(a/n) Thanks so much to my reviewers J I'm happy SOMEONE is still reading this ha. This is a really long chapter, so maybe more reviews would be better this time ;) I'll wait until I think the number is sufficient J But here's another one… r&r J

Letters and Parties

Minutes turned into hours as Hermione waited for contact from Draco. He saw her again, she knew he saw her. She knew she needed to help him. She hoped he didn't leave the deal behind and run to McGonagall.

The Head Girl had so many thoughts running through her head that it was beginning to throb. She was so deep in thought that it took her several minutes to hear the owl tapping on the window just beside her. She hopped up so fast once she noticed the bird that it made her dizzy with movement, but she moved over to the window as quickly as she could.

She took the letter from the owls legs and, as fast as she could, she opened the parchment to read the contents.

Granger-

You better be on your best behavior after your last encounter with lover boy- last should be the key word. Your methods of helping me with Ana better be extremely successful too, because I was thinking and… well… who's to say Weasel or Potty won't get a letter from an anonymous onlooker who happened to see your whorish behavior that you are so bad at concealing? I'd say play it safe. But then again, it's your love life on the line.

After reading the letter, Hermione's eyes grew wide. She could feel her mouth drying out and her heart beat begin to race. So she quickly ran up to the dormitory and to her desk. She pulled out a quill and, after locating some ink, she began her reply.

Malfoy-

A. You don't even know what you're talking about. You just catch things at the wrong time. Then again, timing is never probably right for you.

B. You didn't even tell me how I'm supposed to help you. I'm not a mind reader!

C. You can't tell them about this. You know, those panties of mine you have could go either way.

So maybe you should play it safe.

It took her several drafts before she got it just right; a little wit and attitude while still showing that she isn't going to back out. After a final read-through, Hermione rolled up the letter, gave it back to the bird, and sat down at her desk, just waiting for the response.

Not ten minutes later the same owl tapped at the window. Hermione opened the latch and let the owl in. She stroked it on the back of the head, feeling a little bad for all the flying it was doing. Then she gently pulled the letter away and unfolded it.

A. I know exactly what I'm talking about. Bad timing or not, I have eyes.

B. Keep her away from me as much as you can. Help her find a boyfriend. Do anything you can to help her get over me!

C. Don't get an attitude with me. This is a business transaction and there is no room for bullies in business.

Hermione scoffed at the last point, didn't he know who his own father was?!

---

Draco lay in his bed with his back toward Pansy Parkinson. She repeatedly ran her fingers lightly down his bare back but, to her dismay, she got no reaction out of him. The blonde was laying with his eyes shut and his arms under his head, trying as hard as he could to block Pansy out.

"Drakey, what's the matter, baby?" She leaned closer to his ear so that her lips brushed it with every word. Draco pulled his head away and crinkled his face in disapproval. "What? You don't want me anymore?" Pansy said with not only hurt, but recognition in her voice.

"Pans, please, not right now. Just let me sleep." Draco grunted without moving any part of his body.

"No, Draco, this is happening right now. You only want me when it's convenient for you…and only when we have sex. You never want to cuddle…" she trailed off. The raven-haired girl lowered her head so that her chin was resting on Draco's shoulder. She licked her lips in an attempt to be seductive; however, it only added to Draco's annoyance.

"You're right, Pansy. I only want you when it's convenient for me. And right now isn't that time. So leave. Now!" He rolled onto his back and pushed the girl partially off of the bed. She huffed and threw the sheet that had been wrapped around her back onto the bed. She then stormed around the edge of the four-poster picking up her clothing and putting it back on.

The Head Boy sighed once she was gone and ran his fingers through the silky white-blonde hair that hung loose around his forehead. He took another deep breath before getting out of his bed, putting on his clothing, and heading down to the common room.

"Hey, Caleb," Draco said as he sat down on the couch next to the first year. "What are you up to today?"

Caleb shrugged, "nothing really. I wanna go to the Quidditch match lat-"

"Caleb, have you ever been drunk before?" Draco asked, cutting the boy off mid-word.

Caleb looked back at the older boy in shock. "No, man, I'm only eleven." He shrugged a little and then looked forward once again.

