Friday came, and here I was, standing in front of the mirror, carefully fixing my hair into an elegant chignon. My green satin dress clung to me just right, the color deep and rich, almost serpentine under the candlelight. A pair of glittering diamond earrings hung from my ears, catching the light with every little movement.
I turned to Alexie, who was lounging on my bed, pretending to study but mostly watching me.
"Do I look ravishing?" I asked, tilting my head with a playful smirk.
She laughed, a sweet, bright sound that made me giggle too. "You are," she said, sitting up and clapping her hands together. "Carina Malfoy, you are going to steal the whole night."
We laughed together, the kind of carefree laugh only girls can share before a grand event. Then a knock sounded at the door it was time.
Gathering the folds of my dress, I swept out of the room, the satin whispering secrets against my legs. I made my way down the stone staircase toward the Slytherin common room.
There, I spotted them immediately Thomas Avery, Elliot Rosier ,Reinhardt lestrange, Theodore Nott, my brother Abraxas, and of course, Tom.
Each of them was dressed sharply, on their robes, looking every bit the future lords of their ancient families.
I sighed internally Slughorn really knew how to pick his favorites. He had practically gathered the future "Knights of Walpurgis" in one room, or whatever Tom planned to call them one day. How wonderful.
I smiled sweetly at them, giving a little wave. "Good evening, gentlemen," I said, voice smooth and sweet as honey tea.
"Carina," Theodore said, bowing dramatically. Thomas smirked, Abraxas smiled at me, and Tom Tom just smiled, that small, dangerous smile he reserved only for me.
I crossed to Tom and linked my arm through his with casual grace.
"Let's go," I murmured.
As we began walking, I leaned closer to him, my lips almost brushing the shell of his ear. "You look very handsome tonight," I whispered.
Tom turned his head slightly, so close I could feel his breath against my cheek.
"And I could say the same about you," he murmured back, voice low and warm.
I giggled, unable to help it a genuine, delighted sound that made all the boys glance at us.
My brother, Abraxas, was glowering like he wanted to hex Tom into oblivion. I caught his eye and rolled mine dramatically. "What?" I mouthed at him, earning a round of chuckles from the boys.
Hooked to Tom's arm, I led the way, feeling like a queen surveying her court.
We continued through the castle corridors, the light from the torches casting golden halos around us. By the time we reached Slughorn's private dining room, a handful of other students were already arriving faces from all four houses, handpicked for their "potential," as Slughorn loved to say.
The room was beautiful long tables draped with white linen, glittering crystal glasses, floating candles casting a warm, flattering glow. It smelled divine roast beef, honey-glazed ham, warm rolls, and something cinnamon-sweet I couldn't quite place.
Slughorn himself stood at the head of the room, beaming with glee, arms thrown wide like a jolly old grandfather.
"Welcome, welcome, my dears!" he cried. "Come in, come in! Don't be shy, there's plenty for everyone!"
Tom and I separated smoothly no need to draw too much attention but I could still feel his presence like a steady warmth at my back.
Slughorn bustled over to greet us personally.
"Miss Malfoy!" he cried, taking my hand and bowing over it gallantly. "Radiant, simply radiant!"
"You flatter me, Professor," I said sweetly, giving a small, graceful curtsy.
"And Mr. Riddle, my boy!" Slughorn added, clapping Tom on the back so hard I almost winced for him.
We found our seats naturally, the best ones, near the professor himself. I made sure to be between Tom and Abraxas , while Walburga was safely two seats down, shooting me dagger-glances I pretended not to notice.
As soon as everyone was seated, Slughorn clapped his hands and the food appeared, steaming and delicious, in golden platters down the center of the table.
As we ate, the conversation flowed.
Slughorn was in his element, guiding topics like a maestro conducting an orchestra.
He turned first to Thomas Avery. "So, Thomas, your father's business is expanding again, yes? Exports, I believe?"
Thomas grinned smugly. "Yes, sir. He's acquired another trading fleet."
"Splendid, splendid!" Slughorn boomed. "And you'll be joining him after Hogwarts, I expect?"
Thomas nodded. "Yes, sir."
Slughorn turned his bulbous gaze to me next, and I smiled, ready.
"And you, Carina, my dear? What are your ambitions?"
I tilted my head, the candlelight catching the diamonds at my ears.
"I plan to carry on the Malfoy legacy, Professor," I said sweetly, "and to forge alliances that will strengthen our place in the world." I let my voice warm just enough to sound hopeful, ambitious but not threatening. A delicate balance.
"Ah!" Slughorn cried, delighted. "Spoken like a true lady of old!"
I laughed softly, a musical little sound, and several boys smiled almost unconsciously.
Tom, I noticed, simply watched me a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips.
As the meal continued, I turned my charm up ever so slightly not too much, not enough to be obvious, but enough to weave a net around the table.
When Walburga tried to speak, interrupting Elliot with some shrill point about family bloodlines, I leaned forward, eyes wide and guileless.
"Walburga, you must tell us more about the Black family history," I said brightly. "You know it better than anyone."
She blinked, caught off guard, but preened under the attention, launching into a monologue that conveniently kept her from saying anything truly clever.
Meanwhile, I sipped my pumpkin juice, exchanging amused glances with Reinhardt and Theodore.
The evening wore on and by the time dessert arrived chocolate gateau, sugar-dusted fruit tarts, brandy-soaked pudding I had made sure to charm everyone at the table in some small way.
I complimented Elliot on his dueling skills, Thomas on his quick wit, Theodore on his family's new manor house renovations. Little things, seemingly harmless but each boy left the conversation with a slight flush to their cheeks and a secret pleasure at having been noticed by Carina Malfoy.
Even the Ravenclaw girl, Tracey Lithgow smiled at me when I asked about her potions research.
Slughorn, watching it all, beamed with satisfaction. A perfect little network, just as he liked.
Tom leaned closer once, his breath stirring the fine hairs at the back of my neck.
"You're dangerous when you want to be," he murmured, his voice full of dark amusement.
I smiled, eyes glittering, and said without looking at him, "I learned from the best."
The night wound down eventually, the candles burning low and the plates emptying. Slughorn toasted to "a future of greatness" and I raised my glass with the others, the taste of success as sweet on my tongue as the wine.
When it was time to leave, Tom offered his arm again without a word. I took it, feeling the buzz of triumph singing through my veins.
As we left the room, Slughorn called after me, "Miss Malfoy — you are a treasure!"
I glanced back over my shoulder, green satin swirling around my ankles.
"And treasures," I said with a soft, secret smile, "are meant to be kept safe."
The door closed behind us with a soft click, and the cool corridor swallowed us up, away from the golden warmth.
Tom looked at me sideways, that little smirk tugging at his mouth.
"You enjoyed that," he said.
I shrugged innocently. "I enjoy many things," I said, laughing lightly. "Tonight was just... practice."
"Practice for what?" he asked, voice curious, sharp.
I just smiled, mysterious, and tugged him along after me into the dark, laughing as our footsteps echoed off the stone.
...................................................................................