Sunday, June 15th, 2003.

Malfoy,

Have you received anything about what happened Friday? Any proof that they won't continue? If not, I might consider sending a control team, just to make sure they understood. Let me know if there's still nothing before tomorrow.

Also, I wondered if you'd planned another trip to your library? If not, it's no big deal, but since I'll be in court all week and won't be able to work on your issue as much as I would like, maybe you could look a few things up for me?

I'm planning a trip to Hogwarts next week-end, but in the meantime, if you ever found anything on ways to trap large amounts of magic in an object, or ways to make two layers of magic not only co-exist but interact, it would be a start.

H. Granger

OOO

Granger,

I was about to write, I received a charmed note last night which I quote 'Forget we ever met. Tell her' so no need for another control or anything, it's fine now. Thanks to you.

I actually planned to go back to the library tomorrow, I've reviewed everything I brought back the last time. I joined my notes to this letter, but I doubt there's anything relevant. I'll let you know if I find anything you asked about. Don't overwork yourself while you're in court though Granger, as Greengrass said, there's time now.

D. Malfoy

P.S: Skeeter mentioned us and the new official couple in the Sunday Prophet (gossip section). Nothing really bad though. I expected a few comments but she only mentioned your position and my being an ex-death-eater. Thought you might want to know since you don't read the papers.

Monday, June 16th, 2003.

Draco had been on his usual stool at the Leaky Cauldron for now fifteen minutes. It seemed as though being officially taken had brought Blaise's bad habits back. The lad was late. Of course.

The stool was very uncomfortable, the smell of sweat beyond nauseating and the counter as questionably looking as ever. Draco felt his impatience grow worse with each passing second. How was it that in all those years they hadn't managed to find somewhere else?

He hadn't ordered, and didn't intend to drink anything for once - he was also wondering if he'd even eat. Postponing paperwork the previous week had been a very bad idea and, since he still intended to help Granger as much as he could, he didn't have time neither to deal with a hangover, neither to wait for Blaise for ever.

Plus, being there, watching Tom's bald scalp wrinkle as he pretended to clean something felt somehow … odd. As if he hadn't been in there in ages, although the last time had probably been less than a week before.

He was taking a break from work but … He wasn't inebriated, neither worried about when Nott would write.

Most of all he could imagine the end of the tunnel now, and even if they weren't any closer to break the oath, he had hopes Granger would, which felt alien. Not in a bad way though.

Blaise arrived about thirty two minutes and forty five seconds late. He didn't bother with apologies and instead tossed Draco a piece of paper even before sitting down.

"Read this."

Draco obliged.

Scandal at the Greengrass yearly charity party!

The Zabini-Granger pretended idyll already ending!

The well-awaited yearly charity event Mrs Eugenia Greengrass hosted this week-end has been perturbed by none other than our most adored ex-bachelor, Blaise Zabini.

Although the handsome man arrived arms in arms with Hermione Granger - who for the first time ever recorded wore a Witchety forest green dress from the incredible 'flawless' collection (featured page seven) - it seems as though our favourite gentleman has finally recovered his mental faculties.

Draco chuckled at that and received a glare before returning to the article.

The party had only gotten started, when said ex-bachelor grabbed the attention of the entire crème de la crème, by announcing to Mr Greengrass himself, his relationship with none other than the man's youngest daughter, the gorgeous Astoria Greengrass.

Although the witch is known to have always drifted apart from the family, our team feels as though she is a much better choice for the gentleman. Both from the same background, well-educated and equally beautiful, they make quite the fashionable pair. It is a relief that our jealousy can't surpass.

But what about Granger, you'd ask.

Well, the manipulative witch must have forgotten that love potions and alcohol don't play good together. She was left publicly humiliated in the most important wizarding event of the year.

Our very smart head of Law Enforcement knew to rebound quickly though.

If the ridicule weren't enough, she proved being petty too.

As soon as the announcement was made, she was seen at another man's arm, and not just any man.

Blaise Zabini's best friend, Draco Malfoy, ex-death-eater pardoned after the war, owner of his own company and, of course, very handsome Malfoy bachelor, is who Miss Granger has set her sight on.

It didn't take more than a few minutes for the witch to take grip on the man, whose reputation has yet to be lifted – although we, at Witch Weekly, think his hair is reason enough for him to be a suitable fiancé.

Malfoys are well known for their cleverness though, and when we guessed that Zabini had been manipulated by the brightest witch of their age, we can't say that this is the case here.

