A/N: Hello my beautiful people! I just want to thank you for your support, it's AMAZING.

Okay so I just want to say that this story takes place in 99 and is now making it's way to 2000!

Someone asked if this going to be a Dramione fic or just a Hermione doing whatever she wants with whomever she wants kind of fic and I think I'm going to make it the latter. It's just a story I'm writing for fun and to improve my writing skills and I don't really know who I want her to end up with in the end or if I even want her to end up with someone!

Sorry if I disappointed all of you Dramione fans! BUT good news, I decided to write a sequel to No Kissing Allowed. I'm currently working on it and I have NO idea when I'm going to publish it (soon probably), but I'll probably put an update chapter on that story and comment here when I release it :)

This chapter is the longest I've ever written and I'm not gonna lie I'm far from satisfied with it (I've had to rewrite certain parts many times) I'm sorry if it's confusing, I tried to make it as smooth as possible. I'm still a beginner when it comes to writing so please be patient with me!

Please review if you like/love it, hate it, or if have any writing tips or advice! I would really appreciate it. Thanks all!

xoxo - SunflowerHikari

Chapter Four: No Time For Comfort

"I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend
the rest of your nights with the light on
So shine the light on all of your friends
well, it all amounts to nothing in the end."

Remedy (I Won't Worry) - Jason Mraz

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the songs. I'm just fond of them.

Hermione Granger's life was comfortable.

She woke up to Crookshanks purring against her back and the sun hitting her face through the window. She turned on to her back so she could pet her warm, fluffy cat and enjoy the comfort of the bed. There was no way she was getting out anytime soon.

Well, until her stomach growled. Looking at her watch she saw that it was only a quarter past 8. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched until her old Gryffindor shirt lifted over her bellybutton, the cold air tickling her stomach and giving her goosebumps.

She left the room to go to the kitchen and looked for Draco before realizing he was off at work. She smiled smugly to herself since she didn't have to be at work and grabbed an orange from the kitchen, reminding herself to go shopping later.

Hermione was planning on visiting Harry and Ginny today at Grimmauld Place but she wasn't sure what to say to them.

Sighing to herself, she went to her room to get ready for the day.

"Hermione! Where have you been? I've been so worried about you!" Ginny hugged Hermione tightly and she was afraid the redhead would never let her go again.

"Nothing to worry about, I've been completely fine, Gin." Hermione smiled at her and turned towards Harry.

"Hi Hermio-" Ginny pushed Harry away and scolded Hermione with her hands on her hips.

"Nothing to worry about!? You went completely mental at the ball and then we don't hear from you in almost 48 hours." Hermione looked at Harry with help in her eyes but he just shrugged.

"You did sorta do that, but I wasn't as worried as she was." Harry smiled. "Come on, Ginny, let her sit down so we can all talk." He said, making his way to the armchair across the room.

"We tried to look for you yesterday. We found out you were staying at the Leaky Cauldron from Hannah but she said that you went out." Ginny was frowning at Hermione as she sat down on the sofa next to her. At eighteen, Ginny was quite beautiful that Hermione couldn't help but be jealous of her. She was accepted to play on the Holyhead Harpies just after she graduated from Hogwarts and she was doing an excellent job of it so far.

"I was out shopping, I'm sorry. I just needed some space to think and just go over everything that was happening in my life. You see I overheard Ron talking at the ball…"

"Oh, I knew it! That git was running his drunken arse mouth the entire night and nothing good was coming out of it. I would've smacked him too if I were you. Although I would've done it much harder." Ginny looked thoughtfully into the space of the room.

"He didn't really mean what he said though," Harry told Hermione who just rolled her eyes. "Honestly, he was just sad that you weren't hanging out with him. You know how he gets when he's lonely-"

"Don't you dare make excuses for him, Harry Potter. He knows the type of person I am. He knows that ball was important to make connections for work and yet he still got drunk and said those things." Hermione was getting upset and her friends looked worried. "Why am I supposed to stop what I'm doing to satisfy him? How am I supposed to know what he even wants if he doesn't tell me? No, we were falling apart long before that even happened."

