Chapter Ten
"That was incredibly stupid," Pansy muttered, pressing a carton of ice cream to her suffering forehead.
Millie, sipping hot tea laced with what was probably painkillers, nodded. Pansy looked to Daphne.
"It's times like these I wish I was a little better at potions," the younger girl muttered.
"Lucky for you all someone here is."
The trio turned as Hermione Granger entered the kitchen. The house elves milled about her. She smiled sweetly at them all before issuing suggestions. The house elves darted about, accomodating her gentle requests.
Hermione slid into the booth beside Daphne and handed out vials to all.
The three Slytherins took the vials with only a slight hesitation.
"Don't worry. They're just hangover potions," Hermione assured them as several plates of breakfast food appeared.
It was Sunday and Pansy wondered for a moment just how long it would take anyone to notice the dissappearance if Hermione decided to poison them. Daphne had no such reservations and guzzled down the drink. After only a few moments she was looking better and ready to attack the food. Pansy decided that was good enough for her and followed suit, Millie following not long behind.
The change was almost instantaneous. Pansy's headache vanished and her apetite returned. The three scarfed into the food before them.
"How's Ginny?" Millie finally asked.
"After your debacle last night?" Hermione chuckled to see the trio wince. "Ginny's right as rain. Never try to drink that girl under."
Daphne shook her head and took a gulp from the tea before her. "I take it she told you about our soriee last night."
"She didn't tell me your real reason behind that particular song and dance."
"What makes you think it isn't as it seems?"
Hermione smiled prettily at Daphne. Pansy could practically see the hormones switch on in Daphne's mind. Pansy supposed she couldn't blamce Daphne. She didn't swing that way, but Hermione was pretty and sending out just the right signals of confused uncertainty. Hermione was blissfully unaware of her own sex appeal.
"You're Slytherins, girls. I think you're three brilliant young women, but that doesn't mean you won't be devious for your own means."
"Just what do you think our means are?" Daphne asked.
"I think, for some reason I cannot fathom, that you want Ginny and Malfoy together."
"Is it so hard to imagine?" Millie asked coyly.
"Aside from the aestheticly pleasing image they make together, Ginny is the only one who could possibly temper out that poor deranged boy. Draco is the only one who can make Ginny want to feel pretty, inside and out."
"What makes you think Harry can't be that one?" Hermione asked.
"Where have you been the past four years?" Millie asked rhetorically. "Potter has had every chance in the book and then some. He obviously didn't want her then. What makes you think he wants her now?"
"Because Draco does," Hermione sighed. "Damn. I was hoping it wouldn't come to something like this, but looks like I'm going to have to help you out."
The three girls stared at Hermione. "What? Seriously?" Daphne asked.
"Of course. Someone has to keep an eye on you three and GInny."
Pansy did not miss the content smile that slid over Daphne's features.
(A/N: ah, updating. I love it. How I have missed you. Hope you guys like!