A/N: Just wanted to tell you guys now that I am leaving for vacation on Friday and won't be back until September 9. Chances are I won't write at all during that time, so it will be a good two weeks before I update again. Though, I am going to try to get at least one more chapter up before I go.

Non-SOTD readers: Just one little thing. The chateaux Hermione is staying at belongs to Sophie's family and is where she and Draco slept together for the first time. It is also where Sophie and Phillip first hooked up and eventually had their wedding.

Hermione sat in the nightclub the girls had brought her to, glancing around and looking rather unsure as they ordered yet another bottle of champagne. She was beginning to think that perhaps it was time she voiced her opinion on the drink.

Somehow they had gotten her to wear this ridiculous veil, which seemed to be a free pass for them to get everything they wanted. Even the bottle of champagne they were about to drink had been bought for them by a group of sleazy looking wizards who licked their lips every time they looked at her. Hermione was more than ready to use that hex she'd promised to Draco.

"Come on, Hermione! Lighten up!" shouted Caroline over the loud music that was playing. "I've never seen someone look so miserable at their bachelorette party before!"

"Sorry," said Hermione, turning her attention back to her friends, who were setting on sofas set around a low table. "I'm just … thinking about Draco."

Sophie rolled her eyes. "'Ermione, 'e ees not going to cheat on you! What even put zat ridiculous idea een your 'ead?"

Hermione sighed. "I don't even know. It just sort of hit me the other day that women love him. I mean, the entire wizarding world knows we're engaged and they just keep throwing themselves at him! Who does that?"

Caroline whipped her head towards Sophie and narrowed her eyes. "You told her about Inga, didn't you?" Sophie sucked in her lips and turned the other way, looking guilty. Caroline shook her head. "Hermione, Inga Utkin is a filthy slut! Draco would never cheat on you with her, or any other witch for that matter! He is one-hundred and fifty percent devoted to you!"

"Then why didn't he tell me about her?"

"Because it was nothing! She-is-nothing!"

"Isn't Inga Utkin the woman who wrote that article on him?" asked Ginny, obviously curious about the present conversation.

"Yes, and she actually had the nerve to try and feel him up! Can you believe that?"

"Inga Utkin must die!" shouted Caroline, throwing a self-righteous fist in the air. The others all followed suit.

Their champagne arrived and Caroline popped the bottle open while Ginny lined all the glasses up, rim to rim, so they could pour into all of them at once. As soon as every glass was full they started passing them out.

"None for me, zank you," said Sophie. "I am kind of seeck of champagne."

Caroline was the only one to think anything of this. The others just shrugged it off and held up their glasses in a toast. "Here's to the future Mrs. Malfoy!" shouted Ginny. Everyone cheered as they clanked glasses.

Some guy came over to their table and slyly slipped into the seat next to Luna. He began saying some obscene things to her in French. "I'm sorry. I do not understand you," she said before turning away dazedly.

"Shoo! Shoo!" shouted Sophie, waving her arm at him. She understood him perfectly.

"I'm going to get something a little stronger at the bar," said Astoria, standing up. "Does anyone want anything?"

"I'll come with you," said Hermione, who was more than happy to get away from the many guys hovering over them at the moment.

"A geenger ale for me, please!" said Sophie.

"What's with you?" they heard Caroline ask as they walked away.

Astoria pushed through the throng of wizards and witches like a pro and got them to the front of the crowded bar with absolutely no problems. She hung her breasts in her low-cut top over it and a bartender immediately came over. "Do you speak English?" she asked.

"Oui, ma chérie," he said. "What weell eet be?"

"Could I get a firewhiskey neat, a ginger ale, and what do you want, Hermione?" she asked, turning towards her.

"A butterbeer and whiskey, please."

"Coming right up," he winked.

Astoria stared vacantly at the man as he continued to smile at her, causing him to do a horrible job pouring their drinks and overflowing the ginger ale all over the bar. She tried to smile back but there was little life in it.

"Is everything all right, Astoria?" asked Hermione, noticing her lackluster eyes. "You've seemed a little off since yesterday."

"Yes, fine. I'm just a bit tired."

Hermione could smell the lie a mile away. "Do you see this veil?" she asked, pointing to the frilly thing on her head.

Astoria smirked. "I do."

"This means I'm the bride, and the bride always gets what she wants. So tell me what's wrong or I'll set my other bridesmaids on you!"

Astoria both laughed and sighed at the same time. "This is your weekend, Hermione. I don't want to be a burden."

"If you think I care about any of this, you have clearly lost your marbles. This is all for them." She pointed back at their table. "I'm just the excuse to go away to France for a weekend. Now, burden me, please."

