CONTEST WINNERS THIS CHAPTER: Users EllieMay Duncan & Evenstar Dreamer recommended the song, "Wicked Game" by Chris Issak for everyone this go around, and I thought it a perfect complement to everyone's thoughts here. So, this chapter is dedicated to EllieMay Duncan & Evenstar Dreamer - congratulations! Lyrics for that song appear at the bottom of this chapter. Hope you'll find this song somehow and give it a listen.
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CHAPTER FOUR: THE 3rd QUESTION
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, Scotland
Room of Requirement
Saturday, June 13, 1998 (9:30pm)
Hermione and her partner were the first ones out to the couches this time around, which made her decidedly nervous. There would be a lot of dead air between them until someone else put in an appearance. Maybe she should say something?
"Thank you again," she offered, feeling the heat crawling up her cheeks. "For the meal. It really was quite lovely. And the beach scene was a nice touch."
Malfoy crossed his legs casually, European style, and leaned back into the cushions of the sofa, staring at her with those enigmatic grey eyes of his. In her chest, her heart thumped extra hard in response. "You're welcome, Granger. I liked sharing that with you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I got the impression that you'd have liked a more… physical… action card."
His smirk was automatic, not in the least bit chagrined that she had surmised the truth. "Maybe we'll get lucky this round, hmmm?"
She felt her cheeks flame to life, and cleared her throat behind a closed fist. "Yes, well, so far, I've been enjoying myself." She narrowed her eyes at him. "I hope you don't plan to spoil it by getting raunchy."
Teeth showed now as his grin expanded, and one golden eyebrow twitched up. "You don't like raunchy? So, I take it vulgar, crude, and bawdy are also off the list as well?"
Now he was teasing her. Hermione found herself grinning at his words, despite her earlier misgivings. She shook her head, amused, and declared, "You really are undisciplined and perverse."
Draco didn't seem in the least bit offended by her assessment, nor did he seem ready to let this matter rest, either. "Not even bawdy, then? Hmmm… How about arousing, provocative or sensual instead? Could I do anything of that sort to you and still be considered a gentleman later?"
Hermione's core temperature rose by several degrees, she was sure, and she felt a fluttering in her stomach again as they stared at each other in silence for long heartbeats. "Perhaps," she allowed, knowing that establishing such a mood in advance would only encourage him. However, if she could set the tone for their future private sessions now, perhaps it would keep him from doing anything truly uncomfortable to her later when they were alone. If he knew she would be interested in anything sexual between them being gentle and tender, he might just give her that instead of a "wham-bam-thank you-Quidditch-fan" series of liaisons.
Malfoy seemed decidedly interested, as his gaze smoldered behind half-lids and his smile fell back into something less jesting, more enticing.
Before they could talk more, Harry and Tracey came out of their room… climbing all over each other right outside their door! They were snogging passionately, their lips locked together fiercely, as if breathing was a mere luxury, not a necessity.
Well, wasn't that just… odd. Her best male friend was usually the epitome of chivalry and courtesy with women. Pawing all over a girl in public was something he considered… well, gauche… yet, there he stood, his mitts thrust into Tracey's hair as he kissed her like it was his last opportunity in all the world. It seemed terribly out of character for him, and made Hermione wonder just what had happened behind closed doors in the last fifty minutes to make such a drastic change possible in her friend's behavior.
Seamus and Lavender came out next (Harry and Tracey didn't even come up for air to notice), hesitantly holding hands as they exited their private room – which looked vaguely like a replica of the Gryffindor Common Room from the brief glimpse Hermione caught before the door closed - and made their way silently towards the couches. Holy Horklumps, they'd either shagged or come close; it was obvious by the guilty look on her roommate's features. Didn't Lavender still harbor resentment towards Seamus for hurting her years ago when he'd taken her virginity? (Living in the same dorm room meant there was a lot of such gossip to be heard, and their other roommate, Pavarti, had filled in Hermione on the quick and ugly version of what had happened that night.) Yet, somehow it seemed Brown and her ex- had made amends – at least, enough for both of them to be touching and to appear fashionably rumpled, anyway (her hair was a bit disarranged and she was missing her silver heart charm bracelet, and he was no longer wearing his jacket and vest, and his shirt had distinct creases). They took their seats on the end of the couch, continuing to hold hands silently. She noted Seamus' thumb brush absently up and down against Lavender's, as if he were nervous that what they were doing was going to be taken away at any minute. It was charming, if not a little strange.