"Hermione…"

"Harry, you need to understand. I was so… miserable. I feel like I am a fake. I just want to get to know myself a bit. I… I found a book to help me," Harry scoffed at that and Hermione's glare shut him right up. "It had questions and as I was answering them, I found myself not liking what I was putting. It asked me what my favorite place was and I could only think of the Burrow since that's the only place I only go to nowadays. I want to explore! And do exciting things! I don't want to be someone boring like Ron thinks."

"He doesn't think you're boring." Ginny frowned, knowing she wasn't completely speaking the truth. Hermione gave her a small smile.

"I know he does. I think I am too. So, I'm changing things up a bit."

"A bit? You quit your job, broke up with your boyfriend, and you did it publicly so now everyone things you're a lunatic." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up a bit. Hermione saw the flash of his scar from his hair moving and it reminded her of the one on her arm.

"It's not their life that I'm living, it's mine." She simply said, looking down at her hands. Ginny and Harry exchanged a look and Ginny pulled Hermione into a hug.

"Hey, I'm here for you. You're still my best friend and that's all that matters." Ginny stroked Hermione's hair and Hermione felt Harry sit down on her other side to join the embrace.

"I'm sorry, 'Mione. I'm just concerned about you. I care about your well being as much as I care about Ron's." Harry kissed her forehead and Hermione squeezed his hand.

"Thank you guys. This really means a lot to me." Her happiness was so overwhelming a few tears fell down her face.

"So where are you staying at?" Ginny asked, facing her once again.

"Draco had an extra room so-"

"As in Draco Malfoy? The one you kissed just two nights ago in front of everyone? You're staying with him?" Harry interrupted her, clearly distraught. Harry and Draco were on good terms with each other, but that didn't mean they were the best of friends.

"Yes, him." Hermione said impatiently.

"Did you cheat on Ron?"

"No! Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Hermione exclaimed.

"You did break up with Ron and then went on to kiss Draco Malfoy in front of everybody. Now you're living in the same flat as him? It's a bit suspicious." Ginny shrugged. Hermione sighed and realized they were right. She would just have to avoid using his name if she didn't want anyone else to make silly assumptions.

"He just came over yesterday to see if I was alright since I sort of had a melt down around him the night before and that's what led to my behavior. As we walked back to the Leaky Cauldron a group of reporters nearly trampled me so he brought me back to his flat and offered his extra room to me. I pay rent and everything." She clarified to the confused couple.

"So, it's just a friendly business relationship?" Harry asked, not sure if he should buy it.

"Something like that… Oh and he's my date to Blaise's New Year's Eve party."

"WHAT." Hermione cringed at Harry's outburst but Ginny just pulled Hermione towards her.

"He asked you to the party?" The redhead's eyes were glimmering with excitement. Hermione smiled as she bit her lip and nodded trying to ignore Harry's grunt in the background.

"I have no idea what to wear." Hermione fretted, picking at the bottom of her shirt. Ginny's eyes opened even wider, if that was even possible.

"Let's go shopping right now! I'll help you pick something."

"Really, Gin? You would do that?"

"Of course I would! Besides, I need to get something for myself too."

"Wait, what?" Harry interrupted. Ginny looked at him and rolled her eyes.

"Blaise sent us the invites yesterday, don't you remember?"

"Yes, but I didn't think that meant I should go."

"Harry Potter, we are going to that party whether you like it or not. I want to go out and have fun! Please, please, please." Ginny stuck out her bottom lip and batted her eyes at the bespectacled wizard. He just sighed and gave her a smile.

"Okay, fine." Ginny threw herself over Hermione to give Harry a kiss... That seemed to be longer than it should have been.

"Excuse me, Hermione in the middle." She joked. Ginny pulled herself away and gave Hermione a wink.

"Let me just change and we can head out." Ginny said, jumping up and running out of the room.

"You know," Harry started to say after a few moments of silence. "You need to talk to Ron about all of this eventually."

"I know." She responded, laying down on the couch and putting her feet on his lap. She felt his elbows rest on her legs and she felt comfortable sitting there like that with him.

A few more moments went by before Hermione spoke once more. "I still love him." Her voice cracked, feeling the rush of the emotions that she locked away. Slowly the tears fell down her face and Harry wrapped his arms around her. Hermione knew this was one of the many obstacles she was going to have to go through.

