The plan had been perfect. The execution of it, thanks to Crabbe and Goyle, had been far from it.
They were to seduce Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, two girls Draco figured meant about the same to Harry as Tracy Davies did to him. Not friends, but in his house and quite liked by him. He had spent hours coaching Crabbe and Goyle in what to say and how to act. It should have been a piece of cake, but no, they had blown it, just as he should have known they would.
Now it was a Hogsmeade weekend and Draco was bored, something he previously would not have thought possible. He was alone at a table in the Three Broomsticks; Crabbe and Goyle were serving detention. Not that it wasn't him who had made them do it, but it was still their fault that all the Gryffindors were staring and sniggering at him.
Sometimes he really wished he didn't have such stupid friends.
He glared at Harry Potter, who was sitting at a table across the room with a smug grin on his face. With him were Weasley and Granger, as well as two Ravenclaw girls whose names he didn't know, though he thought he might have slept with one of them once. Potter and Weasley looked to be on the same train, judging by the way the girls were all over them. Granger looked positively left out.
Draco sniggered as Potter and Weasley made to leave, their female companions hanging on their arms. Granger smiled at them, watching them stand up and walk to the door, leaving her alone. When they were out of sight she visibly deflated, picking up her butterbeer with a sigh. She took a sip, then stared at the mug glumly as she moved it so the liquid swirled around inside.
Draco grinned. Perhaps there was some fun to be had here after all...
Picking up his own drink, he sauntered over to Granger's table and sat down opposite her.
"All alone, Granger?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in mock concern.
"What do you want?" she growled, not looking up from her drink.
"I thought you could do with some company, seeing how your friends abandoned you like that." He smiled at her condescendingly.
"Malfoy, just leave me alone," she said, finally raising her head to look at him.
He looked at her pointedly. "No."
She glared at him. He stared back, nonplussed.
"Fine," she said at last. "Whatever."
Draco watched her drain her mug, obviously trying to ignore him. Drink finished, she got up and left, glancing at him for only a second.
He followed her.
Outside it was getting dark, and a drizzle of rain was falling. Draco hurried to catch up as Granger walked briskly up the road, heading back to Hogwarts.
"What's the rush, Granger?" he called. "It's not like there's anyone you need to get back to."
"I've got homework to do," she replied, increasing her pace.
"Is that all you ever think about?" he asked, falling into step next to her.
"No, just the most important thing."
Draco laughed. "Wow, your life must be really exciting."
"Oh, please. I've had enough excitement to last me a lifetime."
"Can't have been the right kind of excitement then, if it didn't leave you wanting more."
"Like your kind of excitement does, you mean," she said, sighing.
He shrugged. "I can't complain."
"That's only because you haven't experienced any other kind."
"Well, maybe you need to experience my kind."
She stopped and looked at him. "What makes you think I haven't?" she asked, arching an eyebrow challengingly.
"The fact that you're you." He looked at her, watching her reaction carefully. "I've never met anyone less likely to have sex."
And as if uttering that word had broken down a barrier, an idea formed in his head.
Ohh, now wouldn't that be fun... If Potter found out, and Draco would make sure that he did... The look on his face alone would be priceless. Draco could just imagine it.
"Is that so?" Granger was asking, studying his face.
"Oh yes," Draco replied nonchalantly, resuming his rapid pace. "Of course," he said, turning around and taking great delight in seeing Granger running after him, "If you want to prove me wrong..."
She snorted. "As if."
"Fine." Draco shrugged and continued walking. "Never mind then."
Now, where could they go and not be caught at this time of night? Nowhere in the school, there were still too many people about. Outside was a safer bet, though potentially uncomfortable, especially in the rain. He had almost decided on a greenhouse, preferably not one containing Professor Sprout, or anyone else for that matter, when the Quidditch goal posts came into view.
The changing rooms. Perfect. There would definitely be no one there on a Hogsmeade day, whatever time it was.
Getting her there... well, he didn't think that would be a problem.
When they reached the gates, he stuck his arm out in front of her, blocking her way and trapping her between himself and a large stone pillar.
"You sure you don't want some excitement?" he asked, looking down at her.
She stared up at him, obviously uncertain.
Good.
Seizing her by the shoulders, he pressed her up against the pillar and kissed her. She didn't resist, which was another good sign... he looked at her again. Then he offered her his hand.
She took it.
Then they disappeared in the direction of the
Quidditch pitch.