Draco loitered by the entrance to the Great Hall with what seemed like every other boy in 5th year. With the many decrees looming over their heads they each wondered how the night would progress hindered by Umbridge's rules. At five minutes to the hour the devil herself beetled her way inside, now in a shade of light pink reserved only for strawberry ice cream and they caught a glimpse of her sit at the top table. From what they could make out in the crack of the huge door, Fred and George saw a slight glimmer of pink on one side of the hall and blue on the other.
"We're gonna be separated!" George moaned.
"We might as well have not bothered getting dates with Miss Strict watching over everything." Fred said straight after.
"Are you sure?" Draco asked squeezing in between the twins to get a closer look and they were of course right. Even the teachers who were still putting in the finishing touches had subconsciously obeyed the enchantment. Apart from the glaringly gendered schism the room looked as if it had been replaced with a deep winter in Narnia for all accounts and purposes.
"Bugger." Draco pouted sinking his hands into his pockets. He wandered over to Ron and Harry to tell them the glum news whilst girls filled into the room from nearly every entrance.
"But it's our fucking dance!" Ron bit, nodding his head in fury, "Can't she just have one night off? She threw me 6 feet off of Hermione just this morning for brushing her hand. Christ that woman-"
"Ron, calm down." Harry said lightly punching his friend's arm, "Mione wouldn't want to see you angry."
"Yeah, you're right. Blimey, you'd have thought Dumbledore would say something to her." He sighed.
"Yes Weasley, why put on a dance when you can't even have a dance partner? No offence Harry." Draco said realising who he was talking to.
"It's fine Dracula." Harry smiled cheekily. Draco rolled his eyes; "It's the cloak isn't it?"
Harry nodded before going pale with shock eyeing something behind Draco.
"Actually you'll find it comes from your beautiful arrogance and your complete lack of skin tone but the cloak helps."
Draco smiled, looked up to the heavens and chuckled to himself; he'd know that voice anywhere, he'd sail and swim the seven seas just to hear it. As he turned around he sighed; "Miss Gray-"
His eyes bulged. His heart stopped. His breath caught in his throat. He had never seen a vision as beautiful as his beloved standing before him. She was practically glowing, a work of walking and living sculpture. Her alabaster skin was highlighted by her flawless scarlet lips, her bright blue eyes framed by demure yet sweeping eyelashes. Framing her visage was her platinum blonde hair in a Gibson Girl style chignon with gentle wispy curls either side of her cheeks. Marilyn had so much hair in fact a good portion fell gently at the back of her messy top bun, the enchanted ends black and charcoal grey from brassy gilded tones, curled and pinned into place.
Marilyn's elegant swan like neck bore a black ribbon choker just in case, its flowing tail ends bringing his eye down along her porcelain décolletage. He could not tell where skin ended and her gown began because every gold, silver and platinum sequin or bead was hand sewn onto utterly sheer tulle de soie, ensuring a seamless finish. It had an overall sweetheart impression, with pearls in warm tones spreading out from delicate black lace applique which intensified the gold. The silhouette of the gown proved to be the most striking; with her waist nipped in it cut a flowing figure, intensified even more by the grandness of her fishtail hem. The skirt spread from the tops of her knees to the stone floor at least a yard and a half wide, her glittering and gradient train just as long. Her 'fins' were made of various shades of midnight tulle, netting and chiffon, creating an effect that made Marilyn look as if she glided upon stardust and smoke. It twinkled in the torchlight and every eye was upon her but she was trained only upon him. As they bowed before each other he noticed her tiara hiding amongst her coiffure, haloing a moment he'd keep forever.
Draco took her right hand, nails chic and crimson, and kissed it politely. After that very instance the doors of the Great Hall creaked open and couples poured in. He hung back still wanting to take her in, dedicating everything to memory.
"You look beautiful, no, you are beautiful." He complimented breathlessly, squeezing her hand too afraid to touch her impeccable make-up.
"Thank you Draco. You're looking handsome as always… that's a nice suit!" She cooed slowly before interlocking arms with him, beginning to walk towards the hall, "I guess I can trust you to dress yourself…"
"At least it's one less thing to worry about." Draco nodded smiling grandly, "You really do look stunning; I'm amazed…"
With being just an inch shorter because of her allegedly killer heels, she was able to look him directly in the eyes and purr; "So you should be. It took me ages to add the finishing touches. Shall we join them?"
He nodded jubilantly; "Oui mademoiselle, and if anything –fishy- happens we separate, agreed?"
