Disclaimer: I do not support Rowling's views. All Harry Potter characters and the Wizarding World, belong to her.
A/N: Hi! I'm back. I'm gonna keep this part short because there's a new chapter under this so I'll just leave the greeting to the end. I hope you enjoy it!
The rest of the break passed without a hitch as the new relationships kindled amidst the holiday cheer. From Pansy and Tracey being the only couple amongst the fourth-year Slytherins, the addition of Draco and Ophelia, and Theo and Daphne getting together hardly changed the overall group dynamic. An obvious advantage to both new couples being friends before becoming something more.
On the first day of the new term, Ophelia and Draco walked together, hand in hand, to Care of Magical Creatures after History of Magic with the Ravenclaws.
Even wearing thick robes trimmed with fur and warming charms cast, he huddled closer to Ophelia. "How are you not cold?" Draco complained.
Snow was still thick on the grounds. The brisk air picked up, numbing Draco's cheeks.
Ophelia laughed. She pulled his hand into her pocket, trying to satiate his need for warmth. "Every winter you ask me that question in droves. Cas and I grew up in one of the snowiest prefectures of Japan." She glanced down at the snow around them. "This is nothing."
"My biggest gripe is that we can't ski or snowboard down to Hagrid's hut. We are in perfect conditions for it," Blaise called from behind them.
"You could say that again," Theo concurred.
"Oi! Keep it down. If someone heard us, they would think we're Muggle-lovers," Draco warned them.
Pansy turned around to face him. "Nobody else is around Draco. Every single one of us has some kind of Muggle guilty pleasure. It's a wonder how we haven't been exposed or caught by our parents yet."
"That's because none of us are sneaks," Daphne said matter-of-factly.
"And it's going to stay that way," Tracey added.
They reached Hagrid's cabin and were greeted by the tail-end of Potter and Weasley's conversation with an elderly witch.
"I am Professor Grubbly-Plank, your temporary Care of Magical Creatures teacher," said the grey-haired woman.
If it was an ordinary school day, a tantalizing Rita Skeeter article would be the talk of the school, but there was other more interesting news afoot. On Boxing Day, Dumbledore announced that Professor Moody had taken ill, and was thus recovering in St. Mungo's. With Moody still not recovered, Dumbledore addressed the school during breakfast that he would take the mantle as Defence Professor for the time being. Understandably, being taught by Dumbledore himself took precedence over the Daily Prophet. Draco and Ophelia finally had the time to read it during History of Magic. From the confusion of their classmates, it was clear that they hadn't.
"This way, please," said Professor Grubbly-Plank. She strode off towards the woods.
Hanging back to let the other Slytherins follow the Gryffindors and their new professor, Ophelia and Draco walked a few feet behind them.
"You don't suppose it's because of the Skeeter article?" Draco asked.
"Has to be. Do you think Lucius will tell you anything about how the Hogwarts Board is going about this?" Ophelia muttered under her breath.
He grimaced, recalling his last letter from his father. "Probably not, he's been busy with other things," he whispered into Ophelia's ear. "The Death Eaters are having a meeting soon. His mark has been getting darker."
"Putain," Ophelia cursed.
"Couldn't have said it better myself."
Professor Grubbly-Plank led them to a tree on the edge of the forest. Tethered to the tree was a large, beautiful unicorn. It was so radiantly white it made the snow look gray. The unicorn pawed the ground with its golden hooves and threw back its horned head.
Many of the girls, "Ooohed!" at the sight of the unicorn.
Beside him, Ophelia was unfazed by the fabled creature. A slight frown edged the sides of her mouth. "As expected, the great-great-granddaughter of a dragonologist is unimpressed."
"What can I say, I've grown attached to those stupid skrewts. I hope Hagrid is still taking care of them. This weather isn't suited for them."
Draco wasn't certain what was more concerning, Ophelia's affinity for dangerous creatures, or the fact he was mad for the girl who had that talent.
Professor Grubbly-Plank's voice drew him and Ophelia out of their conversation. "Boys keep back!" She threw out an arm and caught Potter from walking further. "They prefer the woman's touch, unicorns. Girls to the front, and approach with care, come on, easy does it."
"That includes me. Can you hold my bag?" Ophelia asked.
He accepted her bag and hung it on his other shoulder. "This feels like a ploy to make me do boyfriend tasks."
She patted him on the cheek. "Mhm, keep telling yourself that. You were practically begging to be my boyfriend," she taunted.
It had been two weeks since they started dating, but every time he heard her say 'my boyfriend,' Draco was reduced to a blubbering mess.
