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 24

It took Draco another week before he mustered enough energy to go home to the Manor. In the middle of that week, Draco had taken Dara out to a few more socials to get her to warm up to that kind of scene. Thank Merlin no one riled her up enough to give her the chance to throw a punch. He smirked, remembering the look on Callum's face when Dara had thrown her punch. He clearly did not think she was capable of throwing a punch but when she did, it was epic. Draco had scolded her for hurting herself but not necessarily for defending herself. He didn't mind at all that his witch had an attitude and was strong enough to handle herself.

"Ah Draco! I feel like I haven't seen you in ages my darling!" Draco had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. Narcissa swooped in the dining table and made a dash for him, caging his head to her chest and kissing the top of his head.

"Mother. Father." he said curtly waiting for them to take a seat. Immediately, food popped up on the table filling the room with the delicious scent of breakfast.

"How are you Draco? I hardly ever see you anymore." Narcissa went straight into it. Draco however, took his time. He came home last night with the single intention to announce to his family that he was bringing a plus one to Narcissa's birthday weekend. It was about time he did given that the event was only 2 days away.

"I am quite alright mother," he said, choosing not to look up and continue to gingerly slice through his pancakes. They were good but they weren't the pancakes Dara made him on a regular basis. Dara's were fluffier, tastier and just all around better. He still preferred the latter.

"You look like you've gotten a tan! Where have you been hiding?" his mother's shrill voice cut through the silence at once.

"I've been spending time at the beach on my off days. I thought a bit of holiday would do me some good." he smiled curtly watching the expression on his mother's face change from curious to confused. No Malfoy has ever liked the beach -that's why they were all so pale. Lucius cut in with his regular inquisition about the company and its performance. Not once slipping, Draco coolly and confidently answered all his questions earning him a satisfied nod from the elderly gentleman.

"Oh Draco, please do not forget to tend to the rose garden before the weekend. I know you've always been fond of that pocket of green on the grounds. I'm sure you'd want all the roses to be in tip top shape by the time guests arrive this weekend. Also, I've invited a few of your old school mates seeing as you had fun that last time you all got together." her mischievous smile could easily be taken for pure concern but Draco knew better. Her mother was up to something and it couldn't be good.

"Oh! Maybe you can take the time this weekend to formally announce that you and Pansy are officially a couple." Narcissa chirped excitedly. Draco almost spat the forkful of sausage he had just placed in his mouth.

"What gave you the idea that Pansy and I are a couple, mother?" he tried to hide the edge in his voice but he was clearly irritated.

"I heard you were at a few parties in the past few weeks always with a beautiful girl on your arm. People talk, you know. So far I've heard nothing but praises!" clearly his mother was excited. "They say she looks well bred, well dressed and well behaved. Oh Draco, I am so happy that you finally listened to me about Pansy. She's the right girl for you, I just know it." Draco felt a glow of pride inside him. News about him and Dara had finally reached his mother and she was pleased - until she finds out it's not Pansy.

"Pansy and I are not a couple's mother. We never have been and never will." he tried to hide the smile forming on his lips.

"But…"

"You must be referring to my real girlfriend, Adara Burling. I'm sure it's her. The descriptions seem to fit." he said it without flinching or blinking, a decided look on his face. The table seemed to stop moving. Both his mother and father looked at him shocked. Taking advantage of the silence, he continued. "She's been my girlfriend for months now and I think it's time you meet her. She'll be my plus one to your birthday weekend. I have already informed the house elves to prepare the room adjacent to mine, the one with the view of the grounds."

"Excuse me?" Narcissa looked like she was on the brink of becoming livid.

"Is that a problem? If it will be then I'll just skip this weekend. I don't mind." he arched an eyebrow and threw his napkin on the table. He remained strong and decided on what he wanted. There was no way this was going to end differently.

"You are not missing your mother's birthday weekend." Lucius said curtly.

"Perfect. Then I will arrive with Adara on Friday. You can meet her whenever you feel like it. Now excuse me, I have to get to work." he began to stand up but his mother's voice told him to stay where he was.

