The Emerald Manor

Chapter 6

Gawain's warnings did not do Draco Malfoy justice. She was not prepared for his impressive figure.

Draco walked forward out of the shadows. His strides covered the distance between them. He flicked his wand, the blinds raised at his nonverbal command. The sun pooled into the foyer.

In the daylight she could see every inch of him. His jaw was defined as was the rest of his body. His muscular form accentuated by his fitted clothing. Draco was much taller than her; hovering around 6ft if she had to guess. He had sparkling pale skin with blond hair that just touched his shoulders to bring attention to his angular features. His eyes were an icy shade of blue; that hadn't left Cora since she came in.

He was impeccably dressed in slim black trousers with matching loafers. His shirt was a striking shade of emerald-green with black embellishments along the cuffs. A silver and black tie perfectly knotted around his neck. His cloak was jet black with silvers streams along the bottom seams. She was surprised not to see him in robes.

Cora wondered if he had dressed this way for her visit, or this was just his usual attire. He seemed overdressed for the occasion considering he never left the house. Cora was unable to pry her eyes away from him. Her breath caught in her throat as Draco stepped closer to her. A heady mixture of teakwood and mahogany filled the air between them.

"Miss Cora DuPont, I assume?" His voice was laced with hostility. "At least you better be Miss DuPont or else you need to leave my home."

His icy features were matched by the indifference in his voice. Cora opened her mouth to speak but for once found herself at a loss for words. His gaze lingered on her. He looked as though he was inspecting her. Appraising her entire body; but he was impossible to read. His presence stood steadfast opposite her. After what felt like minutes he spoke again.

"Speak." He snipped towards her. His dead, cold stare trained on Cora.

Regaining her composure, she finally responded to him. "Mr. Malfoy, Sir." There was a stutter present as she spoke. "That is correct I am Cora DuPont the Auror from the Ministry of Magic." Her voice cracked as she tried to talk, her mouth feeling dry.

Then the tiniest of smirks formed on Draco's lips as he leered at her. "I am pleased to see that you can follow instructions."

Cora flicked her eyes up towards his chiseled face, stunned by his comment. She was shifting from side to side. She was pleased he was happy with her.

"Surely you remember my instructions don't you. Do not apparate inside the manor. You dutifully apparated just outside my home as you were instructed."

His eyes grazed over her entire body. She could see him staring at her feet, dragging his eyes up over every piece of her. He paused, taking in her figure and attire when he posed another question to her. "Miss DuPont; I am curious. Where are you from? Your accent is intriguing. Also, did you wear Slytherin colors to impress me?" His face had softened but the timber in his voice made it impossible to feel at ease.

Gawain's warnings did nothing to prepare Cora for this meeting. She imagined Draco Malfoy would try to intimidate her, but this was something else. He seemed to be dismantling her at the core. Draco was intent on controlling the interaction. Cora attempted to bring him back to the task at hand.

"Mr. Malfoy. I don't have time today for personal questions. We have work to do, and I would like us to get started." Her voice quaked under his intense stare; her voice betraying her grasp to regain control. Alluring, that was the word to describe Draco Malfoy. And dangerous. He was like a male siren luring Cora to a trap.

Draco's tall frame was composed; he took a deep breath before speaking again. "Miss DuPont, I imagine you and I will be seeing a lot of each other as you've been assigned to me. Humor me and answer my questions. I would like to know more about the people who rummage through my home and life. Do me the same courtesy."