Chapter 14

It was pushing midnight by the time Hermione had left her parents' side. She was thrilled that they were not only found safe and sound, but that she was able to return their memories. After being away from them for so long, she found it hard to leave them alone for even a second throughout the day.

The Granger family had decided to spend an extra night at the Weasleys' before making their way back home. Hermione was thrilled to be able to spend another Christmas with her parents, just like when she was growing up. She would miss the chaos of a typical Weasley holiday, but was looking forward to the quiet of her childhood home while she spent lost time with her parents.

Harry and Ron had gone through lengths to make sure they found her parents before coming home. They knew that she would've been disappointed and devastated if they came home empty-handed. She was truly blessed to have those two boys as her best friends.

She did, however, have one more person she had to thank for bringing her parents back to her.

Hermione laid quietly on her bed, waiting for Ginny to fall asleep. Once she heard her friend snoring softly, she climbed out of bed and made her way to the fireplace in the kitchen.

She grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and said a silent prayer that she would make it through the wards as she stated clearly, "Malfoy Manor."

As a fellow insomniac, Hermione knew that Malfoy didn't sleep much, so she hoped that she would find him awake when she arrived. What she didn't expect was to find him completely sloshed with Theo Nott.

The green flames around her died down as she stepped over the hearth and into the cozy room.

She quickly shook her head to make sense of what she was seeing. Theo and Malfoy were armwrestling on top of the coffee table, both gripping the table with their free hand, yelling loudly at one another.

"Theo, keep your elbow on the table, you prat!" Malfoy shouted.

"You're not allowed to hold the table!" Theo yelled back as he held the table himself.

Hermione cleared her throat twice before giving up and yelling over them. "Oi! What is going on?"

The boys both froze and were startled by the interruption. Theo recovered first as he used the distraction to push Malfoy's arm to the table. Malfoy turned and glared at Theo as Theo jumped up and raised his hands above his head cheering.

"I told you you can't beat the master!"

Malfoy responded by tossing a pillow at Theo's head.

He turned then and addressed Hermione. "'Ello, darling," he slurred. "You're looking quite lovely."

Theo leaned his head against the sofa cushion behind him and snorted loudly.

"Are you two drunk?" Hermione asked wide eyed.

"What'sssittoyou?" Theo leaned forward and squinted at her.

"Oh man you are drunk. Alright I'll just come back tomorrow then," she said already turning toward the fireplace.

She felt a hand catch her by the wrist and pull her back.

"Oh, it's fine. Please stay for a little longer," Malfoy whined. "Oh! Plus you can celebrate! You need to celebrate. Theo, her parents are back!"

"Is that so? Well congrats," he tipped his glass toward her, spilling half of it on the table in front of him.

"Ok, just a few minutes," Hermione said still a bit unsure. She had seen Theo drunk and knew that he just got a little more flirtatious and silly, but she wasn't sure what type of drunk Malfoy was. Did he get silly as well? Or angry? Or horny? Great Merlin, please let him just be normal.

"Brilliant," Malfoy beamed. "Here you are then."

He pushed a glass of Firewhisky into her hands before taking a gulp from his own glass.

She accepted the glass and joined the pair on the floor. She took a tiny sip of the drink before setting it on the table in front of her.

She glanced around the room realizing that she hadn't been in any other part of the Manor except for the drawing room where she had been tortured. The room they were currently in must have been a sitting room just outside of Malfoy's bedroom as she could see a large bed through the open door on her right.

The sitting room was adorned in dark, almost black, wood paneling, but that was the only extravagant part of the room. The rest of the room held a caramel colored leather sofa, two black cozy looking armchairs, and the coffee table they were gathered around. The only other items in the room were a desk in the back corner and a large bookcase that took up almost the entire back wall. It was incredibly simple for an ancient mansion, and not at all what she had expected. She actually felt quite comfortable here.

