XII

Crookshanks meowed all night and kept Hermione awake, but she was far from sleeping anyway. Yet another night she laid with her eyes open. Plus, she also felt the alcohol - whisky to be precise - bubbling up in her veins. It was quite a pleasant feeling, a bit of peace. She hadn't felt so blissful for a long time. It had been a hell of a long day, but the evening itself was even enjoyable. If you could call that drinking with Malfoy.

Crookshanks did not give up and finally, around four o'clock, Hermione gave up. She opened the door and let him out. Pleased, he ran out and did not even look at her. Hermione sighed and went back to bed. Crookshanks loved Malfoy Manor, there was no point in denying it.

After sweet silence fell in the room, Hermione felt sleep overwhelm her.

The stench of death trailed behind her like a tail. She couldn't cope with getting rid of it. Images flashed in front of her eyes - large, pale, twisted faces. Crooked. Bloody.

Screaming.

Drenched in sweat, she woke up screaming. Her forehead was wet, her T-shirt was sticky, glued tightly to her body.

Inhale. Exhale.

She threw back the covers and hurried to the window, swinging it open.

The cool September air brushed her face, leaving a pleasant feeling on her hot, damp cheeks.

She could feel her heart pounding and she couldn't calm it down. After a few minutes with her eyes closed, forced breaths and wind she felt herself calming down, the attack slowly passing away.

The clock said it was seven o'clock.

Hermione closed the window and felt dirty. She took some fresh underwear out of her drawer and headed for the bathroom to take a bubble bath.

After eight, she got dressed and went downstairs as always. Halfway up the stairs, she noticed Malfoy. Lucius was standing in the hallway, with a briefcase and papers in hand. He was clearly waiting for something. Or someone. Surprisingly, he was dressed in a very elegant, certainly expensive, suit and white shirt. Completely a Muggle outfit. It looked very exclusive. And if Hermione wanted to be objective, she would have to admit that he even looked handsome. Although he was not her taste at all.

As soon as he noticed her, he said to her with an impatient tone, "You are late, Miss Granger."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what he meant. Unfortunately, he didn't give her much time to think, as he walked over and grabbed her right hand.

"We don't have much time."

He pulled her towards him and once she got her balance, CRACK! , they were gone.

They landed in the bustling center of London, on one of the roads branching off from the main streets, and Hermione spent a long moment trying to realize what had actually happened. And what she was doing here. Then she realized that Lucius apparently had a meeting today. Most likely he mentioned something to her yesterday, but she forgot completely. She gritted her teeth so hard that he looked at her in surprise.

Slightly disgusted, he hissed, "If you plan on being a bother, today is a very bad time. The last thing I want is your face discouraging contractors. If you want to sulk, you can wait outside." His voice was raised like never before, and she could see clearly that he was upset, flustered.

They left the narrow alley and found themselves next to one of London's luxurious hotels. They both stood as if waiting for someone. In fact, a few minutes later, Draco appeared - emerged from the same alley they did. The younger Malfoy also wore a suit as elegant as his father's. As he approached them, he glanced briefly at Hermione and said shortly, nodding at her, "Granger."

She only replied casually, "Malfoy."

They met for the first time in several years, so far they have not had a chance to bump into each other. She sent him documents from Lucius using owls only.

The hotel was crowded so they walked through the revolving door. The doorman knew they were coming and expected, because they were immediately directed to the conference room on the first floor.

The first floor was quite spacious, clearly of a business nature. Glazed spaces, subtle, elegant, yet unobtrusive decor indicated that it was more expensive than cheaper, definitely luxurious. Of course , Hermione thought sourly, n othing else would be expected of someone named Malfoy.

At the conference room set off from the corridor, Hermione noticed two men and a woman. The three of them were apparently looking for someone, and when they noticed them, invited them closer. Obviously, they were waiting for them.

Lucius was the first to come over and say hello to them - he clearly knew them all in person. But neither Hermione nor Draco had any idea who the three were. Lucius had to introduce both sides.

"This is the iSecr board," he said and pointed in turn. "Nicolas Cardo, company's vice president; Alexander Darling, chief accountant, and, he smiled at the woman, "Blake Rivers, CEO."

Hermione stood in shock, perhaps the first time in her life she had seen Lucius smile that way. Dazzling, maybe even slightly captivating. And the strangest thing - it was a sincere smile, because his eyes were also serene. It was an extremely intriguing discovery.

