Vice
This story didn't go the way I originally had it written but possibly losing the original might have been for the best. Based on the song 'Vice' by Miranda Lambert as shown below, as soon as I heard those lyrics and read those words, this story literally jumped out at me! Triggers: possible drug abuse (I haven't decided on that part yet), divorce, emotional abuse (I guess?), Weasley bashing (Ron, Molly and Ginny). Sorry, I like Ron, I really do, just. Not with Hermione.
Stay as a needle,
dropping on a vinyl,
neon singer with a jukebox title
full of heartbreak.
33, 45, 78
When it hurts this good
you gotta play it twice
another vice!
All dressed up in a pretty black label,
Sweet salvation on a dining room table waiting on me.
Where the numb meets the lonely
It's gone before it ever melts the ice
Another vice!
Another call, Another bed
I shouldn't crawl out of.
At 7 AM with shoes in my hand
said I wouldn't do it, but I did it again
and I know I'll be back tomorrow night , oh
I'll wear a towel like a leather jacket
when the new wears off,
I don't even pack it
If you need me
I'll be where
my reputation don't precede me
Maybe I'm addicted to goodbyes,
Another vice! Another town,
where my past can't run me down.
Another life, another call,
Another bed I shouldn't
Crawl out of
At 7 AM with shoes in my hand
Said I wouldn't do it but I did it again
And I know I'll be gone tomorrow night,
Mmm, Another vice
Standing at the sink now,
looking at the mirror
don't know where I am
or how I got here
Well the only thing that I know
How to find is another vice!
Mmm another vice
Yes, another vice
Ooh, another vice
Another vice
Another vice
Another vice
By Miranda Lambert
Hermione Weasley stood in front of the bathroom mirror, putting on her husband's favorite earrings. She couldn't stand them but this night was all about keeping the peace. They were going out to dinner with Harry and Ginny. She closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath. That was another reason she was trying to keep it peaceful between her and Ron. Ginny would run straight to Molly at the first signs of trouble and they would gang up on her, sympathizing with poor Ron.
She heard her children come into the bathroom. She turned to greet them, smiling, only to find both of them scowling at her. "Rose, Hugo? What's wrong, sweeties?" she knelt in front of them, expecting them to want her to stay home with them, like when they were younger.
"Why do you like making Grandma Molly cry? Why can't you just like Grandpa Arthur alone, mum? We never get to see him or Uncle George or Uncle Bill or even Uncle Percy and it's all because you won't leave them alone! Why don't you stay away from them?! Then Grandma Molly won't have to cry!" Rose accused.
"Yeah, mum! Just stay away from them!" Hugo added. Hermione felt her jaw drop. She looked up as Ron came in, expecting him to scold them or SOMETHING! He looked back expressionlessly.
"Ron?" she inquired. "You're not going to say anything?"
He snorted and looked at her with a sneer. "Say something? Like what? Oh, I know! How about 'out of the mouth of babes'?"
"I have NEVER messed with your father or your brothers, Ron!" she cried.
"I suppose you never messed around with Harry, either. Or Seamus, Neville, Dean?" he spat.
"No! Harry is my brother! None of those others either! You were my first! How much more proof do you need, Ronald?!" tears were threatening to ruin her makeup. 'How dare he keep accusing her? How much more did she need to sacrifice for him?!' She had already given up further education to marry him straight out of school, given up trying to find her real parents and now, just today, she had given up her job! She sat on the tub and attempted to keep the tears from falling.
"Excuse me, I'd like to have some privacy, if that's not too much to ask of your Majesty!" Ron snarled at her.
She rose and walked out. The children had left as soon as their dad entered the bathroom. They were peering at her from the doors of their rooms, still scowling. She ducked into her and Ron's bedroom. Grabbing a handful of tissues, she sank down on the bed. Covering her face, she quietly sobbed with heartbreak. She'd known Ron was wildly jealous of Harry and their other male friends but she hadn't realized it was this bad! She'd thought he'd know how much she loved HIM when she married and had his children straightaway. 'How could he accuse her of his brothers, his father, for god's sake!'
She wasn't sure how long she sat there crying before she heard him again. "Damnit, Hermione! How the hell long is it going to take you to get ready again?! You've ruined your damn makeup and are you seriously going to wear that slutty dress out in public?! Jesus, talk about ruining an evening! You're the queen of ruin! Quit sniveling and get ready! They'll be here any time now!"
