"How I am supposed to think with all this noise!" Hermione seethed, angrily throwing down her quill. She grimaced at the flecks of ink that now peppered her parchment. "Honestly! Some of us have studying to do, you know."
She shot a meaningful glare over at the source of her irritation.
Fred glanced up, his expression the picture of innocence. "Oh come on, Granger, live a little!"
"Yeah, Granger! We've only got…" George glanced down at his empty wrist as if checking a watch, "six hours left until the scheduled debauchery begins… we've got planning to do and surely you can't spend that entire time with your nose in those books?"
She narrowed her eyes on the boys. "Exams are in just two weeks. Just because you've decided to throw away your educations-"
"Hey now," Fred said, grinning. "Who said anything about an education?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. She stood up, stuffing her books and papers back into her bag.
"We'll see you tonight, then?" George called after her as she began to make her way towards the portrait hole.
"As if I have anywhere else to go!" She called without looking back, wavering them off, and missing the shared glint of excitement in the twins eyes.
Hermione finished up her studying in the quiet of the library, and then headed down to the great hall to join her friends for dinner.
"hullo." Ron greeted her as she took a seat, his mouth stuffed with potato. She frowned.
"Swallow before you speak." His face reddened.
Harry laughed, "Give him a break Mione."
She gave him a playful shove. "Manners maketh the man, Harry." She retorted.
He smiled. "I hear the twins managed to sneak in four cases of firewhiskey for tonight."
She groaned. Of course they had. Leave it to Fred and George Weasley to turn the Gryffindor common room into a frat house on a Saturday evening. "Just fabulous."
"You should think about joining this time." Ron said, "loosen up some; have fun!"
"I know how to have fun!" Hermione snapped back, feeling somewhat hurt.
"He didn't mean it like that," Harry added hastily. "It's just… you've been studying so hard lately. Pretty much constantly. You could do with a break."
Ron was nodding enthusiastically. Hermione eyed him warily.
"Just this once." He said, "and I won't bug you about any parties for the rest of the year."
She narrowed her eyes. This felt oddly like a trap. "Fine." Hermione said stiffly.
Ron snorted into his drink. "Wait, really?"
"I said fine, didn't I." She said shortly.
"This will be great!" Harry said, clapping her on the back.
Hermione groaned internally. What had she just agreed to? Oh well. One time wouldn't kill her… would it?
Dinner was over before she knew it and Hermione found herself being dragged back to the common room by her two (overly excited in her opinion) friends.
The unit practically stumbled through the portrait hole into the common room.
"Alright, alright." Hermione muttered, detangling herself from the boys. "I'm going upstairs. I'll see you two in a few hours."
Harry and Ron nodded, matching grins plastered across their faces. She watched as they made their way over to free Chess table, and quickly made her way up to her room.
She shut the door behind her. Suddenly nervous. Although Gryffindor had parties fairly often, she'd never actually attended one. Always hiding herself away in her dorm room, away from the noise and the crowds.
She pinched her pink sweater between her fingers. What did people wear to these sorts of things anyways?
"Alright, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up. Lavender and Parvati sat cross-legged on Lavenders bed, a spread of makeup and clothing surrounding them.
"Uh, yeah. Doing great."
She shuffled towards her bed. Throwing herself into the blankets and pillows before sitting up again. "Are you guys getting ready for the party?"
"Obviously!" Lavender grinned. "Wouldn't want to miss a chance to dress up!" Parvati giggled.
"Can you…. Oh God. Can you lend me an outfit or something?"
Hermione startled as Lavender squealed loudly, jumping to her feet.
"Are you actually going tonight?" She clapped her hands together. "Of course I'll lend you something! You've got to let me do your makeup too! Please, oh please, oh please!"
"Uh….."
Well, Hermione thought, she'd already let it get this far. She sighed. "Alright."
Another loud squeal filled the room.
"But don't go crazy! Keep it natural please."
"Of course." Lavender grinned.
And Hermione couldn't help but think she'd probably look anything but.
A couple of hours and what seemed like thousands of excited screams later, Hermione stared at herself in the mirror.
It was like looking at a stranger, she thought.
Lavender had squeezed Hermione into a tight black tank top. It had taken twenty minutes of convincing for her to narrowly avoid a mini skirt as well, so Lavender had settled for a pair of low rise skinny jeans.
