The Day of Christmas
The affairs of a Malfoy party were all the same: greet guests with two to three humble brags, take a drink offering off of the tower of glasses, eat none of the hors devours because they were only for guests, and smile. It was the same when Draco was in primary school and now its importance was stressed more than ever because Draco was beginning to become a man. Draco’s father would discreetly pinch the back of his neck like a mother cat to her young when Draco stopped smiling. He played the part as he was casted, shaking hands and complimenting people on their frilly outfits that were charmed for the night. Draco was tense all night, keeping his jaw clenched and shoulders defensively raised. He greeted his friends, the usual suspects at the Malfoys. Even Nott had been civil, and Draco tried to will his nerves into excitement for Maeve’s arrival. He hadn’t decided if he was going to pretend that he didn’t know Maeve was coming, just so he could meet her with surprise, or tell her truthfully that he was waiting all night for her to come. He needed another glass of cider for his bone-dry mouth and it provided a distraction from the door for the moment. He excused himself to the next room, looking around quickly for a refill.
“Excuse me?” Draco felt a small tap on his shoulder, which sent a shiver down his back. He suspected it was an aunt or one of his mother’s friends but when he turned around, he fumbled with his glass of cider when he realized it was in fact Maeve. She was giggling at his reaction to her disguised voice and Draco was just trying to focus on not dropping the glass he was holding or spilling it all over her dress. Her dress, a deep velvety green, caused its own distraction for Draco. It hung off of her shoulders, which were proudly framed by curled pieces of her red hair that fell out of her pin. Her lips were tightlined with a vibrant red gloss that reminded Draco of his favorite candied apples. Draco didn’t realize how intently he was studying her until he met her eyes and realized that she was looking right back at him, laughing a little as well.
“H-hey! I was wondering when you’d show up,” Draco offered Maeve a different glass of cider after he realized what he said so he wouldn’t have to look at her with embarrassment. Draco hated how awkward he made things. It was easier to tease and intimidate than it was to try to talk out how he felt about her.
“Oh, you were waiting for me?” Maeve teased, which made Draco purse his lips in faux-rejection.
“Only for someone that wasn’t old and a Minster,” Draco retorted, realizing how stupid he sounded and only playing into her point.
“Ah, so you knew I was coming,” Maeve closed the space between them, and Draco choked, moving back nervously. “I can’t believe you grew up in a place like this. It’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, let me take you to the dining room,” Draco walked quickly, immediately feeling embarrassed that he didn’t offer his arm for Maeve. She trailed behind him, looking around at the marble columns and whispering under her breath. When they got to the long table decorated with a Christmas feast, Draco remembered to pull out a chair for Maeve.
“Thank you, Draco. Oh! Don’t let me forget, I have a present for you,” Maeve smiled, reaching into her bag and producing a small black box with a neatly tied green ribbon. Draco couldn’t fight the smile on his face, and she gestured for him to open it. He undid the ribbon carefully, then lifted the top to reveal a silver watch that had his initials etched on each side of the watch face on the band. He ran his fingers over the engraving on the band, feeling divots on both sides of the watch. “Turn it over.”
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself. MP. I’ll never live that down, will I?” Draco snorted, his sarcasm a weak veil for his appreciation.
“It reminds you when to eat and whatever appointments you might have. I tried combing it with the effects of a Rememberall. Let me know if it… er… malfunctions,” Maeve grabbed Draco’s hand and placed the watch on his wrist while the warmth of her hands sent shivers down Draco’s back.
“Ah, so if it explodes and I die, I can blame you?”
“Sure,” Maeve rolled her eyes with a giggle. Draco felt his chest tighten at the thought of it all. Was this a relationship? Did he have a girlfriend? Were there new expectations now? He twisted his new watch anxiously. He felt antsy from the affection, feeling a need to match the moment.
“I- I have a gift for you, too. I’ll give it to you after dinner,” Draco pursed his lips and as if on cue, his father stood up to toast the audience. Maeve squeezed Draco’s clammy hand under the table with a smile and he felt dizzy.
“Cute,” Maeve whispered in Draco’s ear, tickling his face with her hair.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t mention it.”