Ophelia followed the other girls forward toward the unicorn. Draco joined the rest of the boys near the paddock fence, watching.
"You're so whipped!" Blaise exclaimed.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Draco tightened his lips to stop himself from smiling. He failed miserably.
The moment Professor Grubbly-Plank was out of earshot, Potter spoke, "What d'you reckons wrong with him? You don't think a skrewt finally got him?"
Since the Yule Ball, Draco made a conscientious effort to be civil with Potter. The boy did serve as the catalyst for him and Ophelia to get together. Following suit, the other fourth-year Slytherins refrained from making the snide remarks they always did around the Gryffindors.
"Hagrid hasn't been attacked, Potter, if that's what you're thinking," Draco said.
Potter scrutinized him, eyes shifting between him, Blaise, and Theo. "What do you mean?"
Draco sifted through Ophelia's bag for her copy of the Prophet. He pulled out the paper and offered it to Potter. "I think it's page three."
Potter took the paper and read it with Weasley, Finnegan, Thomas, and Longbottom looking over his shoulders.
While they were reading Skeeter's exposé on Hagrid, Draco focused on Ophelia.
Although all the girls were clustered around the unicorn, the creature was particularly interested in Ophelia. The unicorn stopped in front of her. She raised a hand, and the unicorn lowered its head to meet its muzzle with her hand. Ophelia complied and began to pet the unicorn as it desired.
As much as Ophelia always tried to hide behind a façade of cool, the broad smile on her face betrayed her. Even with the lack of danger that she craved, Ophelia was enjoying the lesson just as much as the other girls. Watching from afar, Ophelia's wavy black hair and midnight blue robes stood out beside the unicorn and the pearl white snow. Ophelia complained that her hair was uncooperative and more unruly that morning.
Draco was biased, but she was always beautiful to him.
After he finished reading, Potter handed the paper back to Draco. "Um, thanks Malfoy."
He took the Prophet back and gave Potter a terse nod.
The Gryffindor boys drifted away from Draco and the others, most likely to discuss the news that one of their favorite professors was apparently a half-giant. But honestly, was the news surprising? His height and build didn't leave much to the imagination.
Blaise and Theo took a place on either side of Draco.
"You know," Blaise muttered, "this amicable act we've got going on with them is starting to get a little too weird for my taste."
"Because Draco's being nice, or because they may be tolerable when we're not goading them all of the time?" Theo asked.
"It's mostly the latter. But Draco being nice is a weird phenomenon in and of itself," Blaise asserted.
Theo nudged Draco with his shoulder. "And it's all thanks to Lia."
Draco chuckled at Theo's proposition, but he was right. What would he have been like if she hadn't come into his life? It was too dark of a possibility to consider his life without her.
"We have a lot of things to thank her for, don't we?" said Vince.
Draco swiveled around, almost falling in the process. Greg and Vince were standing a few feet away from them. Draco didn't even realize that they were listening to their conversation at all.
Vince continued, "I mean, before Lia came into the picture, we were all friends, but we weren't friends." He nodded his head at Blaise, "You were ostentatious." Vince turned to Theo. "You never lifted your head from your books." He finally set his attention on Draco. "Putting it nicely, you were an attention-seeking git."
Though mildly offended, Draco couldn't deny Vince's accusations. Worse, it was the cold hard truth.
"I won't leave us out of it though," Vince motioned to himself and Greg. "We didn't care about much before Lia. We only cared about Quidditch, food, and making our dads happy. You lot probably didn't even notice, but we've grown to like school. I'm pretty damn good in Defence and Charms. Greg? He might be gifted in Divination, and History and Herbology are his best classes. I reckon he's even better than Lia in Herbology, but we think that's a low bar because almost everyone is better than her in that subject."
Draco laughed under his breath; Vince was correct yet again on that front. One of the only reasons why she was passing the class was that they all helped her. For someone so adept at learning, Ophelia couldn't retain information about plants for the life of her. Ironic since those plant properties were incorporated into Potions, one of her best classes.
"Besides all of that, I just wanted to say that you shouldn't be afraid to rely on us. We aren't the same old Crabbe and Goyle anymore. You're not the only ones who have grown from becoming friends with Lia," Vince concluded.
"And don't leave out Millie too! The seven of you guys have always been closer without us, but we're always here. Whenever you need us," Greg added. Draco was certain the wind wasn't the contributor to Greg's pink-tinted cheeks.