Nicolas looked like a young Norse god, maybe a Viking - tall, bulky, with blonde hair. The youngest in the crowd, he was probably in his thirties, with a broad smile, a little flirtatious and cheeky twinkle in his eye.

Alexander was quite the opposite - with mysterious beauty, dark, almost black eyes and longer hair flowing softly against his face. Evidently older, more experienced. Withdrawn, with a rather cool demeanour. He watched them carefully.

The CEO - Blake - was a very exotic beauty, a bit of an Eastern nature. Almond-shaped eyes and long, dark, straight, waist-length hair. In her forties, she was a very attractive woman, emanating feminine strength. She attracted attention with her magnetic personality, as evidenced by both her appearance and energy.

Blake nodded and smiled back.

"Lucius, thank you very much for introducing our management board. Judging by the stories, this tall blond man is your son, Draco. Draco, I'm glad to finally meet you and get to know you in person. '' Her voice was sweet as honey, but it also sounded resolute. Blake seemed to be a very balanced woman who would get her way.

Draco smiled and greeted all three politely. There was a silence after that as Blake looked at Hermione.

''Nice to meet you, Mrs. ... '' She paused, glancing at Lucius with an unasked question.

Lucius had forgotten about Granger's presence at all and had literally seconds to come up with a plausible justification for her presence. After all, they were about to sign an agreement between companies - no random person was needed for this.

Draco came to the rescue with dubious help and said in a cheerful tone, ''This is Miss Hermione Granger. She deals with ... widely understood consulting, advisory... stuff."

Hermione felt sheepish at Draco's words, her cheeks turned red with embarrassment and growing anger. Blake didn't comment on Draco's words, just tactfully accepted the explanation and shook hands with Hermione. Blake's gaze lingered on her face; - Hermione was pretty sure she didn't believe the explanation for a moment. The uncomfortable situation was interrupted by Nicolas, who invited them to a previously prepared room. The three of them went inside, and for a moment they were alone in the conference room. iSecr was organizing something else outside.

Taking the opportunity, Lucius immediately snarled at his son.

''Draco, what were you thinking? What kind of advisory stuff? Where did this ridiculous idea come from?"

Draco did not care at all about his father's words and sharply replied, "What - was I supposed to tell the truth? That you are an ex-prisoner with a manacle on the ankle? Under the Ministry's observation? They would run away in panic and we wouldn't do any business with them anymore."

His remark was accurate, Hermione had to admit. Draco showed sober thinking, just like she did. But on the other hand, she did not like the whole situation and would not fail to mention it.

"Until now, they considered her as a secretary." Lucius's voice was hard.

"I am not a secretary. Not anyone's secretary and especially not yours." Hermione pulled her out, and they both looked at her in surprise. They forgot she was in the room.

Draco snorted in response to her words, and Lucius did his best to refrain from adding something he would bitterly regret in a moment.

"If I had an influence on anything, you wouldn't be here, Miss Granger." Hermione rolled her eyes and needed to calm down as the iSecr management entered the room. She smiled forcibly, which did not escape Blake's attention. Nicolas was the only one who smiled at her sincerely and looked at her without any shame. It was flattering on the one hand, but made her uncomfortable on the other.

Blake was holding a bundle of documents in her hands—probably ones they needed to agree on the terms of their partnership.

"Your proposal is very tempting, I must admit. We didn't have to think long about it. However, there are a few things that need to be refined and this could take us several weeks. I suspect that we will meet soon to dispel any doubts and detail the plan." Blake pulled out the first document that had"Letter of Intent" as its header.

"Please sit down." Alexander's voice was as dark as his appearance, and Hermione felt a shiver. All this time she wondered if the three were Muggles. And although it seemed to be so, she couldn't be sure.

"Thank you, Blake," Lucius's voice was unusually warm. "How long are you planning to stay in London before returning to New York?"

Blake didn't hesitate to reply, "We think we'll need to be working together for a month to finalize our deal. But if necessary, no problem, we will stay as long as there is a need. "

In the meantime, each of the six took their seats and, by some strange coincidence, Nicolas decided to sit next to Hermione. He was smiling at her the whole time.

Draco nodded and took two copies of the document from Blake. He kept one for himself and placed the other one in front of his father. Only Hermione didn't have one — which was logical to her — until Nicolas handed her a copy.

Hermione raised an eyebrow in surprise, but thanked him. She must play her part if she wanted to survive. If she spoiled anything, Malfoy would murder her in cold blood, she thought.

