Later that week, Vivian and Draco asked to see Melissa's wedding robe as
well as the bridesmaid robes she picked out. Melissa sighed, and sent Drew
down to talk to Uncle Severus. When Drew protested, Melissa simply
explained, "it's bad luck for a groom to see the bridal robe before the
wedding-and we'll have enough trouble as it is!" Drew rolled his eyes at
this, and left with good natured grumbling.
Melissa slipped into the fitted periwinkle dress robes first, and looked over in the mirror. To her constant astonishment, the blue did go nicely with her strawberry blonde hair. The little redhead smiled a bit, and ran to the staircase.
"Okay, come on up!" Melissa called. She didn't particularly feel like giving all of Slytherin a fashion show. Soon she heard her two friends running up the stairs and she retreated back inside. Once the door opened, she turned to them anxiously.
"So?" Melissa said, seeking for approval in their faces. "What do you think?"
In response, Vivian grinned and clapped her hands in front of her in delight. Her eyes positively shown as she imagined her wedding, looking like a little girl. Draco gave as much of a smile as he ever did, and spun Melissa around to see the skirt flare out. Vivian pronounced it perfect, and Draco assured Melissa that she looked "very nice".
"Let's let Melissa get her bridal robes on, shall we?" Draco suggested to Vivian, leading the smaller blonde towards the door.
"Uhm, actually I'll need Vivi's help," Melissa said. Draco turned around and raised an eyebrow, so Melissa quickly added, "you'll understand when you see it." Draco shrugged and walked out as Melissa pulled out the dress. Vivian helped her with the hooks in back and then opened the door for Draco.
"Oh, Missy!" Vivian exclaimed and hugged her friend.
Draco pulled his fiancé off Melissa saying, "Let me see, then." He studied Melissa critically, making her fidget a bit. Draco was so particular about style and fashion that Melissa found herself holding her breath. Finally, Draco's face split into a grin and he stepped away from the redheaded girl. Slipping his arm around Vivian's waist, and thankfully not noticing her blush, the two surveyed Melissa.
"It's perfect," Draco assured her. "Drew will fall in love, I'm sure."
"What's with you two?" Melissa asked while rolling her eyes. "You two are honestly the most hopeless romantics I've ever met-and the most likely people to be hopeless romantics, too!"
"I am not," Draco said, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Mmhmm, keep telling yourself that dear. Just get out so Vivi can help me out of this," Melissa demanded, pushing the startled blonde out the door. Vivian was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face.
"Melissa, if even Draco says so, there has to be something to it," Vivian insisted through her laughs.
"Be quiet you," Melissa snapped, reaching back to undo the hooks. After five minutes, she turned to Vivian, who had controlled herself and was now watching Melissa with an amused expression.
"Oh, did you want help?" Vivian said with a laugh as she stood.
"If you don't want me to destroy the robe, yes I do want help!"
"It really is gorgeous," Vivian said once the dress was safely put away in a wardrobe. Melissa gave Vivian a small smile and the two walked back downstairs. Draco wouldn't speak to Melissa for half of the night due to the hopeless romantic comment. Once he realized Melissa was unphased by this fact, however, he sulkily joined in the girl's conversations with Drew.
The rest of the winter passed rather uneventfully. Once Drew's mother caught wind of Vivian's parents being Death Eaters, and rather inattentive parents, she immediately sent a letter to Mrs. Lwienne offering to take her daughter out to the shops to find a wedding dress. Glad to avoid contact with her daughter and be able to throw a ball, Mrs. Lwienne accepted the offer rather quickly and sent a note to the bank, instructing them to give her daughter sixty five gallons.
Vivian's bridal robes suited her sophisticated yet girly style perfectly. Thin straps held up a fitted bodice that flared slightly into a skirt. The satin material shone softly and the girls in the small French shop were once again in a flurry to plan the "little dear's wedding" as they said. They were shocked when they heard the name Malfoy mentioned.
While Vivian was trying on dress robes, one of the girls went out on a coffee run. They stood around and didn't protest when Melissa sat up on the front desk. Melissa took to greeting the customers who did wander in cheerfully to the delight of the workers. Because no one could pry information about Melissa's fiancé from her, they took to making wild assumptions to get a reaction from her.
