"I'm really not a monster, you know. I have to – have to do monstrous things, but I'm not a – not really. Or that's what I tell myself. Maybe I'm just lying to make myself feel better." He props himself up on one elbow, staring into her eyes with an intensity that only the very, very drunk can achieve. Hermione feels as though he is looking for absolution in her face, and she doesn't know if she has the right to give that to him. "Am I a monster, Granger? Do you really not blame me? You – you'd have every right to blame me. To hate me. Would you? I suppose...after what I did..." Malfoy is rambling and lost in his head, eyes glazing over as Hermione pushes herself up on an elbow too, gulping down the last of her firewhiskey for courage and feeling her stomach gurgle and lurch in protest.