Chapter Two: "A Boat in Brighton"

"Draco, I understand you're upset, but can't you talk to us?"

Draco, who was combing his hair in the foyer mirror of Malfoy Manor, merely glared at his reflection so the looming Lucius could see his silent response.

"Sweetheart, this is for your own good," Narcissa chimed in, walking over to her husband from the stairs and putting her hands gently on his shoulder.

"My own good?" he spat, anger boiling up inside of him. "What you're asking of me is ludicrous."

"It's not ludicrous, son," Lucius replied, wearily rubbing his temples. He'd been trying to have a proper conversation for the entire day since he dropped the massive bombshell on Draco (with no avail). "You left school five years ago, we had high expectations for you that you are not living up to even a little bit. You should've foreseen this kind of discussion coming up."

"We still do have those expectations," Narcissa piped up, swatting Lucius on the back and smiling at her darling boy.

"Yes, of course we still do. We're taking action for the very reason that we have faith. It's simply that you've done nothing useful since your graduation day. You're a bright young lad, passed all 8 NEWTs you took – "

"Seven, actually, but thanks for pointing it out," Draco said flippantly, adjusting his shirt.

"Regardless –what's the matter with you? You could be doing so much more with yourself. You're acting like a rebellious teenager; not an adult."

"What your father is trying to say Draco, is that we're worried about you. You stay in your bedroom all hours of the day, your friends never come over, if you go out it's only to party. You're wasting your life away. This is an intervention of sorts. It's necessary; for your own good."

"Yes, I heard you the first time," he exhaled. Suddenly the bell rang, and Draco was immensely relieved to have a way out of this conversation. "That will be Pansy."

Narcissa edged away to go get their visitor, but Draco swiveled around and strode quickly past her; "I'll get it."

He opened the door to reveal Pansy, in the outfit he picked out for her. She looked radiant, he had to admit. He quickly got outside and shut the door to block out his parents, appraising her properly.

Her sleek black hair was done up in a perfect chignon. Her makeup must've taken an hour as it looked 'natural', an effect Draco knew to take forever.

"You look fantastic," he grinned, wherein she smiled coyly and did a spin round.

The dress they picked was sailor inspired, classic. A tight navy blue number with a pencil skirt and short sleeves, double breasted buttons on the bodice. The shining highlight was the giant ruffle around her collar outlined in white stripes that tapered into a v-neck. When Draco saw it, he knew it would be appropriate, and he knew she'd love how campy it was.

"I do, don't I? You look so cute. I can't believe you wore it." She rubbed his stomach and kissed his cheek; he rolled his eyes and grimaced.

"Neither can I, really."

He didn't want to look 'cute', he wore a purposely matchy and preposterous ensemble to piss off the people that would be at Blaise's party. At first Pansy pointed out the outfit and he thought it was a joke. But when he realized she was serious, the potential to make the Slytherin circle uncomfortable to be seen with someone wearing something so outlandish was too great. He couldn't pass it up. He also had to keep Pansy at bay if he wanted to waltz onto that yacht and not be kicked off; she was his only defense, he must keep her pleased.

The getup in question involved a red sailor's necktie complete with the square flap in the back. The rest of his outfit matched Pansy's exact hue of blue; a sleeveless shirt with pleated pants that had two rows of gold buttons on his hips. He forgoed the sailing hat at the last second because it was a tad too far into ridiculous, but sported the shiny black boat shoes.

"So are you ready to go? Why are we out here?"

"I have some terrible news to lay on you Pans, it has to do with dear old dad and mum. But I don't want to discuss it right now. So, let's go, let's go, let's go! Quickly inside. Have the invitation plus one?"

She gave him an odd look and nodded slowly. He pummeled the door back open and pulled her by the hand to the fireplace steadfast.

"Hi Pansy dear, oh you look lovely!" Narcissa called gaily.

"Thank you Narcissa darling, hello Lucius," she waved, confused. If there was some terrible news, why didn't they look sad?

"Evening, Pansy. Hope you're doing well," Lucius nodded, then turned to his son. "Draco, this conversation isn't over. I'm very annoyed with how you've chosen to react to us, and we need to discuss it."
Lucius was staring sternly at him, and Pansy rarely had seen him so serious, the throaty drawl had all but disappeared. She flickered her gaze to Draco who remained stone faced.

"Oh, Lucius, don't be rude in front of our guest. Don't sully their outing!" Truth be told, Narcissa was glad Draco was finally having some frequent social interaction. Especially with a girl. "Do have fun! But don't drink too much, it's sloppy."

She was doing what she always did; correcting her husband's too-harsh behaviour. And Lucius responded how he always did, by shaking his head and giving up. He walked away into the sitting room, calling their house elf Rigby to get him a gin and tonic.

Pansy held back a snicker. She absolutely adored the ongoing verbal contradiction between the Malfoy elders towards their son. No wonder he was so unsure of himself.

