The Slug Club

After huddling round a fire with hot coco for a while we went down to the great hall for some dinner, I asked if he wanted to sit with Luna and Neville, but he hesitated.

"What is it?" I asked

He hesitated again "Well, Neville isn't confrontational, but he really despises me. I think it's mainly to do with my Psychotic Aunt, but it's very uncomfortable either way. Maybe I should just eat by myself…"

"No, no, we'll sit somewhere else." I looked around; Ron was sat with Harry and Ginny talking animatedly to them and it dawned on me that we were like divorced parents, having to split time with the kids. "We'll sit on the Hufflepuff table."

We each had a plate full of lasagne and salad (his plate was more like a platter) and I just had some tea and a scone afterwards while he went for second helping and cake. "I actually can't believe how much you eat. I mean, I know you're a growing boy full of testosterone and everything, but I've never seen any other guy here eat as much as you. It will catch up with you one day." I added jokingly.

He sniggered and rolled his eyes "Doubt it." He said quietly. "Anyway, are you my date tomorrow night?" I looked at him blankly, confused. "For the meal, with Slughorn. I'm quite surprised I got an invite to be honest"

"Oh, that. I totally forgot. Yeah, sure, why not? Can't be as bad as the last one." I shrugged and wondered what I'd wear; Slughorn liked his meals to be a formal occasion.

"Don't you want to go?" He looked a little sad as he asked.

"No, that's not it… Slughorn just… I don't know, I don't really like him."

"Why not?"

"Well…" I searched for a way to vocalise my unease "Just the way he picks his favourites, like he just won a raffle and he's picking which prize he wants to take home with him. And he always has to make a show of it, so the kids who don't get handpicked for slugclub feel like they're missing out on something."

He smiled at me comfortingly "Don't worry; I won't let him take you home."

I shook my head and smiled back at him.

After dinner I decided to head straight up to have a shower and put my pj's on. When I walked back into the dormitory Ginny was laid on her bed, casting spells on the curtains. "Hey Hermione." She said absentmindedly without looking up, so I jumped onto the bottom of her bed and crossed my legs.

"Hey!" I smiled at her.

She sat up, put her wand down and smiled "How's your afternoon been?"

"Good, good."

She nodded knowingly and wagged her eyebrows. I raised mine innocently in response. She chuckled. "Hermione, I might be your ex's sister, but I am also your best friend and in need of juicy gossip. Just tell me about your secret relationship for Merlin's sake!"

I laughed "I don't know what you're talking about Gin." She scowled at me, unimpressed. "I don't have a secret relationship." It was true.

"What do you have then?" She pressed. I thought for a moment… "Don't you dare say 'I don't know' again" Ginny warned.

I sighed. "Well, I don't Ginny. It's pretty casually." I cringed at the word. "We hang out a lot, and talk and laugh and kiss –" Ginny squealed and I looked round at her startled.

"Sorry." She said smiling "I am a teenage girl."

I laughed, feeling more at ease that she definitely wasn't going to go into 'protective sister' mode on me "A lot." I added

"When did he first kiss you? What was it like? How did you feel? Ooooooh was it goooood?" she blasted her questions on me at top speed, and I was hesitant to answer her first.

"…Well, I think he was going to kiss me when that whole thing happened with Ron…" I glanced at her to see her reaction, I couldn't read anything. "But we didn't." I paused for a moment again "He came back after wards. I was mostly shocked and confused."

She nodded slowly then said "And was it gooooood?" with the same enthusiasm as before.

I sighed a laugh and nodded sheepishly. "But it wasn't right." I said sadly.

"Hermione, you're an 18 year old girl, you won't get things right all the time. You're young and experiencing lots of new emotions all the time. Look at Dean and I, and Harry and I. I wasn't really into Dean but went out with him anyway, then not long after breaking up with him, Harry and I kissed in front of the entire of Gryffindor house. Shit happens. We're young; we get over it."

I sighed. "I know you're right. But it feels wrong. I mean, we weren't working, but we used to be best friends – Ron, Harry and I used to do everything together and now everyone has to split themselves in half to please us both. I wish it could be like it was before. Uncomplicated and innocent."

"It will do, one day. We're a tight group; you can't go on forever not talking can you?" I nodded, agreeing with her "Talk to me about lover boy now! You have refused me long enough." She demanded.

I smiled. "There's not much to tell."

Just then Egbert the Eagle scratched on the window; I skipped eagerly across the room to open it and retrieve the note.

As I handed him some treats Ginny asked "Is that him?"

Before I could respond she whipped the note out of my hand laughing.

