Theretofore on GG:

"When will you come back?" she asked so innocently, Draco couldn't deny her the answer she wanted.

"Maybe tomorrow, to see how you're feeling?" he suggested, and a smile lit her face. As Draco shared her gaze, another presence in the room made itself known. Faye cleared her throat and Draco turned to her, noticing a vile of a greenish liquid he assumed to be a sleeping draft.

"I think you should go now," Faye said, eyeing him curiously. Draco nodded and disappeared into thin air, making Faye cringe and Hermione frown. The younger girl sighed. "Here, Manny. Drink this; we'll talk tomorrow... whenever the buzzing in your ears allows it."

-----------------------------------

Chapter 2: Unwonted Wonders

"Good morning, sunshine," Faye replied in response to a groan heard from the couch. She was sitting in the small kitchen of their flat, reading a paper and stirring her mug of coffee while Hermione shifted and made her discomfort clear.

"Faye? What time is it?"

"Ten. But it's Sunday, don't go all -flight of the bumblebee I've got to get ready for work- on me. In fact, I'd go back to sleep. I can't imagine you feel overly chipper," she suggested distractedly, eyes locked on her London Times. Hermione sat up and placed a hand to her temple, blinking against the light.

"What the hell did you do to me?" she accused, cradling her head. "I feel like I've been obliviated..." Hermione suddenly lifted her head, gaze targeted at her quiet friend. "I haven't, have I? Who was it? I'll kill the bastard..."

"Good Merlin, are we jumpy," Faye voiced while picking a bit of granola from her teeth with a blood red fingernail. "As far as I know, you're just hung over. Of course, I wasn't there, so I can't verify that... but that guy you came home with was. Ask him."

"What?" Hermione asked, confused.

"I told you your head would ring," Faye mumbled, flipping the page to read on about politics.

"What... guy?" her roommate repeated, sounding quite eager and interested for her previous mood. Faye shrugged.

"I don't know... some blonde bloke; quite cute. Nice arse. Seemed like a good one; brought you home, after all."

"Nice arse? Oh, Lord," Hermione groaned. She suddenly recalled everything; the reunion, Harry and Blaise, Malfoy and the pub; the endless shots. "Did I try to... you know?"

"Oh, blimey, yes. Frightened the chap, I'd wager. You were all but ready to jump in the sack with him," Faye confirmed, turning her gaze for the first time to Hermione, looking slightly sympathetic. The latter looked terrified.

"Well, we didn't. Thank Merlin for that, at least," Hermione said, sighing and dropping her head into her hands again. It felt a little less weighted that way.

"So..." Faye teased. "Am I going to get an explanation? After all... you did wake me in the middle of the night, stone pissed, and with a boy to be rid of, no less." Hermione groaned again and fell back onto the couch, burying her head in a pillow and covering it with her meager afghan, exposing her calves.

"Not now, Faye," she whined. "I can hardly move."

"Well, that's your own bloody fault, isn't it? At least tell me who that was. I'd like his number, if you're done with him."

Hermione remained silent and Faye, who was not about to give up so easily, made the journey to the sofa and knelt beside it.

"Manny!" she yelled, an inch or so from her ear. Hermione jumped and let out a strangled sound, covering her ears from the wailing.

"Not so loud..." she pleaded, not daring to raise her voice above a whisper. Faye grinned.

"What was that?" she asked, voice a few decibels higher than her roommate would have liked. "I couldn't hear you! Speak up!"

"All right; all right. Stop yelling; please," Hermione begged, peeking out from below the blanket. Faye grinned.

"Always works," she boasted, in a mocking whisper and Hermione didn't bother to even pretend to be amused. "So," she continued. "Who is this mystery savior?" Hermione sighed.

"His name is Draco Malfoy; we went to school together. That's it."

"Ha," Faye exclaimed, shifting on the floor as to be comfortable for the long explanation she would force if need be. "Yes, of course that's all. You can most definitely get smashed in the Hogwarts Great Hall. Oh, I know, I've been there... and of course, some old school chum would take you home. Have your address pinned to your shirt, did you?" Hermione blinked sharply. Her head was pounding, ears wringing, body insisting sleep, and Faye wasn't helping in the slightest.

