At seven on the dot, Theo appeared outside the Gryffindor common room in finely pressed robes, a hat and with a small bouquet of flowers in hand. Like a proper gentleman, he donned a grand smile and bowed when she answered the door. Even offered an arm as they made their way to the party.

Hermione had to admit, if pureblood culture weren't notorious for being corrupt and entirely prejudiced, she wouldn't have minded adopting some of the mannerisms. Or at least the chivalrous aspects of it.

During their short journey, Hermione was able to get lost in her thoughts with the rhythmic click of her heels while Theo informed her of the plans for tonight. Sure, part of her looked forward to having the chance to speak with Malfoy in a casual setting. Except she wasn't particularly thrilled with having to watch Astoria dragging Malfoy around. Then there were her developing concerns with what came after the party. Initially, the idea of going out to Hogsmeade seemed like a great idea. But as Theo continued on with the details, her doubts began to creep in.

They'd never had the chance to experience each other's company outside of classes and school. What if they thought she was boring? What if this was all a prank? She forced those thoughts away.

No.

Surely, they wouldn't do that to her...right?

And once the evening was over, she would have to face Ron in what was essentially the happiest time of year and act as if nothing transpired between them. She wasn't even sure if his parents knew they'd broken up. Then there was the prospect or considering her future, the fate of her own parents, her aging cat…

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?" she sounded, absentmindedly.

"Are you okay?"

Against her better judgement, a nervous laugh burst free.

"Certainly. Why do you ask?"

Theo cast her a precarious glance.

"You stopped answering my questions a while ago," he glanced at her again, keeping his focus on her longer than the first. "You've also got quite the grip on my arm, there," he added, gesturing to the death grip she was currently fashioning on said arm.

Horrified, Hermione immediately released his arm and winced apologetically.

"Sorry, I didn't realize—"

"It's fine, really," he quickly reassured, holding up his arm again, offering it to her. "Give it another go? Maybe less like you're trying to wrangle the life out of it?"

Biting her lip, her hesitance showed as her eyes zipped between his earnest expression and his extended arm.

"Come on, now. I don't bite," he teased, edging his elbow closer to her. "I'm starting to get a little lonely, here," he pouted lightheartedly.

She exhaled deeply, finally taking his arm with a much lighter grip.

They made it to the next corridor when he spoke again.

"Ease up, will you?" he encouraged, patting her hand currently tucked in his elbow. "The term's over, we're going to a party to celebrate with our friends where there will be plenty of fancy, peculiar foods and even stranger tasting punch," he stated matter-of-factly. "And after, we're going out to drink more until we're completely sloshed!" he concluded with glee. "What's there to be out of sorts about?"

Plenty, was the correct answer.

"You're right," she affirmed with a crack in her voice. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about." Though it was clear she didn't feel as confident as her words made her sound, she figured at least one of them should have a good time tonight.

"That's the spirit, Princess," he smiled at her. "Just in time, too—"

Facing front, she found that much to her displeasure, they made it to Slughorn's office. Theo held open the door, waiting for her to take the first step.

They made their way inside together, maneuvering past the well formed groups in their search of familiar faces. As they got deeper, Hermione could feel eyes being drawn to them like magnets. To make matters worse, it appeared no one from their close friend groups had shown up yet.

"I'm going to grab some punch," Theo said from beside her. "Want anything?"

"Just a water for me," she answered breezily before she felt a jolt of ice shoot down her spine, suddenly recalling what happened the last time someone retrieved her a beverage. "Wait—" she exclaimed, quickly reaching out and grabbing hold of Theo before he could get too far. "On second thought, I'm fine for now," she blurted out quickly.

Perhaps a little too quickly.

Theo furrowed his brow, bemused. "Are you sur—"

"Positive," she followed up with a tight smile.

His gaze remained wary before he eventually nodded.

"If you say so," he said. Then, he walked off.

Something she hadn't factored into going out to Hogsmeade was dealing with three extremely plastered boys while remaining sober.

"Great," Hermione grumbled to herself. "How am I supposed to get through Hogsmeade later?"

Even if she was comfortable with drinking her sorrows away, there would still be the reality she would have to face afterwards while combating a massive hangover; namely, if something similar happened to her like last time. The last thing she needed was to make a fool of herself again.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded behind her.

