a/n: no more English exams ever! Also I got my solitaire time down to 64 seconds (exam procrastination) which is a personal best. I however need to beat my friend who is on 59 (damn him). Onto the story! I decided to name the chapters btw, I was bored, and it took up more procrastination time.

Disclaimer: JK owns Harry & co. I still don't (but I keep checking…)

CHAPTER SEVEN – I'll just have to get really drunk.

It was a good thing that DADA had been a double that morning, seeing as Draco and Hermione had missed the whole first period already. When they arrived back at the classroom, everyone was watching eagerly as Harry and Tonks had a duel at the front of the class. Tonks' hair was orange, although that was perhaps not due to Harry's duelling prowess. Harry's hair however, was a brilliant magenta colour. Just as the Hermione and Draco walked into the classroom he said a spell which forced Tonks to cancan around the room uncontrollably. Upon spying Hermione and Draco she smiled and looked inquiringly at Hermione. She smiled and nodded, reassuring the teacher that everything was ok. A buzz sounded and Harry muttered the counter spell. Tonks stopped dancing and returned Harry's hair to its natural black. The rest of the class looked disappointed when they were ushered back to their seats but complied anyway. A silence fell upon the class just as Elnora, a Slytherin girl whispered (rather loudly) to her friend,

"Good job we FINALLY got a good teacher. If we had another vampire, murderous psycho or werewolf I would have dropped out altogether."

Tonks smiled kind of manically and looked down at the girl who realised that she'd been heard by the whole class.

"I'm assuming that the werewolf you're referring to would be Professor Lupin, my fiancé. I'm overlooking the fact that you actually complemented me and allowing your comment to bring me to the next part of today's lesson. Tolerance. I know this is a defence against the dark arts class and I know that you do study defence against werewolves which sort of classifies them as part of the whole 'dark arts club'. However with me as your professor, you will learn that not everything classified as 'dark' is in fact dark." She paused, looked at Elnora's face and continued, "Perhaps you think you spoke too soon. I'd say so judging from the disgusted look on your face. Too bad you couldn't FINALLY have a good teacher this year." She turned and walked to the front of the class amid sniggers from the rest of the class while Elnora sat fuming in her seat.

"Isn't she fantastic?" Hermione whispered to Draco.

"Yeah, I never liked that Elnora girl."

"Is that because she wouldn't go out with you?" Hermione asked laughingly.

"No. She's just a bitch."

"Sure. Now shh we have to listen."

"You started it."

"And I'm stopping it. Shh!" Draco grudgingly obliged, but poked Hermione's leg under the desk for good measure.

Oh my god, am I actually flirting with Draco Malfoy? This is not good. Hermione focused all her attention on Tonks for the rest of the class and tried unsuccessfully to put Draco out of her mind. Meanwhile Draco was thinking to himself Why the hell am I being so nice to her. Sure once you get to know her she is nice and funny but who isn't. And sure she is quite beautiful to look at but show me any girl on a good day and I'll say that. Ok not Elnora. Anyway back to Hermione, where was I? Oh yes, sure she is smart and witty and sure now that I've actually spoken to her without insulting each other, I'll admit I was a little hasty to judge at first and she is actually quite fantastic overall, but it's just so weird. Me liking Hermione Granger. Hence the lesson passed, with Hermione thinking about Draco in the back of her mind, but still noting down everything Tonks said, while Draco sat in a daze, unable to multitask, i.e. think about Hermione and listen to Tonks. When the period ended, it was time for break followed by a free period for both Hermione and Draco.

They were called to Dumbledore's office again, but this time for a much pleasanter reason.

"I need you two to put these notices up on all the boards. This weekend will be the first Hogsmeade weekend," the headmaster smiled and handed them the notices. They walked in silence to the Slytherin common room where they paused outside a rather sinister looking Gargoyle.

"Look, I know being head girl you're allowed to come in, but I think it might be better for everyone involved if you just wait out here."

"Totally agree. Don't take too long, or I'll be standing here like a loser in the corridor for ages." Draco smiled, said the password and was in and out of the common room within a minute.

"That was extremely quick."

"I heard someone coming down the stairs from the girl's dorms and I thought it might have been Pansy." Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the genuine look of fear on Draco's face.

"We've been through this before," Hermione said through her laughter, "I could definitely take Pansy on. And don't forget, I have Harry and Ro-, well Harry and Ginny on my side as well. I don't think Ron would do much. Don't EVER tell anyone I said that."

