The Magic Guild: Afterparty

[gorgonfondness]

There hasn't been a party quite like this at the Magic Guild in recent times. But then, there hasn't been a Guildmaster expecting a child in well over twenty years.

After her performance, which served as the finale, Mia went back to her quarters to change into the lovely outfit (a simple green overdress with a black dress to go underneath) that Draco got for her and went to join the party on her husband's arm. She could still feel the nervous fluttering of her stomach.

She didn't really expect to do much except politely greet some guests and then retreat back to her room. She didn't, however, expect the number of people who wanted to see her or the obvious pile of presents in the corner that were suspiciously shaped like baby furniture. (She actually cried tears of joy at one point, to a chorus of "Awwww...")

Mia promises she'll be back soon, Draco. There are just so many people who want to dance with her after her amazing firedancing display.

Comments

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco drank a spot of wine. Only one, and no more since his wife had to cut out drinking for the baby. He smiled and waved to some familiar faces with a casual comment and a laugh.

[gorgonfondness]

It's not so bad. The Magic Guild made sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic fare considering the occasion.

After the end of the latest song, Mia rejoins Draco just as the head of the Magic Guild Council comes over to them.

"If you would, Majesty Mia, all of us are quite anxious for you to open the presents for your child," he said. "We want to be sure they are right for what has already been set up."

Mia puts her arm in Draco's once again and says, "Oh, that would be just lovely."

She dabs at her eyes once more. It's all so sweet.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He patted her arm, and then stepped forward.

"I'll get started with some."

He opened one of the presents, and he stared at the very lace covered and sparkly bedding inside. Also it was very pink.

"...." Draco's clearly speechless.

[gorgonfondness]

She giggles at this.

"Guess they're being presumptuous," she whispers to him as she helps with another present, this one a more gender-neutral yellow baby blanket.

"Could you get the big one over there, dear?" she asks him, gesturing to the vaguely pram-shaped one.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"Just a little," He whispered back to her hurriedly. At least the pram seemed more neutral and practical with its pockets underneath and nice shade overhead.

[gorgonfondness]

And the present opening went on like that, some of the other items of interest being a nice crib, a bassinet, a glider, a few outfits, receiving blankets, and stuffed toys.

In the end, there was a fairly big pile of baby stuff and a smaller pile of pink baby stuff.

"It's all very nice," Mia says. "But why is there so much pink?"

"Why for our next Guildmaster," an older member of the Council says. "We want her to know she will be most welcome."

"Well actually," Mia says, hugging Draco's arm. "We were kind of hoping for a boy."

And the tiny little extra squeeze she gives him is to let him know not to let on they know for certain. She's sure they won't like the idea of her and Draco turning down any of the presents.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

There were some shocked murmurs, and hurried muttering.

Draco smiled at her, and then gave a haughty look to the mutters and murmurs.

"Something to add to that?"

[gorgonfondness]

"A boy?" the Council member repeats.

Mia nods and says, "We're hoping so, yes."

And then he starts to laugh.

"Majesty Mia, what a ridiculous notion! You know as well as any of us that the Ausa family has been a matriarchy for many generations."

"So?"

She puts a hand to her stomach.

"What if that doesn't matter to me?"

"Doesn't-" he starts, but then clears his throat. "Majesty Mia, do come to your senses. The next Guildmaster must be-"

"My child, whatever the gender," she finishes.

"You are growing soft, Majesty Mia, and I wouldn't be surprised if it had to do with you marrying that common outsider."

Mia's speechless for a moment, her eyes wide, before she says, "I beg your pardon?!"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco's very expression immediately become like marble and you could get a chill from the icy tone his voice took, "You're insulting one of the Premiers in front of the Guildmaster. Proper decorum as befitting a Council member would be to apologize immediately."

He never looked more like his father than just then.

[gorgonfondness]

"I agree wholeheartedly," Mia says. "Whatever your opinion about Master Draco or me, you will be respectful when you choose to express it. I do hope you are more courteous to our guests here, many of which do not call Vane home."

She puts her hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Master Draco will hear your apology when you are willing to give it. For now, I think we've had enough of this party."

She's ready to go whenever you are, Draco.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"Quite right, your majesty. Let's go." He offered his arm to her to help steer her out and away. Keeping his head and nose upturned in obvious disgust at the bureaucrat. Merlin and Althena take him, as bad as some of the Ministry!

[gorgonfondness]

Mia, meanwhile, has a look of disappointment on her face, but she doesn't speak until they're in their room.

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Draco," she says. "It's not fair, turning a harmless word like outsider into a slur against you. You've lived here for five years now; you're no more an outsider than I am."

She moves to put her arms around his neck in a comforting way, pressing up against his back.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He relaxed slightly at the warm contact and her presence, but then Draco threw his hands up.

"Unbelievable! All I've done for Vane, and they still see me as one? And common? For Althena's sake, I would have done their sodding Trial if needed!"

[gorgonfondness]

"It wouldn't have changed anything," Mia gently tells him, letting go so he's free to move his arms as he pleases. "There are some people who won't change their minds no matter what. You know that."

She takes his hand, lacing their fingers together as she likes to do.

"You know how they say home is where the heart is? Well, my home is where-ever you are."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco leaned over to kiss her, "And my home is here now with you. I chose you and Vane. They have no idea what I gave up, leaving the Wizarding world like I did, and it doesn't mean anything to them."

[gorgonfondness]

"I know what you gave up," she says after the kiss. "And it means the world to me."

Mia takes her other hand and carefully strokes his hair, leaning up to kiss at his hairline.

"Don't give him another thought. He is part of a vocal yet small group, the ones who wish Vane could be as it was and don't realize it will never be that way again. They mope and whine about what is now gone and don't see what wonderful things lie ahead. And you're a part of those wonderful things, beloved."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco settled in carefully by her, his eyes half closing.

"He's as bad as some of the backwards lot in the Ministry. Robes of hot air, you ask me."

Though as he settled in, there was something slightly odd.

"Darling, you all right?"

[gorgonfondness]

She's leaning on him completely when he asks and notices that the fluttering she's been feeling hasn't gone away. She thought it would after the party, if not the recital. She knows she's not hungry, she just ate, and she doesn't feel sick at all.

Mia smiles up at him as she realizes.

"I'm starting to think that fluttering I've been feeling isn't from being nervous..."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

Draco blinked, "I thought you were shivering.... that's not you?" He eyed her stomach, and blinked some more.

"You mean? What do you mean?"

[gorgonfondness]

"I mean," she says in hushed excitement. "That I think I feel the baby kicking."

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

"...Cepheus?" Draco stared at her stomach some more, and gently nudged his hand against it. He jerked his hand back with surprise at the light but distinct tap he felt against the palm of his hand.

"...Merlin's beard!"

[gorgonfondness]

Mia looks worried when he jerks his hand back.

"Are you all right? What happened?"

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He gestured to the lower spot on her tummy that he had pressed against.

"Place your hand right there."

[gorgonfondness]

She presses gently but firmly there and waits a moment.

"You could feel him fluttering there?" she asks.

[dragonofgrey.livejournal.com]

He nodded, and watched her expectantly.