These wonderful characters are the creation of JK Rowling. I own nothing. Thanks for reading!
All Hermione Granger wanted to do was spend a nice, quiet Saturday evening at home in her flat. The past week had been abnormally draining between early morning meetings, late night research sessions, and her ever incompetent assistant spilling curry coated chips all over a draft bill for House Elves Rights that was due before the Wizengamot on Monday. Hermione longed to sack Janine, but she had promised Ron that she would keep his new girlfriend on unless she did something irreparably damaging. Sadly, staining a draft parchment with sauce didn't qualify and Hermione was stuck with the dumb twit.
Hermione glared across the dimly lit room at the blonde in question whose face was currently suctioned to her red-headed best friend. The vision made Hermione shudder. It wasn't that seeing her ex-boyfriend with another woman made Hermione uncomfortable. She and Ron dated for a few months after the Battle of Hogwarts but there was no spark. Hermione realized that Ron simply did not challenge her and that her feelings for him did not extend beyond deep friendship. Fortunately, Ron had come to the same conclusion and they split amicably. He had happily moved on and played the field for a few years before meeting Janine. They'd been together for about a month now and Hermione was getting a little tired of them dry humping every time she saw them together.
Hermione had made the mistake of complaining to Ginny about Ron's public displays of affection when she went to The Burrow for supper the previous Sunday. Ginny, although equally disturbed at seeing her brother's seduction skills put into action, argued that maybe Hermione wouldn't be so put off if she was getting some action herself.
-FLASHBACK-
"You haven't dated anyone since you and Ron split. When is the last time you had a proper shag?" Ginny had asked.
Hermione glared at her best girlfriend. "I can't see why that's relevant".
"Just answer the question, Hermione," Ginny implored. "When was it?"
Hermione sighed, "I went home with Oliver after the Puddlemere United victory party you dragged me to."
Ginny's jaw had dropped open at that moment and she sputtered, "Hermione! That was nearly two years ago".
"No!" Hermione declared indignantly, "it wasn't that long ago".
"Oliver Wood hasn't played for Puddlemere United since 2001," Ginny explained. "That was the last year they won the league".
"Oh," Hermione said with a shrug.
Ginny looked at Hermione incredulously. "Oh? That's all you have to say? Merlin, Hermione we need to get you laid!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "There's much more to my life than sex, Gin".
Ginny backtracked, "I'm not saying there isn't. You're an amazingly successful and powerful witch. Everyone knows that. But I know that you're lonely too". Hermione tried to interrupt but Ginny held her hand up to silence her. She continued, "You work, go home, work from home, and then repeat. Sure, you come here every week, but when's the last time you really cut loose?"
Hermione searched her memory but couldn't recall the last time she had gone out for fun. She grudgingly admitted, "You're right. I'm just so busy. My work is important to me".
"And your wellbeing is important to me," Ginny said. "Why don't you come out with us on Saturday? We'll hit up the new club in Diagon. We'll have some drinks and dance the night away".
"I don't want to be a third wheel. Or fifth I suppose," Hermione corrected.
Ginny shook her head, "You won't be, I promise. Harry and I are more than capable of behaving. I can't say the same for my brother though," she laughed as both she and Hermione glanced across the room at the thorough snog that Ron and Janine were engaged in.
That conversation led to Hermione's current state. Instead of being curled up on her love seat with a good book and a glass of red, she was teetering in her too tall heels trying to flag down a bartender for a refill. Ron and Janine had just left and Harry and Ginny were probably gyrating on the dance floor. Hermione considered leaving as well, but she wanted to prove to Ginny that she was capable of having a good time. If she were being honest with herself, Hermione had to admit that she needed this night out. Hermione was determined to act like the twenty three year old woman that she was and not an old couch potato.
