The four Slytherins were sat around a booth hidden away in the back of the Three Broomsticks, waiting for their companions to show up. Theo glanced at the enchanted clock hovering above the bar, noting it was 3:06. Granger was late, a very un-Granger thing.
"Perhaps we should have sat closer to the front."
Campbell looked at her brother. To anyone that was not his twin, they would have seen the common uninterest look on his face, but Campbell could see the slight crease in his brow, the slightly down turned mouth. He was worried. She had to suppress a laugh.
"Relax Nott, they're coming through the door now," Malfoy motioned towards the front door. A redhead trailed by a blonde and a poofy brunette walked in and looked around.
Campbell rose slightly in her seat and waved at the front door wildly, getting the attention of the witches.
"Get control of your sister," growled Malfoy. Campbell shot him a disgusted look.
"Get a personality Malfoy!"
"Get a grip on reality Little Nott."
"Shut up! I swear to Salazar I'll turn you into a ferret again you slimy haired…"
"Hello," Lovegood interrupted. She had a serene sort of look on her face that relaxed Campbell.
"Hey Luna," Campbell greeted, moving a strand of hair out from in front of her face. "Hey guys," she greeted the other two girls.
"I see we interrupted an argument." Ginny noted, looking slightly amused.
"Piss off," Malfoy mumbled. No one really paid attention.
"Do you want something to drink?" Theo asked. "I'm headed up there now." He motioned to the bar.
"Yeah," Hermione said. "I know what they want, I'll help you grab them," she offered.
"Bell?"
"Just a butterbeer with cinnamon."
"Zabini? Malfoy?"
"Mulled Mead for me mate," Blaise answered.
"Firewhiskey, neat." Campbell rolled her eyes at the pretentious Malfoy.
Theo and Hermione walked towards the bar, leaving the odd looking 5 wizards in their wake.
There was a stiff silence between them that lasted one too many heartbeats.
"Well this is cozy," Malfoy grumbled.
"No one is forcing you to stay," Campbell quipped back.
"Someone has to make sure you don't embarrass yourself and purebloods everywhere."
"I don't need a minder."
"Mum and Dad are fighting again," Blaise mumbled to the two witches across from them. Ginny laughed and Luna just had that same content smile. Campbell elbowed Blaise in the side. "Easy Love! I bruise like a peach."
"That's probably because your head had Wrackspurts floating all around it." Luna pulled up her strange pink spectacles as she said this. "It's also probably why you look so sad."
"I'm not sad Lovegood."
"If you say so."
There was another long silence before Theo and Hermione came back with several drinks in their hands and trailing behind them. Luna got a Cherry Syrup, but instead of an umbrella she had a stick of cinnamon stuck in it and what looked like cloves floating in it. The idea of those flavors mixing together made Campbell almost gag, but Luna looked like she was enjoying it.
Theo had gotten a Butterbeer with ginger in it, and it looked like Hermione had gotten the same, while Ginny got a normal Butterbeer.
"So what are we talking about?" Theo asked, sliding in next to his sister.
"Campbell and Draco were just arguing," Luna said airily.
"What about?" Hermione asked, looking slightly concerned.
"I'm not sure," Luna replied, as if she were the only one who noticed the conversation. "I think perhaps it is an extension of an earlier disagreement."
"Keep your nose out of our business Lovegood," Malfoy growled.
Luna just looked lazily over at the other blonde, their hair so similar in that strange moon light hue. "Alright." Campbell was almost jealous of Luna's ability to not let anything get to her. Unlike, most people, she never thought Luna was stupid or crazy, but actually much smarter than anyone she knows.
"Behave Malfoy," chirped Campbell. A white eyebrow went high on his forehead.
"I don't recall you being my minder either." His voice was rough and quiet and cruel.
There was a tense silence that stretched across the whole table. Malfoy and Campbell just glaring at each other.
"Hey Granger," Blaise started. Hermione lifted her head towards the boy whose face promised mischief. "You fancy having a horrible stomach ache later?" Hermione looked confused and Campbell elbowed him in the side.
"What he means to say is that we are having a little candy party as a sort of back to school happy treat, cause we all need a little joy these days." She broke up for a moment and looked down at her hands.
"We want you to come, is what she is saying," Blaise finished.
"Oh," Hermione was already shaking her head. "I have a lot of homework to do."
Malfoy laughed as Campbell let out a small, "oh."
Theo looked between the girls. "Come on Granger. Campbell spent all of her inheritance on candy. The least you can do is help us eat it all." He gave her a very kind looking smile, no smirk or twinkle of wickedness in his eyes.
It was very clear the red that was creeping up Hermione's neck. She looked away and fidgeted with the watch she was wearing. "Only if Campbell doesn't mind." Hermione looked at Campbell with strange eyes. They were pleading, but Campbell couldn't tell if it was for her to say yes or no.
Either way, Campbell already had her answer on her tongue. "Of course you can come Hermione! It will be so much fun."
Short. Sweet. Tense.