Disclaimer: Not Rowling, Not Shakespeare, whose words I borrowed from Twelfth Night and Midsummer's Night Dream. I Belong To You is off Toni Braxton's 1993, self-titled Album and well before Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow sang it, Smokey Robinson sang Crusin'.
-
Chapter 20- Song and Dance
-
"Young sir is going out so early this morning?"
Draco spared a brief glance for the house elf that had asked the question. He nodded his head and lifted his broomstick slightly while continuing to stride toward the front door. "Going flying. If Blaise asks, I'll be back by seven."
Perhaps it was rude of him to answer curtly, but Draco had never been truly comfortable with elves. Years of watching his father mistreat Dobby had given him feelings of deep distaste, both for the man who abused and the creatures who allowed it.
The Zabini house elf who had readied Malfoy Manor was nothing like any other elf the boy had seen, however. He was a dignified being, treated like royalty by the family he served. The elf wore designer tea-towels and got days off, for Merlin's sake. Exiting the home of his forefathers--a rogue's gallery if ever there was one--he could not make himself turn around and wave farewell.
Some aversions ran too deep.
Mounting his broom, Draco pulled on his gloves and performed a warming and then a Disillusionment charm. He neither wanted to freeze his arse off, nor be seen by Muggles. Smoothly pushing into a vertical lift, he hovered in the air for a moment to look over the house and surrounding grounds. The great pile of stone set in the Wiltshire countryside was impressive, he supposed. Mrs. Zabini certainly thought so. Every time 'Eddy' visited she exclaimed the same thing.
"Now this is what I call an Ancestral Abode!"
His lip curled as he wondered how such a vain, empty-headed woman had persuaded her ruthlessly brilliant husband to marry her. Either the man had been drunk or she'd been pregnant...and he'd been drunk. Good thing Blaise took after her father, except for that shopping habit that came straight from Edina.
Speeding toward the Salisbury Plain, Draco smiled with lips closed. No bugs in the teeth for him. Yesterday, his friend had declared Ginny must have a new dress for their date and dragged him off to search the shops of London. The newly girly-girl had shown a different side of her personality--one that combined a businesslike attitude with a love of fashion. It was worth the inconvenience and boredom to see Blaise work the shops to find the perfect gown.
When he reached the ancient monument, Draco landed lightly upon the highest stone and looked out across the plain. He marvelled at the ingenuity and determination of the people who had moved these massive monoliths. Smirking, he decided that the druids in charge had to have been early Slytherins. After spending another peaceful hour contemplating Stonehenge, Draco flew home.
-
As the hour of eight arrived, the quaint village of Ottery St. Catchpole in Devon was starting to show signs of life. The milkman was levitating bottles to and from the doorsteps of his customers while the boy riding his broom to deliver The Daily Prophet threw the morning paper into yards--and occasionally even by front doors as he flew by.
Inside the ivy-covered walls of the White Witch Bed and Breakfast, the smell of baking permeated the air. Beside the large gathering room fireplace, Draco turned to allow Blaise to brush the floo powder off the back of his shoulders. Looking around the chintz and lace filled space, his lips curled. "Are you sure this was the only inn available on the Floo network? I don't know if I'll be able to stand waiting here, if our room is decorated like this one."
Blaise smiled, commiserating with him as she dusted the last speck of powder from her long red coat trimmed in black fur. He knew she felt like he did. Talking via magic mirror was all well and good, but after long days without kissing and touching, one did tend to become shirty.
Draco, at least, was spending the entire evening with his girlfriend. Blaise had to make do with a stolen hour with Terry-Boy in between setting up his evening with Ginny and Flooing to London with Lovegood to complete his cover. He smiled at his best mate and stroked her cheek with a black-gloved finger. He did appreciate her effort and understanding.
"May I help you?"
A short woman wiping her hands on an apron approached them from what looked to be the dining room. Blaise said, "Yes, we reserved a room in advance...Zabini..."
The round-cheeked older woman was as friendly as she was plump. Draco bet her cooking was brilliant. She looked as though she'd sampled quite a bit of it.
"Oh my heavens, I did wonder when you sent that message round if you would be popping in this morning. I told my sister you must've heard about our breakfasts and wanted to make sure you wouldn't miss it."
