The summer holidays were absolutely dreadful for Draco Malfoy. He never thought he'd feel worse away from Hogwarts than he did spending his days at his manor or with friends. He'd accompany his family to certain events, it was everything he was used to, the finer things in life. However the boy found himself acting like a lost puppy. Even though he despised Hogwarts, he missed his time there because at least there he'd see her.
Draco had not heard a word at all from Elia throughout the summer break. Nothing. In a way, he felt he deserved it at first for his behavior on the train home, for what he said about Cedric. There was no worse time than that, to say such vile things that spewed from his mouth without thinking. Instantly he regretted it, Draco knew he was being childish and quite the arse he get himself out to be.
He sent her countless letters, even having his owl stay put until she wrote to him and take it back to him. Elia wasn't speaking, resending the letters if the owl stayed just to get rid of it. Then Draco became desperate.
The Slytherin was persistent, annoyingly persistent to Elia. Draco began to send her gifts as well after a few weeks of her not responding or reading his letters. He even sent her things Toast would need even though she had the ability to cover the expenses. Draco didn't stop, sending Elia sweets, books, or just about anything he found that reminded him of her. The girl didn't budge and gave him not a trace of her attention.
Though Draco was not the only one having a horrible summer. Elia never felt a period of time that was worse than where she stood. She refused to answer Draco's letters, but at the same time she didn't have the motivation to do so. In fact, Elia had not written to any of her friends at all that summer.
She received letters from just about everybody, reading them but never really giving the thought to reply. The only person she ever replied to was Tanya, who currently was in Bulgaria with Viktor for the summer. He urged her to visit and Tanya agreed, however she became reluctant after Cedric's death because she was afraid to leave Elia alone.
Elia changed since his death, there was no skip to her step, no bright smile, nor genuine sounds of laughter. She lost all motivation and energy, she lost sleep and even weight. Elia pushed for Tanya to go to Bulgaria, feeling worse for having Tanya dragged down because of her. Her father could only do so much without Tanya's help, he did his best to support his youngest in her time of need.
He held her when she cried, brought her food when she wasn't eating and took over the work of the house and bakery for her to rest. That's all she found herself doing and wanting, to rest all day. Luckily, Tanya enchanted parts of their home and the bakery to work by themselves to help her father's work.
Elia either slept too much or hardly at all. She'd lose sleep at night because of her violent nightmares of Cedric and that horrid night when he passed. She'd constantly wake in a panic, urging her father to go into her bedroom to calm her breathing. Eventually, she had him stop because she felt the need to calm herself.
Elia fell into such a depressive state for quite a while, traumatized from the experience that the Triwizard Tournament brought. She hardly spoke, cried all too often when she come across photos and letters she shared with Cedric. Or just cry because of how painful the rotting ache inside of her felt, how cold she felt.
The reason it destroyed Elia was because she realized she would no longer have more of these memories. She would never share another photo with Cedric or ever receive another letter from him ever again. Out of all the letters she got that summer, the one she begged to see was Cedric's.
She contemplated quitting school, she was already so behind her work which was untouched and she did not want to face another day without him there. Elia had received a letter from Dumbledore too, stating that he planned to appoint as prefect for Hufflepuff house if she so accepted. To know that the position was now open made her burst into tears. She never replied.
Elia avoided the wizarding world, contempt with her muggle life as she would not be reminded of her issues that were present in the other world. Discrimination of people like her, her best friend dead, and the denial that Lord Voldemort has returned. The only time she went back was for the Diggory's sake.
They requested her presence at Cedric's burial, it tore her apart but she agreed. Elia went by herself to the Diggory household where they were having a private burial on a hillside. They greeted her into the home happily, but it was something about it that wasn't genuine. His parents were hurting too, Amos taking his son's death the hardest.
Elia requested one thing before she go, which was to visit Cedric's bedroom one last time. They agreed. She entered his bedroom that was completely untouched, his parents didn't dare move anything other than how Cedric left it.
His room was neat, as she remembered it from her many visits. She walked around inhaling the scent she was familiar with, the light shining in from his window onto his bed. All her memories that they had in that room, the endless conversations exploded in her mind and she found herself tearing up. Mrs. Diggory embraced the girl as they watched her from the door, Amos joining in and wrapped his arms around the two. They cried softly, Mrs. Diggory comforting Elia.
Her eye caught something she hasn't seen in a while since the winter time. A yellow with thin black stripes that stood out at the corner of the room. Elia found Cedric's scarf inside of his trunk, the lid popped open and she walked over to it.
Her shaking hand went to grasp it, asking permission if she could. They nodded and Elia picked it up, her face scrunching up in despair as she held the scarf to her face. She inhaled and the scent of her best friend was still very well there and alive. Elia began to sob more, Cedric's mother placing a hand on her shoulder sympathetically.
"Can I…?" Elia begged, "Please."
His parents nodded and Elia left that day with Cedric's scarf wrapped around her neck. From then she hardly took it off, different that her usual winter scarf which was a knitted pattern of green and purple hexagons. It wasn't even near winter yet Elia wore his scarf anyways.
