Three
"The Beginning of the End"
On Christmas Eve morning the family was having a very quiet breakfast. Draco was behind a newspaper, Narcissa was doing some correspondence, Liam was on his phone and Ginny was eating.
"Ah, Ms. Weasley," Lucius entered the dining room, "so nice of you to finally join us," he sat at the head of the table.
A simple good morning would have sufficed. But when Lucius Malfoy is your father-in-law, he will try and denigrate the thing or person at the table he has a problem with.
"Don't start," warned Draco from behind his newspaper.
The silence continued.
"Would you care for coffee Mr. Malfoy," one of the house elves asked as he set a plate in front of Lucius.
"Yes and orange juice as well"
"Very good sir"
The elf disappeared and two glasses appeared in front of Lucius.
"Mrs. Weasley-Malfoy, there is a package for you," an elf appeared at her side. "It's in your room."
"Thank you, Trix," she smiled politely.
"Holiday gifts for the Weasley?"
She was certain it was from Jeff. She had asked him to send her something to wear for Christmas Eve and Christmas. "It's probably my clothes."
"Great, then you can stop prancing about in your jungle attire," he rolled his eyes.
"Father," Draco put down the paper, "stop it!"
"What," Lucius put on his innocent look, "I'm sure she was wearing those clothes in the jungle."
"She was on a farm," Liam corrected not removing his eyes from his phone.
Ginny put down her fork, "I'm going to go sort it. If you'll excuse me," she got up and left the room. Lucius was still the bane of her existence. This was the only time of year she saw him and it was only every other year. It was too much.
(***)
There was a box in the center of the bedroom. She moved it closer to the bed. It was one of Jeffery Ramble's wardrobe boxes. She sat down and pulled the tab on the cardboard that read pull here. The box fell open into a royal blue velvet-lined travel wardrobe.
There were outfits for the ballet and Christmas dinner. There was also day clothing, shoes, accessories, pajamas, and lingerie. She picked up the envelope perched on the shelf with the handbags and opened it.
She smiled at the note written by Jeff. It explained how he knew she hadn't taken any women's clothing with her on her Malaysian escapade. He thought she might enjoy being feminine again while back in civilization.
There were pretty things in the trunk. She was going to change from her linen button-down and old jeans into something else. Then she was going to get the hell out of this house. It was Christmas Eve but she was going to try to find someone to squeeze her in for a manicure, pedicure, and haircut.
"Hey"
"Hi"
"What did you get," Draco asked crossing the room. He looked in the box, "lots of goodies."
"Jeff knew I didn't have anything with me."
"So where are you going all dolled up?"
She had on a blouse and some slacks, not dolled up but presentable and put together. "I'm going to get my hair and nails done."
"You're going to leave me here all alone with my parents?"
"And your son"
"He went out somewhere."
"Then perhaps you should go out somewhere too," she grabbed a handbag out of the trunk. She filled it with things from her rucksack. "I'll be back in time for tonight." She kissed him on the cheek and left the room.
He fell back onto the bed. His entire family in the same spot still wasn't a good idea. This holiday was already off to a bumpy start and they only had breakfast.
He hasn't seen Ginny since September; she was off being a career woman. Her passion for her subject always showed in her work. She found yet another way to amaze him.
Things were feeling a little off lately, she was always so happy to see him when she came home from one of her stints. He was… he didn't know what he was. But things haven't been great and it was his fault.
(***)
Liam walked around the corner from his grandparent's house. There Elianna was sitting in her car waiting for him. She had the top down on her cherry red mustang. She was sitting at the wheel, hidden behind sunglasses with her nose in a book.
"Hello," Liam smiled leaning on the passenger side door. Elianna jumped out of her skin. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's all right I was just engrossed in the chapter," she put her bookmark in, "hop in."
Liam got into the car, leaned across, and kissed her.
"Ok, so remind me who these people are." Some of Elianna's friends from school were having a Christmas party on the beach.
"Cathy Greenfield is hosting," she started the car and pulled away. "She's not very nice but her events are never to be missed. But Jane and Carrie will be there and they are dying to meet you in person." Jane Rao and Carrie Saunders were Elianna's best friends. They've only ever spoken with Liam over video chat.
"Sounds good, although now that I'm thinking about it. I should have brought stuff for the beach," he only had himself. He was wearing his swim trunks and a t-shirt.
