The last thing I remember about last night was being carried into my apartment by Harry and Ginny. I think Ginny offered to stay the night, but I was too drunk to want to be around other people. It really was not a good night.

I had apparently ruined all of my favorite pictures by trying to cut out Draco, I also broke my favorite plate, and I wrote all over the whiteboard that I hated him. I must have gone back to junior high school while I was drunk, because I hadn't done anything like that since then.

I walked out into the living room and got myself a shot of vodka. As my mom always taught me, a little bit of alcohol is the best cure for a hangover. I took the shot and then proceeded to clean up the rooms a little. I heard my cell ringing from the bedroom and I raced to answer it. "Hello?"

"Ella? Are you okay? What happened? Where have you been?" It was Draco.

"I'm fine. Why?" I snipped.

"You weren't at the house yesterday when I came to pick up my things. I tried calling you, but you didn't answer. I'm sorry, I was just worried."

"You don't have to be. You're not tied down anymore. I'm no longer any of your concern. G'bye." I said, hanging up the phone. I put it in my pocket and went back to cleaning up. I must have slept on the floor of my room after Harry and Ginny left. I found some extra bedding and put it on the bed in place of the beautiful linens I'd given Draco.

I walked into the kitchen and picked up the broken shards of plate and set them on the table. I began to sweep the floors when there was a knock on the door. I went over and looked through the peep-hole. "Elinore…? It's Harry. Are you alright?"

I opened the door. "Hi, Harry. I'm fine. Come on in." I let him in and we sat on the couch. "Don't you have work?"

"I took the morning off. Ginny wanted me to come make sure you were okay since she's stuck at the hospital until noon." He said, looking around. "What's that?" he asked, noticing the broken shards of china on the counter.

"My favorite plate." I sighed. "The only reason I broke it, I can figure, is because Draco gave it to me. As well as writing that on the whiteboard and all our pictures from school. I must have tried to cut him out and just cut the pictures all to hell. I'm so upset with myself."

"It'll be alright." Harry said, patting my hand. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm alright. Thanks." I smiled. "I need to get to the store and buy bedding, though. I gave Draco the stuff from the bed and didn't even bother putting any back on the bed."

"I know." He smiled. "Gin and I tried to do it for you last night and you screamed bloody murder until we just left the bedding on the floor with you."

"I'm sorry." I said. "It was not a good day."

"We know. That's why we didn't argue too much. Gin did try to stay, but you threw us both out and locked the door."

"Did I really?" I asked, gasping. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright." He looked down at his watch. "Well, I told Gin I'd meet her down the street from the hospital at twelve thirty for lunch, so I'll see you later, Ella. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

"I won't." I said, standing and hugging him as he walked out the door. "See you later." He waved as I closed the door.

I went back to sweeping the floor and cleaning up, casually taking shots of vodka every 20 minutes or so. About 1:15 there was another knock on the door. Then to sound of the key in the lock and the door opened. "Ella? Are you here?"

"Hey, 'Mione. I'm in the kit-kitchen." I said, hiccupping. "Come one in."

"Are you drinking again?" She asked, setting her purse and a gift bag down on the couch. "And without me?"

"Here. I'm done." I said, handing her the bottle. I really needed to stop drinking like this. I noticed she set the bottle down. "Aren't you having any?"

"No, we're going out to lunch. Get changed."

"But I'm drunk. Or tipsy. Or something."

She walked over and slapped my cheeks. "Better?"

"A little." I rubbed the spots on my face where she'd hit. "We need to stop somewhere to get bedding, too."

"We can do that. Now go change." She ushered me into the bedroom, threw a questioning look at the makeshift bed on the floor, and walked out. I grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

After my shower, I changed clothes and threw my hair up into a high ponytail. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's go."

"You look terrible." Hermione said with a smile in her voice. "Come on, we're walking." She added when she noticed I observed the lack of car. "You need some fresh air and some exercise."

"Why? Why can't I just stay at home and pout and be okay with being alone?" I whined, throwing my small backpack over my left shoulder.

"You're okay with it?" she asked, genuinely curious. "Like, really okay?"

"I'd rather be alone than upset, Hermione." I said very seriously. "If I have to be either single and happy or married and depressed, I'm going to be happy."

"Man, Ella. I never knew you had it in you." She said, taking my hand. We walked in silence the rest of the way to our favorite restaurant down the street. We walked through the door and were seated at our regular table near the windows.

"Ah, Mrs. Weasley! Mrs. Malfoy! How have you been?" The waiter, Nicholas asked.

"Fine, Nick. But it's Miss, if you please." I said, patting his arm. "Mr. Malfoy and I have had an argument and I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be 'Mrs.'"

"Oh, ma'am, I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Nicholas said, looked slightly embarrassed.

"That's alright, you're the first real person I've told." I responded.

"Let me get you two a free drink, on the house, okay?"

"No, Nick, we couldn't possibly let you –" Hermione said.

"No, please, I insist." He walked away hurriedly before she could finish.

"Why do people always do that?" She asked, chuckling slightly. "What is it about you that makes boys want to give us things?"

"I don't know. But hey, free drinks!" I said, laughing. "Man, I'm so glad to be kind of single!"

We enjoyed our lunch and laughed harder and longer than we had in a long time. We paid, left an extra-large tip, and began to walk back to my apartment. I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket and saw I had a text message from Draco.

'You look so cute today, babe. Keep smiling, you're beautiful. Hope you had a good lunch. x'

I closed my phone and put it back in my pocket. Not wanting to worry Hermione, I stated slowly, "Hermione. I just want you to slowly look behind us and tell me if you see Draco."

She looked behind us and turned back quickly. "He just left the restaurant. Oh my god, I'm so sorry. If I'd known he'd been there we'd have gone somewhere else."

"It's alright. Let's get back to the apartment." We walked the rest of the way in silence. As soon as we got back, I quickly locked the door. I knew Draco wouldn't follow us, but I didn't want to take any chances.

I might act and look okay, but inside, I was slowly dying…