Hello, everyone! Sorry for the later update, but I'm doing it now! Better late than never! Hope you guys enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, though there is an OC named Anthea.
Chapter Forty-three
About a week went by, and the daily interactions with the Weasleys gradually normalised. The work around the house and the garden became easier and easier, and I grew accustomed to Molly's almost daily embraces, though I still didn't know how to react. I even got in touch with a real estate agent, and we discussed selling my parents' manor.
Whenever Harry, Ron, Hermione or I had a nightmare, we would stay up for a few hours talking about it and other things that happened that day. Sometimes, it was just one of us that had to be woken up in the middle of the night to prevent us from screaming, and at first, I felt terribly guilty when I was the only one. I apologized repeatedly, but they dismissed my words by saying that everyone needs to get it out somehow. I suppose that it was better to talk with them than anyone else, though. They knew everything that happened. They would understand my nightmares about Lucius better than anyone else.
The loud family dinners continued, and I got better at getting to the table in time and gathering food before it ran out.
"Dinner, everyone!" Molly hollered from the kitchen below.
I marked my page in the healing magic textbook I was studying and dropped it in my open trunk on the floor. I got up from my bed and raced down stairs before the others could get there. Particularly before George got there. He seemed to go out of his way to pull pranks on me.
As I got to the Weasley's small dining room, I found that everyone had changed out of their casual work clothes and were wearing nice-almost formal-clothes.
"Draco," Molly said, catching my attention. "What are you doing still wearing work clothes? Didn't George tell you?"
"Didn't George tell me what?"
"Oh, really? I thought I told you," George voiced, walking in behind Molly in a casual but nice black shirt and trousers. "You said you liked Anthea, so I invited her to dinner tonight before she left."
"What?" I exclaimed.
Anthea was coming to dinner? Why didn't he tell me? I couldn't be wearing these dirt-covered work clothes when she came.
"George," Molly reprimanded as she lightly slapped her son on the shoulder. He laughed softly at her reaction, an arrogant smirk on his face. "I'll deal with you later. Draco, go change. Quickly. She'll be here in about an hour."
I didn't wait for anyone to tell me different. I rushed as fast as I could back up the stairs and into the room I was staying in. I grabbed one of the black suits I packed and my toiletries and ran into the bathroom to find Hermione applying some kind of makeup.
"You taking a shower before she comes?" she asked, putting her makeup away in a small bag and approaching the door. "Did George 'forget' to tell you that she was coming?"
"Yeah. Sorry, but could you…" I gestured to the hall.
Hermione chuckled and nodded, leaving the bathroom.
I showered and changed as quickly as I could, hundreds of possibilities for how this dinner could go badly playing in my mind. All of them involved George making some inappropriate joke or everyone being as messy and loud as they always were. For the first time since I Apparated away from my parents during the Battle of Hogwarts, I wanted them back. They would be quiet, calm and proper, but then again, they might not let her in the house because she's not PureBlood.
I combed my white hair through one last time before dropping my toiletries back in the bedroom and heading down to the dining room.
My stomach was nothing but a bag churning of knots as I took my seat at the table, eyeing the empty place next to me. Many of the family was already seated, Harry, Ron and Hermione among them.
"No need to be nervous, Draco," Hermione comforted. "If you seem comfortable with the situation, she will be. It'll go smoother."
I nodded but thought of something else that I thought would be funny, and making the joke might distract me enough calm my pounding heart. "Or. I could just get a lightning scar, and she'll like me instantly."
Harry snorted as he covered a small laugh. "One," he held up a finger, "no, and two: you're being overdramatic. You'll be fine."
The remaining members of the family arrived at the table, and Molly Weasley placed steaming plates of food on the table. It looked like a nice meal, but I barely processed it. All I could think of was how the dinner was going to go.
"She's here," George called, coming down from the stairs. "Dad's all set up to greet her."
"Excellent," Molly praised as George took his seat. "Everyone needs to be on their best behavior for our guest tonight. Which means, George." The twin looked up at her, looking slightly confused. "Don't say anything you normally would."
The nausea eased with Missus Weasley's warning, but I was still unbearably terrified. I could almost equate it to my nerves when the Death Eaters met, but I didn't know why. They threatened my life. This was just dinner.
"Everyone," Mister Weasley called entering the room with Anthea behind him. "May I introduce Miss Anthea Baker."
The boys at the table and I all stood for her as she entered. I would have been shocked that the Weasleys actually knew proper etiquette, but I was too focused on Anthea. If she wore makeup before, I hadn't noticed, but she was wearing it now, and it brought out the hazel colour of her eye brilliantly. She was wearing a simple and modest black dress that hugged her hips. Her soft brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders as it normally did, but it somehow made her look more beautiful than she already was.
