Poisoned By A Friend
Poisoned By A Friend
Hermione all but bolted from her final lesson, wanting to get to the lake before the others. It meant ditching a very confused Theo, but it would be worth it. She’d been forming a plan all day, and whilst it probably wouldn’t win her any friends, she felt like it was necessary. It felt like everyone was stuck, even her own situation had reached something of a plateau, and after carefully weighing up the options, this was what she’d arrived at.
She’d stolen the veritaserum earlier in potions, slipping inside Slughorn’s store cupboard when the room was distracted after Seamus had caused yet another fire. Malfoy had suggested that firewhiskey may be a good idea to encourage the difficult conversations, and she’d agreed. It wasn’t until later that she’d considered spiking the alcohol. It would certainly affect the level of trust her friends had in her, especially the slytherins, but it would be worth it. Nobody was being honest with each other, she even suspected Malfoy was hiding things from her, and this was the barrier they needed to overcome in order to move forward. She’d take whatever the consequences were, she was a big girl.
She reached the lakeside, and looked around to ensure that she was alone before adding the vial into the whiskey. She reminded herself that her intentions were good, and that her friends would thank her for this eventually, even if they were angry initially. Pansy would probably try to hex her, and that thought had her checking her wand was in her pocket, just in case. She floated some nearby logs into the clearing to act as seats, and pulled out the shrunken blankets she’d taken from the common room.
“This is all very domestic.” Blaise said behind her, making her jump.
“You’re very good at sneaking up on people.” She commented, laying out one of the blankets after enlarging them back to their proper size. He grabbed the other one, helping her to set up for the evening ahead.
“When you’ve had as many step-fathers mysteriously disappear as I have, you get used to being a bit sneaky, Granger.” He smirked, and she laughed lightly.
“You think tonight’s going to be alright?” She tilted her head, and he scoffed.
“Absolutely not, no. If I make it out alive, I’m counting that as a win.” He sat down on one of the blankets, leaning against the log and stretching out his long legs. “We didn’t all click immediately with our betrothed like you and Draco. How did you manage that, by the way?”
“Who knows, honestly. It’s like it happened when we weren’t looking.” She sighed, flopping down opposite him.
“You’ve managed to find some sort of friendship with all of us, though. That’s a feat in itself.”
“The war was hard on everyone, Blaise, I’m not ignorant of that. We all lost people we cared about, regardless of which side we stood on. We’re here now, that’s all that matters. I know you all regret what you did, that you had no choice. I just wish the others saw it like that too.”
“You ever wonder if it’s been simpler for you because you had an existing relationship with Draco? Obviously it was overwhelmingly negative, but you at least knew of each other, you’d spoken before. The rest of us are starting from scratch with nothing but preconceptions, maybe that’s why it’s harder.”
“That’s an interesting thought. I’d already seen that Malfoy was capable of both good and bad, and I suppose that gave me something to go off, reassurance that he wasn’t the same as he’s always been. I’m not sure Ron even knew Daphne existed before they were matched together.”
“I hadn’t spoken to any of the Weasleys before all this happened. I used to laugh along with Draco’s shitty elitist jokes, but I’d never actually spoken to any of you properly before. The first time I can remember is the fire in the Room, but that was only really you and me, not the others.”
“It’s weird, you know. For me, I flew out of the Room with someone that wasn’t you. It’s like you’re two people.”
“I get what you mean. I may as well be a different person now, the way I think is so different. I’d like to think that applies to all of us. I was still in the dark back then, desperately clinging to the ideologies I’d always known. Now, I see how it was all so wrong, but I don’t really know how to go about fixing things. I’ve just been living my life, knowing that I’ve changed, but how do I present that outwardly?”
“I guess that’s what I’m hoping to achieve today. I can see you’re all different, but I don’t know if the others do yet. I want this to be something of a turning point.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“If nothing else, even if it all goes horribly, this will be a start. I want to help you all, but I can’t do the work for you. It’s actually a little selfish, I suppose, because I’m aware that this group is half my friends, half Malfoy’s, and I want everyone to get on so neither of us have to let anyone go. I don’t want to be a child of divorce, having separate gatherings because you can’t meet without pointing your wands at each other.”
Mischief gleamed in Blaise’s eyes as he made eye contact with someone behind Hermione.
“You’re sweet on Draco, then?” He asked, obviously fishing. She suspected it was Malfoy himself behind her, so she played the game.
“Eh, he’s alright, I guess. Kind of clingy, a bit annoying, steals my food constantly. I could go on.” She smiled, and Blaise grinned at whoever it was that was behind her.
“You can be quite hurtful sometimes.” Malfoy said, settling down next to her. She patted his leg sarcastically.
“Oh, it’s you! I had no idea who it could be, seeing as Blaise was so subtle and not at all obvious.”
“Oh, so none of that was true? Makes me feel better, I guess.”