Vipertooth was the hottest new club in Diagon Alley and the bar was packed with patrons. As much as club going wasn't Hermione's activity of choice, she had to admit this bar was superior to others she had previously visited. The club had mostly black décor with the copper-colored accents of its namesake beast. She was particularly fond of the semi-permanent muffliato charm that shielded the bar area from the pulsating music of the dance floor just meters away.
In theory, Hermione should have been able to order a drink without the need to scream over the driving bass of a song. That was if she could drag the bartender's attention away from the barely legal Hogwarts graduates he was so enamored by. 'Hhhmph,' she snorted to herself, 'Blaise hasn't changed a bit since school. He's still trying to pick up as many girls as he can'.
"Excuse me," a voice sounded disrupting Hermione from her inner musings. Hermione turned to find a rather attractive man speaking to her. He had short, sandy brown hair and brown eyes. "I couldn't help but notice your predicament. I'm Calvin McCallister".
Calvin stuck out his hand in introduction and Hermione quickly grasped it. "Hermione Granger. How do you do, Calvin?"
"Better now that I'm talking to you," he flirted and Hermione felt her cheeks flush. Calvin sent Hermione a sweet grin and she noted that he had a pair of lopsided dimples. "I hope you don't think me too forward, but I've been wanting to approach you all night".
Hermione mentally school herself. She was out of practice, but flirting was something that she could do. "Oh?" she asked coyly. "Why now then?"
"Well I noticed that you were having trouble getting a drink so I thought I'd take a shot and come to your rescue," he grinned and slid a drink over to her. "I noticed that you were drinking a gillywater tonic earlier".
'Well,' Hermione thought, 'this certainly beats waiting for Blaise to look away from the bimbos'. She gladly accepted the drink and raised it in cheers, "To new friends".
Calvin replied, "And to where the night takes us," and clinked there glasses together.
Hermione raised the glass to her lips and took a large gulp.
"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" roared a familiar voice as Hermione froze. In an instant, her glass was plucked from her hand and slammed down onto the bar.
Hermione's eyes scanned the scene in front of her. Calvin was glaring at the intruder and Harry and Ginny were running to her side.
"Finite!" Harry exclaimed and caught Hermione as her body became unbound. "What the fuck, Malfoy!"
Hermione glared at her school time bully. Since the Second Wizarding War, Draco Malfoy had worked hard to redeem himself and his family name. He donated millions of Galleons to rebuilding efforts and worked hard to avoid controversy. Hermione recalled that his name had popped up in the gossip columns after a failed engagement and subsequently Witch Weekly's year end most eligible bachelor list. He was on civil terms with Hermione and her friends having apologized for his role in the war and being a prat in general while in school, but it would be a far stretch to call them mates.
"Well excuse me, Potter," Malfoy snarked, "for preventing Granger here from making a huge mistake".
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Hermione asked as her brain started to go fuzzy. She turned to Calvin, "I sorry about all this nonsense, sexy". Hermione tried to fight off the hold Harry still had on her to reach Calvin.
Malfoy glared at Calvin, "You do not owe this piece of scum an apology". He pointed his wand at Hermione's gillwater tonic and murmured, "Venenum Revelio". The clear, bubbly liquid in Hermione's glass instantly took on a mother of pearl sheen.
"Is that?" Harry began.
"Venus' Tonic? Yeah," Malfoy confirmed. "Mixed with some veritaserum if I'm not mistaken".
Hermione's eyes traveled from the glass to stare at Calvin. She didn't understand what was happening or why Calvin looked so angry. "Calvin? Harry let me go. I want to be with Calvin!" she exclaimed.
"You are not going anywhere with him," Harry declared as he struggled to hold onto Hermione. "A little help, please?"
Malfoy rolled his eyes and once again pointed his wand at Hermione and said, "Petrificus Totalus". Hermione's limbs once again locked and Harry shifted her over into Ginny's hold.
