You'd managed to get a decent cup of coffee down in the kitchens, thankfully getting your morning off properly to a functional go before-
"There you are!" Her familiar voice rounded the halls after you, "I've been hoping I might run into you, I was afraid you'd taken ill"
"I appreciate your concerns Narcissa" you turned around the face her, "but I promise I'm quite well"
"Well I'm glad just the same" she smiled, "I had rather hoped to take Scorpius up to Wicksburn for the day"
"Wicksburn?" You asked
"Just a small Mountain Village we visit every year we stay, We would be glad for you to join us!" Narcissa insisted
"Wicksburn is actually more of a bottleneck for witches and wizards passing through" Scorpius walked in on the conversation, wrapping a scarf around his neck, "-But there's a Chocolatier there with a whole window case filled with every fudge you can imagine. Last year, they had a giant moose made entirely from chocolate in the window"
"A giant Moose made of Chocolate? You cad!" you looked to Scorpius teasing, "You've been holding out on me! I had no idea there was such a place up here"
"In the Mountains surrounding the area, it's nice to have our own little gem hidden away from the muggles." Narcissa explained, "I do say times I have visited there, the lights strewn up around the town do have their own sort of charm to them"
"You should come! It's nothing like Honeydukes, bet you'll never go back to the same chocolate bar again" Scorpius went on, "Dads been called to a meeting upstairs so he can't go"
"Well that's too bad" you shrugged apathetically, "I'll throw on my coat and boots, this sounds like an adventure I'd be hard to pass up!"
"Wonderful! We'll be just outside waiting Dear" Narcissa motioned Scorpius through to the foyer, as you ran yourself to the stairwell.
"Wicksburn" your thought to yourself, "Huh"
...
Clopping up a well mowed path of stones and snow, you looked out the window to see your first sights of the little unknown town, hidden in the mountainside.
A Wooden sign modestly heralded "Wicksburn Village" in Olde English lettering, hanging from a post with delicate chains.
The streets became cobblestones as small buildings began to appear out the windows in the mountainside. Thatched rooves and smoking chimneys were dusted with snow.
Black iron lanterns were fixed atop hanging posts all about the fronts of the shoppe windows, glowing inside with warm candles and festively crafted displays.
One of the first store fronts to pass in walking, read "Brandishings Repairs and Wares", little time pieces and magical knick knacks ticked and rocked away in the dusty display window.
Across the cobblestones from there, a rickety old painted sign, inlaid with a molded border, was placed above a double doored entry "Wicksburn Necessities".
In the windows you saw bags of magical animal feed, as well as signs for various ingredients, and more common potion agents for the household.
Heavily dressed wizards and witches were scattered amongst the streets, carrying paper wrapped packages and bags about the small little village square.
"Look! There's Swissters Alpine Sweet Shoppe!"
A small little store front, which appeared to be quite longstanding in the village, hung a sign above the front doors stating "Swissters Alpine Sweets Shoppe, Chocolatier's Since 1806"
In the windows, a grand display of swirling milk chocolates danced with luscious caramel creams. A variety of boxed truffles were decorated amongst red satin ribbons, and specialty chocolates were shown beautifully wrapped with the greatest care.
To the other side, a massive view to behold caught you almost by surprise! There standing before you, a great spectacle of embellished poinsettia leaves were strewn about a fallen log. On top of the log, your eyes slowly followed up the figure of a towering Horned Stag, made entirely of tempting delicious chocolate!
Scorpius admired the windows, his smile having grown a foot wide, "Three Sisters from Switzerland opened the shoppe here over 200 years ago. Thier granddaughters still own it, and even handcraft everything the same way they did!"
"Generations of Witches later, they manage to keep quite a popular following around these parts and beyond" Narcissa added
Scorpius eagerly grabbed the knob to the door, a little bell tinkling at the entranceway as you all entered the inviting warmth of the store.
You were immediately overcome with the smell of chocolate wavering over you, enticing you to come in further.
The walls were lined with beautiful ribbons and specialty wrapping for gifting packages. Counters were filled with various sampling and arrays of milk chocolates, dark sumptuous dusted almonds, white chocolate and marshmallow moldings!
Below in the glass cases, chocolate covered pretzels, dipped dried fruits, and the famous variety of what must have been at least 50 different fudge confections dazzled you entirely.
You didn't know whose eyes were bigger, yours or Scorpius'.
"Good Morning!" A friendly voice called from behind the counter, "Care for some help finding anything?"
"Yes, If I may" Narcissa stepped forward to the counter, and began listing a small number of items for the woman to begin an order for
You wandered about the shop, every so often looking over at Scorpius filling smaller little bulk bags from the scooping shelf wall. From floor to ceiling, it was bins of confections ranging from chocolate covered raisins to dusted peanut butter balls.
