Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Note: Please ignore any grammatical or spelling mistakes as I'm far too lazy to proofread.
A/N: Do not fret dear readers for I, am still alive! I know I'm late so sorry for that!
You know this is turning into a kind of tradition. I update after ages and then I apologize and I do it all over again. Pathetic, that's what I am!
But really…it is no fault of mine. Math and Science are killing me and I have to study to pass hence, restraining me from writing!
Anyway, thank you dear reviewers: verapaige01, Sorceress of Magic, Grovek26, Guest #1, Mrs Hiddleston, Guest#2, RobynRavenclaw98 and Guest #3! Your reviews mean the world to me.
Guest #3: I would love to read your story but you weren't signed in when you reviewed so I don't know which story to read.
So if you're still interested in this story…here goes…
P.S.: Oh and this chapter's short. Just adds to my pathetic-ness!
Chapter Eight
Hermione swatted at Draco's hand with clenched teeth. "Malfoy, get your hands off me."
"Shut up, Granger. You'll ruin everything. And remember, this is a huge privilege for you so you'll not be reporting this, understand?" said Draco as he led her into the Slytherin Common Room, arm still around her slender waist.
"You do not get to boss me around, Malfoy. I'll do as I see fit," said Hermione haughtily. She looked around the infamous room. It wasn't how she'd expected it would be. Despite being in the dungeons, it sure was…cosy. Whoa, she hadn't thought she'd ever use the word 'cosy' to describe anything that was Slytherin but here she was. Oh well, life works in mysterious ways. The sofas and couches were pushed to the sides to make up a dance floor where intoxicated Slytherins girls were going crazy. There was a table with copious amounts of Butterbeer and Firewhiskey. There was some food as well. The lights were dim and it was difficult to make out faces if she wanted to report them later. Some Weird Sisters song was playing and the party was in full swing.
"Granger, don't you dare –" Draco started but was cut off by Zabini's cry of, "Oi Malfoy! Who's this pretty thing with you?"
"Smile Granger," Draco said under his breath, "And act like a complete ditz."
"If you wanted me to be a complete ditz, why did you make me a Ravenclaw? Awfully clever of you," Hermione said sarcastically.
"Do not use sarcasm on me, Granger. I like Ravenclaw, okay? I seem to find intelligent girls hot," he said as Blaise Zabini swaggered in their direction. His grip on her waist tightened and Hermione was as good as glued to him. Draco didn't seem to notice that though.
Despite herself, Hermione found herself blushing. Why did he have to say that he liked intelligent girl? Did she count? Oh what the hell –why did she care?
It was then that Zabini reached them and eyed Hermione like his favourite pudding.
"Well, hello there," he said flirtatiously, raving his dirty gaze up and down her form, "I'm Blaise Zabini. I don't reckon I've seen you around here."
Draco coughed loudly. "Zabini, am I invisible or something?"
Zabini grinned at Draco, "Hey mate. I didn't know you were bringing an escort."
Hermione smirked to herself as an idea hit her. "Really, Draco? You didn't tell your friend you were bringing me? How inconsiderate of you. Anyway, those are matters of the past. Hello Blaise, I'm Cindy. Cindy Kane. Nice to meet you." Hermione smiled her best smile and she thrust her hand out.
Blaise took it and kissed her knuckles. "The pleasure's mine Cindy."
He winked at her and Draco wanted to smack him. Couldn't he see she was with him? What was wrong with him? He was breaking the men's code.
"As pleasant as this was, I think we should get something to drink huh, Gra –Cindy?" said Draco, his voice dripping honey.
Hermione grinned to herself. Her little plan had worked. As far she knew, Malfoy hated it when someone attempted to take something of his, and got all defensive. Not that she was suggesting she was his. I mean, not really. It was just for the party and well, the idea of Cindy Kane was his and she was Cindy Kane, so technically she was his but not to worry, it was only till she got out of this stupid, illegal Slytherin party and strangled the life out of him.
She waved at Zabini as Malfoy steered her towards the refreshments table.
"What the hell was that about, Granger?" he hissed, "Didn't know you were interested in Zabini."
She smirked up at him. Somehow, this Slytherin setting had aroused her Slytherin part. "I am not. But I don't see why you care."
"I don't," he said obstinately like he was trying to assure himself.
"Why Malfoy, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous," she said knowing perfectly well she was treading into dangerous territory.
"What?" he said, "That's outrageous!"
