"That is not what I was expecting."

The voice made Hermione grumble and shove her head under her pillow. Which in turn made her pillow groan.

"Theo, go away," Draco muttered into her hair.

"I must say, this is something I never imagined."

The mirth in the voice coming from the doorway made Hermione's cheeks flame as she remembered the night before. Peeking out one eye she saw pale skin and immediately squeezed her eyes shut. Assessing herself she knew that her body was pressed against Draco's, their legs twisted together, his arms wrapped around her center, her own cradled between their bodies, and her face pressed into him. Turning her face into the arm that was cushioning her head she groaned.

All the while Theo kept up his chatter.

"The Gryffindor Princess turned Slytherin Royalty, and the Slytherin Prince. Head Boy and Girl. Secret lovers," Draco reached over his head, grabbed his pillow and blindly chucked it at the door. Theo laughed, "Blaise isn't going to believe it, neither with Pans. Shit what about Potter. No fuck, Weasley, the boy, not the hot one. He's going to lose his top!"

Hermione pushed off the bed and glared at the door. Theo, who was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, only smirked at her.

"Go away or I swear to Merlin I will hex you."

"Good morning sweetheart, I must say you look utterly ravishing first thing. Pans is right, you are not a morning person."

Draco, much to Hermione's surprise, pulled her back down and threw the covers over her before facing his best friend.

"We're up you prat, now go away. And if you tell anyone, I will let her obliterate you."

Hermione let out a laugh as she emerged from under the covers. Draco was propped up on his palms so she allowed her to wonder if his hair was as soft as it looked.

"Well Pansy wanted me to come get you, apparently you're late for your date with the Greengrass girl."

Hermione stopped privately ogling the way the muscles in Draco's back pulled together. "What?"

Theo grinned, "I think you heard me, Granger."

Shame burned in her chest. Refusing to look at the wizard beside her she extracted herself from his person and crawled over him, careful as to not touch him, "Thank you for the wake up Nott. I would appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anyone, Ronald is a terror as it is and I can only take so much, even from him."

"Your secret swaray shall remain between the three of us, your Grace."

She gave him a small smirk as she pulled her hair into an unruly bun, "Slytherin I may be but we all know I would not be accepted as the Slytherin house Princess as I was in Gryffindor.

Draco had been watching her as she bantered with Theo, wondering why she had been so quick to leave the bed at the mention of Astoria but his brain stopped working when he saw her shirt rise to reveal the golden skin of her abdomen. Once again, he was completely captivated by her. Damned witch was al he could think of most days, ever since the train. Astoria was different. His parents gave their approval tenfold, they been pushing them together since they were little but Draco never paid her any mind until they had a study session in the library. It was the first time in weeks his brain stopped thinking of the witch who he shared a dorm with. Granger. Her delicious sugary scent now in his sheets, he could smell it now even though she was trying to sneak past Theo.

"Granger, like it or not, the title transferred."

"It did not," she looked aghast. Seeing his naked chest, blanket bunched around his hips, she felt her heart race before shame clouded her chest again. "I should get a shower. I am meant to meet Harry, Gin, and Ron for Hogsmeade."

The two watched her turn into the bathroom and not so subtly slip out the door around Theo. Draco growled as he turned to his best mate.

"You know damned well I do not have a date with Astoria."

Theo shrugged, "Don't pretend like you and little Greengrass haven't been tiptoeing around one another and I wanted to see how Granger would react. More importantly, do you want to explain what I just walked in on?"

Throwing off the covers Draco sat up and put his head in his hands, "No."

"You slept with her."

"Clearly."

"And you both seemed to enjoy it." Draco said nothing but Theo saw his ears tint pink. "Will you do it again?"

Draco's head snapped up as he glared, "Last night was an anomaly, I'm surprised it even happened. I think it is safe to say your stunt bringing up Astoria just destroyed any chance of it happening again."

Theo stayed in the doorway as Draco got up and moved to his wardrobe. "Why is that? Surely you could just charm her back."

"I didn't charm her into it to begin with," he scoffed.

"Then honestly Drake, how did Granger end up in your bed?"

Looking over his shoulder Draco sighed, "I had a nightmare and forgot to ward my door. She, of course, came to the rescue."

"Interesting."

When Draco was finished getting dressed he made his bed and ushered Theo into the common room. Incidentally Hermione left her room at the same time, her wand poised at her hair as she charmed it into a braid that twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck. She looked hurried but faltered seeing them.

"What happened to your shower?" Theo asked suspiciously.

