Work Text:
Draco loved the rain. It was a dreary day, and the Irish lands around him were lush and green. He ducked into Crumbles, his favorite coffee shop, greeting the owner with a nod. As he waited in line, he looked around, observing the usual guests. He savored the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sugary pastries, and he eagerly ordered both when it was his turn at the counter. He went to his usual seat, sat down, and started in on his treat.
He often spent time at Crumbles, working on his laptop, and drinking cup after cup of espresso. He enjoyed existing in the muggle world. Nobody knew his past, his link to all of the horrible things that happened during the Wizarding War. He had a muggle job as a photographer for the local newspaper and he mostly kept to himself. It was easier that way.
An hour or so had passed before Draco finally closed his laptop and looked up. Just as he did, the door opened and a woman walked in. She was strikingly beautiful, but that wasn't the most enduring thing about her. Her presence, her aura, was the purest magic Draco had ever felt. He couldn't help but stare as she locked eyes with him and smiled as she walked to the counter to place her order.
Draco opened his laptop back up and pulled up some work. He couldn't leave yet. He didn't want to miss the feeling of being around her, as it was the most joy he'd ever felt. He could only hope she would stay in the shop to have her coffee.
"Thank Merlin", Draco thought as she grabbed her things and headed to the tables. To his surprise she chose a seat diagonal from him, facing him. He pretended to work on his computer as best as he could. She caught his eye several times, smiling. He knew he was making a fool of himself smiling back, Malfoys are calm and collected, but he couldn't help it. This woman almost had the effect of a Veela on him, but he could tell she was human. He needed to be near her.
He decided to do something he'd never done before. He got his things together, got up, and went to sit at her table. She looked at him like she'd known him her entire life and before Draco could get a word out, she said "I'm so glad you came and sat down. I'm Eden, what's your name?"
They talked. They talked for hours. Draco nearly got sick off of pastries and Eden was buzzing from the caffeine. When it was time for them to go, they exchanged numbers and Draco knew they would keep in touch. He was terrified. Did he even deserve her friendship? She made him feel like he did, and they didn't even truly know each other yet. She made him feel seen, accepted. There was something special about Eden. And it all started with a smile.