Where Do We Go From Here? [A Hogwarts Love Story]: Chapter fortytwo- Preball Part I

The two weeks that preceded Draco's Coming of Age ball were something out of a dream...something I had always wanted with himbut wasn't sure I'd ever get.
The majority of the first week was devoted to preparing for his ball. I hadn't realized just how much I was involved, and finding out made me even more nervous.
As it turned out, I would be wearing some outrageous ball gown that Poppy had been working on ever since she took my measurements. I felt awful that she was going through so much trouble, but I also felt glad that I would not be in chargeof my own ensemble; I didn't want to make the same mistake Pansy hadand dress improperly.
The Malfoys had their very own ball room. Narcissa had taken me inside to show me what it would be like. Just above the fabulous hall was a small holding room where Draco and I would wait while all the guests filed in. From the room, we would walk down a hallway to a set of red carpeted stairs.
Everyone would be watching and waiting for us, and that made me anxious. What was even worse is that Draco and I would not walk down the stairs together. He would go first so that everyone could watch this now grown man wait for his date.
"It's an odd tradition," Narcissa had said. "But that's how it's always been. The man comes down first to be accepted into the adult world. Then his date comes after him. This is basically to show that the woman follows the man and comes to him...it seems a bit unfair, but that's how it is in the old English families."
I didn't really know how I felt about playing this sort of subservient roll in front of complete strangers. I was used to being stubborn and strong willed and occasionally waspish; but maybe it was time to let go and let Draco take the lead and protect me, just like he had always tried to do.
So after I walked (hopefully gracefully) down the steps, I would hit marble floor and take Draco's arm. He would then lead me in the very first dance, a slow waltz of sorts, under the six sparkling chandeliers.
And then... I would have to pass the judgement of many important people and relatives, Draco's cousins in particular. I think that was the scariest thing of all; I didn't want to let all Poppy's hard work be a waste, I didn't want to embarrass Narcissa, and I never ever wanted to let my Draco down. I didn't know whether I wanted the ball to come quickly so I could get it over with, or if I didn't want that night to come at all.
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Although my mind was full of fears and anticipations, Draco did a wonderful job that second week trying to keep my mind clear and happy. Theday before the ball stands out in my mind the very best...
Usually Poppy would wake me up, but on thatFriday morning, Draco woke me up by kissing me lightly on the cheek.
"Hey," he whispered when I opened my eyes.
"Hey," I mumbled into my pillow.
"Wake up," he said. "Get dressed and meet me by the pool."
"Okay," I said. I decided to ignore him completely and rolled over onto my stomach.
"Oh, no you don't!" he said shaking me. "Get up!"
"Sure thing," I said, pulling the covers over my head.
"UP!" he shouted, smacking my rear end and dashing from the room before I could retaliate.
I sighed and pulled myself out of bed. I washed my face, combed my hair, brushed my teeth, and dabbed on a little makeup. I got dressed in a pair of white jean shorts, a beaded tank top, and my favorite jeweled sandals.
Rubbing my tired eyes, I trudged down the stairs to find that Poppy was waiting for me.
"Morning, Miss Conner!" she said.
"Hey Poppy," I said. "Could you possibly direct me to the pool? Nearly two weeks here and I still haven't been out to see it."
"That's what I'm here for, Miss," she said as she took my arm. "Right this way."
And she led me to the back of the front room into a smaller room I had never bothered to go into before. In that room, there were a few plants placed against the wall, a small couch, and double glass doors.
Poppy motioned toward the doors and I pushed them open and stepped into the sunlight. I blinked my eyes rapidly until my they were able to adjust. When they finally did, I heard a small gasp escape my mouth.
The floor was a blinding white marble. The piece of floor I was staring at simply sloped directly into the pool. I could see that the other end of the pool was very deep and also surrounded by the white marble. I stared at the sparkling blue water for a moment longer, then decided to take in the rest of my view.
The whole pool area was surrounded bypalm treesand hibiscus plants. I looked to my right and saw several tables shaded by big umbrellas, beach chairs, a bathroom, and even a bar.
"Ev!" Draco called from the farthest table. "Over here!" I smiled and walked over, hearing my shoes tapping against the marble.
"Draco, this is beautiful!" I said, sitting on the chair he had pulled out for me.
"I was hoping you'd like it," he said. "This is just the first part of our relaxing day!"
"The first part?" I said, interested and excited. "There are other parts to a whole day you've planned for relaxation?"
"Uh huh," he said with a grin. "Tomorrow's the ball. I'm nervous, and I know you are too. But today we're just going to forget all that. How does that sound?"
"Perfect," I sighed. I relaxed in my chair and Poppy brought out a bowl filled with all sorts of fruits: pineapple, blueberries, manderine oranges, strawberries, kiwi, and watermelon.
Draco and I fed each other, giggling and occasionally "accidentally" missing each other's mouths. After we had eaten as much as we could, Draco suggested we go for a swim.
"I don't have a bathing suit," I said, noting how hot it was and how badly I'd love to go swimming.
"Oh Ev, do you really think I'd leave you without a swimsuit?" he said, rolling his eyes.
"No, I don't suppose you would," I said with a smile. "In that bathroom then?"
"Yes ma'am," he said. "There's one right on the counter. Poppy picked it out...I did have you in a meshy sort of thing, but Poppy vetoed it."
"You're sucha pervert!" I said, standing up and smacking him on the back of the head. "And that's for earlier!"
I walked into the bathroom and let out a little sigh. Poppy had left a simple red and white striped bikini with a bandeau top. I threw it on and twirled around in front of the mirror. Thank the lord all this fancy dining I had been doing hadn't taken a toll on my physique.
I popped out of the bathroom to find Draco was already at the other end of the pool, waiting to jump in. I felt my eyes widen a bit and my lips part....I had forgotten just how very beautiful every muscle of Draco's body was. I had finally worked my way up to his face and then realized he was staring at me too. I hoped he was thinking something similar to what I had been.
I walked over to him, hoping my skinny, reasonably well-toned body was good enough. When I reached him, he stared just a moment longer before snatching me up and kissing me fiercely. I let out a tiny puff of air through my nose and kissed him back.
He let me go and took my hand.
"Ready to jump?" he asked, grinning.
"Yes," I said. "But what are you so happy about?"
"If you saw yourself the way I see you, you'd know exactly what I'm so happy about," he said. I blushed and he squeezed my hand.
"Ready?" he said. "One...two...THREE!" And we leapt off the pool deck and into the refreshing water, still holding hands.
Our heads broke the surface and he pulled me to a little seat in the deep end of the pool and sat me on it. He was tall enough to stand in front of me between my legs. He let out a little laugh.
"What?" I said.
"You look likea little blonde raccoon," he said.
"Oh!" I laughed too. "My mascara...."
"Here," he said, taking my face in his hands. "Let me get it." And he gently rubbed my cheeks with his thumbs, getting closer and closer with his lips until we kissed.
"What happened to helping me out?" I said when we broke apart.
"Sorry," he said against my cheek. "That beautiful face distracts me too easily." I giggled and wrapped my arms and legs around him.
"I love you," I sighed, my lips barely above the water.
"I love you too," he said. "And I always will."
"Promise?" I said, imagining living this way with him forever.
"I swear," he said. And something in the tone of this voice, in his touch, told me he meant it.