"Yes, thank you, mother," Draco said a little pink faced, grabbing the floo powder. "Royal Oak Yacht Marina, Brighton, England."

He thrust it into the fire and they were gone.

They reappeared inside an ornate ballroom, filled with few people. Pansy insisted they be early. She didn't tell Draco, but Blaise had told her to meet up with the Slytherin's beforehand. The plan was to board by 7 so they could ship off and view the sunset in the English Channel by 9.

"Invitation, Miss?" A security guard in crew attire asked Pansy, smiling delightfully at her as they stepped out from the fireplace. "Sir?"

"Pansy Parkinson, and this is my guest for the evening. Draco Malfoy," she said, handing out the parchment from her clutch. He ticked her name off the list on his clipboard and checked a guest box on the next page.

"Thank you. Just so you're aware, wands will be collected at the loading dock. The boat's being prepped; we're beginning to board in 10 minutes. Enjoy your night."

"Thanks," Pansy said, locking arms with Draco and leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Draco, do you want to tell me what that fuss was about back there?"

"I promise you I will, after tonight. So don't pry," he murmured through gritted teeth.

"Sorry, it just – it seems like a big deal. We can talk about it if it's bothering-"

"I said not tonight!"

"Oh look, there's the gang!" She deftly recovered herself while pointing to a circle of the last people Draco wanted to see on planet earth. And steering him towards them.

Blaise Zabini, their host, stood confidently with a gaggle of old schoolmates. The group included Theodore Nott, his girlfriend Astoria Greengrass, Astoria's younger sister Daphne with her escort Adrian Pucey, and Crabbe and Goyle with their (in Draco's opinion) hideous dates.

As he strode as nonchalantly as possible over to them, he savoured the flummoxed looks on their faces at his presence. He wasn't extended an invite after all. And he hadn't seen them all in over 3 months. His birthday was a few weeks ago, but he refused a grandiose party. Last time they'd all met was when they came to his manor for cocktails. Even then he only showed his face for ten minutes to grab crab cakes before retreating back to his bedroom.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up," came the obnoxious voice of Theodore, who was checking Draco up and down.

Draco loathed him to no end. He was a stringy, greasy weasel whose holier-than-thou attitude rubbed him in all the wrong ways. Draco was as conceited as the next rich kid, but he certainly could admit to it, and he was not a class A douche.

"Nice outfit, Salty the sea dog."

The crowd snickered at him, but Draco was expecting jeers, in fact he wanted them. Anything to fuel his fire, to distract him from his horrible morning.
"Thanks, Theodore. Nice mauve polo. Really goes well with your khakis," he replied earnestly.

Adrian snorted quite loudly into his drink earning him a slap on the chest from Daphne. Draco smiled widely and chanced a look at Pansy who was trying not to giggle.

She instantly clammed up however and looked away when she caught Blaise's steely glare directed towards her.

"Yes it's been a while, friends. You all look well." And they did. Draco had to admit that the ladies and lads were impeccably dressed. "Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Draco Malfoy." He held out his hand to the two unknown witches (Drusilla and Arabella) who blushed and shook it while Crabbe and Goyle sneered at his nerve.

Then there was the required awkward silence that ensues when you're confronted with somebody whose only value so far in life was comedic relief and drama stirring. Draco of course knew that's what he was to them and interrupted it after grabbing two glasses of wine off a waiter's tray, one for him and one for Pansy.

"Nice place this is, Zabini. Fancy. By the way, have a chance to look at my letters yet?" Draco asked innocently, passing a drink to his date, causing Blaise to tighten his grip on the champagne he was holding. But he was a gracious host, he plastered on a grin.

"Never got them," he replied loosely. "Pansy I have a question for you, can I see you for a moment? You lot can probably go on the deck now, we'll be loading soon." He waved them along and dragged Pansy to the side. Draco was about to shake his head, disappointed he failed to rouse him. Instead he widened his eyes at the sight of a dressed up Dean Thomas coming out of the fire, accompanied by one unknown man and the Patil twins.

"What are they doing here?" he asked more to himself than anyone else.

"Didn't you know old chap?" Theodore remarked, enjoying himself at Draco's sudden change in temperament. "There are going to be lots of kids from Hogwarts here. An informal reunion as it were. Too bad you weren't aware. Shame, you'd know that if you'd received an official invite."

He patted Draco stiffly on the shoulder and hissed, "Better leave before you embarrass yourself, Malfoy, mm?" then strode off with his clique, feeling triumphant as he left the clown standing there alone. The last thing Theodore wanted was the attention centred on such an unworthy candidate.

Draco meanwhile set his jaw and crossed his arms, ignoring the grimace his Gryffindor and Ravenclaw peers gave him as they passed by him and waved to Blaise. He was training his gaze on Pansy, who had now royally pissed off the two worst people she could have; her date and the host.

