Where The Beginning Of The End Begun
A/N: So I know this update is late but I just kept re-writing this chapter because I didn't like it at first and it took longer than I expected to finish it but...it's the longest chapter so far and I hope you guys like it.
Chapter 11-
I rest my head against the window as I watch the rain drops hitting it. I find the sound quite soothing, a constant pitter-patter that often helps lull me to sleep at night.
The frown that I have been wearing for the past few days seems to be permanently etched onto my face.
Of course, I'm only frowning because of Adelaide and her stubborn, stuck-up self. I swear, the girl drives me up the fucking wall.
About three days ago I stopped by Adelaide's mansion to try and talk to her, since trying to catch her out and about just wasn't working and she slammed the door in my face! Correction, she had a servant slam the door in my face.
After that I decided that it's just no use. The ball is in two days and she won't even listen to me. There's not a chance that I'm going to be invited so I can kiss any chance that I once had of being with Draco goodbye. Because, in my mind, if he does go with some beautiful girl he'll fall for her.
"Magenta, let's go." Mum says as she pops her head in my door.
I lift my head at the sound of her voice. A look of confusion spreads across my face as I look at her.
"Go where, exactly?" I ask. She rolls her eye and walks into the room very gracefully.
"To Rosalie's of course. Honestly Gen-bug, does everything I say just go in one ear and out the other?" She asks with a small laugh.
"No way am I going there mum. Not when Adelaide won't even look at me." I scoff, the frown remaining on my face.
"Look, I know that you two have been on the outs lately and to be perfectly honest I didn't even know that you'd become close again. But that aside, Rosalie has requested our help."
"No, Rosalie requested your help mum. Not mine. And besides, since when are the two of you close again?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
"When you were at school, I suppose. We just started talking a lot more but that's not the point Magenta. The point is that today is Adelaide's birthday and Rose wants us to be there to celebrate it with her."
I sigh, turning to look out of the window again.
"It's raining though." I complain, trying to find some way to get out of going.
"That's why we're travelling by floo powder." Mum says with a smirk. She opens the door again before looking back and giving me a stern look this time. "Get moving. Now."
When she has left I pull myself up from my comfy window seat and head to the closet to get more suitable clothing to wear.
"Catalina!" Aunt Rosalie opens her arms wide to embrace mum.
"Rosie!" Mum sings with enthusiasm, embracing her older sister.
Mum and Aunt Rosalie tend to exaggerate everything, even greetings considering they saw each other only last week. And I wonder where I get it from…
"And just look at you Magenta! Merlin, you're just so grown up and gorgeous! Tell me, how was the Yule Ball? And the dress? Was the dress okay? Did you love it?" She starts firing questions at me as she pulls me into a massive hug.
"I keep forgetting that I haven't actually seen you since before I started fourth year!"
"How could you possibly forget not seeing your only aunt?" Rosalie asks, putting her hands on her hips. Her attempt at being stern fails as a grin spreads across her face.
"I've just had a lot on my mind." I laugh it off. "To answer your questions though, the ball was really good. The dress was…absolutely stunning and perfect and yes, I loved it very much so thank you."
"Oh good. I'm so glad. I worked really hard on that dress and Adelaide's of course because I wanted my two girls to shine and I don't doubt that you did. I bet you outshined every girl there." She says with a big smile.
"I don't know about that…I mean, Hermione and Aibhilin looked pretty damn good too. And of course, there were the French girls who were just breath-taking." I explain to her.
"Nonsense." She waves her hand. "The two of you were drop-dead gorgeous. I just know it!"
"Okay Rose, enough fawning over my daughter. Where's yours?" Mum asks with a smile.
"She's upstairs, she should be down in just a minute. But for now, why don't the two of you come through and sit down. I'll get someone to put on some tea." Rosalie says, motioning for us to continue into the big yet cosy sitting room.
I walk into the room and take a seat on the leather couch, while mum takes a seat on an armchair and Rosalie hurries off to the kitchen.
As I sit and twiddle my thumbs, I look at the pictures on the mantle. There are some of me and Adelaide when we were younger, chasing each other and laughing. Along with them are other pictures like Rosalie's wedding picture, Adelaide growing up and a picture of my mum and Rosalie when they were at Hogwarts. They are both dressed in robes adorned with the Slytherin emblem, linking arms and smiling. The two of them looking like perfection.
"Here we are. Help yourselves." Rosalie says, as a house elf follows her in and puts down a tray carrying tea and biscuits. "Where is that girl? Magenta, would you be a dear and go fetch Adelaide?"
