Theodore was already seated at their usual table when Draco arrived at the restaurant. They hadn't been able to have their normal weekly lunch for quite some time. Well, except that it was currently a Wednesday rather than a Friday.

Draco had had a fairly quiet start to the day, as Poke had given him his full day's work the day before, as well as his morning, given that he had been on duty since the previous night. So he was well rested and had even been able to take his daughter to the park before joining Theodore.

"You're early! Merlin, I'm going to have to check that no wings have sprouted on the Basilisks' backs!" the blond exclaimed as he dragged out his chair, a wry smile on his lips.

"Very funny," Theo muttered, raising his cigar to his lips. "Still the same ugly scarface, Malfoy. Careful, you could be mistaken for Potter!"

Draco glared at him before opening the day's wine list. Although the scar on his forehead had faded slightly since the previous week, it was still clearly visible.

"Gentlemen, what can I get you to drink?" a waitress asked as Draco was about to speak again.

"A bottle of St-Emillion Cheval Blanc Grand Cru, please, Helen," he said, handing her back the menu. "And two plats du jour."

"Right away, Mr Malfoy," she smiled, blushing slightly as she levitated the bottle to their table.

When Draco turned to Theodore to pour himself a glass, his friend smiled wryly.

"Am I dreaming or did she just ogle you?"

Draco spat out his mouthful into his glass, caught in a sudden coughing fit.

"Excuse me?"

"Believe me, mate, I know what I've seen and I'm used to it," chuckled Theo. "That chick's after your body!"

"Fuck off, Theo," Draco growled as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "We've known Helen for years, I'd have noticed if–"

"Draco Malfoy, can you tell me since when you've been spitting on a shag?" he cut him off with a raised eyebrow.

"You know very well that since Alhena, I–"

"Don't fuck with me, do you think I don't remember the American girl you fucked last summer? What was her name? Beth? No, Betty!"

"Brittany," Draco muttered before taking a long sip of wine.

"Brittany! Right, Brittany. The hottie with the–"

"Now, what's your point, Nott?"

Theo smiled wryly and leaned back in his seat, glaring at his friend.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Who? Me?"

"Answer my question," he raised an eyebrow.

"You're pissing me off, Theo. No, I'm not seeing anyone and you should know I don't have time, especially with everything that's going on!"

Theo inhaled suspiciously and squinted. Just as he was about to speak again, Draco interrupted him.

"And what about you? Are you seeing anyone in particular at the moment?"

He didn't miss the flush on his best friend's cheeks. While he knew how to hide the truth behind an indifferent face, the brunet did not. Draco always managed to learn the truth.

"Not particularly, no," he obviously lied, looking away.

"Astoria told me everything," Draco bluffed as he, in turn, backed into his seat.

Theo blanched distinctly. Draco smiled proudly and raised an eyebrow, implicitly inviting his friend to speak. The latter sighed and ran a hand over his face.

"Potter suggested it. He explained to me that he and Weaslette had been thinking about it for some time and that they both wanted to try it," he justified himself by hiding behind his glass.

Draco almost spat out the contents of his own. Had he understood what Theo had just insinuated? He did his best to hide his surprise, but it obviously wasn't enough.

"Fuck you, Malfoy. Ria hadn't told you anything," he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.

Draco couldn't help laughing. He'd got what he wanted and that was all that mattered to him.

"The two Potters? Really?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.

He was more amused than anything else, to tell the truth. He would never have bet on them to spice up their sex life. He had imagined Potter as the most prudish of their group of friends.

"At the same time," Theo replied with a smirk, all annoyance gone.

"My hat's off to you, Nott! I hope it was a good one at least," he added, smiling suggestively.

"Oh but it still is!"

This time Draco didn't hide his surprise.

"You mean it wasn't a one-night stand?" he wondered.

"I thought so too, but in the end they asked for more. It's not regular, but we've already seen each other three times," Theo explained with a shrug.

Draco nodded thoughtfully. He was happy for his friend, but something was bothering him. Astoria had seemed... worried about her husband when she'd spoken to him.

"And what's the problem?" he asked, raising his glass to his lips.

"What problem?" Theo frowned.

It was obvious that his friend was hiding something. Draco could tell by the shifty look on his face.

