Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Matter of Time	By : AdaraB Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 7796 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything in the Harry Potter universe. I own nothing and I make no profit off of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 22 – Gifts

Draco walked Ashleigh up to the second floor and down the right wing, showing her rooms she may want to use in the next week along the way. Stopping at another set of double doors, the only difference being that these doors had gold filigree around the outlines carved into the painted wood, Draco said “This is your room. Mine is directly across the hall.” He motioned at the set of doors that matched hers, that were placed directly across from hers.

“We have four hours until the guests start arriving at seven so you need to be ready by six thirty. I’ll see you then okay.”

“Yeah.” She opened her door and stepped into the room, closing it just as Draco closed his.

Ashleigh thought about everything, including her room while she was showering. The room was beautiful, decorated in mauves and deep plums. It was a very relaxing room. She also thought about her conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy and what Draco had thought of it. She supposed it had gone well; though it went so fast that she wasn’t sure it had. Stepping out of the shower, she wrapped herself up in a soft, fuzzy white towel and towel dried her hair, getting the excess moisture out. Walking out of the steamy bathroom, she headed over to the dresser to grab her under things that she would need for the night and threw them haphazardly on the bed behind her. Picking up her brush, she continued to brush through her wet hair when something on the bed caught her eye in the mirror. Turning, she saw that the box actually was there. It hadn’t been there before her shower. She supposed the house elf Tibby had brought it up. Setting her brush down, she walked over to the box and picked up the note that was attached to the top.

Ashleigh,

Draco had earlier mentioned that you had planned on wearing the same gown you wore to the Yule Ball to the party tonight. I could not, as a friend, let you do that as many of your fellow Slytherin’s will be in attendance and would undoubtedly make rude remarks about your choice of attire. My friends and their children are a bit snobbish when it comes to fashion. I hope to see you coming down the grand staircase wearing this gown; I know it will look lovely on you.

Yours,

Narcissa Malfoy

P.S. I did forget to ask you if you wouldn’t mind calling me Narcissa. Mrs. Malfoy is a bit formal for friends, don’t you think?

After reading the letter, Ashleigh opened the large white box, unfolded the white tissue paper and found a ruby red dress. Pulling it out of the box, she held it up to examine it. It was made of a fine silk charmeuse, the finest she had ever seen. It was a strapless gown that was fitted through the bodice and flared out at the hips, which she imagined, fluttered flatteringly. The gown’s best feature to her however, was the diamond pattern created by red crystal beads that covered the bodice and tapered off into a sporadic flurry as it hit the flare at the hips. Turning the gown in her hands so that she could see the back, she gasped at the open back. The back of the gown had a plunging V that went all the way down to the lower back. Placing the gown gently on the bed, she noted that her strapless bra was not going to work with this dress. Looking at the box again, she finally noticed a backless bra that was perfect for a dress such as this, a pair of red strappy stiletto’s that were amazingly like her black ones and a pair of hair combs with red crystals in them, although she had a feeling that those red crystals were actually red rubies.

Quickly running from her room, forgetting her state of dress, or lack thereof, she went to Draco’s door and knocked frantically. When he opened the door, he was clothed in nothing but his boxers. Completely captivated by the sight of him, she momentarily forgot what she was going to say.

When Draco opened his door, he had expected to find Ashleigh there. He, however, had not expected to find a wet headed Ashleigh that was only clothed in a towel. He lost his breath for a few moments at the sight she made. He had only been able to see her like this in his dreams. Never did he think he’d be able to see her in such an intimate state so soon in their relationship. Regaining his voice, he asked “Yes?” in a husky voice.

Confused as to why he was looking at her in such a way, she looked down and realized that she was only wearing a towel. Blushing, she answered him.

“Um, your mother left me a gift on my bed. I don’t want to hurt her feelings but I can’t accept it. It’s far too expensive a gift, especially since she just met me and we haven’t been going out that long.”

“If you want my advice, I’d accept it. My mother doesn’t take ‘No’ for an answer, especially if it is something she wants to happen. This is clearly something she wants to happen. So just wear the dress tonight and thank her and she will be as happy as can be.”

“How did you know it was a dress?”

“She mentioned something about getting you a new one for the party.”

“Why didn’t you stop her? I can’t possibly accept something so expensive!”

“Yes you can. This is the kind of thing my mother lives for, dressing people up! It’s fun for her and really, she’d be offended if you didn’t wear it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Now go get ready.”

She turned to reenter her room, but was suddenly pulled back by her arm and spun around. She found herself embraced by Draco, his strong arms gathering her to him as he leaned down and pressed a searing kiss to her lips. She snaked her arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his skin. Moaning into her mouth, Draco pulled away, a disappointed look on his face.

“We really need to stop; I just needed to kiss you right now. Who knows when I’ll get you in a towel again?” He said, his eyebrows wiggling up and down deviously.

“Prat.” She replied, slapping him on the shoulder and then returning to her room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As six thirty rolled around, a soft pop sounded in her room. Turning around, she spotted Tibby holding a rectangular box that was wrapped in silver foil wrapping paper and tied impressively with a green ribbon and a perfect red rose.

