Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters and entities from the Wizarding World trademarked by J. K. Rowling. Original plots, dialogue, and characters are mine.


Chapter Synopsis: All the cards are on the table. Hermione made her decision. Time to be a 'normal' teenager.

Beta: MotherofBulls

Notes:At the end of the chapter.


Chapter 11: Sober


Hermione groaned, and massaged her eyes and temples. The throbbing in her head was unbearable, and would most certainly regret everything she did last night—if she could remember it. She turned to reach for the well-placed bucket on the side of her bed. It took more effort than she would like to admit. How she wished she could wordlessly summon it, but she could barely sit up, let alone produce wandless, wordless magic. After dry heaving and realizing her body was void of fluids, she felt a warm hand soothing her bare back. Goose pimples raised on her skin, and she didn't know if she was startled or comforted. Bits of the night before flashed in her mind—kisses, secrets, promises, bets. Before looking back at who the man in her bed was, she gave herself a look under the covers. Okay, she wasn't wearing a top, but her knickers were still on. Still not an ideal situation. She took a deep, purposeful inhale before turning around.

"Are you okay? Do you want some water?"

Draco. She sighed in relief and turned to him. Covering her mouth to shield him from the undoubted stench of alcohol, bile, and morning breath, she said, "Yes, but I'm going to go to the bathroom and wash up. I feel vile."

He nodded in understanding.

Fighting her hangover, she rose to her wobbly legs and stretched. The circulation of blood made her momentarily see stars. Hermione remembered she had a tonic for headaches sitting on her desk. She uncorked the little bottle and downed more than double her usual dosage. Her head felt incontestably better. Grabbing her dressing gown, something plagued her. She couldn't remember how they got into her room. "Draco, did we do anything last night?"

A low chuckle came from him before telling her, "Yes and no."

She turned to him with a look of confusion that begged him to elaborate.

"I found you throwing up in the hall, and then you erupted into what I call, 'drunk girl tears.' So we went to your room to get your things so I could help you shower. You um…" He paused and looked up at the ceiling sparing them both the embarrassment. "You pulled my pants down and started—but then it triggered your gag reflex."

"Oh my god." She clapped her face in mortification. "Did I throw up on you?"

"My clothes, yes. My bits, thankfully not." He couldn't help but laugh at this point. "So I cast a quick Scourgify, and helped you out of your clothes and into bed. You refused to put pajamas on and threw your bra at me. I came back to check on you after I showered and decided to stay in case you needed help again, and you had passed out."

She smiled back at him. "And you stayed anyway."

Draco shrugged sheepishly.

"Well, I want to cook breakfast and properly show my appreciation." Hermione was thankful that she and Blaise had petitioned for a full kitchen to be installed in the eighth year compound. It was a good opportunity for the teens to build some valuable life skills and encourage inter-house unity. "Get dressed, and I'll meet you in the commons."

He sighed not wanting to get out of bed. The night had not entirely gone to plan, and he still hoped she would make good on their bet. "Why don't we stay in a little bit after your shower?" He suggested coyly.

Hermione knew what angle he was playing at, but she really wasn't in the mood just yet. She smiled and replied before exiting, "None of that right now. Breakfast. I need greasy food."


Theo opted to take his meal in the eighth year commons that morning. He could just imagine the unnecessary volume at which the first years 'spoke' and the bright light that cascaded through the windows of the Great Hall, and it already set his teeth on edge. Thank Merlin Harry had the same idea and offered to cook. Potter enlightened him on the finer points of preparing coffee and toast the Muggle way.

After taking a tentative sip, Theo's eyes widened in surprise. "This is quite possibly the best cup of coffee I've ever had."

Harry snorted at the remark, impressed with himself. He threw a few slices of bacon in a pan, then reached for his own coffee. He took a sip and asked, "You're in Justin's Muggle Studies group, right?"

Theo nodded. "Nice chap. We're supposed to go explore London next week. Said something about Savile Row, and oysters and champagne at Harrod's."

Harry snickered at the itinerary and flipped the bacon. "Well, I think you and Parkinson will feel at home with Justin."

Reading Harry's tone, Theo reasoned, "That bad?"

"Oh. The best. The ponciest. Dunno, Nott. You might end up finding a new tailor. Abandoning robes for suits."

He chuckled at Harry's remark. "As long as Justin finds me a good cup of coffee, and Pans doesn't make a complete arse of herself and ask him for a betrothal contract, I think I'll manage."

"Betrothal contract?" Harry's curiosity was piqued.

Theo went on to explain, "I don't know if there is something similar in the Muggle world, but it's a contract arranged by families that have various conditions such as monogamy, required number of heirs, protection of assets in the event of separation, death, or foul play—but it's all magically binding."

"Muggles have something similar. They're called prenuptial agreements. Depending on the culture, families are involved. But most Muggles are pretty modern and marry whoever they want. Sometimes they'll get prenups, but usually, people just fall in love and get married. If they end up getting divorced without a prenup...well, it gets messy." Harry slid the bacon out of the pan and onto a plate. "How many eggs do you want?"