Draco glanced at Blaise and Theo. As expected, there were similar faces of guilt that expressed what he was currently feeling. They indeed had neglected their friendships with the other three Slytherins in their year. While their time at Hogwarts progressed, their dynamics surpassed simple childhood friends, as expected from living together and seeing each other every single day. Daphne and Ophelia became inseparable when she wasn't with Draco or Cassius. Tracey and Pansy realized their feelings for one other, thus leaving Millie out of their previous trio. And the more sympathetic and open-minded Draco became, the less he relied on Vince and Greg as lackeys, instead turning to Theo and Blaise for genuine friendship.
There was no excuse. None at all. But maybe it wasn't too late to rectify their mistakes.
Draco didn't need to confer with his best mates to know what to do next. He paced toward Vince and Greg, wrapping an arm around either boy and pulling them into his sides. "Now, what is this about you being a Seer, Greg?"
"Well, it all started when we had to read our tea leaves last year for Divination," Greg began.
He felt them relax underneath his touch. Draco had known Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle for nearly 15 years, and he had never seen them this at ease with him.
For the first time in 15 years, Draco began to truly consider Vince and Greg as friends.
23 January 1995
Two weeks came and went with Professors Dumbledore and Grubbly-Plank still in their interim positions with much success. According to the seventh years across all the houses, he was the harshest grader out of any Defence professors at Hogwarts they had, and the work Dumbledore demanded from them reflected that. Despite that, everyone, even the most defiant Slytherins, had to admit that Albus Dumbledore was an exceptional teacher. So much so, that Dumbledore allowed the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students to sit in on lessons if they wanted to.
Amongst the monotony of classes, Ophelia took Draco by surprise one Saturday morning during breakfast.
"Let's go on a date today."
Draco spat out his water, spraying the person across from him in the process.
"Ugh, Draco, you're disgusting!" Pansy exclaimed. She dried her face dry with a napkin while the others, excluding Draco, laughed at her misery. Pansy herself cracked a smile at Draco's overreaction.
Draco let out a strangled sorry. It was considerably muffled by labored coughs as he recollected himself.
Ophelia shook her head in pretend disappointment, pushing the situation further. She would never get tired of teasing Draco. It was childish of her, she knew that. But there was something about the way she was able to make him flustered with just a few words. It was addicting. "I didn't think you would be so repulsed by the idea of us on a date."
"NO! I mean…no, of course not," he blurted.
"Good." Ophelia leaned over for just him to hear. "Your day is all mine then."
Before Draco could even respond, she pulled away and swiftly kissed his cheek. "Dress comfortable. We'll meet in the courtyard in two hours!"
Ophelia left the Great Hall alone. Instead of heading down to the dungeons, she turned left towards the kitchen. When it was announced that a Hogsmeade weekend was to occur near the end of January, she devised a plan for their first date as a couple. Upon further examination, Ophelia realized that she couldn't just have an ordinary date with him. Not when they practically had extraordinary unofficial dates every Hogsmeade weekend last year. Spending those Sunday afternoons sneaking to London was something she had to one up.
She entered the kitchen. Ophelia was greeted by the aroma of browned butter. The subtle nutty yet sweet scent enveloped the entire room. Trays of croissants and fresh bread lined tables, it was practically a boulangerie.
"Miss Ophelia!" Dobby exclaimed. He bound towards her with both hands and head balancing trays of ingredients. "I haves the ingredients Miss requested!"
Ophelia pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh at the sight of Dobby. "Thank you." She took the tray that sat atop Dobby's head and laid it on a clear countertop away from the other house-elves. "I know you might be busy, but do you have the time to help me make some things?"
She could easily make the menu she had planned for their date alone, but Ophelia knew how much Draco missed Dobby's cooking. Memories of her, Draco, and Cassius in the Malfoy kitchen with Dobby and the other Malfoy house-elves brought a smile to her face. It had been a while since she had a meal that reminded her of home.
Dobby's usually glassy eyes became mistier at her words. "Dobby would love to!"
In the limited time that she had, Ophelia and Dobby prepared pizza dough for Dobby's pizza that was even Blaise Zabini approved, as well as an assortment of desserts that she and Draco both liked, chocolate chip cookies, vanilla scones, and lemon madeleines. Looking at the food before her, Ophelia couldn't imagine what it was like to cook without magic. She shuddered at the thought.
"Okay. One last favor, Dobby. Can you have something like this ready by six?" She handed a small sketch of the idea she had for their dinner plans. "I know it's a lot but—"
Dobby looked at the photo she handed to him. He stared up at her with a toothy smile. "Mister Draco is lucky to have you, Miss!"
