Story inspired by true events that happened to me some years ago. Modified to somewhat fit Harry and Hermione.

Very much AU, very much EWE.

If you like it? Great! let me know.

If you don't like it? Great! let me know.

The characters belong to J K Rowling, I'm just using the for my own entertainment.

I couldn't get this out of my head as a short, one-shot story. So here it is

The weird disjointed segments will make sense at the end (I hope..)

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"Hermione?" A voice echoed through the house as the man entered. Calling out. "Are you here?"

His call was answered by a dull thud, most likely a book dropped onto the floor, and a short scraping sound followed by murmured expletives, most likely someone stubbing their toe on a corner of a chair. Then the door at the end of the corridor opened letting a bright light in, illuminating Hermione from behind and casting a long shadow towards her guest.

"Harry?! You're back!" She barely finished speaking by the time she reached him and crushed into him, delivering a hug that knocked the air out of him. Probably bruised his ribs too.

He couldn't hold that against her though and he hugged her back as a big smile grew on his face. It's been so long after all.

"I am, it's been so long! It's so good to see you Hermione!" He said and he gave her a squeeze before releasing her.

"Almost two years! And at least six months since I even heard from you. You just have to tell me everything! I was so worried about you, obviously thrilled for you too, but Egypt, China, Australia! Who knows where else those lousy Unspeakables sent you"

She grabbed his hand and led him through to her living room. With a gentle push she told him to sit while she disappeared to get him a drink. Nice cold beer, she knew how much Harry has grown to like those since finishing school.

"Thanks Hermione! That's exactly what I needed! You're not the only one who wants to hear everything you know. Can't believe they didn't let me contact anyone in the last six months. I was going stir crazy with only Unspeakables to turn to. Most of them are such boring idiots you know…"

Harry opened the bottle of beer and took a long sip. His shoulders visible deflating as he was finally able to relax.

"Let's go out and catch up then? How about a little pub crawl Muggle style? We used to love those. I do need to put some makeup on though, I look like death." Without waiting for a response, knowing Harry would never disagree, she started taking a mirror down and setting it up in front of her as she summoned her makeup bag.

"You know, that sounds perfect. You think Ron will want to join us? You know how he's like with "Muggle way". Where is he anyways? I figured he'd be home today?" He trailed off as he noticed Hermione's eyes droop. A shadow passing over her. Concern grabbed Harry and he shifted so that he could look at her. "What is Hermione? What happened?"

Hermione sighed as she realised that there wasn't a way around this. She had to tell him.

"I guess that's the best place to start anyway. Just, Harry, don't go running off when I tell you this alright? I'm looking forward to this pub crawl and I don't want to deal with any fallout.

"Here's what happened."

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"He cheated on you? He fucking cheated?! What the fuck Ron?!"

Harry was not happy. His anger grew every minute of Hermione's story. Rage built up inside him, turning murderous as more and more details were filled in. He couldn't believe this. It was Ron, yes he had his issues, but it was Ron!

Hermione just nodded. She was done crying over it, she shed a few tears as she re-lived those memories just now but that's it. All that did was make her reapply her makeup twice.

"What an utter cunt. You do realise I'm gonna have to go to him right? There's no way he's getting away with it without me laying into him for this."

"Harry, not today! Please, I've done my makeup now and I just need to find something to wear and we can head out ok? No, listen Harry," she added as she noticed that he wasn't really taking her ask in, "I've done my crying over it now ok. It's only been a month since I've really ended it, but it's been over for much longer than that. I'm happier for it, honestly!"

Harry relented and sat back, he didn't even realise he was standing. He picked up his beer, noticing how he ripped the label off the bottle. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Hermione. I never thought he'd be capable of that." He stood again and went over to Hermione, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in.

"I'm glad you're happy though. You are better off without him. I never really understood why you liked him, you're such different people." He gave her a squeeze before adding, "let's have fun tonight. Pub crawl, some dancing, maybe even karaoke?"

Hermione laughed and the sound made Harry feel much better and lighter. Maybe she really was happier now, he thought to himself.

"Karaoke sounds great but both us are going to need to have a few more drinks before we do that." She said whilst still laughing. "I'll just get changed and be back in a flash."

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"So does this dress look alright?" Hermione asked as she came down the stairs, giving Harry a little twirl.

Harry laughed at her lightly, "you do realise I'm a guy right? Asking me whether a piece of clothing looks good? It's black. I guess you can't go wrong with black right?" He finished with a wink.

"Very funny Harry, ha ha. Seriously does-"

"You look great, really. Won't be too cold, in just a dress and tights?" He asked interrupting her question.

"I'll be fine a few drinks, come on let's head out!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.

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"Another cider Hermione? Are you trying to kill us?" He shouted over the sound of music. His face full of joy and laughter.

"You know I love a good cider!"

