Your table at the Leaky CauIdron is scattered with empty butterbeer mugs and firewhiskey glasses. Despite having a rough time with them while you all were students, Draco, BIaise, and Theo have developed into being your closest friends. But lately Draco’s been different, and Theo and BIaise have noticed.

"Alright, guys. This was fun, but I gotta go," you say with a soft smile.

As you reach for your purse, Draco's hand instinctively catches yours. His fingers brushing against your skin as he looks up at you.

"Hey… be safe," he says softly, his voice lower than usual.

"I will," you assure him. The moment stretches—longer than it probably should—before he finally lets go, his fingers lingering as if reluctant to part.

You walk away, weaving through the tables as you leave. Draco watches until the door swings shut behind you before he exhales.

When he turns back, BIaise and Theo are both staring at him, wide grins etched onto their faces.

"What?" Draco snaps.

Blaise clutches his chest dramatically, leaning toward Theo as if in some swooning daydream. "Be safe…" he mimics in a terrible, breathy impersonation of Draco.

Theo gasps, clutching BIaise's cheek as he stares into his eyes. "I’ll be so safe," he whispers with mock sincerity.

"Oh, for Merlin’s sake, can you two stop?" Draco groans, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I’ll be safe for you, Draco," Theo continues, fluttering his eyelashes exaggeratedly.

"I’m going to Avada both of you," Draco threatens.

"But, Draco," BIaise chimes in, barely containing his laughter, "how will that keep us safe?"

"You two are insufferable," he grumbles.

"No, what’s insufferable," BIaise’s grin fades slightly, "is how long you’ve been pretending like you don’t have feelings for her."

They watch as Draco tenses at those words.

"She’s not—she’s not supposed to be someone I… someone I care about," he mutters.

“But, she has despite her blood status,” Theo points out. “So, what do you intend to do about it?”