In the orangery, Malfoid had taken the chair beside her mother, leaving Potter opposite them. She seemed entirely at ease, occasionally recommending a dish he hadn't yet tried with the quiet assurance of someone who considered it her personal responsibility to ensure he didn't miss the best of the meal. When breakfast was over, Malfoid rose and moved to the chair beside Harry. It was Narcissa who eventually returned to the gardener's job question. “And what, precisely, recommended Mr. Potter to you, darling?” Malfoid considered the question with the utmost seriousness. “His loyalty. His courage. His determination to do what he believes right, even when doing so comes at considerable personal cost.” Harry looked up. Not one word about pruning, planting, or the proper care of roses. “He also has a rather admirable capacity for enduring unreasonable people,” she added, settling in as though this were simply another item on the list. Harry stared at her. He had expected teasing, perhaps another elaborate scheme. He hadn't expected her to speak of him with such unreserved conviction. Across the table, Narcissa let the answer stand. Her daughter had given her rather more information than she had requested. Malfoid, meanwhile, appeared entirely satisfied with her assessment. Harry Potter, newly appointed gardener of the Malfoy estate, could think of nothing to say. Dracaena, naturally, appeared perfectly satisfied with the morning's proceedings. After all, she had merely told the truth. 🐍💚 #Malfoid #HarryPotter #Yearning