"I can't believe you were so scared!" Blaise Zabini burst out into a fit of laughter. "You should have seen your face!"
"Blaise, I could have killed you!" Clementine lowered her wand and pushed the wizard hard in the chest. "You can't sneak up on me like that! There's a reason witches are afraid of walking alone in the dark."
Blaise tried to catch his breath, still doubled over from laughing, "I wish I had taken a picture. Oh, I can't wait to tell Theo about this."
"Why are you even here right now?" Clementine scowled. "Shouldn't you be out in the French Riviera living it up as Witch Weekly's bachelor of the year?"
"I was never bachelor of the year. I was a runner up, thank you." Blaise said as if it were obvious. "I live here."
"In the middle of the woods?" Clementine looked around for any signs of a house when there wasn't one.
"No, I live in town." Blaise nodded towards the direction they were walking. Hogsmeade was just barely out of view, but the lights could be seen in the distance. "I work for Gringotts at their bank location here, and do some business on the side for the school."
"What kind of business?" Clementine had to ask.
"The kind that's mine, and not yours." Blaise side-eyed her. "It's confidential."
"Fine." Clementine crossed her arms over her chest, "Don't tell me then. Everyone's keeping secrets around here apparently."
"More than you know." Blaise laughed in agreement. His words notably cryptic, "Are you coming to drinks?"
"Drinks?" Clementine wrinkled her nose, "When?"
"Right now. I guess no one has told you about it yet." Blaise explained, "But you should come."
"I don't want to come somewhere I'm not invited." Clementine spoke tepidly.
She already felt weird enough stepping into all of her old friendships like no time had passed. Everyone else acted as if it were so normal for her to be there, but she couldn't feel more out of place.
"You're invited." Blaise rolled his eyes, "Theo's there. Of course you're invited."
"He would have invited me then. Maybe he's got some girl he doesn't want me to know about."
Clementine couldn't help but to wonder what kind of girls Theo had been dating the past few years. Probably a Greengrass sister, or someone of similar status. They seemed like his type.
"He's not seeing anyone currently." Blaise smirked, "Why? Are you interested?"
"Shut up." The blush blooming on her cheeks was hidden in the darkness, but they both knew it was there.
The Hog's Head Inn had just come into view, and the two saw Theo standing by the door.
"There you are, we've been waiting forever." His voice sounded impatient, "I was about to come looking for you."
"I told you I'd be here late." Blaise frowned as he walked through the door, peeling off his cloak and hanging it on the coat hook.
The warm air felt inviting as Clementine walked in beside him. Theo closed the door behind them and trailed in after them.
"I wasn't talking about you, Blaise." Theo threw his arm over Clementine's shoulders and pulled her close, "I was talking about Tangerine."
"You're still calling her that?" Blaise snorted. He motioned towards Cho who was already making his usual cocktail as soon as he walked in.
"Why wouldn't I?" Theo asked. It was clear he wanted to pick things off right where they left them at sixteen. He looked at Clementine and frowned, "You we're out awfully late tonight. You really shouldn't be walking that trail alone at night. There's all kinds of things in those woods."
"I think I can handle myself." Clementine couldn't help but to be confused. She still hadn't been properly invited on their night out, "I had to go to a meeting for Neville so he could do some wedding planning with Luna."
"But Luna's right over there." Theo pointed across the room sounding confused. "Neville hasn't shown up all night."
The blonde girl had been drinking considerably and was dancing all by herself. She didn't seem that bothered that Neville wasn't there at all.
"I definitely told you about drinks tonight." Theo interrupted Clementine's thoughts, "Did I really not tell you?"
"It must have slipped your mind." Clementine let her eyes drift back up to meet Theo's. His face was flushed from the alcohol and his breath smelled spicy like he had been drinking too much firewhisky.
"Well, now that you're here you've got to catch up to the rest of us." Theo motioned her towards the bar. "Oi! Chang, some shots for the lady, please."
"Get them yourself, Nott." Cho shouted back to them as she continued chatting with some patrons on the other side of the bar, "I'm busy."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Theo exclaimed.
He removed his arm from around Clementine and hopped over the counter. He looked like a natural behind the bar as he rolled up his sleeves to show off his muscular forearms. Clementine could see the faint outline of his Dark Mark that still lingered on his skin as she sat down at the bar.
Theo turned around and fingered the bottles on the shelves, reading each label carefully before picking one out. It was a tall bottle and the liquid inside looked like it kept changing color when the light hit it.
"You'll like this." Theo grinned as he poured four shots. One turned blue, the next red, followed by green and the final one was clear.
"What is it?" Clementine looked at the alcohol. She wasn't so sure about doing four shots in a row even if it was to 'catch up' as Theo liked to put it.
"It's called an elemental." Theo explained coolly as he pushed the red shot towards her, "You've got fire, water, earth and air. Drinking all four in quick succession gives you the best feeling, trust me."
