The Proximity of a Desirable Thing Tempts One To Overindulgence.

Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JKR. I am making no money from this.

A/N: Many thanks to my wonderful beta, Southern_Witch_69. She is awesome.

This is my response to LOTM's YLC challenge. For rules see the end of chapter one.

Chapter Five

The Proximity of a Desirable Thing Tempts One To Overindulgence.

Hermione was having a very bad Monday. She was still very upset with herself for letting Ron get to her the way he did. Arrogant Git! How dare he just assume that I find myself lacking when compared to his wife! I have sure made something of myself without him!

The threatening notes had not helped matters either. She knew they were from Mrs. Nott. The witch is as stupid as her son. Doesn't have enough wits about her to use a dicto-quill! Like I can't tell her handwriting from the request forms she filled out! Mrs. Nott had filled out forms about five months ago to request a questionable ingredient. After doing all the background searches on the witch and the ingredient, Hermione had not been about to grant her request. This had infuriated Mrs. Nott beyond measure.

At first, the notes were merely insulting, calling her Mudblood and the like. As the weeks passed, they became bolder. Today, she received one threatening her life. Not that Hermione was afraid, exactly, but really, it would be enough to try any witch.

She was going to have to go to Mr. Whimple, and she hated that. He would fret, which would, in turn, cause her to worry more than she usually would. Hermione sighed. I wonder if I should just wait to see what happens. Maybe she has had her fun and will stop now.

She knew she would have to decide soon when she heard a knock on her door. "Come in!" she called out, knowing it was her boss.

"Good morning! How was your weekend?" Mr. Whimple asked, same as he did every Monday morning.

"Fine," Hermione absently replied, still trying to decide if she was going to show him the threats or not.

"I trust you have a date for the ball this weekend? It would not bode well should you come alone," he warned.

That stopped her musings short. "Yes, I do have a date as a matter of fact. Thanks so much for your concern, sir. Whatever would I do without the Ministry looking out for my personal life?"

"Don't take that tone with me, missy! I was just following orders, I was. What's the big deal anyway? You know, you might actually enjoy the company of a fine, young wizard!"

Oh, yes. Fine and young indeed! I can't wait for you to get a load of him! "How do you know that I don't already, hmm? Perhaps I choose to come to these functions alone because I find them boring, and I don't wish to put that off on any fine, young, wizards?"

Mr. Whimple sighed. He hated it when Hermione was in a snit. "That's enough. I'll not hear anymore. Those are the orders from upstairs, and you'll do well to follow them. Now, do you have any request forms for me to sign this morning?"

Hermione briefly thought of the threats and dismissed it for the time being. "No, not this morning, but I will Wednesday most likely."

"Okay. I will see you later then." When he got to the door, Mr. Whimple turned to Hermione and smiled. "Bringing a date won't signify the end of the world, you know. It will all work out for the best."

The best for whom? He seems more interested in my love life than I am! "Yes, sir," she said, resigned to the fact she was being forced into bringing a date. With that, he turned and left her office.

By lunchtime, Hermione was ready to pull her hair out. She'd gone to test an acidic potion herself, and someone bumped into her from behind, causing her to spill the potion down the front of her best robes. Needless to say, the robes were covered with holes and beyond repair.

Sitting back at her desk and fighting off a headache, Hermione grabbed some parchment and a quill.

Gin,

Hermione

Hermione tied the note to her owl and sent her on her way. She prayed with all she had that Ginny would agree. Her day was only half over, and already she wanted to crawl under her desk and hide for the rest of it.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Ginny's Monday was not faring much better. After that blasted kiss from Draco Malfoy, she had not thought of anything else. She had made a vow to herself to avoid that wizard at all costs. It seemed he had made a vow to constantly get in her face as much as possible.

As she sat and watched the practice, Draco flew over to her. "I was thinking..."

"Alert The Quibbler! Draco Malfoy was thinking!"

"We should go to dinner this week," he continued as if she had not interrupted him.

Ginny snorted. "Thanks, but no thanks."

Draco narrowed his eyes. No woman, witch or Muggle, had ever turned down an invitation from him before. How dare she? She is lucky I would even lower my standards enough to take her...a lowly Weasley...to a public place before ravishing her! "Why not, Weasley? Afraid you can't handle a real man after Potter?"

