Somehow, and Hermione wasn't quite sure how, the tension seemed to drain out of the conversation. In fact, it leaped and hopped from one direction to another, pointed sometimes, often ribald with amusement, and, all in all, it was a joy to watch it play out. Hermione didn't chime in often, and Draco's dry wit only seemed to flare up occasionally (and, Hermione was relieved to note, it didn't seem quite so fearsome when everyone at the table was determined to give it back in spades). Hermione, of course, was half blind and a quarter deaf to the subtle nuances that passed between the friends. How could she not be? They had shared memories, shared spaces that they dwelled in. It was by their grace that she sat there, included and yet not. It was fun to watch friends getting along, in that slithery Slytherin fashion.

Still, all too soon, it was time for Hermione to leave. "I really need to get home, my begonias need to be watered before it turns dusk." she said sadly.

Daphne, the picture of Pureblood proprietry, said with a smile, "Get the house elf to do it in the morning. Just after dawn's the best time."

Hermione stiffened, and the entire table dissolved into laughter. Blaise took the opportunity to whisper into Hermione's ear (to Draco's glare, which Hermione didn't see), "She hasn't got a house elf, you realize?"

Hermione brought her hand down on the table, slamming it down, her shoulders shaking. The whole table seemed to pause, and then Hermione looked up. To the girls dismay, she was laughing so hard she was crying, "Oh, you guys got me good!" She gasped through her tears. "Now, I really do need to be going."

"Take care" Draco Malfoy said.

"Aren't you going to walk her to the door?" Pansy asked waspishly.

"Did I ever do that with you?"

"Well, no." Pansy said.

"Well, there you have it." Draco said, glancing at Hermione's back as she swayed through the door. He paused, turning still, and then, face expressionless, turned back towards Pansy, "Why in the world do you have Lovegood in your restaurant?"

"Oh, Draco, you don't turn Lovegood away. Her fans would have me in irons if they ever heard!" Pansy started, and began to spin the tale of how a very hapless Luna Lovegood had written about a broody vampire with sparkles that the tweens had fallen in love with.

"So a bit like Severus Snape." Draco Malfoy said thoughtfully, "Except with sparkles."

The entire table dissolved into laughter, and all thoughts of what Luna was writing floated free of their moorings in Draco's mind.

[a/n: yup, wrapping this up. Up next? More cards!

One reviewer said that the Slytherins weren't nice. I did want to ask - what were you expecting?]