Project 137.43.M.D.

XXV. | SUUM CUIQUE

XXV.
SUUM CUIQUE
(to each his own)

It had been early in the morning when Ginny's face had appeared in the flames of Hermione's fireplace and asked her if she would accompany her to 'a promising party'. Ginny was going to be 'kids free' tonight, was 'bloody happy about it' and finally had her convinced by declaring that she needed to take someone with her to keep her from 'dancing naked on the bar in her hammered state'. With the latter she had elicited a smile from Hermione and after a moment's hesitation she had agreed.

Under any other circumstances, she would never have done it. Two parties in one month actually more than doubled Hermione's need for alcohol, happy people, and glitter in her hair. But after everything she had been through in the past few days, getting drunk seemed like the most sensible thing to do. Malfoy's eyes, his memory, the obviously flawed verdict and (not to mention) the sex in his kitchen. And in his bed. There really were enough reasons to get hammered.

So now, hours after their conversation, they entered the little club in Diagon Alley together and, through the crowd of witches and wizards, made their way straight to the bar. Since Ginny had picked Hermione up and even made her change clothes twice after she had already uncorked the first bottle of wine, they had arrived later than originally planned. The club was packed.

Ginny ordered Firewhisky and Hermione leaned in so they could talk over the loud music.

"How do you know the hostess again?" she asked loudly.

"She's a former colleague of mine - from the Daily Prophet. It's her 30th birthday, so she invited everybody and his owl. Harry was thrilled that he couldn't come with us because we didn't find a babysitter. And I was thrilled, too."

Ginny laughed in relief and tilted her head back. Hermione grinned and they clinked glasses.

The Firewhisky stung her throat uncomfortably and she knew that the next day she would probably feel like she had after the party two weeks ago. But she didn't care. Maybe this time she would even allow herself to take the headache potion first thing in the morning instead of punishing herself. At least she would be able to sleep late - what luck.

"Did you get access to Malfoy's file yet?" Ginny asked suddenly, lowering her voice, although it was hardly necessary.

Hermione nodded, but then immediately grimaced.

"You know I can't talk about it, Ginny."

She shrugged apologetically. As long as she had no idea what to do with the information she had received, she couldn't tell her friend about it either.

"But it didn't throw you off track?"

Ginny was adamant and Hermione gave in. The first whiskey was already doing its job and so she shook her head slightly. She inwardly sugarcoated it with the thought that at least it didn't tell exactly what she had found out. She was almost afraid that Ginny would ask more questions and put her in a dilemma, but she was wrong. The slight movement of her head seemed to be enough for Ginny and a wide smile spread across her face.

"Perfect," she called out over the incredible background noise, "because he's here."

Hermione froze. Unfortunately, her first reflex was to check her hair with one hand, and she got mad at herself when Ginny ducked under the bar, snorting with laughter.

"You really are-"

She pulled her friend up by the arm and glared at her in mock anger.

"Where is he? And why the hell is he here?" she finally hissed in panic and unobtrusively looked around in all directions.