Dedicated to Frog. For intoxicating the feathered population.

I am sorry to announce that I have finished writing this story already (16 chapters and an epilogue) so there is no point asking me for something to happen. These things have already been written in the sands of time. Also I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed cos I was bowled over by them. You are all fantastic. Finally a little note on characters as several of you had commented Draco is getting away with murder and no one is stopping him. JK has kind of left me stranded. My OC Lithliya would stand up to Draco but she is in the same house as him and agrees with him to a point. Hermione is infatuated with him. And everyone else are weak little shrimps. I will try and serve Draco his comeuppance as soon as possible.

Redaura: Draco is not protective methinks. Possessive. If they attack 'his girls' then its an attack on him. I know a guy or two like that. *sigh* bastards. Goes back to the rape laws where the crime in rape is not the attack on women but the theft of another man's woman. Glad you like it darling.

WildChartermage: Thank you so much. Brill to hear.

PractikalMagik: I hadn't thought of that. He'd make quite a good mob boss. I don't suppose you'd make me live up to those standards of yours every time?

Raine an Frodo: I emailed you to thank you for reviewing so much. Dunno whether you got it or have just decided I'm weird. Peeves... well he's not a main character but he'll have a line or two. Glad I've started warming you up a lil to Malfoy. We have to love our bad guys. I will try to mention Ron in at least every chapter. I like your idea on the half eaten sausage. Alas no. But really it's only a half eaten sausage.

Haystack: And that makes you one of my favourite reviewers ever. I hope this update is just as perfect and I can balance well on this pedestal.

Someonelse: I'm glad I'm different. Nice to be different. Though I hope someday to venture along the line between genius and insanity however at the moment I am comfortably camped in the former.

Shadow Play 23: paradox/oxymoron. Same thing. I thought him saying that you're all going to die but make sure you continue to study was very like what quite a lot of teachers ask atm. As for your point about Draco and his woman beatingness. He's actually only hit one girl and she was under imperious and would probably have served as a distraction whilst Death Eaters laid into Draco. But yeah. I'll try and have someone slap him.

Star: Glad you have sense when it comes to Shadders and glad you like the story.

Anatia: Ahh I love Darren Brown. So cool. You picked that up well. But I think most people in Slytherin are scared of Dracy. I would say that revision is far more important than my story but I'm counting my story as English revision *cough cough*

Swurple Kitty: Don't worry we are in the same camp. Insanity is a gift given to few prized by many. Yeah, I think I wouldn't know what to do with him either. Damn men.

Sarkney 101: I'm very complimented. That's lovely to hear. I'm really happy know. *bounces off*

I will not be doing that long amount of replies again. It takes up too much space when you are suppose to be wanting to read the story. So I'll shorten them down and do group thanks probably if i get that amount again. 11..... *faints*

Chapter Seven

Intoxication

The weekend came slowly, bringing the bitter chill of autumn. A fine mist hung about the castle, making everything feel damp. The early morning Hufflepuff Quidditch practice was called off on account of visibility problems. All returned to their beds. The morning was one that even the early risers stayed that extra five minutes in bed. Hermione Granger was no exception. She had placed a spell about her room, affording her the comfort of safety. No one except her could pass through the door. In fact she was the only one who could see the door.

Hermione arose from her bed at nine in the morning. The castle was quiet. She put on her Muggle clothes; jeans and a long sleeved pastel blue t-shirt. Her eyes danced over her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was flowing down her back in waves, her eyes were large and bright and her skin was clear. She was not unattractive. So why had she not had a boyfriend since Viktor?

She sighed and dismissed such thoughts. And anyway you have Malfoy after you so you're not doing badly. She stopped. Did I just think that? She stopped and shook her head. Goodness the school pressure was getting to her. She hurried off downstairs to the Gryffindor common room and out through the portrait door, not waiting for Harry and Ron. She was just reaching the Great Hall when a commotion stopped her.

Goyle was standing bellowing at a younger year Slytherin to 'Get Snape'. Just down the corridor from him was a small crowd of Slytherin's gathered round a collapsed figure on the ground. She hurried up. "Back away, give the guy some breathing space." Hermione leant over the boy, scanning him. His gaze was unfocused but he had no ailment she could see. "What happened?" She asked Crabbe who was shepherding the students away.

"We was walking down here and someone sent a spell at him and he fell into the wall. And there was a smack." Crabbe added as an afterthought. Hermione studied the boy and nodded to herself. Crabbe however grabbed a boy who had just run down the corridor from the direction of the Slytherin common room. "Is he coming?"

