'Think he'll talk to me now? It's been what seven months and he's spoken to no one. Come on, let's go over' Laura asked hopefully, indicating Malfoy. He was sat brooding after their exam had finished, staring into space with a blank expression on his face. It was how Hermione wanted to sit but she was busy frantically reading and re-reading her notes from the past year. They were all sat outside the lecture hall, waiting to go in for their final exam of first year. Hermione chanced a quick glance over. He was sat, twiddling his pen over and over, giving evils to anyone who dared catch his eye. She smiled. That was more like it, he'd seemed very withdrawn whenever she'd looked over. With today being the day it was she was a little concerned, but not enough to miss more studying time.
'Doubt it, not worth your time' Hermione eventually said, not looking up from her notes, cramming them hastily in her bag as the crowd started moving.
'Well, nothing comes from not trying'
Laura gathered up her resolve and her things and walked over, plonking herself next to him. He turned round and glanced at Hermione who just glared back at him. Less than two minutes later Laura was back.
'Well, he's just rude' she harrumphed, sitting back down. 'Set your eyes on someone else' Hermione said quietly. She wasn't really in the mood for talking, especially not about Malfoy. She'd argued with Ron the day before when they'd met for lunch, still friends even though they'd broken up a few months before. The pressure of trying to be more than friends had caused them to split, but she knew it was right deep down. She really wasn't in the mood for tangled and complicated love lives and so they'd parted. It was still taking some getting used to but they both were happier, or so she thought. He'd been in a funny mood, they all were right now. A year ago she'd broken into Gringotts.
She'd be glad when this was all over, not only did she have uni exams but by some idiocy she'd decided to take her NEWTs too so had been studying into the early hours and it was taking its toll. She wasn't surprised he had rebuffed Laura, she didn't look like the only one up all hours. His bloodshot eyes and stubble showed someone else had been studying hard too.
She switched her thoughts away from the war ready for the next exam and filed in dutifully but was quickly dragged back to them when it was over by glancing in Malfoy's direction. She caught his eye, he was packing up much more slowly than usual, glancing at her every now and then. 'You go ahead, I just want to ask a couple questions' Hermione said to Laura. Laura rolled her eyes but assented, knowing Hermione would be checking her answers with the Professor as usual and left, ready to head to the bar over the road as they'd agreed they would when exams ended.
Hermione waited and approached Draco when the room was empty. 'I don't want anyone to know I'm here, same as you.' he said quietly. It had obviously been bothering him, she could see some tension leave his shoulders as he spoke but the harried, worn look she'd become used to on him stayed.
'You're going to Hogwarts this weekend then?' She asked very surprised.
'You're not the only one who lost people you know, but no, I'm not going. I don't think I'd be very welcome. But just if you're chatting and can't resist being a know it all, I don't want people to know' he said.
'What makes you think I haven't told people already?' She snapped, ignoring his insult.
'You're hiding as much as me and I haven't had a visit from either of your henchmen with a big brother warning, for all the good it would do them' He said simply, gathering up his stuff and shoving it in his bag.
'Oh don't worry, admitting i'm sharing a dream with you is not high in my list of things to do, your secret is safe with me' she huffed and stalked out.
'You're unusually drunk' Laura laughed at Hermione who stuck her tongue out at her. Matty, another lad on her course and Phil, an annoying boy who Hermione couldn't stand but wouldn't get the hint she really wasn't interested were sat with them. A few others had joined them from their course for a night of drinking to celebrate the end of year one and were getting quite rowdy.
'Memories' Hermione said sadly as she noticed their drinks refilling automatically. Luckily everyone else was too drunk to notice that their glasses had magically topped up. She glanced up at the bar and saw Draco stood there watching them. She excused herself and walked over to him a little wobbly, out of sight of the table.
'You're here' she said confusedly, brow furrowing and stumbling slightly as she reached him. He sighed as he caught her and propped her up. 'Don't let my type into the bars back home' he said sadly, 'and somehow needed a drink or 10 today'. He finished his drink and put the glass back down on the bar, staring straight ahead and ignoring Hermione.
'Me too'. She gestured for two more shots from the barmaid then held them up. 'To one year on, never forgotten' she said, clinking his glass and downing it in one.
