Pictionary
"That's it, I'm done," Pansy declared loudly thumping her clutch onto the table. "These gits are driving me crazy."
Ginny raised a curious eyebrow and asked, "Who is it, now?" When Pansy huffed, she continued. "Wait, another muggle? Pansy this is weird even for you."
"Meh," Pansy shrugged her shoulders. "I like to have my own selection."
"So, how long is this rebel phase is going to continue," Daphne Greengrass chimed.
"I don't know. I need to have a discussion with Granger. I think she's been avoiding me," Pansy said looking curiously at Ginny's glass. "It looks fiery, I'll take it." Before Ginny could object, Pansy took the glass from her hands and emptied it down her throat.
"What is this about avoiding. You are roommates for Merlin's sake," Ginny said with an amusing smile.
"Of course we are roommates, but Granger spends more time with Daph than with me," Pansy said pointing to her childhood Slytherin friend.
Daphne and Hermione became close after the war, as both of them started their careers at St Mungos. Bonding with the intriguing Slytherin girl was so easy for Hermione, as Ginny and Luna were still at Hogwarts and Harry and Ron were busy with their Auror training. They even became roommates, as the muggle culture fascinated Daphne. She moved out of her parents' house and had torn the marriage contract with Theodore Nott, much to his relief.
It was one fateful day that Pansy Parkinson had thought to crash into their little flat, claiming to follow Daphne's footsteps. But Pansy's ideas of adapting to muggle culture had been a bit different than Daphne's.
"She used to," Daphne said, pouring wine into now the empty glasses on the table. "Not anymore. She seems quite busy, nowadays."
"No, I need that one," Pansy and Ginny announced pointing to the red glowing punch on the table.
"I like you, Weaselette," Pansy smirked.
"Are you realizing that now? I came to that conclusion when you started dating my brother," Ginny said gulping the liquid down. She smacked her lips and relished the taste. "This is bloody good."
"I thought you might like it," an angelic voice sounded from the door.
"Lovegood," Pansy gave a smile and invited her over. "I missed you. It's been so long we have heard your weird theories."
"Hmm," Luna hummed taking the empty chair between Daphne and Pansy. She folded her legs at her knees, sitting in Indian style. She was wearing nothing but a long green t-shirt that looked like it was made up of dried leaves. "I have always wanted to witness the passionate side of an Erumpent during its mating. The one in London had dragged me back from my travels." She smiled at the others in the group. "Daphne, you've got an ethereal glow. When did you find out?"
Daphne gasped loudly, "How did you know? I just found out yesterday."
"Find what?" A new voice interrupted them, in the form of a very pleasant Hermione Granger.
Daphne hurried to gather a glass trying to pour a drink to the newcomer. Hermione smiled gracefully and took a dainty sip. She relished the taste with closed eyes and sighed. "So, ladies, long time?" she greeted everyone casting a sly glance around the table.
"You have a lot of explaining to do Granger," Pansy said glaring at her.
"Great to see you, Hermione," Ginny smiled pulling Hermione into a hug.
"Before these Gryffindors fall into Mushy greetings, what was that Daph?" Pansy said pointing a finger to a very red Daphne.
"Was it a secret?" Luna asked bemusedly. "But you should share. The new life needs so many blessings."
"You're pregnant?" Hermione gasped pulling Daphne into a hug. "Viktor would be so happy."
She wasn't Daphne Greengrass anymore. She was Daphne Krum. Hermione still maintained her friendship with Viktor Krum, after the war. Viktor was smitten with Daphne, the moment he met her. It didn't take long for them to transform their blossoming relationship into a strong marital bond.
There was a loud cheer when all of them celebrated the joy of their friend with loud squeals and laughter, causing quite a lot of stir among the calm afternoon lunching people.
"You're next," Pansy squealed pointing a finger at Ginny.
"Merlin, no. I've just begun my career," Ginny smiled.
"Whatever you say, but we all know how insatiable you both are. It really beats me, that why you are not yet waddling around," Pansy exclaimed fanning herself.
"We can't help it," Ginny said with a sigh. "In fact, you should hear about our evening plans," Ginny said with a sparkle in her eyes. "I have been convincing Harry to try this new thing and he finally caved."
"Stop it," Hermione yelled clamping down her hands on her ears. "Do you both realize that you are talking about a person, who'd been practically my brother?"
"Ignore her," Pansy smirked. "She had passed into this sublime stage where she thinks she doesn't need these human pleasures."
