I wasn't going to post this chapter till next week but seeing as it's Christmas!
Hope you enjoy
Hermione had never been in a club before or rather she had never been transported back in time to the 1920s because that's what the club was like. It reminded Hermione of the Great Gatsby. Luna and Ginny had come up with this ridiculous idea when the invitation had landed with her morning mail at the Ministry, unfortunately for Hermione who would have normally put it in the bin, a ginger eighteen-year-old found it. Hermione rolled her eyes as Ginny pointed excitedly to various dancers on pedestals. Hermione spotted Blaise Zabini's brilliant white grin before he appeared in front of her,
"You got my invitation Granger" He smiled down at her,
"I did, thank you, Blaise," Hermione said politely.
"Do you own this place Zabini?" Ginny asked with a grin,
"I do, Weasley" He grinned back, "However, I don't believe in a place as casual as this we should be so formal" He stepped up to her side and said a little to charmingly, "Please call me Blaise" Hermione rolled her eyes as Ginny turned scarlet,
"Oh Hermione, the bars over there, let's go" Luna dragged her over to the bar and as they tried a variety of cocktails that the bartender dared them to try, Hermione found herself relaxing more and more. She listened to Luna's latest discovery in Romania and how she had met Charlie Weasley.
"She looks amazing" Hermione heard Luna say, Hermione, frowned following her gaze. Hermione looked up, the club extended upwards a numerous amount of floors. She looked up to see Lyra stood leaning against a railing. Hermione recognised Marcus Flint speaking with her. Luna was right, Lyra did look amazing. Her hair was swept over her shoulder, she was dressed completely in black. From skin-tight black leather trousers to a black top with a leather jacket rolled to her sleeves. Completed with a simple necklace that lay between her breasts. Hermione found herself staring.
"Hermione, can you believe this place?" Ginny squealed as Hermione was certain she was on her fourth or fifth cocktail.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself Gin" Hermione smiled at her excitement.
"Zabini's a funny guy, he flirts with anything with two legs" Ginny giggled. Hermione narrowed her eyes but dropped it, she trusted her friends with their respective hearts.
"He's a good kisser," Luna said dreamily, Hermione and Ginny stared in shock.
"And dare I ask Miss Lovegood how do you know that?" Ginny asked with an almost feral grin,
"Last year, Neville and I went through a bad patch and we had sex," Luna said sipping something that looked similar to a martini. Hermione was shocked at Luna's candour, while Ginny laughed in a drunken state. As the three spoke in the corner, Hermione watched Draco Malfoy walk in with Astoria Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson. Pansy Parkinson wore a tight short black dress with a laced front barely containing her chest. Hermione rolled her eyes, she looked like something out of a strip club. Astoria wore a simple floor-length dress. The comparison of the two lives Malfoy led.
"Do you think he brought Astoria so the Prophet would photograph them again?" Ginny asked with a roll of her eyes. Hermione nodded taking a drink. She had seen photos of their courtship splashed across the paper, something she was sure Lucius Malfoy was funding.
"I wonder why Parkinson's here?" Hermione asked Ginny over her drink,
"Probably for the sex in the random corner when he gets too drunk" Ginny sniggered, "Can't be tarnishing that family rep now can he?" She rolled her eyes.
Hermione looked back up to Lyra talking to Blaise quietly, their eyes met. Grey staring directly into Hermione and she found her breath catching. She watched Lyra say something to Blaise making him frown as she began to descend the stairs. Lyra looked like something out of a television advert. She wore booted heels which Hermione noticed made her legs look almost too desirable. Ginny said something about seeing Seamus and she was gone. Hermione hadn't even noticed. Lyra walked past her on her way to the bar, her eyes holding Hermione as she did. A subtle nod made Hermione follow like some kind of bewitched muggle. Hermione followed Lyra to the bar, she ordered a glass of water in the event the cocktails were making her mind fuzzy. Lyra noticed but didn't appear to say anything as she sipped the firewhisky,
"I didn't expect you to be here," Lyra said into Hermione's ear. Hermione shivered as Lyra's breath tickled her,
"Ginny saw the invite and there was no stopping her" Hermione explained,
"Here I thought you would have brought someone else," Lyra asked curiously,
"No one else knew this place existed" Hermione countered. Lyra smirked,
"No, it's a bit of an exclusive place but Blaise likes you and Ginny. I imagine your names will be on the list regardless" Lyra stated smoothly. Blaise appeared then, grabbing a drink. He appeared, wrapping his arm around Lyra's thin waist, a chaste kiss on her cheek. He spoke quickly with her about how great the night was until he had vanished. Hermione felt sick, she had been wrong about Lyra all along she thought. Lyra watched Hermione's head work for a few minutes before asking,
"What are you trying to work out Granger?" Lyra asked,
"I was trying to work out your friendship" Hermione stated a little too honestly. Lyra grinned,
"It's a friendship, does it need to have more layers than that?" Lyra asked quizzically.