"Agreed. I don't particularly fancy wearing the real thing underneath this." Marilyn grunted bridling herself as onlookers watched her. Draco laughed happily before asking; "Speaking of underneath, are you wearing what I got you the other week?"
"Yes… and you have my permission to pull it off with your teeth before transforming to sleep tonight." She whispered close to his ear making everyone think they were plotting something. Draco blushed, brushed his free hand against the arm that clung to him, claws gently lengthening and rumbled; "Ooh, I love it when you talk dirty."
"Shh, you're making me prickle!" She hissed before giving a cordial grin to one of the twins. She would have kissed him if they hadn't witnessed the dazzling and wondrous misery before them. When each couple walked into the Great Hall an invisible line separated the genders, wrenching handholding partners far apart. Marie gulped before stepping through and was expecting a shooting pain or a fizzling popping sensation. She carried on walking and realized he was still there, his arm still supporting her own. She looked around and saw Luna, Ginny, Cho, Hermione and Lavender standing alone and separate with Neville, Harry, Ron, Colin, Fred, George and Blaise far away on the opposite side of the hall. The boys argued with each other whilst the girls grew hissy and frantic, Hermione whipping out a tiny spell book from her small glittery handbag to find a solution.
"What's happening?" Draco asked worriedly, "I can see the schism, I can physically see blue on the left and pink on the right and I'm still holding on!"
"Me too! I'm not feeling any pulling- oh shit." Marilyn swore as she saw the nostrils gently yet furiously flare on Dolores Umbridge's face. She sat in Dumbledore's chair, hands clasped around the carved arms, glaring like an angry bulldog. She stood up slowly and that's when Marie drew up on all her skills as an actress and pretended. She dropped his arm as if he was static electricity and jolted backwards. A half second later he did the same, pretending to scowl as if she's suddenly turned into a troll. They sauntered off to their friends to blend in. Through gritted teeth to create a fake smile she asked her friend; "Hermione, please explain this, I didn't get dressed up to be doing the mash potato on my own!"
"I'm sorry, I'm trying to be quick!" Hermione spat before looking up from her book, "It's some sort of division spell, a repel charm – I dunno! Why didn't it work on – never mind, you're a Mer which…which means it's a morals charm. She's enforcing her morals as hard and fast rules the bitchy cow! She can't abide half breeds so her spell doesn't include you two…"
"Because she thinks I'm a full... breed and can't imagine I'd be here. Why she is a fucking cow!" Marilyn venomously whispered, "I'm gonna give her a piece of my-"
Hermione caught her by the arm before she could storm off; "No! That'll make it worse."
"Hermione! I've a right to an education and a right to get jiggy! Wait, don't let those be my last words – where's Dumbledore? Surely he has a right to end this! This is insane! It's fucking Christmas!" She grunted rallying against her friend.
Hermione cast a calming charm and let her go; "Dumbledore is on the boy's side, if you go to him she'll know what you are and then she'll kick you out."
Marilyn took a breath and reasserted her posture before saying; "Fine then. We counter, and since love overcomes all I'll start."
"What are you planning?" Granger asked her giving her a furious glare.
"This spell won't let us dance so we dance regardless. If we get everyone to bite their lip and push through it we'll break it." Marie stated. Hermione's eyes went wide as she calculated the consequences; "That's – that's frankly genius. RON!" A frightened "What?" came from the other side as Hermione walked to the boundary, piercing into the blue.
"Come here!" She hissed and smiled when Harry pushed him forward. Marilyn eyed Draco and they both stepped forward too.
"What are you two doing?" Draco asked suspiciously with a keen wink.
"We're bringing down the system now take my waist." Marilyn commanded with a smirk. He took it firmly whilst Ron took Hermione by the waist as if he was handling a bomb; "You do remember the steps from last year don't you?" She asked worriedly of him.
"Um, sure." Ron said with a heavy gulp. Hermione gave him an encouraging smile and a nod; "On my lead we'll waltz, 1…2…3!"
Marilyn acknowledged the signal and took the lead with Draco, who in no time at all took over, putting those 'silly Muggle boarding school dance lessons' to good use. Whilst in a spin she saw Hermione mirror her and then in the corner of her eye saw Neville grabbing Luna by the hand. The boy was eager despite the pain, coattails all a spin with Luna grimacing through the whole affair. When either Luna or Hermione set foot in the blue it felt as if they were walking barefoot upon a thousand fine knives and vice versa for the boys in the pink.