"We were talking and decided to go out. There was a Quidditch game tonight... and you know how I get. Let's just say I put a little too much money on America," she explained, hoping it would be enough to calm her poking friend, but Faye was far from satisfied.

"Betting shots again? You know you shouldn't; you always seem to lose when you bet shots."

"I know... but we were up by forty points, and then fifty..."

"Honestly, Hermione... America? They were playing the Deuces, correct? Obviously, they let them get ahead so they'd take their guard down. It's a trick as old as Quidditch itself! I bet this Dray guy knew that... he duped you, love," Faye said, sighing as she stood up, and Hermione sat straight.

"I hadn't even thought of that," she admitted, then shook her head. "I'm so confused..." Faye smirked.

"About Quidditch? It's very simple. First, the better team decides to slack off for an hour or two..."

"No, no, no; about Malfoy. How did I get home?"

"He brought you here," Faye said, making her way back toward the kitchen. "On your broom; brought you up, and told me you were drunk, as if I was a blind badger or something, and then I told him to leave, and he did. You weren't too happy; made him promise to come visit this morning." Hermione nodded, remembering bits and pieces of the night before and fitting them together.

"I can't believe I said that," she groaned, voice as if her words had drained of energy. Faye nodded.

"You did. I don't know if he'll really come; I think you scared him off. Do you want coffee or anything?"

Hermione let herself fall back into the couch, neglecting to answer her flat mate. Faye didn't ask again.

-x- -x- -x-

Draco Malfoy felt a certain wave of nausea as he appeared in a phone booth down the street from Hermione's home. He was nervous, and furthermore, had no idea why he was even coming back. He didn't particularly want to instigate an awkward conversation, which she probably didn't want to have, but he felt a certain pull to keep his promises. He was now regretting ever even coming inside; he could have done without the unexpected, but not unwelcome kiss that, although she tasted like stale pumpkin juice and alcohol, was also not unpleasant. Of course, he'd rather not have witnessed the entire ordeal in which Hermione was portrayed a little more desperately than she was suited to.

All in all, the only thing bringing him back was his verbal misgivings. Had he just shoved her at her friend and taken off, there would have been no obligation. Draco had never so much as thought on that the night before, and although he regretted it, it could have been worse; he could have been hammered too.

After a deep breath, Draco made the trip from the phone post to her building, then across the pale blue porch that led to the front door. It was lined with wicker chairs that, at noon that late August day, held only one occupant. Draco passed without care, only to realize seconds later that it was his muddled maiden who sat solitary on the terrace, wrapped in a quilt and shutting out the world.

After assuring himself that he needed to speak with her, if just for a moment, as promised, Draco approached. Hermione was obviously trying very hard not to hear anything and was startled by his sudden presence as he sat beside her. She peeked over the blanket and a deep blush crept into her cheeks. All attempts to hide it with her covering were futile, as Draco's sheepish grin proved him just as embarrassed as she.

"Draco," she instituted, remaining businesslike. He gave a slight nod and reciprocated her greeting.

"Hermione. Feeling better?" he asked affably, and she smiled at his tone, nodding softly. "Good."

"Let's... not avoid the subject," Hermione suggested. "I first want to apologize, immensely, for... well, everything. I am the most suggestive drunk in the Eastern hemisphere. And blunt about it, too."

"Oh, come now," he teased, to lighten the unbearably gloomy mood. Hermione seemed overly serious, and Draco saw no reason for it. "You're not all that bad. Amusing, to say the least." She squealed softly and buried her face into the blanket.

"I can't believe some of the things I said to you..." she moaned miserably, and Draco lifted his eyebrows.

"I can't believe you remember."

"Another of my drunken gifts; I remember everything, almost perfectly. So much for naivety, hm?" Hermione shared and Draco looked amused, but did not comment. They lapsed into silence for a few moments, facing anywhere but toward each other. "Draco," Hermione then started, voice soft. He turned to her eagerly, relieved at the break in awkward peace. "Thank you. I acted very irresponsibly last night, and I want to thank you not only for not taking advantage of that, but also for taking care of me. I was lucky to have you there." She refused to make eye contact with him and Draco knew she was embarrassed. He smiled amusedly at the thought, and gave a soft nod.

