Chapter 11
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all healthy and safe during this COVID-19 pandemic. I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting for so long. It's been difficult trying to juggle my last semester of college and finding time to write this fanfiction.
I got an email today with a guest asking me if the fic was abandoned and I thought, "I gotta get my shit together" lol. So the answer is NO. This fic is NOT abandoned at all.
The flirting scenes between Greg and Hermione I'm trying to make them fluffy yet realistic. Let me know what you think. I have thought of a few character flaws for Greg.
I will not make any promises as to when I will be updating because I never seem to be able to stick to them. It often takes me such a long time because I want to make sure everything is perfect and satisfactory for myself and my readers.
As for the names of the cocktails, I got those from Pinterest. Some of them actually looked pretty tasty.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, JK Rowling owns it all.
…..
The Room of Requirement had never looked so magical. There was an Olympic sized, lagoon shaped pool set out in cream colored marble at the center of the room. The pool was heated and featured a waterfall in the shape of a small, marble mountain at the end of the pool. Along the sides of the pool were several spouts on the edges of the pool that shot water in the air in the shape of an arc over the pool. The water in the pool was a crystal clear blue and heated to a perfect 82 degrees. Three floors above the pool a large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. The ceiling was charmed to look like a starry midnight blue sky. Several shooting stars would even pass by as well as a few meteors every once in a while, and different constellations would appear every few minutes. There were cabana beds against the marble walls each equipped with towel stations. To the right of the pool was a staircase which led to ten different hot tubs spaced out on the second floor. On the third floor were bedrooms with en suite bathrooms each equipped with school robes. If students were too inebriated to walk back safely to their common room or wanted to have extra fun, they could leave in the morning with some cover their pool wear. There were marble railings on each floor overlooking the entire party. On the ground floor by the cabanas were extra bathrooms.
To the left of the entrance, there was a self-serving bar designed to present a new drink each time one was taken. Blaise and Ginny had taken it upon themselves to have a wide variety of cocktails. There were shot glasses, some filled with fire whiskey and some with vodka. Blaise had cases of Sangria and Moscato wine from Zabini Vineyards brought in to make sweet wine slushies. There were other varying cocktails such as a Patronus Colada, Weasley Sour, Bourbon Butterbeer, and Lemondrop Martini (an ode to the great wizard Dumbledore). There were also bottles of water and glasses of soda, pumpkin juice, and regular butterbeer. Beyond the circular bar was an open room. On one side of the room was a large, circular dance floor with a self-spinning D.J. station, in case some got tired of swimming and wanted to dance. On the other was a lounge area with some couches and some booths, with a section roped off for Blaise and Ginny. Next to the lounge area was a large rectangular table providing snacks such as mini-pizzas, chips, sandwiches, cupcakes, and various candies from Honeydukes, including Bernie Botts, chocolate frogs, and sugar quills.
Blaise and Ginny were standing off to the side as people began arriving. The pair watched everyone's faces taking in the surroundings. Blaise and Ginny had charmed the room so that no one could change the design (at least not for 24 hours). Each student had a look of awe because the Room of Requirement looked like a room out of a palace. Dean and Seamus wandered over to the cabanas, claiming one as their own before heading to the bar. Cormac McLaggen and Romilda Vane went to check out the hot tubs. Parvarti and Padma Patil both grabbed wine slushies loving the chill and sweet taste.
"Careful, ladies," Blaise joked. "They're deadly." Parvarti and Padma stopped sipping and Blaise winked. Ginny giggled, shaking her head so the girls knew not to take Blaise seriously. The pair heard Pavarti murmur, "Never trust a Slytherin."
"Welcome," Blaise said, with a smile to some more arriving guests. Anthony Goldstein, Ernie Macmillian, Terry Boot, and Neville Longbottom hitched their chins or waved in response before heading to grab shots of fire whiskey. The raven haired wizard looked over at his partner in crime with a satisfied smile.
"We've done it," Blaise said with a smile.
"Not yet," Ginny whispered. "The guests of honor haven't arrived yet." Ginny was anxious for Hermione and Greg to arrive.
"They'll be along," Blaise said, looking at the grand clock above the staircase. It was nearly 8:45.
