Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

(Summer) Year 4 Ch. 18

Summer was uneventful for Céline, per usual. As soon as they had arrived in France, her mother tested her and what she learned that year in transfiguration. After a couple of weeks of studying, her mother was finally satisfied enough to let her do as she pleases around the manor. It was mostly because her parents became busy with more events and gatherings. This left Céline alone in the Everhart Manor for most days, except of course, her house elf, Telly. Céline was always kind to Telly, she was the only one who didn't punish Telly.

She liked talking to Telly a lot, mainly because she had no one else to speak with. Though she never gave her too much information, because she also knew that Telly always reported back to her parents.

One afternoon, when she was in the library in her usual spot, she heard a tap on the window. When she looked up, she saw a beautiful white snowy owl, she remembered seeing it with Harry on the train. She opened the window and the beautiful bird perched itself on the windowsill. It had a letter in its beak.

She grabbed a biscuit from her plate, breaking off a piece, before removing the letter and feeding the bird. "You must have traveled a long way." She said in a low gentle voice, "You can rest here for a while, if you'd like." The owl hooted sweetly to her as it takes the biscuit from Céline's hand. She looked down at the letter and opened it. She laughed a little at the messy cursive in red ink.

To Céline,

How's your summer been so far? I hope you're doing well. I just got to Ron's home a few days ago and we got more information on the Quidditch World Cup. We'll be staying in tents for a night.  I'm not exactly sure where yet. Do you know where you'll be staying? Our seats will also be in the top box, so we'll be able to see everything. I'm really excited. Write to me when you can, so we can figure everything out.

See you soon,

Harry

Ps.

Ron and Hermione send their hellos!

Céline smiled down at the letter. It was the first letter she received from someone. She never got one from her friends when she was at Beauxbatons. She furrowed her eyebrows at the thought, "Wait no... My first letter was from Malfoy." she whispered to herself. She thought back to her winter holiday when she received the pretty hairpins as a christmas gift. She felt her face warm and her chest tighten.

Céline shook her head to snap out of it and got up and ran to a small desk that was nearby to get a quill, an envelope and some parchment paper. She returned to the windowsill  and smiled at the owl giving her another biscuit, in which she happily took. Looking at the owl, she wished she had an owl or a pet of her own, maybe then she wouldn't feel so alone.

She placed the parchment paper on top of the book and began to write her reply.

Dear Harry,

My summer has been uneventful, just mainly studying. But since my parents have become busier I have more freetime to do some reading or flying on my broom.

How has your summer been? I also hope you, Ron, and Hermione are faring well.

I do believe we'll be seeing each other! We're also sitting in the top box. I'm not sure I'll be able to speak with you though. But in a way we'll still be able to watch it all together.

I can't wait,

Céline E.

P.s. Your owl is beautiful. It makes me want to get a pet of my own. Have a wonderful summer!

She waved the parchment back and forth to help it dry quicker, while glancing behind her shoulder. She was worried that Telly would catch her and report back to her father. Once the ink dried she carefully folded it and slipped into the envelope and sealed it. She gave the owl another piece of biscuit before handing it the letter.

"Please be safe on your travels, beautiful friend." she whispered and she petted the top of her head. She opened the window wider and watched the snowy owl fly away until it was no longer visible.

Only moments later did Telly appear next to her telling her that lunch was ready, eyeing the window. Céline closed the door and left the library.

One evening she found her father in his study, she hesitated before knocking. His eyes snap to her standing by the door. "Why are you disturbing me?" He asked coldly.

"Sorry father, but I had a question about us going to the Quidditch World Cup..." she answered politely. His left eyebrow raised, waiting for her to continue. "I was wondering if we'll be staying the night there."

"We'll only be staying for a few hours after the game before we return to the Manor." He answered, going back down to his papers, "now if nothing else, leave."

She bowed her head before closing the door behind her. She hurried to her room and quietly closed the door, then hurried to her desk and pulled out a parchment paper. As she grabbed her quill and placed the tip on the paper, she paused.

'If we're not staying anywhere after the game, how am I going to meet up with my friends...' she thought to herself. She lifted the quill and placed it back down on her desk, before throwing the ink stained paper away. Her father didn't tell her really anything and she also didn't know the layout of where the games would take place.

She sighed, unsure of what she would do. For a moment she thought of writing to Draco, thinking that he might know information, but she quickly dismissed the idea since she was still not wanting to speak with him. She sat there with her face leaning against her hand and looked out the window into the dark sky.

She felt her cheeks warm when a certain memory that plagued her mind for the last couple of months appeared once more. "He tasted of mint..." she mumbled to herself. Her eyes widened at the realization of what she just said and shook her head to snap herself out of it. She got up quickly and went to bed.