A/N: Staying up too late nowadays. Feeling tired but plowing through my thoughts. No beta, risky, but I own up to it. Let me know. D

CHP4

Hermione was feeling amazing. She was dancing with Draco freaking Malfoy. For some reason that made her feel excited. She wondered how strong his arms felt. How his lips would taste. The sound of the music and the beat of the bass were nearly too much in her state. She could tell she was drunk now, but the pills in her system made her a little unsteady. She placed her hands on his shoulders as they danced. The dancing and the drinking and the pills were making her extremely hot. She needed some fresh air.

"Draco" she said to get his attention. He didn't hear her. She said his name a little louder. No avail. She had to get out of here.

"Malfoy!" His eyes met hers. That got his attention. She seemed like she needed something. He could barely hear her but she looked towards the back door and pointed. Did she want to leave? Maybe she just wanted to go outside, get some fresh air. He let her lead the way. Walking behind her he noticed that she wasn't walking in a straight line. Halfway towards the door, she nearly tripped over her own feet. Luckily, he was right behind her. He caught her around the waist, trying to be respectful but still help her outside.

Hermione made it to the door, just barely. The cool night air filled her lungs giving her some relief from her throbbing head. She was starting to feel dizzy. She stumbled over to the edge of the sidewalk, putting a little distance between the club and herself. Draco followed. Thank god he was here. She didn't know if she could outright trust him, but she felt safe enough with him to allow her guards down.

They were both sitting on the sidewalk, not sure what to say to each other. She was feeling a little better but still felt the need to rest her head on his shoulder. He smelled good. Not the "trying too hard with a ton of cologne" kind of good. More like a long hot shower and vanilla. His hair was no longer a platinum blonde helmet, slicked back with little movement. It seemed softer now, a bit shorter, but stylish. He had a nice dress shirt that he left the top buttons open with a pair of jeans. Not exactly club wear, but he wasn't a clubbing kind of bloke.

Hermione was obviously not feeling well. He had to help her. She had her head on him but he could still feel her wavering and shaking in the cold. "Is that better?" he asked her after a few minutes of silence. All she could muster was a nod. Was she nodding off? Did she take something? There is something not right. She was acting a little erratic before and now can't hold her head up. Draco decided that he needed to get her home.

"I think you need to lie down." Draco shifted her weight away from him as he stood up. Grabbing her arms he helped her stand.

"Maybe- with you." Her words were slurred and she was unaware of what she was saying, he was sure of it.

"Can you disapparate?" He was nearly holding her up, so she obviously was in no state to disapparating. She could really hurt herself.

"My place-not far." she mumbled to him.

"You'll have to show me." She remembers her jacket. Her keys to her flat are inside.

"Kate-"

"Who's Kate?" Draco was getting more lost by the minute. She was not looking good and she was all over the place. Couldn't she just stand still without falling over?

"Bar." What? He had to think a moment. Of course! The girl bartender that brought over the drinks. They were friends, and her name must have been Kate.

Draco helped her back inside towards the bar. He looked around a couple of times looking for Kate. She must of had something Hermione needed. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw the familiar blonde ponytail of her friend Kate.

"Kate!" Draco yelled out over the crowd to get her attention. She gave a confused look to the man she was not yet acquainted with, but then caught a glimpse of Hermione and knew what was happening.

"Oh my God, Hermione what have you gotten yourself into?" she said rounding the bar and coming to her friend's aide.

"I was going to get her home and in bed when she said your name. I think maybe you have something she needs to get home?" Draco could see the look on Kate's face. Judging. "Wait! No, I wasn't going to do anything stupid. We go way back. She is safe with me, swear." Draco assured a skeptical Kate.

"Her jacket."

"She hasn't worn one all night, we were dancing and I think she got too warm, so we went out to cool down. She never had one since I have been with her." Draco now felt bad, she was cold outside and she had lost her jacket.

"No, I have her jacket you git." Kate said returning to the bar to retrieve the leather jacket Hermione wore to the club and left with her for safe keeping. Why hadn't he thought of that?

She returned a moment later with the jacket. She reached into one of the pockets and pulled out a set of keys. She then gave Draco a slip of paper.

"What's this?" Draco looked at the small scrap of paper. It was clearly some instructions to a location.

"Her flat. I am warning you. You seem like a decent bloke. I have my own set of keys and I will be by when my shift is over." Kate had a serious look on her face. She meant business.

"You can trust me, you have my word."

Draco put a tighter grip on the nearly passed out Hermione. Now that he knew where he was going and had her jacket and keys, they could go. Kate helped Hermione into her newly found jacket and gave her a tight hug. She kissed the side of her face and bid her goodnight. With that, Kate squeezed Draco's arm, gave him a curt nod, and returned to work. Draco and Hermione made their way to the back door. The front door was much too crowded.

He took out the piece of paper that gave directions to Hermione's and began walking, gripping her so that she stayed flush against him. She was mumbling something that he couldn't make out, but it seemed to make her laugh. Draco didn't get to hear it very often. They were obviously not close at Hogwarts, and after they never saw each other. Hermione stayed out of the ministry, regardless of the many job offers. Draco got as much limelight as he could. He wished now that he had tried to find her. That he could have made it to her for the way he acted at school. Hermione deserved that much at least.

They made it a block or two following the directions before they were at her building. Draco pulled out her set of keys and let them inside. The first bit of stairs outside were fine for him to practically pull her up, but once inside he realized the second was much more daunting. There was really only one way he was getting her up those stairs to the second floor. He grabbed her at her waist and picked her up over his shoulder. She barely resisted. Up the stairs they went. She was much lighter than he thought. Maybe she had lost weight. She seemed the landing, he put her down. Once at her front door, he put the keys in the lock. She stepped in front of him, her back towards the door. She seemed a little more coherent, confident but still drunk. What she said next he was not prepared for. He wasn't even sure if he had heard her correctly. "I want you."