A/N: Quite a new idea and relatively simple plot to test my writing skills after a few years away. Finished the first three chapters but not sure how long it'll be in total. Our favourite anti couple may be a little tame and OOC but alcohol does do terrible things to people ;) Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Friend or Foe?
Draco Malfoy was drunk. Completely and utterly smashed. Seven and a half whiskeys had taken their toll but he wasn't quite done yet. He stared down at his half empty glass of brown liquid and sighed. How had he come to this?
"Another Glenmorangie, three fingers." He called to the surly owner of the pub who was pathetically pretending to polish brass at the other end of the sticky bar. The man, whose name in a year of coming here Draco had never bothered to learn, gave him a frown and then a stern nod. The barman with his sour expression, grey hair and dull dishevelled appearance reminded him vaguely of Dumbledore's brother who ran the Hogs Head Inn. What was him name? Albert? Amberson? Draco shrugged to himself he didn't really care and wasn't sober enough to try and remember. He drained his whiskey as another was put in front of him.
"Here." Said the barman gruffly. "And I've closed your tab now Malfoy. Twelve Galleons."
"Daylight robbery…" Draco drolled sarcastically and put down fifteen. "Use the extra to actually put some soap in the pisser."
His server merely grunted and waddled back to the opposite end of the bar. Draco sighed once again and ran an agitated hand through his blonde hair. He looked around at the quiet pub just off Diagon Alley and remarked with apathy that everything of importance that had happened in his life over the past year– good or bad – had happened in such a shabby little corner of the wizarding world. The more he took the familiar place in the more he was convinced of its direness. It had a faint musky smell that seemed to emanate from the ancient bookcase in the corner, which like the vast majority of the pub, was covered in cobwebs. The décor was probably older than his father Draco thought and the barstools were not the most comfortable he'd ever experienced. It was quiet except for the occasional roar of the fire connected to the floo network or the faint tinkle from above the door that seldom opened at this time of night. It was full of broken things like wobbly tables and cracked lampshades and as he looked around at the other questionable characters inside he decided it was full of broken people also. He asked himself the stupid question of why he came here yet again that night. But it was simple. He was waiting for her. He was hoping history would repeat itself and any minute the ancient bell above the door would go and she'd come strolling in. This was their place, their hideout and if he was ever to see her again it'd be here. He'd been more confident in this at the start of the night however. Now on his eighth whiskey he wasn't so sure – in fact he was starting to believe more and more that he really had royally fucked up and he was doomed to be thrown out of here alone. He was just a drunk man sitting drowning his sorrows over a woman.
"How sickeningly cliché…" he muttered to himself.
But she was not just any woman. She was the woman. The only person he'd ever loved more than his own pathetic hide. So taking another swig of his drink he decided he'd wait some more in this dank little corner because this was the place, the very stool where it had all started, the spot where almost a year ago that day his doomed love affair with Hermione Granger had begun.
"And boy was it doomed…" He thought and took another gulp.
(Almost) One year previously
"Happy birthday old chap!" Said Blaise Zambini giving him a rough pat on the back.
"To turning thirty." Chimed in a very pregnant Pansy raising her glass of sparkling apple juice.
"Urgh don't remind me." Draco replied with a drunken slur.
"Sorry we cant stay later mate." Added Blaise, linking an arm around his wifes waist. "Got an early meeting tomorrow and we still need to see the baby sitter off."
Draco scoffed and waved his hand.
"Don't worry about it!"
"Are you sure we can't walk you home?" Said Pansy concerned. "You've had an awful lot to drink."
"Nah I'll be fine." Draco said with a hiccup. "My flats only two streets away besides you've got babies and careers and stuff…and I've got half a drink and a wallet full of galleons what more could I ask for eh? Apart from a nice bird but I'm sure I can find one around somewhere, eh Zambini?" He finished with a wink and Pansy rolled her eyes.
"You've got a lot more that that Malfoy and don't you forget it." She said sternly embracing him in a quick hug.
"I'm assuming you two losers are coming to the manor on Saturday?" Draco asked.
"The official Malfoys turning thirty bash? We wouldn't miss it for the world mate." Zambini told him.
