Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Thirteen

                 

At dinner, Francis was still her chatty self. Speaking enthusiastically to everyone one, except Draco. Though he tried to partake in the conversation, she would interrupt him or stop talking all together, giving him a glowering glare of challenge. By the end of the meal, he was severely frustrated, but determined to catch her before she left for the bus. Before she could join Doe and Kitty for a last makeover session, he pulled her to one side.

"Can I speak with you?" He asked her.

"Suppose." She told the floor begrudgingly.

He took her into the parlour.

"Look, you were right." He said quickly.

She looked up at him, frowning.

"I was...envious." He admitted, "We hardly ever have fun anymore."

"We do tonnes of things together." She huffed, "I go to a million more parties with you than with Harri. I never have to help you with your job. You're happy when your father is away. I spend every single day with you. Doing fun things. Maybe you're the one not having fun."

"No. I'm not having fun." He sighed, "It's hard for me."

"It never used to be. We used to have fun without even trying. Now we just argue all the time and I'm fed up."

"So am I. So let me make it up to you."

"How?"

"Let me come to your house with you. Just for an afternoon."

"What? Are you joking?" She gasped.

"Next Sunday? I'll come home with you after the Meeting and meet everyone properly? Like I should have done ages ago." He smiled at her shock.

She bit her lip and then sighed.

"I'll send your mother a request, if you like?"

"No." She said firmly. "I'd love for you to come, but you can't."

"Why?"

"Because it's you. You're a Lurie. You wouldn't be able to bring your car..."

"...I'll walk."

"...Wear nice things..."

"...I'll find something old..."

"You won't fit in." She stressed, her eyes shining.

"You don't know that yet. Let me at least try. If it's a disaster then we never have to do it again." He smiled at her.

She sighed, "Why do you want to go to The Lab? Can't we just hang out together. Go horse riding or something?"

"Because I want to know you better." Draco caught hold of her hands.

"You already know everything about me. I've always told you everything. I've never hidden anything."

"And I don't want you to feel like you ever have to." He looked into her face, trying to reassure her.

When she continued to look doubtful he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. She slowly hugged him back.

"Okay. Next Sunday. And just for a little while and then I'll walk you to the bus stop."

"Fine." He smiled, "Tomorrow we can go horse riding."

"Don't you have a date with Darlin?"

"No. She's got a friend's birthday."

"Okay."