"Wow. For a Gryffindor, you sure do clean up well, Princess."

Hermione scoffed, but was appreciative for his compliment, nonetheless. It would have been a shame to let the outfit she bought during one of the many trips to go dress shopping with the girls go to waste. She chose a simple long sleeved, black dress, elegant and sophisticated. One that covered her arms, chest and went down to her mid thigh but dipped low on the back. Finished off with a pair of striking red pumps. Ginny argued that she should have worn something more revealing but Hermione made the stance that it wasn't the appropriate time, nor place for that. Despite her having made plans to go out later.

"I don't think Elena will approve of you flirting with other witches."

Handsome dimples formed as he chuckled.

"You'd be surprised."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that she's apparently at liberty to flirt with whoever she wishes, including me."

Hermione froze, feeling a wave of comfort and nostalgia rush through her. She turned and with a wide grin, ran up to the person that voice belonged to, enveloping him in a warm embrace.

"Missed you," she mumbled into his shoulder, feeling his chest rumble with silent laughter.

"I was here a few weeks ago," he said into her tamed curls, but returned the embrace with a matched fervency. "Sorry I took a while. McGonagall wanted to have a chat. This is a new look," he noted, taking in her attire when they finally separated.

Hermione went to reply but was interrupted by Ginny and Elena who stepped in the circle, both with drinks in hand.

"Personally, I think she'd look better showing more skin," Ginny retorted, sipping casually from her glass.

"I think she looks great!" Elena offered.

"I agree," Harry seconded, pulling Ginny flush against him. "Stop giving her such a hard time, will you?"

Hermione was finally given an opportunity to get a good look at him. While he was dressed soundly for the occasion, everything else, including his facial features and posture, were rather dreadful.

"You, on the other hand, look like you've been dragged through the dirt," she frowned, despite earning laughs from the rest of the group, Harry included.

"On second thought, do carry on," he said, amending his previous statement.

Hermione let a light laugh escape. "I'm serious. Have you been getting enough sleep?"

He retaliated by rolling his eyes fondly at her, like he'd done so many times before. "Aren't I supposed to be worrying about you?"

"She's got a point, mate," Blaise offered, "you look like you could fall over any minute now."

"I'm a little tired, but I'll manage. I wanted to at least be with the both of you for a bit before heading to the Burrow."

Hermione looked around, in search of someone who had yet to make an appearance. Sharing a glance with Ginny, she seemed to catch on and outwardly asked, "where's Blondie?"

"He had some last minute things to…take care of," Blaise answered, checking his newly repaired watch. "He'll be here shortly."

Harry's eyebrows shot up.

"Blondie?" he echoed in disbelief.

Blaise hummed in agreement. "Right? I can't believe he lets her get away with calling him that. He won't even let me call him 'Drake.'"

"Of course he won't," Hermione stated matter-of-factly, "he's far too posh and stuck up to let himself be called a name like that."

Blaise opened and closed his mouth before settling on downing the rest of his punch.

"I'm not disagreeing with you," he concluded, "I'm just finding it hard to believe he lets himself be called Blondie over my ingenious nickname. It's almost as if he enjoys it!"

"He hates it," Ginny snickered. "More of the point being he gets away with calling me something in return. I guarantee you it's the only reason why he hasn't put up such a front about it."

Hermione grimaced inwardly. Nicknames were never something she considered after being called so many different things since she was a child. All ranging from 'buck teeth' to 'know-it-all' to 'Golden Girl'. Majority of them coming from one in particular.

While nicknames were likely out of the question for the time being, she wondered if it was worth exploring the prospect of getting on a first name basis.

Gods, she really needed to get a grip on reality.

"Quite the crowd he's got, Slughorn," Harry said, taking in the surroundings, "there's a lot of new faces."

"It's only been two years ago," Ginny countered, amused as she looked around at the attendees. "You know most of these people."

"Feels like it's been twenty. Everyone looks so different," he noted, surveying the attendants as his eyes passed over them. Until they landed on someone that stood out. "Now her, I actually don't recognize."

The rest of the group released similar sounds of detestion when they saw who he was referring to.

