"Smile for the camera."

The blitz blinded Alex as she plastered on a bright smile. She lifted her right leg slightly and ignored the fake snow that fell down from the ceiling. The set was supposed to simulate a cold winter day, and she was sweating like crazy. It was not cold on the set, but she was dressed as if it was. The oversized scarf that was draped across her neck didn't help much either.

"That's it, Alexandra, keep that smile," The photographer sounded excited. They always did.

She continued to pose, one moment she was a happy child looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses, the next she was a heartbroken girl and then a sultry woman. She wasn't paying much attention to the set, though. No, her thoughts were occupied by the invitation that had reached her this morning.

It had come while she was drinking her morning tea. A beautiful barn owl had knocked on their window, and for a short moment, she'd had a flashback to the day her Hogwarts letter arrived. When Alex opened the window it had flown in and surprised a groggy Caroline by landing on the latest issue of Harper's Bazar. The owl had then proceeded to stick out its front leg on which a letter was tied. She had removed it and immediately recognised the Malfoy crest that was stamped into the black wax. Carefully she removed the wax, the convolute was thick and felt smooth to the touch. She chuckled slightly. Even when it came to something as common as paper Draco acted like a true Malfoy and followed the family's secret motto: Nothing but the best is good enough for a Malfoy. Unfolding the letter she admired the neat penmanship, it was clearly Draco himself that had written the letter.

Dear Alexandra,

It is with great joy that I, Draco Malfoy, officially invite you to the Annual Yule Ball.

The Ball will be held at Malfoy Manor that can, for the night, be accessed by the floor system.

It'll take place on the 26th of December and starts at 19 o'clock in the ballroom.

We, the Malfoy family, look forward to your attendance.

Best regards,

Your friend Draco Malfoy

Alex had grown quite fond of the boy and liked to think that she knew him better than he thought. A perfect example of her understanding of the Malfoy heir was her ability to feel that Draco had been bored out of his mind writing the letters. Her friend wasn't good at sitting still, he wasn't good at doing small everyday tasks without complaining either. Those two things combined made her think that writing the same things over and over again wasn't exactly Draco's cup of tea.

The owl still stood on the fashion magazine awaiting her reply so she went to get her silver ink and feather. She smiled inwardly, she had to show Draco that he wasn't the only one that was able to afford luxury goods.

She took her time scribbling down a short but precise reply on a piece of black paper, then drank the rest of her tea while the ink dried. Her letter was convoluted and bound to the owl's leg. Just before it left she allowed it to eat a bit of her scone and gave it a bit of water to drink. Who knew how far she was from the Malfoy Manor? She wouldn't want the poor creature to die of hunger or thirst before it even reached the letter's recipient.

"Who sent the owl?" A perplexed blonde asked her.

"It's from one of my friends, he wants me to attend his family's ball." Alex poured herself another cup of earl grey.

"A ball? but you have a busy schedule and I don't think you own the proper attire for such an event."

Alexandra looked over at Caroline, the blonde seemed to be getting more and more worked up. She decided that it would be better to calm her 'mother' before she became a ball of eatability and worry.

"Relax Caroline, it is placed on the 26th of December, I have no gigs there and there is plenty of time to buy a dress."

"Okay dear, but do remember that we have a busy schedule, and you are already going to visit friends on the 24-25th."

"I know, I'm not that forgetful." Her last remark was a bit scornful.

Now she couldn't help but look forward to visiting her friends again: Both the Weasley's and her Slytherin friends. The muggle world was fine in small doses, but she was already growing bored of it. If only Caroline had been magic, then she would be able to leave it for good. Then again… Wizarding robes did look a lot like bathrobes.

"Good, we've got what we need. Wonderfully done Alexandra, just brilliant."

"You flatter me, Julian," she sent the photographer a cheeky smile. He really wasn't that bad, better than some of the other photographers at least. And he adored her, a definite plus.

She shook off the big fluffy winter jacket and the scarf and then proceeded to the dressing area where she switched out the clothes she was wearing, only to replace them with her own shortly after.

"I'm ready to go, Caroline."

