The Hunt

Hermione had bought stronger spirits tonight. She needed it. Severus refusing her had been a hex in her self esteem. She didn’t think it would make her feel bad but since she had time to dwell on it, she realized it did.



She admired Severus a great deal. She had hoped that he would see the woman she had become, thanks to his mentoring. He was her favorite teacher because he made her fight for her recognition. She liked to be pushed to the limit of her abilities. He was doing it again. He was making her fight.



She never looked more forward to a night with the girls then tonight. She needed to get out what she was feeling and the support they promised each other when they toasted was something to feed off. They would give her more of an idea of how to proceed.



Ginny, Pansy and Hermione were getting the living room ready and settling into chairs on the floor when Luna came flying through the floo. She zeroed in on the nearest goblet of vodka and gulped it down, with all three girls staring at her.



“Ok ladies, I guess it’s safe to assume that I wasn’t the only one to have issues with asking them to the event.” Hermione said as they were seated. The fare tonight consisted of Mexican delights. Nachos, mini tacos, bite sized burritos, and chips and salsa. Hermione also had two huge bottles of vodka. After being rejected by Severus she needed the extra burn.



“Lucius said no to me as well. What about you two?” she asked Luna an Pansy. Both girls with food in their mouth shook their heads. The girls needed to band together. Whatever problems they were having, there was a solution.



“Ok,” Pansy said getting serious, “we all had problems, what were they? We can figure this out, we just need to see what obstacles we encountered and see who can help who that’s all. We still have time before the event to turn things around. Alright then, who’s first?” Pansy urged the girls on.



Hermione started. “Well, Severus seems to have trouble getting over the former student teacher aspect, which I don’t understand. We haven’t been student teacher for several years, so why would he feel that way?”



Pansy jumped in. “Maybe he doesn’t want anyone to assume that you to did anything while you were at Hogwarts.”



The other girls seemed to think that it was plausible. Hermione however wasn’t to convinced. “Fair enough, but the chances of that happening are slim. I could understand if I was a student last year, but I wasn’t.” It made sense. It had been several years since Hermione had graduated.



“How about this,” Luna said after taking a sip of her drink, “The Quibbler ran an article a few years ago on couples with large age gaps. Several letters came in from readers who have dated former teachers and hey ended up with very happy relationships. I’ll send them in an anonymous owl. He will probably assume it’s from you though.” Luna finished with another drink.



Hermione thought about it. Severus read nearly everything he came across. He was as addicted to books as she was. No doubt if he was sent the letters he would read them. Hermione smiled. “Ok Luna, go on and send them. I’ll deal with Severus if he questions it. So how about you, what did Greg say?”



Luna finished her whole goblet as the girls laughed at her distress. “I don’t know actually. When I asked he said ‘isn’t that an event you need a date for.’” The girls let out peals of laughter.



“He said that?” Ginny said having a hard time holding her laughter. “Oh man.”



“Yes, he did. I’ve been trying to flirt but he hadn’t been picking it up. I’m at a loss now.”



“Don’t worry,” Pansy said, “I’ll talk to Greg. He just needs to be clued in, he’s a bit thick when it comes to signals from ladies. He always was.”



“He’s a bit think with more then that.” Ginny said. Laugher reigned again, but Luna brushed it off. She actually liked that Greg wasn’t a huge intellect. Those types of men tended to ridicule her eccentricities. Greg wasn’t one to put her down, or make snide comments. She liked how he matured.



“OK Gin, you now.” Hermione said. “What did Lucius say?”



“That I’m too young.” She took a drink. “There’s too much of an age gap.” She too another drink. “I’m too close in age to his son.” She took another drink. “He’s too old for…..”



“Ok Gin we get it.” Hermione said. “He has problems with the age difference.” Ginny winked and finished her drink.



“Well maybe I can help with this one. I can talk to Draco. He’s been wanting his father to get out and date. I’m sure he’ll have something to say about it.” Ginny made an odd face.



“I don’t know. I’m not sure about bringing his son into this.” She said.



“You hear Hermione,” Luna said, “Draco wants him to start dating, maybe he can help.”



Ginny gave a shrug. She might as well, she had already tried and failed. What could it hurt. “Well that just leaves you Pansy, what did Ron say?” Luna asked.



“Ron said things would get weird.” She said. All their girls froze, their hands with food stopped halfway to their mouths. They looked up at Pansy then around at each other.



“What the fuck does that mean?” Ginny asked.



“I have no idea. I was hoping you might now, you’re his brother.” Pansy said.



“I have the same genes, but not the same brain.” She countered.



“Does he think you and his sister being friends would be a problem?” Hermione asked.



“Why would he, I dated his best friend didn’t I?” Ginny said. All three girls nodded and fell silent again.



“Weird?” Luna said. “I’m baffled. I really have no idea what that’s supposed to mean.” The others nodded. “Ginny when you find out, tell me too please, because this is going to keep me awake for days to come.”



The others laughed again. “I agree,” Hermione said, “I’d also like to know.”



“Alright, alright, Ill talk to Ron. You just leave him to me.” Pansy rested a little and resumed her snacking. Before long the food was gone and once again the girls were swearing diets for the next week.



The vodka had dwindled down and there was just enough to put a shot amount in each glass. “Ok ladies,” Hermione said, holding her glass, “we may have hit a few obstacles but we can come back form this.” The other three cheered while laughing.



“All we need is a little determination and focus and we will each attend the charity ball with the man we want. This is not over and we will not take no for an answer will we!?”



“NO!” They shouted.



Hermione stood up. “We have targeted and decided we will get the men we want won’t we!?”



“Yes!” All three stood up laughing.



“Here’s to success in the making.” Glasses clinked and the last of the vodka vanished. The girls ended up staying and spending he night. None of them were in any shape to fly or apparate away.