'To Severus'
He refilled their glasses without anyone seeing from a hip flask. 'Firewhisky?' She asked, clinking glasses again and downing it. He nodded. 'I might be over the pureblood crap but I'm not toasting the fallen with a poor muggle excuse for liquor'. He looked despondent, down beat but had a brief smirk on his face as he refilled their glasses again.
Hermione giggled a little before composing herself. 'I'm surprised you're here. And talking to me. Where's the insults?' she asked changing subject. 'Didn't want to be alone' he said simply, ignoring her again and staring back straight ahead. She understood, the usual wizarding haunts were full of people who wouldn't be pleased to see him, not that she was particularly but couldn't help be intrigued.
'And you chose me?'.
'Don't flatter yourself Granger, this bar is opposite the lecture theatre we were in all day, I've been here since we walked out, you've just been too preoccupied with your..friends .' he snarled. 'They'd talk to you too, they don't know you' she tried but 'you mean if they did they wouldn't want to?' He interrupted angrily. She looked down before replying.
'I won't enlighten them'.
'You don't need to, I'm not interested. I think I'm more an alone person right now'.
'Want me to go? She asked.
'No. At least you understand even if it's you' he relented. She nodded. 'Not with your cronies?' She asked politely. He shook his head, not saying anymore. They both sat staring, not making eye contact but seemingly content reminiscing alone.
'Not with Potter and Weaselbee?' he asked eventually, genuinely curious.
'No thanks. I had 15 owls before breakfast this morning before I could banish them. They're at a Ministry banquet but I'm not going anywhere' she scoffed. 'I think mother may have gone in her incessant trying to make amends' he said disgustedly. 'And why should that be a problem? Surely that's what you should be doing? Grovelling isn't enough for you' She spat.
'What the fuck do you think I'm still doing here? I'm reminded how shit my life is every bloody day. I didn't want him to win but losing isn't great either'.
'Still living at the Manor then?'
He shook his head in reply but didn't elaborate further.
'Thanks for the drinks' she said stiffly, not trusting herself to say much more before it devolved into further argument. 'Your boyfriend is looking for you' he said, nodding towards the table as Phil was glaring at him. 'Oh, he's not, we're not, i'm not, he's actually not getting the word no' she started flustered but he could also see a little fear in her eyes. 'I get it Granger, he's really not your type but I too don't want a fight today so off you trot'.
'I'm not a lamb needs shooing away, I'm going' she snapped, stumbling again. He sighed as he righted her, then turned back to the bar and motioned for another drink.
Two hours later he was confused. How was he here? Why was he here? Spotting him at the bar not long after Laura had managed to strike up a conversation with him and persuaded him to come to a rock club with them. He really hadn't wanted to be alone and was keeping an eye on Hermione who was much drunker than she gave herself credit for, in a vain effort of chivalry. He hadn't liked the possessive look that moronic deadbeat had given him either. He felt a little bit protective of her, sure she was an annoying know it all, the golden heroine with golden boy and golden twit, but what they'd done had been pretty impressive. Plus, he had to admire her backbone on standing up to his crazy aunt. He turned his mind back to the present and sought her out again. She was drunkenly dancing with some of the group and Laura had appeared next to him, trying to chat him up.
'I might have agreed to come here' he paused, 'but this stops' he said, indicating between her and him. 'Here, have a word with this young man, he's a lovely fellow' he said, pushing a drunken Laura into Matty, a young lad with a tenacity for making the group laugh in lectures. He looked delighted and she smiled drunkenly at them both.
'Good good' Draco muttered, peering round them to keep an eye on Hermione. He was fairly sure she'd never been that drunk before and whilst loosening up brought out a different side to her he felt drawn to her and a need to make sure she was ok even if it was annoying the hell out of him that he was here, with all these muggles. He didn't despise muggles as such, he'd taken to their company anonymously picking up random girls at bars, but he didn't want to be here with her. He was the only one there that truly understood anyway, well, enough and he hated that reminder.
He watched as the guy who'd been glaring at them earlier went in and tried to kiss her as a slow song came on. Even drunk he could see the disgust and hesitation on her face as she tried to push him off her. He slammed his drink down and strode off. He couldn't watch any more.
'This ones mine' he said suddenly, cutting the guy, Phil his name was, off and pulling her into his arms and dragging her across the dance floor to the other side.
'What do you think you're doing?' She asked furiously, leaning on him for support and letting him gather her up in his arms as she was too drunk to be coherent.
'Just go with it Granger, you can't deny you're glad to be out of there' he muttered in her ear, twirling her round. She fell back into his arms.
