~Hermione Granger~

Blaise Zabini literally stumbling into her had not been how she wanted to start her evening. But all things considered, it could have been much worse. Zabini had always had a flair for the dramatic, always ready to make a scene. But tonight, it seemed, he had held back. Maybe he had changed a bit. Maybe Padma had been right. Existing in the same space wasn't too hard, as long as they kept far away for the rest of the night. She brushed her run-in with Zabini off as a coincidence. They had both been getting drinks. No ulterior motives, it would seem. That is until Theo Nott showed up at her table after Padma had left in search of Anthony and Neville.

She was sipping her cider when a large shadow fell over her. She had not expected to see Theo Nott, and she was certainly not expecting the apology that fell from his mouth.

"I was in a pretty dark place, but that doesn't excuse anything I did or the kind of person I was." His words came out faster than she had ever heard him speak. Not that she heard him speak often. They hadn't exactly been friends in third year, more like friendly acquaintances who really only studied in the library together. Even then, he had spoken little, always taking his time choosing the words he was going to say. Now he was looking at her as if she would run off before he could get the words out. Which she thought was a little unfair. Every confrontation she had with Nott had always ended with them staring each other down before one of their friends pulled him away. Both waiting for the other to do or say something, unmoving, until an outside force pulled them apart.

"And I'm sorry, too, for never stopping Blaise or Draco. And for whatever Blaise said to you tonight, too." He looked nervous as he rubbed the back of his neck. His gaze shifted from her to scan the rest of the room. He was most likely looking for said friends. Why was he apologizing for them, anyway?

She must have asked the question aloud. Nott's eyes snapped back to her, and she swore she saw a light blush dusting his upper cheeks before his gaze fell to the floor. Or maybe she had just imagined it. The lighting was awfully dark. He stuttered a bit before shaking his head.

"I was a perfect. I could've done something, but they were my friends, and it would have made me a hypocrite. Look Hermione," She paused at that. He had never called her by her first name before, none of them had. It had always been Granger. "I'm not saying all this so you forgive me or to relieve my own guilt. I really am sorry. I was a stupid kid who didn't know how else to get someone's attention." He finally looked back at her with something between a grimace and a grin. He looked to his right before taking a half step back. Hermione was too caught in his words to notice the arrival of her friends. To get someone's attention? He had wanted her attention? He took another step back. "Goodbye, Hermione."

As he stepped out of her view, her friends rushed in to fill his space. Padma was demanding answers, looking a bit too happy at seeing her and Nott talking. Neville and Anthony shared a look behind Padma, before looking back at Hermione with matching smirks.

Merlin, she definitely needed another drink.

~Draco Malfoy~

"Merlin, you too!" The hostility in her voice caused him to take a step back. Even if Theo hadn't pointed her out, he would have easily recognized the woman in front of him. Her righteous curls were somewhat tamed. The freckles that ran across her nose and cheeks were somewhat faded. And he could hardly stop his eyes from dropping to her legs. But she was still the same girl Theo had brought into their consciousness.

She was looking him up and down with a frown. He lifted a brow as her gaze finally settled back on his face. Her frown quickly turned to a scowl.

"Ugh, really, you had to get better looking!" Draco couldn't help but smirk. She was definitely drunk. He had assumed as much when he had seen Blaise dancing with her. But there was no way she would ever willingly compliment him. She looked away from him, glancing back into the ballroom and then down the long corridor. She was ready to bolt. "I need to go." She was unsteady as she tried to pass him. She stumbled into him instead.

He quickly scanned the room, looking for the girl he had seen her with. She was now draped across his torso as she tried to stand up straight. He tried to ignore the feel of her hands brushing against his ribs as she righted herself. He most definitely did not imagine them drifting lower.

"Just let me go. I can do it myself." Her words were slurred. Telling him she could most certainly not do it herself. She pulled her wand out just as she steadied herself on her own two feet.

"Whoa there, what do you think you're doing, Granger?" She stopped moving just as her arm moved into position to Apparate. "Apparate like this and you'll end up all over London." She grimaced as if imagining the scenario. He made to grab her wand, just in case she actually did it.

She pulled her arm back just as my fingers slipped across the wood. She pushed her other hand against his chest before lifting her chin at him and giving him a snarl.

"I think I can handle myself, Malfoy. I sure as hell don't need help from someone like you." He wasn't surprised by her words, but he still felt that twinge deep in his chest. He exhaled.

