Heir of Sallow

***It feels so right to be here with you

CW: SMOOTSMOOT CAUSE THESE TWO ARE LITERALLY WORSE THAN HAWKE WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING THEIR HANDS TO THEMSELVES >.<

Fennic Malfoy

Friday Evening:

"Finished ignoring me?"

Fennic winced. Eliza's words had no heat behind them, but he knew she was hurt based off them.

"Just to keep up pretenses, my love," he murmured, his hand and gaze resting on a packing slip that she'd set by the register. A shipment of new books that she was steadily putting away.

The past few days had been insufferable. Between the turmoil in his own mind and Charlotte's very loud thoughts about Hawke, he wasn't in the best of moods lately.

She said nothing to his weak excuse. They both knew that's what it was. Though they kept their distance at school, they almost always acknowledged each other in some form or another. But for the past week, Fennic hadn't.

She didn't stop what she was doing, she kept shelving the new books. Keeping her body busy, so she wouldn't have to look at him, no doubt.

"I want to formally apologize." He did. He needed to, if they were to plan about this damned date.

Finally, Eliza paused in her shelving. She didn't look at him though, just slowly set the books in her arms down on the shelf in front of her and waited.

"I'm sorry for acting like a prat the past few days. Wilson is not someone I want you alone with," he said. "Not that it excuses my behavior. I also have the vertiserum. I have had it for a while now, and I failed to tell you out of worry." He cleared his throat, his guilt sinking heavy in his stomach.

"Thank Merlin," Eliza sighed and Fennic glanced up quickly as she turned to face him, worry now etched in her expression that he hadn't seen before. She'd kept her emotions completely hidden from him.

"Because he wants to do it tonight. In about an hour."

His temper rose immediately. "Tonight?! And what, you were going to –"

"Do not lecture me today, Fennic Malfoy, not if you want that apology accepted. It wasn't as if you allowed me time to talk to you." She cut him off, though not unkindly.

He swallowed back his protests and comments and nodded slowly. She was completely right. She was also the epitome of grace and forgiveness, and no one deserved her, least of all him. But what in the bloody hell had been her plan!?

"Alright, my love. Where will it be?"

"We're meeting at the three broomsticks."

"Tch. Typical." He muttered, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "Can't even be original enough to-" his voice trailed off upon seeing the deadpan look on Eliza's face.

"Did you want it to be more romantic?"

"... No."

"Then hush and help me stock these books so I can go and get ready." She said, grabbing the books and pressing them into his hands.

"I... Shouldn't I be helping?"

"Helping me get dressed? I think I can manage, Fen." She said with a smile as she walked up the stairs. "We both know your real talents would be counterproductive."

Fennic sighed, a reluctant smile pulling at his lips as he turned to the shelves.

Once he finished unboxing and shelving the order, he broke down the boxes set them by the door to be disposed of later, then climbed the stairs. Her bedroom door was shut, so he leaned against the wall outside of her room, waiting for her. He closed his eyes, trying to breathe past the panic. She wasn't going to be alone, the three broomsticks was always crowded. He wouldn't try anything physical with so many people around, plus the distraction would be good so Eliza would be able to get the potion into his drink.