"Thank you." She said aloud, for the first time since they had arrived, except for the brief dialogue with the Malfoys. Her voice sounded strange because she had to control her emotions. And they were causing a lot of trouble for her lately.

"Please read the Letter of Intent." Blake took her glasses out of her purse and slid them over her nose with a neat movement. "If you have any doubts, we can address it."

Hermione, always up for an assignment, started reading the content right away and frowned harder with each sentence.

"What's wrong, Miss Granger?" Nicolas' subtle voice disturbed her, he must have been watching her all the time. Hermione's eyes widened and her lips parted unconsciously, then she shook her head vigorously.

"Everything is fine." She cleared her throat and answered quickly, maybe too quickly. Don't do stupid things. She was trying with all her strength to refrain from looking at Lucius, for that would have seemed even more suspicious than her facial expressions.

Nicolas continued to study her, but Hermione was more careful about her expression. As if she was talking to Kingsley. The hatred she felt for the man made the task easier.

Malfoy's plan was clever. And she knew that if he succeeded, he would be even richer than he was now. The only thing that did not suit her were the unclear provisions in the third paragraph. It would be worth clarifying before signing.

"Everything looks fine, I think we can sign." Lucius's voice was calm, but she heard a faint hint of excitement in it. Fleeting, so strange in reception. "Draco, do you have any doubts?"

Draco shook his head and Lucius was about to say something, but Hermione discreetly lifted her hand and interjected.

"I have something, Lucius." Malfoy's name died on her lips after she spoke it out loud; Lucius himself seemed slightly surprised. "Second page, third paragraph, requires our attention." Her voice trembled, she was completely devoid of the usual courage.

Blake looked at her with a twinkle in her eye. As if she expected such attention to this point.

"Miss Granger, please continue. Is something unclear, not precisely worded well? " The question from her lips slightly contradicted her facial expression.

Hermione glanced at Lucius and saw that he pressed his lips together. He clearly didn't like that she spoke up. But of course he couldn't say this to her, because of iSecr board presence. Which didn't mean he wouldn't come back to it later.

Hermione had experience in analyzing documents, creating laws and tricks that could be used to force what is needed. And here she saw such a similar circumstance, so she said with a firmer voice what she thought and how it should be changed.

Draco, after rereading the third paragraph, whispered something that sounded like, "Not bad, Granger." It was probably a compliment, but it went unnoticed because Blake started scratching her copy.

After a few minutes, the correction was made and Hermione was pleased. She had no further comments.

All afternoon she could feel Nicolas' eyes on her, if she had to compare his behavior, the only person close was Sirius.

Suddenly it felt stuffy, heavy, in the conference room. Hermione would give anything to get out and get some air.

"Excellent." Blake got up from her seat and nodded to Nicolas and Alexander. "We'll get the final draft of the letter in a moment, and we can go to lunch. We deserved it. " She smiled and headed for the door.

As the three of them left, Hermione gasped, embarrassed, "I am so sorry."

Lucius was silent and she could feel his heavy gaze on her face, but she didn't dare to raise her eyes.

Draco stepped into the void. "Don't be silly, Granger. You caught a very important thing that could cost us dearly. After all, your swottiness was quite useful."

After a couple of minutes, only Alexander entered the room with a signed copy and handed it to them. At the same time, he invited them to the hotel restaurant.

Hermione would have fled in a panic if she could. But of course she couldn't do that, clearly.

During lunch, every bite was stuck in her throat, and she had a hard time swallowing the food. She pretended to eat, but in fact all she did was drink the wine.

Lucius chatted casually with Blake, Draco chatted with Alexander, and Hermione was left with Nicolas. The big blonde was not going to give up the opportunity to have a chat he so obviously wanted. With her.

"Can we speak more casually and skip formal titles?" He asked her directly and she looked at him with wide eyes. He chuckled and added, "You're younger than I am, so I can suggest that. Take the initiative. "

Hermione smiled weakly and replied, "I'm Hermione."

"Nice to meet you, Nicolas—Nico." He winked at her, and she blushed. The last time she was hit on was by Cormac McLaggen at Hogwarts. She felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Have you been working with the Malfoys for a long time?" He tossed casually, between bites of lunch, and Hermione felt a lump in her throat. She took the wine in her hand and took a sip, being silent for a long moment. She saw Nicolas tilt his head and carefully watched her every little movement.

"I went to school with Draco." She was evasive at his question, hoping that he would not pursue the topic further.

"Oh." It sounded like he was disappointed, but only for a second.

"Have you been in iSecr for a long time?" She tried to distract him from herself.

