Muggle Day - Chelsea Gardens
AN: ok... so here's their time at the Chelsea Gardens. Any changes or "issues" are purely for the story. I am SO SO SO sorry this took so long to update... it really didn't wanna end so... yeah... sorry. Holy cricket 5671 words
Thanks to all who reviewed. s claessens92, shaymars, potterhead27, second-star-to-the-r1ght, TruthCannotAlwaysBeHidden, It's rose hun, Ashley Ayoub, General Schemer,
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Draco POV
I head to Chelsea Gardens with Blaise and Theo, stretching as I walk, enjoying the morning, asking questions here or there about the muggles around us. I glance back at Theo as we walk.
"So... did I make a joke in the shop or was the girl just... being weird?" I ask, unsure of what I did... if I did anything. They both chuckle and stretch; Blaise making sure his shoes are tied as Theo answers me.
"You did make a joke, a bad one... you know the kind guys make when there flirting with girls. About the smart phone out smarting you. Yeah I didn't think it was that funny either." He shrugs and takes my bag and jacket from me.
"You and Blaise go on... I'm not a runner. I think I'll sit and look pathetic for a bit." He says with a grin, sitting on a bench with our bags as Blaise and I take off at a slow jog around the park. It's a nice park, plenty of flowers but not overly girly, plenty of other things to look at as well, sculpture and rock gardens and such. It was very nice.
"Blaise... do you think I'm crazy... about all of this? Granger... my inheritance, my place in the world?" I ask as I jog, trying to stay at a normal human speed.
"Crazy isn't the word I would use. I think your worrying about it to much but I don't know if I would be any different if I was in your shoes. I think we're all worrying about our place in the world. I mean after this school year we'll be out in the real world. A world a lot of us weren't brought up in. I mean HE isn't here... he's never coming back to fuck us over. Did you think you'd ever get the chance to do what you wanted? BE who you wanted?" He asks as he keeps up with me, making me think. Damn him. I didn't want to think this early in the morning. Although it wasn't all that early any more.
"The short answer is no. I didn't think I'd be alive to see the real world. I figured he'd either kill me for screwing up or because he wanted to or I'd be thrown in Azkaban to rot for the rest of my unnatural life. What do you want to do anyway? Now that you have a chance, options?" I ask as I slow, letting him catch his breath. He grins thankfully at me as he answers.
"Don't really know. I mean playing pro would be nice but I don't think I'm good enough. Ministry job maybe. Curse breaker or something. McGonagall or Snape will likely talk to us first week of school with what they think we'd be good at. You have any thoughts? I mean once your dad retires you can take over for him but... before that? Potions master or something?" I chuckle and move to the grass, doing some push ups in the damnp grass as I think.
"Snape would like that, he says I have 'the gift' of it but I don't know; Maybe. I do enjoy potions so it's an option. Father says I can have a job at the family business if I need time to figure it all out. And I likely will take a summer thing once school lets out and I graduate but... for the long run? Like I said I didn't expect to be alive to have a choice." I sigh and roll to my back in the grass, watching the clouds. I close my eyes and let my mind go, let it reach out, letting it latch one to... her. I blink and sit up, looking around.
"I'm gonna kill Theo... how much you wanna bet he guessed shed be here and that's why he begged off jogging with us, to call or text her?" Blaise chuckles and helps me up, brushing the grass from my back.
"That is a bet I am not going to take. Knowing Theo that is exactly what he's doing. Finding out if she is here and telling her to play nice if she is... and she is... isn't she. That's why your eyes look funny...?" he asks, holding me still, gripping my arms.
"Funny... how?" I ask, looking at him. My eyes looked funny... what the hell...?
"Yeah... not really noticeably but... more liquid silver maybe? A touch darker even. Do you... want to go find her... talk to her? Or are we in stalking mode?" he asks with a smirk. I roll my eyes and swat the back of his head and shake my head.
"I don't... I don't want to have to stalk her Blaise... show me how to text Theo... I need to know... how he's got me set up with her." I say as I dig out my phone, handing it to him as we find a bench. After a few minutes of going over it with him, I send a text to Theo. Getting a reply quickly.
Malfoy: Theo...? did you talk to Hermione?
Theo: yes... that ok?
Malfoy: yeah... but... what did you tell her... about me?