"How dare you drop this news on us as casually as you just did, Draco!" ah there it was, the anger. "You expect us to be okay with this? You've been gone for weeks, maybe even months, showing up here when you want to and now you're telling us about this girl we've never heard of and you're bringing her to my birthday weekend?!" Narcissa was livid, Lucius was pensive. It was hilarious to witness really.

"Yes." Draco answered, hiding his amusement by sipping his tea. "If I am going to your birthday weekend then I am going with Dara. If you don't want her there then I won't be either."

"Why you arrogant little bast…" It was the first time Lucius displayed his anger.

"If people say she's well bred, well dressed and well behaved then what's your worry? Isn't that what you wanted? Someone who won't embarrass you in front of your dear guests?" he settled back into his chair, enjoying the surge of power and adrenaline coursing through him, fueling his words. His parents blinked at him, probably deciding what hex to use on him.

"Since when have you been..?" Narcissa started but Draco already knew the series of questions she was going to fire at him. So he beat her to it.

"Her name is Adara Vega Burling. I met her at the reunion. She's a Slytherin, like me. We've been together for 5, 6 months now. Maybe even more, I've lost count really. She's a bloody great artist and she lives on an island, that's why I'm always tanned. And that's where I've been going home to. All the observations of her are true; she's beautiful, well behaved and well bred. You can ask Blaise and Astoria over the weekend. I am sure they'll tell you the same thing. She's not entirely excited to meet you both given your temper's reputation but she's willing to look past your judgmental and discriminatory nature and try, for me. Did I miss anything?" When they did not answer he stood up again, buttoned his coat and smoothed his hair.

"Great. It's settled then. I'll see you on Friday." and with that he was off, leaving his parents dumbstruck.

When Dara awoke on the day of her show, she awoke with a jolt. Immediately she checked the clock in her room and it said she had more than 5 hours before she needed to be in London. Her heart was beating wildly in her ears, her heart hammering against her chest. She looked to Draco for solace but he wasn't there. He had regrettably informed her that he was to stay the night at the manor and wake up to tell the parents about his plans for the coming birthday weekend. That was another thing she was stressing, the birthday weekend. It was 2 days from now and she felt like she was nowhere near ready. Draco had informed her that her new wardrobe was ready and waiting for her in her room.

Her room. She had a room to herself? All this time she thought she was to share Draco's room. Apparently sharing his bed with someone who isn't his wife was not allowed. SO she was to stay in the room adjacent to his, with a view he said she was sure to enjoy. While they were on the topic of the birthday weekend and the living arrangements, Dara shyly asked him about the manor. What's it like? Is it as scary as everyone says it is? She excitedly asked him.

"It's dark and gloomy." he said the other night as he settled in next to her. "I understand completely why people would find it frightening. I grew up there and I still think it's frightening and eerie especially at dusk and dawn." Dara cuddled up next to Draco trying to imagine how impressive everything would most likely look.

"Will you show me around?" she asked peering up at him with her expectant multi-colored irises.

"If you want me to."

"Of course I want you to! I want to see everything! Where you grew up, where you first learned to do your first spells, where you spend time with your family. Everything. I'm imagining impressive interior and exterior architecture and design. Oh the possibilities of capturing it on paper!" Draco had to smile at her enthusiasm. It was the first time she expressed an emotion other than nervousness when talking about the weekend plans.

"Alright, love. I'll take you around." he chuckled, placing a kiss on her head. "I'll take you to the rose garden. I'm positive you'll love it there." for the first time in weeks she was excited about this weekend. She pestered Draco with more questions but later on refused to answer any more of her questions. She just needed to wait for Friday.

Slowly and sluggishly she stood from her bed and proceeded to go about her day. She tried her best to push aside the growing pit in her stomach. One by one she went over a checklist in her head, ticking off everything from the paintings, the invites, Draco, Mama Rosa, her outfit. Everything seemed to be in order, thank Circe. Her phone buzzed and she reached for it on the kitchen table.

Do not let your nerves get the best of you. You will be amazing. I'll see you tonight l. I love you.

Her goofy smile slowly turned into a full grin. But before she could hit reply a knock came to the door. It was Mama Rosa who had agreed to keep Dara company while she got ready for her show and later on, travel with her to London for the show.

