AN: First and foremost I have not abandoned this story. Real life just completely took me for a ride. Between my first year of college, failed romances, and just plain not knowing what I want from this crazy thing called life I really haven't found the time or inspiration to write another chapter. However I recently went back over my story and found some inspiration and several (hundred) grammar mistakes. (FYI I'm terrible at editing my work and I always find inspiration to write in the middle of the night like a weirdo so unless I get a beta or go back and re-edit [which is pretty likely because those mistakes are actually atrocious.] then please bear with me! :) ) Anyhow I won't prolong this VERY long-awaited chapter! (My apologies once again!) Now on to the story!
Previously:
"Why is Blaise on the ground?" Hermione asked in her mom voice.
"It's just after we kissed he smiled and then like...fainted."
"I try," Hermione replied with a grin, "So your mom called?"
"Yeah and get this she wanted me to go to Justine, my sister's, open house."
"...you what?" Aydin asked her voice getting soft.
"Aydin I really truly like you. And I would really want to give dating you a try, to see if it could grow into something more than that."
"I'm not ready to be in an official relationship yet, but I wouldn't mind dating."
"Oh crap, you know what we forgot to do Hermione?" Aydin said just as they parked.
"What?"
"We didn't teach them American!"
"Oh...well let's give them a crash course!"
Blaise and Draco looked at each other before following suit. What were they getting themselves into?
Eight Hours Later
Draco and Blaise walked out of the clubhouse.
Weary.
Tired.
And above all else...envious of the closeness Aydin and subsequently Hermione had with Aydin's family members.
Eight Hours Prior
Aydin and Hermione strolled to the door of the clubhouse arm in arm until they reached the door, at which they broke apart and flung the doors open. What happened next was something that would've warmed the heart of Cheers fans everywhere. Aydin walked in ahead of the pack, seeing as it was her family, and was greeted with a unison cheer of "AYDIN". Aydin waved and instantly was surrounded by family
members until Hermione walked in. "HERMIONE" they shouted and the girl in question was suddenly tackled by her friend's relatives that she hadn't seen in many years. However when the boys walked in everyone looked up to shout someone else's name but when the majority of people realized they had no clue whom the men were there was an unsubtle groan and they turned back to the golden girls.
Present time
Draco groaned as he put his face in his hand, "The concept of this event is great for the person it's thrown for but incredibly awkward if you're not very familiar with the family."
Blaise just grinned at his friend, "And how in any way shape or form was that awkward for you?"
Draco used one of his trademark smirks on his friend, "I didn't say I felt awkward. I was just merely stating a fact. Anyway could those two move any slower? I swear my legs are going to detach from my body and find a soft place to rest."
"As always you're whining just adds more and more to your oozing charm."
"Duly noted, I'll be sure to add more whining to my daily conversations."
"Oh please what you use now is plenty. Anymore and charities for starving children will donate all of their funds to getting you to stop acting so petulant."
"Petulant! We're talking about Draco aren't we?" Hermione asked excitedly as she and Aydin waltzed from the door of the clubhouse.
"How ever did you guess?" Blaise replied with mock shock.
"Because if anyone says the word petulant clearly it's about Draco because if you look up the word his face is right there next to it." Draco replied in a mocking high-pitched tone, which was then met with blank stares. "What?" he replied his voice back to normal.
"What the fuck was that?" asked Blaise.
"I was imitating Hermione."
"Oh thank God!" Hermione exclaimed, "I was worried you were about to have a stroke or something." And with that comment she sent the other two into a fit of laughter. Which Draco promptly ignored and stuck his nose up at causing them to only laugh harder.
"Anyways you guys, Hermione and I decided on what our next task shall be!" Aydin said voice still full of mirth from the previous giggle attack.
"And just what is that." Draco asked crossing his arms.
"All in due time." Hermione replied pinching his cheek and skipping to the car.
"What the slightly inebriated one said!" Aydin replied giggling and following suit.
What Aydin and Hermione had failed to mention was that Aydin's family loved to drink; loved meaning any social event caused for a drink and celebration. This perhaps explains Aydin's free spirit, love of fun, and need for entertainment.
However Draco was hardly paying attention as his body turned to autopilot while he trailed after the girls thinking only of the delicate hand that only a mere moment ago touched his face and turned everything else around him off as he tried to hold onto the ephemeral feeling of her holding his face and not caring if the contact was playful or not.
Earlier
Draco and Blaise successfully embarrassed themselves in front of not one, not two, but four of Aydin's relatives. Her elderly twin aunts, a grumpy introverted cousin, and a middle-aged uncle. When the girls taught them "American" they should've stressed to not use the slang after every word. Not even being there for twenty minutes both girls had relatives and friends asking why the dashing young men sounded like people who suffered from Tourette Syndrome. Aydin and Hermione observed an interaction and found the comparison was spot on. Take for instance the encounter with Aydin's grumpy introverted cousin, Leroy.
"So you guys are British," Leroy muttered as he shuffled next to Draco and Blaise.
