Disclaimer

The characters and world in this story all belong solely to JK Rowling.

It was bright. Really bright. I managed to pull my heavy eyes apart and the blinding light shining in through the window hit me right in the face.

"Ugh…Lav pull the curtain please." I mumbled whilst pulling my sheet right up over my head. I waited for a reply and suddenly realised there wasn't any movement in the room. Confused, I sat up fast which earned me a major head rush. Oh Merlin my head was pounding. Confused and dizzy I searched the room with my eyes. No one was here… I'M LATE FOR CLASS! I jumped out of bed and ignored my disorientation. As I rushed around trying to make myself look presentable all I could think about was that I'd never been even a minute late to school in my entire life. I was never going to drink again. Ten minutes after I'd woken up I was racing down the stairs, doing my tie up as I went. However, as I stepped into the common room a sudden sense of realisation crashed down on me. It was Saturday… and the common room was full of Gryffindor's staring at me with confusion. How on earth had I forgotten what day it was? Turning in horror, I raced back up the stairs and slammed the door behind me.

Okay Hermione, just calm down and take a minute to figure stuff out. The most important thing was that I desperately needed a shower. It's not often I had the bathroom to myself so I grabbed some comfortable jeans and a tank top and padded across the bathroom to the ensuite. I turned to temperature of the water up to almost maximum and started trying to remember the previous night. I know it was my party and I know there was alcohol involved, the consequence of which was currently taking place between my eyes. The boiling water was helping that problem though. The thing was I have no idea how I got to my bed. Did I pass out? Or did Ginny help me up? To be honest, I couldn't remember anything past dancing and… a pair of eyes. Who did they belong to? I had some serious investigating to do. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was find my friends. I rushed through the rest of my shower and dressed as quickly as I could with the heavy feeling in my brain. Painkillers didn't seem like such a bad idea right now. Lunch had just started so it was obvious that Harry and Ron would be in the Great Hall.

I'd never really timed how long it took me to navigate down the moving stairs but I'm almost sure I'd beaten my record. It's surprising that I didn't fall over at any point. Taking a deep breath, I walked through the daunting double doors and saw my best friends sitting in our usual place. I could feel the eyes of my fellow house mates following me as I made my way down the aisle and slumped down in my seat.

"Morning Hermione…or should I say afternoon?" Harry said winking. I rolled my eyes.

"Seriously though, what happened to you last night? You just suddenly disappeared." Ron asked with a masked look of hurt on his face. Oh no they'd gone through all that trouble for me and leaving suddenly must have seemed so ungrateful. But how could I respond when I didn't know the answer myself?

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Truthfully, I don't remember. I'm assuming I fell asleep or passed out and Ginny or someone took me to bed." I explained, putting a small amount of food onto my plate. I really didn't feel like eating but I'd missed breakfast so I knew I should.

"Ginny? How on earth would she of gotten you up the stairs if you were asleep? It's forbidden to use levitation on students or teachers and you know what Ginny's like." Harry said and I realised that he was in fact right. There's no way she could carry me and the boys obviously hadn't.

"Oh… I guess someone else must've found me or something. I truly am sorry though, I had such a great time last night. You're the best friends anyone could ask for." I said, hoping it would help my case. Although, I was surprised to find that I wasn't lying. I really did have a good time and that was something completely new to me at parties. There was something missing though, it didn't add up. I know I've forgotten something important but for the life of me I can't remember what. Maybe Neville will let me use his remembrall.

A chill went down my spine which told me someone was watching me. I craftily casted my eyes around the room and what I saw made yet another chill run through my body. Draco Malfoy was staring at me. I cast a glare in his direction and tried to turn my attention back to my food and the conversation around me.

"You up for it Hermione?" Ron turned to me and I blushed since I had no idea what they were talking about.

"Um, pardon?" Harry gave me a concerned look.

"You okay? You don't seem like yourself today." He asked, leaning in so only the three of us could hear. I smiled.

"Of course, I've just got a bit of a headache." I explained, trying not to look them in the eye. I sneaked another glance at Malfoy and found that he, thankfully, wasn't staring at me. I tried to look away before he caught me but for some reason it felt harder than it should be. He was on the Slytherin table, directly opposite to me but there was no one sitting in between us so I had a perfect view. Okay Hermione, you can look away any time now… please? Oh Merlin, what is wrong with me. I had just about mustered up enough will power to stop gawking at him when his silvery-grey eyes met mine. I gasped as a shiver went through me. However, this wasn't a cold, unpleasant chill. It was warm and soothing and made me feel safe. Okay, something was definitely wrong with me, the vodka was obviously still in my system and effecting how my brain was working. I realised our gazes were still locked and I wrenched my eyes away towards Ron and internally pleaded for my cheeks to cool down and regain a more natural colour.

"…and I reckon it will be a right laugh. So you gunna come?" Ron asked turning to me. I bit my lip when I realised I'd missed what they'd been talking about yet again because of a certain Slytherin. Well I couldn't ask them to repeat it again so I just smiled and nodded.

"Great! See you at 7 in the common room. I gotta go see McGonagall about my transfiguration grade so wish me luck." He said, standing up. I gave him a hug and my warmest smile.

"You don't need it but good luck. I hope you realise it's a good thing not bad." Ron had improved dramatically over the summer since it was the first time we were all allowed to do magic outside of school. I spent at least 2 weeks tutoring him in transfiguration and charms. It had paid off. He rolled his eyes, waved to Harry and rushed off.

"You have no idea what we were talking about, do you? " Harry asked me with a knowing smile. I blushed and sighed.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm just really not with it today." I said, pushing the rest of my food around on my plate.

"It's alright; we've all experienced the pain of hangovers. Some of the Gryffindors and Slytherins are having a private quidditch match to start up house rivalry. We got permission from Dumbledore this morning. Ron and I are playing but if you'd rather stay in and rest then it's no problem, it's not a big match or anything. Just a bit of fun." He explained. Oh… Slytherin. Great. I'd already told Ron I'd go even if I didn't know what I was consenting to. To be honest, I did enjoy watching quidditch (Playing it was something I'd never want to do) and I like supporting my friends so if I just hope that a certain Slytherin isn't there then it would be a good evening. My headache was fading as well so I'd hopefully be better by 7.

"No, I'd love to come. So we're meeting in the common room after dinner?" I asked, getting ready to stand up and get away from the hall as fast as possible. Harry nodded and we strolled out together. This should be fun.