"Ginny," Hermione hissed. "He is not my boyfriend. Now, hush." Hermione turned away from the Slytherins. "Lee, more wine. Keep it coming."

Lee looked confused at Ginny's exclamation, "Who is Hermione's boyfriend?"

"No one," Hermione said.

Adrian looked at his friends with a smirk and said, "Hey guys, it's a gaggle of Gryffindors." The Slytherin boys laughed. "Mind if we join you?"

"No," Hermione said as Ron said, "Yes."

Hermione gave Ron a stern look and then smiled at Adrian, "The more the merrier."

"How accommodating," Adrian returned her smile and then he looked at Marcus, "Isn't she accommodating?"

Marcus rolled his eyes and then stepped up to the bar. He was standing beside Hermione's bar stool. He gave her a smile and she smiled back. He could see her blushing and it made him chuckle.

"What will be your poison tonight boys?" Lee asked,

"Firewhiskeys all around!" Adrian banged his hand on the counter, "And keep them coming barkeep."

"The name is Lee," Lee told him as he poured the drinks.

"I am Adrian," Adrian said. "For those who don't know me." He pointed to Marcus, "This surly bastard is Marcus Flint." He gestured behind him, "These fool are the Messrs. Terrence Higgs, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott and Draco Malfoy"

Blaise did a mock bow, "At your service."

Hermione rolled her eyes. She was sure everyone here knew who they were..at least in passing.

Adrian passed the drinks around and then sat down at the bar. "How is everyone this fine evening?"

"We were fine until our evening got hijacked," Ron muttered, glaring at Marcus.

"Why did Ginny say Hermione's boyfriend was here?" Parvati Patil asked.

Hermione groaned and put her head down on the bar.

Ginny, who obviously realized her faux pas, said, "I was being silly. Hermione and Marcus spent some time together at the Quidditch Gala. That's all."

Hermione sent Ginny an appreciative smile.

Ron huffed, "Yeah, they spent some time together alright."

Hermione rose to her full height and glared at her ex-boyfriend, "Ronald Weasley, you are one snide comment away from ending up on the business end of my wand. Enough."

Adrian laughed, "Wow, kitten has claws," he nudged Marcus, "Though some of us knew that already."

Marcus rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Salazar's Soul, you are irritating the piss out of me tonight Ade. Shut the fuck up or I will knock you on your arse."

Adrian just kept laughing. He looked over his shoulder and saw Malfoy sitting at a table a few feet away, drinking and glaring at everyone. "Untwist your knickers and join the fun, Malfoy!" he called.

"I am fine here," Draco drawled. "I would rather not be seen socializing with blood traitors and mudbloods, thank you."

The room went silent. Everyone was in shock. Harry and Ron went for their wands.

"I won't have talk like that in my place," Lee said. "You can-"

But he never finished the sentence because Marcus had crossed the room and punched Draco in the face. Draco hit the floor and Marcus pulled him up by his collar, "Say that word again and I will beat you bloody. Understood?"

Zabini and Nott pulled Malfoy away from Flint while Pucey restrained Flint.

"I think it's time for Draco to go home," Terrence called. He didn't even turn around look at the scene. he just kept drinking.

"Long past," Adrian muttered. "Zabini? Nott? Escort Malfoy home."

The boys nodded and drug him from the bar and out into Diagon Alley.

"My apologies," Adrian murmured, all humor gone from his face and tone. "He usually isn't like that anymore. I have no idea-"

"Yes, you do," Terrence interrupted. "He's jealous."

"What is he jealous of?'" Angelina asked.

Terrence looked at Marcus and then Hermione, "It's not important."

"The biggest problem is he a spoiled little prat," Adrian said. "But he won't be an issue again, we will see to that." Adrian put the smile back on his face, "But enough about him. Another round for all of these fine folks barkeep."

"The name is Lee," Lee grumbled.

"Everyone is so touchy tonight," Adrian muttered.


