Writers note:
Sirius Black is in this and he has a daughter and a wife, but he doesn't have dialogue. By now she must be aware that I am NOW HERE NEAR taking this the route of 'HP CANON" and I am probably mucking up JK's life's work but what she is going to do? Sue me? Haha. I have no money.. Seriously though, don't sue me JK please. As always. Sorry for shitty grammar.
It took at least 20 minutes before she could walk back to the castle. She did not understand a thing. What had just happened? Apart from the fact that her head was spinning, and her body seemed to be on fire collectively, her total bewilderment was the worst feeling to endure.
Once she had come to her senses again, she concluded that this must have been another cruel joke of his to continue fooling around with her. But... something in his eyes seemed to tell her that this was not the case, that his question was serious. Why was that? Why did he want her so badly to care about him when he had not given him a chance in six months to have any kind of understanding with him?
OK. She lied and it was a miracle that her nose had not grown 10 centimetres because she didn't mean anything she said. She did care about him and had so from the moment she'd seen him.
She was such an idiot. She never expected to become one of those women who ... would get feelings for somebody who treats she worthless, yet she had them. She didn't understand a thing. What was wrong with her? She had always trusted mind head instead of heart but now the latter seemed to overrule she several times and rendering her helpless. She hated it. She hated feeling like that, feeling helpless..
I AM SUCH AN IDIOT, she thought again.
Ugh, she remembered something else from that eventful afternoon. Yet another unpleasant evening was ahead where she and Draco had to perform as doting husband and wife, under the watchful eye of his family. Friday the 26th...
What were the odds? She shared a birthday with Lucius, of all people. This year, of course, she had not intended to celebrate her birthday; without family and friends (although Hermione had sent her a beautiful necklace) it would not have been a nice birthday anyway. What was there to celebrate in the first place.
No, nobody needed to know when her birthday was, and she wanted to keep it that way. When she arrived at the castle she didn't see Draco anywhere, not even at dinner (not that the two ate to get her, he often chose to take his meal in his study or earlier than Mara in the dining hall). After making enquiries she had heard that he had gone to Arvendon, at the king's request.
She didn't expect him back as the travel time was considerable, so she had, for the umpteenth time, an evening alone ahead of her. After dinner she went faithfully back to the library and continued with the book she was reading but she noticed several times that her concentration was weak, and her mind wandered off to the 'incident' in the afternoon.
He came back on Tuesday morning and, as usual, she had not seen him until noon. After lunch she were planning to go for a brisk walk on the beach. She walked ignorantly through the corridors; not knowing what was about to happen. She was still at the beginning of the hall, but a door suddenly opened, and a crying Kat ran outside, followed by an incredibly angry looking Parkinson.
Mara was confused. What the hell was going on?
Pansy waited there for a moment, apparently feeling Mara's eyes her eyes on her, and looking in her direction. Slowly she began to walk towards Mara, who started to frown. What would Pansy want to say to her? They were not talking to each other nor did she seen Pansy because the darling Draco was kind enough not to rub his escapades in his wife's nose as much.
Pansy stilled right in front of her with a furious expression on her face.
"My compliments... You got your way, I hope you're happy", Pansy said.
She frowned and shook her head at the sudden accusation.
"I beg your pardon?" Mara said, not understanding what she was talking about.
Pansy snorted and it looked as if she wanted to say something, but she stopped at the last moment. That girl... She really needed someone to teach her some manners and she would be glad to volunteer in a short moment if she continued.
"Like you don't know," she said with an implicating tone of voice. She sighed deeply, partly due frustration, partly from the fact that her blood was starting to boil.
"Miss Parkinson. I have no clue what you are referring to. I do not, I am curious to find out exactly you are accusing me of so please do share... I would advise you to do rather quickly and honestly... as I am in danger of losing my patience", she replied annoyed. An unbothered Pansy took one step into Mara's direction and then proceeded to look deeply into Mara's eyes. She smiled slyly, no meanly.