"You're just trying to get me drunk."
"Isn't that the point of a night out?" He grinned mischievously.
Clementine looked at him skeptically before downing the shot. She felt fine at first, but then her body felt like it was on fire and she shouted in pain. "What the hell, Theo?"
"Oh, shit! You have to drink them faster than that." Theo pushed the blue shot at her, "Fire is the worst one. The next three are easier, trust me."
Clementine felt a cooling sensation as she drank the blue shot. It felt like she was thrust under an icy waterfall on a warm summer day. Theo handed her the next shot, the green one, and she downed it next. It was bitter, almost like drinking grass. She winced and grabbed the final shot, clear, and drank it.
A rush of cool air surrounded her, rustling her hair softly. She felt very light and airy.
"I liked that last one." Clementine felt like she was buzzing as the alcohol quickly took effect.
"Personally, I like the blue one the best." Theo admitted, "But clear is a close second."
"I'm ready for another round." Clementine reached for the bottle.
"Definitely not." Theo held it out of her reach before he placed it carefully back on the shelf, "Those drinks haven't even kicked in yet."
"Yes they have." Clementine scowled as she leaned on the bar. "I'm barely buzzed."
"Try and stand up and see how that goes before you consider another drink." Theo challenged her with a smirk as he hopped back over the bar to stand next to her.
"That's easy." Clementine shoved herself off the stool. She felt unsteady on her feet and started to fall. "Woah."
Theo was already prepared to catch her in his arms, keeping her from hitting the ground. The warmth radiating from his body made Clementine feel safe and secure.
"Like I said," Theo laughed and the corners of his eyes crinkled, "Those four shots were more than enough."
"Oi!" Blaise waved at them from across the bar, "Join the rest of us, why don't you?"
Theo led Clementine to where Blaise was sitting and talking to Cho while she worked, and they sat down in the empty barstools next to them.
"So Clem, what is it that made you come back?" Blaise asked as he sipped his drink.
Clementine's eyes flickered to Theo, and when she saw him staring at her she looked down at her hands in her lap, "It was a good opportunity and the money was right."
"Isn't your father a prince or something?" Blaise asked. "You've got more than enough money."
"So does Malfoy, but that doesn't stop him from being a professor." Clementine argued, "And my father is not a prince! I'm French, that would be ridiculous."
"What's your nationality got to do with anything?" Blaise finished his drink just as Cho set down a fresh glass in front of him.
"Someone obviously didn't pay attention in muggle studies." Cho smirked, "It's called the French Revolution."
"What makes you think I even took muggle studies?" Blaise raised a brow.
"You're French, Clem? I thought you were Scottish." Theo looked at Clementine, obviously confused.
"You thought the last name Beaumont was Scottish?" Blaise snorted.
"On my Mum's side, I am." Clementine shrugged. "She died when I was so young that I don't know much about her side of the family other than that. My dad doesn't really talk about it. He never really got over her..."
Blaise looked at Theo knowingly, "I can imagine..."
Clementine started to feel dizzy, bright colors clouded her vision. She felt like she might be sick, but also incredibly euphoric at the same time.
"Theo is this supposed to happen?" Clementine asked as she gripped onto the table.
She felt a swirl of different emotions all bubbling inside of her, anger, sadness, joy and worry.
"What do you feel?" Theo asked, sounding a bit concerned.
"Everything." Clementine couldn't explain the empathic experience she was having. It didn't feel right. When she looked at Theo she could physically feel his concern, as well as a stronger, much deeper feeling of desire.
"What have you been drinking, Clem?" Blaise asked. He was looking into her eyes for any signs of pupil dilation. She could feel a general air of ennui and frustration surrounding him.
"An elemental." Clementine hiccuped. "It was good."
"Have you eaten today?" Blaise continued to ask questions.
"No." She giggled as she looked at Luna who was still dancing by herself. She could feel the immense joy radiating from her.
"You gave her an elemental on an empty stomach?" Cho nearly yelled at Theo, "Are you an idiot?"
"I didn't know she hadn't eaten!" Theo shot back defensively, "What does that even do?"
"It can triple the effects of the drink, for starters." Cho explained, "Some people will starve themselves before they drink an elemental for some of the other effects to be more powerful."
"Other effects?" Theo repeated.
"You can feel people's emotional auras." Cho explained. "It's cool for a few minutes, but then it becomes exhausting carrying the burden of everyone's emotional damage. I've got a remedy, but it only works on the side-effects. It won't sober her up."
"Please." Theo nodded as Cho began to look through her bottles of potions and liquors, "I swear I didn't know."
"Here, Clem. Drink this." Cho came back, handing her a thick drink with a smoothie-like consistency.
