The Boy Next Door
Draco x Friend!Reader
Summary: After your life fell apart you moved in with your cousin Pasny. Finding a job as a local waitress and trying to put your past behind you, you become friends with a local rich boy who swears to never spend a dime on you, but in a world of past regrets and magic, can your friendship survive? Or will jealousy and spells send you away forever? (Part One)
A/n: GUESS WHO'S NOT DEAD? It's me. Hi. I've decided that the only way to enjoy this fandom and not give She who will not be named a dime is to write and read fanfiction :) Anyway I'm back on my regular bullshit and I've missed you guys~
(p.s. there was no AI involved in writing this and there never has been because fuck AI too)
“I need you to house sit,” Draco strode in, swaggering up to the counter.
“Oh, my day’s been great! Thanks!” I snipped, drying glasses and setting them back under the counter. He took a breath.
“Hi, how was your day?” He said, backtracking.
“Pretty okay,” I smiled. “Thanks for asking. So, you need me to house sit? Don’t you have like a whole staff for that?”
“I do,” He said. “But I figured maybe you wanted a week at the manor… to snoop through my library?”
“I don’t snoop,” I retorted. “Unless it’s through sock drawers.”
“You know on second thought, maybe…” He teased.
“Your socks are safe with me. I’m sure it’s color coded already anyway.” I gave him a look. “What’s really going on?”
“You’ve been stressed, I thought maybe this could be a little vacation for you—my staff would wait on you. You can do whatever you like, take off work even,”
“I’ve got rent to make,” I said. “I can’t just—“
“Take paid leave,” He said. I laughed.
“Paid leave? I’m a waitress Draco, I don’t get PTO. I don’t work I don’t get paid.”
“What—really?”
I nodded, smiling. “You’re cute when you’re too rich,” I drawled.
“I’ll pay you then, for house sitting,” He said.
“Draco,” I sighed. I didn’t want his money. Ever. For anything. It was a part of our friendship agreement.
“I know, I know,” He rubbed his face. “I’m worried. I—I don’t want my father breaking in while I’m gone. Everyone else can be paid off…”
“But I can’t.” I put together. I wouldn’t take his money. And I wouldn’t take his father’s.
“I need you, Y/n. I want to keep the theater, and these families safe. You’re the only one I trust,” His blue puppy dog eyes begged silently.
“Okay,” I said softly. “You can count on me Malfoy,”
“I know I can,” he said, his voice still gentle. “Please, let me at least cover the difference in gas mileage?”
I pursued my lips. “Twenty sickles. That’s it.”
“That’s not enough,” he protested.
“Draco, do you want me to house sit or not?”
“Fine.” He pulled a galleon out of his wallet. I gaped at the hundreds he has neatly folded in there. “Sunday night?” He offered the cash.
“I’ll be there,” it went into my apron with all my other shift tips.
“Mitsey will let you in, I’m leaving in the afternoon,”
I nodded. “Sounds like a plan,”
____________________
“Ms. Y/n,” Mitsey opened the door with a smile. “Mr. Malfoy said you’d be coming,”
“You’re stuck with me,” I grinned. “It’s good to see you,” I gave the elf a hug. She said that there was a guest room prepared for me and that dinner would be ready around seven. I thanked her and walked up the stairs to set my stuff down. The old house seemed to remember me, beaconing me in further. I found myself in the library, the warmth of the fireplace and books inviting me in. The memory of my first visit to the manor lingered with these books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I first moved to town—staying with my cousin Pansy while my life was in shambles—she invited me to a party at the manor. It was out of my usual comfort zone but she argued that I needed to make friends if I planned on staying for the foreseeable future—and I did.
But the party was a bit much and I had lost Pansy in the crowd. I wandered back here, to where there was a light coming from the open door. It was the flame of the fire and the comfort of books that called me in.
That’s where Draco found me. He asked what I was doing away from the party and I confessed being overwhelmed. He offered the library for as long as I needed.
