The Slytherin Heiress

Chapter || 14

Since my father returned nothing has been the same in my life. The castle is like a prison, we all must march in orderly lines anywhere we go. Anyone caught out after cerfew is immediately sent to Snapes office. Defence agains the dark arts has turned into simply dark arts. The castle is dull and lifeless. Nothing like the home I once knew.

The only thing I had never expected to change was Draco. He was the one steady part of my life but after last year I can't see him as the nasty sarcastic boy I once knew. Where that image once stood now has been replaced by a sensitive, bruised boy. His features once so infuriating are now a source of comfort in my everyday life.

Draco and I have found ways to distract one another from the memories that scatter our minds. When we see one another in our heads me give the other a shove or bring them into the conversation around. Like now.

We sit in the three broomsticks the two girls who last year I considered friends are long gone from my mind. Pansy and Blaise sit across from Draco and I at the table. We chat about the upcoming spring break. Pansy and Blaise talk about their families and how excited they are to see them and I fold my hands in my lap, staring off as I think of my father. I wish to request to stay at Hogwarts but my Father would never allow it, most likely seeing it as an attempt to distance myself from the death eaters. He wouldn't be wrong.

I feel pressure on my knee and turn to see Draco talking with Pansy and Blaise about an upcoming assignment. His hand squeezes my knee lightly before he turns his head towards me.

"Have you finished it yet?" He asks. "Our Advanced Arithmancy homework?"

"No, I'd completely forgotten about it." I answer honestly and he takes his hand off my leg.

"I'll help you." He says with his signature smirk. "It's not terribly difficult."

"Says you," Pansy scoffs. "With Granger gone you're top of the class."

"What if I give you a polyjuice potion and you take my N.E.W.T.S for me?" Blaise asks.

"For about 1,000 galleons." Draco chuckles.

"Outrageous." Blaise groans. "What would you even use it for?"

"Buy something nice." He says.

"Speaking of buying something nice. . ." Pansy turns to me. "We have a party to go to."

"No more parties," I groan. "We just had one a few nights ago."

"We have to keep our spirits up some how." Pansy says sharply and my heart aches.

"With actual spirits I assume." Blaise says throwing his arm around her.

"Always, what's a party without spirits?" She says. "It's a gathering of lame old hags who don't know what fun is."

"Party as much as you like but I am partied out for the year." I say, leaning back in my chair.

"That's a lie." Everyone says.

"Alright, I am partied out for the week." I try but the all still give me looks.

"Nevermind. We don't have to party but I do want to shop before we go back." Pansy says, knowing I hate shopping.

"All right, alright." I groan. "Where do you wanna shop?"

Pansy shrieks and claps her hands excitedly before taking my hands and dragging the buys along as well. The sun shines warmly against my skin as Pansy leads the four of us down to Gladrags Wizardwear and practically drags the boys back by their ears when they try to go into Honeydukes.

"After." She promises, taking Blaise hand as she leads us into the shop.

Inside there is not much mundane clothing, just a lot of robes. She leads us in the back and we find a section that looks like a small boutique in the muggle world.

Pansy goes crazy. She throws things at Blaise and I for her and myself. While she runs around, I leasurely stroll between the racks and find a shiny green tank top.

"That would look pretty on you." Draco says coming up behind me.

"I don't know, I thought it would look dashing on you, don't you think?" I smile as I hold it up to his chest.

"I would not be caught dead in this." He says, "but you would look exquisite."

He takes the tank top from my hands along with the rest of the clothes Pansy has gathered for me. He picks out a few things he likes and throws them in his arms.

"Come, let's get you in a dressing room." He says.

We find Blaise sitting in a sofa halfway dosing off while Pansy changes. Draco hangs the clothes up in an empty room and urges me inside. I roll my eyes as I close the door and try on a pair of black trousers and a green turtleneck. I feel ridiculous as I step out and see Draco sitting beside Blaise and Oansy walking out in a sparkly silver top and very short skirt.

"Halloweens already passed." Oansy laughs. "Why are you dressed like a nun?"

"If so why are you dressed like a disco ball?" I laugh going back in the room.

I try on a few more outfits which Pansy denies for being too modest. It isn't untill I step out in the shiny green tank top paired with a black skirt and black tights that I get a positive reaction.

"Damn Vee." Pansy says running her hands along my waist. "If you weren't my best friend and I wasn't dating Blaise I would hit."

I laugh and wrap my arms around my torso before she forces my arms away and spins me around. I stop and laugh, looking at the boys. Blaise nods with a smile on his face while Draco stares at me with his lips parted.

"What do we think?" Pansy asks, presenting me as though she styled me herself.

"You look great Vee." Blaise stands, wrapping his arms around Pansy. "Not as good as my girl though."

"Draco?" Pansy asks him.

"You uh. . . You look beautiful Vera." He says, standing.

"I would hope so, you did pick it out." I say with a smile.

"Maybe Draco would be better suited to being a stylist then." Pansy jokes.

"I am never wrong with clothing." Draco jokes before turning to me and speaking quietly. "Especially when my model is more captivating than the outfit."

Heat rises to me cheeks as I nudge him with my shoulder.

"All right, change." Pansy urges me.

"Thank Merlin, now we can go to honeydukes." Blaise says, throwing himself down on the couch.

I laugh before turning back to the dressing room, catching Draco eyeing me in the mirror.