“It was all absolutely true, and you know it, Malfoy. Or did you think I hadn’t noticed my missing apple this morning?”
“Never come between that one and an apple, he’ll do unspeakable things for an apple.” Blaise said, smiling.
“You’re full of useful information today, Blaise, that is duly noted.” Hermione said happily, and Malfoy looked down at her.
“I don’t like this.” He said, pointing between the two of them.
“Well aren’t you cosy already? Is that why you sprinted away from me earlier?” Theo announced, strolling into the clearing.
“I didn’t sprint.” Hermione replied, and Theo shot her a withering look.
“There I was, thinking my best friend Hermione would want to wait for her old pal Theo after their deeply interesting lesson together, in order for them to walk down to the lake. You know, this secondary location that we both find ourselves invited to.”
“I had to sort something out first, it was time sensitive, and I know I’m not your best friend, Theo, you can stop with the flattery.”
“Lies! Lies and slander! I much prefer you to these two morons.” He plopped down on the edge of the blanket, and Blaise reached over to shove him. “See! Not once have you physically abused me like this.”
“Where are the other gryffindors anyway? Very poor attendance from the lions, I thought you valued punctuality.” Malfoy asked, nudging her with his elbow.
“If you’re expecting punctuality from Harry, Ron, and Neville, you’ll be sorely disappointed. They’ve never been on time to anything in their lives.”
“We can work on that.” Theo replied, relaxing against the log.
“See? That’s the 1% disparity they have.” Malfoy leaned into her, and she laughed.
“If the only problem we have is Potter’s propensity for lateness, that is something I can absolutely learn to deal with.”
“Look, they’re not even here yet, I told you not to fret.” Pansy said, pulling Daphne along behind her. “Daph was convinced we’d be the last ones.” She explained, surprising Hermione by choosing to sit next to her. If Pansy did end up taking the veritaserum thing badly, she was very much within her line of fire being this close.
“We were actually just discussing how poor a record our lovely matches have for turning up on time.” Theo said, and Pansy groaned.
“Is that true, Granger?”
“I’ve wasted hours of my life waiting for Harry and Ron.”
“Didn’t ask for a project.” Daphne grumbled, and Malfoy laughed, the vibrations running through Hermione as he was sitting so close.
“And yet you’ve been given one, Daph.”
“Must you be quite so smug?” Pansy said, glaring over Hermione’s head at him.
He just shrugged, smiling. Hermione rolled her eyes at how pleased with himself he was.
“Hey! Sorry, Flitwick wouldn’t stop talking to me.” Ginny jogged up to the group, stepping carefully over Malfoy’s legs to sit next to Blaise. “Hi.” She said to him quietly, and he replied in kind, sitting up a little straighter.
“Have you seen the others, Gin?” Hermione asked her ginger friend.
“My brother has been a complete child about this all day, I think Harry and Neville are still convincing him to come down.” It was nice to hear that Ginny was willing to give this a chance, at least. It was less positive to hear that Ron was digging his heels in.
“We’re here! Sorry, Mione, we got, er, caught up? Um.” Harry trailed off, dragging Ron behind him by the wrist, followed closely by a sheepish looking Neville. Pansy tensed next to her at the sight of him, and Hermione said a silent prayer to anyone that might be listening, asking for this to go well. Ron and Neville sat stiffly on the other side of Ginny, whilst Harry joined Theo, the two wizards sharing soft smiles. At least one other relationship seemed to be going alright.
“Anyone desperate to start?” She asked, looking around the very reluctant looking group of people. She tossed the bottle of firewhiskey to Ron, who turned it around in his hands suspiciously.
“How do we know it’s not poisoned?” He muttered, and Hermione sighed loudly. He was right, as it happened, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Seeing as it’s mine, Ron, I know it’s not.” She replied testily, and he softened slightly at her tone, flashing her apologetic eyes. He was coming round, she could tell, but it was at a snail’s pace. Soon, the bottle had been passed around the circle, and Hermione put her plan into action, steeling herself slightly in case of adverse reaction.
“Hey, Pansy, what do you think of me?” She asked the witch next to her, innocent tone in place.
“It’s surprised me how much I like having you around, and I can see us being good friends at some point. I think you’re good for Draco, too, you balance each other well. Wait, I didn’t mean to say any of that-” She cut herself off, slapping a hand over her mouth. Hermione couldn’t help but grin, and Malfoy gasped next to her. “You sneaky bitch!” Pansy yelled.
“Damn, Granger, you conniving little witch. I’d be upset if it wasn’t so attractive-” He cut himself off with his own hand, and Hermione laughed.
“Mione, you didn’t?” Harry asked, eyeing the bottle in Blaise’s hand. She nodded.
“I felt it was necessary.” She shrugged nonchalantly, as everyone collectively realised what was happening.
“I feel violated, but in a good way?” Theo said, staring at his outstretched arms with child-like wonder.
