Chapter One: Too Many Faces

31st December, Slytherin Common Room

The night was wild with talk, laughter and drink in the Slytherin common room. There was ten more minutes until the new year and Draco Malfoy did not seem to have any clear plans for the immediate future other than sticking his tongue down Pansy Parkinson's throat. As his fellow classmates cheered him on, he swigged more and more alcohol, attempted sharing an unlit cigarette with his girlfriend and invaded her personal space further. As the rank stench of drink mingled with Pansy's lips again, her nose wrinkled and she pulled away, laughing.

"Do you have to do that?"

"Do... what? My dearest flower, speak."

"You're piss drunk, Draco."

"And? The night is alive. I am alive. I'll make you feel alive." Draco leered at her, and she backed away in mock disgust.

"Listen, I'm going to go to bed, alright? I'll watch the fireworks from my window. G'night."

Drunken moans and boos erupted from several people as Pansy left, Draco himself being one of them.

"Why d'you like her?" Blaise asked, smirking. He knew his friend was completely wasted and enjoyed seeing Draco making a fool of himself.

"She's hot, you know?" Draco Malfoy stumbled drunkenly in an attempt to trace her figure. "She's niice."

"Who else is hot?"

Draco shook his head wildly, his pale blonde hair falling in tendrils down his face.

"Aww, c'mon man, tell us!"

"Yeah!"

"Tell us, tell us, tell us!" Blaise started up a chant and soon every boy in the common room was at it.

"All right, all right," Draco threw up his arms in mock defeat. "GRANGER! Granger is so, so..."

The room erupted in laughter. Blaise, clutching his sides, put a hand on Draco's shoulder to steady himself. "You sure, mate?"

"Yep."

"And what would you do to make her like you?"

"I don't want her to like me... I just wanna... you know...?"

"And what would you do?"

"Eh. I dunno-"

"Would you make the Unbreakable Vow?"

Draco Malfoy broke into a grin. "Why not?"

Nervous glances were exchanged around the room as the two friends quickly grasped hands. The room was suddenly very quiet.

"Will you, Draco Malfoy, in pursuit of Hermione Granger, stop at nothing and seduce her until she has fallen for you?"

"Of course, bro." Draco slurred.

"Then it is settled. You have three months." Blaise muttered some words and his wand ignited a silvery blue which snaked around their wrists for a few moments, then faded.

Draco laughed loudly, a guffaw that immediately set everyone at ease again. The clock chimed midnight and fireworks erupted in the sky.

"Drinks all around!"

You say you'll never go that far

But you're not who you say you are

You've got too many, too many faces

Your time is up in too many places

You say you'll never push that hard

But you're not who you say you are

You've got your heart in too many places

You've got too many, too many faces

- Cherri Bomb, Too Many Faces