A/N: I am going to start this chapter off differently – not with Hermione or Draco, but with Harry, Ginny, and Ron. I think it is important to let you know how Charlie is going to deal with them. Thanks for the reviews too.

WARNING: REFERENCES TO DRUGS, SEX AND ALCOHOL. SOME SWEARING.

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot thingy.

Chapter Seven: Sudden Kiss

"I wonder what's bothering her," sighed Charlie standing beside Lupin with Ron, Harry and Ginny standing on the other side of Charlie, "I have never seen her that worked up before."

"She left in a hurry when we went to get a program," added Lupin earning curious looks from Ron, Harry, and Ginny.

"Did you three see her?" asked Charlie turning to the three Gryffindors.

"See who?" asked Harry.

"Hermione."

"A while ago. Why?"

"She almost ran into me – in tears."

"Well today is a sad day," pointed out Ron.

"She wasn't crying about this," said Charlie gesturing to the statue, "How can you three not see that something is bothering Hermione? She is meant to be a good friend."

"She is Malfoy's good friend."

Charlie shook his head, "You lot have no idea, do you? Did Hermione mention an attack?"

"Wait," said Ginny, "You know why Hermione was crying?"

"Of course I do. I ran into her remember? Did she mention an attack?"

"Sort of," mumbled Ron.

"And you three didn't listen?"

The three shook their heads no and Charlie looked at them in disbelief.

"During the war Hermione was attacked – shut it Ron. It was no ordinary attack, like a simple spell. A Death Eater with a dagger stabbed Hermione in the leg. She was too shocked by the sight of Kingsley to notice the attacker until he stabbed her. I saw her fall, I saw the blood… there was lots of it. She made me swear – she made Lupin and Pomfrey swear – to never let you three find out about her attack. In her eyes it would make her look weak to you three and she didn't want you all worrying about her, so she healed and never dealt with it. Haven't you noticed a change in her behaviour – other then the Malfoy issue?"

"A little. She dresses kind of differently with those stockings and long pants," admitted Ginny.

"Right. And here is something Hermione asked me to tell you three, seeing as you won't listen to a word she has to say. She said she knows she upset you with the Malfoy thing but the friendship has changed. You lot make her feel unwanted," said Charlie looking at them in turn before shaking his head, "Perhaps it is time you heard your supposed friend out instead of thinking you three are the only one with issues, despite what you went through. You have someone who needs your support, which is why I think she has turned to Draco Malfoy."

HD

"Has butterbeer got alcohol in it?" asked Draco eyeing the bottle off as Rosemerta served them.

"If it did do you think I would serve it to students?" she replied.

"No."

"Well there is your answer. No alcohol."

Rosemerta wandered off to the bar as Hermione stared at her bottle in thought. Draco took a sip and ripped open the packet of peanuts sitting on the table.

"You can never find a packet with walnuts in them anymore," grumbled Draco, "They always have macadamia nuts in the mix pack though. And the cashews."

"Huh? What?" asked Hermione shaking her head and looking at Draco, "Sorry I was off in my own world."

"That I figured. Do you eat cashews?"

"No."

"Macadamias?"

"No."

"Almonds?"

"Yes. Why are we discussing nuts?"

"I was going to see if you would say yes to eating mine."

Hermione looked at Draco in alarm and disgust before he chuckled.

"I was talking about these ones," said Draco sliding the almonds over to her, "I don't eat those kind of nuts."

"Right," muttered Hermione taking one of the almonds.

"So, you said you would tell me the truth once we got here. Then you said you wanted to wait until we were served. So now are you going to say you want to wait until you have finished your drink and almonds?"

"I tried to tell them. About the attack."

"How'd it go?"

"The key word was tried. They wouldn't hear me out… so I went to find better company and got upset, left, ran into Charlie and then I found you."

"I'm a magnet I reckon. People always find me when they need to discuss an issue. Well actually only you have ever discussed an issue with me," said Draco with a small chuckle, "Come on smile Granger."

"I'm not in the smiling mood."

"Well I know something that would make you smile but we are banned from it."

"What?"

"There is this play house, on the sleazy side of Hogsmeade and it does the olden day plays from the time of Ancient Rome. Anyway they mock the affairs that happened back in those times with fake boobs on display, male genitals. It is hilarious."

"Sounds vulgar."

"It is. But it is funny."

"I figured we would find you with him," said Ron as him, Harry and Ginny strode over from the doorway, "I think we need to talk."

"So now you want to talk to me?" cried Hermione standing up, "Well I don't want to talk now. Malfoy… perhaps we could go to that thing you were telling me about?"

Draco stood up and nodded before him and Hermione strode out of the pub ignoring the shocked looks from her three friends.

HD

"Do you seriously want to go in?" asked Draco as Hermione eyed the playhouse with slight disgust.

