He had no idea why she had wanted to come along. A part of him wanted to just apparate away and leave her on the rooftop just to see the ensuing explosion from the other side of London. But as their feet tapped onto the pavement outside of an old warehouse in the harbor district he begrudgingly accepted that the return of the bouncing excitement was worth it. She was going to be shocked. She would be appalled. She may even slap all three of them. But it wasn't very often you got to show Hermione Granger something new. Or maybe it was, it's not like he knew her that well.
"Well come off it then!" Theo called as he stumbled through a puddle towards a discreet metal door with a single glowing green light hanging from the lamp. The air had the vague scent of fish but vibrated with thumping music that made no attempt to hide behind charms.
"What is that?" Hermione whispered as if they were naughty children sneaking out of bed instead of grown adults.
"Come see." He responded by setting off after the other two. He heard her heels click against the cobbles behind him, he was surprised she didn't fall.
"Tell meeee." She whined uncharacteristically as they grew closer.
"You drag me into things half cocked all the time. You can manage not knowing everything for once." As they reached the door the small glowing light dropped down to eye level examining them closely.
"Classification?" As it spoke the little balled morphed into a tiny flame elemental. She stood on the air as if it were solid and impatiently tapped her foot.
"Wizard." All three boys answered quickly. With a small elbow to her side from Blaise, Hermione responded in kind. The elemental only took a cursory glance at them before opening the door with a click.
"You know the rules. Have fun and tip your bartender!" The sound became deafening as soon as they entered the club. Heavy bass pumped through magically enhanced speakers and various lights sparked in and out of existence. The club didn't recognize any holidays and it was Merfolk Monday so giant orbs of water floated above the dance floor and various pockets of the club. Draco watched a particularly large and spiny male drift from the bubble above his table and over to the one at the bar through a small stream that seemed to follow him.
Not that merfolk were the only creatures in the joint. A group of dryads has consigned a table to the left of the dance floor and had leaves and flowers spilling all around them as a very brave group of wizards wandered over to flirt from across their green wall. A faun's hooves clacked angrily behind them as a witch threw her drink in his face, likely after a highly inappropriate remark. It was debauchery, it was chaos, it was everything Hermione Granger was not and yet when he turned to escort her out she was absorbing it all in wonder.
He tapped his throat with his wand before tapping hers as well. He felt instantly guilty as she jumped, her face schooling back to a sharp vigilance. "Sorry, gets too loud without a proqere charm. Do I need to take you home?"
"No, not at all! This is amazing. There are so many different species here! Look how everyone is getting along. Malfoy do you realize what this means? The ministry-" He interrupted her with a hand motion as the crowd behind him pulsed, swaying him a bit too close before releasing him again.
"Leave it at the door, Granger." He responded ignoring her hurt look. "Rules are rules. We are all just here to have a good time. Leave the implications and inhibitions at the door and just enjoy yourself."
"How could I possibly-"
"It's called fun, pay attention and you may learn something." He smiled at her briefly, letting the casual air of the room cover him like a humid night. It was too many sensations all firing at once. Too many random touches and loud bangs. That was the joy of the place. You could just get lost in it. Draco didn't even flinch as a familiar rosewood wand tapped against his throat.
"Well since this sod doesn't know how to treat a lady." Blaise swept past him, angling his body into the small space between Hermione and the wall as another group entered. "Let's get out of this doorway and dance!"
"I don't really dance." Hermione responded with a small blush peppering her cheeks. It took all of Draco's self control to not snicker. Blaise worked fast and had an insane success rate.
"See I thought you may say that." The debonair held up a bright tangerine colored test tube that's liquid was shifting between shimmery and glowing. He leaned against the wall on one arm looking every bit like the devil offering a deal. "Bottoms up."
"I shouldn't..." Hermione responded glancing at Draco. He had no idea why.
"Come on Mia. Live a little." He responded, throwing on his best bad decision smile. If she was going into this, he wanted her to have no illusions that it was a good idea. She granted him a nervous smile before tossing back the vial with reckless abandon. Instantly her cheeks warmed and she practically pulled the poor man's arm out of his socket as she dragged Blaise away. Trusting him to not get her or himself killed Draco wandered over the booths. It's not that they had a table persay, it's just that every time they showed up the same one had been conveniently emptied. He wasn't sure if it was magic or fear that did it.
Theo joined just as their waitress, a very fair skinned Rusalka appeared. He ordered a Shifting Shooter and the woman nodded before looking at Theo.
"I'll have a wavy wingback and I won't insult such a lovely creature as yourself by degrading you but my, you like pretty tonight." He finished with barely a slur.
"I take it that means you want a double?" She questioned with an indulging smile.