"Should I go get Her…?" Ginny began, but Blaise hushed her as Draco, Greg and Theo walked over to Blaise and Ginny. Draco gave Blaise a quick kiss.
"It looks amazing in here," Greg said, looking around the room. He took in the lavish scenery while searching for his tutor among the guests. Greg wanted to spend as much time with Hermione as possible tonight. He wanted Hermione to begin to see him not just as someone she was tutoring or platonic friend. He knew she wanted him physically, but he wanted her to see him as not just a casual shag. Greg wanted them to be so much more than that.
"You've outdone yourselves," Draco said, throwing his arms around Blaise and Ginny.
"Drinks anyone?" Theo asked, walking over to the bar. The splash of the pool in the background as Seamus, Dean, Parvati, and Padma jumped in.
A few moments later Astoria and Pansy entered. Daphne, the eldest Greengrass was carefully left off the guest list by Blaise, knowing how antagonistic the pureblood girl could be. Theo returned with a tray of shots of vodka. Blaise, Draco, Ginny, and Greg each grabbed a shot off the tray. Theo waved over at Pansy to join them, but she shook her head, not wanting to be near Blaise and Draco. A moment later Luna Lovegood arrived in her radish earrings and a sparkling, neon color-changing one piece bathing suit designed to keep away the nargles.
Greg did a double take when he saw Luna's strange bathing suit as he kept looking over at the entrance every few seconds, anxious for the Head Girl to make her appearance. His stomach was doing little flips in anticipation.
"Wait, where's Hermione?" Draco asked, looking around. Greg turned his head at the mention of the Head Girl's name.
"She'll be along with Lavender shortly," Ginny said, noting how the look of anticipation in Greg's eyes. Blaise winked at Theo. Theo smiled sheepishly. "Ready?" Ginny said, raising her glass. The group took their shots. Each exhaling afterwards from the strong taste.
"Oh, it burns," Draco said, before reaching for another shot.
"But it's so good," Theo said, grabbing another.
"This is why I prefer wine," Blaise said with a cough. The Italian wizard shaking his head as Draco offered him another shot. Greg shook his head to Draco's offer of a second shot as well. Greg was by no means light weight when it came to drinking. However, he didn't want to spoil his night with Hermione by being an inebriated idiot.
"No swim trunks?" Ginny asked, pointing at Theo's attire. Theo had on a pair of green Bermuda shorts and a white polo shirt. Every other wizard was wearing their swim trunks and a shirt or tank.
"I hope you know you can't swim in the nude, Theo," Blaise joked as Draco leaned in to whisper in Blaise's ear.
"What an interesting party this would be if you could," came the Irish brogue of Seamus Finnegan, looking Theo up and down with a heated gaze before winking. Dean quickly splashed his boyfriend and Seamus splashed back. Padma quickly left out of the pool to get out of the splash zone as others jumped in.
"It's on underneath," Theo said loudly in Seamus's direction. Ginny stifled a giggle and Greg bit his lip to keep from laughing at Theo's embarrassment.
"A speedo?" Blaise said, eyes wide. "But what if you get…?" Blaise's voice trailed off trying to find a polite wording…
"A boner," Ginny said, in a quick and frank tone. Greg and Blaise laughed, while Draco snorted. "Well, none of you wanted to say it!" Ginny defended. "Bunch of girls," the redhead muttered.
"I took a potion," Theo explained, cracking a smile. "Keeps it down for a few hours."
"They make a potion for that?" Greg asked, disbelievingly.
"Yes. They also make a potion to keep it up for hours," Theo said, before doing a little thrust with his hips which made the group laugh. Before anyone could ask any more questions, Luna walked up to the group, squeezing between Greg and Theo.
"Hello," Luna said to the group while looking at Theo. The small, blonde girl entwined her arm with Theo's, seemingly attempting to instigate another sexual encounter with the playboy Slytherin.
"Oh, I think I'm having a seizure," Draco whispered to his boyfriend as he looked at Luna's shiny suit. "Got anything to eat?" Draco asked Ginny who nodded leading him over to the table in the lounge area.
"Luna, it's always a pleasure," Blaise said, attempting to be polite. "What an interesting swimsuit." Theo could feel Luna's eyes on him as he tried to remove his arm from her grasp.
