He’d been up so late Friday night that Draco found it very difficult to drag himself out of bed Saturday morning. The only thing that convinced him to roll out of his four poster and stagger into the shower was the thought of his girlfriend ready to spend the day on a date with him. He’d gotten washed up, ran a hand through his hair with a small bit of gel on it, shook his head to get it to lay the messy way she seemed to love, then put on his cologne that smelled of outdoor spices and sex appeal.

He smirked at his reflection, then dressed in a pair of black pants and an emerald oxford with the buttons only half done and sleeves rolled like he’d done back in the forest. He knew this look had quite an effect on the little snake, and it made him quite pleased with himself.

Once he was ready, Draco fetched his wallet and considered gathering his robes. The blonde decided against this, though, since he wouldn’t be facing the Dark Lord himself. Why should he go back to old habits to please the people he didn’t even like? No, he would do what he wanted and focus only on the girl he loved. And that would make him quite happy.

Draco met his date in the common room and took her in his arms, giving her a kiss and a compliment before leading the way out of the castle and toward the village. There was no sense in wasting any time, since he knew he’d have to hand her off at the end, and it wouldn’t be good to keep the Dark Lord waiting too long. He still wanted the full date with her, and so he was eager to get started.

He’d already settled on a nice lunch at the pub, then a trip to the Quidditch shop where he would spoil her rotten if she’d let him. As it was, he opened the door to the Three Broomsticks and smiled at his lady. “After you, Sky,” he said softly. As they walked to a table, he motioned to the barmaid for two butterbeers. The couple could decide on their food choices once Sky had a chance to look over the menu. ”In the mood for anything special?”

Skyler groaned. Again. For what was probably the millionth time. She did not like this nervous feeling that had settled in the pit of her stomach and refused to go away. It was making her nerves feel like live wires, and like an electrical current was running through her body. She felt hot and cold both at once, like her body couldn't decide on what it was feeling. It was awfully confusing and terribly distracting. And all because of a bloody date.

Of course, it wasn't just any date. It was her very first date, and somehow Skyler felt this excused the typical girly feelings she was having at the moment. At least, she hoped this was typical. She had no real way of knowing because she hadn't really talked to anyone about this. Or about Draco.

The thought of the blonde wizard brought a soft, fond smile to the Slytherin's face, and calmed her somehow like nothing else she had tried did. Soon, Skyler would need to meet him in the common room but she had to get ready first. The brunette was positive there were several steps in the 'date' manual she was skipping, such as doing her hair, make up, and all that. A grimace passed on her face at the thought. That definitely was not about to happen. Ever.

Instead, she showered, washed up, and went about choosing what to wear. She had no idea what they would be doing except going to the nearby wizarding village, so she pulled on a pair of dark skinny jeans that hugged her lower body perfectly, but were still comfortable to move around in. Next she pulled on a royal purple beater top, and finally her traditional converse sneakers. They were the only type of shoe she wore, and had them in every color. It was the only thing she would make a fuss about having. This time, she slipped on the ones that matched her top perfectly. Royal purple. It was her favorite color and complimented her eyes perfectly. Her hair, having air dried by this time, fell in dark waves down her back, and over her shoulders, framing her pale face perfectly and contrasting with it in a lovely way.

Looking in the mirror, Skyler shrugged. She supposed she could've gotten all dolled up but that really wasn't her and this was as good as it was going to get. What made her stand out was the fact that her emotions were always so clearly etched onto her face and sparkled in her vibrant eyes, and this was how she met her boyfriend in the common room. She returned his kiss easily and allowed him to lead her through the castle and to the village, practically bouncing in her excitement to spend the day with him. Their stolen moments throughout the week just didn't seem like enough.

The brunette did look at him appreciatively as the walked, thinking of how he looked exactly how he had that day in the forest, and a pretty blush tinted her cheeks. When he held the door open to a place called the Three Broomsticks, Skyler rolled her eyes but grinned nevertheless and entered ahead of him, leading the way to the first empty table she spotted.