Ginny along with Pansy burst into peals of laughter, while Daphne had to stop herself from joining them. Hermione glared at them, but Luna spoke quietly, "That might not be true Pansy. Hermione's sublime states will take her carnal pleasures into transcending levels."
"Thank you, Luna. You are a darling," Hermione said blowing an air kiss to the dreamy blonde.
"I don't believe in that shite," Pansy cut her off.
"Pansy, whatever your claims are I'm still very much interested in carnal pleasures," Hermione said clearing her throat.
"Then why do you keep turning down Draco?" Pansy asked sharply looking into Hermione's eyes.
Hermione choked on her drink. Ginny tensely patted her on her back as Hermione recollected her wits. Now that most of them have surpassed their house differences, Draco and Hermione kept running into each other. For the past few months, Draco had been dropping not so subtle hints about dating her, but Hermione never complied.
"Well, that is my business," she quickly answered with a flustered look, not quite meeting Pansy's eyes. "So, why are we meeting this afternoon?"
Pansy spoke up again, "I've got this special parcel from my ex-boyfriend." Pansy said taking a large box envelope.
"Ron?" Ginny asked quirking her eyebrow.
"I haven't seen your brother since we broke up Weaselette," Pansy said with a scoff. "It's from Blaise."
"When did he come back from Italy?" Hermione asked taking a sip.
"I think he came for that boys' thing," Daphne chimed. "Astoria told me. She said Blaise had dinner with Ron and her the other day."
"Sweet. So how are things with Astoria and Ron?" Hermione asked with a beaming smile.
"Astoria is really excited."
"Ron seems thrilled too. She came to the Sunday brunch, at Burrow," Ginny said giving Hermione a sly glance. "Mum's finally accepted that things are not going to work out between you two."
"I'm happy for him," Hermione said shrugging her shoulders.
"If you are done with your happy discussions, shall we see what's the parcel about?" Pansy said with an exasperated sigh.
"I have a feeling that, we would be needing a private place," Luna said getting up from her chair. "Hermione your place is close by, we'll apparate there." She simply turned and walked to the door.
"I guess, we are going back to our place," Pansy said finishing the last of her drink. As the others followed her, Hermione stayed back to settle the check.
Once she apparated back home, she saw all the girls scattered on the couch. Pansy was holding a note in her hand. "The note just said, it's something the boys did at their den and Blaise wanted to share it with us. He mentioned that boys did some artwork and we are supposed to guess, who exactly did what."
"Interesting," Ginny said. "I didn't know these guys could do art. I want to see."
"Ginny, I would be careful. They could be deviant," Daphne said getting comfortable.
"Ah, who cares? Let's see what those people are up to," Pansy said enthusiastically tearing open the envelope.
Hermione couldn't stop herself. She agreed with Daphne but the curiosity got the better off her. She settled beside Ginny getting ready to delve into the cacophony of the pictures.
"Ooh," Pansy exclaimed as she extracted the first picture out of the envelope.
It was a demure picture of Padma Patil. But Blaise must have done some extra tinkering, because it was now a moving picture, instead of a still one.
"She looks beautiful," Daphne claimed.
"Totally," Hermione said. "She has the most beautiful eyes."
"Yes yes," Pansy said. "But the picture is too plain."
"I bet a Hufflepuff drew this," Ginny said leaning forward.
"Oh, I agree," Pansy said putting it aside. "So who did you think sketched it?"
"I think it is Justin. They went out for a while." Hermione concluded.
"Great. Let's move onto the next one?" Pansy said marking Justin's name on Padma's portrait.
The next picture was of Lavender.
"I didn't know Lavender had a ring in her belly button," Luna chimed peering at the picture. "It looks cute. You should get one Hermione. Your navel is very cute and it goes very well with your t..."
Hermione stopped her immediately by clamping her hands on Luna's mouth. "Sure, thanks, Luna. I'll keep it in mind."
"You are most welcome," Luna smiled.
"What's that about?" Ginny asked with a skeptical look.
"It's nothing. So Lavender huh?" she tried to divert everybody's attention back on the picture.
"Is it Ronald? I think he dated her during school," Daphne asked stroking her chin.
"No, Ronald is very obvious. But the picture is so subtle. So I guess another Hufflepuff?" Pansy asked the girls.
Hermione nodded in thought. "Your explanation's valid. I guess it is Ernie."
"Ernie Macmillan right, agreed?" Pansy said looking at the other girls. All of them gave approval nods, but there was a grimace on Hermione's face.
"Something tells me our Muggle-born princess is not very happy with this," Pansy said sliding out the next picture.
