I AM ALIVE! *insert Mushu-gif*

Does anybody care why it took so long? No? I will tell you anyway! I passed the hardest exam in my major, moved, went to a con and cosplayed, started an art insta and am currently writing 2 projects for uni. So yeah, I am barely alive.

But enough of my personal nonsense. This isn't a diary but I treat it as such. Oooops

Once again, Thank you so much for your support and I hope you like this plot heavy chapter! Reviews are love, reviews are life! You know, just a small heart is basically a second kudo!

And of course huge thanks to my betas Nantai und chocomieux!

Next morning wasn't as awkward as Hermione had feared. They woke up, Malfoy's arms around her while she snuggled into his chest, untangled themselves from each other and she declined his offer to stay for breakfast.

They were civil to each other. Polite. Formal. It was weird but Hermione wasn't going to complain. She wasn't feeling bad the way she had last time, not like she had been used. Instead, she felt weirdly satisfied and Hermione decided to dwell on that feeling instead of looking for reasons to fight.

When he accompanied her to the door and let her out, she turned one last time, unsure what to do. Malfoy looked similarly lost.

"See you at school," Hermione said awkwardly and Malfoy nodded and she left. She really hoped they would fall into a routine soon so it wasn't as weird- Hermione stopped. Was she seriously wishing for a routine with Malfoy? That was disturbing. Sure, it made sense, but god, was it crazy. If somebody told her half a year ago, she would have recommended them seeing a therapist because they were clearly mad.

The day Hermione realized everyone around her had gone completely bonkers thanks to their hormones had started out quite boring.

She went to class, greeted Malfoy and his friends politely, earning herself a few confused looks from Jenny which made completely clear that she, Hermione Granger, was the first person acting odd, as she thought a posh arse was hot stuff.

But that had become normal recently, so it would not require further attention, weren't it for the fact that she wasn't the only one fraternising with a former enemy.

She knew that Oliver had a thing with Marcus, but when he had called her - a miracle in itself - she didn't expect what came next.

To say Oliver looked terrible when Hermione finally arrived at his place would be an understatement. His hair was a mess, he had bags under his eyes and what was that on his shirt? Hermione didn't even want to know.

"What exactly happened?" she asked when they sat down on his ridiculously comfortable couch.

Oliver shifted in his seat, the way he had been playing with his hands and how he seemed like he couldn't find a comfortable position to sit in, suggested he was anxious once again. "I met up with Angelina yesterday. I told you about that, right? Did I tell you about it?"

Hermione nodded and he ran a hand over his face.

"Sorry. I didn't sleep much last night. I don't know what to do. And it's a terrible feeling! I mean, on a field I always know what to do. Hell, I am the captain! I have to know or hell will break loose! Just-"

"Could you please just tell me what happened?" Hermione interrupted him, not really in the mood for a football-rant. She loved Oliver, but football wasn't her thing, even though all her close friends and her now fuck-buddy adored it. How was it that she attracted all the jocks in a ten mile radius?

"She asked me out," Oliver ran his hands through his hair with way too much force, making Hermione fear that he would pull some out.

"But that is a bad thing because of Marcus?" she asked gingerly. A year ago, this would have been amazing news, but now things were different. Oliver was confused about his feelings, torn between his old crush and his new love. Except he had been probably crushing on them both simultaneously the whole time without noticing it.

Instead of replying, Oliver just gave her a look, that spoke for itself. Hermione was aware that it had been a stupid question, but she didn't want to jump to conclusions.

"Have you told him yet?You said you wanted to talk to him about it."

"Are you crazy? I don't want him to break up with me!"

It was going to be a long talk, so much was clear.

"If you have already decided that you want to keep dating Marcus, what are you worrying about? Anyway, what have you told Angelina?"

Hermione liked Angelina more than Marcus, but that was based solely on the impressions she had gotten in school and those weren't worth much. She certainly wasn't going to take a side. Oliver should date whoever made him the happiest.

"I haven't told her anything yet. I panicked when she asked and she just laughed and told me to take my time. I feel so bad. Not only do I have feelings for two people, but they don't know about each other. And that while I am in a relationship with one of them! What is wrong with me?"

Hermione hated seeing Oliver like this. Usually, the only time he was this devastated was when his team had lost an important game, but that didn't happen too often and even then, he only moped for a day before throwing himself into practice again. This was different. Hermione bit her lip. Maybe there was something that would help…

"Do you remember what polyamory is?" she asked. "i'm pretty sure you have always been into both of them at the same time."

Oliver looked at her in surprise, looking like he had just had an epiphany. They had attended several lgbtq+ lectures together back in the day when Oliver had discovered he was bisexual and polyamory had been discussed briefly as well. But then, his face darkened again.

"That wouldn't change anything," he said. "I still can't date them both."

"You can't date them both without them knowing about each other," Hermione settled to say. "But if you talk to them and they are fine with it, you could. As long as everything is consensual and you communicate, it could work."

Oliver didn't look happy. "What are the chances they will agree?"

Hermione grimaced. The chances that both would be fine with it were pretty low and if he was especially unfortunate, they would both dump him. But at the same time, it could solve his problems if he didn't have to choose.

