The weather was horrid when Mia awoke the next morning, and it didn't improve as she carried the finally packed trunk down the stairs to the fire place. She decided not to take it as a bad sign though. Neither twin was there to say goodbye, Mrs Weasley using it as part of their unusual punishment both for the blue gnome and trunk jinx. Ginny was there however, and hugged her tightly, making sure to add that she could come back at any point if Draco's was terrible. Ignoring the comment, and just rolling her eyes instead, the Slytherin stepped into the fire place, glad of the warmth it was giving off for a change and dropped the floo powder.
Unlike last year she was not early and rather perfectly on time. This was mainly to make sure she wouldn't stumble on the same sight as last year. That wasn't good for anyone. Thankfully Lucius was nowhere to be seen, and apart from Draco who was stood with his hands in his pockets staring out the window, the room was packed with house elves. Momentarily ignoring the creatures Mia dropped her trunk and quick walked across the floor to Draco, who's arms she nearly jumped into. He hugged her back, almost lifting her up off the floor in the process before letting out a breath.
"Wasn't sure you were still coming" he admitted, keeping her close.
"Don't be stupid" she replied, beaming up at him, glad to know he seemed fine. With that all in check their attention was drawn back to the house elves, all of which were madly scurrying around the dining room arranging the table.
"Mother's hosting a dinner" the blonde filled in whilst instructing one of the poor creatures to take the trunk. "You'll be expected to attend" Oh, sounds like so much fun her mind thought bitterly, the idea of having to sit around and listen to snotty uptight purebloods really not an experience she wanted.
"I don't have anything to wear" she countered with as they were ascending the second staircase. If her memory was correct, they were now on both their bedrooms corridor. Then again, she could be wrong. Draco paused mid step as she spoke, appearing to actually think the dilemma through.
"Mother will sort you out; she'll still be in her dressing room". A scowl flashed over the younger's face. She was sure that would have worked! Maybe she could fake an illness? The twins' sweets from her birthday were packed somewhere... Laughing snapped her from her thoughts, and Mia looked up confused at the other. "If I have to go," He stared, threading his fingers though hers. "So do you". They stood still like that for several minutes, a smile on both their faces as they gazed into the others eyes. Draco's free hand came up to rest on her cheek, stroking softly. She could feel her face flush, but couldn't care less, especially when the blondes hand travelled from her cheek to her lips, lingering on the pink softness. She closed her eyes in anticipation as he began to move his mouth closer to hers, butterflies rising in her stomach. But the contact never came.
Instead footsteps were heard, firstly by Draco down another corridor, and both teenagers jumped away from each other. It was only a house elf though, and they both waited until it had gone past, before bursting out laughing. What an overreaction there! Still laughing slightly the older boy brushed his fingers over hers.
"You should go find mother, she'll get you a dress ready" He instructed. Nodding Mia began walking back the way she came, though had to stop almost instantly. How on earth was she meant to know where to go? This was hardly a place to be exploring. Looking back over her shoulder she raised an eyebrow.
"As much as I'd love to walk into an awkward situation, i think you should tell me where to go with easy to follow instructions" she said sarcasm evident in the first half of her sentence. The blonde smirked, shoving his hands deep into his jean pockets once more.
"Take a left, go up one flight, another left and the sixth door on the right".
Znznznzn
Mia tried to follow his instructions as best she could, and finally came to what she hoped was the sixth door. There was nothing special about it, it did not stand out from the rest, and of course there was a possibility it was completely the wrong door and an evil ghost or dragon could be behind it. Trying to ignore the thoughts protruding into her head, she knocked twice and waited.
One, two, three, four... After five seconds the raven haired girl started to think maybe Narcissa wasn't in there. What would she do if that was the case? There was no way she could go to the dinner in her own clothes, and Draco clearly wasn't letting her out of it that easy. Draco... her thoughts quickly changed from dress problems to the blonde now several floors down. They'd nearly kissed. If that house elf hadn't appeared they would have... But they'd both jumped away at the sound of an intruder. What if they hadn't been stood there and were in fact in his room? Would the outcome have been different? Before she could ponder that idea for too long the door in front quickly opened. A house elf, dressed in a grubby lilac pillow case peered up, its beady eyes looking annoyed.
