friday
The Guelph Gryffins rose before the sun, as per their captain's request and headed down into the tunnels that lead to the arena. Their ice time was the earliest available, Oliver insisted they start their days the right way. On the ice.
On the other side of Hogwarts, Mackenzie and Georgia had a leisurely lie in. Waking around 10 and having breakfast in their meagerly stocked kitchenette, they began to plan their day. The majority of Hogwarts guests were expected to dine in the large hall on the first floor, so their cupboard held little more than a box of cereal, a loaf of bread, peppermint tea and a jar of peanut butter. Given it was just the two of them, they agreed to spend time exploring the town of Hogsmeade.
Mackenzie decided to wear the pleated skirt Georgia insisted she pack and a close-fitting pink turtleneck but politely declined her friend's request to do her makeup. For some semblance of warmth, she pulled on a pair of lined tights and then knee high socks the same colour as her shirt.
It quickly dawned on her, however, that she left her coat in Drew’s car. Leaving Georgia to shower in peace, she headed for the parking lot. She didn’t need his keys if she was just grabbing something from the trunk, the vehicle was so old you could pop a corner of the back window free and slip your hand into the car.
Stretching her fingers as far as they could, she tried to reach her parka which was just centimeters from her grasp. “Dammit.” She exclaimed and, once the frustration set in, she quickly became aware of just how cold it was outside.
Pulling her phone from her waistband, where she had wedged it earlier this morning after realizing she was lacking any sort of pockets. Despite knowing her friend was in the shower and might not hear the ringing, she called Georgia. Or tried to, as she paced the parking lot looking for more than one bar of service. Seriously, what is it with this place? It wasn’t the 19th century.
“If he’s leaving you out here waiting in the cold, he ain’t worth it.” A voice called out from across the parking lot. Mackenzie heard a car lock and turned to see Draco Malfoy heading directly toward her. “No matter how good he skates.”
“They won’t let me in without my stupid tournament badge. I must have left it up in my room this morning.” Mackenzie confessed, fifteen minutes had passed since she first came outside. “Easy mistake because, seriously, I don't have a single pocket.” She spun in a circle, letting him get a full look at her outfit, trying to prove her point.
Pockets, or no pockets, Draco Malfoy ought to thank whoever invented the mini skirt. The woman in front of him hadn’t a clue just how perfect he thought she looked in her ensemble. Loathe to admit it, though, he couldn’t stand there staring. She was very clearly freezing in the short skirt and thin turtleneck she was wearing.
“Wait here.” He directed, before jogging back the way he came and unlocking an expensive looking truck. From which, he retrieved a thick green hoodie. Upon his return, Draco passed her the sweater and she put it on instantly. Her shoulders lost some of their tension, once she warmed up slightly. “Better?”
“Much.” Mackenzie admitted, surprised at the heat the sweater trapped within it. “Thank you.”
“Ah, don’t thank me yet. Let’s see if we can get you past Filch and back to your room.” Draco grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the hotel’s main doors and the grouchy bellhop who guarded them. “Follow my lead.” He slung an arm across her shoulders and began talking louder than necessary. “Babe, I told you. You needed your badge if you left the building at all, you’re lucky I was out on my jog or else you’d have frozen half to death.”
“I know, I wasn’t thinking.” She played along, adding to their lie. “You know me in the mornings, I’d leave my head behind if it wasn’t attached to my shoulders. Good thing you found me, Draco.” She said suggestively as he held up the required pass to the Filch and led her through the door. Their plan worked and the old man didn’t ask a single question as they passed.
Once safely through the lobby and in the elevator, Draco pressed the button for the third floor, assuming she was going to the same room as yesterday. Before pressing the button for his own floor.
“So, how is it that you know my name, and I still don’t know yours?” The striking blond asked, having noticed her use of his first name.
