WHEN GODS SLEEP - DRACO M.

FIVE.

WHEN GODS SLEEP
Chapter Five

TWO YEARS PRIOR, THE YULE BALL

Champagne tulle swept across the floor, a delicate graciousness not quite matched by her surrounding peers. She held a sparkling glass, more for decoration than her enjoyment, and peered through it. Fairy lights, enchanted ice and Pansy's face progressively obstructing her view. With her were two other fourth years, purses in hand and a faint smile as they came to a halt.

          'We're retouching our makeup, will you come too?'

          Epione shook her head; their demeanor shifted. She remained contemplating the sight ahead of them, ignorant to the preoccupied stares of the girls.

          'There is something wrong with you today...' she continued, curious eyes, 'I can't...pinpoint it. But you're different.'

          And they left, leaving the Grimaldi girl to her own thoughts, heart aching for another across the room. That had been the first day she took her friend's adoration for Draco as a direct threat to her well-being, the image of his hands in her waist as they glided in unison replaying in her mind, tauntingly.

          Her composure faltered as she saw him, free of his friends and company, relaxing against an adorned wall. His arms were folded across his chest, suit clinging to his body in charming style.

          It was nowhere near the first occasion she had seen him looking as royally handsome, but something about the lights, the air, her feelings and the circumstances, had her walking towards him.

          Draco's grey eyes rose to meet hers, and as soon as they adjusted back from widening in surprise, he was frowning.

          'What is it?' He asked, monotone, back straightening as he stepped away from the wall.

           Epione's mouth opened and then closed, realizing she had not thought it through. What was it, really? What had she meant to say?

          'I-' she attempted, but the permanent feeling of unwanted eyes on her back were chains on her body, 'I...I wanted to congratulate you and Pansy on your relationship.'

          He blinked, frown deepening as he reached for her wrist. 'What's that supposed to mean...'

          There was surge of electricity, his forbidden touch had long been but a ghost on her skin. She shrugged his grip off, as if burnt, and rapidly left his side.

          Draco Malfoy did not chase after the girl, nor had he a reason to - she was no longer a friend, she hadn't been for a while. Yet who would've thought - a boy who thinks so highly of himself, unable to recognize welling tears and pained words as affection.

* * * * *

Epione's champagne dress was not her beautiful tulle one, but her night gown instead. It was smooth, a satin-like texture, and its thin straps fell over her milky shoulders. She was quite the sight, curled on one of the green-velvet armchairs, jet black hair sprawled across her body. In her lap, a spellbook, and a cat that did not belong to her.

           Nearly a month had passed, her complex routine compromising her rest. The attentions had undoubtedly shifted from her romantic predicaments to Lisa's unborn child; with that, came the responsibility of putting her own intimate preoccupations and higher duties to the side as she cared for her friend.

           However, that particular night, Epione was reclaiming her role as a servant of the Dark Lord, and had begun doing her research in a variety of spells that could prove useful in her mission. The promise of December's holidays bringing a couple of unfriendly visits already worrying her mind.