"Is he a criminal?" The owner finally asked in frustration.
Melissa and Vivian, who was standing on the stool in front of the mirror, exchanged a look.
"I like that dress, Vivi," Melissa said. As an afterthought she added, "and that's probably the closest guess yet." Melissa smiled at the scandalized looks on the worker's faces, and took a sip of her coffee with a mischievous glitter in her eye. Drew's mother simply rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"Come on, you have to tell us something about him!" A girl named Cathleen cried in exasperation.
"Like what?" Melissa asked, looking at her.
"What does he look like?"
"He has...brown hair."
"That's oh so helpful," Cathleen replied sarcastically. Then she smirked a bit, "is he cute?"
"I suppose you could say that, yes, in his own way-" Melissa stammered before Vivian cut it.
"-oh, be honest, Missy. Drew's one of the biggest heartthrobs at Hogwarts. Even the Gryffindor girls have crushes on him!"
"Really?" Melissa asked, a bit too quickly. 'Why should I feel jealous?' Melissa scolded herself. 'After all, it's not like I'm in love with Drew.' Even with her reason, she felt her cheeks flush in mild anger at the thought of other girls fawning over Drew.
Vivian emerged from the dressing room, dressed in her normal clothes once again. She was looking at Melissa strangely, and didn't speak until they were outside. Once they were walking down the streets of Wizard's Paris, with the intentions of finding ice cream, Vivian stated, "You really hadn't noticed?"
"No! Did you know?" The question was directed towards Mrs. Halothane, who smiled a bit.
"Well, Drew never did say anything, but I did suspect that a bit. After all, the boy's so much like his father that I almost expected it. Come to think of it, Edward never noticed, either. He was too wrapped up in Quidditch at the time!" Caroline laughed softly, shaking her head and Melissa and Vivian smiled at one another.
"Were you and Mr. Halothane school sweethearts, then?" Melissa asked as all three sat down.
"Yes, but we were friends longer than sweethearts," Caroline said with the look of a person reminiscing over happy times.
"When did you know you loved him, though?" Vivian asked with a smile.
Caroline let out a soft laugh. "When Edward kissed me at the Spring Ball was probably the first time I knew. For him, though, it was a bit longer. He never did tell me the exact time he knew, but he did say that it had been bothering him for a while that he couldn't think of me in the same sisterly way as before. So he decided to show me how he felt."
Melissa and Vivian both sighed at the same time, which made all three break out into giggles. When they had all settled down, Caroline continued her story.
"I was so surprised that I just ran away. Edward changed everything with that kiss, and I was too confused to even talk to him. I avoided Edward for a month before he decided to take matters into his own hands," here Caroline paused to take a bite of her ice cream, taking her time once she noticed the girls' transfixed gazes.
"What'd he do?" Melissa asked.
"He bribed Dumbledore to give us detention together. Not that Dumbledore can be bribed, but the man found the concept humorous and went along with it. So I had a detention with Edward, during which we had to go into the Forbidden Forest to find a plant. I can't remember what it was, I just remember that I was scared witless. Oh, how Edward smirked when I asked him to walk by me! Well, he made me talk it all out with him, and obviously we haven't parted ever since."
"That's sweet," Melissa said with a small smile.
"Yes, well Edward does have his moments," Caroline said. "I'm sure Drew does as well," she added with a wink. Melissa simply laughed and shook her head. When the girls arrived back at Hogwarts, Vivian turned to smirk at Melissa.
"Not a word out of you," Melissa snapped good naturedly as she walked away.
"I don't need to say a word. You already seem to know what I'm going to say," Vivian shot back.
"What? I'll like him and then fall hopelessly in love?" Melissa scoffed.
"It's starting," Vivian said as she swung herself into the dungeons. Melissa's jaw hung open as she stared at the enterence of Slytherin, which had closed up again. 'Schisms! She got the last word in again!' Melissa thought as she went to join Vivian, Draco, and Drew on the couch.
With springtime came the inevitable, consistant rainfalls. Melissa, Vivian, and Hermione came to realize how much they missed being able to go outside. The three girls got along with one another quite well, but tended to have little to no patience with Harry, Ron, Draco, and Drew. Surprisingly, Vivian, usually quiet and shy, was worse than Melissa and Hermione.
