528. Short but sweet, I need to get back in the swing of things. A series of hurricanes and loss of electricity for two weeks will knock you off the boat a bit.

Hermione sat solemnly on the uncomfortable barstool, nursing a strong fire whiskey, and heartache. Her best friend! Harry had been in bed with her best bloody friend! She couldn't very well blame Ginny. The girl had been infatuated with the boy hero for years, and Harry had returned her feelings for months. Hermione knew it. They weren't exactly good at hiding it. Funny thing is, everyone else in the Wizarding world seemed oblivious to it.

"Fill 'er up, Tom." Hermione slurred.

"I do think you've had quite enough, Miss." Tom smiled toothlessly.

"No, Tom, fill it up." Hermione said firmly.

"You heard the lady."

Hermione turned slowly on her stool, teetering slightly, and looked up into the face of Lucius Malfoy. She whirled around suddenly, grabbing the bar for support and cheekily rolling her eyes at Tom. "That one," she jerked her thumb in reference to Lucius, speaking as if he couldn't hear her in their close proximity, "He's trouble."

Tom gave Lucius a knowing look, which the blonde man returned amusedly. "Tom, do fill the lady's glass. A nice iced water will do her wonders, I believe."

Hermione mumbled something about "bloody blonde wizards" and "useless liquid". Lucius chose to take it as an invitation to be seated. He surveyed the mass of chestnut curls that had just began slamming itself repeatedly against the bar. With a raised eyebrow, he placed his palm under her forehead and lifted her face from the rough wood. A glassy-eyed but fierce glare was his reward.

"You, are a pain in my arse, Ma-" hiccup "-Malfoy!" Hermione glared.

"Likewise, Miss Granger." Lucius answered cordially, "Might I ask why you are in this charming state of intoxication?"

"THAT BLOODY BASTARD!" Hermione bellowed, slumping off of the barstool, righted by a passing wizard, to which she waved a hand in thanks.

"I presume we speak of your loving husband?"

"Loving…yes, he's loving alright." Hermione let out a very un-ladylike belch. "Not 'loving' me though, is he?"

"Might I ask who he is loving if it isn't his beautiful wife?" Lucius asked curiously.

"The…the…RON'S…" Hermione burst into loud, raking sobs, slamming her head down on the bar.

Lucius stared, clearly bewildered.

Hermione raised her head, muttering "ouch."

"Quite." was Lucius' interested response.

"He's …sleeping with her." Hermione sobbed. "With Ginny."

"The Weasley girl?"

Hermione nodded drunkenly.

"Miss Granger, I am extremely sorry."

"Eh…bloody prick. I knew it…all along!"

"Did you?"

"Oh absolutely." Hermione slurred, "They're always…always all over each other"

"How…oddly disturbing." Lucius sneered.

Hermione's head whipped around, and she glared at him fiercely. Suddenly seeming more sober, she was slightly more formidable. Lucius backed away slightly.

"You're mocking me." she glared.

"Never, Miss Granger. I would never enter a battle of wits with someone so pitifully unarmed."

"Ah, well…in that case then."

Hermione promptly passed out, crashing rather loudly and inelegantly to the floor.

-------------------------

Our heroine awakens, several hours later, in a heap on her couch. The warm lights of her flat blinded her momentarily. Hermione blinked into awareness.

Miss Granger,

I request your presence tomorrow, one o' clock sharp for lunch at the Third Cross.

Yours,

Lucius X. Malfoy

Bloody hell.