once upon a december |closed|

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria && Draco
Slytherin Common Room
After Slughorn's Christmas party, 1995

The party.... well, it had been crashed by none other than Draco Malfoy. It seemed everyone but Astoria had minded. Really, she enjoyed the company of those around her, but it was a dull, borish party with more adults than people her own age. She was one of the youngest members of the club, and she wanted to do more than party tricks, which was what she had been put up to. She hadn't bargained on Slughorn being a mighty transfigurations master, and the lessons that he taught her were invaluable, really. She could already transfigure others, which in of itself was tricky, but he wanted to teach her to change herself into something, to turn into an animal or an object at a moment's notice and then back again. The trick was to turn back again, though, as he demonstrated by turning himself into an arm chair.

She was tired as she turned the corners toward the common room. It was cold and her dress wasn't nearly as thick as she would have liked, but she pressed on, knowing a roaring fire was waiting for her just beyond that door... when she pushed it open and stepped inside quietly, since it was so late at night, one could only imagine her shock as to who was sitting in front of the fire, eyes almost ablaze as the licking flames. She froze by the door, remembering his eyes upon her face when he had entered the party, and stood there, shivering in her gown and fancy makeup and girly hairdo, and hoped he didn't notice her enter.

[Draco Malfoy]

The nerve of Snape! Draco Malfoy thought as he sat alone in front of the burning common room fire. It was quite uncommon usually for one to find the slytherin common room with only a sole occupant. However, if you did happen to, that person would probably be Draco. He had a certain way of being able to clear a room if that was what he wanted, though there was the occasional clingy girl who just couldn't take a hint. However, tonight Draco had returned to find mostly easily-intimidated first and second years. They had all scooted out of there so quickly that someone had not even bothered to gether their things, consisting of pices of parchment and a quill. Draco had taken a seat and was now crumpling up these items in his frustration and tossing them idly into the roaring flames. His eyes burned as well, with annoyance at the potions master whom Draco was usually on rather good terms with. This was his assignment! The Dark Lord had entrusted him with it and he was fully capable of accomplishing it on his own. He just... had hit a little road block was all. His thoughts quickly moved on to the problem that had been perplexing him for the past month or so... the cabinet problem. He became so quickly engrossed in these thoughts that he didn't even have time to dwell on the rage and embarrassment he felt at being almost thrown out of a party. Just the knowledge that he was unwelcome anywhere would have normally been enough to incur his wrath. But that was before... there were more important things now.

He had become so lost in his own thoughts, going over the same ideas, the same problems, over and over again that he lost track of time. It wasn't until he had run out of paper to crumple up that he gave a thought to how long he had actually been sitting there. He let out a sigh. Picking up the quill that was left, he ran the end of it through the tips of the flames, singeing the ends. He watched the quill blacken, curl and shirnk before his attention was diverted by the sound of the common room door. He looked in the direction of the entrance, wondering if he hadn't been perfectly clear in the corridor and if snape were coming to interrogate him a bit more. He was just preparing himself for some bickering when the intruder revealed themself. Greengrass Jr. Of course, the party would be ending about now. He had forgotten; forgotten that she had been there. Forgotten that she had been there to witness his embarraddment. Stupid party. He didn't even really care that much about it. Why would he want to hang around in the same room as potter anyways? Her presence had brought back all the previously ignored animosity thata he felt towards being rejected... but at least it was a temporary break from the perplexing puzzle in the room of requirement. Any break from that was a welcome one. He took in the site of her, or what he could see in the dim firelight. He had only seen her breifly earlier that night. But his memory of her appearance had been correct. She looked very elegant. Far more so than she usually did. He twirled the quill idly between his fingers while giving her a final glance up and down, then returned his gaze to the depths of the fire. He would rather not face the person who had witnessed him defeated in such a way, let alone talk about or relive the event at this moment. Or ever, for that matter.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria tried her best to ignore the glance that Draco sent her way when she walked into the common room. She placed her hands against the door to steady herself before pushing off and walking lazily toward the dormitories, but cast a quick, doe-eyed glance at Draco as she walked past. He was burning something that looked like a quill, though there wasn't much of it left, and she looked away. The crackle of the fire and the swish of her dress were the only things that were making sounds in the room. And that's when she hesitated. She couldn't help it - his face was visibly pained, and Draco's face was never pained. She paused in her trek and turned slightly.

