===
Five years have passed, since we last laid eyes on our erstwhile hero and his irrepressible heroine. The years just seemed to have flown, and Beth and Draco are still together, living very happily, if not snarkily, ever after. This chapter in their lives, opens on their fifth Christmas spent together as a couple, and someone is keeping a secret. A very special sort of secret.
So let us pull back the curtain and peek in on the cosy scene....
Outside the window, snow was falling, swathing the world in white. It fell in soft white flurries; dancing and swirling, it left crystallised patterns on the frosted panes. Inside, in the warmth, Beth, stood high on tip-toes, was trying her best to hang a silver star on the of the Christmas tree.
"Drat it," she hissed out, as she overbalanced for the twenty-fourth time. "Why won't the damn thing stay up there!"
A cool, laconic voice drawled out from the window.
"Maybe it because you're just two inches short of reaching ... Anyway, Bethy," the voice continued, "why on earth do you want a stupid, silver star on top of the tree - why not have a real life fairy like last year?"
"Because," she instantly snapped back. "She wouldn't stay at the top of the tree, and took great delight in tugging at my hair every five seconds. Really, Draco ... you could have told me how spiteful fairies could be ... I spent most of last Christmas battling the tree fairy from hell..."
Still staring out at the star strewn night, Draco chuckled as he remembered the Christmas before. It had really been quite funny watching Beth battle with that spiteful little fairy last year, very amusing indeed. Especially when the mischievous sprite had laced Beth's punch with fairy dust: Beth, and most of their guests, had spent most of the evening fluttering around the room, much to his delight. And, to top the hilarity off, he had got to watch Beth's pained face as she tried to explain to her very prim and mugglish auntie exactly what was going on. Oh, yes, he thought, not bothering to hide his amused smirk. It had been a most delightful Christmas.
However, he was not allowed to muse for long, as a loud yelp distracted him from his thoughts (as it did so often with Beth around). So, affecting an exasperated sigh, he turned from the pretty world of white outside the window and turned to just what sort of tangle she was in now.
Well, he thought, as his look of affected distain turned to amusement. Well, it wasn't really too bad ... at least the tree hadn't fallen on top of her again like it had a couple of hours ago ... But it did look like she'd broken the heel off of her shoe. Watching poor Beth fondly, as she sat crossed legged in her beautiful midnight-blue evening gown, looking sadly at her newly snapped shoe, he didn't even try to suppress his laugh.
"Oh, Bethy," he chortled out, "you never learn, do you?"
Her head snapped up and she glared at him through narrowed eyes.
"You could have bloody helped me," she rushed out, gathering herself together as she stood up looking rather lopsided with one shoe missing. "It wouldn't have taken much of your precious time, you know...."
He walked over to her and encircled her small waist, his hands smoothing the new wrinkles from her gown as he nuzzled contently at the base of her neck.
"But, Bethy," he answered, his breath tickling her the way she liked so much. "It's so much fun to watch, I mean ... you just look so adorable endeavouring away all by yourself, and without magic too. But, really, Beth ... why on earth did you insist on a Muggle Christmas?"
Ignoring the kiss he planted on her bare shoulder blade, Beth laid the palms of her hands flat against him and pushed him away. She wasn't going to let him get away with making fun of her this time, she would shoe him that she was made of sterner stuff. Turning away from him, she took her unbroken shoe off, leaving her more level, and held it lovingly in her hand.
Twilfitt and Tatting's, she thought with a sigh. A pair of evening shoes from that elite shop were the most sought after in the wizarding world! Expensive and finely made, she had saved up for them by herself, they were her most treasured possession. But, now, one laid broken on the carpet, the heel broken off, and it was all his fault. He had broken her lovely shoes and would not be allowed to get away with it. Gripping the unbroken shoe in her hand tighter, Beth braced it like a weapon.
"You broke my shoe," she gritted out, waving the shoe in front of his face before answering his earlier question. "And do you really need to ask? After last years Yuletide disaster, is that really a valid question?"
Unfazed by Beth's shoe brandishing, Draco simply caught hold of hand and gently eased the shoe from her grip.
"I'll buy you a new pair of shoes, Bethy," he told her easily as he smirked down at her angry face. "However I must protest at being falsely accused ... After all, it wasn't me who actually broke it -- and if you wanted to do the sensible thing, you could always charm the shoe back together...."