"We're all set I've got a couple of towels and stuff."
"You're always prepared"
"I try to be"
(***)
They drove down a street lined with waterfront properties. It was always weird spending Christmas in warm climates. The inflatable Santa's seem out of place in the bright sun that had no chance of snow.
Parking was limited on the street, "are all these cars for this party?"
"She may have invited everyone in school, our brother school, and who knows who else." Elianna is in year 12 at the Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School, known as SCEGGS Darlinghurst. "I wouldn't put it past Cathy to have invited every private school-goer in the city." She parked at the very end of the street.
"It's one of those kinds of parties," Liam climbed out of the car. He was fluent in the entitled privileged private school crowd.
"Yeah," she sighed, grabbing her beach bag out of the backseat. "So if you get sick of this feel free to let me know and we'll leave."
"This is going to be great," he reached for her hand. "We're going to stay as long as you want. I'm excited to get to spend time with you."
"Good," she kissed him.
She rang the doorbell at Cathy's house and the butler answered. They went through the empty house out the backdoor. The backyard was crawling with kids. They were drinking, socializing, and dancing to a DJ. They were filling the backyard and spilling down the stone steps onto the beach.
"Do you—" Elianna began.
"Hi Elianna," a blonde girl in her denim cut-off shorts and bikini top interrupted her.
"Hi," Elianna never liked Cathy much. She always thought she was hot stuff for no reason. "This is my boyfriend Liam. Liam this is Cathy."
"Hi," Cathy smiled. "Elianna and I go way back." They've been going to school together since kindergarten.
"Hi."
"We were beginning to think you were a myth," Cathy gushed over a spirit.
It was a party but it wasn't even 11 in the morning yet. She could have at least had the decency to have a mimosa or bloody Mary instead.
"You're the background on her phone but I was beginning to think she found a picture of some random guy. Next, she would be at school formal with a guy's jacket draped over the chair next to hers telling everyone her dates in the bathroom."
"I'm very much real," Elianna was right about her.
"That you are," Cathy took a step closer to him. She tossed her hair, batted her eyelashes, and smiled, "I thought you were British. Where's the great accent?"
"I grew up in New York."
"The big city, so that's why you talk like a yank."
"I'm from upstate," he stepped away from her and put his arm around Elianna.
"Oh well—"
"Cathy we're going to get a drink, if you'll excuse us," Elianna pulled Liam away.
"She's a piece of work, isn't she? What's this about school formal?"
"It's the final term and schools have big formal dances at the end," she explained.
"I know what school formal is. Are you going to ask me to go with you?"
She shrugged, "Honestly, I didn't think it was going to be an option. It's on a Saturday night in May."
"Oh… if you want to go, I'll go with you."
"Really"
"Yeah, I'll leave school for the weekend."
"You're going to sneak away from school?"
"If it comes to that, but I'm pretty sure my mother will let me come. As long as it doesn't conflict with a test or something, given its right before NEWTS, it won't."
"Have you told your parents?"
"Not yet but I know it's not going to be an issue," he was confident it wasn't going to be an issue to his mother. She would let him go to the dance, his father on the other hand…
She kissed him.
"Aw, how sweet the happy couple in the same place at the same time."
They pulled apart, "Hi Jane," Liam smiled.
"Hi Liam," she smiled. "It's nice to meet you in person."
"You too," he shook her hand.
"This is my boyfriend Jared," she introduced the guy standing next to her. Jane Rao is a tall-ish lean girl that has been friends with Elianna since they began SCEGGS.
"It's nice to meet you," he said.
"Other than the DJ it's kind of lame up here. Let's go down to the beach," suggested Jane.
"Yes let's," Elianna agreed. The girls began gabbing and leading the way down the stairs.
"So are you just in town for the holidays," Jared asked as they followed them.
"Yeah, my family has a home here."
(***)
"Hey," Carrie waved trekking towards them through the sand. The light brown girl with big curly hair spread out her towel and joined them, "Happy Christmas ladies."
"Happy Christmas"
"Where's Liam I thought we were going to get to meet him?"
"He's playing volleyball with Jared and the other boys," Elianna pointed up the beach.
"Wow, nice work E," she knew he was handsome. She's seen him but he was topless and in the sun. He was kind of hot.
"Thank you," she chuckled. "It's been nice having him here."
