"It's not WORKING!" Ginny nearly roared, slamming her book bag into a table. She hit again and roared, "I spouted Potions Theory in Professor Snape's class! I've pranced, I've dressed nicely, I've read books I don't give a damn about and do you know what I get?!" She hit the table again, "not a DAMNED THING!"

"Breathe, Ginny, breathe!" Hermione hissed. Andromeda arched an eyebrow.

"I knew there was an ulterior motive, what is it?" she asked, looking mischievous.

"That's why we asked you here." Hermione huffed, "we're trying to catch the eye of two pureblooded boys. Not just any purebloods but, well, pureblooded, you know?"

"Slytherins too, I'll bet." Andromeda said. Both nodded guiltily. "Ahh, dears, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Slytherins are a good choice. You've both met Lucius, yes?" Both grimaced but nodded. Andromeda laughed, "yes, perhaps Lucius was a poor choice. Still, make no mistake, should a hair on Draco's head be harmed, he would come down and hard. The last man that offended 'Cissy vanished, I believe it was Lucius, I just can't prove it. Pureblooded boys of that type are a good choice, if that is what you are into. They are…" her eyes scanned to the door where a group of pureblooded boys- Slythernis- were walking by as Luna and Lavender entered. "Actually," she stood, "I can use this." She hurried to the door, "Oh, Draco! Draco, who are your friends?"

Draco glared daggers at her but answered anyway,

"This is Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Thomas Rosier and Carrion Crowley."

"I see. Blaise, Theodore, Draco and Thomas; could I convince the four of you to assist me for a moment?" Andromeda asked, "you will not have to do anything but stand." Grudgingly, the four entered the room. Hermione and Ginny traded worried glances. Luna looked interested while Lavender looked moony eyed.

"Do you suppose any of them are single?"

"Don't be daft." Hermione spat, wrinkling her nose.

"Ladies," Andromeda said, "please approach the boys. Lavender, you go first. Today we are going to cover both observance and conversation. I want you to look at each boy and tell me what you would ask them about to start agreeable conversation."

"I would…" Lavender looked at Thomas, "ask him where he got his coat, and for Zabini… I don't know. Nott… do I know them or not?"

"Not."

"Ah… I would ask Nott about… I don't know, again. For Crowley, I would ask about his necklace and Malfoy… his boots. They're rather nice boots." Andromeda pinched her nose which caused Draco's lips to twitch.

"Everyone at this hypothetical place is probably wearing nice things, Lavender, you cannot always pick fashion. Luna, you're up."

"I would ask Thomas about where he got his earring, if it's special. I would ask Blaise about his accent and then… it's Italy, isn't it?" Blaise nodded, "I would ask Carrion about whose photo is in his locket, I suspect his twins. I would ask Draco about his ring, where he got it and who from."

"Closer," Andromeda nodded. "Hermione."

"I would ask Rosier about the pocket watch he's wearing, Zabini… er, I'd probably follow Luna on that one, Nott would definitely be whatever was going on around us. Crowley I would ask what purpose that bit of leather on his wrist serves and Malfoy… well, let's see." Hermione had never really examined Draco before. "The ring is a curious thing, definitely. Ah, assuming he's standing as he is now, I'd ask if he plays Quidditch because he has the same calluses as Harry and Ron from it."

"I play Quidditch." Blaise sighed.

"I can't see your hands." She said quietly, heading hurriedly back to Ginny who stepped up.

"I would ask about all of them about why they were at this supposed function, then go from there; drawing on their clothing and accessories or company. For example, let's say Zabini and Malfoy go to this function together, I would ask if they'd… known each other long?" Andromeda nodded,

"very good, Ginny, the closest of all. Observe," she approached Theo. "Hello, I am Andromeda Tonks."

"Theodore Nott." He replied, "but I go by Theo."

"Ah, Theo, why are you here, receiving an award?"

"Draco dragged me here."

"Draco? Have you known each other long?"

