.

=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=

Hermione was sitting at the breakfast table reading the papers. The Daily Prophet was trying to make a big deal of the fact that the portkey used to whisk Hermione to safety last Friday had been a 'stolen' portkey for Auror use only, but Hermione doubted it would have any serious fallout. They did not seem to suspect the involvement of either Harry or Hermione so it was just Ron who they were going after.

The worst thing about the article came when the reporter started speculating that Ron's "new connection to the Parkinson family" could perhaps explain why Ron had done this. Bad influence from the new girlfriend, perhaps. Hermione's eyebrows drew together. Once again there was this subtle prejudice against the purebloods. Against the former members of Slytherin house. As if they all had an affinity for rule breaking and dark magic.

Hermione read on and found that it was almost as if the reporter was implying that Pansy's great uncle, Neolin Parkinson, had been behind the attack and Ron had found out and decided to save Hermione, although why he wouldn't then just tell Harry or Hermione of his suspicions was not addressed at all. It really made no sense for Ron to deal with such suspicions by stealing a portkey and then approach Hermione's date with it.

Across the table Draco was reading the Quibbler who had published a rather good article about Rowena Lestrange. In the background they heard the house elves, Batty and Spike, arguing over who would get to serve the tea.

"Should we intervene?"

"No. It tends to be better if the house elves work these sort of things out among themselves."
"You're the expert."

"Are you almost done with the Quibbler?"
"Almost."
"When you're done we should switch. You should read this article about Ron and the portkey. It's almost funny. Not quite, but almost."

At that they heard the fireplace light up in the living room. Draco got up as if he was going to try to hide from whomever it was but Hermione told him to stay put. He shot her a disapproving glance but stayed.

"In here," Hermione shouted. She was assuming it would be Harry or Ginny, perhaps even George or Luna. But in came none other than Pansy Parkinson.

"Get lost, Draco. I need to talk to Hermione."

Draco raised an eyebrow at Hermione as he grabbed her copy of the Prophet as well as the Quibbler and left.

+ I'll just be upstairs then. +

Pansy waited for him to disappear before turning her attention to Hermione, who watched Draco disappear. She was determined to figure out how to project her thoughts like that. It was such a cool little trick.

"So the two of you really are together then. I know I said you would end up together, but it's still weird that I was right."
"You really shouldn't be so mean to him. Is this because of the Louis thing?"
"Oh, don't talk to me about Louis. I have barely forgiven you two for that stunt."

Pansy sat down and helped herself to some bread and butter.

"So, what brings you to my humble home, Pansy?"
"Seriously, Hermione. Who names their house 'Villa Villekulla?'"
"Don't mock it. It keeps the unwanted away. If you don't know what my house is called then you're not welcome. By the way: How did you find out?"
"It came up in conversation at some point."
"Fair enough. So, what can I help you with?"
"I need sympathy, and I think you're the one most likely to give me some."
"What did Ron do now?"

"Oh, it's not him. Although I should tell you that he asked if he could move in with me."
"Really? That's sweet."
"I suppose. Of course he has practically been living at my place for months. It's not like I want to be hanging out at his place. That apartment of his is tiny."
"Where do you live?"
"I have a house in Godric's Hollow. You should come over sometime."
"I should. Are you going to let him move in?"
"Probably. As I said; he's practically living there already. All I have to do is to rearrange some of the boxes lying in what my mother so generously calls 'my sewing room' to make room for his boxes."
"Well, set a date for it and then we can have a move in party."
"Ok. How about Thursday?"
"Thursday sounds good. Is Draco invited?"
"Sure. But make him wear his own face. I hate that Louis character."
"You should try to be a little less judgemental. All this rage can't be good for your blood pressure."
"Oh, shut it. I'm in a bad mood."
"Ah, right then. Tell me. Why do you want my sympathy?"

"Ok, get this. We were at Greengrass manor for dinner yesterday."
"You and Ron?"

"Yes. Daphne loves playing lady of the manor. She arranged a four course meal for just the four of us. She is hopeless."
"Ok, and what happened?"
"Brace yourself Hermione. She announced she is pregnant."
"No! Daphne?"

"Oh yes. She just found out so she is trying to keep it quiet, but at the same time she is so excited she can't shut up about it."

