f i f t e e n

---

“Hermione, you do realize you look like a dead rat, right?” Ginny asked as she took a seat next to Hermione on the bed.

“What a nice thing to tell a friend.” Hermione said sarcastically without looking up, keeping her eyes glued to her book.

Ginny groaned and rolled her eyes with annoyance. “Oh, come off it! You still have four weeks to finish that book, it can wait. The conversation we’re about to have can’t wait.” She said as she grabbed the book out of her friends hand and tossed it behind her carelessly.

“How’s talking about me looking like a dead rat more important than an assignment!” Hermione yelled.

“Hermione, I’m talking about something else.”

Hermione groaned and crossed her arms across her chest. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Malfoy and you . . . how’s it going?” She asked as she wiggled her eyebrows at him.

“Good.”

“Are you serious? Good?” Ginny asked with bewilderment.

“Okay, great.”

“Oh come on! When you two are together, there’s so much sexual tension between you two it’s not even funny!”

“We do not have sexual tension between us!” Hermione protested with wide eyes.

“That’s what you two make together—sexual tension.” She explained and smirked. “You two shared a hot kiss two nights ago and you’re telling me nothing happened today?”

“All we did was talk and make fun of each other the last two days. Nothing exciting happened.”

“Damn …” She muttered under her breath and pouted. “I was so sure something would’ve happened. I mean, come on! You two kissed for goodness sakes!”

“I know but obviously, the kiss was nothing.”

“Is that what you feel?”

“What?”

“You think the kiss was nothing?”

“Yes.”

“Why?!”

“Because it didn’t mean anything. We were both just cold and wet and it was just the spur of the moment.” She lied to her friend and looked away as she cooled down a bit.

Ginny caught her slightly turning red and hid a smile. “How’s the bet going? The loser has to kiss the winner, am I correct?”

Hermione shot her friend a glare and groaned. “You just love teasing me, don’t you?”

“It’s my favorite thing to do.” She responded with a laugh. “So, how’s the bet going? Who’s winning?”

“I’m not telling you.”

“Tell me!”

“No.”

“Do it!”

“No, Ginny, you can wait until the bet’s over.” She said with a smirk as she got up. “You just need to wait three more days.” She taunted her friend and sighed. “I’m going to shower.”

“I hope you drown.”

“I love you, too.” Hermione laughed as she shook her head.

“Are you going to meet up with Malfoy after?” Ginny asked her last question of the day.

“Possibly.” She told her friend and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

“Zabini better have gotten some information on Malfoy.” Ginny muttered under her breath as she got up, leaving the room.

---

Meanwhile . . .

“Come on, mate, spit it out.”

“Spit what out?” Malfoy asked with an irritated look as he looked at his friend.

“Anything happening between you and Granger?” He asked his friend with a grin, waiting for an answer.

“No.” He replied in a monotone voice as he blinked at his friend.

“No?”

“Do I have to repeat myself?”

“No.”

“That’s right.”

“How can nothing happen? You two kissed, I mean, shouldn’t you be doing something?”

“Well, I am.” Draco explained as he raised both eyebrows. “Why are you so curious about this?”

“Well, it’s part of the plan isn’t it? Make her fall in love with you?” Blaise quickly covered up as he cleared his throat, crossed his arms across his chest and intently staring at his friend.

Draco furrowed his eyebrows for a second, suspicious of his friend. “Right . . . the plan . . .” He said and sighed. “Well, if you really want to know . . . come here.” He motioned his friend over with secretive eyes.