Theo: mor then I shold of but not enuf 4 her 2 knw
I raise an eyebrow and nudge Blaise, showing him my phone and Theo's odd message. He chuckles and explains that in texting some words are just easier to shorten. I nod and write out my next text carefully, showing it to him before I send it. Shorting made it so much harder... whoever started that was an idiot... probably some bint like Lavender Brown.
Malfoy: how mch Theo. Ned 2 knw. knw shes here. Feel her. nside head.
Theo: crp. Told u had secrt, liked her, but u were scrd.
Malfoy: I AM NOT SCARED!
Theo: BS, u r so.
Malfoy: :( am not... am i?
Theo: idk... best I culd say w/o telling evrythng.
Malfoy: well... fuck. Now wht?
Theo: ur call. said shed play nice if she saw u. w/ GW thou. So u play nice 2, BFFs.
"Ok... what in the hell is a BBFs? And whatever idiot thought shortening words saved time needs to be drawn and quartered slowly. The old fashioned muggle way." I say with a grunt, handing Blaise my phone and rubbing my eyes. He chuckles and reads over the conversation, handing the phone back.
"BFF's is short for Best Friends Forever. Meaning don't try to get between them, it will not end well. Mate or no, Ginny is Hermione's best friend. Trying to split them up will end very badly. Ask him if they want to meet up for food; Breakfast or lunch... depending on where they are in their day. Might be less... weird for her if it's a group thing. She won't be alone with just you." I nod and send the text to Theo, waiting for his reply, letting my mind find my mate... my Hermione. It was funny but... that felt right. My Hermione. Glancing at my phone as it makes noise in my hand, bringing up the new message, nodding.
"He says their going to be at the café on the edge of the gardens and if we want to meet up with them we can. See how it goes from there. As they, Hermione, are sure we have better things to do then hang around a couple of girls all day. Sounds agreeable to me... shall we go find them then?" I tell Blaise, getting up as he nods and closing my eyes, following the pull of my mind. I stop as I spot her, sitting with the red haired girl... my cousin somehow I think. I swallow and look over at Blaise, I had never felt like this before... I was unsure, nervous.
"I don't know if I can do this Blaise... I can't breathe... my palms are sweaty... I've never felt like this before... with any one... or anything." I say softly, looking back at the girl... woman... I couldn't stop thinking about. He pats my back and grips my shoulder.
"Just know that if you do something stupid... I don't think buying her shiny trinkets will work as well as it did with Pansy. Take a breath, think happy thoughts... and just be you. The new you." I nod and head over to them, taking a breath as we stop in front of them, trying to look neutral... at ease. Come on Draco it's not as if you'll go mad with out her.
"Good Morning Granger... Hermione... Female Weasley... sorry but your name actual is missing from my brain right now." I say with a small smile, blushing slightly. She chuckles and grins up at me.
"Ginny or Gin works... although I've been called far worse then Female Weasley by many people... my brothers included. Just don't call me Geniva or I will have to hex you." She says, looking me over. I smile and nod; Ginny... her name was Ginny... nice name, cute girl. A little skinny for me though, not fragile just thin. I look to Hermione, swallowing... ok... breathe... just be me... the new me. Bollocks, this is weird.
"Hi... um... can we... talk for a minute? Walk and talk... while we go find Theo so we can both smack him for not being around for either of us to yell at?" I ask softly, she smiles and nods, standing and walking with me, Ginny and Blaise falling behind us by a few steps, talking about us I would guess.
"So... Theo told me a few things... about you. I don't understand some of it but... maybe you could explain." She says slowly, twisting her fingers together as we walk. I sigh and nod, watching my feet. Just how much SHOULD I tell her? Not about her being my mate... not yet. I like her... that was a good place to start... and that... I was sorry for being a prat in school. I lick my lips and glance over at her, god she was pretty. Not in the normal overly made up slutty way but... she WAS attractive. I take a breath and speak slowly, thinking over my words.
"I... look Granger... Hermione... I'm sorry for how horrible I was to you in school. The war, all of it. I was brought up to think your kind... muggle-born's I mean, were lesser... less then house elves even. I was wrong... we were all so very very wrong. I see that now." I whine and rub my face. What was wrong with me? I glare at her as she giggles. I was not to be giggled at. I huff and cross my arms over my chest like a child.
