Allo, this is cordyangel once again! Thank you to all my reviewers! So, this is the 8th installment of the Hooker and the Beast and it is 4 pages long! Do you know how hard that was for me? I've always been a fan of short staccato chapters, but I'm trying to change. Anyway, read, review and enjoy!
Chapter 9: The Way You Look Tonight
"Should I try a bribe? Make with the nice nice?"
"Don't be stupid, I'm that guy and the most beautiful woman I've ever seen is talking to me? It's gotta be a bribe."
"What did you just say?"
"I'm sorry, you're not stupid."
Cordelia and Angel Angel
Draco tapped his foot impatiently. What's taking her so long? He wondered. He had given her clothes an hour ago. He glanced at his watch again. 6:45. Come on Hermione! They only had fifteen minutes to get down to dinner. He rapped on the door. "Let's move it Hermione!"
"I'm not going," she cried in a petulant tone.
"I don't have time for your brattines. I want you out here right now" Draco used his deadliest voice.
Hermione sighed in satisfaction. At last she had gotten a rise out of him. She continued to egg it on. "You are not my boss Malfoy!"
He couldn't believe she was being this childish. "If you aren't out of there in 5 minutes I'll…" he racked his brain for a suitable threat. "I'll burn every book and piece of clothing you brought here." He finished smugly.
Hermione was silent for a moment. "You wouldn't."
Of course he wouldn't. He was a little cynical, dismissive and at times mean, but he wasn't cruel. But she didn't know that. "You wanna bet?"
The door slowly opened and Hermione stepped out. For a moment, Draco could not speak. She looked as radiant as ever in a light blue gown that ended at her feet. Her hair was loose, by Draco's insistence and she wore matching sandals on her feet. Finally, he gave a slight nod and began to push her out the door.
Hermione let out an exasperated sigh. What had she expected? Compliments? She didn't need him to boost her self-confidence. Right? She allowed herself to be pushed down the stairs through an empty corridor and through a door, identical to every door in the Headquarters. She braced herself for what promised to be a night she'd never forget, no matter how much she'd want to.
Lucius had arrived before most of the guests and had been scrutinizing everyone who walked through the door, but still no Kylie or Draco. Not like he cared he reminded himself. Where were they? People would be sitting down to eat in a matter of minutes. As if on cue, Draco pushed Kylie through the door. Unlike the handful of women decked out in silver or green, Kylie had chosen a soft blue dress that complimented her eyes. Her wavy hair cascaded down her back and the dress showcased her assets without making her look cheap.
Voldemort, who had been standing next to Lucius the whole time whispered into his ear; "She looks so good, I'll probably forgive her for not wearing my signature colors." Both men went up to welcome the beautiful couple. As the Dark Lord greeted Kylie, Lucius tore his eyes from his son's date to his son. "Cutting it a bit close. I thought you would be late."
Draco gave an easy smile. "Nah," he began. "I thought so too for a minute but we made it." Draco was unable to continue because Voldemort announced the start of the banquet.
As Hermione settled into her seat, which as luck would have it, was across from Voldemort and diagonal from Lucius. She didn't recognize very many people. She spotted Peter and Crabbe and Goyle's parents. Among the ladies she also spied Bellatrix Lestrange, though Hermione did note that Lucius' wife Narcissa. Probably for the best she thought. I don't need anyone else watching my every move.
The salads were summoned to the table with a slight gesture from Voldemort and the room was engulfed in munching and talking. But similar to the weeks before, Hermione had no appetite. She sipped at her wine nonenthusiastically. Well this is awkward she sighed inwardly. The salad course was completed with little contribution to the dying conversation.
When the main course arrived Hermione noticed she wasn't the only person who wasn't hungry. It was no wonder Draco was so skinny; he was dedicated to his wine. And Lucius barely touched his food. Only Voldemort seemed to have a hearty appetite.
"… So anyway, Taylor was ready to add unicorn hair to pixie dust before I stopped him. He was about to blow up the house!" The end of a conversation floated Hermione's way.
"Unicorn hair and pixie dust don't create an explosion." She blurted out. The noise at the their table abruptly stopped.
"What do you mean?" The guy chuckled.
Hermione cleared her throat; there was no backing out now. "Those two elements, alone or combined with anything else cannot produce an explosion. They're both to passive in nature."
The man was not pleased with being corrected by someone whom he and everyone else believed to be a hooker. "Really, I'd like to know how someone with your particular occupation, and a squib no less would know about magic."
"I've picked up a few things here and there. Enough to outwit you apparently."
The man flushed a scarlet red. "While you may be an expert on magic between the sheets, you should leave matters as this to someone who does more than bend down!"
Hermione was mildly shocked that this man would dare treat her as something less than human.
Draco, who had been watching this exchange with ever growing interest, was about to break in but his father beat him to it.
"Antonin, while I understand it must be hard to be corrected by someone half your age, I would like you to watch your tongue on behalf of our Dark Lord. All of our guests should feel welcome here." While Lucius' words were civil enough his tone implied that what he was saying was not so much of a request as a warning.
As the table gradually resumed to its former volume Hermione sank back into her chair. She supposed she should feel victorious but instead she felt confused. Why would Lucius of all people defend her? Did she really want to know?
The evening slowly dragged on. After dinner had been eaten, shmoozing began. So many names were running through her head. Cunningham, MacNair, Jugson, Nott and the list went on. Towards the end of the night, Hermione actually found herself talking with Voldemort and Malfoy Sr. That's when she knew that she was desperate for intelligent conversation. Draco and her finally excused themselves around 12. By the time they had reached their rooms, all Hermione wanted to do was sleep. But she soon came to realize that that was too much to ask for.
"That was quite a display you put on out there. If you're not careful people'll start to think you're smart."
Hermione stifled a yawn. "Draco, Voldemort and your father already know I'm smart. And the rest of the people, well no matter what they'll always think I'm just a dumb whore."
"Still you should be more careful. And stay away from Antonin."
"Who?"
"The man you publicly humiliated" he reminded her.
"Oh, him. I don't think he's that mad. God, all I did was-"
"Castrate him in front of his peers" he blurted.
Hermione suppressed a giggle.
"What?"
"It's just, I thought that castration was a muggle practice."
"All I'm trying to do is help you!" He shouted.
Hermione couldn't believe her luck. Two fights in one day.
"Yeah like you did when he insulted me?"
"Oh please, my father came to your rescue, was that not enough?"
"You imbecile! Are you so stupid as to believe I'd have Lucius Malfoy defending my honor, or lack of thereof?"
"Whatever" Draco muttered. "Can we fight about this tomorrow? I'm going to bed."
"Like hell you are!" Hermione growled snatching the pillow that propped up Draco's head along with a thin blanket. "Over my dead body are you sleeping in here."
"That can be arranged!" He assured her.
Hermione ignored his last comment and proceeded to toss his bed things onto the sitting room sofa and stalk into the bedroom slamming the door behind her.
Draco flirted with the idea of breaking his way back into his room but quickly dismissed the thought. Hermione would probably hex him into next week before he got very far.
Hey, was this better? I hope so.