Chapter Seventeen:: Of Hogsmeade and Corsets
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Laughter rang through the halls as students rushed to gather their things for their... unique trip to Hogsmeade. Everyone had a partner and, the girls at least, were alternately squealing over the clothes they would have their escorts try and fretting over what they themselves might be forced into.
The boys, needless to say, were just as nervous; they just didn't say anything about it.
When Draco entered the entrance hall to line up for the Hogwarts' excursion, half dragging a nervous Kit along beside him, whispers and stares instantly erupted from the Slytherin girls. Among what she could catch were the words "slut" "twofaced" and "wench", along with many more colorful phrases that set her eyes whirling. Steadfastly, Kit stared down at the floor, struggling to hold her eye color.
She was growing concerned; lately she had had less control over eyes than usual; they had become an indifferent whirlwind, changing on a whim.
She was pulled from her thoughts as Hannah Abbot came up to her, glaring defiantly at the hissing group of Slytherin girls. Kit was extremely grateful and chatted happily with her, leaving Draco free to talk with Blaise and others until the entry doors swung open; they were on their way to Hogsmeade!
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Fifteen minutes later saw Draco and Kit in front of Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
They had decided previously that they should get their garments first and wander later; apparently everyone else had decided the very opposite, to their great surprise. Madame Malkin's was nearly empty.
"Well." Draco cleared his throat. If he had not been Draco, Kit would've thought he seemed a bit apprehensive. "Shall we go in?"
"Wait." Kit said quickly, "First, let's promise we'll get each other something nice."
The expression on Draco's face was one of immense relief.
He cleared his throat again. "Yeah, lets."
So the two headed into the shop.
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Upon entering, Draco headed one way and Kit the other, agreeing to meet back in fifteen minutes with their finds – if any.
Kit stepped back to survey the suits with a critical eye. She dismissed the open neck, American 70's style suits with a wave of her hand – and got a surprise when the suit actually folded itself and floated away to make room for the next style.
Black suits, white suits, blue suits, pinstriped suits all floated past; cotton, silk, satin, polyester; open necked, no necked, high necked; puffed sleeve, sleeveless. Finally, her eyes came to rest on the one lone suit resting on the weary rack. It was in black and grey silk with a high, 1800's style neck that opened partially at the top. The waistcoat was a smoky gray with a blue-gray sash. The slacks were creased neatly, also black silk. Her favorite thing about it, though, was that the jacket had coattails and gloves to match the sash. It even had a grey top hat!
She could just see Draco in it, the perfect, old money, 1800's English Gentleman.
"That one..." She breathed.
In response, the regal suit had unfolded itself from the hanger and stood to follow her. As she began to walk, she noticed she had overlooked two things; a deep gray cape attached at the shoulders and an ebony cane topped with silver etchings. Those, too, stood to follow.
She gave a little hop of excitement, turned, and went as fast as she could to the front of the store without breaking into a run. It was too perfect!
There stood Draco, lounging against the register with a deep scowl marring his handsome face. It changed abruptly as he saw Kit bouncing toward him.
"You certainly seem happy." He said dryly.
"Oh, just wait Draco! You've got to see what I found!"
"But –"
"Here, go put it on! Oooh, I can't wait to see it on you!" She squealed.
"But –"
"Go!"
And she shoved him into the dressing room.
Three minutes later, she burst through the door.
"You're taking too long!" She half complained, half explained. "Jeez, Draco," She whistled, eyeing him, "I didn't know you were so muscular." All he was wearing were the slacks.
He half scowled, half blushed at this comment, but quickly recovered.
"You think you can do any better?" He snapped. "I can't make heads or tails of this."
"Oh, just give it to me!" She said impatiently. He tossed the clothes to her.
Quickly, Kit separated everything and assembled it. In a moment, the shirt was over his head. He yelped as he felt her hands on his butt.
"What are you doing?!"
"I'm *trying* to tuck your shirt in!" She retorted. "What do you think I'm doing?"
"I'll do the rest, thank you." He mumbled. Turning away, he unzipped his slacks and stuffed the end of his shirt down – or started to.
"Hold on, Draco!" Kit yelped. "You're going to ruin the shirt like that! Here – just let me –"
"What?! No!"
"Oh, come *on*, it's not like I've never seen guy's underwear, or a guy in his underwear for that matter. Just –"
"Look, I don't –"
"Draco! Let me –"
"No! I –"
"You just said you have no idea what you're doing!"
"Yes, but –"
"And you have never worn muggle dress clothes in your life!"
"Yes, but –"
"Plus, you just said you couldn't make heads or tails of the suit." She glared fiercely at Draco, who had tuned to face her and was holding her wrists tight to prevent her from doing anything else.