Sitting, Skyler automatically opened her mouth to say the first thing that came to mind at his question. "I'd say so yes, but I'm not sure it's anything anyone but you can serve really." Realizing that she hadn't just thought that, but said it as well, she slapped her hand over her mouth, eyes widening in shock. For a moment she just stood like that, until finally she removed her hand from it's place over her mouth, and blinked. "Did I..um..really just say that out loud? Or did I just imagine that part?" She asked him, hoping for the latter but knowing she had spoken aloud.

Draco barked out a laugh without even meaning to as she clapped her hands over her mouth. ”You definitely said it, little snake,” he grinned. The truth was, it made him ridiculously happy to know how he could make the girl feel. She wanted him. That was wonderful. Draco thought he could do anything as long as she looked at him with desire in those violet eyes. He felt like he had everything he could ever desire now that he had Sky.

Shaking the cheesy thoughts from his mind, the blonde tilted his head in acknowledgement to the waitress as she brought their drinks. ”We’ll have the Cornish pasties, I think,” he ordered. It didn’t seem like Sky knew what she wanted after all, so he figured he could order for the both of them, and he knew these were rather wonderful at this particular pub.

The food arrived in no time, and he dug in, still smiling at his date. ”You are beautiful, you know,” he commented between bites of food. The fact that she didn’t overdo it for him was damn sexy, in all honesty. He loved that she didn’t cake on make up or put on some ridiculous dress or something to try to impress him. Or worse, she could have barely worn anything like Parkinson used to do. The way she dressed made Draco want her even more, if that was possible. It seemed like this girl was perfect.

Skyler merely shrugged, too used to saying things that she should only think for her to be embarrassed by it now. But she didn't send him a glare for his trouble when he laughed at her, but there was no real heat behind it, and she ended up childishly sticking her tongue out at him as their drinks arrived.

Taking a sip of the drink, Skyler felt like it warmed her from the inside out. It had a vanilla cream taste to it that she found herself enjoying, and the foam on top was like the icing on a cake. Not that she liked cake. Because she didn't. Unless it was cheesecake. She looked at him questioningly when he ordered. Cornish pasties? Didn't they have normal food here? Like chili cheese fries, or nachos, or something? While the brunette was aware that these particular dishes were more junk food than actual entrees, she had a dear love for them, something her mother hated. She often told Skyler it was a wonder she didn't weigh two hundred pounds. Skyler secretly agreed with this remark but always gave a glare to her mother for good measure. Looking Draco over, she couldn't imagine the immaculate and pristine boy eating something as messy as chili cheese fries. She imagined the look on his face should he ever come face to face with a plate of the dish, and a secretive grin played on her lips as she coughed to cover her snicker.

When the food arrived, the teen witch looked at it curiously. The scent wafting from it made it seem appetizing enough, and it sort of looked like a pizza pocket she would've had back home. She took an experimental bite, chewing slowly as her face turned thoughtful, trying to decide whether or not she would like this Cornish pasty. Swallowing, she grinned down at the thing. Apparently it had earned her approval. She dug in. The girl was by no means a messy or sloppy eater, and had adequate table manners. But she didn't feel the need to eat like a bird, as her mother insisted she do. If she were hungry, it could be bet on that she would eat until her stomach was satisfied, and that was that.

When he called her beautiful, she made sure to swallow what was in her mouth before speaking, but she managed to roll her eyes either way. "You're going to give me an who as big as yours, and I doubt the castle is big enough for the both of them." She replied humorously, shaking her head at him with a grin and bringing her drink back to her lips to take a swig, not realizing the foam on the top was giving her a mustache. Looking at him with a questioning gaze, she asked curiously, "What is this stuff anyways?"

