RIDDLE ME THIS

42

we had been holed up at Malfoy Manor—the apparent refuge hotspot—for almost a week.

luckily, we hadn't seen or heard from Father, but we had to get out.

so, we found ourselves sat on a train, heading for Pansy's apartment in London.

Christmas was in five days, so our mission was to find presents for each other.

i held Draco's arm tightly as we pushed our way through the bustling crowd on the Tube, cramming ourselves into the carriage.

after what felt like days of travelling, we burst through Pansy's front door and heaved sighs of relief.

"why the hell is it so busy?" i groaned.

"it's London at Christmas," Pans stated. "and it's only going to get worse."

"great." i wandered into the kitchen in search of a glass of water and yelled in surprise. "who on earth is this?"

"hello, i'm Violet," the intruder turned away from the stove. "Pansy's sister."

"surprise," Pans grinned.

"Vi," Draco hugged the girl. "i haven't seen you for ages—i've missed you!"

i monitored the two closely, trying to ignore the pricks of jealousy.

"i didn't know you had a sister." Tom frowned.

"you must be Tom." Violet extended a hand.

"yeah," he shook her hand.

"Pansy has told me a lot about you guys."

"strange, we haven't heard anything about you." i narrowed my eyes.

Violet only shrugged. "it's nice to meet you all."

i watched her closely.

"i've never seen you at Hogwarts." Tom watched her too. "i'm sure i'd remember if i had."

i fought the urge to gag.

"i've left school now," she shook her head. "but i went to Beauxbattons."

"so did my sister," Tom turned to me. "do you remember her?"

"no." i gritted my teeth.

"Violet is so clever she was moved up a year." Pansy informed us.

"oh, wow." Tom's eyebrows lifted.

i rolled my eyes and headed for my room.

"what's up?" Draco followed me.

"'i've missed you, Vi!'" i mimicked him.

"what?"

"you heard me."

the corners of his lips turned upwards.

"i have no idea what you're smiling about." i huffed.

"you're jealous."

"you're insane."

"really?"

"why would i be jealous?"

"no reason whatsoever."

i picked up a cushion and hurled it at his head.

"Lo!" he swatted it away.

"this is one of the times where i really don't like you!"

his eyebrows lifted and i picked up another cushion.

"i'm not laughing!" he protested.

"yes you are!" i threw the cushion at him but he caught it and chucked it right back at me.