"Hermione, wake up, what the hell is this?"
I let out an annoyed groan, unwilling to open my eyes but had to do so reluctantly after being nudged at a steadily shortened increment.
"What?" I squinted to avoid the sunlight directly shining into my eyes, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Ginny crossed her arms, "You are the one to ask."
"I'm sorry I left your party early," I sat up. As my eyes gradually acquainted with the brightness, I became aware of my surroundings. Instead of sitting on my bed like I expected, I found myself on the couch in the common room without any recollection of how I ended up here.
"That's another story for another day," She sighed, with her red hair reflecting the shine of the light, "I'm talking about how you came back ridiculously late last night, or more precisely, early this morning. Seriously, how much did you drink? "
"Well, I'm sorry about that too," I guilty looked away, "I hope I didn't cause much of a scene."
"Let's just say, I never thought you could be this loud and laugh at nothing," Ginny rose her eyebrow, "And most importantly, why on earth is Malfoy here?"
"What?" I was confused. Ginny tilted her head, and I looked next to me. There he was, sitting on the floor with his arms on the couch and his head resting on them, was Draco Malfoy. Ashamed and not knowing what to say, I faked a smile and threw my hands, "Ohhhhh, ugh, I don't know?"
"Come on," Ginny dead stared at me before she bent down to start picking up the cushions and throws that were tossed away from where they once belonged, "Just wake him up and get him out of here before anyone else sees all this."
"Yeah," I nodded like a child who just broke a window by kicking a ball into it. Ginny sighed again and shook her head.
"Alright, I'll leave you to it," Ginny put a cushion onto my lap. She was about to leave before she stopped and turned to look at me, "Hermione, I'm disappointed in you. Not about you slipped away from the party, but because of your reckless and inconsiderate actions."
She continued to walk back upstairs, leaving me speechless and not knowing what to think.
'I guess I'll have to live with the consequences,' I murmured to myself before turning to Malfoy.
As I reached my hand out to shake him, he lifted his head up:
"Good morning."
"I didn't know you were awake," I was surprised.
"I have been since the beginning of the dreadful conversation between you and Weasley," Malfoy curled his lip and sluggishly got on his feet, "Now, if you excuse, I presume it's better if I left."
Just as I was amazed by how Malfoy returned to his sober ways and there was no sign of hangover lingering around him, he retracked his steps and proceeded to sit down next to me.
I rose my eyebrow.
"On a second thought," He said without looking at me, "Perhaps I can have some water first?"
"Just admit it, you are as hungover as I am," I patted him on his thigh.
"Potentially, "He said quietly, and I laughed.
"Let's get going," I handed him a glass of water that happened to be lying around, "We should go, I don't want to be yelled at again."
"That's liquor," He pushed the glass away, "Can't you smell the pure ethanol in it?"
"I'm surprised you know a thing or two about ethanol," I nodded in approval before I struggled to stand up, "Come on, we got to go."
While we walked toward the Slytherin common room, we didn't talk. Both him and I were in a daze where we were merely the shadows of who we used to be and in need of sometime to recover from the confusing foggy state.
"I'll see you later," Malfoy said as he kissed me on my forehead, "I must say that I had an interesting night."
"I had fun too," I smiled, "See you."
I watched him as he walked to the door, as he was trying to get in, someone got out.
And of course, it was Pansy Parkinson.
"Draco?!" She sounded relieved and frustrated at the same time, "Where have you been? I was worried sick."
Malfoy was about to say something, but she raised her palm to stop him from speaking when she saw me standing behind him.
"You went with her," She said menacingly, "Why? How many times do I have to tell you Granger is bad news? Why can't you just listen to me for once?"
"Parkinson, stop talking," Malfoy said coldly, "I am not in the mood for your nonsense, not now, not ever."
"Soon or later, you'll realize I'm right," Parkinson said and quickly glared at me.
"I'm really over this, Parkinson," I said as I was rubbing my temples, "Why don't you leave us alone?"
"Us?" Parkinson walked up to me with vengeance in her eyes, "There is no 'us' when it comes to you and Draco."
If this was another day, I'd be intimidated by her tone, but right now, after a whole night of partying and irresponsible drinking, I felt as if I was ready to take her on.
"Bite me," I got closer to her face and said while directly staring into her eyes.
I heard Malfoy chuckle.
The tension between Pansy Parkinson was building up and for a brief moment, I was worried she'd throw a punch at me, but I was ready to defend myself, and if needed, Malfoy.
"What's all this commotion about?" Someone else got out of the door.
"It's none of your business, Greengrass," Malfoy's laughter turned into a sneer.
"Sure, Malfoy," Daphne Greengrass rolled her eyes as she walked pass Malfoy, "Mr. Troublemaker and not trouble resolver."
"That's a horrible insult," Malfoy said flatly. She waved without looking back at him.
"Alright, you two," Greengrass stood between Parkinson and I, "Get away from each other. And uh, no, no comebacks. Listen up, Granger, you and I are going to get coffee in Hogsmeade. Parkinson, if I remembered it correctly, didn't you say yesterday that you have some reports to file? And when is the deadline again? Oh right, noon. Well, you know, as the Slytherin Perfect, I'd think you wouldn't want to miss the deadline when other Perfects are already working on them, or worse, already handed them in."
"You," Parkinson mumbled. She swallowed her words down and stomped before she took off.
"You are good," I squinted and said in pure admiration, "But are we actually going to get coffee?"
"Yes," She said as she dragged me with her, "Let's spend some time together to sober up. I cannot stand being boxed in, definitely in need of some fresh air."
I looked over my shoulder to Malfoy, he nodded.
"Say bye to your lover boy, you are with me now," She said with a smirk, "See you, Malfoy."
"Don't play any tricks, Greengrass," Malfoy said jokingly, "Or I will make sure you regret it."
"Right, grandma," She covered her ears, "Come, Granger, let's get out of here."