"I bet," agreed Carrie, "get some action." All three of them laughed. "What, how often is he here? Get it while you can."
"You know she's a prude," said Jane.
"I am not," defended Elianna, "… I'm particular."
"Yes, particularly prudish," Jane carried on.
Elianna rolled her eyes; they could continue with the jokes all they wanted. She and Liam valued their privacy and that's how it was going to stay. He's the only boyfriend she's ever had. If there is a certain way you go about things, she didn't know if she was doing it right. She's happy, Liam seems happy, and that's all that matters.
"You never want to share the juicy details," Carrie pulled out her sunscreen.
"No I don't," she agreed. "You like to over share."
"Well, I have nothing to share at the moment."
"That's because you aren't seeing anyone at the moment," pointed out Jane. "You and Liam don't get to be in the same place at the same time often. It's got to be hard."
"It is… although technology doesn't make it seem so distant. We're happy… but we're getting ready to take a big step." The girls looked intrigued, "tonight we meet the parents."
"Oh," Carrie thought that was very anticlimactic.
"That's serious. Are you meeting his parent or is he meeting yours," asked Jane.
"Both and our parents are meeting each other."
"Yikes," Carrie contorted her face.
"You don't know the half of it."
"My parents had Jared over to dinner a few weeks back. It was the most awkward thing. My mother was trying to make small talk. My father glared at him as he mumbled obscenities under his breath." The whole situation irked Jane. "They requested it. You would think they would have behaved better."
"I tell my parents nothing and all is perfect," said Carrie, "my dad still thinks I'm a good girl and all is right with the world."
"Well right now the only thing my parents are on my case about is my University applications." That's only because they haven't found out about Liam yet.
Carrie sighed, "Me too, I have to finish mine."
"I'm all done," Jane had a satisfied look etched on her face, "I told you both you should do them early. Now I can enjoy a stress-free break."
"Everyone cross your fingers. All three of us at the University of Melbourne," they had been planning this for the last couple of years. Either all of them at the University together or at least in the same city and they would share a flat.
Elianna was still very much into this idea but she had a big change in her life. She's applying to the University of Melbourne but she's been thinking about what this would mean for her and Liam.
"Hello ladies," Jared plopped down next to Jane.
"You're happy, I suppose you guys won," chuckled Jane.
"Yes we did and I'm hurt you weren't watching," he kissed her. "Liam was on fire."
"Thanks," Liam said modestly sitting beside Elianna.
"Liam this is Carrie," Elianna introduced.
"It's nice to meet you."
Carrie smiled, "it's nice to meet the guy that has our Elianna so smitten."
"If you guys don't mind I'm going to borrow Liam for a bit," Elianna stood up.
Liam grabbed his t-shirt from her bag and went with her. He pulled it on as he followed her down the beach, "where are we off to?"
"Nowhere, I wanted to be alone with you."
"I see," he draped his arm over her shoulders. "We should get in the water."
"I'm still in my dress."
"Let me help you out of it," he moved his hand down her back to the zipper. "You can't come to the beach and not get in the water."
She moved her long braid out of the way and allowed him to pull down the zipper. She stepped out of the dress to reveal her purple one-piece cut-out swimsuit. She tossed her dress at him and went down the beach towards the water.
Liam took off his t-shirt, left it and her dress in the sand, and went after her. She moved deeper and deeper into the water. When she reached about shoulder depth she completely submerged herself. When she emerged she turned and smiled at him. She was beautiful, wet, and sexy as hell. What was a boy to do?
He flung water at her.
"Hey!"
"What it's a beach party, it's supposed to be fun."
Elianna splashed him back and the fight was on. The two began flinging water at each other, swimming about and pulling one another under.
Liam grabbed her by the waist. As a wave came in, it pushed her closer to him. She placed her arms around his neck then jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her, she allowed him to deepen it. As he was getting lost in the moment another wave came in, it pulled them under and apart. It only took them mere moments to find each other under the water and embrace once again.
The Peterson House
The Peterson family lived in a lovely home within walking distance of Bondi beach. It was a split-level house with a pool in the backyard. It was a typical well-maintained suburban home. Lovely yard and an interior decorated to be admired by guests.
"Where have you been?" Yvonne asked when Elianna came up into the house. "We're leaving in less than two hours."
"I know I lost track of time."