Introducing herself as Mrs. Comfrey, she returned Blaise's smile whilst looking enquiringly at Draco. He nodded politely, but didn't introduce himself. Although clearly wondering what sort of strange couple was standing in her lounge, the woman was polite enough to mind her own business. After all, the lodging had already been paid for.
Leading the pair to the register, the woman watched Blaise sign in and asked brightly, "And your young man?"
"I'll just put down, friend, shall I? You understand."
He knew the woman understood something far different than the actual situation, but neither he nor Blaise was about to explain to the woman that they weren't illicit lovers. His long black cape swirling about didn't help calm the woman any. Neither did his insinuating smile. Could he help it if naughty looked so good on him? Mrs. Comfrey gave them their room key and led the pair to the staircase.
Before they climbed halfway, a tart voice announced from below, "They seem rather young to me."
"My sister, Mrs. Snidely, I'll only be a moment dears..."
The teens shared a look of amusement while they watched the short, plump woman talk to her tall, thin sister. The conversation was muted, but the couple stifling laughter could plainly hear the words Zabini Jewellers, paid in full, and looks dangerous to cross. Apparently, the pleasant woman won out over her sister, for Mrs. Comfrey bustled back up and led them to their room without further delay.
"Here you go dearies, the Honeymoon Suite. The lavatory with a lovely claw foot tub is right through there. So sorry for the misunderstanding, shall I send up a breakfast tray?"
"Yes, please, it smells wonderful. I'm sure you're justly famous," Blaise said with a charming smile.
He rolled his eyes.
The proprietor left with a cheerful nod.
Draco tossed his cape over a chair before stretching out on the large, comfortable bed. Blaise tsked at the sight of shoes on the duvet cover and promptly took them off his feet. He smirked unrepentantly.
A knock sounded at the door.
Mrs. Snidely handed over the tray whilst looking down her long nose at the youth sprawled on the bed.
"Thanks," Blaise said facetiously, closing the door in the unpleasant woman's face.
He leered playfully. "Do you think they're calling me your kept man down there?"
"Boy toy, more like, and I bet they think you're worth every galleon." Grinning, Blaise placed the tray on a round table overlooking a small balcony and picked up the teapot to pour a cup of tea. She didn't even offer to make him a cup.
Petulantly, he demanded, "What about me?"
"This is your tea...if you move your indolent arse over here and take it."
Shaking his head in pretended affront, Draco slid off the high bed and lounged in the chair across from the smiling girl. Looking askance at the white walls, white furniture, white bed and table linens, he said dryly, "I'm surprised they didn't want verification of virginity before they let this room."
Blaise handed over a scone slathered in butter. "They did, so it's a good thing I qualify."
The look of shock on his face made the silly virgin laugh. He tried to delicately ask why she and Boot hadn't...but the wench refused to answer. Said unless he'd like to hear a speech about her moral choices, it was none of his bloody business. Reaching for the Arts section of the paper, his mate winked and threw him the Sports. They ate and read quietly until a knock broke the peaceful silence.
-
-
After opening the room to admit Ginny, Blaise immediately left, telling the girl she'd do a couple of errands and then wait downstairs. The two were going to snog like crazy and she didn't want to see it. She wasn't jealous; it was more what Roberts had said. Affection deprived friends shouldn't have to watch snogging.
Poor Wesley, she and Terry were so bad about doing that in front of him. Blaise resolved to never to do it again, unless she forgot, or just couldn't help herself.
Since Ginny probably wouldn't be down for another half-hour, she placed her black fur hat on her head, pulled on dragon hide gloves, and strolled down the cobbled street to find the specific shops from which she needed to pick up her orders.
-
Stepping out of the Weasley fireplace later, Blaise was immediately struck by the ordered clutter of the place. It was so full of interesting things and seemed so homey. How different from any of her parents' houses it was.
Everyone was bustling about from one room to the other. Fred and George came running over to take her coat.
"Cor! Why didn't you look this gorgeous when we were at school, Blaise? Take her coat, Fred."
"My pleasure, George…looks like a Russian princess, doesn't she?"
"Yeah, but underneath she looks like a Spanish Gypsy."
Fred clasped his hand over is heart. "If you know how to make paella, Blaise, I'm asking you to marry us right now."
