Hermione made her way back to Carter. She was sure she was flushed. She hated the effect he still had on her. She shook her head slightly, to get rid of the thoughts of the blonde.

Carter handed her a drink, which she took gratefully. He was standing with Ginny, Ron, Harry, and Padma. They seemed to be engaged in a conversation.

"...can you believe it?" she heard Ginny say.

"Believe what?" Hermione asked, late to the conversation.

Ron looked uncomfortable as Ginny and Padma started to tell her the gossip.

"People are saying Draco Malfoy has a paramour" Padma whispered to her excitedly.

Hermione choked on her drink, "What?"

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, Astoria looks just about bloody pissed".

Hermione looked over to the beautiful woman, and sure enough, she looked angry as she whispered to Draco. They seemed to be in the middle of a heated discussion.

"How do they know. Do they know who it is?" Hermione asked them cautiously, hoping she didn't sound too obvious.

"We don't know who it is, but Cormac heard Narcissa talking to Lucius about it. They didn't name names, but apparently they're both furious. Naturally, Cormac told everyone about it" Harry piped in.

"That's ridiculous", Hermione said, "I'm sure Malfoy isn't seeing anyone on the side. I mean look at Astoria". She was hoping she could convince her friends that Malfoy wasn't seeing anyone. She did not need them putting the pieces together.

Ginny snorted. "You sound like my dear brother, Ron".

When Hermione looked at her questioningly she said, "He seems to think there's no way Malfoy could have a mistress, either".

Hermione looked at Ron and smiled. She'd have to thank him later.

She waved her hand, "Nevermind, it's none of our business if he is", she said attempting to change the subject.

"But Mione, don't you want to know who it is?" Padma asked her.

"Yeah", Ginny began, "according to Cormac, Lucius told Narcissa that Draco told him that the woman was just a 'good fuck'".

Hermione tried hard to level her breathing.

She was livid. A 'good fuck'? That's all she was to him?

She took a couple deep breaths before smiling. "I'm getting tired", she said.

"Carter, do you want to get out of here?"

He smiled at her, "I'd love to Hermione".

She bade farewell to her friends, and took Carter's hand, which he held out to her. They left the ballroom together, Hermione making sure Draco had seen them.


Draco had composed himself and went back out into the ballroom. He was about to go talk to a smirking Blaise when Astoria stepped in his way. He looked at her and registered that she looked angry. Very angry.

"Is it true?" she asked him in a hushed tone.

"Is what true, Astoria?" he asked her, not quite coldly, but not in an inviting way either.

"They're saying that you have a...a...mistress, Draco!"

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before hardening again. He narrowed them. In a menacing tone he asked her, "Where did you hear that?"

"Everyone's bloody talking about it. I'm humiliated, Draco", she told him.

Draco scoffed, "Of course it's not true, Astoria, I'm not sure what kind of rumors you've heard". Draco tried to come off as aloof and nonchalant, but he quickly scanned the room.

Sure enough, people were whispering at each other and looking at the couple.

Astoria huffed. "I have been cheated on, but I will not be lied to as well". She turned on her heel and went to speak with Daphne and Theo.

Draco made his way over to Blaise, who was still smirking.

"You son of a bitch", Draco began, "I trusted you, Blaise!"

He was trying to keep himself calm, he didn't want to make a scene.

Blaise's eyes widened when he realized what Draco was implying.

"You can't seriously think I had something to do with this?" he asked.

"You're the only one who bloody knew!" he whispered to him.

"Mate, it wasn't me. You know I wouldn't do that. It was Cormac".

"McLaggen? How in the bloody hell does he know about any of this?"

"He overheard your parents talking about it. All the way up to the part where you didn't care about Granger, and that she was just a 'good fuck'. No one knows who it is, mate, but now that people know there's something to look for, they'll find it. Be careful".

The color had drained from his already pale face.

If Cormac told everyone about it, that would mean that the news had gone back to Hermione. That meant she thought he hadn't actually cared for her.

He gulped and looked around the room to find her.

When he finally spotted her, he saw red.

She was leaving...With Carter fucking Beaumont.


Short Chapter, yes I know! I've been busy with school and stuff, but let me know what you think!

XX, Gracie