Honey Sweet

Draco’s first time in a grocery store was interesting to say the least. He had spent over two hours walking around in confusion. Not only was the store difficult to navigate, but there was so much choice in the smallest things.

He came in with a mental list of the basis.

Milk.
Tea.
Bread.
Apples.
Eggs.

He was envious of the people that seemed to be walking around with clarity. Getting exactly what they needed and leaving. He had spent way too long in the milk aisle. There were so many options.

He had left the store feeling slightly defeated, it was so much simpler with elves or his mother doing all of the shopping and preparation. But this was the life he chose.

He remembered giving the muggle-borns hell at Hogwarts, but they could have navigated this with ease.

Pureblood families took pride in sheltering their children from the muggles. Unless it was for their entertainment. His father and his friends used to crucio muggles over and over again. It was their sport.

He had never given it much thought before. But he had met and seen so many nice people here. Clara. The man helping an older lady reach something on the shelf, the check out lady that was so patient while he figured out money at her register, the family at the park.

A chill went down his spine as he thought of his father hurting them.

He would hear their screams from his room. His mother would hear them from the dining room she liked to read in. And they both did nothing to help them.

Another regret to have for the rest of his life. The list was getting longer and longer, and he didn’t know how he still deserved any kindness offered to him.

The walk home was long, rain was still pouring as he struggled to hold the bags, and keep himself dry. When he finally saw his new home, he ran towards it, unlocking the door and almost throwing his bags on his small dining table.

He was freezing.

He peeled off his wet clothes and set the shower to the hottest setting, allowing the hot water to warm him up.

He got changed quickly, and set to work to unpack his purchases. Making himself a small meal with a cup of tea.

A red umbrella sat next to his front door, and he smiled at the thought of their encounter today. Running into her had become the highlight of his day.

He hoped she felt the same way.

There was just something about her that drew him in, maybe it was how effortless she was. Conversation was easy, and for once in his life he had a person that wasn’t drawn to the Malfoy name.

He busied himself by cleaning up his mess from his attempt at cooking. He was trying not to think about his parents. Or the wizarding world at all.

He knew in the back of his mind, he would have to go back at some stage. He wanted to confront his father, and show him the man that he was going to become without him.

Before he knew it, he was settled in bed reading a book he had bought that day before he felt himself drifting off to sleep.

“Draco” Narcissa called out from the crowd of Death Eaters. He saw her standing next to his father, who had a scowl on his face staring at the students of Hogwarts.

He took a step forward, knowing his mother would keep him safe, and he owed it to his parents to join them. As he reached his mothers outstretched hand, he heard another voice behind him calling his name.

Clara.

She was standing behind him, tears in her eyes. Looking completely out of place without a wand in her hand, and a confused look on her face.

“Crucio” His father said, a red beam coming out of his wand. Clara fell to the floor, screaming in pain. Other students crowded around her, trying to help her while she was writhing in agony. Her screams continued, and he was frozen in place. His mothers grip on his hand tightening.

“Draco, help me” Clara panted through her screams.

But he didn’t move. He was frozen in place next to his mother, while his father gave him a rare smile.

“Coward” Hermione yelled, doing her best to help Clara off the ground. She was held up by Hermione, while Ron and Harry stood in front of them, creating a human shield around the two girls. He could still hear Clara groaning and struggling to stay on her feet.

Potter disarmed his father, and all hell broke loose. His mother pulled him away, and away from the fighting, but he turned his head and saw Clara being dragged in the opposite direction.

“Avada Kedarva” Bellatrix yelled, pointing her wand at Clara.

Draco woke up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding through his chest, he almost leapt out of bed before realizing it was just a nightmare.

The rest of the morning felt off to him, he couldn’t shake the anxiety in his chest. He tried reading, he tried having a long shower, he even tried to lay down and take deep breaths but his mind kept replaying the nightmare in his mind. He didn’t help her, or stop his family from hurting her.

He was trying to convince himself that it was just a nightmare. It wasn’t real.

If it was real, he would have done something. Anything.

Before he knew it, it was time to see her. He walked towards her building, his chest still heavy from the morning.

He hoped seeing her would ease some of his anxiety. Maybe he just needed to see she was safe, he thought.

Draco took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the apartment. He could hear shuffling footsteps and then the door opened to reveal Clara with a bright smile. "Draco!" she exclaimed and threw her arms around him, catching him by surprise.

"Come in, I’ve just got to water the plants and we can go get some coffee.”

Draco smiled and followed her into the small but cozy apartment. He took a seat on the couch and looked around, the walls were a sage green with a few frames on the wall. The entire apartment screamed Clara, it was different to the house he grew up in, and the one he was living in now. It was clear she had spent a lot of time decorating to make it comfortable, and homey but also match her personality.

Clara quickly watered her various plants, humming along to the radio playing softly. She turned around and met Draco’s eyes from across the room. They shared a smile, but Clara could see something else in his eyes, she noticed she was fidgeting with the ring on his right hand, sliding it up and down his finger.

“Is everything okay?” She asked with concern. The few other times they had met, he was a little more relaxed then he was now.

“Yeah, I just didn’t sleep much,” He replied, looking down at his fingers.

Clara knew it was a lie, but she didn’t push.

They left her apartment, walking out into the cold weather. They both tightened their coats around them. They finally found a small coffee shop around the corner from Clara’s building and sat down in the corner, next to a large window facing the busy street.

Draco can't shake the feeling of uneasiness that he’s felt all day. He tries to push his fears aside and focus Clara, he listens to her talk about her part in Swan Lake, and tries to ease her concerns when she tells him she’s scared she won’t live up to other ballerina’s who have had the part before.

They ended up spending most of the afternoon together, and Draco would have been happy to spend all day with her, but she had to leave for her classes. As they walk out of the coffee shop, a raindrop hits Draco’s head.

“I forgot the umbrella” He said, and Clara laughed because she had forgotten all about the umbrella when she opened the door for him earlier.

Draco took off his coat, holding it over her head, not wanting her to get sick from the rain. He would feel terrible if it was his fault she got sick, and based on their conversations, she didn’t have time to catch a cold. She took one end, covering herself, stepping closer to him and stopping him from getting drenched in the rain.

As they continued walking, Draco instinctively placed his hand on the small of her back, and Clara smiled at the contact.

They quickly reached her building, Clara standing on her toes to kiss his cheek thanking him for the time they had spent together, making plans to see each other again.

Draco would never admit he was blushing the entire walk home from her kiss.