Chapter 3 – In which Cupid is on standby.

As they made their way through the hauntingly familiar corridors, they soon realised that the little elf was taking them to the Prefects dormitory and they were walking into the common room when Hermione suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.

"Damn! I forgot to ask!"

"Ask what, Mione?" Harry asked. They all looked at her curiously.

"I meant to ask Snape where he's been all this time." She turned on Malfoy and stared at him. "I suppose you know that too?" He returned her stare. "Well do you?" she asked him. He said nothing.

Then he shrugged and said "It's not my story to tell, Granger. Why don't you just ask him?" and with that he turned and walked towards the boys rooms, which were off to the right of the common area down a short passage.

He stuck his head inside the first door, that of the Deputy Head Boy, and saw Harry's bag at the bottom of the bed. "This one is yours, Potter." He walked to the next room and walked in. He opened the door and then turned to the others. "That means I'm Head Boy for the weekend," he smirked at Hermione. "Dinner is in fifteen minutes. Then you might get a chance to ask all your questions, Head Girl, so run along and change," and with that he closed the door and left them standing in the hallway.

"He's still a git," Hermione huffed as she and Ginny walked into the Head Girl's room. Tinky had indeed unpacked Hermione's bag in this room. Malfoy was right. Again. So annoying.

"Yes," Ginny agreed. And then added thoughtfully "But did you notice how hot he's become?"

Hermione sighed, exasperated, as she sat on the end of the bed and kicked off her shoes. "Ginny! He's Malfoy. He is not hot, he is a ferret. You just have a thing for power, and that whole remote lessons thing has you all worked up."

Ginny considered for a moment. "For your information, Mione, I have a thing for bad boys, not power. Power is your thing. And in case you weren't paying attention for the past hour, it turns out that Malfoy is, in fact, not a bad boy after all, and hasn't been for some time." She grinned at Hermione and continued. "Still... hot is hot, no matter how you define it. A hot ferret. Who would have thought?" She left the room and headed to the Deputy Head Girl's room to change her clothes.

Who indeed? wondered Hermione as she found some clothes and stepped into the girls bathroom, which was situated between the two girls rooms, accessible through a door from each bedroom. Ginny would have to wait her turn for the shower. Serve her right for finding the ferret attractive.

One thing she, Ginny and Harry had in common was their committed singleton status. They avoided relationships. They knew there would be another war, they knew they would be involved and they knew that the losses would be even greater than the last time. Relationships would be a dangerous distraction. Not that they were celibate by any means, although Ginny was a lot more open about her encounters. She eagerly shared details with Hermione and was always frustrated and disappointed that Hermione didn't reciprocate.

Hermione had adopted a particularly pragmatic approach to sex and had proceeded the way she did everything else - research, repetition and diligence. It was just something else she wanted to do well. She insisted that she had as much sex as anyone else, but that it was no big deal and she just wasn't comfortable sharing details when it happened, but Ginny refused to believe that was possible. She was constantly trying to get her friend laid. Playing Cupid was one of her favourite hobbies.

Harry, who had grown into his boyish green eyed good looks, was as reticent with details as Hermione. He dated from time to time and had a long standing "acquaintances with benefits" arrangement with Bianca Stanton, a healer at St Mungo's. Bianca was a pretty, blonde woman whose boyfriend had died in the final battle. She had resigned herself to the fact that she would never get over him, so a purely physical relationship with Harry suited her just fine. They met up occasionally when they felt like it, but hardly ever spent the whole night together. They could go for weeks without even speaking to each other. She was independent and undemanding. The arrangement suited them both.

They were all changed and began to gather in the common room fifteen minutes later. Harry and Malfoy were already waiting when Ginny stepped into the room. Harry grinned appreciatively at her as she walked towards him. She wore a soft lilac sheath dress that created the illusion of clinging to her curvy body while not being tight fitting. Her hair had been pulled away from her face, held in place by a complex braid of several purple ribbons and cascaded down her back in soft red waves.

A moment later Hermione arrived. She had hastily pulled on a pair of snug fitting black jeans tucked into black Dr Martens boots, and an equally snug fitting black turtle neck top. She had cast a quick drying spell on her hair but had not bothered to do anything fancy with it, so it hung in long chocolate waves over her shoulders and down her back. Her cheeks were flushed from the shower and from rushing to be ready on time.

Ginny and Harry were by now used to seeing her looking gorgeous. It seemed that Malfoy was not. He stared at her, dumbstruck.

He recovered quickly though. "Shall we?" he said as he opened the door and stood back to let them through.