“Ah, the boys were in a mood after you interrupted their festivities. Your name was mentioned along with a few choice words I was taught not to repeat.” She explained, as she reached over and clicked the right button. His arm dropped from her shoulders in the process. She was staying on the seventh floor, Drew was on the third. Draco looked at her quizzically, he was sure the elevator dropped her at the third floor yesterday.
“He’s not uh-” It was really awkward to reveal one’s relationship status unprompted, but wires had already been crossed and Mackenzie didn’t want any more confusion going forward. “My brother, he’s at practice, so I’m just headed to my own room. Thank you for remembering though.”
“Brother?” Draco inquired, and suddenly her reason for staying at the high security hotel made more sense. “So, no big hockey player boyfriend, then?”
All Mackenzie could do was laugh and shake her head. Her loose waves bouncing slightly with the motion. “No.”
“Well, at least I can stop looking over my shoulder. Thought one of those Gryffins was gonna come ring me a new one for winking at their girl last night.” Draco said, turning so they were now face to face. It wasn’t until then that he realized how truly adorable she looked. Peering up at him in a sweater three sizes too big, his sweater. “Couldn’t help it, if I’m honest.”
Whatever Mackenzie expected him to say, it definitely wasn’t that. She wasn’t used to guys being so unabashed about their attraction to her. Malfoy seemed to reveal these truths as if it was the most natural thing for him in the world.
“Do I at least get to know your name, now?” Draco asked, at this point the elevator had passed his stop and was on the way up to the seventh floor. He was running out of time, before she’d leave him guessing, again. As much fun as he was having thinking about this mystery woman, he really would like a name to put to the face that hadn’t left his mind since she knocked on his door.
“Mackenzie.” She introduced herself and extended a hand, asking for his phone. He obliged instantly, and she typed her number into it. “Not that it’ll do you much good in this stone fortress, but just in case.” The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped out. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you.”
It wasn’t often that Draco Malfoy was left speechless. But the change in attitude, the increase of her confidence once he admitted his interest. It was endearing. He wasn't often the one doing the chasing. It wasn’t until he reached the threshold of his room that he remembered what it was he was supposed to be doing with his morning.
------
“And just where have you been?” Georgia stood in the middle of their common room. She was attempting to look stern with her hands on her hips but she was wrapped in a towel and there was a puddle of water at her feet. “I get out of the shower, and you’re not here. Thought the apocalypse happened or something.”
“You’re still dripping wet. Worried my ass, you probably got out of the shower ten seconds ago.” Mackenzie shot back, laughing at her friend's dramatic antics. “Seriously, did you just get out of the shower? I’ve been gone for over twenty minutes.”
“Hey. I’m not the one on trial here.” Georgia waved off the questions, walking into their room to get dressed. “Because that doesn’t look like your winter coat.”
Mackenzie looked down at the sweater she forgot she was wearing. Now noticing the large shield in the center of it, a snake slithering its way up the middle. The same logo that adorned all Slytherin jerseys.
Sneaky bastard. He had put her in enemy colours without her knowing. She was too focused on the warmth radiating from her once she put it on, she hadn’t noticed the emblem on the front of the hoodie. And, if she was honest with herself, she liked the way it smelled. Faintly of spearmint and cologne, but more prominently, it had a pleasant earthy smell to it. Like he spent a lot of time outside around trees.
“Spill.” Georgia re-entered the common room sporting a white top with a deep plunging neckline and a baby blue maxi skirt. Spinning in place, seeking a second opinion “Also, ok picture this with my long fur coat. Amaze, right?”
“That'd be perfect! And, again, not much to spill. He saw me in the parking lot, we talked in the elevator now I’m here.” Mackenzie didn't think much of their limited interactions when she tried to put them to words. Nothing to write home about, really.
“Yeah. Here sporting his hoodie and a wide smile. Something happened.” Georgia gestured dramatically, motioning for her to continue debriefing.
With a roll of her eyes, Mackenzie agreed. “Fine.” She recounted, doorway to doorway, what happened between her and the still fairly unknown hockey captain.
“So you gave him your number. Brilliant.” Georgia applauded her usually shy companion for making a move.
