Theo's Pov
She was clearly hurt, but there was nothing we could do. Even with four of us left after Draco took himself out, there was nothing that we could do to fix his blunder.
He had been on a roll, with his hand up her dress. Her pretty, flushed cheeks turned rosy as he played with her. I smiled but quickly wiped it away before anyone could see; I didn't want Fay to think I was happy he had hurt her feelings.
As much of an ass as he could be, if he were a man she wanted, I would put up with his bullshit, but only for her.
I sighed and squeezed her hand. I never thought this would be easy. In fact, I knew this would be anything but easy, but the way her eyes lit up and little dimples appeared when she smiled made it feel worth figuring out.
Fey returned the squeeze, and our ramshackle group of Slytherins continued returning to the castle without Draco.
Mattheo, Blaise, and Lorenzo were carrying several of Fey's bags. Still, she insisted on holding the heaviest herself, which she had acquired when she had wandered off with Pansy without us after managing to find her new quills.
The curiosity was eating at me. The two of them held an identical large black bag. No shop logo was printed for us to see, and nothing was peeking over the edge to glimpse her mystery items.
What could she have possibly gotten in twenty minutes without us?
My imagination was going wild.
Did she purchase filthy lingerie?
I eyed the bag and noticed the corners of a box poking the sides of the bag. Lingerie didn't come in boxes, so I scrapped that fantasy.
Shoes?
No, that wouldn't make sense. The shop logo would be visible. Bags were advertisements for their items, after all.
Hmmm.
My mind wandered as we approached the bridge to the back of the castle. Other students were lingering and laughing, enjoying their weekend away from Professors and classwork. It was refreshing to see students smiling rather than mopping about the grounds.
The old planks of wood creaked under our feet as we passed over the bridge, and a chill shot over me from the river below. The gorgeous view was replaced by the dark gothic colors of the castle as we approached—the aged stonework looking as if it belonged more in a novel than as our school.
Leaves crunched underfoot as we moved from the bridge to the school grounds, the vivid colors striking against the dull, faded grass. Fey huddled closer to me as we walked in silence, taking in the ever-heavy presence of the school that was looming over our heads.
I squeezed her hand once more before releasing her to open the large innermost door to the castle. Our small group flooded in, and I followed in the rear down the small corridor, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my trousers.
Fey trailed behind the group, still in front of me, and my gaze settled on her waist. I imagined my hands wrapped around her middle as she bent before me.
Shuddering, I tucked my erect cock into the waist of my pants and did my damndest not to stare. We followed the twisting corridor to the hidden steps that led to the second entrance to the Slytherin common room. It wasn't well known, and the hall was camped leading to it, so many chose never to use it.
Down the stairs in a single file line, we plunged down into the damper air. Fey bounced down the steps in front of me, the skirt of her dress lifting slightly each time she did so. When we neared the last step, I placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks and letting the others continue on without us.
My hand slithered to wrap around the front of her neck. Tilting her head back, I rubbed her jaw and placed my other hand on her hip, "Do you enjoy teasing, love?"
Her pupils dilated under my stare, and she leaned back against my chest, "I didn't know I was... I'm sorry," she whispered to the empty corridor.
Lowering my lips to the shell of her ear, I whispered, "You didn't know you were flashing your pretty thighs as you bounced down the steps?"
She shook her head, her gaze unfocused.
My fingers lightly crept up from her hip, over her belly, between her breasts, "You didn't know you were jiggling your fat tits, darling?" I kissed down her neck and flattened my hand over her racing heart.
"Oh god, Theo," she gasped desperately.
Nipping at her neck, I ignored her pleas and slid my hand over her heart into her bra to cup her breast. Her breathing was rough and heavy as I pinched her nipple lightly.
She gasped, and I chuckled, pulling away and pushing her against the wall to move around, "Come, darling, if we're gone too long, they'll come looking."
I could hear her whine as I walked away, but her footsteps followed mine, and I felt her grip on the back of my shirt as we walked so she could hold herself close to me.
Little Fey had no idea what she'd gotten herself into, but soon, I'd let her know.
Very soon.
...
Fey's Pov
The sunset outside my dorm window, and I placed my wand over my heart. I could feel it beating frantically in my chest, hammering against my ribs.
I took a deep breath and spoke clearly, "Amato animo animato animagus."
For a second, I swore I could hear and feel another heartbeat, but as I continued to listen with hope bubbling in my chest, there was nothing.
Disappointment washed over me, and I flopped onto my bed. My mind went over everything I had done. I was sure I had done it all right, but I wouldn't know for sure until I heard the heartbeat and until I saw the red potion waiting for me, but that may take weeks.
Electrical storms were unpredictable.
Still disappointed, I rolled onto my side and curled under my blankets to sleep even as early as it was.
My sleep was fitful. Only five hours had passed, and it felt like I hadn't really slept at all. My body ached all over as I stretched, and as I peered out the window, I noticed the striking colors of sunrise painting the sky.
Breathing deeply once more, I said, "Amato animo animato animagus."
Again, there was no second heartbeat. Only my own taunted me as I stood to shower and dress for the day.
Finally clean, refreshed, and dry, I decided to try something new. Something I hadn't tried since I was a child.
I dug through the shopping bags from my trip to Hogsmead and pulled out the new products that Pansy had convinced me to purchase.
Make-up. Simple things: lipgloss and mascara. Things she told me every witch should own and wear. I felt pressured when we were in the store, but now I figured, why not?
If I didn't like it, I could always give it to her and pretend it never happened. No one would have to know.