The stairs up from the back door came into the kitchen. It was an open space that was also the dining room. There was an open entry into the living room. There were several sets of French doors to the outside around the room. It gave the space so much light and when they were all open you could really bring the outside in.
Yvonne sighed, "Did you have fun at Cathy's?"
"Yes I did," she was nervous about this, "is dad around?"
"He's getting ready which I have to finish doing and you need to start doing."
"I need to talk to you both, it's important," she dropped her beach bag near the stairs and went over to the table.
"Robert!" Yvonne called before going over and joining Elianna. "Are you all right?"
"Fine"
"Then why are you answering shortly?"
"I'm not. I don't have any more detail to add… Let's wait for dad. I want to tell you both something."
"So there is something wrong."
"No!" She assured her, "nothing is wrong it's good news."
"Good news," Mr. Peterson entered the kitchen. "I like good news. Did you finish your university applications?"
"Almost but that's not the good news."
"Well, my good news is that I skimmed all those leaves out of the pool this afternoon. I hate when they clog the drain. Darling have you seen my French cuff shirt with the embroidery."
"It's in the closet."
"It's not in the closet, I looked twice."
"I'll be pissed if I go in there and find it."
"Guys," Elianna shouted over her parents. "Dad, please sit down."
Robert Peterson sat at the table with his wife and daughter quite curious about what was going on.
Elianna played with her hands in her lap. She had no idea how her parents would react to this. They never said don't date someone whose father has been on trial for crimes of terror. "So," she took a deep breath, "I'm seeing someone."
"You're too young for that," Robert was surprised. "You should concentrate on finishing school, uni, and then think about seeing someone."
"That's not how that works," Elianna rolled her eyes.
"That's how it should work in this house," he corrected.
"I'm almost 18 it's not unusual for girls my age to have boyfriends. It's not unusual for girls to come out of university with a fiancé."
"You can be in the vanguard."
"Dad—"
"Who's the boy," her mother interrupted before the two of them continued with their nonsense.
"Um… he's a wizard… his name is Liam. He's very nice, sweet, intelligent," she shrugged.
"And where did you meet this wizard?"
"Just out and about here in Sydney."
"So you took up with some strange kid," her father did not like the sound of this, "what do you even know about him? He's probably some hoodlum. Where does he go to school? Who are his parents?"
"I know him very well. I've been seeing him for almost two years."
"Two years," Robert almost choked. His wife began slapping him on the back as he coughed. "I'm fine… you've been seeing some boy for two years you didn't think was good enough to tell your parents about? That's already a bad sign."
"I didn't tell you because I didn't know how you would react."
"You're growing up, we would expect you to date at some point," Yvonne said sensibly.
"We expect you to date when you're grown."
Yvonne rolled her eyes, "that's not true, he's being ridiculous. What is it about this guy that would cause you concern? I know he's not a hoodlum you have better judgment than that."
"Liam is a very good guy. He goes to Hogwarts and comes from a very well-known family."
"Uh-huh and what is this family's name," Yvonne pressed.
"Weasley…" she bit her tongue, "… Malfoy."
Both of her parents stared at her. She didn't know what they were thinking and she was quite certain any moment her father was going to explode but…
"NO!" Her mother exclaimed. She shocked Robert and Elianna with her outburst.
"Mum"
"Absolutely not, you will end this immediately!" Yvonne was suddenly overcome with fury.
"I'm not going to do that."
"Look here, missy. You live in our house so you will abide by our rules…"
"There are no rules about dating a Malfoy!"
"There are now! No dating Malfoy's!" Yvonne and Elianna went back and forth.
"Why not, you don't even know him!"
"We sure don't," Robert agreed, "and would like to keep it that way. This is worse than hoodlum, it's terrorist!"
"He's not a terrorist! He should not be accountable for things his father did," Elianna was getting heated.
"Do you know what this will do for my position?" Yvonne couldn't believe this, of all the guys for her daughter to meet.
"Make you popular with the young voters," Elianna wasn't serious but it probably would.
"It will make people question the stability of my home and think I am not fit for my role," Yvonne stated firmly.
"I think you guys should give him a chance. You'll like him and even if you don't and won't, I'm not going to stop seeing him!"
Mr. Peterson got up from the table and went into the living room. He went over to the bar cart and poured himself a scotch. He came back to the table and took a long drink before he said anything.
