Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Ten

The Cecils' party was the most highly anticipated one of the year or maybe even of the decade. The Cecils' had not attended parties for at least twenty years, let alone hosted them. Lord Lurie was no exception; he ordered the finest clothes for them all. Meaning lessons were cancelled for a whole day just for the dressmakers and designers. Francis was treated for the first time like a woman, her dress was dark satin with a small train and though she liked it, it still didn't feel right to her.

After her dress fitting she went to find Draco. They had, or really he had, chosen to ignore their last conversation but at least they were on speaking terms again. He was still being fitted. Tim was sitting by him looking harassed. She walked over to him.

"Just escaped have you?" She asked him, cheekily.

"Yes." He sounded flustered, "It took ages I'm too broad for the suits they have."

"Oh dear." She giggled.

"It was a bit mortifying to be honest," he huffed, "They said they only get measurements like that from extremely fat people."

"But you're not fat Tim. You're just..." And she properly looked at him for the first time and realised he was huge. He wasn't fat at all but she hadn't realised how much power he had. She could see the veins from his muscles bulging on his neck. How he had got like that, she had no idea; he did no more exercise than anyone else in the house. "You're just extremely muscly."

He smiled, despite himself, at the awe in her voice.

"If you were in The Lab you'd be a priced boxer."

"Maybe I should check it out." He laughed.

"Harri and his brothers get quite a lot of money from it. They're just lightweight." She explained.

"Eh, boxing? You and me, Draco." Tim called out to him.

Draco just frowned at them.

"You're right too easy." Tim barked with laughter.

"I'd like to see you try." Francis laughed at Draco.

"I bet you would." Draco told her.

She continued to laugh with Tim.

"You're be surprised by how many fights I have had." Draco smiled.

"Oh?" she sniggered, "And would I be surprised at how many you've won?"

"All of them."

"Then you haven't been in a fight."

"Too many to count."

"Too non-existent to."

"I'd take heed many have been fatal." He told her.

"Fatal?" Her squeal of laughter filled the whole parlour but she realised no one was laughing with her. She looked at Tim and saw that his face was pale and strained, "Oh please." She smacked his shoulder playfully.

Draco started laughing and so did Tim; Francis was almost crying with laughter.

The evening of the party arrived. It took the maids and footmen six hours to get the whole family ready. Doe was excited herself. She was getting hands-on experience through multiple senior maids, who, for once, had not the time to dislike her for her uncertain status. Kitty was flushed with Doe's success. She looked prettier than ever. Francis quickly became bored with dressing and wandered back and forth between her designated rooms to Kitty's.