They walked towards the Great Hall in silence, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Ginny and Hermione were both a little annoyed at Harry for not telling them about the potion or Malfoy. Each of them would find an opportunity to tackle him about that.

Ginny had observed Malfoy surreptitiously as she walked past him into the hallway and had come to the conclusion that she had been correct. They had all decided not to wear robes to dinner, so she had been able to get a good look at him. He was definitely hot. And not because of his bad boy reputation, or because of his obvious power, but because he was a beautiful man. His blonde hair was shorter than it had been at school and he no longer wore it slicked back. His fringe fell carelessly and perfectly over his forehead, framing his icy grey eyes. His jaw had broadened but his mouth, no longer marred by an arrogant sneer, was as soft and sensual as it had been as a boy. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black long sleeve t-shirt. His body was lean, strong and beautifully proportioned. He moved with the ease and grace of a man confident in his ability to take care of himself.

Ginny thought she hadn't seen anything quite so edible in a while. However she had noticed his reaction to Hermione and had immediately and gleefully decided that they would be perfect together. Never one to allow history or harsh reality to get in the way of a good plan, she began scheming of ways to bring that about. Given their past, it would certainly be a challenge. She couldn't wait to get started.

Hermione was forming several questions in her mind and meant to get some answers as soon as possible. This time she wouldn't forget to ask anything important.

Harry's thoughts drifted back to the conversation he and Malfoy had had while they waited for the girls to get ready. The blonde had wanted to know what Harry had seen that had given away his identity. Harry had been hesitant to explain so he was relieved when Ginny and then Hermione had joined them. But he knew that Malfoy didn't plan to let it go. For a moment it had seemed that the blonde would insist on an answer right there and then, but his attention had been completely derailed when Hermione had walked into the room. Harry grinned at the memory. He always enjoyed seeing the reactions of ex schoolmates who hadn't seen her since school. Malfoy had managed to hide his reaction quickly, but not quickly enough.

Unbeknown to Harry, Draco's thoughts were following a similar path to his own. He was taken by surprise by his visceral response to the girl he had tried his best not to notice at school. He had actually stopped thinking for a moment. He watched her walking ahead of him and wondered whether he had ever seen anything so conservative yet so provocative at the same time. She was covered from head to toe and yet every perfect inch of her body had prompted the immediate mental image that had raced through Draco's head. An image of her naked beneath him, a response so strong and so primal that it had literally rocked him back on his heels before he had been able to gather his thoughts.

What in Merlin's name was wrong with him, he wondered, as they arrived at the door of the hall and walked through. A bit of self-control, Draco, he chided himself. It's Granger. She hates you.

Their previous sense of déjà vu returned as they entered the large hall where they had spent so many hours. It had taken a year after the Final Battle and a considerable amount of magic to rebuild the school to its original state. Because it was school holidays and they would be the only ones there, Minerva and Snape were seated at one of the student tables, as was the custom. The room was bare of any themed decor but was simply lit by plain candlelight, which reflected in the warm, rich wood of the table which had been charmed to seat only the six of them, three on each side. Minerva and Snape sat opposite one another at the far end.

The four former students walked over to the table, Ginny and Hermione walking ahead of Harry and Draco as they had done since leaving the dorm. Hermione, predictably, seated herself next to Minerva. Ginny immediately sat next to Snape and, to his surprise, gave him a bright smile.

"Good evening Professor," she greeted him. He gave her a brief nod before turning back to his conversation with Minerva. "Harry!" Ginny went on "Come and sit here by me!"

Harry hesitated for a second before sighing inwardly and taking the empty space next to his redheaded friend who was grinning at him and steadfastly ignoring Hermione. He knew Ginny well enough to know exactly what she was up to. He watched Draco in amusement as the tall blonde realised that the last empty place was beside Hermione.

As he sat down, a variety of dishes appeared on the table and they helped themselves and began to eat.

Much to Hermione's annoyance Minerva and Snape seemed determined to keep the dinner conversation light and inconsequential and spoke mostly with one another. Ginny engaged Harry in a quiet conversation. Which left her with Malfoy to talk to. She tried desperately to catch Ginny's eye but her flame haired friend seemed to have gone deaf and stupid simultaneously. What was wrong with her? She could feel the strange tingling sensation up and down her spine again and frowned. She wondered if she was perhaps coming down with something.

"Granger?"

She started. Malfoy was looking at her quizzically. She hadn't heard him speak to her. "What?" she asked him, confused.

He looked at her patiently. "The wine? Would you please pass it to me?"

"Oh right. Sorry." She reached for the stone jug and passed it to him.

"May I pour you a glass?" His eyes held hers for a moment as he waited for an answer.