"Sure." I nod and stand up. I don't want to be here as it is and now I'm going to 'fetch' Adelaide? It'll be a miracle if she even looks at me.
I look at my feet as I trudge up the grand staircase and in doing so I bump right into someone but they steady me before I fall.
"Uncle Dunstan." I say, clutching my chest where my heart is pounding from the shock of almost falling.
"Magenta. I haven't seen you around here in a while. How've you been?" He asks politely. Dunstan is Adelaide's father and Rosalie's husband. He's the quieter one of the family although he isn't afraid to speak his mind.
"I'm fine, thank you. And how are you?" I ask, eying the piece of paper in his hands. He adjusts his thick-rimmed glasses and puts the paper behind his back.
"I'm well. Just working on some new poetry. I take it your mother is here as well?" I nod in answer to his question.
"She's having tea with Rosalie." I tell him. "What poetry are you working on?"
Although Dunstan is a Pierce, meaning he is extremely wealthy from the family money he also makes a fortune writing and selling poetry. His work is quite beautiful really. He's the reason that I love reading poems.
"Bits and bobs. Nothing worth talking about just now." He gives me a small smile.
"Ah well, you'll be sure to let me have a read when you're done right?"
"Of course. Well, I better go and greet your mum." Dunstan sends me a nod as he walks past me down the stairs.
I return the nod and carry on up the stairs. Upon reaching the top I go left and walk down the long corridor until I find the set of white double-doors that I'm looking for.
I take a breath before knocking.
Adelaide opens the door, pursing her lips when she sees me.
"And what do you want?" She snaps.
"To talk to you!" I growl out, shoving past her, abandoning the real reason I came up here.
"Well I have nothing to say to you so get out." She folds her arms and turns to face me.
"For fuck's sake Adelaide! Just sit down, shut up and listen." I tell her fiercely. She walks over to her bed and sits down.
"This better be one hell of an apology." She mumbles.
"Shut. Up." I glare at her. Adelaide huffs but silences herself all the same.
"Thank you!" I cry out, finally being able to speak without her interrupting. "Adelaide…I'm sorry." She raises an eyebrow at me, seeming interested.
"Look, I know that you just wanted us to get along and I understand that, as selfish as it was to ask. But, I'd also like you to understand why I said no. I mean, I just really, really like Draco and things were finally working out between the two of us and then you went and sprung that on me. It was unfair of you, you should know that. And you should also know that I hate Shauna and I have always hated her but that's okay because she hates me too. And I guess, my point is that I know you feel like I picked Draco over you and I can't even tell you how horrible it made me feel and when you started ignoring me, I was crushed. Things were starting to feel like how they used to and then…well you know. So I'm incredibly sorry and I didn't mean to hurt you and if I have to prove it to you then I will tolerate…. Shauna." I feel uneasy saying that but it has to be done.
Adelaide looks at me for a moment before her face softens and she sighs.
"Oh Magenta. I'm sorry too!" I'm taken aback as she flings her arms around me. "You're right, it was completely unfair of me to ask that of you and I should've known how much you like him. I've been an awful bitch to you…" She looks as if she's about to cry.
"Yes, you have been but I forgive you." I tell her with a small smile. "Oh and happy birthday Adelaide."
Her face brightens up and she smiles.
"Thank you! I was actually just getting ready to head out when you came in. The girls have planned some big birthday bash for me."
"Oh well in that case I should tell you that I only came up here because your mum wants you and we have a present for you. So come down." I tell her, heading towards the door.
"A present, for me?" She asks, trying to hide her excitement. My mum has been known to give some pretty nice gifts.
"Of course." I say.
"Oh wait Magenta! There are a few last minute things that I need to organise for the ball and I was wondering…would you maybe like to help?"
I flash a big smile.
"I would be delighted." I say before walking out of the room and down the stairs.
After a few minutes Adelaide rushes down to be with us.
"Auntie Cat!" Adelaide hugs my mum.
"Happy sixteenth Adelaide." Mum smiles at her before holding out a small sliver box with a black bow tied around it.
Adelaide all but snatches the box from mum and unwraps the ribbon before opening the box.
Her eyes widen and her jaw drops as she looks at the contents of the box. She gingerly lifts up one of the dangling diamond earrings and admires it.
"Oh my gods. They're…beautiful. And just the earrings that I needed to go with my dress on Saturday." Adelaide beams.
"I'm glad you like them." Mum says.
"They're charmed to whisper in your ear. Literally compliment you." I say with a smile.
"Thank you so much! Both of you!" She pulls mum and I in for a hug at the same time.