Our bet is that having a muggle-born on his arm would lift the ex-death-eater's reputation, as much as it avenged the humiliation Granger was victim of, and helped her at least save appearances as they were seen leaving the party together.

However, it is well-known that Granger and Malfoy were school rivals and whatever agreement they'd come to, it sure doesn't involve any romantic feelings. If Malfoy saw a way to lift his reputation though, he might get disappointed.

We can only wait to see more of them to confirm our speculations. Until then, let's all feel relieved for Mr Zabini.

When Draco eventually lifted his face from the paper, Blaise had a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"So." He said. "Got some sort of agreement with Hermione?" Draco found his no non-sense tone rather irritating.

"Apparently."

"What kind of agreement eh?" He smirked.

"We agree that sometimes you need some serious arse kicking." That had the benefit to cut his smile, he even grimaced and Draco didn't wait for him to find something obnoxious to say to continue: "So, officially with Green … Astoria then? When's the wedding?" He mocked with a fail attempt at wriggling his eyebrows as Blaise always did. He settled for a smirk and a superior face instead.

"Err … Shut it." Blaise pouted, gesturing for Tom to come take their order.

"How did you manage to get forgiven by the way?"

Hermione had spent her Sunday afternoon reviewing Draco's notes. She'd sent Pansy and Theodore's wands back only late in the evening though. It had been petty but she had no pity for the two atrocious blackmailers. Plus, casually calling her mudblood in the street deserved far more than a week-end without magic. She'd been clement. Maybe she should have waited more, which had been all she'd thought about until she reached the Ministry that Monday morning.

As soon as she saw Tracey though, she was reminded as if given the eighth leg that the Montgomery trial was starting the next morning. The witch was early, as usual, and already running back and forth between the usual paperwork and Astoria's office.

Draco's oath would have to wait. Hermione had to concentrate and couldn't afford to get distracted by anything else but work. She set herself on work mode and forgot about it entirely. Or so she told herself.

After spending the entire morning thoroughly reviewing everything they'd prepared for the trial, and not being nearly done by midday, Tracey had interrupted them with salads and Thank Merlin for Tracey Davis because Hermione had forgotten about breakfast. Again.

Astoria's hair was messed up, and whether it was because of Blaise, or because she'd been working her arse off all morning too, she seemed to have forgotten about her breakfast as well.

Hermione had only taken a bite though, that Astoria gasped as if having an epiphany, and started rummaging through her attaché-case. She got out a copy of the last Witch Weekly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. She'd forgotten about that. Of course they couldn't only be mentioned by Rita. Astoria smirked and gestured for her to start reading. She obliged, pushing aside the salad and grabbing the paper Astoria was handing her.

She read the article under the pretty witch's inquisitive stare.

When she was done, she sighed. At least she wasn't a manipulative bitch any more. Now she was only petty and vindictive. Of course there was no word about the way Draco had been treated all afternoon. Apparently he couldn't be anything more than an ex-death-eater, eager to lift his reputation by using her, whether his hair was worth it or not. Those people were scum. Superficial, prejudiced, judgemental scum.

Hermione growled, and took a peek at page seven to calm her nerves. There was a picture of her, in the right hand corner. A picture of her, just before she met Derrick, alone before the buffet tables, watching the décor. Obviously trying to hide her amazement at the enchanted candles and flowers under a disapproving frown hadn't worked. Great.

The rest of the double page showed the dress on a very tall and complexing witch, with a very complicated hairdo and so much make-up Hermione had trouble understanding, as well as the rest of the 'flawless' collection. The good thing was that aside from the picture, there was no comment about her. She looked mesmerised and stupid, but pretty enough. Hermione guessed those were the criteria required to be left alone. Be pretty and stupid and Witch Weekly praised you.

"So, with pretty Malfoy now?" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts with Astoria's smirk.

"Err … apparently." She scowled although she didn't really mind. It wasn't true after all and it had shocked enough of those tight-arsed judgemental idiots that it was worth it.

"Blaise is really disappointed that you ruined his threesome idea. Why did you have to grip at Draco like that?" Hermione snapped her mouth closed. Something had twitched in Astoria's eyes. She decided that she wouldn't get played again. Astoria was smart though, so changing the subject was in order.

"Well at least you're officially with him now. Forgave him already?"

"Err …" Astoria grimaced and Hermione saw her opportunity to completely change the subject.

"You didn't?" She asked, knowing perfectly well that she had.

"Of course I did, it's just that he …"

"Seriously? Chivalry?" Draco asked.

