DISCLAIMER: In no way do I own any of the characters in JK Rowling's Wizarding World. I am but a fan who has run away with her imagination.
Chapter 22
"Oh Tori this is all… just too much." she sighed and wanted to bury her face into the blueberry muffin that lay untouched in front of her. As planned, Dara and Tori met for tea a few days after Casian's birthday weekend. They met at 3 and had already discussed common and expected etiquette during social gatherings. Tori went into full detail about Narcissa's birthday weekend last year and how someone by the name of Mary Mortimor wore the wrong shade of color getting her kicked out of the property.
They went over the general schedule for the three days. It usually started with a light lunch out in the garden, followed by tea in the gazebo and a carefully curated dinner capped off the first night. Guests were allowed to roam the manor on the second day, all the while provisions for food and libations would be overflowing. The traditional evening's ball was held on the second night, everyone was expected to look fancy especially for the photo ops. Because the ball would usually end very late, Sunday was when everyone slept in and waited for late lunch only to be treated to yet another opportunity to do it all over again the year after - that is if you're lucky enough to be invited again.
Dara's head was spinning with information. She was having a hard time deciding what to focus on. There was the mind boggling puzzle of all these rules she had to remember when dealing with pureblood wizards and witches from high society. Act normal and relaxed? Don't let them feel like you're not one of them? Don't speak to anyone unless you are spoken to? As a general rule, never leave Draco's side? Yeah that last one was definitely on her number one list. NO way was she going to leave Draco's side given everything Tori's been telling her.
There was of course the daunting list of the things she needed to prepare before that weekend. As per Tori, she needed to look the part which meant she needed a new set of clothes. Draco was bringing her and presenting her to the whole of wizarding high society and she had to look perfect because all eyes would be on them but mostly on her. Narcissa would be scrutinizing her from every angle and inch and a hair out of place could mean disaster for both of them.
But underneath all of the nerves that were slowly bundling themselves together, she was excited. The opportunity to be a witness to - what she felt would be - one of England's most beautiful properties was something she was looking forward to. Maybe Draco would take her around the manor and show her where he grew up. That was another thing she was looking forward to; getting to know Draco better, even if it meant she was going to be shark food for 3 days.
"Don't worry Dara. Draco, Blaise and I will be there to guide you along." she smiled tenderly at Dara. "We'll be there to help you."
"Thanks I guess. There's just so much to do and remember and I don't know if I can do it." she sighed and picked at her muffin. "I mean I also have my art show to worry about, which isn't far from the birthday weekend. I still have a lot of work to do and I have to juggle it with the preparations. And not to mention my gift!" she was frazzled and panicking and Astoria could see it.
"Calm down Dara. Breathe. I know it's all overwhelming but you'll get through this. You continue what you have to do for your show. That's important for you to finish, love. I'll keep you abreast with things and I'll remind you about things." she looked at her with slight pity in her eyes. She could recognize the panic and fear in her voice. "As for the gift, Draco will take care of it, I'm sure. Now breathe Dara. Please." Dara found herself following her instructions, a slight sweat forming in her brows.
"Can I do this Tori? Can I really? I mean isn't this all too much? Too big for me to handle? I can't help but feel like any moment now I'll combust and that'll be the end of it all. Listening to you say this, I can feel the cogs in my brain turn and chime and I'm waiting, just waiting for… boom." she must have looked like such a head case to Astoria who was on the verge of cringing or taking her into her arms.
"Dara look at me. You will be fine. Draco loves you, dearly. And if I know Draco it's his immense and intense loyalty to those he cares about. At the end of all this, he will still be yours Dara, as he wants it." Dara still had that look of panic on her face as she continued to pick at her sad looking blueberry.
"We still have to get ready for Callum Tristy's party. Oh dear! Look at the time!" Astoria made a dash to settle the bill.
"Callum Tristys's party?" The waiter had arrived and handed Tori the bill. She nodded at Dara after placing the payment into the sleeve.
