Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Re-organizing
As nice as it is to take a vacation, I'm not sure it was worth the stress that it evoked when we arrived home. With only a handful of days until the start of a new term, Mum was in a frenzy. No one except Dad was spared and that was only because he had to return to work. "Girls", she called into the sitting room, where Ginny had roped me into painting her hails with the hunter green varnish that had been gifted to her by the Carrow twins. "When you're finished, I need you two to help me with washing. I just don't know how we'll get everything done before the first", Mum said that last park to herself. But Ginny and I heard her loud and clear.
"Okay, Mum", Ginny agreed amicably as she studied her right hand; the one I had just finished painting. Excited to be going into her second year, it would take a lot to make Ginny cross.
Glancing up from Ginny's left pinky finger, I looked in Mum's direction. "Sorry, Mum. I can help bring down everyone's stuff. But I'm going to Adrian's at 1:00".
Mum placed her hands on her hips with her elbows poking out. It was her signature, 'we'll see about that' pose. "And just who gave you permission to go?" While Mum was all for us Weasley kids having friends and lives outside of the family, she didn't appreciate it when social lives took us out of the home when it was all hands on deck.
Knowing this, her sudden sternness didn't affect me. "You did", I answered honestly. "Last night at dinner. When I asked".
There was no change in Mum's stance or expression. As if she didn't remember. As if she didn't believe me. Merlin, the stress really must be getting to her. That, or she just couldn't wait to have the house to herself again. I wonder what that must be like for her; not having to cook three meals a day for six children, having quiet in the house when Dad's gone and it's just her. I had gotten a small taste of it last year, but that still wasn't the same.
Briefly, I glanced at Ginny to see if she remembered what Mum was forgetting, or if I was the crazy one. But Ginny merely shrugged and offered up nothing; content to watch this play out. Typical. So, I looked back at Mum and tried to spark her memory. "It was right after Percy finished asking Dad about how to write resumes. I asked you if I could go see Adrian because he offered to help me with our arithmancy assignment. You said yes as long as I made it back before sunset".
Some sort of recall started to show in Mum's eyes as she let her arms fall to her sides. "You haven't finished your homework yet?" She asked, concerned. Mum really couldn't handle deadlines of any kind. She's the type of person that preferred to finish things early rather than last minute.
"I only have Arithmancy left", I was quick to reassure her. That was one thing Mum had asked us to do before we left for Egypt, to get our school work done. But I think Percy and Ginny were the only two who had completed everything. And I didn't want to end up like Ron who was currently confined to his bedroom until his homework was done because he had chosen not to do any of it. "And it's not done because I need help". Which is why Adrian offered to help me… Well, one of the reasons. But for her own mental health, Mum doesn't need to hear about the others.
"Alright, you can go", Mum caved like I knew she would. Our education was something Mum took very seriously. "But", she started; pointing a finger at me. "You have to be home before dinner".
I didn't get the chance to agree as Percy walked into the room with Fred and George trailing behind them. The three of them just coming from their least favorite chore of cleaning out the chicken coop. "Our school letters arrived", Percy announced in his happiest voice as he started passing out letters. Starting out with Ginny and me, and leaving Fred and George for last. Seeing as Ron wasn't here, Percy handed his letter to Mum.
"Oh, good", Mum said as stared at the envelope in her hands. "Now we can get the shopping done this weekend".
With her eyes, Ginny compared her envelope to the one Percy was holding. "Why is yours so thick?" She asked. Immediately causing everyone's attention the swing to Percy.
A knowing smile graced Percy's lips as he started to break the seal on his letter; choosing to bask in the attention of his audience than to spoil the moment with words. Once the seal was broken, Percy tipped the envelope. With one hand gripped the envelope, keeping the letter encased inside from sliding out as a metallic mass fell into his other hand. It was the object that had made his final Hogwarts letter so thick.
"Oh, Percy", Mum breathed as she raised her two hands to cover her mouth. Her eyes shining with emotional pride.
Quite pleased with himself, Percy held up his shiny new head boy badge for all to see. Though the only ones who seemed mesmerized by it were Mum and Ginny. Percy, having expected to receive, me knowing it was coming, and Fred and George had not a single care for such an honor.
Predictably, Percy's moment of triumph was ruined when Fred and George started ripping into their own letters. "Please, please, please", they chanted in sync; making a big show of turning their envelopes over and letting the letters flutter to the floor. When there was no sound of metal hitting the floor, Fred and George's shoulders sagged in mock relief as they exhaled loudly. Good to know that their acting skills hadn't approved none.
"Thank Merlin", said Fred.
"No pointless extra responsibilities for us", continued George.
"What about you, Holls?" Fred asked, looking over in my direction. "Are you in the clear?"
Knowing I shouldn't but playing along anyway, I held up my letter with it flat in my hand. "Thin as a pamphlet. Though it would have been ironic. Imagine if we had to give ourselves detention".
