Chapter 12: The Rude Awakening

Hermione woke up feeling sore. Very sore. Her face hurt. Her stomach ached. But she didn't even pay attention to that. She couldn't get her mind off the nightmare she had woken up from. Ron had been beating her. Wait. That wasn't just a dream…

As she realized what happened the night before, she held her head in her hands and cried. That was just too much. She should have ended their relationship after he had threatened her, but she still couldn't keep herself from questioning if it was just the alcohol talking. She shook her head and decided that she would ignore Ron for now.

Hermione decided it was time to go into the common area to get to the loo. She felt sticky after the hot tears that had run down her face. She walked out in her camisole and short sleep shorts. She made it to the loo and freshened up. Once she was done, she walked back into the common room, right into a tall wall outside the door.

Draco had awoken early and ran to Madam Pomphrey to get a Pepper-Up potion to help Hermione's swelling. Pomphrey knew the boy was having issues with his peers so she readily gave it to him, concerned that he was covering up things again. Draco returned to the Head's dorm without a moment to spare. Granger's door was closed still, but he heard the water running. He peaked into Blaise's room and saw his friend still sleeping. She must be in the bathroom then. He returned to the common space and heard silence from behind the bathroom door. She must be out. He went to knock on the door but stopped when the door opened and a body hit directly into his.

"Malfoy?"

"Sorry Granger… I brought you this, though."

"Umm… Thanks."

Suddenly, Draco realized what she was wearing and blushed a deep red. When Hermione saw his face, she looked down and screeched. She ran back to her room and threw on her dressing gown before returning to the still blushing blond.

"Sorry about that….."

"Umm… Sorry I saw you like that..."

"You'd think you would have already seen a girl in less dress."

"Well, that's where some people would be wrong."

"Wait… You're a virgin, Malfoy? The king of Slytherin and Mr. Player, himself?"

Blaise chose to stick his head out at that point.

"He just wished he were a sex god like me."

Draco grimaced, but Hermione laughed. God he loved that laugh. Much better than her crying.

"Well, boys, I think I'm going to leave this pissing contest before it resorts to pulling wands out to compare length," Hermione laughed before returning to her room to get dressed for the day.

Blaise turned to Draco.

"So, already up and flirting. Can't believe you revealed to her you're a virgin, too. You must want to get in her pants. Is that why you walked her back to her room? To see if she'd invite you in her dorm? Isn't she supposed to tutor you?"

"Fuck no! She got hurt last night during her rounds, okay. I was walking around to wait out the guys in the dorm and ran into her. I helped her up here. You know the rest."

"Well, just be careful. Wouldn't want you getting into the middle of things."

Too late for that, Draco thought as he grabbed his bag off the floor near the couch.

"Meet you in the Great Hall, Blaise." And he scurried out.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long. Real life has taken its toll, but I have not abandoned this fic yet! I have more written, but it is for later chapters so I'm filling in the gap right now. Hope you enjoy! As usual, I do not own a thing.