Part IX

The party. It was in full swing when Hermione was called upon by the portrait of the Fat Lady. ''M'dear, two Ravenclaw girls outside say they have your express permission to enter.'' Hermione nodded and went to the portrait to welcome her guests in.

''Firewhiskey'' Cassie simply said holding up several bottles much to Hermione's horror. ''Live a little, Miss Perfect.'' she said playfully. ''Hope you don't mind, we brought Persephone Dealing with us. Dorm friends, you see.'' she smiled conspiratorially.

Hermione nodded and let them enter. The girls joined the celebrations, placing the bottles and food on a table in the commons. Several hours later, people were holding shot glasses of Firewhiskey as both Ron and Harry stood in the middle of the room on a podium smirking triumphantly whilst holding a shot glass each. Hermione spotted Ginny Weasley and Lavender Brown eyeing the bystander in admiration. She knew for a fact Ginny always had a thing for Harry, even if the red head was currently dating Dean.

Her attention waned for but s minute, but when her brain followed up with the goings on, she found that the crowd had consequently abruptly changed their chanting of 'Potter' and 'Weasley' to whoops and self whistles. All due to the fact that said boys were currently ensconced in tight embraces sucking face with Ginny and Lavender, respectively. She felt her heart break as she realised at that moment why her boyfriend had been so distant lately.

Swivelling on her left heel she made her way to an empty classroom where she sat on the steps, conjuring little birds above her head. Needing somewhere more secluded, she made her way to the Black lack and sat by a tree which faced the hill that lead up to the Shrieking Shack.

Minutes later, shuffling and a murmuring of both male and female voices assaulted her ears. ''Bloody Potter'' she heard, who she assumed was, Cassie curse.

''Granger.'' Blaise called, but when he didn't get a response he let his wand in his palm and murmured the 'point me'' spell. The group of Slytherins followed the wand's directions and found the girl huddled against a tree looking like a trembling heap ostensible red, blue and brown. She looked up and they saw tear track marks and curse Salazar Slytherin.

The boys' back stiffened considerably. Merlin, not one of them knew how to deal with crying women.

Blaise was the first of them to make a move, ''What happened?'' he asked softly.

''Harry. Ron.'' she said softly hiccoughing. ''Firewhiskey- Ginny-Harry.'' is all they could understand as she burst into tears, unable to stop the emotions welling up inside of her.

''Bloody Potter'' Lyra said under her breath. ''Bloody party.''

The girls lifted Hermione up back to the castle with little struggle coming from the Gryffindor. Hearing a rustle inn the bushes the Slytherins quickly disillusioned themselves, as rather inebriatated Harry Potter toddled into view. With Ginny on his arms giggling madly.

''What's with the birds?'' he asked as Ginny ran off to find a more secluded area for them to explore.

''Oppugno.'' she said fiercely as the birds circling above her head made straight for his head. They missed and hit the snow bank as he ducked and weaved to avoid injury. Staring her shocked he walked away.

Dropping to the snow again she watched as the other revealed themselves. ''Ever catch the person who's meant to love you eyeing another girl?'' she asked lowly to the girls who nodded morosely. ''Or that person, who doesn't realise you've loved them unconditionally for years, because they're too busy sucking face with your best friend?'' She looked at the boys imploring them to understand what her next sentence meant. ''It feels like this.'' she said before her body was wracked with silent sobs. They stepped back and motioned for Draco to comfort the girl, she was his mate after all. Even if he chose to deny it or hadn't realised yet.

An uncomfortable yet rather comforting hand was felt on her shoulder. He really never had experience dealing with emotion women. Damned emotional Gryffindors, they'll be the death of him. The sobs subsided into hiccoughing and hitched breathing patterns. He rubbed her back in a consoling manner cursing the fates as to why he was here. ''Bloody Potter.'' he sighed 'You good, Granger?''

She barely nodded before she looked up into his mystical grey eyes. ''Thank you, Draco.''

Quidditch. A reason to get totally off your face, do something stupid, and lead your girlfriend into the arms of your enemy.