Professor Malfoy

67 | paris dream

Chapter 67
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Lou
two years later

"Oh, mon amour, would you grab me a coffee or two? I'm as good as asleep," I hear my auntie's voice from the staircase leading toward our apartment right above the shop.

With a sigh, I leave the counter and turn to her, already on the last step. She's right - her deep bags under her eyes say the exact same thing. Yesterday's night was tough. Actually, each night is these days. The fashion week is slowly coming and we're working as hard as we can to have everything ready. There's no time to spare. Besides me, there is just one more girl working here that's also a family to her. I told her to hire more people, we could really use the help, but she refuses to let a 'complete stranger' into our house.

I take a look at the outside world and realize I haven't been out for full three days, not once, and narrow my eyes at the rain pouring down the sky. Not that I don't want some fresh air, I just don't feel like getting my hair wet at the moment.

I turn to auntie, "right now? It's pouring,"
She just waves her hand and puts two of the
dresses we finished yesterday on the counter.

Two years ago, I would cast a simple spell for the rain to avoid me and remain dry. I can't do that now. Aunt is under watch of the French ministry and we can't afford any troubles, especially not now before the fashion week.

"Nothing you wouldn't survive. Come on, vite vite vite!"

With a deep sigh, I don't protest anymore and grab my beige sweater. I can't fail her. She's given me a job, money, home. She's practically my mother...but the kind you smoke a cigarette with and have a glass of wine, talk shit about men on our free evenings.

I can say I'm living my Paris dream. If I look at myself a year ago and compared her to me now, the old me wouldn't recognize herself. After graduation, I stayed at Zion's and slowly broke apart, then glued myself back together. I couldn't have done it without him. I know he went to see Draco once, he admitted it after a week. I didn't talk to him for a few days because of it.

I'm the new Lou.

And I'm trying. Although I'm not there yet, I'm definitely getting there by each day.

I just...I thought I'd be easier once I move out. Easier to forget him. Every time I go out and spot a tall blonde male, my mind automatically associates him with Draco and there I go again.

It's been two years and still, I can't seem to get him out of my mind. On my first birthday without him, I kind of thought he'd contact me through our minds. Or on Christmas. Or my graduation. I can't expect these things anymore. It's only killing me.

Sometimes I think I'm going psycho. One time, I was walking down the street and I could swear on my life I felt his scent. It left me broken for days, but I'm over it now. Yet I still don't know what happened that day. If it was my subconscious mind tricking me or what.

Dressed and ready to go out into the rainy day, I turn to auntie one more time, "regular?"

She thinks for a while, then flips her hand.

"Double shot espresso, cheri."

"You got it."

She's so much different from my mother, it's almost impossible that they're twins. My mother used to say I was supposed to be auntie's daughter. But she didn't want any children, or any man. Everything she owns now, her shop, her name in here, she's worked for it.

Rue de Charonne is quiet and empty, which doesn't happen so often. I try not to step into water while I cross the street and turn to look at our petit historical building. I found my home in this huge chaos city.