She looked down at the little black dress she had bought especially for him. He hated it; then again, he hated every stitch of clothes in her closet! Half of it was deemed 'too slutty' the rest of it was pronounced too bland to be seen wearing in public! 'What the hell was he expecting her to wear, a potato sack?!' She stood up and caught sight of her reflection. 'How had it come to this?' she used to be so strong in school. She'd stood up to everyone, fought back against bullies and had even lost her temper enough to punch a boy for mocking the pain of a fellow student!
She dried her tears and grabbed a suitcase. While he was out of the room, she crammed all her clothes into the case. She'd give him this one last night but damned if she was changing clothes. It had taken all her courage to buy the tightly fitted dress and she wasn't backing down this time! If he wanted to throw one of his famous Weasley tantrums, so be it!
She heard voices drifting up from downstairs. It sounded like more than Harry and Ginny had shown up. Great! Just what she needed! Momma Weasley putting in her damn two cents! Knowing Molly was downstairs, just waiting along with Ginny, to jump on her was the last straw! Hermione picked up her makeup and skillfully darkened her eyelids and lashes. She used eyeliner to really help the color of her eyes pop out. As she straightened up, she found herself looking at that bold teenager from school.
She exited the room and headed for the stairs. As she passed Rose's door, she almost faltered as she heard her daughter, her beautiful, beloved daughter, hiss out one word. "Slut!" instead she lifted her chin proudly and went downstairs. Entering the room, she watched Ron's face darken with rage. Molly and Ginny seemed just as outraged. Harry was smiling broadly. It'd been a long time since he'd seen his sister dressed to the nines like this.
"Hermione, you are beautiful, you know that, right?" he teased. He could see hurt and fear behind the anger in her eyes. He wasn't sure why but he was damned well going to find out. She smiled at him boldly, then turned to face Molly.
"Good evening, Molly, how horrifying to see you. Do be sure and jack the children up on as much sugar as you can cram into their mealy little mouths, k? Thank you! Come on, Harry, let's get this train wreck going, shall we?" loving the snort of laughter he couldn't contain. Harry knew, then, something had happened; moreover, whatever it was, it had finally pushed Hermione past her limits! He was witnessing the last kicks of his sister's marriage. Just the fact that she was preempting Ron's temper tantrum was the one sign he needed to know, there was NO coming back from the edge! Right now, Hermione was letting it all hang out and not giving a rat's ass who cared!
He quickly followed her out the door and into the seat of the waiting cab. There wasn't a word uttered on the way to the restaurant. When they got there, she and Harry were once again the first two out of the cab. The restaurant was located in the lobby of the best hotel in town. They strode in, joined the line and waited for their angry spouses to get there.
It was while they were in line that Harry first noticed the man checking Hermione out. He was dressed in black leather pants and a leather vest over a long sleeved, white shirt with flowing sleeves. He had long dark brown hair pulled back into a loose braid. One thick strand was pulled forward and braided down from his left temple. It was bright red. Looking closer at him, Harry saw he was wearing guy liner. It didn't take away from the pure masculine stature of him. He had to stand at a good six feet or more and he was completely zoned in on Hermione!
He nudged her and cut his eyes in the guy's direction. She looked over and immediately blushed as the man smiled wickedly at her, licking his lower lip. She turned away, giggling as Harry poked her again, chuckling himself. "Stop it, Harry Potter!" she whispered over her shoulder.
"I think someone likes what he sees. I'm glad someone appreciates all the hard work you did to look good!" Harry whispered back. He watched an even taller man join the first one. The man was so focused on Hermione, he actually jumped when the older man clapped him on the shoulder. The two of them had a short conversation, then the older man also checked Hermione out and smiled approvingly. He nodded and went into the restaurant. Shortly afterwards, the younger man followed him in. That was when a waiter came out. Looking at Hermione, he spoke to Harry. "How many in your party?"
"Four, there are four of us." Harry replied. Seeing how many people were still ahead of them, he had a suspicion as to why they were being brought forward. His suspicions were confirmed when they were brought to a table for four, in direct view of the two men. He noticed that the waiter took great pains to seat Hermione to fully face them.
Suddenly, Ron let out a low curse. "Damn, of all the places to eat, they had to choose this place, didn't they?!"
"Who is they?" asked Harry.
"Fenrir Greyback and his right hand man, Michael Scabior, that's who! Damnit! We've been on their trail for two years now, nothing!" Ron growled.
"Okay, that tells me their names but not why you're so upset about seeing them." Harry reasoned.
"Greyback is the leader of our local mafia. He's the one who controls all the drug dealers in this area. Word has it, he's getting ready to retire and training Scabior to take his place as leader! That's who he is." Ron glared at the two men who were in deep conversation now. "Damn, to be a bug on that table!"
