Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. I just use them for own amusement and often make them do things JK Rowling would hate me for. Alas I thank her for letting me have my fun. I make no money off these stories. It's purely entertainment and no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Post war. Hermione is 23, young and carefree. At least in her spare time. She leads a double life, hiding her true self from her friends and colleagues at work. Deep inside, she's still struggling over the aftermath of the war, the loss of her parents, and a failed romance with Ron. She meets up with someone she didn't expect to meet, who is also fighting their own post war demons. None other than Draco Malfoy. What will happen between them? Can two enemies come together or will they still bear grudges over the past?
Authors note: This story is somewhat similar to another story I started but sadly lost the muse and did not finish. I wanted to tell a somewhat darker tale about loss and self destruction and finding oneself when the world as you once knew it no longer exists. I wanted a story about two people who are in pain and self loathing, coming together in mutual self destruction. I know it might sound terribly depressing, but I do like a happy ending. But I think these two characters need to work for it. So this story is what I really wanted to write. It won't leave my head, so I hope I can stop letting the romantic in me take over and do the story the proper justice. Rated M for a reason. No actual smut, but plenty of sexual situations. Mentions of rough sex and non consensual sex, but no actual non-con takes place. Bad language, drinking, smoking. It's a dark world, but I still believe in redemption. And that's what this story is ultimately about. Lyrics by Alanis Morissette, Three Days Grace, Poe, The Perfect Day, Lifehouse, and Simple Plan.
I can be an asshole of the grandest kind I am the wisest woman you've ever met. You see everything, you see every part
I can withhold like it's going out of style
I can be the moodiest baby and you've never met anyone
Who is as negative as I am sometimes
I am the kindest soul with whom you've connected.
I have the bravest heart that you've ever seen
And you've never met anyone
Who's as positive as I am sometimes.
You see all my light and you love my dark
You dig everything of which I'm ashamed
There's not anything to which you can't relate
And you're still here
A few weeks had gone by since Draco's birthday and while Draco had feared the meeting would scare Hermione away, she had handled it all beautifully. She even went so far as to tell Draco she wanted to go back again and perhaps this time, there'd be less turmoil since her presence wasn't a surprise this time. Draco was rather surprised she was willing to overlook their obvious prejudices and poor social manners. Of course they were used to keeping company with people who felt exactly as they did, so in that light, their manners were stellar. But Hermione was not one of their snobbish friends. Yet somehow she was unaffected by their off color comments. She hadn't expected anything different. And she really wanted to be a part of Draco's world, just as much as she wanted him to be a part of hers. The two of them had lived for so long with their lives splintered in half, showing one side to certain people, and another to someone else. It was time to stop living in separate worlds and try and bring it all together somehow.
After the horrid debacle at the nightclub when Hermione drugged herself and almost got herself attacked, she'd vowed never to go back to a place like that. And Draco had stood by that choice. After all, he was no longer interested in trolling for sex partners, and he could drink at home if he really wanted to. They'd both vowed to leave the party life behind them. At least the way they were partying. It wasn't healthy for either of them and now that they had each other, the driving need to go out and find meaningless people was just no longer there. They'd been good for one another. But that didn't mean they were opposed to fun. And in light of trying to bring her worlds together, Hermione actually accepted an invitation from Harry to join him and Ginny at a small bar that the two of them enjoyed a lot. The problem was trying to convince Draco to come with her.
"Oh come on. It'll be fun. There will be drinking involved," she said as she pleaded with him in her living room.
"I'm sorry, but an evening with Potter and the Weaselette sounds dreadful to me. That girl despises me. Did you see the look she shot me at the wedding?" Draco complained.
"I know. But I talked to Harry and he promised he told her to be nice."
"I thought you said he told her to be nice at the wedding. You said they were safe and they weren't," Draco reminded her.
"I know. It was a small glitch in the system. Harry and I had words, believe me. He didn't back me up and he didn't talk to Ginny and he told Ron you were coming. I was furious with him. But we hashed it out and it's all good now," she explained.
