Christmas morning had arrived. Arielle awoke to presents at the end of her bed. Almost all the presents were from her mother and brother. She also had one present from Narcissa and one from Bella. The presents from her mother included five new pairs of stockings, new dress robes for Hogwarts, and a beautiful sapphire bracelet all from Twilfitt and Tattings. Arielle had a feeling that Lucius had done all the shopping for his mother with a little help from his fiance. Mrs. Malfoy would never get her such thoughtful gifts as these. Arielle opened her brother's present next. It was a beautiful silver journal with her full name engraved on the front cover in gold: Arielle Cornelia Malfoy. Lucius's present also included a beautiful silver pen in the shape of a snake with an emerald as the serpent's eye. Arielle set aside the journal and picked up her future sister-in-law's present. She opened the large box and pulled out a beautiful black evening gown. The card said, "For tonight, wear your bewitching heels with it, the blue ones." Arielle smiled and neatly placed the dress on her bed. Lastly, she opened Bella's present. Arielle's cheeks flushed red as she pulled out a lace black corset and sexy underwear. There was also black and red lipstick at the bottom of the box.
There was a light knocking on her door and Arielle quickly put the corset into the box and shoved it under her bed. She did not want anyone to see that present, especially her mother and brother.
"Come in." Arielle said clearing her throat.
"Good morning Ms. Arielle." A feeble looking house-elf spoke.
"Dobby!" Arielle nearly shouted with relief. The house elf looked at her with wide eyes.
"Breakfast will be served in your room today so that you may get ready for the party." Dobby said and with a snap of his fingers a cart appeared in Arielle's bedroom holding tea, scones, strawberries, and other fruits.
"Party?" Arielle questioned.
"Surely Master Lucius told you? The engagement party will be today." The house-elf said.
That explains the dress, Arielle thought. The house elf turned to leave.
"Wait Dobby." Arielle said pulling out a silver tin from under her bed. The tin had a large red bow wrapped around it. Arielle handed the tin to Dobby.
"It isn't much Dobby, but Merry Christmas." Arielle said with a sweet smile.
Dobby opened the tin to find a dozen pumpkin pasties. Arielle watched as Dobby marveled at the sight of the delicious desserts. As a house elf, Dobby lived a miserable existence, Lucius made sure of that. The present was more than the little elf could bear and he burst into tears.
"There, there, Dobby." Arielle said rubbing his back gently. "You can stow them away in the kitchen and eat them once all the guests have arrived and their coats put away."
Dobby hiccuped and nodded at the girl.
"Thank you, Ms. Arielle...thank you. You are too sweet...too kind." Dobby mumbled as he left the room with a snap.
Just as the clock struck three in the afternoon Arielle descended the staircase in her blue bewitching heels, the black evening gown from Narcissa, and her new sapphire bracelet. She even put on the red lipstick Bella had given her. She had to admit it made her lips rather tantalizing. Lucius was already waiting with Narcissa who had arrived at the manor hours earlier to finalize the arrangements for the Christmas/engagement party. Arielle was eyeing the new cane her brother was sporting. It was pure silver with a snake head as the grip. The snake had emerald eyes; no doubt the stick had cost a fortune. Arielle could never understand Lucius's love for canes, it wasn't like her brother was an old man.
Lucius caught Arielle admiring the cane. "New present from mother...quite sophisticated is it not?"
"That's one word for it." Arielle said hiding a smirk on her lips. Before her brother could respond, Dobby approached looking like a nervous wreck.
"Master, the guests are arriving they have been brought to the parlour."
Arielle trailed behind her brother and Narcissa. When the doors opened to the parlour everyone clapped and Lucius bowed and his bride to be gave a light courtesy. Arielle snuck off to the corner of the room and picked up the first glass of champagne she saw. Through the rim of her champagne glass, Arielle scanned the room to see who was in attendance: the Carrows, the Parkinsons, the Travers, the Rosiers, the Averys, the Lestranges, the Blacks. She felt her stomach lurch when her eyes landed on her mother sitting on a black leather armchair. Directly across from Mrs. Malfoy in an identical armchair was Walburga Black, the mother of Regulus Black.
Arielle's heart beat began to quicken, she was not ready to see him yet.
"Relax." A familiar voice spoke behind her. "He's at home...sick with the flu."
Sirius Black stood beside Arielle with a glass of what looked like scotch in his hand. Arielle sighed with relief. She looked over at Sirius, and rolled her eyes at his smug expression.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Arielle spoke harshly but genuinely curious.
"Is that any way to greet a fellow housemate?" Sirius countered playfully.
Arielle responded with an unamused expression.
"If you must know, attendance was not optional for me this time. Mother insists I start mingling with more acceptable society." Sirius said winking at Priscilla Parkinson who giggled into her wine glass.
Arielle rolled her eyes and took a better look at Sirius. He was dressed in black tie and suit. His curly hair looked tamed for once.
"What?" Sirius asked incredulously. "If I am gonna play pure-blood asshole, I might as well enjoy the part...and its perks."