A Hogwarts Reunion?

His first instinct was to get the hell out of there, but Theo Nott had issued a challenge. He was not going to do the sensible thing and leave with dignity. He was not going to admit defeat. He'd be sociable and prove his fair-weather friends wrong. Show them he didn't care if they thought him to be infantile and stupid. He was going to stir up some fun. He may as well now while he still had the chance.

Back in London, Hermione was sitting on the bathroom counter in her apartment while Ginny made some finishing touches on her makeup.

"Close your eyes, just have to fix the eyeliner, smudged it a bit when I curled your lashes." Hermione obliged, flinching a bit. She always found the liquid on her eyelid an odd sensation. When she was finished, Hermione blinked and looked in the mirror.

She liked what she saw; her makeup, clothes and hair ten times more put together than normal. But as per usual, compared to Ginny she felt like a pile of dragon dung. It was a silly insecurity, she tried time and time again to get over it. It was an emotion that always seemed to linger.

To her, Ginny was the whole package. She was strong, courageous, kind and, most of all, accepting; rarely judgemental. She was the greatest friend and flatmate a girl could ask for.

It just bothered Hermione that she also got to be drop dead gorgeous. The epitome of beauty. Bright scarlet hair, a freckled face that required mascara to take her from average to breath taking and a bronzed, fit physique from flying all day outside.

So unfair.

"What do you think?" Ginny asked, looking at her expectantly and popping her out of her self-loathing bubble.

Hermione also knew that Ginny couldn't freaking help winning the genetic lottery, so she never held it against her because she simply had no time for bitchiness.

"It's great," she grinned. Ginny beamed at the compliment and shook her fists giddily in front of her in anticipation.

"Yay! I'm glad."

Ginny was sporting a white lace sundress with a tight bodice and flowy skirt that they'd bought together last Sunday. She looked natural and amazing, in Hermione's opinion.

Hermione had no luck shopping, so Ginny had lent Hermione a royal blue wrap dress with long sleeves, white polka dots all over it. It was tasteful and not too loud, which Hermione appreciated. She asked Ginny for help to look good, but she wanted to be comfortable.

Harry was busy sitting at the island in their kitchen, tilting the stool back and forth with his feet, anxiously waiting for the girls to finish getting ready.

Ron had decided to ask out his old girlfriend to accompany him to the event as Blaise allowed an extra guest for Harry's party. So now Lavender Brown was sitting on his fiancée's couch. Harry found this surreal given Ron couldn't shut up about maybe, possibly asking Hermione as his date.

He knew Hermione didn't give a rat's ass though, that she was coming. He could tell she was tired of Ron constantly falling for her and then snapping out of it. Guess he was on the latter emotion this week.

Lavender giggled at something Ron was saying and stroked his upper thigh, leaning in to whisper in his ear. Harry muttered a 'nope,' under his breath and scooted away into the loo, going to check on the others.

"Hey Gin, you almost done? It's 6:45 so we should probably get…." He paused, catching a glimpse of Ginny in her full effect when he poked his head around the door. "Wow, you look amazing."

She grinned bashfully and walked over to peck him chastely.

"Thanks, Harry. I think we're about finished, yeah?"

Hermione refrained from making a comment about how funny she found the two. Every time Harry was away from her for a second, he'd come back to see Ginny and say she was beautiful. And every time Ginny would blush and kiss him. It was adorably nauseating.

She hopped off the counter and scrunched her hair to see if the hairspray she used was holding.
"Yes, I think so. Time to go and mingle with the social elite," she laughed, putting on a posh accent.

"You look very nice too, Hermione," Harry smiled. Hermione thanked him and Ginny winked, happy her attempt to make her fabulous was working.

They walked back into the living room to witness some passionate snogging, so Harry cleared his throat.

"We're gonna be late," he scolded as Ron and Lavender pulled away looking sheepish.

"Hi ladies," Lavender greeted, waving as they stood up. She was wearing a lavender (fancy that) top with black shorts, her long blonde hair in soft curls.

"Hey," Hermione and Ginny said in unison, Ginny less keen than her roommate.

Ginny had never taken a liking to the girl, having to deal with her dumb remarks and PDA at family functions and on double dates for nearly 3 years. Hermione, on the other hand, actually thought she was a lot of fun. There was a time she was resentful of her, wishing she could be in her place, but it was juvenile envy. Once she got her own first love, experiencing what her best friends had, it went away.

Lavender was enthusiastic about even the smallest things, it was a great dissonance from the people Hermione worked with every day. It could get a bit annoying in a prolonged period of time, but luckily she never had to deal with that.

"Aren't you just super excited? I've never been on a yacht before, I've never been to Brighton!"

Harry smirked at Ginny and Ron turned pink a little, noticing their silent mocking.

"I am, I haven't been there either," Hermione replied kindly.

