I've always been mature for my age. I guess some of it came from hanging out with my older brother all the time. Cedric. The pride and joy. He was going to be a prefect this year. My parents, to put it mildly, were pleased.
That morning, we were eating in the breakfast room, and I was forcing the delicious "bran" cereal into my awaiting mouth. Cedric sat next to me on my right side, Dad on my left, and Mum was across from me.
I was being my 12 year old self, unlike usually when I acted 15 or at least 13.
Our owl dropped a letter in Cedric's lap and paused to look at him as opened the envelope addressed from Hogwarts.
A giant smile appeared and grew on his face as he went through the letter, his eyes moving quickly, as he processed the words at lightning-speed. He then handed it to Dad without Dad even clearing his throat to see it- that's how good Cedric and I were- knowing our parents so well- we automatically went and did things- we didn't procrastinate or anything.
Dad pushed his glasses onto the narrow bridge of his nose and read.
"Cedric! A prefect! I'm so proud son!" Dad praised as he handed the letter to Mum to read.
I smiled to Cedric. We'd have a private conversation about this after breakfast. Cedric deserved this honor.
My mum clapped her hands. "This requires some celebrating!" she had handed the letter back to Cedric and he pocketed it, winking at me.
My parents would've taken the letter away from me- saying I was too young to understand this- even though everyone knew I was above my age.
Mum pulled out her wand and waved it, a cake appeared with candles and the cake self-wrote its message. Congrats, Cedric! Is what it said.
Cedric motioned for me to blow out the candles and I leaned in and laughed as I blowed.
They all flickered and blew out, smoke coming out in its place.
After devouring the cake, I excused myself and went up to my room, The owl had been here as well. I had letters from Hermione, Ron, Cho, Ginny, and Draco. Draco…my perfect boyfriend…well…perfect to me…but I loved him for his imperfections anyway.
I gone to his summerhouse by the England seaside this past summer. It was extravagant. I'd gone for 3 weeks, and I got to know his parents.
His father had no recollection of me from an encounter a few weeks prior at the end of the school year. His parents were so kind to me.
The maid carried my luggage- by magic- behind her while she guided it- it followed her.
She headed up the grand staircase. It was something from a fairytale wedding. The entrance hall was all marble. Through the grand doors to the left was the ballroom, and across was the parlor. Past the ballroom and in another hallway, going left was the dining room and down the hall was the kitchen, and the servants' quarters. Upstairs, was 8 bedrooms- each one more beautiful than the previous.
My room was adjacent to Draco's- and it was a dark rose color, and had a plush light carpet, when the rest of the house was hard floor, besides a few of the other bedrooms.
Mr. Malfoy's office was off-limits unless I needed something from him. Mrs. Malfoy's door was open at all times, so she was welcoming. She wanted to gossip about boys and school all the time.
I knew as long as I didn't mention my friends, I'd be okay.
It only came up once or twice- at dinner conversations- when they asked who I hung out with.
I hesitated, and Draco froze. I knew if I said the truth, they'd shake their heads, and say that I need to hang out with the right people if I want to ever get places- then say how at least I have Draco- and he'll straighten me out.
So I lied, saying Pansy and other Slytherin girls who I hated. Draco looked at his parents, waiting for a reply.
Luckily his parents said to Draco, "Draco! Where did you find this girl? She's so perfect!"
I loved that trip. My parents had been doubtful at first, but Cedric convinced them I wouldn't do anything stupid.
I remember going down to the beach one day, wearing a navy blue with giant white polka dots bikini and bottom. I'd gone down and was sunbathing when Draco came up behind me and put his hands around my eyes. I pulled them away, and with a sweet smile from ear-to-ear, turned and gasped. I'd never seen Draco shirtless. But he was toned and had sun kissed skin- unlike during the year- where he appeared pale. He had the beginnings of washboard abs.
"Hey you." we told each other. Then we walked down to the water and we were holding hands. I stood there, the water washing up on feet, and I dug my feet into the warm sand and lay my head on Draco's shoulder. Suddenly, he picked me up bridal style and ran into the water. Once the water was up to his waistline, he threw me into the water.
I yelped, and my arms and legs swung as my hair flew up in the breeze. A second later, I was submerged underwater. I bubbled out a spell and then could see perfectly. I held my breath and swam behind Draco, still under the water.
He started to call my name, but underwater it sounded distant and bubbly.
"Denise?" he called with a pang of worry. Aw, he was worried that he'd killed me?
I mentally laughed then grabbed his ankles and pulled him under in one swift movement.
I broke to the surface and flipped my hair back- like in the Little Mermaid.
He came up and splashed me. I pushed his head under and then his arms took my legs and swung me over his tanned shoulder in a fireman carry. We laughed so hard.
We went to the ankle deep water and he shook his hair out on me.
"Ew!" I shrieked, slinking away, putting my hands up in defense.
We ran throughout the length of the beach in the shallow water, splashing each other, laughing and kissing.
His parents had been watching us from their bedroom window and they smiled at each other knowingly.
His family loved me. And after the three weeks, I was trying hard to not cry as I hugged his parents and then Draco. "I'll miss you." I whispered as we rocked, in our own little world.
"I'll write every day." he promised. He kissed my hand like his father had done when I'd first arrived. Once, I'd gotten lost in the mansion and burst into his office.
He practically threw his quill down and turned to yell at me and I blinked. He saw it was me, and I was clearly lost. "Draco is in the ballroom."
I muttered an apology and walked out, closing the door behind me.
I smiled then, and rushed downstairs. Draco was having ballroom dancing lessons.
I walked in, and I stood there. Then, Draco swiftly left his instructor and grabbed me. I quickly fell into the dance and the instructor seemed bewildered for a second, then smiled and counted out the steps as I twirled with Draco. I laughed and he smiled. He picked up speed, and we spun around, and followed the beat.
Once the song had ended, I'd laid my head on his shoulder, and he cheek laid against my head- as we danced closer.
We were so out of place, in our regular outfits in a fancy room doing something meant for a beautiful party. I hadn't wanted it to end.
I was brought back to the present. I opened the Weasley's letters first. Both were much of the same- going to Diagon Alley tomorrow and staying for the weekend at the Leaky Cauldron with Hermione, Harry and the rest of their family, excluding Bill and Charlie. They explained their trip to Egypt and how Percy's head boy.
I didn't like Percy much ,but Ron and Ginny were some of my best friends. The twins I was close with, especially Fred…he probably had a crush on me last year…I smiled at the memory. I had never met the oldest two…and his parents were nice enough.
I opened the next one. Hermione's was much of the same too, explaining her summer and also how Harry blew up his aunt…he what?
I was shocked. I'd see Harry soon enough though, I'd question it later. I wanted to write him, but the Dursley's were awful, so I didn't.
Cho's letter was short and sweet, wishing we'd seen more of each other, asking how everyone was, mostly Cedric. I giggled.
I opened Draco's and sat down to read it by my window seat. Even if I got one a day, I treasured them.
Only a weekend. Then I'd see him again. We were counting the days in our letters. A weekend until his rivalry with my friends started up again. He wrote a lengthy letter about our summer weeks together, how he missed me even more with each passing day,his best part of the day was getting and reading my letter (as was mine.) Sometimes that boy knew exactly how I was feeling.