[A/N: hi all! We're finally onto the next part of the book and I'm squealing inside! I've got so much planned and I can't wait to finish it so I can make a sequel (yes you heard that correctly, there will be a second book!) Please enjoy this little draisy filler chapter!]
••
"THREE...TWO...ONE...happy birthday Daisy!" The group of Slytherin friends cheered softly as the grandfather clock in the hallway chimed twelve times, signifying it had turned midnight. Midnight on the 30th July. Malfoy Manor had been taken over by the group for a sleepover, to celebrate Daisy's birthday after they had finished school for the summer.
"Another year older." She beamed, bringing a blanket around her, her head resting upon Draco Malfoy's shoulder. They were all sat in the library, the fire crackling in front of them, random books scattered around cups of pumpkin juice and plates of food Narcissa Malfoy had prepared for them. Daisy yawned as she looked at the fire, realising she never normally stayed up until midnight, especially not for her birthday. It was one of the few she was actually celebrating properly, surrounded by her friends.
"Happy birthday, Dais." Draco smiled next to the girl, trying not to yawn. He, too, was tired. It was unlike them to be awake this late. Draco took the girls hand, placing a kiss gently on top of her knuckles. Draco knew that he still had to tell his family about what was going on between him and Daisy Snape. He was waiting for the right moment. Deep down, he was sure his mother already knew.
"Thank you, Draco." She yawned again, causing Draco to also yawn with her. "There was no better way to start my birthday then to be surrounded by my favourite people." Daisy looked at each of her friends, seeing how their faces lit up as they enjoyed the company of one another.
"Are you tired? Shall we all head to bed?" Daisy nodded, another yawn erupting from the small girl. "Okay, we'll go to bed." Draco smiled. She sat up as he stood up, pulling her up with him gently, before snaking his arm around her waist. "Pansy and Blaise, you're okay sleeping in the guest bedroom, right?" The two nodded. "Crabbe and Goyle, you're both alright sharing a room next door?" The two boys nodded as well, happy with the sleeping arrangements.
Draco led the group upstairs, showing the guests to their rooms for the night. Before long, it was just him and Daisy, standing in the hallway outside the rooms Daisy recognised well. "I didn't forget about you, you know. I was hoping you would be okay sleeping in my room," he paused for a moment, scratching the back of his neck. "With me." His voice stuttered with nerves. He wasn't sure how the girl would react, but he wanted her close, he wanted to spend the whole night with her on her birthday.
"Don't be nervous Draco, it's absolutely fine." She chuckled, his cheeks glowed under the flickering of the candles that lined the hallway.
"Good, let's go to bed." He opened the door to his room, letting Daisy enter first. The room was exactly the same as the guest bedroom she had stayed in previously, the moonlight casting a shadow across the wooden floor. Daisy was happy to be getting some sleep. She was excited for her birthday and spending it with everyone she loved. Draco turned on his bedside lamp, closing the curtains and moving a book off of the bed, before they both got under the green, silk sheets, Daisy resting her head upon Draco's chest. She felt happy, she almost forgot all of her worries in that moment. She was surrounded by everything that made her feel good.
"Goodnight, Draco." Daisy looked up at him, the boy smiling deeply. Something inside him felt like this moment was all right. Their relationship was all right. He loved her so much. His favourite person was laying right next to him. He thought hard about how far the two had come. From their first encounters, to becoming friends, to falling in love. It was a path they were both destined to be on.
"Goodnight, Daisy." He looked into her eyes, studying the emerald shade reflecting in the light. Draco had to admit, her eyes were beautiful. He placed a light kiss to her forehead, before the pair pulled the cover over them, falling into a deep slumber. Falling asleep with him was her favourite thing, she was safe. Nobody could harm her while Draco was next to her.
••
"Good morning...Daisy?" The two woke to the curtains being pulled open by the familiar woman, who had now turned to the pair, after noticing the girl in bed with her son. Narcissa Malfoy raised an eyebrow, shooting her son a look to say she knew something.