"Yeah," Blaise said, "But hey I love America! It has so much more swag than England."
"Oh definitely," Draco added, "Your…shoes…have so much swag as well!" Although that last part was most certainly not very convincing.
"Uh…thanks. I think. So were you guys like 'fratstars' or something in England or do you watch a lot of Jersey Shore?" Leroy asked.
Draco and Blaise shared a look.
"Of course we were fratstars!" Blaise exclaimed, "We clearly have swag like stars. So of course we were swaged out fratstars."
"So swaged out," Draco continued, "Oh and Jersey Shore is the only shore worth watching. All the other shores are jank."
"Bojank!"
"They basically fail."
"They're a jank fail," Blaise finished.
Leroy just stared at them for a while. Then he turned away muttering what sounded like 'this is why I don't talk to people'. Hermione and Aydin however were able to successfully stifle their laughter, record the whole sequence, and send it to Harry.
The Burrow
*Text Ping*
Harry Potter reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone. Upon inspection he was pleasantly surprised and elated to find a video of Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini making complete fools out of themselves in front of what he supposed was a social awkward member of Aydin's family. Harry continued laughing as he put his phone away. Sometimes, he thought, it's the little things in life that can make your whole day.
America The Past
Blaise and Draco also had to fight off Justine's friends who were all smitten by the awkward but nonetheless attractive British men who infiltrated the party. Aydin and Hermione while not to please with the situation…were nonetheless entertained when Draco or Blaise had to literally and metaphorically run away from the attention of the younger girls.
America Present Time
"So what is our great plan for the next excursion?" Draco asked looking at Hermione as he sat down in the car next to her.
Hermione turned and smiled at him. Then she began to giggle and then laugh.
"Maybe this one is not just slightly inebriated." Blaise said with a glance towards Aydin.
"Nah she's fine. She just has the giggles." Aydin replied.
"Ok. Ok. Ok. I'm sorry you guys," Hermione said between laughs, "It's just funny since you know I am the one who hates flights and yet I suggested this! Ok. Ok. We all…are going to go…skydiving! Isn't that crazy?"
"Why would you suggest that?" Draco asked.
"I don't know. I guess when I have a drink or two; I am 100% in tune with my Gryffindor courage. Nothing scares me really." Hermione said.
"I guess I'll have to make that a mental note," Draco said with a sly smile.
"Guess so," Hermione said with a wink as she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Eww…gross…go flirt on your own time! We have important official matters to tend to," Blaise said mockingly.
"Not till tomorrow guys. Mother requested that we at least stay until tomorrow. She wants us to be fully rested and what not before we hit the open roads again. Also no mentioning of skydiving, I don't need her worrying," said Aydin.
"Your secret is safe with us," said Draco as he zipped up his lips.
"Great. Oh crap. I just realized I forgot my purse. I'll be right back." Aydin said as she dashed back to the clubhouse.
After about ten minutes of waiting the troops grew impatient until Hermione and Blaise entered a chat about the differences between the Italian Ministry and the British Ministry. Draco who could literally feel himself dying of boredom offered to go and help their friend move faster. Draco entered the clubhouse which housed a few remaining friends and family members and he quickly scanned the room for Aydin. When that proved to be fruitless he went on the other rooms. He was just passing by one when he distinctly heard a voice that sounded like Aydin's. To be sure he leaned his ear closer to the door.
"Mom I will not. And I repeat WILL NOT. Get into this any further with you now. I have people waiting for me!" Aydin exclaimed.
"No dear I really think you're being melodramatic. That is one thing your good for nothing father did bother to give you, his fantastic flair for the melodrama."
"No mother I think that was actually from you."
"Please. Please continue to break my heart. It clearly does not matter to you seeing as you'll do whatever the hell you want to do anyway!"
"It is MY LIFE mother! MINE! Not yours. Not Dad's and certainly not Justine's. You cannot continue to bully me into whatever you want me to do anymore, and considering the circumstances not now."
"Am I really that horrible in what I am asking? Am I so cruel and monstrous to want my daughter close to me especially when—"
"Yes mother because you stifle me! Just because of…you know…doesn't mean I need to be caged. I want to be free while I can!"
"But you don't have the time to be free! Sweetheart they're treatments! You can get better! It isn't-"
"But it is! It is mother and I've accepted it and you should as well."
"BUT YOU'RE DYING! And I accept my daughter dying before me."
At that last remark Draco crashed his head against the door.
Fuck, thought Draco.
The door opened and Draco became face to face with Aydin and her mother. Aydin had gone pale with a face of utter horror as she realized that Draco heard most or at least significant portions of the conversation.
Draco was so shocked at the knowledge he gained that he couldn't do anything but stand there.
And stare.
And stare.
And stare.
AN: Thanks for reading! I honestly can't say when I'll post next! I'm actually studying abroad in Europe right now, but I'll try to not hang you in suspense for too long this time!
Thanks for sticking with this story those of you who have! And to my new readers, I hope you continue to enjoy!
