𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 || 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲

Chapter 11 - Bold Young Witch

By eight-o-clock of that evening the ballroom had filled with bodies, guests dressed in their finest dress robes and gowns. Delicate classical music with a festive twist played over the chatting and gossiping. Mr and Mrs Malfoy had spent the first forty-five minutes of the soiree greeting their guests' arrivals in the entrance hall. Narcissa had raised a slight eyebrow at the red carpet, it wasn't noticeably askew, but it certainly didn't meet her incredibly high expectations.

            Upstairs at the party, Ophelia watched as Draco helped himself to a plate of food from an extravagant buffet table at the edge of the glittering ballroom. Whatever food you wanted; it was certainly there. Meats, pastries, cakes, foreign and rare delicacy's and of course a caviar selection adorned the table on shimmering festive plates and platters.

            "Dragon Sushi!" The young boy squealed delightfully as he piled his plate high with the rice and Dragon meat rolls. "My favourite, want some?" The boy asked, his words muffled by the roll already stuffed into his gob.

            "No thank you, Draco," Ophelia smiled down at the boy as she looked about the room nervously. She couldn't help but think of what her brother had told her, about Master Malfoys affiliations with a certain dark wizard. She scanned the crowd, wondering if anyone else at the party served you-know-who, if they too followed his teachings and ways. Some partygoers had certainly noticed Ophelia, she must stick out like a sore thumb in the Malfoys circle of friends and acquaintances.

Whilst her dress was beautiful, it was fairly plain compared to the dazzling gowns in the room, most adorned head to toe in gems and crystals. A smoky teal in colour, the dress featured a tight bodice, with delicate pleating highlight the bust. Off the shoulder sleeves followed, the ruffled edging grazing the skin of her slender arms. He sleeves were transparent, showing off her dainty wrists. The skirt was full and netted, soft pleats fell about Ophelia's legs as the dress elegantly skirted the floor. The dress was nothing too wild, it was her Yule Ball dress after all. Ophelia was relieved she still managed to squeeze into the gown, for she didn't have anything half as fancy as a back-up. Ophelia nervously smoothed down the skirt. 

            "Are you okay? You look a little funny," Draco asked as he stared up at his chaperones paling face.

            "Yes. I'm fine Draco, just... stomach ache," Ophelia sighed.

            "Well... you can't leave the party just yet, I'm not ready for bed!" Draco huffed. "I know you're here to watch me, but I'm not a baby, don't stay too close, none of the other kids have chaperones... I don't want them to you know... mock me..." The boy trailed off as he eyed the crowd of people.

            "Okay then big man, I'll keep my distance, but no funny business trying to sneak off, your parents will have my head if something happens to you on my watch," Ophelia told the boy firmly. Draco nodded, a triumphant smile spread across his face, the boy began to walk away with his plate of food clutched in his small hands, squeezing in and out of the crowd to find himself a seat. Ophelia followed five or so paces behind, now and then she struggled to spot the boy through the bustling people, but her eyes landed on the boy once more. She stood watched as Draco perched on a chair at the edge of the ballroom, the plate of food dangerous balanced on the boy's lap. He ate happily as he surveyed the crowd for somebody he knew, Ophelia had spotted one or two children with their parents, but Draco had paid them no mind.

            Ophelia watched him curiously, a young girl with dark hair skipped over, a sickly-sweet smile plastered on her face. She took the seat next to Draco, to the boys obvious dismay, and struck up conversation with the young master.

            "Sweet aren't they?" An unfamiliar voice beside Ophelia questioned. Ophelia's eyes glanced to the gentleman next to her, he was a young man, a few years older than herself. With a squint she somewhat recognised him from her days at Hogwarts, if she remembered correctly, he was in Slytherin. "They're practically married off the two of them, the Parkinsons and Malfoys came to an arrangement years ago... how do you know our hosts?" The young man asked suspiciously. He was handsome, there was no doubt, full brown locks with a slight curl fell onto his forehead, framing his deep brown eyes perfectly. His jaw was strong and well defined, his nose roman in appearance. Ophelia tore her eyes from the man, casting her gaze over the two children who were making polite conversation.