"Well, said like that …" Blaise grimaced.

"You're turning into a Gryffindor mate." Draco smirked, ready to push the point even further but Blaise was quicker:

"I am not. He was pissed off and he took her by the arm …"

"It's her father." Draco cut. Surely Astoria hadn't needed his intervention.

Blaise cocked an eyebrow at him and watched him intently for a few seconds before saying: "Doesn't mean anything." Draco had no wish to speak about his own father though, and whatever miserable role model he'd been, he'd never been physically violent.

"He never laid hands on me." He said in a final tone.

"Right he was a dear." Blaise sneered but took the hint and changed the subject: "Where are you in your research by the way? I'll be home tomorrow night, I can help."

"Would be nice." Draco nodded. "I'm going to fetch some more books at the Manor tonight. Granger asked about layering magic, maybe I'll be lucky."

"She wrote?" Blaise asked, a start of an irritating smirk on his mouth.

"Yes, yesterday, to ask about Nott." Draco specified, better safe than sorry.

"Oh. What did you answer?" The smirk was there now, and Draco realised that Blaise would push that subject again.

"I sent his note and told her that I'll fetch the books." He sighed.

"Nothing else?"

"No." He warned.

"Really? No love note?" Blaise grinned.

"Oh sod off Blaise, it's getting old." Here, now he was exasperated.

"Really? Here I thought you'd finally stopped denying." Blaise shrugged, pretending to return to his lunch.

"Denying what exactly?"

"That you drooled at her Saturday." Draco froze a second, the bastard didn't even lift his face from his plate.

"Wh … Fuck you! I didn't!" He half-shrieked.

"Right and I'm ugly." Blaise chuckled.

"That you are."

"Nope. And she's not either, isn't she?" Now he was making his eyebrows dance like the moron he was.

"Would you stop that?" Draco hissed in starting anger.

"Nope. Not until you …"

"Stop that Blaise." He warned.

"Admit it at least! I doesn't mean anything but stop …"

"Why would I? So you could piss me off even further?"

"I'll shut up about it if you admit you find her pretty." That grin was the most infuriating thing Draco had ever seen.

"You're so fucking …" He growled.

"Come on! What's the big deal? You can't lie to me anyway mate. I saw you gawp at her." Great. Just great. That sodding dress.

"And what? What do you fucking care how I find her?" He barked.

"I like her. She's nice. She's my girlfriend's closest friend. We're friends." He said as if it justified anything.

"And?"

"And she's doing a lot for you right now and with what that bullshit paper says … I mean the fact that Potty and Weasel will probably choke is a good thing, but what they say about her …"

"I know what she's doing for me Blaise. I don't need the reminder." Draco reassured, and then asked: "I fail to see what this has got to do with …"

"You had her on your arm mate! And you didn't even do the polite thing and compliment her on her dress or something. I know you found her pretty! I mean I can understand that you have trouble being nice and all, but that was mean. Manners mate, even if she hadn't been pretty, a man says something." Blaise was frowning now, concerned apparently. Draco sighed:

"I did, you just didn't hear." Draco realised his mistake at Blaise's face. He'd been manipulated. Like Blaise cared about manners. He ate like a pig.

"You did?" He smirked with so much mirth Draco decided it was about time this conversation ended.

"Yes. Because she was pretty and I'm not an utter moron. I can see. Alright? Now leave that alone before I hex the shit out of you!"

"Alright. Alright." Blaise said, lifting both hands in surrender. Of course he kept talking: "Sorry … I just found it rude."

"Err … it was. I almost didn't." Draco confessed, remembering the way she'd drawn her eyes to her feet when he'd complimented Astoria. He'd been an idiot.

"Too busy drooling?" Damn. How did he manage to make him speak like that?

"Shut up."

"Smart retort."

"Wan …" Draco paused, and frowned: "We always have the same conversations. It's seriously getting old."

"Maybe if you weren't this stubborn the conversation wouldn't be this redundant."

"What?"

"Never mind."

"So what, you jumped on him?" Hermione asked, feeling instantly stupid. With the way Blaise's bow-tie had been hanging from his shirt, and the state of Astoria's hairdo when they'd interrupted her conversation with Draco, it was evident she had.

"Well … you have no idea but …" Astoria sighed, and then explained: "I've always been in conflict with my father. He's not nearly as traditional as the Malfoys for instance, but he wanted an arranged marriage for my sister and I before the war. He's never truly accepted that I moved out of the house, or that I have a job either. Having Blaise step up and tell him that he's my boyfriend … I mean, we are definitely not there yet. We still spend our time in bed and …"

"I don't need details." Hermione cut just in case.

