A/N: Some Italian words have been used in this chapter and they may not be correct or used in proper context. I apologize for that, but I still wanted to use these words, despite my limited knowledge of the language.
Chapter 22: Torture and politeness
The five girls then moved to my chair, and I counted ten dresses no less, cold sweat once more washing over me.
"I think she should take this one, the colour would go nicely with her eyes." spoke Claudia, walking up to a dress and taking its fabric gently between her fingers. It was a teal blue strapless ball gown, the corseted upper part was adorned with many beads, which also spread themselves to the first few centimetres of the lower part which spread itself out around one's feet. It was a nice dress, but I had two issues. First of all, this was not my style, more to Claudia's own liking, and second of all, it was not appropriate for a business dinner.
Arielle seemed to mirror my thoughts and she immediately turned this dress down, saying :"She's not going to a ball Clo, she's going on a date."
She had her arms crossed over her chest, a look of business like interest set firm on her face. It seemed she had taken it upon herself to find me a dress, something I would not welcome in a million years.
It also seemed to be pointless to correct her, since all of them seemed firm on the idea that I was going on a date, which I really, really, was not .
"Then how about something like this?" asked Astoria, walking up to another dress "She would look like a princess."
She stopped in front of a dress that was a bit more to my liking, but not quite there. It was a one shoulder, mermaid style, lilac coloured dress, with the back part a bit longer, so that it would be dragged behind me on the floor as I walked. It was a tight dress, adorned by beads that were set in there diagonal lines from my shoulder.
Not quite what I would choose, but a lot better than Claudia's choice.
Arielle did not look convinced.
"She would, but she is a queen, not a princess. So that one's a no go too." Spoke she, nodding her head wisely. It appeared I would have little say over what I was going to wear. Curse her.
"How about this one?" asked Melody, walking up to the third dress. I was starting to develop a headache at this point.
The dress Melody had walked up to was rather conservative, completely opposite to anything I would choose for myself. It was a floor length, semi-tight dress of cream colour. It was a simple design, only the top of the dress adorned with a lace motif. It seemed she too considered her own taste, rather than mine.
"Hell no!" exclaimed Arielle, dramatically separating her arms and making an x like signal. "You're not choosing a dress for your grandmother Melody, you're choosing a dress to bring Blaisey to his knees."
I would have liked to bring her to her knees at that moment. And then make her suffer.
"It seems it is up to me once more!" exclaimed she again, a mock disappointed mask on her face.
"Don't worry Mel," I heard Astoria say and I turned to see her giving Arielle a nasty glare "she turned down my dress too."
Arielle didn't seem to hear her, or, what was more likely, did not seem to care at all, as a wicked grin appeared on her features. She then marched forward, violently spreading the gowns levitated in mid-air, having caught sight of something.
I lurched forward when I saw the dress she had chosen, not caring that I was still in my bra, wanting to claw her eyes out. Melody and Daphne were by my side immediately, Arielle hollering with laughter as they each caught one arm, practically carrying me back to the chair.
"Let go off me!" I hissed. "I'm going to skin her alive!"
"Behave Linda!" spoke Daphne, taking out her wand and aiming it at me. "This is very important, you can skin her after you're back from your date. Besides, is this a way for a lady to behave?"
"Get that wand out of my face Daphne!" I hissed back at her "Is that something a lady would wear?" I demanded, pointing at the horrible creation holding the gown.
It was a completely see through dress for Merlin's sake! It had black laced roses covering it in places, and the only part that would be covered would be my crotch, and that just barely! My legs and chest would be completely exposed! Curse the idiot one thousand times!
"She's right to a degree Arielle!" spoke Daphne, her wand still aimed at me, but her head turning so that she could see the person she was addressing. "Despite what Linda may say, we are not trying to kill Blaise on the spot."
Serpen hissed in agreement to this, traitor.
"Wait" I hissed before Arielle could answer. "can you guarantee me that Zabini would be dead on the spot?"
This only earned me an exasperated look from Daphne and Melody and an amused one from Claudia and Tori. A girl could always hope.
"Nope" answered Arielle, popping the p.
"But it would surely get his hopes up, and that in itself would be a very cruel thing to do." Reasoned my sister, and I frowned. There was no reason for me to wear that dress unless that would guarantee me Zabini's death.
