I swear I think computers just hate me.


Ginny Weasley loved Halloween. She loved it so much it made others dread the holiday. That's why when Ginny for a week straight asked Hermione what the prefects were planning Hermione was ready to sow her mouth shut.

"Ginny. Would you quit it. I don't know. But I'd be happy to take suggestions." All Hermione wanted was a peaceful morning, but it seemed she wasn't going to get that. The redhead was persistent and it was giving her a headache.

"Well unfortunately this Halloween is on a Wednesday. But I've had a couple of ideas on how to make the most of this situation."

"And they are..." She raised an eyebrow waiting for her response.

"Halloween Week. 5 Days straight of complete Halloween. Costumes, bonfires, sweets and Hagrid's giant carved pumpkins. We could even celebrate Nearly Headless Nick's Death Day party on Wednesday." Ginny was ecstatic, practically jumping from esculent as she explained her proposition. "All we need is McGonagall's approval."

Hermione began to consider it, "I don't know Ginny. Bonfires.."

"I think it's brilliant." A voice said from behind her. Looking up she saw the arrogant face of Draco. "A week of Halloween, I've got to say Weaselette sometimes you have your moments of brilliance."

"I wasn't talking to you ferret face." Ginny sneered at him as she crossed her arms.

"Watch it Weasley, I'm Head Boy remember." He smiled arrogantly, testing her, seeing what Ginny was capable of.

"And I can throw a nasty right hook. Want to take your chances?" She pulled the sleeves of her shirt up, already getting ready to sock the Head Boy in the mouth if she had to. With 6 older brothers, Ginny was a force to be reckoned with.

"Enough, the both of you. You're acting like a couple of first years who don't know any better." Hermione stepped between the two of them, putting space between them. "Ginny, I'll think about it and get back to you." She said as she faced her, "and you," she said turning to Draco, "One of these days your little title as Head Boy isn't going to save you and neither am I. Next time I'll let Ginny beat you to a pulp."

From behind her Ginny stuck her tongue out at him. "Ginny I swear to Circe." Hermione bit, she didn't even have to look behind her to know what she was doing. She practically grew up with her.

"Now, what is it Draco?"

To Ginny, Hermione resembled a scolding mother, one who although was small, was fierce and someone to fear. Someone who you didn't want to be on their bad side but also never want them to be ashamed of you.

"Nothing." He replied simply with a sheepish smile and shrug of his shoulders.

"Just putting in your unnecessary input then?"

"I don't think it's unnecessary 'Mione. It can be extremely important actually. Such as that your hair looks nice today." Hermione jumped a bit in surprised when he said that and unconsciously pushed a couple of her curls behind her ear as a small blush crawled up her face. "I'll see you later Granger." He said, pulling at one of her curls and walked down the hall to his next class.

"What was that about?" Ginny questioned as they watched him. Hermione didn't answer, her face red as she played with the ends of her hair.


Some days Draco wished he had some common sense. Today was one of those days.

"Your hair looks nice today? What the hell Malfoy?" He had been beating himself up all day. But the expression on her face, the way she shied away from him and blushed. He wanted to see that everyday.

However, unfortunately her reaction also gave him hope. Hope that he had a chance with her. But every time he had that thoughts he shook his head and reminded himself of who he was and who she was. He still had that small flicker of hope, but hope was a sadistic killer and he hated being its victim.

"God you're are hopeless." He groaned, he was in love with a girl he could never, a girl he didn't deserve. A girl who was everything he ever wanted and more, she was so close yet so far and he felt like he was drowning. He hated the pain in his heart whenever he thought about it. He especially hated the thoughts that ran through his head. He was Draco Malfoy, Death Eater and nothing else. A menace and someone who didn't deserve even the littlest of forgiveness or the sense of love.

Many times when he felt like this he only had a few options.

1. Drink

2. Sex

3. Fly

4. Myrtle

Only two of those options were healthy. That crossed out 1 and 2, the Quidditch pitch was taken over by the Ravenclaws so option 3 was out two. Therefore all that was left was option 4, Myrtle.