“Unless, he doesn’t text me. God, I’m so dumb, I should’ve just asked for his number.” Mackenzie began to doubt herself and how she handled the interaction. This is why she hated picking apart every interaction, she’d just wind up overthinking it.
“He’ll text you. I saw the way he looked at you. He’s into you.” Georgia promised, patting her friend's shoulder knowingly. “And until then, it’s just you and me, kid. Let’s go visit those shops Lee was telling us about last night.”
------
Hogsmeade village was a short walk from the castle-like hotel they were staying in. It looked similar to a ski resort. Colourful shops lined both sides of the one way road, with snow covering their roofs and windowsills. Patrons in fluffy winter gear filtered in and out of the various establishments. Georgia’s attention was immediately drawn to a pink building nestled between a bookstore and a sports equipment repair shop. The cursive sign read, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop , Georgia declared that they would be stopping there for lunch that afternoon and potentially every afternoon they were in Hogsmeade. Mackenzie knew there was no point in arguing with Georgia once she got her heart set on something, not to mention the strip wasn’t exactly teeming with lunch options.
The girls had a pleasant afternoon exploring each business along the left side of the road. Briefly stopping in Madam Puddifoot’s for tiny sandwiches and steaming cups of tea that Mackenzie simply held to warm her chilled fingers rather than drink the herbal liquid within.
By the end of their excursion, both friends were balancing multiple shopping bags in their arms as they made the hike back to Hogwarts. Mackenzie felt her phone buzz in her pocket during the walk, but hadn’t a free hand to check the notification.
Thankfully, they both remembered their badges so there was no issue entering the hotel this time around.
After a whole day of shopping and wandering Main Street, Georgia deemed a half-hour power nap a necessity. She retired to their bedroom to recuperate for whatever was on the agenda for that evening. Placing their haul of goods onto the coffee table, Mackenzie took a moment to check what caused her phone to light up. A text from her father, asking her to attend all the games he wasn’t able to watch. He wanted her to scout the competition, as he could only stop working long enough to watch Gryffin games.
The other notification was from an unknown number, one she assumed belonged to Draco but could not be sure as the text simply read,
Do you have plans tonight?
Wanting to respond, but knowing she wouldn’t be able to from where she was, Mackenzie set off once again to the rooftop for better reception. Despite having a signal as she climbed the stone steps, after having sent out a reply to her father and the unknown number, she continued up the stairs. Determined to see the roof and the view she had no doubt it offered.
What she could only assume to be a frozen door didn’t stop her as she threw her shoulder into the large wooden door, its hinges opening with a groan.
“Woah.” The word escaped her lips like a breath, completely taken aback by the sprawling landscape beneath her. On one side, a forest as far as the eye could see, even as the ground changed to large rock faces. Not quite mountainous, but they definitely weren’t in the prairies. She held up a finger and traced the thin line she knew to be the trail to Hogsmeade Village. The sun had begun setting as they wandered back onto the steps of Hogwarts that afternoon, and by now Main Street was aglow with the warm yellow light seeping from the windows of the many shops. She saw a large lake, partly frozen a mere walk from the castles stone steps.
Holding up her phone to snap a couple pictures, a notification filled her screen.
You do now. ;)
Followed immediately by another message.
7 o’clock.
Mackenzie, upon returning to her suite and discovering Georgia remained asleep, sat on their velvet sofa, her knee bouncing in anticipation. The one time she wants to overthink, her best friend is unavailable for a conversation.
Oh, how the tables had turned.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before she heard the familiar trill of an alarm, effectively ending Georgia’s power nap and signaling that Mackenzie was free to share all the worries she was brewing up as she waited in the common room.
There were definitely worse ways to wake up, but her best friend landing on her as she jumped into their bed, was not how Georgia expected to rise from sleep. She blinked as a bright phone screen was shoved in her face.
“I need advice.” Mackenzie admitted and it was enough to spur Georgia into motion. Snatching the phone from her friend, she read the short messages and nodded once.
