New Beginnings

Gloom

Draco trudged through the slush to work. Other employees pushed past to hurry out of the cold. Gloomy clouds hung low overhead.

Scraping the sludge off his shoes, Draco stepped into the warm building. Chatter washed over him as everyone gossiped about the holidays.

He was waiting in line to clock-in when he saw Krystel. She was stood with her arms crossed, scanning the crowd. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted him.

'You. Outside. Now.'

'But it's cold!' Draco protested.

Krystel ignored him and grabbed him by the arm.

'What the hell were you thinking?!' Krystel hissed, jabbing him in the chest.

'Um-'

'Hermione is worried sick! She says she not heard from you in three days?!'

Krystel dug her phone out of her pocket and waved it at Draco. He saw a string of messages between the two women. He winced at the hurt evident in Hermione's texts.

'I'm fine. Tell her I'm fine. I just...there's nothing to worry about. Really.'

'Is everything ok?' Spartacus called from the doorway. He had a thick blanket wrapped around his human torso.

'Yeah, everything's fine. Sorry I'm late.' Draco scurried inside.

'She deserves an explanation!' Krystel yelled after him.

*****

'Do you want to talk about it?'

Draco looked up in surprise. Spartacus stood in the doorway of the empty room. All the other preppers had gone for lunch.

'Not really.'

'I can respect that.'

Spartacus picked up a knife from one of the tables. He started chopping mandrake roots with Draco. They worked in companionable silence for a while.

'Krystel says you've moved out,' Spartacus said at last.

'Yup.'

'Where are you living?'

'Back at the hostel. Just til I find somewhere else.'

'Can you afford that? I understand you'll still be paying rent at your old apartment?'

'Don't have a choice.'

A chunk of root skidded off the table as Draco slammed the knife too hard.

'You could stay with my herd.'

'Your herd?'

'That's just how we refer to ourselves. It's not really the right term. We're a mixed group. We camp in the forest.'

'In this weather?!'

'We've plenty of blankets. Tents too. The magic folk cast warming spells for those that need it. All rent free, everyone just shares chores and provisions.'

'Yeah, I could do that, I think?'

'Join us for dinner tonight, see what you think before you decide.'

'Thank you, I will!'

Spartacus nodded and returned the knife to the table. He left without another word.