A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews, favorites and follows! Sorry, this one is out a little later than I would like, but it really fought me and I am still not 100% happy with it. I hope to be back on track for chapter 11.
Please let me know what you thought of chapter ten and be on the lookout for chapter eleven soon!
Hermione did not have to wait long beside Tom Riddle in the Malfoy's extravagant foyer before she was wrapped in a tight embrace by none other than Juniper Malfoy herself. Although she did consider Juniper to be a friend, she was rather taken aback by the physical welcome, but was happy to return it.
Juniper had a baby resting on her hip, and pulled back to introduce him to Hermione. "This little handsome man is Lucius," She told Hermione running her fingers through his blond curls. It seemed that he had all the same coloring as Abraxas, and was rather cute with big, chubby, pink cheeks.
"Nice to meet you, Lucius," Hermione greeted the little boy, offering him one of her fingers to grab onto. To Juniper's delight, Lucius wrapped his tiny digits around Hermione's offered finger before bringing it to his mouth.
"Wonderful to see you as well, Tom," Juniper greeted, pressing a continental kiss to one of his cheeks. "Braxy is in the drawing room with some cognac if you want to go on in," she offered to the other man.
Once the two women were alone, Hermione complemented Juniper on her home. "Your house is just lovely, thank you so much for inviting me to dinner," she told the other woman sincerely. "I, uh, did bring you a gift - it's some gin, made with real juniper berries. Antonin told me it was quite good, but I'm afraid I haven't drank much gin. I hope you like it," Hermione stumbled over her courtesies, finding that she never knew entirely how to act around her new female friend.
But, putting her at ease, Juniper instead squealed in delight. "Oh thank you! I haven't had a proper gin in ages! Come into the kitchen and we can make some gimlets, and then we can join the men."
Hermione followed Juniper into the kitchen a bit dumbfounded. The kitchen was expansive and whitewashed, making Hermione feel all the more silly for allowing the Malfoys into her studio when her kitchen had been so dirty. She could only imagine what they thought of her when they had this for a home. She watched with excitement as Juniper begun mixing together gin with simple syrup and lime juice. Juniper looked quite at ease, and Hermione wondered just how often it was that she made drinks.
Happily taking the offered glass from her friend's hand, Hermione gave the new drink a tentative sip. Delighted by the flavor, she looked up, surprised. "Juniper, this is lovely!"
"Well, the gin is what is really lovely," Juniper told her with a grin. "I've just helped it sing. Shall we go join the boys in the other room?"
Reluctantly, Hermione agreed, following Juniper out of the kitchen, past their grand staircase, and towards the drawing room. They were drawn closer by the sound of low murmuring voices, but once they pushed the doors open, she was surprised to see that it was neither Abraxas nor Tom speaking. Instead, the men were huddled around a strange, wooden little box that was speaking. Tom was bent at the waist, with his hands wrapped around the back of his neck, seeming quite distressed.
Realizing that this must be an actual commercial radio, Hermione was quite excited, but knew better than to interrupt with the multitude of questions that she had about it, instead choosing to listen to the news that had so captivated its audience.
"-as the City of New Orleans newly elected police chief, I promise the citizens of this City more accountability from the police. I am disgusted by the rampant participating in bribery and vice that permeates all levels of the Department. I vow this to you now - I, Chief Albus Dumbledore, will put an end to the corruption and the bribery in the police force!"
Any additional words from the new Police Chief were drowned out by the transmitted noise of the cheering crowd, and Tom's rather visceral reaction to the news. His face was transformed from it's usual handsome, his lip curling to reveal white teeth in a sneer, worry evident from the little furrow of his brow. He made a noise of frustration before turning to Abraxas. "I want more details on Dumbledore - anything you can find! Where he sleeps, who he fucks, what he eats...anything that you can get me on him, I want to know about!"
Hermione was a bit surprised by how ruffled he seemed. She supposed that he was probably just concerned about his business - he did claim to run the City after all, and it sounded like Dumbledore was going to put that in jeopardy. Not really sure what to do, she contented herself with taking a big drink from the glass, finding it truly delightful.
Silence filled the room, nearly as oppressive as the outside humidity, before Juniper cheerfully announced that dinner was ready. Hermione quickly followed her friend who was leading the way, not sure how to handle the oppressive atmosphere that had been in the parlor. Finding her seat was easy enough, as there were only four places set at the Malfoy's long table. The table was piled with all sorts of delicious smelling foods that had Hermione's mouth watering as she sat down. Bowls full of maque choux and a steaming etouffee with bright red crawfish lovingly placed on top were buttressed by Oysters Rockefeller.
The brunette was so in awe of the rich and decadent foods that she was almost too distracted to hear what Juniper was trying to tell her. "Oh, Hermione, you're needing a refresher on the drink!" Pressing little Lucius into her arms, her friend picked up Hermione's nearly empty lowball glass. "You just look after the baby, and I will be right back."
