"Noted," he said and then gestured toward the bed.
Hermione walked over resignedly and seated herself on the edge before looking up at him, unblinking as his cold silver eyes sank into her consciousness.
She always ended up flat on her back by the time he finished going through her memories.
He watched her memory of Ginny several times.
Then he watched her spying and wondering about Graham Montague. He withdrew from her mind.
"Montague got a Dark Mark after the final battle," he said, staring down at her. "It was, I am told, in acknowledgement of the exceptional services he rendered."
He was sneering as he said it.
"Did you provide exceptional services too?" she asked gazing up at Malfoy. She had no idea if he were lying to her about Montague; whether he would bother to.
He stared down at her and gave a cruel, rictus smile.
"More exceptional than Montague's," he said. Then the smile faded. He kept looking at her; studying her face carefully and then flicking his eyes down over the rest of her.
His gaze seemed softer and darker than usual.
She realized belatedly that she was lying supine on a bed before him. She felt her skin prickle. She sat up quickly.
He stared at her for another moment before glancing away and staring at the wall behind her.
"If you have any hopes involving Montague you should let them die," he said coolly. Then he turned and left.
A week later Hermione had a new dream about Ginny.
Hermione was standing in her bedroom in Grimmauld Place when Ginny walked in.
"You're back early," Ginny said.
Hermione glanced down at her watch.
"Lucky day," Hermione said.
"Yeah," said Ginny, looking slightly awkward. "Um. I wanted to — ask you about something."
Hermione waited.
Ginny tugged nervously at her hair, her face was unblemished.
"I — well — you, obviously know about me and Harry," Ginny said.
Hermione gave a short nod.
"Right. Well. The thing is, I want to be careful. I've been using the charm. But — there's something about Prewetts, they're not like other wizarding families. They just get pregnant somehow. Ron and I were both accidents after the twins came along. So — I was wondering if you'd make me a contraceptive potion. If you have the time. I was always rubbish at potions. If you can't — that's fine. I can ask Padma. I know you're terribly busy. I just — I didn't want you to think I didn't want to ask you."
"Of course. I'll be brewing tonight anyway. It will be an easy thing to include. Do you have a preference about taste? The most effective ones don't taste very pleasant."
"I don't care what it tastes like if it works," Ginny said boldly.
"Well, I've already got a few vials of one variety. I can give them to you now, if you'd like."
"You do?" Ginny blinked and stared at Hermione suspiciously. "Are you—?"
Hermione could see Ginny running a list of possible men in Hermione's life.
"You're not — with Snape are you?" Ginny suddenly choked.
Hermione gaped.
"God — No!" she spluttered. "I'm a healer! I keep a lot of things on hand. Good grief! What — why would you even—"
Ginny looked slightly abashed.
