Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

🦁 Hermione

Hermione woke up. The room around her smelled like sex and cold cigarettes from the night before. One of the glasses on the bedside table still contained some lukewarm fire whiskey. She stretched and took stock of her surroundings: 

1. She was warm, mostly thanks to the large Slytherin wrapped around her like Devil’s Snare. 
2. It was still early, perfect for leaving the snake den unnoticed.
3. She felt deliciously sore and relaxed after their shag last night. 

She sighed and snuggled into the arms holding her. The Slytherin grumbled, still half asleep and pulled her closer to his chest. Hermione turned in his arms and kissed him. 

“Blaise, I have to go” 

He opened his eyes and kissed her back, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She moaned. He tasted like firewhiskey and sin. There went her plans to sneak out before sunrise. 

Blaise pulled away from her and looked at her. He was gorgeous, unbothered and freakishly good in bed. She could go for another round. 

“Are you sure, love?” he sighed, sliding his hands over her naked body under the covers. 

“What’s a couple more minutes?” she grinned impishly at him.

Blaise grabbed her and slid on top of her. 

“Couple minutes, hmm?” he hummed, kissing down her body. 

Oooh, she would enjoy this.

🌙

Twenty minutes later Hermione closed Blaise Zabini’s bedroom door behind her. She sighed. Let the walk of shame begin. She was still wearing her red dress, her makeup was smudged, her hair disheveled. Her stilettos in hand she padded down the stairs to the Slytherin common room on silent feet, hoping no one would see her slip through the door. 

She left silently through the Slytherin portrait. Inside the common room a few people whispered and the glimmer of an enchanted piece of paper disappeared at the whisper of Rumoris . 

Hermione might’ve thought she was being sneaky, but Gossip Owl would always find out. 

🐉 Draco

Draco entered the castle. His windswept blonde hair fell over his forehead. Nothing cured a hangover quite like early morning quidditch training. Whistling he made his way over to the dungeon entrance to take a shower before breakfast. 

He was halfway across the entrance Hall when she appeared from the Dungeons.

Hermione Granger. 

Still wearing that tiny red dress from last night, her stilettos dangled from one hand, her lipstick was smudged, her expression maybe a little too pleased with herself. 

She looked up. Met his gaze, but didn’t stop walking. A smirk tugged at her mouth. Like she knew exactly what she was doing.

Draco didn’t move.

He watched her ascend the staircase, slow and shameless, her short dress revealing a little more than just her long legs. Like she hadn’t just spent the night in someone else’s bed.

His jaw clenched. He kept looking. She didn’t turn around.

🌙

First week back and Gryffindor’s brightest star already burned through a snake? Granger, you never disappoint. We just hope he was worth the noise complaint. 

- xoxo Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🐍 Blaise

Blaise’s Saturday morning couldn’t have started any better. A girl in his bed, morning sex and now a hot coffee and Quidditch Times in the common room, bathing in the glory of last night’s conquest. He saw. He conquered. He came. And she did as well. Granger was a surprise. A very welcome, very flexible one. 

“Oy, mate, will you put on a shirt?” 

Blaise laughed as a ragged looking Theo approached him. 

“We all know what you did last night…or better who you did last night.” 

“Jealous?” Blaise smirked. 

Theo opened his mouth to snark back at him but the Portrait Door crashed open and an irritated Draco Malfoy stomped in. His gaze fixed on Blaise. 

“You alright there, Malfoy?” 

Draco glared. Blaise looked at him nonplussed. 

“Had a good night?” Draco was seething, which only made Blaise giddier. He hummed and took a sip of coffee. 

“Yeah, yeah we all heard. Pretty sure a Second Year filed a noise complaint” Theo sighed. Blaise chuckled. 

“What can I tell you, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. 

“You got a type.”

“Yes”, Blaise grinned “Flexible, bossy, and smarter than me - the usual”

Draco looked like he was debating murder. If he didn’t want her touched, he should’ve made his move first. That wasn’t Blaise’s fault, but it sure was fun to watch.

“What’s got your knickers in a twist, babe?” Pansy had joined the conversation. 

“Blaise and Granger” Theo chimed in from the bar cart. 

Pansy barked a laugh: “Yeah, we all heard.” She high-fived Blaise.

Draco turned on his heels and stomped up the stairs to his dorm. His door slammed shut with a bang. Blaise smirked, basking in the glory of his One Night Stand:  “Someone didn’t get laid last night”

🦁 Hermione

Hermione felt invincible. A long shower, a strong coffee, and the lingering memory of Blaise’s mouth on her thighs had done wonders for her hangover. She’d even managed to swipe one of his Slytherin Quidditch hoodies on the way out. It was oversized, soft, and smelling like sin and cedarwood. The perfect war trophy. 

Smirking to herself, she pushed open the doors to the Great Hall, which was buzzing with late-morning chatter and clinking cutlery. Heads turned as she strutted in. There were wolf whistles from the Slytherin table. She didn’t flinch, she didn’t linger and didn’t even spare a glance at Blaise. She winked at Luna, who complimented Hermione’s short skirt from the Ravenclaw table. 

Hermione kept walking, chin high, Blaise’s hoodie tied over one shoulder like she owned the bloody castle. She slid into the bench across from Ginny, who was already grinning like she’d been waiting for the debrief.

Ginny was sipping her coffee, looking a tad ruffled from her own night. She stared at Hermione, who was completely unbothered. Buttering her toast and pouring herself another cup of black steaming hot coffee. 

Ginny cleared her throat. “You’re practically glowing.” Hermione looked at her. “How was your night? You looked like you were enjoying your chosen Snake when we ditched the party.” 

Hermione lifted her brows and took a sip of her coffee. “Define ‘enjoy’, Gin.” 

“Your make-out session looked..let’s say, intense . What happened?” 

Hermione smirked. “We studied wandwork.” She took a bite of her toast and looked at Ginny, who started giggling like a teenager. “He’s surprisingly skilled for someone who never does his homework.” 

A sudden WHOOSH startled the Great Hall. Enchanted parchment fluttered from the ceiling like freshly printed gossip confetti. Hermione grabbed one of the parchments: 

Gryffindor’s Golden Girl was caught slithering out of the Dungeons this morning. Scarlet dress. No shoes. No shame.  Blaise, we salute you. Granger, do teach a course sometime.

xoxo, Gossip Owl

The reactions were almost immediate. There were roars from the Slytherin table, Hermione chanced a glance across the hall to see Blaise smirking, apparently accepting congratulations and claps on his back. Draco Malfoy was stonefaced and looked like he was about to end someone with his oatmeal spoon. A few seats down from Hermione, Lavender gasped and squealed, passing the parchment to Parvati. Dean Thomas spat out his juice and Seamus had to clap his back so Dean could breathe again. Harry and Ron arrived at the table a few moments later, reading the note over Ginny’s shoulder. Harry blushed and Ron shook his head and sat down next to Lavender, kissing her forehead. 

Hermione blinked once, took another bite of toast and shrugged.

“She forgot to mention how good he was.” she smirked and then popped a strawberry jam-covered finger into her mouth, winking at Blaise, fully aware Draco Malfoy was watching her.

Chapter Text

🐉 Draco

This day could not get any worse. 

Draco shoved his oatmeal aside, threw his spoon on the table with a loud clatter and got up from the Syltherin table. 

“You alright, mate?” Theo frowned.

“Perfect.” Draco snapped, already getting up. He stalked away from the Slytherin table and, because he was a goddamn masochist, he looked.

There she was.

Granger was smiling about something with her idiot friends. Completely unbothered. Still wearing the stupid Quidditch hoodie. Not even a glance in his direction. 

He grit his teeth and kept walking, out of the Great Hall and up the stairs, barely aware of where he was going until the cold air hit him.

He was standing atop the Astronomy Tower.

Of course. Where else would one spiral in peace?

🌙

Draco sat on the ledge, the wind tugging at his hair like it had a grudge. He pulled the crumpled Gossip Owl note from his pocket. He read it again, as if it had changed in the last twenty minutes. 

“Fucking Owl and her stupid gossip” he muttered to himself, balling up the note and throwing it off the ledge. That helped a little. 

How did Gossip Owl find out? Had Blaise kissed and told? Or worse…had someone seen her leave Blaise’s room? 

Why did it matter? 

She wasn’t his. 

She was a grown witch. She could do whatever - or whoever she wanted. 

But did she have to wear the stupid hoodie? 

That was the part that was slowly driving him insane. Not the sex. Not even the smug look on Blaise’s face. The fucking hoodie. 

He wanted her in his hoodie. Wanted her to leave his bed, freshly shagged and pink-cheeked. Not Blaise’s. 

He slammed his fist into the stone wall beside him. Bone crunched.

“FUCK” 

The pain cleared his head. Sort of. He pulled out his wand and muttered, “ Episkey ,” watching the bruises vanish with a bitter satisfaction.

So what now?

Was it feelings? Infatuation? A stupid possessive kink?

Maybe he just needed a proper shag to get her out of his system. Maybe he needed to talk to her. Maybe he needed to ruin Blaise’s life.

Draco got up. He knew where she’d be.

Time to find out what the hell this was.

🦁 Hermione

Hermione was curled into her favorite window seat in the library, iced coffee in hand, a worn textbook open on her lap.

Saturday afternoons were perfect here. Quiet, golden light, nobody bothering her. She adjusted the oversized Slytherin hoodie and took another sip of her coffee, the scent of cedarwood and boy still lingering around her. Her mind drifted, completely uninvited, back to Blaise’s mouth between her thighs.

She sighed. Shook it off. Turned a page.

“Since when are you a Slytherin, Granger?” someone drawled close to her.

She didn’t need to look up.

“What do you want, Malfoy?”

“You’ve got a book I need.”

She hummed. “Do I?”

“Yes.” He started rifling through the small stack in front of her like he owned the place.

She arched a brow. “If you want something, you can just ask, Malfoy.”

“I’ve got everything I need right here.” He smirked, looking at her like he just won a precious price.

He grabbed a book. Probably hadn’t even read the title.

Hermione glanced over, lips twitching. “‘ The Ordeal of Being a Modern Witch ’? Didn’t know you were exploring your inner feminist.”

His cheeks flushed pink. He sat down next to her like he hadn’t just embarrassed himself.

Hermione shifted, pulling the hoodie’s sleeves over her hands and adjusting her legs.

He stared.

Two seconds too long.

He cleared his throat and opened the book. Definitely at a random page.

Hermione didn’t bother hiding her smirk. She just went back to pretending to read, legs stretched out across the window seat, enjoying the silence.

Until she caught him staring again.

This time, at her legs.

She shifted. Just slightly. More skin.

“Granger, have you ever heard of pants?” he snapped. “You nearly flashed me.”

She laughed. “You sat down here. No one to blame but yourself.”

His mouth opened—probably for another insult—but he didn’t get the chance.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my two favorite emotionally repressed study gremlins,” Theo said cheerfully, dropping into a chair across from them.

He looked like chaos personified—open shirt, wrinkled tee, a half-eaten chocolate bar in one hand. Stupidly handsome.

Hermione didn’t look up. “I’d say ‘go away,’ but you’re actually doing a decent job buffering the awkward.”

She gestured lazily at Draco, who pretended to read like it was life or death. The book was upside down. 

