Chapter 5

Last Dance at the OK Corral


Authors note: We all know that Fred & George have the habit of finishing each others sentences – for ease of use I will forward their dialogue with either F or G so you know which clown is juggling, so to speak.

Please also note that Hermione is not an alcoholic, she just likes a drink or two, it's the social thing to do. Brits love their pubs as they will aptly tell you.

I'd also like to thank everyone for the brilliant reviews. You've given me inspiration to keep writing.


Walking into the Howdy Pardner bar no one noticed me. All eyes were on the band who were predictably playing the theme from Rawhide. Luckily this was not a scene from the Blues Brothers movie, so no one deemed it necessary to throw beer bottles at the muso's.

"Gred, Forge" I used the pet names that Ginny had been so fond of calling her brothers as I slipped into the chair that was conveniently vacant between the brothers slipping an arm over each of their shoulders as I did.

F "Her"

G "Meen"

F "eeeee" they countered in flawless precision enveloping me in a two-sided hug that made breathing somewhat difficult.

F "We just knew"

G "it had to be you"

F "yeah based on what"

G "Nadia told us."

They both laughed in unison.

F "Pathetic wasn't she"

G "so we just had to sack her"

F "'bout time too".

I felt bad for the girl, everyone is pretty pathetic at 16, but I was secretly glad. "Couldn't you give her a second chance"

F "No"

G "she was stealing from the till"

F "you helped us"

G "really did"

"Mmm, ok, glad I could help. How bout a drink then" I waved to the waitress and ordered a round of beers, American beers good for growing hairs on the chest.

F "Besides Mum told us"

G "A lost friend was around"

F "And we though of you"

G "Of course".

The band played on. A few people drifted to and from the table making small talk, welcoming me back to the real world, backslapping and kissing the brothers. We moved into the restaurant section for a short while where we all ate a hearty meal of char-grilled steaks with salad and a side of jalapeno chilies with guacamole. Culinary heaven by my reckoning, a far cry from freeze-dried Irish stew, and not to mention Tom's pea soup. When the meal was over a tallish well built man approached our table.

G "Gerry, how's it doing"

F "Looking good Pardner"

Hand shaking ensued then I saw Gerry looked at me expectantly. He smiled and extended his hand.

"And who might you be little lady" oh that accent… be still my beating heart.

All I managed was a stupid smile, I think I might have fluttered my eyes at him too. How pathetic.

F "This, my friend"

G "Is Miss Mina"

Gerry was kissing my hand "Miss Mina" he whispered as he raised his eyes to mine. I felt a strange constriction in my chest.

We rose and walked back into the main bar area before Gerry seated us all at a table off to the left of the dance floor.

F "Gerry is the owner"

G "of this fine establishment" the brothers flourished their hands to either side in emphasis.


Gerry smiled at me again "Would you care to dance Miss Mina" he asked in that smooth voice.

How could I refuse such an offer? He took my hand and we were soon slow dancing to some cowboy love song that I didn't know. I pretty much didn't know anything at this point except his eyes were hazel, his hair was a murky blonde and his hands felt good on my body. He wasn't as tall as I'd originally thought, I was 5' 7" and he was probably just 2 inches taller than me at most.

"My name's really Hermione" I told him "I've know Fred and George since school".

"So you're a witch are you" he said into my hair as we danced slowly "that's good. I haven't seen you around before"

"I'm on holidays so I'm visiting some old friends and haunts for a short while"

We chatted about nothing in particular as one song drifted into another. I told Gerry that I was in the military and was in town for 6 weeks. He told me that his brother Jake, back home in the States was in the army too, he was non-magical so found it easy to fit into the regime of army life. He was surprised that I managed to do so without "outing" myself.

Surprisingly he was easy to talk to and more than easy to hold. At one point we were hardly moving and he was fondling my dog tags as I smiled at him wistfully. It had been a long time since I felt this at ease.