"Both of you?" she asked with a smile. These bright-haired boys must have received all the charming genes in the family. Merlin knew their brother Ronald didn't have any.
"Of course...and please, call us Gred and Forge."
The simultaneous silliness made her laugh.
Not so, their mother. "Stop embarrassing the girl and yourselves and go tell Harry and Ron we have a guest."
Molly Weasley's matronly figure and auburn hair made Blaise think of hugs and bedtime stories. How lucky Ginny was to have a mum like her. She saw her friend frowning and looked down at her white cashmere top and form-fitting black trousers tucked into knee-high boots. Was the outfit not demure as she'd hoped? The hem almost touched the low waist of her trousers!
Ron and Harry's entrance into the lounge diverted attention from her clothing.
"What's she doing here?"
"Ronald Weasley, how rude. Miss Zabini is your sister's guest and I expect you to behave politely."
"Right, Mum. Sorry, Zabini."
Nodding her acceptance of the clearly forced apology, Blaise waited for the frowning boy to meet her eyes. She winked. He immediately turned bright red and stalked out of the room. Smiling, she met green eyes which considered her solemnly from behind round glasses. Smirking at the Famous Harry Potter, Blaise remembered her items and handed the basket in her hand to her hostess.
"Oh my...evergreen and holly boughs, candles, and oranges studded with cloves...I didn't know young people celebrated Yule anymore. And what's this...oh heavens...Magical Me- A Life in Pictures. I've been searching for this book for ages. I don't know what to say!"
"I do," said Ron. The boy looked like a freckled face rain cloud lurking in the doorway.
Couldn't stay away, could he? Blaise smiled sweetly at him before telling Mrs. Weasley. "It's just a token of appreciation for your hospitality."
Potty and the Weasel snorted rudely. How untrusting they were.
Mr. Weasley came into the room and greeted the newcomer in a friendly manner. Blaise gave him a small gift also. He smiled and looked curiously at the object in his hands. "What's this, then?"
"It's a battery tester, solar powered, so you only need to place it in the sun every now and then to keep it working."
The man beamed. "Look boys, you place the battery here, and it lights up if there's a charge! Thank you so much Miss. Zabini. What a thoughtful gift."
"Yeah, Dad will be testing his battery collection all weekend now, won't you Dad?"
The amiable man smiled sheepishly at Fred's comment and asked his wife if she'd mind sending his lunch out to the workshop. There were so many batteries he was raring to try.
The twins grinned at their 'thoughtful' guest. They were two young men who clearly appreciated well-planned bribes...like their sister. Their younger brother and Potter were the only ones who thought she was a Slytherin snake out to get something.
Blaise couldn't feel offended. She was.
Over a luncheon of paella, which Blaise did indeed know how to conjure, she refused a marriage proposal and received permission for Ginny to attend a Muggle ballet performance of The Nutcracker with her that evening. If Mrs. Weasley believed that the girls were actually going, and with Blaise's parents, well, she should have listened better.
Blaise's Slytherin's smile toward the Gryffindor across the table caused the boy to push his chair back and clomp angrily upstairs. Shortly afterwards, Ginny led the way with Harry into the lounge. Following Blaise's insistence, the two played wizard chess.
Halfway through the match, Blaise climbed the magically sturdy but rickety looking stairs of The Burrow, marvelling that the Weasley's only had one bathroom per floor. Unsurprisingly, the large number of residents made finding an unoccupied loo a quest of epic proportions.
At the top floor, underneath the attics, she felt as though she had found the Philosopher's Stone instead of a mere vacated toilet. Opening the door with a relieved sigh a short time later, Blaise noticed that another room on the floor was open. Curious, she walked over and looked inside.
Ron stood by the window muttering to a small owl that was sitting on a perch built into the wall beside it, "Don't know why Ginny had to bring that girl home."
"Aw, Mr. Freckles, you're hurting my feelings."
The face that turned toward the door looked ready to rip someone's head off, and she could guess who's... "Don't call me that. I hate it when you call me that. How come you're up here anyway?"
"Loo. Hard to find an unoccupied one." Blaise smiled in the way that seemed to make Ron especially uncomfortable. "Did you think I came looking for you?"
It was amazing how belligerent he could look. "Well you're here, aren't you? So yeah, I think you did. So what do you want?"