"That party would have been so much better if you had been there," she said softly, breaking the silence. "At least for me, anyway. Then someone would have gotten a genuine kick out of when I transfigured the stool Slughorn was sitting on into a giant spider. All I got were dirty looks from everyone. Slughorn, like a dolt, only laughed."

She smiled slightly, then let it fall. She didn't know if she should keep walking, or wait for him to reply. Instead she turned as if to walk away, but then glanced over her shoulder at him. Did anyone even really know the real Draco aside from himself? She had determined long ago, in her first year, that it was he was the true master of storytelling, not she, as he was the one who had even convinced himself of the story that was his life.

Over time she had learned that perhaps in her first year she had been too quick to judge his character. He was a good person, even if he had done evil things, and it was his basic person that she was so drawn to. The girls in her year, however, they saw only the surface of Draco, the money and the power, not the man that he was becoming, not the enduring leader that was emerging. It was difficult for her to even think about how she really felt about him, because there was no denying that he was pleasant on the eyes, but even still, they had nothing in common other than their house and their ancestry, well, that she was aware. Again, no one really knew who he really was. He was a tough nut to crack, as it were. And she could have laughed at herself just then, thinking that she could be better than her sister and get him to actually talk, better than Pansy... ha, if they even knew that they were alone in the same room...... fur would definitely fly.

[Draco Malfoy]

Draco could hear her moving in the direction of the girls common room stairs as her dress was the only thing that made a sound beside the fire. And as such, he didn't have to turn his head and look in her direction to know that she had stopped before even making it to the bottom step. What could it possibly be now? he thought to himself. He would expect any other girl to see him sitting alone as the perfect opportunity to seduce- or as he saw it, smother- him with their affections. Not that he didn't enjoy it oftentimes, but other times... well some people just couldn't take a hint. However, that was most girls. And Astoria didn't fall under that category. She had never shown the slightest interest in him, romantically or otherwise. It was almost to the point of her purposefully ignoring him, which draco might have taken offense to, except that he just couldn't be bothered by it for some reason. As for the other, well, Draco has always thought of Astoria as being rather perceptive, not one to intrude... however, perhaps he was wrong. How well did he really know her anyways? Not at all he answered to himself, continuing to look into the fire and avoid interaction. Antisocial, now there was a word hardly ever associated with Mr. Malfoy. Ah well, maybe people didn't know him as well as they thought they did either.

And then she spoke. Not really thinking that she would have anything to ay that would interest him, he still refused to look at her, choosing instead to brood into the flames. However, being surrounded by nothing more than deadening silence, it would have been impossible for him to not hear her words at all. Subconciously, he was listening. And he couldn't help but raise and eyebrow at her saying it would have better with him there. It even put a small smirk on his face. After all, what difference would it have made to her if he had been there? Even when they were in social situations together, she never spoke to him. Avoided him almost, so he really couldn't see what effect his presence would have had. But it was nice of her to say so nonetheless. Upon hearing the rest of her party story, he let out a quiet sound; what might have been considered a chuckle by most, if Draco could ever be said to have chuckled in his lifetime. But perhaps she hadn't heard this small acknowledgement come from him, for within a moment he could hear the distinct swishing of her dress moving away from him again. Not wanting to seem rude [since when had that ever bothered him before?], he plled his gaze away from the fire and turned to look at her, only to be met with her retreating back, as he had suspected.

However, he had not expected her to stop and turn around to look at him once again. And so was caught a bit of guard when his uncharacteristically soft curious gaze was met by one of her own. Draco was not sure what to say. I mean, now that she was aware of his attention, he couldn't just go on pretended to ignore. "Err... thanks" he said awkwardly. Thanks? Thanks for what? Thanks for interrupting him? Not leaving him in peace? He really didn't know... but perhaps that was a good thing considering his thoughts had been far from peaceful before she had entered.

