Chapter Sixteen
Taryn didn't want to disappoint her stepmother, but attending a charity ball was the last thing she wanted to do on New Year's Eve. She had so many things on her mind that she wasn't sure if she would be able to put on the polite mask she would need for the evening. She felt bad about it. It wasn't like she didn't care about charitable acts, but really, she was only going because she knew that it would make Jillian feel better.
They had both sighed in relief when Nigel returned home, physically fine, but emotionally drained. He had avoided most of their questions, simply stating that he had taken care of everything. When Jillian suggested attending the Annual St. Mungo's Charity ball, even though each ticket was priced at a whopping ten thousand galleons, Nigel was quick to agree. He knew that it had taken so much of his wife's strength to display even a modicum of reserve while he was out negotiating with Deatheaters. If a holiday party would make her feel more content then that was what they would do.
"We should go shopping together for dresses. I know it would be kind of last minute, but it could be fun," Jillian suggested to Taryn as they stretched together in the dance studio.
Taryn hid a grimace at the thought of shopping in the post seasonal craze that always seemed to happen after Christmas. "That would be okay," she said, bending over to touch her toes. "Diagon Alley or Muggle London?"
"Definitely Muggle London," Jillian replied. "Only the sticklers will be wearing dress robes, and this does give me an excuse to shop for a ball gown," she said grinning.
The next morning, which happened to be the day before New Year's Eve, they woke bright and early to better avoid the crowds. They went to a boutique owned by one of Jillian's best friends, Katherine James, who also was their personal shopper from time to time.
"You did give me rather a short notice," Katherine was saying, as she lead them to a comfortable dressing area.
There were low couches and a full length, wall sized mirror on one wall. The room was painted in a soft eggshell white tone that matched the couches. Off to the left side were several large dressing booths. All in all it was a nice set up with the couches being for family and friends to sit in comfort, while giving their opinion on dresses.
"I'm sorry," Jillian said in apology. "I wasn't sure that we would actually be able to attend the party or I would have given you more time to come up with something."
"Its okay. I actually have a few things that I picked up months ago that would be perfect for you and Tracey," Katherine said smiling.
"Oh, she goes by Taryn now," Jillian replied.
"Really? Well, I always thought a girl should be able to reinvent herself if she wants to," Katherine said. In a businesslike tone she said, "Okay, I have two gowns for you to choose from Jillian."
Moving to a rack placed off to the side, she brought down two garment bags.
By then Taryn's attention had strayed. She had made her decision. Draco would be the person that she told.
The fact that Draco was a Deatheater had given her pause for a moment, but she didn't believe in her heart that he would do anything to hurt her. While he hadn't exactly came out and told her what he felt, she knew that he cared. If he didn't care he would have simply broken up with her after she gave him the ultimatum regarding their relationship, and it would have been finished. The fact that he had told her that he had to think meant that he was at least considering making their relationship real, even if he didn't realize it himself.
The rub in the deal, besides the obvious Deatheater problem, was what if he didn't believe her? Or even worse, if he rejected her. That thought had kept her up at night, with worry churning in her gut, but she had to believe that if she loved him enough to work past his problems, that maybe – hopefully– he loved her enough to be with her in spite of the reincarnation.
When Aisa told her that she could tell one person, Draco had immediately come to mind. Despite the love that she had for her parents and friends, Draco had been first and foremost. Of course, she wanted her parents and friends to know, but she didn't know if that would be fair to them. They were grieving and she didn't want to reopen the healing wounds. Also, it wasn't like they could take their proper places within her life again. She had to live this life.
It scared her a bit, the depth of feelings that she had for Draco, and the fact that they had developed rather quickly. She had been naive to think that she would be able to sleep with him without developing feelings. Not that women couldn't shag and leave just like men, but Taryn realized, albeit after the fact, that she wasn't one of those women.
It made her analyze all of the interactions that she and Draco had had over the years. She reasoned that maybe they had always been more than mutual loathing, proving true that old adage, that hate and love are different sides of the same coin. In fact, there really hadn't been a huge reason that she should have hated him above any other Slytherin. She had been called a Mudblood by many others, and while she hated the slur and all it entailed, she hadn't hated the people who said it. She now realized that as they had gotten older the dislike had been colored with an unacknowledged attraction, at least on her part. She was scared to discover how he really felt, and would have to use every bit of her Gryffindor courage to make the confession.