"Right. I mean it's just the beginning and … Well you know him. A month ago he was shagging my sister and now he's announced to my very traditional father that we're dating. And he knows how this works. It's a big step he took."

Indeed it was a big step. Even Hermione knew that pureblood's traditions were very different from muggle's. They married very young, hence her early marriage with Ron, and announcing a relationship to the patriarch was as good as asking for the daughter's hand. Maybe Astoria wasn't ready for that.

"You're not happy with it?" Hermione asked.

"I am. I didn't expect it but I am." Astoria gave with a small smile.

"Then I'm glad. You two really found each other. Equally sneaky and all."

"Yes." Astoria chuckled. She poked at her salad a minute and then asked: "What about you by the way? I heard you met Derrick."

"Oh my god." Escaped Hermione's lips as she remembered the encounter.

"I hope you'll target higher." Astoria grimaced.

"Fuck yes." Hermione snapped.

"Yeah, find some pretty prat somewhere to make you forget all about your ex-ginger-prat." Oh that wasn't good. Hermione opened a very offended mouth but was spared the trouble by Tracey.

She came in with their Prime Minister, who looked strangely out of sorts, and things went back to work the instant.

Tuesday, June 17th, 2003.

Draco had come early from work after spending the day trying to catch up with his paperwork, and failing. He didn't really care though, and started working on what Granger had asked him as soon as he'd taken his shoes off. He'd retrieved about twenty books from the Manor the previous night but hadn't been able to concentrate once home. His father's portrait had followed him all the way to the library and he'd gone to bed as soon as he'd been home. So he had better start right away.

The task revealed tremendously complicated.

When Blaise arrived, Draco had only perused through half the first book, and he was already close to pulling his hair off his skull. The lad sat, rolled his sleeves up and started helping without comment, which Draco found rather relieving, if odd.

He only noticed what Blaise had put on the couch when he was finished with the book. Blaise smirked his face off and tossed the copy of Witch Weekly to Draco again. It was the same paper than the previous day, but at another page. Page seven to be precise. Draco realised he was staring when Blaise chuckled.

That sodding dress.

He tossed the paper back to Blaise's face.

The fact that the lad only laughed and didn't comment, or that he neatly stacked the copy under his notes, Draco decided to ignore.

They kept working between glares and chuckles and eventually Blaise lost himself in a scroll.

Draco jumped when he threw it aside a half hour later.

"This is bullshit." He fumed. "Way too complicated. How can you ever be sure you don't miss something she'll find useful?"

"I can't. That's why I take notes of almost anything." Draco sighed, showing the quill in his hand.

"Why don't you work with her? Wouldn't it be easier?" Blaise asked. Surely it would, but it wasn't possible. They both had jobs, something Blaise knew nothing about.

"She's in court all week and even so, I'm not going to make her work at night." He explained.

"Like it's not what she does anyway." Blaise snorted.

"She does whatever she wants, I won't ask her to." Especially since she'd probably do it.

"Yeah well … still, what we're doing is useless if she has to review these all over again." Blaise made a point. "Maybe we could have her over?" He offered. Draco could see he repressed his smirk. That idiot would never let it go.

"I just told you …""

"Not at night. Saturday? Look, Stori could help too. She knows and she works with Hermione now … I mean all the help we can …"

"I don't know." Draco cut.

"I can always ask." He shrugged. "It would save her time. At this rate she won't find a thing before next commemoration."

"Err …"

"Plus it's either she finds something or you have to find a wife."

Draco glared at him, the fact that it was true only inflating his annoyance. Blaise added: "You know? A nice cripple?"

"Shut the fuck up with that." Draco hissed.

"Saturday then?" Blaise offered again with a satisfied smile.

"Saturday." Draco growled-agreed.

"Good. Don't worry, I won't mention how pretty you find her." Blaise smirked but then: "Fuck what was that for?"

Draco clenched and unclenched his fist. That had felt good.

"Ever mention that again or the word cripple and I'll aim for your balls." He threatened.

"Alright." Blaise surrendered, at tad too easily. That punch in the shoulder couldn't have hurt that much.

"Really?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"Well I wish to remain whole."

"For the wedding?"

"Shut it."

Draco chuckled, he'd won this one.

