MMM: I am SO sorry everyone! I completely lost track of the week and I was out all day today so I forgot about the new chapter.

Anyway, this is pretty much just another little filler. Nothing really special, but at the same time, VERY important. ... It's complicated. Well, I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: HP isn't mine.

Ch. 37 Girl Time

Anya wobbled as she gained her footing. She had just experienced apparating for the first time with Draco's mother, and she personally didn't enjoy the feeling of being sucked through a straw. Her stomach lurched at the queazy feeling it had left and she had to fight to keep her breakfast down.

"So where would you like to go first?" Narcissa asked Anya as they strolled down the streets of the nearby village. It seemed so awkward, walking along the busy sidewalks beside a woman who seemed far to regal to be seen in a town like this.

Anya shrugged. "I'm not really sure. The last time I really went shopping for stuff that wasn't school related, my mom was too busy fretting over my mental health."

"Yes, Draco told me about that... I'm sorry to hear. To be petrified! I can only imagine how awful that had been," Narcissa replied.

"Thank you," was all Anya could really say.

Eventually, the two came across a very elegant looking store and despite Anya's protests once she saw a few of the tags in the windows, they stepped in. Dresses of the most stunning forms and finest materials Anya had ever seen lined the walls; she stepped around the shop very carefully, fearful of even touching the clothes without somehow ruining them.

"Oh! Mrs. Malfoy!" Anya turned in time to see a woman step up to them. Judging by the crisp white blouse and black pencil skirt, Anya guessed that this woman was the owner. "Why did you not tell me that you would be coming today? I would have taken to keeping the shop empty for you."

"It's quite alright, Margaret," Narcissa replied, placing her hand on the small of Anya's back and pushing her forward. "I'm having a small get-together this evening and we were looking for something splendid for Anya here."

"Of course! Please, come this way." Margaret led them to the back of the store where cream-colored chaises and a couch sat beside a table. Anya watched as the shop owner pulled something out of her sleeve and suddenly a pure silver tea set sat on the table.

,:~:,

The next hour was spent with Margaret bringing dress after dress for Anya to try on. Narcissa sat on one of the chairs and when Anya stepped out, she would voice her opinion on the dress.

"No... I don't quite think that is for you," Narcissa commented on the burgundy red dress. It was off the shoulders and hugged the top half of Anya's body, eventually flaring out at the waist and the skirt nearly reached the floor. Anya felt like a giant red velvet cupcake.

"Tell me about it," Anya mumbled as she looked in the mirror. The dress was way too dark for her liking and it made her hair look so dull. Not to mention that the skirt of the dress was so big and difficult to move around in. She doubted that she'd even be able to make it down the stairs without falling over. "Maybe we should just forget about it all. I can stay up in my room during the party-"

"Of course not. You'll get so bored being alone. Trust me, we'll find the perfect dress for you. Something that's sure to impress Draco," Narcissa replied.

"Umm... Narcissa?" Anya began.

"Yes dear? What is it?" the older witch asked as she looked at the different dresses on display.

"I just was wondering... never mind. It's nothing."

Narcissa sighed before sitting back down. She motioned for Anya to take a seat and once the teen manouvered around the several layers of cloth, she reached over and took Anya's hand in hers. "You don't have to be afraid dear. Whatever you have to tell me, I promise to keep a secret." She gave the girl an encouraging smile.

Anya took a deep breath and smiled back. "It's just that... lately, I've been seeing a big difference in Draco- a lot of differences, actually. I use to think that he was always this- oh I don't know... high class jerk?" she grimaced when she admitted this but Narcissa only nodded for her to continue. "But lately, I've been seeing this whole other side to him. One that's so sweet and warm and... and..."

"Well, I know that the behavior of children these days are far different then they were when I was your age, but I do think I know what it is you're talking about," Narcissa smiled. "You feel at ease around him? And when he holds your hand or smiles at you that certain way, you feel as though you're soaring above the clouds?" Anya nodded. "I know that feeling. I have it every day whenever I'm with Lucius."

"Do you mean that...?" Anya began to ask but the question died on her lips. She would never suspect that this would happen to her. And for Draco Malfoy, no less.

Narcissa nodded. "The first time a girl falls in love is always the scariest. You don't know what to expect, and you're afraid that it's all just some wonderful dream. But I know my son and the way that he looks at you is proof that he feels the same way about you."

