𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 | 𝐝.𝐦.

forty eight

A lady is outside of Betty's room in the early evening, fingers clenched nervously tight around a clothing hanger.

Narcissa offers Betty the sweetest smile she could muster for a woman who is helplessly witnessing an unjustly affair.

"What is this?" Betty asks in surprise as her eyes fall to the dress, widening even, at the absurdity of it.

The sun has hardly begin to skim the horizon, still gently illuminating the entire field outside of the manor, though it's bright shine does not quite touch the manor's gloomy interior.

"A gift," Narcissa tells her kindly, stepping into the room without invitation.

Betty simply makes way for her, holds the door open for her, because she could not really throw the lady out. Not when she was the lady of the manor.

Theodore is lying messily sprawled over the bed, flipping through his muggle comic book - one that he managed to sneak into the manor weeks ago - without much reading.

"It's a dress?" Betty says, confusion clear in her voice. "For tonight's dinner, I'm guessing."

Narcissa's gaze barely grazes pass her eyes, as she begins scrutinising the young girl's body shape. "You'd guess right. And I should hope this would fit you right. If it doesn't - well I could always try out the altering charm."

Betty falls back down on her bed. She feels the nagging need to, since her knees were about to buckle beneath her from all the anxiety built up from this unforeseen dinner.

"Why do I need a dress for this? One that looks so - elegant too. I don't want to be the center of attention - God, I don't even want any of those Death Eaters to be sparing me a glance."

Just the thought of that makes Betty visibly shiver.

"Yes, well, I'd thought of that," Narcissa tells her, "I didn't think a sixteen-year-old like you would ever want to be leered at by some creepy men. It can definitely be uncomfortable. So, I tried my best to find the best, unpretentious dress in my wardrobe."

Betty arches a brow at the lady, a mere, amused smile twisting her lips. "This was the best you could find?"

"Best one that could fit you."

The girl shakes her head slowly. "I should be able to wear my own clothes, you know? I had them, they're back in school. I wasn't even given the chance to pack my things before he dragged us here. I'm pretty sure he's done that on purpose."

"I know, Betty. But there's nothing I can do about that."

Narcissa strolls closer, her heels comfortingly tapping against the marble tiles of the room. She lifts her hand, as though to brush the coils hair that fell over Betty's forehead, but catches herself.

She continues, "What I can do. Is hand you and your siblings a brand new wardrobe. I've tried my best to get you kids accommodated to this - but unfortunately there is only so much I can do. I wanted to protect you three from this - honestly."

A mellow smile appears on both their lips, laced with pity.

"I know. And I'm grateful for that, truly," Betty says.

"Will you wear this dress?" Narcissa then continues, holding up the dress as if it were a gift. "I have to make you look presentable, at least. You can't wear these regular silk pyjamas unless you'd like to embarrass yourself."