One night, as the rain pounded down on Hogwarts and the four Slytherins sat around a table in the common room trying to do their homework, Vivian decided enough was enough. She threw down her quill, stood quickly, and ran up to her dorm. She reappeared a moment later with her cloak thrown over her arm.
Draco, who was concentrating on an awful Transfiguration essay, said without looking up, "Vivian, would you go get me some coffee from the kitchens? I can't stay awake."
"No! For Merlin's sake, Draco, I'm not your maid! I won't do everything for you-if you want coffee, get it yourself like a normal person!!" Vivian exclaimed, slamming the entrance behind her. Draco stared at the closed door in surprise.
After a while he asked, "She isn't going outside, is she?"
"I think she is, Draco," Drew responded, just as astonished.
"Well," Melissa snapped glaring a Draco.
"Well what?" Draco asked in surprise.
"Go get her, you idiot! She'll catch pneumonia!" Melissa exclaimed, a dangerous look in her eyes. Needless to say, Draco was on his feet and running towards the Entrance Hall and out the doors in no time at all. Drew shook his head and looked at the volatile redhead beside him.
"Want some help with your essay, Missy?" Drew asked in a soothing voice. Melissa started and looked at him as if she has forgotten he was even there.
"Sure, thanks, Drew," Melissa responded with a bright smile as Drew scooted a bit closer to her. Drew rolled his eyes when he was sure Melissa wasn't looking and then began to help her find useful information in her textbook.
Meanwhile Draco was searching for Vivian outside. When he finally did find her, he was nearly drenched, and Vivian looked as if she had jumped into the lake. Her long blonde hair, usually immaculately combed and curled, was wet and careless. She was sitting on a bench with her face tipped towards the rain and a serene expression on her face. As Draco watched her for a moment, he couldn't help but wonder why he had never noticed how pretty she was.
Taking a deep breath to clear his mind, Draco approached Vivian cautiously. He was about to say her name softly when she said, "Why did you follow me, Draco?" To his surprise, Vivian sounded neither bitter nor angry. She sounded more curious than anything. Draco sat next to Vivian and looked down at her for a moment before speaking.
"You sounded stressed when you left. I wanted to make sure you were all right," Draco explained.
"So I can't get stressed once in a while?" Vivian asked, her jaw clenching angrily.
"It's not that you can't, it's more that you don't. Or you never have before. What's bothering you?"
"Right now, you are," Vivian snapped, standing to walk away.
"I don't think so, kid," Draco growled, catching her by the wrist. 'No one walks away from Draco Malfoy' he thought as he pulled her back down on the bench. Vivian wrenched her wrist from Draco's grasp and sat back glowering at him, but she didn't try to leave again. "I'll ask again. What's bothering you?"
"And I'll tell you again. You are at the moment," Vivian replied with a sneer before turning away from him. Draco frowned and turned her back around, and holding her in place with his hands on her shoulders. Vivian was glaring daggers at him, but he didn't seem to care.
"What's up with you?" Draco asked, his voice sounding exasperated. "What did I do?"
"You're so controlling! You can't even let me walk in the rain if you don't like the idea! You can't find a happy medium, Draco, either you have to control every aspect of my life you seem to forget that I'm even alive! I can't handle that anymore, Draco, why can't you just be normal? You never used to be like that. We used to be able to talk, and have a good time. Now you're either ignoring me or you're so overprotective I want to scream!" Vivian exclaimed wildly.
As she ranted, angry tears streamed down her face mixing with the rain. Draco sighed and leaned back, pushing his sopping hair out of his face. He knew she was right, and he also knew why he'd been acting like that. Ever since Vivian had spent Christmas at Malfoy Manner, and he had begun to worry about her safety, he hadn't been able to contain his worry.
Sometimes he was frustrated with himself for letting her mean so much to him, and it was then that he ignored the girl and pretended that she didn't matter. Other times he was caught up in his panic so much that he wanted to know where she was at all times or even be with her at all times. Looking over at his fiancé, Draco could understand where his actions could cause confusion for Vivian.
After sitting in the rain silently for a moment, Vivian began to stand slowly. This time Draco didn't try to stop her. She took a deep breath to calm herself before looking down at him.