“Master Draco asked Tibby to bring this to Miss Ashleigh.” She said while curtsying.

“Oh, thank you. Could you take this to Draco for me please?” She handed Tibby a small square box that was wrapped exactly as Draco’s gift to her was, minus the rose. Apparently, they had the same taste in wrapping paper and ribbon.

“Yes, Miss.” The elf replied and popped away.

When Ashleigh opened her gift she almost fell off her chair in shock. Perched on a black cushion was a delicate gold chain that held a trilliant cut diamond that was the size of her thumb nail and sparkled like a million stars. Finally realizing that there was an attached note, she unfolded it and began to read.

My Dearest Sweetheart,

I know how you feel about expensive gifts but I could not pass up giving this to you. When I saw it in passing I immediately thought of you. I would like you to wear it tonight. If it would make you feel better, you can give it back to me and I’ll give it to you again at another time. I do hope you like it and that you will wear it.

Yours Always,

Draco

“What is it with this family and giving such expensive gifts to people they barely know?”

Sighing, she looked in the mirror and thought to herself that she would like to wear it but questioned whether it was right? Resolving herself, she pulled the necklace out of the box and placed it around her neck clasping it firmly in place. ‘Of course it would sit in the perfect place as well’ she thought miserably. It sat directly in the middle of her clavicle bones, showing them off nicely. She was glad she had her favorite diamond studs in her ears the day she was sent back in time or else the diamond necklace would be the only jewelry she would be wearing tonight.

After putting on her shoes, she headed for the door. It was six thirty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Ashleigh descended the grand staircase, the eyes of the three Malfoy’s were firmly on her. Narcissa wore a reminiscent smile on her face while Lucius and Draco held admiring looks. Draco couldn’t believe how beautiful Ashleigh looked just then. He didn’t think it could get any better after the Yule Ball but he had been utterly wrong. He decided right then that red was definitely her color. He had heard that red was supposed to be the most alluring color on women but he hadn’t found truth in that theory until this moment. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, her gown trailing on the stairs behind her, he walked over to her and forced his voice to come out normal, not the high pitched squeak that he was afraid was going to make its embarrassing appearance.

Once again, he took in her appearance from head to toe. Her hair was parted to the side, showing off her widows peak which he had once heard implied natural beauty (which he couldn’t help agreeing with when it came to Ashleigh), and pulled back into an elegant knot at the nape of her neck. Around her neck, which he was happy to see, was the diamond pendant he had bought her for Christmas. He really hoped she wouldn’t give it back to him; he wanted her to wear it with pride. He noticed the diamond stud earrings that she always wore and smiled at how nicely they matched.

Her make-up was very different from what it had been for the Yule Ball, although pleasingly so. Her eyes held a translucent golden eye shadow and were lined lightly with black eye liner and mascara. Her cheeks were naturally flushed and on her lips she wore a red lipstick that matched the color of her dress.

The dress, which he had seen before since he helped his mother pick it out, looked magnificent on Ashleigh. It fit her like a glove and accented her curves in all the right places. It fluttered around her flatteringly as she moved.

Draco was speechless, it was becoming a common occurrence around her, and he couldn’t help it.

“You look quite handsome Draco.” She told him, trying to break the ice.

“You look fantastic. I knew that dress would look amazing on you, but this…there aren’t words.”

Ashleigh blushed at his praise.

“Thank you for the necklace, it’s gorgeous. But you really shouldn’t have.”

“I wanted to.”

“I know but…”

“No buts, I wanted to give it to you, it’s yours. I know you don’t like me to give you expensive gifts but that just makes me want to give them to you more.”

“We’re going to have to set a spending limit, I can see it now!” She said with a laugh.

“Did you like your gift?” She asked him nervously. She had previously thought the silver dragon cloak clasp was a fitting gift. Now she wasn’t so sure, after all, what do you get the boy who has everything?

“I loved it, it’s just a shame I won’t be going out tonight to be able to wear it. It is rather fitting with my name and all.” He said pulling her into a hug. He knew she was worried about his gift but he hadn’t lied. He really did love it and all of the effort she put into it. Pulling back, he placed a soft kiss on her ruby red lips for just a moment before giving her one of his winning smiles.

She couldn’t help smiling back at him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucius and Narcissa watched the young couple’s interaction from across the room, listening carefully to their conversation. It had pleased them both when Draco had told them of her reaction to the gown. Narcissa had known deep down that the girl would not easily accept it but she also didn’t want the girl thanking her to the roof tops at her generosity. She liked doing these things. Draco had assured her that he had talked her into wearing the dress and that she would not mention how she ‘shouldn’t have done that.’

They listened to the couple bicker over the necklace that Lucius wasn’t sure was a good idea to give the girl. He was afraid she would turn into a gold digger of some sort and break his son’s heart. He could tell that his son loved this girl even though it was too early in their relationship for either of them to realize it. When she fought his decision to give her the necklace, he mentally celebrated. It wasn’t everyday that someone truly fancied his son for just being who he is instead of a rich, handsome man who was to inherit the title of Lord once he married. He was even more ecstatic when she mentioned setting a price limit on their gifts to each other. Lucius knew that Draco would never abide by that rule and he couldn’t blame him. It was so much more fun to buy expensive gifts for someone who wasn’t expecting them and that would truly appreciate them.