The visits to the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff common rooms went past uneventfully, but when they reached the Gryffindor common room, the Fat Lady had momentarily gone missing.

"See this is the advantage of having a Gargoyle as your guard, they don't suddenly feel the need to go visiting."

"Quiet. We'll just have to wait until she comes back or someone comes out." Hermione slid down the wall until she was sitting on the ground and looked up at Draco. When, after a minute he was still hovering around, she snapped,

"Sit down for god's sake. You make me feel like I'm about 50cm tall and you also make me nervous hovering above me like that." Draco smirked and sat down next to her. Hermione surprised herself by yawning widely.

"Tired?"

"Hardly surprising seeing as we were up half the night." Hermione blushed as soon as she had said this and immediately wished she hadn't. Draco merely laughed softly and offered his shoulder for her to lean on. She put her head down and closed her eyes, savouring the sensation of being close to him, breathing in the smell which she had come to associate with Draco. There was definitely a hint of vanilla there, but there was an over-riding Draco smell which was definitely something to swoon over. Not that she would ever swoon of course, but it was definite swooning material.

Draco, on the other hand, was thinking hard about something in particular. He looked down at the notice in his hand and nudged Hermione.

"Hey Hermione."

"What?"

"Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me? I mean I know we have to go together anyway but I thought I would ask. Although this is a little weird, asking my wife out on a date. Not that it has to be a date if you don't want. I just thought it might be nice. But we can just go as we are now, you know and with – with – your friends – I suppose. I just thought I would ask, you know."

"Draco stop rambling. It's not very appealing. Despite that, I would like to go to Hogsmeade with you. And I agree, it is a little weird that our first date will be after we've been married for a while but I'm ok with that." She put her head back down on his shoulder and smiled to herself as she heard Draco breathe a sigh of relief.

Ok why THE HELL was that so difficult? Seriously, it is normally the easiest thing in the ENTIRE world to ask a girl out and then I almost stutter when I ask Hermione out. What is my fucking problem? Well, I don't actually need a genius to point it out. I am second in the grade you know. It's because Hermione was the first girl who I didn't know would say yes. Blah blah blah all that psycho babble bullshit, thank you to the voices inside my head.

Oh my god. I have a date with Draco Malfoy. Not only that, I actually am looking forward to it. AND I'm nervous about it. This settles it. The world must have been turned upside down while we were sleeping last night. It's the only reason why anything like this would be happening. Ok, ok I don't need a genius to point it out. Well I am one anyway. First in the grade. Anyway back to my point. There is another possible explanation (courtesy of the voices inside my head). I really and truly honest to goodnessly have a full blown liking for Draco Malfoy. It's gone from hate, to husband, to hate, to fuck buddy, to crush and now I really like him.

At that moment, the portrait creaked open and Harry and Ginny stumbled out, holding hands and giggling with their heads extremely close together. Just as they began to kiss, Hermione and Draco stood up and Hermione cleared her throat.

"Ahem, even though I don't object to this relationship, I in actual fact support it, please look around before starting to make out in front of one of your best friends. It's a little creepy."

Harry turned and said, "Oh sure, breakfast yesterday morning anyone?"

"Oh look at the time, Draco we need to hang these signs up. See you Harry, Ginny." Blushing, Hermione pulled a laughing Draco through the portrait hole with her and briskly hung up the sign on the common room notice board. She looked out the window and saw Ron sitting by himself down by the lake.

"Come on Draco, we're going to the lake. Are you still laughing?" She demanded upon seeing his face. "That was not funny. Do you see what happens? Harry gets blackmailing Hermione material! Argh, just come on. We're going to visit Ron." Draco stopped laughing immediately.

"What, why do I have to come?"

"Because."

"You realise that's not actually a reason. Is this another part of your disorder. Now not only you have trouble saying coherent sentences but you can't even say real sentences at all."

"Shut up and let's go." Hermione grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him towards the portrait hole. He allowed himself to be dragged around the corridors and down to the lake where Ron was sitting.

"Hey Ron, what's up?"

"Hey Hermione. Draco."

"Ron."

"Seriously you guys, it's not like if you show friendship towards each other that it's a sign of weakness. In actual fact it would be very cool. But that's not why we are here Ron. We are here to help you with your little problem."

"We are, what problem?"

"Yes Hermione which of my problems are you talking about?"

