A/N : not mine. All JK's.

Chapter 14: letter and whiskey

"I feel something runnin´ through my veins

And it feels like I´m goin´ quite insane[...]
What the hell am I gonna do with a girl like you?"

Strange kind of attitude, Backyard babies

"Draco! We have mail from the Ministry!"

She read the letter through carefully and something in the pit of her stomach twisted. How strange. He was, after all, still Malfoy, the same guy who insulted and taunted her incessantly at school, who took the Dark Mark and who did Merlin knows what. And yet, she found it oddly disturbing that they wouldn't share the flat much longer. She had to admit he was a far better roommate than she would have wagered. She usually didn't like to compare people but honestly, life with Ron had been catastrophic. At least, Malfoy was decent enough to make coffee for two and to ask her before eating the last muffin. Especially when it was his third and she hadn't even begun to have breakfast. He had always been so inconsiderate. She wasn't even sure he knew what she used to do in the house. Sometimes, she had wondered if he believed there was an army of house-elves hidden somewhere. Malfoy knew there wasn't any. All that was done, she did herself. Not that she liked it immensely, mind, but it had to be done.

Soon, all the fun would be over. No more going out, no more restaurants, cinemas or pubs. No more glasses of wine in front of TV, discussing the inanity of the program. Once they go back to the Wizarding world, the smoothness, the easiness of the last months would be over and they would revert back to old sentiments. Once marked, always marked, wasn't it?

"What do they say?" came the silky voice of her roommate.

"We have four months left." She answered as smoothly, her tone devoid of any emotion.

"Finally! I can't wait going back, having magic again, have fun… Hey! Where're you goin'?"

"Work! Some people do have to work to live whatever the world they live in!"

"It's Saturday Granger." He chuckled. "Even you have a day off in the week. And Saturday's one of yours."

She turned to glare at him before Disapparating with an angry "pop".

"What has gotten into her this morning?" he wondered aloud before attending to other matters.

When she wasn't back by lunch, he assumed she had gotten to the Potter's or gone wandering and eaten in a pub. When at dinner there still was no sign of her, he began to be slightly worried. At nine, he decided to floo the Potter's.

"Is my roommate here?"

"What have you done?"

"Hey! That's not my fault. We received mail from the ministry and then she just threw me a dirty look and poof, she was gone. No matter that she isn't supposed to do any magic."

"She's gone since morning and only now do you wonder where she is?"

"Look Potter, it's not my job to look after her. She's grown up and she's a witch, right? You shouldn't worry about her well-being."

"Oh. That's why you're flooing over at nine at night because I shouldn't worry."

"I just wanted to remind her it's her turn to do the washing-up and the laundry and she'll be in a foul mood if she gets behind her chores. And I tend to appreciate not being awaken by a hysterical female."

"Oh, sure. I'll tell her if she drops by."

"She's not here?"

"Worried, huh?" he chuckled to the other wizard's discomfort. "Want to come over? Oh, and don't forget to bring that wonderful whiskey Hermione gave you at Christmas if you still have some." He finished as his head left the hearth to let the other man come.

"Hermione came by this morning, rather miffed I must say, and left with Ginny in tow. They should come home soon now." Harry began once they were comfortably seated with a drink.

"And you let your wife go away like that? You don't even know where she is!"

"Why should I worry? Ginny is a grown woman and a good witch. And even if we were married, I'd be her husband, not her master. She can do what she wants as long as she's safe. As for Hermione, I wouldn't be alive if not for her."

"I certainly will never tolerate this from my wife."

"Oh, don't worry. You'll learn to." Harry laughed. "They always have it their way, no matter how strongly you wish it otherwise. And I strongly recommend not to raise the tone, especially with women like those two ones."

"They should know better."

"Better than what? I suppose they ate in a pub. They like to do this. Women talk they call it. There's nothing wrong with it, I assure you. They are good friends and when they are disturbed by something, they just call the other over and then they're gone shopping and talking. Better Ginny than me if you ask."

"They should still be wiser. It can still be dangerous over there."

"What? Are you that worried for Hermione? Look, I know she's a lovely woman and that one can easily get distracted when she's nearby but you know her. You've seen her in school and then in battle. Do you honestly think she can't fend for herself?"

"I'm not worried. I'm just saying that everything's not fine in the best world ever."

"Not worried? You're kidding me. I've watched Ron and Hermione beat around the bush for seven years. And I've noticed how men now look at her. I'm not blind you know."

"Whatever you say Potter." He shrugged before getting up and smoothing his clothes. "I think I'll go home now. Don't forget to tell her about the laundry."

"Oh, I will." He smiled in return. "The Floo is on the mantel."