Gown Shopping!
Just to inform, I altered a little detail in Chapter 2: Establishing Mates. Instead of a six week leeway for the marriage preparations, I have reduced it to 2 weeks. Only because…yeah, six weeks is too long for me ;P
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Makoto stood nervously in front of the full-length mirror attached the back of her door, staring uncertainly at the reflection before her, studying her chosen wardrobe with a critical eye. She and Malfoy were headed to Hogsmeade village today for her dress and she had wanted look best for the occasion.
She wore a snug little sleeveless mini-shirt of pastel pink, the straps sweeping off the side of her shoulders. It managed to cover a little more then her breasts, the hem cinching tight about her slender middle and leaving her slit navel bare. A pair of skin-tight blue jeans hugged her hips, the flared leg covering most of her pink-topped white sneakers. And a thin scarf of soft pink wrapped about her throat twice, the long ends sweeping over the front of her shoulders and straight to her knees.
And for some unknown reason, she'd been through six pairs of pants and fifteen shirts already. Nothing fit right, looked right…her heart was oddly lodged in her throat, stomach doing cart-wheels in her tummy…and a light sweat began to moisten her palms.
…why did she care so much? Even more importantly, why did it matter?
She sighed heavily and took an absent glance at the magical wall clock, bright-green eyes practically bulging in their sockets when she saw the time. It was 4:45 and she had promised she'd meet him 4:30!
With a string of curses muttered under her breath, she quickly snatched Malfoy's necklace off her vanity before dashing out, shouting her departure to the dormitory as she did. The door slammed loudly behind her, but she didn't really care. She was late.
…and WHY did she care?
Long, long legs practically sprinted down the corridors of Hogwarts, scarf ends flying past her in a wild banner. Many students were forced to back away, pressing themselves into the walls as the tall whirlwind zipped by, skirts and robes billowing in her wake.
Down Gryffindor tower, past the main hall, and out to the front quad. The tall girl was forced to lean heavily against a tall beige painted pillar for support as she tried to regain her lost breath, chest heaving.
She really needed some help with her time management.
"Damn, what have YOU been doing?" A low, sultry voice snaps behind her. It's Malfoy.
Makoto frowns and pushes herself off the pillar, whirling around to pin him with a dark glare despite her burning cheeks and fully prepared to yell at him for his remark. She never even released a whisper.
Her supposed husband stood behind her, hands shoved in his pockets and a slightly pensive look on his face, brow puckered faintly. But she was far more concerned with his attire then his expression, dressed in a very fine-looking long-sleeved white button up shirt, untucked, with a light blue and grey pinstripe design. A denim jacket was worn over that, a cotton butter tan hood attached to the back collar and a pair of slightly faded, loose-fitted blue jeans about his hips, folding over a pair of white and blue sneakers.
He looked so…so incredibly handsome suddenly, as if she were seeing him in a new light of sorts. Though she had always considered him an attractive fellow…a VERY attractive fellow. She just never admitted it and she'd die before she did.
He WAS Malfoy after all.
A glint caught her eye from beneath the collar of his shirt, causing her to squint slightly in order to get a better look. It was…it was her necklace, the half-torn heart of burgundy red jade hanging loosely from the gold chain. For some reason, she felt a tingly feeling within herself at the sight. It felt nice…knowing he had something of hers, so close to him, near his heart…
'It's mandatory.' A voice reasoned sharply in her mind, snapping her out of whatever the hell she was in.
'Which is the very same reason his is around your neck. Mandatory. Against ones will.'
Though full of sense, the painfully true thoughts caused a slight twinge in the recesses of her chest. Perhaps because…she was wishing so that it wasn't true.
"Are we gonna get going or what, Kino?" Draco finally demanded with a sneer, lifting a fine brow with a challenging look.
Makoto snapped up with a start, blinking up rather rapidly at the white-blonde haired seventeen-year-old. Apparently she had been standing here like a complete and utter buffoon, gapping up at him like a damned fish on land, debating in her mind if he had worn the necklace begrudgingly or not.
She scowled heavily and spun her heel, sneakers squeaking against the gravel in the process, before marching off in the direction towards Hogsmeade. Her clenched fists swung angrily at her side, steps pounding and face wrought with her self-repulsion.
Stupid, stupid! This is Draco Malfoy! DRACO MALFOY! A stupid little Slytherin bastard who's beauty only goes skin-deep and just that. He is NOT boyfriend material, not a person to fawn over, not at all.
At least that's what Makoto tried to tell her hammering heart.
-:-
Not a whisper was exchanged by the two in the short fifteen minute walk, though secretive glances were quite frequent. Both took discreet side-glances towards each other in the corner of the eye, trying their best to keep inconspicuous and blatant.
And both took note of how the other was suddenly sporting a new pink hue to their cheeks.
Before they knew it, they were strolling down the bustling pathways of Hogsmeade village, forced to move much closer then they'd like as a sudden rush of rather large horde of goblins passed by. While Makoto was nonchalantly oblivious to it, Draco was opprobrious to so, making known to the fact they were annoyingly getting in the way.