"Didn't Draco tell you?" Ony then did she seem to have her dates right. She's been busy and buried in work for her show that she has lost track of the days of the week.
"Oh Merlin I totally forgot!" she checked her watch and did a quick calculation of things. She'd be too late for the party if she went back home to change. And as if on perfect cue, her phone lit up with a message from Draco. "See you in a few, pet. Call me if you need anything."
"Well come on then. No time to waste!" Astoria got up and practically dragged Dara out of the cafe.
"Where are you taking me Tori?"
"To get you new clothes of course! You cannot possibly go to Callum's in that! Come on!" Astoria did not give Dara time to ask questions. Leading the way, she brought them to the nearest muggle mall.
Where was she? She was already an hour late and he was getting really impatient. He fidgeted with the whiskey in his hand and nodded at something Callum said. He was sure it was something about his newly acquired hotel in some exotic place. Pompous bastard. Just because his father bought him any and everything he wanted he thought he was good enough to slum it up with all of them.
Blaise nudged him in the ribs when he didn't respond quickly to Callum's question.
"Sorry. What was that?" he squinted at Callum but his attention was already elsewhere.
"What's wrong with you? Where is your head?" Blaise asked above the pulsing music. "If you keep looking back at the entrance like that I'm sure you'll snap your neck in two." Draco growled, irritated. He was already anxious to see Dara ang Blaise was trying to be funny.
"Calm down mate. They'll be here."
"They better be." he answered before trying his best to involve himself in the conversation, or what bit of it he heard. The music was loud here up in the loft, a trademark Callum Tristy party. It was always filled with expensive libations, heart pounding music and the rich & beautiful. Callum was rich, yes. But he wasn't old rich like the Zabini's, the Greengrass' and the Malfoy's. He wasn't even from here but he always wanted to be surrounded by the rich, so that he wouldn't be thought of as something else. And so every time he was in town he'd throw the most ridiculous party for his 'friends'.
"Oh damn!" Draco heard Callum say as he was stealing another look at the entrance. Where was she?! Not to be a total prick, but he did want to show Dara off to people. He wanted everyone to know she was his.
"Sweet Jesus! Who is this fine looking little popsicle you've brought?" Draco was on the verge of rolling his eyes. Callum and the women he fancied; he always fancied women. Always. He was never seen without one on his arm. "You have come to the right place to party, babe. I'm sure you'll find my generosity with the party favors appealing. Why don't you come a little closer and we can get to know each other better. Hhmm?" Reluctantly averting his gaze from the entrance, he tried - yet again - to be more involved at the table.
"I'm Callum Tristy, host of this lovely little shindig. What's your name babe?" Draco felt pure heated anger coursing through his veins and rush to his fist. The sly bastard was charming his way into the good graces of none other than his girlfriend, Adara. Dara immediately glanced at Draco who was ready to pounce.
"So you're Callum Tristy." Dara played cool looking back at the host.
"Why yes, yes I am. I bet you've heard a lot about me." he smiled proudly. Draco's temples were throbbing. He wanted to lunge for his neck and break it into as many pieces as possible. He watched as her face had the same kind expression she had when she was talking to children; her eyes light and glowing, her smile, polite and her stance, confident. That dress, Draco thought as his palms twitched. He wanted to hit something soon or else he'd lash out on the nearest glass of whiskey.
"Actually, no. It's the first time I've heard about you or seen you." Callum's face slightly fell but he quickly regained his composure. "Don't bother yourself Mr. Tristy. " she said calmly and with a slight smile on her face.
"I'm afraid you'll pop an artery if you try any harder. Besides, I'm not interested. And even if I was, it's never going to happen."
"And why not?" He looked snooty now, offended.
