A/N: Just want to say ty to roni, mermaidgirl and darkestangel for replying, again :) I was wondering that since I updated chapter 2 so late if anyone would still follow my story and I'm glad to see you guys did.
Yes, Nico is a hellion. Blaise is hilarious. Draco is a confused git and Aurora..well, she's unique.
I'm truly surprised with the amount of hits my fic has gotten so far, and the alerts too, but a bit disappointed that hardly anyone has reviewed. No worries though, I'm not complaining just shocked really.
I put some pics up so if you want to see what Aurora looks like or other things I made add throughout the story, check here :
http: / www. flickr .com/photos/ lilystorm20/ sets/ just remove the spaces in btwn :)
"Tibby!"
A small crack sounded and a tiny elf appeared bowing. "Yes Master?"
Draco adjusted his top and looked in the mirror at the elf.
"Where's Aurora?"
"The young Miss is out in the garden, Sir. With Bally, Sir," the tiny elf answered. Tibby was clad in a ratty old dish rag that he wrung nervously in his hands. He looked up at his master, Draco, with expectant eyes.
"Does Master need Tibby to do anything, Sir?"
Draco crouched down and adjusted his shoes before standing back up to his full height and smoothing out his slacks.
"I'm taking Aurora out, I need you to lay out some appropriate clothes for her to wear."
The elf disappeared and Draco sighed before walking out his own bedroom to the garden. He looked around before spotting the young girl sitting on the grass by a patch of flowers. Daffodils to be exact. Her stuffed monkey was tucked under her arm and Bally stood next to her. It seemed Bally was informing the young girl of the properties a Daffodil had and she listened to the elf's every word.
It was a sunny day today and the sky was cloudless. The sun shined down brightly and glittered across the backyard like a golden veil.
"Why are the yellow?" She asked softly.
"Me doesn't know Miss. They just is," Bally told her.
"They're pretty. My mommy put tulips in our garden. Well, we used to have them."
Aurora picked a flower from the patch and tucked it behind Bally's ear before plucking another and placing it in her hair.
"Now we're both pretty." She giggled.
Bally nervously fingered the flower and gave a watery smile. "Miss is most nice to Bally."
Aurora giggled again and grabbed the elf's hand before leading them along the garden path.
Draco watched their exchange silently and felt angry inside. She had spoken more to the elf in those few minutes than they had together this entire month. Draco pursed his lips and took a few steps towards them before clearing his throat to announce his presence.
Bally jumped a foot in the air before turning around and bowing so low her nose grazed the tips of the grass blades.
"M-master. Master is home early, sir," the elf stammered.
He nodded curtly and looked at Aurora who clutched her stuffed monkey closer to her chest. She didn't say anything, just stared at him with her big grey eyes.
What should he say? It completely baffled Draco how a six year old unnerved him and rendered him speechless. He supposed he should go for nice and casual.
"Er, hello."
A moment passed where no one said anything. Awkward.
Draco looked at Aurora and swallowed nervously.
"No work today?" She asked, breaking the silence. Well, he should be at work, he thought dryly.
"Early day. I thought we could go into Diagon Alley."
Her eyes perked up. "Toys? We get more toys today?"
"Er – I was thinking ice cream instead?" It came out more like a question, as if asking her if an ice cream parlor was ok.
"Ice cream is yummy," she smiled at him.
"Bally, take Aurora upstairs to get dressed please. We'll be leaving in 15 minutes," he instructed.
"Yes, Sir."
Bally grabbed the young Misses hand and led her out of the garden and back into the Manor.
Draco took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his jaw while staring up into the sky. If he was seeking answers in the sky, he found no solution. He thought he could solve any problem that came his way, but this – this was no easy fix. Sighing again, he trudged back inside to wait.
20 minutes passed before Bally and Aurora stood before him in the library.
Draco placed the Daily Prophet down on the table. The paper was a load of rubbish, they rarely ran any decent articles nowadays. Though, what was there to write about? Everything had calmed down significantly over the last several years.
"Master has brought the young Miss Sir."
"Thank you Bally."
And with that the elf disappeared. Draco looked Aurora over to make sure she didn't look ridiculous. He had thrown out those horrid rainbow tights she had. They were ghastly and it wasn't like she was going out in public with him in those.
Aurora had on a navy blue collared dress that was trimmed with a beige, red, and blue pattern. It was one of the many new garments he purchased for her (he couldn't bear to see her dressed like someone who threw up a rainbow). She wore simple red trainers to match and the Malfoy family crest bracelet.
She actually looked really adorable, Draco noted. If only she didn't have the huge orange sparkly puff balls in her hair that held up her pigtails but it wasn't a big deal.
