An angel needs a devil
I know I promised you a story of crime, of pain and betrayal, but to understand our story, you have to understand why I did what I did. Draco and I had our ups and downs over the years, but time in and out, when we were needed, we pulled through. We always did and we always would.
XXX
18th May
After the initial shock of the death of her cat, Hermione went back to worrying about Draco's father. She drowned out the background chatter made by her parents and Draco by the thought of Draco picking an outsider, one with such a big yet unknown connection to the Order to be his queen.
"It's your mum."
It had been the tone Pansy used to say it that shook Hermione the most. Full of worry, pain and dread. It made Hermione wonder if perhaps Narcissa wasn't as well as Helen or Molly.
"I'm moving to America." The room fell silent. Hermione wasn't sure what she'd interrupted but she didn't care, it was a conversation they were going to have to have eventually. Hermione looked up at her parents, her father had a mix of emotions; anger, annoyance, sadness. Her mother had one of understanding, like she knew the day would come eventually.
Draco curled the arm resting on the back of her chair around her shoulder, curling a strand of hair around his finger in support. "We knew the day would come." Her mother admitted with a sigh, placing her hand above her husband's. "Ever since you and Harry became friends with the Weasleys, we suspected the friendship was so great you'd move to New York."
Draco's phone began to ring, Blaise's name flashing across the top. Hermione glanced at Draco who looked at her apologetically before excusing himself and leaving the room to answer the phone. Hermione watched in silence as Draco retreated into the hallway before turning back to her parents.
"Are you going because of him?"
"No." Hermione lied, "I was thinking about it before I met Draco." Not a lie.
"Do you love him?"
Hermione hesitated. She didn't love him, but one day she would. "Yes." Draco's figure appeared in the doorway. Hermione turned to see a sickly expression across his more than usual ghost-white face. "Excuse me a second." Quickly standing, Hermione fled from the room, telling Draco to follow her, she led him up the stairs and into her old bedroom. It was just as she remembered, light blue walls with shelves upon shelves of books. A small bed in the centre, headboard pushed against the wall. Pale purple bed sheets and a desk with stacks upon stacks of school notes and book reviews. "What's wrong?"
Draco looked at her for a long minute before taking a seat on the bed. He rested his elbows on his knees and head in his hands. Hermione took a seat next to him, her reassuring hand on his shoulder. "There was a fight." Draco sighed, closing his eyes, "Hermione, Harry was hurt."
Hermione couldn't speak, her lip began to quiver. Draco looked up at her, he straightened up and put his arm over her shoulders, kissing her temple. "He'll be okay." He whispered as she cried against his shoulder.
"I shouldn't have left."
Draco pushed her away from him slightly, whipping away her tears with his thumbs. "If you hadn't, it could have been you that was hurt, Hermione. I would never forgive my men if you got hurt by their hand."
XXX
Hermione didn't know if over the last three months she'd wrapped Draco around her little finger, or if they'd fallen head over heels for each other.
He'd spared no expense when it came to day trips to keep her occupied and the dates, he would take her on where like none she'd had before. She would spend one day in Paris and the next in London to wake up the day after to be told they were going to Rome.
But she'd also learnt a lot over the last two months. The first thing had been that they didn't fly to Heathrow airport, they had arrived at a private runway, meaning they didn't have to go through security.
Draco would spend at least an hour each evening teaching her one thing about the Mafia, and what her role would be. He'd told her secrets that the Order would die to know, she assumed they weren't true and that he was just testing her but some of the stuff he would whisper to her as they lay in bed couldn't possibly be a concoction he'd created in his head.
The more time the pair spent together, the less she believed what the Order had told her about Draco Malfoy. But then again, she'd only seen him when he was with her, Hermione didn't know what he was like around his friends, around his parents.
She'd seen him for who he was, not what he was expected to be.
Draco was in no rush to get back to America, and neither was Hermione. Harry, on the other hand, was- they'd said she would go for a couple of weeks, not two months, yet they were still there, with no plans of returning anytime soon.
He'd held his promise to let Hermione stay in her flat while they were in London. He'd also decided he'd move into said flat with her while Crabbe and Goyle stayed in a hotel across the road. Hermione had offered to let them stay in the flat with them, as she had enough room, but they declined the offer.
Hermione awoke to having sweet nothings whispered in her ear and slim fingers running through her hair. She quietly moaned in pleasure, turning her head so that she could look at Draco who smirked and pecked her upon the lips. "Good morning, Granger."
"Morning," She mumbled with a yawn before snuggling into his bare chest a fraction more. "What's on the agenda for today?"
The American snorted in response, "We have some business to take care of."
Hermione looked up at him in surprise, "We?" She repeated, not caring what they were going to do. He was starting to see them as a team and she rather liked that idea.