"You know, the one about you being completely in love with Luna but being too scared to do anything about it."

"Oh, that one. Keep your voice down Hermione."

"Are you serious? Loony?"

"Quiet Draco. Her name is Luna for a start. Anyway Ron, I've come up with a solution of sorts. Draco and I are going to have a dinner party and both you and Luna will be invited."

"We're going to have a what?"

"Dinner party. I think Harry, Ginny, Ron, Luna and us two seems like the perfect amount. We'll have to put a table in the living room but I think the six of us will just about fit."

"Don't you think that will be a little obvious. Two couples and then two extras forced together by being the only not coupled up people there. She'll know what's going on for sure and then she'll think I am a total desperate loser who has to get his friends to set up dates for him." Draco looked as though her were about to say something, but Hermione gave him a don't you dare look.

"Look Ron, she won't think it's weird. Especially since we've been good friends for like two and a half years. DA, Department of Mysteries, any of this ringing a bell. I think you're being a little paranoid. I'll just say we wanted to show you guys our apartment. I'm sure Dumbledore won't have a problem with it."

"Ok just tell me when to turn up."

"We'll let you know."

Hermione and Draco walked back up to the castle and headed straight for Dumbledore's office. They said the password and soon were knocking on the headmaster's door.

"Mr Malfoy, Ms. Granger. To what do I owe this pleasure? Nothing bad has happened I hope? There has been no contact from your father?"

"Oh no, nothing like that Sir. Draco and I were wondering if on Saturday night for dinner we could have a few people come and eat in our apartment. We could organise all the furniture and things. I'd ask Dobby to organise the food."

"I don't see any problem in that. Just make sure that no-one knows your password. Ask Daine to alert you when your guests arrive. I wouldn't like for anyone to know how to get into your apartment in case Lucius found out and used them."

"No problem. Thank you sir. Let's go Draco." She motioned to him, who had until now stood silent with a vacant expression on his face.

"What's up with you?" Hermione asked as they went down the stairs again.

"Nothing. Arrangements bore me and you had everything under control."

"Ok, note to self, never rely on Draco to organise anything."

"We've got about fifteen minutes left," Draco said, ignoring her, "until I have to go to transfiguration and you've got charms right?"

"Yeah. What do you want to do?"

"I need to collect some stuff from the apartment."

"Ok let's go."

Once they were in the apartment Hermione flopped down on the couch, spreading out and closing her eyes.

"Move over, I'm tired." Draco had collected his books and was now standing over Hermione on the couch.

"Nuh-uh. You can sit in the arm chair."

"Not as comfortable. Move over." Hermione ignored him and continued thinking about the dinner party, when Draco picked her legs up, sat on the couch and let her legs fall back onto his lap.

"HEY! You took my space."

"Your space? It's our space honey and I'm still letting you spread out on the couch, you'll just have to deal."

Hermione growled at him but gave up complaining.

"Oh, I just had a thought. We need to invite Neville as well. We'll be able to fit seven, no problem."

"Longbottom? Ok fine, but only if we get to invite Blaise as well. I'll need some support to get me through the night."

"You have me, your loving supporting wife."

"Sure. Do I get Blaise?"

"Eight won't fit and he'll be out of place with all the Gryffindors."

"I have to agree, that putting Blaise and you friends in the same room would probably result in the room's destruction. But your eight won't fit argument is crap."

"I know I know. If you can fit seven you can fit eight. But seriously, Blaise and my friends just won't mix."

"I know I know. I guess I'll just have to get really drunk."

"Then you'll be drinking a hell of a lot because the strongest thing we are having at our dinner party is butterbeer."

"Come on! Butterbeer?"

"I don't want anyone, least of all you, getting drunk." Draco grumbled under his breath, something about a domineering wife and a scold's bridle but let the issue drop.

"We need to get going or we'll be late for class. McGonagall always takes points from Slytherin when we're late."

"Hello? Snape? Potions? Any of this ringing a bell?"

"Perhaps. Come on, get your stuff." Hermione scooped up her book bag and slung it over her shoulder. She look over at where Draco was stretching and saw a gap of skin where his shirt lifted up. Mmm Drac- ok bad thoughts. There will be no need for that in charms. She blushed and looked away, as Draco glanced over and caught her eye.

