Project 137.43.M.D.

XXXI. | TESTES DE AUDITU

XXXI.
TESTES DE AUDITU
(hearsay evidence)

Diagon Alley was unusually crowded for a weekday. Draco watched the hustle and bustle on the street through the polished window pane of the little pub and dwelt on his thoughts. He had a cold butterbeer in front of him (it was his third), and though it wasn't even dark outside he was already feeling a bit tipsy.

Sitting with him at the table were some of the wizards he had met at the party he had accompanied Vivian to. When their invitation had fluttered into his apartment via owl, Draco hadn't hesitated for a second, after all he could use the distraction. Still, he found it difficult to listen to them now. Again and again he drifted off and mentally ended up back with her. Granger. It unsettled him more and more.

As she had been preparing to get up from his bed the last time they had met, which was a few days ago now, he had realized that he didn't want her to leave. He had almost asked her if she wanted to stay the night, but then he had felt stupid and decided to drop it. To his own surprise, he had kissed her goodbye instead.

The moment he had done it, he had known it had been a mistake. Not just because of Granger's odd expression, but also because he had realized it had been a completely intuitive act. He hadn't wanted to provoke, manipulate, or confuse her. It had been an inner urge that had driven him to pull her close once more. And until now, Draco just hadn't found an explanation for it.

After all, it was just sex, wasn't it?

He didn't want Granger to think he was one of those idiots who fancied their guardian. Merlin, he did not fancy Granger. She was hot and definitely a little lunatic, which somehow made her more likable than he could have ever imagined. Besides, her presence was bearable now. But fancying her? Miss Know-It-All? Not in this life, and not in another.

Sighing, Draco was just about to turn his head away from the window to rejoin his companions' conversation when he suddenly spotted a familiar face in the crowd on the street. He tensed up immediately.

"I'll be right back," he murmured, getting up from the table and leaving the others without further explanation.

He wound his way through the crowded pub and finally stepped onto the shopping street in front of the door.

"Nott. Oi, Nott, wait a minute."

The addressed stopped abruptly, but still had his back to him. Only when he got closer did Theodore Nott slowly turn around and glare at him. Even though he had aged a few years, his features were still familiar to Draco. Except that he actually remembered Nott as very level-headed, while now he already seemed vexed, even though Draco had done nothing but call his name.

"Malfoy," he snorted, and Draco could tell from his tense posture that he was most likely clutching his wand, which was probably in his pocket.

He also caught a glimpse of Nott's Ministry badge, but he didn't recognize the department and didn't really care anyway. So he looked Nott in the face again.

"Long time no see," Draco said provocatively, to which Nott raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want?"

Nott's voice was dangerously low. He obviously tried not to draw attention to them, but it didn't help. Wherever Draco went these days, people stared at him. He still wasn't sure why that was, and the frequency of the odd glances had already diminished over the past few weeks. But even now a few passers-by watched them curiously. Draco skillfully ignored them. He had nothing to hide.

"Nothing specific, but we haven't seen each other in ages. I recently met Pansy. Did she tell you about it? Congratulations on your wedding!"

He cocked his head and eyed Nott curiously. Whatever reaction he would elicit from the ex-Slytherin with his provocation, it would hopefully help him solve the mystery he had been pondering for over a week.