Harry turned to stare down Calvin. "I don't know who you are and I don't particularly care. You used not one but two highly regulated substances to try to date rape my best friend. You are under arrest," Harry said as he conjured ropes to immobilize Calvin. "I'm taking this piece of shit into the ministry for questioning. Gin, can you take care of Hermione?"
"I can take care of her," Malfoy stated.
"If you think I'm leaving my best friend alone in a club with you after she's been drugged you've gone round the twist," Harry argued.
"Seriously Potter?" Malfoy sighed and Hermione could practically hear his eyeballs rolling, "I'm not going to hurt her. I've got an office upstairs with potions I keep on hand for when this happens."
Harry cocked his head to the side, "Why do you have an office here?"
Draco shook his head, "Are you really that thick? I own the place!"
"Oh," Harry said as his cheeks colored. "Are you sure she'll be alright with you?"
"Yes," Malfoy promised. "I swear on my magic that I won't let anything happen to her. Weaselette is welcome to stay if that makes you all more comfortable".
Ginny stared at Harry for a moment in silent communication. She turned to face Hermione and Malfoy, "Let's ask her. Finite!" Hermione swayed and Ginny asked, "Are you fine staying here with Malfoy?"
"I want to go with Calvin," Hermione whined, "I came out tonight to find someone to shag!"
Ginny grasped Hermione's shoulders and gave her a firm shake, "You can't go with Calvin. Are you alright to stay with Malfoy?"
Hermione turned to look at the wizard in question and licked her lips, "He's even sexier. I can shag him instead".
The corner of Malfoy's lips quirked up in a devious smirk and Hermione felt a shock of lust pass through her body.
"Malfoy," Harry growled, "if you do anything to her…"
Malfoy cut Harry off, "Potter, I was and I am many things, but a rapist is not among them. I will not harm her". He turned to face Hermione and continued in a whisper, "I promise".
Ginny looked between Hermione and Malfoy and placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "I believe you," she said. "Do you need any help getting her to your office?"
In one smooth motion, Malfoy lifted Hermione off the ground and cradled her to his chest. "She'll be fine," he declared and walked towards the stairs. Hermione watched Ginny shoot her famous Bat Bogey Hex at Calvin before disapparating. Harry roughly shoved the moaning creep out the door of the club.
Hermione buried her head into the crook of Malfoy's neck and inhaled. 'Oh Merlin,' she thought, 'he smells delicious'.
Malfoy's chest began to rumble as he chuckled, "You know I can hear you, right?"
Hermione nuzzled her face into his open collared shirt and began to pepper his skin with kisses.
"Granger," he growled in warning, "stop that. You don't want to do that". He shifted her in his arms to free up his wand and cast an unlocking spell on the door. He settled her down onto a soft leather couch and stepped away.
Hermione moaned at the loss of contact and tried to stand to follow him across the room. In a flash, he was back at her side with a small vial of light green potion.
"Here Granger," he unstoppered the vial and held it up to her lips, "drink this. It'll make you feel better".
Hermione groaned, "You could make me feel better, Draco. Ginny said I need a proper shag". She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed his arse.
Malfoy batted her hands away and tried once more, "Please Hermione, drink this. I promise it'll be better".
Hermione accepted the vial and wrapped her lips around the glass. She swallowed down the potion in one gulp and ran her tongue around the rim of the vial once she was done. She continued to lick her lips in a seductive fashion until the haze around her brain began to lift.
"Wha.. what's going on?" Hermione asked as her mouth went dry as cotton. "Malfoy?" she suddenly felt nauseous.
"You with me now, Granger?" he asked in a concerned voice.
She nodded, "I think so. What happened?"
Malfoy suppressed a growl, "some fucking tosser tried to drug you. You've got to be more careful, Hermione!"
"What?! How?" Hermione asked.
"Didn't your parents ever teach you not to accept anything from random men?" Malfoy ranted.
Hermione rolled her eyes but found the motion made her nausea increase. "UUUGHH!" she moaned.
