Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the one and only JKR, except Cleo and now Chastity (Ha! Bet you're wondering who that is, eh?)
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and encouraged me, you know who you all are. And a great big thanks goes to Sunglow999 for beta reading and for kicking around some great storylines with me. I couldn't do it without you. And another thanks goes to my husband, for letting me put our lives on hold while I get this obsession out of the way, and for looking way too sexy in his motorcycle leathers!!!!!
Oh, and a nod in the direction to Hale and Pace (it's a Brit thing), and the legendary Gene Roddenberry.
Chapter 10 - The Dragons Lair
"Draco! What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Me? Why?"
"I'll tell you later. Tell me what you're doing out here at this time of night? You're freezing!" he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, tucking it under her chin. "Why aren't you in the dungeons, anyway? What happened?"
"Oh, Draco!" her lip trembled.
"Come on, tell Uncle Draco all about it."
She snorted with laughter. "Some uncle you'd make!"
"I can be very understanding when I want to be." He looked down his nose at her, but ruined the look by grinning. Hermione sighed, and gave him a very brief synopsis of her break-up with Severus.
"So you're off there to grovel are you?"
"Yes. I want him back."
"He's an idiot if he let that stand in the way of his happiness. Let him stew for a bit longer, it won't kill him." He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her towards the Astronomy tower.
"I need you, Hermione." His voice echoed back in the silence to the man standing in the shadows.
"Oh, Draco!" she sighed dramatically, and they disappeared up the steps.
Severus stood there, stunned. Hermione and Draco? His hands clenched into fists, and then he strode back down to the dungeons where a bottle awaited him.
~~~
"OK, Draco, now tell me why you're here." Hermione curled up in an armchair, unaware that by taking Draco's advice she was condemning the student and faculty body of Hogwarts to two weeks of purgatory.
"Have you heard what I've been doing over the summer?"
"No."
"Too busy shagging the Potions Professor, eh?"
"Draco, you're treading on very thin ice here."
"I always did like living dangerously."
"There's danger and then there's danger, Draco. I could be shagging, as you so delicately put it, him this very minute if you hadn't dragged me up here."
"What a horrible thought, Hermione. Anyway, to get down to business. I have opened a nightclub."
"A nightclub? Where on earth did you get that idea from?"
Draco shrugged. "I have more money than I know what to do with, and I thought it an excellent way to meet women."
"Ah ha! I knew you had an ulterior motive! So why do you need me?"
"I have no experience.."
Hermione snorted. "And I do?"
"You have commonsense, and are probably the most intelligent ex-student, apart from myself."
"Always modest, Draco."
"I try. I thought you'd be able to help with interviews and decorating. I don't want it to look like a brothel."
"Where exactly is this club?"
"Knockturn Alley."
"Draco, you couldn't have picked a seedier location!"
"But the price was right, and the place is huge, almost like a warehouse. Come and see it, get a feel for the place. Tell me what I should do with it. I've got a few ideas, but I need a second opinion."
"Why me?"
"Because you helped Vincent and Gregory, and by the Gods, they needed help! Lavender and Parvati send their love, by the way."
"Are they still together?"
"And blissfully happy. Parvati does the books, and Lavender, well, let's say she's the decoration." He smiled.
"Not too bright, is she?"
"No, but she knows how to set tables and has an eye for colour. Please?" he wheedled and she laughed.
"OK, OK, no need to grovel. When shall I come?"
"How about giving it a quick once-over tomorrow, or later today, and we'll make further plans. I did check with Dumbledore to make sure it was OK." He pulled her out of the chair and they made their way back to Gryffindor tower.
"Thanks, Hermione. I owe you one."
"That's OK, Draco." She shrugged off his cloak and handed it to him. He kissed her cheek and she watched as he headed off to the main entrance.
When he got to the gates, he apparated to his rooms above the nightclub. The nightclub had obviously just closed and it was quiet except for some raised voices. Making his way downstairs, he came upon Crabbe and Goyle arguing.
"I'm not going in there."
"Well nor am I."
"You go in."
"No, you."
"What is going on here?" Draco asked, watching them jump at the sound of his voice.