"I'm glad you realize that," he agreed. "I take it this sort of thing isn't trite in your everyday?" Hermione shook her head viciously.

"No, of course not. I have no idea what came over me... and not only the drinking either. I don't know why I didn't realize they were feinting and I don't know why I went off with you; I hardly know you. In fact, I don't even know why I went to the bloody reunion. I didn't want to, not really. Maybe just to see Hogwarts again... but even that lost its touch when Harry ditched me."

"Well, I take some blame for getting you pissed," Draco threw into the conversation, and gained himself a puzzled look from Hermione. "I did know they were feinting," he explained and Hermione rolled her eyes, turning her face away again.

"Didn't the whole bloody world?" she asked spitefully and Draco chuckled. Hermione turned back to him at this, not nearly as surprised as she would have been six years ago. He was grinning at her, eyes a deep and sparkling silver, jovial as he took humor from her sarcasm. Draco was definitely not the same prat of a spoilt rich-boy she'd come to know and hardly love. Something had changed him, but she was ready and willing to give up all rights of knowledge just to preserve this Draco, with his sparkling eyes and deep laughter. "Draco," Hermione asked as he calmed his hearty chortles and he sighed in comfort at the situation, swinging an arm to lie across the top of their whicker bench for two.

"Hm?"

"Why did you come back?" she asked, and he paused for a moment.

"Well, I promised I would, didn't I?" he explained, but Hermione was far from satisfied.

"You didn't know I'd remember. No one would have missed a thing had you not," she reminded him, crossing her arms about her chest as if in victory. Draco shrugged.

"I like to keep my promises," he said. "And take responsibility for my actions. It was just as much my fault as yours that you came home like that; it's the least I could do to drop by and make sure there was no permanent damage."

"How thoughtful," Hermione agreed, with the tiniest hint of sarcasm. Draco smirked at her, but she simply shook her head.

"May I ask you a question, now?" Draco asked, sweetly, and Hermione shrugged a shoulder, tying her blanket tighter around her neck. He smiled. "What are you doing out here?"

"Faye was studying too loudly," she answered immediately, and Draco laughed again.

"Studying too loudly?"

"Yes. I have a bit of cranial hemorrhaging, or something equally as painful, and she just kept flipping page after page; I could have shot her," Hermione explained, eyes narrowed at a floorboard and gaze hot. Draco shook his head.

"That's it?" he asked, skeptically. "She was just turning pages too loudly?"

"Well... there was something else," she admitted.

"And?" Draco prompted.

"Well... Faye sort of has an... obsession with any male under the age of thirty, and it doesn't help that you're cute. I didn't want her to see you, if you did come back. It'd be a nightmare for both of us," she clarified, and Draco again succumbed to laughter.

"She didn't seem to care much for me last night," he pointed out, and Hermione nodded.

"It was the middle of the night, Draco; she's not an early riser. Faye did ask me all about you this morning; for your number and everything."

"Really? What did you tell her?"

"I told her you were a no-good, dirty-rotten wanker and would date her, do her, and dump her all in a day. Of course, I don't know that; in fact, I don't even think it in the slightest; I did it for your own good. You don't want to get mixed up with her; she's very... clingy."

"Well, then," Draco replied, as if proved wrong. "I suppose I owe you thanks. I should get going; I just wanted to come by, as promised; I've got some work to do. No Sabbath for a businessman." As he stood, Hermione's eyebrow rose with him.

"What kind of business?" she asked suspiciously, half expecting him to tell her it was confidential, or blurt something about the dark arts. Draco, however, flipped the end of his scarf over his shoulder, grinning at her.

"Antiques," he stated almost proudly, unsurprised at Hermione's reaction; her left brow joined her right and her eyes sparked with interest.

"Really?" she wondered in awe, and Draco nodded. "That's... not what I expected," she admitted and he grinned.

"I promised my grandmother on her death bed that I'd make good use of her belongings. I did as told, and along the way, a certain handcrafted cedar caldron caught my fancy. I did my research, got twice the worth for it, and found my true calling."

