"So how's everybody's favourite ex-Death Eater?" Ginny asked Hermione as they sat down in their seats in the lecture hall.
"Surprisingly pleasant. I think he's on something."
"Wouldn't surprise me, the Slytherins were well famed for their drug use."
"Drugs! At Hogwarts!" Hermione squeaked, apparently shocked that anything could have passed her by.
"Well yeah. They always held parties in their common room."
Hermione's eyebrows were hitting the ceiling. "You went?"
"Once or twice."
"Oh." Hermione paused and flicked through her notes on the origins of summoning charms before sitting bolt upright and turning to face Ginny once more. "Gin! What if he is doing drugs? And he has them in our flat? And someone finds out? And we'll both get blamed!"
Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Honestly Hermione, I think Malfoy's got more sense than to get caught, and this is only if he is doing drugs." Hermione sniffed in a disconsolate way but did not pursue the matter further as their lecturer had arrived.
Hermione thumbed through Necessity of Magic for The Community and made brief notes, it was about ten o'clock on a Saturday evening, a few weeks after she'd moved into the flat. "I been watching you boy and I like what I see, can I go home with you boy? You've been making me feel like oh my god is this real. Could I be your special girlfriend?"
"I've been watching you girl and I like what I see. I've been watching you girl and I like what I see, won't you come home with?"
"Holy fuck! Malfoy!"
"Yeah?" He chuckled settling down on the sofa, Hermione was lying on the floor.
"Firstly. You know appalling Muggle pop music? Secondly. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out on the pull or something?"
Draco smiled slightly as he accio'ed a bottle of mead from the kitchen. "I heard the song when I was on holiday in Europe."
"Oh. By the way, I don't like it. It gets stuck in your head."
"Don't worry Granger, your secrets safe with me." He tapped the side of his nose conspiratorially. "And I just didn't feel like going out tonight. What are you reading?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and held up the front of the book for him to see.
"Oh, looks thrilling."
"Actually, it is fairly interesting…"
"Save it Granger, I'm not in the mood." He took another swig of his beer and eyed her curiously. If she raised her eyes a little more she would be staring right at his… "You know Granger, this begs the question, why are you at home on a Saturday night?"
"No-one-to-go-out-with." She mumbled.
"Pardon?"
"I haven't got anyone to go out with." She blushed and buried her head further in the book.
"Get up." Draco was on his feet staring at her, she looked at him incredulously. "Get up." He repeated.
"And why, pray tell."
"I changed my mind. I feel like going out, and I'm going to be kind and save you from an evening of boredom by taking you out as well. Satisfied?"
"Confused, yes. Satisfied, no. Ouch!" She yelped as he yanked her to her feet.
"Go and change. Don't take forever." He pushed her towards the bedroom and Hermione disappeared inside, royally confused. Poking through her wardrobe she scratched her head, why on earth did Malfoy want to take her out, was he really that bored?
Sighing she pulled out a short denim skirt and silvery vest top, she changed hurriedly and pulled on a short mint green wraparound top, leaving the ties hanging loose however. She slipped silver stiletto sandals on her feet and muttered a few charms that applied subtle make up and left her hair straight and hanging loosely over her shoulders. There, that would do, she didn't want to make too much of an effort for Malfoy.
Walking into the main room she saw Malfoy sat on the back of the sofa dressed in distressed jeans and a black shirt. "Looking fly, Granger." He laughed and jumped down.
"So where do you want to go?" He questioned as they walked down the narrow stairs, Hermione in front. Draco had not of course allowed this to happen so he could admire Hermione's figure, no Draco Malfoy would never do something such as that he chuckled to himself.
"I don't know. This was your idea."
"Fair enough." Draco shrugged. "How about Vanquish?" He suggested, the club near Knockturn Alley was one of his favourites.
"Er, I don't mind, you choose."
"Or maybe Snitch?" He said referring to the Quidditch themed bar.
"I just said, you choose." Hermione blushed.
"What, Granger, do you even know these places I'm talking about?" Suddenly she stopped and swivelled round to face him; he almost crashed into her and sent her flying down the stairs.
"No! I don't! I've never been out in the wizarding world before, don't mock me okay?"