"We need to see if everyone's left."
"So?"
"It's the witch's room."
"What about it?"
"We're men."
"So?"
"We're not allowed in there."
"You're management, Gregory. Of course you're allowed."
"But what will Lavender say?"
"Is she here?"
"No."
"Well then."
"Don't feel right."
"Oh, get out of the way." Draco pushed open the door to the ladies room and winced. No wonder they hadn't wanted to go in. It was a vibrant pink and hurt his eyes. Why on earth hadn't he redecorated before opening the club? No wonder he had a pretty seedy clientele. Hopefully that would change when Hermione got here.
"OK, there's no one there. Just lock up and go home. Hermione's coming tomorrow, and we'll sort this out then."
"Hermione Granger? She's not bringing Snape, is she?" Gregory had heard the gossip from Lavender.
"No, she's not. I'll see you after lunch. Make sure Parvati and Lavender are here. It'll be like old times."
~~~
Hermione woke the next morning and quickly dressed in warm black trousers, high-necked jumper and boots. Putting on her warmest robes, she pinned her hair up and headed off to breakfast. Ginny met her on the way down the stairs.
"Where were you off to late last night?"
"Well I had planned on going to see Severus."
"But?"
"I got waylaid by Draco."
"Draco! What's he doing here?"
"He needs a favour."
"Oh yes?"
"Yes, I'm meeting him after lunch."
"Should Snape be worried?"
"No, this is business."
"Oh? Should Ron and Harry be worried?"
"Don't be daft, Ginny." She briefly outlined her conversation with Draco.
"Does this mean we get in for free?"
"Not sure. I'll ask him later."
They made their way to the top table, and Hermione automatically looked towards where Severus would normally sit, but his place was empty. She felt a pang of regret over last night, and wondered if she'd done the right thing in taking Draco's advice. The mood at the table was buoyant, there seemed to be a marked improvement in Severus's temperament lately, and it looked like he and Hermione were on their way to reconciliation.
After breakfast, Hermione made her way to the library and checked out a few books.
"Doing some redecorating, Hermione?" Madam Pince winked at her, thinking she would be moving back down to the dungeons any day now.
"Yes. Can I keep these for a few days?"
"Go ahead. It's a long time since these have seen the light of day; you know how some people don't like change." She smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Poppy about this development.
~~~
Hermione settled down in her sitting room with her selection. 'Redecorating - the Magic Way', '101 Ways to Decorate with your Wand', 'Interior decorating - Muggle or Magic?' and '99 Ways to Please your Wizard' - how had that slipped in? She looked through it, eyes widening. Not quite as graphic as Art of Seduction, but nevertheless... that was interesting...my, my, they'd never done it that way before...
Before she got too engrossed, she snapped the book shut and put it in her bedroom for later, night time reading. Going back to the other books, she picked them up again and started reading, trying to look for inspiration; but without having seen the nightclub, she didn't know what she was looking for.
She read until lunchtime and then made her way back to the hall. Draco was waiting outside.
"Hey, Hermione. Do you want to get some lunch here, or I can treat you when we get to London?"
"Shall we grab a sandwich in Diagon Alley? Then we can eat at your club. I'd like to get started fairly soon, seeing as Halloween is in two weeks time."
"Got something special planned?"
"I had hoped to be back with Severus by then. I could have been with him now, but for you."
"Don't worry. I'll get you a good wedding present. Ready?" they had walked to the gates by then, neither of them seeing the dark figure lurking in the trees.
Draco put his arm around Hermione and they apparated away, appearing in his living room.
"Nice place." She looked around.
"This bit's OK. Wait till you see the rest." He opened the door and led her down some steps. It opened out onto a huge mezzanine floor that ran round the inside of the warehouse-sized building. Down below, sat at a table, were Crabbe, Goyle, Lavender and Parvati, playing a game of Exploding Snap.
"Bit old for that, aren't you?" Hermione called. Lavender and Parvati squealed and ran up the stairs to hug her. Draco stood back, watching tolerantly, and let them greet each other, rescuing Hermione when she rolled her eyes at him.