His will to hit the lad only resurfaced when he eventually went to bed that night, long after Blaise had given up. He'd just buried himself under the covers and was taking care of burying his face in the pillow, when his hand found the copy of Witch Weekly tucked under it. That was just the fucking drop. He shoved the covers at the foot of the bed and stood, ready to go hex the shit out of Blaise. He stopped in his tracks before reaching the door though. Too tired for this shit. Instead, he locked the copy in his desk. Blaise wouldn't go in there. He could always buy another one but Draco doubted he'd bother.

The fact that he could have just shot an incendio at the offending page seven only brushed his mind but he pretended it hadn't before going back to bed.

Hermione walked out of court late that evening. The first day of trial was always when she tested the water and if the smile on her face was of any indication, she could say that she was on the good path with this trial.

Astoria was a genius, Tracey too, and even though Hermione had neglected her work the previous week - whether no one but her would consider her skipping of the usual working week-end, neglecting - things looked good. Apparently the third, fourth and fifth reviewing weren't that much of a necessity.

It was confident that she'd manage to win the case that she took the lift to Kingsley's office.

Her confidence vanished abruptly as soon as she took her first step to the Prime Minister floor. The secretary had already gone home, but someone she only remembered then having seen in Mysteries the previous week, was walking out of Kingsley's office.

Arthur Weasley, his step rather sharp, stopped in his tracks when he saw her. Hermione froze on the spot. She hadn't been face to face with her ex-father-in-law in months, and had no idea what to expect of the encounter.

Arthur was a wise and kind man though, and he nodded politely, his eyes as warm as they'd always been. He didn't smile though. He always smiled. Hermione gulped and nodded too.

He disappeared in the lift without a word and Hermione shook her head before knocking at Kingsley's door.

What was he doing here anyway? What had he been doing in court the previous week?

She swallowed back her questions at Kingsley's face though. He was in such a mood that she decided against asking anything and went for reporting the day's trial instead.

Thursday, June 19th, 2003.

Blaise arrived at Astoria's that evening, after a day of trying to look through Draco's new library. In his living-room. He'd taken a few notes, not really knowing what he'd been doing, so it was in a rather irritated mood that he realised that Astoria wasn't there yet.

He decided to wait for her in the living with a bottle of wine ready.

She came back before he could arrange himself in a compromising position. Shame.

"Hi." Her hair was a mess but she was smiling.

"Trial's good?" He asked.

"Yeah. Hermione's a genius. She managed to have them recede. They were asking for an arrangement which only means their defence is shallow. She pushed them off. I think we'll be done by the end of the week."

"You're assisting?" He startled.

"Yes, she got me a seat! I didn't even know!" Blaise had never seen Stori this enthusiastic. She seemed thrilled and she had reasons to.

"Woah that's great! Congratulations."

"Thank you!" She grinned and Blaise found the sight … gorgeous. He owed one to Hermione.

Stori tossed her attache-case in a corner of the room, kicked her shoes off, but just when she reached the couch to kiss him, an owl came tapping at the window.

"Sit, I'll take care of it." He said, and got his kiss before she let herself drop on the couch. It was the day's prophet. "You have it delivered now?" He frowned.

"Eh? What is it?" She asked from the couch.

"The prophet."

"No." Astoria stood and grabbed the paper from Blaise's hands. There was a short note tucked in it.

"What's that?"

"Pansy's cousin." She frowned, reading it.

"And what does that wanker want?" Blaise started but she only patted his cheek condescendingly:

"Cute. If I cheated on you, trust me, you wouldn't know."

"Funny." He scowled, she chuckled and eventually explained the note:

"After I went there for Weasley's interview I asked him to let me know if anything happened."

"Oh. And what happened?"

"Potter went there again. Although he says he doesn't know why. He sent the day's paper in case I find anything."

Blaise followed Astoria back to the couch as she let her incisive eyes seek for gossips. She didn't even pause to bury herself against him and crush his arm into the backrest. She seemed rather disappointed when she closed the paper though.

"There's nothing." She said. "If Potter went there I doubt it was to have something published anyway."

Blaise hummed in response and took the paper from her to read it too. He stopped at page two.

"Here. Look at this." .

The Auror office had arrested yet another delinquent. What was oddly relevant was the shape the man had been in when sent directly to Azkaban to wait for his trial. Not pretty. Astoria turned around, crushing his arm even further in the plush cushion and once she'd seen what he was showing, cocked an eyebrow at him:

"Well?"

"Well don't you think it's weird? It's the second time in what? Two weeks?"

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"Weird." She frowned. After a thoughtful moment she asked: "You think … could it be Weasley?"

