Author's Note: No worries, Harry shall be coming back into the story and playing a major role. In fact, that occurs in this chapter! Once again, big thanks and hugs to all those who review and those who support. I am planning a Marlow/Ginny encounter in later chapters, never fear!
Chapter Six: Stick Figures
Tonight was the night. Lucius Malfoy's wretched party and Alexandra Marlow's return from the dead. Forgive me for not being rivited. I have been on a non-stop hell train of, how shall I put this, civilization.
"Who is the world's richest wizard?" Draco barked.
"Richard Jacobs, invented wandless communication."
"Who is the most powerful man in London?"
"There are three: Lucius Malfoy, Jason Calway and Aurelius Tarquin."
"Who is the world's most eligable bachealor?"
"Christ, Draco, do I really need to know this?"
"Yes. Answer!"
"Draco Malfoy."
Then of course there were dancing lessons so I could "charm the wigs off" men of power. Ugh, the thought disgusted me. I could have sworn he was going to pull out some lesbian handbook to help me make very night with Pansy Parkinson but for some reason he thinks I can do that on my own (prat).
I suppose the nicest thing that happened to me since the horrific Charlie Incident (part one and two), was that Theo painted a stick figure "picture" of my goal. It had him and Draco (painted with white hair by the way) holding lots of money and me standing of top of Marlow Enterprises. Complete with Lucius Malfoy groveling. He gave that to me and the other night I was feeling so utterly low that I added a stick figure on top next to me. Unfortunately Draco knocked on the door and I didn't have time to add hair. I shoved the paper under my bed and haven't looked at it since.
To be honest it feels like ages since Charlie Incident I and II. I feel like I am in some boot camp. Just give Draco and whip and --oh god! too much of a visual.
"Are you finished putting your bloody makeup on?" Draco pounded on the bathroom door.
I put down the eyeliner (had a tutorial on that too) and opened the door. Draco was dressed in one of his suits and looking mighty sharp (except for that ugly shade of red that burned in his cheeks when he got angry. I tapped him playfully on the cheek. "Come on, that color isn't flattering. Let me get my coat."
Theo being Theo was really the one to help me get secure with my insecurity. While Draco was always babbling on about wizarding society and who was who, Theo came up with more practical plans to help make me appear more independent and now just some project. For example, I was going to this party stag and Draco would just appear to be talking to me animantly before I went and mingled. Other than that though, it really has been a lonely few days with only my reason and dreams of black cadillacs and a Brazillian boyfriend.
"Are you ready?" Draco asked in a voice that for a moment made me think he cared.
"No."
"Better hurry up," he knocked on the door to the large manor and it was instantly opened by two house elves.
"Mr. Malfoy!"
"Do tell me again about that cutting edge business theory you discovered back east," Draco turned to me, completely transformed into, well . . . someone a lot more charming. "Let me help you with that," he took my coat, practically tossed it to the house elf and continued feigning interest in me all the way to the main room.
All eyes turned to us. I continued talking with him until out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lucius Malfoy approach. I tried not to make it look like I was dashing but I can find no other excuse for how I found myself in a group of middle-aged, balding wizards talking about . . .
"I am so jealous of Jacobs. Always getting taunt witches to pose in his ads. I must say he better be enjoying the fruits of his labor."
"Actually, I am sure it's his publicity team that is getting all the kicks," I butted in, making myself a part of their circle.
"Oh?" all five of them turned to me. "And just how do you know . . . my dear."
Great. I found the perverts club. "Think of it like climbing a ladder. The publicist promises a pretty girl a job. He gets laid. She gets a contract and gets smart so she goes for the next guy but by the time her contract is up, she usually hasn't even made her way to the upper levels." You can just guess how I learned that one--no, not like that, get your mind out of the gutter!
"Fascinating." They stared at me like transifixed dogs.
"Well, when I was building my company in Romania I found a great deal of scandal going on," said with a laugh. "While it's annoying for my board, I find it hilarious."
"You own a company? Is it listed?"
"Just about to put it on the market actually. Dragon commodities. Takes a while to get the liscence, you know."
"My name is Harold Andrews," one of the greasy old men held out his hand. "And you my lady?"
"Alexandra Marlow," I said, smirking with pride as he kissed my hand. Sure it was sort of disgusting but I felt powerful.
