It's late, but the Three Broomsticks is still busy. At the far end of the bar sits a handsome Slytherin eighth year with white blond hair and impeccable robes. He is alone and trying very hard not to look lonely. Every time someone comes in, his pale blue eyes glance up from his book to see who it is.
Any other night, Draco would have gone to the Hog's Head. It's a good place to take a break and get drunk alone. The past months have been exhausting – slowly building influence again among the Slytherins. But he is a Malfoy. He has money, connections, charm, and he knows almost everyone's dirty little secrets. He will rise to the top again soon enough.
But tonight isn't just any night. Hogwarts won against Durmstrang, thanks to their famous seeker. And apparently these days the Boy who Lived always comes here after Quidditch games.
The door opens. It's Potter, and he is alone. His hair is disheveled, his clothes are mismatched, and his glasses askew. Why are his glasses always askew.
Draco smiles a victorious smile and waits for the Gryffindor to sit down.
"Evening, Potter."
"Sod off, Malfoy."
"You played well today, especially in the second half."
"What do you want?"
"Oh get over yourself, Potter. It's just an honest compliment – from one Seeker to another. Can I at least buy you a firewhiskey – in the name of Hogwarts school spirit?"
"Butterbeer for me," Harry replies.
Draco returns with two firewhiskeys and slides one across the table to Potter.
"We're not underage anymore," Draco comments, and they clink glasses. As Potter takes a sip, Draco points his wand at Harry's chair under the table and casts a wordless sticking charm. Potter doesn't seem to notice. Everything is going perfectly according to plan.
"Why are you not with the other Gryffindors celebrating?" Draco asks.
"I was, but I don't like being celebrated. Not since the war. I think of all the people who died because of me – all the people I let down – and then I have to leave."
Draco smiles. The veritaserum is already working.
"Interesting. What do you think of me?"
"You're a git."
"Then why sit down and drink with me?"
"Because I know you're a good person at heart. And it feels good to talk to you. Wanting to punch your face feels normal. Familiar. So few things feel that way anymore."
Potter's eyes widen as he realizes what he just said.
"Veritaserum is hard to come by these days. Most of it was used up during the war, and not many people have the patience and skill to brew it," Draco says playfully.
"You're going to regret this!"
"Oh relax, Potter. I'm just going to ask you some questions. For example… what would be the most embarrassing secret the Prophet could publish about you?"
Potter attempts to get up, but he's stuck to the chair. He shoots Draco a deadly glare.
"I'm afraid of pigeons."
Draco rolls his eyes. That isn't good enough. Potter probably doesn't even know what kind of information would make a scandal.
"Have you shagged Granger?"
"No!"
"The Weasel?"
"No! I'm not gay!"
"Then who have you shagged?"
"No one. I'm still a virgin."
Draco raises an eyebrow.
"Merlin, Potter. You're the most boring wizard there is." This information is somewhat interesting, but not good enough for blackmail.
"You're the one with dark secrets, Malfoy. I'm going to report this."
Potter reaches for his wand to undo the sticking charm. Draco sighs. He didn't think he would have to play this card.
"Did you know it is illegal to use felix felicis in Quidditch?" He says, playing with a small empty vial in his hand.
Potter hesitates.
"They don't test for it in the routine testing. It's simply too rare and the testing too expensive. The Department of Games and Sports doesn't even do it for the World Cup. But if someone tipped them off, they could prove traces of it in your system for weeks. If you tell anyone about this, I'll report that you used felix felicis to win the game today. You'll be banned from all Quidditch leagues for the rest of your life."
Potter's eyes grow wide with shock.
"Come on now, Potter. Don't act so surprised. Anyone would agree that catching the snitch at that exact moment was – what's the word I'm looking for? Lucky."
"But I didn't take any!"
"You didn't know you did. Just like you didn't know I spiked the drink in front of you right now. You really should be more careful."
"You're bluffing."
"Do you really want to take that chance?"
"Yes. There's no way you could have gotten your hands on felix felicis."
"Professor Snape made it for me in sixth year. I asked him for his help, so he had to do it. He made an unbreakable vow – you know that."
Draco could see that he's shaken Potter's confidence. But Potter has to believe him beyond doubt.
"You're lying," the Gryffindor insists.
Draco sighs, shaking his head. This os a dangerous move, but he has to risk it. Draco reaches over and takes a gulp of Potter's drink. He feels the veritaserum loosen his tongue.
"It's the truth."
Potter's face drops.
"You're blackmailing me!"
"As always, your grasp of the obvious is astounding. Quidditch field, tomorrow at eight."