Hermione sighed, "I'm running late."

They walked in silence to the portrait hole with Hermione just a few steps ahead of them.

Theo couldn't resist shooting Draco a smirk when he caught his blonde friend take in her attire, lingering on the way her muggle jeans hugged her bum. Draco responded with a silent huff and an eye roll.

"Hermione Granger!" Hermione stopped so abruptly at Ginny's screech that Draco walked into her. "Tell me why George is at the front gates requesting you with flowers? Flowers!"

"Merlin Gin, it is too early for you to be hollering like your mother," Hermione rebutted after collecting herself. Theo snorted behind her and she elbowed him, shocking him into laughing.

Ginny strode up to them, frowning seeing how close behind Hermione Draco still was but continued, "Why is one of my brothers outside with flowers for you?"

"And to think she was jealous," Theo whispered to Draco.

Hermione threw him another glare as she started to answer her best friend, "How should I know? I haven't spoken to George since saying goodbye at the Burrow."

That was true, she hadn't spoken to anyone since first reaching Hogwarts. She'd spent too many nights wondering what happened but she knew it was her sorting. Somehow, someway, everything seemed to boil down to that.

"Are you missing the part about the flowers?" Ginny grabbed her arm and pulled her to put a little more distance between her and the two wizards behind her. "George, brought you flowers. Not just any flowers either but your favorite!"

"Gin, I really don't know," Hermione said calmly.

"George never does anything without a reason and we both know he has trouble with being here because of what almost happened to Fred. Could it be you-," Ginny gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she stared wide eyed at Hermione, "No!"

"What?" Theo and Hermione asked at the same time.

"Your birthday..Mione, I'm so sorry."

All three of the watched as Hermione's face fell, "It's fine Gin. We were all busy."

"No! Mione we forgot your birthday!"

"It's okay."

"When was your birthday?" Theo interjected.

"The nineteenth of September," Ginny answered while Hermione smirked at him but it fell when she briefly looked at Draco. Turning back to Ginny, she tried to forget the morning.

"Come on Gin, we should go put him out of his misery. He's probably close to a fit being this close to the castle. Gentlemen."

They watched the two witches take to the stairs and it wasn't until they were out of sight that Theo patted Draco on the shoulder.

"I probably shouldn't have mentioned Greengrass."

"You think," Draco growled.

"Did you know her birthday had passed?"

Draco shook his head, "No. But how did they not remember? They're her best friends. And her family? I don't remember any parcels or letters out of the ordinary."

Meanwhile the two best friends made their way down the path to Hogsmeade, Ginny apologizing the entire way. Ron and Harry joined them in the courtyard and to Ginny's shame neither remembered Hermione's birthday had passed either. George was no different. He was shaking like an alcoholic by the time they reached him and Hermione pulled him into a hug before he had turned around to the sound of their steps. He greeted her with apologies and birthday wishes from him and Fred and by the end of the day Hermione was laden with books. So much so she had to call it a day because she was just plain exhausted. George gave her an abundance of kisses over her face before disapparating.

Ginny was following Hermione, the pair arm in arm when the boys left them to head to the Gryffindor common room and Hermione offered for Ginny to stay the night with her and the younger witch was too happy to agree. When they entered the common space Hermione smirked at the three Slytherins.

Draco and Blaise were playing a game of chess while Theo had his feet kicked up on the table beside them with a tumbler of amber liquid making sharp comments at every play he thought was stupid.

When he saw them, Theo smirked devilishly, "Your highness!"

Draco turned to see them and scowled seeing the amount of books the two were carrying, "Belated presents, Weasley?"

"We did our best," she bit back.

"Boy you're spunky Red," Blaise teased with a waggling brow.

Ginny conjured a vase for Hermione's calla lilies and put her hands on her hip, "Have you lot never forgotten a birthday?"

Draco said nothing so Theo spoke for them, "I can't say I have Little Red. You Blaise?"

"Nope. Drake?"

"Not once," Draco smirked tilting his head with a smirk.

She huffed, "To think I was beginning to like you lot."

Blaise responded by laughing and yelling when she dragged a grinning Hermione from the room and shut the door behind them, "You love me!"

In Hermione's room Ginny observed her friend for a moment before moving to sit in front of her on the bed, "Have I said how sorry I am?"

Hermione nodded, still smirking, "It's nothing. But Gin, I need to tell you something because I feel a bit like a slag.."

Ginny looked suddenly interested as she shot a silencing charm at the door.

"Did you sleep with Nott?"