Harry saw the younger man, Scabior apparently, glance casually at their table. Knowing Ron was unaware of how they had lucked into their table, Harry kept his mouth shut. He wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry that Hermione, his sweet, innocent, sister, Hermione, had managed to catch the eyes of the two biggest criminals in their area! 'Well hell, they can't treat her any worse than Ron has for the last ten years!' he decided that he was going to just sit back and let the scenario unfold in front of him. If it seemed like Hermione was heading for a heartbreak, then he would intervene.
Right then, Ginny decided she'd held back long enough. "So, Herms, just out of curiosity, exactly how many mangers did you have to blow off to afford that thing you're wearing?" Hermione gasped in shock. Harry rolled his eyes in irritation.
Ron snapped around and looked at her suspiciously. "She's right, 'Mione! You couldn't afford that thing! How many were there? Anyone we know?"
"Back off of her, you tosser! She bought it for you!" Harry snapped in anger.
"Likely story, that. Did the two of you collaborate on it? Maybe she bought the dress for you, mate! Or maybe you bought it for her? What'd she do, stop by and give you a quickie on her way home?" Ron glared jealously at Harry.
Harry carefully laid his napkin on the table and said. "Take. That. Back. Now. She is my SISTER, you bloody tosser! How can you even say that and your own sister right here with us!"
Fenrir Greyback and Michael Scabior had been discussing new deals from overseas companies when they were suddenly riveted to the drama playing out in front of them. Three of the occupants looked ready to erupt into a fight. The fourth, the little beauty who caught their eyes, was sitting there seemingly in shock, if her face was anything to go by. They couldn't hear what was going on but, judging by faces, they didn't need to hear. As they continued arguing, she slowly rose and wandered out to the lobby.
Fen caught Scabior's eye and nodded after her. Scabior smoothly rose and strode out after her. He found her at the bar. She had a vodka in from of her. She was watching the door and stiffened as he came through. He slowly approached and perched on the stool beside her. "Hello, beautiful, whatcha hitting there?" he nodded at her drink. She looked down, almost as if she didn't remember ordering it.
"Oh, uh, vodka." She told him shyly. She remembered him from earlier. When they were at the table, she was so busy studiously ignoring them that she had only caught the words 'drug dealers'. She looked at the door again, expecting a raging Ron to burst through anytime now and drag her home.
"Your old man?" Scabior guessed. He could see how nervous she was around him. He motioned for a shot of tequila. After receiving it, he reached slightly past her, seemingly toward the salt. So skillfully she didn't even see it, he dumped an extremely small downer into her drink. It wouldn't knock her out right away but he could guarantee that it would ruin the ginger's night by the time he got her home.
Hermione smiled weakly and nodded. Then she took a sip of her doctored drink. Unused to hard liquor, she covered her mouth with a napkin as she coughed slightly. She kept sending him quick glances from under her lashes. He could see she was dying to ask him something. He turned to fully face her. Laying his hands on her shoulders, he smiled at her. "Go ahead. Ask me."
She ducked her head as she turned pink cheeked. "Are you and the, uh, other fellow? Um, are you really drug dealers?"
Of all the things he expected, that hadn't been one of them! Tempted to tell her the truth but remembering she was married to a cop, he smiled mysteriously. "I don't know if I'd call us that. We have, hmmm, connections." He leaned forward, catching her off guard, and kissed her. Then he handed her a napkin with his number on it. "Anytime you're ready to have some fun, let me know. We'll paint the town red, you and me!" he winked at her and hopped off the barstool. She watched, breathlessly, as he headed back into the restaurant. As he neared the door, Harry burst into the lobby. They sized each other up as they passed.
"Come on, Hermione! You're not going back there. We're going to mom and dads for the night. They already have the boys and I told them to go ahead and get our rooms ready, just in case." Hermione had never seen Harry this angry before! They must have really pissed him off in there!
Ron and Ginny came rushing out. "Hermione, we're leaving. Now! Get over here." Hermione, who was starting to feel woozy headed, staggered slightly as she came off the barstool. She noticed, with interest, that Greyback and Scabior had followed them out and were now seated at the bar.
"Keep your hands off her, you twat! You don't deserve her, you never have deserved her! I'm just sorry it took me this long to do anything about it!" Harry snarled.
As Ron and Ginny raised hell, Harry hailed a cab, loaded Hermione into it and left. Greyback and Scabior smiled like cats who ate the canaries. That little beauty would be in their beds so fast her pretty little head would spin!