Oh, Dobby, you're wrong.
They were both lucky. She needed Draco just as much as he needed her. While Ophelia brought him down to Earth, away from the high and mighty narcissist that he once was, he helped her be free. Since they began dating, Ophelia hadn't been more at ease in her entire life.
They were just Draco and Ophelia when they were together, that was more than enough.
She rummaged in her robe pocket and took out a galleon for Dobby. "For you! For everything you're doing for us today."
Dobby waved his hands in front of him, denying her offer. "I couldn't, Miss! You and Miss Daphne and Miss Pansy and the others have given me so much already in the past," he whispered.
Ophelia took one of his hands and placed the galleon in his palm. "Please, you deserve it," Ophelia smiled. "This isn't a part of your Hogwarts job. It's a job I have asked of you. This is the least we can do when you help us."
He closed his hand around the coin. "Thank you, Miss Ophelia."
"You're welcome, Dobby. Maybe you can go buy yourself a hat. You always said that your ears get cold during the winters."
His eyes lit up at the thought.
"I'll leave you to it, Dobby!" she hollered.
Her time to meet Draco quickly approaching, Ophelia rushed back to the dorms. She changed out of her current clothes to a monochromatic outfit, a cream knit dress with long sleeves, tan winter robes, and cream sock boots.
Coming out of the bathroom, Ophelia jumped at the sight of Daphne staring her down.
She put a hand to her heart. "Daph! I thought I was alone in here."
Daphne laughed and fell back into her bed. "Sorry! I was reading and fell asleep. I heard someone in the bathroom and wanted to scare whoever it was. Also," Daphne looked Ophelia up and down, "very cute! The boots are adorable."
"Thanks, they're yours."
"Ah, that's why you asked to borrow them."
"You do have the best shoes," Ophelia reasoned.
Daphne nodded sagely. "I do have good taste."
Ophelia slung her bag over her shoulder. "Are you doing anything today? You're usually excited for Hogsmeade weekends."
"No! I started my period after breakfast," Daphne groaned. "And we ran out of potions for cramps."
"Nobody else in the hall has any?"
"They're stingy bitches, Lia. One of the year six girls were charging one potion for five galleons! It costs 15 sickles to make a batch of 12 potions. 12! I asked Astoria to owl Mother to send some from home. Hopefully, it'll come in tonight."
"I can go buy some for you at Pippin's?"
Daphne waved a hand. "Don't worry about me, Lia. You have your first date with Draco."
"Yeah, but—"
"Nope, I'm not listeningggg. Loverboy is waiting for you," she wiggled her eyebrows.
Persistent as always. "Fine! I will get you some Sugar Quills for our post-date catch-up."
"Pumpkin flavor?"
Ophelia cocked an eyebrow. "Who do you think I am?"
"My favorite Slytherin female," Daphne teased. "Oh, can you also get Chocolate Wands?"
"Of course, variety pack?" Ophelia asked out of courtesy. She knew Daphne's usual Honeydukes order just as Daphne knew hers.
"Always. Thanks, you're the best!"
She blew Daphne a kiss and headed back upstairs. As soon as she reached ground level, Ophelia heard the pitter-patter of rain echoing throughout the entrance hall.
Cursing, Ophelia was about to turn around to the dungeons to retrieve an umbrella. However, through the open doors of the castle, she found Draco standing at the bottom of the stairs, already holding one over his head. The dreary sky seized to be a threat; the thought of sharing an umbrella was utterly romantic.
Ophelia sauntered over to him, giving him a once over. The corners of his lips pulled up into a cocky smirk that she wanted to kiss away. His dark gray winter robes brought out how his eyes were like molten silver, shining brightly for only her. Under his robes, she caught sight of a black pinstripe button-up with a white turtleneck tucked into black slacks and a brown belt. She wasn't sure if it was just her, but he grew more attractive each day.
He moved his umbrella, so it covered both of them. "I was starting to think you weren't going to show," Draco drawled.
"I thought about ditching, but then I realized you would've been waiting for me all day."
He rolled his eyes. "And what makes you think that?"
"Because you lose all reason when you see my gorgeous face."
"Keep telling yourself that, darling."
Despite his denial, he offered an arm, allowing her to thread an arm through his, and begin their walk to Hogsmeade.
She gave him a faux menacing look. "I was going to say that you look nice, but I guess I won't."
"Have I mentioned how lovely you look?" Draco replied with haste.
