Serpent's Veil || Draco Malfoy.

Fury and Firewhiskey

Emily's POV

I'm on my third glass of firewhiskey, the strong beverage burning my throat as I take a long sip.

The alcohol buzzes through my system, dulling my thoughts and providing a brief escape from the worries that have been plaguing my mind.

I can't do this. I thought I would be strong enough but, I haven't even had any task assigned to me yet and I don't think I can deal with the pressure of being a Death Eater. 

It just escapes my mind how I'm supposed to do everything he wants me to.

We're all sitting in a loose circle, and I make a mental note of the situation, who's sitting with who, what everyone is doing

Reading the room, as I like to call it.

I sit next to Daphne and Millicent, who is sitting way too close to Crabbe. 

Why does everyone end up with weird people at these parties? 

Well, to be fair, those two have a little bit of history. 

Last year, they went on a date to Hogsmeade and, they had tea or something. 

Mills wouldn't shut up about it for the week following. 

Maybe I am too cold for this but I just can't see how anyone would get excited over... pastries?

 Blaise lounges lazily next to me, and Pansy is practically sitting in Draco's lap, making no effort to hide her affection for him, while he is tense, almost uncomfortable, trying to get her to sit a little further from him.

Fuck him though, it's his fault for getting with her. 

I still can't believe they're sleeping together again.

Theo is next to them and looks like he's got his mind somewhere else. 

I can't blame him, but I promised myself to try and cheer him up, so here goes. 

I don't know if you have noticed but I'm not exactly a ray of sunshine kind of girl.

"Want another drink?" I ask him, holding up my glass. 

He looks at me, his eyes unfocused, and gives a small nod. 

I pour him a generous amount and hand it over. He takes a long sip, and I watch as the tension in his shoulders eases slightly.

"Thanks, Em," he mutters, his voice barely audible.

"No problem, Theo. You know I'm always here for you," I reply, giving him a reassuring smile.

I'm always here for you? What have I turned into, Mr wonderful?

He tries to smile back, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"You guys want to smoke a bit? I've got some good stuff," Blaise pipes up, looking a bit bored. 

He gestures to a small, worn bag he's holding, full of what looks like weed. I usually don't smoke, not even herbal, but I feel like the situation calls for it.

"Yeah, let's do it,"

Blaise grins and starts to roll a joint, his hands moving with practised ease. He has a lot of experience with it; after all, he's been smoking since like third year. 

Theo smokes too, but he's been trying to quit. 

Draco, however, only ever smoked at parties like this but he stopped when it reached the point that he got so high he kissed a second year.