Malfoy opened one of his desk drawers and picked out a bar of Honeyduke's finest. "Here, eat this".
Hermione sarcastically quipped, "You just told me not to accept things from random men" and gladly took a bite of the chocolate.
Malfoy barked out a laugh, "I hardly think I qualify as a random man, don't you think?".
"Random, no. Man, mmmmmm, yes," Hermione responded with an appreciative tone. When she realized what she'd said she clasped a hand over her mouth. "OH MY MERLIN!"
Malfoy chuckled, "that would be the veritaserum he spiked your drink with. Unfortunately, there's nothing to do about that except wait until it wears off".
'Well shit,' Hermione thought. 'I'm stuck here with Draco Malfoy with no verbal filter. This is dangerous'.
"Again, love, you're thinking out loud," Malfoy said with a wolfish grin.
Hermione buried her head in her hands and moaned at the injustice. "Can you just leave me alone until it wears off? Then I'll go home, get out of your hair, and forget this whole thing every happened".
Malfoy cocked his head to the side for a moment. "Or," he slowly drawled, "I could stay here and keep you company. What do you say? Could be interesting".
Hermione glared at the infuriating blond. "I have been dosed with truth serum and cannot control what comes out of my mouth. Frankly, I don't trust you not to take advantage of the situation and get me to admit something that I'd rather not".
"Fair enough," he conceded. "But what if we level the playing field?" Hermione arched a brow at him to continue. He reached into his desk once more and retrieved another potion. He held the clear liquid upwards so that the light passed through the glass vial like a prism. "I'll take a shot of veritaserum and we can chat".
Hermione's cautious mind sent off warning signals, "Why?"
"Why not?" he shrugged. "I never had the opportunity to get to know the real Hermione Granger. Do you want to get to know the real Draco Malfoy? Yes or no?"
Despite herself, the veritaserum compelled her to answer truthfully. "Yes". Draco Malfoy was an enigma. Hermione's ever inquisitive mind could not resist the chance to unravel the mystery of the man standing in front of her.
"I thought you'd say that," he grinned and unstoppered the vial. "Bottoms up!" he brought the glass to his lips and drained the potion.
Hermione stared into his eyes for a minute, waiting until his pupils dilated and his irises brightened in the way that was characteristic of one who is under the influence of veritaserum. Once the potion took hold Hermione leaned forward and asked, "Is your name Draco Lucius Malfoy?"
Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Yes. And is your name Hermione…I have no idea what your middle name is".
"It's Jean," she supplied with a laugh.
"Hermione Jean Granger? I like it," he grinned.
"Now that we've settle who we are, how does this work?" Hermione asked.
Draco smirked, "Are you familiar with the muggle game twenty questions? It was quite popular in the Slytherin dorms back in school".
"Yes, of course," she replied. "But are you really telling me that Slytherins enjoyed playing a muggle game?"
He shrugged, "It served its purpose. Now Hermione, why did you come out tonight? I've never seen you at Vipertooth before".
"I don't come out very often," she admitted. "Ginny suggested that I needed to have more in my life than my work, and maybe she's right. She invited me out tonight to rediscover what it's like to have a social life. Why did you decide to open a club, Malfoy?"
"Draco".
"What?" she asked.
He gave her a small smile, "please call me Draco".
"Alright then Dra-co," Hermione elongated his name for emphasis, "why Vipertooth?"
"I suppose it's because everyone expected me to follow in my father's footsteps like I did my entire life. He headed Malfoy Enterprises, so I would head Malfoy Enterprises. I wanted something that was my own. Something that I actually enjoyed doing. You were probably unaware, but I had a reputation for throwing some epic parties back at Hogwarts before everything went to shit in sixth year".
Hermione grinned, "No, I didn't know about your ability to throw wild bashes. Your reputation for being a foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach was much more prevalent". She let out an uncharacteristic giggle when Draco shot her an annoyed glare. "I'm happy to see you've changed".