"All good now? And you think that because Harry gave his word? You've just told me Harry is a big fat liar who can't be trusted with anything," Draco said with a sigh.
"Harry needed some time to adjust. I overestimated his coolness factor. But like I said, we had words. You know how shrill and irritating I can be when I'm angry. Trust me, he got the message this time," she assured him.
"So if I go to this little bar, you swear that they'll at least attempt to be nice to me? I realize you suffered through a Malfoy evening for me, but I'm not in the mood to be glared at or insulted repeatedly. Besides my favorite show is on the telly tonight," he complained.
"So record your show. I have a DVR. We need to have some fun."
"A DVR? What the hell is that?" he wondered curiously.
"It's this thing," she said pointing to the box under the television cabinet. "This is what records shows."
"I thought that was some sort of fancy clock. It has the time on it."
"It also a TV recorder. Not just a clock. The clock is just a bonus. But forget all that, will you come out with me or not? Because I'm leaving in fifteen minutes, with or without you," she said irritably.
"Alright, fine. I'll go. Now show me how to use this bloody clock machine. I don't want to miss the X-Files."
"The X-Files? Isn't that show in repeats now?"
"I don't know. But I never had a telly when it started showing. It's all new to me. It's brilliant really. I can't believe you refuse to watch it with me," he scoffed.
"I don't believe in aliens from space. It's drivel."
"But it's about more than that. There was some Fluke worm monster and a man who ate people's livers and lived inside a wall covered with bile. It was disgusting. I loved it."
"What the bloody hell is a Fluke worm monster?" she asked shaking her head.
"I don't know, but it was fucking scary. It had this mouth of teeth and it lived in the sewer and ate people. You're really missing a good show."
"It sounds lovely. Like I need more monsters in my nightmares," she muttered as she programmed the recorder for him. "There, you're all set. Now is that what you want to wear, or do we need to go to your place to change?"
"Is this outfit not good?" he asked, looking down at himself and his worn out jeans and ancient Slytherin t-shirt that was completely faded and frayed around the bottom.
"Well it's fine, I guess. But a Slytherin shirt is just asking for Harry and Ginny to make fun of you. Plus, it's in tatters," she pointed out.
"This is my lucky shirt. I've had it since I was sixteen. And what's wrong with Slytherin, eh? Someone I know can't get enough of one of us," he said with a smirk as he pulled her down into his lap and attacked her playfully.
"Stop! You're going to mess up my hair!"
"Do you really want me to change?"
She sighed and laid her head in his lap and looked up at him. "I don't care. Wear whatever you like. Green does look good on you," she smiled.
"Should I put on a jacket?" he wondered as he played with her hair.
"Why? It's warm outside tonight. You shouldn't need a jacket."
"Yeah, but I have this," he said, holding up his arm to show his Dark Mark. "I don't imagine your mates will want to stare at this all evening."
She reached out and touched his arm and caressed it gently. "No need to hide it. They know it's there. You know, I hardly even notice it anymore myself."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's just a scar now. We all have scars we have to bear," she leaned up and kissed him.
"I wish you didn't have yours," he said as he touched the faint scar on her own arm.
"Me too. But hey, Harry has a lightning bolt on his head. At least we can wear long sleeves sometimes," she smiled slightly.
"True. Alright. Let's get this show going. But if this turns into a disaster, don't expect me to trust Potter's so-called word ever again," Draco said as he moved her out of his lap and stood up.
"I won't drag you along again if it's horrible. Promise," she held up her hand.
They took off and headed to the place Harry suggested. It was a Muggle dive but nothing at all like the glitzy night life Hermione and Draco were used to being a part of. This was a hole in the wall and you had to walk down several steps in order to gain entry. Inside the place was crowded and noisy and very smoky. But there were tables everywhere and no dance floor. It was strictly a drinking establishment and most of the patrons were older and not exactly the people they were used to hanging out with.
"This place is rather wretched. Is it senior citizen night? We're the only people here under forty, I think," Draco remarked.
"I don't know. Maybe this isn't the place? I don't see Harry or Ginny." She scanned the crowd for them.