A very boisterously laughing Parkinson and Ron ran out of their room and raced for the sofas next (this caught Harry's attention finally, as he lifted his mouth off of Tracey's – although he continued to whisper softly to her, their faces very close). Pansy tagged the edge of the couches first, but it was obvious her partner let her get there before him (he did have the longer stride, after all). "I win!" Slytherin's Queen boasted and gave Hermione's ex-boyfriend an impish grin. "You owe me again, Weasley!"
Picking her up and twirling her around, making her squeal in delight, the ginger-haired wizard laughed. "You can collect any time you want, baby!" he teased, waggling his eyebrows at her and caressing her bum lovingly.
Hermione's jaw dropped. What had happened to the undemonstrative in bed, fumbling, sexually uneasy and boorish Ron she'd known? He hadn't changed that much when he'd been with Lavender (again, according to the gossip), preferring to let his partner take control in bed. Surely, Pansy Parkinson couldn't be the reason he'd morphed into this fun-loving, sexually domineering, exuberant man before her… could she?
Putting her forehead against Ron's, Pansy smirked wickedly at her partner. "I'll remember you said that," she vowed, then pressed a small kiss to his lips and squirmed out of his embrace, racing around the couch to take her spot. "Beat you again!" she sing-songed, as he made his way around to his side of the 'arena,' stretching happily and whistling.
Bloody hell. That was just… too strange.
Hermione sank back into the sofa and tried not to sulk, intentionally sneaking a peek in Malfoy's direction to see his reaction. Ah, good, he was just as astonished over her ex's behavior as she was. Apparently, she wasn't the only one who was flabbergasted to the point of nausea. Well, at least misery would have company in this case.
Theo and Daphne were trading mysterious smiles as they took their seats at about the same time as Ron and Pansy, although their entrance had been decidedly less obvious. It wasn't until Nott came around the front of the couch, though, that she noted that he was barefoot and beltless, and his shirt was loose. Greengrass' hair was nicely mussed and her necklace was a bit crooked as well. Well, clearly they'd gotten it on, too.
Was there anyone here excepting her that wasn't getting any?
Oh, that's right, Malfoy wasn't that lucky either. Not that she wanted him to be – not at all!
…
Still, a little snogging might not hurt. It wasn't like she wasn't attracted to him. He was quite an impressive-looking specimen, after all. If they kissed, he'd probably look even better as his mouth would be shut.
…
Actually, that wasn't fair. These last two rounds, he'd been absolutely fascinating to talk with.
That thought disturbed her more than the idea of kissing him had, and she pondered it in silence, as Zabini and Ginny finally put in their appearance. The two rivals were also holding hands (sure, why not fit right in with the current motif?) and strangely, they were soaked to the bone. Her friend's face was also a brilliant red and she was walking a little funny, which could only mean one thing… Merlin's left testicle! Had her friend really fucked Zabini?
"Hurricane come through when I wasn't looking, sis?" Ron asked, grinning and shaking his head.
Gin flipped him off with her free hand. "You're just jealous you're not wet," she countered and snickered at the double meaning. To Hermione's absolute shock, though, her ex- glanced across the aisle at his new partner and winked at her, but didn't reply. Pansy threw him an air kiss back and grinned.
Holy cat-a-moli, could she expect to see Satan skiing to work this evening, too?
Although, it pained Hermione to even think the idea, obviously Ron had either shagged or come really close to shagging Pansy Parkinson already - and apparently, they'd both liked whatever it was they'd done so far.
