Hermione awoke slowly, her eyes adjusting to the brightness of the room around her. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked around, not recognizing the surroundings as her dorm room. It took a minute before she remembered. She was in the practice room for the competition.

Wait.... she thought to herself. How did I get here? 

She vaguely remembered leaving the party with Draco, but where they went, she couldn't recall. The memory loss and her pounding headache only confirmed her suspicions. Someone had spiked the punch at the party with firewhiskey. 

Or.... had it all just been alcohol to begin with? An image of Dean Thomas chugging champagne flashed in her mind. 

It didn't matter, Hermione insisted. What was important now is that she get up and get ready fr her first cla-

Her thoughts were cut short as someone next to her shifted, and Hermione became aware of the arm wrapped around her waist.

Oh. So that's where Draco had ended up. 

She turned slightly on the couch so that she was facing the familiar Slytherin. 

"Morning," He greeted her, a smirk toying at his lips. Hermione smiled lazily at him.

"Morning." she murmured back. 

"Any idea what time it is?"

"Probably later then I want it to be."

"Mmm." Draco's eyes drooped, still sleepy.

"Oh no. Don't you fall asleep on me." Hermione teased. "It's wake up time."

"No," Draco grumbled. "It's sleep-off-my-mega-hangover time." Hermione rolled her eyes and slipped off the couch, standing up. Draco let out a noise of protest. "You were warm-  come back." he pleaded.

"You can take a nap later." She replied, stretching. Draco sighed and sat up, but before he could reply, the door to the room swung open and Professor Flitwick walked in.

"Good! You're right on time for rehearsal." He noted, checking off they they were present before leaving again. Draco and Hermione's eyes widened.

"Well, now we know what time it is." Draco offered.

"We missed our first two classes!" Hermione yelled. 

"Not so loud!" Draco urged, rubbing his head.

"Sorry," she apologized. Draco eyed her, a smiled on his face.

"We should sleep here more often." He commented. 

"On uncomfortable leather couches?" 

"I'm sure the two of us can figure out how to transfigure a bed in here."

"Tonight it is then."

*********

Later that day, after classes were over, Hermione found her way to the library. She seemed to be one of the few students that still cared about their classes while the competition was going on. 

"Hello Hermione," a familiar voice said cautiously. A shiver of danger went up Hermione's spine as she turned to face Ron.

"Ronald." She said sharply. He looked at her regretfully.

"Mione...." he began. "Can we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about." She declared, turning to face the bookshelf.

"You know that's not true." He sighed. "I'm sorry, alright? I've been nothing but a prat, and I realize that now. But I've changed, Hermione, I swear it. Can you please just give me a chance to explain myself?" She turned back to glare at him.

"After all you've done, after all you've said to me, what you put your grieving family through- why should I listen to a word you say? You are a prat, Ronald Weasley. A foul, loathsome, little prat. I have better things to do with my time then to listen to you." A flicker of anger passed over Ron's face before he replied.

"After everything that happened in the war, you heard Malfoy out. You gave him a second chance because he said he'd changed. Why am I any different?" Hermione hesitated, hating the fact that Ron had a point.

"Prove it." she proclaimed. "Prove to me that you've changed, and I'll hear you out. She crossed her arms. "His name is Draco. I want to hear you say it." Ron paused before forcing the words out as if they tasted bitter.

"His...name is.... Draco." He spat out. 

"Alright, I'm listening." Hermione agreed.

"Not here," Ron pleaded. "I want this to be private. Meet me in the Charms classroom tonight?" Hermione thought for a moment. Draco would wonder where she'd been...But if Ron had really changed...

"Okay." she breathed. "I'll be there."