Chapter 16: The Alchemist Den
O-o-o-o-o-o-o
Where the restaurant was quiet and reserved, this room was quite the opposite. It was large and buzzing with patrons, a grand bar off to the side and small intimate tables scattered about the floor. Everything looked… lux; Ornate and expensive to match the witches and wizards within. As she looked around, she recognized faces from Quidditch magazine covers and the Daily Prophet, and even took note of a few goblins at the back of the room in the corner speaking with a group of ministry officials. There was smooth music seemingly filling the air around them, the bar to the right was stocked with bottles of firewhiskey and an array of other alcohols in bright colors she'd never seen before. The lighting was dim, making the brightness of the shelves stand out even more against the mahogany features surrounding it. She felt as though she'd just slipped inside a secret high-society meeting.
She turned to Draco, eyes wide, "What is this place?"
"It's called The Alchemist Den," he said, placing his hand on the small of her back as he directed her through the rows of patrons and tables, "There's another entrance through that door back there for anyone not coming in through the restaurant."
"I've never been anywhere like this before," she looked around at the unique decor that gave the space an air of mystery and intrigue, "I think I saw goblins in the back! It's odd knowing your father used to come to the restaurant, what did he think about this place being attached to it? Obviously I think it's wonderful to see goblins here intermingling, but your father… I wouldn't suspect he'd feel the same."
"Well you have to remember, everyone here, whether witch, wizard, goblin, etc., everyone is very rich and high up in their own right. The goblins are likely executives at Gringotts here to talk business. My father understood and appreciated those facts, even if he had his biases against other species. He didn't come here much himself unless he had business to attend to, but I always enjoyed it very much."
Hermione nodded, looking around again, everyone was dressed in chic attire, the undertone of money and authority almost permeating each conversation they passed. As they reached the bar, the bartender walked over to them.
"Mr. Malfoy," he greeted him, "What can I get for you today?"
"I will take the flaming firewhiskey, and," he looked at Hermione, "Do you mind if I order you something?"
"Go ahead," she smiled at him, knowing she wouldn't have a clue what to order here.
"And could we have a gigglewater for the lady?"
She'd never heard of it before and looked on with intrigue as the bartender flicked his wand at the wall and two bottles floated down while he upturned two glasses. He poured a clear liquid into a martini glass and tapped it with his wand as it fizzed and hiccuped. He poured the amber liquid into a whiskey glass and tapped it as it burst into flames before tapering out.
"Tab?" He asked as he directed the bottles back to the shelf.
Draco nodded and the wizard grabbed a piece of paper similar to the restaurant check which he just wrote "Malfoy" on, and handed Draco a golden pen. Draco signed it, tapped it with his wand to authorize it and handed it back with a nod, placing his wand back into his blazer.
The bartender levitated it over to a line of hovering checks behind the bar before turning back to them with a smile, "Enjoy," he flicked his wand again as the glasses moved towards them and he moved onto the next wizard at the bar.
"You just pre-authorize the tab? What if they charge too many drinks to it?" Hermione asked and he laughed lightly.
"You can always check it at the end of the night," he shrugged.
"You've never checked it, have you?"
Draco realized how entitled it sounded and he shrugged again, "I will tonight if it makes you feel better."
She sighed with a shake of her head, "We're from two different worlds, you and I."
"I'm doing my best to change the things that count," he gave her a wry smile.
"You're doing quite good at that. Also, I am more than happy to split the bill with you. You shouldn't feel like you have to buy me things."
"I don't feel like I have to, I just want to. Tonight I am taking you out," he said, "Because you are my girlfriend, and you deserve to be treated for dealing with me."
She laughed, "It has been a treat. Almost makes dealing with your antics worth it."
"Well the evening isn't over yet," he winked at her, grabbing his drink from the counter and raising it to her, "To the first of many date nights."
She took a small sip of her drink to give it a taste and elicited a light laugh as her heart fluttered thinking about spending time together like this more often once they could be out in the open; Romantic dates, double dates, shopping dates, coffee dates. This was how a relationship was supposed to feel. Making time for each other and doing something special together once in a while. Even if the place was a bit haughty, there was something relaxing about being there with Draco, where he clearly felt so comfortable and at ease. The drink was smooth but strong and reminded her a bit of the vodka she'd had on holiday in Russia visiting Viktor, something she'd dragged Ron on, insisting that Viktor was happily in his own relationship and just wanted to continue their friendship. It had been an awkward weekend of Ron acting huffy and Viktor trying not to acknowledge it. This drink didn't have the burn that the vodka had, though, just the bite at the end.
She took a bigger sip and let out an uncharacteristically loud giggle, her eyes widening as she covered her mouth. Draco's grin widened and she looked at the drink and back at him, her eyes narrowing playfully, "You knew it was going to do that, didn't you."
"I absolutely did," he said, leaning over to kiss her before he took her hand and led her to an open table on the side wall. He sat down on the bench on one side of the table and motioned for her to sit next to him instead of across from him and she happily obliged.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and moved his lips to her ear, "There's a little something special that starts here in a few minutes."
She turned towards him, his face was close to hers and she felt pleasantly warm, "You are just full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Always, Granger," he said in a low voice before capturing her lips in a lingering kiss. It felt nice to not have to worry about being seen by anyone who would care.
She sighed contentedly and covered his hand that was resting on her leg with her own as he leaned his forehead against hers. The night had already been one to remember and she simultaneously wanted to stick around and see what else he had up his sleeve, and also drag him back to Hogwarts and snog him in bed. But tonight was his night to take her out and she would be patient and enjoy it all.
She settled in against him and took another large sip of her drink, not minding this time as the loud giggle spilled from her mouth as he chuckled softly beside her.
