"I rather fancy Zabini." Lavender said with a shiver, "it's that accent."
"Zabini?" Padma scowled, "Zabini has that creepy sort of shadow thing going on. I'd much rather have Nott."
"Nott isn't bad but Draco?" Parvati sighed, "I don't care if he is a prat, he's beautiful."
"You're all barking." Hermione growled.
"You're just jealous because they'd never look at you." Lavender sneered.
"Just go on and talk to one of them then!" Ginny shrilled, pushing the classroom door open, "I'll bet you get turned down or hexed to bits!"
"I would not!" Lavender squawked.
"You would!" Hermione argued, "they're far too… er, hello, Andromeda."
"Ladies." Andromeda smiled, perched gracefully in her chair. Behind her, sitting at a desk were the three very Slytherins they'd just been discussing. "who is hexing who for what reason?"
"Er, see…" Ginny rocked back and forth on her heels, "we were talking about… reporters and… Harry and… Ron."
"Harry and Ron." Hermione nodded.
"So, then, who are we hexing to bits?" Nott asked, smirking.
"Lavender, Padma and Pavarti." Luna answered. She raised her eyebrows when the three gasped, "what? Was I not supposed to say that?"
"For what reason are we hexing you?" Blaise asked, leaning his elbows on his knees.
"Nothing."
"I don't recall."
"Nor do I."
"Told you." Ginny sang, putting down her bag, "bits. Little tiny bits." Lavender, taking this as a challenge, sat down her things and strolled over, leaning over to Blaise. She batted her eyelashes,
"What are you doing this weekend?" He leaned back and away from her, wrinkling his nose,
"hexing." Behind him, Theo and Draco snickered. Lavender huffed and stomped off with a,
"I thought you were creepy anyway."
"You're not creepy." Theo assured him teasingly, patting his hand, "you're mysterious."
"I'd rather be creepy." Blaise replied dryly. Behind them, Ginny and Hermione snickered. Andromeda rolled her eyes and stood,
"I'm actually glad that incident happened. The boys here volunteered to assist me today on what you should look for in real gentlemen. It is possible you will eventually meet someone at one of these things that strikes your fancy or invites you to go to some other function. You want to avoid any odd behavior and remain safe." Leaning in the door with Ron behind him, Harry snorted. Ginny's hand shot up,
"I have a question!"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"Does stalking count as odd behavior, Andromeda?" she asked.
"Yes, Ginny, stalking is odd behavior. Harry, Ron, may I help you?"
"We wanted to watch." Ron obviously lied, "see if we'd like these… lessons, before you go, Drommy."
"I'm sure." She said doubtfully, "go sit." She waved at a desk on the far side of the room, "no commentary and be only observant." They both smirked at Hermione and Ginny as they passed, determined to find out what was going on. Hermione huffed at Ginny who nodded.
"Alright, Blaise, since you would prefer to be 'creepy' I will have you be our creepy gentleman. Draco, I will have you be our dangerous gentleman. Theo, you will be our gentleman." She smiled, "please, all of you, come up front. Begin your mingling, ladies, but say nothing. Just observe. Once you detect something wrong, let me know."
They stood amongst each other, smiling and chatting randomly, watching the boys. Hermione laughed as Blaise got too close and sniffed Ginny making her squawk.
"Andromeda! Blaise is being super creepy!"
"Tone down the creepy, Blaise," Andromeda said firmly, amused, "though I've had that happen more than once."
"Draco is staring at me." Hermione said, "I don't like it."
"Exactly, follow that feeling." Andromeda nodded. A few moments later, Draco approached Lavender and held out his arm,
"I am about to leave this terrible class." He flashed her a charming and dazzling smile, "care to come with me?"
"Sure!" Lavender said, casting a smug look at Hermione and Ginny as she took his arm. Halfway to the door, he looked back,
"Andromeda, should I knock her over the head now or just outside the door?"
"Generally the dangerous gentleman waits till he's outside." Andromeda replied, "Lavender, pay attention to your surroundings." Draco snickered and got free, rejoining them. Hermione and Ginny gave Lavender the same smug look. Theo was chatting amicably with Padma and Blaise came up, just standing there, staring.
"Andromeda!" Padma wailed. Blaise burst out laughing with Draco and moved away from the group to stare from there at each of them.
"Notice how Blaise is separated from the crowds, you want to avoid this." Andromeda pointed out, "see how Draco is appearing nervous. You must watch for these things. Posture is important as well. Notice how Draco and Blaise appear too forward or too withdrawn. Notice how their hands stay in their pockets."
"I don't see the difference!" Ron called from the back, "they're all a bit creepy!"
"That's it!" Ginny stamped her foot, drawing her wand, "I'll just never get any nieces or nephews from that one!"
"Andromeda!" Ron wailed.
"Hex him." Blaise whispered, "hex his arms off." Ginny spun, actual curiosity alight on her face.
"Do you know a spell that does that? Teach me!"
"Andromeda!" Ron wailed.
"You know what?" Hermione huffed, accio'ing her bag, "this is useless."
"No!" Ginny wailed, running to grab her things as Hermione looked to Andromeda,
"Drommy, I appreciate the effort, I really do. However, for clear reasons, it was a bad idea. I am going to go to the Quidditch Pitch and pretend I can fly." On the end note, her voice cracked.
"Hermione," Andromeda frowned gently, "don't-" Hermione dragged her sleeve across her wet eyes,
"and if I find any boys stalking me, so help me, I'll end up expelled."
"I HOPE YOU'RE ALL BLOODY HAPPY!" Ginny howled as her friend ran out the door, "terrible, Ron and Harry, I'm telling MUM!" and she slammed the door behind her. Ron looked to Harry, horrified.
"Oh you think Molly is bad?!" Andromeda demanded, "I am telling Padfoot! Right this instant! And the twins! Class dismissed!" and she swept out, head held high.
"Oh, Potttterrrr," Theo sang, "that sounds like you're gonna geeeeet it."