“I have some questions prepared that I think would be beneficial for everyone to answer honestly. Hate me if you want, but I think this will be helpful in the long run.”
“I know I should feel like you’ve taken advantage but I’m only coming up with respect for you, and that pisses me off.” Pansy muttered next to her.
“I was prepared for you to hex me, so I’ll take it.” She replied, and Pansy laughed. “Alright, what is your biggest concern about your partner? We’ll go round the circle.” She pointed to Ginny to start, who went a bit pale before determination flashed through her eyes.
“Just straight in? Shit, alright. I’m worried that I’m betraying those we lost during the war, Fred mostly, by getting to know you because you weren’t on our side, and it feels like if I find happiness with you, it’s something I should feel guilty about.” Blaise just nodded, taking in what she’d said.
“Fred wouldn’t have wanted you to hold back, if you think this is something that could work.” Ron said, surprising everyone by finally saying something positive about the situation. “I don’t trust any of you, but I know that’s on me, not you.” He added, grumbling slightly.
“I do want to try and be at least friends, Blaise, but this all came as a shock for me, and I just need time to get my head round it. I’m sorry that I pushed you away.”
“I can wait, it’s alright. I get that our actions, however indirectly, led to all of you losing important people, your family, and you have to know that I regret it. I’d change it if I could, but I can’t, so all I can say is that I’m sorry for your loss and whatever part I might have played in it. My biggest concern about you was that you’d never be able to forgive me, but I don’t think that’s true anymore. I can picture something great with you when I imagine the future, but I know you need to learn to trust me first. You need to know that I won’t repeat my mistakes, and I can’t promise that I’ll always be perfect, but I am willing to try. Er, yeah, that’s it.” He waved a dismissive hand, and Ginny smiled at him.
“I can work with that.” She said, shifting slightly closer to him on the blanket. “Your turn, Nott.”
“Yeah, ok. I’m worried that I’ll tarnish your reputation, that I won’t ever deserve to be seen with the Chosen One. I don’t want to be in your shadow, I want to be your equal. I know that’s something I have to earn, but I’m worried about what people will say when they see you with me. Whilst I’m on this stuff, I also want to tell you, Hermione, that I would really like to be your best friend, I’ve always meant that, but I have exactly the same concerns as I do with Potter, I don’t want to tarnish either of you because of this thing on my arm.” He looked down, not making eye contact with anyone.
“Theo, of course you’re my equal. I’ve never cared about any of my stupid titles, in fact, I hate them a bit. I’ve been so happy with how we’ve been getting on so far, and I’m excited about where it could go. The only opinions I truly care about are those of the people sitting here now, let the Prophet print whatever it wants, it makes no difference to me.” Harry said softly.
“I really like having you around, Theo. You’re so unlike anyone else I’ve met, you can keep up with me when we study together, and I haven’t had that before. Sorry Harry and Ron, you know it’s true, but I can’t help it right now.”
Ron shrugged. “It’s no secret that you’re clever, Mione. Why do you think I copy your essays?”
“You remind me of Mione a lot actually, Theo. I think that’s why we get on so well already.” Harry added, and Theo finally looked up at him.
“I was so scared to come back here. With me and Draco having the marks, I thought we’d be shunned, and at the memorial, I was proven right. Then there you were, Hermione, holding my hand like it was nothing. You don’t know how much that meant to me. I’m excited about the future with you, Potter, I just don’t want to fuck it up.”
“When I saw Granger holding Theo’s hand I cried a bit.” Pansy suddenly spluttered, and groaned. “Granger, this is doing nothing for my reputation, nobody will ever fear me again.”
“That’s sort of the point, Pansy.” She replied, and Pansy rolled her eyes. “Harry, your turn.”
“I was worried what you’d all think about me being gay. I’m still worried about what people will say when it becomes public knowledge. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to upset you, Ginny, and I’ve been panicking about how to tell you and make you understand that I did like you and I never led you on, but this law forced my hand, and I worry that I’ve made a bit of a mess of it. I haven’t been as articulate as I could be, but I was also worried that none of you were giving your partners a chance because they’re slytherins, so you wouldn’t listen to me when I spoke about how I actually like Theo a fair bit. It’s why I’ve only really spoken to Mione about it, and I didn’t want it to come between us. I’m so fed up with there being sides to take. I don’t want to fight anymore.”
“I like you too, Potter.” Theo said quietly, tugging on Harry’s sleeve. Harry smiled back at him.
“I only said that you led her on because I was struggling with the marriage thing as a whole, I never actually thought that, Harry. I’m sorry I said it.” Ron said, twirling a piece of grass between his fingers.
“I am much happier with where we are, Harry, because we were effectively living a lie before. We weren’t meant to be, I see that now, I don’t hold that against you. If Theo is it for you, then that makes me happier than anything.” Ginny said, reaching for Harry’s hand. She squeezed it once, and then leant back against the log once more.