'Geez, you are drunk' he laughed, a small smile gracing his lips. 'Yes I am. Otherwise I doubt I'd be within 10 foot of you let alone dancing. But you're quite nice to dance with' she mused. Alcohol loosened her tongue then.
'There are some good pureblood traditions and learning to dance is one of them'.
'Hmm, I have three left feet' she giggled.
'That you do, but I like this song. You don't need to move much. Makes my diversion mission easy'. He spun her around again. 'You're doing that on purpose' she grinned drunkenly, . 'Wind up Granger will always be a fun game' he teased back.
'Why you pull me away?' She asked, narrowing her eyes. 'I don't like him and deny it or not we have a certain...history' he said, not noticing anyone around him as he span her again to the dying notes of Mr Writer by Stereophonics.
'That we do, now, scuse me so we can go back to mutu- Mute amin, hating each other. I need fresh air' she said, pushing him away gently and stumbling off. He headed straight back to the bar, asking for a glass of water before following her outside.
He pushed open the door but couldn't see her anywhere. Confused and really hoping she hadn't tried to apparate he took a sip of water and sat on the wall contemplating. A year ago almost exactly to the hour he'd been in the great hall, just staring at all the dead bodies. Shedding a silent tear as Snape was brought in, the man had been good to him and there were rumours flying round he'd always been on the good side. Mourning the other dead he felt confused. He felt nothing for Bellatrix, killed by Weaselbee's mother no less, but was extremely sad at that of Professor Lupin, just Lupin he guessed now and his cousin he'd never properly met. Even one of the Weasley twins had been killed, and that really shook him. He's never liked them, they were Weasley's but he had to admire their magical ability and their lust for life. The desolation on the faces of his family, he'd always taunted he'd wanted one dead but now it had actually happened he couldn't think of anything worse. It wasn't at his hand but those he had consorted with, once admired including his father, suddenly disgusted him.
He was woken from his reminiscing when heard a scuffle and a half wrangled sob, off to one side. He'd recognise that sound anywhere, it haunted his dreams. He rushed over to the dark corner and dropped the glass, before seeing red at the sight in front of him. Phil had obviously beaten him out.
He pushed the large guy off Hermione and slammed him up against the wall as Hermione fell back and scrabbled away.
'You obviously didn't get the hint, so let me make it clear. Even look at her once more and you'll have me to deal with, understand' Draco snarled, his fingers tightening slightly around the guy's throat. He tried to struggle underneath him but failed, Draco was a lot leaner than him but pure muscle to the other guys beer and pizza fuelled bulk.
'Trust me, you don't want to mess with me' he said, squeezing him tighter then letting him go. Phil turned and went to leave.
'W,wand' Hermione stuttered, looking absolutely stricken. Draco understood immediately and strode the two steps between him and Phil, spinning him round by his shirt.
'Give it back' Draco ordered.
'Give What' Phil spluttered. 'You know' Draco snarled, 'or do you need me to tell you'.
'What makes you think she's yours? Been giving me the come on for weeks the little prick tease, you just ignore everyone. Only taking what I'm due, she knows she wants it don't you darlin' Phil sneered, peering round Draco and leering at Hermione who glared defiantly at him, even though tears shone in her eyes. Draco felt sick but admired her Gryffindor bravery. He might think he hated her but no woman deserved this lecherous pig.
'Give it. To her' Draco warned.
'What's so special about a bit of wood anyway? Stupid little toy' Phil joked, waving it around. 'She was twirling it round her fingers. Guess it's mine now seeing as I won't get anything else thanks to you' he taunted. Draco pulled his wand out and shoved it into the big lad's neck.
'Promise you you don't want to find out' Draco said, muttering a quiet incantation.
'H-here, take it' Phil said changing tack suddenly, shoving it towards Draco and running off. Draco grabbed it and turned back to Hermione, who suddenly broke down and clung to him sobbing. He awkwardly at first hugged her but then pulled her in closer, letting her sob into his chest. He was surprised how comfortable he felt. 'S-sorry' She spluttered eventually.
'What were you doing out here alone?' He admonished, pushing her away slightly. He was very confused and didn't want her touching him anymore, he liked it way more than he thought he should. He'd acted all chivalrous, no woman should be treated like that, even Hermione Granger but why was he so distraught himself at her grief. 'Running away from you. Wand' she spat, holding out her hand. He refused to hand it over, scared she'd try and apparate.