"I love you." He responded with dreamy eyes. She spat something good naturedly before filling their orders. He watched Hermione first with his friend before she was spun away by a blue skinned stoneman. There was just a flash of concern as he saw her next fall into the waiting arms of a young werewolf, but he forced himself to remain calm as the man was much more proper than half of the people out dancing. His hands remained staunchly on her waist after she whispered something in his ear. Likely some sort of threat.
The russian beauty eyed him evilly before dropping off both of Theo's drinks with a smile. She never liked him much, he wondered why. He took a sip of his drink feeling the magic slowly seep into his hair.
"It's blue." Theo suggested helpfully. Draco simply nodded as he stared into the crowd watching the young witch weave in and out with reckless abandon taking partners where they surfaced. There was an innocence to it, in the depths of a dirty club. But then again, maybe this is where she was supposed to be if things hadn't all gone to shit.
"Another." Draco called to the waitress as he watched her spin under the arm of a minotaur. It was going to be a long night and he was just getting started.
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"I think that maybe, just maybe you deserved it." She pondered while her legs hung over the massive armchair, strappy heels dangling in her hand. Theo's house, no castle, was amazing and when they had settled there once the club had closed for the night she had to stop herself from just staying on the floor to stare up at the fresco. Nevermind that she had fallen there in the first place.
"Why? I reckon it was quite flattering." Blaise responded with an ice pack pressed to his cheek and a bottle of sore-stopper. Draco re-entered the room taking an additional swig of sober up as he stumbled a bit.
"It was his fiancee Blaise." Hermione chided, still feeling bubbly and warm.
"And I was just complimenting him on his stunning soon to be wife."
"While implying that a night with you was worth a lifetime of him." Hermione finished with a giggle.
"You're lucky he didn't break your arm." Draco responded, losing the trip of his slur. His hair was still dyed a silvery pink that twinkled in the rising dawn.
"The things I suffer for love. Mia?" Blaised asked as he stood."Are you crashing here? You can always bunk with me."
He finished the statement with a shameless wink before wincing at the pain. Hermione scoffed before responding. "Yes because you certainly look up to the task."
"I could suffer it for just one night of your presence. I saw the way you dance you devil woman." Hermione laughed uproariously at the idea of herself as a sensual creature.
"Even knowing that I would have to pass. Try to get some sleep before your hangover kicks in." She responded with a hiccup.
"Alas, I go as I live. Alone and forgotten." He sighed dramatically before wandering down the hallway, perfectly aware of where he was going. She figured they all must spend a lot of time here.
"Ready to go home?" Malfoy questioned as he pulled her up with a steady hand. She nodded tiredly. Draco was right, it was not her sort of place. But everyone should experience something at least once and it felt so normal to be lost in a sea of drunk and scandalous people her age. Well, relatively speaking
"Alright. Hurry it up, swot. I am hungover and ready for bed." He held out his arm.
"I can do it." She hiccuped and took his arm knowing she would probably slur the words and end up nowhere helpful.
Draco said nothing, just stepped into the fire with a slight chuckle as he called out the name of her workshop. As they arrived the lights rose to meet them, giving the home a cheery comfortable glow. She looked longingly towards her loft thinking of comfort.
"All set then?" Draco questioned as he pulled on his sleeve. He had gotten in the middle of the fight early and while deflecting any real physical damage the drink splashed on his chest had left a bright green stain.
"Mhmm. Thank you it was fun." She slurred out unwrapping her scarf. With a quick shimmer the charm dropped and the scarf floated back to it's rack. "Want some tea?"
"No." He responded with an eye roll. "It's 4 am."
"Morning! Time for tea!" She responded excitedly.
"No. I am going to bed. If you can't climb the ladder, sleep on the couch." He paused and grimaced at her hair. She probably had a lot stuck in it right now. "Your charms are still up."
"Why thank you." She responded, dropping the illusion charms. She could see her loose curls slowly fade back to her familiar honey brown. There was something she wanted to talk about. What was it?
"Alright. See you in a few days Granger." He responded moving towards the fireplace. It was something important.
"Draco, wait."She struggled trying to formulate the thought as he watched her with something between an amused and annoyed look on his face.
"What?"
"It was just here…. Oh!" She remarked finally remembering, thinking of how much more the brunette drank than anyone else. "About Theo..."
All mirth was gone from his glance as it flashed to fury before settling back into tiredness as he gazed at her rug. "Yeah, we know."
"And Blaise is going to get in some serious trouble if he keeps cadding around like that." Hermione readied her ill prepared lecture.
"Yeah I know." He stared at the floor for only another moment before meeting her eyes and forcing a smile. He made a shooing motion with his wand. "Run along now. You are too old to be tucked in. Go."
She complied, mostly because she preferred the look of annoyance to sadness. When she had safely scrambled up the loft she turned behind her to see him watching her. She settled quickly into bed and nodded.
"Night Malfoy." She responded as he reached for the floo powder.
"Night Granger."
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas."
