Leaky Cauldron
Friday May 2nd 2003
Stepping into the crowded bar, she frowned, searching the throng of people by the bar. Tom spotted her and motioned her over, pointing to the far end of the bar. She spotted his floppy dirty blonde mop first and wondered how long ago he had taken a shower. Sighing she pushed past the revelers and made her way over to him. He sat hunched over a glass, arms folded on the bar. If Tom hadn't pointed him out she would not have recognised him.
"Hey" she coaxed, placing a sympathetic hand on his arm.
He turned and stared at her.
"Well, here we are again, another anniversary, another reason to celebrate, have a drink with me" he sarcastically intoned, raising his glass and downing the last of his Firewhiskey.
"Tom Owled me, he was getting worried and he couldn't get an answer from Blaise and Theo. I think...we think..it's time you went home" she murmured gently. He motioned to Tom to pour him another drink. Tom shook his head.
"Ridiculous" he muttered, rolling his eyes. "I don't need an escort" he complained, dragging his barstool back, and nearly collapsing onto the floor. Despite her slight frame, she held him up. "Come on, Malfoy. Home time" she said slinging one of his arms over her shoulders and guiding him out the pub. Luckily no one batted an eyelid, after all it was Friday night, it was THE anniversary night, he wasn't the first drunk to get dragged home and he wouldnt be the last.
Flat 6A Diagon Alley
Friday May 2nd 2003
He flopped down onto the couch and stared up at her as she looked around the boy's flat, searching. Spotting a waste paper basket she brought it over to the couch and gently pushed Draco onto his side. He moved with no complaint. She reached down and removed his shoes, placing them under the coffee table. Walking to the closet, she opened it and rooted around before pulling out a threadbare blanket. She placed it over him as he closed his eyes. At the door, she placed her hand on the knob and turned. She just caught his whispered voice.
"Thanks Granger"
Flat 6B Diagon Alley
Friday 9th May 2003
Frowning at the note, she chucked it onto the table and grabbed her coat before heading out the door. She crossed the street, slipped into the bar and made her way over to where he sat in the corner, smiling apologetically as Tom nodded in Draco's direction.
"Hey" she greeted him, sitting down on the barstool next to him. He turned his head, regarding her with his narrow eyes before turning his attention back to his Firewhiskey.
"Tom Owled me. He was concerned about you" she murmured softly, placing her hand on his arm.
Draco gulped down his drink before slamming the glass down on the counter. He looked at Tom who shook his head and sighed heavily.
"Come on Malfoy" Hermione said, taking his hand. He pulled away, frowning at her. She narrowed her eyes, holding his gaze.
"Fine" he muttered, allowing her to lead him out of the pub.
Flat 6B Diagon Alley
Friday 16th May 2003
Impatient tapping at the window stole her attention away from her muggle novel. Sighing she placed the book on her coffee table and crossed to the window. Opening it, she reached out and took the parchment before watching the Owl fly way. She scanned the brief note before scrunching it up and throwing it in the bin beside her desk.
"Merlin help me!" she huffed, storming out of her flat and across the hall. She banged her little fist on the door repeatedly as she yelled "Blaise! Theo!."
Giving up, she scowled as she rushed down the flight of stairs and across the street, throwing the pub door open, barging customers out the way as she made her way over to the corner where he sat.
"Home time" she huffed, attempting to haul him from the seat as he muttered obscenities at her.
"Where are Blaise and Theo? They should be helping you home not me!" she hissed as he crashed into her, nuzzling at her neck. "Oh for Merlin's sake" she muttered angrily.
"You're all I have, Granger. I'm all alone, save for you" he murmured, pressing his lips to her neck.
"Lovely" she muttered, pushing him off gently. He gave her a lopsided grin as she tugged at his arm, half dragging him out the pub.
Flat 6A Diagon Alley
Friday 16th May 2003
She guided him over to the couch, attempting to push him onto it, unprepared for him to wrap his arms round her waist. They toppled onto the couch, her hair falling over her face as she fell into his lap. He chuckled huskily as she flushed, her hand going to brush the curls hurriedly from her face as she attempted to blow the stray curls that remained over her eyes.
She stood up, hands on hips and glowered at him.
"Why so gruff?" he smirked, "Come here, Granger" he said, attempting to grab her wrist as she tugged away from him.
"Draco, you are drunk" she stated, trying to remain calm as he grinned amusedly up at her, before pouting like a toddler who had been told it was his bedtime.
"Nobody gets me" he whined as she rolled her eyes.