A slender brunette socializing with a few other sixth years. Stunning and petite, prim and donned with a strapless, shimmering gold dress. Though thankfully, with a distinct lack of a certain blonde wizard by her side.

Where the devil was he?

"That's Astoria Greengrass," Elena offered when it seemed no one else wanted to provide the answer. "She transferred here two years ago."

"Greengrass?" he echoed skeptically. "That's Daphne's sister?"

They all nodded in unison.

He squinted, adjusting his glasses as he observed her from afar.

"She doesn't look anything like Daphne."

"She's a trollop is what she is," Blaise muttered under his breath.

"You too, eh?" Harry implored, "and here I thought Ginny was over-exaggerating."

"You don't know the start of it," Blaise supplied, and Hermione cut in, sighing loudly.

"Could we not talk about her like she isn't standing ten feet away from us," she hissed impatiently. "What are you smirking at?" She directed at Blaise when he grinned wolfishly.

"Nothing at all, Princess. Carry on," he resumed carrying his expression of devilry, much to her chagrin.

"Oh good, you're all here!" Theo exclaimed as he strolled his way the group with his own drink and what looked to be a mini pasty. Once she was within arm's reach, he extended the pasty to Hermione who eyed it precariously. "I grabbed the most normal looking food item on the table. Can't promise it's not filled with troll testi—" he faltered when he looked up and saw who he was standing beside. As if to retract his previous statement, he cleared his throat and addressed him in a crisp tone, "Potter."

"Evening Nott," Harry gave a curt nod of his own. "You're with Hermione, then?" He followed up in what sounded like an accusatory tone.

"I am," Theo answered slowly. "Thought she would have told you," he added coolly as they stared each other down. Hermione's eyes darted between the two as a tension steadily grew.

"She didn't." Harry pursed his lips together, considering his next words. "Could we talk? In private?" He asked the curly haired witch while keeping his focus on the wizard beside him.

Huffing an agitated sigh, she forced a smile and looked at Theo.

"We'll just be a moment. Make sure Ginny doesn't go overboard on the chocolate."

Shifting his eyes to her, he saluted with two fingers and responded, "already on it, Princess."

Before she could say anything else, she felt herself being pulled through the room until they landed in the same place she sought refuge from her date their sixth year.

Once the curtain fell behind them, Harry let go of her and walked on to the iron barred doors, gripping the railing.

"Alright, now spill," Hermione demanded, crossing her arms. "What do you have against Theo?"

"I don't have anything against him, I just—" he admitted, "I didn't realize you were all so...familiar with each other," he trailed off, looking sheepish, and Hermione huffed a sigh.

"Harry, we're just friends. He has a boyfriend," she explained slowly.

"No, no, that's not what I—" Harry stumbled his words as he searched for the proper phrasing.

"Wait," she began with a tone of surprise, "you're not jealous that we've gotten close to them, are you?"

The flash of guilt was all she needed to confirm her suspicions.

"Harry—" she started.

"I know, I know," Harry supplied monotonously, "I'll always be your best friend and no one will ever take my place."

Hermione smiled sympathetically at him.

"Then what's really bothering you?"

It took a minute but he answered, "I feel like I never know what's going on with you anymore."

Hermione stared at him incredulously. "And what about you? I haven't heard a single word about this huge case of yours despite it draining the life out of you."

"You know that's classified," he said sternly.

"Then tell me about Ron. How's his new girlfriend?"

Taking particular interest in the ground beneath his feet, Harry mumbled, "can't tell you that, either."

She shook her head and scoffed, "then I'd say we're even."

"Hermione, we're under an oath," he groaned tiredly, "Ron and I can't even discuss it at home. All I can tell you is that we are making progress. The Ministry was gracious enough to give us a few extra days off with how sacked we've been. And Ron," he bit off, uncertain.

Feeling her anger gradually subside, she prompted, "what about him? Is he alright?"

"I'll be honest, I don't know what's going on with him half the time. I still don't know who this woman he's seeing is. I don't even know if it's a woman!" he exclaimed, rubbing his face and tired eyes. "Not to mention our instructor has been riding his arse the last few weeks. I think she has it out for him."

"She?" she repeated. It wasn't all that common to hear about female aurors.

"Auror Sparrow. She's the only female auror in the department right now. She's challenging to work with but she's good. Really good."

