The Dragon's Child Bride

A/N: Bwahaha! Chapter done in two weeks or less! How good for me. Actually, I had all this time because I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled over the holiday season. You can only imagine how holly-jolly I was. Oh well. As always, giant thanks goes to Megan for her great work! And if the mood should strike you readers, please review. They make me giddy with joy.



Chapter 28: What's Real...

The next morning, Laylani again refused herself a drink, mentally berating herself for having been so weak yesterday, despite how it had made things seem better for a while. Again, she hadn’t slept that night, fearing she’d sleepwalk, but unwilling to tie herself down, to trap herself not only to the bed, but force herself again into her nightmares. She waited on the couch for Draco, who’d again insisted on walking her to Great Hall for breakfast.

She’d forgiven Draco. Of course she had. By the time he’d apologized at dinner the night before, she’d completely forgotten what he was apologizing for. It had been rather sweet, though.

She hadn’t spoken a word to Draco since potions. Nevertheless, Laylani had toddled down to dinner, pleasantly pissed, and slid into the seat she always filled at the Slytherin table. Draco had joined her a moment later. As the meal appeared on the table, he’d pressed something into her hand. Looking into her lap, she found a single rose and a note.

***

I’m sorry for being such a prat.
Forgive me?

***

She’d smiled then and squeezed his hand and that had been the end of it.

Draco didn’t bother to knock before entering her room.

“Good morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?”

She smiled brightly. “Better.” She replied. It was a bald-faced lie; in fact, she hadn’t slept a wink, but he didn’t need to know that. At least, not now.

“Good,” he said, quietly casting the charm to disguise the heavy bags under her eyes. He pulled her close and she waited for him to kiss her, but it never came. She opened her eyes to see him redoing the skewed buttons of her blouse. He looked up to her and flashed one of his more charming smiles and she smiled weakly back, feeling a bit silly.

Trying to save face she went to kiss him but he’d already pulled away to walk towards the portrait. “Come on, Lani. We’re going to be late for breakfast.” He stepped outside.

“Well, we can’t have that.” She muttered to herself.

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

She’d barely touched her breakfast, and her lunch. Her stomach churned every time she sat down at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall.

She left the Great Hall alone and began mounting the stairs towards that afternoon’s History of Magic with Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws on the third floor. She’d just stepped onto the landing when she caught sight of that familiar platinum hair.

This time she was certain it was Draco; he was leaning against the wall at an angle that allowed her to see part of his face. As well as part of the face of the attractive brunette he was talking to, a Ravenclaw from her tie. Draco and the girl talked seemingly amiably from a distance.

Laylani began to make her way through the flow of students passing by when the pretty brunette’s eyes caught her. The girl abruptly turned away from her and said something to Draco. Laylani was then swept up in a throng of burly sixth year boys. She freed herself just in time to see Draco and the girl turn the corner at the end of the hall. She frowned; she was tempted to go after Draco, but she couldn’t afford to be late for History of Magic again. With a resigned sigh, she turned towards the opposite end of the hall to her classroom.

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

She caught up with her fiancée again on their way to Arithmancy, the last class of the day.

“Draco, who was that girl you were with?”

“I wasn’t with any girl.”

“Yeah you were. Third floor, just after lunch.” He sighed.

“I wasn’t on third floor after lunch. I was in the North Tower for Divination and you know that.” She frowned.

“But you were! I’m certain. She saw me and then she told you and then you two took off. I know it was you!” An irritated frown tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“And you knew it was me yesterday too, right?” She was confused.

“But, but that’s….I know it… I saw…” She sighed heavily. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

Laylani was so confused. Why would he lie to her? What did he have to hide? She frowned. Draco had better not have anything to hide.

But what if he did?

They were on the last of the stairs when Laylani was suddenly hit by a wave of dizziness. She leaned heavily against Draco as she blinked hard, trying to force the world around her to keep still. Her vision grew fuzzy around the edges.

“Laylani? Lani? Are you alright?” Draco had his arms around her, carrying most of her weight as her legs threatened to fall out from under her. She nodded slightly, and a moment later the dizziness passed. They got to the top of the stairs and moved off to the side so she could lean up against the wall for a moment while Draco looked on concernedly.

“What just happened?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Like hell. What happened?”

“Just a little light-headed, that’s all.”

“Headache?”

“No. Well, no more than usual.” He was puzzled.

“Then why…?”