[astoria greengrass]

His eyes wandered away from the fire, probably expecting to see Astoria completely gone, and much to her shock as it probably was to his, their eyes met for what felt like the first time. Not that they hadn't seen each other, because they saw each other all the time, but to connect with someone just through a glance, to see a moment when they let their defences down and to see a part of who they really are, even if you can't recognize it - that was something unique. Astoria drew her glance away before he did, the softness and genuine interest in it more than she was used to. Her shock had been obvious, and his, well... she couldn't really tell if it was shock or annoyance that came through when he spoke to her. Now what did she say to him? She couldn't just say that he was welcome, because while that would have been, well, obvious, she wasn't as obvious she seemed.

There was a wall beside her and she leaned against it with her hand, placing her free hand on her corseted waistline. Not that it wasn't impossible to breathe or anything... no, in a story she might have told that she was simply training to hold her breath underwater, but in the reality of it she couldn't breathe and standing there for so long without even moving her legs had made her light headed. She knew that this weakness probably was obvious to Draco and he would be disinterested to speak with her any more, so she pushed herself off the wall and took a step toward him. Her mind returned to the problem, what did one say when you knew there was more wrong with a person than they let on, and when you were supposed to say something to them? Best to just let it out, probably, let her mouth do all the thinking, since it was so good at storytelling anyway. She took a breath.

"I can't help but notice that you seem... tense. I hope I wasn't disturbing you or anything." She took another step toward him, that light headed feeling coming back. She didn't want to pass out in front of him, that was for sure. Ugh... maybe if she just transfigured the dress into something, easier to manage, something looser and more comfortable. Her wand was neatly tucked into the sleeve of the gown and she pulled it out slowly, careful not to snag the expensive gown.

"I hope you don't mind if I... change real quick. I can't wear this thing any longer." She didn't need his permission or even his acknowledgment of her intentions, but, being polite she figured she would announce it anyway. Without a word she closed her eyes and focused on the gown, thinking instead of silky pale green pajamas, with thick cuffs and a white lining, a top with silver buttons and her initials embroidered over her heart. When she opened her eyes, she was wearing said pajamas, and her shoes had turned into matching green slippers. She felt much better. Her hair was all that was the same, and the makeup on her face, but she was now wearing something more comfortable and amiable.

[Draco Malfoy]

It was a rare occurance for Draco to willingly be caught in direct eye contact with another... especially with such a look in his eyes. Even when he was locked in the most intimate of embraces with one of his female admirers, he did not gaze into their eyes lovingly [or even lustfully] as most lovers did. The eyes gave too much away. And though he was more skilled than most in hiding secret emotions from his face, having been in constant practive for then past several years, it was still a risk. To have someone capture your attention and then allow them to disect your soul through your eyes; he just couldn't... would never let it happen. Never. Never say never. She had caught him off guard. Still, he got over the surprise of this sudden direct eye contact quickly. She was no threat to him, of that he was almost one hundred percent certain. Sure, he didn't know her personally that well, but everyone just seemed to be the same... no surprises. So, he didn't at all mind that perhaps she was able to catch of glimpse of his troubled mind. She could have no idea of the depths to which these troubles permeated his soul. And in return, he was able to probe her eyes for the briefest of moments, gaze in through the windows to the soul, looking for confirmation of what he already thought he knew about her or a hint that perhaps he had been wrong. However, he didn't get to delve too deeply for she was quick to turn her gaze away and deny him access. Perhaps, she was hiding something. Or, as with so many others, she found his cold, harsh, stare uncomfortable and unsettling. It was probably the latter he decided with a sigh. How disappointing.

And yet, still, she didn't just retreat to the dorms like he might have expected anyone else to do. She stopped. Leaned against the wall for a moment. Draco gazed at her a moment longer, deciding to himself that beauty definately seemed to run in the Greengrass family, before turning back away to his own business. After all, he could only be content with looking for so long. Looking at the fire once again, but having lost his previous train of thought, he considered the fact that the younger greengrass had not gone to the dorms because she had the intentions of joining him in the common room. He wasn't sure exactly how he felt about this to be honest. On the one hand, most people weren't stupid enough to invade his privacy, even if the common room was technically a public space. And he knew Astoria was no fool, well aware as he was that she had impressed Slughorn at least. Which is why he couldn't exactly say he was opposed to her compay either. He would not object, should she choose to stay; unless she was dull, in which case he could always get up and leave. However, he hoped that it wasn't just beauty that ran in the family and that boredom would not be the fate that awaited him in her presence. He couldn't help but smirk a bit when he distinctly heard heels cross the floor back in his direction, though she would only see the back of his head at moment. Why the prospect of talking to someone he hardly knew interested him he couldn't understand.

