Between Us - Dramione/Blinny

Ch. 9

After about half of her drink, which Hermione was starting to suspect as vodka, she found her mind drifting to how much things had changed in the nearly three weeks of them being back. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel in any sort of danger, which was a wonderful change. She even made friends with her past bullies. Well, almost all of her past bullies.

"You better not be thinking about what I think you're thinking about."

She looked up from the couch to see Ginny sitting down on the arm next to her, scowling at the brunette. Hermione laughed and shook her head, trying to think of a lie.

"I'm just wondering," She started slowly before coming up with something. "Should we have invited the Slytherins?"

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding? Even though we've accepted that they've changed doesn't mean that the others will."

"I suppose you're right...." Hermione trailed off, now actually feeling bad about it. "What about Pansy though?"

Thinking quietly for a moment, Ginny shrugged. "Might be better than the whole group. Plus I heard some of the other girls commenting that she's much nicer now. If you want to invite her, I won't complain!"

Hermione smiled and conjured up a small piece of parchment, writing a quick note to Pansy before sending it off with a grin. She was definitely starting to feel the alcohol.

The Slytherin common room was surprisingly empty, considering that it was nearly curfew. The small group of four were lounging on two couches off to the side of the room, sipping firewhiskey that Theo had smuggled in. There were a few other pairs and trios of Slytherins doing homework or sitting next to the windows, looking for different creatures that could possibly turn up on the other side.

After a couple drinks of firewhiskey, it was obvious that Theo was feeling rather bold as he looked over and asked, "So, Draco, I noticed that the moment you turned up in Hogsmeade, Hermione ran away. Have any insight as to why that is?"

Draco stared at him for a few moments before shaking his head as his brow furrowed. "Why would I have any idea why she acts the way she does?"

Theo shrugged, giving him a grin. "Maybe you have more of an idea than you let on."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco glared at Theo.

"You know," Pansy interrupted. "She did ask about you earlier."

His glare turned to a look of surprise. "She did?"

"Told you," Blaise said to both Pansy and Theo.

Theo groaned and produced a galleon from his pocket, flipping it over the coffee table to Blaise who caught it with a grin. Pansy simply smiled and said, "You've got a crush on her, don't you?"

"Absolutely not!" Draco said quickly.

"Ha, see!" Theo laughed, pointing at Draco as he looked at the other two. "He said, 'absolutely, Nott'!"

Blaise put his head in his hands while Pansy gently took away Theo's glass of firewhiskey and said, "Okay, you're making puns; I think it's time you take a break from the firewhiskey."

Theo gave her an offended look. "You seriously didn't think that was funny? That was brilliant!"

"Yes, dear; I'm trying to contain my laughter," Pansy giggled, patting her boyfriend's leg.

Draco rolled his eyes and said in a low voice, "I do not have a crush on Hermione."

"I beg to differ," Blaise snorted. "You were grinning like a madman when they sang 'happy birthday' to her earlier."