"Ginny, this is extremely too short for me." Hermione tugged and tugged at the dress that Ginny handed her. It was definitely cute, but she did not have the type of comfort zone to wear it. The dress was champagne colored and strapless with glitter along the top while the bottom poofed out just about everywhere.

"You're the one who wants to switch things up! You have to look amazing when you make your first social appearance after your dramatic scene. Trust me on this! Now come on out and let me see." She demanded from the other side of the dressing room door. Hermione hesitated when she opened it up a crack, but Ginny pulled it open with force and gasped as she saw her.

"Merlin, Hermione, where have you been hiding those legs!? It's absolutely perfect! Yes. This is the dress you're getting. No, wait! I'm getting it for you." Ginny exclaimed with a jump. "Now go take it off so I can ring it up." She pushed Hermione back into the room.

"First she wants me to put it on and come out… Now she wants me to go back in and take it off… Pushy ginger…" Hermione grumbled as she closed the door behind her.

"I heard that!" Ginny's voice made Hermione smirked as she unzipped the dress. She took the dress off and placed it back on the hanger before putting her clothes back on.

As Hermione and Ginny walked around Diagon Alley, Hermione decided now would be the good time to buy some new lingerie. She blushed at the ones that Ginny helped pick out, but when she tried them on she loved the confidence she felt.

She felt sexy and it felt right.

"You're supposed to feel sexy." Ginny responded during lunch as Hermione conveyed her feelings.

"I always felt weird trying stuff like that, but it's sort of exhilarating." She blushed, picking at the salad in front of her.

"It's even better when you have someone to share it with." Ginny winked. Hermione had to mentally shake off the thought of Ginny and Harry being intimate, but she couldn't help but think about someone seeing herself in the more than revealing assets she bought today. The thought made her smile and she was looking forward to New Years Eve and the aspect of showing off one of her new purchases to someone.

"Wow." Draco said as he met Hermione in the living room. They were about to leave to the party and she smirked at him once she saw the impressed look on his face.

"Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself." She teased, as she looked him over. He was wearing dress robes. Hermione thought he was wearing far too much. "Ready?" He nodded as he held out his arm to her.

"Ready Granger?" He smiled as she grabbed it and they apparated away.

They landed in an alleyway between two buildings, where Hermione guessed was in London. Draco led her to the front and she saw that their location was where some of the most expensive flats were housed.

"Blaise lives in this building?" She asked, perplexed at the location.

"Yes. He lives in the penthouse, actually."

"The… The penthouse?" Hermione sputtered. She looked at the inside of the building, so modernly decorated. There was even a doorman in the elevator, which caught Hermione off guard.

"Don't worry," Draco whispered. "He's been confounded and very well tipped for tonight."

"That's the least of my worries." She muttered as they headed to the top. Hermione looked out the window of the elevator and watched the city grow smaller below them. The building had to be around thirty stories tall. Soon, the elevator stopped and the doors opened to Blaise's penthouse. Next to the door were white and black masks.

"What's this?" Draco mumbled, picking one up.

"I'm guessing it's a surprise masquerade." Hermione picked up a black one since it fit her dress better. Draco placed a white one over his face and she could easily make out his grey eyes.

"How do I look." He asked while posing.

"Dashing, Mr. Malfoy." She teased in return. They both entered the main room to find that it was quite crowded with a sea of black and white masks.

"Draco! Glad you could make it." A voice came from the right of them and Hermione saw Blaise take off his mask. He was definitely more cheerful than the last time she saw him and that made her smile. "And Granger? I didn't think you would come after your little display at the ball last week." He said, amused.

"Mate, did you invite the entire wizarding world?" Draco joked, inquiring about how crowded it was. Hermione skimmed her eyes over the quite large room and saw that there was a magical DJ in the back and towards the middle of the room people were dancing. Around the sides she noticed there were smaller intimate groups. Hermione noticed the unruly hair of Harry and the bright red of Ginny. She also saw that Ron was among them with a familiar blonde.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked in a hushed tone after noticing the group of people she was looking at. She nodded at him and smiled. "Good, I'm going to get drinks. What do you want?"

