I don't know how she does it but not even a week after my date with Potter, Pansy knows everything that happened. She literally scolded me for three hours straight on my fancy, fancy, flaunt date as she calls it.
She shows up at the manor after almost a year of no contact and the first thing she says to me is, ‘what the hell were you thinking?’ No hi how you been, just straight to the point. Then again that's how she's always been.
In answer to her question, I have no idea what I was thinking. Why the hell would I ask Harry Bloody Potter on a date? Why the hell would he say yes? He hates my guts. He's hated me for years. Thought I was evil incarnate or something.
Now thanks to Pansy I'm putting together a picnic. Yes you heard that correctly. I, Draco Malfoy, am putting together a picnic. Pansy says it's a much better date idea. Why Potter would even think about going on a second date with me when the first one was so bad I couldn't fathom.
“Draco dear, what are you doing?” Mother asks walking into the informal dining room where I am currently sitting staring at an empty picnic basket.
“Trying to determine what to pack for a picnic date.” I tell her with a sigh.
“A picnic date?” She asks with a raised eyebrow. “This must be a pretty special person for you to stray from your fancy restaurant dates.”
“What's wrong with those?” I ask confused, she and Father went on them all the time.
“Nothing dear. If you want to end up like your father and I.” With a small smile she takes the seat next to mine. “That's how most arranged marriages began. I don't want to see you end up like that though. You need a more intimate date so you can actually get to know the person you're with. Maybe even fall in love with them.”
“I understand, Mother.” I tell her. She and Father have been talking about divorcing since I was three. It must be hard watching the one you're married to love another.
“Good.” She says patting my hand. “Now who is this date with?”
“Potter.” I mutter under my breath.
“Malfoys do not mumble, Draco.” Mother reprimands.
“Potter.” I repeat more clearly.
“Harry Potter?” She asks, surprised. “Well that's lovely. What are you going to pack?”
“I have no idea. What do you eat on a picnic?” I ask. She smiles and starts listing things. Together we fill the basket.
“So where are you going to have the picnic?” Mother asks me after we finish filling the basket.
“Where?” I ask confused.
“Draco Lucius Malfoy, don't tell me you haven't picked a location for this picnic.” She admonishes me.
“Um.” I say feeling stupid. She laughs.
“You can have it in my garden.” She tells me.
“Your garden?” I question.
“Yes and you'll need a blanket.” She says leading me out of the dining room.
“A blanket?” I repeat.
“Yes to sit on. Oh, Elliot.” Mother calls out and the aged house elf appears in front of us.
“Yes Mistress? What can Elliot do for Mistress?” He asks.
“Draco needs a blanket for his picnic date. Will you find us a suitable one?” She asks him.
“Of course Mistress, Young Master. Elliot will find one.” He says before disappearing.
“What do we need a blanket for, Mother? It's still warm out.” I ask confused.
“Well for you and Harry to sit on, of course.” She says with a chuckle.
“To sit on? Like on the ground?” I ask in horror.
“Of course, Draco dear. That's how you have a picnic. Otherwise it's just a luncheon.” She explains as we walk into the gardens.
“Will this do Mistress? Young Master?” Elliot asks, reappearing with an old quilt.
“That's perfect. Thank you, Elliot.” Mother says taking it from him. “Alright, Draco, you take one end and I shall take the other.”
“Don't we have house elves for this?” I grumble as I do as she says.
“Yes but it doesn't have the personal touch if they do it.” She replies. “Now flowers. What kind of flowers does Harry like?” She asks me.
“Lilies.” I say instantly. “Why do we need flowers?”
“You always give your date flowers. Didn't your father teach you anything?” She asks with a sigh. “Pick some and put a stasis charm on them.” She says leading me to her lily beds.
When I finished nods her approval.
“When did you tell him you would pick him up?” Mother asks casting a Tempus.
“Shit.” I say as I see the time. I see Mother's disapproving look at my language before I apparate.
I land in front of his front door and knock. Granger answers and steps aside to let me in.
“Harry! Draco's here.” She calls up the stairs before turning back to me. “How are you?”
“I am well.” I tell her stiffly. "And you?”
“I'm better now that I don't have to deal with Ronald.” She says with a half smile.
“I always said he was an idiot.” I tell her remembering what Potter said about Weasley cheating with Brown. She laughs.
“Yes he is.” She agrees.
“Are you flirting with my best friend?” Potter asks, coming down the stairs. I hold the flowers out to him. “For me? Thank you. They're beautiful.” He says taking them. He summons a vase and fills it with water, placing it on a little shelf in the hall.
“Let's go then.” He says taking the arm I offer him. We walk out onto the street before I apparate us to Mother's garden.
He gasps when we land. Letting go of my arm he circles the clearing we've landed in.
“They're beautiful.” He says.
“Thank you.” I hear Mother's voice say from behind me.
“Hello, Narcissa. How are you?” He asks, smiling warmly.
“I am well, thank you. I was quite pleased when I heard that Draco had finally asked you out.” She says, returning the smile.
“So was Hermione.” He says laughing. “She said and I quote, ‘I have heard enough about Draco Malfoy to last me a dozen lifetimes.’” That makes me raise an eyebrow. Potter talks about me to Granger?
“Well, I must go. You two have fun.” Mother says with a knowing look. “I'll be with Nathan if you need anything.” She tells me before apparating away. Nathan Selwyn is Mother's boyfriend.
“Shall we?” I ask, waving my hand at the quilt. He smiles at me as he sits. I sit across from him and smirk. “So you talk about me to Granger a lot?”
“Shut up.” He says with a slight blush.
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So I just realised I haven't updated in a month again so I'm just gonna post two or three chapters right now to make up for it.