Theo grinned. “Glad to be of service. Although Malfoy over there is practically vibrating. Either fuck or fight, children. The rest of us are trying to nap.”

Draco shot him a murderous glare. Hermione smiled into her coffee.

“Speaking of chaos…” Theo dropped a folded, enchanted note onto the table. “Gossip Owl’s latest. Padma was cackling over it in the Ancient Runes section. Ruined my nap.”

Hermione raised a brow. “Padma laughs?”

Theo nodded solemnly. “Unholy sound. Like a Veela on helium.”

“Why don’t you go nap in your own bed?” Draco growled.

Theo shrugged. “I don’t nap in my own bed. Not alone, anyway.”

He looked at Hermione. She just rolled her eyes.

“If Blaise is done with you, I call next,” Theo said, flashing a grin.

“You couldn’t handle me, Nott.”

“Try me.”

Draco slammed his book shut with way too much force.

Theo’s grin sharpened.

“So, what’s the plan, Granger? Keep pretending you don’t know Malfoy’s obsessed with you, or finally put him out of his misery?”

Hermione closed her book slowly. Stood. Stretched.

Then turned to Theo with a lazy smile.

“I’ve had enough brooding stares for one afternoon. Walk me out?”

Theo blinked. Then smiled like he’d won something.

“Always.”

She turned on her heel and sauntered toward the exit, coffee cup in hand, not even sparing Draco a backward glance.

Theo followed, slinging an arm casually around her shoulder as he passed.

“Don’t wait up,” he called.

Draco didn’t move.

His jaw clenched tight enough to crack. He watched her leave again—with Theo’s arm slung casually over her shoulders, like it meant nothing.

But it wasn’t nothing .

Not to him.

🌙

Brooding blondes and bruised egos.
Careful, Slytherins. Granger doesn’t chase. She selects.

xoxo,
Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🦂 Theo

Theo’s arm was still slung over Granger’s shoulders as they strolled down the dim, empty hallway. Slow, lazy steps, like neither of them wanted it to end.

“What do I get for rescuing you from the blonde aristocrat?” he asked.

She tilted her head up toward him, lashes fluttering, those big brown eyes blinking at him all sweet and innocent - like she wasn’t a complete menace.

“Like you’re not an aristocrat yourself, Theo.” She smirked and looped an arm around his waist, pressing into his side. Casual. Possessive.

“While that might be true…” He sniffed, mock offended. “I’m not blond.”

“I know,” she said. “Thank Godric.”

His heart hiccupped as her hand slid into the back pocket of his jeans like she’d done it a hundred times before. Bold little thing .

Play it cool, Nott. Play it cool.

“Blaise is a right idiot for letting you go,” he said. “If I’d had you in my bed, Granger, you wouldn’t have left in just my hoodie. You’d have stayed. Wearing nothing.”

She shrugged, blush blooming on her cheeks, but her eyes never wavered.

“Maybe I’m not done with him yet. Maybe I’ll collect all of you…” She paused, wicked smile curling. “At the same time.”

Theo choked on air. Almost.

“That filthy mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”

“Good.”

They turned a corner. A familiar tapestry loomed ahead. That thing was ugly as sin, concealing one of his favorite alcoves.

He pushed it aside with a flourish. “Is that your move, Nott?”

“Just for you, my damsel in distress. Who else would’ve rescued you from the big blonde brute?”

But before he could add another smug quip, she spun around. He barely had time to register the glint in her eye before he hit the wall. Hard. Her coffee cup shattered at their feet, forgotten.

And then she kissed him.

No hesitation. No warning.

Mouth on his, full of heat and challenge. She licked into him like she owned the place, hands braced on his chest, hips pressed close. Her kiss was messy and electric. All tongue and teeth and intent . A small, unguarded gasp escaped him, traitorous and high.

FUCK.

This wasn’t a kiss. This was a war crime. And he’d take it again and again.

Theo fisted the back of her hoodie, anchoring her to him, kissing her back like he wanted her on every surface of this castle.

Which, to be fair, he did.

He'd remember this kiss until the day he died. Or until she ruined him entirely.

Whichever came first.

She sighed into his mouth. Blissfully wrecked.

Then just as suddenly, she pulled away. He reached for her again, but she slipped from his grasp.

Disheveled. Glowing. Pupils blown wide. She looked like sin personified. 

“Thanks for the walk, Nott.” 

And just like that, she vanished.

It took him a moment to remember how to breathe. Then he stepped out of the alcove, still stunned, heading for the library like a man coming back from battle.

He barely noticed the person he bumped into.

“Sorry…” he mumbled. 

“Theo?” a clear slightly high-pitched voice ripped him from his delirium. “Are you alright?”

“Oh, Astoria. Sorry, yeah. Just…” words fled him. What had just happened? 

🦁 Hermione

When Hermione slipped from the secret alcove, she practically floated. What was it with Slytherin men and being this extraordinary?

Theo’s kiss had been exceptional. And Blaise’s scent still clung to her, promising sex and sin.

She smiled, wiped her mouth, and all but skipped back to Gryffindor Tower—completely unaware of who might’ve been watching her from the shadows.

🌙

Spotted: 

Granger slipping out of a hidden alcove, flushed and grinning like she just aced her NEWTs in Oral Charms.

Nott followed soon after, looking thoroughly… studied.

Lesson of the day? Keep your wands close, boys — the lioness is collecting Slytherins.

xoxo

Gossip Owl

🌙

When Hermione entered the common room, Ginny was already waiting—barely containing her glee.

Hermione frowned. “What?”

Ginny passed her a crumpled piece of parchment. Another Gossip Owl leak.

“ Nott , huh?” she wiggled her brows.

“He walked me out of the library.”

“Sure, Granger. Sure. ”

Hermione sighed, exasperated.
“Alright. We kissed.”

Ginny lit up. “Are you sure it was only a kiss? Sounds like you thoroughly studied his… ”—she mock-coughed—“ wand. ”

They collapsed into laughter.

After a moment, Hermione sobered. “I wonder who has it out for me.”

“You think it’s targeted?”

“It’s starting to feel that way.”

“Please, you shagged a Slytherin on the first Friday back. Fuck around and find out , I’d say.”

“You’re sleeping with Harry fucking Potter and no one’s passing notes about your love life.”

Ginny just grinned.
“Yeah, well. We’re not stumbling out of alcoves looking like we just gave a snake the ride of his life. We’re boring.”

Hermione hummed, lost in thought.
“Lavender?” she whispered.

“What?”

“Gossip Owl. Think it’s Lavender? She’s still pissed I slept with Ron last year.”

“Godric, no. Lavender can’t keep a secret for shit. If it was her, she’d be shouting it in the Great Hall with glittered parchment.”

Fair point. Lavender did still hate her, though. That Ron thing had been a mess .

Hermione got up and headed to the bar cart, pouring herself a generous glass of whiskey.

Ginny raised a brow. “What’s the plan for tonight, Granger?”

“Drink. Maybe head to the Ravenclaw party.”

Ginny smirked. “Who’s your victim tonight?”

Hermione took a long sip, then tilted her head. “Who knows, Gin. Who knows.”

🌙

Rumor has it, Ravenclaw’s throwing their first party tonight—and it’s not for the faint of heart.

No chaperones, no rules, and certainly no shame.

Silk, sin, and secrets are on the menu.

The question isn’t who’s going , it’s who’s going to survive it —

reputation intact or otherwise.

See you there, darlings.

xoxo, Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🦂 Theo

Theo slipped into the Ravenclaw common room. Lights low. Music pulsing like blood in his ears. People were dancing. He was late — fashionably, intentionally. The best kind of late. Pre-Drinks had gotten him in the mood. The Moonmist he’d taken earlier was doing its thing. Theo was ready to let go. 

His wandering eyes found Granger dancing seductively with She-Weasel and…Blaise. She was laughing. Touching his arm. Theo’s jaw clenched. 

What the fuck was Blaise doing touching her like that?

She wasn’t his to play with.

A shoulder grazed his, snapping him out of it.

“Careful with that one, Nott. She might just eat you alive.” Padma purred. 

She touched his arm. 

He flinched. 

She laughed. 

“Enjoy the party, sweetheart.” 

With a wink she vanished in the crowd. 

Granger had left the floor. Alone. He spotted the sway of her dress just before she turned a corner. He was on her heels in seconds.

“Where might a beautiful lady like yourself be heading alone?”

“Theo,” she gasped, “Drinks.” 

Her pupils were blown. All black. She was high. He smirked. 

“Granger, are you high?” 

She just stared up at him. 

He let his hand roam over her hip, lazily leaning forward. Whispering in her ear.

“I’ve got more, if you want to take the edge off…further.” 

She shivered. 

He produced a bag of Opalight powder from the back pocket of his black jeans. The powder was glowing, shimmering with the promise of passion and seduction. 

She licked her lips. Smiled like sin. Then grabbed his hand and tugged him down a hallway leading to the Ravenclaw dorms. 

He laid lines of the drug on an end table close by. 

He handed her a silver straw: “Ladies, first.” 

She laughed. 

“Of course you have your own straw.” 

She took the straw from him and quickly snorted a line of Opalight. He followed suit. 

They looked at each other. 

They laughed. 

Granger exhaled. Rolled her eyes as if experiencing sweet bliss.

“It’s like... the bass is in my bloodstream,” she murmured and then Theo kissed her. 

He kissed her like his life depended on it. Grabbing her like she was his personal property. 

FUCK.  

This kiss was messy. Possessive. Searing hot. 

She bit his lip, sucking it into her mouth. He pushed her up against the wall. His hands roaming her body in her short dress.

“Theo!” a voice called his name “Is that Opa…” 

Theo broke the kiss — reluctant, dazed, wrecked,  already mourning the heat of her mouth.

She ducked under his arm. 

He turned to stop her and instead looked at Marcus Flint’s greedy eyes. 

“Yes, Flint. That’s Opalight. But it’s not for you, you greedy bastard. Buy your own.” 

“But you’re my dealer.” 

“Well, sucks to be you, Flint.” 

His eyes searched the hallway. Granger was gone. 

He punched Marcus Flint in the nose and stalked off, hunting the girl who tasted like fire and Opalight.

🐍 Blaise

The Warmblood — Muggle-bred, magic-spiked Ecstasy — was humming through Blaise’s bloodstream as he swayed to the beat. He nursed his drink, watching bodies writhe like heatwaves.

“Have you seen, Mione?” a voice inquired next to him. He turned. Weasel and Pothead.

He’d seen Granger disappear into the shadows with Theo. Didn’t love that.

“No. Now go away.” he turned his back to them. Fucking losers. 

A few seconds later she emerged from the hallway, eyes wide, lip stick smudged. Hair tousled. 

He stalked over to her. 

“Another drink, Granger?” he purred, holding out a spiked drink to her. Liquid Lush. Maybe it’d make her kiss him again with those sinful lips.

She smiled. Taking a sip. Letting her eyes roam over him. 

He knew in that instance that she thought about last night. His fingers on her body. His mouth drawing wicked circles on her skin. 

Delicious.

“Come dance with me.” she smiled at him. 

He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. The beat was pumping and they let it take them. Drugs worked their way through their systems as they moved in sync. 

Her arms were around his neck. She was so close. She smelled like whiskey and trouble. 