Hermione was shocked to see her friends and the Slytherins getting along. Blaise and Theo returned from taking Draco home and they fell right in with the crowd.

Blaise and Adrian flirted shamelessly with the Patil twins who seemed to be extremely flattered and flirted right back with them.

Oliver, George, Lee, Harry , Terrence and Marcus spent a good bit of time discussing Quidditch and there was no fighting- some bickering yes, but not fighting. Ginny went back and forth between talking to them and talking to Hermione who was deep in conversation Theo Nott on the new Ministry Lycanthropy legislation. Though they had opposing viewpoints they had a good clean debate that left Hermione feeling satisfied, Turns out Theo was hailed as the Slytherin book worm and the two had quite a bit in common.

Hermione noticed Marcus staring at her quite often. She also noticed Ron glowering at her but she shrugged it off. He could just get over it. Ron always acted crazy when Hermione had a suitor but he usually got over it fairly quickly.

Not that Marcus was a suitor.

Was he?

"Well, folks it's closing time," Lee announced.

"Already?" Oliver whined.

"You don't have to go home but you can't stay here," Lee laughed.

"I don't feel well," Ginny groaned.

George laughed, "That's what happens when you try to drink your body weight in firewhiskey after having 3 glasses of wine at dinner."

"Sod off," Ginny glared.

"Ready to go Hermione?" Ron asked.

Hermione exchanged a look with Marcus who grinned. "Why don't you go on, Ron." Hermione said. "I will see you in a bit,"

"Hermione,-" Ron started.

"Come on little brother," George said. He grabbed Ron's shoulder and steered him to the door. "Goodnight friends!"

Everyone called goodnight to George, Ron and Angelina as they left. Oliver and Katie followed behind them. Harry helped Ginny to her feet and they both hugged Hermione, "Sure you don't want to leave with us?" Harry asked.

"I am fine," Hermione told him.

"Ok," Harry replied. "Talk to you tomorrow." That sounded a bit like a threat or a warning to Hermione but she didn't care.

Once all of her friends were gone Adrian and Marcus settled their tabs. Then Adrian said, "Shall we move this party?"

"I am out," Theo said. "I am going home."

"I am with you there," Terrence said. The two boys said goodbye and left the bar together.

Adrian looked at Parvati and Padma, "What about you ladies?" he asked. "Care to move the festivities to our place?"

The Patil twins looked at each other and then they looked at Hermione, "Are you coming?"

"I don't know," Hermione said looking at Marcus trying to gauge his reaction.

Marcus smirked, "You should come."

"Alright then," Hermione replied, "I will."

Adrian offered Parvati his arm, "Let us away." Blaise did the same thing for Padma.

"Bye Lee," Hermione called as she followed the boys out there,

"Be careful ladies," Lee replied.

Once they were outside Marcus offered Hermione his arm, "I think we should walk," Marcus said. "I know I could apparate because I have quite an alcohol tolerance. But you drank a lot and you are very tiny."

"I am not tiny," Hermione cried indignantly.

"You are Granger," Adrian called over his shoulder. "It's cute."

"Though she be but little, she is fierce," Hermione said.

Marcus looked at her as they walked, "Huh?"

"It's a quote from a muggle play by an author named Shakespeare," Hermione said. "My mother liked Shakespeare. It's where she got my name from, actually the same play"

"Well, that quote fits you," Marcus laughed.

"Yeah?" Hermione asked.

Marcus nodded.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.


"Welcome to Casa Pucey/Flint," Adrian said as he ushered the ladies inside.

"You two are roommates?" Parvati asked.

"Well, that would be why he said Casa Pucey/Flint," Padma rolled her eyes at her sister. Parvati stuck out her tongue.

"Ok, ladies, none of that," Adrian teased. "I am going to have another drink. Anyone want?"

"I will" Hermione said.

"I don't know," Marcus laughed. "You may have had enough. You be but little remember?"

Hermione glared at him, "I be fierce and I can handle it."

"Ok," Marcus surrendered. "But you are staying here tonight."