Draco couldn’t help but grin at the idea of his little snake growing an ego as big as his apparently was. In reality, he didn’t think he had that big of a ‘better than everyone’ complex, but he knew he played it off as such. Thus, he laughed a bit and shook his head at her. ”I dunno, Sky,” he said softly. ”I think you could handle a big ego pretty well. The castle doesn’t seem to be falling down too badly with the two of us running wild in it. Well, not without other people’s help at least.” He smirked as he remembered their first night in the castle and the destruction they’d left behind.

It would be interesting to see what Skyler had in mind for Parkinson, as Draco was aware that she had some sort of plan up her sleeve. He hoped he wouldn’t have to get involved just yet. If he could avoid making clear rivalries with known daughters of Death Eaters he might actually survive a bit longer into the year. Of course, at the rate he was going with this fiery female, he might not survive the weekend. And oddly enough, Draco didn’t mind that so much.

”This is a Cornish pasty, dear Yank. It is full of meat and potatoes and is one of the things the Brits actually managed to do right.” The blonde winked at his girlfriend, acknowledging the common opinion that English food was not so tasty. He was rather picky when it came to his meals, and he wouldn’t eat the common crud that many muggle households served. Another plus to having magic was never having to eat sub-par meals, in Draco’s opinion.

He appreciated how the girl ate before him, not pretending to be some dainty flower or some such nonsense. That always bothered the boy in the past, and he found himself digging in as well, forgetting the ingrained ‘manners’ that kept him from fully enjoying himself most of the time he was out on ‘dates’. He grinned at his date as he wiped a bit of sauce from his nose, licking his lips to rid them of the bits of pastry that still clung to them. He took a big swig of his drink, then, laughing at her mustache of foam.

”And this, is butterbeer. The most wonderful beverage known to wizardkind. In my opinion it’s even better than the hard stuff, just because it gets you warmed up without going to your head…” Perhaps it wasn’t what most expected from him, but Draco was oddly honest with his new girlfriend, so he didn’t feel the need to put on a show. He didn’t really enjoy getting drunk. Draco much preferred to keep his wits about him at all times. ”Are you ready to hit the Quidditch shop now?” he asked, as they seemed finished with their pasties. He offered her a hand after setting a modest amount of money down for the bill. Draco was nothing if not a good tipper, which he was rather proud of. A good waitress or waiter deserved a good galleon, and he’d always follow his father’s advice on that.

Skyler snorted, a grin curling her lips as she looked at him with amused eyes. "I think my ego is just fine, thanks. You might be wrong about the castle falling apart though. After all, it's only been one week. Still plenty of time to do some damage." She added on with a cheeky wink, laughing lightly at her own joke. Though part of her wondered just how badly the castle would look once the year ended, if the first night included walls exploding around them. It looked promising since the rest of the week had been almost boring. Except for that rat thing. Which she hadn't managed to tell Draco about just yet. Maybe she should just keep it to herself, since Parkinson obviously was. Besides, there was still more in store for the sixth year girl.

The brunette nodded almost absently to his explanations of what she was eating and drinking, continuing to enjoy them happily, though she did offer him a thankful and appreciative smile for his words. It was true that there were a lot of strange, and in Skyler's opinion, not so tasty dishes these English cooked up. So this was particular enjoyable for her. She was by no means a picky eater, and used the rule of trying everything atleast once. But that didn't mean there weren't just some things she wouldn't bother trying a second time.

Skyler thought his description of the drink she now could refer to as butterbeer was very accurate, and she was pleasantly surprised to hear he seemed to favor it harder substances. The brunette herself had never really drank before. Unless one could get drunk on root beer. She highly doubted that though. Usually she just got so hyper she was like a ping pong ball bouncing off the walls. Skyler secretly thought that if this butterbeer had the same effect then he would probably be sorry for introducing it to her by the end of their date.