She kissed him. Dirty. Diving right in. No warning. 

He kissed her back. Openly in the middle of the dance floor. People were staring. People were whooping. 

He opened his eyes over her shoulder — caught Theo watching. Smirking. Jaw tight. Game on.

Granger pulled away. 

“Oops,” she giggled, dragging her hands down his chest like she owned it.

He grabbed her ass, pulling her flush against him. 

“What do you mean ‘oops’, Granger? Am I just a mistake in your mind?” 

Her smile turned wicked. 

“How can something like this be a mistake, Blaise?”

It was his turn to kiss her. He licked over her lips. Sliding his tongue into her mouth. She tasted like Liquid Lush, whiskey and a promising night. 

She broke the kiss, but didn’t pull away this time. They moved off the dancefloor. And suddenly Theo was next to them.

Blaise didn’t know what would happen next. He just knew it’d be fucking fun .

🦁 Hermione

Sometime later, Hermione found herself tangled up with both her favorite snakes on a couch. The music was blaring like thunder underwater. Her thoughts were honey-slow. Everything around her moved like molasses in moonlight. 

She was perched on Blaise’s lap, her legs laying on Theo’s thighs. Blaise’s hands wandered greedily over her hips. Theo’s thumb toyed with the edge of her dress — higher, then lower, then still.

Hermione was floating — warm, wicked, untouchable.

There was no need to talk. She would enjoy this. 

They looked at each other. She laughed.

She wanted this. Wanted to burn a little.

Blaise kissed her. Deep. Demanding. Possessive. She sighed into his mouth and his hands tightened on her hips. 

“Don’t tease, Granger,” Blaise breathed against her ear. “Or I’ll carry you out of here and make good on every fantasy in that pretty head of yours.” he purred into her ear. She nearly moaned at his words. 

Theo’s hands had wandered further up her legs. Now teasing under the hemline. She leaned forward, grabbing his chin, kissing him. 

This felt unholy but so right. Her whole body hummed. 

She leaned back, watching both Slytherins rake their eyes over her like she was the last sin worth committing. The sight alone might’ve been enough to make her come. She had never felt this desired. 

Hermione’s eyes wandered through the room. In the shadows, she caught a flash of blue. Parvati? Padma? Maybe both. Maybe neither. Her brain couldn’t track — just the glint of a knowing smile, a raised glass, and the whisper of being watched .

Blaise was now kissing her neck. A small moan slipped up her throat. Time to leave. 

She got up from the couch, grabbing both Theo’s and Blaise’s hands. 

“Let’s blow this place.” 

They shared a look. 

She could’ve picked. 

She didn’t. 

She was a menace. 

And she knew it. 

Theo swallowed. 

Blaise smirked. 

Apparently, the Snakes agreed.

Blaise put his hand on her waist and pulled her close. Theo dropped his arm around her shoulder. 

“Let’s.” Theo rumbled into her ear. 

🐉 Draco

Draco was late to the party — and judging by the haze of sex, smoke, and sin, he was too late.

He watched Granger dance with Blaise, then kiss him. 

The glass in his hand cracked. Then shattered.

“Fuck.” 

“Need a hand, Malfoy?”

“Fuck off, Flint.” He turned. “Who clocked you?”

“Nott.”

Draco blinked. “The hell for?”

“I stole his drugs.” Flint grinned, nose bleeding. “Want some?”

“Oh, do I.” Draco smirked, clapping him on the back.

🌙

Later, Draco was blissfully high. Drink in hand, he headed back to the common room. 

Turning he saw Granger on a nearby couch with Blaise… and Theo. 

Draco’s jaw clenched. 

His empty hand curled into a fist. 

He didn’t want to look, but did they have to be so obvious? 

Barely containing his rage, he turned. Suddenly facing Astoria Greengrass smirking at him. 

Of course. Of course she’d be here now — like some cursed omen with perfect eyeliner. 

She always showed up when things were about to implode. Like she knew before anyone else did.

“Draco,” she chirped. “I didn’t know you were here. I haven’t seen you.” 

He hummed. Knuckles clenching. 

“Was crashing out with Flint.” 

“Oh.” she sighed and stepped closer. Then suddenly she looked like it dawned on her. 

“Ooooh.” 

A sly smirk made its way to her lips. She touched his arm, moving closer. 

“You’re wasting your time,” he said, not even looking at her — eyes fixed on Granger’s mouth as it met Blaise’s like it belonged there.
 

Astoria followed his gaze. Her smile tightened. “So are you.” 

He ignored her. She walked away. He didn’t feel remorse. 

His eyes tracked Granger as she got up from the couch, reaching out to Blaise and Theo. 

What. Were. They. Doing? 

What was she thinking?

Why the fuck did it feel like his chest was caving in?

Granger leaned into Blaise, Theo’s arm around her shoulder. 

She left with both of them. 

He didn’t look away. He tried— and failed. 

Miserably.

The image of her leaving with his two best mates seared into his brain. 

Draco’s fist slammed into the wall. Hard enough to split skin. Not enough to stop the ache.

🌙

Spotted:
One Mudblood, two Slytherins, and a couch built for sin.

Guess who didn’t get the invite? That’s right — our resident blond with a god complex and a cracked knuckle.

Kisses were exchanged. Substances were consumed. And some snakes left hand in hand…or should I say hands ?

Tell me, darling readers — is this the start of a throuple? Or just the end of someone’s last shred of sanity?
xoxo
Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🦁 Hermione

They wound their way through the castle. Startling scattered couples making out in shadowy corners. Somehow they had decided on the Syltherin dungeons again. Hermione felt invincible. Two beautiful men bowing to her every wish. Making her feel like a goddess. Her body was humming from the attention. 

She led them to Theo’s dorm with a feral smile, high on drugs and the power of knowing she was wanted equally by two men who rarely shared anything. Blaise’s hand on her ass, somehow steading her, she pushed open the door to Theo’s room. It was all male. Dark wood, dark velvet and silk. She stepped into the room, both men lingering in the door frame smirking at her, eyes roving over her body. 

“Close the door,” she purred, stepping backwards toward Theo’s bed, “and don’t even think about playing nice.”

Blaise stepped forward, grabbing her. His lips landed on her neck. 

“You sure about this, Granger?” he whispered against her. 

Her skin prickled as he licked the column of her neck. 

“Yes, please.” she nearly whined. She had never wanted anything more in her life than to be worshipped by these two beautiful men. 

Theo stepped up behind her, his fingers wandering over her body. Toying with the zipper of her dress. 

Blaise kissed her neck. Her jaw. 

A shaky breath left her lips as she worked at the buttons on Blaise’s shirt. 

He kissed her. 

She sighed into his mouth.

Blaise's kiss had gone hot and consuming, his tongue slick against hers, his teeth catching her lower lip like he wanted to mark her.

Theo’s hands were criminally slow. 

His fingers found the zipper of her dress again and dragged it down with infuriating ease. 

The fabric slipped from her shoulders like it had been waiting to fall, slinking down her body and puddling at her heels.

She stepped out of it slowly, enjoying the way their gazes roamed her skin like it was sacred text.

Theo stepped back slightly, just to watch . His eyes devoured every inch of her.

“Holy fuck, Granger,” he muttered like a prayer. “You’re not even trying to be good, are you?”

She didn’t answer. Just kicked off her heels and stepped out of the fabric, left in barely-there lace and the audacity of knowing they would ruin her.

Blaise’s knuckles grazed her waist. “You wore this on purpose.”

“I didn’t think you’d see it,” she said, breathless.

“Liar.”

She turned, eyes glittering as she took his hand and pulled him with her toward the bed. She climbed in, backward, until she was perched in his lap — legs draped across his thighs, her back against his chest.

Blaise’s arms wrapped around her waist like a vice. His mouth found the curve of her neck, all teeth and promise. “You’re playing with fire, Granger.”

“Good,” she breathed. “Burn me.”

His hands slid up, fingers splaying across her ribs before cupping her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples in slow, maddening circles. Her head lolled back against his shoulder, her body already singing.

And then Theo joined them.

He knelt between her legs like he belonged there.

He kissed up her thighs like a penitent sinner at an altar. Worship in his mouth, mischief in his fingers. He looked up at her through those lashes as if to ask for permission.

She gasped when his mouth landed. Tongue slow. Daring. Like he knew he had time and wanted to savour the destruction.

Blaise leaned in close behind her, his hands roaming her chest, his lips at her neck.

“You’re shaking,” he whispered. “He hasn’t even started yet.”

Theo groaned into her, the vibration lighting her nerves on fire.

She felt stretched between them — one whispering filth into her ear, the other drowning himself in her.

“I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” Blaise said, cupping her breast as her head fell back. “Let go, Granger. Let him take you apart.”

Hermione whimpered, completely undone. She could feel her orgasm building — messy, inevitable. Theo devoured her like it was salvation, and Blaise kissed the side of her throat, pinched her nipples until she cried out.

Her whole body coiled tight, and then —

It shattered.

She came with a cry, white-hot and breathless, hips trembling, thighs clenching around Theo’s head. Blaise held her through it, one arm banded around her waist, the other toying with her breast like he was trying to draw it out.

And it worked. She was wrecked. Floating.

Theo looked up from between her thighs, lips glistening, pupils blown wide.

“You taste like fucking heaven,” he muttered.

Blaise chuckled darkly. “Told you.”

Hermione exhaled a breathy, wicked laugh — dazed, blissed out, but still hungry.

Still so far from done.

🐍 Blaise

As Granger’s first orgasm clashed around them, Blaise’s need grew almost unbearable. His breathing heavy, he pulled her close to him. 

“You’re not done yet, Granger. Not even close. Remember you asked for this,” he ground out. 

He guided her to her back. Getting up from the bed. Removing his shirt. It landed on the floor behind him. 

Granger was watching him. Laying on her back, propped up on her elbow. She was flushed and almost smug. 

He opened the belt on his black dress pants. Her eyes roamed over his body. He smirked. 

“Eyes up here, Granger. Don’t you dare sneak a peak.” 

Her gaze drifted back to his face. She bit her lower lip. 

FUCK. 

His cock was straining against his pants. 

He needed to be inside her. 

He needed to wipe that smug orgasm-induced smirk off her face. 

He had to have her. 

Now. 

Seeing Theo devour her in front of him had only spurred on his possessiveness. 

That sound she made—it had rewired something in him. 

She was his. 

His to devour. 

His to ruin. 

Blaise removed his pants and boxer shorts and moved back to Granger on Theo’s bed. 

He grabbed her ankles and pulled her flat onto her back in one smooth motion. 

She gasped, half laughing, but he wasn’t in the mood to play anymore. Not really.

“Spread your legs for me,” he said, voice low and lethal.

Granger obeyed, that wicked look still in her eyes, but her breath was starting to come fast again. She could feel the shift in him — Blaise had stopped teasing. He was hunting now.

He crawled over her slowly, dragging his body up along hers, settling between her thighs like he had every fucking right.

“You looked so fucking smug a minute ago,” he murmured, kissing the corner of her mouth. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”

She shivered, eyes wide.

Theo moved to the side of the bed, his chest still rising and falling from the aftermath. Blaise met his gaze briefly — a flicker of approval, maybe, or just understanding. They’d never done this before. Never shared like this. But somehow, with her , it made sense.

