Cyrus sighs sitting at the Slytherin table with Draco beside her. She turns to see the owls fly in, groaning when she sees her mothers owl fly overhead. The brown owl circles before perching on Cyrus’s shoulder, dropping the letter onto her plate before taking off.
Draco hums in acknowledgement as Cyrus pockets the letter, dreading opening it. Knowing it either contains a reprimand for fighting or an invite to some pureblood society meeting. Cyrus’s mood sours throughout the day, the letter weighing heavily in her pocket.
Her last class finishes and she drags herself to potions, the cauldrons stacked high. Empty vials overflowing the basket. Yanking off her cloak she drapes it at her table, rolling up her sleeves before tackling the mountain of work. Two hours past of scrubbing when she hears someone enter the potions classroom.
Snape turns the corner squinting at Cyrus. “You could have used magic, I never specified it had to be done without the use of magic”
“I know sir. Just letting out some frustration” Cyrus groans drying her hands with the towel.
Snape peers down his nose to look at Cyrus, “5 points to Slytherin” he mutters before turning back around. “You can leave” he calls before leaving the room. His cloak billowing behind him as he disappears into the hall.
Cyrus smiles tossing her cloak over her arm before heading out into the courtyard. Standing in the middle of the yard she raises her gaze to the sky, The sun setting, the bite of autumn chilling her bones, taking in the cool air when she heard a loud laugh.
“George you are so funny!” a girl laughs.
Cyrus squints peering in the direction the voice came from spotting the Gryffindor chaser Alicia her dark hair being tossed over her shoulder. Cyrus tried her best but her lip curled in disgust as she watches them interact. George is leaning down to hear what Alicia said, His expression soft as he listens intently. Alicia blushes slightly leaning closer to Georges body. George looks up spotting Cyrus, giving Alicia a big smile before running towards Cyrus.
Cyrus crosses her arms, turning away from George. “Got all smiley for Alicia I see” she mutters.
George throws his arm over her shoulders, “Jealous, are we?”
“you wish gingersnap” Cyrus scoffs
“gingersnap?” George raises an eyebrow at the nickname. "Where'd that come from?"
Cyrus grabs George’s arm, lifting it off her shoulders to hold it in between them. “Look at your tiny forearm. How does it not break when you hit the bludger?” Cyrus scoffs.
“because I don’t take my frustration out on hitting the bludger” George laughs lifting up Cyrus’s arm holding his next to hers “yours is only a little thicker than mine.”
Cyrus coughs trying to hold it back but it slips out anyways “that’s what she said”
George laughs tickling Cyrus’s side, both of them falling into the dying grass. His fingers digging into her sides, she laughs uncontrollably. Grabbing Georges arms she leans over him, pinning his arms under her knees as she returns the attack. Digging into his exposed torso. Her fingers tickling his thin sides, his laughter music to her ears as she continues the attack. His knees push forward knocking Cyrus off his lap. Cyrus gets up, grabbing her discarded cloak.
“You dropped this” George mutters handing Cyrus her mothers letter, which fell out of her cloak during the fight.
“burn it. It’s probably just my mother yelling at me for getting into a fight.” Cyrus sighs turning away from George when she hears the paper ripping. Turning around to see him already opening the letter Cyrus protests reaching for the letter.
“We have been invited to the Halloween ball for the lady’s of the season’s introduction to society. I expect you to be there. Mother” George reads. “mmm get to dance with a bunch of pure blood princesses”
Cyrus groans taking the invitation from George “damn it.” She groans reading the invitation “it’s this weekend”
Unfortunately the week passed quickly, Cyrus groans as she fixes her hair. The hallway in the Carrow Manor has a familiar cold to it. She takes a deep breath of the slightly chilled air.
“Cyrus, honey! You look awful!” Elena mutters running her fingers through Cyrus's hair. “If you are going to have this short cut at least style it right.” She chastises her daughter still sprucing her hair.
“Where is father?” Cyrus asks, straightening her posture.
“Working, as always, but he will be here to announce you into society” Elena sighs, “We have a few hours before the party. Lets get you into hair and makeup.” She practically jumps with excitement.
This is something that Elena has wanted since Cyrus was born. Cyrus was supposed to go out into society last year but made excuses not to debut. However this year her mother was insistent.
*** Draco Pov ***
Draco pulls at his tie slightly, looking around the manor. Everyone dressed to impressed, Halfbloods peacocking to attract the purebloods. Purebloods keeping their noses in the air. Draco spots a waiter walking past and he takes the champagne flute from him taking a drink when he hears the announcer, “Eric Sterling, Elena Sterling and their daughter Cyrus Sterling!” Draco chokes on his drink, quickly spinning to look at the stairs.
Draco curses under his breath, she’s beautiful. Her movements more graceful, her demeanor vastly different from what she is normally like. An impressed scoff escaping him as he steps forward to the bottom of the stairs. With a better view he notes her perfectly curled hair, her makeup feminizing her features. Once she reaches the bottom of the stairs he holds out his hands, “May I have this dance, Miss Sterling?” Emphasizing the miss, he smirks.
Cyrus’s mother, Elena, smiles brightly. Nudging Cyrus forward, “Go along dear.”
Cyrus sighs, taking Draco's hand. He notices that the normal heat that radiates from her is dulled. He leads her out to the dancefloor, taking her waist. “So when were you going to tell me?” Even though they hug and interact on the daily, somehow this feels different.
“I didn't want anyone to know” Cyrus sighs, looking Draco in the eyes. “Don’t tell okay?”
Draco smirks, feeling the heat rise from Cyrus. “What’s in it for me?”
“The best beater Slytherin has seen in 50 years.” Cyrus growls. “The moment, anyone at Hogwarts finds out I wont be able to play.”
Draco nods slightly. “You have a point.” Draco spins them on the dance floor before they separate, taking a deep bow.
“Is anyone else from Hogwarts here?” Cyrus asks ducking her head in a respectful bow.
“Not that I am aware of.” Draco keeps his voice low, taking Cyrus's hand leading her out of the dance floor.
“Why are you even here? You didn't mention it at all.” Cyrus squints her eyes, reminding Draco of when she studies.
“Father wants me to marry a good pureblood girl.” Draco sneers. “Who would have thought there was one right in my dorm.”
“I’m not a pureblood.” Cyrus reminds her friend, popping one of the strawberries into her mouth from the spread.
Draco watches her, how did he not notice before? Yet watching Cyrus like this is like watching a whole other person.
"What?" Cyrus asks covering her mouth with her hand, "Is there something on my face?"
Draco shakes his head. "You are different."
"Yeah well Im terrified of my mother and she drilled etiquette into me since I started walking."
The ball passes with a blur of faces, Draco however only remembers Cyrus.