Howdy folks.
So this is a new one from me, i'm thinking CissaMione endgame so that is what it will be listed as at this point.
Big Trigger Warning as there are numerous mentions of rape.
This one is also heavily on the M side and fairly explicit so if you can't handle or you're too young read at your own risk because this is the warning you're getting.
Hermione leaves the wizarding world behind and realises things are a little harder in the muggle world than she expected.
A year after the final Battle she bumps into old enemies who become new friends, despite her choice in profession. Can she
get past her past and start over in the wizarding world and will her newest truest friend end up as more?
I do not own anything but the plot.
Reviews encouraged.
[Trigger Warning: Non-con]
Prologue
Things had changed. Immediately after the battle at the castle things had changed drastically. Everyone got busy. Busy mourning the dead and sending them off the right way. Busy rebuilding. Busy finding lost family members. Everyone was busy. That was why it had been so easy to lose track. To lose a part of them all so big it should have been impossible. But it happened and they didn't know how. They didn't know where to look. They didn't know how to find what had vanished so silently.
At first they had thought that it was the rogue Death-eaters. Somehow they had taken her for some reason, captured her and tortured her as some last ditch effort. Yet when the last of the Death-eaters were rounded up and questioned they realised that none of them had any idea what they were even being asked. The months dragged on and things had to keep moving. Weddings happened. Birthdays were celebrated. Lives went on. After a year it was all but forgotten.
Finding Lifeless
The restaurant was packed and almost stiflingly hot, the body heat only adding to the vented heat and the invading warmth of the kitchen through large double doors. Not a single table was vacant. Conversation was hushed and jumbled to anyone trying to listen off to the side and there was so many talking all at once that the drone of voices was constant. It was irritating to some, the people working there, but never irritating enough to make the money they made not worth it.
"Can you tell me again why we are here?" A not quite tone broke the silence two seated at a small table toward the middle of the room.
"Because we have been holed up in the Manor for the better part of the year and im tired of it. I thought we would enjoy going out to dinner." Came the reply.
"But... why a muggle restaurant?" Narcissa Malfoy asks with a slightly hushed tone and a wrinkle to her nose.
"I didn't want to deal with the looks and sneers typical of our world." Draco huffs annoyed at the whole thing.
It wasn't as if he didn't know what he had done but he also hadn't done it willingly. In fact he had only done it because he was honestly scared shitless, not only for himself but also his mother. Voldemort was obviously highly unstable and not the least bit remorseful in his actions. He had mercilessly killed and fed his serpent, his apparent blood-lust, and it didn't seem to matter who he killed.
Of course he hadn't expected things to go back to normal, where he was practically worshiped as the Slytherin prince. But he hadn't planned for everyone to hate him and his mother so easily. Could no one understand his position? That he had had to live with not only a mad-man but also Bellatrix Lestrange. Lestrange herself was a loose cannon at the best of times, just as likely to embrace you as she was to bite a chunk out of you.
His mother had always been stunted in the magical world. His mother who would do anything for him. Who he had underappreciated for years because he was too busy trying to earn his fathers pride. Pride from a man with no pride of his own, no back backbone when it mattered. More than once in the last twelve months Draco found himself really wishing he was a Black and not a Malfoy. He wished he had that Black pride that his mother wielded like a weapon. The woman had been knocked down more times than Draco could count, an abusive father, an abusive husband. That was just the physical abuse. Druella and Bellatrix dished out an unhealthy amount of the verbal as well.
Still Narcissa held her head up. When she was jinxed with a Jelly-legs not a week ago she picked herself back up and dusted herself of before going about her day with her head held high. Any time the woman was confronted she would simply square her shoulders, accept her fate, and leave with her head high. She wore her shame well, felt it to her core, just like Draco did, and accepted what she had done and been a part of. The war was far too fresh for everyone for Narcissa to yet feel like she could defend herself.
"I need to use the bathroom, will you be alright?" Draco asks, they were waiting on their meal to come still.
"Of course, Draco. Don't be foolish." Narcissa frowns at her son, she adored how caring he had been lately but sometimes it was a bit ridiculous.
Draco simply nodded and got to his feet and made his way to the bathroom. He promptly relieved himself, washed his hands and wiped them off before making his way for the door. He was just reaching to open it when it swung open very nearly hitting him in the face. Draco scowled as a laughing man stepped in with someone right behind him. He was about to open his mouth to snark at the man about being careful when he realised just who it was behind the man.
"Watch it, mate." The man smirks rudely.
It didn't matter, Draco didn't really hear him though, he was far too shocked to say anything. Chocolate eyes with no life left in them locked with his, he didn't even see any recognition in her expression she simply looked... lifeless. Accepting of her fate perhaps. There was no fire he had secretly admired and respected in the past. No spark of life. No determination. It was just emptiness in those flat chocolate orbs, dulled by a life that had clearly left a lot to be desired. Draco lingered, only for a moment, watching the woman mostly shielded by a crass man who had his mouth attached to her neck and hand to her breast.
The shock was still showing on his face when he returned to the table as his mother was giving him a very curious look. Draco sat and mechanically placed his napkin on his lap as he tried to make sense of what he had just seen. But he couldn't understand it. What had happened to make that particular woman so willing to act in that particular way and why were they here. What had she been doing all this time? Was this it?
"Draco?" Narcissa had said his name five times at this point and still nothing.
"What?" Draco frowns and finally turns his attention to his mother.
"What is wrong?" Narcissa huffs at her currently clueless son.
"I just... I... I think i just saw Hermione." Draco finally gets out, his uncertainty owing to a stutter.
"Granger? But she's been missing." Narcissa frowns and looks around in an attempt to catch a glimpse.
"I know. She's in the men's with some bloke." Draco says incredulously.
"Hermione Granger is shagging some man in a public bathroom in a restaurant? Dear, are you sure it was her?" Narcissa glanced from the men's toilet door back to her son for a moment before looking back that way.