What was happening to the world? Had she entered some sort of warped parallel dimension where her ex-boyfriend and her best guy friend were really repressed slavering, adept sex gods, finally coming out of the closet?
"Is it really hot in here, or is it just me?" she asked fanning herself with her hand suddenly. "Because, I could swear the heat is on. Malfoy, go check," she shoo'd him with one hand.
Her partner threw her an exasperated look. "Granger, the Room of Requirement is set to the ideal temperature." He gave her a lascivious look. "If you're hot, take something off."
"Bite me," she automatically replied, only to wince, realizing she'd left him the perfect opening. "Forget it. I take it back."
Malfoy's grin was shark-like, all pointed teeth and evil. "The cards are starting to get you to open up to your real desires, I see."
"You wish," she mouthed to him in a very soft whisper that she knew he could still hear across the short distance.
He waggled his eyebrows. "Yeah, so?" he mouthed back.
With a snarl of frustration, she sat back in the sofa cushions and folded her arms over her chest, refusing to look at her partner or talk to him again. She crossed her legs at the knee and began jiggling one leg in annoyance.
As she and Malfoy bantered, Hermione noted from the corner of her eye that Zabini silently Accio'd his wand to his hand from the table in the center and cast a drying charm on Ginny first (making sure to get her hair combed out nicely at the same time), then himself. As she focused more of her attention on them (so she could ignore Ferret-Face), to her shock and awe, the tall, dark, and very sexy wizard took her best girl friend's hand in his and kissed the back of the knuckles before letting her take her seat next to Hermione.
Wait… weren't those two fighting just last round?
Oh, that's right, they'd had sex so now everything was a-okay.
That was the last straw. Hermione was officially vomiting at any moment.
"Harry, do you think we could start now that everyone's here?" she yelled across the room at her best guy friend, who had stopped to snog Davis one more time before taking her hand and leading her to the couches.
"Yeah, Potter, any lifetime now," Malfoy shot over his shoulder, then turned his attention back to her. "Some of us are eager for the next action round." He cast a knowing smirk her direction, and Hermione did something terribly childish then – she stuck out her tongue at him and turned up her nose. Slytherin's Prince let out a dark, rich chuckle that made things inside her guts churn like butter, but she resolutely refused to rise to the bait.
Harry escorted Tracey to her spot at the sofa, seemingly reluctant to let her go, and then rushed to his side of the couch and threw his arse down rather cheerfully. "Your turn to navigate, Draco," he chirpily informed, crossing his legs American-style, placing an ankle on one knee.
Malfoy looked annoyed that Harry would dare to use his given name so freely.
"Oh, wait!" Tracey chimed in, holding up her card. "You all left before I could perform my card. It requires me to do so in front of the group." Theo wolf-whistled playfully and every girl in the group rolled her eyes, knowing that's what you could expect from Nott. Undeterred, Davis continued. "It says that I have to tell you a secret about myself," the pretty blonde explained, then put her card down on the table before her. "All right, my secret is that I asked the Sorting Hat to put me in whatever House Harry Potter was going to be sent to. That's how I ended up in Slytherin. The Hat wanted to put me in Hufflepuff instead."
"I KNEW IT!" Pansy screeched, pointing at her girl friend. "Didn't I always say your heart was too sweet for Slytherin?"
Malfoy uncrossed his legs and leaned forward slowly, as if coming to a conclusion that wasn't palatable in the least. "That makes no sense. You should have ended up in Gryffindor, unless…" He went silent, his gaze zeroing in on Harry and narrowing as he understood the unspoken implication of Tracey's secret. "No fucking way."
Everyone was looking at Harry then, Hermione included. "Harry…"
Her friend shook his head, keeping his eyes on Tracey. He didn't seem angry in the least that something this personal had been unwittingly revealed about him; in fact, he seemed almost relieved. "No discussion over the cards," he reminded them. "Tracey was required to tell you her secret and she did. Her card's fulfilled."