As they walked to the fireplace, they all felt an odd sense of nervousness. They were going to a high-class shindig, and none of them had ever partaken in one. Nobody knew the protocol.

Harry uttered the location straight away so they had no time to dwell on the strangeness of the company they were about to be in.

They arrived to the ballroom, now empty save for Blaise talking to Pansy and Draco standing in the corner waiting for her.

Blaise was sighing quietly."Pansy, I thought you were bringing Sergei, not this idiot."

"Sergei is in Russia, I hardly think he would be interested in a 4 hour event. Besides, you saw him what, once? You barely even know him. What's wrong with Draco?" She knew very well what was wrong with him, but she wanted to hear Blaise's explanation.

"Draco is…he's not one of us," Blaise said matter-of-factly. "I don't want him here if he doesn't fit in. Everyone I invited is working a good job or contributing to society. What has Draco done since school? Nothing. Has he been nice to any of us? No. He has no redeeming qualities, he doesn't actually like any of us, he only agreed to come here to piss me off and get free drinks."

"He likes me, actually. And he'd like you too if you didn't constantly act like he was beneath you. I won't let him harass anyone alright, I happen to be worried about his sanity. With 'us' is where he belongs, and you know it. So accept that and shove it, Blaise."

Blaise noticed who the security was handling, and so he didn't raise his voice like he was internally planning. Instead he instructed her to go away and turned with a smile to Harry Potter and friends.

Pansy rolled her eyes but obliged and walked over to Draco to drag him outside.

"God he's difficult," she complained as they got out into the fading sunlight. "And such a pretentious dick. He didn't want to invite you because you didn't have a job. Who cares anyways? Adrian doesn't have one and he's still here. And furthermore…" She kept on rambling to cover up his quiet.

"Pansy," he stopped her in front of the ramp before they were forced to join people. "Why didn't you tell me this was a 'reunion'? I know you knew, don't pretend otherwise."

Draco was fast regretting his decision to be rash now that he saw the 'Golden Trio' walk in. For some reason they intimidated him, though he'd never admit to it.

"I knew you wouldn't come if I told you Potter and company were coming," she said simply. He emitted a tsk of annoyance.

"Of course I wouldn't! Why would I want to associate with the goody goody dingleberries from our past lives?"

Pansy put on a guise of defeat. She hunched her shoulders.

"Look Draco, I hate seeing you so lonely all the time, alright. I'm trying to get you out so you see that it isn't so bad. I – I miss having you around every day like we used to, it gets awfully boring. Years fly by and you realize how the times have changed. The group isn't the same without you."

Draco paused.
"Well don't worry, I won't be at home for much longer," he stated begrudgingly, softening a bit at her rare honesty. "I can see you a lot more."

"What? Why?"

"Let's get on the yacht."

He moved past her and handed in his wand to the crew, going on deck and straight to the bartender for more wine. No, actually, he made it a rye and coke.

He avoided Pansy for the time being and found Adrian conversing with Miles Bletchley, whom he always managed to get on with. They had a conversation about Quidditch until Blaise got on to make the first speech to everyone.

He clinked his glass and welcomed the guests. "Evening, my friends. I'm glad to see you all here tonight. I know you don't want to hear me ramble for a lengthy time, so i'll keep this short and sweet. Open bar is on the lower deck, the food is at the stern deck. Please don't lean too far over the ship when you've had a few, we don't want any men or women overboard." A small chuckle resonated through the crowd. "This is our captain for the night, Christian."

He pointed to the man and his sailors, who nodded to applause.

"The music for the evening will be provided by none other than the Weird Sisters. Enjoy yourselves, please!"

He pointed to the bow and the most famous band in the wizarding world began to play their new hit single, "Full Moon."

Half an hour later and the festivities were in full swing. The sweet sea air filled everyone's lungs and the splash of the waves created a nice atmosphere. Blaise had quickly done the obligatory walk around to make nice with all his guests, and everyone had now settled into their separate groups. Most were watching the band play, others were gorging on fresh seafood and expensive champagne.

The Slytherin circle was busy doling out their usual comments about others appearances on the lower floor. Draco found himself stuck within it for nobody wanted to talk to him besides Adrian, nor did he want to talk to anyone else. His plan for the moment was failing but the party had only just started.

"Oh Pansy, I meant to say it earlier, but I just love your dress. You always have the best outfits. Wherever did you find it?"

"Well thank you, love. But I didn't find it, Draco did," Pansy responded to Daphne, gazing up at Draco adoringly. "At Olivetti's, really great Italian shop that does seasonal styles."

"Draco found it?" Theo relished in this new development. "Oh Draco, you never told me you were one of the ladies."

"Play nice, sweetie," Astoria scolded, playing with Pansy's hem. "You have impeccable taste, Draco. Very nice. Maybe you should pick out my dresses once in a while."

Theo choked on the shrimp cocktail he was drinking. "Why? You have good taste already."