"Yes but I also know you're a lightweight and this is ridiculously strong." He said all the whole he took a glass from her clinking it against hers as he brought it to his mouth. "Mmm this is really good!"

"Told you! Now are you gonna stop questioning my choice of drink? Come on we haven't done this for years, let's let loose! I know I need a drink and we've got nothing on tomorrow anyways."

Harry looked at her before laughing."let loose? Who are you and where is my Hermione! You really must be drunk. But you're right, I definitely need this too."

Another clink of their glasses while they sat in silence, or whatever silence you can get inside of a bar blasting loud music.

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"Hermione!" A girl ran up to her as she stood with Harry at a bar trying to order a drink. Going straight in for a hug. Harry turned to see Hermione tackled by a short girl.

"Megan! It's good to see you, out on a prowl today?" She hugged the girl back and moved away after a couple seconds.

"Oh you know, just seeing who's out there. What about you? Finally getting out in the game too?"

"I'm out with Harry today. He just got back on the country." Hermione said pulling Harry closer to her, "Harry, this is Megan, she's a friend from university." She punctuated the last word to make sure Harry understood - no Hogwarts' talk.

"Nice to meet you, Megan, was it?" He held out his hand and she went to shake it.

"My my Hermione, how did you catch this fish?" Megan asked, looking Harry up and down.

"Oh no Megan, we're not together. Harry's my best friend, we've known each other for years. Though you're not the first to make the mistake, that's for sure."

"You should definitely snatch him up, Hermione, he's delicious." She finished with a wink.

Hermione waved her off laughing at her antics. Harry blushed and decided that he would be better off getting more drinks, after all they had karaoke next.

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"WEE ARE THE CHAAAMPIONNS MY FRIEENDS"

Holding a microphone between them Harry and Hermione screeched into it to the adjustments of everyone else at the club. Both of them holding each other up as they swayed from side to side. Who's idea was it to sing Queen? A thought crossed through Harry's mind that butchering such a classic song should not be allowed. Quickly followed by a thought of getting another drink at their next destination.

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"I thought we weren't talking about Ron?" Harry asked, his voice slurred as he propped himself up on the bar nursing his rum and coke.

"We're not, it's just, do you think he was right?" She asked, her eyes downcast.

"Oh Hermione, of course he wasn't! He was just trying to make you feel worse so that he would feel better! You're the most attractive woman I know. It's staggering how many guys I caught looking at you and if it weren't for me here they'd be hitting on you as soon as you walked in" he said before adding, "sorry about that."

"That's alright I wouldn't want to spend the night any other way, it's perfect. Come on we'll-"

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"Harrryyy let's get some food!"

Harry looked at her and laughed, "Hermione, we just did!" He said pointing to the bag Hermione was holding. "Let's get a taxi come on."

Hermione stood there looking at the food for a few seconds before following Harry. "Harrryyy are we going to get food?"

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A sound of slow music filled the room. With Harry and Hermione holding each other close and swaying to the melody. Harry's arms wrapped around Hermione's waist. His right hand rubbing her back, as he rested his head on top of hers.

Hermione's hands were around his neck, twirling his hair, or playing with the tag of his t-shirt. Her head pressed against his chest, sobbing lightly.

"You're beautiful Hermione." Harry whispered as he kissed the top of her head. "Ron's a coward and an idiot."

A minute passed before Hermione's voice could be heard, muffled by Harry's shirt.

"What if-"

"I assure you, that will not be a problem. Every man I know would do anything to sleep with you. Hell that's including myself. Only reason I never made a move was that we were never single at the same time."

She stopped the dance as she took a step back. Harry's heart lifted as he noticed she was genuinely smiling.

"The way we are now?"

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He brushed his finger up and down her cheek as they laid facing each other on Hermione's sofa.

"We're drunk, we shouldn't" he was whispering. His face an inch away from hers. Her eyes were closed, her heart racing. Was it the alcohol? The desire? She was breathing deeply.

"We shouldn't," she repeated in a voice barely above a whisper.

Harry continued to brush her cheek.

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That was all that he could remember from last night. Mere glimpses of what happened. A small memory here and there. Were they real? Was he misremembering things due to how much he drank? His head was pounding and his throat felt like he's been deprived of fluids for days. His stomach felt safe. For now, he hasn't moved yet.

He was still on the sofa. He's been awake for half an hour trying to piece together what happened yesterday. He could see Hermione next to him, facing away as she slept. Still in get black dress and tights, her shoes were off, at least they had the mind to remove them.

They got close, very close yesterday. Did they go through with it? Damn it he can't remember anything past caressing Hermione's cheek.

'I can't believe I did that' Harry thought to himself. But it was a fleeting thought, because he could. He very much could believe it. He was sure that everything he said to Hermione last night was true.

Did she feel the same? She didn't push him away last night? But she was very drunk. 'More so than you?' Will she remember more of what happened? His heart started racing. What if he did do something. Something she didn't want. Anxiety had filled his chest, weighing down on him.