We stopped when a man tapped Gerry on the shoulder and he regretfully went to deal with some business. Fred took his place and we danced a quick jig to some song that had something to do with the Devil and Georgia. The Devil lost the bet.

F "Fancy our Gerry do you Mina, never seen him dance more than one dance with a lady before"

The song finished and we sat down to more beer. Gerry took to the stage and announced a talent show. Did any of the audience fancy coming up on stage? The prize was dinner and drinks for the winner and a 50 pound gift certificate to Flourish & Blotts.

George nudged me. "Do you still play the guitar" he asked.

I tried to act shy and mumbled that I didn't have mine with me hoping that I would be spared.

Quite a few people took to the stage playing a variety of numbers, some good some not so. A man who looked somewhat like Argus Filch played a jaw harp to the delight of the sodden audience.

Bugger it, I thought after continual nudging from the guys, I might as well go on up and play a piece. It might have been the full strength beer talking, or maybe I just wanted to impress Gerry, but I found myself asking one of the band if I could borrow his guitar. Although I sincerely hated Karaoke I quite liked to sing along to my own guitar playing. An anomaly in my character, but we all have our little peccadilloes.

I sat quietly with the acoustic guitar in a corner and got acquainted with the feel of the instrument. After a few scales and some quiet warbling I felt ready and told the MC that he could put me in the line up. I went back to our table and waited through a couple who sang quite well and I suspected would win with their 60's ballad about nuclear power and dead fish.

George asked me if I could accompany him and Fred if they sang a Stones song later, as I could also play riff's on the electric guitar I accepted the challenge – if they could get me a guitar to play on of course.


My turn came around sooner than I'd suspected it would. Fueled with a head full of Budweiser I took to the stage and started on my song. Being able to sing and play the guitar had come in handy on duty, as everyone needed a release of tension, the gift of music always broke through the barriers of culture and language in any country. Even if it was just a rousing chorus of "Click goes the Shears" with the Aussie Diggers it seemed to bring joy into our sometimes dreary lives.

"I confess to being a fan of Jack Black & his brother Kyle" I started "So this song is a Tribute".

This is the greatest and best song in the world

Tribute

Long time ago me and my brother Kyle here

We was hitchhiking down a long a lonesome road

All of the sudden

There shined a shiny demon

In the middle of the road

And he said

Play the best song in the world or I'll eat your souls

Well me and Kyle we looked at each other

And we each said

OK

By the time I'd sang the first half of the stanza Gerry had joined me on the stage with an electric guitar and he was playing beside me, finally he sang the "OK" with me. Smiling at him I moved aside to allow him to join in the fun, I'd found my Kyle to play with. He was pretty good too and kept time with me without getting in my face or stepping on my toes.

And we played the first thing that came to our heads

Just so happened to be

The best song in the world

It was the best song in the world

Look into my eyes and it's easy to see

1 and 1 make 2 2 and 1 make 3

It was destiny

Once every hundred thousand years or so

When the sun doth shine and the moon doth glow

And the grass doth grow

The rest of the song flowed so easily that it became a real joy to be on stage again. Gerry made a great partner and when we finished the song he kissed my cheek, barely missing my lips, as the applause surrounded us. I was a bit stunned, but quite delighted. The kiss was nice and although it didn't leave me gagging for more I did wonder what he'd be like between the sheets. It'd been a long time since I'd had a tumble. Although I didn't know him that well, I'd slept with guys on less friendlier terms. Who knew in my line of work when the grand clock would chime for the last time and my number would finally be up. Love needed to be taken when it was offered, sometimes there wasn't a second offer and it was wise not to say no and live with regrets. It was only one kiss, but maybe if I played my cards, or guitar, right there might be a few more.


I was leaving the stage when I found my acoustic guitar swapped for an electric and myself turned around bodily and back on stage. Fred whispered in my ear "Honky Tonk Woman" and the stage was set for some good old rocking action.

