Chapter 3 - Better now
Draco felt like scum the rest of the day at work. It felt really good knocking that muggle on his ass. He deserved that and so much more, but the result had him regretting it anyway. It all worked out, but he took away her choice to stay.
"Doing alright there mate?" Leo asks him from the doorway. It was an hour or so until he'd be heading home.
"Fine." It was a lie but he didn't care. He needed to fix this.
"You never told us how your second date went."
"Us?" Draco looks at him scruntanisely.
"Don't worry. None of the other's know she's a muggle." Leo rolls his eyes like it's no big deal. As if there wasn't this huge gap between them.
"All of them? The whole ministry is in my business? Is this Potter's doing?"
"Not all his. They're only curious. If you don't tell me I'll ask Monet."
It was a much larger threat than Leo knew. If he asked Monet now he'd learn that just a few hours ago Draco had punched a muggle in ministry robes, gotten Nova fired, which inadvertently also meant the end of their friend's niece's career.
"Fine," Draco pretends to give up. "We saw a movie and ended up talking for hours at a cat cafe." That would be enough gossip to keep the other auror's from prying and Leo from asking Monet. "She's my girlfriend now."
"Damn mate." He quickly withdraws to go share. Draco sighs but just at that moment there's a small vibration from his pocket. The device! He retrieves it and smiles at the message.
Nova: Monet and I just arrived safely at one of my family's inns. There's an oven in our room so I made donuts! There's an image afterward. It sends a shiver right through him. She was looking up underneath her long lashes. Her sultry green eyes were happy and there's a glazed homemade donut between her red lips.
Draco: Never been so jealous in my life.
Nova lays back on the double bed she's sharing with Mo and covers her mouth at her first text. Oh my.
Nova: Of me or the donut?
Draco coughs on his tea. Flirting with Nova escalated so quickly. He was planning a clever retort when Potter knocked.
"What do you want?" Draco asks but they can both tell the animosity from their youth is gone.
Potter clears his throat. "I just wanted to inform you that there's currently a bet going on in the ministry on the success of your new relationship. I don't think it's right and I've come to offer to go with you to make a formal complaint."
"Do you have stakes in it, Potter?"
"I only bet a few days ago but I've changed my mind."
"What'd you bet?"
"I'm not going to say. Do you have plans tonight?"
Draco narrows his eyes. "I was thinking about finding my old broom and just flying for fun."
"Mind some company?"
Neither man ever thought they'd be here. Just racing together through the night aimlessly. It felt good. After learning to apparate neither had gotten on their brooms. They weren't really necessary for the two wizards that were forced to grow substantially so quickly. It would have been wholly pleasant if both didn't have something weighing on their mind.
For Draco it was how to make up for his mistake to Nova and what to do for his choice of their next date.
For Harry, it was that he suspected Malfoy's girl wasn't a witch. That couldn't be right, right? Yet, he overheard his lesson with Avery's niece on using a phone. After he'd placed his bet.
When they land on the old Quidditch field by Malfoy Manor, Draco's ready to say goodbye, get inside and message Nova, but Potter has other plans.
"Is she a muggle?"
Draco goes completely still, staring up at the moon he'd been zipping past. "Wow, you're just going to get right to the point, huh?"
"Is that a yes?"
Draco sighs. "Can you keep it a secret, Boy Who Lived?" It felt hilarious now that the war was over and the world had moved on. Draco planned to call him that until he was as old as Dumbledore was, simply because it irked him.
Potter only nods and his eyes widen when the pureblood man withdraws the new phone from his robes and clicks on a photograph.
"Her name's Nova." Draco hated that he was revealing his hand to Potter, but there were many strategic advantages. Potter knew about muggles, therefore he could give him information. Potter also was the white-knight sort which means he'd protect Nova. He still dislikes the man but not so much to not think him a useful ally.
Harry was shocked. He was looking at a very happy red haired woman with a donut in her mouth. This woman is with Malfoy?
"You can lift your jaw off the ground. I know she's gorgeous." How could he not boast about Nova?
