Hermione Granger shot up in her bed. She was sweating heavily, and her heart was threatening to pop out of her chest. Something heavy fell beside her, making a dull thump on her silk comforter.
Cool air descended upon her as she pulled back the warm blanket encasing her body. Her feet landed on the stone floor, sending chills up her spine and goose bumps on her flesh. Her feet padded quietly as she walked into the bathroom.
Closing the door behind her, she turned and looked into the full length mirror beside her. She gasped at what she saw.
Her pale skin shimmered from the moonlight projected in by the windows. Her hair cascaded down her back and shoulders in a tumble of messy curls. She wore no make-up but had mascara rings around her eyes. Those were not surprises, not like the one she found in the mirror.
She wore no clothes. She had never gone to bed naked in her life; she considered it uncomfortable and exposing. So why had she tonight?
Quickly she replayed last night in her head. She had gone to a local wizarding bar after work, hoping it would relieve the stress of her unsatisfying job at the Ministry of Magic.
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Hermione stepped into the Stripping Monkey and looked around. She didn't see anyone she knew, so this would be a good place to let down her hair and drink like a fish. After her hectic day at work, she deserved it.
She had been spit on, screamed at, and attacked verbally almost constantly since waking up that morning. She had filed two reports and picked up dry cleaning. As the junior employee of the Department of Prevention of Cruelty to Magical Creatures, those were things she had to deal with on a daily basis, but today had been the worst ever. To add to the "joyous" activities of her life, her boyfriend, Trey, had broken up with her, she had been passed over for yet another promotion, and she had had to deal with Cornelius Fudge, of all people. So, she had decided, she needed a drink and she needed it now.
Taking a seat at one of the stools at the bar, she released her hair from it's constricting ponytail and ran a quick hand through it. She removed her denim jacket to reveal a tight fitting T-shirt over a pair of worn jeans. The bartender walked over to her.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly.
"Gin martini with a twist," she replied, surveying the bartender. He was older, in his sixties, with long white hair tied back in a ponytail. His face was scarred, and his eyes cold. Hermione felt as if she knew him, but couldn't find his face in her memories.
"Here," he handed her the drink and stalked off, clearly unhappy to be there.
A martini and a vodka later the door to the bar opened. A pale, blond-haired man walked in and took the seat right next to Hermione. He ordered himself a firewhiskey and turned to inspect her.
"Curly brown hair, brown eyes, book in her bag," he muttered to what he thought was himself. A sudden spark of recognition crossed his face.
"Why," he started, "If it isn't Miss Know-it-all Granger! Never thought I'd see you here!"
"Sod off, arse. I'm not in the mood to deal with jackasses right now."
"But Hermione! It's me, Draco Malfoy!"
"Oh, well, in that case, stay!" Her sarcastic tone bit at him. "I knew who you were the second you walked into this place, Ferret. Now do us both a favor and go away. Or what is it you ferrets do? Scurry?"
"Ouch Granger, that hurt me!" he mocked.
"Oh, yes!" She replied, rolling her eyes, "Like anything could get in through that over inflated ego of yours!"
"You know, I reckon I'll stay! You know, I'm enjoying this little chat of ours. It's giving me insight to the inner workings of Hermione Granger!" She glared at him, one that would have maimed, killed, and utterly destroyed Severus Snape's famous glare. Any smart, normal man would have run away crying by now, but Draco Malfoy was not a smart, normal man. So he kept talking. "Like how you know sarcasm and profanity, and you actually use it!"
"Bartender!" Hermione cried, "I need a bottle of vodka and an axe!"
"Now I know that you will resort to violence when annoyed! See? I'm learning so much already!" Draco proclaimed happily.
Hermione groaned and took a swig of the vodka that had been placed before her.
Most of the rest of the night continued on like this, with Draco joining in on the drinking. Only when they both proceeded to get smashing drunk did it stop, and only because Draco was now kissing Hermione.
It only escalated from there.