Draco Malfoy and the Half-Blood Btch-Chapter Fourteen; Royalty

"Oh no! Crap, no stop! Ugh, Mother of Merlin this is f*cking ridiculous!" Belle's shouts rebounded against the elegant white and gold marble walls of the pool room while she stood at its edge, fumbling with three dozen gold taps that lined the edge. Somehow, while trying to turn up the temperature of the water, she had turned the shimmering blue water bright pink, filled it with giant bubbles that released a musical note when they popped to form a tune, and somehow activated fountains under the water that shot above the surface and kept hitting her feet. She thought she might have solved the problem when a huge geyser sprung from the peppermint pool and smacked her full in the face, soaking her from head to toe.
"AAARRRRRGGGGGGGGG!" She screamed, thankful she had at least remembered to leave her clothes on one of the many chairs that lined the room. Belle had been residing at the Malfoy Manor for only three days (and had fully recovered from her episode), but she found it farther from home than any place she had ever been forced to live in. On this particular night, Belle had been tossing and turning in her enormous bed for over half an hour when she finally gave up, threw on her tasteful deep scarlet one-piece bathing suit and came down to the pool for a swim, hoping it would calm her mind. Merlin, had she been wrong.
"Having a little trouble?" A sly voice chuckled from the doorway. Belle winced and felt her cheeks flush to match her swimsuit.
"Do you have nothing better to do than to harass me?" She asked through gritted teeth, turning to see Malfoy leaning casually against the doorframe in a t-shirt and shorts. Clearly he had been sleeping. Good, Belle thought bitterly, the git doesn't deserve rest when I haven't slept well in days.
"It just so happens your screaming woke me up," Malfoy drawled, walking towards the taps where Belle stood. "And as I have explicit instructions from Mother not to let you be killed, I thought I ought to make sure you were still breathing." He pointed his wand at several of the faucets and muttered something incoherent, and they finally ceased their flow, though the pool was still the color of cotton-candy and bubbles still popped Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
"Yeah, well, I'm fine. So if you wouldn't mind leaving and not coming back?" Belle spat, dipping her toe experimentally into the water.
"Well, seeing as it's my house, I think I'll do as I please." He smirked, standing up to his full height and looking down at her. Belle glared at him for several moments, and then groaned.
"You are such an imbecilic ass, Malfoy!" She shoved him and began to turn away, but before she could start towards the door she head a shout and a tremendous splash. Malfoy surfaced, soaking wet and sputtering a fluent stream of curse words. Belle stared at him, and then burst out laughing.

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"What the hell, Lewis!" He growled. Malfoy waded over to the edge and tried to pull himself out, but it was slippery and he only fell in again. Belle's eyes were streaming with tears and her laugh filled the room as she clutched her sides, trying to contain her hysteria.
"So" she stuttered, still laughing helplessly, "so ferrets don't like water, then?" Just after the words had left her lips, a hand grabbed her ankle and the next the she knew she was tumbling into the pool. She came up spitting and rubbing her eyes, only to see Malfoy trying to escape off the side yet again.

"Oh NO YOU DON'T, MALFOY!" She shouted, throwing her arms around his waist and dragging him back under the surface of the water.
"What the hell was that for?!"
"You pushed me in you wench!"
"It was an accident. You deserved it though!" Malfoy pushed Belle's head under the water, and only released her when she stamped on his foot. "Get the hell off me!" She screeched, trying to force his shoulders below the water. In their tumult, they had hit several more of the gold taps, and now thick purple foam was seeping across the water, coating the surface. He grabbed her wrist and threw a handful of the foam into her face and then swam as fast as he could in the other direction, but not quickly enough.
"It is so freaking on, jerk!" Belle tackled him from behind, snatched a handful of bubbles and scrubbed it across his scalp.
"Oi, that's expensive hair you're screwing up!" He shouted, shaking her off and feverishly trying to reassemble his now-tousled locks. Belle stood watching in the waist-high suds, and then for no reason at all, began to laugh again.
"Lewis, I am seriously concerned for your mental well-being." Malfoy said, staring at her, but her giggles did not stop. And then he joined in, and they both stood there, in bright pink water, musical bubbles, and purple foam, staring into each other's eyes and laughing.
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"Just put it on."
"No."
"Oh come on. I'm stuck in this stupid thing. But then, I am Merlin's gift to witches." A hair brush flew out of the slightly ajar bathroom door and missed Malfoy's head by inches. "Throwing things will not get you out of that dress." Malfoy scolded, straightening his posh dark green and silver dress robes.