It could've been worse. Whatever, he thought. "Ready?"
When she nodded he walked out of the room and held the front door open for her. She was still clutching the tattered monkey under her arm. When Draco tried to take it away from her one day she absolutely refused so he left it alone. She wouldn't let the thing out of her sight, not even to let the house elves wash it.
They walked in silence across the front yard to the apparition point. He turned to pick her up so they could apparate.
Draco could've held her hand, but she was so tiny compared to him. He was afraid of it going bonkers with her being a child and splinching her or losing her. It was safer, he decided, if he held her. That way he knew they would arrive in one piece and safely at that.
"Ok. 1..2..3." And suddenly he felt the uneasy hook pulling him by the belly button before they landed back on the ground.
He set Aurora down on the ground and smoothed his clothes out, probably more than was necessary.
"My flower!" He heard her whine.
Draco looked down and noticed her delicately holding a crumpled up flower in her hand as if it was treasured gold. "It smooshed."
It must've gotten squashed from him carrying her and apparating.
"Stop whining," he chastised her.
She held the pathetic little flower up to him by its stem; it hung limply with wilted petals. Her large eyes looked at in – agony, he guessed as tears started to brim the edges.
It was only a flower but she looked so sad.
Draco rolled his eyes and pulled out his wand. He grabbed her hand in his and muttered something undecipherable with a swish of his wand. Draco let go and watched her entire face light up like a kid on Christmas morning.
"You saved it!" She exclaimed. "You made my flower pretty again."
Aurora tucked to newly fixed flower behind her ear and gave him a huge smile. Kids were so easily impressed, he smirked. Fix a flower and they think you're oh so amazing.
"Come," he said. He began walking and turned to make sure she was walking right next to him.
The last thing he needed was for her to get lost. Several times he looked down to make sure she was right beside him. He slowed down his pace so she could keep up but even still she was awfully slow.
Every time they passed a shop she would stop and gawk at the display window and he would have to call her name to get her attention back. Soon Fortescue's came into view and they crossed the street where he saw Blaise and his son Nico seated outside under one of the umbrella covered tables.
"Draco!" Blaise grinned when he saw him come into view. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
The two exchange a type of bro-shake. One of those unique handshakes that only men do.
"I finally get to meet the pipsqueak who set Nico ablaze," he laughed.
"Blaise – " Draco warned.
Aurora watched with a skeptical eye. She noticed the little boy at the table and glared at him from behind Draco where she sought refuge. The handsome dark-skinned man knelt before her with a lighthearted happiness.
"Hello love," he said. "What's your name?"
He held his hand out and she timidly grasped two of his fingers before shaking it.
"Aurora Mo- um, Malfoy, Sir." she responded timidly hiding her face into her stuffed monkey.
"Nice to meet you Aurora. Such a pretty name for a pretty girl like yourself."
Aurora smiled slightly and her cheeks reddened.
"I was named after a princess."
"A princess? Well you sure are a cutie pie like a princess," he smiled widely. "My name's Blaise. Me and this one -he pointed to Draco- go way back."
"Nice to meet you," she answered politely.
Blaise stood up and clapped Draco on the back. "Wow mate, she's got some good manners."
Draco lifted his chin in the air. "Of course she does," he scoffed. "She is a Malfoy after all."
Part of him felt proud to hear Blaise compliment his daughter. She was incredibly polite and mannerly. The few times they ate a meal together he noticed how impeccable her etiquette was. To say he was impressed was an understatement but all the same he felt a sense of pride knowing she wasn't some type of savage. She'd be going to Miss Cockledank's Junior Etiquette School if she was, he thought.
"Whatever man, you guys ready to get some ice cream?" Blaise asked the kids.
Draco noticed Aurora standing behind him while peeking around to peer at the other boy who looked intently back at her.
"Come on let's go inside," he muttered to her.
He went to open the shop door before he felt a tiny hand grasp his. Draco gasped in surprise. She had never held his hand on her own accord. He looked and noticed her glaring daggers at the young boy's back.
He knew this was a bad idea. He knew it, he knew it, he fucking knew it. Draco squeezed her hand in slight reassurance and waited until it was their turn to order.
Back outside, Draco and Aurora sat across from Blaise and Nico licking their ice cream cones.
"You eat like a girl."
Aurora paused to look at the boy in front of her and went back to eating her icey.
"You even lick like a girl," the little boy said.
"And you sound like an overgrown fat pig when you eat," she glared.
"Do not."
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Do too. You even look sloppy, you got ice cream all over you." She pointed while scrunching up her nose and taking a napkin to wipe away the melting ice cream that started to drip onto her fingers.
The exchange continued unbeknownst to the adults who were wrapped up in their own discussion.
