Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Hermione stepped gracefully out of the fire place at the three broomsticks. She glanced down and noticed that she had some fire place ashes on her clothes. She did a quick cleaning spell, and turned to wait for Draco to arrive. In less than a minute he walked out of the fire and performed a cleaning spell on himself as well, and they both walked over to a table and waited for Madam Rosmerta to come take their order.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy, and... Miss Granger. Umm...I'm sorry...what can I get for you this evening?" Madam Rosmerta greeted them, a little shocked at the odd couple.
"Good evening Madam Rosmerta I'd like a butterbeer please," Hermione smiled shyly.
"Same for me please, and a fire whiskey," Draco replied. He flashed his signature smirk, and Madam Rosmerta left to get their drinks.
"Don't you think that fire whiskey is a little strong to be drinking the day before classes start. I really think that you should just stick to the butterbeer," Hermione looked at him critically.
"Oh come on live a little. I bet you've never even tried a fire whiskey before. You should try it, it might help you loosen up a bit."
"I'm plenty loose thank you Mr. Malfoy."
"You're not afraid are you Miss Granger?" Draco smirked at her. He knew she didn't back down from challenges, it was the Gryffindor in her.
"Fine then will you be a gentleman and go up to the bar and request another fire whiskey. I won't let you think for one second that I'm afraid of anything that you're not."
"I will gladly go up there, you better not run away while I'm gone. I know where you live."
"Just get the drinks will you?"
"OK, ok I'm going. Don't get your panties in a bunch."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Draco came back to the table a few minutes later with not two fire whiskeys, but four fire whiskeys and two butterbeers floating on a tray in front of him. "I took the liberty of ordering you two, since you're not scared." Draco couldn't help but snigger at the look on her face.
"If I didn't know better Draco, I would think that you were trying to get me drunk. I know that you have more sense then that though. You would have to answer to Harry and Ron if I showed up to classes tomorrow hung over and told them that you spiked my evening cup of tea."
"I'm surprised at your insinuation I would never get Hermione 'Pride of Gryffindor' drunk." Draco picked up one of the fire whiskeys and downed it in two swallows, and looked at Hermione. "Well, I'm one ahead of you. Drink up."
Hermione reached for a fire whiskey and took a small sip. She knew why they called it fire whiskey, it seemed to burn all the way down her throat. She didn't want Draco to see her hesitate and think she was weak, so she quickly took another larger drink. She finished it off and placed the glass back on the table wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Draco was visibly impressed, "What would the great Potter think if he knew his pure, sweet, innocent best friend was drinking fire whiskey with his arch nemesis?"
"Harry doesn't know everything that I do. He's not my father, or even my brother, he's just my friend, I don't need to answer to him. Or anyone else for that matter."
"I'm impressed I would never have expected this behavior from you Miss Granger. I find it rather shocking that you would even consider being out of the school the day before classes start with the likes of me."
"I'm not the same little shy girl with the bushy hair and the oversized boy clothes. I've grown up a lot. Besides it's not like we're breaking any rules or anything. I'm surprised you are out here in public with a 'mudblood' like me."
"Toucher. I guess we've both grown up a lot over the years. I'm not the arrogant little prat that I used to be. Oh, by the way, drinking fire whiskey, at night, off of school grounds, without permission, is breaking the rules. I forgot to mention that we need permission to leave the grounds. Oops."
"I know the rules as well as you do, I am head girl you know. It's ok for the heads to leave on days when they do not have classes. And, since school has yet to start we are therefore not breaking the rules. Also fire whiskey, and butterbeer are legal drinks for people of our age, so indulging in a few drinks now and then is also not a violation of the rules."
Draco raised his second glass of fire whiskey. "Here's to your anal retentive attention to details. It's a little annoying really, did you know?"
Hermione smiled, "Yes I know," she too lifted her fire whiskey. "To your wonderful performance as a ferret in fourth year, I'll never forget the way you bounced down the hall."
"Fine, not my choice of toasts, but I'll drink to it anyway. I'm bloody thirsty. Cheers." He lifted his glass and clinked Hermione's with it, and drank it down.
Hermione drank her's down as well and was thankful to move on to the butterbeer. She thought about what all of her friends might be doing right now back up at the school. She figured Ron and Harry were playing wizard's chess. That's all those boys ever did. She was happy to be out doing something besides spending her evening watching Harry get stomped on by Ron over and over again. She grabbed her butterbeer and took a long swallow. She heard someone walk up to the table, and looked to see Madam Rosmerta placing four more fire whiskies on the table. Hermione didn't have a very high tolerance for alcohol, and she was worried that she was going to regret taking this trip when classes came tomorrow.
Draco watched the expression on Hermione's face and smirked to himself. He knew that she wouldn't be able to handle all of that alcohol without becoming drunk. He slid her a fire whiskey and picked up one himself and downed it. He then chased it with a couple swallows of butterbeer. "Once again I believe I'm one ahead of you. You sure that you can handle it?"