"Are you Zarek Marlow's daughter?"
"Genetically but it has been years since he passed away."
"Yes, it was tragic but it seems you have inherited his business sense."
"Oh please, Mr. Andrews. I am no longer a little girl. I have my own multi-national now." Several other groups joined ours and before I knew it, I was the center of a pack of rich businessmen.
The lying was easy. In fact, I am pretty sure I meritted having it be one of my better talents. No honestly. I spouted off so much bullshit that by the time I saw Lucius Malfoy coming over, I had no fear. Because those dogs of the WMS believedwhatI saidand everyone wants to believe a pretty girl.
"Why Miss Marlow," Lucius took my hand and kissed it. "It has indeed been a long time since I have had the pleasure."
"Why yes, Mr. Malfoy. Ages, in fact."
"My son tells me you have been a success back east."
"You don't need to ask Draco, you can ask me yourself."
"After your mysterious flight, everyone was quite worried. Do tell me what happened and put my mind at ease."Bollocks! I hadn't thought about this one yet. Think, Marlow, think!
"Business opportunities," I replied. Not like he ever really cared that I fell off the face of the earth.
He cocked an eyebrow.
"I was young, Mr. Malfoy, don't looked so shocked. As they say, it's easier to build from failure than from success."
"Yes," he said with a sneer. "Pray tell, what was the name of your company again?"
He would look up every detail down to employee dental records, I knew that for a fact. "Oh, Mr. Malfoy," I said with a laugh. "You will see it when it goes public. Insider trading is illegal these days. Even for you."
As he tried to hideanother sneer, a charming, blond, anorexic-looking woman came up beside him. "It seems you have been charming the pants of everyone here tonight."
I grinned. "It's still early, Mrs. Malfoy."
She laughed. I always did like her best out of the Malfoy line. "Try not to steal too many husbands or else I am going to have to console the wives."
So having made my impression with the old men, I decided to mingle with the younger members of society. After getting a stiff drink of course. Before I even got to sip my champagne (not exactly stiff but hey), I was approached by a witch in dress robes that looked just as expensive as mine.
"So they weren't lying," she said. "Xan Marlow is really back from the dead."
I choked on the French drink. Who the fuck would call me that? I stared at her trying to hide my shock. I didn't recognize her. I had never known a slytherin girl who looked that good . . .wait . . .
"You don't recognize me? Come on, Xan. It's me. Daphne!"
"Blimey," I said. "Daphne Greengrass. Wow."
"Actually, it's Daphne Dolohov now." My suspicions were proved correct. She had married up and she had no need to make excuses.
"So are these functions pretty rountine for you now?"
"They were always routine. My primary residence is on the south of Spain but we are here for the holidays."
"But they are three months away."
She smirked, "That is why I am at fonctions such as this." I sipped my drink and shrugged my shoulders. "You know, you're looking extremely good for someone that just appeared out of the blue. Last I remember you were a bit scraggley and hanging onto that Potter fellow. He's here tonight by the way. Went totally bonkers when you disappeared. You'll have to elaborate sometime. Here," she handed me a card. "Owl me. We shall have lunch."
I was already tuned out. Harry Potter? Here. Made sense. He was the captain of the Chudley Canons but all the same, I wanted to break my glass and gauge his eyes out. I had not forgotten that it was indeed his fault that Charlie left me. I was feeling dirty. I was feeling vengeful and--oh merlin is that Theo's wife?
I'll admit, Theo has the potential to be attractive. When I befriended him he had a pizza face and enough grease in his hair you would think he had a cooking accident. Tonight he looked . . . would you kill me if I said 'dashing'. Not my type but he definitely oozed the part.
The woman next to him I swear to you, looked like she walked out of an Italian fashion magazine. Flawless skin, style, merlin, it was impressive. Then the question like a freight train came: Why would Theo need a mistress when he had this at home? I wondered if she knew.
Some suave wizard came up next to me and asked if I wanted to dance. I told him it wouldn't be proper to accept invitations from strangers. "You don't recognize me?"
"You'll have to forgive me, my memory is lacking."
He smirked. "I only remember you because I took your position after you disappeared and I thought you were mighty fit."
"I left more than I disappeared . . .Tarquin." I said with a smirk. "If I recall you were a beater, two years younger who couldn't hit a damned thing."