“I don’t know. Come on, we have class.” He nodded uneasily. Laylani pushed away from the wall and he placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at him and he cupped her chin in his hand.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” She gave him a gentle and hopefully reassuring smile.

“I’ll be fine, Dragon. It was just a dizzy spell.” She did a quick spin. “See? Fine.”

“Alright.” He answered, sounding none to sure. Draco was sure to take her hand firmly in his, not wanting to be too far away if she should be subject to another attack of this dizziness.

He repeatedly shot her nervous glances throughout the class, and she steadfastly ignored them. Too many things in her life had become unhinged and she refused to consider another. It was just a bit of dizziness, that’s all! Those types of things happened to everyone. It made her normal. Didn’t it? All Laylani wanted was to feel normal again, even if it was only in small respects.

The class ended and she quickly gathered her things together, eager to retreat to the sanctuary of her rooms. Laylani was barely out the door when Draco’s familiar Quidditch-roughened hand latched on to her small wrist.

“What?” she asked, a little cross. He’d been practically mothering her today and it was starting to get on her nerves.

“Do you want to work on homework in my room or yours?”

She was tempted to tell him neither, to bugger off and leave her in peace for the rest of the day, but she refused to give in to that urge. He’d told her himself he hadn’t been sure of how love truly worked, how to take care of her and perhaps this was the best he could do. He meant well.

“Yours. I just need a few minutes to drop off my things, change into something more comfortable.” He nodded.

“I’ll go with you.”

“No!” The word came out louder than she’d intended, so loud it echoed down the emptying hallway. The few students that remained cast the couple curious looks and Draco immediately let go of her wrist to avoid any seeming of impropriety. “I mean,” she continued, her voice practically a whisper, “I just want a few minutes to myself. How ‘bout I meet you in your rooms in say, fifteen minutes?”

Draco tried to keep his features from registering annoyance and quelled the urge to disagree and insist on going with her. He couldn’t become too obvious with his intentions to monitor her; he knew her well enough to know it would only make her angry. She could have her fifteen minutes, but if she hadn’t reached his quarters in sixteen, he would be coming after her.

“I’ll be waiting.” He replied with his usual smirk.

‘I know you will.’ She thought to herself. She smiled to him before turning to hurry away, desperate for a few moments to herself. She couldn’t reach her rooms fast enough.

The portrait closing behind her, she carelessly dropped her things on the floor, leaving a trail of discarded books and clothes leading to her bedroom. She reached her wardrobe in little more then her underwear and hastily fished through her things for something comfortable to wear. She grabbed a pair of a dark blue jeans red tank top, throwing her black cardigan on for warmth.

She gathered her things off the floor, finding the letter she’d received with this morning’s mail, a weekly update from the Manor. Having a few minutes left before she needed to return to her overbearing fiancé, she sat down to have a read.

***

Dearest Laylani,

Hello! Just a quick note before Mrs. Bulstrode’s Tuesday brunch. Very little has past at the Manor since we saw you last. Lucius is as busy as ever, immersed in his work for both the Ministry and Malfoy Enterprises. Why, if I didn’t see him at dinner, I’d have thought he left for good!

Aside from that, things are much the same as they were when you left for school in January. How lovely it will be to have you and Draco home again. I am eagerly awaiting May when the two of you will finally return to the Manor and begin your lives together.

A last brief note, dear. I don’t know if he’s made mention of it, but Draco’s birthday is little less than three weeks a way, April 6th. When you decide what you would like to give him, send me a note and I’ll have it sent out to Hogwarts for you. If you could please give me a week to spare, it would be greatly appreciated as many spring socials are scheduled for the beginning of April.

Well, I must be off. Brunch is at ten, and I’ve barely fifteen minutes before I’m to arrive. Mustn’t be late!

With love,
Narcissa Malfoy

PS: Don’t forget our date for this Sunday. I should arrive just after noon.

***

Laylani carefully folded the parchment and rose to place it in the drawer of her desk with the others she’d received since she’d arrived. She placed it behind Lucius’ bottles of liquor with the rest, taking a moment to simply stare at the bottles. No, there would be no drinks today, especially when there was homework to be done. Maybe when the week was out, she would invite Draco over for a drink. Maybe she would invite her girlfriends. Not at the same time of course, but maybe.

Closing the drawer, she gathered the things she would need for the night’s homework. She checked the clock. She’d barely five minutes to get back to Draco. Stuffing what was left in her hand into the school bag, she lit out for the Head Boy’s quarters.

