Thanks everyone for reviewing!
Fatty - you're totally right about how there should have been some tension. It tells you why there wasn't in this chapter - let's face it nothing is ever easy and simple in the world of Harry Potter
She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psyc - Honestly! There will be some negative consequences I promise. They're just not emerging yet. In answer to your question Draco didn't save Harry because he loved him or even because he liked him. It was just that he'd been such a big part of his life that he couldn't imagine him not being alive. I don't actually have that much free time- I just cut sleeping out of my life. In answer to your other question I'm 16. Ironic really considering I shouldn't even be reading this fic let alone writing it! Keep reviewing!
HironiKoshinha - the door never did say sorry - the bastard! Thankyou for being a faithful reviewer - your reviews really cheer me up!
Wintermoon - I am still writing the sequel . . . kinda. Well at least I am completely intending to keep writin it but this story is sidetracking me!
I groaned.
I was sprawled across the floor in the living room, my limbs screaming in protest from the abnormal position they'd been forced into.
I lifted my head and immediately rested my forehead on the ground again.
The small movement had caused nausea to rise in me and I was in serious danger of throwing everything I'd eaten the previous day back up again.
I lay still for a few seconds, finally turning my head slightly and looking longingly at the kitchen and the coffee I knew was in there.
Not that coffee was going to sort this hangover out but it wouldn't do any harm.
Very *very* slowly I crawled over to the sofa and pushed myself to my feet, feeling the world swim slightly before sliding back into focus.
Ok so I'd stood up.but I wasn't sure that I could walk.
Oh well . . . only one way to find out.
Stiffly I took halting steps towards the kitchen, my desire for coffee convincing me not to give up.
~ Just three more steps to go. You can do it. You can do it. ~
I collapsed on a chair, letting my head rest on the table.
Well that sucked.
I'd come all this way for coffee and now the thought of it made me want to throw up.
I groaned slightly.
Oh my head.
My poor *poor* head.
'Potter- what the hell happened last night?' I asked, wincing at the noise I created by speaking.
My voice was croaky and hoarse.
'You got me drunk.' He looked and sounded as bad as I felt.
'Yeah I figured. But what did I do? Did I kill anyone?'
Potter looked at me as if I were crazy. 'Who would you kill? I'm the only person here.'
'And you're very much alive.' I asserted.
'I don't feel like it.'
He didn't really look that alive either.
I pushed that thought aside.
So Potter was still alive.
Then what did I do?
I had the distinct feeling that I'd done something
It was a feeling I was used to - after all I usually had done something.
But this I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I frowned, trying to remember the previous night.
I knew it had definitely involved Potter (doesn't take a genius to work that out).
I looked at him as if just the sight of him would bring everything back and snorted in laughter.
(I found out almost immediately that laughing hurt my head badly but I couldn't stop.)
'What?' Potter snapped wearily.
'You've got.' I took a breath in trying to stop laughing. 'The carpet's imprinted on your face.'
His hands flew to his cheeks, panic crossing his face as he felt the numerous small indents on his face.
'I'll.be back in a minute.' He blurted, racing out of the room (well as quickly as a hungover person could race anyway).
So even Potter wasn't above superficiality and shallowness.
Even though his hair would imply he was.
He was a bit of a mystery really.
I knew he was supposed to be the big hero who was all magnanimous and forgiving but really there should have been some limits.
Nobody, not even Potter, should have been able to lie for me, to protect me from imprisonment and then be nice to me.
To look me in the eye after the things I'd done- to sit next to me and talk to me and cook for me when I'd murdered his friends.
Nobody should have been able to . . . but he had done.
And then there was that whole damn incident with the astronomy tower and me accidentally falling on his lips.
Not that it was that accidental.
Truthfully I honestly hadn't thought about that kiss in years - I'd pretty much forgotten it had ever happened.
Spending time with Voldemort kind of numbs you. He twists you on the inside - takes everything you are and turns it into what he wants to be.
And Death Eaters feel nothing.
He sucks the emotion out of you - deep from within your very being and deep within all your memories.
So whilst I had thought about the kiss every now and again it just seemed.empty.
But last night it had seemed more vivid.more real.
I mean - don't get me wrong- it wasn't like I *cared* or anything, it was just that I could now feel that the atmosphere between the two of us had changed somewhat.
Usually people getting drunk together is a great bonding experience.so I've heard.
I've never actually "bonded" as such.
Potter wandered back in and I looked at him with a frown.
Hmm . . .
That was slightly worrying.
That stupid kiss with Potter was the last thing I'd been thinking about before I got drunk.
And truthfully . . . I was a bit . . . weird when I'm drunk.
'I didn't do anything really stupid last night did I?' I asked Potter.
He looked at me cagily. 'What do you mean?'
I shrugged, trying to be vague. 'You know- anything I'd really regret if I remembered.'
He stood slightly stiffly. 'I don't know.'
'So you don't remember anything either?'
His attempt at seeming casual made him seem anything other than it. 'Bits and pieces.'
'Such as . . . ?' I prompted impatiently.
'Nothing important.'
'So you won't have any problems telling me then.' I smirked triumphantly.
'It honestly doesn't matter.' He said through gritted teeth.
'Yeah well I want to know.'
'How can you possibly want an argument when you're this hung over??' He snapped in exasperation.
Hmm . . . he had a point there.
'Fine.' I sighed. 'But I will find out what happened. And personally I don't see what's so terrible that you can't tell me.'
There was a tense silence in which I pouted.
'You know what.' He said suddenly. 'I have to go into work.'
'At eleven o'clock?'
'Yes.'
'Why?' I said in disbelief.
'Because I have some very important things to do and they need me.'
'Says who?'
'Me!'
'So that Blake guy contacted you?'
'What is this the Spanish Inquisition?'
Ok I really wished he'd stop talking about things I didn't understand.
'It might be.' I replied evasively.
I could probably have known the answer to that if I'd known what it was.
'Look I just feel like going into work that's all.'
'When you're hungover?'
'Yes.'
'And when you don't even like your job?'
He clenched his jaw. 'Yes.'
That sounded logical.
I shrugged. 'Ok.'
'I'm going to go get ready.' Abruptly he stood up and stalked from the room.
I hesitantly took a sip of my coffee, burning my mouth instantly.
He sure was testy this morning.
