Chapter 12
We did little else until we were almost at King's Cross. I pulled out the dress that I was going to meet his parents in, and he chivalrously turned his back as I changed. It was a simple dress, midnight blue, with a wide bell skirt, square neck, and tight elbow-length sleeves. Diamond studs complemented the sapphire necklace. I slipped on black flats and my coat. "How do I look?"
"Perfect."
"Really?" He rolled his eyes, and I straightened up. "Right. Confident. Not subservient."
"Good." He waved his wand and levitated both our trunks out onto the platform. Waiting for us was a tall, pale man who looked to be in his early forties, with long, white-blond hair and gray eyes. The woman next to him was similarly colored, shorter than him, but still tall for a woman. They were gazing along the platform, eyes searching.
"Mother. Father." Draco emerged from the crowd and lightly kissed his mother on the cheek. "This is Jessica."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," I said, extending my hand. To my surprise, instead of shaking it, Draco's father took it and bowed, kissing me lightly on the knuckles. His mother took it next, and dipped into an elegant curtsey.
"A pleasure to meet you as well, your Highness. Draco has told us much about you."
"A pleasure to meet you, as well. There's no need for titles. I would much rather be called Jessica."
"Very well, Jessica. I trust you know how to apparate?"
I nodded. "I do, but I don't know where Malfoy Manor is, and I fear I'll end up in the wrong place. I'd rather side-along apparate with Draco, if that's alright?" I directed the last question at Draco, and he nodded. Taking both my trunk and his, I clutched his arm, and with a crack, we were gone.
I stumbled when we arrived, almost falling into the gravel. Draco caught me before anyone could see, and I straightened up and brushed myself off. "Oh my."
The manor house before me was exquisite. Unlike Windhithe, it was neat and orderly, with closely trimmed yew edges and carefully manicured lawns. Albino peacocks strutted about the lawn, their white fans magnificent in the afternoon sunlight. I could see a fountain in distance, in the midst of a hibernating garden. "Why, this is beautiful."
"Thank you, Jessica. Generations of Malfoys have worked to make it so."
"They've done well." A house elf was approaching, a little thing with a squashed face.
"Welcome home, master." It bowed and levitated the trunks in front of it. No one gave the little creature any acknowledgement, and so I did not deign to thank it.
When we reached the house, the doors swung open to the entrance hall. It was lined with portraits, and I could easily see that they were Malfoys. Their eyes were all the same. It was colder than Windhithe, more organized. There furniture was ornate, and I did not think I should touch it. To the left was an equally elegant drawing room with dark purple wallpaper, which looked equally cold, despite the fire roaring in the fireplace. There was a Christmas tree, though, decorated with entirely with silver ornaments and enchanted floating candles. "Draco, show Jessica to her room, if you please. Dinner is at seven," said Lucius, directing the last part at me. I thanked him and Draco took my arm and led me up the staircase.
It was magnificent, like the rest of the house, with dark wood and green hangings. Draco left me alone to unpack my things. I was finished quickly, and peered out the door. There was no one there. I tiptoed out into the hall, looking left and right.
"Boo."
I squealed, whipping around. "Draco Malfoy!"
He had been standing by the door, and now had a grin on his face. "Yes?"
"Please do not terrify me in the future. If it's not too much of an inconvenience."
"Oh come on, it wasn't even scary. I could be a lot scarier."
"But it was startling, and that's still bad." I collected myself. "So, I was planning on exploring, but now that you've made yourself known, I suppose I can have the official tour."
"You actually want a tour?"
"History's cool, Draco." I stuck my tongue out at him. "You should have seen me at Windhithe. I must have driven the Regent mad with all of my questions."
"Alright, fine. Just don't expect me to have all of the answers."
"Fair enough."
The Manor really was massive. It was smaller than Windhithe, though the layout was much more organized. I didn't even know half the purposes for the rooms. We fortified ourselves with snacks from the huge underground kitchen, then got down to the business of exploring. There were drawing rooms and sitting rooms, morning rooms, studies, a ballroom, a library, and slew of others. Eventually we ended up in the music room, Draco lying on the couch while I tried to figure out the various instruments. The harp was my favorite so far, and I plucked at the strings, picking out tunes or just running my fingers along them.
"I should learn the harp."
"You've been playing for fifteen minutes, I'm surprised you aren't an expert already."
I got up and moved his legs, sitting on the couch beside him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you."
"It's fine."
"You sure?"
"Yeah." He folded his arms behind his head. "You could just enchant the harp, you know."
"I know. But it's harder when you play with your fingers."
"I know…?"
"So that means it's more satisfying when you learn how to do it."
"I've never quite got that."
"Ah, well. I was poor once, you know. Before I was… well, you know what I'm talking about."
"But now you're living normally. I can't imagine living in a hut."
"It wasn't a hut, it was a cottage. Huts only have one room, and dirt floors and no plumbing." I stuck my tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes. I felt almost inferior to him, in this big manor house, like a country bumpkin in a castle. But I had to remember who I was. In his eyes, my blood was superior to his. And even if I didn't believe it, the fact that he did was enough to lend me a little more confidence.
"Anyway," I said, "I have Windhithe now. Magnificent place. You should visit on the next holiday."
"Maybe…" Draco seemed unsure about that. I shrugged.
"Of course, you don't have to. That's not for a while, though. We'll figure it out later." I rolled off the couch, stumbling to my feet. "Anyway, I'm going to take a bath before dinner."
"Seven. Sharp."
"I know, I know. I'm very punctual, don't worry. And I wouldn't dream of making a bad impression on your parents."
I soaked in the tub, which was filled with lavender-scented bubbles. I ducked my head under the water, holding my breath and squeezing my eyes shut. I stayed down there until my throat felt tight, then I emerged, bubbles sticking to my hair. There was something that had been bothering me ever since I got to Malfoy Manor. I had felt- just for a moment- someone trying to intrude on my mind. I could see why McGonagall was worried about Legilimens. I had blocked it out easily enough, but it had seemed too easy. Obviously someone wanted to know my thoughts. What bothered me was who wanted to know my thoughts. Draco had never tried that on me before, and I doubted he would start now. It could have been either of his parents, or… someone else. I shuddered, and lifted myself out of the tub. I would think on that tonight. For now, the show had to start.
I did feel like an actress, putting on my costume. It was the green dress with pheasant feathers, tailored to my body. I carefully applied subtle makeup and some Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. It was time for the show to begin.
