Dose of Your Own

By: OurLoveIsForever

Chapter Six: Pins

"If you poke me once more, I will hex your nose off!" The man before me yelped, jumping into another pin. I grinned evilly, hiding that sick smile behind the man's leg. With 'gentle force', I eased another pin through the fabric of the black robes and into the skin.

It was all I could do to not laugh aloud.

Draco Malfoy jerked again, turning his cold eyes down on me. I glanced innocently up at him. When he said nothing, I continued.

This time I pushed the needle through with more force.

He jolted again. "Bitch."

I said nothing, too contented with my subtle torture. Slowly, I made my way around the pant leg, trying my best to keep the line straight. Behind me, Narcissa Malfoy stood speaking with Theodore Nott and Mr. Twilfit. Once again, I slipped the pin too far.

Malfoy glared. "Do that again and see what happens."

"Your threats don't scare me." I muttered, somewhat heeding the warning by easily placing another pin in the pants without incident. Accidently, my finger grazed the skin of his leg. Immediately I noticed him stiffen. I tensed as well. A current surged through my finger to my entire body. For a moment, I sat completely dumbstruck. Pushing the strange reaction into the back of my mind, I stuck him again for good measure, as if to punctuate my displeasure. "Finished."

He rolled his eyes dramatically and whimpered: "Ow, I may have to go to Saint Mungo's after what I just went through."

"Grow some balls, it wasn't that bad." I muttered, looking away toward where Mr. Tatting was watching me with hawk eyes. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy."

Jerking his head around, he regarded me strangely. For a moment, his eyes held mine before they became bored again. Malfoy moved toward the other two of his party.

Nott gave me a demure smile before replying to a question Lady Malfoy had asked. "You've heard of Astoria Greengrass, yes?" She nodded, her mane of wispy blonde hair shimmering in the light from the windows. "That girl there." I nodded my head respectfully before moving to speak with Mr. Tatting, who was signaling for my approach.

"Miss Astoria, may I ask why you continued to torture young Master Malfoy?" He didn't seem mad at all rather he had an amused tone. "He looked to be in quite some pain."

"He was indeed." I answered. "And I continued to torture him because he had been looking down my shirt."

Tattings gave a booming laugh, clapping me roughly on the back. His hand was nearly the size of my head therefore it packed quite an impact. "Very good, very good." With another howl of laughter, he moved into the sea of robes. I stood a bit dumbfounded. Just what was good about an overconfident Malfoy staring at your breasts as if they were some completely fascinating artifact just in from some far off land. I shivered. I hated that debased feeling that swept through me. What I hated even more was the way my heart had mysteriously stopped when I realized what the prat had been looking at.

"He's a vixen, isn't he?"

I jumped, spinning around on heel. Nott took hold of my elbows to keep me balanced.

"Jumpy little thing, aren't you?" He smiled pleasantly again. "Most people seem to be rather relaxed about the whole debacle. You however seem to be even more on edge now…"

"I won't rest peacefully until they are caught. I don't worry for myself though. I am more worried for those that come in their path of escape. It's been four weeks and already six bodies have turned up. Surely people would begin to notice." His eyebrows rose into his hairline asking how I knew all this information. "I have acquaintances in the Law Offices. I know very well how to play the fields of the Ministry. A few well-placed comments here and there…"

"A woman after my own heart." With a grace that could only belong to Nott, he walked to the dais and stood, his arms out. I moved toward him, taking my pins from my apron. "Your hair looks remarkable by the way."

A snort came from the sitting area. "Careful, Nott, she'll make a pin-cushion out of you." I ignored the ferret.

"I'm trying to make small talk."

I laughed a bit at that, looking up at him. "You're failing miserably. Turn a bit."

He followed my instructions. With ease, I placed each pin at the perfect intervals. I didn't prick him once. "You have to cooperate for a conversation to work."

"That may be, Mr. Nott, but I find that silence is the perfect herald of resignation. If you feel like speaking, then speak. Why should I respond?" I grinned at the fact that we were having a conversation about not having a conversation, an oxymoron at its best.

"A 'perfect sign of resignation' would be a proper response, Miss Greengrass. If you were truly resigned to holding a dialogue, then you would reply appropriately."

For a moment, I considered his point and nodded, my hair getting in my way once more. Frustrated with the curtain, I leant back, tying a ribbon around to hold it away from my face. Nott gave me an appraising glance as I did so. When I began to pin once more, he jolted a bit. "I've a brilliant idea."

"Help me." I groaned, looking up toward the ceiling. Forcing myself to lean back, I looked up at him. "Yes?"