"So what do you think of Jillian's gown," Katherine said, breaking her out of her reverie.
"Its nice," Taryn said finally looking at the dress the Jillian was wearing. It was a floor length gown in a medium blue chiffon, with a crystal studded shoulder strap that made the strapless dress actually a one shoulder gown.
"Now, for your dress," Katherine said, rubbing her hands in glee. "Its just so...you. When I saw it I thought, Taryn will look fab in this."
The dress she brought out, Taryn had to agree, would look fabulous on her but it was definitely something Tracey would have chosen. For herself she would have gone with something...less sexy...because, other than when she was trying to make Draco jealous she wouldn't have been caught in a dress like the one Katherine held.
It was a rather sexy minidress. The bodice was a sheer black lace with a build in bra. The backs was open and it tied with a delicate black ribbon. The skirt a voluminous feathered design. Taryn would definitely have to apply a warming charm when she wore the dress.
"Um...Katherine. Isn't that a bit mature?" Jillian said delicately.
Katherine waved her hand. "Oh, pish posh. Taryn is practically an adult. You have to let go of the leading strings at some point."
Jillian frowned before glancing at Taryn. "Well...Do you like it?"
Taryn considered the dress for a moment before replying. "Its fine. I'm just glad that I don't have to spend time scouring stores for a dress. This is much more convenient." Besides, she thought to herself, the dress wasn't any more revealing than the one she wore at the Christmas party.
Katherine clapped her hands in happiness. "Well, now that that is settled, come have a look at the shoes and accessories that I picked out."
Taryn passed her wand over her hair, straightening the waves before pulling her hair into a sleek ponytail. She had applied her makeup in smoky black and grey tones that made her blue eyes pop. On her mouth was a pink barely there shade with the slightest bit of shine.
Stepping into her black pumps, she made one last quick survey of her look. Nodding her head at her reflection in approval, she took a moment to spritz on a delicate vanilla scent before grabbing a small clutch into which she slipped a lipgloss, and a small bag of Galleons. Raising her dress, she slipped her wand into the satin thigh sheath meant for just that purpose.
Walking down the steps from her room she heard voices speaking quietly. She recognized Jillian and Nigel's, but the other voices were unfamiliar.
Crossing the foyer, she entered the large living room. She didn't immediately recognize the middle aged couple and young man that stood next to them, but after a moment their faces clicked. Merlin, this was exactly what she didn't need that night.
Nikolai and Lida Mezentsova had been friends with Jillian since her performance dance days. She had been best friends with Lida, even living together when they were in their late teens since they had been in the same dance company. When Lida later met her husband Nikolai and gave up dancing for hearth and home, Jillian had even helped to train Lida's son Sasha in dance.
Unfortunately, Sasha was the boy that Tracey had lost her virginity to. Looking at him objectively, Taryn could acknowledge that Sasha was indeed handsome. He was tall, with dark brown hair and equally dark eyes. He had the slender build of a male ballet dancer, yet still managed to convey masculinity. He looked like he was around nineteen years old.
Sasha and Tracey had practically grown up together, and the relationship had been platonic until she reached her fifteenth year. That was the year that they had begun to see each other differently. From the scenes she could access, she deduced that Tracey had been in love with Sasha and devastated when he decided to leave to pursue a career in dance that took him back to his father's homeland, Russia.
Judging from the hot looks that Sasha was sending her when he thought their parents weren't looking, he most likely assumed that she would be okay with resuming their sexual relationship. He was in for a rude awakening.
Lida crossed the room to stand directly in front of her. "Oh, it is so good to see you doing better. When we heard about your accident we were so worried," Lisa said in her soft Russian accent, clasping Taryn's hands with her own.
"Thank you, I'm feeling much better," Taryn replied.
"Well, shall we go?" Nigel interrupted.
Sasha held out his arm, and Taryn placed her hand gently on the crook. She sighed. She hadn't planned on having a date, the party was already more than she wanted to deal with on its own, and now she would be expected to make polite conversation to a bloke that was obviously making plans to get in her knickers.
"I am also glad to see that you are well. You definitely look good. You look very good," Sasha said, handing her into the car, his eyes trained on her bum.