Hermione's hair was combed down into a loose braid. And her makeup was surprisingly neutral, with just her eyelashes darkened and a small amount of blush.
She smiled at herself. It was different, but not bad. Hermione even kind of liked it. She'd never been interested in makeup much, not finding it worth the cost and effort, but she could see the appeal in dressing up every so often. It definitely helped provide a small boost in confidence.
No time like the present, she thought, making her way down to the common room.
The party was clearly underway.
Despite having grown up with the people surrounding her, Hermione felt oddly out of place. The Gryffindors had broken off into small groups, joined by some Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and even a small number of Slytherins who must have braved the empty halls to sneak their way into Gryffindor tower.
She glanced over at Harry, who was deep in conversation with a few other members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
"What's your poison?"
She jumped in her seat.
Ginny grinned back at her. Two drinks in hand. "There's firewhiskey or butterbeer. The firewhiskey tastes like shite on its own, but if you mix the two together it's slightly more palatable."
"That seems like a terrible idea." Hermione smiled at the younger girl.
"Not until tomorrow." Ginny winked, handing Hermione one the cups and sliding onto the couch beside her.
"You don't really seem to be enjoying yourself." Ginny noted, eyeing Hermione over her cup.
"I just feel awkward." She said, staring down at the liquid.
"Have a few drinks. That always loosens me up."
Hermione sighed. She was feeling pretty tightly wound. A few drinks wouldn't hurt, would they?
"I won't let you do anything stupid. I promise." Ginny said, "or at least I won't let you do anything I wouldn't do."
"Do your brothers know you're drinking?" Hermione shot back. Smiling as Ginny's grin widened.
"What they don't know won't hurt them," Ginny said, draining her cup in one quick move and getting to her feet. "Seriously, Hermione. Just a few drinks. Let your hair down…" She glanced at her braids, "Metaphorically of course. "You've been working so hard. You deserve to have a little fun."
Hermione sat quietly. Staring into the drink. She did deserve to have fun. She looked around, watching her classmates as they laughed and giggled.
She nodded, and before she could talk herself out of it, she quickly chugged the drink in her hands.
"Eugh! What the hell Ginny." She looked around the room, glaring at the redhead, who was now practically sitting in Harry's lap. Ginny caught her eye and winked, raising her glass in Hermione's direction.
Hermione sighed.
She stood up, making her way over to the drink table, where two Hufflepuffs were preparing a few shots of firewhiskey.
One of the girls shoved a small glass towards her as she approached.
"Oh," Hermione said, "thanks"
The girl nodded, taking her shot and stumbling away, dragging her friend with her.
Hermione tilted her head back. Letting the liquor flow down her throat. She spluttered. It was better mixed with butterbeer. She quickly refilled her original cup with a mixture of the two, taking a sip to kill the burning aftertaste the shot had left in her mouth.
Hermione didn't know why she'd done it.
Six… or maybe seven? drinks later and Hermione had found herself stumbling through the portrait hole with a few of the Ravenclaw prefects.
Was she going somewhere with them? She couldn't remember, but had suddenly found herself wandering the hall on her own.
Hermione knew she shouldn't be out, but she didn't really care. She felt fantastic. Elated and carefree. This was wonderful.
She stopped suddenly, hearing footsteps around the corner up ahead. "Oh shoot!" She hissed, looking around for an escape.
The Prefects bathroom was just behind her. Hermione silently thanked Merlin and quickly ran to the door, whispering the password and slipping inside. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"What the fuck Granger."
Hermione whipped around.
Draco Malfoy stared at her from the large bath. Surrounded by bubbles.
A laugh burst from her before she could stop it.
Draco glared. "Get the fuck out!"
"Can't." She said, still giggling. "Filch is out there…. lurking around." She lowered herself clumsily to the ground, not noticing the wet ground dampening her jeans.
Draco's eyes narrowed at her.
"Are you… drunk?"
"What if I am!" Hermione snorted, throwing off her shoes and dipping her toes in the water.
He raised an eyebrow coolly. "Merlin, Granger. I didn't think you even knew what liquor was."
"I know how to have fun!" She whined, "why does everyone think I can't have fun?"
"Because you're a horrible swot."
She glared at him.
"And you're an arrogant daddy's boy."