"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour." He took her elbow and showed her around. The building was on three floors. The ground floor being the actual nightclub, with bar area, stage and DJ platform. All the facilities were down there too, with a main entrance and cloakroom, literally.
The mezzanine floor Draco planned to use as a dining area, but at the moment it was where the non-dancers hung out to check what was going on below. The top floor held Draco's apartment and offices, and staff restrooms.
Hermione gazed around, taking in the somewhat shabby interior. It had definite potential.
"Well, what do you think?" Draco asked as they all sat down together downstairs.
"It's certainly got potential, Draco. You'll have to shut down while we get the work done. Any ideas on décor yet?"
"No, I thought maybe you and Lavender could come up with something."
"OK. We'll need extra staff; waitresses, bar staff, I presume you'll be employing House Elves for cooking?"
"Yes."
"And you'll be paying them?"
Draco sighed, remembering S.P.E.W.
"Yes, and one day off a month."
Hermione grinned. "If you can get them to take it."
"Happy?"
"Very. Now, you need to get rid of all that pink. It looks like a brothel in here."
Draco flushed and Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.
"It was."
"A brothel?"
"Yes."
"I see. I did wonder what the red light was for outside."
"My, you have been sheltered, Hermione." Parvati grimed. Hermione grinned back at her and looked down at her notes, ticking items off.
"Right, put out some feelers for staff, Lavender. We'll interview them next week some time. Do we want to go for a traditional feel, or hi-tech?" she looked at Draco.
"Hi-tech?"
"You know, metal or wood?"
"Can we do half and half, to see which one works?"
"Sure. We'll also need security staff."
"That's us." Vincent spoke up.
"You can't be on duty all the time. We'll need extra. Can you ask around?"
"OK."
"I think that's about it for now. I'll get started on changing the colour scheme in the witch's room." She shuddered at the thought of all that pink.
~~~
By the time she got back to Hogwarts, she was exhausted. Draco had ordered a meal from the kitchens for them, and they'd sat in his apartment, discussing the reopening of The Dragons Lair, as the club was now called. She smiled, how appropriate for Draco.
~~~
Next day at breakfast, she was looking forward to seeing Severus again, but when she got there she could see there was something wrong. He looked terrible, scowling and with bloodshot eyes. Sirius and Remus looked up at her as she sat down.
"Where have you been this weekend?" Remus asked.
"With Draco."
"What?"
"I've been with Draco." She helped herself to some eggs and toast.
"What?"
"You're beginning to sound like a broken record, Remus."
"What?"
"Deaf as well? Dear me."
"Hermione!"
"Look, I'll explain later. I must rush, I've got an appointment in the library."
"Before you go, Hermione. Severus is back in bastard mode. Do you think he saw you with Draco?" Sirius said in a low voice.
She looked up and caught Severus glowering at her. She flushed and dropped her eyes.
"It's possible. Shit."
"Is it important, this business with Draco?"
"He's asked me for a favour. I really don't want to let him down."
"Just be careful, Hermione. It looks like Severus is getting to the end of his tether." Sirius rolled his eyes, "I can't believe I just said that!"
"I can't either. Come round tonight with Remus, and I'll tell you what's going on."
Hermione grabbed a last piece of toast and left the table.
~~~
That week was a nightmare for everyone. Students had points deducted just for looking at him it seemed. Gryffindor especially was singled out for harsh treatment. It looked like he had been lulling them into a false sense of security after all.
There were two seats separating Severus from the rest of the staff now, and there was an undignified rush to get as far away from him as possible each mealtime. Hooch had taken to passing her flask along under the table, for which Sirius was eternally grateful. Minerva looked at him, eyeing the flask.
"Is that what I think it is?" she whispered.
"Yes."
"Good. Pass it along here then. Albus has to go and see him after dinner."
~~~
Hermione sat back in her chair next to Draco. Interviews were over. They'd managed to hire waitresses, bar staff; an excellent DJ who was muggle-born, so he knew all the best music of both worlds, the only stumbling block was security.
Gregory and Vincent were very strict and insisted on testing the applicants. Out of twenty, only four were suitable according to them.
