"Umm… yeah. It just kind of turned out that way, Minny!"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT BLASTED NAME!"
The wine cup that Ginny had been holding in her hand shattered, and glass shards embedded themselves into her palm.
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione sighed and pulled out her wand. She not so gently took Ginny's hand and waved her wand over it. "There. Now. Explain to me again why you thought Lucius and I would be a good match?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You're calling him Lucius already, Her-my-own-nee. Isn't that proof enough? Look how splendidly you're getting along! One dinner date and already on a first name basis!"
Hermione gritted her teeth and spat out, "He suggested—"
"And since when do you go along with people's suggestions so well?"
"Well, that is—"
"Hermione, just… give him a chance, okay? He's really lonely. And you two have more in common than you might think!"
"Just because you and Luna are sisters these days, doesn't mean you can plot something like this," Hermione said softly. "Anyways, I'm late. Just so you know, I've agreed to a courtship with Mr. Malfoy for the duration of 10 days. We will be showing up to the reunion together, and you will try to contain yourself to giggling and squealing. No rumors, understand?"
Ginny smiled and said, "It's so like you to give out orders even when you're late. Is it Lucius you're meeting?"
"No, I'm going to see Severus," Hermione said. "I told you we're working on that potion…?"
Ginny stuck out her tongue, "You can be on a first name basis with professor but not Lucius."
"Well, yes, because we're colleagues. We work together, Ginny. We needed to make the adjustment so that we'd both feel comfortable working at a place where we're equals. On a side note, Ginny, I really like how you've decorated Harry's place. When are you getting married?"
Ginny narrowed her eyes at Hermione.
Hermione grinned cheekily.
"A courtship? Don't make me laugh," said Snape. "A woman would never accept such a request, especially from you."
"Don't be so sure, Severus. My reputation as a rehabilitated citizen is very stable. As it is, I'm supposed to meet her for dinner again today."
"Really?" Severus smirked. "I see."
Lucius got up from his comfortable armchair and walked around. Severus lived alone in a small, but luxurious cottage. It was more than big enough for one person and even had a fully equipped potion's laboratory attached. Though Snape
"You should think about getting married, Severus."
"Is that how serious it is, Lucius? You're already contemplating marriage to the little chit?" Snape took off his reading glasses to meet Lucius's eyes. "Just exactly who is it?"
That moment, the door to Snape's home swung open. "Sorry I'm late!"
"Well, well, well. Isn't this a surprise?" Lucius drawled, his voice tinted with maliciousness.
"Mr. Malfoy! What are you doing here?" It was Hermione Granger.
"Hermione, this is my home. He is my guest. I'm sure you won't be rude." Though Snape's voice was lilted with a slight questioning tone, it was obvious what was expected.
"Oh. Well, then. I'm going to go check on the potion," she said. She acknowledged Lucius by tilting her head at him at a slight angle.
Lucius unclenched his fist. "I did not realize that you were on such a familiar term with Ms. Granger that you allow the defensive spells in your home to recognize her."
Snape sighed and rubbed his temples. "Lucius, she is no longer the bossy little teen she was before. We work together, and sometimes when I'm not home, she comes to check on potions that we're working on together. It is easier this way. I trust her."
"Explicitly and implicitly, it seems. She is your potions partner, then?"
"Very obviously, by the way she went straight to the lab, isn't it?"
"…yes."
"Well, then. I need to go work as well. I'm sure you know the way out."
"Yes, yes," Lucius said, and walked slowly towards the door.
"What was that?"
"What do you mean what was that?" Hermione replied, seemingly nonchalant.
"The tension. I would rather you didn't treat me as if I were stupid, Hermione. I'm old, but I'm not that old, especially by wizarding standard. I promise you that I did not survive to be my age merely by a series of fortunate accidents."
Hermione mumbled something under her breath.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't seem to speak Troll."
"He's going to take me to the blasted reunion!"
"I see. He's evidently courting a witch. And unless that witch were miraculously okay with two-timing, I suppose the witch is you?"
Hermione glared at him and said, "You suppose correctly."
"Well!" Snape barked out a laugh. "This is interesting after all!
"Just work on the damn potion, Snape!"
