The Dragon's Child Bride

A/N Sorry this took so friggin' long. I had midterms. Anyways, please review because they make me happy!

Chapter 13: The Difference a Year Makes

Draco spent the next morning teaching Laylani how to fly her broom. It was a graceless experience. Flying had always come naturally to Draco, and to have to teach someone else the things he knew on instinct was difficult. But he did his best and forced himself to be patient as well as he could, and by the time they were ready to come in for lunch she had managed to figure out basic steering and kicking off with him sitting behind her. Unfortunately when the time came, it seemed that landing still eluded her. In a panic, she had tried to aim for something soft to crash into, and that left very few options. They landed in a giant snow bank with a great gust of snow.

Laylani stood up and shook herself off. “Well, that went better then expected, wouldn’t you say?” Draco nodded to her in what he hoped be a convincing manner. When she turned to pick up her broom, Draco whispered a small prayer to the gods in thanks for sparing his life. They headed towards the house for lunch.

By the time they got there, the snow that had managed to get inside Laylani’s winter jacket during the landing had melted, leaving her clothes soaked in freezing water. She shivered.

“I’m going to take a shower before lunch, Dragon. I’m cold.” He nodded, thinking that sounded like an excellent idea. He considered it as well, but first he had to talk to his father.

“Alright, love. What do you want for lunch?” She shrugged.

“Just whatever the house elves are making.” She didn’t like the idea of the house elves being slaves chained to the house, but they seemed to be happy there. Still, she tried not to inconvenience them too much.

Draco watched her until she was out of sight and then proceeded to his father’s study. With any luck, Lucius might be in for the day. He knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Lucius was in. Good. This gave Draco the chance to discuss something that had been nagging him since yesterday. Lucius looked surprised to see him.

“Draco. What do you want?” How typical of Lucius to put aside any formality and get straight to the point. Draco felt himself immediately put up his cold and detached air his father had forced on him since childhood. He strode into the office, refusing to take a seat in front of the desk. That would be an admission of his father’s superiority in this place. He stood in front of his father, shoulder’s squared and head held high.

“It’s about Laylani.” Lucius nodded. Draco leaned against the desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yesterday morning, she told me about a dream that she had. She said it was a memory of when she was taken.” Lucius' expression changed from one of boredom to keen interest. He had always loved Laylani like his own; if this could help them find her kidnappers, he needed to know. Draco continued, pleased that he had his father’s attention. “From what she had told me before, it seemed like they were one of those pathetic muggle cults. She said she was on a rock slab with a fire lit around it, surrounded by at least a hundred chanting hooded figures.” Lucius was struck by how oddly familiar that situation sounded. It wasn’t a personal experience but he had heard of something like it before. Something he’d heard or read about perhaps?

Draco went on. “She said that the chanting felt like it was tearing her apart, that it was causing her physical pain but she couldn‘t scream. I had always brushed that off, but then she told me about something that she hadn’t before. She called it ‘the shadow man.’ She said it was like the shadows were pulled out of the ground and the darkness and swirled together in front of where she was lying and made the shape of a man. It started to talk inside mind, looking through her thoughts. Then it announced she’s the one they’ve been looking for. It calls her ‘the foreseen child.’ And then she woke up.”

Lucius stared into the fireplace, his mind trying to process this. It was definitely a familiar situation, quite familiar in fact. And the term ‘foreseen child,’ that he knew he had heard somewhere before. It was some sort of term of importance. Yes, that term was greatly important to something, but what? He sat silently for a few moments, completely forgetting about his surroundings until he heard Draco clear his throat impatiently.

“Oh yes, Draco. Forgive me; my mind must have been wandering.” Draco looked at him expectantly. Lucius was unsure of what to tell him. Should he tell his son that he knew *something* about this, but was uncertain what it was? No, that wouldn’t do. He’d always tried to create a presence of omnipotence in front of his son to give him something to strive for; he couldn’t very well admit that he didn’t know now. So Lucius did what he did best: he brushed him off.

“Son, I’ll look into it, but really that’s not much more than a dream. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to get done.” Draco kept his cool composure on the outside, thanking his father for his time and left the study. Once outside, he began to seethe. Lucius was too busy to find out what had happened to his princess? Draco didn’t know that the instant the door to the study was closed; Lucius had put aside all other work in a frantic search to try and find where he had known that dream from.