Stepping into the bathroom, I whipped the steam off the mirror and leaned as close as possible to apply the deep brown goop to my lashes. My mouth opened as I concentrated, trying desperately not to poke my own eye out.
Blinking rapidly, I stepped back, staring at my reflection, and noticed how much more my eye stood out compared to the other. It was like magic. Was there a spell to do this for you? I thought... My mind wandered as I leaned in to apply the product to my other eye.
I leaned back again and gapped. My eyes looked so much larger, and my lashes so much longer. It was a miracle product. Capping the tube, I reached for the gloss that Pansy drooled over and placed a bit on my lips. It felt sticky at first, but as I massaged it, it became smooth and appeared to become a part of my skin rather than sit on top.
Fuck me, I thought. I was going to have to say thank you to Pansy. I looked lovely. My lips looked shiny and pretty, and my lashes were longer and darker, drawing attention to my eyes rather than my freckles.
I felt good.
I felt pretty.
A thought popped into my mind. Was this what other witches felt like? Ones who couldn't change their appearance at will? Did they apply makeup and feel pretty in the morning instead of changing everything about their appearance? I never even considered it.
I would have to ask Pansy.
Tucking in my blouse, I straightened my skirt and snagged my wand before tossing my robes over my arm and my bag onto my shoulder. It was early, but reading by the fire seemed wonderful.
The sleepy halls were empty, and the common room too as I entered, but the fire was low and casting a dull glow about the room as I sat on the black leather chair and pulled out my favorite book, Potions for the Eager Learner.
I was already halfway through the book, so I dived in and devoured the pages by opening where I left off. I hadn't paid attention to the time while reading.
I was only made aware that it was time for breakfast when Lorenzo touched my shoulder and shook me lightly.
"Good morning, Little Bookworm," he grinned down at me. His hair was tousled yet styled, and a sleepy glow was still settled on his features as he at on the arm of my chair, "How long have you been awake?" he asked.
Glancing at the clock, I noted that nearly two hours had passed, "I woke at sunrise," I told him, suppressing a yawn.
He looked surprised, "Why so early?"
Tossing a glance around the common room and seeing only a few students walking about, I leaned close to him, "I have to say a spell for my Animagus transformation at every sunrise and sunset," I whispered behind my hand.
Nodding, he cringed, "For how long?"
"Until an electrical storm."
Lorenzo frowned, "How long will that take?"
"I have no idea, honestly. Weeks? Months?" I shrugged.
Draco walked in, buttoning his robes with his head held high. When he noticed us, he changed course and stopped at our chair, "Enzo," he nodded at his friend, and then his eyes fell to me, "Fey, can I have a word?"
I raised a brow and shook my head, turning to Lorenzo, "Would you care to come to breakfast with me?"
Awkwardly looking between us, Lorenzo nodded. He held his hand to me and took my bag and book, and I slipped my robe on. I moved around Draco, ignoring his frown and knitted brows as we exited the common room.
Lorenzo didn't comment on why I had snubbed Draco. He only walked with me to the Great Hall and sat next to me at the empty table. It was still too early for food, even though students lingered around waiting. Breakfast didn't start until seven-thirty, so we had to wait another half an hour.
Groaning, I let my head fall to the table as Draco placed himself in the empty seat I had been saving for Pansy or Mattheo when they arrived. His hand slipped around the front of my neck, and he turned me so I was facing him.
He was glaring at me now.
I didn't back down even though every part of my being told me to scramble over the table and make a run.
"I was being nice asking for a word earlier, Fey. It was very rude of you to ignore me."
I narrowed my eyes and decided that my best move would be to continue ignoring him, so I closed my eyes and pretended to be anywhere other than there.
"Don't be a fucking brat, Fey," he snarled, gripping my throat harder.
His grip didn't hurt, but it felt like a threat. His fingers dug into my skin, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me, and Lorenzo wouldn't let him.
"Draco, she doesn't want to talk..."
"I don't give a fuck. She can damn well listen."
Lorenzo wrapped an arm around my waist and let his chin rest on my shoulder, "I won't let him do anything stupid. Do you want me to curse him? I have my wand," Draco's grip tightened, daring me to tell him yes, "I'll do it."
I shook my head, my eyes still sealed tight. Lorenzo wasn't a fighter; he was a big teddy bear, capable of it, but I know he would really rather not.
"Just say the word, and I'll do it, baby."
I nodded and took his hand, squeezing it around my waist.
"Fey?" Draco growled, "Open your eyes and look at me when I speak to you."
I ignored him—bossy bastard.
"Fine, if you want to be a brat, just listen."
I snorted like I had a choice.
"I have never met a woman who infuriates me more," he muttered.
I could imagine him rolling his eyes.
"My parents wanted me to attend the date with Astoria."
A likely story.
He sighed, "That's why I never approached her, darling. She asked me to Hogsmead and to get my father off my back, I said yes."
Crossing my arms, I waited for him to get on with it.
Draco released my throat and took my hand from Lorenzo, "Honestly, I was planning on standing her up to try and get her to hate me, but then you left me there with her..."
I opened one eye to look at him. He was staring down at our hands.
"She dragged me around and tried to hold my hand," his lip curled up, "Stupid girl wouldn't stop talking."
I snapped my eyes closed again as he looked up.
A small piece of parchment was placed in my hand, "Just take this, please," he let my hand go and stood from the table, "I'm sorry." I heard his footsteps as they trailed away.
When I opened my eyes again, he was gone.
In my hands was a letter.
Dear Draco,
It has come to my attention that Astoria Greengrass of the Greengrass Pureblood family has taken a liking to you.
Her mother has informed me that she plans to ask you to join her on a trip to Hogsmead. You are to join her.
Your mother and father.