But then, she spoke. And it didn't matter. In reality, the statement was not overly personal and most normal people would not have taken it as such. However, Draco, being in constant rejection of any emotional expression, took it as a slight intrusion. "No" he said. Such a vague answer. If he were denying the first statement, than it was most certainly a lie. If answering the second question, well... then it was probably the truth. She had not disturbed him. He had been more disturbed before she had entered in fact. Either way, he did not say anything else to clarify his one-word answer. Let her take it as she whatever she wanted, he didn't care. When she started the next sentance, he almost said something quite sharp to her, along the lines of 'I really don't bloody care what you do.' But when she finished her sentance, he coulnd't help but turn back to look at her once again. Change clothes? Well that either meant she was going to go down to her dorm to change in which case he wasn't sure why she was asking him cause he could care less. In fact, he might just tell her to not come back. Or... she was gonna change right there in front of him, which was y far the more interesting option in his opinion. Sure, this common room had seen it's fair shsare of nude slytherin in the wee hours of the evening, hell he was guilty of that one. But, he had always had the suspicion that Astoria had never been one of them. Still, as was ecoming ever more apparent as the minuted passed between them... Draco clearly didn't know her very well. Perhaps she was more like her sister than he could have ever imagined... which might be lucky for him he thought with a hint of a smile in his eyes. Best not get his hopes up though. He watched her for the moment expectantly, wondering which option she had meant.

Transfiguration. Alright, so that option had slipped his mind. He was fmailiar with the magic needed to perform such a trick, had done it a few times himself, though usually the goal was merely to get rid of the person's clothes altogether. Nonetheless, he had found that it was just easier to rip them off said person instead of trying to concentrate on a spell when him mind was eager to be elsewhere. Anyways, she was till there and she was still clothed. So, what now? Seeing her now dressed as such only made Draco realize how uncomfortable he was in his own clothes. He was still dressed in his school uniorm rom the day as well as his the heavy cloak that he had worn during this evening party crash. It was dcold and draty in the halls and a heavy cloak was needed, but now in front of the fire it was hardly necessary. Draco obviously had the same three options that Astoria had had with this dilemma. However, seeing as he usually slept in close to nothing... none of these seemed like the best idea in present company. So, instead he merely stood up and removed his cloak, draping it over the back of the armchair he had been sitting in. And unlike Astoria, he did not feeling the need to announce or explain any of his actions to anyone, no matter who had been in the room. When he sat back down, he could already feel a change... he was immediately more relxed. He leaned back comfortably in the chair and put his hands behind his head, shutting his eyes for a moment. He wasn't sure what the cause of this more relaxed demeanor was, the girl or the lack of cloak. After only a few seconds with his eyes shut and one quiet, calm sigh, he opened his eyes again and turned to look at where Astoria had been. He looked at her questioningly, wondering if she was just going to stand there all night, but he said nothing.

[astoria greengrass]

Astoria knew that he would be speechless, but she had expected some form of reply after that. Honestly. But perhaps at the same time she was expecting just this - the nonchalant lean, the cold gaze, the same, distant Draco that she always saw. What did so many people like about him, anyway? Her mind strayed for a minute, abstract of the possession of power that had immediately drawn her to him and the subsequent intrigue that kept her interested, the softer effect his face had in her mind, and seriously doubted herself, as well as any other who perchance was infatuated with him. He never showed who he really was, never openly cared what others thought of him, never showed affection even in the tiniest amounts. He was a cold, cruel bastard to those who displeased him, and only slightly less to those who did favors for him. Never once had she seen him do anything or say anything that did not immediately reflect honor to himself, and frankly, it was something that had always bothered her and nagged at her when she pushed it out of her mind, as she usually did.

