XVII.
"My what?" Dorathea sputtered, her fork falling out of her nerveless fingers. She glanced at Theo who was staring at her with a mixture of hurt, astonishment, and confusion written over his face.
"Is this true?" He asked, his voice breaking on the last syllable.
"No - Theo-"
"I mean, you did spend a lot of time at Malfoy manor over the break," Daphne added, looking positively feline in her enjoyment of the scene, "Draco wouldn't shut up about it. How you visited him in Hogwarts constantly and spoke to his mother every other day and had such a close connection."
Out of the corner of her eye, Dorothea saw her brother slump back on the bench, eyes darting over his lap as he tried to piece together everything that was happening. He looked as shocked as she felt.
"It's not like that," She protested weakly, "He's just a frie-" But Daphne wasn't done. Leaning forward, eyes gleaming, she added sweetly.
"And now you show up with that necklace," Daphne reached forward to flick the silver pendant that hung around Dorathea's neck, the belated birthday gift from Draco. "And that hair." Dorathea's hands flew up to the intricate updo that Lady Malfoy had taught her- had told her was the appropriate style for any young Pureblood heiress at Hogwarts.
"You're all but flaunting your engagement, Dora-darling." The girl sat back, her false good humor burning away to reveal a deep well of fury in her eyes. "An engagement that was promised to the Parkinsons, I might add. And if the Nott's are going to be party to this breach of contract then you can be sure the Greengrass's won't stand idly by."
Dorathea fought the urge to tear the pins and spells out of her hair, to burst into tears and cry that all these allegations were false. Instead, she forced herself to straighten, lowering her hands into her lap. Anger- a cold burning thing so different than the hot rage Harry felt- settled into her stomach, clearing her head and honing her thoughts to a razors edge.
"Miss Greengrass, you do yourself a disservice and come very close to insulting our family," Dorathea said coldly, pleased to see the Slytherin's girl's smile waver. She dismissed the other girl with a glare and turned to Theo, "Brother, is there any way to enter into an engagement contract without knowledge or consent."
Theo blinked, as though jerked out of a trance, frowned briefly and then shook his head. "No. There isn't. You mean to say that-"
"I never agreed to any engagement contract neither the Malfoy family or any other." She said clearly and distinctly, pitching her voice so that Pansy could hear her down at the other end of the table. She turned back to Daphne and held up her pendant. "This necklace was given to me as a Christmas gift by Draco, but he made no mention of an engagement. And, when Lady Malfoy taught me these hairstyles, she said they were appropriate for my family."
Daphne's eyes narrowed, "But surely you knew-"
"She grew up with Muggles, Daphne," Theo broke out in exasperation, "She didn't even know about magic until two weeks ago- much less about the details of various pureblood courting rituals!"
"So you're not…." The girl glanced between the two Nott's quickly and then the anger was folded up and put away as quickly as it appeared. She burst into a smile and grabbed Dorathea's hands. "Oh- it was all just a silly misunderstanding! Of course, it would be- Pansy come down here. I'd like to introduce you to Dora-darling. There is absolutely nothing to worry about- she is not engaged to Draco and never will be."
"I didn't say that," Dorathea said, fighting to free her hands. "I am still learning much about this world. Draco and his family have been incredibly helpful so far. If in the future, something develops between Draco and I, then we will cross that bridge when we get there.
"Until then," She fixed Pansy with a hard look that the dark-haired Slytherin matched. "You might want to consider why the Malfoys would be so willing to break a contract without telling you."
Deep chimes sang out in the Great Hall and the few remaining students quickly shoveled in the last of their breakfasts before rising to hurry out the door. Dorathea sighed as the food on her plates winked out of existence. It was time for class and she had barely had a chance to eat more than two bites.
She and Theo rose, but before she followed her brother towards the great doors, she turned back to the two girls.
"Since I'm not engaged, what is the quickest way for me to change my hairstyle before class." She ignored Pansy's muttered suggestion to cut it off and focused on Daphne. She didn't trust this girl, didn't even particularly like her, but if anyone would know about the hairstyle it would be her. Daphne considered the intricate braids for a moment, then sighed.
"If you unpin those braids from the top of your head and drape them under the one in the back- you'll have a perfectly neutral hairstyle." She raised her wand, eyebrows curved hopefully, "I could help you-"
"No thank you. You've done quite enough already." Dorathea turned on her heel and hurried after Theo who took her hand gratefully. She let out the breath she was holding, "I'm exhausted."
"You did brilliantly," Theo promised. There were two round points of red on his cheeks and his eyes were bright with anger. "Absolutely brilliantly. You put Daphne in her place and took care of any gossip."
"I can't believe Draco would do something like this," She whispered, tears coming unbidden to her eyes. She had begun to count Draco as among her friends and then to find out that he had tricked her? She scrubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand- not wanting to enter into her first class with tears in her eyes. There was enough gossip already.
"I can." Theo said darkly, " But he's won't make that mistake twice."
Before she could ask what that cryptic comment meant, Theo squeezed her hand and peeled off to head to his next class. Dorathea watched him disappear behind a corner, her heart feeling heavy in her chest. But she forced herself to square her shoulders and make her way to charms.
Mandy and Padma might not have waited for her in the Great Hall, but they had saved her a seat in Charms. It was a small gesture, but Dorathea appreciated it and gave them both a weak smile as she slid into her seat.
"What was all that about at breakfast?" Mandy leaned across Padma, her face bright with curiosity. Dorathea shook her head wearily.
"Family things," She said, then rummaged through her bag, "Um, do either of you have a mirror I could borrow?" Mandy didn't but Padma did. Dorathea carefully let down the two braids Daphne had mentioned, securing them at the base of her neck with two hairpins, before any Hufflepuff could come over and ask why she was suddenly engaged. She gave herself a critical look in the mirror, nodded, and handed the mirror back to Padma.
It was only 8 in the morning and she was ready for the day to be over.
A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! I appreciate all your feedback and ideas!