Hello, Hello! Hoping you're all fabulous. It's raining, it's Monday, and I am full of devious plots….

Thanks for all your reviews, suggestions and questions! (Hopefully, the latter will be answered in the coming Chapters…)

Please enjoy,

M. x

Her head was pounding; surely last night had been a dream? Hermione rolled onto her side, slowly cracking open an eye and wincing as light streamed through the high windows. She groaned in defeat as she looked towards the clock. 11am. When was the last time she had a lie in? Usually that consisted of Kreacher bringing her a steaming cup of coffee and buttered rolls, while she indulged in a book, lounging in her cozy chambers. A loud snore from the right side of the bed made her jump and she panicked at the sound of an intruding bedmate. She turned her head much too quickly, causing pain to erupt behind her eyes. Pansy. She breathed in relief, noticing her mouth felt like she had been chewing on sandpaper.

Never again. Hermione thought to herself as she pulled her aching body from the bed, several sweet wrappers were stuck in her tangled hair and she brushed at them impatiently as she stumbled to the door.

Hermione checked to see if the path was clear before stepping out and shutting the door behind her. Suddenly, she was hit with a violent wave of nausea as she clamped a hand over her mouth. Oh God, oh God. She looked around horrified; there was no way she was going to make it to the bathroom from here. She turned her gaze to a gigantic vase across the hall, stuffed with dead flowers. In seconds, she had torn them out, heaved herself over the antique marble gagging and spewing whiskey and chocolate frogs everywhere. It was just at that moment that Snape chose to appear at the top of the stairs. Severus raised an eyebrow, taking in the sight before him. Hermione sagged in relief against the pot, before dumping the flowers back into the vase and turning to make a quick escape up the stairs. Severus cleared his throat and she whipped around in horror.

"Miss…Granger, I had no idea you valued the Black family décor as much as I." He was smirking evilly. Hermione closed her eyes in mortification.

"Why is it always me?" She whined. At sudden thought, her eyes shot open. "You won't tell Sirius, will you? He'll never forgive me for wasting his good whiskey…"

"Well now that I know you aren't mortally ill, yes, Miss Granger. Your… secret...is safe with me." That did little to comfort Hermione and she frowned at his expression. Snape was always letting on that he knew more about her than she cared to admit.

"Right. I'll just be going then." He gave her an unfathomable look, as she turned swiftly and fled for the upstairs, his snarky laughter ringing in her ears.

Hermione let the hot water run over her; the dull throbbing in her head was relentless, but at least it allowed her a brief reprieve from the way her heart was feeling. Hermione massaged her head in slow circles focusing on her blurry conversation with Pansy last night. Her and Ron…Hermione was inclined to admit that it irked her to no end; how Ron had not come to her room for several weeks, but felt the need to have sex, multiple times, in one night, with Pansy Parkinson; A Slytherin, a pure blood, Draco Malfoy's best friend and ex-girlfriend. How could he accuse her, for months and months, of cozying up to the enemy and then turn around and take it even further than she had? She scowled at the thought.

However, Hermione was a progressive woman and she therefore put the blame, in its entirety, on Ron. Pansy clearly had no romantic intentions towards him, and had even described the experience as full of hate. They were both under the influence, which definitely never helped a situation; and Pansy was lonely. Hermione knew that. She also knew Pansy had a hard time conveying any sort of emotional weakness…connecting physically was the easiest form of expression for someone like her. No, Hermione didn't blame Pansy for Ron's pent up sexual need; she blamed herself. She had gotten so fixated on Malfoy that she had thrown her relationship with Ron completely to the side. Harry said there would be consequences….

Furthermore, Hermione was not a hypocrite and therefore she could not technically be mad at Ron for cheating on her when she had been snogging the life out of Draco hours before. No, she was mad because now that Ron had connected with the enemy, it was all right for everyone else to do so. Now that he had adapted and was okay with the situation, everyone else was allowed to fall into amiable peace, as well. Fuck. That. She turned the shower off and stepped out of the steamy bliss.

No, what was really bothering Hermione was the thought of Harry. He had been so conflicted at pushing Draco into her general direction, and the looks he had given her yesterday morning were reminiscent of those they shared in The Forest of Dean. Was he really happy with Ginny? Or had he settled for second best, like she had?

What a horrible thought, Hermione chastised herself. They were happy together, perfect in fact. Just because Ron and her weren't made for each other that didn't give her the right to go ruining other people's perfectly functional relationships. Not even if that person still had a little bit of her heart…Hermione could cry with frustration. A particularly sharp pain sliced through her temple with determination. She was being punished.

She cracked open the door of the Potion labs with stealth. Just one hangover potion and she would be right as rain. She chuckled to herself as she headed towards a storage cabinet and began rummaging through; Malfoy's habit of misusing Muggle sayings was rather entertaining even though she would never admit it. She wondered if he was still furious with her… And as if the Devil himself had been summoned, a loud blast issued from behind a wooden door and Malfoy came rushing through with a flaming cauldron.

