Project 137.43.M.D.

XVII. | VENIRE CONTRA FACTUM PROPRIUM

XVII.
VENIRE CONTRA FACTUM PROPRIUM
(inconsistent behavior)

When Draco stepped out into the pleasantly cool night air, she was already waiting for him. She was leaning against a brick wall, her head turned away from him, and was watching the events in Diagon Alley, which oddly enough was still very busy.

Stepping up behind her, he impulsively removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, since she had no coat and seemed to be freezing. Granger flinched and turned to face him. She swayed and Draco realized that the fresh air must have greatly increased the effects of the alcohol. He reached out and gently cupped her upper arm to steady her.

If he had expected her to push him away or squirm out of his grasp, he was once again proved wrong, because instead she just looked up at him calmly and a few seconds later linked her arm with his.

"I'll take you home," she murmured lazily.

Draco rolled his eyes.

"You're a rather lousy guardian, Granger, you know that, right? You can barely walk in a straight line."

She didn't seem to take offense at his words, but shrugged.

"Are you sure that I shouldn't take you home?" he added, giving her a quick appraising look as they slowly started walking.

"No way. You mustn't know where your guardian lives," she said, raising her index finger and tightening her grip on his arm. "I have to drop you off safely at your apartment, that's what the protocol says."

Draco had no idea what protocol she was talking about, but he didn't argue with her. In her condition, there was little point in bickering. Also, he told himself, Granger was a big girl, so she didn't really need him of all people to take care of her.

They continued on their way in silence for a while, which at Granger's pace would probably take half the night. But for some reason, Draco didn't mind. Instead he enjoyed the fresh air and the feeling of her body warmth at his side. It filled him with a strange satisfaction that she clung to him so trustingly. Up until now, every time they had accidentally touched, she had made half a drama out of it.

"Well, did you have a good time tonight?" he eventually asked, remembering that he hadn't returned the question when Granger had asked him about it at the bar.

She nodded and a slight grin suddenly played around the corners of her mouth.

"In fact, I haven't had that much fun in a very long time."

He raised an eyebrow.

"How so? Aren't you invited to parties all the time?"

"I am, but I hardly ever attend. Parties aren't really my cup of tea."

That surprised him. He had assumed that she was going out with her friends every weekend. After all, she was single and apart from this seemed to be quite popular, as he had discovered tonight. He couldn't imagine why she would prefer to sit at home alone.

"Why?"

He was genuinely interested, but to his regret found that they meanwhile had arrived on his doorstep. Faster than he had secretly predicted. And faster than he would have liked.

Granger took it as an opportunity to slowly pull away from him.

"God, Malfoy. Since when are you interested in my life? You keep pestering me with annoying questions, but I'm your-"

"-super professional guardian, I know," he finished the sentence for her and snorted.

"Exactly," she murmured, blinking up at him.