Chapter six: Darkness' allure.
The day before the Ball, Kyra had decided to use the afternoon to go for a walk on Hogwarts' grounds. Her friends were still struggling with their homework, but since she had already done it, she could enjoy some free time in solitude. Yeah, sometimes she needed that. The area near the lake was almost deserted and there she headed; Kyra sat on one of the benches, in a patch of sun and allowed her mind to wander for a while, enjoying the cold breeze and the prickle of the sun rays on her skin.
Not too long afterwards, she heard voices coming from behind her and quietly turned to see whom they belonged to. Draco Malfoy was standing almost 100 meters away, with an older man holding a snake head cane angrily talking to him. His father. Most girls considered Draco as drop-dead gorgeous, but Kyra didn't. Now his father, well, he was an entirely different matter. She had seen him only a couple of times before, and that had been enough to get her breath caught in her throat. He looked good, more than good... And now she had the chance to study him.
The man had an imposing figure, all clad in black robes that contrasted sharply against his pale complexion. She noticed his grayed gaze seemed sharpened like a scalpel, his icy demeanor revealed in the wicked sneer he wore as he heard his son's mumbling. But that curtain of silver blond silk that fell on his face gave him a touch...
There was something infinitely dark and sinister about the handsome visitor, though it remained hidden beneath a cloak of surface charm. Cultured and sophisticated, even to the most discerning eye, this man exuded a lethal combination of refinement and underlying cruelty.
It was hard to pinpoint what attracted her the most about Lucius Malfoy. She had never really met him, nor talked to him, so why did he have such a strong effect on her? Indeed, his appearance was breathtaking, but Kyra felt his magnetism went beyond that. It was in that attitude that had definitely crossed the line between confidence and haughtiness, in the way he made most people shrink with a mere cold glance, in all that power he imparted.
' First Snape, now Malfoy's father. Again, Kyra, you are fucking insane.' She smiled at her own mind's scold and continued to watch the scene.
The boy seemed to be shrinking under his father's muttered invectives, which Kyra didn't doubt were reprimands for his low grades and inability to outdo Potter in the slightest task. Suddenly, he whirled around and strode back to the castle, leaving the man standing alone, cursing under his breath. Truly afraid of being discovered, Kyra turned her back on him and focused on watching the squib lazily stretching its tentacles.
Lucius was paying Hogwarts visits almost everyday in the guise of visiting his son, but he was actually spying on Kyra, trying to confirm his suspicions on her being who he thought she really was. That day, as he lectured that useless son of him, he had had the inkling that someone was observing him. He was extremely amused to find he was being studied by the same person he was supposed to study.
After Draco left, he looked around and found there were no other living souls to be seen and decided to seize the opportunity to start working. It wasn't that he was looking forward to spending time with a mudblood, but when it came to pleasing his Master... Casually, he took the path that led to the lake and upon reaching its shore, he pretended to let his gaze wander in order to take in the surroundings.
Their eyes met for a brief second, before she redirected hers to the floor. His subtle smile broke into a grin as he approached her bench.
" Miss Gardner, am I correct?"
" Yes, sir, I'm Kyra Gardner," she said with a smile, offering him her hand.
" Then good afternoon," he greeted her as he clasped it. Touching a mudblood made his skin crawl at first but then he felt the prickle of magic coming from her elegant fingers and had to force himself to speak. " My name is Lucius Malfoy."
His shake was firm and Kyra definitely enjoyed it, not realizing how his expression changed when their skin met and he could feel she was definitely powerful.
" Nice to meet you."
" It is my pleasure. My son has mentioned you are a brilliant student," he said casually, but studying her every reaction.
OK, Kyra was attracted to him and she had been taught to respect her elders, but she still couldn't hold her tongue. " Weird, sir, I always thought he didn't like me because of my non-wizarding family," she stated.
" Oh, nonsense! He has spoken to me several times about you. You must spend an awful lot of time studying."
" Not really…" Kyra said, shaking her head.
" Then how have you managed to outwit every other student?"
" It's rather strange… sometimes it seems to me that I already know some things."
It was definitely a start, but he needed more. " Really? Would you like to tell me more while we take a stroll down the park?" Suggested Lucius, looking at her intensely.
The idea sounded nice, but her scruples made her try to refuse. " I'm not sure, sir. I don't know if that would be appropriate..."
" Why wouldn't it? We would only talk and enjoy this remarkable day," he replied lightly, offering her his arm in a very gentlemanly fashion.
" You're right..." She gave in, taking it.
" Very well. Let us go."
For about a half hour they walked around the lake, talking about anything and everything, but all related to her. He seemed very interested in getting to know her and she didn't see anything odd in it. She should have.
Lucius found himself enjoying the afternoon more than he had expected and finding out about many things as well, so he couldn't complain. As they took a turn to return to the castle, he saw his son staring at him with a horrified expression. That would probably end up in a scene... and with the little brat ruining any chance of him finding out what he needed to. It was his cue to leave. He stopped walking and casually glanced at his pocket watch.
" Oh, dear, I am most sorry to leave you, but there are some matters I have to take care of."
" No, it's OK, I probably should be going back inside. My friends must be worried," she said with a smile.
" Then we must part, but I hope this will not be the last time I can enjoy your company," he hinted.
" I enjoyed yours too."
" Then it is a promise: we will talk again, soon."