The front door opened and Hermione's head whipped round so fast she was surprised she didnt give herself whiplash. A jovial Blaise and Theo came bounding in, grinding to a halt as they took in the scene before them.
Hermione glared, her eyes flashing with anger, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.
"She looks mad" Theo whispered, nudging Blaise, his eyes not leaving Hermione. Blaise nodded silently. Hermione opened her mouth stepping forward, as the pair of wizards stepped backwards. Blaise grabbed Theo's arm "RUN!" he cried and the two men hurried back out the door, down the stairs and out into Diagon Alley laughing as they scrambled away. Hermione made after them, giving up at the top of the stairs "BOYS!" she yelled, throwing her hands up in the air dramatically, before coming back into their flat, slamming the door behind her. Draco was still grinning like an idiot.
"ARGH!" Hermione raged, before opening the door, crossing the threshold and slamming it behind her for good measure.
Leaky Cauldron
Friday 23rd May 2003
The bell above the door tinkled as it opened, and in walked Hermione. Tom no longer needed to point him out to her as he was always sat in the same barstool every Friday night.
"Granger!" he cried, lifting his glass in greeting and sloshing Firewhiskey onto the bar in the process. Hermione frowned. 'Depressed Draco' she was used to, 'Mirthful Malfoy' she was not. "Come here and have a drink with me Granger Girl!" he cried "Tom! Get the Princess a Prosecco!" he yelled, waving his arm about. Hermione caught Tom's eye and shook her head before turning back to Draco who was now looking at her like a love sick puppy.
"I love you Gryffindor Granger" he said, poking her cheek with his finger. She was decidedly unamused by his antics but he failed to notice. "You always look after me" he sighed "No one else does" he placed his glass down on the bar. "Take me home Princess" he said with a wink. She continued to frown but figured at least this week she wouldn't have to drag him home.
Flat 6A
Friday 23rd May 2003
Blaise set the takeaway down on the kitchen table as Theo grabbed two plates from the cupboard. Turning, he paused listening.
"What on earth…?" he began, looking at Blaise who had stopped opening the containers to listen.
"Is that singing?" Blaise asked, his eyes screwed up in confusion. Theo placed the plates down on the table before crossing over to the window, leaning out.
Pulling his head back in, he motioned to Blaise "Come take a look" he laughed, stepping away from the window so that Blaise could peer out.
.
"I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near meeeeeeee, funny how when you're near me, I'm in the mood for loooveeeeee" Draco intoned attempting to spin Hermione in the middle of the street. Hermione gruffed as she attempted to pull him into the building.
.
Blaise couldnt hold back the fits of giggles as they heard muffled crashes and the sound of Draco continuing to sing as Hermione got him up the stairs. She opened the door "Just get in" she told him, huffing from outside.
"Im in the mood for love, simply because you're near me, funny how when Granger's near me, Im in the mood for love" he continued, fumbling across the threshold, singing at the top of his lungs, his arms waving theatrically as he noticed his audience.
Theo and Blaise thought the sight was absolutely hysterical. Hermione, who was now stood, hands on hips in the lounge, did not agree. She looked the epitome of rage.
"Where the bloody hell have you two been? Once again it's Friday night, Malfoy is rip roaring drunk and like a MUG Ive had to go over and drag him home."
"Mud?" Theo asked confused "I thought we weren't allowed to use that word anymore?"
"MUG! NOT MUD!" she roared, her eyes blazing with rage "WELL?! WHERE WERE YOU?"
Blaise held up a takeaway carton, shrugging.
"Tings"
"I'm in the mood for love" Draco started up again, flicking a strand of Hermione's hair as she glared at Blaise. She turned on her heel and stormed from the flat. "Hey! Where are you going, I'm in the mood for love!" he called after her as she slammed the front door to Flat 6B.
"Give it a rest Draco" chuckled Theo.
Flat 6B
Friday 30th May 2003
She scrunched up the note in her hand and threw it in the bin. "Not my problem" she thought to herself picking up her book from the coffee table starting to read.
Flat 6B
Saturday 31st May 2003
Her eyes flickered open and for a moment she was unsure of her surroundings. Looking down to her chest where the book lay, she realised she had fallen asleep on the couch reading. Suddenly the noise that had woken her came again. Getting up, she hurried to the open window and peered down into the street below.
"Fuck" she hissed under her breath as she grabbed her wand from the coffee table, pulling her trainers on hurriedly before rushing out of the door.
A/N: "I'm in the Mood for Love" is a popular song. The music was written by Jimmy McHugh, the lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was published in 1935.