Heaven Through a Window • Drarry •

Chapter Three: Possibilities

Draco only saw his friends every six weeks, but this sometimes stretched to eight when Theo and Tracey were back from Prague. She managed the band The Alchemists whilst Theo just sat around collecting hideous paintings and drinking spiced rum.

He met them late one Friday in the Old Whissing club. It was packed.

Daphne waved and shouted over the din, "Nice cloak!"

He was in his sky-blue hooded cloak of taffeta and brocaded silk. The spun silver thread glinted in the candlelight, and the sleeves ended in silver lace flounces.

"Thanks."

"We ordered you dinner—you're so late!"

His companions for the evening were Daphne, Pansy and her husband Julian, Tracey and Theo.

He joined them and did his best to look engaged as Pansy prattled on about Draco's social life or, more accurately, the lack thereof.

"... And really Draco, it's not right, you shut up in that big old house, haunting St Mungo's by day—"

"I don't haunt St Mungo's. I am employed by St Mungo's."

"Whatever," she said, waving her hand.

"You do haunt St Mungo's," Julian affirmed.

Draco kept his mouth shut.

"You are more than welcome to visit the children on the weekends, little Timmy does so adore you," Daphne said.

He'd rather die than chase around after Astoria's nephews and hoped that wasn't evident in his tight-lipped smile.

"You used to come to Prague constantly," Theo added. "It was like being poor and having a lodger."

Draco snorted. "Poor people don't have such delightful apartments."

Julian nodded enthusiastically as he blanketed his dinner in salt. Though he was from new money and was a frightful bore, he was a decent sort of fellow.

"There's a new club opened around the corner," Tracey said, arm slung around Theo's neck like a sloth. "The scene is very 2001."

Daphne gave a pained smile.

The moment Daphne went to the lavatory, Pansy leant across the table, eyes twinkling, and said to Draco, "I've got a surprise for you."

He looked at her expectantly.

"Well," Pansy said. "Guess, then."

Draco groaned. "Not another of your games."

"Ooh, are you trying a new diet?" Tracey said.

"No," Pansy said, flinging a chip at her. "Just... no. Keep guessing."

"You're not pregnant again!" Theo said.

Julian went slack-jawed at his wife.

"Don't be stupid, darling," Pansy said, patting Julian's cheek. "Draco..." She made sure she had everyone's attention before continuing. "Lukas has agreed to go on a date."

Everyone looked at him.

"Who?"

"The son of the German Minister for Magic. He's very excited to make your acquaintance." She looked at him expectantly.

"... I see."

"You're welcome," she said. "You've no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

Theo and Tracey excused themselves for a smoke, and he enviously watched their retreating backs. "Did I agree to go out with him?"