"I can name another thing that would be going up!" grinned Arielle, and I snatched my hand away from Melody, who blushed profusely, using that moment of distraction to hiss "Stupefy!"
Arielle naturally danced out of the charm's way.
"Arielle!" exclaimed Daphne, eyeing her sister who also blushed.
"Sorry, sorry, but the look on Linds' face was priceless!" laughed the moron.
"I'm going to kill you!" I hissed once more, but made no move to attack. I would be smart about this, wait for her to slip up and then tear her throat out.
"Yeah yeah" responded Arielle, waving the comment away.
I had not noticed that Daphne was gone until she called my attention to another dress.
"How about his one Linda?" asked she, wisely allowing me to choose. This gown had a beautiful emerald green underdress, which was completely closed in the front, but deeply cut in the back, so that the cut reached very low on my back. The overdress was see through, black, with laced motives around my chest, on the straps on my back and at the bottom. It was a floral patterned lace, with a belt just below my chest that appeared tied on the back with a beautiful rose pattern.
I opened my mouth to agree, but Arielle snatched the dress from mid-air, setting it beside her choice.
"Think carefully Linds, you want to be astonishing!" she grinned, and it was with great vehemence that I responded.
"The green one!" I snapped, and a victorious smile appeared on Daphne's lips. She seemed to be the only one to consider my taste in all of this.
Arielle pouted for a second, but then added with a wicked grin "Well, you know Roseycheeks, even this could make Blaisey's pants just a little too tight tonight."
"Get out!" I hissed, but she merely hollered with laughter.
"What should we do about her make-up?" asked Claudia from the other side of the room, obviously having chosen to busy herself with another matter that needed addressing rather than hear more of Arielle's insufferable allusions.
"How about you let me choose?" I hissed out, barely restraining myself. I was moments away from losing all semblance of control.
My words were once more completely ignored. I knew this would happen, I bloody knew it, I thought, seething in my chair as I listened to them discussing various shades and tones. Curse them all, I was not their personal doll!
"I believe we should be going with a more classical variant." Spoke Daphne, and I could have hugged her out of gratitude right then and there.
"A silver eye shadow" spoke my sister, considering my face with her eyes closed in scrutiny, "a black eye liner, mascara, foundation, a faint pink lipstick?"
I have to say that I was pleased with the combination, trusting my sister's judgement. She always has had a great taste in make-up.
"Perfect!" exclaimed Astoria, waltzing to my chair and putting one small hand on my chin, gently turning my head from side to side. "She will look amazing."
"Great! We'll leave you two to it then!" exclaimed Arielle, once more assuming control over the proceedings. If it had been her that dared touch me, I would bloody bite her hand off. Since it was just Tori, I would be on my best behaviour.
"Now," spoke the idiot, coming to a stop behind me and I barred my teeth out at her as she passed me, which only earned me a viscous grin. "what do we do about her hair?"
Melody had in the meantime gotten her hands on some foundation, which she was busily applying to my skin.
"Definitely prolong it" spoke Claudia, twirling her wand in her hands, seemingly lost in thought.
"I agree " spoke Daphne, coming to a stop behind me and taking a couple of strands of my hair between her fingers. "her hair is by far too short."
"Alright. I'll do it." Spoke Claudia, raising her wand. I was about to yell for her to stop, but my sister beat me to it, as Astoria was working on her side of my face.
"Wait Clo" spoke my sister, walking between me and the tip of Claudia's wand. "do you have any experience doing this?" asked she, eyeing the midnight strands of the girl's hair that reached halfway to her back.
"Not really" admitted Claudia, "but I know the theory."
"Let her!" spoke Arielle, also taking a strand of my hair between her fingers and twirling it as she spoke, irking me to no end. "What's the worst thing that could happen?"
"I am not a test subject Hayes!" I hissed, wishing to spin about and threaten the moron, but a stern look from Melody had me stay in my place, bubbling over with rage. Apparently moving was not an option.
"She could go bald for a start." Noted Astoria, but as her eyes met mine, she apologized immediately. "Sorry Linda."
"I'm sure Blaisey would not mind at all!" spoke Arielle, her voice by far too cheerful.
"If you like him so much, by all means, take him." I spoke, really hopping that she might take me up on that offer.