"Wait, you spoke too soon. There they are. Over by the stage area. Harry's waving," Draco said pointing in their direction.
Hermione waved back and took Draco's hand and dragged him along to where her friends were sitting.
"You made it. I wasn't sure you'd find the place. It's kind of a secret little hideaway," Harry said, giving Hermione a quick hug.
"Yes, it is. We thought it was the wrong place," Hermione admitted.
"How'd you find this place, Potter? Scouring the old folks homes for date ideas?" Draco wondered dryly.
"I see your boyfriend is pleasant as ever," Ginny sighed as she rolled her eyes.
"I was simply noting that everyone here is very old, aren't they?" Draco asked.
Harry glanced around and shrugged. "They're not old, per say. Mature maybe. I don't know. I've never noticed before."
"Well I'm sure it's great," Hermione smiled as she sat down and pulled Draco down next to her.
"So Ginny is it?" Draco asked, giving her a once over.
"Yes. We've met, you dumbass."
"Not exactly. I do believe you insulted me and scowled a lot and then I walked away from you."
"Yes, well, same difference. I went to school with you. I know who you are," Ginny reminded him.
"Right. I do seem to recall a little bitty slip of a girl getting in my face once and telling me to leave Potter alone. That was you, wasn't it?" Draco asked with an amused smile.
"Yes, that was me. I didn't think you'd remember that," Ginny admitted.
"You made an impression. You certainly got taller. Potter, does it bother you that your fiancée is so much taller than you?"
"She's not that tall. She just wears heels a lot," Harry sighed.
"Your parents must have been small. I always thought you'd get bigger, Potter. But at least you can grow facial hair now," Draco smiled.
"I'm not that short. And you're not exactly a towering mass yourself. And I just forgot to shave today," Harry said, rubbing his stubbly chin.
"So can we get drinks soon please?" Hermione chimed in, breaking up the conversation as best she could.
"Yes, lets order. Are there waitresses or do I need to go to the bar?" Draco asked.
"They have waitresses, but you can go to the bar. It's quicker," Harry told him.
"The usual, love?" Draco asked Hermione.
"Yes, make it a double please."
Draco nodded and took off to the bar and Hermione looked at her friends. "I said to be nice," she told them.
"What? We were! He called me short!" Harry reminded her.
"He's just nervous. Cut him some slack."
"If I cut that man any more slack I will rip my bloody hair out. I promised we'd be nice, but he's a prat. You make him be nice," Harry said seriously.
"Okay, okay. I'll make him stop insulting you. I don't even think he knows he's doing it. That's just how he talks to everyone," Hermione said with a small frown.
"And yet you love this wanker?" Harry shook his head.
"Yes, I do. You don't understand what we share. It's complicated. You've not seen his amazing and caring side. I swear it exists," Hermione assured them.
Just then, Draco walked up with their drinks and set them down. They both took very large gulps and set the glasses down on the table.
"So, was everyone talking about me while I was gone?" Draco wondered curiously.
"Um, no," Hermione lied.
"Oh come on. I saw everyone clam up the moment I arrived back. Let's hear it. What was said? I'll bet all of you twenty galleons that at least one of you called me a wanker, and it probably wasn't Hermione. Am I right? Do I win?" Draco asked with an amused smirk.
Harry sighed. "Alright yes, I called you that. But I'm not paying you. I didn't agree to the bet."
"Sore loser. Look, I know you two can't stand me and you're only here for Hermione's sake. I respect that. So let's just try and get on okay, shall we?"
"Fine by me," Harry said holding up his hands.
"I didn't call you anything," Ginny remarked, looking away from him.
"Good. So why the hell do you two come to this dive? It's boring," Draco informed them as he took another big gulp of his drink.
"Oh, it gets fun. No one is drunk enough yet. Wait till they turn on the Karaoke machine. You'll piss yourself laughing," Ginny told him with a grin.
"A Karaoke machine? What is that?" Draco wondered.
"It's Muggle thing. People get drunk and sing on stage. They put the lyrics on the screen and you sing along," Ginny explained.