Astoria frowned. "Ron and I broke up."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "What did he do?" she demanded.

"He didn't do anything. It was me. I found out about his parents missing your wedding and I kind of went off on him about it. Then, before I knew it, I was telling him maybe we needed to take a break. I only meant from fighting but he completely flipped out, and the next thing I knew we were broken up."

Hermione's eyebrows clenched as she suddenly remembered something. "Uhh, what day did you say that was again?"

"Thursday."

"Thursday … May 30th …"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Umm … that was the day Ron proposed to me last year. And then … well, instead of answering I suggested we take a break. You know the rest."

"Zat weell be four galleons, ladies," said the bartender.

Astoria threw up her hand and silenced him. "Are you serious?" she asked, her eyes widening.

Hermione bit her lower lip and nodded.

"Oh my Merlin! I can't believe I said the 'B' word to him on that day! He must hate me!"

"I doubt that," said Hermione, finally throwing some money at the impatient bartender. Once he had his payment he went right back to ogling Astoria.

"Sounds to me like you need to forget ze seelly boy and go for a real ma -"

"Don't you dare talk about him like that!" she spat before grabbing her drink and chugging it down. "Another, please."

He looked even more intrigued as he gladly poured her another firewhiskey. "On ze 'ouse."

Hermione threw some more money at him anyway, knowing very well Astoria had no interest in anything he was offering for free. She picked up hers and Sophie's drinks, took Astoria's arm and guided her away from the bar before she could finish her drink and order a third.

"Do you think I should owl him and apologize?" Astoria asked.

"Not tonight. Give him a few days to gather his thoughts. I am absolutely positive he expects you to do the same."

XXX

"Can you believe she hasn't owled me yet?" Ron asked Harry as they all sat around a table at a local wizarding pub. "I mean, you'd think after asking for a 'break' on the bloody anniversary of the other infamous break in my life she'd want to say something!"

"Uhh … does she even know it was the anniversary?" asked Harry.

"Come on, Harry. She's with Hermione. The bloody historian. I'm sure she's told her."

"Actually, Astoria said she wasn't going to tell Hermione," said Draco, unsure of why he was even entering this juvenile conversation. He picked up the camera and snapped a photo of them.

"Will you stop bloody doing that?" spat Ron. He tore the camera out of Draco's hands and snapped a photo in retaliation. Draco smiled brightly for the shot with Goyle, Phillip and Seth raising their glasses in the background.

"You know what would be fun?" asked Phillip. "If we played that game again. You know, Draco. The one where you were trying to prove you knew Hermione better than him and ended up nearly twenty shots behind -"

"Shut it, Phil!" Draco looked around until he found the waitress. He caught her eye and raised his hand. She nearly jumped over the table she was currently at to get to him. "Two more bottles of firewhiskey," he said, handing her the empty one they had already downed. "And make it snappy."

"Right away, Mr. Malfoy," she beamed before rushing off.

"How the hell do you do that?" asked Ron in disgust. "Women literally just throw themselves at you, when you are nothing more than a boorish bastard to them."

"It's called confidence, Weasel. If you emanate it they will come."

Goyle rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Maybe you got your first one or two girls with confidence, but since then it's all been about your damn reputation. He gets a few good reviews and all of a sudden girls everywhere are pulling him into broom closets."

Draco chuckled. "Sometimes I really miss our school years."

"Just how many girls did you shag while you were at Hogwarts, anyway?" asked Ron, who was more than a little curious.

Draco and Goyle looked at each other before disappearing into their own minds. "Well, first was Pansy," said Goyle.

"An unfortunate mishap," laughed Draco. "And then I cheated on her with Flora Carrow … and then I cheated on Flora with her sister, Hestia."

"You're disgusting," sneered Ron.

"Ah! Was disgusting."

"Don't forget about those two girls from Durmstrang during the Triwizard Tournament."

"Aw, my first three-way," said Draco, smiling fondly at the memory. "Oh! Let's not forget that girl from Ravenclaw. Never got her name, but she was my first completely spontaneous broom closet experience. On the first Tuesday of every month fifth year she would pull me into the one just outside of the Potions classroom. Was she even our year?" he asked Goyle.

"I think she was a sixth year," Goyle answered.

"Hmm …" Draco shrugged it off. "So how many was that then? Six?"

"Wait," said Harry, putting his elbows on the table and leaning forward. "So if you slept with six girls just at Hogwarts, how many have you slept with in total?"

Draco thought about this. It was … definitely greater than six.