"Official? This is the official par-tay my friend. This right here, in the best pub in the world, I'm so glad we found it!" Draco slurred. "YOU HEAR THAT BARKEEP! YOU'VE GOT THE BEST PUB IN THE WORLD."
Pansy and Blaise laughed whilst trying to quieten Draco. They received a few glares from the shabby regulars huddled in the corner.
"Bit of a dull place for a shindig." Pansy said with some of her old haughtiness "But I had fun." She finished giving him a small smile.
"Well be off with you! The both of you." Draco said suddenly "Wouldn't want your water bursting and you getting the sack on my account. Then you two and your three little creatons would be homeless and I'd be honour bound to look after you."
"Oi those creatons are you're god kids." Blaize chuckled and Draco rolled his eyes "Ok mate, see you Saturday."
"Bye Draco." Pansy called as Blaise ushered her out.
"Bye!" Draco called loudly and earned himself a warning glare from the irritated barman. "Sorry…" he mumbled sarcastically.
Taking his seat again at the bar he reflected on the evening. It had been a pleasant night with some close friends, a relatively quiet meal and drinks to usher in his new decade. It had been enjoyable enough but Draco, even after achieving his goal of getting shitfaced, still couldn't shake the feeling of dissatisfaction he'd been feeling over the last few months. He was bored of his Quidditch career, bored of the endless partying, bored of charity event after charity event he attended at his mothers wish in her never ending quest to rebuild the family name. For some reason he felt it just wasn't enough anymore. Pondering this he took another swig of his drink.
He knew he should head home, he was seriously tipsy but he couldn't shake the feeling that if he just stayed put something would happen. Like there was some change in the air for him. Like the antidote for all his discontentment was just around the corner. He knew he was being moronic, destiny didn't just wander into a bar and yet…
He shook his head forgetting the silly notion. He supposed it was just the fact he had come face to face with the end of his twenties and he hadn't really done anything. That's what was making him think this way –that and the copious amounts of alcohol obviously. No there would be no change for him tonight. He would toddle drunkenly back to his flat and fall asleep on his couch just like he did every few nights and then wake up slightly hungover for Quidditch practise the next day. His coach would gripe but then he'd give him a snappy retort and all would be forgiven and they'd laugh about some drunken antic he'd gotten wrapped up in and the boys would all cheer. Then he might get an owl from his mother about the latest party he was to attend or meet up with his most recent blonde conquest for a bit of afternoon fun. That was his life and he just had to accept it. There was nothing more or nothing less to it. He was just about to drain his glass and leave when the ringing of a little bell above the door caught his attention and in walked someone he never wished he'd see again.
Hermione was elated. Absolutely overjoyed. She was bloody ecstatic. She never thought she'd feel this way over four little words but she was amazed at how wrong she'd been. She felt almost idiotic now for being so scared of saying them and cursed herself for not doing it sooner. Oh how she'd cried and cried over the mere mention of them, how angry with herself she'd been for even considering it. But now because she'd just come right out and said it, she was free. After Hermione'd come home late from St. Mungos to find her husband of nearly a decade shagging someone else in their bed for not the first but the second time she realised there was nothing more to say.
"I want a divorce." Is what came out of her mouth immediately.
There was no screaming, no tears, she didn't even throw anything this time – she'd done it all already she supposed. When she caught Ron the first time with Lavender Brown all hell had broken loose. She'd cried and cried until she thought there was no more tears left inside her. She probably wouldn't have made it through if her friends hadn't rallied around her. They categorically blamed Ron and Hermione was grateful. Harry had given him a black eye and even Ginny refused to speak to him for a while. Eventually though Ron came crawling back, begging for forgiveness. He had told her it was all his fault and that Lavender was just one stupid mistake. He'd given her every clichéd excuse and apology in the book and Hermione like an idiot had given him a second chance. But now it was truly over and she was taken aback at how relieved she was.
She'd been walking in the cold night air for a while now thinking of where to go next. She didn't want to go to Harry and Ginny again and see their sympathetic faces or their sickeningly wonderful marriage when hers had fallen to pieces a second time. Nor did she think she could bare telling her parents just yet. They loved Ron. She hadn't told them about the first time he'd cheated because she knew they'd be heartbroken, if she told them now it'd be worse. No her parents could definitely wait a few days. She couldn't face that just yet. Suddenly she realised she must have wandered into Diagon Alley. She briefly considered going to Florish and Blotts to sit among some cosy corner and pretend to peruse some books but that'd be closed at this time of night so she kept walking. She wasn't too concerned she knew she'd find somewhere. She just felt so liberated. She was almost giddy. The idea that she could finally stop pretending was wonderful. She could stop walking on eggshells, stop trying to be perfect to keep alive a love that was long dead.