"Why aren't you getting ready yet mija?" Mama Rosa burst into the room in her head to toe all red ensemble. "I brought you some food - it'll give you energy for later."

"Thank you Mama Rosa but I don't think I can hold anything down besides coffee and water and maybe wine." The elderly lady only laughed at her.

"You'll be fine. You worry too much. Now come on! You better start getting ready." Dara agreed but quickly excused herself. She needed a dip in the water before proceeding to get ready. She needed the calmness of the current and the energy of the sea.

Mama Rosa had to get her out of the water an hour later. Dara had lost track of time and had stayed there longer than expected.

"Oh before you go into the shower there's something in the living room." Mama Rosa said with a queasy look on her face.

"What?" Dara was confused.

"It's small and wrinkly and cranky." Dara walked into her living room to find one of the Malfoy house elves carrying a big black box.

"Hi. How can I help?" Dara asked calmly.

"Young Master Malfoy wishes for you to wear this to your gala tonight." the elf said with his gurgly voice. "It is in his highest opinion, that you will look most radiant in it tonight." he offered the box to Dara and apparated away as soon as it was off his hands.

"What was that thing?" Mama Rosa asked, curious. She knew Dara was a witch but it was her first encounter with other wizarding creatures.

"He was a Malfoy house elf. Sort of like a butler." She took the box into her room and laid it carefully on the bed. What was Draco up to? She reached for her phone and typed a reply she should have texted an hour ago.

I just received the box. What are you up to Mr. Malfoy?

Immediately her phone lit up. Draco Malfoy was calling.

"Mr. Malfoy."

"Have you opened the box, pet?" His voice was silky and low and made Dara's insides tingle. It sounded like he was alone but the truth was he was in a meeting, hunched to the side to give him a sense of privacy.

"I haven't. What are you up to?"

"Just open it. I'll see you tonight." And then the line was cut. She threw her phone to the side and moved into the bedroom where Mama Rosa was waiting. She urged Dara to open the box at once, taking it from her and laying it on the bed. With shakey hands, she placed the ends of the ribbon between her fingers and pulled the bow loose. Carefully she lifted the lid and rummaged through the thin wrapping paper protecting whatever was inside. The first thing she noticed after gingerly lifting the dress on it's straps, was how soft and smooth the fabric was. It was silk, for sure, as it shone like the surface of the water when the sea was calm. It wasn't a ball gown but it was long enough to end past her knees. The bottom part of the dress was pleated perfect alignment. Dara took her time and inspected the bodice with its exquisite draping and gathering. The frock had a semi sweetheart neckline and a banded waist.

"Oh mija, it's absolutely beautiful." Mama Rosa gasped beside her when she had completely pulled the garment out of the box. Even she was speechless at the beauty she held before her. It had been years since she'd been able to own anything as fine and expensive as the dress Draco had just given her.

"I can't wear thi…"she began to whisper but was cut off when Mama Rosa joyfully proclaimed that a pair of silver strappy shoes had accompanied it. As well as a silver clutch bag. He just thinks of everything doesn't he, Dara thought to herself.

"Oh Dara! You will look so beautiful in this! Come on mija. Let's get you ready!" She was pulled out of her trance by an enthusiastic mama Rosa, literally pulling her towards the bathroom. Dara felt helpless and only smiled as she let her mother figure boss her around.

This was it. The moment she's been preparing for. The moment she's dreamt of most of her adult life. A low buzz had settled in her nerves, she wasn't sure if it was quiet confidence or crippling fear. Whatever it was she had to face it soon. Dara had mere minutes before the doors were to open to her show: Mirrors.

Henry, the gallery owner had given her such praises for her work and had let slip that her one night show was sold out. Now she was sure she was feeling nervous. Henry reminded her she had 5 minutes before she needed to make an appearance. Oh how she wished Draco was with her right at that very moment to calm her down and to remind her she had nothing to worry about. He was always so good at calming her nerves. He was always so good at everything really. She fidgeted with her dress making sure she looked exactly the way she did when she left the comforts of her little hut. She wanted this night to be as perfect as she could make it to be.

"It's time Dara." Henry nugged her forward. And with one last deep breath, she walked into the gallery.