I was trying to figure out if I could stomach any food (eventual outcome- no) when Potter walked back into the kitchen.
His face was a sort of ashen grey and there were deep bags under his eyes.
Frankly he looked like shit.
'You look worse if that's possible.'
He looked at me in a sort of numb shock. 'Yeah let's say I remembered a few things about last night I wish I hadn't.'
I smirked. 'Did you pour out some deep dark secrets?'
'I wish.'
I looked at him curiously but didn't press it. 'So you remembered it all pretty quickly. How'd that happen?'
He shrugged slightly. 'Anti-hangover spell.'
I shot out my seat, regretting it as my head swam. 'You can do those?'
He nodded.
'Go on then.'
'Huh?'
I rolled my eyes. 'Cast the spell on me you idiot.'
I liked hangover spells.
If he cast it on me then within the next three minutes my nausea and headache would fade away as would the pain in my stiff limbs.
Not to mention the fact I'd remember everything that happened last night.
'Uhh.no.' He chewed his bottom lip.
'Why?'
'Because.just because.'
I sighed.
'Potter just cast the damn spell on me.'
'You know what,' his voice shook slightly, 'I think it might be better if you got better the natural way.'
Hell no I hated not remembering things.
'Oh come on Potter.'
'No.'
'You cast it on yourself!'
He shrugged. 'Well I'm not casting it on you.'
'That seems a bit sadistic.' I frowned.
He shrugged. 'Well you'd be the one to know about that wouldn't you?'
'You're awfully bitter this morning.' I remarked darkly. 'That's funny considering I'm the one with the killer hangover.'
'Well you probably deserve it.' Potter glared at me.
'Probably.' I agreed darkly. 'But seeing as how I don't remember anything I wouldn't know.'
He hesitated, about to say something but changing his mind. 'I'll be back in a few hours.'
He took a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace.
'Potter-'
He was consumed by green flames and I sighed.
Well there went any quick ways to getting my memory of the previous evening back.
Guess I'd have to do it the old fashioned way.
***
This wasn't working.
I chewed my bottom lip.
I'd been sitting in the living room for two hours trying to remember *anything* about the night before.
I sighed . . . well . . .
I'd woken up on the floor so that meant at some point I'd been on the floor.
Maybe if I recreated it . . .
I looked round quickly to check that no-one was watching.
~Cuz there are so many people here to watch you.~
Good point.
Gingerly I lay down on the floor.
Ok this was . . . new.
I strained backwards in my memories.
Giggling.
There had been a lot of giggling.
A smirk appeared on my face.
So Potter giggled huh?
I focused harder, realising with sick horror that I'd been the one giggling.
Giggling.
*Giggling*!!!!!
I'd changed my mind- I didn't want to know anything about the previous night.
In fact, for the sake of my sanity, I was going to pretend it had never happened.
Quickly I got to my feet and switched the TV on quietly.
My head wasn't really up to loud noises.
Sometime around noon my feeling of nausea abated, much to my relief.
I was bored.
Bored out of my skull.
There was nothing to do in this bloody house.
Not to mention the fact that I couldn't vent my annoyance towards Potter for not doing the spell.
I was going to find a way to amuse myself . . .
A very quiet, peaceful way that involved very little movement.
Right on cue a loud ringing pierced my brain.
'Shit!' I swore, covering my ears with my hands.
Unswayed by my swearing the ringing continued.
Where was it coming from??
I had to make it stop.
Desperately I tracked the noise down, finding it coming from an object underneath a coat.
I looked at it with a wrinkled brow, what the hell was it?
It rang again and I suddenly remembered.
Potter had told me about it.
It was a . . . phone.
And what had he said about it "don't even think about answering it even if your life depends on it".
I watched it, hoping that pulling funny faces would distract me from it.
No such luck.
I sighed and moved slightly, looking at the phone from a new angle.
I tapped my fingers impatiently against the sofa- when was the person going to get the hint and stop phoning??
Ok that was it - it was making me feel like someone was driving a spatula into my head- I snatched it up.
'Hello.'
'Hello?' A female voice asked in confusion. 'Who's that?'
I smirked. 'Who's *that*?'
'Hermione.' The voice said cautiously.
Granger.
Figures that no-one else would ring Potter.
'Oh Hermione!' I exclaimed, a plan beginning to form in my mind. 'Harry's told me all about you.'
Oh this was going to be great.
'Oh . . . really?' She asked in surprise.
'Of course. He's never shut up about you and-' Oh it pained me to say it 'Ron since I moved in.'
Ugh- mental note to wash my mouth out with soap later.
'You moved in???' She was starting to sound completely lost and shocked.
'Yes.' I feigned a sort of hurt surprise. 'Didn't Harry tell you?'
'Well . . . uhh . . . I mean . . . of course he . . . so you're his new boyfriend then?'
'New?' I laughed softly. 'Nah we go way back.'
'Oh.' She sounded taken-aback. 'I see.'
'So do you want me to give him a message?'
'Uhmm yeah. Could you tell him that I called and ask him to give me a ring back.'
'Sure I will. It was nice to finally talk to you Hermione.'
'Yeah you too.' She laughed slightly nervously. 'Bye!'
'Bye!'
I put the phone back, laughing slightly.
Ok Potter was going to kill me . . . assuming he didn't die of a heart attack when he found out I was his supposed boyfriend.
But it was so funny.
Who could resist???
***
What felt like a very long time afterwards Potter deigned the house with his presence.
Truthfully after the phone call I'd been so amused I couldn't keep being angry at him so the atmosphere was pretty much back to normal.
It's amazing what avoiding each other for a few hours can do.
During his absence I'd rooted through his bookshelves and had discovered a book that seemed to explain a lot of muggle artefacts.
Now I was fed up of being left in the dark so I'd decided that I was damn well going to read it no matter how hard it was.
And it was pretty hard.
I didn't know who was struggling more - me with my electrons and fuses and crap or Potter with his map of supposed Death Eater bases.
But me, being me, was loath to admit that I was struggling.
Potter threw down his pen in frustration and I took a welcome break from the book to uncover what his problems was this time.
'Jesus Draco - do these have any pattern whatsoever?'
I looked at him lazily. 'Yes.'
'What?' He asked, frustrated.
A smirk crossed my face. 'Now that would be telling.'