"Thank you," Luna said, in her dreamy tone. Her large blue eyes settling on Greg. Greg a bit put off by her stare, having heard how strange Luna Lovegood was, so he decided to walk over to see how Pansy was doing, knowing how reluctant she was to come to the party.
On his way over he heard a squeal from the cabanas, a mistletoe had appeared above Padma Patil and Anthony Goldstein.
"Spontaneous mistletoe!" Blaise and Ginny shouted together, a charm the pair designed to float above everyone's heads sooner or later. A few students began cheering for the pair to kiss when Anthony and Padma finally complied.
Pansy was sitting on the edge of the pool next to Astoria. Both girls had their feet in the water, kicking them slightly. The girls giggling at Padma and Anthony. "Well, she'll be satisfied tonight with the King of Foreplay," Pansy muttered under her breath to Astoria.
"It's so warm," Greg noticed as he sat beside Pansy, placing his feet in the water. He silently hoped the mistletoe would appear above himself and Hermione at some point tonight.
"It's really lovely," Astoria said, with a smile to Greg. "A little oasis in wintertime."
"I see Loony Lovegood has her sights on Theo." Pansy said to Greg. Pansy and Astoria giggled as Theo tried to wriggle free from Luna's grasp on his arm.
"Where's Granger?" Astoria asked, wiggling her eyebrows. She hoped Greg enjoyed the surprise of finding Hermione in his bedroom the night before.
"They said Hermione will be along in a bit with Lavender," Greg said, looking up watching as a group of students were bouncing a beach ball in the pool. Greg noticed over the commotion Neville by the bar watching Pansy. Greg smiled at the Gryffindor war hero, encouraging him to come sit next to Pansy with a nod. Neville began to make his way over to the group carrying two Patronus Colladas.
"Oh, a shooting star!" Dean exclaimed pointing towards the fake sky.
"Everyone! Make a wish!" Seanus said, before stopping and closing his eyes tightly.
"Why would we make a wish?" Draco asked as he walked towards the bar. The Head Boy shoved a cupcake in his mouth before grabbing a Bourbon Butterbeer.
"It's an old muggle custom," Ginny said, filling in the blanks as she sipped a Lemondrop Martini. Ginny was all too familiar with the custom as her father found it a fascinating muggle belief. Draco raised his eyebrows. Muggles are crazy, the Head Boy thought to himself
"And don't tell anyone because then it won't come true," Dean added, before closing his eyes and crossing his fingers for luck. Many began joining in, wishing for their deepest desires.
"Superstitious muggle nonsense," came the arrogant tone of Cormac McClaggen before hitting the beach ball across the pool.
"Quiet," Pansy snapped, her eyes closed. "I'm wishing!"
"Me too," Astoria added, not knowing whether or not to believe, but figured it couldn't hurt. Greg was going to close his eyes when Neville came up behind them. Greg moved over a bit so Neville was able to sit next to Pansy. Pansy opened her eyes and turned to wish Greg luck tonight but was greeted Neville offering her a Patronus Colada. "Oh, thank you," Pansy smiled, before accepting the sweet drink. Greg, Neville, and Pansy turned their heads when they heard Astoria gasp, thinking something was wrong.
"She looks beautiful," Astoria said, sighing. The younger Greengrass was looking towards the entrance. All three looked towards the entrance to see Hermione and Lavender had finally arrived.
Greg didn't hear Pansy or Astoria any longer. All he could see was Hermione standing beside a giggling Lavender beside her. Greg watched Hermione's chocolate colored eyes roaming over the room before they landed on him. Greg let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. She was radiating beauty, her cheeks tinged with a light pink glow as she smiled at him. He swore that smile was only for him. Greg felt Neville elbow him, the Gryffindor giving him a smile as Greg stood to make his way over to her.
…..
Hermione and Lavender had left nearly fifteen minutes after the shots were taken. Hermione had two shots despite hating the strong taste. However, Lavender, perhaps to dull the pain and embarrassment, had taken five shots before Hermione pried the bottle out of Lavender's hands. Hermione rarely drank, but when she did, she preferred something sweet. The firewhiskey had made Lavender into a bubbly tipsy mess running down the halls to reach the Room of Requirement. Hermione had to remove her wedge sandals so she could jog and keep up with the energetic Lavender.