"Oh no Roseycheeks!" replied the moron, beside me and I saw from the corner of my eye that she was grinning. "I'm not his type. He likes short, brooding, sarcastic girls best."
"It's not that." Spoke Daphne, still holding a strand of my hair "I reckon that this is what the rest of the world sees, but not Blaise. He probably sees something in you Linda, something he is rather desperate for, something that he can't find in anyone else."
Melody and Astoria looked up at that, their eyes shining. Bloody hell.
"No." I hissed, "This is not a romance novel Daphne, I would appreciate it if you stopped treating me as a heroine of one."
Melody gave me a perplexed look at that, and I closed my eyes in annoyance. Zabini wanted to bed me, that was all, and seeing it as something more would be naivety.
"So, Clo" spoke Arielle, and I noted she sounded by far too excited "want to have a go?"
"How about I do it?" interjected Daphne and my eyes snapped open, only to see her give me a reassuring smile before lifting her wand elegantly. "I have plenty of experience Linda, may I?"
"Please." I responded, and with a silent flick of her wrist, Daphne cast the charm that caused an ant-like sensation on my scalp, the hairs on my head rushing from their roots, growing visibly. I noted that Daphne had evened out the length, having it stop a few inches below my shoulder blades.
"What now?" asked Claudia, observing the scene with interest.
"How about we curl her hair? And then just let it flow down her back." asked Arielle, once more playing with my hair, pulling and turning in all directions. I would have bitten her had Melody not been putting facial powder on my skin.
"Yes!" exclaimed Astoria, "She'll look beautiful!"
"I'm not so sure" interjected Daphne, bless her, "I was thinking something a bit more classy. A fishbone maybe?"
There was silence as all present thought about the dilemma, before my sister, who was still busy around my face, spoke up: "Why not both?"
"Brilliant!" exclaimed Arielle "You're a genius Mells!"
"I try" spoke my sister, smiling in response.
"How about we only take this part " spoke Daphne, taking hair from my right side and pulling up gently "and make it into a French fishbone and leave the rest to fall freely, but curly?"
"All in favour say date!" spoke Arielle, and I honestly thought no one would abide her. What a ridiculous idea.
But as they all chorused the word date, I mentally reviewed torture curses, as a means of self-control.
So, the next hour was spent with Astoria and Melody doing my make-up, Daphne and Claudia doing my hair and Arielle laughing to the side or bossing everyone else around.
Lovely times.
I had not noticed that the moron was gone, before she appeared before me, dangling a pair of, admittedly, beautiful black high heels.
"How about these Roseycheeks?" asked she, receiving a glare in response. "Come on, they match your outfit perfectly!"
I would have answered her, but Melody was applying lipstick so I merely blinked.
"Was that a yes or no?" asked Arielle, although I knew that she had understood. "Blink once for yes and twice for no."
I obediently blinked once.
"Was that once? Sorry, I didn't catch that." Spoke she, with a malicious grin.
I blinked once more, very crossly. I did not know you could blink crossly, apparently, you can. What do you know.
"Soooorry, once more?" asked she and received a death glare.
"Alright, alright, don't get your panties in a twist!" exclaimed Arielle, and her eyes widened as she had another idea. I dreaded to see what it was.
"Linda, I have something for you" spoke Daphne, emerging from another trunk, my hair apparently ready.
She had two small jewellery boxes, and as she opened them, I was presented with a beautiful silver bracelet, a rose motif of emerald colour adorning the chain and equally breath-taking emerald green earrings, in the shape of a tear drop.
"I thought they'd match you." Spoke she, smiling at me.
And in good time as well, since I was done with my make-up torture.
"Thank you Daphne, they are beautiful." I responded, giving her a small smile.
Melody stood back a bit, and then immediately summoned Astoria to her side.
"Linda" breathed Astoria, and I was afraid of what she was going to say "you truly look like a Queen."
There was real wonder in her eyes, but before I could address it, Arielle appeared, carrying a bag.
"Yes, a Queen in her bra, here you go, go get changed!" spoke she, shoving the bag in my hands and simultaneously putting in the shoes and the jewellery.
"Wait, you forgot this!" exclaimed Claudia as I stood up from that torture device, running up to me with a simple black clutch bag.
"Thank you" I responded, spun on my heel and hurried to my bathroom before they had any more wise ideas.
