Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made an no copyright of trademark infringement is intended.
The title of May Day Eve was originally from Nick Joaquin's short story 'May Day Eve' Some lines in this chapter were taken from that short story. The plot, however, is very different.
Chapter Three : Compromising Positions
Draco
"Darn that Pansy," he thought, "she should have told me about that before we did anything."
Draco Malfoy clambered up the steps that lead to the second floor of the Hogwarts castle. Being a Slytherin meant that he knew Snape had another private storage filled with rare ingredients for rare potions, and he also knew that that was easier to break into. But he was a bit nervous about what he was about to do. Despite his status as Snape's favorite student, he wasn't really very good in Potions. He was about to try and cook up a very difficult potion, one that cured "Darn you Pansy," he thought again. He could easily ask for help, but it was too embarrassing.
Once he reached the second floor corridor, he heard the tiny shuffling of two pairs of feet. He quickly hid himself behind a post, peering his head out slightly to see who was coming. It was so dark that he could barely make out the figures that were walking towards him, all he could see was brown and that all too familiar bright shade of red, "Granger and the weasel boy?" he thought, "But I thought she was with Potter." The figures came closer and closer, "Too slender, ahh, the weasel boy's sister."
"I wonder what little miss perfect and Potty's disciple are up to?" Just then, an idea came to him. He needed help, and he was going to get it.
Ginny
It was pretty hard to listen through thick wood doors, but Ginny's ears were already trained for that chore after years of practicing. She didn't really fancy listening in on other people's conversations, but when you want to know something, and the information wasn't being offered to you, then you're going to have to work for it. She overheard the May day eve story from Lavender and Parvati earlier, but the specifics were lacking. "What, Hermione's going through with it? Sometimes I don't know what that woman is thinking," she thought, "Oh no, she's coming, better hide."
"Ginny! What are you doing here?" Too late.
"Just standing, where are you going?"
"I just need to do something,"
Wait, maybe I could come along with her and try it afterwards. "Can I come with you?"
"I really need to be alone,"
"I'll stay outside the room," Oh drat, me and my stupid mouth. "I mean, I won't stay where you are."
"I suppose you could come," Whew, I hope she didn't notice anything.
They made their way outside the portrait hole and began to walk towards the staircase when without warning, a figure with silver blond-hair appeared from a secluded corner of the walls.
"Malfoy!" Hermione exclaimed in a whisper.
Ron
"Darn that Seamus, I'm going to show that short little bas--"
"Do you have any idea where we're going?"
"Actually no, do you have any idea where we could find a mirror in this place," he asked, stopping a moment. "Silver and red, there's got to be something wrong with that."
"There's this big one on the first floor, inside the room beside the Great Hall, Hermione and I came across it one night--" Wait, did he just slip that he's been running around with Hermione? Those two think they're so clever.
"What were you doing running around at night looking for a room with Hermione?" he asked suggestively.
"Oh please, we needed a quiet space so we could study," Harry answered, waving his hand in the air. I'll bet my Viktor Krum autographed parchment that you were doing anything but studying.
They went on walking until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Just then he remembered the flash of silver and red quickly dashing out of their way. "Holy cow! Those two colors are only supposed to come that close when I'm punching Malfoy's face out!"
"What the? No, it can't be," he said, trying to look back where he first saw the figures. "Ginny and Malfoy? No, but still, I have to sort this out."
"You go inside the room, I'll meet you there, I just need to confirm something," he told Harry as he quickly sprinted back up the stairs. "There has got to be a better explanation for this." he thought
Draco
"Gerry," he started.
"The name's Ginny, you moron," she snapped.
"Yes of course, so Ginny, I understand that you're taking up Advanced Potions. I've always admired intelligence in a woman--"
"Cut to the chase," Ginny snapped again, this time with raised eyebrows.
"I need you to help work on a potion," he said, relieved that he didn't need to put on the old Malfoy charm, otherwise, she'd be all over him and he just can't handle that right now.
"Why would I help you?" she said laughing slightly.
"Because what's the point of taking you hostage? Now come on, let's go to the potions dungeon, we can work there," he said in an imperative manner.
"No, we're not moving, Hermione's coming back here immediately and she'll be worried if she doesn't find us here," Ginny said, standing indignantly.
"Really, she's probably snogging Potter's head off right now and they both probably don't remember the time, the place, and much less you," Draco said smirking.
"Oh please, Hermione and Harry are not together that way, you saw her, she said so," Ginny countered.
"Remember that night I was talking about earlier, I overheard McGonagall and I got the impression that they were in a very compromising position," he said.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, she said, and I quote, 'They were in a very compromising position,'" he said, smirking again.
"There are lots of compromising positions," she retorted.
"You tell me," Malfoy suddenly had a disturbing smile on his face, which reminded Ginny of her perverted Uncle Shelby.
Ginny shook her head at the memory, "How do I know you're not just making that up?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
Ginny just crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows at Malfoy in answer.
"Oh yeah," he said. They suddenly heard a pair of shuffling feet once more.
"Does that happen a lot around here?" Malfoy said, slightly exasperated.
But Ginny's face was suddenly washed over with panic, "I would know that sound anywhere, that's Ron."
"Not good," Draco quickly pulled her back behind the post, pulling her closer and putting one hand over her mouth. As soon as they saw Ron and Harry go down the stairs their tensed muscles relaxed a bit.
"Don't worry, I'm not about to let my brother know that I've been talking to you," she whispered, "Nothing like adrenaline rush to get you going, huh?" she said with a wink.
Malfoy chose to ignore the insinuation, "We can't stay here, so you might as well help me."
"Why didn't you just ask Hermione?"
"There is nothing that that woman will not share with Potter, and I'm not really keen on the idea of scarface knowing about this."
"Fine, but I have to leave a note telling Hermione that I'm all right," Ginny insisted.
"Fine, whatever, let's just get out of here, we can use the backstairs, and we have to drop by somewhere anyway," he said.
They toddled off silently, as they were walking, Ginny turned to Draco, "What do you need the potion for anyway?"