"Don't play dumb, Nott. Ria was worried."

Theo sighed as their food was served. Draco didn't give up, however, and stared at his friend, waiting for an answer as soon as the waiter had left.

"I may have grown attached to Potter," he muttered, looking away.

Shit, Draco thought.

This was not a good sign at all and explained Astoria's state of anxiety. Draco couldn't decide whether it was due to Theo's unusual attraction or not. Was she afraid for her relationship with her husband? Did she feel in danger? Or jealous?

It wouldn't have surprised him. Theo and she were in an open relationship, of course, but their conditions were clear: his other relationships were to remain purely sexual. But developing feelings for one of his sex partners? Astoria would find that hard to accept.

Draco knew her well. She wasn't naturally jealous, but that didn't mean she was confident. Draco still remembered perfectly the period following the realisation of her sexuality. Astoria had been particularly upset, terrified of losing Theo over sex. She had felt useless and even pitiful. She had talked a lot with Draco at the time, knowing him to be fairly well informed on the subject.

He described himself as bisexual, or at least he wasn't attracted only to women. He had never yet slept with a man, but had occasionally been attracted to one. He had been the first to mention it to their group of friends, which explained why she had turned to him. Theo had been quick to follow his lead, but Astoria had been more comfortable talking about it with the blond than with her boyfriend at the time.

So he totally understood Astoria's concern, whatever the reason might be.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked Theo.

The latter shrugged and sighed.

"I still need to take stock of things on my side," he replied, fixing his gaze on his friend. "But you should talk to Ria. If she's spoken to you about it, it's not insignificant. I've tried to discuss it with her, but she always tells me everything's fine, which I doubt."

"I'll send her an owl so we can go for tea," he nodded seriously.

"Thanks, mate."

Draco shrugged. It seemed normal to him. Astoria is one of his closest friends and Theo is his lifelong brother. They were his family.

He thought about the fact that he hadn't confided in them about his own adventure. He didn't feel like it. Not now, at least. He wanted to keep it to himself for a while longer. He knew that the news would spread quickly, especially as their group of friends saw each other often.

The discussion quickly drifted to his mother's condition and the meal ended like that. Astoria and Theo had not been able to collect anything since their last visit. The social evening would take place soon, however, so they would finally have some new information about Lucius.

oOo

"I assure you," Draco chuckled. "Henri told me. Moore asked for his transfer yesterday."

"Do you think it's because of us?" Hermione enquired, a mischievous smile on her lips as she put her things away.

"No idea, but I hope so," he replied with a wry smile.

Hermione rolled her eyes and took out her wand to lock the various drawers in her desk. Draco knew she kept the contents of her research there.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?" he mumbled as he removed his blouse to change.

"Does your offer for the evening still stand?" she asked, biting her lip.

He had offered to have his elf look after Alhena all night, so that they could celebrate Hermione's birthday properly. Although she had initially refused, arguing that she wanted to spend a quiet evening in the hospital laboratory for her research, her plans had obviously just been rethought.

"What made you change your mind?" he asked, smiling wryly.

"The fact that you're undressing in front of me, perhaps," she replied, turning slightly pink.

His smile only widened. In a few steps, he had joined her on the other side of the desk and was pressing her against the bookcase.

"Tell me, Granger, what do you say we take the day off, hmm? So I can enjoy you until the end of the fucking day," he suggested, already letting his lips trace a line of kisses down her neck.

She moaned slightly and arched her back against him.

"That wouldn't be wise," she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist to rest them on his bottom.

"Maybe not, you're right. But it's your birthday after all, we should make the most of it, don't you think?"

Her breathing quickened in the hollow of his ear as he caught her lobe between his teeth. He'd learned quickly what her weak points were.

"My place?" she asked urgently, clutching at his shirt.

"Good answer, Granger," he grinned against her skin.

A second later, he had them disapparating, not even bothering to leave their belongings behind. Draco didn't let go of her neck the whole way, taking great care to suck on her soft skin.

He felt her hands go under his shirt, brushing against the skin of his back. He shivered and growled in Hermione's ear. The perfect treatment.

They apparated in front of the front door of the flat, against which Draco pressed her as soon as they arrived. He was hungry for her and from the little moans she was making, so was she.