"That's sweet."

"It's baby madness out there. For the following two hours I was forced to listen to the two of them happily telling us all about the plans for the nursery and stories of Alexey and what he was like as a kid and the likelihood of little brats dying of dragonpox or something."

"Let me guess. You weren't really listening to them."

"I may have zoned out once or twice. It's hard to keep a convincing smile on your face for hours on end."

"This pregnancy thing is catching like wildfire."

"You know what the worst thing is? My mom is super-close with Daphne's mom. So even if my parents weren't thrilled when they found out about me and Ron, I suspect that they will quickly put aside all their objections now and start pushing for grandkids."
"Oh, please don't tell me you are also going to start knitting baby clothes."
"Not a chance. I like my life. No bratts in my immediate future."

"But you are letting Ron move in at least."
"I guess. One small step at a time. But I'll chop his head of if he proposes or something."

"Ron will do as he is told so I'm sure he won't propose if you tell him not to. Just remember to tell him you've changed your mind if you ever do want a ring on that finger."

"I might have to hide the fact we will be living together from my parents. It's hard enough on them that I stood up for myself and refused to live at home until the day they got to marry me off to whomever they found presentable enough. Specially since I'm the youngest."
"Sometimes it's good to be muggleborn. Muggles are a little less traditional when it comes to these things. My parents would never dream of having opinions on who I am dating."
"Plus, your parents are on the other side of the planet. You can probably hide Draco from them for years if you want to."
"I admit that there have been guys they never got to meet. But if this thing with me and Draco survives the week then I'll probably have to take him to Perth to meet them at some point."

"Just you wait until the Malfoys find out about you two. Your parents may be cool, but you are in for a world of trouble if you keep Draco around."

"What do you mean?"
"You're the first witch he has dated, you know."
"No, I did not know that:"
"Well you are. And as reformed and politically minded as the two of them are, they are going to be thrilled. They are going to be all over you."
"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
"I'm surprised the two of you you made it this far. I mean, he's good looking and it doesn't surprise me at all that you ended up in bed together. But I was half expecting it to all fall apart immediately."
"Give it time. It still might."
"Whatever. Stay with him. Don't stay with him. I don't care. Just please don't let him get you pregnant."
"Don't worry, I wont."
"Are we the last ones standing?"
"Well, there is Theo and Emily. And I believe Marietta Edgecombe is still single."

"Well, she was ugly already before you scarred half her face off. But you're right about Emily. Although I suspect she won't last long. What is she? 38? Wouldn't surprise me at all if she started showing by next summer."

"So we are the last ones. Is that good or bad?"
"Well, I for one feel no need to populate the planet. Ron has no power over me. His family is so big already that if we had a kid we would probably just lose it amongst the rest of the Weasleys and never find it ever again. You however have gotten yourself tangled with the Malfoy heir. Narcissa has been dreaming of grandkids for over a decade and I'm sure Lucius wouldn't mind another generation of Malfoys."

"Well, that's their problem. I'm not an incubator."

"Hermione. Just for that comment you have now been upgraded to my best friend."
"No more Daphne?"
"We can introduce her to Ginny. Let the two of them talk about umbilical cords or whatever."

"You really have no idea what expecting mothers like do discuss, do you?"
"None whatsoever, and couldn't care less."

"You're sweet Pansy, and I'll happily accept your offer of becoming your best friend."
"Oh, don't get all mushy on me."

"So what are my duties as your new best friend? Not to get pregnant for at least a couple of years?"

"Make it three at least."

"Sounds good."
"Honestly I doubt I will ever be ready for being a mother. I am just not the type. I'd rather be one of those gingerbread house witches that eat children."
"You know your muggle fairy tales."
"Not really. I just know the ones with evil witches in it."
"Do I want to know why?"

"Probably not."

"So what do we do if we are not going to get together to knit baby-socks."
"I don't know. Movies? Drinking? Dancing? Throw tomatoes at pregnant women?"
"You're just evil. But sure. Movie sounds good. Just not this week. I have too much to do."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of taking up any of your precious time before the election."
"You are publicly dating Ron. We should actually be seen together as often as possible. Make sure the tabloids know that the golden trio approves of Ron's new girlfriend."

