[twenty six]

Hermione, despite the amount of alcohol in her system, still managed to wake an hour before their first class. When she found the strength to tear Draco's arm from around her, Hermione found their common room to be quite the mess. As if a storm had gone through the dining area and the casualties fell in the living room.

Blaise and Theo were in quite the embarrassing position, wrapped around each other. Pansy's hand was directly over Celine's face, while her leg on top of Astoria's stomach. Even Elena seemed to be sleeping like a baby amidst Ron's snores next to her. Viktor was hugging a bottle of Firewhiskey, how he still had that, Hermione couldn't remember. Only Harry and Ginny seemed to be in a relatively acceptable position, sleeping in each other's arms.

Next to Hermione, Draco stirred. Obviously used to her getting up at this hour and leaving the space next to him empty, Draco woke against his will. "What's wrong?" he grumbled

"I'm going to go get a camera." Hermione whispered as she tippy-toed out of the room and up the stairs the grab the magical polaroid camera she bought from the twins' jokeshop. When she returned back down to their living area, Draco was already beginning to clean up the mess they made. With a bemused smile, Draco watched as Hermione positioned herself above their friends for a photo "Come here, join me!" she whispered loudly

Draco chuckled lightly, loving the fact that his beloved girlfriend was being so goofy in her pyjamas so early in the morning. He stepped in front of the camera, right behind Hermione, as she clicked the button to capture the shot of them standing over their friends in amusement. "This is so going above the fireplace." Hermione grinned, waiting for the shot to come out of the camera

The flash wasn't enough to wake any of them, but Hermione being the good friend that she was, gently woke each of them to get ready for class "You don't want Yanley to hex you for being late." she chuckled at Harry's refusal to get up

"She won't hex me, I'm the Chosen One." Harry grumbled, wrapping his arms around Ginny tightly

"Alright, if you say so." Hermione laughed as she went ahead to get ready for their first class.

-----

Hermione was debating between spending her lunch break at the library or watch the Gryffindor Quidditch Team train for their game for the coming weekend. Draco was also busy training with the Slytherin team in their makeshift field near the forest seeing as Harry beat Theo into asking for permission to use the Quidditch pitch.

When she ran into Elena on her way back to their common room, she knew what she wanted to do "Hey! Nothing to do?" Hermione smiled at her as she caught up with Elena up the stairs to the seventh floor

"Actually, I was about to make the Gryffindor Quidditch Team some sandwiches to have after practice. Harry's intent on tiring them up today. I just thought it'd be good to get their energy back after they train." Elena grinned "You? Isn't Draco practicing right now, too?"

Hermione nodded "They're all the way by the forest though, and I'd rather not go there. The Slytherins can be quite intense when they practice, and not all of Draco's housemates have accepted the fact that he and I are together."

Elena nodded understandingly "Do you want to make the sandwiches with me? We could be back in time to watch their mini game. Harry got Viktor to give his two cents about their plays."

Hermione grinned "That would be great!"

The two ladies didn't take long to finish the snacks they were preparing. Hermione, already knowing what Ron, Harry and Ginny liked best, patiently told Elena what to put in their sandwiches. The former Durmstrang girl was happy to listen, grateful that Hermione wasn't shy about accepting her into their seemingly tight-knitted circle.

"I know you and Ron used to be together, but I hope that doesn't make things between us awkward." Elena smiled "You've been a really great friend, Hermione."

Hermione shook her head with a grin "No! Ron and I are still best friends, so things between you and I shouldn't be weird." she handed Elena the small basket where they packed the snacks into "Here, Ron would appreciate you making him a snack for after practice. He really likes it when he's being taken care of."

Elena blushed "Oh, uh, thanks." she smiled

The pair of them made their way over to the Quidditch pitch, finding the Gryffindors to be in a very heated practice. Above all of them, Viktor hovered and watched as the game took place, making mental notes of what should be improved and removed out of the equation.

On the stands, Hermione found Neville and Seamus watching, too. "Hey Neville, it's been a while since we last got to have a proper chat." Hermione smiled, offering her good friend a friendly hug "You doing alright?"

"Never better. Glad you made it just in time for Krum to scold McLaggen's younger brother. Ron is practically grinning down there." Neville chuckled "Hello, Elena, right?"

"Yes, pleased to meet you." Elena smiled and offered her free hand

"Neville. This very focused fellow right here is Seamus."

Elena giggled "I'll say a proper hello when he takes his eyes off the game." she smiled

"Why is Viktor scolding Henry?" Hermione asked "He did exceptionally well during the try outs."

"Young bloke's acting too confident. He's lost two quaffles already. Viktor's kind of the perfectionist."

"Well, being a Quidditch World Champion does make you one." Hermione laughed "I can't imagine he'd be pleased to belong in a house that'll lose the Quiddtich cup."

"Exactly." Neville laughed

"Ron, get your arse on your broom and replace McLaggen." Harry yelled from his position next to Viktor "Let's see how well you'll do with our current plays."

Ron practically ran to grab his broom from where it was leaning against the bench. While Henry sulkily walked over to sit, Ron smirked at the boy "You should've learned from your brother." he was already in the air when Henry turn to give him a poisonous glare

"Does this mean I'm playing this weekend?" Ron asked enthusiastically

Harry shook his head "We've spent the entire term practicing with Henry. With the game so near, we can't afford to make last minute adjustments, but if you do a good job today, one missed quaffle from Henry during the game will be your ticket in."

"I better focus, then." Ron nodded and flew to his position in front of the rings.

"Don't embarrass me, Ronald." Ginny smirked

"Shut up." Ron rolled his eyes, but grinned as his sister

Elena cheered his name from the stands with a large grin. When Ron heard her voice, he couldn't help his smile. The game went smoothly, and definitely in his favor. By the end of the game, Harry and Viktor were playing good cop bad cop on Henry to get him to straighten out his priorities "This is my last Quidditch cup, McLaggen, you better not ruin this for me." Harry muttered

When their training ended, Hermione and Elena were there to meet the team in the locker room. All of them received their sandwiches with a grateful smile "You two made this? Dang, thanks." Dean smiled widely

"Just how I like it, thanks, Elena." Ginny grinned appreciatively

"Hermione and I made them together." Elena returned the grin "I'm glad you like it."