Wiping her own mouth with a napkin to free herself of her foam mustache, Skyler gave him a questioning look, but nodded anyways. Watching as he set down money for their food and drink, the teen frowned. It wasn't the amount that bothered her but the fact that he paid for them both. Now, she was aware that it was probably typical for the guy to pay on a date. She wasn't that idiotic. But Skyler wasn't the typical girl. She looked from the money to him, then back again before a spark came to life in her purple eyes and she reached down to pull her own bit of money from the inside of her sock where she had a habit of keeping it. Thankfully, wizarding money seemed to be the same in every country.

The brunette laid her own half on the table and picked up half of what the blonde had placed there, a smirk developing across her face as she handed it back to him, placing it in his outstretched hand. Pushing herself to her feet, she looked triumphant as she lead the way back out, carefully trying to avoid the legs of chairs and tables as she did so. No use in taking a tumble in this pub as well. Finally making it through the door, Skyler sighed in relief of having made it all the way out with no tripping, and paused right outside to allow Draco to lead the way, asking curiously, "The Quidditch shop?" Clearly the teen was wondering what they would be doing there.

Draco couldn’t say he was all that surprised when the girl slapped her coins on the table and pushed his money back into his hand rather than accepting it. He did glare, however, and shake his head in disapproval. This was supposed to be a date, and he was her boyfriend. That meant he was supposed to pay for her meal! Damn headstrong witch…

He couldn’t help the smile that formed on his face as he followed her out of the pub. This would go on the list of ways she was different from other girls, which doubled as a list of reasons he loved her. He’d definitely be fighting her if she tried to pay for things at the quidditch shop, though. The blonde grabbed her hand, giving Skyler no choice in whether or not she wanted to act the part of a typical couple.

”Yes. Quidditch shop. You do want to snatch my position, don’t you?” he asked, raising a brow at the girl as he led them along the busy street. Draco tugged on the girl’s hand, entering the shop and immediately gathering some of the best supplies money could buy. ”If you are going to beat me, you are going to look great doing it.” He smirked, tossing her a pair of flexible dragon hide gloves. Next, he moved along to a display of the latest boots, made with a stronger material that allowed for more movement. He picked up one of them and moved it around in his hands

Peering at Skyler for a second, Draco turned toward one of the workers and motioned to the boot. ”We’ll need a men’s ten and a lady’s..?” He looked pointedly at Sky, waiting for her to give her shoe size. He considered getting these boots for his whole team if they were as wonderful as they seemed they would be. Maybe as a sort of ‘making the team’ gift. He’d have to test them out with his little snake soon.

Draco was determined to look at the brooms next. And the servicing kits as well. He’d heard a rumor about a new Nimbus release that was supposedly even better than the latest Firebolt, and he was eager to lay eyes on it. He wondered what his girlfriend’s reaction might be when she realized how much he intended to purchase today.

It only took Skyler about a split second before she realized what Draco had planned for the remainder of their date, and a sudden look of both comprehension and horror crossed her face. Shopping. The brunette hated shopping. Loathed it. It was on the list of top ten things she would rather die than do. And he looked like he enjoyed it immensely.

Grumbling something along the lines of how boys are not supposed to like shopping and glared as she was pulled along into the shop. Her hand flashed out automatically to catch what he tossed her, easily snatching it out of the air to find it was a pair of dragonhide gloves. Skyler gave him her best disapproving look. "If you think for one second I'm gonna let you buy all kinds of stuff you've got another thing coming." She informed him with a nod of her dark haired head, tossing the gloves right back where they came from with a satisfied smirk. "Besides, I already have all the necessities, and I could beat you wearing a potato sack."

She tossed her head haughtily, her confidence in her own seeking skills outweighing her adversity to shopping for the moment. Until he spotted a boot that he seemed to have to have. The brunette rolled her eyes, willing to be the probably had ten pairs just like them. When he looked at her, Skyler was sure she knew exactly what he was thinking and narrowed her eyes on him. Under no circumstances was he buying her a thing. Nope.