"Do you have to be so rough with them?" Draco asked Gregory.
"Need to find out if they can defend themselves." He grunted. He looked up as the door opened. A small figure came further into the room.
"I hear you're hiring."
"Sorry, waitress positions are filled." Draco didn't bother looking up.
"I'm not a waitress. I'm for the security position."
Hermione sized up the speaker.
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely."
Gregory started laughing. "Hey, Vincent. Get out here. We have another applicant for security."
Vincent appeared, followed by Lavender and Parvati.
"Where?" he looked around.
"There." Gregory pointed.
"You're kidding."
"No."
"Escort her out, please. We don't have time for jokes." Draco looked bored. Crabbe and Goyle stood either side of the newcomer and took her arms. It only took a few seconds, and then they were both flat on their backs.
"You're hired." Hermione said, standing up and holding out her hand. "Hermione Granger."
"Chastity Duval."
"Nice to meet you, Chastity. I'll show you around."
"Now wait a minute.." Draco stood up.
"Draco, she just took out your two best men. Of course she's hired." Hermione took her arm and showed her around, explaining the layout of the place. They went up the stairs to the mezzanine floor, chatting.
"We're redecorating at the moment. Draco can't decide which way to go."
"Draco being Pretty Boy?"
"Yes. He's the boss, but don't call him Pretty Boy."
"Is he yours?"
"God, No. I went to school with him for seven years. I'm involved with someone else." She smiled wistfully at the thought of Severus. "So where did you go to school? Beaubaxtons? Durmstrang? You weren't at Hogwarts."
"No, Dad didn't believe in private education. I was home schooled."
"Interesting." They reached the mezzanine and looked out together. Hermione felt she could like this new girl. Draco followed them up the stairs, wondering about his newest employee.
"So what do you think?" Hermione asked her. There was a faint frown on the other girls' face.
"It reminds me of something.." her face cleared. "Quarks!"
"Deep Space Nine!" Hermione and Chastity said together and laughed.
"Pardon?" Draco spoke up.
"It's a muggle thing, Draco." Hermione said.
"Are you muggle-born, Chastity?" Draco asked, leaning against the railing.
"Do you discriminate?" she asked, eyes narrowed. Draco shrugged.
"Just curious."
"Behave, Draco." Hermione punched his arm, "Don't forget I'm muggle-born."
"But you're different, Hermione." He flirted with her. Chastity narrowed her eyes again.
He was handsome, definitely, with his short, spiky blonde hair and silver eyes. Arrogant, from the look of him, too. He also had the tightest backside she'd ever seen. She'd have to keep a close eye on this one. She didn't notice Draco looking at her as she was drawn into conversation with Hermione again.
She was quite lovely, he thought. Long, curly black hair and startlingly blue eyes, tiny figure but well proportioned, standing about five foot two. How the hell she'd managed to overpower Crabbe and Goyle without the aid of magic he'd never know. She'd just swept their feet out from underneath them. Now all he had to do was find out if she was pureblood.
"What sort of a name is Chastity?" he interrupted them.
"My name."
"Where are you from?"
"I'm Welsh."
"That explains your colouring. Schooling? You weren't at Hogwarts."
"Home schooled. My father preferred it that way."
"I see."
"What is this, twenty questions?"
"Go away, Draco. I still have things to discuss with Chastity." Hermione nudged him.
"Who's the boss here?"
"You are, but this is girl talk."
Draco moved away back down the stairs, grumbling about bossy know-it-alls.
"Is he always like that?" Chastity leaned over the railing and stared down to where Draco was standing in front of Gregory and Vincent. She grinned and nudged Hermione.
"They look familiar, don't they?"
"Are you muggle-born?"
"No, pureblood, but Dad didn't believe in discrimination. Some of my best friends are muggle-born. Well, who do they remind you of?"
Hermione looked down at Gregory and Vincent, standing there in black robes, arms folded. She grinned.
"The Management!"
"Don't you just love those muggle TV programmes?"
Hermione looked at Chastity. She felt the immediate spark of interest between Draco and Chastity, and looked forward to see what developed. It was going to be an interesting time for them all.