Fred took the mike and sang

I met a gin soaked bar-room queen in Memphis

She tried to take me upstairs for a ride

She had to heave me right across her shoulder

'cos I just can't seem to drink you off my mind.

George joined him for the chorus as he also played an acoustic guitar

You're a honky tonk woman

Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues

You're a honky tonk woman

Gimme, gimme, gimme the honky tonk blues.

It was a fun song to play as I loved the Stones, they were popular in the Forces and nearly everyone knew at least one of their songs and could sing along. I especially liked Paint it Black and Sympathy for the Devil and encouraged the guys to sing these two as well. I joined in the singing and really found I was enjoying myself. George sang Sympathy really well and I could imagine him as Old Nick "Call me Lucifer".

The audience seemed appreciative and I knew we had won them over. We played Jumping Jack Flash as our encore before leaving the stage after the obligatory bows. I was feeling wired and ready for another beer. I gave Gerry his guitar and we took our table again and nearby patrons bought us a round to quench our thirsts.


That had been a lot of beer, I excused myself and went in search of the ladies room. After the sheer delight of relieving myself I was coming back along the darkened corridor and ran into the last person I wanted to see - Lucius Malfoy.

We stared at each other without saying anything for a good few minutes before he finally spoke in that memorable Malfoy voice "You're still alive I see. I'd heard that you died in the Balkans."

Where did people hear such bullshit and who was making up these stupid stories about me "No Mister Malfoy, I'm very much alive. I'd heard you were in Azkaban".

"Yes Miss Granger I was, no thanks to your meddling friends and their filthy Ministry allies either" Ok, he was the same old Malfoy. "You should watch your back Missy" were his parting words before he shouldered his way past me pushing me roughly into the wall.

No drawn wand, no death threats and a warning to take care. I'd have to discuss this behaviour with Severus when I saw him on Saturday. What was wrong with Lucius Malfoy, had the years really mellowed him or was he disillusioned with his psychotic Master. I'd remembered the days when meeting him in a dark place was an invitation to a killing. I was confused, to say the least, by his behaviour.


I was still looking in the direction Malfoy had gone when I felt a hand on my shoulder, turning I saw it was Gerry.

"You ok hon" he said as he looked deeply into my eyes. I smiled up at him and nodded, it seemed that was all the invitation he needed. His hands moved to my waist and he smiled before slowly lowering his mouth to mine.

He tasted like bourbon, cigars and perspiration, a potent combination. My hands drifted up his chest and came to rest on his shoulders before finally winding their way into his hair. I moved into his kiss and responded warmly, opening up to his questing tongue and enjoying the feeling of it caressing my own. With me backed against the wall he gently increased the pressure of the kiss and pushed his body against me. Heaven on a stick, this was so good I was melting into the darkness and loving his every movement against my more than willing body. His hand drifted up to my breast and carefully touched me through my T-shirt and bra, very nice.

The kiss deepened substantially without becoming rough. Gerry was really good at this and I suspected he'd had a lot of practice. I felt his hips moving against mine and I rocked forward from the wall to rub myself against his growing bulge, he moaned deeply and moved his mouth to my neck. His other hand came up and both were now engaged in fondling my beasts. It appeared that Gerry was a breast man, but as it was one of my favourite small pleasures I was really not going to complain.

I leant my head back, curving my back to offer better access to my neck. Gerry had managed to pull my T-shirt out of my jeans and his hands were now creeping under my bra. I was wearing the one I'd just bought today so was not in fear of scaring him off with my usual sports contraption that was aimed at reducing jiggle and minimising the bust. This new bra did the exact opposite, it offered all assets in the best possible light to the viewing public.

He was breathing heavily by the time he'd managed to get my shirt and bra raised far enough to lower his mouth to my nipple, he sucked at one while teasing the other and I gasped gripping his hair so hard that I was in fear of ripping it out at the roots. I was moaning audibly and looking forward to what might come next when we were both shocked out of our pleasure by a voice calling my name.