To everyone's amazement, the card magically picked itself up and whipped back into the Forfeits deck, when then reshuffled itself in front of them.
"Wicked," Ron breathed in awe.
Hermione had seen a lot of interesting magic in her day, but the spell on these cards went beyond anything she'd ever heard of before. The deck itself seemed almost sentient – and apparently able to override Gamp's Law. Food was one of the few commodities wizards and witches couldn't bespell into existence (the others being money, life, love and knowledge), and yet this last round, she'd shared an entire meal with Malfoy. How was that possible? She puzzled it through her head, staring at the cards as Slytherin's Captain instructed Daphne to pick up the third Interrogations card of the game and begin.
Greengrass adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose to read the card. "If you had to be submissive in bed because your partner wanted it, would you have the courage to submit to their every whim without crying foul or making any complaint?"
Play began with Blaise. He said only one word, with firm emphasis: "Absolutely." He reached for a Deeds card as his gaze connected with his partner's across the way. Hermione felt Ginny's tension, as they sat only inches from each other, but couldn't decipher whether it was fear or nervous anxiety that had set her small shoulders rigid. Would her friend be all right? Zabini was still dangerous for all his earlier charm, wasn't he?
Davis was speaking then, so she turned her attention back to the game. "… don't think I feel comfortable with this question, either. I'll forfeit answering again." She reached for a blue card.
Oh, joy of joys, it was Malfoy's turn again.
Reluctantly, she swung her eyes in his direction, and was not surprised to see them turned heatedly upon her. "Ahhh, one of my questions," he grinned sinfully. "So, let me see here… would I be submissive in every way if you wanted me to be, Granger? Hmmm…" He pretended to consider the issue, tapping one long, perfectly manicured finger on his knee. "Would I get down on my knees and worship you if you wanted me to? Would I let you undress me and put a collar on me if it would make you happy? Would I bathe every inch of your skin slowly with a sponge if it would bring you pleasure? Would I cook gourmet meals for you and give you full body oil massages to help ease your tension? Would I fuck you for hours, in every position you demanded until we both passed out from exhaustion?" His finger suddenly stopped tapping, and he went very still. His gaze smoldered with blatant lust. "Hell. Yes."
As he reached for a red card, Hermione wondered if anyone had ever considered the possibility of patenting a miniature air conditioner for one's knickers – one with tiny electrodes that could wirelessly tell the temp of your clit from five meters so it could activate itself in case of emergencies like this one. Mentally, she conjured a fan instead, and the Room provided for her.
Malfoy belted out a rich laugh and Hermione's face lit up like a Filibuster firework as she fanned herself off furiously. Play moved on to Seamus without further ado, despite the curses Hermione was throwing at her partner inside her head.
"Well, I ain't as loquacious as our Slytherin Capt'n here, but I would definitely be yer sub if ya wanted that o' me, sweet angel," Finnegan spoke quietly for Lavender only. His free hand reached out and tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. The look he gave Hermione's roommate was… wow… why couldn't a man look at her like that? "If ya ever want ta try, yeah?"
From her angle, Hermione couldn't see Lavender's expression, but she did see the girl's open hand reach out and place itself on top of their entwined fingers.
"Take a card, Finnegan," Malfoy reminded him dryly.
Seamus let his partner go and reached out for a Deeds card.
Lavender spoke quickly, looking down. "I'm more comfortable being a dom, honestly, but… I could learn, I suppose. I don't think I'd flinch."
"Good enough for me," Harry ruled, looking at Malfoy for a judge's call. "You can't expect a person to know for sure how they'd act if they've never done something before. A best guess is fine, I think."
Malfoy considered it, and nodded in agreement. "Brown, take a red card."
The girl did as bade, and then it was Ron's turn. He was already leaning far back in the cushions, his gaze locked onto Pansy's across the way, his booted ankles crossed, and his head resting comfortably on his entwined hands. "Oh, definitely. I'd love to service your every desire, baby," he answered without pause. "Your wish is my command." He was grinning like a fool.
