Disclaimer: I don't own it
Please R&R Special thanks to my three reviewers
Confessions of a Potter Princess III
6 Months Later
I wake up in 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets to the sound of a shower. I looked at the clock 4:30 AM. I'm a little disoriented but then realize I'm in my new flat. I had moved out of Potter Manor and found a flat with Rainier 2 weeks ago, but I still wasn't used to it.
Rainier and I had of course fallen in love though now that I was living with him, my mother was just waiting for us to announce our engagement. I then reminded her that I was only seventeen. She wasn't married till she was nineteen so I don't understand what the rush is. Besides I don't even think I want to get married, like ever. I told Mum that the day I get engaged is the day Maxim and Delilah finally tie the knot.
She looked at me very seriously then and said, "But princess you'll probably be in your twenties by then. Nobody will want to marry you; I mean that's so old. Honestly, darling Tierney will marry before you"
Forget the fact that Tierney is seven. Although, I could already see the seeds of a future romance forming between her and Holden Wood, Dad's friend Oliver's son. They were in school together at Aunt Hermione's Magical Minors Academy.
I turned over and tried to get back to sleep. An hour later, Rainier kissed me awake. "Bye Princess I have to get going for that game in Italy"
"Already it's only 5:30", I replied groaning.
"Yeah, but we leave at 8:30."
"Darling, that's forever away"
"Well I think your father is going to sneak in a little practice. Now go back to sleep Princess we had a long night", he said winking. I used to despise guys who wink, but I swear he raises the gesture to an art form.
Later that day I'm in class at London's Malkin's School of Wizarding Design. I'm studying fashion in hopes of becoming the first truly successful couturier that combines high fashion with wizardwear. It is really because of Rainier that I was in these classes at all. I had always loved muggle fashion, but knew that I wanted to work within the wizarding community. It was Rainier who helped me figure out exactly what I wanted.
A lot of things happened because of Rainier; more really than I'd like to admit. I don't know what it is but I'm just stuck on him. I was reluctant at first, but I couldn't deny the sweaty palms and heart racing that seemed to occur every time he walked in the room. I'm even going to be spending Christmas with his family in Transylvania.
Jamison Halliwell, my table partner, nudged my arm so we could get started on our project for today. Our mission was to take a plain set of wizarding robes and using only what material we have create a muggle cocktail dress. Class ended and we submitted our projects. I gathered my things to leave.
"Ms. Potter, Mr. Halliwell stay for just a minute please", said Ms. Appleton, the tailoring Professor. Sighing and eager to get home I followed Jamison up to Ms. Appleton's desk.
"Now Ms. Potter, Mr. Halliwell I've recently received a letter from the coordinators of London Fashion Week. They said that this year they would like to show more up-and-coming designers to open the big shows like Burberry or Ben Sherman. The two of you have shown an amazing aptitude for design. If you are interested, the sketches must be in by Dec. 7th. Please realize that gives you only one week. The show will be for the Spring/Summer season so keep that in mind. After that you will each have an opportunity to direct your own show. If the show is well received, this could be the beginning of your careers. The shows will be attended by rock royalty, actors, actresses, supermodels and many other dignitaries. Here are the applications and some information packets." She said while handing both Jamison and me thick envelopes.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I mean this is my shot. I thanked Ms. Appleton profusely and walked out of the classroom in a daze. As I make my way down the halls to the front doors of the building, my mind is racing with ideas and designs.
Jamison, who I had forgotten about said, "This is un-fucking-believable."
"My thoughts exactly", I replied while he opened the door and we exited the building. We stopped and looked at each other on the front steps of the school. I shrieked and jumped into his arms ecstatic at what this could mean. We were still hugging when I heard
"Hey Princess"
I turned towards the voice and shrieked again. It was Colton Lupin, my other best friend leaning against that crazy vintage car of his. I dashed down the steps to meet him hugging him with such force I almost knocked him over.
"Oh my God, what are you doing here!" I exclaimed.
"I just got back into town and I wanted to surprise you", he said grinning.
"How did you know I was here? It's been a while since our last letters"
"I went to see Delilah first, and she told me where to find you."
"Well, how long are you going to be in town for this time?" I asked.
"Through the first week of January, so about a month and a half, then I'm going back to Paris. But anyway is that Rainier? ", he asked gesturing to Jamison who was talking with some people behind me.