"You don't think this woman is the one he's seeing, do you?"

"Unless Ron suddenly has a preference for witches over twice his age, I highly doubt it," he chuckled lightly.

She nodded, deciding it best to lay off the topic for now.

"Hermione?" Harry began carefully. "Ron told me what happened. Or, his side of things anyway. I don't expect you to tell me how things played out for you but, I can't help but wondering if…if you—"

"If I still had feelings for him?" she finished for him.

If she was being honest with herself, she'd been so caught up with the on-goings in her own life to think about Ron. Amongst other things.

But she couldn't tell him. Not yet.

Finally, she shook her head. "No, I don't think so. We haven't spoken in a while and he seems to have moved on. It's probably for the best," she smiled sadly.

"Well, you know you're still welcome at the Burrow. Arthur and Molly said they would be delighted if you came."

"I know, and I appreciate it. Ginny's already tried talking to me about it and I still don't feel quite comfortable being in their presence. I wouldn't even know what to say to them, not to mention, to Ron," she trailed off.

Harry stepped up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Neither does he. But even if you don't come to the Burrow, are you just going to ignore each other for the rest of your lives? He cares about you, Hermione. You know he does."

She nodded.

"Yes, I know."

"And you care about him."

"I do."

"Why does it need to be any more complicated than that?"

"I don't know," Hermione erupted crossly, and then sighed, walking over to the iron bars to grip them tightly. "I really don't have any answers, Harry. After everything, all I wanted was to live peacefully and be happy. And I thought being with Ron that it would be more than enough."

"Is that why you're considering leaving for the muggle world?" he supplied fluidly.

She was silenced.

"Ginny told you." She finally said.

"She did."

Hermione sighed, bracing onto the cold metal, gripping tightly to steady herself.

"She shouldn't have done that."

"I agree, she shouldn't have. I would've prefer it came from you," he emphasized, though only deepening her unwillingness to continue this conversation.

"I'd really rather not talk about this right now, Harry."

"Is it because of Malfoy?" he blurted, catching her off guard.

"Malfoy?" She repeated skeptically, eyeing him curiously. "Why would Malfoy have anything to do with this?"

"I thought he was making you feel like you didn't belong in the wizarding world," he explained carefully. Though her expression grew less and less amused, he continued when he knew it was too late to retract his statement. "After you told me you were spending more time together, I was worried he was the reason for you've been considering going back. So I told Ginny to watch him closely—"

"You what?" she hissed, nostrils flared.

"She didn't actually do it!" he said defensively. "All I know is one day Ginny told me you were considering moving back to the muggle world and the last thing I heard from you was that you were spending more time with Malfoy of all people. How else was I supposed to think?!"

"You were suppose to believe people can change and deserve second chances." Hermione retaliated sternly, her eyes were wide with astonishment. Then they grew dark.

"Listen to me, Harry," she said lowly, "and listen carefully because I want to be very clear. They are our friends now, whether you like it or not. All of them," she emphasized harshly. "I know you don't trust him. Believe me, I had my doubts about Malfoy when we first started but he's proven on countless occasions how wrong I was about him. And you know what's funny?" she paused, slowly coming to terms with the truth she was about to dispel, "I think out of everyone here, he's the one I trust the most," she breathed shakily when the words left her.

Harry exhaled a laugh of disbelief, "you're joking."

"Did Ron ever tell you how I got home that night? After that auror drugged me?" she asked in the form of a whisper.

"Adams didn't give details of what happened when we were interrogating him," Harry said, horrified at what she was implying, "Ron assumed you called out to Ginny or managed your way back."

She shook her head, sensing the moment when his heart dropped.

"I was in no shape to get back on my own. Malfoy stepped in when the auror tried to take me away. Last thing I remember before passing out, I was on the ground, staring up at him and when I woke up the next morning, I was back in Hogwarts." In his bed of all places. Though she decided it was best to leave that part out.

Harry was silenced, riddled with shock as he processed the new information.

"Hermione, I didn't know—"

"I think Ginny could use your company back there," she interjected, desperate to out this conversation on hold. While she knew his points were valid, it only frustrated her more. "She's really missed you," she added calmly.