Draco's eyebrows shot up as he considered her. "You think I've changed?"
Hermione reached out her hand to rest it on his forearm where she knew his concealed dark mark remained. "Of course you've changed. The Draco I knew back in school wouldn't have gone out of his way to help a mudblood".
"Don't call yourself that," he rushed out and caressed the still present scar Bellatrix had left on Hermione's own forearm. "I can't apologize enough for the mistakes I've made. I try very hard to make VIpertooth a safe, welcoming place for anyone who is looking to have a good time".
"It's a wonderful club," Hermione ensured. When Draco raised his eyebrow at her she continued, "Though you might want to tell your bartender to mind all of his customers. Not just the ones with revealing cleavage and short skirts".
Draco let out a loud chuckle and Hermione was surprised at how much she liked the rich sound. "Yeah, Blaise has always been a horndog. He knows better than to start anything with a customer, but I'll make sure he knows that he can't slack off towards anyone".
"You don't let your staff date the patrons?" Hermione asked.
Draco shook his head, "What they do on their own time is their business unless it negatively impacts Vipertooth. So far, there haven't been any issues".
"What about you?" Hermione asked.
Draco cocked his head to the side, "What?"
"It's been two years since you broke off your engagement with Astoria Greengrass," Hermione started.
Draco rolled his eyes and interrupted, "I see you're up to date with the society pages".
Hermione laughed, "I blame Ginny. As I was saying, do you date the women who come into your club?"
"No," Draco responded and surprised Hermione. "I've been busy getting Vipertooth off the ground to date".
Before Hermione could stop herself she blurted out, "What about to shag?" Immediately, redness colored her cheeks and she slapped her hand over her mouth. She mumbled, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked that".
"We're getting to know each other, Hermione. You ask a question, and I'll answer it. I haven't been with anyone since Astoria," he replied.
"Why?" Hermione couldn't resist asking. Inwardly, she questioned why she was being so nosy. Veritaserum was supposed to compel you to reveal the truth, not blurt out any embarrassing question that entered your mind. She was pulled out of her musings when Draco responded.
"Don't think I haven't noticed that you've asked the last few questions without giving me a turn," he cheeked. "Despite owning a nightclub that profits when people cut loose and let go of their inhibitions, I don't partake myself. One night flings just aren't for me. I want love".
"Who would have thought? Draco Malfoy: a closet romantic," Hermione tried to joke.
"Yes, well that's me," he replied. "Turnabout is fair play. What about you? I was surprised when I heard you split from Weaselbee. Everyone thought you two would be popping out ginger babies as quickly as possible".
Hermione shuddered, "Ugh, no! I love Ron, but only as a friend. We would never have made each other happy. I need someone to challenge me on every level".
"And let me guess, you found his intellectual prowess lacking?" Draco prodded.
Hermione tried to bite her tongue but the veritaserum tore the "Yes" from her lips. She glared at Draco.
"Was his performance in the bedroom also lacking?" Draco smiled.
Hermione chuckled, "We never made it that far. Kissing him was awkward enough".
Draco looked stunned, "Are you.. are you.." he trailed off and gestured his hands in an unspecific manner.
Although Hermione knew exactly what he was eluding to she wasn't going to make it easy on him. The veritaserum didn't force her to answer his indefinite query. "Am I what?"
Draco tried again, "Are you a virgin, Hermione?"
She laughed at his awkwardness, "No, I'm not".
Hermione noticed the corner of Draco's mouth downturn slightly, "Oh. Who was it?"
"Viktor," she replied. "Viktor Krum. He invited me to Bulgaria after I finished my NEWTs".
"I should have known," Draco grumbled. "I suppose the international quidditch star was a fantastic lover?"
Hermione thought she detected a note of jealousy in Draco's tone. For some reason she didn't understand, that gave her a little thrill. "Sub-par actually," she replied. When Draco gave her a questioning look she continued, "You'd think a man who seeks for a living found be much more skilled at finding things".