"Oh Lina, they're stunning." Rosalie says, looking at the earrings.
"Magenta picked them out. I feel I've raised my daughter to have extremely good taste." Mum smirks and I roll my eyes.
"Okay…make the lights a little higher." The men levitate the twinkling lights until they look just right above the stairs. "Right there. Perfect, thank you." I walk away to go and examine anything else that needs touching up before tonight.
"Why are these yellow when the colour scheme is purple?" I ask, gesturing to the massive curtains that were pulled back and tied neatly on either side of the grand double doors.
"Miss Belinda said that they were to be yellow…" The woman says. I roll my eyes and shake my head.
"No, no, no. Get them changed to a dark purple at the top that slowly becomes lighter towards the bottom." I order before walking away.
I stand at the top of the staircase, looking over everything one more time.
"My gods…it looks even better now." Adelaide says as she appears next to me.
"Why thank you." I laugh, admiring the foyer.
The lighting is purple, giving the whole area a mysterious feel. There's an ice sculpture in the middle of the room, surrounded by a variety of fancy drinks. If you keep walking past that, the pathway that has purple lights glowing underneath it leads you to the ballroom where most of the event will be held. I wasn't even aware that Adelaide's mansion had a second ballroom.
Either way it is decorated as gorgeously as the foyer. The same purple lighting all over it. There is a stage at the back where Adelaide said there shall be someone singing. Against the wall are very long tables that will soon be adorned with amazing foods and then, there's of course is the massive chandelier which, for this occasion specifically, has been charmed to glow purple.
All in all, the place looks magnificent.
"Okay well we have…three and a half hours until guests are scheduled to arrive so I am going to hurry off and get ready. You, need to go and see my mum to get your dress." Adelaide says before rushing off to her room.
I head off to Rosalie's design room where all of her elaborate and very beautiful dresses are neatly fitted onto mannequins.
"Aunt Rosalie…are you in here?" I call out upon entering the room.
"Yes, yes! Come in Magenta." She calls out from somewhere within the room.
I walk further in and admire all of the drawings and different dresses that are still being made.
"Here we are…" Rosalie walks towards me with a simple yet lovely cream coloured dress in her arms. "Now, I've made the alterations since you tried it on so let's see how it fits."
I strip down to my underwear and Rosalie helps me into the dress. I look into the mirror and admire how it flows straight to the floor. It has a sweetheart neckline and it's strapless. There is a lighter lace design on the waist part of the dress but apart from that the dress is pretty plain and I adore it.
As Rosalie moves around me, inspecting the dress she uses her wand to make some more slight alterations and then she looks satisfied by how it has turned out.
"You look breath-taking." She tells me with a smile.
"Thank you Rose." I say as she helps me out of the dress again. I put my casual clothes back on and head out of the room, bumping into Adelaide.
"Oh, I'm so glad you haven't left yet! I forgot to ask who your date is." She says in a hurry.
Shit. In all my thinking that I wasn't coming and then being busy with helping I've completely forgotten about even asking someone.
"Eh…" I begin, not really knowing what to say.
"You don't have anyone do you?" Adelaide asks with a raised brow.
"Well it's just that…no. I don't have one."
"Oh for Merlin's sake Gen!" She throws her hands up. "You can't show up without a date! That's just embarrassing!"
"What's all the fuss about?" Rosalie asks, coming out of her design room.
"In the midst of everything I have not found myself a date." I tell her sheepishly.
"Not to worry love. Adelaide's well connected; she'll find you some strapping young bloke." Rosalie says.
"By tonight?" I ask incredulously.
"Yes, by tonight. Now go home and get ready. I'll send him to pick you up." Adelaide tells with a huff before walking away, mumbling about how un-organised I am.
"I'll see you and your mum later then." Rosalie kisses my head before going off to her room as well.
I let mum finish doing my hair before I stand up and take off my silk robe, putting the dress on instead.
As it flows to the floor, mum puts her hand on her heart.
"Gen-bug…you look perfect my darling." She gushes.
"Thanks mum." I smile at her.
"Right, we have about fifteen minutes until we need to leave so I am going to go and put on my heels and have a shot of firewhisky." Mum says, making her way out of my room.
She does like to get tipsy before a party even starts.
I shrug and go back to my vanity, making sure every hair is in place. When I am satisfied with my appearance I hear a knock at the door.
I suppose that's my surprise date. I'm dreading finding out who it is. I was perfectly satisfied with just attending by myself but now I'm going to have to put up with someone that I probably don't even know for a full night. And not to mention that if Adelaide hand-picked them they are going to be the type of person that I dislike very much.