When the two girls entered the Room of Requirement, Hermione was carrying her wedge sandals in one hand and her beaded bag in the other. Lavender shuffling alongside her as Hermione tried to catch her breath after basically running from the Heads Dorms. Hermione was hoping Lavender would sit and relax by the pool as the Head Girl did not want to be babysitter tonight. Lavender ran up to Blaise, Draco, and Ginny who were standing by the bar. The blonde girl began hugging the trio individually.
Hermione took in the luxurious scenery before her eyes found Greg. Hermione's breath caught in her throat as their eyes met. Greg looked at her with an intense longing. There was something so sweetly sincere in his stare, something so captivatingly honest in his eyes. He looked at her with such a wishful yearning before standing. Oh Merlin, how could she act calm and cool when one look from him made her go weak at the knees?
Hermione's stomach was filled with butterflies as she watched him stand and begin to make his way over to her. The firewhiskey creating an extra buzz of anticipation which hummed through her body. However, the unguarded emotion in Greg's eyes was much more intoxicating and left her feeling exhilarated. Could she, someone often thought of as "just plain, studious" Hermione Granger, inspire such a passionate stare? Part of her wanted so terribly to believe it true. He can't be just using me, Hermione thought with what little hope she had left. He can't. Wanting a moment to collect herself, Hermione quickly placed her wedge sandal inside her beaded bag. She would transfigure them later into flats.
Ginny's advice echoed in the brunette's mind. "Why don't you just ask Greg?" the red head had said, but Ginny was a bit more confident when it came to matters of the heart than Hermione felt she could ever be. Could she be so bold as to just straight out an ask him? Before Hermione had time to ponder the question in her mind Greg was standing in front of her smiling.
"Hi," Hermione said. Without thinking, she stepped forward to hug Greg. She had to stand on her tip toes to wrap her arms around his neck. She felt a tingly sensation as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him.
"Hey," Greg said, Hermione's soft hair mass of hair against his cheek. The scent of coconut filled his nostrils. He had missed that smell so much. Hermione pulled away and Greg said, "You're finally here." He reluctantly let go of her waist.
"I know," Hermione said, inhaling loudly. "Lavender," Hermione whispered, pointing in the direction the blonde Gryffindor had run. Hermione remarked, "It looks beautiful in here, like a castle out of a story book."
"It really does," Greg said, pointing to the ceiling. "You just missed a flying star."
"You mean a shooting star?" Hermione said with a giggle. Greg nodded as Hermione added, "I hope you made a wish."
As the pair were talking about shooting stars and wishes, Draco began to walk forward to say hello to the Head Girl standing with Greg, but Blaise and Ginny pulled him back.
"Let them talk," Ginny whispered to Draco, motioning to Greg and Hermione who were softly chatting. Blaise decided to walk Lavender over to the lounge area after smelling the liquor on Lavender's breath.
"Come on, sweetheart," Blaise said, putting his arm around Lavender's shoulders. "Let's get you something to eat." The raven-haired wizard added in a sing-song tone. Ginny, not wanting Hermione and Greg feel like they had an audience, headed back to the lounge, pulling a confused Draco, along with her. The blond could be so self-absorbed and inattentive that he missed the glaringly obvious things that were happening right under his nose.
"Really? Eyelashes?" Greg asked with the tone of surprise.
"Yes," Hermione said, with a nod. "When they fall out or on your cheek, you make a wish and blow it away."
"And you can't tell anyone?" Greg asked, again.
"If you tell someone," Hermione said. "It won't come true."
"Muggles are so interesting," Greg said, with a tone of amazement. "Do you believe in these superstitions?"
"Well, it's not very logical," Hermione said, smiling at how interested Greg seemed in muggles. "But I always make a wish." Hermione looked over her shoulder to see Lavender standing next to Ginny, eating a sandwich.
"Do you want to get a drink?" Greg asked, thinking she was looking at the bar.
"As long as its not firewhiskey," Hermione said, with a laugh.
"Not one for hard liquor?" Greg asked, rhetorically. "Here, try this," He said, handing Hermione a Patronus Collada. Ginny and Blaise waved over to the pair. Hermione smiled agreeably.
"Where are your shoes?" Blaise asked, looking down at Hermione bare feet. Her bright, pink toenails standing out against the tanned skin of her feet. Ginny and Blaise led Hermione and Greg to their roped off section of the lounge.
