'Home is not where you live, but where they understand you'
The sun was bright in the sky as I waited impatiently on the front steps of my house. I was happy that it was a nice day; when it's sunny I find it immediately puts everyone in a good mood. The small parcel that I had had Erasmus fetch for me lay comfortably in my trouser pocket as my leg tapped anxiously against the bottom step, my eyes searching the path for any sign of a carriage.
"She is not due for another ten minutes Draco, why don't you come back inside? The sun is very hot out here," I turned my head towards my mother who was wearing a light blue dress and a very large hat, which she tilted up towards the sun.
"Christ mother, are you planning to shade the whole of England with that monster of a hat?" I asked her incredulously. All I got in reply was a warning look, before a breath of a chuckle escaped her lips. I smiled at making her laugh before turning my gaze back to the path.
I felt as she sat down on the step next to me, fanning herself with her hand dramatically.
"Erasmus!" she called and with a loud clatter he stumbled out of the door behind me, I didn't turn my head from the driveway as he rushed eagerly down the steps.
"Yes mistress?"
"Could you get me a glass of lemonade please? It's on the counter in the kitchen," she replied and I shook my head in disbelief.
"Would you like some Mr Draco sir?" he asked me and I shook my head in response.
With a loud pop he disappeared and I continued to stare ahead as my mother shifted uncomfortably beside me.
"What were you shaking your head at before?"
"Mother, you have spent most of your life trying to convince your 'girlfriends' that you are no more posh than them, but now you come out in a hat the size of Jupiter and order lemonade!" I finished, my eyes wide as she started to laugh happily at my words.
"Yes, I suppose you're right," she replied as behind us in the house a small crash could be heard. I laughed as I heard Erasmus' mutterings echoing through the open door.
"I swear that elf will be the death of me," Mother muttered to herself as she twisted around to look behind her at the house.
"ERASMUS!" she suddenly bellowed and I started in surprise at her loudness. I too turned around to see Erasmus come running out of the door, a tray with a glass of lemonade wobbling dangerously on top. He ran down the stairs past the two of us before turning around in a loop and stopping at our feet. He bent down at the waist and offered my mother the tray, from which she took the glass off and Erasmus stood back up straight, beaming.
"Thank you Erasmus, you may go," she dismissed him and he nodded happily, disappearing back up the steps. I fidgeted anxiously, begging McGonagall to hurry up and get here.
"You love her," Mother said and I blinked at the words.
"Yeah,"
"Good,"
I looked at her in surprise and she smiled gently at me, her hair wafting around her face.
"She's good for you Draco," she continued and I grinned.
My mother stopped mid sip and turned her head to the right, looking out into the middle of nowhere, I followed her gaze, seeing nothing and wondering if she had finally gone mad.
"I think your lift is here," she said quietly, bringing the glass back up to her lips and taking a polite and civilised sip. A second later McGonagall appeared out of the air and strolled towards us, her manner businesslike and I frowned as she nodded formally to us, wondering what she whether she was this uptight normally.
"Mr Malfoy, you are ready to go?" she asked and I nodded quickly. I leant over to give my mother a quick peck on the cheek and she smiled happily, standing up from the step.
"Have fun," she told me and I grinned in response.
"I'm sure I will,"
"Mr Malfoy, take my arm," McGonagall said professionally and I raised my eyebrows at her suggestively.
"See, I knew you like me secretly," I exclaimed triumphantly and she stared at me calmly.
"If you would prefer to go another day….." she trailed off looking at me expectantly as I grabbed her arm and let the very odd and uncomfortable experience of side along apparition pass me by.
The first thing I was aware of when I finally got all my sense back to normal, was the blistering heat, I wasn't sure how far we had apparated by I was pretty sure that it couldn't have been miles and miles, but even so it was a lot warmer here than back at my house. McGonagall was striding a long a dusty path, flicking her wand at the enchantments I'm sure had been placed around the perimeter.
I got up quickly and dusted myself off, jogging to keep up with McGonagall as the nerves started to build up in my stomach. I felt scared suddenly, this family hated me and I was strolling into the home, pretty much uninvited just to see a girl who they considered more important to them than to me. I cleared my throat anxiously, trying desperately not to turn and run.
I saw as the front door was open and Hermione run out. Her summer dress billowed out behind her and her curls flew behind her head, a massive smile was planted on her face as she flung herself at me, her arms encircling behind my neck as I swung her around, basking in her laughter as she burrowed her face in my neck.
I smiled as we stood still embracing and her hands ran up and down the back of my neck, her fingers threading in my hair. I breathed the scent of her in, my hands fisting in the material of her dress.
"I missed you," she breathed and like that, my fears disappeared and I began to be the cocky Draco again. I grinned into her hair and closed my eyes.
"I'm sure you did," I replied and felt as she hit my gently on my back, her giggles muffled by my neck. She pulled away from my slightly, keeping her arms around my neck, she placed and gentle but sweet kiss against my lips.
She unhooked her arms and grabbed my hand pulling me gently towards the house. I tried not to think of what I would find inside and so instead focused on her outfit.
"This is different," I said gesturing to the classically beautiful summer dress she was wearing, a light green colour, which flattered her completely.
"Yeah, I know, but it was too hot to wear anything else. It's actually Ginny's," she replied, smiling as she looked down at her dress.
