Boys Night, Girls Night
12
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12.
Sunday night found Granger sitting at her vanity table in her room. She knew this was a bad idea. But she had had wine with dinner, too much wine. And wine made her think too much. Now she wanted to take a trip down memory lane.
In front of her was the most elaborate gold and ruby pensieve. It had been a gift from Malfoy when she saved his ass the FIRST time during the war. She had tried to refuse it- it was worth too much and most inappropriate for a gift.
"Think of it this way my dear, dear Granger," Draco had grinned acerbically, "You can use it to remove all memories of me."
That was before they truly knew each other. But he was right, in the end. It helped alleviate the never ending memories of all they had lost during the war. Just a little jinx and the memories stayed in the pensieve. While the witch in question still could remember the incident- the details were blurry, less distinct. A miracle.
She poked her wand randomly at the bowl, hoping for a memory that wouldn't hurt that bad.
The one she saw was compulsory. No hesitation, she dove right in.
She stood next to herself at a party. It was the housewarming for Harry's new apartment. The same one he was living in now. The feeling of safety and content seemed to bring out the best in everyone that night. It was then she decided to slip into a still unfurnished bedroom in the back for some peace and quiet.
She always felt alone these days. In truth, it was absurd. She had Ginny, Harry, Ron, the entire Weasley clan, friends from Hogwarts, Krum and a couple acquaintances from Durmstrang, contacts at the ministry, her parents and her family. So many people. They were always around her.
But tonight she had seen it so clearly. It was a couple-fest. Everyone was matched with someone else. Except her.
She was happy. She was happy with her job, happy that her friends were happy…
Happy, happy, happy....
And sad that despite it all she was the only one heading back to an empty, small apartment filled with a bottle of wine and a huge orange cat. The thought of her turning into a young cat lady sprung into her mind and she laughed out loud.
"You know, I always did think you were a bit barmy," said a sneering voice. She turned in a flash to find Malfoy leaning against the far wall, half in shadow.
"And I always knew you were an arrogant git."
A brief smile crossed his face as he pushed away from the wall and walked towards her. "Oh, come off it, Granger. You knew I was always one sexy arrogant git. It's part of my charm."
She did smile at that one. Draco was sexy. It was a fact, like saying the sky was blue. He was tall, strong, light blonde, naughty eyes. "So is modesty. What are you doing here?"
"Oh I would wager the same thing you are, getting away from all the love doves out there." The words were slightly slurred. She noticed his clothes were disheveled, his shirt halfway unbuttoned.
Hermione gave herself a mental shake to stop staring at his neck. She bit her lip instead. "You're good."
"No, you're just easy....to read. Besides, you should be thanking me right now.” He stopped in front of her.
“And why would I be thanking you for insulting me?” She tilted her head to the side.
"Because you came unprepared." He brandished a bottle in her face. "At least I came to wallow in solitude with a handle of bourbon."
She peered at the label. It was very expensive bourbon. "Malfoy - It’s almost halfway gone."
He shrugged. "You were late. Had to do something to pass the time." When she didn't take the bottle right away, a devilish smile broke across his face. "Oh come on Granger, are we too stuck up? Are there some rules you wish to declare before such a sordid evening? Like no physical contact?” He taunted, deliberately stroking a knuckle down the side of her cheek.
She felt her back straighten and her shoulders push back. "The only thing sordid here is your family tree. Give me the damn bottle." She took it roughly out of his hand and took a swig. Followed by another. And so it continued, trading insults and the bottle back and forth. Hermione was aware she was past her limit, but she was having too much fun. Fighting with Draco was always fun, always a way to distract herself.
"Surprised?" she asked giving him the bottle back.
"Not really. I've seen enough of you by now to realize you're not as much of a prude that you let on. Not saying you aren't. You are. But not. All rolled into one." Draco shook his head to stop rambling. "I have a feeling that I'm going to want to remember this in the morning. But I know that’s a lost cause." He put the handle down and seemed to laugh at something that popped into his head. "You know Granger, You would be shockingly attractive if you kept your mouth shut."
Hermione watched him watch her as her anger rose. He was giddy. He was probably wondering what he was going to get this time. A slap? A hex? She saw his eyes flicker to the corner of the room. She noticed he left his wand across the room on the window sill. Hermione grinned.
All the things she expected tonight, a drunken and careless Draco was not on the list. Might as well milk it for what it was worth. She took that one critical step closer.
"But Malfoy, if my mouth was shut, I wouldn't be able to do this-" She went up on her tip toes, threw her arms around him and gave him a kiss. She knew she was taking advantage, but who's to say he wouldn't have done the same thing? He stood there in shock for maybe half a second. She began to lean away to enjoy her victory when he grabbed her around her waist and pressed his lips to hers.
Surprised- she tried to push away. It was suppose to be a gimmick, something to laugh about the next morning. She didn't know he would want to continue.
Then, somehow, neither of them wanted to move away. His hands were everywhere, in her hair, down her back. Suddenly, she was airborne, her legs wrapped around his waist and her back against a wall, his lips at her throat. Hermione couldn't believe the mouth she had wanted to slap on more than one occasion could make her feel like this. Draco seemed only to agree, pressing himself as close as possible, his lips finding hers again. They were breathing hard, until they both heard a voice, too close and too familiar, coming towards the room.
"Yes, the spare bedroom is actually quite large." She heard Harry say, the door handle turning.
Both of them sprang apart, fixing their clothes.
"Wouldn't bother, not like those rags are worth fixing anyway," came a mocking low aside.
The light turned on and the first thing those entering the room saw was Hermione slapping Draco across the face.
Hermione was again at her vanity. Draco hadn’t remembered that night, or what he got the slap for. He assumed he said something he shouldn’t have, like normal.
But until now, she hadn’t remembered too much about it herself. Even then, her subconscious knew there was something there.
And now there’s not.
The thought put a large lump in her throat.