Dressed for Ruin

chapter one

It was a day before we would have to go to King's Cross Station to make our way to school, on the Hogwarts Express. Draco and I were still yet to buy the things we would need for the school year. So I was getting ready to go to Diagon Alley. It was way too early to be up, but I made my way to my bathroom to have a quick shower. After that I got ready brushing my long blond hair and curling it slightly, I would probably run into a lot of people from school, so I didn't want to look bad. Put on some mascara and lip balm. I chose my outfit carefully, wanting to look good but not like I'd tried too hard, deciding on a pleated black skirt and black blouse which made my skin look even lighter. After I was all ready I walked towards Draco's room to wake him up since he was probably still asleep, and I didn't want Father to fight with him on our trip.  "Draco wake up!" I called while knocking on the door. I heard no sounds to indicate that he was awake so I burst in shaking him awake "Come on D, we don't want to keep Father waiting now do we?". This definitely woke him up, he got up so quick and started doing a million things at once. From brushing his teeth, to combing his hair, to looking for his trousers. "Slow down there Draco, you could always ask for help." I made my way to his closet to find him a decent outfit, consisting of long dark trousers and and a black shirt. "Oh Helena, what would I ever do without you?" he said, and I detected a bit of sarcasm seeping through. 

When he was done we made our way down the grand stairs that led to the dining room, where we had all of our meals. As I predicted Father was already there, eating porridge while mechanically scanning the Daily Prophet. "I told you so" I mouthed to my twin brother, getting an eye roll in response. In came the house elf, setting some crumpets in front of us. Along with some tea for me and some pumpkin juice for Draco. I hadn't had crumpets in the longest time, so this was quite the exciting scene for me. I had to cut my enjoyment short though, as my Father rushed us, he was already impatient and wanted to leave. I had no desire of making him angry so I grumbled while swallowing my crumpets. 

We traveled by the Floo Network, and as we got there, the first thing we did was head to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. As the fitting would take a little while, Father left to attend some business, probably something deceitful at Borgin and Burkes. Draco was first, the girl who was doing the fitting seemed intimidated by us, being probably around the same age. She'd probably be in her fifth year as well. I hadn't seen her around Hogwarts, but I guess I wasn't really looking. Draco's fitting was over very quickly, she seemed happy to be done with him, this amused me. Then it was my turn, I got on the platform so she could alter my robes that were way too long. I had to alter most of my clothes because I was rather short for my age, a brimming 5"1'. My brother never failed to tease me on this front. The girl went to pin the robe where it was too long, and she accidentally pricked me with the pin, which made me cry out in discomfort. Draco's eyes were immediately on hers in a reprimanding way, she was shaking in fear as she apologized. 

As soon as we got out of there, Draco and I burst out laughing. "Helena, what ever did you do to scare her like that?" he asked while chuckling. "I swear I have no idea" I answered, laughing again at the memory of her scared face. 

As we walked towards Flourish and Blotts, I thought of my best friend, Eve Bellchant, who I knew would be here today. Just last week she sent an owl telling me that she'd be coming to Diagon Alley on August 31st, with her little sister Lapis, who would be starting her first year at Hogwarts. I had Draco watching the crowd trying to find her head of curly brown hair.  No such luck, so we went in and hopefully after getting our books would we run into her.  As Draco ordered someone to retrieve our books from the back of the store I heard a distinct  "Helena Malfoy!", I turned to see my best friend of five years's bright blue eyes staring back at me. I launched at her and almost tackled her in my attempt at a hug. "Eve, where have you been? We were supposed to meet up in front of Madame Malkin's." I said while letting go of her. "Yeah I know, but we got held up at Ollivander's trying to get Lapis's wand. Who knew there were so many eleven year old's in Diagon Alley today." she swiftly answered. "Tell me about it, Helena and I almost got trampled walking here" Draco said as he gave her a hug hello. Eve jumped but hugged him back. "Oh Eve, I'm sorry I haven't been able to write much I've been practicing for Quidditch nonstop with D." I said apologetically. "Don't even worry about it. Oh, let's go to Florean Fortescue's, I'm dying to eat some ice cream." she gushed, I nodded. As Eve, Draco and I made our way to the ice cream shop, I felt like I was forgetting something. "You still need to buy a new cauldron, after you completely wrecked your old one" Draco said, as if reading my mind. 

After we got home and had dinner, I was in my room and went to feed my owl, Winston, since he had just gotten back from a rather long journey. Right then, someone who I immediately identified as my mother knocked on my door. She had a rather unusual way of knocking, she always knocks softly. "Come in" I yelled from my place at the window. I hadn't realized she was even home, if I had I probably would've said hello. "How are you feeling about starting term?" she asked worried. If my mother was anything, it was quite a big nervous Nelly. She always calculated the things that could go wrong and worried about them even if they didn't seem likely of happening. Draco and I were her pride and joy, she loved us more than anything in the world. More than my father, he knew this so he kind of resented us for it. "I'm unusually excited. Last year I got great marks in every class except Potions, so I'm glad to have another go at it." I reassured her. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, Draco will surely help you. If he doesn't I'm only an owl away." she added, sending a wink my way. "Oh yes he will, if he knows whats good for him" I declared. "You'll write me every week, won't you?" she said somberly. "Oh you know I always write, have you got me confused with Draco suddenly?" I teased. She threw her head back in laughter and then walked towards me and gave me one of her famous hugs. After telling me she loved me and said good night she left, probably making her way to Draco's room to have the same talk with him. Then I got ready for bed, knowing I would need all of my rest if I was going to wake up early and head to King's Cross.