"OH stop that... just say it... Theo said you liked me... but it would mean a lot to hear you say it. I do understand what you mean though... about the war. I'm not going to say I forgive you for what you did but... I spoke at your trial Draco... I do know you are sorry. Thank you for saying it, to me I mean... not in some article that's been edited and paid for." I roll my eyes and shove my hands back into my pockets.
"Yeah well... I am sorry... and I do. Like you, I mean... Merlin why is that so difficult to say? Is... that ok, you and me... friends? More... maybe? I mean if it all works out." I ask, looking over at her. She chuckles and shakes her head.
"I wish I knew... at least your easier to talk to them Ron ever was. At least you're trying to... converse." She says sadly, letting her mind wonder as we walk quietly.
"So... what should I call you? I mean Malfoy is a bit formal for friends... and I doubt you want to be called Drakie Poo." She says softly, risking a glance back at me.
"Where in the name of all things magical did you hear THAT name?" I ask with a glare. She chuckles and grins, looking ahead of us, spotting Theo.
"Theodor Nott." She says as she takes off, sliding in the pebbles as she skids to a stop, grinning at Theo.
"You're dead now." she says as she slides onto the bench beside him, taking our jackets and bags incase he needs to run.
"Running might be a good idea... I don't think he enjoys being called Drakie Poo." She says in a mock whisper as I glare at Theo and stalk up to them. Theo looks up at me with a raised eyebrow, grinning like an idiot.
"WHY did you tell her that name? You KNOW I hate being called that." I bark at him, keeping my hands in my pockets. It wouldn't do to throttle him here in public... in front of my mate. Who happens to be trying to keep her laughing to her self. I roll my eyes and look at her.
"What do you find so very funny about that awful name?" I ask her, glaring. She takes a few deep breaths, groaning as she starting laughing again, holding her hand up for patience.
"Your... face... oh my GOD. You really don't like that name do you?" she says when she gets control of her self again. I sigh and shake my head, taking my jacket and bag from her, tossing Blaise's at him.
"No... I do not. I never have. My ex insisted on calling me by that... horrid name even after I told her not to." I say as I busy myself with my jacket and bag, shoving said jacket into my bag with annoyance.
"Ex... you broke up with pug face... I mean Parkinson?" she asks, narrowing her eyes at me. I nod and hold out my hand to help her up, frowning as she ignores it and stands on her own. Why did that annoy me... something to think on I guess.
"Yeah... at my birthday party... I finally just snapped. I couldn't put up with her shit anymore. She's a good person... sort of, and she's a good friend, when she wants to be, but she REALLY needs to grow up before she should date anyone." I smile and start walking with her.
"You really called her Pug Face in school...?" I ask as she turns red and nods, watching her feet.
"We did... she was just such a horrible person. Unattractive in face and personality, helped to be able to call her something behind her back. I don't think she'd have taken being called a whore or a slut badly." I snort and nod as I answer.
"Yeah... she probably would of said thank you and then tried to fuck the nearest guy that was in Slytherin. Or say something equally as 'brilliant' and gone off to molest some poor bastard... probably me." I shutter and shake my head, walking in silence for a bit, just walking with her... my mate. It was nice. It was normal... normal was... oddly comforting.
"So... breakfast then? Did you have somewhere in mind Hermione? I can call you that right... or would you rather I stick to Granger?" I say, glancing over at her. Merlin she was pretty... crap here I go again. She nods and digs out her phone, bringing up a map.
"Either name is fine... what should I call you? You never answered me last time I asked. I mean if were friends I should call you Draco or... something. I've only ever heard Crabbe and Goyle call you Malfoy. Um... yeah, there's a café near the entrance that should be good for some breakfast... as long as you're not starving. I mean they have big enough portions but it's... girl food. Quiche, fruit plates, scones... sort of delicate... girl food." She shakes her head with a snort. I smile and put my hand on her shoulder, squeezing softly.
"It sounds great; if nothing else we'll grab a snack later or eat a big lunch. Theo, Blaise and I are all purebloods. Meaning we're used to 'girl food' when we get drug to brunches with our mothers and what not. You learn to make due with finger sandwiches and then sneak away to the kitchen once you got home to get a real breakfast or whatever. You don't need to try to scare us off. We... I want to spend time with you. And you can call me Draco... or Drake... really anything but Drakie." She laughs and nods, leading us out of the park and to the café.
