Trust is Hard to Come By
By: Nekkyoo Ema
"Girls love a guy who can admit they're pregnant. :]" – Marie (gotta love that girl. :D)
*****
The next day, Riley, Hermione, and Rons' younger sister, Ginny, walked into an almost rundown looking building. Ginny reassured the girls that it was a "very lovely" shop that she had found two years earlier.
"Maybe I should just have my Grandmum send me one of the dresses she expects me to wear when I ... well, you know." Riley said to Hermione.
"But it's more fun this way!" Hermione replied. Then she turned to Ginny who was moaning. "What's wrong?"
"I can't find a good dress." Ginny replied.
"Well, who or what are you supposed to be?" Riley asked.
"Oddly enough, I'm supposed to be the color red. I don't even know what the contrast of red would be!" Ginny exclaimed.
"That's easy," Hermione said. "The contrast would be black."
Ginny stared.
Hermione shrugged, "well it would be."
"But there are going to be a bunch of guys wearing black. How am I supposed to find my partner?" Ginny said.
"Easy. Make him find you." Riley said as she pulled a dress out from behind her. "Try this one on, Ginny. And then come and let us see."
Ginny took the dress and went to the dressing rooms.
"Hey, Riley, what d'you think of this dress?" Hermione asked from the other side of the shop.
Riley looked up from the rack she was at. "Hold it up, I can't see it."
Hermione lifted a dress that looked like it came straight out of Arabian Nights.
"You're supposed to be Jasmine, right?"
"Yeah," Hermione's voice said from the other side of the room again.
Riley smiled, "then that dress will be perfect, go try it on."
Riley met up with Hermione at the dressing room and waited for Ginny to come out. When she did, both of the girls smiled.
"Like it?" Ginny asked.
"It's perfect." Hermione said. Riley nodded in agreement. Ginny's dress was a red Spanish style dress with many folds that made a V up her right leg, stopping right above her knee and swooping down to cover her other leg. It made her look like she was floating when she walked.
Ginny smiled, knowing her brothers would try to hide her for wearing such a dress, and went back into the dressing room to change back into her regular clothes. When she exited the dressing room, Hermione went in to try on her dress.
Riley went looking for a perfect Anastasia dress. That proved to be harder than she thought. She sighed in exasperation.
"You've walked around the store six times, Riley. Why don't we go see if we can find the right dress in the other shop." Hermione said after she had Riley look at her dress. It was perfect for her.
Riley shook her head. "I'm going to ask the lady if she has any that she thinks will be good for me." She walked up to the payment counter and said; "excuse me."
"Yes, dear, how can I help?" the elderly woman asked.
"Yes." Riley said, "Anastasia. I need to look like Anastasia."
The woman looked slightly puzzled, then thoughtful. "Hm... I might just have the dress for you." She went through a door behind her and they could hear boxes being moved around. When she walked back out, she was holding a dress box.
"This came to me from a very dear friend a long time ago. I think it might just work. Go try it on."
Riley took the box and went to the dressing room.
"What's it look like, Ri?" Hermione asked.
Riley moved the curtain aside and stepped out. "What d'you think?"
"It's as beautiful on you as it was the original owner." The woman said. "You know, you look a lot like her. Must be a coincidence."
"Riley, it's great. I think you should get it." Ginny said.
"Who was the original owner?" Hermione's curiosity got the better of her again.
"Marie Daines. We went to school together, dear friend of mine. But we've lost contact in these long years since school." The woman said as she went to ring up Riley's dress.
Hermione's jaw dropped.
"Think things could get any more ironic?" Riley said sarcastically.
The three girls walked out of the shop, thanking the woman on their way out and headed down the street to Three Broomsticks.
"Three Butterbeers, please." Ginny said to Madame Rosemerta. Ginny walked back over to the table with the Butterbeers and sat down.
"Where are the guys? I thought they were supposed to meet us here." Hermione asked.
Riley nodded as she sipped her Butterbeer. "They were, but I don't know how long it will take them."
Ginny looked up as the door to Three Broomsticks opened, "well, speak of the devil."
"Hey, did you guys find your dresses?" Harry asked.
The three girls pointed to a stack of three boxes next to Ginny.
"I'll take that as a yes." Harry said with a smile.
"How'd the searching go for you guys?" Ginny asked.
Mimicking the girls, they pointed to their own boxes.
On the night of the Yule Ball, every student was excited.
"What should I do with my hair?" Riley asked. "Should I make it look like Anastasia's?"
"It wouldn't be much of a change, would it? I mean you hair is already the same color as hers'." Hermione replied from the bathroom.