I sigh and calm my racing thoughts before adding one more on; they better at least be attractive.
I hurry down the stairs and come to a stop at the door before opening it.
"Why the hell are you at my house?" I ask with narrowed eyes.
"Lovely to see you too Magenta." He pushes past me and into the house.
"Yeah sure, come on in McLaggen." I mumble before turning around to face him.
"Why are you here?" I ask again.
"Just stopping by. I've been missing your pretty face."
"Ugh, you're vile." I wrinkle my nose at his comment. "Now why are you really here Cormac?"
"I am your date for tonight." He winks.
"Wait, Adelaide picked you? Out of everyone that she knows, she chose you to be my date?" He nods. "Well she must still be pissed off at me then."
"Oh don't frown. It doesn't suit you. I promise I'll behave tonight." He says with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
I'm not even friends with Cormac. We are acquaintances, if you can even call it that. I've only ever talked to him a handful of times and most of those times were to tell him to piss off after making slightly perverted comments towards me. I'm sure that he thinks because he's a year older that I'll be happy to get with him but that really isn't the case at all. I've heard some bad things about the guy.
"Cormac! What're you doing here?" Mum asks as she walks into the room. Cormac turns and produces flowers from thin air, handing them to my mum.
"Hello Miss Blakewood. It's lovely to see you," He says. "And I'm actually here because I'm Magenta's date for the evening."
"Oh, I didn't realise. Thank you for the flowers though." She smiles. "How's your uncle Tiberius?"
"He's well." Cormac nods. "May I just say how splendid you look tonight. Both of you."
"Why thank you." My mum smiles and heads off to the kitchen again.
"Stop trying to act charming. You are not my date tonight." I say, folding my arms.
"Suck it up doll because that's exactly what I am."
"Let's go!" Mum calls from the fireplace.
"You should go ahead; I still need to put my shoes on. Cormac, you go with her." I say, trying to put off being around him.
"No, no. Cormac is your date sweetheart. You need to arrive together. I'll see you two there." Mum says before grabbing a handful of floo powder, throwing it into the fireplace, saying the address and walking into it. The emerald flames engulf her and she disappears from my sight.
When she's gone I grit my teeth and head upstairs. Cormac follows behind like a bloody magnet.
"Could you not have just waited down stairs?" I ask, sitting on my bed and putting on my nude heels.
"No." He replies bluntly. I roll my eyes and stand in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection again. I do look good. Hopefully good enough to pull Draco away from whomever his date is.
"You look incredible tonight Gen." Cormac says from the door, a hungry look in his eyes.
"I know." I say, grabbing my purse and pushing past him.
He chuckles and follows me into the sitting room where he boxes me in against a wall.
"I do love it when you're mean." He whispers. The feeling of him close to me makes me want to be sick. In fact, vomiting all over him doesn't seem like a bad thing right now.
"Fuck off McLaggen." I growl, pushing him away. I go back over to my purse and grab it before I feel his hands on my waist.
In a flash I have my wand against his neck.
"Anymore of that and I'll have you pulled up in front of the Wizengamot." I growl.
"Along with you for using underage magic outside of school." He smirks and I press my wand against his neck even more. "You don't have it in you."
"Don't I?" I ask, my voice low and dangerous.
"Fine. No more touching." He puts his hands up in defence.
Slowly, I put my wand back in my purse and turn back to the fireplace.
I grab a handful of floo powder and toss it into the fireplace. I say Adelaide's address loud and clear and walk into the flames, letting them engulf me as I disappear from my sitting room just to end up in Adelaide's.
After a moment, Cormac arrives as well. I lead him outside of the mansion and around to the front door just so that I can see what everything looks like upon entering.
"Alright listen. I'm only putting up with you tonight for Adelaide's sake. But just bear in mind that my mum is here and so are other people that I know you are scared shitless of so no funny business." I tell him.
"Anything for you darling." He says, offering me his arm.
I roll my eyes but take it anyway and follow everyone else through the great double doors and into the foyer.
Like earlier, the whole room is still tinted purple and it looks perfect.
"Well it's not really my taste-"
"Shut up." I snap at Cormac.
"Magenta! You made it and don't the two of you look darling." Adelaide gushes. She, as always, looks like a model in her extravagant emerald dress. "I knew I picked the right lad for you."
"You set her up with McLaggen?" Aedan asks when he appears beside her.
"Obviously." She says.
"If you try anything on her I swear to Merlin I will make you regret it." Aedan says in a low voice. I feel Cormac tense beside me and smirk at the fact Aedan is able to scare him, it makes me feel safer I suppose. And I'm grateful that Aedan cares enough to threaten him, he's honestly just like an older brother to me.