"No, I said no magic!" She sounded adamant, Draco noted.
"Beth, be reasonable...."
"No, I want a magic free Christmas - no more magical mayhem this year! No more having to put up with you hexing my family, no mor...."
"You do remember that I actually haven't agreed to any of this-"
"If you loved me..."
"Even if I loved you, I would never agree to such a thing!"
"So, you don't love me anymore?" Beth felt something tighten in her chest and she had to hold back a gasp. Was he admitting it then, was he acknowledging that something was wrong? He'd been so distant lately, so distant and quarrelsome, not to mention how secretive he was being lately. She had to admit that she felt scared: scared, that something between them had changed, scared that he'd found someone new, frightened to death that he didn't love her anymore; for a month or more now he'd been acting different, becoming so distant and aloof. Oh, but ... something in her eyes must have given her away, for Draco took a sudden step towards her.
"What sort of fool question is that, Bethy," he asked her gently, reaching out to cup her cheek as he looked down into her frightened eyes. "Do try and stop being such a Hufflepuff, please Beth ... You do know how I feel about it, don't you?"
Although his eyes were smiling and his tone was very light-hearted, Beth felt something twist inside at his cruel teasing. Staring up at him, she tried her best to scrutinise his emotion. But, as always, his eyes gave nothing away; he was still looking down at her with that fondly amused look. So, screwing her eyes up in distaste, she slapped his hand away and turned away from him.
"Just do something useful for a change," she called to him form over her shoulder, making her way to the doorway. She'd decided to leave it for now, her questions could be asked later; after all, she didn't want to be late for Blaise's Christmas Eve party. "Put the star on top of the tree ... I'm going to search for a pair of shoes - so just put the bloody star up and.... Well, just do it Draco ... we don't want to be late...."
Draco stared after her, watching her back as she left the room. He mused over calling something out after her, such as, exactly what he'd like to do to that bloody muggle decorative star. But, he hesitated. Beth had been acting so sensitive lately, flying off of the handle over the slightest jibe. Really, he thought, feeling rather put out. You would of thought she'd gotten used to him by now ... after five years of being together, he decided. She really shouldn't be getting upset over such silly things.
But, the harsh truth was that she was indeed upset, and it was definitely putting a strain on their relationship. The last month or so had been very tense and he wondered if he should tell her now, whether if now was the time to let her in on his secret. But, no, he decided. He wasn't going to say anything just yet. He would wait a little longer, just like he had planned. After all, he didn't need her going all emotional on him just yet.
He glanced at the silver star still lying on the floor and sneered at it. Stupid, Muggle Decoration! If he picked it up, it would almost be like conceding defeat - and, although, he did not have much left, he still had his Malfoy pride. However, if he left it lying there, not bothering to fix it on top of the tree, no doubt about it, Beth would remain angry at him and he didn't really fancy having to put up with her in one of those moods. Hesitating over what to do, an idea suddenly came to him, and he smirked. It really was the perfect solution.
So, without further ado, his wand was out his pocket and trained on the offensive shining star. Raising his wand, he lifted the star and with magic deposited it on top of the Christmas tree. Yet, he was still not satisfied, something was missing. Oh, yes, he though smugly to himself, as an idea came to him. Let's make it a proper decoration..... And, with a flourish of the wand, he pointed, and the star began to twinkle and dance on top of the pine tree.
"Much better," he voiced out loud, standing back and watching the silver star as it did a complicated pirouette. "That's more like it ... a proper Christmas decoration at last!"
However, he wasn't able to watch and admire hid handy work for too long as, all too soon, Beth's shouts of frustration could be heard echoing all the way downstairs. Quite obviously, he noted, with a wince, as a sudden wail of anger assaulted his ears - she hadn't been able to find a pair of suitable shoes yet. So, knowing it was against her wishes and (to tell the truth) not much caring anyway, he waved his wand towards her shoes, preformed a quick 'Reparo' charm and then summoning the shoes to his hands, headed bravely to the doorway and made his way to the bottom of the stairs.
Tonight wasn't going to be easy, he concluded, as he lifted his eyes up the empty staircase. In fact, he had a ominous feeling, that this Christmas Eve would prove to be a very, very memorable one - and, to tell the truth, he really wasn't looking forward to the evening to come.