"What? No!" Blowing out a breath Hermione sent a second silencing charm at the door and laid down. "IsleptwithMalfoy."

"What?!"

Silently she was thankful for the silencing charm, "I. Slept. With. Malfoy."

Ginny crawled over Hermione to stare down at her, "Say that one more time because I think you've gone mad."

"Ginny," she whined.

"You had sex with Malfoy?!"

"No! We slept together, in his bed, but there was no...no-"

"Penetration?" Ginny grinned. Hermione balked and bucked her off so she fell onto the bed beside her, "Bloody hell, what brought that on?"

"He had a nightmare," she breathed, "I went in to help and ended up staying."

"Willingly?" Hermione nodded. "Why does that make you feel like a slag?"

"Because Theo woke us this morning-"

"Wait Nott knows?"

"Obviously. Anyway, he woke us up to remind Draco that Astoria Greengrass was waiting for him for a day in Hogsmeade."

Ginny folded her hands behind her head as she considered Hermione's tale. What Hermione didn't expect was for her to laugh. Sitting up she stared at her best friend strangely until she'd had enough and shoved her side.

"What is so funny?"

Ginny attempted to collect herself but failed miserably. Around her laughter she sputtered out, "Astoria has been at Malfoy's ankles since we got back."

"And he wants her too."

"Really? Because I seem to think Malfoy has had his eye on you.." Hermione snapped her jaw shut, "Interesting! And-"

Banging on the door saved her from the question she saw brewing on the tip of her best friends tongue as she hopped off the bed to answer it. Pansy flew in like a tornado calling "I told you so" over her shoulder.

"I hear we missed someone's birthday."

Ginny groaned and tried to divert the conversation, "Parkinson, do you think Malfoy likes Mione?"

Pansy sat on the end of the bed, "Definitely. Though I also think he has a thing for Daphine's sister, what's her name? Ashely?"

"Astoria," Hermione supplied as she laid back on the bed. Together they formed an odd pattern. Hermione had her head on Ginny's abdomen, legs in Pansy's lap, Pansy's head pillowed on the duvet near Ginny's knee's.

"Yes, yes, her," Ginny waved her hand exaggeratedly, "But I'm more interested in Malfoy and Mione so lets focus there please."

Pansy snorted making Hermione rolled her eyes sending Ginny into another fit of giggles.

"It makes sense." Hermione could only gape as Pansy went on, "Now that I think of it, you two fit really well. You're both the smartest in our class, you challenge each other, and now you're both Slytherin so you'd be perfect for one another. Not that you wouldn't be if you were still in your old house. Come to think of it, the curly haired blondes babies you would produce would be adorable!"

Not detoured by Hermione's swat Ginny suddenly grinned, "So tell us, is Malfoy a cuddler or does he stick to his side of the bed?"

Hermione huffed, let herself fall back and shoved her head under her pillow with a groan causing Ginny to burst out into hysterical laughter while Pansy suddenly sat up.

"Excuse me?"

Shuffling out into the common area Hermione finagled her hair into a make shift bun, eyes set on the coffee. Blaise and Theo had stayed over as well and were passed out, with Draco, in the living space with a near empty bottle of firewhiskey on the table between them by the discarded chess board. Theo was in the same chair he'd been the night before, his legs hanging off on arm, his back leaned against the other with his head tipped back, mouth wide open. Blaise was on the couch looking too put together with his legs crossed over the other. The only thing out of place was his hand dangling off the couch, a tumblr on the floor below it. Draco was in the other chair beside Theo. He was more on the floor then the chair, his legs in the chair with his back on the floor, his arms pillowing his head. It didn't look in anyway comfortable but it made Hermione snort a giggle.

When the kettle was on and the coffee pot was almost full, a groan, followed by a thump, had her turning with her mug in her hands. Blowing at the steam she grinned as Malfoy sat up, his head in his hands. Fixing another cup how she knew he liked it she walked over and offered it to him.

"Thank you," he grumbled.

"You look like you need it."

"Granger, your voice is too much this early," Blaise rolled over into the couch.

Hermione laughed, "You're in my room puppet," she lisped making Draco chuckle beside her, "so you have to deal with my voice. But I have tea and coffee going." Turning she didn't even think when she let her fingers graze Draco's hair, "And I was going to floo to the kitchens and order a greasy breakfast."

While the prospect of a greasy breakfast paired with the coffee he was nursing almost made his hangover vanish, it was the Hermione's fingers in his hair that made Draco shudder.