"There is a masque this evening at Parkinson Manor. We are to attend and I am in need of a date. Would it be terribly rude if I were to—"

Before he could finish his question, I stood. "Absolutely not." Growling irritably, I pushed my way through the dresses and robes, towards the back rooms of the shop. Anger spilled viciously through me. I wasn't even sure why I was so angry, but it pulled from every part. Balls were a thing of my past, a faded memory. I wanted nothing more to do with that world. I had been dispelled years ago. If I were seen by my Father, everything would go to hell in a hand-basket. I had neglected my duties as a sister for the past few days. It would only be a matter of time before I received a letter from my Father.

If I was seen, there would be hell to pay.

"Greengrass?" Nott's voice came behind me. Slowly, I turned to face him.

For the first time in a long while, I uttered words I had been raised to not speak. "I'm sorry." My apology was sincere. There was no way he could have known my reaction would be so severe. "I—"

"You don't have to come, of course, though I must say that it would certainly be a…shock…for them to see you with one of the richest and most influential of all the Pureblood clans." A grin broke on his face. For a second, I considered his scheming proposal. "Not that I have given this any serious thought."

I stared at him for the longest of moments. His green eyes sparkled with a mischievous inner light. "What's your aim, Nott?"

"Do I really need an aim? What if I just want to actually enjoy this dinner for once?"

I didn't believe that for a second. He had a scheme planned. I could tell. I could sense it. Theodore Nott was nothing if not a top notch conspirator. He was mates with Draco Malfoy after all. That could equal nothing but trouble. Stupidity could be contagious I thought as the words left my mouth: "I don't know." That meant that it wasn't a 'no'. Quickly, I backpedalled. "I want to know your plan though. I won't be left in the dark."

"Why are you so shocked that I would ask you? You look as though you just saw a unicorn burst from the ground singing the House song!" He chuckled lightly, throwing his arms in front of him to make sure the robes fit right. Nodding, he began to ease the jacket off.

"There are many reasons that I could think of."

"One: I am Theodore Nott, treacherous poof of a man." I snorted a laugh, taking the jacket from him. "Two: I am Draconis Black Malfoy's best mate."

"True, true." Agreeing, I sat the dark emerald material on the nearest chair. "Being friends with that damnable jackass is not a good trait."

Shrugging, he sighed. "Ah, well, can't win them all can we? If you care that much, I can simply tie him up and not allow him into the party at all." He said the last bit louder as if to the blond across the room. We both turned to see his reaction.

Malfoy shrugged. "Sounds kinky, Nott. I didn't know you were into that sort of thing."

I couldn't help but give an involuntary laugh at his response. It was completely opposite of anything I had expected. For a moment, I didn't think of who this man was. It was just funny. Both heads turned to stare at my laughing form. Their shocked reactions made me laugh all the more.

"She's gone mental." Malfoy said, folding his hands behind his head and leaning back. "I told you! She's a nutter!"

Still laughing, I made a rude gesture and made to start toward the back room. My break was fast approaching. Perhaps I could save some scrap of my dignity. Taking three steps away from the stick of a man, Nott grabbed my wrist.

"You never gave me an answer."

"Answer for what? You make it seem like she knows how to handle herself at a party like that! She wouldn't last five minutes."

I spun on heel. "Oh do shut up!"

"See? She's denying it!"

"That's because I—"

"Denying it, blockhead!"

I recoiled. "I am not, muppet!"

He stood at this point. I could have sworn that I saw his cheeks become pink in anger. "Trollop!"

"We all know that isn't true." Nott said in the background. I would handle him some other time. I always knew he would side with the Great Prat.

"Arse!"

"Skanky bint!"

"Draco Malfoy, you will stop this instant!" Narcissa Malfoy nearly shouted, breaking into our tussle. I turned slowly to face the woman. She didn't look too angry. In fact, if I could read expressions, she was amused. Honestly, what was there to be funny here? Her son was acting like a cow. "You should be considerate to a lady."

Malfoy grunted. "Lady? Humph!"

"Miss Greengrass is a lady and you will treat her as such. Have I taught you no manners?"

"No." I muttered so low that she could not hear me. Nott did though. Whatever was left of his composure crumpled and he released my hand to bend over in mirth. I had never seen anyone so entertained before. "Did we amuse you, Nott?" I ground out.

He nodded several times, still in the midst of a virtual giggle fit. "The two of you always serve for a laugh. Jolly good show!"

I shook my head, using the time while he was distracted to escape into the back room. They left moments later. I assumed that in his completely preoccupied state, Nott had forgotten his 'brilliant idea'. Satisfied that I was safe from a dinner party, I slumped into the closest chair. My head leaned back against the soft cushions. I had been working at the shop for nearly a week. Catering to upper level aristocrats, feeding their need for brilliant clothing and fine accessories had never been my dream in life, but it paid the bills. That was all that mattered.

Over the course of time, Nott became a nearly permanent fixture in my flat. Stopping by unannounced at the oddest of times, I would sometimes wonder if he just got lonesome all alone in that huge house. With no one other than a house elf for company combined with that- prick- of a best mate, he was certainly lacking in the social field.