It tasted bitter, like drinking kale. Clementine forced it down and winced as she slammed the empty glass on the counter. She immediately felt better, the effects of the elemental subsided, but the feeling of being drunk remained.
"Theo, take her home and make sure she gets something to eat." Cho demanded. "You're not allowed behind the bar again."
"I do want to go home." Clementine slid off her stool. She looked at Blaise and Cho fondly, "I did miss the both of you so much."
"We missed you too." Cho smiled sympathetically, "I'm sorry Theo got you so drunk on your first night out."
"It was an accident!" Theo groaned, "It's never happened to me before, how was I supposed to know?"
"You've got the tolerance of a Wyvern, that's why." Blaise explained. "It takes much more alcohol to get you drunk than anyone else I know."
"I'm ready to leave now." Clementine started to sober up slightly. She wasn't dizzy anymore, and felt a lot better, but she knew she might get sick if she didn't eat soon.
"I'll walk you home." Theo followed her out of the pub, waving bye to the rest of his friends.
"You want to walk me home?" Clementine's lids felt heavy as she looked up at him through her lashes. She was still thinking about the desire she felt in Theo's emotional aura. It was strong.
"I'm definitely not going to let you walk alone by yourself if that's what you think." Theo's eyes sparkled like the night sky. He looked a bit worried.
"You're such a gentleman, Theo." Clementine spun around, her golden hair flying around her head like a halo. She reached out and clasped their hands together. "It's so cute."
"I don't want to be cute." Theo's husky voice sounded full of disappointment as they walked down the street. He gave her hand a supportive squeeze.
"Why not?" Clementine was confused. She didn't get why her compliment was not being well received. Theo was cute. Beautiful was an even better way of describing him. He looked like he was Michelangelo's muse when he carved the statue of David.
"Because-"
"Is that Neville?" Clementine gasped, interrupting him. Up ahead she could see him walking with someone- a woman- in the dark. "Who is he with?"
"Dunno." Theo murmured. He squinted his eyes, but it didn't help him see any better through the darkness. "It's hard to tell in the dark, but it's definitely a woman."
"He lied to me today." Clementine could feel the anger bubbling up inside her, "Right to my face! And to make it all worse he's cheating on Luna!"
"You don't know that, Clem." Theo disagreed, "You shouldn't jump to conclusions, especially about something so serious. Neville and Luna love each other more than anyone I've ever seen."
"Can you think of any other reason why he would be sneaking around with a woman who isn't his fiancée?" Clementine raised a brow.
"Well, no, but-"
"We have to follow them." Clementine tried to turn the same corner down the alley, but Theo pulled her back.
"No, you need to go to bed." He said sternly. "You're going to be incredibly hungover in the morning."
"I'm fine." Clementine stumbled as she attempted to keep walking. Theo let his arm twist around her waist to keep her grounded. "Let me go!"
"If I did that, then you would go after them." Theo struggled to keep the squirming girl still as his grip around her waist tightened.
"Exactly." Clementine broke free.
She ran around the corner that Neville and his mystery woman had gone through and ran straight into a tall, broad man.
"Careful now." A familiar voice spoke as he kept Clementine from falling over. "Are you alright?"
"Where's Neville?" Clementine tried to walk past the man. He was blocking her view of the rest of the street.
"Neville Longbottom?" He frowned, "I haven't seen him."
"Oh, Cristian, thank Merlin you're the one who found her." Theo let out a sigh of relief when he saw them standing together, "She's so quick!"
"She's drunk." Cristian looked concerned as he stared down at Clementine.
"Neville was just here." Clementine insisted as she looked past Cristian's shoulder. "I saw him!"
Cristian looked behind him before shaking his head, "Exactly how much did she drink, Theo?"
"Enough." Theo admitted sheepishly, "I'm taking her home now."
"Please do." Cristian frowned, "Just because its Hogsmeade doesn't mean its safe after dark."
"But I need to find Neville!" Clementine whined. "He's lost!"
"Just because you don't know where he is doesn't mean he's lost." Theo rolled his eyes. He hoisted Clementine off her feet and tossed her over his shoulder as if she weighed absolutely nothing.
"Put me down!" Clementine squealed. "Theo!
"You've lost walking privileges for the night, love." Theo gripped her legs tightly to keep her in place. "Please don't tell the Headmistress about this."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Cristian chuckled, "Get home safely, for her sake."
"I don't know what I'm going to do with you Clementine." Theo huffed as he carried her down the street. "That was so embarrassing. Maldonado is one of the most well respected Professors at Hogwarts. He and McGonagall go way back."
"You can put me down, for starters." She grumbled as she stared at his back. It was the only thing she could see from this angle.
"You won't go running away trying to find Neville?" Theo asked. "Because I won't put you down if you do."
"I won't." Clementine agreed.
"Do you promise?" Theo asked again.
"I promise." Clementine groaned, "Now put me down."