Ginny counted to ten. It didn't help. Why does he constantly mention Harry? "Listen, you tosser!" But before she could continue, a familiar owl flew to her and held out her leg.

Smiling smugly, Ginny took the note from the owl and read it. Looking back to Draco, she told him, "It seems I already have dinner plans. Thanks anyway." She knew he would automatically think the owl was from a wizard. Just what she wanted him to think.

"I see. Well, when you want to play with the big boys, Weasley, you just let me know. Until then," he said, mock bowing to her while sitting on his broom. Turning, he flew away without a backwards glance.

He's jealous; of that, I am sure. But hurt? I could have sworn I saw hurt in his eyes, but that cannot be. I know he can't stand me. He has to only be asking me out to make Harry mad. Well, I won't play those childish games! His feud with Harry is just that...his! They can both leave me out of it!

Taking her quill and ink out of the medical bag she carried, she used the back of Hermione's note to answer her.

Mione,

Gin

After she sent the owl, she went back to watching the team. They were getting better and better. Draco seemed unstoppable. She had no doubt they would be ready for their first game after the start of the new year.

Suddenly, a Bludger hit Katie Bell and knocked her off her broom. She was speeding for the ground while Ginny was preparing for the worst. The very least of her injuries were sure to be broken bones and a concussion.

Out of nowhere, Draco flew under Katie and caught her, bringing her gently to the ground near Ginny. After thoroughly checking her over, Ginny was relieved to find nothing seriously wrong other than the hit on her head from the Bludger.

After Ginny gave Katie potions for both healing and pain, Fred and George called an end to practice that day. However, they had to be back in the morning at six. Lovely, thought Ginny. Not too many cups for me tonight then. I think I will go home and soak in a hot bath before meeting Hermione.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Luna was having an excellent Monday. Kingsley had come through for her, and here she was, waiting to interview one of the guards at Azkaban. She was barely able to contain her surprise when Gregory Goyle stepped into the room. She knew he worked there, as she had a list of the guards' names, but she hadn't expected to be interviewing him.

"Hello, Mr. Goyle," she started in her professional interviewing voice, "I would like to thank you for agreeing to speak with me." She held her hand out for him to shake.

Greg winced. "Please, call me Greg. Mr. Goyle is rotting away back there," he said as he pointed over the back of his shoulder with his thumb towards the locked cells behind the huge locked door.

"All right, Greg it is," she said, smiling. "How long have you worked here?" Luna wanted to get right down to business so she could interview some prisoners, perhaps even Greg's father.

"About four years," he answered as he studied her. Wow, Looney has changed. She actually seems... pretty...in a weird sort of way.

Luna's face was starting to blush under his scrutiny. "Do you find the prisoners behavior any worse with the five year anniversary coming up?"

"Not really. They are all nasty buggers, who are still yelling about divine power and ridding our world of impurities. Pathetic really. Of course, my father claims I have betrayed him, and the first chance he gets, he will kill me. Everyday stuff, that."

Luna's eyes widened in shock. "Your father threatens to kill you? Oh, Greg, I'm so sorry! How awful it must be for you!"

Greg smiled, enjoying her concern. He'd never truly had the concern of a witch before. It was nice. "Not really Loo...um, Luna. I did what I had to do, and he did the same. Now, he pays for it and blames everyone but himself for his decisions. That is what they all do in here. I imagine any of them would kill any of the guards in here the first chance they got, especially if they thought it would let them escape."

Luna thought this over and accepted it. It made sense. She decided to go on with the interview questions. "Have there been any problems with the dementors gone?"

Greg frowned. "Not that I am aware of. No more than usual, I expect. But then, I came after the dementors."

"What are your main concerns regarding the prisoners?"

"Well, there are too many. When the dementors were here, most would get their souls sucked and be less of a problem to deal with. Most of the men in here committed some pretty horrific crimes, Luna. With overrun cells, things can get really nasty at times."

It bothered her that she was really starting to worry about him. Why should I care if he gets hurt? He has always been a big bully and very mean in the past. But somehow he didn't look too mean while sitting and talking to her. In fact, he reminded her of her big teddy bear. "Do you get hurt very often?"

He smiled. "No, not very."

