entanglements | d.m.

37.noharm

December '98 | H E R

"You did not."

Draco grins at her in the most boyish way possible, white teeth flashing, eyes crinkling, silver eyes alight with amusement.

It doesn't help that his hair is mussed from sleep and that he wears the same clothes he did for sleep.

Laid-back Draco Malfoy is a force to behold.

She can't even be mad.

Although, she has every right to. It's christmas morning and the whole house is gathered in the living room to open presents before breakfast. And in her hands, Devyn holds a framed picture of the Enchanted Dance in November. The picture he ambushed her into.

"Dashing, aren't we?"

Well, if he's already saying it, they do look great. He, actually, looks mouth-watering in a suit and tie. And basically anything else.

But Devyn can say she felt the most beautiful when she put on the dress and had her hair and make up done. The evening itself went downhill pretty fast and this photo captures the mere moments before.

Or right in the middle? Didn't I kick him right after? What was he saying again to make me stare like a fish?

Was that about kids-

"I have one, too," he says. "And like ten more copies hidden in all kinds of places, incase you have a crazy spurt and decide to burn them."

"Let me see." Her mother reaches out, the new gold bracelet Draco gifted her shining in the light of dawnbreak.

Devyn wears a matching one, though hers is silver. It's simplicity does not lack in quality. She is sure with both combined, they could pay for a whole new kitchen.

He warned her last night before they fell in bed that he wasn't sure if his present would be weird without elaborating what exactly, but both Devyn and Julia love it.

In return, he got a nice sweater, because that is what Devyn told her to get over letters. And books. Two more thriller books are added to his personal library.

Devyn herself has gotten a good dozen more books from her mum, Declan, Draco and the next door neighbour Edith who had a great part in raising her.

"Don't they look lovely," Julia says to her boyfriend, who nods without actually commenting. "I wanted to know what you looked like since you said you found a good dress-but good is an understatement. I didn't know you two were going together."

"Because I didn't tell you," Devyn deadpans, before realising that her and Draco didn't go together.

"And didn't I teach you that communication is key?"

"Yes, but I know when to keep the door locked with a meddling mother like you."

Ignoring her, Julia shifts her attention to Draco, eyes bright with joy. "You don't happen to be as gracious and give me one of your copies?"

It would be his greatest pleasure, his smile says, and it only deepens when she backhands him for saying, "You'll have it by New Years."

"The front hall will do, won't it?"

"Mum." There she goes again.

"Everyone can see then who you'll marry," she continues her ongoing joke while gazing lovingly at the picture. "And in summer, we can replace it with the wedding photo."

Devyn groans, hiding her face in a pillow. Noah giggles at that. It's not the first time their light-hearted disputes have amused him. Devyn expects them to turn interesting once he joins them.