She had forgotten to take her hangover potion. It figured. The light shining through her bedroom window was like fire in her eyes. Hermione pulled the covers over her head and rolled over to face the wall for good measure. Before she could stop it, her mind began racing with the thoughts that alcohol had been able to suppress the night before. She felt a small kick in her gut when she remembered what Ron had done. It hadn't been intentional, but he had put her in danger. Not just her, though; Draco, Blaise, Harry, and everyone else involved in the mission could have been hurt worse than they had been. There was just no excuse.

And poor Draco, believing he was responsible for the death of his father, even if only for a day. She could relate to the guilt of tampering with a parent's fate. She suddenly realized how little she had talked to him since the whole Australia fiasco. During those weeks that he completely ignored her, she had been miserable. He had been under the impression that her and Ron got back together that day on her porch.

Her eyes popped open. She had tried to kiss him! She groaned as she rolled out of bed and got dressed, determined to keep her mind off her increasing embarrassment of last night. She needed to talk to Ginny, and she was never drinking again.

Crookshanks came running as soon as he heard her pour his food. She petted his back absently as she sipped her tea. She drank a lot last night, but she remembered it all. Picturing Draco's face as she had leaned toward him the night before, she snorted a little. What a coward.

Setting down her mug of tea on her dresser, she looked for something to wear. Harry and Ginny were coming over soon and "wanted to talk". Hermione had reluctantly agreed; she already knew what was coming. She felt good about this, though, and really wanted to prove to her friends that she was alright. Last night hadn't been very convincing, but she woke up this morning with a pep in her step, hangover and all. She couldn't deny the cause, either. A certain blonde had somehow snaked himself into her life and around her every thought. It unnerved her how tight his metaphoric grip on her actually was.

The talk with Harry and Ginny had gone well, at least from Hermione's perspective. Harry had been quiet at first. Ginny started off by apologizing on behalf of Ron, and Hermione was too polite to say that it really meant nothing unless the apology came from Ron himself. Instead, she hugged her friend and reassured her that she wasn't murderously mad. She was hurt and confused, yes, but anger was a secondary emotion in this case. Harry was the first to address the proverbial elephant in the room.

"Hermione," said Harry gently, "I…I mean we…are worried about you. I know that after what happened in Australia and with Ron that you've been under a lot of stress. I don't want you carrying these burdens on your own. I also don't want you coping with them in a dangerous way. You can understand our concern, right?"

"We both love you, and we want to do whatever we can to take care of you," Ginny added.

Hermione was touched by their concern. She really did appreciate them being worried about her, but no matter how hard she tried to open up, there was still some kind of invisible barrier blocking her from doing so. They just wouldn't understand. In her heart, she knew they would pretend to but in her mind, only one person ever made her feel like the world wasn't crushing her shoulders. He had demons to fight, too. Each had their fair share of mountains to climb, and normally, she'd imagine it to be overwhelming for them to have a relationship together. In reality, it was the complete opposite; being around him was like therapy.

"Gin, Harry, I want to apologize. I never meant to worry you. Sometimes it just feels like my life is spiraling out of control. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would end up this way, but I just want you both to know that I'm determined to get my life back on track. I want to be in a better place, mentally, so I can focus on finding my parents. You have to trust me, though. It won't be easy, I know, but I promise you that I will be just fine."

They believed her, and for once, she believed herself. Harry left shortly after Hermione's plea. He didn't say, but it was obvious he was going to meet Ron by the way he tried not to let her know where he was going. Hermione wanted to tell him he didn't need to hide it, but she was actually relieved to see him go. She needed to talk to Ginny.

"Gin, I need to tell you something."

Ginny's face lit up and she sat straight up in her chair.

"I already know. It's Malfoy, right?"

Hermione was a little disappointed that her friend had already guessed it.

"How did you know?"

Rolling her eyes, Ginny said, "Oh, please. I'd have to be blind to miss the sexual tension between you two last night! So, what exactly has been going on? Have you two kissed? Wait until Ron finds out about this!"

Hermione stood up. "Ginny, do not say a word to Ron about this. I haven't decided what I'm going to say to him next time I see him, and besides, Draco and I aren't technically together. I just…oh, I don't know where we stand, honestly. I'm so confused."

"Alright, alright. Sit back down and tell me how this all happened!" Ginny's eyes were as wide as saucers. Hermione had to give her credit- she hadn't let on that she knew anything, probably for Harry's sake. Girl talk made him uncomfortable.

Hermione took the seat next to Ginny. "I don't even know how it started."