"Well I am going to charms which is in the opposite direction to transfiguration so I'll see you at lunch ok?" Hermione scrambled out of the portrait and began walking down the hall, before she realised that she was walking towards the transfiguration class room. She turned around and saw Draco smirking at her from next to Daine's portrait.

"I'm actually just going this way." She strode past him, her cheeks burning and heard him trying not to laugh behind her.

Shit that was not a smooth move Hermione. And now you're addressing yourself within your own head. Great. It's official, I've gone insane.

Draco was sauntering along to transfiguration, having conveniently forgotten his fear of being late. She is just so cute! And variations on the same theme were running through his mind. He wandered into transfiguration, his mind still focusing on how sweet Hermione while she was blushing when Professor McGonagall interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr Malfoy, I trust you have a reason for being late. Also I hope you have a reason as to why you are still standing in front of the door." Draco just stood with a stunned look on his face, as though he had just realised that there were other people in the room.

"Well? No reason? Quickly, to your seat then, 5 points from Slytherin." Draco hurried down the aisle to his seat next to Blaise, treating all those people snickering to an extra menacing glare.

"Where were you?" Blaise whispered behind his book.

"Just around you know."

"Oh sure. Around."

Meanwhile, Hermione had made it to charms on time due to the fact that she was practically running down the halls away from Draco. She arrived just as Professor Flitwick was ushering the students into the class room. She pulled Harry and Ron towards desks at the back of the room where they could safely whisper, due to the fact that Flitwick could only really see the front row of desks. "

Hey guys, this Saturday night after Hogsmeade Draco and I are having a dinner party. It's us, you two, Ginny, Luna and Neville. I thought it would be fun to show you guys the apartment, and you know, get Ron and Luna to admit their everlasting love for one another." She and Harry grinned at each other while Ron turned a delicate shade of pink and asked quickly.

"Just one thing, where is your apartment?"

"You know that painting of the girl embroidering on the fourth floor? Anyway that's where our apartment is. Her name is Daine and you just have to ask her and she'll let us know that you're there. Try and all come together. It'll be easier that way. Oh and wear something nice. It will be fun to have something to look nice for."

"Yeah, something or someone…" Harry smirked and gave a cough which sounded remarkably like 'Luna'. Ron blushed even harder and turned to the front of the room, where Neville had somehow managed to turn his desk into a waterfall, despite the fact that they were in charms, not transfiguration, and that the spell he had been aiming to do (socium which makes mice whistle) sounded nothing like the spell that would turn his desk into a waterfall (aquaverto). Then Ron had no worry what so ever that anyone would see his bright read face as Professor Flitwick provided even more of a distraction as he was swept out into the corridor along with a torrent of water.

Contrary to Hermione's fears that she would further embarrass herself in front of Draco, the rest of the day (lunch, then double potions) passed without incident (embarrassing or otherwise). That night after dinner Hermione went to the Gryffindor common room where she was meeting Ginny for some long awaited girls time, and Draco went out flying on his broom, alone on the quidditch pitch. They both arrived back at the apartment at around 10:00. Hermione was already reading on the couch when Draco arrived, his broom over his shoulder.

"Hey."

"Hey. Watcha reading?"

"The Girl in Times Square. Muggle author, you probably wouldn't have heard of it."

"Ok I haven't . But that doesn't mean I don't read muggle books. Just not girl's muggle books. In actual fact, one of my favourite authors is a muggle."

"And who might that be?"

"Douglas Adams of course."

"Really? I'd have never pegged you for a Hitchhiker's Guide fan."

"Love it. I'll have to read your book sometime. See if it's any good and if you have any actual taste in literature."

"Ok I just finished a chapter and I'm going to bed. I am so tired."

"I'm going to have a shower then I'll see you there."

"-kay".

When Draco had showered and changed, he went into the bedroom to discover Hermione already half asleep. He dimmed the lights with his wand and climbed into the bed quietly so as not to disturb her.

"Night Hermione." He whispered.

"mmhmm" Hermione half moaned back into her pillow.

"Stage three of the disorder. The victim loses the ability to form coherent words." Draco smirked into the darkness, fell back onto his pillows, closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

a/n: In case you didn't know a scold's bridle is something they used to put on talkative wives in medieval times. I know this chapter was a little soppy but I liked it. They are so cute. Anyway I have about 40 people on my alert list for this story, yet I still average at like 6 reviews a chapter. If everyone (at least) on my alert list could review that would be awesome! Everyone else, review as well!