"So that's how it is."

"Yes. But then again Draco is unlikely to let me go out in public too much. He sees homicidal maniacs in every shadow. I'm surprised he left us alone."
"Unlike you, I have him whipped. You really shouldn't let him boss you around this much. One of these days you really are going to tell me what he did to deserve your loyalties like this."
"You can ask him, but I doubt he will tell you."
"Save you from a falling bookshelf at the library?"
"No."
"Hide you from Hagrid's little brother?"
"Grawp? No."

"Donate money to S.P.E.W.?"

"That would not count as saving my life."

"Save you from Vincent's fiend fire."

"No, that was the other way around. We saved him from that."

"When was this?"

"I'm not telling."

"Was this a muggle incident of some sort?"

"Give it up Pansy."

"Did he do your homework for you?"
"Now you're just insulting me."

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

[Hermione:] You can come down now. Pansy is gone.

[Draco:] Or you could come up here. I bet it's more fun up here.

[Hermione:] Do I want to know what you are up to?

[Draco:] Oh, nothing yet. But I'm sure I can think of something to do if you come up here.

[Hermione:] On my way.

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

Half an hour later Hermione and Draco once again found themselves naked and snuggled up in one another's arms, panting slightly and watching the ceiling.

"Why haven't you hexed me yet?"
"I kind of like you a little bit."
"I really should try to convince you to kick me out of your bed, preferably out of your house too. This thing that we are doing could cost you the elections, you know."

"Oh, I was never that serious about the elections. You were the one taking it all so seriously."

"You would make a good Minister for Magic, Hermione. For some reason you have the ability to be kind and fair to just about anyone."

"Are you trying to sweet talk your way into my panties? It wont work. I'm not wearing any."

"No, I'm serious. Having you in charge would bring about some positive changes. Whoever gets elected now has a good chance of getting re-elected for decades to come. If we have someone narrow minded in the top chair then it could lead to all sorts of difficulties down the road."
"You spend so much time thinking of the big picture. Why don't you use some of that scheming of yours to fix your own reputation?"
"That is more of a long term project. Not something I can accomplish in a week or two. But it's on the agenda. Don't worry. I've talked to my parents about this on several occasions. We agree that after the fallout of the war it is best if the Malfoy's lay low for at least 15 years, probably closer to 20 years."
"What? How does that even make sense?"
"We lost a war. It isn't like we were anonymous soldiers on the outskirts of the conflict. We were right on the front line proudly backing the wrong side. Towards the end we knew we were on the wrong side of things. It was rather obvious so of course we knew. But we were in to deep with no way out. Basically we just crossed our fingers and hoped we would come out of it alive. By some miracle all three of us survived and because of you and Potter we weren't sent straight to the dementors. Thank you for that, by the way."
"You're welcome"

"So after something like that we had two options. Either to demolish the name of Malfoy and start from scratch, basically just burn the manor to the ground and move abroad, or we could stay put and bide our time. I admit that I was a big fan of burning down the manor, but my father still lives in the hope that I will not be the last of the Malfoy line. He is proud of the long family history, even now. It's probably why he spent so much time in the rehabilitation programme."
"So basically you decided upon a two decade self imposed … what? Isolation? Hiding?"
"It's not that bad. It's mostly about staying out of the press. It's not like we are living in the basement or anything. But there is a lot of rage out there, and rightly or wrongly it is associated with the Malfoys. We were all marked. We can't just go out there and expect people to be fine with it."
"So what? Just wait a generation and hope it blows over?"
"That's one way of putting it. You have to realise that for these old families continuity tends to be important. The manors are built to stand for centuries and it is ingrained into the children that they will one day take them over."

"Is that what you dream of?"
"Didn't I just say I wanted to burn that place to the ground?"

"I suppose."
"Malfoy manor will never recover from what happened there during the war."
"So if you found yourself a happy little pureblood wife who made you a few heirs, what would then be your plan?"
"Well, in that very very very unlikely scenario I might consider burning the manor to the ground, dancing on the ashes and then construct a new manor somewhere else on the estate. Possibly on the east side of the lake. The view is rather good there."

