L'Auror à Londres | L.A.à.P. novella

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Chapter 19 - The Wrong Option

𝙲𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚎́𝚕𝚒𝚊

That same evening, I convinced Nicolas to let me join him and Laughty at the bar.

Right after we entered the rustic building, we were kindly welcomed by our colleague.

Until then I also did not realise how much I neglected our friendship ever since I got back with Maxim. Now that I was a free woman, he had no impact on whom I saw anymore. I had to admit, my freshly won freedom felt terribly good and I was ready to get drunk with some of my friends.

Once I took off my coat, I embraced Michael. »It's good to see you Conny. I'm glad you seem better!«, His smile was sincere and in response I pressed a friendly kiss on his right cheek. I could not help, but chuckle when I saw how he stared at me in surprise afterwards. Though, he sure was not the only one present who did not see my reaction coming. Nicolas, who had already taken a seat, had also raised a brow and scrutinised us.

After we finally all sat down and talked for a couple of minutes, Laughty suddenly coughed in surprise. Briskly he put down his drink, before leaning back in his seat. »Conny, just out of curiosity... you weren't actually sick today, were you?«, he asked promptly. The knowing grin on his lips seemed to force me to tell him the truth: »How did you know?« Michael solely pointed at me and then at Nicolas in response. The shirt! I had completely forgotten about this. A glance at my blond colleague revealed that he seemed to have forgotten about it as well. And so, I sighed. »He just looked after me and besides, I think I have every right to stay at home after last night.« Silence.

For the first time during the evening, I heard Nicolas clear his throat before stretching his arms. His right one ended up resting on the back of my chair. »You do. Although I will admit, I am not quite certain why exactly you wanted to join us tonight.«

Excuse me?

What on earth did he think when saying that? Probably nothing as he hastily swallowed once I leaned closer to him. Nicolas could not even keep eye contact with me. So, this time I solely huffed in annoyance and raised myself from my chair instead of listening to anything else he was about to say.

•⸻•⸻•• ꕥ 𝙽𝚒𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚜 ꕥ ••⸻•⸻•

Damn it, I did not mean it like that. I was just worried about her making impulsive decisions after her breakup.

Briskly I excused myself and headed after the young witch who now stood outside the pub. She did not even wear her coat. For a few seconds I hesitated, then I took off my own one and hung it around her dainty shoulders.

The beautiful witch was frantically trying to light herself a cigarette when she froze. Conny's eyes darted to mine. She raised her brows. Then the brunette woman slipped her arms into my coat and continued her attempt of lighting that damn tobacco roll. It seemed like she would rather do anything than talk to me. At last, her brows furrowed, and she sighed in frustration as she threw the lighter into the snow.

I immediately picked it up and took my own pack from the right pocket of my coat. My heart was pacing much faster than before as I stood this close to her. Then, hesitantly, I took the cigarette from her mouth and placed it between my own lips, were I lit it with ease. After I handed it back to the young witch, she only stared at me until I put my pack of cigarettes back into the pocket. Conny cleared her throat before she met my gaze once more. »Why did you have to say it?«, she asked me quietly. Although her brown eyes looked curious, the rest of her expression seemed terribly vulnerable. »I don't know.«, was my whispered response, despite it was a lie.