Pansy shook her head and smiled, but Hermione could tell the woman was very pleased with the answer. Maybe she'd been wrong about her ex- and Slytherin's femme fatale. They seemed to genuinely like each other… or, maybe they just liked the sex. Who the fuck knew anymore?
"Granger, your turn," Malfoy informed her, looking a little annoyed with her distraction as he drew her out of her thoughts. "Weasley just took an action card."
Her turn? Oh! She cleared her throat behind her hand. "Well… I suppose…"
"Just take the forfeit, so play can move on," her partner sardonically mused. He was back to tapping that finger on his knee again.
Hermione's knickers got into a twist at the sarcastic, deprecating tone he used with her. "Are you insinuating that I don't have the guts to answer this question, Malfoy?"
Her partner looked at her with mocking amusement and snorted indelicately. "Please. You didn't answer the last one, and that was in the same 'alternative lifestyle' ballpark. Do us all a favor and don't front."
Clenching her jaw, she narrowed her eyes and reached for a red card. "For your information, Mr. Smarmy Pants, I wouldn't be a bit afraid of being a sub to the right person. You are not he, though. I know you'd totally take advantage of me, and I don't relish the idea of kneeling at your feet and puffing up your arrogance."
Malfoy stared at her hard at first, but then broke into a grin. "'Mr. Smarmy Pants'? You come up with that one all on your own, Granger, or did you borrow that from some First Year witchy-poo in Hufflepuff?"
"Chauvinistic prat," she threw out.
"Frigid school marm," he shot back with no heat, all play. "Hit the mark that time, did I?" he continued to rile her, crossing his legs again and thoroughly enjoying the verbal sparring.
Hermione opened her mouth to chew Malfoy a new arse when Harry brought her up short. "Enough you two, please. No discussion – and that includes trading insults," her friend cut in, ending the name-calling session. Deprived of her come back, Hermione satisfied herself with glaring across the space at her blonde-haired, rodent-faced partner instead. He wasn't fazed in the least, however, much to her consternation.
That was okay, she'd just get the toad-faced chode back in their private room later.
Ginny was answering next, looking earnestly across the coffee table at Zabini, her hands playing with the hem of her fancy, embroidered jacket nervously. "I don't think I'd like to be anyone's sub. You know why." Her partner nodded once in acceptance, his face carefully shielded from giving away any emotion. "I'm sorry."
Blaise shook his head with easy capitulation. "Don't be."
Some sort of silent message passed between them, and then Ginny nodded in what appeared to be thanks, as she reached for a red card.
Harry squinted and squinched his nose up, as if he were trying to adjust invisible glasses on his face without his hands, and then he reached for a blue card. "Same reason as you," he informed his partner on the other couch. Tracey smiled in a shared understanding with him.
Theo looked around Pansy at Daphne then. "I think we both already know the answer to this one," he smirked ridiculously, and reached for a red card. "Unequivocally, yes."
Parkinson looked across at Ron, and there seemed to be a silent conversation going on between the two of them. Ron looked at the piles of cards, the same as she did, and then nudged his chin almost imperceptibly towards the Forfeits deck.
"I… think I don't want to answer," she announced with a grin and grabbed a blue card.
Harry and Malfoy traded a look that seemed to agree that they understood what Parkinson and Ron had just done, but it was allowed by the rules. If Pansy didn't want to answer, she didn't have to. Anyone could "throw" a round if they wanted to at any time, as long as they understood a forfeit action card was attached to that decision.
Play finally came to rest on Greengrass again. The beautiful blonde re-adjusted her glasses, put the Interrogations card down on the table, and reached for a Forfeits card. She glanced over at Theo as she leaned back into the sofa, and whatever it was they shared, he seemed agreeable as he nodded in acceptance. There was no angry explosion from him this time, no resentful sulking. Apparently, they'd come to an understanding in private of what had happened last round's questioning, because Nott seemed content to let Daphne's refusal to answer slide.
