"You're going out with Malfoy?!" A chorus rang.

Harry looked livid and Ginny was triumphant.

"Of course I'm not going out with him Harry! He helped me with my homework and blackmailed me into getting a drink for him at The Three Broomsticks."

"I'll just take Butterbeer though", she added seeing Harry's shocked expression. "No way I'm getting drunk with him around."

"I'll standby if you want me to. You know, just in case. I'll use my cloak."

Ginny slapped Harry's arm and chided him, "Oh come on Harry stop treating her like she wasn't the one who saved your arse every minute while you were out hunting horcruxes. And you want to stand guard for her? Are you listening to yourself?" She snorted.

"Be careful Hermione", he warned her solemnly

"I'd say go for it!" Ginny nudged her arm with her elbow.

"Did Fred and George put you up to this?" Harry asked, shocked at her flippant behaviour towards Hermione going out with Malfoy.

"No, 'I' put me up to this." She said, pointing her thumb towards herself.

"Since when have you two been so interested in Malfoy though", Hermione inquired, narrowing her eyes.

"Er- since he's a Quidditch rival?" Replied Harry sheepishly unsure of how to respond

"Even since he kissed you", Ginny said dreamily.

"Oh don't even remind me of it. He probably just did it to spite Ron. He's still an insufferable bastārd if you must know. Anyway I have to go. I'll end up with a T in Potions if I don't make it up to him." Saying that, she waved them goodbye and hurried away.

The Three Broomsticks

"I can't believe I was stuck with Arithmancy. And you, you Malfoy, got it right!"

"That's what happens when you're overworked and sleep-deprived, Granger. You still want to keep the poison in your system? It's your call." He smirked,

"I guess not", she pouted, taking another swig at her Butterbeer.

Draco remained silent, sipping on his Firewhisky, waiting for her to speak.

"Bu- but. I just CAN'T sleep." She said finally, the Butterbeer fuelling her nerves, that were a wreck just moments ago.

"I tried everything. I just can't sleep for more than a couple of hours. The nightmares.." she shuddered at her own thoughts and kept silent, unwilling to speak about it any further.

"Well you can either talk to me about your night-time horrors and let me help you get rid of them or you can. Or you can continue enjoying the shows."

"How would you help?" She asked him bitterly, "They call me The Brightest Witch of our Time and I could do nothing. Nothing! I'm no good!" She slammed her mug on the table and stifled a sob.

"Granger", he said leaning in closer, "no one's denying you're a genius. Hell, if a Malfoy says it you better believe it. But you know something?" He held her hands in his, his silver orbs peering into her chocolate ones.

"Uh huh?"

"Sometimes, one great mind isn't enough. Some problems need two to solve. Remember what Slughorn said? Two is better than one", he smiled. "Here have a Firewhisky."

She nodded and smiled back.

Ten minutes and five drinks later

"You kissed me. You never told me why. How could you?!" She shrieked.

"Because I'm an only child and so are you", he tried to drawl smoothly, but it came out in a slur.

"How does that make any bloody sense?!" She giggled.

"I thought since we kissed, we should get to know each other. You know, about the lips behind the man."

"You mean the other way round." She giggled even more. "You're drunk!"

"You're giggling! So are you!" He pointed a shaky finger at her, dramatically, giving her an accusing stare.

"All girls giggle." She said giggling even more.

"Not prude and mighty Hermione, no!" He stood up as if announcing a Royal Command, "The underrated side-kick, unacknowledged beauty, vanquisher of ignorance, saviour of Saint Potter's arse!"

And the both of them burst into laughter!

Ten Drinks later.

"I get nightmares Draco." She sobbed hysterically into the crook of his neck.

"I know I know. Shhh... " He tried calming her down burying his face in her soft curls, silent tears rolling down his own eyes.

He could smell lavender and strawberries, that somehow had a calming effect on him. It made him wonder how a person with such a soothing aura could be such a nervous wreck. But this what war had done to her, to them all.

"I see you. I see Bellatrix. I see Malfoy Manor, her Curse... " She trailed off.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I'm so sorry. I tried to save you. I wish I could have."

"You do Draco. You always do.. it's your voice that first guided me to the light. That's what scares me these days. It feels real and I don't want it to go away."

"It is real Hermione. I will be there no matter what."

Next morning

Hermione woke up in the Hospital wing, the light hurting her eyes, Ginny's blurred face looking straight at her.

"What happened?"

"You guys were stuck together wailing your eyeballs off. Blaise and I literally had to pry you away from each other", she said pointing her thumb sideways to where Blaise was standing, beside Draco's bed.

Draco, apparently already recovered, was sitting up, his back as stiff as a soldier.

"Did anyone see?" Draco asked pleadingly.

"Yes Malfoy the entire pub saw it!" Ginny replied impatiently. She had no patience left for any more idiocy.

"Fuck!"

"Well if you're so ashamed of being seen with me in public you shouldn't have blackmailed me into buying you drinks you arrogant jerk!" Hermione cried, stifling a sob.

Malfoy jumped out of his bed, with a low growl of frustration, with surprising agility and headed towards Hermione.

She searched frantically for her wand, thinking he was going to attack. Self preservation kicked in, sharpening her senses, ready to retaliate.

But he didn't. He gently cupped her face in his hands.

"Granger, do you really think I have any reputation left to lose. The only one who's going to lose from this is you."

"Oh!" She managed to utter in surprise. He's worried about me?

"I have to leave." He nodded towards Ginny who nodded back with understanding

Did she really think my reputation is at stake? First she's off going against Dark lord with that loser pothead. Then dates that lowlife Weasel who doesn't give a knut for her. Has she no sense of self preservation at all? Merlin, she's going to be a handful! He thought.

"She's going to be whatever you decide she's going to be mate! Did you decide what she's going to be?"

"Merlin's beard I just said that out loud!" He looked horrified at Blaise, chiding himself mentally.

That damn Firewhisky must still be in my system. What if Blaise spilled the beans to Pansy? He groaned at the thought.

"Blaise if you utter one word..."

"Relax mate. My lips are sealed." He made a gesture of locking his lips and throwing the key away
"Not going to make an Unbreakable Vow on that one though. I'm not as flippant with my one and only life as you are. But believe me if it's you and Granger, I am rooting for you through and through." He ended, raising his hands into fists, grinning victoriously

"Oh forget it!" He waved away his friend's silly shenanigans.

What have I gotten myself into?