"We need music!" Marilyn hissed to Draco when he held her close before doing another skip turn. They saw the band behind Dolores frozen with an angry enchantment from the pink demon herself. Umbridge looked as if she was going to turn into a dragon and burn the place down, throwing a tantrum. She exited the chair threatening her wand all around, trying to strengthen the morals charm. She saw her friends reel in pain but more people joined the dance floor when they realized what they were doing.
"They're wearing the spell down!" Cho cried before running into the blue, "Harry Potter!"
Harry looked up at Cho, blushed heavily and looked around, unsure if anyone else needed to know.
"Dance with me!" She ordered taking his hand and kissing his cheek.
"I thought we said-"
"Oh poppycock to what everyone else thinks!" Cho swore dragging him onto the dance floor and bowing, letting him do the same. They took up their first position and soon everyone in the Great Hall knew. Whilst Harry and Cho publicly declared their relationship, Draco and Marilyn were at the band's side using what magic they had to undo the Stillness Enchantment whilst Umbridge threw hexes their way. Marilyn ducked as a spell hit her, Draco throwing a disarming spell Umbridge's way wandlessly. The High Inquisitor flew backwards a far way and unfortunately landed in the chest of the easily irked Severus Snape.
"Planning a little segregation were we?" The potions master said nastily, his upper lip curling. The morals charm was broken weakened by the dancing and shattered when Dolores lost concentration in the fall.
"No! Severus you understand more than most that this night must be heavily policed-" She screeched in his icy hold, "We must prevent betrayal to our-"
"What we must prevent is the cruel and unjust apartheid you're so keen on creating Miss Umbridge." Professor McGonagall coldly spoke as she gracefully but forcefully crossed the room.
"Minerva." Snape said nodding his head down in respect.
"Severus, if you could be so kind to dispose of her for tonight, we won't be needing her over Christmas." The Gryffindor callously ruled with a look in her eyes that she only used on the most miscreant of students. Minerva then turned away, oblivious to the pleas of the pink Slytherin alumni and crossed over to the present leader of the house. She held out a hand to Marilyn who gladly took it who was quite stuck in the bandstand. The mermaid wobbled to stand and her prince caught her, holding her steady.
"Thank you professor." Marilyn breathed with a hand over a stitch in her ribcage.
"Are you alright?" Draco fretted. She answered breathlessly; "I'm fine! Just let me sit down somewhere…"
"Thank you professor, she needed to be taken care of." He said making his way to the nearest table.
"It was my pleasure Mr Malfoy." McGonagall smiled before going over to converse with Dumbledore. When Marie sat down at the table she procured the biggest goblet she could find and drank all of its contents in one go. Her breathing grew heavy and laboured, head heavy and hung low.
"Marie what's happening?" He asked prising her head up to look at him.
"She…threw… Stricosus…. At me…" She barely mouthed motioning her head away. Draco gritted his teeth as they became fangs, his claws digging into the tablecloth; Dolores had thrown the Petrification Curse.
"It's nothing!" Marie struggled bending over double, "Water! I need-"
He got her a full chalice in no time, putting it to her lips. She drank in one swift motion, gesturing for another; that too was gone in a flash. Marilyn then looked at him, her eyes glazed over and skin turning grey and asked of him; "Kiss me…"
"But your make-up-"
"Oh sod the fucking make-up!" She roared prising his lapels and forcing him onto her. Once upon her lips it was like any other kiss; warm, gentle and just with a hint of bloodlust as his pointed teeth brushed her inner lip. She reeled back, her skin flushed with pink, her breathing faster and more elated, standing up and grinning madly. She breathed in through her nose and let it out via her gills; "Good god that's much better!"
"What happened? What did I do to you?" Draco asked standing before her and holding onto her arms for stability.
"I just needed to be me – darn bitch tried to dry me out!" Marilyn chuckled ecstatic with relief, "I hear it's one of her favourite curses; I don't think she knows in particular about us. I needed a shock Draco; the curse was trying to dry me out as a human so I needed to rapidly change. Water, water everywhere and not a drop to swim in – thank goodness you were here!"
"My kisses, when we're too intimate – that was inspired! Are you ok now?" He asked embracing her in a hug.
"I'm fine! Ideally I should jump into a pool but I'll survive, there's no scales so it'll all be ok. I could do with a drink though!" She said before taking hold of another goblet and draining it dry, smacking her ruined lips in refreshment, "I bet I look like a right tart don't I?"