Draco scowled and made his way up the stairs. He definitely needed a long, hot bath to ease his mind.

He opened his normally dark bedroom to see light seeping out from under his private bathroom’s closed door. That was odd. Draco was sure he had left it open before he’d left. And there was no reason for light to be coming out from that bathroom either. He opened the door and was greeted by the bath scent of cinnamon. On the floor in the corner was a pile of wet, discarded clothes. Draco walked through his vast and luxurious bathroom around the corner to where his enormous in-ground bathtub lay.

He was greeted by the sight of a naked Laylani, her back towards him as she folded her arms over the edge of the tub and looked out the bay windows. He stood there blankly for a moment, admiring the way her wet hair molded to her back, and how the sunlight cast shifting patterns of shadow along her body.

She had opened the blinds that were normally kept closed. Draco didn’t like the idea of being exposed to the world as he bathed. He knew it was a ridiculous notion; he was on the third floor after all. But he had always done it. It was unsettling to see those windows bared. He was just about to open his mouth to tell her to close the blinds when he came to his senses. He mentally slapped himself.

She was naked in his bathtub and he was concerned with the blinds?!?!?!?

He stripped and silently climbed in. Draco ducked under the waterline and quickly swam over to her, surfacing directly behind her. “Boo.” he said quietly, slipping his arms around her waist.

She gave off a startled shriek. Once she realized who it was, she sighed angrily. “Don’t do that! You scared the hell out of me!” He chuckled and let go of her. She spun around and gave him a nasty look. Laylani ducked under the water once to get the remains of the suds off her then put her hands on the edge and began to lift herself out of the bathtub. Draco put a hand on her hip to stop her.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he said with a smirk.

“I was going to get out. I-I thought you wanted to take a bath.” He laughed but she continued to speak. “I, I’ve never gotten to use a bathtub before - well, no, I probably have but not that I remember, and I only have the shower in my bathroom and this is the only other bathroom that I know where it is and, and…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have used it without asking. I’ll go.” Draco smiled to her.

“Princess, you are welcome to stay. There’s more than enough room for two. Although, I do appreciate the view…” He raked his eyes over her body. She began to blush, realizing just how much she was exposed to him. She quickly lowered herself back in, effectively hiding her body in the bubbles. Draco took her hand and began to pull her towards the other side of the tub.

“There’s a bench on the side over here.” He sat himself down. She was just about to follow suit when he pulled her into his lap. She rolled her eyes.

“Such a gentleman.” she said sarcastically. He looked hurt.

“I am.” Draco said defensively. “Gentleman enough to let that little stunt you pulled last night slide.” She looked at him, a grin playing on her full lips.

“Not for lack of trying.” she shot back. “I heard you trying to open the closet door.”

‘Damn.’ he thought. She had him there. She turned on his lap so that she could at least look at him while they spoke. She slipped an arm behind his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. Laylani felt Draco’s arm move behind her back and his hand rested on her hip. Meanwhile, his other hand began to slip up the inside of her leg. She turned to him with a mock look of scandal on her face.

“Why, good sir, I thought you said you were a gentleman?” He smirk grew into a predatory smile.

“Well madam, it would seem that you had proved me wrong.” She felt the hand that was on her hip move up the side of her body to cup her breast. “So I’ve decided that now would be a good time to indulge myself.” He winked at her as his fingers reached the insides of her thigh. She closed her eyes and returned her head to his shoulder with a contented sigh. His fingers traced a haphazard design on her skin, moving slowly but surely closer to their final destination.

He toyed with her for a few moments more until her little sighs of pleasure became tinged with frustration. He relented and ran a finger across her folds, adding slightly more pressure when he reached her clitoris. She stiffened out of habit when he slid a first long finger inside her but relaxed immediately.

“Mmmmm.” she purred against his throat. He smiled to himself. ‘She’s never made that noise before.’ He idly wondered what other sounds she made. He added another finger and made quick shallow strokes that allowed his thumb to dance over her clit. She began to writhe in his lap, squirming under the intense pleasure he was giving her. Suddenly he stopped.