Nigel had rented a limo for the occasion, and Taryn sat down gratefully in the cushy bench chair. "Are you still planning to audition in Russia for a place in the company?" Sasha asked.
Taryn looked at him sharply as he car began to roll. "No. I don't think that I will."
Sasha patted her hand. "That is good. I'm glad that you have finally accepted that you wont be in a company. You just don't have the feet, but that is okay. You have many other fine qualities," he said lowly, running hot eyes down her form.
Taryn barely pushed her disgust back. What an asshole, she thought. She sincerely hoped that Tracey had gotten over this dickhead. She scooted over a bit, thinking that one more inch between her and Sasha didn't seem nearly enough. He wouldn't be getting anywhere with her. She'd hit him with a stinging hex so hard that he'd still be feeling it this time next year if he tried anything.
They quickly arrived to the party, handing their embossed invitations to the doorman before entering the large hotel ballroom where the benefit was being held.
Taryn endured Sasha's hand on her lower back as she made her way through the room.
The ballroom was huge with golden walls and elaborate molding. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from a ceiling that was painted in a sky blue with puffy white clouds. One end held tables and chairs and an open bar, but the room was dominated by the polished wood dance floor.
"What a gorgeous set up!" Jillian exclaimed happily. "Why don't you and Sasha take advantage of that dance floor," she s, suggested to Taryn with a smile.
Taryn smiled, biting back a snarl. "Sure, why not?" she said, letting Sasha lead her out to a into a waltz.
They weren't thirty seconds into the dance before Sasha said, "So...do you want to meet up later. You know...after," he said smiling at her winningly, obviously sure of her answer.
"No," Taryn said bluntly. It was just her luck. Another date with a lecher.
His mouth dropped open, before he schooled his face back into its cocky expression. He must have thought that the look was sexy, but he had nothing on Draco in the sexy cockiness department, and Taryn was immune.
"Oh, don't be like that Tracey, you know I can make it good for you," he said, rubbing his hand on her back.
"Stop doing that or I'll leave you right here on the dance floor, and again the answer is no," she said. He was seriously pissing her off, both by calling her Tracey after she had told him that she went by Taryn now, and by being such a cad.
Sasha's face drew into a deep frown. "Why not? If its about me breaking up with you before I left then just know that it was for your own good. I couldn't subject you to a long distance relationship, it wouldn't be fair to you."
"Really?" Taryn said, accessing Tracey's memories. "What about the blonde you were seen kissing in that pub? Were you thinking about me then?" The memory of Tracey crying while holding the newspaper with the photo of Sasha kissing the girl was vivid. The Mezentsova's were a wealthy, well known family in Russia. The Prophet Russia was only too happy to print anything they could about the heir to the Mezentsova fortune.
"She didn't mean anything. She was just a shag, nothing like you, sweetheart," he said silkily, trying his best to wear down her resolve.
Taryn abruptly stopped dancing. "Ugh..does that shit usually work on girls for you? If you must know I'm seeing someone at the moment, and even if I wasn't with him I wouldn't shag you if you were the last bloke on earth."
His mouth opened and shut, at the sound of her cursing. Tracey hadn't been the type of girl to swear, and Sasha was beginning to realize that Tracey had changed. "It worked on you last summer summer when we were shagging our brains out. You don't have to lie. I know that you aren't with anyone else right now. You know that you are in love with me. I practically had to beat you off with a broom the last time I saw you. Stop lying and while you're at it quit cursing. It isn't like you and it isn't attractive," he said angrily.
"I don't care if its attractive or not to you. I am seeing someone else, whether you choose to believe it or not."
"Who?" he asked drawing her closer to him, taking advantage of the crowd to pull her off of the dance floor before they made a scene.
"None of your fucking business. You have a lot of nerve," she whispered fiercely.
"Tell me! Is it that bloke who has been glaring at us since we got on the dance floor?" Sasha asked through his teeth.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Taryn said, pulling her arm from his grasp.
"Well, you're going to have to explain yourself because he is coming this way," Sasha said pointing through the crowd of people.
Her gaze followed his pointing finger and landed on Draco, who was making his way through the crowd, even pushing some of the people out of his way. He wasn't running, he wasn't even rushing. His gait was determined and graceful, like a panther stalking prey.
