It was a dreary London night, jazz music coming out from some tavern followed by the short catcalls and whistles coming from the drunk men. The fog was beginning to roll in, making the street lamps shine dimly across the brick streets, with the smell of rain and smoke coming down among the inhabitants. The moon was nonexistent as well, taking London into its' dark and dreary atmosphere.
Two men's footsteps could be heard in the silence, not walking in a hurry but with intention. They both wore long dark coats with hats covering their faces, almost blending in with their surroundings as they walked in silence, occasionally eyeing each other. They turned into a short alley that echoed with faint music and laughter, following the sound until they came to a door. The taller of the two, opened the door only to have a large man stand in their way of coming inside.
"And why would two fellas like yourselves find themselves in our humble establishment?" he asked in a low voice, eyeing them.
"Just here for the scotch and music," answered the man impatiently.
The man shrugged and stepped aside, "Then enjoy yourself gents."
The two men stepped in, quickly removing their hats and shaking the night from their coats. One of the men, a man with glasses, black hair, and dark green eyes easily took in his surrounds, while the other, a man with blond hair and piercing blue-grey eyes scanned the tavern with intent.
It was quite large, despite the small building exterior. About ten tables with five or four chairs were arranged around a stage, which held a complete jazz band playing a slow ballade. Along the wall, cushioned booths were set up on an elevated level reserved for people who could afford a tab. The bar stood off to the side with stools that only the drunks or the depressed occupied and the bartender cleaning the countertop. The tavern was filled with men and women, either dancing on the floor or talking and smoking as they sat down at the tables.
Not one of the finer sites in London, but one with the most information when questions were asked to the right people.
"Potter,"
Harry Potter looked to his companion, Draco Malfoy, who jerked his head to the corner booth, which was left empty. He nodded and followed him to take their seats, taking off their coats in the process.
"I can't believe you dragged me here," Draco mumbled, sitting down and raising a hand to catch a server's eye.
"We need her help," Harry explained, sitting across from him.
"No we don't," he insisted sharply.
"Yes we do, Malfoy. And besides, it'll be good, for the both of you."
"Like hell it will," he growled.
The server came to them. "What can I get you gents?"
"A bottle of scotch and two glasses please," he snarled.
The server looked taken aback at the anger of this man, but thankfully was saved by Harry.
"Just two scotch," he said, waving the server away.
Once the server left, Harry frowned at Draco. "Bloody hell Draco, go easy on the help."
"Piss off, I shouldn't even be here."
"Oh, stop being a martyr," he said exasperated. "We talk, she answers, we leave. You probably won't even have to see her."
Draco turned away and took his glass of scotch that was placed in front of them. Harry sighed and clapped with the crowd as the band finished their song. A man dressed in band attire, carrying a trumpet stepped up to the microphone that stood in the middle of the stage, smiling as he addressed the crowd.
"Thank you," he said, his voice low and deep. "Thank you for coming ladies and gentlemen, but tonight's not about the band tonight, oh no. Tonight we have the pleasure of introducing renowned singer, Miss Hermione Granger."
As the crowd clapped and exclaimed, Draco gulped the rest of his drink and motioned for the server for another drink.
A young woman with wavy brown hair, clipped back with a bronze diamond clip, came out with a spotlight following her. Her smile shone brightly as she made her way across the stage to the microphone. Her dress of a dark green velvet pooled gracefully around her, with the fabric hugging her womanly curves that men craved for. The V neckline was deep but just barely touched the tops of her assets that the fabric covered. Her arms were bare, and that only seemed to make her pale skin glow against the color of her dress and the dim lights.
The server came back with a bottle of scotch but when he reached for Draco's glass, Draco ripped the bottle out of his hand and poured the cup himself.
"Just leave the bottle," Harry sighed.
After downing another glass, Draco looked to stage and stared at the woman, who nodded to the band that she was ready. She closed her eyes listening to the first notes of the bass play out, and then opened them with a sly grin. Her expression changed to fit the music with an attractive, flirty smile she gave to the crowd, her soft, sultry voice sang out.
You had plenty money, 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too.
Harry glanced at Draco and smirked when he saw him about to pour himself another glass. He reached over and took the bottle, which caused Draco to glare at him in fury.
He gestured to the stage. "Just watch."
You're sittin' down and wonderin' what it's all about
If you ain't got no money, they will put you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Draco leaned back it the booth with a hand fiddling with his now empty glass. He couldn't stop watching her, unlike other woman he's been with; she was much more than what she appeared to be.
"She looks perfect," he thought to himself, watching her sway her head to the music with a slight smile across her face.
Now if you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
He watched stoically as she eyed a man that blushed around his companions, but growled when he saw a man wink at her and she winked back. She strolled around the stage unnerved by the stares, seeming to enjoy such attention and power she had.
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Like some other men…do
With a final melodic note, the crowd applauded. She smiled but instead of taking her bow, she acknowledged the band behind her, clapping for them.
"Never takes credit," he smirked, applauding slowly with the rest of the crowd. "Same old Granger."
"Thank you," she said to the crowd. She nodded to the band, who started to begin the next song.
Draco could feel Harry's eyes on him, watching for his next move. He kept his eyes on the stage as a trumpet began to play and she sang again.
Good morning heartache, you old gloomy sight
Good morning heartache, thought we said goodbye last night
I turned and tossed until it seems you had gone but here you are with the dawn
"Such a beauty,"
Draco glanced over his shoulder at the booth next to them. Two ladies sat together with their drinks and their heads turned to each other, a usual posture for such women.
"Yes, but why is she singing in a place like this? All of England is asking for her and she's here."
"I wonder is she has a…relationship with the owner."
"Well, a women like her with no husband, she might have a lover or two."
Draco clutched his glass, his anger and frustration becoming evident.
Wish I'd forget you, but you're here to stay
It seems I met you, when my love went away
Now everyday I start by saying to you 'Good morning heartache… what's new'
Stop haunting me now, can't shake you no how, just leave me alone
I've got those Monday blues, straight through Sunday blues
Good morning heartache, here we go again
Good morning heartache, you're the one who knew me when
Might as well get used to you hangin' around
Good morning heartache…sit down
The crowd applauded again, and Harry turned back to Draco. He was staring at the stage again, his face stoic. Once Draco broke out of his thoughts he glanced up at Harry, resolution etched across his face.
"I'll ask her myself."
Songs used:
Why don't you do right-Lil Green/Jessica Rabbit
Good Morning Heartache-Gretchen Wilson/Billie Holiday
*REVISED*