Her strides were short and quick, managing to navigate the halls with little difficulty or conscious thought. She’d figured out the timing to the staircases rotation and they hardly gave her any trouble any more.

So Draco was having a birthday, huh? What should she get him? What did you get for someone who could buy anything he liked on a whim? She was sure almost anything he wanted he already had. Surely, there had to be something though. He couldn’t have everything already. There had to be something new he didn’t have yet. Couldn’t she just ask him what he wanted and get it for him?

Laylani frowned slightly to herself. Yes, she could indeed do that, but it lacked imagination. She wanted to surprise him, a good surprise, and asking would certainly take that out of the equation. No she would just have to find out for herself. She nodded to herself, as if to firm that resolve.

She’d stepped onto the landing when Draco rounded the corner, bowling her over.

“Ouch.” She said softly, standing up carefully to rub her behind where she’d fallen. He’d taken her down with a bit of force, even if it hadn’t been intentional.

“I’m sorry. Are you alright?” While the tone sounded cursory, she could see in his eyes that he was concerned.

“Yes, I’m alright. I won’t sit properly for a week, but I’m alright.” He smiled briefly, taking her hand, and turned back towards the stairs leading deeper into the castle.

“You’re late.” She rolled her eyes.

“I would have been here earlier, but my other boyfriend wanted to get in another quick shag, and what can I say? I just can’t say no to him.” He rolled his eyes in return.

“But nothing happened, though? I mean, with you; no dizzy spells or anything?”

“Nothing except the best sex I’ve ever had.”

“Hmm.”

Laylani moved to a different subject. “I got a letter from your mother today.”

“Oh? And how is she?”

“Fine, same as always. She did have a bit of interesting news for me, though.”

“Really?” Laylani smiled.

“Yup. She told me someone is having a birthday.” This got a grin out of him.

“Oh? And who might that be?”

“I’m not sure,” she teased, “Her letter said something about a handsome, charming wizard.” His grin broadened.

“Really?”

“Yeah. You know any?” He frowned, nearly a pout. She laughed and went on, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Because I can only think of one.” She kissed him, relieved to feel him kiss her back. Finally, some attention that wasn’t oriented towards her health.

The kiss was over far too soon, as if it had never begun and Draco continued towards his rooms, his hand still holding hers.

He gave the portrait his password while the child in the painting waved at Laylani, who waved back. They entered his rooms. Laylani noticed Draco had already staked his claim on the desk, his things scattered along its surface. She set herself and her supplies up over the rug by the fire.

“Why didn’t you tell me your birthday was coming up?” He looked up from his parchment that contained the lengthy list of that night’s homework.

“It never really came up.”

“Well, how would it? ‘Oh, by the way Draco, when’s your birthday?’ Not really something that fits in to everyday conversation.”

“What did you expect?”

“I expected that you would have told me.”

“I didn’t think it was that important.”

“Who doesn’t think their eighteenth birthday is important?” Draco could hear the heat rise in her voice. He couldn’t believe it; were they actually going to fight about the fact he hadn’t mentioned his birthday was coming up?

“I just thought you had other things on your mind and didn’t need something else to worry about.”

“Oh.” Draco held in a small sigh of relief as the situation somehow defused itself. He didn’t care why.

Laylani, on the other hand, was saddened. He was willing to put aside his eighteenth birthday, arguably the most important one he would ever have, so she wouldn’t be inconvenienced. She felt guilty; here she was being snappish with him all day, most ungrateful for the fact that he was only providing the help that, whether she wanted to admit it or not, she did need and even then, he was sacrificing important things of himself for her benefit. Well, she most certainly couldn’t have that! No, she would be sure her fiancée got the best eighteenth birthday possible; he deserved it. She smiled at him.

He didn’t notice, too caught up in his Ancient Runes assignment.

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

She poked at her dinner, shifting it around her plate with a fork. She’d had a few bites of Caesar salad, and a bite or two of chicken, but that was about it. She spent the rest of the meal looking over Ravenclaw table for the girl she’d seen Draco talking to earlier that day. She went down the row of Ravenclaws that were facing towards Slytherin table, hoping she might be there. She’d all but given up when she spotted the girl, just near the end, talking animatedly with the girls around her.

