Hello everyone! Welcome to my new story! This story is not deathly hollows compliant. There will be multiple parings, but the two main pairings will be Severus/Hermione and Sirius/Hermione. There are no warnings in this chapter except suggestive themes, and little swears. So enough of my ramblings and on with the show!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure, that we welcome you tonight. I invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair, as fanfiction proudly presents… "Haunting Eyes."
3 years, 6 months, and 16 days.
That's how long she has been gone for. Harry would know, of course. He's been counting. He never stopped counting, the numbers seemingly burned into his mind, only to add up day after day. He knew it must be hard for Ron even more so than for him. He loved her like a sister; Ron loved her like she was the sun, and he was a blind man seeing it for the first time.
He would never forget the day she left. February 18, 2000. It was a little less than two years after he defeated Voldemort. She left in the middle of the night, no goodbyes, no nothing. Just disappeared from her room at Grimmauld Place, where she, Harry, Ron and Sirius were all living. A note stuck haphazardly to her bed post, scribbled words in her usually neat handwriting;
I'm sorry.
–H
At least that gave the three men reassurance that she wasn't kidnapped by rouge death eaters. But it also made them mad, questions flying through their heads.
"How did she just go? We have wards everywhere!" Was Sirius' question, who quickly scrambled to check to see if they were still in place. They were.
"When did she leave? I was up late last night working on a case…." Harry pondered, sitting on her old bed with his head in his hands.
"Why?" Was the only word that came out of Ron's mouth, as he stared at the crumpled note in his hands.
Why, indeed.
They quickly called an order meeting, everyone who could come were present as soon as they heard the news. Remus, Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Dumbledore, Snape, Kingsley, Luna, Neville…. The list went on and on. The only person who wasn't there was George, who was away on some sort of business trip for Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. One third of the golden trio disappeared without a trace, and they were going to get to the bottom of it.
'That's,' Harry thought as they touched ground on a muggle airplane, years later, 'how we got this little group together. Dumbledore suggests something and BANG! Everyone's on board.'
The little group Harry was referring to was, of course, The Let's Save Hermione's Ass, or if she doesn't want to be saved, let's drag her ass back home! Group, As George Dubbed it. There were six of them, the most unlikely people to go, to hunt down the girl who made an impact on their lives, who all abandoned their jobs to work on finding her. They were:
Himself, Harry Potter, who was going to get his best friend of 10 odd years back if he had to risk his life again,
Ron Weasley, who was pining after the girl he loved, the girl who he fought with, the girl who somehow, after everything, seemingly loved him back,
Sirius Black, who was going to make sure his Godson wouldn't do anything stupid, and to live a little, because after spending those years in Azkaban, he needed to get out more,
Remus Lupin, who was going to make sure no one got in too much trouble, and to go for a little reason because after Dora died the only thing keeping him on this earth was a brunette's bright smile,
George Weasley, who was pretty much just going to have an adventure,
And lastly, the person you would never think would be there, Severus Snape, who was going because he missed the bossy, bushy haired know-it-all, just a little bit, and because Albus told him to. End of story.
An Odd group they were, six wizards all looking for a girl in the oddest places. This time, on Ron's suggestion because 'Mione once said something about always wanting to live there, they were in New York City, New York, USA. Muggle Mew York City, that is. They were advised to look in the muggle cities, because if Hermione didn't want to be found, that where she would be.
"You ready, mate?" Ron asked Harry, snapping him out of his reverie.
"Yeah." Harry replied as he shook his head and unbuckled his seat belt.
"Here we go again…" Remus muttered as he and Snape grabbed their bags out of the overhead compartments. All of them got over their fear of airplanes after using them the first time, when Ron almost peed his pants as the plane took off. They were all used to the muggle world by now, after semi-living in it for 3 years. It was odd at first to see Snape in muggle clothing, but eventually everyone did, just like everything else.
They got off the plane and flagged over a taxi to go to their hotel. Harry sighed. Here we go again, indeed.