Something about that openly angry expression caused her to be honest in return. "I want to know what your problem is."
There was a perverse satisfaction in knowing she could yank the Gryffindor's chain and get such a violent reaction. His angry expression when she closed the door faltered when she leaned against it and smiled. Infuriated panic was a very remarkable look.
He answered, "I'll tell you what my problem is. It's the way you're always smiling and winking at me and pulling stunts like that licking mousse thing. Why do you do that stuff?"
"Why do you think?"
Every one of the freckles on Ronald Weasley's face stood out as he paled in fury. If she had wanted a reaction, Blaise sure got one. Large hands that hardly ever let the Quaffle in anymore gripped her arms and gave a shake.
Frustrated anger filled his voice. "I think you get your kicks from teasing me. Why? Boot and Malfoy not enough for you? You want me to kiss you too?"
Wow. Brilliant blue eyes combined with red hair and freckles were quite striking--no wonder Hermione was so smitten. Blaise smiled. "No, I want you to kiss Granger." Weasley looked like he'd been hit in the head with a Bludger. Her smile widened. "What will it take for you to give that girl a snog? She kicks your arse every time you notice someone else. Doesn't that give you a clue she wants your attention all to herself?"
"Of course it does, I'm not as thick as you all like to think I am...it's just..."
"What?"
"I don't know how, okay? I've never kissed anybody before and I feel so bloody stupid that I'd rather get hit in the head than have 'Mione laugh at me or worse...feel sorry 'cause I don't know what the bloody hell I'm doing!"
Staring in shock at the tall boy now turned away and running an agitated hand through his fiery hair, Blaise said quietly, "It's not that hard a thing to get the hang of. I never kissed anybody until Terry and..."
Ron laughed shortly. "He had though, hadn't he? Kissed somebody before? He didn't mash your lips against your teeth or anything horrid like I'd probably do to Hermione."
Bugger all... Weasley was really sweet not wanting his first kiss to be 'horrid.' Blaise couldn't stand it. She had to do something.
Putting a hand on his arm, she turned the unhappy teen to face her and said briskly, "All right, here's the plan. Don't say a word until I'm finished. I'm either insane with Christmas cheer or a sucker for romance. Maybe both--don't care, doesn't matter. Okay, deep breath. I'll teach you how to kiss a girl. No hands, no tongues, strictly put-your-lips-like-this stuff. Then you kiss Granger, under the mistletoe or in the moonlight, wherever, before Holiday ends...deal?"
The hit by a Bludger look was back, rapidly followed by narrow-eyed suspicion. "What's in it for you?"
"Can't a Slytherin do a good deed without their motives being questioned?" Blaise rolled her eyes. "Fine, I sort of admire Gryffindor spirit so I wouldn't mind seeing you and Granger happy, okay? Don't smile, that opinion and the once-in-your-lifetime kiss are secrets you will swear by Godric Gryffindor to take to your grave, Ronald Weasley."
He nodded earnestly. "Like I'd want that wild man of yours after me, or worse...Hermione after me...in a bad way."
Their shared smile was almost as disconcerting as the thought of a shared kiss.
Blaise felt awkward and 'bloody stupid' herself as she moved closer. Taking his hand in hers, she matter-of-factly showed him how to cup her cheek--like this, and tilt her head--just so, and place his lips--like that.
Kissing Ronald Weasley had to be one of the weirdest things she had ever done. It made the Inuit Friendship Ritual she'd done with Colin seem barely odd by comparison.
The boy's lips were so different than Terry's, fuller and wider. The feel of his mouth on hers wasn't bad, just strange. Their eyes looked warily and slowly closed. Ron's lips moved against hers tentatively at first.
After a few minutes, though, Weasley demonstrated that being a Keeper wasn't the only skill he excelled at after intense practise.
The detached, purely educational nature of the kiss changed. His calloused fingers were sifting through her short curls while she allowed her hands to satisfy her curiosity about what Weasley red hair felt like.
It wasn't silky like Terry's, but thick and a bit coarse. Blaise rose on her tiptoes. He was really tall, wouldn't want him to get neck strain. His hands slid down her back. She gripped his shoulders, solely to keep her balance. Ron's tongue was sliding against hers when the door opened and two merry voices were heard.
