I call her the devil because she makes me wanna sin. And every time she knocks, I can't help but let her in.
The first time I met the silver circle, it was... an experience.
Pansy, Blaise and Theo were the friends I always wanted, the ones that you grew up with. And while I did not grow up with them, they became my best friends, and I became a part of the silver circle.
That was yet another tattoo that I don't regret. I just regret doing what I did to keep them safe.
XXX
28th July
"You've been gone two months!" Harry shouted as he paced Arthur's office, "We said two weeks, Hermione, TWO WEEKS!"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Are you done?" Harry growled in frustration. They were both stubborn, and easily annoyed, meaning when they were in a mood with each other it could go on for hours- days, even.
As she sat being scolded by her brother, Hermione wished more than anything she hadn't come back to the Burrow. Draco had been against the idea, wanting them to go straight to his family manor (that should be referred to as a mansion, really). But once again, Hermione had been stubborn, wanting to see her brother one last time before she began her work, before she made her decision.
"You hardly answered my texts! Stopped picking up my calls after the first two weeks!" Harry took no notice of her comment, he also took no notice of Arthur's discomfort and Ron's annoyance. "I get phone calls from mum telling me about this lovely American man you've brought home. First of all: lovely, my ass. Second of all, you took him to the fucking house! What were you thinking!"
"I was thinking that I missed my parents and Draco wouldn't let me go anywhere without him!"
"Oh, it's Draco now is it?"
"Oh, fuck off, Harry!" Hermione had come to the end of her tether, in a strop she stood and made her way to the door, only stopping and looking back when Ron asked her where she was going. "Malfoy Manor." She shot back before wrenching the door open and storming off down the hallway with no intent to go back. Storming into her room she grabbed a suitcase and packed the rest of her stuff in a strop until there was nothing left in the room that belonged to her.
Zipping up the suitcase she sent a text to Draco telling him she was done, he replied straight away telling her Crabbe and Goyle were parked around the corner waiting for her. She pulled up the handle, making a quick exit and heading for the front door. Only she didn't make it to the front door. She'd only just made it out of her room when a voice called out to her, making her stop dead in her tracks.
"You fell in love with him, didn't you?"
Hermione sighed, but didn't turn to face the red-head. "I didn't intend to." The brunette replied after a minute, turning her head to look over her shoulder ever so slightly but never actually looked at her friend, her sister.
The woman scoffed, "You're going to get yourself killed. I just don't know which side will mourn your execution yet."
Hermione sighed, looking back in front of her. "Neither do I." She replied just loud enough for Ginny to hear her before she continued her advance towards the front door.
When she arrived at the car, both Crabbe and Goyle jumped out. Goyle opened the boot and took her bags while Crabbe opened Hermione's door. She muttered her thanks before stopping just before getting in, "Are you okay Miss Granger?"
Hermione blinked, "One last thing." she whispered reaching into her pocket and removing her phone from her pocket. She stared at the screen for a moment, the photo of her and Harry on his wedding day. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she unlocked it and opened Messenger sending one last text.
I hope that if the time ever came, you would mourn me Ginny. But I worry it will be you who brings an end to my story. I hope you understand my decision, all is fair in love and war.
Making sure her message was sent, Hermione moved past the car, placing her phone on the road. "Make sure you crush it into pieces." Were her only words to the men before climbing into the car and letting Crabbe close the door for her. Goyle put his foot down, running the phone over with such force that they heard it break into pieces from inside the car.
No one spoke as they began the journey to the other side of the city. Hermione just stared out the window, the impact of what she'd done dawning on her. Her life as she knew it was over, she could never go back to being best friends with Ron. Being Harry's sister. Charlie's lover. It was all gone.
Hermione thought that staying with the Weasley's for a bit would give her an idea of what she wanted to do with her life, but it had done more than that. Her world had been flipped upside down and now she was looking at it with a new perspective.
And that perspective was raising hell at Draco Malfoy's side.
XXX
When the car finally came to a stop, it parked outside a large building, the words 'The Awakening' attached to the front. The two men climbed out first, both making their way to the woman's door and helping her out before escorting her into the club and up to an office.