She then laughed as she saw his face, his pale lips stained blood red; "Scourgify." She said casting upon him and herself. Her lipstick came right off but she shrugged her shoulders and acquired a red tube and a compact from a pocket concealed in her dress. In no time at all her face was a vision once more and he just stood there stunned at her tenacity whilst his marine features calmly died down.
"What? You think I wouldn't come with a back-up plan?" Marilyn asked as she popped her lips upon finishing.
"No it's not that, it's just you. You're so brave. You just took on an Umbridge curse and here you are right as rain again." He said in awe.
"What can I say? Mermaids are made of tough stuff;" She said shrugging her shoulders and putting her compact and lipstick away, "it'll take more than a vicious drying spell to kill me Draco, especially now that I've got you. Say, why don't we get back to dancing?"
As she made to go he caught her by the arm and reined her in. "Wait, wait!" He hushed before diving into his pockets and bringing out a small vial, "Have some potion before your dress starts looking more self-referential then it already is."
She caught a glimpse of herself in a window of the hall, giggling at the sight of her natural gills paired with an artificial tail. She took the vial and drank it slowly this time, letting the elixir soothe her throat. Despite its awful stale bread taste it had an anaesthetic quality to it which brought her to her full human state once more. He took her hand and guided her to the dance floor, this time with nearly everyone spinning and gliding, the band in full and glorious swing. They bowed to one another and began, this time relaxed and easy.
"Daphne, Millicent, take note of the date, because today is the day we get rid of Marilyn Gray." Pansy drawled as they watched the couple from the side at quarter to ten, a glass of punch in hand and a wicked smile on her face.
"What are you going to do?" Millicent asked rearranging her god awful sparkly red and green dress for the eleventh time that night.
"If I remember rightly we used to have a rumour of a mermaid in Slytherin, the same time she," Parkinson sneered pointing at the golden girl with an immeasurable train, "appeared in Hogwarts. Is it just me or has she always thought herself better than us?"
Her cronies nodded fervently as she continued; "And hasn't she always kept to herself? I haven't really seen her in the Common Room since I gave her what for."
"And your point?" Daphne asked swaying a glittering emerald hip out in agitation.
"The point is, my beloved successor, she is the mermaid. All this time she's been singing away intoxicating all she touches and I bet he doesn't even realise he's been conned. She has him wrapped around her filthy little pinkie and I think it's our duty to set him free."
"What are you going to do?" Bulstrode asked as the group walked towards them.
"I'm going to make him realise what she really is." Parkinson smiled evilly stepping close.
"When did you learn to dance?" Marilyn asked him as he twirled her on the spot.
"Boarding school although Neville was gracious enough to give a few tips before you came along tonight." He said as she spun back into him, curving her back against his chest. The night was starting to become perfect and they danced liked they swam, travelling tight together, swerving around one another.
"Oh I see. Any other hidden talents?" She inquired as they parted to walk in a circle around one another.
"No, although the Order of Circe sounds interesting. Care to explain?" Draco queried.
"Oh that it's- AHH! SHIT! That's cold-that's cold-flying fuck that's cold!" Marilyn screamed as the shock took over her body. She stood frozen, refusing to let anything happen.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Draconis roared at Pansy, hounding on her like a rabid Cerberus straight out of Hades.
"She was meant to- Why didn't she-" Pansy cowered staring incredulously at the girl she had doused in ice cold punch and lemon slices.
"What are you spluttering about? Are you crazy?! You can't just attack people in the middle of a party!" He shouted trying to be careful with his anger. He forced his instincts to lie low, not let those humans see anything.
"But she's a Mermaid Draco! Can't you see she's been playing you as a fool-" She screeched back at him throwing her empty punch glass to the ground.
"You're insane." He hissed, his voice on the edge of Parseltongue it dripped that much with anger and venom.
"But Drake! Listen to me!" Pansy screamed unsure of what to do in the face of such an enraged Malfoy.
"No. Apologize, round up your pathetic friends and leave! You're not welcome here. Not in my company, in Marilyn's or in Slytherin's. You're a disgrace Parkinson." He said through barred human teeth.
"But Draco you've got to hear me out, she's a Mer and she's evil." Pansy hissed stepping closer. Draco then broke into an unsettling and hearty laughter, causing Parkinson to step back and doubt his stability; "Ah Parkinson, you're so adorable when you're dead wrong. Marilyn's an evil mermaid? You need to have your head checked at St Mungo's if you believe that. Why? Are we jealous?"
"No! She's a Mer I swear I have proof!" She cried back as Marilyn looked her dead in the eyes, glaring fiercely.
