Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all characters belong to JK Rowling.

Summary: "Why is Malfoy wearing a Griffindor tie?" Harry and the rest of the gang want to know.

A/N: The idea of trading ties with your significant other is from a Japanese Manga, Gentleman's Alliance Cross by Arina Tanemura

"Why are you putting on my tie, Draco? And what should I do with yours?"

"Wear it, of course. Just think of it as a... souvenir... of our time together."

-x-x-x-x-

Draco Malfoy scowled when he saw everyone at the Griffindor table gawk at him as he made his way to the Slytherin table for breakfast.

"Why is Malfoy wearing a Griffindor tie?" asked Harry, forgetting about his juice.

Ron replied, "Haven't you heard, mate? It's the latest thing, trading ties with your girlfriend. Makes it official."

"Yeah, one of the girls started it because she always wanted a part of her boyfriend with her," Seamus said as he bit into his toast. "All the girls started doing it then. They loved the idea."

Dean added, "The guys liked it too; showed that their girls were already taken."

"That's sexist, Dean," Ginny argued. "Girls aren't property that need to be branded by their owners you know."

"Only guys whose girlfriends are in different houses think that way, Ginny. It doesn't work like that if you're in the same house," explained Dean. "Besides, I'm wearing your tie. What does that make me?" Ginny grinned.

With a confused look on his face, Harry asked, "But he's wearing a Griffindor tie. Who in our house is mental enough to fancy him?"

"Can't be Parvati, Lavender, or any other girl in our year," Neville remarked. "We'd have already known about it." The gang started throwing out names and checking all the girls at their table but didn't see anyone in their house wearing a Slytherin tie.

Hermione had been quiet the entire time, quickly eating her breakfast and avoiding the conversation.

"What do you think Hermione?" asked Ron. "Who do you think Malfoy's seeing?"

"I don't think it's anyone's business who Draco is seeing," Hermione stated crossly. "Honestly, the whole idea of trading ties is ridiculous and I can't believe he actually had the guts to wear it." She suddenly noticed that everyone was quietly staring at her. "What?"

"You called Malfoy Draco," Ron gasped.

"That's his name, Ronald," Hermione retorted.

"But you've never called him by that name before! Why start now?"

Hermione looked away. She couldn't think of a good response to Ron's question.

"You've never been good at lying to us Hermione," Harry calmly stated. "You must know something."

Ginny placed her hand reassuringly on Hermione's arm. She said, "Did his girlfriend ask you to keep it a secret? Malfoy's obviously not, so you don't have to."

Hermione gave a resigned sigh and tapped her tie with her wand. The scarlet and gold colors slowly bled away, revealing the green and silver underneath. "You're going to find out eventually…"

The uproar at the Griffindor table made Malfoy's head turn. He smirked as he finished his eggs. "About bloody time, Granger."