"True. I think I will just let it down. I haven't done that since the beginning of the school year." Riley brushed her hair and then changed into her dress.
Then a voice ran throughout the school, magically magnified. "If all the ladies would please head down to the Great Hall we will start promptly in ten minutes."
Hermione finished up with her hair and walked out of the bathroom. "What d'you think?"
"You look great. Now lets get going." Riley and Hermione met up with Ginny before they walked down the corridors to the Great Hall.
"Wow. It looks great." Ginny said.
And indeed it did. There were trees set up in each corner, each with their own set of decorations. Magic snow was slowly flurrying to the floor only to disappear as soon as it did. The stage was ready for the much awaited return of the Weird Sisters.
"Let's find a table." Riley said with a little giggle that she couldn't contain. When they found one, they waited for the guys to come from the dorms.
And ten minutes later, everyone was in the Great Hall.
Hermione then let out her own excited little giggle. "Let's go see if we can find our partners."
The three girls put on their masks and went in search of their partners.
"Hey, Ri, doesn't that guy over there kind of look like Dimitri?" Hermione said five minutes later.
"Yeah, I was just thinking that myself." Riley said as she turned to face Hermione. "Hey ... where'd Ginny go?"
"She just kind of – disappeared." Hermione said with a smile.
The boy that the two girls had thought was Dimitri walked over to them.
"Would you like to dance?" he said to Riley.
Riley smiled at Hermione and turned to face the boy. "I would love to." She took his hand and they walked out to the dance floor.
"Who are you?" he asked as they danced.
"Now if I recall, Professor Dumbledore said not to tell." Riley replied with a smile.
The boy smiled, "you sound just like a friend of mine. Always keeping her word."
Riley smiled mysteriously, "but does she always keep her promises?"
"Yes. Always." He replied.
"She sounds nice." Riley replied. Now she was aching to know who her partner was. She would have thought it'd be easier to tell, but true to his word, Dumbledore had disguised everyone very well.
Riley danced with the Dimitri for the whole night. Five minutes to midnight, Dumbledore announced that everyone would take off their masks and he would remove the spell that kept their partners a mystery.
Riley took Dimitri's hand and led him over to where Hermione and her Aladdin were dancing. Together they talked for the five minutes.
"Now, if you all would be so kind to remove your masks, I will take off the spell." Dumbledore said.
Riley, Dimitri, Hermione, and Aladdin took off their masks. Both girls blanched at whom the other was with. Their partners soon understood why they had when Dumbledore removed the spell.
"Draco?" Riley burst out before she could stop herself. Then she started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Draco said with mock hurt sounding in his voice.
Riley waved her hand around. "Nothing, nothing at all." She turned to see how Hermione was taking her partners true appearance. "Hey, Ron. How are you?"
Draco laughed at the look on Hermione and Rons' faces with Riley. They both were in complete shock still.
Riley reached over and gave them both a pinch in the arm. That broke them out of their trance.
Hermione then giggled.
"What's so funny, Herm?" Riley asked.
Hermione leaned over and whispered in Riley's ear, "last time there was Yule Ball, Ron blew up because I went with Viktor Krum instead of thinking about asking him."
Riley snickered. Then she sobered. "Well, I guess we had better get back to our dorms as the Ball is over."
The foursome walked back to the Gryffindor tower. Hermione and Ron went in first.
"Thanks, Draco. It was an interesting night." She said with a quirky smile.
Draco nodded, "it sure was... Hey, don't you think it was ironic that you were Anastasia?"
"Yeah, I thought that myself when I first saw my paper slip." Riley said. "Well, you better get to your dormitory. G'night, Draco."
She leaned over and gave him a hug before turning to the Gryffindor door and walking through it. The Fat Lady swung shut behind her and walked up to the dorm.
"Jeez, Hermione, I don't think I've ever seen you so shocked." Riley said once she got into her pajamas.
"Me?" Hermione repeated. "What about you?"
"What about me?" Riley questioned.
"Before Dumbledore removed the spell, you and Draco both had stars in your eyes. What was that all about?"
"I don't know." Riley said distantly. She climbed into her bed and pulled the hanging closed before grabbing her journal from under the mattress.
December 15th
Well, the Yule Ball was a blast. It turns out that Draco was my partner. Hermione and Ron were partners also. They both seemed shocked when they found out.
Something Hermione just told me has got me thinking. She said that when Draco and I took off our masks, before Dumbledore lifted the spell, both of us still had stars in our eyes. What does that mean? Does it mean that Draco likes me? Maybe it was just because we had so much fun.