Her skin tasted of honey, sugar and a thousand pleasures. It was exquisite and he wondered how he could ever live without it.

Hermione wiggled against him to retrieve her wand from her back pocket and unlocked her front door. She had spread her legs slightly for him to get his knee between, making her moan even more. Draco could feel her nipples pressing against his chest, despite the layers of fabric. They were both so horny. She, too, could feel the bulge in his trousers pressed against her thigh.

Such teenagers.

However, when the door opened, the living room lights came on behind the door that led to the entrance hall and shouts rang out:

"Happy birthday, Hermione!"

In less time than it took to say it, Draco and Hermione had pulled away from each other, despite their gasping breaths and flushed cheeks.

They glanced at each other in alarm. They had just narrowly avoided the revelation of their relationship, whatever it was. As the entrance hall and living room were separate, their friends had not witnessed their little hormonal performance.

Unfortunately for them, that wasn't enough to ensure that they remained discreet. As Draco entered the living room, where all their friends were waiting for them, he immediately met Astoria's gaze. A look of understanding. She had figured it out without even having witnessed their little scene.

That was how Draco remembered what Potter and Weasley had prepared. He had received an owl from Weasley telling him about the party they were organising in Hermione's honour. How could he have forgotten?

He looked at Hermione, who had already joined her two best friends and was jumping into their arms. She seemed to be doing everything she could to hide her still scarlet face against her friends' shoulders.

As for Astoria, she hadn't taken her eyes off the blond and was looking at him with a smirk that made him wince. He would have to talk to her. He didn't want their relationship, whatever it was, to become the new topic of conversation, nor did he want it to become known to their group of friends. Hermione had been clear about that too.

As she thanked each of those who had come—Blaise, Luna, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Theo, Astoria, Pansy and Neville—Draco ran to the table where a small buffet was being served and poured himself a large glass of whisky, which he swallowed down.

As well as having to forget the look Astoria had given him, he had to get over the arousal that was stretching the fabric of his trousers.

"I'm using your bathroom, Granger," he muttered in a low voice before rushing to lock himself in.

He emptied the bottom of his glass and turned on the cold water tap to clean his face. He really needed to calm his arousal. He was close to climbing into the shower and standing under the icy water. He really did feel like a horny teenager and that annoyed him more than anything.

As he sprayed his face, the bathroom door opened and someone slipped in. Raising his head, he met Astoria's laughing gaze through the mirror. He winced.

"Fuck you," he growled, making her burst out laughing.

"I wonder how the others didn't notice," she retorted with a chuckle. "Granger's neck is more marked than all the living Death Eaters put together!"

"Shut up," he grumbled, straightening up to dry his face with a towel. "I'd forgotten Potter organised the bloody party."

"That's what I thought, yes," she laughed, still smiling.

He sighed and groaned in despair, his head buried in the towel. They hadn't lasted a week without the news getting out.

"Since when?"

"Monday," he replied without removing himself from the towel, too ashamed.

"Oh, Merlin, I won my bet!"

"What bet?" he gasped as he looked up at her, glaring.

"With Pansy," she replied with a wry grin. "We made a bet about when you'd sleep together. I said before Granger's birthday and she said after. So I won!"

Draco's gaze became more serious. His jaw tightened and he hung up the napkin he'd been using.

"Not a word of this to anyone, Nott," he told her coldly.

She frowned and crossed her arms under her chest.

"There's no need to be mean, Draco. If you don't want me to talk about it, I won't. But be discreet next time, it's not my fault you can't keep your hands to yourself," she replied just as coldly.

He sighed. He hadn't meant to be rude. The idea that the news might spread annoyed him. He and Hermione had made it clear that they wanted to keep it to themselves for the time being. They had far too many other things to deal with on the side to worry about this.

Besides, they were having fun, it was nothing serious. They knew their friends well enough to know that they would get involved and give their opinions on this relationship. And that was the last thing they wanted.

"Sorry," he finally sighed. "Sensitive subject."

"I'd understood that, yes. I won't say anything, if that's what you really want. But you know where I stand on secret relationships, we've talked about it. It's nothing but trouble."

