Draco Malfoy couldn't help but grin as he opened the letter he took off the Ministry barn owl. Hermione Granger was actually addressing him as Ferret. Well, she's daft if she didn't think there'd be consequences to that. Draco Malfoy was perfectly fine with overdoing it with invitations sent to her home rather than her office (he had only really done that the first time to force the issue. The second was habit, and it was wise not to be predictable when wooing someone, wasn't it?).

But calling him Ferret? Action needed to be taken, and soon.

Draco Malfoy arrived at Granger's floor (it was nearly hers, anyway, she actually held a decently high position) to whispers. Unfortunately, as he stepped off the lift, he saw Scarhead, whose eyes seemed to light up with something eldrich and unholy at the sight of Draco. "What the hell are you doing, Malfoy? I know you're up to something... you didn't- did you?"

Draco Malfoy got out his most insufferable smirk, and said cattily, "I never kiss and tell, Potter." He let the smirk trace over his features, pulling out a dimple, before saying, "But I will tell you that her nickname for me is Ferret." Draco Malfoy then put his hands on his hips and saucily rolled them.

"I don't believe you!" Harry Potter said angrily. Of course someone who actually didn't believe him would have simply laughed. Even Draco thought he himself looked ridiculous even implying that.

"Read it for yourself..." Draco Malfoy said, pressing Granger's letter into Potter's hand.

Without bothering to read it, Harry strode off looking for Hermione. Daft fool, Draco Malfoy thought. Quickly, Draco turned to take the longer route - at a dash. He slid to a halt just around the corner from Granger's office, before strolling in casually.

"Just what has you rumpusing like a herd of elephants, Malfoy?" Granger said.

"I got your love-note, Fuzzarella," Draco drawled.

"Fuzzarella!" Hermione said, her eyes flashing (she always looked so vivacious when properly wound up). "Draco, what did you say to Harry? Steam's pouring out of his ears, and he's glaring too!"

Draco Malfoy schooled himself into the very picture of innocence, knowing from long experience that it would cause anyone to conclude that he was obviously guilty. "I may have mentioned that you'd christened me with the pet name of Ferret."

Hermione's brown eyes flashed gold for a brief second, as she glared at Draco, "Draco..." she growled.

"I may have also implied that I got that nickname for ... sexual performance." Draco said the last in a low mutter.

"Out!" Hermione shrieked at him, and Draco started moving as quickly as he could make look casual (which was quite quickly). "Read the letter, Potter." Draco said, not bothering to even glance at him. He counted himself lucky to have made it out of that encounter without getting hexed.

[a/n: Yes, Harry's going to get a talking to about jumping to assumptions. Also about listening to Malfoy, about anything ever. He really ought to know better, right?

The paper's already printed a special mid-day edition about Draco's antics. Yes, it's new. Yes, people are filthy voyeuristic gossips.

No, actually, Draco didn't have a hand in more publicity. He was being perfectly honest about "just one picture".

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