"Of course she does. That's not the point," Daphne laughed with Flora Carrow, who'd come with Miles.

"Yes, boys have a different sense of what looks good on a girl than girls do. It's nice to have an outside perspective."

"Exactly!" Pansy giggled. "That's what I said."

"Well the outside perspective shouldn't be a gay one," he snorted. Everyone looked at each other wearily. Theo always made bigoted jokes he thought everyone enjoyed. They put up with it because he never got it through his head that he was being offensive.

"I assure you, though it wouldn't matter, I'm straight," Draco said, no trace of annoyance in his voice.

"Whatever you say," Theo chuckled. "Well, maybe we can pay the kid for it, Stor. You don't have a job yet, do you Malfoy?"

Draco nodded, appreciating the eye-roll Adrian was giving Theo. "Hey, you could do that for a living. Now that'd be a sight. Why don't you? A personal stylist. How muggle-esque."

"Now now, he would be doing a great service. Merlin knows there are some poor souls in desperate need out there," Flora said with a raised brow, looking over at Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan.

"True that. Did you see what Ron Weasley was wearing?" Daphne giggled, thinking of his striped jumper and ugly tweed pants.

"Oh god, that whole troupe was awful. Lavender really needs to ditch that shiny shirt, and Granger?" Pansy noted. "Mm."

"Speaking of Hermione," Blaise interrupted impassively. "I'm going to ask her out."

The group wouldn't have been more surprised if he had said that he was secretly a goblin disguised as a human. The silence was palpable until Pansy blurted out, "Hermione? Why her?"

"She's smart, sensible, successful, and she's nice. Unlike some. She's also reliable. Remember Theo, when she got me out of the Italian jam, completely damage free from a major legal matter? We kept in touch. She's good girlfriend material. Why wouldn't I ask her out? Because she's muggle born?" he asked testily, making most of them look to the floor.

"No, because she's incredibly boring." Draco replied, sipping his drink.

Pansy snorted, but Blaise ignored them.

"I need a woman who is working towards something. I don't see you girls doing anything worthwhile. Now if you'll excuse me." And with that he sauntered over to Hermione and Ginny, leaving the Slytherin ladies outraged.

"That man is obsessed with proving himself," Daphne murmured. "Needs a perfect little girlfriend for his perfect philanthropic life."

"He's got a point you know. Once I started working for him, and became his partner, I felt useful. Much better than sitting around all day just – oof!" Astoria smacked Theo on his head and hmphed her way over to the bar again.

Draco snickered and joined her, Pansy quickly in tow. She felt she had to watch her date like a hawk with a vulnerable, angry Slytherin girlfriend drinking vodka cranberries.

Over on the main deck, Ginny noticed the host had resurfaced to join the common plebeians. His face lit up slightly when he spotted them.

"Blaise is coming over," Ginny giggled. Hermione's eyes grew wide. "No, don't turn around. Be cool."

"Hi ladies, enjoying the sunset?" Blaise asked a bit lamely, coming over with a charming smile.

"Yes, it's quite beautiful," Ginny commented. "Hermione loves the ocean, did you know?"

Hermione found herself unusually tongue tied, nodding sincerely even if it was a slight exaggeration.

"No, I didn't. Maybe you should join me out here more," he said directly to her, staring into her eyes.

"Oh, you know what, this is my favourite Weird Sister's song and Harry looks awkward standing beside Ron and Lavender, excuse me." Hermione blushed but laughed at her friend's very unsubtle attempt to get them alone.

Ginny danced off to Harry who was leaning against the railing by the band's raised stage. He was sipping on wine while he observed the slowly inebriating crowd.

"Having fun?" Ginny sang. "Sorry for leaving you, just had to vent about ol' Lav over there."

"It's fine," Harry replied, shaking his head. He could very well see why Ginny found Lavender tiresome. She was cackling loudly and dancing raunchily after 2 margaritas. "Merlin, I thought it would be more fun to be on a boat with good music. All I've had is people making idle chit chat with me all night and you know I suck at that. They've all walked away after 2 minutes of failed conversation."

"People just love trying to get an in with you," Ginny chuckled, rubbing his arm. "Don't feel bad. It's not like there are people we really know here, yeah?"

"Just Dean and Parvati," Harry sighed. Both Ginny and Hermione had dated Dean. The group had never quite managed to get comfortable around him again since.

"Luna would've made this party fun. So would Fred and George, actually. But I think save for some of Blaise's friends, he invited mostly people from your year," Ginny noted.

Luna indeed would've made the night more memorable, but Harry knew Blaise thought she was too eccentric for his crowd.
"Yeah, it would've been nice seeing her. Neville too, actually. Even Seamus or Cho. Oh, come on," he said at the sour look on her face. "Are we going to be teenagers forever?"

