Chapter Thirty Four

Draco and Narcissa Malfoy arrived just in time for the show. They walked down to the front row of the opulent theatre where Narcissa had booked two of the best seats in the house. She was editing a witches fashion magazine in the states and she had been looking forward to this show for months. Draco had decided to use the prize he had got from Neville to accompany his mother, as his father was busy building up his new antiques business and couldn't get away.

The house lights dipped and the compere announced the first designer's set. Wafer thin models strode confidently onto the floor, working the catwalk with cold precision. Draco took some photographs whilst his mother took notes. They wore tightly fitting gowns of differing lengths, which pronounced their skeletal figures and Draco wondered why anybody could find these malnourished girls attractive.

Every designer's range was similar, all worn by the same cardboard cut-out type girls and Draco couldn't wait for it to end. His mother was enjoying herself profusely though and Draco kept up a happy face for her.

"Aren't they beautiful Draco?" She cooed.

"Oh yeah... beautiful," he replied to keep her happy, all the while dying to check into the hotel and get some rest after their long flight. They too had travelled the muggle way, but not for nostalgic reasons. Since moving to New York, his parents had immersed themselves in learning all about muggle-ways and his mother had become a complete convert – she owned a mobile phone and all the muggle mod-cons she could get her hands on. Their neighbours were all muggles and Narcissa often hosted dinner parties to which they were all invited. They praised her cooking, but as much as Narcissa had embraced a muggle way of life she still refused to cook their way, "It's just so labour intensive." She would say by way of an excuse, but she never let on to her guests, and enjoyed their praises without a hint of guilt.

The compere introduced the last designer, "Malkin and Perky's masquerade madness is a new winter collection from an existing boutique but with a brand new twist." He said, and Pink's "Rockstar", started to blare out of the speakers. Draco turned to his mother, "Is that our Malkin and Perky?" He asked looking intrigued.

"Yes darling," Narcissa said as the first flimsy models walked out in gorgeous masquerade gowns. "Take some pics then dear." She added.

Draco looked down the lens of the camera at the models. The dresses took him back to his painful memory, and he found it difficult to focus. Then a gorgeous creature stepped out on to the runway. Hermione had been given a platinum georgian style wig and blue green contacts by the cosmeticians and Draco did not know it was her yet he was still transfixed by the vision in an exquisite Venetian blue and gold gown, her walk was more smooth than the previous models and her body was less angular, she glided down the runway, her body swaying to the beat of the pop/rock song that was playing. Draco fiddled with his lens, trying his best to focus on her face, the mask she wore was intricate in it's design and showed only sultry turquoise eyes in beneath it.

"Isn't she a vision?" His mother swooned.

"Actually, yes." Draco said honestly. He was shocked with the speed at which he had forsaken the feelings he held for his muse, as the girl on the catwalk stirred his intrigue. He watched as the beauty turned and walked back behind the curtain at the front of the theatre and sighed. He was confused, he was tired and he didn't want to let Hermione's sweet memory go in favour of a (probably) empty-headed stranger and yet he couldn't help feeling drawn to her. The next time the model appeared on the catwalk she was wearing a gown that was short at the front and long at the back. Draco looked with interest at the shapely curve of her legs, and was instantly drawn back to memories of finding Hermione in the upper east wing of Neville and Luna's mansion.

"Oh, I just love this range." Narcissa's squealed, "I hope your father doesn't mind terribly if I make one or two teensy purchases."

Draco didn't even hear his mother as he was utterly bewitched by the model. "I am going to have to have a word with Aurelia after this, and find out who that girl is." Draco decided.

Soon the show had come to an end and the designers and models stepped out onto the runway. Draco saw Aurelia with the model on the stage and he applauded vigorously.

"Isn't she clever!" His mother said, "I almost feel proud."

"Yes she is, and her choice of models was a breath of fresh air after all those stick thin weirdos."

"Hear hear!" Narcissa said, "I am going to do a full spread on our Aurelia."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she left the run way for the last time.

"You were brilliant." Aurelia squeaked, hugging her friend.

"Really?" Hermione asked, still a little unsure of herself, "Do you know what? I think I actually enjoyed that. I am so tired now though. Do you mind if I get a cab back to my hotel?"

"Of course," Aurelia said, with a strange twinkle in her eye, "that is exactly what I think you should do."