'I'll give you a cookie.'
'Gee well when you put it like that.' I said in fake happiness.
'Point taken.' He said reluctantly.
I rolled my eyes and continued reading, my brow furrowed in confusion as I tried to understand what the hell this book was going on about.
He sighed.
'How about two?'
'Sod off Potter.' My tone held no malice, only mild amusement.
I was really losing my touch.
'Well will you just help me a bit?'
I considered it. 'Four cookies.'
'Deal.' He said quickly.
I stood up and walked over to the table.
'Ok let's see.'
I peered over his shoulder.
I sighed. 'Potter we talked about the likeliness of me having my bases in places with stupid names.'
I pointed out his most recent idiotic guess.
'I suppose.' He muttered.
'Just think like me.' I shrugged. 'It may scar you for life but it'll help.'
'Yeah.' His voice was quieter than usual
'You ok?' I straightened up, brushing his shoulder accidentally with my hand.
'Mm-huh.' His assent wavered slightly.
I squinted - was he blushing???
Knowledge hit me like a train.
'Potter.' I tried to keep the amusement out of my voice.
'Yeah?'
You don't happen to have any fantasies about fucking me on your kitchen floor do you?
'Do you . . . like me?'
There was deathly silence.
He cleared his throat. 'Sorry?'
'Do you like me?' I repeated, feeling laughter bubble up inside me.
A slight pause.
'Do you mean do I like you or do I *like* you?'
'What do you think I meant?' I teased, a smirk playing on my face.
'Uhh . . . '
'So is that a yes then?'
'What? No!' He exclaimed.
'Well I wouldn't blame you - I am gorgeous after all.' I drawled.
'Draco!' He exclaimed, astounded by my arrogance.
I rolled my eyes. 'So do you?'
He gaped at me. 'No - of course I don't! I mean you're all . . . and I'm . . . and it would . . . ' He gave up. 'No.'
Funny . . . for a no that sounded quite a bit like a yes.
I settled back on the sofa with a smirk.
So Potter had a crush on me.
This was going to be so much fun.
He had inadvertently given me the means to drive him absolutely mad. And I wouldn't even really have to try.
I mean - I had to get him back somehow for destroying my life right?
And though normally that would involve a lot of pain and bloodshed . . . I had the feeling that this may be even better.
'I'm just going to have a shower.' I told Potter.
He kept his eyes very firmly fixed on the map, ignoring the flush on his cheeks.
'Ok.'
I left the room with a small swagger to my stride. It was nice to know that my looks still had an effect- even if it was only on Potter.
Halfway up the stairs a green flash of light spilled out of the living room.
I paused.
Who'd floo in when there was a wanted criminal staying here?
'Hermione!' Potter's voice exclaimed. 'What are you doing here?'
My eyes widened.
I didn't actually think she'd come to see who I was.
Shit.
This was either going to be spectacularly brilliant or spectacularly horrific.
'Do we need an excuse to come round and see our best friend?' A deeper voice replied.
Oh God - Weasley too!
This was too much to resist.
Time to put plan "embarrass Potter to death" into action.
'Are you by yourself or,' Granger peered round, 'is someone with you?'
That would be my cue.
'Harry where did you put the towels?' I bounced into my room. 'Oh.' I stopped. 'Sorry I didn't know anyone else was here.'
I didn't think I'd actually ever said sorry before.
If the expressions on Weasley's and Granger's faces weren't quite so funny then it would have been an extremely traumatic moment.
'Malfoy?' Weasley gasped.
Potter's face drained of colour.
'Harry why's Malfoy in your house?' Weasley looked desperately to Potter.
'He's . . . uhh . . . staying with me for a bit.' He scuffed the carpet with his foot.
Ooh bad thing to say.
Weasley began to turn purple - a colour that clashed very badly with his red hair.
'He's your new boyfriend!?'
'What?' Potter turned to me with an outraged expression. 'You told them that?'
'Was it meant to be a secret?' I hid my smirk beneath an ashamed look.
He gaped at me.
'I don't get it.' Weasley spun on Potter. 'I thought he was a Death Eater.'
'I am.' I shoved my sleeve up lazily.
'Harry are you mad?'
'Debateable.' I muttered.
Granger shot me a look but carried on. 'How could you be so stupid as to let some god-forsaken Death Eater stay here! He'll kill you as soon as your back is turned!'
Well if that's what she wanted to choose to believe then that was fine with me. I wasn't going to correct her.
Potter shifted his weight uncomfortably. 'I know he's an evil arsehole but- '
'Hey!' I exclaimed indignantly.
Weasley rolled his eyes. 'Like it's not true.'
Ok it *was* true but I wasn't going to tell him that.
'I'll have you know I killed Voldemort.' I said smugly.
'That was true?' Granger exclaimed.
'Yes that was true! God! Wizards are a skeptical bunch aren't they!'
Granger ignored me and turned back to Potter. 'Does that mean he was a spy all along?'
'Yeah Harry does that mean I was a spy all along?' I chirped, unable to stop now I'd started.
'You're in enough trouble.' Potter told me dangerously. 'Shut up.'
I rolled my eyes. 'Oh I'm scared. But you know,' my eyes began to sparkle, 'you weren't telling me to shut up last night.'
Well for all I knew that was true.
'Draco!' Potter exclaimed.
'It's Draco now?' Weasley said in shock. 'God I guess you really are shagging him.'
'Shagging him???' Potter's eyes boggled.
'Can we focus here people?!' Granger shouted at the top of her lungs.
We all fell silent.
'Thankyou!' She turned to Harry. 'Was Malfoy a spy?' she repeated calmly.
'Uhh . . . ' Harry looked shifty. 'Yeah?'
I groaned. 'If you're going to lie that badly you might as well just tell them the truth.'
'What truth?'
'That Harry and I are madly in love with each other and have been doing nothing but shagging for the last two weeks.' I deadpanned.
There was stunned silence.
Geez I didn't know they were going to take me seriously.
'Can you please just stop it?' Potter whispered.
I jerked in surprise, there was a broken look in his eyes.
Despite my inner death eater jumping up and down chanting "squash the little Potter man while he's down!" I faltered.
'Ok.'
Weasley and Granger both blinked.
'What?' I snapped. 'You're the only ones allowed to have any sense of decency.'
