A Pint of Absinthe ( H.P Fanfic )

Absinthe

After 5 steps I knocked on my neighbor's door again. Not a minute later he answered and opened the door giving me a stoic look.

" Hi it's me again, but I have cookies and a bit of pasta now " I offered my best smile at him and handed out the plate I had on my hand

" I ... This is appreciated Mary, thank you for bothering to give these to me. W-Well I'll see you later I guess ? " I just nodded at him and left

I thought that maybe he just wasn't used to having an annoying neighbor who gives out cookies when she can. I chuckled as I entered my apartment. Everything was completely organized and fixed, all there is to do now is to go shopping with Ginny. I prepared everything that Teddy might need under his stroller and got ready to go out. I was putting on some lip balm before I heard someone knocking, I put it down and headed towards the door to see Ginevra with a wide grin plastered on her face. She squealed before giving me hug, out of excitement I guess which just made me laugh.

" Good god girl haven't you gotten ready yet ? " she said making me chuckle and I replied " Calm your knickers Ginevra I just got done, I'll just get Teddy and then we'll get going "

Teddy was already placed comfortably in his stroller and was playing with a toy I handed him earlier " Seems like we're ready to go buddy, don't leave me okay ? I might go crazy if you leave me with Aunt Ginny "

" Oi ! I can hear you from here you know ! " Teddy and I laughed. I pushed Teddy out of our apartment as Ginny went out as well.

We were walking down the street and Ginny had been telling me all about how Fred and George had started their business. I laughed to their antics, I knew that they were a bunch of trolls when it came down to it but I never expected them to do their pranks to that extent. I wish I could've seen it though, a sudden thought came to mind and I couldn't help say it out loud.

" Ginny ? " I asked her " Yes love ? " she replied, I took a deep breathe in and said " Do you think things would've been different if I was there with you and the others then ? " she looked at me as if I asked something that I shouldn't have, she looked ahead and spoke " Maybe, I don't know Mary, it would've been much more fun if you were with us but I would never wish for you to go through what we did. Merlin knows nobody deserves it and certainly you don't either. " she smiled and rubbed my arms

We were eating lunch and laughing about something that Ginny said when a little girl walked towards me and asked " Excuse me miss but are you Mary Montague ? " she fidgeted the paper and pen she was holding.

" That's me darling, what can I do for you ? " and then she have me the brightest smile I've seen " Can I please get your autograph ? " I chuckled and nodded before signing her paper and giving it back to her.

" When I grow up I want to be just as beautiful as you are " I looked back at Ginny who smiled at me and faced the little girl.

" When you grow up you're gonna be your own beautiful darling " I blinked once and showed her my real eyes " that's a promise " I smiled at her and gave her a hug before she went off to her mum.

Not a minute later someone busted inside the café saying " Is it true ?! Is Mary Montague in this café ?! " and the people began to buzz and as if on cue Ginny held the other door open for Teddy and I for our escape. We laughed on our way back to my apartment and when we got to our door Ginny and I said our goodbyes.

I just finished putting Teddy to sleep, thankful that he isn't crying as much lately. I was reading one of my books when I heard a loud banging on my door, worried that Teddy might wake up I cast a spell on his room to mute out any noise coming from outside. Slightly irritated I came marching to my door and opened it. To my surprise I see my neighbour Draco, cheeks red and droopy eyes. He was leaning on the door's pane with one bottle of wine on the other.

" D-Draco ? Are you alright ? Is there anything I can do for you ? " he was about to speak but he slipped, luckily I was able to catch him on time " H-Hey do you have the key to your flat ? " I asked while carrying him to my living room but all I heard was groaning. I sat him on the couch and seeing as he won't be sober till tomorrow I'll just let him sleep on my couch. I was about to leave till I felt a tug on my hand, it was him.

" Don't leave please, just stay here " he said as if he was so tired " Stay with me " he breathe out as his eyes were closed and I sat down beside him as he moved closer to rest his head on my shoulder " I am so exhausted of it all you know ? So bloody tired and if I can take it all back I would " I felt my shoulder get wet, I looked back at Draco as a few tears slip out of his eyes, unconciously my hand went up to caress his cheek and I spoke.

" Everything has passed and nothing can be undone the only thing you can do now is rest. Rest until you no longer feel like you're exhausted Draco, you're fine now " he snuggled closer and whispered.

" I hope you're not just a dream Mary "

I felt my heart beat wildly inside my chest, until I was sure that he was asleep I didn't leave. I covered him in a blanket after taking his coat and shoes off. I may never know what you went through but I'm here to listen I thought to myself as I left him on my couch to sleep.

I started my morning early, putting my hair in a bun and heading to the kitchen I began to cook myself and Draco a nice breakfast. The last of the bacon was sizzling on the pan when I heard a groan from behind me and I turned to see Draco who has just woken up clutching his head, possibly hungover. I turned the heat off and grabbed the tea I prepared for him.

" You should drink this while its hot " he was startled to see me.

" F-Forgive me but last night was unclear, did I ? Did we ? Did I ? " he stuttered and I chuckled at his confusion and I sat before getting his hand and wrapping it in the tea filled cup.

" No Draco we didnt do anything, maybe you did something maybe you didnt ? Thats my secret to keep " I winked at his baffled face and got up to set the table " You can sit down at the table breakfast is ready, eat something before going " I smiled.

I was feeding Teddy when I felt like I was being stared at and I lifted my head and turned to Draco just as he looked back down on his food and started eating. A small smile made its way to my face. I was cleaning up the table after all of us were done eating. I was loading in the last dishes in the washer when I saw Draco walking towards me.

" Thanks again Mary, I'm sorry for the inconvenience that I did last night, you even fed me when I woke up " he sheepishly said " I'll be taking my leave now " he said lifting up his face to meet my eyes.

" Oh it was nothing ! Take care okay ? If you want to talk I'm just a knock away " I smiled as I said my goodbyes to him and led him to my door. I opened it for him and watched as he walked away and when I was turning my back I felt a tug on my hand which made me look back at Draco holding it. I looked at him and saw a complicated expression on his face, like he wasn't sure what to say.

" I-I just want to say thank you again Mary, I really do appreciate you " I smiled again at this sincerity and placed a hand on top of his thats was holding mine " Of course " he smiled a bit and let me go.

I closed the door and released a sigh, why is my heart beating so loud ? I thought while having a hand over my chest feeling my heart do somersaults.