Only Skin Deep

Emily threw her bag near the door of her tiny cottage home, and plopped down on the creaky wooden stairs. She could hear her mother's high heels clicking across the floor above her.

"Emily dear," her mother called in her sickly sweet voice. "Why don't you change into something a bit more dressy." Emily looked up at her mother, who now stood at the top of the stairs. "For Mummy?" Emily sighed and climbed up the stairs.

"If I change, we have to take the fireplace to the Manor." Her mother merely laughed.

"No, we're going to Apparate," she said handing Emily dark green dress robes. "Now hurry, we don't want to be late." Her mother hurried off downstairs, as she pulled off her plain black robes. The black dress on underneath was bothering her. It only came to just below her knees, yet she wished it were longer. Slipping on the dress robes, she went back downstairs, to her waiting mother.

"I don't have to dress like this everyday, do I?" Emily asked, staring down at her clothing.

"No, but I would like you to look halfway decent," her mother snapped. Her father came tinkering down the hallway to say goodbye, just as her mother was set to leave.

"Have fun," he sighed, kissing Emily on the cheek.

"I will," her mother replied, though she knew this comment was directed at Emily. Her father went back down the hallway muttering something to himself. "Ready?" she asked Emily, who stood fumbling with her robes.

They both Apparated, and soon stood in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor.

"Olivia," Narcissa greeted with a brief head nod. "How good it is to see you." Emily just stared into space as the two women continued talking.

"Yes, I have been meaning to pop by to see you," Olivia said coolly, pulling Emily forward. "Say hello, Emily."

"Hello Mrs. Malfoy," Emily mumbled, curtsying. Her mother shot her a stern look.

"Where shall Emily be staying?" Olivia asked, walking toward the dining room with Narcissa.

"In with Draco," she replied. "I do hope that's all right."

"Yes, it is." Olivia stopped Emily and said, "Go upstairs then. I'll call you when you are needed." Emily grabbed her bag and shuffled up the stone stairs. She found the room quickly and entered silently. Draco sat in a chair by the fire, holding a glass filled with an orange-colored liquid.

"Draco?" Emily said, trying to grab his attention. He turned slightly at the sound of her voice. "Um, where do I stay?" He listlessly pointed to a small bed in the corner. She went over to it, finding it adorned with a midnight blue quilt. I never knew the Malfoys could use any other colors besides green and silver She looked around the room at all the shades of green and silver there were furnishing it. "Not one to stray from house colors, eh?"

"I like these colors," he muttered, still not paying much attention. Lazily, he glanced over at her. "You?"

"Yes, me," she said, sitting down on the floor near him with her book. Cracking it open, she began where she had stopped, shutting out Draco since he wasn't in the mood to be bothered. When is he in the mood to be bothered? Silly girl, thinking he was the type to talk with.

"Your mother is the one staying?" Draco drawled, swirling the contents of his glass.

Putting down her book, Emily said, "Yes, and, unfortunately, thinks that I need to accompany her." She sighed before continuing. "I've already told her I wasn't about to join the Death Eaters."

A knock on the door startled them both.

"Draco darling," his mother addressed him, poking her head in the door. "Time for supper." Draco rose from his chair and looked down at Emily.

"Coming?" he asked, mainly because his mother still stood there. She nodded, and got up to follow them. Narcissa led them downstairs where Emily's mother and Lucius sat. Draco and his mum seemed to know exactly where to sit; Emily didn't have a clue. Her mother looked at her with angry eyes. Why can't you know what to do! Emily could hear her mother screaming in her head. Draco cleared his throat to catch her attention. He motioned her to the seat near him, as she quickly scurried over there.

"So, Olivia, you really are joining the new Death Eaters?" Lucius asked, cutting his piece of meat on his plate. "Why weren't you in the old group?" Draco knew what he was doing. He was testing her loyalty.

"My husband wouldn't allow it. I was also pregnant at the time with Emily when the group offered in new members. Yet I recall that The Lord's demise was shortly thereafter. Maybe I was supposed to join now instead of then," Olivia said, barely stopping to take breaths. "None the less," she continued before Lucius could speak again, "I have remained loyal the whole time." This seemed to satisfy him.

"Father, how long will Mrs. Miller and Emily be staying?" Lucius looked coldly at his son, who had spoken without being spoken to.

"Depends," was all his father had to say. Draco felt the need to press it further.

"Seeing as though I'm sharing my room with her, I thought maybe I should know when I'd have my privacy back." Narcissa's eyes went wide at the behavior of her son. She didn't want him to be hurt.

"Lucius, just tell him. What harm could it bring?" she suggested quietly. "It's just how long our guests will be staying, not a precious secret."

"That's not the point!" he snapped at her. "The boy has to learn not to pry!" Narcissa eyes fell down to her plate. His eyes turned on Draco and Emily. "Both of you upstairs. Take your plates if you'd like." Emily wasn't hungry, so she left hers, as did Draco.