“This is getting awfully sentimental.” Pansy mumbled in Hermione’s ear, and she snorted.
“Again, sort of the point, Pans. It’ll be over soon, I promise.” She whispered back.
“I like when people call me that.” She said quietly, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. “Only my friends call me Pans, my family never did, and it makes me feel separate from the awful person I used to be.”
“Pans it is then.”
“Er, right then. Your turn, Greengrass?” Harry turned to the blonde girl, who nodded, panic in her eyes.
“I’m worried that I won’t be enough for you, that I’ll never be a replacement for Granger in your eyes. That my mistakes will always define me, and you’ll never be able to see past them.”
“I’ve been struggling with this because I had been picturing Mione in my life in that way, but I think I always knew deep down it would never happen. We’re so different, we want different things, and I value her friendship way too much to try and ruin it with a terrible attempt at a relationship. I don’t really know you, Daphne, I only know the things I assumed about you because you’re a pureblood slytherin. I’m worried that if I do get to know you, you’ll only prove me right. That I won’t be the high society bloke you’ve always wanted.”
“I’ve never wanted that. I’ve always been so scared that my father would put together a contract for me, and off I’d go to marry some man I didn’t know or like, a life full of misery and propriety. I know he was thinking about it, because they’d been talking to Draco’s father about pairing him off with my sister, but all that fell apart during the war.” Hermione looked up at Malfoy, who simply nodded, before slinging an arm around her.
“I will try at this, Daphne. I’m not good at this stuff, and I have no idea what I’m doing, but I don’t want to argue with you anymore.”
“I don’t either. I don’t have anything against you, it’s just habit I suppose. I’m still learning and unlearning. I promise to try too, Ron.” She let out a deep breath, like she’d been holding it, and turned to her friend with a smile. “Your turn Pans.”
“Fuck, ok. Right. I’m worried that you’ll always be scared of me. That you won’t ever trust me, or take my word at face value. I’m so embarrassed of all the things I used to say to you when we were kids, and to you Granger whilst I’m on that point. For you to now be a huge part of my life, I don’t really know how to go about apologising without it seeming empty or forced. I want to earn your forgiveness and trust, I don’t want you to just give it so easily because of the sort of person you naturally are. I want to be better, and I don’t want you to have to drag me kicking and screaming in order to do that. I don’t want to be a burden to you.”
Neville nodded, legs bent at the knees, and arms resting on top of them.
“I really don’t know you at all. I know of you, the things you’ve said and done, but I have no idea who you are as a person. I’d like the opportunity to find out, Pansy. I am scared that you’ll change your mind and leave me petrified on the greenhouse floor, but it won’t be like that forever. We got put together for a reason, and I trust in that, even if it’s going to take me a little while to trust in you. I know nothing about you, and I think that is where we need to start.”
“I’d like that.” She said quietly. Neville nodded, smiling at her.
“That covered mine too, Mione, so you go.” Neville said, gesturing with his hand. She nodded.
“Um, I guess I’m just worried that we’re moving too fast, and one day you’ll wake up and realise it’s me that you’re doing this with. That you’ll push me away when you’re faced with familial expectation and you won’t be honest or tell me why. We’re both used to being independent, and I don’t want you to try and protect me like that. This is stupid, but I’m also still struggling to wrap my head around how well this is going. It’s simple when it shouldn’t be, and I don’t like not knowing why.”
“I didn’t sleep at all the first night after this was announced because I was too busy picturing our future together. It scares me how easy it is for me to imagine that. I am entirely distracted all of the time, because it scares me how quickly I started to like you. We were aiming for friends and I’ve failed miserably. I can’t imagine ever pushing you away, not anymore. I don’t know what to do with all of my thoughts. I was worried you wouldn’t forgive me, or that you’d be depressed for the rest of our lives being stuck with me, but that isn’t the case at all, and I don’t understand why either. My primary concern now is that if you’ll conform and lose yourself to appease my mother when she inevitably throws horrendously dull society events. I don’t want you to ever try and change yourself or fit in with the sort of people that attend those things, because they’re all awful and vapid and you’re so much more than that. I’ve mostly been worried about the fact that I’m going to end up friends with Potter, for your sake as well as Theo’s, and it’s selfish, but he never apologised for the sectumsempra and it makes me want to be petty.”
“I think about that fight all the time. It’s the thing I’m most ashamed of, and I’ll always be sorry for it. I didn’t know what that spell did, and I shouldn’t have just shouted it on instinct, not when we both had bigger things going on. I am really sorry, Malfoy. I mean that.”
“Thank you, Potter.”
“Did you say you liked me?” Hermione asked quietly, and Theo scoffed.
“That blonde prat was sighing like a lovestruck school girl all through arithmancy, Hermione, please for the love of Salazar put us all out of our collective misery and do something about it.”
Hermione looked up at Malfoy, who was looking a little embarrassed, and held out her hand.