"You know them better than me. Maybe you should just think about it."

Oliver nodded, still not looking too happy with the suggestion. He hadn't been too thrilled that he was bisexual in the beginning either, but had grown comfortable in his skin rather fast and Hermione hoped it would be the same way this time around too. It wasn't easy to be queer if you played football, but giving up on one of those things would mean giving up parts of himself for Oliver.

Hermione really hoped things would solve themselves out quickly. Her best friend deserved to be happy.

Instead of a greeting, Granger thrust a pamphlet into Draco's hands. "Come and tell your friends about it," she said, giving another to a passer-by.

"What is this?" Draco asked, eyeing the piece of paper sceptically. All you need to know about climate change was printed on it in some boring print he didn't recognize, over a comical picture of a sad looking planet earth. Considering how bad the picture was, he was just glad that whoever made the pamphlet had enough sense to not use Comic Sans.

"Information about climate change and an invitation to a worldwide march to pursue the politicians to make more eco friendly laws," she said, finally looking at him. "I should probably give you more than one so you can give them to your father and his friends. As they lack the basic knowledge on this subject, they need it."

Draco rolled his eyes. "You are not funny," he said.

"I wasn't trying to be funny," she replied, handling out another pamphlet to another passer-by. "Politicians have been ignoring the issue for years and-"

Not wanting to listen to her rant, Draco did the first thing that came to his mind and kissed her. Instead of melting into the kiss, just like she did when he did it in the privacy of his bedroom, Hermione kicked him into the shin. Hard.

"What the-?" he yelped, glaring at her angrily.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she shot back, looking around frantically, probably trying to figure out if somebody had seen them.

"Shutting you up," he replied, trying to sound unaffected by her reaction, but failing miserably as it came off more biting than he had intended.

"Get lost Malfoy," Granger said, her voice somewhat off too. Did he hurt her feelings? With a kiss? It was one of the nicer things he could have done! And she should know that. But still, it hadn't been his intention

Draco frowned. "Actually, I wanted to ask if you are going to drop by today," he said, trying to get into her good grace again without actually apologizing. He hadn't done anything that bad after all.

"I am not."

His frown deepened. It was hard not to show disappointment. At the same time, it irked him that he was this disappointed. God, it was just sex. And he was seeing Granger all the time in class anyway. "Is it because of what just happened?"

This time, Granger rolled her eyes at him. "No. Even though it would be reason enough. I am on my period. Lucky us, we aren't having a baby together."

Draco crossed his arms. While he was really glad, that he hadn't accidentally impregnated Granger - why was she even bringing it up? Did she want him to have nightmares? Because that was like THE worst case scenario - he wasn't happy with her answer either.

"Why are you angry at me because of a kiss? We are doing a lot of different stuff, that is worse."

Granger let out a loud defeated sigh and put away the remaining pamphlets into her bag. "Kisses are not a way to silence me, or anybody for that matter! What is wrong with you? Besides, we are not dating. Do you want everyone to know we have a strictly sexual thing?" she asked, glaring at him. "Do you want to be associated with me in that way? Or do you want everyone to think we are together?" At his stunned expression she continued. "Because I don't want that. No, thanks. It is bad enough that we do what we do. I still can't believe it, by the way, that I think you are hot. Like, what is wrong with me?"

A grin spread over Draco's face. "So I am your dirty little secret?" he said, leaning closer. Somehow, his usual douche personality had kicked in, while he inwardly wanted to slap himself. On one hand, he was furious Granger was ashamed of him, on the other he understood. God, he didn't want his father or some of the other frat boys to know he was shagging Granger of all people. And she thought he was hot, god damn. But at the same time: who was she to consider him not good enough to be seen with! All those things were going on in his head at the same time. Especially as he still liked her way too much, which she apparently didn't reciprocate.

"Deal with it," she said and walked away.

Draco stared after her. Her bossy, angry side turned him on, which certainly didn't make things easier. He just wanted push her against the nearest wall and snog her senseless. Or to put her over his knee and spank that sass out of her. He wasn't picky.

After the second encounter with Malfoy that day and the thing with Oliver, Hermione was exhausted and just wanted to go home and curl up with some tea and a good book. But with life being what it was, of course she didn't get the chance to.

Her phone rang, the display showing an unknown number and Hermione picked up as she was still waiting for the results of her stipendium application. Too bad it wasn't the university. Instead, the voice of a distressed Pansy Parkinson echoed through the speaker. "I know I didn't treat you right and everything but could you please come over to my place? I need your help. It's about McLaggen?"

Hermione stared at her phone. "How do you have my number?" she asked. Even Malfoy was still texting her using Owlpost as they hadn't even properly exchanged numbers.

"We were in that groupchat once," Parkinson replied with annoyance. "I think it was the one from the school trip to Paris. It's not my fault you haven't changed numbers like forever."

That made sense. Somehow, Hermione wasn't surprised it was Parkinson who had saved her number. She had probably collected them all during school as she was quite the resourceful person and you couldn't know when you would need them.

