ice ice baby

“Not really, but-” Draco began thinking of how to explain their acquaintanceship. 

“Well, sort of-” Mackenzie continued but she too thought of how to sum up their limited interactions. “We’ve met. Briefly. Repeatedly. No, now that sounds dirtier than it was.” 

The two unknown hockey players raised their eyebrows at her choice of words, the brunet snickering slightly. 

“I think what Mackenzie means to say is that we’ve bumped into each other a few times since our arrival.” Draco explained. Turning to his roommate, he mouthed under his breath. “Elevator Girl.” 

“Huh. We call you the Wrong Room Guy.” Mackenzie observed, just thinking out loud as she stared at him. After remembering who she was with, a furious blush bloomed across her cheeks. 

Draco, after trying, poorly, to maintain eye contact with his friends, let his gaze slide to the person that had been occupying most of his thoughts. And he noticed the moment her brain caught up to her mouth and she realized what she had said. He found it endearing the way her face lit up with colour, the casual truth having slipped past her lips.

“I can accept that.” Draco nodded, realizing that meant she had been talking about him to her friends. He would not acknowledge why that made his heart rate speed up. 

“He’s definitely been called worse.” Blaise joked, trying to ease whatever weird tension had settled in this overcrowded stairwell. “Now, I was promised a magical skate through the forest. So, Elevator Girl, feel free to find a pair of blades and join us.”

“I don’t uh,” Mackenzie started to say, but soon realized how stupid it would sound to a bunch of hockey players. “I don’t really enjoy skating. Like, at all.”

“Don’t be silly, you’re at a hockey tournament. You have to like skating.” Draco’s roommate, Theo,  argued with her. 

“Never said I didn’t like it, I said I don’t enjoy it.” She countered, quoting her exact words. Catching as he rolled his eyes at her specifics. 

“Semantics. My boy Malfoy here, he’s a lovely skater.” Theo began, ready to play wingman for his closest friend. “He can-” 

“I know.” Mackenzie admitted, not bothering to hide it. Refusing to acknowledge the heat that crawled up her neck as Draco’s gaze landed on her, once more. She had noticed his unreadable eyes on her for most of the conversation.

“Wait, what?” He asked, locking eyes with her. Mackenzie could’ve sworn the grey of his eyes lightened a few shades as he did. “What do you mean you know?”

“I’ve seen you play. Saw you score that game winner at last year’s Mythic. He was there too.” Mackenzie explained to Draco, pointing to the man she now inferred to be Theodore Nott. She listened to her brother rant about them for the following week at dinner after that loss. “Not as lovely a skater, though.”

“Ouch. Yes, Blaise I say we do invite her with us.” His roommate nodded approvingly at Mackenzie, “Come skating with us even though you despise the very act?”

“Is he always this dramatic?” Mackenzie asked Draco as he readjusted the bag Blaise had just handed him. Having picked his friends gear up amid their flee.

“He’s usually worse, actually.” Draco teased his lineman good-naturedly. 

“Ah. Well, captain's orders.”  She agreed, promising participation but only if he was as honest as she was being. “I’ll come tag along if he wants me there.”

“Listen, about me not texting you-” Draco started to explain but luckily his friend interrupted.

“She’s giving you an out, Cap. Take it.” Blaise urged, knowing his friend would dig himself into a worse hole if he tried to explain.

“Mackenzie, you’re more than welcome to join us.” Draco urged, not missing the look exchanged between his friends as he said so. “Please, do.”

------

The Forbidden Forest was a thick grove of trees that stretched for kilometers in every direction. Through it ran a small creek that froze solid every winter. On either side of the creek grew thick evergreens. The occasional bush sprouting bright red berries could be seen peeking out from a blanket of snow. The sun had been set for hours at this point, the moon now high above them as the group skated atop the creek's frozen surface. The smallest of the four wobbled slightly and let out a slight gasp as she extended her arms in either direction. 

She found purchase in the form of Draco’s left hand which he automatically extended toward her as she hit an uneven patch of ice. 

