The Malfoy's Hidden Treasure

Chapter4

I reached my room, a bit worried that I had messed things up between Andrew and I. Don’t stress about it. You can talk to him at supper and apologize. Now, it’s time to get ready. I hopped in the shower really quickly and did a hair wash. When I got out, I used my wand to straighten my hair and pull it back into a low bun with some strands framing my face. I had laid out a midnight blue silk dress with diamonds on my bed. Next to it were a pair of black knee high boots and some lace stockings to go underneath it. I tied it all off with a silver belt, large diamond hoop earrings, and some mascara and eyeshadow. When I stepped into the dining hall, all eyes turned to me as I entered. As I strode between two of the house tables, most of the male professors who were in their mid to late twenties craned their necks to get a good look at me, all of their faces red or turning so. I noticed that the enchanted ceiling was showing the beginnings of stars. The moon glowed, and I glimpsed the other female professors whispering to each other, probably trying to figure out which person I was trying to impress, even though I wasn’t.

Professor McGonagall, my Aunt Minni, however, just gave me a rare, small smile, and gestured to the seat at her immediate right. As I moved towards the head table, I spotted Andrew, who was at the right of where I would be sitting, staring at me in something that looked like awe. Does he like me too? No, no, don’t make any ridiculous assumptions. Of course he wouldn’t. You’re a nobody, and he’s literally everybody. Why would he pay attention to you? He might be looking behind you for all you know, and you’re thinking about this? No. Just sit and enjoy supper, and you can ask yourself questions later once we’re back in the room. Settling into my seat, I turn to Aunt Minni.

“How are you, Aunt Minni? I haven’t seen you in a while. How are the kids and grandkids holding up? I haven’t heard from Rebecca in a few weeks, and I was getting a bit worried about her, considering she was very pregnant the last time I saw her.” I say, starting small talk with her. I can see Andrew out of the corner of my eye with a bit of a frown on his face, as if upset I didn’t say hello to him first. I titter a bit, and Auntie has a knowing look in her eye. She knows me so well, doesn’t she? I mean, I’ve known her my whole life, so it DOES make sense. We exchanged a soft look. Andrew clears his throat. He glowered at Aunt Minni, then thought better of it, because his expression turned emotionless. Did I do something wrong? I know it took me a bit longer than I said it would to get ready, but is he really upset about that? Ugh, I’ll see if it gets better.

“I’m well, my dear, but I’m a bit startled that you took the position. I know you said you wanted some quiet time for a few years. What made you come back so quickly? It feels like you just left, you know. Oh, how I wish I was younger. Rebecca says hello, and she gave birth three weeks ago. Twins are such a handful. Her husband was kind and supportive about the fact that she still wants to play Quidditch after they were born and grew up a bit. My other children, on the other hand, are less than happy about it. She’s going to take a few months off until the girls get older, but then she’ll keep playing. How have you, your fathers, and your brother been doing? I’m sorry I haven’t visited lately, but my husband has had Dragon Pox for the last few weeks.” She huffs out a sigh.

“I’m so sorry. I had no idea. If I had known, I would have come by with some of my soup and spent time with you all. Don’t deny that you miss my cooking. I know you love the lasagna I make, there’s no denying it. Just say the word and I’ll whip up an extra large batch just for the two of you. Remember, you have people to look after you now. Trust us, even if it’s just this one time.” I begged her, although we’d had this dispute before.

“I am aware that you want to take care of us, and I appreciate your drive, but I’m still not used to having people to look after my family when I can’t, and I’m not ready to accept my age quite yet. When I am, I’ll let you know and you can pamper us to your heart’s content. But for now, please, let me do my best to care for my family until I can’t.” She pleaded, all of her assurance melting from her face, leaving behind pure worry and self-consciousness.

“I understand. Say the word and I’ll drop everything and come. We all love you, Aunt Minni. Take your time. I know it’s still strange. Remember, we’re all here for you.” I finish gently. Aunt Minni’s eyes tear up, and I reach to hold her. She sinks into my embrace, and I rest my head on hers, rubbing gentle circles on her back as she lets out a heavy and drawn out sigh of content as if she missed my touch.

She pulls back. “Thank you, my dear. I needed this very much.” She mumbles, wiping her eyes carefully.

“You’re welcome. Feel free to come by my space if you need to do this again.” I whisper as I straighten out her hair. I turn away. Andrew is watching us with confusion, but also something else… is it pride? Huh. I start to eat. He watches me out of the corner of his eye, following suit. Was he… waiting for me? That’s kind, but he didn’t need to. I hear a chuckle to my other side, and some of the other professors are throwing us glances and muttering between themselves, smirks on their faces, ones that say I know something you don’t! I turn to Andrew and see a tinge of red spreading across his face. Huh? What’s going on?

A passing professor whispers, “He really likes you, you know. It might not be obvious to you, but it is for everyone else.” He trudges away, and Andrew’s eyes follow him with his eyes, and if looks could kill, he would be long dead. My mind spins, the words still playing on repeat in my head. He likes me, he likes me, he likes me, he likes me, he likes me. It then shudders to a halt.

Is that why he was all huffy earlier? Was he jealous? If he likes me, and I like him, we could go out together. But what if he likes me as a crush and doesn’t want to go further? I’ll let him make the first move, then, so no one can say that I forced him to. And what if he doesn’t like the other me after I showed him? Would he tell everyone, or would he be cool with it? He could literally kill me if he wanted to… How would the packs react to me dating someone that is a human? IS he even human? I’m the Queen, after all. Oh, what would my brother think?! He would kill me, or just lock me up in the house like I was before the war ended… Before I could get any further into my loop of overthinking, Abby nudged my stomach with her head, as if trying to remind me to be in the moment, and to not think about all of the what if’s that would run through my mind the rest of the evening.