Can't Say No - Part 8 of A Different View

[sesheta66]

Title: Can't Say No (8/15 of A Different View)
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: PG
Word Count: 498
Pairing/Characters: Harry, Draco, Narcissa
Challenges: awdt's prompt of "Snow and ice," slythindor100's prompt #19 - "Fire" and my GJ 100_prompts entry #020 - "Formal".
Summary: Draco convinces Harry to return to Malfoy Manor.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

To see all parts of A Different View, click here.


"It's snowing!" Harry announced.

"Imagine that, this being winter and everything," Draco teased.

"Shut up!" Harry walked to the window and looked out to see large flakes descending on the property. "I hope we have a white Christmas. I think this place will look great covered in a blanket of snow."

"You should see the Manor," Draco said as he came up behind Harry to look out the window. Harry shuddered as Draco's warm breath caressed his neck.

"The trees go on forever, and the snow glistens in the sun. And walking through the gardens is the best feeling in the world. They're beautiful all year -- Mother naturally wouldn't have it any other way -- but I'm especially fond of them in the winter. The snow and ice make me feel like I'm entering a different world. It's almost --"

"Almost what?" Harry asked, getting swept away in Draco's words, imagining a leisurely walk on a crisp day.

"It's almost like the grounds have a magic all their own, and when I'm surrounded by that I feel refreshed, renewed. It's one of the most wonderful feelings."

"It sounds perfect," Harry sighed.

"Let's go," Draco suggested.

"Wha-- Go where?" Harry asked.

"The Manor, of course. Come on."

"I suppose you have to get back, but --"

"I think I should," Draco agreed, "and you're coming with me."

"Do you think your mother will lift your grounding?" Harry joked.

"Well, if I bring a guest, she can hardly banish us to my room." He cast a conspiratorial look at Harry. "Then again ... that might not be so bad."

"What?" Harry asked, trying not to think of naughty lists and what might land him on one.

"Let's go; we're going for a walk through the gardens at the Manor."

"I ... it's just ... the memories ... I ... I don't think I can."

"Nonsense," Draco assured him, squeezing Harry's arm. "You've never been through the gardens before, so there are no memories to haunt you."

"Well ..."

"Besides, we can always replace those horrible memories with better ones." At Harry's look of apprehension, he added, "Starting today."

Seeing the expectant look on Draco's face, Harry couldn't say no. Reluctantly, he gathered his winter cloak, scarf, hat and gloves and followed Draco to Malfoy Manor. It seemed he was going to face his demons today, whether he was ready to or not.

---

"Draco, you will get back up to your --" Narcissa stopped abruptly as she entered the room and saw Harry by the fire. "Oh, Mr. Potter. How good of you to drop by." Her tone was formal but pleasant, when it had been stern a moment before.

Harry grinned at Draco's knowing smirk. "Draco tells me the grounds are beautiful."

"Oh, yes, by all means have Draco show you around, and I'll have our house-elf prepare supper."

"Oh, I couldn't --" Harry's words were left unheard as Narcissa Apparated away.

"You can't say no to Mother, so don't even try," Draco said, leading Harry outside.

Part 9 - Winter Wonderland

.

Comments

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, soon Harry won't be able to say no to Draco, either. *shifty eyes*
I loved hearing Draco talk about the gardens in winter. That would seem to be the time when the garden would be at its least attractive.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hopefully. :)

The flowers obviously won't be blooming, but the foliage of some and the branches of others give the snow and ice places to accumulate. It turns the gardens into a completely different, sparkling, and beautiful scene. *nods*

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

Yes, winter is beautiful.
Too bad it has to be so fucking cold.
*munches warm cookies just out of the oven.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

*giggles* I couldn't agree more.

[softly-sweetly.livejournal.com]

I failed at reading the past few days, but now I'm all caught up.

I love this story (you hit my kink for idiot!Ginny *g*) and the thought of Harry ebing on Draco's naughty list has warmed my morning *g*

♥

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

I just caught up on some myself (though I'm still behind on some).

Excellent! So glad you are enjoying it.

[accioscar.livejournal.com]

Harry jump straight onto that naughty list. I promise you'll love it. *wink*

Another great instalment. I especially liked Draco's description of the Manor gardens in winter. Beautiful...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hee!

Winter can be beautiful, especially when everything glitters in the sunlight (or moonlight, for that matter). Ooh! Plot bunny!

[gurliemoviegeek.livejournal.com]

Don't tease me now!
Moonlight is one of my biggest kinks!

Just sayin'...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hee! I did not know that. Like werewolf fics much?

[prettyhairs.livejournal.com]

You certainly can't say no to Narcissa:)

Great way to forgo the being grounded part, Draco;)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Mama Malfoy is not one to be ignored.

Heh. It was a brilliant plan, although I don't think he'd have minded being 'stuck' in his room with Harry. ;)

[gurliemoviegeek.livejournal.com]

Beautiful imagery! Like everyone else, I loved the description of the gardens in wintertime... So beautiful!

Can't wait for more!

:D

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll go check out the new prompt now. :)

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

The imagery of Draco describing the gardens is lovely. All so perfect and sparkly.
You should see my garden. Dry and brown grass, baking earth...

It's good that Draco is trying to make amends. And that Narcissa is, somewhat begrudgingly I'll admit, allowing it.

Lovely.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Everything around me is covered with snow right now, and the sun is out, so all I'm missing is property that takes up acres of land! ;)

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

Small detail.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

If by 'small' you mean the size of my property, yes. *sighs*

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

We have a nice size garden but it's not ours. Yes, we rent...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Well, if you're going to rent, might as well rent what you like, and get the most out of it, right? I bought this place as a single mom getting no child support. So I bought what I knew I could afford without having to work only for the house. And now that the boys are bigger, I don't need a yard for them to play in, so ...