"My congratulations," Hermione offered. "I've been looking into ports for that boat." Draco offered nothing in return but a smile and a tiny paper card. He held it out to her, and Hermione freed it from the grasp of his fingers, perplexed.

"My number," he explained. "For Faye. What kind of man would I be if I didn't at least give her a chance?" Hermione lifted an eyebrow at him. "Of course, if you can think of someone more suited for my company, do feel free to share." With an exaggerated wink, Draco disappeared.

Hermione sighed after him and turned her eyes to the paper card. It was decorated with a shiny green boarder of ivy, and written in an elegant black script were the words 'Unwonted Wonders, in it for the memories. Just ring Dray, night or day', followed by two phone numbers; one for the store, and one for his home. Draco seemed very into his business, and Hermione was impressed.

"Hey, Hermione... oh, Draco! I didn't..." chimed a voice, just seconds before Faye burst onto the porch. Hermione winced, but she pouted. "Aw, where'd he go? I know he was here..."

"You just missed him, Faye," Hermione told her, discreetly slipping the card into the waistband of her pants and standing from the bench, blanket draped around her like a cape. Faye placed her hands to her hips.

"Why didn't you tell me he was coming?"

"I don't see how it's any of your business, honestly, love..." Hermione defended, speaking softly and starting back toward the lobby. Faye sighed heatedly.

"Well, you knew I wanted to meet him properly," she whined. "When's he coming back?" Hermione laughed.

"How should I know? I barely know the man; he just wanted to make sure I was all right, and apologize for letting me smash myself. That's all. I wouldn't expect to hear from him again, Faye. Don't get your hopes up."

Hermione disappeared into the dimly lit entry room of her building, and Faye was left to herself on the porch, a pout to her lips and her arms crossed, convinced her roommate was conspiring against her in every imaginable way.

-x- -x- -x-

It had been a week since Draco had visited, and Hermione had neither heard from nor contacted him. The little white business card was nestled safely in the frame of her bedroom mirror; just below her golden-trio graduation picture, and just above the last note her most recent boyfriend had sent her. It had expressed his views toward their relationship, was all in all rather hurtful, and had caused their breakup, but Hermione still kept it, as a daily reminder that people are not always as they seem.

Due to this, as she brushed her hair each morning, Hermione was thrown into thoughts of both men; first Gale, uncovering old and nearly forgotten pain, then to Draco. Of course, Gale's letter so close to Draco's card could only mesh and spark uncertainty about her newest fancy. Draco seemed like everything anyone could ever want; he was attractive, funny, gentle, caring... and single. But, he held his past over him like a rain cloud. Hermione couldn't help but have doubts; Gale had been everything Draco was when they first met, except perhaps gentle, and he had changed as their relationship progressed; his bad qualities got worse, and his good qualities got better. He may have yelled and threatened, but he would always apologize and comfort.

Hermione found herself imagining Draco turning back to his former self, leaving his charming and debonair persona behind. The thought made her shiver, and refrain from calling him. Hermione could admit that she felt an attraction with Draco; no sparks, or fireworks per say, but she definitely wouldn't mind spending more time with him. He was on her mind constantly, popping up every so often to comment on something. She thought of him every morning, as she drank her pumpkin juice (alcohol free, of course), whenever she saw a Quidditch shop or player or game, and whenever Faye mentioned her newest prey.

"Manny," called Faye as she appeared in the doorway. Hermione slowly brought the brush to lie on the dark wood countertop of her dresser, and turned her eyes from her reflection.

"Yeah?" she answered, and Faye's passive attitude became more focused. She smirked and leaned her shoulder against the doorframe.

"Why don't you just call him?" she asked, shaking her head, and Hermione's brow furrowed.

"What?"

"Blondie," Faye answered, speaking of Draco. Hermione frowned and shook her head, looking down at the dresser top, where Draco's business card rested, surrounded at great lengths by various makeup and hair accessories. "Why not?" Faye prodded. "You know you want to." Hermione heaved a heavy sigh and picked up the card, bringing it close to her nose. She then glanced up at the mirror and let her eyes focus on Gale's letter. Her lips tightened and she shook her head determinedly, tossing the card at her roommate.