XxX
Hermione POV
I smile as I walk with Ginny, enjoying the morning sun, the dew damp grass and flowers of the Chelsea Gardens. It was nice having a girl friend... hell it was nice having friends. I link arms with Gin as we walk, sighing as I lean my head on her shoulder.
"I'm glad you're my friend Ginny... before I met you guys I really didn't have friends. I was the weird girl with her nose in a book, the one who made odd things happen." She hugs me, giving me a squeeze.
"I'm glad you're my friend too Mione. I mean I've always been weird in a world of weird but... with six brothers I didn't have a lot of friends, girls or boys. I was always more of a tomboy then the girls and the boys were all scared off because well... I was more of a boy then a lot of them. I mean growing up with six brothers kind of made me rough and tough and scrappy." I smile and squeeze her tight, laughing with her.
"Yeah... what a pair we make huh. So did you want to just grab a sandwich for breakfast or do the full thing? I mean it's not like either of us are THAT short on funds, not after how the Ministry paid us off after the war." I ask as we separate and continue on our walk.
"Hum... full breakfast I think. I kind of like the whole eating out thing, having the money to do it and not having to worry about having to go without something else. It's nice, you know?" I nodded I understood what she meant. My parents were well off, having their own dentistry practice and all, but they liked to save what they could. Take us on big trips once a year, something big and amazing but... sometimes I just wanted to buy the IT thing now.
"I think a nice big breakfast followed by a day of being lazy and shopping sounds perfect. I mean it's not as if you have to go home tomorrow. I'm sure Molly would understand if you stayed a few nights. Draw out our muggle day into a few. If we get to the museums today we do... if not... it gives us something to do tomorrow." She nods and links arms with me again, spinning us around on the path, giggling. Such an odd odd girl.
"Ginny I swear you are the oddest girl I know... including Luna." I say when we stop spinning. Ginny gasps in horror.
"THAT is a horrid thing to say. I am NOT odder then Loony Lovegood." She says with a sulk, crossing her arms over her chest in a mock pout, holding it for a second before breaking out into a grin.
"Ok... ok... that was a bit weird wasn't it? But really it's nice seeing you happy... seeing you just... be. I don't know if I've really seen you laugh since the war ended... not without the twins being total idiots. This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain ferret flirting with you would it?" I roll my eyes and smack at her, digging in my bag for my ringing phone.
"Gineva Weasley, do not start on that. I already told you I don't bloody know what to think about him. Huh... I wonder why Theo is texting me this early..." I text him back as we find a bench and relax for a few minutes, soaking up the morning sun.
Theo: morning pretty wtch
Granger: wat up theo? Isn't it early 4 u?
Theo: HAHA HA, funy Granger... you not in CG r u?
Granger: am atuly, w/ gin. Y?
Theo: mite hav visitor n a bit. Drake is here. Not sure how much shuld say. Secret.
Granger: then y menton it? u jst wnt me 2 ask. Bad theo, bad
Theo: LOL, yeah prob. Its just...
Granger: what?
Theo: likes u, lots. Scrd tho
Granger: scared? Wht 4?
Theo: wsnt nice guy skool. N war. Bad drakie poo. Dark.
Granger: 4given him 4 that. Spoke trial 4 him, HP 2.
Theo: I kno. I said. Still scrd.
Granger: nethin I can do 2 hlp?
Theo: idk. B nice, u c him. Zabini w/ him. jogging.
Granger: will do. Keep n touch.
I sit back with grunt, spinning my phone in my hand idly. Draco liked me... but was scared... of me? Of his feelings? Damn Theo and his secret keeping.
"Well... what did Theo have to say then? Your chewing your lip again... spill or I'll steal your phone and find out myself." Gin says, making a grab for the phone. I roll my eyes and tuck it away, shaking my head.
"I really don't know. Their in the park, him, Zabini and Draco. Draco likes me, a lot apparently. But he's scared."
"Draco Malfoy is scared?! Of what?" she asks, eyes narrowed, thinking. I shrug.
