Hermione had made the most un-Hermione decision possible. A few of her former friends from her primary school were having a party. It was someone's 16th, and someone else's parents were off on a business trip. She wasn't too sure of the details. After the year she'd had, she wasn't sure she cared.

All she wanted was to forget about magic, Hogwarts, OWLs and the events at the Ministry for a few hours. That it also involved getting drunk with a group of people who had no idea what was going on was a bonus as far as she was concerned.

She sighed as she looked at her wardrobe. Lots of jeans and mum-approved dresses. Nothing that screamed party. Or, not that sort of party anyway.

She got her jeans out. Maybe they'd look ok with the right top? Her hand flew to her chest, feeling the ridged skin of her scar. No, she couldn't show that. She pulled out a T shirt, a blue one with a flower. Maybe if she tied it up? That'd work. She quickly got dressed, pinning her hair up with her wand. Her mum and dad were out for the evening, and wouldn't be back until late. Some charity do or other. Her mum had asked if she wanted to go, but clearly didn't expect her to.

If she put clothes in her bed and closed the light canopy that surrounded it, her mum wouldn't know. If she stayed out that long.

It felt good to be worrying about normal teenage things for once. No monsters, no Voldemort, no risk of death, just a party.

She turned the light out and left.

The party was only just starting as she got there. She saw Sophie, her old best friend and went over, gave her a hug.

"Hermione! You came!" Sophie exclaimed.

"This is Andy, and Nic, and over there, there's Jack messing with the hi fi. His dad's away for the weekend."

"Oi! Jack! Come over here and meet Hermione!"

Jack duly came over. "Hi" he said, sounding a bit nervous.

"Nice to meet you" she replied. A bit shy herself.

"Hermione's just back from her boarding school. Bit of a posh bitch this one." Sophie remarked. Hermione laughed.

"I'm not that posh you know. Got offered a scholarship and I thought why the hell not?" Hermione retorted.

She moved over to the alcohol table and snagged a can of cider. It was the tesco own brand variety and absolutely revolting. Not that she'd notice after a couple of cans. The whole point was to get drunk.

Jack came over to her. "So, how's things"

"Alright. Pretty quiet though. Not a lot to do round here really."

"Not unless you like fishing"

"Or swimming"

He had nice eyes, Hermione noticed. Hazel, and very pretty.

"You just done your GCSEs then?"

"yeah. You?" It wasn't a lie, exactly. She had just done a load of exams.

"Yep. If I never have to see another bloody equation again it'll be too soon."

"What are your plans? You doing A levels or?"

"Dad wants me to."

"And you?"

"I want to go to uni, so I suppose I should."

"Any idea what you want to study?"

"Nursing. Mental health. You?"

"Yeah, not that Mum would forgive me if I dropped out. Might do law after. I'm not sure though."

They were having to shout now. There were more people and the music was loud.

"Let's go to the kitchen" Jack yelled.

The kitchen was equally packed. Grabbing a few more cans of cider, Jack led them to the utility room. He pulled himself up on the washing machine. Hermione mirrored him on the tumble dryer.

"Good job your house is detached. Mine's a semi, and Mrs Bertram next door has ears like a bloody bat. Once came round to complain because my cat yowled for his dinner."

"She sounds fun."

"Used to babysit me when I was little. Her cabbage soup has to be seen to be believed."

Hermione opened another can of cider. Jack's eyes lit up. "Ooh I love this song. Fancy a dance?"

A bit tipsy, Hermione jumped off the dryer, stumbling as she landed. Jack put his hand on her back to steady her.

"Careful there."

They went out into the kitchen and started dancing, Jack putting his hands on her hips. They both had massive grins on their faces. It really was nice to just act her age for once. They stayed like that most of the night, just chatting and dancing. Like Hermione, Jack seemed to prefer grunge to dance music.

When people started to trickle home, Hermione stayed. She only lived five minutes away and she wanted to talk to him a bit more. It might just be the alcohol, but he was fit too.

As the last few left, mostly in pairs and drunk, Hermione flopped down on the sofa. Jack flopped down next to her, arm round her waist and stroking her bare midriff. She leaned into him and started playing with his hair.

"So," said Jack.

"So" returned Hermione, giggling slightly.

"You coming upstairs? Not to my room, if you don't want to. There's a spare next door. You can stay over, if your folks will get cross."

Hermione was feeling a bit reckless. Later, she'd blame the alcohol, although she'd only had a few cans of cider. She sat up and looked at him, taking in his hazel eyes and messy brown hair. "Yes" she replied. And she kissed him.

Jack led her upstairs, no one had really ventured much beyond the conservatory, kitchen and lounge. As they got to his room, they started kissing again. It wasn't very practiced or expert, but it was nice.

Jack moved to take her top off. She remembered her scar. Mostly forgotten, but she cringed.

Jack immediately stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just, well, I have a scar."

"I don't care." Jack replied kindly.

"It's quite big."

"Hermione, you're beautiful. Scar or no scar."

He bent down to kiss her again, and she melted next into him.

More articles of clothing were removed, until they were both in just their underwear. Then that came off. Jack rummaged in a box under his bed and found a condom. Opening it with his teeth, he slid it on.

A/N. In my world, Hermione is living in Brighton. A city on the South Coast of England, a couple of hours from London if the trains are running. The story is set between 5th and 6th year. The end of GCSEs, and before sixth form, college or jobs for muggle kids. The school leaving age in Britain is 16. You have to stay in education until 18 now, but that doesn't always mean staying at school.

I can confirm that the cider mentioned is bloody awful. It was, however a cheap way to get drunk. A staple of teenage parties everywhere. Enough of my misspent youth, and on to the next chapter!