Draco Malfoy was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron, where smoke was floating in the air as well as the scent of strong alcohol, filling Draco's lungs. He had been there for several hours, not caring about the fact that some people were whispering behind his back - loudly. Draco had always been good at Legelimency - work of his vile aunt - but it didn't even take that to understand what the people were thinking of him. At this hour, there wasn't much of reasonable people at the pub anymore, so Draco didn't have to deal with the fearful looks everyone gave him. But even the not-so-decent people there looked at him with suspicious eyes, not minding to hide it, whispering to each other. Nothing brings lonely people together as well as a good gossip. Draco was sitting on the bar stool, back against the timid people. Scum they are. Draco didn't melt even there properly. It was still worth a shot.

He silently handed his glass to the barman for refill. At least Tom was still there. The bonding agent that kept all the scum together. Disgusting. Tom had worked there as long Draco could remember, and there he still was as toothless as ever. It almost felt like nothing had ever changed. Like Draco would still be the little brat with nothing better to do than bossing people around. To receive admiring and fearful looks. To be the center of his own small petty world. Things actually were pretty much the same. Only he didn't receive admiring looks anymore - it had been replaced with obnoxious.

"God," he mumbled, merely to himself, and was earned with even more whispering and glancing.

Even Tom was leering at him time to time, almost waiting Draco to cause a scene including a serious bloodshed. What's the big deal, he thought and poured some more alcohol down to his throat. Although Draco didn't care about the people around him, he still started to get pissed off being there, center of the pub, where everyone could see him, judge him. He had had enough of that, so he bought a whole bottle from Tom to himself and got up, stumbling slowly to the darkest corner in the pub, retreating.

Couple more minutes of serious mumbling and whispering, and he could be almost left alone. Peacefully he lifted his feet on a stool, leaning back, drinking. He felt like he could just pass out right there with nobody noticing. That's what he needed. Inconspicuousness.. Is that even a word?

The door opened and closed many times, some people were going out, back to home perhaps, some were retreating upstairs to their rented rooms, and some were still coming in for a late night drink. Draco followed this all from his corner with a blurry vision, not gathering attention from anyone.

Of course that wouldn't do. Sooner or later - Draco had lost his interest in the time already - the door leading to Diagon Alley opened and a girl entered. More likely a woman, was all he noticed. She was glancing furtively around the pub and even though Draco had been quite sure nobody would lay eyes on him again, she did and determinedly walked over to him. Great. She took the seat next to him.

"You shouldn't be here, Malfoy," she said blaming.

"Neither should you, Greengrass," Draco mumbled and took a good look at her. "Honestly, you really don't look like you'd belong here," he took another huge gulp from the bottle and she looked at him crossly. "But not to worry, I'm a big boy already, I can manage on my own."

"I'm sure. But I'm not worrying, drinking is purely your own problem," she muttered. "What I mean is you shouldn't be here, in the public."

"What, you think I'll just go and start slaughtering these people?"

"I didn't mean- actually, I don't really know you."

"So either stay here and find out - quietly, or leave me alone."

"Fine," she muttered and settled more comfortable in her seat.

Draco sighed and continued drinking without any interest in the girl next to him. She was eyeing the people in the pub and after a moment she eased a bit. Again, he started feeling tired. Closing his eyes he let the alcohol take its affect in his body. He enjoyed the slide show in his head, watching all the great colors take place.

"You going to sleep here?"

Draco did not open his eyes but the colors fade away. "I don't sleep."

"Sure. Can we go?"

"Since when have we done anything?"

"Since now, Malfoy, as I said - you shouldn't be here."

Draco unwillingly opened his eyes. He was getting a bit pissed off again and so he turned to Greengrass. She wasn't uptight or anything, she was now sitting in her chair spineless, stroking her spiky hair, still eyeing the room full of scum. Draco couldn't see her properly because of the lack of light, and also because he couldn't really focus his sight on anything.

"Lighten me, if you please," he purred, letting his eyes close again.

Astoria glanced at Malfoy. He had closed his eyes again, so she had to pay attention if he decided to pass out. For now, he was just leaning back and obviously expecting her to say something. Astoria still took her time looking at him. He didn't look like the old Malfoy at all. More like a ruin of the cocky man he used to be. But he did look like he had soften a bit. Astoria remembered the first time Daphne had introduced her to Draco goddamn Malfoy. She had been just a first-grader and all their class had looked up to him as the coolest guy in the school. The coolest - and the most arrogant. She couldn't remember the situation perfectly, only that Malfoy hadn't showed any interest in her at all - he had been happy to have a new admirer amongst the Slytherins at most. Astoria still couldn't understand why her big sister had wanted to be such a.. toady around him - including everyone else in the gang. Astoria suddenly felt nauseous. But then she looked at him again. No. No way this was the same person. He had changed.