Blaise pressed his hips down, letting her feel every inch of him, hard and hot and waiting.

Hermione moaned, bucking up against him.

He growled into her neck. “So greedy already. That wasn’t enough for you?”

“No,” she whispered, almost defiantly.

“Good.”

He slid a hand between them, fingers trailing down to her still-slick cunt. She was soaked .

He hissed through his teeth. “You’re fucking dripping, Granger.”

She whimpered, squirming under him. “Please, Blaise—”

He cut her off with a kiss, bruising and deep, before pulling back just enough to line himself up and press in.

Her mouth dropped open. Her back arched.

“Fuck,” he groaned as he sank into her, slow, unrelenting. “Fuck, Hermione —”

She clenched around him like she was made for this. Made for him.

And then he moved. Deep, hard strokes that had her gasping, grabbing at his arms, his back, anything she could reach.

Blaise buried his face in her neck, biting down gently, losing himself in the sounds she made.

“Is this what you wanted?” he asked, voice hoarse. “Being fucked like this? After he made you come with his mouth?”

She could barely speak. Just nodded. Whimpered.

He grinned against her skin. “Good girl.”

Theo’s hand brushed down her side, grounding her, stroking her hip while Blaise fucked her like he was chasing a goddamn high.

She was trembling again. Blaise felt it — the start of another orgasm already building.

“Let go for me, Granger” he murmured, reaching down to press his thumb to her clit. “Come on, I want to feel it this time.”

She came with a strangled cry, falling apart beneath him, clutching at both of them as if she could fuse their bodies together.

Blaise swore, holding back his own release by sheer force of will. He was going to make this last. He wasn’t done yet.

Not even close.

She was still flushed and trembling when he pulled her into his lap.

“Come here,” he growled, voice thick with need.

Hermione moved easily, like she already knew what he wanted. Her thighs straddled his hips, her palms bracing against his chest as she hovered above him 

Blaise gripped her hips. “Take what you want, Granger. It’s all yours”

She sank onto him in one, slow motion, and he swore 

“Fuck—”

Her walls clenched around him and Blaise’s head thudded back against the pillows.

Theo was behind her again.

He leaned in from behind, dragging a hand over Granger’s spine as she started to move — slow, sinful rolls of her hips that made Blaise see stars.

“You look so good like this,” Theo muttered, kissing the nape of her neck. “Fucking both of us in your own way.”

She whimpered, tipping her head back against Theo’s shoulder, grinding down harder on Blaise like she needed more, always more.

Blaise’s hands roamed up to cup her breasts, fingers brushing her nipples. Her body shuddered.

Theo’s mouth found her ear. “You want to make him lose it, don’t you? You want to ruin him so he can't stop thinking about the way you fuck. Don’t you, sweetheart.”

Her only answer was a moan that twisted into a gasp as Theo’s fingers slipped between her thighs — circling her clit as Blaise thrust up into her.

She was shaking. Perfect.

“Greedy fucking girl,” Blaise growled, hips snapping up. “You’re dripping all over me.”

Theo was panting against her skin now, hand still moving. “Can’t decide what I want more — to hear you fall apart again, or to take you while he’s still inside you.”

Hermione cried out, her rhythm faltering as the pressure built again — Theo’s fingers working her clit while Blaise fucked up into her, deeper, harder.

Her head dropped to Blaise’s shoulder. He caught her there, one hand on her back, the other anchoring her hips.

“You want it?” he rasped. “You gonna come for us again?”

“Y-Yes—please—”

“Let go,” Theo murmured against her ear. “We’ve got you.”

She shattered around them. Her whole body clenching, voice cracking on a broken cry as she came for the third time.

And Blaise couldn’t hold back. Not with her pulsing around him. Not with Theo still whispering filth across her shoulder blades.

He came with a low growl, thrusting deep and spilling into her as he caught her face in his hands.

“Mine,” he snarled against her mouth, dizzy and spent. “Fucking mine .”

Hermione clung to him, trembling. Chest heaving. Still wrecked.

Theo kissed her shoulder. His hand still between her thighs, a filthy smear of slick and satisfaction.

“I’m not done with you yet,” he said softly.

It wasn’t a question. It was a filthy threat.

🦂 Theo

She looked fucking divine like this.

Sweaty, panting, fucked out — curled into Blaise’s lap like sin itself.

But it was the tremble in her thighs that undid him.

Theo watched her ride the last waves of her third orgasm, Blaise’s seed dripping between her thighs, her mouth parted in a soft, ruined sigh.

He was hard. Still. Again. Always.

His cock ached, but he didn’t reach for it.

Not yet.

He didn’t need to.

This wasn’t about just fucking. Not for him.

It never had been.

He was watching her like he was trying to memorize every fucking breath. The way her hair stuck to her temples. The lazy twitch of her hips. Her eyes fluttering open — dazed, wrecked, still greedy.

Good.

He wanted her greedy.

Blaise brushed her curls from her forehead, whispering something low against her skin. Theo didn’t listen. He was already moving.

He stepped between Blaise’s knees, eyes locked on hers.

“Lie back, lioness,” he said quietly, but the command laced through her like magic.

She slid off Blaise with a wince and a moan, breath catching as Theo helped lower her to the bed.

He looked at Blaise once — a silent, loaded look — and Blaise nodded, pulling back just enough to give him space, settling beside them like a king who’d had his feast.

But Theo wasn’t here to feast.

He was here to worship .

She shivered. She was still slick. Still open. Still his.

“Fuck,” he whispered, mouth hovering near her navel. “You’re so messy, Granger.”

She didn’t answer — just stared up at him with those wide, heavy-lidded eyes like she’d let him do anything.

“Don’t go soft on me now,” he murmured, pressing a kiss just above her hipbone. “You can take one more. You want to, don’t you?”

She whimpered. Nodded.

He hooked her knees over his arms and dragged her to the edge of the bed.

Theo leaned over her, bracing one hand beside her head, the other guiding himself to her entrance.

“You’re full of him,” he muttered, voice strained. “Fuck, you’re warm.”

And then he pushed in.

Slow.

Careful.

Possessive.

Granger gasped — high-pitched and sharp — her legs tightening around him as he filled her.

Theo’s head dropped to her shoulder. His breath stuttered against her skin.

“You let him come inside you,” he rasped. “You knew I’d fuck you after.”

A wicked grin curled at her lips. “You didn’t mind.”

He laughed — dark and breathless.

“No,” he agreed, rolling his hips, deeper now. “I fucking loved it.”

He fucked her slow, every thrust deliberate. Like he wanted to brand her from the inside out. Like he needed her to remember this. Every inch. Every word.

Granger moaned again, her hands in his hair, tugging him down for a kiss that was all teeth and heat and please .

“You feel so fucking good,” he growled. “You make me lose my mind.”

She was shaking again, her body stretched thin between too much and not enough.

And Theo — finally — let himself go.

He was unraveling.

Every slow thrust threatened to tear him apart — not from the friction, but from her .

From the way she looked at him like she knew , like she saw through the chill and the charm and touched the soft, ruined thing beneath.

Theo buried his face in her neck, breathing her in like he needed it to survive.

She clenched around him and he gasped, hips stuttering.

“Fuck, Granger—” he bit out. “You feel unreal. You— fucking hell —”

Her nails dug into his back. Dragging. Begging.

“I need—” she started, voice cracking. “Please, Theo, I need—”

He caught her mouth in a kiss that was half-savage, half-reverent.

“I know what you need,” he growled against her lips. “You want it rough now, don’t you? You want to be ruined properly.”

She moaned like a sin.

And that was it.

He snapped.

Theo’s hand wrapped around her thigh, hauling her leg higher around his waist, angle shifting as he fucked into her harder. Faster.

No more holding back.

Each thrust was pure precision. No wasted movement. Just him driving into her like he needed to crawl inside her skin.

The bed creaked beneath them.

Granger was a mess of breathless pleas and broken sobs. Her fourth orgasm was building — desperate, sharp, right there.

Theo was a man on fire.

“You’re gonna come for me,” he hissed in her ear. “I want to feel it. I want to feel you fall apart.”

Her back arched. She cried out — high, helpless, heaven-shattering — and her whole body clenched around him.

Theo swore , loud and low, his hands gripping her hips like a lifeline.

Her orgasm dragged him with her.

He spilled inside her with a groan — deep, primal, possessive — like she’d wrung the soul out of him. Like she’d ruined him.

And maybe she had.

He collapsed on top of her, breath ragged, heart a war drum in his chest. He buried his face in her neck, kissed her like an apology and a prayer.

They lay like that for a long moment. Tangled. Sweaty. Marked.

Somewhere beside them, Blaise chuckled — low and smug and utterly spent.

Theo didn’t move.

He just breathed.

And held her.

Like maybe — just maybe — he wasn’t ready to let her go yet.

🦁 Hermione

The room was dim and warm. 

Their bodies were tangled in a haze. 

Their shared pleasure was slowly fading into satisfaction. 

Four earth shattering orgasms had wrecked her apart. She felt boneless, her thighs still trembling. 

Hours ago she’d been in control. Now she didn’t even know where she ended and they began.

Blaise was on her right side, gently stroking her hair. 

“Still with us, Granger?” His voice was lower now — more of a satisfied grumble.

She hummed. Her eyes closing. 

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple,

“Didn’t think we would ruin you this thoroughly.” 

Hermione sighed and leaned into him. 

Theo on her other side drew soft slow circles on her ribs. 

“You ok, sweetheart?” Theo asked softly. 

“Hmm, perfect.” 

He grabbed his wand from the night stand and cast a quick cleaning charm over all of them. 

She could feel Blaise nod his thanks and approval. 

The bed shifted. Theo was slipping away.

Her body protested, even before her mouth could.

“No, don’t go. Please.” she murmured, already half asleep.

She laced her fingers with both of their hands and snuggled into Blaise, pulling Theo tightly to her back. 

The last thing she heard was a soft whisper in her hair. But she didn’t understand what it meant. 

None of it — not the whisper, not the way they held her, not the weight settling in her chest.

🌙

Sinners Make the Best Saints.

Don’t they, Granger?

Two Snakes. One Lioness.
Whatever happened behind those Slytherin doors, it wasn’t innocent.

But darling, threesomes come at a price.

And someone always ends up paying.

XO XO,
Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🦁 Hermione

Soft morning light crept into the room, spilling across bare skin and tangled limbs. The sheets were warm with leftover heat, the air thick with sweat and sex. Hermione stirred slowly, her body aching in the most indulgent way. The boys had left their marks. 

And for a second she thought it might have all been a dream. 

A very slutty, very satisfying dream. 

She smiled. No shame. No regrets. Just a low hum of satisfaction. Her thoughts moved sluggishly, like honey pooling on warm stone.

She was sandwiched between two warm and comforting bodies. Blaise was snoring lightly, his beautiful face slack with sleep. His hand rested on her hip. Theo’s muscular arm was draped almost possessively across her waist. 

Hermione sighed. 

She slowly shifted and watched the Slytherin men sleep. Blaise’s sharp jaw slack was a stark contrast to Theo’s soft lashes brushing his cheeks. Their breaths moved in a steady rhythm, the room quiet but for the occasional creak of the mattress and the whisper of cotton against skin.