"Sorry what?" she repeated. Had his eyes always been so silvery? For Circe's sake Hermione, she scolded herself. Get a grip!

"May.. I.. pour.. you.. a.. glass.. of.. wine?" He repeated the question slowly, as though speaking to a dense, inattentive child.

She flushed. "Oh, er, yes, thanks." He poured for her and then for himself before politely offering the jug to Harry who poured for himself and Ginny.

She lapsed back into silence. "Cheers," he tipped the edge of his goblet gently against hers and watched her intently over the rim as he sipped.

"Is this a temporary silence or do you plan to ignore me all weekend?" he asked finally.

She blushed again and reached for her goblet. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just.." she paused, unable to come up with a plausible excuse. "It's just that... Well, you're just so..." she trailed off again and wished desperately that she hadn't tried to explain. Now she seemed rude and inarticulate.

"It's ok," he said softly. "I know what you mean. I've changed. We all have."

She sighed in relief. "Yes, but you've changed more!"

He raised his goblet again and looked at her as he swallowed. "No, Granger. I think you've changed more than you realise."

"Yes alright maybe a bit," she conceded. "But you.. You've become... well.. normal. Nice, even." She realized with a shock that it was true.

"I will have you know, Granger, that I am often nice," he replied. "I was just never nice to you." His eyes grew serious. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm sorry about that," he finally blurted out. "There, that's twice I've apologised to you now. See how nice I am?"

For an instant she thought she caught a glimpse of something behind the icy grey. Then, before she could identify it, his eyes dropped to his plate.

She considered that for a moment and made a mental note to unpack it later. Then she turned to her food, once again lost in thought. She would confront him after dinner in the common room, when she would hopefully be able to string a coherent sentence together. She was determined to get some answers, dammit!

The meal passed quietly, and finally Minerva and Snape rose to leave.

"Goodnight, all," Minerva said. "I have a big day tomorrow, and Severus has some work to do still tonight. I would like to see you all in my office tomorrow at three. We still have a few things to discuss, I think. And if Ms Granger doesn't get some answers soon I am quite certain she will resort to devious means or even violence." The Headmistress's eyes twinkled at Hermione as she and Snape left the room.

"It's funny because it's true," observed Ginny as she emptied her goblet and stood up. "Well, how about a nightcap in the common room then?" And she too left the hall, the others trailing behind her.

The Prefects dorm was shaped like a T with the common room and kitchen situated on either side of the base and the dormitories to each side, the boys rooms to the right and the girls to the left. Each passage way had six bedrooms and a communal bathroom. A bedroom for the Head Prefect, one for the Deputy Head and one for each House Prefect. The Head and Deputy shared a bathroom which was situated between the rooms and was accessed by both rooms. The rest of the prefects shared a bathroom which was situated at the end of each passage.

As Hermione and Ginny were set up in the Head and Deputy rooms respectively, and likewise Draco and Harry, this meant that there were four unoccupied rooms in each dorm. As the four walked into the common room, Harry headed for the sprawling sofa and sat at the end closest to the fire.

"I wonder whether we can expect company," he asked of nobody in particular. "We would need to be careful of what we say."

"No, I'm sure they wouldn't do that," Ginny replied. Hermione nodded. She hoped not anyway.

"Would that be so bad, Red?" asked Draco, sitting down opposite Harry on an identically vast and lumpy couch.

Ginny looked at him as she rudely elbowed Hermione out of the way and sat down next to Harry. "Red?" she raised an eyebrow at Draco. "A nickname? Does this mean we're friends, Ferret?"

He looked wounded. "Ferret? Really, Red? After all this time and everything we've been through together?" he said with quiet irony. He glanced at Hermione, who was doing her best to shoot Ginny with her version of Ginny's own Death Stare as she sat down next to him.

Ginny avoided Hermione's gaze and smirked internally as Hermione was forced once again to sit next to Draco. The hot ferret. Perfect. Things were going according to plan, she thought smugly. She would have to be very quick at bed time, though. Hermione would definitely want an explanation.

"Well, Ferret, as it seems that we will be working together and relying on you to teach us a few very fancy tricks, I think it's best if we call a truce and be friends. What do you say? After all, we aren't school kids anymore." She gave Draco a significant look, and turned her gaze on her friend. "Not so, Mione?"

Harry snorted with laughter which he hastily suppressed when Draco and Hermione both turned suspicious gazes on him. Honestly, could she be any more obvious? The she-devil.

The she-devil elbowed him in the ribs. "How about that nightcap, Harry?"

Harry rose obediently and went to the little kitchenette off the common room in search of firewhiskey or butterbeer. Meanwhile Ginny grinned at Draco. "So what will it be then?" she demanded.