"Two please." Theo continued to marvel at Harry's cooking skills. He had never even gone to a market, let alone cooked a meal for himself. "Potter, do you think you and Ginny would like to have a contract considering you have assets to protect?"

Harry was thankful he hadn't taken another sip of his coffee as it would have undoubtedly been spat out. "Jesus, Nott. I wasn't expecting a question like that."

"Why not?"

"I'm eighteen. I'm really not thinking about marriage at this point." Harry's blood pressure had raised just at the thought. "I'm just thankful to be alive right now." He paused tentatively contemplating where this conversation was headed. "Is that something you think about? Marriage?"

Theo attempted to circumvent the question with one of his own. "If your parents had lived or you were raised by your godfather, how immersed do you think you would have been in Pureblood customs?"

Harry sighed wistfully recalling this subject was one he had thought about at length, especially with Hermione. He slid the eggs onto the plates next to the bacon and added the toast. Taking the dishes, Harry started walking them toward the closest table. "Could you grab my coffee please?"

"Sure."

The two sat facing each other. Harry dipped a corner of his toast in the yolk.

"I imagine I would have been brought up learning both pureblood and Muggle customs. I think they would have been important for me to know where I came from." He paused and smiled at a memory. "Sirius said he hated his family and that his home was a prison, he'd do these things like run his fingers along the family tree, or talk about things his parents would make him do. There were some traditions that were a part of him, you know, no matter how much he accepted Muggles and denied hateful ideologies. I'm guessing you're struggling with the same thing."

Theo scratched his head and let a lot of things off his chest. Talking to Harry was a welcome distraction to the weight of regret from the night before. The closer he became with Potter, it became more apparent why he was the type of person people would die for. Harry was generous with his time and friendship. His honesty was refreshing, even if biting at times. Nott couldn't fight his inner turmoil and began rambling. "I don't know if the things I'm doing are fully based on rebellion, or if they are who I want to be. I have this new freedom to do what I want, buy what I want, start relationships...it's just there are a lot of things deeply ingrained. I don't hate Muggles or Muggleborns or anything like that, it's just..."

Harry's eyebrows raised as he stuffed bacon in his mouth, waiting for Theo to continue.

"Purebloods get married young, and I still want that. Before you say anything, I know we are about to enter a new millennium, modern era, etc. I just want to uphold, well, transform the family name. Not be the family who was a major proprietor of hatred. A new family...I don't know what I'm saying." Theo pulled his hair in frustration, his natural eloquence was failing him. "I might still have too much weed in my system."

"Possibly," Harry chuckled.

"Do you think Hermione and Draco will last?"

Nott's question was melancholic and hopeful, it made Harry feel for the guy. "I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. Hell, I don't know if Gin and I will last."

"You don't?"

"Don't get me wrong. I love her. Just the thought of her kept me going when I hit my lowest last year. There were times I'd make myself sick imagining her marrying someone else because I thought would be dead and had no future. The war may be over, but we're still teenagers in school. When we leave here, who knows. Careers, growing up, meeting new people. We can still change. While I'd like to think that if we made it through that, we could make it through anything. The truth is I don't know if I'll be ready for Forever until that moment comes. Right now, it's enjoying every single day given to me."

Theo ate a few bites and considered Harry's words. They were young. Destiny was uncertain. There were so many directions their situation could go. Would remaining hopeful and pining get him anywhere, or would it set him up for failure?

"Nott. I can hear your brain working from here." Harry summoned the coffee pot from the counter and refilled their mugs. "It's time to let go. She's called the cease-fire and there is no more fight to be had. Self-preservation."

"Oh, you're shooting House mottos back to me now?" Theo laughed humorlessly.

Harry smirked. "Finish your breakfast."

"Yes, Dad."

The two young men sat and continued to chat, changing the conversation from relationships to more superfluous chatter. They heard footsteps and turned to find Hermione walking into the kitchen.

"Coffee?" Harry called to her.

"Please." She walked to the cupboard and took out a mug. As Harry poured the elixir that was more alluring to her than any sobering potion, she realized it was Theo sitting across from him. Her eyes met his, and she quickly averted his gaze, but not before glancing at his lips. Pieces of the night before becoming more clear. Hermione sipped her coffee, regaining her composure. "You boys done with breakfast?"

"Just about," Harry answered. "There should still be eggs and bacon in the cooler, and I saw some tinned beans in the cupboard."

"And you didn't make any for us?" Theo quipped, earning him a napkin in the face from Harry.

Hermione couldn't help but crack a smile at the sight of their burgeoning friendship. She was about to comment when Theo stood. "I'm heading out. I'll clean since you cooked?"

"Sounds good to me," Harry said in agreement. He shoveled the last few bites before handing Theo the plate.

Theo wouldn't allow himself to look in Hermione's direction as he walked past her toward the sink. Self-preservation. It would become his mantra.