"Sing? And that's fun to listen to?"
"It's hilarious. I've tried to make Harry sing but he refuses. He hasn't got the stones, which is a pity. I find a man who's unafraid to be a fool, quite the turn on," Ginny smirked as she shoved Harry playfully.
"I'm never singing, Ginny. Ever. I'm horrible. Not even horrible, worse than that. You'd need to invent a whole new word to describe my singing," Harry insisted with a laugh.
"I'd pay you a hundred galleons to see you sing, Potter. I'm dead serious," Draco said with a grin.
"I don't need your money."
"How about a thousand galleons?"
"No!"
"Oh my God, Potter. That's almost five thousand pounds! You're that stubborn?"
"Why don't you sing, Malfoy? I'll pay you a hundred galleons and you get your pasty little ass on the stage and sing your heart out," Harry challenged him.
"Oh, oh, I'll put money in too! I put in fifty!" Hermione said enthusiastically.
"Me too. Fifty from me! So that's two hundred. What do you say, Malfoy?" Ginny asked with a smirk.
Draco just shook his head and downed his drink. "Do you lot realize I'm fucking made of money? You expect me to humiliate myself for two hundred galleons? I have that sitting in my couch cushions at home," Draco informed them.
"If you sing, I'll do anything you want later. Anything," Hermione said seductively.
"Oh eww. I didn't need to hear that," Harry shook his head and made a face.
"Love, you already do anything I want, as I recall," Draco smirked at her.
"My ears, people! They're bleeding!" Harry informed them as he held his hands over his head.
"Spoil sport. You're passing up money and kinky sexual favors? What kind of man are you?" Ginny sighed.
"I already have money and plenty of sexual favors thrown my way. Sorry, you lot will just have to get your kicks elsewhere," Draco sighed as he got up and went to get another drink.
"Damn it. I wanted to hear the ferret sing. That would have made my entire life worth it," Ginny lamented.
"I tried to sweeten the pot, but I almost gave Harry an aneurysm. Sorry, Harry," Hermione said sheepishly.
"It's alright. I just can't picture you and him together in that way. It's icky."
"Icky?"
"Yes, icky. It's like imagining Professor Snape and McGonagall getting it on over a school desk in the potions room."
"Oh my God! That's revolting! Draco and I are not revolting like that!" Hermione cried.
"Harry, now I'll have nightmares. Thanks a lot!" Ginny punched his arm playfully.
"I'm sorry, it's just what I think of. I can't help it!" Harry defended himself.
"You are terrible. I hope Draco brings me a new drink after that scary image you put in my head," Hermione pouted.
"Ginny don't you think it's icky to think of them?" Harry prodded her for solidarity.
"It's more than icky to think of Snape and McGonagall. She's very old and he's Snape. Yuck!"
"I didn't mean them, I meant Draco and Hermione," Harry explained.
Ginny shrugged and sipped her drink. "I don't care. At least they're both attractive. And not a hundred years old."
"Thank you, Ginny," Hermione said, relieved to have someone on her side.
Draco arrived back at the table and plunked down two more drinks. He looked at everyone's faces and could discern he was likely the topic of conversation yet again. He sat down and took a sip.
"So what was it this time? What did I do to offend?" Draco wondered curiously.
"Nothing. You did nothing. In fact it's Harry who was offensive," Hermione stuck her tongue out at him.
"What did he say?"
"You don't even want to know," Hermione insisted as she took a drink.
"No, tell me. If Potter's being offensive, I'm curious."
"He said thinking of you and Hermione shagging made him think about Snape bending old McGonagall over his potions desk at school," Ginny informed him with a small giggle.
"What? Oh God, you're a filthy pervert, Potter. Snape and McGonagall? Your mind scares me," Draco said with a shudder.
"Yours scares me too," Harry admitted.
"You don't even know my mind. Besides Snape and McGonagall? I rather pictured her with Dumbledore," Draco shrugged.
"Oh yuck. That's even worse," Harry made a face. "Besides, Dumbledore was gay."