"She's a doll mate."
Draco nodded in agreement as he scooped a bit of ice cream onto his spoon. "I suppose."
"You've got to loosen up a bit. Smile a bit."
"I'm here aren't I?" He glared. "Anyways, what's up with you and the Missus? Still trying for that other baby?"
"We want another, but we're not pressed. Besides, Nico is enough for now," he shrugged.
"Where is she anyways? I haven't seen her around in awhile."
Blaise chuckled at this. "She went over to Lithuania. Some type of discovery she said. A plant that is said to ward of frisbly somethings. You know how she is."
Draco shook his head and tried to contain his laughter. "Yeah we all know, mate. I still can't believe you married that loo – " He was cut off by a pointed look by Blaise and he bit his lip to refrain from laughing some more.
Suddenly Nico shouted and they both snapped their heads to look at the kids.
"I'm covered in pink!"
Aurora was standing on her tip toes with an empty cone in her hand.
"Leave. Me. Alone!"
Draco stood up faster than lightning and grabbed her shoulder to turn her around.
"Why the bloody hell did you do that?" He demanded. Aurora furrowed her brow and and crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Nico, what did I tell you earlier? I told you to leave her alone," Blaise told his son while shaking his head.
Nico frowned as Blaise waved his wand and cleared the pink mess off his shirt, but he was still sticky.
"She -he pointed to her- called me a pig," he told his father angrily.
Aurora narrowed her eyes at him. "I said you sounded like a pig," she pointed out.
"Nuh uh!"
"Yeah huh," she said calmly.
Too calm in fact.
"You don't throw food on someone. It's rude and unacceptable. You apologize to Nico right now."
Draco crossed his arms and stared at her severely.
He couldn't believe this. It had only been an hour at best, and these two had managed to cause trouble already. They didn't even know each other. Didn't all kids just get along nicely? Well no they didn't. Draco remembered that he used to pick on other kids and wreck havoc himself.
"Right. Now." He glared at her when she didn't move.
Grudgingly, she muttered a "sorry" to Nico who looked like he wanted to throttle her.
"Sorry for what?" Nico stared smugly at her, proud for getting her in trouble. He would milk it for all it was worth. He couldn't let some girl get the best of him.
"Sorry that I didn't knee you where it hurts," she retorted, her head held high.
Nico's eyes widened as he shifted uncomfortably. Draco gaped at her. Did she really just say that?
"Wh- why, how..," he sputtered.
Blaise coughed and stared at the young girl stunned.
He knew she was a whirlwind from what Pansy had told him when she replayed the events of that fateful day a few weeks ago, but meeting her in person he realized he was right. Before they arrived at Fortescue's, he told his son to be on his best behavior and that it was probably best if he not cross her. Well, he was right but his son obviously didn't want to listen.
Nico seemed to recover faster than the adults. Embarrassment turned to anger as he balled his fist at his sides.
"You wouldn't dare touch me," he spat.
"Knock it off Nico," Blaise barked. "You know better than to speak to a lady that way, especially her. What did I tell you on our way here?"
Aurora stared at him neutrally. Her face showing no emotion.
"We should go," Draco interjected.
This was horrible. Never again.
Blaise nodded and firmly grabbed Nico's shoulder. "We when get home...," he said darkly.
To Aurora's satisfaction she saw that Nico looked afraid. He looked back at her and she smirked much to his dismay.
"Come. Now." He growled at her while he walked away, not even bothering to look behind him.
He was so furious, embarrassed, and a tidal wave of other emotions. Draco saw that smirk she gave Nico before they walked away. It was scary how much she reminded him of himself as a boy.
Did he really look or act like that? Draco closed his eyes in frustration and he continued to stomp forward to the apparation point.
"What was that about, Aurora?"
Silence.
He peeked to look down and didn't see her. Draco stopped and turned and saw her several feet away but when she caught his eye she looked down and clutched her monkey close. He crossed his arms and repeated his question when she came into hearing distance.
The little girl said nothing and shrugged.
"I asked you a question. I expect an answer."
"I don't know," she mumbled.
"You don't know?" He spat. Immediately he felt a pang of guilt as he saw her flinch at his tone. He pinched the bridge of his nose and counted to ten.
It seemed that was something he did all the time now.
Draco turned from her and continued walking knowing she would follow behind him. He picked her up without a word and apparated them, not even bothering to count to three this time.
They arrived back at the Manor and stopped her when she started up the stairs to her room.
"No. My study. Now."
He led the way and motioned for her to sit in the chair facing the fireplace. For a moment, he just paced back and forth rubbing his face.
What was he supposed to do? Punish her? No, he couldn't do that. He wouldn't do that.
