Umbras ? Harry Potter

chapter eleven

"Ciara!" she heard her father yell as she was just finishing dressing.

She made her way down to the foyer, as they would be apparating outside the gates. "You will be meeting up with Draco at the gates," said her father in a stern tone. "You are to walk in together."

Ciara nodded, a knot forming in her stomach at the thought of facing Draco after their last encounter. She took her father's arm, and with a swift turn, they disapparated from the foyer, reappearing outside the grand gates of the Nott Estate.

Draco was already there, waiting. He straightened up when he saw them arrive, his expression unreadable. Ciara's father gave her a final stern look before turning to leave, leaving her standing with Draco.

"Ready?" Draco asked, his voice low and cautious.

"Mmhm," said nodded slightly, not meeting his eye.

They began to walk together in silence, the tension between them insufferable. After a few moments, Draco couldn't hold back any longer. "Ciara, about the other night..." he began, his voice hesitant.

Ciara kept her gaze fixed ahead, her jaw clenched. "What about it?" she asked, her tone cold.

Draco sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean for things to go the way they did. I was just... caught off guard."

"Caught off guard?" Ciara repeated, her voice rising slightly. "You made me feel like I was crazy for reacting the way I did. You know what that night meant to me, and yet you acted like it was nothing."

Draco's expression hardened. "I didn't have a choice, Ciara. You know how our fathers are. I had to play along."

"And what about how I felt?" she snapped, finally meeting his gaze with anger in her eyes. "Did you even consider that?"

Draco looked away, his shoulders sagging. "Of course I did," he said quietly. "But I was scared, too. We're both trying to navigate this... mess."

Ciara's anger didn't dissipate, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Just remember that next time, Malfoy. I don't need you making things harder for me."

He didn't respond, and they continued walking in tense silence. As they approached the grand entrance of the manor, Ciara took another deep breath, preparing herself for the evening ahead. Draco remained silent, his expression unreadable. With that, they stepped inside.

The ballroom was lively with music, and conversations flowed seamlessly throughout the grand space. Important Ministry workers were present, mingling with all of the prominent pure-blood families in the United Kingdom. The chandeliers glittered above, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests who laughed and chatted, their animated gestures adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

The room was adorned with luxurious decorations, from opulent drapes to intricate floral arrangements, showcasing the wealth and status of the Nott family. Servers moved gracefully among the crowd, offering trays of sparkling drinks and delectable hors d'oeuvres.

Ciara and Draco navigated through the guests, their faces a mask of composed elegance. Ciara's eyes darted around, catching snippets of conversations and assessing the mood of the room. She couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at the seemingly carefree interactions around her.

As they moved deeper into the ballroom, they were approached by several acquaintances, each eager to exchange pleasantries and discuss the latest happenings in the wizarding world. Ciara forced herself to smile and engage in the small talk, all the while feeling the weight of her recent experiences pressing down on her.

Through the sea of familiar faces, Ciara caught sight of her mother, who was engaged in a deep conversation with a group of witches. Seraphine's eyes met Ciara's for a brief moment, and she gave a subtle nod of encouragement. Ciara took a deep breath and continued to make her way through the crowd, determined to maintain her composure throughout the evening.