A/N- First things first- whoever hasn't seen the 4th HP movie already- get your ass up and see it right now! It was great :) Second- loved the reviews! I also a couple of constructive criticisms, and some people told me exactly what about the story they enjoyed- so thanks for that everyone. Much love. Third- If anyone that reads this story and doesn't have an alert (or account) but wants to know when I update, just let me know in a review and I'll put you on the update mailing list. But be sure to include your e-mail! Fourthly- I sincerely apologize for the last chapter- I thought it was crappy- but I needed a point where they found sort of a 'middle ground'…so it wasn't very exciting. Hopefully this one's better :) Fifthly-I was going to start another story, but I really didn't want to split my time further with this one, so I'm condensing it into a one-shot. So, if you want- look out for that this week. Otherwise- everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!

CH9- "Greaaat. 'Slytherin education, 101'.Can't wait," she said flatly, then started to mix the potion.

"Once you know how to lie with ease, it'll be fun," he smirked, and then kissed her temple 'for show' before taking off to the front of the classroom.

Fun….right.

Chapter 10- Slytherin Lessons

"I changed my mind," Hermione lied stubbornly. It was Monday evening and Draco was currently pulling her out of the library (a sin that he knew he'd have to hear the bitching about later) and down to their room for their 'sessions' that he had told her they were going to begin. Draco held her hand with one arm and was determinedly walking to their room, paying no mind to Hermione's protests and slapping.

"Too bad."

"Draco, I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"Well…you don't have my consent to take me to a party, and forcing me to go is immoral and could lead to you forcing me to attend things in the future, and 'by force' may develop into domestic abuse, and maybe muggle jail. So if you want to prevent all of that then you are obligated to stop."

Draco scoffed and looked behind him, "Feel better?"

"I'm serious!"

"I think you need to quit whining seeing how you willingly 'consented' about five hours ago."

"Yes but I didn't know you meant today."

"Well when did you think Hermione? Saturday night? An hour before the party?"

"…yes."

"Sorry to disappoint you," he ended the conversation in the most unsympathetic voice ever.

The rest of the dragging-of-Hermione was in silence, but Draco did slow his pace some so that it didn't look like he was hauling his wife to a hanging.

A moment later they were at the door; the portrait swung open and Hermione's jaw dropped.

"What took you so long?" Blaise asked from the couch.

"Honestly. We've been here for almost twenty minutes…Don't you have any real food?" Hermione jumped when she heard Pansy's voice. She did not see her initially for Pansy was standing in the small kitchen; this girl was searching through the cabinets so quickly, one would think she was looking to catch them with drugs.

"Pansy," Draco looked at her, "Do you mind?"

"No," she feigned sweetness and went back on her search.

"Anymore people in here?" Hermione whispered to Draco as she left the door ajar slightly just incase she needed to escape.

"No. Just these two."

"Why?"

Blaise cleared his throat, cutting off Draco in his reply, "The whispering? Cute. But everyone here knows you're faking it--"

Hermione opened her mouth to yell at him because Pansy was in the room, but that everyone, excluding her, seemed unperturbed by it.

"You told her?" she scolded quietly behind her teeth.

"What? Oh, right. I had to if she was going to help us."

"That's not fair!"

"It is. She wouldn't have agreed if I didn't give her a good reason. And I would have been able to get her to agree without a reason if you didn't make a certain rule."

"That's horrible," she said, revolted.

"No it's not."

"So happy to hear you use love-making as your weapon."

"It's not love making," he smirked, "It's a f--"

"Hey! Over here," Blaise waved his wand to get their attention.

Hermione rolled her eyes as Draco lead her to the couch with his hand in the small of her back.

"I'm assuming you both know why Draco called us here."

"Nooo! I'm not so sure Draco knows why he asked you for help," Pansy interrupted sardonically, walking over from the kitchen with some jellybeans in her hand.

"That was funny Pansy, tell another one," he replied dryly. Blaise shook his head and continued.

"Anyway, we are here to help you two act like a Slytherin couple for this party."

"Feel likea Slytherin couple," Pansy added.

"Be, a Slytherin couple," Blaise said passionately.

"I think we get the picture," Draco cut them off with an eyebrow raised.

"Ahem. Right. So- first thing. To act like the 'king and queen of Slytherin'… you must really get into the minds of those titles."

"Oh, Merlin." Hermione sighed loudly.

Blaise pretended to look offended, "Do you have something to say, Mrs. Malfoy?"