"I picked it out." She said finally. Draco scoffed.
"So if I pick out you outfit I get to dress you?"
Kit seemed to take his words to heart.
She shrugged. "I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like you can handle all articles of clothing by yourself."
"Smirks don't become you, darling." Draco drawled.
"And scowls don't suit you, pet." She said smugly, reaching out to pat his head.
Draco quickly snatched her wrist again. "Don't. Ever."
Another shrug and he let her go.
With a defeated sigh, he submitted himself to Kit's dressing, tucking and primping.
10 minutes later, he walked out of the dressing room to the mirrors, with a very satisfied Kit trailing along behind.
He had to admit, his partner had good taste.
The suit's colors set off his eyes nicely, and the cape swirled as he walked. The hat, tipped at a rakish angle, added a hint of mystery to him, the gloves and sash giving him a gentlemanly air. He looked good.
The only thing he didn't like was the cane. He flat out refused to even hold the silver topped ebony staff. Only later would she notice that his father owned nearly an exact replica.
"I'll take it." He said approvingly. For a moment, he looked almost happy. Then his scowl returned.
"What?" Kit asked bewilderedly. "What's wrong?"
Draco sighed in frustration as he took off his smoky top hat and ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't find anything for you." He said grudgingly as the walked to the front of the store. He had already changed back to his normal clothes but still held onto the hat.
"I swear, I've looked through the whole bloody –" He stopped as his eyes lit on the rack behind the Display windows. "Hang on..." He murmured and darted behind the case. A few minutes later, he came back levitating a mannequin behind him.
"Madame Malkin," He barked, "We'd like to try *this*."
'This' referred to a low cut dress in forest green and royal blue, lined with the occasional hints of silver and black. It, too, had a cape attached at the shoulders of a black touched with hues of a midnight blue. The bodice front had silver silk lacings. It seemed to be meant to partner the grey and black silk suit. At waist level, the dress folded back to reveal silver and bluegray petty coats – not the fluffy kind, but the smooth, delicate addition that rustled slightly at a movement.
It *was* beautiful, but – not only was it low cut, it was bordering on *dangerously* low cut.
"That?!" She squeaked. "But – but – seriously, Draco, I'll fall out of it!"
He ignored her.
"Madame Malkin!" He snapped.
"I'm coming, I'm coming, keep that hat on, dearie!"
A roundish old witch came hurrying up to them, cheerful as a spring day. "Now, I suppose you'll be wanting to purchase the suit?"
"Yes, but not quite yet." He answered, ignoring Kit's hissing. "We want to try this." He pointed to the floating mannequin.
Madame Malkin became a bit less cheery.
"Are you sure about that, love?" She asked worridly. "That has a nasty contraption that comes with it... a coronet or a – a cobbler, or, what was it, a –"
"- a corset?" Kit supplied weakly, trying to quench the growing horror within her.
Malkin snapped her fingers. "That's it! Painful muggle contraption, that it. One lady tried it the first day it came it and fainted. Claimed it was cursed." She snorted.
His curiosity thouroughly peaked, Draco ventured, "What's it do?"
"Well, to be blunt, it stuffs everything in and shoves everything up."
"Everything...? Oh..." An evil looking smile spread slowly across his face as he looked at Kit. "I want to see *you* in that." He said wickedly.
"B- but she just said someone actually – actually fainted! It – it's a health hazard, Draco!" She protested.
Draco waved her objection away. "You're slim enough already, so it's not like you've got much to shove in. All it would do for you is add a little... "
"Draco!" She exclaimed, thouroughly horrified at the prospect of losing this battle. "But we – we *promised* that we – that we'd get each other something – something *nice*!"
"Well," he replied stubbornly, "I happen to think that it *is* nice."
"But, Draco..." She was running out of excuses, "What I – what I found – I mean, yours is so – it's perfect!" She stammered desperately, all the while inching back away from him and the prettily disguised death that awaited her.
"Yes, and I thank you for it." Was his smooth reply. "Now, *in*."
And he shoved her into the dressing room.
The next moment, he followed with the death contraption called a 'corset'.
"You know what, I think you'll have to remove most articles of your clothing for this..." He said as he inspected the corset. When he glanced up, Kit was already in the first shift that accompanied the dress.
"You blinked." She commented savagely. The knowledge of the pain she was about to be forced through had put he in anything but a good mood.
"Touchy." He murmured as he approached with the torturous thing.
Kit cinched her eyes shut and braced herself as she felt it go under he arms and around her middle.
Slowly, Draco began to lace up the back; Kit was painfully aware of his breath over her bare shoulders.
"Oops." He murmured as the thing slipped down on her chest.
