99 ways to say I love you- Draco Malfoy

No.73

I could not be prouder of you

Draco notices the loud noises coming from downstairs and immediately he's on edge. Grabbing his wand and wondering down the stairs of the manor that now belonged to him.

He ventures quietly towards the kitchen, where the sound is coming from. Wand at the ready and panic in his chest. He pushes the door open and immediately feels stupid for worrying.

Standing in a short pencil skirt and a button up shirt, clearly ready for work, is Emily.

"What you doing?" He questions, leaning on the door way. He smirks when Emily practically jumps out of her skin before turning around.

"It's your first day saving lives Dray, got to make sure you are well fed," she grins. Turning back to the pan and beginning to plate up the french toast and bacon. "Cute pjs by the way," she adds with a smirk.

"You came all the way here. When you have work. To make me breakfast?" His heart swells at the realisation that's exactly what she has done.

"Okay I apparated it took less the thirty seconds," she smiles at him, turning around with a plate in each hand.

"But still this is a load of effort for you-"

"Draco, it's a big day. Shut up and accept that I care about you and came to make you breakfast," she instructs he can't help the beam on his face.

"Thank you angel. Means the world," he smiles. She can't help the blush or the grin and she stairs at the plates on the counter to stop him from seeing it.

"Where do you want to eat?" She asks

"Drawing room?" Draco only frequented a few rooms of the large house, not wanting to revisit the bad memories of his home.

"Sure," she nods. He takes the plates from her hands and leads the way despite her knowing it.

They sit on the sofa, plates in laps and she can't help but feel at ease in his presence.

"So, how are you feeling?" She questions.

"I'm alright. It's just like training I just don't have a senior healer ghosting me to make sure I don't fuck up,"

"You won't fuck up. You're empathetic and you're smart and you will be an amazing healer,"

"Thank you," he smiles gently

"Of course. I figured we could go to that Italian tonight, we haven't been in ages and we need to celebrate," she explains with an eager smile

"I can't actually," he admits. He would much rather spend his evening with Emily, he wanted to spend every evening for the rest of his life with her. "I'm going to Hogsmeade and taking Astoria on a celebratory meal," he exclaims.

He watches as the bright grin drops from her face for a split second before it's replaced with a fake one that doesn't reach her eyes.

"Well of course you are. What a gentleman," she teases with a light grin

"Emily, I would much rather get dinner with you. You know that?"

"Sure. You know what I should probably go. I have work," she smiles and it still doesn't reach her eyes. She stands up placing her dish still full of french toast on the table.

"Em, you don't have to leave darling. We can get dinner tomorrow if you want and you know I-" he attempts standing up to follow her towards the front door.

"I'll be late." She speaks calmly "I'll see you soon though. Friday night right? Molly wants us all for fortnightly dinner and apparently Harry and Ginny have an announcement,"

"Yeah I'll be there,"

"Have a good night with Astoria," she smiles gently

"Won't be as good as if it were with you," he sighs. She rolls her eyes, pressing a kiss to her cheek to assure him she's not mad. Platonic kisses on cheeks are a regular in their friendship.

"Congratulations Draco. I could not be prouder of you," Emily smiles and with a snap she's gone.

**

"You still need to leave early tonight?" George questions. The store was in a lull after the lunch time rush and the pair were behind the counter chatting idly.

The two customers currently in the store being tended to by the general staff.

"No. He's going to dinner in hogsmeade with Astoria. I can lock up if you want to go and see Angelina,"

"And leave sad little Emily all alone. Can't do that," George teases, bumping his hip with hers.

"I'm fine. Dray and I are just friends. They'll be married soon enough. This won't be the last time I'm rejected so he can spend time with Astoria," Emily assures

"Wait, you two aren't sleeping together?" He seemed generally surprised

"Not since before Christmas. So almost a year ago. We had that big fight on the train and have been just friends ever since,"

"Damn. The tension between you could have sworn you were sleeping together. If Ron asks you are or I owe him ten galleons,"

"I will not lie to your brother to make you profit. Besides he's all pally with Draco, he could just ask him," Emily shrugs casually.

"If he asks you and you lie five galleons of my ten are yours,"

"Fine," Emily sighs making George grin. "So you want to leave early and see Angelina or not?"

"If you are certain you don't mind,"

"Of course not," Emily grins.

"You are the bes- oh look who's coming in," George grins.

Entering the store was Maxwell Anderson. He had made a habit of frequenting the store to flirt with Emily. She barely remembered him from school despite him being only few years above.

"Piss off George," Emily groans, although she slips out from behind the desk to go and talk to Maxwell, he wasn't bad looking and as she kept reminding herself it was healthy to move on.