Smile Like You Mean It

Hey All!

Ok, so I left this story a while ago to pursue other projects. For a time I was writing a follow-up to a novelette I wrote years ago but life overtook me and I ended up not writing anything for a few months.

But now I’m back and hopefully will finally finish this story as I think it deserves an ending (which I already have written. I just have to get there!)

Hope you like this. As always, feedback is appreciated!

xxx Aera




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Chapter 37 - Cupboard Under The Stairs


Draco stood at the edge of the crowd watching couples dancing. A stirring song soared above the noise of people conversing quietly. His finger kneaded the head of his cane, twisting it, grinding it into the stone floor. His eyes were fixed on one particular couple, easing their way between the dancers, holding each other close as they stepped in perfect unison.

He had wondered at first, questioning his own intuitiveness. When she entered with the man dressed as a king she had caught the attention of pretty much everyone. Dressed in a magnificent gown of dark, slightly gothic colours, she had been a perfect rendition of the Fairy Queen, Mab. Her mask was delicate but inlaid with a powerful expression of confidence. His eyes had followed her, noting the graceful movements, the raised chin. He had guessed it was Aera even before he caught sight of her dark brown eyes as they scanned the crowd.

But that begged the question why she was dancing with someone else. His initial fears, that she had truly been playing him all along, that she was there with someone else, were beaten down immediately He knew when someone was lying and she had been honest in her feelings.

So that left one alternative. She thought whoever she was with was him. He watched as her dance partner pulled her close, one hand drifting dangerously lower. Aera stepped away and Draco let out a silent sigh of relief. His grip on the cane had become painfully tight. He began to make his way forward, determined to reveal himself to her, to prevent any new misunderstandings.

Before he could, however, she had taken the interloper by the hand and led him out of the hall. Hindered by numerous frolicking couples, he had lost them in the crowd, reaching the Entrance Hall and finding no sign of them. He had spent the best part of an hour searching the classrooms and corridors for them, growing increasingly irritable and anxious. Visions of Aera in compromising positions with the unknown man plagued him. It was in a vicious mood that he finally made his way out to the grounds, determined not to give up.

That had been when he saw her, walking up the wide stone steps at the front of the castle, holding her skirt up as she went to reveal ankle-high boots of soft velvet. His eyes went to her flushed cheeks, the slipped shoulder of her gown. The willow-leaf caught in her hair.

She had been shocked as he strode towards her, reaching out to take a firm, rough hold of her arm as he dragger her into the lee of a large statue. Fairies, sensing his dark mood, fled as fast as their wings could carry them.

“Who the hell do you think you are!” Aera burst out furiously, wrenching herself from his grasp.

Draco snarled under his mask, then ripped it off. Aera’s eyes narrowed as she tried to make him out in the dim light, then they widened and her mouth dropped open slightly. She took a step back, staring at him, wrapping her arms around her chest. Her chin dropped, breaking away from his gaze and she took a ragged breath.

“I am Draco Malfoy.” Draco sneered, resting one hand beside her head against the stone.

He thought for a moment that she wouldn’t reply. Then her head snapped up and he saw the lightning in her eyes. She was glaring past his shoulder, out into the darkness beyond. “I’m going to kill him.” she hissed.

Draco almost smiled, relieved that at least she was angry about being duped. But that didn’t satisfy his lust for revenge. “Who?” he asked sweetly, innocently.

Aera met his gaze for a moment and he saw bewilderment and discomfort in her eyes. She shrugged. “I . . . I don’t know. It could have been anyone.”

He considered trying to read her thoughts through her eyes, then decided against it. She wouldn’t forgive him for invading her privacy like that. So, instead, he asked. “What happened?”

Aera’s face went blank and she stepped past him, pulling the shoulders of her dress up so that it sat more securely. She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Not really. I was an idiot for not being more careful. But don’t worry, nothing much happened.”

Draco fought down the urge to shout, to demand answers. He needed to know who had done this, who had dared touch what was his. He needed to know how far things had gone, how she could have allowed it, why she didn’t realise it wasn’t him. He needed to understand. Perhaps she read it on his face, perhaps she sensed the fury and hurt inside him, he wasn’t sure. But finally she gave a low sigh, coming back to stand in front of him. She was shivering slightly, her gown giving little protection from the night air. He undid his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. She gave him a small grateful smile.