"Some water?"

"Alright, be back soon." He smiled at her and walked away. Hermione noticed that her stomach was fluttering with an abundance of nerves.

"Hermione?" She heard a voice from behind her. She turned around to face Neville as he took off his mask and who happened to be quite skinnier than she last saw him. She also noticed that his broad smile was full of straight, white teeth. Hermione wasn't the only one undergoing changes.

"Neville, is that you?" She joked, giving him a tight hug. "You look different, but in a brilliant way."

"You think so?" He looked himself up and down. Hermione nodded once his eyes matched hers.

"What have you been up to?"

"Oh, I've been studying herbology. I'm actually going to go to America to study the plants over there. Mainly the ones in the desert."

"I'm so jealous of you, that sounds amazing. You get to travel and everything." Hermione grinned up at Neville. He smiled in return and then she noticed the smile dropped as he looked behind her.

"Longbottom." Draco said coolly as he handed Hermione her drink.

"Malfoy." Neville nodded sharply in his direction. "It was great seeing you Hermione, maybe we can hang out before I leave?"

"I would love that Neville. Just owl me whenever since my schedule isn't exactly full." Hermione half-heartedly joked. She waved after his disappearing figure and turned to face Draco. Until someone knocked her out of the way pouring her drink down her dress. Hermione watched a slender girl with long jet black hair throw her arms around Draco and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Draco! It's been too long since I've last seen you." Pansy grinned at him. She turned to face Hermione and gave a mock pout.

"Whoops, sorry about your dress."

Hermione glared at her and mumbled an excuse. She left to go find the bathroom so she could fix her dress with her wand. After waiting in line for a few minutes and spending time drying the water and checking her make up and hair, she went back to find Pansy still hanging on the arm of Draco. Hermione sighed as she saw her date was thoroughly entertained by her. Not wanting to run into Ron, she left the room to find a more private place to go.

She discovered the door to the balcony was open and placed a quick warming charm on herself before going outside.

Hermione stood a foot away from the railing, but she still had a gorgeous view of the city. She wanted to capture the lights twinkling below her and keep them beside her forever. She gave out a deep sigh and took her mask off.

"Trouble in paradise, Granger?" She heard a low voice coming from the farthest corner of the balcony. There was a man standing in the corner, hidden by the darkness. She noticed a black mask hid his face.

"Who are you?" She bluntly asked. She wasn't in the mood to play games with some stranger. He just laughed and looked out at the city, his elbows hanging off the rails.

"Isn't it beautiful?" He said after a moment of silence. Hermione looked out at the city and sighed again.

"Yes, it is."

"You came here with Draco, right?" He asked. She noticed he was looking at her now.

"I did, but he's currently preoccupied at the moment." She told him with no trace of anger or sadness in her voice. It's not like they were a 'thing', which was fine by her. She just didn't like that she had to avoid her own friends.

"Let me guess… Black hair… Blue eyes… Pug face…"

"How did you know?" Hermione chuckled at his accurate description of Pansy.

"She's been whining about seeing him all night. Complaining about you too, since you've been hanging around him these days." He mused. Hermione had to scoff at that; she couldn't ever imagine Pansy being jealous of her.

"Well there's nothing to worry about since me and him are just friends. But at least now I know you're a Slytherin, since you know her." She teased, walking a little closer to him.

"Just cause I know her doesn't mean I'm Slytherin." He said, turning back to the city lights.

"Pansy doesn't talk to anyone who isn't a Slytherin, unless she's changed which it doesn't look like she has." Hermione noted and the stranger shrugged at that.

"True, but you don't know which Slytherin I am so… That doesn't help you much." He stated and she tilted her head to look more carefully at him.

He was tall and skinny – very skinny – with short hair. He had a sort of elegance to him yet he seemed a bit scary at the same time. Like most Slytherins she knew.

"Are we classmates?"

"I don't know… Are we?" She could see the slow smirk form on his lips.

"I will figure it out, trust me." Hermione smirked back at him.

"You know the history of Draco and Pansy?" He asked, pushing off the railing and placing his hands in his pockets as he walked towards her.

"Only from school, but nothing after sixth year."

