Bitten

Yule Ball

Riley fidgeted at the door. She was waiting for Draco to get the rest of his clothes on before they left. She was pleasantly stuffed from dinner. They'd had a six course meal that was totally out of Riley's normal dinner. However, everything was properly portioned and mixed well. She let out a breath to make a bit more room in her stomach. Narcissa came out of the dining room. She smiled at Riley.

"Draco should be done any minute now." She said. Riley nodded, a gentle grin spreading her lips.

"I'm not in any hurry." Riley replied. Narcissa looked at Riley as her smile widened.

"We're really thankful for what you've done for Draco, Riley." She whispered softly. Riley blinked, looking at Narcissa.

"I don't," she paused and looked down. "I really can't take your praise ma'am. I had no idea what I was doing and it was reckless of me. I could have ended up hurting Draco even more." Narcissa shook her head.

"Nonsense. I have a feeling, Riley, that you would have surpassed all expectations no matter the circumstances." She said gently. Riley was stunned, staring at Narcissa. The young girl felt her face heating up a bit. She'd never really been praised before. It was a nice feeling that she wished she could have more often. They stood there for another moment before Narcissa exclaimed and excused herself for a moment.

Riley sighed. Everything was so surreal. Was this really happening? Narcissa returned with her fingers curled around a little black velvet box. Riley looked at the box and then back at Narcissa.

"I have something for you," The elder woman said. Riley shook her head.

"I can't possibly accept any more gifts. You've already done so much for m—"

"Riley." The woman said firmly. Although her voice was strict, her eyes were warm. "Please, just take this." Narcissa opened the box and Riley looked at it's contents. Inside there was a spherical gold charm on an equally gold chain. There were delicate etchings in the material that showed two people dancing with each other.

"What is it?" Riley asked, picking it up from the box. Narcissa smiled. She reached over and pushed a button on the bottom of the charm. It opened and an image of Riley and Narcissa was projected.

"It's a locket. It will record the events tonight and keep them there for however long you wish." The woman said gently. Riley's eyes widened. She'd never been given a gift before, not one with a weight such as this. The girl bit her lip as she felt hot tears welling up.

"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you so much, Narcissa." Narcissa smiled and held her arms out. She hugged the girl tightly to her chest.

"Maybe it's because I see so much of myself in you, Riley. But I don't want to see you lose that fiery spirit of yours." The parlor doors opened and Draco and Lucius emerged. Draco was now draped with the outer robes. He grabbed his cloak, pulling it around his shoulders. He also grabbed Riley's coat.

"Shall we get this over with?" He asked coldly. Riley nodded. She said her final goodbyes to Lucius and Narcissa. The parents watched as their son helped Riley up into the horse-drawn carriage that was uniform to the Yule Ball. He draped her jacket around her shoulders to keep the chill out. Riley said something and Draco scowled. Narcissa gasped as she saw Draco drape his arm around Riley's shoulders as well as her jacket. Lucius chuckled, noticing the pink on both Draco's and Riley's faces as they looked down and opposite directions from each other. Then the carriage drove off with the whinny of a horse. Narcissa and Lucius stood in the doorway for a moment and Narcissa giggled.

"Does this remind you of the first time we went to the Yule Ball together?" She asked, snuggling into her husband's side. He laughed a bit.

"You absolutely hated me then."