I locked the doors twice behind me, fearing what Arielle may think up and in the same time knowing that she still had a wand, while mine was still held captive by the blasted falcon.
So, it was in great hurry that I emptied the contents of the bag on a counter to my left, and I stopped dead in my tracks.
It seemed I was right to fear what Arielle's stupid mind could think up, as I found a set of emerald green lingerie carefully folded inside my dress. I used the very tips of my fingers to lift the fabric, as little as there was of fabric in the horrendous thing they dared call clothing, holding it with disgust as far away from my body as my arms would allow me. The creation was scanty at best, hardly any fabric meant to cover my body. It had lace, see through mind you, on the bra, and as I saw that the knickers were a thong, I snatched the note attached, before tossing the creation in the sink, my hand facing it as I focused.
"Incendio!" I hissed, and smirked as I saw flames erupt form mid-air, consuming the fabric within moments.
I opened the note that had been folded in half, by this time very cross, my anger consuming me so that I nearly tore the damn parchment in half with the force of the motion.
"Dear Roseycheeeeeeks
I, ever your foreseeing friend, have prepared a little present for you. I do hope things will get frisky tonight, please do not disappoint me.
All my love- and you know you love me too- Ari XO
P.S.
If his pants do get a bit too tight, feel free to help him out. Play nice. Do everything Melody would not."
I tossed the blasted piece of parchment to the still burning pile in the sink, picking up the bottle of perfume I was given and examining it. It was a scent of Tuberose, and I applied some of it on my wrists and my neck. That would be enough, I concluded, revelling in the scent. For once, Arielle had the good sense to pick something that would be to my liking, not hers.
It was another ten minutes before I managed to assemble all of the blasted pieces of my outfit, and I decided to walk out without examining myself in the mirror first. I could not trust myself not to destroy the perfection the five of them had created.
I took a deep, calming breath, before unlocking the doors, raising my chin, and walking out the doors, the chatter in the room dying down immediately.
Arielle had been bothering my snake, but she jumped from my bed, joining the four remaining girls as they observed me.
"Linda…" breathed Daphne, a beaming smile appearing on her face. "You look…."
What is it, I thought, slight panic settling in my mind. Did I look like a complete clown? I was positive I did, because, as much as I took care of my appearance, I never once paid this much attention to it.
"Beautiful" supplied my sister, a shine to her eyes and a wide smile appearing on her face.
"Like a painting" supplied Astoria, nodding slightly to herself. A portrait of my grandmother appeared before my eyes, the painter having done a magnificent job in taking away every ounce of beauty my grandmother had.
"Like Cinderella" added Claudia and I, along with my two cousins turned to her, giving her questioning looks. Ciddernella? What in the name of Merlin was that?
"What is a… Cindre.." spoke Astoria, scrunching up her face in confusion, clearly not having heard her well. "a Cinred..?" she tried once more, but still she did not seem capable of pronouncing the blasted word.
"Cinderella." Finished Claudia, giving us a smile "It's a princess character for Muggle children."
"Thank you…" I spoke, not really sure that I should be grateful, "I suppose."
"Blaisey will be knocked off his feet when he sees you!" spoke Arielle, jumping into view, her panther in her wake
"You!" I hissed, turning to her, ready to duel her, wand or no wand.
"And that's my cue to go and see how our prince charming is doing!" exclaimed she, bolting for the doors, laughing like a maniac as I hissed after her "Stupefy!" "Flippendo!" "Gelesco!"
Naturally, she dodged every attempt to be cursed, her red head flying around her as she ran down the stairs, and out of view.
I glared after her, following her every move.
"Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" asked Melody, gently taking my hand and leading me to the full body mirror we had in our dorms.
"Astoria," I called, and the girl was by my side in a second "would you be as kind as to go down the stairs and make sure Arielle does not interact too much with Zabini? It could prove disastrous."
"Of course," smiled the girl in the mirror, but before she could leave, Claudia spoke up.
"I'll come with you, " added Claudia "Arielle can be a little bit difficult to handle for one single person."
"Good idea Claudia, you have my thanks." I responded, observing my reflection in the mirror.
They certainly were not wrong, however haughty that may sound, I looked beautiful. The make-up my sister had chosen brought out the light blue of my eyes outstandingly, my gaze startling even to myself. The dress added to the overall impression, It hugged me in all the right places, hiding the small imperfections and showing off my slim figure. They had done an amazing job indeed.