"Come on, girls. Don't you see? It is objectification. Those guys are viewing us as the objects of their fantasies," said Hermione with an annoyed expression.
"Not fantasies," Luna said as Pansy drew out the next picture out of the envelope.
"What do you me…?" Daphne started out but gasped as the picture of Luna came into view.
"Holy fuck," Pansy exclaimed looking at the picture.
"Let me see," Ginny said taking the picture into her hands. "Saucy, Luna."
"See, this is what I am talking about," Hermione huffed. "Is this how they imagine?"
"It is not imagination," Luna said calmly. "But it is beautiful. Theodore does have very beautiful fingers."
"Theo?" Daphne asked. Hermione and Ginny exchanged glances, while Luna looked on dazedly.
But Pansy burst out laughing. "This is priceless. I always knew he had a crush on someone. That's why he was jumping with joy when Daphne broke the marriage contract."
"I suppose I could ask him out. Do you think he'll be interested in watching Erumpent mating?" Luna asked with a smile.
"Sure, Luna. It sounds great. Harry says Nott's a great guy. He really did set up a new trend by taking up an entirely new profession. A beast life photographer," Ginny said squeezing Luna's hand.
That was another surprise in the wizarding world. Theodore Nott had become a famous photographer, following various fantastic beasts and taking their pictures.
"Of course, he'll come anywhere if you ask him," Pansy snorted. "But why did you say it's not imagination?"
"He'd caught me in one of my travels," Luna shrugged.
"Okay, enough about Theo. Check out this one," Pansy said waggling a new picture in front of Daphne's eyes.
"Who the hell drew this picture?" Daphne exclaimed in shock.
"Just because you're married, doesn't mean you're not hot," Pansy said.
"Viktor would be amused," Hermione giggled. "You should present this to him."
"You are right?" Daphne said slipping the picture to a side. "He does have a weird fascination at looking my pictures."
"We didn't guess, who drew your picture Daphne," Ginny stopped.
"There is this guy in Ravenclaw, who asked me out quite a few times. I guess he is the one," Daphne dismissed.
"Who Goldstein?" Pansy asked.
"Yes, the same one. Let's move on," Daphne said picking the next picture of Milicent. Pansy announced Gregory Goyle without giving anyone a chance. When Fleur's picture was drawn out, Ginny and Hermione argued it was Ron. But Pansy and Daphne declared it was Blaise, explaining how he went around Beauxbatons carriage to catch a glimpse of Fleur.
All their mouths dropped when Madame Rosmerta's picture dropped into their laps.
"Wow," Ginny exclaimed with wide eyes. "I never thought of her in this way. She does look good for her age."
Daphne gulped a glass of water while Luna bent forwards and stated. "Her breasts are really nice," she said running her fingers across the peaks.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked as a blush crept up her cheeks.
"They are really good. The artist had really brought them to life. You can actually feel them under your fingers," she said forcing Hermione's finger on one of them.
She snatched her hand back while Pansy laughed holding her stomach. "This is great. Who drew this?"
"Ron," Hermione stated immediately. "He had a major crush on her. And the picture is so obvious."
Next, it was Ginny's turn to blush when Harry's drawing of her popped out.
"That's Harry," Hermione said pulling Ginny into a hug. "See how amazing he is."
"Bloody waste of a picture. We all see her like this anyway," Pansy claimed and pushed the picture into Ginny's hands.
"If it is sauciness, you are looking for, we got the right picture," Ginny smirked when a delectable picture dropped out.
After an overwhelming silence, Luna chirped, "Oh! It's you, Pansy."
Pansy's face turned bright red, while the others catcalled at the picture.
"Oh this is brill," Daphne said. "You're so adventurous."
"Seriously, Pansy. You are magnificent," Hermione said stifling her laughter.
"I'm going to kill him," Pansy glared in anger as her fingers crimped the edges of the painting.
"Who?" Ginny asked amidst her laughter.
"Longbottom," Pansy gritted out.
"Neville?" Hermione's eyes grew wide at the name.
"Yes. That git promised he wouldn't tell anybody," Pansy was still shaking in anger.
"Technically, he didn't say anything," Hermione said. "But when exactly did this happen? Come on Pansy, tell us."
Pansy took a deep breath and sighed, "It was this muggle guy I went out a few months ago. He had a thing about roleplay. So I dressed up like a cat. But in the middle of the night, when I attained my pleasure, I did accidental magic."
"Oh! no," Hermione laughed clamping hands on her mouth.