"I'm not. That's why it's so confusing. I mean its her, it has to be, it looks just like her but when she looked at me? There was just nothing." Draco was also looking at the bathroom door, waiting.
They didn't have to wait many more minutes before the door opened, the man walked out a lot calmer seeming now but still wearing the same smirk, he was tucking his shirt back into his pants. Hermione was a half pace behind him, saying something that had the man turning and seeming to shove some money at her. Money that was promptly packed into her purse before the witch looked up. She seemed to zero in on the Malfoy's, could feel them watching her, but she barely spared them a glance before walking through the dining room and right out the door.
The Malfoys looked at one another for a moment, sharing a look of astonishment and understanding, before rising to their feet and following the brunette out of the restaurant. It took them a moment, looking left to right, before they spotted her a short way down the street to the right. Walking briskly and without a plan the two followed the witch down the street. They didn't get a chance to approach the witch however, before Hermione was turning into a building which was surprisingly a club of all things.
"That was definitely her wasn't it?" Draco questions and Narcissa nods.
"What happened to her?" Narcissa frowns, she had a fairly good idea. Or at least an inkling.
"I don't know. What do we do now?" Draco frowns deeply.
"I'll do some investigating. Why don't you go home?" Narcissa suggests, Draco was a little dubious but he trusted his mother and knew she was capable.
"Alright. Stay safe, mother." He says kissing her cheek before slipping off to find a dark alley he could aparate from.
Narcissa took a moment to assess herself, she had dressed in a decidedly form fitting navy blue strapless dress and donned, possibly the only white article of clothing she owned, a blazer over the top. Her hair was tied back simply with the sides pulled back and pinned out of the way. It was perhaps not the most flattering clubbing attire but it would certainly suffice. Sucking in a breath she made her way into the hazy club, it was very clear that it was a dance club as there were sparse tables around the edges of the room and a wide open space in the middle.
It took several minute before Narcissa found Hermione again and then it had only been because the young woman was being ushered up some stairs towards the back of the room. Narcissa had attempted to follow but was told that only the owner could go upstairs, it was clear that this was another client so she went and ordered a drink and waited. It seemed to take longer this time though. Who ever Hermione's current lover was it was clear they weren't just the wick dipping type. Yet the longer she sat there the more the whole situation began to bother her.
How had Hermione Granger, one third of what was hailed as the 'Golden-Trio',turned into this? A prostitute no less. The brilliant mind that she had been, the declared reason that the war had even ended up winnable, was now selling her body for the right price. Narcissa was growing quite annoyed by the time Hermione finally came back down, but it was as their eyes met that Narcissa finally understood what Draco had been saying.
Hermione Granger most definitely did not enjoy what she was doing. What she had become. In fact it was clear to looking at her that Hermione Granger didn't enjoy most things any more, if anything. Her eyes were flat, her expression exaggerated to hide the empty pain underneath. How had this beautiful mind become such a lack-lustre creature? Could she ever find that love of life again. Hermione broke eye-contact first and made her way for the exit.
Crumbling Soulless
"Hermione!" Narcissa called down the street when she had finally managed to push her way out of the club.
If Hermione heard she didn't indicate, not even hesitating in her step as she continued down the street. Narcissa was practically jogging but she was catching up the stubborn young woman. Hermione just didn't want to stop, she walked away from her past and she wanted to keep doing that. She would keep doing that, it just seemed inevitable that her past would catch up with her.
"Hermione, for Merlin's sake." Narcissa hissed grabbing the witches elbow finally.
"People pay for my time these days, Madame Malfoy." Hermione finally spoke and her tone was nothing but scathing. It took Narcissa back a little.
"What's your price then, because i would like a little of it." Narcissa didnt miss a beat no matter how taken back she had been.
"They pay for sex not conversation." Hermione returns scowling at the brazen woman.
"What ever it takes." Narcissa countered evenly and this time Hermione was the one taken back.
With a huff the little witch just shook her head and turned, leading Narcissa further down the street, into a McDonalds of all places. Narcissa remained silent, even when Hermione ordered two of everything she had wanted, including a chocolate shake. Only when the food was in hand did Hermione lead the older woman to a quite booth in the back of the fast-food restaurant. She didn't speak but instead pushed half of the food towards Narcissa along with the beverage and started to eat hungrily.
It was only then that Narcissa really took in more of Hermione than just her lifeless eyes, smooth hair and expressionless face. The young woman was a lot slimmer than she had been twelve months ago during the final battle. She appeared to cover the scar on her arm with make up and it was clear she even have a few tattoos. She couldn't see them but for around her neck and then barely enough to tell what they were. Vines maybe. She was dressed quite well though, a blood red dress that hugged her figure perfectly and a black leather jacked that was currently slung over the black hand bag she was carrying.
"Eat. Talk." Hermione urged after several long minutes. Narcissa began to ear.
"I want to apologise?" Narcissa's tone was questioning. She needed to apologise she was just no longer sure how much she had to apologise for.
"Do you? For what exactly? Letting your sister have me? Letting your husband? Or maybe for having the guts to save Harry but not giving a fuck about me?"Hermione was blunt and continued to eat her burger.
"I... I didn't... i couldn't..." Narcissa was honestly at a loss. She knew she had to apologise for two of those things but she had never considered the last. She had defied Voldemort right to his face to save Harry but hadnt attempted to help her even when she had had the change.
"Forget it. Its over and done and i've moved on." Hermione shrugs and gestures for Narcissa to keep eating. The greasy food would usually be snubbed but Narcissa would be lying if she said it wasn't tasty, even now when her appetite was greatly diminished.
"Why did you leave our world? People have been looking all over for you." Narcissa tries but Hermione's only response is a shrug.