*sighs* My castle in Scotland with the acres of land will have to wait.

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

The only problem with acres of land is that you have to mow it. And look after it.
But yes, keep playing the lotto. One day...

And at least what you have is your own. It's something. ♥

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's what my dad always said ... more house, more land, more to maintain.

I really love the neighbourhood I live in, and when I bought the house, I had a spreadsheet of "must have"/"would like to have"/"would be a bonus to have". Since I got everything I needed, and a few other things thrown in, I was happy. I knew I never wanted to HAVE to move ever again, so we're good staying here. The size of my house is less important to me than being able to travel. *nods*

*points to your icon* - but daydreaming is great. I really would love a castle in the Scottish Highlands. :o)

[nocturnali.livejournal.com]

I admire you and I'm envious. Never having to move again would be a godsend. The price of houses here in reasonable neighbourhoods has skyrocketed. Way beyond the means of most people. Interest rates are increasing almost monthly. At least our rent stays fixed for a year.
I love that you appreciate what you have and have enough left over for luxuries etc.

My partner was born in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland, and considers himself to be a Highlander. That's the closest I'm going to get. ; )
But yes, if you can afford the castle in the Highlands, you can afford gardeners and housekeepers. All part of the grand plan.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

The prices in this neighbourhood have increased like crazy too. My house went up in value by 15% between my purchase date and my move-in date (11 months). Now, ten years after moving in, it's worth about 65% more than I paid for it. I bought outside the city when they hadn't even broken ground yet. Now the town is growing like mad.

I figure it's payback for losing a huge chunk on my last house when I split up with my ex. Of course, it looks good on paper, but if I were to sell, I'd have to come up with that much more money to buy another place, so it evens out ... unless I was prepared to move way out into the country.

I'm good with money cheap (my former boss said so on a regular basis - I was responsible for the budget), so that went a long way towards getting where I am now. I spend very little on anything, but I love to travel, so that's what I work for.

If it's any consolation, I envy you living in Australia. It's a dream destination for me (that one dream vacation ... Australia is mine). Oh, and my house is only a semi-town (a semi-detached house that is attached by the garage on the other side). But it's big enough for us, and we like our neighbours, so it's all good.

[kaykayen.livejournal.com]

Hehe. Draco knew he'd get around the grounding with Harry by his side but I suspect that's just a small side bonus! Great installment. The gardens sound gorgeous and I wanted to rush out and see them myself!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hee! The grounding wouldn't have been so bad if Harry kept him company in his room. *winks*

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[alaana-fair.livejournal.com]

"What?" Harry asked, trying not to think of naughty lists and what might land him on one.

*snickers*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Heh. Thought you'd like that line. ;)

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

Wow! I loved both parts. Very well done.Thanks!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Mmm, meethinks Harry is thinking too much of being on the naughty list lately.

It's almost as if he wants to be there. Now, I wonder why that might be. *looks innocent*

But hee, yay for a cunning plan to dodge the grounding! *takes notes* :D

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

That little statement he made was still hovering in the back of his mind.

I'm sure I wouldn't know. *is innocent*

Yay for Draco being allowed out of his room. Narcissa figures he won't drag Harry on a quest to find his presents, so it's safe to let him wander the grounds.

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Ahahahah, I never even thought of that! But you're right, Draco should drag Harry to help him find the presents. ;D

Heheh, you're a cunning one. I think you should reconsider the whole Gryffindor love. *g*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Oh, Harry would never do that. He loves a good surprise. Of course, if Draco surreptitiously looks around while Harry's there ...

Heh. I'm a Gryff with Slytherin tendencies. I am not afraid to embrace my other side every now and again. ;)

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Mmm, a Gryff with Slytherin tendencies? You remind me of a certain cutie we both know... ;D

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Yup, yup! 52% Gryffindor, 32% Slytherin. Test results don't lie! ;)

[juwel-fic.livejournal.com]

hee hee. I love Narcissa.

Mmm, can't wait to see where this little garden walk takes them. *g*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

:o)

We'll see ...

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

HA! and YAY! and other exclamations of joyfulness. The mixture of pleasant post-war Narcissa and hesitantly flirting boys is just a whole bundle of wonderful.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Woo-hoo! I'm glad you're enjoying this. I'm having a lot of fun writing it, even if it is in quick 'one a day' snippets.

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

I think Draco was shamelessly using Harry to get out of his grounding early. *laughs*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

No doubt. ;) But now they can have a nice walk together.

[thrnbrooke.livejournal.com]

Sooo need more!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Part 9 (http://sesheta-66.livejournal.com/142164.html) has been posted. Part 10 is written ... but I'm awaiting the prompt so I can weave it in. ;)

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

Harry's MAD about Draco ... the tension is building and I have such a dorky grin on my face right now.

I'm so crazy about this series ... with each chapter, it's getting more fantastic and I'm just getting more addicted.

I love where Harry's thoughts are venturing and I think Draco is just too wonderful for inviting Harry back.

And I agree ... no arguing with Narcissa. :D

Thanks for the excellent chapter!

(http://pics.livejournal.com/svgurl/pic/000293k2/)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Yay for dorky grins!

I'm so glad you're enjoying this. I really am having fun writing it too. (I have the next one written already; I'm just waiting for the prompt so I can weave it in).

Draco just got caught up in it, and the invitation was out of his mouth before he even thought it through. Yay for spontaneity!

[andrea--88.livejournal.com]

Love the idea of making new memories
the boys really are helping each other heal
and yes mums never take no for an answer its futile to try

excellent