"Well, Granger, settle a bet for us," Theo garbled. "Who would win in a fight, fifty second years or a single Acromantula?"

Hermione sat back and smiled. "Well when Harry and Ron were second years they actually fought off a few hundred Acromantula."

"You're fucking kidding!" Malfoy sputtered. "How in the hell did they manage that?"

"Well they didn't defeat them all. They were saved by Mr. Weasley's flying car," Hermione laughed. She really wished she had been there to see the look on Ron's face when he realized they had to follow the spiders into the Forbidden Forest, but the retelling that Harry gave her was just as entertaining.

"Well I'll be damned," Theo breathed out, clearly impressed. "But," he scolded wagging a finger at her, "that doesn't answer the question."

"Well, I'd assume the students would win," Hermione decided. Harry and Ron had known enough spells to at least get to a safer location outside the depths of the spider den.

Theo leaned back and nodded in agreement. "I think so too. Draco seems to have less faith in second years."

"Well that's because he couldn't do much other than spat out witty insults in his second year," Hermione retorted.

Theo threw his head back and laughed as Malfoy looked put out by her comment.

"Oh, Granger," Theo chuckled. "I do like you."

…

What had meant to be a few moments visit, had quickly turned to a few hours. Hermione was again surprised by how much she enjoyed the Slytherins' company. While Theo was just goofy normally, the alcohol had only just enhanced that. Malfoy too let down his barriers when he was drunk and showed more of his silly side.

Somehow they had slipped three drinks into Hermione and she was feeling the effects of the whisky.

The three of them were laying on the floor of Malfoy's bedroom, their heads pressed together as they stared at the bewitched ceiling. Theo had told Hermione that after coming home from Christmas break their first year, Malfoy had begged his mother to bewitch his ceiling to be like that of the Great Hall at Hogwarts. His mother had agreed and even added the constellations so he could look at the stars every night. Hermione had smiled at the thought of eleven year old Malfoy being so enchanted by the ceiling, even though he had grown up with magic.

"You know what would be great?" Malfoy whispered.

"A goat," Theo stated firmly.

"A warm bubble bath," Hermione stated just as firmly.

"Some biscuits," Malfoy again whispered. "Hinsky just made a batch of some chocolate chip ones."

"Oh yes," Theo practically moaned. "Hin-"

Malfoy quickly covered Theo's mouth with his hand. "Let's not wake him. Come on."

He jumped up and pulled the other two to their feet by their hands.

They made their way through the Manor as quietly as possibly, although Hermione got a case of the giggles halfway down the stairs. Theo had quickly covered her mouth with his hand and shushed her while holding back giggles of his own.

"Quiet, Granger. You'll wake up the trolls."

Hermione looked at Theo with wide eyes before she broke out into more muffled giggles, joined shortly after by Theo.

Malfoy snorted and shook his head at the two of them.

They finally made their way to the kitchen and found the biscuits in question in a jar on the counter.

"Oh gods," Hermione moaned as she took a bite.

"Hinsky always did make the best biscuits," Theo said shoving an entire biscuit into his mouth.

Malfoy only nodded and shoved two in his own mouth. "Okay, let's go," he said grabbing the entire jar.

They somehow made it back to his rooms again with no giggles as their mouths were stuffed too full to giggle.

They again laid on the floor of Malfoy's room, this time instead of passing a bottle of whisky between them, they passed the jar of biscuits.

"Okay, Granger. Your turn. Tell us something about you that no one else knows," Theo somehow said with crumbs falling out of his mouth.

Hermione took the jar from him and thought for a few moments. "My favorite color is actually green."

She could practically hear Malfoy's smirk. "Ha! A secret Slytherin all along. Okay, Theo, your turn."

"Hm… I once had a sex dream about Professor McGonagall," he said before he erupted into a fit of giggles.

Hermione snorted on her biscuit, sputtering it all over the floor.

"That's not a secret," Malfoy reminded him. "You told everyone!"

