The Vow Stealer

6

" Whoa!" Pansy's eyes got big as saucers when Ellery stepped out from the dorm room. " You look like a goddess. I mean I guess that's kinda the point with the dress style and all, but still. That's gorgeous on you." 

Ellery blushed and looked down at the goddess style dress she was wearing. It was everything she had requested; most shades of blue, Greek mythology like and it had straps. There was a gold metal belt in the middle of it, to go with the gold ribbon choker around her neck.

" Thank you. You look beautiful as well," she said, smiling.

Robbin came down at that time, and they compliment her too. Robbin of course ignored them and snatched Ellery's left hand. " You're not wearing your engagement ring! Why?" she demanded. Turning and even deeper shade of crimson, Ellery sighed.

" We're keeping it secret for now. Since it wasn't the plan in the beginning." 

" That means you can't tell anyone, Riddle," Draco said from behind them. They all turned to see Draco, dressed in a three piece suit and black tie. Ellery's face went another shade darker when he came up to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. " You're lucky it's only us in here. Imagine if everyone hadn't already gone to the party." 

Ellery shuddered. " I don't want to think about what anyone else would say." 

" Yeah, yeah, shut your trap Malfoy. I wasn't gonna say anything. I'm not dumb. Daphne would probably try to get Millicent to push your bride down a flight of stairs or something."Robbin glared at him, and Pansy came in between them and held a hand out to both of them to silence them.

" That's enough. We need to go now, we're going to be late. Ellery will put her engagement ring back on when she feels it's safe to." 

Robbin looked at Ellery, like she was expecting her to intervene. Ellery shrugged and slipped out from underneath Draco's arm, brushing the two ringlet curls next to her eyes. " Pansy is right. Let's go now." With those words, Ellery opened the door and stepped into the empty corridor. She strode noiselessly down the corridor ahead of everyone. Eventually Draco caught up to her, and they walked into the room the party was being held in silently.

As soon as Ellery entered the room, she wanted to leave. The smell of Fire Whiskey was strong, instantly overwhelming her senses. Her tongue felt too big for her mouth as she absently scanned the room. Ellery wasn't seeing the room. She was seeing flashing images of her parents, the floor of the dining room littered with countless Fire Whiskey bottles. She could hear the sobs and the angry screams.

" Hey," Draco said into her ear. Ellery rubbed her eyes and looked back at him. 

" You okay?" he asked. She plastered a fake smile on her face and nodded. He didn't look convinced, but he said nothing. She motioned for him to go. He hesitated, but decided it best to obey. Everyone else was on the dance floor already as well, so that just left her, standing by herself. Draco kept looking back at her, but she kept waving him off. 

After an hour or so, the backward glances stopped. Ellery assumed that he was slightly intoxicated, as everyone else was. All the while, she'd stood there, in the corner. Alone. Finally, her awakened senses could take no more of the putrid smells, so she turned and left without telling anyone. Sighing, she started down the hallway, yanking her hair out of the high bun it was in. It fell in waves around her shoulders, and she inhaled the cool, fresh air of the hallway while she shook it loose. The party hadn't been any fun, but that was because all she could think about was her past. Maybe eventually that would go away. For now, she was going to sleep it off. In the morning, she'd be okay again.

When she got back,  she showered, wrapped herself in her favorite blanket, picked up Aurelia and a book and curled up on the couch closest to the fireplace.Soon, both the fox and Ellery were asleep. Sweet music floated through her dreams, like a calming continuous radio. Combined with the heat of the fire, it lulled her into the deepest, most peaceful sleep she'd had in days. After a while, she heard vague whispers. People were coming back from the party. Another set of time passed, and she felt herself being picked up. More whispers, and something soft and warm being pressed against her forehead for a second.