"Of course I can," Hermione picked up the fire whiskey drank it down and then gave him a look that said that she would not be so easily beaten. She then picked up the second fire whiskey drank it down and went back to enjoying her butterbeer.
Draco couldn't believe how determined she was. He picked up his last fire whiskey and finished it off. He then drank down the butterbeer. "Well, should I order some more, or would you like to get going? I still want to check out the brooms before the store closes."
Hermione was relieved to have an excuse to refuse more drinks. "We should get going, I want to stop at the bookshop, and I also want to look for a new quill."
Draco stood up and went to the counter to pay. He came back with two butterbeers in his hands. "For the road."
Hermione hesitantly took the butterbeer, she was already feeling a little tipsy when she stood up. The room was spinning a little and she was afraid she would lose her balance if she wasn't too careful.
They left the Three Broomsticks and went their separate ways to get the shopping done sooner. They met back up at the fireplace with their purchases and got ready to floo back to their common room. Draco had purchased a new broom servicing kit, and the latest racing broom the Thunder Bolt. It was a much faster modal than the Firebolt. Hermione had gotten a couple books on advanced charms, and a new ostrich feather quill, and a self-replenishing bottle of ink.
They each stepped into the floo power and ended up in the head common room. Draco went first this time because he couldn't wait to get back to check out his new broom. When Hermione arrived in the common room fire she stumbled out of the fireplace and landed with a thud on the rug. Draco sniggered inwardly and went over to help her to the couch.
She wrapped her arm around his neck for support and he helped her walk over and sit down. She looked up at him with a dazed look in her eyes. "Hi," she said.
"Hi. You feeling ok? Maybe we shouldn't have drank so much." Draco felt slightly remorseful for getting her drunk.
She smiled up at him. "I'm just fine, thank you. I've never felt better. I'm just wondering why I never knew you were a twin."
"A twin. What in the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and your handsome brother there," Hermione pointed just to Draco's left.
I think she's seeing double, that is not a good sign. "Maybe you should lie down, you're not seeing clearly."
"Maybe you're right. Will you and your brother sit and talk to me?"
"Hermione you know I'm an only child, but I'll sit with you if you want. Just don't throw up on me or anything."
"You know, you're not as evil as I always thought you were. When you're not being a prick, you're actually kind of sexy."
"Thanks. I guess. Maybe I should help you upstairs, you really need to get some sleep."
"No I want to stay here for now. I like looking at you... I mean talking to you...or something."
"Fine, just stay here for a minute I'm going to go get you something to drink."
"I don't want anything more to drink. I know your reputation, and I will not allow you to get me drunk and take advantage of me."
"I have never gotten anyone drunk and taken advantage of them. What have you heard about me?" He walked back over to her with a mug of hot coffee in his hand. "Don't worry it's just coffee. Here drink it, it will make you feel better."
"Like you don't know about your reputation. Everyone knows that you are the Slytherin sex god. You've been with practically every girl in our year."
"Don't always believe everything that you hear Granger. Rumors can be deceiving. Maybe you should verify the facts before you make assumptions about people." He was actually kind of hurt that she would imply that he was trying to take advantage of her. "I haven't slept with every girl in our year, and I wouldn't want to. I have too much respect for myself to just screw anyone who is willing."
"If you're so innocent then why are there so many rumors about it?"
"I have a reputation to uphold. I made Pansy tell some girls that I we had sex, and she sort of blew it out of proportion. I didn't complain because I liked the attention it got me. I'm not a man whore."
"You mean to tell me the infamous Slytherin sex god is a virgin?" Hermione couldn't believe that all she had heard over the years had been lies.
"I never said that, I just said that I didn't shag almost every girl in our year."
"Well, I'm sorry I misjudged you. So if all that I've ever heard about you is a lie, tell me something true about you. I don't really know you at all."
"I can see that the coffee is working for you. I put a little potion in it that lessens the effects of alcohol. I'm not sure I trust opening up to you. We've only been friends for a couple days. If I'm going to talk, you need to talk to and promise that nothing said leaves this room. I'm going to put a spell on you, so that I know if anything does."
"I won't tell, but you are more than welcome to cast the spell, as long as I can put one on you too."
"Fair enough, but I make no promises that I will answer your questions. I'm not good at opening up to people."
"Fair enough. I just don't like walking into friendships blindly. I think that it's important that I know a little about you. Everything that I thought that I knew seems to have all been some facade. You don't have to answer everything, if something is too personal, or it's a touchy subject just tell me and I'll stop asking about it. I'm an open book, I don't think that there is much that you don't already know about me, but I'll tell you as long as it's not too personal."
Draco cast a spell on each of them. "Now if either of us blabs what we hear tonight writing will appear on the hand of the other alerting them to what is being said. Now what do you want to know about me?"
