Malfoy's eyes caught hers, sending her an evil glare, ''What are you—'' His tongue stumbled, ''Have you been up here— how long have you been here?''

Isla gulped, her eyes grew wide as she sought to lie, ''Not that long, I just—''

''Don't you dare lie to me,'' Malfoy stated harshly, causing her to feel intimidated by the mere second, ''How long have you been up here?''

She swallowed the hesitant feeling in the pit of her stomach, and her sight fell upon the blond. His eyes sunken, his skin tone paler than it usually shaded in.

''I don't know, twenty minutes—''

''Fucking hell,'' Draco groaned, throwing his head back before rushing his ring-coated fingers through the blond strands, ''How much of that did you hear?''

''I didn't hear anything—''

''I said don't lie to me!'' His hands settled on her shoulders pressed her back into that tiny space she just came out of, ''Who was here with you? Was it Nott?''

Draco's eyes drilled through hers breathtakingly. She'd never seen him this upset before. It was as if he needed to hold himself back from hurting her.

''Yes,'' Isla didn't see any reason to lie to him at this time. The flicker of hurt in his eyes from Pansy ending their relationship was enough for him to handle.

She felt more than bad for him.

''Theodore was here too,''

Malfoy's jaws tensed, and the tiny muscle in them ticked as he breathed intensely. Deciding what to do with her for eavesdropping on him.

''How much did you hear?''

''I—''

''And don't lie this time.''

Isla stared at him numbly and wide-eyed. Gathering her strength to be truthful, ''Most of it.''

He hissed through his teeth, making her feel his heated breath on her skin before his head sunk, and he sighed forcefully.

''I know that Nott will keep his mouth shut about this, but will you?'' The grey eyes caught hers again. His chin rose, ''I don't want this to be... spread around.''

The knot in her stomach caused her to feel nauseous, but the words he spoke to her a few days ago in detention were born to ring in her mind again. She felt a waver through her veins, and she realized that she could, without falter, use this to her advantage.

''I will if you tell me—''

''Tell you what?'' He snapped, cutting her off rudely, ''What can I possibly tell you that will make you shut the fuck—''

''If you let me speak for one damn minute, I might be able to tell you, you know.'' Her answer hewed him off, and he took a step back from her, releasing his fingers from her shoulders.

''Then speak.''

Her eyes narrowed, ''If you tell me how you found out about Cedric, I'll keep quiet about Pansy.''

He scoffed, rolling his eyes away from her as he shoved his hands into his pockets, ''So it is true?'' He taunted, ''So why would I—''

''Suit yourself then,'' Isla muttered, attempting to take a stride past him to walk down, but his hands flew to grab her, pinning her right back to the wall.

''Fine,'' He pouted, scowling at her, ''I saw it.''

''You saw what?'' Her eyes flickered, confusingly, ''We barely talked to each other in public.''

''Not saw as in witnessed,'' Draco stated, ''I saw it in your head."

Isla took a boot back, her face twisted into a mantle of doubt, ''What were you doing inside my head—''

Silence, neither of them said a word.

''I can read your... thoughts.''

It turned silent again. Not even a breath escaped her lips. She was in shock, utterly confused by what Malfoy had just confessed to.

Her mind circled, and she sought to think about something to gain his reaction, to see if he actually was capable of doing what he'd admitted to.

''No need,'' Draco's head shook, and her heartbeat rose to pound in her ears. He really could read her mind.

I want to kill you.

''No, you don't,'' He nearly chuckled at her, ''And you can keep going with that. I'd still be able to—''

I'll tell everyone about you and Pansy.

''Oh, now you're just pushing it.'' He snarled, yet with amusement in his voice, ''I kept my end of the deal. Now, it's your turn.''

The corner of her mouth curled, and with a slight nod of her head, she agreed.

''Where did Nott go?'' Draco pushed out, leaning back against the railing of the staircase.

''Why are you asking me that if you can just see—''

''It doesn't work like that. God, I'm glad that you're in that detention class. It seems like you have some things to learn.'' He rose a daring brow, making her gulp in hesitation.

''He had to go.'' Isla stretched her spine, ''And so do I.''

Her feet tracked over the floor as she stepped down the stairs, leaving the blond on the top of them.

_____

''What does this mean?'' Isla's eyes dragged over the newspaper, ''Will there be another conflict about this?''

She felt confused about what the sheets in her hand were addressing. It was an article about the new minister of the magical world and how people turned quite upset with who they wanted in power.

''I don't know,'' Leo muttered, sipping on his butterbeer, ''Father sent me an owl yesterday, and he was distraught over the fact that they are questioning him.''

''Upset?'' Ava pitched in, her hands stroked over the table, ''He was mad about it. He's been second to the minister for ages, and he deserves to be the one in charge now.''

Isla nodded slowly, trying to keep up with the conversation, ''Then why are people upset about it? If he worked along with the old minister, why would they be so—''

''Because he has kids in Slytherin, and he has loyal alliances among the remaining Death Eaters.'' Leo stated, his cup struck the wood harshly, ''But that's a load of rubbish. Ava and I never received the marks. We didn't join the Dark Lord when he was in power.''

''I know, I know,'' Isla tried to comfort, throwing a stare around them in the three broomsticks, making sure that no one caught up to their conversation.

''It's a shame that people are making such a fuss over his past,'' Ava's chin rested in the palm of her hand, a sigh left her plump lips, ''And that they are using his kids to prevent him from the title.''

''It's clear madness,'' Leo added, sounding frankly annoyed with the situation, ''But it's his battle to fight. I don't think it's fair of us to—''

''Fair of us to what?'' Ava snapped, her hand struck her brother's shoulder, ''How is it not fair? They make up all kinds of new laws and rules for us to follow, especially this stupid marriage law, and we're not allowed to defend our own father?''

