To a Better End

Chapter 4

May 10th 2003

"You've got to be kidding me, Granger. A fucking tolerance?"

Hermione shot Malfoy a devious smile and shrugged. As an Auror, it was a regular part of training. Though, after having been taught by Dolores Umbridge, the Veritaserum spiking toad she was, Hermione spent months and months building up a tolerance to Veritaserum with Harry. It was one of the many things the pair diligently worked on after Hogwarts.

"Well, let's just keep going until we get you telling the truth," Theo said as he abruptly left the room, only to return a short moment later with what appeared to be his entire stock of Veritaserum from his potion room.

The bottles were lined out across the office desk in a neat row. Hermione sat herself in one of Theo's wingback office chairs while Malfoy took the main desk chair. Theo walked over with a dropper filled with the serum. She opened her mouth diligently, allowing Theo to expel four droplets of the liquid onto her tongue.

"Did you have a Time-Turner in third year?" Theo asked, slightly annoyed.

"No," she answered without hesitation.

"Open wide," he huffed, his irritation much more visible.

Malfoy kicked his feet up on the desk and laughed as Theo repeated the process once again.

"Did you have a Time-Turner in third year?" Theo repeated, his voice impatient.

"No." The lie was still coming so easily; she couldn't help the smug smile accompanying it.

Theo, incredibly vexed by her fortitude at this point, shot a glaring look at Draco, who by this point was cackling. He snatched up a full bottle, unstopping it before tilting Hermione's head back and pouring the entire contents down her throat.

"Did you have a Time-Turner in third year?" The question came out almost exasperated.

"N-y-no."

A smile broke across Theo's face. Hermione threw her head back again, covering her face with her hands, realising they were broaching dangerous territory. Theo brought over another bottle.

"Come on. One more, Goldy."

Reluctantly, she moved her hands away from her mouth, still keeping her eyes covered in embarrassment as she opened her mouth. She was done for.

"Did you use a Time-Turner in third year?" He narrowed his eyes at her, smiling as he emphasised the new word in his question.

"Yes."

Hermione threw her hands away from her eyes, glaring up at the ceiling with a sigh of frustration. Not only did he give her just enough to get past her tolerance, but he reworded the question to something she wouldn't be able to lie about. The Time-Turner wasn't hers, there was no way to skirt around that, especially not after imbibing two and a half bottles of Veritaserum.

Malfoy swung his feet off the desk, pressing against the desk with his bare forearms. She eyed the way his wrist muscles flexed as he stared her down intently.

"Who lent it to you, Granger?" He asked, his voice low and seductive.

"McGonagall." Hermione no longer had control of her replies. She closed her eyes as her secrets started spilling out, resigning herself to honesty.

"Minnie, that sly dog," Theo scoffed.

Hermione shook her smirking head at him. Once the formality of Professor was dropped several years ago, Theo took it one further and dubbed her Minnie, a nickname that earned several laughs from their peers. Minerva was not impressed.