The snow had stopped falling some time ago, yet still laid thick on the ground. This pretty blanket of white had covered everything, from the high above rooftops to the frozen muggle cars stood stationary, their engines unable to work. The snow seemed to bring with it a strange silence, enfolding all sound, near and far, in it's wintry embrace; making everything seem so faraway, making everything feel so muffled. Their breath froze on the night air before them, their feet crunched deep into five inch layer of white, and the distant muffled sound of dog barking could just be heard from afar.
Really, Draco thought to himself, as he watched the stars twinkling in the brooding grey sky. This silence could be quite enchanting, quite comfortable, if it weren't for the fact that it was so...well...strained! Walking by his side, Beth hadn't uttered a word, obviously still nursing some previous grievance against him: dressed in a thick winters cloak, evening shoes transfigured into warm boots, she walked silently beside him, eyes fixed on some distant point ahead. And, although, he did not want to be the first one to break it, Draco found himself speaking first anyway.
"So are you going to ignore me all night then?"
She paused for a moment, before answering, "I'm not ignoring you ... I'm just enjoying the silence...."
On hearing the bleak tone behind her words, Draco very much doubted them. What had he done wrong? What had upset her so much, did she expect an apology? He didn't know just how he'd upset her ... but, if an apology was expected, he would allow her just one. After all, he had to pander to her Hufflepuff side sometimes, otherwise, things soon got very strained between them. Then making a snap decision, he voiced his thoughts.
"I don't know quite what I've done wrong, Bethy ... But, I'll apologise if you want me to...."
"I don't want your apologies unless you know what your apologising for." She answered him, snappishly.
"Is it because of that Hufflepuffs jibe ... cause really, Bethy ... I don't see why you should be this upset...."
Typical, she thought, feeling extremely irritated. It was just like him not to understand. Why couldn't he see that things were not right between them, why didn't he try to explain the yawning gap that had recently developed between them ... why didn't he tell her, just why she had seen him kissing Tracy Davis?
"Maybe, it's because I saw you kissing Tracy Davis the other day," tumbled out, before she could stop it.
Draco halted in his tracks, his heart beating wildly. Tracey Davis ... she had seen him with Tracy Davis! Well, it was all over then, he might as well as tell her now. So, grabbing for her hand, he tightened his fingers around her fragile wrist and pulled her against a nearby wall.
With her backed up against the wall, her wide eyes staring up accusingly at him, Draco began his explanations. "It was just a peck on the cheek Bethy ... I, she, well - she was doing me a favour actually ... I ... erm ... well, there's something I need to...."
"Oh, and I bet I can guess what sort of favour she was doing-" Beth accused.
"No, Thompson - it's not like that, you silly fool...."
"Oh, so it's back to Thompson now, is it?" she spat back, torn between anger and tears. "Six weeks of Tracy Davis's charms, and it's back to calling me Thompson and treating me like a fool..."
Ducking under his arms, she tried to escape him: she didn't want him to see the new tears that had formed in her eyes. But, as quick as a flash, he had soon caught her again and he brought her, struggling, into his warm embrace.
His cold lips met hers, instantly warming her with their slight touch. Whenever they fought, this was always his answer: a kiss, soft whispered words, and a gentle touch. But, this time, she didn't want to get lost in this, this time she didn't want to loose her sense of direction. Yet, oh, it was oh so hard ... every time he touched her, she had the same reaction: her body would tremble, her pulse would quicken, and she would soon melt into his kiss, as the nights snow would slowly melt in the bright sunlight of the following morning.
When he kissed her, she felt so very alive, so eager for his tender touch; when he held her, much as he was doing now, she felt so loved, as if she were where she belonged ... in his arms forever. Soft flurries of snow began to fall again, brushing softly against her skin, as she gave in and returned his kiss: they landed on her cheekbones, her long thick eyelashes, her reddened full lips, causing the pleasure of their kiss to intensify. His hands held her cheeks firmly, as his mouth began to demand more, and she knew she had to stop this before it went too far. However, her heart wasn't listening to her brain that star-filled magical night and she found herself melting into his embrace. Important questions were quickly forgotten, all accusations seemed to have flown; she was lost and she knew it, yet she no longer even cared.