'Draco Malfoy give me my wand' she screeched.
'Are you going to try and apparate?'he said, holding her wrists so she couldn't get away. She fought against him then stopped, realising it was futile.
'No'
He dropped her hands and gave her her wand back, cursing as she went to apparate. He snatched it back before she could move, she was too drunk to say the incantation properly although he knew she didn't need to say it aloud, drink had made her revert to simple.
'Granger, no' he shouted.
'Give it back' she sobbed pummelling his chest hard, 'I hate you I hate you'
Laura spotted them and rushed over, pulling Hermione away. 'What do you think you're doing?'
'Stay out of what doesn't concern you' he snarled, pulling Hermione in close and hugging her tight as she sobbed loud noisy tears, snuggling into his chest and letting him hold her.
'Come on, home time. Where do you live?' He asked Laura a minute or so later, who'd watched wide eyed as Hermione sobbed into him the whole time.
'Taxi' Hermione muttered.
'Granger you are not getting me in a muggle contraption'.
'Who's Granger, and what are you on about? What is going on Hermione?' Laura demanded confused. 'Lets get you home, I can manage from here' she said, trying to pull her away from Draco and glaring at him but Hermione refused to let go.
'It's ok, I'll take her. You go back' Draco said, planning to apparate. Hermione almost read his mind and clung to him tighter. 'Think i'm leaving her alone with you' Laura snarled, as Hermione muttered 'No apparating. Sick', suddenly lurching to one side and throwing up, thank fully missing him. 'Typical' he said under his breath but held her hair up gently all the same, stroking her head.
'Can you blame me?' She snapped. 'Oh trust me, getting drunk doesn't make you forget, in fact it makes it worse but no, I don't blame you. You didn't see me last summer. Or Christmas'. He stroked her head and she cuddled back into his chest, just needing to be held and not caring it was Malfoy who was doing it.
'Want me to get Weasley?' He asked, somewhat strainedly and really hoping she didn't say yes as he couldn't imagine that awkward conversation.
'Broke up'
Ah. Alright then, taxi' he said reseignedly realising Laura was staying and he was stuck. Damn that sense of responsibility suddenly installed in him and a conscience, but he'd seen this girl at her worst and not stopped it. He couldn't leave her now, he owed her something.
They queued up and got into the Taxi, Hermione showing Draco how the seatbelt worked . 'Alright Granger, you can keep that memory but no sharing' he warned, ignoring Laura staring at them. She put a finger over her lips and giggled, a bit more like her usual self but still very hollow. He couldn't help but smile. She'd always been so serious, he couldn't blame her really so it was funny seeing her drunk.
Laura fell asleep so he quietly pulled out his wand and healed Hermione's grazes, the taxi driver not paying any attention to his passengers and she summoned a potion on her third attempt from her bag and drank it quickly.
'That thing' Draco muttered, holding her hands and checking the grazes from where she'd been pinned against the wall were disappearing.
'He, he took my wand. Trying to stun him but too drunk. You hex him?'
She was sobering up a little with the potion and seeing him look at the vial she explained.
'Snape's recipe. The half blood prince wasn't all bad. I found the book in the battle, it appeared when we were flying out that horrible room, didn't know if there was anything in there to help us. I mean, it almost killed you, it might have been more useful than I gave credit first time. We were pretty desperate to finish it'.
She shuddered, remembering flying out the room and Crabbe dying, burnt by his own feindfyre.
'You're more rebel than I thought. Maybe you should have been Slytherin' he teased.
Never'
Her eyes flashed as she looked out the window again.
'I know, lion through and through'.
He took her hand and absentmindedly rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, staring out the other window. 'Can't believe this' she said. 'You're not the only one. I'm in a car. Tell anyone and i'll' he warned. 'You'll what?' She teased, enjoying the little bit of banter. They'd never had a civil conversation, it was a novelty and it appeared he thought so too.
'I'll think of something. Since when did we become civil?' He asked seriously.
'Since you saved me from a lecherous monster and I threw up on you. Sorry about that' she said, giving a small embarrassed smile.
'It's ok. I've seen worse' he said darkly.
They sat in silence for a minute until the taxi pulled up. 'That'll be twenty quid mate' the driver said looking at Draco. 'Remember to act drunk' he whispered, going to his pocket and paying. 'Home home home' she sang at Laura, waking her up. She linked arms with Laura as Draco muttered 'too bloody much'.