She proceeded to try to tell Ginny the details of what had transpired between them. She made sure to leave out Draco's outburst about his father, but she did tell her about them falling asleep while holding hands. She also left out the mooncalves- that was a little secret she wanted to keep between her and Draco.

"He gives me some sort of peace, oddly enough. I can't explain it."

Ginny grabbed her hand and gave her a knowing smile.

"I think I get it." She patted Hermione's hands and stood to leave. "Well, I'd better be going." She spun around. "Oh! You should invite Malfoy to your birthday party! No, don't worry; I'll take care of it!"

Hermione laughed. "Gin, you are too much. I don't know… I wonder if he'll even want to come…" The image of him declining her invitation began to form.

"Don't you even start, Hermione Granger. He will come. Trust me, I saw the sparks between you two myself! Now, make sure you get something amazing to wear. I'm coming over to decorate before the party so I'll help you get ready if you'd like." She let out a girly squeal and clapped her hands together. "I'm so excited! You're going to have the best birthday ever."

With that, she wrapped Hermione in a fierce hug and stepped into the fireplace.

Draco's Sunday was turning into a really crappy day. He had already spent most of the weekend uselessly pondering the events that had taken place on Friday night. Now, he was at his mother's mansion listening to the latest gossip (she didn't have many girlfriends anymore) and plans for her upcoming ball. Narcissa was throwing a soiree in honor of Twillfitt and Tatting's, the shop where she taught interior design classes. Draco knew she craved human interaction and this would be the perfect way to place herself right back into respectable society.

It amazed Draco that there he was, having recently almost died in Australia by the hands of a crazy person disguised as his father; and then there was his mother, who had no idea that she'd almost lost her son; not to mention the fact that her husband was thought to have escaped Azkaban for a short while, and thought to be dead for an even shorter while. She was none the wiser. Draco was jealous of her ignorance.

"Draco, you'll be coming to the ball, won't you?" Narcissa's angelic voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Of course, Mother."

She beamed. "Lovely. You'll need a date, then. You've only got a few weeks left, so I suggest you start looking now!" she chirped as she walked down the hallway.

Draco buried his face in the couch cushions. "Yes, Mother."

Monday morning, Hermione was actually looking forward to going to work. Feeling refreshed and determined to get her life together, she happily walked through the halls, greeting every person she passed. Feeling excited about her newfound optimism and the probability of seeing Draco today, she waltzed into her office and tossed her bag onto the chair in the corner. She let out a content sigh as she sat down in her plush chair behind her desk and opened the filing cabinet underneath. With a swish of her wand, she had a folder in her hands marked "Dislocation Reversibility". Inside, she had hundreds of handwritten notes she had compiled over the last few months. Blaise had graciously joined her in her quest to find her parents, and she really appreciated his help; even if it was just listening to her ramblings and half-formed thoughts.

She and Blaise had worked many late nights on this charm. If it was approved, it'd be a tremendous asset to their division, not to mention Hermione herself. They had the idea of using DNA in the charm to locate a person's closest genetic matches. In the hands of the right people, it could be infinitely useful. In the hands of the wrong people, the consequences would be dire, which was why it was taking so long to be approved. She had to admit she was biased, but Hermione hoped the officials would see how amazingly helpful it could be. By simply keeping the charm under wraps and allowing access to only those who were qualified, it could easily be the best charm that had ever been created, at least to Hermione; she could finally locate her parents. Blaise loved to fantasize about the earnings they would receive for creating it, but that was an afterthought for her. A good one, mind you, but she would trade all the money away to see her parents again.

Speaking of Blaise, he was running late today. They were due to turn in all of their information on the Dislocation Reversibility Charm by two o'clock, so Hermione sent a quick owl to him to make sure he would be coming.

Next, she began sorting through her mail on her desk. Ginny had sent her an invitation to her own birthday party, and Hermione smiled as she shook her head. She would have to start looking for something to wear for that night. Not bothering to R.S.V.P, she magically pinned the invitation to her wall. It was something to look forward to.

Draco opened the shimmery gold envelope and pulled out a very formal looking invitation. At first, he thought it was from his mother, but then the name popped out at him.

You are invited to celebrate Hermione Granger's birthday!

He rolled his eyes at the scarlet font paired with the gold envelope, but kept reading.

The party for Hermione was a couple of weeks away, and it said to dress formally. He was relieved to note that the date did not conflict with Narcissa's ball, though he already knew which event he'd attend if he had to choose. He scribbled down his reply of attendance and sent his owl to deliver it.

What on earth would he give her for her birthday? Books were the obvious answer, but everyone would be giving her books. He wanted to stand out. Besides, he had a whole office of books for her.