Boy, there sure was a lot of silent communication going on between partners this round. Since when did everyone get so bloody close that they could engage in such intimate exchanges anyway? It was only the third round of questions! The way people were acting, you'd think they'd been seeing each other for a few weeks, at least. Weird.
The Interrogations card that Daphne had read magically erased itself, as that card was now completed. The letters faded away into oblivion, leaving only a cream-colored, blank template for the next game's players to use, Hermione noted. She wondered who those people would be…
Malfoy stood up. "Everyone read your cards now. If you need to perform an action to the group, say it before we break up in a minute."
Hermione turned her card over and read it. Oh… well… that didn't sound so bad! In fact, it seemed downright wonderful! Thank goodness! She looked up at her partner just as he finished reading his card. When his eyes met hers, a devilish smirk crawled up his cheek and his eyes flattened out like a predator on the prowl.
Shit, what did that mean?
She begged to the cosmos that he hadn't gotten a card that forced her to do something truly humiliating. What if he was allowed to strip her clothes off her? Or worse, what if she had to perform oral sex on him? Oh please, oh please, oh please - NO!
He waggled his eyebrows at her mischievously, as if sensing her internal panic.
Bloody, bloody hell! Was there no justice in the universe? Hadn't she racked up enough good karma points from knitting all those tiny house elf hats? Oh, Goddess, what if this was anti-karma for all the times she did Ron's homework for him? Oh, Merlin, had she cancelled out all of her good deeds by helping that smeg-head ex-boyfriend of hers?
GAH!
"I have to go to the bathroom!" she announced the excuse, jumping to her feet, needing to get away from her partner's reptilian ogling, even if just for a few minutes.
"Me, too," Gin piped in from the side.
Lavender nodded and gained her feet. "We'll go together."
Hermione groaned. She'd wanted to be alone so she could throw a tiny tissy fit in privacy before being forced to deal with her situation. Sometimes she did that just before exams; it always seemed to help her focus better.
"We should all go," Pansy announced, standing too.
Oh, great. The Slytherins were joining the field trip. Why not invite a gaggle of Cornish pixies to come join the fun while they were at it? She was sure Lockhart had left some behind all those years ago…
Harry stepped over to Malfoy. "A twenty-minute break? Maybe some water for everyone? Snacks?"
Draco nodded, summoning his favorite house elf servant, while on the other side of the room, two doors appeared – one with the universal symbol for girls, the other for boys. Hermione grabbed up her wand from the table and didn't even look back as she took off for the correct restroom.
To her surprise, the loo looked a lot like any of the others to be found around the castle – green-painted stalls, utilitarian mirrors, a row of white, ceramic sinks, clean, white towels on circular racks next to each mirror. The six women filed into the room together and all of them went for a bog immediately. As the doors shut and the sounds of peeing could be heard, Pansy started talking.
"I'm loving this game," she announced cheerfully. "Who knew Weasley was so fucking hot?"
"Ewww," Gin called from the stall next to Hermione's. "Gross! T.M.I."
Pansy tsk'd. "Sorry. Seriously, though, your brother is totally wicked."
"Is he?" Hermione asked without thought, and then slapped a hand over her mouth. What the hell was she saying? She didn't want to know what Parkinson and her ex- were doing behind closed doors. Quickly finishing up her business, she flushed and made her way out to the sinks to wash her hands. Taking a look in the mirror, she used her wand to adjust her make-up and hair, setting it back perfectly, smoothing her dress down as well.
Pansy was at her side in a moment, washing up and primping, too. "Well, yeah, I've never known a man so into a woman's pleasure," the witch carried on without concern, smiling like the cat that ate the canary.
Lavender took the sink to Hermione's right. "That's odd. I always found Ron to be rather… submissive… in bed."