"Aren't we glad we volunteered to come up and see what was taking Blaise so long?"
"Indeed we are, George. Everybody downstairs is worried that these two are having a row up here."
"I wish a gorgeous bird would row with me like that, Fred."
Ron jerked away from Blaise and yelled, "Shut up, you two, and you better not say a word to anyone!"
Mr. Freckles was sweet, and a good Gryffindor boy, but he didn't have the right tools to handle the twins. Inviting them in, Blaise explained how Zabini Jewellers was looking for unique gifts to send to the orphanages they supported, and asked them if they'd like to make a deal. After another proposal was laughingly made and refused, they discussed terms.
Only once before Ginny and Blaise left did Fred and George make any reference to the little scene they'd witnessed.
Commenting on how agreeably everyone was getting along as they played games in the lounge, Mrs. Weasley said brightly that she was so glad that Ronald and Blaise had made friends and were now saying nice things to each other.
"Yeah, George, aren't those two using their lips in a much nicer way now?"
"They are indeed, Fred. It's so spiffing whenever people are able to use their tongues in such a pleasurable manner."
A lifted eyebrow from Blaise had the snickering twins subsiding into prudent and lucrative silence.
When the girls Flooed back to the B&B, Ginny went first. As Blaise prepared to say, "The White Witch Bed and Breakfast," her eyes met Ron's. He winked.
Oh Merlin, what monster have I created? I only wanted to do him and Granger a favour, not give Weasley a way to torment me. I've got to get out of here and forget that episode ever happened! That was my first and last pity snog!
Blushing, she refused to look at Ron or those hyenas he called brothers. Hurriedly, she blurted her destination, tossed Floo powder, and left
-
Draco and Ginny were waiting in the lounge. After checking to make sure they remembered the Floo direction and proper wards to her father's office flat, Blaise stepped into the fireplace and said the words to take her where she most wanted to go, "Wizard's Bay Winery."
-
Terry was waiting for her when she stepped out of the stone fireplace. Floo powder filled the air as he hugged her tight. Impatient hands tugged off her hat and coat and caressed her body with the same urgency her lips conveyed to his. Short, hard, frantic kisses eventually became long, soft, satisfying ones.
Lying atop Terry on the sofa in the winery office, Blaise never wanted to leave his arms. The days they had spent apart seemed like forever. She was sure his brown hair had grown longer and she wanted to feel it against her skin. She pulled off her top, sighing happily as he chuckled and rubbed the strands against her face and chest. His jumper soon joined hers on the floor. The warmth of his skin was better than any warming charm.
Whispers of, 'I've missed you, I love you,' interspersed kisses. As Terry's warm hands began to undo a clasp, the sound of approaching footsteps halted his fingers. The couple sprang apart. Blaise threw her boyfriend his jumper and quickly dragged on her top. She looked at the clock on the wall. The hour had already flown by! The locked doorknob rattled.
"Terry? Are you in there?"
The older man's voice sounded concerned. Giving her boyfriend a last kiss, Blaise ran to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder.
Terry called, "Just a minute Dad."
Blaise blew a kiss, said 'Lovegood House' whilst throwing the Floo powder, and disappeared.
-
-
Luna sat in the library, reading what was at any other time would be a thrilling account of an explorer's lifelong search for the Crumpled-Horn Snorkack. Today, it could not hold her attention. Her eyes kept drifting to the fireplace.
"Your friend will get here when she gets here, darlin'. No sense tryin' to watch a pot. It never boils that way."
'Lunatic Larry' Lovegood appeared to be engrossed in the memos of upcoming story ideas for his paper, The Quibbler, but he'd noticed her preoccupation just the same. Cigar smoke wafted into the air as her father took a puff and released it in a ring that floated gently toward the high ceiling. Shrewd blue eyes focused on his daughter. "Glad you're finally going out and about. After your mother, well, I didn't blame you...I didn't want to be gallivanting around either. But now, I'm proud of you, Luna."
"Thank you, Daddy."
The man ran a hand through his short dirty-blond hair. Larry might resemble his cousin Arthur quite a bit, but the appearance of amiability was only skin deep. Underneath, he was a driven man whose true passion was the news...and not the dry, boring bits found in what he called the Non-Prophet.