Laylani scrutinized her for a moment. She had long hair, reaching just a little farther than the middle of her back before it curled under softly. Her eyes were blue, and she had a slight tan. ‘How odd for winter,’ Laylani thought to herself. She was pretty. Very pretty if it had to be said, and Laylani supposed it did. She rested her chin on her hand, continuing to stare as she lost herself in thought.

The girl’s eyes caught hers for the second time that day and Laylani was met for a brief moment with a guilty look, yet somehow almost pitying before the girl ducked her head. Her surrounding friends leaned in to listen as she spoke before turning in a unison move to stare at her. Laylani quickly looked at her plate.

The meal ended. As they exited the Great Hall, Laylani was sure she saw the pretty Ravenclaw flash Draco a secretive smile. Squeezing Draco’s hand tighter, she discreetly pointed the girl out to him. “Draco? Who’s she?”

He looked over to the girl she’d indicated. “That’s Chambers, she’s a chaser for Ravenclaw. First name is Arianna, I think.”

“Oh.” She answered softly. She was quiet for a moment. “What do you think about her?” He shrugged.

“She’s a fair chaser. She’s got a solid Sloth Grip roll and one hell of a reverse pass.” Laylani rolled her eyes. “What?” he asked.

“I meant what do you think about her as a girl? Do you think she’s pretty?” He furrowed his brow, unsure of the question, but he knew it was a trap.

“Maybe? I don’t know.”

“You have eyes, don’t you?” Draco took comfort in the fact she didn’t sound angry, well not very; she seemed more curious than anything else. He formulated his answer carefully.

“If I did find her pretty, it’s only because she reminds me of you.” For a moment, Laylani’s eyes lost all seriousness and she laughed, which made him smile.

“Smooth, Malfoy. Real smooth.” She managed to get out. He slung his arm over her shoulder.

“What can I say, it’s a gift.” They continued down the hall towards her rooms as her laughter softly died away. They stopped at her portrait entranceway and she entered.

“I’m going to stop by during rounds, is that alright?” Laylani sighed softly. At least he asked.

“Yes, that would be alright.” He smiled.

“I’ll see you then.” He kissed her lightly and was gone. She frowned slightly at his retreating figure. She was gagging for just one of his toe-curling kisses he seemed to be withholding from her. She let the portrait of the maiden fall shut. Making sure it was closed, she hurried to the desk.

He thought she was pretty? Laylani wasn’t sure why this bothered her; it was so hard to think clearly. Even she herself had thought the girl pretty, what did it matter if Draco agreed? She didn’t know why, but it did. Maybe she was just looking for an excuse to drink.

It didn’t really matter to her.

She pulled the cork from the second bottle of Ogden’s, taking a moment to brace herself for the fiery burn of the liquid before she took a long drink. She thought idly to herself that she should get herself a glass, but dismissed it. This wasn’t glass kind of drinking.

She could feel the heat begin to spread through her body, making her smile slightly. She took the bottle with her, sitting hard on the sofa and staring into the fire.

She’d consumed nearly a fifth of the bottle when there was a knock on her portrait. She scowled.

“Draco, if that’s you…”

“Laylani? It’s us.” That was definitely not Draco. It was in fact one Ginny Weasley. And ‘us’ had to mean that Lavender and Hermione were with her. Shit.

She struggled to her feet, catching a glance at herself in the mirror by the archway to her bedroom. She looked drunk, she looked tired. “Shit!” she muttered softly. She rushed through the bedroom into the bathroom, bottle still in had, calling “Just a minute!” over her shoulder.

She shoved the bottle into the shower, pulling the curtain around it before sidling up to the sink, desperately splashing her face with cool water. She could recall that muggles always said that was supposed to help. She could remember doing it on countless occasions before or after spending time with a paying customer.

‘Hardly the same thing now,’ she thought to herself with a bit of a laugh as she dried her face. She couldn’t imagine a Gryffindor girl had come to pay for her… services, let alone three of them. The knock on her portrait brought her back to the present.

“Coming!” She checked her reflection in the mirror; not great, but better. She supposed that was the best she could hope for. Stumbling on the two steps between her bedroom and the common area, she finally reached the portrait, swinging it open wide.

“Hi!” she said brightly. The girls returned the greeting and stood uncomfortably for a moment before Laylani realized she was blocking the entrance. She took a hasty step back. “Come in, come in!” Smiling uneasily, the girls entered. Laylani flopped back in the overstuffed chair. “So, what’s up?” The three Gryffindors sat on the sofa, exchanging glances.

Finally, Lavender said, “We were still on for tonight, right?”

