Charted {Book Two in my HP FF series}

Chapter 9

I put the low cut top over the pushup bra and hiked up my skirt a bit. I had spent enough time watching Narcissa to know how to do my hair and makeup.

I had just finished when I heard the knock at the door, and Daphne’s squeal of delight. I smirked at myself in the mirror knowing just how soon she was going to eat that squeal right back up. I heard them all greet each other but I heard Draco’s voice a lot less than anyone else’s. I started down the stairs just as I heard Francine say “Astoria should be around here somewhere”

And boy did I get the reaction I wanted.

Luther and Francine seemed completely oblivious to my outfit but Draco and Daphne did not. Daphne stood there with her eyes wide and her ears steaming. While Draco stood with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, almost drooling.

“Astoria, there you are!” Luther said heartily

“I was just freshening up for our…” I put a hand on his chest and bit my lip “guest”

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Daphne said through gritted teeth, walking between Draco and I, knocking my hand down, and making Draco finally look away from me…for a second. I winked at him and followed her away.

“What?” I asked innocently

“You know what! What the hell are you doing? What the hell are you wearing?” Daphne yelled

“Don’t want to be too loud, Daph, sweetie. You don’t want to ruin your dinner”

“Oh, shove it! You’re trying to sabotage my dinner! You just can’t handle someone else being in the spotlight!”

“That’s what you think this is about? Obviously you’re too stuck in your selfishness to see what’s really going on”

“I am not being selfish!”

“You’re being pretty selfish to our guest. Don’t you think we ought to return?”

She glared at me and pushed passed the door

We took our seats in the dining room. When Daphne pulled out her seat to sit by Draco, I sat there instead pretending she had pulled it out for me. She let out a strained laugh as she took the seat on the other side of Draco, and glared at me behind his back.

“So, Draco, how has your mother been lately? I haven’t talked with her in a while” Francine asked and Draco shifted uncomfortably.

“Well. She-she’s been doing great. She spends a lot of time reading lately” He said looking at his plate

“I’m glad she’s doing well, and you father?” Luther asked

“As good as he’ll ever be”

“Good”

There was a long pause where no one spoke and most of us drank out of our glasses.

“I’m going to go see what’s keeping Humble” I said awkwardly and got up to go to the kitchen.

 When I entered, Humble was waiting for me, looking worried.

“Don’t worry Humble. You aren’t going to get in trouble. I asked you to do this” I calmed Humble.

 I had asked him to delay dinner just to let me have a bit of a calming break. I knew at some point I would start to lose my confidence or sike myself out. I needed to buy myself some time to prepare. I took a deep breath and picked up a tray of food.

I was about to leave when I looked back at Humble. A thought had suddenly occurred to me.

“Humble, would you like to be free?” I asked