"Here you are, boys!" said the waitress, putting the two bottles of firewhiskey in the middle of the table. "Enjoy." She winked at Draco before walking off, making sure to seductively move her hips as she did so.

Draco grabbed one of the bottles, opened it and poured himself a full glass. "Well, if I'm going to answer that question I'm going to need a hell of a lot more of this."

XXX

When Hermione and Astoria got back to the table they found Caroline giving Sophie the third degree. "Seriously, Soph, tell me what's going on!"

"Eet ees nozing, Caroline! Please, just let eet go!"

"Why aren't you drinking?" the other witch demanded.

"Because I do not want to!"

"Why not?"

"Because!"

"Because why?"

"Because I am bloody pregnant!"

Everyone gasped. And then squealed. And before Sophie knew what was going on the entire group was huddled on top of her.

"Oh my Merlin!"

"When?"

"How?"

"Make sure you keep the baby out of the way of Nargles. They infest diapers, you know."

"How far along are you?"

"Oh, you must be so excited!"

"And Heliopaths. They've been running amok ever since Fudge left the Ministry."

"Why are we only hearing about this now?"

"Does Phillip know? Please, please don't tell me you told us before you told him!"

"Your husband is pretty large and frightening, though. I'm sure the Heliopaths will stay out of your way."

"Of course 'e knows, 'Ermione! But we deed not want to steal yours and Draco's zunder by announcing eet yet."

"Like we care! Oh my gosh! Sophie! You're going to have a baby!"

Sophie tried to hide her smile, but it was extremely hard with all of their beaming faces staring at her. "Well, I am rather excited," she finally admitted. "Phillipe and I were not exactly trying, but we were not not trying eizer. Eef you know what I mean."

More squeals.

"How far along are you?" asked Ginny.

"Only ten weeks. Which ees part of ze reason why we were not telling anyone. Eet ees steell really early. Do not tell Phillipe I told you all. 'E really wanted to keep zis a secret until we at least 'it ze twelve week mark."

XXX

"I'm going to have a baby!" a very drunk Phillip announced to the group.

"WHOOOAAA! That's awesome!" Seth said, raising his glass.

Draco was more than glad to take a break from the long list of names he had been writing for the last hour - and descriptions for the names he could not remember - and raise his glass as well. "Why are you only telling us now, mate?"

"Because I'm drunk!" he hiccupped. "And Sophie really wanted to keep it a secret until we hit the twelve week mark. Oh Merlin, you CANNOT tell her I told you!"

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with us," said Draco, making a zipping motion on his lips. "We need to celebrate this properly. Phil, pick a drink. Anyone you want, no matter the cost, and we're toasting with it."

"Oh no! This is your party. We're not making it about me."

"Well, since Hermione and I opted for no strippers -"

Goyle laughed. "Meaning she did -"

"- this is more like four men and two boys drinking together on a Saturday."

"I bet I can make a good guess at who the boys are," said Harry, rolling his eyes.

"And you'd probably be right, Potter."

"I am told that Muggles celebrate pregnancy with cigars. Maybe we should pick some up," said Seth.

"Aw, an excellent idea," said Draco, raising his hand for the waitress to come over. She smiled and motioned that she would be there in one minute.

"You're not making her go out to get them for us, are you?" asked Ron, looking appalled.

"Of course I am. She is our server and we need to be served. I assure you, she will be happy to do it."

"Only cause she wants to jump your bones," laughed Phillip.

"While she might be disappointed by my complete apathy towards that idea, she will still be rewarded with an excellent tip at the end of the night … and that is in no way an innuendo."

"Is there something you needed?" the waitress asked, suddenly appearing at their table.

"Yes, I hate to be a burden, but would you mind terribly going out and picking us up some fine cigars?" asked Draco, handing her a small pouch of galleons. "We just found out my friend here's wife is expecting and we want to celebrate."

"Yes, of course!" she said, taking the pouch and putting it in her pocket. "I just have to tell my boss I'm stepping out. I won't be long. Congratulations!" she added, looking at Phillip.

She ran off towards the bar. As soon as she was gone Draco looked at Ron and smirked. "Don't be jealous, Weasel. You're famous enough that you can control women too."

"Is that what you do with Hermione? Control her?"

"Of course not! You know as well as I do that she is always the one in control. Well, except in the bedroom."

"La, la, la!" sang Harry, putting his fingers in his ears.

XXX

"I. Like. Blonde."

"Yes, blonde is very nice," said Luna to the same French wizard who had been bothering her earlier. As it turned out, he did know one sentence in English. "I like it as well. I also like brown hair and red hair. And black is nice, too. Oh, and I also enjoy it when people change their hair to really bright colors!"