"Hermione where the hell are you" it was Fred with his wand out and a Lumos spell lighting the corridor.

Gerry jumped and pulled my T-shirt down so quickly that I'd doubted he had it up in the first place. If it wasn't for the tingling and wetness I felt in my lower regions I would have thought it was just a fantasy I was engaged in. Rearranging my errant breasts and tucking my T-shirt back in I kissed Gerry quickly before saying "Here Fred, just coming" well I hadn't. Damn it. Gerry patted me on the bottom softly before he slipped away.

I heard a barely audible "later" whispered.


"What took you so long" Fred asked looking at my messed hair in an inquiring way while grabbing my hand and leading me back into the main bar.

"Um, line up at the ladies loo" I know it sounded trite, but he seemed to buy it.

"Sure, OK, they're going to judge the talent show now" Fred said.

I sat down again between the twins, George putting his arm around my shoulder in a friendly way while Fred handed me another drink before patting my thigh. These guys had always been somewhat touchy feely.

The MC stood on the stage, the band's drummer did a roll "And the people's choice winning song is… Jumping Jack Flash" The band started to play their own version of the song as we leapt up in excitement, skipping up to the stage in a very Dorothy, Lion and Tin Man sort of way.

After some small encouragement we sang the song together again with the accompaniment of the band, the applause was almost deafening. I'd gotten my spending money for the books I was going to hunt for tomorrow and the lads had a free meal when ever they fancied one. We bowed and left the stage, elated that we were indeed the Champions tonight.


It was late, close to 1 am, Fred and George had a business to run and we decided now was a good time to leave. As we rose from our table Gerry appeared and walked us to the street. I hugged the twins promising to drop in for a cuppa tomorrow and to help out now that Nadia was no longer working for them. They left and I was alone with Gerry again.

He turned to me and gently ran his fingers down the length of my face. "I really want you to stay with me tonight but I have to tell you something."

Here it comes I thought, I guessed that I was much more attractive an hour ago in the darkened corridor under the influence of grog.

"I'm married, well, separated actually. My wife's a Muggle and she's back in New Orleans running our other bar. I don't know if we'll be getting back together or not, it's been 4 months now" in his favour he at least looked genuinely sorry. "I want to be with you, have you in my bed, but I don't know if that's what you want, whether it's fair on you."

An honest man, at least he seemed honest in this light. My smile faded and my lips had become fixed flat, I cupped his face with my hand, leaning in for a kiss. The kiss was light, I wanted more, much more, but managed to pull back. "You're right, thanks for telling me. Why don't we keep in touch and see how things go." I dropped my hand from his face and stepped back.

Gerry took both of my hands in his own and squeezed "Sure thing Sweet Missy, I look forward to seeing you again" he reached up and took my tags in his hand giving them a rub as if they would bring him luck. One last lingering kiss, barely there, and he drifted back into the darkness of his bar.


I stood there for a moment and sighed. I sure could pick them. I didn't expect to see him again any time soon. Of course I knew that the road to true love for a 26 year old witch was not going to be easy, all the sexy wizards were either taken, liars or psychotic.

Suddenly I felt the need for the comforting hug of one Severus Snape. If only he was here to banish my demons. "Severus, where are you" I turned my face to the dark sky and cried out for my friend as my feet found their own way back to the Leaky Cauldron and my chaste bed.


Somewhere in Scotland a man tossed in his bed unable to sleep. Sitting up he imagined he had heard his sweetheart call his name, but the other side of the bed was tragically empty. Slipping out of bed he went to the bathroom to splash water on his tired, worn face. Reaching out he touched the bare surface of the mirror, only two days and she would be here. He missed Hermione, and Severus knew that he should make a move to win her heart before another man beat him to it. He didn't know how he would live with himself if that happened.