A/N: This story is based on a book that I have recently read: "How The Other Half Hamptons" by Jasmin Rosemberg.

SUMMARY: One house. One whole summer. 40 students from different Houses. Get ready for drunken escapades, public nudity, hot tub hookups, explosive arguments, emotional bonding, and juvenile mischief.

SPOILERS: A/U.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING.

A/N: THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! :D

Add Firewhisky & Stir

CHAPTER 10

Two days had gone by since the incident. Draco had steered clear of Hermione Granger's path. Leaving the room whenever she entered, going to sleep before she did, spending more of his time with Blaise as he would have liked. He knew he had left her bewildered. They had actually become good friends for the past week and had more than a few good conversations. And now suddenly, he was avoiding her.

It had all been fine at first. Draco could deal with a little infatuation. But then he overheard Oliver Wood talking to a few Hufflepuff girls in the living room and everything changed for him.

Flashback

After saying bidding Hermione luck with their shopping spree (he had been pleased that his voice had come out steady), Draco had retreated to the living room to join Oliver Wood, Adrian Pucey, and three Hufflepuff girls.

They were begging Wood for a love story. His. And always the romantic, Wood had indulged them.

Draco and Adrian tuned them out, choosing to talk about Quidditch instead. Everything was fine until…

" – and then I felt completely breathless. Like all the air had rushed out of me and I was left dry and empty. I was still and transfixed. All I could see was her. And you know what's funny? All that I could think about was – I am ruined."

Draco had stopped mid-sentence and had stared at Wood for a long period of time before gathering up the courage to ask. "What do you mean by that?" He asked, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

Wood smiled, eager to reply. "Ruined for all other women. Because I knew I found the one girl I wanted to marry."

And Draco had fled out of the living room, leaving them staring after him.

…

It was Friday night once again and the entire Share House was herded once more into the Pink Hippogriff. It was a lot more crowded this time and it was impossible to keep track of everyone. Cassie didn't know whether she was happy about this or not. She usually loved a packed dance floor. It was great fun to dance shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip. It was so easy to get lost in the music.

However, the only downside to this was the fact that Adrian continuously disappeared from her view. She was bit possessive. And he may not be her boyfriend, but there was an unspoken rule in the Share House that whoever slept with who remained off bounds to everyone else. It was all a matter of respect.

So no one could really blame her when she almost blew her top when she saw Adrian and Pansy Parkinson grinding at the edge of the dance floor. She didn't want to make a scene, so she drowned her woes in alcohol and decided that he was not worth any of her time. Any guy who chose Pansy Parkinson over her obviously had horrid taste.

She was beyond tipsy by the time she reached their reserved tables by the back. She flopped down beside a lonely-looking Ron Weasley. "Hey Ron, why the long face?"

He shrugged. "Not in the mood for clubbing tonight. Where's Pucey?"

"Fuck Pucey. He can go screw pug-faced Parkinson any time he wants. I'm over him." All the words came out in a slur and Ron looked properly taken aback. His jaw dropped open.

"Really?"

But alas, he received no answer for Cassandra Simms passed out right in front of him.

…

Ron almost missed her but he caught her by the waist just before she toppled onto the floor. He gasped as her body sagged heavily against him. She was dead weight. Knocked out cold by alcohol. It wasn't going to be easy to bring her back to the Share House. But he was going to try.

Soon he was carrying her through the crowd that parted like the Red Sea. Adrian Pucey just stared after them with an expression that clearly said, Glad that isn't me. Ron just shot him a cold glare. After clearing it with Wood, he hauled Cassie into the Knight Bus and soon they were home.

He huffed and puffed as he carried her all the way to her room. The Share House was deathly silent. It was only half past eleven and everyone was still at the Pink Hippogriff. Cassie was obviously affected by Adrian's acquaintance with Pansy to start drinking heavily at such an early hour. And to actually get drunk and pass out at such an early hour.

Ron tucked her into her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. She barely twitched. He pulled up a stool beside her bed and watched her sleep. Her chest rose and fell with every breath. She looked so serene.

Ron sighed. She probably won't remember a thing by the morning. And it was certain that she would never even find out that he brought her here. Unless he told her of course. But then, he was too much of a coward to actually do that.

He liked Cassie. He liked her a lot. But he knew that she was just way out of his reach. She was popular, beautiful – everything he wasn't. He was just Ron. Poor freckly Ron who Cassie was nice to because he was friends with Hermione Granger. Well, at least he had Hermione to thank for that.

He was deliberating whether he should leave already when her eyelids fluttered open. "Ron?" She half-squinted at him and at her surroundings. "Where am I?"