"Chasing Lavender," Hermione explained as she sat next to Greg on the couch. "I'm glad you gave her something to eat," she continued, watching as Lavender walked over to where Neville and Pansy were sitting. "I couldn't pry the bottle from her hands." Hermione sipped the Patronus Collada. The drink was almost all gone. Greg noticed the sparkling pink ring shaped stain, around the top of the straw from Hermione's lip gloss. She was sitting so close, the soft skin on her arms was constantly brushing against his arm every time she moved. Greg tried to be mindful not to stare at her breasts. The pink dress was quite low cut, he could see the top of a red swimsuit. There came a cheer from the other side of the room as a mistletoe suddenly appeared above Neville and Pansy.
"If you want some, go get your own," Draco gravely warned the group. The blonde sat down with a plate full of sweets. Cupcakes, a package of Bertie Botts, some chocolate chip cookies, and one sugar quill.
"You have such a sweet tooth, Draco," Hermione said, eyeing the sugar quill. The lollipops were her favorite. Greg slowly stretched his left arm on the back of the couch. He was hoping she would relax against him.
"Theo," Blaise shouted, waving over to his fellow Slytherin. "Come join us!" When Theo heard Blaise calling him, he had finally broke free of Luna as the blonde got talking to Parvati and Romilda. The Slytherin playboy was going to head to the lounge to join his friends when he saw Hermione sitting with them. Theo turned back to walk to the bar which did not go unnoticed by Hermione. This is ridiculous, Hermione thought. He can't avoid me forever.
"I'll be right back," Hermione said to Greg, placing her hand gently on his knee before standing. Greg watched Hermione walk over to the bar, her dress swaying as she walked.
"Where's she off to?" Ginny asked Greg.
"I think she's going to talk to Theo," Greg answered. "You know how weird he's been acting around her."
"He's acting like a child," Draco said, sifting through a package of Bernie Bott's jellybeans. The blonde only liked the apple pie flavor.
"Look who's talking," Greg said, softly. Greg's eyebrows creased at the way Draco was organizing his jellybeans by color. Ginny and Blaise laughed at the pyramid shaped group of jellybeans.
"Aren't you a little old to be playing with your food, Draco?" Blaise laughed as Ginny reached for a pink jellybean. "Mm, cotton candy," the red head smiled.
"Haha," Draco deadpanned. Blaise gave Draco a quick kiss on the forehead. Greg's eyes drifted over to the bar where Hermione was headed to keep an eye on Theo.
Hermione walked quickly towards the bar, wanting to speak with Theo. He couldn't run from her forever. When Theo noticed Hermione, heading towards the bar, he began to turn again, but Hermione caught his arm.
"Wait," Hermione said to Theo, placing her hand gently on his chin. The brunette trying to turn Theo's so he would look at her. "I want to apologize for hexing you." Theo looked at Hermione with a bit of surprise as she removed her fingers from his chin.
"Please," Theo said, sighing with relief. "I should apologize to you. I should've stopped." Theo looked down, having trouble admitting to his womanizing nature. "I knew you weren't interested. Merlin, though, Hermione, you are scary when you are angry."
"I just…," Hermione began, the firewhiskey and Patronus Collada finally reaching her head. Hermione did not want to talk about seeing Bellatrix Lestrange when Theo spun her, so she just added quickly: "I was just nervous." Theo nodded in an understanding manner as Hermione smiled, swaying a little.
"Wine slushie?" Theo offered, he noted Hermione looked like she'd had a few drinks already. Theo noticed over Hermione's head, Greg looking at him and Hermione intently from the booths. Granger's landed herself a possessive one, Theo thought. That's for sure.
"Thank you, Mystery Man," Hermione said, giggling and taking the wine slushie from him.
"What?" Theo said, brow furrowed, as he grabbed a shot glass filled with vodka.
"You were, or are, Lavender's Mystery Man," Hermione explained while grabbing a straw for her wine slushie. "Blaise told me about you and her."
"Oh, I see," Theo said, looking down at his feet as Hermione sipped her slushie. Growing a bit bolder, Theo asked, "Do you think I should make a move on Lavender tonight?" The blue eyed boy snuck a glance at Lavender who had sat herself on a cabana bed next to Astoria Greengrass. "Or is it too soon?"