Draco almost spit out his drink and looked at Harry and started laughing. "What? Are you serious? Gay? Since when?"
"I don't know. Since forever. He kept it secret obviously. But I found out."
"How? Please do not tell me you caught him in the act with someone. I will vomit," Draco grimaced.
"No, I didn't catch him. But his brother told me. But don't spread it around. It's still not well known," Harry said in hushed tones.
"Well isn't that just interesting. I had no idea. I just thought he was mad as a hatter. I didn't know he was light on his feet as well."
"Draco, be nice. So what if he was gay?" Hermione poked him and gave him a look.
"I'm not being unkind. I didn't say anything," Draco held up his hands.
"You said light on his feet, as if it's a bad thing. That's derogatory," she explained.
"Sorry. Jeez, it was just a comment. I didn't call him a raging homo or anything," Draco sighed.
"Will you shut it? You're digging a hole and I'm not helping you out of it," Hermione glared at him.
"My lips are sealed. Can we please stop talking about old teachers having sex and speak of something else?" Draco pleaded.
"Yes, let's." Hermione agreed.
Everyone just sat in silence for a bit and ordered more drinks and everyone was beginning to get a bit loopy. Ginny finally broke the silence.
"So, that mark on your arm? Did it hurt to get it put on you?" she asked tipsily.
"This? No. Voldemort actually brought in a basket of kittens and they gently licked this on for me. And then my mum served tea and cakes. It was a blast," Draco said sarcastically as he shook his head at her.
"No need to be an asshole. It was a simple question," Ginny made a face at him.
"Well what do you think? Does it look like it felt pleasant?" Draco asked.
"No, it looks horrid honestly. Did you actually ask for that?" Ginny wondered.
"No. I didn't want it. I had no say so in the matter. And no one ever asks for this. It's bestowed upon you. Supposedly a great honor. Lovely, isn't it?" Draco said, removing his arm from the table and hiding it out of sight.
"Did you try and say no?" Harry wondered idly.
"No. I couldn't. Do you think if I'd said no, I'd still be sitting here today?"
"Probably not," Harry said looking down at the table.
It was silent again for a bit and then the Karaoke started. This at least brought everyone's mood up and the atmosphere wasn't as uncomfortable. They were all laughing and throwing back the drinks like they were going out of style. It was obvious everyone was trying to get along, but it was awkward for everyone. And the best defense against that was to drink yourself silly until your enemies were no longer your enemies, and all the past was simply wiped clean. Ginny pulled out a camera and started taking photos when no one was paying attention at first. She got one of Harry sticking a straw up his nose, for God only knows what reason, but everyone was laughing. Then she aimed the camera at Draco.
"Smile ferret face!" she shouted over the roar of the music, but she caught Draco off guard. He was gulping his drink and didn't even realize until the flash went off.
"No fair. I wasn't ready! Take another," he urged her drunkenly.
"Okay, look sexy or something," Ginny told him.
"I always look sexy," Draco drawled with a smirk and Ginny snapped the picture in mid sentence.
"Get one of the two of us," Hermione chimed in as she put her arms around Draco and leaned in close. Ginny snapped the picture and handed the camera to Hermione.
"Now me and Harry!" She leaned over and gave Harry a big kiss and Hermione snapped it quickly while his glasses got pushed off his face and fell into his drink.
"Bloody hell, Ginny! You practically attacked my face. Now my glasses are swimming in whiskey," he said, fishing them out and shaking them off.
"Sorry honey, but you're so cute! I wanted to smoosh your face," Ginny smiled and kissed him again.
"I think Ginny's gonna crawl down his pants soon. She's much more fun when she's loaded," Draco whispered to Hermione.
"I told you she was fun. So is Harry. They're both lovely. You just have to know them and be nice to them."
Draco smiled and kissed her quickly. "Alright, I'm gonna do something pretty fucking stupid right now, so everyone pay attention," Draco said as he stood from the table.
"What are you going to do? A striptease?" Ginny giggled.