“But my timetable.” He said, in a joking tone, and she laughed.
“Fuck the timetable.” She said, grabbing his hand, interlocking their fingers.
“Merlin, it’s like watching your parents shagging.” Daphne said, shielding her eyes with her hands.
“Done that a lot have you, Daph?” Blaise smirked, his tone light.
“Does this mean I’m not getting hexed for the veritaserum?” Hermione asked, and Pansy sighed.
“I wouldn’t have ever hexed you, Granger, because I value your friendship too much.” She gritted out. “Please tell me it wears off soon. I can't handle this much longer.”
“I mean if I were a slytherin, I’d perhaps take this opportunity to point out that now is your chance to ask whatever you like, but obviously I’m not the sort of person to suggest exploiting your friends like that.” She smiled innocently and Theo cackled.
“I am ridiculously attracted to you when you say things like that.” Malfoy mumbled, and she grinned at him.
“Is anyone else freaked out by how cute Mione and Malfoy are?” Neville piped up, and there were general sounds of agreement.
“They’re so adorable! It’s so stupid!” Daphne said loudly, waving her arms around.
“Harry and Theo are the same, it's not just us!” Hermione pointed at the couple, who were leaning heavily on each other and thought nobody had noticed.
“I can’t believe you’d throw me under the bus like that.” Harry said, pretending to be hurt.
“Blaise, have you told Ginevra what you said to me after your first meeting?” Malfoy asked, eyes full of mirth.
“Oh, you arsehole. I said she was fit and I thought the marriage law might not be so bad after all.”
Ginny giggled, putting her hand on Blaise’s arm. “Why thank you, Zabini.”
Hermione leant her head on Malfoy’s shoulder, and felt him relax slightly into her.
“Oh, that could be fun. Oi, Weasley, who’s the fittest witch here?” Pansy asked Ron, who turned bright red.
“Daphne.” He mumbled, looking down. Pansy squealed, hitting her blonde friend in the arm repeatedly.
“You too, Longbottom, who here is your type?” Daphne all but yelled, a rosy blush across her cheeks.
“Pansy, easy.” He said quickly, not shying away from his answer. He grinned, rocking his arms slightly as the group smiled at him.
“Well I’m not bothering to ask Draco, his answer isn’t interesting.” Pansy grumbled, smiling despite herself.
“It might be interesting, you don’t know.” He defended himself, and Hermione laughed.
“Oh? Who is it then?” She raised an eyebrow and he pulled a face.
“You, obviously. Yeah, you’re right, it wasn’t interesting.”
“Well mine’s Potter if anyone was wondering. Not sure if you’re interested in my answer if it isn’t heteronormative.” Theo said loudly, making Harry laugh from within his arms that had not-so-subtly snaked around him.
“We didn’t ask because it’s written all over your face, Theo, not because we’re homophobes. We want juicy answers that make your face do what Weasley’s currently is.” Pansy replied. Ron flushed a deeper shade of red, and hid his face in his hands.
“What like body count? Like we’re a group of fourteen year olds. You want to play seven minutes in heaven, too?” Blaise shot back, and Pansy laughed mischievously.
“I’ll pass on seven minutes in heaven, but I’ll absolutely take your suggestion. Hey, Draco, dearest, how many witches have you taken into your bed?”
“You can be a vindictive witch, Parkinson. But I’ll bite, even if I have no choice, it’s five.”
“Is that it?! Merlin, you’re a disappointment. How the hell did you garner your reputation off the back of only five people?”
He shrugged, tightening his arm around Hermione.
“Alright then, five’s the score to beat. Anyone higher than five?” Neville said, conducting the conversation like an auction.
“Six!” Theo shouted, sticking his arm in the air.
“Six from the gentleman wrapped around the chosen one. Any advances on six?”
“Seven.” Daphne squeaked, hiding her face with her hands.
“Seven from the embarrassed blonde in the back!”
“Eight.” Harry mumbled, and Theo gaped at him with a wide grin.
“A surprising eight from the boy who lived! Do we have a winner, ladies and gentlemen?”
Nobody else said anything, so Neville clapped his hands. “Congratulations, Harry Potter, you’ve outshagged us all.” He flopped back down against the log, and Theo’s eyes were still wide.
“Harry Potter, I didn’t have you pegged as the type.” He said in a joking tone.
“He’s taken advantage of his fame and fortune recently.” Hermione said, and Malfoy tensed.
“You knew?”
“He’s my best friend, who do you think he went out with when he found these people?”
“You abandoned her for random one night stands, Potter?” He asked, tone light yet incredulous.
“I always told her when I was leaving, I didn’t just disappear.”
“Where was I when this was happening?” Ron asked, brows furrowed.
“You’re not the best at flirting and we didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Harry replied, and Malfoy snorted.
“Cheers for that, Harry. You know what, go on then Mione, share with the group how many people you’ve been with. I will too, I guess that’s fair.”