"Darcey," there was a small pop, without looking up he continued, "Can you get us some breakfast? Bacon, sausage, toast, eggs, jam, the bunch. Enough for at least six."

"Eight," Theo whispered as he set his feet on the floor, "Three hungover men, Pansy, and a Weasley, definitely enough for eight."

"Darcey already be making it Master Draco. And theres be mores than enough Mister Notts."

Hermione watched from the safety of the kitchen as a small elf in a royal purple apron with white daisy's embroidered on the bottoms and a simple dark grey dress underneath rubbed Draco's back in a comforting manner. The way he spoke to her, his tone soft and with such care, made Hermione's heart beat just a bit faster. Trying to squish it she made to turn around to tend to the kettle but knocked over her coffee. The ceramic shattering making all three wizards behind her groan.

Having forgotten her wand in her room she got down on her knees, grabbing a hand towel to mop up the coffee in the process while also reaching to pick up the broken pieces.

"Shit," she gasped looking down at her palm. A shard of her mug was protruding, blood gushing from around it. Forgetting the rest she stood back up, hand over the sink, and gently fingered the piece to see what way would be best to pull it out.

"Granger?"

"I'm fine," she answered automatically though her voice waivered. Seconds later she gripped the counter to keep from another gasp from escaping when she plucked it from her skin. The additional blood made her woozy.

Suddenly she could feel him behind her. His speed was a stray throught that was quickly forgotten when she attempted to pull the shard again and swayed. Draco put his hands on her hips to steady her, neither one of them caring that Theo and Blaise were watching them. Leaning into Draco for comfort Hermione tried to focus on the glass in her palm.

Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and put took her injured hand in his own.

"Stop Hermione."

Slightly nauseous still, Hermione conceded to his soft command.

"Breathe love," he whispered in her ear, "Good, again."

She did as she was told, much like she had on the train. As she listened to him over and over she was no longer near hyperventilating when he gently yanked the shard from her hand. Still she gasped and gripped his forearm with her uninjured hand.

"Draco!"

"Easy, it's fine. You're fine. We just need to get you cleaned up."

As he moved them towards the stink and gently began washing their hands Hermione turning her head up to look at him. Not for the first time she marveled at his height. Still unable to censor herself in her shock she whispered.

"My blood is on you."

Concerned grey eyes met hers as he turned his head to look back at her, "I'm not afraid of a little blood. Least of all yours. I just-"

A pop interrupted him and they both turned to Darcey as her tiny set of hands took Hermiones newly healed hand from Draco's and cradled it.

"Misses, yous need be careful," Darcey reprimanded while examining her hand.

Hermione smiled nervously, "I apologize Darcey."

"I's can cleans it for you. The mess. Yous not need to play with broke cups."

"You don't need to, I made the mess I can clean it," Hermione said softly as she leaned against the Draco.

Darcey, having finished with her hand, looked at her sharply. Her tiny eyebrow raising, "Misses, yous not to be cleaning when I's here to take care of you and young Master Draco." As if to emphasize her point, with a snap of her fingers the mess from her coffee vanished and a new fresh mug appeared. "I's be meaning it Misses Her-my-onie. Now goes sit, I's bring breaksfast."

Then she was gone. Laughing had Hermione turning her shocked expression to Draco who had backed away from her, looking a bit shocked himself.

Theo coughed to get the attention. Only Hermione looked at him though Draco cleared his throat.

"Well Granger, Dracey likes you."

Flexing her hand she picked up her new cup with her right hand and moved to sit in the chair Draco's legs had vacated.

"I..It would seem so."

Theo laughed again making Blaise throw a pillow at him. Draco merely watched Hermione's newly healed hand repeatedly open and close as he retook his seat on the floor.

Darcey popped back in with an assortment of foods that crowded the coffee table and kitchenette counters. All three wizards began to dig in while Darcey smiled and watched. When she finished accepting their thanks the small elf turned to Hermione and approached her, one of her tiny hands picking at her flappy ear.

"Misses Her-my-ownie?"

Coming out of her thoughts Hermione smiled at the small elf, "Please call me Min, Dracey, it's much easier and many of my friends use it."

Dracey perked up immediately, "Oh Misses I's be honored!" She threw herself at Hermione and hugged what she grabbed. Hermione tried to reciprocate but it was awkward. When Darcey pulled back she grabbed her ear again, like it was a nervous habit. "May Dracey ask Misses Min something delicates?"

"Of course, you can ask me anything."

"Yous the one Dobby rescued?"