"But, I—"

"Harry," she pleaded, her knuckles turning white from her tightening grip. "We can talk about this later. I just need a minute alone. Please."

Begrudgingly doing as she requested, the auror made his way back to the crowd, leaving her alone behind the curtain in the chill of the winter evening.

After a few minutes of much needed silence, she deemed herself ready to head back in. But when she was in the process of turning around, she ran into something solid.

A solid thing that spoke expletives.

"—Christ's sake. Watch it, will you?"

Her heart leapt, skipping several beats. Then she turned to be greeted with a head of icy blonde and a scowl as his drink seeped into his clothing.

"Malfoy," she exhaled shakily, watching as his focus drifted from the enlarging stain on his trousers to her.

Then, his mouth lifted.

"To think you'd learned your lesson by now."

Staring back into amused silver eyes she hadn't seen in weeks, a smile broke through.

"I wasn't expecting anyone to be standing there."

"Course not. That would be far too convenient," he grumbled, handing her his now empty glass and brushing off his suit. While he straightened himself out, she took the time to take in his attire. Admittedly, the more she saw of him, the harder it was for her to deny he was relatively pleasant to look at.

"Fuck, I look like I missed the bloody loo," he complained, gesturing to the damp spot over his crotch.

She raised a brow at him, "you're a wizard, aren't you?"

"Well spotted," he rolled his eyes, extracting his wand, "ten points to the Golden Girl for pointing out the obvious."

"Maybe if you didn't waltz around expecting others to make way for your presence, this wouldn't happen," she retaliated as he scourgified his trousers.

A playful glint flashed in his eyes and he smirked down at her, lowering his voice slightly, "Funnily enough, this only seems to happen with you, Granger."

Refusing to waver, she huffed and turned away from him slightly.

"Well don't I feel privileged?"

Hearing him chuckle behind her, she decided to focus on a tree in the far distance, combating the flush threatening to appear at the tops of her cheeks.

"You should," he confirmed, pocketing his wand and grabbing his glass from her hand. "I even I heard you were joining us in Hogsmeade after this."

"Theo invited me," she replied simply.

"You didn't have to say yes," he countered, brusquely.

Then her eyes darted over to him once more, the beginnings of a fire igniting.

"You could have told him you didn't want me to come."

"I didn't think you'd agree to it in the first place," he said simply.

She tilted her head at him.

"After what happened last time," he clarified. "But Blaise and Theo, they wanted to include you, so," he trailed off, appearing moderately uncomfortable. Hermione, on the other hand, was floored. That was not the response she was anticipating.

"But you didn't?" she prompted in what she hoped was a playful tone, feeling her insides churn when a corner of his mouth twitched upwards.

"Hell no," he joked. "The pubs will start to get suspicious if they see me dragging you out unconscious again."

"Oh, I won't be drinking. I'll just…supervise," she answered lamely.

His eyebrows lifted.

"Supervise? Us?" he added, smirking. "You're in for a long night, then."

Sparing him a glance, she retorted, "That much of a light weight, are you?"

Malfoy snickered, holding up his empty drinkware.

"This was going to be my third glass. I could still have two shots of Firewhiskey and manage to fly a broom straight blindfolded and my hands tied behind my back."

"You are entirely too self-destructive," she childed him, her smile betraying her, battling the irony as she was bombarded with thoughts of him in such a position. Though not necessarily on top of a broom…

What was happening to her?

A deep sigh took her out of her thoughts.

"Perhaps," he noted, eyeing his empty glassware

"We should get back to the party," Hermione said suddenly, "preferably before Astoria sets the castle on fire when she sees you with me."

He huffed a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I don't even know where she went. She wandered off almost as soon as we arrived," there was an underlying dejection in his tone.

While Astoria was far from Hermione's favorite person, she also knew Malfoy cared about her enough to see her as a potential wife. At one point at least. It would seem things have changed since the summer.

Visibly seeing the heaviness weighing him down, Hermione remained silent, waiting patiently as he collected his thoughts.

"Astoria has grown more irritable with me lately," he said stilly. "I imagine it has to do with our failed meetings."

"I thought things improved once you and I stopped seeing each other," Hermione bit her lip, heart tightening when he side-eyed her.

With his gaze focused on her, he replied.

"She was lying to you."

"When?"