“So tell me this, do you hate skating because you don’t like it or because you’re bad at it?” He teased, genuinely wanting to know how she’d answer. They laced up their skates on the bank of the creek just under an hour before. So far, she seemed to enjoy being outside with them but she did have a mouth built for complaining. An absolutely spoiled princess, he could tell, especially from the type of guy he knew Andrew Kirke to be. Draco slid them both to a stop, her hand still firmly gripping his as they skated at a near glacial pace. 

“Both. And I don’t think that’s a crime.” She raised her gloved hands in mock defense. “I’m just not great at it and I don’t enjoy the activity enough to want to improve the skill. Plus, I don’t like doing things that consist of me being cold and falling over repeatedly.”

“Listen, I’ve helped you out with being cold once already today. I’m going to start running out of clothes if this keeps happening.” He reached around his shoulder unzipping the backpack he wore. He rooted around for a moment before pulling free a light grey toque. On it the letter S was knitted repeatedly, adorned with a large green pom pom. He laughed at the annoyed look she threw his way, her eyebrows furrowing together.

“Absolutely not. It was bad enough that I was walking around in that sweater this morning.” She insisted, crossing her hands over her chest. The tips of her ears were pink with cold but she shook her head. Spoiled, indeed.

“It’s either that or your ears freeze, Princess. Take your pick.” He lifted the hat in offering, one final time, and she huffed in acceptance.

“Fine. I’ll wear the hat.” She extended her hand, expectantly. Draco smiled and in a moment of uncharacteristic boldness, skated up to the young woman and pulled the hat directly onto her awaiting head. Draco Malfoy was by no definition short, and on skates he became a height that required Mackenzie to tilt her head back when she looked him in the eye. Lest she just stare at him through her lashes, which she would admit, had its time and place. 

“Wasn’t that difficult, was it?” He stared down at her, Mackenzie’s eyes glinting with the same thought he often knew could be seen in his own gaze if one really went searching for it. That need to have the last word, no matter what. That stubbornness. “Now. You’re warmer, so the only thing left to fix is the falling over.”

“Huh?” Mackenzie was lost. He had pulled the tacky hat over her head and she forgot to pay attention to anything beyond the way Draco was currently looking at her. Like he already recognized something within her. Like he knew her. 

“You. Skating. You have to trust your body, Mackenzie. I can see you thinking about every movement before you make it. There lies your problem, alright? You can’t think at all. Just trust that you’ll balance yourself out, and skate.” He spoke to her like he was teaching a class and perhaps she needed that. To call her out on simply being lazy and not wanting to improve the skill. 

“Yeah, but if I need to stop then-” She voiced another one of her concerns. He shook his head and glided so he was behind her, with a hand on either shoulder he began to move.

“Nope, don’t need to stop, we’re skating straight along the creek.” He led her forwards as she remained perfectly stiff. Not yet having the confidence in her own abilities or not wanting to prove him right, Draco wasn’t sure which. “God, you’re stubborn.  Just move your feet, Mackenzie. I promise, you’ll be fine.”

Trusting his judgement slightly, she began pushing off of one foot then the other. Sooner than she would have liked, the pressure from where Draco had been guiding her shoulders lifted. Suddenly, he was in front of her. 

He watched her for a moment, not saying a word. Glancing down to match her strides, Draco began skating backwards, wanting to see the expression on the face of the woman in front of him. 

Mackenzie still wasn’t convinced she’d ever really love skating, but even she could admit that she felt more stable on her feet.

“See, I told you that you knew what you were doing.” Draco acknowledged her instant improvement and took off ahead. She allowed the momentum to carry her as she watched him catch up with his friends. Just as she had said, he was a lovely skater. 

Before she knew it, he was returning. Skating towards her with a wide, childlike grin on his face. He was clearly enjoying himself, and Mackenzie decided then that she could do this for him. Stuff her complaints deep down until she was back in her suite with Georgia. She’d try and see it from his eyes. This thing that he made look so beautiful and effortless.

“C’mon Theo and Blaise are about to race to the point and back, loser owes us all hot chocolate.” Draco gestured toward a fallen tree where the other two boys stood impatiently at what Mackenzie inferred to be the starting line. 