"Good morning Narcissa." Daisy chuckled, sitting up and seeing a flustered Draco Malfoy next to her.
"Good morning, mum. Why'd you wake us so early?" The blonde boy yawned, wanting nothing more than to fall back to sleep.
"Happy birthday Daisy." Narcissa smiled to the girl. She thanked her quickly, but laughed as Draco became slightly more embarrassed. "Care to tell me what's going on, Draco?" She raised her eyebrow again, looking curiously at the pair. Draco turned to Daisy, smiling slightly.
"Come on, mum. I think you know exactly what is going on here." Draco looked at the woman, smiling. She did. She knew exactly what was going on. She knew how much her son liked the girl.
"Oh Draco, why didn't you tell me?" Narcissa smiled. Daisy sat there, twisting her hair around her index finger as the mother and son chatted away.
"I was waiting for the right moment, we both were." Draco looked towards Daisy, his eye twinkling. Daisy smiled towards him, suddenly feeling rather vulnerable. What if Narcissa was not happy with their situation?
Daisy's inner thoughts changed when Narcissa spoke again. "I'm so happy for you both. Young love." She grinned, turning towards the door. "Well, don't keep all your friends waiting. There's a special breakfast prepared downstairs for the birthday girl!" At the mention of food, the two teens shot out of bed, racing each other down the hallway, giggling as they tried to put on dressing gowns and slippers.
"You have to let me win, Dray. It's my birthday!" Daisy panted, stopping to catch her breath. He stopped down the hall, looking back at her.
"Fine. Only because I love you." He blushed, realising what he had said.
"Draco Malfoy, in love? Who knew!" Daisy smirked, slowly walking to him. She finally stood by the side of her boyfriend. He held out his hand for her to take, Daisy gladly placing her hand in his. His grip tightened softly, a warmth shooting through her body. "I love you too." She smiled.
They soon walked further down the hall, into the dining room. They were greeted with a feast that looked fit for Hogwarts. Around the table sat their friends, grinning at the food before them. Narcissa was also present, reading the Daily Prophet. Daisy suspected that Lucius Malfoy was at work. "Good morning guys!" Daisy cheered, her hand dropping from Draco's as she sat down on an empty chair. Cold. Draco sat next to her, also greeting his friends.
"Happy birthday Daisy!" They all said in unison as they piled their plates high with fresh fruit cut delicately into little shapes, pancakes of all kinds and french pastries. All of which were Daisy's favourite foods.
••
Later in the day when all their friends had left, Daisy had followed Draco into the depths of the Malfoy Manor gardens. The summer had brought along fresh flowers, lining every possible walkway in the garden. Shades of pinks and purples grazed the grass in front of them, bunches of daisy's sprouting through the green blades. Daisy had never seen the garden this beautiful. In fact, no garden she had been in looked like this. The warmth from the sun danced along her bare skin, sure to give her a sunburn if she stayed out here too long. She was thankful she had opted for a flowery, white dress rather than her usual, black attire. Draco had also dressed smartly, though she didn't quite know why. He was wearing a white shirt, the sleeves rolled to just below his elbow and beige, cotton shorts. Daisy did have to admit, he was looking rather handsome. They walked to a big tree overlooking a water fountain shaped like a mermaid, Daisy sitting down in the shade. She awkwardly moved her dress to avoid any grass stains. The pair shuffled back to the bark of the tree, leaning back for support. "How has your day been so far?" Draco broke the silence, picking at the grass.
"I think this is the best birthday yet." She smiled, her head turning towards his.
"It is? We haven't even got to the best part yet." Draco smiled, reaching into his pocket. "I was going to wait to give you your present but this seems like the perfect place for it." He took in his surroundings, zoning out to hear the birds chirp for a brief few seconds. "It's not much, but do you remember the necklace I gave you?" Daisy nodded, her fingers picking up the green jewel that sat flat against her chest. One which she never removed. "Here." He handed her a smaller box, wrapped similar to the one she had received before. She fumbled with the wrapping, before she reached the black velvet box, opening the lid.