Draco stared at her before lifting her slightly so that he could slight off the bed, making his way to the chest of drawers. He began to dig for some clothes. "Tell me Hermione," He began, looking over his shoulder, his smirk plastered onto his face yet again. "How much do you like football?"
"Hate it." Sitting up, she pulled the covers around herself, wishing she could magic a coffee into her hands. "Oh no, no, no, no-"
Draco chuckled as he began to button up his shirt, "Dress nice Granger, we're going to be in a lot of pictures with very important people today." He placed a kiss on her forehead before grabbing his trousers off the back of the chair in her room and disappearing into the flat.
Resting her head against the headboard and pulling her knees ups to her chest, Hermione smiled at the thought of the last two months. Draco had let her have free reign over what they did a lot of the time, whether it be spending hours upon hours in a library or going to visit her parents, which they did a lot. Hermione wasn't sure how he'd pulled it off, but her parents adored Draco. He had this façade around her parents that turned him into the perfect parent pleaser.
But however much her parents loved him, he occasionally did things that annoyed her. This happened to be one of those moments. Back in school, she would do whatever she could to miss Harry's football matches. Then, Ron joined the team and she was dragged to support the pair of them. Hermione hadn't much care for sports, she'd only learned to shoot and fight because her father had expected it from her and Harry. She'd never go hunting for fun. Neither would Harry. They just did as they were told.
"What business does the Mafia have at a football game?" The brunette asked as the blonde came back into the room holding two steaming mugs.
He placed one on the bed side table and passed her the other. Sliding back into the bed next to her, he picked up his mug and took a slip of the hot liquid. "With the game, nothing." He answered and then put the mug back down, replacing it with his phone instead. Hermione couldn't help but smile at his home screen, it was a photo of her crossing the road. Nothing romantic but she did look good in the photo, it was taken on the first day of their stay in London and had been his lock screen since. "This is why we are going."
Hermione studied the photo Draco was showing her. She knew that man, but from where? "What business do you have with Igor Karkaroff?" She whispered after a minute; she'd remembered where she knew him from.
"I thought you had no interest in football?" Draco questioned with a raised eyebrow, locking his phone and picking his mug back up
"I have no interest, that is correct." Hermione replied, climbing out of bed as delicately as she could with her coffee. "But where Igor is concerned so is Viktor Krum and with him, I have both interest and history."
XXX
"You're wearing rings." Hermione commented as they made their way to the box they would be watching the game in. She could feel the metal bands of his rings through her dress, as his hand rested on the small of her back as he guided her.
He smirked down at her, "I've got one for you." he whispered before dropping his hand to connect with hers. Hermione took it upon herself to examine them; the first was one he always wore, a family signet. It was a large band, which formed a crest shape with an M engraved. He wore that on his right hand, the ring finger. The next was a simple silver band which rested on his index finger, on this thumb, a gold snake twined around the base. She glanced over to his left hand, which was dangling by his side. On his pinky was another simple silver band, only this time it had a black circle at the decoration, which she assumed, when heat was applied it would reveal something far more interesting. On this middle finger, there sat a huge band with something cut from the middle but she could not see what it was and finally on this left thumb, there was another gold band, this time with a twine like structure.
But what interested her most was that he had one for her. Perhaps he meant it as a proposal which seemed likely but stupid. He may be planning on making her his queen but they'd only known each other for two months, and she was yet to meet the other Death Eaters. Or maybe it was just a gift, whatever it was, she would be thankful.
"Hermione Granger!" Was the first thing the group heard as they entered the box. The woman in question smiled politely, pulling away from Draco to be hugged by a man she hadn't seen in years. Someone she never really planned on seeing again. "You look as beautiful as ever! Oh, it's been far too long."
Not long enough she thought as she continued to smile, "Igor, it has been years hasn't it!" Hermione pulled away and gestured towards Draco. "I must introduce you to my partner, Draco darling."
The American came to stand by her, wrapping his arm around her waist with a smirk. Igor gulped slightly, "We um, actually know each other Miss Granger." He answered with a nod to Draco before leaning the couple to the table in the centre of the room. "I've done business with his father in the past."
"Business is one way to put it." Draco growled before pulling Hermione's chair out for her and guiding her into the seat.
"Viktor is going to be so surprised to see you!" Igor continued paying no attention to Draco's comment. "It has been far too long, so nice for you to come see him!"
Hermione leaned back in her chair, joining her hand with Draco's. "I'm not here to see Viktor as much as I've missed him. I'm here on business, Igor. You seem to owe Draco's father quite a lot of money."
"You know Miss Granger," The man stated, shaking his head in disappointment, "when I first met you and your brother and Ronald Weasley... You were the innocent one, the one who wasn't supposed to know. And look at you now, the angel the devil didn't know he needed."
Hermione sniggered, leaning towards the Bosnian, "You pay them back or I will pull the trigger myself." Hermione stood, making her way to the bar without another word or glance back. "Belin Blonde please."