"What, Oh no, that's Jamison Halliwell a guy in my class, speaking of which, your never going to believe this." I said still over excited, and I told him of the amazing opportunity.
"That's just wow, I mean that's fantastic" he said when I was finished.
I couldn't believe my luck. I could've cried I was so happy. Colton was back, I was going to rock the Spring/Summer fashion show, and Rainier was coming back from Italy early tomorrow afternoon.
"So it seems you've been busy in my absence.", he said as we got into the car and drove away, "Fashion school, a new rather dare I say it committed relationship, moving out of the Manor, and not to mention front page tabloid coverage every other day."
"Oh can you believe it! I'm getting absolutely everything I've always wanted."
"I always knew you would" he said squeezing my knee affectionately.
"It was Rainier who really pushed me to do all this"
"Which reminds me, when do I get to meet the famous Rainier Malfoy?" he said smilingly slyly.
"Oh no not you too. He's already gotten the "talk" from Cal, Max and Jude. They even tried to get Dane to contribute. But I have the most fabulous idea. Why don't you and whoever it is that you're dating these days. I never can keep up. Hey-Ow! ", I exclaimed as he hit me when I said this, "anyway why don't we meet for dinner tomorrow when he gets back from Italy"
"Sounds great. I'll let Sophie, who I've already told you about by the way, know. Meanwhile, I've told Delilah we would get together after I picked you up."
About half an hour later, Colton parked his car at his hotel and we flooed to Hogsmeade to meet Delilah for lunch at the Three Broomstick. The three of us talked about old times and reminisced on our Hogwarts days. Delilah and I told Colton about who had married who, was dating who, was pregnant, who already had kids and what not. We talked about what Colton had missed during our last two years of Hogwarts, as he had graduated our fifth year.
Colton had moved to Paris right after his graduation to pursue a career as a wizarding lawyer where he had been offered a position in a prestigious firm. Every now and then I heard about him in the paper or over the wireless in the news about some great case he had settled.
As children, we were the best of friends. He is the son of family friends Remus and Nymphadora "Tonks" Lupin. Delilah's brother Sebastian is the same age as Colton. The four of us had been super close as kids and throughout Hogwarts. Then they both graduated and Sebastian eloped with some Spanish witch, whose father had forbidden the union and Colton went off to France. I had only seen him during Christmas holidays since then. I was worried at first that I wouldn't see him at all this year because I would be in Transylvania with Rainier.
"So, Dee, you and Maxim still going strong?" Colton asked during lunch.
"Yeah, of course now all I need is to get him to propose". She said exasperated
"Amazing how so much of your life is dependent upon a single band of metal and old charcoal", I replied frustrated with the whole ordeal as well.
"How could I possibly end up with such bitter, cynics as friends" Delilah said.
"Because darling if we were all sick in love, we would all be as unhappy as you", Colton interjected," Anyway, I think we're just about losing Charlotte here to the dark side."
"What are you talking about, I'm with a guy for more than a month and all of a sudden I'm on my way down the aisle, um no, I don't think so."
"Ah, touched a nerve I see. Let me guess Aunt Ginny has been on your case too", Colton said knowingly with an annoying little grin on his face.
"Yes, as a matter of fact she has, and I told her I wouldn't even consider it until Maxim and Delilah finally get hitched, which I'm assuming won't happen for a very long time."
"Hey!" said Delilah throwing some lettuce from her salad at me, "Besides, it isn't that big of a change, I mean she did shag him about oh I don't know two hours after meeting him." This time it was my turn to throw some of the chips off my plate at her.
"Well, Char, you are what, eighteen in two months. Merlin! You're practically an old maid", said Colton, "And you, Delilah, well I put my gold on a nice July wedding at a classy retirement home. The heat will be better on our elderly joints."
"What the Hell!" He said loudly as we both threw some of our food at him.
The Next Day
As we approached Burner, a London restaurant of Maxim's; Rainier and I met up with Colton and Sophie. Colton hugged me tightly and I laughed and kissed each of his cheeks. It was so good to have him back in England.
I had briefed Rainier ahead of time on Colton and mine's history. Funnily enough the first thing he asked when I told him about meeting a good friend of mine for dinner and mentioned that Colton happened to be a he was: Did you ever date him?
That question came up a lot regarding our relationship oddly enough. Not so much with Delilah because she had been dating Maxim forever, but with me everyone always assumed we were a couple. People just didn't understand that it would be similar to dating one of my brothers. I know beyond disturbing.
