Student

When Draco returned to the Slytherin common room, he was assaulted by Blaise. "Draco!" she practically screamed. "Where on earth have you been?" She started to stroke him. "Why don't we go back to that nice privet room of yours and...."

"Not now, Blaise," said Draco quickly, pushing her off him. "I have....things to do." He slammed the door behind him, leaving Blaise looking startled.

Draco stifled a scream of pleasure. The owl was still an owl.

****

Harry and Hermione were still making out when Ron came in. Damn! he thought. Not again! He started to back out.....and promptly tripped and fell backwards and bumped down the stairs. As he lay there, looking at the ceiling, he wished that he were dead.

****

There was a knock on the common room door. Harry pulled away and, smiling at Hermione, went down the stairs. He didn't see Ron (for whatever reason). In fact, he stepped on Ron's face. "OW!" Ron shouted. Harry looked down and saw Ron looking up at him with a rather squashed face.

"What on earth....?" Harry didn't have time to finish his sentence because at that very moment, Draco Malfoy's voice floated in.

"Potter? I know that you're there. Come on, open up! It's important." Harry ran to the door and pulled it open.

Draco stepped in, looking around the common room. Harry realized that it was probably a lot warmer here than down in his dungeon common room. Draco didn't seem impressed. In fact, he gave a few of the armchairs a disdainful look before turning back to Harry. "I came to pick Granger up for our date."

"Oh! Right." Harry ran over to the stairs and called up to Hermione. "Hey! Hermione! Draco Malfoy is here to take you out!"

Hermione appeared, looking bewildered. "Draco Malfoy?" she said, disbelievingly.

Draco stepped forward. "Here in the flesh," he said. "Take a good look."

Hermione gaped. And gaped some more. Draco was getting annoyed. They stood there for a full five minutes, during which Hermione stood and made gurgling noises. Not terribly attractive.

****

While Hermione was gaping, Harry helped Ron up. "Thanks, mate," said Ron.

"Why on earth were you lying on the stairs?"

"Because I find them comfortable," Ron snapped, rubbing his head.

Harry stared. "Really? Are stairs different at Hogwarts or something?"

Ron looked at him hard, an eyebrow raised. "What do you think?" Harry still looked confused. "Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are you Harry? It was a joke!" he said, exasperated. He fell back against the wall letting out a long stream of air as he did so. He and Harry fell into the rhythm of Hermione's gurgles, ceasing all talk. Somehow, if one listened long enough, those gurgles became soothing.

****

"I'm afraid that I just can't trust you, or anyone!" Camalita sighed heavily, bosom heaving. "After all that I have loved, after all that I have lost..." She clung to one of the heavy marble pillars like it was the only thing keeping her from being swept out into the turbulent sea.

"Why can't you put that behind you? That was not me! That was Carlos! I, Roderick, would never do anything like that to you. Why must I be made to suffer for my brother's foolish mistakes?" Camalita felt Roderick's presence behind her. "I love you, Camalita," he whispered gently. "Do not leave me like this." She turned, looking into his deep blue eyes. Their lips connected and it was as if a beam of light had permeated the deep darkness of her soul. She pulled him closer, feeling the beat of his heart against hers, experiencing what felt to her like life for the first...

Draco threw the book down in disgust. He had resigned himself to the fact that they weren't leaving anytime soon, so he had thrown himself into an armchair and grabbed a book off of the table. It was a romance novel. If he found out who this belonged to....oh would they ever be humiliated! He grinned slightly. He looked at Ron and Harry. They were deep in conversation. Weasley better not be trying to steal him! Draco looked at Hermione. She was still gurgling.

He sighed, casting longing glances at the romance novel. Looking shiftily around, he picked it up and kept reading.

****

"Ron?" Harry looked over at him. "Should we leave them to it?" Ron nodded in assent and the two of them retreated from the sound of Hermione's gurgles.

Ron sat down on the bed. "So....." he began, looking around. Harry was staring at him intently.

"Look, Ron....I need to ask you a question." Ron looked up. "Why did you uncover me in the broom cupboard?" Ron's face turned beet red.

Then, he seemed to regain his composure. "This is why," he said softly. Before Harry knew what was happening, Ron had grabbed him and was kissing him madly.