---
"We'll drink to a very, merry Christmas, we'll raise a glass to a magical new year! We'll wish thee a very, merry Christmas, and get drunk on Cranberry beer!"
This joyful, wizarding Christmas song, sung at full volume, by more than one voice, it had to be said ... suddenly broke through the night, shattering the enchantment. The kiss stuttered and faltered, as both heads quickly turned to see just who had dared to disturb their special moment. And, as she turned, Beth was not surprised to see three red-headed boys and company stumbling their way: it was the Weasleys twins, Fred and George, followed by Ron, Harry and a tipsy looking Hermione. In fact, Beth noted to herself, all five of them looked like they had been at Mr Weasley's hidden three-hundred-year-old Holly-Juice wine. However, she did not have much more time for observation, as the red-headed boy to her right shouted out his greeting.
"E'lo, e'lo, e'lo," he called out merrily. "Merry Christmas to Bethy and her git - sorry, I meant boyfriend...."
And, as a grinning Fred approached, she felt Draco stiffen behind her and she could just imagine how fierce the scowl on his face was. But, ignoring his obvious discomfort, she stepped forward to greet her friends. Pulling the twins into a big hug, she glanced over their shoulders to grin at the others behind.
"Merry Christmas, everyone," Beth called out, with a mischievous wink at Hermione. "Are you quite sure you're all up to partying ... because, I must say, you already look as if you've all had too much Holly-Juice wine!"
George was the first to answer. Releasing her from the three-way hug, he beamed proudly at her. "Yes, indeed, Bethy-Wethy ... I'm very, or should I say extremely proud to announce ... that after fifteen years of looking, we eventually found the old man's three-hundred-year-old Holly-Juice wine! Hic!"
He finished off with a hic-cough, then grabbed her arms and began to spin her around in a silly little dance. Giggling uncontrollably, Beth just managed to hitch out, "Did you save me some?"
Fred, who was, for some reason, trying to magically tie Ron's shoelaces together, suddenly looked stricken. "We didn't save any for our Bethy ... Oh, no, will you ever, ever forgive us?"
Then falling on his knees, making his purple robe very damp in the process, he made his way over to the waltzing couple. "Please, please, please forgive me," he pleaded to a now doubled over Beth.
"You, you mean - you drank it all," Beth managed to stutter out, while trying to shake an remorseful Fred from her left leg. "What on earth will your dad say when he finds out?"
Before Fred could form an coherent answer, Ron responded promptly for him. "Actually, we're all more worried about what mum will have to say!" Beside him, a worse for wear Hermione giggled.
"And you, Hermione," Beth continued sternly, greatly amused at seeing Hermione like this (she just loved to see serious Hermione letting her hair down). "And you actually participated in this?"
To Hermione's credit, she tried to look remorseful but she couldn't quite do it, for a silly grin kept popping on to her face. And, a broadly grinning Harry decided to answer for his incapacitated friend.
"Don't be too hard on her Beth," he beamed wickedly at her. "She didn't know what she was drinking, we told her it was Cranberry Beer ... she's still an innocent, we'll not name her..."
"Won't we," Ron smirked at his friend, while holding out a hand to steady his tipsy girlfriend. "I'm not so sure ... after that nasty little trick she pulled on me last year, I'm sure a dose of mum's wrath wouldn't hurt her too much..."
"No, no," yelled out George, who had now stopped twirling Beth and was pelting snowballs at his twin. "We must not involve the fairer sex, they cannot handle mum's lectures..."
"Ginny manages okay," Fred managed to interrupt, his mouth suddenly full of snow. Then reaching down to scrape up a snowball of his own, he continued, "I just thing you want to spare Hermione because she's friends with that Sally girl you fancy...."
"Not true," George threw back, along with a snowball. "T'snt Sally I fancy, it's that Martha girl!"
A volley of snowballs proceeded as the twins began the snowball fight in earnest. Beth and the others watched on, very much amused, until Harry seemed to gather some of his wits back together and decided to break up the war.
"C'mon then," he said, trying to sound stern. "Let's break it off now, or we'll be late for Zabini's party..." Then he ducked just in time to avoid a stray snowball.
"Aw, but we're having fun..."
