Chapter 8
My eyes fluttered opened, squinting as sunlight hit my face blinding me. Groaning I yank the blankets over my face as last night's heavy drinking hit me. Feeling like death I tried to force myself to fall back asleep, in the hopes that the next time I woke I wouldn't feel so nauseous or hungover.
I couldn't decide if I was glad I could remember last night or worse off by remembering all that happened. I tried not to agonize over how much I danced with Draco, why I had agreed to do so many shots and most of all…how I had asked Draco to stay in my room. The way I saw it, the only good thing I could think about at this moment was; thank god, it's Saturday as I passed back out.
I was glad that the nausea went away when I finally woke up but I still had a pounding headache. Shoving the covers off me I found I was still in last night's clothes; wrinkling my nose in distaste I couldn't help but wonder that I was a hot mess! My bare feet hit the wooden floors as I padded over to the bathroom; ignoring the fact that I hadn't checked to see if I was alone in my room. One thing at a time, right?
Sighing I felt a whole lot better once I showered; dressing in jeans and a loose flowered blouse I gathered my courage to open the bathroom door to see once and for all if I was alone or not. Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the bathroom room-
Oh, thank you! I let out the breath I was holding as I found the bed was completely empty and no one else in the room. I could tell that he was here at some point in time because the sheets on the other side of the bed were thrown over. I groan in embarrassment that I asked him to stay and proceeded to pass out. I couldn't even handle my mind wandering to the aspect that maybe he was wanting something more to happen last night. Ugh!
Get ahold of yourself, it's not like you had a one-night stand with him. You just asked him not to leave the room… nothing to be embarrassed over. A knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts, and I hurried over to open it.
"I thought you might want this."
I blinked. My mouth agape as I processed that Draco was standing at my door; in different clothes on than last nights. I shut my mouth and finally glanced down at what he was holding. Mother of-
"You're a saint!"
I blurt out taking the pepper-up potion and letting him into the room as he chuckles behind me. Temporarily forgetting my embarrassment from a moment ago as I uncorked the top, drinking the potion as I settled in one of the chairs.
He stopped short of the table and I watched as his eyes flickered to the bed before landing on me, "I had a feeling you would be needing it."
"Ugh, don't remind me about it. What time is it anyway?"
Draco chuckles again before responding, "It's about 11 a.m. Last time I checked all your friends are still asleep, I don't know what even happened to Blaise but I'm pretty sure he hooked up with Lavender."
We both shutter at the thought, "Well, I'm sure at some point we'll find out the damage that was done. I could really go for breakfast, care to join me?"
Did I just ask him to join me? I groan inwardly and I mentally blame my hangover for the mess I was still creating. He nodded and I collected my overnight bag, packing everything away before grabbing my wand and purse. We headed into the dimly lit hallway and down the stairs, all the while I felt that this was the epitome of the walk of shame. The aroma of food and coffee hit our nose as we hit the bottom steps that opened to the bar. The place was mostly empty, a few people sat at the tables or over in the corner, sipping coffee or tea. I followed Draco as he took us to a table near the back, against the wall before making a bee line for the bar.
Watching him I couldn't help but wonder what this all was. Him showing up at the bar and surprisingly hanging out the entire time; even through the drunken haze of greasy food and me asking him to stay. I groan and put my head against the table even though I could hear footsteps and the chair to the right of me squeaking as it was pulled out.
"Here. This should help until food comes out."
Turning my head, I peak over and find Draco looking down at me, with a cup pressed to his lips as he nodded for me to look in front of me. Sighing, I pick my head up and find a pitcher of water and a cup of coffee steaming in front of me. I grab the water first and take a few hesitant sips before peaking over at Draco. He was still drinking his coffee but there was amusement in his eyes and I couldn't help but feel stupid.
"Well, are you going to say it or not?" I asked finally leaning against the back of the wooden chair, tracing the flower painted on table.
"Say what?"
I roll my eyes and glance over as he grinned cheekily at me, "Really, I know it's on the tip of your lips to tell me I shouldn't have drank so much last night."
"I could say that but you're an adult and you're already dealing with the aftermath. I have a feeling a few of your friends are in worse shape if that makes you feel any better." Draco replies finally putting his cup down.
"Oh? How so?"
"I couldn't sleep so I went back down and found Weasley passed out in the corner booth over there, his sister was still trying to get out of Harry's grip muttering…if I'm not mistaken…. ferret boy." Draco began with a smirk forming, "Blaise and Lavender were all limbs at a table, snogging… a bit disgusting really. At that point I decided going down was a mistake and came back to the room."
"I'm not sure I understand how that even happened. Do you remember why they suddenly jumped each other?"
He shrugged, "Alcohol?"
"True. It could have all been the alcohol…. or they've secretly had the hots for each other and haven't acknowledged it until last night." I remark dramatically making Draco choke on his coffee, "It could totally be the later and the alcohol gave them the bravery they needed."
