Care to Play?

Hermione was about to pull her hair out. She had taken Draco Malfoy’s ‘mudblood’ slinging in her face for too many years and now she was at the end of her rope.

She threw her books down on the huge table at Grimmauld Place. With the start of term she and the Weasleys gathered at Harry’s new home to prepare for school in en masse. Running into Malfoy at Flourish and Blotts had ruined her whole day.

“I take it the trip wasn’t a success?” Hermione looked up and saw Tonks ease into a chair with a cup of tea.

“I just went to get me some leisure reading material and just had to run into Malfoy.” She said.

“You always have run ins with Malfoy and have been able to brush them off, what’s so different about this one?” She asked.

“He saw the books I was buying.” She answered, gesturing to the three she had in front of her.

Tonks smiled. “Romance novels huh? I love this author, she’s brilliant.”

“Yes I agree, I have the whole series. Magical romance novels have so much more depth then muggle books, but Draco saw them in my hands and teased me relentlessly about it, this one in particular.”

“Why this one?” Tonks asked looking at the cover.

“Look at it, doesn’t it look like me and him?” Tonks looked at the cover and considered Hermione’s words. The blonde hair on the man was unmistakable and the young lady wasn’t too far off.

“I guess if you grew you hair longer, but I can see the resemblance.” She said.

“He joked about me needing a fantasy involving him and wondered why I thought he wanted a mud bath.” She said.

“Hermione normally you just brush it off, but have you thought about taking a different approach?” Tonks asked sitting up and leaning closer with interest.

“What kind of approach?” She asked the fuchsia haired witch.

“Have you thought about blatantly coming on to him?” She asked.

“What?!” Hermione jumped back in her chair. “Tonks have you gone mental?”

“Listen Hermione, one of three things can happen, he will become disgusted that you hit on him and try to stay away from you, he will become confused and embarrassed and for that reason alone will try and stay away from you, or the best of all, he will become turned on and respond.”

“That’s the best of them all.” Hermione asked. “How is that the best of them all?”

“Let me tell you a little something about sex and love. Glorious lovemaking comes with someone you love, a connection mental, spiritual, physical and emotional and it is wonderful when that happens. But heated carnal sex, well Hermione, the best place to find that is with a enemy. No strings attached, no awkward meetings afterwards, no hurt feelings, just really good sex.”

Hermione thought for a moment. Tonks had an unusual theory. It was a different way of thinking but Hermione could never bring herself to come on to Malfoy. He did get very good looking over the summer, it took her a moment to recognize him in the store.

“I have to go, but give it a thought, no matter how he responds he either stays away from you or you find yourself a nice diversion during the school year.”

“But what if he does become disgusted, and starts calling out taunts in front of everyone even worse then before?”

“Then call them back. What’s stopping you? If he calls out something about the book, agree with him and say the fantasy with him and you is most exciting. If he says something about you chatting him up then say you are just getting started, and give him an evil smile. For everything he says, have one ready. Chess move for chess move, Hermione. If he can play so can you.”

Tonks got up and left, leaving Hermione alone. Was she right, could she move and countermove with Draco? What did she have to lose? Everyone knew he hated her. If she gave back a little of what she got, she just might have some fine. But what if he responded the way Tonks seemed to think he might? Could she have a snog with him? He did look good, even if he was a bastard.

She had to admit that her own experience with sex was a disappointment. Viktor Krum had been eager and overly excited and not very creative. There was practically no foreplay, and he just rolled off of her afterwards. He was satisfied and didn’t ask her if she was. If he had asked her, the answer he would have gotten would have been an insult.

She thought about what Tonks had said about sex. She had no doubt Malfoy would be good, that is, if rumors are to be believed. Several Ravenclaw girls claimed that Malfoy was one hell of a snogger. Maybe it would be a nice diversion if he responded to a flirtation. There was only one way to find out.

Hermione let out a sinister grin. Look out Malfoy, here I come, she thought.


On the train Hermione strolled along the corridor. Prefect duty was boring at times but her new optimism came to the forefront as she passed an open door and looked in. It was empty. She gave in to the temptation of a peaceful moment.

Sitting down she leaned her head back and took a breathe. “Lazy are we?” She looked up and saw a smirking Malfoy in the door. “Losing your touch for protocol I suppose.”

Hermione gave him a smile, a brilliant knowing smile with lowered eyes. “Hello Draco.” She purred. His eyebrow lifted and he just stared at her. “You are right though, I shouldn’t be lazy.”

She stood and moved to the door but hadn’t given up his position and as she twisted to side step her way out she found herself chest to chest. Looking up at him, she formed an idea. Alright Tonks, she thought, wish me luck.

“Draco, are you wearing cologne?” She asked with a grin, keeping her body up against his.

He frowned and she could practically hear the wheels turning in his head and the inner debate echoing. Eventually he met her eyes and simply said, “Yes.”

She raised on her toes and leaned closer. She wasn’t quite able to reach his neck, but she got close enough. She inhaled deeply and let out a groan as she took in the scent. Her reaction was genuine, as Malfoy did wear a favorable scent. She smiled and looked up at him through her lashes. “Very masculine indeed Draco.”

He pulled back his stance a little, looking down at her. She raised a hand and using a single finger, brushed a lock of silken blonde hair off his brow. The barely-there contact of her skin on his made him jump ever so slightly, but Hermione saw it.

Lifting an eyebrow and smiling again, she slid her body out of the frame and continued down the corridor. Move, countermove Draco, she thought.