Just as the boy was about to answer Draco and Lithliya rounded the corner. They both had evidently just woken up as Draco's shirt was only done up at the bottom and Lithliya was wearing her pyjama top with her school skirt. Hermione only glanced up at them before turning back to the boy. "Dethcous." She said his name as she lightly tapped his face with her hand in an attempt to make him concentrate on something nearer than the moon.

Dethcous's gaze was removed itself from the far distance when Malfoy arrived in the group. Dethcous looked up at him, his gaze focusing as close as he could on Draco's face. Draco leant down, Lithliya standing behind him, Hermione kneeling next to Malfoy annoyed at this intrusion. "Was it them?" Draco asked looking deep into Dethcous's unnaturally blue/purple eyes. Dethcous blinked an assent. "Right." Malfoy said straightening up. "Crabbe, take Dethcous to the Pomfrey. And you too Goyle. Zabini come with me. Lithliya," His voice became sickly sweet. "Take the rest of you lot through to the Great Hall."

Lithliya was looking at him with dead eyes. "Take care, Draconis." She said her tone low. She spun on her heel and looked to the rest of the Slytherins. "Quidditch match in an hour. We'll need all the food we can get. For the celebrating afterwards." The Slytherins roared and pranced off towards the Great Hall. Crabbe lifted Dethcous and plonked him over his shoulder, nodding to the girls before walking of with Goyle. Malfoy, Zabini and a few select others had already slithered into the shadows. "I feel like eating with intelligent company. Care to join me?" Lithliya asked the deputy head girl whilst still looking after Draco with thoughtful eyes.

Hermione sensing information maybe applicable through this meeting consented.

-*-

Lithliya sat close to Hermione on the end of the Slytherin bench. Lithliya had asked that they sit there as her moral building would be for nothing were she to change table. However the Slytherins that were down and enjoying their breakfasts sat at the other end of the table. "What do you wish to know?" Lithliya asked whilst watching the Gryffindor table of Hermione's shoulder.

"How did you-" Hermione cut herself off and guessed. Lithliya knew Hermione just agreed to sit with her so she could get information. "Is Malfoy's new approach real?" Hermione asked carefully picking up a new bit of toast and buttered it.

"What do you really want to know?" Lithliya asked looking at the food with minor abhorrence. She had slept well last night. Malfoy had made her sleep with him again though he never laid a hand on her in a sexual way. She had dreamt of Voldemorte's demise at Harry's hand; Harry standing over the black robed lifeless form of the previous dark lord. Then from the shadows behind Harry, white blonde hair with lifeless grey eyes appeared, she'd called out to warn him, but she couldn't make a sound. She was no better than Ginny Weasley. A teenager who just liked the idea of a knight in shining armour. Well wake up sweety, this is the real world. The only knights here are gay.

"Draco, Malfoy." Hermione corrected herself, blushing into her orange juice before turning back to her toast. "What is he up to..." Lithliya smirked looked at her with a Malfoy expression. She made little circles with her hand for Hermione to continue. Hermione blushed again and looked at her half eaten plate, the crusts lying on her plate. "In regards to... me. I mean why is he suddenly taking an interest in me. Why did he make sure he arrived at class with me yesterday. And why did all of you celebrate it?" Hermione blushed again and made apologetic noises. "I mean you weren't there, but Slytherins."

Lithliya studied Hermione. She checked the clock. It was ten o'clock. Only half an hour to go. "Draco likes you." Hermione snorted. Lithliya shrugged and poured herself a strong coffee. "I suppose if you want it more accurately. Draco wants to play with you. He finds you amusing. You're no longer an enemy... or rather you share an enemy. And with his sudden lack of interest in blood, with this summers revelations to him... He, err, fancies your body and your mind." Hermione was now looking distinctly worried.

"How long do these... fancies of his last?" She asked choking out the words to the younger girl.

Lithliya glanced at the clock again. "Err, I don't know. I've never known him have one before. I've got to go, cheer the troops. Don't worry about it too much, Draco will probably just fuck you and leave you, what he did to everyone in Slytherin. And Ravenclaw." Every full stop was punctuated with a gulp of coffee. She finished her cup and smiled down at Hermione as she rose to leave. "You'd better go and explain to Ron and Harry why you are over here." Lithliya smiled once before darting off out the main doors.