“Looks like you’ve got yourself a date, Missy.” She inferred happily.
“What if it isn’t even from him?” Mackenzie voiced another one of her concerns.
“If it isn’t him, then at seven you’ll know and you can walk right past whatever weirdo ominously texted you.” Georgia explained, reassuring her friend by agreeing to visit the lobby with her to meet her date. “But c'mon, the wink. He’s hinting. It’s got to be him.”
“You’re probably right. And I bet he’s thinking he’s so mysterious. Are you sure you’ll be alright tonight by yourself, cause I can cancel?” Mackenzie felt guilty abandoning her friend on their last night of ‘freedom’ before her father and his rules arrived the following morning. If Georgia wanted, she would cancel on this fling in a heartbeat. She barely knew the guy, after all.
“Oh, don’t you worry about me. I’ll find something to do. Maybe I’ll try to find the gym.” Georgia figured it was the perfect opportunity to make use of the state of the art training facility Hogwarts held on the first floor.
“If you’re sure.” Mackenzie bounced on the balls of her feet in anticipation. Eager to ask for Georgia's help doing her hair.
An hour later, the Hogwarts clock tower rang out, echoing into the now dark sky.
Six thirty.
The butterflies in Mack’s stomach picked up their casual pace. She was nervous, suddenly and very briefly she regretted giving her number to the handsome stranger. If the Gryffin’s description of their rival was anything to go on, she was about to meet a hot-headed, sharp tongued brute who could turn off his emotions with the flick of a switch. Which wasn't exactly a glowing review, she knew that. But, those boys found any reason to hate their opposition and they held grudges like no other. Their feud with Saginaw was common knowledge. Their own teams 'fiercely loyal’ persona could be boiled down to their over competitive nature. Not trusting the rest of the league's players one bit, they remained a ‘tight knit hockey community’ amongst themselves and their fans. Perhaps they were a bit biased . She decided, quelling some of her nervous energy as she fiddled with the hem of her skirt.
“Alright, you look fabulous.” Georgia exclaimed, happy with her final product. She had straightened most of Mackenzie’s hair and pulled thick strands away from her face and into two thin braids. Which were now secured to the back of her head with small gold clips. Mack had foregone changing, deciding that she’d keep on the skirt and tall boots she had worn to Hogsmeade.
She took a moment to deliberate bringing the borrowed sweater, it made sense she returned it as soon as she could. It wasn’t hers, after all. But, could she chance running into someone she knew, clutching a Slytherin sweater as she made her way to the lobby? Probably not. Plus, if the evening went well she would most likely be seeing him again. Or, if it didn't, she could always just leave it outside his room and never speak to him again. It made perfect sense, really. She left the oversized sweater slung over the plush armchair in the corner of their room.
Double-checking that she had everything she needed to re-enter the building later, she and Georgia left the suite. The latter swung a water bottle in her hands as they walked.
------
He was headed to the lobby, he knew how his night would play out and was grateful he had even found the time for such activities.
Draco had really thought about it, whether or not to text her. He knew he’d enjoy getting to know the Girl from the Elevator . Mackenzie, as he now knew. He’d admit it to no one but his best friend, but he was rather intrigued by the lost woman. He had been so focused on the tasks set before him, and he hadn’t thought twice about a girl he met until he opened the door to the swearing brunette. Since their initial encounter, he’d bumped into her twice more. He wasn’t a huge believer in fate, he knew the hotel held a finite amount of patrons. But, he didn’t think it was mere coincidence the frequency of these encounters.
On the other hand, however, Draco knew his father would go spare if he learned of his son’s slight distraction. A fling wasn’t worth losing the Mythic. He had a duty to his team and his coach to put all he had into the next eight games. And, yes, he was counting the games all the way to the finals because he wouldn’t dare think otherwise.
To the Malfoys, nothing mattered more than winning. More than pushing yourself to the very best of your abilities and then pushing further still. More than a strategic rise to power, climbing the ranks with a lethal precision.