“Five.” She replied, and Malfoy snapped his head to look at her, suddenly interested.
“Really?”
“Apparently we’re exactly the same, Malfoy, why would this be any different?” She smiled, and he snorted.
“I guess so.”
“Now you, Ronald, a deal’s a deal.”
Ron sighed deeply. “It’s only one.”
“Oh, Weasley, bless your cotton socks.” Pansy squealed, and Hermione hit her in the arm.
“This feels unfair cause you all know who it is as well.” He whined, and Hermione laughed.
“It’s not our fault you were so vocal about your time with Lavender, Ronald.” She said, and he scowled at her.
“Oh, he’s vocal is he? Lucky you, Daph.” Blaise winked, and Ginny groaned.
“I don’t need to know anything about my brother’s sex life, thank you.”
“Have any of you slytherins ever slept with each other?” Neville suddenly asked, and Pansy gasped.
“Neville Longbottom, what a question.” She said indignantly. He simply shrugged and smiled.
“I’ve slept with Pansy, but you all knew that.” Malfoy said, and Pansy grimaced.
“What a horrific mistake that was.” She said, and Hermione felt Malfoy nodding above her.
Theo started coughing, and she felt Malfoy tense.
“No! Have you actually?” She sat up straight, looking between Theo and Malfoy, a wide grin on her face.
“Has who what?” Ron asked, clearly lost.
“Theo and Malfoy are both currently resisting the veritaserum to avoid the question.” She said simply, still looking at Malfoy, who was turning red.
“Wait, but that means-“ Harry slapped his hand over his mouth, staring wide eyed at Hermione.
“Ah! They partner swapped! They’ve all had each other!” Daphne squealed, clapping excitedly.
“Well not yet we haven’t.” Malfoy said, and Hermione hit him in the chest with the back of her hand.
“Harry and Mione haven’t slept together?” Ron said, and Hermione smiled guiltily, as did Harry. “What?! When? How often are you two doing shit like this without me? Wait no, that isn’t what I meant.” He said, backtracking quickly as it sounded like he was requesting a threesome with his Golden Trio counterparts.
“When you left us in the tent, when we were horcrux hunting.” Harry started, and Hermione hid her face in Malfoy’s shoulder.
“Oh my god.” She whined, and she felt Malfoy laughing.
“Hermione Granger! You sneaky cow! I asked you if you were together in the tent and you said no!” Ginny said, laughing slightly, struggling to get her words out as she was enjoying their collective embarrassment.
“It was barely anything-“ Harry said, and Hermione screamed.
“Harry! Stop immediately, I will die right here and now if you continue that sentence. Someone else say something please, for the love of Merlin.”
“I slept with Blaise at Cissa’s New Year’s party.” Daphne squealed, and Malfoy choked a bit.
“You’ve had sex in my house?! You filthy filthy heathens, you’re never getting invited back, not ever.”
“When Astoria found out she was supposed to marry Malfoy, she asked to sleep with me first so she wouldn’t have only slept with one person for her entire life.” Blaise admitted, looking sheepish.
“You’ve had both of the sisters!” Ginny cackled, clinging onto his shoulder, covering her mouth with her other hand.
“Blaise Zabini, you dog, I can’t believe you.” Theo said, tightening his arms around Harry.
“I slept with George last Christmas at the Burrow.” Hermione said quickly, squealing slightly, and Ron slammed his hands down on the log, an incredulous smile on his face. Ginny was crying laughing now, wiping away her tears whilst leaning more and more heavily on Blaise.
“Oh, now we’re getting somewhere! I want sordid confessions, people!” Pansy pulled Hermione from Malfoy’s arms into a tight hug, rocking them back and forth.
“I, er-“ Neville coughed suddenly, and Hermione glared at him.
“Neville Longbottom, I can and will hex you.”
“Oh, absolutely not. Continue, Longbottom please.”
“I had a threesome with Mione and Luna.”
“Noooo.” Hermione cried into her hands, and Pansy gripped her even tighter, cackling delightedly.
“You’ve never told me that!” Harry yelled accusingly, grinning madly.
“Wait wait wait, show of hands, how many people here have shagged Loony Lovegood?” Theo said, looking around the group.
Hermione, Neville, Harry, Blaise, Ginny, and Pansy all raised their hands. The group erupted in shocked laughter, the noise growing more raucous as they started to feel the effects of the firewhiskey.
“Horrendous, the lot of you.” Malfoy said, pulling Hermione back into his arms.
“Sure you aren’t jealous, Draco?” Daphne raised an eyebrow and he glared at her.
“I told you that in confidence, Daphne.”
“You did not have a crush on Luna!” Pansy shrieked, and Malfoy hid his face in Hermione’s hair.
“He most certainly did, he was besotted for weeks!” Daphne said, bouncing slightly on the blanket.
“You can ask Hermione what it was like.” Theo said with an innocent tone and a devilish grin, and Hermione yelped.
