Chapter: A Taste of Slytherin

(Edited)

Today was the Malfoys' Midsummer Party.

The words alone had been circling Maddie's mind since morning — half excitement, half unease.

By late afternoon, sunlight spilled in golden beams across the Oldkey estate, filtering through sheer curtains as Maddie stood in front of her vanity mirror. Her mother's soft voice echoed from the hall, calling for her to hurry, but Maddie barely heard it — her heart was beating faster than she wanted to admit.

On the bed lay the champagne-colored gown Narcissa and her mother had chosen for her — lace at the shoulders, soft silk that caught the light with every movement. It looked like liquid sunlight. Maddie ran her fingers across the fabric before carefully slipping it on, feeling the cool material mold to her shape.

Her mother entered just as she fastened the last clasp at her back.

"Oh, my dear," Mary breathed, eyes softening with pride. "You look perfect."

Maddie smiled faintly, adjusting her bracelet. "You too, maman."Mary wore deep emerald silk, her hair pinned neatly, elegant as ever — a reflection of the woman Maddie aspired to be.

The evening air was still warm when they stepped outside and Apparated to the Malfoy Manor grounds.

The instant they arrived, Maddie's breath caught.

The manor was breathtaking — tall silver torches lit the entrance path, their flames flickering against the marble statues lining the garden. The soft sound of violins floated through the night, mingling with the hum of conversation and the faint scent of blooming white roses. Wizards and witches from the most distinguished families of Britain filled the vast courtyard, their laughter light and polite.

Maddie instinctively drew closer to her mother as they walked up the steps. Narcissa was waiting at the top, radiant in silver and white, her hair shining like moonlight.

"Mary, darling!" she said warmly, kissing her on both cheeks. "And Maddie — finally, we meet again. You look exquisite, my dear."

Maddie curtsied slightly. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy."

Narcissa smiled, her eyes flicking — knowingly — toward the open ballroom. "Go on, enjoy yourself."

Her tone was gentle, but Maddie caught the suggestion. She gave a polite nod before her mother and Narcissa drifted off together, already deep in conversation with another group of elegant witches.

Left alone, Maddie turned toward the ballroom

_____________

As the evening passed, Maddie found herself wandering through the ballroom alone, a glass of sparkling punch in hand. She drifted between groups of laughing guests, her eyes lingering on the glittering chandeliers, the floating candles, and the enchanted portraits that seemed to whisper to one another.

Eventually, she slipped away from the noise and climbed the staircase to one of the balconies. The night air was cool, and the stars above shimmered like a scattering of tiny diamonds. Maddie leaned against the railing, letting herself breathe in the quiet.

And then she noticed someone standing alone, a faint wisp of smoke curling into the night. Theodore Nott, cigarette in hand, was perched casually by the stone balustrade.

"Oh—sorry!" Maddie said quickly, a faint flush creeping onto her cheeks. "I didn't mean to – sorry, I.. I will just leave you be"

He looked up, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. "It's quite alright. Want one?" He held out the cigarette, almost casually.

Maddie shook her head politely. "Oh no, thank you. I... I shouldn't."

For a long beat, the balcony was quiet, filled only by the gentle night breeze and the distant hum of the party below. Maddie glanced at him again. "You know those are bad for you, right?"

"I know," he admitted lightly, taking a slow drag. "But it helps."

"Well," she said, tilting her head thoughtfully, "there are other ways. Herbs, remedies, things that don't... harm you."

Theodore chuckled, exhaling smoke into the cool air. "Smart girl. Right."

A pause settled between them, comfortable in its own way, before Theodore finally spoke again, his tone curious but gentle.

"So... what do you think of the ball?" he asked, his eyes studying her face. "Quite a spectacle, isn't it?"

Maddie looked out at the twinkling lights of the Malfoy estate, the floating candles and crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the gardens below. She took a small breath before answering, her voice soft but steady.

"It's impressive," she said, a faint smile touching her lips. "The decorations, the music... the way everyone seems to forget themselves for a night. It's beautiful, Narcissa did a wonderful job"

Then, abruptly, the balcony door swung open. Pansy Parkinson's voice cut through the night. "Theo! Everyone's looking for you! Why are you just standing out here, smoking? Real selfish of you."

Theodore glanced at her, a lazy smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, I'm coming." He flicked the cigarette to the stone below, crushed it beneath his heel, and said over his shoulder, "It was nice talking to you, Maddie."

Pansy's eyes shifted to Maddie, a quick, sharp smile on her lips. "Oh... hello."

Maddie murmured a quiet, polite, "Hi," her eyes flicking back toward the stars.

As Theodore and Pansy left, Maddie overheard Pansy mutter something under her breath, clearly aimed at Theodore: "Since when do you talk to girls out of your league?"

Maddie's lips curved into a small, secretive smile. She turned back to the night sky, letting the stars shimmer in her eyes and the quiet of the evening sink in.

_____________________

Theodore's POV

"Since when do you talk to girls out of your league?" Pansy asked.

Theo felt a flicker of irritation at the teasing, though he tried to mask it with a casual shrug. "Oh, come on," he said lightly. "I was just keeping her company. She was all alone up there—what's wrong with that?"

Pansy said while opening the study rooms door. "Maybe we should have invited her"

Blaise who was sitting on the couch asked "Who should've invited"

Pansy answer" I found Theo on the balcony with Miss Maddie Oldkey.."

Blaise leaned back, smirking, his dark eyes glinting. "Since when do you talk to girls way out of your league, Nott?"

Pansy chuckled, nudging him. "Blaise, we think alike."

Theo rolled his eyes, half amused, half exasperated. "Honestly, I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary. She was alone. That's all."

Just then, Draco entered the room, moving with that effortless grace Theo had come to recognize. His sharp eyes scanned the group, instantly picking up the tension. "Who are you talking about?" he asked, voice calm but laced with that unmistakable edge of curiosity.

Millicent's smile was sly as she answered. "Oh, you know... Theodore was on the balcony with Maddie Oldkey."

Draco's expression tightened almost imperceptibly, a flash of something—jealousy, perhaps? – crossing his otherwise composed face. Draco didn't speak; he just settled into a nearby couch, crossing his arms, his silver eyes sharp and calculating. He didn't listen to anyone as he sat down on the couch everyone was teasing Theo...

Then, everyone got quiet, they looked at the door and saw Maddie standing there with a shocked face. "Oh, I'm so sorry... I thought this was the bathroom," she said.

Draco looked at her, noticing how the dress he had seen previously at a boutique looked even more beautiful on her now. But his thought was quickly interrupted when Millicent said, "We were just talking about you. Would you like to join us?"

Maddie shook her head gently. "Oh no, I don't want to disturb you all. I was just looking for the bathroom."

Draco stood up and looked at her. "The bathroom is on the left side of the corridor."

Maddie smiled. "Thanks," she said, and closed the door.

Draco's lips curved into a small smile before he turned to look at his friends. They were all watching him with teasing expressions. "Was Draco Malfoy nice to someone?," Pansy teased.

"Oh, come on, guys, stop," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "I only talk to her because she's my mother's friend's daughter."

Daphne arched an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Really long chapter.

What do you think?

Maddie and Theodore... thoughts?

Should I do more like Draco povs?

Don't forget to like this chapter if you liked it😊.