𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 (18+ ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢)

The Morning After

     I sprang out of bed with energy humming through me that I hadn't felt in ages. After my jog and shower, I found myself smiling in the steamy mirror. I patted the moisture off my face with a black towel then inspected my shaving job by turning my head this way and that. I was smooth as silk.

     Using a minimal amount of product on my hair, I looked flawless in seconds—a good omen for the day. After tugging my clothes into position and checking my reflection for imperfections, I headed upstairs for breakfast.

     A shriek assaulted my eardrums when my foot hit the main landing. Books and parchment crashed and scattered across the stone floor in front of me.

     Stopping in my tracks, I spotted the clumsy Gryffindor staring, wide-eyed, and open-mouthed at me. I knew I looked good today, but I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction—nice. I smiled at her. "You dropped something."

     The attractive brunette blushed. "Clumsy me."

     I swooped down and picked them up. Handing the items back, I said, "I hope you and your belongings have a safe day, miss?"

     "Carmel Weston." Her brown eyes twinkled.

     "Carmel, like your pretty hair?"

     Her blush darkened as she nodded.

     "Well, have a safe day, Carmel."

     "You have a good day too, Mister Malfoy. And thank you for rescuing my books from the floor." She patted her belongings that she hugged to her bosom.

     "My pleasure." With a wink, I walked away.

     Her friend ran to her. "He's so hot. I can't believe he talked to you." The girls giggled.

     My smile grew as I continued into the dining hall with measured steps—ensuring everyone took note of me.

     Gliding into my seat across from Blaise, he shook his head. "Malfoy, I see you're feeling good this morning."

     "It's beautiful out, and I managed to get my morning run in on time today." I pointed to the window with sunlight streaming through the colored window panes. "Why wouldn't I feel good?"

     "Oh, I don't know." Zabini shrugged.

     An uncomfortable, burning sensation ran along the left side of my body. Turning my head, I found Pansy looking at me like she'd had some psychic vision that allowed her to look through my clothes.

     "Pans!" I chuckled nervously as warning bells rang in my head. "I didn't see you there." I glanced at Zabini and Nott for assistance, but they both drew back from the table, and their eyes drifted away.

     Pansy slithered closer to me on the bench with a smile.

     I froze as she leaned close to my ear to whisper in a mewling tone that grated on my nerves. "You look very tasty this morning, Baby. Maybe we could sneak off to the Come and Go, and I could eat you instead?" She batted her eyelashes at me, and I wondered if she had something in her eye or if she was actually trying to flirt.

     I scooted away. "Um..."

     She stuck out her lower lip in what I used to think a sexy pout was and suggested, "It could just be about pleasure... think about it."

     A specific mouth pressed against a green apple flashed in my mind. I was positive that I'd never want any part of Pansy touching me ever again. The Slytherin must have taken my silence to mean I was thinking over her offer. She'd gone back to talking to Bulstrode while glancing back at me every few seconds.