Signum Vitalis (a dramione story)

In which there is unsolicited advice

Hermione decided to join his group on the sentiment that she was somehow making sure he wasn't picked last, as if it was a little kid's game.

Luna and Rolf surprised her by being rather good at crazy-golf. When she mentioned this, Luna smiled secretly and Rolf glanced towards her with his own small smile.

"We were here last week to make sure it was proper for your birthday," Rolf replied.

"But Rolf decided it would take three or four rounds to be absolutely sure," Luna added. Hermione thought Luna might have been teasing him.

Malfoy and the boy's run didn't go as smoothly. Malfoy let the boy go in front of him and stood near by, watching his swing. The boy swung wildly and managed to nearly smack Malfoy in the face. Malfoy blocked it with his arm and then swore loudly.

"This isn't a baseball bat, Ari!" He growled, rubbing his arm.

Ari bit his lip and didn't say anything.

Luna squatted back on her heels so she was Ari's height. "Lot of wizards think the only sport to exist is Quidditch and haven't even heard of the other very fun games you can play. Have you ever played golf, Ari?"

Ari shrugged.

Luna glanced up at Rolf. "Rolf is becoming very good at harmonizing with his swing."

Rolf's eyebrows slightly raised as he caught on to Luna's train of thought.

"Here, young man," he said. "I will show you the basics of a golf putt." After a demonstration, Rolf began a long winded explanation about elbow angles and feet directions.

Ari stared at him blankly.

"Rolf," Luna interrupted. "Too many suggestions at once draw the wrackspurts."

Rolf looked up from his demonstration and then glanced down at Ari's flummoxed expression. "Ah, I see you are right, Luna." He turned to the boy. "How about you take a whack at it, then? Just make sure the only thing whacked is the ball."

Rolf turned a good-natured smile towards Malfoy who returned it with a slight scowl.

After a quick glance between the two men, Ari made another clumsy attempt. It managed to miss the ball, but he didn't hit any people either.

"No, no, no!" Malfoy shook his head impatiently. "Like this." He nudged Ari's legs into place and grabbed his arms. Malfoy then took Ari's arms through several swings. "You got it?"

Hermione pursed her lips in disapproval and looked back at the boy to see his reaction. Ari just shrugged again.

"Okay, take another swing." Malfoy took a large step back.

The boy managed a ricocheting shot towards the hole.

Luna and Hermione cheered and Rolf gave Ari a single pat on the shoulder.

"There, you'll catch on soon enough," Malfoy said once it had stopped rolling.

Malfoy took his shot and ended up close to the hole. Once it was her turn, Hermione set down her ball and took a couple practice swings to wake up her muscle memory. With that, she tapped her ball right between Malfoy's neon orange ball and the hole.

"Granger!" he protested, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Why don't you just hit her ball out of the way?" Ari asked, resting his chin on his club and staring up at Malfoy with his wide dark eyes.

Hermione frowned. "What have you been teaching him, Malfoy?"

Malfoy smirked at the boy. "Didn't have to, he came that way. Slytherin in the making"