I started to think when I looked at all the couples, that maybe the slips of paper weren't just randomly put under a person's plate. I think that when the slips were being put under the plates they partnered up people who have feelings for each other. No matter if it was a friendship or a realtionship, I think that it was intresting. I had a lot of fun.
Riley placed her journal under her mattress again and curled up under the covers.
The next morning the simple tapping of an owl's beak on the window awakened her next to her bed. She pulled the hangings aside and reached over to open the window and then put her glasses on.
The owl perched on her arm as she took the letter off and then it flew off before she could give him anything. Shrugging, she untied the letter and then unrolled it.
Riley,
I saw you laughing at Draco last night at the dance. I think you and I should talk about the way you treat people. I'll be waiting for you in the Great Hall. Get down there ASAP.
Riley didn't recognize the handwriting, and there was no name at the bottom of the parchment. Curiosity killed the cat. Hermione's voice rang in her head. Well, she was no cat. And she wasn't scared of some person who couldn't even sign their name at the bottom of a threat letter.
She looked at the clock as she pulled on her jeans; it was six thirty-five. Pretty early to be sending threats, she thought. Riley walked down the stairs quietly and out the door towards the Great Hall.
The few early risers that were there, consisted of only a few Slytherins, some Ravenclaws, and Harry, Ron, Draco, and Hermione. They were all sitting at the Gryffindor table, even though Draco wasn't a Gryffindor, talking happily about the Yule Ball.
She went over to them and sat down. "Hey, do any of you know who sent this letter to me?"
She handed it to Hermione who passed it around.
"That's Pansy's handwriting." Draco confirmed, scowling at the letter.
"Well speak of the devil." Riley muttered as Pansy walked towards her.
Pansy didn't say a word as she approached Riley. When she was standing right in front of her, Riley stood up.
"Why'd you send –" Riley was cut short as Pansy's small hand came in hard contact with her cheek. She had just been slapped.
"That's for laughing at my Draco." Pansy yelled.
Riley rolled her eyes; "you are really naïve, Pansy. You know that?"
Once again, Pansy lifted her hand to smack Riley. But this time, Riley was ready for it and she caught the girl by her wrist and twisted her around so her arm was stuck behind her back.
"Hey, Parkinson, want to know something about me? I was kicked out of most of my schools for beating the crap out of naïve little preppy brats like you. Do you really think that you can scare me?" Riley said.
Everyone was watching now, as the first slap had echoed around the Great Hall.
Riley released Pansy's arm and shoved her away. Then she turned back around to sit down. She turned slightly just in time to hear a battle cry from the girl and see her launch herself at Riley.
Riley and Pansy fell to the floor. Now the three other Slytherins were standing up, trying to get a shot at Riley.
"What the hell? Parkinson, you just don't get it do you? Draco and I are just friends." Riley yelled as she locked her legs around Pansy's backside and flipped them both over. In turning over, Riley had Pansy pinned down, but not her arms. Pansy's right arm lifted to punch Riley square in the cheek.
Draco lifted Riley up as Harry lifted Pansy. Riley was sporting a bruised cheek and a bloody lip, Pansy a bloody nose and blackening eye. Both were glaring at each other.
"Okay, break it up!" Professor McGonagall yelled. She looked at the four of them. "All of you – detention!"
"But—" Riley started.
McGonagall's already narrowed eyes got even smaller. "I don't want any excuses. You all will report to the main hall for your detentions, tonight at seven o'clock sharp!"
Riley growled as McGonagall walked away. Draco, who was still holding Riley back, lifted her up suddenly and walked out of the Great Hall. Harry had dropped Pansy and followed them out where Hermione and Ron met up with them.
"Riley, you just got both of us detentions for no reason!" Harry said.
"Well it's your fault that you got involved. I can handle myself just fine." She spat back, wiping her lip. "I don't care if I get kicked out of this school. So what? Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt." Then she stormed up to the Gryffindor tower.
During lunch and dinner, Harry ignored Riley. And Riley looked as if she could care less. She wasn't talking to anyone, with the exception of Ginny who was asking if she could teach her to punch like that.
At six forty-five, Harry and Riley made their way down to the main entrance. Professor McGonagall and Filch were already there. Soon the footsteps of Pansy and Draco were heard.
"Now that all of you are here, I thought it best to pair you up. Evans, you'll be working with Malfoy. Potter, you're with Parkinson. You two," she said, pointing to Riley and Draco, "will be cleaning the Great Hall for the next four hours. And you two," she said, turning to Harry and Pansy, "will be cleaning out classrooms."