"No, but I think she still has a thing for you," Ginny ribbed. "Speaking of, Blaise definitely has a thing for our resident book worm. Look at them."

Harry glanced over. "Oh, so that's why you came over here, not cause you actually wanted to see me," he teased.

"I think he's going to ask her out, alright. Didn't want to be in the way." They watched the body language of the two. Blaise was leaning in to her, she was looking shy but not pulling away. Yes, it was clear there was a frission there.

"I just hope if they start dating we don't have to hang out with the Slytherin gang," Harry grimaced. "Last thing I want is to rub elbows with Theodore Nott."

"Oh, if it comes to that we'll suck it up. It might be fun anyways. Did you see what Malfoy was wearing?" she laughed aloud, causing Harry to smirk.

"Always has to be the centre of attention that one. Always ends up looking like a fool."

"Mmhm. But I must admit that I do like Pansy's matching outfit. She looks beautiful. If I didn't hate her guts I'd ask her where she got it."

"Trust me, you're much more beautiful than her," Harry smiled at Ginny.

She smiled back and then suddenly perked up. "Look, they're coming over to dance! Wanna join them? We still have a few hours, may as well get crazy."

Harry turned round and saw that Hermione was being guided by Blaise to the queue of careless couples, including Ron and Lavender. She was smiling brightly, flushing as everyone focused their gaze on them.

"Yeah, why not." Screw it, he thought. You only get invited to pretentious parties a few times in your life.

He set his drink down and Ginny pulled him into the crowd. She looked over at Hermione and had a question on her expression. Did he ask you out? And did you say yes?

Hermione nodded and winked, wherein Ginny felt very ecstatic for her friend. A particularly rhythmic song came on and the dance floor got into the spirit.

Everyone was having a good time and nearly an hour flew by as the sun went down.

The flow was interrupted as a very smashed Draco Malfoy stumbled onto the deck as the band took a break. Pansy was following behind him, a little apprehensive at Blaise's pending reaction.

"Heyyy, Blaise!" he shouted, walking over to talk to the host. "We're settled yeah? We're – we're not moving the boat anymore. Can I go for a swim then?"

Blaise looked very irritated at him and shook his head slowly as Draco grinned at him goofily.

"C'monnnn, the water's gotta be very warm tonight. Look at how nice the sky is! I wanna be in the pretty ocean!" he begged.

"Well you can't. Against the captain's rules."

"Damn, everyone's so uptight!"

"You can't swim anyways, Malfoy. You're completely knackered."

"Oh, I'll be fine. I've been wayyy worse than this," he grinned, looking at everyone for reassurance that he had indeed drank more than 5 whiskey drinks before.

A small audience was gathered around the conversation now. Many chuckled at it, some were frowning, like Hermione, at the uncouth display of behaviour.

"I said no."

"You're so unexciting!" Draco humphed, stamping his foot like a child.

"Draco, come on, you've had way too much." Pansy was simultaneously mortified and amused, she herself tipsy. But she didn't want to cause any more trouble, so she tried dragging her date away. Draco shook her off.

"Blaise, please? Pleassseeeeeee."

"Fine!" Blaise snapped, losing his temper. He figured Draco just wanted to provoke him so he said: "Jump in. Drown for all I care. But I'm not coming to get you, and I'm not responsible for your idiocy."

"You're the best. You know? You're good men," Draco slurred, patting Blaise on the back and walked away with Pansy, who wasn't sure what to do.

Blaise turned around and gave Hermione a look of exasperation.
She shrugged and reached out for his hands.
"Sorry about him, you know some people just never grow up and – "

"NO, DON'T!"

"Stop!"

Everyone swiveled around to see what Astoria and Pansy were yelling at. Horrified, they were watching Draco perched on the boat's bars, about to dive into the sea.

Pansy tried to grab his hands but he was far too high and she feared if she clutched his leg he'd collapse for sure. The captain and crew Blaise had hired didn't manage to make it from the front of the vessel in time.

Draco kicked off his shoes and then launched himself off the two story boat into the sparkling blue waves.

Everyone in the vicinity rushed to the edge, waiting anxiously for him to resurface.

The submerged Slytherin was immensely enjoying himself and was not sinking at all. He loved the way underwater looked when the setting sun shone through it. Many times he had unwisely jumped into the lake in his home while intoxicated to practice swimming and see the view.

He knew that everyone would be watching him, wearily or not, so he stayed under for longer than he should purposely. This was the kind of stirring Blaise's lame party needed.

When he knew his lungs might give, he kicked his feet and his head hit the cooling air. He went into a backstroke as he heard collective sighs from the guests up above.

"I'm going to kill you! You fucking scared the living daylight out of me!" Pansy shrieked at him.

"You should come down here, Pans. The water's amazing!"

Adrian and Miles were laughing uncontrollably at his antics now that they saw he was okay.

"You should invite him out more, Blaise. He certainly makes a party memorable," he heard one of them say.