"Because you're an arrogant and pompous ass who thinks too highly of himself when it's obvious you're nothing but hot air." the people gathered around the table were snickering. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to appease a certain wizard over there before he lunges for your neck." she smiled sweetly before proceeding to place herself beside a now proud looking Draco Malfoy. As soon as she was within arms reach, he placed his claim on her waist and pulled her tight by his side.
"Malfoy? You're with Malfoy?" he looked shocked and wounded all at the same time.
"Come here, pet." He kissed her temples quickly before returning his attention to the table."I want you to meet the know Blaise of course and Tori. That's Henry, Deborah and George, all from work. And of course you've already met our gracious host Callum."
"Everyone, this is Adara Burling, my girlfriend." he said it. He finally said it out loud, without flinching or even thinking about it. There was a general wave of shock that went through the table.
"It's a pleasure to meet everyone. Thank you for having me." She smiled politely, leaning closer to him.
"Come on, love. You look thirsty. Excuse us." before anyone had time to ask him about her he had pulled her away to the direction of the bar.
"You're late." he scolded, leaning against the bar with his right elbow and caging Dara to him by the waist with his left arm. He had ordered a glass of whiskey for himself and a glass of champagne for Dara.
"It's all Tori's fault really." She rolled her eyes like a petulant child and placed her arms on his chest. "We fitted about 20 dresses before she deemed this acceptable."
"And the dress?" he cocked his eyebrow authoritatively. Instantly, her cheeks burnt pink and her eyes fluttered close.
"Tori thought you'd like it." she said shy and unsure, her lips in between her teeth. The dress was white and had an almost bare back except for two thin straps that held the dress in place. It, too, was short. Inside Draco was cursing at how irresistible she looked.
"Tori thought?" he was slowly enjoying this playful exchange. She sighed and ducked her head under his chin before mustering the courage to admit that she thought he'd like it.
"Fine. I thought you'd like it. It was the most decent thing Tori picked out. Everything else made me look like I was wearing nothing but a blanket." Draco winced, his mind immediately conjuring that sumptuous image. "Besides, I wanted to impress you and not embarrass you in front of everybody." she took a swig from her glass all too fast for Draco's liking but he was still processing what she had said.
"Did I do it right?" she asked, scrunching up her nose the way he found adorable. "I mean, I didn't mean to put him in place but he was just so obnoxious and..." he caught her lips in mid sentence and everything around them seemed to be one big blur. Dara comfortably eased into the kiss, clinging to the lapels of his coat for support. Ah there it was again, coconuts and cream with a hint of champagne.
"Hi." Her voice was small and winded as she batted her lashes up at him when they broke the kiss. "I missed you." she smiled, lacing her fingers behind his neck. "This afternoon was exhausting."
"Did you learn anything?" his hands were on the bottom of her back, lightly tracing circles on her bare skin sending shivers up her arms. She nodded like the good girl that she was before finishing the contents of her glass. "Take it easy with that," he warned.
"After today, after what I just had to listen to, I need this." she signaled the bartender for another.
"That sounds concerning." he furrowed his brows and pulled her chin towards him. "What did Tori tell you, pet?" Dara hesitated in the beginning but was soon retelling this afternoon's lessons with ease. Towards the end of her retelling she became frazzled again, panicky and worried.
"Oh Merlin Draco. What if I fail? What if I make a complete ass of myself there and I embarrass you and, and.. There's so much to remember, so much to do. I don't know if…" he wanted to take her in his arms like he usually would when they were alone. He recognized the fear in them, the panic.
"Breathe, love. Breathe." he took her face between his big palms and coaxed her to calm down. The wild flustered look she had on her face slowly relaxed and came into better focus.
"Oh Draco." she buried her face in his chest unable to control herself.
"Not here, love." he gently coaxed, running a hand through her hair, not wanting to stir the crowd. Seeming to come to her senses she lifted her face off from his chest and wiped away the tears that had escaped.
"Of course. I'm sorry." leaning into the bar she took the champagne glass and emptied it in one go. "I'm embarrassing you. Got it. There's a right time and place for everything." she smiled weakly at him. He had to admit he admired her presence of mind and quick reflexes to jump back to the present.