"Ah – I'll get it." She said, staying his hand. She could hear him muttering about there being little difference between tucking his shirt into his pants and him ytugging a corset back into place over a seethrough shift.
As it was, he wasn't nearly as as gentle the first two tugs as he could have been – but after a couple of shocked and painfilled gasps as the wind rushed from her lungs and her chest began to rise to unnatural heights, he began to pull a bit softer.
"Fine! That's enough!" She gasped out. "Can't – in – anymore – or up – further! Ah!"
At the end of this short, somewhat clipped speech, she was panting. Kit desperately wished that she could slouch over to catch her breath, but she couldn't even bend.
Placing a hand to her heaving chest, she glared at Draco.
"Happy?" She rasped.
"Completely." He said with a smirk, his eyes lazily roving over her. Remembering what he had said about it being a seethrough shift, she turned as quickly as she could manage and stiffly moved to get her dress.
"I'll call you when I get to the back laces." She said, not looking up. He quirked an eyebrow.
"But you –" he began.
"Go!"
Hastily, he obeyed – not exactly shying from her temper, but from the menacing blue spiked shoe being brandished in his direction.
Twenty minutes later had him pacing outside the dressing room. Five minutes ago she had called for Madame Malkin; he would've protested, but the reminder of the shoe kept him quiet. He glanced at his watch. They had been there for nearly an hour; fifty three minutes, to be precise, his watch chirped up to him. He scowled. This was supposed to be a *short* trip.
Just as he was about to tell Kit to forget the whole thing – he wanted to leave while he was still a youth – Madame Malkin stepped out, her face aglow.
"Ooh, I say you've got good tast, dear." She said with a wink, "And not just in clothes."
She drew aside the curtain with a dramatic 'whoosh' to reveal.... Kit.
She was an... ethereal apparition; albeit, a scowling apparition, but heavenly all the same.
Draco realized his mouth was open and shut it with a click.
"Just let me see a mirror." She huffed. Draco shrugged out of his trance and obeyed.
"I – I thought I wa going to dress you." He said in an effort to regain his composure.
"You laced me in tight enough, didn't you?" She replied coolly.
Kit wasn't a happy girl.
Until she looked in the mirror.
A three-way mirror.
Stepping in front of it wiped her scowl off in a instant. For a moment, she stared before glancing over her shoulder, as if to make sure she was really staring at herself.
Madame Malkin's eyes nearly disappeared in her face as she beamed at the two.
"Well, you two are as fine a gentleman and lady if I've ever seen one!"
"Th- that's me? That's really me?" Kit managed to croak.
"I know, I had a bit of a hard time believing it myself," Draco said with a smirk. "I mean, all your actions point to a tomboy."
"Draco, if you were any closer I'd smack you." She snarled.
"Why do you think I'm standing out of range?" He taunted.
"Children, children!" Madame Malkin broke in, "Why don't you wrap up your business in here before the day is over! Otherwise you won't have any time to do whatever it is young lovers nowadays do!"
At her words, the pair shut up and stared. Then a faint pink tinged Draco's cheeks.
Kit, however, laughed outright.
"L- lovers? Me and – HIM?" Clearly, to her, the thought was hilarious.
"Well," Madame Malkin looked a bit confused, "You two certainly act like ones."
"Act? How?"
"Well, the way you argue... the way you talk – and the way you two seemingly have no respect for each others privacy." She added with a glimmer of amusement in her voice.
"Of course," Kit countered, "Siblings often act like that, too."
"Yes, I suppose so," Madame Malkin admitted slyly, "But the way that young man is going the color of dawn led me to think otherwise."
"Nah," Kit said dismissively, "Draco's just like this when he's at a loss for words." She glanced in his direction. "Which isn't often – at least, I don't think so. I've only known him for about a week."
Madame Malkin lifted an eyebrow. "That new?"
"Yeah, well, I just came to Hogwarts at the beginning of the month and I just met Draco a little while back."
Kit felt odd saying this. Lately, she'd felt like she'd known him forever. They'd be talking and suddenly lapse into a completely comfortable silence and then she'd be zapped by the thought of just how perfect her friend seemed... set off even more as he let out a sigh and ran a lazy hand through his platinum hair... that was when she was aware of his admirers that were always close by – glares at the ready when Kit turned.
A few times, she had even felt a little... spark, that made her almost want to be closer than friends. She could date this to her dream about her mother – not that she'd known him then. In fact, there wasn't much she knew about him now.
That realization perturbed her. Why – how – could she feel so close to someone she'd known for so short a time? It didn't seem to make sense. Draco's words came back to her...
It isn't always time that decides whether or not you like someone... or trust them
She fought the urge to shiver as she slipped into bed later that night.