Draco shifted in the water, sitting up straighter at her remark. "Don't talk about my father you filthy little-"
"Mudblood, yes I know." Hermione sighed, "how very dull. It's been six years, Malfoy. Come up with something a little more original won't you?"
She kicked a chunk of bubble fluff into the air with her toes, giggling as it floated into the air.
"Who let you out of the common room?" Draco groaned. "So much for a relaxing bath."
Hermione's eyes widened suddenly. "Wait…" she said. "Are you… naked?"
"Oh Merlin."
She giggled, laying back on the wet floor and letting her legs dangle in the bath. Water soaking the denim to the knees.
"Okay," Draco breathed, "don't look. I'm getting out."
Hermione lifted her head.
"I said don't look!" He snapped.
"Okay, okay," Hermione laughed, laying her head back down on the tiles. "This is so nice."
"It's not. You're just drunk."
"Whatever."
"Okay. I'm dressed."
Hermione lifted her head slightly.
"Ugh, I can't believe I'm doing this." Draco seethed, "let's get you back to where you belong. Since you've so gracefully ruined my night."
He grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.
Hermione stumbled against him, accidentally pushing the two of the backwards. She gasped, surfacing to face a very wet and now very angry Slytherin boy. She burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.
"Are you fucking kidding me!" Draco yelled. Pushing his blonde hair back off his forehead. "I'm soaked!"
"Dracooooooo." Hermione giggled, "come swim with me."
"Absolutely not." He crossed his arms. A sight which only made her giggle even harder.
It was difficult to look intimidating while fully dressed and soaking wet, she thought to herself.
"You're out of your mind, Granger." Draco admonished angrily.
She reached out and splashed him.
Malfoy spluttered as the warm water hit his face. "Don't you dare!"
She did it again, laughing as she dodged his attempts to stop her.
Hermione shot forward to splash him again, but stumbled in the water, falling. Suddenly she was up. She coughed, choking slightly.
"Oh, thanks." She said, glancing up at Draco, who had pulled her to her feet. He glared down at her.
They were very close. Draco had his hand around her forearm, and she was standing only a few inches away from him. Hermione suddenly became acutely aware of his lips…
"If you want to drown yourself, by all means Granger… but do it when I'm not arou-"
Hermione pressed her lips to his.
For a moment he was frozen, and then he was moving against her. His hands grasped her head, fingers entwined in her hair as he pulled her against him.
She opened her mouth and his tongue found hers.
And then it was over. As quickly as it had happened. Draco pulled away. He averted his eyes.
"Like I said, you need to go back to your common room." He stepped away, making his way to the ledge and pulling himself out of the water. "Get up here, Granger."
"Malfoy-" She started, pressing a hand to her lips.
"Don't… don't say it."
She stared up at him for a moment. Then followed him out of the water.
She was silent. Still drunk, but she could feel the tension in the room. She'd kissed him. Kissed Draco Malfoy. Why had she done that? And he'd kissed her back!
"Filch is probably gone by now." He said finally. "Go back to your bed. Sober up and forget this ever happened."
"Malfoy-"
"No, Granger." He cut her off. He sounded angry, but Hermione could tell his heart wasn't in it.
"This didn't happen. Do you fucking hear me?"
Hermione nodded.
Draco stepped out of the way as she crossed towards the door. She paused for a moment. "I won't tell anybody."
"Good." He said. His lips pulled tight.
She nodded again. Slipping out the door and quickly making her way back to Gryffindor tower.
The next morning Hermione woke with a pounding headache and a memory she was sure couldn't be real.
She scoffed. Absolutely not. There was no way. She must have been drunker than she thought, to be making up things like that. Hermione laughed to herself.
Hermione brushed her teeth, combed her hair and throwing on a comfy sweater and jeans made her way down to breakfast.
Harry slid over as she approached, making room for her at the table. "Good night?" He asked, grinning. She glared at him, sliding onto the bench.
"I'm just fine, thanks."
'Where'd you end up last night?" Ron asked from across the table. "You disappeared for a little while. I couldn't find you."
"Nowhere." She said, "it was crowded. You probably just didn't see me."
"Yeah…" Ron said. "Probably."
Harry raised an eyebrow, but Hermione looked away, not wanting to face those green eyes… and not noticing the grey ones watching her from across the hall.