The Dragon and The Wolf

16

Ellie groaned again as she waited on the sidewalk next to her Sirius. Sirius arched an eyebrow at her.

"What is your problem now? You've been groaning since you woke up this morning." Ellie scowled at her father and rolled her eyes.

"I hate dress shopping you know that." Sirius clicked his tongue at her in a disapproving manner.

"I'm sorry that I kept you both waiting." Ellie forced a smile as she turned to look at Narcissa. Narcissa smiled fondly at her Ellie and patted her cheek affectionately. Ellie cut her eyes toward her father as he offered his arm to Narcissa. She took it and they began walking. Ellie walked behind them quietly as she listened to them speak about random things. Ellie glanced around and smiled softly when she noticed several couples walking together and laughing.

Draco and I may never have that. She thought to herself and then shook her head.

He's still in love with the shy, nervous girl from sixth year. I'm not that girl anymore.

"Pup? Do you want to stop by the sweets shop and grab some chocolate?" Ellie smiled brightly and nodded her head eagerly. Narcissa laughed softly.

"Seems that Draco's suggestion was the right one." Sirius chuckled too and nodded in agreement. Ellie's eyebrows drew together as she looked between them. What did getting chocolate have to do with Draco?

Ellie made quick work in the sweets shop and lift with a small bag. She popped a piece of chocolate and smiled. Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a small squeeze as they continued down the sidewalk.

Ellie glanced up ahead of her and inhaled a sharp breath and ducked under her father, hiding directly behind him and Narcissa. Both of them stopped in their tracks and turned to her with a concerned expression on their faces. Ellie groaned and peeked around her father.

Enzo was still walking this way, with Astoria Greengrass in tow.

"What's the matter pup?" Ellie inhaled a sharp breath and glanced down at Narcissa's ring.

"Cissa, I don't have time to explain but may I borrow your wedding ring please?" Narcissa without hesitation pulled the ring from her finger and handed it to Ellie.

Ellie slid it on to her ring finger and suppressed a sigh as Astoria zeroed in on Narcissa.

"Mrs. Malfoy! What a surprise to see you here." Sirius and Narcissa turned, and Sirius openly glared at Enzo. Who was staring at Ellie in shock.

"Astoria dear. What a nice surprise. Is this your boyfriend?" Astoria smiled and cut her eyes toward Ellie before looking back to Narcissa.

"Fiancée actually. The Ministry paired us together. But, since we've known each other for years, it seemed to fit well." Ellie scoffed and rolled her eyes. Enzo fought a smile at her reaction.

Narcissa laid a gentle hand on Ellie's shoulder.

"I assume that you both know Eliza. She and Draco recently reconnected after a long time." Ellie gave Narcissa a surprised look. That was a hell of a way to explain it. Enzo arched a curious eyebrow at her and his eyes roamed over her. Ellie was glad that she had decided to wear a long sleeve so that the runes were covered.

Enzo's eyes land on the ring that now sat on Ellie's ring finger.

"You're engaged to Draco?" Astoria's hand closed into a fist as she glanced down at Ellie's hand too. Ellie forced a smile and nodded.

"That's not possible. Draco said that you were nothing more than a distraction." Ellie bit down on her tongue and tried to remain calm. Enzo cleared his throat.

"Congratulations on your engagement." Ellie lifted her eyes to Enzo's brown ones, and she saw the hint in regret in his eyes.

"Thank you, Lorenzo." She said quietly. But Astoria snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Don't get your hopes up." Ellie rolled her eyes as Astoria pulled Enzo away from them and Ellie let out a long sigh. She shook her head softly and turned to Narcissa to return the ring. But Narcissa laid a hand over the top of hers.

"Keep it. It is yours by right." Ellie nodded silently and walked in front of them. She didn't bother to look back at them as she made her way to the dress shop.

Once inside Ellie roamed the rows of dresses and zoned out. It wasn't like she knew what she should wear in the first place.

Sirius glanced at Narcissa who was typing on her phone with a frown on her face. But there was something in her eyes. A protectiveness that Sirius only saw when it came to Regulus.

Ellie sighed for the third time and frowned as she looked down at another plain white dress that they saleswoman had pulled for her.

"Pup, would you at least like to try one of them on and see how they will look?" Ellie's eyebrow quirked up as Narcissa came back holding a bag in her hands.

"This one will do." Ellie moved silently to the dressing room as Narcissa set it inside.

"We will be in the waiting area." Sirius called as Ellie pulled the curtain shut. She unzipped the bag, and a smile grew on her face at the black satin material. It was an A-line gown with one long sheer sleeve that had beautiful silver butterflies that adorned the top of the sleeve. Where the other side of the dress had a thin strap. The sweetheart neckline drew her attention and then there was another cluster of silver butterflies that collected at the side of the dress.