***** 2 Days Later ****
"Pleeeease?" Sirius Begged once again. He was trying to persuade the group to go to a club that he saw a couple blocks back.
"We're supposed to be finding Hermione, not fooling around in muggle clubs." Remus pointed out, getting up from the bed he was sitting on in their hotel where they came back after a day in the city.
"If she's hiding here, they she'll still be hiding here tomorrow!" George said as he too got up to stand near Sirius.
"That does not even make sense." Snape pointed out as he sat down in the office chair at the hotel desk.
"Pleasee?" Sirius asked again, gaze on Harry, who was the leader, therefor the one who got to decide.
Harry sighed. "Fine," There were whoops of joy from George and Sirius, "But, we need to be back by at least two. We need to look tomorrow." They sagged a little, but were still excited none the less.
Harry turned to Ron, who was silent through the whole ordeal. "You okay?" He asked him.
Ron cleared his throat. "Yeah, mate. Just fine. But all this stuff… the buildings, the lights, the clothing, it all just reminds me of her, you know?" He said.
Of course Harry knew. He lived like that every time he saw a curly haired brunette walk by; double checking to make sure it wasn't her. He felt like a piece of him was missing. It was just like when Ginny died. He had been heart broken. He was so sure that it was close to love, the thing he had with Ginny. And Hermione helped him get through it. With her warm hugs, sisterly love, her shoulder always there for him to cry on. It just made her leaving that much worse.
"Come on. Let's go get ready, we're going out tonight." Harry said instead of answering, patting Ron on the back and giving him a smile. Ron, surprisingly, smiled back.
LINE BREAK
The six men slipped easily into the crowd at the club Sirius suggested witch was called 'Kakó Mátia', which Snape quickly translated to 'Evil Eyes', and quickly found a table to sit at.
"I'm going to get us some drinks!" George called out and quickly bee lined it for the bar.
"Exactly why are we here again?" Snape asked Sirius.
"Because, Severus, it's called fun. I know that you haven't seen any woman this close to being naked in a long, long while…" he trailed off with a grin as he stared at a blond clinging to a pole wearing barely anything.
Remus rolled his eyes and hit Sirius teasingly on the shoulder. He too was looking around at the several dancers around the club, but none really stood out to him. A Blonde in a teasing pink teddy. A Punk Cartoonish Red-Head in a simple black lingerie set. All different girls with one similar goal; to make money. Suddenly, a voice sounded over the speakers in the club, cutting off the music. All the girls dancing stopped, and quickly exited. All the men, probably regulars, turned to the stage. Harry and Remus exchanged a look and turned to see what was happening. He guessed there was a show about to start.
"Gentlemen, we like to welcome you to Kakó Mátia. Now, for what you have all been waiting for… Our very own British Bombshell, Mimi!"
The lights dimmed even more, and suddenly a spot light appeared at the top of the staircase, where a woman in a little silk robe and stiletto boots was standing. Then, a drum beat was heard, and then guitars. The woman, a beautiful brunette, Remus noted, was dancing around the pole, smiling as the cat calls of men near the front cheered her on. She then started singing as she descended the stair case, pulling off her robe to reveal a little red bikini like top and a short skirt. She then started singing.
Whats the time?
Well it's gotta be close to midnight
My body's talking to me
It says ,'Time for danger' She bent her head back on the railing, letting her long, curly locks fall over. Remus noted that they were the perfect length, right to the middle of her back.
It says 'I wanna commit a crime
Wanna be the cause of a fight
Wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt
With a stranger' Her moves were hypnotizing, her little smirk seductive. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. But for some reason, she seemed familiar. The sound of her voice… he had heard it before.
I've had a knack from way back
At breaking the rules once I learn the Game
Get-up! life's too quick
I know someplace sick!
Where this chick'll dance it the flames! She slid down the poll into the crowd, where men tempted her by giving her bills. She smirked and took some, then hopped back onto the stage.
