Chiaroscuro

The Sea

Hermione and Draco ate their fill of the Chinese food. Hermione told him about going out to tea and lunch with Pansy and her day at work. She wasn't entirely sure he cared about her day, but she felt the incessant need to fill the air. Draco nodded and listened but said little. She could only hope that between the time passing and the food, he was beginning to sober up.

Sitting on the floor beside the table, Hermione looked over at Draco who now sprawled out on the couch like a lazy cat. He seemed less gloomy than he had earlier and perhaps less drunk.

"Thank you," said Draco suddenly.

She looked over at him. "For what?"

"The food," he gestured to what little remained of the meal. "And the company."

She smiled, "it's no problem."

He leaned back into the couch. "We should probably go to The Burrow soon. I told Molly I'd-"

"I owled George that we'd be late."

Draco sat up straighter, "what? When?"

"When I ordered the food," she said.

"What did he say?"

"Just that he was going to teach them some prank."

"So, he knows we're...together?"

"Yeah, I sorta said you were sick."

"You're a terrible liar. Why would you be here if I'm sick?" He raised a pale eyebrow.

"Because I'm bringing you food."

"Why would you do that?"

She groaned. "That's what people do if someone's sick. You know, it's a lot of work to cook when you feel terrible so someone might drop off some...soup or something."

"George will know you lied."

"Would you rather I told him you were drunk?"

"I guess not," a smile found its way to his face.

Hermione returned the smile. "But you're right. I should go get James, Albus, and Lily soon. How do you feel?"

"Fine," he said.

Hermione looked at her watch. It was almost eleven at night, far past the kids' bedtime as well as hers. She wondered if they were asleep at The Burrow already.

"You look in deep thought," Draco commented.

"It's later than I imagined."

"Do you think anyone's awake at The Burrow?"

"I don't know," Hermione stood up and stretched. "Care to come with me and find out?"

Draco and Hermione apparated together to the front lawn of The Burrow. She gazed up at the house, hoping to see a light or some semblance of life. However, all the lights had been put out and the entire house was dark.

"Bullocks," Draco said. "I'm an idiot."

Hermione chuckled to herself. "It's alright, we'll pick them up in the morning. Besides, I had already told them that you were feeling sick. Between George, Molly, and Authur, I'm sure the kids are perfectly comfortable."

"I should have said something to Scorpius," he tensed beside her. "He doesn't know..."

"He'll be alright," Hermione reached out and put her hand on Draco's shoulder.

"What should we do," he asked as he stared up at The Burrow. He seemed lost.

"We'll go back to my place for the night," Hermione said. She had no intention of leaving Draco alone and she didn't want to go back to his place, either. "It's only a couple blocks that way."