Darling • Fred Weasley x reader

Chapter fifty seven

2 months later

I slowly lift my arm and graze my fingertips along the windowsill before me, a cloudy summer scene displayed on the other side. The view from the second floor of the Malfoy Manor had eventually become ordinary and by now I'd studied every detail of it at least twenty times over.

The bedroom they'd provided me consisted of silk plum sheets and ceilings triple the size of me. Narcissa had attempted to customize it to my liking before I came and I'd put the pieces together to figure out that Draco had given her some intel prior to my arrival. As for the boy's presence, it wasn't a very common occurrence to see him.

We were both instructed from the start to stay in our separate rooms and aside from mealtimes, we were often caught partaking in completely different things and didn't see each other. Most of my time here was spent with my nose in a book, writing letters, or wandering the gardens. I glance at the stack of novels on top of my desk and graze over the titles of the stories I've surrounded myself in during my time here so far.

The Manor was nothing like I'd ever stayed in before. It was proper, perfect even; everything had a place although, when you stepped foot in its threshold, it felt as if there was an abundance of open space and nothing occupying it. I was only really made aware of the essential areas of the home, including my temporary room and the kitchen. I wasn't told much else and that allowed my mind to assume what the rest of the several rooms were although I'd never seen them, including Draco's oddly enough.

We had casual verbal conversations, but nothing too interesting since there are eyes and ears everywhere with the house elves wandering around. It was almost as if we barely knew each other in person, but one the first nights of summer, he slipped something into my hand without a word; a journal. I'd later found out that he'd managed to charm the pages and link it with another of its kind, one that he possessed. Anytime I wrote something on a page, it appeared on his too.

I was mesmerized and suddenly I didn't feel as alone when I was writing to him. We'd stay up almost every night writing to each other and we'd even occasionally sneak out; rarely, but it has happened in the past.

We'd walk along the creek in the back of his home and watch the water trickle against the rocks under the illumination of the night sky. Although I'd never wish my situation on anyone, I was glad that I was going through it with him of all people. Draco was the type of person that you could sit in complete and utter silence for hours with and he'd know exactly what's going through your head and even how to cope with whatever it was.

He and I haven't had the most pleasant past, but there was a part of him that I related entirely to and I couldn't help but feel at ease when that side was revealed.

I witness a murky cloud expand across the sky from my place on the wood paneled flooring of my room. My eyelids slowly cloak my vision as I attempt to fight the fatigue, but my chin begins to settle into the crook of my palm, propping up my head on the windowsill. Not a few moments after, a subtle knock appears at the door and I direct my awareness to the entrance of the room as a young elf timidly enters with his head down.

"Dinner is ready for you, Miss." He informs me and I nod in silence, waiting a moment to collect myself before following him down the spiraled stairs to the dining room where the Malfoys sat. I spot Draco just now settling into his seat on the opposite side of the table as me and the elves begin delivering steaming plates of food to each of us, not a word being said by anyone.

The only sound is that of the silverware gently grazing the surface of the ceramic plates as everyone begins eating, but the only thing I can focus on his how unappetizing food has been looking to me lately, even the thought makes my face want to twist in disgust. I spend a little too much time cutting the meat and I glance up to Draco's focus on me as it flickers between the plate in front of me and my eyes.