Sorry for the long wait. School is very busy right now, with the STAR testing and such. Anyways, here's the next chapter.
Aspen followed Draco as he walked out of the restaurant. The night air was warm and muggy. Draco turned to her suddenly, "You mentioned being on a trip here, but not where you were staying. Do you need a place to stay?"
Aspen shifted her gaze, "My mom is dead and my dad... left."
"How about staying at L'italiano Malfoy? You'll have your own room. I'll book it so it will be free. No worries"
Aspen shot her head up, her hair flying back, "You'd do that?! Draco Malfoy, I barely even know you!"
Although Aspen was finding it difficult to read the older wizard's thoughts, somehow she expected what he was going to say next. "Yes. Only if you agree to talk to me tomorrow and answer some questions."
Aspen laughed, "I should have known. Typical Slytherin, you're offering this only because it's in your best interest!"
Draco rolled his silvery eyes "I'll give you an hour to get your stuff." And with that he apparated into the night.
Aspen shook her head in wonder before pulling her wand out and apparating as well. After the brief dizzying sensation, she arrived in front of a large, old fashioned house. Taking a deep breath, she gently pushed the solid oak door. It creaked as it opened to reveal a frilly, dainty entryway. The stench of perfume hit her as she took a step inside.
As if she had triggered a land mine, a voice above her started screaming shrilly.
" ASPEN WATSON, COME SI PERMETTE DI ARRIVARE A CASA COPRIFUOCO PASSATO! SONO GENTILMENTE TI INVITO A CASA MIA E PER CHE COSA, GRAZIE? FURTIVAMENTE FUORI DELLA VOSTRA CAMERA PER VISITARE UN UOMO SENZA DUBBIO! HO INTENZIONE DI INVAIRE UNA LETTERA DI QUEL TIPO VECCHIA SIGNORA CHE MI CHIESTO DI PRENDERE IN, E QUINDI VI TROVERTE IN UN MONDO DI GUAI! TORNO-"
"How many times to I have to tell you! I. Don't. Speak. Italian!" Aspen screamed back. The voice was her "caretaker" Signora Vecchia. She was a muggle around the age of three hundred years old (give or take a few years.) Beauxbaton's sent Aspen to her to test her attitude with muggles. So, although there were hundreds of witches and wizards Aspen could have been sent to, she ended up here.
Aspen angrily stomped upstairs to where the old and wrinkly lady was standing, towering over her. "I am going to leave. Do not expect me back!" After a moment, she repeated what she had said in French. The lady stared blankly and angrily back at her with two icy gray eyes. Frustrated, Aspen hissed the only thing she knew in Italian "Prego!" Signora Vecchia put her hands on her hips and simply glared back, raising an eyebrow.
Aspen turned around and stormed to her simple, four walled room. In the middle was the only piece of furniture the bedroom had, a dusty, springy bed topped with a bland grey bed spread. Signora Vecchia had given her the worst room in the house. Aspen quickly walked over to the bed and pulled out her wand. "Wndgarduim Leviosa!' She said. The mattress lifted and hovered off the box spring. Keeping it levitated, Aspen grabbed the few contents she had hidden there: A bag with three galleons and a picture of her mother and father, smiling at her. She glanced at the portrait briefly before lowering the matress back onto the now empty box spring.
Slamming the door behind her, Aspen walked into the room just next to her own. This room belongs to one of the old ladies' nieces granddaughters or something. The interior of the bedroom, though dusty from disuse, was much nicer than Aspen's with its more modern and comfortable, though still muggle-looking, bedding and furniture. On the far side of the room, opposite the door was a large antique wardrobe. Although the piece of furniture was showing its age, it was freshly polished and oiled, so when Aspen opened the door to reveal its contents, it didn't so much as creak. This wardrobe was her source of clothing during her trip in Italy, including the outfit she was wearing now. She grabbed the remaining clothes and shoved everything into a stylish black bag laying on the floor next to the wardrobe.
Right before she closed the wardrobe door, she felt a shadow of doubt. She was stealing these clothes. Aspen took in a shuddering breath and fought to keep the feeling down. "These clothes are dusty, they haven't been worn in years. They won't be missed." She muttered out loud, finally shaking off the cold feeling.
Turning from the wardrobe, Aspen slung the bag over her shoulder, yanked out her wand and apparated. The last thing she saw before the dizzy sensation took over was the old muggle lady gasping and collapsing on the floor.
With a jolt, Aspen appeared in front of the huge wizarding hotel , L'italiano Malfoy. All around her were high-class wizards and witches, decked with silk robes and gold jewlery. Feeling out of place in her muggle attire, Aspen walked over the marble entryway towards the pristine glass doors. As she approached, they opened.
"Good evening, Miss Watson, we have been expecting you." In front of her was a aging man in a sharp, white tuxedo. He had a thick Italian accent and kind, dark brown eyes. "If you would follow me, I will escort you to your room."
"Uh, yeah. Lead the way, sir." She said distractedly. The room around her was breathtaking Everything, from floor to ceiling was heavily decorated with various expensive items. Aspen looked around in awe until she realized this place reminds me of Beaxbatons. That comparison was not entirely true for her school was more like walking into a fancy antique shop in her opinion, but nevertheless, it made her instantly hate the entry room.
Before she knew it, her escort was gesturing for her to walk into a gold and glass elevator of sorts. Aspen stepped inside and it ascended immediately. Up and up they went, so many floors that Aspen lost count before finally the shining doors opened revealing Draco Malfoy, dressed in clean green and silver robes.
"Thank you for escorting her, butler, you are dismissed." Draco said, with a haughty, snapping tone.
"Of course, Master Draco." The "butler" replied with a little bow before retreating back into the elevator and disappearing downward.
Aspen looked around and discovered that there were only two doors on this floor, one with the name MALFOY printed on it and the other with the word GUEST. "I guess I'm the guest." Aspen laughed, and reached toward the siver handle to her left.
She had just opened the door when suddenly Draco slammed his hand on the door frame, blocking her way. "Listen up, Aspen, I am paying for your room, not because I'm a nice person, but because I need to know something about you. Tomorrow you are going to tell me about yourself or consider my offer cancelled. Understand?"
Aspen glared coldly up into Draco's gray eyes. Swiftly, she struck out her hand, grabbed his collar and yanked it backward as hard as she could. Draco stumbled away from her door, barely managing to catch himself from falling to the ground. "Let that be a warning, this is my room as long as I'm staying in it. You, Draco Malfoy, will not enter, ever. I do not want people I barely know in my you understand?"
Draco rubbed his neck, a storm was in his eyes. "I wasn't planning on it." He growled.
"Good. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Draco." And with a smile she slammed the door in his face.
What do you think?