Chapter: Tea date

A week had passed since the start of summer break, and the Oldkey's garden was already in full bloom. The afternoon sunlight draped the ivy walls in gold, and the soft hum of bees floated through the air. Maddie knelt beside her mother, her hands gloved and dirt-dusted as they clipped flowers for the vases inside the house.

Mary hummed softly — an old French lullaby she used to sing when Maddie was a child — while trimming a row of white lilacs. "Next week," she said suddenly, "I was thinking we could go to Diagon Alley. Do a bit of shopping."

Maddie glanced up from the patch of herbs she was sorting. "Shopping? Why?"

Mary smiled and straightened, brushing soil from her gloves. "Because it would be fun, ma chérie. You've been cooped up in Hogwarts all year – I think you could use some color in your life. Maybe even invite your friends from school. Oh, and perhaps Narcissa will join us."

At that, Maddie's hands stilled. She looked down at the soil and began pulling at a stubborn weed, pretending to be occupied. "Maybe," she said lightly, though a quiet ache pressed at her chest. Friends. The word lingered like something fragile, something she didn't truly have.

Before either of them could continue, a soft pop echoed beside them. The family's house-elf, Pip, appeared and bowed deeply."Miss Maddie, Mistress Mary," he squeaked. "Tea is ready, out in the gazebo."

"Merci, Pip," Mary said warmly. "We'll be right there."

They took off their gloves, brushed their hands clean, and walked down the garden path. The gazebo sat in the far corner of the estate, surrounded by climbing roses and trimmed hedges, sunlight spilling through the open latticework. A white porcelain tea set waited for them on the small table — delicate cups, lemon biscuits, and a vase filled with freshly picked peonies.

Maddie settled into her chair, her hair still faintly tousled from the wind. Mary poured the tea, the gentle clink of china blending with the rustle of petals.

"So," Mary began with a teasing smile, "tell me everything about school. The friends, the classes, the... boys."

Maddie nearly choked on her sip of tea. "Maman," she said, laughing awkwardly.

"Oh, come now," her mother said playfully, eyes glinting. "Don't pretend you're not surrounded by charming young wizards. Surely one or two have caught your eye."

Maddie looked at her mother for a long moment – the softness in her expression, the way she genuinely wanted to understand. But behind Maddie's polite smile, her eyes felt distant, almost hollow. The truth was simple and heavy: she didn't really know what that world — of crushes and drama and giggles over love letters – felt like.

"There's one boy," she said after a pause. "Adrian."

Mary raised a brow, leaning in slightly.

"But there's nothing there," Maddie added quickly, shaking her head. "He's... not who he seems. I think I was a little foolish to think he might be."

Mary's teasing softened into concern. "You're still young, darling. You'll meet people who only see the surface — your name, your face, your grace. But someday, someone will see you. All of you."

Maddie looked down at her cup, watching the tea ripple as a soft breeze passed through the garden. "Maybe," she said quietly, then lifted her gaze again. "How have you been, maman? Did you miss me too much?"

Mary smiled, reaching over to brush a stray hair from her daughter's face. "I started painting again," she said, her tone light but proud.

Maddie's eyes lit up. "Really? You haven't painted in ages! You have to show me later."

"I will," her mother promised, her smile deepening. "I've also been spending more time outside lately."

Maddie tilted her head slightly, curious."With who?" she asked softly, brushing a petal off her dress.

Mary smiled — that gentle, knowing smile that always made Maddie feel small again, like she was ten."Oh, just Narcissa," she said casually. "We've been chatting and meeting for tea lately. She's such a charming woman. We talked about you too — how grown you've become, and how we should all go shopping together in Diagon Alley next week."

Maddie blinked in surprise. Narcissa Malfoy. That name still felt heavy, elegant, and slightly intimidating.But she smiled, relieved — and maybe even happy — that her mother had found someone to talk to while she was away at Hogwarts.

"That sounds nice," Maddie said softly, setting her teacup down. "I'd like that."

Mary's face brightened even more. "Good! And Narcissa mentioned she's hosting a little midsummer party next weekend. I told her we might come, if you're up for it."

Maddie nodded quietly, pretending to be focused on her tea, though her thoughts were already drifting — picturing chandeliers, polished floors, and the familiar chill of aristocratic gatherings.

As the sun dipped low, they lingered in the garden until the sky turned violet. The air smelled of roses and chamomile, and the world felt peaceful for once.

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That night, after dinner, Mary kissed Maddie's forehead."Sleep well, ma chérie," she whispered. "Tomorrow, we'll go shopping – and meet Narcissa there."

Maddie smiled faintly. "Bonne nuit, maman."

When the lights went out, she lay awake a while, staring at the ceiling — wondering if Diagon Alley might hold something new for her this summer.

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Hello, I'm sorry I forgot my password to this acc and wasn't able to publish anything, but I finally got it so be ready for big updates (;

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