"Draco, it's..." Daisy stumbled across her words, taking the item between her thumb and index finger, inspecting the fine detail.
"A ring, I know. Not like that. Not yet, anyway." He paused slightly, blushing at the thought. "The necklace has a matching ring and I want you to have it, but with a series of promises from me. Mum actually wanted me to use it as an engagement ring in the future when I found the right person. But I want you to have it now, as a promise ring of some sorts." She slid the ring onto her middle finger as Draco took her hand, his thumb brushing the jewels. "Daisy, I've known for a long time that I want to look after you in more ways than just friends. And more now since the events of the school year just been. I promise to look after you, to love you and to get through all your bad days with you. No matter what happens, I will always love you." Daisy was almost crying as she looked down at the ring, a warmth creeping through her finger. Bloody magic.
"I love you, Draco." He smiled up at her, wiping away a tear she didn't know had escaped. "It's always going to be you." She sniffled, bringing in Draco for a hug, resting her head against his shoulder.
"Do you like it?" Daisy nodded, pulling back slightly to place a kiss onto his cheek.
"I love it, Draco. I don't feel worthy enough to have a piece of your family history, let alone two." He chuckled, looking at how the emerald green diamond glistened in the sun. He admired how the jewels imitated her pupils. How they, too, sparkled in the sun, different shades of green reflected as they hit direct sunlight. These items of jewellery weren't made of anyone, even going down in history. Draco believe they were made just for Daisy.
"Of course you are worthy enough. I'm glad I get to give this to you." He smiled to himself, watching as two birds fluttered in the tree above them. "What are you doing for the rest of your birthday?" Draco questioned as the two sat there, not wanting to move.
"Not sure what my father has planned tonight, although I'm off to Harry's tomorrow. Only for a few days. And then I have nothing else planned for the rest of the summer." Daisy thought to herself, wondering how her brother was. She didn't hear from him often, putting it down to the Dursley's not letting him do anything related to magic inside their home. "Dad is a bit worried about letting me out of his sight, now you-know-who is back. I think he fears my future. Especially being related to Harry." Daisy sighed. It all came back to Harry Potter.
"I'm just as worried, you know. I know things haven't been the best for you since you started at Hogwarts. Not even with you-know-who, but life itself. You're a brave witch, Daisy. Everyone knows that. And when the time comes, we'll deal with that together. But I will not let harm get in your way. And I promise that." Draco took a hold of the girls hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"Thank you, Draco. I just don't want anyone to get hurt in the process. Especially the people I love." She sighed, pulling at the hem of her dress with her free hand.
"It's going to be okay, I promise." Draco pulled the girl closer to him, placing a delicate kiss to the top of her head. "Your dad will be arriving soon." This made the pair frown. She never wanted to leave Draco, but she knew, deep down, it wouldn't be long before she saw the boy again. They were practically inseparable. Daisy pouted, not wanting to leave. "You'll see me again soon. But I cannot keep you waiting from Harry Potter himself, he might hex me."
Daisy chuckled, the sweet sound filling the space around them. "What, are you scared of my brother?" Daisy teased, slowly getting up from the space she once sat on.
"Of course not." Draco raised his eyebrow, also standing up to join her. "I'll miss you." He frowned, taking in the beauty of her eyes.
"I will also miss you, Draco Malfoy." She gave him a tight hug, clinging onto his waist. If she could, she would stay like this forever. But Daisy knew that she had to go and see her brother. She couldn't let her family down.
"I love you, Dais." Their eyes met each other's once more, their heads slowly being pushed together by an invisible bond, their lips met as one once more. The feeling never got old for them. This is what it felt like to be happy, to care for another. And the pair never wanted that feeling to disappear, at least not until the very end.