"No, Harry's right, you two," Ron interrupted, agreeing with Harry. "Ginny won't be happy, if turn up late to her fianc's party ... and you know what a temper she's got on her! We're already in trouble with mum, and I say that's enough to deal with - let's get a move on now."
"Spoilsport," Fred shouted, throwing a handful of snow at his younger brother. "You're such a cowardly-custard, Wonny ... Who'd of thought you'd be scared of your ickle sister..."
George joined in the argument too. "Yeah, and who wants to go to a Slytherin party anyway -- they just don't know how to have fun...."
"Hey, that's not fair, you two," Harry laughingly interrupted, "Blaise is a practically a Gryffindor these days, anyway..."
A cold, forgotten voice suddenly broke in, quashing the playful banter immediately.
"Zabini's a disgrace to his house, and he should be ashamed of himself..."
Beth turned around at once, to scold her sneering boyfriend. But, as she looked at his sulky countenance, she found out she just couldn't. He looked so lost, just huddled in the dark corner like that, with his arms crossed and his silver-blond hair tumbling into his screwed up eyes. He looked such an adorable, sulky, little-boy and, she had to admit, it was a look she found hard to resisit. However, fortunately, it was also a look that Beth knew well ... too well: it meant he was feeling left out, it meant he was feeling insecure, and it meant he was lashing out for a reaction as he always did in these situations. And, even though his words were sullen, she remembered that they needed to talk. The frivolity that came with Fred and George would have to end now, now she needed to talk with him ... now, she needed to know. However, although, she couldn't find the words to berate him, Harry and the others could.
"Piss off, Malfoy ... Leave Blaise alone, I don't know why...."
"Yeah, leave the git behind, Bethy ... Come to the party with us, he doesn't know a good time like we do...." was Fred's contribution. George settled for a mere snort and finger gesture. Hermione looked outraged but, in her condition, could not quite find the words to say, whereas Ron just sent him a disgusted look. They all made it clear that he wasn't quite welcome and, on hearing their retorts, Beth felt suddenly protective. Yes, okay, her Draco could be agnostic, but he was her Draco after all, and she loved him, even though she had the feeling he was about to crush her. Yet, no matter what, for the last five years he had treated her well, and if he was actually going to end things tonight, she would not let herself be distracted by her over protective friends. Stepping closer to his side, and laying a gentle hand on his arm, she turned to address her friends.
"Why don't you go on ahead," she asked them, hoping she sounded calmer than she felt. "Draco and I, have a few things to sort out ... just go ahead, we'll soon catch you up."
"Are you sure, Beth," Hermione finally managed to ask, her eyes suddenly concerned. "Do you want me to stick around, at least. I mean, just in case you...."
Although she hadn't told her suspicions to Hermione, she had vaguely hinted about them, and she knew that Hermione was just trying her best to be her friend, was trying to help her. However, Beth knew, that that wasn't what she needed right now. Even if Draco did decide to break up with her, she wouldn't want her friends around just yet. What she would need though, was to go home, lock herself in her room, and hide herself away from the world for a few days, weeks or so. With a silent sigh, she realised she really wasn't helping herself too much. It was no good lingering in morose thoughts, there was no point in expecting the worse. Draco would soon tell her, what he had to tell her, and until then she would just have to wait. After all, it might just be nothing, her and Draco had had many similar misunderstandings over the past few years, it was just the way their relationship worked. But, somehow or another, Beth just had a niggling sensation ... that this time it would be something more...permanent. Then, shaking her head and her thoughts away, she turned to address Hermione.
"No, you don't have to hang around, Hermione. Thanks all the same," she responded lightly, but quite firmly. "Just go ahead with the others. Don't worry about me, I'm a big girl now, and I think that I know how to handle my Malfoy by now..." Breaking off with a droll grin, she waved a dismissive hand. "So if you all just go on your way, I'll sort this snarky idiot out, and we'll catch you up at the party later..."
This seemed to be enough to abate most of her friends fears, although Hermione still looked concerned. Fred and George seemed like they were going to say something more, but a meaningful look directed at them by Harry seemed to do the trick: they simultaneously shut their open mouths. And, instead, they decided to throw a double glare in Draco's direction, blow their lovely Bethy a farewell kiss, and to bow comically in front of Harry, before making their way off down the snow lined street.
