The four of them sat down at the small Indian Restaurant, ordering a bunch of food. They were eager to catch up with each other. Draco still hadn't told his father that he was gay and managed to avoid talking to his mother about possible brides. Luna was still helping out her dad and she was happy with Neville. But it was Ginny who got the best news of them all. Her dreams of becoming a professional Quidditch player have become reality.

"I've signed the contract yesterday," Ginny said smiling.

The glasses clicked loudly as they toasted. As dinner draw to an end, Draco removed his purse.

"I'll pay," Hermione said.

"Why can't you let me pay just once?" Draco asked.

"I let you pay all the time."

"Only every other butterbeer."

Luna placed her hand on Hermione's arm. "It's ok, you can let him pay, he's gay."

"See it that way, it's his father's money anyway," Ginny said.

"Fine, you may pay this time, but next time it's on me," Hermione said to Draco.

The sound of the bass sends a tingling through her body. The music was so loud that Hermione was sure she couldn't hear a thing in the morning. Thick air, heavy with the scent of various perfumes invaded her nostrils and the lightning made her feel dizzy. Slurping her cocktail, she relished the sweetness of the drink.

Within the hour both Ginny and Draco had found some guy to snog, leaving Hermione a little lost in the bar. She watched Luna dance as she finished her drink. It looked strange. The blonde's movements were rather unusual and she paid no attention to the beat.

As the song ended they needed a break. Luna took Hermione's hand and dragged her outside. Drunk and exhausted the two of them decided to go home. Not being in the right condition to apparate, they walked to the Leaking Cauldron. Step by step her brain went more and more blank. She just didn't want to think about anything.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Luna stumble dangerously close to the main road. Back on high alert, she took a step towards her friend and grabbed her arm. With Luna securely in the middle of the pavement, Hermione started to fade away.

That was at least until Luna ignored a red-light and stepped carelessly onto the street. She caught her just in time to prevent an accident. The driver of the car signaled loudly. From thereon Hermione to Luna's hand and wouldn't let go of it until they safely reached the Leaking Cauldron.

She had no idea how long they walked or what time it was. Nor did she know why they would walk instead of calling a cab. But by some miracle, they managed to reach their destination even in their drunken state.

Arriving at the Manor she kicked her heels off, before making her way to the library. Hermione was about to make herself comfortable on the couch when she found someone already sleeping there. Lucius moved. She hadn't meant to startle him.

"What time is it?" he asked yawning.

"I don't know." Hermione lowered herself to the couch.

Lucius slowly stood up and covered her with the blanket before returning to his room.

The next morning, Hermione found her feet were hurting. Looking at them she found that they were covered with blisters all over. They were sore and every time something as little as a draft touched them, they stung. Why hadn't she removed her heels and walked back barefoot? Luna had been barefoot all evening.

Looking through the pile of clothes she carelessly dropped on the floor last night, she found her wand. Yet before she had a chance to heal her feet, Lucis had already joined her.

"That looks rather painful."

"It is," she said, casting a wordless healing-charm.

"My son has yet to return home," Lucius said.

"He's probably with some handsome… with someone."

"When did you last see him?"

"I honestly don't know. It must have been early, before Luna and I left. We walked back that must have taken him ages."

"I see." Lucius sat down next to her.

"Don't worry, I'm sure he's fine."

Looking at the clock, Hermione found that it was already two o'clock. While it wasn't unusual for Draco to be still asleep at this time of the day, it was uncommon for him to be still out.

After taking a shower she went downstairs. Sitting at the table next to Lucius she took his hand. "I'm sure he's fine. There's probably a good reason. Maybe he's met someone special."

"That would be nice," Lucius said.

She was cutting boiled potatoes when the door opened. Both Hermione and Lucius looked up. Draco entered the room. His shirt was torn, his arms were covered with bruises, and his eyes were swollen and red.

Hermione wanted to ask him what had happened but she didn't get the chance. Lucius was still struggling to find the right words.

"I'm gay," Draco announced, leaving the room as quickly as he entered it.

Lucius sighed. He dropped the silver knife onto his plate.

"I'll talk to him," Hermione said giving his hand a squeeze. She slowly stood up.

He gave her a nod.

She left the room, running after Draco. She made it to his room. Knocking before entering she hoped she didn't invade his privacy.

"Draco? Are you alright? What happened?" She withdrew her wand. Placing her hand on his blue eye she heard him wince. She pointed her wand at him.

"Don't!"

"What? I only want to heal you."

"You can't just now. I still have to go back to the police station to pay the fee."

"What did you do?"

"I got into a fight and spent the morning in a cell."

Hermione looked at him, her hands were placed on her hips.

"I don't have a lot of experience with muggles, at least not sober ones. Can you help me with this?"

"Of course, but don't you want to tell me what happened?"