Did he even have the right to do that? He was her father on paper, but not her Dad. If he scolded her then – but, wouldn't that..?
She did lose her mother not that long ago, he thought over. Maybe she was just acting out. So if she was, should he let this go?
Draco knew Nico was several handfuls and made you want to wring his neck. Once he babysat him and Blaise walked in to find him ready to choke the poor child. His eyes flashed red at the memory, the boy had taken every book off the shelf of the library and managed to tear the pages out of some of them too.
Not just any books. Antiques, classics, first editions. So he understood, even if he didn't know why, that Nico probably provoked her.
But Nico and Liam, Pansy's son, got along just fine. Perhaps it's because she is a girl, like Blaise mentioned. Maybe they're testing her, to see if she can be part of their group or –
Draco didn't know what to think. Several times he would glance at her and scowl again, reminding himself why he was so upset. She sat on edge of the armchair, her feet dangling several inches from the floor, with her head hung low.
The silence went on and the sun was starting to set casting large shadows in the already dark décor of the room.
"Never again will you behave like that when you are out, do you understand?" He scolded.
She nodded.
"I said do you understand? Look at me."
Draco stood in front of her and she looked up at him.
"Yes I understand Sir," she said meekly.
Draco sighed and softened his demeanor a bit as he exhaled.
He didn't even want to be angry. Looking at her, seeing her sit there, how could he be angry at her? She was so small and innocent looking and he felt like the bad guy. As if he was yelling at a unicorn or something.
I mean who yells at unicorns? This was all just so confusing.
"Why did you do it?" He asked her.
"He told me I looked like a three-horned carrot toad," she frowned. "because of my hair. I don't know what that is."
Draco raised his eyebrows and looked away. He folded his arms and listened.
"He said I should share my icey and tried to take it so I threw it on him," she continued. "Why should I give him my icey? He insulted me and called me names."
This was the most she ever said to him on her own. They had never talked one on one.
Aurora looked into the fire and crossed her arms with a pout. Her stance mimicked that of Dracos. They were more alike than either of them realised.
"Don't pout Aurora."
She twisted with the foot of her stuffed monkey. "Are you mad at me, Draco?" She asked quietly.
Draco frowned at the use of his first name but didn't correct her.
"No, I'm not mad," he conceded. "But I am disappointed. That type of behavior is never acceptable. Ever. If we got out again I expect you to conduct yourself in a better manner than what you showed earlier."
"But – I'm glad you didn't allow him to push you over. Always stand your ground, so for that no, I'm not mad."
Aurora looked up and they stared at each other before finally breaking out in smiles.
"I think you give him a run for his money Aurora," he laughed.
"He doesn't like me very much."
"I don't think you do either," he pointed out.
"My ice cream got ruined, stupid boy," she muttered.
"Well, ahem," Draco began uneasily, "Perhaps we can go back there next week when I don't have much work."
"Really?" She asked expectantly.
"Mhm." Draco looked at his watch. "It's almost time for dinner. Go wash up, I have some work I need to finish before tomorrow."
His mind was going in a million different directions. He needed, well he didn't know what he needed but he wanted to be alone.
And just like that, everything went back to the way it was.
Aurora left knowing she was being dismissed. Things had gone back to normal as she watched him walk over to his desk and pull out his work stack. She would eat dinner by herself again, but that was ok she mused. Dinner was fun because there was no one around to tell her not to build smiley faces with her peas or exploding volcanoes with her mashed potatoes and gravy.
Draco held his head in his hands as he mulled over the happening of the days. He was tired, no more like exhausted. Deciding he needed a good stiff drink he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and reached behind hm to grab a glass.
That's when he noticed it – the flower. It was tucked into the breast pocket of his button down and just now he noticed it's perky yellow petals. Draco sat stunned and twirled the tiny flower in between his thumb and forefinger.
How did it get there?, he wondered. Draco stared at it intently, a smile smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
A/N 2: Ok..I know some of you have my story on alert and I know that I've re-edited my chapter several times and I don't know if it alerts you every time I do. If so, I'm really sorry. It's just I read it and I notice errors and I try to ignore them but then it nags me and I just can't leave them.
Usually when I post the chapters, I'm so tired and when I overlook them I don't catch all the errors and I'm sure there are still a few but not enough to make me cringe. So again, I'm sorry if it alerts you every time..really sorry.
I'm gonna try and just not post them until I've overlooked them extensively, even though I do about 5 times before I post them :\ I'm just a typo queen, what can I say.
So on a last note, I edited this chapter a bit, and polished up the previous ones. I just decided to do it all at once and get it out the way. Not much, just changed a few things, so if you already read them..it's fine.
06/ May 2011