---------- Chapter 17 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Dudley! He'll be here in a few minutes! Get your fat arse off the couch and change!" I shriek at the fat lump on the couch.
"Deidre, honey, calm down," mum calls out from the kitchen, where she's furiously preparing lunch.
Dad's got his finest suit on, no doubt ready to intimidate Draco the moment he walks in. Dad's sitting on the armchair, pretending to read his newspaper, but he seems just as fidgety as me.
"What is his name again?" he asks, setting the newspaper aside.
"Draco Malfoy," I reply automatically, still scanning the room for anything out of the ordinary.
Dad nods his head, deep in thought. I run up the stairs to my room, checking my reflection in the mirror once more. I have my long blonde hair tousled trendily, and I'm wearing a brand new, midnight blue dress mum bought just for the occasion. I pull on my matching heels and descend the stairs once more.
"How will he be getting here? Not on a broom, I hope," dad murmurs, his face paling, no doubt imagining the things the neighbours would say.
"I told him not to. He said he'll get a car," I murmur back. I never did ask how he'd actually get a car. Maybe his family had one to keep up the pretences?
I rap Dudley on his big blonde head, trying to get him to get off the couch and change. He throws a pillow at me, messing my hair up.
"Dad! Tell Dudley to go change! He looks like the help!" I whine. And that does it! How could dad have his only son look like the help?
Within moments Dudley is stalking up the stairs, muttering violently about beating Draco up.
Note to self; warn Draco about psychotic older brother.
I head aimlessly to the kitchen, where mum is putting the finishing touches on the chocolate cake.
"You're looking pretty, Deidre," she says absent-mindedly, still icing the cake.
I hop onto the stool and watch her, transfixed. Once she's done, she carefully puts the cake into the fridge and turns to watch me.
"So...tell me about this boy?" she asks in a flippant manner, but I know she's just as excited as I am.
"He's amazing mum! He's tall, unbelievably blonde with gorgeous grey eyes. He's smart and sweet...he's just the most amazing guy ever!" I thrill, my cheeks heating up.
"Is he rich?!" dad calls from the living room.
I sigh silently to myself. I should have known that's all he cares about.
"Filthy!" I call back.
Mum actually claps her hands at that, "Will he be bringing his parents around?" she asks excitedly.
"No. It'll just be him," I answer, hoping that I'm right. I'm definitely not ready to meet Mr and Mrs Malfoy!
"Deidre, come and sit down for a minute," dad calls from the hall. I hop off the barstool and clank my way over to the hall. I collapse onto the couch at the same time Dudley comes down the stairs.
He's wearing his usually khaki pants, white shirt and hideous jacket combo! Great...Draco is going to have a field day!
"Why aren't you wearing any make-up?!" mum suddenly asks, worry on her face.
"I don't want make-up, mum!" I call back to her, but she's already rushing up stairs. I sigh in defeat and head up the stairs.
Half an hour later, I come back down looking like a doll. Mum teased my hair and pinned it up, so it cascades in waves down my back. My eyes are all smoky and sexy looking, and my already full lips are glossy and slightly pink.
I look...different. I actually like how I look. But Draco has never seen me in make-up. What if he doesn't like it?
As I descend the stairs, dad begins snapping photos furiously. Damn, today is going to be unbelievably embarrassing! Why in the world did I even invite Draco over?!
"How old is the boy, De?" dad asks, as he continues snapping photos.
"18," I murmur back.
"Oh! He's Dudder's age!" mum thrills, looking like this little piece of information just saved the day.
"Now, Dudley, we want you to impress the boy. Can you handle that?" dad instructs clearly. Dudley grins wickedly and nods his head.
Poor, poor Draco! He's about to meet the Adam's family!
Just then the doorbell rings, and mum actually giggles like a teenage girl! Oh my god! I shake my head a couple of times, and give my family some time to arrange themselves in their perfect poses.
Mum stands in front of the doorway to the kitchen, ready to curtsy, dad sits on his armchair, smoking a Cuban and Dudley is on the exercise machine pretending to work out.