Suddenly, she blurted out the question that had been on her mind since he walked in, "Are you married?" Why, oh, why did I ask him that!

Surprised, Greg asked, "Is that an interview question, Luna, or a personal one?"

Luna blushed prettily. "Well, not exactly an interview question. So, you don't really need to answer that. I am terribly sorry! That was very unprofessional of me."

"No, I'm not married," he answered quickly. For some reason, he didn't want to put her off. "As a matter of fact," he continued as he gathered his courage, "we could continue this interview tonight over dinner if you'd like."

"Well, I have really been wanting to try that new place, Envy. I heard it is very good and extremely hard to get into," she said as she looked at him with hopeful eyes. It had been so long since she had dined with a man on a date.

"What time should I pick you up?" For some strange reason, he was looking forward to this... dinner with Luna. Most of the time, his dates were located in Knockturn Alley...unless he counted the few times Draco had set him up. He really didn't know how to talk to women, even though they seemed to want to talk to him, but Luna seemed easy to talk to.

"I will just make us a reservation and meet you there around seven if that is okay. I want to interview a couple more guards and some prisoners. Colin should be here within the hour to take pictures."

"Okay, that works. I look forward to seeing you then," he said as he walked her through the door. Before they entered, he turned and warned her, "Be careful talking to those men, and remember, they are Death Eaters".

She smiled up at him. "I will, and Greg?" He turned to look at her. "I look forward to seeing you tonight, too."

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Envy was very crowded when Hermione arrived. The rumors must be true then. I hope this place is as good as I've heard. She spotted Ginny right away, as there was no mistaking that Weasley hair, and made a beeline for her.

"Hi, Hermione!" Ginny said when she saw her walking towards her. "I went ahead and ordered your drink."

"Thanks, Gin! You have no idea how badly I need it," Hermione told her as she sat down. She was just about to take a sip when she noticed Severus Snape sitting at a table right in front of her with a beautiful, busty, blonde witch. Well, I suppose that answers the question as to whether he thinks I am too bookish or not. I suppose I was right to doubt that his words were complimentary.

Noticing her scowl, Ginny turned her head to look over her shoulder and spotted her ex-professor. Confused at Hermione's reaction, she asked, "What's wrong? He won't bother with us with her sitting across from him."

Not wanting to discuss the feelings she couldn't name, Hermione asked, "Do you have a date for the ball?"

Ginny sighed. "No, and I don't really care to be honest. Besides, all the attention will be focused on Boy Wonder, you know. Nobody will notice if I don't have one."

"Boy Wonder will notice," Hermione said sarcastically.

"Bugger him! My life does not revolve around Harry Potter!" Why is everyone throwing him in my face today?

Surprised by her friend's outburst, Hermione told her, "I never said it did. What I mean to say is that I think Harry and Ron pay an unusual amount of attention to our love lives."

"Sorry, mate. I didn't mean to snap at you. Honest. And I agree about the love lives part. Arrogant prats, the both of them!"

"Here, here!" Hermione said as she finished her drink. Just then, a waitress came to take their orders, and they both ordered another drink as well as food.

"Say Ginny, lets go dress shopping Friday. We could leave work a little early!" Hermione said excitedly, really liking the idea. "Let's get a dress that will knock 'em dead, the lot of them. We could call Luna and make a night of it!"

"Now that sounds like a plan! Will you be wearing a Muggle dress again this year?"

"Yes." Because the war had been about ridding the Wizarding world of Muggles and Muggle-born, Hermione always wore a Muggle gown to the anniversary balls. She decided to wear robes to the other two.

"Well, if I see one I really like, I may wear a Muggle dress, too!" Ginny said, getting excited about dress shopping.

Hermione grinned. "Great! I can't wait to go shopping. It's been so long!"

"Yes, but right now, I need the loo," Ginny told her. 'I'll be right back."

As Ginny walked off, Hermione's eyes drifted towards Severus and his date. He wasn't at the table, so she studied the woman. Beautiful to be sure, but she's probably dumb as a rock! What would someone like Severus Snape see in her? If someone like Snape goes for looks, then I really am doomed!

Suddenly, she felt warm air on her neck. "Something vexes you, Miss Granger?" he purred and was delighted to see her shiver. My voice does have that effect on women, doesn't it?