The pair was going to skate until the creek widened, opening onto the Black Lake. Which was a connected body of water that was just as popular for skating as it was for swimming in the warmer months. 

The first person to reach the Black Lake, turn around and skate back would be crowned the winner. Blaise and Theo assumed their positions. The taller of the two, Blaise, was bent nearly in half as he put his elbows on his knees in anticipation. Theo, taking a different start entirely, was bending his knees slightly and had his arms loose at his sides. Mackenzie stood off to the right, ready to signal the start of the race.

Mackenzie counted down from three, starting the race with a resounding shout that echoed across the lake. Theo Nott, despite his friend's initial lead, was entirely unfazed. Managing to chirp Blaise as he picked up speed on the return. “You hoping for a participation trophy, Beans?” 

Theo took first place and skated past Draco with a knowing smirk. Blaise insisted that Draco be left out of the race, as he attended private skating lessons nearly since he could walk. What Blaise didn't realize is that Draco and Theo met through their instructor at the ages of four and six. The pair had been skating together since their youth. Theo, a year and a half his junior, was nearly as quick as Draco. 

"He wins, but I gotta say, Theo loses style points." Mackenzie judged, commenting on the strange way Theo moved his arms as he skated.

"Yes! That's what I've been saying." Blaise whooped once, raising a gloved hand for a high-five from the newcomer. "Looks a bit like a penguin, waving his arms around like that. Doesn't he?"

“Never could beat that out of you, huh Theo?” Draco teased, knowing it was a former point of contention between Theo and his father. A horrible man with unachievable expectations. His own dream, he had forced upon his more talented heir. 

To spite him, the moment Theo was drafted to Saginaw, he severed all communication to the smug bastard. Before he could reap any of the benefits of his son's potential professional career. Malfoy’s mother immediately offered up her home, a sort of Billet Family. 

That was over three years ago, and Theo currently played the game with a newfound love for the physical sport. Not minding too much that the way he skated earned him the occasional high sticking penalty. 

“No, they could not.” He slung his arm around his friend's shoulders, Draco attempting to duck away from the physical affection. He led them back the way they had raced from. Knowing the Three Broomsticks was close by, and wanting the cash in his win as soon as he could. “C’mon, Blaise is buying.” 

The small group found themselves shoved into a small booth in the corner of a bustling pub. 

The Three Broomsticks was an older building on the edge of the Black Lake. The two story taphouse was a popular spot with locals, its wooden floors one of the most high traffic areas of Hogsmeade. Inside was lit by four large wooden chandeliers, wagon wheels suspended precariously in the air. 

Lining the pine walls, a series of leather booths overflowed with patrons. The usual tables had been pushed to the edge of the large room, making space for the incoming Friday Night crowd. A unidentifiable beat thrumming softly over the speakers. 

A large stone fireplace was roaring with heat from across the barroom. The pub was unexpectedly hot, the group had immediately shed their outer layers upon entry. Mackenzie extended the borrowed hat back in Draco’s direction, as she attempted to calm her now staticky hair. 

Being the oldest, they sent Draco to the bar to buy a round for the table. All four of them knew that Mackenzie was the one at greatest risk of being ID’d. 

“Madame Rosmerta sends her best wishes to us in the upcoming tournament.” Draco said upon his return. Mackenzie rolled her eyes, knowing the bar owner probably said that to all her customers she knew to be affiliated. 

“MILF.” Theo muttered to no one in particular, leaning forward. The aging leather squeaking with the movement. 

Chuckling at his friend's comment, Draco placed four glasses of amber liquid on the table. “Ogden’s Finest.” He explained, upon seeing the quizzical look Mackenzie was giving the glass in front of her. 

“Whatever that is.” She nodded and took a sip. Unprepared for the instant burn that kissed her tongue, her eyes widened. And widened further as Draco, after divesting himself of everyone’s drinks, tucked his large frame onto the bench she was currently sitting on. His broad shoulder bumping hers as he got comfortable.

“They don’t have Firewhiskey in Guelph?” Theo assumed after catching her expression. Mackenzie shook her head. 

