The Hunt

All four ladies had planted the first kiss. Each in a different way, but they had all kissed their desired gentlemen. Step one if the plan had been carried out. Step two came from Luna. As an editor she was given information to push and announce before any one else. The charity event that the ministry was holding was known to her for some time.



All the girls decided to invite the men to the event that was raising money for several orphanages throughout England. The ladies then embarked on asking the men to attend with them. They had high hopes for this evening, hoping it would lead to intimacy.



Ginny walked up to Malfoy Manor again. She was escorted to the study by a house elf. “Lucius, how are you?” She said smiling. Lucius stood and approached her. There had been no mention of her proposition to him, and it seemed as if she was allowing him time to consider.



“Ginny, I’m good thank you.” He stopped before her.



“I wanted to thank you for the investment advice, I’m still in the discussion phase with Flourish and Blotts but it looks good, and that plan for the land in Scotland is moving along nicely.” She said.



“I’m glad.” He smiled but Ginny noticed he had made not attempt to get closer.



“Lucius I came here to ask you something.” He breathed in, showing a nervousness she had never seen in him before. I was wondering if you would attended the charity event for the ministry with me?” She said firmly. Beating around the bush or romanticizing anything wasn’t her style.



Lucius looked at her with soft eyes, then he looked away. He seemed upset, and Ginny wondered if something had happened to him.



“Ginny, may I be honest?” He asked quietly.



“Always.” She said with concern.



“I find you very attractive and a lovely lady,” she smiled, “but you are my sons age, and I can’t overlook that. I’m sorry.” His voice was almost a whisper by this point.



“I see.” She showed her sadness. She was upset, but there was nothing at this point that she could do about it. If she was going to get her man she needed outside reinforcements. She need to talk to the girls at the get together the tomorrow night. “I’m sorry I bothered you about it Lucius. Thank you for seeing me.” He had trouble looking at her, so she decided not to draw out his discomfort. She slowly turned and left the manor quietly.







Severus couldn’t get the kiss out of his mind, and it returned to his thoughts in full force when Hermione showed up at his house every time after that day. She hadn’t pushed any more contact when they met before going over details of the potion. He assumed she was here to discuss something more.



“Severus, I’m not here about the potion?” She said, halting his walk to the lab where her notes were kept.



“No?” He said turning around. “Then why are you here?”



“I actually came to ask you out.” She said with a grin. He lifted an eyebrow. “The charity dinner and ball the ministry is holding. Would you like to go with me?” She fell silent waiting.



Severus looked around and began pacing, every now and then lifting his gaze to hers and then looking away. He was not as controlled and it made Hermione nervous.



“Hermione,” he said looking her square in the face, “I used to be your professor.”



“I’m well aware of that Severus. You were a brilliant teacher.”



Severus looked as if she had missed the point. “Hermione, it doesn’t feel right, seeing a former student in this manner.”



Hermione took a step forward. “Severus we are both adults. Besides how will we test the potion with this uncomfortable feeling of yours.” She asked.



“We will pay a couple, prostitutes who can talk with ease about the potion and it’s effects. They can say without bias if the potions works.” Hermione was quiet. He had thought this out carefully.



“Well then, I guess you have said what you have to. I’ll leave you alone then. I will see you in a few days for the next meeting on the research.” Severus watched her leave his home in silence. He felt badly. Hermione was a beautiful woman and wanted him, she had made that clear, but he couldn’t get the image of her in her Hogwarts uniform out of his head. It wasn’t until he was alone that he realized she left with giving him her traditional kiss. It hurt a little.







Luna had been to see Greg in his office and at his post several time. Her article on the prison had gotten several good reviews and letters. She had been the only journalist who had the guts to venture to the compound and it was well received. The warden had laughed at her suggestion to give her exclusiveness, but she was touched when he actually denied three reporters who asked for interviews. He made up something about there being only enough time and men to escort one reporter at a time. By the time Luna was done reporting, the others would only be giving information she had already published.



She was getting frustrated however. She had kicked up the flirtation but Greg had seemed oblivious to it. Maybe she wasn’t that versed in flirtation or maybe Greg just wasn’t aware of the typical female behavior. Either way she had to do the obvious this time and outright ask him to the charity event.



“Greg, do you have a moment before I leave?” She asked when she had her cloak and notes. She had used this time to go step by step through the admitting process when inmates were brought in. She planned an in depth article about it.



“Sure? Did you forget some questions?” He asked moving over to her.



“No I actually wanted to ask you something else.” She said giving him a small smile. “I was wondering if you were attending the ministry’s charity ball and dinner?”



“I hadn’t thought about it. It’s usually something the ministry officials need to be seen at, someone like me won’t make that much of an impact. Why? Are you going?” He asked nonchalantly.



“Yes, in fact I was hoping you would go with me.” She said watching his eyes.



“Is that an event you need a date for though?” He asked. Luna almost laughed. Was he being serious?



“Yes it is Greg.” She said hoping he’d understand.



“Oh ok, well if you can’t find a date then I’ll go with you.” He told her. Luna simply stared at him. Did she hear him right? Greg heard his name called from inside. “Well I have to get back. If you don’t find a date let me know, I’ll go with you if you want.” Luna only nodded.



When he went back inside she stood there for a moment and then laughed. She laughed out loud until she got it out of her system. She needed the girls night tomorrow. She had no idea what to do, what to think or how to proceed.





Pansy walked with confidence to Ron’s house. She had sent her sketches and preliminary adverts to him a few days ago. He had plenty of time to review them.



“Pansy come in. Would you like some wine?” He asked.



“No, no thank you. Did you like the sketches?” She asked, following him to the office.



“Yes, I did and I like them a lot.” He gestured to the drawings laid out on his table.



“Fabulous. I’m glad you like them.” She said smiling. “Does this mean I have the case then?”



“If I can be the final decision on anything?” He said. Wanting to have the last say in what was used often put some advertisers off and they refused. But Ron was insistent.



“That’s no problem, it’s your design, I know you want to make sure it’s not shown in a light you object to.”



Ron let out a breathe. “Then the case is yours if you want it.” He said.



“Great, I’ll get some final copies to you as soon as I draft them and let you know what magazines will give us space and how much. Nothing gets signed until you give me the word.” She told him.



“Great, great.”



“Ron, there is something I wanted to ask you.” She said facing him after he walked her to the door.



“And what would that be?” He asked.



“I wanted to know if you would go the ministry event with me?” She asked.



Ron fell silent. “The fundraising dinner thing their doing?” He asked.



“Yes,” she said with a smile, “that thing. Would you like to go with me?” She asked again.



“Listen Pansy I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” He avoided her eyes.



“Ron, it’s just a dinner event.” She said wondering what he was so nervous about. She hadn’t planned to initiate sex until after the event. Well, maybe the evening of the event.



“I know, but we have been friends and in all honesty not that close. I mean you’re are close with my sister, and I just think it might be weird. You understand don’t you?” She was still avoiding her eyes.



“I’m not sure I do Ron,” she said honestly, “but its ok, I’m sorry if I made this awkward for you.” He nodded but still didn’t meet her eyes. “I’ll get those sketches and parchments to you soon.” Again he nodded and she left.



That hadn’t gone the way she planned. She didn’t know what he meant by things getting weird. The girls night was tomorrow. She really needed to talk to Ginny. She had to get a baring on what Ron was thinking.