She could've stopped by to see Mrs. Weasley and everybody else at the Burrow.. She could've. Elia isolated herself the entire summer, keeping to herself and the little home back in Reading.
She could've visited Harry, who was closer to her home than anyone else. She could've visited Hermione or even Neville.
She could've visited Draco.
Elia shook that thought out of her head as she trudged off and headed towards the train station that would lead her home.
It was already mid August and Draco had about enough. He sent countless letters and gifts every now and then, even for Toast if that would get her attention. Yet received no answer. He even tried writing to Tanya to get some Slytherin to Slytherin advise, unbeknownst to him that she was out of the country. Finally, Draco Malfoy decided to go through with the most wildest idea he ever had.
Draco was going to visit the muggle world.
Oh this was a bad idea, such a terrible idea he thought. He knew Elia's address, by heart if he was frank. However he's never been in her home let alone even seen how it looked like. This would be his first time visiting the muggle world, a place no pureblood would be caught dead in. But he would do this for her, so long as he can see her or hear her voice. To try and make amends with this girl.
Draco had it planned out, yet he was nervous. Nervous of getting caught or his family finding out. But one thing for sure about this Slytherin was that he was stubborn, and quite determined. And he would go out of his way to see his favorite Hufflepuff.
The only son of the Malfoy's tricked his parents easily, it wasn't the first time he's lied but it would not to go this far. He simply told them he would be visiting with Crabbe and Goyle again in one of their manors for the day. They agreed obviously as they've done hundreds of times over, they always said yes to their son.
Instead, Draco packed with him his wand in the inside pocket of his suit, along with many galleons in his pants pocket. He definitely was struck with nerves, he would be in the muggle world. A place he had no idea where he'd be, how it worked, knew no one, nor did he know exactly where to go. He stuffed a small piece of parchment where he had Elia's address scribbled on, in case.
Draco left early in the morning, ending up at a train station, ticket in hand, and sat in his typical luxury private seating of the train. He avoided the faces of any wizards and witches that would recognize him, a Malfoy leaving to the muggle world? How unusual.
It took him a longer than he had hoped to get there, soon passing through platforms to enter the muggle world. The train station was busy with loads of muggles, talking amongst themselves and completely ignoring the confused wizard. His eyes darted around to the signs of the station, following them to lead him out.
Eventually Draco stood outside of the station on a sidewalk, muggles walking past him as he took in his surroundings. It looked like any other place aside all the magic. He saw things he'd never seen before like the bus passing by, muggle cars driving on the streets, a few people passing by talking on cell phones. Draco had no idea what any of that was.
He saw stores across from him with televisions, children walking with their parents with simplistic toys, music blaring from cars here and there. The once high and mighty pureblood was now in the middle of nowhere, confused out of his mind. People were pushing past him and was forced to follow the crowd. Draco looked around for a sign, something that would tell him where in Merlin was he. He walked some more passing streets until he came across a sign that said Friar Street. That definitely wasn't where Elia lived. He began to panic more until he bumped into an old couple.
"Woah!" The old woman said, holding onto her husband.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" The man said.
Draco spun around to protest until the woman spoke again.
"Hush now Ned! The poor boy didn't know." She says, looking at Draco admirably "Quite the handsome fellow you are, I remember when my Ned was like that in our time."
"I still am, woman."
At that point, Draco couldn't argue that he bumped into detestable muggles, he just needed directions. It seemed as though the woman sensed this as her husband bickered.
"Are you lost, deary? Anywhere you need to go?"
He quickly scrambled for his parchment and showed her the address. The couple's eyes lit up.
"Oh! The Pastry Corner!"
"Excuse me?" Draco asked, clearly that couldn't be a home.
"The Pastry Corner, just walk down these two blocks down the hill and you should see it on your left corner. Should take you less than 10 minutes to reach St. Mary's." The woman reassured.
"Be sure to get some of their sweet bread or the Queen of Tarts." The old man suggested.
"That family sure has a gift for it, incredibly magical. Beautiful daughters as well."
That's all Draco needed to hear, he couldn't believe it but they must've been right if they mentioned daughters. He nodded and headed down the hill as they instructed. It was a calm street as he approached it, walking for some time until he finally reached a corner with a small building. A sign over top that said 'The Pastry Corner' with a glass door wide open.
Draco stopped and looked inside, only to see a bakery filled with assortments of fresh goods. The establishment was endearing, sweet, and quite calm. His heart leaped at the sight he longed to see. His eyes stopped as a small figure behind a counter and register. She was busy cleaning off her hands from flour, her brown curls pulled up into a ponytail with an apron adorning her waist.
Elia didn't quite notice Draco watching her for a few seconds, absorbing what the break has done to her. He could tell she lost weight, bags under her eyes and she was pale. She wore regular muggle clothing, hardly caring who saw her anyways.