Draco knew the success of the Saginaw Slytherin could directly be attributed to the change in ownership. The year before Draco’s birth, his father signed on as head coach. Reporting directly to Slytherin’s team owner, Thomas Riddle. A no-nonsense man with a stare so cold it was near-reptilian. The man scared the hell out of Draco, he wasn’t too egotistical to think otherwise. The man scouted talent based on a system only he and a trusted few could comprehend, and stacked together team after team. Winning the Mythic year after year, carrying his legacy along with it.
There was a lot riding on the next seven days. Draco, try as he might, could only play to the best of his ability. Thomas Riddle was the one holding his entire future in his veiny hands.
Draco just couldn’t really afford any distractions. Could he?
------
He was late. Which Mackenzie found odd. Because to her, he seemed like one of those people who was always right on time.
It was 7:15 now, and she was frustrated. She sent Georgia away five minutes ago, promising she wasn’t going to wait much longer and that she shouldn’t cut into her evening for the sake of Wrong Room Guy .
“Mack. Hey.” A familiar voice greeted from behind her. She had turned to watch the snow fall out the front window and hadn’t heard him walk up. She spun to greet him, and exhaled a disappointed breath.
For there stood her brother's teammate, eyes roving up her legs.
“Cormac.” She said by way of greeting. Just her luck, of all the people she could’ve bumped into. He leaned against the stones casually.
“You got my text then?” He asked, winking. A ode to their brief messages.
“Sorry? Your text?” She exclaimed, having been under the impression the text had come from someone else entirely.
“Don’t sound so shocked.” Cormac scoffed, like they shared some mutual understanding. “Who else were you expecting, huh? Weasley?”
“Who, George?” She laughed, finding the prospect of her and any of the Weasley clan far from her radar. She moved to step around him, not wanting to hear anything further, her annoyance clear. He took a step to the right, stopping her in her tracks. He shook his head, confused and held up a hand. His meaning was clear, wait.
“If you didn’t think it was me, and you weren’t expecting George, then who was it you were waiting for tonight?” He slowly pieced together.
“None of your business, Mclaggen.” She countered, which was exactly the wrong thing to say. His murky eyes lit with a spark of understanding and he took a step towards her. She looked to her left and her gaze landed on the old security guards sleeping form. He was behind the front desk, his balding head fallen against his chest, fast asleep. Some help he’d be.
“That’s it, isn’t it. Come to whore yourself out to the other teams too then?” He demanded, leaning towards her. Disgust written on his face. She took a step backwards and her hands met the cool glass of the large window she had just been looking through. Cormac’s lip curled as he continued, “Look at yourself. Dressed like that, waiting for some stranger? You’re such a tease.”
Mackenzie wished her skirt was suddenly metres longer. She hated the way his eyes hadn’t left her legs since he arrived. If he takes another step closer, she thought to herself.
“Does Drew know his little sister is a slut?” Cormac mocked, the threat of exposure clear.
As Mackenzie balled her fist, she heard a set of footsteps and looked past Cormac towards the person approaching.
“Oi, Mclaggen.” Someone shouted across the lobby, pulling the young man's attention away. Mackenzie took a breath as she made eye contact with the speaker, his large frame a sudden reassurance.
------
He knew he’d come to regret it, but Draco had decided against texting the girl from the elevator. She seemed perfectly lovely, and normal, and definitely deserved more than a guy who would choose hockey over just about everything in his life. Plus, it wasn’t like they really knew each other. He didn't owe her anything.
At least that’s what he had been telling himself all day.
He and a few team mates decided to make the most of their free schedules and get in some extra ice time. Unofficially, of course. Three young men were walking through the first floor of Hogwarts, their bags slung over their shoulders. Housing only their helmets, skates and a pair of mittens they were headed to skate the river that ran through a portion of the Forbidden Forest.