Draco had refused to let her pay for the dress and in the end she'd had to (resignedly) allow him his way, as she had left her purse back at school.
Afterward, she had sworn to pay him back – only, he had refused to show her the receipt after letting out a low whistle and made it vanish. He was irritating, to put it mildly.
As the two exited with their outfits, they found the oddest thing: hundreds of students were milling about, entering and exiting Madame Malkin's. But when they had left, nobody had been inside.
Sticking her head inside, Kit confirmed it; the place was practically empty.
Keyword: Practically
From the corner of her eye, a robe swished. Turning toward it, there was nothing. A purple shirt flashed from her other side; turning quickly, she found... nothing.
Again she waited, scanning the rows with her peripheral vision.
There – long brown hair floated by. Kit snatched for it ... and was greeted by a scream.
Suddenly, the whole scene before her began to flicker; it was like watching people dance in front of a strobe light.
Kit frowned. What was going on? Just as she was about to reach in to the flashing image before her, a huffing Madame Malkin came rushing up.
"Hold on just a minute, there." She puffed heavily, glaring menacingly at Kit, "Do you want to ruin Dumbledore's surprise? Let go of it!"
Kit looked at her in surprise – and not just because she could move so fast. "What do you mean?" She asked, glancing back at the scene. She winced; the whole thing was giving her a headache. "I'm not holding onto it."
Madame Malkin sighed and tapped her head with a forefinger. "Stop being curious."
"I can't do that! It's in my nature!" Kit protested helplessly. She was really getting tired of the scene. Literally. Her eyes were beginning to droop.
"I will tell you everything – if you let go!"
"Hm?" Kit tried to keep standing. "Okay, I guess. Just make this stop."
At her words, everything snapped back into place. The strobe effect faded and Kit felt all her energy returning.
"What was that?" She asked, rubbing her arms nervously. She glanced back in the direction from where she saw the flashes. Everything was still.
Turning back, she found Madame Malkin peering closely at her.
"What?" She repeated, taking a step back.
Madame Malkin sighed and rubbed her forhead. "That, m'dear, was a crypt charm. Professor Dumbledore himself placed it on the shop so that everyone's purchases would be a surprise at the Yule Ball this year – just to make things a bit more interesting."
"All that – and just for a small surprise?" Kit demanded. "It felt like I could've died."
"No, no, you just would've slept for a few days. You weren't holding on to a big crypt." Madame Malkin replied absently. She stared at Kit again. "It takes a pretty powerful person to see through any crypt charm – I especially wouldn't have thought it of a pretty little snip like you."
Kit shrugged defensively. "It just got a bit annoying. I could see it from the corners of my eyes, that's all."
"Still."
Kit shifted agitatedly. "Look, you can do it, right? I mean, it's your store."
"No, I can't see it. Like I said, the Headmaster set the charm. I couldn't see it until you, dear, disturbed it."
"Look, it was an accident. I didn't mean to hurt anything. It's not like anything could've happened, anyway."
Madame Malkin was shaking her head. "That's not true. When you break a crypt charm of someone else's, it drains your magic until you let go; call it a built in defense mechanism."
Kit blinked. "So that's why I got so tired? Then why don't I feel empty now?"
"Because you let go." She reminded her placidly. "If you give up soon enough, the crypt charm will return your magic." She returned to staring at the girl before giving a sigh. "Oh well. Along with you, I've got other customers to deal with."
Frowning, Kit obeyed and trotted out of the store once more. That was a bit weird to say the least.
Draco was waiting for her. After getting no response to his query about where she had been, he shrugged and began walking.
After a moment, Kit glanced up and ran to catch up. She'd think about it some other time.
They had stopped by Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and browsed through Zonkos. On the way back through town, they talked and laughed and talked some more, picking up some sweets before heading back to school where they said their goodbyes.
Today was to be her first day in Gryffindor.
She had met up with a prefect who had brought her in silence to the portrait entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. (She was called the Fat Lady, the solemn student informed her. And she certainly was fat. And pink.)
She had been too tired to even exclaim at the fact that her room had remained the same, only with a different entrance. (Instead of going through a hidden window behind a suit of armor, she walked into a big standing mirror beside the fireplace.)
After saying her polite thank you's and good night's, she collapsed onto her (thankfully) familiar bed.
It's not always time that determines whether or not you like someone... or trust them.
That night, Kit didn't dream, but fell asleep with a smile on her face.
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Hello again! I know that it has been a while, I'm just glad I've been able to post. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Thank you to all who have reviewed, past and present!