Myrlte's bathroom was still only used for emergencies and avoided at all costs, but Draco visited that particular bathroom the most. Myrtle was a sort of support system for himself, she was always there.

Double checking that no one was around, he went into the girls bathroom and locked the door behind him. Turning away from the door he called for her.

"Myrtle! Hey Myrtle! You here?"

There was whooshing sound and then a pop from one of the stalls. Then from above Myrtle's head popped up to see who was calling for her. She smiled when she saw it was Draco.

"Hello."

"How's if been Myrtle." Draco asked as he got comfortable sitting on one of the sinks. He smiled back at her as he rested himself against the mirror.

"I've had better days. The girls avoid me. But you always seem to cheer me up."

"Another thing we have in common then?"

"I guess so." She giggled. Floating from her stall, she went to hover next to him. "What you doing here? Don't you have class?"

"I did something a bit stupid Myrtle." He sighed. She looked at him seriously waiting for an answer, "you know that girl I've been hung over with."

"that Granger correct?" She checked, Draco nodded. "I never liked her much." She added.

"Well, I did a stupid thing and complimented her."

"you complimented her?"

"yes."

"That was your stupid thing. You complimented the girl you have been drolling over for years? That's it?" Myrtle was a sarcastic girl and liked to point out the obvious and how small some peoples problems were. She seemed smart and witty as well, a true Ravenclaw Draco realized after a while.

"You wouldn't understand. No one would, I don't deserve her. Not even a little bit, I don't deserve her kindness or forgiveness or the way she bites her lip or how she loves to correct me or the way she smiles at my expense or how she rolls her eyes every time I'm being an arrogant prick." a small smile spread across his face. "Or the way she chews on her quills or the way her face goes all red with a compliment or her mess of unruly curls that I love to run my hands through. But," he sighed, closing his eyes.

"there's always a but isn't there?" Myrtle asked.

"Honestly, I'm a mess, and I know I should forget about her. It would be the best for the both of us, but it's hard when she's, well, her. I hate this." He groaned. "I wonder if things would just be easier if I had just disappeared like I had planned to. Change my name, take a couple thousand galleons and start over in some new country where no one knows who I am or was. Maybe then I could have forgotten about her, about everyone and saved everyone the frustration that is Draco bloody Malfoy."

"You shouldn't talk like that."

"Why is that? It's the truth."

"One day you're going to end up like me. Dead, and when you're dead you only have your past life to look upon and avoiding problems and running isn't something you want to look back on. Once you're dead, you're dead. But when your alive, you should always make the best of a moment and make it one you'll never forget." Myrtle looked down at her hands. Unlike everyone else in Hogwarts she would forever be a child. Yet she also felt like she matured greatly through the years especially after that Harry Potter showed up. Many times she wished she could grow old like the rest of them, that always made her cry even more.
She hated that name, Moaning Myrtle.
"I never really got to experience life. I was still a student and no one really liked me much. But there are a couple of memories and moments I go to whenever I can, it is the only thing that I held onto from the past. In the end memories are all you take with you, cherish them." Myrtle gave a small laugh. "Listen to me, I sound like a wise old woman. It's just all perspective really. I hate it when I talk like this. Can we change the topic please?"

Draco nodded, but as Myrtle began talking once more he took Myrtle's words into consideration. But he scolded himself, his memories would always be filled with death, cruelty, mistakes and loneliness. He had accepted this concept, lived it. But then there was that damn Granger, cheerful and patient. Deserving of someone who wouldn't be a burden. Someone who didn't use sex to feel useful, who didn't drink to drown their sorrows or someone who would eventually unintentionally hurt her in some shape or form. No, Draco Malfoy did not nor probably ever will deserve Hermione Granger.

But he knew what he did deserve and that was alcohol. And a lot of it, even if it was only 1 in the afternoon on a Tuesday.