George shrugged as Mum lowered her hands, an unamused expression on her face. "It would be efficient though. Think of all the time the teachers would save if we could put ourselves in detention".
Tsking, Mum moved her hands back to her hips. "You three", she said in a warning voice but she left it at that.
"Holly, good to see you again", Mrs. Pucey said as she set her teacup down in her saucer. "How was Egypt?"
I stepped out of the fireplace into the Pucey's sitting one (the one strictly reserved for entertaining) with my Arithmancy book clapped under one arm. A quick scan of the room revealed that Mrs. Pucey wasn't alone. In the chair opposite of Adrian's mother sat the very blonde and tight-faced Narcissa Malfoy. She was holding her tea saucer under her chin as her cup was pressed against her painted lips as she stared at me from over its brim.
Suddenly uncomfortable, my spine straightened as I darted my line of sight back to Mrs. Pucey. It wouldn't do to stare. Especially at someone that was anti-Weasley. "It's good to see you too Mrs. Pucey. Egypt was good… very hot". Of course, I had more to say about Egypt than just that, but feeling a pair of eyes on me that wasn't friendly, I didn't feel an urge to talk about the food we tried, the Nile, seeing the Pyramids, or what I learned about the lengthy process of mummification.
Mrs. Pucey did not seem bothered by my short responses. All she did was smile softly; a prime example of her aptness at being a hostess. "Call me Florentina. Please Holly, dear", She said to me before redirecting to her elder guest. "Holly's family summered in Egypt this year. Quite educational for the children, I imagine. Have you've ever been?"
It was hard to follow the line of conversation and stay focused on who had been given the floor to speak. Although the polite thing to do was to look at the Malfoy matriarch and wait for her response, I found myself constantly referring back to Mrs. Pucey. I'm not sure why. For reassurance? Or maybe in search of answers.
Narcissa took her time answering; lowering her teacup at a speed that I associated with building a tower out of playing cards. But when she had finished, she spoke very primly. "We prefer France."
It was a challenge to keep my face blank. Though I suppose there were worse things Mrs. Malfoy could have said given the opportunity. No need to dig further. "Umm… Mrs. Pucey", I broke in before she could continue the small talk. "I'm sorry, but where's Adrian?"
"Oh, yes", Mrs. Pucey said as she turned back to me. "You two have a study date", she stated as if she had just recalled that detail. And maybe she had. "He's in the dining room. Go right ahead".
"Thank you", I said; casting a self-conscious look in Mrs. Malfoy's direction as I turned tail and fled from the room. Having no idea what I had just walked in on, I feel that I chose the wisest course of action. The Puceys' dining room wasn't far; only separated by one wall and a closed door. A door that I gladly opened and closed behind me. I let out a sigh once I could no longer feel the Malfoy matriarch's eyes boring into me. But my relief was short-lived. Sitting at their large oak table, Adrian smirked at me; parchment, and opened books spread out around him.
"Afternoon", he greeted with an ease that rubbed my skin the wrong way.
"You knew the minute I got here", I accused; narrowing my eyes in his direction. His lack of refuting told me I was right. I sighed as I walked around the table to collapse into the chair next to his. "Why didn't you come to get me?" I asked as I placed my arithmancy text on the tabletop with a soft thump. "And why is there a Malfoy in your house?" Although a better question was why he hadn't warned me that there would be a Malfoy here.
Adrian shrugged; suggesting none of this was a big deal. And he was probably right. "I had to greet them when they first arrived. I saw no reason to involve myself a second time. Besides, it was good practice for you".
Watching Adrian as he pulled my textbook closer to himself and started searching for a specific page, questions formed in my head. How could they not with everything Adrian had just said? Them, as in plural? As in more than one Malfoy? And practice. Practice for what? And why would the practice be good for me?
"What part are you struggling with?" Adrian asked in reference to our arithmancy assignment. But I wasn't about to let things be that easy for him. Clearly, we hadn't spent enough time together this summer if he thought I wasn't going to push for more information. I didn't answer, but kept my eyes on him; blinking when I had to. Adrian got the picture when time continued to stretch by in silence. Exhaling loud enough through his nose for me to hear, Adrian twisted his torso in my direction. "Lord Malfoy is with my father in his office to discuss a new business deal. Lady Malfoy and my mother socialize in the same circles, so she decided to come for tea".
Adrian's answer was informative, but it only answered one of my questions. So, when Adrian shifted to go back to our textbooks, I prompted. "And what do I need practice in?"
Adrian sighed, but this time he didn't even bother to look at me. "Practice handling Slytherins and the like". He picked up a quill and started to ink it. Why? I have no idea. We're not done yet.
"I deal with you lot just fine, thank you", I retorted.
Narrowing his eyes, Adrian glanced back at me; getting ready to make a point. Damn, I've missed this boy. "No, you antagonize my lot when you should be putting more effort into playing nice".