I get the door, and my perfect boyfriend stands framed in the doorway looking like God's gift to humankind. His platinum blonde hair looks trendily messy. His cheeks are slightly pink from the cold, and he's wearing this dashing suit that simply reeks of designer!
His eyes rake over me, looking a little surprised. But he grins at me, his hard face warming up immediately.
He pulls me into an embrace, and I simply melt into his chest. Ah, it's been way too long!
Before he loses his self-control, he pulls away, grinning even wider. He holds out a bouquet of white roses for me.
"Draco! They're so beautiful! Thank you!" I peck him on the cheek, his pale cheeks colour slightly, and he chuckles softly. "Come in," I usher him in, closing the door behind him.
"Mum, dad, Dud...this is Draco Malfoy! And Draco, these are my parent's and my older brother, Dudley," I introduce, grinning.
Draco smiles haughtily just like I told him to, and just like I thought, I can see approval in my father's face. Draco walks confidently up to dad, he's easily half a head taller. "Mr. Dursley, thank you for having me over," he holds his hand out and dad takes it, giving him a firm shake. Draco half-smiles and reaches into his coat for something. He pulls out an expensive box and grins at me before turning back to my father.
"My father sends his compliments along with the finest Cuban cigars anyone could ask for," Draco murmurs arrogantly.
"Thank your father for me, son," dad booms, a huge smile on his face. Woo! He called Draco 'son'! I knew Draco would win dad over, but I didn't expect it to be this fast!
Draco smiles then walks over to my mother. She holds her hand out, and Draco raises it up to his lips. Mum giggles highly, utterly embarrassing me.
"Mrs. Dursley, I now know where Deidre gets her looks," Draco murmurs in a sickeningly sweet voice. Good God! I hope he didn't mean I look like her! I pride myself that I don't look like my family at all!
Draco holds out a box of chocolates for mum, and she takes it gratefully.
Dudley stands in the middle of the room, staring in disgust at Draco.
"Dudley, take the boy's coat," dad commands.
Dudley stares in shock, his mouth actually hanging open. Draco grins at me and winks. I giggle.
He pompously hands his coat to my brother, holding his arm out for me. I take his arm happily and we walk into the adjoining parlour, where we usually entertain the higher class guests.
"Deid? What's an exclusive brand for guys clothes that your dad admirers?" Draco whispers into my ear.
"Prada?" I shrug.
"Be careful with that jacket, will you. It's a Prada," Draco calls over his shoulder at my brother, whose shock increases even more.
And obviously just as Draco had wanted, dad's ears suddenly prick up. I can almost see my dad dying to check out the coat.
And to his credit, even Dudley looks impressed. He hangs Draco's coat up carefully, staring at it longingly.
"Take a seat, my boy," dad invites.
"Take his armchair," I whisper to Draco. I'd like to see how dad reacts to that. Usually he'd chase the person off his chair.
Draco nods and walks to the armchair confidently. He sits down, crossing his legs. He looks around the room, his eyebrows raised.
Dad and mum stand opposite him, watching him appraise the room. I can see them actually tensed up for his verdict! Woo! They love him!
"You have a beautiful house," Draco murmurs nonchalantly.
"This old place? Pfft! It's nothing. We just don't want to call too much attention to ourselves," dad murmurs, trying to pretend he's more important than he really is.
Draco shrugs, a ghost of a smile on his handsome face.
Mum and dad stand awkwardly in the doorway and a strained silence pervades the room.
"Are you hungry, Draco?" mum asks, giggling a little.
"Food sounds great, Mrs. Dursely," Draco says sweetly, before shaking his head a little. He shoots me a worried look, and I just grin. That is so adorable! Draco is worried that he was sweet! How much more adorable can he be?
"You can call us Vernon and Petunia," dad volunteers, obviously very taken up by my perfect boyfriend.
Draco nods and follows mum and dad into the kitchen.
"How am I doing?" he whispers into my ear, taking my hand.
"I think they're ready to adopt you," I giggle back.
"I'm fine with that. I'm bunking with you," he grins and kisses my forehead.
I grin back and by then we're already in the kitchen. Dad insists that Draco sit by his side, so I sit beside Draco, holding his hand under the table.
Draco is as good as part of the family already!