His eyes almost looked silver instead their usual dove grey. He finally reached her, gently pulling her toward him and away from Sasha.
"What are you doing here?" Taryn breathed. She hadn't expected him to be here, but she was glad he was. He looked devastating in his black suit, with an equally black shirt that despite the formal occasion had a few buttons undone, and there wasn't a tie in sight.
She frowned when he ignored her question, asking instead. "Who is this baby?"
Taryn's brow rose at the endearment, and she looked between the two boys. She stepped away from Draco, putting herself between them. Even if Sasha couldn't sense the menace rolling off of Draco, she definitely could. She wouldn't care if he knocked a few of Sasha's teeth out, but she didn't want the scene or the trouble that would come after. There were far too many ministry officials and Wizarding society elite in the room to let such a thing happen.
"He's nobody," she said, holding up her hand as she watched Draco's shoulders bunch in barely restrained aggression.
Unfortunately Sasha was too stupid to remain quiet. "What do you mean Tracey? I'm her lover," he said confidently to Draco.
"No the fuck you aren't," Draco snarled, moving forward.
Taryn turned quickly, silently thanking Katherine for the six inch heels, before wrapping her arms around Draco's neck to draw him into a kiss. As she thoroughly kissed him, she literally could feel the tension draining out of his body.
"Tracey! What are you doing?" Sasha gasped out in amazement. He was unused to women preferring other men over him, but he had obviously not come across the likes of Draco Malfoy.
Taryn had stopped kissing Draco, but she continued to look into his eyes, loving how his dove grey eyes had darkened to charcoal.
He leaned forward again to drop another quick kiss against her lips, before quietly whispering, "Lets get out of here."
Taryn nodded, untwining her hands from his neck before turning back to Sasha.
"Who is he?" Sasha said, in a shocked tone.
Taryn opened her mouth, but Draco interrupted her. "I'm her man, and we're leaving," Draco said bluntly, before grasping her hand in his.
Taryn looked at him in shocked amazement. She hadn't expected this development at all.
"Tracey! What am I going to say to our parents?" Sasha exclaimed.
"Tell them whatever you want," Taryn said over her shoulder as Draco pulled her through the crowd and right out of the door.
Outside she began to shiver as the warming charm she'd applied earlier began to wear off. Draco immediately stripped off his suit jacket before settling it on her shoulders.
"I can just put another warming char..." his look stopped her words.
"I can take care of you," he said quietly.
"Okay," she relented. It wasn't worth the argument. "We need to talk about..."
"Not tonight," Draco interrupted. "This last night of the year, I want to be just Draco and Taryn. We can talk all you want later. Just trust me," he said earnestly.
Taryn looked into his eyes a moment before nodding. "Okay," she said, barely getting it out before he ripped her into a sidelong Apparition.
They appeared in a large, penthouse like apartment. He pulled her into a bedroom before he began to slip out of his clothes.
"Draco, I'm not having sex with you tonight," she said, shrugging out of the suit jacket. She took in the room, noting the black and blue decorations. This was obviously his room, but where were they? She wanted to ask him badly, but she remembered her agreement to trust him and bit back the question.
He smirked at her with amusement, before pulling a pair of jeans out of his closet and slipping into them. He pulled a black shirt over his head before he answered her statement. "You've said that before, and you remember what happened then?"
She blushed. It was true. She had said that before, the last time she had found herself against the shower wall gasping in pleasure as he thrust inside her, as the hot water fogged the room. "Well tonight I mean it. Not with so much unsaid between us."
He sobered, staring at her intently. "I know, baby, and we will have that talk, but not tonight. Tonight I'm going to show you another part of my world."
He pulled on a pair of black boots and pulled two leather jackets out of his closet. He scrutinized her form for a minute, eyes slowly caressing her. "While I like the dress, it won't do for where we are going. Especially not the shoes, but I might want you to wear them again for me later."
Taryn rolled her eyes. "Well its not like I brought a change of clothes with me. You didn't even give me time to grab my clutch. I don't even have money."
"Not a problem," he said, pulling out his wand. He quickly transfigured her dress into a sexy lace shirt, ignoring her squeak of protest. A shirt of his quickly became a pair of tight jeans, her heels magicked into a pair of low heeled black boots. The second leather jacket was soon spelled into a perfect size for her, tailored to her curves.