Everyone was silent.

"I am?" Hermione asked, with a quirked eyebrow.

"I will take the couch," Marcus told her. "Unless Blaise stays here?"

"I don' t know if I am going to stay or not," Blaise said. "You could always sleep with Adrian."

"In his dreams," Adrian snorted from the kitchen.

The group settled in the livingroom.

"Let's play I never," Parvati suggested.

Hermione groaned, "I hate that game. You guys always pick things you know I have done."

Parvati giggled, "Sorry, but it's a good way to get to know one another."

"I wish I had never taught you guys muggle drinking games," Hermione huffed.

"What are the rules?" Blaise asked.

"We go around in a circle and each person says "I never...insert random thing you have never done... and anyone who has done it has to take a drink.

"I am in," Adrian grinned.

"Me too," Blaise said.

Marcus grunted.

"Fine," Hermione whined.

" I will start," Parvati exclaimed. "I never...kissed Ron Weasley."

Hermione cleared her throat, "Thus it begins..." she said and took a drink.

"My turn," Padma said. "I never...kissed any of Ron's brothers."

Hermione took a drink, "You're doing it again. Stop."

Padma laughed, "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"How many Weasley's have you snogged Granger?" Blaise teased.

"Just two...no, three," Hermione said.

"Which ones?" Adrian laughed.

"Ron, George and Ginny," Hermione said,

All three boys stared at her with wide eyes, "Weaselette, really?"

"We got very drunk playing this same game a few years ago and somehow we ended up snogging." Hermione said. "It was very awkward."

"You mean hot?" Blaise suggested. "Because that's hot."

"I concur," Adrian said and he clinked his glass with Blaise's. Then he looked at Hermione, "How drunk do you have to be to kiss girls, Granger?" Adrian asked.

"I swear on Salazar's grave, Ade," Marcus said. "I will lay you out."

"Alright," Adrian said. "Moving on."

"My turn," Hermione said, "And keeping in theme...I never...slept with a girl."

All three boys drank...and so did Parvati.

"Oh, this is going to be a good night," Adrian said.


Hermione felt a pair of strong arms lift her up. She opened her eyes, she must have passed out. And she wasn't the only one. Both of the Patil sisters and Blaise were asleep on the couch. Adrian wasn't in the room.

"Marcus?" Hermione asked sleepily.

"It's ok, I am just going to put you in bed." Marcus said.

"In bed?" Hermione asked.

Marcus chuckled. He kicked open a door at the end of the hall. The room was dark but Hermione could see enough to know it was a boys room. There was one chest of drawers, no knickknacks or even pictures on the wall. There was king-size bed though. Marcus laid her down there and pulled her shoes off, placing them on the floor by the bed.

"I can give you something to sleep in," Marcus murmured. He threw her a Quidditch jersey. "Sleep well." He started for the door.

"Wait!" Hermione said.

"Yeah," Marcus stopped and looked at her.

"You're not staying?" Hermione asked. "Where will you sleep?"

"On the floor in the living room," Marcus said.

"You can stay," Hermione said. "The bed is big enough."

Marcus hesitated, "I don't know..."

"Scared of little ole me?" Hermione asked with a grin.

"I do hear that your are fierce" Marcus teased. "Ok, I will stay." He toed off his shoes and then went to the other side of the bed. He turned his back allowing Hermione time to change into the jersey.

Once she was pulled down the dark green comforter and smiled at the back satin sheets. "Really?"

"What?" Marcus asked as he laid down on top of the sheets. He put his hands behind his head. Hermione noticed how large he was. He had to be a full foot taller than her...maybe more? His shoulders were solid and large. He was wearing black pajama pants and no shirt. She had never seen muscles like that.

"Stop staring an go to sleep Granger,: Marcus smirked.

Hermione huffed, "You're incorrigible."

He shrugged, "Slytherin."

Hermione turned on her side and snuggled into the bed as far from him as she could get. Then she let sleep take her.