"H-How? I mean- how are you with a muggle?"
"Carefully. Now that you know, I could use help with something." The Gryffindor was the romantic type, right? He'd be able to provide advice.
"You're asking me for a favor?"
"I'm surprised too. Anyway I want to do something nice for her to make up for something and I'm struggling to think of anything."
"Well, what does she like?" What the hell am I doing?! Harry just couldn't help himself when it came to helping people.
"She's a daredevil, but I'm thinking more of a grand romantic gesture."
This was only getting stranger by the second! Harry took a minute to compose himself. "Perhaps the right question is what she needs then?"
A spark of mischief flickers in the Slytherin's eyes. He turns around in a circle. "What are you doing the rest of the night Potter?"
Nova was lying in bed. It's three am and she's still awake. The day had been hectic. She should be exhausted, but she just couldn't seem to drift. After her last text she's never received a reply. Monet assured it was probably nothing, but she couldn't help but think she might have gone too far. He was proper. Maybe that sort of thing was unwelcome?
Then her phone chimes. She snatches it up.
Draco: Can I see you tomorrow? Bring Miss Avery. I have a surprise for you.
Nova: Yes! When and where?!
After work, Potter was waiting for him with a cheeky smile. He made a deal with him. His help for the night in exchange he got to meet Draco's girlfriend. He agreed instantly and after hours of magic and actual manual labor Draco thought he'd got the better end of the deal.
"Remember to not say anything. She doesn't know."
"You don't have to tell me how to interact with muggles. I was raised by them!"
They apparate and appear in the park they agreed to meet at. They were early on purpose to not be seen, but just a few minutes later there's the telltale roar of an engine.
The woman on the glossy red motorcycle was the one from the photograph. Her flamy locks blocking the woman behind in a helmet clinging on. Harry figures that must be Monet.
Nova smiles brightly when she sees Draco and after parking and locking her motorcycle she jumps into his arms.
"Imagine how happy she's going to be when she sees the actual surprise," Mo snarky says as she approaches the group.
"For that…" Draco lets Nova slide down his body until she is back on her feet. She's wearing her red spandex jumpsuit again so he could feel every dip and valley on her body. He pulls out a length of black silk. "I'll have to blindfold you."
Nova couldn't stop smiling while Draco tied the smooth fabric over her eyes. He pulled it tight carefully.
"Now we're just going for a little walk." She could listen to him talk all day. He took both her hands and led her forward. When they stop, Draco takes a deep breath before removing the blindfold. "I thought I owed you a place to practise."
Nova gasps as she looks over the track. I met professional standards but for the lovely green grass around the track speckled with wild flowers. There was a building near the other side just big enough for a racing car.
"Draco-" Her eyes water and tears spill over. "This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. How can I possibly accept this?"
"You must. You will. Potter and I spent all night on it. No refunds."
She laughs but it only lets more tears escape. He steps up to her and rubs his thumb along her damp cheek. "Oh, stop that. I didn't think you'd cry. Would you like to see the rest?"
"Yes please."
Harry had wanted to speak with Nova, but he allowed Draco to walk away with her. They both looked too happy to interrupt. Instead, he gave Miss Avery the gold bracelet with the portkey.
"You can bring her here anytime with this."
Monet smiles at the little heart charm. "I hadn't expected Malfoy to be so thoughtful."
"He's never really had anyone-"
"Where are we anyway?"
"This is actually Malfoy property. He was working me to death putting up wards so we can't see the manor and no one wanders in or out."
Once alone in the garage, Nova kisses him. He built a damn track for her! She was nervous she'd said something wrong but he'd been up doing god knows what to make this a reality.
Draco lets himself melt into the kiss. He had craved it ever since their first, but only allowed the exchanges to last a mere few seconds. Just a touch. Now, he felt right claiming her lips, diving in with a lick that made her squeal in delight. It's still too short when he separates them.
It wasn't too long before Harry saw them returning. "Do I finally get to meet the woman who made Malfoy use the words 'grand romantic gesture'?"