TBC
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and encouraged me, you know who you all are. And a great big thanks goes to Sunglow999 for beta reading and for kicking around some great storylines with me. I couldn't do it without you. And another thanks goes to my husband, for letting me put our lives on hold while I get this obsession out of the way, and for looking way too sexy in his motorcycle leathers!!!!!
Oh, and a nod in the direction to Hale and Pace (it's a Brit thing), and the legendary Gene Roddenberry.
Chapter 10 - The Dragons Lair
"Draco! What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Me? Why?"
"I'll tell you later. Tell me what you're doing out here at this time of night? You're freezing!" he took off his cloak and wrapped it around her, tucking it under her chin. "Why aren't you in the dungeons, anyway? What happened?"
"Oh, Draco!" her lip trembled.
"Come on, tell Uncle Draco all about it."
She snorted with laughter. "Some uncle you'd make!"
"I can be very understanding when I want to be." He looked down his nose at her, but ruined the look by grinning. Hermione sighed, and gave him a very brief synopsis of her break-up with Severus.
"So you're off there to grovel are you?"
"Yes. I want him back."
"He's an idiot if he let that stand in the way of his happiness. Let him stew for a bit longer, it won't kill him." He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her towards the Astronomy tower.
"I need you, Hermione." His voice echoed back in the silence to the man standing in the shadows.
"Oh, Draco!" she sighed dramatically, and they disappeared up the steps.
Severus stood there, stunned. Hermione and Draco? His hands clenched into fists, and then he strode back down to the dungeons where a bottle awaited him.
~~~
"OK, Draco, now tell me why you're here." Hermione curled up in an armchair, unaware that by taking Draco's advice she was condemning the student and faculty body of Hogwarts to two weeks of purgatory.
"Have you heard what I've been doing over the summer?"
"No."
"Too busy shagging the Potions Professor, eh?"
"Draco, you're treading on very thin ice here."
"I always did like living dangerously."
"There's danger and then there's danger, Draco. I could be shagging, as you so delicately put it, him this very minute if you hadn't dragged me up here."
"What a horrible thought, Hermione. Anyway, to get down to business. I have opened a nightclub."
"A nightclub? Where on earth did you get that idea from?"
Draco shrugged. "I have more money than I know what to do with, and I thought it an excellent way to meet women."
"Ah ha! I knew you had an ulterior motive! So why do you need me?"
"I have no experience.."
Hermione snorted. "And I do?"
"You have commonsense, and are probably the most intelligent ex-student, apart from myself."
"Always modest, Draco."
"I try. I thought you'd be able to help with interviews and decorating. I don't want it to look like a brothel."
"Where exactly is this club?"
"Knockturn Alley."
"Draco, you couldn't have picked a seedier location!"
"But the price was right, and the place is huge, almost like a warehouse. Come and see it, get a feel for the place. Tell me what I should do with it. I've got a few ideas, but I need a second opinion."
"Why me?"
"Because you helped Vincent and Gregory, and by the Gods, they needed help! Lavender and Parvati send their love, by the way."
"Are they still together?"
"And blissfully happy. Parvati does the books, and Lavender, well, let's say she's the decoration." He smiled.
"Not too bright, is she?"
"No, but she knows how to set tables and has an eye for colour. Please?" he wheedled and she laughed.
"OK, OK, no need to grovel. When shall I come?"
"How about giving it a quick once-over tomorrow, or later today, and we'll make further plans. I did check with Dumbledore to make sure it was OK." He pulled her out of the chair and they made their way back to Gryffindor tower.
"Thanks, Hermione. I owe you one."
"That's OK, Draco." She shrugged off his cloak and handed it to him. He kissed her cheek and she watched as he headed off to the main entrance.
When he got to the gates, he apparated to his rooms above the nightclub. The nightclub had obviously just closed and it was quiet except for some raised voices. Making his way downstairs, he came upon Crabbe and Goyle arguing.
"I'm not going in there."
"Well nor am I."
"You go in."
"No, you."
"What is going on here?" Draco asked, watching them jump at the sound of his voice.
"We need to see if everyone's left."
"So?"