“Out.” She brought her head up to look at him, completely confused. Draco said it again. “Out. Get out of the tub.” Her look went from confused to hurt. Why was he telling her to leave? What had she done wrong? She began to lift herself off his lap, but apparently not fast enough for him. Draco picked her up and sat her on the edge of the bathtub. He moved from where he sat to turn around and get onto his knees. He hooked her legs over his shoulders and before Laylani could ask what the hell was going on, he ran his tongue over her folds; he had always wanted to taste her. She gasped. The only coherent thought her mind could form was ‘Oh.’

She lay back against the cold tile floor, amazed at the feeling of his tongue lapping at her heat. Laylani had never experienced this before. Not too many guys wanted to pay to give oral sex.

She began to twist under his skilled ministrations making it difficult for him to work. He brought a strong arm across her hips to hold her still. His other arm moved up between her thighs, his fingers again entering her as he devoted the use of his tongue solely to her clitoris.

He marveled at how sweet she tasted. For the most part, his past girls who had been given the privilege of receiving his oral talents tasted bitter at best. Laylani was something totally different. ‘I shouldn’t be surprised by that.’ he thought. She was always what he never expected.

Her moans were becoming more and more frequent and her hip movements more erratic. He knew she was close. He latched his mouth over her clitoris and began apply suction, randomly flicking it with his tongue. His fingers began to piston her slit harder and faster. Draco could feel her walls tightening around his digits. With a shriek she arched her back against the tile floor and she came. Her juices got sweeter if that were possible, and she flooded his mouth with them.

When he felt her body finally relax, he pulled his mouth away from her thighs and got out of the warm water to move up along her body and kiss her. Laylani tasted herself on his lips and smiled. She closed her eyes, enjoying the afterglow of a breathtaking orgasm. As for Draco, he was feeling pleased as well. It was an odd feeling for him to be so content even though he hadn’t gotten his.

He laid himself across her, supporting most of his weight on his elbows. Laylani ran lazy fingertips up and down his back. He looked out the windows, now glad that the blinds were opened. The warm sunlight felt good on his naked body. He was lost in thought when he felt her shiver underneath him.

“Sorry, love. You must be freezing.” He got off of her and grabbed a towel from the closet. He helped her to her feet and wrapped the fluffy green cotton material around her body. Laylani’s legs were still shaky from the pleasure she had experienced, so he bent over and picked her up. Draco carried her from the bathroom back into his bedroom and laid her on the bed. From the side table he grabbed his wand and cast a drying spell on the both of them and pulled the slightly damp towel off her body dropping it onto the floor.

He was about to crawl in with her when he thought of something. He got up and opened all the curtains in his room, letting sunshine in to what was normally his ever-so-serious chamber of darkness. It wasn’t the same place with her in it. It felt wrong, almost blasphemous to hide her from the light.

The room now fully illuminated, he climbed into the bed and felt her snuggle closer against his body, placing her head on his shoulder. Draco looked at her intently trying to memorize her features, how the light and shadow moved over her face, the warmth of her bare skin against his. He never wanted to forget that moment.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next few days were stressful for everyone involved. Lucius spent them in his study, reading over all the material he possessed that could possibly explain how he knew Laylani’s dream. Draco was busy finishing the excessive homework he had put off, and Laylani spent them trying to pack, buy supplies, and keep her sanity. Narcissa, naturally, was zealously making arrangements for the family to attend a New Year’s party at the Flint household. And yet somehow they all managed to keep themselves together until the 31st.

They were to arrive at the Flint’s by six, so naturally Narcissa was harping on Laylani about dressing, makeup and hair by one. Laylani took it all in stride, albeit a bit nervous. She knew how important this party was to Narcissa; the woman had gone on for weeks on end about how many important and powerful wizards and witches would be there, how important it was that things went well, etcetera, etcetera…

It had only the night before did Narcissa reveal the most important source of her worry to Laylani. It had been just after dinner while the two of them were sitting in the library. Narcissa had seemed on edge all evening, but her nervousness had peaked by the time she spoke.

“Laylani, tomorrow isn’t only an important party for the family, but for you as well.” Laylani nodded absentmindedly, not really paying attention. Narcissa had talked about the party for so long now that it all sort of ran together. “You see love, tomorrow will be your unveiling to wizarding society, and also… well, it will also be an announcement of your betrothal to Draco. I know I should have mentioned this to you sooner darling, but there will be several members of the press there, and it’s imperative to the family name as well as to Draco and yourself that you make a good impression on them and the other guests.” Laylani's jaw dropped. Where the hell had all this come from? Unveiling? Did people even use that word anymore? And betrothal? What did it mean for her?