"Sorry sweetie, that's for Hermione's eyes only. No, I'm afraid this is even stupider. But you all asked for this. You all practically begged for this. So don't tell me I never did anything nice for you lot," Draco announced as he made his way towards the Karaoke stage.
"What the fuck is he doing?" Harry asked with confusion.
"Oh shit, he's gonna sing. He's actually gonna sing!" Hermione cried as she held her head in her hands.
"This is bloody fantastic! Have you ever heard him sing?" Ginny wondered.
Hermione shook her head. "No, never. He doesn't even know Muggle songs very well. If at all."
They watched as Draco looked through the song book and Ginny kept snapping pictures the whole time. Apparently Draco settled on a song because he spoke to the man in charge and the next thing they all knew, he was on the stage holding the microphone.
"Okay listen up people. Yeah, that means you too, cowboy guy in the corner. Nice hat, by the way. Are you from Texas?" Draco called out to the man.
"Oh fuck me, is he doing a drunken stand up routine as well? He's going to hate himself in the morning," Hermione fretted as she covered her eyes.
"I'm from Surrey, you wanker!" the man yelled out to him.
"Surrey? I'm sorry I wasn't aware Surrey had a rodeo in town this week," Draco laughed.
"Hey asshole! Just sing your song or get off the bloody stage!" someone else yelled.
"Fine, fine. God, you lot are a bunch of boring pricks. Okay. Here's my song. I've never heard this before, so I will fuck it up. But I dedicate it to my lovely woman, who's sitting right over there hiding her face in shame," Draco pointed towards Hermione.
"This is the best night of my life," Harry said with utter amusement. "Draco Malfoy is making the biggest ass of himself and I'm actually here watching it happen. I wish I had a video camera."
"Shut up Harry," Hermione told him with a cringe as the music started up.
It was Witchy Woman by the Eagles and Draco messed it up almost immediately, but he tried to keep up with the lyrics on the screen.
"Let me tell you brother, she's been sleeping in the devil's bed," he sang. "I'm the devil in case you didn't catch that part," he added to appease the crowd. "Woo hoo, witchy woman, she's got the night in her eyes…oh fuck it, I'm tired of this song. Is it almost done?" Draco asked the man on stage.
The music cut off and the man appeared to tell Draco to get off and go away because some burly guy grabbed his arm and ushered him off the stage, but he let him go. Draco went over to cowboy guy and said something to him and Hermione feared he was going to get beat up. She stood up.
"I need to go over there. He's going to mouth off and get his ass handed to him," she said worriedly.
But by the time she made it over across the room, Draco was standing there with the cowboy hat on his head and his arm around the guys shoulder.
"Hermione! Hey, look at me! I'm a fucking cowboy! Jerry here lent me his hat. But he won't take off the boots. I asked," Draco slurred to her.
"Oh God, is he bothering you? I'm so sorry. He's completely bombed," she apologized to the man.
"Oh no worries, love. This young man of yours is a riot. I can take my licks about the hat. I got it in America last month. I went to the Alamo and went a bit crazy in the gift shop," he laughed jovially.
"Come on, Ginny needs a picture of me and cowboy Jerry. Otherwise who will believe this? Go get the camera!"
Hermione rolled her eyes but marched off to get the camera from Ginny.
"He wants his bloody picture taken with some guy named Jerry. Can I have the camera?" she asked somewhat put out.
"Oh hell no. We're all going over there. I want a group photo. Oh, can we all put on the silly hat? I want to!" Ginny shouted excitedly.
She dragged Harry up and they all trudged over with the camera. Jerry was a good sport and let everyone wear the hat, and got a photo of the whole group together as well. Draco finally gave the hat back and then he called over a waitress.
"Miss, whatever drinks these people have, put it on my tab," he told her. "Drink up mates! Order whatever you like. It's my treat. In fact, that table over there looks boring. Order them some drinks on my tab too."
Hermione grabbed Draco's arm and ushered him back to the table before he bought drinks for everyone in the whole place. She forced him to sit down but she couldn't help but giggle. Soon the whole table was simply laughing and couldn't stop.