Harry sent me another petitioning look.
To my horror I actually felt the urge to apologise and shut my mouth as quickly as possible so that I couldn't.
Moodily I sat down and watched the argument play out.
To think I'd caused all this.
I waited for the glow of satisfaction to appear.
And waited.
And waited.
I frowned.
'So Malfoy's not a spy?' Granger said slowly.
Hello??? Glow of satisfaction??
I'm still waiting!
'Well,' Potter chewed his bottom lip, 'that all depends.'
'On what?'
'On who you talk to.'
Granger's face darkened. 'Harry please do not tell me that you *lied* to the Minister of Magic.'
She always had been reasonably intelligent.
Potter looked at the floor.
'Are you out of your mind?' the Weasel asked frankly.
'What possessed you?' Granger squawked.
They were slowly beating him to the ground with their words and I watched as he visibly shrank.
'I-' Potter started.
'Do you know what'll happen if someone finds out?'
Come on Potter - fight back.
His face had become despondent.
'Do you know how much you're risking for him?' I was pointed at.
Oh this was ridiculous.
'If I could just point out that Potter actually owed me a wizard's debt.'
'Shut up!' Weasley and Granger both snapped.
Potter's eyes showed relief as he finally remembered why he'd lied.
'He's right.' Potter commented. 'He saved my life-I couldn't exactly let him got to Azkabhan.'
'Why not?' Weasley asked.
'Ron!' Potter snapped.
'Sorry Harry but I really don't see why not- ok he saved your life but he's killed so many people!'
'Ron-' Potter repeated, his voice becoming uncomfortable.
Weasley sighed. 'It's ok Harry - you don't need to keep "Ronning" me.'
'But Harry,' Granger interjected, 'we really have to talk about-'
'Do we have to talk about this with him here?' Weasley interjected, sending me a suspicious look. 'Can't he go to another room?'
Potter shrugged. 'If you want him to- but knowing him he'll find a way to listen away. At least if he's here you won't get lulled into a sense of false security and say something you really shouldn't.'
'Hmmm.' Weasley said doubtfully.
There was an awkward pause.
'Sooo . . . ' Potter stuck his hands in his pockets.
'We probably better be going.' Granger said suddenly. 'We're supposed to be going out to dinner - we were going to ask you and your. . . uhh.' She looked at me. 'But maybe that's not such a great idea.'
'To put it lightly.' Weasley muttered.
'Call me, ok?' Granger embraced Potter.
He nodded slightly.
'I just want you to know that I think this is a really bad idea.' Granger told Potter softly. 'But I trust your judgement and . . . well . . . you're not dead yet so maybe you stand a chance.'
He smiled slightly. 'Thanks for that astounding vote of confidence Mione.'
'I still think you're crazy.' Weasley interrupted. 'And I think you're wrong and you shouldn't be doing this.'
'Ron.'
'Save it.' He took a handful of Floo powder. 'I'll see you later.'
And with a flash he disappeared.
Granger sent him a sympathetic look. 'He'll calm down eventually.'
'I know.' Potter muttered dejectedly.
'Bye.' She smiled at him before floo-ing out.
He stood dejectedly, staring at the fireplace.
I saw my chance for escape.
I cleared my throat nervously. 'Right I'll just be-' I edged towards the door.
'You're not going *anywhere*.' Potter seethed, rounding on me.
'I can't believe you did that!' He hissed, anger evident in his tone.
'Oh relax Potter it was just a bit of fun.'
'Fun? Fun! You call that *FUN*???'
Well yes actually.
I shifted my weight. 'Well . . . '
'How could you do that? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was??'
I had a few ideas.
'And do you know how much danger you put us both in? If anyone finds out that you're staying here then there'll be attacks left right and centre!'
'Well they're not going to tell anyone are they?'
'That's not the point!! Nobody was supposed to know that you weren't a spy!'
'You're the one who told them. You could have just lied.'
'I couldn't! I'm useless at lying to them! Minister of Magic- piece of cake. Lying to my friends - total nightmare.' His face darkened. 'And stop trying to excuse it! What you did was totally out of line.'
Wow he was taking this really seriously.
'Oh fine.' I sighed slightly. 'I'm sorry. There.'
Potter was looking at me as if I was crazy. 'You think that that's going to make it all ok?'
'Potter I've only actually ever really used those words to Voldemort so it's kind of a big deal for me. I've apologised- now you forgive me and we go back to taking the piss out of each other.' I explained.
'It doesn't work like that.' Potter snapped. 'You can't just apologise - you have to mean it.'
No one had ever mentioned that part.
'And I'm still mad at you.' Potter clarified.
'You're taking this far too seriously.' I told him.
~Have you *got* a death wish or something??? ~
'Am I?' His eyes flashed dangerously.
He took a step forward and despite myself I took a step backwards.
'I lied to the Minister of Magic for you. I told the Head Auror that you were a spy. I put my life on the line to save you from going to Azkabhan. I convinced Dumbledore not to turn you in- I let you into my home and treat you like a guest and what do you do in return??' He ran his fingers through his hair. 'You are the most ungrateful person I've ever had the misfortune to meet!'
Wow that hurt.
It seriously did.
I'd never admit it but it did.
And being me there was only one way to deal with that.
'And who asked you to do all that?' I exclaimed. 'Who asked you to turn my life upside down?? You have no right to preach to me - they were your fucking decisions *not mine*.'
He stared at me, dumbstruck.
Ok. I realised that I probably shouldn't have said that. Whilst that had been my view a month or so ago- it wasn't now.
'You are such an insufferable bastard.' His voice was hard.
'I always have been and you know that.' I snapped back. 'What's changed??'
His jaw clenched. 'Obviously not you.'
There was something in his tone that made me feel like I'd been kicked in the gut and I stopped, looking at him with something akin to distress.
He spun on his heel and walked away, leaving me staring helplessly after him.
Ok I know everybody will want to kill me for making him forget it all but to be honest I hadn't planned for the whole kissing thing to happen.
I hadn't even wanted them to get drunk but suddenly they were there, blind drunk, kissing on the living room floor so I figured - let them have their fun.
Updates are gonna be a bit infrequent for the next couple of weeks cuz I'm nose deep in exams that I don't know any of the stuff for.
Thanks for reading this chapter.
Leave me a review and tell me what you think.