"Why were you and Draco in muggle London?" Hermione asks her own question, ignoring the claim people had been looking for her.
"People don't really like Draco and I. I'm sure you could understand why. We just wanted a night out of the house and away from the abuse and dirty looks." Narcissa offered honestly and Hermione nodded. She understood it.
"Makes sense to me. So why do you want to dredge up the past now? Why can't we just have a meal together and pretend we are someone different for a while? Not a pure-blood eating with a mud-blood." Narcissa winced at Hermione pointing out their blood statuses.
"Is that what you're doing? Pretending to be someone else?" Narcissa asks softly.
"I'm not Hermione anymore, not the Hermione you knew. Not the book worm, the brain. The underappreciated Gryffindor willing to help anyone and everyone even if they did talk shit behind my back. But i'm not pretending either. People change sometimes." Hermione looks at Narcissa, her expression almost challenging the woman to deny it.
"People do yes. I will admit though, i'm very surprised that you're a..." She was at a loss, she didn't want to be rude but she wasnt sure there was a way to ask that question without seeming rude.
"A whore? Well a person has to eat." Hermione simply shrugs. Narcissa has noticed this whole time though that the little witch wouldn't meet her eye.
"But i don't understand... you could have been anything you wanted." Narcissa points out gently because honestly it was the truth. It was no secret that Hermione was brilliant.
"Could i? Do you want to get a drink?" Hermione was so flippant that it was almost frightening. But Narcissa had a sinking feeling that it was a front. This girl was undoubtedly broken.
Of course Hermione was hiding things, she had tried so very hard to be over her past and move on. Granted she had taken steps she wasnt very proud of but she had seen very little choice otherwise. Her parents were gone. She didn't have any kind of schooling record for the muggle world as she had started Hogwarts at 12. No work experience. No money. No family to fall back on. Hermione had done the best she could with what she had to work with and that was very little.
"A drink?" Narcissa parroted, a little taken off kilter by the subject change.
"Yes. My place is only a couple blocks from here." Hermione was both frustrated by the inquisition and disgusted by herself and in sincere need of a shower.
"Oh. Well, yes that would be nice." Narcissa nods.
It was unlikely the witch would have refused such an offer for a couple of reasons. One, she was in need of being somewhere less public as an anxiety she didn't know she had was starting to get to her and for the other she was very curious about where Hermione lived. Not only did she want to see the place but she also wanted to know the location for the sake of visiting at a later date. If she had been there then she could aparate there when she pleased. The two picked up their rubbish and disposed of it before walking out of the fast-food restaurant.
Hermione lead the way silently, she wasn't quite there on making small talk yet and Narcissa seemed to accept that and remained silent as they walked down two blocks and took a left to get to an apartment building that looked less that amazing but sturdy. Once inside the main entrance, Narcissa was slightly put out by fact the elevator was out of order so she had walked up five flights of stairs. She was startled and ended up walking a little closer to Hermione when one of the woman's neighbors poked out of his apartment.
"Another one? How many is that today? Seven?" He asks snidely.
"She's not a client, asshole. Pull your head in." Hermione retorted without missing a step and Narcissa was both impressed and appalled at the situation.
Narcissa almost worried for Hermione's safety in that moment, except it was clear that Hermione had been living here for some time now and clearly wasnt worried about the opinionated neighbor even a little bit. Once reaching the door that was Hermione's the younger woman pulled out a set of keys from her clutch and opened the door. It was very basic, bland walls all painted beige though there were a few posters here and there, film posters. It was also open plan but instead of a television Hermione had two bookshelves framing what seemed to be some sort of tank or aquarium.
The sofa was small and there were no other seats in what was clearly designated the living area. Over by the large windows across from the living space was a double bed with blue silky sheets on it. On one side of the bed was a small night stand and lamp and against the wall on the same side was a tall boy that presumably had Hermiones clothes and things in it. It was extremely tidy in the apartment, the kitchen space was almost as large as the living space but Narcissa secretly thought that was a good thing. She would spend a lot of time in the kitchen with the elves just to escape the monsters in her home.
The only room that there appeared to be in the whole space was in the corner between the kitchen and opening into the bedroom. On closer inspection it was a bathroom fit with a shower over a claw foot tub, a toilet and a decent vanity. Narcissa was still looking around when Hermione took off her jacket and draped it on her bed. She then kicked her heels off and bent to pick them up before taking them to the tall-boy. She placed them inside and pulled out a rather large tee-shirt with some 'Wonder woman' on the front.
"Would you unzip me?" Hermione inquires walking over and showing her back to Narcissa without waiting for a response.
Narcissa hesitated for only a moment before she reached out and gently unzipped the back of Hermione's dress. It was then that she got a decent look at the tattoo that was covering most Hermione's back and even curling out over her shoulders and arms. The tattoo was, curiously, a vine that was made to look like it was growing out of Hermione's back and growing up over the witches back and shoulders and around her neck a little. In different poses on the womans back were two little dragons weaving in the vines, a small gold one and a small red one, one looked like it was looking down and to the right from the left side of the woman's body while the other was high against Hermione's shoulder blade and was designed so it looked as though it were looking to who ever was directly behind the witch.
"If you want to get the drinks i have a selection under the sink. I would like to take a shower though if you don't mind." Hermione explains mildly shrugging the now undone dress off her shoulders, not seeming modest in the least. Narcissa was secretly intrigued by the black lace thong the witch wore.
"Of course. What are you drinking?" Narcissa turns away from the woman and makes her way to the kitchen.
"Surprise me." Was thrown out as Hermione went into the bathroom and closed the door. Narcissa mixed some drinks and moved to the sofa.
Clearing Dust
While Hermione was cleaning the day, and likely at least two men, off her body Narcissa explored a little more. The book selection was what Narcissa expected from the witch but was not overly surprised to see a few random romance novels tucked away with some science fiction and even fantasy novels along with the plethora of non-fictions. Most intriguing was Narcissa discovering the occupants of the glass faced enclosure between the two book cases. She was so elated to see the creatures that she didn't even think about it before finding the lid and reaching in to pull out two rather small objects.