"I had no idea you could be fun, Malfoy. I mean, you made a total ass of yourself! It was hilarious," Harry told him with a grin.
"Yeah, well there's lots you don't know about me, Potter. I've changed. And that stick I used to have shoved up my ass? I had it surgically removed years ago."
"I can see that. Are you always this insane? Is this what Hermione sees in you?" Harry wondered.
"No, he's not usually insane. But he does make me laugh a lot," she smiled.
"Hey, I promised I'd have fun tonight and not ruin things. And I had to do something to make you two stop glaring at me when you thought I wasn't looking. So happy now?"
"I'm rather happy, yes," Harry admitted.
"Me too. And I've got photographic evidence of your insanity. Do trust me when I say there will be many copies made and distributed to everyone I've ever met," Ginny informed him.
"As long as we get copies too," Draco reminded her.
"Of course."
"Wait. There should be one more picture. This one's important. This shows how much I've grown," Draco said drunkenly as he stood up and walked over to Harry. "Get the camera ready."
Ginny held it up and Draco grabbed Harry and planted a kiss on his cheek and ruffled up his hair so that it stood straight up. Harry wiped his cheek furiously with one hand, while trying to fix his hair with the other.
"What bloody fuck? Did you just kiss me?" Harry said with horror.
Draco couldn't stop laughing and patted Harry on the back. "Don't worry Potter, I've only got eyes for Hermione. But that picture? Well, it's a keeper. Just wait until my father hears about this," Draco chuckled.
"Hermione, put a leash on him. He's not safe. He kissed me!"
Hermione broke out in giggles and couldn't stop. "I'm sorry Harry, but that was hilarious. The look on your face!"
"And he broke out his usual line about his father. He's not going tell his father is he?"
"I think I'll wait for the picture and just show him. What do you think, Hermione? Will that be enough to induce a stroke or at least a fainting spell?" Draco wondered.
"Oh stop. You're not showing your father any of this night. Tomorrow, you won't even remember it," Hermione told him.
"Still the best night I've had in years. Well not counting the nights of crazy sex with you. But in public. This was fun. Wasn't it?" Draco asked everyone.
"Surprisingly enough, yes, it was," Harry admitted reluctantly.
"Yes, I don't hate you nearly as much right now. In fact, you almost made me pee a little when you asked that man about the rodeo," Ginny giggled with a smile.
"What the fuck is a rodeo anyway? I heard it on a movie with some old western looking men who chewed tobacco and spit a lot," Draco told them.
"A rodeo is some sort of cow wrangling thing, isn't it?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Don't look at me. I've got no clue. They didn't have cowboys in Little Whinging when I was growing up."
"But isn't that in Surrey?" Draco asked.
"I still never attended one if such a thing existed. Do I look like I grew up roping cattle? I grew up being locked in my room and pretending I didn't exist. A fucking rodeo could have taken place in my living room and I wouldn't have known," Harry informed them.
"Something to Google later, "Ginny informed them.
"What?" Draco asked with confusion.
"Google. You know, on a computer? You look shit up. They have the answer to every question you've ever wanted to know. My father showed me. He bought a computer," Ginny explained.
"This Google knows everything?"
"Just about. I've only done it a few times, but my father always has a new useless piece of Muggle information he's gathered on the Google thing. He's obsessed."
"Weird. Is this the interwebs or something?" Draco wondered.
"The internet. And yes. You can do all sorts of fun things with it, like meet people or make friends," Harry shrugged.
"That explains it. I used to meet girls and they'd ask me for my face space account or something. I had no clue what they were on about."
"My Space. Not face space," Hermione corrected him.
"Whatever. Do you lot have one of those things?"
They all shook their heads.
"We don't have Muggle friends," Harry told them.
"Yeah, me neither," Hermione admitted.
"I certainly don't. But it's something to think of. A computer that knows everything. Imagine that shit?"
"I think it's time for us to leave. Draco is starting to lean a bit too heavily on me and might pass out," Hermione informed them.
"Yeah, we should get home too. It's late. But it was fun. Truly. I enjoyed myself," Harry admitted.