"I'm sorry for yelling, Draco. I just don't know exactly where I stand with you," Vivian murmured, barely making herself heard over the storm. She began to walk away, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning slowly, Vivian looked up into Draco's face, which was unreadable as usual. Somehow, however, she felt that he could read her every emotion with his piercing grey gaze.
Then Draco leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Vivian's lips. Vivian stared up at Draco in surprise, unable to say a word. He pulled her against himself roughly, and kissed her once again. This time Vivian responded shyly, tilting her face into Draco's kisses.
When they broke apart, Draco slid his arm around Vivian's waist. "Do you want to go back inside?"
"I suppose we should. We'll get sick," Vivian replied. She glanced up at Draco and grinned.
"What?" He asked as they began walking towards the castle.
"Your hair-I didn't know it was curly."
"Why did you think I use so much gel in it?" Draco said, scrunching his nose. "With out it, I look like one of those American football players!"
"I dunno, I think it's cute, Draco," Vivian responded.
"Did you just call me cute?" Draco questioned in a disgusted tone.
From the window in her dormitory, Melissa watched Draco and Vivian with a small smile. 'So he finally told her in his own way' Melissa thought happily. She skipped back out to the common room with Pride and Prejudice in her hands. Drew looked up as she flopped down into an easy chair before the fire.
Drew wandered over and sat on the arm of Melissa's chair. "They're not killing each other, are they?" Drew asked with a frown.
"Nope," was Melissa's cheerful reply.
"They're talking, then?"
"Not exactly."
"What then?"
Melissa looked up at Drew with a happy grin. He raised an eyebrow at her curiously. Then he shook his head with a grin.
"Oh," he said.
"Yep," Melissa said, opening her book.
"You're reading that again?" Drew asked.
"Mmhmm," Melissa responded.
"How can you read the same book so many times?"
"It's a good book. You should read it sometime."
"Read it to me, then," Drew said. Melissa looked up at Drew in surprise.
"Really?" Melissa asked.
"Really," Drew replied, motioning for her to make room for him next to her. Melissa moved over in the overly large chair and Drew sat next to her. After making themselves comfortable, Melissa began reading never noticing that Drew wasn't really listening to the story.
That's how Vivian and Draco found the two half an hour later when the wandered up, but they decided not to smirk. Instead they sat on the floor before the fire to dry up and listened to the story as well. When Melissa's eyes became tired and she asked if they minded if she'd stop there, no one answered her. Draco and Vivian were asleep on the rug and Drew was watching his two friends.
"I'm glad they're happy," Drew said after a while. He couldn't help but wonder why it came so easily for Draco and Vivian, and so much harder for him and Melissa.
"Yes. Vivian's been crazy over Draco for the longest time," Melissa said with a smile.
"Hmm. I've been wondering about Draco for a while. He'd been acting so differently towards her, it made sense that he was falling," Drew responded. He then looked at his watch. "Hey, we should all go to sleep. It's late. Everyone else is already in bed. C'mon, let's get them up."
Melissa and Drew woke up Vivian and Draco and the four walked sleepily up the staircase towards their dorms. Draco pecked Vivian on the cheek and muttered a sleepy goodnight before walking into his room.
"Hey, Draco," Melissa called before he left, and he turned around.
"Yes?" He asked.
"You look like a soccer player!" Melissa said with a grin.
"Don't remind me."
"No, it looks cute."
"Shut up," Draco snapped half heartedly before turning around and walking back to their dorms.
Drew smiled and Melissa.
"Good night, little Missy," Drew said, patting her cheek affectionately. Melissa smiled weakly, saying, "'Night, Drew. Sleep well," and nearly ran into her dorm. Vivian was just crawling into bed when she noticed Melissa's perturbed expression.
"What's the matter, Melissa?" Vivian asked.
"You were right," Melissa said, looking at Vivian with wide eyes.
"About what?"
"Drew. I'm starting to like him," Melissa replied. Vivian gave her friend a hug and said goodnight. She fell asleep happily-Draco was starting to feel the same way as she did, and now her best friends were falling in love as well. 'Today was such a perfect day' Vivian thought with a smile as she slipped into sleep.