Fatty - you're totally right about how there should have been some tension. It tells you why there wasn't in this chapter - let's face it nothing is ever easy and simple in the world of Harry Potter
She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psyc - Honestly! There will be some negative consequences I promise. They're just not emerging yet. In answer to your question Draco didn't save Harry because he loved him or even because he liked him. It was just that he'd been such a big part of his life that he couldn't imagine him not being alive. I don't actually have that much free time- I just cut sleeping out of my life. In answer to your other question I'm 16. Ironic really considering I shouldn't even be reading this fic let alone writing it! Keep reviewing!
HironiKoshinha - the door never did say sorry - the bastard! Thankyou for being a faithful reviewer - your reviews really cheer me up!
Wintermoon - I am still writing the sequel . . . kinda. Well at least I am completely intending to keep writin it but this story is sidetracking me!
I groaned.
I was sprawled across the floor in the living room, my limbs screaming in protest from the abnormal position they'd been forced into.
I lifted my head and immediately rested my forehead on the ground again.
The small movement had caused nausea to rise in me and I was in serious danger of throwing everything I'd eaten the previous day back up again.
I lay still for a few seconds, finally turning my head slightly and looking longingly at the kitchen and the coffee I knew was in there.
Not that coffee was going to sort this hangover out but it wouldn't do any harm.
Very *very* slowly I crawled over to the sofa and pushed myself to my feet, feeling the world swim slightly before sliding back into focus.
Ok so I'd stood up.but I wasn't sure that I could walk.
Oh well . . . only one way to find out.
Stiffly I took halting steps towards the kitchen, my desire for coffee convincing me not to give up.
~ Just three more steps to go. You can do it. You can do it. ~
I collapsed on a chair, letting my head rest on the table.
Well that sucked.
I'd come all this way for coffee and now the thought of it made me want to throw up.
I groaned slightly.
Oh my head.
My poor *poor* head.
'Potter- what the hell happened last night?' I asked, wincing at the noise I created by speaking.
My voice was croaky and hoarse.
'You got me drunk.' He looked and sounded as bad as I felt.
'Yeah I figured. But what did I do? Did I kill anyone?'
Potter looked at me as if I were crazy. 'Who would you kill? I'm the only person here.'
'And you're very much alive.' I asserted.
'I don't feel like it.'
He didn't really look that alive either.
I pushed that thought aside.
So Potter was still alive.
Then what did I do?
I had the distinct feeling that I'd done something
It was a feeling I was used to - after all I usually had done something.
But this I couldn't quite put my finger on.
I frowned, trying to remember the previous night.
I knew it had definitely involved Potter (doesn't take a genius to work that out).
I looked at him as if just the sight of him would bring everything back and snorted in laughter.
(I found out almost immediately that laughing hurt my head badly but I couldn't stop.)
'What?' Potter snapped wearily.
'You've got.' I took a breath in trying to stop laughing. 'The carpet's imprinted on your face.'
His hands flew to his cheeks, panic crossing his face as he felt the numerous small indents on his face.
'I'll.be back in a minute.' He blurted, racing out of the room (well as quickly as a hungover person could race anyway).
So even Potter wasn't above superficiality and shallowness.
Even though his hair would imply he was.
He was a bit of a mystery really.
I knew he was supposed to be the big hero who was all magnanimous and forgiving but really there should have been some limits.
Nobody, not even Potter, should have been able to lie for me, to protect me from imprisonment and then be nice to me.
To look me in the eye after the things I'd done- to sit next to me and talk to me and cook for me when I'd murdered his friends.
Nobody should have been able to . . . but he had done.
And then there was that whole damn incident with the astronomy tower and me accidentally falling on his lips.
Not that it was that accidental.
Truthfully I honestly hadn't thought about that kiss in years - I'd pretty much forgotten it had ever happened.
Spending time with Voldemort kind of numbs you. He twists you on the inside - takes everything you are and turns it into what he wants to be.
And Death Eaters feel nothing.
He sucks the emotion out of you - deep from within your very being and deep within all your memories.
So whilst I had thought about the kiss every now and again it just seemed.empty.
But last night it had seemed more vivid.more real.
I mean - don't get me wrong- it wasn't like I *cared* or anything, it was just that I could now feel that the atmosphere between the two of us had changed somewhat.
Usually people getting drunk together is a great bonding experience.so I've heard.
I've never actually "bonded" as such.
Potter wandered back in and I looked at him with a frown.
Hmm . . .
That was slightly worrying.
That stupid kiss with Potter was the last thing I'd been thinking about before I got drunk.
And truthfully . . . I was a bit . . . weird when I'm drunk.
'I didn't do anything really stupid last night did I?' I asked Potter.
He looked at me cagily. 'What do you mean?'
I shrugged, trying to be vague. 'You know- anything I'd really regret if I remembered.'
He stood slightly stiffly. 'I don't know.'
'So you don't remember anything either?'
His attempt at seeming casual made him seem anything other than it. 'Bits and pieces.'
'Such as . . . ?' I prompted impatiently.
'Nothing important.'
'So you won't have any problems telling me then.' I smirked triumphantly.
'It honestly doesn't matter.' He said through gritted teeth.
'Yeah well I want to know.'
'How can you possibly want an argument when you're this hung over??' He snapped in exasperation.
Hmm . . . he had a point there.
'Fine.' I sighed. 'But I will find out what happened. And personally I don't see what's so terrible that you can't tell me.'
There was a tense silence in which I pouted.
'You know what.' He said suddenly. 'I have to go into work.'
'At eleven o'clock?'
'Yes.'
'Why?' I said in disbelief.
'Because I have some very important things to do and they need me.'
'Says who?'
'Me!'
'So that Blake guy contacted you?'
'What is this the Spanish Inquisition?'
Ok I really wished he'd stop talking about things I didn't understand.
'It might be.' I replied evasively.
I could probably have known the answer to that if I'd known what it was.
'Look I just feel like going into work that's all.'
'When you're hungover?'
'Yes.'
'And when you don't even like your job?'
He clenched his jaw. 'Yes.'
That sounded logical.
I shrugged. 'Ok.'
'I'm going to go get ready.' Abruptly he stood up and stalked from the room.
I hesitantly took a sip of my coffee, burning my mouth instantly.
He sure was testy this morning.