Hermione nodded. "Me, too." She turned to Parkinson. "Looks like you brought out the lion in him or something." She shrugged outwardly while mentally gagging on the visual internally.
Pansy stopped and looked in the mirror, but it was obvious her mind was a million miles away. She smiled gently, her dark eyes shimmering with softness. "Did I?"
Hermione looked at the other woman's reflection. Pansy seemed totally sincere. "Do you really like Ron? I thought you hated him before this game started. You've done nothing but antagonize each other for seven years."
Blinking out of her reverie, Slytherin's Queen considered her words, matching her stare in the reflective surface. "Yeah, that's funny, isn't it? But you know, now that I think about it, I was just letting House prejudice get in the way. I mean, Weasley's really rather handsome, he's got a killer bod, and he definitely knows how to use it – sorry, She-Weasel!" She apologized quickly as Ginny came up alongside and pulled a face at the thought. "It's just that, well, he was a Gryffindor," the dark-haired witch continued. "For that reason, it was open season on him at any chance, you know?" Pansy looked down at her hands running under the cool water, her face suddenly a little sad. "It's too bad I let twisted rivalry between our Houses keep me from knowing him sooner. I wish…" She didn't finish the thought as she turned the faucet off and reached for a towel to dry her hands. Her eyes met Hermione's in the mirror again. "And what about you and Drake? It's the same story, isn't it?"
Hermione blinked, taken aback. "What about Malfoy and me?" Putting her back up, she bristled. "There's absolutely nothing going on between me and that slimy, git snake! I'm hoping the cards will keep it that way, too, and I can get out of here with nothing worse than maybe a grope or two."
Daphne joined them, followed by Tracey. Both blondes made for the empty sinks on the end. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks," Greengrass quoted Hamlet, washing her hands well with soap.
"I do not," Hermione objected, and immediately stopped, having proved Greengrass' point. "Whatever. I'm in the game to win. I'm not looking for a one-off, much less a boyfriend. And I am not attracted to Draco Ferret-Face Malfoy."
Pansy smirked knowingly. "That fan work for you, Granger? Because I still haven't cooled down from Malfoy's offer to let the woman of his dreams collar him, much less fuck him for hours and pleasure her in every way possible." She pretend shivered. "The imagery alone makes me sweaty." She stepped closer, lowered her voice as if imparting a wicked secret. "His cock is amazingly beautiful, and he knows how to use it, I promise you."
Hermione swallowed, feeling things low in her belly clench. "How… how do you know?"
Parkinson smirked nefariously. "He broke me in. It hurt so good. I begged him for more."
I will not be intimidated, Hermione determined, holding Pansy's knowing, dark stare. "Good for you," she managed to sound unaffected, hiding the shaking that was threatening. Bully for her.
Tracey giggled. "Oh, stop, Pans. Let her figure it out on her own. That's the fun part."
Parkinson pointed at Davis. "And you – I knew you smelled like one of those hedgehogs."
"Hufflepuff's insignia is a badger, actually," Daphne pointed out, adjusting her glasses, using her wand to adjust her own skin and hair applications as well.
"And snogging Potter like that!" the brunette continued to tease. "That was some hot lip-lock, girl! Tell me, was he good in bed?"
Tracey blushed crimson. "We've only kissed," she admitted. "Although this round…" She tilted her head and smiled guiltily. "I can't wait!"
"Oooh, you've got it bad," Lavender piped in, shocked. "I recognize the signs."
Ginny elbowed her gently. "You're one to talk. Is Seamus a la mode back on the menu?"
Lavender looked down at her toes. "I… suppose. I'm giving him a chance to make it up to me."
"Make what up?" Davis asked, her eyes as clear and trusting as a doe's. She really wasn't Slytherin material at all, was she? Everything about the girl screamed 'innocent.' Given that, it surprised Hermione to think that Tracey had joined a game like this one; she didn't seem a bit 'worldly' about sexual matters, so why had she been chosen for Slytherin's team?