"He will NEVER love you. NEVER. So, do not waste your time pining after him like some daft cow. It is not going to happen." Pansy concluded with a sneer and still smirking viciously. Before she could say anything, Pansy had turned around leaving and left Mara there, feeling like someone had just thrown a bucket of ice on her head.
She stood there for a while and tried to think what Pansy could have been so angry about and then continued her way. When she arrived at the room where Katherine and Pansy had come from, she briefly looked into it. Draco stood with his back turned towards and leaned forward with both hands placed on his desk. She knocked on the door and he turned to glance at the person who had disturbed him from his thoughts.
Oh no. In her efforts to get answers she had totally forgotten about what happened on Sunday, underestimating what it would be like to see him again. It was AWKWARD as hell especially when recalled the incident, mainly focusing on how he held her, and her stupid heart sped up again. However, she had begun on this quest and now one had to finish.
"Can I come in?" she asked, and he nodded, his demeanour a lot different than she were used to, almost looking a bit defeated as it were. She took a few steps and stood still at an appropriate distance; her intention was not to get too close.
"Miss Parkinson almost bit my head off just now and I think she must have an inkling as to why.," she inquired with curiosity running through her veins. He sighed, took a moment's silence, and then began to give her an explanation.
"Pans... Miss Parkinson & Miss Edwards are leaving the castle today and won't be returning. Indefinitely" replied Draco in a voice that sounded apologetic? If it had been she had not noticed because she was too busy recovering from the bombshell he had just dropped.
"Aah... How unfortunate for you", she said with a slight sense of sarcasm. Well, that explained some things, Pansy must have thought Mara was responsible for their departure. Yet she hadn't said anything, so the question was? Who did?
There was a long silence before they spoke again and, in the meantime, he seemed to do his best not to look at her. He seemed embarrassed or was he feeling guilty? In any case it was an emotion she hadn't seen encountered before with him and it was a strange sight to behold and a tad unnerving to seem Draco, who was arrogant as they come, so insecure.
"I presume the ladies think I'm responsible for their untidy departure, but I didn't say anything to anyone about how things have been since I got here. I could have but I did not." she finished and bit her lip out of uneasiness.
Draco nodded and said he didn't doubt her statement which relieved her a little before Mara realised something. The order to This order came from higher up, had to be. She took one step closer to him and it made him backtrack one, but she hadn't noticed.
"This wasn't your decision, was it? But the King's?" she remarked, and it seemed to hit a spot because he flushed even more than before, and he didn't opt to answer.
" Thought so," she said after a while and then panic flowed through she the next moment for she had been right along and what she feared had become reality.
"That means that your parents know?" she asked him in a trembling voice and a million scenarios sounding off in her head as to what this would mean.
"My father is aware of the events that transpired over the past couple of months, yes. My mother? No idea but maybe she suspects something." and he shrugged slightly.
"I see" she said, and she gazed down to avoid looking at him. Suddenly it became exceedingly difficult to control her emotions and not to burst into tears and she wanted to leave as soon as possible. Once she composed herself, she looked at him directly again, unafraid and somehow angry.
"Well. Pity about your concubines but not to worry. You can always visit them." she remarked sarcastically. Anger was the second emotion that was going through she next to the initial sadness. Then she turned around and took large strides to get away as quickly as possible. When the door opened she heard his voice saying her name and she stilled immediately whether she wanted to or not.
"I'm sorry. I am sorry. For everything... I wish I had taken a different approach to.. all of this. Please accept my apology" he said with a flustered expression. Mara could tell having this conversation was difficult for him to have but she refused to let him off that easy.
While remaining in the same place, with her back to him, she tried to determine the authenticity of his apology and quickly concluded Lucius might have had anything to do with it.
"Too little, too late, Draco" she stated and then she left, headed towards her room so she could think.
She was not looking forward to Friday but... there was a little light at the end of the tunnel. This would mean that she would probably be in the company of Bella and co for the last time as they would leave a few days later.
