What had happened the night before? Where was her wand? How had she wound up in the company of Yaxley, Dolohov and Rowle? Most importantly, why the BLOODY HELL was she HANDCUFFED to Rowle?!

To anyone looking in the window, it would appear to be an ordinary scene. Three friends sitting around the coffee table playing cards, one holding his sleeping girlfriend on his lap. Unfortunately, they would be wrong, so very wrong! At least about the girlfriend! One would have to look closely in order to see the silver length connecting the young man and the girl using him for a pillow.

Corban Yaxley, Antonin Dolohov and Thorfinn Rowle played poker as they waited for Hermione Granger to wake up and contribute her knowledge to the jam they were currently in. They felt sure that she would know the answer or at least point them in the right direction! Of course, they would first have to calm her down. Seeing as she'd clashed with all three of them at some point in the past, they knew she would freak out as soon as she opened her eyes. It would be nothing compared to the fit she would throw once she realized the predicament she and Rowle were currently in.

The two older wizards once again had the young man tell them exactly what had happened. Rowle rolled his eyes at them but dutifully explained. "I was getting a firewhiskey from the barkeep. This old lady came up to me. She wanted to tell my fortune. I told her I didn't need my fortune told. I already had my whole life laid out. She told me she saw a very important woman in my life. I told her, yeah, my mother and my sister. They were the only two I needed. She shook her head and told me I needed someone to love me. I told her to fuck off! I had all the little fan girls I wanted or needed and I wasn't interested in settling down. After I tell her that, she's gone. I get my drink and start back to our table. Granger is apparently having a blast on her own. She's dancing on a table. I stop to watch and she falls off into my arms. Next thing I know, this," he held up his hand, "thing is attached to me and the other end is attached to Granger. The old lady hands me this key." He held up a tiny silver key. "And says 'the right words will unlock the lock'. That's it!" he shrugged.

Yaxley and Dolohov exchanged glances. It sounded very much like young Rowle had just been struck with a love curse. They wondered if he'd figured that out yet. More than likely, either he was supposed to fall in love with Granger. Or Granger was supposed to fall in love with him. Then the key would work. They'd already watched him try time and again to unlock the lock. They both looked curiously at Granger. She'd grown into a lovely young witch. Her hair could rival Rowle's any day of the week!

"So, how do you feel about Granger?" Yaxley asked him. Rowle looked down at her. He remembered the little first year girl who'd caught him setting trees on fire and ratted him out! He didn't remember the racily dressed young woman, passed out in his arms.

"She looks like she'd be a spitfire in bed. I'm looking forward to finding out." He grinned. Yaxley shook his head as he face palmed. 'Nope, apparently a love curse was the LAST thing on Rowle's mind at the moment!'

Dolohov questioned him some more. "So you think she'll be just another little fan girl. Nothing serious between you. She'll fall right into bed with you?"

Rowle shook his head. "Nah, she was a little prude back in school. It'll probably take me a couple days to get her to spread 'em. But there is this." He held his hand up again. "So we will have to be in the same bed. That could work in my favor, I think."

Dolohov sighed with exasperation. The boy got his way entirely too much with the ladies. If Granger was as much as a 'prude' now as she apparently had been in school, it might do him a world of good being handcuffed to her a couple of days!