We don't need any money, with that, she snuck the money into one of the dancer's on the stages' garter belts. Cat calls we're heard from around the room.
I always get in for free
You can get in too
If you get in with me
Let's go out tonight
I have to go out tonight! The way she sang that line had Remus' heart pounding. She sang like she was a wolf howling for its mate; It made the werewolf inside of him growl.
You wanna play?
Let's run away
We won't be back
Before it's Christmas Day!
Take me out tonight
Meow…HA! She ran her hand down her body, ending at her crotch with her little laugh. She then stole the man in front of hers' hat and his drink as she made her way of the stage and into the sea of men.
When I get a wink from the doorman,
Do you know how lucky you'll be?
That you're…
That was all Remus heard. She was still singing, moving her hips and tempting every man she passed by, but she had moved closer, and he finally had a close up view of her body, face and all. It suddenly all made sense; the familiarity of her voice, the long curly hair. He turned to Harry, finally able to move.
Harry was captivated the woman. His eyes, though, had a touch of horror in them. Yes, Remus thought, he recognized her. Harry turned to him, seeing the look on the werewolf's face.
"It can't-" He choked out.
"It is." Was Remus' reply.
"Damn." Sirius said his eyes still on the girl, who was again howling. Yes, he realized who this woman was.
Remus turned back to find her, and he found her now standing on a table about 8 yards away from them. The music had slowed down; she was still softly rotating her hips, but she sang with a passion for the next verse.
In the evening I've got to roam
Can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome
Feels to damn much like home
When the abandoned babies, cry…
Her voice stated to rise as she sang the next part of the verse, ending by jumping onto the next table. She was getting closer.
So let's find a bar,
So dark we forget who we are…
And all the scars from the
Nevers and maybes die!
Let's go! Out tonight! She jumped off the table, and made her way again, closer to them.
Have to go, out tonight
You're sweet!
Wanna hit the street?
Wanna wail at the moon like a cat in Heat?
Just take me out tonight! She was infront of their table, leaning over to the table just to the left of them.
Please take me- out tonight! She grabbed onto a man's tie and whispered seductively to him.
Don't forsake me - out tonight! She leaned to the right. So close…
I'll let you make me - out tonight! She was dead infront of their table now, one step and shed bump into it.
Tonight - tonight – tonight! With those three words, the last one whispered, she let her head fall back, her forearms bracing herself on the table where all the people who have been looking for her were.
And Remus found himself staring into startled amber eyes.
"Her-r-rmione?" Ron choked out.
Hermione, Mimi, as the announcer called her, shot up without saying a word. She looked at all of them silently, as they did to her. Then she quickly turned around before anyone could do anything and ran off into the crowd to collect her rewards for the performance.
"Well," Severus drawled, "At least we found her."
Then George took that moment to come back to the table with the drinks.
"Wow. Did you guys see that girl? She was amazing! When she-" He broke off, seeing all the men staring at him in disbelief. "What? What'd I miss?"
***BREAK****
The smell of perfume and sweat were normal smells in the back rooms.
As Hermione made her way back towards her dressing room, she quickly thought over what just happened. Everything was going as planned for tonight; she would dance, sing, make money, and then go home. But those people, men from her old life, were making it hard to think. She sighed as she opened the door to her very own dressing room. She quickly changed out of her set, and put on normal jeans and a simple tank top and her favorite trench coat. Even as she went through her normal routine, her mind kept wandering back to those haunted green eyes….
"Okay Hermione, stop." She muttered to herself. "You went muggle a long time ago. No need to think of them now." She sighed. She did this for a reason; to forget. She wanted to leave the wizard world behind, she came to muggle America. But they found her; how did they find her? She let out a frustrated growl and quickly packed up her bag and put on her boots.
There was a knock at her door. She froze; They couldn't of followed her in. could they? Ben certainly wouldn't let six men… Her thoughts were cut off by a familiar voice; she relaxed and called out.