Draco smiled at Hermione and leaned forward and whispered, "Just what did he have difficulty in locating, Hermione?"
Hermione felt a shiver pass through her body as her name passed over his lips. 'Oh My Merlin,' Hermione realized, 'Draco Malfoy is flirting with me'. She evaluated what was happening. She was sitting on a couch with a man who had once despised her very existence. The same man who had rescued her from a dangerous situation just an hour before. And they were discussing their sexual history over doses of truth potion. Over the course of their game, they had been gradually sliding closer and closer to one another like magnets until they were now touching. This evening was nothing short of bizarre but Hermione found that she wasn't bothered in the least by his attentions. Draco was a very attractive man and Hermione had basically told him as much when she was under the influence of the love potion. There was no harm in some flirtatious banter now.
"My clitoris, Draco," she deadpanned. "He was unable to find my clitoris". Hermione laughed as Draco's mouth dropped open at her response.
A moment passed before he found the words again. "You know I was a seeker, Hermione".
"Oh?" she flirted back.
"I assure you, I am quite good at finding whatever I am looking for," he said.
Hermione's pulse accelerated as she felt her body lean forward involuntarily. Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart when she halted her movement. 'No, no, no,' she thought, 'this can't happened tonight'. She licked her lips and noticed that his eyes followed her tongue. "Draco?"
"Mmmhhmm," he replied in recognition.
"We have to stop this," she said as she placed her palm on his chest to put some distance between them.
He blinked his eyes and slid away from her until he was on the opposite side of the couch, "Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable".
She shook her head, "You didn't. It's ok. It's just too much for tonight. I don't want to make a mistake," she tried to explain.
"A mistake," he grumbled bitterly.
She backtracked, "Tonight is the first proper conversation that we've ever had. I don't want to ruin all the good progress we've made by doing something that we both are bound to regret".
"I suppose you're right," he admitted. "The Great Hermione Granger is always right," he added and sent her a sarcastic smile.
"I do like getting to know you, Draco," Hermione swore. "I wish this Draco had existed years ago. I think we could have been good friends".
"Any chance of us being friends now?" Draco asked hopefully.
Hermione giggled, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
Draco swallowed and he pressed, "Any chance of us being more than friends?"
Hermione didn't need the veritaserum that was still coursing through her system to prompt her answer. The man sitting in front of her was sweet, funny, witty and had proved himself willing to reveal his secrets to her. "Yes, Draco. I think there could be".
"Will you come back tomorrow night?" Draco asked. "Vipertooth only operates as a bar rather than a nightclub on Sundays so it closes early. I'd like to take you to dinner".
Hermione smiled, "Yes, I'd like that very much." She stood and smoothed out her outfit. "I think I should go now. I had a lovely evening with you".
Draco grasped her hand and lifted it to press a light kiss to her knuckles. Hermione fought the urge to swoon. He led her over to the fireplace in the corner of his office and bid her goodnight. "Until tomorrow, Hermione," he said with promise of things to come.
Hermione stepped into the fireplace and flooed away. When she arrived in her flat she kicked her heels off and flopped down on her loveseat. She took a few cooling breaths and began to evaluate all that had occurred. 'This has been one of the oddest nights of my adult life,' she thought. 'I was drugged, nearly assaulted, and rescued. I spent the last hour with Draco Malfoy and I'm going to see him again tomorrow. Oh My Merlin. I'm going on a date with Draco Malfoy. I need Ginny!' Hermione frantically looked for her old protean charmed galleon from the D.A. before she caught sight of the clock. 'Perhaps I should wait until morning. Two in the morning may not be the best time to let her know that I almost snogged Malfoy!'
-AN Thanks for reading! I took some liberties with veritaserum. Rather than requiring strict yes/no type questions like in canon, veritaserum in this story compels answers for other types of questions as well.