"Aha, now you're trying to fish for compliments, Malfoy! Quite rakish of you," she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "and dare I say, it might be working."
Draco laughed. The vibration reverberated through Ophelia, warming her from her heart to the rest of her being. She continued, "You do look very handsome, Dra, honestly."
"And I do lose reason when I see your beautiful face, honestly."
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "I am beautiful, aren't I?"
He tickled her side, a fast giggle leaving her lips. "Okay, okay, I'll stop, Dra!"
Draco stopped his torment, but his steadfast smirk stayed on his face. "And I'm the one fishing for compliments. So, what have you planned for us today?"
"Well, I was thinking Three Broomsticks to start."
"No Madam Puddifoot's then?" he teased.
She laughed at the idea, recalling her previous dates in the past to the gaudy monstrosity that was Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. "Too saccharine for my taste."
"Aw. It was just last year that you were raving about how much you loved that place."
"That was only the first time! My opinion quickly changed by the third visit. You kinda feel like you're in a dollhouse."
While the Three Broomsticks was rustic and homely, Madam Puddifoot's felt too manufactured, rose-tinted even. It was hard to enjoy your time in a place that felt more like a glass castle than anything else.
Draco grimaced. "Noted," his frown turned quickly to a smile. "Well, I'm excited for a Treacle Tart then."
"Spoken like a true Englishman," she said with a grin. Ophelia was certain that Draco's sweet tooth surpassed many. It was a wonder how he was able to have an appetite for dessert after every meal without fail.
Upon entering the pub, it wasn't to their surprise that the pub was as crowded as ever, yet there was a comfort to the chaos, an indication of the outside world beyond Hogwarts. However, that chaos was amplified by a shouting match between Rita Skeeter and Harry Potter himself.
"Our readers have a right to the truth, Harry. I am merely doing my—"
"Who cares if he's half-giant?" Harry shouted. "There's nothing wrong with him!"
Ophelia and Draco exchanged knowing looks, the article. Harry had been fuming about it occasionally, during the past few weeks and an ugly confrontation was bound to happen if Skeeter happened upon Harry's warpath.
The whole pub had gone very quiet. Of course, they of all people had the terrible timing to encounter this on their date. Was it selfish of her to feel that way for even a second? Certainly.
Did she care? Not really. But there was a way for Ophelia to remedy the situation to satisfy Skeeter's love for drama if it was necessary.
Rita Skeeter's smile flickered for a moment, but her exuberant mask adorned her face once again in an instant. She snapped open her bag and pulled out her sinister green quill. "How about giving me an interview about the Hagrid you know, Harry? The man beyond the castle, working the Hogwarts grounds. Your unlikely friendship and its origins. Would you so much as to identify him as a father substitute?"
Hermione stood up very abruptly, her butterbeer clutched in her hand as if she was to chuck it at Skeeter's head any second. "You horrible woman," she said, through gritted teeth, "you don't care, do you? Anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Ludo Bagman—"
"Sit down, you silly little girl. Don't talk about things you don't understand," said Skeeter, her eyes hardened as they fell on Hermione.
That's it.
"Ms. Skeeter, I didn't know you would be in Hogsmeade this weekend!" Ophelia exclaimed with practiced joy.
Most people, including Skeeter, shifted their attention to Ophelia. Skeeter's eyes glittered with delight at the sight of Draco's arm draped around Ophelia's shoulders, the picture of sophistication. Thoughts of Gryffindors were long forgotten.
"Ophelia Warrington and Draco Malfoy, what a surprise indeed," Skeeter gushed.
"Would you like to join us for lunch? It has been a while since we've last spoken and we have a lot to catch up on," Ophelia said.
Ophelia gave Draco a coy look, playing exactly into Skeeter's tabloid-loving hands. On the outside, they were a young couple infatuated with one another. But to them, there was a disappointment that they had to bury deep down, hidden behind their family names. Almost everyone benefited from Skeeter not writing another incriminating article about Hagrid. Instead offering her and Draco's relationship as fodder to Skeeter's cannon.
As Ophelia learned from Kohachi and her parents, it was better to control what was known about you. The more you can control, the more you can manipulate a situation to one's benefit.
Looking into Draco's understanding eyes, she knew that he understood her intentions. He squeezed her shoulder, bringing her back out of her mind. Only someone like him was capable of keeping up with her.
It only made her fall more.
"Oh! I would love to," Skeeter cooed.
Just like that, order was restored to the Three Broomsticks. Ophelia's ability to command a room was equally admirable and terrifying. Even she feared it at times.
