Theo hummed, simply watching her.

"They really are a brilliant bit of magic, you know," she continued lightly. "The tattoos. I've never seen anything like them."

"They are." Theo smirked. "It's very dark magic, Granger. You wouldn't have read about it at Hogwarts."

"No, I doubt that I would." A giggle caught her ear, and she glanced over her shoulder to find Draco whispering in the girl's ear, twisting a lock of hair around his finger. Her chest boiled. She quickly looked back to Theo. "What do you know about them?"

The effect was instantaneous. Theo's body stiffened under her. His gaze zipped to Draco and then back to her, his lips curling. He abruptly pushed her to her feet.

"Well, this has been fun," he sneered. "But I think I'll take my leave." He turned to Draco. "Thanks for the Trade. Her arse is divine."

Hermione blinked at his retreating back. He was onto them. She'd failed. Before she could spiral further, Draco was beside her, reaching for her arm.

"It's time for us to retire as well." He turned to say goodnight to his friends, his arrogant mask still in place.

Dread prickled through her shock as Draco swept them from the room. If Theo was onto them, things could get bad. Very bad. Draco would never let her run her own missions ever again. Perhaps they should Obliviate him—

Draco's grip was tight on her arm as he moved them to the fireplaces. She swallowed and whispered, "Should we go after him?"

"You've done enough for one night, Granger," he bit out.

She glanced up at him, expecting his anger — and her eyes fell on a lipstick stain on his collar. From the Carrow Girl. She saw red as they swept through the Floo.

They arrived through the fireplace in his room, and he dropped her arm and spun to her. "Well, was it worth it?"

"I don't want to hear it, Draco!" She kicked off her heels and tore her collar off. "I was this close, and I would have gotten something out of them if your girl hadn't been as loud as a banshee. If we arrange another Trade—"

"Not a fucking chance," he growled. "I have to clean up this mess, like I always knew I would—"

"Oh, thank you for the vote of confidence!" She threw her arms in the air. "I knew you never trusted me—"

"You should have stuck to talking. Trying to kiss his neck and play with his hair like some fucking—"

"Oh, I'm sorry I don't have as much experience charming the knickers off of people like you do, Draco—"

He stepped into her and pointed a finger in her face. "You had plenty of time, but instead you spent the entire night grinding all over him—"

She slapped his hand away. "I couldn't start with a damn interrogation, could I? Last time I checked you were busy running your hands all over Clara—"

"Cassandra," he corrected. And she felt her skin light on fire.