"Linda" spoke Daphne, and I turned to see her observing me, that beaming smile gone from her face. "I have a favour to ask."
"I won't hurt him." I spoke, and her eyes widened slightly. Was it really that unexpected that I could guess what she was thinking? She was always so infernally protective of the boy, as if he were her own brother, and I would behave myself tonight. I had promised her after all. "Worry not. I will be on my best behaviour, I will not hurt him physically, mentally or emotionally for this one evening. You have my word."
I saw that she smiled once more, but there was something more to her smile, as if she were relieved… or as if she had expected this… or…
I simply could not place it.
"That is not what I wished to ask, but naturally, I would not wish you hurt him in any way." Smiled she, "I merely wished to ask that you try and have a good time."
I blinked at her, a very intelligent answer, I know, but it was the best I could come up with in the shocked state I had found myself in.
"Come again?" I responded, noting from a corner of my eye that my sister was smiling knowingly.
"Have fun Linda, that's all I ask." Smiled Daphne once more, before turning on her heel and gracefully leaving the room.
"What an odd wish to express" I murmured, more to myself than to my sister who was standing a couple of steps away from me.
"I wouldn't say so." I heard my sister say, and I turned to see her reach for my head.
"There." Spoke she, adjusting a strand that seemed to be misbehaving. "you need to go now. Best of luck sister."
"Thank you sister "I spoke, turning to the stairs "it would seem I am in need of it."
She walked past me at that, descending the stairs first while I turned to my snake who had been observing the scene with interest. My wand was located on the bed next to Serpen, and I summoned it to my hand wordlessly , revelling in the weight in my palm. It was so good to have it back and I smiled at Serpen.
"I will be back within a couple of hours. Behave in that time." I spoke, addressing the snake who had raised his head in response to my voice. He wished me luck in his own way, which only I could understand, and I gave him a small, tight smile.
I'd rather walk to my own death, I thought, leaving the room and descending the stairs carefully, slowly, one at a time, delaying the inevitable.
I raised my chin up as I walked through the common room, hidden glances and whispers following my walk, yet I could not be bothered to acknowledge them. Petty minds will whisper, and they would soon know that I had been on a dinner meeting with Zabini, there was no way around it. No need to give them the time of my day.
I debated this decision as I walked through the dungeon halls, headed for Snape's office.
Our head of house had been most gracious and accommodating, allowing us to use the fireplace in his office as our means of transportation to a location, whose whereabouts I was yet to uncover.
I neared the sound of chatter, Arielle's loud laughter ringing far and wide across the hall, Zabini's voice responding, the answer making Arielle holler with laughter.
There was something else said, but as I walked into view, the conversation died down immediately. Very subtle. I wonder who they could have been talking about.
I noticed my sister to the side, giving me a supportive smile, the sight of which had me stop in my tracks. My eyes quickly moved to Daphne, my fleeting gaze moving to Astoria, then Arielle and finally Claudia.
Well this silence was not uncomfortable at all.
My eyes finally settled on Zabini, who stood opposite me, and I was surprised to see that he was staring right back, not gawking at me as I had caught one seventh year in the Slytherin common room, but instead focusing on my eyes. I was used to a shine to his eyes, the teasing note, but this kind of an expression, I was definitely not used to. Nor did I ever want to be.
I could not read him, at all, and I looked at a point next to his head, avoiding the uncomfortable feeling.
Arielle whispered something to him, and a small smile appeared on his lips, irking me so that I raised my chin once more, choosing to address him first and break the uncomfortable silence.
"Good evening… Zabini" I spoke, making an effort to sound civil and not as if I were addressing the most annoying person in the world.
"Good evening…. Rosalind." Spoke he, surprising me and making me focus on his eyes, trying to read into his words once more, with little to no success. "You look… meraviglioso. "
Claudia giggled at that, but I did not know how to react. Despite being a fluent speaker of several foreign languages, and despite my every intention, I simply had not found the time to learn Italian.
And despite my lack of knowledge, I knew Zabini had pronounced the word in a perfect Italian accent.
"You shall forgive me" I spoke, a slight note of irritation to my words "if I do not respond to that. I, unfortunately, do not speak Italian, and have no knowledge of what you had just said."
If he was going to use foreign words, my promise would prove my own personal hell.