"Well the secret is that I liked it."

Hermione choked on her snack as Malfoy threw his head back in laughter, smacking Theo on the shoulder.

"Your turn, mate," Theo said smacking Malfoy back.

"I once killed a fish by stepping on it's head," Malfoy said quickly.

"You did… excuse me?" Hermione sputtered.

"I fell into the pond out back once a few years ago and when I got up, I accidentally stepped on a fish's head. Apparently it was worth thirty galleons, so I never told anyone," Malfoy slowly got out, almost as though he was afraid of Hermione reprimanding him.

Instead she broke out into a fit of laughter. "Thirty galleons? For one fish?"

Theo joined in on the laughter too. "What was he made out of, rubies?"

Malfoy started giggling himself. "Who the fuck knows?" He gasped before breaking out into a full belly laugh. "My father spent money on the most ridiculous things. One time he spent 150 galleons on an umbrella."

"Did he forget he's a goddamn wizard that doesn't actually need an umbrella?" Theo cackled.

The trio laid on the floor rolling with laughter, having an extremely difficult time pulling themselves together. Their laughter would die down before one of them would start laughing again, triggering the other two to laugh as well.

"As much fun as this has been," Hermione said as she wiped a tear from her eye. "I really have to be getting back. I don't want to be too tired for tomorrow."

Malfoy nodded, wiping a tear of his own. "Wait, let me get you something first." He scrambled up off the floor and stumbled into the bathroom.

Hermione could hear shuffling and crashing before he emerged with a vial in hand.

"Here! Some Hangover Potion, just in case," he announced, shoving the vial into her hands.

"You're an absolute life saver!" Hermione said lightly patting at his arm.

At the light contact, Malfoy's eyes darkened. He grabbed her forearm and pulled her toward him, kissing her firmly on the lips. Drunk Malfoy kissed a little more sloppily than normal, but as she was drunk as well, Hermione didn't care one bit.

She kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm before she heard a slight gagging noise coming from the floor. They both pulled back to see Theo pretending to throw up on the floor.

"You two are disgusting," he slurred. "Get outta here."

The couple giggled as Theo pulled himself off the floor and climbed directly into Malfoy's bed.

"So why did you come over tonight?" Malfoy asked bringing her attention back to him. "I'm sure it wasn't to get sloshed with us."

"Well I actually came over to thank you," Hermione answered, looking at her feet. "The spell worked and I was able to return their memories."

Malfoy was so quiet, she looked up to make sure he was still conscious. When her eyes met his, she realized he was just surprised that the spell he found was the one she needed.

"Granger, that's great news." He drew her into his arms, pressing her into his chest.

She breathed deeply enjoying the scent of Malfoy; orange spice and slight Firewhisky from his breath.

"Let's get you home then," he mumbled into her hair.

"Yes please!" Theo shouted from the bed.

Malfoy let go of her far too quickly for her liking and walked away into the other room, leaving her to follow.

He held out a black marble box filled with Floo Powder when she reached him.

"I guess I'll see you when we get back to school then," he said not meeting her eye.

Even though he wasn't looking at her, Hermione nodded. "I guess so. Draco?"

His eyes snapped up to hers at hearing her use his name.

"Without your help my parents still wouldn't remember me. So… thank you."

Having a bit more courage, thanks to the drinks, she leaned up on her toes and planted a lingering kiss on his cheek. She leaned back, but only a few inches and looked earnestly into his face.

He gazed back at her with a look of something she couldn't place. He lifted a finger from his free hand and traced her cheekbone. He opened his mouth to say something and closed it quickly. He did it once more before he finally responded.

"You're welcome. See you back at school." He took a step back from her, presenting the box of powder to her again.

This time she took a handful and stepped into the fireplace. She turned back and smiled before stating, "The Burrow." The green flames replaced Malfoy's face and she was spun through the Floo network before landing back in the kitchen at the Burrow.