Lucius looked up at her with blue little eyes, and she was very much under the impression that the little boy didn't entirely trust her. Perhaps he could tell that she'd never held a small child before and her nervousness was translating to him. Sitting alone with Lucius, Hermione began to feel a bit silly here. The drink that she'd had was much stronger than she was used to, and she could feel the heat of the alcohol creep up her neck, her body feeling a bit light.
"Well don't the pair of you paint a picture," Tom's voice cut through the stillness of the room, and Hermione turned to face him. He was smirking and looking quite handsome, though he was giving her a bit of an odd look, seeing her with Lucius in her arms. He seemed to have calmed somewhat from his little outburst in the other room.
"I don't think he likes me much," Hermione responded, feeling rather self conscious being under Tom's scrutiny. He had a way of making you feel like you were the focus of his whole world, and it could be just as intoxicating as too much gin. But, Hermione was starting to wonder just how much she liked feeling tipsy.
Juniper swept into the dining room with Abraxas in tow, placing Hermione's refreshed glass on the table, before taking a now squirming Lucius out of her arms. Juniper sat down in the spot that Abraxas had filled in, leaving Tom the seat next to Hermione.
Hermione was suddenly taken by the fact that this dinner felt quite so much like a romantic evening, perhaps like a double date. Did Tom want some kind of relationship with her now? Did he ever think of her that way or was she just his reliable chemist useful for bringing in money only? Perhaps it was the alcohol addling her brain, but she found that her heart was pounding from the prospect of it.
So wrapped in her thoughts, she barely contributed to the conversation at all, only answering questions that were directed at her. "Hermione, thank you again so much for the gin. Abraxas, you simply must try it."
"So this is what you've been working on?" Abraxas asked, taking a sip of Juniper's offered glass, humming in agreement when he finally tasted it. "Well, Hermione has been telling us that we should distill gin because it doesn't require any aging like whiskey. Maybe we should give it another thought," He offered with a shrug.
The chemist smirked at Abraxas and just how smitten it was he was with his wife. Plus, it was nice to have her work praised, especially since it was something that she went and did on her own. While the Malfoys were too wrapped up in each other, Tom leaned in closer to Hermione. She breathed in his spicy scent - just like the whiskey he drank - while she listened to his question. "Are you enjoying your drink?" He sounded amused.
Hermione nodded, perhaps a bit too forcefully, before answering him. "Yes, I quite like it...it's more tempered than straight alcohol." She was surprised by the slight slur in her speech, and she could feel her cheeks heat up in embarrassment, when she realized that her second glass was gone. "Perhaps I enjoyed it a bit more than I was expecting."
Tom didn't smirk at her, instead just looking concerned. "Yes, well, it is still quite strong. Would you like to escort me to your room?" He asked, not interested in any ulterior motives, just making sure that she was actually looked after.
Nodding, Hermione stood from the table abruptly, swaying on her feet, obviously more drunk than she expected. Neither of the Malfoy's said anything when she took Tom's offered hand, and let him guide her out of the dining room and upstairs to the bedrooms. She didn't notice Juniper's concerned look as she walked away, or Abraxas's quiet assurances that Tom wouldn't take advantage of her. All she could think about was how steady he made her feel and how she longed for him to kiss her, deeply this time.
But, she was destined to be disappointed, for Tom opened the door of the room she was staying in. He didn't even flinch when she leaned into him, before he shuffled her inside the sanctuary, informing her that he would just be across the hall if she needed anything.
The gang was having another party. Really, when were they not having a party, Hermione wondered. It seemed that there was always a reason or an excuse to roll out the barrels that she had worked so painstakingly hard to age. She didn't mind, knowing that it meant even more money for her hidden stash. This time was a bit different, seeing as it was the first time that the alcohol would exclusively be her's.
Tom Riddle had sent her a new dress for the party that he'd invited her to, insisting that she show up. She wasn't sure if this was a further signal that their relationship was changing, as she found it very difficult to read Tom. Sometimes he was rather affectionate and even flirty with her, but at other times he could be so cold and distant.
Still, once she'd removed the delicate wrapping paper that had hidden the dress from her view, she knew that she would attend, even before she'd slipped the fabric on. The dress was very much in the fashion - thin straps and covered in gold fringe that made each step she made seem mesmerizing. It was a bit shorter than she was certainly used to, but she couldn't deny that it was flattering. Seeing herself all dressed up in her small mirror was odd to see, as she nearly felt like a different woman.
She felt confident as she walked across town to the location that she'd been instructed to go to. As soon as she'd given the password at the door, she'd been swept into a room of sensation, biting smoke filled the air, the clink of glasses, the blaring brassiness of a jazz trumpet, and of course the press of sweaty bodies around the bar. She stood there, stunned for a moment, and just trying to take it all in. It was much more raucous and busier than Rabastan's welcome home party.