"Not that I need to listen to you, O'Malley, but I won't because I've already been warned." Cormac sneers.
Aedan looks as if he's about to punch him but Adelaide pulls him back.
"Not here. Not now." She says sternly. Aedan backs off but glares daggers at Cormac.
"You look beautiful Gen. If he gives you any trouble just let me know." Aedan whispers to me as I walk past him.
"Thank you and I most definitely will." I say, giving him a smile.
"I hope you enjoy yourselves." Adelaide says as if nothing happened.
When we've made it past Adelaide, I unhook my arm from Cormac's.
"I'm going to go find my friends you go do…whatever." I say, walking away from him.
I wander around for a few minutes, greeting mum's friends out of politeness. All I really want to do is find Aibhilin and Draco.
"Well don't you look nice…" I turn at the sound of Aibhilin's voice.
I flash her a big smile and throw my arms around her.
"Hello you!" I say happily as we sway from side to side for a moment.
"You have no idea how much I've missed you M! I think my Gran might actually bore me to death." She complains.
I laugh and take a step back, admiring her dress. It's a gorgeous royal blue colour that suits her perfectly and makes her look even more beautiful than she already is.
"I'm sure you'll make it through. You look gorgeous by the way." I compliment her.
"No, you don't understand. It's dreadful!"
"Well, I wouldn't say that my company is dreadful." Blaise says smoothly, appearing behind Aibhilin.
"'I'm not talking about you Zabini." She says.
"I'm sure no one finds your company dreadful." I smirk at him.
"How's your summer been so far Blakewood?" He asks politely.
"Pretty bad, until two days ago." I tell him. "How's yours been?"
"It's been alright. It's even better now though." Blaise says, eying Aibhilin.
"I must say I'm a little upset that you neglected to tell me you said yes to Blaise." I say, pouting at Aibhilin.
"I'm sorry. I just completely forgot. I didn't think it was a big deal." She says sincerely. "But, who's your date?"
"Cormac McLaggen." I roll my eyes just saying his name.
"Why him?" Blaise and Aibhilin ask at the same time. Wow, they're like a couple already.
"I didn't have a choice. Adelaide picked him to be my date since I didn't have one." I tell them honestly.
"Cormac's a pig. I thought you'd maybe be here with Draco. Who is also a pig…but, I suppose he's better than McLaggen." Aibhilin says.
"Draco came here with Pansy." Blaise tells us both.
"Wait, he's here already? Wait, he's here with Pansy?" I ask. Well at least I don't have any competition to worry about.
"Yes and yes. I saw them just there." Blaise explains.
"And I saw your mum as well, she looks a bit drunk…" Aibhilin tells me.
"Yeah, I thought she might be." I say with a shrug. "I'm going to go and get a drink. I'll catch up with you two in a bit."
"And by go and get a drink you mean go and find Draco?" Aibhilin smirks.
"No. I just want a drink." I say, trying to pass it off as the truth. Aibhilin doesn't buy it though and gives me an incredulous look.
I roll my eyes and laugh before walking through the throng of guests to get to the ice sculpture that has the drinks on it.
As I bring the cup up to my lips I feel someone's presence behind me.
"You look ravishing love." Draco whispers in my ear making me smile before turning around to face him. His arms encircle my waist and pull me closer to him.
My smile drops as the realization hits me.
"You're here with Pansy." I say just loud enough for him to hear me over the music.
"And I don't doubt that you're here with someone as well."
"Well, of course I am." I tell him bluntly.
"You could've been here with me…" He teases.
"You didn't as-" He cuts me off with a kiss. I just stand there for a moment before returning the kiss with more force, having been missing the feel of him.
Draco crushes me against him and I move my arms around his neck where my hands play with the hair at his nape.
"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing with my date Malfoy?" Cormac's voice pulls us away from each other.
Draco moves so that only one arm is wrapped around me but I'm still extremely close to him.
"Your date?" Draco asks venomously, glaring at Cormac.
"Yes, my date. As in Blakewood and I are here together."
"Hardly." I scoff. "Just piss off McLaggen."
"You heard her, just piss off." Draco growls.
"Why don't you piss off Malfoy?"
"Don't tell him to piss off, you prick. I'd much rather be here with Draco than with you." I sneer at him.
"Oh c'mon, I'm a much better shag than he is." Cormac boasts. That's when Draco loses it and punches Cormac square in the face. I hear a crack and I guess it's his nose breaking.