A look of outrage flashed in her violet eyes when he asked the working witch to order him a pair and turned to her for her shoe size. The teen dug in her heels full force, crossing her arms in defiance over her chest, and giving him a glare that could kill. She was quite obviously going to be extremely stubborn and unwilling to budge. She already had everything she needed for quidditch, and there was no point in wasting any money on stuff she didn't need, no matter who's money it was.

”While the image of you riding a broom in nothing but a potato sack is quite entertaining, I don’t think it’s quite school appropriate,” Draco stated simply. He set down the boot and went back over to the glove display, grabbing the pair she’d unceremoniously thrown aside and shooting her a slight glare. ”You might not understand such things, but you are my girlfriend and it is generally accepted that a boyfriend buys a girlfriend gifts. Now, unless you want to be showered in foolish things like flowers and jewelry, I suggest you let me buy you things you’ll actually use.”

Draco was going to get his way, and he was going to win this little argument even if he had to use somewhat low blows to do so. He’d be buying her gifts one way or another, and he figured she’d rather have something she’d enjoy. ”Now kindly tell the witch your size so I don’t have to summon your shoe to me. Because I will do it, and you won’t be happy about it, I’m sure.” He smiled easily at the purple-eyed girl, then set the gloves on the counter before stalking over to the broom display.

Ah, the New Nimbus. Not the cleverest of names but he couldn’t argue with the obvious quality. The handle was a bleached wood that was so smooth it felt like silk beneath his long fingers, and the twigs of the head of the broom were a deep mahogany color, perfectly manicured and thick. It was a gorgeous broom, and boasted the fasted speeds on record. Draco knew his little snake had to have this broom. She’d be sure to beat Potter to the snitch with this beauty and her skills. Plus, she’d look damn good doing it. Not that she wouldn’t on whatever broom she mounted, but this would just heighten her regal appearance.

”Come here, kitten,” he called to her, wondering if she’d managed to give the working witch her shoe size yet. If not, he really would just summon her shoe right off her foot and check for himself. ”I’m buying you one of these. Thought you should know. Consider it an early Christmas present.” He flashed her a smirk, then walked up toward the counter, grabbing a fancy broom servicing kit along the way.

The nerve of him! Scowling, Skyler snatched the gloves back off the counter. "Generally accepted. Those would be the key words in that sentence." She replied in a dark tone that clearly indicated the blonde was pushing his luck. Unfortunately for him, he seemed to be rather intent on pushing the line.

It wasn't that the young witch wasn't grateful for what he wanted to do, but Skyler didn't set much value in material objects. Sure, she enjoyed them just as much as anyone else, but they weren't the end all, be all to her that so many people made them to be. The teen was a simple girl, and didn't need nor expect the most luxurious and lavish things in life. She put more store in things that couldn't be bought, or had a certain amount of thought behind them, than anything with a high monetary value.

Giving him an icy glare for his trouble, Skyler pointedly dropped the gloves back where they came from, and by the set of her jaw it was obvious that, threaten her as he might, she would not be giving in to his demands and giving her shoe size to him or anyone else. The teen was just as stubborn, if not more so, than he could be and seemed determined to prove it at the moment. But when he dared to utter such a ridiculous pet name, her purple eyes flashed dangerously in outrage. "Kitten?" She repeated, her tone a deadly softness.

Her wand was in her hand before she was consciously aware of it, but before she could hex him to oblivion as she had wanted, he went on to say he was going to buy her a broom. And not just any broom. The new Nimbus. For a moment, Skyler teetered between being further outraged and being simply shocked. For a glorious moment she saw herself on the dream broom of brooms, wind whipping around her as she chased after the snitch.

Her outrage won out however, and just as he was grabbing the flashy broom servicing kit. A second wave of anger flooded her and that's when she let him have it. But Skyler wasn't a Slytherin for nothing, and it was a silent hex she hit him with, changing his hair from the blonde color she liked to a horribly bright, bubblegum pink. But it wasn't just his hair that changed color. The awful color creeped down his neck, over his ears and face, and Skyler was sure under his impeccable clothes, the rest of his body would be pink also.