Emily shut the door behind her as her and Draco entered his room. He fell onto his bed with a long sigh.

"Are they always like this?" Emily asked cautiously. No answer. "I remember when my parents used to fight, but I'm not sure they were quite like that." She walked over to her bag and pulled out her watch. It was close to nine o'clock, so she figured she had awhile before bed. Emily sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the floor.

"Your parents used to fight?" Draco asked suddenly, causing her to look up. "And all this time I thought that little piggy's life was flawless."

"No one's life is flawless, Draco," she said calmly. "It's just that some people have fewer troubles than the others." He sat up to look at her. He didn't say anything, just sat and stared. Emily lay back on her bed, knowing that Draco wouldn't express anything to her. She decided to switch topics.

"So, I hear you and Jade Tiago are together," she muttered. She heard Draco drop back down.

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, it's just that everyone is talking about it is all," Emily said, not knowing why she had brought up this Jade girl.

"Yeah, we are. She keeps Pansy away, that's for sure." Draco hadn't seen Pansy outside of classes, which was odd since she used to be at his side.

Emily, for some reason, felt jealous. Sure, Jade was almost exactly like Malfoy but was that really the kind of girl he needed? Probably, her brain told her much to her displeasure. "What do you like about this girl any ways?"

Hmm, Draco had never thought about that. Sure, she was his girlfriend, but why was she. Sex, definitely. No, there was more than that. Beauty? Maybe, she is pretty fit. "I'm not sure," he answered, still thinking about it.

"You're going out with this girl and you don't know why?" Emily asked disbelievingly. Come now, Emily. You know why. What have we heard about Jade.... Draco didn't answer, so she didn't ask any farther.

~

At ten, Emily felt she could lie there no longer. She took out her white cotton nightgown and stood. "Um, where can I change?"

"That door," Draco mumbled, gesturing towards the door on his left. Emily went over to it and cracked the door open. She entered, walking into a large marble bathroom. Silver taps sparkled in the candlelight, catching Emily's eye as she walked. She watched herself in the mirror. I wonder if Lucius despises me yet. Owing to the fact he hasn't gotten the chance to talk to me, I would assume he doesn't. You never know with him, though.

Slipping out of her robes and dress, she pulled on her gown. Emily folded them nicely, and reached for the door. Her hand shot back as if touching an electrified fence. What's Draco going to say? Her mind made her drift to self-conscious thoughts. He's going to say something, you know. Then what are you going to do? You'll be all ashamed because you like him. "I do not," she snapped at herself. With much effort she opened the door. Damn it, why was her bed all the way across the room? Taking in a deep breath, she went to her bed fairly quickly. You're such a sissy, her mind mocked at her.

~

Draco glanced up as he heard the door open. Emily stood as if waiting for the perfect opportunity to slip by unnoticed. She looks nothing like Jade. Why was he thinking that? Don't compare Jade to that, you dolt. She doesn't even belong in the same category as Jade. He couldn't help but watch her as she crossed the room. Unlike Jade's tight little number, Emily's gown was loose and hung to her knees. The slight swaying enticed him. Stop staring before she notices. He decided he'd get changed too.

"Be back," he mumbled, taking out a tee shirt from his drawer. Emily nodded and pulled back her quilt. She snuggled in as she heard the door slam. She assumed the bed was bewitched because it was staying warm under her. It seemed to be lulling her to sleep, as was the beating of the shower coming from the bathroom. Stay awake, you might see Draco's hair messed up. "No, I'm too tired," she mumbled, letting her eyes close.

~

Draco stepped out of the shower and began drying with a gray towel he had pulled from the closet. What do I wear to bed with her there? I can't stay how I normally am. Sleeping like that was definitely out of the question. "I guess I could just sleep in my boxers and this," he muttered to himself, grabbing the black tee sitting on the counter. Putting that on and his forest green boxers, he stared into the mirror. His blonde hair stood up in all directions. Maybe I shouldn't do my hair any more. He ran his fingers through his hair, and let it fall around his face. Jade wouldn't like that. "So?" he questioned aloud. "I can do as I please." Emily might like it. His eyes widened in surprise. Why did he think that? What did he care what she thought?

Shaking it off, he shut the light off, and opened the door. It was dark in the room. Only the glow of the fire lit the room. He rolled down his comforter, and sank into bed.

Absentmindedly, he looked over at Emily. The gentle raising and falling of her chest keyed him into her being sound asleep. Draco didn't know what he would have done if she had been awake.

Glad that she was sleeping, he rolled over as a new thought emerged in his head. Tomorrow was Lucius' party. He had to go whether he wanted to or not. You could just stay near Emily. She might be interesting to talk to. He could do that. He wouldn't want to do that either, but it was better than talking to a bunch of Death Eaters, or being roped into becoming one. Maybe he would talk with her. Maybe....