[✓] 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 ,𝘋.𝘔𝘹𝘍𝘦𝘮𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳,

23| Brunch

''May I help you?'' The House Elf questioned. Their voice was raspy and deep. It was different then most I've heard. 

''Yes, we're here to see Draco.'' Theo answered, leaning back and forth on his feet. 

The House Elf looked us up and down, almost judging us. I mean, they didn't look so good, either. Then they grumbled, slowly closing the door with them still inside. 

''We were invited.'' I spoke from behind Theo, getting the Elf's attention. Looking over to me, they scowled, murmuring profanities before opening the door again. This time, letting us inside without the issues. Theo had waited till Teddy and I were inside before stepping through. He gave the Elf a dirty look. 

I was surprised, least to say, when nobody had greeted us inside. Besides the Elf, who didn't leave our side. He stood there, specifically next to me, poking at my leg a few times. I looked down at him, seeing him give me a dirty look in return. 

''That's new.'' Theo spoke, looking up at the staircase. Nobody standing at the top. Nobody was in the living room, either. ''Usually Draco would greet us inside.'' 

''Master Malfoy is hard at work.'' The Elf let out in a raspy tone, his bony fingers wrapped around one another. 

''Where is he?'' 

The Elf turned to me with a scowl, it's pointed down nose seemingly pointing up a tad. Gaining even more wrinkles on its face then it had before. ''Not to be disturbed by the likes of you, Lycan.''

''Oi!'' Theo shouted at the Elf, coming to stand next to me. 

The Elf gave a low chuckle, one hand running over the other. I stared down at the Elf, not knowing what to think. I knew that some House Elves wouldn't like me because of my Lycanthropy, just like Kreacher. But, I haven't ran into any lately, this had been the first one in a long while. It reminded me how hostile they can actually be towards others that they find degrading to their Master.

''Mulch!'' Draco called from the end of the hall. The House Elf instantly turned to face Draco, his head tilted down towards the ground. He didn't seem so high and mighty now. ''Get back to the kitchens and stop tormenting them.'' 

The Elf scrunched itself back, giving a quick nod and a low grumble before walking away. Before he turned the corner, he looked back and gave me a glare. I glared right back. No House Elf was going to scare me. 

''Sorry about him.'' Draco excused, sighing as he took steps closer to us. ''He is still pissed about my father being in Azkaban. He was favored.'' 

Well, now I understood what he was so angry about. 

''That explains it.'' Theo grunted, rolling his eyes.

Draco gave a light-hearted laugh. ''Come on out back. We've got things set up out there.'' 

The three of us followed behind Draco. It was then that I had taken notice of his attire. He was wearing a white dress shirt, with black pants that matched. He wasn't wearing the usual fully black suit, this time, he changed it up a bit. He looked good. 

Draco opened the doors to the garden out back, revealing Scorpius walking around a small picnic table. Narcissa was there, too, straightening out the plates and silverware on top of the table. When the doors had opened, she stopped and smiled over to us. 

''You're finally here.'' Narcissa sighed out, a bright smile against her face. 

Draco chuckled, shaking his head. ''She has been waiting for you for a while.'' He shrugged. 

I took in the view of the garden. The sun shining down perfectly on the magnificent array of flowers that lined the flower beds. All different colors and all different types, yet, they all blended together nicely. The small picnic table had an umbrella over it, casting a shade over the top of the table. Down the walkway, a fountain. Water spouting from the statue built in the middle.