I was trying to figure out if I could stomach any food (eventual outcome- no) when Potter walked back into the kitchen.
His face was a sort of ashen grey and there were deep bags under his eyes.
Frankly he looked like shit.
'You look worse if that's possible.'
He looked at me in a sort of numb shock. 'Yeah let's say I remembered a few things about last night I wish I hadn't.'
I smirked. 'Did you pour out some deep dark secrets?'
'I wish.'
I looked at him curiously but didn't press it. 'So you remembered it all pretty quickly. How'd that happen?'
He shrugged slightly. 'Anti-hangover spell.'
I shot out my seat, regretting it as my head swam. 'You can do those?'
He nodded.
'Go on then.'
'Huh?'
I rolled my eyes. 'Cast the spell on me you idiot.'
I liked hangover spells.
If he cast it on me then within the next three minutes my nausea and headache would fade away as would the pain in my stiff limbs.
Not to mention the fact I'd remember everything that happened last night.
'Uhh.no.' He chewed his bottom lip.
'Why?'
'Because.just because.'
I sighed.
'Potter just cast the damn spell on me.'
'You know what,' his voice shook slightly, 'I think it might be better if you got better the natural way.'
Hell no I hated not remembering things.
'Oh come on Potter.'
'No.'
'You cast it on yourself!'
He shrugged. 'Well I'm not casting it on you.'
'That seems a bit sadistic.' I frowned.
He shrugged. 'Well you'd be the one to know about that wouldn't you?'
'You're awfully bitter this morning.' I remarked darkly. 'That's funny considering I'm the one with the killer hangover.'
'Well you probably deserve it.' Potter glared at me.
'Probably.' I agreed darkly. 'But seeing as how I don't remember anything I wouldn't know.'
He hesitated, about to say something but changing his mind. 'I'll be back in a few hours.'
He took a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace.
'Potter-'
He was consumed by green flames and I sighed.
Well there went any quick ways to getting my memory of the previous evening back.
Guess I'd have to do it the old fashioned way.
***
This wasn't working.
I chewed my bottom lip.
I'd been sitting in the living room for two hours trying to remember *anything* about the night before.
I sighed . . . well . . .
I'd woken up on the floor so that meant at some point I'd been on the floor.
Maybe if I recreated it . . .
I looked round quickly to check that no-one was watching.
~Cuz there are so many people here to watch you.~
Good point.
Gingerly I lay down on the floor.
Ok this was . . . new.
I strained backwards in my memories.
Giggling.
There had been a lot of giggling.
A smirk appeared on my face.
So Potter giggled huh?
I focused harder, realising with sick horror that I'd been the one giggling.
Giggling.
*Giggling*!!!!!
I'd changed my mind- I didn't want to know anything about the previous night.
In fact, for the sake of my sanity, I was going to pretend it had never happened.
Quickly I got to my feet and switched the TV on quietly.
My head wasn't really up to loud noises.
Sometime around noon my feeling of nausea abated, much to my relief.
I was bored.
Bored out of my skull.
There was nothing to do in this bloody house.
Not to mention the fact that I couldn't vent my annoyance towards Potter for not doing the spell.
I was going to find a way to amuse myself . . .
A very quiet, peaceful way that involved very little movement.
Right on cue a loud ringing pierced my brain.
'Shit!' I swore, covering my ears with my hands.
Unswayed by my swearing the ringing continued.
Where was it coming from??
I had to make it stop.
Desperately I tracked the noise down, finding it coming from an object underneath a coat.
I looked at it with a wrinkled brow, what the hell was it?
It rang again and I suddenly remembered.
Potter had told me about it.
It was a . . . phone.
And what had he said about it "don't even think about answering it even if your life depends on it".
I watched it, hoping that pulling funny faces would distract me from it.
No such luck.
I sighed and moved slightly, looking at the phone from a new angle.
I tapped my fingers impatiently against the sofa- when was the person going to get the hint and stop phoning??
Ok that was it - it was making me feel like someone was driving a spatula into my head- I snatched it up.
'Hello.'
'Hello?' A female voice asked in confusion. 'Who's that?'
I smirked. 'Who's *that*?'
'Hermione.' The voice said cautiously.
Granger.
Figures that no-one else would ring Potter.
'Oh Hermione!' I exclaimed, a plan beginning to form in my mind. 'Harry's told me all about you.'
Oh this was going to be great.
'Oh . . . really?' She asked in surprise.
'Of course. He's never shut up about you and-' Oh it pained me to say it 'Ron since I moved in.'
Ugh- mental note to wash my mouth out with soap later.
'You moved in???' She was starting to sound completely lost and shocked.
'Yes.' I feigned a sort of hurt surprise. 'Didn't Harry tell you?'
'Well . . . uhh . . . I mean . . . of course he . . . so you're his new boyfriend then?'
'New?' I laughed softly. 'Nah we go way back.'
'Oh.' She sounded taken-aback. 'I see.'
'So do you want me to give him a message?'
'Uhmm yeah. Could you tell him that I called and ask him to give me a ring back.'
'Sure I will. It was nice to finally talk to you Hermione.'
'Yeah you too.' She laughed slightly nervously. 'Bye!'
'Bye!'
I put the phone back, laughing slightly.
Ok Potter was going to kill me . . . assuming he didn't die of a heart attack when he found out I was his supposed boyfriend.
But it was so funny.
Who could resist???
***
What felt like a very long time afterwards Potter deigned the house with his presence.
Truthfully after the phone call I'd been so amused I couldn't keep being angry at him so the atmosphere was pretty much back to normal.
It's amazing what avoiding each other for a few hours can do.
During his absence I'd rooted through his bookshelves and had discovered a book that seemed to explain a lot of muggle artefacts.
Now I was fed up of being left in the dark so I'd decided that I was damn well going to read it no matter how hard it was.
And it was pretty hard.
I didn't know who was struggling more - me with my electrons and fuses and crap or Potter with his map of supposed Death Eater bases.
But me, being me, was loath to admit that I was struggling.
Potter threw down his pen in frustration and I took a welcome break from the book to uncover what his problems was this time.
'Jesus Draco - do these have any pattern whatsoever?'
I looked at him lazily. 'Yes.'
'What?' He asked, frustrated.
A smirk crossed my face. 'Now that would be telling.'