"Is Mrs Malfoy in there?" The elf glanced behind it and to the right slightly, a voice answering, but far too quietly for Mia to hear before she was gestured in. Taking a step forward, and into the 'dressing room', she took a breath in. It was huge, and it wasn't even an essential place! The walls were a cream colour, a strange contrast to the darkness of the rest of the house. A pale green carpet filled the floor, and a door to the far right led off to what appeared to be a walk in wardrobe. If this wasn't a room to be jealous of, she didn't know what was. Narcissa was stood in front of one of three full length mirrors, a deep almost midnight blue figure hugging dress on her. Her hair was pulled back fully into a bun and she seemed to be deciding whether she liked the outfit or not. After one more half turn, her attention fell upon Mia, an eyebrow raised.
"I don't have anything to wear for tonight, Draco sent me here" she explained, chewing down on her lip afterwards. What must Narcissa think of her? The older woman didn't look displeased though, and instead smiled slightly.
"We'll find you something, won't we Della" She said and the house elf- presumably Della, went scurrying off into the wardrobe.
Znznznzn
It took them several hours, six changes of dresses and a lot of hard work on Della's part, but finally Mia was ready. She left the dressing room in a blood red floor length dress. It was simplistic, with thin shoulder straps and a pinched waist, but along with the mass of curls her hair was in, it looked amazing. The house elf had also completed her make-up, Smokey eyes and dark full lips finished the look off perfectly.
Draco's face lit up as he opened his bedroom door, a smile, much bigger than Mia had seen in a long time filling up his face.
"You look beautiful" he said whilst taking her hand and making her turn in a circle so he could get a proper look.
"So do you" She replied, looking him over now as well. He wasn't quite in a tux, which was a shame, but the black slacks, white shirt and red tie that somehow matched the dress she wore would certainly do.
They walked down to the dinning room together, the younger's hand resting on the others arm all the way. Narcissa and unfortunately Lucius were both stood at the door, currently in a conversation with a couple Mia didn't recognise. Neither paid much attention as the two teenagers went past- though Lucius did manage to shoot a glare their way.
Only seven people were already sat down, and the two managed to get almost secluded seats easily.
"Does she have a lot o there dinners?" Mia asked after several minutes had passed. It had been bugging her since Draco had said about this one earlier, and she couldn't understand why people would want them at all. He have a nod, loosely crossing his arms over his chest. His mother loved having dinner parties, and there were easily six a year.
"Keeping up appearances" The blonde explained, before gesturing to his parents who were looking like a perfect married couple. Mia found it rather annoying, and resisted the urge to say what Lucius was really like to the rest of the party.
The dinner was actually ok. Well, dull as hell, but otherwise it was fine. The two teenagers were mostly ignored, as though they wouldn't be able to comprehend anything said. Once the dinner was over, or rather as soon as the dinner was over, Lucius gave Draco a look that he was somehow able to understand as 'leave now', and both soon to be forth years stood up and excused themselves. They made their way upstairs, both going to Draco's room as usual and falling down onto the bed. Well, the blonde fell onto the bed, Mia instead chose to stand in front of a mirror, removing the various items of jewellery- aside from the infamous bracelet and finally taking off the mounds of make-up that covered her face.
"Much better" She stated after, joining him on the bed. She had to admit it had been nice to have been all madde up, but it was also nice to get it all taken off and feel more natural. The blonde merely shrugged, moving over so she had enough room to lie down.
"I like either way" he said, glancing sideways with a curious look when she didn't move.
"I don't want to risk ruining the dress at all" she explained, standing back up and smoothing the few creases out. "In fact I better go take this off". The smirk which appeared on his features causing her to scowl. "No" she said and turned to leave the room before he could see the smile threatening to over throw the scowl at the thought.
"Goodnight" she heard Draco call from behind her as she shut the door.
"Good night" she whispered, realising the dinner really hadn't been that evil.
A/N: woo new chapter up! Sorry it's taken a little longer than usual but i've been busy with my A.S exams. I'm looking at roughly 1-2 weeks for the next chapter. Review though! Anything you think could be better? What do you like about this story? What would you love to happen? A good twist you could think of maybe? Should they kiss? Tell me your thoughts! Z-Nugget xx