She gave a sigh and shrugged, "What the heck? I might actually find it amusing."

"Just so you know, inside you will probably be groped by ten guys, see a few sexual acts taking place publicly and I swear to stay away from the alcohol and the guys selling drugs."

"This is where you get it from?"

Draco nodded, "Do you still want to go? We will get a seat up stairs away from it all. My treat."

"Well it is not often Draco Malfoy pays something for me."

"No. Once and a life time thing."

"Well, like I said, what the heck? Let's go have some fun."

The pair walked in with the woman at the reception desk winking at Draco.

"Hello there," she said leaning so far forward her breasts nearly fell out of the robe she was dressed in, "Oh… you brought a friend."

"Yeah. We want some seats up stairs."

"Sure… that will be twenty galleons each."

"Malfoy this is expensive," said Hermione, "Let me pay."

"Nonsense. I offered to show you a good time and I will. Here you go," he said handing over the money, "And two butterbeer's with a packet of nuts – make sure there are walnuts in the pack as well."

"Only butterbeer?"

"Strictly butterbeer."

The woman eyed Hermione off and rolled her eyes, "I see. Innocent drinker."

Hermione glared at the woman before she followed Draco through the double doors. She was instantly hit with the stench of sweat and alcohol before a man rocked up to her and winked at her.

"Hey sexy. Fancy a good time?"

Hermione gave him a disgusted look as Draco suddenly wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"She's with me, mate."

"Oh! Draco man! You need some? I got a good stash, aye… normal price."

"Not interested."

"Oh… I see the little lady here has set you straight. Good for you man."

Draco nodded and moved his hand into Hermione's as he lead her to the staircase. Hermione almost cried out in shock as they reached the staircase where on one side a woman was giving a guy a head job and on the other side two women were involved in a sexual act.

At the top of the staircase they found their seats, which Hermione was happy to sit in.

"You were right… this place is… out there. No wonder it is banned. How did you find it?"

"Slytherin's know all the banned spots."

"So you know all these people?" asked Hermione leaning over the railing to look down at the rowdy people fighting, drinking, doing drugs, or having plain obvious sex.

"Pretty much so."

"Any of them special too you?"

Draco snorted, "I have slept with nearly all the women here, punched half the guys and smoked up a storm whilst getting blind drunk. How is any of that special too me?"

"Sorry… I was only asking."

"Sorry for snapping. I just… its hard to believe I managed to let myself live in that manner, you know?"

Suddenly the lights dimmed and the stage was lit up.

"Hey! I can't fuck him properly now!" yelled a woman.

"Get the fuck over it you whore!"

"You get used to it," said Draco as the curtains opened with a man strutting around with an exaggeratingly long male genital on.

"Today's tale is about…"

"You know we didn't have to come here," said Hermione, "If it is too hard for you to face this place we can leave."

"No, I'm fine. Are you?"

"Well yeah… I mean this place is as out there as you said it would be."

"Whoa man… why don't you just fuck her?"

Hermione and Draco turned in their seats to see a guy dragging a drunk, half naked woman up stairs.

"Because we are friends," replied Draco, "Why don't go find a cosy corner with Sally, hey?"

"Man, you fucked all your friends here. What is so different about her?"

"A lot."

"Ha, man you are falling on the love wagon."

"Whatever. Go do your shit with Sally."

"Sir, yes sir!" laughed the guy before dragging the said Sally away to a dark corner.

"Oh please forgive me!"

"Of course Attica. Why wouldn't I? For it would be…"

"Ignore him," said Draco gesturing in the shadows where moans were emitting from, "That guy always gives me crap whenever I see him whether he be sober or drunk."

"I'm ignoring a lot of things I am witnessing," replied Hermione watching the play.

"And I was serious… I guess I can call you a friend."

Hermione turned to Draco and smiled, "I'm the innocent drinker who turned you to the right path… friend."

Draco smiled and shrugged, "Sounds good to me."

HD

"You smell like his drugs mixed with alcohol," grumbled Ron as Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table that night.

"Oh right, so now I am getting high with him and drinking whilst having drunken sex?" snapped Hermione before rolling her eyes, "What will you think of next?"

"Well, where did you go? We couldn't find you anywhere?"

"I went to a place. And you don't need to know. I didn't drink, I didn't smoke up a storm and I didn't have sex… although I saw plenty of it in performance and the real thing."

Her friends looked at her in confusion but Hermione ignored them as she piled some food onto her plate. She had taken a few bites when she was tapped sharply on the shoulder. Looking up Hermione was met with the stern face of Professor McGonagall. Behind her stood Draco who had his arms crossed in annoyance.

"Miss Granger, come with me please."

Hermione stood up and glanced at Draco who shrugged his shoulders. The pair followed her out of the Great Hall and into a nearby classroom.

