"You can borrow this dress," Viola huffed, tossing Pandora a red dress. Pandora thanked her, but Viola only stalked away in response. She sighed, folding up the dress into her small duffel. It had been four days and Bridget was still in the hospital wing. Pandora visited her every chance she got, but for the most part, there was no change. Viola and Pandora had begun this awkward dance; they were cordial with one another and ignored the face that they both held animosity for the other.
Pandora left the room, crossing past the Slytherin Common Room to meet up with Draco. He had been explicit in his instructions; they were to meet in his room then leave for home by floo powder. She had been dreading this moment, as they had barely spoken since their altercation in the hallway. As she greeted him, he was cold and aloof. She sighed, knowing this would most likely be the worst weekend of her life.
"Are you ready?" he asked, then began opening up the floo powder, not waiting for an answer. She recalled what Harry had said about his blunder with floo powder and found herself involuntarily smiling. She did that a lot when she thought about him. The two had been inseparable the past four days, sneaking off every chance they got to hang out. She could still taste him on her lips as she had snuck up to visit him before she had to leave. He had kissed her nonstop, knowing she had to go but wishing she didn't.
Draco went first, and Pandora followed soon after. The two arrived at the Malfoy Manor, where Pandora's father and stepmother were waiting for her. Her stepmother, Gwendolyn, ushered her into the bathroom almost immediately, offering to help clean her up and get her ready for the party that was about to begin. Pandora changed into the dress and eyed herself in the mirror. A short, low cut dress that clutched her body tightly, she felt practically naked in it. But Gwen smiled devilishly as she eyed her stepdaughter.
"Draco will be impressed," Gwen said almost immediately, as if that was what was on Pandora's mind. Pandora began to walk out when Gwen stopped her. "Makeup, darling?" Pandora sighed. Gwen began to apply makeup to her, lining her eyes with dark, dramatic wings and poking and prodding at her cheeks. When she had finished, Pandora felt likened to a dress up doll. Gwen stood back to admire her work.
"Well?" Pandora asked impatiently.
"Tie your hair back," Gwen ordered. "It makes you look older." Pandora began to tie it back, her hands slow and lazy. Gwen gave up on simply observing and yanked Pandora's hair back, ignoring her pained grimace. The two walked out together, Gwen's arm knotted with Pandora's. Pandora's father turned to look at her. His eyes widened at the amount of skin showing, but he bit his lip.
"You look lovely," he complimented, kissing her forehead tenderly.
"Doesn't she?" Gwen beamed.
"Thanks, dad." Pandora said, shifting uncomfortably.
"An owl came for you," he told her, pointing towards the desk where a letter was perched. "Open it quickly, the party is just starting outside." Pandora walked over and took the letter, waiting until her father and stepmother had left the room before opening it. Scrawled in his hardly legible, boy handwriting, Pandora found herself grinning ear to ear at the message Harry had sent her. Even though I'm not with you right now, I'm sure you look beautiful. Knock em dead, my free elf. I'll see you when you get back. She reread the words over and over, feeling happiness fill her from her toes to her head. She scribbled back quickly, you bet I will. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, like build some more snowmen. XOXO. She handed the letter to the waiting owl and watched as it flew away, bringing her message to the faraway person who she wished was with her now.
Pandora could hear the musicians playing loudly even from inside. She hesitated before walking outside and lost her breath as she took in the ostentatious decorations and sights. Large, bejeweled horse-drawn carriages aligned the front of the house as ridiculously dressed up guests clicked their way to the backyard, casting spells between every other word as they trotted up to join the party. Goblin waiters were passing around purple drinks. Pandora recognized the drinks as a potion she had seen multiple wizards attempting to create in class. The potion created a high, similar to what drugs or alcohol produced. As a goblin approached her, she kindly declined the offer of the drink.
"Pandora! So good to see you," Lucius Malfoy approached her, a purple drink in his hand. His wife, Narcissa, followed like a lapdog, a smile pasted on her face.
"Good to see you both as well," Pandora greeted politely. "Wonderful party."
"Thank you," Narcissa beamed, taking in the numerous activities going on around them.
"You look just wonderful. How have you been doing? Getting good grades, I'm sure," Lucius said, eyebrows raised, a snakelike grin on his face.
"I'm doing well. And yes, I've been working on it," she replied. "How are things at home? I always tell Draco to give you both my love whenever he sees you."
"You're too kind," Lucius smiled. "We're doing well over here. Narcissa and your mother go shopping together nearly every night, it's quite the toll but we get on just fine," he shot her a look that any other bystander wouldn't have noticed but Pandora, having known them for years, recognized it almost immediately. She feigned ignorance.
"You mean my stepmother?" She corrected quickly.
"Ah, yes. Stepmother." Lucius nodded as if he had just remembered and hadn't known the family for years. "Speaking of your family, I was just talking to your father earlier about his shop. I'm delighted to hear that you plan on taking it over when he chooses to retire. Keeping the family business going, all that. It's quite admirable. And a potions section would do wonders for the business."
"That it will," Narcissa parroted, glancing over at Lucius for approval. He ignored her.
"Ah, yes…that is the plan," Pandora said hesitantly.
"We knew we could expect great things from you," Lucius beamed, patting her on the shoulder. "I'm delighted to see how well you have grown up."
"Thank you," Pandora didn't like the way he was looking at her. He had a sparkle in his eyes, like he was holding some secret dear and was on the verge of revealing it.