KitoraCrysta: Yes, the Trio will be featured in very-near-to-the-future- chapters! This is a Harry Potter fanfic, so I suppose he has to be in it sometime. ^_^
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Laughter rang through the halls as students rushed to gather their things for their... unique trip to Hogsmeade. Everyone had a partner and, the girls at least, were alternately squealing over the clothes they would have their escorts try and fretting over what they themselves might be forced into.
The boys, needless to say, were just as nervous; they just didn't say anything about it.
When Draco entered the entrance hall to line up for the Hogwarts' excursion, half dragging a nervous Kit along beside him, whispers and stares instantly erupted from the Slytherin girls. Among what she could catch were the words "slut" "twofaced" and "wench", along with many more colorful phrases that set her eyes whirling. Steadfastly, Kit stared down at the floor, struggling to hold her eye color.
She was growing concerned; lately she had had less control over eyes than usual; they had become an indifferent whirlwind, changing on a whim.
She was pulled from her thoughts as Hannah Abbot came up to her, glaring defiantly at the hissing group of Slytherin girls. Kit was extremely grateful and chatted happily with her, leaving Draco free to talk with Blaise and others until the entry doors swung open; they were on their way to Hogsmeade!
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Fifteen minutes later saw Draco and Kit in front of Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
They had decided previously that they should get their garments first and wander later; apparently everyone else had decided the very opposite, to their great surprise. Madame Malkin's was nearly empty.
"Well." Draco cleared his throat. If he had not been Draco, Kit would've thought he seemed a bit apprehensive. "Shall we go in?"
"Wait." Kit said quickly, "First, let's promise we'll get each other something nice."
The expression on Draco's face was one of immense relief.
He cleared his throat again. "Yeah, lets."
So the two headed into the shop.
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Upon entering, Draco headed one way and Kit the other, agreeing to meet back in fifteen minutes with their finds – if any.
Kit stepped back to survey the suits with a critical eye. She dismissed the open neck, American 70's style suits with a wave of her hand – and got a surprise when the suit actually folded itself and floated away to make room for the next style.
Black suits, white suits, blue suits, pinstriped suits all floated past; cotton, silk, satin, polyester; open necked, no necked, high necked; puffed sleeve, sleeveless. Finally, her eyes came to rest on the one lone suit resting on the weary rack. It was in black and grey silk with a high, 1800's style neck that opened partially at the top. The waistcoat was a smoky gray with a blue-gray sash. The slacks were creased neatly, also black silk. Her favorite thing about it, though, was that the jacket had coattails and gloves to match the sash. It even had a grey top hat!
She could just see Draco in it, the perfect, old money, 1800's English Gentleman.
"That one..." She breathed.
In response, the regal suit had unfolded itself from the hanger and stood to follow her. As she began to walk, she noticed she had overlooked two things; a deep gray cape attached at the shoulders and an ebony cane topped with silver etchings. Those, too, stood to follow.
She gave a little hop of excitement, turned, and went as fast as she could to the front of the store without breaking into a run. It was too perfect!
There stood Draco, lounging against the register with a deep scowl marring his handsome face. It changed abruptly as he saw Kit bouncing toward him.
"You certainly seem happy." He said dryly.
"Oh, just wait Draco! You've got to see what I found!"
"But –"
"Here, go put it on! Oooh, I can't wait to see it on you!" She squealed.
"But –"
"Go!"
And she shoved him into the dressing room.
Three minutes later, she burst through the door.
"You're taking too long!" She half complained, half explained. "Jeez, Draco," She whistled, eyeing him, "I didn't know you were so muscular." All he was wearing were the slacks.
He half scowled, half blushed at this comment, but quickly recovered.
"You think you can do any better?" He snapped. "I can't make heads or tails of this."
"Oh, just give it to me!" She said impatiently. He tossed the clothes to her.
Quickly, Kit separated everything and assembled it. In a moment, the shirt was over his head. He yelped as he felt her hands on his butt.
"What are you doing?!"
"I'm *trying* to tuck your shirt in!" She retorted. "What do you think I'm doing?"
"I'll do the rest, thank you." He mumbled. Turning away, he unzipped his slacks and stuffed the end of his shirt down – or started to.
"Hold on, Draco!" Kit yelped. "You're going to ruin the shirt like that! Here – just let me –"
"What?! No!"
"Oh, come *on*, it's not like I've never seen guy's underwear, or a guy in his underwear for that matter. Just –"
"Look, I don't –"
"Draco! Let me –"
"No! I –"
"You just said you have no idea what you're doing!"
"Yes, but –"
"And you have never worn muggle dress clothes in your life!"
"Yes, but –"
"Plus, you just said you couldn't make heads or tails of the suit." She glared fiercely at Draco, who had tuned to face her and was holding her wrists tight to prevent her from doing anything else.