In spite of the outrage she felt, the brunette felt a laugh bubbling it's way up her throat, and try as she might there was no choking it down. Her laughter carried through the store, and she doubled over, clutching the stitch in her side. She tried to stop, she really did, but it was really the best fail at a hex she had ever had.

Draco felt the magic hit him, but he had no idea what it was Skyler had decided to hit him with. He didn’t feel different, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Judging by the laughter that was now falling from his girlfriend’s mouth, not to mention the looks the working witch was throwing him, the blonde was sure something had happened that he wasn’t going to like. He set the servicing kit on the counter and was about to pull out his wallet when he did a double take at his hand.

It was pink.

Draco stared in horror as he brought both hands in front of his face and turned them about, wiggling his fingers as if they might not actually be his. Why the bloody hell was he pink? The boy quickly ducked and looked into a glass display case, getting the angle right to see his reflection. The noise that escaped him sounded like some sort of strangled wheezing pig. It was not a dignified sound, yet he did not much care. Draco Malfoy was bloody pink!

”Skyler,” he said in a tone that was much too calm. His grey eyes were closed against the image of his pink self. ”Kindly remove this hex before I rip my own flesh from my body.” The deadly calm was very unnerving, and Draco continued pulling out his wallet and counting the appropriate amount of money for all the supplies he intended to buy, even as he remained in his colored state.

With a silent flick of his wand, he’d summoned the shoe right off of Skyler’s foot, smirking to himself as it landed on the counter before him. ”That size in the lady’s for the boots. And the gloves I had earlier as well,” he added, turning his nose up at his girlfriend for the simple fact that she put the things back. Twice. ”I also need one of the New Nimbuses. You can ship all of it up to the castle to the Slytherin quarters. The men’s boots go to Malfoy, the rest to Riddle.” He was used to doing this. The Hogwarts elves were also used to Draco’s shopping habits. They’d take care of his packages, and Sky couldn’t say a damn thing about it.

Grabbing her shoe back from the counter, Draco threw it to the girl none too gently. ”Now, if you would restore my usual coloring we might get on with our day. We have a meeting to attend.” He hoped this new information might shock her into cooperating, though he rather doubted it. As it was, he paid the hefty bill with no trouble and thanked the worker for her help, then approached his rather pissy girlfriend. This was going to be a long day…

Watching him discover his new pinkness was nearly as funny as watching the color change happen, and more laughter bubbled up out of her. By the time she stopped again, her violet eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed. Her amusement did not keep the glare from her face as he summoned her shoe to him, as he had threatened to do, and proceeded to order everything, just like he said he would. Looking outraged, the brunette figured two could play this game.

Catching her shoe easily, she went about putting it back on, hopping around on one foot as she did so. This, coupled with her furious glare, made the scene that much more humorous. But she was well beyond humored by anything at this point, her leg now bent at the knee and lefties so she could tie her shoe again. "Send them wherever you like but they'll end up right back in your possession." She promised him through gritted teeth, straightening up and pointedly ignoring his request to turn him back to normal. No need to tell him she didn't exactly know how just yet. She was more inclined to change the subject to this meeting. "What meeting?" She questioned, one dark brow arching in question.

”You are completely ridiculous and much too stubborn for your own good,” Draco muttered, gritting his teeth so as not to pitch a fit in the middle of the store. He was enraged. The girl hadn’t even attempted to lessen the pinkness, and she was rejecting his gifts! ”Your rejection hurts, you know. It’s not like money matters. And if you are going to go on about the thought and such, I did think. I thought, what would my little snake actually enjoy as a gift? Surely she wouldn’t want some stupid flowers that would wilt and die. She doesn’t need makeup or perfume, as she is beautiful without it and smells sweeter than any rose.”