Hermione's blonde roommate lightly shrugged. "We dated once, two years ago. It didn't work out. It was a bad break-up. He says he wants to win my heart back, though."
Tracey positively gushed, and she practically bounced over to Lavender's side, her hands pressed together over her heart. "Oh, that is so romantic! He really loves you, then?"
Before Lavender could answer, Daphne took a step closer, whispering conspiratorily. "I have heard rumors about Mr. Finnegan's… well-known endowment… from the female students of my House. His is supposedly the longest and widest penis in school.I have heard it described as 'enormous' in fact."
"It is," Ginny, Lavender, and Pansy all confirmed unanimously, and then looked at each other in shock.
Ginny broke into giggles. "Oh, dear. Well."
"Blaise is no small joke, either, you know," Pansy knowingly threw Gin the hint.
Ginny's face reddened and an angry glint came to her eye. Was that… jealousy? She turned away to control her temper. "Yeah, well… we'll see, I guess."
Hermione thought she knew better, but took that as a good place for the conversation to end. There had been entirely too much sharing and probing for her comfort. "We're probably up on the twenty minutes by now. Everyone ready?"
"Oh! Pregnancy and disease charms!" Pansy reminded them, and every girl cast the proper spell on themselves.
"Thanks," Hermione nodded. Gods, if Malfoy did have a sex card this time… she'd almost forgotten. She'd have to be more vigilant in the future. "I'll remind us after every round, if you want." A chorus of unanimous nods approved of the plan.
Once they were ready, the ladies exited back into the main room. The men were all waiting for them, some of them sitting on the couches, others standing around talking, hands in pockets or arms crossed.
"Clock's ticking, witches," Malfoy reminded them. "Water and snacks on the table, if you want them." The women moved about helping themselves, as Slytherin's team leader kept talking. "So, does anyone have an action to perform before the group? Last chance." Shaking heads all around indicated they were free to move on. "Time, Potter?" Slytherin's leader asked.
"It's a minute past ten," Gryffindor's Captain replied, replacing his fob in his pocket.
"You've got until ten fifty-one, folks. Have fun," Malfoy grinned wickedly. "I know I will." With that, he turned on his heel and made for the room he and Hermione had claimed as their own, not looking back once.
"What an unbelievable git," Gin sighed from where she stood at Hermione's shoulder. She placed a hand on her arm. "Good luck, 'Mione."
As her friend made her way to Zabini's side, she raised a glass of water to her lips as she walked and took his outstretched fingers in her free hand, Hermione exhaled deeply, trying to calm her suddenly racing heart. "You, too, Gin. Luck to us both."
Grabbing her own glass, not hungry in the slightest, she made her way to her private chambers where Draco was already waiting.
TO BE CONTINUED...
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
T.M.I. = Acronym for "too much information."
Sub = Short for "submissive." In a sexual relationship, one partner is generally seen as the more passive. Sometimes referred to as a "bottom," too.
Dom = Short for "dominant." In a sexual relationship, one partner is generally seen as the more assertive. Sometimes referred to as a "top," too.
Chode = An unusually small and fat penis.
Seamus speak key:
ain't = aren't
Capt'n = Captain
o' = of
ya = you
ta = to
Musical Selection for this Chapter: "Wicked Game" from Chris Issak. Lyrics are as follows…
The world was on fire -
no one could save me but you.
Strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you.
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.
No, I don't want to fall in love...
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
No, I don't want to fall in love…
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
With you.
What a wicked game you play
to make me feel this way.
What a wicked thing to do
to let me dream of you.
What a wicked thing to say -
you never felt this way.
What a wicked thing to do
to make me dream of you.
And I don't want to fall in love...
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
And I don't want to fall in love…
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
With you.
The world was on fire,
no one could save me but you.
Strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you.
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.
No, I don't wanna fall in love…
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
No, I don't wanna fall in love…
[This love is only gonna break your heart]
With you.
With you.
Nobody loves no one.