"Anyhow, enough of that. How was your day Mr. Malfoy?" in time they were back to their regular playful banter, ignoring the world around them. They were, as usual, stuck inside their own bubble. It wasn't until Tori came over to pull Dara to the dance floor did they separate from each other.
"I'll be up on the balcony, watching." his voice low and raspy as he whispered into her left ear. They kissed briefly before Dara left with Tori and a few girls, all headed for the dancefloor.
"Well you two are amusing to watch, as always." Blaise commented. They placed themselves at the edge of the loft-like structure where they can clearly see the happenings on the bottom floor.
"How is Tori able to dance? She's pregnant." he had spotted the girls and immediately locked eyes with Dara.
"She cast a charm on her shoes. She always does. Don't change the subject mate." Blaise handed him a glass of whiskey.
"You were watching?" he asked.
"Everybody was watching mate. This the first time you've brought a date to a party and declare to everyone that she actually is your girlfriend. Imagine everyone's surprise when she's as badass as you, putting our boy Callum in his place. Then, as if the theatrics weren't enough, you whisk her away to the bar where you both lock yourselves in each other's bubbles and actually look cute and happy doing it. It's the first time anyone has ever seen you not angry."
"Cute?" he grimaced.
"Not my choice of vocabulary. Don't judge." Blaise pointed out. Draco returned his attention to a now dancing Dara. she was surrounded by equally elated moving bodies, gyrating to the pulsing beat.
"Good. Now everybody knows she's mine." he smiled at her from where he was standing as he drank from his glass.
"You know this is going to reach the parents." Draco continued to watch Dara as she shimmied and swayed in sync with the beat, not once losing footing. She would raise her hands up in the air and close her eyes, feeling the pulse in her veins. When she felt daring, she'd run her hands up her thighs and torso like nobody was watching. Draco recognized that energy, that smile; she was in her element. She was having fun.
"I know. Let it reach them. I really don't care anymore. Whether this ends well or not, I will have Dara."
"You're scary when you want something Draco." Draco winked at Dara before facing Blaise.
"Am I?" he smirked but quickly hid his amusement when Calum strutted towards them.
"That's a pretty feisty little thing you have there." he pointed down at Dara as he took her dancing form in. Draco felt the heat in his ears but tried to stay calm. "Where in the world did you find her?"
"None of your business Callum." he said sternly. Callum only laughed.
"Right, right. Stone cold faced Draco." he sighed "I bet she tames you pretty good." Draco was about to grab him by the scruff but Blaise stopped him.
"Are you sure you want to press his buttons Callum?" Callum looked scared that Draco was about to attack him. "In front of all these people? Because we all know you wouldn't stand a chance." all three of them froze in place, waiting for Callum to fight back.
"Draco?" a soft voice from the side broke the tension. Dara and Tori stood there looking concerned at the mid-punch posture he had towards a stiff Callum.
"I want to go, Draco. Can we?" Dara said it as a last resort. The men loosened their grips on each other and straightened their ties.
"Of course." he cleared his throat before reaching for her waist. He still looked pissed but did a good job keeping his temper in check. "Callum, thank you for the evening." The group had begun to turn their backs when Callum sighed distastefully under his breath.
"That's right. The snake and the snake charmer. Go run along, 'pet'." Draco had turned around to retaliate but Dara had beat him to it. Dara had put all her force into her right arm and punched Callum right in the nose. The force was so strong he toppled to the ground, leaving a bloody streak running down his white shirt. People around them were buzzing and gasping in shock. Blaise was amused, as usual.
"Dara!" She grabbed Draco's drink with her unbruised hand and poured the contents on the crouched and whining Callum.
"That's the last time you're allowed to be a pompous prick." she said low and menacing. Before things could further go south, Draco took her by the waist and stirred her away from the crowd.
