Taking a bite of spaghetti Belinda was pleasantly surprised to find that it was cooked perfectly al dente, just the way she liked it. It wasn’t a complicated meal by any stretch but she was flattered that he’d put in the effort to cook anything just for her.
As they ate the two teens chatted and got to know each other a little. By the time their plates were empty they had covered favorite Quidditch teams (he liked the Surrey Stingrays, she preferred Puddlemere), best and worst subjects (he excelled in Potions but stuggled in Arithmancy, she favored Charms but couldn’t manage to grow anything in Herbology) and musical interests. Draco, like most teens in the wizarding community, liked the Weird Sisters but would listen to almost anything. Belinda had become exposed to a lot of Muggle music since coming to stay in London with her brothers. They had an extensive collection of muggle CDs. She listened to a lot of different groups and styles but she had a particular affinity for music from the early 80’s.
“How did your brothers get interested in Muggle music?” Draco asked with a slight grimace, “Are you a mud… erm, Muggleborn?”
Belinda bristled at this question. “Does it matter? If I said yes would you suddenly not like me?”
Draco didn’t answer right away. Did it matter? His father would certainly think it did. That used to count for a lot with Draco. In fact, until this summer Draco believed everything his father told him to without question. Since his father’s arrest and the effects it had on his family Draco didn’t really value Lucius’ opinion the way he had in the past. It was time to develop his own beliefs. He looked at Belinda. Would talking to her be any less interesting if she had muggles as parents? Would she be any less beautiful?
“No,” he said matter-of-factly, “It doesn’t matter at all.”
The smile she rewarded him with reaffirmed his decision. When she smiled like that her whole face was radiant. He wouldn’t care if she was the lovechild of a goblin and a troll as long as he could spend time with her.
Getting up from the table, Belinda began gathering up the dishes.
“You don’t need to do that,” Draco said, getting up himself. “You’re my guest.”
She smirked at him. “You made dinner, I’ll clean up. Besides, I’d bet ten galleons that you’ve never washed a dish in your life.”
“I’d never cooked anything until tonight either but I managed that alright. I think I can handle a few dirty dishes,” he countered indignantly.
“Well, that’s true. You did pretty well for a spoiled rich kid,” she said playfully, laughing when Draco stuck his tongue out at her. “I’ll tell you what, let me clean up tonight –take notes, I’m very good – and tomorrow you can clean up after your surprise.”
Belinda turned to carry the dishes into the kitchen, ignoring Draco’s gleeful, “Surprise?” Quickly grabbing the leftover spaghetti, he trotted behind her.
With a practiced ease Belinda filled the sink with warm, soapy water and began scrubbing the plates and glasses. Draco plunked the container of spaghetti down next to the sink and looked at her expectantly.
“I believe you mentioned something about a surprise?” he prodded.
“Put the spaghetti away, you can have it for lunch tomorrow.”
Draco stuck his lip out in an exaggerated pout that made Belinda giggle before stalking off to find a smaller container for the leftovers.
When Belinda had washed and dried all the dishes and, with Draco’s assistance, put them away she turned to him. The sixteen year old was nearly quivering with impatience for an explanation but she wasn’t ready to end his torment just yet.
“So, what next?” she asked brightly.
The pained expression he gave her was adorable, she thought. Much too cute to waste the opportunity to see it again by giving in, despite his proclamation that she couldn’t randomly mention a surprise and then not explain what she meant.
The sweet smile she gave him did not placate him. When she continued to ignore his pleas, instead asking, “Do you have any board games? Or cards?” Draco decided it was time to force the issue. Beautiful girl or not, there was only so much a young man could take.
“Belinda,” he warned, advancing on her, “Don’t make me do something drastic.”
The corner of her mouth quirked up and she took a step backwards. “What?” she asked innocently, “What did I do?”
Continuing his slow progress towards her, Draco spoke threateningly, “I want to know about my surprise. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’s up to you.”
Belinda looked over her shoulder, assessing the distance between her and the kitchen door.
“Tell me,” he ordered.
She bit her lip in contemplation, keeping her eyes locked on Draco.
“No.”
In a flash she had turned and barreled out of the kitchen, squealing as she heard Draco coming right behind her. She darted through the dining room, not daring to look behind her. He caught up with her in the living room. As if doing a strange dance they circled the couch; Belinda’s goofy grin making Draco all the more determined to catch her. When she glanced towards the hallway that led to Draco and his parent’s bedrooms, searching for an avenue of escape, he seized his opportunity. Quick as a snitch he hurtled over the couch and tackled her, drawing a surprised, “Eek!” as she fell. Sitting solidly across her hips, he placed a hand on each side of her middle.
“Last chance.”
“I’m not ticklish,” she replied defiantly.
