"Why should I do anything you say?" Nott ground out, his arms crossed as he tried to give Hermione Granger an arrogant, almost unconcerned look. Draco Malfoy could have told him not to bother - Hermione Granger wasn't impressed by such, as he should well know, having used such on her countless times before, to zero (or less than zero) effect.
"Why? Because I know your secret. And while I wasn't terribly inclined to go running to the Minister-" Draco could see the point at which Nott realized that Granger knew the Minister, and was quite capable of tattling if she so chose. He wouldn't even have the opportunity of bolloxing it up through proper (which is to say Slytherin) channels. "If you won't even sit down for a hand of cards, well, then it's obvious that you're clearly up to no good."
Hermione Granger's eyes flicked levelly to Draco Malfoy, "How likely do you think I am to put up with no good?"
"Not very, I must admit." Draco Malfoy drawled, "Although it would surprise me if you didn't try to fix the problem yourself, rather than running to tug on the Minister's apronstrings." With a quick glance, Theo sent Draco about half of a "thank you".
"Well, Mister Nott, are you willing to take that chance? Or would you rather sit down, break bread with me, and deal up a hand of cards?" Hermione looked smug - and controlling, Draco thought. Still, she was doing a better job of bargaining than most Gryffindors did.
Nott looked at her for a long time - nearly a minute, before he said, consideringly, "You won't tell the Minister if I win?"
"Provided your operations are as has been represented to me." Hermione Granger responded succinctly.
When Nott sent the both of them a skeptical look, Draco Malfoy responded, "I didn't lie to her. You know me better than that."
Theo responded, "Drake, you're many things. But foremost, you're a liar and a thief."
Draco responded with a slow, cunning smile, "It takes one to know one, doesn't it?"
Hermione Granger stomped her foot, saying huffily, "Boys!" in a tone Draco had heard often - used with Potty and Weasel. It wasn't a fair comparison, he thought gruffly. But they had been arguing...
Hermione Granger gave a longsuffering sigh. "Fine, I'll spell it out. Provided you aren't abusing your workers, selling illegal merchandise under the table, or blatantly trying to cheat both sides of our government via self-inserted loopholes in the taxation scheme..." The look Draco shot Granger was frankly admiring - that was a clever thing to put in, wasn't it?
Hermione continued as if he had done nothing, "or anything else nefarious I haven't thought of."
Nott looked properly skeptical. "Besides, what have you got to lose?" And Granger shot them both that reckless Gryffindor grin.
"Have it your way." Nott spat.
"You do realize that blackmailing him isn't likely to get you a terribly pleasant companion, don't you?" Draco Malfoy drawled at Hermione Granger.
"I don't care, so long as he plays."
"You'll find I'm a fine card sharp, Miss Granger."
[a/n: Taking guesses as to the fourth!]