After a few more minutes of him dicking around, the captain threw in a life vest so they could pull him back up. He disapproved of Draco's actions, but found it the highlight of the very dry evening he was having so far with the host's company.

Pansy had a towel ready and wrapped it around him as she slapped him.

"Ow." Draco rubbed his face.

Then she hugged him. "You stupid moron, I swear to Merlin."

She guided him below so he could sit on a wooden bench so not to soak it. Soon Blaise found his way down after making apologies, completely livid.

"You two, get the hell off my boat!" Blaise seethed. "This is the last time I'll ever tolerate you intruding on my affairs if you continue to act like a child!"

"Hey! You said I could jump in," Draco laughed, not taking him seriously, which only infuriated Blaise more.

"Blaise, nobody is mad, they all have something to talk about later over tea or lunch in their boring lives," Pansy tried to soothe him. It didn't work.

"Just get out of my fucking face, alright? You violated the boat's rules, and my rules. Pansy, I expected more from you. I thought you were finally doing some good for yourself when you moved out and started seeing somebody worthwhile. God, when will you two ever grow up?"

He threw their wands at the ground and stormed back up to the main deck leaving the medic who was checking Draco feeling very ill at ease.

"Well, he's fine…" he observed after his heart rate and core temperature were normal, putting his tools away.

"Thank you very much. Come on, Draco. If he doesn't want us here, let's just leave. Oh, you're sopping. I don't think your mother would like seeing you in this state…You can come back to my place." She steadied him onto his feet, wrapped her arm around his shoulder and gripped her wand and his.

They used the evacuation fireplace and floo'd into her apartment, magically set for her entrance only. The place was grandiose and surprisingly modern, but she rarely had company as she was rarely home. This was the first time Draco had been here.

"This is a nice place. Can I – can I lay down please?" His head was spinning after the swift changes in temperature.

She steered him into her room, but onto a sofa instead of her bed. It was the most comfortable one in the house, the living room one stiff from lack of use.

He immediately tore his shirt off, it was making his stomach itchy and dry, and lay back onto a cushion.

Pansy gulped, feeling her heart race, and checked herself out in the mirror to see if she looked great still. She was overwhelmed with lust, urged on from the alcohol, and didn't even care he was soaking her sofa. It was a bad idea bringing him home.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Pansy, I don't want to get a job," Draco whined out of the blue instead of responding. She scrunched her features and made her way over to him, sitting beside him. "Damn my feet hurt, stupid tight shoes."

"You don't have to, love," She replied, and grabbed his foot in hers to slowly massage his arch. "Why are you worried about it?"

"Uh," he groaned loudly, making Pansy grow wet. "That feels so good. And I do have to. That's what my ma and pa were going on about before you came over. It's what I didn't want to tell you."

"What? They're forcing you to get a job!?" She asked outraged, though happy he spilled the beans. It was gnawing at her all night what his hushed up problems were.

"Mm, yeah. Don't stop please." Pansy switched feet. "That's not all either. I have to move out!" he hiccupped. "And that's fine and dandy because they're going to pay my rent. But until I do so whilst finding a profession, they're cutting me off completely. So now I need to find something that pays well and I need to learn how to live by myself. I understand they're worried about me and blah blah blah, but they expect me to do this on my own and they never taught me anything valuable to get started. It's going to be sooo badddd," he cried in his pathetic drunken stupor.

"That's horrible, Draco," Pansy admitted quietly. "I'll help you…if you want, that is."

"Oh, you're so nice to me Pansy," Draco said happily. "You're my only friend, you know? Did you know that? I don't want to end up like the rest of those guys, I'm so glad you haven't yet."

He sat up with difficulty and leaned over to grasp her tightly, leaning his head on her shoulder.

"Yes. Your friend." Pansy whispered miserably.

"I think I'm going to do what Theo-boy suggested," Draco murmured into Pansy's neck, making her spine tingle.

"Which is?" She asked confused, moving him so he was sitting up again. She then stood up, not letting her hormones take control of her and walked to her bed.

"Be a stylist," he said simply.

Though it shocked her, she found the notion oddly fitting. It was definitely something he'd be great at.

"Really? Do you think your parents would be okay with that? I mean it's not exactly a career path that exists for wizards, is it?"

"I don't give a fuck. My parents can suck it. If they're making me leave, I get to choose what I want. I'm good at it. No ministry job for me, I can start a business like Blaise!" he said, pointing a finger in the air dramatically.

"But what about the, erm, market?"

"Hey, if I can do it for you, who doesn't really need it, I can do it for other people. Just need good advertising. You don't think I can do it, do you?" he asked, sitting up straighter, staring at her with glazed eyes.

"Draco, of course I do. I never said you'd be bad at it. I just need to make sure you want to you know?" she assured him, thinking he'd probably forget all about this in the morning.