-*-

"They're three types of Slytherin. There are the liars. Like Zabini." A deep cheer arose from the Quidditch players. There were four 7th years and the rest were 6th years. All the team were male and built like it. There were a couple of Lithliya own sitting on benches.

Lithliya's own was the name given to the group of girls who followed Lithliya's lead. Marcus Flint had given them the name after someone had asked him who he wanted in the sack. 'Lithliya or her own lot' was his reply, he had been drunk. The name had stuck and the numbers included in it grew. They were attractive girls but with intelligence who had the reputation of always getting what they wanted. They had formed in Slytherin to provide against the overbearing males who ran the house but now even a couple of Gryffindors had been counted in the numbers.

They had no meetings and they had no specific structure. It was more a system of standing up for one another and doing favours. Lithliya had requested a couple of the Slytherin members to her for the pre-match talk and as a distraction for the players from their match against Ravenclaw.

"Those Slytherins who manipulate and scheme to achieve their own ends. Talk fancy words, say fancy things, appear to all eyes as fancy. But underneath..." A laugh rose from a couple of players who thumped Zabini. Lithliya continued. "Then they're those Slytherins who are thieves."

"Like you." Malfoy cut in from behind her. Lithliya rolled her eyes and the players cheered and laughed. Malfoy had only arrived back from his business at twenty past ten. He left the speech to Lithliya so he could change. The players already knew the tactics.

"Thieves, like me." She repeated dryly. "Thieves. Who steal few possessions. No, they steal laughter, they steal dreams, they steal peace, they steal lives." Coy, dry smiles appeared the on the Slytherins faces. Lithliya smiled and continued. "Then they're the things that make you scream. Or in other words Malfoy." Loud laughter came from in front and behind her. Lithliya smiled. "Things because they are too awful to be classified human. Make you scream because-"

"They're that damn good in bed." Raucous laughter echoed off the changing room walls. Lithliya smiled at Malfoy who had just finished changing. "Right, tactics team. Apologise to old Hooch for us for being a little late." He dismissed her without so much as a nod farewell. The other girls rose and trooped out through the changing room door. All the girls gave secret smiles to each other and laughed when the door shut.

"Right girls, you ready? We got some crowd pleasing to do." The girls laughed again before straightening their robes. They walked out onto the Quidditch pitch. "Sonorous." The Ravenclaw players were not out yet. So the match would be starting late. A deep base drum started. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, Gryffindors and Slytherins." Lithliya announced to the stadium as they were spotted by the audience. "Welcome to Hogwarts Stadium for the match of Slytherin versus Ravenclaw."

A month past, the beginning of term, Lithliya and the select girls had come out to the Quidditch pitch whilst the team was practising. After some mucking and much discussion it was decided that the girls should provide an introduction to the team, to warm up the crowd. Dumbledore had agreed. It was a chance for the girls who were not seriously considered for the team to show their skills on a broom.

Lithliya picked up her broom, a Firebolt, as did the other girls. Draco had left the introduction totally to Lithliya, which would be fine as long as no one ever told him the music was Muggle. She lifted off the ground so she was flying level with the spectators.

Tuck you in, warm within

Keep you free from sin

Till the sandman he comes

"The Slytherin team!" She called.

Sleep with one eye open

"Crabbe"

Gripping your pillow tight

"Goyle"

Exit light

"Warrington"

Enter Night

"Flint"

Take my hand

"Zabini"

We're off to Never Never Land

"Malfoy!"

Lithliya smiled when she saw the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs cheering. Except the boy Zabini had had that run in with yesterday. Idiot. Her girls were flying fast around the stands encouraging cheering and the clapping to the beat. Lithliya was flying over the Gryffindor stand with Malfoy. She smiled at him. He smiled back. Panic seized through her for a second. Then he sped towards her- and past her. She turned as quickly as she could following him.

They played cat and mouse for half a minute as the Ravenclaw team emerged. Then she returned to her place by the Gryffindors. She ignored Harry's gaze on her. She twisted her broom round as the hush in the music began:

Now I lay me down to sleep

Pray the Lord my soul to keep

If I die before I wake

Pray the Lord my soul to take

Hush little baby, don't say a word

And never mind the noise you heard

It's just the beasts under your bed

In your closet, in your head

Their acrobatics ended with dives from each house box. Rapturous applause broke out with cheers and whistles as the girls trooped back in. They had made their point; that they were as capable as the men on brooms. It was in the grand scheme of things unimportant but it was another point to use against Draco. If Lithliya ever needed them.