"My apologies" responded he, tilting his head slightly in acknowledgement of my words "it was a slip of the tongue. I said that you look marvellous."
This was followed by some more giggling from Claudia and Melody to the side, but my annoyance only grew as I acknowledged that I could not find a note of his usual self in his words. This was a different face, one I had no chance to see, and one I would apparently be forced to meet.
"I thank you for your compliment." I spoke, nodding my head, and falling silent once more.
There was a moment of awkward silence, one I knew was not helped in the least by the swooning of my cousins and Claudia, of course my sister as well, over the situation, or Arielle's annoying grin.
"Shall we depart?" asked he, bending his arm in the elbow, and offering it to me.
Some more giggling, curse the lot.
"Of course." I replied stiffly, walking up to him slowly and stopping by his side. He had turned in response to my movements, his arm now on my right side.
I took a deep breath, raising my hand and lightly placing my fingers over the fabric of his suit jacket. It was only then that I took the time to notice what he was wearing.
My eyes narrowed for a the tiniest bit of a second when I noticed that he, in fact, looked rather nice, wearing a grey, obviously fitted, suit, a white shirt and a purple tie, along with black dress shoes.
He moved at this, lightly lowering his arm so that my fingers were only hovering over his suit, close, but not quite touching.
I looked up at that, and he looked down, giving me a small smile from the corner of his lips. This was rather odd, the motion just small enough for me to notice and yet convince all present that I was indeed still holding his hand.
What a curious thing to do.
But I did not break the illusion, maintaining my arm in the same position as Zabini opened the doors of the office, leading me in. We walked up to the fireplace, where a fire was already set, the dancing flames doing little to calm me, as was usually their custom.
Something was not right about Zabini, something was very different. I did not like different.
He removed his arm then and I made the movement of removing my hand as well, as if I had rested it on his.
He took a fistful of floo powder in his hand, but I could not hear the name he called since Arielle earned my undivided attention by saying: "Now you two crazy kids behave yourselves!"
This was accompanied by a wink in my direction and I was moments away from cursing her right then and there.
"Listen to me Hayes" I hissed, my fingers on my purse itching to open it and take out my wand. "one more word, just one, and by Merlin!"
"You'll kill me, yadi yadi, yada." Spoke she offhandedly, giving me one more obnoxious grin. She was about to say more, but Zabini's voice to my side interrupted her.
"I am sorry, but our dinner awaits." Spoke he, giving her a polite smile.
She pouted at him, saying "Party pooper!"
I gave her one more glare, before turning around, waiting for Zabini to do the same, which he did immediately, stepping forward in match with my step, entering the fire, the scene before us immediately spinning and turning out of control, until it settled on a dimly illuminated room, a reception of kinds welcoming us.
I stepped forward, Zabini by my side, and saw a wizard scurrying to meet us, a notebook of sorts and a quill, following him, levitated in mid-air. He was of average height, had forest green eyes, sandy hair, pronounced cheek bones, sort of handsome in fact, and his demeanour showed that he was very well aware of this fact. But I had no recollection of him, and I knew therefore that he was no pureblood.
My eyes wondered briefly around the room as the man walked towards us, and I saw a beautiful white marble archway leading to a room full of small, antique tables, most of which were clearly meant for only two people.
I also noticed that Zabini had tensed by my side, my attention focused on him from the moment he had lowered his arm. He had not offered it to me once after that, although it could be expected from him, as it was a social norm of sorts, merely standing close to me, so that no one could tell if our hands were joined or not.
"Welcome to Azzuro Chiocciola," spoke the man, and I narrowed my eyes at him for the barest of moments. He did not sound Italian. "my name is Luca, and I will be your waiter for the night. If you would be as kind as to give me your names, I will lead you to your table."
I lost interest in the waiter, just barely listening to his words and observing the room more thoroughly. The furniture was antique, the old reception desk at least a century old. But I had no interest in it. Another thing, situated at the very corner, on a small coffee table, was what caught my attention.
It was a beautiful purple orchid flower, the kind my sister simply adored. She knew a lot about botany, and she tended to talk about these matters for hours on end.
"If you would come this way, Sir," spoke the waiter, and I looked up, just in time for me to see a charming smile pull on his lips as he addressed me "Madam."