On Wednesday and Thursday, she had not encountered Draco because she was out herself, for two days, together with Sara she had visited the markets and went to a play. After a few months she had had enough of moping around the castle like a pathetic girl and decided to go out and explore. Sara's company was pleasant, and she couldn't thank Sarge often enough for suggesting her.
Friday morning, she woke up, got dressed and went to the dining hall for breakfast, totally used to having all her meals alone or sometimes with Sara so she was not shocked to not see Draco's presence there.
It was her birthday today, but she didn't care, all she wanted was to survive the day and especially the party in the evening. For this occasion, she wore a burgundy red dress with ruby jewellery, a striking necklace, and a flower-shaped ring. The chambermaids and Sara said that she looked exceptionally beautiful, but she did not really care and soon after she left for the entrance where she met Sarge. He told her that Draco had left for Arvendon earlier (shocking) and so she got into the carriage and departed.
At Arvendon she was supposed to go straight to the banquet hall, but her attention was caught by something that happened further down the corridor. A conversation between a blond, tall girl, and Draco. She stood too far away to eavesdrop, (writers note the girl said: "Oh come here, you grumpy old bastard" but shortly afterwards the girl hugged Draco and he started laughing.
Her heart sank... here she was happy not to have to face Pansy or Katherine anymore, but it seems he had already found someone else. Gee, he worked fast. The girl apparently gave a smile, and he did it back and she walked away. With lead in her shoes, she walked towards Draco who she had spotted by now. She was never very clever at picking up body language, so she did not see the way he currently was staring at Mara and that his eyes had been appreciative in the process of taking her in.
No, she was too busy being furious with him. How. Dare. He? She stormed off towards him, intending to let him that he had a crossed a line he should not have crossed.
"Listen. It is one thing that you paraded Katherine and Pansy about in Ashwood's, but I hope you are not going to embarrass me tonight with that girl because by God, Draco...I will inform my parents and my government about everything what happened the last couple of months. You will give me no other choice to do so" she threatened.
"What?" he said not understanding with a frowned-up look but then a knowing smile came on his face later.
"Are you referring to the lady of just now? Well, if it makes you feel any better. I did not ask her to hug me, she did it naturally. She is a tad impulsive, you know, but extremely sweet, you can't help but love her" he finished his little speech with a smirk.
This time her heart sank to the bottom of the Aspirian sea and the effects of which were undoubtedly visible on Mara's face.
"You LOVE her? So... you're going to marry her when you and I get divorced?" she said to him in a hesitant voice. By God... How pathetic she sounded.
His expression immediately changed to a compassionate one and he felt like he should explain but she refused to hear it.
"Mara... She's my-". he started and at the same time he shook his head, but he could not finish the sentence.
"Sorry. None of my business...Shall we go inside?" she said without looking at him and she reached out her arm to him so he could lead she to the banquet hall.
When she came in, she went to the guest it was all about and congratulated him on his birthday. "Thank you, you as-" he wanted to say, but he got such a nudge from Narcissa that he immediately stopped talking. She said hello to Bella and co with great difficulty before she went to Andromeda. She saw the girl standing in the corner, this time accompanied with an older man, so it seemed, and his hair reminded Mara of Theo as it was pitch black.
But her attention was drawn to the woman that had been talking to Draco and she had to admit it.. She understood why Draco could be fond of her, because she was bloody beautiful with her long white, blond hair and long stature and azure eyes.
She must have stared too much because to her horror the girl came walking over towards Mara.
"YOU must be Mara" she said in excitement and to her surprise she immediately gave she a hug.
"It's so nice to meet you! Really. Dante said he had many interesting conversations with you on a variety of topics, I wish to do the same if you don't mind at one-point have an idea for Leidal's independence that I would like to discuss with she", she concluded with a smile.
Oh. Fantastic. Not only gorgeous but also smart. Brilliant, how the HELL would she be able to compete with her now. After engaging in some small talk Lucius had graced them with his presence a little while after.
