Decree No.29 (HP AU)

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

It was nearly Christmas, but you wouldn't have known it if you walked the halls of Hogwarts. It was the last day of term and there was no sparkle, no glitter, and no fairy lights. There wasn't even a Christmas tree in sight. Umbridge had declared that decorations were distractions from learning, and as her power was ever-growing, Dumbledore didn't even have the power to overrule her.

Draco and Jessica left just before lunchtime so they could avoid questions from the other Slytherins, and they strode through the frosty halls in their long black winter cloaks strapped to their chest. As they got to Umbridge's office Jessica was relieved that they had not passed many people, as she didn't know what she would say if Fred and George had come by their way. They knew where she would be going now after all.

Umbridge gave the devastating news that she too would be dropping by the Manor for the ball in the evening and then invited them both to use her fireplace. It had been the first time Jessica had ever used floo powder and it was the most unusual experience. As Draco commanded it so the sulphuric smelling sand turned into bright green flames, and they were pulled up by the hair on their head into a strange system of tunnels and flashing gaps in space. Within a minute of travelling, they landed back down in a black marble fireplace that was attached to a grand room full of pillars, expensive-looking furniture and sparkling chandeliers.

There was no time to catch her breath, as they were immediately interrupted when Draco started to shake the bits of dust off Jessica's shoulder.

"Ah, good, you've arrived," said Lucius as he came bounding out of a large set of double doors. He was draped in black velvet robes and his long silver hair was tied back into a ponytail. Following him was a petite woman with a fierce face, her striking eyes focusing on Draco as she hurried over with open arms.

"Welcome home Draco," she said and she hugged him tightly. Jessica assumed it was his mother and now saw where Draco got his striking looks from.

"Mother, this is Jessica," said Draco as his mum let go of him and he pointed to his left, "the one I've been telling you about."

"Narcissa Malfoy," said Narcissa and she stuck out her hand for Jessica to delicately shake, "Draco has indeed told me all about you. I am glad to finally have another woman around the house again."

Jessica shook her hand, but found it hard as the mother's eyes never left her. It felt like she was surveying her.

"Well we better get going, the house-elves still have a lot of work to do in here, the lazy things,' said Lucius joyfully, though his voice spat when he mentioned the house elves, "Jessica you can follow Narcissa upstairs, we've sorted you a maid to help you get ready."

"Oh no there's really no need," insisted Jessica, not wanting to make a fuss, "I can do it myself."

"Oh, how sweet," said Narcissa and she picked up a lock of Jessica's hair and fiddled with it through her fingers, "but I think it's best if we send one in...just in case."

Regardless of whether Narcissa was in fact being a generous host or actually just insulting her, Jessica followed her upstairs with Draco at her side. In a house that large she would normally have expected it to be frightfully cold in the winter, but the roaring fireplaces around each corridor kept everything warm. Eventually, Jessica was shown into a bedroom with large windows and silver silk drapes, an ornate dark four-poster bed, and a matching vanity desk that had enough space for about four people at one time. Hung up on a wardrobe was a netted long-sleeved ballgown in black, embellished in obsidian crystals all over the place except for the back which was low cut and bare. It was the most expensive and beautiful dress Jessica had ever seen.