Back to Black- Draco Malfoy

25| therefore i am

As we walked through the chilly streets of Hogsmeade, the crisp autumn air nipped at my face. The leaves crunched beneath our feet, swirling in the wind as if they had a life of their own. Draco was up ahead, his usual swagger on full display, hands tucked casually into his pockets, blond hair gleaming even in the muted sunlight. Blaise walked beside me, his quiet confidence radiating in every step, and Theo was bringing up the rear, chuckling softly at something Blaise had just said.

“You sure the Three Broomsticks is still standing after our last visit?” Theo asked, his voice teasing but light. His grin widened as Draco turned to give him a mock scowl.

“Oh, please,” Draco scoffed, tossing a glance over his shoulder. “They should be honored we even set foot in there. It’s not every day they get such esteemed clientele.”

I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "Esteemed might not be the word they use, Malfoy. Especially after you charmed the butterbeer taps to shoot firewhiskey instead.”

Draco shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. "They needed the excitement. I was just helping them spice things up."

Blaise chuckled, shaking his head. "That’s one way to look at it. Another way is that we're lucky they didn’t ban us for life."

Theo snorted, catching up to Draco. "Well, let’s hope Rosmerta’s memory isn’t as sharp as her drinks."

As we neared the door of the Three Broomsticks, the warm glow from the windows spilled out onto the cobblestone street, casting a soft, welcoming light. The familiar murmur of laughter and clinking glasses floated out to meet us, the promise of warmth and good company beckoning us inside.

Draco paused just outside the door, turning to face us, his smirk softening into something almost genuine. “Ready to raise hell?” he asked, arching a brow.

I grinned, feeling that familiar spark of mischief light up inside me. "Always."

Draco pushed the door open, and the warmth hit us immediately. The smell of butterbeer and roasting meat filled the air, mingling with the chatter of students and the clatter of mugs on wooden tables. The Three Broomsticks was busy, but not packed—just the way we liked it.

Rosmerta was behind the bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room as she served a couple of fifth years who looked like they’d just snuck their first sip of something stronger than butterbeer. She glanced up when we walked in, her gaze lingering a little longer on Draco than usual. I wasn’t sure if it was amusement or suspicion in her eyes, but she gave a knowing smile and a small shake of her head as we made our way to an empty table near the back. That stare she had on Draco made me clench my jaw and roll my tounge on the roof of my mouth

Jealousy.

Blaise slid into a chair with his usual grace, leaning back as if he owned the place, while Theo stretched his arms above his head before slumping into his seat. Draco was already waving Rosmerta over, confident as always.

“You lot planning to behave tonight?” she asked as she approached, raising an eyebrow at Draco.

He grinned. “When do we ever cause trouble?”

Rosmerta laughed softly, but there was a warning glint in her eyes. “As long as you keep your wand holstered, Malfoy. Same goes for the rest of you.”

Blaise chuckled under his breath, and Theo gave a mock salute. “Scout’s honor,” Theo said, though I don’t think any of us ever came close to being Scouts.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” she replied with a smirk, but she didn’t press the point. “What’ll it be?”

“Firewhisky for us,” Draco said, glancing around the table for confirmation. We all nodded, except for Blaise.

“I’ll take something a bit more refined,” Blaise said smoothly, as if we hadn’t all spent half our lives downing whatever we could get our hands on. “A glass of elf-made wine, if you’ve got it.”

Rosmerta raised a brow at him but didn’t comment. “Coming right up.”

As she walked away, Draco leaned back, that smirk never leaving his face. “You know, Zabini, for someone who tries so hard to blend in with us lowlifes, you’ve got some disgustingly posh tastes.”

Blaise shrugged, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Someone has to bring some class to this group. Clearly, it’s not going to be you.”

“Class?” Theo snorted. “Mate, you’re drinking wine in a pub. I think you’ve missed the point.”

I chuckled at their banter, sinking deeper into my chair, finally starting to relax. These moments—when we could just be ourselves, no expectations, no drama—were rare but perfect. The outside world, with all its pressure and weight, felt distant in here.

“So,” Draco said after a moment, looking at me with that calculating gaze he always wore when something was brewing in his mind, “what’s next? We can’t just sit here and sip drinks all night.”

Theo looked amused. “Let me guess. You’ve already got some grand scheme planned for the evening?”

Draco’s grin widened, and Blaise sighed like he’d heard this all before. “Why does it always feel like we’re about to get into something that’s going to end in detention?”

“Because,” I said, unable to stop the smile from creeping onto my face, “with Draco, it usually does.”

Then, Blaise and Theo left to go talk to older Slytherin's on the quidditch team, it left me and Malfoy alone. I avoided eye contact with him at all costs last night we left on an okay.. note I think? He just felt weird towards me after I told him about the nightmares.

I could feel him scoot closer to me when he led on to what I was doing to him. I was praying that at any second the two bloody idiots would arrive back and save me. After passing the awkwardness, I was reminded of when we walked in and the state the bartender gave Draco.

"So, care to explain what that was all about with Rosmerta? She seems to like you." I added. It was a great night until we walked in this tragic place.

"Briar...stop it." Draco surrended. He seemed genuine besides the fact he added a laugh after it. I looked back behind me to see Rosmerta staring straight at me and Draco.

Draco heavily signed and knocked his hands on the table before leaning back and crossing his arms. "That means nothing, Black." He explained. I rolled my eyes and scoffed sitting in my seat.

Just to add on to everything, Krum walked through the door and immediately spots me mopping. I'd be fine with him being here if he didn't start walking over here..