The second thing she spots is a large poster in one of the corners that reads ' Come as a clown and eat like a king! ' in black Sharpie written right under the Burger King logo, right after a big, fat ' Sold ' sticker over the advertisement for some Chili Cheese Nuggets. The guy in front of her orders five cheeseburgers and a paper crown that he puts on his shaggy head before he retreats to one of the benches to eat in silence. He's the only other customer here this late and she wonders what it says about her.

Hermione's not a frequent visitor. She has read somewhere that you're only supposed to have fast food once every couple of months, if any at all. But, she's hungry, the fridge in her dorm is spectacularly empty, and this is the next best option unless she wants to have another dinner of rice cakes and dry cookies. Besides, being hungry makes her grumpy and she still has to finish that thesis for professor Flitwick and the reading for professor McGonagall's next class and-

"Miss?"

When she looks up the cashier behind the register looks as tired as her bones feel.

"Sorry. I'll have the Caesar salad and a Vanilla Milkshake please." She hands over the money in coins and waits for the cashier to return with her order, neatly packed in a small brown paper bag. She takes it, offers him a small smile and a "Have a nice evening" before she turns around, ready to go home.

Of all the things that could have happened after an exhausting Friday with more more homework than she bargained for, she never expected Draco Malfoy of all people to walk through the main doors of the small Burger King at 00:23 as if he owned it. The fluorescent lights paint his already fair hair in a whitish shade that makes him look more ghost than human being. He looks tired. The sharp slope of his nose moves every time his brows knit together. He's constantly pushing buttons on his smartphone, not looking up and Hermione is grateful for the opportunity to slide past him unnoticed. She's half around him already, as it happens; he looks up.

Something lethal creeps up his face and his lips curl up into a delighted smile. "What a surprise. Wouldn't have picked you for a fast food girl, Granger. Aren't you all broccoli and flax seeds these days?"

"I could ask you the same. Was the lobster out tonight?"

"The lobster's fine, thank you. Some days I just prefer the bourgeoise kitchen. But say, isn't it a bit late for someone like you? Didn't your curfew start a few hours ago?"

She scoffs, unaffected. "What would you know about my curfew."

"You could show me."

"Not today." There is an expression that she wears for Draco and for no other. It is something between a sneer and a disgusted mask that looks confused on most days and desperate on others. She's not quite sure what face she's making right now but it's enough to make him smirk, sharp like a knife. She already dreads what is about to come.

"Is that an offer for another time? I'm free this week," Draco says, and as if to emphasize his words, adds a wink.

She wishes she could just wipe that grin off his face. Preferably with her fist. But, violence has never been the answer so she settles with pressing her lips firmly together, biting them on the inside. Then she starts walking towards the door without dignifying him with an answer.

"Oh, and Granger?"

She's still walking and trying to ignore him and she's already opening the glass door but then -

"If you ever get tired of biting your lips, I'd love to do it for you."

She hurries out of the restaurant before he can say any other word. When she turns around to steal a glance back inside, he's already typing on his phone again, lips are drawn into a smug half-smile.

His words follows her home, long after the milkshake is warm and the salad box is empty. But his smile follows her even longer.

Bastard.