Summer Lovin'
By jessebelle
Author's Note: Okay, here's another chapter. I basically had everything until now written all ready, so now I have to fly solo. Updates probably won't be as current as it has been, but bear with me. I intend to finish this story. Toodles.
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Chapter Five: A Little Chat, or Draco's Story
Draco was startled when he heard someone yell his name. Turning around he saw the crazy woman that had made him hug the mud- Granger. Why was she yelling at him? He looked over to see a few of the littler kids go over and hug her. Traitors. The others were absorbed in a game of tag. Denise was where he left her, asleep on a blanket under a tree. After releasing the kids from hugs, they rejoined the game and the woman restarted her angry march. She stopped in front of him.
"You're Draco Malfoy, right?"
"Yeah, who are you?"
"I'm Jessica Chase, Hermione's aunt. I think we need to have a little chat."
Draco raised both eyebrows and looked around for an excuse to get out of it. No one was there to save him. Resigning himself to his fate, he stood up and gestured with his arm. "After you."
She smiled a bit at that, and then started walking. She led him outside of the fence and into the house. It was his first time inside the house so he kept an eye out and observed.
The first thing he noticed was the house was clean, really clean. The second thing he noticed was the bright colors. From what he could see, the bathroom off of the kitchen was bright yellow, the kitchen that you first walked into, was a bright red, the living room was blue, and one of the other rooms off of the living room was green. He decided he liked that room best. As if sensing his thoughts, Jessie led him in that room.
She pointed to the couch. "Sit." He sat. She did the same in a recliner and rested her face on her fingers. After staring at him for a few minutes, making him really nervous, she spoke. "Now, according to what I know about you through my niece, you're basically a little prick. I'm hoping that after out little 'chat,' I'll be able to understand why and you might get a different opinion of us muggles.
Draco's eyes widened. "What? How would you know about-?"
Jessie smirked. "Hermione is very close to me. I know. I'm also engaged to a wizard."
"Oh, so you think you know everything?"
"No, I don't. But I do know what I've heard about you and your family. Mainly that you're very closed minded and don't really know anything about muggles."
Draco's jaw clenched. "So know you're just judging me by what you've heard."
"Maybe a little bit, but that's why we're here, so I can hear your side of things, namely why you're a prick. I do know you see muggles as inferior, but I've got news for you, at the moment, you're stuck with and among muggles. The only one who's even close to being like you is Hermione, and there's also the fact that you two are the only teenagers here. We expect you to get along and keep each other company, or at least be polite. Now, time to chat."
Draco's jaw clenched a little more, but after a few seconds, he started to talk. "My dad, Lucius, was a death eater. My parents hated each other; it was an arranged marriage. The only reason I was born was to be the Malfoy heir. My sole purpose in life was to be the perfect death eater and keep up the family name. I was taught since birth that muggles were disgusting, vile creatures and muggleborns are just polluting our air. I was usually beaten if I had any other thought that went against what he said.
By the time I got to Hogwarts I was set in my beliefs. I actually met your niece on the train. We'd had a wonderful conversation and I definitely considered her as a potential good friend. Then she mentioned she was a muggle born. I was shocked that this girl, who was smarter then me, was the kind of person I had to hate. Being set in my beliefs though, I sent her out of my compartment where I was joined by my father's choice in friends, Crabbe and Goyle. Those two idiots shared half a brain. But I had to hate her. Unfortunately that incident made me question my beliefs and when my father found out, I was to be punished. I had to be a jerk or else I'd be in deeper trouble. I forgot about it eventually.
When Voldemort came back, I was happy. All my life I'd been trained to serve the great Dark Lord. Then I saw my dad coming back from one of his meetings. It was horrible, he'd been punished numerous times, but he kept going on and on about these killings he'd performed. I began to doubt, if this was how he treated his most loyal followers, how would he treat me? Then I did some research and found out he was a muggle born himself. Unfortunately I couldn't do anything until one day Dumbledore approached me with an offer. I became a type of spy, giving information when I could. It was one of my leads that led to Voldemort's defeat, but I didn't get any credit, all the glory went to St. Potter and his merry band of followers.
I don't really think I hate Granger, but I don't think I can be around someone who worships Potter. And when I was in school, I wasn't the only bully. I gave what I got. Potty and Weasley were just as mean to me as I was to them. After Voldemort was defeated, my dad went to Azkaban and I truly found out what my mum really is like. She's been teaching me a lot about muggles and how they're just like us wizards. My stepfather happens to be a muggleborn, and even though I don't like him, that has nothing to do with it. I don't hate muggles anymore, but I really don't see myself becoming best friends with Potter either." He sat back waiting for her reaction. For some reason if felt good to get that off of his chest. It was the first time he'd really spoken about his side of things.
Jessie had had a hunch about why he was the way he was, but now she knew for sure. That certainly explained a lot. But they still would have a few kinks they'd need to work out. "I'm not asking you to become friends with Harry, or anyone you don't like. I do know you weren't acting without provocation. Hermione's told me how Harry and Ron can be cruel. I'm only asking you that you put aside your differences and possibly get to know the girl that you met on the train, without the prejudices."
Draco thought about what she said. After a while, staring at his hands, he asked a small, "How?"
It made Jessie smile. "Well, first I suggest apologizing and ask her to start over with a clean slate." At his furrowed brow she explained. "Sorry, ask to start new. I know for a fact she's dieing to know why you're here. And just explain to her what you explained to me. I know Hermione pretty well, and as long as you take the initiative, she'll most likely give you a chance, after she's done being angry. I'd let her cool down and then approach her."
"Why should I wait?"
Jessie smiled. "I believe you've been on the wrong side of Hermione's temper before."
Draco grimaced and rubbed his cheek where Hermione had hit him in third year. "Yeah, I think I'll wait. Should I wait for her to approach me?"
Jessie nodded. "You could, but don't wait too long. Now, why don't we rejoin the party? I'm starving."
Draco nodded and stood up. "Yeah, I want to check on Denise."
Jessie smiled as they walked back through the house. "You've taken a liking to her, haven't you?"
"Yeah, I can't help it. I've gone soft, but she's so cute."
Jessie laughed. "Yep, I only wish I could see her more. So why exactly are you here, instead of spending your summer at home?" They were back outside and walking to the back yard.
Draco grimace. "My mother's having a baby."
"That's great news, or not. What's wrong with that?"
Draco gave her a look. "The poor kid will have Todd as a father. It's just wrong."
Jessica laughed as they walked back through the fence. "Oh, you poor thing. We'll it was nice talking with you. I'm glad you trust me."
"Did I say I trust you?" Draco gave her a look.
She gave him a grin in return. "If you didn't trust me, you wouldn't have confided in me. Now scoot, I have to go see what mood Hermione's in. I swear, you wouldn't think it but she can definitely be a handful."
Draco laughed at the image and went back to the tree where the kids were now playing hide and seek. He looked around for Denise, but she wasn't where he'd left her. Oh well, she was probably just playing the game. Or so he thought.