He jumped a little as he heard a groan next to him. "What time is it?" Hermione managed to get out between her groans as she slowly, painfully, rotated to face Harry.

"It's only a few minutes past nine, how you feeling?" He asked quietly, his anxiety of what she'll do, or say, when she remembers what happened was threatening to make him sick.

"Rough," she replied rubbing her eyes, "so rough Harry. Did we really end up drinking rum towards the end? What possessed us to mix so much?"

He couldn't help but laugh at her disgusted expression. "You did!" He replied as he continued to laugh

"I guess I did." She said as she started laughing too. "No no, no laughing. Head… ouch"

Harry swallowed as he gathered his courage. "What else do you remember? I've been trying to piece together what happened but it's.. Hazy"

She's turned pensive, "well let's see, i obviously remember meeting Megan. We then finished our drinks and headed to another bar. We met that weird guy there! Yeah that's right," she laughed "what a guy, can't believe him. Who doesn't like the colour periwinkle blue… also who hits on someone by asking what their favourite colour is… Only to insult them later!

"Anyways, after that it's a bit of a mess really. I remember we sang at least four songs back to back-"

"Four?! Oh god, I only remember we are the champions, why did they let us sing more after that!" Harry put his head on his hands as Hermione laughed at him.

"Then it's a real blur, nothing much but more drinks, and a taxi- wait did I get some food?"

Now it was Harry's turn to laugh, "yeah you did, you kept asking me to go get food with you. At least three times. It would have been fine if not for the fact that it was AFTER you already had your food!"

Hermione looked horrified before she too put her head in her hands.

Harry looked at her, his anxiety eased as they talked. Now it was back and it's strength doubled. She was getting closer to the time that he was mostly worried about.

Hermione lifted her head. She's been delaying talking about this. Did he remember what happened? She full on propositioned him after their dance!

Then she kissed him. That was so stupid of her! She groaned internally. All she can remember after that is lying in front of him, hoping to kiss him again. Very hazy, she must've been falling asleep then.

Gathering her courage she started.

"After that, I- I'm not sure you want to hear it."

Harry's heart collapsed in his chest. He swallowed loudly. This was Hermione, he'll just apologize, she'll understand that it was alcohol.

"Hermione, if- if I did something out of line, then I'm really sorry."

Hermione looked at him, it took her a few seconds to realise that he was apologizing to her!

"No Harry, it's me who should be apologizing, not you. I'm really sorry. You were saying all those lovely things, and it's you, and it's us, and with all the alcohol I couldn't control myself anymore."

Harry now looked at her confused. He sifted through his memories but he couldn't place anything that Hermione should apologize for.

"Hermione, I don't know what you're apologizing for, I honestly can't place what you did that would warrant an apology."

"After the dance we had, when you told me- you told me that you thought about sleeping with me. And that you never made a move because-because we were never single at the same time."

Harry blushed at the mention of that but pushed it away, and said, "then you said, the way we are now."

"Then I kissed you."

Harry, who was about to apologize for basically saying that he would love to sleep with, stopped. His brain stopped working as he processed that sentence.

"You kissed me?" Was the smartest thing he could come up with.

"Yes, and I'm terribly sorry! I shouldn't have, we were both drunk and I hope you don't think me horrible for taking advantage or-or something."

"I wish I remembered that." Was the second smartest thing his brain could come up with. So he said it, sighing.

This stopped Hermione. "You-you do? And you're not mad, or-or disappointed that I did that?" She asked, her voice unusually high.

"I don't remember the kiss at all. I do remember lying next to you, caressing your cheek," he said blushing, but still resolutely looking at Hermione, "wanting to kiss you."

"You wanted to kiss me? Oh Harry I wanted you to kiss me too! Why have we never done this, or talked about this?" She sat up now, all thoughts of a hangover gone from her mind, for a while at least.

"I guess it's like I said last night, we were never in that place together at the same time. So it never came up." He looked at her, his heart racing. Praying to all the gods that he was reading the situation right, before he said. "The way we are now."

With that he closed the gap and kissed Hermione. She yelped a little, caught off guard. Quickly though she returned the kiss. It lasted all of three seconds before Harry moved away, clutching his head.

"Ow, I moved too fast. It was definitely worth it." He added as he smiled at her. "I'm still disappointed I won't remember our first kiss."

She moved closer to him, slowly. She kissed him lightly once, twice. "You'll remember these," she whisper to him as her lips lingered on his. "And when we are feeling better, I'll show you the memory I have in your pensieve."

"I'd like that. Shall we get some more sleep and leave the conversation we definitely need to have for later?" He asked smiling at her.

She already started moving to a lying position, facing him. "Let's sleep. We have the rest of our lives to talk."

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And we have lived happily ever since. :D