'I'll give you a cookie.'
'Gee well when you put it like that.' I said in fake happiness.
'Point taken.' He said reluctantly.
I rolled my eyes and continued reading, my brow furrowed in confusion as I tried to understand what the hell this book was going on about.
He sighed.
'How about two?'
'Sod off Potter.' My tone held no malice, only mild amusement.
I was really losing my touch.
'Well will you just help me a bit?'
I considered it. 'Four cookies.'
'Deal.' He said quickly.
I stood up and walked over to the table.
'Ok let's see.'
I peered over his shoulder.
I sighed. 'Potter we talked about the likeliness of me having my bases in places with stupid names.'
I pointed out his most recent idiotic guess.
'I suppose.' He muttered.
'Just think like me.' I shrugged. 'It may scar you for life but it'll help.'
'Yeah.' His voice was quieter than usual
'You ok?' I straightened up, brushing his shoulder accidentally with my hand.
'Mm-huh.' His assent wavered slightly.
I squinted - was he blushing???
Knowledge hit me like a train.
'Potter.' I tried to keep the amusement out of my voice.
'Yeah?'
You don't happen to have any fantasies about fucking me on your kitchen floor do you?
'Do you . . . like me?'
There was deathly silence.
He cleared his throat. 'Sorry?'
'Do you like me?' I repeated, feeling laughter bubble up inside me.
A slight pause.
'Do you mean do I like you or do I *like* you?'
'What do you think I meant?' I teased, a smirk playing on my face.
'Uhh . . . '
'So is that a yes then?'
'What? No!' He exclaimed.
'Well I wouldn't blame you - I am gorgeous after all.' I drawled.
'Draco!' He exclaimed, astounded by my arrogance.
I rolled my eyes. 'So do you?'
He gaped at me. 'No - of course I don't! I mean you're all . . . and I'm . . . and it would . . . ' He gave up. 'No.'
Funny . . . for a no that sounded quite a bit like a yes.
I settled back on the sofa with a smirk.
So Potter had a crush on me.
This was going to be so much fun.
He had inadvertently given me the means to drive him absolutely mad. And I wouldn't even really have to try.
I mean - I had to get him back somehow for destroying my life right?
And though normally that would involve a lot of pain and bloodshed . . . I had the feeling that this may be even better.
'I'm just going to have a shower.' I told Potter.
He kept his eyes very firmly fixed on the map, ignoring the flush on his cheeks.
'Ok.'
I left the room with a small swagger to my stride. It was nice to know that my looks still had an effect- even if it was only on Potter.
Halfway up the stairs a green flash of light spilled out of the living room.
I paused.
Who'd floo in when there was a wanted criminal staying here?
'Hermione!' Potter's voice exclaimed. 'What are you doing here?'
My eyes widened.
I didn't actually think she'd come to see who I was.
Shit.
This was either going to be spectacularly brilliant or spectacularly horrific.
'Do we need an excuse to come round and see our best friend?' A deeper voice replied.
Oh God - Weasley too!
This was too much to resist.
Time to put plan "embarrass Potter to death" into action.
'Are you by yourself or,' Granger peered round, 'is someone with you?'
That would be my cue.
'Harry where did you put the towels?' I bounced into my room. 'Oh.' I stopped. 'Sorry I didn't know anyone else was here.'
I didn't think I'd actually ever said sorry before.
If the expressions on Weasley's and Granger's faces weren't quite so funny then it would have been an extremely traumatic moment.
'Malfoy?' Weasley gasped.
Potter's face drained of colour.
'Harry why's Malfoy in your house?' Weasley looked desperately to Potter.
'He's . . . uhh . . . staying with me for a bit.' He scuffed the carpet with his foot.
Ooh bad thing to say.
Weasley began to turn purple - a colour that clashed very badly with his red hair.
'He's your new boyfriend!?'
'What?' Potter turned to me with an outraged expression. 'You told them that?'
'Was it meant to be a secret?' I hid my smirk beneath an ashamed look.
He gaped at me.
'I don't get it.' Weasley spun on Potter. 'I thought he was a Death Eater.'
'I am.' I shoved my sleeve up lazily.
'Harry are you mad?'
'Debateable.' I muttered.
Granger shot me a look but carried on. 'How could you be so stupid as to let some god-forsaken Death Eater stay here! He'll kill you as soon as your back is turned!'
Well if that's what she wanted to choose to believe then that was fine with me. I wasn't going to correct her.
Potter shifted his weight uncomfortably. 'I know he's an evil arsehole but- '
'Hey!' I exclaimed indignantly.
Weasley rolled his eyes. 'Like it's not true.'
Ok it *was* true but I wasn't going to tell him that.
'I'll have you know I killed Voldemort.' I said smugly.
'That was true?' Granger exclaimed.
'Yes that was true! God! Wizards are a skeptical bunch aren't they!'
Granger ignored me and turned back to Potter. 'Does that mean he was a spy all along?'
'Yeah Harry does that mean I was a spy all along?' I chirped, unable to stop now I'd started.
'You're in enough trouble.' Potter told me dangerously. 'Shut up.'
I rolled my eyes. 'Oh I'm scared. But you know,' my eyes began to sparkle, 'you weren't telling me to shut up last night.'
Well for all I knew that was true.
'Draco!' Potter exclaimed.
'It's Draco now?' Weasley said in shock. 'God I guess you really are shagging him.'
'Shagging him???' Potter's eyes boggled.
'Can we focus here people?!' Granger shouted at the top of her lungs.
We all fell silent.
'Thankyou!' She turned to Harry. 'Was Malfoy a spy?' she repeated calmly.
'Uhh . . . ' Harry looked shifty. 'Yeah?'
I groaned. 'If you're going to lie that badly you might as well just tell them the truth.'
'What truth?'
'That Harry and I are madly in love with each other and have been doing nothing but shagging for the last two weeks.' I deadpanned.
There was stunned silence.
Geez I didn't know they were going to take me seriously.
'Can you please just stop it?' Potter whispered.
I jerked in surprise, there was a broken look in his eyes.
Despite my inner death eater jumping up and down chanting "squash the little Potter man while he's down!" I faltered.
'Ok.'
Weasley and Granger both blinked.
'What?' I snapped. 'You're the only ones allowed to have any sense of decency.'