"Don't know... Theo didn't say. Just said it was a secret and that I should be nice if I see him. Theo wouldn't jerk me around so Draco likes me... agreed?" she nods, waiting for me to continue.
"He's also scared... of something. I mean I've hit him a few times but that's not enough to be afraid of me is it? Being turned down then? Rejection? I mean he must have been turned down before right? I mean the rumors CAN'T be true can they?" I ask, rubbing my face.
"The Slytherin Sex God one? I don't know... Slytherin men do tend to be sexy. Of course, the Slytherin women tend to look like dogs or cake so much make-up on they look like their five and broke into mums stash." We both laugh at that. Most of them did tend to be either ugly as sin or paste on so much make-up, needed or unneeded; it was like looking at a clown. I glance down at my phone and frown.
"Well... that's... weird. He wants to know if we want to have breakfast or lunch with them. Maybe spend the day with them. Ginny... I don't know about this..." I say, showing her the message. She smiles and hugs my shoulders.
"I say we go for it. What's the worst that can happen? He makes an ass out of him self, you punch him and we leave. If he really DOES like you, he'll have to make it up to you... if not... then we know and you can stop worrying about it and move on to the next amazing bit of man candy that comes your way." I snort and send Theo the text, saying where we planed on having breakfast and that they didn't have to stay with us, what boys would want to spend the day with two teenage girls?
"So... do we try and see if they really wanna be with us our just go about our day like we had planned?" I ask as I sit back and let my head fall back, soaking up the sun. Gin lets out a breath as she flops back beside me.
"Well... do you want him to spend the day with us...? I mean I couldn't really care one way or another. We can have a girl's day really any time." She says, laying there on the bench. I sigh and think. Did I want him there... Theo said he liked me... Theo wouldn't lie to me. So Draco liked me... the best way to understand it, know that it was real, was to spend time with him... with Draco.
"We'll have breakfast with them then see how it goes. I mean it wasn't like we were going to be doing anything embarrassing today. If they want to tag along, I don't see an issue with it really. Hell it might be a good thing really... if it helps me figure out what he's up to... IF he's up to something." I say, grinning as Gin takes my hand and squeezes.
I lift my head as someone stops in front of me, their shadow falling across me. I smile and nod as Draco speaks, calling Ginny Female Weasley, an odd name but she's been called worse by family. I chuckle as she tells him as much, with a warning to never call her Geniva or she'll be forced to hex him. I watch him as she nods, looking Ginny over, approving but not... desire maybe? When he looked at me though... I blush and look at the gravel path, what the hell was that? I felt... oh Merlin I felt.
"Hi... um... can we... talk for a minute? Walk and talk... while we go find Theo so we can both smack him for not being around for either of us to yell at?" he asks softly, I smile and nod, standing and walking with him, Ginny and Blaise falling behind us by a few steps, talking about us probably.
"So... Theo told me a few things... about you. I don't understand some of it but... maybe you could explain." I ask slowly, twisting my fingers together as we walk. He sighs and nods, watching his feet, kicking a few pebbles as he thinks. He licks his lips and glances over at me, causing me to blush. What could he be thinking? And why was he looking at me like that? He takes a breath and speaks slowly, thinking over his words.
"I... look Granger... Hermione... I'm sorry for how horrible I was to you in school. The war, all of it. I was brought up to think your kind... muggle-born's I mean, were lesser... less then house elves even. I was wrong... we were all so very very wrong. I see that now." He says with a whine and rubs at his face. He sends me a glare as I giggle, I don't know why I giggled but I did. Maybe it was his double talk, his dancing around the subject. He huffs and crosses his arms over his chest the child he was raised to be. Spoiled and Surly.
"OH stop that... just say it... Theo said you liked me... but it would mean a lot to hear you say it. I do understand what you mean though... about the war. I'm not going to say I forgive you for what you did but... I spoke at your trial Draco... I do know you are sorry. Thank you for saying it, to me I mean... not in some article that's been edited and paid for." I say softly as I watch him. He rolls his eyes and shoves his hands back into his pockets.
"Yeah well... I am sorry... and I do. Like you, I mean... Merlin why is that so difficult to say? Is... that ok, you and me... friends? More... maybe? I mean if it all works out." he asks, looking over at me as we walk, heading towards Theo. I chuckle and shake my head.