'You can go now' Laura said but Hermione looked at him pleadingly, then fell over. Outwardly she was trying to be fine but he could see she was really shaken.
'You're taking this acting too far' he whispered, picking her up bridal style and matching off. 'Put me down or I'll hex you' she hissed. 'You're too drunk to walk, remember' he grinned, 'and you were all over me earlier'. 'Draco Malfoy put me down' she
screeched.
He laughed but didn't let her go until the door of their flat, following Laura through the windy halls.
They got inside and Laura stomped straight off to bed. 'What's got into her?' Draco asked. 'I'd say jealousy' Hermione answered, dropping the pretence of being drunk and getting some glasses. 'Come on' she said, indicating her room down the hall.
'Lisa's still out' she remarked, passing an open door. 'Do they never come in here?' He asked incredulously, looking round at the magic books and artefacts dotting round the room. She glared at him.
'I thought you were bright?' She said, waving her hand and everything changed. Her trunk turned into a blanket box, the books into muggle books and the rest melted away. She waved it back again, and put the glasses down, pulling out a bottle of fire whisky.
'The good stuff?' He asked quizzically.
'I stole it from Gr-Sirius' house. Harry had enough and I'd have drunk it there anyway. Thought Sirius wouldn't have minded. I wasn't going out tonight, but was persuaded. You're right though, can't toast properly with muggle rubbish'.
She poured him a glass. 'I won't be sleeping tonight so may as well drink' she said, downing hers in one.
'Who are you and what did you do with goody two shoes Granger?' He asked as a door slammed in the flat. '
She's really not happy. She'll cheer up tomorrow. As for Goody two shoes, well, we were a little bit rebel last year, I mean, the dragon in Gringotts was my idea' she replied darkly.
'Cheers to that' he said, downing his and holding out his glass for a refill. Hermione filled his glass and conjured him an armchair, scooting onto her bed. 'So your flat mate is jealous is she' he dug, settling down comfortably in the chair.
'Come on Malfoy, she's been trying to chat you up all year'.
'And you've been putting her off?' He raised his eyebrows.
'Of course. She's too nice for the likes of you. Apart from the fact she's a muggle and you'd probably turn her to stone for touching you'.
'There's a lot you don't know about me Granger, but thank you. Very much not interested'. He tipped his glass to her and they sat silently for a few minutes. 'Why did you come?' She asked suddenly. 'Really? Escapism and redemption. Oh, and it was a conditional part of my sentence. You can thank McGonagall for that'.
'Really? I didn't hear that bit' she replied, surprised. 'You were mad' he stated, glossing over it.
'Of course I was. I'd lost friends, i'd lost family, I'd been harassed, I just wanted out of the wizarding world and then who turns up but the boy who made my school years hell and fought for the other side however much reluctantly. You were my enemy' she said almost sadly. 'You bullied me, you fought against us, you conspired to kill the greatest wizard there was, of course I hated you. But, you're here and I can't change that and you helped me tonight. Shouldn't have got so drunk. Thank you'
He flicked his wand and poured them each another drink.
'Do not blame yourself, he's a horrible specimen of a man. And drunk you doesn't hate me so that was good' he said with a smirk. She threw a cushion at him.
'What did you do to him?'
'A little suggestive legilimens. Nothing too fancy. I learnt a few not so illegal tricks. Oh, and a hex of Rabastan's invention that stops things...working for a while. He won't be doing that again' he shrugged, standing up
'I better go before this gets weird. You be ok?' He asked quietly. She nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek.
'The world is a better place thanks to you' He said, stroking the tear off her cheek gently. She looked up and stared into his eyes.
'Oh fuck it'
He leant down and kissed her, hard and fast. She grabbed him, hungry, pulling him closer. He kicked off his shoes and got up on the bed, pushing her back slowly and kissing her deeply, holding her wrists above her head.
'What the?' She whispered, breaking off but he hushed her with his mouth, slipping his tongue inside and nibbling her lower lip . She bit back angrily, lustily, wanting him but not him.
'We can't do this' she whispered, but not really wanting to stop. Her body was betraying her as his hands left off her wrists but pulled her over next to him and roamed along her hips.
'Feel, don't think' he said, knowing she wanted this at that moment as much as him. She gave in and kissed back, enjoying every second.