Tonight, tonight….What was tonight? Today was Tuesday. Tuesday hmm…Plans. They had plans! The girls came over after dinner on Tuesdays! She’d completely forgotten.

“Of course! Of course we’re still on for tonight! Did you think I would miss this?” She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten. They’d done this nearly every Tuesday since she’d came. She raised herself off the chair and dropped down onto the sofa with the other girls. Grabbing the top few magazines, she passed them around to her girlfriends, who finally began to relax into their routine, making themselves comfortable on the couch.

There were a few quiet moments, filled only by the sounds of pages turning, but soon the girls were into the full swing of things, talking and giggling, ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aah-ing’ over the magazines. If anyone had noticed anything off about Laylani, no one said anything.

“Can I ask something?” Laylani began during a lull in the conversation.

“Of course.”

“You guys have been so great to me; you’re the only real girlfriends I have, and I was wondering….if you three would like to be bridesmaids at my wedding?” Lavender and Ginny agreed with ecstatic squeals and nods, eagerly flipping through magazines to show the bride-to-be their favourite bridesmaid dresses, but Hermione was quiet.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to; no, she would love to be a bridesmaid, but one had to take into account that this was Malfoy’s wedding. They’d been rivals for as long as they’d known each other, not to mention the main point of tension between them, lineage. She highly doubted Malfoy would want a mudblood in his wedding party, even if he had stopped using that term, at least to her, in recent months. She could only imagine what his parents would have to say about it.

“That would be great Laylani, but…” Laylani frowned. Didn’t Hermione want to be in her wedding? Wasn’t that what friends did? Hermione went on. “Would I really be welcome? I mean, what would the Malfoys think?”

Ginny lost her enthusiasm; she hadn’t thought about that, she’d been so excited to be a part of things and not just a tagalong. “You’re right. I didn’t think of that.” Laylani scoffed.

“Oh, if that’s all. Don’t worry about it you guys, they’ll be fine with it.”

“Somehow I don’t think that’s true.”

“Trust me, it’ll be fine.”

“Really? What will Draco think? And Narcissa? I can only imagine what Lucius would have to say about it.” Ginny scowled at the memory of the man who’d cursed her with that blasted diary. Laylani rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

“Draco isn’t really involved with the wedding planning; he’s pretty much left me with carte blanche. If he does have a problem with it, we’ll come to a compromise. I’m sure he’ll want Marcus and his nasty teeth in the wedding, so that’ll give me some leverage. Narcissa already said I could have anything I wanted for my wedding. And Lucius…” She smirked to herself. “He owes me a favour or two. You see? It’ll be fine.”

The girls nodded hesitantly, and Laylani could tell they weren’t as certain as she. Oh well. They would see. It would all be fine.

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

Draco arrived just after midnight, knowing without seeing that an invisible member of the Order was watching her door. He sincerely hoped it wasn’t one of the professors tonight. Head Boys should not be skulking about late at night to visit their fiancée. They’d be suspicious of him, he was sure. In fact, any member of the Order might be suspicious of him. Damn. He thought it best to explain his presence.

“I’m just visiting. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” He whispered into the darkness. For a moment, there was no reply and he wondered if perhaps he was talking to himself when there was a short response.

“Fine.”

Draco didn’t wait to find out the owner of the voice. He mumbled the password to the painting and stepped over its threshold.

“Laylani?” He found her laying stretch out over the sofa, flipping through a magazine by the light of the fire. She wore her green flannel pyjamas. She looked up.

“Hi Draco!” She said brightly. “I was wondering when you’d get here.” She rolled off the couch, banging her hip on the coffee table in the process. “Ow! Fuck!” she cursed loudly, rubbing her hip lightly. Draco shushed her, worried the member of the Order outside her door might hear and think he was hurting her. She stared at him disbelievingly.

“Did you just shush me?” She laughed loudly, exaggeratedly. “Draco, you and I are the only two on this floor!” She swung her arms out wide. “No ones around for miles! We can be as loud as we want!” She was shouting now.

“Laylani, love, quiet please.” He fumbled for a plausible excuse. “Filch is around and I’m not supposed to be here.”

“Is he allowed in my private quarters?”

“Well, no.”

“Then your secrets safe with me, hon.” She draped herself over him as she said this. “Kiss me.” He smiled; at least she was being quieter, using that throaty voice that made him want to do just what she said. But he couldn’t; if he did, he would not be leaving in the few minutes as he’d promised the invisible member of the Order of Phoenix just outside the door, who could burst in at any minute if they thought she was in any trouble.