Looking at Narcissa, he smiled a genuine smile that rarely graced his face and led his wife into the ballroom to let his son and girlfriend have a private moment alone before the festivities started.

It was going to be an interesting night indeed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The party was in full swing by the time the Malfoy’s finally completed their hosting duties. Ashleigh suspected that there were at least sixty people in attendance. Couples were already in the middle of the floor, dancing slowly to a ballad she did not recognize. When she saw Draco enter the room, she headed over toward him as she felt very uncomfortable standing in the corner she was in. The host family was the only one she was remotely interested in talking too. She had already greeted her fellow Slytherin’s and had become bored with their juvenile conversations. Walking by a waiter, she picked up a flute of Champaign and brought it to her lips as she walked. She nearly spilled it down her front when a man stopped dead in front of her.

“Hello there gorgeous, would you care to dance?” He said in a sly tone, looking her up and down a few times.

Ashleigh looked at this man; she felt contempt at his approach but formed a mask of indifference over her face. This man looked to be about as old as Lucius which wasn’t old per say, but the age range of mid forties was a bit old for her. He was handsome, no doubt with his dark hair and electric blue eyes. She may have once found him charming if she hadn’t been dating Draco.

“No thank you.” She replied and tried to side step him.

He blocked her path.

“Don’t hurry off now. How about I get you a drink?”

“I’ve got one, thanks.” She said, holding up her crystal flute.

“I’m sure you could use another.” He replied flippantly. “I must say that I find your accent extremely sexy, as is the woman it comes from. Come on love, why won’t you dance with me?”

“Because she said she doesn’t want to!” Came a voice from behind him.

He turned to see the Malfoy boy standing there.

“Ah, Draco could you introduce me to this lovely woman here? She’s being a tad elusive.” He asked in vein. He apparently hadn’t noticed the intense death look on Draco’s face.

Draco walked around the man to stand next to Ashleigh and put his arm around her waist. At his movement, the man looked a bit confused.

“Donovan Greenport, this is Ashleigh Grey, my girlfriend.” As he said the last bit, Draco gave her an indulgent smile.

Donovan had the most surprised face Ashleigh had ever seen. He looked as if he couldn’t believe someone would rather be with Draco than him.

“You are dating this boy?” He asked indignantly.

“No, I am dating this man. It’s not as though I’m doing anything wrong, we are the same age you know! So don’t you dare stand there and act as though I have when you just hit on someone nearly half your age!” She fired back furiously. She felt as though she could spit fire.

“Sweetheart?” Draco said, trying to take her attention off of the git standing in front of them. “Would you like to dance?”

Ashleigh immediately calmed down now that her attention was back on Draco. She nodded the affirmative and they headed toward the dance floor. Wrapping themselves around each other, they swayed to the music while they chatted quietly about anything but Donovan Greenport.

At the end of the night, when all of the guests had left, the four occupants strode up the stairs in couples. At the parting of the staircase they bid goodnight to the other couple as the Malfoy’s went to the left and Draco and Ashleigh went to the right.

Draco and Ashleigh came to a stop between their bedroom doors and just stared at each other for a moment. When the moment had past, they stepped forward an engulfed the other in their arms, bringing their lips together in a fiery kiss.

The kiss was immediately heated, their tongues fighting for dominance. Draco walked her backward and pressed her hard against her door. At his movement she groaned loudly into his mouth, the sound reverberating off the walls of his mouth, causing him to moan in response. He ran his hands teasingly up and down her arms as he pressed himself into her even more causing her to shiver. Sucking his bottom lip into her mouth, she nibbled on it and let her hands roam his chest under his jacket. She could feel every outline of his muscles through the thin shirt he wore.

They pulled away from each other for a moment before Draco bent down and attacked her neck with his lips. He worked his way from her clavicle up to her ear where he paid homage and back down again. He found his first sweet spot just above her clavicle and went at it constantly. When he did so, she suddenly bucked against him, panting heavily as she rubbed circles on his back.

Draco was now becoming increasingly uncomfortable in his trousers as he worked his way back up to her lips. Giving her one last deep kiss he pulled back from her, removing his body from hers as well.

“I think it would be best if we stopped. If we go any further I won’t be able to stop.”

Ashleigh could only nod, needing a moment to compose herself.

“You’re right, from what I could feel pressing into my stomach, you were about a minute from ripping off my clothes!” She said with a coy smile and looking up at him through her lashes.

“Minx.”

“Goodnight, Draco.” She said as she stepped forward and gave him a sensual kiss as she pressed her chest against him.

Pulling back quickly, she turned and opened her door and slipped inside pausing as he said his final sentence.

“I was wrong, you’re not a minx, you’re a tease.” He said good naturedly.

“Goodnight, Sweetheart.” Smiling at her he entered his room as well, their doors closing simultaneously.
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A Matter of Time