"Yes! This is incredibly dimwitted! I can go to that party and be perfectly fine! You three act like this is the first time I've told this story. For Merlin's sake, I just lied in front of the whole wizarding community. I think I can handle a little gathering…not that I'm proud of it," she added as an afterthought.

"No. no. no. I'm sorry love but this is not the same. First of all, the thing you need to understand is that we are Slytherins. Can you say that?" Blaise asked.

"Do I look like I'm an idiot, Blaise?"

"No, but you do look like--"

"Pansy!" Both Draco and Blaise silenced her.

"Sorry. I saw an opening," she shrugged and sat down on the couch opposite from the couple. Blaise moved to the middle and pushed,

"Say it, Hermione."

"Slytherin," she said with no effort.

"I mean really say it. I don't think you understand the effect of those words."

"Blaise, it's just a hou--"

"Don't say that!"

Hermione slightly jumped back in her seat.

"See, were not just a house. We aren't the 'Hufflepuffs, House of the brainless', that skip around with daises in their hair thinking the world has no darkness. Nor are we Ravenclaws that have the sticks up their arses and think we're smarter than everyone so therefore, have no need to give people like you the time of day, let alone judge them. And we're not Gryffindors--"

"Thank God.." Pansy chimed lowly.

"--that accept and see the 'goodness in everyone'. We. Are. Slytherins. We house those Dark wizards and trust no one."

It was silent for a moment. Crazy as it sounds, Hermione actually sat there and thought about it; thought about what she was doing here, at the party, and for this whole year-everything she was sacrificing. Though this was just a little party, she noticed how much stress it was causing her… Merlin knows what would happen in the later months. Would it all be worth it?

She looked over at Draco who sat there impartial, but had too listened to the conversation. Apparently, he felt this conversation didn't apply to him…Which was true seeing how he was in that house and practically ruled it.

"Wow Blaise," they looked over at Pansy.

"Did you rehearse that or something?" she stared to laugh at him between words.

He ignored her, "Let's get started."

Together, Blaise and Pansy pushed the coffee table from between the seats so that it was blocking the path of the doorway to the stairs.

"First Hermione, let me see how you walk," Blaise stood aside and sat down next to Pansy.

"What?"

"Walk."

"Walk?"

"Walk."

"Why?"

"Do you question your teachers when they talk to you?"

"Actually--"

"Just walk!"

"Okay!" she stood up and mumbled, "This is rubbish."

She stood at the edge of the couch on the rug and looked at the three.

"This is…well- a bit weird with you all watching."

Pansy grinned, "Multiply us three by twenty and that's how many people will be watching you--"

"What!"

"Oh? I thought you said this wasn't a big deal?"

"Yes well, that was before I found out that a 'small party' was sixty people!"

"It's not. Pansy, fuck off," Draco said to Hermione, then to Pansy.

"It will be small," Blaise explained.

"How small is small?"

"Small enough, now walk."

"Doesn't he have to do this too?"

"Draco's mastered a lot more than 'walking' in that house," Pansy smirked and Hermione folded her arms unconsciously.

"At least he's not a doorknob, Pans," Blaise laughed.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Where everybody gets a turn," he wiggled his eyebrows.

Pansy sucked her teeth and slapped him in the back of his head. "Grow up."

"Getting back on subject, I probably won't be with you at all times," Draco admitted practically.

"What am I supposed to do alone?"

"If he's not there then I'll stay with you. It'll look more natural because we're both ladies," Pansy offered.

"Now I'm not worried," Hermione replied with sarcasm.

"Take it or leave it."

"She's right," Draco sided.

Before anyone could get another word out, Hermione walked softly from where she was standing into the kitchen.

"No." Pansy said.

"What's wrong with how I walk?" She asked bemused.

"Nothing, if you're walking to have a picnic and some tea with Dumbledore."

Hermione bit her tongue from biting back, and briskly walked over to them once more.

"No," Pansy commented simply.

"Now what's the problem?"

"You're walking like you're late to your daily library appointment."

Hermione huffed and looked at Draco who was smirking at Pansy's last comment.

"Snuff it."

"Just relax, Granger. You're too tense."

"You would be too if they made you--"

"Shhhh…" he cooed.

She huffed once more, and then walked over to Draco plopping next to him on the couch.

"Better," Pansy commented

"What?"

"That was better."

She nodded.