But then again, he was mysterious, he was titillating to the mind. For others, they could love him for his looks, be taken by his wealthy or excited by his power, which was indeed what initially caught Astoria's eye. But her observations, the little things about him that she couldn't bring herself past, those were what turned her away when she felt the need to push her care about him out of her life. Maybe others saw those things as well, and maybe they just didn't care enough about it to really make it a reason of concern. But really... she couldn't bring herself past it at that point in time. As much as he was likable for the obvious teenage reasons, Astoria needed more. Her mind needed the challenge, she needed the obstacles that his voluntary solitude provided, the chaos he hid from the world she need to know - her curiosity of what he could possibly reveal, if he would reveal... And perhaps it was this illogical roundabout that was why he continued to interest her - he was a tough nut, and she would see him cracked.

When he did not speak, but simply gave her his famous stare, and took off his cloak, she could feel herself winding up, especially as his body seemed to sink a little and his muscles physically relax. Maybe tonight she would get a peek at what lay underneath the Draco everyone knew and who they thought he was underneath. That thrill in itself compelled her feet to move closer to him, to put her hand on the couch that sat facing his chair, and give him a good look. He did not say anything, he did not choose to respond to her - why? Like a scientist approaching a hypothesis she tried to deduce what she knew of him to what he could be thinking. Perhaps he was annoyed, but if so, why didn't he tell her to leave? If he wanted to talk with her, why was he allowing her to choose the subject? What would she talk about now that she had his attention and his relaxation? What would her sister say - and that was when she sat down, cementing herself in her choice to actually say something.

Her feet tucked up underneath her automatically, and her knees were in front of her chest, her arms clasped about them. It was a subconscious defensive position, though she didn't know it. Until she could rightly know how he was going to react, she really couldn't be on the offensive with her body language. Her words, however... she started just by talking, about something that would ease her into opening him up, to get his mind, wherever it was, to something pleasant.

"So... what do you think? Transfiguring pajamas was never my specialty, but I think they're pretty nice. Anyway, I'm sure it's the best job anyone could do with such short notice."

She turned her head slightly, giving him as playful a stare as she could. Perhaps her challenge would be met - she wondered if he even know how to make silky pajamas, but being two years older, no doubt he could. At any rate, she was curious to know what he would come up with for his own pajamas.

[Draco Malfoy]

She seemed to creep nearer to him, like a frightened animal unsure if it was in danger, approaching friend or foe. What could possibly be going on in that mind behind those wide, curious eyes? What did she think about him? Was he even the subject of her thoughts? It may have been pompous for him to assume so... but luckily for Draco, he was exactly that. Was he really so intimidating to scare her into timid steps and speechlessness? But if that were the case... why was she even still in the room? What did she want from him? It was these questions that danced around Draco's mind, and yet his face remained absent of any expression that would give such thoughts away. A vaguely amused stare was all that was shown as he watched her discomfort and indecisiveness. Finally, thank Merlin, she decided to do something. She sat down. On a couch a good distance away from him, but not as far as she could possibly get. Close enough that he assumed conversation was her desire... and inevitable at this point. And he didn't really mind. She confused him and intrigued him and relaxed him and excited him... well, excited his curiosity at least. Now, as usual none of this emotion or thought could be deduced from Draco's expression, there was a clue, something a bit out of the ordinary. Sure, he didn't react to her presence, but he noticed it didn't he? Instead of slyly watching out of the corner of his eye or flat out ignoring altogether, Draco was actually looking at her, Astoria very clearly had his full attention for the moment.

