At exactly two o' clock on a Sunday afternoon, Hermione's day off, she received a Howler invitation via owl to Ernie and Hannah's engagement party. It was really happening.
Excited, she opened the invitation and heard the invitation read to her. "You are invited to Ernie and Hannah's engagement party!" it exclaimed. "It will be at Ernie's flat at seven in the evening, Saturday, November 29! Be there! We'll be expecting you!"
The invitation fell to the floor and Hermione picked it up, scanning what the letter had just read to her. Hermione smiled. This Saturday!
At work the next day, the whole Department of Magical Law Enforcement was buzzing. Most of them had been invited, Ernie knowing many of the employees of this department (since he worked in the Misuse of Muggle artifacts office), including, to Hermione's dismay, several of the former Slytherins. After the night she and Malfoy had shared, she felt a little unsure around him now, and was back to avoiding him.
She worked long and hard to finish all her work so she wouldn't have to work overtime on Saturday. The week passed by quickly, and Saturday was already on top of her before she knew it.
Towards the end of Hermione's work day that Saturday, a memo flew into her office and opened itself for her to read. Of course, it was from Malfoy.
It read: Granger, you are going to Macmillan's engagement party tonight? Allow me to escort you. –D.M.
Hermione rolled her eyes. What if I wasn't? she wrote back. And I may have a date already. –H.G.
She sent it, having mixed feelings about this already. "What am I thinking?" she exclaimed to herself quietly before pushing thoughts of Malfoy away. Until the memo came back.
You can't use Theo as an excuse this time. I know for sure that he isn't going. It'll just be one night, Granger. At least you won't be there alone. –D.M.
Hermione frowned and grabbed her quill and quickly scribbled back. Who said I was taking Theo? And what about Greengrass? –H.G.
It was quite the opposite of what Hermione had actually been thinking of writing, but it was more like her to fight back. So she sent it.
We already discussed this, Granger. Don't worry about it, but I won't beg you. –D.M.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, intrigued.
All right, I'll accept. –H.G.
Good. I'll pick you up at your flat at six-forty. –D.M.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm on the second floor, number 24. –H.G.
Hermione grinned. She thought she should be at least a little disgusted or appalled at what she'd gotten herself into, but instead, she felt a little excited. 'I wonder what Malfoy is going to be like,' she thought to herself.
And at six-forty, she knew.
At the exact time Malfoy had told her, she heard a rap on her door. She opened it, still brushing her hair, and found Malfoy standing there looking sharp. "Don't you look dashing," she said, and went back to the loo to finish brushing her hair.
"You look pretty," he replied warmly. Hermione began pinning up her fluffy hair. "Nice place you got here."
"Oh stop. You know you've got a better place than I do."
"True."
"Just sit on the chair and don't say a word."
"If that's what you want."
"I'll be just a bit."
It took her ten minutes, and she had put the Freezing Charm in her hair and smoothed down her dress before finally going out.
"All right, I'm ready."
"Finally," Draco groaned, and stood up and extended his arm to her. Hermione shot him a look and pulled on her cloak before walking ahead of him to the Floo.
"You first?" she asked, and he shook his head.
"Let's go together, yeah?"
Hermione rolled her eyes but complied, and threw the powder in. The two stepped into the green flames and said, "Ernie Macmillan Residence" before disappearing.
They arrived at Ernie's flat, coughing (he hadn't had enough time to clean out all the ashes and dust) and Draco helped dust off Hermione's dress after he dusted off his robes.
"If I'm to be your date, that means you'll have to stay by my side for most of the night," Draco whispered into her ear, and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Fine."
They walked together to the happy couple, and Hermione smiled brightly.
"Hannah! Ernie! Congratulations!" she exclaimed, kissing and hugging them both.
"Congratulations," Draco said, kissing Hannah and shaking hands with Ernie. "You both are very lucky."
Ernie grinned. "Thanks, mate. Means a lot that you two could come here and join the party."
"Yes, thank you for coming! Hermione, can I see you for a moment?" Hannah said, and she quickly took Hermione off to the side.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, a little confused.
"Are you here with Malfoy?" she asked, and Hermione reluctantly admitted it. Hannah grinned. "Oh, I knew it! There was something going on between you two!"
"No, no!" Hermione quickly stated. "There's nothing going on between us. We're just here as friends."
Hannah's smile diminished a little. "Oh, I see. Well, anyway, the reason I pulled you over here was to ask you; will you be my bridesmaid?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Hannah giggled.
"Of course I'll be one!" Hermione exclaimed. "Merlin, I'm so excited for you!"
"Oh, me too! I can't wait to get married!"
The two girls chatted a little more before going back to their dates.
"What was that all about?" Draco asked, and Hermione just shook her head.
"It was nothing. Come on."
Draco looked at her for a moment before smiling at the hosts. "Cheers, Ernie, Hannah."
"See you later. There's some of Ogden's Old and mead at the refreshment table, if you'd like." Ernie winked.
"Let's stay away from there, shall we, dear?" Hermione said and pulled him away. "Thank you for inviting us, Ernie and Hannah!" And they left their presence.
It was quite boring at first. There didn't seem to be anything to do except mingle and drink. So they finally went to the refreshment table to get some alcohol and food.
"A cup for the lady," Draco offered, and Hermione took it with a thankful nod. "I remembered you liked mead," he said, and Hermione nodded again.
"You have that right." She sipped the glass and sighed.
"If I get you drunk enough, will you dance with me?" he asked, smirking. Hermione frowned at him.
"No. I don't dance."
"That's a lie. Come, dance with me."
Hermione scoffed. "Nobody is dancing, Draco."
"Draco?"
