Death by Granger [rewritten version]

16

"Something on your mind, Honeybee?"

Hermione shook her head at Draco in the mirror as she finally put her earrings in. She smiled at him as she fixed the head of the snake cuff to the top of her ear. "I'm okay."

"I always knew the two of you were incapable of lying to each other," Theo said, reaching over Hermione for his hairbrush, "but I didn't realise exactly how shitty you were at it. What's on your mind?"

Blaise immediately raised his hands in surrender. "I said nothing."

Hermione sighed. "Someone else knows."

All three of them froze instantly — it was almost comical.

"You don't think Ginger. . ." Theo started. He shook his head quickly. "No, she wouldn't even tell Weasley."

Hermione sighed again. "I don't know who it is. But they don't seem malicious or have any intent to tell. They're just always there, whispering about sleeves and by the time I turn around, they're gone."

"Sleeves?" Blaise asked.

"Since I've started hanging out with you guys and Ginger, I've gotten a bit careless and forgetful with the spell. And sleeves ride up sometimes."

"Ah."

"I just wish I knew who it was."

"Maybe it is Weasley," Draco suggested. "I know he's explosive and whatever, but he cares about you just as much as we do, just as much as Ginger does. Maybe he found out on his own and while he waits for you to work up the courage to say it, he'll just quietly make sure no one else finds out."

Hermione suddenly smiled. "Look at you talking about Ron without making fun of him!"

"Well, we are somewhat friends, now. It would be mean to make fun of him behind his back. To his face, however . . . That's a different story."

"Shit," Theo whispered as he checked his watch. "I'm late."

"For what?" Blaise asked. "We always go in late for all events like this — speaking of, is anyone's mother planning on hosting a New Year's ball? I need to start working on my excuse."

Draco rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Theo snatched the perfume Hermione held up without even looking. "Yeah, but Weasley and Millie want to be early so Ginger and I said we'd all go together. You guys can come later. Thanks, Honeybee."

"Anytime, Wee-wee Dory."

Theo looked as though he'd been hit with a violent curse. "Beaver!"

"Yea, Wee-wee Dory?" Hermione said with an innocent smile on her face.

"Oh, piss off," Theo said as he opened the dorm room door. "Mills! We're going to be late!"

"I've been waiting for you for at least ten minutes!" Millicent shouted from the common room.

"Coming!"

Hermione smiled as she watched the door swing shut. "Blaise, aren't you meant to be with Luna?"

Blaise shrugged. "She said she had a thing. Never specified what, but she did say to meet her by the Lake in a half hour from now. Apparently, I'm going to catch a creature with her and then we'll head back to the hall."

"Sounds fun," Draco said sarcastically. "Give Loony my love."

"Oh, please. Like you have any for anyone but Books."