Chapter 27

Daphne insisted on taking Anastasia shopping before the dinner party. As they walked into Gladrags Anastasia felt her heart sink remembering Mrs Avery's dress. She hadn't really been interested in dressing up for a Slughorn party again, but Daphne lifted her spirits by running around the shop madly picking up all the dresses she could find. Anastasia spent the entire time in the changing room, every time she tried on a dress a new one appeared outside the door.

"Oh my god!" She heard Daphne shout. Daphne ran into the changing room.

"Daph!" Anastasia screamed.

"Sorry sorry!" She shut the door behind her. "But I've genuinely found the perfect dress!" She proudly held out a green silk dress in front of her. Anastasia gasped, it was the same shade of green as the dress Tom had bought her for Slughorn's a year ago. She looked over the dress, it was simple but she had to admit it was gorgeously elegant. She noticed the spaghetti straps led down to a deep v-cut neckline.

"Daph I can't wear that!" Anastasia had only just started getting used to the new style of bras and pants, but having her chest and shoulders so exposed was too far.

"Oh come on, try it on it will look great!" Daphne left and Anastasia slipping into the slinky green gown. She walked out of the changing room to look in the mirror, receiving an excited squeal from Daphne. Anastasia admired herself in the dress, but she felt as if she was half naked, it even had a slit going up one leg. She looked at her exposed bra and straps.

"Oh don't worry I have some tape you can use!"

"Tape?" Anastasia questioned.

"Yeah, like boob tape." Anastasia nodded, completely confused. Every time she felt she was used to this time, something else suddenly came up.

"I don't know Daphne it's a bit... innapropriate." Daphne stood up and put her hands on Anastasia's shoulders.

"Ana, you look incredible. You're getting it." Anastasia laughed.

"Well what about my..." Anastasia pointed to the scar in between her collarbones, a constant reminder of that night with Tom.

"Scars are nothing to be embarrassed about Ana." Daphne smiled sweetly. "They're actually kinda sexy." The girls both erupted laughing.

Anastasia waited outside the Slytherin dorms for Harry, who was late. Daphne had straightened her hair, making Anastasia wonder at it's new found length. She ran her fingers through the blonde locks nervously, starting to fear he wasn't gong to show up. Suddenly she saw Harry running down the corridor towards her. Once he saw her he slowed his pace, running his fingers through his dark hair trying to stop himself from panting.

"Anastasia I'm so sorry my meeting with Dumbledore dragged on." He stopped in front of her. "Jesus, you look incredible!" Harry felt his eyes wondering down and desperately tried to stop himself looking at her body. "The colour... it really goes with your eyes." Anastasia laughed at his blushing cheeks. Harry looked tongue-tied.

"We should get going." She giggled, starting to walk towards Slughorn's.

"What was your meeting about?" Anastasia questioned as they walked.

"Oh, um nothing really. Dumbledore just wanted to show me something."

"I'm guessing this is related to what you're trying to get out of Slughorn?" Harry turned his head quickly towards her. Anastasia stopped just outside Slughorn's door.

"You don't have to tell me Harry, but I might be more help than you realise. I happen to have a lot of experience with this sort of thing."

"With getting information out of Slughorn?" Harry laughed. Anastasia shot him a sly smile before opening the door.

"Harry! Anastasia!" The professor exclaimed loudly. "I was starting to worry you weren't coming!"

"Sorry we're late professor." Harry muttered, looking at Anastasia. She couldn't help but laugh slightly, he was clearly not a natural liar.

"Sorry Professor, completely my fault my hair took forever." Anastasia smiled sweetly, taking her seat. Harry exhaled and shot Anastasia a quick smile before sitting down next to her. As they began eating Slughorn interrupted Hermione's story and spoke loudly across the table.

"You do look so much like your aunt, Anastasia." Anastasia shot her eyes up to him. "Did you know she came to one of my dinner parties? In 1942 I believe..." Anastasia tried to keep a smile on her face. "The dress you're wearing is the same colour as hers was, they looked so gracious together. They really were..." She felt as if Slughorn was looking right through her, remembering that night. He shook himself, as if waking up. "It's a lovely colour Miss Marlowe, it goes with your eyes." Anastasia thanked the professor, and tried her best not to look too shaken by his little speech. She felt everyone's eyes on her. She looked over to Harry, who was staring at her. He looked concerned, even angry, for a moment before his face softened and he revealed a small comforting smile. Anastasia wondered what that look had meant, why he seemed so taken aback by Slughorn's words. Harry reached his hand under the table and gently took Anastasia's. At first she tensed up, suddenly feeling like she did that Christmas at Avery Manor, but instead of a rough grip around her thigh she felt Harry squeeze her hand and rub his thumb over her skin affectionately. Anastasia blushed, and felt her body relax slightly. The pair looked up to see Professor Slughorn watching them with a sly grin.