“I knew something wasn’t right. It didn’t feel like you. But I thought it was just me being nervous about us being seen together. We went down to the willow tree and he kissed me. It was too dark to make him out. He kissed me and I kissed him, then he pulled away. He said he couldn’t do it.” Her voice trailed off to barely a whisper. “I’m sorry.”

The anger faded to a muted buzz. The sight of her standing there, looking dejected, hurt, made him move forward and pull her into his embrace. She gave a relieved gasp, clinging to him as if he were the only thing solid in a topsy-turvy world. He bent his head to kiss her cheek and tasted a tear. Guilt at doubting her roared to the surface. “It’s all right, Aera. I’m sorry too. Come on, let’s go and enjoy our one night of anonymity.”

Aera nodded slowly, raising her hand to reach under her mask and wipe her eyes. Draco replaced his mask carefully, smiling down at Aera when she reached up to trace the lines of the visage.

“Dorian Gray, one of my favourite characters.” she said softly. “Why him?”

Draco considered saying something casual and off-hand, then decided against it. She had shown him a level of trust revealing what exactly had happened to her. He owed her the same. He twisted the cane in his palm. “In the story of Dorian Gray, his sins cast blemishes on his soul. They can be seen in the portrait painted of him, a picture so life-like that it begins to age instead of him.” Draco reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Men shouldn’t be able to hide what they are, but they can. That is why evil men such as my father walk free.”

Draco did not add that Dorian Gray indulged in the pleasures of life, something he had enjoyed before meeting Aera. Nor the twisted, confused mental state of the man, that had been his eventual downfall.

He realised Aera was laughing softly. “What?”

She tried to keep her face straight, then let out a bubbling giggle. As he began to frown she lifted a hand to forestall him. “Did you know that numerous literary groups believe the story of Dorian Gray implied his indulgence in many homosexual relationships?”

Draco smiled to himself. He did indeed know the suspected extent of the man’s tastes. He hadn’t considered the fact that Aera might very well know of this too and since he would be in disguise for the night it hadn’t bothered him. He knew full well that many of his housemates were convinced that he was presently wandering the Great Hall dressed as Salazar Slytherin, a rumour he had subtly encouraged.

Together they made their way back to the castle, Draco’s arm wrapped around Aera’s waist. She leant into him, making him very much aware of her presence. But he had no intention of whisking her off to some dark corner to have his way with her. For now, he intended to keep things chaste lest the memory of the unnamed impostor come back.

They entered the Great Hall, confident in their disguises. Draco swept her onto the dance-floor, engaging her in a complicated sequence of steps.

Neither of them noticed the pair of dark eyes that watched them from the corner.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Blaise felt a strange mixture of guilt, relief and pain. He watched as Draco dipped Aera back, placing a swift kiss on her lips. The music was quick-paced, sending the dancers spinning around the floor. He couldn’t help the jealousy that threatened to overwhelm, yet he felt glad that Aera was safe in Draco’s arms.

He had his memories. He would never again touch her the way he had, yet it was enough. It would have to be. He would not betray his friend that way.

His fingers clenched over the pocket where he kept a small photo of his beautiful younger sister, Arian. Draco had earned the right to love Aera in Blaise’s place. He had to remember that. Remember it and give over these idiotic affairs that led to lies and deceit.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Aera felt her pulse begin to race as Draco pulled her tight against him, his lips brushing hers in a chaste kiss. Her head was spinning, both with the graceful pirouettes and the dizzying euphoria of the moment. She could make out the admiring smiles of the onlookers as they watched Dorian Grey and Queen Mab move in perfect unison. So far they had gone unrecognised. And it was blissful.

A glint of metal caught her eyes and she found herself looking straight into the dark eyes of King Arthur. His helmet mask hid his expression but she could read an unresolved pain in those eyes. Anger surged and she stiffened for a moment, causing Draco to miss a step and stumble. King Arthur gave a regretful nod and faded back amongst the other students.

“What’s wrong?” Draco whispered, his voice covered by the music. Aera opened her mouth to tell him who had been watching, then paused. She knew him well enough to know he would charge after King Arthur, rip the mask from his face and demand a duel. And she wasn’t sure that was what she wanted.

“Nothing.” Aera said with a casual shake of her head. “My feet are tired, is all.”