"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"If we continue… doing what we're doing… do I have to go to Malfoy manor?"
"I would never ask you to go there. Not even to help me burn the place down."
"Thank you."

"Can I ask you something?"
"That sounds only fair."
"What are the chances you will want to keep me around for a while?"
"I would say that your chances are rather good."
"I should tell you that you are being stupid, but I'm too selfish for that. We'll just have to figure out a way for this not to blow up in our faces, all right?"
"Where's your sense of adventure."
"Suddenly I see that Gryffindor tendency to run right towards a dragon just hoping for the best."
"You're my dragon."
"I suppose I am."

"One more of these heavy questions?"
"Shoot."
"If I keep you around. How are we going to kill off Louis and introduce you onto the stage?"
"Can't we just keep me as your dirty little secret?"
"I highly doubt that would be possible. Too many people would have to be in on the secret. Pansy, Harry, Ginny and Ron already know. Your friends will find out sooner or later. Your parents apparently know. The Weasleys would find out sooner or later and a few more of my friends. All in all that's a lot of people."
"You have too many friends."
"You have too few friends."
"Just admit that it would not be possible for me to hide you."
"I know. You are way to popular."
"So what's the plan."
"Let's keep Louis alive until Saturday at least. If you lose the first round then we will figure out a way to ease people into the idea of you and I being friendly. But if you win, we have to start focusing on the real election. And I am sticking to my opinion that you should not associate with the likes of me if you want to reach the top."
"If I reach the top it will be because of you, and I will need you around to navigate the ministry."
"You'll do fine. You are a genius."
"Genius or not, I like you around. Be serious. What do we do?"

"Ok. Our best bet is Pansy and Ron. Go back to your original plan of trying to publicly show that snakes and lions play nice together."

"So a party maybe?

"What are you thinking?"
"Well, Ron is apparently moving in with Pansy on Thursday."
"Really? Good for them."
"We could have a snakes and lions party. A proper party to celebrate Ron and Pansy."

"The press tends to be good at finding out about such things. Who are you thinking about inviting?"
"Depends on how big we want this. On the lions side we have to invite Harry, Ginny, Neville, Padma and George plus their significant others. We could also include Alicia and Oliver, maybe even Seamus, although that's stretching it it a bit. On the snakes side there is you, Theo and Emily, Daphne and Alexey and Zabini. Is he still dating Astoria?"
"I think they might be seeing one another. What about Greg and Millicent?"
"If they are friends with Pansy, then sure. Now that I think of it, George is good friends with Lee Jordan, so we could get him there without technically inviting him."
"Not bad. It could work."
"You think it's a good idea?"
"I think we need to be prepared in case this all blows up, and I think our best cover story is that we started hanging out because of Ron and Pansy. The question is if Pansy will go for it."

"It doesn't hurt to ask at least."

"You could just dump me now."
"I'd rather not, if that's Ok."
"That's Ok."

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

[Hermione:] Do you have time for tea somewhere public later?

[Pansy:] Sure. I get off work at three. How about Purple Palace. I hear it is the new cool place.

[Hermione:] What? You work? How come I didn't know about this?

[Pansy:] What, you think I just sit at home daydreaming about Ron all day?

[Hermione:] No, I guess I was more picturing you sunbathing and spending the family money.

[Pansy:] Family money comes with family obligations. I like my freedom.

[Hermione:] So where do you work?

[Pansy:] At Gringotts.

[Hermione:] Seriously. Why hasn't anyone told me this?

[Pansy:] Maybe you are just too self-absorbed to pay proper attention.

[Hermione:] So what do you do over there?

[Pansy:] Just basic secretarial work for the goblins. Nothing important.

[Hermione:] Are you any good? Maybe I should hire you as my secretary if I get elected.

[Pansy:] I would accept in a heartbeat. You are sure to be a better boss than the goblins.

[Hermione:] So about tea: Three thirty at Purple Palace?

[Pansy:] See you there.

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

Hermione decided to wait for Pansy outside Gringotts and walk with her over to Purple Palace. There was always the chance they would be seen together, and if this was going to work they needed to be seen together as much as possible. Pansy smirked when she came out and saw Hermione.