The office was huge, a desk and black leather swivel chair at the opposite end to the door she'd just come through. The left wall was totally glass, looking down upon the club. The office itself was bright but Hermione suspected that during the evening, when the atmosphere of the club was at its best, the office would be lit by mood lighting or strip lights.
The centre of the room seemed to be the focus of the room at that point in time. Or perhaps it was her considering that the four people sitting there were looking at her. Hermione recognised two of them, Draco being one and the woman being the other, Pansy Parkinson.
Draco stood, "How did it go?" he whispered as he hugged her.
"I need a new phone." Hermione muttered back as she pushed up on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around Draco's neck. Slowly she pulled away, placing her hand on his cheek. "I've made very few bad decisions in my life Draco Malfoy. I hope you are not one of them."
Draco smiled down at her, before lowering his head to place his lips upon hers. The kiss was gentle and sweet, only lasting a minute before they pulled away from each other to hug again. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." A British accent quipped, causing the couple to separate from one another.
Draco flashed his middle finger towards a medium height man around the same age as them. He had short brown hair and chocolate brown eyes a lot like herself. He was dressed in a black shirt, dark grey trousers, and shiny pair of oxfords. "Hermione, this is Theodore Nott."
The man in question stood, made his way towards them and circled Hermione with his hand resting on his chin. After his third circle, he stopped in front of the couple, looking between Hermione and Draco. "I guess she will do."
"Excuse you?" Hermione growled, crossing her arms to her chest and narrowing her eyes at the man who just laughed in response.
Pansy stood, walking over to them and smacking Theo across the back of the head causing him to shriek and rub the back of his head with a scowl. "Ignore him." The woman muttered before giving Hermione a hug, which surprised the brunette seeing as the last time they'd been in the same room, the woman had just stared at her. "It's nice to have another girl on the team, and to properly meet you."
"Please tell me you're not going to kill me because I get those vibes from Theodore."
Pansy laughed, "It's cause he's had the hots for Draco for years." the raven-haired woman answered with a smile. "I'll give you all the gossip when we're alone."
Draco placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder as the final person she hadn't been introduced to stood. "Hermione this is Blaise."
The man was tall with a broad build. He had dark skin and a buzz cut of black hair. "Blaise Zabini." Hermione said as she shook his hand, "I've heard all about you."
"All good things, I hope."
Hermione smirked, "I wouldn't say my brother and his wife think the best of you." Blaise just laughed and nodded his head in agreement before taking his wife's hand and leading her back to the settee they had been sitting in before Hermione's arrival.
Draco took her hand, telling the other's they were heading down stairs to get Hermione a drink. He didn't say anything as they made their way down the stairs and into the main body of the club where he then led her to the bar. They remained silent as Draco slipped behind the bar and began to select out mixers, Hermione noted to herself they were the ingredients to make a Sex on the Beach.
She watched in content as Draco put himself to work, "What are you smiling at?" Draco teased once he noticed her watching him.
Hermione rested her elbow on the bar and placed her head in her hand. "You're good at that." She pointed out, smiling to herself as Draco began to double strain the liquid in the shaker.
"I've owned his place a long time." He pointed out before placing an orange slice on the rim of the glass and sliding it towards her. "But how would you know I do it so well?"
Hermione took a sip of the drink before standing and walking towards the stairs. "I worked in a cocktail bar for years." She answered, taking another sip and starting the ascent back to the office. "But you already knew that, didn't you, because you've been watching me since I was eleven."
"I haven't been watching you," He replied, opening the office door. "The Death Eaters have."
With a roll of her eyes, Hermione made her way into the office, falling onto the settee next to Theodore and placing her drink on the table. Draco exhaled calmly, closing the office door and placing himself next to Hermione.
He tossed his arm over her shoulder after grabbing his drink from the table and taking a sip. Hermione sat quietly as the group continued their conversation about a deal that had gone wrong the night before. She picked up small pieces of information she thought would be important, names and code words. Making a mental note on what she wanted to question Draco about when they were alone.
XXX
In the early days, I don't think I realised just how much time I would spend in the Awakening with the silver circle. But I'm thankful I had all that time with them; Pansy, Blaise and Theo were the most amazing people I've ever known. Theo and I grew the closest over the time, him understanding my British sarcasm unlike the other three.
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the short chapter, the next one is much longer I promise. Please review it means so much to hear what you all think, much love SP101 xx