However, they couldn't manage their dignified silence for too long and, in no time at all, their loud voices were soon united in raucous song. And, as the silly Christmas song rang out again, the remaining trio soon took after them: with a few wry shrugs of the shoulders, they said their hurried goodbyes to Beth, and were soon following the gruesome twosome.
Beth watched them go, as they stumbled off and were swallowed up into the snow-filled night, their happy voices soon becoming muffled and distant. And, with them gone, Draco and Beth, once again, almost immediately, found themselves surrounded by that ghostly and unnerving silence.
---
"So, I'm just snarky Malfoy to you now, am I," mocked Draco, echoing her own words back to her. "Why don't you just follow them, Bethy ... I'm sure you'd rather be with them than me."
Arms folded defiantly before him and his sneer set firmly in place, Draco broke the uncomfortable silence with his cold words. He felt irked and irritable and he wanted, very much so, to let Beth know just how much. Unsure of where to begin, of how to answer him, she stood by his side just staring out in front of her. She wanted, no, not wanted, she needed so much to know just what was going on here; to know what was going on in his head, to know what was really going on between him and Tracy Davis. However, at this very moment in time, she had no idea of where to begin and already felt strangely defeated. So, unable to form the words that she needed, she had decided to remain silent instead. Silent and pensive.
Not getting the reaction he'd hoped for, Draco tried again. "Oh, for the love of Merlin, Beth," he snapped out, feeling more than a little irritated as that old, familiar feeling of anxiety began to build up inside of his chest. "If you're going to shout at me, please just get it out of the way ... please, would you just stop with the silent treatment, you know just how much I bloody hate it!"
Not wanting to have to go through their normal rigmarole of accusations and laying the blame and feeling too tired to become embroiled in their normal cat and mouse games, Beth decided to get to the root of the problem for a change.
"Are you going to end it?" she asked him quite simply, as she still stared blankly ahead. A pregnant use followed, and she could Draco draw a sharp breath ... then the barriers that they'd erected came tumbling down. Turning to face her, his eyes alight with an unreadable gleam, Draco's response was almost explosive.
"What, NO, of course not ... you, you idiotic girl!" he rushed out, for once losing his cool demeanour. "I mean, dear Merlin, Beth! How could you get it so wrong? I can't believe that you could think th...."
Beth didn't let him finish and turning her flashing eyes to his, jumped right in.
"Then how do you explain all the secretiveness, Draco? How do you explain the way you've been acting over the last six weeks? Please do tell me, I really would like to know ... Honestly, I love to hear you explain away the reason we've been drifting apart - or should I say, the reason you've drifted away from me! Really, you must tell me ... and, yes, do tell me please, what on earth does Tracy bloody Davis have to do with all this!" Unable and not wanting to stop, she let all her anger and all the built up frustrations that she'd amounted over the last month or so spill out. And, taken aback by the rawness of her emotions, Draco didn't know quite where to start.
"Well, er," he began, obviously flustered and not knowing which accusation to address first. But, after floundering his words for a while, he somehow managed to regain some of that famous Malfoy composure and surprised her with a question of his own. "Beth," he asked, simply and sincerely. "If all this was bothering you, why on earth didn't you ask me before?"
Although she was surprised, she had her answer ready for him. "Because Draco, it was because every time I hinted at it - you always changed the topic and tried to push me further away ... But, anyway, stop trying to avoid my questions, just tell me..."
"I changed the topic because I didn't want you close to finding things out-"
"Ah, so you do admit it," she yelled back, feeling strangely triumphant and heartbroken at the same time. This drove Draco to his limit, he'd had enough, he couldn't take it anymore! This time he would make her listen to him. So, grabbing hold of her upper arms, he gently lifted her up and placed her against the cold brick wall before closing the gap between them.
"Beth," he began softly, his face mere inches away from hers. "Beth, will you promise me something ... will you promise that you'll listen to me, could you promise me that ... just five minutes, please...." He broke off, searching her eyes intently, searching for a show of willingness, no matter how small. And, when she gave him a small nod of compliance, he touched her frozen cheek and began in earnest.
"When I admitted that I was hiding something for you, it had nothing to do with not loving you, growing tired of you, or about loving another girl. In fact, it was almost the opposite ... I was trying to hide a surprise from you, a nice surprise. Actually, I didn't want you to find out about your Christmas present...."
