Just Him {Draco Malfoy}

27 - The Ball

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— DRACO WAS FRUSTRATED  after the conversation he had with his mother and now the Christmas party didn't seem like a good idea. He was excited about Ella meeting the other parts of his family, but after knowing the truth, he wasn't so sure about that. Yet, he had made a promise and he was going to keep it.

After knocking on Ella's door and was allowed to enter, Draco looked at her with something that wasn't exactly pity but still had something familiar with it. But she was so happy. So happy to be able to spend some time with him, despite all the lies that were hidden behind those pretty grey eyes.

"I-I have to tell you something—"

"I know, I messed up this curl.", Ella touched the strand of hair that was too curly for her liking and quickly fixed it.

"There look—"

"I have to—"

"Ugh. Stop Draco. I know, I forgot my shoes. Wait a second.", with pained eyes, Draco looked at her as she happily moved her body. He made a decision that moment, a decision that might cost him her, but he made one and it was not telling her anything his mother revealed him. For tonight only.

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"Do I have to present myself with my full name like I have to do in France? Princess Ella Madden, daughter of Rose Linet and Donovan Madden, granddaughter of-", Draco covered her mouth with his hand, making her frown and say a muffled and extended 'hey' in protest.

"Just say that you're Ella. That's it.", he told her before they exited her room.

"No title- Just Ella?"

"Just Ella.", he reassured her and then his conversation with his mother came back in his mind.

"She'll have to participate. But never present her as the Princess. Never. We don't know who is going to take part of the party."

"How?", Draco asked his mother, not understanding why she had invited people that she didn't know.

"I consulted your father and we came to the decision to invite all Death Eaters, in order to gain all of their trust back."

"That's absurd."

"We need to, Draco. We don't know when the war is going to start and that's why we need people that will think of us highly."

"We don't want anybody to—"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it.", Ella quickly kissed his cheek and smiled at his words.

There was a hall that was literally made for balls and that was where people simply met out of nowhere. As Draco and Ella got in, some guests were welcomed and classic music was playing.
With all the decoration that seemed to make the room look as normal as possible, Ella still didn't like it. Maybe because of the people; they strangely and shamelessly looked at her, something that made her incredibly uncomfortable.

Draco brought Ella to sit on one of the chairs by the side of the room. The air was awkward. They were - by now - the only young couple, until someone quite familiar walked in the room, making Draco roll his eyes and stand up.