Storms Ahead

|Chapter 127 : Expected Visits|

"So how much farther is it to your house?"

"About ten seconds" I told Draco with a small amused smile as we walked out of the edge of the woods, appearing in the back of the garden where the small house had came into view as I looked to my left, the deep and large rectangular trench like hole in the ground, well over fifteen feet deep where we were actually getting a pool as I glanced right, to Astra, who was standing in her small stable

"Do you want to meet her?"

"Who?"

"Astra"

"Who?"

"Honestly, Malfoy. There is only one horse that's been staying at Hogwarts the past year, and it's that very one" I told him amused as I walked over to her as she let out a huff like noise

"Yes I hear you, I know you're not happy but I can't take you into the house... well.... maybe-"

"Are you going to take her inside?"

"Anything to piss Nadia off" I told him laughing as I opened the gate and watched as she trotted out happily, making a beeline for him as I laughed at the sight of him distancing himself from her as I walked over to him

"Stay still. Horses can sense fear"

"I'm not scared-"

"And my mother cares about me" I cut across him with raised eyebrows as we fell quiet and he burst out laughing as I tried to hide my laughter

"Don't tell anyone about that- but look, she's coming over now" I told him as Astra slowly walked over, her head leaning forward with an almost curious look in her eyes as he slowly stopped laughing, his eyes on her as she inched closer as he stayed stock still while she sniffed at his face before lifting her head as I stifled my laughter

"Please don't tell me that's she's smelling my hair"

"Let's just hope she doesn't try to eat it- Oh for Merlins sake, I was joking" I told him laughing after he stepped away, making her pace backwards at the suddenness as she let out an annoyed noise and I took ahold of his wrist and held his hand out to her as she sniffed at it for a moment before I raised his hand and let him run his hand up from her muzzle as I looked at the small smile on his face as I let go of his hand and watched as he paused

"That's not a good idea, just carry on"

"Will she bite my hand?"

"If you annoy her-"

"Am I annoying her?"

"No, you're fine" I told him amused as the small smile appeared again as I nodded to the door and clicked to Astra to follow as he warily stepped back and watched amused as she bounded towards the house, swearing that I heard him let out a quiet laugh

"Come on, or you'll get the flu" I told him as he followed and I pushed the door open after reaching it as Astra walked in first and made her way to the living room as I shut the door behind us and felt my teeth start to chatter

"It's not what I was expecting"

"You were expecting something bigger weren't you?- here" I asked laughing before giving him a small ball that resembled a bubble, filled with a yellow smoke as he eyed it warily as I took one myself and held it in my hand while clapping as I grew warm and my clothes and hair dried instantly as I heard him clap a moment later, a sound of surprise getting the better of him as I kicked my shoes off and I motioned for him to do the same as he followed me to the living room where Astra had managed to squeeze herself into a sitting position in the space between the coffee table and couch as I laughed and pushed it out of the way to give her more space on the floor before placing a throw over her