"You may be as smart as they say you are. I approve."
"So you know what I am upto?"
"You wanted to meet 'somewhere public'. I think it's rather obvious what you are up to. You are trying to use me to get in with the green and silver."

"You always were pretty good at reading people."

"So where is your bodyguard?"
"We are trying out something new. I've been seen too much with Louis lately. So he is wearing a new face today. If you turn around you may see a short wizard in black robes shadowing us."

"This is ridiculous you know."
"Oh, I know. The whole thing is so ridiculous that it is borderline funny."
"What do you think would happen if I threw a tomato at him."
"Don't you dare."

The two of them giggled like teenagers as they walked towards Purple Palace. Once they got there they sat down at a table by the window and Isabella came over with tea and purple cupcakes for them. A short wizard in black robes sat down at a table nearby and started reading a book.

"Am I going to get marked now?"
"Probably. I can ask her to bring you something else if you'd like."
"Nah, I think the purple and sparkling "support Hermione" temporary tattoo is rather harmless."

Pansy took a large bite out of her cupcake and watched as the purple letters appeared on the back of her hand. Hermione decided to throw a muffliato around them, just in case.

"So are you going to the Bulstrode gala tonight?"
"Yes. Yet another chance to meet people, be seen and try to avoid assassins. Will you be there?"
"No, I'm taking the night off. But I expect Blaze and Theo will be there. How are you going to explain to them that, once again, you show up with Louis on your arm while a certain blond wizard is nowhere to be found."
"I have no idea. I told Draco to tell them what's going on but he wants to keep the number of people who know as small as possible."

"Not telling Theo is just stupid."

"Says the one who was in a secret relationship for eight months."

"Hey! Both Draco and Theo got that secret out of me and then kept their mouths shut about it for months and months. Those two can smell lies and deception. Nothing gets past them. I mean, Theo might be a little distracted by Emily right now, but not so distracted as to not notice that Draco has fallen of the face of the Earth."
"I agree. This will never work without Theo being in the loop. I'll talk to Draco."

"What won't work? What is your plan?"
"We need a venue for the red and green to get together and socialise. You have transitioned amazingly into our little group of lions, but my guess is that Ron has barely said two words to your friends."
"He's Ok with Daphne, but he still makes a face when I mention the rest of them."
"I figured as much. So I was thinking that we use your move-in party as an excuse to mix the groups a bit. You know. Throw a proper party. Get a DJ. Have a blast."
"You can't be serious."
"What's wrong with a bit of fun?"
"You're talking about something that would end up in the papers. Did you not hear me when I said I was going to hide it from my parents that Ron is moving in with me? A huge party is the opposite of keeping things quiet. It would also reinforce my mother in her belief that I need to settle down and whatnot. I would never hear the end of it."
"Oh well. It was worth a try."

"Don't look so defeated. I'll help. We just need a better plan."

"So what's your plan?"
"Well, the thing is that I don't think the boys are talented enough to fake friendship. We need to make real friends of these people. And I think that if we get the core players to get along for real then the rest will follow."
"And who exactly are 'the core players', according to you?"

"Well, on the lion side that would be the golden trio plus Ginny, and on the snake side it would be Draco and Theo on the one hand and me and Daphne on the other hand. I think all of those will probably have to be in on what's going on."
"And just to be clear; what exactly is going on?"
"You want me to say it? Ok, fine. We are trying to make the snakes acceptable enough to society for the Minister of Magic to be able to shag one."

"Bingo."
"Once we get the inner circle to fall in line then the outer circle will follow. This includes people like Neville, Blaize, Greg, George and a few others. People that will accept and do whatever the cool people are doing."

"You make them sound so spineless."
"Whatever. You know what I mean."

"So what do we do?"
"Daphne will not be a problem. She has nothing against you lions and you and Ron, at least, seem Ok with her. It may not be obvious that she would be included but I am going to argue that we need her in on this. She is like a social lubricant and things are never awkward around her. Plus, this way we can get her and Ginny together."
"So you don't have to discuss umbilical cords."
"Exactly. Theo and Draco vs. Ron and Harry are more problematic. I just don't know."
"Well, fortunately for us you seem to have Draco and Theo whipped while Ron and Harry do whatever I tell them to."