"Look Granger, you clearly are in no shape to apparate and from the away you're slurring your words," her nose had crinkled forming a wrinkle between her brow that he ached to smooth out, "I doubt you'll end up back at yours if you take the floo. So how about you give me your floo address, and I'll send you straight through."

He thought it a rather fine idea. She gets home, and he doesn't have to worry about her making it there in one piece. But from the look on her face, you would have thought he had just told her he planned on using an Unforgivable on her.

"I most certainly will not be giving you my floo address." Draco was surprised at the veracity in which the words came out. She really wasn't going to give him her address?

"Granger, I'm not some kind of creep. I could care less about knowing where you live. But if you want to end up in some random fireplace, go for it." Draco was frowning down at her as she rolled her eyes. She turned away from him, heading in the direction of the floos.

Good. She had it handled. He hadn't even wanted to come out here. But he had seen her stumbling, and Theo had already taken care of Blaise's drunk arse. He glanced back into the ballroom, debating if he should leave, too. Theo probably wouldn't be back, but it had been a while since he had taken a girl home. From the looks he had been getting all night, it would take little to no effort. He was still debating when Granger turned back to him.

"Well? I thought you were going to help me." Her hands were on her hips as she looked back at him. He wanted to roll his eyes, but she was easier to set off now and he had only just gotten her to accept his help. But then again, he really couldn't help himself.

"Oh, so you do want my help?" She ignored him as he walked alongside her. He hadn't noticed her take her heels off, but they were now in her hands, swinging between them. She wasn't stumbling anymore, but there was a slight sway in her step that didn't look intentional. Silence crept on as they made their way down the long stretch of hallway. Draco had no idea why they had chosen a room so far away from the public floos. He was sure the hallway would be littered with hungover witches and wizards come morning.

The walk was made even longer by the slow pace Granger had set. It was only after they had made it to the fireplace that he noticed why. Granger could barely keep her eyes open as she stumbled into him. Merlin, it was really his luck that he would be stuck with her like this. He wrapped his arm around her before she could slide to the ground.

"Now I'm going to need that address, Granger," he said as he grabbed the floo powder. When no answer came, he looked down to find her nestled into him, asleep. "Shite, are you serious Granger?" He tried to shake her awake, but her head only flopped from side to side.

He let out a sigh before stepping into the floo with her pulled tightly against him. He called out the address of his flat before throwing the powder down. He stumbled out into his sitting room with Granger pushing against him and coughing up dust. He pulled away from her before straightening himself up. When he looked back at her, she was glaring.

"What the hell, Malfoy!" She glanced around before they fell back on him. "This isn't my flat." Her wand slipped into her hand. She must have an invisible holster. He was impressed. He also wasn't stupid. He put his hands up before she could point the wand at him.

"It's a bit hard to help someone get home when she falls asleep on you and won't give you her address." He was a bit more than impressed when her wand shot wordlessly back into its holster.

All the energy she got from the unexpected floo seemed to leave her at once. Her heels fell to the ground as she leaned into the couch behind her. She watched him warily as he stepped up to her.

"Look, if you really don't want to give me your address," he clenched his fist as he pushed the words out, "you can sleep it off here. The couch is all yours." He gestured behind her as she continued to stare at him. He held her gaze for a moment before he had to look away. He turned his head toward his bedroom and the words were out before he could stop them. "Or you could have my room." Why he had offered, he wasn't sure, but she was still staring at him. His mouth opened, to pour out more nonsense, he was sure. But before any words could come out, she took a step forward.

Suddenly, her hand was on her chest. She lifted onto her tiptoes, and her lips connected with his. He was frozen as she pulled his bottom lip between hers. When a lovely little sigh ghosted across his lips, he fell into action. He tilted his head, brushing his nose against hers, as his hands fell to her hips. He felt lightheaded as he made to pull her closer, his lips coaxing more and more sounds out of her. But her hand was still pressed against his chest and she wasn't budging an inch. It was then that he remembered she was drunk. She had been stumbling and slurring her words and had even fallen asleep on him. He dropped his hands as she pushed against his chest. Her cheeks were red, and she had a fierce look of determination.

"You're still a prick." She said the words as she pushed her way past him, heading straight for his room. His eyes followed her the whole way. As the door slammed shut, his head dropped back and he let out a deep sigh. Yeah, he was still a prick.