Chapter 16

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Draco felt like hell.

His head pounded dangerously.

A dull, stabbing, pain plagued the left side of his head.

Clutching onto the sides, he gingerly rubbed his temples.

Was he in his flat?

He had woken up awkwardly sprawled across the couch, a half-empty bottle of scotch on the glass table.

Hermione...Granger...

The memories of the previous night came rushing back to him and so did the bile.

Draco winced in pain.

The kiss with Weasley, the words he had spoken and her grief-stricken face...

A major part of him expected her to turn up at his side, and they would make love and forget everything in each other's arms.

But how do you come back from the events of last night? How do you erase Weasley's kiss? How could he take back what he had said?

Weasley, he thought bitterly.

The fucker would pay dearly.

Checking his phone, Draco chucked it aside in frustration.

He had many calls to return but none from the person he wanted.

Not a single call. Not a single message.

Had he driven her away for good? Could he forget what happened with Weasley?

The image of Weasley kissing Hermione made his insides churn unpleasantly.

The way the bastard's fingers touched her skin.

Argh! Anger built up slowly refusing to back down and retreat.

Granger belonged to him! Always...

Draco clutched his head again, the questions and uncertainly were making his head pound dangerously.

Unsteady yet necessary, he slowly got to his feet and found his bearing.

A shower! A long fucking shower! He always thought best after a cleansing shower.

He let the water run over him, unconsciously reaching for his shampoo, he accidentally grabbed Hermione's lavender body wash instead.

Staring at the bottle, he swallowed hard.

Her wet naked body pressed up against him, her sultry moans pierced his thoughts until they consumed his mind completely.

Granger...

The steady stream of water fell over him relentlessly.

He closed his eyes and pictured her skin, her fingers, her tight dripping...

My love...

The need for her was overwhelming.

His breathing quickened, bringing the bottle closer to his face, he inhaled deeply.

The familiar scent travelled into his nostrils and lodged itself in his consciousness.

Closing his eyes to relish the smell, he stiffened at the memory of Weasley's hands-on Hermione.

Anger tore through him at her betrayal and he threw the bottle away, it crashed against the tiles, fell to the ground and its contents squirted out.

He banged his fists on the wall. He missed her more than he could say, and it had only been a couple of hours.

Draco concluded that Hermione was a permanent fixture in his life and without her, the answer to that was bleak.

Never in his life had he lost control; he didn't know the meaning anymore.

Tying a large towel around his hips, he walked into the kitchen towelling his hair, a burst of soft laughter made his head turn.

"Gran...?" His heart soared, he almost called out hopefully, but it was just the echo of her infectious laugh.

It was everywhere. He was losing his fucking mind.

Pouring himself a cool glass of orange juice, he leaned against the kitchen counter.

He barely had time to take a sip when a bright Patronus appeared in the middle of the clean kitchen.

The beautiful Persian cat spoke.

Draco, a gentle reminder on tonight's event. I expect you and Miss Granger at the Manor by seven pm sharp.

Hope you are well son.

Fuck! he had forgotten all about his mother's fundraiser.

Racking his brains for an excuse to get out of it he jogged into his room to get ready.

Draco did what he always did and threw himself into work.

He had meetings and Death Eaters to catch.

His love life would have to wait.

Ginny advised her friend sternly, "Mi, why don't you talk to him?"

Hermione fired back, "I didn't do anything Gin, why the fuck should I?"

She was still angry with him for what he said.

Her Gryffindor blood in full swing.

Ginny tried her best to convince Hermione, "He obviously feels betrayed and if you keep quiet it's like you're guilty."

She could understand Draco's frustration.

It couldn't have been easy for him to witness what he did.

Hermione replied seriously wiping the fresh tears that fell down her face, "NO, he can apologize to me, he was cruel and I won't put up with him treating me like that."

Ginny grudgingly agreed and reached over to hug her friend.

Ginny had done everything short of hexing Ron into a pile of worms.

The lashing she had given him had her brother cowering on the couch and Harry had stood behind her glaring.

They had seen Hermione suffer at his hands too much.

She was finally happy with Draco, why the fuck couldn't he just let them be!?

Ron had hung his head and confessed, "I love her."

If anything, that little proclamation enraged Ginny even more and she moved to strike but Harry had grabbed her wrist with a look.

Scowling, she stormed out of her brother's pigsty of a flat leaving Harry to deal with him.

