Hermione was leaning against a crumbling brick wall across the street from the entrance of what she assumed to be Knockturn. As the name suggested, the building was situated right in the middle of Knockturn Alley, just a few storefronts down from Borgin and Burkes. While Hermione had never had the distinct pleasure of entering the establishment herself, she had heard whispers of it. The actual building held no identifying signage, but as she spied increasing numbers of drunk witches and wizards entering the storefront she became more assured she was in the right place.
She puffed on a joint which she had rolled just before leaving her flat. It contained elements of lavender, peppermint, common rue, and thyme for added calm and a bit of luck. Truly one of her greatest inventions. Her hair was wild upon her head, the chocolate curls bouncing and out of control, soaking up the sweet smoke. She wore a black ribbed corset top that bore a sliver of her midriff and lifted up her tits, paired with a black satin skirt and strappy heels. There was an air of peace surrounding her and she was reluctant to ruin it by entering the unknown depths of the building. She took one last long drag of the roach before dropping it onto the stones and stomping it out with the ball of her foot. She made sure her wand was secured within the ribbing of her top and followed a rather large group of witches through the front doors.
They squealed with excitement, chattering as they entered. At first glance it appeared to be an ordinary hole in the wall tavern, complete with a dingy furniture and foggy mugs of ale.
"Excuse me, we are looking for Knockturn." The woman at the front of the group boldly stated.
The bartender's face remained impassive as he jerked his head towards a dimly lit hallway leading towards the washrooms. Hermione followed behind as the women walked curiously along.
There was an "Out of Order" sign on one of the loo doors and Hermione smiled at the creativity. She pushed past the women who had stopped abruptly, looking around in confusion, and opened the door, quickly stepping inside and shutting it behind her. She could see nothing but a dark staircase leading down and hear the slight pulse of a base. She descended the steps slowly, gripping the banister in her hands tightly as she let her eyes adjust to the darkness.
Hermione finally reached the end of the staircase and pushed past a blackout curtain which had been hung concealing the inside of the club. Her veins began to sing with the drugs she had added to her system and the scene which unfurled before her.
All the furniture, fixtures, and walls were black, making the grand room almost devoid of color if not for the winding, twisting multitude of lights which sat like a fog all around. In front of her was a large dance floor packed with flushed bodies grinding to the sensual beats. She could see a bar far beyond and a seating area even further back. It was raw and hedonistic and she loved it.
The witches from before came barreling out of the curtains behind her laughing in delight. Hermione curled her lip before deciding the bar was likely the best place to start. She made her way across the room, her half closed eyes taking everything in and cataloging the exits. She propped herself against the bar top and flagged someone down, ordering her usual scotch neat. A lazy smile stretched across her face as the bartender set the glass down in front of her and she snatched it up in 2 hands before bringing it to her lips.
"I should have known I would find you here." A voice behind her said.
Hermione set her glass back down and spun, almost knocking herself off balance. "Well you know me, I hate to disappoint." She grinned wildly at the girl.
Daphne squealed, launching herself forward into Hermione's arms. "Fucking Merlin I missed you, please never leave again!" She cried and Hermione's heart clenched at her words as she hugged her friend back fiercely.
"Well, well, they all told me you had changed, but I am inclined to disagree. That bushy mane looks exactly the same to me." Someone drawled behind them.
Hermione kept her arm slung around Daphne's waste as she faced Pansy Parkinson head on. "Aye Pansy, as it stands I hardly recognized you. Somehow your nose just seems to defy gravity itself, I feel like I am speaking to your tonsils I can see so far up."
Pansy scoffed. "Impossible. Had those removed years ago, they always seemed to get in the way. Not that you would know anything about that." She picked at her cuticles as if finding the conversation too boring to properly keep up.
"Hmm yes, perhaps I wouldn't. Do you agree, Daph?" Hermione asked her friend, still glued to her side.
Pansy snorted, a smile breaking across her face. "You might not be too bad Granger, but I will withhold judgement until I can find out if you can keep up." She pushed past Hermione to the bar, scooping up her discarded scotch and downing it in one gulp.
"I would be more worried about yourself, Parkinson." Hermione countered, barreling over to the bar with Daphne in tow and squeezing in between the packed bodies gathering there, elbowing the other patrons out of the way.
"3 shots over here!" They all yelled at once.
"Oi, you lot weren't going to get one for me?" Asked a voice beside Daphne.
Theo pouted, maneuvering the witch out of the way so he could squeeze himself up to the bar beside Hermione.
Hermione smiled at him. "Hmm I do not think we have had the pleasure of an introduction, and you are?" She asked coyly, extending her hand in greeting.
"You wound me Granger. And here I was remembering how I used to find you passably attractive." A hand thrown dramatically over his heart.
"Ah yes and I suppose I may have found you to be passably intelligent." Hermione laughed, feeling at ease with the man despite never having had a proper conversation.
"So she admits to remembering me and my big-"
"I'm sorry, your big what Theo?" Pansy interjected.
"Brain of course." Theo stated in mock outrage, and Hermione snorted at Theo's childish humor.
"Ugh do not encourage him Granger, then will never bloody shut up." Pansy groaned and Theo quickly hugged his friend around her waist and began pressing sloppy kisses all over her head. Pansy tried to squash the smile that appeared on her face but was largely unsuccessful as it broke free and she struggled within Theo's hold.
"Oi Theo you toad, make yourself useful and grab us some glasses. Now let's go, I got the necessities!" Daphne chirped, appearing at their side suddenly, with two bottles of firewhiskey gripped in her hand. She used her other hand to grab Hermione's wrist, dragging her along to the seating area.
Pansy stepped away from the bar glaring at Theo before she smoothed down her hair and checked her green velvet dress for wrinkles. Satisfied with her appearance she followed Daphne and Hermione along as they wound through the club.
Daphne walked so fast in her heels Hermione could barely keep up. They passed people by in a blur, which made her distantly think that maybe Daphne was not walking all that fast? Before she knew what was happening she was twirled around and pushed into a large crescent shaped booth, Daphne scooting in beside her and forcing her to shuffle along. Someone grunted as she bumped into them and she looked up into the face of Draco Malfoy.
"Granger." He nodded down, taking in her hair and outfit. His voice was a deep tenor which combined with his awareness prickled across her skin setting her abuzz.
"Malfoy." She answered back briskly, looking away.
He continued to stare, seemingly absorbing her presence. Hermione bristled at the connection and dared another glance at his face.
"Have you always been fond of watching me, or is that a recent habit you picked up?" She asked, acknowledging their encounter at the nightclub the evening prior.
"Oh it is not so recent, I can assure you." He replied ambiguously, that same smirk plastered on his face.
