[forty]

"I say we look for it ourselves." Elena declared

"Look for the stone?" Celine scoffed "."

"Yes, McGonagall was right to not tell us exactly where it is." Hermione rolled her eyes "If we don't know, then they can't torture it out of us. For all we know, it isn't even really here. We could just be a decoy."

"I hadn't thought of that." Viktor grinned at Hermione as he took the empty seat on the couch next to her. Hermione laughed and wiggled a knowing finger at him "Right? Even we don't know anything, and honestly I wanna keep it that way." she chuckled

"Well, I for one hate that our break was cut a day short! I was looking forward to that luncheon." Pansy complained as she poured herself a glass of juice "The Malfoy's always serve good food."

"Thanks." Draco smirked from his seat on the dining table

"Luncheon!" Hermione exclaimed "!"

"Oh no, you blew him off." Ginny was sure this wasn't a laughing matter, but it was quite funny.

"Oh I have to send him an owl. What time is it?" Hermione groaned miserably

"Just a little past seven." Ron laughed

"Well, then, I better get started on my twelve-foot letter of apology." Hermione muttered, climbing up the stairs in disdain.

"I know what!" Panys grinned widely, looking at her friends "We're going to plan engagement parties!"

"Pansy, now's not the time—" Theo was cut off by Blaise's glare "Let her do what she wants." Blaise warned

"Engagement parties?" Harry scoffed "Whose?"

", of course!" Pansy giggled "One for you and one for Draco!"

"I'm sorry, what?" Draco scowled

"Yes! It'll be perfect. Blaise will plan Potter's and I will plan yours, Drakeykins." Pansy grinned

"Uh, is she alright?" Elena looked at Astoria in question

"Let her. She has her moments." Astoria waved it off

"I do want an engagement party." Ginny said blankly

"Oh of course you do!" Pansy insisted, hooking her arm through Cel's "Celine here will make you the perfect dress, won't you, Celine?"

"The best." Celine nodded, warming up to the idea

"Oh please, as if McGonagall will allow us to have an engagement party. We've got Quidditch season coming back on and a whole bunch of N.E.W.T.'s to study for." Harry groaned

"Actually, maybe an engagement party is a good idea." Draco nodded thoughtfully

"Pure-bloods and their glamour." Ron scoffed

" a pureblood, Weasley." Viktor pointed out, but Ron only rolled his eyes

"I'm only agreeing if we have good food." Ginny narrowed her eyes

Pansy squealed "Blaise, darling, why don't you come to the room with Celine and I? We have some planning to do."

As soon as they disappeared into the room, Theo groaned "How are we supposed to enjoy two parties with a threat looming above our heads?"

"Oh lighten up, ." Draco snickered "This might be exactly what we need."

"Sure it is." Harry rolled his eyes

"Well, I can think of a better use for our last day of the break." Viktor shrugged "Quidditch, anyone?"

"Oh it's on." Harry smirked

"Count me in." Draco grinned "You'll be sorry you asked after I wipe you out with that new broom my girl just got me."

"Har har, it's not all about the broom, Malfoy." Ron made a face

"You're just jealous, Weasley."

"Isn't he always?" Ginny smirked at her brother "Elena, Tori? You coming?"

"Actually, I've been meaning to play again for a while now." Elena grinned, Draco pretended not to mind her joining as he smiled

"You play?" Theo asked

"Oh she does." Viktor smirked "She's on my team."

"Let's go get changed then. We'll draw teams later." Theo smirked at Draco. Who cared if they were going against an international Quidditch player? They were going to win.

Draco walked up to their room to get ready, gearing up for a good game of Quidditch. Their training wasn't supposed to resume until two weeks into the new term, but this ought to be a good warm up. When he got into their room, he found Hermione still furiously scribbling on a piece of parchment.

"Hey." He said, walking into the bathroom to change. They haven't unpacked, but most of the Quidditch gear he had were left in their closet anyway.

"Hey." Hermione mumbled

Whilst changing, he could feel a flurry of worry, anxiety and guilt in his chest. He was a hundred percent sure they weren't his because he was feeling rather excited to be playing against Viktor Krum. "Sweetheart, you've got to calm down. It's not a big deal."

"I don't want to seem like a bad person."

"You aren't."

"I promised to talk to him." She insisted "Then I stood him up."

"You'll talk to him." Draco assured her, now he was annoyed — but he wasn't sure either if that was his emotion or Hermione's. They've got to get this whole link ironed out.

"How?" Hermione threw her hands up exasperatedly "For all I know you could be rejoicing now that I don't actually have to meet with him anyway."

Draco closed his eyes and settled his breathing, trying to block Hermione's emotions out. He focused on his own and kept his thoughts on the fact that he was excited to be playing Quidditch on the new broom the love of his life bought him and most of all, he was excited to be celebrating their engagement in a few weeks.

It worked.

"Why are you so moody?" He asked her with a cheeky smile, which probably annoyed her more but he couldn't be sure anymore now that he's successfully blocked her feelings out.

Hermione blushed and turned back to the parchment "'Cause I'm frustrated."

Draco glanced at her open trunk at the side to confirm his speculations "You sure about that, love?"

Hermione groaned and let her head hit the table, burying her face in her arms "I'm supposed to wave the red flag today or tomorrow, I can't be sure."

Draco laughed heartily as he put his Quidditch robes on "I knew it."

Hermione groaned again in frustration "How?"

Draco walked over to her and tried to get her face out of her hands, gently forcing her to look at him "I just know." He smirked

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him, but he only met her lips with a kiss in return "You're being cheeky. I hate it."

"Hermione, you get touchy when you're near your period." He wasn't shy to say it "You were practically begging for a distraction last night and have been especially moody lately. I can feel that now, remember? Besides, your open trunk is displaying the answer for me to see."