The Lestrange Ball
I slipped the silver gown over my head and ran my hands down my body straightening it. It was gorgeous; flowing from my hips to the floor in a wide arc. It was off the shoulder with long sleeves and the fitted bodice further accentuating my slender figure. I admired myself in the mirror a moment, imagining the look on Malfoy's face if he saw me,
"No!" I buried my head in my hands, "Don't think like that, Blair." I hissed to myself. "You have a reputation to keep up and you almost blew it that time with Rodolphus!" I took a deep breath and smiled politely to my reflection.
"That's better" I remarked. I placed my mask over my eyes and adjusted the ebony black feathers in my hair; I was unrecognizable. Perfect. I despised going to Bella's parties, all I asked was to be left alone but abysmally foolish wizards still felt the desire to dance with me. With my mask on, I hoped no one felt the need to dance with me this year. With a heavy sigh, I disapparated.
Outside the Lestrange Manor, Bella and Rodolphus stood at the front door. Rodolphus leaned towards Bella and whispered,
"Who is this? I did not think we knew anyone this beautiful."
"I have no idea, honey." He face clouded with confusion.
"Bella, Rodolphus it's me, Blair." I whispered, afraid someone might overhear. "But you can not tell anyone!" I demanded.
"Oh Blair!" she exclaimed, "That gown is absolutely breathtaking!" her eyes scanned the length of the dress taking in the beautifully intricate details.
Rodolphus and Bella exchanged glances. I could tell they were itching to say something.
"Spit it out!" I ordered.
"I-I um… Lucius Malfoy is here." Bella said cautiously.
I narrowed my eyes.
"And?" I inquired with an air of impatience, but I could feel trepidation edging into my voice.
She stared at me disbelievingly.
"Surely you have seen the way he looks at you, Blair. I think he wants you." She cast me a seductive look, before bursting into a fit of giggles.
I ignored her laughter,
"Doesn't everyone?" I replied arrogantly.
"Blair." She shot me a reproachful look. "Not like that. You must have noticed the amount of self-control he exerts over himself when he is around you. Like that day you met him, he did not even react to the fact that you were sitting on him. You were close enough to kiss!"
"He was scared half to death Bella; after all I did threaten his life." A frustrated sigh escaped my lips.
"Oh yes, but think of this; you're a typical arrogant, self-involved, handsome Death Eater, all wonderful traits in a man by the way, and your face is an inch away from that of a gorgeous, powerful witch. Most would take it as a sexual advance and try to kiss this witch. But not Malfoy, he kept perfectly still, yet every sign on his face implied that he wanted to kiss you."
I turned away as if in disgust, but I had noticed these things too. I smiled to myself, then immediately tried to hide it.
"Oh you know it, don't you Blair? I can't believe you would have kept that from me." I snorted impatiently,
"Bella, get a grip, there is nothing there; I have no idea what you are talking about. Now can we get going? Everyone is waiting for you." we turned and walked up the path. "Wait Bella, Rodolphus" I stopped them before they could enter, "Not a word of my identity okay" I snapped. They nodded curtly as we stepped over the threshold into the entrance hall, where we could hear music flowing from the ballroom.
The ballroom was beautifully decorated. A string quartet played in the far corner; their melodious, soothing tones filled the room.
"Blair, let us find you someone to dance with." Bella said as her eyes danced maliciously, knowing well that I detested dancing.
"Will you? I think not Bella; I'll find my own partner to dance with." I snapped, surprising them both. "Maybe I'll dance with Malfoy, you said he was coming no?" she nodded. "He's the only man I can trust besides you, Rodolphus." Rodolphus exchanged a glance with Bella,
"What ever you say Blair. He's standing over by the far wall, black dress robes and silver serpent mask." he said mischievously. I ignored him, my pride stopping me from snapping back at him.