As they neared the lobby, Draco’s attention, despite his friends joking beside him, was drawn to a movement up ahead. The girl that had been plaguing his thoughts stood in the lobby as he passed by. Surely, this couldn’t also be a coincidence.
It took him a moment, but once he saw the individual she was with, that became all he noticed. Sure, Mackenzie was there, but next to her with his hand draped familiarly on the archway beside him was Cormac Fucking Mclaggen.
Cormac leaned over as he spoke to her, taking a step closer. Biggest greaseball in the league, and he was saddled up right next to her.
Draco hadn’t realized the pair were so close, he supposed it wasn’t too far fetched.
He was on her brother's team after all, surely they were familiar with one another. An unpleasant feeling roiled through Draco's gut at the thought.
But did that account for the possessive way Cormac was holding her shoulder as he spoke? Or the way his eyes seemed trained on her long legs?
Familiar, indeed.
His friends continued walking, still engaged in conversation. He hurried to catch up, it was then that he heard just what was being said between the pair across the lobby.
“Know his little sister is a slut?” Mclaggen spewed hatefully. Then he noticed the imposing way Cormac was stood in front of her. Her hand that remained just out of view twitched, before it balled into a fist. Draco kicked himself for not catching on until then.
Striding further into the lobby, narrowly avoiding the decorative table in the center of the room, Draco shouted, “Oi, Mclaggen.”
Predictable as ever, Cormac instantly tried to stand a bit taller as he turned to respond.
“What is it, Malfoy?” He huffed, already annoyed with the blond.
“Just because that’s how I talked to your mum last night, doesn’t mean you go around talking to girls like that, eh?” Draco joked, knowing it would rile him up instantly. Provoking him, Draco turned directly to Mackenzie and joked. “Fine as hell, Clagger’s mom-” A punch flew and Cormac swung wide, missing Draco by a few inches. Draco grabbed the younger boy by the collar of his jacket and slammed him onto the wall he had just been leaning against.
“The fuck you mean? Cornering girls in the lobby, calling them sluts, does that make you feel like a man?” Leaning mere centimeters from his face, Draco hissed with an unnerving lethality. “Huh, Cormac?" His voice dripped with venom. "I can’t wait to see you on the ice, you little punk.”
The commotion, now having woken the security guard, caused his friends to approach.
“Draco, man. It’s Filch.” Blaise jogged over, needing to deescalate the situation. He still didn’t understand what made Draco walk over in the first place. It wasn’t like him to pick a fight for no reason. “Cool it.”
“Enough of this!” The old man croaked out, his voice sharp like he swallowed gravel. “I want names, who are you rascals?!” His voice raised in volume with every word until he was shouting.
Cormac was the first to scramble free of Malfoys loosening grip and he pushed open the lobby doors, rushing into the parking lot as fast as his feet would carry him.
Draco tentatively extended a hand to Mackenzie, offering her an easy escape and she took it. He laced his long, pale fingers with hers as he pulled her alongside him.
Out of the lobby. The eyes of the many portraits that hung in the hall seemed to follow them with every step. Draco’s two teammates were at their heels, they ran down the long hallway. Their strides echoing off the stone, not stopping until they reached the stairwell.
In which the four of them stood, catching their breath and reeling from their hasty exit.
“Hey. Thanks for-” Mackenzie began but couldn’t finish her sentence. So she just gestured broadly as she caught her breath. “That was-”
“Are you alright?” Draco inquired, his steel eyes glancing around wildly. Scanning her for injuries. “He didn’t hurt you did he?”
“No, no. I’m fine.” She waved him off. “I’m alright, really.”
Unsure how to handle their current situation, the three boys stood there, staring. Draco’s friends did not recognize the girl in front of them, nor did they recognize their friends current behaviour. The degree of care he was demonstrating for this girl seemed far beyond the realm of helpful strangers.
“Mackenzie, he should never have-” Draco began, trying to find a way to comfort her.
“I’m sorry,” The third Slytherin interrupts, raising a long arm in the air like he’s in a classroom waiting to be called on. “Do you two know each other?”