"The one with yellow is called Firefly and her boyfriends name is Pewter." Hermione's voice startled Narcissa a little and the older woman blushed at being caught red handed.
"I'm sorry i couldn't help myself when i saw them." Narcissa confessed softly.
"Forget it. I'm just glad someone else likes them as much as me." Hermione shrugs her off, she was now dressed in the over large shirt and a pair of briefs.
"Ball Pythons are my favorite." Narcissa smiles, a real genuine smile this time and that was all it took.
The rest of the evening was spent talking mostly of the snakes. Hermione learned that Narcissa had always desired to have a pet ball python or two but had never had the opportunity. Which lead to the Gryffindor learning that even though the Slytherin house animal was a snake that most Slytherin's couldn't stand the creatures, which included Draco, Lucius, Bella and even Andy was highly dubious. The only snake Narcissa had never liked was Nagini which had been a given for pretty much everyone.
When the evening came to an end Hermione offered to let Narcissa aparate right from the apartment since there were no wards in place. Narcissa had explained that she had actually enjoyed her evening and was ever glad to know that Hermione was safe. It didn't seem to both Hermione that the woman knew where she was either. It was clear that there was many things wrong with Hermione but Narcissa was in no real rush to push the witch. Hermione had, almost desperately, informed that Narcissa was welcome to return any time, that Hermione never had clients there so there was no risk of popping in on something sordid. Narcissa left with a smile and Hermione went to bed with something resembling a smile on her face.
At the Manor, however, Draco was pacing worriedly for his mother who he had left in muggle London and hadn't heard from in the last several hours. It was past midnight before he heard the familiar crack of aparation and he strode out the front door, sighing to see his mother making her way along the path.
"Mother! Where have you been?" Draco asks in a huff and Narcissa seemed confused.
"I was with Hermione?" She was convinced that Draco couldn't possibly have forgotten that already.
"All this time? You didn't... you didn't have..." He trails off not able to consider it. Not that Hermione wasn't attractive, or even his mum, but for the life of him he couldn't imagine his mother with one of his peers.
"Don't be daft, Draco. She bought me some food, horrible stuff but delicious. Then she took me back to her place and we talked and had a few drinks before calling it a night." Narcissa scowled at what her son had insinuated.
"What did you find out? Why did she leave? Why is she a prostitute?" Draco changes the subject because yes, apparently he was daft.
"Not a lot. She is hiding. From herself mostly I think. She won't talk about it though. She gets defensive and snide. She's broken." Narcissa says softly.
"You sound like you care." Draco points out mildly.
"Of course I care! It's my fault. She made that much clear. First Bella, then Lucius. I could have stopped that." Narcissa scowls though mostly at herself.
"Mother..." Draco winced, he hadn't been in the room, not like Narcissa had, but he knew what his father had done. He had seen Bella try over and over to break her. He was also to blame. Hermione was saved by a house elf that day while people stood by and watched.
"Forget about it. I need a bath and to get some sleep." Narcissa frowns softly and moves into the house.
"Should we tell Potter?" Draco asks following her in.
"I'm not sure that's something she wants. But maybe." Narcissa sighs heavily because really she had wronged that young woman and selfishly she wanted the chance to try and make it up to her.
"Alright. Will you be seeing her again?" Draco asks heading upstairs, he was feeling drained as well.
"Yes I think so." Narcissa nods and finally makes her way into the bedroom that was now hers alone.
Mother and son finally went their own ways, one to shower and one to get into bed and sleep. Draco was very much planning to search out Harry the next day but Narcissa was more than prepared to withhold the witches whereabouts. The woman wanted a chance to get to know Hermione, she was already so intrigued, without the pressures of peers and blood-status.
Draco didn't know what had happened, wasn't sure how Hermione had hit rock bottom, but he could kind of get it too. She had been nothing short of ridiculed since she had arrived in the magical world. Either for being too smart and a 'know-it-all' or because of her muggle-born status. Why would she want to stay and be part of that.
Living Guilt
Harry and Ron had barely made it into the Ministry the following morning before they were set upon by Draco Malfoy, which was odd for all those present because the Malfoy's typically avoided anything to do with the Ministry if it could at all be helped. Once they were over the shock of finding the young Malfoy before them they found a private place to go and talk. The door was barely closed before Ron turned on Draco.
"What is it you want, Malfoy?" The Weasley bites.
"Granger. I found her." Draco responds calmly. The shock was almost amusing.
"Tell us everything." Harry insists. Draco doesn't.
Instead Draco tells them the bare minimum of what they need to know. Where she had been first seen. That Narcissa had spent the better part of the evening talking with her. But he didn't tell them what her occupation seemed to be. How would he even begin to tell them that their friend, who was once so straight laced, is now a prostitute.
Only when Draco was gone did the two Auror's go to Kinglsey and request the day off to look for Hermione. Kinglsey understood their need to find their friend and even more the need to find the way-ward war hero that none of them had heard from in months. Of course he let them have the day and so the two men left immediately going through the Leaky Cauldron and out into muggle London.
They went first to the Restaurant and then to the club before being lead to several different places that the witch apparently frequented. None of them knew where she would be but pointed them in the next direction. Finally though, they were sent to a cafe, it was small but a good business with good food which helped the young men in their decision to stop for lunch. It wasn't until after lunch was eaten that they finally decided to ask about Hermione.
"Excuse me sir, i was wondering if you might help us. We were looking for a friend of ours. Hermione Granger. I don't suppose you know of her?" Harry asks curiously.
"Not a Hermione, but there is a Jean Granger here at the moment. She's upstairs with the boss." The waiter informs unwittingly.