Passing by them to leave the pub, Hermione, Harry, and Ron exchanged glances with her and Draco. Before exiting through the door, Harry uttered, "Thanks."
She refrained from looking back to Harry, but Draco's attention followed them out the door. She snickered under her breath. It was still a marvel that Draco and Harry were in this awkward state of respect for one another. Maybe they could hold up a real conversation one day.
"Ms. Skeeter, would you fancy a butterbeer?" Ophelia asked.
Skeeter broke into a grin. "Why yes, thank you, dear. And please, call me Rita."
After almost four hours of talking, or better yet interrogated by Rita Skeeter, Draco and Ophelia managed to escape her clutches after she was pleased by the information they were willing to divulge to her. They made a quick stop at Honeydukes for Daphne's sweets, then headed for their favorite store in Hogsmeade.
Perusing the shelves of Tomes and Scrolls, Ophelia ran her hands across the spines of books. When a title seemed interesting to her, she pulled the book out, read the description, then placed it back where it belonged. It was mesmerizing to Draco. He could observe her for hours and he wouldn't tire of it.
"Nothing of interest yet?" he asked.
She frowned. "No."
Ophelia poked her head into the aisle, making sure they were the only people there other than the shopkeeper, Clement Maddox. "You would think with all of the absurd things that exist in our world, there would be better fiction books, but the Muggles have us beat in that department," she said, pushing a book back into a shelve with a dull thud and leaned her back against the bookcase.
He laughed, amused by her growing agitation. "You're right." Draco leaned over her, his front barely grazing her, reaching for a book on a higher shelf. "See?" he showed the book to her, "Yet another history book, how droll."
Her cheeks flushed at their proximity, eyes shifting between him and the book in his hand.
Draco smiled. "Tsk, tsk. If only you had one of your trusty cameras, love. A picture lasts longer."
She gently shoved him away, only making him laugh once again.
"God, Dra, you're the worst!"
"Sorry! It's just that you look so cute," he looked her up and down, "all flustered like this."
Ophelia cocked an eyebrow, a playful glint appearing in her eyes. "Oh really? Two can play at that game."
Oh no. Was it just him, or was the shop hotter than it was before? The palms of his hands quickly developed a sheen of sweat.
"Just kidding!"
She took the book out of his hand and returned it to its home. Ophelia gently patted his cheek before walking away from him, heading towards the front of the shop.
He took a stabilizing breath, then followed her. She was going to give him a heart attack one day.
From where he was, Draco heard Clement Maddox ask her, "Nothing today, Ophelia?"
"Not today, Clem. But you know what, can I put in a request for the new Cleo Khan book? I think it's coming out next month."
He sidled up beside her and she instinctively held his hand, a habit she had grown to develop over the past month. Draco swore his heart skipped a beat every time. "Make that two copies, please. Oh! And Celestial Bodies by Sophie Powell. You were saying that you've been wanting to get it, right, Draco?"
The portly old man smiled as his eyes shifted between Ophelia and Draco, then back. Draco was torn between feeling embarrassed by the shopkeep that reminded him of his own grandfather or touched that Ophelia remembered a one-off comment he made two weeks ago. Opting for the safe choice, Draco nodded his head as a reply.
"Not a problem at all for some of my best customers!" Clement cheered. "I'll have those ready come next Hogsmeade weekend. Now, you two better head on back, it's getting dark out there."
Draco looked outside; the late afternoon sun was finally out, peeking through the passing rain clouds.
"And do tell your brother, good luck. I'm not one to bet money," Clement lowered his voice even though the three of them were the only ones in the store, "but he's favored around these parts."
Ophelia only giggled his comment off. "I'll definitely let him know! Thank you again, Clem."
"Have a good evening, Mr. Maddox," Draco said.
A hearty laugh boomed out of Clement. "How many times do I have to remind you that Clem is just fine, son?"
Draco felt his cheeks warm. "Sorry, sir, a force of habit."
Clement waved them off. "Quite alright. See you next month!"
Once they were an adequate distance from the store, Ophelia burst into laughter.
Draco groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I know! You would think after years of learning, I would at least be half as good as you and Cas are at small talk and pleasantries."
She wiped away a rogue tear. "You're probably just worn out. You were splendid with Skeeter earlier. By the way, I'm so sorry that we even had to do that in the first place."
He pulled her close to him, her worry washing away at his touch. "Almost anything is worth suffering through if I get to do it with you. You know that just spending time together like this is good enough for me."
"Almost anything?" she questioned.