Hermione pulled her scarf tighter around her as the brisk November air whipped by her. She considered for a moment going to the Leaky Cauldron just to get out of the cold but there were too many people she knew that might be there. Wracking her brain she turned down a quiet a side street and that's when she saw it. The small pub at the end of the road tucked away behind an out of business cauldron shop. Hermione laughed to herself – The Worlds End it was called. How appropriate seeing as a part of her world had just ended, a very long unsatisfying chapter of her book finally put to bed. Deciding she needed a stiff drink in order to figure out what she would do next she walked over to the entrance. At first she wasn't sure it was open. There were some cobwebs on the windows and only a little light inside. She was about to turn away from such a dismal looking place when she smelt its muskiness. It reminded her of her favourite corner of the library at Hogwarts. She'd almost forgotten that smell. Realising this was as good a place as any she pushed open the mahogany door. A little bell tinkled as she stepped inside and headed straight for the barstool. She unbuttoned her heavy winter coat and removed her scarf and only then realised she hadn't even had time to change before she caught her husband in the sack with an as of yet unidentified blonde. She was still very much in her work attire. The smart black dress and heeled boots she wore under her healers robes were nice enough she supposed. The dress clung to her curves and flattered her figure but it wasn't terribly exciting but really who was she trying to impress? Sitting down she pulled her hair out of the high ponytail it had been in all day and let her soft curls fall around her face. Inexplicably she felt more relaxed than she had for months. Yes this was exactly what she needed: peace and quiet and a good drink to sort her life out.
"Well, well isn't this an unpleasant surprise." Came an unknown yet weirdly familiar voice to her left. She was about to turn around and give the guy and earful when she stopped suddenly. Staring back at her was someone she never wished she'd ever see again. Of the pubs in all the world why did Draco Malfoy have to choose this one?
"Malfoy?" Hermione said gaping at him.
"Close your mouth bookworm. It's not an attractive look." He said dryly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She said aghast.
"Drinking..." He said in his usual drawl "What does it look like Granger? Or is it Weasley now?"
Hermione gave him an icy stare and inwardly groaned. Draco Malfoy was the last person she ever wanted to come across tonight. She stiffened at the mention of her soon to be former last name. She guessed she might as well get used to hearing the old one again.
"Granger will be just fine." She said through gritted teeth and swore she could feel him smirk as she turned away from him.
"I see." He said raising his eyebrows then after a beat "Always thought a know-it-all like you could do better."
Hermione didn't reply but glared instead. And yet she was puzzled. Hermione searched for the sarcasm or even malice in his tone but to her surprise had heard none. She put it down to lack of sparring practise. This was Malfoy after all, the war may be over but he'd never ever pay her a compliment.
She studied him for a moment. He'd definitely changed that was for sure. She hated to admit it but he'd grown into his looks. Gone was the skinny, gaunt looking boy she remembered the day they defeated Voldemort and in its place sat a quite an attractive man – if you forgot it was Malfoy. His hair was still as blonde as ever but was no longer slicked back and had grown out in a way that complemented his sharp features. His blueish grey eyes still held their intensity but had softened slightly by little lines around them. His muscular frame and broadened shoulders were accentuated by his sharp suit and open white shirt. This coupled with a hint of stubble made him look very much like a man but his unmistakeable smirk helped him retain some of his boyishness. She mentally shook herself, this was the boy whose aunt tortured her in his very house. She grimaced inwardly. Hermione's examination was interrupted by a surly looking barman.
"Aye?" He asked gruffly.
"Tequila. Gold if you've got it." She replied. "Make it a double."
"Jus' sell silver." He told her.
"Fine." She said rather more sharply than she meant.
The barman gave her a once over and then nodded.
"Put it on my tab." Malfoy said suddenly and Hermione nearly did a double take.
"I can pay for my own drink, thanks very much."