" 'Save me a dance, Beautiful x.'" she read aloud "Aaaaaaaw, he calls you beautiful and wants to dance. See that's something to tell!" She grinned as she handed the note to me and I frowned, embarrassedly.

"Yes, he calls me beautiful, and amazing and smart and lovely" I reeled off. "He constantly teases me, and says it's his life mission to make me blush at least once a day and he's very inappropriate."

Ginny laughed and my ever reddening cheeks "Making you blush isn't hard, maybe he should think about getting a job on the side. So you do like him? A lot?"

I nodded. "Yes. A lot. It's completely bizarre – unimaginable, but lovely. I'm still processing the whole situation; it's a shocking turn of events."

"I bet." Ginny agreed "So" she wagged the note in the air, changing the topic "Are you going tomorrow night? I assume he's referring to a dance at slugclub."

I groaned "Only if I can find something to wear."

For the remainder of the evening Ginny and I sifted through the handful of 'formal' clothes we had brought. I chose a strapless midnight blue cocktail dress, with silver flecks fading up the skirt. Ginny said it complimented my pale skin tone and brought out my eyes. Ginny opted for a spaghetti strap cream number that hugged her waist and flowed gently down to just above her knee – we both went for silver heels.

I must admit, it made me feel a little bit more excited for tomorrow night, having had a girly preparation session talking about dancing and hair and make-up, but also brought on a rough bout of butterflies and anxiety.

The next morning I woke happily rested and hopped out of bed for a change. I brushed my teeth, tied my hair back into a wild bun and put on my robes and face then headed down for breakfast while Ginny was still grumbling into her pillow.

I was pleased to see Draco headed to the Great Hall as early as me, bright eyed and bushy tailed. I skipped a few steps to catch up to him and wound my arm through his "Hey." I said smiling round at him.

He tapped his head against mine affectionately "You're up early." He noted.

I shrugged, smiling "Had a good night's sleep. Thought I'd see what happens down here before 8AM" It was about 7:15 "Why are you always up so early?"

"Oh, dear Hermione, sleep does not come easily, nor does it last long. I think I'm bordering on insomnia."

I frowned, observing him as we sat down. He didn't look tired at all, quite the opposite. He grinned sheepishly at me "You don't look tired." I voiced "At all."

He shrugged and filled a mug with coffee "Lack of sleep only affects the weak." I followed suit and poured myself a cup of tea "You look very cute this morning. I like your hair like that."

I raised an eyebrow at him then smiled "Bird nest doesn't come to mind?" He shook his head. "What do you do all night then, if you don't sleep?"

He stirred his drink, not touching the spoon and spoke "I walk around, read, write, think, fly, have a swim around in the prefect bathroom… the usual. I get a few hours in the morning then come down here and drink coffee till you come and talk to me. You know, cause I'm a massive loner. Last night I had to speak to Kingsley though, so I was in McGonagall's office for a while – he was just asking about Goyle for an official statement. Then I flew up to the hills on the edge of the ground and laid down for a bit… You should come with me one night."

"Don't you ever get caught? I mean, I know they're lenient with us because we're all 18 and here voluntarily but I doubt you're allowed to fly around the grounds at midnight…"

He chuckled and grinned smugly "Please, I'm like smoke. So is it a date? Will you join me for some rule breaking and star gazing?"

I smiled and nodded

We continued chatting, twisting our fingers together across the table occasionally, and I barely noticed when students started piling in for their breakfast. I had some scrambled eggs on toast and Draco had a mountain of sausage, bacon, egg and tomatoes, then we set off for Potions, and a verdict on our Polyjuice potion.

We arrived 5 minutes early and both leaned against the dungeon wall outside the classroom. I riffled through my bag and found the lacewing flies that we needed to add, then Slughorn appeared and opened the door to let us and a couple of other students behind us in – I still wasn't familiar with the younger 7th years.

Once everyone had turned up and all the Polyjuice potions (or attempted potions) were finished, Slughorn slowly circled the room, giving them a stir and a sniff, 'um'ing and 'ar'ing and smiling occasionally, with a clipboard in hand marking our potions as T, D, P, A, E, or O. Draco and I got Outstanding along with a couple other pairs, a few exceeds expectations, mostly Acceptable and one dreadful. Slughorn was kind enough to not call out the markings. We spent the remainder of the lesson writing up our method, positives and negatives and were assigned to finish it for the next lesson.

The rest of the day sped by and I gradually started to feel nervous; was Draco really going to dance with me? Could Draco dance? Would we kiss there?