A/N: Hi to all who are reading this. Yea, I realize I haven't updated for a few months, I'm lazy. Anyways, just one more chapter and an epilogue to go! Go me! And if you like LoTR, go read something by my friend Aduechoirwen.
Melissa slipped into the fitted periwinkle dress robes first, and looked over in the mirror. To her constant astonishment, the blue did go nicely with her strawberry blonde hair. The little redhead smiled a bit, and ran to the staircase.
"Okay, come on up!" Melissa called. She didn't particularly feel like giving all of Slytherin a fashion show. Soon she heard her two friends running up the stairs and she retreated back inside. Once the door opened, she turned to them anxiously.
"So?" Melissa said, seeking for approval in their faces. "What do you think?"
In response, Vivian grinned and clapped her hands in front of her in delight. Her eyes positively shown as she imagined her wedding, looking like a little girl. Draco gave as much of a smile as he ever did, and spun Melissa around to see the skirt flare out. Vivian pronounced it perfect, and Draco assured Melissa that she looked "very nice".
"Let's let Melissa get her bridal robes on, shall we?" Draco suggested to Vivian, leading the smaller blonde towards the door.
"Uhm, actually I'll need Vivi's help," Melissa said. Draco turned around and raised an eyebrow, so Melissa quickly added, "you'll understand when you see it." Draco shrugged and walked out as Melissa pulled out the dress. Vivian helped her with the hooks in back and then opened the door for Draco.
"Oh, Missy!" Vivian exclaimed and hugged her friend.
Draco pulled his fiancé off Melissa saying, "Let me see, then." He studied Melissa critically, making her fidget a bit. Draco was so particular about style and fashion that Melissa found herself holding her breath. Finally, Draco's face split into a grin and he stepped away from the redheaded girl. Slipping his arm around Vivian's waist, and thankfully not noticing her blush, the two surveyed Melissa.
"It's perfect," Draco assured her. "Drew will fall in love, I'm sure."
"What's with you two?" Melissa asked while rolling her eyes. "You two are honestly the most hopeless romantics I've ever met-and the most likely people to be hopeless romantics, too!"
"I am not," Draco said, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Mmhmm, keep telling yourself that dear. Just get out so Vivi can help me out of this," Melissa demanded, pushing the startled blonde out the door. Vivian was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face.
"Melissa, if even Draco says so, there has to be something to it," Vivian insisted through her laughs.
"Be quiet you," Melissa snapped, reaching back to undo the hooks. After five minutes, she turned to Vivian, who had controlled herself and was now watching Melissa with an amused expression.
"Oh, did you want help?" Vivian said with a laugh as she stood.
"If you don't want me to destroy the robe, yes I do want help!"
"It really is gorgeous," Vivian said once the dress was safely put away in a wardrobe. Melissa gave Vivian a small smile and the two walked back downstairs. Draco wouldn't speak to Melissa for half of the night due to the hopeless romantic comment. Once he realized Melissa was unphased by this fact, however, he sulkily joined in the girl's conversations with Drew.
The rest of the winter passed rather uneventfully. Once Drew's mother caught wind of Vivian's parents being Death Eaters, and rather inattentive parents, she immediately sent a letter to Mrs. Lwienne offering to take her daughter out to the shops to find a wedding dress. Glad to avoid contact with her daughter and be able to throw a ball, Mrs. Lwienne accepted the offer rather quickly and sent a note to the bank, instructing them to give her daughter sixty five gallons.
Vivian's bridal robes suited her sophisticated yet girly style perfectly. Thin straps held up a fitted bodice that flared slightly into a skirt. The satin material shone softly and the girls in the small French shop were once again in a flurry to plan the "little dear's wedding" as they said. They were shocked when they heard the name Malfoy mentioned.
While Vivian was trying on dress robes, one of the girls went out on a coffee run. They stood around and didn't protest when Melissa sat up on the front desk. Melissa took to greeting the customers who did wander in cheerfully to the delight of the workers. Because no one could pry information about Melissa's fiancé from her, they took to making wild assumptions to get a reaction from her.
"Is he a criminal?" The owner finally asked in frustration.
Melissa and Vivian, who was standing on the stool in front of the mirror, exchanged a look.