Of course I had no idea he was the Malfoy who owned the opera house and employed most of the town; for a while I thought he was wait staff at the manor. Until Pansy and I ran into him, and the truth was revealed. I was only a little upset about it. He noted that I treated him differently after I knew. That’s when I promised to treat him like the man I met at the party if he never spent a dime on me. And for the next six months, we maintained that promise and Draco had become one of my closest friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After getting ready for work, I grabbed my coat and keys from where Mitsey always leaves them for me, on my way out the door. There was someone else in the hall. Someone Draco and I tried to avoid constantly.
“Mr. Mlafoy, I’m sorry but Draco isn’t here. I’m sure Mitsey would have told you,”
“She did. I’m curious as to why you’re here and not my son,”
“He’s on a business trip. I’m house sitting,” I shrugged. “Now please, I need to get to work.”
“This mansion has a full staff. There’s no need for anyone to house sit.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Malfoy. I don’t know what else you’d like for me. Draco asked me to house sit. I said yes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to get to work,”
“I could pay you so you’d never have to work again,” Lucius said. “Tell me what my son needs you here for,”
“Idle hands,” I gave a placid smile. “I enjoy working. Thank you.”
“I looked into you, as I do with everyone getting close to my son.” He called after me. “Showing up here out of no where.”
“Okay?” I paused.
“You’re a bright young woman. Top of her class in high school and college. Graduated early even. Duel honors. Thesis published.”
“Well yes, that’s general public knowledge.”
“And yet you’re a waitress,”
“I am.”
“I’m curious as to why,”
“I enjoy working.” I said again. “I’m not sure it’s a concept you can grasp. Now, I am late for my shift. Have a good day Mr. Malfoy. Maybe we can get coffee sometime. No need for a PI when you could just buy me a latte,” I smiled.
“Is that what my son did?”
I paused. “No.” I said. “He hasn’t spent a dime on me.”
Lucius studied me. Then spoke.
“I don’t ever approve of my son’s pets but… if you hurt my son, in any capacity—“
“I’m not his pet.” I said boldly. “And hurting Draco isn’t on my todo list. Good day Mr. Malfoy,”
And other than that one instance, there was no oddities that occurred during my stay. Mitsey allowed me to cook mostly for myself, only helping when I worked late shifts and came home dead on my feet. I was grateful for it.
Draco was supposed to be back this afternoon. I packed up my things, leaving them by the door. I wandered back to the library and picked up my book curling up in one of the plush armchairs by the fire.
When I heard his voice down the hall, along with Mitsey’s I got up. Despite my best efforts a smile was on my face. It had been a long week without him. At the very least he was my friend and I missed him. Grabbing the last of my things I missed where there were two voices instead of just his.
On his arm was a young woman—dolled up, wearing something I wouldn’t be caught dead looking at in a store but it fit her like a glove. When she saw me her eyes narrowed a bit but Draco was beaming.
“Who’s this?” The girl on Draco’s arm asked. I tried to keep my surprise under wraps but my smile became a little more forced.
“This is Y/n, a really good friend of mine,” Draco smiled. “I’ve missed you,” he almost came to hug me but her grip on him tightened.
“I missed you too,” I said. “Who’s your friend?”
“Oh this is Desiree, we meet at the conference,”
“Great,” My voice was a little squeaky. “Well, your socks are safe, and I gotta get going,”
“No, stay for dinner,” He insisted. “Please,” Draco went to give me his puppy dog stare, but Desiree stroked his arm and distracted him.
“No thanks, maybe next time,” I grabbed my duffle. “I’m glad you’re home Draco.” His eyes flashed back to mine and for a moment I thought I saw panic in them, but it was gone. “Nice meeting you Desiree, hopefully we can get dinner soon.”
Mitsey had the same frown I did. She asked me silently with a look if I was okay. I shrugged. “It was good having you here. You’re welcome any time,” she reassured as he pressed the keys into my hand.