He took a step closer to her, the fierceness in his eyes rather intimidating. ”And then I thought, of course! My Skyler is a grand flyer. She’d love to have the best broom money could buy without having to worry about the money part, and since I have more money than I know what to do with, nor care to have…” He motioned around the shop, to the situation he’d placed them in. It really had been a well thought out date, at least in his opinion. It irked him that she didn’t appreciate it.

”But since you don’t care about my sweet gestures or my brilliant planning, I guess I’ll just have to find some other girl with a size 4 ½ foot who plays quidditch and give her a nice new pair of boots. Then I’ll keep the kit and broom for myself I guess, though it’ll be wasted on someone not chasing the snitch.” He waved his hand as if none of this mattered, then cleared his throat.

The meeting was really not something Draco was looking forward to telling her about, but it seemed it was time to do so. He didn’t think he could just ignore it and expect it to go away. ”I am to… deliver you. To the man I was telling you about. Well, to one of his people, but it’s a meeting with him. I’m… well, I’m not sure what you should expect or how long it will be, but I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’ll wait for you right where we part, even if it takes til midnight.” There was a whole new fierceness to Draco’s gaze as he made this promise, the odd coloring about him completely forgotten as his fear bubbled up in his gut. He couldn’t believe he was going to hand her over to a Death Eater, and ultimately the Dark Lord, but what other choice did he have?

Skyler refused to look away from his burning gaze, and it was hard not to feel a bit of shame settling in her stomach from his words. The brunette knew she was stubborn to a fault, and she did feel bad about it. She hadn't wanted to ruin his plan for their date or the date itself. She just didn't think it was necessary for him to spend so much money on her. She didn't think she deserved such things.

In all truth, Skyler didn't know how to accept such gifts. All of this was so extremely new to her, and denying it all seemed to be her natural defense to the uncomfortableness and insecurities that lay beneath it all. Who was she to receive such things? She was no one special, and even if she did want some of what he bought, it wasn't right to just accept them as if she expected them of him. But she hadn't wanted to hurt him, or make herself seem ungrateful.

Now how did she fix this? With both feet planted firmly on the ground now, the teen wasn't sure how to respond exactly. Skyler wasn't one for backing down, yet she couldn't very well explain to him exactly why. This whole dating thing was more complicated than she had thought. In the end, she stood before him with her head bowed slightly as she casted her ashamed gaze to the floor, watching her foot as she toed the ground, her hands clasped behind her back.

The brunette looked for all the world like a completely submissive, chastised child. "I'm sorry Draco. I don't mean to seem ungrateful. You should do what you want with all of it." It was the best she could do at the moment as far as an apology would go. Sky was sure she would regret telling him what she would next, but she felt honesty would be best in this case. "And umm..about the color change thing.." She peaked up at him, trying to judge his reaction from the look on his face before continuing on. "See, I'm not exactly sure how to change it back. I mean, I've never done that part before. Usually it wears off after a while, but it was only supposed to be your hair. I guess I was so angry it boosted the charm."

She offered a sheepish grin, thinking maybe if she performed the charm again with the intent to change him back to normal it might work. Or she could try finite incantatum. That usually did the trick in most situations. She was about to voice this idea out loud when his words about just who she would be meeting today fully hit her.

A vicious dread hit her full force, and it felt like the air had been knocked out of her. Purple eyes flashed in a sort of panic as she gasped in a gulp of air, finally remembering to breathe. This could not be happening. Skyler closed her eyes, not willing to share the sudden fear that gripped her which she knew would be reflected in her gaze. Setting her face into a stony mask that held no emotion, she responded with a calm voice. One that was much too calm. It was almost eerie. "How long have you known about this?" She questioned, her lids lifting to reveal eyes that, for once, were completely closed off, giving no indication as to what she was thinking or feeling.

A satisfied smile crossed his lips when she finally said she’d accept his gifts. Draco knew he’d get his way eventually, even if he did have to guilt the girl into it. Everything was paid for and on its way to the castle, so the young Malfoy took his leave of the counter and approached his girlfriend, lifting her chin and staring into those violet eyes. ”If you have any ideas on how to get me back to normal before our little meeting, that would be fabulous. I’d really rather not come face to face with one of them while pink.”