We were seated for dinner right away, when I mentioned my name even though there was a thirty minute waiting list. Rainier was tenser than I had ever seen him throughout the whole thing, though he seemed to get on well enough with Colton. It was important to me that they were at least friendly. These were after all the two most important men in my life.
Sophie was much like most of Colton's girlfriends; vaguely interesting very vapid and drop-dead gorgeous. They met apparently through one of Colton's clients. This basically meant she was some rich real estate tycoon's nanny/whore before Colton swept her off her feet with his dazzling smile, charming wit and sizable paycheck.
This wasn't unexpected, but I always think he can do so much better. Sure he has some commitment issues just like me, but he's a handsome, wealthy, intelligent gentleman. He should be setting his standards higher than someone who asks for diet water.
"So Charlotte tells me you play for Uncle Harry", Colton said nonchalantly halfway through the main course.
"Yeah, I was signed just this past winter when he saw me at the international training camp, my first time invited to the camp too", Rainier replied a bit of cockiness in his voice that usually wasn't there.
"You must be pretty damn good then for Uncle Harry to sign you so quickly. I really should follow quidditch more closely. Especially now that the new star of the home team is dating my favorite girl", said Colton raising his wine glass in my direction.
I smiled and laughed at this. Sophie just gave me a dirty look.
"There's a game here this Friday right, darling?" I said.
"Yeah, against Norway who's looking pretty tough this year it should be an exciting game."
"Well, I'll just have to look into it then. So do you play for a local club as well or just on the international level," asked Colton.
"I used to play for the Moscow Czars but quit to train for England here. What about you Charlotte didn't say what you did only that you lived in Paris. Do you have even have a job?" Rainier answered rudely.
I shot him the famous glare of the Weasley women as he said this. I didn't understand why Rainier was being so defensive and cold. He had been making weird comments like this all night. I knew he saw my look but he didn't meet my gaze.
Thankfully Colton just casually laughed it off and replied "Yeah I'm a lawyer at the Sauvignon International Law Firm, actually settled a case between Nimbus and Firebolt brooms recently. You probably know about the dispute: Nimbus suing Firebolt claiming they used copyrighted Nimbus designs in their construction of that new Lightningbolt. "
"Right, I heard mention of it a time or two" grumbled Rainier.
I knew this was a lie though; the International Quidditch Federation was in major disarray because of it. All Firebolt sponsored quidditch clubs lost their equipment while the law suit was being settled. It was a huge conflict. I remember Dad going crazy because it was right before the drafting for the international teams was set to start and England was broom-less.
After that, the mood of the table was very tense. We each skipped dessert to speed up the meal (though Sophie who had been blissfully ignorant only really wanted to skip because it would make her fat) and went our separate ways. I promised Colton I would see to it that we all get tickets for Friday's quidditch game and hugged him goodbye. I didn't speak to Rainier at all until we were climbing into bed.
"What the hell is your problem?" I demanded angrily.
"What are you talking about?" he asked just as sharply.
"Colton was just trying to get to know you better all night and all you did was make some smart comment and jump down his throat!"
"Me-HA! He wasn't trying to get to know me better he was judging me the whole time. Trust me I know the difference."
"He's my best friend, has been since forever. I can't believe you so blatantly disrespected him like that!"
"He was all over you. How could he just blatantly disrespect me your boyfriend by touching you like that!"
"That's insane he's like my fucking brother for Merlin's sake!"
"Who are you trying to kid sweetheart, I'm a guy and I know he was sure as hell not showing you brotherly affection!"
"Oh fuck off Rainier your just jealous that's all"
"Your fucking right I'm jealous, what do you think it's like for me huh. I see you and him and how close you guys are. With the Uncle Harry crap and the kissing and hugging. I'm not stupid Charlotte. I know I'm the one more in love here. But Dammit! Do you have to make it so fucking hard! At this point I couldn't stop loving you even if I wanted too. And I sure as hell can't stand the thought of you leaving me." He finished the last part in a near whisper.
All I could do was stare. After what seemed an eternity I blinked and felt a tear I didn't now I was holding trickle down my face. I stepped forward and without saying a word reached my hand up to his face, so wrought with emotion, and placed my lips upon his. I kissed him with more tenderness and love than I thought I could feel.
I'll Review yours if you Review mine