They watched the match from the ground, the girls proud of themselves and flushed pink. Lithliya acted as one of them, feeling infinitely different. They cheered as loud as the crowd above when Malfoy caught the snitch, Slytherin winning 210: 80. The Ravenclaw team had been hampered by the mist that still clung to the air, whereas the Slytherin team benefited from the Clear Sight spell Lithliya had put upon them. The Slytherins had also been visibly better practised than before.

Lithliya walked away from the victory, but with the bitter taste of defeat in her mouth. Her eyes met Harry's across the crowds and she hurried back to a crowd of Slytherin's celebrating.

-*-

"I didn't like the way Flint was hooking the ball. I think he takes after his brother a little too much. Perhaps he and Warrington have been working together alone on the Quidditch pitch. Actually I've heard lots of things about what Warrington does on the Quidditch pitch... a lot to do with balls and not much to do with Quidditch..." Ron finished his ramblings with a shrug. Harry's gaze was lost somewhere in the crowd of people. "Hey, Harry, come on. Lunchtime."

They met Hermione in the Great Hall for lunch, Ron telling Hermione about the match in detail, Harry gazing off towards the Slytherin table, Hermione explaining to Ron again why she ate breakfast on there, Ron and Hermione attempting to shake Harry from his daze, Harry nodding vaguely when Ron said 'Harry would you ever kiss Snape?' After that remark the entire Gryffindor table, who'd been eavesdropping grimaced, and Ron and Hermione left Harry to his thoughts.

Seamus arrived to the table just as they were finishing. "Hey, guys you have to see this." He said to the trio and the other 7th year Gryffindors. They followed him back up, Ron talking with Neville on the tactics one would use when trying to avoid kissing Snape. Hermione hung back taking Harry with her.

"Harry, you have to stop daydreaming." She said to him as they were far enough from the main body of Gryffindors not to be heard. "I know you fancy her but really even I am showing some restraint..."

"Who?" He said feigning blind innocence. Hermione glared at him. "Oh right. But Ron didn't notice did he? And what did you mean 'even I'? Does 'Mione fancy someone?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow at him. "No. Don't be so ridiculous Harry." Her voice reprimanded. Her face told no lies and she turned quite pink. Harry sighed. "As for Ron he wouldn't notice if an elephant with the words 'Harry's gazing at the head girl' walked in front of him. Though I'm surprised he wasn't a little suspicious when you admitted wanting to kiss Snape."

"Yeah Ron is a little slow sometimes. But he's great in. What do you mean I want to kiss Snape?" He asked his voice rising in volume. The last part of the sentence was caught by two 1st years who looked at Harry with shock.

"Don't worry about it everyone laughed about it. But if you didn't realise you admitted that you've got to realise your being a bit blatant." Hermione told him. "Leopard Worm." The passwords were now being changed every two days. Everyone was secretly keeping an eye on Neville just in case he made a list and lost it again. They went past the Fat Lady who gave them a nod.

"Harry!" Ron came bumbling up as they came in. Ron's face was matching his hair and his movement were a little ungainly. "You have to try this stuff. Deeean got some from home for his birthday. It's called alcopol."

Oh dear, Hermione's mind registered before she was dragged off to the 7th year boy's dormitory. Most of the 7th year Gryffindors were there already. A load of witches and wizards who have never even heard of alcohol before let loose upon it after a day of sporting achievements. What could be worse? It was only then, naturally, that Hermione saw the alcohol Dean's parents had got him. Scrap that. This was a nightmare.

-*-

"Shhh, shhh shh." The Gryffindors told each other as they stumbled down the darkened stairs to the Dungeons. They were all drunk. Several hours of drinking games and dinner skipping left them completely plastered. "Awww shit." Swore Ronald Weasley loudly as he stubbed his toe in the dark. The Gryffindors giggled hysterically. Then "shh, shhh" each other in the darkened corridor.

To Hermione Granger this was great fun. She'd only meant to drink a little but she didn't. She couldn't remember how that happened. Didn't matter now. Was Harry sure this was the way to the Slytherin common room? She thought it was back right down there. Oh damn. She meant to say that out loud. She giggled to herself. She felt Harry giggle at her giggling and that became very funny.

"Here it is." Harry said pulling himself up from his giggling fit then stumbling into Hermione who giggled at that. "Stop walking into me woman." He reprimanded her before standing up straight to say the password. "Erm... Leopard.. Leopard.. Worm! Oh. That's Gryffindor." Harry debated with himself as to what the password could be for several minutes. Soon enough random guesses came from the crowd behind him.

