"I hate you, too." - Draco Malfoy Fanfic

Chapter 34

There were magnets in my bones

for that iron in her blood.

-Atticus

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The taxi drove slowly down the long, stone driveway--lined by tall weeping trees, stripped of their leaves and coated in unforgiving snow. An assortment of hedges, bushes, fountains and even a few statues stood deathly still around the old manor. 

Creamy bricks were held down by pointed roofs and adorned with pearly white windows--all of which hid the inside of Malfoy manor through thick curtains. A large fountain in the centre of the front yard was the only noise beside Draco and Edens footsteps as they paid the taxi and begun their slow walk to the front door. 

"It's beautiful in the Spring." Draco whispered to her, as though the stone beneath their feet had ears. "Mother doesn't like it to be known--as it's 'unladylike'---but she loves to garden. She has nothing else to do besides it, really." There was an undertone of bitterness in his words and Eden knew he blamed his father for it. "I can see its potential." Eden nodded, her eyes trailing the ivy that clung to the sides of the house. "Perhaps we can sneak another visit in the Easter holidays." She smiled faintly, her fingers intertwining with Draco's as they came to a stop at the front door    . 

Behind them, the clouds drifted slowly across the grey sky--gathering together to watch the two lovers as the doorbell was rung and they waited anxiously for a reply. "Do you think she will be angry?" Eden swallowed, her gaze glued to the door-handle as Draco inspected her expression. Anticipation and perhaps a hint of fear, but.. No hesitation, he noted. 

"She does not get angry. Only sad. Only Afraid. Perhaps she'll fear my fathers wrath and be unhappy that we didn't warn her, maybe even a little disappointed, but.. My mother is a gentle soul. She doesn't get angry." He leaned down to kiss the top of Edens dark hair, a light dusting of snow coating the top layers. 

"Forgive me, but it sounds as though Lucius is far from deserving her." Edens brows knitted together, her face turned up to Draco as he kissed her forehead this time. "There's nothing to forgive, I couldn't agree more." He sighed and Eden leaned into him, her scent clouding his nostrils and distracting him from the approaching footsteps on the other side of the door. A light click echoed throughout the chilled air and Eden quickly pulled away as the door swung open to reveal a small, ragged house elf. 

"M-Mr Draco Malfoy?" The elf's eyes widened as she took them both in, before quickly stepping to the side to let them pass. "Madam Narcissa Malfoy is in her greenhouse, I shall alert her of your visit." The elf tried her hardest to mask her distress as she awaited Draco's approval. "Hello Lola." Draco simply smiled. "Don't worry about my mother just yet, I'd like you to meet Eden Albero." Their fingers remained connected as the elf's eyes dropped to them, widening even further. 

"An honour to meet you, Miss Eden Albero." She fiddled anxiously with her fingers and Eden felt a wave of compassion for her. "Please, call me Eden." She put on the warmest smile she could muster, despite knowing the elf would continue with the formalities--no matter that she asked to be called by her first name. "We're here for dinner, Lola. If you could let my mother know that, too, I would be eternally grateful." Draco nodded and the elf quickly scurried away. 

"She's new." Draco explained. "After Dobby was set free, father found another to be employed in his absence. Though we already have three others." Draco's face twisted in disapproval. "It's almost medieval---how pureblood families still enslave them." Eden frowned and Draco nodded his agreement, reaching around her shoulders to tug her coat off and set it on a rack by the door. Eden took the time to note the interior of the house.