Her eyes scanned the room for someone familiar, but was unable to locate anyone. Feeling her heart beat rapidly, suddenly feeling rather out of place, Hermione was startled from her thoughts by a large hand coming to rest on the curve of her waist. "Don't you look good enough to eat." A rumbling voice whispered into her ear, making her hair stand on end in an unpleasant reaction.
Turning in his grasp, Hermione had to crane her neck to make eye contact with the large man who'd grabbed her. His teeth - imperfect, but still gleaming white - were revealed by a predator's smile, and Hermione couldn't help but feel like this was a situation she didn't want to be in. "I don't think that we've been properly introduced. The name's Greyback."
Hermione didn't think she could have ever forgotten his name after Tom had told her that he was a rougarou and that she should stay away from him. Now, being held so intimately against him, she wondered if perhaps the rumors were true. His arms were covered in dark hair and his scent was almost obscenely masculine. Her heart was hammering against her chest like a rabbit who was caught in the mouth of a dog. Or perhaps a wolf.
Swallowing thickly, Hermione knew that she couldn't say nothing to him. "I'm Hermione. I'm Tom's chemist." She said quietly, surprised that he could even hear her voice above the din of the crowd.
Fenrir pressed a bit closer to her, his face near the top of her head, and she was horrified to realize that he was smelling her. "Ah, so you are the one that Tony can't stop talking about. He's warned me to stay away from you." Hermione was glad to hear that Antonin seemed to enjoy her so much, but at the same time she worried that his warning to Fenrir had only made her more intriguing prey. "But I don't think I will be doing that. Let's dance." He demanded.
"Oh, I haven't even had a drink yet," Hermione counted weakly. "I couldn't possibly."
"Finish mine." Fenrir instructed, pressing a half full whiskey glass into her hand, letting his other hand dip to her lower back, but certainly not letting her go.
She started at the amber liquid, figuring that it probably couldn't hurt. She knew that she'd made the alcohol, and it wasn't as though he would have poisoned it. Taking a timid sip, she looked up to see his startling blue eyes trained on her lips. "I'm not much of a dancer."
"I will lead you," he promised, before waiting for her to finish the rest of the whiskey. "Besides, with a dress like that, it would be a crime not to show you off." Removing the glass from her hand, he lead her out to the center of the room, where men and women - some she recognized, but most of which she didn't - parted for Fenrir's bulk. Still holding her tight, he began to sway to the beat of the music.
Hermione was surprised that he really was quite a good dancer. He really was quite good at leading and she wondered if it was his alpha personality that allowed him to glide her around the room with such precision. She never once worried that she would crash into another person and she quickly found herself relaxing around the burly man, to her absolute surprise. Perhaps he wasn't so bad as she had initially been lead to believe. Despite herself, she could feel a smile spread across her face, as Fenrir did his absolute best to ensure that she was having a good time.
Her eyes scanned the room when he pulled her close, and this time it wasn't hard for her to locate someone she knew. She could practically feel the dark blue eyes of Tom Riddle boring into her, his face contorted with what she might call jealousy on another man. But, what on Earth did he have to be jealous of? He'd left her completely out of the loop on if he wanted something more with her, so why should she not bask in the attention of other men?
Still, she couldn't deny that Tom Riddle's eyes never left her form once, not even as his cigarette slowly burned to ash in his hand forgotten. Bellatrix was standing next to him, her mouth moving rapidly as it seemed she was desperate to get his attention.
Upset with herself, Hermione wondered just why she was so hung up on what Tom Riddle was feeling or thinking! She did enjoy spending time with him, she could admit that now, but she refused to be strung along by him either. Let him be jealous, if that's what he wanted. But she certainly wasn't going to make the first move and put herself out there, only to look like a fool, as Bellatrix so often did.
Instead, she returned her attention to Fenrir Greyback, enjoying the wild pace of the music. She couldn't quite think of a time that she'd felt so alive, and now that the whiskey was moving through her veins, she was feeling more loose. She pressed herself into him more now, not worrying that she might be giving him false hope. Still, she was confident that she could stand her ground with Greyback if he tried to push her too far. She couldn't admit to herself that perhaps she wanted to push Tom to action.
If it wasn't her intention, she still had certainly caught Tom's attention, and at the next break in the music, her taciturn boss was striding across the floor, taping Greyback on the shoulder. The man looked annoyed at having been interrupted, but when he saw who it was, the irritation was tamped down.
"Sorry to steal her away from you, Fenrir, but I'm afraid I have some business to settle with my chemist." Tom said forcefully, before grabbing her hand, and leading her off in the direction of the bar.