A/n; Hey there! I really had fun creating this particular chapter =) I hope you'll like it,

Oh, and Thank you, HPlover143, you made my day :)

Hermione,

It's been a year since we last wrote to you.

And years since you disappeared – I know that you haven't completely done so... you were at little James's baptismal, when Ginny first consulted about her pregnancy with Al, Luna's betrothal party with Blaise, Neville and Hannah's wedding, when Parvati threw a baby shower...

Don't ask me how I know. Honestly? Putting a fake nose on doesn't constitute as a good disguise, even if you did dye your hair red

But that isn't why I write to you.

I wrote to you because I want to ask your blessing.

I'm getting married, Hermione.

You know, I always thought that someday, you and I would stop being Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, and start being Hermione and Ron Weasley. For the longest time I've dreamed that someday, we would sit on a porch, holding hands and talking while our grandchildren ran around us, all of them with your eyes and my red hair. But I guess that I was wrong.

I'm getting married. There was a time after you left that I couldn't imagine reaching that particular milestone. I thought that when you left, my chances of seeing myself standing on a raised dais with a minister at my left and Harry by my side, waiting for the woman that I would spend forever with. But here I am, writing this invitation to you.

I didn't bother with the finery of those heavy invitations since you wouldn't like them anyway, so I guessed that I would write to you personally instead.

She's not as smart as you. She's not as kindhearted. She's not as perfect. But for me, she doesn't need to be all that. Months after you've told me to move on, I tried. I tried to find a girl like you... but I never did. And I know that I never will. You will always be one of a kind. She's not you, Hermione... and no one will ever be. But she's... she made me realize that you were never meant to be with me. That perfect wasn't what I was looking for. That perfect wasn't what I needed.

I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. She isn't you, and she's definitely not an angel... she's human. And she's what I need.

I haven't asked her yet, because I needed to have your blessing. Ex-girlfriend or not, you were still my best friend.

You must be dying to know her name right now. Curiosity was always your strongest trait.

She's Pansy. Pansy Parkinson.

I know, I know. Shocking, right? But she has changed, you know. She's different. War changed her too. She... She... she shoved it up my face that love doesn't need to be perfect... that it just needs to be true.

I can't even describe it. But I know that I want to spend forever with her.

So, will you give us your blessing?

I hope you'll come too,

Ron

As she finished reading the letter, Hermione couldn't help but smile slightly, even though she felt pain inside. Ron had finally moved on, just like she wanted him to.

But she couldn't help but feel a little cheated. After all, she was the one who loved him from the beginning.

Draco looked towards the pretty brunette that was seated on a bar stool 3 seats away from him for the nth time that night. She was incredibly beautiful and specifically familiar.

He was about to ask her her name when she laughed. And it was unmistakeable – Draco Malfoy knew that laugh. It was Granger.

'But the color of her eyes are off...' he, focusing on drowning out the loud music that came from various speakers across the room.

After disappearing from the Wizarding world, he too, became aware that the brunette also took refuge in the non magical community. It had almost been two years since he disappeared and apparently, he wasn't the only one who was still M.I.A.

He looked at the paper he was holding and it read – "WEASLEY—PARKINSON NUPTIALS". He looked at her then and he couldn't see any sign of regret... there was just bitter defeat. Then he remembered. She had loved Weasley, even while they were in Hogwarts – how couldn't he notice? She was blatantly obvious and the thick idiot was just plain ignorant.

Abandoning all teachings that was ingrained to his very soul, he walked up to her and sat on the chair next to her.

"Mind if I sit?"

"No b- Malfoy?" Hermione stuttered as she appraised him with wide eyes.

"The one and only." He smirked and she rolled her eyes at this.

"You were the man I met on the bridge." Hermione said, confused. "But your hair. Why is it like that?"

"I had to do something to hide my gorgeousness. Otherwise, females would be all over me. And it's tiresome to be as gorgeous as I am." Draco pointed out. "And you changed too. I specifically remember that your eye color was the exact same shade of poop."

"Same as always, I see. Though how you can remember my eye color, I'll never know." Hermione said, shaking her head. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in some tropical resort with bikini clad harlots surrounding you?"

"As much as I fantasize that, I can't. Pansy made me go back to her wedding."

"It happened yesterday, right?" Hermione said quietly, clutching the paper. "I saw it in the Daily Prophet."

"They said it was the most unlikely pairing of the century."

"True, that." Hermione nodded. Silence ensued for a few moments as both were absorbed in their own not-so-somber thoughts.