"So what exactly is this about?" Hermione asked, still not too thrilled about the sudden call. She was still angry with her, because seriously, Parkinson was a major bitch. And while she had wanted to help her and Malfoy get together, it was because of Malfoy and not Hermione. But at the same time, Hermione understood the distress. After all, they both had a thing for idiotic blond pricks and hated it.

"I just don't know what to do. And the boys don't get it and I really don't want to talk to Daphne about it. So could you please come over?" Parkinson said, making it almost sounds as if it was just one very long word.

Hermione sighed. "Fine," she said in resignation. The points were valid and she really did get that.

To see Pansy Parkinson in yoga pants, a too wide shirt and her hair in a messy bun was certainly a first for Hermione.

She followed her into the flat, this time lacking the mass of people that had been there when she had first been there.

"Do you want something to drink? Tea? Or snacks?" Parkinson asked.

"Tea would be nice. Thank you," Hermione replied, sitting down on the sofa.

"I am sorry about my behaviour," Parkinson sat down in the armchair. "I wasn't fair to you and you were right about me only thinking about Draco. That wasn't right. Especially as we seem to have the exactly same garbage taste in men."

Hermione rose an eyebrow, but couldn't suppress a smile. "Aren't you friends with Malfoy?"

Parkinson laughed. "Been there, done that. I know exactly how it is to date him, fuck him or whatever you are doing. Definitely garbage taste. He is a good guy underneath and I love him like a brother, but he has too many issues."

"Obviously," Hermione muttered. "But enough about that. Tell me about the McLaggen situation. That's why I am here, after all."

Parkinson smiled. "I'll get the tea and then we can talk. Do you want sugar or milk?"

"Sugar. Thank you."

With the tea on the table silence ensued. Parkinson was looking like she wanted to say something, but wasn't sure how to start as she opened and closed her mouth several times. Hermione gave her the time, understanding how hard and weird it had to be to reach out to somebody who wasn't your friend. Their only connection was Malfoy and she didn't even really like him - platonically. In other ways it was a different matter.

"I seriously don't know why he doesn't pay attention to me. And it is bothering me way more than it should!" Parkinson finally said unhappily. "It's so frustrating! I know for a fact, that he likes it when women throw themselves at him!"

"It is weird," Hermione admitted. It wasn't like McLaggen to not shag somebody, if they were willing. And Parkinson was his type. Hermione doubted that there was a woman who wasn't his type. And her personality couldn't really be it, as he put up with Hermione's hate for far too long. He wasn't intimidated easily, so that was out too.

"Have you outright asked him out?"

Parkinson frowned, tucking her feet under her. "Would that change anything?"

"Well, if he turns you down, you'll at least have some closure. But it is possible, that he simply didn't get the hint because he is dense, you flirt with everybody and he and Malfoy have some kind of competition I believe. They actually asked me who is the prettier one when they were smashed." Hermione said, grinning at the memory. It had been so weird but at the same time it was weirdly hilarious. "It is true that they have some similarities looks wise. I mean, there must be a reason why we both liked both of them."

Parkinson laughed at that. "That sounds like drunk Draco. And asking you makes sooo much sense, from both of them. They are such morons." She got serious again. "But do you think it would change anything if I outright asked him out?"

"Do you have anything to lose?"

THEPrinceCharming: I am sorry about this afternoon. You are right, I shouldn't have done that. It was blatantly disrespectful and I see the error in my ways now. Can I do something for you? I know periods aren't the most comfortable thing ever.

Draco reread the message anxiously, wondering why Granger wasn't replying. was she that angry?

He sighed and returned to his textbook. He had to get this done!

He got so immersed in the case, he almost jumped out of his chair when his phone finally rang. Not only did he have a message from Granger, but once from Pansy as well.

He decided to open Pansy's first, so he wouldn't seem too eager.

Pansy: Granger says I have to ask McLaggen out directly. I want to die. But it seems I don't have a choice. -_-

Draco frowned. Have the two of them been talking? That was kinda weird. But he remembered, that Pansy had wanted Granger's help before. He didn't want to think about the possibility of them becoming friends. That would be scary.

Draco: It'll be fine. It's not like you are shy. I believe in you!

God, that sounded cheesy. But he felt like that was what Pansy wanted and needed to hear.

It was time to open Granger's message.

Persephone: I am glad you understand that. If anything like that happens again it's over. There is a clear line between inside and outside of the bedroom. And no, thanks.

Draco ran a hand through his hair. Her stance was really understandable.

THEPrinceCharming: It won't happen again. If I mess up and do or say something that makes you uncomfortable, please tell me. I don't want to hurt you, but I don't know what is right or wrong at all times. Blame my father if you want to. Just know, I try my best.

Persephone: It is not my duty to educate you. Use your brain. But if it is something minor happens, I will certainly educate you. But know I won't forgive everything.

THEPrinceCharming: Understood.

Draco sighed. He hoped he wasn't going to mess up that bad. He liked to think he had become a better person and if he did, it would prove, that he hadn't. He really didn't want to deal with the backslash from that. He would certainly feel terrible about himself again. More than usual, that is.