Draco was about to take her elbow and lead her from the shop when her cold eyes met his and she questioned him. His heart fell at the anger she seemed to be feeling toward him for not warning her sooner. He felt the pain in his chest as he tried to read her emotions and was met with nothing at all. She was closed off to him, and that hurt worse than anything.

”I swear I just found out last night. After classes I had to owl him and his response came a bit later and… I just didn’t want to ruin our plans. There wasn’t anything we could do about it, so I didn’t want to freak you out!” Draco knew the girl had to be terrified at the idea of meeting a man who could kill her if he wanted to, especially since he might be related to her. The more that he thought on it the more Draco was afraid. He didn’t know what the man had planned for his little snake, and he desperately wished he could go there with her, protect her.

Leaning in close to her, Draco grasped her arms and leaned in close to her, his grey eyes staring into her violet ones. ”Just listen. No matter what happens, you keep a wall up in your mind, okay? If you feel him prying for any information, just think of me. Let me be your shield, Sky. Let me protect you as much as I can.” There was a desperation in his gaze as he begged her to listen to him. He had to protect her however he could. She just had to listen to him.

His fear made her own double, and Skyler struggled internally with it. She knew she'd have to be a fool to not be completely terrified at the moment, but what good would it do to let it take hold of her? It would only freeze her mind and blind her, so she did her best to push it back as far as it would go. But it was still there either way, and it made her hands shake.

Thankfully, her anger towards Draco made her more focused, and the brunette used it to distract herself from the fear. Skyler could understand his point of view, but she didn't appreciate him keeping it from her like he had. She made sure that at least, was etched plain as day on her face. "I don't like things being kept from me. You should remember that." Sky warned him in the same eerily calm voice.

Finally, she waved her wand over him muttering "Finite!" and she was relieved to see the pink recede and finally fade from his person. It would have been amusing to leave him pink if it were any other day and she wasn't terrified down to her core. "There. Normal again." She murmured quietly, quickly running out of distractions. Skyler met his desperate silver gaze and could only manage to nod, swallowing her fear as she did.

"Right. I think I can manage that." She replied with a small sound somewhere between a choke and a laugh. The brunette knew she needed to shake herself free of this if she was really going to meet with the man that had murdered her family. That thought alone brought focus to her, and a burning fire back into her eyes. Skyler was determined to survive this meeting. "When are we due?" She questioned her boyfriend.

Making a mental note not to keep secrets from his girlfriend in the future, Draco relaxed and took her hand in his, gently leading them toward the door of the shop. It would be getting later in the afternoon, and they really should get a move on to meet whatever Death Eater was sent to fetch Skyler at the shack. As reluctant as he was to take her there, he knew it would be no good for either of them if he didn’t deliver her as expected. They didn’t need to anger the Dark Lord over something so small when they did not yet know what ws in store for them in the near future, after all.

He frowned slightly as they emerged into the afternoon sun, finding it hard to answer his girlfriend’s question. Draco was at constant war with his head and his heart, as he wished he had more options in this whole fiasco. ”We probably should have already been there, but there wasn’t a set time. I just agreed to the afternoon, so I say we’re just fine to head toward the shack now.” Though he wasn’t sure if Skyler knew about the Shrieking Shack, he was sure she’d be a bit worried about meeting some dark wizard in any sort of establishment that was referred to as a ‘shack’.

Perhaps that would confirm just what the two were in for, as Draco would be just as worried and panic-stricken even as he sat in the village waiting on her return. He simply started walking in the right direction, not saying anything more. Draco didn’t think he could speak over the lump that had formed in his chest and throat. It was going to be hell to wait on her without knowing what was happening. He just wanted to know she was always safe. Was that really so much to ask for? Apparently it was, as his eyes narrowed at the familiar Death Eater sitting near the fence surrounding the shack.