"You were there too, right?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Honestly? You had raven hair, but still the same face, except for the eyes. And you were never excellent in guises." Draco snorted as Hermione sent him a death glare."

"Jess told me that I looked completely different." Hermione mumbled. "I should never have trusted her."

"What?"

"Nothing." Hermione replied after taking another sip from her already half-empty glass.

Silence wrapped around them until Draco said, "Hey, Granger, how do you do it?" Draco slurred, his drink sloshing to and fro, after what seemed a millennium of silence.

"Do what, Malfoy?" Hermione grinned as she took a large swig, her hair bouncing slightly back and hitting the seat of the chair.

"Think that you're invincible. And come out just like it," The blonde said as he pointed a finger at Hermione. "You make everything seem easy. For heaven's sake! It's been two years since that witch left me for that middle-class man-whore and I'm still not over it."

"I do not think that I am invincible." Hermione stated. "What makes you say that I'm not over Ron?"

"Oh, believe me, Granger, I know you're not." Malfoy said as he took a large swig of his own drink. "But you don't show that you still love the twat. How?"

"I can't follow you, Malfoy."

"What I meant was, you don't seem affected at all by Weasley marrying Parkinson while I looked like a bloody rhinoceros spouting snot all over the place after Astoria ran away with Nott. Especially after their engagement was announced. Oh don't give me that look. I know that you still love him." Draco said, frowning at his almost empty drink. He snatched another one from a waiter and took a long swig, before saying, "How do you do it? How do you hide your feelings so well?"

"You're one to talk." Hermione said dryly. "Aren't you supposed to be the one who has a marble face of indifference?"

"What?"

"Oh, come on, Malfoy. You know what I'm talking about. You have the emotional reaction span of a teaspoon!" Hermione exclaimed as she downed her own drink and proceeded to get another. Then, she muttered, "Now, why do I have the feeling that I've said that before?"

"I do not have the emotional reaction span of a teaspoon!" Draco said indignantly, crossing his arms. "Indifference just happens to be what I feel most of the time."

"Right."

"Fine, Granger, don't believe me. Just tell me how you do it. How do you fake so convincing smiles when you're obviously distraught?"

"I'm not distraught. Okay, maybe a little bit," She conceded, taking a sip from the fizzy liquor. "But that doesn't mean I can't be happy for Ron, he's been through a lot, he deserves to live happily. And those smiles weren't fake."

"You are such a goody-two-shoe." Draco said with a snort. He gulped down half his drink while the brunette raised a delicate eyebrow.

"I can't help it if I'm a normal human being, Malfoy."

"No, you're not normal. You're too perfect to be normal." The blonde concluded, pouting like a petulant child.

Hermione laughed as she finished half of her drink. "Did you just complement me? No, don't answer that, it doesn't matter. I'll take it as an insult."

"Whatever pleases you, oh nerd princess." Draco chuckled at his joke, the alcohol obviously taking its toll.

"Don't call me that. And if you're still curious about how I dealt with Ron, being nice is a good way to get what you want."

"Ooh, I never thought that you had that train of thought. Well, I don't care. Granger, tell me how." Draco said, leaning in, but of course, Hermione refused to back down and leaned in as well.

If you weren't an acquaintance or at least someone who knew them from Hogwarts, you would have ignored the sight since it was pretty common in places such as these. If you were one or both of the aforementioned people, you would have called St. Mungos and have the both of them, or even yourself, checked in the psyche ward.

It seems as if not one of the people of the club knew who they were.

"A little more polite."

"That's the politest thing I can manage!"

"Fine." Hermione muttered. Then she shrugged and said, "You just need to accept that she'll be happier with him."

She started to stand up, but Draco stopped her by placing his hand on her elbow and dragging her back to her chair. "That's it?"

"Yeah."

"Where did you learn that?"

"A muggle proverb – if you love the person, let them go, and if he or she comes back, then she's yours forever."

"You can't expect me to know that – I am a pureblood, after all – but Astoria was big on these things. What I don't get is why anyone would ever let a person go. If you really love them, then why not hold on?"

"Normal people learn why that is at an early age." Hermione sighed. "Sometimes, people just need to go."

"Muggles have a weird sense of love. But whatever. Now, It's my turn to return the favor."

"What? You don't need to. I don't consider that a favor." the brunette said as she started to stand up, but one again, Draco stopped her. In defeat, Hermione took a drink and proceeded to listen.

"Well, I do, and I hate being indebted. So, what do you want?"

Hermione shook her head, "I'm perfectly content and happy right now."

"Oh, really?" the blonde questioned, raising a silver eybrow.