"Aah, Mara. I see that you have already met my favourite niece" and he gave the girl a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm only your favourite niece because I'm named after she", she chuckled.
"Shh. Lucia. The rest don't need to know that" winked Lucius. "Come Mara, let me introduce you to my brother-in-law Sirius Black and his wife" and he introduced Mara to the kind looking man.
She saw Draco standing further away in conversation with Theo and Dante but when he saw her he looked away briefly and she could see that he did his best not to burst out laughing, apparently very amused about the misunderstanding.
Stupid goose, Mara... Apparently it was his niece. HE could have informed her. Oh no wait he had wanted to, she recalled but Mara had not let him explain. Mara looked at him once more and this time he stared back with a grin, looking extremely smug.
Dinner was ready so everyone sat down, and Mara sat next to Draco. While everyone was waiting and in deep conversation with each other Mara could not resist so she leaned towards him and spoke.
"You could have said something, you know", she stated, sounding a lot more annoyed then intending to.
" I wanted to, but you wouldn't let me explain. I am glad I didn't though for I would have missed that amusing little conversation" he said with a grin and this time turning his body to her.
"You're a jerk", she hissed at him and he just smiled, his gaze straight ahead again but as he approached she again, this time too close to her neck, honestly his lips were about to make contact but...
"You are cute when you're jealous, Mara'" and she gasped out of indignance. She was going to respond immediately, telling him he was completely wrong; that she had NOT been jealous at all, but she couldn't say anything because Lucius was asking for attention.
"Dear guests, if I may have your attention... Thank you. Well, where do I start. First, I am grateful that I have been able to live another year in good health and I hope that many more, preferably in your company, will follow. I would like to thank you all for coming, I feel like a blessed man. Thank you and this one is for you" he toasted.
Everyone thought that this was the end of the speech, but Lucius continued.
"It has come to my attention that it is not only my birthday today, no I am happy to have the pleasure to -"
Oh no.
"To share a birthday with-" he continued.
OH. GOD. NO.
"My wonderful daughter-in-law, Mara! You thought we would not find out, did she? Congratulations dear" and he raised his glass again. "Aah how lovely" said the other guests and they eventually came up to congratulate her.
The king & the queen were the first. Narcissa gave her a sweet hug and kissed she and Lucius gave she a short but sincere kiss on the cheek. Dante and Sophia, Theo and Rey, Andromeda and Ted, Sirius, Lucia, and his wife and finally Bella and her family followed. Bella kissed her briefly on both cheeks, Tom kissed her politely on one but Andrew... Andrew!
He had leaned forward, whispered congratulations and then kissed her, on the lower half of her face, actually near her neck, for what seemed to last forever. He retreated with a satisfied smile, especially when he saw her reaction for she had turned bright red. The only one who had not congratulated she yet was Draco, who had not moved until now and had only looked at Mara in disbelief.
"Draco... Aren't she going to congratulate your wife, or didn't she know it was her birthday?" asked his aunt " innocently."
"Of course, ... I knew, Aunt Bella" but his statement didn't seem credible. He got up, looked at Mara with a gaze she could not decipher, bent towards her, and let his lips rest briefly on her cheek.
"Call that a kiss?" smirked Bella. "Come on boy, you don't have to be ashamed of us, how about a good old snog on the mouth," Bella asked, enjoying taunting them way too much.
What...? And she looked at Draco in shuddering amazement.
"Bella!" warned Narcissa.
"I think everyone would like to start with their meals. The sooner we know, the sooner we can dance" she said with a forced smile at Bella and a second later an understanding one to Mara.
"Of course, Cissy. I don't want to ruin the programme for the evening," she said with a grin.
Mara could not get a bite through her throat but in the end, she managed to stuff a few pieces of game over her lips. After dinner, presents were handed out to Lucius. Much to Mara's surprise, everyone had thought of her as well and they gave her some nice gifts including a beautiful comb decorated with precious stones from Andromeda... Even Bella had a gift, a small painting and Mara immediately hated it.