Shrugging, my response came easily. "We've already had this conversation, remember? I'm not a nice person".
My boyfriend chose not to react. In fact, he chose to ignore my comment altogether. "Your little sister is a Slytherin. You're in a relationship with me. It would be prudent to form other social connections in our circles". Why does he sound like a college scout? I asked myself, but Adrian kept going before I could interject. "You're just lucky your sister is loyal to your family, that I am regrettably attached to you-"
"Oh, how sweet of you to say", I broke in.
"-and that Flint finds you amusing", Adrian finished his sentence. "Otherwise, you would have no footing in Slytherin house at all".
"You're right", I said; drawing out my syllables so the sarcasm rang clear. "How sad would my life be if I didn't have the opportunity to be chummy with a bunch of purebloods who think they're better than me?"
A pointed look told me exactly what Adrian thought about my tone. "Arithmancy", Adrian spoke dryly. "Which questions do you need help with?"
For a brief period of time, we actually did school work. Just enough that I was able to finish my last summer assignment. But we didn't put on an act like last summer; pretending to be studying ahead as an excuse to spend more time together. There was no need for a ruse. Not now when we both recognized that we were dating. The lack of pretense was nice.
Closing my textbook with my finished assignment inside, I rested my elbow on top of it. Placing my chin in my hand, I looked at Adrian and ask, "So, how was your summer? Were you bored without me?" I batted my eyes in an attempt to be funny.
"On the contrary", Adrian said as he started to clean up his school things. "With you gone I had no distractions and was able to get a lot of thinking done".
Thinking? I couldn't decide if I should call Adrian a bore or accuse him of not having any hobbies. So, I settled for, "Sound productive. What about?"
"About this year, and the ones to come". Adrian's weirdly worded answer hinted to me what he was talking about; all the info I had dumped on him at the end of last school year.
That held my interest, causing me to lean in a bit closer to the boy. "And did you think about how we can…. Destroy certain objects?"
"This isn't a conversation to have in my parents' home", Adrian ended the subject with an austere frown. "Especially when they're entertaining".
I leaned back. Message received. It would be catastrophic if a Malfoy overheard us discussing Horcruxes. But, still… "You're the one who brought it up".
The smug look Adrian gave me was enough to make me adopt my Mum's best annoyed expression; second-guessing the feelings of longing I had for my boyfriend during our time apart. "I know how to have conversations without really saying what I mean", Adrian boasted, sounding dangerously like a politician. "You still need to practice", he said, coming full circle to our previous conversation.
Rolling my eyes to disguise my defeat, I sat up straight before changing the subject… kind of. "I think this year is going to be quiet", I said without going into detail. Sirus was free. Pettigrew was in jail. "It being our OWL year and all", I added on; tempting to do what Adrian just accused me of needing practice. "We'll be too busy studying".
Letting out a scoff, Adrian carried the new line of conversation. "There is no quiet moment with you. This year especially considering my new position".
Well, didn't that sound intriguing? "Position?" I asked though I had a hunch.
Adrian nodded as he locked eyes with me; giving me a sense of connection I had been missing all summer. Having direct eye contact with a sibling just wasn't the same as having direct eye contact with someone that you want to snog. "I have been made a prefect".
The appropriate response would be to offer congratulations, but instead, I snorted with unattractive laughter. A prefect! That's golden. "Fred, George, and I are going to eat you alive", I said in between laughs. Laughs that Adrian was tolerating with his usual unimpressed visage. Thoughts started to come in at a faster rate. Percy was the head boy. Adrian would have to report to him. Brilliant! There was so much potential for some many pranks. Just wait until I tell Fred and George about this wonderful news. But then… then my thoughts took a sharp turn. The kind of turn that leads to the best undiscovered back roads. "So, uh…" I started, changing my voice to match my new mood.
Adrian started to eye me with suspicion. The comment about Fred, George, and I making his life difficult probably made the transition easy.
"If I were to do something naughty-", I spoke slowly. Reaching out to touch his arm; making my fingers act like the itsy-bitsy spider as they walked up his bicep. Adrian shivered as color started to blossom on his cheeks. "Would you have to put me in detention?" Adrian was being unnaturally still. But he hadn't told me to knock it off. So, like most women with love lives, I kept going. "A detention with only the two of us there". Leaning forward, I continued to whisper other things into his ear. Slightly more inappropriate things. Although, the words I was using were harmless enough. It was the connotation that was improper. But it was worth all the effort when I got to see the usually calm and collected Adrian blush red like a boiled lobster in response to my teasing.
When I ran out of salacious things to mutter into his ear, Adrian pulled back; allowing me to see a very half-hearted glare. "One day, Holly Weasley, I'm going to respond to your flirting with more than you can handle".
"I hope that's a promise", I quipped as I moved out of his personal space.
