The music induced chaos within the nightclub. The sound gave a deep rumble that shook the floor, a unified frenzy grasping most of the people in the space. Flashing lights, seductive lyrics, and an intimate atmosphere made the difference between night and day upon entering. Hermione Granger wasn't used to places like this, but walking through the door caused a flame to spark in her that she embraced wholeheartedly. She would have loved to explore this life with Ronald, but it was obvious after their last conversation that he clearly didn't share the same interests as her. The same needs.
She shoved her way between the dancing, scantily clad bodies that crowded the dance floor, finding her way to the bar and signaling a tender, requesting a mildly alcoholic beverage. She wanted to get buzzed but still remain level-headed enough to know whether someone was dangerous or not. Her intentions were clear tonight: explore. She had wanted to experiment with this lifestyle for a long time but had always kept that side of her tame for the sake of not rocking the boat in her relationship.
It was odd, she pondered as she sipped the sparkling liquid in her glass. It was as if one morning, she woke up and realized that this was her only life. She wasn't going to be living her life to the fullest by avoiding the experiences that enticed her interest. There was an undying curiosity within her that only grew with age. She wanted to know what it felt like to be taken with an animalistic desire, to be treated as nothing more than a toy, and to obey just for the sake of pleasing someone. It was a strange, overwhelming side of herself that she was more than willing to indulge in.
Hermione's eyes skimmed the crowd around her as she brushed a piece of auburn hair behind her ear, placing her fingers back around her cool glass. There were quite a few people that looked like her type, but none that stood out in any special way.
"Granger?"
Hermione turned around quickly, the familiarity in the man's tone startling her. Pulling out the barstool right beside her, an all-too-familiar face took a seat next to her, motioning for the bartender as he did so.
"M-Malfoy?" Her heart had sunk, and suddenly the room was spinning, the music became much too loud, and she felt extremely unstable in her seat. Her cheeks flushed a bright red. Any confidence she'd had while walking into the building was gone now. She knew this was a witch and wizard specific nightclub, but she never really expected to see anyone she knew here, let alone Draco Malfoy, the very bane of her existence. "Um, I must be going, I think I have the wrong address-" She had begun to stand up hastily, spitting out any excuse she could think of. Wrong address? Of course! And that's why I'm sipping a drink idly. Definitely in the wrong place, she snapped at herself sarcastically. Cool fingers wrapped gently around her wrist in an effort to halt her departure.
"Don't be in such a hurry, Hermione," Malfoy's icy eyes caught hers in a heartfelt effort to get her to stay. "We're all adults, I don't care why you're here. But stay. Let's catch up."
Hermione's face was red-hot from embarrassment, but she stared straight back into his eyes, gauging his intentions. He seemed sincere enough in his wanting her to stay. Friendly even. Some part of her wondered what had caused such an obvious change in him in the last year since Hogwarts. He had never been the type to want her around, let alone plead her to stay. She gently pulled her wrist away from his fingers and nodded hesitantly.
"Fine."