Sophie started cursing at the wizard in French. He sneered at her before eventually walking off. "Luna, are you not dating zat Rolf boy?" she asked once he was gone.

Luna looked at her dazedly. "Oh, no. Rolf and I are just friends."

"Does he know that?" laughed Ginny.

"Oh, yes. Of course. Why, I was telling him just the other day how much I really value his friendship. He is so kind to me."

All of the other witches groaned. "Luna," said Hermione, hitting her head. "That boy is crazy about you. Why'd you go and tell him something like that for?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking bewildered.

"Let me spell this out for you," said Ginny, leaning forward. "Rolf-likes-you."

"Oh, no. We're just friends," she repeated.

"Just because your friends doesn't mean he doesn't want more. Harry and I were friends first. So were Sophie and Phillip. Right?" Ginny asked, looking at the other witch for clarification.

Sophie nodded. "We were. Not 'Ermione and Draco, zough," she added, smiling at the other witch mischievously. "Zey went een straight for ze kill."

"Technically, we were friends first," stated Hermione.

"Yeah, friends who shagged," laughed Caroline.

"We didn't shag right away!"

"You should 'ave. Zat leettle dance ze two of you were doing for zose first few weeks was annoying."

"Well, not everyone shags a guy only minutes after their first kiss!"

Sophie's jaw dropped. "'Ey! Phillipe and I snogged for an entire hour before ze clothes came off!"

"Really? What took so long?" laughed Caroline.

"'Ello, ma chérie."

They all looked over to see the bartender suddenly massaging Astoria's shoulders. She jumped before turning around and smacking who she was pretty sure was an attacker. He grabbed her wrist mid-swing and laughed.

"My friend ees covering for me. Let's dance."

Without waiting for her answer he lifted her out of her seat and carried her onto the dance floor. She looked back at all of them with wide eyes, clearly unsure of what she was supposed to do here.

Ginny stood up from her seat with a dangerous fire in her eyes. She made to dash after them but Hermione pulled her back. "Ginny, don't. Astoria can take care of herself."

"Like hell she can! If she's not going to hex that bastard then I am! How dare she dance with someone else when she's dating my brother!"

"Ginny … Astoria is single."

Ginny whipped her head and glared down at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. She and Ron broke up."

"When?"

"Thursday."

"Thursday?" repeated Ginny. "As in D-Day?"

"Oh, Ginny! You used a Muggle term!" Ginny stared daggers at her. Hermione gulped. "Yes. D-Day."

Ginny sighed before looking back to the dance floor. The bartender had his hands on Astoria's hips and was holding them firmly against his own. She put her hands on his chest and tried to push away but he pulled her in closer and kissed her.

"Oh, hell no!" shouted Ginny, storming onto the dance floor. The others all stood up and ran after her.

When Ginny reached the dancing couple she pulled Astoria away from the man and used her wand to seal his lips shut.

"What the hell did you do that for?" shouted Astoria, pushing Ginny off of her.

"What do you mean? The bloody pig was all over you!"

"I can take care of myself!"

"Is that what you were doing then? Taking care of yourself? Because it looked to me like you enjoyed having his slimy tongue down your throat!"

"WILL YOU AND YOUR DAMN FAMILY STOP BLOODY JUDGING ME?" Astoria pivoted on her foot and ran out of there as fast as she could. Ginny followed after her.

Hermione rolled her eyes before unsealing the man's lips. He began cursing at them, but Sophie and Caroline had much sharper tongues than him and he eventually stormed off.

Once he was gone, Sophie looked at Hermione and said, "We weell take care of ze bill, 'Ermione. You go and check on zem. 'Opefully zey 'ave not killed each other yet."

Hermione nodded before heading for the door. On her way out a wizard grabbed her arm and tried to dance with her. She gave him a snake tongue - in Draco's honor, as promised - and carried on.

Outside Ginny and Astoria were in a very heated verbal match.

"How dare you! How dare you say that about my mum!"

"Oh, so she's allowed to call me a devious little twat and a scarlet woman, but I can't call her a nosy shrew? I have been perfectly nice up until this point, but no more! I will not let your damn family walk all over me!"

"She never called you a twat! My mum doesn't use language like that!" yelled Ginny. "She called you a tart!"

"Who cares? Both are rude and degrading and completely untrue! And I'm not devious! What is it exactly that they think I'm after? It's not like your family is rolling in the galleons!"

Ginny paused for a brief moment. "They think you're after status," she finally admitted. "Ron has been kind of famous since the war and you made a play for him pretty much the moment he was single."