"I picked it out." She said finally. Draco scoffed.
"So if I pick out you outfit I get to dress you?"
Kit seemed to take his words to heart.
She shrugged. "I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like you can handle all articles of clothing by yourself."
"Smirks don't become you, darling." Draco drawled.
"And scowls don't suit you, pet." She said smugly, reaching out to pat his head.
Draco quickly snatched her wrist again. "Don't. Ever."
Another shrug and he let her go.
With a defeated sigh, he submitted himself to Kit's dressing, tucking and primping.
10 minutes later, he walked out of the dressing room to the mirrors, with a very satisfied Kit trailing along behind.
He had to admit, his partner had good taste.
The suit's colors set off his eyes nicely, and the cape swirled as he walked. The hat, tipped at a rakish angle, added a hint of mystery to him, the gloves and sash giving him a gentlemanly air. He looked good.
The only thing he didn't like was the cane. He flat out refused to even hold the silver topped ebony staff. Only later would she notice that his father owned nearly an exact replica.
"I'll take it." He said approvingly. For a moment, he looked almost happy. Then his scowl returned.
"What?" Kit asked bewilderedly. "What's wrong?"
Draco sighed in frustration as he took off his smoky top hat and ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't find anything for you." He said grudgingly as the walked to the front of the store. He had already changed back to his normal clothes but still held onto the hat.
"I swear, I've looked through the whole bloody –" He stopped as his eyes lit on the rack behind the Display windows. "Hang on..." He murmured and darted behind the case. A few minutes later, he came back levitating a mannequin behind him.
"Madame Malkin," He barked, "We'd like to try *this*."
'This' referred to a low cut dress in forest green and royal blue, lined with the occasional hints of silver and black. It, too, had a cape attached at the shoulders of a black touched with hues of a midnight blue. The bodice front had silver silk lacings. It seemed to be meant to partner the grey and black silk suit. At waist level, the dress folded back to reveal silver and bluegray petty coats – not the fluffy kind, but the smooth, delicate addition that rustled slightly at a movement.
It *was* beautiful, but – not only was it low cut, it was bordering on *dangerously* low cut.
"That?!" She squeaked. "But – but – seriously, Draco, I'll fall out of it!"
He ignored her.
"Madame Malkin!" He snapped.
"I'm coming, I'm coming, keep that hat on, dearie!"
A roundish old witch came hurrying up to them, cheerful as a spring day. "Now, I suppose you'll be wanting to purchase the suit?"
"Yes, but not quite yet." He answered, ignoring Kit's hissing. "We want to try this." He pointed to the floating mannequin.
Madame Malkin became a bit less cheery.
"Are you sure about that, love?" She asked worridly. "That has a nasty contraption that comes with it... a coronet or a – a cobbler, or, what was it, a –"
"- a corset?" Kit supplied weakly, trying to quench the growing horror within her.
Malkin snapped her fingers. "That's it! Painful muggle contraption, that it. One lady tried it the first day it came it and fainted. Claimed it was cursed." She snorted.
His curiosity thouroughly peaked, Draco ventured, "What's it do?"
"Well, to be blunt, it stuffs everything in and shoves everything up."
"Everything...? Oh..." An evil looking smile spread slowly across his face as he looked at Kit. "I want to see *you* in that." He said wickedly.
"B- but she just said someone actually – actually fainted! It – it's a health hazard, Draco!" She protested.
Draco waved her objection away. "You're slim enough already, so it's not like you've got much to shove in. All it would do for you is add a little... "
"Draco!" She exclaimed, thouroughly horrified at the prospect of losing this battle. "But we – we *promised* that we – that we'd get each other something – something *nice*!"
"Well," he replied stubbornly, "I happen to think that it *is* nice."
"But, Draco..." She was running out of excuses, "What I – what I found – I mean, yours is so – it's perfect!" She stammered desperately, all the while inching back away from him and the prettily disguised death that awaited her.
"Yes, and I thank you for it." Was his smooth reply. "Now, *in*."
And he shoved her into the dressing room.
The next moment, he followed with the death contraption called a 'corset'.
"You know what, I think you'll have to remove most articles of your clothing for this..." He said as he inspected the corset. When he glanced up, Kit was already in the first shift that accompanied the dress.
"You blinked." She commented savagely. The knowledge of the pain she was about to be forced through had put he in anything but a good mood.
"Touchy." He murmured as he approached with the torturous thing.
Kit cinched her eyes shut and braced herself as she felt it go under he arms and around her middle.
Slowly, Draco began to lace up the back; Kit was painfully aware of his breath over her bare shoulders.
"Oops." He murmured as the thing slipped down on her chest.