"Out of the way!" He screamed as she jumped to the side and he tossed the contents into a large basin followed by the cauldron, which shattered to pieces on contact; an acid-like liquid hissed and spit from the drain as they both jumped back quickly.

"What the hell was that?" Hermione was clutching her chest, her eyes fixed on the pieces of pewter that were now melting.

"That was me, trying to alter Veritiserum." He spat with annoyance as his eyes moved from the sink to her and widened in surprise. Hermione turned toward him, unwillingly and with apprehension. Her hair was still damp from her shower and hanging in ringlets down her back. Draco noticed she was wearing a clean white tee and had apparently forgotten her…underthings. Her skin was basked in a dewy, rosy glow and Draco had the sudden urge to run his mouth all over her flesh. His eyes darkened as he took in her appearance, greedily. Hermione felt her nipples harden at the look he was giving her. Wait what? She glanced down quickly and could feel the blush rising uncontrollably over her body. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes, wishing to sink right through the floor.

"Happy to see me, Granger?" She could hear his smirk widening.

"It's just, chilly down here." She spat. He laughed out loud and she opened her eyes. "What?"

He shook his head in amusement before turning back towards the door he had come out of. She followed him against her better judgment, uncorking the hang over potion and taking a dainty sip, not bad.

"What are you doing down here?" They entered the second lab, where Draco had apparently been working. There was shit everywhere. He leaned over a cauldron, inspecting it carefully, as he pushed up the sleeves of his shirt.

"Conducting an orchestra, obviously." Was his snarky reply, " Shouldn't you already know? You're the one who had me banished here." He raised an eyebrow at her as she chugged the rest of the potion. "I see someone had themselves a pity party last, I never pegged you as the type to get sloshed alone."

"I wasn't alone." She snapped. "Nor was I having a pity party. And I didn't banish you."

"Oh?" His eyes narrowed as he strolled around the other side of the workbench towards her. "Potter was with you, then?" He spat his name. Hermione looked at him with a little hesitation.

"That bothers you?" Draco gave her a contemptuous look.

"You and the Boy Who Sucks at Life? Getting drunk together? I'm sure Weasely would love to hear about this."

"I was with Pansy for your information. And even if I was getting drunk with Harry it wouldn't matter because Ron and I are no longer together!" She yelled her head continuing to pulse with pain. He snapped his mouth shut at that, but a strange glimmer came into his eyes that Hermione was infinitely uneasy with. She definitely didn't want to know what he was thinking, not one bit, not even- okay maybe, yes. He was getting closer, looking at her like a particularly juicy piece of pray…her survival instincts kicked into high gear as she hurried around to the other side of the table, looking at his work with overly enthusiastic interest.

"Altered Veritiserum?" She asked nervously, looking down to read his notes.

"Really….mmmm…what a concept. That might actually work. Did you come up with this yourself?"

"Yes." He bit out, sounding immensely uncomfortable. She smirked down at his handwriting, good.

"So if this works….it would mean we could question the Snatcher's without killing them…Draco, this is brilliant!" She looked up in genuine pride to let him know she was thoroughly pleased. But he had disappeared. She furrowed her brow in confusion.

"Thanks." His breath brushed the back of her neck, and she jumped so violently she ended up caught between the workbenches, and pressed against his very hard frame. She turned to look up at him, that was a mistake.

She knew there was no escaping this time, he had her cornered; his eyes suggested wicked intent.

"Right. So if we can figure this out, it will mean Umbridge-"

"We?" He breathed.

"Well, yes. I'd like to help."

"Did Potter put you up to this?" He scowled.

"No." She exclaimed defensively. "I'm not even supposed to be working, technically I'm on bed rest until Monday." She sounded annoyed at that.

"Well shouldn't you be out having a little fun, then? Instead of, you know, doing the same thing over and expecting different results?" She smiled a bit at that and looked back up at him, he was really so gorgeous…his face relaxed…she could tell the animosity between them was momentarily forgotten.

"You're not still mad at me, are you?" She hedged and watched him frown.

"Do you always have to ruin a moment, Granger?" He sighed, exasperated, before pulling back. She realized in that moment she didn't want him to go.

"No." She breathed softly; he paused, his breath catching in his throat. Hermione tentatively rested her hands against his broad chest, which tightened under her touch, and did the only thing she could think to do. She lifted herself onto her toes and pressed her lips against his without a second thought. He stood frozen in shock for several moments before pulling her roughly against him and running his hands down her body possessively. He forced her mouth open with his tongue and devoured her without restraint. Hermione slid her hands up behind his neck and raked her nails through his wondrous hair. Draco moaned into her mouth, pushing himself against her as his lips trailed slowly down her neck, nipping and sucking on her smooth skin.

