Fireshots and Frostbites

Part 1

You are just clearing up your desk at the Auror Office for the weekend, when you hear your name being called out in an all-too-familiar voice.

"Oi! Coming with us?"

Sebastian gives you his trademark grin, casually leaning against your desk . You give him a wary look.

"Where to?"

"The Cauldron. We're having drinks after this stressful week. You in?"

You cock a brow. The 'stressful week' has consisted of sitting around, waiting in vain for a case to pop up (which technically was a good thing – no cases – no evil-doing wizards), and sorting through what felt like centuries of paperwork.

You have heard about your co-workers' antics in the Leaky Cauldron, always leaving a good chunk of their monthly wages on beverages that turn even the most respectable wizard into a vulgar, sleazy pig. And Sebastian has never missed a single opportunity to join them.

In fact, their almost weekly adventures in London's pubs have earned him quite a reputation as a notorious womaniser, a rumour you have no trouble believing, given how obscenely attractive he is.

Yet, each time you have to listen to the gossip about your old friend among your – mostly female – coworkers, you feel a small pang in your chest.

Hence, you never have joined in on their little after-work parties. It is enough to hear about Sebastian smiling his way into the beds of countless women. You do not need to be there to witness it, too.

"Absolutely not."

Sebastian's smile shifts into a sulky grimace.

"Aw, come on. You're weren't this prim back in school. How many times do I have to beg for you to finally relent?"

You merely snort at that.

"Perhaps just this one."

"Pretty please?"

"No."

He lets out an overdramatic wail, which you ignore as get up from your desk and pull on your cloak. Seeing that you won't budge, Sebastian drops the banter and steps into your path, catching you off guard as he whispers your name.

You absolutely love hearing him say it and by now, he most likely has caught up on that.

"Please. Just this once. I promise I'll make it worth your while."

You swallow, fighting the blush that creeps into your cheeks.

Why does he have to be do goddamn tempting?

With a small sigh, you finally relent.

"You better. Don't make me regret it."

At that, Sebastian makes a triumphant fist pump before giving you a wink.

"Oh, I'll make sure you won't, sweetheart."

***

The Leaky Cauldron is dark, noisy and smoky and makes you miss the cosiness and comfort the Three Broomsticks used to offer during your school years.

On arrival, your coworkers make it a competition who can get wasted the fastest and so you order your butterbeer and take a seat at the far left corner of the bar, mostly out of view from the sleazy looks of the occasional blighter.

Still, you find yourself being presented with numerous drinks from various strange 'gentlemen' as the bartender calls them as he point at them, a term none of them is deserving of the slightest. You are quite sure one of them even is half-troll.