He looked confused. "Well anything will do, really, although we'd be lucky to find anything better than butterbeer unless we call Tinky to ..."

"No silly," she interrupted. "I mean your nickname. What will it be?" She dimpled at him charmingly.

He wondered whether Potter had been a little too liberal with the elf-made wine over dinner. She was definitely a stunner, he decided. He could see why Zabini had lusted after her at school. But she was no match for Granger. He immediately slammed the brakes on that line of thought.

"I get to pick my own nickname? I don't think that's how it works, Red. But if you're sure, let's go with... My Lord? How's that sound? I think it has a certain ring to it, don't you?"

She considered for a moment. "Let's stick with Ferret. What do you think, Mione?" She turned her attention to her friend expectantly.

Hermione was glaring suspiciously at Ginny. What was she playing at, being charming to Malfoy?

"There's nothing worth drinking in the kitchen." Harry sounded disappointed as he plopped back down on the sofa.

Draco stood up. "Leave it to me," he said and headed off to the boys dorms.

Ginny resolutely avoided Hermione's gaze.

They heard him open the door to the Slytherin prefect's room and walk in. He reappeared moments later with a half empty bottle of firewhiskey and a full bottle of Goblin-made honey brandy. "I think, Red, that My Lord might be appropriate after all?" he deposited the two bottles on the small coffee table and sat back down.

"Bring glasses, wench," he pointed at Ginny imperiously. She giggled and got up.

"Wait for me!" Hermione called and went after her. "I'll help."

Ginny looked alarmed. "No don't bother, Mione," she called back hastily. "I'll manage."

"Nonsense," replied Hermione, "It's no bother at all." She walked up to Ginny who was rummaging around in the cupboards. "What the bloody hell do you think you're playing at?!" she hissed.

"Whatever do you mean, Mione?"

"Don't give me that innocent routine. It hasn't worked since you were ten. Now explain!"

Ginny briefly considered bluffing it out but then gave in with a sigh. "Come on, Hermione. The man is bloody gorgeous and have you seen how he looks at you? And did I mention that he's bloody gorgeous?"

"Sshh Ginny!" Hermione waved her hands frantically at her friend. "He'll hear you! And you're wrong! So just stop it!"

"Wrong? Really? Have you gone blind?" Ginny placed hands on Hermione's shoulders and shook her gently. "Listen to me nicely. Draco Malfoy is by far the sexiest man you've been in the same room with for a long time."

Hermione shook her head. "No I don't mean about that. I mean about how he looks at me. You're wrong."

Ginny grinned broadly. "Oh, so you agree that he's bloody gorgeous, then?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. "Well he's nice looking, I suppose."

"He's positively scorching," Ginny insisted. "And he looks at you like he's been struck by lightning. Even though he's trying very hard to hide it."

Hermione grabbed two glasses and, with a toss of her head she left the room. "You're wrong. Stop it. I mean it Ginny!"

Hermione marched back into the common room with the glasses in her hands and a determined look on her face that Harry recognised all too well. "Move over, Harry!" she commanded. Harry scooted hastily over. She sat down in the space opposite Draco, plonked the glasses down on the table and glared at him. "Pour!" she pointed at him, daring him to argue. He didn't.

Her glare shifted as Ginny came back into the room. "You! Sit!" she pointed at the space beside Draco.

Ginny, who had opened her mouth to point out that Hermione was in her seat, changed her mind and put down the other two glasses, then sat down meekly next to a startled Draco, who handed them each a glass of honey brandy.

Hermione took the glass and leaned back in her seat. She took a deep steadying breath. "Now. Start talking, Malfoy."

He looked at her. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything. Start with the ingredient for the potion. And then follow up with where Snape's been all this time."

Draco said nothing, just looked at her.

"Any time you're ready," she said sarcastically.

"I can't," he said finally.

"You mean you won't." She put the glass down on the table and glared at him. She was so irritated she could have reached over and grabbed him by the throat. "What about all that friendship stuff? I should have known it was bullshit."

"No, Granger. I'm Severus's secret keeper on both matters. I took the Vow. I mean I can't." He watched her take that in. "I can't reveal anything more than he already gave to Potter in the memory."

The room fell silent as they all watched her battle her emotions. She seemed about to say something and then changed her mind. Then she reached over, picked up her glass and sat back.

"Oh fuck it," she said suddenly and finished the drink in one long swallow. She slammed the little glass back down on the table, stared at Draco and sighed. "Hit me, Ferret!" she instructed.

He leaned forward and Harry and Ginny exchanged a relieved look and held out their glasses for a refill.