The two young men shared a look of surprise, mostly surprise. Ron was a little anxious all of the sudden but not too much so. They turned, got out of their seats and strode back towards the kitchen trying to find the stairs going up. All of this against the protests of the waiter who was on the skinny side and really didnt like his chances against the two fit men charging through the cafe's kitchen. They werent listening anyway.
Instead the two men find the stairs and make their way up. Two steps at a time and ignoring the protests of the waiter they left behind. Once at the top there was two doors, one turning out to be a general supplies closest which they promptly backed out of. The second was what they were after and without thought or consideration the two pushed the unlocked door open and barged into the room. It was open plan much like Hermione's but smaller this time. The kitchen was tiny, the living room was an armchair and a TV.
There was no curtain covering the bedroom area like there was in Hermione's room. No, it was all just open space and the bathroom seemed like it was a shower cubicle, toilet and hand basin and not much else. The bed was what got their attention though, almost immediately. There on the bed, on her knees bent forward with her head and shoulders pushing into a pillow was a very naked Hermione Granger being very thoroughly fucked by a much older man. What caught there eye next was the roll of cash on the bed beside Hermione's hand.
"What the fuck is this?!" The man bellows surprised to see the two peeping toms, he pulls out and attempts to cover himself.
Hermione on the other hand, after seeing exactly who it was, stood from the bed with a less than pleasant look on her face. Without a word she simply slammed the door in their faces and locked it. There was a moment of uncertainty before the two young men turned and fled downstairs again. They paid up their bill and went outside. They were still in a state of shock, its not that they were still virgins themselves, Ron would often visit Romilda Vane and it was no secret that Harry and Ginny were finally in a stable romantic relationship. They were physical as often as possible.
Seeing Hermione naked, being shagged senseless no doubt, was a complete shock to their systems. Of course they had been typical teenage boys and while rooming with Neville, Seamus and Dean the two had had plenty of conversations about the girls at school. They had always expected that Hermione would be a 'laying on her back and taking it' type. Doggy style had never even entered their mind as far as Hermione had been concerned. Of course they had no idea just how adventurous she could be.
They were still staring at the sidewalk in front of them, both having differing thoughts, one completely uncertain and the other getting more angry by the minute. That was why when Hermione finally came down, some 20 minutes later, that they seemed unsure how to start. She did not look pleased with them in the slightest, there was no warm greeting after having been so long apart. Hermione was dressed in a skirt and blouse with a blazer on as it wasn't the warmest day. Ron seemed momentarily fixated on the cleavage she had showing, his anger increasing.
"You really are a slut then." Ron bites out breaking the silence. Hermione turns on her heel but the two men follow.
"No Ronald, i'm a whore." She says in a tone one might use if they were discussing the weather.
"You mean to say that while we were searching the bloody country for you you were just enjoying a paid dicking?" Ron was getting a little louder now. Drawing attention.
"Yes. I suppose i was." Hermione doesn't stop walking and they don't stop following.
"Hermione, stop. Can't we talk?" Harry pleads softly.
"Talk about what? The past? Why i left? No Harry, we cant. If you want to talk about now? What i get up to anymore? Sure." Hermione says without looking at them. She knew they wouldn't like that.
"Hell no! We looked for you! Don't be an ungrateful bitch and tell us what we deserve to know." Ron barks out gripping her arm.
Hermione spins on him at that, it was completely uncalled for and he of all people should know better. She doesnt hesitate to shove him hard away from her, sending him back a couple of steps.
"How dare you! Do not think that you get to touch me Ronald. Ever. Certainly don't expect that i owe you a damn thing either because i don't owe you squat. I don't owe anyone anything. I left because its what i wanted to do. You looked for me because its what you wanted to do. If you cant handle that i don't want to relive the past then you need to leave and i'd rather you do so now." Hermione fairly screeched at them.
They seemed a little taken back from this but Ronald was more angry than anything else, in fact he was almost blinded by it. It was almost knee jerk for Ron to pull his hand back when Hermione shoved him, she had barely finished speaking before the street was echoing the sound of skin meeting skin as Ron slapped her. Actually slapped her in the face. Hermione took it, her expression hardened, her eyes steel, she took it but it would never happen again.
"I think its best we leave it here. I have a life, you have yours. We dont need to be in each others anymore. I don't want to be in yours. If you cant accept that then you need to obliviate yourselves. Now i'm late meeting with another client. Goodbye." Hermione spoke calmly, matter of factly, and then turned on her heel and walked away.
Harry wasn't even sure what had happened, he knew Ron could get angry, he was a Weasley after all, but he hadn't expected it to escalate so much. He might have tried to curb Ron's anger but it was almost mirroring his own anger only he as better at controlling himself. What he would never have expected was for Ron to strike Hermione, not in a million years did he see that coming. Which was why his alarm bells seemed to finally go off. There was more going on here than just two ex-friends having a falling out. What happened between his friends and why had Hermione left?
Vacant Admission
It had been a week since the day Hermione had been confronted. Harry and Ron had had a serious argument about the whole thing but Ron wouldn't give up what ever he was hiding. They had agreed to let the world know Hermione was alive and safe but that they couldn't disclose her whereabouts... or occupation. The rest of the Weasley's had been told the truth and honestly couldn't understand it, didn't want to understand it. Disappointment weighed heavy during that conversation.
Draco had asked the two how it went as soon as he had seen them a day after they had found her. Ron didn't say much and Harry barely said more, it was clear though that it had not gone well. Which was what he had relayed to his mother who was rather disappointed by the whole thing. As it happened the woman had wanted to go and see Hermione but had unfortunately gotten rather busy with Gringotts and working out some finances, plus Odette Parkinson had insisted on brunch when she wasn't busy.