"Sit down," said McGonagall pointing to the front desk.

The pair sat down as McGonagall stood in front of them frowning, "A Hogsmeade resident has come forward with allegations that they saw you both enter the Play Time House and exit it near two hours later, laughing and smelling rather strongly of drugs."

Hermione looked down at her hands guiltily while Draco gave a sigh.

"I am sure you both are well aware that the Play Time House is banned from Hogwarts students along with that entire side of Hogsmeade. These are serious allegations for students in your position. Are they true?"

"Yes Professor," admitted Hermione as Draco nodded.

"Professor McGonagall, Hermione was upset with her friends and I wanted her to have some fun. We only watched the play. We didn't drink or do any drugs. We smell like it because of the stench in the air."

McGonagall gave a sigh and shook her head, "This is your first warning. As punishment both Slytherin and Gryffindor will be docked fifty points and you both will serve detention in the near future with Professor Slughorn, is that understood?"

"Yes Professor," replied both.

"Return to your tower now."

The pair stood and left the classroom as students started walking past with dinner finished. They gave Hermione and Draco odd looks until McGonagall came out behind them ordering the students to hurry up.

Hermione's friends gave her a worried, yet curious look but Hermione sped up, leaving them and Draco behind.

HD

Hermione exited the bathroom refreshed and dressed in her ¾ blue pyjama pants and a white t-shirt. She grabbed her Charms book and sat down as Draco looked at her expectantly from his lounge.

"So now you have the shits with me?" he said in annoyance.

"No. I knew we shouldn't have gone to the playhouse. We are lucky to only get a warning, lose house points and wind up in detention."

"Hermione-"

"Are we on first name basis now?"

"Well I assume so seeing as friends call each other by first names."

Hermione nodded, "Go on."

"Look, we can't always walk on the straight and narrow path every single day. There comes a time when you need to do something spontaneous no matter what the consequences could be. You needed a good time and I showed it too you."

Hermione sighed and nodded, "I guess you are right."

Draco grinned and stood heading into the bathroom. Hermione sat reading her Charms book when a knock came at the common room door. Frowning, Hermione stood and headed down the stairs and hit the handle for the doors to open. Pansy greeted her with a smile and Hermione let her in, shutting the door again with the painting showing the view of the Hufflepuff Common Room. The pair headed up stairs and Hermione gestured for Pansy to sit on the lounge.

"So, where is Draco?" asked Pansy curiously.

"Showering. What did you come here for?"

"Well Slytherin are throwing a party next Saturday because it is the first Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Everyone knows Slytherin will win. Anyway… Draco will be required to go as Headboy, team captain and seeker."

"I see."

"I have seen the change in him. He is a lot happier and the dark circles have gone, he is back in shape… there will be alcohol and drugs at the party, Granger. I don't want him falling off the rails again."

"It's a Slytherin party... what do you want me to do?" asked Hermione curiously.

"There are always people from other houses in attendance. The party is held down at the lake away from the view of the castle and Hagrid's hut. You would be entitled to go seeing as you and Draco have struck up a friendship of some sort. He would be less prone to drink and do drugs with you around."

"Pansy… none of the other Slytherin's like me. I would stick out like an odd ball."

"I think you're alright, Granger! So does Millicent. And like I said, there will be Ravenclaw's, Hufflepuff people and a few of the more… outrageous Gryffindor's."

Hermione sighed, "I'll wait for Draco to mention it too me. I'll send you a letter letting you know, okay?"

Pansy nodded and smiled, "Thanks."

Hermione smiled and let Pansy out. As she came back up stairs Draco exited the bathroom looking a little pale.

"Everything okay?"

"Oh yeah, just a craving. Umm… why did you come up from the staircase?"

"Oh I thought I heard a noise."

Draco nodded actually believing her lie before heading to his room to dress seeing as he was only wrapped in a towel.

HD

"You coming to the party next Saturday?"

Draco looked at Pansy in surprise, "The world has shifted."

Pansy frowned, "Why?"

"You spoke to me. After weeks of silence I have finally heard words from your mouth aimed at me."

"What are laugh you are. So, are you coming?"

Draco shrugged, "I dunno."

"If you worried you will give into temptation you could always bring Granger with you."

Draco looked over at the Gryffindor table where Hermione was sitting looking at Harry as he said something, "She isn't the partying type."

"Draco, she is your friend, isn't she?"

"Yeah."

"Invite her to go with you as… I don't know, moral support. Besides you can't not go. You are the team captain. It is your duty to attend the party."

"I guess so."

"You know, it is good to have you back. The real you."

Draco gave a shrug, "It feels good to be clean."

"Yo, Draco! Don't forget – party next Saturday night after we WHOOP Hufflepuff's rear end!"