"Would you be willing to make an unbreakable vow over it?" He stopped. They had reached the door of The Three Broomsticks.
"Theo!" Clementine gasped at the thought.
"I just want to make sure that you're serious." She could feel Theo smirking even though she couldn't see him.
"Yes, fine." She agreed.
"Alright, then. You can come down." Theo released his grip on the girl and let her slide to the ground gently.
Clementine felt a rush as the blood flowed away from her head.
"Thank you." She muttered. "Never do that again."
"I'll walk you in." Theo opened the door. It was quiet inside. Madam Rosmerta was getting ready to close for the night. The two waved hello before ascending the staircase to reach Clementine's room at the end of the hall.
Clementine stopped before she turned the doorknob to look up at Theo. His brown hair looked golden underneath the glow of the dim candles lighting the hallway, "Do you want to come in?"
Theo paused, considering the offer, "Do you want me to come in?"
"I want you to want to come in." Clementine opened the door, keeping her eyes on Theo as she stood there extending the invitation. "I can make tea."
"Tea sounds good." Theo followed her inside. He looked around the small one-room apartment and sat on the edge of the bed, watching as she filled her kettle with water to heat on her small stove.
"I feel bad about tonight." Theo admitted, "I thought the drink would be fun. I didn't know about all that other stuff."
"It's fine." Clementine grabbed a piece of bread she had left out on the counter this morning before rushing to work. She nibbled at it absentmindedly while she waited for the water to boil.
"It's not." Theo admitted, "I should have just given you firewhisky or something else more mild. I was just trying to impress you."
"You don't need to impress me." Clementine turned to look at him. "I already- never mind."
"No, what were you going to say?" Theo stood, crossing the small space to be in closer proximity. "Tell me."
"I already like you without you having to impress me." She admitted. The liquid courage was still coursing through her veins. She wouldn't have admitted her feelings so willingly otherwise.
"You do?" Theo breathed out in disbelief.
"I thought it was obvious." Clementine admitted, biting her lip. The tea kettle began to whistle and she turned away to turn off the heat.
"Not to me." Theo responded. His breath was hot on her neck.
"How so?" Clementine turned back around, surprised to see him standing so close.
"I guess I'm a show, don't tell kind of guy." He shrugged. His blue eyes were like a dark, stormy ocean as he stared down at her.
"Then I guess I'll have to show you." Clementine whispered.
She pulled Theo forward, connecting their lips. He felt familiar, like no time had passed since the last time they kissed.
Theo immediately grabbed her arse, gripping her flesh in his large hands. Clementine let out a sharp gasp as he lifted her up to sit on the counter, putting his hands down on either side of her thighs. Her dress rode up, revealing a hint of her lace knickers.
"Do you still think I'm cute?" Theo growled as he kissed her neck, following her heartbeat down to her collarbone where he sucked and nibbled at her skin.
"Yes." Clementine moaned as she let her fingers get tangled in his unruly hair. She lifted his head to hers and made him kiss her lips again.
"Handsome... " She spoke between kisses, "Sexy..." She kissed him again, each time their lips touched it felt more desperate, "Whatever word you prefer... All of it."
Clementine loosened Theo's tie, throwing it across the room before she started to fumble with the buttons on his shirt. Why were there so many buttons? Her fingers kept slipping as she tried to undo the same button four times. She could feel him harden when he realized what she was doing, and where the night was headed.
Theo pulled away, his lips swollen, and put his hands over her own to stop her, "I'm sorry, Clem. I can't do this. Not like this."
"Why not?" Clementine looked at him surprised, "I thought you wanted this?"
"I did. I do." Theo shut his eyes and let out a shaky breath, taking a step back from her. He needed space to think clearly. "I just want you to make that decision for yourself when you're sober."
"Then why did you get me so drunk?" Clementine's face soured. She could still feel the alcohol coursing through her veins. "It feels like this was your plan all along. Fill me with alcohol and then take me home? It's a fucking cliché!"
"I didn't even know this was an option!" Theo exclaimed as he pointed between them. His face was flushed with frustration and embarrassment. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple noticeably bobbing in his throat. His voice was softer when he spoke again. "Not a real one, anyway. It honestly just felt like we were flirting with no real means to an end."
"You knew." Clementine's eyes stung. She was always an emotional drunk, but she wasn't going to give in. She refused to cry. "You had to know."
"I had hoped." Theo admitted sheepishly, "But I didn't actually know. I just want to make sure this is really what you want."
"I want you to leave now." Clementine whispered, unable to look him in the eye. She hopped off of the counter and pushed past him. "You can show yourself out."
"Clementine..." Theo looked at her desperately. He wanted to beg her to let him stay, but those words remained unspoken, "Please."
"Goodnight, Theo." Clementine ignored him as she climbed into bed. "Shut the door behind you."