Hermione almost dropped her cup again as she felt a sudden sharp twist in her gut. She was also painfully aware that Blaise and Theo were staring at her while Draco was staring at her covered arm, his face ashen.

"Yes, that was me.."

"Dobby was my friend," Darcey whispered.

Hermione willed herself not to cry. "Mine too.."

"He never came back."

She couldn't stop the tear that fell, "D-Dobby...the knife Bellatrix threw...it hit him. W-we, Harry, burried him on a beach...by hand."

"Doddy loved Mister Potter."

"And Harry loved Dobby." Leaning forward she wiped under Darceys big brown eyes, to which Darcey launched herself at Hermione again. Hermione vaguely felt someone take her mug and wrapped the elf in a proper hug. "If you ever want, I can take you to him so you can visit."

The poor elfs sobbing worsened, "Really?"

"Yes."

"I's would loves that Misses." Darcey pulled away and straightened her apron. Then she set her shoulders with a huff and gave the three wizards a watery smile, "Master Draco. Mister Nott, Mister Zabini."

With a small pop she was gone. Hermione pulled her feet under her as she leaned back in her chair, accepting her cup from Theo when he offered it.

Draco broke the silence, "Are you okay Granger?"

Looking at him she swallowed thickly, "Yeah. Can we not talk about it?" Taking the plate he offered her she noted he had loaded it with all of her favorites and spread jam on her toast instead of marmalade.

"Thanks. Cover your ears." All three looked at her strangely, "Cover your ears because I'm about to holler like a banshee and that will do nothing for your heads." Ears were quickly covered and she smirked, "Ginerva Molly Weasley! Pansy Peony Parkinson!-" there was a small thump followed closely by a second from her room, "Breakfast!"

She took a nibble of her toast. The door knob rattled, "Cover."

There was no hesitation this time. They all had their ears covered by the time Ginny wretched open the door.

"Hermione Granger! Where are your bloody manners?"

"Gin, come eat. Stop making the boys ears bleed."

"Oi, I take offense to that," Theo pointed at her, "We're men, not boys like you're used to. Poor Potter can't measure up."

Ginny hopped over the couch, flopping down beside Blaise as if he was one of her brothers, not a care in the world while Pansy conjured another chair. "Men don't need to defend their manliness. They just...are." She grinned at Hermione before tucking her legs under her to prop up her plate. "And I'll have you know Harry has absolutely nothing to prove in that department."

"And yet here you are defending him," Theo smirked.

Pointing at Hermione Ginny tried to forticfy her half of the playful spat, "You've seen it, tell him!"

"Oh Ginerva, gross," Hermione grimaced, "I would rather not be reminded of such things while I eat. How did we even get to this?"

"You've seen Saint Potter's broom?" Pansy laughed around a sip of her tea.

"Accidently."

Ginny laughed. So did Theo who immediately winced at the action, "How do you see a wizards penis on accident?"

Hermione arched a single eyebrow and shot a look at Ginny who was barely able to contain her hysterics, "Someone snuck him into our room for a quickie and didn't give me the courtesy of a heads up."

"We put a sock on the doorknob. It's not my fault mum thought it was dirty laundry!"

"Needless to say," Hermione continued with an eye roll, "I saw a lot of things I wish I could obliviate from my mind."

"It couldn't have been that bad Granger."

Looking at Blaise she pursed her lips, "I could have lived my entire life without seeing Harry's..."

"Penis," Theo added for her.

She blushed, "Yes, that. He's like my brother."

Ginny was having too much fun though, "He says the same thing about wishing he'd never seen you."

Hermione scoffed, "Him walking into the bathroom without knocking is nowhere near as traumatizing as catching him with his phallic in you and then standing proud and erect covered in you while fumbling around for something to cover up with."

They all burst into laughter, Ginny worst of all though Theo chocked on a piece of something. Hermione had reached over to pat his back when the common room door opened. She knew who it was without looking by the way the laughter increased and Theo's coughing got worse.

"Hello boys," she greeted.

Harry and Ron stopped just inside the common room staring strangely at the scene before them. It was Ron however who couldn't hold his tongue.

"What the bloody hell is this?"

"Salazar Weasel, you would think you could comprehend the mere sight of breakfast."

"Shut up Malfoy."

"Ouch," Draco smirked, "You wound me with such vulgarity."

Hermione nudged him with her foot, which was easily done since he was leaned against the side of her chair, "Come eat, there is plenty to share."

"Yes," Theo drawled, "Granger here was just telling us about the time she saw your penis Potter."