Blaise started again, "Now I don't think we need to talk to you about the marital questions you might receive. One, because only the few nice ones will talk to you, by the way- most of the people will stare hard and silently study you."

"Lovely."

"Two- You've been through Rita Skeeter. You can probably to this."

"Thank you."

"It's not because we think you're good, Granger. It's because Slytherins don't need to talk to someone to know if they are able to trust them. They decide on their own, through observation. That's why we're here- to help you with your body language and actions, because that's all they'll watch for. You Gryffindors think we're all dark and mean... though in that case, we just don't like you people," Pansy explained.

Hermione just raised her eyebrows up once, and turned to Blaise. He slapped his thighs and stood up. "Well before we get to the 'questions and answer' section of this lesson, I need you to understand something."

"Which is…?"

"You…" he pointed at her, "are going to have to touch… him," he pointed to her 'husband'.

"I'm aware."

"No Hermione, I mean really touch him. They won't circle you and make you snog him, but they will look out to see how you react with each other. Because trust me, you two don't have too many fooled. They've accepted it, but most think there's a catch."

"A lot of the school feels that way."

"But, what did I say? These are…?"

Hermione looked at him, not wanting to be apart of this idiocy.

"…Slytherin."

"Corrrrrrect. So. That means, a lot of closeness, a lot of smiling--"

"But they're Slytherin." She countered slyly.

"Good one. But, you aren't. Gryffindors nauseatingly look at each other lovingly, kiss, and all that other shit," Pansy answered. "Everyone in this bloody school has seen how you act with your two idiots, and you don't look at Draco in the same way."

"He's my husband. They're almost my brothers. I'm obviously going to look at him differently."

"You know what I mean."

Hermione stayed quiet.

"Let's go into the conversations. This should be interesting," said Draco.

"Now, when you two are together, most of the talking will be directed towards Draco. People like to kiss his ass."

"Thanks Blaise."

"Anytime."

Blaise continued, "But you might get some questions too. Now one thing Hermione, someone's inclined to talk about the Dark arts. It's no lie- there are some Dark wizards there. I know for a fact they wouldn't say anything in front of you because that would just be plain stupid seeing as you're Hermione Ganger--"

"Malfoy," Pansy corrected.

"Right. That is exactly why someone might. So if some idiot does, don't say a word. Just, walk over to one of us."

"Don't look in their eyes!"

"Pansy, shut up," Blaise turned to Hermione who was looking slightly worried, "Understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. Onto a lighter subject- Quidditch."

"Er—I'm not to…knowledgeable on that game."

"What? But your best mates are--" Blaise said surprised.

"Harry and Ron, I know. But, I always sort of…tune them out."

"And dig deep into a good book, right?" Pansy said mockingly.

"Well…yes."

"Do you go to Hogwarts, Granger?" Draco asked.

"I just don't like the sport, alright! Next topic."

"Oookay. I guess Draco will do the talking in that one," Blaise sighed.

"My turn. Boys," Pansy smiled excitably.

"She's not very knowledgeable in this subject eit-ouch!" Draco laughed after Hermione elbowed him in the side.

"If someone asks you who your 'Top 10' is, what would you say?"

"Pansy- this is a house party. Not a fucking girl's night out. You are the only one that would ask that question as an ice-breaker," Blaise looked at her ridiculously.

"Blaise. Now what did I tell you about this talking thing?" she scolded playfully like his mum and then made a strait face. "Anyway- what would you say?"

"Er- I have… a husband?"

"And obviously not a clue. Let's see… how to make Granger not look like a social outcast…" she thought aloud just out of spite, "Oh! I'll make a list. I'll write down twenty names just incase you forget some. That way, if they ask you for ten, you'll have more of an option. Study them."

"Hey Hermione, I bet you if you treat it as homework then you'll have no prob--"

"Shut up, Draco." She said to the smirking blond.

Pansy enthusiastically headed off up the stairs to the bookcases to find some free parchment.

"Ridiculous," Hermione sighed.

The boys laughed. "Another thing, only talk when spoken to. It's not very wise to start your own conversation, because they could judge you on what you talk about. OR they'll just lose interest and walk away from you, immediately making you feel like an idiot."

"Thanks, Blaise."

"But if they start it, the topic will already be of interest to them, and all you can do is lie and hope for the best."

"What if I agree with them? Then I'll tell the truth."

"Don't," Draco said.

"And…why shouldn't I?"

