As their professor studied the two of them, Hermione felt as if there's something wrong. What were they going to do? And why is Professor Cezar looking at them as if she plans something? Something… unusual? Hermione can't even put it to words and 'unusual' may be the most related word. As if reading her mind, Draco looked at her with a smug smile. She mouthed the 'what's-your-problem?' words to him but he only smirked.
"You two are to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow evening to get a parcel for me. You can phone me in if you have troubles finding him. My number is now registered on your phones" Professor Cezar said, breaking the silent conversation between them. "Here's the information you need" she gave Draco a piece of paper.
"That's it?" Hermione felt relieved. If that was the only reason they were here for detention, then she's cool with it because she was thinking along the lines of Kill-Voldemort-and-bring-him-to-me or Go-to-a-night-bar-and-strip. And not an easy thing such as getting a parcel.
"Yes. Were you expecting something else?" Professor Cezar asked calmly.
"No, professor" Hermione said.
"Who will we meet?" Draco said as he took a peek at the paper. There was no information about who to meet.
"Oh, I forgot about that. I don't have a picture of him but I can assure you that once he enters the place, you'll recognize him immediately" Professor Cezar answered in a matter of fact tone.
"Someone we know?" Hermione added.
"No but by instinct… then yes" Professor Cezar said. "That will be all" she smiled as the two stood up and went out.
Curious as to where they were exactly going, Hermione took the piece of paper from Draco and read it.
Hash at ten.
"Hash? The newly built restaurant in Hogsmeade?" Hermione said incredulously. Of course everyone would know about that place! It was known for alcohols and good cuisines. Although it doesn't really have a good reputation because most people who goes there always end up fighting after having too many drinks. Aside from that, their foods are excellent. And just for the record, it doesn't open until late at night.
"Yes" Draco looked at her when he felt her nervousness. "What's wrong?"
"You know… the place…" she trailed off, knowing where this conversation is heading.
"That's why both of us were assigned to go there." Draco said like it's a fact that everyone knows. Hermione shrugged as they arrived inside their Common Room.
Both of them were in front of their doors when Hermione spoke up. "See you at somewhere around nine tomorrow then?"
"Yep. Make sure to wear something exquisite, Granger" Draco answered and both of them went inside their room at the same time.
The next day happened so fast for Hermione. Eat at the Great Hall, avoid eye to eye contacts with Ron, talk with Ginny, traded seats with Harry to stay away from Ron, eat again, study and go to the library. Finally, their class ended at eight in the evening. Hermione wanted to prepare to look good because it would be her first time to go to Hash and that would be interesting so she ate her food faster than usual. Since she didn't tell this to anybody, her friends thought she was just so hungry.
"I'll be going now" Hermione said and then sipped her pumpkin juice. Everyone raised their eyebrows at her; she's only been eating for ten minutes.
"Why are you in such a hurry, 'Mione?" Harry asked. Hermione was about to answer when—
[I don't miss you by Amy Pearson]
Did you think I would wait forever?
Baby like the others did before
Loving you was my mistake 'cause I don't miss you at all
The sound was coming from her bag and she knew what it was. It was her Iphone. She enchanted it with a ringtone so she would know when someone was calling her.
"Hello?" she said.
"Just want to wish you good luck. Be careful though" Professor Cezar said. Hermione was touched; her professor was like a friend in disguise.
"Thanks, professor. I'll be going now" Hermione said and they hung up.
As to seeing the looks planted on her friends' faces, she explained. "Detention, remember?" and then she left.
"Nice song" Ginny muttered, perfectly knowing that sooner or later her friend will move on. Especially with what she's seeing with her friend's 'new affair'.
After an hour and a few minutes, Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. She had to look good for today. Who knows, surprises can pop out unexpectedly.
Long sleeves and shorts-check!
Very light make-up-check!
Wedges-check!
Bag and money-check!
Wand-check!
"Everything's in order" Hermione felt proud of herself. She didn't put much effort but she looks fabulous. She went out and saw Draco sitting by the fireplace. He was wearing V-Neck shirt and jeans. "Merlin, he's hot" Hermione thought.
"Everything ready?" he surveyed her clothing. "You might need sweater, Granger. I heard it's really cold out there"
"I'll just get it" Hermione said and took her jacket.
They both flooed to Hogsmeade and walked straight to Hash. They took their seats as a waiter approached them. They both ordered the same light meal and eagerly waited for their mysterious parcel-deliverer. After few minutes, a very little man with a unique face entered and they both knew that it was him. In real life, he was in his thirties but with his size, he only looks like a ten-year old kid. Seeing the looks on their faces, he went up to their table and ordered three bottles of Firewhiskey.
"I am Lancelot." He said as the waiter put his order on the table.
"Hi, I'm Hermione and this is Draco" Hermione gestured to Draco, who only nodded. Hermione wanted to ask what the three Firewhiskeys are for but decided against it.
"I got your parcel in here" Lancelot started. "But I don't give them under my conditions"
"What are your conditions?" Hermione asked while Draco silently eats his feast.
"You must finish these firewhiskeys first" Lancelot grinned while Draco faked a smile.
"So that's why we were both sent here. Not because of the place but because of this guy. Really clever, that Muggle Studies professor" he thought to himself.
"Very well" Draco said and took a bottle but Lancelot shooed him away. He cocked an eyebrow at him and Lancelot looked at Hermione instead.
"And you will be the one to drink it" Lancelot said. And Hermione panicked. She doesn't drink and she hates the taste of alcohol.
