Lying is the most fun

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Draco opened the door to the dungeon office.

“You have to help me. I can’t live without him.” He said melodramatically and began pacing in front of the desk.

“Do I now? Why would that be?” said the person behind the desk. He stopped and looked at her incredulously.

“You are his best friend and married to my godfather. That has to mean something.”

Hermione Snape didn’t look up from the essays she was grading. “It means I should hex you into next year for hurting my friend and then support my husband by not complaining when he visits you in the mental ward at St. Mungo’s.” she told him. He sighed and continued pacing.

“I didn’t mean to hurt him, Hermione. It’s all just a misunderstanding. I love him more than anything. I need him, Hermione.” He told her sadly.

She shook her head. “What did you tell Harry about it, Draco? Did you try to give him any kind of explanation?”

He stopped pacing and flushed, looking embarrassed. “I told him that I was stressed and he was always busy with you or the Weasel.” He admitted. She finally lifted her head and gave him a disgusted look.

“That’s the line Blaise and I fed to each other about a half dozen times before we agreed to an open marriage. And you used it on Harry? Is that the truth?” said a new voice. Draco turned to find Ginny Zabini standing in the doorway. She walked past him, tossing her red curls in his face as she passed and sat in one of the chairs across from Hermione.

“It’s not but Harry wouldn’t understand…” Draco said uncertainly.

“Well try me, I might.” Ginny said watching him eagerly.

“I… have… issues.” He said vaguely. Ginny frowned at him, trying to decide what that meant.

“Issues? We all have issues. I don’t understand.”

There were several moments of silence before Hermione finally spoke up.

“He means that he is having a hard time with his issues and is seeing a Muggle therapist. He is afraid for Harry to find out because then he thinks Harry will think he is weak. He would rather Harry think he is cheating.” She said impatiently. Ginny stared at him in surprise and Draco’s mouth dropped open.

“How did you know?” he demanded. Still grading her essays, Hermione answered.

“When you told Severus, it disturbed him. He wouldn’t tell me so I waited a few days and asked him to help me brush up on Occlumency. I got into his mind and ruffled through his memories like this filing cabinet until I found out what was wrong. He was almost relieved to be able to talk about it.” She said.

Draco gaped at her in admiration. “That was so… Slytherin of you.” He complimented. “But what am I supposed to do?”

Ginny laughed. “You are afraid to tell Harry you are seeing a therapist?” she asked incredulously.

Draco sighed and sank down in one of the chairs. “Every week, I visit the doctor…” Ginny nodded and made a motion for him to continue. “It’s hour sessions. The doctor has them at his house for my privacy and I tell him things… I don’t want Harry to know. He would worry and then he would think…”

Ginny stared at him in surprise and then began laughing again. “You mean… you tell a stranger how you feel about life and whatnot and you are scared for Harry to find out?”

When Draco nodded, she burst out in more peals of laughter. Hermione sighed.

“You need to be honest, Draco. If you had been honest Harry wouldn’t have left you a couple days ago. Honesty is best.” She chided. Ginny rolled her eyes.

“I’ll help you out Draco. I’ll try to get Harry to talk to you.” Ginny told him. “I’ll call you when I can do something about it.”

He sighed with relief. “Thanks, Weaslette. I really appreciate it.” He stood up and walked the few steps to the door.

“You know, why don’t you want to talk to Harry about this?” she asked curiously.

He turned to face her, a sad look on his face. “Harry has a lot of hang-ups about the war and all. I didn’t want to burden him with my problems or seem weak. I figured it would be better to go someplace else and not tell Harry…” he said slowly and she could tell he was regretting that decision.

“He loves you, Draco. You won’t seem weak to him.” she said supportively. He gave her a thoughtful nod and left the room, closing the door behind him. The two women sat in silence for a few moments.

“So how is Blaise? Are things going well?” Hermione asked.

Ginny shrugged. “I suppose. He is dating some hot little blond that I want to steal from him.” She said with a laugh.

Hermione shook her head and smiled. “He might get angry if you keep stealing his girlfriends.” She warned. Her friend’s marriage was always a source of amusement.

“Nah, he doesn’t mind. He likes to watch. So what do you think the chances for Harry and Draco getting back together are? Is it a lost cause?”

Hermione shook her head. “Harry adores Draco and this hurt him deeply. He hasn’t left my house since he got there. If they can talk and Draco is honest about everything then it might. You know Harry how easily Harry forgives those he loves. He might be angry at him for a while for letting him think he cheated.”

Hermione finished her last essay and put away her ink and quill. She stacked the essays on the edge of the desk neatly and stood up. Ginny had been watching her and thought she saw something very interesting.

“Leather, Hermione? What do you have planned?” she purred curiously. Hermione opened her robes to how her newest outfit. It looked very good on Hermione’s curvaceous figure.

“Severus likes leather and I like him so it works.” She said simply as she continued to straighten up her desk.

“So, Hermione, when are you going to go out with me? You know I would love to show you a good time.” Ginny said flirtatiously. Hermione smiled at her.

“I told you, it’s still cheating even if its not the same sex… unless Severus was watching of course but you should know, Ginny that I don’t share him with anyone, so our getting together won’t happen any time soon.”

Ginny stood up and went to the door. “But anytime soon is still not a never so I’ll keep my hopes up.” She said cheerfully as she left, closing the door behind her.