"Where is your gift, Draco?' Andrew maliciously asked an embarrassed Draco, but he was quick to think.
"In Ashwood" he answered quickly. "I want to give it to her in privacy" he explained, and Mara commended him for his quick thinking.
Shortly after it was time for the moment she had dreaded, she had to dance with Draco but hoped she wouldn't have to and no one would notice, which was difficult Fbecause they were the only couple that was still sitting at the table.
Narcissa was subtle with her look but Draco understood what his mother meant so he asked Mara to dance, which she reluctantly agreed to. They made their way towards the dance floor, assumed the position and Mara had seconds to adjust to the fact that he was touching her again. Her one hand entangled with his, the other rested on his shoulder whereas he had one firmly on her back, a bit firmer than the previous time but Mara was too nervous to notice. Yet it still felt awkward to dance with him even though she had the presence of mind and body not to flinch this time.
She was trying to avert her eyes by looking elsewhere but Draco's gaze however was directed at her and after a few spins, she could not ignore him any longer.
"You could have said something, you know", he said, and it was clear to Mara that he was annoyed by not being in the know.
Did not think you would care anyway, she wished to inform him, but fortunately she kept it to herself.
"I didn't think it was important " she answered briefly, and she avoided looking at him again.
"Not important? You could have saved me from embarrassment" he sneered lightly.
"I didn't know your father and mother were aware when my birthday was. I did not expect them to bring it up although it was sweet of them to include me in the festivities. Really, they are so kind, it was a sweet gesture. However, I had already made peace with the fact that I was not going to celebrate my birthday this year, and hence why I didn't tell anyone but apparently they found out".
"I understand but next time I would really appreciate it if you would at least inform ME and give me an heads up!", he whispered aggravated.
He had a point there to be honest. She could have argued that he had not made it very easy for her to communicate with him in the first place, but she wanted to close the subject, partly because she was being observed by.. Bella and co once more.
Mara apologised, smiling briefly at him and she hoped the others would take that as a sign they were getting along for she felt watched.. He returned the smile briefly and shortly after the orchestra stopped playing and she resumed their places again. The rest of the evening went well until the end, because then Andrew wanted to ask something.
"I'd like to stay at Ashwood for a few days... I am not looking forward to going back to school just yet so what do you say, cousin? Just like old times, fishing, and hunting together. If that is alright with she and Mara of course" he asked and when he had said her name, he had looked slyly in her direction.
Did she want Andrew to be in her vicinity? Hell, no but what could she say? It would have been immensely rude to refuse him so she replied that it would be lovely to have him over. By now she had gotten excellent at this lying thing. Draco agreed with her and said Andrew was more than welcome to stay which clearly delighted Andrew for he put on a big smile.
"Dante, please tell me that you will come to visit! ", Andrew asked sweetly. Dante was looking troubled and Draco sensed that his brother was upset about something. He didn't show it, however, and replied that he would be happy to come by when he had the chance.
Mara's second ordeal was over for it was time to go and she could not wait to get into the carriage.
"Are you and Draco going home at this hour?" asked Bella, feigning concern.
"Honestly, why? You'd better stay, don't she agree Cissy? Terrible things can happen at this hour... In my city, the nobles were attacked the t her day when they were travelling home late" and she shook her head for emphasis.
Mara could see that The Queen was not really in favour of her sister's idea, but she agreed reluctantly.
"Bella is right, Draco... It is best if you both stay the night. I will have your room prepared" and Narcissa exchanged an uncomfortable look with her husband.
Wait a minute. A room would be prepared.
Their room?
And again, it felt as if someone had tilted an extra-large bucket of ice over her head. Now what? Did they have to retreat, exit together, or could she leave earlier and hope that he would choose another room later? Yes. Yes, that was a good idea! She excused herself, bid everyone goodnight and thanked Lucius & Narcissa for a pleasant evening.