"I wish I knew... at least your easier to talk to them Ron ever was. At least you're trying to... converse." I say sadly, thinking about the time I wasted... no. I didn't waste time with Ron. He was a good friend he just... needed to grow up before he was even a semblance of a dateable person. I lick my lips and glance up at Draco, blushing as I see him watching me.
"So... what should I call you? I mean Malfoy is a bit formal for friends... and I doubt you want to be called Drakie Poo." I say softly, risking a glance back at him.
"Where in the name of all things magical did you hear THAT name?" he asks with a glare. I chuckle and grin, spotting Theo up ahead, knowing I was gonna get him yelled at.
"Theodor Nott." I say as I take off, sliding in the pebbles as I skid to a stop, grinning at Theo.
"You're dead now." I say as I slide onto the bench beside him, taking his pile of jackets and bags incase he needed to run.
"Running might be a good idea... I don't think he enjoys being called Drakie Poo." I say in a mock whisper as Draco glares at Theo and stalk up to us. Theo looks up at him with a raised eyebrow, grinning like an idiot.
"WHY did you tell her that name? You KNOW I hate being called that." Draco bark at Theo, hands in his pockets. I giggle, covering my mouth, trying to keep from laughing as I look at Draco. He rolls his eyes and looks at me.
"What do you find so very funny about that awful name?" He asks her, glaring. I take a few deep breaths, groaning as I start laughing again, holding my hand up for patience as I try to stop.
"Your... face... oh my GOD. You really don't like that name do you?" I say when I get control of myself again. He sighs and shakes his head, taking his jacket and bag from me, tossing Blaise's at him.
"No... I do not. I never have. My ex insisted on calling me by that... horrid name even after I told her not to." He says busying himself with his jacket and bag, shoving said jacket into said bag with annoyance.
"Ex... you broke up with pug face... I mean Parkinson?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. Did he really... I thought they were some pureblood wonder couple... huh. He nods and holds out his hand to help me up, frowning as I ignore it and stand on my own.
"Yeah... at my birthday party... I finally just snapped. I couldn't put up with her shit anymore. She's a good person... sort of, and she's a good friend, when she wants to be, but she REALLY needs to grow up before she should date anyone." He smiles and starts walking with me.
"You really called her Pug Face in school...?" He asks as I start to blush and nod, watching my feet.
"We did... she was just such a horrible person. Unattractive in face and personality, helped to be able to call her something behind her back. I don't think she'd have taken being called a whore or a slut badly." He snorts and nods as he answers.
"Yeah... she probably would of said thank you and then tried to fuck the nearest guy that was in Slytherin. Or say something equally as 'brilliant' and gone off to molest some poor bastard... probably me." He says with a shutter and shake of his head as we walk in silence. It was nice. It was normal... oddly enough.
"So... breakfast then? Did you have somewhere in mind Hermione? I can call you that right... or would you rather I stick to Granger?" He says, glancing over at me. I nod and digs out my phone, bringing up a map.
"Either name is fine... what should I call you. I mean if were friends I should call you Draco or... something. I've only ever heard Crabbe and Goyle call you Malfoy. Um... yeah, there's a café near the entrance that should be good for some breakfast... as long as you're not to starving. I mean they have big enough portions but it's... girl food. Quiche, fruit plates, scones... sort of delicate... girl food." I shake my head with a snort. He smiles and puts his hand on my shoulder, squeezing softly. I blush and look up at him, fiddling with my phone. Why was I suddenly so nervous?
"It sounds great; if nothing else we'll grab a snack later or eat a big lunch. Theo, Blaise and I are all purebloods. Meaning we're used to 'girl food' when we get drug to brunches with our mothers and what not. You learn to make due with finger sandwiches and then sneak away to the kitchen once you got home to get a real breakfast or whatever. You don't need to try to scare us off. We... I want to spend time with you. And you can call me Draco... or Drake... really anything but Drakie." He says with a grin as I laugh and nod, leading us out of the park and to the café.
AN: so that's 11... what did you all think? I know it might be a little early but... its not like I had them snogging while they rolled around on the grass.
AN: just so u know... the txt bit was really hard to do with grammar and spell check on... kept fixing it. *sulk pout* if it's all that difficult to read tell me and I'll "fix" it so its in proper English and not txt speak.