"I've got game now."
"Watch yourself, Julius," I said playfully. I knew is father was one of the most powerful men in the wizarding world. I didn't want to completely reject him. "Are you sure you could handle an older woman?"
"How about we dance and find out?"
I excepted and as we danced (employing Draco's torture methods) I exiged some information about what he does for a living. Apparently he earns his inheritance and works alongside his father in WMS affairs. He passed me his card and I shall be keeping it close.
I was on my way to get another drink when I spotted someone out of my eye whom I couldn't leave alone. He was scowling at the general scene, mighty well built and it was a shame I didn't have a shard of glass handy. "Why hello there, Mister Potter," I said swaying towards him.
He directed his scowl at me but I could see that noticed my appearance. "Marlow," he managed to spit.
"For being at such an event, I would think you would be enjoying yourself more. Or at least mingling before greasy old men decide your fate."
"You would know all about that, wouldn't you," he snapped. "I saw your animated entrance with Malfoy. Congradulations. I am so glad Charlie was an easy replacement."
I was all of a sudden aflame with rage. "Potter, follow me if you know what's good for you." I turned on my heal and tried to casually leave the main room.
When I arrivedon the balcony, I folded my arms expectantly. Sure enough, Harry came, looking a little uneasy regarding what I wanted. "Shut the door," I said. He did so, completely cutting us off from the manor.
"I should have known you wouldn't have stayed an auror long. Quidditch suits you. Fame, fortune, the ability to look down on others. You fit in well around here for someone who is scowling like a pitbull. No girl tonight? What is Weasleyette taken?"
"Shut up!" he shouted. "I don't need to stand here and listen to you insult those I care about." He turned to leave but I grabbed him. He was extremely wired but then again so why I.
"You ruined my life, Potter," I said bitterly. "I can do whatever I damn well please."
"You seem to be doing just fine."
"As does Weaslyette, looking to buy 500 galleon robes. Way out ofher natural price range. Gonna feed the whole family?"
He smacked my hand away and turned to me menacingly. "You don't know anything, so don't even pretend!"
"Enlighten me."
"She getting married!" he shouted. The inner pot of rage wasboiling over. He grabbed his hair and looked as though the mere thought was hot iron on his skin.
I leaned against the rail. "Forgive me for not feeling terribly bad for you. After all, you did ruin two and a half years of happiness for me."
"What are you talking about?" he groaned.
"Oh it's that easy for you, huh? I had a life, Harry! A real one. You were the one that wanted me to do so and you were the one to rip it away." I wasn't over it. Though it may have felt like ages since I touched Charlie last, I wasn't over the hole ripped in my heart. "I hope Lucius Malfoy buys your team and I hope he runs it into the ground. I hope you have to live in a closet and the one you married can't even come to help you!"
I moved to go when suddenly my heal slipped on the edge of my dress. Next thing I knew, I was hanging to the rail for dear life. "Harry!" I screamed. My fingers couldn't hold on but before I plummetted, a strong hand grabbed my wrist.
"I've got you!" I screamed all the same, kicking and flailing.
"Don't let me go, Charlie!" I screamed as I literally hung above the dragon's pit.
"I've got you! Come on, Alex!"
He pulled me out and I collapsed on top of him, panting.
But this time, the person I collapsed upon wasn't Charlie but the man who saw it fit that not be with him. I quickly stood up and tried to readjust myself. "Thank you," I said curtly.
"Is that all?" he asked as I walked away.
"What do you want, a kiss?"
"You're still Xandra, so why don't you be honest with me?"
"Honest how?" I folded my arms.
"As much as it disgusts me to see how you hurt Charlie, I don't want Lucius Malfoy owning me."
"I don't care."
"I --"
"I have my own problems to worry about, Potter. Play your own politics." I opened the door and stormed away. Unknowingly dropping my card.
Inside I ran into Pansy Parkinson. Still fuming from Harry, I found it almost a pleasure to talk with her. Well, "talking". It was more like elaborate bragging on both our sides. She told me about her department store and I recounted tales from Romania. Most were true, I just changed some minor details not to appear too suspicious.