"I like that dress, Vivi," Melissa said. As an afterthought she added, "and that's probably the closest guess yet." Melissa smiled at the scandalized looks on the worker's faces, and took a sip of her coffee with a mischievous glitter in her eye. Drew's mother simply rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"Come on, you have to tell us something about him!" A girl named Cathleen cried in exasperation.
"Like what?" Melissa asked, looking at her.
"What does he look like?"
"He has...brown hair."
"That's oh so helpful," Cathleen replied sarcastically. Then she smirked a bit, "is he cute?"
"I suppose you could say that, yes, in his own way-" Melissa stammered before Vivian cut it.
"-oh, be honest, Missy. Drew's one of the biggest heartthrobs at Hogwarts. Even the Gryffindor girls have crushes on him!"
"Really?" Melissa asked, a bit too quickly. 'Why should I feel jealous?' Melissa scolded herself. 'After all, it's not like I'm in love with Drew.' Even with her reason, she felt her cheeks flush in mild anger at the thought of other girls fawning over Drew.
Vivian emerged from the dressing room, dressed in her normal clothes once again. She was looking at Melissa strangely, and didn't speak until they were outside. Once they were walking down the streets of Wizard's Paris, with the intentions of finding ice cream, Vivian stated, "You really hadn't noticed?"
"No! Did you know?" The question was directed towards Mrs. Halothane, who smiled a bit.
"Well, Drew never did say anything, but I did suspect that a bit. After all, the boy's so much like his father that I almost expected it. Come to think of it, Edward never noticed, either. He was too wrapped up in Quidditch at the time!" Caroline laughed softly, shaking her head and Melissa and Vivian smiled at one another.
"Were you and Mr. Halothane school sweethearts, then?" Melissa asked as all three sat down.
"Yes, but we were friends longer than sweethearts," Caroline said with the look of a person reminiscing over happy times.
"When did you know you loved him, though?" Vivian asked with a smile.
Caroline let out a soft laugh. "When Edward kissed me at the Spring Ball was probably the first time I knew. For him, though, it was a bit longer. He never did tell me the exact time he knew, but he did say that it had been bothering him for a while that he couldn't think of me in the same sisterly way as before. So he decided to show me how he felt."
Melissa and Vivian both sighed at the same time, which made all three break out into giggles. When they had all settled down, Caroline continued her story.
"I was so surprised that I just ran away. Edward changed everything with that kiss, and I was too confused to even talk to him. I avoided Edward for a month before he decided to take matters into his own hands," here Caroline paused to take a bite of her ice cream, taking her time once she noticed the girls' transfixed gazes.
"What'd he do?" Melissa asked.
"He bribed Dumbledore to give us detention together. Not that Dumbledore can be bribed, but the man found the concept humorous and went along with it. So I had a detention with Edward, during which we had to go into the Forbidden Forest to find a plant. I can't remember what it was, I just remember that I was scared witless. Oh, how Edward smirked when I asked him to walk by me! Well, he made me talk it all out with him, and obviously we haven't parted ever since."
"That's sweet," Melissa said with a small smile.
"Yes, well Edward does have his moments," Caroline said. "I'm sure Drew does as well," she added with a wink. Melissa simply laughed and shook her head. When the girls arrived back at Hogwarts, Vivian turned to smirk at Melissa.
"Not a word out of you," Melissa snapped good naturedly as she walked away.
"I don't need to say a word. You already seem to know what I'm going to say," Vivian shot back.
"What? I'll like him and then fall hopelessly in love?" Melissa scoffed.
"It's starting," Vivian said as she swung herself into the dungeons. Melissa's jaw hung open as she stared at the enterence of Slytherin, which had closed up again. 'Schisms! She got the last word in again!' Melissa thought as she went to join Vivian, Draco, and Drew on the couch.
With springtime came the inevitable, consistant rainfalls. Melissa, Vivian, and Hermione came to realize how much they missed being able to go outside. The three girls got along with one another quite well, but tended to have little to no patience with Harry, Ron, Draco, and Drew. Surprisingly, Vivian, usually quiet and shy, was worse than Melissa and Hermione.
One night, as the rain pounded down on Hogwarts and the four Slytherins sat around a table in the common room trying to do their homework, Vivian decided enough was enough. She threw down her quill, stood quickly, and ran up to her dorm. She reappeared a moment later with her cloak thrown over her arm.