"Have you thought about this? I don't mean in the sense of your mother's political career or me being overprotective. You're connecting yourself to a family that had to pull themselves into respectability. They're responsible for the destruction of lives. Our magical and non-magical Australian community are blessed that the lunatic the Malfoy's supported was stopped before he made it here.
I've seen things about the family in the papers. I know his mother is the bright spot. She has managed to shape this incredible career. But how many people do you think have forgotten?
Not to mention when this goes public you can kiss all ideas of privacy away. The papers will scrutinize your every move as well as question your being. You know your mother and I could care less that you don't have any magical powers. There are people out there who do and will let you know their feelings, no matter how unkind.
How do the Malfoy's feel about the lack of magic? How do they feel about you being Black? What about being Australian, the Brits have a history of sticking their noses up at us."
Elianna has thought about everything her father said except about the papers. It never crossed her mind. She rarely goes into the wizarding world how was she going to get bothered.
"You make some good points but I would like for you to give Liam a chance. I have not met his family they don't know about me. We decided to tell our parents because we've gotten closer. The relationship doesn't show any signs of slowing up. He'll be at the ballet tonight with his family and I would like to introduce you."
"When you say closer—" her mother began.
"God mum, don't even go there."
"Go where," her father asked looking back and forth between the two.
"Nowhere," Elianna stood up, "please keep an open mind. I'm going to go get ready."
"Elianna," her mother called, "were you really at Cathy's party today?"
"Yes I was and Liam was with me." She continued to her room.
(***)
Liam went across the hall and knocked on his parent's door. When he heard his father say come in he entered the room.
"There you are," Draco was standing in front of the mirror tying his bow tie. "I was beginning to think you were about to flake on tonight."
"No, nothing like that," he took a seat in the armchair. "I was enjoying the city."
Tonight's ballet performance is a private event. The tickets were about four times their normal cost, and all the proceeds are going to charity. Liam agreed to go to this for two reasons. He likes the ballet and Elianna. Hopefully, it would keep the outburst to a minimum. This was an opportunity for his father to see her mingling with high society. A chance for her parents to see Draco knows how to behave.
"Great your back," Ginny came out of the bathroom in her bathrobe. Her hair was once again short. She had a long pixie thing going on. The long part in the front was currently in pin curls and her nails a shiny deep red color. "Don't slouch in the chair like that you'll wrinkle." And glamorous Ginny returns.
Liam sighed and sat up straight. "I need to tell you guys something."
"What is it, love?" Ginny took her dress out of the closet and laid it across the bed. She sat down next to it. She picked up her compact off the night table and began to make up her face.
"Um…"
"Did you blow your allowance," Draco interrupted?
"No," scoffed Liam, "I wanted to tell you that I'm seeing someone."
"That's wonderful," Ginny concentrated on her makeup. "What house is she in?"
"Badham," answered Liam.
Draco finished his tie and turned from the mirror, "since when is there a house at Hogwart's called Badham?"
"There isn't" he looked down. "She doesn't go to Hogwarts. She goes to school here in Sydney."
"So that's where you've been disappearing to," Ginny looked over to him and smiled before going back to her makeup.
"Yeah," He mustered all the courage he could and then said, "I'm seeing Elianna Peterson."
Draco stared at his son.
Ginny looked over to Liam again, "Peterson, why do I know that name?"
Draco kept staring at Liam, "Yvonne Peterson is the Australian Magical Minister of Finance. I suppose Liam is telling us this because she will be in attendance at tonight's festivities. She made headlines as a progressive because she openly embraces that her daughter is a squib."
"Oh," Ginny acted like it was nothing and went back to what she was doing.
"Well Elianna is going to be there tonight and I would love for you guys to meet her."
"I'm sure she's a lovely girl," Ginny began on her eyeliner.
"She is."
Draco was still staring; he had several thoughts running through his head. "Li, I don't think this is a good idea."
"Why not," Ginny and Liam asked at the same time.
"I'm concerned about the ramifications of our families getting involved."
"What ramifications," Liam got to his feet.
"The ones I'm sure you thought about since you're only telling us now."
"So this is because she's a squib?"
"No," Draco defended, well yes, but there were some other issues. "I know that we have not discussed this in great detail," he released a great sigh. "Both your grandfather and I have been on trial for crimes of terror. Your grandfather has done time…"
"So have you," pointed out Ginny.