Dorian Grey smiled and led her towards the exit. “I do not wish to tire my Queen too much. Come, let us find a place more suited to us.”

Aera couldn’t stop the childish grin that sprung to her lips. She smoothed her skirt over her hips, looking down to hide the crimson blush that crept up her cheeks. The wanton thoughts that permeated her mind were not ones she wanted to admit to. Draco glanced back at her as he pulled her though the groups of masked students, but didn’t comment. She felt grateful and bemused. Clearly he was able to read her just as well.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Draco gripped Aera’s hand tightly in his, determined not to let go. He had felt her stiffen in his arms, had realised the only reason for that would have been if she had seen the man who had tricked her earlier. He had stumbled in his hurry to follow her gaze but had seen no one that looked suspicious. Perhaps it was all for the best. He was not sure if he could rein in the raging fury that threatened to overwhelm him and allowing that to be unleashed could very well reveal both his and Aera’s identity before the entire school.

So he had decided on escape. This part of the night had been planned carefully, though he hoped Aera wouldn’t realise that. Where he was leading her now would bring them far away from the busyness of the rest of the castle.

Rounding a corner he felt Aera jerk him to a halt as they came face to face with Hercules and Venus. Her stifled gasp was unnecessary. The lightning scar was vivid on Hercules’ forehead. Harry’s bright green eyes stared at them with interest, holding what must have been Ginny’s hand. Her red hair had been changed to a lighter, strawberry shade and she was swathed in a wrap-around toga.

Aera’s fingers tightened around Draco’s hand. Her fear of being identified was clear, though probably not to the two before them. Mischief suddenly fountained up within him and he pulled Aera to one side, pressing her against the cold wall of the corridor as he sealed their lips together with a passionate kiss.

She froze, instinctively pulling away but she was pinned against the stone. Cheerful and amused laughter sounded, drifting away as Hercules and Venus moved down the hallway. At first Draco though he was about to get an angry fist in the gut, but then Aera seemed to melt in his arms, returning his kiss with equalled passion.

When they finally broke apart she gave him a look that didn’t quite hide the laughter in her eyes. “I thought my heart was going to give out when you kissed me! I swear, you are the most inconsiderate man I know.”

Draco simply grinned and pulled her after him.

It was a few minutes later that they reached his little hideaway. As far as he knew no one else in the castle was aware of it, apart from Blaise. He had discovered it in his second year, and since then it had seen regular use as a place of study and recuperation for both himself and his friend. He had quite literally stumbled on it by chance.

The room was not very big, perhaps the size of a large bedroom. It was situated underneath one of the staircases and could only be entered through the stairs itself. The door was unnoticeable, there was no door-handle. To enter, you simply had to ask nicely. And know it was there.

Aera’s reaction was everything he had hoped for as the steps swung out to reveal the entrance. Her gasp was delighted and surprised, the mask not quite hiding the lit up features of her expression. Then he led her inside and she stopped, going silent.

He had been unsure of how to decorate the room, thinking first that a simple couch would suffice. Then his skills in transfiguration had taken hold of him and he had transformed the room into something akin to a master-bedroom. He had aimed at comfortable and achieved luxurious. A four-poster bed, complete with heavy red drapes, a chaise longue, a sofa that stretched along one wall, padded with dozens of cushions. On the floor was a thick rug, stretching the length of two men in front of a blazing fire.

Aera turned to look at him with wide, uncertain eyes and he felt himself quail. He had hoped she wouldn’t read into the furnishings more than he meant.

“Aera,” he said softly, taking her hands in his, “This isn’t because I expect anything. It’s just somewhere to spend some time together.”

Her lips twitched for a moment and suddenly she let out a peal of laughter, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him squarely on the mouth. He grinned into the kiss as he realised she had managed to fool him, dragging her further into the room and letting the heavy door close, sealing them away from the rest of the castle.

Aera stepped away from Draco and pulled off her mask, tossing it into the corner without a second glance. He mirrored her, relieved to be rid of the constriction. He reached towards her again but she smiled cheekily and went to sit on the rug.

He lowered himself down beside her, drinking in the sight of her sitting there. Her dress billowed out on the rug around her like a waves of dark water. The firelight played on the flush of her cheeks, lighting up the faint gold in her eyes.

She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.


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