“Have it your way,” he said, shrugging. He was unsurprised to discover she was lying.
Belinda writhed and thrashed, giggling hysterically as she tried to push him off of her. Draco continued his assault, nearly being unseated as she wriggled franticly beneath him and enjoying it thoroughly. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed and her dark hair was beginning to slip from its barrette. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air. This was so worth the irritation she had caused him.
Finally she put her hand up. “Stop, stop,” she cried between gasps, “You win.”
Draco stilled his fingers and smirked down at her arrogantly. “Have you seen the error of your ways?” he asked with a self-satisfied air, mentally patting himself on the back for getting the best of her.
“Oh yes. I’ve done a horrible wrong and you have set me back on the path to righteousness,” was her sarcastic reply.
“So you’ll tell me what my surprise is now, then.” Draco said, choosing to ignore her tone.
Belinda gave him a great shove, knocking his to the floor beside her. She stood up and smoothed her dress. “Really, it’s no wonder no one else came to your dinner party. You treat your guests terribly. I don’t think you deserve a surprise at all now,” she sniffed.
Good grief this girl was exasperating. “You’re just mad that I caught you,” he retorted as he climbed to his feet.
She glared at him but he could tell that she wasn’t really angry. She was very pretty when she was trying to be mad, Draco decided. “You shouldn’t have chased me in the first place,” she said huffily.
“You ran from me,” Draco pointed out. “People who do not want to be chased should not run.”
She could not quite keep the grin off her face anymore. “You were threatening me.”
“No,” he said calmly, “I was giving you fair notice. I warned you not to make me do something drastic.”
“Something like tackling me, sitting on me and tickling me till I can’t breathe?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re incorrigible!” Turning her back to him, Belinda crossed her arms and made a noise that Draco thought was probably supposed to sound angry but really sounded more like a muffled laugh.
Draco chuckled, “No more so than you! First you torment me about a surprise, now you’re trying to use your feminine wiles to make me feel bad.”
That was too much; she couldn’t even fake anger now. Giving in to the giggles that had been threatening to escape for some time, she teased, “My feminine wiles?”
“Yes,” he said indignantly, “You act all pouty and mad so that I’ll get distracted by how cute you look and won’t remember that you egged me on. Well, it’s not working. Pout all you want, I am unaffected but your cuteness.”
Eyes wide, Belinda peered at him over her shoulder. “You think I’m cute?” she asked, without any traces of teasing.
Draco just stammered as he looked at the floor to hide the heat flooding his face. He did think she was cute, he just hadn’t intended to blurt it out. What if she laughed at him, or worse, went into some speech about just being friends?
Feeling her hand on his arm, Draco raised his head to find Belinda standing just inches in front of him. She smiled at him but it was not the mischievous, playful smile she normally wore. She looked shy and unsure, though Draco couldn’t imagine how a girl as vivacious and alluring as she could possibly doubt his attraction.
“Draco,” she said quietly, waiting for him to look her in the eye before continuing, “do you want to kiss me?”
For a moment he just gaped at her, surprised at how dry his throat suddenly felt.
“Kiss you?” he repeated breathlessly.
A warm pink color infused her cheeks and she nodded mutely.
“Yeah,” Draco admitted, “I do.”
Automatically he stepped forward, eliminating the last few inches between them and placing his hands on her waist. Belinda brought her hands to his shoulders and looked at him expectantly with big brown eyes. Her lips parted slightly as he leaned down to kiss her, eyes fluttering shut at the moment of contact.
Draco’s experience was limited to a few snog sessions he’d had with Pansy Parkinson where he’d felt like the girl was attempting to eat his face. Kissing Belinda was entirely different. Her lips were soft and undemanding under his, matching his gentle pressure but showing no inclination to hurry into the hormone-driven passion Pansy favored. Despite her usual outgoing nature, there was a sweetness and innocence in Belinda’s kiss that both pleased and relieved him. He could kiss her honestly, without worrying that she would not think him a ‘stud’.
When they finally separated, each teen wore a silly little smile. Reluctantly, Belinda said that it was about time for her to go home.
“Can I walk you home?” Draco offered.
She shook her head, “I was actually wondering if you’d let me use your floo. It’s not a long walk but I’m running a little late and I don’t want them to worry.”
He was a little disappointed; walking her home would have given him more time to spend with her. Draco didn’t want her to get in trouble though. That might mean that he didn’t get to see her at all. So he took Belinda’s hand and led her over to the fireplace.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.
The impish gleam he had come to recognize returned to her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll stop by. Will you be home?”
After Draco told her his plans for the next day, Belinda took a pinch of the powder stored on the mantle. Blushing, she gave him a quick kiss before tossing the powder into the fireplace. She stepped into the green flames, called out “The Love Shack” and was gone.