Draco, who was concentrating on an awful Transfiguration essay, said without looking up, "Vivian, would you go get me some coffee from the kitchens? I can't stay awake."
"No! For Merlin's sake, Draco, I'm not your maid! I won't do everything for you-if you want coffee, get it yourself like a normal person!!" Vivian exclaimed, slamming the entrance behind her. Draco stared at the closed door in surprise.
After a while he asked, "She isn't going outside, is she?"
"I think she is, Draco," Drew responded, just as astonished.
"Well," Melissa snapped glaring a Draco.
"Well what?" Draco asked in surprise.
"Go get her, you idiot! She'll catch pneumonia!" Melissa exclaimed, a dangerous look in her eyes. Needless to say, Draco was on his feet and running towards the Entrance Hall and out the doors in no time at all. Drew shook his head and looked at the volatile redhead beside him.
"Want some help with your essay, Missy?" Drew asked in a soothing voice. Melissa started and looked at him as if she has forgotten he was even there.
"Sure, thanks, Drew," Melissa responded with a bright smile as Drew scooted a bit closer to her. Drew rolled his eyes when he was sure Melissa wasn't looking and then began to help her find useful information in her textbook.
Meanwhile Draco was searching for Vivian outside. When he finally did find her, he was nearly drenched, and Vivian looked as if she had jumped into the lake. Her long blonde hair, usually immaculately combed and curled, was wet and careless. She was sitting on a bench with her face tipped towards the rain and a serene expression on her face. As Draco watched her for a moment, he couldn't help but wonder why he had never noticed how pretty she was.
Taking a deep breath to clear his mind, Draco approached Vivian cautiously. He was about to say her name softly when she said, "Why did you follow me, Draco?" To his surprise, Vivian sounded neither bitter nor angry. She sounded more curious than anything. Draco sat next to Vivian and looked down at her for a moment before speaking.
"You sounded stressed when you left. I wanted to make sure you were all right," Draco explained.
"So I can't get stressed once in a while?" Vivian asked, her jaw clenching angrily.
"It's not that you can't, it's more that you don't. Or you never have before. What's bothering you?"
"Right now, you are," Vivian snapped, standing to walk away.
"I don't think so, kid," Draco growled, catching her by the wrist. 'No one walks away from Draco Malfoy' he thought as he pulled her back down on the bench. Vivian wrenched her wrist from Draco's grasp and sat back glowering at him, but she didn't try to leave again. "I'll ask again. What's bothering you?"
"And I'll tell you again. You are at the moment," Vivian replied with a sneer before turning away from him. Draco frowned and turned her back around, and holding her in place with his hands on her shoulders. Vivian was glaring daggers at him, but he didn't seem to care.
"What's up with you?" Draco asked, his voice sounding exasperated. "What did I do?"
"You're so controlling! You can't even let me walk in the rain if you don't like the idea! You can't find a happy medium, Draco, either you have to control every aspect of my life you seem to forget that I'm even alive! I can't handle that anymore, Draco, why can't you just be normal? You never used to be like that. We used to be able to talk, and have a good time. Now you're either ignoring me or you're so overprotective I want to scream!" Vivian exclaimed wildly.
As she ranted, angry tears streamed down her face mixing with the rain. Draco sighed and leaned back, pushing his sopping hair out of his face. He knew she was right, and he also knew why he'd been acting like that. Ever since Vivian had spent Christmas at Malfoy Manner, and he had begun to worry about her safety, he hadn't been able to contain his worry.
Sometimes he was frustrated with himself for letting her mean so much to him, and it was then that he ignored the girl and pretended that she didn't matter. Other times he was caught up in his panic so much that he wanted to know where she was at all times or even be with her at all times. Looking over at his fiancé, Draco could understand where his actions could cause confusion for Vivian.
After sitting in the rain silently for a moment, Vivian began to stand slowly. This time Draco didn't try to stop her. She took a deep breath to calm herself before looking down at him.
"I'm sorry for yelling, Draco. I just don't know exactly where I stand with you," Vivian murmured, barely making herself heard over the storm. She began to walk away, but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning slowly, Vivian looked up into Draco's face, which was unreadable as usual. Somehow, however, she felt that he could read her every emotion with his piercing grey gaze.