Too bright. Too short. Way too expensive.

Flipping through pages of dresses, Hermione was no closer to finding the perfect one than she had been when she started looking an hour ago. Frustrated, she threw the magazine onto her desk. She should be working, anyway.

She was startled to look up and see Draco standing in her doorway, looking more handsome than she'd ever seen him. The butterflies in her belly weren't entirely unwelcome.

"Draco! How are you?" She got up from behind her desk and walked toward him, only stopping when she realized she didn't know what do to next. Luckily for her, he prevented an awkward moment by walking over to the invitation on her wall.

"I received a similar invitation this morning." He smirked. "Will you be attending?"

Hermione played along. "Well, I'm undecided, you see. I just can't think of a reason I'd want to go, really."

Draco pondered that. "Hmm…What if I told you there would be a strikingly handsome and witty man who would be terribly disappointed if the guest of honor didn't show?"

Trying to keep her growing excitement that he was coming to her party from bubbling over, she kept her cool and said, "I'd say that's fairly convincing."

"Lovely," said Draco. "Besides, you might miss out on one of Molly Weasley's gorgeous sweaters."

Hermione opened her mouth to scold him but ending up laughing instead. "That's not nice, and you know it." After half-heartedly slapping his arm, she turned to sit down in her chair.

"Ah, ah. Don't sit down yet, Granger. Come to my office."

Hermione glanced at her clock. "Well, alright, but only for a bit. I've got to turn in this paperwork by two o'clock. Where is Blaise?!"

Draco had forgotten that she and Blaise shared an office. He looked over at the empty desk across from hers and pictured his name on the nameplate instead.

Hermione sat cross-legged on the floor in front of Draco's desk. She had a scattered pile on her left, and two neatly stacked piles on her right. It had only been an hour since she started going through the books left in Draco's office, but she already had over twenty that she wanted to take home.

Draco sat at his desk pretending to do work. He tried for the first fifteen minutes, he really did, but he found himself constantly looking up from his desk to watch the girl sitting on his floor. She had such funny mannerisms; like how she cleared her throat in a way that was barely audible every time she'd open the cover of a book. It was like she was preparing her brain to soak in all of the information in them. He was also distracted by the sliver of skin on her lower back that showed when she bent far enough over. He had seen her in far more revealing clothing than what she was wearing now, but that tiny bit was driving him crazy.

"Do you ever think about going to see your father?"

Hermione's voice brought him back from his musing. His knee-jerk reaction was to tell her it's none of her business. He could see it in her face, though, that she was genuinely curious. Of course she was. She was Hermione Granger.

He sighed. "Not really, Granger. I try not to think about him at all."

She looked away and nodded. "I know we haven't spoken much since Australia, but I would go with you… if you ever wanted to."

When Draco just stared, she started rambling. "I mean, I've read that it's not good for you to hold grudges and really it only brings negativity to your own life, and I don't want that to happen to you. Besides, now that we know he's not dead, this could be your chance to tell him how you really feel."

He had never thought of going to visit his father. As far as he had been concerned, he never wanted to speak to him again. The torrent of emotions that he experienced when he thought he was dead, however, was proof that even though he could suppress his feelings, they would still be there, deep down inside.

"I'm sorry, it's none of my business," he heard her say.

"No, it's fine. I was just thinking," Draco responded. "You might be right. It may do a lot of good to speak with him once and for all. Or it will end disastrously, but honestly, our relationship can't get any worse. I won't ask you to come with me, though."

Hermione smiled a small smile. "You don't have to, Draco. I offered." She turned back around and continued flipping through the books.

This girl was entirely confusing. Why would she want to go visit his father with him? He was the one who taught him to hate Muggleborns in the first place. He was the person who worked his whole life to extinguish people like her. She had to be clinically insane.

"Hermione!"

Draco looked over at Blaise in the doorway, panting like he just ran a marathon.

Hermione stood up quickly. "Blaise! Where have you been? I owled you earlier. We're supposed to turn in our paperwork by two!"

"I know! I've been looking for you for twenty minutes. Hurry up, we don't have long."

"What?!" exclaimed Hermione. "What time is it?"

Blaise huffed impatiently as he grabbed Hermione's arm and started leading her out the door.

"It's 1:45! We're going to be late, especially since I have to change my shirt now. See you, Draco!"

Hermione turned apologetically as Blaise was still pulling her and quickly said, "Sorry, Draco. I lost track of time. I'll get these books later, alright? Wish us luck!"

Then she was out the door.

Hope you all liked this chapter. Next up: Ron shows up to Hermione's birthday party, and someone gets a kiss! :)