Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: This is one of my personal favorites, so I really hope you like it :) Next chapter on Wednesday :)
Chapter Twenty-Four
Thursday, August 25th 2022
Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire, England
Grace looks around; the lawn behind Malfoy Manor is covered in so many picnic blankets that it almost looks like one giant patchwork. There are people all over the place and an absolutely ridiculous amount of food on tables and blankets spread out through the garden. She spots Ashlyn and Leigh with Lily Potter and the Parkinson twins, Lily is talking animatedly while the others listen and occasionally giggle. A little further away Scorpius is being embarrassed by Georgiana if his scarlet face is anything to go by; Albus is not with them for once and instead is sitting with his mother. A few blankets over, Molly and Meredith are whispering about something and Grace smiles as she looks around for her own best friends.
She doesn't see Eva or Lysander, but Lorcan is standing at the edge of the small forest that is on the property and is leaning against an oak. She picks her way through the garden toward him, smiling at people as she passes them, but she doesn't stop until she is standing in front of Lorcan. Neither of them says anything, they just stand there for a moment smiling at each other until he nods in the direction of a little path leading into the forest and they leave the picnic behind.
The sounds of people fade as they walk and it is Grace who breaks the silence that follows. "Are you excited about going back to Hogwarts?"
"We have a week left still," he points out, "But yes, I am."
"You have to come visit Granny," she tells him, climbing on a log and balancing on it. "She'll be disappointed if she doesn't see you." And I'd like it if you came over, but she doesn't say that.
He climbs onto the log as well, which seems to be far easier for him, and it probably really is, because unlike her he's tall. "I promise," he stands on the log and looks at her. "You look great, by the way. Who picked out that dress?"
"It was a joint effort," Grace replies as she very carefully turns in a circle. "You like it?"
"I do."
They're standing on opposite ends of the log now and Grace notices that he, just like she, is barefoot. They start walking almost at the same time and meet in the middle. "Think we can manage without falling off?" The entire thing involves a whole lot of laughing, some shrieking (on Grace's part) and more close proximity than she can actually handle, but in the end neither of them has fallen off the log and Grace grins widely. "We did it."
Lorcan laughs. "True. But I just came up with a far easier way."
"You did?" Grace raises an eyebrow, because she can't really think of anything and he nods.
"I did." And then without warning, he wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her feet into the air. She shrieks again and clings to him tightly, which makes him laugh as he simply turns around with her in his arms and puts her feet back on the log.
"That is far easier," she admits, looking up at him. "But now I'm on this side again."
This time they're both laughing as he picks her up and turns. Just as her toes touch the log, someone calls out to them, "There you are."
Grace blushes a little when she looks down to find Mr. Malfoy looking up at them. "Hey Dad," Lorcan says, he lowers her the rest of the way onto the log, but he doesn't let go completely.
"You're starting to be missed you know," his father raises an eyebrow at them, but doesn't otherwise comment.
Lorcan sighs, and Grace looks at him instead. He looks disappointed for a moment, but then he smiles at his father. "Right, we're coming." He makes sure Grace is standing securely, before he jumps off the log. Then he turns back to her and holds out his arms. "I'll catch you. Promise."
"I know," she says softly, not sure if either Lorcan or his father can even hear her, and jumps into his arms. He smiles at her briefly and they return to the picnic.
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