"Forked tongue." Hermione said to Harry and then stuck out her tongue giggling. The wall slid open and a very surprised group of Slytherins looked round. Malfoy was in a fancy chair with Zabini opposite him, Dethcous and several other in the surrounding chairs. They had mugs of butterbeer on tables near them. "We have come too-" Hermione squealed as she fell over nothing. The other Gryffindors seemed to find this very amusing and then hopped over her to see the common room.

Malfoy barely recovered from his shock at having the entirety of the Gryffindor 7th years invading him before he stood up to send them all out. The wall had already closed behind them. Hermione pulled herself up from the floor and giggled. "You're perdy." She said before stumbling. Harry draped an arm around him and mumbled something.

"What?" Draco asked shocked.

"You're like a brother to me man. Hermano y hermano." Harry said again before he got distracted by the fire. Ron was poking the staircase to the girls dormitories, all of which were empty, with a finger investigating the wall.

"I thought I said no tricks on Gryffindors." Draco reprimanded his housemates present. They just shrugged looking as confused as he was.

"No trick. It's Muggle alcopol." Ron said from his situation on the floor. "You should try it. Very fun."

"Wheeeeeeee" Seamus was jumping up and down the stairs and Pavarti was grasping her stomach with laughter on the floor.

"Get out." Malfoy ordered.

"Don't be such a party pooper." Lavender said from her place on Dean's lap. "Meanie."

"Get out." He repeated. Groaning the Gryffindors did. Malfoy was glad that any Slytherins who would have woken up to the sounds of squealing had had the sense to not investigate. "That was interesting." He said as he turned his back on the wall door and walked into something soft. He looked down. Weasley was on the floor, drooling slightly. He kicked the guy. Weasley just groaned and rolled over.

"Boss." Malfoy turned and looked at Zabini who was cradling Hermione in his arms. She was idly playing with his black hair and he looked marginally happy about it. Malfoy sneered and walked over to Zabini, removing her from him. She protested about the lack of a play thing until she found Draco's trouser buttons. He closed his eyes and thought of Hagrid in a swimming costume. "Potter's here too." Zabini said slightly sulkily.

Malfoy looked over at Harry who lay on a couch snoring loudly. He rolled his eyes. "Leave. Let's get to bed." Draco carried Hermione up to his head boy room. He opened the door loudly, casting a beam of light onto the bed. He walked over and dumped Hermione heavily on it. She was still playing with his trousers. "Lithliya." He said. The girl already in his bed moaned and turned over though did not awake. "Lithliya." He said louder. He had not patience right now. Lithliya's eyes opened and she stared at him confusedly. "There's a present for you down in the common room. You can stay down there all night." His voice was husky as Hermione figured out how to open his trousers.

Lithliya examined him as much as she could with dreary eyes before climbing out of the bed and padding down the stairs. She shut the door behind herself. "Lumos." Malfoy said throwing his wand onto the bed. Hermione looked up at him with deviance in her eyes. When was Draco Malfoy ever one to refuse a lady?

He pulled off his shirt as she undid his trousers letting them fall to the floor. He then pushed her back onto the bed pulling off her covering t-shirt. She was wearing a lacy black bra. He cocked an eyebrow and she giggled. He fiddled with the buckle of her trousers for a minute or so whilst she giggled merrily. "Dammit Granger you do like to tease." He commented on finally getting the blasted thing undone. She was wearing matching underwear. Tonight ladies and gentlemen, Draco Malfoy will ride what has never even been contemplated as ride-able. Draco Malfoy will ride the Granger!

-*-

Well well well. I hope you enjoyed that. I do believe the aftermath of this will be just as fun to write. I do think we ought to congratulate Malfoy on getting laid don't you? Review! Oh and the answer to the question you are all waiting for: what the hell did that have to do with a half eaten sausage. Absolutely nothing. The in depth research into the 'Scourge of the Dinnerladies' (the fiends of lunchtime) will give you more information on the subject of half eaten sausages if you are in need.

All credit to Metallica for Enter Sandman the song used in this chapter.

Click on Next time to find out: if Malfoy gets laid again, if Harry is successful at scoring on and off the pitch, if Ron gets any action at all (apart from Harry), if the Death Eaters appear about, if anything comes of Malfoy's business meetings...... find out next time!!!