THE FURIES ▸ Draco Malfoy

Chapter Twenty-Eight: BIA

A bitter taste fell in her mouth, and she took a small step away from him. "Why would you even think that? We've been losing sleep, up nearly every night trying to finish these tasks so that we can stay alive, Theodore."

"When was the last time you looked at Slughorn's book you worked so hard to get then, Andromeda?"

Before the cousins could continue their hushed conversation between the railing of the pitch, they were interrupted when they heard the whizzing of a broom flying in their direction. Both turned at the sound coming closer on Theo's side of the pitch, and Mia's sulky expression only became worse when she saw that it was Andrew in his emerald uniform. The eager grin on his face was bright, exuding all of the excitement he had to back on the pitch and playing a game after his last injury.

He flew down next to them, his feet landing gracefully next to Theodore and shooting both of them a cheerful smile. Theodore didn't hesitate to return with one of his own, shifting slightly so that his leaning body was straightened in the direction of Andrew. Mia, however, only glowered and returned to gnawing on her fingers until she was sure they were going to bleed. The feeling she had reminded her of the last Quidditch match when their missions were going horribly, and the Dark Marks on hers and Draco's arms were poisoned by the Dark Lord. What would this time entail?

Andrew noticed instantly, raising his eyebrows at her. "Do I want to ask?"

"Mia thinks I'm going to be murdered on the pitch today," Theodore explained lackadaisically, their last conversation dropped entirely. He shared a knowing glance with Andrew. "So she's resorted to gnawing off her fingers rather than admit her insanity. If you'd like to instill some comfort in her that I will not be dying today, I'd appreciate it."

"I'm not mad," she hissed, glaring at her cousin. "Considering the circumstances going on in the world lately, I'd say I'm handling myself better than most."

Theodore did not miss the intentional reference to their earlier conversation about her missions with Draco, and he frowned before his eyes peered momentarily over at Andrew. He was still completely lost in the world of what was going on, but both Mia and Theo knew that he was smarter than he let on. Even if he believed he was only covering for a love affair between her and Draco at the moment, it wouldn't be long before his suspicions grew―especially if he was suddenly canoodling with her cousin behind closed doors.

"Why exactly does Mia think you're going to be murdered on the pitch today?" Andrew asked, looking briefly over at her with furrowed brows before he returned back to Theo's piercing blue stare.

Theo rolled his eyes. "She has a feeling―"

"Now you're making me sound mental!" she interrupted him, stepping forward to lean over the barrier between her and them. Figuring she would have better luck with Andrew, she frowned deeply at him to show her upset. "Something bad is going to happen today during the match. I know it. I haven't felt right all day, Andrew."

"Maybe because you haven't been sleeping."

"Piss off, Theo," she scowled over at him, and then returned to Andrew. Thankfully, the older boy must have seen the genuine concern and decided to listen unlike her cousin. "Listen. Call me mad, mock me all you want after, say I'm turning into Trelawney, I don't care...I don't like this feeling. Just...please. For the sake of my wellbeing and sanity, don't let him go out on that field today. Andrew, have Mattins sub in―"