"I don't know but if Potter went there personally …" Blaise didn't finish his sentence that Astoria cut:

"Shit."

"Does Hermione read this?" He wondered.

"No, she's too busy between court and Draco's oath anyway."

"People talk maybe you should …" He started.

"No. I won't tell her anything I'm not certain of. She doesn't need to worry about that idiot." She said curtly.

"Mm. Maybe we're overreaction anyway. It could be any of his cronies." Blaise shrugged although he was more trying to convince himself rather than her.

"Exactly." She muttered.

"You …"

"I'll dig yes." She nodded.

"Good. Don't do it Saturday though we're all working on Draco's oath at my place."

"Are we?" She asked.

"Yes. Tell Hermione."

"Alright." Now she smirked. Good. The evening could start.

Friday, June 20th, 2003.

Draco came back home around nine o'clock that evening, expecting a silent apartment, and a night of working. Instead he found Blaise and Astoria talking over dinner in the kitchen, a spare plate waiting for him.

"Hi!" She greeted him. He frowned, they never spent the night there. He refrained from asking what the hell they were doing here. It wasn't his place after all, and the witch showed him the spare plate and asked : "You like stew?" with a smile.

"Yes." He wasn't one to refuse the first solid and warm meal of the week.

She nodded with a smile and started talking to Blaise again, while filling his plate. Draco kicked his shoes off and hung his coat at the back of the couch before joining them.

"So, I was saying that it will be done by Monday. They're deliberating over the week-end. Hermione was confident until they sealed the date for deliberations though. She said that it's too quick to be a good sign."

"What do you think?" Blaise asked.

"That she rocked it. You should see her in court she's impressive. She practically recited a whole book of Laws today. I mean … We helped her a great deal with the planning and everything but she's just an encyclopedia. She didn't need us at all. She didn't look once at her notes."

"Well … It's no surprise." Blaise shrugged. Draco could only nod at that. Astoria gave him his plate and they all resumed eating. The stew was home-made. She could come over any time she wanted.

"You'll see her in action tomorrow anyway." She added, turning to Draco.

"Wh …Oh, right." He'd forgotten about that.

"Where are you in your research? She asked this morning."

"Oh. Err … nowhere." He scowled.

"Well she's arranged a trip to Hogwarts if we don't find anything."

"Yes she said she'll go." He nodded, remembering her letter.

"Well now we're all going apparently."

"Really?" He startled.

"Yes. She said she asked McGonagall." Astoria shrugged.

"Oh." Draco had never imagined he'd be going back to Hogwarts. He dreaded the encounter with the old Headmistress. After all he hadn't talked to her since the war, and had pointedly avoided her at Ministry events.

The fact that Granger had included them in her research though, made him feel a tad less useless than what he'd felt all week while taking random and useless notes. Maybe working together the next day would actually speed things up.

The conversation deflated quickly once their stomach were full. Draco went to bed early, after Astoria had managed to praise Hermione's prowesses in court once more.

"An encyclopedia? Don't you think you went a little far?" Blaise asked once they were settled on his couch for once. Stori smirked, shaking her head:

"I don't. See, the best is that I didn't even lie. It's all true."

"Sure. I don't think that your little strategy will work though." Blaise taunted.

"Oh, and why is that?" She spoke sceptically.

"Because he looked like he couldn't care less." Blaise shrugged.

"Leave it time." She dismissed. Then she frowned at Blaise's little smirk.

"You know what didn't need time to make him react?" He asked trying not to sound too pleased with himself.

"No but you're about to tell me."

"I showed him page seven of Witch Weekly." He just said.

"And?"

"He threw it to my face." He gave with a false pout.

"Efficient then. I'll stick to praise if you don't mind." She mocked, a tad too early.

"Wait that's not all." Blaise added and now he couldn't repress the smirk that took his mouth. Her beautiful dark eyes widened.

"What did you do?" She asked in a tremulous voice. Blaise tried for a toneless one:

"I tucked it under his pillow."

"And?"

He shrugged mischievously and took his time to answer:

"And I don't know, he didn't say a word or didn't shove it in my face again."

"He kept it?" She extolled, managing to keep her voice down.

"Locked in the desk." He whispered.

"Oh my you're a genius." She squeaked.

"I know. Shall I receive my price then?"

"Only if you know a very good silencing charm." She bit her lower lip and the only noise they were sure Draco heard that night, was when she shrieked in surprise as Blaise scooped her up in his arms to run to the bedroom. He silenced the door then. No need to brag.