Hermione takes the seat previously occupied by Theo. It was warm, and the faint smell of his cologne lingered. She gulped her coffee and tried to keep her attention on Harry while ignoring Theo in her periphery.

Harry raised an eyebrow as he sipped from his mug, waiting for her to say something.

She sat tongue-tied, her eyes betraying her as they threatened to move in Theo's direction.

"How's the hangover?"

Harry's words managed to penetrate the invisible walls she was trying to build around everything that happened at her birthday party.

She groaned and rubbed her temples. "Horrible. I threw up a lot. I took something for my head, but I need something greasy in my stomach—and a lot of it."

"Thanks again for breakfast, Potter," Theo called.

"Next time, I'm making you cook," Harry joked.

"I'll try not to poison you." He gave nods to both Harry and Hermione and left.

A pensive expression remained on Hermione's face. Harry sighed and started prodding her with questions. "Where's Draco?"

"He's coming. Where's Ginny?"

"In the Tower. She passed out pretty early last night. Reckon she's still sleeping. What's going on with you and Theo?"

"What?" She retaliated defensively. "There's nothing going on."

Harry rolled his eyes and continued his interrogation. "I don't know. You two both look like someone pissed on your N.E.W.T. scores."

"Harry! What a ridiculous thing to say!" She stood up and walked to the cooler to look for the eggs, bacon, and tomatoes. "We're just a little out of sorts from the party. Too much drinking...Where are the tinned beans?"

"In the cupboard to your left." Harry knew what a horrible liar Hermione was, and knew he'd get her to reveal things sooner or later. "You still going to your parents'?"

"That's the plan. I just need to sober up first."

"I'll go with you," Harry offered. "It's been a while since I've seen them. Just a pit stop before I head over to see Teddy and Andromeda."

"You're going to see my aunt?" A voice drawled sleepily.

"Yeah. Wanna come with?"

The invitation was so casual, it took Draco off guard. "I—uh…"

Harry chuckled. "Well, maybe not today. Maybe one day soon. Did your mother tell you she visited Andie earlier this week?"

Starting with the breakfast preparations, Hermione kept quiet and smiled as she overheard the conversation.

Draco yawned and replied, "She mentioned it. Seemed it went well."

"According to Andie, more than well," Harry stated cheerily. "They're making weekly tea a regular thing. You should join them. I'm sure Teddy would like to meet you."

"He's super cute," Hermione added, hollering from the stovetop. "Just learned to sit up and he has the best giggle."

Draco pondered meeting an infant cousin and wondered how that would be exciting or enjoyable. He'd never cared much for younger children. In retrospect, one of his favorite things about when he became a prefect in fifth year was the ability to abuse his authority to threaten and take the mick out of the first years. Draco winced at the memory realizing what a monumental dick he was. If his girlfriend and his mother were making an attempt to get to know the baby, perhaps he would as well.

"Hermione, I'm going to start getting ready. So we'll leave in about 45 minutes?"

"Where are you going?" Draco seemed taken aback.

She finished plating their breakfast.

"Oh, just to visit my mum and dad. I'm feeling better, so no point in changing plans."

"I can come with you, too."

Harry noticed Draco's expression twist into something both sad and disappointed and took this as his cue to leave. "See you at the lifts, Hermione."

"See you, Harry," she called as she rummaged through the drawers for silverware.

Draco came up behind her and kissed her on the shoulder. Much like the way he ran his hand up and down her back earlier, the simple act was comforting and relaxing, slightly relieving her of the tension plaguing her mind.

She liked this. She liked him. She continued to remind herself of this fact.

While alcohol had broken down inhibitions and allowed the unsaid to come to light. Sobriety was...well, sobering. It hurt. 'Clarity' was an obscure concept. Things weren't clear for her. They were fuzzy, like a camera continually shifting focus. She couldn't tell if her subject was in the background or in the foreground.

Focus. She demanded her brain to pay attention to the soft kisses on her neck. The synapses of her logistical mind made the connection with that of the pleasurable touches to her skin. Hermione turned and saw only Draco.

"Harry's only stopping by for a bit. I just want to spend some time with my parents alone today," she said sweetly hoping he would understand.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Well, tell Hugh and Jean I said, hello."

She gave him a quick kiss. "I will. Now breakfast is getting cold."

"Did you forget you're a witch and you can reheat it?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed at his quip. Playfully she remarked, "You know, insulting me is one way to guarantee more alone time."


A/N: Hi everyone! I'm back. Well, if anyone has seen my Facebook page, they would know that this story has given me an exceptional amount of trouble over the past year. I've also grown a lot as a writer and I'm terrified this story sounds like it was written by two different people. I feel like I lost myself somewhere along the writing process. After a lot of soul-searching and workshopping with my alpha/beta, MotherofBulls, I have a very clear vision and know where this story will be going now. Expect everyone to grow up and realize they can't postpone adulthood.

P.S. I promise to complete this fic.