Luna counted his working at home on holiday nights and weekends as proof of her father's love. If not for her, he'd never come home.
Their house was situated between the predominantly wizard village of Ottery St. Catchpole and the Muggle town of Ottery St. Mary. Both villages were located on the Otter River in Devon, near Exeter. Lyme Bay was within easy flying distance, and Luna and her parents had spent many holidays in a cottage on the water there.
Every now and then, she would catch sight of one or more Weasleys in the village. This holiday, she had been running 'errands' to the shops more than ever before. Her persistence had paid off when she'd bumped into Ron and Harry outside the Quidditch Supply Shop a couple of days ago. They chatted for several minutes before the boys had to fly back to The Burrow. The thought of how bright Harry's eyes had looked against his green jumper brought a smile.
"Mooning over some boy are you? I'd recognize that misty look anywhere. Your mother looked at me that way." When Luna smiled, her father rubbed the back of his neck as he admitted, "Scared the hell out of me, that look did. Why a beautiful girl like that was interested in me, I will never know."
"I know Daddy. Mummy said the moment she saw you, she knew."
Both sets of blue eyes became misty for a moment. Uncomfortable with gushy sentiment as always, her father quickly changed the subject. "So, where are you girls off to, and who's this new friend of yours, anyhow?"
Luna smiled to see him blow smoke rings through smoke rings. "We're going to London to shop and have dinner. She's Blaise Zabini."
Slightly protuberant male eyes lit up. "Zabini! Daughter of Enrique Zabini. Zabini Jewellers always places big, expensive ads...hmmm...Enrique's a ruthless bast...er...man...sweetheart. What's the daughter like?"
"She's a funny kind of Slytherin--calculating, but emotional and kind too. I like her a lot."
"Sounds like an interesting gal. Well, here she is, I guess I'll see for myself."
Blaise stumbled out of the fireplace, smiling at her friend and the man raising a sandy brow to look her over. Her coat was unbuttoned and her fur hat askew. Most telling of all, her left earring was missing.
Luna hid a smile. "Father, this is my friend, Blaise Zabini. Blaise, this is my father, Larry Lovegood. "
"Pleased to meet you, young lady. Luna's told me good things about you."
"Thank you sir, it's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Luna rose to her feet and asked, "Should I change?"
Blaise said, "That's fine for shopping. We'll find you a new dress before we go out to dinner...if that's alright with you, Mr. Lovegood."
"Of course, of course, girls need new frocks now and then. Go and have a good time...what's this?" The flustered man looked into the small gift bag given to him by his daughter's friend. Inside, a paperweight swirled glitter that when shaken, settled down to form a saying.
What shall it Prophet a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his readers to The Quibbler?
Her father's bray of laughter brought Luna over to view the gift. Reading the paperweight's message, she giggled. Daddy's wink told her he agreed with her assessment of Blaise--calculating, but kind.
-
After being pulled through what felt like every Wizarding dress shop in London, Luna sighed in relief when Blaise finally found one worthy...Dolce and Gabbana Stregone. Inside, Luna looked in vain for tags. How was she supposed to tell how much anything cost?
"Stop worrying about the expense. Your father can afford it. We're here to find a dress, and beauty is priceless."
Frowning at the girl looking over a red beaded gown with a critical eye, Luna said dryly, "I know, because there's not a price tag to be found."
"Saluto di benvenuto. May I help you ladies?"
Gorgeous witches in little black dresses should not be allowed to work in shops--even outrageously expensive ones. It depressed the clientele, namely her.
Blaise appeared not to mind. "Si certo. We each need something for tonight." Gesturing to the dress in her hands, the decisive girl stated, "It's a bella cosa, but we're looking for something not so formal, a little more fun."
"Si, I will show you some things you will like."
Trailing after Blaise and the unhealthily-thin woman, Luna wished she were home with her Snorkack book. No clothing was worth this pain.
Except that beaded bustier...with that skirt...and that blue satin evening coat with the leopard print lining...
Overwhelmed by her first experience with shopper's lust, Luna was easily persuaded into buying the whole outfit, including shoes by some person named Manolo.
-
Later, looking across the table after dinner, the only thing Luna could think to say was, Grazie, which made Blaise cackle like a witch before saying, "This place usually only has Karaoke on Friday nights, but during December they expand to Saturdays too. C'mon, let's watch. I might even give it a go myself."
