A/N: I enjoyed this pairing far more than I expect to tbh!

Pairing Challenge - Draco/Lavender

Hogwarts Assignments - Gardening Task 2

Write about someone enjoying the hot weather in the means of a garden party, bbq or similar event.

Garden Party

Lavender tilted her closed eyes up and let her pale skin soak up the warmth of sunshine. It wasn't very ladylike, and was sure to earn her a spattering of freckles across her delicate nose, but Lavender's mother wasn't around to scold her.

No, her mother was deep in conversation over by the punch table. She was beautiful, all golden curls and wide smiles, but it was the boozy punch clutched in one hand that had sent Lavender scurrying away. Her mother had never known her limits.

Malfoy Manor rose behind Lavender, it's presence weighed on her and the dark stone seemed to radiate shadows, despite the hot, sunny afternoon.

"Surprised to see you here, Brown."

Lavender didn't jump at the sudden voice, she didn't even open her eyes. It had only been a matter of time until Draco sought her out; he had done every year since they were children. "That's hardly an original line, Malfoy," she drawled in reply.

"Now, now," Draco scolded playfully. "That's hardly a ladylike tone to take with your host, Miss Brown. What on earth would your mother say?"

Lavender opened her eyes at that. She turned to face him and her pink chiffon dress swirled around her thighs. "I'm not sure we'd be able to make it out at this point," Lavender murmured dryly, indicating towards her mother, who was consuming her fifth glass.

Draco pressed his lips into a thin line in an attempt to hide his smile. Lavender rolled her eyes at him. "I almost didn't expect to see you this year," she said in a rush of words. Lavender's cheeks flushed. She sounded far too eager.

He frowned slightly. "Why not? We've always stuck together at these things."

"Parkinson," Lavender replied simply, not meeting his eyes. She had been sure the witch of Slytherin house would keep Draco on a tight leash.

He shrugged with forced casualness. "I'm not Pansy's lap dog. No matter how much she threatened me for associating with you, I'm sure we'll benefit from the time apart."

"You broke up? Over me?" Lavender gasped, her eyes nearly bulging from her head.

Draco pushed a hand through his silvery hair and dropped his eyes as a blush coloured his cheeks. "I-I wouldn't necessarily say it was over you, just that you were the catalyst."

"Oh." Confusion spiked through her at the wave of disappointment.

"She wanted me to ignore you," he continued in a rush, "and I just wasn't willing to. I-I look forward to these parties all year."

"Oh." Lavender brightened, "Me too."

A slightly awkward silence descended on the pair.

"Do you-"

"What shall-"

They laughed.

"Do you want to get a drink?" Draco asked her and Lavender smiled.

"I'd love to, just perhaps not the same drink my mother is having?"

Draco smirked. "I've got just the thing," he replied grabbing her hand and tugging her towards the house. "Come on."

Suddenly the Manor didn't seem quite so daunting.

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Much Love, MaryandMerlin x