She felt her blood freeze.

"You heard us talking," she realized.

He said nothing. Not that he needed to.

That meant he was present when she brought up a less pleasant time in their past. It also meant he was there when she stood up for him. Though if she had to wager a guess, she would think the part that stood out to him was hearing her talk about their past like she still resented him. Like she hadn't forgiven him.

She hadn't told him she'd forgiven him.

"Malfoy, I didn't mean—" she stammered, hesitant.

"Then what did you mean, Granger?" he asked. There was a distinct lack of anger. More so an expression of curiosity.

"I—"

Forgive you. But the words wouldn't come out. "I know it wasn't my place but I didn't think she was being fair," she admitted, refusing to make eye contact. "I feel like all I've done is cause an unnecessary strain in your relationship and for that, I apologize."

He didn't say anything for a minute. She wondered if he'd even heard her.

"On the contrary, your little spat with her might have been the final push I needed," he said softly.

This time, she couldn't help but look. When she did, he was already looking back.

Hermione could recognize the walls he'd built up from his occulmency after so many nights watching their potion together. She could tell when they were up by the way he behaved and when he was struggling to keep them in one piece. Now, she could sense what she'd felt that day in the bathroom, and every so often in their late evenings together. That very same barrier she'd felt between them was starting crack even further. Bit by bit, she could feel the pieces falling away, threatening to unveil what lay within. Instead of uncertainty or fear, she stood ready.

"Push for wha—?"

"Draco?"

Theo.

In an instant, the cracks repaired themselves and within milliseconds, she was shut out again.

She inwardly cursed at Theo's awful timing.

"What?" The harsh tone drastically contrasted with the one he used previously. One she wouldn't mind hearing in the depths of her dreams and fantasies.

"Do you have a second? Astoria's looking for you."

"Tell her I'm busy."

"She said It's urgent."

Narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Theo's figure through the curtain, he sighed with dejection.

"You should go," Hermione urged, despite what her gut was telling her.

"Draco?"

"I heard you." He grimaced before frowning apologetically at her. Despite their physical closeness, he suddenly felt like miles away.

"We can talk about this later," Hermione promised, offering a small, encouraging smile. "When Theo and Blaise are too drunk to distinguish a witch from a wizard," she added. At that, he smirked and gave a curt nod before ducking through the curtains. And just like that, she was alone again.

She shook herself out of a daze, unable to compute with what just happened.

Giving herself a minute to recover, Hermione followed Malfoy's lead and stepped back into the party where she could easily spot Ginny with a freshly filled drink in hand,

"Ginny!" She called.

"Hermione!" she mimicked, clearly having been affected by her previous trips to the punch bowl when she spilled some of her drink onto the floor.

"What is that?" Hermione asked, eyeing the peculiarly coloured drink in her hand.

"One of Tingle's creations," Ginny responded. "It's supposed to be a relaxing elixir. Care to try?" She held it up to her to take and Hermione only scrunched her face up in disgust when she caught a whiff.

"It smells like...rotten apple juice."

"Really?" Ginny said, bringing it to her nose. "Smells like burnt bird feathers to me."

"Oh Ginny, what on Earth?" Hermione exclaimed, completely taken aback.

"What? That's just what I smell. Tastes good, though," she shrugged, downing the rest of the glass in one go.

"You don't think that's a bit strange that it smells significantly different to both of us?"

"It's meant to be a calming elixir, I'd expect it would have a different impact on everyone," she hiccuped, "Tingle said Slughorn requested he make it extra potent for tonight."

"And you're positively sure that's safe to drink?" Hermione pressed with uncertainty.

"Tingle makes the food we eat three times a day, seven days a week. I literally trust him with my life on a daily basis."

"Right," Hermione drew slowly, eyeing the bubbling punch from afar.

"Have you seen Harry?"

Hermione looked around, finding him carrying away a conversation with Slughorn.

"He's over by the food table talking to Professor Slughorn."

"Wonderful! Want to come with?" Ginny asked with a burst of glee, and pulling Hermione along. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Harry right now.

"No no, really, I'm alright—" Hermione fought against her, her eyes suddenly catching Theo who was hunched over a nearby table.

She blinked. Was he…

"Mione, come on—" Ginny insisted, continuing to pull.