"You can call me Nova." She offers her hand that he shakes.
The next day Nova wakes up bright and early. There's a text from Draco already as he had just arrived at the ministry and sent her a message under his desk.
Draco: Good morning. I have thought about it a great deal, and I believe it's best if I went with you to purchase your giant metal beast.
Her fit of laughter wakes Mo, who sits up with a glare. "Sorry, go back to sleep."
"No," Mo groans. "I'm up and I want breakfast."
"Pancakes?" Nova offers.
"I'll take them the way you order them."
"Coming right up!"
Nova: Well good morning to you too! Sure, you can come with. I might bore you talking about mechanical stuff though.
Draco: You could never bore me. Draco sends the message but doesn't have another free moment until around noon. He passes a very public board with the current totals of the bets. He had decided to not make a complaint, but was that the right move? He didn't want to bring too much attention to his relationship.
He checks his phone under his desk. There's a picture of a stack of fluffy pancakes, a perfect golden color with white edges with airy pockets. Topped with powdered sugar, chocolate drizzle, bananas and bacon.
Nova: I made pancakes! So nice to not be stuck in an RV! I think I'll go Saturday morning to look for one.
Nova was now at a meeting with some old connections. She needed a crew and Monet wanted one right away.
Draco: Sounds perfect. Tell me the place by tomorrow and I'll be there. He needed more muggle clothing. The white button down and black suit trousers were versatile and didn't stick out in either world but soon she'd notice it's practically all he wore.
"So how's Nova?" It was Avery, thankfully as he's startled and dropped his phone.
"You don't have to pretend to actually care. I bloody saw the board."
"I do care! She's a nice girl and seems to make you less miserable."
"You can tell everyone that things are better than ever." Later he'd see this comment only put the odds of his relationship being a success to go from a 1:5 to a 1:7, the odds against him either way. Everyone thought he'd screw it up and it was insulting.
Nova: Will do! Should we go out afterward? It's your turn to pick.
Nova just arrived back at her room at her family's inn covered in sweat. Spring was warming up and her attire was less than practical. She stares down at her meager luggage. She'd be heading back home after this upcoming race, but first the meeting with Sylvester, the only man she trusted to build an engine. She'd already called him after her meeting.
Until the debut race she was stuck wearing her performing latex or the few slouchy casual shirts and shorts she had. If Draco wanted to take her somewhere nice she was screwed.
Draco: Miss Avery just told me the location. It would seem that I'm in dire need of new clothing and there's a boardwalk nearby.
Nova had just gotten out of the shower and was drying her hair when she read the message.
Nova: I was thinking the same thing!
It was a beautiful sunny eighty degree morning and Nova was already sweating as she rode up to the beach side dealership. She'd settled on a pair of black leather shorts and a soft white blouse.
She snorts into her helmet upon seeing Draco looking up at the blue inflatable man as though it had insulted him. He was cute with his nose all scrunched up.
"I was unsure what you meant, but now I understand. You do need new clothes," Draco comments, eyeing her appearance. Was this outfit even legal to wear in public? It's warmer here than where he's located but her long legs were on full display. He'd have to stay close to her today to keep filthy eyes away from his girl.
"As do you. No matter how fond of this shirt I'm getting." She plucks at his top button and it comes undone. He doesn't move to fix it. "Let's meet with Slyvester and then we go on our date."
"Very well." He offers his arm and walks her into a cement and steel building. It smells like motor oil and a dozen fans are blowing from every corner.
A bald ebony man smiles when he spots her, rising up from behind the hood of a particularly monstrous engine he's been working on.
"Nova! I was so pleased to receive your call. I've always known you'd come around and need this old man to give you a car worthy of your talent." The man wipes his hands off on a quilted rag. "Take a look around and let me know if you fancy any test drives."
"What are you working on here?" She passes him to look down at it. It's insides were unfamiliar in a way.
"This used to be Rictor Gold's car but he's tired of wrecking it. Twenty three crashes last year. I just finished fixing it up and I was attempting to find something wrong with it, but it seems just fine."