It was because it had been a week that it was so surprising for Hermione to get home one afternoon only to find Narcissa in the living room having a rather one sided conversation with Firefly. Narcissa had arrive only a half hour before, unsure when Hermione would be back, had decided to get out one of the snakes and wait for a little while. She had noted that there were a few other things in the apartment, one of those things was a new smaller enclosure which had Narcissa wondering if Hermione may have been getting another snake.
"Hello." Hermione says a little slowly.
"Hello Hermione." Narcissa says standing up. She felt slightly awkward for a moment, until she saw Hermione's face.
The little witch had a split lip and a black eye, both fairly recent considering the dried blood still on the woman's lip. Narcissa promptly set the little snake down and moved over to Hermione, concern clear on her face. Hermione flinched only slightly when Narcissa's surprisingly warm hands reached up and gently cupped her face to assess the damage. Narcissa was pleased that Hermione let her look her over and yet disappointed because she had heard many times how strong and independent Hermione had once been.
"How did this happen?" Narcissa asks softly frowning at the bruises, they seemed to mostly be superficial.
"A client. I told him i was quitting. He decided to be a little rougher than usual." Hermione confesses as those really weren't the only or the worst bruises she had.
"Why did you tell him that? Was he always so rough?" Narcissa frowns wondering why Hermione would subject herself to this treatment.
"No. He was one of my more generous clients actually, of course he was always a little rough but it was exciting not... scary." Hermione admits stepping away to put her hand bag away.
"Not like this time?" Narcissa gently picks the snake back up.
"Not like this time." Hermione agrees softly.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Go take a bath, i'll make you some tea and bring it in." Narcissa says as she returns the little snake to the enclosure with her mate.
"Careful. I might start to like you." Hermione returns mildly but the small smirk on her lips removed any possible sting.
Narcissa just waved the witch off to go and moved over into the kitchen to boil the kettle and make some tea. Hermione only had bags but they would make do, Narcissa assumed it was because of convenience. It didn't matter she supposed, it mostly all tasted the way it should have in the end, it was nice and it sated thirst. When she had a sweet cup of chamomile steaming she picked it up and headed into the bathroom with a light knock on the door. Hermione was relaxing in a steaming bath. No bubbles but there was a packet of epsom salts on the vanity.
"Where is your cup?" Hermione inquires as she looks up at the woman and takes the offered beverage.
"In the kitchen?" Narcissa frowns, slightly confused by the question.
"Come sit with me?" Hermione asks softly, she was craving the company of the woman.
Narcissa simply nods and goes to get her own drink from the kitchen, when she got back there was a comfortable looking wooden rocking chair by the tub. She didnt hesitate to sit and look the little witch over beneath the water. Hermione didn't feel like she was being checked out for a change, at least not for the reason she was usually checked out. Narcissa was looking for damage though aside from a few bruises there wasn't much there. The man, her now ex-client, had shoved her around a little, fucked her and cast her aside as though he hadn't been getting his jollies off with her for the last seven months. He was one of her better paying clients because he was willing to pay for anything and Hermione, perhaps unfortunately, was willing to subject herself to just about anything for the right amount.
"So, why are you cutting own on clients?" Narcissa asks after a few minutes, she was comfortable in her seat and sipping her tea. Her gaze now on Hermione's face.
"I'm gradually quitting them all. But the rough ones first. I get a little tired of hurting after spending an hour or two with them." Hermione explains casually, she didn't feel ashamed with Narcissa like she did with pretty much anyone else. Narcissa didn't speak she just looked at Hermione curiously.
"I don't need they money now. Not for a while. I save most of it and i make a lot." Hermione explains sitting up a little more so she can more comfortably sip her drink.
"Do you mind if i ask how much?" Narcissa inquires curiously, of course she had a lot of questions, it wasn't something she had ever been able to talk about in the past and prostitution was practically unheard of in the wizarding world.
"Around 200 to 350 a day, i typically work around three clients a day. I may make a little more or less on a weekend depending as i will take just about anyone offering on those days depending on the price." Hermione explains with a small shrug.
"So you're making at least 1,400 a week?" Narcissa was impressed for sure.
"At least. Usually around the 2K mark give or take a couple hundred." Hermione nods and looks at the woman curiously as Narcissa did the math in her head.
"So you've made the better part of 100K in the last twelve months?" Narcissa was definitely impressed.
"Yup. Around the 87K mark at this point. I wasn't making as much when i first started out." Hermione nods and sips her drink.
"Do you enjoy it? The sex i mean." Narcissa asks suddenly.
"Mostly. Some of my clients are rather selfish and only in it for them but there are a few that care if i get off as well. I've learned a lot since i started. Things i like and things i don't like. There are some things, fetishes mostly, that i refuse to do. But sex is supposed to feel good right? Its just the way it stimulates the body." Hermione explains after a few moments consideration.
"What are things people have wanted you to do but you cant?" Hermione chuckled softly at Narcissa's curiosity but couldn't fault her. She was aware that the wizarding world was a bit behind in these things. Sex was not something most people talked about in the wizarding world.
"One client had a few dogs. Needless to say he didn't stay a client long. Another really enjoy... scat. For whatever reason. That was a big no." Hermione looked at Narcissa and wasn't surprised to see a look of disgust. It mirrored her own.
"I can see why you wouldn't be into that. What about like... anal? And uh... pee?" Narcissa queries with a bright red face at this point.
At this point Hermione was done in the bath so she handed Narcissa her cup and stood up after pulling the plug. Getting out she stepped on a mat and wrapped a towel around herself and another she towel dried her hair. It was only when she was done drying her hair and Narcissa was returning from putting the cups in the sink that she responded. Which eased Narcissa because for a moment there she had thought she had over stepped a little.
"I like anal, in all honesty. Its a delightfully unexpected feeling. Pee or watersports? I don't mind but i wouldn't be upset if it never occurred in my sex life ever again either." Hermione explains honestly because, honestly, she was shockingly comfortable with Narcissa.