Astoria's jaw dropped. "The timing was all just a coincidence! I was alone and he was alone and he just seemed so sad and sweet! I mean, my family was trying to marry me off to bloody Blaise Zabini! After seeing Draco so happy with Hermione I just … I just wanted to try something different for a while!" Tears were streaming down her face as she spoke. "I never thought I'd fall for him like I did! But it happened, and I'll be damned before I ever apologize to anyone for loving him!"

Astoria began to hiccup as the tears flowed more rapidly. Hermione sighed before leaving the sidelines to go over and hug her.

"I'm," hiccup, "sorry, Hermione. I'm," sniffle, "ruining your entire night."

"No, you're not. Come on, let's get you back to the house. Ginny, tell the others to meet us there," she said, turning to the redheaded witch.

Ginny nodded and Hermione apparated herself and Astoria back to the chateaux. When they got there they both changed into their pajamas while Hermione went to work on making some tea.

The others soon appeared and, noticing their change of clothes, went to do the same. Ginny was the first one back and she went to take a seat next to Astoria at the table while Hermione got out several mugs.

Without looking at the other witch, Ginny asked, "Why did you almost have a hatstall in your first year?"

Hermione looked at Ginny and narrowed her eyes. She could not believe she was only asking that question now. Draco had told her to ask it five months ago.

Astoria chuckled before rubbing at her still wet cheeks. "Did Draco tell you about that? I mean, I'm sure he did, considering he's the only person I've ever told."

"He told me to ask, not what the answer is."

Astoria sighed. "The Sorting Hat wanted to put me into Gryffindor but I begged it not to. I didn't want to be disowned by my family. A lot of good that did in the end. If I had just let it do what it wanted I would've never been a Slytherin and maybe your family wouldn't hate me so much."

"They don't hate you."

"Then why do they always say such awful things about me?" Astoria asked, her eyes beginning to gloss over once again.

Ginny sighed. "I don't know. I guess … they're afraid."

"Of me?" She sniffled.

Ginny shook her head. "Of what you represent. We all knew there would be change after the war, but I don't think they were prepared for their son to fall for someone who was more or less on the other side."

"But I wasn't on either side! I was only fifteen at the time of the Battle of Hogwarts and my parents were never Death Eaters. We all stayed out of it."

"Either way, your family's biases are not exactly secret. Look, Astoria, my mum and dad realize that you are nothing like your parents, or the majority of other purebloods out there for that matter, but that doesn't mean things are going to be easy if you and Ron stay together. Because they're not. Just look at Hermione and Draco," she said, motioning to her friend in the kitchen. "People say mean and hurtful things to them every day, and they just have to grin and bear it. My parents don't want Ron to go through that same struggle."

"You think Ron and I haven't already heard our share of crap from people?" asked Astoria, crossing her arms. "None of you give him enough credit. He's stronger than you think."

"Well, I know he is," said Hermione, putting hot mugs of tea in front of each of them. "Ron and Astoria are just as strong as Draco and I are. They can handle the ridicule and scrutiny just fine."

"Thank you, Hermione," said Astoria before wiping her eyes again and taking a sip of her tea. "That tastes good," she said. Suddenly, her face scrunched up and she closed her eyes. "Oh, Merlin, can you believe I had that nasty man's tongue down my throat?"

Ginny and Hermione laughed. "I think Sophie knows a spell that will get rid of all foreign saliva."

"You bet I do!" said Sophie, walking into the room with several presents in her hands. Caroline walked in after her, also carrying presents, and Luna was riding the caboose of their train, carrying board games. Sophie plopped the presents in front of Hermione before zapping her wand at Astoria. "Better?" she asked before taking a seat.

"Much," said Astoria, rubbing at her lips.

Hermione picked up one of the presents that had been put in front of her. It was a phallic shaped box about ten inches long and three inches think. "I'm almost afraid to ask what sort of presents you give someone at their bachelorette party."

"Do you remember the presents I got at mine?" asked Ginny.

Hermione nodded.

Ginny smiled. "Yours are worse."

"Oh Merlin," she said, dropping the box.

"Do not be such a prude, 'Ermione," said Sophie, rolling her eyes. "Part of ze fun of marrying someone like Draco ees zat 'e ees down for whatever. Toys do not scare 'im like zey do Phillipe."

"And Harry. One night I decided to bring out those fuzzy Muggle handcuffs Fleur gave me at my bachelorette party, and he pretty much freaked," laughed Ginny. "Needless to say, they've been gathering dust ever since." She crossed her arms. "Now, go ahead and try and tell me Draco would have that same reaction."