"No, I suppose not" Hermione stated, Lyra narrowed her eyes in curiosity as Hermione watched her through long lashes. Lyra downed the rest of her drink taking the chance.
"Come with me" Lyra stated. Depositing Hermione's drink on the bar and dragging her out the rear of the club. There was no one around, no one to see Hermione push Lyra against the wall. Or to see Lyra to pull their drunken lips together. Hermione's short dress riding high on her thighs as Lyra spun them pushing Hermione against the wall. Their lips mixing together. Hermione tasted the burn of the firewhisky on Lyra's tongue as she granted it entrance, her hands gripping Lyra's jacket. She missed her. Hermione realised every small aspect that she had been missing for three years. Lyra's thigh slid between Hermiones, her hands roaming to the bottom of Hermione's dress. Hermione dragged her teeth along Lyra's lower lips as her hands slid lower across the top of Lyra's chest. Hermione hadn't expected to hear Lyra's moan but it vibrated through her. There was a crash and a wave of cold water cascaded over Hermione as the bang of the back door to the club banged open. Lyra was suddenly a meter away from her,
"Ah there you are" Blaise's voice came, Hermione looked up to see him stood there, his eyebrow quirked and evident smirk on his face. "Lyra, I need you to come beat your brother and his two 'friends' up, they're lowering the standards of my club" Hermione watched Lyra frown and then glance between them,
"I'll be there-"
"I need you to do this now" Blaise's voice became hard, "I don't think I need to remind you of the fact that the Prophets here"
Hermione watched as Lyra's pale face became paler, her jaw clenched.
"Of course" Lyra stated, walking in. Hermione sighed before straightening herself and her dress. Walking back in Blaise held the door open,
"I do apologize for breaking up what I'm sure was a heated reunion" Hermione glared and he chuckled.
Hermione walked through to find Ginny and Luna laughing. She followed their line of gaze to see Lyra stood over her brother who was rolling around gripping his crotch. Hermione tried to ask but Ginny was too busy crying with laughter. The following morning the headline of the Prophet read:
Scandal: Malfoy already has a consort outside his marriage.
Turn to Page 3 to read more on the scandalous love affair of Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson.
Page four on how Miss Astoria Greengrass knew all along how this was going to happen.
Page six to read more on Lyra Malfoys lack of romance. Will she ever find a man to match the mystery?
Hermione couldn't refrain from turning to page six of the Prophet. It wasn't a long segment. They had used a photo from Lyra's trial, it was of Blaise practically holding her upright as he helped her out of the chair that had held her. Hermione could remember the end of the trial, they had released her and left. A small wizard stood with Lyra's wand. Hermione wanted to run down to make sure she was ok, to reassure her that everything would be fine. But Blaise Zabini had taken the steps two at a time. Hermione watched him whisper things into her ear. Lyra nodding her head in her hands. He had practically carried her out of the chamber and taken her home. Reading further down the article she could read the speculation regarding the friends but Lyra clearly had no interest in Blaise Zabini last night when she had her hands under Hermione's dress.
Hermione shut the Prophet in time for Ron to come take her home.
