𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐯𝐞 | 𝐃.𝐌, 𝐓.𝐍

019 - ᴘᴜʀᴇʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴄʜʀɪsᴛᴍᴀs ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ

( Long chapter, buckle up buttercups )

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐲

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We all need good friends in our life.

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We've been preparing all day today for the ball tonight. It's always on Christmas Eve, so everyone can enjoy themselves on Christmas.

Considering I tossed and turned all night, and only got approximately two hours of sleep, I'm not surprised I'm falling asleep at the table this morning while eating breakfast. Father was not pleased about that one.

I tried on the dress Mum bought me when I couldn't sleep last night, and was actually quite surprised. It fit me almost perfectly. It was a floor length, deep red velvet dress with long, lacy sleeves, and a small slit up the left side. It doesn't have that deep of a neckline, because my father would kill me if I "showed too much to people who aren't my husband."  I also had matching heels, that were 3 inches tall.

It's now 5:45pm, and I'm in the shower getting prepped for tonight. Guests are supposed to be arriving around 7pm. I haven't really eaten all day, and it's starting to get to me. My blood sugar is much too low.

I shivered as I stepped out of the shower, ringing out my hair. I was shaky from not eating, though my nerves are growing more too. My parents always put so much pressure on themselves when they host, which in turn puts it all on me.

"Terry!" I called out into my room, and in an instant my personal house elf that my parents had gifted me for my birthday one year, popped into the room. "Yes, Miss Cora?" She was wearing the cutest little dress that I had gotten for her, much to my parents dismay. All of the other house elves in the manor are dressed in ratty, ripped clothes. I plan to get more to give to them.

"Can you please zip up my dress?" I asked, as she quickly popped to the top of my vanity, as I turned around. She zipped it up for me, as I thanked her. "Anything else, Miss Cora?" I smiled at her. "No thank you, Terry. I'll call if I need anything."

I sat down at my vanity, starting to my makeup and hair, trying desperately to distract myself from my nerves.

After getting ready, I practically ran down the stairs as my parents shouted at me, telling me there was only five minutes until guests would be arriving.

"Hello! Happy Christmas!" My mother smiled at the first guest, giving the woman a kiss on the cheek as the man kissed her hand. They said their greetings back, as I have a little wave as they scooted past us, into the ballroom.

We continued to greet guests, my feet already starting to ache in the heels I was wearing. I didn't show any signs of discomfort though. I wouldn't even want to know the consequences.

After a few minutes, I felt the unmistakable energy of a certain family I grew up around enter the doors. At my first glance I was correct, the patches of platinum blonde hair coming into view. I kept put, until they were close enough, then I threw my arms around Narcissa.

"Oh! Darling, I've missed you!" She smiled, hugging me back. "I missed you Cissy." I gave her a light kiss on the cheek, letting go and returning to my place, not paying any attention to the look on my parents faces. "Lucius, good to see you too." I smiled.

My parents said their greetings, mother's hugging and fathers shaking hands. Draco stood their awkwardly, looking very sharp in his signature black suit. Fuck, he looked good.

Stop.

"We'll see you in there." My mother added as the family started walking to the ballroom,