"I've been snogging this guy, really hot, sculptured chest and a biceps-"

"Draco! Get to the point!"

"Anyway, there was this other guy he said something offensive and well, you know."

"What did he say to warrant an attack?"

"I don't know, something about how unnatural all this was and-"

"Oh, Draco. I'm so sorry. Some people are just horrible, but you need to take better care of yourself."

Draco and Hermione were sitting in the waiting area while Lucius talked to the police officer at the reception.

Draco buried his head into his hands. "He could have just given me the money, I could have taken care of that myself."

"He's only supporting you. I told you, he wouldn't mind your sexuality."

Draco huffed.

"What?"

"You don't know my father."

"Yes, I do. Stop being so hard on him. He misses you. Why don't you spend time with us instead of going out with Blaise every night?"

"And what are we supposed to?"

"Talk, like normal people."

A police officer walked by them. "Your dad?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Your lucky to have such a supportive father."

Draco huffed again.

Lucius returned to them. "Everything is taken care of and I pressed charges against the young man for his homophobic attack."

"Great, I could have taken care of that myself."

"You mean with Hermione."

"Lucius!" Hermione shrieked, glaring at the Malfoy-patriarch.

Back at the Manor, Draco quickly healed himself. Barely at home, he already left for Blaise.

"Are you sure you want to go out tonight?" Hermione asked.

"For the last time, Granger, yes, I fucking am, bye."

She let her hands fall down. The boy was impossible. She walked to Lucius' study. The older wizard was keeping himself busy with accounting. He looked up from his work. Hermione shook her head and he turned his attention back to his work.

She didn't want to distract him. Unsure what to do next, she kept standing in the doorway. Since Lucius didn't even look at her once, she figured he didn't want her company at the moment.

Hermione went to the library. Sitting down with a book about magical creatures. She needed something light. How she hated it when the two of them were fighting. How hard was it to understand that she wanted a normal family?

After some time Lucius joined her. She laid her book down. She tapped on the couch next to her. He needn't be told twice and sat down next to her. She wrapped her arm around him. Placing his head on her chest, she leaned back.

Hermione stroked over his head. With her fingers, she went through his long silver hair. He closed his eyes and allowed her to continue petting him. Lucius moaned quietly. Hermione felt her cheeks grew hot. She swallowed. His warm breath tickled on the delicate skin on her decollete. Wrapping her in his strong arms he pressed himself against her smaller frame. She felt him smirk.

"What?"

"I have to say, the view is very beautiful," he said looking down at her breasts.

Hermione smiled heavily blushing. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. Lying arm in arm, Lucius began moving away from her. She quickly wrapped her legs around him, bringing him closer to her. His hard erection came in contact with her loins. He looked at her needing assurance.

She didn't mind feeling him. If she was honest with herself, she was actually proud that she could have such an effect of a full-grown wizard. Licking her lips, she continued playing with his platinum blonde hair. She wriggled her lower body against his.

A part of her wanted to kiss him and ravish him right here in the library, on the couch, where Draco could be bursting in at every moment. But the other part of her wanted to continue just cuddling the older wizard.

He placed his hand on her cheek. They looked at each other. "You are a very special witch."

"And you are a very special wizard."

Hermione sat on the floor, the various notes for her book were scattered around her. She studied the notes in front of her. She shifted her weight and pulled her jeans up. Rearranging her notes she wondered why she had let herself talk into this.

"I have arranged for a meeting with Andrew Morgan, the publisher."

Hermione looked up in shock. "I still haven't figured out how to add the Bubotuber pus for the bruise past and-"

"Someone else can do it. We all stand on the shoulders of giants."

Pulling her sweater down she trying hard to come up with a suitable reply.

"Why are you wearing this?"

"Because it's comfortable," she said pulling her jeans up.

"Apparently not."

"If you don't like my clothing just tell me!" Hermione jumped up.

"Well, it does not work for you."

"What's that supposed to do mean?"

Lucius took a step closer to her. With his finger touched a stud on her jeans. "There is metal in your clothing. Are you sure that qualifies as comfortable?"

"Stop deflecting! You just don't like my muggle clothing."

"I do not believe that muggle consider this proper clothing," Lucius said.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with my clothing!"

Lucius sighed. His hand moved to his forehead.

"What?"

"I just forgot how young you are."

"What has this to do with my age?" Hermione snapped.

"Your attire reflects the point in your life you are at."

"Stop hiding behind hollow phrases!"

Lucius took a deep breath. "The clothes you choose to wear are the ones of a student and not the one of a professional witch."

"My clothes don't define who I am! I'm not buying into this 'fake it till you make it' nonsense."

"This has nothing to do with faking. This is about showing respect to the position you are hoping to hold. Or is the muggle Prime Minister wearing jeans?"

"Maybe at home," Hermione said stubbornly.