Chapter 26 - Don't Plan for Long Trips, Drain You Dry

" Remind me again why we came to Greece? " Lyran mutters as they walk through Plaka in Athens. " To have a holiday? " Annie answers uncertain.

" Then can someone explain to me why Louis disappears at every chance he has, dragging Draco along with him? " She asks exasperated. " Cause his Louie. " Annie explains more certain this time

" That answer does not reassure me in any way shape or form. " Annie and Richard shrugs their shoulders in synchronicity.

Natalia and Justin were having their own fun somewhere else, in Lake Vouliagmeni to be more specific.

The group of Princetons had split into two to do their own things for the day, but Louis suddenly upped and dragged Draco along splitting the two groups into three. The Malfoy and Princeton heirs were nowhere in sight.

" Where in Merlin's beard did those two disappear to? " Lyran grits out as she attempts to walk calmly, but fails miserably.

" We should place a tracker on him. " Richard jokingly says while he and Annie follow behind Lyran.

" We already tried that idea, but Louis removed it in three seconds flat. " Lyran sadly says, " How? " " Not even I know. "

Glumness aside, the scenery was great! And the locals made the place even better with their vibrant energy!

• • •

" Louis! Where in the bloody heck are we?! " Draco at the moment is experiencing very mixed emotions, all his worry and joy clashing together and creating a very confused Draco.

He did not mean to split from the other three willingly, he was dragged away before he even knew what was happening.

By now, Louis has practically dragged him all throughout Greece by their second week. How was that even possible?! But, all the food he had eaten were unquestionably the best.

" So are you enjoying yourself? " Louis suddenly asks Draco while they were taking a short break on a bench.

" Aside from all the craziness? Yeah. I'm having a lot of fun in Greece. Perhaps I should travel more in the future. " The young Malfoy reflects as he looks at the sunset.

" Good, we all deserve a break every now and then, and holidays overseas are the best way to spend a break. Don't you agree? " Louis smiles happily at a relaxed Draco.

Seeing his best friend happy for him, makes Draco realise that having real friends who sincerely care for him are the kind of friends he wants in his life.

Agreeing with Louis, he nods his head and looks back to the sunset.

Silence blanketing the area for a short while, the boys decide they've rested enough and leave the bench to continue their exploration.

• • •

" Whyyyyy? " Both boys say in sync, " Because if you miss school then you'll have to repeat the year? " Justin says to the boys.

" NO! " Both shout out at the same time. " Are you sure they aren't siblings? " Annie asks Natalia and Justin curiously.

" The birth certificate says so. " Natalia replies in confirmation. Meanwhile, the two boys were hugging a nearby tree in desperation while Justin attempts to pry them off of it.

" Are we really going back home now? " Louis asks with wide, teary eyes. " Can't we just stay a little longer? " Draco follows along.

Natalia, Lyran and Justin flat out rejects them. " No. "

" I'll hide your art supplies and Jello if you don't get on the plane. " Natalia threatens Louis, " Alrighty then! Let's head on back home! "

The sudden change in attitude wasn't really a surprise for the group, considering Louis' only hobby and favourite food is at risk.

With a defeated sigh, Draco trudges along beside Louis heading to the cab waiting for them. " Everyone check and see if you've forgotten anything back at the hotel. " Lyran reminds as she too double checks her stuff.

" Nothing missing? " She asks. Getting the collective answers of ' No. ' She nods her head and signals for the driver to head off.

Evening came and it was time to board the plane, everyone drags their heavy feet along due to pure exhaustion from exploring the airport.

The small group place their carry on luggage above their seats and then proceed to melt into their cushioned seats and drift off into dreamland and only return when they've landed back home.

• • •

" I will say, that was the most peaceful sleep I've had in weeks! " Lyren happily says as she stretches her body.

Nodding his head in agreement, Justin turns his attention to his still asleep son.

Louis was out like the dead even after the landing of the plane, he made no movement of whether he was awake or not. He's practically dead to the world with how shallow his breathing is at the moment.

Gently shaking Louis by the shoulder in an attempt to wake him up, it comes out fruitless.

Seeing as they were one of the last people still on the plane, Justin decides to just pick up Louis and throw him over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes but in a very gentle manner.

Taking down Louis' carry on luggage with his free arm, Justin then heads toward the exit where the rest of the group was. " His still out? " Draco asks amazed.

" You'd be surprised by how long he sleeps on some days and how he doesn't respond to anything outside his dreams. I'm just weirded out by how this, " He lightly jerks Louis' body, " Doesn't happen in Hogwarts. "

" New environment perhaps? He could've just been uncomfortable in a unfamiliar place. " Richard suggests sleepily, " You and I both know that's not true. "

Putting the matter of Louis and his sleeping habits aside, the Princetons and Draco have at last collected their bags and are now heading towards the lounge area of the airport for a short rest.

" Mm? Are we home yet? " Louis mumbles rubbing his eyes while his still on his dad's shoulder. " We arrived thirty minutes ago. " he says as he places Louis on his feet.

" Hooray...! " Louis yawns halfway through his celebration. " Are we dropping off Draco back at his manor or are his parents fetching him? " He asks his mother.

" They did write that they'd be picking him up at the airport. " Natalia reminds Louis as she gives him a his warm cup of tea.

" Hey Nat, Justin? I've got to go cause Lukas is still having trouble with the M.O.M and his trip to France. I'll swing by the house soon, see ya! " And with that, Lyran apparates to the ministry and Lukas.

" Natalia! Justin! It's good to see you again! I take it that you and the kids had fun in Greece? " Narcissa asks giving Natalia and Justin a hug.

" Did you bring any souvenirs? " Lucius asks out of nowhere, " Haha! Hilarious one Lucius! " Justin laughs aloud as he pats Lucius on the back.

" Sure. " Lucius mumbles grumpily like a cat " Don't worry father, I brought back souvenirs for you, mother and my baby sibling. " Draco happily informs as he hugs his mother in excitement looking at the small bump on her belly.

Half an hour more and the two families decided it was time to head back home and said their goodbyes.

• • •

" Kids! Hurry up now! We're going to end up missing the Hogwarts Express if you delay any longer! " Natalia hurries the three young Princetons.

Even she and Justin are hustling themselves around the manor. The jet lag from their flight had made them sleep through a whole entire day.

And considering the fact they had landed a day before school started, they were very much screwed.

" Everyone got what they need? " Natalia asks slightly panicking, " Bandit? Where'd he go? Bandit! " Louis shouts out for his niffler running around the house.

" Bandit! There you are! And whyyy are you going through my mums jewelry? Forget it, we gotta go now or we'll miss the train! "

It may be a blessing by Merlin or by some purely weird coincidence that Bandit had snuck with him, a certain object that would be helping Louis in the long run.