Her mind wandered. What did all this mean? 

NO. 

She swatted the thought away, no overthinking, no feelings but happiness. Please and thank you.

Theo stretched beside her, deliberately slow, a groggy, slow smile playing around his lips. 

“Morning, beautiful.” 

He kissed her naked shoulder and brushed her hair away from her face. He was looking at her like he couldn’t believe his eyes, like she was a marvel happening right in front of him.

She blushed at his tenderness. 

There was no regret. None.

On her other side she felt Blaise stir, sitting up. 

“Well, well. If it isn’t our queen.” 

He stretched, kissed her head and pulled her closer to him. 

“Any regrets?” 

“Not one,” she answered honestly. 

A smug, satisfied smile played over his face. He exchanged a quiet look with Theo. 

They laid in a quiet tangle. Blaise sat half-upright, leaning against the headboard, Hermione’s head resting on his chest, Theo draped around her from the other side.

Blaise summoned coffee from…somewhere. It smelled delicious. 

He took a sip from the cup and hummed contently. 

“This will cure any hangover.” 

He handed her the cup. She took it and took a sip. It burned on the way down. 

“Blaise, is there whiskey in this?” 

He just grinned. 

Theo took the cup from her and drank deeply. 

“It’s his secret special potion ingredient against hangovers.” 

“Well it helps, so thank you?” she rolled her eyes. 

“You’re welcome, princess.”

They sat there in silence for a few beats. Simply enjoying each other’s company. 

It felt right. It felt weirdly normal to wake up like this. 

She looked at Blaise. He smirked at her. 

🌙

Time felt suspended — soft and slow and golden. She could’ve stayed like this forever, limbs tangled and skin sticky with sleep and satisfaction.

Eventually Hermione got up. Untangling her limbs from the two gorgeous Slytherin men in bed. 

It was hard. 

She wanted to just snuggle up with both of them and… enjoy a lazy Sunday. 

But, she was also in desperate need of a shower, a coffee without whiskey in it and some breakfast.

She slipped into Theo’s shirt from the night before, the hem brushing mid-thigh.

Buttoning it up, she looked at herself in the mirror in the corner of Theo’s room. There were love bites all over her, slight bruises. 

They had claimed her. 

She looked wrecked . 

She looked glorious . 

She turned to the bed — Blaise was already up, boxer shorts slung low on his hips.

She swallowed. He was viciously gorgeous. 

He stalked around the bed and caught the back of her neck. 

He pulled her into a devastating kiss that left her breathless. 

She swallowed. 

“Don’t be a stranger, princess.” 

And with that he opened Theo’s bedroom door and slipped out.

Behind her Theo had gotten up as well. 

“I’m going to shower now, love. Wanna join?” he smirked. 

She laughed. 

Then she kissed him. 

He pulled her close. 

“Hmm, is that a ‘yes’?” he grinned.

She swatted his shoulder. 

“No, I’m going to shower by myself. But I’ll be thinking of…you the whole time.” 

With that she slipped from his room. Leaving Theo wondering, whether she would think about him or him and Blaise. 

🐉 Draco

Draco woke with a groan. Leather stuck to his skin. Fuck. 

His mouth was dry, tongue coated with ash and regret.

It was morning, light was filtering through the enchanted green-tinted windows of the Slytherin common room. 

How did he get here? 

The last thing he remembered was Granger leaving with…Theo and Blaise. Then his head turned into an oblivion of drinks and drugs. 

He sat up, burying his head in his palms. 

Where the fuck was his shirt? 

He looked around and only found an empty whiskey bottle and a crumpled piece of parchment. 

He smoothed it. His eyes skipping over the lines: 

Two Snakes. One Lioness.
…

But darling, threesomes come at a price.

His stomach sank and he vomited over the side of the couch. Whiskey burning on its way up. 

Shit. Fuck. 

He knew who this was about. 

There were no names but this was specific – too specific. 

Granger. Nott. Zabini. 

He exhaled a shaky breath. His jaw clenched. He grabbed a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table. 

His fingers trembled as he lit it. 

The flame hissed — like it knew better.

The first drag calmed him. A little. 

His thoughts wandered. To her mouth. How Blaise had kissed that beautiful mouth with greedy lips. Her legs. How Theo’s hands had claimed her thighs in that short dress. 

FUCKING HELL, how could they – no, how could SHE? 

He inhaled another drag from his cigarette. It didn’t calm him anymore. 

He didn’t care. 

He didn’t fucking care.

The door to the dorms swung open. 

His gaze drifted up, hoping, dreading.

Granger stepped through the door. She was barefoot, legs bare, her hair a mess. 

His eyes lingered, then he realized what she was wearing. 

A button-down shirt. Black. Oversized. Wrinkled. 

Theo’s shirt. 

His eyes widened. 

She looked so soft, still a little flushed. 

She looked…well-fucked. 

Granger spotted him and froze for a heartbeat. Then she continued on her way through the common room. 

Unbothered. Calm. Like nothing is wrong. Like his world hasn’t just been shattered into a million pieces. 

He watched her. Unblinking. Tracking her every movement.  

“Nice shirt, Granger.” he grumbled, voice low and cutting

She stopped in her tracks and turns slowly. 

Her brown eyes met his silver gaze.

“Didn’t think you would be here or that you’d ever notice.” she smiled sweetly at him.

“Oh, I noticed. Theo’s, yeah?” His smirk didn’t reach his eyes. “Looks better on you. Not sure he deserves that view.”

Her smile faltered. She didn’t respond. Her gaze turned into a glare.

Don’t say it. Don’t ask. Don’t be that guy.

“So who was better?” he asked, suddenly. “Blaise or Theo?” 

He was an idiot . 

Her brows lifted, not in shock, but like she was impressed by his audacity. His venomous curiosity. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” her voice dripping poison.

Fuck.

She turned and walked away. Leaving the common room through the portrait door. 

He hated that she didn’t look back. Hated it more that he wanted her to.

Draco sank back into the couch. 

He briefly wallowed in his self pity. 

Then anger took over. 

He rose. Grabbing the empty whiskey bottle at his feet and threw it through the common room. 

It shattered dramatically against one of the windows. 

Two snakes, one lioness. And none of them were him. 

That line would haunt him.

This was it. This had to end. 

He would make her his. 

Chapter Text

🦁 Hermione

The hot water of her shower beat down on her spine like punishment she didn’t deserve. Her skin buzzed under it — not from shame, but memory. She might have to update her weekend routine to include sneaking from the Slytherin dungeons in the morning without making a fuss. 

She stepped out of the shower and took stock of her body. They had worshipped her thoroughly. There were love bites on her shoulder and tiny bruises on her hips. Her fingers ghosted over the marks. Smiling. She had no regrets. Not one. In fact she would do it again. 

She sighed and got dressed in her favorite skirt, boots and a Gryffindor sweater. Her hair gripped by a claw clip she headed down to the Great Hall, to breakfast. To face the consequences of her actions. 

🌙

She entered the hall and immediately felt eyes watching her, whispers emerging. She ignored them all. If she was the only interesting person in this room - congratulations, everyone’s lives sucked. 

Hermione plopped down at the Gryffindor table across from Ginny and Harry. Ginny grins at her. 

“You look like you had a rather exhausting night.” 

“What makes you think that, Gin?” Harry chimes in. 

“Ugh, Potter, read the news every once in a while, will ya?” Ginny counters, nearly exasperated. 

Hermione smiled into her coffee cup. Eyes wandering around the table. 

Lavender was half gaping, half glaring at her. Was she jealous or bitter? Who could tell with her? 

Dean and Seamus showed up. Dean whooped at her. 

“Did you see that Gossip shite today? You go, Granger!” 

She smiled tightly at him. 

She grabbed a toast and started buttering it. She was hungry. 

Her eyes moved to the doors and she saw Blaise sauntering in. He looked smug and devilishly handsome, hair still wet from his shower. Before her mind could drift she also caught sight of Theo following Blaise into the Great Hall. Cracking some kind of joke that made Blaise grin. 

Strolling in after them was Draco. He looked like someone made him eat sticks and stones for breakfast. He didn’t laugh at Theo’s joke. He just stared ahead. Looking straight at her. She lowered her gaze. 

Someone walked past her, snarling: “Slytherin Fucktoy.” 

She froze, straight-backed. 

“Granger, you look like hell. Are you alright?” Ginny asked. 

“What – oh yeah, all good.” she smiled, but the smile somehow did not reach her eyes. 

Harry put his hand on hers. He looked at her. He was concerned. 

He squeezed her hand tighter than necessary. “You sure you’re okay?” 

His eyes searched hers — not for answers, but for truths she wouldn’t say out loud.

She could feel tears pricking in her eyes. She got up. 

“I’m just tired. I’ll be upstairs.” she managed to say. 

She would let them talk. She wasn’t ashamed. Not of this. Not of last night. Not of them . 

🐍 Blaise

Blaise entered the Great Hall feeling like a sinful God. Eyes were on them, people were whispering. He would let them talk, spin their own stories. None of them would be able to match what had happened last night. He grinned. 

Behind him Theo, the bastard, couldn’t keep his stupid mouth shut. 

“You know, Blaise… I don’t usually share my toys. But for her? Worth it.” he joked. 

“Don’t call her a toy.” Blaise said — but the grin stayed on his lips. Nothing would ruin his day today. 

“Ugh, fine. Goddess then.”

Draco trailed behind them, listening to the conversation stoically. Ignoring their banter. 

Poor guy looked rough. 

“Brutal hangover, Draco?” 

“Something like that.” 

They sat down at the Slytherin table. Someone clapped Blaise on the back. Marcus Flint grinned like it was Moonmist Monday and he’d just won the lottery.

“You dawgs…you bagged Granger.” 

Then he dropped a piece of parchment in front of them. It was Gossip Owl’s latest. 

He sighed. It made Granger sound horrible. Like she had manipulated them into it. He frowned. 

Theo cracked another smutty joke. Something about her thighs. 

“Will you just shut up and eat your toast, you slutty bastard?” Blaise mocked.

“Never,” Theo smirked “I will never shut up about last night.” 

Blaise rolled his eyes, but grinned. He wouldn't either. 

His eyes wandered through the hall. Looking for her.  

There she was.

She was leaving — head down, eyes low, shoulders stiff.

Shit.

The whispers followed her like a curse.

Let them talk. For now.

He wasn’t done worshipping her.

⚡ Harry

Harry was worried about Hermione. She’d never been reckless like this before. Always put together. Always in control. Maybe the breakup with Ron had shaken her more than she let on.

He made his way to the Gryffindor common room. He needed to talk to her. Understand. Be her friend—properly.

The portrait door creaked open, and there she was, curled up in an armchair by the fire, a book in hand. The sight made him smile. She was still Hermione. His Hermione. He knew her heart.

He dropped onto the couch beside her.

“Hermione.”

She looked up. “What’s wrong?”

“I just wanted to check on you.”

“I’m fine, Harry. I don’t need a babysitter.” She sounded defensive.

“I know. But maybe you could use a friend.”

She blinked. Set her book aside. Really looked at him.

“This morning, you looked smug as hell—and then when you left, it was like you wanted to cry or burn the place down. Are you sure you're okay?”

“I’m good, Harry. Honestly… I haven’t felt this good in years.” She smiled.