A soft smile graced her face. The warm orange sunlight brought out the honey-colored eyes that Draco loved with his entire being. How was it possible for one thing, one look, to bring him so much joy? Basking in the sun's light and hers, he couldn't ask for anything else.
Draco only smirked. "Well, it depends. I would sit in a tub full of snakes, but I certainly draw the line at listening to Cas perform the entirety of The Phantom of the Opera as a one-man show with you on the synth."
"Hey! We were nine, Cas was eleven and we had just seen it on the West End."
He snorted, recalling their childhood. That performance happened more than once. In fact, the last Warrington Phantom was during the Easter holiday of their third year. And that didn't even count the other musicals or movie renditions they had recorded on one of Ophelia's camcorders.
"Come on, I still have plenty of things in store for today," Ophelia declared in an attempt to change the subject.
"Really? Because I have a surprise for you too."
When Ophelia proposed that she wanted to go on a date that morning, little did she know that he had planned something for the two of them as well.
She scrutinized him with a skeptical look. It was more adorable than menacing to him. "Do elaborate, Malfoy."
"It's not much of a surprise if I tell you, is it? I thought you loved surprises?"
"Gah, you're right. But I'm pretty sure my surprise is going to be better. Just saying," Ophelia said.
"Competitive as always, I see. Would you like to make a wager, then?"
His mouth quirked when he realized the twinkle in her eyes. Their bets against each other always carried more weight than any other bet he made with others.
"Whoever has the better surprise…" she trailed off.
"Gets to plan the next date," he finished for her.
She nodded. "Perfect. I hope you're ready to lose, though."
"Hmm, keep telling yourself that, love."
There was no doubt in his mind that he was going to lose.
All Ophelia wanted to do was wipe the smug look Draco had on his face the entire time they walked through the castle to their last stop of the night. With everyone else either still in Hogsmeade or downstairs for dinner, they didn't encounter anyone during their ascent. She was going to show him that his early celebration was for naught.
That was until they reached the top of the astronomy tower. Ophelia's breath was taken away.
She wasn't shocked to see the picnic that she asked Dobby to prepare for. The house-elf did a wonderful job of arranging the food they had prepared that morning, in addition to the plush blankets and pillows she envisioned. No, it was the dozens of paper lanterns that hung across the tower rafters. The soft light emitting from them cast a warm glow in the usually dark tower. It reminded her of the festivals they would attend back in Japan.
"Dra, this is amazing. How?"
She finally tore her eyes away from the lights to look at him. Her heart swelled at the sight. Ophelia knew in her heart of hearts that his eyes never left her. How was it possible to care so much for someone like this? She never realized how deep her feelings for Draco ran until now. Ophelia believed that she guarded her heart with an impenetrable shield, but it was clear that it was bare for him and him alone.
Was this love?
Wait a minute. Love…?
She put a stopper to that train of thought, now was not the time to go down that rabbit hole.
Ophelia focused on the white blond boy in front of her, the broadest smile pulling at his lips. She could tell that he was filled to the brim with triumph and satisfaction.
"Fine, you cheeky bastard, you win."
Draco took her hand and led her to the clearing, taking a seat across from one another.
"I asked Cas to reach out to Goldey. She helped me come up with this," he gestured above them. Then he reached behind him, revealing a parcel wrapped and tied with cloth. "And she made this."
It wasn't just a normal parcel; it was wrapped in a furoshiki.
She gasped. "No!"
He nodded, offering the bento box to her. "All of your favorites. But it seems like we're like-minded," Draco laughed.
In front of them was a pizza box that had a poorly drawn illustration that she assumed was supposed to be Dobby's face. The box was labeled with Dobby's Delights written above his head.
Ophelia snorted. "To be honest, it's a wonderful business idea. He'd have people lining out the door with this stuff. And he's already thinking about marketing and packaging."
"He always did have a talent for cooking, didn't he?"
Draco ate a bite of pizza, and a sheepish grin appeared, savoring the nostalgic taste. "How did you manage this? I mean, we haven't seen Dobby since Potter freed him."
She unwrapped the bento box, delighted to see some of her all-time favorite Japanese dishes inside. She swiftly took a quick bite of a strawberry.
"Au contraire, you haven't seen Dobby since Potter freed him. He started working in the kitchens a few months ago. If you ever went on food runs with us, you would've known. And what's the fun of just telling you, 'Hey! You wanna see Dobby right now? Yeah, your old best friend slash house-elf, that Dobby.' See, that definitely doesn't have the same impact as surprising you with a pizza."