People around the hall booed, with Gryffindor table being the loudest. Draco looked over at Hermione and saw her giving the Slytherin table an amused look.

"They boo us but I bet they put all their money on us," smirked Pansy, "Excluding Potter and the Weasley's. They never would be caught betting for Slytherin."

"Oh yeah and what about Hermione?"

"Granger would never be caught dead gambling."

Draco smirked, "You'd be surprise at what Hermione would do. There is more to her then a book and being smart."

"You finally realised that, huh? I always knew Granger had another side to her. But I do stick to my beliefs that she would never bet, drink or anything like that."

Draco looked over at Hermione again and smirked as she rolled her eyes at whatever Harry and Ron were discussing. He was about to look away when Hermione caught his eye and gave him a small smile. Draco gave back the smile and looked down at his plate as Pansy shook her head at Draco's rather obvious flushed cheeks.

HD

The week passed with Hermione avoiding discussing the attack with her friends. She was grateful that Charlie had told them but now that was all they wanted to discuss. They couldn't take the hint that Hermione wanted to pick the time and place to bring up the horrifying memory of what happened. As for Draco he was finding each day easier with his cravings with them coming less often. His thirst for sex was still raging strong though and he was finding that increasingly more difficult to ignore.

"The sad thing is," said Ron as Hermione walked to the Quidditch field with Harry, Ginny, and Ron, "Is that even though I am barracking Hufflepuff we all know Slytherin are going to slaughter them on the field. Then tonight the castle will be kept awake by the party."

"I'm amazed the Professor's never stop it," commented Ginny.

"It's outside and away from the castle. I have never heard it," replied Hermione.

"Me either," admitted Harry.

"I do," said Ron earning looks from his friends, "Well I keep the window open."

"Then close it. The windows are charmed to keep noise out," sighed Hermione.

They found their seats in the Gryffindor stands and sat down with Hermione on the end of the row. She pulled out a book from her bag to read and was thoroughly immersed when she was tapped on the shoulder. Hermione looked up and saw Pansy and Millicent standing in the aisle earning dirty looks from the Gryffindors.

"What do they want?" snapped Ron.

Hermione glared at Ron and turned to Pansy and Millicent with a smile, "Hi."

"Hi. Listen, the party is on and Draco wants to go but he doesn't want to upset you," said Pansy, "So, Millie and I were hoping you could discuss it with him. I think he wants you to come."

Hermione nodded, "I'll speak to him after the match."

"The party begins after the match… then it stops for dinner before starting up again. Can you come talk with him now?"

Hermione looked at her friends and saw them frowning at her and glaring at Pansy and Millicent. Nodding, Hermione put her book in her bag and stood up.

"You aren't really going to talk to him are you?" cried Harry.

"He is my friend whether you agree to that or not," sighed Hermione not in the mood for an argument, "Accept it or ignore it. Your choice."

Hermione followed Pansy and Millicent down the aisle and under the stands around to the Slytherin change rooms. Pansy knocked on the door with it being open by one of the Beaters.

"What?" he asked rudely.

"We need to speak with Draco," demanded Millicent glaring at the guy.

He stepped back and let the three in with Hermione looking a little awkward as she saw all the guys, some without their shirts on.

"Draco!" called the beater, "Three women want ya!"

All the Slytherin's made approving calls or gave wolf whistles as Draco stepped around from a wall calling to them all to shut up. When he saw Pansy and Millicent he frowned wondering where the third was. Pansy stepped aside revealing Hermione.

"So, they dragged you down here," sighed Draco, "And I am guessing it is to do with the party?"

Hermione nodded, "I don't want you to feel like you can't go. I trust you."

"Hermione, I don't have to go."

"You are the team captain. It would be wrong of you not too go."

"FIVE MINUTES!" called Madam Hooch sticking her head in from the door that entered into the arena.

"Suit up!" ordered Draco, "Wilcox, pass me my gear! Look Hermione, I don't think I'm ready to face the temptation alone."

Pansy gave Hermione an I-told-you-so look and Hermione sighed, "I'll come with you. No arguments or disagreements will be heard."

"Hermione… I… okay. Fine. I'll meet you here ten minutes after the match," sighed Draco.

Hermione smiled as Pansy and Millicent cheered. They hurriedly left leaving Hermione alone with Draco, as the other guys had gone to line up.

"I should let you get dressed," said Hermione awkwardly, "Now I have to face my friends. So… good luck."

"Thanks."

Hermione turned to leave when Draco grabbed her by the arm. Hermione turned to face him earning a light kiss on the lips. Hermione looked at Draco in surprise and backed away to the door. She quickly turned and left not waiting to hear Draco as he cried out 'sorry'.

A/N: So do they really have feelings for each other or does Draco simply think he likes Hermione after all she has done for him? To find out you need to review!

Until next time…

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