Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 6 (Summer)- Ch. 161

It had been one week of pure boredom. She had ultimately agreed to Telly coming to the manor. Céline was getting very tired, very quickly, of eating her sad little sandwiches for a full meal. But she didn't really know how to cook. So her week consisted of fruits in the morning, buttered toast or sandwich for lunch, more fruits for snacks, and another sandwich for dinner.

When Telly arrived, Céline ordered her to not enter her parents room.

"Erm, Miss Céline, may Telly ask why?" The little house-elf asked nervously.

Céline only shrugged, "I only returned the gesture my father did to me and I don't want it touched." She said coolly.

"Very well, if Miss Céline wishes." Telly said.

"Also... while you are here, you will not a soul about who comes and goes from this manor. Not to anyone, even my parents if you happen to come into contact with them." Céline ordered. She knew it wasn't likely to tell her parents anything, since they had both been detained, but you never know with the amount of influence they have.

"Yes, of course Miss Céline." Telly said dutifully and bowed. Céline nodded and looked around, not really knowing what else to say.

"Right... er-- well go ahead and go about doing what you need to do..." Céline said, as she turned to go out into the gardens.

"Would Miss Céline like for Telly to prepare some lunch?" Telly called after her eagerly. Céline turned to look at the house-elf who stared back expectantly. She can tell that Telly genuinely seemed happy to have Céline around again. It made some sense to Céline, since she and the house-elf had always had somewhat of a close relationship. Her stomach growled angrily for only eating a hand full of fruits for breakfast.

"I  would appreciate that... thank you." Céline said with a small smile. She turned back to the door that let to gardens. Her broom was laying up against the wall, she had left it back in France, but Telly had brought it with her when she arrived, as well as a couple of owls for her. She was able to send out the letters to Daphne and Tracey with one owl and to Harry, Ron and Hermione with the other. She held off on writing a letter for Draco, because she had been waiting for him to send her his owl first. She always made sure to stay near a window or spend her time on her balcony or gardens so that she was easy to spot for his Eagle-Owl.

"He did say that it would send one this week." she muttered to herself. He had promised she thought. He said he would try, Céline...  She sighed. A couple of days had passed and there was still nothing from Draco. Céline was beginning to feel anxious.

One morning as she drank her tea on her balcony, she heard a hoot in the distance. Her head snapped up to see the owl she had been waiting for flying towards her. The beautiful Eagle-owl perched himself on the railing of the balcony, holding a letter with her name on it in one of its feet. Céline grabbed a biscuit from the small table she had next to her and gave it to the owl.

"Thank you. Can you stay a little while so can send you back with my response?" she said softly. The owl hooted and cooed as it munched on the biscuit. She pet him gently. "You're welcome to stay here or rest in any of the trees if you're more comfortable with that." The owl ruffled its feathers and gladly accepted the second biscuit Céline handed to him and flew off to a small bunch of trees that was down in the gardens.

Céline looked at the envelope, with the familar neat handwriting that was Dracos. Her fingers brushed against it lightly, before opening the envelope and unfolding the letter.

Céline,
As promised, my letter to you to tell you that I'm alright.

Céline noticed the green ink blot between 'that' and ' I'm' as if he had to think about what to say for a moment.