I nodded smartly to Bella and Rodolphus and proceeded to make my way across the semi-crowded dance floor. Malfoy stood appearing as bored as one can in a mask. I stopped before him and watched as he abruptly woke out of his stupor and slowly moved his eyes over my body. He stepped forward and he held his hand out for me to take. My spine tingled as our hands joined. We were easily the most handsome couple on the floor, and we knew it. He gracefully spun me, before stepping forward, bridging the gap between us. My hand found his shoulder as I felt his fingers brush my upper back. I was captivated by his stare as we slowly revolved on the spot. His face was impassive as I felt his hand slip down to my waist; I edged closer and rested my head on his chest, feeling his pounding heart. A content smile played about my lips; I had a greater effect on him than I knew. Bella was right about Malfoy. I leaned towards his ear and whispered seductively,
"It's a bit warm tonight, isn't it Lucius?" His eyes widened with surprise then smiled confidently,
"One would say steaming, Blair" His eyes flashed coyly. The delicacy he placed on his words sent a fire raging through my body. I slid my hands through his sleek blond hair and he ran his hand firmly over my exposed back; my skin breaking out in goose bumps at the touch of his cool fingertips. The melodic music washed over us as he edged closer. My body was trembling with anticipation. We were lost in each other's eyes when we were rudely brought back to reality by a tall sallow looking man with shoulder length black hair. Malfoy held my gaze for a moment longer before reluctantly turning to him.
"What do you want, Snape?" he snapped.
"I just wanted to see if it was true" he smirked.
"What is true?" he spat, impatiently.
"That you are dancing with Blair Gaunt."
My eyes flashed as I stepped forward menacingly,
"How the hell did you know who I was? The only people who knew were Bella, Rodolphus and Lucius."
"Rodolphus told Avery and Nott about you Blair, he seemed unusually excited. And Bellatrix told my wife who, in turn, told me." He said indifferently.
"What is your point, Severus? What does it matter if everyone knows I am dancing with Blair?" Malfoy asked, confused.
"Look behind you…" he replied. Malfoy and I both turned, noticing quite a few wizards glaring jealously at Malfoy.
"Great." I muttered under my breath. I cursed myself for allowing my useless emotions to dictate my actions. I had now caused what I came here to avoid. Attention.
I caught Snape watching me, an amused expression on his face.
"What?" I snapped, annoyed at the excess attention I was receiving.
"In all my years of knowing you, I have never seen you dance quite like that. Passionate would be the word to describe it." He raised an eyebrow as a beautiful woman with silky brown hair which cascaded down her back and robes of deep magenta linked arms with him,
"Darling, I hope you are not interrupting these nice people." She purred. Severus smiled adoringly at her.
"This is my wife, Diolinda Snape. Diolinda, this is Lucius Malfoy and Blair Gaunt." He introduced as he proudly wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Pleased to meet you, I do hope we will see more of each other in the future. You must come to our home one evening, for dinner." She smiled, her pearly white teeth contrasting strongly with the deep olive of her eyes.
"Most certainly, we will." Lucius accepted, turning to Severus he smirked, "You have a very beautiful and charming wife there Severus make sure you do not let her go."
"I have no intention of letting him out of my sight." Diolinda countered. A slow waltz started playing and she pulled on Severus' arm. "Speaking of which, let us dance, my darling."
He nodded resignedly before passing a final warning to Lucius, "Lucius, just watch your back. Men filled with lust are a dangerous thing. Please excuse us, after this dance I am going to find Rodolphus and deal with him on your behalf, Blair."
I smiled malevolently, "Thank you, Severus."
As Severus and Diolinda moved onto the dance floor, Malfoy purposefully slid his arm around my waist. An arrogant smirk spread across his face as he noticed the reactions of several of the men on the dance floor whose partners stormed away in disgust. We laughed together at those men, who laboured under the false delusions that they had the right to be with me.
Malfoy glanced sideways,
"Passionate, eh?"
"What?' I asked, turning to face him.
"Snape has known you for over twenty years and he has never seen that in you?"
"So? He is not a very perceptive man, Malfoy." I said apprehensively, knowing it was a lie.
"I just want to know, is he telling me that I, Lucius Malfoy, am the first person in twenty years to stir up desire from the cold, hard, beauty, Blair Gaunt?" his eyes glinted with arrogance and a hint of surprise. I silently cursed Snape and his big mouth. My reputation and the power I had over people seemed to be slipping away. Proving my point, a hot flush began to creep up my cheeks. I turned away in embarrassment and disgust at myself,
"Don't think on it too much, Malfoy" I snapped, stealing a glance towards him. His face suggested he was doing the exact opposite. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the jealous men on the dance floor and was startled to see a few walking towards me. I turned to Malfoy and grabbed onto his arm tightly, "Malfoy, let us dance now before those men come and ruin my night."