“Um. Yeah,” I glanced back at where Draco and Desiree were making out in the middle of the hallway. I made an indignant sound and shook my head. “I don’t think I am,”
“You are.” She affirmed. “Even if it’s just to come and see me,” she winked, getting me to smile.
“Thanks Mitsey,”
“Drive safe.”
_____________________
Walking into my shift at Talons and Tempura, confusion must have been on my face.
“Okay, I know you just spent the week away from the real world, but what’s that look for?” Pansy asked.
“Um. Draco. He’s… dating someone. They met at the conference.”
“Draco Malfoy is dating someone? After drooling over you for the past six months?” Pansy laughed. “I don’t believe it Y/n,”
“Pining after me or not, I’m not the one with my tongue down his throat.” I muttered.
“Wow. Really? In front of you?” Pasnsy was aghast.
“It was just weird. Maybe I’ve been away from the real world for too long.” I sighed. “Need help tonight? Why don’t you go home and I’ll close up tonight?”
“Are you sure?”
“Go,” I laughed, grateful to have Pansy as a stand in sister. With her off I kept my hands busy with mental side work tasks. But it gave my mind room to wander. Right back to the manor, to Draco and his new girlfriend. Pansy was right—for the past six months Draco hadn’t dated anyone and this was hardly his first business conference since I’ve been around. Maybe this time was just different. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
I didn’t have a right to be mad. I denied his advances. He knew how I felt. And yet—I was so upset. Maybe my delusions of Draco being something more were just that—delusions. He was still just a rich play boy; no matter how kind he was to me. I shook the thought off my shoulders.
_______________________
“Draco,” I perked up when he walked in. “What are you doing here?”
“Is this not a dining establishment?” He jested.
“Yes,” I smiled. “Your usual?”
“Please,” he took a seat at the counter as I began to pull an espresso shot.
“Where’s Desiree?” I asked, hopefully casually enough.
“She’s the new Charms professor at the school so, hopefully there,” Draco said. Since the Battle of Hogwarts, smaller schools had popped up all over the UK in an effort to rebuild what had been damaged in the war.
“Oh. I don’t know she was a professor—what was she doing at your hoity-toity business conference?” I glanced back at him and he frowned.
“I dunno, she was just—there. In the middle of a dull meet and greet she just, lit up the whole room,” he was lost in the memory with a smile on his face.
“Must have been a god send,” I mused, placing the cappuccino in front of him.
“You have no idea,” he sighed. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone Y/n,”
Well that one hurt a bit.
“I’m glad you’re happy,” that was mostly the truth.
“I think I’m gonna marry her,” he said dreamily. I froze.
“Oh.”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea,” he picked up on my hesitation.
“I want you to be happy Draco. You’ve known her a week… I’m just a little caught off guard I guess,” I said honestly. “I’ve know you to be someone to consider everything multiple times and now you wanna marry a woman you’ve known less than a month?” I shrugged. “Just surprised me.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he nodded. “It is a little fast,”
“Merlin forbid I tell the infamous Draco Malfoy what to do with his life but… yeah I think so.”
He smiled at me, those blue eyes finally sparkling after the dull of Desiree. “I’m really glad I can always talk to you,”
“Me too,” I smiled. More patrons walked in and my attention was elsewhere, but after all of the strife my heart had been through, she felt a little more settled. I tried to not let my jealousy get the better of me but something was so off about Draco when Desiree was around. The light inside of him was… dimmer. Shadowed by her.
A week later, I walked in from the back and Pansy’s group of friends all looked up at me, like deer caught in headlights.
“What?” I asked setting down the clean glasses on the counter. There was an invitation on the counter. Thick parchment and gold lettering gave away the celebration. “Someone getting married?” I picked up the invitation.
“Um.” Pasny said.
I read the names. I pursed my lips as my brows furrowed. “Good for him,” I muttered. “Good for him,” My heart dropped like a pit in my chest. My Draco, getting married. Somehow I thought my conversation with him would have been enough. Guess not.
“Are you okay?” Pasny asked, putting her hand on my shoulder.