He wasn’t sure he believed her—but the smile reached her eyes, and that counted for something.

“Are Blaise and Theo…” He cleared his throat. “Are they treating you right?”

She burst out laughing.

He frowned. “What’s funny?”

Still grinning, she flicked her wand. The glamour spell dropped.

Love bites bloomed along her collarbone and neck like ink stains.

His jaw dropped. “I—wait, I thought that was just a rumor. Hermione.”

Her grin widened. “Believe it.”

Harry flushed. “Okay… You, uh… You clearly had fun.”

“Yes, Harry,” she said, smug now. “I really did.”

He coughed, trying to collect himself. “I just want to make sure you’re alright. You’re still Hermione fucking Granger—and no gossip rag or idiot with a big mouth changes that. I want you to be happy.”

She stood, walked over, and dropped onto the couch next to him, hugging him hard.

“Thank you. And fine—you can defend my honor, if it comes to that.”

He hugged her back. “You can defend your own damn honor. Just give me a heads-up so I can help. Or send Ginny.”

“What about me?” Ginny called from behind them.

“You’re on standby for Gossip Owl and snake-related emergencies,” Hermione said, laughing.

“Haven’t they already gotten out of hand?” Ginny grinned.

Harry stood, smirking. “And on that note, I’m gonna… leave.”

But just as he reached the portrait hole, Ron barged in. His expression was thunderous.

“Ron? What—”

Ron shoved past him. “There’s a snake waiting outside, Hermione. What are you doing with them—you slut.”

Harry whipped around. Ginny gasped.

“Ron, what the fuck?” Harry snapped.

“Don’t defend her. You know what she’s doing. She’s just trying to make me jealous—fucking both of them at once.”

“Mate, calm down.” Harry stepped between him and Hermione. “What’s wrong with you?”

But Hermione stood. Calm. Cold. Magnificent.

“Ronald.” Her voice was ice. “Who I fuck is none of your business. You made that clear when you screwed Lavender the moment we broke up.”

She stepped closer.

“You don’t get a say. Not now, not ever. At least both of them know what they’re doing. I doubt Lavender even faked one last night—I had four.”

And with a hair toss that could shatter glass, she walked out the portrait door.

🦂 Theo

Theo leaned against the wall outside Gryffindor common room, casually smoking a cigarette. He was waiting for her. But he was being non-chalant about it. 

A door slammed down the hallway and the Weasel barreled into view. He looked flushed and bristling with rage already. Theo cocked his head. This would be fun. 

The red headed oaf stopped and glared at Theo. 

“What the hell are you doing here, Nott?”

Theo exhaled smoke, slow and lazy. “Waiting. What are you doing here, Weasley? Coming to start a duel you’ll lose?”

The Weasel glowered at him. 

“You lot are messing with her head. You’re all the same. You don’t care about her.”

Theo’s expression sharpened into ice. He doesn’t raise his voice: “Careful. You don’t get to speak for her. Not anymore. And if you did care — ever — you’d know better than to insult her by suggesting she couldn’t handle us.”

Weaselby simply glared at him one last time and muttered the password to get into his common room. The portrait opened and the idiot started yelling. 

“So predictable, ugh.” Theo mumbled under his breath, taking another drag of his cigarette.

A few moments later he could hear more loud voices through the portrait door. Weasley’s, Potter’s and above all Granger’s voice like a drink of cold water. 

Theo listened to the conversation (mostly Granger yelling at the Weasel) and scared off students lingering in the hall (he smoked and looked malicious). 

The portrait swung open – and there she was. Glorious. Composed. Hair wild over one shoulder, eyes bright with fury and pride. She looked like she just won a war. 

“Took you long enough,” Theo drawled. She scoffed, but her lips twitched like she might smile.
They started walking, somewhere with less people. Somewhere they wouldn’t be seen.

🌙

They walked towards the greenhouses. Theo offered her a cigarette. She hesitated, only for a beat, then took it. He lit it for her with the flick of his wand. Their fingers brushed. His heart skipped a beat, then stuttered back to its normal rhythm. He exhaled. She smiled. They didn’t say a word, just made their way to the shadowed paths behind the castle. 

“You handled Weasley well,” Theo murmured eventually. 

“I didn’t want to,” she replied, a sad smile playing around her lips. “But he deserved it. He was being a pig.”

Theo nodded. “You’re better at righteous fury than I expected.”

 “Did you expect me to cry? ”
He glanced at her, amused. “No. I expected you to hex him. That was almost disappointing.”

She snorted. 

Theo looked at her. He had never heard her react like that. Her quiet and controlled composure was crumbling around him. 

“So,” she said, “do you… do this often? Pick up girls with one of your best friends and worship them like…queens?” She cocked her head, looking sideways at him while they continued walking. 

He grinned at her. “No, but I could be persuaded to make it a habit.” 

Granger didn’t react. She seemed lost in thought. 

She kicked a stone on the path. 

“I know people are talking. Gossiping.” 

He hummed. 

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“Not really,” he mumbled, “but if it bothers you, we’ll…I’ll handle it.”

She smiled at him. Small but real. 

“You’re a menace, Theo.” 

“You don't seem to care”

“No. No, I don’t. I like it.” 

They reached the Black Lake. Theo threw the butt of his cigarette into the lake. Granger watched the water ripple and the butt sink.

He watched her. Lost in thought again. 

“It’s so peaceful here. It calms my mind.” 

“Granger,” he said, voice low, serious now. “If it gets too much — the gossip, the whispers, the idiots — tell me. I’ll handle it.”

She looked at him for a long moment. Assessing. Him? The situation? He couldn’t tell. 

“You’re a contradiction, Theo.” 

“I get that a lot.” He smirked.

They quietly headed back to the castle. Slow. Deliberate. In comfortable silence underlined with a beat of tension. Their shoulders brushed just slightly. A promise of safety without a label. A promise of happiness without rules or strings attached. 

🌙

Spotted: 

One very loud Weasley, one very smug Snake, and one lioness who didn’t even flinch at being called a slut.
But one of the Snakes soothed her storm.
Was that Granger smoking—or someone catching feelings?

Golden girls don’t stay golden for long.

XO XO,
Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🐉 Draco

Draco lingered after breakfast. She had left early, looking like hell - good. 

But it wasn’t good. 

She didn’t deserve this treatment. 

He got up from his seat at the Slytherin table with a heavy sigh and headed to the Quidditich pitch. 

He had to get a grip, so he threw himself into a brutal workout.

Flying fast and recklessly.

He was sweating and panting, still his brain wouldn’t shut the fuck up . 

He couldn’t stop thinking about her, about her hazy smile last night, about how she had kissed both of his mates. 

Her soft thighs. Her soft curls. Her smile. 

And a jam-covered finger being sucked between her full lips.  

“FUUUUUUUCK,” he yelled as he nose-dived towards the pitch. 

Shortly before hitting the ground he pulled his broom to a brutal stop. 

He began ascending again and flew harder. Somehow these thoughts of her had to end. Maybe he could outfly his own head.

🌙

After what felt like hours he jumped from his broom. He was exhausted and yet still angry and frustrated. 

He needed to find a way to cope with this. Maybe their last night was a one time thing. 

Yes, he would cling to that. 

Draco took a deep breath and headed back towards the castle to take a long, hot shower. 

That’s when he saw them. Theo and Granger. Walking next to each other, all cosy and familiar. 

Draco’s heart stopped in his chest. 

Granger was laughing, unguarded and open. She looked beautiful. Radiant. 

His gaze drifted to Theo. His chest tightened. Theo looked relaxed, happy and…protective. Like he would guard her from any threat coming her way. 

Draco ducked behind a statue in the courtyard and hung back to let them pass. Hoping they wouldn’t see him. 

Granger didn’t look like she was controlling herself around his mate. 

An unknown feeling gnawed at Draco. A feeling he had never felt like this. Jealousy. He had never been jealous of anyone or anything in his life. Fiercely protective - yes, but never jealous. 

Nausea crawled in his stomach, his skin was too tight. His breathing shallow. 

“Fuck.” he muttered.  

He really needed to calm the fuck down. This was getting obsessive and…annoying. 

He risked a look around the statue and found the coast was clear. One deep breath later Draco stood up straight and walked back to the common room. 

The portrait door opened and a chorus of whispers greeted him. Something felt off. People were staring at him. Lingering. 

“Granger…Nott..are you sure? No, it can’t be?” 

“Didn’t she used to date that red head?” 

Draco spotted a crumpled up piece of parchment on a nearby table. He grabbed the parchment and scanned it. 

…smug snake…Granger…slut…

Did Weaselhead call her a slut ? 

Draco pulled his wand from his pocket to set the note on fire. He smiled. This would help. Burning the filthy hateful words would help, wouldn’t it? 

“She’s quite a hot topic, isn’t she?” a voice snarled next to him. He turned. Astoria. Of course. 

“Who?” 

“Don’t play stupid, Draco. It doesn’t suit you.” 

He hummed. 

“Golden Girl gone rogue. Do you think the things Gossip Owl saw are true? From what I saw…”

Draco turned to her and stared at her. Astoria took a step back, smiling. Innocently? Venomously? He could never tell with her.

“Careful, Draco,” she drawls. “You look like a boy who’s spiraling and falling for the wrong girl.” 

As sudden as she had appeared, she was gone again. 

What the fuck?

What the fuck just happened? 

Draco turned on his heel and headed to the showers. He needed to escape the whispers and his treacherous thoughts. 

He shoved off his clothes and threw them in the corner. 

He turned on the shower and stepped into a scolding hot spray of water. 

He tried to scrub away the haunting thoughts of Granger’s open and free laugh, Theo’s possessiveness, Blaise’s hot kisses on her skin and Astoria’s stupid knowing smirk. 

He hated the gossip. His guilt. His powerlessness, 

Draco leaned against the wall of the shower, eyes closed. He slowly slipped down the wall until he was sitting on the floor. Water beat on his back. 

He felt hollow. Guilty. Broken. His control was slipping. 

He had fucked this up, before he even had the chance to show her how much she meant to him.

Chapter Text

🦁 Hermione

Monday morning came and Hermione woke up feeling peaceful. She was excited to head to classes and to use her brain for something other than daydreaming about Slytherin men between her thighs. She smiled at herself in the mirror. Her curls were smooth and tamed into a high ponytail. 

She decided to wear a short skirt, a button down that was a little tight, her favorite boots and sassy smile. 

The gossip and rumors wouldn’t get to her. She was powerful. She held power over two very powerful men – and she knew it. With a final smirk at the mirror she grabbed her book bag and headed to breakfast. 

🌙

She entered the hall with intent. She knew people would stare, point and whisper. She was prepared for it and she decided to embrace it. 

Hermione had just passed the Hufflepuff table when the whispering became obvious. 

“Slut!” 

It wasn’t a whisper anymore. It was a shout. A chant. She turned and found a big Ravenclaw guy standing a few feet away. 

Hermione breathed in through her nose. Head held high. 

“Jealous, are we? I would’ve thought a Ravenclaw would be smarter than that.”  

She tutted at him and stomped off to the Gryffindor table. 

She slipped onto the bench opposite of Ginny, who was reading the morning paper. 

With a sigh she plopped down and reached for the coffee. 