"Is it?" she asked, smiling slyly. Oh boy, Hermione was having fun, getting Malfoy all riled up.
He looked down at her, blond eyebrows raised dubiously, "Granger are you sure Zabini hasn't slipped you something while I wasn't looking?"
She shrugged and jutted her lip out. "I don't believe so but now that you mention it, I would like a drink."
She reached for a bottle of Butterbeer but when she about to open it, Draco took it from her hand, smiling devilishly.
"Why don't have a Firewhiskey instead?" he asked innocently like he had no ulterior motive to this which Hermione was sure he had.
Hermione laughed mirthlessly. "No, I'd rather not. I don't want to be drunk."
A challenging look took over his features. "I dare you." Then he grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey and offered it to her.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. Draco put his palms forward and said, "I swear I haven't spiked it."
Hermione just stared at the bottle. She didn't want to get drunk but she also didn't want to look like a pansy in front of all these Slytherins. She couldn't decide what to do.
"You scared, Granger?" asked Malfoy smirking.
That got to her. She roughly snatched the bottle from his hand, uncorked it and took a swig. She felt the bitter liquid burn down her throat. A second later, her stomach felt like it was on fire but she tried her hardest not to show her discomfort but come on, it was her first time after all! The effects weren't immediate, but she was sure she would feel woozy later.
Draco slowly nodded at her, impressed. "Well, well…guess the Gryffindor courage does show itself every now and then."
"You always underestimate me, Malfoy," she said.
"Clearly," he said.
"Are you sure you don't just want to get me drunk?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
He laughed. "What? I don't think anyone in this room would ever want to get you drunk for…those reasons."
"Now, now Draco. Don't be so rude to your date. I'm positive every male would like to get Cindy drunk for 'those reasons', as you put it," said Zabini who had, in Draco's opinion, unfortunately joined them at the table.
Zabini winked at Granger seductively. Oh Merlin, thought Draco, if only this idiot knew who Cindy really is.
It wasn't that she, in any way, liked Blaise Zabini even a bit but Hermione blushed nevertheless. Draco noticed this and rolled his eyes.
"Zabini," he acknowledged his Italian friend, "Back to ogle my date, are you?"
"Can't help it mate," he said smiling charmingly at Hermione. Draco almost gagged.
This time though, Granger also looked repulsed by Zabini.
"Ugh," she said and took another swig from the Firewhiskey bottle. Draco watched in astonishment as she gulped down copious amounts of alcohol and at some point, he had to stop her.
"Whoa. Easy there," he said as he gently pulled the bottle away from her reach. Who knew Granger had it in her?
Hermione was starting to feel dizzy now. She groaned. Damn it, alcohol didn't suit her. By then, Zabini had found himself a new target.
Then Draco heard a distant cry of, "Drakie!" His eyes widened in horror. No, no, no…this was terrible. He had to do something fast. A sober Pansy was a nightmare…can you imagine how a drunk Pansy would be?
He turned to Granger and frantically shook her shoulder, "Granger. Dance with me."
Her eyes struggled to focus on his face. "What? Why? I don't want to dance with you. I hate dancing."
"Please Granger. It's an emergency," he said impatiently.
"Hmmm…" she said her voice somewhat slurred, stroking her chin, "I don't know…should I?..."
By now Pansy was five feet away from him.
"Oh for Merlin's sake," he sighed, grabbed Hermione's hand and dragged her to the dance floor.
He pulled her closer to him for effect. He just wanted to Pansy to notice them.
Despite her slightly drunken state, Hermione's breath hitched in her throat at the proximity and she felt tingly all over. But because of her slightly drunken state, she sighed and put her head on his shoulder. She wouldn't have been able to do this had she been herself, but Cindy Kane was a several inches taller than her.
Hermione contentedly closed her eyes, taking in his heavenly scent.
Draco smirked self-satisfactorily. He had a feeling Granger was enjoying this. Well, he thought, whatever it takes to keep Pansy away from me. Or so he told himself.
They weren't actually dancing, just swaying lazily. Draco could see Pansy in all her furious glory from the corner of his eyes. Good, plan was working.
Then suddenly Hermione giggled and said, "You smell nice."
Draco laughed inwardly. Oh Merlin, Granger was so going to regret all this.
"Oh really?" he asked, very amused.
"Yes," she said, "You're also really hot."
Draco burst out laughing then. He expected Granger to commit suicide once she was sober.
She pulled back and frowned at him. "Why're you laughing?"