"It's the witch's room."
"What about it?"
"We're men."
"So?"
"We're not allowed in there."
"You're management, Gregory. Of course you're allowed."
"But what will Lavender say?"
"Is she here?"
"No."
"Well then."
"Don't feel right."
"Oh, get out of the way." Draco pushed open the door to the ladies room and winced. No wonder they hadn't wanted to go in. It was a vibrant pink and hurt his eyes. Why on earth hadn't he redecorated before opening the club? No wonder he had a pretty seedy clientele. Hopefully that would change when Hermione got here.
"OK, there's no one there. Just lock up and go home. Hermione's coming tomorrow, and we'll sort this out then."
"Hermione Granger? She's not bringing Snape, is she?" Gregory had heard the gossip from Lavender.
"No, she's not. I'll see you after lunch. Make sure Parvati and Lavender are here. It'll be like old times."
~~~
Hermione woke the next morning and quickly dressed in warm black trousers, high-necked jumper and boots. Putting on her warmest robes, she pinned her hair up and headed off to breakfast. Ginny met her on the way down the stairs.
"Where were you off to late last night?"
"Well I had planned on going to see Severus."
"But?"
"I got waylaid by Draco."
"Draco! What's he doing here?"
"He needs a favour."
"Oh yes?"
"Yes, I'm meeting him after lunch."
"Should Snape be worried?"
"No, this is business."
"Oh? Should Ron and Harry be worried?"
"Don't be daft, Ginny." She briefly outlined her conversation with Draco.
"Does this mean we get in for free?"
"Not sure. I'll ask him later."
They made their way to the top table, and Hermione automatically looked towards where Severus would normally sit, but his place was empty. She felt a pang of regret over last night, and wondered if she'd done the right thing in taking Draco's advice. The mood at the table was buoyant, there seemed to be a marked improvement in Severus's temperament lately, and it looked like he and Hermione were on their way to reconciliation.
After breakfast, Hermione made her way to the library and checked out a few books.
"Doing some redecorating, Hermione?" Madam Pince winked at her, thinking she would be moving back down to the dungeons any day now.
"Yes. Can I keep these for a few days?"
"Go ahead. It's a long time since these have seen the light of day; you know how some people don't like change." She smiled. She couldn't wait to tell Poppy about this development.
~~~
Hermione settled down in her sitting room with her selection. 'Redecorating - the Magic Way', '101 Ways to Decorate with your Wand', 'Interior decorating - Muggle or Magic?' and '99 Ways to Please your Wizard' - how had that slipped in? She looked through it, eyes widening. Not quite as graphic as Art of Seduction, but nevertheless... that was interesting...my, my, they'd never done it that way before...
Before she got too engrossed, she snapped the book shut and put it in her bedroom for later, night time reading. Going back to the other books, she picked them up again and started reading, trying to look for inspiration; but without having seen the nightclub, she didn't know what she was looking for.
She read until lunchtime and then made her way back to the hall. Draco was waiting outside.
"Hey, Hermione. Do you want to get some lunch here, or I can treat you when we get to London?"
"Shall we grab a sandwich in Diagon Alley? Then we can eat at your club. I'd like to get started fairly soon, seeing as Halloween is in two weeks time."
"Got something special planned?"
"I had hoped to be back with Severus by then. I could have been with him now, but for you."
"Don't worry. I'll get you a good wedding present. Ready?" they had walked to the gates by then, neither of them seeing the dark figure lurking in the trees.
Draco put his arm around Hermione and they apparated away, appearing in his living room.
"Nice place." She looked around.
"This bit's OK. Wait till you see the rest." He opened the door and led her down some steps. It opened out onto a huge mezzanine floor that ran round the inside of the warehouse-sized building. Down below, sat at a table, were Crabbe, Goyle, Lavender and Parvati, playing a game of Exploding Snap.
"Bit old for that, aren't you?" Hermione called. Lavender and Parvati squealed and ran up the stairs to hug her. Draco stood back, watching tolerantly, and let them greet each other, rescuing Hermione when she rolled her eyes at him.
