The Carnal Club

Jealous

   The Great Hall looked amazing.

   The décor for the night's activities cast an eery atmosphere around the room as the candles bobbedabout in mid-air and the shadows on the walls were magically enhanced to move and chaseunsuspecting students about the room. Hermione was particularly pleased with the dancingskeletons that broke out into a jive as students walked through the main entrance, causing them toeither run in fear or coil themselves into fits of laughter. 

   "And exactly how much of a hand did Draco have in all of this?" Ginny asked her as she read thepaper. 

   "This is Draco Malfoy we're talking about." Pansy told her matter of factly as she buttered hertoast. "He's work shy...more worried about breaking a nail." 

   Hermione smiled at that. "He said he thought I was more than capable of sorting things bymyself-"

   "Lazy-" 

   "Bastard." 

   Hermione shook her head. "I quite enjoyed sorting it out on my own to be honest...no one to arguewith." 

   Pansy and Ginny gave each other a look. 

   Hermione's expression dropped. "What?" 

   "You let him off because you're soft on him." Ginny have her a wink. "We have absolutely nofaith in your theory that this is all for the money or the game prize." 

   "We saw the way you were looking at him at the Quidditch match." Pansy told her coyly.

    "I wasn't-" Hermione started to protest. 

   "Or the way he was looking at you like...well...wow." Was all Ginny said. 

   How had Malfoy looked at her? How had she looked at Malfoy? Were they the only two missing something here that everyone else seemed to be seeing? Yes...the sex was...wow. And yes, whenthey were together, sparks went flying.

    Yes, when she was around him she did notice the rise in her temperature and the way her bodywould react to him...and yes, when she could feel his eyes on her, she most definitely felt like theywere the only ones in the room.

   But that was just because of the game, wasn't it? He was now far more aware of him because ofthe game? The way he moved...the way he looked at her...the things he said...how his eyes boredinto her even from across the Quidditch Pitch?Realisation finally dawned on her and she groaned, putting her head in her hands as her friendsgiggled quietly next to her.

    "I'm fucked, aren't I?" She asked them as she finally looked up, seeing Pansy's grin spread widelyover her face. She moaned again in defeat. 

   "If you think you feel bad, how do you think Malfoy feels?" Ginny told her with a shrug. "poorfella came out of denial a while ago, I think...he's been like a lovesick puppy ever since."

   "He is more mopey than usual..." Pansy contemplated. "We put it down to Theodore winding himup but..."

   "Malfoy doesn't-" Oh God...was it true? Had he caught feelings without her realising? Had shecaught feelings without even realising? Were they just dancing around each other, not knowingwhat the other one was thinking or feeling and giving out mixed signals?

   "We'll let you figure it out for yourself." Ginny told her with a tut. "Clearly you're not going tolisten to us." 

   They were wrong.They had to be wrong.Didn't they?Well... there was only one way to find out...

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   Draco fiddled with his bowtie nervously. His dress robes were modern, his hair was immaculateand he knew he looked good...but that did not make him any less nervous to be standing therealone in the Head boy and girls office with just the journalist and the photographer, waiting onGranger.