Harry reentered the room. He was approached by a couple men, probablyhis coaches and they started to talk. His scowl didn't let up. I don't know why but I was taking pleasure in seeing him miserable. A voice somewhere was telling me I was a sadist, for how can you ever completely hate someone you loved? Didn't want to think about that. Past is in the past and I wasn't going to worry about Harry Potter. Especially not why his touch left my skin tingling.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Draco swooped in asking me to dance. I didn't really have time to answer. Draco and I moved well together but that obviously wasn't why he had ripped me away from a promising conversation.
"That's him," he hissed in my ear. "That is the man who owns Marlow Enterprises." I spun me around and I saw who he was talking about.
A man in his mid-forties dressed in a velour suit with drinks in both hands, a cigar in his mouth and women literally hanging off of him, was the subject of Draco's whisper. "Him?" I gasped. "My father built that company with the sweat of his murdering hands! You mean to tell me it is owned by some . . .by some playboy!"
"That, my dear, is Jason Calway."
"What! The man looks like some sort of pimp."
"Indead he is. He owns every seedy joint in London."
"Please explain to me how a man named Tiberius lost my company to a man named Jason who can't even wear a proper suit."
"He has money, Marlow. Your company had what he wanted, a way to move things from one end of the globe to the other. He, how shall we say, always gets what he wants."
"I am going to be sick."
"Don't," he said gripping me close. "Better go make nice with him. He's step number two."
"More like step number forty. Honestly Draco, I have kissed so much arse I think I am going to need to see the dentist."
"Tomorrow morning," he said before leaving me on the otherside of the room with the man-whore and his hussies.
It took every inch of pride I had and every memory of my family name to will myself to even converse with such a shmuck. "Pardon me," I said tapping him on the shoulder. He and two blonde bimbos turned around.
He whistled. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" Oh merlin, he had possibly the most lecherousnorthern accent.
"What's the difference between a lawyer and a first date?"
Intrigued by my odd choice of introduction, he replied, "What?" The girls on his arms glared at me.
"When you're about to sentenced for tax fraud, you don't send your date to plead for leniencey."
He laughed and shrugged his girls and his drinks away. "I always like a girl with a sense of humor."
"How about a girl with business sense?" I said, trying to seperate myself from his good looking entourage as much as possible. "Alexandra Marlow," I held out my hand then shook his firmly.
"Jason Calway, but then again, I am sure you already knew that."
"Was my introduction redundant too?"
"No."
I stopped. "You mean you have no idea who I am?"
"No," he was smirking without merit. I hate that! Only ex-slytherins get to do that, you smug git!
"Then how about we get acquainted," I said, taking his arm and leading him away from his entourage and to the dance floor.
"That was brilliant!" Draco said triumphantly when he aparated to his apartment. "You made those old fools salivate, Marlow!" He tossed his hat to the cloak holder and smirked. Draco obviously was enjoying my performance much more than I. "Not mention Calway! Calway! He looked he was ready to hand over the deeds."
"I am disgusted with myself."
"Everyone knows Calway is a shmuck, Marlow. Half those men in there prefer you to him. It should be a piece of cake!"
"Draco," I began while taking off my shoes. "Why is it that Theo is cheating on a supermodel?"
"Who, Jessica?" he seemed surprised by my question. "She isn't a model."
"She's gorgeous, Draco," I drawled. "Why on earth does he need a mistress?"
Draco snorted. "I don't know. Ask him yourself."
I didn't reply and my back remained turned to him. He stopped and looked at me. "Marlow?" I still didn't say anything. "Marlow?" he replied. He spun me around but I looked away. To be honest, I was far away. He took my chin and made me look at him. "Are you sick?"
"No."
"Did you drink too much?"
"No."
"Then go to bed."
I pulled away from him. "I am not a child."
He grumbled something about PMS and walked away.
Slamming the door to my closet, I wondered how a man could be so wanted and yet so infuriating. One minute, I had the impression he cared and the next that he rather I fell off the edge of the earth. I wanted him to care if I fell of the edge of the earth!
I threw the expensive garment aside and switched into my pajamas. I was feeling so terribly lonely. Maybe it was PMS. It was a horribly guilty kind of lonely too. I wanted affection and I wanted to be kissed.
Why these feels occured after a rather successful re-entry to wizarding high society, I don't know. In any case, I found myself penning a letter to Charlie asking for him to meet me one last time.