A/N: well here is chapter two, luckily had a beta this time. Many thanks to elle. 3 D

CHP2

Harry reluctantly left for home. He hated to leave her without knowing for sure she would be fine. But, just like every Saturday before, he said goodbye and promised to return. Hermione sat on the stoop outside her building, breathing in the crisp fall air, soaking in some of the sun she doesn't see enough of. Coming to the realization that she was once again alone, she felt tears welling in her eyes. She stood up and made her way back inside to take that nap she had been needing since Harry dragged her out of bed. Once inside she kicked off her shoes, tossed her bag onto the nearest chair and flung herself onto her bed. She tossed and turned a few times before sitting up. She just needed to take the edge off. She had a headache from Harry. Why did he have to nag her so much? She was fine.

Hermione got off the bed in search of one of her bottles of firewhiskey. It's not like she was hiding them, she just didn't know if she had any left. From what she remembered of last night, Paul, the name of the bloke Harry kicked out earlier, had been drinking straight from a bottle when she fell asleep. She began picking up some of the clothes and books looking for the bottle. Her headache seemed to be getting worse. Almost giving up she spotted it. Apparently he had placed the nearly empty bottle right on top of a book. Hogwarts: A History, her favorite. She spent so many nights reading every detail in the text. At school, when she felt down or angry about something, she could pull it out and calm down reading many of the facts about the place she loved so much.

Grabbing the bottle off the cover of the book, she took a giant swig of the burning liquid. Hermione then used her foot to slide the book underneath her bed to hopefully be forgotten. Another drink and the bottle was finished.

She woke up hours later,stretching her arms and rubbed her eyes glancing towards the clock. 7 o'clock. A few nights ago she promised her friend Kate that she would come by the club. With that in mind, she picked up her cell phone and dialed Paul's number. Why most of the wizarding world did not use the technology she will never know. But she needed her fix. Now that Harry was gone for the week, she didn't have to hide it. She spoke to Paul for a few moments and set up a time to meet at the club later. Her plans were made for the night ahead, time for a shower.

For a while she just stood under the running water. The steam and the smell of her lavender soap were comforting. Sometimes she could be in there for an hour without thinking about it. If she was in there much longer than that she would start to think about what could make her happy, what she would change. Not today.

Hermione washed her hair and body and jumped out of the shower. No time for self reflection. She had somewhere to be. She picked out a pair of jeans and a tank top. Her makeup only took her a few minutes since she didn't wear a ton anyway. Her hair never did anything she tried to tame it to do, so it would have to be fine. She slipped on a pair of combat boots and a leather jacket and made her way to the club.

Walking into the place she was immediately met by a thick bass line and moving people. Hermione pushed through the crowd of people to make it to the bar where Kate was working. It was rather busy so she waited until Kate wasn't so busy. She was a pretty good bartender so it didn't take her long to notice Hermione. Making her way over, she first grabbed a bottle of vodka, Hermione's usual pregame.

"Hermione!" Kate practically screamed over the pounding beat. Hermione gave her a small hug over the bar. Kate began pouring two shots. "Where have you been?" she questioned Hermione as she pushed one of the small glasses towards her.

"Oh you know, here and there." she answered throwing back the shot in one go and slamming it down on the bar. "Have you seen Paul around?"

"I think I saw him come in, I'm not sure." Kate hated the relationship between the two. He was no good for her. But it always came down to her not saying anything because she didn't want Hermione to push her out. What if something happened? Hermione would not have anyone to help her. Kate was aware that she was a witch and that she had friends still in the wizarding world, but here in Muggle London, she didn't have a lot of people to depend on. Kate wanted to always be that safe place. Paul was not.

Hermione motioned for another shot before she left in search of her friend. After downing another, she turned to brave through the crowd once more.

Paul was in the back of the club, leaning against a wall away from the crowd. He was the type of guy that you notice. Sandy brown hair and a small amount of facial hair, he was a good looking man. Why he dealt drugs was anyone's guess. He saw Hermione and immediately got a strange look on his face. Oh yeah, the run in with Harry this morning. Hopefully Harry didn't give him the wrong impression.

"Hey, Paul, sorry about this-" Hermione started to apologize before he cut her off.

"Don't worry about it. It's not everyday that the famous Harry Potter kicks you out of bed." Paul was a squib so of course he would have heard of Harry. Hermione couldn't tell if he was mad or embarrassed. Hermione stepped closer putting her hands on his chest.

"How can I make it up to you?" She asked pushing up on her toes to gently brush his lips with hers. It's not like they were dating; they just had a mutual understanding that they were both humans with sexual needs. If either one of them needed a place to crash or someone to touch, they were there. Hermione could sense that he was not in the mood. She reached into her back pocket and grabbed a bit of cash. Her eyes never left his. She placed the money into his right front pocket. In his left was the little baggie that she needed. She took the bag and placed it in her own pocket and reached up to kiss his cheek.

"If you change your mind, you know where to find me." Hermione said goodbye and pushed through to the bar again. Kate was openly flirting with some guy at the other end of the bar. She didn't want to interrupt. She decided the bathroom was the best place to head next. There was a bit of a line for the girls' room, of course, but it seemed to be moving pretty well. Once Hermione got in her stall, she pulled out the bag she got from Paul. She slipped two of the pills into her mouth and dry-swallowed them. She finished her business, washed her hands and went to get another drink. By the time she made it to the bar, Kate was finished with her perspective date. Seeing that she had returned, Kate poured her a vodka tonic. She knew Hermione too well.

"Did you get his number?" she asked Kate. "He was cute."

"You know me."

"So that's a yes?" Hermione was happy for her friend but she could feel the drugs already. The nausea she usually ignored was subsiding, and she was much more at ease. Inhibitions were no longer like a giant brick wall. Everything was crumbling down. Was it the drugs being fast acting? Or was it the alcohol before hand?

"I'm going to head out the dance floor." she told Kate, finishing the last of her drink.

The crowd of people on the dance floor made it warmer than anywhere else in the club. It didn't matter. She wanted to dance; to let go; to be free. Anything to forget.