Hermione awoke the next morning severely hung over and she couldn't remember any of the day after she had left the room. She was surprised, but not so much so. She remembered the whiskey, and vaguely, remembered returning to the room after her last class. Everything was a haze though. She didn't know what had gotten into her. Unfortunately her little spat with Harry was crystal clear. She felt tears welling up in her eyes and turned to bury her face in her pillow.

"Hermione…Are you alright?" Lavender was asking, Hermione opened her eyes.

"Oh, yeah sure. Fine."

"We have double Transfiguration in fifteen minutes," Lavender said, offering a faint smile.

"I'm not going," Hermione stated and promptly rolled over.

"Are you hung-over?" Lavender asked suddenly. Hermione was tempted to lie, but nodded instead. She heard rustling and then Lavender returned with a small vial.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, staring at it.

"Hangover remedy. I never thought I'd be offering it to the almighty Hermione Granger," Lavender said with a knowing smile. "Sit up, just put two drops on your tongue and you'll feel fine in about a half hour. I'll tell McGonagall you're feeling terrible…"

"Thanks…" Hermione put the two drops on her tongue and laid her head against the headboard. Lavender waved and moved to leave. "Lavender?"

"Yeah?"

"I really appreciate it."

"You're gonna spill later," Lavender said with another knowing look. Then turning she hurried down the stairs. Hermione heard her talking, and Ron and Harry's answering voices. She sighed heavily and burrowed back into her covers. At least she didn't have class until after lunch.

Draco settled himself in for a difficult class, his head wasn't pounding but he was extremely horny, and Blaise giggling beside him and snuggling close was not helping his predicament. As promised, she had received payment, in full, for the hang over remedy he so desperately needed. Unfortunately, her bill didn't include any pleasure for Draco. But, desperate as he was for the remedy, he hadn't minded. At the time.

He found himself unconsciously looking for Hermione. He was surprised when two of the Golden Trio walked in…Hermione wasn't with them. Lavender trailed Harry, Ron and Faye and they sat down together. Even more unbelievable to Draco was that Lavender took Hermione's regular seat and promptly started gossiping with Harry. And they continued talking, no flirting for the next five minutes.

"Draco…Woohoo Draco…You listening?" Blaise asked, shoving Draco lightly. His attention snapped to her and he glowered. Malfoys were not shoved, in any sense of the word.

"Don't give me that look, you were the one daydreaming about Potter," Blaise snapped.

"I was not daydreaming about Potter," Malfoy hissed.

"Awfully defensive huh Draco?"

"Because it isn't true."

"Whatever, I was asking you…We're planning a party – well an after-party – for Yule. We were wondering if you would be willing to chip in some alcohol. Since your supply seems unlimited."

"I'll do you one better. I'll give you the host room. Equipped with alcohol, food and dark corners."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"The Draco we know and…know is returned." Blaise gave Draco a kiss on the ear. "Don't let me down Draco. I'm going to plan the biggest after-party Hogwart's has ever seen."

Draco merely smirked at her before turning his attention to McGonagall who was telling them their lesson for the day. To transform a paperweight into a living breathing animal; a four-legged mammal, solid colored, with normal colored eyes. Draco sighed. He didn't understand when school had become so easy for him but it was rather obnoxious. McGonagall then stated that as soon as their assignment was complete and approved they were dismissed for the rest of class. Homework was something about a three foot essay due their next double.

Hermione pulled herself out of bed close to an hour after Lavender had disappeared for class. She walked to the Prefect's bathroom and let herself in. She immediately ran a tub with rose scented water and bubbles. She stripped and slid in with a sigh. The water felt wonderful, although the most severe of the hangover had subsided her head still felt like she had been hit with a baseball bat. Probably stress related.

She sat in the bath for over an hour letting the water soak away her miseries. She had no way of knowing that Lavender was flirting steadily with Harry, who was returning the gesture, or that Draco had been eyeing them nearly the entire class in disgust. She had no way of knowing, thus she had no way of caring. When she finally pulled herself out of the tub her headache had subsided in exponential degrees. She got dressed in a clean uniform and pulling on her robes went to find Ginny.

Hermione didn't have to go far, Ginny was sitting in the common room.

Draco went to lunch right after Transfiguration, which he got out of nearly a half hour early. He was extremely hungry, and his earlier woes had been completely forgotten. As soon as he sat down his owl flew in and dropped a letter in his lap. He loaded his plate and split the seal on the letter. Opening the single sheet dug into his food while he ate.

Draco,

While I am glad that you have chosen to see…Shall we say, the light, I am wary to enclose your…inheritance to a measly owl. I have heard distressing rumors that you are to visit your mother at the Zabini's house. If you know what's good for you, you will avoid that house as if it were infected with the plague. Your mother is infected with the unfortunate child of a blood traitor. That Mrs. Zabini has broken rank and taken her in is both repulsive and disgusting. The child should have been aborted immediately. But she instead attempted to pass it off as your brother. I will expect to see you after Yule to discuss…You inheritance. To follow is money to tide you over until then. Don't waste it in one place.

Lucius

Draco sighed, he wasn't sure why. Yule was a long time to wait, but at least Lucius didn't expect him back before the ball. He could enjoy the parties and the ball and still make it home in time for his little talk.

Author's Note:

This one is short. My apologies, but you can look forward to another by [at the latest this time tomorrow. I've decided pretty clearly where this story is going now…I also decided about halfway through this chapter that I needed to speed it up a bit. But I had some important events that I also needed to close off before I could speed ahead. So upcoming, Yule, dances, after-parties. New hookups, old rivalries…And – do I see a fight on the horizon?

Comment, comment, comment please!! I absolutely appreciate/love/adore them like crazy.

MiseryluvsDeath: I also hate girls who have boyfriends who cheat on them and they still come back. Unfortunately I have been the girl who the boyfriend cheats with and for some reason I'm really angry with Harry…Not sure why, but right now I can't stand him. Thanks for commenting repeatedly, I love it.