Draco was smoking a cigar with Andrew in the corner, near the windows and she walked over to him.
"I'll... Go ahead... I mean go to the room" she said with a face as red as a tomato.
"I'll see you in a minute," Mara said and she tried her best to give him a knowing look, then politely nodded at Andrew as goodbye. Draco, somehow, had understood her plan and said he would be by shortly.
When she arrived at her room, Mara changed into wearing a nightgown but also opted for wearing a robe over it. She waited quite a considerable time to see if Draco would show up until she concluded that he had by now surely, had found a different sleeping arrangement so she took off her robe and got into bed.
There was a maid who alternated between working at Ashwood and Arvendon and she had seen her again tonight. The maid's name was Anna, a kind soul who was helpful to Mara and knew that sometimes she like to drink some milk before going to sleep. Most nights than not, Anna was friendly enough to get Mara some warm milk even if she did not request for it.
So, when there was a knock on her door Mara was convinced of two things... 1) Draco would not come. 2) Anna had gone to fetch milk for her. Because she was not ashamed of the maid in question, who had seen "everything" there was to see anyway, Mara didn't think about putting her robe back on.
She opened the door and shuddered next because no one other then but Draco stood at her door. Out of dread and sheer surprise she wanted to close the door again, it was an auto response, she could not do anything about it, but he put his foot in the door.
"Let me in", he hissed, in restrained anger and she did not know how, but she obeyed his command. Startled, she took a few steps back and only then did she realise that she was standing in front of him.. in her skimpy article of clothing.
She gasped and quickly crossed her arms in front of her chest, then rushed over to get her robe, turned to him, and put the garment on very quickly.
"What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you", she inquired, still startled by his presence.
"I'm sorry but they" and Mara immediately understood who Draco was referring to "insisted on walking back with me. I could not come up with an excuse. Luckily, they just left, at least I hope so", he stated.
He briefly opened the door in expectation that his aunt, uncle, and cousin had gone to their respective lodgings, but he could not help but notice that Andrew, among others. was still standing there in the corridor. They were stalling, Draco knew, it was obvious.
"Shit, they're still there" he sighed.
"And now? What should we do now?" she asked him, currently remaining in a frantic disposition.
"They'll leave in time; it's been a long evening and they cannot stand in the corridor all night. Until then, I am forced to... to stay here for a while. As soon as THEY are gone, I will leave immediately", he mentioned apologetically, and he seemed to be aware how awkward this situation was for her.
She looked so different with long hair, he thought. She always had her hair in a stupid little bun for the most part, he had no idea that her hair reached over her shoulders. And uhm well... He had not done it on purpose but... he did notice that her nightgown had quite a cleavage (which he would not have suspected of her to wear) and made her plump looking breasts stand out.
Later he would convince himself that the alcohol must have plagued him, which was not true but... at that moment he had felt himself getting a little bit, against his will of course, a little excited, to call it that.
She sighed and sat down on the sofa, where she remained for a while alternating between staring at him and staring down.. Draco still heard voices in the hallway unfortunately and after a while Mara getting so sleepy, she started to yawn openly.
"You can sleep if you want to. You don't have to wait for me" he started. She said nothing, only looked at him attentively and then a bit flustered before she got up and moved towards the bed. She turned the duvet over and reluctantly stepped into it, but she didn't lie down yet but looked at Draco and bit her lip.
"Seriously, I mean it... Go to sleep, they will go soon".
This was awkward as hell but again Mara felt the need to comply at least for now, so she lied down BUT did not remove her robe. Draco saw this and found it be a bit silly.
"Do you always sleep with your robe on?" he asked her a tad, mocking in his tone.
Her reaction amused him. She angrily held the duvet with one hand so she could get rid of her robe with the other one. Mara then pulled the duvet up high and then laid down again, this time to her side.