"Right…" Arielle scoffed as Sirius winked at her and made his way to Priscilla's side. She couldn't help but smirk as her Gryffindor classmate kissed Parkinson's hand seductively.
During dinner, Arielle noticed Evan Rosier staring at her. He hadn't said one word to her all night. He just stared. Arielle found this unnerving. She was grateful Evan had given her the list. However, something about him had changed. The usual twinkle in his eyes was gone and had been replaced with an unsettling darkness. As soon as dessert was over, Arielle retreated with her seventh glass of champagne to the balcony to escape his disturbing gaze.
Lucius and Narcissa seemed to be enjoying the party immensely. Bella was glued to her sister's side the whole night leaving Arielle to fend for herself. There were a few Slytherins whose names had been on that shameful list in attendance. They avoided Arielle like the plague, scared she might explode in rage, and reveal their indiscretion. Arielle was relieved by this, the awkwardness was unbearable.
Arielle heard giggling in a dark corner of the balcony. Priscilla Parkinson stumbled out of the shadows followed by a disheveled Sirius Black. His tie was loose and the top buttons of his collar and dress shirt were undone. Arielle turned around to face the garden giving them an illusion of privacy.
"I'll be right back, love." Sirius purred into Priscilla's ear loudly. Arielle felt nauseous.
Sirius walked casually to the railing on the balcony and stood next to Arielle silently for a few moments.
"I have a present for you." Sirius spoke, debating whether or not he wanted to admit this.
Arielle remained silent.
"It's not from me….I'm just the delivery boy." Sirius croaked.
Arielle felt her cheeks flush red. Since when did Sirius do favors for him?
"Look Arielle, you know I'm not one to ever defend my brother...what he did to you was just…" Sirus began before shaking his head. "Well...anyway, I will say that the poor bloke has driven himself sick with misery ever since the night of the Christmas Ball. The present is in your room."
Arielle was gripping the railing so tight her knuckles went white. Sirius placed a gentle hand on hers. Arielle looked up into his sincere, reassuring, grey blue eyes and shuttered at how much they looked like his brother's.
Once all of the guests had gone except for Narcissa, her sisters, and her parents, Arielle excused herself feigning sickness which everyone assumed was an excuse for drunkenness. It was true, Arielle felt lightheaded and the bottle of champagne she managed to consume tonight began to disagree with her composed disposition. The walk upstairs seemed foreboding considering what waited for her. She opened the door to her room cautiously half expecting Regulus to be waiting there at the foot of her bed. She was relieved to only find an emerald green box sitting on top of the black satin sheets. Arielle took the card off the box and opened it slowly.
I'm sorry. ~R
Arielle placed the card aside, opened the box, and let out a loud squeal. A beautiful black kitten with dark green eyes stared up at her. It was the cutest creature she had ever seen. She lifted the baby cat out of the box and placed him on the bed. The kitten purred in delight and began to forcefully rub his head all over Arielle's hand.
"Hmmmm...I think the name Binx suits you very well." Arielle cooed placing the box on the ground and crawling onto the bed. The kitten followed her eagerly and snuggled up next to her. Arielle fell asleep more comforted than she had felt in days.
The holidays were over and Arielle used floo powder to get to Diagon Alley. Lucius seemed very interested in her newly acquired pet and spent their remaining days together trying to figure out who would give her such an absurd present. He did not like felines, and had spent years denying Arielle a furry companion.
"Really, Arielle...must you keep it. It will ruin all your clothes, and not to mention our furniture." Lucius said as they walked down Diagon Alley, eyeing the cat distastefully as it sat with its head popping out of Arielle's purse.
"Binx? He's an angel Lucius, stop fussing about it." Arielle said rubbing her new friend's head lovingly.
Lucius rolled his eyes. He'd be sure to punish the admirer that had given his sister such as a silly present. He had a deep suspicion that the present could be from Sirius Black. He wasn't an admirer of Arielle's per say, but he was someone Lucius did not want Arielle hanging around with at Hogwarts.
Once the Malfoys arrived at King's Cross Station, and crossed the barrier to platform 9 ¾ , Lucius helped Arielle load her trunks onto the train and bid his sister adieu.
"Okay Arielle, remember what Bella said...sexy and confident….sexy and confident." She repeated to herself. She had chosen an outfit that she could proudly strut across the train in. However, on her runaway debut, one of her black heels caught on the carpet in the train hallway and she felt herself fall forward only to be grasped tightly from behind.
A strong arm was snaked around her waist, steadying her safely, allowing her to plant both black heels solidly on the floor. Before she could thank her savior, he walked past her a few yards and opened a compartment door.
Arielle's stomach fell to the floor as Regulus Black glanced back at her with a stoic expression.
Arielle grimaced, turned back around, and started walking to the other end of the train, getting as far away from the Slytherin prince as possible.
Back to Hogwarts! What did you think of Regulus's peculiar gift? Leave your thoughts in a review. :)
xoxo