My Damned Lover: Third Year

Chapter 17

The Three Broomsticks was smoky but clean, and she noticed a few Gryffindors in there as well. They eyed her for being with Draco, but she was more concerned about the Slytherins. They were glaring at her, and she had never felt so uncomfortable. 

Sheesh, talk about tension. Seraphina sat down and put her bag on the empty seat beside her. Draco sat across from her, and someone came to fetch their orders. "Butterbeer, please," she said politely. "

Same," Draco curtly responded. 

Seraphina glanced back and saw a group of Slytherins whispering and glancing her way. 

"Freaking half-blood." 

They threw their heads back and laughed. 

Seraphina narrowed her eyes as her jaw tightened. She wanted to hex them right here right now. 

"Oy." 

At Draco's voice, the Slytherins stopped talking. They looked at him with respect and fear, and Seraphina grew curious. Just how much did Draco have an influence over the Slytherins? 

"You're getting on my bloody nerves. Either shut up or leave," he hissed, and his eyes seemed to turn frostier with each word. They immediately ducked their heads, and the pub turned quiet. 

"I'm curious, Draco. If you tell them to jump off the cliff... will they do it?" Seraphina blinked at him. 

Draco smirked. "Do you want me to test it out?" 

"Of course not. I mean, unless you really want to. Who am I to stop you, right?" Seraphina shrugged with open palms, and Draco actually laughed, catching everyone by surprise. The drinks came, and she took a sip. The butterbeer made her lips curl into a smile, and she wondered if she should have one more after this. 

"When'd you get a mustache, Seraphina?" Draco snickered. 

Seraphina's eyes widened and she touched her lips. Did someone just hex her? "Who did it?!" She glared at the suspicious group of Slytherins and reached for her wand.

 "You. You and your clumsiness." Then he cupped her chin, turned her head towards him, and swiped away the foam on her upper lips. Her eyes widened at his touch that was surprisingly gentle. She jerked back and stared at him with rosy cheeks. He cleared his throat and looked away as well. This is too weird. Okay, I need to switch topics before it gets anymore awkward. 

"So, um, the potions project. I was thinking-"

 "When did you start playing quidditch?" His abrupt question made her lose her train of thoughts. "Huh?" 

"Quidditch. When did you get on the team?" 

She wondered if this was another tricky question, but his expression was solemn, so she decided to be sincere as well. "Um, well, in first year. Same as Harry." 

"How?" 

"Why? Am I not good enough?" She narrowed her eyes at him. 

"It's a genuine question, no?" He shrugged. 

A beat later, she said, "Well, it was a coincidence. One day, I was in the common room with Hermione. She was studying, and well, I'm a procrastinator at heart, so instead of doing my homework, I crumpled up bits of paper and tossed them into different pots and baskets. They all made it in, by the way. I guess Oliver saw that because he came out of nowhere and asked if I wanted to be a chaser. I, um, I told him I wasn't a fast runner."