"I don't doubt you can Granger." He said sounding almost bored. "I don't know who you've been hanging around with this decade but I was always taught that it's rude not to buy a lady a drink."
"Call me crazy but I didn't know 'always be cordial to mudbloods' was part of your family motto?" She said harshly. She wasn't sure why she was being so hostile all of a sudden but his presence irked her. Malfoy gave her an icy stare and then shrugged. Not what she expected. She expected a heated insult and a thinly concealed threat - certainly not indifference.
"Fine." He said coolly breaking their tense silence "Don't take it, I was just trying to be cordial as you said Granger but you're clearly the same uptight priss you were ten years ago."
Hermione sighed. The war may have been long over but old habbits die hard. She was being undeservedly snappy so she supposed she deserved the insult.
"Sorry." She said finally. "That was rude. It's not been a great day. Thank you for the drink Malfoy."
"Whatever." He replied draining his glass as the bartender gave Hermione hers and slipped another in front of him. Hermione considered the tequila for a while as they sat in silence. She wasn't a big drinker and she didn't ordinarily drink the silver liquid straight but tonight was absolutely no ordinary night, Malfoy's presence had more than proven that. In one swift movement she downed the lot, then grimaced.
"Another for the lady." Malfoy said to the barman and this time Hermione didn't protest. "And leave the bottle."
The server obeyed and Hermione gave him a weak smile as thanks and poured herself another.
"Hadn't pegged you for a drinker when we were at school Granger." Draco said as she poured herself way more than a double measure.
"Yeah well things change." She replied with a smirk of her own.
"Evidently." He replied. Hermione watched as he picked up the bottle that said Tequila Silver and examined it.
"This stuffs not bad." He began "I prefer the gold though. I think it goes down smoother."
"Me too." Hermione added quiet. He gave a sarcastic laugh and smirked at her again.
"That could be the first thing we've ever agreed on. Who would have thought eh?"
"I didn't see it coming." She said a smile playing on her lips even though she tried to stop it. They sat once again in silence and when Draco finished his whiskey he poured them another two tequilas straight from the bottle.
"So when did you come to your senses and finally divorce the weasel?" He said suddenly and Hermione gave him a wary glance.
"Who says I'm divorced?" She asked indignantly.
"Well your wedding announcement was all over the Prophet. Nearly as big as Potter and the Weaslettes. Hard to forget that even after all these years and well I notice that your finger is missing a ring but does have a band mark. I put two and two together." He finished.
Hermione shrugged. She had left the ring at the door on the way out.
"Well for your information I'm not divorced." She told him and he raised his eyebrows.
"Oh." He replied "My mistake."
"Soon to be." She added "But not yet."
"Hence the reason for your bad day?"
"Hence the reason for my bad day." She said finally.
"Ah well that explains you being such a bitch. I suppose I can let you off." He said after a beat. Hermione didn't detect any bite to the statement or even any of his old drawl. It seemed he was just teasing. Very un-Malfoy-like. She rolled her eyes at him and she downed another tequila.
"Sorry but you were the last person on earth who I ever thought would be buying me a drink." She said jovially "Besides you're still a slimey Slytherin and I'd never put a trick past you."
Draco grabbed his heart in mock hurt.
"Shocking Granger. Here I was just trying to be nice to an old acquaintance and all I get is suspicion and blatant hostility. Merlin you'd think there'd been a war or something."
Hermione genuinely laughed at this and Draco gave her a cocky grin.
"Acquaintances? I wouldn't call us acquaintances…" She said thoughtfully.
"Well we're certainly not friends Granger." He said "And I'd say it'd be a bit melodramatic to call us enemies after all this time. So tell me oh all knowing Hermione, what would you call us?"
She pondered this for a moment. She wasn't sure at first, it was an odd thing to have to name. Then it came to her.
"Strangers Malfoy." She said finally "I'd call us strangers."
"To anonymity then." He replied, a sly smile crossing his face as he lifted his glass. Hermione's eyebrows rose but without hesitation she clinked her glass against his.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Get ready for utterly smashed Hermione and Draco in the next chapter, smut to come later. I'm going to guess chapter 5ish so all you naughty people will just have to wait! Haha until then, a few cheeky wee reviews would be appreciated?