Disclaimer: Not JKR.

Author's Note: Here's chapter 23 for you :)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Thursday, August 18th 2022

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England

Grace steps out of the fireplace, her bag slung over her shoulder and looks around. Malfoy Manor is just as quiet as home, but here at least that doesn't mean that everyone is out. It just means that the house is humongous.

The door to the room opens and Luna enters. "I thought I heard the floo alarm go off," she says with a smile. "I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow, dear."

Grace smiles slightly. "I was feeling lonely all by myself at home," she admits.

Luna takes her hand. "Not to worry, darling, you know you're always welcome." She pauses, "But I'm afraid most of the family is out and about."

"Really? Where are they?" Grace asks as Luna leads her out of the room, her bare feet moving across the floors noiselessly.

"Draco is at a business dinner of some sort, terribly boring, I'm sure and Leigh is at the Parkinsons', they're having a sleepover. But you probably knew that, because as far as I know your sister is there as well." Grace nods, even if she isn't sure whether Luna can see her or not as they make their way up the stairs to the first floor and start walking towards the door to the family wing. "And Eva, Lysander and Scorpius are at the Potters', something about a party," Luna laughs and Grace smiles as they push open the door together. "Lorcan resisted their pleading though. He's in his room."

Grace can feel her smile widen a little. "There are more people here than at home still."

Luna laughs lightly. "I suppose. I'll be making up a bed for you in Eva's room, so you can give me your bag if you want."

"Thank you," Grace says and hands over her bag. She watches Luna walk down the hall and waits until she's turned the corner before she approaches the door to Lorcan's room and knocks lightly.

"It's open," Lorcan's voice calls through the door, and Grace opens it slightly and slips through the crack. Lorcan is lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling, wearing sweatpants and no shirt. "But if you've come back to…" he trails off, staring at her.

Grace swallows nervously. She had not expected him to be only half dressed, but she can't seem to tear her eyes away from him either. "Hi," she says, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Gracie," his voice sounds strange and he clears his throat. "I'll… umm… hang on." He leans over the side of his bed and fishes around for a shirt. When he finally has one, he puts it on hurriedly.

Grace swallows, she is sure her cheeks are scarlet, but he's blushing too, which eases her mind at least a little.

"Hey," he rubs the back of his neck, "Sorry, I thought you were mum or Evie, trying to get me to go to that party again."

She smiles at him and walks closer. "Luna says they've left. I don't know when though."

"Can't have been too long ago," he smiles back at her. "Sit?"

"Thank you," she sits on his bed and leans against the headboard. "Were they trying to get you to come with them?"

"Yeah," he nods, "but now I'm glad I didn't. I would have missed you. How come you're here a day early?"

"I was home by myself and… kind of lonely," she tells him.

"In that case," he gives her that crooked smile, "I'm even more glad I stayed here."

Grace just smiles and tries to ignore the butterflies in her stomach that seem to get worse every time. Friends, she tells herself. Don't ruin this over some stupid butterflies that don't know how to stay put.

"Is that… the Never Ending Story?" she asks suddenly, spotting the book on his bedside table.

"You said it was good," he shrugs.

"And? Is it?"

"I like it," he says.

She smiles widely. "Read to me?"

He pauses for a moment, then he grabs the book and gets comfortable.

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