"Have you ever had a serious relationship with a girl?"
"Only once it was kind of a summer romance after fourth year. She goes to a wizard school in America. She was on vacation with her family. Have you ever had a serious relationship with a guy?"
"No, I've never even had a boyfriend, aside from Krum. He wasn't exactly great company, and we never became too close. Did you love the girl?"
"No. I've never loved anyone like that. It was just nice to have someone to talk to. What about Weasley? I figured you and him had something going. It's obvious that he wants there to be more between you."
"Ron and I are just friends. He did tell me that he had feelings for me, but I told him that I didn't look at him that way. We decided maintaining our friendship was more important. Ron's not really my type. How serious was your relationship if there was no love?"
"She was my first and only...partner. There wasn't love, but there was a mutual respect. She comes from a wealthy purebred family, and our parents liked seeing us together. How far have you been with a guy?"
"Just a kiss with Krum. He tried to feel me up, and I slapped him. I don't think that is something you do with someone you barely know. That's really sad that you're first time was out of mutual respect. Do you regret it at all?"
"Not really. It was nice. I don't really want to talk about it anymore. Haven't you ever wanted to be close to someone? I mean you can't tell me that you have never wanted to get closer to a guy."
"I never said that I wasn't ever physically attracted to someone in that way, I just don't put myself in a situation where I may get carried away and lose my self-control, and self-respect. I want to wait until I meet the right guy before I get intimate. Have you ever liked anyone here at school?"
"It must be nice to be able to control yourself if you are attracted to someone. It's a lot harder for guys. Yes, I have liked girls here at school. There are a lot of girls that I find physically attractive here, and I could "take advantage" of any of them. They would be more than willing, but I don't want to be with a mindless idiot who is just with me because of what I am instead of who I am. Do you think that you've ever met a guy that comes close to the right guy?"
"That's really great Draco. I'm impressed, I really thought that you would enjoy the fact that you are every girl's fantasy. You should hear the way that they talk about you, you would think that you were god's gift to all womenkind."
"Every girl's fantasy huh? Gee, I didn't know you looked at me that way. I can't imagine the pure Hermione having a fantasy about anyone, especially me. I'm flattered really."
"I'm not a complete prude you know. Besides when I said every girl I didn't mean me. I meant all of the shallow, superficial girls who are only interested in your body and you good looks."
"Oh...I see, so you do have fantasies. Who would have thought, although you don't look quite as pure this year. The summer has been good to you. And thanks I know I'm good looking." He gave her an arrogant little smirk.
"You are insufferably conceited, you know that. Some girls aren't interested in all of your physical charms. And what have appearances got to do with purity? I'm still as "pure" as I've always been, nothing changed over the summer. I just outgrew my old look, and I wanted a change. Is that a crime?"
"No it's not a crime. Especially when the results turn out as good as they did. What are all of my "physical charms"? I wasn't aware that I had so many. Please enlighten me."
"If I'm not mistaken Mr. Malfoy that was too compliments in a row about my new look. Don't ask me to point out your charms, with your ego I'm sure that you know exactly what those are." She looked up and gazed into his grey-blue eyes. They really were almost hypnotic, she felt like she could just look into them all day. She wondered how she never realized it before.
Draco didn't answer for a moment, he just gazed into her chocolate colored eyes. She really did have beautiful eyes. He noticed again that twinkle that he saw on the train. He glanced away, trying to pull himself out of the trance that they were putting him in. "I know I'm charming, but it's always nice to hear anyways. Since this conversation doesn't leave this room, I didn't figure that a small compliment on your new look would be a problem. I already told you on the train that I liked the new look. I am a guy you know, it's hard for me not to notice a beaut...ahem...pretty girl when I see one."
Hermione could feel her heart beating in her chest. Draco Malfoy had almost called her beautiful. She looked up and gave him a shy smile, and looked at the clock on the wall above his head. "Oh Merlin! It's 1:30 in the morning. We better get to bed. Thanks for the talk...it was...nice." She gave him another smile, and stood up. She felt really dizzy and immediately sat back down.
"Are you ok? Do you want me to help you to your room, or do you just want to sleep down here?"
"I think that I'll just sleep down here. I don't even feel like moving. I'm so sleepy."
Draco took out his wand and summoned a blanket and went to hand it to Hermione when he realized she was already asleep. He shook his head. She was sitting at an odd angle, and she still had her clothes from the day on, and her shoes. He walked over and slid her shoes off. And laid her out flat on the couch. He then covered her up with the blanket and turned to go up to his room. "Thanks Draco." He turned once more, and nodded that he had heard her, and went up to his room to change for bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Sorry it's been so long since I updated. I decided not to do summer classes, so I should be able to post more regularly now. I hope you like it. I wanted this chapter to be about them getting to know each other. Please review and tell me what you think.