Two Sides of the Serpent // Draco Malfoy

Chapter Three: Under the Influence

As we made our way to the common room, Draco remained quiet, his thoughts hidden behind his mask of normalcy. I knew that the events of had affected him but he was not one to share his feelings so like him, I kept my thoughts to myself.

Entering the common room, we followed behind the group to the far corner near the windows, a usual spot for us. Theo leaned forward, his voice a just above a whisper. "What do you make of all this, Draco?"

Draco leaned against the window ledge and stared out the windows, his thoughts were still clouded. "I make that I want to be left alone."

Pansy's curiosity got the better of her as she prodded further, "But Draco, you must have some thoughts on the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Snape, of all people!"

Noticing something had been bothering him, Blaise then added, "Give him some space, Pansy."

Known for his diplomatic skills, Blaise intervened to protect Draco's space. However, Enzo had a surprise up his sleeve. He had reached into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey. Looking around the group and giving it a swirl, he suggested, "How about we make the evening a little more exciting? It's our first day back, after all."

We all exchanged glances, smiling and nodding at the idea. As the common room slowly began to empty, students started making their way to their dorms, leaving us to our nightly shenanigans.

I relented with a shrug. "What the hell, why not?"

Enzo looked to Draco, his question implied. "You in?"

Draco's distaste was evident as he shook his head, choosing to stay where he was while the rest of us rose and headed toward a more concealed spot. But while I walked past him, he grabbed my wrist and forcing me to stop.

"I don't like you doing this," he said in a firm tone.

I scrunched my brows, "Why do I care?"

His grip on my wrist tightened. "You should care! Haven't our parents made it clear enough how important this is?" His tone was low and commanding.

"My parents made it clear that I needed to pretend and act as if everything was normal," I retorted, yanking my arm away from his grasp. "This is normal, Malfoy." With that, I joined the others, leaving Draco behind in the common room, the tension between us lingering like an unspoken spell.

I caught up with the others and Enzo had uncorked the bottle. Its sweet and smoky scent filled the air. He took a swig and passed it around to Blaise. It made its rounds, each of us taking a drink in turn.

Blaise commented with a sly grin, "There's nothing like a bit of firewhiskey to take the edge off, right?"

Pansy, who had always enjoyed a bit of mischief, smirked and replied, "Well, if we're going to navigate the maze of this year, a little liquid courage might come in handy."

Theo, who is usually more reserved had chimed in, "I guess we all need the most courage we can get this year."

The flask had finally got to me. I took a measured sip, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my chest instantly. I looked down at the flask, thinking back to Draco and what he had said. I felt a tinge of guilt as I left him behind.

Blaise turned to me, his tone hinted at his concern, "You're too quiet tonight, Evelyn. Everything okay?"

I sighed, the firewhiskey had slightly loosened my tongue. "Just a disagreement with Draco, that's all."

Pansy leaned closer, intrigued. "Ooh, do tell. What is the Slytherin power couple squabbling about this time?"

I rolled my eyes at her teasing comment. "Nothing. He's.. not too happy about drinking the firewhiskey."