"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour." He took her elbow and showed her around. The building was on three floors. The ground floor being the actual nightclub, with bar area, stage and DJ platform. All the facilities were down there too, with a main entrance and cloakroom, literally.
The mezzanine floor Draco planned to use as a dining area, but at the moment it was where the non-dancers hung out to check what was going on below. The top floor held Draco's apartment and offices, and staff restrooms.
Hermione gazed around, taking in the somewhat shabby interior. It had definite potential.
"Well, what do you think?" Draco asked as they all sat down together downstairs.
"It's certainly got potential, Draco. You'll have to shut down while we get the work done. Any ideas on décor yet?"
"No, I thought maybe you and Lavender could come up with something."
"OK. We'll need extra staff; waitresses, bar staff, I presume you'll be employing House Elves for cooking?"
"Yes."
"And you'll be paying them?"
Draco sighed, remembering S.P.E.W.
"Yes, and one day off a month."
Hermione grinned. "If you can get them to take it."
"Happy?"
"Very. Now, you need to get rid of all that pink. It looks like a brothel in here."
Draco flushed and Hermione raised an eyebrow at him.
"It was."
"A brothel?"
"Yes."
"I see. I did wonder what the red light was for outside."
"My, you have been sheltered, Hermione." Parvati grimed. Hermione grinned back at her and looked down at her notes, ticking items off.
"Right, put out some feelers for staff, Lavender. We'll interview them next week some time. Do we want to go for a traditional feel, or hi-tech?" she looked at Draco.
"Hi-tech?"
"You know, metal or wood?"
"Can we do half and half, to see which one works?"
"Sure. We'll also need security staff."
"That's us." Vincent spoke up.
"You can't be on duty all the time. We'll need extra. Can you ask around?"
"OK."
"I think that's about it for now. I'll get started on changing the colour scheme in the witch's room." She shuddered at the thought of all that pink.
~~~
By the time she got back to Hogwarts, she was exhausted. Draco had ordered a meal from the kitchens for them, and they'd sat in his apartment, discussing the reopening of The Dragons Lair, as the club was now called. She smiled, how appropriate for Draco.
~~~
Next day at breakfast, she was looking forward to seeing Severus again, but when she got there she could see there was something wrong. He looked terrible, scowling and with bloodshot eyes. Sirius and Remus looked up at her as she sat down.
"Where have you been this weekend?" Remus asked.
"With Draco."
"What?"
"I've been with Draco." She helped herself to some eggs and toast.
"What?"
"You're beginning to sound like a broken record, Remus."
"What?"
"Deaf as well? Dear me."
"Hermione!"
"Look, I'll explain later. I must rush, I've got an appointment in the library."
"Before you go, Hermione. Severus is back in bastard mode. Do you think he saw you with Draco?" Sirius said in a low voice.
She looked up and caught Severus glowering at her. She flushed and dropped her eyes.
"It's possible. Shit."
"Is it important, this business with Draco?"
"He's asked me for a favour. I really don't want to let him down."
"Just be careful, Hermione. It looks like Severus is getting to the end of his tether." Sirius rolled his eyes, "I can't believe I just said that!"
"I can't either. Come round tonight with Remus, and I'll tell you what's going on."
Hermione grabbed a last piece of toast and left the table.
~~~
That week was a nightmare for everyone. Students had points deducted just for looking at him it seemed. Gryffindor especially was singled out for harsh treatment. It looked like he had been lulling them into a false sense of security after all.
There were two seats separating Severus from the rest of the staff now, and there was an undignified rush to get as far away from him as possible each mealtime. Hooch had taken to passing her flask along under the table, for which Sirius was eternally grateful. Minerva looked at him, eyeing the flask.
"Is that what I think it is?" she whispered.
"Yes."
"Good. Pass it along here then. Albus has to go and see him after dinner."
~~~
Hermione sat back in her chair next to Draco. Interviews were over. They'd managed to hire waitresses, bar staff; an excellent DJ who was muggle-born, so he knew all the best music of both worlds, the only stumbling block was security.
Gregory and Vincent were very strict and insisted on testing the applicants. Out of twenty, only four were suitable according to them.