"Yes,"

"Then why do I hear whispers about you going off into the muggle world trying to find yourself. And, in our current location, I think that that rumor is right."

"Can't witches go to muggle clubs now?"

"They can, but honestly, you?" Draco said, feigning disbelief. And, in all honesty, he was surprised too when he saw her when he entered the club.

"I see your point. I'm just here to enjoy and celebrate my best friends wedding in an inconspicuous way." Hermione pointed out. Since she was still technically M.I.A., she could not of course return. She promised not to go back until she found herself. And apparently, she didn't, yet.

"Yup, alone?" Draco smirked. His face turned boyish for a moment and Hermione was hit with all the memories of his torment and stay at Hogwarts. "I think that you're still unsuccessful with that little mission of yours and you're here to drown your sorrows in muggle wine and gin."

"So what, Malfoy? I don't think you can give me what I'm looking for."

"You're looking for yourself, right? So why don't you let me help you."

"What?" Hermione said, taken aback. "No."

"Come on, Granger, it will be fun."

"No. And are you really willing to do this just because I gave you a piece of advice that anybody could have given?"

"Yes, but since you're so keen, why don't we make a deal."

She pursed her lips, weighing on her options. "You really aren't going to drop this, aren't you?"

"Nope."

"Alright then," Hermione sighed in defeat. "Go on, I'm listening."

"I'll help you with the finding yourself thing... if you'll help me with something in return."

"What is it?" Hermione inquired, she took another shot of her drink.

"Heal me."

"What?"

"Just because I was hurt doesn't mean I should bleed." Draco said seriously for a moment, and then he gave her his most charming smile – the same exact smile that landed him bachelor of the year for 6 years straight even though he was with Astoria. "You seem to be very fond of the word 'what'. I need you to help me forget of that witch. I want you to heal me."

"How do I do that?" Hermione said incredulously, looking for all the world like she wanted to put the youngest Malfoy inside an asylum – preferably one on a deserted island where he can never get away.

"You're the smart one, figure it out." Draco smirked, remnants of the blinding smile still imminent on his rugged face. "Think about it, Granger, it's a win-win situation for both of us. You get to have fun with my love life. I get to have fun with your personal life."

"And how do I exactly win in that proposition?" Hermione asked, raising her left brow.

"I can help you find yourself."

"How?"

"Just trust me. I can be anyone – anything. I promise I can be the thing that you need."

"Isn't that a bit over the top?"

"For me? No. For the rest of the Wizarding community? Maybe."

"So, it's a deal then." Hermione reached out her shaking hand. She held her wand and tapped her hand and Malfoys. A small silver ribbon of light burst from the tip of her wand and connected their hands like handcuffs.

"What's this?"

"Promise Spell that I invented. Like the unbreakable vow, but much less fatal consequences if broken. Instead of death, you suffer from a broken heart."

"Very Imaginative and Original." Draco drawled and Hermione ignored him.

"I promise to help thee, Draco Malfoy, to heal his allegedly broken heart in any means that I can."

Draco took her hand, saying, "Please, Granger, Handshakes are too mainstream to seal a spell like that." He smirked and pulled her closer, alcohol lacing both their breaths.

She gasp as their lips made contact, but alcohol had deluded her senses and he felt so good. After the initial shock, Hermione became fiercer, wanting more. Draco, sensing this, coaxed her mouth open, licking her bottom lip for permission. She pulled him closer, taking that as a yes, Draco plunged his tongue inside Hermione's mouth and did a bit of tonsil hockey with her.

"Why did you do that?" Hermione said, a little dazed after they came up for breath.

"What, Granger, Kiss you?" Draco smirked, equally breathless. "I'm sure that wasn't your first... or was it?"

"You underestimate me." Hermione said defiantly, standing up and chugging the remnants of her drink down.

"Prove it." Draco challenged, leaning closer to her.

Hermione leaned closer, her face and her lips brushing against Draco's bruised pink ones. "Oh I will."

Then she turned around abruptly, swaggering around a bit. She was obviously drunk. Draco, meanwhile, looked dazed and confused. A moment passed before he regained his senses and stood up suddenly.

"Hey, Granger, is the deal still on?"

Hermione looked back, raising an eyebrow and looking incredibly sexy to Draco and probably the rest of the male population,"Of course."

A/N; Sexy Hermione is sexy. Draco must be regretting all those petty words he belched out before.

Anyway, if you want to see Hermione's other sides, you can always click the button at the bottom, even if you don't have an account ;)

Oh, and Draco is begging you too... let's not upset our little hot ferret, *hint *hint *wink *wink