"Young Malfoy has been rather ungenerous with her," Avery said, his smirk returning as he sucked on his cigar. "This is the Mudblood's first visit to Edinburgh."

She felt Draco's fingers tighten against her hip. The Greek Minister tsked.

"That won't do, Malfoy. Who would deprive such a pretty plaything from our festivities?" She gestured widely at the chandeliers and the champagne, the laughter and the lazy smiles. "I would love to escort her this evening, if you'll allow it."

"An excellent idea," Avery leered. "What say you, Draco?"

Hermione's eyes snapped to Minister Cirillo, certain she'd be no safer on the Minister's arm than on any other Death Eater's.

"My apologies, Minister, but I'm under strict orders not to let her leave my side," Draco quickly replied. "Not after what happened with Avery's Lot last month."

Avery's eyes turned icy as Hermione's heart thumped wildly.

Ginny didn't play nicely with others. Something had happened.

Minister Cirillo gave a trilling laugh. "Ah, yes. I heard I missed quite the drama! I confess I'm disappointed I missed the chance to meet the Dark Lord's favored pet. Perhaps in the future, Aron."

"Perhaps," Avery gritted out.

The Minister turned to Draco. "Very well, then. But I do hope you reconsider at some point, Draco. The girl deserves a bit of the fun as well." She paused, and Hermione could feel her appraising eyes on her figure even as she stared at the floor. "Mulciber leant me his girl last weekend, and I can assure you that she had a splendid time. Another beauty, is she not?"

Hermione's breath caught and she glanced up, scanning the room for Cho again. She found her running her fingers through the long locks of another girl, pressing her hips into her side as Mulciber eyed them lecherously. Hermione swallowed, quickly looking away.

Her attention came back to Minister Cirillo as she stepped closer to Draco to whisper against his cheek, her clear blue eyes straying down Hermione's chest again. "No need to keep the girl so tightly wound."

Hermione blinked and stared at the ground again, processing. Was she doing so poorly already? Her chest flushed, suddenly angry at Draco for not giving her the proper information to play this game.

"A fair point, Madame Minister," said Draco, and she knew a wink had accompanied the lazy drawl.

"She'll be around more often then?" Avery asked.

"When she's a good girl, she'll get to come out and play," Draco said smoothly.

His hand slithered across her back, dragging along the silk until his warm palm ran up her ribs. Her breath caught as his fingers slid up her jaw, and she turned her eyes to him when he tilted her head back, just as he had outside under the lamp.

"She's not always good, though," he said with a smile.

She heard chuckling, a shiver around the room. More eyes were on them. Draco's gaze dipped to her mouth, and his thumb dragged across her bottom lip, opening her lips.