His laughing finally died and he leaned to look straight into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes…wait, what? Chocolate brown? No, it must be a trick of the light. He inspected closer and sure enough, it was Granger's chocolate brown eyes, not Cindy's hazel ones.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath. Their hour was almost over and they had to meet McGonagall in precisely seven minutes. He needed to get Granger sober, make sure she was back to her bushy haired glory and reach McGonagall's office in freaking seven minutes! Maybe bringing her to the party wasn't such a good idea.
Draco gripped her shoulder and said sternly, "Granger, listen to me. I'm coming back in a minute so you have to stay here. You understand me? Do not go anywhere and hide from Pansy, okay?"
She looked at him dazedly but nodded nonetheless.
He quickly dashed to the Boys' Dormitories and took out a vial of sobriety potion from his trunk.
When he came down the stairs, he groaned as he witnessed the disturbing sight of Blaise hitting on Granger, whose hair had already started turning to her original state though Zabini was probably too drunk to notice it.
He grabbed Granger's hand and said to Blaise, "Sorry mate. I got to go. See you later, okay?"
Blaise grinned knowingly and winked at him before Draco swung the portrait open and got out with Granger.
Granger was scowling at him. "Dracooo," she said in a whiny voice, "Why did we come out? I was having so much fun!"
"That's great," he said slowly like talking to a five year old, "Now Granger, I want you to do something for me. Will you do it?"
She looked suspicious. "What is it?"
He took the vial out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I want you to drink this, okay?"
Hermione took a sniff and scrunched up her nose. "Why? It smells gross."
"Uh…" he said. Shit, he was running out of time. Granger wasn't supposed to be choosy, "If you drink this, you'll have an even smarter brain."
She brightened up at that. "Really?"
He nodded. Then she grinned in delight and drunk the contents of the vial in one gulp. By the time she drank it, she was completely changed back to her original appearance.
"Ugh, that was disgusting Malfoy," she said and Draco was relieved her voice was back to normal and not the screechy, girly, whiny drunken voice.
Then he remembered it. Their time was up.
He stood frozen in place.
"Malfoy, what' up?" asked Hermione. He looked like he'd just seen a ghost. Or a muggle in his case.
He met her gaze and said emotionlessly. "We're supposed to be in McGonagall office right now."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Are you crazy? What are you waiting for? Let's go!"
Draco finally snapped out of his stupor and they both ran like they'd never ran before and bolted to a stop in front of the former Gryffindor's office.
McGonagall of course shot them disapproving looks throughout the meeting and gave them a short lecture on 'tardiness'.
Once they were outside of her office and earshot, they slumped against a random corridor's wall and sighed simultaneously.
"Today was exhausting, Malfoy. You shouldn't have taken me to that stupid Slytherin party," Hermione reprimanded. She didn't however add that she had enjoyed more than ever in while.
"It's rude to complain, Granger," Draco drawled, eyes closed.
"Whatever," she said, too tired to come with a witty remark.
A few minutes passed in silence.
"Hey, Granger?"
"Yeah?"
"You called me hot." Hermione could feel his smirk in that sentence.
She groaned as she remembered all the things she'd done in her drunken state. And it was his entire fault.
"It was your entire faults," she voiced her thoughts, "If you hadn't got me drunk, I wouldn't ever have admitted that you're attractive."
His smirk widened. "You just did."
"Damn you," said Hermione, then sighed dejectedly, "You're going to torture me about this as long as I live, right?"
He laughed. "How could I not? This is just too good. You actually said, 'You're really hot'."
He had laughing fit yet again. When his laughter died down, Hermione asked coldly, "Are you done?"
"Aw come on Granger. Admit it. You had fun," he said, looking sideways at her.
She stood up and held out a hand to help him. He raised an eyebrow at that but took her hand regardless.
"I will, very conveniently, not answer that question. Now it's late and we should get going. Goodnight Malfoy," she said her voice business like.
He nodded, trying to look serious but failing miserably. "Goodnight Granger."
They started walking in the opposite directions but Draco was stopped by Granger's voice, "Oh and Malfoy?"
He turned his head back. "What?"
She smiled and Draco thought she looked beautiful.
"I forgive you."
A/N: Review away people! I know this chapter wasn't up to the mark (actually it was probably a load of crap) but vent out your anger by dropping flamey a review, eh?
I'll probably take long to update so don't wait up! Lol, who am I kidding? You probably have much better stories to read!
Anyway, adios! Till next time!
