Illaria walked to the window to let the owl in. The graceful, black owl named Kraven. His black feathers shined in the sunlight. Kraven landed on the couch and waited for Illaria to take the letter.
"I don't want it." Illaria said looking at the bird. Kraven made a sound as if pleading.
"I'm not going back this time." Illaria tried again. Kraven didn't move, he just looked at her with his beautiful yellow eyes.
"All right, but I'm not reading it." she finally gave up and untied the letter. Kraven still didn't leave. Draco obviously made his stay there and bug her until she writes an answer. Illaria took a piece of parchment and scribbled an answer. She tied to Kravens leg and the black owl took off. She then sat back on the couch and looked at the letter. Still refusing to read it.
When Kraven finally reached Draco's office the hot 23 year old blondie was sitting in his chair. Seeing a letter tied to his owls leg he smirked. She couldn't resist him and he knew it. He quickly untied the letter and opened it. A single sentence was written in Illaria's graceful handwriting.
I am NOT coming back.
Draco's face fell. He didn't know why he wanted her to work for him so much. After all he could get any other smart girl to do his bidding. But no. He wanted her. She was smart and honest. She was determined and that's what he needed in this company. But was that the only reason.
"Playing hard to get, eh? Well, it seems like I have to deal with it personally." Draco said and got up to leave.
It was getting dark outside and Illaria was still staring at the letter. It was as if it was calling for her. She knew it was stupid. All she had to do is pick it up and burn it and then she would finally be free. But she didn't do it. It was as if she wanted to work for the insensitive jerk. Suddenly she heard a knock on her door.
"Kelly must've gotten to drunk to remember she can apparate again." She thought and went to open it. Just as she reached out to open the door she realised that Kelly wouldn't be home this early. It just got dark. She slowly opened the door, curious who it could be.
"Hello, Illaria." The silky voice of her EX-boss came from the door. Her instict was to throw the door shut in his face, but she didn't do it. Something held her back.
"I'm not coming back, Mr Malfoy." she said.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Draco. Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked and pushed passed her, not waiting for her answer.
"Look, Mr…. Draco. I don't want to work for you anymore. I'm tired of it." Illaria said, turning to face him.
"Illaria. The company needs you. I need you." he said.
"Oh, please. You can get anyone you want. Why me? Why do you….." Illaria started just to get interrupted by the blond man in front of her. He was three years older and much taller then she was. Even when they were back at Hogwarts he had a great influence at everybody. Everybody except for her. He never knew her and when she applied for a job at his company he didn't recognise her and that was for the better.
"You're irreplaceable." He whispered. She sighed and looked away.
"Illaria, please come back." He tried again. She never heard his say please before. He never said it. Never. She though about it for a moment. She needed money and he paid pretty good.
"Ok. But this is the last time. If you mess up again you'll have to deal with it yourself." She said and he smirked. His 'oh-so-famous' smirk. It melted every girls heart, but somehow it didn't really have that much of an effect on her. She was used to it already.
"See you tomorrow." Draco said and apparated back to his manor. Illaria let herself fall back on the couch for the second time that day. He had done it again. He actually persuaded her to come back. Much for her determination.
The next morning she found Kelly sleeping on the couch. She rolled her eyes and apparated to her office.
"Miss Mason, Mr Malfoy asked you to come to his office as soon as you were in." Draco's secretary informed her.
"What else is new." she whispered and walked to Draco's door and knocked on it.
"Enter." was all she heard and it was all she needed. She opened the door and walked in. Draco was alone which was very unusual.
"Lets go." he said and picked up his car keys. She looked at him confused, but followed him out anyway.
"Where are we going?" she asked when they were in the car.
"I'm buying a new house." He said and started the car.
"And what do you need me for?" she asked.
"You'll be there to approve it." He stated and started to drive out of the parking. They drew in silence for a while. She was still confused. He always did things the way he wanted. She never asked her for advice or opinion. He only needed her to clean up his mess if his choices were wrong. Slowly the scenery started to change. The busy city became a beautiful landscape.
"We've been driving for hours. Do you want to buy a house in the middle of nowhere?" Illaria asked. She didn't really like to drive, unless she was the one driving.
"We're almost there." Draco said.
"Why couldn't we just apparate?" she asked.
"Why do you ask so many questions?" he asked in return.
"Because I want to know the answer." she said and glared at him.
"The place is enchanted. I'll only be able to apparate when I buy the house. The previous owners must've been paranoid or something." he explained. She took a deep breath and looked outside again. Strange enough the nature around her started to look familiar. She tried to remember where she saw it before. Maybe some catalogue or a picture somewhere else. Or maybe she's been there before. Before she lost her memory. She would give anything to get her memory back. She lost her memory when she was six. No one knows why.
She let her memories take her back to the time in the orphanage. Her first conversation with the nurse.
"Is your name Illaria? That's what your pendant says." the nurse Rose asked.
"I don't know. I don't remember." a six year old Illaria answered with tears in her eyes.
"Well, it must be, sweety. From now on we'll call you Illaria. Are you feeling Ok?" she asked in a sweet tone.
"Yes." was all Illaria said.
They didn't know where she came from. Who her family was. The only thing they knew was that she was found in an alley at Diagon Alley.
"Are you ok?" she suddenly heard Draco's voice and she broke out of her memory.
"Yeah, I'm fine." she said, not even looking at him.
"We're here." He said and stopped the car. Illaria has been so deep in thought that she hasn't seen them entering the gate and now they were in front of a huge white Manor. She got out of the car and looked around. It looked amazing. The building in from of her looked like a beautiful white palace from fairy tales.
"Like it?" Draco asked.
"I thought you were buying a house. Not a Manor." she said still amazed by the breathtaking sight in front of her.