“Let’s get you into bed.” She grinned coyly to him.

“I like that idea even better.” She followed him willingly as he led her back into the bedroom, pulling back the comforter and sheets and letting her slide in before tucking the sheets down tightly around her.

“You aren’t going to stay?”

“Not tonight, love.”

“Not even for a little while?” He shook his head.

“Not tonight.” he repeated.

“Just for a minute?” He sighed. The offer was tempting but he simply couldn’t, not if it risked rousing the Order’s suspicion to the true state of her condition.

“Another time, okay?”

“Alright.” She said, clearly pouting. Draco chuckled to himself: she called him a brat?

“Do you want me to tie you down?” She stiffened.

“Um, not, not right now. I’m going to…read for a while still.”

“How are you going to do it yourself?”

“I haven’t gone anywhere yet, have I?” She had a point.

“Alright,” he conceded. Draco leaned in and kissed her lips softly, resisting her attempts to deepen it. “Good night.” She sighed softly.

“Goodnight Draco.”

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

She’d caught glimpses of him with no less than six different girls in the next two days, always when he claimed to be somewhere else. It was ridiculous; he had to know she wasn’t that stupid or gullible. But he insisted, and with no proof other than what she might have seen, she was forced to let it slide every time. Not only that, but he seemed to be less affectionate with her, even in the privacy of their own rooms. She sighed as she took a small bite of the muesli the school had served up for breakfast.

It was rapidly becoming clear to her: Draco was losing interest.

She sighed again, dropping her fork entirely. She shouldn’t be surprised, really. It was probably hard for one to keep feelings that were anything other than platonic for someone that one had to play nursemaid to. Laylani scowled at her plate. There had to be something she could do, somehow make him want her again.

Her gaze drifted to pretty Arianna. What did Draco find attractive in her that he found lacking in his fiancée? She watched the girl discreetly, not wanting to meet her eyes and again be on the receiving end of her pitying, guilty stare. She was pretty, there was no denying, but it had to be more than that.

She thought back to how Draco described her. The first thing he’d told her about Miss Chambers was that she was a chaser, and a good one at that. Another wistful sigh; Laylani was pretty sure that if Draco could change one thing about her, aside from the fact she might very well be going ‘round the bend, was that she had a keener interest in Quidditch. A Quidditch playing girlfriend would tickle his fancy, she had no doubt.

Still it had to be more than that. She’d always been more then willing listen to the one-sided conversations he’d had about the sport; besides, not all the girls he’d been talking to were on the house teams she was sure. It had to be something else that drew him to them.

Her eyes moved from Arianna, to the sixth year Hufflepuff with the striking plum-coloured hair and the other seventh year Ravenclaw with chestnut curls and big brown eyes; they had been the only ones she’d been able to identify so far. What was the difference between her and them? What commonality did they have that Draco found so enticing? She eyed them each carefully, trying to find what set her apart from them.

The first thing she noticed was that all three had their blouses unbuttoned to the third from the top, which drew her attention to the fact that all three girls were much curvier than she. Not just the way she was now, rather lanky from her inability to eat more than a few bites at every meal, but curvier that she’d ever been. Laylani had always been on the small side of a C cup, occasionally even a B, but these girls…Jesus, she wouldn’t be surprised if running gave them a black eye. She instinctively crossed her arms, suddenly self-conscious.

Abruptly, those around her stood up and Laylani realized the meal was over. Hastily finishing the last half of her milk, she exited the Great Hall still watching the girls, trusting Draco, who had her by the hand, not to let her walk into anything.

Their uniforms were form-fitting, much more than hers had ever been, and as Laylani continued to slowly inspect the three girls, she noticed all three of them had much shorter skirts than she. In the case of the Hufflepuff, several inches shorter. Hogwarts was rather lax on dress code so long as it did not approach the obscene. She watched the girls as they went their separate ways, tripping on the first step as she and Draco climbed the stairs to Charms. He grabbed her shoulder and steadied her.

“Are you alright?” He asked, looking to where her eyes had been, trying to see what had distracted her so. She watched as his eyes stayed on Arianna just a little longer than was innocent. She cocked her head. So that was what he wanted? A girl who was willing to parade around in a doctored uniform? She could do that. She could be sexy. Hell, she’d done it professionally.