"Ah – I'll get it." She said, staying his hand. She could hear him muttering about there being little difference between tucking his shirt into his pants and him ytugging a corset back into place over a seethrough shift.
As it was, he wasn't nearly as as gentle the first two tugs as he could have been – but after a couple of shocked and painfilled gasps as the wind rushed from her lungs and her chest began to rise to unnatural heights, he began to pull a bit softer.
"Fine! That's enough!" She gasped out. "Can't – in – anymore – or up – further! Ah!"
At the end of this short, somewhat clipped speech, she was panting. Kit desperately wished that she could slouch over to catch her breath, but she couldn't even bend.
Placing a hand to her heaving chest, she glared at Draco.
"Happy?" She rasped.
"Completely." He said with a smirk, his eyes lazily roving over her. Remembering what he had said about it being a seethrough shift, she turned as quickly as she could manage and stiffly moved to get her dress.
"I'll call you when I get to the back laces." She said, not looking up. He quirked an eyebrow.
"But you –" he began.
"Go!"
Hastily, he obeyed – not exactly shying from her temper, but from the menacing blue spiked shoe being brandished in his direction.
Twenty minutes later had him pacing outside the dressing room. Five minutes ago she had called for Madame Malkin; he would've protested, but the reminder of the shoe kept him quiet. He glanced at his watch. They had been there for nearly an hour; fifty three minutes, to be precise, his watch chirped up to him. He scowled. This was supposed to be a *short* trip.
Just as he was about to tell Kit to forget the whole thing – he wanted to leave while he was still a youth – Madame Malkin stepped out, her face aglow.
"Ooh, I say you've got good tast, dear." She said with a wink, "And not just in clothes."
She drew aside the curtain with a dramatic 'whoosh' to reveal.... Kit.
She was an... ethereal apparition; albeit, a scowling apparition, but heavenly all the same.
Draco realized his mouth was open and shut it with a click.
"Just let me see a mirror." She huffed. Draco shrugged out of his trance and obeyed.
"I – I thought I wa going to dress you." He said in an effort to regain his composure.
"You laced me in tight enough, didn't you?" She replied coolly.
Kit wasn't a happy girl.
Until she looked in the mirror.
A three-way mirror.
Stepping in front of it wiped her scowl off in a instant. For a moment, she stared before glancing over her shoulder, as if to make sure she was really staring at herself.
Madame Malkin's eyes nearly disappeared in her face as she beamed at the two.
"Well, you two are as fine a gentleman and lady if I've ever seen one!"
"Th- that's me? That's really me?" Kit managed to croak.
"I know, I had a bit of a hard time believing it myself," Draco said with a smirk. "I mean, all your actions point to a tomboy."
"Draco, if you were any closer I'd smack you." She snarled.
"Why do you think I'm standing out of range?" He taunted.
"Children, children!" Madame Malkin broke in, "Why don't you wrap up your business in here before the day is over! Otherwise you won't have any time to do whatever it is young lovers nowadays do!"
At her words, the pair shut up and stared. Then a faint pink tinged Draco's cheeks.
Kit, however, laughed outright.
"L- lovers? Me and – HIM?" Clearly, to her, the thought was hilarious.
"Well," Madame Malkin looked a bit confused, "You two certainly act like ones."
"Act? How?"
"Well, the way you argue... the way you talk – and the way you two seemingly have no respect for each others privacy." She added with a glimmer of amusement in her voice.
"Of course," Kit countered, "Siblings often act like that, too."
"Yes, I suppose so," Madame Malkin admitted slyly, "But the way that young man is going the color of dawn led me to think otherwise."
"Nah," Kit said dismissively, "Draco's just like this when he's at a loss for words." She glanced in his direction. "Which isn't often – at least, I don't think so. I've only known him for about a week."
Madame Malkin lifted an eyebrow. "That new?"
"Yeah, well, I just came to Hogwarts at the beginning of the month and I just met Draco a little while back."
Kit felt odd saying this. Lately, she'd felt like she'd known him forever. They'd be talking and suddenly lapse into a completely comfortable silence and then she'd be zapped by the thought of just how perfect her friend seemed... set off even more as he let out a sigh and ran a lazy hand through his platinum hair... that was when she was aware of his admirers that were always close by – glares at the ready when Kit turned.
A few times, she had even felt a little... spark, that made her almost want to be closer than friends. She could date this to her dream about her mother – not that she'd known him then. In fact, there wasn't much she knew about him now.
That realization perturbed her. Why – how – could she feel so close to someone she'd known for so short a time? It didn't seem to make sense. Draco's words came back to her...
It isn't always time that decides whether or not you like someone... or trust them
She fought the urge to shiver as she slipped into bed later that night.