"I'm getting to that. I grew up in Voldemort's headquarters. I don't think the scene of a progressive government official and a Malfoy mixing will be well received."
"Babe, I think you are making more of this than necessary."
"I think so too," agreed Liam.
"No, you don't, which is why you didn't tell us."
"I didn't tell you because I knew you'd have a problem with her being a squib. I wanted to enjoy being with her. I didn't tell mom because I knew she would tell you." She has a dumb rule about not keeping secrets from her husband whether he wants to hear them or not.
"Both of you calm down," Ginny put her makeup aside. "How long has this been going on?"
"About two years."
"Two years? How did you even meet?" Draco's head was beginning to spin.
"I met her when we were here."
"Are you two planning on meeting up tonight," Ginny asked.
"We're planning on meeting each other's parents."
Ginny sighed, "If you had told us sooner we could have invited them to tea."
"I didn't think you guys would be willing to do that."
"It's a bit late but we should plan something for us all," she stood up. "Right now everyone needs to finish getting ready. Then we have to tell Lucius and Narcissa."
"Why," asked Liam.
"Lucius is where the potential for the scene lies." Ginny picked up her dress and disappeared into the bathroom.
(***)
At about 7:30 everyone began congregating in the living room. Lucius was having a pre-show brandy.
"Darling, there will be cocktails at the reception."
"Yes but chances are they won't have the good brandy."
Narcissa rolled her eyes, she was a pretty pale pink beaded vision perched daintily on the edge of the sofa.
"Is everyone ready," Ginny said upon entering the living room. She had on a black sequin dress with a slit up the front. It had one exposed shoulder and the other long sleeve, there was a long black sash hanging from the shoulder. She had dramatic eye makeup and nude lips. Her hair cut with a bit of a wave looked edgy. She knew how to make a look dramatic.
"Yes we are," answered Narcissa standing, "we're just waiting on Draco."
"He may be a moment," Ginny sighed, "he's collecting himself."
"Collecting himself from what," there was concern in Narcissa's voice.
"Tonight Draco and I are meeting Liam's friend and her parents. This must go well."
Narcissa looked over to Liam and smiled, "you're seeing someone, how lovely."
"Thanks," Liam took a sip of his soda. He wanted something stronger but didn't want alcohol on his breath when he met Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.
"Does she come from a respectable family," asked Lucius.
"Very respectable," answered Ginny.
"Really respectable or Weasley respectable," sneered Lucius.
"They're pillars of society, it's the Peterson family. I'm telling you both this now so you can get your rage out here, decide not to go, or keep your distance tonight."
"Sorry to interrupt," Trix the house-elf came into the living room and bowed. "But the car Mrs. Weasley–Malfoy hired is here."
"Thank you"
"Our Grandson has taken up with a filthy squib, who happens to be black, and Australian. And you also want us to arrive in a muggle contraption?" Lucius was turning bright red.
"Yes."
"Well then, why don't we all arrive naked and really put a mark on the evening!" Lucius shouted. He was so enraged steam could come out of his ears.
"You can if you want to but your naked bum can't go on the rented car seats… come on love we don't want to miss the curtain." Liam got up and went over to his mother. She wrapped her arm around him.
Narcissa was standing there shocked.
"Is everyone ready," Draco asked joining his parents in the living room.
Narcissa shook herself, "um… did you know about this?"
He sighed, "I suppose Ginny told you. I didn't know until Liam told us."
"How could you let this happen?" She pressed, "He has to know there are limits. At least Ginevra is pure blood but a squib threatens our bloodline."
"And she's Black," Lucius pointed out yet again.
"Nobody cares dear," Narcissa rolled her eyes. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Neither can I but we can discuss this at length later," sighed Draco. "We better go."
(***)
When they arrived, Narcissa immediately excused herself and Lucius. She may not agree with the situation but she didn't want him to make a scene. Liam too excused himself from his parents.
They watched as he crossed the room and a girl began towards him. She looked perfect, she had long thick hair that was somewhat straight and had large waves in it. It was behind her ears to show off her statement earrings. She had on a white slim-fitting high-neck sleeveless dress.
As she moved through the crowd they got a better view. There were voluminous ruffles along the asymmetrical ankle-grazing hem. The ruffles gathered up the side of the dress hiding the slit. The dress was the perfect combination of demure and edgy. The ruffles were swinging as she walked in her bright blue pumps. When she reached Liam she kissed him on the cheek. She took his hand and led him over to her parents. They watched the polite exchange between them…
"Him in that tux and her in that white dress…why don't we find a justice of the peace and make this thing official now?" Draco huffed; this was really happening.