Narcissa, with her keen interpersonal skills, read almost all of that from the brief flicker of emotion that crossed the girl’s face. Still, there were rules that had to be laid out in order for the following evening to be successful. Narcissa continued, pretending that she was oblivious to Laylani’s reaction.

“As I’ve said before, you are practically a Malfoy. Your behavior needs to demonstrate that. Do you understand what that implies?” Laylani shook her head.

“A Malfoy’s behavior in the public eye needs to uphold certain standards of dignity and grace.” Narcissa had to keep herself from cringing as she said those words aloud. That was the same phrase Octavia Malfoy, Lucius’ mother, had used on her when she was Laylani’s age. That woman had been, and in many respects still was, the devil in designer robes and nothing Narcissa did was ever good enough for her son.

In retrospect, Narcissa understood this behavior. The preservation of the sanctity of the Malfoy name in society rested solely on the woman’s shoulder; just as she was now, Octavia had worked hard since her marriage to keep in tradition and was not about to let some silly girl wreck a reputation that had taken literally centuries to cultivate. Narcissa returned her wandering focus to the matter at hand.

“That means there are a lot of restrictions to be placed on your mannerisms and behavior. First, there will be none of this shy attitude that you seem to take on in public. Socializing is key. Secondly, you are to keep yourself in check; no indulging in anything including food or alcohol. Gluttony is not only a sin, it’s unbecoming of a lady. You are to be respectful of everyone at all times. *Everyone* regardless of what they say or do. You are not to make trouble of ANY kind. Finally, you are to address all questions with a certain amount of discretion. The more mystery a woman has the better. Do you understand?”

Laylani understood. She understood that she had to pretend to be everything she wasn’t. That couldn’t be too hard, could it?

She had retreated to her room shortly after that. What on earth was happening? One minute everything was all sunshine and happiness and suddenly the fate of the holy Malfoy name was on her shoulders? Who was she to socialize with? The only people she was going to know at this party would be the Malfoy family. And questions? Who would be asking these questions and what would they be about?

And what would she wear?

She had been told the dress was formal but in the conventional manner, meaning suits and dresses. Until that very moment, she had been planning to wear a simple dress that Narcissa had bought for her when she first arrived; now that she had somehow become the center of everything, she knew that it would never do.

Laylani was ready to cry by the time she got to her bedroom door. She opened her door, preparing to let the loose the floodgates when her eyes fell on her bed. Not the bed itself, but something on it. It was an extremely large box with a bow and a tag. She approached the box cautiously as if it were a vicious dog. She hesitantly reached out and picked up the card. There was no name on it, but she was positive it couldn’t be for anyone else, so she opened it.

Inside was a plain white piece of paper with elegant writing on it. It read:

***

To my princess,

I hope you like it, Cinderella.
With love,

Your knight

***

With shaking hands Laylani undid the bow and the ribbon fell away from the box. He surely couldn’t have remembered… could he? She flipped open the lid of the box.

‘Oh, Gods.’ She thought. It took her breath away. It was a rich forest-green gown. She lifted it up out of the box and inspected it. It was beautiful, made out of some sort of silk with a full length skirt and a halter neckline that was (thankfully!) not very revealing. Again she felt the prickle of tears at her eyes, but these were different. They were tears of happiness, a notion she had thought was ridiculous until that very moment.

Laylani couldn’t believe he had remembered. She had mentioned it once, in passing, that she had always wanted a gown and he had actually remembered. He’d even remembered the reference to Cinderella she had made.

If she wasn’t sure before, she was sure now. Draco was the most wonderful man on earth, and she loved him. She loved him with all her heart, the very fiber of her being and soul.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They arrived at the Flint’s stately home just after six via portkey. Narcissa called it ‘fashionably late.’ They arrived inside the front door where they were greeted by two timid house elves, one who took their coats and the other lead them to the Flint’s ballroom. Almost immediately the family was inundated by photographers and reporters. More specifically, they were inundated with questions about Laylani, who she was, where she came from, what she was doing here, although none of those questions were directed to her. Laylani put on the cool smile she had been practicing since last night, trying to match the one on Draco’s face. Narcissa answered the questions with a single reply.

