Title: Prise de Fer

Disclaimer: Not my characters, not my universe, not my livelihood. All fun and games and maybe more besides.

Author's Note: Only one more chapter after this, and the sequel is in the planning. Perhaps now is the time to point out that I have never read any Harry Potter books, only studied the subject as intensely as possible without using first-hand sources. A friend, though, recently showed me a quote from PS that shows Seamus saying "me" instead of "my." I may change that in the previous chapters.

Chapter 7: Changement de Rhythme

"Why did you stop?"

"Hm?"

"You haven't said a word for almost two minutes, now. I thought you were dead."

"I didn't know I was in charge of conversation."

"What am I supposed to say? A body can't usually get a word in edgewise around you."

"Tell me about yourself, Mr. Malfoy."

"I'm sure you already know most everything. It's public property, after all."

"Hm. Maybe I do."

"What's that supposed to mean, Finnigan?"

"Not a wee thing. I only repeated what you said."

"No, you said 'maybe.' What do you think you know?"

"You tell me."

"If you even dare to start spreading…rumours…"

"I'm not saying a word to anyone. I know that kind of way."

"Oh, lovely. And you think telling me that will get me to spill my guts to you about everything that has or has not happened? Dream on, Finnigan."

"I, for once, haven't said a thing."

"You haven't…fuck you. That's pathetic, you know that? Though I should have expected it from you."

"Seeing as we're almost done here, I've been wanting to ask you about tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Tomorrow is Saturday. No detention, no potting and no more 'Mock the Malfoy.'"

"Dean has a playdate with Ron tomorrow…"

"Your loverboy's cheating on you with the Weasel? How could he!"

"…and I was planning on going to the lake."

"To drown yourself for the shame of it all? Don't let me stop you."

"Actually, I thought you might be joining me."

"No thanks, Finnigan. I'm young and beautiful; I have too much to live for."

"Who else are you going to spend the weekend with?"

"If you're playing the Pity card, you can stop right now."

"It's called the 'Friendship' card, and I don't be 'playing.' You can take it or leave it: I'll be there tomorrow."

"And I'm sure I'll have better things to do. I'll leave you to clean up."

"Bye now."

"Goodbye."

"…see you tomorrow."