Harry hadn't said much except three little words, they had been delivered in a deadly serious voice, "Let her go!"

Ron sank further into the couch and hung his head, he knew better than to argue.

They didn't understand, he was losing himself without Hermione.

Hermione crawled into bed and sobs wracked through her.

Draco please come to me!

She wished it desperately as he would appear before her.

How could she go to him when he told her it was over? Waiting for him was driving her crazy.

Throwing back her covers, her wobbly legs barely carried her into the kitchen.

Prowling around her flat in frustration, she cried out in aggravation.

How could he believe that she would betray him?

His words were fresh in her mind, "THIS IS OVER GRANGER, I DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE."

It echoed and bouncing off the walls in her mind.

OVER! The tiny word played continuously in her troubled mind.

The things he said, were like thousands of daggers at her already fragile heart.

The last thing Hermione wanted was to push Draco. The decision to give him time and space seemed like a good one at the time, but she was suffocating under it.

Why the hell couldn't he just understand what happened?

He was so bloody stubborn.

Hermione had her doubts about his trust in her, whether he would hold their beginning over her head for always and throw it at her when it suited him.

The very thought disgusted her, tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks.

Draco threw the file on the table roughly sending other papers flying off his table.

He couldn't concentrate, he couldn't do shit!

Mostly, he hated himself for how he treated her last night.

Groaning out loud, he tried to push Hermione out of his head.

He grabbed the sides of his head and growled, "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Later that night at Malfoy Manor...

Pulling at his bow tie, Draco grumbled; This was the last place he wanted to be.

Unfortunately, his mother had not taken no for an answer and insisted upon his presence.

Keeping up appearances was a tedious duty of his illustrious upbringing and family name.

Checking the phone again, he stuffed it back in his pocket angrily.

Twenty-three times he had checked his phone with the same results. Silence.

Grabbing a champagne flute from passing by a server, Draco leaned against the terrace and looked at the dangerously looming clouds.

A roar of thunder followed the bright flash of lightning.

Looks like they were in for a storm, much like the internal storm raging inside him.

Exactly forty-two hours had passed since they last spoke or saw each other.

"Mind if I keep you company?" A feminine voice interrupted his thoughts.

Bloody hell! That's all he needed, another irked female.

"Not at all Astoria," He replied uninterested.

She eyed him fondly and asked gently, "You seemed far away, are you alright?"

Draco straightened, "Yes, of course, I'm fine."

She looked into the distance, "I noticed, Hermione, didn't accompany you tonight."

He stiffened, "She's...err...working." It was a believable lie.

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wind at her neck.

The woman was beautiful, she was no Hermione Granger but in her own aristocratic way, Draco supposed she was beautiful.

He felt nothing for her of course.

She seemed to be in her own world and throwing her one final glance, Draco turned to leave.

Astoria grabbed his wrist and stopped him.

His eyes travelled from her fingers around his wrist to her face.

"Dance with me," she requested in a sultry voice.

Draco stared at the woman and weighed his options.

How the fuck was he going to get out of this one.

Ever the gentleman, he smiled and took her hand, "Sure, Astoria."

Her hand moved from his wrist to his palm, entwining her fingers through his, she led him onto the floor.

Draco felt his mother's eyes on them, it wasn't disapproving but concerned.

He held her at a comfortable distance, despite her best efforts to move in closer to his body.

They moved to the music, in years, he had not missed a step but he fumbled his feet and missed his steps repeatedly.

"Relax, Draco," Astoria whispered in his ear seductively.

Her breath felt hot against his skin and he shuddered.

Thanking Merlin when the music ended, he hurriedly dropped his hands, bowed low and excused himself from Astoria.

Narcissa watched her son with interest, where was Hermione?

He hardly went anywhere without her lately.

She sensed something was wrong.

Cornering her son at the buffet table, she asked, "Where is Miss Granger?"

"I told you before mother," he mumbled without looking at her.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes, her voice stern, "The truth this time, Draco, is everything alright?"

Draco hesitated, what was the point of lying, "Yes...umm...we are working through a few things."

Well, it was the truth!

If you considered kissing ex-boyfriends and his trust issues, working things out.

After a moments thought, she placed a jewelled hand on her son's arm and advised, "I understand, don't overthink as you always do."

What? He did NOT overthink.

A guest called Narcissa over and Draco felt relieved.