He made a show of holding her hand as they walked out of the Ministry, the Prophets photographer and flash of bulbs irritating Hermione until she was in her flat. Sitting down, she tried to rub the growing headache away, Ron was excitedly going on about the latest Death Eater investigation. He was amicably chatting as he made dinner,
"So yeah, basically Robards said I can investigate Malfoy and to make sure there's nothing dodgy in that Estate of theirs," Ron said setting two plates of pasta down,
"Wait, you're going to search Malfoy Manor again?" Hermione asked, Ron, frowned and sighed,
"No, I'm going to search Lestrange Estate again," Ron said, "No one has practically seen or heard from Lyra Malfoy since her trial. Then, this whole Avery nonsense happened so we're going to check the Estate again, just in case" Ron said proudly. Hermione gave him some enthusiastic congratulations he was looking for. She ate listening to all the things he hoped to pin her for. He didn't let it drop, even after Hermione tried to move the conversation on to the Sunday Brunch at Harrys. In fact, he only dropped it when she went to get changed for bed and he followed her through clearly intent on something other than sleeping. Hermione tried to deflect with the truth.
"Ron, I don't feel great. Please my heads killing me"
"It's been weeks 'Mione" Ron stated, kissing down Hermione's neck. Hermione held his waist hoping to get this over with. She felt sick, sick with guilt that only the night before she would have been quite happy to have Lyra's face between her legs. It took longer than she expected, and as Ron grunted on top of her. She thought of Lyra, how soft her touch was, how she moaned at Hermione barely touching her. Lost in her thoughts Hemione grew wetter spurring on the boyfriend that she had completely forgotten about on top of her. Ron groaned and rolled away leaving her lying there, panting and pathetic. Getting up, Hermione quickly washed in the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Staring at herself in the mirror she spoke quietly to herself,
"He's your boyfriend, you love Ron" She repeated the chant three times to herself but the desire burning between her legs wouldn't go away. Ignoring it, she climbed into bed. Ron already snoring beside her.
Ron was unsurprisingly chipper the following morning as he kissed her cheek and left to begin his new investigation.
Hermione flooed to the Ministry and sat in a meeting all morning. She met the new team and explained their aims. They were all fresh out of Hogwarts, and Hermione could quickly tell the whole reason they were there was to work with the famous Hermione Granger.
After an hour of pointless questions, Hermoine apparated to Diagon Alley. She browsed and relaxed in Flourish and Blotts, a small boy ran through the shop and tugged her sleeve, Hermione turned and was handed a small note. Lunch, the Chimera at 1. Hermione looked to give the small child a message that this was her lunch but he was gone. Her stomach growled unhappily and looking at her watch it read 12.30.
Walking to the new restaurant that Ron had stood her up in, she found it with only a handful of people within. She saw Theo Nott wandering around clearly schmoozing guests. He grinned and waved her over,
"She's this way" He stated, walking through to an area overlooking the London Skyline, Lyra was sat staring relaxed into space, she was wearing a simple button-down shirt and fitted trousers. Hermione could see the suit jacket over the back of the chair,
"I was summoned" Hermione stated using Lyra's words against her. Lyra looked up with a smirk,
"It's good to know you'd come" Lyra's voice was like velvet to Hermione. Sitting, a young waiter appeared with menus, he didn't stop to ask anything in fact when he glanced in Lyra's direction she glared an icy look and he practically ran away.
"Why did you want to see me Lyra?" Hermione asked she hadn't ever thought she could get Lyra worked up till the other night in the alleyway. But here and now, asking Lyra questions. She watched Lyra's grey eyes darken and she shifted in her seat.
"I didn't see you after" Lyra stated, clearing her throat, "I wanted to check you were ok?" Lyra asked,
"I'm not fragile" Hermione stated simply,
"No, I know that" Hermione could see Lyra was thinking up any reason for her to be here, other than that the tall girl just wanted to spend time with her. The young waiter appeared and Hermione gave her order as did Lyra. The young waiter ran away,
"Why is he afraid of you?" Hermione asked Lyra looked back from staring out the glass window,
"Because" Lyra paused seemingly contemplating something, "Because I tortured his father into giving me information" Lyra admitted looking away her fingers tapping the table nervously,
"You were pardoned for those crimes Lyra," Hermione said softly,
"It doesn't stop them from hating me" Lyra countered, Hermione gave a soft smile. She wanted to reach across the table and take her hand. Hold Lyra to say everything would be ok.