Draco shrugged. "No big deal." Although he wasn't that surprised he didn't wonder why she possessed clothes suitable for the occasion.
Hermione caught him looking at what she was wearing and turned around walking back down the stairs. "I've been out in Muggle clubs and bars, because there no one knows me, I've always been extremely self conscious."
"So why have you agreed to come out now?"
"I don't know, and I'm beginning to regret it." She muttered as they reached the hallway and walked out onto the cold street, there were groups of people here and there, enjoying the atmosphere that the numerous bars and clubs generated. There were a few street cafes where people sat enjoying drinks at magically heated tables. Hermione spotted Ginny and Harry and blushed, grabbing Draco's arm and walking briskly off down the street before they recognised him.
"Whoa, why so keen all of a sudden Granger?"
"I don't want my friends to see me with you."
"Aw, I'm not that bad." He put a hand to his heart mockingly.
"Yes, you are." She stated simply and pushed open the door of a busy looking bar praying that no one she knew was in there. Once in Hermione's was swallowed by the carefree atmosphere, Draco led her to the bar and they sat down, well Hermione perched uncomfortably on the edge of her stool and Draco relaxed easily, calling the bartender over.
"Yes, can I help?"
"I'll have a double firewhisky on the rocks and, Hermione?"
"Oh. Erm. Butterbeer?" It was almost a question and Draco suppressed an incredulous laugh by raising an eyebrow.
"She'll have a gillywater."
"Oh I will, will I?" She snapped once the bartender had moved away.
"Shut up Granger or I will make you." He muttered and Hermione scowled.
"I didn't come out with you to get insulted."
"Then why did you come?"
"Oh I don't know, maybe I thought it might be fun, because seeing as you asked me I thought maybe you would be nice for once."
"I am being nice. You're the one making stupid drinks orders and making insipid comments."
Hermione made a noise of disapproval but did not reply as the bartender had returned with their drinks. She looked at hers with distaste, it was a slightly pink coloured liquid and it smelt strongly of raspberries. "Draco, what is this?"
His eyes widened at the use of his first name. "Gillywater. Try it, I'll think you'll like it."
"Oh." She lifted the glass nervously and took a sip, the liquid burned against her lips and down her throat, reminding her of the flavoured Absolut vodka in the muggle world.
"You like?" He questioned, downing half of his whisky. She nodded a slight smile on her lips and Draco chuckled. "Relax, Granger. It won't kill you to have fun."
Maybe Malfoy wasn't so bad after all, Hermione considered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and his snaked around her waist. They were in a club, under the influence of more than the average amount alcohol and dancing closely together was more of a method of staying upright rather than an expression of fondness.
The song switched to one of Hermione's favourites, Madder by Groove Armada and she swivelled round in Draco's arms, beginning to grind with him.
If I ever need inspiration
Right about now's where I lose my patience
Do it now, do it now
Just want to make you feel
Madder, madder
Madder, madder
Draco groaned, maybe getting Hermione drunk hadn't been the best idea. He was quite sure you weren't supposed to dance like this with your worst enemy. He was glad when the track came to an end and Hermione took it upon herself to turn back around, resting her hands on his broad shoulders and swaying her hips gently.
Love come take me for a ride tonight
Take me all the way to the stars tonight
Take me to the heat at the speed of light
Take me to the arms of fate, yeah
Sweet like honey melting over me
Twenty four seven your tempting
Your love is like a freight train running me down
So let it flow through me
Draco needed to get out of this situation and fast, before he did something irrational like kissing Hermione, no that would definitely be the best course of action. "Come on, it's late…time to go." He mumbled pulling one of her hands of his shoulder and pulling on it slightly.
"But Draco, I'm having fun." Hermione pouted. He loved the way she said his name, would it sound as good in a throaty scream he wondered? Fuck, he thought. He definitely needed to get back to the flat.
"No. Come on, you've had way too much to drink." So have I, he thought as they walked into the cold street. Instinctively Hermione moved closer to Draco and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Stop it, stop it, stop it. He thought as they entered their building, thank fuck for spiral staircases he half laughed as they had to separate. The sooner they were in separate rooms the better; he was becoming far too fond of the little Mudblood.