"I was a fool to think I could ever stay away from you as a kid. Just a taste of temptation and you'll have its sweetness on your lips forever."
Draco Malfoy and Estelle Vaile were allowed to care about each other once. How long can you ignore the...
(Thanks for all the input on my questions! There is another story on my profile with pictures to accompany this fanfiction if that is something you are interested in! - Caroline <3)
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❝If you tell anyone I was nice to you,
I'll hex your hair off.❞
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Chapter 13
Dark Summer Days at Malfoy Manor
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-July 10th-
The past summers at Malfoy Manor were nothing compared to this. Now that I had grown familiar with the warmth and cheer of Hogwarts, specifically the Gryffindor common room, the darkness overwhelming the edges of the manor felt suffocating. Even the venomous light and beauty of the Greengrass family home paired with my longing for warmth and life. Everything seemed drained of all life here and spat back at the remains with a slick smirk. Even the weather was filled with gloom, with the cool temperatures and ever-present fog. I rarely got a chance to wear my beloved white, lace frock dresses.
Narcissa had quickly placed me into a looping routine that only varied slightly. Long summer afternoons had been consumed by providing music to various social gatherings Narcissa hosted with the grand piano. Even if I was confident in my piano skills, the experience was draining with the side comments of the other pureblooded ladies, which always followed by snickers escaping behind gloved hands or porcelain teacups. Narcissa must have had an idea that something like this would happen and clearly hoped it was shaming against repeating my behavior during my first year. It worked, mostly. There was a small part of me that felt angry they weren't thankful for mine and my friend's actions to protect the wizarding world. The grievances with their cattiness were buried down deep into the bottomless pit of hurt in silence.
Luckily, entertaining guests only happened a few times as there were enough of the pureblood women eager to boast about their own homes to spread the visits around. Narcissa spent her days lecturing me about proper behavior. One day after discussing the changes coming to my body soon, the heat in my face blossomed crimson until the following day. The heat returned when she told me that some time this week she would be taking me to buy my first bras. We were simply waiting for Jasper's letter with my family vault key to arrive. No longer were the Greengrasses supporting me. I can't believe I was jealous of Daphne's first period earlier this summer. This is humiliating.
The time away from Narcissa was spent in their pristine garden where there was not a single leaf out of place or weed sneaking a spot among the beautiful flowerbeds. Narcissa and Lucius rarely ventured the gardens, except for the occasional sunset stroll. Lucius spent a lot of time in the aviary. My hands and inner arm ached from scuffs given by the shiny new bow by Narcissa. It was surprising to discover it was her own bow from childhood. I tried not to get too carried away with the meaning behind the gift. Besides, I was absolutely terrible at archery. The arrow, despite hours of concentrated practice, had only landed on the target once time. It was the outer ring as well and fell out of the target within seconds. Draco loved mocking me from the sidelines. Occasionally, his friends would join him. Daphne and Pansy had even made an appearance once. The familiar sight of my pseudo-sister warmed me with a sense of comfort, despite the snickering that escaped her light pink lips when my arrow flopped to the ground halfway to the target pathetically.