She was so embarrassed, so she made sure to pull the duvet slightly over her head. Later she would wonder how on earth sleep was going to take her but eventually her tired eyes grew closed and she drifted off.
He looked at her while she was sleeping and how her chest rose and fell with every breath, she looked beautiful and peaceful even though she slept strangely. Well, strange... her one leg was wrapped around the duvet and it gave him a nice look at one of her legs that was slightly exposed. And once more, he felt things he should not have felt, and he did not understand why.
Ok. She wasn't ugly. He had already admitted, that hadn't he? But that did not mean that he... that he...
OH FUCK IT. He became more and more tired and tired and did not feel like thinking anymore. That meddlesome aunt of his, he could without seeing her to last a lifetime, pulling this stunt on purpose and worst of all. Andrew came to stay, and Draco frankly had no interest to engage in activities with his nephew if he were completely honest.
Draco could not keep his eyes open anymore and thought he might be able to take a nap on the sofa for a while, so he tried that, but the sofa was hard and unpleasant. He stared at the bed... and at her.
There would not be anything wrong with him resting on the bed for a moment and not IN IT and they were "married", weren't they? So, he walked very slowly to the bed, took off his shoes and SAT DOWN instead of lying, pulled the pillow beneath him and rested his head on it. He looked at her for a moment and then closed his eyes.
Morning.
Light.
Yelling
Yelling?
And then a thump, something or someone that seemed to fall on the floor.
He opened his eyes and saw a confused Mara sitting on the ground, staring at him with big eyes, looking comical yet incredibly endearing.
"Are you alright? ," he wished to know, and he reached out a hand to her, trying not to burst out laughing. She grabbed her robe (unfortunately, thought Draco) and then quickly put it on, ignored his hand, stood up and took a few steps back.
"Why were you in my BED?", she nearly screamed. Draco glanced at her and saw that her face was part confusion and partly riddled with panic.
"Sorry. sorry...I waited a long time yesterday but at one point I could not take it anymore. I wanted to sleep on the sofa but that was not pleasant so I.. tried the bed. Honestly I only wanted to rest my eyes for a moment. I didn't mean to fall asleep" he said apologetically, and he really meant it.
There was an unpleasant silence between them before she broke it.
"Could... Could you leave please? I... I have to get dressed", she stammered uneasy.
"Oh of course, yeah.. Uhm I'll go" and he hurried to the exit without giving her another gaze, sparing her more humiliation. Immediately after he had closed the door a smile crept on his face, but he wasn't exactly sure why.
He bathed and changed in another room but was disturbed by a knock on the door and he offered to enter. It was Dante and he still did not seem happy, even looked downright uncomfortable.
"Good morning, brother", Draco said.
"Hey... Listen, I want to discuss something with you, and I want to do that between us, without the rest of our family listening in", Dante said.
"Something's bothering you isn't?" and Draco pointed to his brother "Am I right? Since yesterday" and Dante nodded.
"It's... Maybe I am wrong but... watch out for Andrew at Ashwood's, will she?" Dante asked awkwardly. Draco was perplexed to hear this. Why would he have to watch out for his cousin?
"What do you mean?" Draco wanted to find out and Dante sighed...
"Watch out with him... near Mara" he warned his brother.
"What", said Draco in disbelief. "You can't be serious".
"I am, Draco. I do not like the way he looks at her, have she seen the way he kissed her yesterday? It really wasn't appropriate at all", Dante iterated.
Draco frowned; he had not seen any appropriate behaviour but maybe he had not paid considerable attention so he asked his brother if he possibly could have misread the situation to which Dante shook his head.
"No... I'll do my best to visit you soon if my obligations allow me to" Dante continued.
"But I think it's wise to make sure Andrew isn't too often alone with Mara", he said finally and looked at Draco tense.
"Alright Dante, I'll make sure of that" and Dante felt relieved to hear this.
"Well, let's go to for breakfast. I'm starving" he grinned, and he put his arm around his brother's shoulder, and they walked away together.