"I would never have believed it of any of you. Mr. Filch says you were up in the astronomy tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves."
Harry glanced quickly at Hermione clearly trying not to be noticed. When Professor McGonagall saw this he blushed and looked down. Professor McGonagall looked amused.
"Well, well, Mr Potter... a little young aren't you for a midnight rendezvous aren't we?"
Hermione glanced quickly between them and blushed herself.
"Can either of you explain what Mr Malfoy was doing saying that you two would be here with a dragon?"
Harry looked startled. In a completely shocked and bewildered tone Harry said, "A what!"
"Are you sure you didn't concoct this cock and bull story yourself to try and get Mr Malfoy in trouble?"
Harry looked insulted, "I'd never do that!"
Professor McGonagall looked sceptical.
"It's true! I'd never come up with such a ridiculous story! I'm a much better liar than that!"
Professor McGonagall actually looked like she was resisting the urge to smile.
"Then what were you doing here?" she was attempting to look stern but was failing as Harry blushed spectacularly.
"Mr Potter, Miss Granger, I'm afraid I'm going to have to give you a detention each for being out of bounds. Now if you don't mind would you please return to your dormitories. Now."
Harry and Hermione quickly hurried down the staircase from the tower. Once they were out of earshot Hermione turned to Harry and said, "That was brilliant... How did you manage to be so convincing?"
"Easy," He replied, "I didn't actually lie."
Hermione blinked, looked thoughtful for a few moments then laughed. "You're right... you never denied the Dragon and you are definitely a good liar."
"I'm hurt," Harry said sounding sincerely hurt, "I'm an exceptional liar."
"But how did you come up with the 'Midnight Rendezvous' idea?"
"The top of the Astronomy tower is out of the way, hard to get to, out of bounds and completely invisible to the rest of the castle. What else would students use it for?"
Hermione said teasingly "And how did you manage to make yourself blush like that?"
Harry blushed scarlet and looked away "I just imagined myself on a rendezvous with a pretty girl..."
"Who?" Hermione sounded amused.
Harry blushed an even deeper shade of red, "Well... uh... that is..." his eyes flickered to her briefly "er... you, actually."