"Well, from what I've heard they would help… comfort each other after the war." He said, stopping in front of her.

"So, they have a physical relationship?" she inquired.

"In nicer terms, yes. In crude terms, many would call it fuck buddies." He continued smirking. She tried to catch his eyes in the light from the window, but she had no luck.

"Good for them."

"You don't mind? At all?" She noticed his eyebrows cave in a questioning way.

"No, I told you that we're just friends." She shrugged.

"Interesting…" He took his hand and brought it to his chin as if he was studying her. She rolled her eyes and looked back inside.

"I should probably go, it's almost midnight."

"Ahh, hoping to get a kiss?" He teased, flashing her a giant smile. She smiled back and placed her mask back on.

"Something like that."

"I guess I should go back too." He sighed, looking at the crowd of people. Hermione scanned her mind for old classmates but couldn't think of anyone, which frustrated her.

"Why did you come if you aren't enjoying it?" She asked.

"Blaise made me come. Said I needed to get out and 'live a little'" he quoted with his fingers and a sneer on his face. He looked so ridiculous that it caused Hermione to laugh, which caught him by surprise. "What?"

"Your face – well what I can see of it. You just look so pained. It looks like you want to hex Blaise or something."

"He's a twat, I should the next chance I see him. He promised me good booze and there is none." He joked causing Hermione to laugh even more.

"Is there a difference between good and bad?" She asked, thinking about the book now that he mentioned drinking. This is the stranger I'm supposed to go with, she thought in a pleasing sort of way.

"There always is, shouldn't you know that?" The gleam in his eyes made her want to rip his mask off.

"I wouldn't, I don't – I mean, I haven't really drank before." She shrugged and looked away.

"I know a great place. I can show you if you'd like." He suggested, teasing her. She could feel the pull of fate towards him and Hermione knew she was meant to go with him.

"Oka-"

"Hermione, there you are." Hermione turned around to see that Draco in the doorway. "Are you talking to someone?" He asked with a curious expression on his face as he looked at Hermione. She looked back and noticed the stranger moved behind a pillar, away from Draco's view. He placed a finger to his lip, silently asking her to keep him secret. She swallowed before turning around and flashing a smile to Draco.

"No one, I was just enjoying the view."

"By yourself?" His eyebrow quirked up and she could see the amused smile on his face.

"Yes, seemed like a good time to do it." She stuck her tongue out at him before leading the way into the room and he followed after her. Hermione found herself walking around the crowd and trying to push everyone out of the way. She spotted Harry and Ginny and tried to go towards them.

"Why didn't you ask me to come with?" He yelled, keeping a hand on her shoulder so he wouldn't lose her.

"I wanted to see the city lights, it's not everyday you are able to see them. Besides you were busy." She didn't mention that fact that seeing Pansy on his arm made her want to barf. He pulled her aside and looked her in the eyes. The grey made her stomach clench and they mesmerized her.

"I'm sorry about Pansy, it's been awhile since I've seen her." He said in her ear.

"Don't worry about it, I know what that's like." She gave him a sincere smile and continued walking into the excited crowd. Everyone was getting ready to count down to the New Year – a new millennium. It was thrilling and Hermione felt herself getting caught up in the emotions of everyone.

She found herself laughing along with Draco and her old classmates. Hannah was by her side and she soon saw Neville afterwards. Harry and Ginny hugged her tightly. Blaise was clearly drunk off his arse but she laughed when he tried to give Draco a kiss.

They began counting down and Hermione joined in, eager for a new beginning.

"10… 9…"

Hermione blew on a kazoo that someone gave her and confetti was flying all around.

"8… 7… 6…"

She spotted Ron staring at her with his clear blue eyes and her smile faltered as she looked away and at Draco. He smiled at her and took her hand in his – squeezing it to let her know she wasn't alone.

"5… 4… 3…"

Pansy was suddenly beside him and pulling him down towards her, causing Hermione and Draco to separate from each other from the surprise attack.

"2… 1!"

Hermione felt hands on her hips, turning her around. She saw chestnut hair and green eyes and the smirk on the face of the stranger before he leaned forward and kissed her.

She found herself kissing back.