“Absolutely not, nope, no. No.” She shook her head firmly. “We are focusing far too heavily on me right now.”
“Karma for spiking us, Golden Girl.” Blaise shot back, pointing at her whilst reclining on his log.
“I’ve got one, who had unexpected thoughts after Longbottom’s glow up?” Daphne offered, sticking her hand in the air. Pansy, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Theo all joined her, and Neville chuckled, dropping his chin to his chest.
“Which marriage law couple do you reckon will be the first to shag?” Ginny asked, looking conspiratorially around the circle.
“As if that isn’t obvious.” Pansy rolled her eyes, elbowing Hermione sharply in the side.
“Ok, so second then? After Malfoy and Hermione.” Ginny clarified, and Hermione scoffed.
“It might not be us.” She said, and everyone looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “Yeah, alright, fine.” She grumbled, leaning back into Malfoy’s arm, who she could tell was smiling like the smug arsehole he was without needing to look at him.
“Harry and Theo, I’d put galleons on it.” Ron offered, and there were a few nods.
“I’m looking at Longbottom and Pans, personally. After tonight’s revelations, I’ve learned Longbottom is freakier than I ever imagined.” Theo said, and Pansy leaned her head on Hermione’s shoulder, laughing softly, and conspicuously avoiding Neville’s gaze.
“I’m really happy we did this.” Daphne said, crossing her legs and leaning on her hands.
“I am, too. I’m feeling much better about all of it now.” Ginny agreed, smiling.
“I’m sorry I was such a dick.” Ron said. “I lashed out because I was worried none of you had changed, I was worried about the things you’d say to Mione particularly, and I guess I just thought you’d all be up your own arses. I was wrong about that, and I’m sorry.”
“I am so ashamed of the way I behaved. Granger, I really think we’re going to be good friends, I think I already love you a bit actually, and it makes me cringe whenever I think of how I was. I’m really sorry.” Pansy said, head still on her shoulder. Hermione smiled.
“Are you going soft on me, Pansy Parkinson?”
“Your incessant gryffindor soppy shite has finally broken me.”
“Is anyone nervous about being a parent? Now we’re expected to have kids to boost the population.” Neville asked, and Hermione looked around at the nervous faces of her friends, all suddenly awkward.
“Have none of you spoken about this before now?” She asked, sitting up straighter.
“We’d barely spoken at all, never mind the big stuff, Mione.” Ron replied, shaking his head slightly.
“Does that mean you have? Spoken about it, I mean.” Ginny asked, tilting her head and smiling softly.
“Yeah, we did.” Malfoy confirmed, and Pansy looked at them.
“I’m the godmother, right? We’ve been friends since birth and I’m friends with your future wife, Draco, you can’t not pick me for that, I’ve earned it.”
“When he said we spoke about it, all I asked was if we’d follow the Black constellation names tradition thing, it wasn’t a conversation in any great detail.” Hermione clarified, and Pansy shook her head.
“No, I need to know. Am I the godmother to your future children, Draco Lucius Malfoy? Or I will drop you right here right now.”
“I don’t know. Probably? That’s not exactly a decision to make now, you know, barely a week into this relationship.”
“It’s not a normal relationship, you can’t pull that shit with me. Am I or aren’t I? Decide right now.”
“I’d love for you to be. All of you, actually, if we have that many. But that isn’t a conversation we need to have now.” Hermione said quietly, and Malfoy looked at her.
“Are you planning on rivalling the Weasleys with our spawn, Granger?”
“Hey! Nothing wrong with siblings. And it’s not like you can’t afford to look after a litter of blonde curly-haired know-it-alls.” Ginny said off hand, and Hermione hid her face again.
“Somebody kill me.” She groaned.
“Being an only child is fundamentally shite, I won’t do it to my kids. We’ve got to have at least two, Potter.” Theo said, and Harry nodded.
“No because what if you have one child that’s a nice person and one that’s a self absorbed money-grabbing bitch?” Daphne said, before slapping a hand over her mouth with a yelp.
“Oh fuck, Daph. I mean we all hate Astoria, but it’s different for you to agree with us.” Pansy said, wide eyed.
“You were supposed to marry her?” Hermione asked Malfoy and he nodded.
“I didn’t want to. I don’t think she particularly did either, but she wasn’t about to turn down access to the Malfoy vaults for the rest of her life. I’m fairly certain you’re the only witch on the planet who doesn’t care about that actually. I do wonder if that’s part of the compatibility, you know. Do any of you wonder about your percentages? I wonder about ours. Like all the time. How unlikely is a full 100%, and for it to be with you, the person I’ve known for nearly a decade? You’ve been here this whole time, and I had no idea. How did the Ministry manage to make that sort of connection, I mean the likelihood is tiny. I said that already, didn’t I?”
“Sorry, what’s happened to you?”
