Anyone But Me

Chapter Four

"A game?" Hermione hedged at Blaise's question.

"Yes. A game." That annoyingly charming grin spread across his face once more. Oh yes, he had to know exactly how he affected the females of their species. That much was apparent to her.

"What kind of game?" She continued to prod. Unwilling to agree to anything with a Slytherin without knowing the specifics.  

"A drinking game. We would have to go over there." He indicated a small cluster of chairs around a royal blue couch. Nearly all the seats were taken and if she had to guess she would say by other Slytherins. The thought of a group of them figuring out who she was and attacking her sent chills down her spine and goosebumps to erupt over her body. "Each person has to give two true things about themselves and one lie. Then everyone has to guess which is the lie. If you guess wrong you have to take a shot. It is truly effortless. I promise."

It seemed simple enough. She liked to think she was a pretty observant person. She enjoyed watching people and trying to figure out what made them tick. There were very few people she didn't have at least an inkling towards their personalities. That would definitely play in her favor in a game like Blaise purposed. And this was exactly what she had come here for. Maybe not spending the evening with Slytherins (if they all were snakes) but being able to live a different life for a night. How much more divergent from her normal life could she get than playing drinking games with people who routinely harassed her?

"I suppose that would have the distinct possibility for drunken shenanigans." Hermione replied. She didn't miss the flash of admiration in Blaise's eyes before he slid his hand onto her bare lower back, scarcely above where the tulle hid her bottom from his groping hands. He steered her towards the group of unknown coeds. Of course she did actually know them... The quandary was if she would be able to recognize them...

They stopped at the entrance to the little circle and she scanned the gathering. Oh thank the Gods! She did know who each of them were.

She picked out Pansy Parkinson right away. The chit had gone way overboard with the Slytherin Pride. She was figuratively (and literally) a snake. Her mask was inlaid with emeralds, diamonds and black opals. The design was exquisite and combined with her makeup... Wow! The dress was barely there and of course- emerald green to match the jewels of her mask. It had a glittered overlay that shimmered in the candlelight. Her neckline plunged down to show the undersides of her breasts before the fabric gathered in a u-shape across her upper stomach. The skirt would without a doubt be considered "mini", the fabric barely came down enough to cover her voluptuous bum. Pansy screamed sex on a stick as she sat in one of the chairs, her legs draped across the arm leisurely.

Hermione's self esteem took a hit. There was no way anyone was going to look at her when they had Pansy to faun over. Not that she wanted all of the males attention mind you! That would be overwhelming. But it had been nice to have Blaise's notice for the short moment she had it...

Wayne Hopkins, a Hufflepuff from their year, had one of the Carrow twins sitting in his lap. Was it... Hestia? Maybe. It was an odd pairing but the drunken heart wants what the drunken heart wants, apparently. Besides who was she to judge considering not even sixty seconds ago she was taking shots with The Slytherin Playboy?

Sue Li from Ravenclaw sat on the couch with.... Shit! Draco -frickin'- Malfoy... In a tux... And a "Phantom of the Opera" styled mask? What?!? She hadn't recognized him at first considering his two brainless sidekicks were nowhere in sight. Hermione hesitated as Blaise stepped forward and sat between the two. He reached over and pulled Sue's legs into his lap. The dress she wore was a deep dark purple and leaned more towards modest but did have a slit up the left side that went to mid-thigh. Something he took immediate advantage of by sliding his hand onto her exposed knee. She didn't protest and just situated herself until she was more comfortable.