I appear to back darling reader, just do remember I don't own Harry Potter, which although sad is something I can learn to live with.

Remember and PM and Reviews are greatly appreciated, I want to know what you think! After all, without you reading, why would I write this?

Theo was sitting in the head's study propped up on the squashy plaid armchair. He and Hermione often transfigured the furniture in the room to practice for class, and both had fun redecorating the room when the other was not there, mainly for the returning surprise factor. Currently it seemed to be an explosion of yellows, reds, and oranges keeping a lovely warm feeling in the currently cold castle. An old gramophone was playing some strange muggle music, but Theo didn't mind. Currently he was engulfed in the world of Charles Dickens. Hermione had brought back after the summer the entire collection to read and Theo had taken to borrowing them when his homework was finished. The door opened and Draco sidled in sitting down in an orange armchair opposite Theo's. "Mate, did you see her at breakfast? She looked so confused." Theo nodded, still engulfed in the trials of Oliver Twist. "I almost felt bad" he continued, "however once I told Pansy, there was nothing left to do except sit back and watch."

"So that's how it got around so fast, to give Parkinson kudos, I think that beats her previous record about Lavender and Weasley." Draco snorted at that, but still stayed sitting, seemingly having something else to say. "Spit it out" laughed Nott, finally putting down the book. "Well, just, I don't know, I feel like maybe she didn't deserve it."

"You hate Granger?" said Theo, however he knew Draco was obsessed with the girl, he was forever 'accidentally' leaving things in the study so he could come back again when Hermione was there. "Well, hypothetically what if I didn't?" asked Draco "What do you suppose one could do, to perhaps not seem like the rude insolent teenager I've possibly been to her."

"I wouldn't say you've been rude or insolent, just a bully who was kind of mad he didn't get to her more."

"Shut up, this is hypothetical remember."

"Yes, yes, I remember, well hypothetically one could grab her, shag her against a wall, end up dating her, discover one is hopelessly in love with her, get married and have lots of sex and babies." Draco reached over and smacked Theo with the book he had just put down. "OUCH" yelled Nott, "Dickens hurts, you know, Malfoy!" The other boy just sniggered, "Whatever, I'm out of here, thanks for being so much help" he drawled, striding out, his pride feeling vaguely wounded, but not offended by Nott's joke, he would have made the same one given the opportunity.

For Hermione lessons had passed like a blur, an annoying blur of advanced classes for which she seemed too advanced. Well that was a lie; she enjoyed classes but at the moment with everyone staring at her because of something stupid made them tiring and arduous. Striding down the corridor she entered the study room. Nott had changed the color theme again. Yesterday it had been a beach oasis with wicker hanging seats. She had been channeling her trip to the Caribbean after the war had ended and she had escaped for the summer. Now it was a plaid explosion and in the middle sat Theo, reading more of her Dickens novels. "Alright there Nott." He looked up sheepishly, unaware that she had entered the room, "No, no, do continue reading, don't let me distract you" She laughed. He smiled and was pleased that she didn't seem too depressed after this morning; perhaps she had a secret sense of humor. "So, Corner. That's new?" He asked. She looked up sharply, "Yeah, actually I have to say the rumors aren't true."

"What rumors?"

"There are a few: I'm pregnant and he's the dad, uh, we've secretly been dating for the past 2 months and Cho found out and dumped him, what else? Ah, and my personal favorite, I'm his booty call and we hook up in the library every Thursday."

"Sorry" he mumbled, he hadn't realized it would cause so much trouble for her.

"Why? It's not your fault." She just seemed a little curious as to why he would apologize.

"Oh, no just I thought it…" he trailed off, he was actually feeling really guilty now. "Do you know who started the rumor? Did it even actually happen?" He knew the last bit was a lie, he'd seen them, but he needed to sound convincing. "I have an idea who started it, I think it was Malfoy, it only seems logical because my only other proper suspect is you, and I doubt that you'd start rumors like this. And yeah, it did happen but it was just a dare and kind of payback for something else."

He was about to start explaining when Malfoy popped his head back into the room, "Theo, did I leave…"

"No, you didn't Malfoy" Theo cut in, so he'd come back just to see Hermione

"Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed and stood up. "I have a bone to pick with you and your careless gossip! Did you see Michael and I last night and then spread it to the entire school?"

"Wow, Granger, blunt much."

"Just answer the question."

Theo was gesturing to Malfoy behind Granger, shaking his head frantically, making a slicing motion on his neck with widened eyes hoping to God that Malfoy would be merciful. He hoped in vain.

"I found out from Theo?" Hermione whipped around, "THEO?!" Malfoy raised both hands as he retreated, "Sorry mate, your problem now…"

Theo also raised his hands "I'm sorry Hermione! I was on rounds and I saw you two, and I told Malfoy because I needed the cash and sorry, sorry, sorry!" She was at this point chasing him around the room hitting him on the back

"You. Told. Malfoy. Like. An. Idiot. Why. Would. You. Do. That. You. Idiot. And. You. Got. Paid?" Each word was punctuated with a smack. The scene was so comical that Theo could barely contain himself from laughing as he ran around the room in circles trying to evade Hermione. "I'm sorry okay, I didn't think, we can't all be 'Hermione smart' all the time" They stopped running around the room, both panting lightly.

"God dammit Theo. Why would you tell Malfoy?"

I hate cliffhangers, however I thought that was a good place to stop. Hopefully chapter 4 up tomorrow ish, however then I'm back at school so it'll get more sporadic, sorry :3