Sensing this, Draco object. "But she can't—"
"Then you won't get the parcel" Lancelot cut him off.
Hermione looked at Draco and smiled. "I can handle this" She then turned to the bottle and drank her first shot. The alcohol lingered in her throat and she took another glass. After finishing the first bottle, she was already dizzy and Draco's beginning to feel dizzy as well. He ordered a coffee for both of them. It feels like a game where their feet are tied to each other and to finish the goal, they must pass through the way and return without falling; meaning, they won't finish this detention without having the cooperation of each other.
"Drink this" he said to Hermione and was relieved that she followed. She finished her meal and went onto the next bottle. Draco couldn't help but wince because he was supposed to be the one doing this instead of Hermione. Meanwhile, Lancelot ordered a really heavy meal consisting of a large burger, large fries, upsized butterbeer, mashed potatoes, lamb chops and steak along with the desserts such as ice-cream and pudding. Draco eyed him warily. Was he that hungry?
"And this, are for you, young man" Lancelot grinned at Draco as he shoved the foods to him.
"Are you crazy? I just ate and I'm feeling dizzy!" Draco said angrily. He was losing his patience now.
"I know about the Mutual Bond curse but I'm afraid you have to abide by my rules" Lancelot said. Draco grunted but started eating.
After few minutes, Hermione looked at them after she finished her last bottle. Who knew she could be a good drinker if she does this often? Lancelot looked at her and then back to Draco who was eating abruptly. He just wants to leave this place and this lunatic man.
Hermione felt like she was going to vomit so she excused herself and went to the toilet while Draco who was more pressured as to eating a lot and feeling dizzy felt like he was going to vomit too. But there was no turning back now. They have to finish this or else they'll end up going back here for another day. Who knows what they will be asked to do the next time around? Maybe something worse.
Hermione staggered as she went back. Draco was all alone with a really little parcel you could even hold it with your hand. He excused himself to go to the men's room while Hermione stared at the parcel incredulously. They were put to this situation just for a little parcel? And by little, it's the same size as the onion. Hermione started shouting gibberish things but the people didn't care about her. Perhaps they were used to hearing girls and guys shouting when they're drunk. After all, Hash is popular because of that.
Draco went back and when he saw what Hermione was doing, he looked alarmed.
"What are you doing?" he said and pulled back Hermione's shirt.
"It's so hot! I thought you said it was cold?" Hermione said stubbornly. So this is Hermione Granger in her tipsy mode.
"There are many people here! Just what will they say about you?" he was sobering up pretty quickly. Maybe because he's used to drinking and eating a lot though he was still really bloated.
"But it'sh so hot" Hermione complained and before she can take her shirt off, Draco apparated them to the floo station. Hermione fell on the ground and was crying now.
"He didn't love me" she said as Draco pulled her up. He was trying to put her sweater back to her but she wouldn't budge. She was crying and crying. Draco felt uneasy, he really wasn't used to this and he has no intentions of getting used to it just because of the curse.
"He loved Lavender and not me. I saw them snogging the day I was going to confess to him. He only saw me as a friend. Do you know how much that hurt? It hurts a lot like hell even though I've never been there but still… if you only knew… Blah blah blah" Hermione was unstoppable so Draco sat next to her and tried to stay calm. Hermione babbled some more and stop because she literally slept. Draco looked at her face and brushed the tears away.
"Don't worry, someone will love you the way you wanted to be loved" he comforted her, knowing that she won't even hear it. But that's how the way they comfort for they can't do it when someone would hear them. He carried Hermione gently and flooed back to Hogwarts. It was already three in the evening so no one saw them except for the waiting Professor.
"Glad you're back." She smiled brightly. When she saw Hermione unconscious, her smile faltered a bit. "He must've pushed you guys too hard. You can rest for the day. I'll inform the headmaster about this" she said.
"Your parcel" Draco, still holding Hermione in his arms, gestured to his pocket which Professor Cezar took as her signal. She pulled the mini parcel and thanked him before leaving.
When they arrived at the Common Room, Draco felt exhaustion enveloping him so he placed Hermione on the couch and put a blanket on her. Who said he can be this caring? Even he was surprised at his actions. He sat down next to the sleeping figure and tried to sleep but didn't sleep one bit. He was deprived of sleep and it infuriated him. Suddenly, Hermione woke up and rushed to the toilet. Draco followed after her and since he knew that she would vomit, he held her hair behind her back and patted her back gently.
"Careful, now" he said softly while Hermione vomited.
When she was finished and washed her mouth, Hermione went back to the couch. She was not in the mood to move and she was feeling really bad.
"You want coffee?" Draco asked and she nodded. He got her some and gave it to her while assisting her as she drinks.
"Draco, I'm feeling worse" Hermione wailed with her eyes closed. "I don't want to drink anymore. I promise I won't. It hurts."
"Calm down. It's alright—" he stopped when Hermione hugged him. "…now" he hugged back—a little bit hesitantly. Who knew free hugs was actually comforting? He has been getting a lot lately thanks to this bushy haired girl beside him.
"Thank you, Draco" she said and went back to sleep again. Soon, Draco fell asleep as well.
A/N: Sorry it took long.I have a looooooot of things to do :|& many problems.
Kate Johnson: Thank you so much for that! :)Keep reading, lovely :)
Krista04: Love your :) The next chapter's especially for you & everyone who enjoyed the story:)
Just Your Above Average Malfoy: Tehee! Right! More exciting things coming so stay tuned! Thankyou for that fabulous review. I love it :)