Exposed Movements and Intelligence Analysis (IV)

Draco rose, walked over to the fireplace, and picked up the still-steaming teapot to pour a full cup of black tea. He added two sugar cubes, stirred it with a silver spoon, then carried the cup back and handed it to Pansy.

"Have something hot. It'll help you sober up."

Pansy took the cup with a frown. "I wasn't drunk. I just—I don't know how I fell asleep."

"I know." Draco's voice was calm, its soothing warmth leaving no room for argument. "The air in that abandoned classroom doesn't circulate very well. Stay there long enough and you'll get sleepy. With Crabbe and Goyle snoring on top of that, it would have been strange if you hadn't fallen asleep."

Pansy lifted the cup and took a long drink. The tea was just the right temperature, with just the right amount of sugar—Draco knew she liked two cubes. She felt the warmth spread from her throat to her stomach, and the throbbing in her temples eased a little.

"There's no need to reply to Potter for now. That Granger girl who's always with him will certainly oppose an alliance with us as strongly as she can. In her eyes, all Slytherins are Death Eaters in training," Draco said casually as he sat back down on the sofa.

"Got it," Pansy said. "If you ask me, Potter should come to you himself if he's really sincere. What's the point of sending someone with a message? Is he afraid of being seen? That Connor wasn't bad, though. A bit formal when he spoke, but not annoying. At least compared to Potter—" She paused, glanced at Draco's expression, and swallowed the rest.

Draco said nothing in reply. He merely gave a slight nod, as though committing the name to memory.

Pansy finished her tea,