"No I don't. You call him; he told me to give it to you, anyway."

Faye squealed and attacked the tag, which lay upside down on the carpet.

"Really? He said that?" she asked, holding the card gently as if it were a child. Hermione tore her eyes from her mirror and flopped down on her bed, hugging her pillow.

"Yeah. Tell him I said hello."

Behind Hermione's back, Faye's grin fell. She slowly began to shake her head and stood, placing the card on the bed table.

"No... You're lying. You don't really want me to have this," she said, voice soft, and Hermione shook her head, digging it into the pillow.

"Why wouldn't I? I don't need him. I don't need anyone. I want to be alone; I can buy a trailer and about sixteen cats. I'll be fine," Hermione insisted. Faye chuckled softly and shook her head.

"You've got to stop comparing everyone to Gale; he's not the world, Hermione."

"He was to me," she whispered, and her roommate sighed, her smile forgotten.

"But he was no good for you; for anyone. This guy is different; he's obviously not a drunk, he cared more about you that first night than Gale ever did, in my opinion, and he has yet to even raise his voice to you. That's three for three... he deserves at least a chance, don't you think?"

"Faye, you have no idea what you're talking about. You don't know Draco, and you didn't know Gale. Plus, you're nineteen; how much experience can you possibly have had?" Hermione voiced, and Faye grew rigged.

"How many real dates have you had in the last six years? One night stands don't count," she demanded, and Hermione sighed, rolling on her back to face her.

"Just Gale; you know that. What are you on about?"

"Well, in that case, I have one entire relationships' less experience than you, in the matter. Plus, if my sources are correct, I dated a lot more in school than you did, Miss Head Girl. Don't treat me like I'm inferior, or naïve. You're just as," she said, defending herself, and Hermione sighed.

"All right, I'm sorry; but this is off-topic. I'm not quite over Gale yet, and I don't want a relationship, especially not with Malfoy. So, take it or leave it, I don't care; but I'm not going to call him," she repeated, and Faye groaned, sitting down beside her.

"Manny! Why are you so stubborn? How do you think Blondie feels right now, huh? He's probably wallowing in rejection, sitting in the corner of his little dusty antique shop, pouring over your yearbook. You've probably broken his heart. Maybe he's lost the confidence to ever pursue anyone again, and he's so attractive... only someone shallow would pursue him, anyone else would shy away. He'll have heartbreak after heartbreak and live his life in misery, all because of you," Faye insinuated, and Hermione laughed.

"Don't you think you're overreacting, just a bit?"

"I don't know, am I? Gale wrote you one letter, and you've been miserable and withdrawn every since. Who's to say you haven't done the same thing to Blondie? It's possible, Hermione. Do you want to live with that guilt? At least go out on one date... if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out; at least he won't have to feel completely dumped and degraded."

"Are you trying to make me feel bad?" Hermione asked, sitting up and drawing her knees to her chest. She had always been very permeable to the thoughts of others, and Faye's words were hitting home. Faye was right; she was miserable, and there was a slight chance she was doing the same thing to Draco; a man who had merely shown interest in her. Needless to say, it hurt.

"Yes, if that'll make you realize what you're doing. You're passing up a golden opportunity."

"If I promise to go out on one date with him, provided he agrees, will you lay off?" Hermione asked, and Faye grinned triumphantly.

"I give you my word."

"Fine," Hermione groaned, and Faye squealed.

"You have to give me details," she reminded, and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I'd never get any sleep if I didn't."

Faye gave a nod and got up to leave, but just as she reached the open door, Hermione called back to her.

"Faye?" she asked, and the blonde girl turned back. "If I may... why didn't you just take him?"

"He likes you, love."

"You don't know that. And you've never been one to give up a good man for someone else's better interests; especially that man's," Hermione recalled, and Faye smirked.

"Well, there is the matter of his name," she said, and Hermione lifted an eyebrow. "Dray? Faye? We'd never work out."

---eak,in school than you did, mefrown. The younger girl sighed. ers and reuploading them without the bothersome a--------------------------------

A/N: If you noticed, I changed all the names, so they should make sense now. And hey! I'm using italics! Woo!