"What do you say we get you drunk tonight for the first time ever? Before Quidditch… pregaming is so much fun." Draco wiggled his eyebrows influentially at the boy. Caleb smirked and nodded once. "And maybe after the game, we can find our selves some girls." Draco winked a silver-blue eye before standing up and motioning for the first year to join him. The two walked together through the dungeons and out into the Entrance Hall.

"There's a secret passage way over here," Draco said as he nodded in the direction of a portrait of a little boy playing with a frog. "I didn't even find it until last year… Either it's new somehow, or very few people know of it. Either way, it takes us straight into Hogsmeade."

They walked in silence over to the portrait. After looking around to make sure that no one was watching, Draco pushed the painting aside, ushered Caleb in, and they disappeared behind the boy and his frog.

"So what, once we're in Hogsmeade, we'll just… buy alcohol?" Caleb wondered out loud. "That seems too easy to be true."

Draco stopped in his tracks and turned to the younger boy. "Caleb, man, really. You have got to have confidence. You have to think 'I can do whatever I want and I'm going to get away with it.' That may seem weird, but for some reason it's charming to other people. You just have to believe it can happen, and it will." Draco laughed at himself, shook his head, and continued on in the tunnel.

They arrived in Hogsmeade behind the garbage cans of a bar; a very convenient location for their mission. Draco lead the way around the front of the store and into the thick, bitter smell of alcohol.

"Can I have three bottles of fire whiskey please?" He said to the lady behind the bar. He winked at her and smirked and she immediately blushed. He winked again at her as she handed him the bottles and she told him, "it's on the house. Come back soon, okay?"

Draco placed the three bottles into a bag and began leaving the store with Caleb close behind. "See," he said, "that is how you do it. A little charm goes a long way."

---

"I don't care if you want to sit with your brother, Malfoy, or any of the Slytherins, Ana. I'm the seventh year and I'm choosing that we sit with the Gryffindors this game. Besides, our team is playing and yours isn't." Hermione said to the first year girl. They, like most other students, were in the dining hall just before the first Quidditch match of the year; Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff.

"Yeah, but Hermione, Blaise and Draco are fighting… I need to mediate," Ana scrambled for an excuse but realized she had been defeated. Before Hermione could say anything else, Ana agreed to sit with the Gryffindor.

After dinner, the two made their way to the Quidditch Pitch along with Aaron Creevey, since Ron was in the game. The entire trip Ana had her arms crossed on her chest and a tight-lipped expression on her face.

"Cheer up, Lillyana. We're going to win this game." Hermione told the girl, playfully putting her arm around her and pulling her closer. "And when we win, we have victory parties." Hermione let go of the girl's shoulders but didn't take her eyes away. She watched as a small smile crept onto Ana's face. Ana then uncrossed her arms and put a little pep in her step.

The match went by rather quickly. Fifteen minutes to be exact. In that time, Gryffindor managed to score 30 points and catch the snitch. Hufflepuff didn't score any points at all.

"Ana, you're very lucky that you are invited to this party. Usually it's restricted to Gryffindor sixth and seventh years only." Hermione said as the girls entered the common room. The party hadn't started yet because the older kids had to make sure that all of the younger ones were upstairs in the dorms before beginning. About twenty minutes later, once all the underage witches and wizards were safe in their dorms, alcohol and food were placed around the common room and music with a heavy bass began to play. Hermione looked over at Ana and saw a very big, white, straight smile across her face. "I told you that you wouldn't mind going to the game." Hermione laughed.

"So," Ana began as she spun so that she was facing Hermione. "When are we going to get some booze?"

"You're eleven!" Hermione said in complete shock. "You've drank before?"

"Hello, my brother is Blaise. His best friend is Draco. What do you think they do with me at home?" Hermione looked at the girl with her eyebrows raised.

"That is so crazy to me…" she thought aloud.

"Don't tell me you've never been drunk before!" Ana alleged as she pointed her finger at the taller girl. Hermione blushed and avoided Ana's gaze. "You haven't! Oh my god, that is so funny! I can't wait to tell-" The girl made a little face and then continued. "Let's go get some fire whiskey, Hermione."

