DISCLAIMER: In no way do I own any of the characters in JK Rowling's Wizarding World. I am but a fan who has run away with her imagination.
Chapter 20
She wasn't sure if she was dreaming. Whatever it was, it felt good. She was lying in bed and Draco was covering her neck with wet sloppy kisses. Bent over her in his shirt and slacks, he had just arrived at the beach hut and was getting ready to lie beside her. Dara grunted. He had touched a sensitive part in her waist that gave her a jolt of surprise. She was confused. She wanted to sleep, tired from the day's activities and yet she wanted to be with Draco. After much coaxing from Draco however, sleep had won. She had turned towards him and placed her head on his shoulder and her hand on his neck forcing him to allow his lips to touch her forehead. She felt him sigh, in relief or in dismay, she wasn't sure.
"Good night, love. I'll see you in the morning." He kissed her forehead as she tried her best to reply but was sure she sounded like a grumpy troll. Instead, she pulled herself closer to his front and fell back into a rhythmic sleep.
Waking up to a slumbering handsome blonde wizard still took some getting used to. The same way preparing breakfast - and if he wanted, lunch - was still something she had difficulty wrapping her head around. Not because she didn't like it. But rather she still couldn't believe how lucky she was. Draco had been coming home to her most nights of the week including weekends for 3 consecutive weeks - if she had kept a correct and accurate count. He'd always end his work day and slither in beside her in bed. Sometimes Dara would still be up but if she wasn't he never disturbed her. They had fallen into a familiar and comfortable routine.
Dara would wake up and find a slightly snoring Draco curled up beside her. He'd always be facing her, his arm draped over her waist and his head close to the nook of her neck. He would always look peaceful and would generally sleep soundlessly, except for that one night he got his nightmares. Like clockwork, Draco arrived at midnight but this time more tired than usual, and slipped in beside Dara without much protest. She cuddled up to him and soon they were both falling asleep to the rhythm of their breathing. Both were deep in sleep when Draco started fidgeting and grunting. Dara woke with a jolt when he screamed into the pillow. It sounded like he was in pain, like he was being tortured. Her heart started to pound in worry. Why was he screaming? She immediately shook his strong shoulders, coaxing him to wake and when he did his eyes were wild, dilated and confused. She had touched his face, searched his eyes and asked what was wrong but he didn't answer. He only gently pushed her hands away and walked out of the room. He didn't get any sleep that night and when she woke up she found him seated on the sand looking out into the water.
When Dara asked why, he simply said he got into a heated argument with his father at work the day before. But when he said it, it was more like a practiced reply. He had his brows furrowed in the middle and his lips in a scowl. From where Dara was standing it looked worse than just an argument but Dara knew her place. She knew he wasn't ready to share that bit of information with her and she wanted to respect that. That morning she cooked up the best breakfast she could think of to keep Draco from thinking about last night. And it worked.
So that was what she did everyday: she'd prepare a hearty breakfast, serve it out on the porch with a steaming cup of his favorite tea. They'd share the shower and prepare for the day at the same time. Dara would bid him goodbye and watch him crossover back to London only to repeat the cycle all over again. They made it work and it was working… for now. Draco hardly ever came home to the manor anymore. He was going home and spending more time at the beach hut. Dara was sure Narcissa noticed but Dara never had the heart to ask him about it, afraid that they'd get into an argument.
It was the weekend again and as per routine Dara was up at 9 in the morning preparing a hearty breakfast. Only difference this time was that she was preparing breakfast for more than two people. Blaise had approached Draco a few days after Dara's surprise lunch in their office and asked if Dara could help with Casian's birthday this year. Casian, Blaise and Astoria's first born, was itching to see the beach and wanted badly to swim in the ocean. Dara agreed of course and even offered them to stay with her in the beach hut. Nothing like an expandable charm can't handle, right? The birthday weekend had finally arrived and she was playing the perfect gracious host.
Blaise, Astoria, Casian and Draco all crossed over to the beach hut yesterday. Casian was excited and ran straight for the water as soon as he saw it. Her guests weren't hard to please. It wasn't hard to call Casian a sweet boy. He was a feisty bouncing ball of energy and had grown to like his Auntie Dara especially when she had answered all his ocean related questions. Dara quiet enjoyed it and didn't find it at all irritating. She worked with kids his age and was just used to it already.
The pancakes and bacon were almost done when she felt an arm slink around her waist and a pair of lips kiss her neck. She smiled, loving how Draco never failed to do the exact same thing every time he'd find her cooking.
"Good morning my love. Breakfast is almost ready. Did you sleep well?" she asked, laying her head back against his chest.