"Then they'll know too much about you. Everyone knows the outward Hermione Granger, but when you start speaking more passionately about things, then they'll use it against you."

"That's true- but it's harmless. I probably wouldn't say much."

He scoffed, "That's what you say now, but--"

"Name one thing."

"Okay. Spew."

"S.P.--"

"E bloody W…whatever. You start talking about that, they'll laugh at you in a second."

"Or think you're crazy," Blaise added.

"Which will make me look bad," Draco finished.

"All you care about is yourself," she spat.

"Take it however Granger, but know if I go down, you'll look bad as well for assisting me."

Damn. She had forgotten about that.

"So alright, no S.P.E.W, talk nicely about Snape if they bring him up," Blaise directed.

She made a face.

"See- that! That is what I'm talking about. That is what should be on the 'Do not do' list."

"Sorry… habit." She grinned guiltily.

"Just remember he's their Head of House."

"Wait! He won't be there will he!"

"Granger, do you see McGonagall chugging the butterbeer back along with the rest of you at your parties?"

"No," Hermione felt a little foolish.

"Done!" called a squeaky voice from atop the stairs.

Pansy ran down and handed the list proudly to Hermione.

"Harry and Ron are on here," she looked up at Pansy.

"You don't have to choose them, but they are cute."

Draco and Blaise looked up slowly with the same curious looks on their faces,

"For her!" she tried to cover.

"Neville?" Hermione asked puzzled at how he got on the 'Top 10'.

The boys looked at her again, "What? He's got that dorky, awkward look goin' for him…I'd think you'd be into that," Pansy joked.

Hermione shook her head and looked down at the list again. A few moments later she spoke up, "Victor Krum? He doesn't even go here!"

"Hey, he was the only guy I've ever seen you with."

"But he doesn't attend Hogwarts," she looked at Pansy like she was the thickest girl she had ever met.

"You don't have to choose him! Merlin- you are picky."

"This isn't necessary," she started, folding the parchment and placing it on the table, "The chances of me receiving that question are slim to nil- and even if it was asked…I can think of ten thank you."

"Careful. She might just ask it out of spite now," Blaise joked. "Alright- stand up. Both of you."

Hermione looked at him crossly, but stood up anyway.

"Okay mate, put your arm around her waist,"

"Blaise. I appreciate all this, I really do…but I definitely don't need a 'lesson' on how to touch a--"

"Your arm. Her waist. Now."

Draco rolled his eyes, but decided to humor him.

"Good. Now. I need an assistant. Pansy?"

"Hell no," she said comfortably from the couch.

"Are you teaching or not?"

"Or not."

He lifted her up by the arm.

"So- when I move my hand like this--" Blaise lifted his hand very slowly, around Pansy's head and down to her waist.

"Do anything funny Blaise and you die," she threatened, moving close to him.

"Oh, I'm scared."

"Your balls should be."

"Do you always come on like this?" Hermione asked her disgustedly.

"No…Usually I'm aggressive," she smiled.

"All right ladies. So, our hands are not going to get any lower then here," Blaise slowly moved his free hand to grab Pansy's, directing it as if she was making an imaginary line through the air, down his torso to directly parallel of his pant zipper, ignoring Pansy's irritated face, "Draco, my good man, would you please do the same?"

"No," Hermione stopped.

"C'mon, you need to know," Blaise sulked.

"Blaise don't think we don't know you're just doing this to get pleasure out of this sick and twisted little game of 'find the sex organs'."

"Ooh. That was kind of hot Granger," Draco smirked.

"Honestly."

"Second restriction… we can't move our hands past there," Blaise nodded to Hermione's upper body.

"Blaise you're such a guy," whined Pansy.

"He's a pig," Hermione added, slapping Draco's approaching hand.

"Hello? Hermione I think we should…." The four turned their heads around towards the doorway where Harry was standing, looking extremely confused, and slightly disturbed at the scene in front of him. He stared at the two couples standing across from each other, stiff as boards, in interesting positions, and raised his eyebrows. "…talk"

Hermione jumped up, cheeks red and hot, "Harry! Sure, I've been meaning to talk to you too. Come on upstairs."

Hermione proceeded up the stairs and into her room, Harry following slowly behind, shaking his head disappointingly at the remaining three.

"Disgusting,"he commented, and jogged up the stairs closing the door behind him.

After the two were gone, Blaise looked at Draco, to Pansy, and smirked when turning back to Draco, "Priceless"