Chapter Text
The sound of music and laughter drifted down the icy corridor, accompanied by the fragrant aroma of spiced mead and gingerbread. Even at a distance, Draco could hear their voices, picking up on subtle hints of holiday merriment.
Professor Slughorn's Christmas party was in full swing, but had he been invited? No, of course not. Though it didn't really matter because the blond aristocrat had too much on his mind to enjoy the festive celebrations anyway. Lately, it was beginning to feel like the walls were closing in around him, the Dark Lord's task weighing heavily on his mind. He needed an escape, a place where he could be alone to think. Somewhere quiet, and maybe partake of a bit of soothing comfort to ease his shattered nerves.
Draco headed for the kitchen, where he was greeted by no less than six house elves. The elves smiled pleasantly, offering their guest a variety of holiday treats. His gaze settled on a container of dark chocolate gingerbread ice cream, the perfect flavor for a prestigious Malfoy. He accepted the carton of ice cream, making the decision to savor its deliciousness in the quiet solitude of the girl's second-floor bathroom.
With a swish of his winter green cloak, Draco Malfoy marched towards the bathroom, taking care not to disturb the slumbering spirit lingering in the adjacent stall. He had just taken a seat and was about to sample the ice cream when he realized that he'd forgotten to bring a pack of cereal wipes. He had a spoon, he had his ice cream, but no wipes in case his hands got messy.
Of course, no Malfoy would ever be caught dead without a pack of handy dandy wipes. Cursing under his breath, Draco left his ice cream hidden behind the stall door, and promptly returned to the Slytherin common room for a packet of wipes. He didn't realize that Argus Filch had been roaming the corridors close by, searching for anyone who might be looking to cause mischief.
When he detected the sound of footsteps exiting the abandoned bathrooms, Filch went to investigate. It was here that he discovered a curious object sitting on the floor. He approached the container of ice cream, removing the lid and taking a look inside. The contents had barely begun to melt, indicating that whoever left the frozen treat had done so fairly recently.
He dipped his fingers inside the carton, tasting the swirls of dark chocolate and gingerbread. It was scrumptious, simply delightful, and so he decided to confiscate the ice cream, keeping it for himself so he could devour every last morsel of chocolatey goodness. Which would have been fine if Draco had not returned moments later with a spoon in one hand and a packet of cereal wipes in the other.
.oOo.
"Get your hands off me, you filthy Squib!"
"Professor Slughorn, sir, I just discovered this boy lurking in the girl's bathroom. I also found a carton of ice cream at the same location. It seems rather suspicious, if you ask me."
The festive holiday music ground to a halt, all eyes on the boy as Draco was hauled into the room by the cantankerous old wizard. Slughorn's gaze drifted downwards, towards the spoon clenched in Draco's fist. He spied a packet of cereal wipes tucked inside the boy's pocket, staring at it curiously since he had never been introduced to the glorious Malfoy accessories.
"Mr. Malfoy," a silky voice droned, and immediately Draco felt himself wilt before the harsh gaze of Professor Snape. "Would you care to explain what you were doing in the lavatory with this frozen treat?"
Utterly defeated, Draco looked at him and hoarsely muttered, "I just wanted to take a shite and eat my ice cream."
Severus rolled his eyes. "I'll escort him out."