He took her right hand in his and kissed it lightly. Smiling, she turned and walked away. Feeling lightheaded, Kyra returned to her room. Standing against its door she found Marianne and Hélène waiting for her.
" Hi girls, do come in," she greeted, unwarding the door and letting her friends in.
They looked strangely severe and no soon had she closed the door when they both exploded.
" What were you doing with Malfoy's father in the park?"
" Really, Kyra, Lucius Malfoy!"
" How could you?"
" Seeking his company, Ky? Why?"
" He's married, you know."
" He could be your father!"
" And his son loathes you!"
" You should be more careful..."
" Hey, hey hey! Hold your horses!" Kyra cut them short, raising her voice like she had never done when talking to her fiends. " I hate to interrupt this two people monologue on my immorality, but, honestly, what the hell's gotten on you????? We were doing nothing wrong, for the love of magic! Just chatting. I cannot believe you, my best friends, doubt me as to think I could be involved with him just because we spent some time together!" When she finished she was flustered and breathless.
Hélène tried to approach the subject in a more diplomatic way. After all, she didn't enjoy upsetting her friend like that.
" And didn't you find that odd? I mean, I've heard he'd rather die before being seen with a muggle-born."
" Well, maybe he reconsidered..."
" Just think about your reputation!" Shouted Marianne, interrupting her. " He's the father of one of your schoolmates."
" Give me a sodding break! We weren't doing anything incorrect, for crying out loud!" Kyra stood up as to leave, but Hélène stopped her.
" Hey, Ky, we know. But we are not the only ones who saw you and him..."
" Did Johnny...?" Now there was fear in her voice.
" No," replied Marianne gravely.
" Then don't tell him, please," she pleaded.
Hélène couldn't hold her tongue." I thought you had nothing to hide."
" And I don't, goddamnit! But he's just too... possessive. Now, are you finished judging my promiscuity?"
" We werent'..." Started Marianne.
" Well, then stop lecturing me and let's talk about the ball."
Hélène and Marianne exchanged a worried look, but didn't say another word.
" Who's taking you?" Forcedly asked the first girl, changing the topic even though she wasn't certain of doing the right thing.
" John..."
" But I thought a guy from my House, Marcus Dent, had asked you..." said Marianne, looking a bit confused.
" I turned him down. I already went to a ball with him and I'm not interested in him whatsoever. You know I prefer Americans."
" Well, there's a color for every taste," teased Hélène.
Kyra smiled. " Besides, you know I don't want to get involved with anyone from the school. I have enough problems as to have to deal with a bad relationship and everyone knowing about it. Anyway, who are you going with?" Kyra asked Hélène.
" Frederic Lewellynn," whispered the Gryffindor and blushed furiously.
" Really? That's great! I know the good old Huffie's been dying to ask you."
" Kyra!"
" Hey, it's true. I happen to know he had a pretty good time at the last ball and he must want to repeat the experience..." suggested Kyra.
The three girls laughed. If they had known Harry Potter's godfather, they could have described Frederic as a young Sirius Black. He completely challenged Hufflepuff's stereotype, being as fun-loving, daring and full of vitality as he usually was. About 5'11'' with shoulder-length chocolate-brown hair and large emerald eyes, he had caught Hélène's eye during a Quidditch game they had reluctantly attended to, in order to accompany John. The Hufflepuff Beater had caught a glimpse of a rather cute girl and had approached her group. Hélène's friends had discretely excused themselves, leaving her alone with him and the rest is history.
They had started as friends, sharing hours of studying and walks down the park, before realizing they made a great couple. It was clear, even though they had only attended one ball together the past year and hadn't 'dated' much, that Hélène balanced him, putting a lid on his sometimes too adventurous temperament and Frederic brought out the tender, romantic woman hidden in her soul.
" I don't need to ask who your date is, now do I?" Asked Hélène, glaring intently at Marianne. She had tried to divert the attention from her, since she was blushing again and she didn't like it one bit.
" No. I'm going with Jer," was Marianne's calm and collected answer. But there was a spark in her eyes that told just how much that pleased her.
" Good, because we'd kill you if you went with anyone but Jeremy," stated Kyra.
She actually meant that. Jeremy Harker had also been elected Prefect and he had met Marianne during their first year under that charge. Kyra hadn't missed the subtle glances they cast in each other's direction, Marianne's blush every time they were assigned to patrol together or Jeremy's increasing nervousness when it came to just the mere act of talking to her. The boy had finally gathered some courage and asked her to their 6th year Valentine's Day Ball. And they had attended every single gathering together after that.
They clicked perfectly, they complemented each other, they were meant for each other. He was tall and slim, with cropped fair hair and large brown-olive eyes that gave him that sweet, boyish look that was both attractive and endearing. And not too long ago, she had confessed them that things had definitely gotten more serious between her and 'Jer'. They were even making plans to attend the same University, just to be together.
" Oh, the idea has never crossed my mind!" Said the Ravenclaw, giggling.
" God girls, look at the time!" Said Kyra, looking at her watch.
It was almost dinnertime and the three of them interrupted their talk to run to the Great Hall. After a somewhat tense dinner with Draco eyeing her oddly and muttering expletives about her promiscuity, Kyra joined her friends and they hanged at her room for a while before they all got to their beds, where they would most certainly dream about the upcoming ball.