Draco had refused to let her pay for the dress and in the end she'd had to (resignedly) allow him his way, as she had left her purse back at school.
Afterward, she had sworn to pay him back – only, he had refused to show her the receipt after letting out a low whistle and made it vanish. He was irritating, to put it mildly.
As the two exited with their outfits, they found the oddest thing: hundreds of students were milling about, entering and exiting Madame Malkin's. But when they had left, nobody had been inside.
Sticking her head inside, Kit confirmed it; the place was practically empty.
Keyword: Practically
From the corner of her eye, a robe swished. Turning toward it, there was nothing. A purple shirt flashed from her other side; turning quickly, she found... nothing.
Again she waited, scanning the rows with her peripheral vision.
There – long brown hair floated by. Kit snatched for it ... and was greeted by a scream.
Suddenly, the whole scene before her began to flicker; it was like watching people dance in front of a strobe light.
Kit frowned. What was going on? Just as she was about to reach in to the flashing image before her, a huffing Madame Malkin came rushing up.
"Hold on just a minute, there." She puffed heavily, glaring menacingly at Kit, "Do you want to ruin Dumbledore's surprise? Let go of it!"
Kit looked at her in surprise – and not just because she could move so fast. "What do you mean?" She asked, glancing back at the scene. She winced; the whole thing was giving her a headache. "I'm not holding onto it."
Madame Malkin sighed and tapped her head with a forefinger. "Stop being curious."
"I can't do that! It's in my nature!" Kit protested helplessly. She was really getting tired of the scene. Literally. Her eyes were beginning to droop.
"I will tell you everything – if you let go!"
"Hm?" Kit tried to keep standing. "Okay, I guess. Just make this stop."
At her words, everything snapped back into place. The strobe effect faded and Kit felt all her energy returning.
"What was that?" She asked, rubbing her arms nervously. She glanced back in the direction from where she saw the flashes. Everything was still.
Turning back, she found Madame Malkin peering closely at her.
"What?" She repeated, taking a step back.
Madame Malkin sighed and rubbed her forhead. "That, m'dear, was a crypt charm. Professor Dumbledore himself placed it on the shop so that everyone's purchases would be a surprise at the Yule Ball this year – just to make things a bit more interesting."
"All that – and just for a small surprise?" Kit demanded. "It felt like I could've died."
"No, no, you just would've slept for a few days. You weren't holding on to a big crypt." Madame Malkin replied absently. She stared at Kit again. "It takes a pretty powerful person to see through any crypt charm – I especially wouldn't have thought it of a pretty little snip like you."
Kit shrugged defensively. "It just got a bit annoying. I could see it from the corners of my eyes, that's all."
"Still."
Kit shifted agitatedly. "Look, you can do it, right? I mean, it's your store."
"No, I can't see it. Like I said, the Headmaster set the charm. I couldn't see it until you, dear, disturbed it."
"Look, it was an accident. I didn't mean to hurt anything. It's not like anything could've happened, anyway."
Madame Malkin was shaking her head. "That's not true. When you break a crypt charm of someone else's, it drains your magic until you let go; call it a built in defense mechanism."
Kit blinked. "So that's why I got so tired? Then why don't I feel empty now?"
"Because you let go." She reminded her placidly. "If you give up soon enough, the crypt charm will return your magic." She returned to staring at the girl before giving a sigh. "Oh well. Along with you, I've got other customers to deal with."
Frowning, Kit obeyed and trotted out of the store once more. That was a bit weird to say the least.
Draco was waiting for her. After getting no response to his query about where she had been, he shrugged and began walking.
After a moment, Kit glanced up and ran to catch up. She'd think about it some other time.
They had stopped by Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer and browsed through Zonkos. On the way back through town, they talked and laughed and talked some more, picking up some sweets before heading back to school where they said their goodbyes.
Today was to be her first day in Gryffindor.
She had met up with a prefect who had brought her in silence to the portrait entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. (She was called the Fat Lady, the solemn student informed her. And she certainly was fat. And pink.)
She had been too tired to even exclaim at the fact that her room had remained the same, only with a different entrance. (Instead of going through a hidden window behind a suit of armor, she walked into a big standing mirror beside the fireplace.)
After saying her polite thank you's and good night's, she collapsed onto her (thankfully) familiar bed.
It's not always time that determines whether or not you like someone... or trust them.
That night, Kit didn't dream, but fell asleep with a smile on her face.
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Hello again! I know that it has been a while, I'm just glad I've been able to post. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Thank you to all who have reviewed, past and present!
KitoraCrysta: Yes, the Trio will be featured in very-near-to-the-future- chapters! This is a Harry Potter fanfic, so I suppose he has to be in it sometime. ^_^