Determined to save face, she took a heartier drink. This time she was prepared for the flames that danced along the path the whiskey traveled, a warmth settling deep in her stomach.

“The name’s a bit on the nose isn’t it?” She observed, her initial impression being that of its title. Fire whiskey.

“You’ve got a point there, Kirke.” Draco laughed, and chose that moment to drape one of his long arms across the back of their shared seat. 

She couldn’t fault him for it, they were working with three sets of extra long limbs in what might possibly be the smallest booth in the entire pub. It was the only one available, so they were trying to make do. Blaise and Theo had begun elbowing each other beneath the table in feeble attempts to gain more space. 

Sitting beside him, with Draco occupying the free space around her, her nose was filled with the same smell she attributed to the sweater in her room. Upon a moment's observation, she noticed the peppermint smell was thanks to gum he seemed to always be chewing. The faint smell of smoke carried over from his coat, mixing with the cologne currently overwhelming her senses. 

The group talked animatedly about the upcoming week of games, Mackenzie revealed the dramatic lengths her father wanted her to take. Asking her to attend every game to scout the competition. 

“If you do end up doing that, you should forward us whatever notes you take.” Theo suggested. After insisting Mack jot down Draco’s number, he sent a conspiratorial wink to his captain. “Fair is fair.” 

“Oh, I’m doing it alright. But only to improve my knowledge." Mackenzie explained. Even though there was no formal, legal betting on Junior Hockey, there was always something being run through Hogwarts and Mack intended on claiming the jackpot. "I’m just using it to inform my bets.” 

“Ah, Careful.” Theo raised his hands in warning. “Beans is superstitious. No betting talk, it’ll get in his head.” 

“Apologies, Zabini.” Mackenzie, familiar with her brother's captain, immediately understood and changed topics by suggesting a game.

---

“No, I won’t even feign interest and hear you out. That’s diabolical.” Blaise insisted, as Theo tried to explain himself. 

“Seriously, Miss Spider?” Draco demanded, still unable to wrap his head around what he just heard. Knowing he’d never be able to look at his childhood show the same way. 

“Lemme see your sunny patch .” Theo joked, playing off of the show’s title. Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends. 

“Guess that's why they call you Notty, eh?” Mackenzie teased, his nickname having been revealed to her earlier. An obvious play off his last name. 

“Naughty? Please, that one was risqué at best." Theodore brushed off the jab and returned to the list he was looking at on his phone. "I’ve got some crazy picks.”

---

“For real, students just skate down the frozen waterway to get to class.” Blaise was lamenting them with tales from his time in the nation's capital. Pre-trade, of course. “The Canal, it’s efficient.”

---

“I’m telling you, nothing beats Whistler.” Blaise decided, and motioning to his friend he asked, “What about you, you rich bastard? Best ski spot, go.”

“Ah. Never been. My father, he uh-” Draco attempted to laugh off the truth he was about to reveal. “claimed it was an unnecessary risk. Especially timing wise, with it crossing into our regular season. So I’ve never had the pleasure.” 

“Luci, whatta bastard.” Theo joked, and Draco’s shoulders dropped slightly, tension leaving his large frame. Grateful for his friends' understanding, he leaned back knocking shoulders with Mackenzie in the process. Seriously, this had to be the tiniest booth in the place. 

“Overprotective dads, I get that. At least you’re an only child, my brother is just as helicopter as my father.” Mackenzie continued, not wanting to make Draco feel awkward.

“What is it like having Diesel as an older brother?” Draco asked. The older player’s stamina was well-known amongst those who weren’t too proud to admit that other teams had skilled players too.

Mackenzie cringed at the use of that idiotic nickname, knowing the media was the one to come up with it and no one ever actually referred to Andrew as anything other than Drew or DK. 

“Draco here’s just wondering how bad the beat down’ll be once he finds out you were here with us.” Theo laughed, reaching across the table to ruffle his friend’s hair. Draco’s blond hair falling into his eyes at the movement. 

Mackenzie couldn’t help but picture him, fresh off the ice. Pulling his helmet off, and shaking the soaked strands from his face.