"Well, I can tell you that he'd be against using the handcuffs because they're Muggle made. But …" She paused. The others waited on the edges of their seats … "I suppose we have used binding spells on each other once or twice … a month. Sometimes more."

The witches all squealed with delight.

"I knew it! I knew Draco liked to get freaky!" shouted Caroline, grabbing one of the presents and tossing it directly in front of Hermione. "Open that one first. Draco is totally going to love it."

Hermione stared wide-eyed at the innocently wrapped gift.

"Come on guys, let's not scare her," laughed Ginny. She grabbed a present that looked like it could be clothes from the bottom of the pile and handed it to Hermione. "Open this one first. It's for the wedding night."

Hermione did as she was instructed. She was relieved to find sexy white lingerie with green sequins inside the box.

"Well, I know Draco will like this. The green is a nice touch," she laughed. "But he does like other colors, you know?"

"It's to match your engagement ring, not him," laughed Ginny.

"I have an excellent idea!" Caroline suddenly exclaimed. "Since Hermione is clearly skeptical about opening her gifts, how about we play one of these games Luna brought?"

Luna looked delighted but Hermione cocked an eyebrow. She knew there had to be more. "What's the catch?" she asked.

Caroline smiled mischievously. "Every time you lose you have to open one of your gifts."

"Five against one?" said Hermione, looking from smiling face to smiling face. "Somehow I don't like those odds."

"You won't mind if I have something a little stronger than tea, do you?" Caroline got up and walked into the kitchen without waiting for an answer. She searched the cabinets until she found a bottle of tequila. "Who wants margaritas?" Everyone but Sophie and Hermione raised their hands. "You're getting one whether you like it or not, precious bride. Where'd your veil go, anyway?"

"I'll go find it!" said Astoria, standing up and running off towards Hermione's bedroom. She came back a minute later with the veil in hand, carefully placing it back on Hermione's head while she scowled at all of her so-called friends.

"I hate you all."

"You love us!" laughed Sophie.

Unfortunately, she was right. Hermione loved each and every one of them. They played games well into the night, Hermione eventually opening every last present. Despite the rough start to their night, it ended up being absolutely perfect. There was something about hanging out with all of your closest friends in your pajamas while drinking margaritas and playing board games that just made for a great time. It was nice to know that there were so many people in the world she could count on, no matter what.

XXX

"DAMN IT! I just remembered another one!" shouted a very drunk Draco, writing another name on his parchment. He thought that was her name, anyway.

"What are you up to now?" asked Phillip, taking a puff of his cigar.

Draco plopped his head down on the table and, under his breath, he said, "One-hundred and seventy-two. And I haven't even hit last year yet!" His head popped back up. "This was a horrible idea. Are any of you in the triple digits?" he asked, looking around the table desperately.

None of them were. Phillip was the only one even in the double digits and it was still just barely.

Draco groaned. "How did I ever let it get this bad?"

"Loneliness and a lack of willingness to commit. A horrible combination," laughed Phillip.

"You know what? Screw this!" shouted Draco, scribbling forcibly all over the list. "As far as I'm concerned there is only one!" He lifted the parchment so they could all see the name 'Hermione' written in large, bold letters on top of all the others. "She's the only one that matters, anyway."

"It doesn't work like that, Malfoy," said Ron. "All of the other women you've been with don't just vanish because you say they do."

"Oh, piss off. Hermione's number is much worse than mine."

"Really?" said Ron, raising his eyebrows. "How do you figure?"

"Because she might be the only one of mine who's ever mattered, but Hermione's only shagged people she's loved," he said, scowling. "I hate that you're the only other person she's ever been with."

"You'd rather it were more?"

"I'd rather it was just me!" spat Draco. "Before the whole love thing happened and we were just shagging, Hermione told me that it was better with you than it was with me because there were genuine feelings there."

Ron smirked.

"Oh, wipe that smug look off your face. I'm sure I'm the better shag now."

"Okay, Draco, I think you've had enough," said Phillip, trying to take his drink out of his hands, but Draco just pulled it back and swatted at his hands. "Well, you should at least stop talking before you say something you'll regret."

"I regret nothing I've ever said to Weasel! We have a mutual dislike for each other and I'm sick of trying to be civil all the time."

"Oh, is that what you've been doing?" snorted Ron. "Since you and Hermione got together I can't name one nice thing you've ever said to me."

"You're here, aren't you?"

"And I still have no idea why. You should have just let me leave."

"I already told you. If you left you would have undoubtedly done something to screw things up with Astoria even more than you already have."