"I have new people in my department" Hermione announced. Lyra looked over and nodded,
"And how are these new people?" Lyra asked Hermione could see her mind working trying to work out the way the conversation was going,
"They're terrible" Hermione deadpanned making Lyra laugh, "They just want to work with the famous Hermione Granger," Hermione said with a hint of venom making Lyra chuckle again. As their lunch went on, Hermione watched Lyra relax, a throwback to when they were in Hogwarts with little care in the world. Hermione apparated back to the Ministry with a smile and continued on her day. Lyra apparated home to find Aurors stood at the gates.
She could see Weasley pacing in front of them, Lyra frowned walking up the drive she stood out of their grasp.
"Can I help you, gentlemen?" Lyra asked her hands in her pockets,
"We're here to search the premises Malfoy" Weasley bellowed,
"On what grounds?" Lyra asked,
"How about that you're a Death Eater and we want to make sure you're following the rules of your release" Ron sneered. He was winding her up she could tell, with a flick of her wand, the gates opened. Something Weasley clearly wasn't expecting.
"Have at it Weasel" Lyra stated, turning and walking back into her house. He searched everything, she sat in her study going over the latest correspondence with the Hebridean Black Reserve. She called Motley, the small elf looked worried,
"Stay here with me, Motley" Lyra said softly, the small elf cowered into Lyra's side, "I won't let them take anything"
Ron was furious by the time he arrived home. Normally Hermione made a habit of working late, as she stepped out of the floo the flat was empty at seven pm. By eight she was beginning to pace. Ron appeared at 8.30. His nose was bloody and he was shouting about how he had had enough of the stupid ministry.
"Ron, calm down" Hermione tried,
"I'm done Hermione, how dare they say that it was a witch hunt" Ron shouted
"Ron, what's happened?" Hermione asked. Ron was rifling through a cupboard in the kitchen pulling a bottle of firewhisky out.
"Stupid Robards" Ron muttered something around the top of the bottle as he swigged it. "Honestly she's hiding something I'm sure of it" Ron was furiously looking through his files on the desk taking regular sips of firewhisky. Hermione cast her Patronus in the corner of the flat sending a message to Harry. Hermione didn't flinch as the flames turned green and Harry stepped through.
"How long has he been like this?" Harry asked, looking at Ron who was furiously looking through his files everything.
"Since he came in at eight thirty, I'm worried Harry" Hermione whispered,
"Good, Harry you're here" Ron stated.
"I'm just going to nip to the Chinese" Hermione announced, she got a grunt of a response from Ron. Walking out into the cool air Hermione apparated to the Cotswolds, the gate opened as she approached and Hermione could see things looked bad. Walking into the house she found Lyra in the library, she was slowly putting away books checking them over. She looked up when Hermione knocked gently, her nose was broken with a split lip. She gave a small smile before going back to organising her books. Hermione rushed over, pushing her into the chair next to the fire. Hermione summoned her necessities and began to heal Lyra, a year of being on the run had honed her medicinal skill.
"Hermione-" Lyra tried to protest,
"What did he do to you? Lyra you should have defended yourself" Hermione looked over her carefully, as she cupped the blonde face in her hands.
"If she did that, she'd be in Azkaban" Hermione stood as Blaise walked in carrying tea.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise anyone else was here," Hermione said watching Lyra. She had looked put together like nothing was wrong earlier and now she looked defeated. Her head in her hands, her eyes tired.
"Don't worry," Blaise said handing her a cup of tea. "My lips are sealed" Hermione gave a small smile,
"Did you know he was going to come here?" Lyra's voice was weak, she sounded small. Hermione sighed kneeling next to the seat taking bloody knuckles in her hand,
"I knew Robards had given him the ok to come and check on what was going on," Hermione explained, "I didn't know he was going to be doing a full scale raid of your home today"
Hermione heard the floo chime,
"I should go, Ron-" Hermione whispered, Lyra nodded,
"You better go check on your Weasel" The venom was laced in her voice,
"I'm so sorry Lyra"
"Get out"
Hermione turned, trying to keep her tears at bay, as she apparated away from the Lestrange Estate.
Well as always let me know what you all think, I will be updating weekly dependant on my muse as always. There is a sort of plan and a sort of storyline I promise.
Until Next Time!