"Yes, that's your name, isn't it?"
He laughed. "Are you a little drunk already?"
"No. Maybe. Who knows? Let's dance."
Draco laughed again and put their glasses down on the table. He offered his hand to her and Hermione sighed and took it. He twirled her around and Hermione couldn't help but giggle. They spun around a little more, moving around the living room, and people stopped to watch.
Ernie and Hannah laughed and cleared the living room before joining them. Others soon joined as well, dancing around happily, and someone turned the music louder. Hermione and Draco spun around, and Hermione laughed, finally having a fun time and forgetting why she didn't enjoy dancing at all.
It took a little while before they stopped, out of breath and laughing. Draco flopped down onto a chair, and Hermione accidentally fell onto his lap.
"Oh, sorry!" she exclaimed, and Draco just put his arms around her, smirking. "Let me up," she groaned.
"How about no?"
Hermione glared. "What if I want a butterbeer?"
Draco looked around. "Hey, Patil, mind getting two butterbeers for us?"
Padma raised her eyebrows at them, then smirked at Hermione who was shaking her head vigorously at her friend. "No problem, Malfoy," Padma said with a grin, and left for the refreshment table.
Draco grinned at Hermione. "No problem, Hermione," he repeated to her. She scowled, and he chuckled. "Relax! I'm not killing you."
She huffed. "You might as well be." She attempted to get up again, but he pulled her down. She tried a few more times before she finally frowned at him. "I would hex you, but I don't want to ruin Ernie and Hannah's party."
Draco smiled at her. "Keep telling yourself that."
Hermione sighed. Padma came with the drinks, and Hermione sighed again. "Padma, I think I'll need something stronger."
"Mead?"
"Perfect."
"How 'bout you, Malfoy?"
"I'll take the butterbeer. I don't want to get pissed tonight."
Padma grinned. "All right. Just call me when you want your cheque." Hermione smiled good-naturedly, and Padma left. Draco sipped the butterbeer and Hermione sighed once again. "I need to get drunk."
"Mm."
"Not around you, though. Let me up!"
She hit his arms, making him smirk. "Just give it a few minutes. You'll get used to it."
It took an hour and several cups of mead before Hermione finally relaxed. She closed her eyes and leant sideways against the wizard she was sitting on, her head in the crook of his neck. Draco chuckled at her and sipped his butterbeer. Even though his bum was getting a little sore, he'd rather be here with her on his lap than talking to anyone else. Not that they were talking at all. He stroked her hair before looking up and talking to someone nearby to alleviate his boredom.
Hermione finally stirred a little. "I'm tired," she whined, and Draco turned to her.
"You drank too much."
"I had to."
"No you didn't."
"Yeah, I did."
"We could have this argument all night."
"I'm too tired! Let me sleep!" She fell back onto Draco's shoulder. "You smell nice."
"Let's not start this again."
Hermione closed her eyes. "I am so…tired." She sighed wearily and seemed to be sleeping again. Draco chuckled at her.
"No more flirtatious, drunk Hermione?" he said, and she stirred again.
"No! Stop bothering me. Let me sleep."
"Aw, Hermione, give me a kiss and I'll let you sleep."
Hermione raised up her head and kissed his cheek before falling back onto his shoulder.
"Not good enough." He poked her stomach, and she flinched.
"Merlin!" she exclaimed. "What do you want?"
"I want a kiss. On the lips." He puckered his lips, and Hermione kissed him firmly. After a moment, she pulled away and fell back onto his shoulder.
Draco was a little breathless from her teasing little kiss, and he tried to lift her head to steal another. Hermione slapped him away with a whine. "I already kissed you! Let me sleep!"
"Hey, you need to give me another. It takes two."
"Are you kidding me?" she whined, lifting her head up. "I don't want to kiss you."
"Don't lie, Granger. You know you want to kiss me." He smirked at her, and he opened his mouth to say something more arrogant, when Hermione dropped her head against his. Draco winced. "Damnit Granger, that hurt! Watch where you drop your head."
"Poor baby," Hermione said mockingly, and kissed him. If Draco was surprised that she was kissing him again, he didn't act like it. He kissed her back ardently. She was actually kissing him, even though she was drunk, and this time, Draco could enjoy it without alcohol impairing his senses like last time.
They kissed for awhile until Ginny and Hannah both slapped Draco's head. Draco pulled away and looked at the witches, annoyed. "Can I help you?"
"Hullo Hannah and Ginny," Hermione said with a tipsy grin.
"Yes, you can help me. You can take Hermione home. And you better promise me you aren't going to take advantage of her," Hannah said.
"I won't," Draco said, looking at the witch on his lap. She was sleeping again.
"Take an Unbreakable Vow," Ginny said, narrowing her eyes. "I don't trust you especially from what I heard happened last time."
"I'm not drunk this time, Weasley. Don't worry. I won't take advantage of her."
"Unbreakable Vow," Hannah agreed.
"Hannah, isn't that just a little extreme in this case?" Ernie piped in, and Hannah turned on him.
"Ernie, I care about my friend! I don't want her to regret another night with Malfoy."
"Hannah! I care about her too. I won't take advantage of her, I swear," Malfoy said with an eye roll.
Both girls narrowed their eyes at him. "You better not be lying," Ginny replied.
Draco stood up and held Hermione up. Hermione groaned and shook her head. "What's happening?" she asked sleepily.
"You're going home," Ginny told her. "And if he takes advantage of you, you tell me!"
Hermione grinned, eyes still closed. "Okay."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Thanks for inviting us, Ernie. Goodbye Hannah, Weasley."
And he took the Floo to Hermione's flat.
-----------
don't forget to review!