He stepped in to see her closer, a bell going off as he did. Elia's eyes shot up instantly, Draco then noticed they were no longer the rich brown he knew but rather like onyx stones. She looked shocked, looking at him for a moment to really make sure he was there but she couldn't believe it herself.
"Draco?" She asked in disbelief.
"Elia." He said, walking closer to her till finally he was at the counter.
Elia stood back timidly, averting her eyes. Toast made an appearance, he was always following Elia and now that he saw Draco, the cat was overjoyed. He jumped onto the counter and rubbed himself against his suit. Draco chuckled, petting the animal.
"What're you doing here? Out of all places?" Elia hissed, walking away from the counter and into a back room.
"For you." Draco said, following her. To his astonishment, the room was operating by itself, with magic. Dishes were being cleaned, batter and breads being made, and neatly being packaged or put on trays for the shop. It was something he didn't expect in a muggle place.
"Isn't using magic outside of Hogwarts supposed to be against the rules?" He asked, cocky.
"It's not my magic, it's Tanya's. She always enchants this room to help our father. He can't operate the bakery on his own."
"So this is your bakery then?"
Before she could answer, Elia shook her head and faced the oven where breads were currently being heated.
"You shouldn't be here. Seriously Draco, you in the muggle world? I can't believe you found where I live!"
"In a bakery?"
"That's not the point!" She said, "Get out. I can't even look at you…"
Despite her protests, Draco walked over to her and attempted to pull her into his arms but the girl pushed him away angrily. To make matters worse, Elia pulled out her wand and pointed at him. He froze.
"Don't make me hex you again." Elia said in a low voice.
He paused, eyeing her again. He couldn't believe how she changed. Draco didn't dare provoke her more, knowing her skills.
"You look… different."
Elia realized what he meant, glaring as she lowered her wand.
"Well what did you expect? With him gone… it hasn't been easy. Sorry to disappoint."
"Elia-" He began.
"No!" Elia cried, "You don't get to say anything. You don't even get to say his name the way you did…"
Draco gulped, listening.
"You're so…" She was unable to find the word, "How did I ever think we could've been something?"
She walked away from him, but Draco continued.
"Elia, I'm sorry." Draco pleaded.
She stopped in her tracks, she knew she'd regret this. She knew he'd break her heart. But she found herself listening anyways.
"I've told you that many times over, I know." He said, "But what I said… was truly fucked up."
"You're not sorry, you're just guilty."
"Maybe I am, but I know I'm really am sorry Elia. I'm sorry I hurt you and I'm sorry Diggory is gone-"
"Stop!" She shouted, her head turned to him and he was filled with regret as he saw her eyes were filled with tears. He was shocked to see some of the tables shaking, her power radiating from how strong her emotions. Elia quickly wiped her eyes, sniffing as the tables stopped.
"You don't know how it feels…" She said, "I didn't lose my best friend that day, but a brother."
Elia added, "Then at that same time, I lost you because you couldn't keep your mouth shut or be there when I needed you."
"Then the stupid Ministry ruled it as an accident? I don't care what anyone says, You-Know-Who won't stay dead like he should." She spat, "Its an insult to Ced…"
The girl kept crying and avoided his gaze, he quickly approached her but she pushed him back gently with one hand.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
Elia could tell, from the way his voice faltered and the way his eyes looked. They looked at her carefully and full of pity, sorrow, and an unwavering sense of longing. This was as much as she was going to get from him. Elia glanced at him, her red eyes glossy with her tears.
"You hurt me."
"I know."
There was a long pause, Elia closed her eyes as she lingered for a moment. Wondering, if she should forgive Malfoy, if it was worth accepting his hundredth apology.
"Don't do it ever again, Malfoy."
With that, he pulled her into his embrace tightly. Draco's exterior always fell around this girl, he didn't understand why. Elia's tears continued to spill, an ache inside of her bursted, like a flame. She missed Draco, as he missed her. She knew she'd have to forgive him eventually, even after all the vile things he's said, she knew Draco was better than that. Elia would give him many chances even if he kept messing it up. She knew that she couldn't keep lingering on what happened before the summer or else it would kill her.
The two pulled away, Elia wiping her face with a napkin in her apron pocket.
"You're ridiculous, Draco Malfoy." She commented, referring to his unwavering purpose to see her and get his apology to her ears. To the point to come into the muggle world, when he's a Malfoy. It was truly something, a strong message.
He snickered, "Get use to it."
"Next time, let me know. I would've helped, I would imagine it wasn't easy."
"Are you saying there's going to be a next time, Barros?" Draco insinuated, giving her a wide smirk when she caught what she said, blushing.
The two heard some heavy footsteps coming from stairs above them outside the room.
"Oh no." Elia mumbled, alarming Draco.
"What?" He whispered.
A tall menacing figure entered the shop and into the back room, a bag of flour thrown on top of his broad shoulders. The man that stood before them had straight brown hair that was messily swept back from his face. He had a strong jaw with a matching beard, his eyes were black as ink. His body was fit with large arms and a muscular torso wrapped in the same apron Elia wore. She spoke up and said,
"Dad."