“All shall be revealed shortly, gentlemen. If you will excuse us for a moment?” She stepped forward and the reporters cleared a path for the Malfoys, like Moses parting the Red Sea. Laylani followed the Malfoys, clinging to Draco’s hand for support and trying desperately to seem like she belonged, that things like this were commonplace for her.

The Malfoys walked towards a group of three that looked like a family, sort of. There was an older man, certainly older than Lucius but not ancient, with graying hair and a thick moustache, flanked by a woman who must have been his wife. She was of similar age, perhaps a few years younger and her hair had not yet begun to gray. Finally there was a dark-haired young man, what Laylani could only assume was the couple’s son. But the way they stood, close enough to know they were together but far enough apart that it was obvious of their indifference to each other, it made her question them. Lucius was the first to speak.

“Aurelius!” he called in greeting, shaking the man’s hand. “How’ve you been, old man? Violet, Marcus, delightful to see you as well. You remember my family? My wife Narcissa, my son Draco.” They nodded to each other in acknowledgement. The two families exchanged quiet pleasantries before the three strangers turned there eyes to Laylani. She had to force herself not to flinch under their appraising gaze. Lucius gestured to her with a wave of his hand.

“And this lovely young woman is Miss Laylani Stanners. She’s just recently rejoined us from being away.” Laylani forced herself not to react to what he had just said. Away? She had been kidnapped for God’s sake and had unimaginable evils done to her! ‘But,’ she supposed, ‘that probably wouldn’t fit in with the grace and dignity of being a Malfoy.’ Though he hadn't come out and said she had been on a pleasure cruise, he was letting them think something of the sort, probably to avoid 'unpleasantness.' Still, it stung to have her ordeal trivialized like that. Lucius finished his introductions. “Laylani darling, this is the Flint family.”

She nodded. “Of course. How nice to meet you.” Mr. Flint barely acknowledged her, but she was starting to get used to that. He turned to Draco in response.

“So this is the bride-to-be? You’re a lucky man, young Malfoy.” Draco smiled and said his thanks.

At least Mrs. Flint had the decency to acknowledge that Laylani was actually present. “So Laylani, you’ve been away? Tell us, where have you traveled?” The Malfoy family held its breath. They hadn’t considered what to say should someone question her prolonged absence. Luckily, Laylani had. She knew she couldn’t get away with all-out lying because someone would eventually check into her story and find out what really happened, so she stuck as close to the truth as she could without actually telling it.

“I’ve been off traveling around America, actually. It was really quite lovely.” Okay, that last part had been a bit of a lie. Most of the parts of America she’d seen had been ghettos, slums and cesspools. Still, if she had 'traveled' in the lifestyle they would have expected her to, she supposed what she would have seen would’ve been picturesque. This seemed to satisfy Mrs. Flint’s curiosity. The Malfoy’s breathed a collective sigh of relief. Draco squeezed her hand and flashed her a proud smile. Then he turned his attentions to Marcus, while the parental units drifted off to visit other aristocratic socialites.

“So, Marcus, how’s life in the family business?” Marcus grunted.

“Not bad, not bad. It’s not professional Quidditch, but I make what I can out of it.” Laylani stood idly by, transfixed by this Marcus. More specifically, his teeth. This boy had the absolute worst teeth she had ever seen! So much so that it kind of creeped her out. They were horribly crooked and practically yellow. She wondered to herself why they didn’t just fix them with magic. It was a repulsive sight, but she couldn’t stop staring. Draco had to shake her shoulder to get her attention. She tore her eyes away from Marcus’ bared fangs to face her beautiful (especially by comparison) Draco. She knew it was incredibly shallow, but it was almost like a wave of relief washed over her to see Draco’s handsome features and thankfully perfect teeth.

He looked at her curiously, but continued. “Marcus used to be the Captain of Slytherin’s Quidditch team before he graduated.” Laylani tried not to look directly at Marcus.

“Oh, really? What are you doing now?” She looked just to the left of him, but out of the corner of her eye she could see him leering at her. ‘Oh Gods,’ she thought in panic, ‘He thinks I’m attracted to him. Ewww.’ Inwardly, she cursed herself again for being so superficial and not even giving him a chance. Maybe this Marcus would be a wonderful boy if she got to know him. She forced herself to look him in the eyes, not letting them drift lest they should fall on those hideously hypnotic teeth.