He watched her curl up into a ball on the couch, holding all extremities close to her body. Draco couldn't help but wonder, or he ound it a bit strange. Was she cold? Sure she was farther from the fire than himself and the dungeon could get drafty, but why didn't she make herself a warmer set of nightclothes? It could't be that she was somewhat embarassed or shy by her appearance for there was not a single element of exposure to her attire. No sign of the little teasing flash of skin that might have shown her intentions there to be just the same as all the other girls of his house. No, there was certainly like that, and yes he had looked. Since when did Draco Malfoy not admire the assets of a pretty pureblood girl, or at least try to. And his interest did not go completely unrewarded either thanks to the silky fabric she had chosen. Silk was a fabric that clung to the skin and slid over it eleganly. So despite the excessive bagginess of the garmet she had created, Draco had still taken notice as she had fidgeted into her position on the couch. Draco nearly sighed out loud. How deprived was he that even this demure and entirely unseductive encounter sparked such thoughts in him? He had been busy with the Dark Lord's mission and keeping up with school, but it hadn't been that long had it? Well, maybe he would go find some company later, now that he was feeling so relaxed. Normally he might have turned to Daphne for a friendly roll in the hay, but something about this elightening encounter with her sister made that idea sound less enticing to him at the moment. And then there was Pansy. But she had been on his case lately about 'the future' and he didn't want to perpetuate anything further on the matter. He wasn't that desperate.

In these thoughts his attention had somewhat drifted from the younger Greengrass, until she spoke to him once again. It was so strange to hear her voice in the lofty dungeon after what had seemed hours of silence between the two of them. She asked him about her pajamas, as if maybe she had noticed him looking before or perhaps she had nothing else to say. Either way, his eyes return ed to scan her once again, this time with a more obvious and somewhat critical look on his face. The set was abysmal as far as he was concerned when judging bedclothes... he much preferred something sexy and barely there if he were to be perfectly honest. Still, the material she had chosen did allow him to notice her slender and feminine frame that lay somewhere beneath all that fabric. However, Draco had a feeling that she had asked his opinion on her transfiguration and not her appearance. Something else that set her apart from most girls. So... what did he think? Well, the same thing he thought about mostly everything. He gave her one more look up and down with his critical gaze and then said in a drawling, bored tone "I could do better." Leaning back in his chair, he didn't really make any move toward proving his claim. Since when did anyone ever demand that a Malfoy prove himself to anyone?

[astoria greengrass]

His long, hard drawl... perhaps that was why she never found much reason to talk to the only Malfoy child. Whenever he was trying to feel better about himself, to put another down, to make them seem less than himself... that damned drawl was always what could let you know he was trying something. His eyes never gave anything away, and almost never his face, and well, his composure was always pretty good, but the inflection in his voice, well, that was a different story. As someone who used that sort of an inflection to make a difference in the slight of word, to make it seem slightly more powerful or even less, inflection was something she was good at using and also picking up. The poor soul, didn't know his voice, even as hard as he tried to make it smooth, could give away his intent.

Her arms were growing a bit warmer, and she curled her fingers around her skin, but didn't move her knees from their position. She still had no idea where he would be going with this, and with the way he said his words, it was almost as though they were about to duel to the diminish, or at least, until she wound up mad or upset and went to bed. It would give him a sick pleasure, she thought as she moved further into a comfortable position. She couldn't, no, wouldn't, give him that, even if it meant she took a mighty beating here in just a few short seconds. She knew she would probably wish she had swallowed these next words, but her eyes were flashing already, coy and sly as they were.

"You could do better, huh? Right, sure." She nodded, giving a fake face of compassion. "If that were the case then please," a gesture of her hand toward his direction, "Put me in my place." Her smile was bitter, not caring, and really, she felt a sort of pleasure herself in calling him to rise to his claim. She noticed that he did a lot of that, saying he could do something, but then not acting upon it. It was hard to separate what you knew about Draco, since most of what he said was simply talk, and he rarely backed up his conjectures. She would give him his chance, and if it didn't go anywhere, well, then, she would simply move on. He didn't have a whole lot of time before she heaved a huge sigh and changed the topic, not broaching on the fact that he was too chicken to prove he could do better.