"I did Ms. Burling. And breakfast looks delicious like it always does." he kissed her forehead and smiled back. "Can I help with anything?" Dara had asked him to set the table out on the porch. When she had finished with the food Draco helped her with the refreshments. She had to stop in her tracks and admired a shirtless Draco squeeze the oranges by hand. Resisting the urge to knock him over or run her hands over his biceps, she busied herself with the flower arrangements.
"Auntie Dara!" Casian came running out of his room and straight into Dara's arms.
"Buenas dias mijo. Breakfast is ready. Why don't you call your mum and dad out." obedient as he was, he did as he was told.
Dara was pleased that the breakfast she had prepared was to everyone's liking. They had the whole day planned. Dara and Blaise would take Casian to a nearby cove where Casian could snorkel. There was a wider selection of marine life in that part of the island. And since Tori was very pregnant, she volunteered to stay behind with Draco. When the dishes were magically whisked away they went about preparing to get on the boat. She gave Draco a lingering kiss before they took off for the cove.
The ride to the cove was smooth and painless and when they got there Casian did not waste time. He immediately jumped into the water after his father cast a bubble head charm on him. Dara and Blaise followed suit and soon they were scouring the reefs for different kinds of colorful fish. Casian was having a blast, talking and pointing at the brightly colored species he'd see swimming freely. It took them more than an hour to travel from one end of the reef to the other. They decided to dock back on the island. Blaise and Dara sat on the sand as they watched Casian play a few meters away.
"You have no idea how much he's changed since he met you." Blaise said witnessing the exchange of smiles between them.
"What?" Dara squinted at him.
"There was a time Draco's idea of a good weekend was picking on first year muggle borns. Or when he'd fancy a bit of fun we'd scale down the astronomy tower in our Firebolts and see who's nose would graze the ground first." he smiled in recollection.
"I heard stories but I never paid attention. I never saw the reason to since I'd never in a million years encounter him." Blaise gave her a knowing look. "Well, I guess things change?" she smiled.
"Blaise, what happened to him during the war?" she asked quietly after a while. "I witnessed one of his nightmares and it was just…."
"Scary? Concerning?" Dara nodded in response.
"It's not my story to tell Dara but I can tell you it wasn't pretty." Blaise shook his head. "What Voldemort did to him was plain cruel and evil. He shouldn't have gone through that but his father's mistake almost cost Draco his life. Trust me when I say it's hard for him to share it with you because it's something he wishes never to bring you into."
"I just want to understand him better, Blaise. There's a part of him I still don't know about. I'm afraid…"
"I understand where you're coming from Dara. I do. But you have to give him time. Draco's never been the sort to be open about anything, even to me and I'm his best mate." Dara was pensive for a while.
"Look, I hope you can trust the words that are coming out of my mouth because Draco's not going to tell you this anytime soon. We've been best mates since infancy and I've seen all the different personalities he's developed. Well, I thought I did until he met you." He cast an eye towards Casian checking that he was alright, before continuing. "I have never seen him fall in love before. And he's never been this happy and this Tori agrees to. Most people would think because he grew up so comfortably that he'd have nothing to complain about. It was true up until the 5th year but it was in the 6th that things turned really dark. The Malfoy family was surrounded by Voldemort's shadow for the longest time and when it was time for them to come to play some things worked but most went to shit. Draco had to step up for his family especially after Lucius gravely ruined the plan. For a while Draco stayed gloomy and dark even when he turned spy for the order. All of a sudden the perfect blonde wizard was fighting for his family's life. And after the war, he buried himself in his work. It's refreshing to witness him slowly shed the darkness away."
"Keep doing what you're doing Dara." He looked at her, sincerity lacing his words. "You are the best thing that's happened to him. He knows it but he won't be admitting it soon."
"Did he tell you about his mother's birthday weekend?" she hugged her knees closer to her chin. Blaise nodded.
"I can only imagine how scared you are."
"I think scared is an understatement, Blaise." He tilted her head towards him. "Terrified is more like it. I tried reasoning with him, tried to make him see things the way I think they're going to happen but to no avail."
"It's only natural Dara. I can't blame you. I mean, even I am afraid of Narcissa Malfoy. But trust Draco. There is no way on this earth that he's going to let you walk in there alone. He's the most loyal person I know." Dara tried her best to calm her nerves given Blaise's narration but she still couldn't help but feel threatened. She knew things were bound to go south the minute his family learns about her existence. The best she could do is trust the process and trust Draco.
"He loves you. I have no doubt that he does. And if I know anything it's how loyal and dedicated Draco is. Just be patient with him Dara. You've been doing great since you spilled champagne on his shirt." Dara laughed with Blaise. She was thankful that Blaise took the time to talk to her about Draco. To her, it was valuable that she understood her wizard better to prepare her for what is to come.
Author's note: quite the short chapter but at least we're getting somewhere, yes? yes.