Through a corridor on the other side of the restaurant, the girls found the large room packed with people at the tables and bar. A singer was butchering, 'Winter Wonderland' on stage.
"Colin sings better than that."
Luna looked at the other girl curiously. "When did you start calling Creevey, Colin?"
Brown eyes grew even bigger. "Long story. Not telling." Blaise gazed around the room. "Oh my gods, look who it is. Let's go say hello!" Hauling her friend behind her, the excited girl made her way to the bar and the young man sitting on a stool with a charming grin on his face.
"Call'd Robin Goodfellow: are not you he, That frights the maidens of the villagery?" said Blaise.
Pleased laughter brought out the dimples in Wesley Robert's handsome cheeks. He kissed Blaise's hand, and then turned to bring Luna's to his lips. Still clasping his fellow Ravenclaw's fingers in a firm, warm grip, he murmured, "Thou speakest aright; I am the merry wanderer of the night." He told them, "Terry owled me, told me you'd be here. I'm supposed to keep," Wesley grinned as he held up fingers and made a quoting motion while saying, "horny bastards away from my girl."
The couple sitting next to Roberts left, so the girls took the seats. The trio laughed while bad singers performed. Wesley asked Blaise while nodding toward the stage,
"Why don't you go up there and show them how it's done?"
Either the boy's wickedly persuasive grin or some latent trait of Gryffindor recklessness made the girl hop down from her stool and saunter over to where the Orpheus was spinning the musical orbs. The two talked, nodded, and the gypsy-eyed girl took the stage. Whistles and claps made her smile. Wesley slid over to the seat by Luna and chuckled. "Poor Terry, he's going to be so jealous when I tell him how sexy his girlfriend looked tonight."
"Why tell him, then?"
"Because, carina...and that means pretty, by the way…I'm going to record our songbird and send it to my mate. My fun will be making sure he has a good mental image of what she looked like while singing it."
"You have a very odd notion of fun."
Wesley's gaze looked dark and intent in the dimmed room. "I'll be happy to show you my real notion of fun anytime you want, Luna. Just say the word."
Was the room unduly warm? Perhaps if she took off her evening coat...no, now Wesley's eyes were enjoying the view of her bare shoulders and she felt warmer than ever. Fortunately, Blaise spoke and his attention was diverted to the small Recording orb in his hand.
"This song is for Terry. I Belong To You."
Blaise poured her emotions into the words. The silence at the end of the song seemed to please the singer as much as the enthusiastic clapping afterwards. Gesturing to her friends, she didn't stop until they came over to see what she wanted. "You two are up next. I've picked out a song that's easy to sing. The words and music appear on this sheet as you go along. I did it, so now it's your turn. Give me the recordbrall, Wesley. Terry will want to hear you, too."
Why Luna agreed was something she didn't want to think about. She was afraid it was due to the boy standing beside her on stage holding the paper for her to read. Although she didn't know what Cruisin' was, she did the best she could with her soft soprano.
Wesley's voice was mellow and smooth as he sang, "Cruise with me baby..."
She sang tremulously at first, but her partner was so good, Luna relaxed and sang better than she ever had before. By the last chorus, she was smiling into amethyst blue eyes--coincidentally the same shade as her bustier and evening coat.
A short time later, Wesley walked the girls over to the restaurant fireplace, which was on the Floo network and usable for an exorbitant fee that Blaise had blithely added to the bill. After her friend returned to Malfoy Manor, Luna prepared to go home as well. Before she left, she nervously smiled at Wesley and thanked him for the song and coming to watch over them.
He replied with a smile that she just knew was going to give her disturbing dreams about faeries, "A merrier hour was never wasted there."
-
-
Ginny stared at the dress hanging in the closet, reassured that Blaise was nothing more than Draco's best mate. No girl who wanted Malfoy for herself could've picked this dress for another woman to wear.
It was beyond beautiful.
The gown belonged to a princess in a fairytale. The princess Ginny had always longed to be. How many nights had she looked out her window pretending she was a captive princess in a tower? Dreamed that a black-haired White Knight would rescue her and carry her off to live Happily Ever After?
Those childhood dreams had transformed.