Hermione's eyes rolled in her head as her toes curled; a rush of lust shot through her. In one swift moment, he had lifted her onto the table and pushed himself between her legs; they parted for him with ease. Draco returned to her mouth, teasing and licking at her, whispering unintelligible thoughts as his hand slid down her side, disappearing underneath her shirt. His skin burned her flesh and suddenly he was cupping her naked breast. He pinched her nipple, rolling it between his skilled fingers and Hermione heard herself whimper in need. What? She pulled back quickly, breaking their contact and gasping for air. Draco's jaw clenched a couple of times, his breathing uneven, as he looked at her with pure lust. Hermione clumsily got to her feet and put a few, much needed, feet of space between them. Draco quickly composed himself; she had to stop shocking his system.

"That was…" She seemed slightly dazed. Her headache had seemed to evaporate. Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Was there something else you needed, Granger?" She blushed deeply, there were a few moments of silence and then,

"Are you going to Pansy's party tonight?"

"Possibly." Great. He was studying his fingernails.

"Oh." She looked around, anywhere but at him. Draco was becoming irritated with her lack of response; he turned his sharp gaze to her.

"And? Are you merely asking me because your nosey self can't help it? Or was there a reason for your inquiry?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go…." She cringed at the awkwardness of her proposal. "Together." He raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the table.

"Are you asking me out, Granger?"

"Yes! I mean, no. It's just that-"

"Which is it?" He drawled sarcastically.

"Yes. I'm asking you out." More silence. His eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"And why? May I ask, are you making such a grand gesture?"

"It might be fun." She lied through her teeth and he scoffed at her with disdain.

"If you are finished wasting my time and intelligence: leave, so I can get back to work."

"But you haven't even given me a chance to explain!" She cried, throwing a million excuses and ideas around in her head. He looked at her with a doubtful expression. She grasped desperately at any plan she could formulation that didn't make her look as if this was a "revenge on Ron" mission. "Harry and I agreed that something must be done to bring Umbridge out of hiding. A public event, a statement of sorts that would infuriate her beyond belief and maybe give us a chance to get close enough to stop her. What…."She stopped as a light blub suddenly beamed out from under her wild hair. "…Would be better than a romantic alliance between one of the most well known, distinguished Pureblood heirs and The filthy, little Mudblood?" His eyebrows raised in shock as the words slid off her tongue with a suggestive look. He composed himself quickly before crossing his arms and looking away, thinking hard. Now that was an idea, but hadn't she realized his name was shit in those circles these days? No matter, he was still going to take advantage of the opportunity she was freely offering. He'd amuse her for now.

"I'm wanted dead just as much as you are by Umbridge and her gang. "

"As if she would want the spilling of pure blood?" Hermione scoffed. "I think you're mistaken."

"They'd rather me dead than procreating with a Muggle-born." He argued. She thought on that for a moment.

"Yes! That's it!" She smiled widely.

"God, Granger. Your sensitivity is astounding."

"No I mean, that will definitely bring her out of hiding. Especially is she is working with someone who is a maniacal pureblood, invested in her little killing game. You and I together…publically, she would want to act on it, I'm sure. The opportunity to-"

"Kill two birds with one stone." He smirked at her look of shock. That might have been the first one ever, of her expressions that he had gotten correct. "Alright Granger, I'm in."

"Perfect. This is going to be great." She was suddenly giddy at the prospect.

"What a morbid sense of humor you have… Let's just focus on not getting ourselves blown up before tonight." She nodded vigorously as she began tying an apron around her waist and flipping back through Draco's notes. Apparently she was here to stay.

"Good idea. We can take this time to discuss our tactics as well." Oh God, she hoped Pansy knew what she was doing…Harry and Ron were going to be, well. At the moment she wasn't quite sure. She looked to Draco for confirmation. Where did he go now?

"Yes. Tactics. Don't worry Granger, We'll give them a show." He pulled her tightly against him from behind, yanking down the sleeve of her shirt, as be began exploring her collarbone and bare shoulder with his mouth. Hermione let her head drop back slightly.

"It will…have to be believable." She murmured distractedly. Her brain was doing funny things, it was all fuzzy and soft; now this is a hangover cure. She thought to herself.

"Trust me, Granger." His hands ran down her sides causing her to shiver in anticipation, his lips a hair from her skin. "It will be believable, incredibility so, that you might even begin to believe it yourself." Hermione closed her eyes, waiting, wanting him to attack her lips again, there were several moments of silence. Hermione opened one eye; Draco was seated across the table with his notes, looking at her expectantly.

"Shall we…begin?" He asked with amusement, motioning to the empty cauldron in front of her.

"Lead the way." She laughed with false heartiness, he quirked one eyebrow at her peculiar outburst.

Lead the way indeed, she thought savagely, straight down the path to hell.

Slowly, her eyes met his gaze from over the table; it was filled with smoldering promises.

Hell. Who was Hermione kidding? She was already there.