"One of the best things about this place is the wizard watching," Draco whispered to her as they looked around.
There was a goblin sitting at the table across from them with two wizards. It looked like they were all talking business. A few more tables down another witch and wizard couple were talking closely, a straw spinning slowly in the witch's drink for her. She noticed another pair of eyes on her and Draco from a wizard sitting at a corner table and did her best not to lock eyes with him.
Draco noticed it as well and leaned a bit closer, "Family friend," he said, "Probably just curious who I'm here with."
She nodded inconspicuously as she continued to scan the room. The music stopped and she looked around as the patrons at the tables around them stood and moved to the side walls, where they were, and the tables started moving themselves through a door near the back and into another room. She noticed as it happened that they had been placed on what looked like a dance floor that was clearing now.
"Care to dance?" He asked as he stood and she grabbed his hand. Other couples were moving onto the dancefloor now as well and a very short woman walked out of the back room, dressed all in black with a veil over her face and began a slow, crooning ballad as she danced herself mystically around the room.
Draco pulled her close, his hand making the same movement as the time they'd danced at the Masquerade Ball, thumb rubbing over hers and she knew now that there had been more to it then, too. Her hand rested on his chest as he lead her expertly in a dance along the floor. His movements were smooth and his eyes burned into hers as they fell into step. She could tell everyone here had been well trained in ballroom dance, something she'd consider herself proficient in, albeit not quite an expert.
The crooner sang a few songs and retreated back through the door as the music changed to something methodical with a beat behind it, from slow to fast and back again. The crowd grew as well, some younger patrons clearly showing up for the dancing as the business patrons thinned. She didn't know how long the music played, or how long they maneuvered the floor while they moved between talking, whispering and sharing shameless lustful glances as their bodies pressed together. The gigglewaters began to add up as her head swirled blissfully. This was the kind of carefree she could never have had with Ron. Draco let her explore another side to herself; a sexier side; a wilder side. She registered his lips on hers, planting small kisses as she took it all in, lost in a moment she could stay in forever; feeling young like she hadn't in so long. The war had made them grow up too soon and these were the kinds of things she still needed to experience in life.
She felt another hand on her back and a silky, teasing voice in her ear, "Looks like there's an even better show than I was hoping for back here."
She turned, her smile still plastered on her face as Pansy and her date came into view. She blushed a bit at the comment but laughed loosely, her mind too free to care as Draco spun her around and pulled her close again. She registered Pansy and her date dancing closely, lips locking in the dim lighting as well before she winked at Draco as her date moved to her neck, and he laughed back at her.
They danced well into the early hours of the morning, Pansy at one point pulling Hermione away from Draco to dance with her as the men stepped to the side to talk, watching them enjoy themselves. Pansy, much to Hermione's… surprise? Interest?... seemed like she was delighted to have the chance to spend the time with them doing something fun and spontaneous. She was the kind of girl who laughed a lot and shot her boyfriend sultry looks all while holding Hermione's hand and dancing with her to the music, shouting to her about things like grabbing coffee in Hogsmeade, and how happy Draco looked with her. Hermione had always considered herself a confident person, but the confidence Pansy exhibited was much beyond a normal person's. It was something a bit overwhelming, but almost as infectious as her laugh and she couldn't help but admit that she was having a wonderful time.
The group bought rounds of drinks to share and laughed together until Hermione's head started to spin faster and her eyes felt heavy as she grinned up at Draco, who had pulled her back into his arms a while ago.
He returned the look as his lips moved to her ear, "Perhaps it's time to head back?"
She smiled dreamily up at him with a nod and he kissed her once more before taking her hand and waving at Pansy and her date, who were slow dancing as they waved back. He walked towards the back door, where their jackets magically appeared for them to grab, and exited the establishment.
Draco apparated them back to the gates of Hogwarts and Hermione landed shakily, stumbling a couple steps with a laugh. Draco caught her around the waist and pulled her to him, kissing her more deeply now, as he'd wanted to for a while, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Did you have a nice time?" He asked.
"So wonderful," she looked at him in the dark, backlit by the castle up the path and even here she could see the light in his eyes, "I think I might like Pansy, you know."
"Well that's good to hear," he said, pushing her hair behind her ear, "That was a nice surprise, for you to meet her like that."
They both paused as voices filled the air from further down the path to Hogsmeade. Draco wrapped her around the waist again and spun them behind the large tree next to them and she landed huddled against his chest, holding her breath.
"Bloody hell, Seamus!" Ron's slurred voice echoed through the air as Seamus burst into laughter.
"Buck up, Weasley! We're just joking around."
Ron mumbled something and two boys laughed harder as they passed by the tree in front of the gates and wandered through.
"Same time next week then?" Came Dean's voice as he slapped Ron's back.
"Course, mate," Ron hit him back, throwing an arm around his shoulders partly to steady himself and partly in jest.
Their voices got quieter in the following minutes as Draco and Hermione stood silently in their hiding place. Once they'd gone inside Hermione let out her breath and leaned her head heavily on Draco's chest, "That was close!"
Draco looked down at her, wishing they didn't need to hide like this, but understanding, "How about you head up first and I'll wait a few minutes before I get on."
"Alright," she leaned up to kiss him, before fishing both of their cloaks from her bag and handing Draco his, "I'll meet you in the dungeons."
He nodded as he wrapped his cloak around his shoulders, "See you soon, Granger," he kissed her once more before she turned from him and he watched as she walked up towards the castle with his hands in his pockets.
He wondered how much time she would need before she was ready to let their secret out. He hoped it wasn't long because his feelings for her were only growing the more time they spent together and the nights away from her felt longer. He would do his best to let her decide when the time was right but he had a feeling the conversation was bound to come up again soon with the students and professors back.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o