"I would wait a while," Hermione said, with a hiccup. "She's too hurt to consider another relationship." Hermione informed, licking her lips. "You should come sit with us," Hermione said, happily. "Only I don't remember where we're sitting." The brunette's brain beginning to get a bit fuzzy.
"That's okay," Theo laughed. "I do." Placing his hand on the small of Hermione's back and leading her over to where Blaise, Draco, Ginny, and Greg were sitting. When Ginny saw Hermione coming back with Theo, she elbowed Blaise in the side to which Blaise responded with a wink. The secret code language that the pair had developed unnoticed by everyone as Draco was caught up in his jellybeans and Greg's eyes concentrating on the way Theo's arm was on Hermione's waist.
"So, you two kiss and make up?" Draco asked, innocently. Hermione gave a nervous laugh.
"No, just make up," Theo said, as Hermione was walking passed Draco, Blaise, Ginny to get back to her seat next to Greg. After passing Blaise, Ginny stuck her foot out tripping the brunette. Greg's arms quickly coming around her waist to catch her and Hermione fell right into Greg's lap. The wine slushie spilling between the front of Hermione's dress and on Greg's pale green shirt.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Greg" Hermione said with a nervous laugh. The ice was falling down her dress and into her bathing suit. Damp clothes clinging to their skin. Hermione's right arm went around Greg's neck as her left hand tried to rub the ice from the wine slushie off of him. Unfortunately, the warmth from her fingers only made the ice melt quicker.
"Don't worry about it," Greg said, with a soft smile. Greg placed his hand on top of Hermione's to stop to from fussing. She was so close, and her arms were around him. Her small yet curvy body fit perfectly against his hard body. In all honesty, the brunette could have spilt the Goblet of Fire on him and he wouldn't have cared as long as she had fallen into his arms just like she had. Ginny and Blaise gave each other a satisfied smile.
"Alright, Granger," Draco said, picking up the empty glass from the cushion. "You're cut off."
"Oh, leave her alone, Draco," Theo said, with a smack to the Head Boy's shoulder. Theo sat down, he finally saw the palpable chemistry between Hermione and Greg.
"Yeah," Ginny defended. "It's not a party if you don't get drunk enough to fall over."
"Am I hurting you?" Hermione asked Greg, eyes filled with concern.
"Of course not," Greg said, with a bit of a laugh. "You feel light as a feather."
"At least compared to this wanker." Theo said, pointing at Draco.
"Oh, I forgot about that night," Blaise laughed.
"What happened?" Hermione and Ginny asked at the same time.
"Oh, Merlin," Draco put his head in his hands. "You all love to bring it up, don't you?"
"Talk about someone needing to be cut off," Theo laughed. "Basically, the night Lucius died, we threw Draco a celebration," Theo explained to the group. "At Blaise's manor in Venice."
"Pretty much a coming out party," Blaise said, reaching for Draco's hand. "Draco got so hammered."
"He stripped and went running naked through the vineyards," Greg finished, feeling Hermione's body vibrate against his as she laughed.
"Oh Merlin," Ginny said, with a gasp.
"Yes," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "It's hilarious. Ha Ha," the blond deadpanned.
"Then" Theo said, slapping a hand on Draco's shoulder. "We had to form a search party."
"And I wound up having to carry a swaddled Draco back up the Villa," Greg said,
"Aww, you're such a good friend," Hermione said to Greg with a smile as she looked over to Draco. The blonde pursing his lips, annoyed. Tipsy yet comfortable, Hermione was thankful she was so clumsy when she drank. In truth, she wasn't really listening to the story about Draco. She was a bit distracted about sitting on Greg's lap. With a little alcohol in her system, it took the edge off her nerves. Part of her just wanted to lay her head on his shoulder. Her fingers began absent mindedly playing the collar of his short-sleeved button up shirt.
"All in all," Blaise said, hugging Draco. "It was a good night."
"It really was," Theo agreed.
"Oh, sod off," Draco said, standing taking off his shirt. "It wasn't that great." The blonde walked over to the pool.
"He's so sensitive sometimes," Blaise said, picking up his wine slushie.
"Wait for me," Theo shouted to the Head Boy.