---

She had a habit of staring, which Draco found all kinds of cute. She was currently looking at him with what he could only describe as a deer-in-headlights expression. Wide brown eyes gazed up at him and the makings of a smile were pulling at Draco’s lips. 

“He’ll never take you seriously if you use the nickname Skeeter pushed.” Mackenzie advised him. And Draco immediately understood, he agreed with how most of the league felt about the overly friendly, unsettling reporter they were required to talk to. 

“Fair enough. Remember when they were pushing that Heir of Slytherin title in your second year, Draco?” Theodore joked and Mackenzie giggled. It was the first she had ever heard the presumptuous namesake. No wonder everyone assumed this kid had an ego the size of Lake Michigan. 

“Oh god.” Draco’s pale face instantly heated to a bright pink. The tips of his ears standing out against his near-white hair. “Not this shit again.”

“Cap, you’ve gone red as a Weasley.” Blaise egged him on further, earning himself a sharp glare from the man across the table. 

“I’d bench you, if I could.” Draco shook his head at Blaise’s smug expression.

“Fuck you, I’m the goalie. You need my ass. Notty over here, that’s another story.” Blaise threw an arm around his teammate and laughed.

---

As the night progressed, Mackenzie found herself leaning into Draco as he spoke animatedly about a trip he took the summer before. Neither of them seemed to mind the limited space on the bench they were occupying. His left hand brushing along the top of her shoulder, a large silver ring decorating his pinky. An involuntary shiver ran down her spine as his thumb began drawing small swirls against her. The thin material of her shirt doing little to stifle the heat of his touch. 

---

The wind was an unwelcome addition to their evening. The trek back up to the hotel was made infinitely longer by the crisp bite in the air. The obnoxious toque tugged firmly onto her head, Mackenzie swore as the wind picked up again. 

Draco thought back to their earlier conversation. She had said something about ‘words she was taught not to repeat’. Well, by the time they reached the lobby, he was pretty sure he had heard every single one of those words slip past her pouty lips. 

“Cold as fucking balls.” She hissed as the heavy doors swung open and they were immediately met with the warmth of Hogwarts' many roaring fires. Draco pulled her closer to him as he laughed, his arm still wrapped around her shoulder. 

“You’ve got quite the mouth on you.” Draco observed, and tried to ignore the snickering from his friends in front of him. He did sound a little douchey.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Mackenzie decided, winking at him. It was her turn to throw him off guard. She had been expecting more of a reaction, but was graced with a raise of his brows and an appreciative smirk. 

“Alright, Princess.” It appeared Draco, too, had a fondness for nicknames. He meant to say more, but he caught sight of a menacing gaze the same shade as his own. Stealing his attention, across the lobby, his father sat in one of the plush velvet arm chairs. “You have to go.” 

“What?” Mackenzie looked at him, taken aback by the change in his tone.

Draco shared a panicked glance with his teammate who nodded in understanding upon seeing their coach and his unmoving expression. 

“Yeah, let’s go Elevator Girl.” Blaise extended his arm, letting her walk ahead of him. Knowing Lucius would pull the angry father card before the angry coach, he had enough time to drop her off and come back and he’d still be lecturing them.

They had the same white-blond hair and she had seen his picture enough times over the years to recognize the man that caused Draco’s spine to stiffen and the smile to drop from his face.

She didn’t say another word until the elevator doors sealed with a ding.

“Listen, you’ve got to understand-” Blaise began explaining  his friends behaviour. 

“Draco can tell me if he wants, it’s really none of my business.” Mackenzie assured him, respecting the young man's privacy. She knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of a curfew lecture or two, she could only imagine it also being from your coach at the same time. 

Blaise nodded, appreciating her reaction. He had spent the night skeptical. He wanted Draco to have fun, of course, But could they really trust this random girl? She had continued to surprise him as the night went on. 

“Listen, I appreciate you letting me tag along tonight, it was fun.” Mackenzie thanked him as she reached her suite. The light on the handle flashing green as she unlocked the door. 

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing you, Elevator Girl.” Blaise smiled, wiggling his eyebrows as he said it. A cheesy smile plastered across his bronze face.