Hermione's blush remained the whole day. Every time her blush would start to recede she would remember the conversation with Draco and her blush would come on full forced. Ginny had asked her a couple of times if something was wrong with her. She would continue to shake her off but in reality she was frustrated.
Frustrated because of her sudden change in emotions, feelings revolving Draco bloody Malfoy.

She stood, glaring at her notes and mentally cursing herself for not paying attention. But her focus was still on the blond ferret she shared a tower with. She wondered where he was. He hadn't shown up for their potions class or Ancient Runes.

She couldn't help but admit it to herself, she missed the git. Just like when he was in the medic wing, she could sense his disappearance and it seemed to affect her greatly.

"Your hair looks nice today." It was simple compliment, yet it stayed with her all day. It wasn't the first compliment she received, but it was the first from Draco Malfoy. The boy who made fun of her bushy hair and front teeth. The boy she punched in the nose for trying to watch Buckbeak's supposed execution. The boy who charmed her front teeth to enlarge in size. The boy who fought with Harry since the first day of their first year. The boy who tried to murder Dumbledore in their sixth year.
But then again he was also the boy who looked at her during the yule ball like she was the most stunning thing in the world and not in jealousy. The boy, if it wasn't for his stupid charm she would have suffered through braces and more ridicule for being muggleborn for years. The boy, if she heard correctly, left Dumbledore defenseless yet still wasn't able to kill the man. The boy who was pressured into joining the wrong side. The boy who was only trying to protect his family. The boy who had to live under the same roof as Voldemort. The boy who still bares that ugly tattoo that is only a reminder of his previous mistakes. The boy who did not rattle, her, Ron and Harry to the his aunt Bellatrix. He was the boy who although could have died, changed sides because he knew it was the right thing to do.
Draco Malfoy was a complex person and it seemed she had started to actually care for him. More than she thought she would.

When her class was over she ran to their tower. The day was ain't over but she just needed to make sure that he hadn't destroyed the tower or anything in that category. However, when she arrived and said the password, crawling into their common room she found a not so regular site.

A half open bottle of whiskey and a blond head resting on the arm rest of the couch.
"Draco?"

"Hi." He simply said, a small wave with his hand, he didn't even looked back just grabbed the bottle from the floor and poured himself another glass.

"What are you doing drinking at," she looked up at the grandfather clock, "2:30 in the afternoon?"

Taking off her shoes and dropping her bag she went a grabbed the bottle of firewhiskey next to the couch. He whined in annoyance as he reached out to grab it.

"What are you doing?"

"It's quite obvious actually." He smirked, swirling his drink, he took a sip and finished his glass. "What do you want Granger?"

"We're back to last names I see."

"Dammit Granger, why must you be such a pain?" He sat up quickly and snatched the bottle from her hands and drank straight from it before she could protest. She was getting angrier by the minute. By the way he slurred his words a bit, she could tell this wasn't his first bottle. "Why don't you go bother Weaselette or even better Potter? Why not bother that Weasel you call a goddamn boyfriend for a change and leave me the hell alone? I'm just your fucking roommate Granger, I mean nothing to you."

"What is wrong with you today?!" She shouted at him, he jumped at bit at her tone. She glared down at him, fists at her hips. She was tired of this, furious really "First you butt into my personal conversations. Then almost pick a fight with Ginny. Afterwards compliment me, which is a first. Then, disappear for the rest of the day. And when I finally come to find your sorry arse you're drunk and acting like twat! And idiotic me was actually worried about you, hell I sort of missed you and what happens?! I get treated like pile of garbage! So you know what, fuck you Malfoy! I hope you drown yourself with your precious alcohol, mama yema."
With that, she stormed off, deciding to skip her next class, and headed up to her bedroom. She left a wide-eyed and shocked Draco Malfoy on the couch. She stomped her way up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.
Draco stared at the bottle of firewhiskey in his hand, closing it, he threw it aside. He sat up and placed his head in his hands. He was no longer in his happy buzz that made everything seem better. He was upset and frustrated. He pulled at his hair and sighed. He was an idiot, he always did this. It was a repetitive cycle. He ruins everything, messes up everything.

What was wrong with him was a good question.