I couldn't explain it. It was pointless to try. I had become friends with Nott.

"Astoria Greengrass, long time, no see." A voice said to my left.

Easing my eyes open, I wanted to close them again within a mere second. Cailean Warrington stood in the doorway, giving me a once over. I shivered. I hated being looked at with that kind of leer. "How have you been?"

"Well enough, but this is a private break room."

"I ignored that fact."

"Obviously." I bit out. "Now, leave."

"Touchy." He smiled, running his hand along his chin. "I wanted to ask you to the Parkinson Dinner Party this evening."

Growling in frustration, I gathered my energy to stand. "And I will bloody well say no! Get the hell out of here, Warrington before I throw you out." Crossing the room, I wondered just how he had found me in the first place. My question was answered a second later.

"Daphne told me you would be a bitch, said that you are bitter about her marriage." His tone was demeaning. "I believe it. You always have been a self-serving little wench."

Jerking my head around, I glared with such force that he backed up. "You will leave right now. I don't know how you got in here, but you will leave the way you came! You are never to converse with me again."

A second of shocked silence on his part followed. His bumbling hands became fists. Everything happened so fast after that. He ran toward me, wand drawn. I pulled mine out just as fast. A raging bull, that was what the buffoon looked like. In the next moment, he was gone, levitating against the ceiling.

"Sir, I think it best that you leave. If I ever find you near this shop or this woman again, you will have me hunting you down. You do not want to know what I am capable of, trust me."

Warrington dropped the ten feet to the floor, hastily stood and ran like hell for the door.

"I simply came to get my cape." I turned to see Nott standing in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. "Now you owe me." Winking, he disappeared into the main shop.

There was no way that cad had been able to find me on his own accord. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Nott had planned the whole thing. From start to finish, the entire thing had been planned. He needed blackmail, something to hold over my head. He must not have thought I would figure it out so quickly…or did he?

Unable to stop myself I grinned at the pure genius of Theodore Nott. Two could play at that game.

There is a theory that Theodore Nott is somehow connected to the darkest of information networks. Of course, that theory had been propagated by Blaise Zabini so its truth could never be proven with any seriousness. Known as an immoral mastermind, Nott had carved quite a name for himself throughout his years as someone to not underestimate.

I had underestimated him.

At seven, he had knocked. I had ignored him.

At seven fifteen, he knocked once more. I continued to ignore him.

Finally, apparently growing impatient, he somehow bypassed my apparition wards and appeared right next to me.

I had been had. In the pure joy of taking the mickey out of me, he had ordered dress robes for me while buying his own. On the tag it had read: Impress me, you impress the world. Bugger that! I left the robes at the shop only to find them tied to my irritable owl an hour later with another note: Don't be a twat. Wear the damn dress. Seven o'clock. I thought nothing of it until six forty five when another owl came. Wouldn't it be fun to prove the Great Prat wrong?

"Wouldn't it be great to prove them all wrong?"

"Get out, Nott!" I shouted, annoyed, throwing a book at him. He caught it agilely before reading the title. I proceeded to throw another book his way.

"Will you stop? If don't understand why you are so dead-set on avoiding this, it's healthy to have a little fun every now and then especially for someone in your situation." I stopped immediately to stare at him. Holding his hands up in surrender, he stepped forward. "I know that your parents have cut off the funds."

"How in Merlin's name do you know that?" I practically shrieked.

"Heard it through the grape vine."

How could anyone in the grape vine know? I had only told: "Leo Tatting! I will hex him into next summer!" Completely overwhelmed, I fell onto the couch, running my hands over my head. It was true that my money had been stopped. Daphne had finally ratted me out, I suspected. Luckily, Mr. Tatting had entirely ignored my pleads to be left to my own devices to figure out how to support myself. I had found a cheaper flat elsewhere, but when it came down to it, he paid my fee in full.

I didn't need charity, I tried to think, but I knew that was not the case. I was in need and I was lucky to have people to support me.

Nott came to sit beside me. "Listen, Astoria, if you don't want to go, I can understand. I don't want to go myself. There is an upside though. You get to spend the entire evening with me. That must be a bonus."

I rolled my eyes. "You're not my type."

He chuckled. "No, I didn't expect I would be."

"This is really a stupid idea. I don't belong in that society anymore, Nott. It's just not going to go as smoothly as you seem to think and I won't be party to public humiliation."

"This is hardly public humiliation! It's a dinner party. Relax for one moment and have a good time." For a moment, I thought of what he said. I had not had fun in months. In fact I couldn't remember the last good time I had. Everything was a mix of irritation and disappointment. What would my sister think if she saw me there? It would irritate her to no end I was sure. I may even get a fair go at Parkinson if I arrive early enough. Shaking my head, I relented. "Give me five minutes."

"No woman alive can get ready in five minutes."

I jerked my head around and smiled. "Watch me."