"Yes. Auror Longbottom showed up," Pansy said pressing her palms on her face. "That idiot promised me he would not tell anybody. Now he's going to me see my wrath."
"Pansy, calm down. It's actually a very beautiful picture," Hermione said pulling her hands down.
"You would say that, wouldn't you? He's your friend." Pansy whined.
"Come off it, Pansy. Apparently, you seemed to be a beautiful cat compared to Hermione," Ginny sniggered.
"Ginny," growled Hermione.
"When did you dress up as a cat?" Pansy asked with sudden interest.
"No, not dressing up. She turned into a cat," Ginny told stifling a smile.
"I can't believe Harry told you?" Hermione pouted.
"Well, he didn't. He talks in his sleep," Ginny stage whispered.
"Oh, my!" Daphne's voice dragged the girls from their serious discussion. "I'm speechless." She was holding the last picture from the envelope in her hands.
"It's truly drawn from one's heart," Luna said giving a knowing glance at Hermione, while she took the picture from Daphne's hands. "But I wonder who she is?"
"Let me see," Ginny took it from Luna's hands. "Wow, she's hot. I'd definitely kiss her. And that tattoo is so cool. I wonder if it's a Slytherin girl."
"Tattoo? I'll confirm that." Pansy stated grabbing the picture from Ginny's hands.
"Wicked hot. I'd do more than kiss her," Pansy gleamed. "But I'm more interested in finding who drew her."
"What's all the fuss about?" Hermione sat on the coffee table and leaned to take a peek.
Her whole body stilled as she saw the familiar tattoo in the picture crawl up and down that girl's back. The lips in the picture parted releasing a wisp of vapor. Blood rushed to her face as anger boiled in her. "Malfoy," Hermione breathed.
"Draco?" Pansy and Daphne voiced. When Hermione still continued to stare at the picture, Pansy spoke, "It's not him. He never visualized a girl in this way. I'm sure it's not Draco."
But Hermione knew better. He is the only one who knew about that tattoo. He was the only witness to her weakest and weirdest moment. Hermione slowly turned her icy glare to Pansy and asked in a dangerously low voice, "Where is Malfoy, now?"
"Probably at his office, why?" Daphne asked registering Hermione's frantic state.
Ignoring all the others' inquiries Hermione snatched the picture and sprinted out of her flat. She apparated to Malfoy Incorporated, the grand and hideous building in the middle of Diagon Alley.
She barged into the building, her heels clicking and clacking on the pristine marble surface.
"That's Mr. Malfoy's office. You can't go in there," a girl stopped Hermione, as she reached the top floor. Hermione took a deep breath and looked at the girl, who looked like a model just dropped out of a fashion magazine.
Hermione managed a sweet smile and replied, "Actually, your Mr. Malfoy is waiting for me. He had especially requested this meeting. Now if you don't want to face Mr. Malfoy' anger, you should step away from my way."
"Sorry," the girl apologized immediately, stepping away.
Hermione with all her force shoved the doors, revealing her presence to the Malfoy heir.
Draco Malfoy who seemed to be in a deep discussion with his friend cocked his eyebrow and smirked, "Granger."
"Malfoy," she growled approaching his table. "We need to talk."
Theodore Nott grinned at his friend and whispered, "It seems you finally got your date." He gathered all the documentation and turned towards the door. "Nice to see you, Granger," he greeted her and strode out of the door, leaving Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy to their talk.
A/N: Thank you for all your wonderful responses to this little interlude. This is the second part and I hope you like it. If you did, drop me a review, it'll brighten my day.
pgoodrichboggs: I think you got that right. Thanks for the review.
WelpLet'sWriteSomeRubbish: I think now you have an idea about who Draco drew. Thanks for the review.
Guest: Thanks
White Bishop: You certainly know how to brighten up one's day. I'm happy you liked this little snippet so far. I'm trying my hand at writing a light-hearted story and I just hope, it comes out okay. Thanks for your support.
LightofEvolution: Thank you so much. I'm happy you liked the silliness, frankly, I thought it could've been better. I hope you like this chapter too.
LuckyMascot: It's a silly plot bunny, that had taken hold of my mind. I'm really glad you liked it. Thank you so much for the support.
EmilyGonzalez: Thank you so much. I hope you liked this chapter.
Xasmin: Thank you so much.
lovelydreams98: Thanks
thepantomimefairy17: That's really sweet. Thanks for the cake, review and your love. I hope you liked teh chapter.
Guest: Thank you so much, I hope you liked the second part.