“It’s mostly production and shipment of traditional wizarding goods. You know, cauldrons, ingredients, things like that. It’s been the family business for five generations.” He puffed himself up with pride, as if that information was supposed to impress her. She just smiled and nodded.

“That must be nice.”

“It’s alright. I want to expand into the area of Quidditch; brooms, equipment and whatnot. But my father refuses to even consider it 'til I’ve found a proper wife. Says it’ll take up too much of my time. He’s president of the company so what he says, goes.”

“Any prospects on the horizon, mate?” Draco asked. Laylani could feel Marcus’ eyes running up and down her body appraisingly.

“Maybe.” he said suggestively.

That was all Laylani could take. Draco’s friend or not, she refused to be ogled by the Wicked Teeth of the West. She drew up the best smile she could.

“Won’t you excuse me?” She left without waiting for them to reply. As soon as she was out of view of the two young men, she shuddered slightly.

After she got the convulsions out of her system, she realized what a fine state she had gotten herself into. She had just walked away from two of the six people she knew at this party, and the others were somewhere off in the abyss. It looked like she was on her own for the time being. She had no other choice but to socialize like Narcissa had told her.

Laylani decided to start with just one person, someone who looked approachable. She scanned the sides for outliers and wallflowers. She was looking for anyone else who looked as thought might feel they too didn’t belong at this swank affair. Her eyes fell on a young man who looked just about her age, maybe a few years older. He was handsome, tall and lean with sandy brown hair and wearing what seemed to be an expensive Italian suit. He stood outside the groups of socialites, looking rather bored.

‘Well,’ she thought, ‘There’s no better place to start.’ She walked as confidently as she could to where he stood alone. As she approached his eyes locked with hers. Suddenly she got nervous. What was she supposed to say? How was she to introduce herself?

Oh, crap! She had reached him. He looked at her expectantly. What was she to say? Her mind searched for something, anything to say to break the ice with this man.

“Excuse me, is your name Steven?” Oh, Merlin. She’d said that out loud, hadn’t she? Her usual mental slap at her own stupidity had become a mental ass-kicking. Unfortunately, the damage had been done. She did her best to look innocently questioning. He gave a small laugh.

“No, I’m sorry, it’s not.” Okay, now what?

“Oh, my mistake. I don’t know anyone here and it’s been quite dull. I thought I recognized you but I guess not. My name’s Laylani by the way, Laylani Stanners.” The man shook her hand.

“Adrian Pucey. It’s a pleasure to meet someone else who’s as bored as I am. These things are always tedious. More than anything else, it’s a chance for the rich to boast about themselves to each other. I don’t know why I came.” Laylani gave him a mirthful look, eyeing his suit critically.

“You’re obviously rich enough to be here, Adrian.” He gave her a pseudo-conspiratorial look. He gestured her to lean in closer.

“Nope, not rich at all. I jumped someone for this suit and then threw his body into the river. Don’t tell.” She giggled. Finally, someone who could have a sense of humor about themselves. She calmed her laughing and tried to regain her composure.

“You must have come for some reason, if it was worth mugging and murdering.” He grinned.

“Well, maybe I was hoping for a dance with a pretty girl.” he said, offering his arm. She grinned, a little flattered. Still, she was having fun joking with this man. She picked out the largest, oldest, ugliest woman in the room she could see and pointed discreetly.

“Then it’s your lucky night!” He laughed and she took his arm. Adrian led her on to the dance floor. The talked and laughed the whole time. It was wonderful. It turned out they had a few things in common, too. Adrian knew Draco, had been a chaser on the Slytherin house team for a few years, as well as with Marcus. Before she could stop herself, she spoke.

“How could you look at those teeth of his?” He laughed despite her embarrassment at her faux pas.

“Maybe this is just me, but usually the male Quidditch players don’t check out their captains. Or most other blokes for that matter.”

“Of course, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that in the first place. Draco introduced me to him, and I just couldn’t stop staring! Speaking of the Dragon, I should find him. Narcissa and Lucius are probably going to want to make the announcement soon.” He eyed her suspiciously.