He had shown up, he had been polite and presentable and now he wanted to get the fuck out of there.

"Polly," he called out and one of his mother's House-elves appeared.

"Master Malfoy," she greeted in a high pitch voice.

Draco could practically hear Hermione scolding him.

Damn, he missed his fiery little witch.

"Tell my mother, I left," he ordered kindly.

The elf, herself was taken back by his behaviour, she beamed at him and bowed low.

While nodding politely to everyone in acknowledgement, he quickened his step.

The minute Draco reached the apparition point, he disappeared into the darkness without a second glance.

Astoria watched Draco's departing figure.

Something was definitely wrong.

She intended to find out exactly what it was.

It was high time he realized, his place was by her side.

Draco looked at the Daily Prophet while sipping his coffee, he had made the front page yet again.

His face contorted in rage, heads were about to roll.

What the absolute fuck?

Draco Malfoy seen getting comfortable with Astoria Greengrass at a fundraiser.

Will two powerful families unite?

Where is Hermione Granger?

Have the two called it quits?

This time he was standing next to a glamorous looking Astoria at his mother's fundraiser.

Some bloody moron had taken their picture, while they were talking on the terrace.

Draco felt a pang of guilt when he thought of Hermione.

He read the caption. "Getting comfortable!"

Bullshit! They were standing well apart.

Trust the Prophet to make a mountain out of a molehill.

He knew Granger would see it and that would be the final nail in the coffin.

They had maintained silence for long enough, he had to see her.

Tossing and turning all night long, he concluded that he missed having Granger in his bed.

Her stupid hair got everywhere.

Draco would've given anything to have it next to him now.

At her flat...

Hermione threw the paper into her fireplace, the bloody no good Slytherin.

Fresh hot tears spilt over.

This is how he announces that their relationship was over, by publicly courting another.

The unscrupulous bastard.

How could he be this heartless?

Hermione refused to back down, she collapsed onto her couch and hugged her legs to her chest as she sobbed in despair of her lost love.

She wasn't sure just how long she had been sitting on the couch and staring at the ceiling but the apartment turned dark and she heard a loud thud outside the door.

Hoping it was Draco, she made a mad dash to the door and flung it open.

Ron grinned at her, Hermione's face fell in disappointment.

She rolled her eyes and let him in, "What are you doing here?"

He came towards her, "Is it true? Are you and Malfoy over?"

Hermione choked back a sob, "Apparently the papers know more about it than I do."

Ron hugged her then, "Is it because of what happened at the Club?"

She pushed him off, "Of course you bloody idiot."

Ron laughed in his boyish way, "The ferret has severe insecurity issues."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, "Why are you here Ron?"

He put up his hands in defence, "Calm down woman, I saw the paper and wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Just go away, you are the last person I want to see," She told him harshly.

She meant what she said and even pointed to the door.

Her words hurt him deeply, but he shoved them aside and forced a smile.

Anything to just be with her.

"Let me stay, it'll be like old times," Ron pleaded and tried to reach for her hand.

The will to fight left her momentarily as despair settled within.

The realization that Draco had left her hit her like a ton of bricks.

Her eyes watery, her heart broke at the loss of Draco.

Hermione tried to reason with Ron through sobs, "I just want to be alone Ron, please can you understand?"

He shook his head firmly, "I'm not leaving you alone, darling."

Ron took her hand and pulled her towards the TV, "come on, let's watch a movie and try to get your mind off that blonde fucktard."

Hermione shook her head; Ron had no clue what Draco meant to her.

Her insides churned and the feeling of dread spread throughout her body like a disease.

Was it even possible to feel this much pain?

Hanging out with Ron turned out to be better than she expected, halfway through the night Harry and Ginny joined them and honestly, it did feel like old times.

The four Gryffindors shared everything for a good portion of their life, and it was easy to slip back into the comfort of their friendship.

Harry and Ginny had been a bit shocked to see Ron over, but Hermione shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes.

They knew Ron better than anyone else and because of that, they knew how stubborn and hard to discourage he was.

Hermione was glad Ginny brought Firewhisky, she took a bottle at once and drained it.

They ordered Pizza and her three closest friends tried to cheer her up.

"Mi, maybe it's for the best, " Harry offered reluctantly.

Hermione kept quiet not knowing what to say.

Ginny frowned and shook her head, "No it's not, I've seen the way Malfoy looks at you, he's crazy about you."