"You're back at the Share House. You passed out at the club." He told her gently. "You should just get some rest now."

"Did you bring me back?" She asked softly.

Not trusting himself to speak, he nodded.

She smiled. "Thank you."

He nodded again as she drifted off.

"Anytime Cassie, anytime." He whispered before turning off the light and leaving.

…

The time was 4:53 A.M. They were one of the few who arrived last and they couldn't seem to keep their hands off one another. "I can't believe my cousin still hasn't seen us!" Bettina said against his mouth as they stumbled through the dark living room area. The lights were all out. However they could barely make out two figures squirming on the couch.

"Okay, that's just gross." Harry muttered. Bettina laughed softly. He tugged her arm and led her outside. The pool area was empty. He suddenly had a devilish thought as he caught sight of the hot tub.

Bettina followed his gaze and shook her head. "No!"

He laughed and led her towards it. "Why not?"

"Because it's in the backyard! Anyone could see us!"

"At this ungodly hour? I don't think so."

"Who would have thought that the famous Harry Potter would have such a mischievous streak?" She asked dryly, but did not complain when he began pulling off his clothes and kissing her. They settled into the hot tub. Steam rose from either of their sides creating a heavenly mist around their naked bodies.

"This is crazy." She moaned, running her fingers through his hair as she pulled him closer.

"Crazy indeed. But in a good way," he acquiesced. "I think I may be falling in love with you Bettina Zabini."

"You just pulled the words out of my head," she said huskily, nipping an earlobe.

"This is by far the best summer of my entire life," he groaned as she began trailing kisses on his neck. She was an angel. An angel fallen from heaven to save his soul from Voldemort.

"OH MY GOD! NAKED PEOPLE IN THE HOT TUB!"

The distinct girlish scream that followed that very distinct female voice was enough to pull the couple apart.

Pansy Parkinson stood in the middle of the backyard with a gleeful air, finger pointed directly at them. As if on cue, lights went on in the Share House, and windows flew open to see this juicy piece of gossip. Harry tried to cover Bettina behind him but knew it was to no avail. Everything was suddenly so bright and he could feel his cheeks reddening from both humiliation and anger.

"You bitch!" Bettina screamed from behind him, desperately clawing at her clothes and trying to dress herself as hurriedly as possible.

A chatter of voices and a stream of laughter resonated from the open windows.

Harry could only hope that Blaise was asleep. He grabbed his clothes and began to dress himself. Pansy had vanished back into the House and the windows began closing and the lights soon faded once more.

"That was embarrassing." Bettina groaned burying her face in her hands. "I hate to tell you this, but I told you so."

"You're not mad are you?" He asked worriedly. That was the last thing he wanted.

She shook her head slowly. "I just want to kill Pansy."

"I can't believe she would do that to her own housemate."

"She's a bitch! She doesn't care!" Bettina exclaimed.

"At least Zabini didn't see us," Harry pointed out helpfully.

"He'll find out in the morning." Bettina said dully. "Best prepare for hell. We should go to bed."

"Great." Harry sighed. He had been hoping to stay in heaven forever.

…

The ruckus outside had disrupted Draco's sleep and so he had gone to the window to see as well. He wasn't all too surprised to see Potter and Bettina. They were making eyes at each other for the entire week. He was amazed at how unaware Blaise was about this new development. He turned to see if he had heard, but Blaise slept like a log and even more so when he was drunk.

"I believe I have seen my first naked man." A voice said beside him sounding rueful. "And it happened to be my best friend. I may be scarred for life."

He had almost forgotten that he roomed with Hermione. And her voice struck a chord within him. Everything about her seemed familiar. He didn't know how or why seeing as they had been friends for a very, very short while and had been enemies for a longer time. It made him uneasy.

"You saw that." Draco said.

She nodded turning to look at him. Her brown eyes were like melted chocolate pools. They were searching. They wanted answers.

Draco cleared his throat and looked away. He was still unsure of his feelings. Still in denial. "We should head back to sleep. It's already five in the morning." He barely made a step towards his bed when her hand on his arm stopped him. He stared at the appendage. "Is something wrong, Granger?" He refused to look at her.

"Why won't you look at me?"

"I'm tired Granger, let me sleep." He continued to stare at the offending hand on his arm. If looks could kill, her hand would be nothing but a pile of black ashes by now.

"No." She had the guts to say no? Draco looked up and glared at her.

"Let go of me Granger." His voice came out a lot harsher than he had intended and a flash of hurt crossed her features. She let go. Raising her chin in defiance, she turned to return to her corner in the room.

Draco slid back into his bed. For some reason, his chest hurt.

…

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