Ginny sunk her nails into his arm, and Draco let out a soft cry. He wanted to scream louder. Unfortunately, he couldn't because they would have onlookers.
"It's far too soon for anything like that. We're in public so keep all your prejudice and snide comments to yourself," Ginny hissed. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," he grimaced and she stopped digging her nails in. She took his hand and pulled him into the crowd.
(***)
The lobby of the theater was buzzing as everyone was waiting for the doors to be open. Elianna saw Liam coming and excused herself from her parents to go meet him.
"Hi, you look wonderful," he smiled.
"Thank you," she kissed him on the cheek and took his hand. "So my parents are over here."
"How did it go?"
"Not great, with you?"
"Awful"
"So I figured I would introduce you. Then we can introduce our parents at the reception after," she was nervous.
"Yeah with the presence of champagne everyone will either be mellow or honest."
"Oh my god," she stopped walking, "you're right. This isn't a good idea."
"It'll be fine," he kissed the back of her hand.
She pulled him on, "mum, dad."
This woman in a full red gown turned around. She had a little curly fro, killer cheekbones, and piercing eyes. Her husband was handsome with a strong jaw, chiseled face and salt and pepper hair. Looks ran in the family, he understood why Elianna was so beautiful. But right now both of her parents looked as if they were going to kill him.
"This is my friend Liam Weasley-Malfoy," she introduced. "Liam this is my mother and father Mr. and Mrs. Peterson."
"It's wonderful to finally meet you both," Liam extended his hand. He shook Mrs. Peterson's hand and then Mr. Peterson's.
"It's nice to meet you too," Mrs. Peterson was very polite as she assessed him.
"Yes it is," agreed Mr. Peterson, "it's a shame we only found out about you a couple of hours ago."
"Daddy," Elianna warned.
"It's all right," assured Liam, "my parents just found out as well…Merry Christmas."
Mrs. Peterson chuckled, "Yes what a surprise for a Merry Christmas."
(***)
"Mom, dad," Draco and Ginny turned around. "I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Elianna. Elianna these are my parents Mr. Malfoy and Mrs. Weasley-Malfoy."
"Hello," she smiled, "How do you do?"
"Very well, thank you," Ginny extended her hand, "it's so great to finally meet you Elianna."
"Yes wonderful to meet you," Draco was trying not to let anything he was thinking show on his face.
"They're getting ready to open the doors but I wanted to introduce you. I'm going to walk her back and I'll see you at the seats."
(***)
The Malfoy's private box was very cold that night. Immediately following the ballet his grandparents went home. Draco said they should be going as well but Ginny made him stay to meet Mr. and Mrs. Peterson at the reception.
"Hello," Ginny smiled brightly at the Petersons.
"Mrs. Weasley-Malfoy, it is so wonderful to meet you," Mrs. Peterson was genuine as she shook Ginny's hand. "I loved your piece on the effect of the Sydney wildfires on the magical community. I also enjoyed the one about the indigenous magical tribes living in the Brazilian rainforest, so powerful."
"Thank you, that's so nice. Especially coming from such an accomplished witch," she said modestly. "This is my husband Draco Malfoy."
"How do you do," Draco shook Yvonne and then Robert's hand.
"The kids took you by surprise didn't they," said Robert.
"Yes they did," Draco admitted, "but Elianna seems like a wonderful girl." Oh yes, just wonderful and powerless, he thought.
"Liam seems like a fine young man," agreed Robert. Fine at seducing innocent young girls and leading them down a path to disaster, he sneered in his mind.
Elianna and Liam looked at each other, this was not good.
"So um," Elianna began gently, "what did everyone think of the performance? I liked the use of fairies and I thought Ezra Mortimer was on fire tonight, excellent extension."
Everyone was staring at her, perhaps small talk wasn't it. Perhaps she should say something like, does anyone want to talk about the elephant in the room?
"I thought it was pretty good," piped up Liam. "Especially being Christmas-themed that usually means it's going to be bad." Their parents were all just standing there, "so who would like to suggest a topic for discussion?" Elianna elbowed him. I guess awkward silence is best.