The fires all died down as he left, coating her the gray light of dawn. With a sigh she closed her eyes and fell into a deathly sleep. She had been so tired she barely registered the shreds of red paper in the empty corner.
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The day following the holiday passed quietly for Draco. The afternoon after dropping his lightweight instructor off he swung by again to make sure she was still breathing. After ensuring that she hadn't died he left a Restoration tonic next to her bed. When he came back the next day she was still hidden under a mountain of blankets but the potion was drained and her bathroom door had been cracked open. When he checked for signs of life he was met with a groan and something akin to a hiss. He quickly backed away reading the message clearly. A book arrived in his study with a hastily scratched note to copy it on the 30th, he assumed to silence the vow.
Theo and Blaise had already recovered and were grilling him meticulously about the mysterious 'Mia' . He gave enough satisfying answers that they eventually grew bored with it, knowing they would probably never see 'her' again. Though he was partial to a new hair color and another night. It did Blaise good to be around a woman that could brush off his advances with a scoff. The man was far too cocky. He stared down at the paper wishing Rita was as easy to shut up.
Nott a secret anymore! He scoffed at the headline before it changed, twisting into a rather fetching photo of Hermione relaxed against him responding to something Theo had said.
Hidden Nott Heiress engaged to Draco Malfoy.
You wouldn't believe it if you were there. Indeed dear readers it appears the Malfoy bachelor has been destined to his best friend's family since childhood! The Notts and the Malfoys had always been close and this young love sprouted in those early years with forbidden summers, hidden away at a villa in Spain. When Miss Mia Merago (on her father's side) needed to run from an abusive loveless marriage with an unfaithful man it was none other than Draco Malfoy to sweep her off her feet and carry her to safety. The love in their eyes-
He crumbled up the paper with a groan he focused on the work in front of him. He was flipping through the last of the reports from Blaise on Hermione. He had never got around to actually reading them in depth and something about the recent jaunt had him wanting to know more about the swotty witch. He needed every scrap of information to stay on top of her in the constant battle for superiority. Unfortunately even the less-than-legal files Blaise had acquired months ago had resulted in next to no information.
Hermione Granger was a war hero. She grew up in the London suburbs to muggle parents who never involved themselves in the wizarding world and she cut contact with them during the war. She returned to Hogwarts and finished her schooling with a ridiculous seven Outstandings on her NEWTS and a Mastery shortly after graduation. She never showed up to accept it. She never took a job in spite of multiple offers. She was reportedly staying with the Weasleys but she never married Ron. At some point in August she just disappeared.
It is quite disappointing when you think about it. Sure, the papers all made some big mystery of it and there was a good amount of searching going on at first but other than that she just… disappeared. The news cycle got tired of the lack of leads and she was just snuffed out like a candle never to be heard from again. At least until Draco landed on her living room floor, drunk and disoriented . He sighed musing on how on earth Hermione Granger managed to clean cut away from the wizarding world without actually leaving it at all and most importantly, why? What happened to her that made her turn her back on her friends? The question was on his mind well into his dreams that night.
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It wasn't until after the New Year that Draco got a normal response from Hermione.
Toadstool trapping at NL?
About time you resurfaced. Theo was about to call the ministry and that would have been awkward.
You aren't mad at me?
I have had to deal with worse. Theo doesn't look it but he's a fighter. And Blaise is at least 2 stones heavier than his profile in Witch Weekly.
With friends like you who needs enemies.
He smiled at the words before he could stop himself. He had to admit it at some point, he just didn't ever imagine he would think it so casually or without discussion. With undeniable truth somehow he and Granger had become friends. A title he reserved for only a select few he could trust unequivocally.
He glanced at the altered stitch-fix potion that recently failed on his desk. While Blaise felt stronger for a period as soon as the potion wore off his arm was liable to snap again. Not to mention Blaise was distraught at the side effect that turned his skin furry and blue. Maybe it was time for him to tell her, what's the worst that could happen.
World Building with Om
Proqere Charm
Allows conversation between linked individuals in loud places. When linked to one person you are also connected to everyone they are.
The Menagerie:
An all magic club where anyone and everyone can join. Open aggression among species can result in being kicked out. Magic use is strongly discouraged. Everyone is there to have some judgement free fun so leave it that way yeah? Theme nights vary daily and the club's decor is based on the theme.
Rusalka:
A beautiful pale Russian water wraith that lives in ponds and will bait out unhonorable men before pulling them in the water to drown. They are usually the spirits of betrayed young women.
Magic alcohol:
Tapping Tangerine: A citrus based shot that casues the intense need to dance
Shifting shooter: A cocktail that changes the color of the drinkers hair randomly, tends to taste like gin.
Wavy Wingback: A stiff drink that results in the drinkers feeling entirely at ease while still remaining upright.
Sober-up:
Results in an immediate wipe of drunkenness. Does NOT repress the resulting hangover. Cannot be taken with hang-over cure.