Before I knew it I was back in the dormitory sat in front of a mirror, near hyperventilation, as Ginny made my hair into delicate smoot curls and pinned bits back with silver pins. She had already done her hair in the same way but hers was straight.

"Hermione, if you don't calm down your hair will frizz. I don't want to have done all this work for nothing.

I took a sip of water from the side and nodded "I'm a little keyed up. Thanks for helping me Ginny, I'd probably have given up and put my pj's on without you. I'm actually pretty nervous. "I admitted.

"You'll be fine. It's only dinner, slight probing from Slughorn, and a bit of dancing. I'll be your first dance if you want." Ginny smiled at me.

I laughed. "If I can get you away from Harry."

"Sisters before misters!" Ginny said in a high pitched American accent. I shook my head at her and stood up, a few inches taller than normal. "Perfect." She checked her watch which was tossed on her bed. "Six thirty. If we set off now we'll be fashionable late."

We walked down to Slughorn's office, chatting about the boys waiting for us. When we entered the spacious office I immediately scanned the room for Draco, and to my surprise found him leaning casually against the wall by the fire, drink in his hand, laughing and talking to Harry. I nudged Ginny and pointed in their direction and we walked over together.
They both looked towards us as we approached and both smiling appraisingly

"Hi." we all said, then laughed

"Harry, let's get a drink for me." Ginny said, taking Harry's outstretched hand and pulling him towards the bar, quickly winking at me before turning away.

"Hey." I said again, to just Draco now.

He smiled at me and let out his breath slowly "Wow."

I blushed and smiled impishly "Back at you" Draco wasn't wearing his usual all black suit, instead he wore navy trousers, blazer and tie, with a light blue shirt on, making his eyes look even more stormy than usual. His pale skin had a healthy flush and his white blonde hair was scraped to the left in a neat quiff.

"So, what were you two laughing at?" I asked, pulling myself out of the Draco-daze.

"Oh," he laughed embarrassedly and had a sip of his drink "You know, looking back on our memories together, me stomping on his face, him ripping me apart with septumsepra and almost killing me…" he shook his head sadly "Left scars that one, nasty spell."

I frowned "Why is that funny?"

"Because we are 18 year old males, and because we also helped each other out a lot more than either of us would have liked to acknowledge at the time."

I nodded and absentmindedly took his hand to walk over for a drink. I grabbed a butter beer and poured it into a tall glass while Draco grabbed a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey from the back and poured an inch on-the-rocks.

I raised my eyebrows "Little early isn't it?"

"I think I'll need it." He muttered and drank it down in one, then chomped on one of the dragon shaped ice-cubes. "It's one thing being in a classroom where everyone hates me, it's another sitting round at a social dinner party."

Draco casually took hold of my hand again and I stared taking notice of the room around me, I noticed that instead of having all the house colours hanging, Slughorn had hung banners of the school crest - all four houses united as one. The loyal, the brave, the clever and the cunning attributing to one and other, not separated by their differences.
There were fairies flying round lazily here and there, and a small gathering of them around a bush by the balcony. Just then Slughorn asked us all to join him at the table for dinner and he began introducing everyone as we sat down - Draco sighed sadly, waiting for Slughorn to say his name. I squeezed his hand supportively under the table and he smiled a small smile at me
"- Ah, and here we have Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger, two exceptionally bright students with exceptional tales I can imagine… And I'm sure you all know Mr Potter here!" Slughorn moved on quickly but a lot of people were glaring at Draco having been alerted to his presence here. "What have you been doing over the summer Harry?"

Harry looked up from his glass and quickly gulped down his water "Oh, not a lot, sorting through things and trying to have as quiet a summer as possible."
I started spooning veg onto my plate as Slughorn went around the table and people quietly talked amongst themselves.

"Hermione?" Slughorn asked. I looked up from my plate and paused for a moment, deciding what to say.

"I went away to Australia for the summer. I had to find my parents because last year I obliterated all their memory of me so they could be safe from voldemort" I decided to go with blunt honesty, after everyones frustrating half truths of the summers activities - no one was happily relaxing, everyone was grieving and overwhelmed after the loss of friends and family members in the battle. "Thankfully they are back to how they were - if not slightly distrusting of me and magic now."

Slughorn, and the rest of the table sat with their mouths hung open slightly, and I ate a forkful of peas. I noticed through the corner of my eye Draco smiling slightly

"Well, I'm glad that worked out for you, my dear… How about you Draco, you've had an eventful summer, haven't you?" He moved on with great eagerness.

Draco nodded slightly and gave a polite smile. "I'm sure you know exactly what I've been up to this summer Horace."