Cormac cries out in pain as he touches his nose gaining us quite a few looks from the surrounding people. Draco looks as if he's ready to fight him to the ground but I don't want to ruin this night for Adelaide so I move in front of him and put my hands on his chest, pushing him backwards.
"Come on Draco, he isn't worth it. It's just McLaggen." I try and persuade him to move. He doesn't even look at me, his eyes stay focused on Cormac who is still making a big deal out of his nose being broken. "Please, it's Adelaide's party. I don't want this to ruin it. Please, for me."
Draco finally looks down at me and his face softens a bit.
"Draco." I see Blaise push his way through everyone to get to us. He is followed closely by Aibhilin. "Oi, what's going on?"
"McLaggen's a filthy little bastard." Draco spits out.
"What the bloody hell are you yelping about?" Aibhilin asks Cormac.
"He broke my nose." Is his weak reply.
"He deserved it. Now, can we please move away from here?" I say, on the verge of begging.
"Yes, let's go." Aibhilin says, heading away. I follow her, leaving Blaise and Draco behind.
When we are around less people, Aibhilin stop abruptly and turns to me.
"What happened?" She asks.
"I was with Draco and-"
"And what were the two of you doing?"
"Ave, if you already know the answer then don't ask and don't interrupt either." I tell her.
"So you were snogging. Got it. Continue."
"And then McLaggen comes over and makes a big fuss over me being with Draco when I'm here as his date. So we both told him to piss off and then he made the foolish mistake of saying he was a better shag than Draco so then Draco punched him for being a prick. That's it." I explain.
"Listen M, I'm glad that Draco punched McLaggen because he did it for you. But, he did it for you because he obviously cares about you and I know you care about him and as much as I find that fact revolting, I can get over it because he makes you happy. And I'm glad that you're happy but you aren't going to stay that way if you keep saying that you aren't together as in actually dating each other. You know, making it official and all that. And I know that you say it's because of what people will think but you snog him in public anyway. I suppose, what I'm trying to say is that we both know what kind of person Draco Malfoy is. He's the kind of person that won't keep waiting and if you keep leading him on like this he isn't the one that's going to get hurt. It'll be you."
"So you're saying that I should either just be his girlfriend or leave him altogether?" I ask.
"All I'm saying is think about this, please." She pleads.
"Okay, I'll think things through just not tonight." I shrug and she smiles, taking my arm so we can go find Draco and Blaise again.
We re-join the boys just as everyone gathers around the staircase to watch Adelaide make a speech.
"Where's McLaggen run off to?" I ask quietly as I stand beside Draco.
"Why do you care?" He asks. Before I have a chance to answer, Blaise speaks up.
"He went away with someone to get his nose fixed." He says.
"I would just like to start off by saying thank you all for coming; it really means a lot to me." Adelaide announces. We all clap before she continues. "I'm really thrilled with how many of you could come and join me for this special night. In my family, this event is a very big deal and so I wanted to make this amazing and it has been so far thanks to all of you. Now, in a moment I would like you all to move through into the ballroom where the first traditional dance of the evening shall commence. So if everyone could please find themselves a partner and join me through there."
Adelaide flashes a dazzling smile before walking down the stairs to meet with Aedan and walk into the ballroom. A sea of guests follow them through and I move aside so I don't get trampled.
"May I have this dance?" I watch as Blaise asks Aibhilin with his hand out.
"I suppose." She says with a small smirk. She takes his hand and they walk through with everyone else.
"Care to dance?" Draco asks, extending his hand for me as he bows slightly.
"I'd love to." I smile at him, placing my hand in his. We catch up with Blaise and Aibhilin and join the big circle of people, taking the position for the dance.
When the song starts we all start moving forward, in time with the music.
"Why did you even come here with McLaggen in the first place?" Draco asks, spitting out 'McLaggen' as if it's poison on his tongue.
"I didn't have a choice." I tell him honestly.
"You always have a choice." He says immediately.
"Not always. Not in this case. I didn't have a date and according to Adelaide, showing up without one would be an embarrassment. And why does it even matter? Pansy's your date."
"She begged me to ask her." He says casually.
"I'm sure she did."
"She did." He says sternly before spinning me out of his arms so I land in someone else's.
I look up and meet Aedan's eyes.
"I see you got rid of Cormac easily enough." He says with a smirk. "Although, I don't think Malfoy's any better."
"He punched McLaggen for me." I tell him. He looks impressed for a second before his face goes back to normal. He glances around the room and stares at something for a moment before turning his attention back to me.
"Why is my sister here with Zabini?"