"Zabini came to threaten me today," she said out of the blue.

She actually surprised to see a smile across Malfoy's face. "Zabini threatens no one."

"He asked about you," she stated.

He looked a bit thoughtful. "That's all he does these days, isn't it?"

"I don't care why he haunts you but I-"

"He's my best friend."

She muted for a second. "I thought Nott was your best friend."

Malfoy winced. "We all got separated - intentionally. I don't know where Nott is," he lifted the bottle back to his lips and then added, "No one does."

He started looking gloomy so Astoria decided to change the subject. "Do you want to be found?"

"Not really."

"Well then I suggest we'd leave now."

Draco gave her a look. "But I want to get fucked up!"

Draco wasn't sober but he did see the girl start laughing. At least she's wasn't hidebound.

"Trust me, you already are."

"Really? I don't feel so," he frowned.

She stood up with a smile on her face. "I bet you'll feel it tomorrow. Come on Cinderella, party's over."

"Do I have to leave my shoe here?" he muttered while he tried to find something to hold on, so he could get safely up. "'Cause I'm not really sure I want any prince after me."

She started to laugh again and tried to help him up. When he got up, by instinct, they both looked at the door when it opened. Blaise Zabini entered the Leaky Cauldron. They froze on the spot. Both of them were wondering if the dark corner was indeed dark enough. "I see Blaise wants to be my prince, don't you think?" Draco whispered to Greengrass who was biting her lip. Both of them were almost glued to the wall, while trying to come up with a plan of action. Draco suddenly remembered his idea few days ago - running away. Then it had been a lousy joke, but the alcohol made it look pretty good option in their situation. Draco started snickering and leaned against Greengrass.

"Let's run!" he giggled to her ear.

"You're not serious," she whispered, but gave a look at Draco who raised his eyebrows goofily. "You are serious!"

They glanced at the entrance of the pub again, and of course, Blaise had noticed them. His mouth was open because of the surprise, as if he hadn't really expected to find Draco there. He was getting closer with a confused look in his face.

"Greengrass?" Draco warned her.

"Okay, GO!" she yelled and took a firm grip from Draco's jacket, not sure if he could run when even his standing looked very unstable.

And the next second they both were leaping towards the door that lead to the Muggle street, Astoria jumping over a stool which Draco almost tripped on. Blaise seemingly couldn't believe that was happening, but he sprinted after them. They ran hysterically to the door, trying to yank it open before Blaise could reach them, Draco giggling and stumbling as he tried to push the door open while she was pulling it. Somehow they managed to get it open and they anything but ran like hell down the street, knowing Blaise was running behind them and shouting at them - it remains a mystery what he actually shouted because of Draco's condition and because of the fact Astoria was trying to take care of him, as they both tried to get away from there as quickly as they could.

Not for once did they stop to see what was going on behind them, they had absolutely no idea how they managed to get anywhere at all, Draco almost sagging on Astoria. So they ran as far as they could, and even further away, until they couldn't hear anymore shouting behind them. Then Draco decided to leap for some small alleyway to hide.

"Here!" was all warning he gave to Astoria, and the next thing she knew, she was pulled aside to the alley and she yelped for protest.

For a moment they just stood there, holding their breaths, pinning themselves against the walls. Soon, in a silent agreement, they released the breath both of them were holding, panting helplessly. Suddenly Draco started laughing again - hysterically - and slumped down to the ground.

Astoria looked at this for awhile and then started laughing too - the whole situation was so ridiculous. None of them remembered the last time they had laughed so much and soon they started to feel pain in their ribs - because of the combination of running and laughing - but couldn't stop even then. She couldn't stand anymore so she landed on the ground across from Draco, who was snickering still and apparently almost dying for the pain - and enjoying it.

"This is... stupid" she said breathlessly.

"Ridiculous," he agreed and gave her a smirk.

"Got your shoes?"

Draco actually had to check the situation and he touched his both feet to be sure, which made Astoria giggle again. "I believe so."

"God, we are stupid."

"No, I'm just drunk."

"Okay," she admitted. "God, I'm stupid."

"True" Draco leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and smelled the fresh air of the night.

"Should we go?"

"I guess so."

