The Emerald Manor

Chapter 9

It was 5pm and Cora was back home. She decided to forgo dinner, assuming that she would get something to eat in Hogsmeade while out with Draco.

She stared into her closet, not focusing on one thing. She knew she needed to change into her 'date night' clothes. She wasn't even sure if this was even a date. Based on her interactions with Draco and what Harry had said. Cora didn't think Draco was the dating type.

She spent most of the afternoon at work figuring out what to wear. She kept replaying the message from Draco's note. "Dress appropriately for me." The 'for me' part was deliberate.

What would Draco deem appropriate. The dirty part of her mind kept telling her that it meant naked. But of course, that is not what he had meant. Her eyes went wide, she was hoping that's not what he meant.

Her memory flashed back to something he had said the previous afternoon. "Did you wear Slytherin colors for me?"

She pulled out a pair of silver heels, flopping them out on the bed. This was about as far as she had gotten in putting together her outfit. She pulled on a pair of black pants to go with the silver heels. Next, she grabbed an emerald-green blouse that hugged her in all the right places.

When she looked in the mirror, a smile pricked her lips. This is one of the few times she thought she looked pretty. The emerald color complimented her.

She put on the same light makeup that she had worn last time, adding in a small pair of white gold hoops with a white gold chocker.

Cora was used to her hair being in a braid. But tonight, she opted to wear it down and had to use one too many potions to keep it tame as her hair was so thick. It had been a while since she wore her hair down, she had forgotten how long it had gotten. It laid down to her belly button with a slight curl throughout.

It was 6:30 and Cora was pacing throughout her apartment, not sure what to expect. Was this a date? What did he want? What was he expecting? She was mentally exhausted, and the weight of her entire life hit her at once like a freight train.

Draco was assertive, protective, and attractive. Honestly, Cora wasn't sure she would be able to tell him no even if she wanted to. He was the kind of person that she wanted to give in to.

She wanted someone to take control and tell her it was all going to be ok. She was tired of overseeing everyone and everything. That was a big reason why she left Massachusetts. The few friends who had come and gone from her life, they expected so much from her.

She was the best in her class and her friends had depended on her for help for as long as she could remember. She couldn't get out of the habit too it seemed, even as an adult.

She moved to London and took a demanding job with the Ministry. So yes, Draco embodied everything that Cora needed in her life right now. Chances were whatever Draco wanted he was going to get. She wasn't inclined to fight it.

The clock chimed and it was 7pm. Cora had gotten lost in her own daydreams, now realizing she was going to be late. Her heart was fluttering against her chest. She imagined Draco wasn't going to tolerate tardiness.

She grabbed her cloak and wand, focusing hard on Hogsmeade, turning on the spot.

She arrived just outside the Three Broomsticks and looked around to see if she could spot Draco. She saw him turn the corner by the joke shop. Her breathing rattled through her throat. He took long strides, moving towards her.

Cora noticed the narrowing of his eyes and the way his lips were pursed. She was right, he was not a fan of her being tardy.

Draco was inches from her. She shrunk in his presence waiting for him to speak.