Draco barely spoke to her when they returned to uni the following Autumn. Seemed their one offs had ended but to be honest Hermione couldn't be bothered with it no matter how much they seemed to work together there was no way they could get on. She could see he was fighting against himself, if it was possible he was even more aloof than ever. Apparently that helped with Laura though who seemed happy Hermione was being ignored. He completely blanked her as much as possible. It wasn't until Christmas of their second uni year that he spoke a word to her and that was just 'Happy Christmas'.
Opportunity presented itself in May. 'Here we are again' she said, another year on from Voldemort's defeat and both back in the same bar. She pulled up the stool next to him and sat down.
'I'm not talking this year Granger, last year was a one off' he said, staring straight ahead. She indicated drinks for them both from the barman, who poured them quickly and quietly .
'Just drinking' she said, downing her shot and asking for another.
'To Severus Snape' She said, raising her refill in the air and downing it.
'To Albus Dumbledore' He said, copying her. They stayed silent for a couple of minutes, not talking but just knowing someone else who understood was there was reassuring, they both liked being away from wizards but sometimes needed some grounding.
'To Hermione Granger, know it all extraordinaire who defeated the greatest dark wizard ever seen' he said, refilling their glasses from the hip flask as a group of men walked past.
'Oh shit' she said suddenly, grabbing him and kissing him.
'Hey' he murmured, pulling away and putting his forehead on hers.
'Follow me' she whispered then grabbed his hand and keeping her head down left, ignoring the cheers from her friends. They got outside and she pulled him to one side further down the street, checking it was clear before apparating back to her flat.
'Sorry. Wizards turned up. More specifically Skeeter's cronies. They've been chasing me for a while, they got wind of where I am' she shrugged.
'And that was your foolproof plan? I thought you were bright?' He asked, eyebrows raised, putting a hand between her and the door and leaning in close.
'It worked didn't it?' She replied, skirting round him and unlocking the door.
'Oh hi Lisa' she said, acknowledging the girl in the front room and heading straight down to her bedroom. Draco followed. 'She's been in here' She said, locking her door magically and turning it back to a wizarding room.
'Granger, what the hell just happened?'
'How dare she come in my room, it would only look like that if she's been in here' Hermione fumed, storming out and marching back in moments later with two glasses.
'Fire Whisky?' She asked, pouring him a glass anyway and knocking hers back.
'Granger' he warned as she threw back another shot, still muttering.
'Hermione. HERMIONE'
She stopped. 'You've never called me that before' she said simply looking puzzled.
'What the fuck is going on' he said.
'Didn't think you'd want your picture in the Prophet sat with me'.
'Granger, you kissed me' he stated.
'Do we need to talk about that, I've done much more to you before remember, or did you conveniently forget?'
He raised his eyebrows in reply and smirked slightly in memory.
'Well they gave me the idea. And it hid our faces didn't it? I mean, I didn't see them recognise us but perhaps I should go back and check and maybe do some memory charms, or'
'Granger' he warned, interrupting her.
'Alright, Alright, Sorry'. She said flustered, flapping around her room. She took a deep breath and calmed down a little.
'I miss school' he laughed at her easily.
'What!' she exclaimed, confused.
'You, flustered like that. Usually after being a know it all. Until it all went downhill' he replied tailing off.
'You only miss school because you've no cronies to boss round now' she retorted. 'How is Goyle?'.
'Enough' he said strongly, avoiding the subject.
'Hit a sore spot have I?'
He just glared at her, drank his shot and stood up.
'Are we getting drunk then? It is today after all' she said, pouring another drink.
'No, we are not. You know what happens when we drink together' he replied, his eyes fixed on her as he took her drink and put it down. 'On second thoughts' he said, downing it, not once taking his eyes off her.
'What are you doing?' She whispered, looking down. He lifted her chin to look at him, closing the gap between them.
'If you're going to kiss me you can at least do it properly' he replied, cupping her face and kissing her. She resisted for a second but then her body responded overruling her head and she melted into him, kissing him back, running her fingers through his hair.
'We shouldn't be doing this' she whispered.
'Hermione, since when do you think I give a flying fuck what anyone thinks? No one knows. Or will know'
'Touching' she smiled. He lifted her chin and kissed her, gently at first then pulling her into him, kissing her hard for a few minutes until he pulled away, panicked.
'I can't do this again' he whispered.
'You kissed me Draco' she said exasperatedly.
'Yes, I know, but I can't do this. Better I leave now' he said, stepping away and looking round for his things.
'You kissed me and you're running away? You didn't before'
'No, yes, no, I just can't do it ok. Better I leave now' he replied, turning on the spot and apparating away.
Hermione sat down with a bump. Not again.