"Because he asked her and she said yes." I answer.
"I thought she loathed all Slytherins?"
"She does. But, she makes an exception for Blaise. They went to the Yule Ball together. How do you not know this?" I ask him.
"As much as I love Ave, I honestly don't have time to find out about these things because Adelaide always has me doing something for her." He says quietly.
"If she's annoying you why are you still with her?
"I already told you, I'm not with her. We're just-"
"Okay! Okay, yeah. I still don't want to hear it." I interrupt him.
He laughs and it's time to change partners again. This time I end up dancing with someone that I don't really know so we both just keep quiet.
Eventually I land back in Draco's arms, where I feel most comfortable.
"This is bloody torture." He complains.
"And here I was, under the impression you loved dancing." I say sarcastically.
"Very funny."
"I know." I shrug.
"Please tell me there are no more dances that we will be forced to take part in." Aibhilin begs as we sit down at a random table with the boys.
"I don't think there is." I laugh. Aibhilin has been complaining since the first dance along with Draco. It's only been five dances and I'm not that bothered by it. Neither is Blaise really. Or, he's just really good at keeping his dislike for it hidden.
I watch in embarrassment as my mum and Blaise's mum stagger towards, clearly very drunk.
"Magenta darling, where have you-" Mum hiccups and then laughs. "Been all evening?"
"Oh Magenta! Look at you. So gorgeous!" Valentina gushes and motions for me to stand up. I do so and hug her. She looks even more beautiful than the last time I saw her if that's even possible. She resembles Blaise a lot and I can see that he probably got most of his good looks from her.
"Thank you Valentina. How've you been?" I ask politely.
"Very well, thank you. Hello Draco, it's good to see you." She says as she notices Draco.
"You as well Ms Zabini." He acknowledges her. Valentina looks around me to Blaise and Aibhilin.
"And who might this beautiful young lady be?" She asks, motioning to Aibhilin.
"That's Aibhilin O'Malley." My mum says as Aibhilin stands up. "She's Lorcan and Bridget O'Malley's daughter. And her brother is around here somewhere."
"It's nice to meet you Ms Zabini." Aibhilin says quietly.
"Oh call me Valentina. Ms Zabini makes me sound old. And Blaise, why haven't you mentioned Aibhilin to me before? I can tell by the way you keep looking at the girl that you're quite taken with her."
"Mum stop. She's just O'Malley." Blaise mumbles.
"Blaise Zabini! Where are your manners? Since when is it polite to call a girl by her last name?" Valentina asks sternly.
"Sorry." Blaise says.
I catch my mum looking suspiciously at Draco.
"I don't think we've ever properly met." She says, holding out her hand. "I'm Catalina Blakewood."
Draco stands and shakes her hand.
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He says.
"Yes…you do look so much like your father." Mum nods her head slowly. There's a nasty undertone to her words considering she really doesn't like Lucius and she probably hates the fact that I'm friends with his son.
"Where's Cormac run off to?" She asks, putting emphasis on his name.
"He was being incredibly rude so Draco put him in his place and he ran off." I tell her.
She hums in response.
"What is that you're drinking?" She asks finally noticing the half empty champagne glasses on the table.
"Champagne…" I say, hoping she won't make a big deal out of it.
"As long as it's not anything else that you know you aren't supposed to be drinking."
"It's not, promise." I tell her.
"Okay, well don't drink too much. Come on Valentina." She says and turns to walk away but then she stops and turns back. "And no sex."
"What?" I ask with wide eyes.
"You heard me. I'm pretty drunk right now and I probably won't notice if you start drinking more alcohol, which I trust you won't, but you two seem quite close," She motions to Draco and I. "And so just…absolutely no sex. Same for you two." She points to Aibhilin and Blaise.
"I'm fourteen and not a slut so you have nothing to worry about." I tell her.
"I know. I'm just being precautious. Now, I'll leave. See you later!" She waves as she walks away.
I cover my face in embarrassment. I cannot believe she just said that. In front of everyone.
"Sorry about that." I say sheepishly.
"I love your mum M. She's bloody hilarious." Aibhilin laughs.
"No, she's embarrassing." I counter.
"She's just looking out for you." She says.
"Call it whatever you want. There was just no need for that." I say.
I go to sit back down but Draco pulls me onto his lap instead. I smile at him and kiss him. After a while we pull away and he looks behind me.
"Here comes trouble…" He says.
I turn to face an angry looking Pansy stalking towards us, trailed by Belinda and Shauna.
"How did I know I would find you with this bitch?" Pansy spits out.
"Because she's a boyfriend stealing slag." Shauna says, sending me a glare.
