Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirty-Four

"We had an argument," Draco told her.

They were in his room; the morning light had illuminated a rectangle on the floor. They lay in it, his head on her back as she read with her chin resting on her hands. She waited for more.

"She thinks it's time to get serious."

"How serious?"

"Engaged."

"And you argued?"

"Yes."

"Don't you want to marry her anymore? Lift your head." She rolled over, he put his head back down on her stomach. She gazed up at the ceiling, following the swirls of plaster with her eyes, jumping over the criss-crossing beams.

He exhaled.

"So how did the argument end?"

"She's going to break up with me unless I provide a ring. She's wasted too much time on me."

"How long did she give you?"

"A month."

"So?"

He exhaled again.

She ran her fingers through his soft hair.

"It's come too early."

"She's older and it has been two years."

"I know."

She sighed.

Draco suddenly sat up and there was a knock on the door. Francis sat herself up too. A footman came in, bearing a small pile of letters. Draco took his and passed two to Francis. She quickly opened one. It was from Dechuange, his gorgeous script exclaimed at how much fun he had had the previous evening with her. It was full of his usual whimsy and compliments and had the power to raise a smile to her face. She opened the next letter and laughed at loud. Draco looked up at her.

"Do you know much about a Master Douglas?" Francis asked him, "Because he wants to be my escort to the ball."

"He does?" Draco murmured.

"How funny. Though he does ask if you already have that honour."

"I don't. You should tell him."

She was determined to keep it light, "I think I'll wait and see, take a leaf out of Tim's book and wait for the best offer, shall I?"

"Do what you like," he sat on his bed, reading his own letters.

She sighed and reread hers.

"We need to have Dechuange over more."

He looked up at her for a moment.

"The school's finished. He feels like it's only a matter of time," she elaborated.

"You're right," Draco put his letters aside.