…

Draco woke to the feeling of knees in his back. Although they were in a king sized bed, Theo loved to take up as much space as possible. Draco rolled off the mattress and stretched his arms over his head. He looked back at the bed and snorted. Theo was laying completely diagonal on the bed, his head on his pillows and his legs invading Draco's end. Lord help whatever witch has to share a bed with him in the future.

Draco had been smart and drank a potion before bed, so he would wake up feeling refreshed instead of hungover. The only problem with waking up feeling refreshed was that now Draco had the energy to go for a run, which was quite a problem when it was cold and snowy out. Being a wizard though did have it's advantages.

Pulling on his running clothes and casting a warming charm over himself, Draco let himself out the front door and began to jog down the drive.

Last night had not ended up the way he had imagined. He thought that he and Theo would get blackout drunk, blocking out all of his current issues. What he had not anticipated was Granger walking through his fireplace and joining them on their drunken evening.

He had really been looking forward to blacking out, but once Granger arrived, he had slowed down on his drinking so as to not 1. embarrass himself and 2. forget the time they spent together, even if Theo was there too.

Granger and Theo getting along was something he hadn't expected either, but he was glad when it happened. The two of them were on the opposite sides of the personality spectrum, but they seemed to enjoy each other's company nonetheless.

It was also refreshing to see Theo branch out and find new friends. For as long as he could remember, Draco and Blaise had been the only two people that Theo had interacted with. Having his only two friends return to school without him, Draco could see why Theo had gotten lonely at home and decided to enroll in Hogwarts once again.

It was nice of Granger to make a personal visit to thank him instead of just sending a note and he was pleased that she decided to stay later and spend time with them. He enjoyed spending time with Granger; she was easy to get along with. If things had played out differently, he could see that they could have been friends in the past. If he had gotten over his pompous attitude that is. He wasn't afraid to be seen spending time with a muggleborn.

What did scare him, however, was the look on Granger's face after she had thanked him. It was the most gratitude he had ever seen directed towards him. He also saw a look of adoration that he was not ready for. Granger was supposed to use him for their fake relationship and anything else she may want, and leave it at that. She wasn't supposed to be developing feelings for him. He would not be able to live up to her expectations and give her everything she deserves. He was an ex-Death Eater who was only saved from Azkaban by the word of her best friend. No girl wanted to settle down with a penniless criminal.

Maybe she would be better suited with Theo. They enjoyed each other's company and seemed to get along well enough. Draco tried to ignore the pang of jealousy he felt at that thought. He trusted his friend and if Granger would be happier and better off with his friend, then so be it.

Draco slowed his run to a walk as his warming charm started to wear off and he got a cramp in his leg. He stretched his leg and took his wand from his pocket, casting another warming spell.

He glanced around at the fields of dead wheat that surrounded his property. His family had planted the crop for resources in the past, but now they kept it mostly for aesthetic and privacy. Maybe one day when he looks for a place of his own, he'd look for something out in the countryside. He hated the thought of living in the hustle and bustle of a city.

Even though he hated the thought of leaving his mother all alone, he refused to live in that house longer than he needed to. His plan was to wait until his mother got better and was more efficient at living on her own before he looked for a house of his own. If he were to one day marry and have children, he rejected the idea of raising them in the home that brought him so much pain and anguish as a child.

He took a deep breath and headed back toward the Manor. Maybe next time he gets drunk, he won't take a Hangover Potion before bed, as it seemed to make his thoughts and problems come back tenfold.

After getting back home, he smirked at the sight of Theo still snoring in his bed. That boy sure knew how to pack away the alcohol and milk the excuse for sleeping in.

He threw a pillow at Theo's head before heading into the bathroom for a shower. He smiled as he heard his friend shout insults at the closed door.

a/n: I didn't anticipate Hermione staying that long, but the story had a mind of it's own. Hope you are all staying nice and warm, it's freezing here today!

Looking forward to reading your wonderful reviews :)