Chapter 1
“Draco, come on, mate, you need to get your head out of your own arse,” said Theodore Nott—loyal, meddlesome, and utterly infuriating as always.
They were in Draco’s room at Malfoy Manor, sipping Firewhisky while Draco meticulously perfected the final touches of his already immaculate hair routine.
Draco sighed, clearly exasperated. “For the last time, Theo, stop meddling in my affairs. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
“It’s not fine! You stubborn prat,” Theo shot back. “You’re barely living. It’s been six years—six bloody years since the Battle of Hogwarts—and you’re still miserable. You don’t have a life! You served your two-year sentence in Azkaban, buried yourself in Potion Mastery, and then threw yourself into Auror training. And don’t even get me started on how you always volunteer for the most dangerous, borderline suicidal missions. You need to stop, mate. Seriously.” He let out a deep sigh, tinged with resignation.
Draco raised an eyebrow, smoothing his hair with a frown as he caught sight of a stray strand. “We don’t have time for this nonsense, Theo. It’s Potter and Pansy’s housewarming party, and we’re more than fashionably late.”
“Since when do you care about being late? Especially for one of Pansy’s parties?” Theo snorted, draining his tumbler of Firewhisky. “Ah—wait a second. I’ve got it. You’re in a hurry because she is going to be there, aren’t you?”
“Don’t get any weird ideas, mate. I don’t care who’s there or not. Especially Granger. It’s been years since we’ve been forced into the same social circle—thanks to Potter and Pansy—and that witch barely tolerates me.”
“Aha! I never mentioned who, and yet here you are, already rambling on about Granger!” Theo smirked, a glint of mischief lighting up his face. “Don’t play dumb, Draco. You can’t help yourself. Every time she’s in the same room, you look at her like a lost puppy. It’s tragic, really.”
Theo poured himself another glass of Firewhisky, swirling it theatrically, his eyes gleaming with what Draco could only describe as wickedness mixed with impending chaos.
After a pause, Theo added, “Although, I must admit, the witch is gorgeous. If she wasn’t my friend—and a bit less terrifying—I’d probably be besotted with her too. What’s that thing she’s doing these days? Keeps her so fit, with that perky—”
Draco growled. If looks could kill, Theo would be a smouldering heap on the floor right now. Draco’s stare was sharp enough to cut steel. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he muttered, “It’s Pilates, you git. And for the record, last I heard, she’s not single. She’s with Krum. Not that I care, obviously. I just… happen to know.”
Theo burst out laughing. “See? You even know her bloody exercise routine and her love life. Admit it, Draco, you’re obsessed.” He clapped Draco on the shoulder, his grin wide and insufferable. “Now tell me, mate, how long have you been single? Last I checked, ever since you and Astoria called off the betrothal, you haven’t been with anyone.”
Draco rolled his eyes, groaning. “Merlin’s beard, not this again. For fuck’s sake, Theo, drop it. I’ve told you before—Astoria was lovely, but there was no spark. We’re good friends, and that’s that. After her, I had a few… dalliances, sure, but nothing worth mentioning. Frankly, I got sick of being the ‘Death Eater sex fantasy.’ It’s been years since I’ve met anyone remotely interesting.”
Theo gave him a scandalised look. “That’s a piss-poor excuse. What about Muggle women, then? They wouldn’t have a clue about your past. Problem solved.”
“What?” Draco spluttered, almost spilling his drink. “For fuck’s sake, Theo, no. Absolutely not.”
“Why the hell not? It’s not like you’re clinging to your family’s rubbish beliefs, is it?”
Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, of course not. It’s nothing like that. But, shocking as it might be to you, I’m not into casual flings. Sure, they’re fine at the moment, but afterward? I just end up feeling even lonelier. I can’t be with someone I can’t be honest with about my very nature as a wizard. That’s all.”
Theo snorted, his grin turning into a teasing smirk. “Oh, you poor, tragic romantic. You’re a walking poetry book waiting to happen.” He gave Draco a light slap on the cheek, the gesture somehow both patronising and affectionate. “But let’s not kid ourselves here. This whole ‘I haven’t found anyone interesting’ excuse is bollocks. You do find her interesting—more than interesting. You’ve been gone for her for ages. We all knew it back at school. Honestly, mate, you’re the poster child for that whole ‘boys pull the hair of the girl they fancy’ nonsense. You were a little shit back then, I’ll give you that. But now? Nah, mate, now you deserve a bit of happiness. You’ve done your time—more than enough atonement for a lifetime. So stop being such a stubborn arse and just admit it already.”
Draco deflated, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh. “Even if all your ridiculous theories were true… She’s out of my league, Theo. I don’t deserve her.”
Theo rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t fall out of his head. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake, that’s not for you to decide, is it? How about, just this once, you stop wallowing in self-pity, go after the girl you’ve been pining over for years, and let her decide if she wants you or not? Do something—anything—because at this point, mate, you’ve got nothing to lose. You’re not even good friends, so there’s nothing to ruin. Well, except maybe your ego, but let’s be honest, we both know that’s big enough to take the hit.”
“Just like that? You expect me to woo Granger as if it’s some easy feat? Have you heard yourself? You literally said not five minutes ago that she’s terrifying—and that’s why you haven’t tried to woo her yourself!” Draco huffed, crossing his arms. “She hates me, Theo. The only reason we even acknowledge each other is because of our mutual friends. She doesn’t talk to me; she’s always busy plotting how to save the bloody world.”
Theo waved his hand impatiently, sloshing his drink in the process and earning another vicious glare from Draco. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, mate. Yes, she’s busy, and yes, it’s a challenge to get her out of her own head, but you can handle it. Let’s face it, you’re an arrogant, egotistical twat who thinks his perfect hair and smouldering smile can charm any woman—and you’re usually right. You just need a little confidence around Granger.” He leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. “And lucky for you, I happen to have just the thing.”
“Thanks, mate. You really know how to cheer a friend up with all the flattering compliments,” Draco said dryly, running a hand through his hair, only to grimace when he realised he’d mussed it. “And don’t get any ideas—you’ve always got the most mortifying ones.”
Theo shrugged, unfazed. “All right, if you’re not interested, forget I said anything. Let’s get going then.” He strolled out of Draco’s room, heading towards the Floo with an air of smug nonchalance.
Draco muttered something under his breath—something suspiciously like, I swear I’m going to regret this bloody nonsense… Then, louder, he called, “Wait.”
Theo’s grin was so wide it looked like it might split his face. He turned back, pulling a small vial from his robe pocket and flicking it under Draco’s nose like a tantalising carrot. “Felix Felicis,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Felix Felicis? That’s your brilliant idea?” Draco asked, incredulity dripping from every word.
“You’re the Potion Master; surely you know it’s just a little something to give you a bit of luck in getting what you want,” Theo replied with a smug shrug.
“It’s ridiculous, Theo. I’ve never used Felix Felicis. Do you have any idea how temperamental that potion is? The bloody thing takes six months to brew! And let’s not pretend a little luck is going to help me with Granger.”
“It wouldn’t make things worse, though, would it? Like I said, you’ve got nothing to lose,” Theo countered, grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he gave the vial another tantalising flick under Draco’s nose.
“Give me that,” Draco snapped, snatching the vial from Theo’s hand with an air of defiance. Without a second thought, he uncorked it and downed the potion in one swift gulp.
“Just to prove to you how utterly useless this is. What could possibly go wrong?” he added, wiping his mouth and glaring at Theo.
Theo’s grin stretched impossibly wider, a glint of pure mischief in his eyes. “Oh, what can go wrong, indeed? This is going to be absolutely brilliant to watch.”