Gone unnoticed, the auburn-haired Gryffindor pushed aside the door to the Gladrags Wizardwear, silvery bells chiming and announcing their presence to all. The quaint little store was relatively empty with few patrons shopping within that afternoon, not giving the two students a second's glance as they filed in.
"Coming!" A light, musical voice called from the back room.
There was a sound of shuffling from the back storage before a figure emerged. An exceedingly attractive woman came into view with a wavy mane of sparkling chestnut brown and matching bright chestnut brown eyes. She wore a stunning sleeveless satin gown of dark violet and bright yellow, the heavy skirts falling just past her knees. But was most catching was the gold half-crescent moon sigil marking her brow, glowing brilliantly under the light.
"Good afternoon sweethearts, how may I help you today?"
Makoto smiled warmly and came forward, hands clasped behind her back, faint pink on her cheeks growing brighter.
"I- well we, we were wondering if perhaps…well, I need a dress for a school project…"
"Oh, you kids are from Hogwarts right?" the girl interjected with a smile, brows lifted.
Makoto blinked then beamed, nodding appreciatively.
"Well you shoulda just said so hunnie! Come right this way…"
Draco watched with his fists jammed into his pockets as his mock wife was lead off by the elbow to the deeper bowels of the store, silently hoping she wouldn't be like a GIRL and take three hours for one bloody dress.
-:-
Makoto sighed heavily sometime later as the saleswoman, named Luna by the by, rattled off a very detailed description of the tailoring and craftsmanship of yet another gown. They had gone through a whole rack already and for some reason, the seventeen-year-old found none of them…right.
Which was weird since she never would've thought that she'd be so nit-picky about it.
Perhaps however, it was because that it was her wedding…well not quite, not exactly. It was simply a small session after school-hours where they handed in their thus far reports, dressed up in the gown and the fellows in full Hogwarts uniform. Quite frankly, it was a dress up party, complete with food and personal first dance between to two 'married.'
But either way, if she was going to be married, she'd be married in the 'right' dress. Though she wasn't sure what the qualifications were for her elusive 'RIGHT' dress…it's just that the two dozen or so didn't look worthy of considering or trying on…the feeling wasn't there.
And then it happened.
Luna, somewhat belligerently and tiredly, pulled out the final gown from the second rack. It definitely looked worthy of considering, trying, and that's right…the feeling was there, practically love at first sight.
"I think that's it!" Makoto piped up with eagerness, wide-eyes sparkling with new enthused energy, beaming wide from ear to ear.
The somewhat worn store clerk burst out into a full blown grin, happily but carefully handing the immaculate white gown to the young girl.
"It's a fine piece, with a silk slip and satin overdress…" she rambled on, falling into deep detailing of the tailoring as she led the Hogwarts student towards the dressing rooms.
Meanwhile on the other side of the store, Draco sat on a red velvet cushioned chair with his chin propped lazily on his open palm. She had fulfilled his fears, already having spent a damned hour and a half in the stupid store.
All she needed to get was a simple white dress, a simple white dress! How long would it take to find one simple white dress? Perhaps they hadn't had it in her size…but he quickly shook his head against that. She was a small thing, sumptuous curves but lean frame…they had to have her size.
He suddenly perked out however as he saw a familiar tall brunette nearing, shooting up to his feet for the first time in the hour. She had a dress in hand, cradled carefully in her hold and was sporting a wide 100 gigawatt smile.
And suddenly, he wasn't so sour about her taking a good hour and a half finding the not so stupid white dress…the smile alone seemed well-worth it for some reason. The Gryffindor's steps grew faster as she suddenly caught sight of the tall white-blonde haired teen, causing Draco to absently smoothen out his clothing and readjust his jacket.
"Sorry I took so long," she heaved in a breathy air, feeling somewhat contrite for keeping him waiting…though she REALLY shouldn't in the first place.
The filthy rich boy-man was forced to swallow the thick lump forming in his throat as he gazed at her in all of her unabashed, unselfconscious glory. Her cheeks were flushed for some reason, smile wide and her peachy-cream complexion seemingly glowing under the lights of the store. Affectionate light practically exuded from her very self and to him, leaving him warmed and at an unspoken peace with the world.
And then he snapped himself out of it, blinking away…the dream, hallucination, the sudden feeling of completeness and utter rightness in the world. He continued to blink about himself for a moment before snapping up completely, face screwing about into a shielded, cold expression.
"Whatever, let's just go." He grumbled in a clipped tone, reaching out for his wallet in his back pocket.
The white-blonde-haired teen then pushed past the now very exuberant brunette and began to march towards the cashier's desk, trying vehemently to shake off whatever it was that had taken over him before.
-:-
"I can't BELIEVE I spent 78 Galleons and 4 Sickles on that bloody thing!" Draco exclaimed loudly as they exited the Gladrags boutique, throwing his arms wildly in the air for emphasis.
Makoto only rolled her eyes and waved a fare-well to the very kind saleswoman Luna, ignoring the blustering from the male at her side. Her gown was folded neatly amongst a safe bed of pale pink and white wrapping tissue paper in a fancy wine-red bag, silk ribbon handles clutched tightly in the girl's hold.
