Title: The Way Things Are
Disclaimer: You know the drill
Author's Note: I think this chapter may be long…sorry if you hate long chapters. And thanks to all the reviews, they made my day!
Viriditas: to answer your question, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were former roommates until Harry and Ginny got married, so it's just Ron and Hermione now. Pansy and Draco have been roommates for a year now, and since she's only been dating Ron a month, it's not exactly time to move in together, you know?
Anyway, on to the next chapter, hope it doesn't disappoint! And remember, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
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Chapter Two
Malfoy was an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries, working solo in the research office in developing a potion relating to time travel. He had always preferred working alone, being very clever and extremely antisocial in working conditions. He hated having to ask the opinion of others on what he was creating, or being offered help when he did not need or ask for it. So when the Head asked him who he wanted on his team, he requested no one.
He had recently been researching in Egypt and China, whose ancient wizards had all shown a great deal of interest in time travel. However, he had been forced to take a month off, and he had returned home two days ago. Despite his current workaholic tendencies, he did not mind: clubbing had always been a favorite pastime of his, and girls were all too easy to lure into his bed after being drawn into his "mystery" at the mention of his profession.
Though he hated to admit it, Granger looked…well, stunning. Her hair was pulled back, showing off a long and graceful neck, and her dress was not tight but clung to her body lightly, showing off an attractive figure. She had always been tall for a girl, but the unusual addition of heels showed off legs that no boy at Hogwarts would have expected to be hiding under her uniform. True, she was not drop dead gorgeous, but there was no denying that she was indeed very pretty. And with the addition of tonight's outfit, stunning seemed an appropriate adjective.
He could tell she was nervous under his gaze; she fiddled with her locket, and her eyes flicked over to the door indecisively. She bent down to put the book back hastily, and seemed distressed to find him still staring at her when she turned around.
"What?" she asked exasperatedly after a moment. He remained silent, contemplating.
"No fiery insult? No snappy retort?" she said, half venom, half astonishment.
Malfoy studied her curiously. While Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had welcomed the Slytherins with open arms after some of them switched sides, it was an obvious fact that things with the Gryffindors would be harder to patch up. Even so, after being at Order Headquarters with so many of them for multiple weeks being taught by Remus Lupin, they had at least become warm, civil acquaintances, if not friends. In their quest to be on good terms, the Slytherins had all learned patience in holding their tongues, thinking carefully before they spoke, and most importantly (and the hardest), humility. After breaking through, they were able to return back to their usual conversational styles (Malfoy's being neither grave nor solemn, but showy and charismatic). But Harry, Ron, and Hermione had not been there often, and he of course knew they would be the worst. Surprisingly, Harry had greeted him warmly earlier, and Ron, who had been over the night before, was talking with him as if they were old friends after a few stony silences and awkward apologies. He could only attribute this to them maturing quite a bit, and being influenced by love, making them more forgiving. Granger he knew for a fact hadn't been in a relationship since Ron, and she hardly struck him as the type to have a one night stand or a meaningless fling.
"What are you doing in here anyway?" he asked her, though not meanly.
Her expression faltered. "I'm sorry. I know it's your house and it's like I was snooping around, it's just the party was getting exhausted so I wanted to take a break from talking to every-"
But Hermione was interrupted as the doors to the library were thrown open. Pansy, her blonde waves looking suspiciously disheveled, grinned at them wickedly.
"What were you two doing in here!" They both opened their mouths at the same time, ready to defend themselves, but she didn't wait for an answer. "Come on, a lot of the people have left, so we've decided to play truth or dare! It's going to be so much fun! Into the living room, you sneaky little vixens you!"
Hermione grimaced at the though of playing such a childish game (they'd been of age for three years now!) but couldn't help but catch Pansy's enthusiasm as she and Draco followed her down the hallway. It was infectious. She plopped down onto a rather squishy black leather couch next to Luna, who smiled at her dreamily. Some things never change, she though to herself as she grinned back. Hermione surveyed the group, marveling at what a strange assortment of people it was, and how such diversity would never have been handled this lightly at school.
Neville was on the other side of Luna, as they were dating, and Harry and Ginny shared a beanbag. Malfoy was flanked by Crabbe and oddly, Seamus Finnigan. Lavender sat chatting happily to Parvati and Millicent Bulstrode. Blaise Zabini, Ernie Macmillan, and Ron were all engaged in some kind of discussion (probably quidditch, she thought with a rolling of her eyes), and Anthony Goldstein, Hannah Abbott, andTheodore Notttook up the other couch. Hermione felt a momentary pang of sadness for the others who should have been there (Dean, Padma Patil, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Goyle). But all thoughts of loss were driven from her mind as Pansy stood in front of the group, clapping her hands eagerly, trying to get their attention.
"Okay everyone, listen up!" They all quieted down. "Great. Now, as you know, we're going to play truth or dare, except adult style, since that's what we are…okay! The rules: you get as many chicken outs as you want, except when you do so, you have to take a shot! And I cast a spell to make sure when you chicken out, the truth is something you really don't want to reveal, or that the dare is something you really don't want to do, just so there's no cheating…and if you try and cheat, beware! Now, I'll go first…Ginny! Truth or dare!"
Ginny raised her eyebrows at being the first picked, but met the challenge with a blazing stare. "Truth."
Pansy smirked. "What's the dirtiest sexual position you and Harry have ever done?"
Ginny seemed unfazed, but looked down at Harry, who had turned a deep, deep scarlet, and looked incredibly frightened. She laughed, held out her glass, and then downed the firewhiskey in one big gulp. Disappointed groans were heard throughout the group. She shrugged her shoulders at them. "Didn't want to embarrass my loser husband…not to mention things would have been awkward for Ron…" she paused thoughtfully, then shrugged her shoulders again and gave Harry a quick kiss before inspecting the crowd. Her eyes fell on Hermione, and she smiled evilly. Hermione felt a flutter in her stomach.
"Truth or dare, Hermoine?"
Hermione chewed her lip thoughtfully. People always thought truths were the most boring, but the fact of the matter was that they were the worst. Besides, if it was too bad, she could always just take a shot…
"Dare."
Ginny hesitated, thinking, and then her face lit up as she seemed to get a brilliant idea.
"I dare you to take four shots."
People rolled their eyes, and Hermione, glad it was nothing worse, got it over with quickly. For the first time in her life, she had not thought before acting, completely forgetting the fact that she was a total lightweight.
Unfortunately, the members of the room quickly noticed this.
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Author's note: so that chapter wasn't as exciting as I wanted it to be…it was getting too long…anyway, to avoid any questions that might be posed about this: Ginny wouldn't have minded her truth, but for Harry's sake, she honestly didn't want to reveal it. Hermione, however, had no second thoughts about taking four shots, and that's why she did it instead of just "chickening out" and taking the one, which the spell Pansy cast would have prevented anyway. BUT FEAR NOT! Next chapter will get much more interesting…mostly it will just be wild truths and dares, since it will open with everyone being smashed…but I've already said too much! Review, my dears!