"You don't know the first thing about our -"

"I know you take her for granted. Just like you did with Hermione. And if you're not careful you're going to lose her too."

"How dare you!" shouted Ron, rising to his feet and turning red in the face. "I never took Hermione for granted! I loved her!"

"No. I love her. I don't know what the blazes you felt, but someone who doesn't make a point to tell a girl like her she's beautiful every day sure as hell doesn't deserve her." Draco paused, the thoughts in his mind clearly winding. He looked back at Ron curiously. "And why is it that your relationship with Hermione is the one you're defending? It should be Astoria. When's the last time you told her she was beautiful, by the way?"

"I -"

"Let me guess. The Ministry Ball?"

Ron blushed.

Draco smiled smugly. "I thought so. Only on special occasions. That's what Hermione said, anyway. So tell me, Weasel, do you even love Astoria?"

"O-of course I do!"

"Well, you certainly don't sound too sure of yourself. You might want to work on that before you try and win her back. But, if you don't love her, then I suggest you don't even bother. If she's going to give up her family for a guy it should be someone who is sure about her. None of this wishy-washy bullshit."

Ron's fists clenched against the edges of the table. Harry eyed them with a worried expression. "Uh, Ron, maybe you should sit down."

"I'm fine, Harry," he said through gritted teeth. "It's not that simple, Malfoy. Maybe I'm not as fine with getting disowned by my parents as you Slytherins are."

"My parents haven't disowned me!" defended Draco. "Quite the contrary. My father and Hermione have been having a weekly lunch for a couple of months now. Granted, I have absolutely no idea what the two of them could ever have to talk about, but both seem to enjoy it. I can't imagine your parents are any worse than mine. If you just stood up to them for once I'm sure they'd get over themselves. But, the truth is, you don't want to."

"How do you figure?"

"Because, Weasel. You. Don't. Want. To. Commit," said Draco, carefully pronouncing each word. "If you did then you wouldn't let me hold you back. You'd already be on your way to France to apologize for being a git. I can give you the address if you want. Just say the word and it's yours. I won't stop you."

Ron's fists unclenched. His shoulders slumped over as he stared mindlessly down at the table. He knew right away that Draco was right. He wasn't going to France. "What do you want from me?" he asked pleadingly.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "I want you to admit you're not over Hermione. You keep saying you are but, if that were true, you'd be happy with Astoria, and, clearly, you're not. I'm no fool. I know what unhappiness looks like. I've been there."

Ron's eyes squinted shut as he took several deep breaths. "Fine! You win! I'm not over her!" They shot back open. "And it kills me that she's marrying you! I hate you! I hate you for taking her! I hated you before you took her! Maybe she deserves better than me, but she damn well deserves better than you too!"

Draco's jaw dropped. He didn't like this game anymore.

"You know how long I stared at that damn wedding invitation before I checked attending? I'm not even the one who bloody did it in the end! Astoria came in and checked it for me! She sent it off with Pig before I even had a chance to object! I have absolutely no interest in going to your damn wedding! In fact …" He paused and looked over at Harry. His best friend shook his head, but there was no changing his mind. He knew what he wanted … "I don't think I will."

"What?" said Draco, his eyes going wide. "But you have to go."

"I don't have to do anything."

"Yes. Yes you do," said Draco, stumbling to his feet. "Hermione cried when she found out your parents weren't going, and she loves you more than them. You can't do this to her!"

"Guess you should've thought of that before."

"No! No, you have to go! I take everything back! I'm sorry!"

"Too little, too late, Malfoy," said Ron, making a play for the door.

Draco jumped in front of him. "Please! I'll do anything you want! I'll be nice to you for the rest of my bloody life if I have to! Just come!"

"Just because I'm not over her doesn't mean I'm still in love with her, Malfoy!" said Ron, wanting to clarify. "But I can't watch her ruin her life by marrying you! You're going to get her killed!"

Draco's jaw dropped. He looked accusingly at Harry. "You told him?"

"I … I had to," he defended. "The Minister wanted all the Aurors to know about the prophecy. So we're all prepared if something happens."

"The bloody Minister knows?"

"Of course he does! Were we not in the Ministry when you held that orb?"

Draco had never really thought about it before, but Harry was right. And if Ron knew there was no doubt in Draco's mind that the rest of the Weasley clan knew as well. And he had taken it upon himself to tell everyone at Thinx. And Goyle … well, his father-in-law was the one who spread word to the elite purebloods in the first place. He undoubtedly knew as well. Meaning one of the few people in the wizarding world who didn't know about the prophecy was Hermione, who was one of the subjects in question. When she found out she was definitely going to kill him.