“An announcement, you say?" He wiggled his eyebrows. “What about?” She laughed, pulling away as the song ended.

“All will be revealed shortly, sir. Thank you for the dance, Adrian.” He bowed slightly.

“My pleasure. It’s nice to have an ally against the nobles.” She made her way into the crowd, searching for Draco. It didn’t take long to find him. He stood not far away from where she had been dancing with Adrian. It was the first time all evening she had a real chance to admire him. He looked....'Wow.' was the only word in her mind she could find to describe him. He was wearing a black suit with a gray dress shirt, the top button undone. He looked hot. Like the first time she had laid eyes on him, Laylani thought he was truly far too handsome and sophisticated to want to be in her company. And yet, somehow there he was all the same.

Draco saw her approach and smiled warmly. Quickly, he remembered where he was and the smile turned into his trademark smirk. As she neared him she whispered "I saw that." She hooked her arm in his and he pulled her towards a large staircase where his parents were standing with the Flints. Just before they made it to where a crowd had begun to form he whispered to her.

"They're going to make the announcement now. You won't have to say anything, so don't worry, love. Just stay calm, follow my lead and everything will be fine." She nodded and with him, she climbed up to the middle of the stairwell where the Malfoys and company stood, elevated as to be seen and photographed properly. As they took their place a step above everyone else, the room quickly fell silent and all eyes turned to them. Lucius spoke.

"First, I would like to thank all our friends who've joined us this evening. It wouldn't be the same without you. Tonight is not only the dawn of a new year, but the dawn of a new era. Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce to you of the engagement of my only son, Draco Edmund Malfoy," she felt Draco stiffen at the mention of his middle name, "to a young woman very dear to us, Miss Laylani Rissa Stanners." Everyone applauded. After a moment, Lucius made motion for silence.

"The wedding shall take place May the twelfth of this year. You are all cordially invited to celebrate with us, including our friends in the press." There was more applause and also the popping of blinding flashbulbs. Laylani tried to keep her cool smile unwavering while she ran the new information through her head. So the wedding took place on her birthday, hmm? Odd. She wondered why that was, but decided to ask later. Laylani returned her attention to the scene before her. The reporters were practically begging for Draco to give her a kiss for pictures. He obliged.

Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his soft, thin lips to hers. He dipped her slightly, careful not to lose his balance. The crowd cheered and again there were endless flashes. When he finally released Laylani from the kiss, she was a faint shade of pink. Draco kept one arm around her waist and pulled her closer to himself.

Reporters began to shout out questions, and the Malfoys answered them as best they could. Laylani was relieved that nothing was asked directly to her. She was having a hard enough time not flinching under the lights, let alone speaking to this faceless mob.

A part of her worried about her picture being in the paper. The Dark Robes might see it, they might find out where she was. She would be easy prey if that were to happen. Laylani tried to force that thought back. They wouldn't follow her from the States to Great Britain, would they?

'Of course not' she thought. Besides, they Malfoys surely had the money and power to protect her should they try anything.

Right?

After nearly fifteen minutes of incessant and prying questions, Lucius finally ended the interview. The family posed for a few last pictures, and then the party resumed. Laylani moved into a darker corner of the room and slipped off her high heel shoes. She breathed a sigh of relief as the soles of her feet lowered onto the cool marble floor. She leaned back against the wall and watched the socialite groups pass her by, completely oblivious to her presence. She heard them talking about so many trivial things, like who was wearing what, how someone was making a pig out of themselves at the buffet, how so and so had such an impressive family lineage. Laylani would've laughed if she hadn't known that this was the world she was to become a part of.

She couldn't help but sigh sadly. She did love Draco, and he was most definitely worth resigning her social life to these silly parties, but still she had hoped for something more; something where she might have fit in, might have been able to be herself. Laylani was so lost in her thoughts she didn't see Draco approach. She was startled when she felt him softly tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. He stood next to her and leaned back against the wall.

"I didn't get the chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight, Princess." She grinned a little.

"Thank you for the dress. It's everything I ever wanted." He noticed the unhappiness in her eyes and tried to read her expression despite the dim lighting.

"You aren't enjoying yourself, are you?" She tried to force a smile. Laylani knew it was important to be a part of the world he lived in.