"Since we were eleven. I wouldn't tell anyone that." He smirked at Draco's scowl. Andromeda laughed politely,

"tell me, Theo, where did you get those lovely boots? Do they serve a purpose or just a statement?"

"Just a statement, thank you. They're dragonhide."

"I hear that dragonhide lasts indefinitely, is this true?"

"It is, but it can be rather costly." He nodded, "I suppose they also keep my feet safe from any spilled potions."

"Aha!" Andromeda smiled, "see, now you can easily strike up a conversation about potions! Try to avoid any controversial subjects, it's rude. Also, you don't have to know anything about Potions. Perhaps, you know someone who is in love with the art, perhaps you can bring up your own Potions Professor. However, take care to insult no one or attempt to pretend you know the art if you do not. For example," she turned back to Theo, "Potions? I was never any good at it, personally. Tell me, is it always so difficult? He would then reply and start a more in depth conversation you can follow. Do you follow me thus far?"

"Yes." The girls replied. She nodded and went on to Draco.

"I will use Draco as I know his breeding more clearly than the other three. Firstly, you must know who you are dealing with. Notice Rosier's posture, the way he is looking at us, his withdrawn stance. He does not wish to be here. Now, see Draco. Draco stands tall, shoulders back yet relaxed. His hands are in his pockets, he's observing us. He is safe to start conversation with. Passing the pleasantries, when he introduces himself, you may then go into breeding." She turned back to Draco, "Malfoy, you say? Any relation to Lucius Malfoy?"

"I am." He nodded.

"He doesn't give me how here. That means you avoid the subject of Lucius. Now, assume Draco had replied with 'I am, he's my father'. You then assume it is safe to continue conversation." She turned to Draco, "Isn't Lucius on the board of governors for Hogwarts?"

"He is," Draco nodded, seeing she wasn't going anywhere insulting, "among other things."

"Yes, I've seen him about the Ministry of Magic several times. He has a sort of commanding presence, I think. Tell me, he is always carrying that cane. It's rather lovely, is it a family heirloom?"

"It is." Draco smirked, "that cane belonged to my great great grandfather and was made from his parent's rings."

"How romantic!" Andromeda cooed, eyebrows raising, "were they very much in love?"

"They were."

"He pauses because he knows I am about to speak to you," she nodded approvingly, "Draco would make for easy and polite conversation. However, he was about to tell me the story of his great great great grandparents, a sign he was willing to talk. Now, let's pick on Mr. Zabini shall we? I'm sure you tire of people always picking up on Italy from you, do you not?"

"Si, I do." He nodded.

"Italy is terribly easy to pick out from him. To look at Blaise I would dare say he is Italian without having heard the accent or the last name. People tend to fall back on easy things like this. You want to appear more interesting, not fall back on those things. Ginny, give it a shot, will you?"

"Hello, I'm Ginny Weasley." She smiled at Blaise. He arched an eyebrow,

"Hello, I am Blaise Zabini."

"Terribly boring, this. Wouldn't you say?"

"I'm rather enjoying the commentary so far, but si, I would say it is a bit boring." Blaise nodded, leaning back a bit, "why are you here?"

"Ah, you see, my friend Hermione and I are usually at these things. It's a learning experience, you know, bettering ourselves and all that rot." Ginny smiled, "tell me, Blaise, do you have any brothers?"

"I do!" Blaise nodded, interested in where this was going more than the actual question, "I have three brothers."

"You're blessed then." Ginny told him, "I have six brothers, all older. Perhaps that's why we're a bit bored? It's not exactly as exciting as brothers terrorizing you."

"Very good, Ginny!" Andromeda nodded, "you pulled from your own experience, searching for something in common. However, you don't want to do too much of that if you can't find something. If he continues to answer no, move on. If he wished to continue conversation, he would bring up a topic. Boys, we sincerely thank you for your services, you may go." All of them filed out quickly, glad to be done.