"You are rather good at that," she said glumly, imagining the other girls he had undressed and redressed.
"You are the only one who knows that I can," he said, watching as the comment smoothed her ruffled feathers.
Turning to his closet he pulled down his helmet, and quickly transfigured a coin into one for her.
Taking her hand again, he led her from the apartment down to the parking garage. He watched for her reaction as he led her to his bike. "Now baby, its going to be okay for you to ride this with..."
"I know," she interrupted him. "I said I trust you. If you have a bike, I'm sure that you can handle it."
Draco looked at her, finally nodding before smiling in the most unburdened way. It transformed his whole face. Taryn always thought him sexy, but this happy face had a sexiness of its own sort.
"Put on your helmet," he said, pulling on his own, before swinging a leg over the bike. He waited for her to get on behind him and quickly explained motorcycle passenger basics before turning the key in the ignition.
They arrived soon thereafter at a rowdy pub. Getting off the bike he swung an arm around her waist before stepping toward the door, which was guarded by a large Black Muggle with a shaved head and surprisingly brilliant light brown eyes.
"Draco," Taryn said quietly, "Are you sure that I can get in here? I don't have a Muggle license."
"Don't worry about that, and Taryn...call me Ryu inside okay?" he watched for her reaction to his statement, relaxing when she merely nodded without question.
Drawing closer to the Muggle bouncer, Taryn watched as the man's scowl became a grin as he recognized Draco.
"Ryu! How the fuck have you been? Been a long time since I saw you here. You looking for Rico? He's inside with the rest of 'em," he said pulling the door open. Loud rock music spilled from the door.
"Thanks, Derrick. By the way how are Simone and Kylie?" Draco asked.
"Simone is the same. Still nagging me, " Derrick said grinning. "And Kylie is growing like a weed. She's two now, and getting into everything."
"Don't be too hard on her," Draco laughed. "This is Taryn," he said introducing her finally.
"Hey, Taryn," Derrick said, nodding at her before moving aside for them to enter the building.
It was a typical pub. Smoke was hazy in the air, and there were glowing beer signs on the walls. The walls were painted black and matched the bar on the far right.
Draco grasped her hand again, leading her through the room to a table in the back that was packed with people.
"Hey, bro!" a handsome Latino boy said to Draco. Standing he and Draco did that strange hug, clap on the back, thing that men did. "I didn't think I'd see you tonight, and certainly not with such an attractive date."
Draco grinned. "Well, I'm like bad pound, I always turn up. Hey, everyone this is Taryn," he said introducing her to the group.
"Taryn, these are my best friends," he said to her. "Rico, here though, is like my brother."
Everyone seemed pleased to meet her, all except for a sultry blonde, who looked at her with barely concealed ire. The others were nice enough. Willy, his wife Stephanie, and a pretty brunette named Leah all grinned at her. Rico even drew her into a quick surprised hug before sitting back down in his seat.
The blonde, Brandi, however ran her eyes up and down Taryn in a frank assessment before seemingly dismissing her.
"She's just pissed that Ryu doesn't want her anymore," Stephanie said, leaning to whisper in Taryn's ear. "She wasn't even supposed to be here. She invited herself," she said giggling.
Taryn liked Stephanie immediately. The girl had a bubbly manner that was engaging.
Draco, who was talking to Rico and Willy, hadn't noticed the glares that Brandi was sending. He talked for several minutes before pulling out some money he and speaking to Taryn he said, "Hey, baby, will you go get me a drink? Grey Goose and pineapple?"
Taryn glanced at him a moment before nodding and taking the money from his hand. She had gotten into the pub okay, but she just knew as soon as she went to the bar she would be carded.
"I'll go with you," Stephanie said. "Do you want anything, hun?" she asked her husband.
"I want a scotch," Willy said, pulling money out of his pocket and handing it to his wife.
"Okay," Stephanie said, "We'll be back in a sec."
They were waiting for their drinks when Stephanie said. "Ryu really likes you. I can tell."
"Really?" Taryn asked. She was curious to know what others thought of them. People other than the people they saw everyday at school.