"No, no, love. This is nice. Really." As much as she wanted to, she couldn't keep a small sigh from tinting the end of her words.

He rolled his eyes. "Lani, has any one ever told you what rotten liar you are?" Damn, he had found her out.

"I'm sorry Draco, I'm trying. I'll do better, I promise. I know how important it is for the family and to us for me to be a part of these things." He stared at her in disbelief. What?

"Well, bollocks to that! What say you we skive off for awhile... just go and have some fun?" Laylani balked.

"B-but aren't I supposed to-" He pressed a finger to her lips, cutting her off.

"Maybe. But sometimes you have to be a little selfish, even a little reckless. We'll be back soon enough. Besides, there's something that I need to show you." She gave him a wary look.

"But Narcissa will-"

"Will never know." he finished. Laylani didn't know why, but there was a hint of something wild in his eyes that she had to agree to.

"Alright." she said. He took her hand and pulled her close to him. With a soft 'pop' they apparated onto the Malfoy property, near the lake. It was just by where he had taken her on their first 'date' of sorts.

The instant her bare feet touched the snow she yelped and practically leapt into his arms. Draco stood, feeling her cling to his body and watched her jump from one foot to the other. He laughed.

"I suppose I should have mentioned that shoes were required?" She made a face at him.

"Please forgive me if I thought us ditching would have given me time to get them." she spat. Laylani closed her eyes, drew up her focus and whispered a warming charm. She felt it take effect and she let him out of her hard grip and lowered her feet onto the snow.

"I believe you have something to show me." He winked at her.

"A little impatient, aren't we?"

Draco took her hand and led her to the clearing. Just as before there were about two dozen floating candles, but now also countless rose petals. She looked to the ground, and they were strewn along there to. He called her name, and she lifted her gaze to where he had once stood... only to see him in front of her on bended knee.

Her mind reeled. 'Merlin, is he going to...' He pulled out a small, square box from his pocket and whatever thought was to come to her next changed into 'Ohgodsohgodsohgods.'

"Laylani, every day you've been in my life you have made it more and more amazing. I love you like nothing else I have ever known, and never want to live another day without you. I need to hear it from you; I need to know you want this just as much as I do. Laylani Rissa Stanners, will you please do me the honor of being my wife?"

He opened the box to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. Her eyes began to water with tears as she reached down and put her hand to his face. She stared into his eyes, and knew that her own reflected the honest love and longing she saw in his. She saw them waver and only then did she realize she hadn't said anything.

'The poor boy must be going out of his mind with worry.' she thought. She smiled to him.

"Yes, I will. Of course I will." His worried face broke into a huge grin. Laylani dropped onto her knees in front of him and kissed him hard. She could feel the passion with which he returned it. After a few moments their kiss was broken, leaving them both breathless. Draco fumbled with the box, but somehow managed to get the ring out and slip it onto her finger. She looked to it and smiled, then back to him. She had never been so happy.

They stood up, out of the snow, unable to take their eyes off each other. Although she was giddy with joy, she could still appreciate how much thought he had put into this. He'd done it privately, away from those stupid cameras and reporters. He had brought them to where they shared their first kiss. And that he'd asked her in the first place. Hadn't just assumed, hadn't just expected, he had asked her to marry him. Her silly grin got wider until her face began to hurt.

"I'm sorry to do this love, but it's nearly midnight. We should get back to the party." Laylani couldn't speak, just nodded with her grin still plastered from ear to ear. Draco pulled her to him again and they returned to their dark corner at the Flint mansion, almost as if they had never left. He removed the warming charm for her while she climbed back atop her ridiculous heels, not that they bothered her anymore. Nothing could bother her. Draco had asked her to marry him! They walked out of the shadow hand in hand onto the dance floor. The two of them danced together for the rest of the evening, refusing all offers for other partners.

Laylani's mind drifted to the previous New Year. She'd spent it like a hobo, riding in the boxcar of a train through Colorado, sharing a bottle of swiped champagne with one of her homeless comrades. She'd never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would even live in a house in twelve months time, let alone a mansion with a family that loved her and now a fiancée.

What a difference a year makes.

A/N: About the teeth: If Laylani seemed a little shallow, that's a personal thing. Bad teeth give me the heebie jeebies and I couldn't help but put that in her character, just for fun.