"Ten years. I helped start Blake's company when the world didn't know much about technology. We started out selling big computers, long history." His teeth were large and white when he smiled, they were exposed along with his gums. Her parents would have raved about his dentition.

"I do not doubt." Hermione felt even hotter thanks to the wine. She was feeling worse and worse, and the smell of the dishes was not helping her. She felt the gaze on herself and, drawing attention, her eyes met Lucius's. He looked at her questioningly and with rising irritation, and she shook her head.

Apparently she didn't convince him because he got up from the table and apologized to Blake while addressing her.

"Hermione." It was the first time he used her name, and it sounded dry, foreign, impersonal. "Can we go out onto the terrace for a moment?"

She nodded and wordlessly joined him, and as soon as they stepped out onto the terrace, away from everyones' gaze, he grabbed her shoulders and shook her vigorously.

"Wake up, Granger. You weren't supposed to disturb my business."

Hermione tried to free herself, but his grip was steel.

"I'm not disturbing you, Malfoy." She barked, but he brought his face closer to hers. He was furious, his eyes blazed, sickly glittering, and she had no idea why.

"And this flirting with the vice president? Do you think it is helpful in negotiations?"

Hermione snorted in response and whispered defiantly, "Is it not?"

He shook her again, harder this time, and it hurt. Apparently a grimace passed over her face because Lucius released her.

"We will come back to this conversation later."

And he left her alone and returned to the restaurant himself. Hermione felt anger overwhelm her - at him, at herself, and the fact that it was getting easier and easier for him to upset her. Meanwhile, Lucius returned to the guests, stood at the table and explained that Hermione felt unwell and that she had to say goodbye today. He added that he make sure she got home, and was leaving the rest of the negotiations in Draco's hands. Draco was surprised - he could have sworn Granger was fine - but he didn't protest or let the others know that he was confused. Blake shook her head, wished him good luck, and the discussion focused on the younger Malfoy. Only Nicolas' gaze was unreadable.

Lucius was upset and not completely in control of his actions. That goddamn Granger could have thwarted his two-year bid for this contract. Like she could be the wind that would blow away the carefully assembled house of cards.

When he returned to her, he saw that she was not as sure of herself as she had been a moment before. He knew he had overdone it with the shaking, that was a fact. And she had a right to feel uncomfortable. In order not to stay any longer, he grabbed her arm, pulled her forward, and they were gone.

Upon landing at Malfoy Manor, he felt an explosion was about to occur. Hermione stepped away from him like she had been burned and was about to say something, but Lissy was waiting in the dining room.

"Lissy has a letter for Missy. Came in the morning from the Ministry."

Hermione jumped over to her in an instant and almost snatched the scrap of paper from her hand. She broke the wax and scanned the text quickly.

Lucius saw her face turn pale and her hands tremble uncontrollably. Granger, scalded, ran out of the dining room, and he stood and watched her go.

He would be lying if he said he was not curious about the content. But on the other hand, Granger was not important now. He made a deal with iSecr and that was the most significant thing today.

Inhale.

She climbed the stairs almost trancelike, bewildered.

Exhale.

The air burned her lungs like a fire consuming a forest. Fire burned every particle of her body, filled her soul with smoke. She couldn't catch her breath.

She fumbled open the door and slammed it shut with all her might, sliding to the ground.

Images haunted her mind like Dementors, cornered like tentacles. She felt their cold, wheezing breaths against the back of her neck, against her cheeks. She felt the slimy tentacles wandering over her body, squeezing, taking away the possibility of movement.

She held out her hands to try to push them away, but she didn't know where they were, from which side they were surrounding her.

She heard millions of whispers, screams, pleas that filled her skull.

She tried to take a breath, but each attempt made her groan in pain.

Exhale.

Exhale.

Exhale.

The figures screamed harder and harder and surrounded her. Hermione could already feel that she was losing consciousness.

Meow.

A fluffy body snuggled against her side, tickled her nose.

She took a breath and began to cough as she choked on the air.

Crookshanks.

She was as grateful as ever, she had no idea what would happen if …

She waited a moment and rose from the floor, exhausted as ever. She looked at the letter again and felt disgusted.

Miss Granger,

I am sorry to decline your meeting with the Minister of Magic. The minister is very busy right now.

Regards,

Deputy Minister of Magic,

Arnold Culkin

She crumpled the sheet of paper and threw it on the floor, and Crookshanks saw it as an invitation to play. He started chasing and tugging at it with his claws.