Hermione jumped. Turning to face him, she said irritably, "No, nothing vexes me! And for Merlin's sake, call me Hermione! It will look ridiculous if we are on a date and you call me Miss Granger."

"All right, Hermione then, even though it is not a true date. I suppose you may call me Severus. Now, why the sour face?" He knew she had been staring at him and his companion, and this was just too good an opportunity to pass up.

I suppose the only true dates he goes on involves Barbies. Bookworm Hermione is not worthy enough! No need to constantly remind me I had to blackmail him into escorting me! Ruddy git! Annoyed, she bit out, "My sour face has nothing to do with you," she lied, "so don't concern yourself. Don't you think you ought to get back to Barbie there before she tries to eat her soup with her fork?"

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Not to worry, she ordered a salad instead of soup."

"Well, bully for her! Perhaps you shouldn't leave her by herself for long. She does not strike me as the type to care for not being attended to. A lot of wizards here have their eyes on her. Careful. She may forget who she came with."

"She will be fine for a bit. I am not that easy to forget at any rate. And may I say, you seem awfully worried, and may I add, judgmental, about someone you have never even met. Are you always this hard on strangers or just the beautiful ones?"

Hermione snorted. "What do you talk to her about, Severus? Your project? Or the latest article in Potions Today? She does not look like the intellectual type. Is she keeping you up on the latest fashion? I would have thought a man like you needed some sort of conversational stimulation."

Smirking, he said, "I'm not very intellectual in the bedchamber myself, which is where she really holds my attention. All that room requires is basic instinct. She stimulates me quite nicely there, and as far as conversation goes, I have my co-workers for that."

Blushing, Hermione simply said, "I see. So, it's bimbos for you, too, then...just like all other wizards. I would have thought your standards would have been higher. Well, don't let me keep you from your... instincts."

Severus surprised Hermione by laughing out loud. Looking towards his date, he informed Hermione, "Standards don't get much higher than that, my dear. She may not be the brightest witch in the coven, but she does have her strong points. For what I require, she does quite nicely. As far as being intellectually stimulated, well, I have books and the sort for that. Besides, not all beautiful people are stupid, just as not all less than beautiful people are intelligent. Now, I see she is getting restless, and as you pointed out, I would like to keep her eyes from wandering, at least for the remainder of the evening, so I shall bid you good night, Hermione. See you at the ball."

"Good night," she said as he walked off. Biting her lip, she thought, Now I know that all wizards are attracted to is beauty and nothing more. Not that I am ugly by any means, but I am not that type of pretty. She sighed, feeling defeated. It was not that she was jealous, because she truly wasn't. She had just come to the realization that when one compared intellect to beauty, beauty won every time, no matter the wizard...even someone like Severus Snape chose a type of woman she'd never be. It was a sobering thought.

Hermione's musings were interrupted by Ginny's return. "So, tell me about your day."

As Hermione was talking about her day, Ginny promptly interrupted her when she got to the part where someone was threatening her. "Hermione, are you mad? You have to tell someone!"

"Oh, she is just trying to bully me into approving her for the ingredient she wants. Well, it won't work! I am not one to cow to threats; You know that, Ginny. You wouldn't yourself!"

"These are not just idle threats. These are threats from dangerous people, Hermione! At least tell your boss or my dad!"

Hermione sighed. "I'll consider it, okay? It's just I don't see what she could do really."

"Well, I for one don't want to find out. This is serious! Just promise me if you get another threat, you will tell someone."

"I promise, although I think I have heard the last of it. At least, I hope I have."

Just then, the food arrived, and both girls tucked in, stopping their conversation to eat and let their minds wander.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

On the other side of Envy, Greg and Luna sat discussing Azkaban. "Do you like your job there, Greg?"

"Yes, actually, I do. It's something I wanted to do for myself that nobody coaxed me into doing. It was all my idea, you see, to work there."

"What made you switch sides? I thought you wanted Voldemort to win."

Greg sighed. "Honestly?" Luna nodded. "Because Draco Malfoy did. I am sure you remember that in school Vincent and I did whatever Draco did or told us to do."

"Which was mostly bully everyone he didn't like," Luna agreed with amusement.