Ron growled at the comment but Ginny ignored him, "He was probably really hurt at what happened at the Club."

She glared openly at her brother.

Ginny threw Ron a look of floating and disgust, "This is all your fucking fault."

She pointed to Hermione's broken state, "I hope you're happy!"

Ron flinched at his sister's harsh declaration.

He shrugged casually and tried to defend his horrible actions, "I was drunk, I can hardly remember any of it."

Harry looked at Ron suspiciously and scoffed, "Bullshit."

Ron shrugged his shoulders again in response to their stares and fired back, "What? She kissed me back."

Hermione turned on Ron in absolute fury, "Kiss you back? Like hell I did."

She added viciously, "I would've hexed you into oblivion, get it through your thick skull Ronald, I LOVE DRACO!"

Ron stared at her in shock, his pain apparent.

She grabbed the sides of her side and gasped, "It's too late!"

She sighed and continued, "If he could move on so quickly as if we meant nothing, maybe he never loved me at all."

Tears fell into her lap, Ginny scrabbled closer and hugged her.

Hermione held onto Ginny as new sobs ripped through her and Harry exchanged a look with Ron.

He was disappointed in his best friend for further hurting Hermione when she had finally found her peace and love.

"Can we please just let it go?" She pleaded between sobs.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other in concern and Ron grinned like a blithering idiot from the kitchen clearly unaffected by the toll his actions had taken on Hermione.

Ginny squeaked suddenly, "Oh Merlin, I almost forgot to tell you, but Neville and Pansy are engaged."

Hermione almost choked on her Firewhisky, Neville and Pansy were freaking opposites.

Ron widened his eyes in shock and reached for a bottle of Firewhiskey, "How in Merlin's saggy left testicle did that happen?"

Ginny shrugged, "No clue but sometimes the unlikeliest of couples get together."

She stared intently at Hermione.

Her statement was loaded, it didn't take a genius to figure it out.

Ron had achieved what he set out to do.

He wanted to fuck with Malfoys head, and it had worked like a charm.

Dumb fucking Malfoy, Ron thought to himself.

The one thing that he didn't plan on was Hermione being this upset over the blonde ferret.

The plan was to swoop in and comfort her like Malfoy had done when she ran out on their wedding.

Eventually, she would realize that she belonged with him and not that Slytherin piece of shit.

He would win her back; they were meant to be together.

Malfoy had no part in their story.

The Next Morning...

Harry lay sprawled on the couch, Ginny slept cuddled on the beanbag and Ron was making coffee and breakfast with her.

They had way too much to drink.

It wasn't very early, just enough to get out of bed and start the day.

The doorbell rang and Ron gave her a quick look before jogging over to open it.

Hermione couldn't see who it was, but she knew from Ron's raised voice, "What the fuck do you want Malfoy?"

She sprinted to the door and stared into icy cold eyes staring at her accusingly.

Holy hell! This was not happening.

The tall blonde cocked his head to the side and glared at Ron, "Seems like I missed the party, Granger."

Considering their current situation, he hadn't apparated directly into her apartment but used the visitor approach.

Surprise! He couldn't take a shit without popping into Weasley.

He looked past their heads into the flat and took in the sleeping forms of Harry and Ginny.

Instant relief, at least they weren't alone.

"Why are you here Draco?" Hermione asked curiously her eyes sparkling with an undying love.

She stepped forward and leaned casually against the open door.

Draco eyed Ron through narrowed eyes.

He sneered his eyes still on the redheaded man, "I need to speak with my girlfriend."

Ron took a step forward and hissed, "She's not your girlfriend, don't you have a new one?"

He reached out to grab Hermione's wrist and spat, "She has got nothing to say to you."

Hermione opened her mouth to retaliate and tell Ron to shut the fuck up but Draco was too quick, he had his wand out and it dug into Ron's ribs.

He pushed the tip further painfully and snarled, "Touch her and you'll regret it."

On impulse, she drew her wand and pointed it at him.

Her voice low, she said, "Calm down, Draco."

Was she fucking ready to hex him?

Draco turned on Hermione with hurt in his eyes and complete shock.

Was she was defending this fucker?

Fuck no!

He had not come to be degraded and treated like shit.

Even she didn't have that right!

Hermione lowered her wand instantly. Oh Merlin, what had she done?

He threw a beautifully wrapped package at her, muttered, "Fuck this," and apparated without another word.