He paused before answering, glancing at my tight grip on his arm.
"Of course, my passionate witch!" he taunted me. I felt myself flush once more,
"Say that again, Malfoy and I will go home right now and let you fend for yourself against all those jealous, spiteful men!" I hissed. His eyes widened through his mask as he fell silent. I smiled arrogantly, "I never thought I would see the day a Malfoy would be silenced by a woman." I tilted my head to the side, in mock thought. "Albeit, a beautiful and powerful one, but a woman nonetheless." I grinned wickedly at him, as he just stood there. "Are you coming Malfoy?" I motioned for him to join me. As though in defiance, he refused to move. It was quite vindictive, but I wasn't through playing with him. "Fine…" I said innocently, "I'll just have to find someone else to dance with." I was enjoying twisting Malfoy's mind, it was fast becoming my favourite past time.
He rushed out after me, trying to look as dignified as he could when he realised I was serious. Torturing Malfoy further, I grabbed one of the sulking men who were standing near me. I shuddered as Avery's gaze brightened with a glare of triumph and lust. Yet my determination to torture Malfoy overpowered my repulsion of the plump balding man. Avery grinned like the immature schoolboy he undoubtedly was. He seemed to think that I had chosen him over the handsome Lucius Malfoy because he was what I desired. The thought disgusted me.
To my shock I felt his hand begin to creep down my back,
"Do not even think about it, Avery!" I sneered as his hand quickly jumped back to my shoulder. Out of nowhere, a pair of strong arms pulled Avery from me and tossed him against the wall. A jealous fire burned within Malfoy's eyes as he thrust his wand against Avery's throat.
"Get your filthy hands off her!" he spat. "Count yourself extremely lucky that I have not already cursed you into oblivion!" he pressed his wand harder into Avery's throat, "Now get out of my sight, Avery!" he whimpered as he ran off across the floor, well away from Malfoy and his wand. I smiled coyly, pleased Malfoy was being so possessive. The passion in his eyes proved his desire for me.
Amused, I watched Malfoy straighten his robes and hair in an attempt to regain his icy appearance. My eyes danced mischievously as he noticed I was studying him,
"About time you came and rescued me."
He hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me against him. I felt my body tingle at the sudden closeness between us. His hand caressed my throat gently before I felt his fingers tighten around my neck.
"Don't ever do that to me again." He whispered harshly. I smiled coldly, trying to ignore the fact that I could hardly breathe. Silence had fallen throughout the room as all eyes fell on us. Malfoy was leaning up against me; looking down his nose at me while he rested his free hand against the wall. He had me pinned in place, slowly strangling me. His expression was unreadable as he stared into my eyes, clearly forgetting himself. He suddenly blinked and released me and on cue the music restarted while everyone resumed dancing.
"Now who is passionate, Malfoy?" I teased. His eyes burned with desire, proving my point. I slipped my arms around his neck, entwining my fingers in his hair. His eyes bore into my own with such intensity; it made me shiver in delight. Malfoy brushed a strand of raven hair from my face and as he slowly leaned towards me I felt his lips press against mine. A low hiss escaped me as his lips slid down my neck in a flurry of ravenous, ardent kisses. I bit my lip in an attempt to stifle a moan of pleasure. I bit too hard, breaking the skin on my lip; blood ensued from the cut and began to trickle down my chin. I drew back from Malfoy sharply, startled by the warm, sticky flow. I brushed a finger across my lips.
"I didn't realize kissing a Malfoy could be so dangerous." I grinned, my eyes dancing impishly, as I sucked the blood away.
"That is what makes it fun." he whispered avidly. He softly pressed his lips to mine and sucked the blood from them. With an excited glint in my eye, I watched him as he licked the droplets away. I smiled wickedly and leaned into his neck,
"Lucius, I had no idea that you could be so…" I ran my tongue lightly, along his neck and up his jaw line. "…irresistible." I moved out of his grip and made to walk past him,
"Where do you think you are going, Blair?" he whispered in my ear.
"Goodnight, Malfoy." I replied, allowing a slow smile with every intention of torturing him further. I turned and swept off across the floor, disappearing into the crowd. Being a tease always worked to my advantage. Malfoy leant his forehead against the wall, breathing deeply before following my path across the ball room.