“Ugh, why am I this interesting suddenly?” 

Ginny’s head shot up. 

“Hermione…– you had a threesome. With two Slytherins.”

“Yeah, I know. I was there.” 

Ginny frowned. 

“Ginny, what?”

“It’s just…it’s the consequences of your actions. Everyone saw you leave with them on Saturday. Everyone."  

“So? Ginny, what gives them the right to call me a slut?” 

“Because you are,” Ginny whispered. 

Hermione’s eyes grew as wide as she grew angry.

“Excuse me?”

“Well, no. I don’t think you’re a slut. But in their eyes all they see is a Gryffindor girl getting drunk – and high. And then goes and fucks two Slytherins.”

“You fucked Harry on the Astronomy tower, don’t pretend you’re a saint, Weasley,” Hermione bit back. 

Ginny stared at her. 

“I told you that in confidence. You fucked two snakes basically in public. There’s a difference, Granger. ”

Hermione got up. She was irritated. What was Ginny’s problem? 

“I’ve got class. See you later, Ginny.” 

🌙

When lionesses turn on each other, pride crumbles.

Granger and Weasley clawing it out? That wasn’t on my bingo card for this year.

XO XO, Gossip Owl

🌙

The day dragged on and Hermione endured her classes instead of enjoying them. Her mind had wandered, to Saturday night, to Ron bad mouthing her, and Ginny kind of agreeing with him. 

After class she headed to the library to study and clear her mind in peace. If there ever would be peace in this forsaken castle. She sighed. 

Thank Godric the library was nearly empty. 

Hermione sat down at her favorite table in a quiet corner behind some dusty shelves, pulled out her books and parchment and started studying. 

She lost herself in studying and was focused so deeply that she didn’t even realize that someone sat down next to her. Watching her intently while she was sucking on the end of her quill. 

She looked up to grab a book and just to see…Blaise Zabini. 

“Hi,” he grinned 

Her brows knit. “How long have you been here?” 

“A while, I like watching you sucking…on that quill of yours.” 

Hermione sighed. 

“What’s the matter, princess? Forgot about me already?” he pouted 

“No, I’m just not in the mood.” 

She grabbed her book and opened it. Thumbing through the pages until she found what she was looking for. 

Blaise was still watching her. 

“Get on with it, Zabini. What do you want?” 

Now it was his turn to frown. 

“I wanted to keep you company. Enjoy your company. It seems like you’ve been faced with quite some drama lately…” 

“And who’s fault is that?”

He just grinned and moved closer to her. Cheeky bastard.

“You love the mess you created, Zabini. Don’t pretend you want to clean up now.”

She was mad and annoyed. She just wanted to finish this paper and go to bed. Alone. 

“Granger, I don’t like the way the mess is affecting you,” her head snapped up. Eyes locking in on his hazel eyes. “You deserve to be treated like a queen and not like a commoner.” 

She swallowed. 

“Don’t run from it, Granger. Don’t run from me. Own it. You already own me.” 

Hermione stared at him and before she could even say anything he kissed her. A bruising, claiming kiss. 

She leaned into him. A small sigh slipped through her lips as she lost herself in the feeling of his lips. 

He grinned against her lips and pulled away. 

“I’m here, Granger. If you want me.”

And with that he got up and left the library. Leaving Hermione stunned and speechless. She pressed her fingers to her lips, still tingling. Maybe she wasn’t in the mood for a mess, but this mess was feeling a lot more like a promise.

Chapter Text

🌙

Something wicked this way comes — and it wears black boots and a red-lipped smirk.

Keep your secrets close, darlings. It’s almost the weekend.

XO XO, Gossip Owl

🌙

🐉 Draco

The week seemed like it was never-ending when Draco entered the Advanced Potions classroom on Thursday. 

He dropped onto one of the stools in the front of the class, next to Blaise. He was excited for Potions. He was brilliant at Potions. Slughorn had announced on Monday that they would be working on a multi-day project soon. He was looking forward to spending days in the lab, where no one would annoy him. 

A few seats down Granger sat down at her seat. Her hair tamed by a claw clip, a few errant strands in her face. She was wearing that short skirt again. How was she not freezing all the time? 

“Good morning, class!” Slughorn’s booming voice swept through the lab. 

Draco sat up straight, excited to hear about the project. 

“As I informed you on Monday, you’ll be working on a multi-day project from today until next week. But –,” he paused dramatically “there are a couple of twists to your assignment.” 

He waved his wand to the blackboard behind him. 

Draco groaned. It was a partner assignment. Partners and potions assigned at random. 

Please let it be Blaise or Theo. Please let it be Blaise or Theo. Please let it be Blaise or Theo. 

Slughorn waved his wand again and the pairings appeared on the board. 

Blaise Zabini & Theodore Nott 

Fuck. Lucky bastards. 

Hermione Granger & Draco Malfoy

No. 

Oh fuck, no. 

Theo looked at him, a grin stretching over his face. 

Blaise just cackled. 

“Granger, can’t catch a break from the Slytherins can she?” he whispered to Draco.

Draco glared at him. 

“I can’t believe it, two of our brightest minds working together. I am reverent to see what you’ll produce. I am sure it will put us all to shame. Please team up and head to the work stations.” Slughorn chuckled. 

This man might be a Potions Master but he was also an annoying little fucker. 

Draco got up and sauntered over to Granger’s and his assigned work station. 

Granger followed suit. 

“Hello, Granger,” he drawled

“Malfoy,” she bit back. 

The tension was palpable. He hated this. And from the thinly veiled sneer on her face – she did too.

Slughorn and his pompous demeanor appeared next to their work station holding a jar with tiny pieces of parchment. 

“You’ll get to pick your poison – or antidote.” he chuckled. “Miss Granger, would you do me the honor?”

Draco sighed. 

Granger nodded abruptly and picked a piece from the jar. 

She unfolded it. 

“Veritas Lux Draught” she read aloud, holding out the parchment to Draco. 

“Ooooh, what a wonderful potion for a brilliant pair. The ‘Truth of Light’,” Slughorn sang. “the most potent version of Veritaserum.” Then he walked off, leaving them to figure out how they would make this work. 

Draco could see Granger's brain working already. She opened her book, looking for the potion recipe. 

“This looks rather complicated and will take a lot of time to complete.” she said, chewing on her bottom lip. 

Draco swallowed.

“So, what you’re saying, Granger, is that we should focus on this instead of crashing out at parties?” 

She whirled and stabbed his chest with her finger. 

“Speak for yourself, Malfoy. I actually had a fantastic time. Sorry you didn’t,” she smirked. Then she continued: “We should make a schedule, who takes care of the different steps at which time. Some steps, we’ll have to do together, to make it easier.” 

“Alright, let’s then.” 

They worked on the schedule and the brewing order together, deciding who would take which shift. 

“I can take the one on Sunday morning,” he volunteered. “I like to go flying in the early morning. I can do it before.” 

“Alright, that’s settled then.” she hummed and smiled at him. Her cheeks slightly blushed.

She started to list the ingredients next. 

Draco admired her focus, her precision—fuck, stop. 

Granger stared at him: “Malfoy, you think you can do that?”

“Sorry, what did you say?”

She sighed. 

“Get your head in the game, Malfoy! This potion is complicated and we need to use both our combined brain power to get this right.” 

“Did you just call me smart, Granger?” he smirked. 

She sighed, even heavier than before, but the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

“I know you’re smart, you know you’re smart. Please, can you just –,” she handed him the list of potion ingredients for the first steps “can you just get these? Please.” 

He smirked: “I like it when you beg, Granger.” 

“For Merlin’s sake, Malfoy — focus. This isn’t some cheap drugged up potion you can sell for a profit.”

He walked over to the potions storeroom. Maybe working with Granger wouldn’t be hell after all. Just a different kind of torture. 

🌙

They spent the morning working on their potion. It was going smoothly and they didn’t yell at each other too badly. 

At lunchtime Slughorn finished class, giving final remarks on how potions should be simmering. He beamed when he looked into their cauldron. 

“This already looks excellent, great job!” he praised before dismissing them. 

Draco and Granger headed up to lunch for a quick bite and then to their respective afternoon classes. 

When classes finished, Draco returned to the Slytherin dorms to change and to have a drink before dinner. 

He changed and was now enjoying an exceptional blend of firewhiskey by the fire talking to Theo and Blaise about nothing really. 

At 7 they headed up to dinner. Theo was cracking jokes as usual and Draco was so relaxed he actually laughed at them. 

He ate his dinner and let his gaze wander through the hall. 

She wasn’t here. Probably locked herself in the library to research their potion or didn’t trust his time management and sat beside the simmering potion in the lab. Salazar, save him from this witch.

Obsession and perfectionism ran deep in her. He envied it, almost — that relentless, unshakable drive. It made her terrifying. It made her…

“Oy, mate!” Theo’s voice ripped him from his thoughts. 

“What?” he snapped

Theo raised a brow but continued: “I’ve got a new stash of Warmblood. Finished it this afternoon. You want to try it tonight before we ship it out to the masses?” 

Draco was torn. He needed to stay sharp for the potion in the next few days. On the other hand he really loved Warmblood. 

“I need to check on the potion, mate. After.” 

Theo grinned. 

“You can bring Granger. She’s…phenomenal when she’s high,” Blaise chimed in. He smirked. 

Draco’s jaw clenched. 

“I’ll see what I can do.” he grinned at them. It was a little lopsided and fake. He wouldn’t bring Granger. 

He got up from the table and stretched. 

“Alright, I’ve got to check on the potion now. I’ll see you bastards later. Common room?” 

“Common Room,” Theo nodded. “Maybe bring some of that truth serum you’re brewing. That’ll lighten the mood.” 

“Next time, Nott. When it’s finished.” He winked and waved his goodbyes. Theo grinned. He looked a little insane.

Draco headed to the Advanced Potions lab in the Dungeons. Looking forward to a quiet few hours of brewing and then kicking off the weekend early with some drugs and a drink. Perfect. 

He pushed open the door to the lab and stopped dead in his tracks. 

There she was. Her hair braided now. 

“Granger, already trying to sabotage the potion?” he snarled. 

She started and turned to face him. 

“Simply trying to prevent the potion from turning into toxic sludge.” she deadpanned. 

He raised a brow. 

“According to the schedule YOU made, it’s my turn to add the ingredients and stir counter clockwise 13 times.” he cocked his head. “Don’t you trust me?” 

“Why would I, you git?” she drawled.

He chuckled. “That’s mean, Granger.” 

“Well, I’m not a nice person.” 

“And yet you already weighed the Phoenix Ash and diced the Root of Silverwood.” 

She blushed, like he had just caught her in a lie.

“Aaaah…–” a voice called from behind them. Slughorn. UGH.

“My two favorite students working hard, even after hours. Don’t overthink it and don’t overwork yourselves. Good night.” 

He chuckled and headed out the door, leaving it open behind him. Pompous ass. Don’t overthink it? The potion? The witch brewing it? Shit Fuck.

“Draco!” Granger called, “we need to put in the Phoenix Ash NOW and stir. Before the potion turns blue.” 

Draco spared a glance into the cauldron. Their potion was slowly fading from opaque white to bright blue. Shit. 

“On it.” 

He grabbed the Phoenix Ashes and added them to the potion. Granger handed him the silver spoon. Their hands brushing. He looked at her. 