She now wanted a Black Knight, who could also become a dragon, to carry her off. Only the Happily Ever After part was uncertain, but she refused to think about the future when the lights of London sparkled beyond the window. Ginny reached out a hand to reverently touch the dress.
"Miss is needing assistance to get ready?"
Spinning around, she beheld a House-Elf wearing an extremely fancy tea towel edged in fur. The elf regarded her with kind eyes. Ginny said, "Who are you?"
"I am Minky, Miss. Young Mistress sent me to help you into the gown and do your hair."
Ginny smilingly accepted. She needed all the help she could get.
After Minky had worked elf magic, the reflection in the full-length mirror was so amazing; it was hard to believe it was really her. Complicated upswept hair along with expert makeup, amazing shoes, and the emerald dress with a strapless top and floor length, many layered skirt, all combined to leave her speechless.
In the lounge, she saw Draco looking out through the glass wall at the city below. His platinum hair, pale features, and perfect frame looked so elegant in a modern black tuxedo. She sighed.
He turned at the soft sound, aristocratic features softening into a smile of awe. Silently, he moved to take her hand. The look Draco gave her as his lips touched her skin was so tender, Ginny had to blink back tears. They smiled, devouring each other with their eyes.
"You're beautiful."
They laughed at the shared sentiment.
Ginny teased, "Jinx. You owe me a butterbeer."
Lips that made her shiver curved into a smile as Draco removed a box from his coat pocket. "How about an early Christmas present instead?"
Taking the box, her fingers trembled as she lifted the lid and removed dangling emerald earrings. She shook her head. "I can't accept these. They're too much."
Masculine fingers took the earrings and gently slid them into each feminine earlobe. Draco said softly, "O mistress mine, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true love's coming. That can sing both high and low; Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Journeys end in lovers meeting, Every wise man's son doth know."
He paused, and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers while saying with a small smile, "What is love? 'Tis not hereafter, Present mirth hath present laughter; What's to come is still unsure: In delay no (good is seen) Then come and kiss me, sweet and (fifteen)."
She couldn't believe he had memorised that for her. That day in the library, she hadn't known. This was so much better. Ginny gladly moved into Draco's arms for a kiss.
Pulling back after long, sweet moments, she asked, "What play is that quote from?"
The smile that made her think of a mischievous faery flashed. "Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene III. Took me forever to find...I thought it was from a bloody sonnet." Grinning, he admitted, "I changed the last bit to suit you. I'll gladly say, 'In delay there lies no plenty; come and kiss me sweet and twenty' when the day comes, though."
Tears of happiness welled and spilled down her cheeks at the thought that Draco wanted to be there when she was 'sweet and twenty.' Gentle fingers brushed them away and pulled her close.
The couple stood embracing until Minky asked, "Young master is wishing dinner now?"
Draco nodded. "Yes...thank you."
Offering his arm with a slight smirk, he said, "If my lady will accompany me."
"I thought we'd have dinner here." The thought of eating in the large, stark, ultra contemporary flat didn't thrill her, but anywhere she could spend time with her boyfriend was better than the finest restaurant.
The lift of a white-blond eyebrow made her heart race. Oh young master.
Allowing Draco to lead her to what she'd previously thought an entrance to a bedroom, Ginny watched as the doors were pulled back to reveal a set of stairs. At the top, the door opened onto a rooftop garden.
Faery lights sparkled almost as brightly as the city whose lights could be seen shimmering in all directions. The table was beautifully set, the air charmed to feel like spring instead of winter. During the meal, conversation mainly consisted of looks and smiles. Dreamily, Ginny watched shadows play across Draco's skin and hair, and eyes, and mouth, and thought, what could be better than this?
A violin began to play. Standing, her Prince, her Black Knight, her Dragon Lover, stood and held out his hand. She rose and put her hand in his. They stayed in each other's arms, swaying together as the enchanted instrument played song after song, until the first rays of dawn broke over the city.
-
A/N: It seems like all the characters want to have their time in the spotlight- even Ron wanted a first kiss...what's a writer to do? Let them have their way, of course! Christmas is a time of giving, so I hope you like longer chapters, 'cause the next one's Yule! Give me a gift back in the way of a Review! It's all I want for Christmas! From you lot, anyway:D