"If Hermione dies because of you I won't hesitate to kill you myself," said Ron, his nostrils flaring as he gave Draco one of the coldest looks he had ever received.

"Hermione's not going to die, but if she does you'll have to beat me to it. I'd rather die than live without her."

"Tell her," demanded Ron, keeping his eyes fixed on Draco. "Before the wedding. So it's her choice whether or not she thinks you're worth the risk. Otherwise it will always be like you tricked her."

Draco sighed. "If I tell her, will you come?"

Ron's eyes dropped to the ground. "No. I can't support this."

"You can't support your best friend?"

"Not when I know she's making such a colossal mistake."

And on that unpleasant note, Ron left the pub. Draco stood there motionless, drunk and unsure of how it got to this point. Hermione was going to be so upset when she found out what he had done. He had never felt so ashamed in all his life.

"You all right, mate?" asked Phillip, who was suddenly standing beside him.

"Fine," said Draco, moving back to his seat.

No one said anything while Draco brooded silently over a bottle. Just before the pub was about to close the waitress came over to give them their bill. While the others took care of it she leaned in and whispered to Draco, "I get off in ten minutes if you want to meet me -"

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" he screamed at the top of his lungs while whipping his head to face her. "I'm getting married in a bloody week! I'm not going to shag you! Why does no one in this world believe that I love her?"

"I-I'm sorry," whimpered the waitress before running off.

"I believe you," said Seth in a pathetic attempt to lighten the mood.

"You-don't-count!" said Draco, clambering to his feet and heading towards a fireplace in the center of the room. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder, threw it in and said, "Labelle Chateaux."

"Oh crap," he heard Phillip say before he was sucked away from the pub, only to reappear moments later in a place very near and dear to him.

The house was completely dark, and Draco was still pretty drunk, so he used the wall to guide himself through. He eventually found his way to the only bedroom on the first floor, the same room he and Hermione had stayed in the first night they ever slept together. He knew this was where she would be now. Hopefully by herself.

Draco opened the door and was happy to find the silhouette of a lone figure in the bed. He stumbled over to it and practically fell on before scooting over and throwing his arm around her. Her body jerked.

"Draco?" she asked in a groggy voice.

"Yeah," he answered.

"What are you doing here?" She yawned. "Is everything all right?"

"No," he said, tears falling from his eyes and into her hair. "I've done something horrible."

Hermione turned so she was facing him. "What do you mean?" she asked, clearly thinking the worst.

Draco almost chuckled as he continued to cry. "Not that. I already told you. You … and everyone else."

"Then what did you do?"

Draco sighed. "I lied to you. And I can't let you marry me without you knowing the truth first. I don't want you forever believing that I tricked you, because that was never my intention."

"Draco, what is it?" she asked, her voice getting noticeably anxious. "You know you can tell me anything."

Draco nodded. And so he did. He told her everything. About the prophecy and how he found out about it at the Ministry Ball. How he convinced her best friend to keep this secret from her. How his mother and all of the other purebloods had found out. And, worst of all, how he looked her right in the eye and lied to her about it.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm so sorry," he cried. "I just didn't want it to change anything. I love you more than anything and I didn't want to lose you."

Hermione sighed before reaching up and wiping his eyes. "Well, I'm extremely mad you lied to me. But this changes nothing."

"Really?" asked Draco with hope-filled eyes.

"Of course it doesn't! If it's a fight those damn chauvinists want then who better to give it to them? I always knew you and I would create something great together. Now is our chance to prove it with whatever this … 'new power' is."

Draco smiled. "I love you, Hermione."

"And I love you, liar!" she said, giving him a kiss. "Never again. You hear me?"

"Absolutely," he laughed. "Weasel's right. I don't deserve you."

"Damn right you don't - wait … Ron said that? When?"

"Tonight," said Draco, squeezing her closer. "That's the other bad thing I did." He looked into her beautiful eyes and sighed. "He's not coming to the wedding, Hermione. I was drunk and said some really stupid and hurtful things. I tried to take it back but it was too late. I'm sorry."

"I-it's okay," said Hermione unconvincingly. "Ron and I still have some unresolved issues. It's not your fault."

"But it is. He was coming until I provoked him."

Hermione was trying really hard not to cry. While no tears were falling, her eyes still became wet. Draco pressed his forehead against hers and put his thumb under her left eye to catch any mist before it dropped.

"I'm sorry. Please don't hate me."

"I … could never," was all she managed to choke out.

Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco and held him close. The two of them fell asleep in each other's arms, embracing the only comfort they had after what was undoubtedly the worst bachelor and bachelorette parties in recorded history.