"Mind if I take her out?"
"Not at all, but I've got to warn you. I paid a hefty price and there's a Mr. Loxley that's interested in buying it."
Draco sits on a bench underneath a fan while Nova tests out the first one and then several others. While he's waiting he'd notice how no matter where she was on the lot her eyes kept going back to the beast that the man had implied was cursed. Of course she'd want it! Nova thrived on thrills.
After Nova had driven almost every illegible car on the lot, she walked over to Draco. "Ready to go?" she asks softly.
"You're not going to buy one?"
"I need more time to think it over. Let's go have some fun."
Nova twirled around in her newest dress. When Draco had put the money down on the counter for it she'd only shrugged. If he wanted to buy her it she wasn't going to stop him. It was much more comfortable than her hot shorts.
They're on their third store on the boardwalk and the atmosphere has her at peace. Draco didn't mind carrying the larger half of the bags. She didn't question it when his bags were nowhere to be seen. All the shops are awash with natural light from all the windows letting the cooler ocean air enter.
She's looking through more formal dresses when Draco's voice gives her pause. "Let me buy you that cursed car." The date had been sweet as they'd caught up, but now- she spins to face him, eyes wide.
"That's- too much."
Draco knew that. He could see her slipping away before his very eyes. "Not for free. I have conditions." A fraction of snark get's Nova's attention. "I want tickets to every race, and I get a kiss every time you're about to go out in that death trap."
Nova pulls him into a hug. "How'd I get this lucky?"
Draco just holds her. It really was nothing to Draco. A few coins and a trip to currency exchange, but it meant the world to her. "Let the man know Miss Avery and I will be picking it up this evening."
Nova detaches from him, a bit ashamed of her second installment of happy tears. She wipes her face on the back of hand and nods, stepping away to make the call. "Slyvester, I'm taking the abomination. Mo and my boyfriend will come get it after you close." She sniffles. Her voice catches but she can't help smiling widely. "We should probably call it a night, huh?" He was buying her a ridiculously expensive car so she couldn't feel right accepting anymore, could she?
"Nonsense! You're going to be seeing the media and fans, I assume. We still have plenty more dates until you make it home, and we haven't even made it to the beach yet."
So after the boardwalk where she bought enough to satisfy her partner, he takes all the bags, goes away for less than five minutes and returns with ice cream. They enjoy the confections while they walk across white sands along crystal clear water.
"I should inform you there's currently a bet in my workplace upon the success of our relationship."
"How's it looking?"
"Currently 1:7 against us. I wouldn't expect anything different. They don't have a very high opinion of me."
"Why's that?"
Draco considers the question for a moment. Nova had no previous bias. He could tell her, though without the magic, about what had happened years ago. He had never confided in anyone.
"Years ago a person well known to those like me but who's name no one would ever say, returned. It began a war, a continuation from an absolute massacre that many of my classmates had lost family to."
Nova was quiet as he talked, listening intently. This sounded like it had been weighing on him for some time and as he continued she could hear the strain of the words as he forced them out.
"My father supported this man. He agreed with his ideals- that those like us were superior to those like you and that we should not-" Draco trails off, peeking over at Nova. She doesn't look bothered, only concerned. "When he returned my father wanted me to join. At not even sixteen I became a double agent and allowed them to permanently mark me." He could tell her that much, but he could not stomach showing her.
Her hand intertwined with his for comfort. "I did many unforgivable things. It would seem that despite my crimes being pardoned by the court and fighting on the right side when it mattered, I still haven't been forgiven for being one of that man's followers and my father's son."
"Thank you for sharing that. I know it must have been hard. They can't really know you if they think that about you. Draco what would happen if I found out? Would it be really bad?"
"You would wake up and it would be as though we had never met."
Her blood runs cold. Her feet stop in the sand. A chill runs up her spine. She'd forget him! All these precious memories she's made would just be gone? A dream she could not recall. "Can we take a picture together?"