"Thank you, everyone." She smiled shyly, slowly approaching the table. "Nice to meet you all."
Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys took their seats, and Anthea took hers next to me. I was the last to sit. I mentally kicked myself for not sitting down with the rest.
To my surprise, the Weasleys ate slowly, each one filling their plates gradually. For the first time since I came here, it wasn't a race to see who could clear the table first.
The others made casual conversation with Anthea and each other, but I couldn't get a single word out. My nerves sealed my throat shut, and made me so nauseous that I could barely eat. I was acutely aware of how close Anthea was to me. Our legs brushed against each other if either of us moved too much, and it made my heart jump each time.
Eventually, Anthea turned to Mister Weasley at the head of the table. "I'm so sorry, but if their a lavatory nearby?"
"Yes. There's one down this hall, second door on the left."
"May I be excused, then?" Anthea requested.
"Of course, you may," Mister Weasley answered.
"Thank you." Anthea got up from the table and headed down the hall, giving me an encouraging smile before she exited.
I returned the smile, but dropped it the moment she was out of sight. I leaned over the table and pointed at George. "I am going to kill you," I hissed.
"Why me?" he laughed. "You're the one failing in front of your girlfriend."
"Well, I wouldn't be if you told me she was coming," I retorted.
"So she is your girlfriend." George smirked arrogantly, leaning back in his chair.
I froze at his comment. Anthea wasn't my girlfriend, but I think I wanted her to be.
Anthea returned after a short while and retook her seat. "Sorry everyone."
"Not a problem," I assured.
Missus Weasley served dessert, and we spent about another half hour talking before Anthea did what she usually did and checked her watch. "Thank you so much for having me, Mister and Missus Weasley, but I actually have to take my leave," she sighed. "I have an early shift tomorrow and have to get home."
"Of course," Mister Weasley said and turned to me. "Draco, why don't you walk her out?"
I nodded and got up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. I winced internally at the harsh sound, pleading that Anthea didn't notice.
I walked with Anthea down the hall and to the front door. "It was a nice dinner," she said, stopping at the door.
"Yeah," I agreed, straining to keep my voice steady. "And it was nice to spend time with you that wasn't anything official."
She chuckled at the statement. "Yeah. It was."
I scoured my mind for something to say but found nothing. Why did I never have anything to say?
"Goodnight, Draco," Anthea voiced, placing a hand on the doorknob.
"Yes. Goodnight," I said, taking hold of the door as she opened it.
I watched her as she walked down the path. I wanted to spend more time with her tonight, but I couldn't keep her from her work.
"You should ask her out," a sudden voice suggested, making me jump and fall into the door.
I glanced behind me and found that Harry, Ron and Hermione were blocking the hall.
"What?" I gasped, still catching my breath from their scare.
"I said ask her out," Ron repeated.
"I can't do that," I refused. "I don't have anywhere to take her."
"We can work that out later. Just do it," Harry ordered, pushing me out the door and onto the porch.
I instantly stepped forward to come back inside, but Hermione closed the door before I could.
"Draco?" Anthea called with a laugh. "You okay?"
I took a deep breath and turned to face her. I stepped down from the porch and approached her, my heart hammering against my rib cage. "Yeah. I'm fine."
I massaged the back of my neck and cleared my throat as I searched my mind for the proper words, but it was as if every word in the English language had inexplicably vanished. But I decided to go for it anyway before I lost my already waning nerve. "I-I was-" my throat thickened as I stuttered, making me have to clear it again. "I was w-wondering if-"
"Draco."
"Hm?" I dropped my hand back to my side and looked back at Anthea, glad that she interrupted my failing words.
"Are you trying to ask me out?" she wondered.
I froze, slightly surprised that she figured it out from my stumbling speech. "Well. I-uh... Yeah."
Anthea laughed lightly and looked up at me. "Sure. I'd love to go out with you. And I have the perfect place to go." She smirked oddly as she spoke. "I'll send you an owl with the details."
"Okay. Great," I gasped, entirely relieved that she had a plan. "See you then? Er, your owl first, right?" Why couldn't I talk?
Anthea smiled, giving me a look of understanding-or pity? "Yes. Owl first," she laughed.
"Yep," I sighed.
Anthea turned and walked down the path a ways before Disapparating. I stood there numbly, staring at the place she once was.
What just even happened? She agreed to go on a date? With me? I met her in actual prison. She shouldn't be dating me. What was I thinking?
"How'd it go?" Potter's voice asked.
"I think we broke him," Ron added. "Hey!"
"What?" I shouted, jumping as Weasley snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Did she say yes?" Ron pressed.
"Yeah."
"Congratulations," Potter said, slapping my shoulder lightly.
I sighed. "This was a bad idea."
Hope you like this chapter, and I'll see you soon for chapter 44!