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

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Comments

[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.