"Wait a minute," Anya gasped. "I never said I was in love." She cringed when she realized how harsh that sounded to her ears.

But Narcissa smiled. "Are you sure?" When Anya said nothing in reply, she simply patted the girl's hand before she stood back up and walked over to look at the dresses. "Look at this!" She pulled one of the garments off the hanger to show Anya.

The dress was beautiful- there were no other words for it. It was a lovely hunter green satin gown with a halter neckline which scooped down almost to under the bustline. The bodice of the dress was form fitting with a black lace overlay with rose detail, reaching down to just above the kneecap where the mermaid skirt gave way to a sheer cloth that reached to mid calf.

"This is perfect!" Narcissa gushed as she handed the dress over to Anya. "Go try it on!"

Anya did as she was told and when she looked in the mirror, she was stunned at the reflection. She looked older and so elegant and its style made her look curvier than she really was. The color of the dress brought out the color of her hair and made her eyes look so vibrant. Sure, the back of the dress was a little too low for her usual tastes, reaching almost midway down her back, but the longer she had the dress on, the more comfortable she felt.

"You look lovely Anya," Narcissa said.

Suddenly, Margaret appeared. "These shoes would look lovely with that." She held a pair of black slingback, peep toe high heels in her hands. "And a pair of back seams add a touch of a sensual look to the ensemble."

Anya pulled on the pantyhose and slipped the high heels on her feet. She had to admit that the satin ribbons that tied behind her ankle in a bow did give a sense of symmetry to the one that held up the top of the dress. And the heel wasn't too high, giving her just enough height, making her legs seem longer.

"It's perfect. We'll take it!" Narcissa cried.

,:~:,

"You know, you didn't have to do all of this for me," Anya said as she and Narcissa finished having lunch. Not only had Narcissa bought the entire outfit for the party that night, but she went out of her way to go and bought several other lovely outfits for Anya: silk blouses, the most stylish skirts and pants, and three fantastic cocktail dresses. And enough pairs of shoes to go with each outfit.

"What do you mean?" Narcissa asked, paying for the meal before leading Anya across the street to a spa.

Anya gestured to the bags in her hands. "All of this! The new clothes, the spa... it's all too much."

Narcissa gave a rueful smile. "I'm sorry. It's just that I never got to have a daughter and I always wanted to see what it was like. I guess I just got carried away."

Anya smiled and before she could stop herself, she hugged the older witch. "Thank you though. I never did this sort of thing and I guess I just got overwhelmed by it all." She felt Narcissa return the hug and with another smile, the two witches walked into the spa.

Narcissa felt so light-hearted the more time she spent with the American witch. It was like having a daughter of her own and if her prayers were answered, this young girl may very well become a part of the Malfoy family one day.

She was beginning to understand how Draco had become so intrigued by this girl. Anya seemed so lovely in her own way; far better than any of the girls that she had seen around her son in the past. This one seemed to actually have a mind of her own, along with a very caring heart, and she wanted to make something of her life.

'Oh, if only Lucius would see how happy Draco is with her!' Narcissa thought as she watched Anya have her hair and nails worked on.

Lucius Malfoy was a man that was sometimes hard to please. When he and his wife had learnt of the school's summer program, he had been appalled when he heard that his son had been selected for the exchange. He was even more so when he had learnt that Draco had been partnered with young Anya. Why, Narcissa did not know.

But what she did know was that Lucius would rather see their only son miserable and alone for the rest of his life before seeing Draco become involved with a muggleborn.

"Narcissa? Mrs. Malfoy?" Narcissa came back to the world of reality when she felt someone gently shake her shoulder. She looked up to see Anya looking down at her with concern. Anya's hair had been curled and her nails shaped to perfection and coated in clear polish. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine dear," she smiled as she stood up and paid the stylist. "Come on then. We should get going. The party will be starting in a little while." She waited until the teenager took her hand before apparating back to the manor.

AC: I had so much fun today! Mrs. Malfoy is really cool!

NM: Well, thank you... 'Cool' is good, is it not?

MMM: Yes Narcissa. 'Cool' is a compliment.

Don't forget to review!

Nancy (aka megamatchmaker)