(***)
They had a rather quiet return home. Liam went to his room, kicked off his shoes, and plopped on the bed. He pulled out his phone and texted Elianna to see if she made it home yet.
Liam: Are you home?
Elianna: I just closed myself in my room.
Liam: So interesting night
Elianna: Interesting?
Liam video called her.
"Hello," she adjusted the camera.
"Hi, so let's talk about the interesting nature of tonight."
"Your ties crooked," Elianna pointed out ignoring him.
"I'm lying down," he took it off and threw it across the room. "Love I don't want to avoid what's happening."
"Neither do I, which is why I told you about your tie. I'm going to call you right back," she sighed.
"Love"
"30 seconds, I'm going to call you on my computer," she hung up on him.
He didn't even have time to get mad before his phone rang again.
"See right back," she was now in front of her computer.
"Elianna…"
"Don't you dare turn red," by the look on his face she knew he was getting ready to get upset.
"I'm not," she gave him this look, "maybe a little! But you hung up on me!"
"I told you I would call you right back!"
"Can we talk about interesting now?"
"Sure… my parents didn't say a word on the way home. I'm sure they're in their room saying all sorts of awful things."
"It wasn't that bad"
"You're right no one threw a drink… or a punch."
"Especially a red punch you're wearing white."
Elianna didn't say a word, she took off her earrings, and she bent down and relieved herself from her shoes.
"Elianna…"
"Do you think this is funny? I'm forbidden from ever seeing you again! My father thinks you are some sort of terrorist ticking time bomb! And you're making ridiculous jokes about drinks!"
"No, I don't think this is funny! I'm a little freaked out! This was my idea and it's completely blown up in my face! Now, I also have to get used to the idea of being a terrorist!"
"I'm sure your family had lovely things to say about me!"
"The only one who had anything nasty to say was my grandfather… directly anyway, my father just said no." It was only a matter of time before Draco became very blunt, very loud, and very angry.
"See not the time for jokes."
"Maybe not but it doesn't matter what my family says, I already told them I wasn't going to stop seeing you."
"Really"
He looked at her as if she lost her mind, "of course! What sign have I ever given you that I'm not serious about us?"
"None," she's worried about his other circumstances. They may not be an issue now but they might be later. Although it was silly to think about later, "Well I should get changed and get ready for bed."
"Would you like an audience?"
"I thought we'd finished with the jokes for the night?"
He smirked, "I'm not joking."
She smiled, "I'm going to get ready for bed, and then I will call you back."
"Ok, I'll do the same. Bye"
"Bye"
A Peterson and a Malfoy!
Last night the Australian Wizarding Ballet put on a charity performance. It brought out the elite to spend their coins for a great cause. The performance was beautiful, the reception magnificent, and some juicy information revealed.
Everyone knows of the Weasley-Malfoy family. Some of you may be too young to remember the scandal around the uniting of the notorious Malfoy's and the nobody Weasley's. Well, Liam Weasley–Malfoy is the son of heir and lawyer Draco Malfoy.
His mother is Ginevra Weasley-Malfoy, retired seeker turned journalist. Their son is dating Elianna Peterson. Elianna is the daughter of the Australia Magical Minister of Finance, Yvonne Peterson, and Creative Director, Robert Peterson. Unless you follow politics you probably have no idea who this family is but Elianna is a squib.
"Aussie Talk"
Malfoy and a Squib
I suppose the next generation of the Malfoy family has become quite progressive. Liam Weasley–Malfoy is reportedly dating a squib. The squib has been identified as Elianna Peterson. She is the daughter of the Australian Magical Minister of Finance, Yvonne Peterson. The couple was spotted at the Australian Wizarding Ballet on Christmas Eve.
"The Tattler"
The New Girl
Christmas has hardly started here in the US but we have a wonderful gift. We love rumors. Our favorite immigrant family, the Weasley-Malfoy's, are spending their Christmas down under.
We have confirmed with the Australian Ballet that they were in attendance at the charity Christmas Eve performance. The rumor is that Liam the son of Draco and Ginevra Weasley-Malfoy is dating Elianna Peterson.
Elianna is the daughter of the Australian Magical Minister of Finance Yvonne Peterson. Liam is pretty good about keeping his head down. He never gives us anything juicier than where he's spotted having dinner. But this is so good. Elianna is a squib.
"The Magic Inquiry"
"The Beginning of the End"