i knew i didn't belong in London, and as i gazed at myself in the reflection of a shop window, my knowledge was further confirmed.
everyone moved around me, but i stood stock still, forcing the heaving crowds to move around me.
i sighed and began to walk with no idea on my destination, wandering past shops and down dark alleyways.
i walked the streets of London until my feet hurt and i was desperate for a drink, to sit down.
i found myself on a quiet little street with a cobbled pavement.
it didn't look like something that belonged in the muggle world.
i glanced around and my eyes landed on a sign for a pub, swaying in the icy wind.
"the leaky cauldron," i breathed.
the name was familiar.
i crossed the street and walked into the pub, immediately surrounded by merry goers and warmth from the roaring fire.
i made my way over to the bar and sat in the only free seat, my aching feet heaving a sigh of relief.
"what can i get you?" the woman behind the bar asked.
"firewhisky." i answered bluntly.
"Blishen's or Ogden's Old?"
"Blishens, please. on ice."
she raised her eyebrows but poured my drink and slid it over.
"how old are you?" she watched me drink.
"old enough."
the man beside me turned to face me. "i feel like i've seen you before... do you come here often?"
i shook my head and drained the whisky, the flames scorching my throat.
"what's your name?"
"Riddle."
the bar maid paled a little. "that's your first name?"
i slid my glass back down and she refilled it. "surname."
"you're the daughter." she figured. "what are you doing here?"
"having a drink." i gestured to my glass.
the door banged open and she looked over my shoulder, her face paling further.
"Lola!" Matteo roared.
the pub fell silent.
"i think he's angry." the man whispered.
i shook my head and finished my drink as footsteps came up behind me.
Matteo grabbed my shoulder and spun my chair round so i faced him.
Draco, Pansy and Violet had accompanied him. great.
"come on." he grabbed my hand and pulled me off the seat. "Tom's gone."
"i want to stay here." i tugged my hand away.
"please, Lo. come back."
"no." i sat back down. "Tom hurt me."
"he's gone back to the Manor, Lola. he feels terrible."
"yeah right." i scoffed. "how the fuck do you think i feel?"
"drunk," Matteo answered. "you've always been a lightweight."
i reached over the bar and snatched the bottle of firewhisky, taking a few large gulps before Matteo took it and handed it back to the bar maid.
Pansy came forward and placed a handful of notes on the bar. "keep the change."
"this is far too much-" the girl began.
"i said keep the damn change."
i rarely heard Pans snap like that.
Matteo picked me up, and as much as i tried to wiggle free, his strong arms held me tight as he carried me out of the Leaky Cauldron.
"what were you thinking, going into a place like that alone?" Draco walked beside us.
"i was thirsty, Dad." i let my head drop back.
"there's water at the apartment." he stated.
"well i didn't want water, Draco."
"obviously. you're lucky nobody recognised you."
"she did." i rolled my eyes.
"who? the bar maid?" Matteo frowned down at me.
"mhm," i nodded.
"for fucks sake." he sighed. "did she say anything?"
"she said she was going to call Father and tell him his precious daughter was out on the town!" i pulled a worried face. "and he said he was going to come down here and Avada-Kedavra us all."
"you're not funny, Lo."
"i think i am." i laughed.
"you're the only one."
"you lot are so boring." i kicked my legs hard.
too hard.
i caught Matteo in the ribs and he dropped me abruptly.
my head connected with the damp pavement and i groaned.
"why did you do that?!"
"you're the one that dropped me, you twat!" i clutched my head.
"i'll take her." Draco bent down beside me. "but if you kick me, i'll kick you right back."
"that's abuse." stars shone before my eyes.
"she's going to pass out." Matteo must have put a spell on me, for everything was blurry.
"no i'm not." i sat up.
and blacked out.
***
my head throbbed, my mouth was dry.
basically, i felt like shit.
my eyelids felt as if they had been glued together.
i peeled my eyes open and surveyed my dim surroundings.
i was in Draco and i's room at Pansy's, but Draco wasn't in the bed.
i could tell he had been though, because he had tucked me in like he always did when he woke before me.
i slowly got out of bed and padded into the en-suite to survey the damage.
i looked like a panda who had been dragged through a forest backwards, frontwards and upside down.
i brushed my teeth and hair then tied it up into a loose bun.
Draco must've changed me into one of his shirts last night.
i sighed and wandered into the living room, keeping a hand on the wall for balance.
"afternoon," Draco looked up from his book.
i didn't say anything, flopping onto the sofa and burying my face in the pillow.
"i'd ask if you feel alright, but..."
i flipped him off and he kissed my hand.
"the others went out shopping, but they'll be back soon."
"mmm,"
"do you need anything? water?"
i shook my head. "sorry."
"what?"
"about last night." i was sure i didn't dream it.
"nobody blames you, Lola. you know that, right?"
"i overreacted. i could have got lost, or-"
"but you didn't, and you're... somewhat fine."
"could i have some toast please?" i smiled weakly.
Draco laughed and got up. "i'm not the best chef."
"not as good as Violet,"
"was that a compliment i heard?" he raised his eyebrows.
"no, just a statement."
i listened to him move about in the kitchen.
after a few minutes, he returned with toast and-
"milk," he grinned. "Matteo told me you love it."
"only when i'm hung over." i took the glass and took a few sips. "thanks, Draco."
"here," he had sliced the toast into little squares.
i opened my mouth and he popped a slice in.
"you really are the best."
he kissed me softly. "you make me so."
"how poetic," i wiggled my eyebrows.
"you make me so," he repeated and kissed me again.