[Draco Malfoy]

Most people whom Draco encountered would have reacted to his harsh and negatove comment in one of two ways. They would get angry and flustered... he could always tell, even if it was just the burning intensity in their eyes. Or, they would be hurt and act all defeated. Either way, they would be gone within seconds, either storming away or slinking out in defeat. This was what the slytherin prince was used to. So he was barely noticing her reaction when he said it, expecting the usual. However, it was a different glint of the eye, a different look on her face that capture his always drifting attention once again. it was a look of almost... pleasure? Like she was eager for something. Like they were playing some kind of... game? Clearly the girl didn't know when an insult was being tossed her way. Draco found himself wondering how someone like that had survived a year, let alone five, in the slytherin house and he couldn't help but almost laugh at the thought. And then she did more to surprise and even confuse him. She shot back. A snarky little comment came out of her mouth. Surely she thought this was some sort of game. However, she clearly didn't know Draco well enough to know that Draco Malfoy did not play games. He was above that sort of foolishness. Or something like that. Right? I mean, it would be beneath him to succumb to her taunt or to rise to her little challenge. But... there was no one around. And he suddenly found that he was in a surprisingly pleasant mood. He honestly couldn't even remember what he had been brooding about when he had first plopped into this chair with a sour look plastered on his face. Besides, there was no one else around...

So, Draco decided to play along. What harm could it do to him after all. If anyone was gonna walk away burned it was going to be the young miss greengrass. Though... he didn't really have the desire to embarass her either. Whether it was because there was no crowd around it to witness or because he kinda liked the girl he hardly knew was a mystery. She had gestured toward him implying that it was his turn to imitate and improve upon her handiwork. He stood there considering his choices and deciding what would be the most impressive. Really... it was a simple spell and he could not come up with much that would really prove his point. But he felt compelled to do so. Why? Well, it was that look. She was staring at him with expectation and this haughty look. Like she had already won, just by forcing him to respond to the challenge. Or at least thats the way he saw it. It was then that a mischevious smile crept to his lips paralleling the idea that was forming in his mind. It turns out he was feeling a bit snarky himself tonight... or maybe she just brought it out in him. "Put you in your place, eh? If you insist," he said with a sly cock of his head to one side. He lited his wand hand slightly, and arely flicking his wrist, a spell shot out of the end. He almost couldn't help but chuckle at his own cleverness and the excellent result that it produced. He cleared his throat to cover it up. There she now stood in what could only be described as lingerie. No, he hadn't stripped her of her clothes completely or even left her in just her underwear. She was, after all, his friend's sister and though he didn't know how close they really were, he didn't want to antagonize Daphne. Plus, she was a pureblood witch and as such he would not dare do anything so uncivilized to her.

But still, her attire was very much improved now in his eyes. He had turned her long, baggy, green pjs into a nightgown. A very short nightgown. In fact, in the few moments between him performing the spell and her inevitable reaction, he was able to give her a once over, examining his handywork and what it revealed. He was quite impressed with what he saw. She had excellent slender long legs, that were now bare up to the mid thigh. The nightgown was also quite lowcut and exposed the flawless skin across her shoulders, neck, and chest. Clearly Draco had accomplished what he had wanted in meeting her challenge. It wouoldn't have mattered if his spell work was shotty since she would obviously be too concerned with what she now wearing to comment he thought. But of course, his spell work was not subpar and far surpassed hers he thought looking at the item of clothing. THe fabric was silver and silk and gave the appearance of being sheer without actually being so. And a small green snake was sewn into the side, winding elegantly up the folds of the dress. Yes... all in all Draco was certain that he had won and couldn't keep the smug smile from his lips. "I think i've proved my point" he said, not coldly but almost with the tone of a friendly rivalry. "And i'm certain that were there anyone else here to be the judge... they would agree with me in saying you look much lovlier now than before." he added with an earnest shrug. He felt a pang of something strange within him. Was that sort of... it was almost a compliment he thought. hmmm...

[astoria greengrass]

If there hadn't been a fire glowing in the hearth, Astoria would have noticed the change in her clothing a lot more before she noticed what it actually was that she was wearing. The delicious look in Draco's stony eyes was almost unreadable in the moments before he lifted his wand and so casually flicked it in her direction. He was devilish and she knew it, and yet she didn't even flinch when his spell hit the clothing on her skin and slithered the material around her. In fact, depending on the angle of perception, one might even say she leaned into the transformation, embracing it with her stance, which was strong and supported. Of course, it wasn't anything like standing against a foul wind, or a nasty bit of ice and flurry, and her face too was unreadable, neither expressing her delight in the feel of the silk against her skin nor addressing the concern of her sinking body temperature.

