Silver and Blood

1

Draco

This is going to be a long night.

Apparating in front of Parkinson's manor, I pause on the lawn. The crowd within bustles, my parents welcomed at the door.

"Draco."

My name slithers from my father's lips. My own twist in disdain.

His cane buries into the tip of my toe before they move on to mingle. Light hair bobbing in and out of the crowd.

I should've shown him where to stick his staff.

They keep up the charade of importance to the last people who seem to care. Probably because we are one of the last families to have galleons shooting out our...

"It's been ages." Pansy slides her hand over mine, offering a smile that never meets her eyes.

"Not long enough." I grab a glass from a passing elf.

"Miss me?" Batting her lashes, she leans in. A finger traces circles up my arm.

I replace the drink with another.

"Not even a little." Swiveling away, the second goes down all too easy.

Have to find something stronger.

In the search, a chuckling Zambini blocks my path.

"What've you been up to, Malfoy?"

"Seeing it all. Having it all."

"Like you've gone anywhere." A meaty hand grips my shoulder.

Goyle.

"Do I sense a challenge coming on?" They all deserve a little lesson.

But I brush him off.

"Whatever you have in mind would be child's play."

"I like where this is going." Zabini taps his chin, wagging a finger. "I bet ten galleons you can't chat up and snog a witch of our choosing."

"Twenty." Goyle cracks his knuckles.

"Alright." I shrug. "Fair warning. The women here have already expressed interest. Including your mums."

Goyle rears like a bull, puffing out his chest. This new counterpart holds him back.

What a joke.

The front door opens, a chorus of greetings following. Zabini's eyes shift first, lighting. He nudges the blob beside him. A nod.

"That one."

I catch a wave of copper, heading toward Pansy's little gang. The girl stalks behind Greengrass. They leave her there, and she plunges into the sea of witches and wizards before us.

A hint of black, she slips down the hallway. Until she's out of view.

"Twenty minutes." Zabini gestures to the grandfather clock.

"Make it ten."

Going down the hall, I try doors until one gives way. My victim settles herself before a floor-to-ceiling window, heels scattered beneath the seat. Nose pressed against a book.

"Whatever excuse gets you back out there and me back in here," She shakes the cover.

"Believe me, I've no intention of going back out there."

She glances up from her pages toward the window, straightening. Her neck flushes.

"I thought you were someone else."

"Now if it's excuses you're after, I've plenty." She holds her place with a finger.

"I'm listening."

I motion to the empty space by her feet, and she tucks her legs in.

All too easy.

"Let's see, the Cornish pixie ate my homework."

"How exactly does that apply to getting out of a soiree?"

"Fair point." I play with the hem of her skirt, rubbing satin between my fingers. "A dress like this really shouldn't be hiding in here."

"I think the poor garment will be fine." She finally looks at me, raising a brow. "What're you up to, Malfoy?"

I place a mocking hand over my heart.

"I just came here to sit by the window and read my favorite book," I scan the hardback. "Love Beyond: Navigating Romance in a Muggle's World."

"Not really your speed, I imagine."

"Fancy yourself a muggle, do you?" She bites her bottom lip.

"What's it to you?"

"Merely competition." I wink, and she swivels. Suddenly entranced by the garden just outside.

"I haven't been much of anywhere. So this is the next best thing." Blue eyes flutter as she tilts her head. "Now you'll see you've wasted your time. Talking to a girl interested in muggles."

"On the contrary. You're just the sort I'd like to take home and meet my parents."

"Hiliarious." She cradles the book over her chest.

"I'm not joking. Come with me. Now." I jump up, offering a hand. "Let's stir up all sorts of mayhem."

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not really the type."

"I have noticed."

"Really? What's my name then?"

"Hm," I stroke my chin.

"Honestly. Isn't there someone else you can pester?"

"Loads to be sure. And yet, I'd rather be with you. Fancy that."

"Fancy that."

When she smiles, dimples cave under her cheekbones. Auburn strands frame a delicate face.

How did this one slip through the cracks?

"How about this," She takes her wand, scrawling along the inside of her book.

In the hand off, I make sure to graze her fingers. Daggers shoot up my arm, freezing it in place.

What was that?

She blinks. Unaffected. Oblivious.

"Figure out my name, and I'll grant you a wish."

Her elegant script says something else entirely.

Whatever bet you've got going, I'll take an equal share.

"That seems unfair, considering I already know it." An arched brow. "I'd never forget the name of the future Mrs. Malfoy."

"That arrogant, huh?"

"You've no idea." I hover over her with a husky whisper. "Astoria Greengrass."

Straightening to stand, the girl in black clears her throat.

"I guess I owe you a wish." She swallows. "What'll it be?"

"I'm sure I can think of something."