"Have you never experienced anal?" Narcissa flushed again at this follow up question and shook her head. Lucius was disgusted by the mere thought of anal anything and she had never been with anyone else.
"Well i'm surprised but its not unreasonable. Lets have a little subject change. I have a gift for you." Hermione smiles now, she had pulled on a large tee and some panties and brushed out her damp hair.
Narcissa looked at the witch surprised now. She didn't mind the subject change one little bit. It was one thing to ask Hermione all these questions about her sex life but Narcissa was quite embarrassed for her own. Lucius had been a greedy lover and not particularly gentle, not rough, but he took what he wanted with little regard for anyone else who he was so lucky as to get the chance to bed. She wasn't foolish enough to think she was the only one he ever slept with, he was too much of a prick.
"A gift? I didn't think you liked me very much." Narcissa frowns a little.
"I think you were a victim of your circumstances. Lucius, your parents who made you marry him, your older Sister. You were practically still a child when you was dragged into the life you've had to live. I do think you might have done more for me. But i understand fear. I don't hate you. I just wish i'd meant more." Hermione says standing, now, beside the snake tank.
"I truly am sorry. I was a coward. I still am." Narcissa says softly.
"I have forgiven you. Now, enough self deprecation. Come see." Hermione smiles gently and gestures Narcissa to come over as the witch sits on the floor by the cabinet. It was then that Narcissa realised there was a drawer under the tank.
Narcissa moved over and sat down beside the little woman who was looking at her expectantly. Narcissa's breath caught when she looked over at Hermione and noticed for the first time that Hermione's features were more than just flat. There was genuine excitement shining in Hermione's chocolate eyes and it seemed to light up her whole being. Narcissa hoped to see it again but for now her attention was drawn to the drawer as Hermione pulled it out.
The drawer was lit from the inside and seemed to hold eight small clear plastic containers spaced along the drawer. Inside 7 of the containers were seven tiny coiled snakes two of them were a faded calico firefly like Firefly and one of them was a pewter like the sire but had more yellow through it than the silver that Pewter had. The others were a soft brown in varying shades depending on their markings. Narcissa was almost immediately in love with the little creatures.
"I thought i'd let you pick one. I want to wait until after their first shed before i send them off but you get first pick." Hermione explains smiling at Narcissa, she secretly loved the way the woman's eyes lit up at the sight of the little creatures.
"You... really? And i can have any one i want?" Narcissa's excitement was almost palpable and Hermione could tell she was holding it back.
"Of course. I know you love them. They hatched a couple of days ago." Hermione smiled brightly.
"Can i have this one?" She points to the little pewter one with the yellow through him. Hermione nodded, she knew that would be Narcissa's pick.
"Thank you!" Narcissa forgot herself then, she wasn't a woman nearing 40 but a little girl who just got the thing she had been asking for at every birthday and Christmas. That little girl in a woman's body through her arms around the little witch beside her and delighted in the way Hermione laughed and returned the hug.
Weeks Endless
Narcissa picked out the snake she had wanted, the little black and yellow one, a female according to Heremione, and had returned a week later to have a chat and pick up the little creature to take home with her. That was almost three weeks ago at this point and Hermione hadn't seen the woman since then. She had wondered if Narcissa simply couldn't be bothered with her now, she had what she wanted and didnt need to pretend to be friends with her anymore. That didn't make sense though because Narcissa was the one that sought her out.
Of course between worrying about Narcissa she also had to worry about her clients and the next step in her life. She had, when this had started, agreed to make 80K and then reassess her life. As it as she was closer to 90K at this point and really starting to tire of people wanting her body and nothing else. This was partly because of Narcissa, a woman who had at one point been obligated to despise her yet now seemed to tolerate her quite well and who Hermione was beginning to consider a friend, perhaps the only one she had any more.
On top of dealing with her own life and the things going on in it she had also started to be stalked by owls. She wasn't even sure how because the only person who knew where she lived was Narcissa and Cissy didn't seem the time to give that information out. But the owls were smart and the senders were determined. The owls seemed to stalk the witch through the streets and would skillfully drop the letters from a decent height and ow and behold Hermione would be reading abused. She surprisingly couldn't give a single care about how disappointed people were with her, the Weasley's, even Neville had sent her a letter. It was ridiculous.
The thing that most annoyed Hermione about the whole thing was Ronald Weasley. Ronald Weasley, who at one point she fancied quite a bit, she had learned was little more than a stupid man with a mean streak. The whole thing started at the Manor, Bellatrix had tortured her sure, something that was agony and not a thing Hermione enjoyed replaying in her mind. But it was Lucius' actions before that that had really broken her, she remembered it vividly and almost any time she had tried having sex in the first few months after the war was one she would picture it.
It wasn't so much the rape that she remembered but the worlds. The words and the moment that followed, the moment that ruined her life and any future she thought she might have wanted. Not only had Lucius raped her, abused her body for his own gratification under the ruse of 'attempting to get information' but he had also force fed her a foul little black potion. A little black potion that she shortly after having swallowed learned that the potion rendered her barren. No longer could she have children with anyone, it was the moment that made everything so hard. The rape she could get past but she could never get past having her fertility taken from her.
That was why Ron had been such an issue. Shortly after the war, only a few days after the battle was won and the losses had been counted, Hermione and Ron had found themselves alone at the Burrow. They had, during the battle, had a moment or two and their relationship had been bought to the front. Since then they had comforted one another, cuddled and kissed but had no really spoken too much about what had happened. Ron had refused to ask and any time Hermione brought it up Ron would brush it off and change the subject.