As they ate the two teens chatted and got to know each other a little. By the time their plates were empty they had covered favorite Quidditch teams (he liked the Surrey Stingrays, she preferred Puddlemere), best and worst subjects (he excelled in Potions but stuggled in Arithmancy, she favored Charms but couldn’t manage to grow anything in Herbology) and musical interests. Draco, like most teens in the wizarding community, liked the Weird Sisters but would listen to almost anything. Belinda had become exposed to a lot of Muggle music since coming to stay in London with her brothers. They had an extensive collection of muggle CDs. She listened to a lot of different groups and styles but she had a particular affinity for music from the early 80’s.
“How did your brothers get interested in Muggle music?” Draco asked with a slight grimace, “Are you a mud… erm, Muggleborn?”
Belinda bristled at this question. “Does it matter? If I said yes would you suddenly not like me?”
Draco didn’t answer right away. Did it matter? His father would certainly think it did. That used to count for a lot with Draco. In fact, until this summer Draco believed everything his father told him to without question. Since his father’s arrest and the effects it had on his family Draco didn’t really value Lucius’ opinion the way he had in the past. It was time to develop his own beliefs. He looked at Belinda. Would talking to her be any less interesting if she had muggles as parents? Would she be any less beautiful?
“No,” he said matter-of-factly, “It doesn’t matter at all.”
The smile she rewarded him with reaffirmed his decision. When she smiled like that her whole face was radiant. He wouldn’t care if she was the lovechild of a goblin and a troll as long as he could spend time with her.
Getting up from the table, Belinda began gathering up the dishes.
“You don’t need to do that,” Draco said, getting up himself. “You’re my guest.”
She smirked at him. “You made dinner, I’ll clean up. Besides, I’d bet ten galleons that you’ve never washed a dish in your life.”
“I’d never cooked anything until tonight either but I managed that alright. I think I can handle a few dirty dishes,” he countered indignantly.
“Well, that’s true. You did pretty well for a spoiled rich kid,” she said playfully, laughing when Draco stuck his tongue out at her. “I’ll tell you what, let me clean up tonight –take notes, I’m very good – and tomorrow you can clean up after your surprise.”
Belinda turned to carry the dishes into the kitchen, ignoring Draco’s gleeful, “Surprise?” Quickly grabbing the leftover spaghetti, he trotted behind her.
With a practiced ease Belinda filled the sink with warm, soapy water and began scrubbing the plates and glasses. Draco plunked the container of spaghetti down next to the sink and looked at her expectantly.
“I believe you mentioned something about a surprise?” he prodded.
“Put the spaghetti away, you can have it for lunch tomorrow.”
Draco stuck his lip out in an exaggerated pout that made Belinda giggle before stalking off to find a smaller container for the leftovers.
When Belinda had washed and dried all the dishes and, with Draco’s assistance, put them away she turned to him. The sixteen year old was nearly quivering with impatience for an explanation but she wasn’t ready to end his torment just yet.
“So, what next?” she asked brightly.
The pained expression he gave her was adorable, she thought. Much too cute to waste the opportunity to see it again by giving in, despite his proclamation that she couldn’t randomly mention a surprise and then not explain what she meant.
The sweet smile she gave him did not placate him. When she continued to ignore his pleas, instead asking, “Do you have any board games? Or cards?” Draco decided it was time to force the issue. Beautiful girl or not, there was only so much a young man could take.
“Belinda,” he warned, advancing on her, “Don’t make me do something drastic.”
The corner of her mouth quirked up and she took a step backwards. “What?” she asked innocently, “What did I do?”
Continuing his slow progress towards her, Draco spoke threateningly, “I want to know about my surprise. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It’s up to you.”
Belinda looked over her shoulder, assessing the distance between her and the kitchen door.
“Tell me,” he ordered.
She bit her lip in contemplation, keeping her eyes locked on Draco.
“No.”
In a flash she had turned and barreled out of the kitchen, squealing as she heard Draco coming right behind her. She darted through the dining room, not daring to look behind her. He caught up with her in the living room. As if doing a strange dance they circled the couch; Belinda’s goofy grin making Draco all the more determined to catch her. When she glanced towards the hallway that led to Draco and his parent’s bedrooms, searching for an avenue of escape, he seized his opportunity. Quick as a snitch he hurtled over the couch and tackled her, drawing a surprised, “Eek!” as she fell. Sitting solidly across her hips, he placed a hand on each side of her middle.
“Last chance.”
“I’m not ticklish,” she replied defiantly.
“Have it your way,” he said, shrugging. He was unsurprised to discover she was lying.