In Laylani’s experience, she’d dressed like that simply to attract men, preferably paying men. Once things had been solidified with Draco, once she’d been certain he loved her and she loved him in return, Laylani had put all that away, not seeing the need to appeal to his baser side like that. Not when she thought they’d shared so much more. It wasn’t that she didn’t try to look attractive, but anything that was publicly overt didn’t seem to be necessary. But if that was what needed to be done to keep Draco’s attentions, she was not above it. She smiled deviously to herself.

The poor boy wouldn’t know what hit him.

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

She plunked down quietly in her seat next to Draco in Charms class. They were a few minutes early, the room mostly empty. Laylani sat contemplating her plan of action when she noticed Draco looking through several letters. She hadn’t even noticed he’d received any this morning. They seemed to have his rapt attention though, automatically drawing hers.

“Fan mail?” He shrugged.

“Not exactly.” He tossed the second one aside, going to the third.

“Can I see?”

“If you like.” She picked both discarded ones up, scanning the first one

***

To Mister Draco Malfoy,

After reviewing your Quidditch career, as well as attending Hogwarts’ Quidditch Cup, on behalf of the Falmouth Falcons, I am pleased to offer you the position of Starting Seeker upon the retirement of Brigham Knightly at the end of the season.

In addition to a considerable salary, we are also prepared to offer you and your new bride a sizeable benefits package upon acceptance of our offer…

***

Her eyes wide, Laylani moved to the next one.

***

Mister Draco Malfoy,

As the only person to ever twice beat the great Harry Potter, not only in match but in Hogwarts’ prestigious Quidditch Cup, I am pleased to offer you the position of Reserve Seeker for Puddlemere United.

Salary is negotiable, with opportunity for increase based on performance. In addition to the standard team benefits package for you and your new wife, we are also prepared to offer you a modern two bedroom flat in the Wizarding community of London, both Wizarding and Muggle appliance operable.

***

The letter went on, but Laylani was too stunned to take in anymore. Checking the other three letters he’d opened, she found he had also been propositioned by the Tutshill Tornados, the Wimbourne Wasps, and the Ballycastle Bats. Unable to contain herself any longer, Laylani let out a small, excited squeal, throwing her arms around her fiancé.

“Draco!” she gasped. “This is wonderful!”

“Eh.” He shrugged. Her excitement died down.

“Not…wonderful?” Confused was an understatement. With all the talks she’d listened to, practices she’d watched, and hours of training and studying she’d observed, she couldn’t believe he wasn’t even a little excited to be offered his desired position on no less than five professional teams.

“No, it’s nice. I mean, it would be nice but it’s not going to happen, so why bother getting excited?”

“Don’t you want to play professionally?”

“It’s not a question of what I want, Lani. I can’t play professionally after Hogwarts.”

“Can’t? Why not?”

“I’m supposed to go into the family business. Spend a year working under Father at Malfoy Enterprises before heading it up myself.” Laylani pursed her lips. He didn’t sound overly excited about the prospect of working for the Malfoy’s company.

“Well, don’t you want to play Quidditch?”

“I told you, it’s not about what I want-“

“I’m not asking you what you’re supposed to do, I’m asking you what you want to do. Wouldn’t you want to play professionally?” The corners of his lips quirked slightly.

“Well, yeah. Of course. I mean, it’s a dream come true, but I can’t…”

“But you want to?” He turned entirely towards her in his seat.

“Yes. I do want to.”

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“What do you mean, do about it? There isn’t anything to do. It’s out of my hands, set in stone.” Laylani could barely believe what she was hearing. Where was her wild, reckless fiancée, willing to skip out on socials and sneak around Hogwarts halls late at night, working overtly and underhandedly to get what he wanted? Who was this weak-willed defeatist? He went on. “I suppose the only thing to do is to send them notes of refusal.”

“Don’t do that!” Laylani couldn’t, wouldn’t let her fiancée give up on a dream like this without some sort of fight. “Just, give it a month. Tell them you need time to think. They’d have to understand that, you do have five offers after all.” He frowned.

“What difference would it make? I’d only have to-"

“Please? For me? Just one month to think about it?” He sighed.

“Alright, I’ll ask for a month but I don’t see the point.”

“You don’t have to just yet. Give it time.” He nodded, turning towards Professor Flitwick as he began the lesson.

Laylani smiled to herself. Some way, some how, she would find a way for her love to have the chance to live his dreams.