Hermione stood rooted to the spot, the severity of what she had done washed over her.

The look on his face was enough.

At Draco's office...

Back in his office, he stalked around the space like a caged wolf.

The anger returned and bubbled to the surface.

Just when he made up his mind to move past everything, boom, he gets slammed with something else.

Quite frankly, if this was how their life would be, there was little to no point in being part of it.

Weasley didn't take long to move in and of course, Hermione would accept him with open arms.

Worse, she had taken his side, she had been ready to hex him because of that fucking piece of shit.

Seriously, what the fuck?

The thought of Weasley touching his witch sent bolts of anger and despair through him.

Hermione Granger was in his head!

Worse, she was in his blood!

So much for surprising his beloved girlfriend, he was the one who ended up being fucking surprised.

Later that day...

The hours ticked by, Draco finished a meeting and the reports on his table needed his immediate attention.

Frowning, he grabbed the closest one and started to go through it.

He could hear a loud commotion outside his office.

Doris pleaded with Hermione, "I'm sorry, Miss Granger but Mr Malfoy is in an important meeting."

Hermione demanded, "I don't care, Doris."

She pushed the heavy doors open dramatically and came crashing through the door.

He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair.

Draco brought his fingers together and watched the annoyed woman walk up to the table.

Without hesitation, Hermione threw the box at him.

Good throw, he thought. It barely missed his head.

Glancing in mild interest at the open box, he reached down to pick up the ruby and diamond necklace.

Carefully placing it on the table, he waved his wand, placing a silencing charm over the room.

Hermione was about to explode.

He eyed the necklace and ran his fingers along the intricate pattern of stones, "This was a gift, Granger."

She bared her teeth and hissed, "I don't want anything from you, Malfoy."

Draco took in the utterly fuming woman before him, he found it amusing that she was the angry one.

Placing her hands on his table, she leaned towards him, "Don't you think you owe me a fucking explanation for going out with Astoria?"

Well, that was fucking rich.

Draco sneered, "I don't recall you asking me permission before snogging Weasel Shit."

Hermione let out a frustrated groan, "Believe whatever the hell you want, I'm done trying to convince you."

Turning to leave, she found the doors wouldn't budge.

Coming to him was a big mistake, she seemed to be making a lot of them recently.

Draco's eyes were a stormy grey, "Why was Weasley at your flat?"

His tone turned aggressive and territorial, "Did he touch you?" the hurt in his voice cut through the tension.

Hermione glared at Draco, How dare he ask these questions?

She mocked sarcastically, "Touch me? Is that your biggest concern? Some other man fucking me?"

The harshness of his words made her flinch.

Hands-on hip, she spat, "It's none of your damn business anymore."

His words from the previous night were clear as day in her mind and she wanted to hurt him as he hurt her.

Mission accomplished.

It was a bad idea to torment an already tormented soul, especially a soul like Draco Malfoy.

He pulled her towards him roughly and hissed darkly, "We will see about that. You have always belonged to me, Granger."

His breath ghosted her over her ear and she gasped.

Dear Merlin, her defences were weakening.

She broke out of his grasp quickly and moved away but not before he kissed her ear.

Her skin felt hot and pulsated with his kiss.

The tears spilt over and she was sobbing, "Did we mean so little to you?" Hermione whispered.

Draco banged his fists on the table, "WE MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME. I LOVED YOU."

Hermione cringed at the word loved. Did he not love her anymore?

She grabbed the sides of her head and cried, "NOTHING HAPPENED WITH RON, MY FRIENDS CAME TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY.

Her voice broke, "THEY SAW THE PAPERS, THE ENTIRE FUCKING WIZARDING WORLD SAW IT."

She tried to catch her breath.

Her pulse rate fastened.

Calm down! Calm down! she willed herself.

Hermione's entire body was shaking with anger, her blood on fire, "HOW DARE YOU TAKE ASTORIA OUT AND ACCUSE ME OF SLEEPING WITH RON?"

He laughed mockingly, "Where exactly did I go with Astoria?"

Draco narrowed his eyes and added triumphantly, "It was a picture taken at my mother's fundraiser, I'm sure you recall me mentioning it."

Her blood ran cold.

It was yesterday! With all that happened, it completely slipped her mind.

Satisfied by her expression, he continued coldly, "I have nothing to do with Astoria. Yes, we danced because she asked me and I'm a gentleman, but I have NEVER cheated on you."