"Make that two." Draco instructed, coming to stand beside her, his arm around her waist. "That was hot as fuck."
Hermione snorted, turning her head to face Draco. "If that turns you on, I worry for our future." The American smirked, shaking his head in amusement as he batted off her comment by not replying. The Bartender slid their drinks towards them, "Thank you." taking a sip of her drink she looked across to Draco again.
She replied the last few minutes in her head. She'd just threatened to kill a man... and she'd liked doing it, she liked doing it with Draco at her side. Harry was wrong thinking she wouldn't be able to handle the lifestyle, she didn't have the skills needed to survive life in the mafia. But how wrong her brother was. Hermione could go down in history at Draco's side. They could be the next Bonnie and Clyde. But that would mean betraying her friends and family.
Did she have that in her?
Only time would tell.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Draco's grip on her waist tightened as he pulled her closer to him.
Hermione placed her glass next to his on the bar before wrapping her arms around Draco's neck. "Even if he does pay, can I shoot him anyway? I hate that man." Draco chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist to lift her off the ground slightly. He nestled his head in the crook of her neck, inhaling her perfume with a sigh.
The event was, well, uneventful. The game started and Hermione made it clear to everyone in the box that she had no interest in the game. She spent her time at the bar, seeing as they were offering free drinks, Hermione used that to her advantage. When she wasn't at the bar she sat with Draco while he discussed business with other guests.
It was as the game came to an end that the pair had a moment alone. "Have you ever heard of Charles Sobhraj?" Draco asked, twinning a curl around his index finger.
Hermione stared at him silently as she contemplated, "He was a serial killer, was he not?" she replied.
The American stared at his finger as he played with her hair, "He was much more than a serial killer." was his reply after a moment. "He was a thief, conman, and fraudster, but he was smart. Him and Marie-Andree had an empire. Bonnie and Clyde had an empire."
"I don't understand."
Draco looked into her eyes, "All great teams need a balance, you are mine." his finger fell from the curl to cup Hermione's cheek. "You crave power and I crave composure. You crave equality and I crave acceptance. We were made for each other, Hermione Granger, and you know it."
"An angel needs a devil."
A cheer engulfed the atmosphere of the room, Hermione looked out onto the pitch to see the crowds cheering, a team jumping for joy. The brunette stood, making her way back to the bar for another drink before the team came up to the box.
She waited five minutes maximum for the team to come jeering into the box. They could be heard a mile off, cheering over their win. Hermione grinned like a child on Christmas day as the door swung open, face to face with a man she hadn't seen in years. He hadn't changed much, his shoulders were broader and his face had aged slightly but other than that she saw little difference between the man standing before her to the person she met ten years ago.
Neither of them said anything, just stared at each other for a moment before she launched herself at him, jumping in mid-air for the man to catch her in a hug. He held her tight, not caring about anyone else in the room. By the time he finally placed her on the ground and pulled away the room had fallen silent and it seemed all eyes were on them. Draco's particularly, burning into the back of her skull like the ring of fire.
"I didn't know you would be here." Viktor whispered with a smile as he took her hand and led her to the bar.
"Neither did I." She returned as they took a seat at the end and ordered a drink, "My boyfriend surprised me with a ticket this morning."
Krum chuckled, "You hate football." Hermione laughed herself and nodded. "I'm glad you came, I've missed you."
Smiling into her glass she agreed. A hand took a hold of her shoulder, Hermione didn't have to turn to see who it was. "Viktor this is Draco, my boyfriend. Draco, I'm sure you know of Viktor Krum."
The American tapped her shoulder rhythmically, "I may have heard the name." His tone was cold and Hermione knew that the moment her and her ex had shared was not one he had been expecting to see. "I'm afraid it is our time to depart my love, there is a plane waiting for us."
"We're leaving?" Hermione stood to face him, "That's not fair, Draco, I haven't said goodbye to my parents, I haven't packed-"
"That's why we're leaving now." He cut her off, "So that you can say goodbye and gather the last of your things before our flight departs."
Hermione's face fell, maybe she'd been too quick to accuse. "Oh, um well I'll join you in a minute, okay?" Draco took her hand and raised it to his lips, placing a delicate kiss upon her knuckles before leaving the room with Crabbe and Goyle. "Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now."
Viktor stood, hugging Hermione once again. "Igor is in trouble with The Death Eaters, please don't get involved Viktor, I don't want to have to kill you."
"Be careful yourself Hermione, The Death Eaters aren't safe. And neither is the Order." He pulled away, his eyes full of sorrow. "Be safe Hermione, this world is a dangerous one."
XXX
I'm glad Viktor never got involved.
It would have broken me to shoot him, or watch someone else put a bullet through his head.
He kept his head down when it came to his past with Igor and run-ins with The Death Eaters. And in the end, it paid off, Viktor became successful. He became an ally of mine during the war, he had connections and they were useful. Others not so much.