Pansy leaned back at that comment looking like she had just had a minor revelation.
"So what you are saying is that when it comes down to it, then it is just you and I who are the core players here. The two of us are the inner-inner circle. Once we decide something everyone else will do what we tell them to."
"I suspect so. Now that I think of it, this may not be as hard as I thought it would be."
"You are a genius, Hermione. We are superheros. We could take over the world. Oh, we should remember to use our powers for good. We could be dangerous!"
"You are definitely becoming my secretary when I become Minister of Magic."
"Better me than Draco. If you made him your secretary you would never get anything done."
"We can make him the office mascot."
"Sounds good to me. Put him in a little suit and pay him to make funny noises for our amusement."

"Stop it, you evil witch. You're going to make me laugh my pants off. Now, back to our current business. Where can we gather the group so the boys can learn to be friends?*

"Oh, that's easy. My place on Thursday."
"What? Wasn't that my plan form the beginning."
"No. Your plan was to trash my house and invite the press. Your plan was volatile and dangerous because chances were that the group would be split right down the middle with everyone sticking close to their own and the music being too loud for anyone to even attempt a conversation."

"And how is your plan different?"
"My plan is to invite a few close friends over for a moving party and some pizza. Just you, the Potters, Theo, Draco, Daphne and Alexey. I may even exclude Alexey. And I should talk to Theo and get him to leave Emily at home. If Daphne and and Theo are there without their other halves then maybe Draco will be more comfortable with confessing his undying love for you."
"Don't go too far here. We just started seeing one another. But I like your idea of keeping it small."
"Yes, and we are going to need booze. We can meet up at four, move 3 boxes and then I can make pizza and we can hang out until the party."
"What party?"
"Blaise's party."
"What?"
"Where have you been? Blaise is throwing the party of the century on Thursday. Courtesy of his mother who wants to support him in his quest to become Minister of Magic. It's going to be in Fleshwick Bay on the Isle of Man. He's been talking about nothing else for the past week. Huge tents, muggle repelling charms, portkeys are being handed out to everyone, live music, fireworks, the lot."

"No one told me. Am I even invited?"
"Of course you are. And my plan is that we get together at my house beforehand and then go over there together. All of us."
"That's brilliant, Pansy."
"I know. And if it all goes well we can get the boys together for a quidditch game at some point while the girls sit admiringly on the side-line and watch their bellies grow."

"How medieval.

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

[Hermione:] We are having a small move-in party for your brother on Thursday.

[Ginny:] Which one?

[Hermione:] Oh, I think you can guess the answer to that one.

[Ginny:] So there is no hope he will give up the snake?

[Hermione:] I don't think so. Just try to be supportive.

[Ginny:] It's not easy. The two of you had to pick the worst snakes. Couldn't you just stay together?

[Hermione:] Now that would have been a disaster, and you know it.

[Ginny:] Yes, I know. I just miss the days when people were throwing insults at the snakes and not kisses.

[Hermione:] No, you don't.

[Ginny:] Shut up.

[Hermione:] Are you coming on Thursday.

[Ginny:] Sure. Kids can spend the night at the Burrow.

[Hermione:] Excellent. How's the nausea.

[Ginny:] Mom's tweaking the magic cure. She claims she has almost found the right herbs.

[Hermione:] That's something.

[Ginny:] Apparently twins are more problematic.

[Hermione:] I still can't believe the two of you are going to have five kids.

[Ginny:] Harry is just nauseatingly happy about it all.

[Hermione:] You are the best thing that ever happened to that guy.

[Ginny:] You're not too bad yourself. Things would've turned out differently if you and Ron hadn't been there

[Hermione:] It takes more than one hero to save the world.

[Ginny:] And you're still at it, future Miss Minister for Magic.

[Hermione:] Not yet.

[Ginny:] I believe in you.

[Hermione:] See you Thursday. And remember to be nice to the snakes. Both of you.

- # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # - # -

Hermione and Draco, who was once again looking like Louis, found themselves on a yet another dance floor that night. The Bulstrode gala was a big success and Thomas Bulstrode had been a gracious host. He had probably gained quite a few votes this evening. Hermione decided not to care, and just enjoy herself. She always liked it when Draco pulled her close and his hand slid down to her lower back to draw lazy figures there. It reminded her of their first dance together. That had been a month ago. Seemed like much longer, but it also seemed like it had happened only yesterday.