Harry sent me another petitioning look.
To my horror I actually felt the urge to apologise and shut my mouth as quickly as possible so that I couldn't.
Moodily I sat down and watched the argument play out.
To think I'd caused all this.
I waited for the glow of satisfaction to appear.
And waited.
And waited.
I frowned.
'So Malfoy's not a spy?' Granger said slowly.
Hello??? Glow of satisfaction??
I'm still waiting!
'Well,' Potter chewed his bottom lip, 'that all depends.'
'On what?'
'On who you talk to.'
Granger's face darkened. 'Harry please do not tell me that you *lied* to the Minister of Magic.'
She always had been reasonably intelligent.
Potter looked at the floor.
'Are you out of your mind?' the Weasel asked frankly.
'What possessed you?' Granger squawked.
They were slowly beating him to the ground with their words and I watched as he visibly shrank.
'I-' Potter started.
'Do you know what'll happen if someone finds out?'
Come on Potter - fight back.
His face had become despondent.
'Do you know how much you're risking for him?' I was pointed at.
Oh this was ridiculous.
'If I could just point out that Potter actually owed me a wizard's debt.'
'Shut up!' Weasley and Granger both snapped.
Potter's eyes showed relief as he finally remembered why he'd lied.
'He's right.' Potter commented. 'He saved my life-I couldn't exactly let him got to Azkabhan.'
'Why not?' Weasley asked.
'Ron!' Potter snapped.
'Sorry Harry but I really don't see why not- ok he saved your life but he's killed so many people!'
'Ron-' Potter repeated, his voice becoming uncomfortable.
Weasley sighed. 'It's ok Harry - you don't need to keep "Ronning" me.'
'But Harry,' Granger interjected, 'we really have to talk about-'
'Do we have to talk about this with him here?' Weasley interjected, sending me a suspicious look. 'Can't he go to another room?'
Potter shrugged. 'If you want him to- but knowing him he'll find a way to listen away. At least if he's here you won't get lulled into a sense of false security and say something you really shouldn't.'
'Hmmm.' Weasley said doubtfully.
There was an awkward pause.
'Sooo . . . ' Potter stuck his hands in his pockets.
'We probably better be going.' Granger said suddenly. 'We're supposed to be going out to dinner - we were going to ask you and your. . . uhh.' She looked at me. 'But maybe that's not such a great idea.'
'To put it lightly.' Weasley muttered.
'Call me, ok?' Granger embraced Potter.
He nodded slightly.
'I just want you to know that I think this is a really bad idea.' Granger told Potter softly. 'But I trust your judgement and . . . well . . . you're not dead yet so maybe you stand a chance.'
He smiled slightly. 'Thanks for that astounding vote of confidence Mione.'
'I still think you're crazy.' Weasley interrupted. 'And I think you're wrong and you shouldn't be doing this.'
'Ron.'
'Save it.' He took a handful of Floo powder. 'I'll see you later.'
And with a flash he disappeared.
Granger sent him a sympathetic look. 'He'll calm down eventually.'
'I know.' Potter muttered dejectedly.
'Bye.' She smiled at him before floo-ing out.
He stood dejectedly, staring at the fireplace.
I saw my chance for escape.
I cleared my throat nervously. 'Right I'll just be-' I edged towards the door.
'You're not going *anywhere*.' Potter seethed, rounding on me.
'I can't believe you did that!' He hissed, anger evident in his tone.
'Oh relax Potter it was just a bit of fun.'
'Fun? Fun! You call that *FUN*???'
Well yes actually.
I shifted my weight. 'Well . . . '
'How could you do that? Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was??'
I had a few ideas.
'And do you know how much danger you put us both in? If anyone finds out that you're staying here then there'll be attacks left right and centre!'
'Well they're not going to tell anyone are they?'
'That's not the point!! Nobody was supposed to know that you weren't a spy!'
'You're the one who told them. You could have just lied.'
'I couldn't! I'm useless at lying to them! Minister of Magic- piece of cake. Lying to my friends - total nightmare.' His face darkened. 'And stop trying to excuse it! What you did was totally out of line.'
Wow he was taking this really seriously.
'Oh fine.' I sighed slightly. 'I'm sorry. There.'
Potter was looking at me as if I was crazy. 'You think that that's going to make it all ok?'
'Potter I've only actually ever really used those words to Voldemort so it's kind of a big deal for me. I've apologised- now you forgive me and we go back to taking the piss out of each other.' I explained.
'It doesn't work like that.' Potter snapped. 'You can't just apologise - you have to mean it.'
No one had ever mentioned that part.
'And I'm still mad at you.' Potter clarified.
'You're taking this far too seriously.' I told him.
~Have you *got* a death wish or something??? ~
'Am I?' His eyes flashed dangerously.
He took a step forward and despite myself I took a step backwards.
'I lied to the Minister of Magic for you. I told the Head Auror that you were a spy. I put my life on the line to save you from going to Azkabhan. I convinced Dumbledore not to turn you in- I let you into my home and treat you like a guest and what do you do in return??' He ran his fingers through his hair. 'You are the most ungrateful person I've ever had the misfortune to meet!'
Wow that hurt.
It seriously did.
I'd never admit it but it did.
And being me there was only one way to deal with that.
'And who asked you to do all that?' I exclaimed. 'Who asked you to turn my life upside down?? You have no right to preach to me - they were your fucking decisions *not mine*.'
He stared at me, dumbstruck.
Ok. I realised that I probably shouldn't have said that. Whilst that had been my view a month or so ago- it wasn't now.
'You are such an insufferable bastard.' His voice was hard.
'I always have been and you know that.' I snapped back. 'What's changed??'
His jaw clenched. 'Obviously not you.'
There was something in his tone that made me feel like I'd been kicked in the gut and I stopped, looking at him with something akin to distress.
He spun on his heel and walked away, leaving me staring helplessly after him.
Ok I know everybody will want to kill me for making him forget it all but to be honest I hadn't planned for the whole kissing thing to happen.
I hadn't even wanted them to get drunk but suddenly they were there, blind drunk, kissing on the living room floor so I figured - let them have their fun.
Updates are gonna be a bit infrequent for the next couple of weeks cuz I'm nose deep in exams that I don't know any of the stuff for.
Thanks for reading this chapter.
Leave me a review and tell me what you think.