He rolled his eyes at me, setting the cup down before responding, "I would be very surprised about that being true."
"Hm. You never know though." I reply as I swallowed my pride, "Thanks by the way."
"For what?"
"For dragging me to bed instead of drinking more."
"It was nothing." Draco remarked shrugging off the thank you.
All right… here's to swallowing my pride even more, "Well thank you anyway and for staying even though I crashed the moment we got there."
I finally remark not able to make eye contact. It was hard enough saying it out loud, let alone look the guy in the eye while saying it. I wasn't sure what would have happened if I didn't just pass out. If we would have hooked up or if he would have just left after he saw me to my room. I didn't think it was the first, there was no way he could be feeling the same as I. Dancing or no dancing just doing anything more would have made this entire work agreement very awkward.
He nodded thoughtfully as he took time to choose his response, "Like I said, it was nothing."
I nodded thoughtfully dropping the subject as I finished the glass of water. Well at least I know that he didn't just leave after I asked him to stay. Speaking of my friends I heard voices coming down from the staircase. Draco also turned to his right to wait and see who emerged, causing our shoulders to brush up against one another.
"Shut up all ready! I already have a bloody headache I can't listen to you prattling on about some bloody book!"
"Ronald!"
I stifle a laugh as Ron and Hermione turn the corner and make their way into the bar. They both looked hungover but had at least showered and looked somewhat alive. They were still bickering with each other as they decided what to get for food while Ron moaned about how he would die of starvation.
"Are they always like that?"
I glance over at Draco who was looking at the two with a confused expression, "pretty much." I replied, leaning closer so our voices wouldn't carry, "they like to rile each other up- been like that since I first became friends with them actually."
He locked eyes on me for a moment before I heard my name, jolting me to look up as Hermione waved over to us. I smiled back and I heard a groan next to me as both Hermione and Ron made their way over with their drinks.
"I should have just gone home."
"Probably. It's too late now; they saw you as well." I reply cheekily, earning me a dark look.
I smile as Ron collapses into a chair muttering a 'morning' while Hermione glanced between Draco and I; giving me a stern look as she greeted us warmly. I thanked the gods that at least she had the tack to interrogate me later.
"Did you see anyone else up yet?" I asked Hermione, finally reaching for my coffee.
"Yes. I went over to Ginny and Harry's room to try and get them up but I had pillows thrown at the door." Hermione replied stiffly as I laughed.
"I warrant they're still too hung over. Do we know what happened to the rest?"
"Not sure. I think Jacob went his own way with some girl when we left the club. Lavender was here but I dunno what happened after we ate." Hermione surmised smacking Ronald to wake up in the process.
"Bloody hell 'mione!"
"Wake up!"
I glance over as Draco continues to absorb all that is Hermione and Ron; his eye quirked as he tried to decide what to make of his once childhood enemies. Breakfast came out and we ate in silence, while Hermione kept glaring at Ron who seemed to be inhaling his food instead of chewing. Draco looked mildly disgusted by Ron and would keep sending me looks as if trying to say, 'why are you friends with these people'. Just another Saturday morning.
"Ron and I should get going. We have to get Ginny and Harry up so we can go pick up the kids at Molly's."
Ron looks up startled, "We are?"
"Yes, Ronald." Hermione huffed before turning back to us, "Malfoy. Have a good day and Eva send me an owl when you get back to your flat."
I rolled my eyes and nodded as Hermione pulled Ron from the table, leaving me once again with Draco.
"Well. I think this will get added to all the weird stuff that happened since meeting your friends and you for a night out." he remarked shaking his head in amazement.
"Yes well, they always make getting together entertaining no matter where we are."
"Right. Well, I should be heading out also." Draco begins glancing over at me, "I promised Scorpius I would take him to lunch."
Shit, how could I have forgotten that he has a kid, "Yes of course."
I stood up along with him and we awkwardly stare at each other, lost on how to proceed. God! Why was this so painful!
"Are you hanging around here longer?" Draco asked as we finally moved past the wooden tables to the entrance leading outside.
"No, I think I'll just head home."
He nodded thoughtfully for a moment, letting me go through the door first as we squinted up at the sunlight, "Shame. I was hoping you'd be able to see whatever happened with Blaise and Lavender, so you could give me all the details."
I groaned, shaking my head at the thought, "Let's just hope it was just a bit of drunk snogging otherwise our lives will get even more complicated if our friends hooked up."
We continued walking to an apparition spot before he finally stopped and turned to look at me, as I squinted in the sunlight to look at him. "Enjoy the rest of your weekend Eva. I'll see you on Monday morning."
He had a strange expression on his face and after responding he disappeared; leaving me to contemplate yet again about last night. Why did men have to be so confusing!
