Chapter 3: Socialite
It was a warm, humid evening and the manor was alive and bright with merriment. Guests paraded around the rooms clothed in delicate silks and lavish embroidery, displaying their wealth and status. She fanned herself and breathed out softly, her small lacy fan providing minimal cooling. It was terribly warm in her dress and the tightness of her laces would surely leave deep impression on her back. Mrs. Malfoy had taken her away from the guests to speak privately in a corner of the room. She inconspicuously wiped small droplets of perspiration from her hairline. She caught only a few of the words Mrs. Malfoy spoke, the heat making her a tad lightheaded.
"So I believe it would be best to serve the sherry after the men have settled and had their whiskey. What do you think Georgine?" said Mrs. Malfoy, pronouncing her name in the French fashion.
She sometimes wondered if she only pronounced it that way because she had already forgotten her true name.
"That seems quite wise; you know how the misters are once they have had their strong drinks." Georgiana replied, quickening the rate at which she fanned herself.
"Well we best return to the party, we need not worry anyone." Mrs. Malfoy said as she led her back into the crowd.
She quickly hid the fan in a secret pocket in her dress, and placed a delicate smile upon her face, linking arms with Mr. Malfoy.
"Ah, this must be her!" said once of his friends as she entered into the circle they had formed.
"Yes," Mr. Malfoy responded and smiled widely at the man and looked down at her.
"She is quite darling, if I do say so myself." Said a woman beside the man, who she assumed was the man's wife.
She merely smiled and placed her hand coyly over her face. She had never expected such compliments.
They went around the room, her hand placed gently on his arm and his hand over it, greeting all the guests and asking small things here and there. She appraised the crowd and smiled knowingly in her head at its immense size. One must never assume a "small gathering" will be less than a hundred.
He walked her slowly to a pair near the hors d'ourves and he reminded her of their names.
"Mr. Parkinson and his wife Pansy." he whispered through his delicate smile.
She hummed in response and extended her hand to Mr. Parkinson as they approached.
"How grand to see you Draco! It has been so long since we have spared a moment to converse. Hogwarts has not heard us in a few years." said the man as he lifted his head from her hand, having kissed only the air above it.
She curtsied politely at his wife and Mrs. Parkinson did the same. It was modest chatter and then they moved to another pair. In the brief moments when Mr. Malfoy was distracted with conversation, she looked back at the couple whom they had finished with. Hidden from the view of others, their fingers were linked ever so slightly, and they seemed alive with excitement at their little mischief. They turned their heads and a small blush rose to the woman and she immediately withdrew her hand. The man gave a bashful grin and walked away with his wife. She would think of it no more, charming if nothing at all, and turned back to her husband. If others had seen it, the couple would never be invited again.
As the night drew to a close, they stood at the entrance, expressing their wishes and good nights and all that sort. She smiled at each guest and felt very proud. Mr. Malfoy the elder nodded his head in approval at her from the opposite side and whispered in Mrs. Malfoy's ear. They both smiled approvingly. This was good. Approval was good.