorted his son away from the assembly. He of course had to maintain an appearance of superiority. Lucias would never say anything derogatory in front of his son in front of anyone. "Draco, you need to do some serious damage control on this one. Everyone who is anyone just witnessed your little display. How many times have your mother and I told you to watch your tongue. It is so simple, just smile and don't say anything! How hard can that be? You had better find some way of getting on this girls good side. Ask her questions. Find out what she is interested in. And for Merlin's sake, shut your mouth!"