"Good. So I won a few points tonight. Good on me. You two aren't nearly as annoying as I imagined."
"That's a load off," Harry smiled. "Take care of Hermione, will you? And don't puke on her on the way home."
Draco nodded and they all said their goodbyes. It had been a strained evening at first, but Draco made it work. Hermione was surprised by him every single day. She never knew what to expect. He kept her on her toes, that's for sure. But at least being with him was never boring. When they got home, Draco was considerably more inebriated than Hermione was. But she'd had her fair share. But Draco was stumbling and bumping into things and actually bent down and petted her couch cushion believing it to be Crookshanks.
"Love, your cat might be dead. He's not moving," he slurred to her.
"Draco, that's a bloody pillow, not the cat. Now come to bed," she urged him.
"Oh. It looked like the cat," he said confusedly.
She took his arm and led him towards the bedroom and he bumped the wall and knocked a picture down.
"Oops. Sorry. Let me get that," he told her.
"No, leave it. We'll get it in the morning."
She flipped on the bedroom light and Draco squinted and covered his face.
"Ugh, too bright!"
"Sorry," she said as she turned on a bedside lamp and turned off the overhead light. "Better?"
"Much."
He stumbled out of the room and down the hall into the bathroom and she took off her clothes and readied herself for bed. Then when Draco didn't come out for awhile, she went in after him. She found him standing there with his pants open and he appeared to be playing with himself.
"Draco! What the hell are you doing? Wanking off in my bathroom with the door open?" she asked with horror.
He just looked at her confused. "No, my cock won't fit back in my pants. It keeps getting stuck. Plus it's broken. I mean, I wanted to fuck you tonight but it's just lying there useless. What's happened to it?" he asked looking like he might cry.
"Oh God, Draco, you're hammered. You have whiskey dick. It happens. And I'm too tired to fuck anyone. Just take off the bloody pants and come to bed," she urged him.
"But you said you'd do anything I wanted," he reminded her.
"Yes, and I will. Tomorrow. Not now. It's 2am and you can't even hold your head up, much less get your cock up. Now just get in bed."
He peeled off his pants and almost fell over and she had to catch him. Then she led him to her room where he simply collapsed on the bed in his underwear and his ratty t-shirt.
"You promise me you won't vomit in my bed?" she asked, poking at him.
"Promise."
She turned out the light and snuggled down next to him.
"You were fun tonight," she whispered as she gave him a soft kiss.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. Thank you for trying so hard with my friends."
"Don't mention it. Besides, I didn't mind. I kind of wanted them to like me, truth be told," he muttered sleepily.
"You did?"
"Sort of. I dunno. You know I met Potter when we were boys, before Hogwarts. It was in a robe shop. I liked him. I had no idea who he was, but he was buying nice robes, so I figured he was a decent enough bloke. But then when I found out who he was and tried to be his friend, he snubbed me. That fucking stung a bit. No one ever snubbed me before. And ever since then I just fucking hated his guts," Draco admitted drunkenly.
"Your feelings were hurt?"
"Yes, they bloody well were. I've told you, I'm not a robot."
"Well your hurt feelings made you act like a total prat for years. You've no one to blame but yourself," she chided him.
"I know. I'm a prat. But I was nice tonight. It's like it all melted away for a moment and I saw another life. A life I could have had if I'd been different. If I'd been raised different. I saw what it was like to have actual friends. I was part of something. It felt good."
"Draco, your life is just starting now. Forget the past. Just keep going forward," she stroked his hair and kissed him softly.
"Love you. You're my world. My girl. I never had anyone before but now there's you," he whispered, half asleep.
"Love you too. You'll always have me. Now go to sleep."
Before she could even say another word, he was snoring softly with his mouth hanging open. She smiled to herself and wondered if he'd remember any of this night at all. Somehow she doubted it. But at least there were pictures that proved it happened. She could not wait to get her hands on those.
To be continued….I told you I'd be more timely with updates! How did you enjoy this spot of silly fun? I hope it made you smile when you read it since I had fun writing it. Please leave a review and thanks for following along!