Three Months Left

Chapter 5

"What have you got there?" Ginny smirks, tilting her head towards the parcel tucked into in Hermione's lap.

She's blushing furiously and knows it's a dead giveaway, but she can't help it. Malfoy's always sent her things to her dormitory until now. He's never delivered something at breakfast.

And she's not quick enough on the uptake for Ginny, who takes a ready opportunity to snatch the parcel into her own lap. At least she keeps it under the table, a small consolation to Hermione, who flames even redder.

Ginny tilts the lid open, giving Hermione a curious look at the maroon fabric inside. She snakes a hand in and exclaims, "Cosy! What is this?"

Before she can withdraw it from the package - or, gods forbid, investigate enough to find what's beneath it - Hermione says, "Pyjamas."

But of course, Ginny's no idiot and pyjamas could hardly cause the level of red Hermione currently is. Her fingers must skim the note, which she pulls out to read, her eyes growing wider and wider.

Hermione grabs it from her and slaps it facedown on the table.

"So... it's not casual any longer, it would seem." Ginny looks like the cat that got the cream and Hermione sighs.

"Can you look slightly less smug, please? At least in public?"

"No. So he's your boyfriend now. Do I get to know who he is?"

She's determinedly not looking at the Slytherin table, where she's absolutely positive Malfoy is watching her. "No, Gin. I don't want to tell anyone. Everybody will make a big deal out of it, and anyway, he's not my - my boyfriend. We've never said that."

"'For his best girl'?" Ginny repeats dubiously, her infuriatingly satisfied smile plastered across her face. "Sure, Hermione. Okay. But this is from your boyfriend, even without the label. And I want you to remember that I called it, at least a week ago."

Hermione still tries to protest and Ginny levels her with a stare. "Is he seeing anyone else? Are you seeing anyone else?"

She shakes her head no, in defeat.

"And you've talked about that?"

"...yes," she mumbles, still staring fixedly at the parcel and nowhere near the Slytherins.

"Then sorry to be the bearer of horrid news, but your boyfriend sent you, his girlfriend, a pressie. Here you go."

Ginny pushes the parcel back towards Hermione, who bobbles it to keep it out of sight. In the jumble, Ginny's hand slides underneath the pyjamas and she freezes. "What is this?"

"Nothing," Hermione babbles in panic. "Nothing, it's -"

In truth, she doesn't even know what it is. Not exactly. But it's silky and lacy and she can make an educated guess - and clearly, so can Ginny, who goggles at her all over again.

"Are these knickers?"

Another desperate pause and Hermione slumps in resignation. "Maybe? Probably." It feels like more fabric than knickers, though, which makes her a bit worried.

Ginny eyes her with clear suspicion, then yanks the parcel back. Hermione doesn't even fight it. Ginny tucks it under the table and pulls forth a handful of the silky black lace. "This is lingerie."

She sits back and surveys Hermione with fresh shrewdness. Hermione fights the urge to cringe. "So, he's getting you off before himself, several times each, if I recall - and I do, so don't downplay it now - and he's sending you things to wear, things for his best girl. Has he sent you anything before this?"