Slughorn grinned and pushed for more information "Ah, yes, but i thought maybe your fellow students would be comforted to hear."

Everyone had gone completely still and silent, forks frozen on their way to mouths.

Draco cleared his throat uncomfortably and sighed. "I spent most of the summer working along side auror's, tracking and catching stray death eaters and supporters as i had a bit of insight into where they were heading, after handing my cowardly excuse of a father over to the dementors… I've also taken a sad, alcoholic elf under my wing, though i'm doubtful she'll ever feel fulfilled again." Winky I thought, and my heart suddenly swelled at the thought of Winky, still alive, getting help. I stared at Draco, amazed.

Everyone else was staring at him too, and again Draco looked exceedingly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat awkwardly and i squeezed his shoulder comfortingly, giving him an admirable smile.

Slughorn clapped his hands together, smiling broadly at Draco; before he could speak however Harry blurted out "I've been thinking about trying out for a quiddich team when school's finished." then gave me a small smile.

Draco sighed in relief as Slughorn bit the hook "Why I think that would be marvellous Harry! I can see it now 'Potter - New seeker for England!'" his eyes were gleaming at the prospect.

Harry was then the centre of Slughorn's attention for a good while whilst everyone else gradually went back to eating.

After dinner, the house elves (though they were hidden) made the table vanish and we all spread around the room with drinks in hands. Draco pulled me over to Harry and Ginny promptly to convey his appreciation "Thanks for saving me again Potter."

Harry punched him in the shoulder; a friendly gesture. "No problem."

meanwhile Ginny was grinning at me devilishly "Harry, dance with me?" She asked him innocently still glancing at me. I shook my head at her, feeling the anxiety bubbling back up my throat, so much for first dance I thought. He whisked her away and started spinning around with her to music I didn't recognise.

I turned to face Draco slowly, and he was holding his hand out to me in invitation, I took it and smiled shyly, blushing slightly. He pulled my into him and hugged my waist softly, a part of me could see people looking at us but most of me was lost in his grey eyes, baring into mine. "You are truly beautiful. Coming here wasn't a bad idea after all."

"Here to Slughorn's or here to Hogwarts?" I asked

He mused. "Both, I guess."

I smiled up at him, still taller than me despite my stolen inches. "I'm glad you came." I whispered "It's good to know you, the real you that is. I guess Slytherin aren't all losers. I mean, look at Professor Snape. He put himself in so much danger to ensure Voldemort was destroyed, and Harry was safe… And now he's not even here." ('ALWAYS')

Draco nodded sadly "Neither of us had the best of starts…"
I vaguely noticed the song change, but we continues to spin around, out of step with the music.

I stroked his cheek tentatively and smiled at him. He smiled back, flashing his perfect teeth, and I suddenly asked "Do wizards have dentists?"

He laughed at my random out bust, and i laughed slightly, embarrassed "Sort of, but not like Muggles do. You have braces and we have straightening charms; life sure is easy as a wizard…"

I nodded and he pulled back from me, taking my hand "Come on." He said pulling me towards the door. As soon as the door shut he spun me round so I was pinned to the wall and started kissing me fiercely, making my head spin. After a few minutes and an eternity he pressed his head against mine and stroked his nose against mine, breathing jaggedly. "So are you my girlfriend Hermione?" He whispered

"Mmm, yes, definitely" I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him again, spinning us around so he was between the wall and me.

I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, but eventually we broke apart, and decided to go for a walk into the courtyard, he offered me his jacket and I accepted it gladly with a shudder. We sat back on a bench and stared up at the thin crescent moon, he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and i lay my head on him, sighing contently.

"What do you want to do after school Hermione?" He asked me casually.

I thought for a moment "I'm not sure, I'd like to go into Law, or perhaps teaching here one day… What about you?"

He shrugged "Hell knows, and it's not as if anyone would want to hire me."

I frowned "Don't be silly of course they would. Besides you've already been helping the ministry haven't you?"

"Doesn't mean anyones going to want to pay me to work for them." He shook his head sadly, still looking up at the sky.

I sat up then to look at him. "You will get a job Draco, you just have to decide what you want to do."

He nodded wistfully and I kissed him on the cheek. "Come on, it's getting late."

I pulled him up and, as always, he insisted on walking me up to the fat lady's portrait. "Sweet dreams." He whispered into my hair, giving me a long hug. I pulled back just enough to touch my nose to his affectionately, then stepped through the portrait hole, blowing him a kiss before it shut.

A.N: Well, in light of recent devastating events, I made a little additional tribute to Severus Snape whilst proofing. RIP Alan Rickman, you will never be forgotten. 'ALWAYS'