Greg was embarrassed. "Yes, I know. I was a mean tosser and a lap dog of Draco's!" he said while laughing. "But after the war and with Draco's mum being..." Greg stopped, realizing he was about to say too much. "Anyway, after the war, Draco was preoccupied, and I learned to think for myself. I thought about what I wanted and just did it. It was great actually."

Luna let the slip about Narcissa Malfoy slide, although the journalist part of her wanted to start questioning him. "Sounds like you have found your way. I am glad. It's hard, trying to move out of someone's shadow and make a name for yourself that you solely deserve."

"Are you talking about your paper?"

"Yes, that and my dad. He does not have the best reputation among reputable journalists. I just want to prove, mostly to myself but to everyone else as well, that I am good at what I do. I think this article may well put me on that path. So, thanks again."

Greg smiled. "No need for thanks. I am really enjoying tonight. I hope we can do this again sometime."

"I would like that a lot, Greg."

"Do you have a date for the ball?" Greg hoped not. He suddenly wanted to be the one to take her.

"No, I was just going to go and write about it."

"Could I persuade you to go with me maybe?"

Beaming, Luna said, "Oh, yes! That would be very nice! I definitely look forward to that!"

Smiling, they continued to eat, each now looking forward to a ball they had both dreaded not five minutes before.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

It was starting to get late, and Hermione and Ginny decided they had better go. They were reluctant to leave because they were having such a fun time.

"I'll owl Luna tomorrow about Friday," Ginny told Hermione as they were leaving.

Hermione nodded absently. Severus and his date had left a half an hour before, and they were looking very cozy indeed. He'd not even glanced her way as he'd walked out. And why should that bother her? It doesn't! I don't care what or who Severus Snape does!

As they were walking out the door, Ginny glanced at the bar to see who was there. She gasped softly as she spied Draco Malfoy sitting there nursing a drink. Suddenly, a witch sashayed over to him and whispered something into his ear that caused him to laugh.

Ginny could not take her eyes off the scene. Draco draped his arm around the woman's waist in an intimate, familiar way and whispered back to her. Not wanting to see any more, and hating the huge knot that had formed in her stomach, Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm and turned to leave, but before she could go, Draco caught her eye and lifted his drink to her in a mock toast. Scowling, she walked out the door.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Severus Snape sat in his chambers brooding. Celine had wanted him; of that, he was sure. But where was he? Sitting all alone, thinking about that know-it-all twit. He had gone inside Celine's flat and had a drink, but when she started making some very remarkable moves on him, he'd made his excuses and left. He still could not fathom why.

He knew one thing. He could not get the look on Hermione's face out of his mind. After he had left her and gone back to his table and Celine, he'd glanced at her and felt a pang of guilt at her expression. It was not jealousy. Jealousy, he could dismiss. No, it was resignation he'd seen there. It was as if she had resigned herself to the fact that she was... less in some way or that she didn't compare, and that bothered him.

The fact was, he enjoyed sparring with her. No one, witch or wizard, could keep up with him except her. Most were either too afraid of him or did not have the intellect. Hermione was neither afraid nor lacking in intellectual skills. He supposed he might have gone too far tonight, but he had really enjoyed it.

But then he started thinking about what she'd said. Damn her! Celine was beautiful, but that was the only thing she had going for her. And, until tonight, those things never bothered Severus before. Why should I care if a witch is a good conversationalist if she is good in bed? Does that make me shallow? Perhaps. But, gods be damned, I have earned the right to be shallow! I enjoy it!

Severus stood and began to pace. This is really getting out of hand. That woman is having too much control over me, and I won't have it! I will take her to those functions, get my papaver somniferum, and be done with her! Enough!

He wondered if it would be possible to see Celine once more before the ball the upcoming weekend. He doubted it. She had been very upset that he'd left when he did.

Severus sank back down in his chair. It's going to be a long three weeks!

Christy's Notes: Up next is the ball! I wonder how our couples will fare. Leave me a line, and let me know what you thought!

Southern's Notes: Ah, I see the little know-it-all twit is getting to dear Severus, and I am glad. I like that Draco asked Ginny out, and it's good that she turned him down...for now. Luna and Greg, I love it! (Rubs hands together.) Now, I can't wait for the ball.