"I know. But I'm not the only one to decide and we have other more important things to deal with."

Astoria nodded in understanding. She walked over to him and put a hand on his arm.

"You know I'm here if you need to talk about it, whatever happens."

"I know," he smiled, nodding. "And so do you," he added knowingly.

She blushed slightly and looked away.

"Not now," she whispered.

"Any time, Ria."

She smiled gratefully, rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

"I'll let you... come down in peace," she teased one last time before running out of the room.

Draco shook his head, more amused than anything else. Astoria was a good friend and he hoped he would never lose her.

When he returned to the living room, everybody was sitting in armchairs, happily discussing the news. The only empty seat was next to Weasley, and although Draco was on good terms with him, he was still disappointed not to be able to sit next to one of his own friends.

However, he didn't argue and took a seat next to him, pouring himself another glass of whisky. He met Hermione's questioning gaze across from him and nodded to let her know he was alright. At least, that his arousal had subsided.

She smiled discreetly at him and returned to her discussion with the Potter couple. From what he understood, Harry would soon leave for a week's mission in Hungary, following a call for help from their Magic Sovereign. Russia had a grudge against him for authorising the export of their main resource, Dictam, to the whole world instead of just Russia.

A conflict had broken out in the region and the European countries associated with Hungary came to its aid. Harry would not be there for long, simply travelling to supervise the teams on site and gather some strategic information on the situation. However, this was clearly enough to worry his wife, who seemed particularly opposed to his departure.

The heated debate between the two spouses made him think back to his discussion with Theo the day before. The latter was sitting with Astoria—as usual—and he couldn't stop casting particularly unobtrusive glances at Harry. At least, anyone who knew about their relationship would have noticed.

Theo's gaze seemed melancholy, almost sad. Astoria seemed to have noticed too, as she whispered a few words in her husband's ear.

Draco promised himself he would send him an owl, or pay him a visit in the next few days, to talk things over with him. He was not satisfied with their conversation the previous day. He hadn't got the answers he was looking for. Did he intend to discuss it with Potter? Was he sure he was serious about his feelings? He would also have to talk about it with Astoria.

He sighed discreetly. He wondered if Merlin hadn't had it in for him lately. He had the impression that his life had completely turned upside down.

It wasn't long before it was time for the birthday cake and presents. Luckily for him, Draco had not forgotten what he had bought for his friend and was able to give her the book she had been talking about for days.

The rest of her present would be for later.

Considering the presence of the Potters and Weasleys, Draco did not have the opportunity to discuss his mother's situation openly with his friends. He spoke about it discreetly with Pansy, as he accompanied her for a smoke on the flat's balcony, and she informed him that she might have found a residence for Narcissa. They would have to look into this in the coming week.

Soon, the various couples headed home, leaving only Weasley, Draco and Hermione around the coffee table in the living room.

Draco kept giving his friend hot glances as he waited for Ron to leave. But Ron seemed determined to stay. He was the only one talking, going on about his last meal at the Burrow, during which Molly and Fleur had bickered about the latter's pregnancy. The Weasley matriarch did not understand the couple's desire to wait until their baby was born to find out its sex. She had been saying all day that they should ask their gynaecologist to tell them so that they could prepare the baby's room as well as possible.

Bill had apparently intervened, explaining to his mother that it was their choice and that she had nothing to do with it. The atmosphere for the rest of the afternoon had been heavy, according to the last son of the Weasley tribe, as Draco liked to call them.

He wondered several times if he would not have been better off going home at the same time as the others. He'd almost fallen asleep listening to the redhead's story and he'd met Granger's mocking gaze several times.

Eventually, when midnight struck, Ron decided to go home. Draco had been acting sleepy for a good fifteen minutes to speed things up and it had obviously worked.

He listened to Hermione escort Ron out, and opened one eye when he heard her come back into the living room.

"You're a terrible actor, Draco Malfoy," she teased as she approached him.

"It worked though," he replied mockingly as he pulled her towards him by the hips.

She placed herself between his legs.

"Happy birthday, Granger," he then said without taking his eyes off her, letting his hands travel down her thighs to her buttocks.

She smiled and put her forearms on his shoulders to lean towards him. When she placed her lips on his, Draco forgot all his worries.