You wasted no time gathering your own small assortment of treats, your favorite samplings being the pumpkin vanilla bonbons and even some strawberry and hazelnut cocoa fudge wrapped up to take with you.
"We are always so delighted to see you, please do come again Mrs. Malfoy!" The pudgy shopkeeper smiled, handing Narcissa the neatly wrapped packages of countless sweets.
"Thank you, Gruntilda" Narcissa smiled back. Scorpius juggled an arm load of his treasured takings out the door with him, you holding the door with a muffled laugh.
"Scorpius!" Narcissa tried to get his attention, "Ill be running into Wicksburn Necessities to post some of these, don't go wandering too far from the square Dear"
"I'm sure Scorpius knows a great deal more around here than I do" you suggested, "If he wouldn't mind, I'd Love to check things out"
"Sure!" Scorpius agreed, "Can we drop these off in the coach first?"
"Very Well" Narcissa agreed, "Ill meet you back here momentarily"
"We'll see you then" you smiled, before taking off with Scorpius to explore more that the village had in store to see. There didn't seem to be as many shops as Hogsmeade, but you were dying to get a look inside some of these places you've never been.
It was a charming little mountain village alright, nestled perfectly like a Christmas Postcard one might hang up on the mantle for display. You took a deep breath of crisp winter air, looking forward to a day of change in scenery.
...
The house had been quiet all that morning, leaving Draco simmering in his thoughts from his meeting with the Ambassador. He just couldn't seem to enjoy himself when he was supposed to be on Holiday.
Draco had been making his way through the halls, away from the anxious dwellings of his office, when he had heard the front door swing open with a brisk breeze rolling in.
"Scorpius! Do be careful!" He could hear his Mother calling from behind him, "Draco!"
The door shut, as feet could be heard shifting and stomping their way into the Manor. Draco heaved a sigh, before making his presence known in the household, "Coming!"
He came out from the hallway, packages being unloaded from his sons arms onto the table set off under a nearby mirror, "Done away with a little light shopping then I see, eh?"
"We're terribly sorry you couldn't come, Dear" Narcissa seemed sincere, "We managed to stop by Swissters, and they had a lovely batch of Pecan Turtles I had them wrap up, just for you"
"They have a massive Chocolate Stag in the window this year, Dad" Scorpius began digging through his bulk of sweets, "It was wicked! (Y/N)'d never been there before!"
"Ah, really?" Draco looked to (Y/N), who was shrugging
"He's quite the tour guide" she said, "The only ground we didn't cover was the inside of the Pub"
"If he were of age, I'm sure it would have been commandeered" he jested, "I'm glad to hear you all enjoyed your afternoon!"
(Y/N) laughed, her appreciation of his humor was either an acquired taste or one of pity. He didn't know, but her laughter always seemed to make him feel slightly better these last few days.
"Some other time then" she joked, scrunching her nose before removing her jacket
"I believe Lunch may be in order" Narcissa announced, "We've had a rather eventful morning, I'm sure we're all quite famished"
"Speak for yourself" Draco drew an eye back to his son, still digging about his chocolates gleefully, "He'll be off the walls from here to New Years"
"I give him until Christmas Eve" (Y/N) mumbled lowly toward Draco's ear, He stifled a chuckle before straightening his face
"Come on then, Kid" he called, "Man cannot live on sugar alone"
"I'm only taking inventory!" Scorpius explained himself
"Well do it on a proper full stomach then, onward"
Scorpius rolled his eyes before leaving his precious mountain of sweets for the dining room ahead. Draco was at least thankful to have some people back to fill the Manor with noise and distraction again.
He did feel remorseful not being able to go to the village with them, Scorpius always had such a wonderful time visiting the shops. Wicksburn Village was the kind of place (Y/N) would have probably enjoyed being properly shown about for a day.
"Damnit all man" Draco caught himself in his thoughts again
If it wasn't one thing on his mind lately, it was another, and he was beginning to question which was the lesser of evils. A sense of guilt began to settle into him, shaking himself clear headed before advancing onward to the living room.
His mind would wander off into fondness for the girl, and the only thing slapping him to his senses were the conflicting perils of what reality he had in his life.
A new position that demanded his time considerably, His Father had passed away 2 months ago, A son growing up without his dearly departed Mother- the very love of his life had passed only a year before...he was too consumed in this reality to afford entertaining such ideals of someone.
Why did such a life require so much melancholy, even the simplest thought of something that made it bearable, made him desire to punish himself.
"What have I roped myself into" he thought, his anguish being tucked behind a mask, before walking in to take a seat at the table