"Anyone else want a sugar quill?" Hermione asked, standing up. Greg felt the cold, empty space on his lap as he shook his head. Hermione seemed so comfortable and natural against him.
"Sure," Ginny said as Blaise replied, "No, thank you." The second Hermione made it over to the sweets table, Ginny and Blaise turned to Greg.
"So, the party's going well," Ginny stated, as Blaise wiggled his eyebrows.
"Did you two trip Hermione on purpose?" Greg asked, suspiciously.
"Maybe," Blaise said, while Ginny shrugged her shoulders in response.
"She could have gotten really hurt," Greg said, sitting up straight.
"Greg," Ginny said, reaching over. "I've seen the way you watch Hermione, you two are so in sync…" Ginny's words beginning to slur a bit from one too many Martinis. "We all know…"
"You would have caught her," Blaise said, completing the phrase. "No matter what." The raven haired wizard began laughing at the way Ginny began swaying. Blaise looked out at the party which was becoming quite hectic. He stopped laughing the moment his eyes found his boyfriend in the crowd.
"You'd never let anything harm her," Ginny said, grabbing a cookie off of Draco's abandoned tray. Ginny continued to ramble on to Greg about how perfect he and Hermione would be together.
Meanwhile over at the sweets table, Hermione was trying to figure out which flavor sugar quill she wanted. Blue raspberry was one of her favorites, so she picked the light blue quill. Hermione was going to turn back after unwrapping it when she saw the Head Boy. Past the intoxicated, pleasure-filled madness of the party, Draco was standing against one of the cabanas with Lavender.
Looking at the pair, Hermione's eyes became wide with surprise. The Head Girl did not have much experience with romance, but even she could tell Draco was flirting. It was so easily spotted, the way Draco was brushing Lavender's hair out of her face, his other hand resting on the curve of her waist. Lavender was flirting as well, pushing her breasts into Draco's chest, laughing and titling her chin upward. Hermione had seen Lavender flirt like that so many times in the common rooms and in the halls, but why was Draco flirting back?
Hermione glanced helplessly over at Blaise. She had remembered the sadness in Blaise's eyes when Draco praised Lavender's talents in the bedroom earlier. There was no denying that the raven-haired wizard was hurt. Blaise may have tried to look like he didn't care and after a moment to collect himself he had succeeded. Draco didn't notice the way his boyfriend had reacted which led Hermione to believe that the couple had never spoke about it before.
Blaise had the same expression now, unveiled hurt and jealousy until he shook his head slightly, transforming into his normal, happy self. It was a mask Blaise wore to protect himself and Hermione could see that now. Hermione looked over to Theo wondering if he was noticing Lavender and Draco, but Theo was heading back over to Blaise, Ginny, and Greg holding a camera.
"Alright, everyone," Theo said, with a goofy, inebriated smile. "Picture time!"
"Draco, Hermione, come on!" Ginny yelled, loudly. "We need the whole group!"
"Get a picture of the masterminds first!" Hermione said, walking back to the couch. Blaise and Ginny squeezed in close, looking at the camera. Blaise said something funny in the redhead's ear which made her break out into hysterical laughter. Theo took several photos.
"Greg, Hermione," Theo said, as Hermione sat down next to Greg. The brunette handed Ginny a wrapped sugar quill and the one she had been sucking on. Greg put his arm around Hermione's shoulders and Hermione snuggled against him, smiling. Click.
"You two look so cute together" Ginny remarked. She put Hermione's sugar quill into her mouth instead of the new one Hermione had brought her.
"That's okay," Hermione said, giggling. "I didn't want my sugar quill back anyway."
Draco walked back to the couch, sitting down next to Blaise. Blaise put his arm around his boyfriend. Draco kissed Blaise's cheek before pulling back to smile. Click.
"The whole group now," Draco said, waving for Theo to sit down. Theo let the camera float in mid-air as he sat down next to Draco. The camera clicked away as the group smiled into the lens. After the photo was taken, Greg leaned into whisper in Hermione's ear.
"If I steal a tray of drinks, will you steal a tray of food?" Greg asked as his warm breath tickled her ear.
"Yes," Hermione said, with a smile.
"Meet me by the stairs in a few minutes?" Greg asked, as they both stood.
…..