"Do you have to be so rough with them?" Draco asked Gregory.
"Need to find out if they can defend themselves." He grunted. He looked up as the door opened. A small figure came further into the room.
"I hear you're hiring."
"Sorry, waitress positions are filled." Draco didn't bother looking up.
"I'm not a waitress. I'm for the security position."
Hermione sized up the speaker.
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely."
Gregory started laughing. "Hey, Vincent. Get out here. We have another applicant for security."
Vincent appeared, followed by Lavender and Parvati.
"Where?" he looked around.
"There." Gregory pointed.
"You're kidding."
"No."
"Escort her out, please. We don't have time for jokes." Draco looked bored. Crabbe and Goyle stood either side of the newcomer and took her arms. It only took a few seconds, and then they were both flat on their backs.
"You're hired." Hermione said, standing up and holding out her hand. "Hermione Granger."
"Chastity Duval."
"Nice to meet you, Chastity. I'll show you around."
"Now wait a minute.." Draco stood up.
"Draco, she just took out your two best men. Of course she's hired." Hermione took her arm and showed her around, explaining the layout of the place. They went up the stairs to the mezzanine floor, chatting.
"We're redecorating at the moment. Draco can't decide which way to go."
"Draco being Pretty Boy?"
"Yes. He's the boss, but don't call him Pretty Boy."
"Is he yours?"
"God, No. I went to school with him for seven years. I'm involved with someone else." She smiled wistfully at the thought of Severus. "So where did you go to school? Beaubaxtons? Durmstrang? You weren't at Hogwarts."
"No, Dad didn't believe in private education. I was home schooled."
"Interesting." They reached the mezzanine and looked out together. Hermione felt she could like this new girl. Draco followed them up the stairs, wondering about his newest employee.
"So what do you think?" Hermione asked her. There was a faint frown on the other girls' face.
"It reminds me of something.." her face cleared. "Quarks!"
"Deep Space Nine!" Hermione and Chastity said together and laughed.
"Pardon?" Draco spoke up.
"It's a muggle thing, Draco." Hermione said.
"Are you muggle-born, Chastity?" Draco asked, leaning against the railing.
"Do you discriminate?" she asked, eyes narrowed. Draco shrugged.
"Just curious."
"Behave, Draco." Hermione punched his arm, "Don't forget I'm muggle-born."
"But you're different, Hermione." He flirted with her. Chastity narrowed her eyes again.
He was handsome, definitely, with his short, spiky blonde hair and silver eyes. Arrogant, from the look of him, too. He also had the tightest backside she'd ever seen. She'd have to keep a close eye on this one. She didn't notice Draco looking at her as she was drawn into conversation with Hermione again.
She was quite lovely, he thought. Long, curly black hair and startlingly blue eyes, tiny figure but well proportioned, standing about five foot two. How the hell she'd managed to overpower Crabbe and Goyle without the aid of magic he'd never know. She'd just swept their feet out from underneath them. Now all he had to do was find out if she was pureblood.
"What sort of a name is Chastity?" he interrupted them.
"My name."
"Where are you from?"
"I'm Welsh."
"That explains your colouring. Schooling? You weren't at Hogwarts."
"Home schooled. My father preferred it that way."
"I see."
"What is this, twenty questions?"
"Go away, Draco. I still have things to discuss with Chastity." Hermione nudged him.
"Who's the boss here?"
"You are, but this is girl talk."
Draco moved away back down the stairs, grumbling about bossy know-it-alls.
"Is he always like that?" Chastity leaned over the railing and stared down to where Draco was standing in front of Gregory and Vincent. She grinned and nudged Hermione.
"They look familiar, don't they?"
"Are you muggle-born?"
"No, pureblood, but Dad didn't believe in discrimination. Some of my best friends are muggle-born. Well, who do they remind you of?"
Hermione looked down at Gregory and Vincent, standing there in black robes, arms folded. She grinned.
"The Management!"
"Don't you just love those muggle TV programmes?"
Hermione looked at Chastity. She felt the immediate spark of interest between Draco and Chastity, and looked forward to see what developed. It was going to be an interesting time for them all.
TBC