Of course, transforming clothes while wearing them was an experience one has to actually have in order to properly relate how it is. Doing such while wearing silks or satins was another matter also, the molecules rearranging themselves to form something completely different normally tickled a little, and to Astoria, the silk flew across her body like a gentle breeze, or the kiss of a butterfly. It's warming sensation where ever it sat was pleasant enough, but more so the light cooling it produced as it moved was even more pleasurable. She forced the smile from her lips however, and made no effort to make it seem like she had enjoyed the few moments during which her own pajamas were taken away.

Of course, one of the more interesting aspects of transfiguring clothing while wearing it was the fact that you could really tell the difference between the fabrics and textures right away. For example, her soft, cottony, comfortable underwear had been replaced by something sheer and lacy, panties that perhaps she might find in the more adult clothing shops or hidden secretly in the bottom of her sisters trunk behind the one scarf that Astoria needed. That in itself was not a pleasing thought, but Astoria could brush it away as she broke eye contact with Draco to finally gaze down at herself and wrap her mind around why her legs suddenly felt so chill.

The night gown that he had put on her was, for lack of a better word... sexy. Maybe sultry was better fit to describe the light material and almost sheer appeal to it. The material moved cold against her chest and with a red glow of embarrassment she felt parts of her body responding to the soft caress in ways she didn't want to reveal in front of Draco. Her first gut reaction was to cover herself but she stayed her hand, letting her eyes a moment more to drink in the finery. Draco's work was not bad at all, and in fact, it was almost a little rehearsed, she imagined, from how quickly and seamlessly he had performed that spell. But, giving him the benefit of the doubt, she might also assume that he was as good on his toes as his handiwork might suggest, though her stomach wanted to betray that thought and reminded her of stories her sister told when she thought Story wasn't near enough to listen.

The silver material hugged shadows to her form and she could definitely feel her cheeks burning now, or was that from being too close to the fire? Either way, she was exposed for several long and delicate moments in front of Draco, the man she might like, in a raw form that she chose not to show to even her room mates. She was a Greengrass, born and bred, and Daphne's little sister, though she was no smaller than Daphne in any aspects. Her legs were longer than her sisters, and more slender, and her chest and shoulders smaller and more petite. Her stomach lie flat and deep within her ribcage her heart was beating furiously, threatening to explode the blood within her veins. She had been outdone, very obviously, and as the weight shifted from one foot to she felt the lace very close to her skin shift and put pressure in places it shouldn't have, and the silky fingers of the gown clung to her form in caresses she shouldn't be feeling... in front of Draco her mind hissed to her.

He had said she was lovely... was that a compliment? His shoulders heaved slightly and she didn't let the confusion play out on her face; it only meant he found her ugly before, of course. She didn't feel any different than the moment before, except now she was wearing something that pushed her beyond what she considered lovely and into the realm of sexy... Sexy was all right, but Story didn't want to feel sexy, she wasn't prepared really, and not even Xerxe had seen her with her hair done in a sexy manner. Perhaps she just wasn't ready to be sexy in public yet. She rode horses and delighted in the outdoors, enjoyed being soft and fluffy when she studied, and just never put her mind to makeup or jewels or anything of that nature. It was awkward standing in front of Draco dress as this, and her mind kept coming back to the same thing. I look like how Daphne likes to look... how she looks for him. That thought was sobering for her and she shook her head slightly, and then bowed it.

"You have indeed bested me, I concede," she said softly, letting the light lick at her bare skin for a few silent moments while she chose her next words carefully. "However, I would say that I am not my sister. Do not expect me to be like her in any way." Her tone was not harsh, but her words were serious, and her eyes met his and held his gaze softly, and combined with her shy posture helped punctuate her words. She was more innocent than Daphne, and would never attempt to go in that direction.

Her wand hand swept over her form and in a shimmer of sound the night gown was gone and replaced by a short-sleeve black tee and soft, long cotton pants to match. She took her place on the couch again and rested her head on the arm rest. Words wouldn't come; had she offended him? She didn't care, or did she, though she knew that what she had said needed to be put out there. Her mind struggled for a moment and she knew whatever it was she needed to get the foul taste of the word sister out of her mouth.

"You are very good at transfiguration. I would wonder that you don't do more with it."