“DRACO, you need to stir. NOW.” 

He stirred like his life depended on it. She was watching him. He swallowed. Lost count of the stirs. Shit. 

Get yourself together, you idiot.

“I thought you were decent at potions…–” she exhaled, handing him the Silverwood. He stirred it in. 

He rolled his eyes at her. 

“I am an excellent potioneer. That Moonmist you enjoyed so much on Saturday…that was my concoction.” 

Her eyes widened. 

“Don’t pretend you’re surprised, Granger. You seemed to enjoy it. It was potent.” 

“I’m not going to talk about Saturday with you.” 

“And why’s that?” he cocked his head and looked at her. 

“You think I don’t see how you look at me? How obsessed you are with me?” 

“And you think I don’t see how you look at me?” he snapped. 

She was silent for a beat. 

“Draco?”

“Granger?” 

“You’ve stirred enough.” She grabbed his wrist and took the spoon from him with nimble fingers. 

She looked at him.

Could she feel the electricity buzzing through his veins at her touch? 

His heart pounded. Her eyes were wide and so beautiful.

“Fuck it.” He ground out and kissed her.

It was messy. He was so greedy. He grabbed her tightly and pulled her into him. 

Draco felt like he was starving and kissing her was the only thing that could rescue him.

Her eyes widened—then fluttered shut as she leaned into him. Her tongue swiped over his lips. She sighed into his mouth. 

All his restraint and all that coiled up tension just snapped. 

His hands roamed over her body. A faint groan escaped his lips. 

Steps out in the hallway startled them. They broke the kiss and he stepped back. 

A shadow moved past the open door to the lab. Did someone see them?

“I’m sorry.” he mumbled. 

“What are you sorry for, Draco? I quite liked it.” She smirked at him. Her hand on his arm. 

But as she turned back to the cauldron, he noticed her fingers tremble just slightly on the spoon she was still holding. 

Outside, the corridor was quiet again. Too quiet.

🌙

Spotted:
A certain Slytherin Prince brewing up drama after hours. Careful, darling—some truths might be poisonous.
—XO XO, Gossip Owl

🌙

Chapter Text

🐉 Draco

There was a heavy, deliberate knock on Draco’s door that startled him awake in the early hours of Friday morning. 

Still groggy Draco sat up in bed.

“Wh…–” he cleared his throat. “Who is it?” 

No answer. 

He rolled his eyes and got out of bed to kill whoever woke him. He headed to the door, stepping on a piece of parchment. It must've been slipped under his door. He opened the folded note, staring at Gossip Owl’s familiar, biting handwriting. 

The Golden Girl’s secret? She’s no naive dreamer in love with more than one snake.

She’s a lioness with a plan. Zabini’s smile opens doors, Nott’s money keeps her comfortable, and the Malfoy crown is hers to rule them all.

Sleeping her way through the monarchy for love? HA! For Granger, it’s a power play.

But beware, darling—when your throne tumbles, the snake pit devours.

— XO XO, Gossip Owl

Draco stared at the note for a solid minute. 

He couldn’t believe the words — or the audacity.

But what if…

What if it was true? 

The thought carved a hollow into his chest — sharp, bitter. She’d kissed him like she meant it. She’d looked at him like he was more than his name. 

What if Granger did only use him – them —for personal gain? She was Muggle Born after all. 

What if she wasn’t the person he – they – thought she was? 

The venom of the note and the insinuations felt like a punch to his guts. He couldn’t tell if the drugs and the alcohol from last night were the reason for his nausea or his jealousy and bitterness. 

He crumpled the piece of parchment. He needed to call a war council. 

🌙

Ten minutes later Draco had gathered Blaise, Theo and Pansy in a small study off the common room. They were all bleary eyed and hungover. This might not have been the best idea. 

“Mate, it’s 6 in the fucking morning. What the fuck could be so fucking important to rip me from my delirium?” Theo moaned. 

Draco smacked the note on the table. 

The group read it. 

Blaise’s mouth opened and closed. He looked like a fish. 

Theo frowned. He looked at Draco, then back at the note and then back at Draco. 

Pansy started cackling. 

“You guys really fucked some Slytherin into Granger then, congrats.” 

“Shut up, Pansy,” the boys snapped in unison. 

She giggled. 

“Oh, you foolish idiots.” 

She wasn’t wrong about that. They were all idiots. And all three of them were apparently and irrevocably in love with a poisonous lioness. 

“What are we going to do?”

“You bloody idiots,” Pansy sighed exasperatedly “I don’t know…– maybe talk to her? It’s a freaking piece of parchment from a salty and jealous little gossip bitch. You shouldn’t believe everything she writes.”

“She’s been disturbingly accurate about what happened last weekend,” Draco said darkly.

Pansy’s eyes grew wide. Her mouth hung open. She stared at Theo and Blaise. 

“You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t…–” she exhaled. 

Blaise and Theo just looked at each other. 

“Salazar’s left tit, you ARE bloody idiots,” she started cackling again, “and you’ve seen each other’s pricks. I can’t.” 

“Pansy, this is not helping…–” Blaise finally grumbled. 

Pansy waved her hand, still wheezing. 

“I think talking to her would be a smart move,” Theo said quietly. 

“You’re so smart, Theodore,” Pansy said, still grinning like an idiot. 

“Alright then, let’s go talk to her before breakfast,” Blaise suggested. 

Draco nodded. 

They moved to the door. 

“Wait…–” Pansy called, “you can’t gang up on her!” 

But they were already gone. 

🦁 Hermione

Hermione woke up happy — for once.

No anxiety twisting in her gut about her Potions project. The sun was out, birds were actually chirping like some goddamn fairytale. She smiled into her pillow and pushed herself up, warm all over.

She was humming to herself as she got ready for the day. She reviewed her notes for the potion, looking forward to a weekend in the lab – with Draco. 

She touched her lips. 

He had kissed her.
He had actually kissed her.

Sure, she’d crushed on him as a teenager — who hadn’t? — but she never, not in her wildest, most delusional dreams, thought he’d kiss her. Not like that. Like he wanted her. Like she meant something.

Would they talk about it later? Would they kiss again?
Godric, she really hoped so. He was a magnificent kisser.

She grinned.

She was ready to tackle the day. It would be a good one. 

On her way out, she grabbed Blaise’s Quidditch jumper — it still smelled like him. That earthy, spicy, expensive scent that always grounded her. Made her feel… safe.

Was she stupid for hoping? For wanting this to be something real? For falling — stupidly, hopelessly — for all three of them?

She shook it off, now was not the time or the place to spiral. Today would be good. The weekend would be even better. 

With a final smile at her reflection she grabbed her book bag and headed out of her dorm and down the stairs to the common room. 

She made her way to the portrait hole, the door swung open and she was greeted by the holy trifecta of Slytherin princes – Draco, Blaise and Theo. 

They looked pale, furious and tense. What happened?

The air around her grew cold. There was a heavy silence when she looked at all three of them. 

Her smile faltered.

“Granger, we need to talk,” Draco said. His voice was low. Cold.

Her stomach dropped.

“What’s wrong? Do you need help with your homework?” 

They didn’t laugh. They were dead serious. 

She took a deep breath. 

Draco shoved a piece of parchment into her hand. She knew that handwriting. That cruel, venom-laced tone.

Gossip Owl.

She scanned the words. Once. Twice. They blurred. Her mouth went dry.

Too stunned to speak.

Blaise’s voice cut through the silence like glass.

“Tell me, was it my smile or Theo’s money that made you fuck the both of us?” Blaise bit out. His tone was brutal. She just stared at him. Tears pricking in her eyes. 

Her eyes snapped to Theo. 

“I really convinced myself it meant something,” he said. Quiet. Heartbroken. “Apparently it didn’t. Are we just a means to an end for you?” 

Hermione felt like someone had stabbed her in the heart with white hot blade. She swallowed. 

Draco stepped in. “Was it all a game to you?” he drawled. “Trying on crowns to see which power you liked best?”

What was happening? What did Gossip Owl want from her? What was she even doing here? 

They didn’t let her speak. Just kept going. Rage, disappointment, betrayal — all of it crashing down on her like a wave.

She snapped.

She shoved Draco’s chest. Hard.

“Listen to me!” she yelled. 

“You think I’m the manipulative one? I gave you everything. You think I pretended to love…–”

She stopped herself. 

Love? 

Fuck.

Tears were flowing down her cheeks now. She batted them away. Not sad — furious. Humiliated. She felt betrayed by the people that had made her feel safest. 

She was left breathless. Trembling. 

Without another word she turned on her heel and returned to the common room. Hands trembling. 

They didn’t trust her. They never did. What even was the point of all this?

Back in her dorm she packed a bag. She needed to get out of here. She needed to get away from them. Now. 

🦂 Theo

Late on Friday afternoon Theo sat in the Slytherin common room. Alone. His thoughts ran wild. This morning had been a disaster. Fuck. In their hungover and drugged up minds they didn’t think straight. Granger had looked heart broken and not like they had caught her in a bold faced lie. 

He paced through the room. Rereading the Gossip Owl Note. The more he read it the less convincing it felt. It just hurt now. He didn’t feel angry anymore, especially now that he was sober. He just felt hollow. Confused. 

He wanted to trust Granger. He needed her to be the real deal. It didn’t sound like her. Not the way she kissed him. Not the way she touched him like he mattered. But the rumors festered like poison. Did he just imagine it all?

He needed to find her. If there was even a chance she hadn’t lied, he had to hear her say it. Face to face. He needed the truth — her truth.

In his state of utter clarity he made his way to Gryffindor tower. Someone needed to let him in. He needed to see her. He must understand. 

He reached the portrait door. Great – now what?

“Nott?” a voice snapped behind him. The She Weasel.  “What are you doing here?” 

“I need to talk to her. Is she here?” he sounded breathless. Pathetic, Nott, just pathetic.

“Shouldn’t you know where she is?” Weasley frowned. He shook his head. Defeatedly.

“You know, I expected better from you,” she said. “You looked at her like she was gravity.”

He just blinked at her. She sighed. 

“Alright, I’ll check. Wait here.” 

Thus began the most excruciating three minutes of Theo’s life. He started pacing again. 

Weasley returned. Without Granger. 

“She’s not here. But she left this. I assume it's for you three idiots.” She handed him a small piece of parchment. 

You believed a lie before you believed me.

I’m done explaining myself.

Don’t follow.

—H

His stomach dropped. She was really gone. And he had helped drive her away.

She-Weasel looked at him. Her gaze softening. 

“If you – and the others – really care about her, help me bring down Gossip Owl. That bitch is done. She has hurt too many people.” 

Theo swallowed. She was right. 

“Alright, Weasley. I’ll talk to the others. This has gone on long enough.” 

She nodded and returned to the Gryffindor tower. 

Theo was left standing in the corridor. 

He turned on his heel, spine straightening. If they were going to burn Gossip Owl to the ground, he’d need all the help he could get — but first, he had to find the girl who should’ve never had to run.

🌙

Did the fairy tale go bad, Granger? 

Did the snakes give you a taste of your own venom?

Let this be a lesson, darling: 

In the Game of Snakes you learn to bite or you lose the crown.

– XO XO, Gossip Owl

🌙