Suddenly there was a tap on Hermione's shoulder and she got skilfully removed and replaced. Before she knew what was happening she was dancing with Theo and Emily was manoeuvring Draco away.

"What is this, Theo? Your date just stole my date."
"Oh, so you're talking to me now?"
"What do you mean? Of course I'm talking to you. Why wouldn't I be talking to you?"
"Well, you haven't been seen around Nott manor lately."
"I'm sorry. My movements have been severely restricted since the assassination attempts."
"You don't think I had anything to do with that, do you?"
"Of course not. I trust you, Theo."

"Well, that's something. I don't know if I trust you though."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Something is up. I can smell it. And to make matters worse Draco has disappeared and refuses to talk to me or tell me what he is up to."
"I'm sure it's nothing."
"You're a terrible liar, Granger. You know what's up. Do you know where Draco is tonight? Did you do something to him?"

Hermione considered her options here. She had convinced Draco to come clean to Theo on Thursday, but that was two days from now. Theo didn't look like he could wait two more seconds. She was facing a wizard in desperate need of some answers.

"You're right. Something is up."
"What is it, and why am I not being included?"
"Honestly?"
"Yes, Granger. Spill it."
"Because of Emily. She's an unknown element. You can be trusted, but the question is if she is privy to everything you know."
"So I get a girlfriend and Draco dumps me."
"That's a bit harsh, but fairly accurate."

"And if I promise not to tell Emily. Will you tell me what's going on?"
"Yes."
"Then I promise not to tell Emily."
"Draco is on polyjuice and dancing with your girlfriend."

Theo's eyes bulged and he abruptly stopped dancing. His eyes scanned the room until he found Emily and Draco dancing close to the stage. He studied Louis's face for a minute.

"So this Louis character…"
"...doesn't exist."
"And you and Draco…"
"... are a thing, yes."
"Well, I'll be damned. I didn't see that one coming."

"It's been an eventful week."
"I can see that."

Hermione grabbed Theo and made him continue dancing with her as he processed the implications of what she had just said.

"You're really in trouble, aren't you. How long can you keep this up? And what if people find out?"

"Louis has made it his mission to keep me alive. He wants to stay close in case someone is after me. So yes, we need to keep this up around until either Harry catches whoever is after me or until I lose the elections and can fade back into obscurity."
"You're Hermione Granger. Obscurity isn't really an option for you."

"I guess it's up to Harry then to fix this."

Theo just shook his head.

"Oh, Draco. What have you gotten yourself into. Well, I guess polyjuice was the only option if he wanted to keep an eye on you."
"It was my idea actually. Although it was only supposed to be for the one night. Then the chandelier fell and things got a bit out of hand."

"How are you getting the polyjuice?"
"Harry. Auror's office."

"How many people know?"

"Harry, Ginny, Ron and Pansy."
"So basically everyone but me."
"Well, at first it was just Harry, but he quickly outed us to the rest of them. I told Draco he could tell you, but he seems set on keeping this as quiet as possible."

"I should feel hurt, but I get it. Me and Emily are new. I could see Draco questioning my loyalties right now. He can be paranoid like that."
"Well now you know. It will make things easier moving forward."
"So there's a plan?
"Yes, there's a plan and you're included in set plan. According to the schedule Draco was going to tell you on Thursday."
"I see. Well, here they come. I shouldn't dance with you too long. It would look suspicious."
"I'll see you att Pansy's on Thursday at four. Just you."

And with that they switched again. Theo took Emily and left and Hermione and Draco were alone again.

+ What just happened? +

"I just got interrogated by your best friend. How was Emily?"
"She was very polite to Louis although I did not get to choose where we danced off to. She was the perfect lady, although surprisingly strong."

+ What did you tell Theo? +

"The truth."
"Is he going to kill me?"
"I don't think so. He sort of gets it. And he promised to keep it from Emily for now at least."
"I'm probably going to get an earful next time I show my face at home."
"Probably, yes."

"Maybe I'll take you with me and use you as a shield. He likes you."

"That might be a good idea."