"The fact I'm still standing and pissed as high hell is proof enough you're seriously wrong." Marilyn barked viciously at her enemy, "I've tried to be nice to you and forgive what you did to me at Halloween, and this is how you repay me?"
Everyone in the Great Hall had slowly stopped enjoying themselves throughout the altercation and as Pansy said her final words every set of eyes was upon her and not the transformed mermaid she had hoped for; "Please Malfoy, you need to get away from her, you've no idea what she'll do to you."
Draco laughed once more again before his face set into a deadly serious composition; "What she'll do to me? The damage is already done, she's my girl and you my dear along with Daphne are simply delusional. Your ship has sailed; I'm taken. Permanently. Now get away from us and if I see you harming my Marie ever again I'll make sure your life is a world of misery and pain."
Pansy gulped and turned heel, dragging her comrades away from the spotlight; "This won't be the end of it Malfoy!"
"Ah, whatever." He shrugged off before turning finally to Marie, "Are you ok? Do you need to get changed?"
She held onto him, her knees shaking at both the anger that coursed through her and her body's denied desire to fully transform; "I'll-I'll be fine… It seems everyone wants a piece of me tonight – OW! I can't-"
"You can't what?"
"I can't keep up holding it off! Sit me down somewhere – out of the way!" She whispered beginning to cry at the feeling of fire in her veins. He dragged her to the table furthest from the students and teachers who had only just commenced dancing again and sat her down carefully. She threw off her shoes with angry grunts whilst he vanished the punch and lemon remnants and as she wept and shook as she transformed, holding on to Draco for dear life. She was spent when she was finished but made sure she looked like she was only crying to the outside world.
"Marienne, are you ok?" Draco asked in hushed tones.
"Shit… they were a nice pair of stockings too!" She moaned half chuckling in delirium. Fusing had elevated her urges and now she was just straight up pissed off. He laughed uneasily and looked down her back; her fins hadn't ripped through like his would have done. He checked her arms, her flowing fins spread across the table top with her talons out for all to see. He looked at her lower half but he couldn't tell because of her dress; "Are you?"
"Yeah… the bloody bitch's tricked work. Surprise a Mer, makes her turn every time. Thank god for floor length tablecloths…" She smiled through her tears.
"Can you change back?" He asked taking hold of her hand. He was very worried about his miss.
"Of course, don't worry, I just need to relax… take deep breaths and think human thoughts." Marilyn Gray purred before kissing his cheek, "Then you can douse me in Dehydration Potion because I am determined to dance till midnight! I swear if one more thing goes wrong tonight I'm going to drown the place."
"I wouldn't even test you because I know you could do that right now. I'm so sorry your Highness; I didn't expect tonight to go so horribly wrong." He moaned taking hold of her shoulders to carefully hug her.
"It's not your fault your Majesty." She giggled saying his title, "I'm just glad you were here to keep me safe."
"I always will be and I mean it. Now let's get you up and walking again."
The night progressed far into the early hours of the morning for some as the band had switched from an orchestra to Wizard pop and Marilyn was soon back on her feet. Her favourite stockings had ripped to shreds as she transformed under her dress but she didn't need them; she and Draco danced barefoot eventually. Hermione hugged her mightily after calling her brave and wonderful, kissing her forehead before letting her go. Granger couldn't believe the cruelty she'd just endured and neither could Ron or Harry especially. Marie and Harry ended up chatting about being mers with Draco near 1 in the morning, Harry asking specifically if he should tell Cho about it. "You needn't bother." She told him over the roar of the music, "You barely became one but if you have the urge to jump off a cliff into the sea tell me right away."
Harry nodded before getting dragged away by his new sweetheart for a snog in an empty classroom. Before the ball was through though Draco and Marie were pulled along to the side of Neville and Luna by Hermione to be finally introduced. Luna took one look and asked; "Are you always this half and half?"
Marilyn simply nodded leaving her love bewildered as Luna continued; "And you were lucky to find her before she swam away. Is anyone up for chocolate? Come Neville."
Draco shivered as the odd couple left and Marilyn asked him; "And you thought she was me?"
"It seemed plausible at the time; I thought Mers were meant to be mystical and a little weird, not drop dead gorgeous." He explained saving himself at the last moment from a scolding. Marilyn scowled playfully before grasping his hand; "Same goes to you. You're not that bad after all… Happy Christmas Draconis."
"Happy Christmas Marienne Lynne."
To be continued in Marilyn Gray and the House of Sorcette...