"Yes… you will bring much help in the impending future," he had shifted closer to her, his eyes filled with brilliant, crazy light. "Great things are coming. Great things." His breath was hot and smelled sweet. Pandora felt herself growing lightheaded just smelling the scent of the potion that he was practically chugging. He finished up his glass and reached over to snatch two more, handing one to Pandora.
"Oh no thank you—" Pandora began, but he had already thrust it into her hands and was holding his glass up.
"To the future," Lucius toasted, his eyes on Pandora. "And the great things that are to come." Pandora realized she had no choice but to drink. She took a hesitant sip. The liquid slid down her throat, sugary and gooey. Lucius held his glass to his lips, watching her expectantly. She took another, longer sip, her eyes watering from the sickeningly sweet taste.
"If you'll excuse me," Pandora said quickly, sprinting away to the bathroom. She felt as though she were about to be ill. Draco intercepted her halfway there, grabbing her by the shoulder and pulling her into the house.
"Pandora," he moaned, pushing himself up against her.
"Draco, get off!" Pandora shrieked, pushing his chest to get him to release her. He had her up against the wall and his hands began to roam.
"You look good, Pandora," he mumbled drunkenly. She could smell the potion on his breath.
"Let me go," she demanded, looking around the room to find an escape. He only continued to yank at her dress, kissing her with wet, sticky lips and leaving trails of saliva on her shoulders. She kicked at him and began to yell for help. He covered her mouth with his lips, practically swallowing her lips whole. She tried to wrestle him off of her, her entire body spasming and pushing away. But he held in a tight grip and began to take off his clothes. She spotted his wand in his pocket as he fumbled with his zipper and she snatched it, her mind filled with panic and desperation. She stumbled over her words as she cast a spell, any spell, to get him off of her. A ray of blue shot out and hit him in the chest and he rebounded backwards, flying across the room. Pandora panted heavily, relieved. She ran out of the room, already feeling the tears forming in her eyes.
The party had come to a halt. Everyone had heard the sound of Draco hitting the wall. Narcissa ran into the house, calling his name frantically. Everyone stared at Pandora, silent, knowing she was the cause of this disturbance. Gwen strutted over and grabbed Pandora's arm, her nails digging into her skin, dragging her into the bathroom.
"What happened?" she questioned, eying Pandora's tangled hair and disheveled appearance. As Pandora explained, Gwen began to yank at her hair with a brush, ripping into knots with a face full of anger. Pandora yelped at each tug, but Gwen ignored her, continuing to tear into her hair. Gwen began to curse under her breath, grabbing tissues so she could dab at the makeup that was now trailing down Pandora's cheeks.
"You're acting like an idiot," Gwen spat, wiping off the eyeliner and mascara. "You don't know how lucky you are. You're so lucky I'm here. You stupid girl. Open your eyes. Stupid, stupid girl. You've got it all, you idiot. What have you got to complain about?" Pandora stayed silent as Gwen then began to redo her makeup, once again pulling apart her skin and dabbing, this time much harder, on her mask. When she had finished, she took Pandora by the arm again and led her into the house. There, Draco was nursing bruises and cuts meanwhile Narcissa cast spells to heal him as well as the crumbling wall. Pandora felt her breath quicken when she saw him, this boy who had frightened her so much.
"Pandora," Narcissa almost immediately leapt to stand in between her and Draco.
"She's here to apologize," Gwen stated firmly, digging her nails into Pandora's arm.
"I'm not—" Pandora began but Gwen shoved her forward and scowled, giving her a look of warning. Pandora looked at Draco, this pathetic boy who couldn't take no for an answer, then back at her stepmother, this cruel woman who seemed to take pleasure in inflicting pain upon her.
"Do it," Gwen growled, low enough so the Malfoys couldn't hear. "Or else." Pandora wanted to believe that the threat was empty, but she knew better. Gwen had her father's ear and used it more often than not. Pandora sighed and swallowed the words she wanted to say in order to apologize. It was like poison in her throat.
"I'm sorry I hurt you. I shouldn't have," she said softly, hating the way her voice sounded as she formed those words.
"Whatever," Draco murmured, rolling his eyes and turning away to not face her. Pandora looked over at Gwen, who was still glaring at her. Pandora shrugged and began to walk off. As she walked outside, she could hear the clicking of Gwen's heels as she followed her and caught up to her. She snagged Pandora's ponytail, bringing her backwards until they were facing one another.
"Do not ever do something stupid like this again, do you hear me?" Gwen snarled.
"I didn't do anything!" Pandora protested.
"Don't even try that," Gwen grumbled. "You were lucky I was here to clean up your mess, you stupid girl. Wake up and realize that you have everything you need. Stop taking it all for granted and do what is expected of you." She stormed off, leaving Pandora standing alone, blinking back tears. Pandora decided in that moment that she hated Gwen, more than she had ever thought possible.
The rest of the weekend went by slowly and painfully. Pandora avoided Gwen at all costs, holing herself up in her room and pretending to do homework. Every time she saw her father she faked the good daughter routine, acting like she was just so studious! As Pandora got herself ready to leave that Sunday for Hogwarts, her father gave her a tearful hug.
"Your mother would be proud of the woman you are becoming, Pandora Clara." He whispered in her ear. Pandora bit back a sob. She gave Gwen a quick, rushed hug just for appearances and threw the floo powder down, traveling back to Hogwarts immediately. As she walked up to her room, she felt the emotions from the weekend taking a toll on her. She reached her bed and flopped onto it, letting the tears flow freely now, as she cried about the events that had occurred but most of all, the knowledge that the woman she was becoming was nothing like her mother and wouldn't make anyone proud; especially not her.