Having had enough, Hermione quickly snatched her arm back.

"Just, go on without me, alright? I'm going to go get a drink for myself."

While Ginny practically skipped away in Harry's direction, Hermione made her way over to Theo who kept rubbing his forehead. That's strange. He seemed fine a few moments ago.

"Theo? Theo, are you alright?" She asked in a worried tone as she reached forward, laying a hand on his arm before he retracted sharply. Pulling away from her touch like she was poison.

"I'm fine. Go find your friends, Granger," he hissed irritably before he wandered off. She gaped at his retreating figure in shock. Definitely strange. Taking a quick look around, no one else seemed to be behaving like this. Then, she looked down. His glass was half empty of the same new batch of punch.

Horrified, Hermione quickly snatched up his glass and briskly walked over to the punch bowl and found it was already replaced with a different fluid. Taking a whiff, it smelled like cherries. Like a normal fruit punch.

"What in the name of Merlin—"

"Hermione!" Ginny called as she walked back over.

"Ginny, does something seem a bit off to you?"

"Yes, thank you! Finally someone notices all the punch is all gone!"

Hermione grimaced, "No, not that. Nevermind," with a huff, she grabbed hold of her arm and together, the exited the party them down to a quiet corridor. "I have something I need to tell you," she admitted in the form of a whisper.

But before she could mutter another word, something else caught her eye.

At the far end of the corridor, tucked within an alcove, was Malfoy and Astoria.

Hermione remained frozen solid as ice, unable to look away as the very same hands she'd been staring at in class, the ones she still could still feel the imprint of on her arms from when he gripped her tightly, held the witch with him in an affectionate hold. Keeping her firmly in place as their lips were interlocked in a deep and passionate kiss.

Languid and passionate.

Gentle and longing.

It wasn't until now when she realized she hadn't seen them exchange any sort of physical affection. And now, she desperately wished she hadn't.

On top of that, in all the years she'd known him, she'd never seen him act that way with anyone else before. Treating someone so dear to him like they were his entire world.

A loud shattering ripped her from her trance. Looking down, she realized she dropped the glass in her hands though they didn't seem to notice, far too engrossed into one another to be bothered by anything else.

On the outside, it looked like they sorted out their differences and found amity with one another. Logic told her she should have been happy for them. For him. He was her friend after all.

Then why did she feel like she was falling apart inside?

"Hermione?" Although she was still out of it, she could sense there was something wrong.

"Go to Harry, Gin. I need to go to the loo."

Overwhelmed, Hermione backed away slowly and turned. Willing anything to keep her stomach contents from erupting too soon.

After making it to the loo in record timing and emptying anything she had, Hermione made her way to a spot she hadn't set foot on all year. Letting her instincts guide her, she was led to the very place she sought refuge to for many years. Transfiguring a thick coat out of one of the rocks, Hermione planted herself, staring out into the stillness of the night. It was freezing cold but ironically enough, it was just the comfort she needed.

Her eyes were drawn to the moon as it shone brightly. For so long, the object had become such an significant part of her life the past few months. As it passed over night after night whilst their potion brewed, she and Malfoy evolved as people and sufficient partners to one another. Though tonight, on the night of the winter solstice, she felt as though she were at the peak of the darkness. Isolated as she yearned for something that was within arm's reach, yet so far away.

"Mione!"

She turned her head slightly.

"Hermione!"

It was Ginny.

"Hermione! There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you." She sounded back to her normal self.

"I'm fine," she said with an edge.

"Well we're not going to let you sit here all night. Come on," Ginny urged, shivering and she rubbed her arms.

She forwent a coat entirely.

"Gin, I really don't want to go back."

"We're not going back," she answered simply, holding out a hand for her to take. "We're going to the Burrow."

Suddenly, going back inside didn't sound so bad after all. Except she knew this was unavoidable. Mustering up her courage, she stood, shaking off the snow from the ground. Just before their hands touched, Hermione halted.

"Wait! I need to tell Theo—" Ginny shook her head.

"Harry went to talk to him. He's meeting us there after," she answered. Staring at her hand, Hermione sighed heavily and took it.

With a pop, they were gone.

A/n: My sincerest apologies to those who were excited about this chapter….it gets better, I promise!