With care, precision and skill Verina's makeup and hair were done. Her usually curly hair was straightened stopping at her mid-thigh. Her bang dramatically framed her petite face. Her make up was perfectly done to match her skin tone. Her violet eyes stood out brilliantly beneath the silver eye shadow and catlike eye liner her lips were a ruby red and her cheeks where brilliantly outline with a light silver to make her cheek bones stand out. Her emerald green dress, though modest, clung to her figure showing the world she was no longer the little princess Bulgaria loved, but the sixteen year old Lady that was about to sweep England. The dress at first glance was floor length but when she walked you could see in all actuality it stopped at her knees and the floor length appearance was a train. The top was a crop top exposing her back and her mid chest but instead of flesh an onyxed S design turned into the two strap that tied around her neck it all came together in a perfect mix of dramatic elegance. Her onyx bracelet on her left arm and her Obolesnky ring on the other were perfect accessories. She looked at herself in the mirror unbelieving of her appearance. Briony walked in and looked at her.
" Your godfather is going to never let you out of his sight ever again. Bravo Ava. I must say I feel rather inadequate." She said as Verina rolled her eyes at her gorgeous cousin clad in a knee length one shouldered gold dress.
"You're ridiculous." She said and slipped on her black closed toe heels. " Come on we're going to be late."
"Your hair is fabulous. Seriously you should keep it straight."
"Shut up will you?" Verina said playfully and walked out of her door.
The clock had already chimed 6 and Verina knew she was going to get disapproval from her godmother and brother waiting for her downstairs. She, as a member of the house hold, had to be there to greet the guest.
She descended the stairs listening to Briony fill her in on all the latest team gossip and she heard a low whistle and whispers.
"Not the same Verina Obolesnky from the papers now is she?"
"She's Lady Verina now of course not."
"Bloody hell she's a good looking bird."
"Malfoy already called dibbs apparently; said her father would have our heads and everything else if we so much as looked at her."
"Hard not to when she dresses like that."
Verina ignored the comments, knowing they were unaware of her extraordinary hearing abilities.
Draco met her at the end of the stairs. Verina looked at the boys with a coy look and kissed her godbrother's cheek and put her arm through his. Every male in the room was jealous and she realized it was surprisingly thrilling. She looked into Draco's eyes and smiled. He was wearing a black shirt and a green tie. " You look very handsome."
He kissed her neck. " Try not to flaunt your beauty too much, love. It's not nice."
She laughed and winked whispering into his ear. " It's not me flaunting my beauty I am worried about." She teasingly nipped his ear and let go of his hand and walked to "her friend from Bulgaria".
"Merlin, Verina. That's not the dress I picked out."
"No? Oh well." She said and took a Rakia glass from Jibby though the she was sure they weren't meant for the underaged wizards and witches in attendance she was Bulgarian. The Nott parents approached her and she held out her hand politely as they bowed. " Lady Verina."
"Mr. and Mrs. Nott a pleasure to see you as always I am so looking forward to your little party next week. I hear it is going to be quite the shindig." She felt so empowered all of a sudden she had no idea why, but she liked this side of her.
" Quite." Mr. Nott said. " Theodore is here have you had the chance to speak to him."
Verina looked at Bella slyly and Bella rolled her eyes. Verina looked at Draco who was talking to some elder men, probably death eaters, and she smiled. " I'll be sure Draco and I make our way over to him. He really does appreciate Theodore's presence on the team, but I shouldn't be telling all of his secrets."
She took a drink of her drink and nodded her head. " Will you excuse us. I see my god father." She said escaping and taking Bella with her.
"So annoying." She whispered to her companion.
"Speaking of annoying. Why is she here?" Bella nodded towards Briony.
"Bella that's not nice Briony is a member of this-"
"Not Briony you ninny the little nitwitted tease beside her."
Verina looked right at Pansy Parkinson in a form fitting red dress.
"Oh her. I heard she was Crabbe's date. That's what it said on the RSVP anyway. Narcissa wasn't too pleased with it either."
"Oh no. There she goes."
Verina watched as Pansy floated her way to Draco. Kissing his cheek and flirtasiously offering him a drink. It was then Verina noticed the tell tale lavender swirl coming out of it.
"Oh no she doesn't." Verina said and walked over to Draco.
"Draco, darling." Verina said taking the drink he just accepted. " You hate meade remember? Come let's fetch you some scotch and I just saw the Mrs. Crabbe."
Draco looked at her questioningly, but took her hand anyways. " You heard the missus chaps. Don't drink too much."
They all smiled as Verina waved them a goodbye.
Draco looked around and pulled Verina into the hallway that lead to the kitchen. " What was that?"
Verina stuck the drink under his nose. " Smell that and tell me what you smell."
He arched his brow and inhaled. " Hmmm I smell that book smell you know like super old books the way they smell, salt water, the broom cupboard, the kitchens, lavender and lilac… hmmm I smell your perfume. Verina did you put your perfume in this drink?"
Verina dropped the glass and gasped and levitated stopped it mid air.
"I am sorry." She said surprised. " I'll just go umm give this to Minni."
"Wait just a minute." He said putting the glass on the table and pulled her to him by her elbows. "You look amazing tonight."
She couldn't breathe at all. " Draco there are paintings and people everywhere."
He kissed her nose. " Let them see. Let them all see. I saw how jealous you got of Pansy. Tell me what does that drink smell like to you."
She smelled it as he held it to her nose. " It smells like the beach, roses, freshly cut grass, pastries, mint, tobacco, and…" she smelled it again intensely " and like something sweet, but musky all at the same time. It's familiar sort of like…." She blushed and realized what she smelled. He set the drink now and she leaned into him realizing it was the same smell. " How did you know it was a love potion?"
"I am not a fool." He said smiling. " In more ways than that one Amortensia is known for attracting a person. Verina, the minute I smelled you knew. I definitely know what I am attracted to."
She felt her heart jump into her throat. Her shakey hand reached up and with her index finger she brushed his cheek and leaned up on her toes her nose rubbing with his his breath tickling her. She inhaled it's sweet minty taste. It was agony as their lips got closer together untouching and yet so very close.
"Oi! There you two are."
They both jumped back and Draco cleared his throat. " Ohhhh… I am umm wow… Well, umm you know I should go and find Briony." Blaise Zabini said. " and not tell her about what I just saw."
Verina wipped around and took out her wand. " You saw nothing."
Blaise stammered and gulped. " I saw nothing, Verina. I definitely did not see you and Draco snogging."
Verina pushed past him and walked off in embarrassment and back to the party. She needed to get ahold of herself and quickly.