The Downfall (Theo Nott FF)

22. The girl's ball*

Marilyn and Theo were closer than ever. After the Hogsmeade incident, Marilyn decided to stand firm on her feelings for Theo.

"I don't really know what this is either but I'm not interested in ruining what we have Theo." Marilyn had said later that evening when Theo had come to her room in search of help with treating his knuckles, bloodied from landing a punch to Mattheo. "I hope you're not either."

"I'm not sorry for what I did Marilyn. You didn't hear the things he was saying about you. He disrespected you." Theo had replied.

Marilyn didn't look at him. Continuing to wrap Theo's hand.

"It's not a big deal, I'm sure he was just joking."

"It is a big deal because it's you he was disrespecting."

"What did he say about me?"

Theo shook his head. 

"Nothing that was true."

"Thank you then. For standing up for me."

"I always will...

...

...Thank you for patching me up."

"I always will."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ball was being held at the West Manor. Marilyn and Pansy were in Marilyn's bedroom at the manor, finishing their hair and makeup. Marilyn felt worms in her stomach. She was anxious more than ever. Now she was officially a Death Eater. She thanked merlin her task didn't involve killing anyone, but her friends tasks did. She worried for them, she worried for herself.

"Marilyn?" Pansy snapped her out of her thoughts. "Are you ready? They're waiting for us."

Marilyn nodded and the girls put on their death eater masks and walked out of the room. They were both wearing black dresses. Marilyn's was an off the shoulder, slim black floor length dress. Pansy's was an A-line, with a v-neck and dainty sparkles creeping up the bottom of the dress. They stood at the top of the stairs, looking down onto the ballroom where everyone was standing.

"May I present Miss Marilyn West and Miss Pansy Parkinson" Marilyn's father announced and the crown of death eaters applauded below them. 

Marilyn and Pansy walked down the stairs, Marilyn could feel her heart racing, all eyes were on them. Pansy, of course, was unbothered. Marilyn could practically feel her grinning through her Death Eater mask. Marilyn desperately searched for Theo. She panicked, scanning the room, unable to find him

Just then, she felt his stare from the back of the room, she met his eyes. They were soft, not his usual, dead eyes, no this time it was different, more innocent, more...kind.

She felt a wave a relief and she didn't take her eyes off his, he didn't take his eyes off her. 

The Death Eaters continued to cheer for the girls as they wiped their masks off, revealing their face and letting them float away as smoke. 

The music started to play and people turned to dance, drink or congratulate the girls. As they made their way through the crowd, Marilyn and Pansy were bombarded by questions and congratulations, People pushed and shoved their way to the girls, shaking their hands and giving them hugs. Pansy locked eyes with Marilyn, both of them silently communicating to each other that they were in torture. Just then, Marilyn held a hand grab hers and yank her out of the middle of the crowd. She turned around to face a grinning Theodore Nott.

Before Marilyn had a chance to say anything, Blaise approached with Pansy.

"You saved us!" Pansy exclaimed, giving both Blaise and Theo a kiss on the cheek.