“Granger, welcome to the wonderful world of pissed Draco Malfoy. The man likes to talk.” Theo said with a grin, and she looked back at Malfoy, who was swaying a bit.
“I don’t think I have the required faculties to deal with whatever this is.”
“Mione uses big words when she’s tipsy.” Ron pointed out, and Harry scoffed.
“Ron, she doesn’t, you just don’t understand the words she uses. They’re normal sized words.”
“Do you think the Ministry has a list of our compatible matches? As in, they put us with the best one, but there might have been more that are 90% plus.” Malfoy continued, and Hermione considered it for a second before the veritaserum vocalised her jealousy.
“Not looking for other options, are you? You want to see who else you could have had?”
He shook his head firmly. “Not for that reason, I’m really very happy with how this worked out for me, you must know that. Just curiosity, I suppose. For example, you’ve slept with Potter, I slept with Theo, is there a world in which we would have ended up as the opposite to what we are now?” Theo gagged, and clutched Harry tighter.
“I would have tried to drown myself in the lake if they’d matched me with you.” He said in a deadpan voice, and Malfoy glared at him.
“I really don’t think me and Harry would have ever been able to make it romantic between us, we would have just been friends. That’s before you even start to consider sexuality. I wonder if that’s taken into account, maybe they wanted to find people with romantic potential as well as straight up compatibility, to increase the chance of procreation.”
“How are you two having a coherent academic discussion right now? I cannot stand you.” Pansy groaned. Daphne was asleep on her shoulder, the alcohol having finally been too much for her. They’d found the group’s lightweight, apparently.
“Any more stupidly personal questions for us, Mione? Or can I leave and pretend that I don’t know way too much about everyone’s sex lives now?” Ron said, swaying slightly as he made to stand.
“You are dismissed, I suppose. Was this helpful, though, do you think? I didn’t want to overstep but you’re all so stubborn, I didn’t know what else would fix it.”
“I have had a lovely evening, Hermione. You’re a wonderful host.” Theo said, standing up and dragging a clearly sleepy Harry up with him. “I can tell it’s wearing off now, but I did mean that.”
“Thank you, Theo.” She smiled at her curly haired friend, as he draped Harry’s arm over his shoulders. She nodded towards her best friend. “What are you doing with him?”
“Oh, I’ll drop him back in your dorm before I go back to mine. Can’t have him getting lost now can we?” He smirked. “Come on Potter, bed time.”
“Bye.” Harry mumbled, making an attempt at waving and flailing his arm about.
“Come on, we’ll see you two back.” Neville said, hitting Ron in the arm, before moving towards Pansy and Daphne.
“Such a gentleman, Longbottom.” Pansy smiled, a little sarcastically but Hermione suspected she meant it. She nudged Daphne awake, and dragged her friend up. “Night everyone. Love you all. Fuck, this fucking stuff, Granger! Don’t do this to me again, I’ve never discussed feelings this much in my life.” She grumbled, and Neville chuckled, gently guiding her towards the castle. Daphne was leaning heavily on Ron, who was looking around with panic in his eyes. Ginny snorted at her brother, waving them off.
“You want to practice some drills with me tomorrow?” Blaise asked the ginger haired witch, and she nodded enthusiastically. Hermione dissolved into giggles, and Malfoy was holding back his laughter.
“I’d like that.” She said with a smile. She turned to the others, eyebrows furrowed. “What’s up with you two?”
“Granger thinks you two exclusively talk about quidditch.” Malfoy explained, and Hermione hit him in the arm.
“You can’t tell them that! They’ll get self conscious and develop some kind of complex about it.”
“Oh, I’m sure we’ll work through this devastating slight on our character somehow, Granger, don’t worry. Come on you, we’ve got quaffles to discuss.” Blaise said, standing suddenly, reaching out his hand to help Ginny up.
“No, no, we simply must talk about the dynamics of the snitch.” She shook her head, smirking at Hermione, who was hiding her face in Malfoy’s shirt for the thousandth time that night. “Night Hermione! Thank you for poisoning us and our friends, it was so much fun.”
Hermione whirled on her. “I didn’t poison you.” She started, but Ginny simply laughed and marched off towards the castle, Blaise at her side. She turned to Malfoy. “I didn’t poison anyone.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I never said you did.”
She stood suddenly, brushing down her robes. She picked up the now empty blanket, and shook it free of debris, folding it carefully. She stilled, looking down for a moment before turning to Malfoy. “We’ll be alright, won’t we?”
He looked at her with an incredulous expression, before moving to stand in front of her, carefully taking the blanket out of her hands and putting it on the log. “We’ll be more than alright, Granger. I promise.” He wrapped her in a tight embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him. He rested his chin on top of her head, and they stayed like that, listening to the water lap onto the shore for a little while, enjoying the proximity. Hermione was inclined to believe him, her future looked bright. She couldn’t wait to see where they would go, as long as it was together.