Riley opened her mouth to protest, but Draco slapped his hand over it. He didn't want to have even more work. Knowing Filch they probably already had more than four hours.
When McGonagall had finished, she and Filch led Riley and Draco into the Great Hall and McGonagall told them that Filch would let them out when their time was over. Then she closed the doors and magically locked them.
"Great." Riley muttered.
Draco grabbed a mop and silently started working on the far side of the Hall. Riley grabbed a rag and worked on washing the tables off.
After almost a half-hour to when their four hours would of working would be up, Riley broke the silence that, to her, was deafening.
"Look, Draco. I'm sorry about getting you detention. But McGonagall wouldn't listen to me!" she yelled.
"It's fine." Draco said.
Riley walked up to him; "you're lying. I always know when you are lying."
"Yeah, so what?" He said simply.
"C'mon, you stupid git. I'm really sorry that I got you in trouble." Riley said. "There, I apologize for once in my life, happy?"
"I didn't want an apology." Draco said as he turned around to throw his rag back in a bucket of soapy water.
Riley groaned. "Damn it, Draco. What do you want me to say? That I'm a horrid person that should have kept talking even when McGonagall looked like she was going to murder me?"
"Look, Riley," Draco said when he turned back around. "I know you. I grew up with you. I know you're sorry for what happened. But that still doesn't mean that I'm going to forgive you right away."
Riley had the urge to stomp her foot and pout like a child. She resisted it. "What do you want me to do? Jeez, I'll even dance like a chicken if you want! Just don't be mad at me."
Draco smiled. "Fine, let's dance then. But not like a chicken. You promised to teach me that Flitter-bug dance."
Riley smiled, "Jitterbug." She said as she started to dance the Jitterbug with her old friend.
"Just don't get into another fight. I don't think any of your friends would like if you got kicked out of Hogwarts." Draco said.
"I know." Riley said. Then she hugged him. Looking him straight in the face, she said: "thanks."
She noticed that their faces were only a few inches apart, she could feel Draco's breath on her face. She also noticed that their faces were getting closer and closer. Then their lips met – for about a second for Filch was pushing the Great Halls' doors open.
Quickly, the two friends jumped away from each other and pretended to be polishing the plates on the tables.
"Time's up," he said in low growl.
"Good." Draco said, trying to sound like he was relieved.
They met up with Harry and Pansy and then went their separate ways.
Harry didn't seem like he was mad at Riley anymore; he just seemed deeply annoyed that he had to work with Pansy for four hours.
"Harry, I'm really sorry I got you in trouble."
Harry waved his hand about, "it's okay. I should have guessed what would happened."
They walked through the Common Room and when their separate ways. Riley didn't even bother to change into her pajamas before she collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep instantly.
When she woke up around three in the morning, Riley went over to Hermione's bed and shook her awake.
"What d'you want?" Hermione grumbled.
Riley pulled her friend out of bed. "Think of it as early morning wake-up payback. Besides, I really need to talk to you about something."
Hermione snatched a look at her clock before she was pulled out the door and down to the chairs in front of the fire. "Can't this wait until a reasonable hour of the day?"
"Draco kissed me. Well, more like I kissed him and he kissed me." Riley blurted out. She had wanted to work up to it, but it just came out.
Hermione seemed wide-awake now, "you what!" she yelled.
Riley winced, "yell a little louder, would you?"
"Sorry, but that's kind of a shocker." Hermione said.
"What am I going to do, Hermione?" Riley asked.
"Well, I'm doubting that he's getting his friends up at three in the freaking morning to tell them about it, so don't tell anyone. And if anyone asks you about it deny, deny like your life depended on it. Besides, more than likely, people are going to believe you over him. You always tell the whole truth – at least most of the time." Hermione replied.
Riley lay awake for most of the night after that. It wasn't like she was going to go right back to sleep after her conversation with Hermione, because she knew that she had had one of those rare moments when she didn't tell the whole truth. Since Hermione had done most of the talking, one detail didn't get mentioned about the kiss: she had liked it.
~~
Author's note: Yeah, I know, it's a little weird for Draco. But oddly enough, he is one of my favorite characters and I believe that he is, well, nice deep down. Hope you liked it – don't kill me. Please?
Thanks for the reviewers:
nycgal – thanks for saying it's a good plot! It took forever to finish – I kept adding things!
Owl – You read Green Rider? I loved it – I'm going to read it again soon! I can't believe that someone else has read it either! Thanks for the review!