UNEQUIVOCALLY | DM

•THIRTEEN•

•THIRTEEN•

THE NEXT TWO DAYS WENT BY VERY QUICKLY for Jasmine. She had already Owl'd some of her friends, Hannah in particular and gaining a reply the same day, the two sending letters back and forth to one another.

She had also had a letter from Daphne about how she was also coming to the ball at Malfoy Manor, so they could have a good catch up then. She had also heard from Susan, Megan, Ernie and Justin, them all wishing her a happy Christmas.

Jasmine was nervous however, very nervous for the dinner at Malfoy Manor that they were to attend this evening. Her father hadn't said much about it to her, and Theo had also been left in the dark about what the dinner was actually for.

Jasmine showered and got herself ready for the dinner, she wore a black tightly fitting dress, that accentuated all of her features beautifully. She had her hair curled in long ringlets flowing down her back, and her makeup was very minimal as per usual, just a coat of mascara and lipgloss.

Once she was ready, she left her bedroom, leaving Loki sleeping and breathing softly on her bed. She spotted Theo at the top of the stairs waiting for her. Theo turned around as he heard her bedroom door shut.

"you look lovely, sis" Theo told her, holding his arm out for her to take, "thanks, T" She smiled up at him, taking his arm so they could walk down the stairs to meet their father.

As the pair walked down the stairs, they spotted their father waiting in the foyer, he looked paler than usual, had dark circles under his eyes and looked as though he hadn't slept for weeks. The twins were worried about their father, but if You-Know-Who was back, then there really was no chance that they could help their father.

Jasmine was also aware that it would only be a matter of time that they would be asked to take the Mark. Although it was obvious that her father and Theo would do whatever it took to keep Jasmine out of it.

"come on then" Their father spoke, holding out his arm for the twins could take so they could apparate to Malfoy Manor. Jasmine was really hoping that they'd go there by floo instead, but her father had other ideas.

As the twins put their hands on their fathers arm, they felt the familiar feeling of being sucked and twisted. Just as quickly as it began it was over. Jasmines stomach churned as she stumbled lightly, feeling her feet on solid ground.

She mentally cursed herself for wearing heels, of course that made her landing even harder. She put her hand on Theo's arm to help steady herself.

Once Jasmine looked up at her surroundings, she noticed they were still outside of Malfoy Manor, she watched as the front doors were opening, revealing Narcissa, Lucius and Draco. Draco was wearing an all black suit, he looked amazing.

Draco's eyes met Jasmine's and she gave him a small smile, she could've sworn he saw his own lips twitch up into a smirk.

"come in! come in!" Narcissa gushed, opening the doors wider for the family to walk inside her home.

The twins father led them into the manor, greeting their hosts, Narcissa giving Jasmine a hug as she always did, she had always thought it was kind of weird that she always hugged her, but mainly put it down to the fact that she never had a daughter and always wanted one.

They spent a while just talking and catching up, Jasmine speaking few words, only when she was spoken to. Draco watched her, he could tell she was nervous, her shaking hands that she did so well to hide from everyone else gave her away. As well as the constant chewing on her bottom lip which he shouldn't have found alluring, but he did.

Draco thought she was beautiful all the time, but she truly was stunning tonight.

After a while of general talking, Narcissa called everyone to the dinner table.

Draco was sat opposite her, Theo next to her and Narcissa opposite him, with their fathers at the heads of the table.

Soup was served as a starter, and they made light conversation over the meal, there was clearly a reason they were asked to dinner and she could tell their father and the Malfoy's were beating around the bush.

As their starters were cleared away, Lucius cleared his throat, gathering the attention of everyone.

"Now, children. There is a reason we have organised this dinner this evening, and the ball that's going to take place on Christmas Eve, and we thought we'd tell you why" Lucius addressed the younger generation sat at the table.

Jasmines eyes opened wider in fear and looked to Draco for some kind of reassurance. He gave her a nod as if to say it was fine and somehow that calmed her down a little bit.

"We have brought you here today to tell you that after Jasmine and Theo's seventeenth birthday, Jasmine and Draco are to be married." Jasmines father spoke up this time, before she could react, she could hear Theo spit out the water he was drinking in shock.

"Theodore! remember your manners!" Jasmines father scolded, causing Theo to mumble an apology in response, sinking into his chair a little.

Jasmine felt a lump form in her throat as she stared at her father. Her eyes had welled up in tears, and not even because she was sad that it was Draco, Jasmine thought that the fact it was him would make the whole thing bearable.

"we are to announce your engagement at the ball on Christmas Eve." Narcissa spoke this time, giving the girl a soft look of encouragement and a smile.

Jasmine simply nodded, looking down at her plate which now had their main meal on it, but she found herself no longer hungry. She ate what she could and dinner passed with no more drastic announcements.

After dinner, they sat in the living room for a while, talking about how the ball would go and such before Narcissa called Jasmine and Draco upstairs, to choose an engagement ring.

"I thought that because neither of you will get to plan the wedding, I thought that this was something you could do together." Narcissa spoke, leading the pair into a room and pulling out a jewellery box full of rings, that looked to be family heirlooms.

She gave Jasmine the box and left her and Draco in the room, shutting the door softly behind her.

Jasmine just stared at the rings in front of her and didn't say anything, she was very shocked, and worried about what the future would hold.

"Jas" Draco spoke softly trying to take her attention away from the rings.

Jasmine looked up at him with tears in her eyes, he carefully took the box of rings out of her trembling hands, placing the box on the dressing table and pulling her in to hug him, holding her close to his chest.

This was the first time they had hugged, Jasmine was always under the impression that Draco Malfoy didn't do hugs.

"we're gonna be fine" Draco consoled her as she hugged him tightly, he wasn't only consoling her though, he was consoling himself too. He knew that the fact their parents were so eager for them to marry meant a war was coming.

"I'm glad it's you" Draco told her, her heartbeat quickening at his confession.

Jasmine breathed in his scent, he had a soft musky cologne on which was mixed with the scent of apples. She liked being in Draco's arms, but just wished that it was under happier circumstances.