two rings and bad things

35_ the maze

"There they are!" Pansy laughed as the trio walked over.

It was an early afternoon in March, and the fourth years were waiting to be let inside the Potions classroom.

"You might find something to interest you in there, Granger," she added loudly as she threw the newspaper at Hermione.

Hermione caught it, shocked at what Pansy just did, when Professor Snape opened the door and let the students in.

They were working on brewing a Wit-Sharpening Potion today, but Hermione was preoccupied with reading the article Pansy was talking about.

Sure enough, it accused her of giving Love Potions to Viktor Krum.

When Hermione was done reading, she turned and gave Pansy a sarcastic smile and a wave.

She then consulted Harry and Ron, which probably wasn't the smartest thing to do in Professor Snape's class.

"Fascinating though your social life undoubtedly is, Miss Granger, I must ask you not to discuss it in my class," He said coldly.

"Ten points from Gryffindor."

Malfoy smiled at this and flashed his "Potter Stinks" badge at Harry from where he was sitting with the rest of his house.

"Ah, reading magazines under the table as well?" Professor Snape snatched the Witch Weekly.

"Another ten points from Gryffindor. But, of course, Potter has to keep up with his press cuttings," he sneered.

The Slytherins laughter soon filled the room.

"'Harry Potter's Secret Heartache'... dear, dear, Potter, what's ailing you now? 'A boy like no other, perhaps..." The Professor read.

"... Harry Potter's well-wishers must hope that, next time, he bestows his heart upon a worthier candidate.' How very touching," he sneered.

"Well, I think I had better separate the three of you, so you can keep your minds on your potions rather than on your tangled love lives. Weasley, you stay here. Miss Granger, over there, beside Miss Koldings. Potter—that table in front of my desk. Move. Now."

"Why did have to send her over here," Malfoy complained under his breath.

"I don't want you sitting next to Granger, her dirty blood might get on you."

"Well I don't mind. It's better than sitting next to pug face."

Hermione had sat down next to Ed by now, but the friends still continued their conversation.

"Speaking of pug face..." Malorie interrupted.

"I have the newspaper, too. You might want to read the exclusive on the last page," she handed Ed the paper.

"Miss Granger doesn't seem to be the only one using Love Potions. Pansy Parkinson also says that Edeline Koldings, another Slytherin fourth year, has grown considerably close to Draco Malfoy. 'She's almost uglier than Granger,' Parkinson states. 'I'm a friend of Draco's, and he's been acting strange lately. I wouldn't be surprised if Ed was using him for his family's money,'" she read quietly.

"What?!" said Ed, shocked.

"God damn it, Pansy," Malfoy muttered.

"Draco, if our parents ever found out-"

"I know. I told that Skeeter women to stay away," he said, very frustrated.

"They're going to kill me! I'm not even allowed to date, especially if it was you," Ed commented.