"You're kidding right? He can barely take eyes off of you," Stephanie said with a giggle. They glanced back at the table, and sure enough Draco's eyes were trained on her before he turned back into the conversation that he was having with Rico.
Taryn smiled, reaching for her drink. Surprisingly that they had filled the order without question. She almost jumped out of her skin, and definitely spilled her drink when a hand slapped her ass.
She had to stop herself from pulling out her wand, before turning to the offender.
He was obviously a bloke out from uni for the holidays living it up and getting pissed with his mates. He had artfully spiked black hair and was wearing a white polo and carefully pressed jeans. His blue eyes were glassy from a few too many drinks.
"Hey, hottie. You wanna get with this?" he asked, slurring the words. His friends laughed behind him at his antics.
"Ew, keep your fucking hands to yourself," Taryn said in disgust.
"Don't be like that, sexy. You know you want a lil of this," he said, leaning closer and blowing beer breath into her face, as he crudely grabbed at his crotch.
Wrinkling her nose, she stepped back, directly into Draco's hard chest.
Stephanie had obviously rushed over to apprise him of what was going on, and Taryn caught up in dodging the drunkard, hadn't even noticed the other girl slipping away.
"Back the fuck off," Draco said lowly. "This is my girl." He said pushing her gently behind him.
"Well, it looks like you aren't putting it to her right, or she wouldn't be all on my shit," spiky hair said.
"I wasn't...," Taryn began.
"Man, just walk away," Draco said, interrupting her assurance. "Its New Year's and unless you want to spend New Years Day in the hospital you better go," he finished calmly, directing his comment at Spiky.
Spiky puffed up in anger. "Do you know who I am, cocksucker?"
Draco calmly folded his arms over his chest. "Am I supposed to?"
"You should! Everybody else here does. I'll fucking kick your ass. I'm Ryu fuckin' Kovalic!"
The pub went immediately quiet, all but some snickering that Taryn was sure was coming from Rico.
Taryn's eyes widened behind Draco. What a dumbass, she thought, looking around Draco to Spiky, who was weaving slightly on his feet.
Draco calmly pulled his wallet out of his jacket, removing the license inside before tossing it to Spiky.
"What the...!" Spiky began, pulling the license close to read it, his mates leaning over his shoulder to get a look. It took a moment for his beer goggles to clear and register the print, but when it did his face turned beet red, and his mates began laughing loudly.
"That's what you get Sean, " one of them said. "Always talking shit!"
Spiky, now known as Sean, quickly handed the license back to Draco. "Sorry," he mumbled, his anger draining away as his face turned white in terror. "And sorry to you miss," he said in stuttering words directed to Taryn.
"Sorry, again," he said to Draco before he and his mates began walking to the door. They were gone soon thereafter.
"A Grey Goose and pineapple," Draco said quietly, turning his attention to the bartender, "And a Smirnoff Ice for my girl."
After they got their drinks they returned to the table. Rico, who had barely been able to hold in his snickers, erupted into laughter as they sat down.
"Did you fucking see his face! I thought he was gonna piss his pants! Don't need you fucking up college kids tonight, little brother," Rico said laughing.
"Didn't have to," Draco said, leaning back in his chair and sipping his drink.
Taryn looked at the bottle she held for a moment, before bringing it to her mouth. The sweet taste with the hint of alcohol was pleasant and better than she expected.
They all talked for hours following the brief 'altercation', cheering happily at midnight. Taryn rang in the New Year with her lips against Draco's.
A few hours later, they returned to the apartment, which she soon out found that he shared with Rico. She went to the loo to wash the makeup from her face, and returning to the bedroom, she pulled on the soft tee-shirt that Draco had laid out for her. They hadn't exactly discussed her sleeping over, but she knew that it would be okay, it was a given. And honestly, she slept better when she was in his arms.
She snuggled into the blankets, with his strong arms around her, and breathed in his warm scent. Tomorrow they would start the new year with no more secrets between them. She just hoped that she would be as contented then as she was now. Sleep soon claimed her, taking her worries with it.
AN: The incident between Draco and Spiky is based on an actual event that happened to Pat Miletich and was written about in the book Blood in the cage : mixed martial arts, Pat Miletich, and the furious rise of the UFC by L. Jon Wertheim. I laughed out loud when I read it and just had to incorporate something similar. As always thanks for reading. Review please. :D