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"But it's so...so..." Belle said hopelessly from the bathroom, and finally she emerged. Draco had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. Belle wasn't fooled though; she groaned and clenched her hand around her wand so tightly gold sparks began to fly from its end. "Why does your mother have such harrowing taste?" She turned to the full length mirror on her vanity and examined the damage. The "thing" that was currently squeezing any and all air from Belle's lungs was a deep emerald and fine silk, with two thin straps cutting into her shoulders, and tight ruffle middle. The fabric hit her mid-thigh on one leg and cut across her body and came to her opposite shin. It was gaudy, provocative, and fussy; in plainer terms, in complete contrast to Belle.
Under any other circumstances, Belle would've rather hand-feed a Snargaluff stump than wriggle into this contraption, but she had promised Dumbledore she would keep her temper, and refusing to go to the extravagant dinner party Mrs. Malfoy was throwing seemed a very easy way to engage in verbal combat. She did not trust Dumbledore, but she trusted her instincts around Malfoy much less. And this is why on Christmas Eve, Belle walked down the elegant marble staircase arm in arm with Malfoy smiling like an idiot in that ridiculous gown. Malfoy was whispering in her ear, hastily telling her everyone's names and sending shivers up and down her spine.
"There's the Notts, and next to them the Carrows. The man next to the door, that's Goyle's father."
"No, who do you mean, the one that looks as though he's been Confunded?"
"Yeah," Malfoy chuckled, "like father like son I suppose." Belle paused, as though unsure.
"Does that pertain to you as well?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Malfoy's eyes filled with discomfort. But he was saved from her penetrating blue gaze as they reached the bottom of the staircase and Narcissa rushed towards them.
"Don't you both look lovely?" She cooed, smoothing out the front of Draco's robes.
"Mother, please." He shrugged her off, but Belle caught the slight flush that had tinted his cheeks.
"Aww, is wittle Drakie-poo too big for his mummy?" Belle smirked, watching with amusement as his cheeks went from rose to fuchsia.
"At least I'm in something halfway decent." Malfoy shot back. Belle narrowed her eyes and mustered her nastiest glare, but he could see through her glower he had struck a nerve. "Kidding Lewis, don't get your knickers in a twist." When she didn't look convinced, he sighed and allowed his smirk to fade. "Seriously, you're so bloody smart no one gives a sh*t what the hell you look like, Lewis."

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Belle's expression was still uncertain, but there was an entrancing sparkle to her eyes as she glanced up at him again. "Was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it." Malfoy said sternly, but he did not fully disguise the grin that had crept onto his face.
"Attention, please. May I have everyone's attention?" Narcissa Malfoy's cold voice rang above the din of the mingling guests, and all fell silent as Narcissa stood on the platform that had been placed in the center of the grand ballroom. The room was absolutely smothered in Slytherin-themed dcor, from the sparkling silver icicles that hung from the chandelier to the deep emerald banners on the walls that bore moving grey serpents.
"As is tradition, the man of the Malfoy household and his partner will begin the dancing." She said, and a band of Goblins in silver tuxedos came to the stage holding various orchestra instruments. Belle had perked up from her apathetic daze, sensing danger. "And as Lucius cannot be here with us this year," a series of boos and hisses came from the crowd, "my son Draco and his fianc Belle Lewis will start us off this evening."
Narcissa's speech was followed by an enthusiastic applause, but Belle did not hear it. In fact, she had not heard past the word 'fianc.' She looked up at Draco in shock, but was just as surprised to see he looked bewildered as well.
He regained his cool composure quickly, though, and held his hand out for hers. Belle stared at it a full ten seconds before realizing what he wanted. She rested her fingers on his palm lightly, too taken aback but the abrupt change of events to object. The band began a waltz, and Malfoy tugged Belle towards the middle of the ballroom floor.
"Malfoy I don't know how to dance!" She whispered urgently in his ear just as they stopped under the brilliant chandelier.
"Oh Merlin you must be joking," he groaned, barely moving his lips and releasing her hand. "Alright, I'm going to bow, and you curtsey to me, got it?" Belle nodded, her eyes wide in exasperation. It had been so long since Belle had not been in control of a situation, she did not know how to respond. She stood frozen to the spot Malfoy had left her on, her beautiful features composed with a look of faint horror. Slowly Malfoy bowed to her, though he kept his eyes locked with hers the entire time for fear of her fainting. With shaking hands she took the silk of her dress in her hands and curtseyed, almost falling off of her three-inch high silver heels.
Belle was trembling as Malfoy came closer and placed his hand on her waist. Without really thinking about it she rested hers on his shoulder, and clasped his free palm. "Follow my lead, okay?" Malfoy said, his face still calm and collected. Belle swallowed and nodded, and took an experimental step forwards. Belle went forwards as well and consequently rammed her heel into his foot.

The rest is in the results, as is a picture of Belle's, erm, LOVELY dress.
"Bloody hell," he swore under his breath, wincing slightly.
"Oh I'm sorry. No, no I can do it. Try again." Belle whispered back, desperate too appear competent. She had never backed down from a challenge, and even though she was scared beyond reason she was not about to let ballroom dancing break her stride.
"Alright, here we go. Back," he said, and to her satisfaction Belle's ankle obeyed and moved backwards. "Good, now right." They stepped in unison again. "Forwards. Left." Belle's eyes lit up with satisfaction as she successfully completed the box step in time to the music, and after several more bars, she was able to react perfectly to Malfoy's moves, though she continued to allow him to lead.
"Look at that, the shrew can waltz," Malfoy said teasingly, and though she sent him her iciest glare, the corners of her mouth had tugged upwards slightly.
"You forget Malfoy," she said, imitating his posh British accent, "I was basically royalty for twelve years." She smirked, not knowing or caring where this aberrant attitude came from. She felt lighter then she had in years.
"Royalty, eh?" He raised an eyebrow, "interesting, as I happen to be Prince of Slytherin." His voice went lower and he puffed out his chest ridiculously, and looked triumphant when she laughed.
"More like Prick of Slytherin, from what I hear." She shot back, really letting herself smile now; it appeared infectious, for though she had just clearly insulted him, his lips did not contort into his signature smirk but rather a rare and genuine smile, one that lit up his entire face until his steel eyes rang with it.
A curious sensation began to dance across Belle's senses as he smiled, and it was one she could faintly recall. Her mind traveled back to her first day at Hogwarts, when she had stood before the high table and had not really been listening to the Sorting Hat's song, when she had felt as though Draco could see right through her....
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Hola mis tomates pequenos! I have just said hello my little tomatoes, for the unspanish speaking among you. I really like this chapter, probably because it's one of the most light-hearted ones I've had yet. Oh, this is Belle's dress, only hers was green. I know, it's sort of ugly. But it's meant to be. Message and rate please! Fanks.