And then she snapped her head towards her male counterpart, fixing him with a wicked, slightly annoyed glare.
"I would've thought that YOU of all people would understand the prices for high-end couture!" she shot back with drawling words, a smug little smirk pulling her lips.
The sinfully handsome Slytherin only blinked incredulously at the girl as she proceeded to step out onto the side-walk pathways of Hogsmeade village, head tilted back and high in a haughty air. She walked rather funnily, doing a quite horrible imitation of a cat-walk on a model's strip and not really caring that she was.
While his expression was completely indifferent, it was blatantly strained to remain that way, face twisting hard as he tried his best not to laugh right there and then. Honestly, it's just not a Malfoy thing to be belly-laughing wildly and loudly in public like some common-do folk.
But the unspoken peace between the two parties was quickly broken as the light drizzle that was dribbling over the shopping strip fell into a full-blown down pour. Makoto released a squeak of surprised fright as she quickly scurried back to her Slytherin husband, bag held with a death-grip to her chest.
Lest her gown get wet!
"Oh this is just GREAT!" the now very disgruntled multi-billionaire snarled as some of the rain droplets fell onto his exposed head, most likely ruining his perfect hair in the process.
The seventeen-year-olds were forced to seek refuge under an umbrella like over-hang above a store entrance, huddled close together in order to avoid the downpour. They didn't even notice how close they were until they ended up colliding into one another, heads snapping away from the pelt of rain and towards each other.
Their fronts were pressed full-flush against each other's, the much taller Draco's face hovering dangerously close over Makoto's. His breath seemed to sear her chilled, slightly damp flesh…leaving her entire face tingling with an odd sensation.
It was quite different…being so close to him, cornflower blue pools staring directly towards her and only her. She felt so…comfortable under his gaze, despite the fact that she really shouldn't…feeling almost right where she was.
The incessant pitter-patter of the raindrops seemed to lull out the noises of the bustling village, chests swelling painfully with some sort of…
It was so muggy and a gloomily grey with the onslaught, the only remaining light amongst the grey blur seemingly a pair of bright emeralds, her bright green eyes…and dear Merlin, he couldn't stop himself if Voldermont demanded him too.
His head lowered somewhat cautiously, uncertainly…waiting for her to object, turn away, jerk back…but when she didn't, he leaned downward fully and…
…she turns away, his oh-so soft lips brushing against the smooth flesh of her cheek.
Both remained completely still in that position, whether it be from sheer uncertainty of what to do or chagrined fear of if they did. Draco seemed frozen in time, eyes flared wide and staring unfocused at the side of her face, lips still pressed against her cheek.
Curled fists at his side quivered, his whole body quivered. His belly twisted and contorted within itself, suddenly engulfed by a thick sickening feeling…
…sosososo stupid to think it…think that perhaps…
Makoto manages to gather herself quite faster and easier then her male counterpart, carefully taking a wide step back from his hold. She didn't meet his gaze, her head bowed as she absently dragged the top of her sneaker across the wet cobblestone beneath her.
"We're gonna be late for supper." She whispers softly in a tiny voice, gazing pathetically down at the floor while fiddling about with one tail of her scarf nervously.
There was a pause before a thick swallow, throat clearing.
"Y-You're right." He finally managed in a low whisper, staring down at her bowed crown of auburn unseeingly.
"You're right." He affirmed soon after, tone firm as he forced his eyes to glance at something else besides her cascading chestnut tresses.
"We better get back if we wanna make it in time." He added a moment later, shoving his fists into his jacket pockets before beginning to move again.
Makoto did too, trudging after him with a heavy heart, eyes burning painfully now with tears.
The rain could always wash it away.
She impulsively clung her bag to her chest, curling her form about it in a human shield. The chilling drops pounded down onto her slender frame, padding her thick hair about her throat and face, scarf sagging down and brushing across the cobblestone pathways.
Slow but icy winds tore through the thin fabric of her cloths, a wave of goose-bumps flooding her cold peach-cream flesh. It hurt at first but it would eventually numb out…
…though whether she spoke of her physical pain or emotional one, it was unknown.
She released a faint shiver, forcing her suddenly heavy feeling legs to move faster.
The faster you move, the faster you get out of the rain, the faster you get away from him…
She came to a sudden stop as something wet and heavy dropped over her shoulders, sagging her down even further but keeping her relatively warm for the most part.
"It probably is extra weight, but it'll keep you warm until we get back." Draco murmured softly at her side, gently readjusting his coat onto her slender shoulders.
And then he spun his heel, beginning the short yet long trek back to Hogwarts. The very stunned auburn-haired Gryffindor could do little more then just stand there, bag clutched to her chest and large green eyes blinking curiously after him.
'You could run after him…' A tiny voice trails in the back of her mind.
'You could run after him like at the end of all those stupid clichéd cornball movies, grab him, hold him and never ever let go cause he means too MUCH---'
Makoto took in a deep breath suddenly, relishing in the fact that maybe, on the off-chance…that his scent would pound deep into her.
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Alright, the last sentence was bad. Granted yes, horrible bad and a bad way to close it. But I honestly am not in the mood to elaborate this since I am lazy.
Review!