"Okay," he smiled, standing up and walking over to her. He fell chest first onto the bed and closed his eyes. "You're just so great. Looking out for me and stuff."

Pansy felt the alcohol pounding in her head and blurted out, "If I'm so great, why don't you like me?"

She knew he wasn't toying with her feelings on purpose, but he had to stop being kind only to her. It made her feel special, and she hated it.

"I do like you, though, what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. I know you know I – that I want you. You only come to see me, you never go out with girls. With anyone. Why? Why is that? We kissed once, was I really that bad? I've been clear with my feelings. Haven't I? What's the problem with me?"

Draco sighed and turned on his back to look at her hovering over him, her blue eyes brimming with tears.

"Nothing, nothing is wrong with you. I just don't feel that way. I never have, and I'm sorry. It's the truth. I'm not going to use you or lie to you, Pans."

"Well I wish you would," she murmured, lying next to him, frustrated she didn't get the thing she wanted to have.

"You have a boyfriend, anyways. You've had plenty in fact, and you always end it, right? They loved you, didn't they? Sergei must be good if he's lasted a while."

It surprised Pansy how innocent Draco sounded about relationships. She didn't think any of them truly loved her, she was just good at fucking. Sure she ended it, but there were barely any hard feelings.

"He's fine. But he doesn't spark me the way you do. Nobody's come close yet…."

"Maybe it's because you've known me forever," Draco tried, feeling very unsure of what to say. He really disliked the idea that somebody could truly be saying such good things about him. That she seemed to like him so much. He felt he didn't deserve it.

"But it's not why. I've known Theo forever too. I've known plenty of boys. Look, I know you say you don't feel that way, but how could you know for sure if you've never given me a chance?"

Draco, his mind reeling with a mix of a headache, whiskey and confusion, became still.
"W-what do you mean?" he asked.

She leaned over him, tucked a stray hair behind her ear and bit her lip. Slipping her hand gently over his chest, ghosting his skin, the hairs stood on end.

His breath stopped. He'd never let someone be close to him like this, never had the chance.

She teased his nipples with steady fingers, making him whimper before moving in to press her lips to his. His body was responding to the pleasurable feeling she was giving him below the neck, but alarm bells were going off in his head.

"Pansy –" he pulled his head away, but she ignored the action.

"I'm the first one to show you how good this feels, aren't I?" she whispered into his ear. He felt his chest beating fast, his breathing becoming ragged as she edged her hand lower and lower. She stroked his cock over his pants, making his stomach jump with arousal.

He couldn't stop the groans that she'd freed from him, and in her head, it meant he wanted it to happen. Gently nipping his lobes, pecking his jaw line, seducing him as she only knew how. He moved his hand to her shoulder, trying to keep her at bay, but she shrugged it off.

At last, she lost all reservation pushing her hand through his wet briefs and got a handle on his warm, pulsing penis.

It was growing harder by the second, and she felt her clit becoming drenched with desire at every gasp Draco made. Draco didn't know how to feel. This was nice, and if it happened he knew he'd enjoy it, but it wasn't meant to be like this, wasn't supposed to be with her. Yet sex was meant to be with somebody who cares, and clearly she did.

She really wanted to see it.

Yanking his trousers down, she felt great relish in the fact she was the first female to view it as is popped out of his underwear.
She smiled at the sight, pleased. Somehow she always felt he`d be packing something good. It was an average length, but it was quite thick, which matched her preference.

Making him squirm with her skilled fingers, she began to pump his cock harder and harder, causing him to wriggle beneath her firm grasp.

She thought he was reacting out of delight until she caught the look on his face. Immediately she felt shamed.
He was frowning, flushed, and he looked guilty.

Wasted, the taste of her lips wasn't enough to let him know that this wouldn't be a mistake. Drunk, he still knew in the morning he'd feel like scum if he followed through with it, he didn't love or want her, he just wanted somebody.

And Pansy was being selfish. She let go of his dick, silently regretting that she didn't get to lick it, and stood up.

Completely at a loss of what to say to him, walking away into the guest room was her only option, just leaving him there. She began to feel overcome with sadness. Began to cry at her foolishness, slumping on the four poster by the window, gazing at the night solemnly.

"God, what am I doing?"

She'd cheated.

And the worst part was Draco hadn't even wanted to do it.
No, actually, the worst part is she wouldn't feel bad if he had, she was sour he didn't return her love. She wasn't a good person.

Could she blame it on the alcohol?

Yes, though it was still a horrible thing to do. But many had done it before. And she didn't know how much Sergei cared about her yet.
How could she forget that she liked him though? Quite a bit more than her usual boyfriend.
Losing him over a rash decision to prove a failed point would be something she'd regret forever..

She didn't know what she was going to do the next morning, but she damn well hoped Draco wouldn't remember, and by god, if she had a hangover, she was going to punch Blaise in the face next time she saw him.