This was really none of my business, but I would never hire someone that had such a horrible skill in handling the guests. The cheap charm already had me lose all appetite.
I walked forward, following the waiter to the table.
It was a small, secluded table, a white tablecloth, a red candlestick set alight and another of those beautiful orchids, this time white, its only decoration.
The waiter made to walk forward, but suddenly stopped in his steps, smirking as Zabini addressed him.
"If you could be as kind as to change the orchid on this table, it seems a bit worn." Spoke he, and I glanced up at him, only to see him clench his jaw and hiss almost through his teeth "Thank you."
"Of course sir" nodded the waiter, walking by far too close to me and giving me once more an odd glance "madam."
What a mental case.
I was slightly curious as to what this was about, since the orchid seemed fresh to me, but decided not to dwell on it as the waiter left the table.
Zabini moved in accordance with me, the both of us walking up to a chair, and him pulling it out for me. I nodded in my thanks, as manners dictated, lightly sitting down and watching as he took his seat as well.
He leaned back in his chair, and another awkward moment of silence settled between us, his eyes focusing on mine, reading, analyzing. It was not a fair interaction, since I could not read him, merely able to notice a sliver of anger in them as the waiter reappeared.
"I trust the orchid is to your liking now sir, " spoke he, settling a purple orchid on the table.
"It is." Responded Zabini stiffly, his jaw once more clenched. What in the world was his problem?
"I brought you a menu" spoke the man, waving his wand slightly, a rather dull looking thing indeed, and having a menu appear before Zabini, before petals suddenly started to fall from above my side of the table, settling in a pile that was then transformed into a menu as well. Average magic at best.
But the waiter did not seem to know this, and as he addressed me, completely ignoring Zabini, he gave me one more obnoxious smile "let me know when you have decided on your courses."
"Thank you" I responded, nodding politely. It would not do if I cursed the man out of this world in such a public place.
He then took off, and after another awkward moment, I opened my menu, only to find a piece of parchment with an address written on it inside.
I furrowed my eyebrows at this, never having encountered such a thing in any of the other, more high-class as it seemed, restaurants I had a chance to visit.
"Is something wrong?" I heard Zabini ask, and I saw that he had his head tilted to the side in observance.
"I am not sure." I responded, deciding that the question was not inappropriate, nor the tone in which he had asked his usual, slimy self.
He raised an eyebrow at that, prompting me to continue, as it seemed.
I observed him for a moment longer, before taking the piece of parchment from my menu and lightly stretching my hand, offering it to him to see.
"I was given this, and find myself in a predicament as to what I am supposed to do with it." I spoke, observing as a small, somehow angry smile appeared on his lips for a moment.
"Ah" spoke he, quickly reading the address and offering it back to me, careful not to make contact with my hand. He seemed to mind this a lot, and I wondered if he was trying to refrain from making me uncomfortable. "I believe that you were given this so that you might sometime contact Luca and arrange a meeting."
Anger flared inside me and as I thought about it. Did he take me for some stupid little girl on whom that cheap charm would work? What a bloody fool.
"Now that simply won't do." I spoke, opening my purse casually, and taking out my wand. I tapped the candlestick, saying "Gemino!, and in a moment created its exact replica.
Another wave of my wand, and the candlestick was transformed into a beautiful ashtray. I took the parchment between my fingers, and gently placed it in the ashtray.
Another tap of my wand, and a murmured "Incendio!" had the note set ablaze in front of me. I observed the small orange flame turning the paper to dust, a note of irritation still present in my mind. Did he really think that he had a chance with me? Please.
I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of Zabini's voice, and I looked up from the ashtray, only to notice that he had his hand extended towards it, asking: "May I?"
"Yes" I replied, inclining my head.
This dinner didn't feel like it was spent with Zabini. He seemed infernally polite, gentleman-like even. I was on edge, my every sense working to its full capacity. What was his endgame?
In the meantime, Zabini had taken the small ashtray in his hand, taking out his own wand and muttering something under his breath.
"Here" spoke he, extending the ashtray towards me once more, and just as I was about to accept it, the damned waiter appeared. I had half a mind to curse him on spot. How dared he?
"You are not allowed to start a fire here sir;" spoke he, almost pushing me over the edge. Why was it plausible for Zabini to have started the fire, and not I? Chauvinistic troll. "I am sorry but I must report this to the manager."