Thank you, wonderful readers! It's an overcast day here, another wonderful day for coffee and writing! Please review and I'll love you forever. :)
Hermione looked on in confusion, as did everyone in the room. Ginny stalked over to her and shoved the note and pictures into her hand. Hermione skimmed the letter, flipped through the pictures, and stared wide-eyed at Ginny.
"Why is the SCUM of the planet allowed on our school grounds?! And who does she think she is, sending me pictures of my best friends like they're cheating on me?! Does she know us at ALL?!"
Everyone was out of their seat in an instant, grabbing for the note and pictures. Hermione let the pictures go, but held onto the note and stood on a chair to read it.
"Dear Ms. Weasley,
I am dreadfully sorry for the news I am about to impart on you, but as the future Mrs. Potter, I believe you have a right to know. Earlier this afternoon, I captured photos of Hermione Granger and your betrothed frolicking off into the Forbidden Forest. I could not let them go without knowing why they were there, of course, so I followed them. And what I witnessed was atrocious. I am so sorry to inform you, but your fiancé is cheating on you with none other than the Golden Girl herself. I know how much this must pain you, but I needed to tell you myself before the article goes out in the Prophet tomorrow. Stay strong, darling. I'm sure there is someone out there for you better than The Boy Who Lived.
Take care,
Rita Skeeter"
The room was silent as all eyes turned on Harry, then Hermione, then Ginny. Draco stumbled into the room, but froze when he noticed the tension in the air. A few terse seconds went by before Harry and Hermione burst out laughing. Ginny and Ron joined in quickly after. Their new Slytherin friends, however, stared at them incredulously.
"Oi, wait! Harry, you're cheating on Ginny with Hermione?! How is this funny?!" Pansy threw her hands on her hips and stared at the Gryffindors like they had lost their minds.
Ron caught his breath first. "Oh, yeah right! Do you really think Harry is capable of doing that? And why would anyone want to cross Ginny?"
The Slytherins stared on, confused, as Harry wiped the tears from his eyes, as he'd laughed himself to tears.
"It's like this. Hermione and I spent quite a long time in the forest, just the two of us. We are the closest of friends, but it was never even remotely romantic. I mean, do you really think Hermione would do that to anyone?"
Hermione's mouth gaped, and her eyes shot to Ron, who was suddenly very interested in his shoes. Harry clapped a hand over his mouth when he realized what he said. Ginny cleared her throat in an effort to cover up their strange behavior.
"Regardless, Hermione and Harry have much in common. Both growing up in the Muggle world, constantly saving Ron during his idiot schemes during the younger years, and of course the war. They need each other. Anyone with any brains could see that, but Rita Skeeter is so low that she's trying to blind the world from that by producing a scandal. In fact, I need to go speak to the Headmistress right away!"
She ran from the room, quickly followed by Harry. Ron stood awkwardly at the edge of the room, staring at Hermione.
"I-er- I guess I'll go too. She is my sister after all…"
When it was just the Slytherins left, Hermione yawned. "I'm really tired. Do you mind if we continue this tomorrow?"
The group conceded, but Draco said he left something in Hermione's room and ducked back inside unnoticed as everyone trickled out the door. Blaise stopped at the common room door and turned to face Hermione. She smiled softly and approached him, eyebrow raised.
"Go out with me again."
She laughed. "Boy, you just get straight to the point don't you? When?"
"Tomorrow night. Go to the scrimmage with me."
She ducked her head and blushed. "I'm, umm, I'm going with Theo. He asked me earlier."
His eyes widened. "You're dating Theo?"
"Well, he just asked me today. Are you okay with that? I mean, isn't that the point of this whole process? We're supposed to go on dates with people to see who we're compatible with."
Blaised looked lost in thought for a minute. "Yeah, I'm okay with it. As long as you'll still go on another date with me."
She nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "How about we can decide tomorrow?"
He nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Hermione walked back into her room and grabbed the pack of cigarettes off her desk, feeling stressed from today's activities. As she walked back toward her door, she was whirled around in someone's arms. Her reflexes kicked in, and she punched Draco in the gut, collapsing him to the floor.
"Oh Merlin, Draco! I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were still in here! You scared the SHIT out of me!"
He coughed and dragged himself off the floor. "Sorry, I thought you heard me say I left something here." His eyes wandered to what she held in her hands. "What's that?"
She smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him to the balcony. "It's a Muggle habit I picked up along the way. They're called cigarettes. Want to try?" She lit one, took a drag, and offered it to him. He held it between his thumb and forefinger and stared at it. Hermione laughed and explained how smoking work. Draco nodded and placed it between his lips. A split second later he was coughing and sputtering.
"That's vile, Hermione! How can you do that?!"
She laughed and took the cigarette back from him. "It's just because you're doing it wrong. Don't worry, I don't expect you to enjoy it. Like I said, Muggle habit." She took a long drag and leaned against the railing. Draco settled down in the big chair and watched her. She gave him a sideways glance and laughed.
"What?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. Just trying to figure us out."
She scoffed. "There is no us, Draco. Just some intense sexual tension."
"So I heard you're going out with Theo tomorrow. And Blaise asked you out again? Are you just saying yes to them because we're all friends now, or do you actually like them?"
She tapped her lip, pondering his question. Draco suddenly grabbed her hips and dragged her down into his lap. She laughed, but settled in, getting comfortable before answering.
"I like them. I think. I had a really wonderful time with Blaise, and Theo really intrigues me. Regardless of if I'm going to marry either one of them, I enjoy spending the time getting to know them. Gods, this feels weird talking about it from your lap, Malfoy."
He grinned up at her, but then his face sombered. "Do you think you could like me, Hermione? Or is it just sexual tension?"
"Didn't I tell you not to fall in love with me, Malfoy? It's bad news. But if it's so important to you, then ask me out. I won't turn you down."
She hopped off his lap, dropped the cigarette butt over the edge of the balcony, and flounced to the door, motioning for Draco to follow. She led him to the common room door and practically pushed him out, giggling at his scorned expression.
"Hey Granger."
She turned back to him, leaning against the doorframe.
"Go out with me."
She laughed and turned back around.
"Better find a different way to ask me."
Draco was incredulous.
"So it works when Blaise says it, but not me?! What does that ponce have that I don't?"
Hermione looked at him over her shoulder.
"He's Italian," she said with a wink, and walked back to her room, leaving Draco with his mouth gaping at the door.