Leo's eyes rolled to match Isla's. His head lightly shook at his sister's comment, '' Funny to see that you're so passionate all of a sudden. When I last checked, you weren't a bit interested in our family reputation.''

Isla's hand cupped over her mouth, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, ''Leo...'' She whispered, trying to defuse the tension the Slytherin brought, ''Maybe don't—''

''That is so unfair!'' Ava nearly shouted through the pub, and unknown eyes snapped to hers in nosiness, ''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout, but it's hard to try and learn about your family when all your father does is speak to your brother about it,''

''Perhaps that's because you never listened,'' Leo snarled, taking another mouthful sip of his drink, emptying the cup in his hand, and he sighed at his sister, ''You know, you are so quick to judge others, but the second someone even tries to criticize you back—''

''Does anyone want anything else?'' Isla raised her voice, catching both of their attention before Leo reached his glass towards her, nodding against it for her to get him another one.

''Right on it,'' Isla mumbled, forcing her chair back with a squeaky sound. She stood up in the crowd of other students and teachers as her friends continued their bickering.

She walked up to the bar, her elbows set upon the counter and the lady behind it nodded for her to order.

''Three butterbeers, please,'' Isla answered politely, placing the right amount of money on the timber.

Her hands gripped the tray, and she was meant to walk back to her friends, but use as she was turning around as steadily as she could with the heavy plate in her hands — she stumbled into someone.

''God, I'm sorry—'' She sought to balance the glasses before her eyes flickered to the boy in front of her, and her stomach twisted.

''Clarke,'' Theodore greeted her coldly — and it was not the fact that she was upset to see him. Theo, she didn't mind at all after their talk a few days prior, but the reality of who was standing beside him.

It was once again the girl he seemed to spend more and more time with.

Isla merely forced a smile awkwardly before she stepped aside and walked back to her friends. Even if she did — she could feel his eyes burning into her back, and the way he'd been looking at her caused her knees to grow weak.

''Finally,'' Leo snatched a cup off the tray before Isla had any chance in putting it on the table, his eyes darted back to his sister, ''And the only reason you say that is because—''

''I just have to use the bathroom,'' Isla mumbled before she slipped away from them, across the mass of people and tables, to the back of the pub.

She felt this odd feeling in her stomach, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was about Theodore and the girl. Her hands were placed on each side of the sink, and she stared at her own reflection hopelessly as she turned the water on.

With cupped palms, she splashed cold water onto her face — trying to clear her dizzy mind.

''Clarke—''

Isla gasped. Her hand reached for the paper towels next to her in pure panic as she flung around. Drying her skin lightly before her eyes flayed wide, and the brunet with the messy locks she sought so hard to avoid — stood tall in front of her.

''What?'' Isla nearly snapped, dragging the paper towel across her skin, gathering all the wet stains, ''This is the ladies bathroom—''

''Don't you think I know that?'' Theodore grumbled, sending her a glare.

''So what are you doing here?'' She said, confused about his strange behavior. She couldn't possibly wrap her head around the fact that he followed her into the bathroom.

Theodore's eyes flickered, somewhat bending his back to make sure all the bathroom stalls were held empty before he took a step closer to her. His coat hugged his shoulder intensely, and his shirt underneath trapped his muscles.

It turned utterly hard to focus.

''What was that?'' He questioned, making her frown, ''Out there, in the bar. You just walked away?''

Isla's arms folded over her chest, ''You had company,'' Her statement held brief, dryly.

''Why are you so upset about—''

''I'm not upset. You looked busy, and I didn't think you wanted to be seen talking to me in public anyhow, so I don't know what you want?''

The harsh tones slipping her tongue caused his brows to knit, and his lips pushed tightly into a firm line.

''I told you, say the word, and I'll get rid of her.''

Isla blinked quickly.

The chatter of people outside the bathroom door echoed. She stared at him, and he stared right back.

''And I told you that it wasn't necessary,'' Isla's lower back leaned against the ceramics, ''You can see whomever you want.''

''Can I?'' Theodore took slow, long strides up to her, and it made her breaths hitch, ''What if I don't want to see her?''

Isla swallowed, feeling the heat of his body from inches away. It wasn't close to how it felt having Draco near. Malfoy radiated off coldness, but Theodore — he was warm.

''Still sounds like a you problem, doesn't it?'' She breathed, her eyelashes battled, ''And you don't want to keep your date waiting, do you?''

Her comment made Theo's lips arch into a smirk. Her attitude played tricks on him as he placed his hands onto the sink, where hers had been.

''No, we don't want that, do we?'' He licked his lower lip, holding so close to her that their noses nearly touched, '' 'll ask you one more time, Clarke, and this is your last chance. Do you want me to stop—''

''No,'' Isla cut him off. Her eyes fell over his messy hair and his rosy cheeks.

He raised a brow, leisurely drawing away from her again and as he did — his hand settled on her waist, and with a slight jump of her own. She was seated upon the sink.

Her skin flushed.

Theodore's grip tensed around her flesh as he strode fully in between her legs, ''Are you sure?'' His breaths felt hot close to her ear, and her own hands clung around his neck, ''Are you sure that you don't want me to stop seeing her?''

Isla's head shook, her neck bent back as his nose brushed along her jawline. Her hair tickled his skin, and shivers fled her spine at the low undertone he held.

"Be honest, Clarke." He growled against her. His body tensed, "You are driving me—"

"I'm sure," Isla exhaled, her fingers combed through his hair softly.

''Fine,'' He muttered, inhaling roughly to collect the strength to pull away from her, ''Once again, Clarke—'' He paused, his teeth sunk into his bottom lip as his eyes trapped hers.

He stepped back, ''Suit yourself then.''

_____