“Um, yeah,” I said, throwing on a smile. “Yeah, good for him,”
“Y/n,” Pansy protested.
I glanced to her friends. “Pans, it’s… it’s fine. I just want him to be happy. He’s my friend.”
“So you’re okay with him marrying someone he met a week ago?” Blaise Zabini piped up.
“No,” I said honestly. “Maybe I should talk to him again,”
“I will,” Blaise said. “He’s my friend too,”
Nodding, I let that be. If I couldn’t get through to Draco, maybe Blaise could. They had been friends throughout all of school and after. They were almost like brothers. Blaise would help Draco. Hopefully.
And yet the next day, I got an invite for lunch with Desiree, just the two of us. Merlin knew why. I didn’t want to dwell on it. But I accepted the invitation. So the next day I sat across from Desiree at a little cafe downtown.
“I know I haven’t know you very long,” She said, setting her tea down. “But I don’t have any real friends in town yet and well Draco seems really fond of you and… I was wondering… if you’d be my Maid of Honor?” Her smile was predatory, hidden by the flower of her delicate silks and flawless appearance.
“Oh,” I forced my composure. The wedding was still on. Something inside of me fractured. “Um.” My mind was reeling. How had all of this happened in a week?
“Oh you wouldn’t have to plan a thing! Draco has it all taken care of—I just know it would mean a lot to the both of us if you were there,”
“Okay,” I heard myself say.
“Yay! Oh I’m so glad!” She clapped. “If you wanna come to the manor later we can look at getting you fitted for your dress? Mitsey will be there putting the final touches on my gown anyway,”
“Yeah. Right. I get off at two,” I sounded hollow.
“Yay! Well I gotta run, wedding errands and all that but I’m so glad we had this talk!” She gathered her things and flitted from the cafe. I stared after her for a few minutes until Pansy found me. I told her where I would be going this afternoon, and though she didn’t understand why I agreed, she promised she’d be nearby just in case.
“You okay?” She asked.
“I—I’m the maid of honor.” The reality weighed on me. “Oh Merlin what did I just agree too,”
“You’re the maid of honor?” Pansy gasped.
“That’s what she asked me. I said yes.” I stood.
Getting off my shift I drove to the manor. Mitsey was there at the door. I gave her a tight smile. My emotions were on lock down.
“Y/n,” her voice was full of concern.
“I tried,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
She sighed and nodded. “I know you did. I can’t believe you agreed to this,”
“Seems like a common theme around here,” I muttered. “But… Draco is important to me and if he wants my support… I want to support him how I can,”
“You’re a good friend Y/n, a really good friend.” She squeezed my arm and let me go.
“Thanks…”
“If you ever need my help, just let me know,” She said.
“Thank you, you’ve always been so kind to me,”
The purple chiffon draped over me as Eidel, the seamstress, fussed about measurements and alterations, asking how things felt. I just kept starting at myself in the mirror, Desiree’s wedding dress on a mannequin behind me. It all felt so wrong.
“Knock knock,” Draco poked his head in. “Oh wow, Y/n, you look… wow.” A smile warmed his face.
I ducked my head, embarrassed. “Your fiancée has great taste.”
“Yes, I guess she does,” We both looked at the white dress. “You just look, wow. You have to let me take you to the next Malfoy gala.”
“I think your wife might have a problem with that,” I said solemnly.
He blinked, as if confused. “Right. Right.” He passed and a heavy awkward silence fell over the room. “Right well I… I have to go.”
“He is not himself,” Eidel said. “Not himself at all. This Ms. Desiree has thrown everything into chaos for Mr. Malfoy.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” I ran my fingers over the chiffon. “The dress does look amazing Eidel, thank you,”
“You’ve always been so kind to me and to Mr. Malfoy, I should be thanking you,”
_______________________
The preacher asked if anyone objected to the union. Draco’s eyes flashed to mine, and again I saw the panic in his eyes.
I lowered my head and kept my mouth shut.
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part two
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masterlist
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