Herr blonde haired guardian didn't seem to hear her at all as she was deeply absorbed in looking at a computer screen that displayed her newly taken photos. Alex decided to join her and went to look at them too. They were all very pretty she admitted that. And they seemed real like she was showing real emotion, but Alex still found them strangely lacking. Probably because she knew they were fake, hollow, nothing but a display of incredible acting. Still, she pointed at a picture where she held a big smile while trying to catch the 'snowflake in her hands.

"I like this one."

Both Caroline and Julian turned to look at her, surprise was evident in their eyes.

"You don't want this?" Caroline pointed at a picture where she looked more sexual. Alex admitted that the picture was usually what she would go for, but this time it was different. She couldn't explain why or how it was different, just that it was different.

"No, I like the one where I smile like I'm happy."

Caroline's eyes softened, "okay sweetie, then I'll talk to the Julian and the others about using that picture for the front page."

"Thank you… Mum."

If Alex hadn't turned around, she would have seen the shock and overwhelming glee her use of words promoted.

.

.

"I don't like this," Alex turned in front of the mirror, "It looks trashy on me."

Caroline nodded, the short bright blue dress did indeed look… Non-favourable on her daughter's slender frame. It was clearly made for women with more curves.

"Well, on to the next one then." She sighed, finding a dress for Alexandra's upcoming ball at the Malfoy Manor was a difficult task. More so than she had believed it would be. The younger girl was just much of a perfectionist for it to be easy. They had been at it for what felt like hours and had tried almost every dress in the world. Alex just wasn't satisfied.

The next dress Alex tried, though, was the one. Caroline knew the moment she saw Alex walk out of the changing room. It was semi-sheer with a layered flowy skirt and embroiled with small flowers and silver pearls. Even though it was black it didn't make her look sickly at all and instead complimented her ivory skin tone gorgeously.

"I guess we found the dress, eh?" She was happy to see a small, but real, smile decorate Alex's face.

"Yes, I always knew Oscar de la Renta was my brand."

At this Caroline moaned in despair. Her daughter had made a habit of picking the most expensive brands out there. Still, it was nothing she couldn't afford, so she paid for the dress.

They left the shop and strode down the alleyway.

"Are you excited?"

Alex looked at her for a moment then answered, "I assume you are talking about the ball. And yes, I am excited. It's a great gateway into high society in the wizarding world."

Caroline looked at Alexandra in disbelief, she knew her daughter was manipulative and calculating, but for some reason, she hadn't expected that answer. Perhaps it was because it was a ball they were talking about. What little girl didn't dream about attending a ball?

"I'm actually more excited about visiting the Weasley family. Did you know that Fred and George have two older brothers, William and Charlie? William works with spell breaking while Charlie works with dragons in Bulgaria."

Caroline felt the colour leave her cheeks, dragons? Weren't they just mythical creatures? And they were supposed to be dangerous too, she didn't want Alex near such dangers.

"Alex dear, are you sure it's a great idea to go visit the Weasley's?" She bit her lip nervously.

Alexandra just waved her off, "of course it is, I would miss out on all of the fun if I didn't, now wouldn't I?"

At the last remark the raven-haired girl's eyes lit up with creepy longing. Suddenly Caroline wasn't as worried about her daughter's wellbeing as the safety of those who opposed her. Alexandra could take care of herself.

.

.

Alex's life continued at a hectic pace and before she knew it, it was the 23rd and she had a free day. No photoshoots, no excursuses, no interviews about her mysterious boring school and its whereabouts. just a chance to relax, read a good book and drink a cup of tea. She was happy beyond belief to finally be able to sleep in and stay in bed all day. Her plans for the day only involved her and her bed, these were, however, destroyed when Caroline broke into her house at seven o'clock to remind her that she had promised to spend the day with her.

Alex didn't remember ever saying such a thing but agreed nonetheless, on the one condition that she didn't have to leave the house.

And so they had a movie night in the living room: A spacious area painted in a delicate lavender furnished with mahogany furniture upholstered with a white floral print and a ginormous television. They were cuddled up in blankets and Caroline had found a bucket of ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice-cream that they could eat with spoons while bitching about the obvious plotholes in the current movie. It turned out to be quite an amazing day.

I'm sorry I took longer than usual to upload this chapter, I just had a couple of busy days and couldn't find to write before about 45 minutes ago...

- formalkitty -