"Can the three of you just bugger off?" Aibhilin asks, clearly not in the mood for them.
"Shove off O'Malley. No one asked you." Pansy snaps.
"Pipe down Pans." Blaise tells her immediately.
Pansy ignores him and turns to face Draco and I again, the rage evident on her face.
"You're here as my date Draco! Not hers." She says on the verge of tears. "Get away from her."
"You're pissing me off Parkinson. Just leave." Draco says tiredly.
"Bu-"
"For Merlin's sake you stupid girl! You're unwanted here. Go. Away." I growl out at her.
The tears start to spill from her eyes and she lets out a frustrated scream before practically running away. I roll my eyes at her theatrics and turn my attention to Belinda and Shauna who are still standing there.
"You really are an idiot Malfoy. Leaving Pansy just to hang about with a pathetic Gryffindor like Blakewood." Belinda scoffs and walks away with Shauna in tow.
"I hate them. I hate them all." Aibhilin says.
"Join the club." I smirk at her.
I turn to face Draco when I feel him kissing my shoulder.
"Just so you know, I don't think you're a bitch." He says before pecking my lips, making me smile.
"Or a slag." He pecks me again.
"And I don't think you're pathetic." This time he full-on kisses me. I tangle my hands in his hair as one of his hands rubs my back and the other rests on my thigh.
"This is disturbing. Can you please stop?" Aibhilin asks when the kiss deepens.
"I agree with O'Malley." Blaise adds on.
I pull away and instead down what's left of my champagne before filling the flute up again.
"If you could all gather for one last time please!" Adelaide calls out from her spot on the staircase again. She's going to make a speech and then it'll be time for everyone to leave. Which I'm not too broken up about considering just how tired I am. I stand beside Draco and hold his hand, slightly leaning on him.
"Thank you all for coming once again. I feel like tonight was a big success and it was everything I hoped it turned out to be and more. Thank you for all the lovely gifts as well, I'll be sure to indulge in them for the next few days. Now, I've had plenty of compliments about how good the night was and I'm loving it but I can't take all the glory considering it wasn't just me that organised this event. I'd like to invite a few people up here that made tonight possible."
I feel Aibhilin nudge my arm and I smile at her, knowing that my name will be one of the ones she calls and I'll get praise for how well the night panned out and I can't wait.
"So can you please give a big round applause for my mum Rosalie, Belinda Carver, Shauna Simons and my lovely cousin Magenta." She smiles as everyone else claps and cheers.
I let go of Draco's hand and make my way through the crowd of people and follow the girls up to meet Adelaide.
I embrace Adelaide and she kisses me on the cheek whispering a 'thank you.'
"You're very welcome." I whisper back before unwillingly standing beside Shauna.
"How about another round of applause for these magnificent ladies!" I smile as everyone cheers and I start laughing as I hear some whistles as well. "There's some champagne coming around so if everyone could please join me in raising a glass to them."
Adelaide gets handed a glass and so do I and everyone down below raises their glasses before downing the champagne.
I smile tiredly at Adelaide as she walks towards us with her heels in her hand like Aibhilin and I.
"How was it? Was it good? Did you have fun?" She asks.
"It was amazing. You did a really good job." I tell her.
"I couldn't have done it without you though. What did you lot think?" She turns her attention to Aibhilin, Draco and Blaise who are still standing about.
I hear them all say that it was good which makes me happy.
"That's good. Well, I think you are the last people here so that means I can go to bed now. Oh and by the way Gen, you're mum is conked out upstairs so if you don't want to be home alone you can stay as well."
"No it's fine. Aibhilin is staying the night with me anyway so I won't be alone." I tell her.
"Okay well night then." She waves and heads upstairs.
When she's gone I turn to face the small group.
"Are the two of you going to get into bother for staying out so late?" I question.
"My parents are away on business anyway." Draco shrugs.
"My mum's probably already sleeping so she won't mind." Blaise tells me.
"Okay that's good then." I say as we start walking to the nearest fireplace.
Blaise is the first to leave and after he does I turn to Draco, who immediately pulls me in for a kiss.
"I'll see you on September 1st Blakewood." He smirks before kissing me again. This time, the kiss lasts longer as if we both don't want it to end because we know we won't see each other until school starts again.
Aibhilin clears her throat rather loudly, making us pull away.
I smile at Draco one more time before he disappears in the green flames, leaving just Aibhilin and I. She gives me a look that I can't read.
"What?" I ask innocently.
"Nothing." She shrugs. "Let's just get home and get to bed before I fall asleep here."