"Ah, that does explain the absurd amount of food you guys always come back with."
"Ooo, now this has an interesting story."
Draco raised a brow. "Do tell."
Ophelia washed her food down with some water. "It turns out, the other house-elves working in the castle don't exactly like Dobby because he's a freed elf and is being paid."
"He's always wanted to be free. And it's only fair that he be compensated for his work! They shouldn't shame him for that, it's not like he's plotting to free them all," Draco said, jumping to Dobby's defense.
Every time Draco showed this changed demeanor, Ophelia couldn't help but compare him to his younger self. So different but still him.
"Well, the house-elves found out that Dobby has been helping me, Cas, Daphne, Pansy, and Theo. Even you indirectly," she motioned to the food. "Now they have a newfound respect for Dobby going out of his way to 'serve' us since we're affluential and from old, rich wizarding families. Supposedly they really care about that. So, to them, he's still helping his old masters even after being freed. Even when we go down to the kitchens and Dobby's not there, the on-duty house-elves provide for us. It's all rather twisted."
Draco's eyes bugged. "What the fuck. That's so messed up."
She agreed. But what could they do? You can't change the minds of an entire species, can you? At least to her current knowledge. "I'm glad that he's at least having a better time. A few house-elves helped us earlier. Too bad they don't know that we've been slipping Dobby some sickles or galleons for helping us," Ophelia winked, then happily dug into her gyudon.
Draco suddenly snapped his finger. "That's it!"
Ophelia tilted her head. "What?"
"Dobby should open his own store. I mean, we've had food from all over the world, and to be fair, he's quite on par with some of the best we've ever had. Then he doesn't have to work this subpar job at Hogwarts. Of course, it would be hard to gain traction since people would have to set aside their bias but honestly, they'll shut the fuck up when they have his food—"
She reached over and gently held his face, her hands against his cheeks. "Dra?"
"Yes," he mumbled.
"It's a wonderful idea," she said with a grin.
"Really?"
"A thousand percent. I can already imagine a storefront with this logo plastered on it," she tapped the top of the pizza box. "Though it can be a little more refined."
He snickered. "I think it adds to the authentic image. Very rustic."
Ophelia raised her brows. "You're quite the businessman, Malfoy. I think you have a future ahead of you."
Draco tried to throw a scone at her head, but she caught it with ease. "I really should take your Seeker position. You do know that my brother is going to be Captain next year…agha, stop!" she laughed.
He had tackled her to a smothering hug while attacking her with tickles and kisses.
"Stop trying to steal my job!" he said between laughs.
She propped herself onto her elbow to look at him. "You're right. You want to keep Harry Potter all to yourself," Ophelia conceded. "I should've known that both of you were using me to get close to each other."
"Merlin, Lia!"
"No, my name is Ophelia Warrington, darling, you know that," she said with fake concern.
Her statement left Draco in between a state of annoyance and amusement, a feat only she was able to achieve.
Draco plucked a tempura shrimp from her bento.
"Hey!" Ophelia exclaimed.
He offered a pizza slice to her.
She rolled her eyes, accepting the food, nonetheless. It was still too soon to address the Potter-Malfoy truce.
"So, are you free tomorrow?" he asked nonchalantly.
Draco's ideas usually fell into one of two camps, fun or terrible. More often than not it was the latter rather than the former. "Dare I say, are you asking me on a date?"
"It depends if you can make it possible."
Ophelia had a hunch that this idea was going to be the former.
"I have quite a good track record of making the impossible possible," she boasted.
His eyes glinted. "That's what I'm riding on. Do you want to see The Phantom of the Opera matinee tomorrow?"
Definitely the former.
Ophelia suppressed a smile. "I think that can be arranged."
Furoshiki: traditional Japanese wrapping cloths used to wrap/transport items
Gyudon: Japanese beef rice bowl
A/N: Hello again! I just wanted to thank y'all for still supporting this fic! I read every comment and keep track of the interaction with this fic and boy was it the biggest writer's block ever. But it was so encouraging to see people still coming back to see if I've uploaded a new chapter. So those still here, you inspire me *wipes eyes with a tissue*
I hope this chapter brought you joy because I had such a fun time writing it.
Um, I have a lot in store with the next chapter. Did someone say Cassius POV? Second task shenanigans? Draco POV? Because y'all are in for a treat. See you in the next one!
Fav, review, you know what to do. Have a wonderful day!
mel xx
Contains content from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Chapter 24: Rita Skeeter's Scoop