"Come in." She called out, and went to take off her makeup.
"Hey Baby. You did awesome tonight!" A woman's voice called out. Then she walked in. The woman had straight black hair, cut to her chin in a messy, stylish way. She too, had put on her street clothes; Simple red shirt and a little black skirt.
"Thanks, Kim. You going out?" Hermione asked her friend. Kim smiled a secretive smile.
"Yup." Kim replied. "Met this really hot guy last week at the gym. Total hottie. Short brown hair, blue eyes, nice abs."
Hermione laughed. "Ok, have fun!" She them started walking away out into the hall.
"Hey, wait 'Mione!" Kim called out.
Hermione stopped. "Yeah?" She asked uncertainly.
"Who were those guys at the end of your song? You seemed to know them…"
Hermione put on her best fake smile. "They we're just from school."
"Oh. Ok. Bye!" Kim called as she started walking down the hall. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding; no one had suspected. She began walking to the exit, heading home to her apartment.
She made it to the alley outside before a voice stopped her.
"'Mione?" a male voice asked. 'Harry,' she thought, 'Show Time.'
Slowly she took a deep breath, put on a smirk that would make Malfoy proud, and turned around. She was greeted by six men, all from her old life. Her eyes scanned them again, listing them in her head. Harry. Ron. Sirius. Remus. George. And surprisingly, Snape. "Yes?" She inquired lightly.
"Is…that…really…you?" He asked slowly, his eyes taking in every inch of her. She stood up taller.
"Yes, Harry dear. It really is me. Now may I ask why you are here?" She asked coldly, grimacing inwardly as she watched him flinch at her harsh words.
"We came to rescue you!" She heard Ron call out he came up to stand next to Harry.
Hermione snorted. "I don't need rescuing, as you can see, I'm perfectly fine. Well, thanks for stopping by, but I really must be going now." With that, she turned and walked up the alley into the sidewalk and onto the street to walk to her apartment. She quickly looked back; no one was following her. She gave a relived sigh and headed up the stairs to her door.
***BREAK***
They were back in their hotel room again, going over what they had so far.
"Well, at least we know she's alive now!" George happily put in.
"Yes, but she doesn't want to come back." Ron said, his eyes full of sadness, and surprisingly, anger. "She doesn't even want to see us! We spent all that time looking for what? A snort and a cruel goodbye! Not even a 'Hi, sorry for abandoning you and my loved ones, and I'm sorry for the inconvenience!'" Ron shouted, now fuming.
"Hey, mate, calm down. We'll help her see." Sirius said, patting Ron's back as the redhead struggled to control his temper.
"Yeah. We will get our Hermione back, no matter what." Harry announced to the group.
"The Save/Drag Hermione's Ass back home group unite!" George shouted as he put his hand in. They all, including Severus, who put his in with a roll of his eyes, put their hands together. "And Break!" They all lifted their hands up. Remus chuckled. "What?" Harry asked.
"I feel like I'm on a muggle football team!" Harry laughed at that.
"So…." Again Severus drawled, getting everyone's attention. "If we are going to save Miss Granger's ass, as Weasley put it, we will need a plan, won't we?"
"What do you have in mind, Severus?" Sirius asked.
"Well, it involves sneaking, spying, and some seduction." Snape said, a smirk curving his lips. Sirius smiled back at him.
"Sounds like our kind of plan."
With that, they all sat down around the bed, listening to Snape's idea. Yes, they would have Hermione back.
Wither she likes it or not.
So…. Did you like it? I hope you did. The song, which I DON'T OWN (hint hint) is 'Out Tonight' From the musical 'Rent'. Oh and I ALSO DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER.
Ok, Bye. PLEASE REVIEW! I need suggestions, compliments, constructive criticism, anything. I would love to know if you are reading my story! It also means updates faster…. Wink wink. (Oh, and did anyone catch my Beauty and the Beast Joke?)
With love, Carrie.
A '