"Christmas present," she scoffed loudly as she rolled her eyes, instantly forgetting her promise. "Christmas present! Oh, now, I've heard just about everything ... Do you really expect me to believe that you, a Malfoy, would suddenly start caring about that..."
A gentle hand covered her mouth to prevent her from saying more. Then, with a warning look, he continued, "it's a very special present actually. In fact it's a heirloom of sorts...."
Not letting talk of special presents deter her, Beth batted his hand away and battled on.
"And what does Tracy Davis have to do with all this ... No, don't tell me, let me guess! Was she helping you to buy it?" she shot back, her voice ringing with sarcasm.
"Well, actually, yes she was...."
"I don't believe you!"
"Well not buy it, more like find it. You see it's a heirloom that was lost when they last searched the Manor ... Tracy was...."
"And, just why would a girl that sells Dark Arts want to help you?"
"C'mon, Bethy ... Be fair! Borgin and Burkes has been an wizarding antiques shop since Potter did his one and only amazing deed and defeated Voldemort. You know that since then, it's all been above board...."
"Yeah," she couldn't help but mutter, even though she knew he was right. "But, everyone knows about what goes on in the basement...."
Draco's answer to this was to raise his eyebrow in a way that made her feel small.
Ignoring the feeling that she had somehow made a fool of herself and still very sceptical about his explanation, she carried on.
"So, where is this extra special Christmas present of yours then," she asked sarcastically, no admitting to herself that she was actually rather curious. "I'm I going to receive it anytime soon - or is it a work of your overactive imagination?"
Draco's expression altered immediately, gone was the disdainful smirk to be replaced with another expression: an expression of anxiety and, could she really being seeing this, after all it was not an expression often seen on a Malfoy's face, but did he actually look apprehensive, was he really so unsure of himself? Beth did not know for sure, but she decided her best course of action was silence. She would remain quiet and wait to see what happened next.
With a slightly trembling hand, Draco delved into his pocket and withdrew a small box: a small green velvet box, and Beth was suddenly taken back to five-years before. The last time he had given her something this way, he had given her something that had changed their life's irrevocably, he had given her something that had seemed to seal their fates together. And, now, she once more had that very similar feeling, a feeling that sent tingles all the way down her spine, a feeling that whatever he was going to show her would indeed change her life entirely, just as that old locket had done. Suddenly light-headed, her breath caught in her throat as her heart began to pound.
He was saying something, and she tried to comprehend his jumbled words.
"It's an old Malfoy heirloom, you see ... And they say it must be over a thousand years old ... so I thought Tracey was the best person to help me find it, I didn't expect you to get such a wrong impression ... I wanted to give it you tonight, after the party. I wanted to make it special ... But, well, things didn't quite work out, as always...." His voice trailed off into nothing and he stared helplessly down at her. She studied him closely for a while, searching every inch of his face, while still trying to give nothing away. Then, deciding to take control of the situation, she reached forward and took the box from his outstretched hand.
"May I open it," she asked him quietly, gingerly toying with the box in her hand. "Would you mind?"
He didn't say a word, but continued to watch her with strangely solemn eyes. Until, finally, he gave her a slight nod of consent. Then, with fingers trembling ever so slightly, she opened the box.
To reveal a ring.
A beautiful ornate ring.
Laid on a cushion of the finest green silk, this wondrous ring made of emerald and silver, which seemed to shimmer with some sort of ancient magic, glittered prettily up at her.
A small breathless gasp escaped her lips.
"Oh, oh, but," she managed to stammer out. "It -it's b - b - beautiful ... so, so very beautiful!"
She glanced up at him and saw that he was still staring intently at her: his brow was furrowed slightly and the air of apprehension seemed to grow.
He was silent a while longer, still watching her intently, before he finally spoke.
"It's a betrothal ring," he told her, his voice almost a whisper.
"Oh," was all she could say. A betrothal ring ... A betrothal ring ... Just what did this mean? Was he, could it mean ... oh, Merlin! Did it mean he wanted to marry her ... was he proposing? Her thoughts became a jumbled mess ... was this really happening to her ... or had she got it wrong again?
Before she could even come up with a coherent answer, with one step, Draco had closed the gap between them. His lips ghosted against her ear, his hand stroked her hair gently, and his eyes had fluttered close as if he could not bear to hear her reply.