Belinda writhed and thrashed, giggling hysterically as she tried to push him off of her. Draco continued his assault, nearly being unseated as she wriggled franticly beneath him and enjoying it thoroughly. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed and her dark hair was beginning to slip from its barrette. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air. This was so worth the irritation she had caused him.
Finally she put her hand up. “Stop, stop,” she cried between gasps, “You win.”
Draco stilled his fingers and smirked down at her arrogantly. “Have you seen the error of your ways?” he asked with a self-satisfied air, mentally patting himself on the back for getting the best of her.
“Oh yes. I’ve done a horrible wrong and you have set me back on the path to righteousness,” was her sarcastic reply.
“So you’ll tell me what my surprise is now, then.” Draco said, choosing to ignore her tone.
Belinda gave him a great shove, knocking his to the floor beside her. She stood up and smoothed her dress. “Really, it’s no wonder no one else came to your dinner party. You treat your guests terribly. I don’t think you deserve a surprise at all now,” she sniffed.
Good grief this girl was exasperating. “You’re just mad that I caught you,” he retorted as he climbed to his feet.
She glared at him but he could tell that she wasn’t really angry. She was very pretty when she was trying to be mad, Draco decided. “You shouldn’t have chased me in the first place,” she said huffily.
“You ran from me,” Draco pointed out. “People who do not want to be chased should not run.”
She could not quite keep the grin off her face anymore. “You were threatening me.”
“No,” he said calmly, “I was giving you fair notice. I warned you not to make me do something drastic.”
“Something like tackling me, sitting on me and tickling me till I can’t breathe?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re incorrigible!” Turning her back to him, Belinda crossed her arms and made a noise that Draco thought was probably supposed to sound angry but really sounded more like a muffled laugh.
Draco chuckled, “No more so than you! First you torment me about a surprise, now you’re trying to use your feminine wiles to make me feel bad.”
That was too much; she couldn’t even fake anger now. Giving in to the giggles that had been threatening to escape for some time, she teased, “My feminine wiles?”
“Yes,” he said indignantly, “You act all pouty and mad so that I’ll get distracted by how cute you look and won’t remember that you egged me on. Well, it’s not working. Pout all you want, I am unaffected but your cuteness.”
Eyes wide, Belinda peered at him over her shoulder. “You think I’m cute?” she asked, without any traces of teasing.
Draco just stammered as he looked at the floor to hide the heat flooding his face. He did think she was cute, he just hadn’t intended to blurt it out. What if she laughed at him, or worse, went into some speech about just being friends?
Feeling her hand on his arm, Draco raised his head to find Belinda standing just inches in front of him. She smiled at him but it was not the mischievous, playful smile she normally wore. She looked shy and unsure, though Draco couldn’t imagine how a girl as vivacious and alluring as she could possibly doubt his attraction.
“Draco,” she said quietly, waiting for him to look her in the eye before continuing, “do you want to kiss me?”
For a moment he just gaped at her, surprised at how dry his throat suddenly felt.
“Kiss you?” he repeated breathlessly.
A warm pink color infused her cheeks and she nodded mutely.
“Yeah,” Draco admitted, “I do.”
Automatically he stepped forward, eliminating the last few inches between them and placing his hands on her waist. Belinda brought her hands to his shoulders and looked at him expectantly with big brown eyes. Her lips parted slightly as he leaned down to kiss her, eyes fluttering shut at the moment of contact.
Draco’s experience was limited to a few snog sessions he’d had with Pansy Parkinson where he’d felt like the girl was attempting to eat his face. Kissing Belinda was entirely different. Her lips were soft and undemanding under his, matching his gentle pressure but showing no inclination to hurry into the hormone-driven passion Pansy favored. Despite her usual outgoing nature, there was a sweetness and innocence in Belinda’s kiss that both pleased and relieved him. He could kiss her honestly, without worrying that she would not think him a ‘stud’.
When they finally separated, each teen wore a silly little smile. Reluctantly, Belinda said that it was about time for her to go home.
“Can I walk you home?” Draco offered.
She shook her head, “I was actually wondering if you’d let me use your floo. It’s not a long walk but I’m running a little late and I don’t want them to worry.”
He was a little disappointed; walking her home would have given him more time to spend with her. Draco didn’t want her to get in trouble though. That might mean that he didn’t get to see her at all. So he took Belinda’s hand and led her over to the fireplace.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.
The impish gleam he had come to recognize returned to her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll stop by. Will you be home?”
After Draco told her his plans for the next day, Belinda took a pinch of the powder stored on the mantle. Blushing, she gave him a quick kiss before tossing the powder into the fireplace. She stepped into the green flames, called out “The Love Shack” and was gone.
To Be Continued.
KateinVA is the author of 15 other stories.
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This story is a favorite of 5 members. Members who liked London also liked 372 other stories.
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