"Red and green?" I asked and Hermione laughed quietly, shaking her head a little.
"I know, what on earth was I thinking?"
I looked up to see Red standing in the door, a huge grin on her face. Hermione let go of my hand and stepped through the door, smirking a little as Ginny refused to let my pass.
I stepped in front of her and looked down at her my eyebrows raised. She grinned and punched my arm. Hard.
"Seriously, what is it with you and physical contact?" I asked her, rubbing my arm as she laughed happily. She walked back into her house and I followed her, my eyes immediately looking for Hermione who was sat at the table, watching us interact with a lazy smile on her face. The first thing I noticed about The Burrow was how homey it was, with the smell of bread in the air and that beautiful clutter that makes a house a home.
I had mocked The Burrow many times, but the one thing it had which I would always pine for, was the feel of it being more than just a house, but a place of memories and of happiness, a place that looks as though it has actually been lived in.
I loved my mansion but if it suddenly got destroyed I would never feel overwhelming sadness of losing my childhood, I would be more sad about the gardens than anything else.
"You don't mind it with Hermione?" she argued back, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, well she's different," I mumbled quietly, looking down at the floor.
"Sorry what?" Ginny asked too loudly, her hand behind her ear, a manic smile on her face.
"She's different," I repeated and Ginny mock frowned again.
"Sorry, I'm still not quite catching it, she's what?"
"She's different in a good way, I like touching her," I bellowed and Ginny clapped triumphantly.
"Woah, too much information Malfoy," Potter said frowning as she walked into the room and locked his arm around Ginny.
"No, I didn't mean…. I meant, it's just…. Oh my God," I stuttered and Hermione walked over to me chuckling. She pressed a kiss to my cheek and I felt my body relax as she placed her hand in mine.
"I know you've just got here and everything, but Ron wants to see you. He's upstairs," Potter said hesitantly and I felt my heart sink.
"He doesn't want to talk to you for long if it's any consolation," Potter added and I shook my head, I could feel Hermione's worried eyes on my face and so I squared my shoulders.
"Right, can you show me where he is?" I asked and Ginny nodded, detaching herself from Potter. I turned back to Hermione and gently kissed her, feeling the warmth in my stomach from that gentle touch. She smiled softly at my, her eyes still filled with worry.
"I'll be fine," I murmured and she nodded.
"I know,"
"I won't let it ruin today," I replied.
"I know," she repeated and I walked back over to Ginny and we made our way upstairs.
XXXXXXXXX
"And also don't mention you and Hermione unless he talks about it first, 'cos that will just piss him off even more and also don't….."
"Red, enough. I can deal with him, I'm not going to start a fight in his home okay, I can handle myself you know," I said firmly and she chewed her lip but stopped talking.
"It's that one," she muttered pointing to the door in front of us, before knocking twice.
"Come in," I heard Weasley grunt and I grimaced.
"Good luck," she whispered, squeezing my arm as she walked past me and back down the stairs.
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The first thing I was aware of was how warm the room was, none of the windows seemed to be open and my eyes glazed over the room quickly, taking in the scattered clothes and Quidditch posters.
Weasley was sat on his bed, his face a storm as he stared me up and down. He pushed a chair towards me with his foot and I took this to be an invitation to sit down. I sat down in the chair, a bored expression planted on my face, an expression that didn't match the nervousness I was feeling.
"You're with her," he said bluntly, and I found myself surprised that he had gone straight into it.
"Yes,"
"I don't get it,"
"No, I don't either sometimes," I said quietly, looking out of his window.
"She won't change her mind?" he asked hopefully and I smirked at him.
"Who Hermione? Have you never met the girl?" I replied and he scowled at me.
"I'm surprised Harry's allowed this," he said thoughtfully to himself and I grinned.
"I think they've found that if you actually talk to me, I'm not all that bad," I drawled and he stood up sharply, his face angry.
"Don't get fucking smart with me Malfoy, you're in my house remember?" he threatened and I nodded cautiously, normally I would have taunted him even more, but I desperately wanted to spend the day with Hermione and I wasn't about to ruin that.
"Hermione's got to have her reasons for being with, you. I can't be a lover to her, I get that now, but I will always be her best friend and I love her enough to let you be with her," I scoffed at this, mentally, of course. Like it was him who had to give us permission.
"But I swear you hurt her or give me any sort of opportunity to fucking blow the shit out of you, I will. If you don't protect her or if you ever let her get taken again, I will hurt you," he said sincerely and I nodded at this.
He loved her, and he was serious with his threats, I knew enough of Weasley's temper to believe that. His words made me angry but I would let him have his speech, he did have a right to that as Granger's best friend.
"Get out," he snarled and I walked out of the room with no hesitation. I let out a breath, relieved that I hadn't been killed or seriously injured.
I walked slowly down the stairs and saw Hermione waiting at the table, her back to me, her foot tapping nervously against the table leg and her fingers drumming on the wooden surface.
I smiled at the back of her head and walked up to her back, stopping just behind her.
"Nervous are you?" I asked smoothly and she jumped up from her chair, spinning round. Her face split into a massive smile when she saw me and her curls fell into her face.
"You're alive!" she cried happily, shaking her hair out of her eyes and I tucked one of the lose ones behind her ear, as she continued to beam at me.
"You want to go for a walk?" she suggested and I agreed eagerly, walking out into the blinding sunshine.