Astoria stood up - which was an effort - and reached her hand to Draco. "Come on, lets go."

Draco took her hand unwillingly and soon they were walking down the street. Astoria started to wonder where they were going, because obviously Draco wasn't paying attention. "So where do you live?"

"Umh, sorry honey, but we've just met, and honestly I can't even remember your name-"

"You're such a jerk, Malfoy," she sighed. "You can't seriously think that you could manage back on your own?" she took a look at him. "You can barely even walk."

"I did run," he asserted.

She didn't say anything but she did give Draco a look he couldn't avoid. Draco huffed. "At Potter's."

Astoria was surprised by this, but she decided not to bring it up. Does everyone think that I actually stalk people? "I have no idea where Potter lives."

"I do, but since you seem to insist, you can walk me there," and so he placed his arm around Astoria's shoulder. After all, she did have a point - Draco started feeling like he would fall over soon and pass out. Astoria flinched by that, but she supported Draco anyhow.

They were silent all the way back, Astoria following Draco and trying to keep him up. It wasn't a long trip, both of them were in their own thoughts , Astoria looked over her shoulder every once in a while, looking for Zabini. There were no sign of him, so she relaxed a bit. She really started to feel like she needed a drink. Draco Malfoy, always so stubborn. Had they left earlier, there wouldn't have been a chase in the first place. She tried not to worry about it, but the fact was, Blaise Zabini was now truly pissed off. Even more because of her, but as she had said to Zabini earlier, he was the one getting her into the situation. It wasn't her fault.

"There," Draco said after many turns and alleys left behind.

Astoria raised her head. The house was simple, looking much like all of the other ones. She still knew it contained a lot of magic, it was no Muggle apartment. They got to the door and she waited Draco to do something.

"Aren't you getting in?" she asked, almost waiting to see Draco passed out.

"Well I don't exactly got the key..."

"The key? Are you a wizard or not?" she marveled.

"Yes, but are you an idiot?" he sighed. "Potter has put all kinds of protecting spells to this house, it takes more than just a flick of your wand to open that goddamn door."

"A key? You can't be serious."

"Bewitched key, mind you," Draco mumbled. "I don't really get it either," he answered to Astoria's questioning look. "Maybe Potter is afraid of admirers or something..."

Astoria hold back a groan. "Or Death Eaters, Einstein."

"Whatever," he sighed and raised his hand to the knocker, but was stopped by Astoria.

"What do you think you're doing? It's two o'clock in the morning!"

"I'm not sleeping outside!" he insisted.

"You're going to piss him off!"

Draco thought about it for a second and she let go of his wrist. "His bloody muse pissed me off earlier," he stated and knocked on the door before Astoria got to prevent him. "So I guess we're even after this."

Astoria did groan this time as the knock echoed in the house unnaturally loud.

"You're impossible," she muttered and Draco knocked again, louder this time, because of the lack of answer. "Stop it, Malfoy!"

"He sleeps too well!"

Astoria almost tackled him when he tried to knock for the third time, and they ended up pretty much poking each others. When they heard movement inside, they stopped short. The door opened and Harry Potter was there, hair up, face murky with frowned brow. Astoria smiled weakly.

"Look what I found," she said with attemted cheerfulness.

"Great," Potter mumbled and stood aside. Draco stumbled inside and left Astoria there, awkwardly under Potter's stare.

Potter huffed. "Come in, come in. The more, the better," he said lamely.

"Thanks," she said with apologizing eyes.

Potter watched her for a second, trying to get his mind straight. "I guess you can't Disapparate yet?"

"Oh, I can but I'm not allowed" Astoria said awkwardly, eyeing the living room.

"My fireplace isn't attached to the Floo Network yet, so I guess you can crash on the couch," Potter said sleepily, looking as if he wanted this to get over with and go back to his own bed. He turned to Draco, who was getting closer to the staircase, with a bottle of Brandy in his hands - God only knows where he found that. "I'll talk with you in the morning," he glanced at the clock. "Which should be in a few hours, and trust me, I will wake you up."

He pointed Astoria the place where he kept extra blankets and pillows, and went upstairs without another word. Draco had uncorked the bottle and took a happy gulp from it, staring after Potter. Astoria gave him an incredulous look.

"Nighty night, Greengrass," he winked and and went upstairs too, with unbelievably stable steps.

"Right," she muttered, and extended a blanket on the couch, then snuggled in there. "Nighty night," she mumbled and fell asleep quickly.

In her opinion, the night was peaceful after that.