So when they been alone they had taken advantage of that and gone to bed together. At first it had been all nice and pleasant but the moment Hermione's panties had come off she had really started to feel the anxiety. She had asked Ron to stop but she liked him so much and it was too easy for him to talk her into going further. Having him inside her was meant to be the greatest thing ever, she had thought about it more than once in the past, but it was bordering on the worst instead. Hermione had begun to cry softly and wouldn't look at Ron as he rutted into her, he didn't seem to mind and thankfully it didn't last. Yet when she rolled out of bed and practically ran to the bathroom and vomited that his alarm bells went off.
When she had come back Ron had begun to question her and when she was hesitant to tell him what was really going on he got angry. She got it, he was feeling insecure, his girlfriend had just thrown up after having a roll in the sheets with him, what was he supposed to think? But he pushed and finally she told him, told him what had happened at the Manor and when he didn't seem to quite understand it she was blunt with him. It all changed when she informed him she had been raped and couldn't carry children any more.
Ron had started to sling abuse and Hermione had grit her teeth to it, cried silently, and when he walked away mumbling about how she were no use for anything she had packed her things and left the same day. Now it turns out that Ron had never even muttered a word about what had happened to anyone, it was clear by the attitude in the letter that they had no real idea. It was beyond frustrating actually. It was frustrating her in that very moment as she stomped into her apartment and slammed the door behind her.
"Thank god, you're back. I've been here for hours." Narcissa's voice from the couch had startled Hermione almost to the point she nearly turned swinging.
"Merlin's balls! You scared the hell out of me." Hermione scowled at the woman who had been laying on the couch, Narcissa looked nothing but amused.
"Sorry, dear. Tough day?" Narcissa inquires hoping to placate the witch a little bit.
"Tough few weeks. Where have you been?" Hermione huffs kicking off her heels and setting her bag down before going to the kitchen and getting some vodka and sprite from the fridge and two glasses.
"I'll tell you later. You sound like you need to vent a little." Narcissa says gently as she takes the vodka and adds an amount that Hermione appreciated right now to both glasses before Hermione added the sprite.
"If you don't mind." Hermione huffs relaxing back on the sofa with the witch beside her.
Narcissa listened and ranted along with her about the overly opinionated people who had to take it on themselves to judge something they knew nothing about. After one glass an a bitching session with Narcissa, Hermione was feeling considerably better about herself and her situation. It was only after a bathroom break for each witch and Hermione had changed for the evening that they came back to the sofa and settled down again. It was then that Hermione had turned her attention to the woman beside her.
"So, where have you been the last few weeks?" Hermione asks again.
"Sorry, i should have dropped by but i've been so busy. Draco and i sold the Manor. To the Ministry no less. So i've been busy doing all the paper work for that and splitting finances with Draco. He's planning to do a bit of travelling and i'm hoping to work on a new business in the next few months. I bought a quaint little cottage in Hogsmead and have been moving in." Narcissa explains much to Hermione's surprise.
"Well that's great news. A fresh start right?" Hermione was genuinely happy for her friend.
"Absolutely. A quite little cottage i can live in, a relatively peaceful village. It's nice, i already like it and i havent even moved in yet." Narcissa was smiling because she genuinely was pleased with her choices.
"That awesome. I'm happy for you. What business are you thinking of getting into?" Hermione sips her second drink after asking, sincerely interested in Narcissa's venture.
"Magical Menagerie in Hogsmead. The property i bought was fairly large on the edge of town, i'm really thinking of opening up a store and living in the loft upstairs. But not just companion animals. I was thinking maybe say rescue animals and the such, things the school could hire as a teaching aid and things like that." Narcissa explains with a faint blush, she didn't think Hermione would judge her badly but she didn't want any negative feed back either. She had never really had the chance to do something she truly wanted to do for herself before.
"Oh i think that's a fantastic idea." Hermione says smiling brightly because she truly loved the idea.
"You really think so?" Hermione's smile gentled at the uncertainty that she saw as well as heard.
"Absolutely, Cissy. I think its great. A lot of students first starting out, especially the muggle-born ones, aren't real sure about a familiar and often don't get one. Having the Menagerie there really gives them more options and i'm sure if you spoke with Minerva she'd loosen the rules on just what people are allowed to take to school. Plus i could probably supply a few Balls here and there." Hermione explained and Narcissa could really see her point. It made the older woman feel infinitely better about her idea.
"What about you? What's your plan anymore? Since you are quitting your day and night job?" Narcissa asks curiously.
"I honestly don't know. This was as far as i got. Suppose i will move." Hermione sighs softly and shrugs.
"Move in with me." Narcissa returns without missing a beat. Hermione looked at her uncertainly.
"Seriously. You're getting out of the whoring business, you have a bunch of money. I have a new place that i've been converting. An extension charm on both floors is a given. I'll make space for you, a large room. Your own bathroom, your own kitchen and living room if you want it." Narcissa says seriously.
"I don't know, Cissy. I tried to get away from that world." Hermione was hesitant.
"Sure, i know. You did get away from it. But you've said it before, you have no real qualifications for this world. You enjoy the sex but you're done with prostitution. Come back to our world. Come keep me company and i will give you a job. Everything else we can sort out together." Narcissa practically begs because honestly the idea of living with the young woman was something that appealed to her.
They both wanted to put the past behind them and though that would be difficult at times they respected each other for being willing to do that for one another. They were also really good friends already and they had only had these little get togethers a few times. They were also like-minded people and both very intelligent, they wanted to move on with things.
"Are you asking me to move in or are you proposing?" Hermione teases because really she didn't have to think about it. If she had to go back this would likely be the most agreeable way to do it.
"Oh, dear, there's no way i'm falling into the trap of marriage again." Narcissa chuckles and rolls her eyes before looking at the witch expectantly.
"Ok. I'll move in with you." Hermione smiles and for the second time in three and a half weeks Narcissa exuberantly throws her arms around the little witch in an excited hug. A hug Hermione gladly returned.
This likely will not be a super regular fiction so i apologise but i hope you who enjoy it can be patient with me.
AM