Then Draco leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Vivian's lips. Vivian stared up at Draco in surprise, unable to say a word. He pulled her against himself roughly, and kissed her once again. This time Vivian responded shyly, tilting her face into Draco's kisses.
When they broke apart, Draco slid his arm around Vivian's waist. "Do you want to go back inside?"
"I suppose we should. We'll get sick," Vivian replied. She glanced up at Draco and grinned.
"What?" He asked as they began walking towards the castle.
"Your hair-I didn't know it was curly."
"Why did you think I use so much gel in it?" Draco said, scrunching his nose. "With out it, I look like one of those American football players!"
"I dunno, I think it's cute, Draco," Vivian responded.
"Did you just call me cute?" Draco questioned in a disgusted tone.
From the window in her dormitory, Melissa watched Draco and Vivian with a small smile. 'So he finally told her in his own way' Melissa thought happily. She skipped back out to the common room with Pride and Prejudice in her hands. Drew looked up as she flopped down into an easy chair before the fire.
Drew wandered over and sat on the arm of Melissa's chair. "They're not killing each other, are they?" Drew asked with a frown.
"Nope," was Melissa's cheerful reply.
"They're talking, then?"
"Not exactly."
"What then?"
Melissa looked up at Drew with a happy grin. He raised an eyebrow at her curiously. Then he shook his head with a grin.
"Oh," he said.
"Yep," Melissa said, opening her book.
"You're reading that again?" Drew asked.
"Mmhmm," Melissa responded.
"How can you read the same book so many times?"
"It's a good book. You should read it sometime."
"Read it to me, then," Drew said. Melissa looked up at Drew in surprise.
"Really?" Melissa asked.
"Really," Drew replied, motioning for her to make room for him next to her. Melissa moved over in the overly large chair and Drew sat next to her. After making themselves comfortable, Melissa began reading never noticing that Drew wasn't really listening to the story.
That's how Vivian and Draco found the two half an hour later when the wandered up, but they decided not to smirk. Instead they sat on the floor before the fire to dry up and listened to the story as well. When Melissa's eyes became tired and she asked if they minded if she'd stop there, no one answered her. Draco and Vivian were asleep on the rug and Drew was watching his two friends.
"I'm glad they're happy," Drew said after a while. He couldn't help but wonder why it came so easily for Draco and Vivian, and so much harder for him and Melissa.
"Yes. Vivian's been crazy over Draco for the longest time," Melissa said with a smile.
"Hmm. I've been wondering about Draco for a while. He'd been acting so differently towards her, it made sense that he was falling," Drew responded. He then looked at his watch. "Hey, we should all go to sleep. It's late. Everyone else is already in bed. C'mon, let's get them up."
Melissa and Drew woke up Vivian and Draco and the four walked sleepily up the staircase towards their dorms. Draco pecked Vivian on the cheek and muttered a sleepy goodnight before walking into his room.
"Hey, Draco," Melissa called before he left, and he turned around.
"Yes?" He asked.
"You look like a soccer player!" Melissa said with a grin.
"Don't remind me."
"No, it looks cute."
"Shut up," Draco snapped half heartedly before turning around and walking back to their dorms.
Drew smiled and Melissa.
"Good night, little Missy," Drew said, patting her cheek affectionately. Melissa smiled weakly, saying, "'Night, Drew. Sleep well," and nearly ran into her dorm. Vivian was just crawling into bed when she noticed Melissa's perturbed expression.
"What's the matter, Melissa?" Vivian asked.
"You were right," Melissa said, looking at Vivian with wide eyes.
"About what?"
"Drew. I'm starting to like him," Melissa replied. Vivian gave her friend a hug and said goodnight. She fell asleep happily-Draco was starting to feel the same way as she did, and now her best friends were falling in love as well. 'Today was such a perfect day' Vivian thought with a smile as she slipped into sleep.
A/N: Hi to all who are reading this. Yea, I realize I haven't updated for a few months, I'm lazy. Anyways, just one more chapter and an epilogue to go! Go me! And if you like LoTR, go read something by my friend Aduechoirwen.