Just then Ron walked over to the pair and heard their exchange. "Whoa, baby, you two BFF's now?" He asked jokingly. "I thought you guys, like, hated each other or something?" He pecked her on the cheek and winked. "Have fun, babe, but not too much, eh?" He laughed and walked back to the rest of the Quidditch team.

Hermione rolled her eyes at his back and turned back to Ana. "I can't drink, Ana. I am responsible. I have a very heavy class load this year." Hermione said, trying to keep Ana away from the alcohol. Ana grabbed Hermione's hand and began pulling her toward the table. "I'm Head Girl for Merlin's sake! I can't drink on school property!" Ana rolled her eyes and began pouring a glass for the seventh year. "And you shouldn't be drinking either! You're only eleven!"

Ana shook her head with a smile on her face. "Hermione, really, chill out. Relax. Have fun. You only live once." Hermione eyed the girl with surrendering will power. "Just one glass, Hermione. Then, from there, you can choose to have more or not."

"Fine," Hermione caved just before she took her first sip of fire whiskey.

---

Draco and Caleb waited around the exit of the Quidditch Pitch silently giving each other signals if they saw an attractive girl. Finally, near the end of the crowd, there was a group of four Hufflepuff girls together. Draco gave Caleb the signal and they began their approach.

"Hey girls," Draco said in almost a purr. "What are you lovely ladies planning on doing tonight?" He asked with a wink.

The girls all giggled and looked at each other. Draco looked at Caleb and raised his eyebrows, egging the eleven year old on.

"How about we start a party?" Caleb questioned, trying to be confident but coming off a little rehearsed. The youngest looking girl in the group eyed Caleb and then silently communicated with the other three girls.

"Well, if you ladies aren't interested, we can try and find others…" Draco said with feigned disappointment.

"Oh, we'll come," said a blonde. "We're just trying to think of where this little get-together can happen." She then made a face that was supposed to look like she was thinking but, instead, it made her look as if she were in pain.

"I know a perfect place," Draco replied through a smirk. "Follow me." He then began leading the group to the fourth floor and into the Heads' Common Room.

On their way, however, Blaise bumped right into them.

"Oh, sorr-" He cut himself off once he saw the blonde that he had bumped into. "Watch where you're going next time." He spat.

"Oh, shove off," Draco retorted, trying to make his way around his exbest friend.

"What have you got in that bad, Malfoy? Alcohol?" Blaise rolled his eyes. "What's new…"

"Blaise, man, stop," Caleb said, trying to calm down the Italian boy.

"Caleb, stay out of this." Draco said, keeping a death glare on Blaise as he spoke. "He's not even worth your breath." With that Draco pushed passed Blaise and led the girls and Caleb to the common room.

---

"Lillyana, really," Hermione said through slightly slurred words, "why do you like Malfoy so much?" Ana opened her mouth to respond but her shushed her by holding her finger to the olive skinned girls mouth. "Shh, rhetorical question." She stated through a slew of giggles. Ana looked at Hermione and began laughing too. "I kinda think you're a bitch, Ana. Especially for an eleven year old. No, let me finish! You're kinda a bitch, and you're pretty cocky, but even with that, I think you deserve better than Malfoy." The look on Ana's face went from offended to interested. "I," Hermione hiccupped, but continued like nothing had happened. "don't even get what you see in him. I mean, he has nice hair, but really…" She trailed off as she took another sip of her fire whiskey.

"You don't understand," Ana defended herself. "It's like… he's caring and he's thoughtful. He's a good listener and he is good at giving advice… He does all these things that could be taken as brotherly, or as flirtatious. And I think the ladder, the later, the… latter because that's how I see him. He's more than a brother to me. I feel like we're meant to be together."

Hermione looked at the girl and stuck her finger in her mouth as she made a gagging noise. "Malfoy isn't worth your time, Ana. All he is, he's just a player and a manipulator. He wants what he wants and he'll do anything to get it. And besides, that sixth year over there is checking you out," Hermione winked. "I just don't see how Malfoy is so worth it that you give up other opportunities and prospects." Hermione shrugged and set her glass down on the table next to her. "You need to go home." Ana gave the brunette a look that can only be interpreted by a person under the influence. "Not HOME home, but Slytherin home," Hermione clarified.