He closed the distance between them, and Hermione took a step back, "But YOU took my trust and killed it."

Hermione flinched at the acidity in his voice, "Nothing happened, Draco, he was drunk."

He sneered, "And everything after?"

Weasley had no fucking business being at her flat.

Draco cupped Hermione's face and looked into her petrified face intently, "You want to go back to Weasley, Granger, is that what you want?"

He waited patiently for her to answer.

His mind screamed, please say no.

When she didn't speak, he continued, "Let me tell you something."

He forced her to listen but he didn't need to, she was already hanging onto every word that left his luscious lips.

Letting her go, he leaned against his table, "Before your little band of Gryffindor heros' huddled together in a plot to destroy the Slytherin, did you fucking stop for a minute to think!"

He shook his head miserably, "Did you think to ask me if I was with Astoria before you went on your rant?"

Hermione tried to defend her actions but no words came out.

Draco put his hands in his pocket and fixed her with a look, "No, you fucking assumed the worst of me."

He sat beside her and hung his head miserably, "I hadn't seen you in nearly two days. I came to see my girlfriend with a gift, hoping to make amends."

His voice cracked with emotion, "And what did I see?"

Draco bared his teeth and hissed, "Weasel Shit opening your door and you protecting him."

He looked at her through pained eyes and accused, "You pointed your wand at me!"

Hermione struggled to find the right words, "Draco...I..."

How could she have possibly fucked up this bad?

A small smile curved his lips, "I don't think you can let go of Weasley and I can't watch from the sidelines."

He stroked her face lovingly and added bluntly, "I am nobody's second fiddle."

Each word killed him to say but it needed to be said.

Hermione stared at his pale face, was he ending their relationship?

Let go of Weasley? She let go of Ron a long time ago.

Hermione was forced to admit it looked bad when Draco came by and found the last person on earth he wanted at her flat.

But they would get through this, they loved each other or she loved him so much.

A life without Draco, No! She couldn't.

Tell him, Hermione, tell him you love him and that you want only him.

She kept quiet watching him intently, taking him in as if it was the last time.

Draco looked away and sighed, "I never meant to hurt you, Hermione. I regretted it the moment I said it."

He took a deep breath and pressed, "But YOU, hurt me far worse."

He swallowed, he couldn't bear to look at her, "You started this, but I'm ending it."

She choked back a sob and closed her eyes.

Suffering...

She was falling...

Searing hot pain...

Wandering around Muggle London...

Hermione didn't know how she made it out of his office or to Muggle London, but she wandered around aimlessly.

The misery was unbearable.

It tore at her insides and spread across her like poison.

She found a run-down pub.

A drink in her hands, she unconsciously stirred it, wanting to steady her trembling hands.

She felt him slide into the chair next to her and order his drink.

She rested her head on his shoulder, "I love him so much, Harry."

Harry squeezed his best friend's hand sadly, "I know you do, Hermione."

At Draco's office...

Draco stormed out of his office and Doris nodded understandably.

He dialled his best friend and waited anxiously for him to answer, "Blaise, where are you?"

Blaise responded curiously, "Just finishing up work, what's up?"

Draco never called him during work hours.

Draco didn't hesitate, "Drink?"

Blaise was quick to reply, "Sure, meet you at The Leaky Cauldron."

His best friend sounded broken and disturbed.

The Leaky Cauldron...

Draco was already nursing a Firewhisky when Blaise walked in.

He tapped his friend on the shoulder and asked in concern, "You okay, mate?"

The ice blonde signalled for another drink.

His voice heavy with emotion, he said, "I ended things with Granger."

He stared into his drink, his eyes bloodshot and heavy.

Blaise took a gratifying sip, "Ah, well I saw the papers, I was waiting for you to tell me yourself, is this because Weasley kissed her at the Club?"

Draco laughed sarcastically, "The papers bullshit, Zabini. I have nothing to do with Astoria."

Blaise turned to his friend and advised, "Don't you think this is a bit extreme, Drake."

He added sadly, "I know you have trust issues, but she didn't want to kiss Weasley, mate, I was there!"

He tried the diplomatic approach.

Draco buried his head in his hands, he felt like he was dying!

He tossed back his drink, slammed the glass on the table and hissed, "I went to see Hermione. Weasley opened the door."

Blaise closed his eyes and sighed.

Fuck it was bad.