Hermione's POV

"I need to see Ginny." Hermione said through clenched teeth. She wouldn't cry in front of him. Not now. Draco smirked.
"Well you might have to wait a bit because I interrupted her and Blaise earlier." Hermione grimaced. Not only had her night been rough, but she didn't need to know that.

"I'll wait. It's not like I can go home." The words slipped out unwittingly from her mouth and she frowned. Why did she say that? The look on Malfoy's face was curious and regret burned through her.

"Why can't you go home Granger?" the question hung pregnant in the air.

"Why do you care Ferret? I'm just a dirty little mudblood, so WHY DO YOU CARE?" Hermione yelled. She sunk to the floor and covered her face. Why did it have to be tonight of all nights?

"A week Hermione, just remember a week. And everything will go back to normal. Ron will return to normal and everything will be fine. I love him, he loves me." She whispered to herself.

Draco's POV

Draco watched the woman on the floor and pondered her question. Why did he care? She wasn't anything to him, so why did he feel like a jerk for asking just a little question? Shaking his head he strode into the corridor, not wanting to hear any more of her mumblings about the weasel.

"WEASLETTE! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!" He thundered. Tapping his foot, Draco waited until the flaming hair of Ginny Weasley entered his sights with an enraged expression.

"What do you want Malfoy? Can't you realise things are a bit busy?" she snarled.

"Well, the fact that there is an emotional wreck in Zabini's kitchen mumbling about your dumbass brother may have something to do with interrupting your little make-out session." He said in a monotone. Ginny's face paled and she popped back into the room. Draco went back to the kitchen and put the kettle on; he pulled 2 mugs from the cabinet above his head and started making tea. Summoning a cut lemon from the fridge he squeezed some into both mugs then poured the water in.

"You know how to make tea." The words were whispered in amazement.

Draco grunted in acknowledgement. "I learned from a young age Granger."

"You're making my tea."

"Look Granger, I'm making tea for little Weasley and yourself. Yes, I know how she likes her tea and yes, I assumed you liked the same. Is there a problem?" he said spinning around to face her.

Hermione's tear streaked face stared up at him and he regretted being so sharp with her.

"Go sit on the couch and I will give you a mug. Weaslette should be out in a minute." Draco picked up a mug and placed it in her hands, leaving the other on the bench for Ginny as he left the room.

Hermione's POV

Hermione watched Draco move about in the kitchen and it brought a small smile to her face. It was nice, having a man move about the kitchen for her. The fact that it was Malfoy was completely unrealistic. But it was happening, right in front of her eyes. When he placed the mug of tea in her hands and left, Hermione sighed. While the tea was a nice gesture, she didn't want to believe him to be nice just yet.

"Oh Mione." The words were a whisper from her best friend. Hermione looked up at Ginny.

"I think I need something stronger than tea Gin."

"Don't you dare waste it, Malfoy actually made you tea." Ginny scolded. As Ginny sat down beside her, Hermione leaned her head on the redheads shoulder.

"I'm a mess. I can't believe he made me tea when I look like such a mess and he didn't even comment on how shit I probably look."

Ginny chuckled. "He probably thinks that you would deck him if he did. Now, what has happened?"

"Ron." No other explanation was necessary as understanding flooded Ginny's face.

"That vile pigheaded brother of mine, I swear to merlin that he is going to cope a wakeup call sooner rather than later." Hermione smiled little.

"He has a week. Not that he knows yet, but he has a week and if he doesn't change his act I'm filing for divorce."

"Good on you Mione. It's about time you started to stand up for yourself. He deserves everything you have coming for him."

"Oh I know Gin, I've been so blinded by 'love' that I've let him get away with so much for so long."

Ginny wrapped her arms around Hermione. Suddenly there was a scuffle in the hallway beyond them.

"Blaise Zabini! I know you're in that hallway and eavesdropping is a nasty habit. You too, Draco Malfoy. Both of you get your butts out here before I come get them for you." Ginny growled.

The two men strutted out, Draco with a smirk adorning his features and Blaise looking a little ashamed.

"We weren't eavesdropping, just wondering if it were safe to come back into the kitchen yet. Malfoy wants more firewhiskey." Blaise explained.

"Yes it's safe. There won't be any more tears tonight." Hermione said quietly.

Nodding, the men wandered over to the kitchen and Blaise started rummaging through the bottom cupboards looking for firewhiskey and shot glasses.

"You know Hermione, you're welcome to stay here tonight if you would like. There is spare bedroom down the hall." Blaise offered looking over the counter for a minute.

Hermione thought about it. It would be the last place Ron would think to look for her if he happened to wake up and try and find her again. She might get one night of peace before the week started.

"If I'm not troubling you, then yes please. And if I'm staying then pour me a couple of those shots you're about to pour for Malfoy." She answered.

Masculine laughter rebounded around the room.

"I didn't take you to be a shot kinda girl Granger." Malfoy sneered.

Hermione glanced at him briefly.

"You don't know me Malfoy. My nights been bad enough that I want shots, I want to forget for a while and have one night of peace before the upcoming week."

Draco's POV

"Ok Granger, for every shot you take, I'll take two. Let's see who gets drunk first. If I get drunk first you can have the spare bedroom. If you get drunk first, you get the couch and I get the spare bed that I normally sleep in that Blaise so kindly offered." Draco proposed.

He could see the gears turning in her head. Finally a steely look came into her eyes.

"Deal."

Blaise's POV

Twelve shots later, Granger was stumbling down the hallway to the spare bedroom and Draco had already passed out on the couch. Ginny and Blaise sat at the small breakfast table and watched Draco sleep.

"He doesn't look so arrogant when he's asleep." Ginny murmured. Blaise chuckled.

"No. The only other place he doesn't look so arrogant is when he is helping at Saint Hectors." Blaise agreed. Ginny looked curious.

"Draco has taken over the Orphanage that Narcissa was running for orphaned magical children. It's still in Narcissa's name and she still does little things for the kids, but Draco is the foster father of those children for the time being until they come of age. Astoria Greengrass is the foster mother and she lives there permanently with the kids." Blaise explained.

"We should get Hermione to spend some more time with Draco. That would be a great place for her to get to know him. She's giving Ronald a week to clean up his act and prove that he is worthy of her. If he fails that she is filing for divorce." Ginny said quietly.

"I'll talk to Narcissa. She's already on board with the Draco and Hermione idea. She might be able to organise something." Blaise said as he stood and offered a hand to Ginny.

"Time for bed my lady." Smiling, Ginny took his hand and followed him to his bedroom. Blaise grinned, maybe tonight can be salvaged and he could still get to know Ginny intimately after all.

OK OK, I know it's been so long since I updated and I hope you guys don't think this is hurried or anything in my effort to finally get it out there.

I finally finished this chapter and it took me a long time to get my head back in the right space.

So as always review!

The next chapter will be interesting, to say the least. Hermione's ultimatum is coming up soon.

I'm hoping for around ten reviews and then I will put up the next chapter.

Tah, Tay x