The fluorescent lights of the airport terminal buzzed overhead, harsh and unforgiving at five in the morning.
Two tall figures flanked you, both radiating the kind of presence that made people instinctively step aside.
Mattheo Riddle
dragging a suitcase with one hand, the other wrapped around your waist Remind me again why we didn't just Apparate?
Draco Malfoy
rolling his eyes from your other side Because Italy is about a thousand miles away, you absolute tosser. Even you can't manage that.
Mattheo Riddle
Could've taken the Floo Network.
Draco Malfoy
To a country that doesn't have a Floo connection, genius. That's how international travel works.
Mattheo Riddle
grinning Still would've been faster than this bloody airport.
A tired-looking woman with a high ponytail gestured you toward the check-in counter. The line stretched ahead, a serpent of exhausted travelers clutching passports and boarding passes.
Draco Malfoy
sighing dramatically This is already testing my patience, and we haven't even made it past security.
Mattheo Riddle
squeezing your hip At least we've got good company. And I mean excellent company.
Draco Malfoy
smirking Flattery won't get you the window seat.
Mattheo Riddle
I don't want the window seat. I want her in the middle. Close enough to touch.
Draco Malfoy
narrowing his eyes Don't start.
Mattheo Riddle
innocently Start what?
The queue shuffled forward. A baby cried somewhere in the distance. The smell of burnt coffee and stale pretzels hung in the air.
Mattheo Riddle
glancing at the check-in counter You know, I could just — he makes a subtle wand-like gesture with his fingers — convince them to upgrade us.
Draco Malfoy
gripping his wrist Absolutely not. We're doing this Muggle-style. No magic. No shortcuts. Just pure, unadulterated suffering.
Mattheo Riddle
groaning You're enjoying this, aren't you?
Draco Malfoy
smiling thinly Immensely.