Then, before either of them could process what happened, both girls were on the floor with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Hermione looked over her shoulder to see Ron and Harry by the window looking too inconspicuous.

"YOU," Hermione shouted at the boys "ARE TROUBLES!"

"We're 'troubles,' 'Mione?" Harry teased. "You need to get that girl home so you can get to bed." He laughed.

"Yeah, no more to drink for you," Ron chimed in.

"We were just leaving," Hermione said in a higher-than-normal sing-song voice.

And with that, the seventh year Gryffindor and the first year Slytherin made their way down to the dungeons. After making sure that Ana got to the common room okay and without getting in trouble by teachers, Hermione began her slow and wobbly ascent back to the Gryffindor tower.

---

Draco shifted his position on the couch, causing an empty bottle and a half empty bottle of alcohol to slide closer to his legs. "Whoa," he slurred, "those bo'les moved on their own." The four girls let out little giggles as Draco sat upright on the couch.

"I kinda miss Blaise, ya know. You wanna know what makes me the most mad about Blaise? He won't admit he's gay!" Draco moved his hand as if he were swatting away a fly. "He thinks I don't know he's gay! So stupid, that one is." Although none of the other students were paying him any attention, Draco kept talking anyway. "You see this one night, a couple nights ago, while we were still friends, me and him shared a bit to drink. Not enough to be totally wasted, but just enough to feel a little out of control. Next thing I know, he's climbing into bed with me! I shouted at him, I did! I said, 'what do you think you're doing in my bed? This is mine, not yours!' And he just pretended he made a mistake." He exhaled and rolled his eyes. "Bunch of shit if you ask me, he knew what he was doing. Just imagine, being on the bridge of awake and asleep and feeling your best friend climb under your covers…. Weird, weird feeling." Draco slowly got to his feet. "Best friend…" he repeated. "I've gotta go guys, I gotta apologize to my best friend ever in the whole world!" He began moving towards the door, but he stumbled slightly.

"Geeze, Draco, I thought you told me that you can handle your liquor!" Caleb laughed at the stumbling Head Boy.

"Yes, I did say that. But I've never had this much to drink before!" Draco laughed as he exited the Heads' common room and began his journey to the dungeons.

At about the second floor the whole world began spinning inside Draco's mind. He stood still with his hand on the banister of the staircase, trying hard not to move a muscle. That's when he heard it, little footsteps climbing the staircase up to the second floor. Every muscle in his body tensed for fear that it was a professor. As charismatic as he was, he could never talk his was out of the current intoxicated state that he was in. He opened his eyes really wide thinking that it would help him see farther. The footsteps has stopped and just as he was about to start moving downwards again, a figure appeared at the top of the staircase.

"Granger?" Draco asked with absolute astonishment in his voice. "Why you out of bed right now?"

"Malfoy? Have a bit to drink tonigh'?" Hermione asked as she got closer to the blonde, the very pungent smell of alcohol breaking the barriers of her nose.

"I could say the same to you, you know. Ya smell a bit like whiskey, huh?" Draco said as he tsk, tsk-ed her.

"Go on, make fun of me, torment me, I just wanna go to be," Hermione said, fully preparing herself for anything Draco might say.

She couldn't help but be amazed when he didn't say anything. No jokes, no teasing, no mean names. Nothing. She stood there on the second story staircase in confusion for several minutes before she head to the side and asked, "Why aren't you being mean?" For a second she thought maybe he was just being nice, maybe he was trying to think of an insult. But then he started to talk.

"Because, I think I'm going to be sick."

Before Hermione could understand what he meant, Draco leaned forward and vomited all over Hermione and the floor around them.

"Oh, this is a great ending to my day…" Hermione rolled her eyes and pushed her hair out of her face. "Okay, come on Malfoy, we gotta get you to the Slytherin common room…" She then went to reach for Draco's arm but he pulled away.

"I can do it on my own, mudblood."

Hermione was taken aback by his cruelness. She didn't know what she had been thinking earlier- Malfoy's are never nice. And something never change.