DRIPS OF FANCY - draco malfoy

↳ 𝑐ℎ𝑝．16

Days later, Alvena, Sage, and Stormy wandered through the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the snow-dusted rooftops. The trio had been walking for what felt like hours, exploring shop after shop, looking for the perfect dress for Sage and Stormy. Alvena had already found hers—a beautiful gown that had been sent to her by her parents a few days ago—but the others were still hunting for the perfect fit.
As they passed by the windows of a quaint little boutique, Alvena couldn't help but notice how tense the air had gotten between her two friends. They had been whispering, glancing at her with furtive looks, and she could tell something was off. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer.
"What are you two hiding from me?" Alvena asked, her voice casual but sharp enough to cut through the quiet chatter of Hogsmeade's busy streets.
Sage and Stormy exchanged a glance, and for a moment, it seemed like neither of them was ready to spill whatever it was they had been keeping from her. Sage shifted uncomfortably, then muttered something under her breath.
"Sage," Stormy said softly, "I think we should just tell her."
Sage bit her lip and shook her head. "I don't know. It's—"
Before she could finish, Stormy interrupted, looking at Alvena with a look of determination. "Fine. I'll say it." She glanced at Sage, her eyes narrowing. "It's about Theo."
Alvena's heart skipped a beat. "Theo?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Sage groaned, clearly frustrated. "Just tell her, Stormy. We can't keep this from her."
Stormy shot her a glare but then looked back at Alvena. "Okay. So, after you left the boys' room the night of the first task, Theo said he was going to check on you.
Alvena frowned, puzzled. "But I didn't see him after that. I just... left."
Sage nodded, her expression darkening. "Yeah, well, when we were leaving with Pansy and the others, we saw him. He came out of the girls' dormitory."
Alvena stopped in her tracks. "What?" she asked, her voice quiet with disbelief. "Are you sure?"
Sage gave a small nod. "Yeah, we're sure. He was definitely coming out of the girls' room. We don't know why, but we thought it was strange."
Stormy crossed her arms, looking skeptical. "Maybe he was just looking for you, Alvena."
Alvena's mind raced, but she didn't voice her thoughts immediately. She shook her head slightly, trying to brush off the nagging feeling in the back of her mind. "Well, maybe he was looking for me," she said, her voice tight. "But that doesn't explain why he was in the girls' dorm."
Sage and Stormy exchanged another look, but neither of them spoke. They didn't seem convinced, and Alvena could tell they were still unsure about what they had seen.
"I don't know," Sage muttered, looking at the shop in front of them. "It just didn't sit right with us."
Alvena stared at the shop window for a moment, her thoughts swirling. Theo had been looking for her. But why would he stay all this time with Pansy and the others.
Before she could dig any deeper into her thoughts, Sage suddenly spat out a "perfect" dress that caught her attention from a window, and her mood shifted to something a little more lighthearted. "That's it!" she exclaimed, pulling Stormy and Alvena toward the store.
Inside, the air was warm and filled with the scent of velvet and floral perfume. Sage immediately began sorting through the racks of dresses, pulling off several in quick succession, clearly in the mood to try on everything. Stormy and Alvena took a seat near the back of the shop, waiting patiently as Sage rushed into the changing room to try on the dresses.
As they sat, Alvena turned to Stormy, suddenly curious. "So, have you been asked to the ball yet?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Stormy shook her head, leaning back on the bench. "No," she said, her voice slightly hesitant. "But I think I might want to ask someone."
Alvena grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh? Reversing the roles, huh?"
Stormy blushed, her eyes darting away. "Maybe. I just... I'm not sure how to do it."
"Come on," Alvena teased. "You're Stormy, one of the most confident girls I know. Who are you thinking about? Spill!"
Before Stormy could respond, Sage walked out of the changing room in a shimmering emerald dress, twirling dramatically in front of the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked, her face lighting up as she posed for them.
Alvena gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up. "You look amazing! That's definitely the one."
Sage grinned. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
Stormy was silent for a moment, her gaze flickering between Sage and Alvena, before she let out a small, nervous laugh. "Okay, okay," she said, her voice suddenly unsure. "I'll tell you."
Alvena leaned in, interested. "Come on, Stormy. Who is it?"
Stormy took a deep breath and looked at Sage with a gleam in her eyes. "Sage, will you go to the Yule bal with me?
Sage blinked, then her face lit up with a huge grin. "Oh my god! A million times yes!"
Alvena laughed, nudging Stormy. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Stormy's face flushed, but her eyes were alight with excitement. She threw her arms around Sage in a tight hug.
Sage hugged her back, laughing. "I can't believe it took you this long to ask."
Alvena smirked at the sight of her friends so happy.