"So what is your answer, Bethy," he breathed hoarsely, brushing his cheek against hers. "D - do you want to?"
With her head spinning and her heart beating wildly, she didn't know how to answer, she had to be certain.
"Are - are you asking me to marry you, Draco?" she finally managed.
Cupping her cheek and bringing his earnest eyes to meet hers, he stared at her intently before answering simply, "Yes...."
"Oh...."
"Beth," he urged, the tension nearly killing him.
"Oh, I mean ... I don't know what to...."
....
....
"Please, Bethy," he pleaded.
"Well...erm...I, oh, well ... YES! Yes, you stupid Slytherin, of course I will!" Suddenly springing back to life, she threw her arms around him and held him tight as if she never wanted to let him go. Then, throwing her back to look him in the eyes, she let out a happy little giggle and continued. "Oh, Draco, you idiot ... I love you so much...."
"Even when I'm a snaky idiot?" he questioned, with that teasing gleam returning to his eyes again.
"Oh yes," she laughed happily, as she stole a kiss from the corner of his mouth. "Always ... I'll always love you ... even when you're being an Evil Slytherin or worse...."
Draco returned the kiss and they remained silent, sharing little frozen kisses, for a few wonderful moments longer. Blissfully aware of the falling snowflakes, the chilling cold, the magical air that seemed to fill the wintry night, they kissed each other tenderly and became lost. All these elements combined, just seemed to make their kisses more intense, more magical, just made them feel more wonderfully alive.
However, eventually, Draco pulled reluctantly away. And, never taking his intense eyes off her, he took the ring-box gently out of her hand, removed the ring, and placed it solemnly on her outstretched finger. Then, dropping a feather-light kiss on her hand, he asked her in a hushed whisper.
"Will you marry me, Bethy?"
"Yes...."
As soon as she spoke the magic word, the ancient magic of the ring began it's work and the hairs on the back of her neck began to prickle as the magic began to shimmer it's way through her body. She felt an odd warmth overtake her, she felt queer butterflies awaken and begin to dance in her stomach; she felt something pure begin to flow through her veins, she felt the ancient tradition of bonding overcome her.
And, overwhelmed by the force of it all, she collapsed against Draco and clung to him.
"Are you alright, Bethy," he asked anxiously, obviously worried.
"Yes...."
"Are you sure, Beth-"
"It's just the magic working, Draco ... I'm fine, so happy!"
Feeling relieved, he smiled and kissed her ear. They stood there holding on to each other, waiting for the magic to subside, just enjoying the sensation of being so close to each other. Then after the endless minutes had ticked by, and the bonding magic had seemed to abate, Draco spoke again.
"Do you want to go and join the others now, Beth? Shall we go to the party, are you feeling better now?"
"I suppose so," she mumbled from the crook of his neck, not feeling much like going anywhere.
"Are you sure that you're alright-"
"Yes." This time she did move and, lifting her head to look into his grey eyes, she smiled at him softly. "I'm fine Draco, honestly ... I just like it where I am!"
"But, don't you want to tell all your friends, " he laughed down at her, loving the way she looked at him.
"No, yes ... I mean, I do ... But, just not yet! I want to stay here with you...."
"We'll get cold, Beth..."
"I don't care!" she whispered, nuzzling deeper into him.
"We could freeze to death..."
"No, you'll keep me warm...."
"That was a very Hufflepuffish thing to say...."
"Yes, but you still love me..."
Draco chuckled and kissed her silky hair.
"I love you, Beth."
"Me too..."
He kissed her mouth.
"Merry Christmas, Bethy..."
She kissed him back.
"And A Merry Muggle Christmas To You..."
He snorted and pulled her closer.
"And I wish you a magical new year..."
"Oh, Draco," she sighed happily, raising her eyes to him once more. "I know it will be...."
....
===
Well, I hope that you all enjoyed it, I just kind of missed writing about Draco and Beth, so I thought a one shot would help, lol!
Hope there was enough romance, angst, and humour for you all ... and I'm sorry there was no mention of the toad. But, I assure you that toady is quite alright and currently enjoying himself holidaying in Spain.
*grin*
So, I wish you all A Very Muggle Christmas and a Magical New Year!
*hugs and mistletoe*
emmie
