Entranced (Draco Malfoy)

•thirty-five•

Dove Taylor sits on the beach, relaxing in the warm sun. She'd woken up only a few hours ago, choosing to come directly to the beach. That had become her morning ritual, whenever she did wake up. It varied. Without school or really anything to do, she had taken to sleeping for bizarre lengths.

Not only did it irritate Draco Malfoy to no end, it also made Bill Weasley angsty, seeing as his wife, Fleur Delacour, had chosen to do the same thing. She'd stopped soon after starting, knowing her husband didn't like it. She supposed she annoyed him with many other things. 

As she sits, she thinks upon some of her favorite memories at Hogwarts, feeling danger closer than ever. 

Cedric Diggory walks into the Common Room, holding something behind his back. He spots his cousin, Dove Taylor, curled up right in front of the fire, a book in her hands as usual. He grins, walking towards her, his steps full of swagger.

"Dovelyn," he teases, waving the bag in front of her. "Guess what I have!"

"Huh?" She utters, not looking up from her book. "Don't call me that."

He rolls his eyes, "Dove. Come on. I have something for you."

She sighs, lowering her book, "And what is that, dear cousin? Slugs again?" 

He has to admit, that was one of his finer pranks on her. He'd enlisted the help of Fred and George Weasley to get her the perfect birthday present: a jar of jellybeans that turned into slugs once you bite into them. 

She'd been scarred for a few months, but he thinks it was worth it. Even though he did get a Howler from his Aunt Lorrie, it was still worth it. 

"No," he replies truthfully. "Open it."

She sits up, making sure to over-exaggerate her putting her book down before taking the bag from him. She opens it up very cautiously, worried something will jump out at her. Nothing does. A surprised look on her features, she carefully pulls a pretty necklace out of the bag. 

It's a simple necklace. A silver chain with a diamond letter hanging from it: a C. 

"It's charmed. If you ever need me, hold the necklace in your hand and say, 'Cedric is the best.' It'll make my bracelet heat up and I'll know you need me," he replies wittily.

Testing it, Dove holds the necklace tightly in her fist, murmuring, "Cedric is the best."

She puts her hand on Cedric's bracelet, feeling it warm up instantly. She smiles, throwing her arms around her cousin immediately. She thanks him repeatedly, knowing she'll always have him to help her.

Dove swallows, tears rising to her eyes. One of her favorite memories will always be tinged with sadness. She grips her necklace, running her thumb over the letter.

"Cedric is the best," she croaks, voice tight with grief. The bracelet on her wrist heats up, causing a low laugh to rise in her throat. "I miss you, Ced. Take care of Susan." 

As Susan Bones pops into her mind, the memory of getting ready for the Yule Ball strikes her mind. She doesn't fight the tears that come. She knows it's time to let them out.

Dove lazily relaxes on her bed, already done with her hair and makeup. She stifles a giggle as a very irritated Susan Bones exits the bathroom, her hair an awful mess. Megan Jones pauses in brushing out her hair, staring wide-eyed at the blonde.

"Uh, Suzie," Dove starts, trying to keep a hold on her laughter. "Would you like some help, love?"

"That'd be nice," she mutters.

Hannah Abbott enters the room, a big smile on her face, "Guess--" She stops mid-sentence, "Oh, dear."

"Shut up," Susan snaps, but all the girls can tell the gentle Hufflepuff doesn't mean it. "Come on, Dovie."

Dove is quick to follow her friend into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her, "Okay, now what do you want?"

The time passes quickly as Dove does Susan's hair, the two conversing happily. By the end, when the blonde sees her hair, she squeals with happiness. Her hair is now in an elegant updo, two braids on either side of her head leading to a gorgeous curled bun, with a few strands hanging down. 

"Oh, Dove, thank you so much!" 

"Anything for my friend," she says warmly. "Now get your dress on."

The brunette leaves the bathroom, a smile on her strikingly beautiful features. Both Megan and Hannah are in their dresses, looking utterly stunning. Unexpected tears rise to her eyes as she takes them in. Megan is in a long black dress with white sparkles all over it, staying true to her Hufflepuff roots. Hannah is in a gentle-colored yellow dress, hugging her waist and spreading out magnificently to her feet.

"Are you okay?" Hannah asks in concern.

"You two look amazing," Dove chokes out. 

"Get your dress on, you sap," Megan chides, but her voice cracks, signalling she's getting choked up as well.

Once Susan exits the bathroom, ravishing in a pale pink dress layered in silk, Dove rushes into the bathroom to put her own dress on. She's a little nervous to reveal herself. Her friends mostly stayed true to their House colors, meanwhile she's going to be the epitome of Slytherin.

She pulls on her emerald green dress that, like Hannah's, cinches her waist before flowing to her feet, ruffles at the bottom so that when she spins, her dress will fan out. She looks at herself in the mirror, her long brown hair curled beautifully. Her makeup is effortless but dark, accenting her natural beauty. 

"Dove!" Megan calls. "Seamus is waiting outside!"

"Coming!" 

She exits the bathroom, Susan looking at her expectantly. Her eyes light up, and tears fill them immediately after.

"Oh, Dove," she croons, unable to stop herself from throwing herself into the temporary-Slytherin's arms.

And the two friends stay like that for awhile.

A loud crack sounds from behind her, and Dove jumps to her feet, staring at the people in front of her in surprise, "Harry?"

Harry Potter stands before her, shock on his face, "Dove?" 

"Dove?" Hermione Granger questions, peering around. "Oh my." 

She pales, falling to the ground. Ron Weasley jumps, rushing to her side to help her.

"Fleur! Bill!" Dove calls loudly, immediately worried. "I'll go get them." 

She rushes away, not seeing Dobby the Elf die in Harry's arms, a luxury in which she should be grateful for. 

A/N

The end is near...